IRDAI Assistant Manager Computer Knowledge Syllabus

Computer Knowledge syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Computer Knowledge in IRDAI Assistant Manager, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Computer Fundamentals

   4 topics

   • Generations and Classification of Computers
   • Hardware, Software and Memory Hierarchy
   • Input, Output and Storage Devices
   • Number Systems and Data Representation
2. 2

   Operating Systems and Software

   3 topics

   • Functions and Types of Operating Systems
   • MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
   • File Management and Shortcuts
3. 3

   Networking and Internet

   3 topics

   • Network Types (LAN, WAN, MAN) and Topologies
   • Internet, Intranet and Protocols
   • Email, Browsers and Web Concepts
4. 4

   Database and Cyber Security

   4 topics

   • DBMS Fundamentals and SQL Basics
   • Cyber Threats, Malware and Phishing
   • Data Security, Encryption and Digital Signatures
   • Emerging Technologies (AI, Cloud, Blockchain)

Computer Knowledge flashcards for IRDAI Assistant Manager

23 of 63 cards from the Computer Knowledge deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What distinguished first-generation computers (1940s-1950s) in terms of their core electronic component?

   They used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory; they were large, consumed huge power, and generated a lot of heat.

2. Which electronic component defined second-generation computers, and what was its advantage over the first generation?

   Transistors, which were smaller, faster, cheaper, more reliable, and consumed less power than vacuum tubes.

3. What technology characterized third-generation computers?

   Integrated Circuits (ICs), which placed many transistors on a single silicon chip, increasing speed and efficiency.

4. What component defines fourth-generation computers?

   The microprocessor (VLSI - Very Large Scale Integration), placing thousands of integrated circuits on a single chip.

5. What is the defining concept of fifth-generation computers?

   Artificial Intelligence (AI), based on parallel processing, ULSI technology, and the goal of human-like reasoning and natural language.

6. Classify computers by size from largest to smallest.

   Supercomputer, Mainframe, Minicomputer, Microcomputer (personal computer).

7. What are the three types of computers based on data handling, and how do they differ?

   Analog (continuous data), Digital (discrete data/binary), and Hybrid (combines both analog and digital).

8. Define computer hardware and give examples.

   Hardware is the physical, tangible components of a computer, such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, RAM, and hard drive.

9. Define computer software and name its two main types.

   Software is the set of programs/instructions that tell hardware what to do. The two types are system software (e.g., OS) and application software (e.g., Word).

10. List the memory hierarchy from fastest/smallest to slowest/largest.

    Registers, Cache memory, Main memory (RAM), Secondary storage (HDD/SSD), Tertiary/offline storage (tape, optical).

11. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

    RAM is volatile read/write memory used for temporary working data; ROM is non-volatile read-only memory that stores permanent instructions like the BIOS.

12. What is the difference between SRAM and DRAM?

    SRAM (Static RAM) uses flip-flops, is faster and used for cache; DRAM (Dynamic RAM) uses capacitors that need refreshing, is slower/cheaper, and used as main memory.

13. What is cache memory and why is it used?

    A small, very fast memory between the CPU and RAM that stores frequently accessed data to speed up processing.

14. Name the three main components of a CPU.

    The Control Unit (CU), the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and registers (memory unit).

15. Classify input devices and give three examples.

    Input devices feed data into a computer; examples include keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, joystick, and webcam.

16. Give three examples of output devices.

    Monitor, printer, speakers, projector, and plotter.

17. Which device is both an input and output device? Give two examples.

    I/O devices; examples include touchscreen, modem, network card, and a hard disk drive.

18. What is the difference between primary and secondary storage?

    Primary storage (RAM) is fast, volatile, directly accessed by the CPU; secondary storage (HDD/SSD) is slower, non-volatile, and used for permanent data storage.

19. What is the key difference between an HDD and an SSD?

    An HDD uses spinning magnetic platters (mechanical); an SSD uses flash memory with no moving parts, making it faster and more durable.

20. Order these units from smallest to largest: GB, KB, TB, MB, Byte.

    Byte, KB (kilobyte), MB (megabyte), GB (gigabyte), TB (terabyte).

21. How many bits are in a byte, and what is a nibble?

    A byte has 8 bits; a nibble is 4 bits (half a byte).

22. What are the bases of the binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal number systems?

    Binary = base 2, Octal = base 8, Decimal = base 10, Hexadecimal = base 16.

23. Convert the binary number 1010 to decimal.

    10 (8 + 0 + 2 + 0).

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