Welcome to the comprehensive, syllabus-mapped revision hub for General Science and Technology designed specifically for the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) civil services examinations—including UKPCS Combined State Civil / Upper Subordinate Prelims, RO/ARO (Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer), Lower PCS, Forest Range Officer (FRO/ACF), and Assistant Engineer (AE) General Studies.
In the UKPSC Prelims General Studies (Paper 1), General Science and Computer Technology consistently account for 15 to 22 questions out of 150. Unlike subjective topics, science marks are purely objective: a clear understanding of fundamental concepts combined with thorough practice of authentic Previous Year Questions (PYQs) ensures high scoring accuracy.
Daily Revision Alert: Bookmark this page as your central curriculum tracker. Each unit linked below includes high-yield micro-notes, comparative tables, official exam-tagged PYQs, and common “Exam Trap” breakdowns.
1. Quick Reference: Syllabus & Weightage Breakdown
| Section | Target Topics Covered | Average UKPSC Questions | Primary Preparation Focus |
| Physics | Units, Mechanics, Sound, Heat, Optics, Electricity, Nuclear Physics | 4–6 Questions | Measuring instruments, ray optics, wave speed, nuclear fuels. |
| Chemistry | Physical, Inorganic/Alloys, Hydrocarbons, Applied & Polymers | 3–5 Questions | Water hardness, alloy ratios, common names (soda/bleaching powder), fuels. |
| Biology | Cytology, Nutrition, Genetics, Plant & Animal Kingdoms, Physiology, Diseases | 6–8 Questions | Vitamins, digestive enzymes, pathogens & vectors, hormone functions. |
| Space & Defence | Polar bases, ISRO Launchers, Satellite Constellations, Guided Missiles, Radar | 2–4 Questions | Chandrayaan missions, IGMDP missile matrix, Sriharikota, DRDO platforms. |
| Computer & IT | Architecture, Memory, Operating Systems, Networks, Cyber Laws, AI | 3–5 Questions | Cache/RAM hierarchy, binary math, IPv4/protocols, IT Act 2000. |
2. Structured Revision Modules: Complete Topic Index
Click on any unit to access the complete lesson, high-yield summary notes, and verified solved past-year questions.
Module 1: General Science – Physics (Units 1 to 9)
Unit 1: Physical Quantities, Units, Dimensions & Scientific Measuring Instruments (Click Here)
Key Focus: Light Year, Parsec, Dobson Unit (Ozone layer thickness), Decibels, Cusecs, Scalar vs. Vector quantities, Pyrometer, Barometer behavior, Sphygmomanometer.
Unit 2: Classical Mechanics, Work, Power & Energy Transformations
Key Focus: Motors vs. Dynamos, First Law of Thermodynamics, Centrifugation (washing machine, cream separator), SONAR ultrasonic mechanics.
Unit 3: Wave Motion, Sound Propagation & Matter Waves
Key Focus: Longitudinal sound vs. Transverse EM waves, Speed of sound across solids/liquids/gases, de Broglie relation, X-rays, Photoelectric threshold.
Unit 4: Heat, Thermodynamics, Thermal Anomalies & Fluid Viscosity
Key Focus: Thermal conductivity (k), Anomalous expansion of water at 4 °C, Pressure cooker dynamics, Phase change energy (Ice to Steam: 716 cal), Pasteurization temperatures.
Unit 5: Ray & Wave Optics, Reflection, Refraction, Dispersion & Human Vision
Key Focus: Young’s Double Slit Experiment (YDSE), Rayleigh scattering , Blue sky & red twilight, Convex rear-view mirrors, Primary additive colors (RGB), Contact lens power .
Unit 6: Current Electricity, Ohm’s Law, Resistance & Semiconductor Basics
Key Focus: Resistance , Highest electrical conductivity (Silver), Incandescent tungsten filaments, Photovoltaic diodes (Solar cells), Lightning conductors, Electrostatic precipitators (ESP).
Unit 7: Magnetism, Magnetic Dipoles & Electromagnetic Induction (EMI)
Key Focus: Magnetic pole repulsion/attraction, Non-existence of isolated monopoles, Faraday’s Law of Induction , Remote sensing electromagnetic spectrum.
Unit 8: Nuclear Physics, Radioactivity, Nuclear Fission & Thermonuclear Fusion
Key Focus: Alpha, Beta, Gamma emissions, Natural radioactivity discovery (Henri Becquerel), U-235 fission, Stellar fusion, Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR Kalpakkam), Indian Thorium deposits.
Unit 9: Gravitation, Planetary Orbits, Escape Velocity & Surface Tension
Key Focus: Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation, Lunar escape velocity and absence of lunar atmosphere, Spherical geometry of raindrops via surface tension.
Module 2: General Science – Chemistry (Units 1 to 4)
Unit 1: Physical Chemistry, States of Matter, pH Scale & Hydrological Cycles
Key Focus: Neutral pH of water (7.0), Volume contraction of melting ice, Chemically pure Distilled water, Evapotranspiration, Indian Thorium reserves (Monazite sands).
