What is the common examiner trap about Environment in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the '2020 comprehensive climate change assessment' and swap the projected temperature rise for the 'warmest day' (4.7°C) with the 'coldest night' (5.5°C). Another trap is confusing 'Heat Action Plans' (focused on heatwaves) with the need for measures against 'perennial heat' (rising night temperatures).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Environment for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Projected 5.5°C rise in coldest night temperature by 2100 (from 2020 climate assessment). 2. Target this Nodal Body: India Meteorological Department (IMD) for weather data and heatwave declarations. 3. Target this Correlation: Ahmedabad case study linking night temperatures >30°C with daily mortality rising to 265.

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News 8 of 33

Rising Night Temperatures Pose Greater Health Risk; Projected 5.5°C Rise in Coldest Night by 2100 Under India’s Climate Assessment

Q: Which government organization is responsible for declaring heatwaves and providing temperature data in India, as mentioned in the article?

India Meteorological Department (IMD), The article explicitly mentions the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as the source of recent data on rising night temperatures. The IMD, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the nodal agency for weather forecasting and declaring heatwaves based on specific temperature criteria.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding rising night temperatures in India: 1. According to a 2020 climate assessment, the temperature of the coldest night is projected to rise more than that of the warmest day by the end of the century. 2. The urban heat island effect is solely caused by industrial emissions and has no relation to building materials. 3. A study in Chennai found occupants in low-income houses sometimes sleeping in temperatures exceeding 35° Celsius. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: The article states the coldest night could rise by 5.5°C vs. 4.7°C for the warmest day. Statement 2 is incorrect: The urban heat island effect is amplified by concrete, roads, bricks, metal, and lack of green spaces, not solely industrial emissions. Statement 3 is correct: The Climate Trends study in Chennai noted night-time temperatures sometimes exceeded 35°C.

Q: According to the 2020 comprehensive climate change assessment cited in the article, by how much has India's average temperature increased between 1901 and 2018?

0.7° Celsius, The article clearly states, "India’s average temperature has increased by about 0.7° Celsius between 1901 and 2018, according to the 2020 comprehensive climate change assessment over the Indian region." The other options are plausible distractors based on other climate reports.

Q: What is the primary reason, as explained in the article, why warmer nights pose a greater health risk compared to high daytime temperatures?

They prevent the human body from recovering from daytime heat exposure., The core argument of the article is that cooler nights allow for physiological recovery. When nights are warm, the body faces prolonged heat stress without relief, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and mortality. This is a direct health impact, distinct from infrastructural or agricultural concerns.

Environment Polity Social IssuesHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

19 May 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:0.7°C temp rise (1901-2018)5.5°C projected coldest night rise by 21004.7°C projected warmest day rise by 21004-6°C Urban Heat Island difference

Bodies:India Meteorological Department (IMD)Climate TrendsIndian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Night temperatures in India are rising faster than daytime temperatures, with projections indicating a 5.5°C rise in the coldest night temperature by 2100, posing a severe health risk.

2.The urban heat island effect, driven by concrete, lack of green spaces, and AC use, exacerbates night warming, with city centres being 4-6°C warmer than outskirts.

3.Health impacts are significant; Ahmedabad data shows all-cause mortality rising from 100 to 265 when night temperatures exceed 30°C, highlighting the need for long-term heat action plan measures like passive cooling.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

While heatwaves dominate headlines, rising night temperatures are emerging as a greater public health threat in India, especially in low-income housing. A 2020 climate assessment projects the coldest night temperature could rise by 5.5°C by 2100, preventing the human body from recovering from daytime heat and increasing mortality risks. Exam aspirants must understand this silent, chronic hazard versus intermittent heatwaves.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India's Avg Temp Rise (1901-2018)0.7° Celsius

Projected Warmest Day Rise by 21004.7° Celsius

Projected Coldest Night Rise by 21005.5° Celsius

Study on Chennai HouseholdsSleeping temps >32°C, sometimes >35°C

States with Heat Action PlansAt least 23 states, >200 cities

Urban Heat Island Temp Difference4-6°C (city centre vs outskirts)

1-Minute Revision

›India's Avg Temp Rise (1901-2018): 0.7° Celsius
›Projected Warmest Day Rise by 2100: 4.7° Celsius
›Target this Data: Projected 5.5°C rise in coldest night temperature by 2100 (from 2020 climate assessment).
›Target this Nodal Body: India Meteorological Department (IMD) for weather data and heatwave declarations.
›Target this Correlation: Ahmedabad case study linking night temperatures >30°C with daily mortality rising to 265.

