UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Botany Optional Paper I: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

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09 Sep UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 — Botany Optional Paper I: Question Paper | Plutus IAS

Posted at 09 Sep 2026 in UPSC by
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The questions below are from Botany Optional Paper I of UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 (held 2026-08-30) — the actual paper, which is public government content. This page carries the questions for reference and revision; model answers for this paper are not published here.

Official paper (PDF): upsc.gov.in.

  1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Blue-green algae are also considered as bacteria. Discuss their major similarities with bacteria. (b) What do you mean by virus of bacteria? Describe their application in medical sciences. 2+8=10 (c) Describe mineralization, symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. How do they help in improving the soil quality for agriculture? 6+4=10 (d) Define fossilization. Discuss the major types of fossils that occur in nature. 2+8=10 (e) What is chemotaxonomy? Analyze how chemical evidence contributes to solving taxonomic problems in plant classification. 2+8=10
  2. (a) What are the major characteristics of Anthocerotopsida? Describe the gametophytic and sporophytic generations of *Anthoceros*. 8+6+6=20 (b) Describe the salient features and economic importance of Laminariales. 10+5=15 (c) Compare the ovule-bearing structures of *Cycas* and *Pinus* with the help of labelled diagrams. 5+5+5=15
  3. (a) Name the organism that causes stalk rot disease in maize. Describe its symptoms, disease cycle, control and management. (b) What are Mycoplasmas? How do they differ from spheroplast and protoplast? Describe their salient features. 5+5+5=15 (c) Write a note on geological time scale. Briefly discuss the plant life in each era. 7+8=15
  4. (a) Explain the APG IV classification. State briefly how it differs from existing classifications. Discuss its merits and demerits. 10+4+6=20 (b) Describe in brief the major strategies adopted for plant disease control and management. 15 (c) Compare the sporophyte of *Psilotum* and *Equisetum*. 15
  5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Describe the androecium of Orchidaceae and Asclepiadaceae. Highlight the differences between them. 8+2=10 (b) Discuss the different types of polyembryony in plants and add a note on its importance. 8+2=10 (c) Write the botanical names and families of the following economically important plants : 2×5=10 (ii) सन/Flax (iii) अनार/Pomegranate (iv) लौकी/Bottle gourd (v) चना/Chickpea (d) Give a detailed account on cell suspension culture and its significance. 8+2=10 (e) Write an explanatory note on the history of plant domestication. 10
  6. (a) Mention the diagnostic features of family Apiaceae and Solanaceae. Write the botanical names and uses of five members from each family. 10+10=20 (b) “Botanical gardens are considered as outdoor laboratories for botanists.” Substantiate the statement. 15 (c) Describe the components of xylem tissue in plants. What is its role in plant survival and growth? 12+3=15
  7. (a) Briefly explain the method of herbaria preparation. What is its role in modern taxonomic research? 15+5=20 (b) Write an account on types, regulation and significance of totipotency. 5+5+5=15 (c) Write an account on haploid plant production through tissue culture. What are the advantages of homozygous diploid lines? 10+5=15
  8. (a) What is the role played by media and growth regulators in micropropagation? How to control exudation and contamination problems during micropropagation? 10+10=20 (b) Describe the techniques used in experimental embryology. 15 (c) Give an outline on the history and progress of ethnobotanical research in India. 8+7=15 ★★★ SB27—186

Questions reproduced from the official paper for study purposes; verify on the exam-conducting body’s official website.

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