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UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I: With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the…

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UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

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 ?

Answer (b) & explanation

Only statement 2 is correct (b). GM mustard DMH-11 carries the barnase–barstar genes from a soil bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Barnase makes one parent line male-sterile, and barstar restores fertility in the cross, allowing hybrid seed production (2). A third gene, bar, gives herbicide tolerance. Statement 1 is wrong because it does not give pest resistance; that is Bt technology, as in Bt cotton. Statement 3 is wrong because it was developed by Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants under Deepak Pental, not IARI and PAU.

The GEAC approved its environmental release in October 2022. Notice the Supreme Court's split verdict (July 2024), which asked the Centre to frame a national GM crops policy.

Trap

The genes do come from a soil bacterium, but they are for hybridisation, not pest resistance.

UPSC repeats traps like this year after year. The PYQ Book gathers every trap in one place, so you see them coming. Try the free sample

Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.

Learn the concept

ExplainerGM Crops in India: Technology, Bt Cotton, Bt Brinjal, GM Mustard, Regulation by GEAC and Genome-Edited Rice (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Same theme in UPSC Mains

Related questions from other years

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme :

  • 1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
  • 2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
  • 3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Answer (c) & explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct (c). Statement 1 is right: IN-SPACe (2020) is the single-window, autonomous body under the Department of Space that authorises private space activity. Statement 2 is right: Agnikul's Agnibaan SOrTeD (May 2024) flew on the world's first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine. Statement 3 is wrong: Skyroot builds its own Vikram rockets; it does not make fuel for ISRO's GSLV. So options (a), (b) and (d) fail.

Notice Skyroot's milestone: Vikram-S (2022) was India's first privately built rocket to reach space. The Indian Space Policy, 2023 opened all space activities to private firms, and 100% FDI is allowed in parts of the sector. NSIL is ISRO's commercial arm.

Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.

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UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ?

  • 1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.
  • 2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.
  • 3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Answer (b) & explanation

Statements 2 and 3 are correct (b). Statement 2 is right: in a swarm, the drones talk to each other and share tasks, so the group keeps working even if some are lost. Statement 3 is right: defenders often jam or spoof GPS to send them off course. Statement 1 is wrong: swarms usually use ordinary radio bands; terahertz links are still experimental and short-range. So options (a), (c) and (d) fail.

Notice other counters: laser weapons, like DRDO's directed-energy systems, anti-drone guns and net systems. India showed a 75-drone swarm at the 2021 Army Day parade. Drone wars in Ukraine and during Operation Sindoor (2025) showed how cheap drones can overwhelm costly defences.

Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.

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UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

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 :

Answer (b) & explanation

Statements 2 and 3 are correct (b). Statement 2 is right: GenomeIndia (2020) is funded by the Department of Biotechnology. Statement 3 is right: it sequenced 10,000 genomes from many Indian communities to build a catalogue of the country's genetic variation, and the data was released in 2025. Statement 1 is wrong: the international Human Genome Project was a separate effort that ended in 2003. So options (a), (c) and (d) fail.

Notice the uses: finding gene variants behind diseases common in India, such as sickle cell and thalassaemia, and building personalised medicine. The data is stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre in Faridabad. A larger follow-up aims to sequence one million genomes.

Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.

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UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct ?

  • 1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits.
  • 2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Answer (c) & explanation

Both statements are correct (c). Statement 1 is right: the National Quantum Mission (2023, under the DST) aims at quantum computers of 50–1,000 physical qubits within eight years. Statement 2 is right: it has four T-Hubs: computing at IISc Bengaluru, communication at IIT Madras, sensing and metrology at IIT Bombay, and materials and devices at IIT Delhi. So options (a), (b) and (d) fail.

Notice the budget: about ₹6,000 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31. The mission also aims at secure quantum communication over 2,000 km between cities, and satellite-based quantum links. India joined a handful of nations, like the USA, China and France, with such a dedicated mission.

Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.

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