UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Gujarat farmer repels claw attack, faces handcuffs

Q1. With reference to the legal framework under which a Gujarat farmer was booked in January 2026 for killing a leopard in self-defence, consider the following statements about the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: 1. The leopard is listed in Schedule I of the Act. 2. Under Section 11(2), the killing or wounding of any wild animal in good faith in defence of any person shall not be an offence. 3. Only the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State can authorise the hunting of a Schedule I animal that has become dangerous to human life. 4. An animal killed in self-defence under Section 11(2) automatically becomes the personal property of the person who killed it. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The leopard is listed in Schedule I of the Act.
  2. Under Section 11(2), the killing or wounding of any wild animal in good faith in defence of any person shall not be an offence.
  3. Only the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State can authorise the hunting of a Schedule I animal that has become dangerous to human life.
  4. An animal killed in self-defence under Section 11(2) automatically becomes the personal property of the person who killed it.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. In the context of the recent debate over the leopard's status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, consider the following statements: 1. The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a proposal to reclassify leopards from Schedule I to Schedule II under the Act. 2. The Wildlife Protection (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the State Legislative Assembly with the explicit objective of authorising the issuance of permits to hunt leopards. 3. Any such reclassification of a species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 requires the approval of the Union Government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a proposal to reclassify leopards from Schedule I to Schedule II under the Act.
  2. The Wildlife Protection (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the State Legislative Assembly with the explicit objective of authorising the issuance of permits to hunt leopards.
  3. Any such reclassification of a species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 requires the approval of the Union Government.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which of the following is the Union Ministry that operationalises the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — the statute under which the Gujarat farmer was booked in January 2026 for killing a leopard?

  • A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • D. Ministry of Rural Development

Q4. As cited in the State government's justification for the Wildlife Protection (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026, approximately how many human deaths in the preceding five years were attributed to human-leopard conflict in Maharashtra?

  • A. About 45
  • B. Over 110
  • C. Over 300
  • D. Over 500

Q5. Among the Schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended), which one currently accords the highest level of legal protection to species such as the Indian leopard?

  • A. Schedule I
  • B. Schedule II
  • C. Schedule III
  • D. Schedule IV