Information and Communication Technology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
32 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on information and communication technology are on this page, from 1999 to 2025. UPSC asks about quantum computing and the Majorana 1 chip, qubits, Web 3.0, Software as a Service, the metaverse, artificial intelligence and light-based communication. The explanations separate real capabilities from hype.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 31–32 of 32 questions
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UPSC 2000Science and Technology · Information and Communication Technology
Q31. The memory of a computer is commonly expressed in terms of kilobytes or megabytes. A byte is made up of:
Explanation
In computing, memory is typically measured in units such as 1 byte = 8 bit (short for binary digit) or megabytes (MB). A byte is the basic unit of digital information storage and consists of eight binary digits, commonly referred to as bits. Each bit represents a binary value of either 0 or 1, enabling a byte to store 2^8 (256) possible values, ranging from 0 to 255 in decimal notation. This structure forms the foundation of data representation in computers.
UPSC 1999Science and Technology · Information and Communication Technology
Q32. Assertion (A): Information technology is fast becoming a very important field of activity in India. Reason (R): Software is one of the major exports of the country and India has a very strong base in hardware. Codes:
Explanation
Assertion A is true: By the late 1990s, India’s information technology (IT) sector had experienced significant growth, establishing the country as a key player in the global IT industry. The rapid expansion of software services and exports contributed to the increasing importance of IT in India’s economic landscape. Reason R is false: While software is indeed a major export for India, the country has traditionally been stronger in software services rather than hardware manufacturing. The hardware sector in India has not been as prominent or well-developed compared to the software industry.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
31
2000
(a) eight binary digits
32
1999
(c) A is true but R is false
What UPSC has tested in Information and Communication Technology
A qubit is the unit of information in quantum computing.
The metaverse denotes an interconnected virtual world.
The Majorana 1 chip is expected to enable quantum computing; it was introduced by Microsoft, not Amazon Web Services.
Web 3.0 aims at a decentralised internet that users can partly own.
Deep learning is a subset of machine learning.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Information and Communication Technology?
This page covers 32 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Information and Communication Technology (Science and Technology), asked from 1999 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
What is a qubit?
The basic unit of quantum information. Unlike a classical bit, which is 0 or 1, a qubit can be in a combination of both states at once, which lets quantum computers handle some problems far faster.
What is the metaverse?
An interconnected, persistent virtual world where users, represented by avatars, work, play and interact, often through virtual and augmented reality. The term is used for such shared digital spaces.
Who introduced the Majorana 1 chip?
Microsoft, in 2025. The chip is meant to use topological qubits to make quantum computing more stable, and a statement attributing it to Amazon Web Services is incorrect.
