UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 60

This question tests critical tiger habitat. The key concept is: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest critical tiger habitat area among the listed reserves. Corbett and Ranthambore have substantial tiger habitats, while the Sundarbans is a distinctive mangrove ecosystem, but the size criterion in the question points to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option C. Option A — Corbett: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest critical tiger habitat area among the listed reserves. Corbett and Ranthambore have substantial tiger habitats, while the Sundarbans is a distinctive mangrove ecosystem, but the size criterion in the question points to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — Ranthambore: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest critical tiger habitat area among the listed reserves. Corbett and Ranthambore have substantial tiger habitats, while the Sundarbans is a distinctive mangrove ecosystem, but the size criterion in the question points to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest critical tiger habitat area among the listed reserves. Corbett and Ranthambore have substantial tiger habitats, while the Sundarbans is a distinctive mangrove ecosystem, but the size criterion in the question points to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option D — Sunderbans: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest critical tiger habitat area among the listed reserves. Corbett and Ranthambore have substantial tiger habitats, while the Sundarbans is a distinctive mangrove ecosystem, but the size criterion in the question points to Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option C is the verified answer.