Question 1: Which of the following findings from the recent rice study support Lamarck’s theory of acquired characteristics?

1. Cold-tolerant rice traits were inherited without changes in DNA sequence.
2. Hypomethylation near the ACT1 gene promoter was induced by cold exposure.
3. The ability to tolerate cold persisted across five generations.
4. Natural selection led to permanent mutations in the ACT1 gene.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

 Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only

·         Statement 4 is incorrect: no permanent DNA mutations were responsible for cold tolerance.

Question 2: Which molecular mechanisms were reported in the cold-adapted rice study?

1. Downregulation of MET1b DNA methyltransferase under cold stress
2. Hypomethylation of ACT1 promoter leading to increased Dof1 binding
3. Permanent coding sequence mutations in ACT1
4. Multigenerational inheritance of an epiallele

Select the correct answer:

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 4 only

·         Coding sequence mutations were not found; the adaptation emerged through epigenetic changes

 Question 3: Consider the following statements about the geographic distribution of ACT1 methylation in rice landraces:

1. Southern China rice landraces predominantly have hypermethylated ACT1 promoters.
2. Northern China landraces predominantly carry hypomethylated ACT1 promoters.
3. ACT1 coding sequence varied significantly between these landraces.

Which of the statements are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. 1 and 2 only

·         Statement 3 is incorrect because ACT1 coding sequences remained conserved; only methylation varied geographically.

Question 4 :Which of the following best illustrates transgenerational epigenetic inheritance observed in the rice study?

A. A plant gene mutates permanently under stress and passes to offspring
B. Cold exposure induces inheritable methylation changes without DNA mutation
C. Darwinian natural selection of random beneficial mutants
D. Single-generation physiological adaptation without hereditary transfer

Answer: B. Cold exposure induces inheritable methylation changes without DNA mutation

·         This aligns with the observed epigenetic inheritance of cold tolerance across generations.

Question 5: Which of the following terms best describes the heritable cold resistance seen in the rice study?

A. Somatic mutation
B. Horizontal gene transfer
C. Epigenetic inheritance
D. Gene flow

Answer: C. Epigenetic inheritance

·         Traits were passed down through methylation changes, not genetic code changes.

Question 6:  Which scientist’s work does the recent rice epigenetic study conceptually support?

A. Charles Darwin
B. August Weismann
C. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
D. Gregor Mendel

Answer: C. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

·         Because traits acquired during an organism's life were inherited by the offspring — echoing Lamarck's theory.

Question 7:Which of the following is true about gene ACT1 in the rice study?

1. It is vital for plant growth and development.
2. Its expression decreases in cold due to methylation in normal plants.
3. In cold-adapted rice, the ACT1 gene was deleted.
4. ACT1 expression continued in cold-adapted rice due to hypomethylation.

Select the correct code:

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 2 and 3 only

Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4 only

·         ACT1 was not deleted in cold-adapted plants; it was still expressed due to reduced methylation.

Question 8: Which process allows gene expression to be altered without changing the underlying DNA sequence?
A. Mutation
B. Transcription
C. Translation
D. Epigenetic modification

Answer: D

 

Question 9: What was the key finding of the 2024 rice cold-tolerance study?
A. Mutation in ACT1 gene improved survival
B. Gene ACT1 was removed from genome
C. ACT1 stayed active due to absence of methylation
D. DNA sequence was changed by cold stress

Answer: C

 

Cold-Adaptive Rice & Epigenetics

 

Cold-Adaptive Rice & Epigenetics

The Study (Published in Cell, May 2024):

• Plant Studied: Oryza sativa (rice)
• Method: Exposed normal rice to low temperatures
• Observation Tool: Quality and quantity of seeds produced
• Result: Rice adapted to cold without genetic mutation but by altering epigenetic marks

Key Concepts:

