UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 66: Science and Technology
When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly. In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The scenario describes everyday objects such as a phone, geyser, mirror, refrigerator, door lock, lights and car, fitted with sensors and Internet connections that exchange data and act on it without human input. This networking of physical devices is the Internet of Things. BGP routes traffic between networks, the Internet Protocol is the addressing system, and a VPN is a secure private connection over a public network.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) BGP routes traffic between autonomous networks on the Internet.
- (b) Right: Internet-connected devices acting automatically.
- (c) IP is the addressing and routing protocol of the Internet.
- (d) A VPN creates a secure private link over a public network.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.