UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I
Question 33: Science and Technology
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 ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Software as a Service delivers applications over the internet, with the vendor hosting and running them. Subscribers can configure the interface and data fields to a degree, reach their data from mobile devices through a browser or app, and webmail services such as Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are everyday SaaS examples. All three statements hold.
- 1. SaaS buyers can customise the interface and data fields within the application.
- 2. SaaS is delivered online, so data is reachable from mobile devices.
- 3. Webmail services are SaaS.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: SaaS buyers can customise the interface and data fields within the application.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: SaaS is delivered online, so data is reachable from mobile devices.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Webmail services are SaaS.
Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Webmail as SaaS in statement 3 is also correct.
- (b) Wrong. Customisation in statement 1 is also accepted.
- (c) Wrong. Mobile access in statement 2 is also correct.
- (d) Correct. All three hold for SaaS.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.