UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 50
Consider the following:
- Black-necked crane
- Cheetah
- Flying squirrel
- Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: In the 2012 wild-fauna context, black-necked crane, flying squirrels and snow leopard occurred naturally in India; cheetahs were locally extinct.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Correct - Black-necked cranes occur in high-altitude Indian Himalayan wetlands.
2: Incorrect - Wild Asiatic cheetahs had become extinct in India by the mid-20th century.
3: Correct - Several flying-squirrel species are native to India.
4: Correct - Snow leopards inhabit India’s high Himalayan ranges.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2; omits correct item 4.
B: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
C: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2; omits correct items 1, 3.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2.
Review Note: Cheetahs have been reintroduced into India since 2022, but the 2012 natural-range framing excludes them.