This post is a compilation of previous years’ questions from UPSC Prelims on Biodiversity & Conservation, a crucial part of the Environment & Ecology syllabus. These questions cover topics like wildlife protection laws, endangered species, biodiversity hotspots, and more.
Whether you’re revising or practicing, this collection will help you understand the kind of questions UPSC focuses on and test your knowledge with real examples from past exams. Clear answers are included to make your preparation easier and more effective. Dive in and get started!
Q. Consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre) – 2024]
Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (c)
Q. Invasive Species Specialist Group (that develops Global Investment Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations? [UPSC (Pre) – 2023]
- (a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
- (b) The United Nations Environment Programme
- (c) The United Nations Commission for Environment and Development
- (d) The World Wide Fund for Nature
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following fauna: [UPSC (Pre) – 2023]
1. Lion-tailed Macaque
2. Malabar Civet
3. Sambar Deer
How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (b)
Q. Which of the following is not a bird? [UPSC (Pre) – 2022]
- (a) Golden Mahseer
- (b) Indian Nightjar
- (c) Spoonbill
- (d) White Ibis
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre) – 2022]
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such an animal is entitled to equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? [UPSC (Pre) – 2020]
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (c)
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’? [UPSC (Pre) – 2020]
- (a) Corbett
- (b) Ranthambore
- (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
- (d) Sunderbans
Answer: (c)
Q. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? [UPSC (Pre) – 2020]
- (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.
- (b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
- (c) It is a genetically modified crop plant.
- (d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
Answer: (b)
Q. With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith Barbet, Gray-chinned Minivet, and White-throated Redstart are: [UPSC (Pre) – 2020]
- (a) Birds
- (b) Primates
- (c) Reptiles
- (d) Amphibians
Answer: (a)
Q. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a subspecies of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? [UPSC (Pre) – 2020]
- (a) Kanha National Park
- (b) Manas National Park
- (c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- (d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: (a)
Q. Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? [UPSC (Pre) – 2020]
1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1 and 4 only
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre) – 2019]
1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
2. A double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following pairs: [UPSC (Pre) – 2019]
Wildlife naturally found in:
1. Blue-finned Mahseer – Cauvery River
2. Irrawaddy Dolphin – Chambal River
3. Rusty-spotted Cat – Eastern Ghats
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Q. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply? [UPSC (Pre) – 2017]
- (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
- (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
- (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.
- (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
Answer: (a)
Q. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? [UPSC (Pre) – 2017]
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Q. The term “M-STrIPES” is sometimes seen in the news in the context of [UPSC (Pre) – 2017]
- (a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
- (b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
- (c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
- (d) Security of National Highways
Answer: (b)
Q. If you want to see gharials in their natural habitats, which one of the following is the best place to visit? [UPSC (Pre) – 2017]
- (a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- (b) Chambal River
- (c) Pulicat Lake
- (d) Deepor Beel
Answer: (b)
Q. Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence(s)? [UPSC (Pre) – 2017]
1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Q. What is/are unique about the ‘Kharai camel’, a breed found in India? [UPSC (Pre) – 2016]
1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’ sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre) – 2016]
1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Q. In which of the following regions of India do you most likely come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitats? [UPSC (Pre) – 2016]
- (a) Sand deserts of northwest India
- (b) Higher Himalaya of Jammu and Kashmir
- (c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat
- (d) Western Ghats
Answer: (d)
Q. Which of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? [UPSC (Pre) – 2015]
- (a) Salt-water crocodile
- (b) Olive ridley turtle
- (c) Gangetic Dolphin
- (d) Gharial
Answer: (c)
Q. Concerning ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? [UPSC (Pre) – 2015]
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (c)
Q. Consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre) – 2014]
1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (b)
Q. Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganga River Dolphins? [UPSC (Pre) – 2014]
1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in cropfields in the vicinity of rivers
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 3, and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: (c)
Q. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of [UPSC (Pre) – 2014]
- (a) Biosphere Reserves
- (b) Botanical Gardens
- (c) National Parks
- (d) Wildlife Sanctuaries
Answer: (a)
Q. In which of the following states is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? [UPSC (Pre) – 2013]
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) All of these
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following: [UPSC (Pre) – 2013]
1. Star tortoise
2. Monitor lizard
3. Pygmy hog
4. Spider monkey
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2 and 3
- (c) 1 and 4
- (d) All of these
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following fauna of India: [UPSC (Pre) – 2013]
1. Gharial
2. Leatherback turtle
3. Swamp deer
