Bharath - General science for prelims
Science & Technology, also called General Science by the UPSC is an important part of the syllabus for Prelims. Along with Ecology and Environment, it contributed more than twenty questions to the Prelims paper I in 2018. It had contributed more than thirty questions in 2017. In the Mains exam, General Studies Paper III has Technology, Environment and Biodiversity as important parts of the IAS Syllabus. As it has consistently been an important area of focus for the UPSC Syllabus, it is imperative for candidates to study Science & Technology well. NCERT books are the fundamental sources that one must read to prepare for this subject. In this article, we will discuss which are the important NCERT chapters for IAS 2019.
Read more on Science & technology for Prelims by checking out:
NCERT General Science books for UPSC
The following NCERT books are recommended for covering the Science & Technology part of the syllabus for Prelims:
- Science: Textbook for Class VI
- Science: Textbook for Class VII
- Science: Textbook for Class VIII
- Science: Textbook for Class IX
- Science: Textbook for Class X
- Biology: Textbook for Class XI
- Biology: Textbook for Class XII
- Chemistry: Textbook for Class XII
IAS candidates should read these books from cover to cover at least once to gain an idea of the subject. However, all the chapters from these books are not required to be studied thoroughly. This is because many of the concepts covered in lower classes get repeated in detail in higher classes. Here is a list of chapters from each book that UPSC aspirants have to cover in depth for the exam:
| Book | Chapters |
| NCERT Class VI Science |
|
| Class VII Science |
|
| Class VIII Science |
|
| Class IX Science |
|
| Class X Science |
|
| Class XI Biology |
|
| Class XII Biology |
|
| Class XII Chemistry |
|
Important points to remember:
- Candidates should keep themselves updated on the latest developments in Science & Technology by reading the relevant sections of the Hindu. You should also read about the basic science applied for the developments.
- You should classify Science related topics from Current Affairs into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics etc. to organize the topics for revision.
NCERT Books build the foundation of knowledge on which aspirants can base their preparation on. Once the basic concepts are cleared, they can move on to other sources of information and apply the knowledge gained for the UPSC exam. It is very important to take NCERT notes while preparing for Prelims as it would help revise concepts from time to time.
General science and technology is a subject that is equally important as other subjects for the UPSC civil services exam. Every year about 25 – 30 questions are asked from this section in the UPSC prelims of the IAS exams. So, you can assess the importance of this section. Generally, students from science or engineering backgrounds find this section easy, but others with a humanities background find this section a bit tough. It need not be if you follow some strategies. This article talks about how to go about preparing for the general science section of the UPSC civil services prelims.
This section can be classified into four:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Current affairs related to science and technology
General science syllabus for IAS prelims:
Universe – Big Bang, Redshift, Blueshift
Star Formation – Stellar Evolution, Life Cycle of A Star
Solar System Formation – Nebular Theory of Laplace
Solar System – Planets, Inner Planets, Outer Planets
Sun – Internal Structure, Atmosphere
Nuclear Fission, Nuclear Reactor Types
India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme
Cell Organelles – Plant Cell vs. Animal Cell
Carbohydrates – Monosaccharides, Polysaccharides
Proteins – Amino Acids, Enzymes
Vitamins and Minerals – Deficiency Diseases
Fats – Healthy Fats and Unhealthy Fats
Animal Tissues – Epithelium, Connective Tissues
Human Digestive System – Digestive Glands
Respiratory System – NCERT General Science
Endocrine Glands and Hormones
Human Neural System – Human Brain
Muscular and Skeletal System
Nucleic acids – DNA and RNA, Recombinant DNA
Mitosis – Cell Cycle, Cell Division, Meiosis – Mitosis – Meiosis Comparison
Inheritance – Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance, Chromosomal Theory, Human Genome Project
Sex Determination – Genetic Disorders
Diseases Caused by Microorganisms
Microbes in Human Welfare – Useful Microbes
Immunity – Human Immune System
AIDS, Cancer – causes
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
Diseases – Acute, Chronic, Communicable Diseases
Blood – Blood Groups – Formed Elements
Circulatory System, Double Circulation
Excretory System – Kidney, Urine Formation
Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth
Biological Classification
Five Kingdom Classifications of Plants and Animals
Plant Parts and Their Functions
Plant Kingdom – Thallophytes (Algae), Bryophytes, Pteridophytes
Plants with Seeds – Gymnosperms and Angiosperms
Plant Tissue – Meristematic – Simple, Complex Permanent Tissue
Plant Nutrition – Photosynthesis, Nitrogen Cycle, Fixation
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Plants
Classification of Animal Kingdom (Animalia)
Classification of Vertebrata (Phylum Chordata)
Human Reproductive System
Biotechnology – Genetic Engineering – Processes and Applications
Atomic Theory – Structure of an Atom
DELP (UJALA) Scheme – Comparison: LED – CFL – Incandescent Bulb
Sources of study material for science section in the UPSC exam:
- For core science subjects (chemistry, physics and biology), refer to the NCERT books from class VI to class X. ( if we study 6 to 10 then no need ot study physics and chemistry of 11 and 12 , 11 and 12 th biology last 4 chapter (must), genetics (chapter 5 , 6))
- Refer to newspapers like The Hindu and its special science edition on Thursdays.
