The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Science and Technology notes serve as an invaluable resource for aspirants preparing for one of the most competitive examinations in India—the Civil Services Examination. With a meticulous focus on the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of science and technology, these notes provide comprehensive coverage of relevant topics that candidates must master to excel in the examination. The UPSC Science and Technology notes are curated to not only impart a deep understanding of fundamental scientific principles but also to keep aspirants abreast of contemporary developments and their implications. As science and technology play a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic fabric of the nation, these notes are designed to equip candidates with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to address the challenges and opportunities that arise in the rapidly advancing world of science and technology.
| Topic | Sub – Topic |
| Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life | India’s Policy in the Field of Science & Technology – The Science & Technology Policy Resolution(1958), Science, Technology & Innovation Policy 2013 and Recent ones. |
| Policies & Reports related to Science – Technology Vision Document 2035, National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020, National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, Policy on Synthetic Biology, Law Commission Report on Human DNA Profiling | |
| Institutional Structures, New Initiatives, Collaboration with Countries in Science Projects | |
| Applications of S&T in daily Life | |
| Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology | Space in India – Satellite Communication in India , INSAT Satellite Applications , Remote Sensing Applications |
| Cryogenic Rockets Engines | |
| Space significance- Role of Space in Development , Global Positioning System , ISRO as Soft Power | |
| Space Treaties – Outer space treaty, Space Activities Bill, 2017, | |
| Space Misc. – Space Race & Weaponisation, Space Debris, Space Tourism. | |
| Space Institutions – ISRO, InSpace, Dept of Space, Major Space Centres | |
| Defence – Missile System and their Classification, India’s Missile System – India’s Ballistic Missile Defence System, UAVs in India, Stealth Technology ,Chemical Weapons, Biological Weapons | |
| IT, Telecom & Electronics – IT Industry in India and its applications | |
| Telecommunication technology – Evolution(1G,2G – 5G,6G), Spectrum band concept and issues | |
| Electronics – New Wearables, Display Technologies, Laser technology – Types, components,Applications, Future scope | |
| Computers – History, Classification, Hardware and Software, Computer Network, Internet, Blockchain Tech, CyberSecurity Mechanisms | |
| Government Initiatives and Contemporary issues | |
| Robotics – Concept, Applications and Challenges, Automation, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence | |
| Nano Science and Nano Technology – Nanoscience, Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials | |
| Applications of Nanotechnology and its impacts – Health, Environmental, Social & Ethical Impacts of Nanotechnology | |
| Nano-Science& Nanotechnology in India | |
| Biotechnology – Techniques and Applications, Biotechnology Projects in India and Bioinformatics, Recombinant DNA Technology(RDT), Stemcells, Transgenic animals, GMOs and Embryology. | |
| Issues – Biopiracy, IPR issues, Ethical Dimensions | |
| Health, Nutrition and Diseases – Nutrition and Nutrients, Organic and Inorganic Substances, Disease – Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases, Genetic Diseases, Immunity – Immunisation and Autoimmunity, Zoonotic diseases | |
| Nuclear Energy – Nuclear Energy, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission, Nuclear Fusion, Radioisotopes, Nuclear-Power Policy of India, Nuclear energy development in India, Non-energy Applications of Nuclear Energy and its challenges. | |
| Institutions involved in Nuclear Energy Development | |
| Impact of Radiation, Issue of Radioactive Waste | |
| Nuclear & Radiological Disasters | |
| Nuclear Diplomacy | |
| Renewable Energy – Types -(Solar,Wind, Tidal, Wave, Geothermal, Fuel Cells, OTEC) & Others. | |
| Achievements of Indians in science & technology | Contribution of Scientists of Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India |
| Issues relating to intellectual property rights. | Concept of IPR and related rights |
| National IPR Policy and recent changes | |
| Issues around IPR | |
| Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. | Big Data Technology |
| Agriculture – Hydroponics, Aeroponics | |
| Narco Analysis, Polygraph and Brain mapping | |
| Transportation Technology – HyperLoop, Hydrogen Fuelcells | |
| Space stations | |
| Indias polar research stations – Himadri | |
| Basic Science – Physics | Basic Units and measurement, Forces and Motions – Centripetel and Centrifugal forces, Momentum |
