Acme Ai
A
अ
GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2020
Biodiversity & Conservation
Question No. 207Interactive Test Mode
00:00
+2-0.66

Q207. 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?

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?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
PrevNext Question

Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

3D PYQ Realm

Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?

Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.

Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2020 • Environment and Ecology

Correct Answer: Option (A) — 1 and 2 only

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

Statement 1 is correct: Elephant herds are matriarchal, led by the oldest and largest female (matriarch).

Statement 2 is correct: Elephants have the longest gestation period of all land mammals, typically 18 to 22 months.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Female elephants can remain fertile and continue bearing calves well into their 50s and 60s.

Statement 4 is incorrect: According to elephant population estimations, Karnataka has the highest elephant population in India, followed by Assam and Kerala.

Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach

Eliminate extreme restrictive words like 'only' in statement 3 ('till 40 years only') and check factual state hierarchy (Karnataka has consistently maintained the largest elephant count), leaving option A.

Reviewed by Avinash Sir & Acme AI Research Team

Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface

50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.

1-on-1 MentorshipOpen Test Platform

Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020 (Q207)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicEnvironment and Ecology → Biodiversity & Conservation
Official Answer KeyOption (A) — 1 and 2 only

Related & Repeated Prelims PYQs (4)

Questions from other UPSC Prelims years testing the same or closely linked concept.

View Cluster in 3D Graph
1999 • Q31482% Match

“India has the largest population of the Asian X. Today, there are just about 20,000 to 25,000 X in their natural habitat spreading across the evergreen forests

Geography • Indian GeographySolve
2003 • Q4481% Match

Consider the following animals of India: 1. Crocodile 2. Elephant Which of these is/are endangered species?

Environment and Ecology • Biodiversity & ConservationSolve
2024 • Q19781% Match

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,

Environment and Ecology • Biodiversity & ConservationSolve
2019 • Q20980% Match

Consider the following statements: 1. Asiatic lions are naturally found in India only. 2. Double-humped camels are naturally found in India only. 3. One-horned

Environment and Ecology • Biodiversity & ConservationSolve

More PYQs from Environment and Ecology (Biodiversity & Conservation)

Master the Environment and Ecology syllabus cluster by practicing these related previous year questions.

View All Environment and Ecology PYQs
2024 • Q193Biodiversity & Conservation

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 o

Environment and EcologyPractice
2024 • Q194Biodiversity & Conservation

Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this t

Environment and EcologyPractice
2024 • Q195Biodiversity & Conservation

Consider the following: 1. Butterflies 2. Fish 3. Frogs How many of the above have poisonous species among them?

Environment and EcologyPractice
2024 • Q196Biodiversity & Conservation

Consider the following pairs: | | Country | Animal Found in its Natural Habitat | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1. | Brazil | Indri | | 2. | Indonesia | E

Environment and EcologyPractice
2023 • Q198Biodiversity & Conservation

‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops the Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organisations?

Environment and EcologyPractice
2023 • Q199Biodiversity & Conservation

Consider the following statements: 1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties. 2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties. 3. Some mushrooms have

Environment and EcologyPractice
2023 • Q200Biodiversity & Conservation

Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels: 1. They build nests by making burrows in the ground. 2. They store their food materi

Environment and EcologyPractice
2022 • Q201Biodiversity & Conservation

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

Environment and EcologyPractice

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2020 Q207

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper I Question 207 (Environment and Ecology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2020 Environment and Ecology (Biodiversity & Conservation) question is Option (A): "1 and 2 only". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2020 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Environment and Ecology" and micro-topic "Biodiversity & Conservation". You can explore all repeated questions from Biodiversity & Conservation in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Biodiversity & Conservation UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

Eliminate extreme restrictive words like 'only' in statement 3 ('till 40 years only') and check factual state hierarchy (Karnataka has consistently maintained the largest elephant count), leaving option A.

Beyond Previous Year Questions

Structured Prelims Practice & Mentorship

Pair previous year question analysis with full-length simulated mock tests and 1-on-1 faculty guidance.

APT 2027 • 50 Prelims Tests17% OFF

Acme Prelims Test Series (APT)

Built to eliminate 1/3rd negative marking losses and 50–50 option traps through structured simulation and NCERT-backed keys.

  • 50 High-Yield Tests: Subject Sectionals, Current Affairs, CSAT Paper II & Full-Length Simulators
  • 1/3rd Penalty & Trap Analytics: Identify whether marks are lost to over-attempting or conceptual gaps
  • Option-by-Option NCERT Keys: Detailed distractor analysis and elimination logic for every question
  • Custom PDF-to-Mock Generator: Convert your revision notes or current affairs PDFs into practice tests
Complete 50-Test Package
₹1,493₹1,799• Valid till Prelims 2027
Explore APT Test SeriesTry Free Mock
1-on-1 Personal MentorshipCapped at 10 Seats

1-on-1 UPSC Mentorship with Avinash Sir

Weekly 1-on-1 strategy reviews, daily study accountability, and personalized MCQ attempt audits with an experienced UPSC mentor.

  • Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Direct mentorship with Avinash Sir (Former Plutus IAS Mentor, UPSC & UPPCS Mains Written)
  • APT 50-Test Series Included: Full Prelims GS1 & CSAT test series bundled at no additional cost
  • Mock Attempt & Elimination Audit: Question-by-question review to calibrate your risk and attempt accuracy
  • Prelims & Integrated Tracks: Available as dedicated Prelims mentorship or end-to-end Prelims + Mains guidance
Prelims & Integrated Tracks
17% OFF• Includes APT 50-Test Series
Explore 1-on-1 MentorshipCompare Tracks
Previous QuestionWhich of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary 4. Manas National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Next QuestionWith reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are