UPSC 2019 Science & Technology Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? 1. Genetic predisposition of some people 2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases 3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming 4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 2 | 2 and 3 only | 1, 3 and 4 | 2, 3 and 4. Incorrect antibiotic dosing and antibiotic use in livestock farming promote antimicrobial resistance. Genetic predisposition and multiple chronic diseases are not direct causes of multi-drug resistance in pathogens.

Question 2

'RNA interference (RNAi)' technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why? 1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies. 2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer. 3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies. 4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1, 2 and 4 | 2 and 3 | 1 and 3 | 1 and 4 only. RNA interference is used for gene silencing, has therapeutic potential including cancer-related therapies, and can create crop resistance to viral pathogens. It is not used for hormone replacement therapy.

Question 3

In the context of wearable technology, which of the following tasks is/are accomplished by wearable devices? 1. Location identification of a person 2. Sleep monitoring of a person 3. Assisting the hearing impaired person Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Wearable devices can identify location, monitor sleep and assist hearing-impaired persons, for example through smart watches, fitness bands and hearing-assistive wearables.

Question 4

In the context of polity, which one of the following would you accept as the most appropriate definition of liberty?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Protection against the tyranny of political rulers | Absence of restraint | Opportunity to do whatever one likes | Opportunity to develop oneself fully .. In political theory, liberty is best understood positively as the opportunity to develop oneself fully, not mere absence of all restraint or doing whatever one likes.

Question 5

The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. transportation cost only | interest cost only | procurement incidentals and distribution cost | procurement charges and charges for godowns. FCI's economic cost includes MSP/bonus plus procurement incidentals and distribution cost.

Question 6

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)? 1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G. 2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 2 only | Both 1 and 2 | Neither 1 nor 2. LTE is 4G data technology, not 3G, and VoLTE carries voice over LTE data networks; it is not simply voice-only technology. Both statements are incorrect.

Question 7

In the context of proposals to use hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements: 1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions. 2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions. 3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses. 4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 4 only | 1, 2, 3 and 4. H-CNG reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions and can blend hydrogen up to about 18-20% by volume with CNG. It does not eliminate carbon monoxide entirely, and it is not necessarily cheaper than CNG.

Question 8

In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. pesticides in agriculture | preservatives in processed foods | fruit-ripening agents | moisturising agents in cosmetics. Carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos are agricultural pesticides/insecticides viewed with concern due to toxicity and environmental/health risks.

Question 9

Consider the following pairs: Sea: Bordering country 1. Adriatic Sea: Albania 2. Black Sea: Croatia 3. Caspian Sea: Kazakhstan 4. Mediterranean Sea: Morocco 5. Red Sea: Syria Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1, 2 and 4 only | 1, 3 and 4 only | 2 and 5 only | 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Albania borders the Adriatic, Kazakhstan borders the Caspian, and Morocco borders the Mediterranean. Croatia borders the Adriatic, not Black Sea; Syria does not border the Red Sea.

Question 10

Consider the following 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Methane 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 and 2 only | 2, 3 and 4 only | 1 and 4 only | 1, 2, 3 and 4. Biomass/crop-residue burning releases carbon monoxide, methane, ozone precursors/ozone pollution and sulphur dioxide among other pollutants.

UPSC 2019 Science & Technology PYQs with Answers