Background
Overview
UPSC emphasizes India's rich biodiversity, its hotspots, the importance of endemic species, and the role of genetic resources in agriculture and sustainable development. Questions often cover conservation efforts, scientific discoveries, and the institutions involved in biodiversity documentation.
Biodiversity hotspots are biogeographic regions with significant levels of biodiversity that are threatened by human habitation. India is home to four such hotspots, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which harbor a high number of endemic species. Genetic resources, particularly wild relatives of cultivated crops, are invaluable for crop improvement, disease resistance, and adaptation to climate change, forming a critical component of food security.