Species: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Species (Environment and Ecology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2015Environment and Ecology · Species
Q1. With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 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.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Dugongs, or "sea cows," are marine mammals that graze on seagrasses in shallow coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. As the only herbivorous mammal living exclusively in the sea, including in India, dugongs are crucial for maintaining healthy seagrass ecosystems, which support marine biodiversity.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The dugong is not found along the entire coast of India. It is mainly found in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and in the waters of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species has a restricted distribution and is not widespread along India’s entire coastline..
Statement 3 is correct: The dugong is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides it with the highest level of protection in India. As a protected species, hunting, poaching, or harm to the dugong is illegal.
UPSC 2015Environment and Ecology · Species
Q2. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
Explanation
The Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is India’s National Aquatic Animal. It is native to the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, which span Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the Gangetic dolphin belongs to the Platanistidae family and is one of only four freshwater dolphin species globally. Recognized by its triangular dorsal fin and long, slender beak, this stocky, gray or brown dolphin can grow up to 2.5 meters. Adapted to murky freshwater environments, it uses echolocation to navigate and is locally known as ‘susu.’
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2015
(c) 1 and 3
2
2015
(c) Gangetic dolphin
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Species?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Species (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2011 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Species?
Questions on Species (Environment and Ecology) are available for 15 years, from 2011 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
