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56 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Biotechnology & Genetics (Science & Technology). Spanning from 1996 to 2026. Practice with show/hide answers.
56
Questions
24
Years
24
Easy
31
Moderate
Practice these questions in quiz mode
Based on 56 questions across 24 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Biotechnology & Genetics within the broader Science & Technology syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Biotechnology & Genetics. Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Q: Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ? 1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. 3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence. Select the answer using the code given below :
Q: Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ? 1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project. 2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population. Select the answer using the code given below :
Q: With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements: I. They are man-made proteins. II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens. III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Q: 'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?
Q: 'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following?
Q: Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to: 1. Assess the age of a plant or animal. 2. Distinguish among species that look alike. 3. Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements: 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: 1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of egg. 2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of
Q: In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for
Q: Consider the following statements : 1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. 2. A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage. 3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?
Q: 'RNA interference (RNAi) technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why? 1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies. 2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer. 3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies. 4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news?
Q: With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements: 1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests. 2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization. 3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of 'genome sequencing', often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future? 1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants. 2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop plants. 3. It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q: What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
Q: In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term 'transcriptome', sometimes seen in the news, refers to
Q: With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements: 1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum. 2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding vegetative propagation of plants? 1. Vegetative propagation produces clonal population. 2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus. 3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Q: Consider the following techniques/phenomena : 1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants 2. Cytoplasmic male sterility 3. Gene silencing Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?
Q: Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred 1. Across different species of plants 2. From animals to plants 3. From microorganisms to higher organisms Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Q: With reference to 'stem cells', frequently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals only. 2. Stem cells can be used for screening new drugs. 3. Stem cells can be used for medical therapies.
Q: What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India?
Q: Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created?
Q: At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us? 1. It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock. 2. It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases. 3. It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is
Q: Recently, ‘oilzapper’ was in the news. What is it?
Q: A married couple adopted a male child. A few years later twin boys were born to them. The blood group of the couple is AB positive and O negative. The blood group of the three sons is A positive, B positive, and O positive. The blood group of the adopted son is
Q: Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason
Q: Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?
Q: Which bacterial strain, developed from natural isolates by genetic manipulations, can be used for treating oil spills ?
Q: Which feature of some species of blue-green algae helps promote them as bio-fertilizers ?
Q: In the context of genetic disorders, consider the following: A woman suffers from colour blindness while her husband does not suffer from it. They have a son and a daughter. In this context, which one of the following statements is most probably correct ?
Q: With reference to the latest developments in stem-cell research, consider the following statements: 1. The only source of human stem cells are the embryos at blastocyst stage. 2. The stem cells can be derived without causing destruction to blastocysts. 3. The stem cells can regenerate themselves in vitro virtually forever. 4. Indian research centres also created a few cell lines which can be developed into many types of tissues. Which of these statements are correct?
Q: When one gene controls two or more different characters simultaneously, the phenomenon is called
Q: Assertion (A): Scientists can cut apart and paste together DNA molecules at will, regardless of the source of the molecules. Reason (R): DNA fragments can be manipulated using restriction endonucleases and DNA ligases. Which of the following is correct?
Q: Which of the following features of DNA makes it uniquely suited to store and transmit genetic information from generation to generation?
Q: The American multinational company, Monsanto has produced an insect-resistant cotton variety that is undergoing field-trials in India. A toxin gene from which ONE of the following bacteria has been transferred to this transgenic cotton?
Q: Which one of the following organisms can serve as a biofertilizer for rice crop?
Q: Phytotron is a facility to
Q: Insect resistant cotton plants have been genetically engineered by inserting a gene from a/an
Q: Hybridoma technology is a new biotechnological approach for commercial production of
Q: Canola refers to special type of oil seed mustard varieties bred for human consumption. The main characteristic of these varieties is that the
Q: Assertion (A): In human beings, the females play a major role in determining the sex of the offspring. Reason (R): Women have two ‘X’ chromosomes.
Q: Assertion (A): “DNA Finger-printing” has become a powerful tool to establish paternity and identity of criminals in rape and assault cases. Reason (R): Trace evidences such as hairs, saliva and dried semen are adequate for DNA analysis.
Q: Indian farmers are unhappy over the introduction of “Terminator Seed Technology” because the seeds produced by this technology are expected to
Q: Which one of the following genetic diseases is sex-linked?
Q: Assertion (A): Insect-resistant transgenic cotton has been produced by inserting Bt gene. Reason (R): The Bt gene is derived from a bacterium.
Q: Assertion (A): Dolly was the first cloned mammal. Reason (R): Dolly was produced by in-vitro fertilization.
Q: Haemophilia is a genetic disorder which leads to
Q: Which one of the following types of micro-organisms is most widely used in industries?
Q: Which one of the following techniques can be used to establish the paternity of a child?
Q: The sequencing of the entire genome (the totality of all genes) of an organism was completed in 1996. The organism was
Q: Which of the following professional(s) are more likely to run the risk of a permanent change in their cell’s DNA? I. Researchers using carbon-14 isotope II. X-ray technician III. Coal miner IV. Dyer and painter Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Q: It is possible to produce seedless tomato fruits by
UPSC has asked 56 questions on Biotechnology & Genetics in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1996 and 2026. This sub-topic falls under Science & Technology.
Questions on Biotechnology & Genetics have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2026, 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996. The topic has appeared in 24 out of 31 years.
Among 56 questions on Biotechnology & Genetics: 24 are easy, 31 are moderate, and 1 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.
