Explanation
- A
1 and 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only. Pair 1 is right — blue-finned mahseer is a Cauvery fish — but pair 2 is wrong: Irrawaddy dolphin is of Chilika, the Sundarbans–Myanmar–Mekong coasts, not the Chambal. Chambal is famous for the Ganges river dolphin and gharial. So 1-and-2 is not the key.
- B
2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only. Pair 2 fails, so this code is not the key.
- C
1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only. Blue-finned mahseer–Cauvery matches. Rusty-spotted cat occurs in the Eastern Ghats (and other Indian forests). Irrawaddy dolphin–Chambal does not. That 1-and-3 code is the official key.
- D
1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3. All-three needs the false Chambal–Irrawaddy pair, so it is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (c) 1 and 3 only. Cauvery mahseer conservation is a live southern-rivers story. Rusty-spotted cat is among the world’s smallest cats and is recorded from Eastern Ghats landscapes. Irrawaddy dolphin is not a Chambal animal. Honour the stored letter (c).
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2023 · Q12 · General Studies · 2 marks
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? -
2019 · Q22 · General Studies · 2 marks
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?