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REET L1 · Environmental Studies (EVS)

Meaning, Scope and Importance of Environmental Studies (EVS)

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This page explains the meaning and components of environment, the nature of Environmental Studies (EVS) at the primary level, its scope and importance, and the NCF 2005 perspective, all from an exam angle. REET Level 1 has 30 EVS questions covering both content and pedagogy, and this topic is the foundation that connects both.

  • 5 questions in REET 2024
  • Class 1-5 level + pedagogy
  • 9 min read
Verified 17 September 2026 · Source: National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCERT)

How this topic is asked in REET

REET 2024 (Level 1, first shift) had 5 questions from this topic, and they were general-knowledge style rather than long definitions: the full form of ENVIS, a component of the man-made environment (industry), the scholar who named the 'techno-ecosystem', the directions the lions face on the National Emblem, and Nagarjuna, associated with the philosophy of 'Shunyavada'. This makes clear that the scope of EVS is treated as very broad in the exam — the natural environment, the man-made environment, national symbols and the history of science can all be part of it. So keep the classification of environment components firm, and memorise the facts that fall within EVS's scope in small, bite-sized points.

The meaning of environment and Environmental Studies

The English word 'environment' comes from the French word 'environner' (to surround). The Hindi word 'paryavaran' is built the same way, from 'pari' (around) and 'avaran' (covering) — that is, everything that surrounds us. The environment includes physical elements (air, water, soil), biological elements (plants, animals, humans) and socio-cultural elements (family, community, traditions), all of which constantly interact with one another.

Environmental Studies (EVS) is the primary-level subject in which a child comes to understand the natural, social and cultural surroundings around them by observing, exploring and experiencing. The 1975 curriculum framework first recommended a subject called 'Environmental Studies' at the primary level, but back then classes 3-5 had two separate parts — EVS I and EVS II, roughly corresponding to social studies and science. It was NCF 2000 that recommended an integrated EVS across the whole primary stage, a recommendation NCF 2005 carried forward.

According to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, EVS is not taught as a separate subject in classes 1-2; its concepts are woven into language and mathematics instead. In classes 3-5, EVS is an integrated subject that blends elements of science, social science and environmental education. Rather than teaching subjects in separate boxes, NCF 2005 placed the emphasis on teaching EVS theme by theme, anchored in the child's own surroundings and direct experience.

Components of the environment

ComponentSub-partsExamples
Natural (physical) environmentLithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphereRock, soil, river, sea, air, climate
Biological environment (biosphere)Plants, animals, microorganisms, humansForests, birds and animals, crops, bacteria
Man-made environmentStructures and technology built by humansIndustry, buildings, roads, dams, canals, vehicles
Socio-cultural environmentRelationships, institutions, traditionsFamily, community, school, festivals, language, customs

If a question asks about the 'man-made' component, rule out natural-sounding options like the lithosphere, hydrosphere or atmosphere straightaway.

The scope of Environmental Studies

The scope of EVS is as broad as the child's entire surroundings. It mainly covers: (1) the natural environment — plants, animals, water, air, soil, weather; (2) the human body, health, hygiene, nutrition and safety; (3) family, neighbourhood, community and social relationships; (4) everyday-life experiences such as food, shelter, water and travel; (5) work, occupations, tools and technology, in other words the man-made environment; (6) resources, pollution and conservation; and (7) local history, culture, national symbols and eminent people.

In the NCERT syllabus based on NCF 2005, EVS for classes 3-5 is organised into six themes: Family and Friends (with sub-themes — relationships, work and play, animals, plants), Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, and Things We Make and Do. These themes cut across subject boundaries and are instead woven around the child's own experience.

For environment-related information, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, runs a system called ENVIS (Environmental Information System), which now operates under the EIACP programme. EIA is the short form of Environmental Impact Assessment. As per the REET 2024 answer key, the sub-system through which humans create an artificial environment was named the 'techno-ecosystem' by Haber.

