UPSC Prelims 2026 · Question 42 of 96

UPSC Prelims 2026 question on Nirantar Natural Resources Institute

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct?

1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.

2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.

3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.

Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 only
  4. 3 only
Show answer

Answer: B. 1 and 3 only

Verdict

Statements 1 and 3 are correct, so the answer is Option (b).

Analysis

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has established many institutions for survey and monitoring as well as research. To take benefit of their synergy in terms of facilities and manpower, along with filling the gaps therein, a need was felt to review and revisit the existing institutional arrangements. In order to make them more effective and responsive to the fast changing local and global challenges, it was decided to establish a new platform named the National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR). It will lead to enhanced cooperation and collaboration among various institutes of the Ministry without establishing any institution or increasing manpower.

Statement by statement

Statement 1 is correct: Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, and the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata is its lead institute.

Statement 2 is not correct: Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is indeed a vertical under this platform, but its lead institute is ICFRE, Dehradun, and not the Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.

Statement 3 is correct: Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, and the lead institute of this vertical is the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.

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