Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Miscellaneous (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2018Science and Technology · Miscellaneous
Q1. Consider the following statements: 1. The Earth’s magnetic field has reversed every few hundred thousand years. 2. When the Earth was created more than 4000 million years ago, there was 54% oxygen and no carbon dioxide. 3. When living organisms originated, they modified the early atmosphere of the Earth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Earth’s magnetic field has undergone numerous reversals over geological time scales. These geomagnetic reversals occur at irregular intervals averaging approximately every 300,000 years though it varies.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Over 4000 million years ago earth’s early atmosphere lacked oxygen and was primarily composed of gases like methane, ammonia, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The current level of oxygen (around 21%) accumulated much later due to photosynthetic activity by living organisms.
Statement 3 is correct: Living organisms particularly cyanobacteria played a significant role in modifying the Earth’s early atmosphere by producing oxygen through photosynthesis. This process led to the Great Oxygenation Event around 2.4 billion years ago. This marked a pivotal shift from an oxygen-poor to an oxygen-rich atmosphere, profoundly influencing the evolution of life.
UPSC 2018Science and Technology · Miscellaneous
Q2. ‘3D printing’ has applications in which of the following? 1. Preparation of confectionery items 2. Manufacture of bionic ears 3. Automotive industry 4. Reconstructive surgeries 5. Data processing technologies Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a method of creating a three dimensional object layer-by-layer using a computer simulated design. A 3D item is produced by the additive method of 3D printing, which involves building up layers of material. Options 1 is correct: 3D printing is widely used in the food industry to create intricate designs, especially with edible materials like chocolate and sugar. This technique enables customization and the production of unique shapes that are difficult to achieve with traditional methods. Options 2 is correct: Researchers have successfully used 3D printing to fabricate bionic ears by integrating biological cells with conductive materials. This method not only replicates the structure of a human ear but also enhances its functionality by embedding electronics, potentially improving hearing capabilities.
Option 3 is correct: In the automotive sector, 3D printing is used for rapid prototyping, creating tools, and manufacturing parts. It speeds up the design process, reduces production costs, and enables the creation of lightweight components, which improve vehicle performance and fuel efficiency.
Option 4 is correct: The healthcare sector leverages 3D printing for producing customized implants and prosthetics. In reconstructive surgeries, this technology allows for the creation of patient-specific implants that precisely match the patient’s anatomy, leading to better surgical outcomes.
Option 5 is correct: While 3D plays a significant role in data visualization. For instance, in scientific research, complex data sets can be transformed into tangible 3D models, enhancing the understanding of intricate structures.
Exam tip:
You can try, The "NOT" approach for all statements, this tests the improbability of negating a statement--if denying its impact seems highly unlikely, the statement is plausibly true.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2018
(c) 1 and 3 only
2
2018
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Miscellaneous?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Miscellaneous (Science and Technology), asked from 2011 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Miscellaneous?
Questions on Miscellaneous (Science and Technology) are available for 15 years, from 2011 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
