1. Home
  2. Unsolved Questions
  3. UPSC
  4. Civil Services Prelims Examination (General Studies Paper)
  5. Prelims
  6. General Studies
  7. GS Paper I

Civil Services Prelims Examination Science & Technology - GS Paper I

Civil Services Examination 2019


1. 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2


2. Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May, 2018?

  1. Australia
  2. Canada
  3. The European Union
  4. The United States of America


3. Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?

  1. Japan
  2. Russia
  3. The United Kingdom
  4. The United States of America


4. 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 is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 and 4
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. 4 only


5. Consider the following statements

A digital signature is

  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 or server on 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?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


6. 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


7. What is Case protein that is often mentioned in news?

  1. A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing
  2. A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients
  3. A gene that makes plants pest resistant
  4. A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops


8. Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

  1. anti-malarial drug
  2. biodiesel
  3. pulp for paper industry
  4. textile fibre


Civil Services Examination 2018


1. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:

  1. PSLVs launch the 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-stage 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?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 2
  4. 3 only


2. 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 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 terms best applies to the above scenario?

  1. Border Gateway Protocol
  2. Internet of Things
  3. Internet Protocol
  4. Virtual Private Network


3. 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?

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


4. With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:

  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?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. None


5. The terms WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to

  1. Exoplanets
  2. Cryptocurrency
  3. Cyber attacks
  4. Mini satellites


6. “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:

  1. 1, 3 and 4 only
  2. 2, 3 and 5 only
  3. 1 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5


7. 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


Civil Services Examination 2017


1. It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?

  1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
  2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
  3. Economically viable production necessi-tates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


2. 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:

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. None of the above statements is correct


3. 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


4. What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

  1. To detect neutrinos
  2. To detect gravitational waves
  3. To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
  4. To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems


Civil Services Examination 2016


1. What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

  1. Electric plane tested by NASA
  2. Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan
  3. Space observatory launched by China
  4. Reusable rocket designed by ISRO


2. With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Other than 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 Only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2


3. Regarding ‘Digi-Locker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
  2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 Only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2


4. ‘Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to:

  1. Waste management technology
  2. Wireless communication technology
  3. Solar power production technology
  4. Water conservation technology


5. ‘Net metering’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the:

  1. production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers
  2. use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households
  3. installation of CNG kits in motor cars
  4. installation of water meters in urban households


6. With reference to ‘LiFi’, 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:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2