Science & Technology in Everyday Life — UPSC Questions

No directly relevant verified UPSC Mains PYQ is available.

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 GS3, 2023)

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)

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)

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)

India aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission. (UPSC Mains 2025, GS Paper 3)

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.

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 GS3, 2023)

Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyberwarfare? Outline the cyber threats that India is vulnerable to and highlight the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with them. (UPSC Mains GS3, 2013)

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)

The emerging AI competition is increasingly a contest over open models, semiconductors, data, standards and global technological ecosystems rather than model performance alone. Examine this statement and discuss the strategy India should adopt to achieve innovation, strategic autonomy and responsible AI governance.

The OpenAI-Hugging Face security incident shows that an AI system need not possess human-like intent to produce serious real-world harm. Examine the risks posed by autonomous AI agents and suggest a techno-legal framework for their safe development and deployment in India.

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)

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)

The transition from ISM 1.0 to Semicon 2.0 marks a shift from subsidising individual chip plants to building a complete semiconductor ecosystem. Critically examine the design of Semicon 2.0, and discuss the role of Centre–state coordination in realising India's ambition of becoming a top semiconductor nation by 2035. (250 words, 15 marks)

Data centres are emerging as the critical infrastructure of the artificial intelligence era, yet India hosts only a small fraction of global capacity despite generating a fifth of the world's data. In light of recent state-level initiatives such as Gujarat's Data Centre Policy 2026-29, examine the opportunities and challenges in making India a global data centre hub, with particular reference to energy, water and environmental sustainability. (250 words, 15 marks)

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)

China's ascent to the top of the global supercomputing rankings using entirely indigenous chips highlights the strategic importance of self-reliance in high-performance computing. In this context, examine the objectives and progress of India's National Supercomputing Mission and the challenges India faces in achieving technological self-reliance in advanced computing. (250 words)

The US restrictions on foreign access to advanced AI models show that frontier AI is emerging as a strategic technology. Discuss the implications of this trend for India’s technological sovereignty, cybersecurity and AI governance.

Critical minerals have become central to economic security, clean energy transition and strategic autonomy. Discuss the significance of rare earth supply chains for India and suggest measures to reduce India’s external vulnerability.

Discuss the transformative potential of AI foundation models like C2S-Scale in accelerating biomedical discoveries, particularly in oncology, while addressing the challenges of experimental validation and ethical integration in global health research.

Discuss the significance of India's breakthrough in quantum random number generation for enhancing digital security, and analyze its implications for national self-reliance in emerging technologies.

Examine the strategic significance of India's indigenous 4G stack export plans in countering China's Digital Silk Road, and discuss its role in achieving telecom self-reliance globally.

Discuss the implications of macroscopic quantum effects in advancing quantum technologies, with reference to their potential role in India's National Quantum Mission and global scientific progress. (250 words

Examine the role of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in advancing sustainable development, with special reference to their applications in climate mitigation and resource management. (250 words)

Discuss the significance of the Gaganyaan mission in the context of India's space program, highlighting its objectives, challenges, and contributions to national development. (250 words)