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What is Bio-bubble environment concept in IPL ?

Bio-Bubble Technology Concept In IPL UPSC

Bio-Bubble Technology Concept In IPL UPSC

A bio-bubble is a safe and secure environment isolated from the outside world to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection.

  • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will provide ‘bio secure bubbles’ in hotels, training sessions, matches and transportation.
  • Different zones will be created for franchise team members, match officials, cricket operations teams, ground staff, broadcast teams, hotel staff and security personnel. All must remain in their allotted zones.
  • Medical teams — including physio and masseurs units — are mandated to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits while coming in contact with the players.
  • IPL teams staying in different hotels are advised to order food to their individual rooms and avoid common areas.
  • Physical distancing and masks are a must, even while interacting with others within their bubble.

Minimizing the risk of covid 19 by creating a Secure Bubble

The IPL Council has clarified that wilful break of biosecure air bubble will invite strict action as it can put all players in grave danger. Should a player ignore the code in IPL, he will be separated and be approached to test negative twice before entering the bio-bubble once more.

  • The bio-bubble does not just limit itself to the pitch or field; it is, of course, mandatory that all entities partake in this new form of quarantine.
  • Teams are allowed to hold meetings outdoors to adhere to physical distancing norms. In fact, players will not be allowed to meet their families or friends until the tournament is over
  • It permits only authorised sports persons, support staff and match officials to enter the protected area after testing negative for COVID-19.

 Bio-bubble environment concept in IPL | UPSC – IAS

IPL’s secure bio-bubble has been created by a UK-based safety and technology firm, Restrata. To maintain no transmission risks, a great deal of tech on a large scale is required.

  • Its software is COVID-19 regulations compliant, comprising a trio of tech we have seen mentioned on a quotidian basis: testing, contact tracing and Artificial Intelligence.
  • Restrata had installed Bluetooth technology in stadiums to accurately track and trace any suspected COVID-19 outbreaks in real time.
  • Contact tracing is broken down into three stages:- Contact identification, Contact listing and Contact follow-up.
  • An accreditation card will carry a chip-enabled GPS device, IPL authorities and franchises detailed and live capability to track and trace individuals at all times.

India’s First Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor | UPSC – IAS

India’s First 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor at Kakrapar, Gujarat Attains Criticality | UPSC - IAS

Recently, India’s First Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor at Kakrapar, Gujarat Attains Criticality. KAPP-3 is India’s first 700 MWe (megawatt electric) unit, and biggest indigenously developed variant of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). Until now, biggest reactor size of indigenous design was 540 MWe PHWR (Tarapur). KAPP-3 is located at Kakrapar Site, Gujarat, where already two 220 MWe PHWRs (KAPS-1 & KAPS-2) are in operation and another 700 MWe PHWR (KAPP-4) is under advanced stage of construction.

  • First two units at Kakrapar were based on Canadian technology.
  • PHWR is a nuclear power reactor commonly using unenriched natural uranium as its fuel, that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide) as its coolant and moderator.

A reactor achieves criticality (and is said to be critical) when each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions.

  •  Fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. This produces heat, which is used to generate electricity.

Indian Nuclear Power Generation envisages a Three Stage Programme.

  • Stage 1: Use natural uranium to fuel pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs). The byproduct is Plutonium-239 (Pu-239).
  • Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactor envisages the use of Pu-239 obtained from the first stage reactor operation, as the fuel core.
  • Stage-3: Build thorium-based reactors that can be refuelled using India’s thorium reserves, which are converted to Uranium-233 inside the reactor.

Nuclear power in India | UPSC – IAS

Nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India after coal, gas, hydroelectricity and wind power. As of March 2018, India has 22 nuclear reactors in operation in 7 nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 6,780 MW.  Nuclear power produced a total of 35 TWh and supplied 3.22% of Indian electricity in 2017. 7 more reactors are under construction with a combined generation capacity of 4,300 MW.

