National fish of India?

Appeared in: NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The Ganges river dolphin is the designated National Aquatic Animal of India, a status it received in 2010.
Although it is a mammal and not a fish, it is the only option with an official 'national' status, making it the intended answer for this common knowledge question.
This question tests a common point of confusion between 'National Fish' (which is undeclared) and 'National Aquatic Animal'.

Option B: Sharks are a type of fish, but no specific species of shark holds any national symbol status in India.
Option C: The Blue Whale is a marine mammal, not a fish. It is also not a designated national symbol of India.
Option D: This option is incorrect because 'Shark' and 'Blue whale' are not national symbols, making the 'All of the above' choice invalid.

Visual 1: Image: A picture of the Ganges river dolphin to help learners identify this unique freshwater dolphin.
Visual 2: Infographic: A chart showing the key National Symbols of India (Animal, Bird, Flower, Aquatic Animal, etc.) for easy memorization.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Knowledge of India's National Symbols, specifically the National Aquatic Animal as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
General awareness, including knowledge of national symbols, is often a component of the non-nursing syllabus for nursing entrance examinations.
Understanding the significance of indicator species like the Ganges dolphin connects to broader concepts of environmental health, which has direct implications for community health and safety (e.g., water quality).
What if? If the question had asked for the 'National Heritage Animal' of India, the correct answer would be the Indian Elephant.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: It asks for the 'National fish' of India.
Scan the options provided. Note that 'Ganges river dolphin' is a known national symbol, but also recognize that it is a mammal, not a fish.
Understand that this is a potentially tricky question. The term 'fish' might be used loosely, or it might be a test of the specific distinction between 'National Fish' and 'National Aquatic Animal'.
Recall or deduce that the Ganges river dolphin is officially the 'National Aquatic Animal'. As it's the only option with a recognized national status, it is the most plausible answer.
Select the best possible fit among the choices, even if there's a technical inaccuracy in the question's wording, and make a mental note of the precise distinction for future reference.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Knowledge of India's National Symbols, specifically the National Aquatic Animal.
Stem keywords: National fish, India
Lead-in keywords: ?

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Practise the full NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.