2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Biology: Botany (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
Dichogamy refers to the condition in a bisexual flower where the male (androecium) and female (gynoecium) reproductive organs mature at different times to prevent self-pollination. This ensures cross-pollination between different plants or flowers which increases genetic diversity.
Stem cutting is a common asexual propagation method where a section of the stem, with at least one node and some leaves is cut from a parent plant and rooted to grow a new, genetically identical plant. This method helps maintain desirable plant traits. Bougainvillea, carnations, grapes, and cocoa can all be propagated by stem cuttings. Bougainvillea is propagated using hardwood(during the dormant season) or softwood (during spring/summer from young growth) cuttings depending on the season. Carnations: Stem cuttings taken from side shoots in spring/ summer. Must have two nodes and leaves for successful propagation. Grapes: Dormant hardwood cuttings taken during winter with 3 nodes. Ideal for maintaining grapevine traits. Cocoa: Propagated using young, tender stem cuttings during the rainy season. Cuttings should have at least two nodes and leaves.
| Q | UPSC year | Correct answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002 | (a) Dichogamy |
| 2 | 2002 | (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only |
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Biology: Botany (Science and Technology), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Questions on Biology: Botany (Science and Technology) are available for 14 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