• ACT1 Gene:
• Important for plant growth & development
• Usually active in rice
• Cold exposure adds methyl group (epigenetic tag) → turns it off
• Cold-adapted rice avoids methylation → ACT1 stays active
• Epigenetics:
• Study of changes in gene expression without altering DNA sequence
• Involves chemical tags like methyl groups on DNA
• These changes can be heritable
• Inheritance Observed:
• Cold tolerance passed to 5 generations
• Confirms environmental influence on heredity via epigenetic marks

---

Scientific Importance:

• Supports Lamarck's theory (acquired traits can be inherited)
• Challenges traditional view that only DNA mutations are inherited
• No DNA mutation detected for cold tolerance → purely epigenetic change
• Indicates environmental memory can be passed to next generations

Important Scientists & Terms:

• Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1809): Theory of Acquired Characters
• Charles Darwin (1859): Theory of Natural Selection
• August Weismann: Disproved Lamarck using mouse tail experiment
• Gregor Mendel: Laws of Heredity using pea plants
• Royal Alexander Brink (1956): Epigenetics clue from maize pigment
• Arthur Riggs (1975): Proposed heritable epigenetic marks

UPSC Relevance:

• Useful for GS Paper III – Science and Tech
• Can be linked to:
• Evolution & Genetics
• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Biotechnology & food security

 

🔑 Concept	📝 Key Point
Epigenetics	Gene expression changes without altering DNA sequence
Methylation	Addition of a methyl group that silences gene expression
ACT1 gene	Essential for plant growth; remains active in cold-adapted rice
Lamarckian Inheritance	Acquired traits passed to offspring (environment → trait → heritable)
Darwinian Evolution	Based on genetic variations and natural selection
Oryza sativa	Scientific name for rice plant
Royal Alexander Brink (1956)	Discovered epigenetic inheritance in maize pigmentation
Arthur Riggs (1975)	Proposed epigenetic marks can be inherited
Weismann barrier	Somatic changes can’t affect germline inheritance
Cold-adapted rice study (2024)	Proved epigenetic change inherited across 5 generations

 

 

 

Q: "Epigenetics is changing how we understand heredity and evolution." Discuss in light of recent research.

Introduction:

·         Define epigenetics — changes in gene activity without changes in DNA sequence.

·         Mention the recent rice cold-tolerance study as a breakthrough.

Body:

1.      The Study Highlights:

o    Oryza sativa exposed to cold → gene ACT1 stayed active due to absence of methylation.

o    Trait passed for 5 generations → suggests heritability of environmentally induced changes.

2.      Lamarck vs Darwin:

o    Lamarck: Traits acquired due to environment may be inherited.

o    Darwin: Only traits from genetic variation survive via natural selection.

o    Rice study gives partial validation to Lamarck, in epigenetic context.

3.      Scientific Milestones:

o    1956: Brink’s maize pigment mystery.

o    1975: Riggs' epigenetic inheritance proposal.

o    2024: First strong experimental proof of natural epigenetic inheritance.

4.      Implications:

o    Could reshape evolutionary biology, crop science, climate-resilient agriculture.

o    Environmental challenges can influence traits across generations, even without gene mutations.

Conclusion:

·         While DNA mutations remain central, epigenetics adds a layer of flexible, heritable change.

·         Evolution may not only be about "survival of the fittest" but also memory of survival.

 

Inclusive Pension System in India

 

Inclusive Pension System in India

Why Pensions Matter

• Purpose: Provide economic security and dignity after retirement.
• Need: Reduced earning capacity, rising healthcare costs, inflation in old age.
• Current Issue: Only ~12% of Indian workforce has formal pension coverage.

Current State of India’s Pension System

• Pension assets = 17% of GDP (vs 80% in advanced economies).
• Public/Organised sector: Covered by various schemes.
• Informal sector (85% of labour force): Only covered under voluntary schemes – National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
• Only 5.3% of total population enrolled in NPS/APY (FY24).

