Important Topics in General Science
- Science & Technology in India
- Space
- IT and Communication
- Materials, Nano Technology and Robotics
- Defence
- Nuclear Technology
- Intellectual Property Rights and their Miscellaneous Issues
Physics
- The Big Bang Theory
- Quantum Mechanics
- Fermions and Bosons
- Four Fundamental Forces of Nature
- Dark Matter
- Negative Matter
- Higgs Boson
- Gravitational Waves
- REE (rare Earth Element
- FRP Composite Material & Applications
Chemistry
- Atoms & Molecules
- Elements
- Compounds & Mixtures
- Basics of Nuclear Chemistry
Biology
- Viral Diseases
- Microbes
- Cells – Plants vs Animals
- Proteins, Amino Acids, Enzymes
- Vitamins and Minerals – Deficiency Diseases
- Fats | Healthy Fats and Unhealthy Fats
- Human Digestive System, Respiratory System
- Human Neural System | Human Brain
- Muscular and Skeletal System
- DNA and RNA
- Mitosis & Meiosis
Important Topics for the Environment
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Ecology
- Climate Change
- Acts & Laws related to the Environment
Preparation Strategy of Science and Technology for UPSC
Science and Technology are considered to be abstract subjects that follow no fixed pattern or syllabus for both UPSC CS Prelims and Mains. However, the past year’s trend analysis clearly shows that questions on this subject are analytical in nature. Hence, the following strategy will be useful to kickstart your science and technology preparation for UPSC:
- Strengthen your foundation
It is very important to have a crystal clear understanding of the basic concepts of the topics mentioned in the syllabus. Reading NCERTs from Class VI to X will introduce you to the basics of the subject. - Previous Year Questions
Since this particular subject is boundless, you need to stick to the syllabus while preparing for the Science & Technology portion. Hence, always keep a copy of the syllabus in front of you and check if the topic is mentioned in the syllabus. - Current Affairs:
It has been observed that questions pertaining to current developments are often asked in UPSC CS Prelims as well as Mains. Hence, leverage editorials from the Hindu and the Indian Express to their fullest potential. Make small notes of the pointers for any recent development in the field of science. It includes space exploration missions, advancements in Artificial Intelligence, medications, reports surrounding the spread of diseases and their containment using scientific methods, etc. Further, you should expect a lot of questions from Science & technology this year owing to the ever-changing advancements surrounding COVID crisis management. Hence, you should regularly read the reports on vaccine testing as well as the virus spread across the globe. - Mock Tests
Solve a lot of mock tests and sectional tests. You can purchase Science & Technology Question Bank for Civil Services Examination by TMH publication for practising the questions for Prelims. - Practice answer-writing
For mains, practice answer-writing as much as possible and get your answers evaluated by your mentors. For science & tech, it is important to follow a diagram-based approach as well as add factual information for making your answers more substantive.
Booklist of Science and Technology for UPSC
- NCERTs (Class VI to X)
- Developments in Science and Technology by Kalpana Rajaram
- Science and Technology for Civil Services Examination by Ravi Agrahari
- Environment by Shankar IAS Academy
- Environment And Ecology – A Complete Guide by R. Rajagopalan (Lexis Nexis)
- Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by Khuller and Rao (McGraw Hill)
- Environment and Ecology – Biodiversity, Climate Change and Disaster Management by Majid Husain
- Efforts Towards Green India – Environment & Ecology by Arihant Experts
