Welcome to the Ujiyari Rajasthan Current Affairs notes for 29 July 2026, prepared for RPSC, RAS and other State PCS aspirants. Today’s edition is anchored by International Tiger Day, with Rajasthan’s tiger population rising to 149 across its five reserves, a milestone with Ranthambore continuing to house nearly half the state’s tigers even as smaller reserves show signs of gradual recovery. The item below is paired with a detailed Prelims fact table and a Mains angle, followed by five practice MCQs. Coverage is lighter than usual today; a genuinely fresh, distinctly Rajasthan-specific second story could not be verified within the edition’s sourcing window, and no unrelated or stale item has been added simply to pad the count.
1. Rajasthan’s Tiger Population Rises to 149 Across Five Reserves
Why in News: Marking International Tiger Day on 29 July 2026, figures released showed Rajasthan’s tiger population, combining tigers, tigresses and cubs across its five tiger reserves, has risen to 149 this year from 135 last year.
Background: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve continues to house the largest share of the state’s tigers, with 72, up from 66 last year, meaning it alone accounts for close to half of Rajasthan’s total tiger population. Sariska Tiger Reserve’s population rose to 56 from 50, while Dholpur-Karauli has 11, Ramgarh Vishdhari has 8, and Mukundra Hills has 7. Breeding performance also improved: 54 tigresses produced 53 cubs across the state’s reserves this year, compared with 52 tigresses producing 43 cubs in 2025, with Sariska recording the highest number of births at 28 cubs. Of the state’s total population of 149, approximately 96 are adult tigers and tigresses, with the remainder being cubs. The figures illustrate both the success of Rajasthan’s core reserves and a continuing imbalance, with Ranthambore’s population approaching capacity while reserves such as Mukundra Hills and Ramgarh Vishdhari remain comparatively under-populated, a pattern that mirrors the national “beyond reserve” and inter-reserve balancing challenge being addressed through initiatives like the Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) programme at the national level.
Rajasthan Relevance:
- Prelims: Rajasthan’s five tiger reserves are Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari and Dholpur-Karauli; total population 149 (2026) versus 135 (2025); Ranthambore 72 (up from 66), Sariska 56 (up from 50), Dholpur-Karauli 11, Ramgarh Vishdhari 8, Mukundra Hills 7; 54 tigresses produced 53 cubs in 2026 versus 52 tigresses producing 43 cubs in 2025; Sariska recorded the highest cub births at 28; about 96 of the 149 are adults, the remainder cubs.
- Mains: Examine the policy implications of Ranthambore’s tiger population approaching reserve capacity while Rajasthan’s smaller reserves, such as Mukundra Hills, remain comparatively under-populated, and suggest measures for more balanced distribution across the state’s tiger reserves.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total tiger population, Rajasthan (2026) | 149 |
| Total tiger population, Rajasthan (2025) | 135 |
| Ranthambore | 72 (up from 66) |
| Sariska | 56 (up from 50) |
| Dholpur-Karauli | 11 |
| Ramgarh Vishdhari | 8 |
| Mukundra Hills | 7 |
| Cubs born, 2026 | 53, from 54 tigresses |
| Cubs born, 2025 | 43, from 52 tigresses |
| Highest cub births by reserve | Sariska, 28 cubs |
| Adults in total population | About 96 |
| Ranthambore’s share of state total | Close to 50 per cent |
Practice MCQs
1. What is Rajasthan’s total tiger population across its five reserves in 2026, as announced on International Tiger Day, and what was it in 2025?
a) 149 in 2026, up from 135 in 2025 b) 135 in 2026, up from 125 in 2025 c) 159 in 2026, up from 149 in 2025 d) 145 in 2026, up from 130 in 2025
Answer: a
Explanation: Rajasthan’s combined tiger, tigress and cub population across its five reserves rose to 149 in 2026 from 135 in 2025, announced to mark International Tiger Day on 29 July 2026, with Ranthambore alone accounting for 72 of the total, close to half the state’s population.
2. Which of Rajasthan’s five tiger reserves recorded the highest number of cub births in 2026?
a) Ranthambore b) Sariska c) Mukundra Hills d) Ramgarh Vishdhari
Answer: b
Explanation: Sariska Tiger Reserve recorded the highest number of cub births in 2026, with 28 cubs, contributing significantly to the statewide total of 53 cubs born from 54 tigresses, compared with 43 cubs from 52 tigresses in 2025.
3. What is the correct list of Rajasthan’s five tiger reserves?
a) Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Dholpur-Karauli b) Ranthambore, Sariska, Kumbhalgarh, Sitamata, Dholpur-Karauli c) Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Bhensrodgarh, Todgarh-Raoli d) Sariska, Ranthambore, Jaisamand, Darrah, Sawai Man Singh
Answer: a
Explanation: Rajasthan’s five tiger reserves are Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari and Dholpur-Karauli; in 2026, their populations stood at 72, 56, 7, 8 and 11 respectively, totalling 149 across the state.
4. Approximately what proportion of Rajasthan’s total tiger population does Ranthambore Tiger Reserve alone house?
a) About 25 per cent b) About 33 per cent c) About 50 per cent d) About 66 per cent
Answer: c
Explanation: With 72 of the state’s 149 tigers, Ranthambore houses close to 50 per cent of Rajasthan’s total tiger population, a concentration that raises questions about reserve carrying capacity and the case for more balanced distribution across the state’s less-populated reserves, such as Mukundra Hills at 7.
5. Of Rajasthan’s total tiger population of 149 in 2026, approximately how many are adult tigers and tigresses, as opposed to cubs?
a) About 76 b) About 86 c) About 96 d) About 106
Answer: c
Explanation: Of the state’s total tiger population of 149, approximately 96 are adult tigers and tigresses, with the remainder, about 53, being cubs born during the year, reflecting the strong breeding performance across Rajasthan’s five reserves in 2026 compared with 2025.
