UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 72

Correct answer: Option C. Tropical wet evergreen forests require high temperature and heavy rainfall distributed through much of the year. They occur in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, while Himachal Pradesh’s climate and elevation support very different forest types. Therefore statements 1 and 3 are correct. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “1 only” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option B: “2 and 3 only” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option C: “1 and 3 only” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Option D: “1, 2 and 3” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Prelims takeaway: Focus on the precise institutional role, constitutional provision, geographical association, or technical definition being tested. UPSC questions often place a broadly familiar fact beside a narrowly incorrect qualifier; identifying that qualifier is essential for elimination.