Paper I — Q1
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Justify why more than one digestibility trial needs to be conducted…
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Justify why more than one digestibility trial needs to be conducted during indirect method of digestibility determination of feed. (10 marks) (b) Describe the physiological adjustments of goats during hot weather. (10 marks) (c) Write in brief about the stages of spermatogenesis in bulls. (10 marks) (d) Explain the importance of goat rearing in the upliftment of socio-economic status of farmers. (10 marks) (e) Describe the different covariance components for resemblance between animal relatives. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) चारे की पाचन-शक्ति के निर्धारण की अप्रत्यक्ष विधि के दौरान एक से अधिक पाचन-शक्ति परीक्षण आयोजित करने की आवश्यकता क्यों होती है ? इसका औचित्य सिद्ध कीजिए । (10) (b) गर्म मौसम के दौरान बकरियों के शारीरक्रियात्मक समायोजन का वर्णन कीजिए । (10) (c) साँड़ों में शुक्राणुजन के चरणों के बारे में संक्षेप में लिखिए । (10) (d) किसानों की सामाजिक-आर्थिक स्थिति के उत्थान में बकरी पालन के महत्व की व्याख्या कीजिए । (10) (e) पशु रिश्तेदारों के बीच समानता के लिए विभिन्न सहप्रसरण घटकों का वर्णन कीजिए । (10)
Directive word: Justify
This question asks you to justify. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.
How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
This multi-part question requires responding to five distinct directives: justify for (a), describe for (b) and (e), write in brief for (c), and explain for (d). Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words total), spending roughly equal time on each since all carry equal marks. Structure each sub-part as a mini-answer with precise technical content—no elaborate introduction needed, but ensure clear demarcation between parts with visible (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) labels.
Key points expected
- (a) Justify multiple trials: cite marker recovery variation, diurnal feed intake fluctuations, individual animal variation, and statistical reliability for indirect method using external markers like chromic oxide
- (b) Physiological adjustments: mention reduced feed intake, increased respiration rate, panting, peripheral vasodilation, reduced metabolic rate, and water conservation mechanisms in goats
- (c) Spermatogenesis stages: outline spermatogonial proliferation, meiotic divisions (primary and secondary spermatocytes), spermiogenesis, and spermiation with approximate duration (54-60 days in bulls)
- (d) Socio-economic importance: highlight low capital investment, high fertility and kidding rates, milk and meat for marginal farmers, manure for organic farming, and role in women empowerment (e.g., Rajasthan goat cooperatives)
- (e) Covariance components: define additive genetic variance (VA), dominance variance (VD), epistatic variance (VI), common environmental variance (Vc), and residual variance (Ve) with their role in heritability estimation
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demand-directive understanding | 20% | 10 | Correctly identifies and executes each directive: provides reasoned justification with cause-effect logic for (a), detailed physiological mechanisms for (b) and (e), concise sequential description for (c), and explanatory socio-economic linkages for (d); no directive-response mismatch | Generally follows directives but with some blurring—describes when should justify, or explains when should describe; minor confusion between 'write in brief' and detailed description | Fundamental misunderstanding of directives—treats all five parts identically without adjusting to justify/describe/explain demands; writes narrative instead of technical response |
| Content depth & accuracy | 20% | 10 | Precise technical terminology throughout: cites specific markers (chromic oxide, titanium dioxide) for (a); names exact hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone) and cell types for (c); quantifies genetic parameters (h², genetic correlations) for (e); no factual errors | Broadly correct content but lacks specificity—mentions 'markers' without naming, 'hormones' without specifying, or 'genetic variance' without partitioning; minor numerical inaccuracies | Significant factual errors—confuses direct vs indirect digestibility methods, misidentifies spermatogenesis stages, conflates covariance with correlation, or states incorrect durations/temperature thresholds |
| Structure & flow | 20% | 10 | Clear five-part demarcation with visible labels; each sub-part internally structured—(a) presents problem-evidence-conclusion, (b) and (e) use physiological/genetic hierarchies, (c) follows chronological sequence, (d) moves from individual to community level; seamless transitions | Labels present but sub-parts run together or lack internal organization; some parts bullet-pointed while others paragraph-form; uneven pacing with some parts underdeveloped | Missing or incorrect labels; chaotic organization with (c) mixed into (b), no discernible structure within parts; severe imbalance with one part dominating word count |
| Examples / case-law / data | 20% | 10 | Contextualizes with Indian relevance: cites ICAR-NDRI digestibility protocols for (a); references Osmanabadi, Jamunapari or Sirohi breed heat tolerance for (b); mentions NDP-1 or NDP-2 goat development projects for (d); uses actual heritability estimates for Indian cattle/buffalo for (e) | Generic examples without Indian specificity—mentions 'European breeds' or 'western studies'; or examples present but not explicitly linked to the technical point being made | No examples, case references, or data; or irrelevant examples that demonstrate misunderstanding (e.g., citing poultry data for goat physiology, or human genetics for animal covariance) |
| Conclusion & analytical edge | 20% | 10 | Each sub-part carries analytical closure: (a) explicitly links multiple trials to reduced standard error and valid digestibility coefficients; (d) synthesizes socio-economic benefits into integrated rural development model; (e) connects covariance components to practical breeding decisions; demonstrates interdisciplinary thinking | Descriptive endings without synthesis—restates points already made; or strong conclusion for one sub-part but others trail off; limited explicit connection between technical content and practical application | Abrupt endings with no conclusion; or entirely missing conclusions for multiple sub-parts; fails to demonstrate why the technical information matters for animal husbandry practice or policy |
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