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Topic Autotrophs
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 2 years (2023–2025), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in NDA — 1 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 3 years (2023–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
NDA 2023 → GEO 2024 → ESE 2025
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) 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.
ESE2025
Microorganisms which can produce organic matter to some extent through oxidation of certain chemicals in the absence of sunlight are known as
- A Photo-autotrophs
- B Chemo-autotrophs
- C Micro-autotrophs
- D Oxi-autotrophs
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
GEO2024
Which one among the following group of organisms produces their own food ?
- A Autotrophs ✓
- B Herbivores
- C Carnivores
- D Decomposers
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
NDA2023
Organisms capable of using CO2 as principal carbon source are called :
- A Autotrophs ✓
- B Heterotrophs
- C Parasites
- D Decomposers
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
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