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Topic Ecological niche
Asked 5 times across 2 UPSC exams over 13 years (2013–2026), peaking in 2026.
Key insights
- Most tested in GEO — 4 of 5 PYQs
- Most asked in 2026
- Recurs across 4 years (2013–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2013 → GEO 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 5) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2026
Two species that possess the same ecological niche cannot coexist indefinitely. This is known as the
- competitive exclusion principle
- Gause's principle of competitive exclusion
- principle of character displacement
- principle of self-assembly
Which of the above is/are correct?
- A I and II
- B II and III
- C III and IV
- D I only
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
GEO2026
The fundamental niche of a species refers to
- A the actual range of conditions and resources the species occupies in the presence of competitors
- B the physical location within an ecosystem where the species lives
- C the unique role and position of the species in its ecosystem including all the biotic interactions
- D the full potential range of physical and biological conditions and resources the species could theoretically occupy
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
GEO2025
Which one of the following correctly explains a species' unique environmental requirements, its role and position in the spatial habitats at a given time?
- A Ecological equivalent
- B Niche overlap
- C Niche expansion
- D Ecological niche ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
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