Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many knowledge compendiums were launched at the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting on 18 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Four
Four knowledge compendiums prepared by the BRICS Environment Working Group were unveiled.
Consider the following statements about the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting: 1. It was held in Pune. 2. The Joint Ministerial Statement was adopted by a majority vote, with India abstaining. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The meeting was held in New Delhi, and the Joint Ministerial Statement was adopted by consensus under India's chairship.
Where did India launch its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems on 17 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar
The guide was launched at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Which institution organised the publication of India's Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems and its launch event at UNCCD COP17?
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Correct answer: A — Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
The publication and the side event were organised by ATREE in collaboration with IUCN, CoE-SLM, ICFRE and ISRO's Space Applications Centre, under MoEF&CC guidance.
The temple town of Tarapith, where a hotel fire killed nine people on 17 August 2026, is in which district of West Bengal?
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Correct answer: D — Birbhum
Tarapith is in Birbhum district; the fire at Hotel Bideshini killed nine people, five of them from one Meghalaya family.
The Ashok Dham temple, where a stampede on 17 August 2026 killed at least seven devotees, is located in which district?
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Correct answer: A — Lakhisarai, Bihar
The stampede took place near the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai district, Bihar, on the third Monday of Shravan.
The 10 MW Hovukhu Solar Power Plant, commissioned on 15 August 2026, is located in which district of Nagaland?
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Correct answer: A — Niuland
The plant is at Hovukhu village in Niuland district and covers 50 acres.
The Hovukhu Solar Power Plant in Nagaland was funded under the State plan and which central scheme?
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Correct answer: B — Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
The ₹69.26 crore plant was built under SASCI and the State plan.
Where were the national celebrations of World Elephant Day 2026 held?
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Correct answer: D — Visakhapatnam
The national celebrations were held at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where the Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026 were conferred.
According to the Environment Ministry in August 2026, how many Elephant Reserves does India have?
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Correct answer: C — 33
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh said India has 33 Elephant Reserves and 150 scientifically identified elephant corridors.
Consider the following statements made at the World Elephant Day 2026 national celebrations: 1. India has nearly 60% of the world's wild Asian elephant population. 2. The Regional Action Plan on human–elephant conflict released at the event covers north-eastern states. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The Regional Action Plan released covers southern India: Karnataka, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
On what basis will the ₹15.52 crore ABS proceeds from mustard hybrids released by the NBA in August 2026 be shared among states?
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Correct answer: B — Area under mustard cultivation in each state
Because no single farmer or community could be identified, the ABS share is calculated on the area under mustard cultivation in each state, using ICAR-IIRMR data.
Which state, with nearly 42% of India's mustard cultivation area, receives the largest share of the NBA's mustard ABS proceeds?
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Correct answer: D — Rajasthan
Rajasthan, which accounts for nearly 42% of India's mustard cultivation, gets the highest share, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's mustard ABS release: 1. The ABS amount came from a company that developed ten commercial Brassica juncea hybrids. 2. The ICAR–Indian Institute of Rapeseed-Mustard Research is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Pioneer Overseas Corporation developed ten commercial mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrids, and ICAR-IIRMR, whose cultivation data was used, is in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
What total green hydrogen production capacity has been awarded for refineries under SIGHT Mode-2B of the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
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Correct answer: C — 30 KTPA
30 KTPA has been awarded: IOCL Panipat and Numaligarh 10 KTPA each, and BPCL Bina and HPCL Vizag 5 KTPA each.
Under SIGHT Mode-2B, which pair of refineries was each awarded 10 KTPA of green hydrogen capacity?
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Correct answer: A — IOCL Panipat and Numaligarh Refinery
IOCL Panipat and Numaligarh Refinery got 10 KTPA each; BPCL Bina and HPCL Visakhapatnam got 5 KTPA each.
In the acronym SIGHT under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, what does the 'S' stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Strategic
SIGHT stands for Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition.
On which date is World Lion Day observed, the occasion on which India highlighted its Asiatic lion numbers in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 10 August
World Lion Day is observed on 10 August; on that day in 2026 the Environment Minister highlighted the rise in Asiatic lion numbers.
According to the Environment Ministry in August 2026, what was India's Asiatic lion population in 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 891
The Asiatic lion population rose from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025.
When was 'Project Lion' for the long-term conservation of the Asiatic lion announced by PM Narendra Modi?
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Correct answer: D — 15 August 2020
PM Modi announced Project Lion on 15 August 2020; the lion range has since expanded from about 30,000 sq km to nearly 35,000 sq km.
Consider the following statements about Asiatic lion conservation, as stated in August 2026: 1. The lion range has expanded to nearly 35,000 sq km from around 30,000 sq km in 2020. 2. The lion population more than doubled between 2015 and 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The range grew to nearly 35,000 sq km, but the population rose from 523 to 891, which is less than double.
Over which region did scientists detect an unusually high stratospheric ozone concentration, as reported in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — North Bay of Bengal
The unusual ozone layer was detected over the North Bay of Bengal during the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign.
The indigenous 206.5 MHz Stratosphere–Troposphere Radar used in the 2026 study on stratospheric ozone over the Bay of Bengal is located at which institute?
