Overview
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 is just two days away. Aspirants must now focus on species that have featured in recent current‑affairs because environment questions increasingly link biodiversity with news. This article summarises the 22 species that appeared in headlines, their threats, legal status and why they matter for the exam.
Key Species Highlighted in Current Affairs
- Cocaine hippos – feral hippos in Colombia, an invasive species with no predators, threatening riverine turtles and manatees.
- Peacock tarantula – Biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats, critically endangered due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade.
- Indian bats – 135 species, with West Bengal hosting 68 species; threats include urbanisation and climate change.
- Kakapo – flight‑less parrot of New Zealand, nocturnal and critically endangered.
- Cycads – ancient “living fossils” pollinated by beetles, capable of thermogenesis.
- Seagrass – marine flowering plants forming underwater meadows; 1st March is observed as World Seagrass Day.
- Indian tent turtle – listed in CITES Appendix II; assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
- Bactrian camels – used by the Indian Army in high‑altitude logistics; native to Central Asia.
- Octopuses – climate‑sensitive cephalopods; warmer waters accelerate their life cycle.
- White‑bellied heron – a Schedule I bird, critically endangered with fewer than 250 individuals.
- Galaxy frogs – endemic to Kerala’s Western Ghats; vulnerable due to habitat loss and tourism.
- Rheum nobile (Sikkim Sundari) – high‑altitude monocarpic plant with translucent bracts.
- Indian vultures – nine species; three listed as Critically Endangered due to diclofenac poisoning.
- Jellyfish – caused a French nuclear plant shutdown; blooms linked to climate change, over‑fishing and plastic pollution.
- Sea cows (dugongs) – vulnerable marine mammals, protected under Schedule I.
- Gharial and salt‑water crocodile – both Schedule I species, concentrated in the Chambal and Bhitarkanika sanctuaries.
- Asian elephant – 2,446 individuals reported in 2024‑25; population decline noted despite being the largest Asian elephant population.
- Ghost flowers (Monotropa uniflora) – non‑photosynthetic plants that obtain nutrients via mycorrhizal fungi.
- Great Indian Bustard – critically endangered grassland bird, indicator of ecosystem health.
- Morels (Morchella) – gourmet mushrooms with complex life cycles; cultivation challenges offer bio‑economic opportunities.
- Gangetic dolphins – India’s national aquatic animal; endangered and found in Ganges‑Brahmaputra basin.
- Polar bears – Arctic carnivores with black skin and hollow fur; climate‑change icons.
Important Facts
Many of these species are protected under the Schedule I category, reflecting their critical conservation status. Internationally, species like the white‑bellied heron and Indian vultures appear on the IUCN Red List. Trade regulations for turtles and other wildlife are governed by CITES. Seagrass meadows, recognized on World Seagrass Day, support fisheries and coastal protection, underscoring the link between ecosystems and livelihoods.
Exam Relevance
Environment questions in the Prelims often ask about biodiversity, invasive species, protected‑area legislation, and international conventions. Knowing which species are in the news helps candidates answer data‑based questions on threatened fauna, habitat loss, and climate impacts. The legal frameworks (Schedule I, CITES) and global assessments (IUCN Red List) are frequent MCQ topics.
Way Forward for Aspirants
1. Make a concise table of each species, its threat (e.g., invasive, habitat loss, climate change), legal status (Schedule I, CITES, IUCN category) and recent news headline.
2. Link the species to larger themes such as invasive species management, wetland conservation, or climate‑induced range shifts.
3. Revise key statutes – Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; CITES annexes; and international days like World Seagrass Day.
4. Practice MCQs that ask for the correct classification (e.g., which bird is on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered?).
5. Stay updated till the exam date (24 May 2026) by following reputable news sources and UPSC‑specific current‑affairs compilations.
By integrating these species into your revision notes, you turn current‑affairs into a solid foundation for environment questions in the UPSC Prelims.