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UPSC CSE Prelims 2026 — Science & Technology Questions with Answers
All 20 Science & Technology previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2026, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Science & Technology as a timed test →- Q1.Biotechnology
Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ? 1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. 3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence.
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q2.Information Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability. 2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors. 3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.
- a)1 only
- b)1 and 2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q3.Defence
Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct ? 1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material. 2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies. 3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation.
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q4.Aviation
Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ? 1. They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection. 2. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data. 3. Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium.
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q5.Energy
Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS). 2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. 3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)2 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q6.Space
Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India's space programme : 1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities. 2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine. 3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q7.Defence
Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ? 1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre. 2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm. 3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q8.Biotechnology
Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct ? 1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project. 2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. 3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3
- c)1 and 2
- d)1, 2 and 3
- Q9.Information Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct ? 1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 – 1000 physical qubits. 2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
- Q10.Defence
Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India: 1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities. 2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy. 3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- a)1, 2 and 3
- b)1 and 2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1 only
- Q11.Information Technology
Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress. 2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws. 3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- a)1, 2 and 3
- b)1 and 2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)3 only
- Q12.Defence
Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ? 1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets 2. T-90 MK-III Tanks 3. Akula Class Submarine Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 and 2
- b)1 and 3
- c)1 only
- d)2 only
- Q13.Defence
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ? (Indian Army Corps) (Headquarters)
- a)3 Corps : Dimapur
- b)4 Corps : Tezpur
- c)14 Corps : Leh
- d)33 Corps : Srinagar
- Q14.Information Technology
Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct ? 1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India. 2. It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
- Q15.Defence
The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct ? 1. The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025. 2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies. 3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1, 2 and 3
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)1 only
- Q16.Semiconductor Technology
Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched ?
- a)CG Power and Industrial Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with Renesas Electronics and STARS Microelectronics : Gujarat
- b)Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. : Assam
- c)HCL-Foxconn Joint Venture India Chip Ltd. : Madhya Pradesh
- d)SicSem Pvt. Ltd. : Odisha
- Q17.Weather Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct ? 1. Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level. 2. It was developed by IIT Delhi. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
- Q18.Information Technology
Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct ? 1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration. 2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds. 3. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access. 4. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 and 3
- b)2 and 4 only
- c)1, 2 and 4
- d)1 and 4 only
- Q19.Blockchain & Digital Assets
Which of the following statements about Real-World Assets (RWA) Tokenization are correct ? 1. Tokenization is the process of turning real world assets into digital tokens using blockchain technology. 2. Tokenization of real world assets offers 24 × 7 access, promoting financial inclusion. 3. Tokenization of real world assets will allow the access to high growth investment opportunities for individuals in India. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1, 2 and 3
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 2 only
- d)1 and 3 only
- Q20.Chemistry
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India. 3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements. Select the answer using the code given below :
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)3 only
- c)1, 3 and 4
- d)1, 2 and 4
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