UPSC Prelims Science and Technology – Daily Questions Series: As the UPSC Prelims 2025 approaches, aspirants must focus on mastering key topics in Science and Technology. The UPSC Prelims is known for its dynamic nature, especially in subjects like Science & Technology, which are driven by recent advancements and government initiatives. This compilation of UPSC Prelims Important Questions is designed to help candidates prepare effectively by covering UPSC Prelims Science and Technology Expected Topics. The questions are meticulously curated to reflect the latest trends, ensuring a strong grasp of concepts that are crucial for success in UPSC Prelims 2025. Each question is accompanied by a detailed explanation to provide conceptual clarity, making this an invaluable resource for revision and practice.
Questions
- Consider the following statements regarding microRNA:
- It is a type of coding RNA that aids in gene expression.
- It binds with mRNA to prevent its translation into proteins.
- microRNA is primarily found in prokaryotic organisms.
- Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3 only
- The Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 was awarded for contributions to which of the following fields?
- (a) Higgs Boson discovery
- (b) Artificial Neural Networks
- (c) Quantum Entanglement
- (d) Gravitational Waves
- Which of the following correctly describes the function of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy?
- (a) It modifies T-cells to enhance their ability to fight cancer.
- (b) It introduces genetically modified bacteria into the human gut for better digestion.
- (c) It involves transplanting foreign genes into embryos to treat hereditary diseases.
- (d) It is a process to extract T-cells from the body and use them to repair damaged tissues.
- The gene-editing technique “Bridge Recombinase Mechanism (BRM)” primarily involves:
- (a) The use of artificial nucleases to cut DNA sequences.
- (b) The transfer of genetic material between different organisms.
- (c) The use of jumping genes to modify DNA flexibly.
- (d) The introduction of CRISPR technology for genome sequencing.
- Which of the following is NOT a feature of the One Day One Genome initiative?
- (a) It aims to publish one microbial genome daily.
- (b) It is an initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- (c) It is focused on microbial genomics.
- (d) It helps in understanding bacterial species in India.
- Which of the following statements about exosomes is correct?
- (a) They are used for waste removal in cells and cannot be utilized in drug delivery.
- (b) Exosomes can serve as carriers for gene editing platforms.
- (c) They are a type of bacteria that help in digestion.
- (d) Exosomes are exclusively found in plant cells.
- Consider the following statements about Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX):
- It aims to test autonomous docking in space.
- It involves two spacecraft named Chaser and Target.
- It is a joint initiative between ISRO and NASA.
- Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, and 3
- The term “Quantum Advantage” often seen in news refers to:
- (a) The superior computational power of quantum computers over classical computers.
- (b) The ability of quantum particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously.
- (c) The process of entangling two quantum states.
- (d) The theoretical limit of quantum computing power.
- Which of the following is the first country to allow Heritable Human Genome Editing (HHGE)?
- (a) USA
- (b) UK
- (c) South Africa
- (d) China
- Which one of the following correctly explains the function of a Fluorescent Nanodiamond?
(a) It is used in high-resolution imaging.
(b) It is a semiconductor used in space technology.
(c) It is a type of carbon fiber used in aerospace engineering.
(d) It is used in nuclear reactors for radiation shielding.
- Which of the following statements about Blockchain technology is correct?
(a) It is a centralized system for data storage.
(b) It allows for a distributed and immutable ledger system.
(c) It is exclusively used for cryptocurrency transactions.
(d) It does not require cryptographic security mechanisms.
- The BharatGen Programme, recently launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology, focuses on:
(a) Generative AI models tailored for Indian languages.
(b) Large-scale genetic modification of crops.
(c) Development of India’s own space station.
(d) Improving the accuracy of quantum computing models.
- Which of the following best describes the function of a Piezoelectric Polymer?
(a) Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
(b) Acts as an insulator in semiconductor devices.
(c) Generates chemical energy in biological cells.
(d) Is used exclusively in the aerospace industry.
- Consider the following statements about 4D printing technology:
It allows printed objects to change shape over time.
It requires an external stimulus like heat or moisture.
It has applications in medical implants and soft robotics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
- The Vishvasya: National Blockchain Technology Stack was launched to:
(a) Provide blockchain infrastructure for secure transactions.
(b) Replace the existing UPI payment system.
(c) Create a national cryptocurrency.
(d) Develop quantum-safe cryptographic systems.
- Which of the following statements is correct regarding Neuralink’s Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)?
(a) It directly translates brain signals into digital commands.
(b) It is used only for memory enhancement in healthy individuals.
(c) It operates independently of external devices.
(d) It relies solely on optical signals for data transmission.
- The Li-Fi technology differs from traditional Wi-Fi in that it:
(a) Uses light waves instead of radio waves.
(b) Has a lower data transfer rate than Wi-Fi.
(c) Cannot be used in secure environments like hospitals.
(d) Is less energy-efficient compared to Wi-Fi.
- The significance of the Higgs Boson, often called the “God Particle,” lies in:
(a) Providing mass to elementary particles.
(b) Enabling nuclear fusion in stars.
(c) Acting as a fundamental unit of dark matter.
(d) Being the only known particle with negative mass.
- Which of the following is true about India’s supercomputing mission?
(a) The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) aims to develop indigenous supercomputers.
(b) India’s first supercomputer was developed under this mission.
