Sci-Tech · 25 Aug 2026

AI designed bacteriophage genomes biosecurity

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Stanford-Arc Institute experiment used AI models named Evo 1 and Evo 2 to design bacteriophage genomes, of which 16 out of 285 synthesised designs produced functioning phages.
  2. Bacteriophage ΦX174 was the first complete DNA genome ever sequenced, in 1977.
  3. The IndiaAI Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2024 and is administered by the Department of Biotechnology.
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: Sixteen Out of 285 - Why That Ratio Should Worry You More Than Reassure You
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 25 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

The Stanford-Arc Institute experiment demonstrating AI-designed, functionally viable bacteriophage genomes has intensified debate over dual-use biosecurity risk in generative biology, prompting calls for India to build biosecurity screening into its AI mission as it scales biomedical AI capability.

Why for UPSC

This tests precise fact recall (a historic biology landmark and a scheme's exact nodal ministry) against a plausible but incorrect substitution - MeitY versus DBT is exactly the kind of ministry-mix-up UPSC uses to test careful reading over familiarity.

Prelims summary

Stanford-Arc Institute's Evo 1/Evo 2 AI models designed 16 functioning bacteriophage genomes out of 285 tested. ΦX174 (1977) was the first fully sequenced DNA genome. The IndiaAI Mission (approved March 2024) is run by MeitY, not the Department of Biotechnology.

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