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 :
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• NIRANTAR is a 2025 initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that networks its research and training institutions into thematic verticals with a designated lead institute for each.
• Statement 1 is correct: the Ecosystem Survey and Analysis vertical is led by the Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata (with the Zoological Survey of India as partner), drawing on its flora and fauna survey mandate.
• Statement 3 is correct: the Capacity Development Support vertical is led by the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, the Ministry's premier training institution.
• Statement 2 is wrong: the Research and Management of Ecosystem Services vertical is not led by the Central Zoo Authority, whose remit is oversight of zoos; ecosystem-services research sits with the Ministry's research institutes.
• Hence 1 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 2 is wrong: the Central Zoo Authority does not lead the ecosystem-services vertical.
- (c) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong, while statements 1 and 3 name the correct lead institutes.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 1 is also correct: BSI Kolkata leads Ecosystem Survey and Analysis.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.