UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC warns officials on Chambal sand mining

Question 1

In April 2026, the Supreme Court granted an interim stay on a December 2025 notification by the State of Rajasthan that sought to denotify how many hectares of the National Chambal Sanctuary in the name of boundary rationalisation?

Accepted Answer

732 hectares

Answer

432 hectares

Answer

632 hectares

Answer

832 hectares

Question 2

Under which one of the following statutes was the National Chambal Sanctuary — currently the subject of the Supreme Court's suo motu proceedings on illegal sand mining — notified as a protected area by the three riparian States?

Accepted Answer

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Answer

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Answer

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

Answer

The Indian Forest Act, 1927

Question 3

For the conservation of which one of the following species was the National Chambal Sanctuary primarily designated, and which therefore underpins the Supreme Court's 2026 concern over illegal sand mining in the sanctuary?

Accepted Answer

Gharial

Answer

Ganges river dolphin

Answer

Red-crowned roof turtle

Answer

Mugger crocodile

Question 4

With reference to the National Chambal Sanctuary, consider the following States:
1. Rajasthan
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Haryana
Which of the above are correctly identified as States across which the sanctuary extends and which were directed by the Supreme Court (2026) to act against illegal sand mining in it?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 4 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC warns officials on Chambal sand mining

Q1. In April 2026, the Supreme Court granted an interim stay on a December 2025 notification by the State of Rajasthan that sought to denotify how many hectares of the National Chambal Sanctuary in the name of boundary rationalisation?

Q2. Under which one of the following statutes was the National Chambal Sanctuary — currently the subject of the Supreme Court's suo motu proceedings on illegal sand mining — notified as a protected area by the three riparian States?

Q3. For the conservation of which one of the following species was the National Chambal Sanctuary primarily designated, and which therefore underpins the Supreme Court's 2026 concern over illegal sand mining in the sanctuary?