Key Problems

1. Fragmentation of schemes
2. Low awareness due to poor financial literacy
3. Scalability issues in reaching the informal sector
4. Sustainability concerns – low fund adequacy, liquidity issues
5. Low adequacy score (Mercer CFA Pension Index = 44%)

Global Best Practices

• Japan: Mandatory flat-rate pension for all residents (20–59 years)
• New Zealand: Universal flat-rate public pension with residency clause
• UK: Auto-enrolment, opt-out pension model
• Nigeria: Strong digital infrastructure for informal pensions
• Australia: Financial literacy taught from school level
• US: Pension investments via targeted debt funds for secure returns

 Proposed 3-Tier Framework

1. Tier 1: Basic mandatory pension for all (flat-rate contributory)
2. Tier 2: Occupational pensions (mandatory or opt-out employer-based schemes)
3. Tier 3: Voluntary pension savings (with tax benefits & flexible options)

 Suggested Reforms

• Unified regulator for all schemes
• Digital platforms for easy enrolment
• Annual disclosure of pension entitlements
• Robust investment regulation to protect fund liquidity
• Financial literacy campaigns in schools & colleges
• Encourage private fund support to complement public pensions

UPSC Exam Angle

Prelims:

• Trends in pension reforms, schemes like NPS/APY
• Demographic concepts like old-age dependency ratio
• Indices: Mercer CFA Global Pension Index

Mains:

• GS II: Welfare schemes & inclusive development
• GS III: Economic security, demographic trends
• Essay: “Social security is the foundation of a dignified life.”

 

 

Question 1:Which of the following factors currently hinder the expansion of pension coverage in India?

1. Fragmented nature of existing pension schemes
2. Low financial literacy and lack of awareness
3. Saturation of private sector participation in pension schemes
4. Limited scalability and infrastructure of pension delivery

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
Statement 3 is incorrect — India’s pension system needs more private sector support, not that it is saturated.
The article explicitly mentions fragmentation, lack of awareness, and scalability issues as key barriers.

Question 2:With reference to global pension models, consider the following statements:

1. Japan provides a flat-rate mandatory pension scheme that includes even self-employed individuals.
2. New Zealand offers a universal public pension based on a minimum residency requirement.
3. United Kingdom runs a mandatory public pension fund with complete government contribution.
4. Nigeria has improved pension access by investing in digital infrastructure.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
Statement 3 is incorrect — the UK runs an opt-out pension scheme, not mandatory with complete government contribution.
The rest are supported by the article as global examples of best practices.

Question 3:According to the article, which of the following steps are recommended to build an inclusive and sustainable pension system in India?

1. Creating a tiered pension system with a unified regulator
2. Offering voluntary pension savings with tax incentives
3. Launching targeted financial literacy campaigns
4. Prohibiting private sector investment in pension funds

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 4 is incorrect — private sector participation is encouraged, not prohibited.
The article outlines a three-tier pension framework, financial literacy initiatives, and tax-incentivised voluntary savings.

Question 4: Which of the following best describes the "old-age dependency ratio" referred to in the article?

A. The ratio of working-age population to child dependents
B. The ratio of elderly population to the total population
C. The ratio of people above 60 to those in the workforce
D. The ratio of formal pension scheme beneficiaries to total retirees

Answer: C. The ratio of people above 60 to those in the workforce
Explanation:
This is a standard demographic metric — old-age dependency ratio indicates the burden on the working population to support retirees.

Question 5:What is the Mercer CFA Global Pension Index, as referenced in the article?

A. A global index ranking the performance of public debt in emerging economies
B. A global index assessing the adequacy, sustainability, and integrity of pension systems
C. A global report assessing sovereign credit ratings of countries
D. A pension savings return tracker developed by the IMF

Answer: B. A global index assessing the adequacy, sustainability, and integrity of pension systems
Explanation:
The Mercer CFA Global Pension Index evaluates pension systems across countries based on their structure and outcomes.