Paper IPaper I · General Science
Information Technology and Computing
Computer fundamentals and generations, hardware and software, memory units, the internet and the web, AI IoT blockchain and cloud, cyber-security threats and laws, and Indian e-governance, with full forms, founders and the cyber-defence angle at CAPF awareness depth
CAPF wiki•10 min read•18 sections
At a glance
PaperPaper ISubjectGeneral ScienceSyllabusGeneral Science: general awareness, scientific temper, comprehension and appreciation of scientific phenomena of everyday observation, including new areas such as Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Environmental ScienceImportanceHigh
Information TechnologyComputingHardwareSoftwareMemory UnitsInternetAIIot
Information Technology is the first "new area" named in the CAPF syllabus and now appears in most years, often blended with current affairs. This note covers computer fundamentals (hardware, software, generations, memory units), the internet and the web, the buzzword technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain, cloud, 5G), the cyber-security basics (malware, phishing, the IT Act, CERT-In), and the key e-governance schemes. CAPF tests the full forms (CPU, RAM, ROM, HTTP, GUI), the memory-unit order, the attack-type definitions, the founder facts (Babbage, Berners-Lee), and the e-governance scheme names. Keep everything at the awareness level; no programming is asked.
- A computer processes data (raw facts) into information (meaningful output). The basic cycle is input, processing, storage, output (IPO).
- Hardware is the physical machine; software is the set of programs.
- System software runs the machine: the operating system (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS) and utilities. A GUI (Graphical User Interface) lets users work with icons rather than commands.
- Application software does user tasks (browser, word processor, spreadsheet, media player).
- The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain; it contains the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) and the Control Unit (CU).
- Memory:
- RAM (Random Access Memory) is the temporary, volatile working memory (lost when power is off).
- ROM (Read Only Memory) is permanent and stores start-up instructions.
- Cache is a small fast memory close to the CPU.
- Storage devices: hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), USB flash drive, memory card, optical discs (CD, DVD), and the cloud.
- Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, webcam, touchscreen. Output devices: monitor, printer, speaker, projector.
- Computers work in binary (only 0 and 1). A bit is one binary digit; 8 bits make 1 byte. A byte stores one character.
- Memory units in increasing order: bit, byte, kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB), terabyte (TB), petabyte (PB), exabyte (EB). Each step is about 1,024 (2 to the power 10) times the previous in binary terms.
| Generation |
Technology |
Note |
| First |
vacuum tubes |
bulky, ENIAC era |
| Second |
transistors |
smaller, faster |
| Third |
integrated circuits (ICs) |
reliable |
| Fourth |
microprocessors |
personal computers |
| Fifth |
artificial intelligence |
ongoing |
- Charles Babbage is the father of the computer (he designed the analytical engine). The first programmer is often credited to Ada Lovelace.
- The internet is the global network of networks. The World Wide Web (WWW), invented by Tim Berners-Lee (1989 to 1991), is the system of linked pages accessed over the internet.
- Key terms:
- IP address: the unique address of a device on a network.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator): the address of a web page.
- HTTP / HTTPS: HyperText Transfer Protocol (Secure), the rules for transferring web pages.
- DNS (Domain Name System): translates names (such as a website name) into IP addresses.
- Browser (the program to view pages) and search engine (to find them).
- Everyday uses: email, the cloud (computing and storage over the internet), Wi-Fi, and video calling.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): machines performing tasks that need human-like intelligence (learning, reasoning, perception). Machine learning is a subset where systems learn from data; deep learning uses artificial neural networks; generative AI produces text, images and code.
- Internet of Things (IoT): everyday objects (appliances, sensors, vehicles, wearables) connected to the internet to share data.
- Blockchain: a distributed, tamper-resistant digital ledger spread across many computers; it underlies cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and supports secure record-keeping.
- Big data handles very large, fast-moving data sets; cloud computing stores and processes them on remote servers.
- 5G is the fifth-generation mobile network with higher speed, greater capacity and lower latency, enabling IoT and real-time applications.
- Malware (malicious software):
- Virus: attaches to a file and spreads when run.
- Worm: self-replicates across a network without a host file.
- Trojan: disguises itself as useful software.
- Ransomware: locks or encrypts data and demands a ransom.
- Spyware: secretly gathers information.
- Phishing: fraudulent messages that trick users into revealing passwords or bank details. Spoofing fakes a trusted identity.
- Defences: a firewall filters network traffic; antivirus detects malware; encryption scrambles data so only the right key can read it; an OTP (one-time password) and two-factor authentication add a layer of security; strong unique passwords help.
- India's main law is the Information Technology Act, 2000 (amended in 2008). CERT-In (the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) is the national cyber-incident agency; the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) protects critical systems. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 governs personal data.
- Using IT to deliver government services transparently:
- Digital India: the flagship programme.
- Aadhaar: the biometric unique identity number issued by the UIDAI.
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface): real-time digital payments run by the NPCI.
- DigiLocker: a cloud store for official documents.
- CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems): links police stations across the country.
- e-Courts, GeM (Government e-Marketplace) and the National e-Governance Plan support service delivery.
| Term |
Full form or fact |
| CPU |
Central Processing Unit (the brain) |
| ALU |
Arithmetic Logic Unit |
| CU |
Control Unit |
| RAM |
Random Access Memory (volatile, temporary) |
| ROM |
Read Only Memory (permanent) |
| GUI |
Graphical User Interface |
| OS |
Operating System (system software) |
| 1 byte |
8 bits |
| Memory order |
bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB (increasing) |
| Father of the computer |
Charles Babbage |
| World Wide Web inventor |
Tim Berners-Lee (1989 to 1991) |
| HTTP / HTTPS |
HyperText Transfer Protocol (Secure) |
| URL |
Uniform Resource Locator |
| DNS |
Domain Name System |
| IoT |
Internet of Things |
| Blockchain underlies |
cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) |
| India's IT law |
Information Technology Act, 2000 |
| National cyber agency |
CERT-In |
| Biometric unique ID |
Aadhaar (UIDAI) |
| Real-time payments |
UPI (NPCI) |
| Data protection law |
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 |
- Cyber-security is now a recognised theatre of conflict. Cyber warfare, attacks on critical infrastructure (power grids, banking, telecom) and large-scale data theft are national-security concerns tracked by CERT-In and the NCIIPC. India has a Defence Cyber Agency.
