On 5 September 2017, which ministry of the Government of India launched an online quiz competition named ‘‘Prakriti Khoj’’ to promote environmental awareness among students?

Introduction / Context:
This question pertains to a government initiative aimed at spreading environmental awareness through an online quiz competition. 'Prakriti Khoj' literally means 'Search for Nature' and was designed to engage school students in learning about environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Knowing which ministry launched this quiz helps you connect ministries with their subject domains, an important skill for general awareness and government exam questions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event took place on 5 September 2017.
• The initiative is an online quiz named 'Prakriti Khoj'.
• Its purpose is to promote environmental awareness.
• Options list four ministries: Health, Commerce, Environment and Home.

Concept / Approach:
The central idea is to match the theme of the initiative with the ministry’s core responsibilities. Since 'Prakriti Khoj' focuses on nature and environmental protection, it logically falls under the Ministry responsible for environment, forests and climate-related issues. In India, this is the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, often shortened to the Environment Ministry. The other ministries deal with health, trade and internal security, which are not directly aligned with the quiz’s theme.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the name of the quiz – 'Prakriti Khoj' – and its purpose: promoting environmental awareness. Step 2: Associate environmental protection and awareness campaigns with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Environment Ministry). Step 3: Review the options: Health, Commerce, Environment and Home Ministries. Step 4: Clearly see that the Environment Ministry is the most appropriate and correct choice for launching an environment-themed quiz for students. Step 5: Choose 'Environment Ministry' as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by reading the official press release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change dated early September 2017, which describes the launch of the 'Prakriti Khoj' online quiz by the Environment Minister. Exam-preparation magazines and current affairs digests also summarise this event and consistently attribute it to the Environment Ministry, confirming this as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Health Ministry: Primarily concerned with human health and disease control; it does not typically launch environment-themed student quizzes named 'Prakriti Khoj'.
• Commerce Ministry: Deals with trade, industry and commerce; it is not the ministry responsible for environmental awareness programmes.
• Home Ministry: Focused on internal security, law and order, and related areas, making it an unlikely originator of an environment-focused quiz for students.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose the Health Ministry simply because environmental issues can indirectly affect health, or to guess randomly if one is unfamiliar with the exact initiative. Another mistake is not reading the question carefully and ignoring the obvious clue provided by the quiz name and its focus on nature. To avoid such mistakes, always align the subject matter of a scheme or campaign with the typical portfolio of the ministry in question, and maintain a short list of important ministry-wise schemes for revision.

Final Answer:
The online quiz competition 'Prakriti Khoj' launched on 5 September 2017 to promote environmental awareness among students was started by the Environment Ministry (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change).