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Science and Technology

11 UPSC Prelims MCQs tagged "Science and Technology". Free practice with answer keys, explanations, and timed mock tests on Anantam IAS.

Agriculture and Allied Activities 56 Money, Banking and Monetary Policy 43 Environmental Pollution 43 Biotechnology 37 Parliament 33 Climate Change 32 Finance and Financial Markets 29 Emerging Technologies 28 Trade and External Sector 26 Life Sciences 26 Core Concepts and Foundational Science 20 Public Finance in India 19 International Environmental Framework 18 Continents 18 Religions in India 18 Fundamental Rights 18 Concept and Salient Features of the Constitution 17 Indian Biodiversity - Fauna 17 Renewable Energy 16 Major Physical Divisions of India 16 Multilateral Groupings 16 International Institutions 15 Art and Architecture 15 Drainage System 15 Institutional Measures for Environment Conservation 14 Regional Groupings 14 Rivers and Drainage 14 Infrastructure and Investment Models in India 14 Atmosphere 13 Space Technology 13

Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP)…
Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section. Which of the statements given above are **not** correct?
1. AI and II only
2. BII and III only
3. CI and III only
4. DI, II and III
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Statement I: Incorrect The National Rail Plan targets 2030 for a future-ready railway, not 2028.
Statement II: Incorrect Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system developed under 'Make in India', not with Germany.
Statement III: Correct Kavach uses RFID tags on tracks in station sections to track train location and speed continuously.
Therefore, Statements I and II are incorrect, and Statement III is correct.
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Science & Technology UPSC 2025 Medium
With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements…
With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements : 1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding. 2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised. 3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. A1 and 2 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Statement 1 is Correct: Since April 1, 2016, the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) has been implemented as a Central Sector Scheme. Under this revised structure, the Central Government provides 100% funding for the implementation of the programme in all States and Union Territories.
Statement 2 is Correct: A core component of the scheme is the digitization of cadastral maps, which are detailed maps showing the boundaries and ownership of individual land parcels, to ensure accurate and accessible digital land records.
Statement 3 is Correct: The Department of Land Resources has undertaken an initiative to transliterate the Records of Rights (RoR) from local languages into any of the 22 languages recognized by the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India to improve accessibility and transparency across states.
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Indian Society UPSC 2024 Medium
Consider the following pairs : Objects in space: Description 1. Cepheids: Giant clouds of…
Consider the following pairs : Objects in space: Description 1. Cepheids: Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2. Nebulae: Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3. Pulsars: Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
1. AOnly one
2. BOnly two
3. CAll three
4. DNone
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
* Pair 1 is incorrect: Cepheids are actually stars that brighten and dim periodically, not giant clouds of dust and gas.
* Pair 2 is incorrect: Nebulae are giant clouds of dust and gas in space, not stars that brighten and dim periodically. Thus, the first two pairs are reversed.
* Pair 3 is correct: Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that are formed when massive stars exhaust their fuel and collapse.
* So out of the 3 pairs given, only 1 pair (pair 3) is correctly matched.
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Science & Technology UPSC 2023 Medium
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government…
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did. 2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries. 3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centres Select the correct answer using the code given below
1. A1 and 2 only
2. B3 only
3. C2 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
* Statement 1 is not correct: The formation of India's own internet companies, similar to China's approach, is not an aim of the Digital India programme. The initiative focuses on creating digital infrastructure, providing digital services, and promoting digital literacy — not establishing government-backed internet firms.
* Statement 2 is not correct: The Digital India plan does not include any policy framework to attract foreign multinational corporations to build data centres in India. While data localisation and data centre policies have emerged later under different frameworks, they are not part of the original Digital India objectives.
* Statement 3 is correct: One of the key aims of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and to provide Wi-Fi access in schools, public places, and tourist centres. This is part of its core pillars like Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access Programme, and Early Harvest Programmes.
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Indian Society UPSC 2018 Medium
Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi:
Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi:
1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras: People, Planning, and Progress.
2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. A1, 2 and 3
2. B1 and 2 only
3. C2 and 3 only
4. D3 only
