Science and Technology – UPSC Syllabus

Science & Technology is one of the fairly important subjects with respect to both UPSC CS Prelims and UPSC CS (Main) examination. It is included in the GS III paper for UPSC CS(Main) and General Studies paper in Prelims. 

Questions related to current developments in science and technology are asked in Prelims. 

Weightage of Science and Technology Syllabus In UPSC Exam

In the Science & Technology section, mostly dynamic questions from current affairs are asked. The number of questions mentioned below is excluding the ecology and environment section which is yet another important area to cover especially for the Prelims examination. Let us look at the weightage of Science & Tech for the last ten years in UPSC preliminary examination:

Booklist of Science and Technology for UPSC

1. NCERTs (Class VI to X)
2. Developments in Science and Technology by Kalpana Rajaram
3. Science and Technology for Civil Services Examination by Ravi Agrahari

Biotechnology

Biotechnology
 DNA, Chromosomes, Gene-Basic
 DNA profiling
 Gene Therapy
 Stem Cell Technology
 DNA vs RNA
 Protein
 DNA replication and its process
 Recombinant DNA Technology
 Miscellaneous
Applications of Biotechnology
 Biological Fuel Generation
 Environmental biotechnology
 Food and Beverages
 Plant and Forest Biotechnology
 Human health
 Protection of biotechnological Inventions
 Human Genome Project
 Biotechnology in India
 Miscellaneous

Space Technology

Space Technology
 Orbits and its types
 Satellite and its types
 launch vehicles –GSLV and PSLV
 Cryogenic Engine
 God Particle
 Neutrinos
 Dark Matter
 Dark Energy
 Black holes
India and Space Technology
 Aims and Objectives
 History of Indian Space Technology
 ISRO- History and Organization structure
 Communication Satellites of India
 Earth Observation Satellite
 Navigation Satellite(IRNSS), World Navigation Satellites
 Space Exploration Satellites
 Space Missions- Mars mission , Solar Mission,
Chandrayaan I, II etc.
 Indian space Diplomacy
 Indian Space vision 2025
 Other countries space programmes
Miscellaneous
 Space Junk/ debries
 Space crowding
 Space Pollution
 Space War
 Important Telescopes

Defence Technology

Defence Technology
 Objectives
 Naval Submarines
 India’s Missile Development Programmes
 Anti Ballistic Missile System
 Tanks
 Naval Ships
 Destroyers
 Frigates and Corvettes
Defence Diplomacy
 Chief of Defence staff
 Department of Military Affairs
 Integrated Tri service agencies
 Information Fusion Centre
 Military Exercises
 Role of HAL and DRDO
 India’s collaboration with other countries
 Chemical and Biological weapons
 India’s Intelligent Agencies like RAW, IB etc.
 India’s Defence Forces
 Miscellaneous

Nuclear Energy and Technology

Nuclear Energy and Technology
 Basics of Nuclear science
 Nuclear Vision and fusion
 Nuclear Power Reactors
 Types of Fusion Reactors
 Energy and bi-products of Nuclear Fusion
 Radioactivity
 Nuclear Fusion Experiments across the globe
 India’s 3 stage Nuclear Program
 Nuclear Technology in India
 International Organisations
 Important Nuclear Treaties
 Export Control Regimes
 Nuclear and Radiological Disasters
 Advantages and disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
 Miscellaneous

IT and Computers

Computers
 History of computers
 Types of computers
 Software and Hardware
 Super Computers
 Quantum Computers
 Optical Computers
 Output and Input devices
 Important shortcuts
 Functioning of computers
 Web Browsers
 Word Processing tools
 Networks
 Miscellaneous
IT and Communication
 Mobile Network Basics –GPRS, 4G etc
 Android and IOS
 Communication Technologies like UPS, CDMA etc
 Bluetooth, Wifi, Lifi etc
 LTE and VOLTE
 Servers
 Deepnet and Darknet
 Internet
 Optical Fibre Network
 DTH and OTT
 Net Neutrality
 Cloud computing
 Big Data
 Black Chain Technology
 Cryptocurrency
 Data mining
 National Supercomputing Mission
 Cyber Security Threats
 Global Cyber security Index
 Data Protection Bill etc..

Healthcare

Disease
 Bacterial
 Protozoan
 Genetic Disease
 Viral
 Nutrient Deficiencies
 Life style diseases
 Narcotics and drug abuse
 New Emerging diseases
 Maternal Health Issues
Plant Diseases
 Bacterial
 Fungal
 Nematodes
 Viruses
 Plant Specific diseases
Disease Control
 Generic Medicine
 Antibiotics
 Vaccinations
 Various New therapies
 New Diagnostics technologies
 Pharmaceutical policy of India
 WHO
 Health Related Organisations
 Report and Indices related to health and diseases
 National Health Policy
 IPR in Pharma
 Biotechnology in Health care
 Health Infrastructure of India
 Miscellaneous

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles
 Definition
 Parts of Biogeochemical Cycle
 Types
 Carbon Cycle
 Nitrogen Cycle
 Phosphorus Cycle
 Sulphur Cycle
 Otnor Cycle like water cycle

Aquatic Life Zones

Aquatic life Zones
 Aquatic Ecosystem : compare with terrestrial
Ecosystem
 Ocean Ecosystem
 Marine life
 Eutrophication
 Coral Reefs
 Mangroves
 Wetlands
 Lakes and Rivers
 Ramsar Convention
 Estuaries
 Lochic Ecosystem
Marine Organism
 Phytoplankton
 Zooplankton
 Sea Grass
 Seaweeds
 Coral Reefs
(Focus 0n Factors affecting their productivity, features,
distribution, functions and threat to them)

Biodiversity

Biodiversity
 Meaning and benefits of biodiversity
 Important kinds of Biodiversity
 Keystone species
 Endemic species
 Indicator species
 Invasive species
 Bio informatics
 Mega divers countries
 Eco- regions
 Biopiracy
 Biogeographic classification of India
 Measurement of Biodiversity
 Pattern of Biodiversity in World
 Miscellaneous

Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Conservation-
 Causes of Biodiversity loss
 Biodiversity hotspots
 Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation
 IUCN Classification Conservation
 IUCN Classification Scheme
 IUCN Red list
 Endangered species, vulnerable and extinct species
 National Parks
 Wildlife Sanctuaries
 Biosphere Reserves
 Botanical Gardens
 Zoos
 Important Bird Areas of India
 Global Tiger Initiative, Project Tiger, Project Elephant,
Indian Rhino etc.
 Seed Banks, Seed village
 Cartagena Protocol, Nagoya Protocol etc
 GoI Initiatives
 Miscellaneous