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General Studies 2026 GS Paper III 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

GS Paper III — Q5

Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops. (Answer in…

Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

दो उदाहरण देकर समझाइए कि जैवप्रौद्योगिकी ने भारतीय किसानों को उनकी नाशवान् फसलों के प्रसंस्करण में कैसे सहायता की है। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q5 of the 2026 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper III, as printed
The question as printed in the 2026 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Biotechnology helps Indian farmers process perishables chiefly through post-harvest bio-preservation and fermentation. One example is the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) developing bio-preservation and minimal-processing technologies for perishables in India's mango and banana supply chains: chitosan-based edible coatings on mangoes and other fruits form a breathable film, reducing water loss and microbial spoilage during long-distance transport, thereby extending shelf life. Genetically or biochemically informed delayed-ripening treatments such as 1-MCP can slow ethylene-induced ripening in tomatoes and bananas, but 1-MCP is synthetic, not biotechnology; tissue-culture banana and other fruit saplings are disease-free, uniform, high-yield planting material, pre-harvest, not processing. A second example is fermentation using controlled microbial cultures, which converts surplus fruits and vegetables into wine, vinegar and probiotic products, reducing wastage; with minimal processing it also supports value-added juices and purees. Thus, biotechnology overall significantly adds value for farmers in perishable supply chains and cuts post-harvest losses.

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: Two distinct, specific biotech processes (e.g., pectinase for juice, probiotics for dairy) clearly linked to farmer benefit.

Key points expected

  • Example 1: Specific biotech process (e.g., fermentation, enzymes).
  • Example 2: Specific biotech process (e.g., bio-preservation, probiotics).
  • Link to 'processing' perishable crops (not just growing).
  • Benefit to Indian farmers (shelf-life, value addition, waste reduction).

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Two specific examples of biotech applications in processing perishable crops for Indian farmers. 10 marks · 150 words

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

    Must cover

    • Example 1: Specific biotech process (e.g., fermentation, enzymes).
    • Example 2: Specific biotech process (e.g., bio-preservation, probiotics).
    • Link to 'processing' perishable crops (not just growing).
    • Benefit to Indian farmers (shelf-life, value addition, waste reduction).

    Loses marks

    • Discussing only crop production (GM seeds) instead of processing.
    • Vague examples without naming the biotech mechanism.
    • Ignoring the 'perishable' aspect of the crops.

    Earns more

    • Mention of specific crops (e.g., mango, banana, milk).
    • Mention of specific technology (e.g., pectinase, lactic acid bacteria).
    • Reference to value addition or market access.

    Extra mark

    • Mention of a specific Indian scheme (e.g., PMFME) or institution (ICAR).
    • Simple flowchart of the processing step.

Practice this exact question

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