Q21 · UPSC Prelims 2021 · Set A · Environment and Ecology

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Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

A Congress grass
B Elephant grass
C Lemongrass
D Nut grass

Correct answer: (c) Lemongrass

Explanation

  1. A

    Congress grass

    Congress grass. Parthenium; an invasive weed, not the citronella-type repellent.

  2. B

    Elephant grass

    Elephant grass. Napier fodder.

  3. C

    Lemongrass

    Lemongrass. Citronella/citral oil; a natural mosquito repellent.

  4. D

    Nut grass

    Nut grass. Cyperus; a weed.

Summary. Official key is (c) lemongrass. Cymbopogon oils (citronella, citral) are the household natural mosquito repellent. The other three are grasses of other uses or weeds.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2026 · Q98 · General Studies · 2 marks

    With reference to different Committees in India, consider the following details: 1. R.N. Malhotra Committee - Comprehensive reforms of Insurance sector in India - Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. 2. L.C. Gupta Committee - Preparing a roadmap for the introduction of derivatives trading in India - Securities and Exchange Board of India. 3. Urjit R. Patel Committee - Preparing a roadmap for reforming bank lending to the Housing sector - Reserve Bank of India. 4. Y.H. Malegam Committee - Preparing a roadmap for reforms in Microfinance sector in India - Reserve Bank of India. In how many of the above rows are all the details correctly matched?

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