UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 92

This question tests indian elephant ecology. The key concept is: Elephant herds are matriarchal and are commonly led by an adult female. Gestation can last about 22 months. Elephants can reproduce well beyond age 40 under suitable conditions, and Karnataka rather than Kerala has historically had India's largest elephant population. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — 1 and 2 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Elephant herds are matriarchal and are commonly led by an adult female. Gestation can last about 22 months. Elephants can reproduce well beyond age 40 under suitable conditions, and Karnataka rather than Kerala has historically had India's largest elephant population. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — 2 and 4 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Elephant herds are matriarchal and are commonly led by an adult female. Gestation can last about 22 months. Elephants can reproduce well beyond age 40 under suitable conditions, and Karnataka rather than Kerala has historically had India's largest elephant population. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — 3 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Elephant herds are matriarchal and are commonly led by an adult female. Gestation can last about 22 months. Elephants can reproduce well beyond age 40 under suitable conditions, and Karnataka rather than Kerala has historically had India's largest elephant population. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1,3 and 4 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Elephant herds are matriarchal and are commonly led by an adult female. Gestation can last about 22 months. Elephants can reproduce well beyond age 40 under suitable conditions, and Karnataka rather than Kerala has historically had India's largest elephant population. Hence statements 1 and 2 are correct. 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 A is the verified answer.