[2][3] The last national assessment of 2018–19, where he led the implementation of scientific components, was accorded a status of the Guinness world record for the largest wildlife survey with camera traps.

His citation read: "Professor Y V Jhala has been elected a fellow of INSA for his outstanding contribution to and leadership in the field of tiger ecology, conservation and management.

Prof. Jhala’s research spans an array of topics including ecology, behaviour, genetics, evolution, participatory conservation and policy on tigers, lions and other large carnivores.

Dr. Jhala has emerged as an important figure in the global effort to conserve, study and manage one of the highest profile endangered species in the world.

Jhala has received the Carl Zeiss Award and the Wildlife Service Award-2008 by Sanctuary Asia and Royal Bank of Scotland for “Tiger Conservation Work in India”.