Biodiversity & Species PYQs

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1. Prelims 2026Q26Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) :

   1.It is an epiphytic orchid.

   2.The species is endemic to North-east India.

   3.It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

   a1 onlyb1 and 3c2 and 3d3 only
2. Prelims 2026Q32Biodiversity & Species

   With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

   1.A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

   2.They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.

   3.They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb1 and 2c2 and 3d3 only
3. Prelims 2026Q37Biodiversity & Species

   Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct ?

   1.It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.

   2.It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.

   3.It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb1 and 2c2 and 3d3 only
4. Prelims 2025Q37Biodiversity & Species

   Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements :

   I.It is an omnivorous crustacean.

   II.Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.

   III.In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   aI onlybI and IIIcII onlydII and III
5. Prelims 2024Q18Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following :

   1.Carabid beetles

   2.Centipedes

   3.Flies

   4.Termites

   5.Wasps Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms ?

   aOnly twobOnly threecOnly fourdAll five
6. Prelims 2024Q21Biodiversity & Species

   The organisms "Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater" are :

   aBirdsbFishcInsectsdReptiles
7. Prelims 2024Q23Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following pairs :

   Country — Animal found in its natural habitat

   1.Brazil — Indri

   2.Indonesia — Elk

   3.Madagascar — Bonobo

   How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

   aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
8. Prelims 2024Q25Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following statements :

   1.Lions do not have a particular breeding season.

   2.Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.

   3.Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.

   Which of the statements given above are correct ?

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
9. Prelims 2024Q29Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following :

   1.Butterflies

   2.Fish

   3.Frogs

   How many of the above have poisonous species among them ?

   aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
10. Prelims 2024Q30Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following :

    1.Cashew

    2.Papaya

    3.Red sanders

    How many of the above trees are actually native to India ?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
11. Prelims 2023Q12Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following statements :

    Statement–I :

    Marsupials are not naturally found in India.

    Statement–II :

    Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    aBoth Statement–I and Statement–II are correct and Statement–II is the correct explanation for Statement–IbBoth Statement–I and Statement–II are correct and Statement–II is not the correct explanation for Statement–IcStatement–I is correct but Statement–II is incorrectdStatement–I is incorrect but Statement–II is correct
12. Prelims 2023Q14Biodiversity & SpeciesAnswer disputed

    Consider the following fauna :

    1.Lion-tailed Macaque

    2.Malabar Civet

    3.Sambar Deer

    How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
13. Prelims 2023Q15Biodiversity & Species

    Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?

    aButterfliesbDragonfliescHoneybeesdWasps
14. Prelims 2023Q16Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following statements :

    1.Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.

    2.Some mushrooms have psycho-active properties.

    3.Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.

    4.Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

    aOnly onebOnly twocOnly threedAll four
15. Prelims 2023Q17Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels :

    1.They build nests by making burrows in the ground.

    2.They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.

    3.They are omnivorous.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

    aOnly onebOnly twocAll threedNone
16. Prelims 2023Q19Biodiversity & Species

    Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?

    aFishing catbOrangutancOtterdSloth bear
17. Prelims 2022Q45Biodiversity & Species

    With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements :

    1.It is a fungus.

    2.It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.

    3.It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 onlyb3 onlyc1 and 2d2 and 3
18. Prelims 2022Q47Biodiversity & Species

    Which of the following is not a bird ?

    aGolden MahseerbIndian NightjarcSpoonbilldWhite Ibis
19. Prelims 2022Q90Biodiversity & Species

    Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi ?

    aAntbCockroachcCrabdSpider
20. Prelims 2021Q21Biodiversity & Species

    Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

    aCongress grassbElephant grasscLemongrassdNut grass
21. Prelims 2021Q23Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following animals :

    1.Hedgehog

    2.Marmot

    3.Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?

    a1 and 2b2 onlyc3 onlyd1 and 3
22. Prelims 2021Q63Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following statements :

    1.Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.

    2.Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.

    3.In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.

    4.India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.

    5.Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    a1, 2, 4 and 5b3, 4 and 5c1, 3 and 4d1, 2, 3 and 5
23. Prelims 2020Q72Biodiversity & Species

    With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements :

    1.The leader of an elephant group is a female.

    2.The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.

    3.An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.

    4.Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 4 onlyc3 onlyd1, 3 and 4 only
24. Prelims 2020Q74Biodiversity & Species

    With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are

    aBirdsbPrimatescReptilesdAmphibians
25. Prelims 2019Q22Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following statements :

    1.Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.

    2.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?

    a1 onlyb2 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
26. Prelims 2019Q28Biodiversity & Species

    Consider the following statements :

    1.Some species of turtles are herbivores.

    2.Some species of fish are herbivores.

    3.Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.

    4.Some species of snakes are viviparous.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    a1 and 3 onlyb2, 3 and 4 onlyc2 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
27. Prelims 2019Q29Biodiversity & SpeciesAnswer disputed

    Consider the following pairs :

    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?

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
28. Prelims 2019Q31Biodiversity & Species

    Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

    aanti-malarial drugbbiodieselcpulp for paper industrydtextile fibre
29. Prelims 2018Q60Biodiversity & Species

    The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

    aWidespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.bFears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.cLarge scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.dMankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
30. Prelims 2018Q86Biodiversity & Species

    Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?

    aIts extract is widely used in cosmetics.bIt tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.cIts extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.dNone of the above