UKPSC Mains Paper VI: General Science and Technology

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Paper IV is highly scoring paper in UKPCS Mains. Science and Technology Notes for UKPCS Mains are designed by UKPSC Toppers and other civil servants. Detail Notes can be browsed at the following links.

Physical & Chemical Science

Motion: Measurement of physical quantities and system of Units, Linear motion, circular motion and vibrational motion; force and laws of motion; Universal law of gravitation, gravity, acceleration due to gravity, artificial satellites and their launching, Indian satellites and their history, work power and energy; Concept of pressure, atmospheric and hydrostatic pressure and their utility in daily life; surface tension; Mechanical waves- audible, infrasonic, and ultrasonic, their main characteristics; Earth quake and its causes, epicenter, seismic waves and their transmission. Electromagnetic waves, their types and characteristics, X-rays, their type and utility in human life.
Elementary idea of LASER, Holography, Radio activity, Nuclear Fission & Fusion, Electric current, its chemical, thermal and magnetic effects; electric motor; electric generator and electric transformer; electric power plant, Domestic power supply and safety for handling electricity; Human eye, its defects, their causes and remedies; Microscope and telescope; Conductors, semiconductors and insulators.
Energy: Non-renewable and renewable energy sources. Energies like solar, wind, biogas, biomass, geothermal, tidal and other renewable energy; Introduction to solar appliances viz Solar cell, solar cooker, water heater etc. Biogas- principle and process.

Energy
Energy Scenario in India: Problems of Energy Crises, Govt. Policies and programs for power generation. Nuclear Power Program, Nuclear policy of India- salient features, Recent trends in nuclear policy such as NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and CTBT (comprehensive Test Ban Treaty). Thermal Power Program, Hydroelectric Power program, Power distribution and National Grid. Agencies and Institutions engaged in Energy security, Research and development. Elementary idea of atomic structure; Types of elements and compounds; Physical and chemical changes; Acids, bases, buffers and salts; pH scale; Properties and modern methods of purification of drinking water; methods of production of washing soda; baking soda, bleaching powder and plaster of paris; preparation of building materials – lime, cement, glass, aluminum and steel; Preparation and properties of commonly used dyes, detergents, explosives, paints and varnishes; Properties and applications of petroleum products; Methods of preparing alcohols (Methanol and Ethanol); Polymers : Synthetic fibers (nylon and rayon), commodity plastics (polyethylene, polystyrene and poly vinyl chloride), engineering plastics (ABS and poly carbonates) and rubbers (polyisoprene and polybutadiene); Preliminary idea of medicine and its classification; Food preservatives; Introduction to alkaloids (nicotine and cocaine), carbohydrates (glucose, sucrose and cellulose) and steroids (cholesterol).

Space Technology

Space Technology: Space programme in India and its applications with special reference to industrial, agriculture, telecommunication, television, education and Indian m`issile programme, Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS) and its application in weather forecasting, Disaster warning, water, oil and mineral development, urban planning and rural development activities; Introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS), and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites system.

Life Science
Structure and function of animal cell and cell organelles; Bio-Molecules; Introduction to basic functional aspects of mammalian systems- digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, excretory, endocrine and reproductive. Blood groups. Chromosomes, linkage, sex-linked inheritance and sex determination, DNA and RNA; Economic zoology (Fish and fisheries, Apiculture, Sericulture, Vermiculture, Piggery, Poultry, Dairy etc.). Domestic and wild animals, usefulness of animals for mankind; exploitation of animals by man as food and medicine.
Plants and mankind, characteristics of plants, structure and function of plant cells and organelles;
Diseases of plants caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses, etc. and their prevention; Basic concepts of ecosystem, food web and food chain; Economic Botany.

Bio Technology
Biotechnology: Introduction of Biotechnology, its potential to improve human life and national economy through agriculture (biofertilizers, biopesticides, biofuels, genetically modified crops), industrial development and employment generation. Areas of application -pharmaceuticals, human healthcare, food technology, energy generation etc., Efforts of government in promoting biotechnology in the country. Ethical, social, legal and IPR (intellectual property rights) issues related to biotechnological development.
Introduction and applications of genetic engineering and stem cell research. Use of nanotechnology in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry (cloning and transgenic animals applications In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and genetically modified organism etc.). Biotechnology in environmental clean up process. Production of Hybrid seeds and their processing techniques, Bt cotton and Bt brinjal etc. Tissue culture and molecular markers.
Microbial infections; Introduction to bacterial, viral, protozoan and fungal infections in human beings. Basic knowledge of infections caused by different groups of micro organisms- diarrhoea, dysentry, cholera, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, scrub typhus, viral infections like HIV, encephalitis, chikungunya, bird flu- preventive measure during outbreaks. Zoonotic diseases; elementary knowledge of vaccines, Immunology basic concepts.

