Rani Jhansi maritime National Park was founded in the year:

The correct answer is C) 1996. Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, on Havelock Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was notified in 1996 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The question says 'maritime', but the official name is Marine National Park.

The core concept is protected area classification. A national park gets the highest protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and it is notified as a national park, not just a sanctuary. The park protects coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, which links to the Environment and Ecology syllabus and to Mains questions on coastal and island ecosystem conservation in the Andamans.

• A) 1994: Wrong. This is not the notification year.
• B) 1995: Wrong. This is a near-miss year, so check it against the notification date.
• D) 1997: Wrong. This is a later year and does not match the notification.

Trap: Candidates often pick a year close to the 1857 revolt or the Rani's name, or they confuse the park's year with other Andaman notifications. Memorise the year with the Act and the island.