Target 2018 UPSC – Science & Technology Current Affairs

Table of Contents

Defence Technology & Material Technology
(LASER, Superconductivity, AI, Robotics, Nanotechnology)

1. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’,
that was in the news recently? [UPSC (Pre) — 2016]
(a) Amphibious warfare ship
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

It is the first indigenously built warship by Indian Navy.
It is a Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel (TLRV) and is a
replacement of INS Astravahini which decommissioned on july 2015.

2. With reference to ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’,
consider the following  statements:  [UPSC (Pre)—2016]
1. It is an organisation of European Union in working  relation with NATO and WHO.
2. It monitors chemical industry to prevent new  weapons from emerging.
3. It provides assistance and protection to states (parties) against chemical
weapons threats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW)
It was established in 1997 and is an independent autonomous organization.
Headquarter is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

It is  the implementing body of Chemical Weapon Convention  (CWC).
Including India, it has 192 member states, which  represent about
98% of the entire global population and  also 98% of the worldwide
chemical industry. The Noble Peace prize 2013 has been awarded to
OPCW for “extensive work to eliminate chemical  weapons”.

3. With reference to Agni -IV missile,
which of the following statements is/are correct?  [UPSC (Pre)—2014]
1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
3. It can deliver 1-tonne nuclear warheads about 7,500 km away.
Select the correct answer using the code given  below.
(a) 1 only    (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only  (d) 1.2 and 3
4. In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: [UPSC (Pre)—2009]
1. The Shaurya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.
2. The range of Shaurya missile is more than  1,600 km.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only               (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

The Shaurya missile is a canister launched hypersonic surface-to surface missile developed by the Indian Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) for use by the Indian Armed Forces.
It has a range of between 750 to 1,900 km and is capable of
carrying a payload of one ton conventional or nuclear warhead
with a speed of 7.5 Mach.

5. Recently, LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
procedure is being made popular for vision correction. Which
one of the following statements in this context is not
correct? [UPSC (Pre)—2010]
(a)  LASIK procedure is used to correct  refractive errors of the eye
(b)  It is a procedure that permanently changes the  shapes of the cornea
(c)  It reduces a person’s dependence on glasses  contact lenses
(d)  It is a procedure that can be done on the person  of any age

LASIK: It is a refractive surgery used to describe surgical
procedures that correct common vision problems (nearsightedness,
farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia) to reduce your dependence
on prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses at any age in human life.

6. With reference to the use of nano-technology in health sector,
which of the following statements is/are correct? [UPSC (Pre)  – 2015]
1. Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.
2. Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.
Select the correct answer using the code given  below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
7. Graphene is frequently in news recently.
What is its importance? [UPSC (Pre)  – 2012]
1. It is a two-dimensional material and has good electrical conductivity.
2. It is one of the thinnest, but strongest materials V tested so far.
3. It is entirely made of silicon and has high optical transparency.
4. It can be used as ‘conducting electrodes’ required for touch screens,
LCDs and organic LEDs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4