2011 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I

Question 65: Environment and Ecology

Recently, "oilzapper" was in the news. What is it ?

aIt is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills
bIt is the latest technology developed for under sea oil exploration
cIt is a genetically engineered high biofuel yielding maize variety
dIt is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused flames from oil wells

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Oilzapper is a bioremediation technology developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). It uses a consortium of oil-eating bacteria to break down the hydrocarbons in oily sludge and oil spills, turning them into harmless products. It is eco-friendly, and it is neither an exploration technology, nor a method for fighting oil well fires, nor a maize variety.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: an eco-friendly technology to clean up oily sludge and oil spills.
  • (b) It is not a technology for under-sea exploration.
  • (c) It is not a maize variety.
  • (d) It is not a way to control oil well flames.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.