Paper I — Q5
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Mention the steps involved in cryopreservation of bull semen. (10…
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Mention the steps involved in cryopreservation of bull semen. (10 marks) (b) Discuss the points to be considered during care and management of neonatal calf. (10 marks) (c) Write the characteristics of Gir and Sahiwal cattle. (10 marks) (d) Discuss the feeding strategies of goat for chevon production. (10 marks) (e) Explain the breeding system used for pig production in India. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) सांड के बीज के क्रायोप्रिजर्वेशन में शामिल चरणों को उल्लेखित कीजिये । (10 अंक) (b) नवजात बछड़े की देखभाल और प्रबंधन के दौरान ध्यान देने योग्य बिन्दुओं की चर्चा कीजिये । (10 अंक) (c) गीर एवं साहीवाल गोधन की विशेषताएं लिखिए । (10 अंक) (d) चिवोन उत्पादन के लिए बकरी की आहार रणनीतियों पर चर्चा कीजिये । (10 अंक) (e) भारत में सुअर उत्पादन के लिए प्रयुक्त प्रजनन प्रणाली की व्याख्या कीजिये । (10 अंक)
Directive word: Discuss
This question asks you to discuss. 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
The question demands a multi-part response with varying directives: 'mention' for (a), 'discuss' for (b) and (d), 'write' for (c), and 'explain' for (e). Allocate approximately 30 words per sub-part (150 words each), spending roughly 10-12 minutes per part. Structure each sub-part as: brief introduction/context → bullet-pointed technical content → concluding significance. For (a), list sequential steps; for (b) and (d), cover management aspects comprehensively; for (c), present comparative breed characteristics; for (e), detail breeding systems with Indian context.
Key points expected
- (a) Cryopreservation steps: semen collection → dilution with extender (egg yolk-citrate/Tris-based) → cooling to 5°C → glycerol addition (7-8%) → packaging in French straws/ampoules → freezing in liquid nitrogen vapour (-196°C) → storage in LN₂ tanks; mention quality assessment (motility, morphology)
- (b) Neonatal calf management: colostrum feeding (10% body weight within 2 hours, IgG >50 g/L), navel disinfection (7% iodine), hypothermia prevention, housing (calf pens), identification, dehorning, vaccination schedule, weaning protocols
- (c) Gir characteristics: Gujarat origin, red/speckled coat, convex forehead, pendulous ears, high milk fat (4.5%), heat tolerance, disease resistance; Sahiwal characteristics: Punjab/Pakistan origin, reddish-brown coat, loose skin, 2000-2500 kg lactation yield, early maturity, used in crossbreeding (Karan Fries, Karan Swiss)
- (d) Chevon production feeding: browse utilization (Acacia, Leucaena), concentrate supplementation (16-18% CP), flushing ration for breeding does, creep feeding for kids, mineral mixture (Ca:P 2:1), feed conversion ratio optimization, stall-fed vs. semi-intensive systems
- (e) Pig breeding systems: purebreeding (Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire from AICRP farms), crossbreeding (two-breed/three-breed rotational), AICRP on Pigs network (Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya), artificial insemination adoption, backyard vs. commercial systems
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demand-directive understanding | 20% | 10 | Correctly interprets each directive: lists steps sequentially for (a), discusses management points analytically for (b) and (d), presents breed characteristics comparatively for (c), and explains breeding systems with causality for (e); no conflation of 'mention' with 'discuss' | Generally follows directives but treats 'mention' and 'discuss' similarly; some parts lack depth appropriate to directive; minor confusion in (e) between describing and explaining | Misinterprets directives (e.g., discusses when asked to mention, or merely lists when asked to discuss); uniform treatment of all sub-parts regardless of directive; significant deviation from expected response format |
| Content depth & accuracy | 20% | 10 | Precise technical details: extender composition for (a), colostrum timing and immunoglobulin thresholds for (b), breed-specific quantitative data (milk yield, fat %) for (c), CP% and FCR for (d), specific breed names and crossing patterns for (e); no factual errors | Broadly correct content but lacks specificity (e.g., 'cooling' without temperature, 'good colostrum' without quantity/IgG); minor numerical inaccuracies; some technical terms used imprecisely | Major factual errors (e.g., wrong freezing temperature, incorrect breed origins, confused breeding systems); vague generic statements; significant technical inaccuracies that would affect practical application |
| Structure & flow | 20% | 10 | Clear demarcation of all five sub-parts with consistent internal structure; (a) shows chronological flow; (b) and (d) use life-stage or system-based organization; (c) presents parallel comparison; (e) distinguishes purebreeding from crossbreeding; excellent word economy within 150 words each | Identifiable sub-parts but inconsistent internal organization; some parts run together or lack clear progression; minor deviations from word limit; acceptable but not optimal sequencing | Poorly demarcated sub-parts; disorganized content within parts; no logical flow (e.g., random listing without sequence); significant word limit violations; confusing cross-referencing between parts |
| Examples / case-law / data | 20% | 10 | Indian context throughout: cites NDRI/IVRI protocols for (a); references NDDB colostrum standards for (b); quotes specific milk yields (Gir: 1500-2000 kg, Sahiwal: 2000-2500 kg) for (c); mentions CIRG/CSWRI feeding standards for (d); names AICRP pig farms (Mannuthy, Khanapara) and specific crossbreeding programs for (e) | Some Indian examples but inconsistent application; generic data without institutional attribution; misses opportunities to cite breed registries, research stations, or government schemes (Rashtriya Gokul Mission, NLM) | No Indian examples; entirely generic or foreign-centric content; misses all opportunities to demonstrate awareness of Indian livestock sector context and research infrastructure |
| Conclusion & analytical edge | 20% | 10 | Each sub-part concludes with significance: genetic conservation implication for (a), survival rate and future productivity for (b), comparative utility in breeding programs for (c), economic efficiency for (d), and genetic improvement trajectory for (e); demonstrates integration of technical knowledge with livestock development goals | Some sub-parts have concluding statements but they are descriptive rather than analytical; weak connection to broader animal husbandry objectives; routine summarization | Abrupt endings without conclusion; no analytical linkage; fails to demonstrate why the technical content matters for Indian livestock sector; purely informational response without evaluative dimension |
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