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Correct answer: C — Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
The 206.5 MHz ST Radar is at ARIES, Nainital, an autonomous DST institute; similar radars at Haringhata, Gadanki and Kochi also contributed data.
India's non-fossil fuel installed power capacity crossed which milestone as on 31 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 300 GW
Non-fossil capacity reached 300.50 GW, over 60% of the 500 GW target for 2030.
Which source contributes the second-largest share of India's non-fossil power capacity as on 31 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Wind
Wind (58.14 GW) is second after solar (164.59 GW), just ahead of hydro (57.24 GW).
What share of India's total installed electricity capacity came from non-fossil sources as of July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 54%
Non-fossil sources make up over 54% of India's total installed capacity of around 552 GW.
Consider the following statements about India's non-fossil power capacity as on 31 July 2026: 1. Nuclear power capacity exceeds bio-power capacity. 2. A record 55.29 GW of non-fossil capacity was added in 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Nuclear capacity (8.78 GW) is lower than bio-power (11.75 GW); a record 55.29 GW was added in 2025-26.
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority disburse under the Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism, as announced on 9 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — About ₹3.79 crore
The NBA disbursed close to ₹3.79 crore to 33 SBBs/UTBCs and national institutes.
Which foreign government body paid an Access and Benefit Sharing amount to India for Sahiwal cattle semen, as reported in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Sri Lanka's Department of Animal Production and Health
An ABS amount arose from Sri Lanka's Department of Animal Production and Health for access to Sahiwal cattle semen.
India's Access and Benefit Sharing framework is implemented under which law?
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Correct answer: D — Biological Diversity Act, 2002
India's ABS framework is implemented under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and is aligned with the Nagoya Protocol.
Which CSIR laboratory developed the first-of-its-kind 'Eco-Educational Hub' dedicated to the nation in Lucknow in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-NBRI
The Eco-Educational Hub was developed by CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow.
What did Oil Marketing Companies' nationwide testing of E20 petrol, announced on 8 August 2026, conclude about claims of 500 ppm chloride and moisture?
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Correct answer: B — The claims were not validated and quality was within limits
The OMCs said fuel quality stayed within prescribed limits and the claims of 500 ppm chloride and moisture were not validated.
Which hydroelectric project in Bhutan, implemented in partnership with India, was reviewed at the India–Bhutan trans-border rivers meeting in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Punatsangchhu-I
The ministers reviewed progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project and discussed its expeditious implementation.
Who led Bhutan's delegation at the high-level meeting on trans-border rivers with India's Jal Shakti Ministry in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Lyonpo Gem Tshering
Bhutan's delegation was led by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources; India's by C R Paatil.
How many abandoned mines had South Eastern Coalfields Limited scientifically closed, the highest among Coal India subsidiaries, as of August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 28
SECL had scientifically closed 28 abandoned mines out of 54 identified, the highest among Coal India subsidiaries.
Consider the following statements about SECL's scientific mine closure programme: 1. SECL accounts for 67% of all abandoned mines scientifically closed in India. 2. District Mine Closure Advisory Committees have been set up in its operational districts in Jharkhand and Odisha. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The committees are in SECL's 10 operational districts in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
To which states did the Centre deploy a National Joint Outbreak Response Team for the Chandipura virus outbreak in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Gujarat and Rajasthan
The NJORT was deployed to Gujarat and Rajasthan to support the Chandipura Virus Disease response.
Which NCDC facility was activated to support the National Joint Outbreak Response Team during the Chandipura virus outbreak of 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
NCDC's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) was activated to support the NJORT.
International Clouded Leopard Day is observed on which date?
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Correct answer: D — 4 August
International Clouded Leopard Day is observed on 4 August.
How many priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India are identified in India's Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan?
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Correct answer: A — 14
The CAP identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India.
Consider the following statements about India's Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan: 1. It was released at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life held at Kaziranga. 2. The clouded leopard has been included in the Species Recovery Programme of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the CAP was released at the 91st SC-NBWL meeting in Coimbatore. Statement 2 is correct.
CAQM's amended Statutory Direction No. 86 of August 2026 targets dust-control violations at construction and demolition sites of what size in NCR?
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Correct answer: A — Plot area below 500 sq m
The amendment strengthens enforcement at C&D sites with plot area less than 500 sq m across NCR.
Glaw Lake, designated India's 101st Ramsar site in August 2026, is located in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Arunachal Pradesh
Glaw Lake is in Arunachal Pradesh and is the state's first Ramsar site.
Glaw Lake lies within which protected area?
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Correct answer: A — Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Glaw Lake is located within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalayas.
According to the Environment Ministry, how many Ramsar sites did India have in 2014?
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Correct answer: D — 26
India's Ramsar network grew from 26 sites in 2014 to 101 with Glaw Lake.
How many orchid species have been recorded within Glaw Lake Ramsar site and its catchment?
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Correct answer: B — 49
49 orchid species and over 150 tree species have been recorded within the site and its catchment.
Consider the following statements about Glaw Lake: 1. It is the first Ramsar site in Arunachal Pradesh. 2. It is a brackish-water coastal lagoon. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Glaw Lake is a freshwater lake in the Eastern Himalayas.
