2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 27: Environment and Ecology

Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct ?

  1. 1.It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.
  2. 2.It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.
  3. 3.It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.

Select the answer using the code given below :

a1 only
b1 and 2
c2 and 3
d3 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Amur Falcons stop over at Doyang Lake in Nagaland every year on their long migration from their breeding grounds in Siberia and north China to southern Africa. Once heavily hunted, they are now protected by local communities, notably around Pangti village, with the forest department's support. So statement 1 is right. Their arrival is a natural migration, not proof of tracking technology working, and they are passage migrants that spend a few weeks in India, not permanent residents.

  • 1. Community protection at Doyang turned hunting grounds into a safe roost.
  • 2. Their return is natural migration, not a success of tracking technology.
  • 3. They are passage migrants and move on to Africa.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Community protection at Doyang turned hunting grounds into a safe roost.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Their return is natural migration, not a success of tracking technology.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: only the claim about local conservation is correct.
  • (b) Wrong: tracking technology does not explain their arrival.
  • (c) Wrong: Amur Falcons are not permanent residents of India.
  • (d) Wrong: the falcons are passage migrants.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.