Agriculture Optional Paper 2 Question Paper 2025 with Detailed Solution; Download PDF

UPSC Mains 2025 Question Paper for Agriculture Optional Paper 2 is available here to download in PDF Format. The exam has been conducted on August 31, 2025, in Afternoon Session (02:30 PM to 05:30 PM). This Paper comprises 8 questions which are of 250 marks. The duration of the exam is 3 hours.

UPSC Mains Agriculture Optional Paper 2 Question Paper 2025 with Detailed Solution; Download PDF (August 31, 2025)

Q1 (A) Define cell cycle. Describe different types and phases of cell cycle.

Q1 (B) Briefly discuss significant features of heterosis and explain the dominance and overdominance hypotheses of heterosis, giving their main features.

Q1 (C) Define Marker-Assisted Selection and give suitable examples. Discuss the applications of marker-assisted selection in recurrent selection, gene pyramiding and QTL introgression.

Q1 (D) Define 'Grow-out test'. Explain briefly the methods of roguing in seed fields.

Q1 (E) Classify plant mineral nutrients based on biochemical functions. How do excess minerals in the soil limit the plant growth?

Q2 (A) Explain mutagenesis with its classification. Discuss briefly the mechanisms of action of alkylating agents and azide mutagens in crop improvement.

Q2 (B) Give an account on double haploid and its applications in plant breeding. Also discuss the production methods of haploid.

Q2 (C) What do you mean by Intellectual Property ? Discuss the protection of Intellectual Property Rights in reference to patent, plant breeders' rights and copyright.

Q3 (A) Why do fruit plants need to be propagated vegetatively? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual propagation.

Q3 (B) Define genetic purity. How can the maintenance of genetic purity of varieties be done outside their normal cultivation area?

Q3 (C) Explain the functions of plant cell wall in growth, development, maintenance and reproduction of plants.

Q4 (A) What do you understand by water transport in xylem? Explain the Cohesion-Tension theory.

Q4 (B) 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.

Q4 (C) Describe the Indian Seeds Act, 1966. Also discuss the essential activities required for the success of seed industry in India.

Q5 (A) How do plants absorb nitrogen from the environment ? Describe the mechanism of nitrate assimilation and synthesis of amino acids in plants.

Q5 (B) Explain the strategies to manage citrus decline in India.

Q5 (C) What do you understand by mango malformation? Elucidate symptoms, causal organism and control measures of floral mango malformation.

Q5 (D) What do you understand by food-based dietary approaches ? Explain briefly how they will help to eliminate hunger.

Q5 (E) What are the major constraints of food grain processing in India?

Q6 (A) Write the cultivation practices of grapes in respect of soil and climatic requirements, improved varieties, training and pruning, fruit thinning and plant protection.

Q6 (B) 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.

Q6 (C) How does salinity affect the growth and photosynthesis in plants? Elucidate the avoidance mechanisms of salt stress by plants.

Q7 (A) Discuss the production technologies of peas in relation to varieties, climate requirement, sowing time, seed rate and plant protection.

Q7 (B) 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.

Q7 (C) Elaborate the major constraints of food and nutritional security in India.

Q8 (A) 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.

Q8 (B) Elaborate the micronutrient deficiency in human beings. Comment on various strategies in combating protein-energy malnutrition with special reference to women and children.

Q8 (C) Give an account on mycoplasmal diseases and physiological disorders of Potato.

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