Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect Bookmarked
Loading…
Q78 (IAS/2019) Environment & Ecology › Environment Laws, Policies & Institutions (India) › Extended Producer Responsibility Official Key

In India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 recognises the liability of producers for reducing and recycling e-waste in its first e-waste management rules.[1] This marked the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as an important feature in Indian environmental legislation. The concept of "extended producer responsibility" (EPR) has become an established principle of environmental policy in many countries since the term was first introduced in the early 1990s.[2]

The other options are incorrect because: Option A relates to bio-medical waste management which had different regulatory focus; Option B refers to "Recycled Plastic" rules from 1999, whereas the actual rules were "Plastics Manufacture, Sale and Usage Rules, 1999" which did not introduce EPR; and Option D concerns food safety regulations which are not primarily focused on waste management or EPR principles. The 2011 e-waste rules were specifically significant for being India's first waste management rules to formally recognize producer liability for collection and recycling.

Sources
  1. [1] https://repository.unescap.org/bitstreams/6e5e960b-c9de-479c-b3ec-6c7ea98b6b7a/download
  2. [2] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2016/09/extended-producer-responsibility_g1g6742c/9789264256385-en.pdf
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
63%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. In India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? [A] The Bio-medical Waste…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 2.5/10

This is a textbook 'Sitter' found directly in standard Environment modules (e.g., Shankar IAS). The question tests the 'evolution of policy'—specifically identifying which regulation introduced a modern governance tool (EPR). If a book says 'For the first time...', that sentence is potential Prelims gold.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Did the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 in India introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) as an important feature?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
Strength: 5/5
“17 lakh tonnes of E-waste is generated every year, with an annual increase of 5 per cent of generation of E-waste. For the first time, the Rules will bring the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets. The producers have been made responsible for collection of E-waste and for its disposal.”
Why relevant

States explicitly that the e‑waste rules 'for the first time' bring producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

How to extend

A student could use this wording to infer that EPR was introduced later in sector‑specific rules (e.g., e‑waste), so check whether EPR language appears in earlier 1998 biomedical rules—if 'first time' refers to e‑waste, biomedical 1998 likely did not introduce EPR.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > S.tL.4. E waste management rules aozz > p. 95
Strength: 4/5
“These rules will launch a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling. The salient feature of the new rules is as under: • All the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on portal developed by CPCB. • Authorization (now been replaced by Registration) through online portal and only manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler require Registration. • Producers of notified EEE have been given annual E-Waste Recycling targets based on the generation from the previously sold EEE or based on sales of EEE as the case may be. All Rights Reserved. No part of this material na_v be reproduced ir any form or b,v an,v means, I'ithout permission in l'riting. ffi,ffi'Ft”
Why relevant

Describes the new EPR regime and specific obligations (registration, targets) under e‑waste rules, showing EPR is a salient, documented innovation in later rules.

How to extend

Compare these concrete EPR elements (registration, targets) with the text of the 1998 biomedical rules to see if similar obligations were present then.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
Strength: 4/5
“.: I l \ i 1 I l 1 I 1 • 7. Extended Producer Responsibility: Earlier, EPR was left to the discretion of the local bodies. First time, the producers and brand owners have been made responsible for collecting waste generated from their products. They have to approach local bodies for formulation of plan/system for the plastic waste management within the prescribed time frame.”
Why relevant

Explains 'Extended Producer Responsibility: Earlier, EPR was left to the discretion of the local bodies. First time, the producers and brand owners have been made responsible...' in context of (plastic) waste rules.

How to extend

Use this as a pattern that EPR was explicitly introduced in later plastic/waste rules; therefore check whether the 1998 biomedical rules contain any comparable shift from local discretion to producer responsibility.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > c" Hospital waste > p. 85
Strength: 3/5
“• . Hospital waste is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals or in research activities or in the production or testing of biologicals. • These chemicals include formaldehyde and phenols, which are used as disinfectants, and mercury, which is used in thermometers or ' equipment that measure blood pressure. • • These are highly infectious and can be a serious threat to human health if not managed in a scientific and discriminate manner. • Surveys carried out by various agencies show that the health care establishments in India are not giving due attention to their waste management. • After the notification of the Bio-medical Waste (Handling and Management) Rules, 1998, these establishments are slowly streamlining the process of waste segregation, collection, treatment, and disposal.”
Why relevant

Notes what the 1998 Bio‑medical Waste Rules prompted (segregation, collection, treatment and disposal) but does not mention producer obligations.

