Which of the following glands in human body acts both as a endocrine gland as well as exocrine gland?

The pancreas is the correct answer because it is a mixed gland. Its acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes such as trypsin, amylase and lipase into the pancreatic duct, which drains into the duodenum. That is the exocrine part. Scattered clusters of cells called the islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon directly into the blood. That is the endocrine part.

Why the others fail:

• Adrenal gland: purely endocrine. The medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, and the cortex releases cortisol and aldosterone, all into the blood.
• Lacrimal gland: purely exocrine. It secretes tears through ducts onto the surface of the eye.
• Thyroid: purely endocrine. Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) enter the bloodstream, and iodine is needed for their synthesis.

Core concept: dual-function glands. For Mains GS-I (human physiology and health), diabetes mellitus is a classic link, since the same organ handles digestion and blood sugar regulation.

Trap: candidates pick the lacrimal gland because it has ducts, or the adrenal because it is famous for hormones. The test is whether one organ does both, releasing enzymes through a duct and hormones into the blood.