Science and Technology is a common subject in both BPSC and UPSC. Most of the questions are from basic NCERT level and current developments. Means if you study basic concepts and current affairs, then you can score good marks. Let’s understand Science and Technology Syllabus for BPSC and UPSC – Subject wise.
Table of Contents
1. Physics – Topic-wise Syllabus
Physics in BPSC and UPSC means basic understanding of daily life phenomena. Let’s go subject-wise.
Basic Concepts of Physics
- Motion, Force and Energy
- Laws of Motion (Newton’s laws)
- Work, Power and Energy
- Gravitation – basics, universal law
- Pressure and Thrust
- Sound – production, reflection, uses
- Light – reflection, refraction, lenses and mirrors
- Heat – transfer, temperature, expansion
- Electricity – Ohm’s law, series and parallel circuits
- Magnetism – magnets, magnetic field, uses
Modern Physics (very basic)
- Atomic structure – protons, neutrons, electrons
- Nuclear energy – nuclear fission, fusion
- Radioactivity – alpha, beta, gamma rays
- X-rays and their uses
Space and Satellite Technology
- Satellites – types (GEO, LEO, MEO)
- ISRO and its missions (Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya L1)
- GPS and NAVIC
- Launch vehicles – PSLV, GSLV
2. Chemistry – Topic-wise Syllabus
Chemistry is mostly theoretical and based on NCERT levels. Let’s break it topic-wise.
Basic Concepts of Chemistry
- Matter and its states – solid, liquid, gas
- Elements, Compounds, Mixtures
- Atomic structure – Dalton’s, Bohr’s model
- Chemical reactions and equations
Important Concepts
- Acids, Bases and Salts – properties, uses, pH scale
- Metals and Non-metals – reactivity series, alloys
- Periodic Table – groups and periods, classification
- Carbon and its compounds – hydrocarbons, soaps and detergents
- Important chemicals in daily life – fertilizers, medicines, preservatives
Environmental Chemistry
- Pollution – air, water, noise
- Greenhouse gases, acid rain
- Ozone layer depletion and its effects
3. Biology – Topic-wise Syllabus
Biology is scoring part and comes in both exams. Let’s go topic-wise.
Human Body and Health
- Human digestive, respiratory, circulatory system
- Excretory and nervous system
- Reproductive system – male and female
- Common human diseases – TB, cancer, malaria, diabetes
- Vaccination and immunity
- Communicable and non-communicable diseases
Plant Biology
- Photosynthesis – process and significance
- Nutrition in plants – autotrophic, heterotrophic
- Plant reproduction – pollination, fertilization
Genetics and Biotechnology
- DNA, Genes and Chromosomes
- Mendel’s laws of inheritance
- Cloning, GM crops
- Stem cell research, DNA fingerprinting
Ecology and Environment
- Ecosystem – components and types
- Food chain and food web
- Biodiversity – conservation methods
- National parks and sanctuaries
4. Technology – Topic-wise Syllabus
This part is very important in current times. UPSC and BPSC both focus on recent technological development.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Basics of computer – hardware, software
- Internet, WiFi, 4G, 5G
- Cloud computing, Big Data
- Cybersecurity – malware, phishing
- Social media and its impact
Space Technology
- ISRO achievements
- Space missions of India – Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Gaganyaan
- International missions – NASA, SpaceX
- Satellite types and their uses – communication, weather, navigation
Nuclear Technology
- Nuclear power plants in India
- Working of nuclear reactor
- Safety measures in nuclear plants
- Nuclear treaties – NPT, CTBT
Defense Technology
- DRDO and its developments
- Missile technology – Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos
- Drones and UAVs
- Cyber defense
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
- Basics of AI and Machine Learning
- Applications in healthcare, defense, agriculture
- Ethical issues in AI
Nanotechnology
- What is nanotech? – size, structure
- Uses in medicine, energy, and electronics
- Future scope and challenges
5. Science and Technology in India
This section is current affairs-based but linked to syllabus.
- National Policy on Science
- India’s achievements in science and innovation
- Government schemes for science – Start-up India, Digital India
- Indian scientists and their contribution
- Indigenous technology development
6. Environment and Disaster Management (Connected to S&T)
- Renewable energy – solar, wind, biogas
- Non-renewable resources and their impact
- Natural disasters – earthquake, flood, cyclone
- Role of technology in disaster prediction and management
Extra Important Areas from Previous Year Papers
- COVID-19 – vaccine development, RT-PCR test, virus structure
- ChatGPT, AI tools, Smart Cities
- Quantum computing
- Genome editing (CRISPR)
- Green hydrogen
- Electric vehicles and batteries