Previous Year UPSC Science & Technology

Questions [2013- 2021]

Science & Technology IAS Prelims Questions
2021
The Civil Services Prelims S&T Questions of the year 2021, are given
below:

Questions that were asked in prelims 2021 are given below:

1. Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid

because.
(a) It is dipolar in nature.
(b) It is a good conductor of heat
(c) It has high value of specific heat
(d) It is an oxide of hydrogen

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 code given below.
(a) 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

3. The term “ACE2” is talked about in the context of

(a) genes introduced in the genetically modified plants
(b) development of India’s own satellite navigation system
(c) radio collars for wildlife tracking
(d) spread of viral diseases

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) Low-density polyethylene
(b) Polycarbonate
(c) Polyethylene terephthalate
(d) Polyvinyl Chloride

5. “Triclosan” considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a

long time, is most likely present in which of the following?
(a) Food preservatives
(b) Fruit ripening substances
(c) reused plastic containers
(d) Toiletries

6. Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances

are measured in light-years?
(a) Distance among stellar bodies do not change
(b) Gravity of stellar bodies does not change
(c) Light always travels in straight line
(d) Speed of light is always same

7. With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant

vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements:
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these
vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

8. In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following

statements:
1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be
prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or
after in vitro fertilization of the egg.
2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from the mother
and not from the father.
Which of the statements given above is’/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

9. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the

context of
(a) Clonal propagation of crop plants
(b) Developing genetically modified crop plants
(c) Production of plant growth substances
(d) Production of biofertilizers

10. In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked

depends mainly upon which of the following?
1. Area of the hole in the lid
2. Temperature of the flame
3. Weight of the lid
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3

11. Consider the following:

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial/ synthetic
medium?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3

12. Consider the following statements:

1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas
retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
2. Common cold is sometimes caused by an adenovirus whereas
AIDS is caused by a retrovirus.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

13. Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural

mosquito repellent?

a) Congress grass
b) Elephant grass
c) Lemon grass
d) Nut grass

Answers to S&T Questions of IAS Prelims 2021

UPSC Prelims Science & Technology Questions – Answer Key

1. A 8. A
2. A 9. B
3. D 10. C
4. B 11. A
5. D 12. B
6. D 13. C
7. C

Year-Wise Science and Technology IAS

Prelims Questions
The Civil Services Prelims S&T Questions for the IAS Exam are
provided year-wise below:
Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims
2020

Q 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 code given below :

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 2. In the context of recent advances in human reproductive

technology, ‘Pronuclear Transfer” is used for

(a) Fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm

(b) Genetic modification of sperm producing cells

(c) Development of stem cells into functional embryos

(d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring

Q 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 code given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 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 given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q 5. Consider the following statements :

(1) Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs
or sperms 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) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 6. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can

effectively do which of the following?

(1) Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

(2) Create meaningful short stories and songs

(3) Disease diagnosis

(4) Text-to-speech conversion

(5) Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3, and 4 only {?}

(c) 2, 4, and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Q 7. With reference to visible light communication (VLC) technology,

which of the following statements are correct?

(1) VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780nm

(2) VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication

(3) VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth

(4) VLC has no electromagnetic interference

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Q 9. In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the

context of

(a) Digital security infrastructure

(b) Food security infrastructure

(c) Health care and education infrastructure

(d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

Q 10. Consider the following activities :

(1) Spraying pesticides on a crop field

(2) Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes

(3) Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis

At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can

be successfully carried out by using drones ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 11. The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in

formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one
million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The
experiment in question refers to

(a) Voyager-2

(b) New Horizons

(c) LISA Pathfinder

(d) Evolved LISA

Q 12. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following

statements:

(1) Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for
submersible pumps,

(2) Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not
the ones with piston.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Get the notes on the topics that cropped up in the 2020 prelims
examination from the links below. These topics are important from
the CSE syllabus perspective:

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2019

Q 1. The word ‘Denisovan’ is sometimes mentioned in media in

reference to

(a) fossil of a kind of dinosaurs

(b) an early human species

(c) a cave system found in North-East India

(d) a geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent

Q 2. With reference to the recent developments in science, which

one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of

DNA taken from cells of different species.

