📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.47 | Classroom Explanation

(Current Affairs | Quantum Computing & AI)

📌 Question

Q.47) Consider the following statements:

I. It is expected that Majorana-1 chip will enable quantum computing.
II. Majorana-1 chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
III. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

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✅ Correct Answer: (c) I and III only

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question mixes cutting-edge quantum hardware with a fundamental AI concept. UPSC tests whether aspirants can separate who developed what from what the technology actually does.

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🔍 Statement-wise Analysis

✅ Statement I: Correct

• Majorana-1 (Majorana-based) chips are designed to use Majorana fermions
• These are exotic quantum states useful for topological quantum computing
• Advantage:

• Inherent error resistance
• More stable qubits compared to conventional superconducting qubits

➡️ Hence, Majorana-based chips are expected to enable scalable quantum computing.

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❌ Statement II: Incorrect

• AWS works in quantum computing via Amazon Braket (cloud access platform)
• Majorana-based quantum chips are being developed primarily by Microsoft, through:

• Station Q
• Long-term research on topological qubits

➡️ AWS did not introduce the Majorana-1 chip.

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✅ Statement III: Correct

• Machine Learning (ML) → broad field of algorithms that learn from data
• Deep Learning (DL) → specialized subset of ML
• Uses:

• Multi-layered neural networks
• Image recognition
• Natural language processing
• Speech recognition

➡️ Hence, deep learning is a subset of machine learning.

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🧮 UPSC-Style Logical Elimination

Statement	Correct?
I	✅
II	❌
III	✅

➡️ Correct combination: I and III only

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (c) I and III only

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📦 High-Value Prelims Add-Ons (Info Box)

🧠 One-Line Memory Hook

Majorana → quantum stability; Deep learning → ML’s deeper layer.

⚠️ UPSC Trap Alert

• Platforms ≠ hardware developers
• AWS = quantum access
• Microsoft = Majorana qubits

🔗 Current Affairs Link

• Majorana fermions often appear in:

• Quantum supremacy debates
• Fault-tolerant quantum computing
  • AI questions often test hierarchy clarity (AI → ML → DL)

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