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Topic Protected areas
Asked 7 times across 3 UPSC exams over 41 years (1985–2026), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 4 of 7 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 7 years (1985–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1985 → CDS 2016 → GEO 2021
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (5 of 7) 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.
CSE2026
With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025
- Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park
- Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 2 ✓
- C 2 and 3
- D 3 only
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Environment & Ecology › Protected Areas & Species
CSE2023
Consider the following statements : Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve'
- the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
- hunting is not allowed in such area
- people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
- people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices
How many of the above statements are correct?
- A Only one
- B Only two ✓
- C Only three
- D All four
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Environment & Ecology › Protected Areas & Species
GEO2021
According to a recent report by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, how much of India's total geographic area is covered as protected areas?
- A About 5%
- B About 7%
- C About 10%
- D About 15%
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Environment & Ecology › Protected Areas & Species
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