Information Technology & Computing MCQs for UPSC Prelims
91 practice questions on Information Technology & Computing from the Science & Technology section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus.
91 come with a written explanation and 26 are actual previous year questions.
Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.
29 Easy44 Medium18 Hard26 from past papers
Sample questions
Q1
Previous year questioneasy
In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context of
ADigital security infrastructure
BFood security infrastructure
CHealth care and education infrastructure
DTelecommunication and transportation infrastructure
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A - Digital security infrastructure
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is the framework of digital certificates, certifying authorities and public-private key pairs used to secure electronic transactions and authenticate identities, so it belongs to digital security infrastructure. It has nothing to do with food security, health-care and education, or telecommunication and transportation infrastructure. Therefore the correct context is digital security.
Q2
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to 'Software as a Service (SaaS)', consider the following statements:
1. SaaS buyers can customise the user interface and can change data fields.
2. SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices.
3. Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of SaaS.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3
SaaS applications typically allow buyers to customise interfaces and configure data fields, so statement 1 is correct. Because the software is cloud-hosted, users can access their data from mobile devices anywhere, so statement 2 is correct. Web-based email services such as Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo Mail are classic examples of SaaS, so statement 3 is correct. Hence all three are correct.
Q3
Previous year questioneasy
In addition to fingerprint scanning,which of the following can be used in the biometric identification of a person? 1. Iris scanning 2. Retinal scanning 3. Voice recognition Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3
Iris scanning, retinal scanning and voice recognition are all established biometric identification methods, alongside fingerprint scanning. Each measures a distinct physiological or behavioural trait, so all three are valid. Hence 1, 2 and 3.
Q4
Previous year questionmedium
Consider the following statements:
A digital signature is
1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it
2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access information or server on Internet
3. an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchanged
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 2 and 3 only
A digital signature serves to authenticate the identity of an individual when accessing information or servers online, so statement 2 is correct, and it is an electronic method of signing a document that also verifies that the content has not been altered through hashing, so statement 3 is correct. Statement 1 describes a digital signature certificate, which is the electronic record identifying the certifying authority, rather than the digital signature itself, so it is wrong. Hence 2 and 3 only is the answer.
Q5
Previous year questioneasy
What is "Virtual Private Network"?
AIt is a private computer network of an organization where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization
BIt is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization's network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted
CIt is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider
DNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization's network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted
Correct answer (b) It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization's network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel over the public internet so remote users can reach their organisation's private network safely. (a) is too narrow and inaccurate, describing only an internal private network rather than secure access over the public internet. (c) actually describes cloud computing, a shared pool of resources via a provider, not a VPN. Since (b) is correct, (d) is wrong.
Q6
Previous year questioneasy
The terms 'WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue' sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to
AExoplanets
BCryptocurrency
CCyber attacks
DMini satellites
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - Cyber attacks
WannaCry and Petya were major ransomware attacks that crippled computers worldwide by encrypting files and demanding payment, while EternalBlue was the exploit that these attacks used to spread, so all three relate to cyber attacks, making option (c) correct. They have nothing to do with exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system, nor with mini satellites. Although the ransom in such attacks was demanded in cryptocurrency, the terms themselves denote the malicious software and exploit, not the currency, so option (b) is incorrect. Hence the answer is cyber attacks.
Q7
Previous year questioneasy
Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as 'General Data Protection Regulation' in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May, 2018?
AAustralia
BCanada
CThe European Union
DThe United States of America
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - The European Union
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection and privacy law adopted by the European Union in April 2016 and enforced from 25 May 2018, so the EU is the correct answer. Australia, Canada and the United States have their own separate privacy frameworks but none of them enacted the GDPR, which is specific to the EU.
Q8
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to 'Bitcoins', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries.
2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address.
3. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 2 and 3 only
Bitcoin is a decentralised cryptocurrency that operates without any central authority, so it is not tracked or controlled by central banks, making statement 1 incorrect. Anyone holding a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins to and from any other address on the peer-to-peer network, so statement 2 is correct, and because addresses are pseudonymous, payments can be made without either party knowing the other's real identity, making statement 3 correct. With statements 2 and 3 valid, the answer is (b). Options (a), (c) and (d) wrongly include the central-bank tracking claim or omit a correct statement.
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