  • India plans to put 21 new nuclear power reactors – including 10 indigenously designed PHWRs – with a combined generating capacity of 15,700 MWe into operation by 2031, the Department of Atomic Energy announced in January 2019.

Role of Science & Technology in development of India | UPSC – IAS

role of science and technology in development of india upsc

role of science and technology in development of india upsc

India’s development in the fields of science and technology

Science and technology are widely acknowledged to be essential components of social and economic development. Scientific knowledge and new technologies can help tackle many of the problems that affect countries. Some of the global challenges science and technology could solve are as follows:-

  • Providing Safe drinking-water and food supplies
  • Grid-scale energy storage
  • Energy-efficient desalination
  • Cleaning up of Ocean
  • Embodied Artificial Intelligence
  • Universal flu vaccine
  • Earthquake prediction
  • Carbon sequestration

The World Bank’s World Development Report states that “Today’s most technologically advanced economics are truly knowledge – based  creating millions of knowledge related jobs in an array of disciplines that have emerged overnight,” and also says that ” the need for developing countries to increase their capacity to use knowledge cannot be overstated.”

  • Scientific and technological knowledge,
  • Physical capital,
  • Human capital,
  • Technological progress,
  • Increase in labour force,
  • Foreign investment and foreign trade.

Of these – Scientific and technological knowledge is the most important factor in economic development. And also considered as a critical determinant of economic growth. It is in this perspective that improving this capacity has become a prerequisite for sustained economic growth and improved quality of life. In the present context, the most important aspect of knowledge, of course is scientific and technological knowledge.

Developed vs Developing countries in science and technology | UPSC – IAS

While it is clear that the ability of a society to produce, select, adapt, and commercialise knowledge is critical for sustained economic growth and improved quality of life, in this respect the developing countries are in a disadvantageous situation.

  • Today, a handful of the world’s richest countries produce the overwhelming majority of new scientific and technological knowledge, and they derive great benefit from its use.
  • Countries in this exclusive group enjoy the fruits or a virtuous circle, in which the concrete benefits or research help produce the wealth and public support needed to continue the investigation of science’s “endless frontiers.”
  • Their technological edge is the key to the continued dominance of the developed countries in the world economy. Whether it is Nobel Prizes in scientific areas or patents and new products, it is the developed countries that are dominant.

Meanwhile most other nations struggle with varying degrees of success, to establish scientific and technological research systems that can invigorate their economies and provide solutions to their social needs.

  • Unfortunately for developing countries the logic of S&T research system favours the scientifically strong to become stronger. Countries that want to improve their S&T capacity have lo make extra efforts to gain and maintain the “critical mass” beyond which benefits can start to accrue. Another difficulty is that this process is long term and full of uncertainty, and scarce resources arc under pressure from a variety of competing needs.

There are other problem as well. Within developed countries, there is a widespread consensus that government policies should support R&D activities, whether in the public or the private sector. In many developing countries, however, doubts remain over whether such policies are needed. Several countries feel that they can’t afford to fritter away scarce resources on exotic research.

Nature of technological knowledge base needed for development

Role of science and technology in development of a country needs two types of knowledge; These knowledge Considered critical for development of countries.

  • Firstly, knowledge about technology, which we also call technical knowledge or simply know-how. Examples are nutrition, agriculture,chemical  or software engineering, and medicine.
    • Typically developing countries have less of this know-bow than industrial countries, and within developing countries the poor have less than the non-poor. These unequal distributions across and within countries are called knowledge gaps.
  • Secondly, knowledge about attributes, such as the quality of a product, the diligence of a worker, or the credit-worthiness of a firm-all crucial to effective markets.
    • We call the difficulties posed by incomplete knowledge of attributes as information problems. Mechanisms to alleviate infonnation problems, such as product standards, training certificates, and credit reports, are fewer and weaker in developing countries. Information problems and the resulting market failures especially hurt the poor.

Despite the difficulties that we have mentioned earlier, there are some reasons to hope that aspiring countries can make progress in closing the gaps that separate them from scientifically-advanced countries.

