Blockchain

Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger technology that securely records transactions across a network of computers using cryptographic hashing and consensus mechanisms.

• It represents a key frontier technology under GS Paper III, crucial for improving transparency and data integrity in governance applications like land record digitization and public service delivery.
• It serves as the underlying technical framework for the Reserve Bank of India's Central Bank Digital Currency and broader financial technology innovations.
• Understanding its balance between operational efficiency and regulatory risks is vital for questions on cybersecurity, data protection, and administrative reforms.

Questions in the Mains examination generally focus on the application of blockchain technology in public administration, trade logistics, and financial systems. UPSC often asks candidates to critically evaluate its operational challenges, such as scalability, regulatory ambiguity, and energy intensity, while proposing policy frameworks for its safe adoption.

• Fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology GS3
• Science and Technology GS3

• 3D Printing
• 5G
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• CRISPR
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Quantum Computing
• Robotics