| Work, Energy and Power – Concepts, Kinetic and Potential Energy, Laws of Conservation | |
| Gravitation – Newtons law, Centre of Gravity, Mass and weight, Planets and Kepler laws of Planetary motion | |
| Matter – Solid, Properties, Surface Tension(factors affecting, applications) and capillarity | |
| Wave, Oscillations and Sound – Characteristics and Properties, Human Ear, SONAR | |
| Heat, Temperature and Thermodynamics – Heat and Temperature, Specific Heat, Humidity, Latent Heat, Change in State – Transmission. | |
| Optics – Light – its Wave nature, Properties, Reflection, Refraction, Image, mirrors and Lenses, Refractive Index, Total Internal Reflection, Dispersion and Scattering of Light, Angle of Deviation, Tyndall Effect, Human Eye, Interference and Diffraction, Polarisation of Light | |
| Electricity and magnetism – Electricity, electric charge, Electric Cell, magnetic effect of current, Magnet – Types, properties, Magnetic field of Earth, Motor, AC-DC current, Transformers | |
| Modern Physics – Photoelectric effect, X Rays, Atomic models and Nucleus, Einstein mass energy relation – Radioactivity and types of radioactivity decay | |
| Universe – Composition, Galaxy and stars, Solar system. | |
| Basic Science – Chemistry | Physical and chemical changes, Matter and its classification, Solutions – colloidal solution and emulsions, Mixture and compounds |
| Atomic Structure – Atoms, Molecules and basic concepts, | |
| Chemical bonding , Chemical Reactions and Equations | |
| Elements and Compounds – Metals(Physical & Chemical Properties), Metallurgy, Minerals, Ore and Gangue, Metals and Non Metals, Noble Gases | |
| Acid,base and Salts and pH scale | |
| Chemistry applications in everyday life – Cleansing agents, soaps, Detergents, Explosives, Fire Extinguishers, Fertilsers and pesticides, Cement, Polymers, Plastics, Rubber, Oil and Fats, Fuels – Solid, Liquid and Hybrid Fuels, Chemicals in food,Medicines,Cosmetics. | |
| Organic Chemistry – Organic compounds, Classification, Hydrocarbons | |
| Environmental Chemistry – Pollution and waste and related chemicals | |
| Basic Science – Biology | Introduction to Biology and Diversity in Living world – Classification of living organisms, system of classification, Economic importance of Fungi and Harmful fungal activities |
| Classification of Plant and Animal Kingdom | |
| Cell – Types, Structural Organisation, Cell Cycle and division | |
| Tissues – Plant tissues, Animal Tissues, Permanent and Mature tissues, Specialised tissues of Animals. | |
| Plant morphology and Physiology – Morphology of Plants, Roots, stems, flowers, Nutrition in Plants, Photosynthesis, Respiration, Transportation,Excretion in Plants, Reproduction in Plants – Types(sexual,asexual) and Plant Diseases. | |
| Human Physiology – Digestion, Digestive Glands, Respiration – Tract, Breathing Mechanism, Disorders, Transportation, Circulatory System, Cardiovascular Diseases, Excretion, Skeletal System and disorders, Neural Coordination – Nervous System and sensory organs, Nucleic Acids, DNA & RNA, Human Endocrine System, Reproduction- Male and Femal Reproductive system. | |
| Genetics and Evolution – Concept – Genetics, Inheritance, Genetic code, Evolution – theories, Evidences, Mechanisms and Human Evolution |
Science and Technology in the UPSC Syllabus
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India conducts the Civil Services Examination, which includes the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other services. The syllabus for the UPSC examination is vast and covers a wide range of topics, including Science and Technology. The Science and Technology portion of the UPSC syllabus aims to assess the candidate’s understanding of scientific developments and their applications in various fields. Here is an overview of the Science and Technology syllabus for UPSC:
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change:
- Climate change and its impact on society.
- Pollution and its types.
- Conservation and protection of the environment.
- Biodiversity and its significance.
- General Science:
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology at the 10th standard level.
- Scientific and technological developments and their applications.
- Recent Developments in Science and Technology:
- Developments in space technology, information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
- Applications of science and technology in various sectors.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology, and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights:
- Information Technology: Basics of computer, internet, and related issues.
- Space: Indian Space Program, satellite technology.
- Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and their applications.
- Biotechnology and its applications.
- Intellectual Property Rights: Basics and their significance.
- Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology:
- Contributions of Indian scientists in various fields.