Unit 2: Inorganic Chemistry, Metallurgy, Industrial Alloys & Water Hardness
Key Focus: Hardness of Diamond, Softness of alkali sodium, Composition of Stainless Steel (C, Cr, Ni), Brass (Cu + Zn) vs. Bronze (Cu + Sn), Bauxite extraction of Aluminium, Permanent vs. Temporary water hardness, Bleaching powder , Washing soda, Heavy water
Unit 3: Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Petroleum, Fuels & Carbon Allotropes
Key Focus: Methane (Marsh Gas / CNG / Biogas), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane + Butane), Gasoline composition (C6–C8), Dry Ice , Gasohol (Ethanol + Petrol), Oxy-acetylene welding, Aspirin, Formalin, TNT explosive.
Unit 4: Applied Chemistry, Industrial Materials, Polymers & Environmental Chemistry
Key Focus: Acid Rain causes, Ordinary Portland Cement (Limestone CaO), Laminated bullet-proof glass, Bhopal Gas Tragedy (Methyl Isocyanate / MIC), Teflon (PTFE), DDT biomagnification, Octane numbers.
Module 3: General Science – Biology (Units 1 to 8)
Unit 1: Introduction to Biology, Major Branches & Cytological Cell Division
Key Focus: Entomology, Paleontology, Human karyotype (23 pairs: 22 autosomes + 1 sex pair), Chiasmata formation in Meiotic Prophase-I (Diplotene), Stem cell regenerative potency.
Unit 2: Biomolecules, Vitamins, Human Nutrition & Plant Mineral Nutrition
Key Focus: Water-soluble (B, C) vs. Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) vitamins, Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid in Guava/Amla), Vitamin D skin synthesis, Vitamin K & blood clotting, Casein in milk, Keratin scleroprotein, Soybean protein density, Coprophagy in rabbits.
Unit 3: Genetics, Heredity, Evolutionary Principles & Modes of Excretion
Key Focus: Ammonotelic, Ureotelic, and Uricotelic excretion (Birds & Lizards), X-linked recessive inheritance (Hemophilia and Color Blindness probability), Recombinant tools (E. coli & Agrobacterium tumefaciens), Germplasm vs. somatic mutations.
Unit 4: Biological Classification, Monera, Fungi & Plant Diversity
Key Focus: Bryophytes as “Amphibians of the plant kingdom”, Bentham & Hooker’s Natural System, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bio-insecticide, Lactobacillus in curd vs. Pseudomonas in cold milk spoilage, Penicillin from Penicillium, Bread mold (Rhizopus).
Unit 5: Plant Morphology, Photosynthesis, Phytohormones & Plant Physiology
Key Focus: Root hairs and water absorption, Photolysis of water yielding , Cytokinins and cell division, Ethylene/Acetylene fruit ripening, Quinine from Cinchona bark, Gymnosperm naked seeds & haploid endosperm, Jatropha biodiesel.
Unit 6: Animal Kingdom Diversity, Piscine Classification & Adaptations
Key Focus: True fish (Catfish) vs. Misnomers (Silverfish, Crayfish, Jellyfish), Aquatic mammals (Ganges River Dolphin, Seals, Whales), Octopus (Three hearts & blue hemocyanin blood), Cranial kinesis in Parrots, Hydra avascular respiration, Dolly the cloned sheep.
Unit 7: Systems of the Human Body, Organ Physiology & Internal Homeostasis
Key Focus: Normal blood pressure , Sinoatrial (SA) node cardiac pacemaker, ABO blood typing (AB universal recipient, O universal donor), Pancreatic Insulin from beta cells, Dental enamel (hydroxyapatite), Middle ear Stapes bone, Salivary amylase starch digestion, Bile emulsification.
Unit 8: Human Pathology, Infectious Pathogens, Immunology & Toxicology
Key Focus: Viral diseases (Polio, Rabies, Mumps, Yellow Fever, Dengue, Swine Flu H1N1) vs. Bacterial diseases (Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Tetanus lockjaw, Diphtheria), Vector protozoans (Malaria by Plasmodium & Ronald Ross; Sleeping sickness by Tsetse fly), BCG vaccine, ELISA test, Minamata mercury poisoning, Dropsy from Argemone mexicana.
Module 4: Science & Technology – Space & Earth Observation (Units 1 to 3)
Unit 1: Polar Research Stations & Remote Sensing Centers
Key Focus: Indian Antarctic stations (Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri at Schirmacher Oasis, Bharati at Larsemann Hills), Arctic base (Himadri at Svalbard), Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS, Dehradun), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC, Hyderabad).
Unit 2: Satellite Launch Centers, Spaceports & Rocket Infrastructure
Key Focus: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram), Historical launch sites (Kourou, French Guiana for APPLE & INSAT-4A).
