Science & Technology

Statement 1 is correct. Near Field Communication (NFC) is indeed a contactless communication technology that relies on electromagnetic radio fields to transmit data between devices in close proximity.

Statement 2 is incorrect. NFC operates over a very short range, typically requiring devices to be within a few centimetres of each other for successful communication. A meter is far too large a distance for NFC to function effectively.

Statement 3 is correct. NFC can employ encryption to safeguard sensitive information during transmission. This is an important security feature for applications like contactless payments.


Statement 1 is correct: National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF) is indeed an autonomous body established under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Government of India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NIF's focus is not on highly advanced scientific research but rather on recognizing and supporting grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge developed by individuals and communities. These innovations often come from outside the formal scientific establishment. So, NIF works on a different level than collaborating with advanced foreign institutions, although its work can complement scientific research efforts.

IceCube is a particle detector at the South Pole that records the interactions of a nearly massless subatomic particle called the neutrino.

IceCube searches for neutrinos from the most violent astrophysical sources, events like exploding stars, gamma-ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena involving black holes and neutron stars.

Statement 1 is correct: IceCube is the world's largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.

Statement 2 is correct: The IceCube telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter and could reveal the physical processes associated with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy particles in nature.

Statement 3 is correct: It is buried beneath the surface, extending to about 2,500 meters. Burying it deep in ice is important to enhance the precision of the detector.

In addition to exploring the background of neutrinos produced in the atmosphere, IceCube studies the neutrinos themselves; their energies far exceed those produced by accelerator beams.

Thus, all three statements are correct.

Assessment of crop productivity: IRS satellites capture data that helps assess crop health, growth stage, and potential yield. Locating groundwater resources: Remote sensing allows for studying geological features and identifying potential zones with underground water reserves. Mineral exploration: IRS data can reveal signatures of specific minerals on the Earth's surface, aiding in mineral exploration activities. Telecommunications: IRS satellites are not designed for telecommunication purposes. Geostationary satellites are typically used for this function. Traffic studies: While remote sensing can be used for some traffic studies (e.g., analyzing transportation infrastructure), it's not the primary application of IRS satellites.

Therefore, only 1,2 and 3 are primary applications of IRS satellites.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

- The GEAC is responsible for the appraisal of proposals involving the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014 was presented to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

- It was awarded in recognition of its path-breaking achievements, especially the Mars Orbiter Mission; its significant contributions in strengthening international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space etc.

- The award consists of a trophy made of banded Haematite Jasper, with a portrait of the late Prime Minister in the tradition of Jaipur miniature paintings, a cash award of Rs. 1 Crore and a Citation.

Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were in the news for the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

The most widespread outbreak of the Ebola virus disease began in 2013 and continued until 2016, causing major loss of life and socio-economic disruption in the West African region, mainly in the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The first cases were recorded in Guinea in December 2013. Later, the disease spread to neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Hibernation is a state of decreased physiological activity and lowered body temperature that certain animals, such as bats and bears, undergo during the winter months to conserve energy and survive periods of limited food availability.

Statement 1 is correct: Bats, especially those living in temperate regions, often enter a state of hibernation during the colder months when their food sources (insects) are scarce.

Statement 2 is correct: Bears, including the brown bear, black bear, and polar bear, are well-known hibernators.

Statement 3 is correct: Many rodent species, including groundhogs and chipmunks, are true hibernators.

Thus, all three statements are correct.

A transgenic crop is a genetically modified organism (GMO).

Transgenic indicates that a transfer of genes has occurred using recombinant DNA technology. Generally, a transgenic crop contains one or more genes that have been inserted artificially either from an unrelated plant or from different species altogether.

Technique 1 is incorrect: Budding and grafting in fruit plants does not include genetic editing or modification. Thus, option 1 is eliminated.

Technique 2 is correct: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a condition where plants cannot produce viable pollen. It is typically controlled by genes in the cytoplasm. While CMS can occur naturally, it can also be introduced or manipulated using genetic engineering techniques to create transgenic lines for more efficient hybrid seed production.

Technique 3 is correct: Gene silencing technique uses engineered genetic material to specifically suppress the expression of certain genes in a plant. This allows scientists to modify the plant's characteristics at the genetic level, which is the hallmark of transgenic crops.

Thus, the right answer is option 'B'.

Crystallization of sodium chloride: This is a physical change. The sodium chloride (table salt) is changing its form from a dissolved state in water to a solid crystal structure, but the chemical composition remains NaCl.

Melting of ice: Similar to crystallization, melting of ice is a physical change. Water (H2O) molecules are rearranging from a rigid solid structure to a more fluid liquid state, but the chemical makeup stays the same.

