UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 60: Economy and Social Development

Other than Jatropha curcas, why is Pongamia pinnata also considered a good option for the production of bio-diesel in India ?

1.Pongamia pinnata grows naturally in most of the arid regions of India.
2.The seeds of Pongamia pinnata are rich in lipid content of which nearly half is oleic acid.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 only

b2 only

cBoth 1 and 2

dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Pongamia pinnata (karanj) is a hardy tree that tolerates drought, salinity and poor soil and grows naturally across much of the drier parts of India, so it can be raised on waste land without displacing food crops. Its seeds are rich in non-edible oil, and oleic acid makes up about half of the fatty acids, which suits biodiesel. The given answer treats both statements as correct. Remember: Jatropha and Pongamia are the two non-edible oilseed trees promoted for biodiesel.

1. The tree is drought-hardy and grows naturally across much of the dry parts of India.
2. The seeds are oil-rich and oleic acid is about half of the oil, suitable for biodiesel.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: The tree is drought-hardy and grows naturally across much of the dry parts of India.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The seeds are oil-rich and oleic acid is about half of the oil, suitable for biodiesel.

Only (c) is left. This one needs every statement.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Statement 2 about the seed oil is also correct.
(b) Statement 1 about growing naturally in dry regions is also taken as correct.
(c) Right (as keyed): both statements are accepted as correct.
(d) Both statements hold in the key, so 'neither' is wrong.

Worth knowing: Statement 1 is loosely worded because the tree is drought-hardy but not confined to arid regions, yet the given answer counts it as correct.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.