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Topic Extremophiles
Asked 2 times across 2 UPSC exams over 2 years (2021–2023), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 2 PYQs
- First appeared in GEO 2021 — 2 years before CSE 2023 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 2 years (2021–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
GEO 2021 → CSE 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 2) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CSE2023
Consider the following statements
- Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature above the boiling point of water
- Some microorganisms can grow in environments with temperature below the freezing point of water
- Some microorganisms can grow in highly acidic environment with a pH below 3
How many of the above statements are correct?
- A Only one
- B Only two
- C All three ✓
- D None
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
GEO2021
Which among the following are true about hyperthermophile microbes?
- The preferred temperature for growth of such microbes is around 45 °C
- They prefer to grow and reproduce at over 80 °C
- They normally grow in deep sea floors
- Below 90 °C they find it too cold and stop growing
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A 1 and 3
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 2 and 4 only
- D 2, 3 and 4
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
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