Topic Fungi
Asked 4 times across 4 UPSC exams over 10 years (2013–2023), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 3 years (2013–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2013 → CDS 2022 → NDA 2023 → GEO 2023
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 4) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
NDA2023
Which one of the following is not a characteristic feature of fungi?
- A Cell wall is made of chitin
- B Filamentous mycelium is present
- C Can carry out photosynthesis ✓
- D Asexual spores are produced
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
GEO2023
Microscopic, branched and thread-like structures, which can grow and absorb nutrition from organic matter, are found in
- A bacteria
- B viruses
- C fungi ✓
- D algae
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CDS2022
Hyphae are :
- A produced by yeast.
- B thin threads formed by many fungi. ✓
- C reproductive cells.
- D responsible for preventing the cell from losing water in wet conditions.
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
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