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News Snapshot

🌡️

Night Temperatures Rising Faster

Nighttime temperatures in India are projected to rise faster than daytime, with the coldest night temperature potentially increasing by 5.5°C by 2100.

🏙️

Urban Heat Island Effect

Concrete, roads, and AC emissions amplify night warming in cities, creating a 4-6°C temperature difference between city centres and outskirts.

⚠️

Health Risk > Heatwaves

High night temperatures prevent bodily recovery, leading to prolonged heat exposure, sleep issues, and a documented spike in all-cause mortality, as seen in Ahmedabad.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The discourse on India's extreme heat has traditionally focused on peak daytime temperatures and heatwaves. However, emerging research indicates a more insidious threat: sustained high nighttime temperatures. This is a shift from acute, event-based hazards (heatwaves) to a chronic, pervasive risk exacerbated by urbanization and climate change, aligning with GS III topics on Disaster Management and Environmental Ecology.

Core Analysis & Implications

The 2020 comprehensive climate change assessment over the Indian region provides critical data: while daytime temperatures rose more from 1986-2015, future projections show nights warming faster (5.5°C for coldest night vs. 4.7°C for warmest day). The urban heat island effect, driven by material science (concrete, metal) and urban planning failures (loss of green/blue infrastructure), intensifies this. The health implication is profound—the body's inability to cool down leads to cumulative physiological stress, increasing mortality. Ahmedabad's data provides empirical evidence: night temps above 30°C correlate with a 165% increase in daily all-cause mortality. This challenges the current policy focus on heatwave-specific action plans, which are intermittent, and calls for addressing perennial heat stress.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The solution lies in enhancing the long-term components of existing Heat Action Plans (HAPs). This requires a multi-pronged approach: 1) Urban planning reforms to mandate green spaces, water bodies, and reflective materials in building codes. 2) Promoting passive cooling solutions (like whitewashed roofs) for low-income housing, as suggested by the Climate Trends study. 3) Mainstreaming 'indoor thermal exposure' as a public health indicator. 4) Expanding research to quantify health impacts across Indian cities to build evidence for policy. The focus must shift from merely surviving heatwaves to building resilience against sustained heat.

Key Facts at a Glance

India's Avg Temp Rise (1901-2018)0.7° Celsius

Projected Warmest Day Rise by 21004.7° Celsius

Projected Coldest Night Rise by 21005.5° Celsius

Study on Chennai HouseholdsSleeping temps >32°C, sometimes >35°C

States with Heat Action PlansAt least 23 states, >200 cities

Urban Heat Island Temp Difference4-6°C (city centre vs outskirts)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which government organization is responsible for declaring heatwaves and providing temperature data in India, as mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding rising night temperatures in India:

1. According to a 2020 climate assessment, the temperature of the coldest night is projected to rise more than that of the warmest day by the end of the century.

2. The urban heat island effect is solely caused by industrial emissions and has no relation to building materials.

3. A study in Chennai found occupants in low-income houses sometimes sleeping in temperatures exceeding 35° Celsius.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC

According to the 2020 comprehensive climate change assessment cited in the article, by how much has India's average temperature increased between 1901 and 2018?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary reason, as explained in the article, why warmer nights pose a greater health risk compared to high daytime temperatures?

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Rising Night Temperatures Pose Greater Health Risk; Projected 5.5°C Rise in Coldest Night by 2100 Under India’s Climate Assessment

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Night Temperatures Rising Faster

Urban Heat Island Effect

Health Risk > Heatwaves

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance