CUET Environmental Studies Syllabus 2026: PDF Download, Unit-Wise Syllabus

Unit 1

Human Beings and Nature

Modern schools of ecological thought; Deep ecology vs Shallow ecology; Stewardship of land; Social ecology (Marxist & socialist ecology); Feminism; Green politics; Sustainable development – concepts, Brundtland Commission Report, SDGs, Mission LiFE

Unit 2

Population and Conservation Ecology

Population dynamics; Age structure & population pyramids; Survivorship curves; r & K strategies; Human population theories (Malthusian model, demographic transition); Carrying capacity; Population regulation (exponential & logistic growth); Threats to ecosystems; Biodiversity loss; Conservation (in-situ & ex-situ); Indian forests & wildlife conservation; Project Tiger; Forest conflicts; Role of Forest Department & NGOs; Forestry management practices; Environmental acts & rules

Unit 3

Environmental Pollution

Concepts of pollutants, contaminants, sources & sinks; Air, water, soil & noise pollution; Environmental laws in India; Air pollution monitoring (NAAQS, NAMP, AQI, instruments & sampling); Water pollution sources & indicators (BOD, COD, eutrophication); Soil pollution sources, soil characteristics & monitoring techniques

Unit 4

Development and Environment

Urbanisation (push–pull factors & impacts); Development vs sustainability; Overuse of natural resources; Gandhian approach to development; Local self-governance; Urban environmental planning; Indigenous urban solutions; New urbanism & smart growth; Case studies – Bogota, Cuba, Curitiba, Cochabamba

Unit 5

Sustainable Agriculture in India

Pre-colonial, colonial & post-colonial agriculture; Irrigation systems (macro & micro); Traditional water harvesting; Green Revolution – principles, impacts; Sustainable agriculture practices; IPM; Organic & natural farming; Food preservation & storage; Food adulteration; Quality marks (ISI, AGMARK, FPO); Food security & National Food Security Act, 2013

Unit 6

Environmental & Natural Resource Economics

Classification of natural resources; Natural resource accounting; GDP vs GNP; Environmental economics; Defensive expenditure; Natural capital; Carbon footprint & credits; Externalities; Cost-benefit analysis; Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); Ecosystem services; Ecological footprint

Unit 7

International Relations and the Environment

Global pollution impacts; Ozone depletion; Climate change & global warming; International environmental agreements (Montreal, Kyoto, Paris, Basel, Bamako); Case studies – Amazon rainforest, ivory trade; International trade & environment; Globalization & WTO; IPR regimes; Toxic waste trade; International aid – tied & untied

Section IA (Language)

40 questions to be attempted out of 50

Reading Comprehension based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary, and Narrative (Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary)

Section IB

Section II (Domain Subject)

35/40 Questions to be attempted out of 45/50

Input text can be used for MCQ Based Questions

MCQs based on the NCERT Class 12 syllabus only

Section III (General Test)

50 Questions to be attempted out of 60

Input text can be used for MCQ Based Questions

General Knowledge, Current Affairs, General Mental Ability, Numerical Ability, Quantitative Reasoning (Simple application of basic mathematical concepts arithmetic/algebra geometry/mensuration/s tat taught till Grade 8), Logical and Analytical Reasoning

CUET Environmental Studies Mapping for Courses

Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BPA), Bachelor in Environmental Studies in Music Production (B.P.A.)