- The CAPFs and police use the CCTNS, biometric systems, drones and surveillance technology; cyber-crime investigation is a fast-growing specialised function for the forces.
- Data localisation, protection of critical information infrastructure, and the misuse of social media for radicalisation and disinformation are recurring internal-security themes.
- NavIC and satellite communication (see space and defence technology) feed the IT backbone used for border surveillance and secure command networks.
Q1The full form of CPU is
- ACentral Power Unit
- BCentral Processing Unit
- CComputer Processing Unit
- DCentral Program Unit. Answer:
- B. The CPU, the brain of the computer, holds the ALU and Control Unit.
Q2How many bits make one byte?
- A4
- B8
- C16
- D64. Answer:
- B. Eight bits make one byte, which stores one character.
Q3Ransomware is a type of attack that
- Aspeeds up the computer
- Blocks data and demands payment
- Cbacks up files
- Dcools the processor. Answer:
- B. Ransomware encrypts or locks data and demands a ransom to release it.
Q4The World Wide Web was invented by
- ACharles Babbage
- BBill Gates
- CTim Berners-Lee
- DAlan Turing. Answer:
- C. Tim Berners-Lee invented the WWW around 1989 to 1991.
Q5Aadhaar, India's biometric unique identity, is issued by
- ANPCI
- BUIDAI
- CCERT-In
- DTRAI. Answer:
- B. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues Aadhaar.
- Hardware versus software: hardware is the physical machine; software is the set of programs.
- RAM versus ROM: RAM is volatile and temporary (working memory); ROM is permanent (start-up instructions).
- Internet versus World Wide Web: the internet is the underlying network; the web is the system of linked pages on it.
- Virus versus worm: a virus needs a host file and user action; a worm self-replicates across a network on its own.
- AI versus machine learning: AI is the broad field; machine learning is a subset that learns from data.
- Bit versus byte: a bit is a single 0 or 1; a byte is 8 bits.
- System versus application software: the operating system is system software; a browser is application software.
- Memory ladder: "Big Boys Kick My Giant Tin Pot" for bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB.
- "RAM is Restless (forgets on power off); ROM is Reliable (stays)."
- "Babbage built the computer, Berners-Lee built the web" keeps the two founders apart.
- "Phishing baits you, ransomware holds you hostage" links each attack to its method.
- The CPU is the brain and holds the ALU and Control Unit; RAM is volatile, ROM is permanent.
- 8 bits make 1 byte; memory grows bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB.
- Charles Babbage is the father of the computer; Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.
- AI mimics human intelligence; machine learning learns from data; IoT connects everyday objects; blockchain is a tamper-resistant ledger behind cryptocurrencies.
- Phishing tricks users; ransomware locks data for ransom; a firewall and antivirus defend; encryption protects data.
- India's IT Act is from 2000; CERT-In is the national cyber agency; Aadhaar (UIDAI) is the biometric ID; UPI handles real-time payments; Digital India is the flagship programme.
- A computer turns data into information through input, processing, storage and output.
- Hardware is the machine; software is the programs; the operating system is system software.
- The CPU is the brain and contains the ALU and the Control Unit.
- RAM is volatile and temporary; ROM is permanent.
- 8 bits make 1 byte; memory grows bit, byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB.
- Computer generations went from vacuum tubes to transistors to ICs to microprocessors to AI.
- Charles Babbage is the father of the computer; Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web (1989 to 1991).
- The internet is the network of networks; the web is the system of linked pages on it.
- HTTP/HTTPS transfers web pages; DNS turns names into IP addresses; a URL is a page address.
- AI mimics human intelligence; machine learning is a subset that learns from data.
- IoT connects everyday objects to the internet; blockchain is a tamper-resistant distributed ledger.
- Phishing tricks users into revealing details; ransomware locks data for ransom.
- A firewall filters traffic, antivirus detects malware, encryption scrambles data, OTP adds a security layer.
- India's IT Act is from 2000; CERT-In is the national cyber agency; the NCIIPC protects critical infrastructure.
- Aadhaar (UIDAI) is the biometric unique ID; UPI handles real-time payments; Digital India is the flagship e-governance programme.
- Hardware: the physical components of a computer.
- Software: the set of programs that run on a computer.
- Operating system: the system software that manages the computer's resources.
- CPU: the Central Processing Unit, the processing brain of the computer.
- RAM: Random Access Memory, the volatile working memory.
- ROM: Read Only Memory, the permanent start-up memory.
- Bit and byte: a bit is one binary digit; eight bits make one byte.
- Internet: the global network connecting computers worldwide.
- World Wide Web: the system of linked pages accessed over the internet.
- Artificial Intelligence: machines performing tasks that need human-like intelligence.
- Internet of Things: everyday objects connected to the internet to share data.
- Blockchain: a distributed, tamper-resistant digital ledger.
- Malware: malicious software such as viruses, worms, trojans and ransomware.
- Phishing: fraudulent messages that trick users into revealing sensitive details.
- Encryption: scrambling data so that only an authorised key can read it.
- E-governance: the use of IT to deliver government services.