UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 64: Science and Technology
With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements :
- 1.Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
- 2.Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.
- 3.Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Neem oil contains compounds such as azadirachtin that repel and disrupt insects and mites, so it is used as a natural pesticide, and it is used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as well. So statements 1 and 3 are correct. UPSC treats statement 2, which says neem seeds are used to make biofuels and hospital detergents, as incorrect.
- 1. Neem oil controls some insects and mites as a pesticide.
- 2. UPSC's key rejects the claim about biofuels and hospital detergents.
- 3. Neem oil has pharmaceutical uses.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Neem oil controls some insects and mites as a pesticide.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: UPSC's key rejects the claim about biofuels and hospital detergents.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
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) Wrong. Statement 2 is not accepted by UPSC.
- (b) Wrong. Statement 1 is also correct.
- (c) Right. Neem oil as a pesticide and in pharmaceuticals.
- (d) Wrong. UPSC does not accept statement 2.
Worth knowing: Neem oil is also used for biodiesel and soaps, so statement 2 is arguable, but UPSC's key counts only statements 1 and 3.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.