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General Studies 2021 GS Paper III 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Explain

GS Paper III — Q15

What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the…

What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (Answer in 250 words)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

अनुप्रयुक्त जैव-प्रौद्योगिकी में शोध तथा विकास-संबंधी उपलब्धियाँ क्या हैं ? ये उपलब्धियाँ समाज के निर्धन वर्गों के उत्थान में किस प्रकार सहायक होंगी ? (250 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

Q15 of the 2021 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2021 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Applied biotechnology harnesses biological systems to develop targeted solutions across agriculture, healthcare, and energy sectors. In agriculture, research has propelled a "Green Revolution 2.0" through transgenic crops like Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, GM mustard (DMH-11), and ICAR-developed drought- and salinity-tolerant seed varieties. In healthcare, indigenous R&D has yielded affordable biopharmaceuticals, including vaccines like Rotavac and Covaxin, recombinant insulin, and point-of-care diagnostics. Concurrently, innovations in microbial biofertilizers, biopesticides, and second-generation (2G) bioethanol from agricultural residue have expanded the rural bioeconomy.

Mechanisms for Socio-Economic Upliftment

These scientific achievements alleviate poverty through three distinct causal pathways: Income security for smallholders: Climate-resilient and pest-resistant seeds enhance crop productivity while reducing crop losses. Combined with biofertilizers and biopesticides, they decrease reliance on costly chemical inputs, directly lowering cultivation costs and raising net farm incomes. Protection against catastrophic health expenditure: High out-of-pocket medical spending frequently pushes vulnerable families into poverty. Low-cost indigenous vaccines, biosimilar drugs, and affordable diagnostics drastically lower treatment costs, preserving household savings. Rural employment and value addition: Decentralized 2G ethanol bio-refineries and bio-input production units generate localized non-farm employment while providing farmers with additional revenue for crop stubble.

Challenges and Way Forward

Realizing this potential is constrained by biosafety concerns, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) barriers that risk corporate seed monopolies, and unequal technological access. Strengthening regulatory mechanisms under the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and expanding public sector R&D are essential. Operationalizing the Department of Biotechnology’s BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) through participatory technology assessments will ensure an inclusive, pro-poor bioeconomy.

What "Explain" is asking you to do

Make the working of something clear — what sets it off, what follows from what, and what it produces. Explain is the Commission's mechanism word: it dominates the technical papers and the “explain why” stems, where the marks sit in the causal chain and not in the label.

Structure that answers it

State what it is → the initiating condition → the chain of cause, step by step → an instance where it plays out → what the chain produces

Where marks are lost

Describing what something looks like instead of why it works that way. Naming the stages without linking them reads as description too.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Situation > Analysis > Measures > Assessment. explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Specific examples linked clearly to poverty reduction with balanced assessment

Key points expected

  • Define applied biotechnology in agricultural/health context
  • List 3-4 specific R&D achievements (e.g., Bt cotton, vaccines)
  • Link achievements to poverty reduction (income, health)
  • Conclude with balanced assessment of impact

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer List applied biotech achievements and explain their specific role in uplifting the poor.  · 250 words

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • Define applied biotechnology in agricultural/health context
    • List 3-4 specific R&D achievements (e.g., Bt cotton, vaccines)
    • Link achievements to poverty reduction (income, health)
    • Conclude with balanced assessment of impact

    Loses marks

    • Vague generalities without specific examples
    • Ignoring the 'poorer sections' aspect
    • Aspirational solutions without implementation details

    Earns more

    • Mention specific crops (Bt Brinjal, GM Mustard)
    • Reference specific health interventions (Oral Polio, Dengue)
    • Discuss economic benefits for small farmers
    • Mention public health benefits for low-income groups

    Extra mark

    • Cite specific scheme (e.g., PM-KISAN, National Health Mission)
    • Include a simple flowchart of biotech impact

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