SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

STRATEGY
SYLLABUS
PRELIMS
• Current events of national and international importance
• General Science

MAINS
• Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects
in everyday life
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of
technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology,
biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Topic Break-Up
• Space
• Energy
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
• IT and Communication
• Defence
• Diseases
• Intellectual Property Rights
• General Science
Challenges
• No Proper Source
• Diversity of Topics
• Current Affairs
• Highly unpredictable paper
 TREND ANALYSIS (PRELIMS)
PRELIMS (2011 – 2020)
18

16 16 16
16
15 15

14
13 13
12 12 12
12

10

0
Year
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
 TREND ANALYSIS (MAINS)
MAINS (2013 – 2020)
4.5

4 4 4 4 4
4

3.5

3 3 3
3

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
Category 1
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
 Topic-wise Analysis
PRELIMS (2011-2020)
16

14

12

10

0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Physics Chemistry Biology Technology
Key Areas – and how to identify
them?
1. Major scientific breakthrough
2. Major running stories in the field of science and technology
3. Static areas of the syllabus related to categories 1 and 2
4. Government programmes and initiatives
5. New Technology-related Advertisements
Example Previous Year
Questions
PRELIMS 2020
According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be
used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?
1. Cassava
2. Damaged wheat grains
3. Groundnut seeds
4. Horse gram
5. Rotten potatoes
6. Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:
1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of
human body.A
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) I, 2, 3 and 4
“The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the
shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides ones 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
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
 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
With reference to "Blockchain Technology', consider the following statements
:
1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user
controls.
2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it
are about cryptocurrency only.
3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be
developed without anybody's permission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Prelims 2019
Q1) Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of
light-years away from the earth. What is the significance of this observation?
(2019)
(a) ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
(b) ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
(c) Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
(d) It enabled the scientists to understand to ‘singularity’.
 Prelims 2019
Q2) 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 a 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 smart-phone or PC.
4. VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, providing complete
immersion experience.
Which of the statements given above
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 and 4
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) 4 only
Prelims 2019
Q3) With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the
following statements is not correct? (2019)
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.
Prelims 2019
Q4) In the context of wearable technology, which of the following tasks is/
are accomplished by wearable devices? (2019)
1. Local 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
Prelims 2019
Q5) With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the
difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over
Long-Term Evolution)? (2019)
1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed ns
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
PRELIMS 2018
Q1) With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in
India, consider the following statements :
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
PRELIMS 2018
Q2) Consider the following pairs :
Terms sometimes seen in news Context /Topic
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
PRELIMS 2018
Q3) The alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart
mirror 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
term" best applies to the above scenario?
(a) Border Gateway Protocol
(b) Internet of Things
(c) Internet Protocol
(d) Virtual Private Network
PRELIMS 2017
Q1) What is the purpose of ‘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
PRELIMS 2017
Q2) 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
PRELIMS 2017
Q3) Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are used to create digital display 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
PRELIMS 2017
Q4) Which of the following is a most likely consequence of
implementing the ‘Unified Payments Interface (UPI)’?
(a) Mobile wallets will not be necessary for online payments.
(b) Digital currency will totally replace the physical currency in
about two decades.
(c) FDI inflows will drastically increase.
(d) Direct transfer of subsidies to poor people will become very
effective.
Mains 2020

1. What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in

health sector? (150 words)
2. How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking
changes in agriculture triggered off by the science-based technologies?
(150 words)
3. COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide.
However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win
over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid
management of the pandemic. (250 words)
4. Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast
to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by
our Government for this purpose? (250 words)
Mains 2019
1. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit
our space programme? (150 words)
2. How is the government of India protecting traditional knowledge of
medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (250 words)
3. How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers? (250
words)
MAINS 2018
1. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof.
Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of
Physics.
2. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our
country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?
3. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its
nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated
with nuclear energy.
4. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS)
needed? How does it help in navigation?
MAINS 2017
1. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical
conditions including leukaemia, Thallessemia, damaged sornea and severe burns.
Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other
treatments?
2. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the
Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space
mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically
3. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in
India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?
4. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of
the Earth?
MAINS 2016
1. Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved
pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief
the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
2. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and
Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in
its socio-economic development?
3. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century?
Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on
Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the
development process of the country.
SOURCES
• Newspapers
• PIB
• Science Reporter
• Down to Earth
• Yojana
• Kurukshetra
• NCERTs
• Government Websites/Reports