On 30 June 2026 the Zoological Survey of India released “Animal Discoveries–2025”, reporting 709 new faunal additions for 2025. India also added 353 new plant taxa to its flora database in 2025.
Key figures
- Faunal additions 2025: 709 species — 483 new to science; 226 first records for India.
- Total documented fauna: 1,05,953 species in India (post-2025 additions).
- Flora additions 2025: 353 plant taxa — 221 new to science; 132 new distributional records.
Geographical distribution
- Top states — animals: Kerala 98; West Bengal 76; Karnataka 67; Arunachal Pradesh 65.
- Top states — plants: Arunachal Pradesh 49; Uttarakhand 39; Kerala 37.
Taxonomic breakdown
- Major contributing groups: Hymenoptera 106; Lepidoptera 65; Diptera 64; Arachnida 64; Coleoptera 55; Pisces 50.
Notable species added
- Examples new to science or new records: Myotis himalaicus (Himalayan bat); Ptyctolaemus mamdaphaensis and Ptyctolaemus siangensis (green fan‑throated lizards); Lycodon irwini (Irwin’s wolf snake).
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Zoological Survey of India: Nodal national taxonomy agency under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; publishes faunal inventories like “Animal Discoveries”.
- Mega‑diversity context: India is one of 17 megadiverse countries; faunal totals feed IUCN assessments and species management plans.
- Exam memory anchors: 709 faunal additions; 483 new to science; total fauna 1,05,953; 353 plant taxa (221 new).