UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Bridging a divide with an ‘Indian Scientific Service’
Q1. The proposed 'Indian Scientific Service' (ISS) is envisaged as a specialised cadre for government scientists, in contrast to the flagship generalist administrative service that is popularly termed the 'steel frame'. Which one of the following is that generalist service?
- A. Indian Administrative Service
- B. Indian Forest Service
- C. Indian Police Service
- D. Indian Revenue Service
Q2. As of 2026, how many services are presently constituted as All India Services under the constitutional scheme?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q3. In the context of Indian public administration, the term 'All India Service' is most precisely defined as which one of the following?
- A. A service common to both the Union and the States, constituted by Parliament under Article 312 of the Constitution
- B. A central civil service whose officers serve exclusively under the Union Government
- C. A state civil service whose officers are recruited solely by the respective State Public Service Commissions
- D. A specialised scientific cadre recruited directly by the Union Public Service Commission for research posts
Q4. With reference to the evolution of India's higher civil services, consider the following statements:
1. The Indian Civil Service (ICS) was consolidated as the elite administrative body of British India after the Revolt of 1857.
2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who described the services as the 'steel frame of India', is credited with the creation of the All India Services.
3. The Indian Administrative Service came into existence only after the Constitution of India came into force in 1950.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Indian Civil Service (ICS) was consolidated as the elite administrative body of British India after the Revolt of 1857.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who described the services as the 'steel frame of India', is credited with the creation of the All India Services.
- The Indian Administrative Service came into existence only after the Constitution of India came into force in 1950.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the origin and constitutional basis of India's civil services:
1. The ICS was described as the 'steel frame' of British India.
2. The All India Services derive their constitutional sanction from Article 312.
3. The Indian Forest Service was constituted as the third All India Service in 1966.
4. The Indian Administrative Service was constituted in 1966.
Which of the above are correctly identified?
- The ICS was described as the 'steel frame' of British India.
- The All India Services derive their constitutional sanction from Article 312.
- The Indian Forest Service was constituted as the third All India Service in 1966.
- The Indian Administrative Service was constituted in 1966.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q6. The consultation process for the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020 was jointly initiated by the Department of Science and Technology together with which one of the following?
- A. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
- B. Department of Biotechnology
- C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- D. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Q7. With reference to the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020, consider the following statements:
1. It is India's fifth national policy on science, technology and innovation.
2. The draft was released for public consultation on 31 December 2020.
3. Its stated vision is to position India among the top ten scientific superpowers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It is India's fifth national policy on science, technology and innovation.
- The draft was released for public consultation on 31 December 2020.
- Its stated vision is to position India among the top ten scientific superpowers.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. Which one of the following is the largest publicly funded research and development organisation in India?
- A. Defence Research and Development Organisation
- B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- C. Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- D. Indian Space Research Organisation
Q9. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) functions as the research and development wing of which one of the following?
- A. Ministry of Home Affairs
- B. Ministry of Defence
- C. Ministry of Science and Technology
- D. Department of Space