Exam-useful facts about the scope of EVS

Stockholm Conference (UN Conference on the Human Environment)
1972; commemorated as World Environment Day on 5 June every year
Tbilisi Conference
1977, the first intergovernmental conference on environmental education; its objectives were awareness, knowledge, attitude, skill and participation
National Emblem
Adapted from the Ashoka Lion Capital at Sarnath; adopted on 26 January 1950. Four lions face in all four directions, though only three are visible in the emblem itself
National motto
'Satyameva Jayate' — taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, inscribed in Devanagari script below the emblem
Nagarjuna
An ancient Indian scholar associated with alchemy (chemistry); famous for the philosophy of 'Shunyavada' (Madhyamaka)
EVS in NCF 2005
Classes 1-2: folded into language and mathematics; classes 3-5: an integrated subject combining science, social science and environmental education[Source 4]

Importance of Environmental Studies

EVS connects a child's school knowledge to life at home and in the surroundings — this is the central idea of NCF 2005. It develops scientific process skills in children, such as observing, classifying, questioning, predicting, experimenting and drawing conclusions.

The subject also builds sensitivity towards the environment and an attitude of conservation — saving water, caring for trees and animals, reducing waste. Alongside this, it develops respect for family, community and diverse cultures, gender and social equality, habits of health and hygiene, and an understanding of safety.

From a teacher's point of view, a child is not an 'empty vessel' in EVS; they walk into the classroom already carrying their own experiences. So the importance of EVS lies not just in delivering information, but in using a child's prior knowledge as a base and giving them the chance to build new understanding through exploration and discussion — an approach known as constructivism.

How to teach children

Classroom activity (Classes 3-4)

'A walk around my surroundings' — take children around the school grounds and have them list everything they notice, then sort it in class into four boxes (natural, living, man-made, social). This way the components of environment land through experience rather than through rote memorisation.

Teaching aids

Local objects (leaves, soil, stones, packets), a map of the village or neighbourhood drawn by the children themselves, and a picture of the National Emblem alongside a coin — have children discuss why only three lions appear on a coin's emblem even though there are actually four.

Common misconceptions

(1) 'Environment just means trees and plants' — whereas family, community and man-made objects are part of the environment too. (2) 'Roads and buildings aren't part of the environment' — these are the man-made environment. (3) 'EVS equals science' — it is really an integrated blend of science, social science and environmental education.

Assessment approach

Instead of a written test, use observation-based assessment: the list or drawing a child produces, how accurate their classification is, and the suggestions they offer in an oral discussion on 'How can we make our school's environment better?' — keep all of this in a portfolio.

Memory trick / exam tip

Remember NCF 2005's six themes in one line — 'With family and friends, over food, drinking water at home (shelter), we set out to travel and made things.' And a quick rule for identifying components: anything ending in '-sphere' (litho/hydro/atmo) is natural; whatever humans build is man-made; and whatever forms through relationships (family, community) is social.

Questions asked in REET 2024 (with solutions)

Question 123

Full form of ENVIS is

  1. Aपर्यावरणीय सूचना प्रणाली
  2. Bपर्यावरणीय प्रभाव आकलन
  3. Cपर्यावरण संरक्षण एजेंसी
  4. Dपर्यावरण संरक्षण काउंसिल

Explanation

ENVIS का पूर्ण रूप Environmental Information System (पर्यावरणीय सूचना प्रणाली) है, जिसे भारत सरकार के पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने पर्यावरण संबंधी सूचनाओं के संग्रह और प्रसार के लिए शुरू किया। पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव आकलन का संक्षिप्त रूप EIA होता है, ENVIS नहीं।

Question 126

Who named the ‘technology-ecosystem’ of third sub-complex to create artificial environment ?

  1. Aओडम
  2. Bटैन्सले
  3. Cहीकल
  4. Dहैबर

Explanation

प्रश्न के अनुसार मानव द्वारा कृत्रिम पर्यावरण निर्मित करने वाले उपसंकुल को 'प्रौद्योगिक-पारिस्थितिक तंत्र' (techno-ecosystem) कहा गया है। पर्यावरण अध्ययन की कुछ पाठ्यपुस्तकों में इस वर्गीकरण को जर्मन पारिस्थितिकीविद् वोल्फगैंग हैबर (Haber) से जोड़कर पढ़ाया जाता है, और BSER की अंतिम कुंजी में उत्तर (D) हैबर ही है। टैन्सले और ओडम पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र की सामान्य अवधारणा से जुड़े नाम हैं।

Question 127

In how many directions faces of lion are present in National Symbol of Ashok’s pillar ?

