Which of the following is recognised as the National Aquatic Animal of India?

Introduction / Context:
India has designated several national symbols to represent its natural heritage and cultural identity, such as the national animal, national bird and national aquatic animal. These symbols are often asked in general knowledge and environmental studies exams. The national aquatic animal highlights the importance of conserving river ecosystems and their unique fauna. This question asks you to identify which animal holds this special recognition in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question specifically refers to the National Aquatic Animal of India.
Options include Penguin, Whale, River Dolphin and Seal.
We assume basic awareness of India's national symbols and some understanding of which animals are native to Indian waters.

Concept / Approach:
The National Aquatic Animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin, often referred to more generally as the River Dolphin in exam questions. This species lives in the Ganga, Brahmaputra and some other river systems in the Indian subcontinent and is considered an indicator of river health. Penguins and seals are associated with cold oceanic or polar regions and are not native to Indian rivers. Whales are marine mammals of the open ocean rather than river systems. By recognising that India chose a freshwater river species to emphasise the importance of river conservation, you can correctly select River Dolphin as the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this from environmental education materials, where the Ganges River Dolphin is often highlighted as an endangered species and a flagship for river conservation projects. School textbooks and government campaigns mention that it has been given national aquatic animal status to draw attention to the need for cleaning and protecting rivers. No such designation exists for penguins, whales or seals in the specific context of India's national symbols, confirming that River Dolphin is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the general idea of an aquatic animal with a specific national symbol and may choose whale simply because it is a well known marine creature. Others may overlook the fact that the emphasis in Indian environmental policy is on protecting freshwater ecosystems, which makes a river species more appropriate. To avoid such mistakes, memorise India's complete list of national symbols, including the Ganges River Dolphin as the national aquatic animal, and associate each symbol with its conservation message.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is River Dolphin, because the Ganges River Dolphin has been designated as the National Aquatic Animal of India to highlight the importance of conserving river ecosystems.