Topic Pathogens
Asked 2 times across 2 UPSC exams over 45 years (1981–2026), peaking in 1981.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 2 PYQs
- Most asked in 1981
- Recurs across 2 years (1981–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1981 → CDS 2026
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (1 of 2) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2026
Which one among the following pairs of diseases and their types is not correctly matched ?
- A Polio – Viral disease
- B Athlete's foot – Fungal disease
- C Dengue fever – Non-viral disease ✓
- D Whooping cough – Bacterial disease
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CSE1981
Dysentery and Influenza are caused by
- A Bacteria
- B Viruses
- C Bacteria and Viruses respectively ✓
- D Viruses and Bacteria respectively
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
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