- Notable achievements in space, nuclear, and defense technology.
- Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation:
- Policies related to science and technology.
- Initiatives for promoting research and development.
- Ethics in Science and Technology:
- Ethical issues in scientific research and technological advancements.
- Responsible use of technology.
UPSC Science and Technology Study Guide
Preparing for the Science and Technology section of the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination requires a comprehensive approach. The UPSC syllabus for Science and Technology includes topics from various fields, and candidates need to have a solid understanding of scientific concepts, technological advancements, and their applications. Here’s a study guide to help you prepare for the Science and Technology section of UPSC:
Syllabus Overview:
The UPSC Science and Technology syllabus broadly covers the following areas:
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Scientific and Technological Developments
- Space Technology and Applications
- IT and Computers
- Robotics
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology and Health
Study Material:
- NCERT Textbooks:
- Read NCERT textbooks from Class 6 to 12 for Science subjects. These books provide a strong foundation.
- Newspapers and Magazines:
- Stay updated with current affairs related to Science and Technology. Newspapers like The Hindu and magazines like Science Reporter are valuable sources.
- Standard Reference Books:
- Refer to standard books like “Science and Technology in India” by Rajiv Mehrishi, and “India Year Book” for the latest developments.
- Reports and Publications:
- Go through reports and publications from government agencies like ISRO, DRDO, and CSIR. These sources provide insights into India’s advancements in science and technology.
Topic-wise Preparation:
- General Science:
- Focus on basic concepts of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Emphasize topics like motion, force, energy, cells, genetics, etc.
- Scientific and Technological Developments:
- Understand major developments in the fields of science and technology globally.
- Follow technology-related sections in newspapers and magazines.
- Space Technology and Applications:
- Study ISRO’s achievements and ongoing projects.
- Understand satellite technology and its applications.
- IT and Computers:
- Learn about recent trends in information technology.
- Understand cybersecurity issues and developments.
- Robotics, Nanotechnology, and Biotechnology:
- Familiarize yourself with the basics of these emerging fields.
- Stay updated on recent applications and research.
Practice and Revision:
- Previous Year Question Papers:
- Solve previous year’s UPSC question papers to understand the exam pattern.
- Analyze the type of questions asked in the Science and Technology section.
- Mock Tests:
- Take regular mock tests to improve time management and enhance your problem-solving skills.
- Revision:
- Regularly revise the topics to strengthen your memory and recall during the exam.
Additional Tips:
- Current Affairs:
- Stay updated with current affairs related to science and technology.
- Follow reputable science news websites for the latest developments.
- Interdisciplinary Approach:
- Connect scientific concepts with real-world applications.
- Understand the interdisciplinary nature of technological advancements.
- Mind Maps and Diagrams:
- Create mind maps and diagrams to visualize complex concepts.
- Use visuals to enhance your understanding and memory.
- Group Study:
- Discuss topics with peers to gain different perspectives.
- Teaching others can reinforce your own understanding.
FAQs on UPSC Science & Technology Notes:
Q: Why is Science and Technology important for the UPSC exam?
A: Science and Technology is an integral part of the UPSC syllabus, and questions related to advancements, applications, and recent developments in this field are commonly asked in the Preliminary and Mains exams. Understanding these topics is crucial for a well-rounded preparation.
Q: What are the key areas to focus on in Science and Technology for UPSC?
A: Focus on areas such as space technology, information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics, and environmental science. Additionally, keep track of current affairs and emerging technologies.
Q: How can I stay updated with current developments in Science and Technology for UPSC?
A: Read reputable newspapers, magazines, and online sources regularly. Follow the websites of scientific organizations, government agencies, and research institutions. Use reliable sources like PIB (Press Information Bureau) for government announcements.
Q: Are there specific reports or documents to study for Science and Technology in UPSC?
A: Yes, refer to reports and publications by organizations like ISRO, DRDO, CSIR, and Ministry of Science and Technology. Examples include the Science and Technology in India report and various research papers published by these organizations.
Q: How to make effective notes for Science and Technology in UPSC?
A: Summarize key points, use bullet points, and create a structured format. Include recent developments, important facts, and their implications. Use diagrams and flowcharts for better retention.
Q: What role do government policies play in Science and Technology questions in UPSC?
A: Government policies and initiatives, such as the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, are often asked in UPSC. Understand the objectives, key features, and implications of these policies.
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