Topic Virology
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 5 years (2016–2021), peaking in 2021.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2021
- Recurs across 3 years (2016–2021)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2016 → CDS 2018
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) 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.
CSE2021
Consider the following statements
- Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes
- Common cold is sometime caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A 1 only
- B 2 only ✓
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CDS2018
Which one of the following statements explains higher mutation rate and faster evolution found in RNA virus?
- A RNA is relatively unstable compared to DNA. ✓
- B Virus can multiply only within the living cell of a host.
- C Metabolic processes are absent in virus.
- D Virus can remain latent for a long period.
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Science & Technology › Biology & Health
CSE2016
Which of the following statements is/are correct? Viruses can infect
- bacteria
- fungi
- plants
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3 ✓
✓ 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 →