UPSC Prelims 2023 · Question 22 of 97

UPSC Prelims 2023 question on Marsupials in India

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:
Marsupials are not naturally found in India.

Statement-II:
Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer

Answer: C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Analysis

Hence option (c) — Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect — is the correct answer.

Statement by statement

Statement I – CORRECT: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. The largest and most varied assortment of marsupials — some 200 species — is found in Australia, New Guinea, and neighbouring islands.

Statement II – INCORRECT: Marsupials are not restricted to montane grasslands. They are found across diverse habitats. They are not exclusively found in predator-free environments either. Hence statement II is not correct.

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