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority release in August 2026 as access and benefit-sharing for the use of Indian rice varieties?
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Correct answer: B — ₹8.22 crore
NBA released ₹8.22 crore – ₹2.47 crore to research institutions and ₹5.75 crore to 33 state/UT biodiversity bodies.
Which institution received the largest share of the NBA's rice benefit-sharing disbursement of August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad
ICAR–IIRR, Hyderabad received ₹2.43 crore, the largest share; G.B. Pant University received ₹3.26 lakh.
Consider the following statements about the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): 1. It is a statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. 2. It functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the NBA is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
How much did the Centre approve on 1 August 2026 as advance release from the Central share of SDRF to flood-affected states?
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Correct answer: C — ₹2,117.85 crore
Amit Shah approved an advance release of ₹2,117.85 crore from the Central share of SDRF.
To which states had Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) already been deputed to assess flood damage, as of 1 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
IMCTs had been deputed to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam; one was being constituted for Nagaland.
Consider the following statements about the SDRF advance approved on 1 August 2026: 1. Gujarat was approved ₹500 crore as advance release of the first instalment. 2. Assam was sanctioned ₹379.35 crore as advance release of the first instalment. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the MHA release.
By what date is the legacy waste at Delhi's Bhalswa dumpsite expected to be cleared, as per the review of 1 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 15 October 2026
About 99.07 lakh MT had been remediated till 31 July 2026 and the waste is expected to be cleared by 15 October 2026.
Who was the topper of the 2024 batch of Indian Forest Service probationers at IGNFA, Dehradun, whose convocation was held on 1 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Pratiksha Nanasaheb Kale
Pratiksha Nanasaheb Kale of the Rajasthan cadre emerged as the batch topper.
Under CAQM's Direction No. 98, as amended in July 2026, from which date will the revised PM emission standard for Delhi-NCR industries apply?
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Correct answer: D — 1 October 2026
The amendment issued on 31 July 2026 makes the revised PM emission standard effective from 1 October 2026.
What uniform particulate matter emission limit does CAQM's Direction No. 98 prescribe for identified categories of industries in Delhi-NCR?
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Correct answer: C — 50 mg/Nm³
Direction No. 98, notified on 20 February 2026, prescribes a uniform PM emission standard of 50 mg/Nm³, based on CPCB recommendations and IIT Kanpur studies.
In the NBA's July 2026 Access and Benefit Sharing release, a family-run farm in Haryana was paid for access to the breeding stock of which animal?
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Correct answer: B — Murrah buffalo
A family-run Murrah buffalo farm in Haryana received ₹4.30 lakh for access to its Murrah breeding stock.
Consider the following statements about the National Biodiversity Authority's benefit-sharing release of 31 July 2026: 1. ICRISAT, Patancheru received the largest single share of about ₹5.36 lakh. 2. With this release, NBA's total Access and Benefit Sharing disbursals reached about ₹153 crore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the NBA release.
In July 2026 the Assam Cabinet approved two proposed reserve forests for notification as reserve forests. In which district are they located?
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Correct answer: C — Goalpara
Both proposed reserve forests notified as reserve forests are in Goalpara district.
Under the Assam Compressed Biogas Policy 2026, what is the maximum capital subsidy per project?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 20 crore
The capital subsidy is Rs 0.50 crore per TPD of installed capacity, subject to a ceiling of Rs 20 crore per project.
In July 2026 the Union Jal Shakti Minister met the Chief Ministers of which two states to facilitate settlement of the Mahanadi water dispute?
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Correct answer: B — Chhattisgarh and Odisha
C. R. Paatil chaired a meeting with the CMs of Chhattisgarh (Vishnu Deo Sai) and Odisha (Mohan Charan Majhi).
The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in which year under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956?
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Correct answer: C — 2018
The Government of India constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on 12 March 2018 at Odisha's request.
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission transport pilots awarded as of July 2026, how many hydrogen-powered vehicles are to be deployed?
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Correct answer: C — 70
12 pilot projects cover 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles – 27 buses and 43 trucks – with 16 refuelling stations on 21 routes.
Consider the following statements about the NGHM transport pilot projects: 1. They include both Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine vehicles. 2. Trucks outnumber buses among the vehicles. 3. They will set up 21 Hydrogen Refuelling Stations. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
The 70 vehicles (43 trucks, 27 buses) include FCEVs and H2-ICE vehicles. There are 16 refuelling stations; 21 is the number of routes.
According to the Union Environment Minister on Global Tiger Day 2026, how many tiger reserves does India have?
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Correct answer: C — 58
Bhupender Yadav said the number of tigers (3,682) and tiger reserves (58) has increased remarkably.
What tiger population figure did the Union Environment Minister cite on Global Tiger Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 3,682
The Minister cited 3,682 tigers along with 58 tiger reserves.
Which digital platform was launched by the NTCA on Global Tiger Day 2026?
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Correct answer: A — An eco-tourism webpage linking all tiger reserves
The NTCA Eco-tourism webpage brings information on all tiger reserves together with direct links to their official websites for safari and accommodation bookings.