🧬 Chapter 04 · Key Technology Sectors · General Science
Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering
GM crops, stem cells, CRISPR, vaccines, India’s biotech policy, biodiversity patents. Complete UPSC & PSC notes.
6
Sub-Topics
10
Practice MCQs
10
PYQs
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High Weightage
📌 What You Will Learn in This Chapter
✅ Biotechnology basics — DNA, genes, cloning
✅ GM crops — Bt cotton, Golden Rice
✅ CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology
✅ Stem cells — types and applications
✅ Vaccines — types, COVID-19 vaccines
✅ India’s biotech policy, biodiversity patents
🎯 Exam Relevance — This chapter appears in:
UPSC Prelims (2–3 Qs/year)APPSC Group 1 & 2TGPSC Group 1 & 2SSC CGL / CHSLState PSC Exams
📚 Chapter Sub-Topics — Click to Read
Topic 01
Biotechnology Basics
DNA structure, genes, recombinant DNA technology, PCR, gel electrophoresis, cloning.
Topic 02
GM Crops & Agricultural Biotech
Bt cotton (India’s only approved GM crop); Golden Rice; GM mustard controversy; GEAC approval.
Topic 03
CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing
How CRISPR works; applications in medicine, agriculture; ethical concerns; Nobel Prize 2020.
Topic 04
Stem Cells & Cloning
Embryonic vs adult stem cells; iPSCs; therapeutic cloning; Dolly the sheep; India’s stem cell policy.
Topic 05
Vaccines & COVID-19
Types of vaccines; Covaxin, Covishield, mRNA vaccines; India’s vaccine programme; GAVI.
Topic 06
Biotech Policy & Revision
India’s National Biotechnology Development Strategy; biodiversity patents; biopiracy; CBD; complete revision.
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