- Refer to magazines like Science Reporter.
- Other sources include the CSIR book series, books published by National Book Trust.
Areas to focus on
Biology:
This is the most important of all core science subjects. Within biology, zoology takes precedence over botany in the UPSC civil service exam.
Focus area in botany – biological diversity, plant system, plant physiology
Focus area in zoology – animal classification, tissue structure, animal physiology.
Other focus areas – cell biology, genetics, biotechnology (transgenic crops), human health, micro-organism, pathogens, communicable diseases and nutrition.
Let us take a look at a biology question asked in the 2013 UPSC prelims paper I:
- Q) Recombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred
- across different species of plants
- from animals to plants
- from microorganisms to higher organisms
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
solution: a
Chemistry:
Not many questions are asked from this subject except around 5 – 6 questions in the IAS prelims.
Focus areas – application based chemistry, food chemistry, fuels, and polymers, biometric systems, chemical changes in matter, radioactive elements, carbon dating, nuclear energy, neutrons, heavy water, nuclear reactors locations in India, elements and compounds that feature in news, etc.
For instance, ethanol is commonly found in the news. Take a look at the following UPSC prelims question:
‘Ethanol’ has widespread usages and application. Consider the statements with reference to it
(1) It cannot be used as rocket propellant
(2) It can be used in thermometer
(3) It can be used as an antiseptic
(4) It causes cancer
(5) It can cause birth defects
(6) It cannot be used in DNA extraction because it is highly toxic
Correct code/s
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5
(b) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 6
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: d
Technical details and chemical equations are not important.
Physics:
Focus areas – light, sound, heat, electromagnetic radiation, electricity, magnetism, Newton’s Law, gravitation, Big Bang Theory, Higg’s Boson, dark energy, dark matter, graphene, forces in nature and naturally occurring phenomenon, rotation and revolution of the earth, recent phenomenon in news, etc.
Current affairs in science and technology:
Like in every other subject, scout the newspapers and science magazines for the latest in scientific developments in India and abroad. As explained earlier, look for concepts involved in such events and developments.
Look out for Nobel Prize winners and their achievements.
Analysis of recent question papers reveals that a question in current affairs can be headed under science and technology as well as geography or geology. The following question which featured in the 2013 UPSC prelims question paper includes understanding of concepts from both Physics and Geography.
- Q) Consider the following:
- Electromagnetic radiation
- Geothermal energy
- Gravitational force
- Plate movements
- Rotation of the earth
- Revolution of the earth
Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Solution: d
Quick tips to remember while studying for general science in the IAS prelims exam:
- Go through NCERT text books and revise them thoroughly.
- Stick to the basics only. Preparing from the NCERTs is enough for the core subjects. No need to study scientific concepts in detail.
- The idea is to cover the portions as much as possible; you don’t have to get a doctorate in science.
- Update yourself on the latest scientific developments happening in India and abroad.
- Know the Nobel Prize winners for the year and their area of work.
- Follow ISRO, DRDO, Ministry of Science & Technology websites and news.
- If any concept confuses you or you don’t understand it well enough from the NCERTs, look it up on the Internet.
- Go through and practice previous year IAS question papers.
- If there is any event in India related to science, always go through the basic science involved in that area.
For instance, consider the following question asked in the 2010 UPSC prelims:
India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:
- Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
- Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
- Neutrinos have a negligible, but nonzero mass.
- Trillions of Neutrinos pass through human body every second.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution: d
- Focus on naturally occurring phenomenon and how they occur. For example, consider the following question asked in 2013 IAS prelims:
During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the
- Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky
- Lightning that separates the nimbus clouds
- Violent upward movement of air and water particles
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above produces the thunder
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