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Q1Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2026
Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct?
1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 2 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is false: GenomeIndia is an Indian population-genomics initiative, not a constituent part of the original Human Genome Project. Similar scientific methods and subject matter do not make the two projects institutionally identical.
- Option C
DBT support in statement 2 is correct, but statement 1 incorrectly merges two separate projects. The central purpose identified in statement 3—cataloguing India’s genetic diversity—must be included instead.
- Option D
Statement 1 makes this combination incorrect. GenomeIndia’s DBT support and population-diversity objective are correct, but it should not be described as a part of the original Human Genome Project.
Q2Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2026
Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?
1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.
2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.
3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- D1, 2 and 3
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 correctly describes treating disease by correcting a genetic defect or compensating for its effects. However, statement 2 is also true: engineered viral vectors and lipid nanoparticles can transport therapeutic genetic material or editing components.
- Option B
Statement 2 is correct, but statement 3 is not. Gene-based treatments target particular genes, transcripts or cellular functions; they do not normally replace or rewrite the patient’s entire DNA sequence. Statement 1 must be included.
- Option D
The first two statements describe established principles of genetic treatment and delivery. Adding statement 3 makes the option wrong because modifying a selected gene or compensating for a faulty protein is fundamentally different from rewriting the whole genome.
Q3Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2024
In which of the following are hydrogels used?
1. Controlled drug delivery in patients
2. Mobile air-conditioning systems
3. Preparation of industrial lubricants
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B1 and 2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Hydrogels are used in drug delivery (controlled release matrices), air-conditioning systems (desiccant cooling), and as bases for industrial lubricants.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Hydrogels are also used in cooling systems and as lubricant bases, so limiting it to drug delivery alone is incomplete.
- Option B
Statement 3 is also correct; hydrogels serve as base materials for industrial lubricants due to their water-retention and low-friction properties.
- Option C
Statement 1 is also correct; hydrogels are widely used in controlled and sustained drug delivery systems in medicine.
Q4Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2023
'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?
- ACollecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one goCorrect
- BUnderstanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
- CUsing air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals
- DSending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
Explanation
Correct. Aerial metagenomics involves sampling environmental DNA (eDNA) directly from air to catalogue biodiversity in a habitat without capturing organisms.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Metagenomics refers to sequencing all genetic material from an environmental sample, not specifically to avian genetics.
- Option C
The technique captures DNA from air particles, not blood samples; no physical contact with animals is involved.
- Option D
Drones may assist sampling, but the term specifically denotes genomic analysis of airborne DNA, not physical collection by drones.
Q5Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2023
'Microsatellite DNA' is used in the case of which one of the following?
- AStudying the evolutionary relationships among various species of faunaCorrect
- BStimulating stem cells to transform into diverse functional tissues
- CPromoting clonal propagation of horticulture plants
- DAssessing the efficacy of drugs by conducting series of drug trials in a population
Explanation
Correct. Microsatellite DNA (short tandem repeats) varies between individuals and species, making it a standard molecular marker for phylogenetic and population genetics studies.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Stem cell differentiation is controlled by growth factors and signalling molecules, not by microsatellite DNA markers.
- Option C
Clonal propagation uses tissue culture techniques; microsatellite analysis is a diagnostic tool, not a propagation method.
- Option D
Drug efficacy trials use clinical protocols and biostatistics; microsatellite DNA is a tool for genetic identification, not pharmacology.
Q6Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2022
Consider the following statements:
DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:
1. Assess the age of a plant or animal.
2. Distinguish among species that look alike.
3. Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B3 only
- C1 and 2
- D2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. DNA barcoding uses short standardised gene regions to distinguish morphologically similar species and to detect adulteration in processed foods.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
DNA barcoding identifies species, not age; age determination requires different techniques like dendrochronology or radiocarbon dating.
- Option B
Statement 2 is also correct; DNA barcoding is specifically designed to distinguish cryptic species that are morphologically similar.
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect; DNA barcoding cannot determine the age of an organism.
Q7Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2022
Consider the following statements:
1. Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
2. Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
3. Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Biofilms form on implants, food surfaces, and exhibit antibiotic resistance due to their protective extracellular polymeric substance matrix.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 3 is also correct; the extracellular matrix of biofilms shields bacteria from antibiotics, a major clinical concern.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct; biofilms commonly form on catheters, prosthetic joints, and other implants causing device-associated infections.
- Option C
Statement 2 is also correct; biofilms form on food contact surfaces in processing plants, posing food safety risks.
Q8Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2022
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Sputnik V uses a human adenoviral vector platform, and COVAXIN (by Bharat Biotech) uses a whole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 1 is incorrect; Covishield is based on a viral vector (adenovirus) platform developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca, not mRNA.
- Option C
Statement 1 is incorrect; Covishield uses an adenoviral vector, not mRNA technology.
- Option D
Statement 1 is wrong because Covishield is a viral-vector vaccine, not an mRNA vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna.
Q9Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2021
With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements:
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. Recombinant vector vaccines use genetic engineering to insert an antigen gene into a harmless viral or bacterial vector that delivers it to the immune system.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 2 is also correct; attenuated bacteria (e.g., BCG) and viruses (e.g., adenoviruses) serve as vectors to deliver recombinant antigens.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct; the antigen gene is inserted into the vector organism using recombinant DNA technology.
- Option D
Both statements are factually accurate descriptions of recombinant vector vaccine technology.
Q10Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2021
Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of:
- AClonal propagation of crop plants
- BDeveloping genetically modified crop plantsCorrect
- CProduction of plant growth substances
- DProduction of biofertilizers
Explanation
Correct. Bollgard I contains the cry1Ac gene and Bollgard II contains both cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes from Bacillus thuringiensis, making cotton resistant to bollworm.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Clonal propagation uses tissue culture; Bollgard technologies involve inserting Bt genes into cotton for pest resistance.
- Option C
Plant growth substances (auxins, gibberellins) are unrelated to Bollgard, which is about insect-resistance through transgenic technology.
- Option D
Biofertilizers involve nitrogen-fixing or phosphorus-solubilising microbes; Bollgard is a transgenic insect-resistance technology.
Q11Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2020
With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:
1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of the human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2, 3 and 4 only
- C1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect
- D1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Correct. Carbon nanotubes serve as drug/antigen carriers, function in biochemical sensors, and certain forms are biodegradable through enzymatic action. They have not been made into artificial blood capillaries.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 2 is incorrect; carbon nanotubes have not been made into artificial blood capillaries. Statements 3 and 4 are also valid.
- Option B
Statement 2 is incorrect; artificial blood capillaries from carbon nanotubes have not been developed.
- Option D
Statement 2 is incorrect; no technology exists to make artificial blood capillaries from carbon nanotubes.
Q12Science·BiotechnologyPYQ 2020
Consider the following statements:
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent.
2. A person's genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage.
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C2 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. All three represent actual advances: germline editing, pre-birth embryonic genome editing (e.g., He Jiankui experiment), and human-pig chimera research.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statements 2 and 3 are also correct; embryonic genome editing and human-pig chimera experiments have both been demonstrated in laboratories.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct; germline editing of eggs and sperm cells has been achieved experimentally using CRISPR-Cas9.
- Option C
Statements 1 and 3 are also correct; germline gene editing and human iPSC injection into pig embryos have both been demonstrated.