Souring of milk: This is a chemical change. Milk sugar (lactose) is broken down by bacteria into lactic acid. This process involves the formation of new substances and alters the chemical composition of the milk.

Therefore, only statement 3 is an example of a chemical change.

Statement 1 is Correct: Iris scanning uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on images of the iris, which contains complex and unique patterns that remain stable throughout a person's life. Statement 2 is Correct: Retinal scanning identifies individuals by mapping the unique patterns of blood vessels on the retina at the back of the eye, which is a highly accurate physiological biometric. Statement 3 is Correct: Voice recognition identifies individuals based on unique vocal characteristics, including physical traits of the vocal tract and behavioral patterns like pitch and cadence.

Mites, scorpions, and spiders are all classified within the class Arachnida.

Crabs, although arthropods like the others belong to the class Crustacea.

Therefore, the crab is the odd one out due to its different taxonomic classification.

Statement 1 is Correct: Vegetative propagation is a form of asexual reproduction where new plants are grown from the vegetative parts (roots, stems, or leaves) of a single parent. Since there is no fusion of gametes, the offspring are genetically identical to the parent, forming a clonal population.

Statement 2 is Incorrect: This method does not eliminate viruses; rather, it tends to propagate them. If the parent plant is infected with a virus, the pathogen is typically transmitted to the new plant because the offspring is developed directly from the infected parent's tissues.

Statement 3 is Correct: Unlike sexual reproduction, which is dependent on specific seasonal cycles of flowering, pollination, and seed formation, vegetative propagation can be practiced throughout most of the year as it relies on mature vegetative organs that are often available regardless of the plant's reproductive phase.

During photosynthesis, solar energy is converted into chemical energy and stored in sugar molecule bonds. This chemical bond energy is potential (stored) energy.


Statement 1 is correct: Agni-IV is indeed a surface-to-surface missile. It is designed to launch from land-based mobile platforms and strike targets on the ground.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Agni-IV is a two-stage, solid-fueled missile. It does not rely on liquid propellants.

Statement 3 is also incorrect: The reported range of Agni-IV is around 4,000 km, not 7,500 km. Additionally, its payload capacity is estimated to be around 1,000 kg (one tonne), but its specific warhead capabilities are not publicly disclosed.


Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The Cassini-Huygens mission was a joint NASA/ESA/ASI mission to study the planet Saturn and its system of rings and moons. The Huygens probe successfully landed on Saturn's largest moon, Titan.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: The MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) was a NASA spacecraft that orbited the planet Mercury from 2011 to 2015, studying its chemical composition, geology, and magnetic field.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: These twin NASA spacecraft were launched in 1977 to conduct a "Grand Tour" of the outer planets. They provided detailed images and data on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune and are now continuing their journey into interstellar space.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Government introduced the Pentavalent vaccine, which also fights against Diphtheria. This implies that Diphtheria is still prevalent.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Chickenpox is still widespread among the population.

Statement 3 is correct: Smallpox has been eradicated from India. India declared itself free of smallpox in 1979.

An optical illusion is a perception that differs from physical reality, often caused by atmospheric effects or the brain's processing of visual information.

Size of the sun at dusk is an optical illusion: The sun appears larger near the horizon than when it's high in the sky, even though its actual angular size is unchanged. This is a psychological illusion caused by our brain misinterpreting distance cues.

Colour of the sun at dawn is an optical illusion: The sun appears red because its light travels through more of the atmosphere, which scatters away blue light. This phenomenon, known as Rayleigh scattering, creates a perception of color that differs from the sun's actual light.

Moon being visible at dawn is not an optical illusion: This is a real astronomical event. The moon is often in a position in its orbit where it is bright enough to be seen during daylight hours.

The twinkle of stars in the sky is an optical illusion: Stars don't actually blink. Their light is refracted by turbulent layers in Earth's atmosphere, causing their apparent brightness to change rapidly, which we perceive as twinkling.

Polestar being visible in the sky is not an optical illusion: This is a real phenomenon based on celestial mechanics. The Polestar's apparent fixed position is due to its close alignment with the Earth's axis of rotation

Higgs Boson is a particle postulated by the Standard Model of Physics to provide mass to all particles in the universe.

Statement 1 is correct: Discovery of the Higgs Boson will help us further understand why elementary particles have mass.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The technology of transferring physical matter without traversing the physical space in between is not presently related to the discovery of the Higgs Boson.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Higgs Boson will not help in creating better fuels for nuclear fission. It has to be understood that the discovery of the Higgs Boson will only confirm what has already been theorised and is not the discovery of a new principle in Physics.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The collision of clouds does not produce thunder.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of air due to the intense heat of lightning, not by the separation of clouds.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Strong updrafts contribute to cloud formation but do not directly cause thunder.