  • First, new information and communications technologies are providing unprecedented access to existing knowledge, and are virtually erasing the disadvantages of physical distance as a factor for research collaboration.
  • Second, more is being learned about the process of innovation, and the policies and practices that make investments in S&T effective.
  • Third, the international scientific community is by nature open, and marked by a culture of freely sharing basic knowledge. Within the community, tremendous goodwill exists to help strengthen science throughout the world. Among the developing countries, India with its tremendous manpower and institutional resources is in a good position to close the technological gap and emerge as a S&T power with a developed economy.

Significance of domestic technology base | UPSC – IAS

On another level, domestic technology recognizes the use of applied science to construct homes to achieve a particular goal, such as energy efficiency or self-sufficiency.

  • Technological know-how can to some extent be bought or transferred from the developed countries. But this is not always either feasible or even desirable.
  • Countries also need to develop their own technological base especially if they are large countries like India. At the same time, it also has to be appreciated that the most important technological breakthroughs occur because scientists are investigating nature-not because they are looking for applications of their research [e.g., Faraday’s and Maxwell’s work was pure science, but it facilitated Marconi’s and others’ work on wireless communication].
  • However, because it is increasingly true that new technologies often give rise to new sciences and disciplines [e.g., chemical engineering]. it is most accurate to view science and technology as intertwined. According to many experts, this intertwining is the principal reason why technology is advanced through the work of academic researchers.
  • It is also the principal reason why, in many fields, university research is an important contributor to technological advance, and universities as well as corporate labs are essential parts of the innovation system. Thus the problems that originate in industry are not explored only by industrial scientists. They feed into, and stimulate, the entire scientific community.”
  • This provides the rationale for developing countries like india to emphasise basic science along with technology. India is too big a country to absent itself from any field of Science and Technology.
  • Recognising that basic research is the foundation on which all technologies stand, that basic research is also a cultural necessity in any civilised country and that scientists must have the freedom to work on important problems of their choice, support to basic research needs to be substantially stepped up.

Role of Science and Technology in India | UPSC – IAS

Science and technology (S&T) is widely recognised as an important tool for fostering and strengthening the economic and social development of the country. India has made significant progress in various spheres of science and technology over the years and now has a strong network of S&T institutions, trained manpower and-an innovative knowledge base. The twenty first century marks the beginning of the knowledge era.

  • Given the rapid pace of globalization, fast-depleting material resources, increasing competition among nations and the growing need to protect intellectual property, the importance of strengthening the knowledge base is an important issue that has been recognised in India.
  • Major scientific discoveries in quick succession, new technologies arising out of these discoveries, a range of products and services based on these technologies. A technology driven economy across the world, all characterise this knowledge era.
  • Scientific knowledge and expertise, high technology industrial infrastructure and skilled work force are the strengths of a country in the knowledge era. Following sustained efforts over period since independence and a more focused thrust during the recent period in higher education, scientific research, and technology development, the country has now attained a recognised potential lo emerge as a Global player in the knowledge era.
  • At the same time modem technology development is increasingly becoming dependent on research inputs from a large number of disciplines. A seamless and multi-sectoral now of technologies and inputs from scientists and engineers from various disciplines is essential for making a visible societal impact and economic prosperity.

Efforts are being made to identify those S&T area, cutting across the traditional divides of sciences, engineering and medicine, where investments can pay rich dividends.

