UPSC 2019 Science and Technology Questions with Answers
12 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Science and Technology in the UPSC 2019 Prelims. 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 11–12 of 12 questions
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UPSC 2019Science and Technology · Miscellaneous
Q11. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the:
Explanation
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) by NITI Aayog is Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country and was setup in 2016. Towards this end AIM has taken a holistic approach to ensure creation of a problem-solving innovative mindset in schools and creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship in universities, research institutions, private and MSME sector.
Additional insight:
AIM has launched the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) program. It is a state-of-the-art space established in a school with a goal to foster curiosity and innovation in young minds, between grade 6th to 12th across the country through 21st century tools and technologies. Atal Incubation Centres or AICs are business incubators established by AIM at universities, institutions and corporates to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among young innovators of the country. Atal Community Innovation Centres to promote the benefits of technology led innovation to the unserved/ underserved regions of India including Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, aspirational districts, tribal, hilly and coastal areas.
UPSC 2019Science and Technology · Miscellaneous
Q12. Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, there is no Intellectual Property Appellate Board. 3. Plant varieties are not eligible to be patented in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Patents Act, 1970 (as amended in 2005) explicitly excludes biological processes for the production or propagation of plants and animals from patentability. The Act states that "plants and animals in whole or any part thereof, including seeds, varieties, and species, and essentially biological processes for the production or propagation of plants and animals" are not patentable.
Statement 2 is incorrect: India had an Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), which was established in 1958 to handle disputes related to patents, trademarks, and copyrights. However, IPAB was abolished in 2021 under the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021. After its abolition, patent, trademark, and copyright appeals are now handled by the High Courts.
Statement 3 is correct: Under the Indian Patents Act, 1970, plants and plant varieties cannot be patented. Instead, plant varieties are protected under the PPVFR Act, 2001, which grants breeders’ rights but not patents.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2019
(c) NITI Aayog
12
2019
(c) 3 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Science and Technology?
This page covers 12 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Science and Technology in the UPSC 2019 Prelims, asked from 1996 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 Science and Technology?
Questions on Science and Technology in the UPSC 2019 Prelims are available for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
