UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I: ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?1. It…
‘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.
Answer (a) & explanation
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct (a). RNA interference (RNAi) uses small RNA molecules to silence specific genes by destroying their messenger RNA. It is the basis of gene-silencing drugs such as patisiran (1), approved in 2018. It is being tested in cancer therapies to switch off genes that help tumours grow (2). It is used to make virus-resistant crops, such as papaya resistant to ringspot virus (4). Statement 3 is wrong because hormone replacement adds a missing hormone, rather than switching a gene off, so RNAi plays no role.
Fire and Mello won the 2006 Medicine Nobel for discovering RNAi. Notice the related microRNA discovery, which won Ambros and Ruvkun the 2024 Medicine Nobel.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Same theme in UPSC Mains
- MAINS UPSC Mains 2024 · GS Paper IV · Q12Dr. Srinivasan is a senior scientist working for a reputed biotechnology company known for its cutting-edge research in pharmaceuticals. Dr. Srinivasan is heading a research team…
- MAINS UPSC Mains 2026 · GS Paper I · Q10Do you think digital technology promotes social empowerment? Explain with examples.
- MAINS UPSC Mains 2026 · GS Paper III · Q5Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops.
Related questions from other years
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.
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.
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.
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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