  • One of the areas of weakness of Indian science in the past has been the lack of effective technology transfer mechanisms. Although we have a few success stories in Atomic Energy, Space, CSIR, etc. where there was successful interaction between academia (including both the university system and the national laboratory system) and industry, in general this has been lacking. Even in these cases the driving force for these interactions came from mission-oriented agencies.
  • Globalisation and liberalisation have thrown up immense opportunities as well as some new challenges for S&T. ln an increasingly competitive world, Indian industry needs the support of indigenous S&T in a big way. Technology transfer to domestic companies from abroad is becoming more difficult because foreign companies can set up industries here and are, therefore, less willing to share technologies.
  • Even in joint ventures, foreign companies are often trying to buy out the Indian partners. Secondly, Indian companies are becoming more and more globally competitive.
  • Indian industry in the future will, therefore, have no option but to invest more and more in Indian R&D for new technology development.
  • lt is against this background that it is being increasingly recognised that greater coordination and cooperation between industry on the one hand and the R&D/academic institutions on the other, is necessary for facing emerging challenges and taking advantage of the opportunities offered.
  • If industry begins to interact actively with academia, it can also play a greater role in guiding academic activities in the direction of industry interests, be it human resource development, R&D prioritisation, or the choice of areas of international cooperation.

S&T Role at the macro level 

S&T management should focus on meeting the needs of the nation (including industry) and encompass a wide spectrum of activities, namely:-

  • Basic research,
  • Applied research,
  • Technology transfer,
  • design, development, fabrication, tests and trials,
  • Manufacturing, marketing, maintenance and product support during tile life cycle.

S&T Role at the micro level 

R&D institutions and the academia must move to couple R&D and Engineering so that the indigenous technology can meet the specific requirements of the Indian industry. In order to strengthen the interface between industry, R&D and academia and to enhance the level of industry participation, appropriate steps need to be taken at various levels by all concerned – Government, industry associations, R&D institutions and universities.

  • Given the range of problems involved with the development of S&T in the nation, it is important to take stock of the situation and develop strategies and plan to address them.
  • It is important to find ways and means of strengthening the S&T system and also make efforts to provide synergy between S&T infrastructure and industry to tackle key issues affecting S&T including the education and research systems.

Society aspects of science & technology in india

Science and technology (S&T) is widely recognised as an important tool for fostering and strengthening the economic and social development of the country. There is an urgent need to make efforts to ensure that appropriate research outputs, which can be pot to use for the benefit of society, are generated and reach the people. It is, therefore, essential to evolve a mechanism and identify programmes for application of Science & Technology for .

  • Improving the quality of life of the people (particularly the weaker sections and women).
  • For the development of rural areas to reduce regional imbalances and
  • For inculcating scientific awareness among the masses.

CSIR Milestones and Key Achievements  | UPSC  – IAS

CSIR was established by the Government of India in September 1942 as an autonomous body that has emerged as the largest research and development organisation in India . The research and development activities of CSIR include:- Aerospace engineering, Structural engineering, Environmental science, Ocean sciences, Life sciences, Metallurgy, Petroleum, Chemicals, Leather, Food and Mining.

  • Developed India’s first synthetic drug, methaqualone in 1950.
  • Developed Optical Glass at CGCRI for defence purposes.
  • Developed first Indian tractor Swaraj in 1967 completely based on indigenous know-how.
  • Achieved the first breakthrough of flowering of Bamboo within weeks as against twenty years in nature.
  • First to analyse genetic diversity of the indigenous Andamanese tribes and to establish their origin out of Africa 60,000 years ago.
  • Developed the first transgenic Drosophila model for drug screening for cancer in humans.
  • Invented, once a week non-steroidal family planning pill Saheli and non-steroidal herbal pill for asthma called Asmon.
  • Designed India’s first ever parallel processing computer, Flosolver.
  • Rejuvenated India’s one-hundred-year-old refinery at Digboi using the most modern molecular distillation technology.
  • With TCS, developed a versatile portable PC-based software ‘Bio-Suite’ for bioinformatics.
  • Design of 14 seater plane ‘SARAS‘.
  • Established first ever in the world ‘Traditional Knowledge Digital Library’ accessible in five international languages, English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish.
  • Successfully challenged the grant of patent in the US for use of haldi (turmeric) for wound healing and neem as insecticide.
  • In 2007, under the NMITLI program, began the study of Sepsivac, a drug for gram-negative sepsis.
  • In 2009, completed the sequencing of the Human Genome.
  • In 2011, successfully tested India’s 1st indigenous civilian aircraft, NAL NM5 made in association with National Aerospace Laboratories and Mahindra Aerospace.
  • In 2020, initiated clinical trials to evaluate Sepsivac’s efficacy to reduce mortality rate in COVID–19 patients.

