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Topic Photosynthesis
Asked 30 times across 6 UPSC exams over 47 years (1979–2026), peaking in 2023.
Key insights
- Most tested in CDS — 9 of 30 PYQs
- Most asked in 2023
- Recurs across 16 years (1979–2026)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1979 → CDS 2014 → CAPF 2014 → CISF 2020 → NDA 2021 → GEO 2022
How the concept evolved
179
182
186
187
192
314
117
318
119
120
321
322
423
324
225
126
Rising — more than half its appearances (22 of 30) 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.
CDS2026
Which one of the following is not a function of the pigment carotenoid ?
- A Responsible for yellow-orange hues of autumnal leaves
- B Protecting chlorophyll from photo-oxidation
- C Photoprotective role in our eyes
- D Reaction centre in the pigment system ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CSE2025
With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements
- Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans
- Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen
- Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A I and II
- B II only ✓
- C I and III
- D None of the above statements is correct
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
GEO2025
Which one of the following categories does not have photosynthetic pigments?
- A Algae
- B Fungi ✓
- C Angiosperms
- D Gymnosperms
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
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