RAS question
The Indian Gazelle (Chinkara) is the state animal of:
Correct answer: (B) Rajasthan.
The Indian Gazelle, commonly called Chinkara, is the state animal of Rajasthan.
Explanation
Chinkara, or the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), is Rajasthan's state animal. The Rajasthan Forest Department's page on Project Great Indian Bustard describes Desert National Park as part of the Thar Desert landscape in Jaisalmer and Barmer and notes that the state animal, the Indian Gazelle or Chinkara, can be seen in the area's golden sand dunes and near the Great Indian Bustard. This fits the standard RAS association: Chinkara is linked with Rajasthan's arid and desert ecology, especially the Thar and other dry regions. Chinkara is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, so the question tests both state symbols and wildlife-conservation awareness.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Madhya Pradesh is not the answer because its state animal is the Barasingha, not the Chinkara.
- (C) Gujarat is not the answer because its state animal is the Asiatic Lion, not the Indian Gazelle.
- (D) Maharashtra is not the answer because its state animal is the Indian Giant Squirrel, not the Chinkara.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan state symbols within the Geography of Rajasthan syllabus, especially how animals, birds and habitats are tied to desert ecology. It recurs in RAS because state symbols are often asked through direct factual MCQs and wildlife-linked geography questions.