How to extend

A student could treat the absence of EPR language here as a clue to test the statement by directly comparing the 1998 rules' provisions to those later rules that explicitly name EPR.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Table I Main Environmental Laws of India > p. 88
Strength: 3/5
“Te Manufacture, Storage, Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989. (iii) Te Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro-organ ism/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules, 1989. • Environmental Law: 1992; Salient Features: Te Public Liability Insurance Act and Rules Amendment, 1992. • Environmental Law: 1995; Salient Features: Te National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995, to award compensation for damages to persons, property, and the environment arising from any activity involving hazard ous substances. • Environmental Law: 1997; Salient Features: Te National Appellate Authority Act, 1997, to hear appeals with respect to restric tions of areas where industries are set up or prescribed subject to certain safeguards under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), 1986. • Environmental Law: 1998; Salient Features: Te Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998. • Environmental Law: 2000; Salient Features: (i)Te Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000. (ii)Te Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, for the regulation and consumption of ozone depleting substances (such as CFCs) • Environmental Law: 2002; Salient Features: Te Biological Diversity Act.”
Why relevant

Confirms the year and existence of the Bio‑medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 as a distinct environmental law entry.

How to extend

Use the confirmed date to construct a timeline of when EPR appears in various Indian waste rules (1998 biomedical vs later e‑waste/plastic rules) to assess whether EPR was first introduced in 1998 or later.

Statement 2
Did the Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999 in India introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) as an important feature?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
Strength: 5/5
“.: I l \ i 1 I l 1 I 1 • 7. Extended Producer Responsibility: Earlier, EPR was left to the discretion of the local bodies. First time, the producers and brand owners have been made responsible for collecting waste generated from their products. They have to approach local bodies for formulation of plan/system for the plastic waste management within the prescribed time frame.”
Why relevant

This snippet defines EPR in the context of plastic rules: producers and brand owners have been made responsible for collecting waste generated from their products.

How to extend

A student could check the text/date of the Recycled Plastic Rules (1999) to see if this specific producer-responsibility language appears there or only in later amendments.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Amendment rules eozz > p. 99
Strength: 4/5
“• R Classification of Plastics: • Category 1: Rigid plastic packaging • Category 2: Flexible plastic packaging of single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags, plastic sachet or pouches. • Category 3: Multi-layered plastic packaging (at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic) and brand owners' for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and abating environment pollution. • A committee constituted by the CPCB under the chairmanship of CPCB chairman will recommend measures to the environment ministry for effective implementation of EPR, including amendments to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines.”
Why relevant

Mentions a CPCB committee recommending measures for effective implementation of EPR and amendments to EPR guidelines — ties EPR explicitly to plastic-rule implementation processes.

How to extend

Use this to infer that EPR was a recognized implementation issue for plastics and then look up when CPCB/EPR guidance for plastics was first issued relative to 1999.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 0. j EllVlROHlylEHT . > p. 96
Strength: 4/5
“"]0. j EllVlROHlylEHT . 1 t • Management of solar PV modules / panels / cells added in new rules. • The quantity recycled will be computed on the basis of end products, so as to avoid any false claim. • Provision for generation and transaction of EPR Certificate has been introduced. • Provisions for environment compensation and verification & audit has been introduced. • Provision for constitution of Steering Committee to oversee the overall implementation of these rules.”
Why relevant

States that provisions for generation and transaction of EPR Certificates have been introduced (in the discussed rules), indicating EPR mechanisms were added to plastic-related rules at some point.

How to extend

A student can compare the 1999 rule text with later rule texts/amendments to see when EPR certificate provisions first appeared.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 97
Strength: 3/5
“A... ur.x SW#; l • Increase minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns and stipulate minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets also to facilitate collection and recycle of plastic waste. • Promote use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. for gainful utilization of waste. • Rural areas have been brought within the ambit of these Rules since plastic has reached rural areas also. AII Rights Reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in my form or by my mems, without permission in witing. re”
Why relevant

Policy measures (e.g., changing minimum plastic thickness to facilitate collection and recycling) show regulatory focus on making waste easier to manage/recycle — a goal consistent with EPR approaches.

How to extend

Combine this policy objective with timelines of regulations to judge whether such measures accompanied an EPR introduction in 1999 or were added later.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
Strength: 3/5
“17 lakh tonnes of E-waste is generated every year, with an annual increase of 5 per cent of generation of E-waste. For the first time, the Rules will bring the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets. The producers have been made responsible for collection of E-waste and for its disposal.”
Why relevant

Shows how EPR was explicitly introduced for e-waste rules ('for the first time, the Rules will bring the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility') which provides a comparative example of when regulators introduced EPR in another waste stream.

