With all of the technological advances in the twenty-first century and how they are altering our lives, Science and technology are without a doubt one of the most essential subjects of the Civil Services Examination. Therefore, studying Science and Technology during IAS Exam preparation has become very important for aspiring Civil Servants. The question asked in the Prelims from this section is basically to ensure that aspirants have a basic understanding of technological developments.
As per the UPSC 2023 calendar, the IAS Prelims and main exams are scheduled to take place on May 28, 2023 and September 15, 2023 respectively.
Science and technology questions are either current affairs or fundamental. The subject’s preparation is sometimes seen as a “Challenge,”, particularly by candidates with a non-science background. They are frequently unaware of the subject’s high priority and other essential themes. To help the aspirants score higher in the subject, we are providing the top 25 topics in Science and Technology that were in the news for the past year. Aspirants can use these topics for the last minute revision before the Prelims.
Relevant Video:
How to revise important topics of Science and Technology for UPSC Prelims 2023?
Although the general understanding of school-level science is sufficient for the UPSC Prelims exam, as questions are rarely overly complex. However, aspirants must also keep up with current events while studying Science and Technology. To revise the section of Science and Technology effectively, here are a few tips:
- There is no better approach to preparing for the subject than to look over and solve past years’ question papers. They are the greatest study resources for getting acquainted oneself with the sorts of questions commonly asked in the exam. So now with a few days left for the exam, solve previous year’s papers and understand the types of topics repeatedly asked in the exam and the approach to solving these questions.
- Revise the important concepts from the NCERTs as conceptual understanding of the topics in Science and Technology is vital to attempt the questions in the exam from this subject. In these last days, don’t start anything new, but just revise the NCERTs which have been read before.
- With the current trend in the types of questions asked from this section in the UPSC Prelims, it is important to align one’s preparation with the Current Affairs. For instance, advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Space Exploration Missions, and advancement in Medical Technology are some of the favourite topics from which at least one question is asked every year. Aspirants must revise the current affairs from the current affair magazines or any self-made current affairs notes for a quick revision.
- While revising the Science and Technology section for UPSC Prelims, focus on the following topics and revise them intensively for scoring well in the Science and Tech section:
| Topic | Sub Topic |
| Biotechnology |
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| Awareness in Different Fields |
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| Information Technology |
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| Issues Related to Intellectual Property Rights(IPR) |
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Best 25 Science and Technology Topics/Questions Expected in UPSC Prelims 2023
Given below is the compilation of the 25 most expected topics/ questions from the Science and Technology section that can be asked in the UPSC Prelims in 2022. The topics and questions are chosen by UPSC Experts based on the topics in news in the last year. There is a high chance of questions being asked in the Prelims from these topics as these are well research topics/ questions, which have been framed keeping in mind the last 5 years’ trend in the UPSC Prelims. These questions are being given to aid in the revision of the candidates before the final exam on June 5, 2022.
Note– These questions/topics are most likely to be asked in the UPSC Prelims, however, aspirants should bear in mind that the UPSC has a habit of surprising candidates with the most unexpected questions. So, continue revising your daily subjects and use these questions to supplement your preparation. There is no need to panic if a few candidates find certain things difficult or unfamiliar. Simply read through the gist of the provided topic or disregard it. The goal of offering these most expected questions is not to frighten the aspirants, but to help them revise more effectively.
List of 25 Expected Science and Technology Questions in IAS Prelims 202
1. What is the objective of the Gaganyaan Mission? What is the VIKAS engine used in reference to the Gaganyaan Mission?
This is an important topic as the Prime Minister made the formal announcement of the Gaganyaan mission during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2018. The primary goal was to launch a manned mission before India’s 75th anniversary of independence on August 15, 2022. With this launch, India will become the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission after the USA, Russia and China.
This topic has been in news for a long time and candidates can expect a question on this topic. Revise the objective of the mission, High Thrust VIKAS Engine and other facts related to the mission. To revise the Gaganyaan Mission, visit the linked article.
2. What is the difference in the objectives of Chandryaan 2 and Chandrayaan 3?
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch Chandrayaan-3 in August 2022, which makes it a very important topic for this year’s prelims exam.It will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2, but it will not have an orbiter.
Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 are the important mission of the ISRO, hence this topic is also important and should be prepared well. Visit the following links for a quick revision of the topics:
3. How does Gravitational Microlensing work?
Space-related concepts are a favourite category of the UPSC, as every year at least one question is seen on this topic. In the past five years, there has been a question related to Gravitational waves at least twice. This makes Gravitational Lensing an important topic.
Gravitational lensing is useful to cosmologists because it is directly sensitive to the amount and distribution of dark matter. Gravitational lensing is an effect of Einstein’s theory of general relativity – simply put, mass bends light. The more massive the object, the stronger its gravitational field and hence the greater the bending of light rays – just like using denser materials to make optical lenses results in a greater amount of refraction.
For revising such topics, visit the related links-
4. Which spacecraft recently became the first to fly through the outer atmosphere of the sun?
For the first time in history, we can see the planet Venus in Color, thanks to the NASA Parker Solar Probe. Recently, the Parker Solar Probe also became the first spacecraft to fly through the outer atmosphere of the Sun- ‘Corona’. Parker Solar Probe has been in news lately and this makes it an important topic.
Aspirants should learn about some important features of the Parker Solar Probe.
5. What is the range of Agni 5 ICBM? Agni 5 is built by whom?
India successfully tested a nuclear-capable Agni-V ballistic missile, thus this is an important topic. The Agni-V Intercontinentalrange Ballistic Missile (ICBM) has been developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Dynamics Limited. It is a new-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile. It was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Visit the following articles, for a quick revision:
6. What is the Scramjet Technology?
Recently Hypersonic Weapons have been in news and most of the hypersonic vehicles primarily use scramjet technology, which makes it an important topic. Scramjets are a category of engines designed to handle airflows of speeds multiple of the speed of sound.
Visit Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) to learn more about the Scamjet technology.
7. What makes NFTs unique from other Digital Forms of currency?
NFTs are gaining massive popularity now because they are becoming an increasingly popular way to showcase and sell digital artwork. It has been in news all through the year and is a new technology. Previously questions have been seen on Cryptocurrency, IoT and Blockchain. So digital currency is an important topic which must be prepared.
Go through the following links for more related information:
8. What are the important features of 5G technology?
5G is the next generation of mobile broadband that will eventually replace, or at least augment 4G LTE connection. Previously questions on related topics have been asked and this makes it an important topic. Go through the following for quick revision:
9. Recently the term Isothermal Forging was in news. It is related to which Stream?
DRDO has developed Critical near Isothermal Forging Technology for aero-engines. Isothermal forging is a closed-die process in which the dies and the workpieces are heated to the same temperature so that forming can take place without loss of temperature in the workpiece. It is a new technology and is important for upcoming prelims.
Go through the attached link for Understanding Isothermal Forging Technology.
10. What is the popularly known Metaverse? Is Facebook the only company working on it?
The metaverse is being envisioned as a new world order really, where your services could be offered virtually in exchange for other virtual assets, or Cryptocurrencies. Like Digital currencies it is also among the new technologies and a question is expected on such topics. Learn about Metaverse, by visiting the link attached.
11. What does the recently launched Geospatial Energy Map of India provide?
NITI Aayog has recently launched the Geospatial Energy Map of India. Geospatial Energy Map, enables visualisation of energy installations such as conventional power plants, oil and gas wells, petroleum refineries, coal fields and coal blocks, district-wise data on renewable energy power plants and renewable energy resource potential, etc through 27 thematic layers. Since it is a government initiative it is important. Learn more about the Geospatial Energy Map of India in the linked article.
12. What are mRNA vaccines?
With the country facing the Coronavirus pandemic, questions on vaccines and diseases is expected. mRNA vaccines trick the body into producing some of the viral proteins itself. Learn more about them by visiting mRNA Vaccine.
13. pgSIT is a new scalable genetic control system, based on which popular technology?
Previously we have seen question on CRISPR CAS-9 technology, so pgSIT also becomes important. pgSIT is a new scalable genetic control system that uses a CRISPR-based approach to engineer deployable mosquitoes that can suppress populations. Revise Gene Editing Technology, by visiting the linked article.
14. What is the significance of the Semiconductor chips?
Economic survey has mentioned the shortage of semiconductor chips in India. It is thus an important topic, which must be revised. Go through the following links to revise:
15. Recently, who was awarded the Ramanujan Prize for the young Mathematician?\
The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians was awarded to Professor Neena Gupta, a mathematician of the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata, in a virtual ceremony on 22nd February 2022. Since an Indian received the award, it becomes important. Go through Ramanujan Prize, for revising the facts related to the topic.
