Emerging Information Technologies and Future Skills
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC frequently examines the impact of technology on society, economy, and governance, as well as government initiatives to leverage these technologies and address the associated skill gaps. This concept is vital for understanding India's preparedness for the digital age and its competitive position in the global economy.
Emerging Information Technologies encompass rapidly evolving fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and Data Science, which are transforming industries and creating new job roles. Developing 'future skills' involves equipping the workforce with competencies like critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and adaptability to thrive in this technologically advanced landscape.
Facts & tables
- Key Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Cybersecurity, Data Science, Space Technology.
- Impact
- Driving significant changes across various sectors and creating new job markets.
- Required Skills
- Digital literacy, computational thinking, critical analysis, creativity, collaborative problem-solving.
- Policy Relevance
- Educational reforms and skill development initiatives are crucial for preparing the workforce for these fields.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Digital India |
| Conceptual area | Skill Development |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Niti Aayog | Policy formulation/guidance |
| Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) | Promotes |
| Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) | Promotes |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Key technologies: AI, ML, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Space Tech.
- Transforming industries, creating new job roles globally.
- Requires skills like digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving.
- Government initiatives focus on skill development for these areas.
- Crucial for India's economic competitiveness and innovation.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2026 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Terminology-based question, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Policy measures |
Timeline
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Digital India
Conceptual area
-
Skill Development
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2020
Terminology-based question, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2026
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2026
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
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Karnataka government to provide STEAM-based education at the high school level in public schools
Emerging Information Technologies like AI, ML, and cybersecurity are reshaping the global economy, necessitating the development of future skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability to ensure a competitive workforce and drive innovation.
See also
Past papers
2017–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Karnataka government to provide STEAM-based education at the high school level in public schools
Emerging Information Technologies like AI, ML, and cybersecurity are reshaping the global economy, necessitating the development of future skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability to ensure a competitive workforce and drive innovation.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi :
1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress.
2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Summit's intellectual framework and core philosophy were anchored in three foundational principles (Sutras): People, Planet, and Progress, not People, Planning, and Progress. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The New Delhi Declaration introduced the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI to promote affordable access to foundational AI resources, support local innovation, and build resilient AI ecosystems. However, it was established as a voluntary and non-binding framework, respecting national laws, rather than a binding treaty. Statement 3 is Correct: The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven thematic pillars of action, officially referred to as Chakras. These foundational areas included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI, alongside Democratizing AI Resources, Economic Growth & Social Good, Human Capital Development, and Resilient, Efficient & Innovative AI Systems. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors. Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation. Hence, correct answer is option (B).
With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements :
1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data.
2. In Web 3-0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
3. Web 3-0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. A key aspect of Web 3.0 is the concept of decentralization, where users have more control and ownership over their personal data, rather than having it stored and controlled by centralized platforms. Statement 2 is correct. Blockchain technology is a core component of Web 3.0, and it can enable the creation of decentralized, user-owned social networks and platforms. Statement 3 is correct. The decentralized nature of Web 3.0 means that it is not controlled by a single corporation or entity, but rather operated and maintained collectively by the users and participants in the network. Therefore, all three statements regarding Web 3.0 are correct.
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ?
1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India.
3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are indispensable for modern technological innovations. Their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties make them critical for artificial intelligence hardware, robotics, space exploration, electric vehicles, and advanced defense systems. Statement 2 is Incorrect: While China dominates global REE mining, accounting for roughly 69% of global production, the second-largest producer is the United States, followed by Myanmar and Australia. India ranks much lower globally and is not the second-largest producer. Statement 3 is Correct: The Government of India officially launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in January 2025. The mission is a strategic blueprint designed to secure domestic and global supply chains, reduce import dependence, and establish a robust framework for self-reliance in critical minerals essential for clean energy and technology. Statement 4 is Incorrect: Rare Earth Elements are a set of 17 metallic elements, not 13. This group comprises the 15 lanthanides on the periodic table, along with scandium and yttrium, which share similar chemical properties and are typically found in the same ore deposits. Therefore, the correct option is A.
In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents?
1. Service providers
2. Data centres
3. Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
In India, section 70-B of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the IT Act) gives the Central Government the power to appoint an agency of the government to be called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team. Further, it is legally mandatory for service providers, data centres and body corporates to report on cybersecurity incidents as outlined in the Information Technology (The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules, 2013, which were notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Show 3 more PYQs
In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of
In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" (PKI) is used in the context of digital security infrastructure. PKI is a system that facilitates secure electronic communication and transactions by using digital certificates, certificate authorities, and other related components. It plays a vital role in ensuring the authenticity, confidentiality, and integrity of data exchanged online.
Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ?
1. LLMs assign probabilities to the next possible words and then pick the one with the highest probability.
2. LLMs process data through mathematical optimization to minimise prediction errors.
3. LLMs produce unbiased outputs.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: At their core, Large Language Models (LLMs) function by analyzing input context and calculating a statistical probability distribution for the next possible words (tokens) in a sequence. In their most basic form of text generation (known as "greedy decoding"), they pick the word with the absolute highest probability. While standard applications often introduce controlled randomness (stochastic sampling like *top-k* or *temperature scaling*) to make text more creative, the foundational mechanism relies on assigning probabilities to select the next word. Statement 2 is Correct: LLM training relies heavily on mathematical optimization. Algorithms such as Stochastic Gradient Descent and backpropagation are used to iteratively adjust billions of model parameters. The explicit goal of this process is to minimize a "loss function," which mathematically represents the model's prediction errors compared to the actual training data. Statement 3 is Incorrect: LLMs do not produce inherently unbiased outputs. Because they learn from massive, human-generated datasets scraped from the internet, they are well-documented to inherit, reflect, and sometimes amplify historical and societal biases (e.g., gender, racial, or cultural stereotypes) present in their training data. Therefore, the correct option is B.
Which of the following statements with regard to India's indigenous new high resolution weather model, the 'Bharat Forecast System,' is/are correct?
1. Its objective is to generate forecasts at the Panchayats cluster level.
2. It was developed by IIT Delhi.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Correct: A primary objective of the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) is to generate hyper-local, highly accurate weather forecasts down to the Panchayat cluster level (village and block level) to aid rural communities, agriculture, and disaster management. It operates on an ultra-fine 6 km x 6 km grid (upgraded from India's previous 12 km resolution models), making it the highest-resolution operational global weather model currently used by any national meteorological agency in the world. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Bharat Forecast System was indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, which is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It was not developed by IIT Delhi. The model is powered by advanced High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, specifically the new 'Arka' supercomputer at IITM Pune and 'Arunika' at NCMRWF Noida. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.