How to extend

Use the known timing of E-waste EPR introduction to build a chronology and check whether plastics predated, coincided with, or followed that EPR adoption.

Statement 3
Did the e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 in India introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) as an important feature?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
Presence: 5/5
“17 lakh tonnes of E-waste is generated every year, with an annual increase of 5 per cent of generation of E-waste. For the first time, the Rules will bring the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets. The producers have been made responsible for collection of E-waste and for its disposal.”
Why this source?
  • Directly states that the Rules, for the first time, bring producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
  • Specifies producers are made responsible for collection of e-waste and for its disposal.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > S.tL.4. E waste management rules aozz > p. 95
Presence: 5/5
“These rules will launch a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling. The salient feature of the new rules is as under: • All the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on portal developed by CPCB. • Authorization (now been replaced by Registration) through online portal and only manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler require Registration. • Producers of notified EEE have been given annual E-Waste Recycling targets based on the generation from the previously sold EEE or based on sales of EEE as the case may be. All Rights Reserved. No part of this material na_v be reproduced ir any form or b,v an,v means, I'ithout permission in l'riting. ffi,ffi'Ft”
Why this source?
  • Says the rules launch a new EPR regime for e-waste recycling.
  • Notes producers/ manufacturers/ refurbishers/ recyclers must register and producers are given annual E-waste recycling targets.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
Presence: 5/5
“.: I l \ i 1 I l 1 I 1 • 7. Extended Producer Responsibility: Earlier, EPR was left to the discretion of the local bodies. First time, the producers and brand owners have been made responsible for collecting waste generated from their products. They have to approach local bodies for formulation of plan/system for the plastic waste management within the prescribed time frame.”
Why this source?
  • Explains EPR was earlier discretionary and that, for the first time, producers and brand owners are made responsible for collecting waste from their products.
  • Emphasizes the shift of responsibility to producers/brand owners as a salient feature.
Statement 4
Did the Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011 in India introduce extended producer responsibility (EPR) as an important feature?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 1/5
"Single-use plastic products are also subject to EPR, with manufacturers bearing expenses for awareness campaigns, litter collection, and data reporting."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that single-use plastic products are subject to EPR, linking EPR to packaging/plastic regulation rather than to a 2011 regulation.
  • Mentions the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in the context of packaging regulations and drafts (later instruments), not the 2011 Regulations.
Web source
Presence: 1/5
"The Draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations (2022) were developed by the FSSAI based on the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules (2021), and they permit the use of recycled plastics as food packaging materials"
Why this source?
  • Notes the Draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations (2022) were developed based on Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules (2021), indicating regulatory developments on packaging/EPR occurred well after 2011.
  • Implies packaging-related responsibilities (and related EPR measures) are addressed in later amendments/drafts rather than originating in 2011.
Web source
Presence: 1/5
"Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. Revised 2022. Available online: <https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Packaging_Regulations_09_09_2022.pdf>"
Why this source?
  • References FSSAI Packaging Regulations, 2018 (revised 2022) and FSSAI directions in 2022, showing packaging/EPR-related measures are in later instruments rather than being introduced in 2011.
  • Connects EPR discussion to these later regulations and directions rather than to the 2011 Regulations.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > 12.7 FSS Act 2006 and FSSAI > p. 373
Strength: 5/5
“Introduction: The subject of "adulteration of foodstuffs and the production, supply and distribution of foodstuffs" comes under concurrent list. The various Central Acts like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit Products Order 1955, Meat Food Products Order 1973, Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947, Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988, De-Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992 etc. were repealed after the enactment of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006.”
Why relevant

Shows the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 created a consolidated legal framework (repealing many earlier food laws) under which later regulations (like 2011) would be made.

How to extend

A student could check whether the 2011 regulations, framed under the 2006 Act, include new producer obligations such as EPR by comparing the 2006 Act's scope with the 2011 regulations' text.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 12: Supply Chain and Food Processing Industry > 12.8 Previous Years Questions > p. 374
Strength: 4/5
“• 1. Consider the following statements [2018] • (i) The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.• (ii) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is under the charge of Director General of Health Services in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? • (a) (i) only• (b) (ii) only• (c) Both (i) & (ii)• (d) Neither (i) nor (ii)”
Why relevant

Explicitly notes that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced earlier law — giving a timeline and institutional authority (FSSAI) that issues regulations such as those of 2011.

