Here are all 28 Systematics questions asked in UPSC Zoology Optional Paper II from 2004 to 2026, with the latest questions first.
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.
28 questions
Describe the applications of cladistics in modern taxonomy. [2026/15m/3b]
Write down the salient features of zoological nomenclature. [2025/15m/4c]
What is the difference between systematics and taxonomy? Differentiate between classical and molecular taxonomy with the tools used. [2024/15m/4c]
Write about different ways by which biodiversity is being threatened. [2023/10m/150w/1a]
What is biodiversity? Describe the major types of biodiversities found in nature. [2022/15m/4c]
Describe the use of molecular techniques in animal taxonomy. [2021/10m/150w/1d]
What is cladistics? Discuss the international code of biological nomenclature. [2021/10m/150w/1e]
Describe the origin of code for zoological nomenclature. [2020/10m/1d]
Explain biodiversity. Discuss different grades and factors affecting the distribution of animal biodiversity. [2020/15m/4c]
Discuss the role of molecular techniques in the study of contemporary systematics. [2019/15m/4b]
Describe the traditional methods of classification of animals. [2018/10m/1c]
Who proposed Binomial Nomenclature? Describe the rules of Zoological Nomenclature. [2018/10m/5e]
Differentiate between molecular taxonomy and classical taxonomy. [2017/10m/1d]
What is a ‘CLADE’? Explain the importance of ‘cladistics’ in evolution. [2017/15m/4b]
What is biodiversity? Give an account of the impact of climate change on biodiversity. Add a note on Hot Spots in India. [2016/15m/3c]
What is ICZN? Explain the principle, scope and limitations in the present day scenario of nomenclature. [2015/15m/4c]
What is cladistics? Discuss its applications in understanding the evolution of different life forms and phylogeny. [2014/15m/8c]
What is taxonomic hierarchy? Explain biodiversity on the basis of molecular taxonomy using suitable examples. [2013/10m/1e]
Discuss the role of molecular taxonomy in coding of biodiversity. [2011/20m/3a]
Distinguish between classical taxonomy and molecular taxonomy. [2010/15m/150w/1d]
Critically comment on the justification of biodiversity studies. [2010/20m/4b]
Distinguish between cladistics and classical taxonomy. [2009/20m/1d]
Binomial system of classification. [2009/20m/200w/4b]
Different between any three of the following: Genera and Species. [2007/20m/1d]
Chemotaxonomy. [2006/15m/4d]
Artificial and Natural Classifications. [2005/20m/1d]
Phenogram and Phylogram. [2004/20m/200w/1d]
Methods of zoological classification. [2004/15m/4b]
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Last updated: 31 October 2026