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Topic Organic acids
Asked 6 times across 3 UPSC exams over 4 years (2021–2025), peaking in 2021.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 3 of 6 PYQs
- Most asked in 2021
- Recurs across 4 years (2021–2025)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2021 → NDA 2021 → GEO 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (6 of 6) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2025
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists
| List I (Naturally occurring acid) | List II (Main source) |
|---|
| A. Methanoic acid | 1. Orange |
| B. Citric acid | 2. Tomato |
| C. Tartaric acid | 3. Ant sting |
| D. Oxalic acid | 4. Tamarind |
Codes:
- A A-3 B-1 C-4 D-2 ✓
- B A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3
- C A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2
- D A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
GEO2024
Which one of the following sources contains tartaric acid ?
- A Lemon juice
- B Orange juice
- C Tamarind paste ✓
- D Vinegar
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
CDS2022
Stinging hair of nettle leaves inject fluid in the human body causing burning pain. The fluid is
- A Methanoic acid ✓
- B Tartaric acid
- C Hydrochloric acid
- D Sulphuric acid
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Physics & Chemistry
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