How To Study Science and Technology For IAS Exam?

Questions from Science and Technology is asked in UPSC Civil Services Prelims General Studies Paper 1 as well as in Mains General Studies Paper 3 (GS3). Science part deals with subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Technology part deals with application of various sciences. Questions can come from all latest technologies like Biotechnology, Information Technology, Nano-technology, Space Technology, Defense Technology. Energy Technologies etc.

Priority Areas for Science and Technology

Like other subjects, it is important to prioritize sub-topics inside science first. It can be seen that UPSC normally ask more questions from Biology than Chemistry or Physics. And even from Biology, more questions come from Zoology and Microbiology than Botany. So know well the topics like genetics, micro-organisms/diseases, physiology etc.

From Chemistry side, topics like Nuclear Chemistry is important. Physics questions though few in previous year question papers, they revolved around day to day applied physics touching concepts like surface tension, capillarity etc.

Technology is a more preferred area for Mains for question paper setters. Even for Prelims, last 3-4 years saw many questions from Technology area. All those gadgets and technologies currently in news can come in UPSC questions. Wi-fi, IPTV, 3-D Printing, Blue-ray disk etc. were questions in Prelims/Mains in previous years. Technologies like Biotechnology and Space Technology deserves special mention for Prelims and Mains.