UPSC Prelims · Topic-wise PYQs
Science & Tech and Basic Science UPSC Prelims PYQs
186 questions on Science & Tech and Basic Science asked in UPSC Prelims, sorted into 8 sub-topics. In the app you practise each sub-topic as a timed test with the UPSC marking (+2 / −0.66 per question), followed by a full analysis.
About Science & Tech and Basic Science in UPSC Prelims
Science & Tech and Basic Science is the 4th largest of the 13 topics in the UPSC bank: 186 of its 2,520 topic-wise PYQs (7.4%). The biggest sub-topics are Defence, Inventions & Research Labs (50), Electronics & IT (36), Biology (24).
Sub-topics and question counts
| Sub-topic | PYQs | Latest year |
|---|---|---|
| Defence, Inventions & Research Labs | 50 | 2026 |
| Electronics & IT | 36 | 2026 |
| Biology | 24 | 2025 |
| Biotech | 21 | 2026 |
| Physics | 18 | 2024 |
| Space | 17 | 2026 |
| Diseases | 13 | 2025 |
| Chemistry | 7 | 2025 |
| Total | 186 | 2026 |
Sub-topics with fewer than 20 questions are practised inside the Science & Tech and Basic Science tests in the app and have no page of their own.
Science & Tech and Basic Science PYQs by the latest year asked
Each question is counted once, under the latest year it was asked in the exam.
| Period | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 and later | 87 | |
| 2016–2020 | 64 | |
| 2011–2015 | 35 |
Sample Science & Tech and Basic Science questions from the free tests
Question text only. The options, the answer and the explanation open in the free test (free sign-in with your mobile number).
Asked in 2026
Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ?
Attempt it in the free UPSC 2026 GS Paper I
1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
2. T-90 MK-III Tanks
3. Akula Class Submarine
Select the answer using the code given below :Asked in 2026
Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is not correctly matched ?
Attempt it in the free UPSC 2026 GS Paper I
Questions students ask
How many Science & Tech and Basic Science questions has UPSC Prelims asked?
Sovereign IAS has 186 Science & Tech and Basic Science previous-year questions from UPSC Prelims in 8 sub-topics, the latest from 2026.
Which Science & Tech and Basic Science sub-topics come up most often?
Defence, Inventions & Research Labs (50 questions), Electronics & IT (36 questions), Biology (24 questions).
Can I practise UPSC Science & Tech and Basic Science PYQs for free?
Partly. 17 of these 186 questions are in the free UPSC tests (the latest papers and two topic-wise tests, free with a sign-in); the full set is part of the Destiny Pass.