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Topic Adaptation
Asked 8 times across 3 UPSC exams over 30 years (1995–2025), peaking in 2021.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 6 of 8 PYQs
- Most asked in 2021
- Recurs across 7 years (1995–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1995 → CAPF 2022 → GEO 2025
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (5 of 8) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2025
Which one of the following adaptive characteristics of the organism is correct?
- A Mammals in colder climates have shorter ears and limbs. ✓
- B In polar seas, seals tend to have thinner layers of fat below their skin.
- C Plants in deserts tend to have broader and elaborate leaves.
- D In higher altitudes, the production of RBC in human body decreases.
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CAPF2022
The organisms that prefer high salt concentration habitats refer to as
- A alkaliphiles
- B calcifuges
- C halophiles ✓
- D nitrophiles
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
CSE2021
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?
- Fern
- Lichen
- Moss
- Mushroom
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 and 4 only
- B 2 only
- C 2 and 3 ✓
- D 1, 3 and 4
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
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