Q1041. Covaxin incorporates an adjuvant called Algel- IMDG. What is the primary conceptual role of this adjuvant in the vaccine?
Science and Technology: RAS Prelims MCQs
1113 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on science and technology are on this page, in 6 chapters. They cover the basics of everyday science, computers and information technology, defence and space technology in India, genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology, science and technology policies and government programmes, and recent advances with Indian contributors and indigenisation. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1041–1050 of 1113 questions
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Q1042. Covaxin was developed by Bharat Biotech in close collaboration with which of the following apex research institutions of India?
Explanation
Covaxin was the result of a highly successful public-private partnership in India. The SARS- CoV-2 virus was first isolated and characterized by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. This viral strain was then transferred to Bharat Biotech for large-scale development and manufacturing. The Indian Council of Medical Research provided crucial scientific support and oversight throughout the clinical trial and development process.
Q1043. Which of the following statements correctly identifies an advantage of the Covaxin platform during the pandemic?
Explanation
One of the major advantages of Covaxin during the global rollout was its ease of storage and transport. Unlike mRNA vaccines that require extremely cold temperatures, Covaxin remains stable at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2-8°C. This made it highly suitable for India’s existing immunization infrastructure, allowing for easier distribution to remote rural areas without the need for specialized ultra-cold storage equipment.
Q1044. Identify the correct pair matching the Indian COVID-19 vaccine with its manufacturing company.
Explanation
India’s vaccine landscape involves several different companies and technologies.
Q1045. Which of the following is an exception to the general advantages of whole-virion inactivated vaccines like Covaxin?
Explanation
Whole-virion inactivated vaccines have several advantages, including a proven safety record and the ability to present multiple viral proteins to the immune system. However, their manufacturing process is relatively slow and complex compared to mRNA vaccines. They require growing large batches of the live virus in specialized biocontainment facilities, a process that takes significantly longer than synthesizing a genetic sequence.
Q1046. What was the specific physiological effect of adding the Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonist to the Covaxin formulation?
Explanation
The inclusion of a TLR7/8 agonist in Covaxin was a strategic scientific choice to improve the vaccine’s efficacy. This specific component helps direct the immune system toward a Th1- biased response, which is particularly effective at fighting viral infections. This type of response ensures that the body produces the right kinds of cells and antibodies needed to neutralize the virus and clear infected cells.
Q1047. Identify the odd one out among the following vaccines based on their fundamental technology platform.
Explanation
Covaxin, the Salk Polio vaccine, and the standard Rabies vaccine are all based on the whole-virion inactivated platform, where a killed version of the pathogen is used to trigger immunity. The Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine, however, utilizes messenger RNA technology, which is a fundamentally different approach. It uses genetic instructions to prompt the body’s own cells to produce a specific viral protein.
Q1048. Consider the following statements regarding the development of Covaxin:
I. The SARS-CoV-2 strain used for Covaxin was isolated by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
II. It was manufactured using Vero cell culture technology.
III. It was the first Indian vaccine to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization.
IV. The technology transfer for Covaxin was exclusively purchased from a European pharmaceutical company.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The SARS-CoV-2 strain used for Covaxin was isolated by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
II. It was manufactured using Vero cell culture technology.
III. It was the first Indian vaccine to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization.
IV. The technology transfer for Covaxin was exclusively purchased from a European pharmaceutical company.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Covaxin was developed using a strain isolated by NIV Pune and manufactured using established Vero cell culture technology. It achieved international recognition by receiving the Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organization. Importantly, the technology was developed indigenously in India through a partnership between national research institutes and a domestic company, rather than being purchased from overseas.
Q1049. Which Indian biotechnology company developed GEMCOVAC-19, India’s first indigenous mRNA COVID-19 vaccine?
Explanation
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, based in Pune, developed GEMCOVAC-19, which is India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. This achievement placed India among a small group of nations capable of producing mRNA-based medical products. The project was supported by the Department of Biotechnology and represents a significant milestone in India’s capacity for high-tech pharmaceutical innovation and pandemic preparedness.
Q1050. In the mechanism of mRNA vaccines, what specific instruction does the injected mRNA provide to the host cells?
Explanation
mRNA vaccines work by delivering a small piece of genetic code to the body’s cells. This code serves as a set of instructions that tells the cells to build a specific protein found on the surface of the virus, such as the spike protein. Once the protein is produced, the immune system recognizes it as foreign and learns how to defend against it.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1041 | (b) To stimulate a stronger and longer-lasting immune response, particularly T-cell immunity |
| 1042 | (c) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV) |
| 1043 | (d) Inactivated vaccines store at standard 2-8°C refrigerator temperatures. |
| 1044 | (a) Corbevax - Biological E |
| 1045 | (b) They can be manufactured in a matter of days simply by synthesizing the genetic sequence. |
| 1046 | (a) It induced a strong Th1-biased immune response, necessary for effective clearance of intracellular viral infections. |
| 1047 | (c) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine |
| 1048 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 1049 | (c) Gennova Biopharmaceuticals |
| 1050 | (b) To produce a harmless piece of the target virus’s protein (like the spike protein) to trigger an immune response |
Key facts from Science and Technology
- The RPSC paper is General Knowledge and General Science, so science questions come with a strong dose of applied and recent topics.
- Everyday science questions test the laws and terms of physics, chemistry and biology through examples.
- Defence and space questions pair a missile, satellite or mission with its year and organisation.
- Policy questions ask for the year, the body and the aim of schemes like STIP, the National Quantum Mission and BioE3.
- Health, environment and agriculture are on a separate page, with their own chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Science and Technology?
This page has 1113 practice MCQs on Science and Technology. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the science and technology set cover?
Six chapters: basics of everyday science; computers, information and communication technology; defence and space technology in India; genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology; science and technology policies and government programmes; and recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation.
Is science and technology part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC paper is called General Knowledge and General Science, and its syllabus lists science and technology topics along with environment, health, agriculture and government programmes, so questions can come from any of these areas.
How should I prepare science for RAS Prelims?
Revise the concepts by examples, then learn the missions, schemes and scientists with their year and organisation. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations and keep a list of the facts you missed.