UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 57
Consider the following activities:
- Spraying pesticides on a crop field
- Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes
- Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis
At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (1, 2 and 3)
Explanation: Drones equipped with sprayers or sampling sensors are used for precise crop pesticide application, remote volcanic-crater surveys and non-invasive collection of whale blow samples.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct - Agricultural drones can target pesticide sprays over fields.
2. Correct - Drones survey dangerous volcanic craters without placing researchers directly in harm’s way.
3. Correct - Sampling drones can capture exhaled whale blow for biological/genetic analysis.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-omits correct item 3 (Sampling drones can capture exhaled whale blow for biological/genetic analysis).
B. Incorrect-omits correct item 1 (Agricultural drones can target pesticide sprays over fields).
C. Incorrect-omits correct item 2 (Drones survey dangerous volcanic craters without placing researchers directly in harm’s way).
D. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 1, 2, 3.
Review note: Permissions, weather and sampling-quality rules remain relevant to actual drone operations.