Science and Technology syllabus for UPSC (2020)

Today In this article I want to walk you through the complete Science and Technology syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains exam.

As you know, Science and Technology come under Prelims as well as GS Paper-3 in UPSC Mains Syllabus. Almost 9-13 questions are coming in the UPSC Prelims exam every year, from this part only.

So without further ado let’s start our discussion from Science and Technology syllabus for UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam as per UPSC notification.

General Studies – III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Security & Disaster Management)

250 marks

Science and Technology syllabus for UPSC

According to the UPSC notification, these are the topics that are given.

Prelims

General Science

Mains

Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Achievements of Indians in science & technology;

Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

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Before deep dive into the micro topics syllabus, let us take an overview of Topic-wise syllabus of science and tech-

• Science and Technology in India (Development)
• Energy
• Space technology
• Communication and Information Technology
• Defense Technology
• Superconductivity, Laser, Artificial intelligence, Robotics, Nanotechnology
• Intellectual property rights (IPR) and Related rights
• Astronomy and Particle physics
• Biotechnology
• Different types of disease and its recent issues, health, and family welfare and various immunization program.
• Nobel prize
• Miscellaneous topics (current affairs related)

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Micro Topics: Science and Technology syllabus

1. Introduction

• India’s Policy in the Field of the Science & Technology
• The Science & Technology Policy Resolution in 1958
• Science & Technology Policy 2013
• Institutional Structure
• New Initiatives Aligned with the National Agenda
• India & World Collaboration in Science Projects

2. Space

• Satellite Communication in India
• INSAT Satellite Applications
• Remote Sensing Applications
• Cryogenic Rockets
• Global Positioning System
• Role of Space in Development
• ISRO as Soft Power
• Issue of Space Race
• Space Activities Bill, 2017
• Outer space treaty

3. IT, Telecom & Electronics

• IT Industry in India
• Applications of Information Technology
• Display Technologies
• Telecommunication
• Government Initiatives
• Contemporary Debates

4. Defense

• Missile System and its Classification
• India’s Missile System
• India’s Ballistic Missile Defence System
• UAVs in India
• Stealth Technology, Chemical Weapons, Biological Weapons

5. Nano-Science & Nano-Technology

• Nanoscience Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
• Applications of Nanotechnology
• Health & Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology
• Social & Ethical Impacts
• Nano-Science& Nanotechnology in India

6. Robotics

• Robotics & Artificial Intelligence
• Applications of Robotics
• Robotics and Issues of Unemployment

7. Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear-Power Policy of India
• Non-energy Applications of Nuclear Energy
• Impact of Radiation, Issue of Radioactive Waste
• Institutions involved in Nuclear Energy Development
• Nuclear & Radiological Disasters

8. Biotechnology

• Application of Biotechnology
• Biotechnology Projects
• Issue of Bio-Piracy
• Bioinformatics
• Biotechnology and IPR Issue
• Ethical Dimension In Biotechnology

9. Renewable Energy

• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
• Concept of Green Building
• Tidal, Wave, Geothermal Energy, Fuel Cells

10. Achievements of Indians in science & technology

• Scientists of Ancient India
• Science and Scientists of Medieval India
• Scientists of Modern India
• Policies& Reports related to Science
  • Technology Vision Document 2035
  • National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020
  • National Intellectual Property Rights Policy
  • Policy on Synthetic Biology
  • Law Commission Report on Human DNA Profiling

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CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

1. Space

• OUTER SPACE TREATY
• NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY
• SOLAR MISSION- ADITYA
• Chandrayaan-2 Mission
• GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
• IMPORTANCE OF NAVIGATION SYSTEM
• Reusable Launch Vehicle
• About SN Bose
• Stephen Hawking
• Space Activities Bill, 2017
• ISRO AS SOFT POWER
• ISRO’S ROLE IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC …DEVELOPMENT
• Space Debris
• GAGANYAAN
• 20 years of International Space Station

2. Biotechnology & Health

• Tuberculosis
• Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
• Nipah Virus Infection
• Generic Drugs in India
• Stent Implants
• INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS: ISSUES & CONCERNS
• Misuse of Secondary Patent Methodology
• Digital Biopiracy
• Clinical Applications of the Whole Genome Sequencing
• Three-Parent Babies Permitted in the UK
• Mass Embryo Transfer
• Issues Related to Gm Food
• Importance of Genetic Testing
• Health Geo-Mapping Project
• Digital Health Technology Eco-System
• Ethical Dimension In Biotechnology
• Law Commission Report on Human DNA Profiling
• Law against Genetic Discrimination
• Genome Editing: What, Why and Way Forward

3. Defense

• India’s Missile System
• Brahmos and its Significance
• India’s Ballistic Missile Defence System
• Indian Submarines and Naval Ships
• Light Combat Aircraft
• UAVs in India
• Chemical Weapons
• Biological Weapons

4. Policies Related to Science

•  STI Policy 2013 of India: Analysis
  
• The Paradox of Innovation
  
• Analysis of INSPIRE Scheme
  
• National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015- 2020
  
• Organ Donation Rules in India
  
• Policy on Synthetic Biology
  
• DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018
  
• Maharashtra’s Public Cloud Policy
  
• National Policy on Electronics 2019
  
• Roadmap for Drones
  
• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy
  
• Draft Rules for E-Pharmacies
  
• National Digital Communications Policy
  
• Net Neutrality

5. IT & Telecom

• Internet Of Things
• Big Data Initiative
• Supercomputer and its Applications
• Li-Fi Technology and its Application
• Use of it in Financial Inclusion
• Credit/Debit Card Crimes
• Bharat net Project
• Wanna Cry Malware
• Concept of Cyber-Physical Systems
• Using Electronic Signature Service: Significance & Applications
• Digital India: Achievements
• Adoption of Blockchain Technology to Stop Bank Frauds
• Artificial Intelligence and Society
• Two Authentication Procedure
• Facial Authentication Working
• Issue of Internet Governance
• Quantum computing
• National supercomputing mission
• Data Protection-B N Srikrishna committee
• Data Localisation and Related Issues
• National Digital Literacy Mission and Digital NE vision
• National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)
• Bullet Train

6. Initiatives in the Field of Science & Technology

• Technology and Food Security
• BOOSTING Horticulture through Remote Sensing
• Hyperloop Transportation Technology
• Cloud Seeding Experiment In Maharashtra
• Nano-Technology Medicines
• Hydrogen Bomb
• Ear Tagging In Cattle
• e-Cigarette
• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
• Geo-Tagging The Assets In Mgnrega
• Robot Tax and its Implications
• India & World Collaboration in Science Projects

7. Initiatives in the Field of Science & Technology

• Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
• Nipah Virus Infection
• Avian Influenza or Bird Flu
• Bovine TB
• Encephalitis
• Kyasanoor Forest Disease (Monkey Fever)
• Hospital-Acquired Infection
• Rotavirus
• The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Virus
• Swine Flu
• Chikungunya
• Tuberculosis

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Science and Technology books for UPSC

1. NCERT Books for Science Class VIII, IX, X, and also XI & XII for selected topics
2. Our Notes
3. Yojana and Kurukshetra (for selected topics only)
4. The Hindu / The Indian express
5. Monthly Magazine of any coaching (like Vision IAS)

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