Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct?
- 1.Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
- 2.Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
- 3.Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Why not the tempting option · UPSC's key is (b). The official NIRANTAR portal lists the Botanical Survey of India for Ecosystem Survey and Analysis, ICFRE Dehradun for Research and Management of Ecosystem Service, and IIFM Bhopal for Capacity Development Support. Whichever institute some summaries name for the Ecosystem Service vertical, it is not the Central Zoo Authority, so statement 2 is wrong and 1 and 3 stand. In the exam, check the institute named in the statement against the vertical, not the vertical alone.
NIRANTAR is an environment ministry platform that links existing institutes without creating a new one. Its portal lists the Botanical Survey of India for Ecosystem Survey and Analysis and IIFM, Bhopal for Capacity Development Support. The Ecosystem Service vertical is led by ICFRE, Dehradun, not the Central Zoo Authority.
- ✓ 1. The portal names the Botanical Survey of India (headquartered in Kolkata) for Ecosystem Survey and Analysis.
- ✗ 2. The portal lists ICFRE, Dehradun against Research and Management of Ecosystem Service; the Central Zoo Authority is not shown as a vertical lead.
- ✓ 3. The portal lists IIFM, Bhopal for Capacity Development Support.
Remember · NIRANTAR verticals on the MoEFCC portal: Ecosystem Survey and Analysis (BSI), Ecosystem Service (ICFRE), Capacity Development (IIFM), Climate Change Support (NCSCM).
Sources
- MoEFCC, NIRANTAR portal, About NIRANTAR (list of verticals) ↗ “Ecosystem Survey & Analysis Botanical Survey of India Research and Management of Ecosystem Service ICFRE, Dehradun Capacity Development Support IIFM, Bhopal”
Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper I (2026, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·