(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.

(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to
replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.

(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo
cell division in laboratory petri dishes.

Q 3. ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in

the last few years.why?

(1) It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.

(2) It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of

cancer.

(3) It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.

(4) It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to virtual
pathogens.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 4

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1 and 4 only

Q 4. Which of the following are the reasons for the occurence of

multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?

(1) Genetic predisposition of some people.

(2) Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases.

(3) Using antibiotics in livestock farming.

(4) Multiple chronic diseases in some people.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1,3 and 4

(d) 2,3 and 4

Q 5. What is cas9 protein that is often mentioned in the news ?

(a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing.

(b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in

patients.

(c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant

(d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in generally modified crops

Q 6. Which of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

(b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.

(c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C

viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.

(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not

show the symptoms for many years.

Q 7. With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the

difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and
VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?

(1) LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly

marketed as advanced 3G.

(2) LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q 8. In The context of digital technologies for entertainment,

consider the following statements :

(1) In Augmented Reality (AR), a simulated environment is created

and the physical world is completely shut out.

(2) In Virtual Reality (VR), images generated from the computer are
projected onto real life objects or surroundings.

(3) AR allows individuals to be present in the world and improves the

experience using the camera of a smart-phone or PC.

(4) VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, providing a

complete immersion experience.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 4 only

Q 9. Consider the following statements about a digital signature:

(1) An electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing

it.

(2) Used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access

information of server on the Internet.
(3) an electronic method of signing an electronic document and
ensuring that the original content is unchanged.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Q 10. In the context of wearable technology, which of the following

tasks is/are accomplished by wearable devices?

(1) Location identification of a person

(2) Sleep monitoring of a person

(3) Assisting the hearing impaired person

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 11. Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’

billions of light-years away from the earth. What is the significance of
this observation?

(a) ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.

(b) ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.

(c) Possibility of intergalactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was

confirmed.

(d) It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.

Candidates can download the notes on the topics that were in the
Science segment of IAS Prelims 2019 from the links below:

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2018

Q 1. Consider the following phenomena

(1) Light is affected by gravity.

(2) The Universe is constantly expanding.

(3) Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert

Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 2. Consider the following pairs of Terms sometimes seen in news

vs Context /Topic: (Pre18 Set-D)

(1) Belle II experiment: Artificial Intelligence

(2) Blockchain technology: Digital/ Cryptocurrency

(3) CRISPR — Cas9: Particle Physics

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 3. Consider the following statements:

(1) The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed every few hundred
thousand years.

(2) When the Earth was created more than 4000 million years ago,
there was 54% oxygen and no carbon dioxide.

(3) When living organisms originated, they modified the early

atmosphere of the Earth.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 4. Consider the following:

(1) Birds

(2) Dust blowing

(3) Rain

(4)Wind blowing.

Which of the above spread plant diseases? (Pre18 Set-D)

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q 5. With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM

mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :
(Pre18 Set-D)

(1) GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant
the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.

(2) GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination
and hybridization.

(3) GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab
Agricultural University.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 6. Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert

areas to inhibit water loss?

(1) Hard and waxy leaves

(2) Tiny leaves

(3) Thorns instead of leaves

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 7. When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you

wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be
switched on automatically. The smart min-or in your bathroom shows
the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your
overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator
for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and
places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step
out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC
machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your
car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an
alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a-
message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one
of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?

(a) Border Gateway Protocol

(b) Internet of Things

(c) Internet Protocol

(d) Virtual Private Network

Q 8. In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?

(1) Mobile phone operations

(2) Banking operations

(3) Controlling the power grids

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 9. The terms ‘Wanna Cry, Petya and Eternal Blue’ sometimes

mentioned in the news recently are related to

(a) Exo-planets

(b) Crypto-currency

(c) Cyber attacks

(d) Mini satellites

Q 10. “3D printing” has applications in which of the following?

(1) Preparation of confectionery items

(2) Manufacture of bionic ears

(3) Automotive industry

(4) Reconstructive surgeries

(5) Data processing technologies

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 2, 3 and 5 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Q 11. The identity platform ‘Aadhaar’ provides open “Application

Programming Interfaces (APIs)”. What does it imply?