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Statement 1 is incorrect — the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi was built on three Sutras: People, Planet, and Progress (not 'Planning'). Statement 2 is incorrect — the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI was acknowledged as a voluntary, non-binding framework, not a binding one; binding obligations were explicitly avoided to respect sovereign discretion. Statement 3 is correct — the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was organised around seven Chakras (Pillars) including AI for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI, alongside others such as sustainability, future of work, and governance. Hence only statement 3 is correct. (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium
Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:
Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme:
1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.
2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.
3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. A1 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1 and 2 only
4. D1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
IN-SPACe, set up in 2020 under DOS, is an autonomous, single-window agency to authorise and promote private participation in space (1 correct). Agnikul Cosmos' Agnibaan SOrTeD (May 2024) was the world's first flight powered by a fully 3D-printed, single-piece semi-cryogenic rocket engine (Agnilet) — (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong: Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram series uses solid and cryogenic stages, not liquid fuel for GSLV; GSLV's liquid and cryogenic stages are developed by ISRO. Hence 1 and 2 only.
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium
Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct?
Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct?
1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. A1 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1 and 2 only
4. D1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
GenomeIndia is funded by the Department of Biotechnology and executed by a consortium led by IISc Bengaluru (2 correct). Its goal is to sequence ~10,000 whole genomes representative of India's population diversity and build a national reference database of genetic variation (3 correct). Statement 1 is wrong: GenomeIndia is an independent Indian initiative launched in 2020, not part of the international Human Genome Project (which concluded in 2003). Hence 2 and 3 only.
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 – 1000 physical qubits.
2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. A1 only
2. B2 only
3. CBoth 1 and 2
4. DNeither 1 nor 2
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
The National Quantum Mission, approved in April 2023 with an outlay of Rs 6,003 crore, targets development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1,000 physical qubits over 8 years (1 correct). It establishes four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) — in quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing & metrology, and quantum materials & devices — across top academic and national R&D institutes (2 correct). Both statements align with the DST mission document, so (c) Both 1 and 2.
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Easy
Which of the following statements with regard to India’s Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?
Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?
1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration.
3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. A1 only
2. B2 and 3 only
3. C1 and 2 only
4. D1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Deep Ocean Mission was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — statement 1 is wrong. Matsya-6000 is the manned submersible being developed by NIOT to carry three persons to 6,000 m depth (2 correct). Samudrayaan is the manned-submersible project under the Deep Ocean Mission (3 correct). Hence 2 and 3 only.
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium
Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?
Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?
1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability.
2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors.
3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. A1 only
2. B1 and 2 only
3. C2 and 3 only
4. D1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
LLMs are next-token predictors: they output a probability distribution over possible next tokens and typically sample from the top-probability candidates (1 correct). Training relies on mathematical optimisation (gradient descent on a loss function) to minimise prediction error across vast corpora (2 correct). Statement 3 is wrong — LLMs inherit and can amplify biases present in their training data, and bias mitigation is an active research problem. Hence 1 and 2 only.
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Medium
Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?
Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct?
1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration.
2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds.
3. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access.
4. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted.
Select the answer using the code given below:
1. A1 and 3
2. B2 and 4 only
3. C1, 2 and 4
4. D1 and 4 only
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Blockchain ledgers are append-only and visible to permissioned stakeholders without alteration risk (1 correct). The distributed ledger is replicated across nodes that sync in seconds (2 correct). Cryptographic hashing plus consensus make recorded blocks effectively immutable (4 correct). Statement 3 describes a consortium chain as a 'blend of public and private blockchains' — strictly, a consortium chain is a type of permissioned blockchain governed by a group of organisations, not a hybrid public-private chain (that is a 'hybrid blockchain'). Hence 1, 2 and 4 are correct. (Early consensus; verify with official UPSC key.)
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Science & Tech UPSC 2026 Hard