Explanation
- A
Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
Collecting DNA from air in a habitat in one go. That is aerial metagenomics.
- B
Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
Genetic makeup of birds. Ornithology, not this term.
- C
Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals
Airborne blood sampling. Not the method.
- D
Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
Drones collecting bulk samples. Field logistics, not metagenomics of air.
Summary. Official key is (a). Aerial metagenomics samples environmental DNA/RNA from air — a snapshot of the organisms shedding genetic material in that habitat. It is not a bird genome project, dart-sampling, or drone fieldwork as such.
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.
-
2025 · Q42 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), consider the following statements: I. All types of UAVs can do vertical landing. II. All types of UAVs can do automated hovering. III. Al types of UAVs can use battery only as a source of power supply. How many of the statements given above are correct? -
2026 · Q60 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India: 1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities. 2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy. 3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?