UPSC CSE Prelims
Information & Communication Technology Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Information & Communication Technology
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
‘Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to -
Detailed Explanation:
Project Loon was a Google initiative that used high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere to provide internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas, functioning as floating cell towers.
The project was discontinued in January 2021 due to commercial viability challenges, despite its technological success in delivering wireless internet access.
With reference to ‘Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields
- NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other
- NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: NFC (Near Field Communication) is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields operating at 13.56 MHz frequency to enable data exchange between devices.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: NFC is designed for very short-range communication, typically requiring devices to be within 4-10 cm (a few centimeters) of each other, not a metre. This short range is a deliberate security feature.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: NFC supports encryption protocols and secure elements to protect sensitive data during transmission, making it suitable for contactless payments and secure access control applications.
In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be used in the biometric identification of a person?
- Iris scanning
- Retinal scanning
- Voice recognition
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Iris scanning captures unique patterns in the colored ring around the pupil, which remain stable throughout life and are highly distinctive for each individual.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Retinal scanning maps the unique pattern of blood vessels at the back of the eye, providing one of the most accurate biometric identification methods.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Voice recognition analyzes unique vocal characteristics including pitch, tone, cadence, and physical features of the vocal tract for identification.
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