Question map
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as 'State Butterfly'?
Explanation
Maharashtra is the first state in India to have a state butterfly.[2] The Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) was declared the state butterfly of Maharashtra.[2] This historic declaration made Maharashtra a pioneer among Indian states in recognizing a butterfly as an official state symbol. While other states like Karnataka (which notified the Sahyadri Birdwing in 2016)[3] and Arunachal Pradesh (which notified the Kaiser-i-Hind in 2021)[4] later adopted state butterflies, Maharashtra was the first to do so. Since this question is from 2016, Maharashtra's pioneering status as the first state to declare a state butterfly makes option D the correct answer.
Sources- [1] https://penchtigerreserve.maharashtra.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Final_Butterfly-pocket-guide-book.pdf
- [2] https://penchtigerreserve.maharashtra.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Final_Butterfly-pocket-guide-book.pdf
- [3] https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/state-butterflies
- [4] https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/state-butterflies
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a pure 'First in India' trivia question derived from newspapers (The Hindu, June 2015). Standard static books (Laxmikanth/Shankar IAS) are useless here. The strategy is simple: scan current affairs for 'First State to...' headlines, especially those linking Environment (species) with Governance (official symbols).
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Was Arunachal Pradesh the first Indian state to declare an official "State Butterfly" in 2016?
- Statement 2: Was Himachal Pradesh the first Indian state to declare an official "State Butterfly" in 2016?
- Statement 3: Was Karnataka the first Indian state to declare an official "State Butterfly" in 2016?
- Statement 4: Was Maharashtra the first Indian state to declare an official "State Butterfly" in 2016?
- Explicitly states which state was the first in India to have a state butterfly.
- Directly contradicts the claim that Arunachal Pradesh was first in 2016.
- Lists Arunachal Pradesh's state butterfly as being notified in 2021, not 2016.
- Shows Karnataka's state butterfly was notified in 2016, indicating Arunachal was not first that year.
Lists multiple tiger reserves in Arunachal Pradesh, indicating the state is recognized for significant biodiversity and protected wildlife areas.
A student could take this biodiversity emphasis as a plausible motive for the state government to adopt wildlife emblems (like a state butterfly) and then check dates of such declarations for Arunachal and other states.
Notes Arunachal Pradesh was elevated to full statehood (State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1986), giving it legislative authority to adopt state symbols after that date.
Use the statehood date to narrow the time window when Arunachal could legally declare a state symbol and compare with other states' timelines for adopting state emblems.
Also records Arunachal becoming a full state in 1987 (as one of the newer states), implying it had decades to adopt official symbols before 2016.
A student could infer that if Arunachal declared a state butterfly in 2016, other older states had earlier opportunities; they should verify whether any other state declared a state butterfly before 2016.
States that Arunachal is inhabited largely by indigenous tribal people and lacks scheduled castes, highlighting distinct cultural/administrative features that might influence adoption of local symbols.
A student could consider that unique cultural identity might motivate a state-specific symbol (butterfly) and then check if that cultural reasoning led to a 2016 declaration compared with other states.
Shows Arunachal is treated differently in constitutional provisions (e.g., longer period for English as floor language), indicating the state has special administrative recognition.
One could extend this pattern of 'special treatment' to hypothesize Arunachal may proactively adopt distinctive state symbols and then verify the actual date and whether it was first.
- Explicitly states which state was first to have a state butterfly in India.
- Directly contradicts the claim that Himachal Pradesh was the first in 2016.
- Lists state butterflies and dates; shows Karnataka's state butterfly was notified in 2016.
- Provides context that multiple states (including Maharashtra and Karnataka) have notified state butterflies, so Himachal is not indicated as the first in 2016.
Shows that Indian states were declaring 'first' official statuses in 2016 (Sikkim declared the first 'Organic state' in Jan 2016), so 2016 is a plausible year for states to adopt novel official symbols.
A student could search 2016 news/official releases for state symbol adoptions (butterfly declarations) to see which state acted first.
Establishes Himachal Pradesh's long-standing status as a full Indian state (added as the 18th state), so it had the authority to adopt state symbols well before 2016.
Knowing HP was an established state, the student can limit searches to state government notifications or press releases from HP in 2016 to check for a butterfly declaration.