Which of the above is/are endangered?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 3 only
- (c) All of these
- (d) None of these
Answer: (d)
Q. Out of all the Biosphere Reserves in India, four have been recognized on the World Network by UNESCO. Which one of the following is not one of them? [UPSC (Pre) – 2013]
- (a) Gulf of Mannar
- (b) Kanchenjunga
- (c) Nanda Devi
- (d) Sunderbans
Answer: (b)
Q. Match List-I (Indian Wild Life species) with List-II (Scientific names) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: [UPSC (Pre) – 2012]
| List-I (Indian Wild Life Species) | List-II (Scientific Names) |
|---|---|
| A. Asiatic Wild Ass | 1. Equus hemionus |
| B. Barasingha | 2. Cervus duvauceli |
| C. Chinkara | 3. Gazella bennetti |
| D. Nilgai | 4. Boselaphus tragocamelus |
Code:
- (a) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
- (b) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
- (c) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
- (d) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following: [UPSC (Pre) – 2012]
1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1, 3 and 4
- (c) 2 and 4
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b)
Q. Vultures which used to be very common in the Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to: [UPSC (Pre) – 2012]
- (a) The destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
- (b) A drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
- (c) Scarcity of food available to them
- (d) A widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
Answer: (b)
Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? [UPSC (Pre) – 2012]
- (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
- (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
- (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
- (d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Answer: (a)
Q. In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? [UPSC (Pre) – 2012]
- (a) Biosphere Reserve
- (b) National Parks
- (c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
- (d) Wildlife Sanctuaries
Answer: (b)
Q. Which one of the following is not a site for an in-situ method of conservation of flora? [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
- (a) Biosphere Reserve
- (b) Botanical Garden
- (c) National Park
- (d) Wildlife Sanctuary
Answer: (b)
Q. Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
1. Soil formation
2. Prevention of soil erosion
3. Recycling of waste
4. Pollination of crops
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 1 and 4
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Q. The ‘Red Data Books’ published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of: [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots.
2. Threatened plant and animal species.
3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 3
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
Q. Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots: [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
1. Species richness
2. Vegetation density
3. Endemism
4. Ethno-botanical importance
5. Threat perception
6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions
Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context:
- (a) 1, 2 and 6
- (b) 2, 4 and 6
- (c) 1, 3 and 5
- (d) 3, 4 and 6
Answer: (c)
Q. A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an Indian animal species. The animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat. Which one of the following could be that animal? [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
- (a) Indian wild buffalo
- (b) Indian wild ass
- (c) Indian wild boar
- (d) Indian gazelle
Answer: (b)
Q. Two important rivers – one in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha) and another with its source in Odisha – merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of the Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site for wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following is it? [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
- (a) Bhitarkanika
- (b) Chandipur-on-sea
- (c) Gopalpur-on-sea
- (d) Simlipal
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
1. Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.
2. India has four biodiversity hotspots – the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Q. Consider the following statements:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
1. The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation.
2. A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific species of flora and fauna.
3. In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c)
Q. Consider the following pairs:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2011]
Protected area well-known for:
1. Bhitarkanika, Odisha – Saltwater Crocodile
2. Desert National Park, Rajasthan – Great Indian Bustard
3. Eravikulam, Kerala – Hoolock Gibbon
Which of the pair/s given above is/are correctly matched?
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following regions:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2009]
1. Eastern Himalayas
2. Eastern Mediterranean region
3. North-western Australia
Which of the above is/are Biodiversity Hotspot(s)?
Answer: (a)
Q. For the betterment of human life, which of the following steps is the most important?
[UPSC (Pre) – 2009]
Answer: (d)
Q. The marine animal called dugong which is vulnerable to extinction is a/an:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2009]
Answer: (d)
Q. Which one among the following has the maximum number of National Parks?
[UPSC (Pre) – 2008]
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2008]
1. Salt-water crocodile is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. Shrew and tapir are found in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.
Codes:
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2007]
1. In India, Red Panda is naturally found in the western Himalayas only.
2. In India, slow loris lives in the dense forests of the North East.
Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b)
Q. Which one of the following is not a Biosphere Reserve?
[UPSC (Pre) – 2005]
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following animals of India:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2003]
1. Crocodile
2. Elephant
Which of these is/are endangered species?
Answer: (a)
Q. In the context of Indian wildlife, the flying fox is a:
[UPSC (Pre) – 2001]
Answer: (a)
Q. Which one of the following regions of India is regarded as an ‘ecological hot spot’?
[UPSC (Pre) – 1996]
Answer: (c)