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🧠 UPSC Science and Technology Syllabus 2026 – Prelims & Mains

Science and Technology is one of the most dynamic and current-affairs-driven areas in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Questions are asked both in Prelims (GS Paper 1) and Mains (GS Paper 3).

The syllabus focuses on India’s achievements in science, space missions, biotechnology, information technology, nanotechnology, cyber security, defence technology, and intellectual property rights.

🧾 UPSC Science and Technology Syllabus Official

Prelims (GS Paper 1):

• General Science

• Questions based on current developments in Science & Technology, space, health, and environment.

Mains (GS Paper 3):

• Science and technology — developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

• Awareness in IT, space, computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

🔍 Topic Wise Science and Technology Syllabus for UPSC 2026

UPSC Prelims Science and Tech section mainly checks awareness of recent innovations and applied science concepts. Here’s the detailed topic-wise syllabus:

1. Science and Technology in India

• Ancient Indian contributions in astronomy and mathematics.

• India’s development in the field of science and technology.

• Government Policies:

  • Scientific Policy Resolution (1958)

  • Technology Policy Statement (1983)

  • Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2013)

• Institutions: CSIR, DST, DRDO, ISRO, DBT, MoST.

• Awards and Collaborations: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, collaboration with CERN, NASA, and others.

• Technology Vision 2035 and India’s future goals.

2. Space Technology

• ISRO Missions: Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Gaganyaan.

• Satellite Series: INSAT, GSAT, CartoSAT, IRNSS (NavIC).

• Cryogenic Engine Development and PSLV/GSLV rockets.

• Applications: Remote sensing, GPS, meteorology, disaster management.

• International treaties: Outer Space Treaty (1967), Space Activities Bill (2017).

• Global space programs: NASA, ESA, SpaceX, Artemis, etc.

• Space tourism and commercial space race.

3. Biotechnology

• Basics and applications of biotechnology in agriculture, medicine, and environment.

• Genetic Engineering, CRISPR, Gene Therapy, and Genome Editing.

• GM Crops in India – Bt Cotton, Bt Brinjal.

• Human Genome Project, Genome India Project.

• Ethical and environmental issues in biotechnology.

• Bioinformatics and bio-piracy prevention (TKDL).

• Policies: National Biotechnology Development Strategy (2015-2020).

4. Nuclear Technology

• India’s Nuclear Energy Program – three-stage model.

• Nuclear power plants and safety mechanisms.

• Radioactive waste management.

• Non-energy uses: medicine, agriculture, and industry.

• Key organizations: BARC, NPCIL, AERB.

• India’s participation in NSG and IAEA safeguards.

5. Defence Technology

• Missile Systems: Agni, Prithvi, BrahMos, Akash, Nag, Astra.

• Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMD).

• UAVs and Drones in India (Heron, Rustom).

• S-400 Triumf system and Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

• Dual-use and export control technologies.

• Cyber defence and electronic warfare.

6. Nanotechnology

• Basics and applications in medicine, electronics, and materials.

• Nanoparticles and their environmental impacts.

• India’s Nanomission and recent innovations.

• Ethical and social concerns regarding nanotech use.

7. Material Science

• Semiconductors, superconductors, and their applications.

• Lasers and their industrial/medical use.

• Optical fiber and display technologies.

8. Information Technology

• ICT applications in governance, health, and education.

• Digital India, IndiaStack, UPI, Aadhaar, MyGov, BHIM.

• Emerging tech: Blockchain, Quantum Computing, Big Data, IoT, AI, ML.

• Cybersecurity, malware, and data protection laws.

• National Supercomputing Mission.

9. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

• AI applications in healthcare, defence, and governance.

• CAIR and DRDO initiatives.

• Ethical concerns – privacy, unemployment, and automation.

• India’s AI roadmap – National AI Strategy (NITI Aayog).

10. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

• Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Geographical Indications.

• WTO–TRIPS agreement.

• National IPR Policy (2016).

• Issues related to biotechnology patents and bio-piracy.

11. Renewable Energy

• Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and hydrogen energy.

• India’s Renewable Energy Policy and National Solar Mission.

• Green hydrogen, hybrid vehicles, and biofuels.

• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

• Global efforts under the Paris Agreement and COP summits.

📘 Books for Science and Technology (UPSC Prelims & Mains)

📊 Weightage of Science & Technology in UPSC Prelims

Trend: UPSC increasingly focuses on current technological developments rather than static science.

📈 UPSC Science & Technology Mains Syllabus (GS Paper 3)

1. Developments and their applications in everyday life

2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology

3. Indigenization of technology and developing new technologies

4. Awareness in IT, space, computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology

5. Issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

🧩 Topic-Wise Breakdown for Mains

1. Space

• ISRO as India’s soft power.

• Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1, NISAR, and Gaganyaan.

• Space Debris, Reusable Launch Vehicles, and Outer Space Treaty.

2. Defence

• India’s missile system and indigenous manufacturing.

• BrahMos, Tejas LCA, submarines, and UAVs.

• Chemical and biological weapons control.

3. Biotechnology

• Genome India Project, Stem Cell Research, and DNA Technology Bill.

• Ethical and legal challenges in genetic engineering.

4. Information & Cyber Security

• Big Data, IoT, Blockchain, and AI governance.

• Data Protection Bill and National Cyber Security Policy.

• CERT-In, Cyber Swachhta Kendra.

5. Policy & Innovation

• STI Policy (2013), Draft STI Policy (2020).

• INSPIRE Scheme, Atal Innovation Mission.

• India’s contribution to global R&D projects (CERN, ITER, LIGO).

💡 Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

• C. V. Raman – Raman Effect (Nobel Prize, 1930).

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Missile Technology Visionary.

• M. S. Swaminathan – Green Revolution.

• Venkatraman Ramakrishnan – Ribosome structure (Nobel Prize, 2009).

• K. Sivan, S. Somnath – ISRO leadership and Chandrayaan missions.

📚 Preparation Tips

• Integrate current affairs with static topics.

• Follow PIB, ISRO, DRDO, DST, and MoST websites regularly.

• Revise NCERTs and make short notes for quick revision.

• Solve PYQs (2011–2024) to identify question patterns.