(1) It can be integrated into any electronic device.

(2) Online authentication using iris is possible.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q 12. With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite

System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : (Pre18 Set-D)

(1) IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in

geosynchronous orbits.

(2) IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its
borders.

(3) India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global
coverage by the middle of 2019.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) None

Q 13. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the

following statements:

(1) PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring

whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication
satellites.

(2) Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed

in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location
on Earth.

(3) GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch vehicle with the first and third
stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages
using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct.?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 2

(d) 3 only

Candidates can download the notes on the topics that were in the
Science segment of IAS Prelims 2018 from the links below:

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2017

Q 1. Consider the following pairs:

Commonly Used / Unwanted or consumed materials likely to be

controversial chemicals found in them
1. Lipstick Lead
2. Softdrinks Brominated Vegetable Oils
3. Chinese Fast Food Monosodium Glutamate

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q 2. Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are used to create
digital displays in many devices. What are the advantages of OLED
displays over Liquid Crystal displays?

(1) OLED displays can be fabricated on flexible plastic substrates.

(2) Roll-up displays embedded in clothing can be made using

OLEDs.

(3) Transparent displays are possible using OLEDs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of the above statements is correct

Q 3. What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Technology?

(a) Production of biolarvicides

(b) Manufacture of biodegradable plastics

(c) Reproductive cloning of animals

(d) Production of organisms free of diseases

Q 4. In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to

report on cyber security incidents?

(1) Service providers

(2) Data centres

(3) Body corporate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 5. What is the purpose of the ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space

Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

(a) To detect neutrinos

(b) To detect gravitational waves

(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Q 6. The term ‘Domestic Content Requirement’ is sometimes seen in

the news with reference to

(a) Developing solar power production in our country

(b) Granting licences to foreign T.V. channels in our country

(c) Exporting our food products to other countries

(d) Permitting foreign educational institutions to set up their

campuses in our country
Q 7. The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, `String Theory’ and
‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) Observation and understanding of the Universe

(b) Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses

(c) Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth

(d) Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

Q 8. With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of

`genome sequencing’, often seen in the news, be used in the
immediate future?

(1) Genome sequencing can be used to identify genetic markers for

disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants.

(2) This technique helps in reducing the time required to develop

new varieties of crop plants.

(3) It can be used to decipher the host-pathogen relationships in

crops.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 9. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding

Smart India Hackathon 2017?
(1) It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our
country into Smart Cities in a decade.

(2) It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for

solving the many problems faced by our country.

(3) It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in

our country completely digital in a decade.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Candidates can download the notes on the topics that were in the
Science segment of IAS Prelims 2017 from the links below:

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2016

Q 1. Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to

(a) waste management technology

(b) wireless communication technology

(c) solar power production technology

(d) water conservation technology

Q 2. With reference to ‘Li-Fi’, recently in the news, which of the

following statements is/are correct?

(1) It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.

(2) It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than ‘WiFi’.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q 3. With reference to `Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory

launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(1) Other than the USA and Russia, India is the only country to have
launched a similar observatory into space.

(2) Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km

above the surface of the Earth.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q 4. India is an important member of the ‘International

Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds,
what is the immediate advantage for India?

(a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation

(b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation

(c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in

power generation

(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation

Q 5. Consider the following statements: The Mangalyaan launched

by ISRO

(1) is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission

(2) made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the
Mars after USA

(3) made India the only country to be successful in making its

spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 6. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term

‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to

(a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

(b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

(c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression

(d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells

Q 7. Which of the following statements is/are correct? Viruses can

infect

(1) bacteria

(2) fungi

(3) plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Candidates can find the similar topics from IAS Prelims 2016 in the
links below:

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2015

Q 1. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted

under the

(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection)

Act, 1999

(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Q 2. In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing

(IRS) satellites used?

