UPSC Mains 2021 Agriculture Optional Paper II questions

27 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2021. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Agriculture Optional PYQs

What do you mean by gene pool concept and genetic erosion? Classify the gene pool of a crop.
10 marks
Arise Describe the advantages and disadvantages of mass selection, simple recurrent selection and clonal selection.
10 marks
Explain the importance of somatic hybridization in agriculture.
10 marks
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issue is a sensitive topic in agriculture. Concisely describe this with your conclusions.
10 marks
Asexual Reproduction (ii) Progeny Test (iii) Seed Bank (iv) Genetically Modified Crop
Define cell. How is a plant cell different from an animal cell? Describe a typical cell structurally and functionally, with a suitable diagram.
15 marks
Describe the physiological and molecular basis of heterosis.
15 marks
Classify types of male sterility and self-incompatibility system in plants. Describe the limitations of cytoplasmic genetic male sterility system in hybrid seed production.
20 marks
What is clone? What do you understand by clonal selection? Describe the various steps involved in clonal selection.
15 marks
What do you understand by centre of origin? Discuss the law of homologous series of variation.
15 marks
Describe self-pollination, cross-pollination and often cross-pollination. Discuss different mechanisms for facilitating self-pollination and cross-pollination.
20 marks
What is the role and importance of "Seed treatment campaign" in India in the context of quality crop establishment?
15 marks
What is DNA fingerprinting? Discuss its applied aspects in modern agriculture.
15 marks
Describe the mechanisms involved in absorption of water in plants. Explain the factors affecting the water absorption rate in plants.
20 marks
Define seed viability. Describe in brief the metabolic aspects of seed germination.
10 marks
Define 'Pests' and 'Pesticides' in relation to pest management. Give a brief account of types and need for pesticide formulations. ants ifs Narrate the role of post harvest technology in minimising losses in fruits and vegetables.
10 marks
What is "Plant Quarantine"? Describe the plant quarantine measures with suitable examples in Indian context.
10 marks
Discuss the importance of green-house in agriculture.
10 marks
What are enzymes? Describe "Key-lock theory" with respect to mode of enzyme action.
15 marks
What is plant physiological stress? Describe morphological and physiochemical changes taking place in plants under drought condition.
15 marks
What do you understand by vernalization? Describe its practical application in crops.
20 marks
What do you mean by "Economic Injury Level" (EIL) and "Economic Threshold Level" (ETL)? Describe their roles in classifying the pests in relevance to Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
15 marks
Describe the importance of fruit cultivation in India. Discuss the role of horticulture with respect to poverty alleviation and nutritional security.
15 marks
What is protected cultivation? What are its problems and prospects in comparison to open cultivation?
20 marks
What is the food production and consumption pattern of India in the last fifty years?
15 marks
What do you mean by 'hunger' and 'hidden hunger'? Comment. on various strategies in combating hunger.
15 marks
What are the different "National Dietary Guidelines" of India? What is your opinion on balanced diet of Indians?
20 marks

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