Computing, networks and digital technology — UPSC Prelims PYQs
25 questions in this bank come from Computing, networks and digital technology, spanning UPSC Prelims papers from 2011 to 2026. Every question here carries all four options, the correct answer and a full explanation.
It has appeared in 12 of the last 16 papers, most heavily in 2022 with 4 questions. That makes it one of the most dependable areas in the paper.
The themes examined most often within it are Communication technologies assessment (9), Advanced Computing Technologies (4), Blockchain and Web 3.0 Concepts (3), Emerging Technology Applications (3) and Computing Infrastructure and Innovations (2). Those counts are of questions in which the theme is examined, not merely mentioned.
Questions here are spread across Science & Technology (23), General Studies (Uncategorized) (1) and International Relations (1). Between them they draw on 23 distinct themes, so this is a broader area than a single revision note can cover. That is 1.7% of the 1433 questions in the bank — useful for deciding how much revision time it deserves.
It has come up more often lately — roughly 2.4 questions a year across the last five papers, against 1.2 before that.
It was not examined in 4 of those papers. Each question below links to its full explanation and to related questions on the same theme from other years, so a weak area can be worked through in one pass rather than hunted for paper by paper.
UPSC Prelims 20263 questions
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability. 2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors. 3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs. Select the answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements regarding the features of blockchain technology are correct? 1. Records stored in the database may be made visible to relevant stakeholders without risk of alteration. 2. Copies of the entire database are stored on multiple computers on a network, syncing within seconds. 3. Consortium blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access. 4. Mathematical algorithms make it impossible to change or delete any data once recorded and accepted. Select the answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct? 1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India. 2. It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. Select the answer using the code given below:
UPSC Prelims 20252 questions
- Science & Technology
Consider the following statements: I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing. II. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS). III. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Science & Technology
GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN? I. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity. II. It will allow more uniform and high quality air traffic management. III. It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
UPSC Prelims 20241 question
UPSC Prelims 20232 questions
- International Relations
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Trade and Technology Council’. Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Science & Technology
Consider the following actions: 1. Detection of car crash/collision, which result in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously. 2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive. 3. Detection of the tilt of the smart-phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode. In how many of the above actions is the function of the accelerometer required?
UPSC Prelims 20224 questions
- Science & Technology
Consider the following communication technologies: 1. Closed-circuit Television 2. Radio Frequency Identification 3. Wireless Local Area Network Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/ technologies?
- Science & Technology
With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements: 1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks. 3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Science & Technology
Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?
- Science & Technology
With reference to “Software as a Service (SaaS)”, consider the following statements: 1. SaaS buyers can customise the user interface and can change data fields. 2. SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices. 3. Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo Mail are form of SaaS Which of the statements given above are correct?
UPSC Prelims 20203 questions
- Science & Technology
With reference to “Blockchain Technology” consider the following statements: 1. It is a public ledger that everyone we inspect, but which no single user controls 2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it is about crypto currency only. 3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Science & Technology
With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm 2. VLC is known as long - range optical wireless comm- unication. 3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth 4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 3. Disease diagnosis 4. Text -to -Speech Conversion 5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy Select the correct answer using the code given below:
UPSC Prelims 20192 questions
- Science & Technology
In the context of wearable technology, which of the following tasks is/are accomplished by wearable devices? 1. Location identification of a person 2. Sleep monitoring of a person 3. Assisting the hearing impaired person Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- Science & Technology
In the context of digital technologies for entertainment, consider the following statements: 1. In Augmented Reality (AR), a simulated environment is created and the physical world is completely shut out. 2. In Virtual Reality (VR), images generated from a computer are projected onto real -life objects or surroundings. 3. AR allows individuals to be present in the world and improves the experience using the camera of smart - phones or PCs. 4. VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, providing a complete immersion experience. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
UPSC Prelims 20181 question
UPSC Prelims 20171 question
UPSC Prelims 20161 question
UPSC Prelims 20151 question
UPSC Prelims 20114 questions
- Science & Technology
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices?
- Science & Technology
What is a “Virtual Private Network”?
- Science & Technology
A new optical disc format known as the Blu-ray Disc (BD) is becoming popular. In what way is it different from the traditional DVD? 1. DVD supports standard Definition video while BD supports High definition Video. 2. Compared to a DVD, the BD format has several times more storage capacity. 3. Thickness of BD is 2.4 mm while that of DVD is 1.2 mm. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Science & Technology
What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp? 1. To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semiconductor material. 2. The average lifespan of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp 3. A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
