Topic Tropism
Asked 4 times across 3 UPSC exams over 5 years (2019–2024), peaking in 2021.
Key insights
- Most tested in CAPF — 2 of 4 PYQs
- Most asked in 2021
- Recurs across 3 years (2019–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2019 → NDA 2021 → GEO 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 4) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
GEO2024
After few days of sowing of maize seeds in the soil, irrespective of their position, the radicle always grows downwards, whereas the coleoptile always grows upwards. This phenomenon is known as :
- A Phototropism
- B Hydrotropism
- C Chemotropism
- D Geotropism ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CAPF2021
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
- A Positively phototropic : Shoot
- B Positively geotropic : Root
- C Chemotropic : Pollen tube
- D Hydrotropic : Flower ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
NDA2021
Shoots of plant show upward movement and it can be designated to be
- A Negatively phototropic
- B Positively chemotropic
- C Positively hydrotropic
- D Negatively geotropic ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
Study how UPSC repeats — not just the papers
₹199 / 1 year · Founding Member
Full access unlocks the three things no PYQ PDF gives you:
① Cross-exam learning — see the same idea recur across CSE, CAPF, CDS and NDA.
② Topic evolution — how each idea is framed, year by year.
③ Question intelligence — every PYQ + answer, linked to related concepts and similar questions.
e.g. Round Table Conference: CDS 2017 → CSE 2017 → … → CAPF 2024
15 days free, no card required — then ₹199 for 1 year.
Start your 15-day free trial →