Conclusion and A Way forward | UPSC – IAS

India must try to become “Global innovation Leader” across the board in all S&T areas. India will certainly become a ”Developed Country” sooner or later, but we can achieve this much faster if we use ‘technology foresight’ to make the right technology choices and introduce ‘coherent synergy’ in our S&T efforts. Technology Foresight helps in the selection of critical technologies for development at any point of time. india is a large country and its technology requirements also correspondingly span a wide range from nuclear to rural. It has to continue to develop strategic technologies- in nuclear, space and defence related areas.

  • The sustained efforts over years since independence and a more focused thrust during the recent period in higher education, scientific research, and technology development, India has now attained a recognised potential to emerge as a Global player in the knowledge era.
  • We now need to focus on enlarging the pool of scientific manpower and strengthening the S&T infrastructure and converting our potential into reality, pushing india into the knowledge era as a global player and raising the Indian economy to the level of developed nations.

Technologies related to energy security, food and nutritional security, health and water security, environmental security, advanced manufacturing and processing, advanced materials, etc., are all important for us. So are the so-called “knowledge based” technologies (Information Technology, particularly hardware, Nanotechnology. particularly Nanoelectronics; Biotechnology; and convergence of these technologies like Nanobiotechnology for drug delivery.

  • Scientific knowledge and expertise,
  • High technology industrial infrastructure and
  • A technically skilled workforce are the currencies of the knowledge era.

ATL App Development Module for School Children | UPSC – IAS

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission launches ATL App Development Module for school students nationwide

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission launches ATL App Development Module for school students nationwide

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launched the  ‘ATL App Development Module’ for school children all across the country. Aims at transforming school students from App users to innovative App Developers

The vision is to foster creativity and innovation nationwide through its various integrated initiatives including incubators, Startups, community innovation Centers and Atal New India challenges for product and service innovations enabling socio economic growth of the country .

  • The ATL App Development modules have been launched in collaboration with Indian homegrown startup Plezmo with an aim to hone the skills of school students and transforming them from App users to App makers in the times to come under AIM’s flagship Atal Tinkering Labs initiative.
  • The ATL App Development module is an online course is completely Free. Through 6 project-based learning modules and online mentoring sessions, young innovators can learn to build mobile Apps in various Indian languages and showcase their talent. Additionally, to build capacities and acumen for App Development within school teachers, periodic Teacher Training sessions will be conducted on the AIM App Development course.
  • ATLs can be established in schools (minimum Grade VI – X) managed by State/ Central Government, Local body (Municipality / Nagar Nigam), Private trusts/society or Tribal/Social welfare department etc.
  • The applicant schools would be provided financial support in the form of Grant-in-aid for a maximum period of 5 years.
  • Till date, more than 5100 ATLs are established in more than 660 districts across the country by Atal Innovation Mission with more than 2 million students having access to the Tinkering Labs.

5G technology in India – Advantages and Challenges | UPSC – IAS

5G technology in India - Advantages and Challenges | UPSC - IAS

5G technology in India - Advantages and Challenges | UPSC - IAS

5G technology in India – Advantages and Challenges | UPSC – IAS

Fifth Generation (5G) technology is generally seen as the 5th generation cellular network technology that provides broadband access. The industry association 3GPP defines any system using “5G NR” software as “5G”, a definition that came into general use by late 2018

Fifth Generation (5G) technology is a wireless communication technology using radio waves or radio frequency (RF) energy to transmit and receive data. fifth generation is the next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks. 5G technologies will enter services gradually, beginning in 2019 and advance to a full range of services by 2024. 5G connections in India are forecasted to reach 88 million by 2025, equivalent to around 7% of the total connections base in the country.

