UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 61

This question tests wildlife protection act schedule vi. The key concept is: Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act historically regulated specified cultivated plants and required a licence for cultivation. It did not mean that cultivation was completely prohibited, nor that the plant was necessarily genetically modified or invasive. The legal implication is licensing. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — A licence is required to cultivate that plant.: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act historically regulated specified cultivated plants and required a licence for cultivation. It did not mean that cultivation was completely prohibited, nor that the plant was necessarily genetically modified or invasive. The legal implication is licensing. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act historically regulated specified cultivated plants and required a licence for cultivation. It did not mean that cultivation was completely prohibited, nor that the plant was necessarily genetically modified or invasive. The legal implication is licensing. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — It is a genetically modified crop plant.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act historically regulated specified cultivated plants and required a licence for cultivation. It did not mean that cultivation was completely prohibited, nor that the plant was necessarily genetically modified or invasive. The legal implication is licensing. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — Such a plant is invasive in harmful to the eco system.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act historically regulated specified cultivated plants and required a licence for cultivation. It did not mean that cultivation was completely prohibited, nor that the plant was necessarily genetically modified or invasive. The legal implication is licensing. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option A is the verified answer.