Prelims GS I · 179 questions · 2011–2026
Science & technology: every Prelims question, by topic
UPSC syllabus: “General Science.” Below, the topics inside it — most asked first — and how often each came up year by year.
Science & technology in Prelims 2018: 12 questions
All years →- Q17 · IT, computing & emerging technologiesThe identity platform 'Aadhaar' provides open "Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)". What does it imply? It can be integrated into any electronic device. Online authentication using iris is poss…
- Q28 · IT, computing & emerging technologiesWith reference to digital payments, consider the following statements: BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account. While a chip-pin debit card has four factor…
- Q33 · Defence, nuclear & energy technologyIn the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’?…
- Q55 · Space technologyIn which of the following areas can GPS technology be used? Mobile phone operations Banking operations Controlling the power grids…
- Q58 · IT, computing & emerging technologiesThe terms ‘WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue’ sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to…
- Q61 · Space technologyWith reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. …
- Q62 · Physics & chemistry in everyday lifeConsider the following phenomena: Light is affected by gravity. The Universe is constantly expanding. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.…
- Q63 · Biotechnology & geneticsWith reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements: GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of …
- Q64 · IT, computing & emerging technologiesConsider the following pairs: Belle II experiment — Artificial Intelligence Blockchain technology — Digital/Cryptocurrency CRISPR – Cas9 — Particle Physics…
- Q66 · IT, computing & emerging technologiesWhen 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 d…
- Q84 · IT, computing & emerging technologies“3D printing” has applications in which of the following? Preparation of confectionery items Manufacture of bionic ears Automotive industry Reconstructive surgeries Data processing technologies…
- Q95 · Space technologyWith reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch co…
Science & technology in UPSC Prelims at a glance
UPSC has asked 179 questions on Science & technology in GS Paper I from 2011 to 2026 — about 11 a year, the most in 2011 (17). The most-asked topic is IT, computing & emerging technologies (47 questions).
| Year | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | 17 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 13 |
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault, each question under its main subject · updated 8 Nov 2026.
- IT, computing & emerging technologies47 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Human body, health & diseases33 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Biotechnology & genetics28 questions · asked in 14 of 16 years
- Physics & chemistry in everyday life26 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Space technology25 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
- Defence, nuclear & energy technology20 questions · asked in 13 of 16 years
Latest questions
- 2026 · Q41 · Biotechnology & geneticsWhich of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct?…
- 2026 · Q42 · IT, computing & emerging technologiesWhich of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct?…
- 2026 · Q43 · Defence, nuclear & energy technologyWhich of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct?…
- 2026 · Q44 · Physics & chemistry in everyday lifeWhich of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct?…
- 2026 · Q46 · Space technologyConsider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:…
The same ground in Mains
These official Mains syllabus lines cover Science & technology. Prelims facts become Mains arguments.
Science & technology PYQs as a PDF — free
All 48 PDFs →Every Science & technology question from 2011 to 2026, topic-wise, with answers and explanations — 94 pages. Free; sign up once.
Science & technology PYQs: quick answers
How many Science & technology questions has UPSC asked in Prelims from 2011 to 2026?
179 questions in GS Paper I — about 11 a year, the most in 2011 (17). Every one is on this page, under its topic, with UPSC's answer and an explanation.
Which Science & technology topic does UPSC ask most in Prelims?
IT, computing & emerging technologies: 47 questions between 2011 and 2026, asked in 13 of 16 years. The topics are listed above, most asked first, each with its year-by-year trend.
Are the answers UPSC's official answer keys?
From 2016, yes: every answer is from UPSC's final answer key (2016–2025); for 2011–2015, where UPSC published no key online, each answer is worked out from official sources and reviewed independently; for 2026 UPSC has so far published a provisional key, and those answers are labelled. Explanations cite official sources — NCERT and government pages first.
Can I download the Science & technology PYQs as a PDF?
Yes — a print-ready PDF of every Science & technology question with answers and explanations (94 pages, 1.9 MB), free after a one-time sign-up, from the Vault's downloads page.
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault; answers are UPSC's keys.
