Biotechnology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Biotechnology (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 2012Science and Technology · Biotechnology
Q1. What are the reasons for the people’s resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India? 1. Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome. 2. The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies. 3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health. 4. There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effects on biodiversity. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
Brinjal is a resilient crop that thrives even in drought-prone areas and is cultivated throughout most of the country. In India, Bt brinjal was the first food crop to undergo evaluation for potential commercial release.
Statement 1 is incorrect: A gene called cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(and not fungus) was inserted into the brinjal to develop Bt Brinjal. This brinjal has been genetically modified to withstand insects like the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis).
Statement 2 is incorrect: Farmers will be free to save and sow as many seeds from Bt Brinjal open-pollinated cultivars as they like. They are not terminator seeds.
Statement 3 is correct: Public resistance to Bt brinjal in India was driven by fears of allergic reactions, toxicity and long-term health effects.
Statement 4 is correct: Environmentalists feared that introducing Bt brinjal could negatively impact biodiversity. The primary concern was the potential for cross-pollination with native brinjal varieties, which could lead to genetic contamination and loss of indigenous strains.
UPSC 2012Science and Technology · Biotechnology
Q2. Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? 1. To enable them to withstand drought. 2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce. 3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations. 4. To increase their shelf life. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology techniques, allowing for the alteration of its DNA.
Statement 1 is correct: GE crops have been engineered to withstand drought conditions which allows them to maintain productivity under water scarcity. For instance, genetically modified wheat with enhanced drought tolerance has been developed.
Statement 2 is correct: Biofortification through genetic engineering has led to crops with enhanced nutritional profiles. Example: Golden Rice has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Genetic engineering for space-specific traits (like enhanced photosynthesis in low light or microgravity) is not a major application of genetically engineered plants presently. Research is ongoing into growing plants in space (Ex-NASA’s experiments with growing lettuce on the International Space Station) but these efforts primarily focus on optimizing growth conditions rather than genetically engineering plants.
Statement 4 is correct: Genetic engineering has been used to delay ripening and spoilage in fruits and vegetables. For example: Flavr Savr Tomato is the first commercially available genetically engineered crops, designed to ripen more slowly and extend shelf life.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2012
(c) 3 and 4 only
2
2012
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Biotechnology?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Biotechnology (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 Biotechnology?
Questions on Biotechnology (Science and Technology) are available for 19 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
