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Polity & Governance GS 2 In the news 9 times

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986 is an umbrella legislation enacted under Article 253 of the Constitution (Parliament's power to legislate to give effect to international treaties) following the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. It empowers the Central Government to take all measures for environmental protection and prevention of environmental hazards.

Key details
  • Enacted: 23 May 1986
  • Authority: Central Government through MoEFCC
  • Key powers under EPA: Issue directions for closure/regulation of industries; restrict area-specific activities (CRZ, eco-sensitive zones); set standards for emissions/effluents
  • Section 5 powers: Government can issue binding directions to any person, officer, or authority
  • Penalties: Imprisonment up to 5 years or fine up to ₹1 lakh or both (Section 15)
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notifications are issued under this Act
In the news

● Tracked since February 11, 2026 · last seen August 27, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

27 Aug '26
NGT issues notice to Centre over removal of ‘construction-free zone’ term from Ganga floodplain definition
Environment & Ecology
29 Jul '26
Supreme Court quashes 2021 OM allowing ex post facto environmental clearance, but upholds Centre’s power to provide ‘amnesty schemes’
Environment & Ecology
20 May '26
Centre tells Supreme Court no new hydel projects should come up in upper Ganga
Environment & Ecology
17 May '26
Online compliance to speed up environmental clearance for industrial expansion
Environment & Ecology
26 Apr '26
NGT issues notice to Centre over risks from hanging glaciers in central Himalaya
Environment & Ecology
19 Apr '26
Govt. constitutes panel for implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026
Environment & Ecology
06 Apr '26
Centre proposes rules to manage environmentally hazardous tar balls, space tech to be used for surveillance and detection of oil-spills
Environment & Ecology
09 Mar '26
Rajya Sabha discusses working of Environment Ministry
Environment & Ecology
11 Feb '26
State-run Parli Thermal Power Station ordered to stop operation of 2 units over pollution
General
Related concepts
Economy
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006
Polity & Governance
Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026
Polity & Governance
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Environment & Ecology
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Environment & Ecology
National Green Tribunal
Polity & Governance
River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016
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