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Science and Technology Strategy

Science and Technology is an important part of Prelims syllabus. It covers not only the static portion but dynamic as well. In recent years, UPSC is emphasizing on dynamic cum analytical aspect of Science and Technology (S & T)

Weightage given since 2011:

The importance of Science and Technology can be seen from the number of questions asked in previous years. Last year there were more questions on environment, so less in Science. Considering the trend, in 2015, we can expect more number of questions from this section.

How to Prepare?

While analyzing the questions, it is clear that almost all questions are analytical and demands clarity of concepts rather than only facts. It is getting even tougher for an aspirant to prepare the analytical aspect because none of the static sources teaches about it, be it NCERT or NIOS etc. So, the question is “How to Prepare Science and Technology”?

In this article We will simplify this aspect and make it simpler for a beginner to understand that now UPSC is not about ‘Learn by Heart’ but ‘Learn by Art’.

All of you must be aware of ‘Art of Living’. Here we will learn ‘Art of Learning’. This strategy will not be in consonance with other strategy that you read on IASbaba. The reason is simple. S&T is abstract and unpredictable also. All of you are aware of study materials to be followed. We will be no exception in telling you the same resources. 

After going through this article you will understand the choices we are going to create for you. If you want to mug up NCERTS/NIOS or any coaching stuff, you are free. Introspect about your preparation and ask yourself? Whether UPSC questions are solvable with the approach you have? If yes, proceed and stop wasting time on any website, even IASbaba.com. Here, we are trying to sharpen your thought process and smart learning skills. Smart learning is an ‘ART’

Art is not to go through all the texts available in the market and create a book store in your room and get tensed. It is a hard fact that people keep on piling resources in order to learn but what they earn? They earn tension, fatigue and most importantly a sense of satisfaction that they have at least read all the collections once.

S&T includes basic science like Physical, Chemical, Biological, Bio-Chemistry and Technology. Very basic way to prepare this section is to get acquainted with current developments with respect to all the domains, part of S&T. Here we classify the domains and let you understand the very diversified and analytical nature of questions asked. Ours will not be a bookish or coaching strategy. You may differ, you may have your own strategy, you may like any other strategy but this is what our experience has shown us.  Let us proceed and start with Basic Science.  Concentrate on following explanations

Physical Science and Current Events

There is no need of doing research in Physics to solve the questions. Questions from this section are basic and deal more with current happening or some phenomenon in news. There is no need to study physics as a core subject. We are dividing the aspects to be learnt and also the way to approach it.

Current Events

Focus

Current aspects of Physics can be broadly understood under following headings which are directional that you will find while reading newspapers.

• Graphene– It was asked in UPSC because in 2010, Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded on the work of Graphene. The question was on its properties rather than other facts.
• Higg’s Boson– A buzz for quite a long time because of its groundbreaking research hence asked by UPSC. Always concentrate on properties and reasons on which the news is based on. Do not go in deep research.
• Big Bang Theory– Reason for continuous expansion of the Universe, the reasons behind it and the proof available.
• Dark Energy and Dark Matter– Quite often in news. Scientists are still trying to solve the mystery behind its existence.

Now see the question asked by UPSC

Recently there was news related to ‘Indian Neutrino Observatory’ to be set in Tamil Nadu. There is no need to research on INO in detail. So what to Focus on? – Have a basic understanding of Neutrions, its sources and application

Let us illustrate this with a previous year question (2010 UPSC Prelims Paper)

A Question from current affairs

Note: Was it a shocker?   This is how UPSC frames questions. Do they ask questions from heaven? Of course not, looking at the questions asked, can anyone tell the sources to prepare? So the purpose is to understand and know the trend on which your preparation has to be based.

Now, let us look into one more buzzing issue of recent times. Quite often you witness articles in ‘The Hindu’ about scientists discussing their experience and discoveries about Dark Energy and Dark Matter. Now, this is something UPSC may be interested in.

Keep asking yourself, if you need to learn everything about Dark Energy and Dark Matter? If you will read like this, we are sure it will take become another ‘5 year Plan’ for you to satisfy your preparation level. In a day, you have 24 hours and UPSC requires you to prepare hell of subjects and domains. How will you crack this exam in a year or so if your strategy is of a slow learner/crammer?

