Environment and ecology remain important sections in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Questions related to protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and ecological zones frequently appear in the exam. Among these topics, National Parks and Biosphere Reserves are considered essential for aspirants preparing for UPSC Prelims.

India has a vast network of protected areas aimed at conserving biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
National Parks in India

As of 2026, India has 107 National Parks spread across different states and union territories. These protected areas are created under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and provide the highest level of protection for ecosystems and wildlife.

National Parks are strictly protected regions where activities such as hunting, grazing, or human exploitation are restricted to preserve flora and fauna.

Some well-known national parks that frequently appear in UPSC questions include:

• Jim Corbett National Park - Located in Uttarakhand and established in 1936, it is India's first national park.
• Kaziranga National Park - Located in Assam and famous for the one-horned rhinoceros.
• Gir National Park - Situated in Gujarat and the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
• Sundarbans National Park - Located in West Bengal and known for the Royal Bengal tiger and mangrove ecosystem.
• Hemis National Park - Located in Ladakh and considered India's largest national park, known for snow leopards.

These parks are often asked in UPSC exams through map-based or species-based questions.

Biosphere Reserves in India

India currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves, designed to conserve biodiversity while allowing sustainable development in surrounding areas.

A biosphere reserve generally consists of three zones:

• Core zone - strictly protected for conservation
• Buffer zone - limited research and eco-friendly activities
• Transition zone - human settlements and sustainable economic activities

Some of the most important biosphere reserves include:

• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve - India's first biosphere reserve, covering parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve - Located in Uttarakhand and known for Himalayan biodiversity.
• Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve - Famous for mangrove forests and Bengal tigers.
• Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve - Located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve - Situated in Madhya Pradesh.

Out of the 18 biosphere reserves, 13 are part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves under the Man and Biosphere Programme.

Why This Topic Is Important for UPSC

UPSC frequently frames questions from protected areas using:

• Location-based mapping questions
• Species-habitat associations
• UNESCO recognition and conservation status

For effective preparation, aspirants should focus on major national parks, biosphere reserves, and their geographical locations, as these topics regularly appear in the prelims examination.

Understanding India's protected areas also helps candidates link environmental conservation with biodiversity policies and ecological sustainability.