Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (C) — 1 and 3 only
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference Verified- Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Blue-finned Mahseer (Tor khudree) is indigenous to the rivers of South India, prominently the Cauvery and Krishna River basins.
- Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is found in coastal-marine waters and select rivers/estuaries (like Chilika Lake, Irrawaddy River, Mekong River), not the Chambal River (which is home to the Gangetic River Dolphin and Gharials).
- Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), one of the world's smallest wild cats, is native to the deciduous forests and scrublands of India, including the Eastern Ghats.
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