State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC) General Science, Environment and Technology Syllabus

General Science, Environment and Technology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Science, Environment and Technology in State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Physics and Chemistry in Everyday Life

   4 topics

   • Mechanics, Energy and Everyday Phenomena
   • Light, Sound, Heat and Electricity
   • States of Matter, Acids, Bases and Salts
   • Metals, Non-metals and Common Compounds
2. 2

   Biology and Human Health

   4 topics

   • Cell Biology and Human Physiology
   • Nutrition, Diseases and Public Health
     • Communicable and non-communicable diseases
     • Vaccines and immunization
   • Genetics, Biotechnology and Applications
   • Plant and Animal Diversity
3. 3

   Environment and Ecology

   4 topics

   • Ecosystems and Biodiversity
     • Food chains, food webs and energy flow
     • Biodiversity hotspots and conservation
   • Pollution and Environmental Degradation
   • Climate Change and Global Initiatives
     • UNFCCC, Paris Agreement and IPCC
   • Environmental Laws and Protected Areas
     • National parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves
4. 4

   Science and Technology Developments

   4 topics

   • Space Technology and ISRO Missions
   • Nuclear and Defence Technology
   • Information Technology, AI and Cyber Security
   • Recent Developments and Applications in Science

General Science, Environment and Technology flashcards for State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC)

21 of 50 cards from the General Science, Environment and Technology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. State Newton's three laws of motion.

   1) An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net external force (inertia). 2) Force = mass x acceleration (F = ma). 3) Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

2. Define work, power and energy with their SI units.

   Work = force x displacement (joule, J). Power = work/time, rate of doing work (watt, W). Energy = capacity to do work (joule, J).

3. What is the difference between speed and velocity?

   Speed is a scalar (magnitude only, distance/time). Velocity is a vector (speed with direction, displacement/time).

4. State the law of conservation of energy.

   Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only transforms from one form to another. The total energy of an isolated system remains constant.

5. Why does a person feel pushed outward on a sharp turn in a vehicle?

   Due to inertia of direction (tendency to continue in a straight line); the apparent outward push is the centrifugal effect, while centripetal force pulls the body toward the centre.

6. What is the formula for kinetic energy and potential energy?

   Kinetic energy KE = (1/2)mv squared. Gravitational potential energy PE = mgh (m = mass, g = gravity, h = height).

7. What is the principle behind hydraulic machines like the hydraulic lift?

   Pascal's law: pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted equally in all directions, allowing a small force to lift a large load.

8. Why does a body weigh less at the equator than at the poles?

   The Earth bulges at the equator (greater distance from centre) and rotation produces a centrifugal effect, both reducing effective gravity, so weight is slightly less at the equator.

9. Differentiate between reflection and refraction of light.

   Reflection is the bouncing back of light from a surface. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed.

10. Why is the sky blue and the setting Sun red?

    Due to scattering of light (Rayleigh scattering): shorter blue wavelengths scatter more, making the sky blue; at sunset light travels through more atmosphere, scattering blue away and leaving red to reach the eye.

11. What is the speed of light and the speed of sound in air?

    Speed of light in vacuum is about 3 x 10^8 m/s. Speed of sound in air is about 343 m/s (around 332-340 m/s at 0 degrees C).

12. Define the three modes of heat transfer.

    Conduction: heat transfer through direct contact in solids. Convection: heat transfer by movement of fluids (liquids/gases). Radiation: heat transfer by electromagnetic waves without a medium.

13. State Ohm's law and its formula.

    At constant temperature, current through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across it. V = IR (Voltage = Current x Resistance).

14. What is the difference between AC and DC current?

    AC (alternating current) periodically reverses direction; DC (direct current) flows in one direction only. India's domestic supply is AC at 50 Hz.

15. Why do we hear an echo and what is the minimum distance required?

    An echo is sound reflected back to the listener. To hear a distinct echo the reflecting surface must be at least about 17 metres away (so the reflected sound returns after 0.1 s).

16. What is the audible range of sound frequency for humans?

    Roughly 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Below 20 Hz is infrasonic; above 20 kHz is ultrasonic.

17. Name the three states of matter and describe how particles behave in each.

    Solid: particles tightly packed, fixed shape and volume. Liquid: particles loosely packed, fixed volume but takes container's shape. Gas: particles far apart, no fixed shape or volume.

18. Define the processes of sublimation, evaporation and condensation.

    Sublimation: solid to gas directly. Evaporation: liquid to gas at the surface below boiling point. Condensation: gas to liquid.

19. What is the pH scale and how do acids and bases relate to it?

    The pH scale measures acidity/alkalinity from 0 to 14. pH below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic/alkaline.

20. What is a salt and how is it formed?

    A salt is an ionic compound formed by the neutralisation reaction of an acid and a base, producing salt and water (e.g., HCl + NaOH gives NaCl + H2O).

21. Give the chemical names of common acids found in citrus fruits, vinegar and curd.

    Citrus fruits contain citric acid, vinegar contains acetic acid, and curd/sour milk contains lactic acid.

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