Notes the administrative history of Himachal Pradesh (merger/formation), reinforcing that Himachal is a recognized state entity capable of declaring official symbols.
Use this to justify looking for an official gazette/department order from Himachal Pradesh around 2016 regarding state symbols.
Lists Himachal Pradesh among Part C/union-territory-to-state transitions, again confirming its state status and administrative continuity relevant to symbol adoption authority.
Combine this with a timeline of state actionsโcheck Himachal government archives for 2016 announcements on symbols.
Provides a prompt to use a current political map and state locations, which helps a student cross-check geographical/state-level proclamations (e.g., comparing which states might announce regional symbols).
A student could map states that declared symbols in 2016 and compare dates geographically to judge whether Himachal was first.
- Explicitly states Karnataka's state butterfly and gives the year of notification as 2016.
- Shows Karnataka declared Sahyadri Birdwing (Troides minos) in 2016, which addresses the timing in the statement.
- States that Maharashtra is the first state in India to have a state butterfly.
- Implies Karnataka could not have been the first state to declare a state butterfly in 2016.
Mentions an event involving Karnataka in September 2016, showing the state was taking official, public actions in that year.
A student could combine this with outside searches for state proclamations in 2016 to see if Karnataka issued a symbolic declaration (like a state butterfly) that year.
Records the formal renaming of Mysore to Karnataka in 1973, illustrating that the entity 'Karnataka' is an established state with legal authority to make official declarations.
Use this to justify looking for Karnataka government orders or notifications (from 2016) about adoption of state symbols.
Discusses changes and additions to states and their identities (examples of renaming and creation), indicating states undertake formal acts of identity and symbolism.
A student could infer that states routinely adopt official symbols and therefore search records of such adoptions across states to check if Karnataka was first in 2016.
Lists Karnataka among Indian states with formal institutions (e.g., bicameral legislature), implying administrative capacity to make official symbolic declarations.
Combine this with a targeted review of state legislative or government notifications in 2016 to verify any declaration of a state butterfly and its timing relative to other states.
This snippet states Maharashtra was the first state to establish the institution of lokayukta (1971), showing a pattern that Maharashtra has sometimes been first among states in adopting new state-level institutions or symbols.
A student could use this precedent to hypothesise Maharashtra might also have been early in adopting other state symbols (like a state butterfly) and then check 2016 news/official notifications for dates and compare with other states.
This notes Maharashtra has a bicameral legislature (active state legislative machinery), implying it has institutional capacity to formally adopt official symbols through state action.
One could use this to expect formal legislative or government notifications for a 'state butterfly' and then search for the exact notification date (2016) and compare with notifications from other states.
This snippet gives background that Maharashtra is a major, long-established state (formed 1960), suggesting ample administrative history to participate in symbolic/identity acts (e.g., declaring state symbols).
A student could combine this with a timeline of state symbol adoptions (from press releases or state websites) to see whether Maharashtra's 2016 declaration was earlier than others.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (if read) / Bouncer (if not). Source: The Hindu/Indian Express (June 2015) or Year End Review 2015.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: State Symbols & Biodiversity Governance. The trend of states moving beyond just Animals/Birds to smaller taxa (Butterflies, Fish) for conservation branding.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the specific species: Maharashtra (Blue Mormon), Karnataka (Sahyadri Birdwing), Arunachal (Kaiser-i-Hind), Tamil Nadu (Tamil Yeoman). Also track 'State Fish' declarations: Sikkim (Katley), Maharashtra (Silver Pomfret), Uttar Pradesh (Ganges Dolphin - State Aquatic Animal).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a state claims a 'First' tag in environmental policy, it is high-yield. Do not ignore 'regional' news if it sets a national precedent. If Maharashtra does it, check if neighboring Western Ghats states (Karnataka, Kerala) followed suit.
Arunachal Pradesh's status as a State was created by a specific Act; knowing when and how a territory became a State helps verify state-level actions and timelines.
Questions on federal structure and state formation are frequently tested; mastering the reorganisation Acts and dates helps answer queries about administrative powers, historic timelines, and state-specific initiatives. Study by mapping major statehood Acts and timelines and linking them to administrative powers and identity markers.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 14: The State Legislature > New States added since 1950 > p. 294
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 16: Administration of Union Territories and Acquired Territories > REFERENCES > p. 312
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 6: Union and Its Territory > New States and Union Territories Created After 1956 > p. 55
Arunachal has constitutionally distinct provisions (e.g., governor's special responsibility) that affect how state decisions and symbols might be adopted.
