Science and Technology UPSC Prelims Questions: Download PYQ UPSC Prelims PDF

Science and Technology UPSC Prelims Questions

If a candidate is sure to sit in the Civil Services Examination, they must commence the UPSC preparation vigorously. After analyzing the complete syllabus of the exam and gathering the competent IAS study materials, students must refer to the Previous Year’s Questions of UPSC.

Science and Technology UPSC Prelims Questions PDF

Science and Technology is an important part of the Prelims examination. Most of the questions concerning Science and Tech are focused on topics that have been in Current Affairs.

UPSC 2022 Science and Technology Questions

Candidates who have decided to appear for the upcoming IAS exam should practice the UPSC Prelims 2022 Science and Technology questions. Some of the Science and Tech UPSC Prelims questions are mentioned below.

Question 1: Consider the following: (1) Aarogya Setu, (2) COWIN, (3) DigiLocker, (4) DIKSHA. Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms? (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4, (b) 1, 3 and 4 only, (c) 2, 3 and 4 only, (d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 2: With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements: (1) Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data, (2) In the Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain-based social networks, (3) Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than by a corporation. Which of the following given above are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only, (b) 1 and 2 only, (c) 1, 2 and 3, (d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

Question 3: With reference to “Software as a Service (SaaS)”, consider the following statements: (1) SaaS buyers can customise the user interface and can change data fields, (2) SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices, (3) Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of SaaS. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only, (b) 1, 2 and 3, (c) 1 and 2 only, (d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3

Question 4: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in media? (a) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions, (b) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same surface. speed and places a probe on its, (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth, (d) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Question 5: Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (a) Wireless Communication Technologies, (b) Visible Light Communication Technologies, (c) Quantum Computing, (d) Cloud Services

Answer: (c) Quantum Computing

Science and Technology UPSC Prelims Questions 2021

We have curated a few crucial UPSC Prelims Science and Technology questions and their answers for students’ convenience. Some of the important questions from the UPSC Prelims 2021 question paper are as follows.

Question 1: Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid because: (a) It has a high value of specific heat, (b) It is an oxide of hydrogen, (c) It is dipolar in nature, (d) It is a good conductor of heat

Answer: (c) It is dipolar in nature.

Question 2: With reference to street lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? (1) Sodium lamps produce light at 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps, (2) As street lights, sodium lamps have a longer life span than LED lamps, (3) The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street lighting.

Select the correct answer using the codes: (a) 1, 2 and 3, (b) 1 and 3 only, (c) 2 only, (d) 3 only

Answer: (d) 3 only

Question 3: The term “ACE2” is talked about in the context of: (a) radio collars for wildlife tracking, (b) spread of viral diseases, (c) development of India’s own satellite navigation system, (d) genes introduced in the genetically modified plants

Answer: (b) Spread of viral diseases

Question 4: Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics? (a) Polyvinyl Chloride, (b) Polyethylene terephthalate, (c) Polycarbonate, (d) Low-density polyethylene

Answer: (c) Polycarbonate

Question 5: “Triclosan” considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? (a) Toiletries, (b) Reused plastic containers, (c) Fruit-ripening substances, (d) Food preservatives

Answer: (a) Toiletries

Science and Tech PYQ UPSC Prelims – 2020

It is important to go through at least 3-5 previous year’s papers to understand the pattern of questions and answers provided. Some of the frequently asked Science and Technology questions in the UPSC Prelims 2020 Question paper are mentioned below.

Question 1: Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells? (1) Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not, (2) Plant cells do not have plasma membranes, unlike animal cells which do, (3) Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst an animal cell has many small vacuoles. Select the correct answer using the codes given: (a) 1, 2 and 3, (b) 1 and 3 only, (c) 2 and 3 only, (d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Question 2: In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, ‘Pronuclear Transfer” is used for: (a) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring, (b) Development of stem cells into functional embryos, (c) Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm, (d) Genetic modification of sperm-producing cells

Answer: (a) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Question 3: What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in India? (1) These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis, (2) Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced, (3) These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions. Select the correct answer using the codes given: (a) 1, 2 and 3, (b) 1 and 2 only, (c) 1 only, (d) 3 only

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Question 4: With reference to the carbon nanotubes, consider the following statement: (1) They can be used as the carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body, (2) They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of the human body, (3) They can be used in biochemical sensors, (4) Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable. Which of the statements are correct? (a) 2, 3 and 4 only, (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4, (c) 1 and 2 only, (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (d) 1, 3, and 4 only

Question 5: Consider the statements: (1) Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperm of a prospective parent, (2) A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage, (3) Human-induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 2 only, (b) 1 only, (c) 1, 2 and 3, (d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

Topic Wise Science and Technology Previous Year Questions UPSC Prelims

Candidates must conceptually understand Topic Wise Science and Technology Questions and keep revising them regularly to get a good score in the Prelims section of the exam.

The major sections that must be covered to get a grasp on the Science and Technology Previous Year Questions UPSC Prelims include:

• Human Genes
• Nanotechnology
• Human reproductive technology
• Plant and animal cells
• Diseases

Science and Technology UPSC Prelims Questions Trend (2022-2013)

The number of questions on Science & Technology in GS Paper I differs slightly every year. There were 13 questions from the subject in the Prelims question paper of 2022 and 2021, 12 questions in Prelims 2020, 11 questions in Prelims 2019, and so on. Check out the number of questions asked in Science and Technology in UPSC Prelims from 2022-2013.

Year	Science and Technology PYQ UPSC Prelims – Number of Questions
UPSC Science and Technology Prelims Questions 2022	13
Science and Tech PYQ UPSC Prelims 2021	13
Previous Year Science and Technology Questions UPSC 2020	12
UPSC Prelims Science and Technology Questions 2019	11
Science and Technology PYQ UPSC 2018	13
Science and Technology PYQ UPSC Prelims 2017	9
Science and Tech Prelims Questions 2016	7
UPSC Science and Technology Previous Year Questions 2015	10
Science and Technology Previous Year Questions UPSC Prelims 2014	6
UPSC Science And Technology Questions 2013	6

Tips for Solving Science and Tech PYQ UPSC Prelims

Aspiring candidates can follow the below tips and tricks while preparing the Science and Technology UPSC Prelims Questions. Be well versed with the Science and Technology Syllabus, so one knows where to focus.

Clearing basic concepts is of utmost importance; therefore, students should learn topics from Class 11 and 12 NCERT Books.

• Reading Science Reporter magazine can be useful as it contains plenty of Current Affairs necessary for the Prelims Exam;
• Candidates can study Science and Tech subjects from the weekly newspapers and magazines, like the Hindu paper;
• Science students can refine their knowledge by revising basic questions and notes from the Science and Technology Books for UPSC;
• Candidates should be familiar with the latest developments in the health and medical sectors as UPSC has been gradually focusing more on Biology;
• Aspirants must read about the ongoing research experimentations and latest breakthroughs since the commission has also asked questions from that section.

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