India adds 709 new species to its faunal database in 2025, 353 taxa to its flora

📌 Summary:

• India added 709 new species to its fauna in 2025 — comprising 483 species new to science and 226 species recorded in India for the first time
• India also added 353 taxa to its flora, of which 14 are infraspecific taxa
• Discoveries were compiled by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
• Details released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Kolkata on June 30
• India''s total faunal biodiversity now stands at 1,05,953 species, reaffirming its status as one of the world''s mega-diverse nations

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Environment & Biodiversity – conservation, ecosystems) — documents India''s biodiversity wealth and the role of ZSI/BSI in taxonomic surveying

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI) are headquartered in Kolkata
• 2025 additions: 709 faunal species (483 new to science + 226 new records); 353 floral taxa
• India''s total faunal count: 1,05,953 species
• India is one of 17 recognised megadiverse countries

🔑 Key Term: Megadiverse nation — a country harbouring a majority of Earth''s species and a high number of endemic species; India is among 17 such nations