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Science & Technology

923 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2021 · Q72Science & TechnologyEnergy & Environmentmoderate

With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? 1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps. 2. As street-lights, sodium lamps have 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.

  1. (a)3 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2020 · Q38Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

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 :

  1. (a)1, 2, 3 and 5 only
  2. (b)1, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)2, 4 and 5 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Official answer(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

2020 · Q39Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct ? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm. 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 :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)1, 2 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4 only
  4. (d)2, 3 and 4 only
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Official answer(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

2020 · Q40Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

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 ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2 only
  3. (c)2 only
  4. (d)1 and 3 only
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Official answer(d) 1 and 3 only

2020 · Q41Science & TechnologyMaterials & Engineeringdifficult

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. 3. They can be used in biochemical sensors. 4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

2020 · Q44Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticsmoderate

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 ?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2020 · Q45Science & TechnologyHealth & Diseasesmoderate

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 :

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 1 and 2 only

2020 · Q47Science & TechnologyBiologyeasy

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 membrane unlike animal cells which do. 3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2020 · Q55Science & TechnologyEnergy & Environmentmoderate

In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not ?

  1. (a)Some use uranium and others use thorium
  2. (b)Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies
  3. (c)Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises
  4. (d)Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned
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Official answer(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies

2020 · Q60Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

In India, under cyber insurance for individuals, which of the following benefits are generally covered, in addition to payment for the loss of funds and other benefits ? 1. Cost of restoration of the computer system in case of malware disrupting access to one’s computer 2. Cost of a new computer if some miscreant wilfully damages it, if proved so 3. Cost of hiring a specialized consultant to minimize the loss in case of cyber extortion 4. Cost of defence in the Court of Law if any third party files a suit Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 4 only
  2. (b)1, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)2 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

2019 · Q32Science & TechnologySpace Technology & Astronomymoderate

For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2019 · Q43Science & TechnologyEnergy & Environmentmoderate

In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements : 1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions. 2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions. 3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses. 4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4