UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 16: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Drones and Quantum Technologies (24 MCQs)

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UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 16: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Drones and Quantum Technologies (24 MCQs) – 24 questions, subject: Science & Technology. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Turing Test, proposed in 1950, is a test of:

Correct Answer: C [a machine's ability to show intelligent behaviour like a human]

Explanation:

Turing's 1950 'imitation game' checks whether a machine's replies can be told apart from a human's, testing human-like intelligence.

2.  

The term "artificial intelligence" was coined by:

Correct Answer: C [John McCarthy]

Explanation:

Dartmouth, 1956.

3.  

Deep learning mainly uses:

Correct Answer: A [many-layered artificial neural networks]

Explanation:

Deep learning is the branch of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks with many layers.

4.  

India's platform for translation and speech tools across Indian languages is:

Correct Answer: C [Bhashini]

Explanation:

Bhashini, launched in 2022, offers translation and speech tools across Indian languages.

5.  

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for work that enables:

Correct Answer: A [machine learning with artificial neural networks]

Explanation:

Hopfield and Hinton won the 2024 Physics Nobel for foundational discoveries enabling machine learning with artificial neural networks.

6.  

The European Union's AI Act regulates AI mainly on the basis of:

Correct Answer: B [the level of risk of each use]

Explanation:

The EU AI Act sorts AI uses by risk: some are banned, high-risk uses face strict duties and low-risk uses light rules.

7.  

The word "robot" comes from:

Correct Answer: A [Karel Čapek's play R.U.R.]

Explanation:

1920.

8.  

Vyommitra is:

Correct Answer: C [a half-humanoid robot built by ISRO]

Explanation:

Vyommitra is a half-humanoid robot built by ISRO to fly on the uncrewed Gaganyaan test flights.

9.  

Under the Drone Rules, 2021, a nano drone weighs:

Correct Answer: D [up to 250 g]

Explanation:

The Drone Rules, 2021 class drones of up to 250 g all-up weight as nano drones.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Machine learning is a part of artificial intelligence.
2. A qubit can exist in a superposition of 0 and 1.
3. Quantum computers work best at high temperatures.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Machine learning is part of AI and a qubit can be in superposition; statement 3 is false as many qubits need near-absolute-zero cooling.

11.  

Assertion (A): Quantum key distribution can reveal an attempt to eavesdrop on a key.

Reason (R): Measuring a quantum state disturbs it.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Because measuring a quantum state disturbs it, an eavesdropper on QKD leaves detectable errors; so R explains A.

12.  

The online platform for drone permissions in India is:

Correct Answer: A [Digital Sky]

Explanation:

Digital Sky is the online platform for drone registration and flight permissions under the Drone Rules, 2021.

13.  

The National Quantum Mission was approved in:

Correct Answer: D [2023]

Explanation:

April 2023.

14.  

The loss of a qubit's quantum state through noise and heat is called:

Correct Answer: D [decoherence]

Explanation:

Decoherence is the loss of a qubit's quantum state when noise and heat from the surroundings disturb it.

15.  

Under the Drone Rules, 2021, flying in a red zone needs:

Correct Answer: C [Central Government permission]

Explanation:

Red zones are areas where drones may fly only with the permission of the Central Government.

16.  

Sycamore and Willow are quantum processors announced by:

Correct Answer: B [Google]

Explanation:

Google announced quantum supremacy with its Sycamore processor in 2019 and unveiled the Willow chip in 2024.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Approval of the IndiaAI Mission
2. Dartmouth workshop on artificial intelligence
3. NITI Aayog's National Strategy for AI
4. Approval of the National Quantum Mission

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-3-4-1]

Explanation:

1956, 2018, 2023, 2024.

18.  

India was a founding member of which body in 2020?

Correct Answer: D [Global Partnership on AI]

Explanation:

India was among the founding members of the Global Partnership on AI, launched in June 2020.

19.  

A robot's part that turns decisions into movement is the:

Correct Answer: B [actuator]

Explanation:

Actuators, such as motors, turn the controller's decisions into physical movement.

20.  

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics honoured work on:

Correct Answer: D [macroscopic quantum tunnelling in electric circuits]

Explanation:

Clarke, Devoret and Martinis won the 2025 Physics Nobel for macroscopic quantum tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

Consider the following statements:

I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing.

II. Majorana 1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

III. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: C [I and III only]

Explanation:

Majorana 1 is Microsoft's chip.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned?

Correct Answer: B [Quantum Computing]

Explanation:

A qubit, or quantum bit, is the basic unit of information in quantum computing and can be in a superposition of 0 and 1.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

Consider the following activities:

1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field
2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes
3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis

At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones?

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

Drones can already spray pesticides, inspect active volcano craters and collect whale breath samples for DNA analysis.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units.
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs.
3. Disease diagnosis.
4. Text-to-speech conversion.
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: B [1, 3, and 4 only]

Explanation:

(b) Correct as per the 2020 key – note that generative AI can now also write stories and songs.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U17 · Science and Technology (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-science-technology

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