CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) Environmental Studies and Pedagogy (Paper I) Syllabus

Why do people in different regions of India eat different staple foods?

Because of differences in climate, soil, and locally grown crops—e.g., rice in high-rainfall southern/eastern regions and wheat/maize in northern/drier regions.

What are the four basic needs of human beings often taught in EVS?

Food, water, shelter (clothing is sometimes included), and air. Shelter and water are essential survival needs.

Name different types of houses/shelters found in India based on region.

Pucca houses (brick/cement), kutcha houses (mud/straw), houseboats (Kashmir), houses on stilts (flood/coastal areas), igloo-style/tent shelters, and houses with sloping roofs in high-rainfall areas.

Why do houses in heavy-rainfall areas have sloping roofs?

Sloping roofs allow rainwater to drain off quickly and prevent waterlogging and damage to the roof.

What is the water cycle (hydrological cycle)?

The continuous movement of water through evaporation (water to vapour), condensation (vapour to clouds), precipitation (rain/snow), and collection/run-off back to water bodies.

Name the main sources of water and classify them.

Surface water (rivers, lakes, ponds, seas), groundwater (wells, tube wells, springs), and rainwater. Of these, freshwater (rivers, lakes, groundwater) is usable for drinking.

What are common methods of purifying water at the household level?

Boiling, filtration (through cloth/candle filter), sedimentation and decantation, chlorination, and using alum (phitkari) for settling impurities.

What is rainwater harvesting and why is it important?

Rainwater harvesting is collecting and storing rainwater for later use or to recharge groundwater. It conserves water, prevents wastage, and helps tackle water scarcity.

Classify means of transport based on the medium of travel.

Land transport (road and rail—bus, car, train), Water transport (boat, ship), and Air transport (aeroplane, helicopter).

What is the difference between public and private transport?

Public transport is shared and available to all (bus, train, metro), while private transport is owned and used by individuals (car, bike, personal cycle).

Name examples of animals used for transport in different parts of India.

Camel (deserts of Rajasthan), bullock/ox (carts), horse (tonga/riding), donkey and mule (hilly areas), and elephant (forests).

What are natural resources, and what are the two main types?

Natural resources are materials obtained from nature for human use. The two types are renewable resources (replenishable—sunlight, water, wind, forests) and non-renewable resources (limited—coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals).

Distinguish between natural materials and man-made (synthetic) materials with examples.

Natural materials come directly from nature (cotton, wool, wood, silk), while man-made/synthetic materials are produced artificially (plastic, nylon, polyester, glass).

What are the three states of matter that materials can exist in, with an example each?

Solid (fixed shape and volume—wood, stone), Liquid (fixed volume, no fixed shape—water, milk), and Gas (no fixed shape or volume—air, oxygen).

What is the difference between transparent, translucent, and opaque materials?

Transparent materials let light pass fully so we can see through (glass), translucent materials let light pass partially (butter paper, frosted glass), and opaque materials do not let light pass (wood, metal).

What is the difference between a tool and a machine in EVS?

A tool is a simple device used to make work easier (hammer, knife, sickle), while a machine is a more complex device, often with moving parts, that does work using energy (sewing machine, tractor).

Name the six types of simple machines.

Lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.

Match these traditional tools to their occupation: sickle, needle, plough.

Sickle (hansiya) is used by a farmer for harvesting, needle by a tailor for stitching, and plough (hal) by a farmer for tilling soil.

How has technology changed communication in daily life as studied in EVS?

From letters and telegrams to telephones, mobile phones, email, and the internet—making communication faster, cheaper, and able to reach distant places instantly.

Give examples of traditional local crafts of India and their associated regions.

Pottery, Pashmina shawls (Kashmir), Bandhani (Gujarat/Rajasthan), Madhubani painting (Bihar), Chikankari (Lucknow), bamboo crafts (North-East), and Blue pottery (Jaipur).

Name common occupations and the people who perform them studied in EVS.

Farmer (farming), potter/kumhar (pots), weaver/bunkar (cloth), blacksmith/lohar (iron tools), carpenter/badhai (wood), cobbler/mochi (shoes), and fisherman (fishing).

What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary occupations?

Primary occupations extract from nature (farming, fishing, mining); secondary occupations make goods from raw materials (factory work, weaving); tertiary occupations provide services (teaching, transport, banking).

What is the meaning and scope of Environmental Studies (EVS)?

EVS is an integrated, interdisciplinary subject combining science, social studies, and environmental concerns to help children understand and relate to their natural and social surroundings. In the NCF/CTET scheme it is taught as a single subject from Classes III–V.

What are the six main themes around which the EVS syllabus (NCF 2005) is organized?

Family and Friends (Relationships, Work and Play, Animals, Plants), Food, Shelter, Water, Travel, and Things We Make and Do (Materials and Resources).

What is the constructivist approach to teaching EVS?

An approach where children actively construct their own knowledge through experience, exploration, and reflection rather than passively receiving facts; the teacher acts as a facilitator who builds on children's prior knowledge.

Name key activities and methods recommended for teaching EVS.

Observation, experimentation, discussion, surveys, field trips/visits, group work, project work, storytelling, role play, and use of local resources—emphasizing 'learning by doing'.

What is the main aim/objective of the EVS curriculum at the primary level?

To help children explore and connect with their natural, physical, and social environment; develop sensitivity, curiosity, observation, and skills; and foster concern for the environment and society.

What does CCE stand for and what does it emphasize in EVS assessment?

Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation. It emphasizes regular, ongoing assessment of both scholastic and co-scholastic areas, using varied tools, to assess the whole development of the child rather than only term-end exams.

Name some learner-friendly assessment tools/techniques suitable for EVS under CCE.

Observation, anecdotal records, portfolios, projects, checklists, rating scales, oral questioning, peer assessment, and rubrics—focusing on process and understanding, not just rote answers.

What are common problems faced in teaching EVS, and one suggested learning material to address them?

Problems include lack of teaching aids, large class sizes, rote-based teaching, and limited local resources. Using low-cost/no-cost teaching-learning materials (TLM) from the local environment—real objects, charts, models, and the surroundings themselves—helps make learning concrete and engaging.