ICAR AIEEA PG Animal Science 09 July 2023 (Shift 1) Paper

Livestock demographic changes between 19th (2012) and 20th (2019) Livestock Censuses:

• Statement (I) is incorrect: The buffalo population increased marginally by only $1.06\%$ (from $108.70$ million in 2012 to $109.85$ million in 2019), not $10\%$.
• Statement (II) is incorrect: The goat population in India increased significantly by $10.14\%$ (from $135.17$ million in 2012 to $148.88$ million in 2019), rather than decreasing.
• Since both statements state false trends regarding the 20th Livestock Census, both are incorrect.
• Therefore, option 2 (Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect) is the correct answer.

Origin and production of Pashmina:

• Statement (I) is correct: Pashmina (Cashmere) is an ultra-fine undercoat fiber ($12\text{ to }15\ \mu\text{m}$) produced by the Changthangi (Pashmina) and Chegu goats reared at altitudes exceeding $4000\text{ m}$ in the cold arid Himalayas (Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh).
• Statement (II) is correct: Kashmir and Ladakh in India are recognized as the historical cradle and origin of the artisan weaving, processing, and traditional production of authentic Pashmina.
• Both statements are fully valid and correct.
• Therefore, option 1 (Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct) is the correct answer.

National Nodal Agency for animal breed registration:

• In 2008, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established the Breed Registration Committee with the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, as the official nodal agency to identify, characterize, and register newly discovered indigenous livestock and poultry breeds.
• NDRI Karnal focuses on dairy research and production education.
• NDDB Anand is a statutory body managing dairy cooperative development.
• CSWRI Avikanagar focuses on sheep and wool research.

Definition of a breed:

• crossbred animal is the progeny of mating two or more different distinct breeds.
• breed is defined as a sufficiently homogenous, sub-specific population of domestic animals sharing definable, identifiable, and heritable morphological and physiological characteristics that distinguish them by visual inspection from other groups within the same species.
• strain is a closed breeding subpopulation within a breed selected for a specific performance trait.
• Race is an anthropological or broader taxonomic term.