UPSC often asks about differentiated federal arrangements and special provisions for states; knowing Article 371 variants and their effects helps answer questions on centreโstate relations, administration, and local autonomy. Learn by summarising each Article 371 clause and examples of its application.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 77: Special Provisions for Some States > Arunachal Pradesh > p. 563
Arunachal Pradesh is explicitly listed with different legislative language/time-limit provisions, illustrating that states can have exceptional administrative rules.
Understanding exceptions (e.g., language rules, assembly composition) is high-yield for polity questions on legislative procedure and regional autonomy; it enables elimination in MCQs and supports essay/GS answers on diversity in governance. Prepare by tabulating exceptions for states mentioned in the Constitution and key implications.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 33: State Legislature > Language in State Legislature > p. 341
The references document how Himachal Pradesh and other units were created or reclassified by specific Acts โ essential background when assessing any state-level formal declaration.
UPSC often asks about the legal and historical origins of states and territory changes; mastering the names and years of formation/reorganisation Acts helps answer questions on state powers, timelines, and administrative history. Study the major Acts and their dates, and connect them to later state actions and identity.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 14: The State Legislature > New States added since 1950 > p. 294
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 6: TERRITORY OF THE UNION > Formation of new States and Alteration of Boundaries, etc. > p. 78
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 16: Administration of Union Territories and Acquired Territories > REFERENCES > p. 312
Several references specify when Himachal Pradesh merged (1954) and was transferred to full statehood (State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970), which is relevant to any claim about state-level official acts dated decades later (e.g., 2016).
Knowing exact dates and sequence for a state's elevation from Part C/UT to full statehood is high-yield for polity and modern Indian history questions; it lets you judge whether a state existed in a given form at a given time and trace administrative authority. Memorise timelines and link them to constitutional provisions and later policy decisions.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 6: TERRITORY OF THE UNION > Formation of new States and Alteration of Boundaries, etc. > p. 78
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 14: The State Legislature > New States added since 1950 > p. 294
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 16: Administration of Union Territories and Acquired Territories > REFERENCES > p. 312
The material lists later additions (e.g., Himachal as the 18th state) and other new states โ useful context when comparing firsts and precedence among states for official declarations.
Questions may require comparing states by order of formation or by administrative changes; this concept helps in elimination and cross-checking claims about 'firsts' or historic precedence. Learn state creation order and notable reorganisations to validate such assertions.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 14: The State Legislature > New States added since 1950 > p. 294
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 6: Union and Its Territory > New States and Union Territories Created After 1956 > p. 56
Several references document states changing names (e.g., Mysore โ Karnataka), highlighting how state identity and nomenclature evolve.
High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask about historical name changes, relevant Acts and effective dates. Connects to constitutional schedules, state identity, and administrative history. Prepare by memorising major renamings, relevant Acts and years, and linking them to broader reorganisation events.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 6: Union and Its Territory > New States and Union Territories Created After 1956 > p. 57
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 35: TABLES > TERRITORY OF INDIA > p. 506
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 14: The State Legislature > New States added since 1950 > p. 293
Since Butterflies are tested, look out for 'State Fish' or 'State Dragonfly'. Kerala was the first state to have a 'State Dragonfly' checklist (though not a symbol yet). Recently, Ladakh declared the Snow Leopard (Animal) and Black-necked Crane (Bird) as state symbolsโhighly probable for future matching questions.
Use 'Biodiversity Hotspot' probability. Butterflies require dense, wet vegetation. Maharashtra and Karnataka (Western Ghats) and Arunachal (Eastern Himalayas) are the strongest candidates. Himachal (temperate/cold) is less likely to be the *first* to prioritize insect biodiversity over charismatic megafauna. Between MH and KA, Maharashtra is historically the pioneer in administrative 'firsts' (e.g., first Lokayukta, first to ban plastic completely).
Link this to 'Cooperative Federalism' and 'Eco-Tourism' in GS-3. States declaring specific butterflies isn't just biology; it's a policy tool to boost local tourism economies and create 'flagship species' for conservation funding outside the Project Tiger model.