2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 41: Science and Technology

Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ?

  1. 1.Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease.
  2. 2.Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine.
  3. 3.Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.

Select the answer using the code given below :

a1 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 2 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Genetic medicines treat disease at the level of genes: they correct or compensate for faulty genes, for example by adding a working copy, silencing a gene (siRNA, antisense) or editing a specific DNA site. The cargo is delivered by carriers such as engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles. They act on specific targets and do not alter the entire DNA sequence, so statement 3 is wrong.

  • 1. They correct or compensate for the faulty gene behind a disease.
  • 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles carry the genetic material into cells.
  • 3. They target specific genes; they do not alter the whole DNA sequence.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles carry the genetic material into cells.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: They target specific genes; they do not alter the whole DNA sequence.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

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) Incomplete: statement 2 on carriers is also correct.
  • (b) Wrong: statement 3 is false, as only targeted genes or transcripts are changed.
  • (c) Right: statements 1 and 2 are correct.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 3 is false.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.