2023, GS 3

1. What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. (Answer in 150 words)
2. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (Answer in 150 words)
3. Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage. (Answer in 150 words)
4. The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (Answer in 250 words)
5. What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the system in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (Answer in 250 words)

2022, GS 1

1. Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources with special reference to India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

2022, GS 3

1. Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural process this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products? (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
2. Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasising its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
3. Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks
4. What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

2021, GS 1

1. What is Cryptocurrency? How does it affect global society? Has it been affecting Indian society also? 15 Marks

2021, GS 3

1. What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology/? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (Answer in 250 words) 15
2. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings ? (Answer in 250 words) 15

2020, GS 2

1. “The emergence of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of the government”. Discuss (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks)

2020, GS 3

1. What do you understand by nanotechnology? And how its helping in health sector? ( Answer in 150 words.) (10 Marks)
2. COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crises.Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the Pandemic.(Answer in 250 words) (15 marks)
3. Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our government for this purpose? (Answer in 250 words) (15 marks)

2019, GS 2

1. Implementation of Information and Communication technology (ICT) based projects/programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors and suggest measures for their effective implementation. (10 marks)

2019, GS 3

1. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
2. How is the government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
3. How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

2018, GS 1

1. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed ? How does it help in navigation ? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks

2018, GS 3

1. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
2. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
3. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. ” (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

2017, GS 3

1. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thallessemia, damaged sornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?
2. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically
3. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?

2016, GS 3

1. Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
2. 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?
3. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.

2015, GS 3

1. What do you understand by “Standard Positioning System” and “Precision positioning system” in the GPS era? Discuss the advantage India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites.
2. What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel the research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.
3. Discuss the advantage and security implication of cloud hosting of servers vis-a-vis in house machine based hosting for government business.

2014, GS 3

1. Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription, the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.

2013, GS 3

1. What do you understand by Fixed Dose drug Combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits. (200 words)
2. b) How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. (100 words)
3. a) What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their application in aviation and automobile industries. (100 words)