Computer, Information & Communication Technology and Cyber Security

Definition of digital computer, Elements of computer: Input unit, Output unit, Primary memory, Secondary memory and Processing unit. Classifications, generations, applications and limitations of digital computers.
Data, Data processing, business data processing, data storage, file management system and data base management systems.
Software and application of PC software packages: Software definition, Type of software and its Knowledge of Word processing, Spreadsheets and Power point presentation software packages.

Basic element of Communication systems, data transmission mode, transmission media, network topologies, network types, communication protocols, network security mechanism. Definition of Internet, search tools, web browsers, e-mail and search engines. IT applications: E-cards, E- shopping, E-commerce.
Role of external state and Non-state actor’s in creating challenges to internal security, challenges to Internal security through communication networks, Role of media and Social networking sites in internal security challenges, Basics of cyber security, Role of biometric devices in security, IT Act (2000), Security challenges in border areas linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Management in border areas by various security forces/agencies.

Environmental Problems

Types of pollution and their management; air, water, soil, sound/noise, radioactive and e-waste. Industrial waste and its management. Impact of Solid Waste Management, recycling and reuse, Watershed Management, Watershed approach for sustainable development, Human role in pollution control, Environment and human health; Effects of pollutants on animals and plants; urbanisation and industrial development.

Global Environmental Issues like Green House Effect, Green House Gases and their mitigation. Climate Change, Acid Rain, Global Warming, Ozone depletion, Biodiversity and its conservation, Hotspots and threats to Biodiversity. The Environment (Protection) Act(1986) ,Forest Conservation Act; Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Credits and Carbon Footprint; United Nations Environmental Conservation Programme (UNEP),National parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves and Botanical gardens; Wildlife and its management, human and wild animal struggle; Seismic activity zones; Development and environment;

Disaster Management

Disaster Management: Definition, nature, types and classification of disasters, Natural Hazards; Causative factors and mitigation measures; Disaster Management Act(2005), National Disaster Management Authorities(NDMA); Uttarakhand Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority; earthquake, flood, cloudburst, cyclone, tsunami, landslides, drought, etc; Factors affecting mitigation measures; Disasters in the Uttarakhand Himalayan region and other Himalayan States. Need of Eco- Sensitive Zones (ESZ’s)in Uttarakhand. Man made calamities- chemical and nuclear hazards etc. Case studies of various natural and man made hazards at international, national and uttarakhand state level and their impact. NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force). General awareness on current events of State, National and International level.

FAQs on UKPSC Mains Paper VI: General Science and Technology of Uttarakhand

What is the main focus of this paper?

This paper primarily focuses on general scientific principles and their applications, with a special emphasis on technological advancements relevant to Uttarakhand.

What are the key topics covered in this paper?

The key topics include:

  • Basic Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany and Zoology)
  • Applied Sciences: Agriculture, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Space Technology, Nanotechnology, Environmental Science
  • Technology in Uttarakhand: Focus on local technological innovations, infrastructure, and their impact on the state's development.

What types of questions can I expect?

You can expect a mix of:

  • Conceptual Questions: Testing your understanding of fundamental scientific principles.
  • Application-Based Questions: Evaluating your ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-world scenarios.
  • Current Affairs Questions: Assessing your awareness of recent scientific and technological developments, particularly those relevant to Uttarakhand.
  • Analytical Questions: Requiring you to analyze scientific data or information and draw conclusions.

Is it important to be aware of current affairs in science and technology?

Yes, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest advancements in science and technology, both globally and specifically in the context of Uttarakhand. This will help you answer current affairs questions and demonstrate your understanding of the dynamic nature of these fields.

What resources can I use to prepare for this paper?

  • Standard Textbooks: Refer to NCERT textbooks for basic science concepts and specialized books for applied sciences and technology.
  • Newspapers and Magazines: Regularly read science and technology sections of newspapers and magazines like Science Reporter, Down To Earth, etc.
  • Government Websites: Explore websites of departments like the Department of Science and Technology, Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA), etc., for information on state-specific initiatives.
  • Previous Year Question Papers: Solve previous years' papers to understand the exam pattern and types of questions asked.

How much time should I allocate for this paper?

The preparation time varies depending on your existing knowledge and comfort level with the subject. However, it's recommended to start early and dedicate consistent effort to understand the concepts and their applications.

Are there any specific tips for tackling this paper?

  • Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus to prioritize your preparation.
  • Build a Strong Foundation: Focus on understanding the fundamental scientific principles before delving into advanced topics.
  • Relate Concepts to Real-World Applications: Try to connect scientific concepts to their practical applications in various fields.
  • Regularly Revise: Make concise notes and revise them regularly to reinforce your understanding.
  • Practice Answer Writing: Solve previous year papers and mock tests to improve your answer writing skills and time management.