UGC NET People, Development and Environment Short Forms
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| UGC | University Grants Commission | Exam context |
| NET | National Eligibility Test | Exam name |
| JRF | Junior Research Fellowship | Research fellowship context |
| NTA | National Testing Agency | Conducting body |
| CBT | Computer Based Test | Exam mode |
| MCQ | Multiple Choice Question | Practice format |
| PYQ | Previous Year Question | Revision source |
| PDF | Portable Document Format | Notes format |
| UN | United Nations | Global development/environment framework |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organization | Development & environment initiatives |
Core Concepts of People, Development and Environment
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| SD | Sustainable Development | Development without harming future needs |
| SDGs | Sustainable Development Goals | UN goals (2030 agenda) |
| HDI | Human Development Index | Composite development indicator |
| GDI | Gender Development Index | Gender-based development measure |
| GEM | Gender Empowerment Measure | Women empowerment indicator |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product | Economic output indicator |
| GNP | Gross National Product | Output by nationals (incl. abroad) |
| NNP | Net National Product | GNP minus depreciation |
| PPP | Purchasing Power Parity | Income comparison across countries |
| QoL | Quality of Life | Living standard/well-being idea |
| PQLI | Physical Quality of Life Index | Basic welfare index (older) |
| HCR | Head Count Ratio | Poverty measure |
| BPL | Below Poverty Line | Poverty classification |
| MGNREGA | Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act | Rural employment/development program |
| Shortform | Full Form | Exam hint |
|---|
| DPSIR | Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Response | Framework to analyze environmental problems |
| IPAT | Impact = Population Ă— Affluence Ă— Technology | Human impact model |
| 3Rs | Reduce–Reuse–Recycle | Waste management framework |
| 5Ps | People–Planet–Prosperity–Peace–Partnership | SDG framing idea |
| LCA | Life Cycle Assessment | Full life impact of a product/activity |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| EIA | Environmental Impact Assessment | Assess project impact before approval |
| SEA | Strategic Environmental Assessment | EIA at policy/plan/program level |
| EMS | Environmental Management System | System to manage environmental performance |
| ISO | International Organization for Standardization | Standards for environment/quality |
| ISO 14001 | ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard | EMS certification framework |
| CPR | Common Property Resources | Shared resources (forests, ponds etc.) |
| CSR | Corporate Social Responsibility | Company responsibility in society/environment |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| C-cycle | Carbon Cycle | Movement of carbon in nature |
| N-cycle | Nitrogen Cycle | Movement of nitrogen in nature |
| P-cycle | Phosphorus Cycle | Nutrient cycling |
| GHG Cycle | Greenhouse Gas cycle (informal usage) | Emissions & atmospheric trapping context |
| WCC | Water Cycle Concept | Hydrological cycle reference in notes |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| CC | Climate Change | Long-term climate shifts |
| GHG | Greenhouse Gas(es) | Heat-trapping gases |
| CO2 | Carbon Dioxide | Major greenhouse gas |
| CH4 | Methane | Strong greenhouse gas |
| N2O | Nitrous Oxide | Greenhouse gas |
| O3 | Ozone | Stratospheric ozone / tropospheric pollutant |
| IPCC | Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change | Climate science assessment body |
| UNFCCC | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | Global climate treaty framework |
| COP | Conference of the Parties | UNFCCC annual meeting |
| NDC | Nationally Determined Contributions | Country climate commitments |
| LDC | Least Developed Countries | Vulnerable group in climate talks |
| GCF | Green Climate Fund | Climate finance mechanism |
| CBDR-RC | Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities | Key climate justice principle |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| ODS | Ozone Depleting Substances | CFCs etc. harm ozone |
| CFC | Chlorofluorocarbon | Ozone-depleting chemical |
| AQI | Air Quality Index | Air pollution indicator |
| PM2.5 | Particulate Matter ≤ 2.5 microns | Fine particles harmful to lungs |
| PM10 | Particulate Matter ≤ 10 microns | Coarse particles |
| SO2 | Sulphur Dioxide | Air pollutant |
| NOx | Nitrogen Oxides | Air pollutants causing smog |
| BOD | Biochemical Oxygen Demand | Water pollution indicator |
| COD | Chemical Oxygen Demand | Water pollution indicator |
| TDS | Total Dissolved Solids | Water quality parameter |
| DO | Dissolved Oxygen | Oxygen in water bodies |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| BD | Biodiversity | Variety of life |
| IUCN | International Union for Conservation of Nature | Conservation body; Red List |
| PA | Protected Area | National parks/sanctuaries group |
| NP | National Park | Strict protected area type |
| WLS | Wildlife Sanctuary | Protected area type |
| BR | Biosphere Reserve | Conservation + development zone |
| ESA | Ecologically Sensitive Area | Special conservation zone |
| CBD | Convention on Biological Diversity | Global biodiversity treaty |
| ABS | Access and Benefit Sharing | CBD/Nagoya principle |
| CITES | Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species | Controls wildlife trade |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| DM | Disaster Management | Preparedness, response, recovery |
| DRR | Disaster Risk Reduction | Reduce risk before disaster |
| NDMA | National Disaster Management Authority | India’s apex disaster body |
| SDRF | State Disaster Response Fund | Disaster response funding |
| NDRF | National Disaster Response Fund | National-level response funding |
| EWS | Early Warning System | Alerts for disasters |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure | Steps to follow in emergencies |
| Shortform | Full Form | Meaning / Where used |
|---|
| RE | Renewable Energy | Solar, wind etc. |
| NRE | Non-Renewable Energy | Coal, oil etc. |
| GHG (CF) | Greenhouse Gas (Carbon Footprint context) | Emission accounting |
| CF | Carbon Footprint | Total emissions from activity |
| MSW | Municipal Solid Waste | City waste |
| E-Waste | Electronic Waste | Discarded electronics |
| WtE | Waste to Energy | Convert waste into energy |
| SWM | Solid Waste Management | Handling waste systematically |
| Shortform | Possible Full Forms | Most likely in UGC NET | Quick clue to identify |
|---|
| PA | Protected Area / Public Address / Personal Assistant | Protected Area | If ecology/conservation context → Protected Area |
| SEA | Strategic Environmental Assessment / Sea (water body) | Strategic Environmental Assessment | If asked with policy/program impact → SEA |
| RE | Renewable Energy / Real Estate | Renewable Energy | If asked with solar/wind → Renewable Energy |
| SD | Sustainable Development / Standard Deviation | Sustainable Development | If topic is environment/development → SD |
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