How to extend

Use this timeline to focus documentary search on subsidiary regulations issued by FSSAI in 2011 to see if EPR-style provisions were introduced then.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.9 Organic Farming > p. 345
Strength: 4/5
“The definition also extends to meat, poultry and dairy products produced without using antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. While this is the generic, universally accepted understanding of organic food, the exact definition varies from country to country. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates organic foods in India. FSSAI in Nov 2017 published regulations on organic food which regulates manufacture, sale, distribution and import of organic food in India. As a consequence, any food to be sold as 'organic' in India will have to be certified under either of the two prevailing systems. The”
Why relevant

Shows FSSAI issues sector-specific regulations (example: organic food regulations published later in 2017), indicating FSSAI uses regulations to add specific producer/market obligations.

How to extend

By analogy, inspect the 2011 regulations for whether they similarly introduced producer-focused obligations (e.g., packaging/producer responsibility) as the 2017 organic rules did for certification.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.9 Organic Farming > p. 346
Strength: 3/5
“All products labelled as organic shall be required to be certified either under NPOP or PGS-India and shall bear logo of Jaivik Bharat (FSSAI organic food logo) along with the concerned certification programme (PGS-India or NPOP) logo. The organic regulations allow import of organic food into India without being re-certified in India if the organic standards of the exporting country have been recognised as equivalent to NPOP. NPOP: The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is a third-party certification programme, run by the ministry of commerce and industries since 2001, which lays down the norms governing the production of organic food.”
Why relevant

Describes how FSSAI's organic regulations mandate certification and labeling requirements—an example of regulatory imposition of responsibilities on producers/marketers.

How to extend

A student could infer that if FSSAI can impose labeling/certification duties, it might also be capable of imposing EPR-related duties; thus they should check 2011 text for packaging/waste/producer duties.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > FPO Mark > p. 326
Strength: 3/5
“The FPO mark is a certification mark mandatory on all processed fruit products sold in India such as packaged fruit beverages, fruit-jams, crushes & squashes, pickles, dehydrated fruit products and fruit extracts, following the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The FPO mark guarantees that the product was manufactured in a hygienic 'food-safe' environment, thus ensuring that the product is fit for consumption. The FPO mark is provided by the Ministry of Food Processing and Industries.”
Why relevant

Notes the FPO mark is a mandatory certification introduced under the FSS framework, showing the regulatory toolkit includes mandatory producer-facing marks/requirements.

How to extend

Use this as precedent to investigate whether the 2011 regulations similarly introduced mandatory producer responsibilities (such as take-back or packaging obligations consistent with EPR).

Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves 'Firsts' in governance. Whenever a new legal term (EPR, Carbon Credit, Green Tax, CSR) enters the Indian statute book, the specific Act/Rule that introduced it becomes a permanent question bank candidate.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct lift from standard sources (e.g., Shankar IAS Chapter on Environmental Pollution) which explicitly states e-Waste Rules 2011 introduced EPR 'for the first time'.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Waste Management Regulatory Framework. Specifically, the shift from 'Command and Control' to 'Market-based Instruments' like EPR.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Unique Selling Point' of each Rule: Bio-medical (Color Coding: Yellow/Red/White/Blue, Bar Coding); Plastic (Thickness limits: 50->75->120 microns, 'Brand Owner' liability); Solid Waste (Segregation: Wet/Dry/Domestic Hazardous); Hazardous Waste (Transboundary movement, Basel Convention).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read the rules; create a 'Timeline of Evolution'. Ask: When did 'Polluter Pays' enter? When did 'EPR' enter? When did 'Segregation at Source' become mandatory? The exam tests the *chronology of reform*.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a policy instrument
💡 The insight

EPR makes producers/brand owners responsible for collection and disposal/recycling of products they place on the market and is presented as a key feature in waste rules for electrical/plastic products.

High-yield for UPSC because EPR is a recurring governance tool in environmental regulation; mastering it helps answer questions on producer obligations, regulatory mechanisms (targets, registration, EPR certificates) and implementation challenges. It links environmental law with industrial responsibility and waste-management policy questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > S.tL.4. E waste management rules aozz > p. 95
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 in India introdu..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Distinguishing regulatory frameworks for different waste streams
💡 The insight

Different rules target different wastes—bio-medical rules focus on healthcare waste segregation and treatment, while e-waste and plastic rules emphasize producer responsibility and recycling targets.

Essential for UPSC to correctly attribute features to the right statute (bio-medical vs e-waste vs plastic). This prevents factual errors in comparative questions and essays, and connects to broader topics like public health, municipal governance and industrial regulation.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > c" Hospital waste > p. 85
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 in India introdu..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Core obligations under the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
💡 The insight

The 1998 rules are linked to improving segregation, collection, treatment and disposal practices at healthcare establishments.

Important factual base for questions on environment and public health policy; knowing the primary focus of the 1998 rules lets aspirants place later reforms (amendments, newer rules) in context and analyse policy evolution and implementation gaps.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > c" Hospital waste > p. 85
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Table I Main Environmental Laws of India > p. 88
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > z. r o u Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, zoi 6 > p. 91
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998 in India introdu..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
💡 The insight

EPR makes producers responsible for collection, recycling and disposal obligations for products they put on the market.

High-yield for environment governance questions: understanding EPR helps answer queries on producer obligations, waste-management policy shifts, and regulatory accountability. It links to topics on circular economy, pollution control frameworks, and policy instruments for waste reduction; useful for questions comparing different sectoral rules (e-waste, plastics) and identifying who bears end-of-life responsibility.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > S.tL.4. E waste management rules aozz > p. 95
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999 in India introduc..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Registration / Authorization of Producers, Recyclers and Re¬furbishers
💡 The insight

Modern waste rules require online registration/authorization of producers, refurbishers and recyclers for regulatory tracking and compliance.

Practically important for administrative and implementation aspects of environmental law: questions often probe mechanisms (registration, targets, portals) used to operationalize rules. Mastering this helps link legal provisions to implementation challenges and state-CPCB roles.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > S.tL.4. E waste management rules aozz > p. 95
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999 in India introduc..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Plastic Waste Classification and Minimum Standards (thickness, categories)
💡 The insight

Plastic rules classify packaging types and set minimum thickness norms to aid collection and recycling.

Useful for policy-scope and regulation-design questions: knowing classification and standards explains how rules aim to improve recyclability and reduce litter. This concept connects to state bans, product standards, and technical measures in waste management strategies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Amendment rules eozz > p. 99
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 97
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999 in India introduc..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for e-waste
💡 The insight

EPR is the central policy change introduced by the 2011 e-waste rules making producers legally responsible for their products’ end-of-life.

High-yield for environment and governance sections: explains a major shift in regulatory approach from local bodies to producer liability; connects to questions on producer liability, circular economy, and regulatory instruments for waste management. Mastery helps answer policy-interpretation and reform-impact questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > 5.rr.3. E-Waste Management Rules, eor6 > p. 94
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > Salier* features > p. 98
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > S.tL.4. E waste management rules aozz > p. 95
🔗 Anchor: "Did the e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 in India introduce extende..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001' contained a 'Buy-back' provision, which was a primitive precursor to EPR. Also, the 'Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016' were the first to explicitly bring 'Brand Owners' (like Amazon/Flipkart) under the EPR ambit.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply 'Nature of Waste' logic. Bio-medical waste (Option A) is infectious/hazardous; the priority is immediate treatment by the hospital (Occupier), not sending it back to a factory. Food Safety (Option D) is about hygiene, not disposal. Between Plastic (1999) and e-Waste (2011), EPR is a sophisticated policy tool; 1999 is too early for India to have adopted it as a core feature. 2011 fits the timeline of modernizing environmental laws.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-3 (Environment & Economy): EPR is the legal backbone of the 'Circular Economy'. It shifts the financial burden of waste management from the Taxpayer (Municipalities) to the Producer, incentivizing 'Design for Environment' (DfE).

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CAPF · 2015 · Q31 Relevance score: -4.24

Which one of the following was NOT the feature of the Home Rule movement in India ?

IAS · 2024 · Q50 Relevance score: -4.53

With reference to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules in India, consider the following statements : 1. CSR rules specify that expenditures that benefit the company directly or its employees will not be considered as CSR activities. 2. CSR rules do not specify minimum spending on CSR activities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2018 · Q100 Relevance score: -4.86

With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements : 1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. 2. 'The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP. 3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-II · 2023 · Q42 Relevance score: -5.03

Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System: 1. The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and State/Union Territories. 2. Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage and transportation of food grains to the State Governments. 3. Both Centre and State have the joint responsibility to identify eligible beneficiaries. 4. Some States also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oil, etc.