If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication ?

(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

Why the answer is (a)

• Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 lists specified plants (e.g. Beddomes' cycad, blue vanda, red vanda, pitcher plant, kuth, ladies slipper orchids).

• Under Section 17A–17H, picking, uprooting or possessing such plants from the wild is barred, and cultivating them requires a licence from the Chief Wildlife Warden — option (a).

• Cultivation is thus regulated, not banned outright (b); the Schedule concerns endangered native plants, not GM crops (c) or invasive species (d).

• The 2022 amendment merged and renumbered the Schedules, with plants now in Schedule III.

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.: Cultivation is permitted under licence, not banned entirely (though the official key also credited this option).
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.: Schedule VI lists endangered native plants, not GM crops.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.: These are protected, not invasive, plants.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.