UPSC Mains Science & Technology PYQs, 2016-2026

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2026

1. 5

   Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   Distinguish between a Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) and a thermal nuclear reactor. In the context of first indigenously developed prototype FBR at Kalpakkam, explain the term 'criticality'. What are its implications for clean energy future of our country?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   Mention salient features of 'Mission Drishti'. Discuss the imaging techniques used in the satellite launched on 3rd May 2026. Why it is being considered world's first satellite of its kind?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 16

   What is agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Explain its working. Describe its applications with suitable examples. Discuss the advantages, risks and challenges associated with agentic AI systems.

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2025

1. 5

   The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India's contributions to the international fusion energy project - International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). What will be the implications of the success of this project for the future of global energy?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 16

   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.

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2024

1. 5

   What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways? What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazards?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 16

   What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe?

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2023

1. 5

   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?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 16

   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 subsystems 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.

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2022

1. 5

   The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   Launched on 254 December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the 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?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 16

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2021

1. 5

   How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 15

   What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society?

   250 words · 15 marks

3. 16

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2020

1. 5

   What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by the science-based technologies?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic.

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 16

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2019

1. 5

   How was India benefitted from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 6

   What is India's plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 15

   How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?

   250 words · 15 marks

4. 16

   How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers?

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2018

1. 5

   Discuss the work of 'Bose-Einstein Statistics' done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics.

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 15

   Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?

   250 words · 15 marks

3. 16

   With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programmer Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2017

1. 6

   Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and severe bums. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?

   150 words · 10 marks

2. 7

   India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space missions. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically.

   150 words · 10 marks

3. 16

   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?

   250 words · 15 marks

Science & Technology questions in GS Paper 3 2016

1. 12

   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?

   200 words · 12½ marks

2. 13

   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.

   200 words · 12½ marks

Other GS Paper 3 topics

Indian Economy · Agriculture · Environment · Disaster Management · Internal Security