16. Recently the Rajasthan Government has given industry status to the units producing M-Sand for construction work and reducing the dependence on bajri (riverbed sand). What is the M-Sand?
M-sand is a substitute of river sand for concrete construction. It is was in news because of the new policy of the Rajasthan government. Read some facts about the M-Sand, by visiting the linked article.
17. What are Genetically Modified Crops?
India will import genetically modified (GM) soyameal for the first time to be used as livestock feed. This is an evergreen topic from which a candidate can always expect a question. Revise key facts about the Genetically Modified Crops by visiting the linked article.
18. What is the LIFI Technology?
Recently, Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) institute got LiFi network. In 2016, a similar question appeared in the UPSC Prelims, which makes it an important topic. Go through the LIFI Technology and read key facts.
19. What is Satellite Internet Service?
Recently, the government issued a public advisory to stop Starlink Internet Services from offering satellite-based services in India and asked citizens not to subscribe to it as it is not licensed in India. Satellite Internet Services is a wireless internet connection which uses satellites in space to get an internet signal from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to users. Learn more about the Satellite Internet Services, by visiting the linked article.
20. The term ModifiedElephant has been seen in the news in the recent times, what is ModifiedElephant?
An American Agency, SentinelOne recently found that a hacking group ModifiedElephant had allegedly planted incriminating evidence on the personal devices of Indian human rights activists, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers and academics. The news gathered alot of attention. UPSC often asks such new terms in news. Read more about the ModifiedElephant in the linked article.
21. What are the concerns related to Facial Recognition Technology?
Recently, Government has approved the implementation of the National Automated Facial Recognition System (NAFRS), and it is to be used by police pan-India. Learn more about the Facial Recognition technology, by visiting the linked article.
22. What is the significance of Quantum Communication?
Recently, scientists from Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre and Physical Research Laboratory successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement. Quantum communication is one of the safest ways of connecting two places with high levels of code and quantum cryptography that cannot be decrypted or broken by an external entity.
As space topics are often asked in UPSC, so revise Quantum communication and Quantum Entanglement and other related terms, which have been in news.
Related links-
23. What is Pegasus, which has been in news recently?
Recently a spyware tool called Pegasus, developed by an Israeli firm, the NSO Group, was used to spy on journalists and human rights activists in India. Learn more about Pegasus, by visiting the linked article.
24. What is BHUVAN?
Bhuvan is the national geo-portal developed and hosted by ISRO comprising geospatial data, services, and tools for analysis. Since it has been developed by ISRO, it is an important topic. Learn about BHUVAN in detail, by visiting the linked article.
25. What is Coal based Hydrogen?
Recently, the Ministry of Coal constituted a Task Force and Expert Committee to prepare the roadmap for Coal based Hydrogen production. Since it is a government initiative it is important.
Coal is one of the important sources of hydrogen making (Brown Hydrogen) apart from Natural Gas (Grey hydrogen) and renewable energy (Green Hydrogen)through electrolysis. Learn more about the Coal based Hydrogen in the linked article.
Motivation for UPSC Prelims 2022 – Revision Tips
A week before the UPSC Prelims, it is common to have doubts and to feel exhausted. Aspirants, however, should realise that, this is the most crucial time and they should remain calm and motivated. Some tips to stay motivated and improve the performance in the exam are:
- Don’t pick new topics or materials for study or revision just before the exam. Stick with the standard study materials and your hand notes. However tempting it is to study something that has not been covered till now, remember that in the last week what will benefit an aspirant is the revision of the topics already known to the aspirant and not the new topics.
- For History, focus on important personalities, Acts, Years and Books, as topics are always asked from these areas. For Art and Culture, focus more on NCERT for class 11th and topics like Buddhism and Jainism.
- For Polity, make sure you revise the core topics well: Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Parliament, Federal characteristics, etc. As most basic questions are asked from these topics. For Economics– revise important points from budget and economic survey. Also, revise the basic terms like CAR, REPO, Reverse REPO etc.
- For Geography, have a look on Maps, see important locations, that were in news, important rivers, national parks etc. For Environment and Science, revise the current affairs.
- Lastly, maintain your calm and confidence when taking the exam, as confidence is the only thing which can make or break the chances of qualifying the exam.
Important Questions for UPSC Prelims Science and Technology-Download PDF Here
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