Fifth Generation (5G) technology will underwrite USD 12.3 trillion of worldwide economic output by 2035, with investment within the value chain expected to get an extra USD 3.5 trillion in output and supply support for 22 million jobs by 2035.

Difference between  5G and other Generation | UPSC – IAS

  • 2G and 3G mobile networks relied on microwave wireless backhaul to connect cell sites with the nearest switching centre.
  • 4G LTE introduced IP-based connectivity, replacing copper- or microwave-based cell sites with optical fibre.
  • 5G deployment is based on optical fibre infrastructure.
Generation 2G 3G 3G HSPA+ 4G 4G LTE-A 5G
Max speed 0.3Mbps 7.2Mbps 42Mbps 150Mbps 300Mbps-1Gbps 1-10Gbps
Average speed 0.1Mbps 1.5Mbps 5Mbps 10Mbps 15Mbps-50Mbps 50Mbps and up

Advantages of 5G Technology | UPSC – IAS

  • Faster Data Speed – Currently 4G networks are capable of achieving the peak download speed of one gigabit per second. With Fifth Generation (5G) the speed could be increased upto 10Gbps.
  • Ultra-low latency – Latency refers to the time it takes for one device to send a packet of data to another device. In 4G the latency rate is around 50 milliseconds but 5G will reduce that to about 1 millisecond.
  • A more Connected World – 5G will provide the capacity and bandwidth as per the need of the user to accommodate technologies such as Internet of Things. Thus, will help to incorporate Artificial Intelligence in our lives. It can also support Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality services.

As per the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in increasing GDP, creating employment and digitizing the economy.

  • In agriculture, Fifth Generation (5G) can enable improvement in the entire value-chain, from precision farming, smart irrigation, improved soil and crop monitoring, to livestock management.
  • In manufacturing, 5G will enable use of robotics for precision manufacturing, particularly where humans cannot perform these functions safely or accurately.
  • In the energy sector, ‘smart grids’ and ‘smart metering’ can be efficiently supported. With the rise of renewable and storage technologies, low latency communications will be critical to manage these grids.
  • In health-care, Fifth Generation (5G) can enable more effective tele-medicine delivery, tele-control of surgical robotics and wireless monitoring of vital statistics.

Challenges of 5G Technology in India | UPSC – IAS

  • Huge Investment Required: India needs a massive Rs 5 lakh crore ($70 billion) investment to bring in 5G.
  • Expensive spectrum: Indian spectrum prices are some of the highest in the world and the allocated quantity is well below global best practices, while 40% of the spectrum is lying unsold.
  • Lack of uniform policy framework: Delays due to complex procedures across states, non-uniformity of levies along with administrative approvals have impacted telecom service providers in rolling-out Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) and telecom towers.
  • Local Regulatory Issues: Many of the local rules and regulations are prohibiting the rapid and cost effective roll-out of small cells in city centres where Fifth Generation (5G) is initially expected to be most in demand.
  • Debt scenario in the industry: According to ICRA, the collective debt of telecommunications service providers (TSPs) stands at Rs 4.2 lakh crore.
  • Low optical fibre penetration: India lacks a strong backhaul to transition to 5G. Backhaul is a network that connects cells sites to central exchange. As of now 80% of cell sites are connected through microwave backhaul, while under 20% sites are connected through fibre.
  • High Import of Equipments: Imports account for a 90 per cent of India’s telecom equipment market. However due to lack of local manufacturing and R&D, Indian telecom providers have no option other than to procure and deploy 5G technologies from foreign suppliers.
  • Security: According to the Global Cyber Security Index released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only about half of all the countries had a cybersecurity strategy or are in the process of developing one. The index, which was topped by Singapore at 0.925 saw India at 23rd position.
  • Possibility of increased digital divide: Initial deployment of 5G networks in dense urban areas could left
    behind rural areas due to commercial viability, may led to increase the digital divide.
  • Human exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: There has been concern about the said impact of these frequencies on health of human as well as on animals.