  1. Aएक
  2. Bदो
  3. Cतीन
  4. Dचार

Explanation

सारनाथ के अशोक स्तम्भ के सिंह शीर्ष में चार सिंह पीठ से पीठ सटाकर चारों दिशाओं की ओर मुख किए बैठे हैं। राष्ट्रीय चिह्न के चित्र में सामने से केवल तीन सिंह दिखाई देते हैं, इसलिए 'तीन' विकल्प भ्रमित कर सकता है, पर वास्तव में मुख चार दिशाओं में हैं।

Question 148

Which of the following is a component of man made environment ?

  1. Aस्थलमंडल
  2. Bउद्योग
  3. Cसमुदाय
  4. Dजलमंडल

Explanation

मानव निर्मित पर्यावरण में वे घटक आते हैं जिन्हें मनुष्य ने स्वयं बनाया है, जैसे उद्योग, भवन, सड़कें आदि। स्थलमंडल और जलमंडल प्राकृतिक (भौतिक) पर्यावरण के घटक हैं, इसलिए उद्योग सही उत्तर है।

Question 150

Which chemist’s philosophy became famous by the name of ‘Nihilism’ ?

  1. Aनील्स बोर
  2. Bदिमित्र मेंडेलीव
  3. Cआचार्य प्रफुल्ल चंद रे
  4. Dनागार्जुन

Explanation

नागार्जुन प्राचीन भारतीय विद्वान थे जिन्हें रसायनशास्त्र (धातुकर्म/कीमिया) से भी जोड़ा जाता है, और उनका दार्शनिक सिद्धान्त 'शून्यवाद' (माध्यमिक दर्शन) के नाम से प्रसिद्ध है। नील्स बोर, मेंडेलीव और आचार्य प्रफुल्ल चंद्र रे आधुनिक वैज्ञानिक हैं जिनका शून्यवाद दर्शन से संबंध नहीं है।

Practice Questions

Question 1

Which of the following is a component of the natural environment?

  1. Aबाँध
  2. Bवायुमंडल
  3. Cरेलवे लाइन
  4. Dकारखाना

Explanation

The atmosphere is a component of the natural (physical) environment. A dam, a railway line and a factory are all built by humans, so they belong to the man-made environment.

Question 2

According to NCF 2005, how should EVS be taught in Classes 1 and 2?

  1. Aअलग पाठ्यपुस्तक से स्वतंत्र विषय के रूप में
  2. Bभाषा और गणित के माध्यम से समाहित करके
  3. Cकेवल विज्ञान के प्रयोगों से
  4. Dकक्षा 1–2 में EVS बिल्कुल नहीं पढ़ाया जाता

Explanation

Under NCF 2005 there is no separate textbook for EVS in classes 1-2; its concepts are folded into language and mathematics. In classes 3-5, EVS becomes an integrated subject.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the six EVS themes for Classes 3–5?

  1. Aभोजन
  2. Bयात्रा
  3. Cपानी
  4. Dअंतरिक्ष

Explanation

The six themes are Family and Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, and Things We Make and Do. 'Space' is not a separate theme among these.

Question 4

On which day is World Environment Day observed?

  1. A22 अप्रैल
  2. B5 जून
  3. C16 सितंबर
  4. D2 दिसंबर

Explanation

World Environment Day is observed on 5 June, commemorating the 1972 Stockholm Conference. 22 April is Earth Day and 16 September is Ozone Day.

Question 5

Where was the first intergovernmental conference on environmental education held?

  1. Aस्टॉकहोम
  2. Bरियो डी जेनेरो
  3. Cत्बिलिसी
  4. Dक्योटो

Explanation

The first intergovernmental conference on environmental education was held in Tbilisi in 1977. Stockholm (1972) was a conference on the human environment; Rio and Kyoto are linked to later climate/environment summits.