(1) Assessment of crop productivity

(2) Locating ground water resources

(3) Mineral exploration

(4) Telecommunications

(5) Traffic studies

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 4 and 5 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Q 3. The term ‘IndARC’ sometimes seen in the news, is the name of?

a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian

Defence

b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian

Ocean Rim
c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region

d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic

region

Q 4. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference

to which one of the following diseases?

(a) AIDS

(b) Bird flu

(c) Dengue

(d) Swine flu

Q 5. With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and

oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following
statements :

(1) If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and
water as by-products.

(2) Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small
devices like laptop computers.

(3) Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current

(AC).

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 6. With reference to ‘fly ash’ produced by the power plants using

the coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(1) Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building
construction

(2) Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland
cement contents of concrete

(3) Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only, and
does not contain any toxic elements.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3

d) 3 only

Q 7. With reference to the use of nanotechnology in the health

sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(1) Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology

(2) Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 only

b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q 8. In the context of modern scientific research, consider the

following statements about ‘IceCube’, a particle detector located at
South Pole, which was recently in the news :

(1) It is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic

kilometre of ice.

(2) It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter

(3) It is buried deep in the ice.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Q 9. With reference to ‘Near Field Communication (NFC)

Technology’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(1) It is a contactless communication technology that uses

electromagnetic radio fields

(2) NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of

even a metre from each other

(3) NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 10. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Peace, Disarmament and

Development for 2014 was given to which of the following?

a) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

b) Indian Institute of Science

c) Indian Space Research Organization

d) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2014

Q 1. Which of the following pair(s) is/are correctly matched? (2014)

Spacecraft Purpose
Cassini-Huygens Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth
Messenger Mapping and investigating the Mercury
Voyager Exploring the outer solar system

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 2. Which reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following

statements is/are correct? (2014)

(1) It is a surface-to-surface missile.

(2) It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.

(3) It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 3. In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be

used in the biometric identification of a person? (2014)

(1) Iris scanning

(2) Retinal scanning

(3) Voice recognition

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 4. Consider the following diseases (2014)

(1) Diphtheria

(2) Chickenpox

(3) Smallpox

Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None

Q 5. Consider the following pairs

Vitamin Deficiency Disease

Vitamin C Scurvy
Vitamin D Ricket
Vitamin E Night Blindness

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None
Q 6. Which of the following is/are the example/examples of chemical
change? (2014)

(1) Crystallization of sodium chloride

(2) Melting of ice

(3) Souring of milk

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None

Science and Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims

2013

Q 1. Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life

because

(a) exposure to sunlight is prevented

(b) concentration dioxide in the is increased of carbon environment

(c) rate of respiration is decreased

(d) there is an increase in humidity

Q 2. Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because

(a) the new soil does not contain favorable minerals

(b) most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard

(c) most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation

(d) leaves get damaged during transplantation

Q 3. Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows

genes to be transferred

(1) Across different species of plants.

(2) From animals to plants.

(3) From microorganisms to higher organisms.

Select the correct Solution using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 4. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating

degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to (2013)

(1) Resist drought and increase absorptive area

(2) Tolerate extremes of PH

(3) Resist disease infestation

Select the correct Solution using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q 5. Consider the following phenomena: (2013)

(1) Size of the sun at dusk

(2) Colour of the sun at dawn

(3) Moon being visible at dawn

(4) Twinkle of stars in the sky

(5) Polestar being visible in the sky

Which of the above are optical illusions?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 3, 4 and 5

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 5

Q 6. Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which

of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this?

(1) Dispersion

(2) Refraction

(3) Internal reflection

Select the correct Solution using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Science & Technology UPSC Prelims Questions 2013-2020:-

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UPSC Prelims Science and Technology

Solutions [2013-2020]
The answers of IAS Prelims Science & Tech Questions asked in
Prelims from the year 2013 to 2020 are given in the tables below:

Solutions of Science & Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims 2020

1. C 7. C
2. D 8. A
3. B 9. D
4. C* 10. D
5. D 11. D
6. D

Official UPSC Answer Key for 2020 will be out after the final
recruitment process of CSE 2020 is over.

Solutions of Science & Technology Questions in UPSC Prelims 2019

1. B 7. D
2. A 8. B
3. A 9. D
4. D 10. D