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 2017Science and Technology · Biotechnology
Q1. What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
Explanation
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) is a technique used in cloning, where the nucleus of a somatic cell (any cell of the body other than a sperm or egg cell) is transferred into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed. The SCNT-derived blastocyst used in reproductive cloning is implanted into the uterus of a surrogate mother, where it develops into a foetus and is carried to term.
Option (c) is correct: SCNT is used in reproductive cloning of animals. This technique allows the creation of genetically identical animals, such as Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell in 1996. The process involves taking the nucleus from a somatic cell (e.g., skin cell) of an adult animal and transferring it into an enucleated egg cell. The egg, now containing the somatic cell nucleus, begins to divide and develop into an embryo. This embryo can then be implanted into a surrogate mother to produce an offspring that is genetically identical to the donor animal. Fig.: Some classic examples of successful applications of biotechnology
UPSC 2017Science and Technology · Biotechnology
Q2. With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of ‘genome sequencing’, often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future? 1. Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants. 2. This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop new varieties of crop plants. 3. It can be used to decipher the host pathogen relationships in crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome by identifying the precise order of nucleotides--adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G)--that make up its genetic material. This comprehensive analysis provides critical insights into an organism’s genetic information, including variations, mutations, and functional elements such as genes and regulatory regions.
Statement 1 is correct: Genome sequencing can be used to identify specific genes or genetic markers in crops that confer resistance to diseases or tolerance to environmental stresses like drought. This allows plant breeders to select plants with these beneficial traits and accelerate crop improvement.
Statement 2 is correct: Genome sequencing speeds up the breeding process. Instead of relying on traditional trial-and-error methods to cross plants, scientists can use genome information to make more precise genetic selections.
Statement 3 is correct: Genome sequencing can also help researchers understand how crops interact with pathogens (like bacteria, fungi, and viruses). By mapping the genomes of both the host plant and the pathogen, researchers can identify the genes involved in defense mechanisms and the pathogen’s strategies for evading these defenses.
Exam tip:
In science and technology UPSC questions, the NOT approach is most applicable. You can try, The "NOT" approach for all statements, this tests the improbability of negating a statement--if denying its impact seems highly unlikely, the statement is plausibly true. And Until un-less something absolutely weird is mentioned, assume all are right. In addition, "Can’’ and "Some" = possibility logic, not absolute. If even one species of organism does something, the statement is likely correct. UPSC uses " can" and "some" to lower the burden of proof harder to eliminate. Hence all statements are likely correct.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2017
(c) Reproductive cloning of animals
2
2017
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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.
