General Science — UPSC Questions
General Science.
Previous year questions and Mains practice questions on this exact syllabus topic, collected from every GainingSun analysis mapped to it. Each question links back to the analysis it came from, so you can read the material behind the answer.
Previous year questions (from 7 analyses)
Questions UPSC has set on this syllabus topic, as cited in our analyses.
No directly relevant verified UPSC Mains PYQ is available.
From E100 Fuel Explained: Which Vehicles Can Use It and What It Means for India
No directly relevant verified UPSC Mains PYQ is available.
From AI Mathematical Proofs Explained: What Lean Can Verify and Why Experts Still Matter
Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2020)
From PHP2Shell Explained: Web Security Flaws, AI and India’s Cyber Preparedness
What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2022)
Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2020)
Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber-crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? (UPSC Mains GS3, 2018)
Discuss the potential threats of Cyber-attack and the security framework to prevent it. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2017) Question wording and years cross-checked against the published UPSC GS3 previous-question compilation.
From Rogue AI Agents Access Indian Firms: CERT-In Warning and Cybersecurity Risks Explained
Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (UPSC Mains 2023, GS Paper 3, 150 words, 10 marks)
Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? (UPSC Mains 2018, GS Paper 3, 250 words, 15 marks)
From India's Standalone AI Law Explained: Agentic AI Autonomy, Deepfakes and Safe Harbour
With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
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? A) 1 only B) 2 and 3 C) 1 and 2 D) 3 only Correct Answer: A (UPSC Prelims 2018)
Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development? (UPSC Mains 2016, GS Paper 3)
From Vikram-1 Launch: Why India's First Private Orbital Rocket Marks a New Era in the LEO Race
With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2014) It is a surface-to-surface missile. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A) 1 only B) 2 and 3 only C) 1 and 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Answer: A Explanation: Agni-IV is a two-stage surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by DRDO, so statement 1 is correct. It uses solid propellant, not liquid propellant only, making statement 2 incorrect. Its range is about 4,000 km with a one-tonne payload — not 7,500 km — making statement 3 incorrect. Hence only statement 1 is correct.
From China's SLBM Test Explained: JL-3, Nuclear Triad and the Worries for India, Indo-Pacific
Mains practice questions (from 10 analyses)
Practice questions written for this topic, each tied to the current affairs that would answer it.
Higher ethanol blends can improve India’s energy security, but their sustainability depends on more than vehicle compatibility. Examine with reference to E100 and flex-fuel mobility. (250 words)
From E100 Fuel Explained: Which Vehicles Can Use It and What It Means for India
AI-generated scientific results require more than computational verification to become reliable public knowledge. Discuss with reference to mathematical proof assistants, research ethics and India's scientific capacity. (250 words, 15 marks)
From AI Mathematical Proofs Explained: What Lean Can Verify and Why Experts Still Matter
“Security weaknesses in widely used software can become governance failures across many unrelated organisations.” Examine in the context of PHP2Shell. Discuss the measures India should adopt to strengthen software-dependency security, responsible AI use and continuity of digital public services. (250 words)
From PHP2Shell Explained: Web Security Flaws, AI and India’s Cyber Preparedness
The emergence of autonomous AI agents has fundamentally altered the nature, speed and complexity of cybersecurity threats. Examine the implications of agentic AI for India's digital infrastructure, data protection and national security. Suggest technological, institutional and regulatory measures to ensure the safe and responsible use of autonomous AI systems. (250 words, 15 marks)
From Rogue AI Agents Access Indian Firms: CERT-In Warning and Cybersecurity Risks Explained
India's regulatory response to artificial intelligence has so far relied on subordinate legislation under the Information Technology Act, 2000, sectoral regulation and non-binding national guidelines. In the light of the emergence of agentic AI and synthetically generated content, critically examine whether India requires a dedicated standalone AI statute, and discuss the principles on which liability should be allocated across the AI value chain. (250 words, 15 marks)
From India's Standalone AI Law Explained: Agentic AI Autonomy, Deepfakes and Safe Harbour
The success of India's first private orbital launch marks a shift from a state-monopoly space programme to a broader national space ecosystem. Discuss the strategic and economic significance of private launch capability for India in the context of the global race for Low Earth Orbit, and examine the policy and structural bottlenecks that must be addressed to sustain it. (250 words, 15 marks) (GS Paper 3)
From Vikram-1 Launch: Why India's First Private Orbital Rocket Marks a New Era in the LEO Race
China's first submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile test in international waters signals the maturation of its nuclear triad and a shift away from minimum deterrence. Examine the implications of China's evolving nuclear posture for India's security, and suggest measures India should take to strengthen the credibility and survivability of its own nuclear deterrent. (250 words, 15 marks)
From China's SLBM Test Explained: JL-3, Nuclear Triad and the Worries for India, Indo-Pacific
Discuss the public health, regulatory and ethical challenges associated with the rise of GLP-1-based anti-obesity medicines. How should India balance pharmaceutical innovation with prevention-based obesity control?
From Monthly GLP-1 Obesity Shot: Berobenatide and India’s Weight Crisis Explained
Space weather poses a growing threat to modern technological infrastructure. In this context, discuss the scientific significance of missions that study the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, and examine how such international collaborations complement India's own space-science efforts. (250 words)
Discuss the role of regulatory T cells in maintaining immune tolerance and evaluate the potential impact of the 2025 Nobel Prize discoveries on the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer in the Indian context.