Question 6

The national motto 'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from which text?

  1. Aऋग्वेद
  2. Bमुण्डक उपनिषद्
  3. Cभगवद्गीता
  4. Dकठोपनिषद्

Explanation

'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad, and is inscribed in Devanagari script below the National Emblem.

Question 7

NCF 2005 shifted the emphasis in EVS teaching towards:

  1. Aपरिभाषाएँ रटने की ओर
  2. Bपाठ्यपुस्तक की विषयवस्तु से बच्चे के परिवेश और प्रत्यक्ष अनुभव की ओर
  3. Cकेवल लिखित परीक्षा की ओर
  4. Dविषयों को पूरी तरह अलग-अलग पढ़ाने की ओर

Explanation

NCF 2005 shifted the emphasis in EVS teaching from textbook content towards the child's own surroundings and direct experience. Rote memorisation, only written tests, and keeping subjects completely separate all run counter to this.

Question 8

Which is the most suitable way to teach 'components of the environment' in Class 4?

  1. Aपरिभाषा बोर्ड पर लिखकर पाँच बार लिखवाना
  2. Bविद्यालय परिसर में सैर कराकर देखी गई चीज़ों को वर्गों में छँटवाना
  3. Cकेवल पाठ पढ़कर प्रश्न-उत्तर याद करवाना
  4. Dबच्चों को चुपचाप पाठ्यपुस्तक के चित्र देखने देना

Explanation

A campus walk followed by a sorting activity lets children identify natural, man-made and social components from direct experience, which matches NCF 2005's experience-based approach. The other options rely on rote learning.

Question 9

A child says, 'Roads and the school building are not part of the environment.' What should the teacher clarify to correct this misconception?

  1. Aकेवल पेड़-पौधे ही पर्यावरण हैं
  2. Bमनुष्य द्वारा बनाई संरचनाएँ मानव निर्मित पर्यावरण का हिस्सा हैं
  3. Cइमारतें जलमंडल का भाग हैं
  4. Dसड़कें जैविक पर्यावरण में आती हैं

Explanation

Roads and buildings are components of the man-made environment. Environment is not just trees and plants, and buildings belong to neither the hydrosphere nor the biological environment.

Question 10

On which date was the State Emblem adopted by the Government of India?

  1. A15 अगस्त 1947
  2. B26 नवंबर 1949
  3. C26 जनवरी 1950
  4. D24 जनवरी 1950

Explanation

The National Emblem, based on the Ashoka Lion Capital at Sarnath, was adopted on 26 January 1950. The national anthem and national song were adopted on 24 January 1950, and the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many EVS questions come in REET Level 1?+

REET Level 1 has 30 questions (30 marks) on Environmental Studies, covering both content and EVS pedagogy. In REET 2024, each question carried 1 mark and there was no negative marking for wrong answers; the OMR sheet had a 5th option (E) for leaving a question unanswered — leaving the entire OMR blank cost 1/3 mark, as per the BSER question-booklet instructions.

What are the six themes of EVS according to NCF 2005?+

Family and Friends, Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, and Things We Make and Do. Family and Friends itself has four sub-themes — relationships, work and play, animals, and plants.

How is EVS taught in classes 1 and 2?+

As per NCF 2005, there is no separate EVS textbook for classes 1-2; environment-related concepts are woven into language and mathematics instead.

What are examples of the man-made environment?+

Industry, buildings, roads, bridges, dams, canals and vehicles. The lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are components of the natural environment.

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REET Syllabus

The full official syllabus for Level 1 EVS and every subject

REET 2024 Solved Paper

Questions from every shift, with official answers and explanations

Official Sources

  1. National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCERT)
  2. Introduction to ENVIS Centres (EIACP, sponsored by MoEFCC) — Tamil Nadu Department of Environment
  3. BSER — REET 2024 official question papers and final answer keys (original PDFs; no longer hosted on the board portal)
  4. NCERT — Primary-level syllabus: Environmental Studies (Classes 3-5)

Change Log

  • 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked