Science & Technology

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q52026

Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q352026

Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India: Statement I: The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. Statement II: The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings. Statement III: Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct? 1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in Statement I. 2. Statement III extends the objectives of Statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework. 3. Statement I contradicts Statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation. Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q362026

Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid): 1. It is an epiphytic orchid. 2. The species is endemic to North-east India. 3. It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q372026

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct? 1. They acted as army fortresses. 2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles. 3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles. 4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles. Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q422026

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. Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q442026

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. Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q462026

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 a 3D-printed rocket engine. 3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q472026

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 attacks. Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q482026

Which of the following statements with regard to GenomeIndia Project is/are correct? 1. It is 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:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q492026

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:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q512026

Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare. Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X's actions?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q602026

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?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q632026

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: 1. Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) : To coordinate between various law enforcement agencies (Controlling Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs) 2. Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) : To investigate complex corporate frauds (Controlling Ministry: Ministry of Finance) 3. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) : To preserve values in public life and ensure the health of the national economy (Controlling Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions) In how many of the above rows are the given details correctly matched?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q652026

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. 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?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q662026

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project 2. IMT Trilateral Highway 3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line Select the answer using the code given below:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q732026

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? (Indian Army Corps) - (Headquarters) 1. 1 Corps - Mathura 2. 4 Corps - Tezpur 3. 14 Corps - Dimapur 4. 33 Corps - Siliguri

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q792026

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:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q832026

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched? 1. CG Power and Industrial Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - Gujarat 2. Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. - Assam 3. HCL-Foxconn Joint Venture - Madhya Pradesh 4. India Chip Ltd. / SicSem Pvt. Ltd. - Odisha

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q862026

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:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q872026

An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn't keep products in stock and instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to a third-party supplier, who then ships the goods directly to the customer, is called:

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q892026

Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative?

UPSC 2026 GS Paper 1 | Q962026

Which of the following statements about insurance in the aviation sector is/are correct? 1. 'Aviation Hull Insurance' covers the physical aircraft, including the body, engine, and on-board equipment. 2. Under the Montreal Convention, adopted in 1999 by over 130 countries, including India, airlines are strictly liable to pay compensation to the family/nominee of every deceased passenger without requiring the family to prove fault. Select the answer using the code given below: