19 Topics.
0 of 20 Concepts Done
What to Study: Know the tiger's current IUCN, CITES and Wild Life (Protection) Act status, the landscapes and habitats it uses in India, and its main threats. Why does India matter so much for this species? Also know which estimation cycle was completed most recently and how the next one is progressing.
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2019UPSC 2024
What to Study: Which subspecies is this, how has its classification changed, and where does its only wild population live? Be able to explain why depending on a single population is risky, and what the debate on a second home (Kuno) is about. How does an Asiatic lion differ from an African lion? Know its current status, and when and how its latest census was done.
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2024
What to Study: Why has the leopard survived in so many habitats? Is a black panther a separate species? Understand melanism and why the rosettes can still be seen. Which river and national park in Karnataka are linked with "black panther" sightings in India?
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2012
What to Study: Remember its current status, its range in the Himalaya and trans-Himalaya, and its alpine habitat. Understand why it is called a keystone, indicator and flagship species. Know the main threats, and what the first national population assessment (SPAI, 2024) was and which Union Territory holds the most animals.
What to Study: Remember its current status and its range in the North-East and eastern Himalaya, including the westernmost limit of its range in India. Which state has it as the state animal, and which reserve is known for its highest density?
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2012
What to Study: Why did the Asiatic cheetah die out in India, and when was it declared extinct? Remember when Project Cheetah began, the African countries that supplied cheetahs, and the sites used (Kuno and Gandhi Sagar). Understand why African cheetahs were chosen, and the aim of building a metapopulation. Keep up with the latest milestones.
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2024
What to Study: How do these three spotted cats differ in coat pattern (solid spots, rosettes, rosettes with central dots), tear marks, build and hunting style? Which of them cannot fully retract its claws? Which one is not found in India at all?
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2023
What to Study: Remember its current status, wetland and mangrove habitat, and its range along the Ganga–Brahmaputra plains, the Sundarbans, the east coast and Chilika. Which state has it as the state animal, and which lagoon has it as its ambassador? Understand why shrimp farming threatens it.
What to Study: Know the arid and ravine habitat of this cat and the parts of India where it is found (Kutch, Malwa plateau, Aravalli range). What does its local name "siya gosh" mean, and which feature does it describe?
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2019
What to Study: How does its size compare with other wild cats? Know where it is found in India and where it is absent, and which forest type it avoids. Is it found in the Eastern Ghats?
What to Study: Remember where each is found in India: the golden cat and marbled cat in the North-East and nearby hills, and the wildcat in dry western and central regions. Where was a black (melanistic) golden cat sighted recently?
What to Study: Remember its current status, its other common names, and its range in India. In which part of India is it uncommon? Understand how a dhole clan is organised and how wide a range of habitats it uses.
What to Study: What makes the Himalayan wolf a distinct lineage? Remember the areas where it lives in India, and its main threat. Its IUCN position has changed recently. When was it first assessed, and what is its current status?
What to Study: Which of these is found only in the Indian subcontinent? Which one is missing from peninsular India? Remember the habitat each prefers.
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2009UPSC 2023
What to Study: Compare the sloth bear, Asian black bear and Himalayan brown bear for range, habitat, diet and hibernation. Know the current status of each. Is the IUCN status of the brown bear as a species the same as the protection and regional status of the Himalayan brown bear in India?
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2007UPSC 2009UPSC 2012
What to Study: Know its current status, its range in the eastern Himalaya and the Indian states where it occurs, and which state has it as the state animal. Why is a carnivore mostly a bamboo eater? Understand why it is called an indicator and umbrella species. Is it related to the giant panda? Know its threats.
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2023
What to Study: Which region is it endemic to? Remember its lowland habitat and its current status. Why do plantations threaten it, and why are records of it so rare?
What to Study: Why are civets hunted or kept in captivity? Which costly coffee and which scented substance are linked to them?
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2023
What to Study: Compare the smooth-coated otter and the Asian small-clawed otter for range and habitat. Which one is the smallest otter in the world?
What to Study: Where is the Nilgiri marten found, and what threatens it? Which Union Territory has the Indian grey mongoose as its state animal?