Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

The correct answer is A. The Great Indian Bustard is Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Musk Deer, Red Panda and the Asiatic wild ass (khur) are also listed as endangered or protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This group sits in a serious conservation category, which is what the question is testing.

Why the others fail:

• B: Cheetal and Blue Bull (Nilgai) are widespread and classed as Least Concern. Kashmir Stag (Hangul) and the Great Indian Bustard qualify, but the group fails because of the other two.
• C: Rhesus Monkey is Least Concern and Swamp Deer is Vulnerable, not endangered. Snow Leopard and Saras are threatened, but one wrong member spoils the set.
• D: Lion-tailed Macaque is Endangered, but Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal are all Least Concern.

Core concept: the difference between IUCN Red List categories (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable) and the legal schedules under the Wildlife Protection Act. For Mains, link this to the Great Indian Bustard recovery efforts and habitat loss from power lines and grassland conversion.

Trap: candidates assume any animal that is protected or famous is endangered. Many Indian mammals appear in Schedule I or II but are not on the IUCN endangered list. Check each member, not just the most familiar one.