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 :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• GenomeIndia, launched in 2020, is funded by the Department of Biotechnology and executed by a consortium of some 20 institutions led by the Centre for Brain Research, IISc Bengaluru — statement 2 is correct.
• Its aim is to sequence whole genomes of about 10,000 individuals from 99 ethnic groups to build a reference catalogue of India's genetic diversity, enabling population-specific diagnostics and precision medicine; the data were released in January 2025 — statement 3 is correct.
• Statement 1 is wrong: the Human Genome Project was an international effort completed in 2003 that produced the first human reference genome; GenomeIndia is a separate, later national project, not a part of it.
• India's diversity was under-represented in global genomic databases, which is why a national reference was needed.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: GenomeIndia is not part of the Human Genome Project; statements 2 and 3 are correct.
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 1 is wrong; GenomeIndia is an independent DBT-funded project.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong, so all three cannot be correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.