First Assembly of International Big Cat Alliance held; Bhupender Yadav endorsed as President
On 16 June 2025 in New Delhi, the first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held under Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who was endorsed as IBCA President.
Summary
The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), its apex body, was held in New Delhi on 16 June 2025, presided over by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Ministerial delegations from 9 countries attended: Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia and Kazakhstan. The Assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav as President of IBCA and S.P. Yadav as its Director General. It also ratified the Headquarters Agreement signed by IBCA with India and approved the workplan. Created by the Government of India, IBCA is a coalition of 95 range countries with a mandate to conserve seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.
Key facts
- Date
- 16 June 2025, New Delhi
- Delegations
- 9 countries
- President
- Bhupender Yadav (endorsed unanimously)
- Director General
- S.P. Yadav
- Decisions
- Ratified HQ Agreement with India; approved workplan
- IBCA (static)
- Created by India; 95 range countries; seven big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, puma (PIB)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who was endorsed as the President of the International Big Cat Alliance at its first Assembly on 16 June 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Bhupender Yadav
PIB (MoEFCC): The Assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav as the President of the IBCA; S.P. Yadav was endorsed as Director General.
The International Big Cat Alliance is a coalition of how many range countries?
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Correct answer: C — 95
PIB (MoEFCC): IBCA is a coalition of 95 range countries; 9 countries sent ministerial delegations to the first Assembly.
Who was endorsed as the Director General of the International Big Cat Alliance in June 2025?
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Correct answer: B — S.P. Yadav
PIB (MoEFCC): The Assembly also endorsed S.P. Yadav as the Director General of IBCA.
Which of the following is NOT among the seven big cats under the mandate of the International Big Cat Alliance?
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Correct answer: D — Clouded Leopard
PIB (MoEFCC): IBCA's mandate covers Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma, so the Clouded Leopard is not among them.