Thus, none of the above produces the thunder.

Explanation: Thunder is produced by the rapid expansion of air surrounding a lightning bolt, which creates a shock wave that we hear as sound. None of the options directly describes this mechanism.


Statement 1 is Correct: Recombinant DNA technology allows for the movement of genes across different plant species to introduce desirable traits, such as transferring genes from wild grass species to cultivated wheat to improve disease resistance.

Statement 2 is Correct: Genes can be transferred from animals to plants. A well-known research example involves transferring antifreeze protein genes from cold-water fish (like the winter flounder) into plants like tomatoes and strawberries to enhance their frost tolerance.

Statement 3 is Correct: Genes from microorganisms are routinely transferred to higher organisms (plants and animals). For example, genes from the soil bacterium *Bacillus thuringiensis* (Bt) are transferred into crops like cotton and corn to provide resistance against lepidopteran pests.

Statement A is incorrect: Gravity is actually the weakest of the four fundamental forces for a given distance.

Statement B is correct: Electromagnetism acts only on charged particles, where the charge can be negative or positive.

Statement C is correct: The weak force is responsible for the existence and structure of atomic nuclei, including radioactivity and nuclear fusion.

Statement D is correct: Strong nuclear force is responsible for holding protons and neutrons together inside the atomic nucleus and is 100 times stronger than electromagnetism.

A ball bearing is a type of Rolling element bearing that uses the ball to maintain the separation between the bearing races. The purpose of round ball bearings is to reduce the surface area of contact between the object being moved and the one which is providing the power.

Thus, reduced area means less friction and more efficiency. The balls have a much lower coefficient of friction than the two flat surfaces sliding against each other.


Aflatoxins are poisonous carcinogens that are produced by certain moulds (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus), which grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grain.

Statement 1 is correct: Viruses do not have metabolic machinery of their own. They lack enzymes needed for ATP generation and therefore must depend entirely on a host cell.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Viruses cannot be grown on artificial or synthetic media. They need living host cells (bacteria, plants, animals, or cell cultures) to replicate.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Transmission can occur through: - Physical contact, respiratory droplets - Contaminated water/food - Airborne routes - Fomites (inanimate objects) - Biological vectors (mosquitoes, ticks, etc.)

Hence, vectors are not the only mode of transmission.

* Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that cannot be spread through tattooing.

* Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can lead to liver failure and cancer. It's spread through contact with the blood, open sores, or body fluids of an infected person.

* HIV is a virus that destroys the white blood cells responsible for fighting infections. It can result in AIDS, the final stage of infection. It spreads mainly through unprotected sex, sharing drug needles, or contact with infected blood.

Statement 1 is correct: Mycorrhizae: - Greatly increase the effective root surface area - Improve water absorption - Help plants withstand drought stress

Statement 2 is correct: Mycorrhizal fungi help plants: - Grow in acidic or alkaline soils - Access nutrients even when pH reduces their availability

Statement 3 is correct: Mycorrhizae offer bioprotection: - Compete with soil pathogens - Produce antibiotics - Strengthen plant immune responses

Dispersion, Refraction and Internal reflection are all involved.

| Phenomenon | Role in rainbow formation | |------------|---------------------------| | Refraction | Sunlight bends when it enters the raindrop and again when it exits, changing direction at each air–water boundary. | | Dispersion | Different wavelengths refract by slightly different angles, so the white light spreads into its constituent colours inside the drop. | | Internal reflection | Part of the dispersed light reflects from the rear surface of the droplet and heads back toward the observer, making the coloured arc visible. |

Thus, the combined effect of Refraction → Dispersion → Internal Reflection → Refraction in order produces the familiar rainbow spectrum.


Fruits remain biologically active even after harvesting. They continue to undergo respiration, a metabolic process in which stored sugars are broken down to release energy. This respiration accelerates ripening and eventual spoilage.

Cold storage works primarily by lowering temperature, which slows down enzymatic and metabolic processes inside the fruit. As temperature decreases, the rate of respiration decreases, delaying ripening and reducing microbial activity. This significantly increases the storage life of fruits.

Root hairs are extremely delicate, thin-walled outgrowths of the root epidermis that are primarily responsible for the absorption of water and minerals from the soil. During the process of transplantation, these fragile root hairs are often broken or lost. Without a sufficient number of root hairs, the seedling cannot absorb enough water to sustain itself in the new environment, which is why many transplanted seedlings fail to grow or survive.