UPSC Prelims 2006 Q85: Science & Technology – Computer & Information Technology
What is the Universal Product Code (UPC) adopted for?
- (a) Fire safety code in buildings
- (b) Earthquake - resistant buildings code
- (c) Bar code
- (d) Against adulteration eatables
Answer: (c) Bar code
Explanation
Universal Product Code (UPC)
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Fire safety code in buildings | No |
| Earthquake-resistant buildings code | No |
| Bar code | Yes — the standard barcode system for product identification |
| Code against adulteration of eatables | No |
The Universal Product Code is the bar code printed on products and read by scanners at retail counters.
Answer: (c) Bar code.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. UPC has nothing to do with fire safety in buildings.
- (b) Incorrect. UPC is not a seismic building code.
- (c) CORRECT. The UPC is a bar code used to identify products.
- (d) Incorrect. UPC does not regulate adulteration of food.
Key point
The Universal Product Code is a bar code used to identify products at the point of sale.
Remember
The Universal Product Code is a bar code used on products.
Common mistakes
- Taking the word code to mean a building or legal code.
- Confusing UPC with FSSAI food standards.
- Not knowing UPC is a machine-readable symbol.
Exam tip
UPC = bar code (product identification); QR = two-dimensional matrix code.
Sources
- GS1 US — Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Universal Product Code