(c) India currently does not have any supercomputers in the global top 100 list.
(d) The mission focuses exclusively on meteorological predictions.
- The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project is significant because:
(a) It will be the world’s largest radio telescope.
(b) It is located entirely within India.
(c) It will replace the Hubble Space Telescope.
(d) It is focused on asteroid mining.
- The Chandrayaan-3 mission was primarily designed to:
(a) Achieve a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole.
(b) Carry human astronauts to Mars.
(c) Deploy a satellite to track solar activity.
(d) Establish a permanent lunar base.
- The primary objective of the Aditya-L1 mission is to:
(a) Study the Sun’s corona and its impact on space weather.
(b) Monitor asteroids approaching Earth.
(c) Explore Saturn’s rings.
(d) Analyze black hole radiation.
- Which of the following statements about mRNA vaccines is correct?
(a) They use a harmless genetic code to instruct cells to produce an immune response.
(b) They introduce weakened forms of viruses into the body.
(c) They are only effective against bacterial infections.
(d) They have no application outside COVID-19 vaccination.
- The Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO) aims to:
(a) Detect and study neutrinos to understand fundamental physics.
(b) Observe gamma-ray bursts from deep space.
(c) Predict earthquakes using seismic neutrinos.
(d) Replace the Large Hadron Collider in CERN.
- The concept of “Quantum Supremacy” refers to:
(a) A quantum computer outperforming the best classical supercomputers in a specific task.
(b) The theoretical concept that quantum particles can travel faster than light.
(c) A state where a quantum system remains in two states indefinitely.
(d) The dominance of quantum encryption over classical encryption.
Answer Key and Explanations
Answer Key and Explanations
- (b) 2 only – microRNA (miRNA) is a small, non-coding RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in gene regulation. It binds with messenger RNA (mRNA) and prevents translation into proteins. Unlike mRNA, which carries genetic information for protein synthesis, miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. They are primarily found in eukaryotic cells and play a key role in cellular functions such as development, differentiation, and apoptosis.
- (b) Artificial Neural Networks – The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for groundbreaking work in Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), a fundamental technology behind modern AI. These networks mimic the structure of the human brain, enabling advanced machine learning models.
- (a) It modifies T-cells to enhance their ability to fight cancer. – CAR-T cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy where a patient’s T-cells are genetically modified to attack cancer cells. It has shown significant success in treating certain types of blood cancers.
- (c) The use of jumping genes to modify DNA flexibly. – BRM is a natural DNA editing mechanism that leverages transposable elements (jumping genes) to enable genetic modifications.
- (b) It is an initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). – The One Day One Genome initiative is led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and aims to publish annotated microbial genomes daily, enhancing genetic research in India.
- (b) Exosomes can serve as carriers for gene editing platforms. – Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that play a critical role in intercellular communication. They have potential applications in drug delivery and genetic therapy.
- (a) 1 and 2 only – SPADEX is an ISRO initiative aimed at developing autonomous docking technology using two satellites, Chaser and Target. NASA is not involved in this project.
- (a) The superior computational power of quantum computers over classical computers. – Quantum Advantage refers to a quantum computer’s ability to solve problems faster than classical computers.
- (c) South Africa – South Africa became the first country to approve Heritable Human Genome Editing (HHGE), a controversial advancement in genetic engineering.
- (a) It is used in high-resolution imaging. – Fluorescent Nanodiamonds are used in medical imaging, biological sensing, and quantum computing due to their stable optical properties.
- (b) It allows for a distributed and immutable ledger system. – Blockchain ensures secure, decentralized transactions and is widely used beyond cryptocurrencies, including in supply chain management and digital identities.
- (a) Generative AI models tailored for Indian languages. – BharatGen is focused on developing multimodal AI systems for Indian linguistic diversity.
- (a) Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. – Piezoelectric polymers generate an electrical charge when subjected to mechanical stress, useful in sensors and medical implants.
- (d) 1, 2, and 3 – 4D printing enables objects to change shape over time with external stimuli, useful in robotics and medicine.
- (a) Provide blockchain infrastructure for secure transactions. – Vishvasya aims to strengthen India’s digital ecosystem with blockchain applications.
- (a) It directly translates brain signals into digital commands. – Neuralink’s BCI can help restore movement and communication in individuals with paralysis.
- (a) Uses light waves instead of radio waves. – Li-Fi has the potential for ultra-fast wireless communication with greater security.
- (a) Providing mass to elementary particles. – The Higgs Boson is fundamental in the Standard Model of particle physics.
- (a) The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) aims to develop indigenous supercomputers. – India is building its supercomputing capabilities for research and technological advancements.
- (a) It will be the world’s largest radio telescope. – The SKA will help in deep-space studies and early universe observations.
- (a) Achieve a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole. – Chandrayaan-3 aims to explore lunar water ice and geological features.
- (a) Study the Sun’s corona and its impact on space weather. – Aditya-L1 is India’s first dedicated solar mission.
- (a) They use a harmless genetic code to instruct cells to produce an immune response. – mRNA vaccines teach cells to generate an immune response without using live viruses.
- (a) Detect and study neutrinos to understand fundamental physics. – The INO will explore neutrino properties to gain insights into cosmic events.
- (a) A quantum computer outperforming the best classical supercomputers in a specific task. – Quantum Supremacy marks a major milestone in computational science.