UPSC Mains 2025 Agriculture Optional Paper II questions

28 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Agriculture Optional PYQs

Define cell cycle. Describe different types and phases of cell cycle.
10 marks
Briefly discuss significant features of heterosis and explain the dominance and overdominance hypotheses of heterosis, giving their main features.
10 marks
STATANT At ferret FIST Define Marker-Assisted Selection and give suitable examples. Discuss the applications of marker-assisted selection in recurrent selection, gene
Define 'Grow-out test'. Explain briefly the methods of roguing in seed fields.
10 marks
Classify plant mineral nutrients based on biochemical functions. How do excess minerals in the soil limit the plant growth?
10 marks
Explain mutagenesis with its classification. Discuss briefly the mechanisms of action of alkylating agents and azide mutagens in crop improvement.
20 marks
Give an account on double haploid and its applications in plant breeding. Also discuss the production methods of haploid.
20 marks
What do you mean by Intellectual Property? Discuss the protection of Intellectual Property Rights in reference to patent, plant breeders' rights and copyright.
10 marks
Why do fruit plants need to be propagated vegetatively? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual propagation.
20 marks
Define genetic purity. How can the maintenance of genetic purity of varieties be done outside their normal cultivation area?
20 marks
Explain the functions of plant cell wall in growth, development, maintenance and reproduction of plants.
10 marks
What do you understand by water transport in xylem? Explain the Cohesion-Tension theory.
20 marks
How is the detailed record of relationship between the selected plants and their progenies maintained in the pedigree selection method? Discuss the procedure for pedigree selection method, with the help of a simplified schematic diagram.
20 marks
Describe the Indian Seeds Act, 1966. Also discuss the essential activities required for the success of seed industry in India.
10 marks
How do plants absorb nitrogen from the environment? Describe the mechanism of nitrate assimilation and synthesis of amino acids in plants.
10 marks
Explain the strategies to manage citrus decline in India.
10 marks
What do you understand by mango malformation? Elucidate symptoms, causal organism and control measures of floral mango malformation.
10 marks
What do you understand by food-based dietary approaches? Explain briefly how they will help to eliminate hunger.
10 marks
What are the major constraints of food grain processing in India?
10 marks
Write the cultivation practices of grapes in respect of soil and climatic requirements, improved varieties, training and pruning, fruit thinning and plant protection.
20 marks
What are the trends of food productivity in India? Give your opinion for sustainable food production system which can address food and nutritional security of India.
20 marks
How does salinity affect the growth and photosynthesis in plants? Elucidate the avoidance mechanisms of salt stress by plants.
10 marks
Seer Tact Al sat FIAT Discuss the production technologies of peas in relation to varieties, climate requirement, sowing time, seed rate and plant protection.
20 marks
Differentiate plant growth and development. Explain the different phases of growth in plants and also discuss the various methods of growth measurement and growth analysis.
20 marks
Elaborate the major constraints of food and nutritional security in India.
10 marks
FIRST What do you mean by new generation plant growth regulators? Enlist the different new generation plant growth regulators and also discuss their role in mitigating abiotic stresses.
20 marks
Elaborate the micronutrient deficiency in human beings. Comment on various strategies in combating protein-energy malnutrition with special reference to women and children.
20 marks
Give an account on mycoplasmal diseases and physiological disorders of Potato.
10 marks

Stuck on a question?

Ask AI Chat to explain the concept, outline an answer or list what the question demands.

Other 2025 papers