Note: Are you able to focus now? Or still confused or stuck with bulging notes or books? If yes, then you need to introspect about your preparation strategy. If this article is making sense to you then proceed to next level and decide accordingly.

Concepts: Forces in Nature and Naturally Occurring Phenomenon

Focus

• Gravitational Force– Basic concept, its impact on earth and on other heavenly bodies. Its relation and reaction with other known forces etc. Try to simplify your learning process. There is lot to learn in less time.
• Electromagnetic Force and Energy– Same as above

• Rotation and Revolution of Earth-Its effects on other natural phenomenon, How they are responsible for any change on Earth? Whether they are inclusive or exclusive of other changes?

• Recent phenomenon in news– Solar Flares etc

Note: NCERT texts cover these basics. Hence the questions asked in the last 3 years could have been answered though some thought it was tricky.

Example (2013 Prelims Questions Paper):

Note: Recent trend suggests that a question can be put in geography, environment as well as Science domain depending on various dimensions. For example, above question is evidently asking for physical forces that we learnt in Physics but then the scope of the question also covers geographical aspect as well. Do not get puzzled over such points whether the question is from Physics or Geography or anything. Basically, UPSC is framing questions on concepts and a single question can have one concept or five concepts at the same time. If you are weak in any of the given concept then it becomes quite difficult to solve the question, unless the ‘technique of elimination’ can come to your rescue 

Now let us check any random issue from Current Affairs of this year. Recently Solar Flares were in news.

Natural Processes: Look around you and try to find out science involved in various natural processes.

Focus

• While going through NCERTS or any source, pay more attention on concepts explaining any natural phenomenon. For instance:
• What causes a Rainbow?
• Dispersion in nature, Spectrum, Total Internal Reflection, Refraction and
• Concepts like why the sky is blue in colour?
• Why does the sun appear Red during sunrise and sunset (the physics behind it needs to be known)
• Why do stars twinkle?
• What is a Pole Star? Where/which direction it is visible also needed.
• Surface tension and capillary actions
• Phenomenon related to heat and light
• Similarly you should know the reason behind what causes lightning, thunderstorms and the various types of clouds (also is given in Geography texts of NCERT)

Note:

• Search on the net for all such phenomenon and know the basic science behind them.
• Trust us; NCERTS are best source to prepare for these aspects. The only thing that matters is ‘How you prepare from NCERT’?

We will illustrate with an example

Chemical Science: Chemistry and Current Events

 Focus

• General phenomenon of chemistry or chemical change like anomalous expansion of water, density of water is also covered in NCERT.
• Elements in nature: radioactive (Ex: Thorium, Uranium) and non-radioactive, Carbon Dating, Lead- its harmful effects and uses (Ex: is it used in Petrol and pencils?)
• Nuclear Energy- Focus on Neutrons, use of Heavy Water, controlled and uncontrolled chain reaction and nuclear reactors. Locations of Nuclear reactors in India
• Properties of elements and compounds that you encounter in news like Ethanol, Methanol etc.
• Terms like Antioxidant, Isotopes and Artificial Rains etc.

Note: You will find lots of articles in newspapers dealing with chemistry. Stick to the basics and learn the relevant concept based on NCERTS only. Here at IASbaba, we will be updating you on everyday basis on How to pick the issue and solve questions.

Example:

Note: See these questions from Current affairs and learn. Everyone has learnt or found news about sugar industries and issues related to it. Have you pondered upon chemistry aspect? Everyone knows that Ethanol is used as Fuel. It is also a by-product of Sugar making process. Now let us enhance the concept.

Note: Do not get threatened as you will learn gradually. The process of concept building takes time. Once you learn this way, preparation becomes more enjoyable. Also, concept building cannot be taught. It has to come from within. Yes, you just need a way to build it. There is no guarantee in UPSC but there is way to understand its nerves. Questions from this section are random and analytical. No one can meditate and tell you that these are the sources to prepare from. And no single book will suffice the demand of it. No institute will let you know the requirement. They cannot because this exam is not about reading so much. It is about How, What and Why to study of any concept or topic?

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