Biology: Botany: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
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
UPSC 2009Science and Technology · Biology: Botany
Q1. In making the saffron spice, which one of the following parts of the plant is used?
Explanation
Saffron spice is made from the stigma of the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the saffron crocus. The stigmas are handpicked, dried, and processed to produce saffron. Each flower has only three stigmas, making the harvesting process labor-intensive and contributing to saffron’s high value. The stigmas are highly prized for their distinctive flavor, aroma, and vibrant golden color.
UPSC 2009Science and Technology · Biology: Botany
Q2. Consider the following statements: 1. The sweet orange plant is propagated by grafting technique. 2. The Jasmine plant is propagated by layering technique. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The sweet orange plant is propagated through the grafting technique where a scion (shoot) from a desired sweet orange tree is grafted onto the rootstock of a compatible plant. This ensures the plant retains the desired traits such as high fruit quality and disease resistance.
Statement 2 is correct: The jasmine plant is commonly propagated by layering technique, particularly mound layering or air layering. This method involves bending a healthy branch to the ground or wrapping it with moist materials to encourage root development, which helps maintain the plant’s genetic identity and growth potential.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2009
(d) Stigma
2
2009
(c) Both 1 and 2
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Biology: Botany?
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.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
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.
Which years are covered for Biology: Botany?
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.