Unit 3: Indian Satellite Constellations, Navigation & Deep Space Exploration
Key Focus: Aryabhata (1975 launch), INSAT telecommunications revolution, NavIC / IRNSS regional navigation system (IRNSS-1A), Geostationary 24-hour orbital mechanics, Chandrayaan-3 (Vikram lander, Pragyan rover, Shiv Shakti point), ISSDC PRADAN data portal.
Module 5: Science & Technology – Defence & National Security (Units 1 to 3)
Unit 1: Integrated Guided Missiles & Strategic Weapon Systems
Key Focus: IGMDP program (Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, Akash), Trishul supersonic surface-to-air missile, BrahMos ramjet supersonic cruise missile (India-Russia), Nag third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank missile (NAMICA carrier).
Unit 2: Military Radar, Aerospace Defense & Naval Platforms
Key Focus: RADAR operating principles (Microwaves and Doppler shift), NAL Saras indigenous civilian transport aircraft, INS Tarkash (Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate).
Unit 3: Strategic Physical Sciences, Biometrics & Advanced Materials
Key Focus: High-temperature ceramic cuprate superconductors, Forensic DNA Fingerprinting (Sir Alec Jeffreys & Dr. Lalji Singh), Cellular mechanisms of HIV targeting CD4+ T-lymphocytes.
Module 6: Computer Science & Information Technology (Units 1 to 6)
Unit 1: Computer Fundamentals, Micro-Architecture & Hardware Generations
Key Focus: Charles Babbage (Analytical Engine), ENIAC (First general-purpose electronic computer), Hardware generations , CPU subunits (ALU, Control Unit instruction decoding, Program Counter register), Processor clock speed in GHz, Power-On Self-Test (POST), Universal logic gates (NAND, NOR), PARAM 8000 supercomputer.
Unit 2: Input, Output Peripherals & Automated Reading Systems
Key Focus: Optical mouse, CRT monitors, Impact Dot-Matrix pin printers vs. Non-impact Laser page printers, Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) in exam evaluation, Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) in bank cheques.
Unit 3: Computer Memory Hierarchy, Storage Architecture & Data Units
Key Focus: Access speed hierarchy (Registers > Cache > RAM > Storage), Volatile RAM vs. Non-volatile ROM (BIOS), Flash memory (Pen drives), CD-ROM (700 MB) vs. DVD (4.7 GB), Paging & virtual memory, Binary data unit ladder
Unit 4: Operating Systems Architecture, File Management & Software Classes
Key Focus: System software vs. Application software, Evolution of MS-DOS (1981) and Windows (Windows 3.0 in 1990), UNIX multi-user time-sharing architecture, Directory file management, Windows permanent file delete shortcut (
Shift + Delete), Computer-Aided Design (CAD).Unit 5: Programming Languages, Compilers, Interpreters & Relational Databases
Key Focus: Machine code, Assembly language, High-level languages, Compilers vs. Interpreters, Scientific FORTRAN, Business COBOL, Educational turtle graphics (LOGO), Object-Oriented Java, 5th-gen AI Prolog, Relational Database Management Systems (Oracle, SQL, database schemas), Debugging.
Unit 6: Computer Networks, Protocols, Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies
Key Focus: OSI 7-layer model (Network layer IP addressing), TCP/IP suite, IPv4 32-bit dotted-decimal addresses, SMTP (email) vs. FTP (files), Fiber-optic light transmission, Modems & Routers, Malware types (Viruses, Worms, Trojans), Denial of Service (DoS), Firewalls, Information Technology Act 2000, CERT-In, John McCarthy (Father of AI), Google Bard/Gemini, OpenAI, Nanotechnology (1 to 100 nm).
3. How to Use These Notes for Maximum Retention
To score consistently high in the UKPSC General Studies Paper 1 science section, follow this three-step study cycle for each unit:
Review High-Yield Micro-Notes: Master the core definitions, scientific laws, and numerical values before attempting questions.
Scan the Comparative Matrix: Use the quick-reference summary tables to solidify differences between easily confused concepts (e.g., Brass vs. Bronze, RAM vs. ROM, P-waves vs. S-waves).
Solve the Master PYQs with Explanations: Attempt each question under exam-like conditions, then carefully read the Exam Trap / Distractor Alert notes to identify why tempting incorrect choices are wrong.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many science questions are asked in UKPSC Prelims General Studies Paper 1?
Typically, 15 to 22 questions out of 150 in UKPSC GS Paper-1 are direct General Science, Technology, and Computer Science questions. Key focus areas include applied human biology, optical physics, space programs (ISRO), and basic computer hardware/networking.
Does UKPSC repeat science questions from previous years?
Yes. A significant proportion of science and technology questions in UKPSC Prelims, RO/ARO, and ACF exams are either repeated directly or based on identical scientific concepts from past UKPSC, UPPCS, and UPSC examinations.
What is the best way to revise General Science for UKPSC Prelims?
The most effective method is a 3-step revision: (1) Review high-yield micro-notes and comparison tables, (2) Practice authenticated topic-wise PYQs with detailed explanations, and (3) Pay close attention to “Exam Trap” alerts where multiple options seem plausible.