2020 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 81: Environment and Ecology

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication ?

aA licence is required to cultivate that plant.
bSuch a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
cIt is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
dSuch a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 lists specified plants whose collection and possession are controlled. Such a plant can be cultivated only under a licence from the authorised officer, so cultivation is regulated, not banned outright. The schedule has nothing to do with genetic modification or invasive species.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: cultivation needs a licence.
  • (b) Wrong: cultivation is permitted with a licence.
  • (c) Wrong: the schedule is about protecting plants, not genetic modification.
  • (d) Wrong: listed plants are protected, not invasive or harmful.

Worth knowing: The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 cut the Schedules from six to four and moved specified plants out of Schedule VI; the licence rule tested here is unchanged.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.