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Zoology Optional – Other Questions Outside the Present Syllabus (2004–2026)

These 2 questions from UPSC Zoology Optional papers (2004–2026) fall outside the present syllabus of their paper – mostly from papers set on the older syllabus. We keep them here for completeness.

Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.

Paper II

2 questions

  1. What are fossils? Describe the process of fossil formation and give two methods of determining the age of fossils. [2018/10m/1b]

  2. Dating of fossils. [2004/15m/4c]

Cover of UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQs eBook with detailed explanations

From the Optional Province team

Preparing for Prelims too?

Our UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQ eBook covers every Prelims question with detailed explanations, so you can see exactly where UPSC asks from.

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Cover of UPSC Mains Topic-wise and Year-wise PYQs eBook (2013–2026)

From the Optional Province team

Strengthen your GS papers

Our UPSC Mains Topic-wise & Year-wise PYQ eBook (2013–2026) maps every GS question to the syllabus, so you know what UPSC asks and how often.

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We classify every PYQ with care, but mistakes can slip in. If a question is in the wrong topic, has a typo, the wrong year, or is missing, let us know. We review every report and update the page.

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Last updated: 31 October 2026