A Way Forward | UPSC – IAS

  • Spectrum Policy: India’s spectrum allocation for public wireless services should be enhanced significantly. Also, the cost of spectrum relative to per capita GDP is high and should come down.
  • Create a Fifth Generation (5G) Program Office within Department of Telecommunications and an Oversight Committee.
  • New civil infrastructure like highways, roads, canals and utilities(gas, electricity, water) lines should be mandated to provide Common Telecom Infrastructure resources such as ducting and power junction boxes to support 5G infrastructure.
  • Security audits, a prerequisite for importing of equipment before deploying in Indian networks, needs to be simplified.
  • Favorable Taxation Policy: Reducing taxation and regulatory fees on revenues could contribute to further evolution of the tax framework.
  • Fifth Generation (5G) Pilot: Policy-makers may consider encouraging 5G pilots and test beds to test 5G technologies and use cases and to stimulate market engagement.
  • Support Fifth Generation (5G) investment: Indian government and regulators should ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry and its ability to fund the significant investment required for 5G network deployments.
  • Policy-makers may consider the use of licensed, unlicensed and shared spectrum to create a balanced spectrum ecosystem – one that encourages investment, makes efficient use of spectrum and promotes competition.
  • Where market failure has occurred, governments may consider stimulating investment in fibre networks and passive assets through setting up PPPs, investment funds and offering grant funds, etc.

NavRakshak breathable PPE by Indian Navy | UPSC – IAS

NavRakshak breathable PPE by Indian Navy | UPSC – IAS

NavRakshak breathable PPE by Indian Navy | UPSC - IAS | UPPCS

NavRakshak – Breathable PPE Kit | UPSC – IAS

COVID 19 Pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges at the global level. The Healthcare professionals are leading this war against the pandemic and they need to be safeguarded from acute risk of infection, while providing care to the victims.

  • What is NavRakshak? – A resource improvised optimisation of personal protective equipment – Titled as NavRakshak. This innovative solution developed by a young Doctor of Indian Navy (Dr. Arnab Ghosh, a Naval Doctor).
  • The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the most essential defensive tool for protection of the Corona Warriors.

However, availability of reliable, cost effective and comfortable PPEs is a huge challenge. The Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have promulgated benchmarks standards for PPE, based on international standards promulgated by WHO.

To overcome these challenges, a Naval Medical Specialist of Innovation Cell, Institute of Naval Medicine Mumbai has developed –

  • A high quality PPE which provides full protection as per promulgated standards, is made of ‘breathable’ fabric, gives comfort to the wearer enhancing the user comfort even under prolonged use in hot and humid conditions and is extremely economical. This innovative solution developed by a young Doctor of Indian Navy is being steered for licensed production and IP management by the Intellectual Property Facilitation Cell (IPFC) of MoD in association with NRDC.
  • It incorporates superior quality breathable fabric to make the PPE suit while its design innovation eliminates the need of costly taping and sealing of the seam which is otherwise needed in other PPEs available in the market.
  • It meets the standard criteria set by ICMR and MoHFW for PPEs

While many PPEs compliant to the standards are available in the local market, however their cost effectiveness and suitability for the hot and humid weather conditions prevalent in India remain suboptimal.

The PPE kit offers a suite of products including:-

  • Head gear, NavRakshak face mask and NavRakshak Cover-all and Shoe Covers.
  • The Fabric material used is non-woven SSMMS (Spunbound-Spunbond Meltbound- Meltbound-Spunbound) of 51 GSM density and available in two variants (single-ply or two-ply for different exposure situations including intense aerosol generating surgical procedures having higher viral loads).
  • It offer aims to meet the shortfall in the availability of standard quality PPE in the country.

Salient Technical Features including Competing Features of NavRakshak

  • NavRakshak consists of headgear (1 ply 51 GSM SSMMS fabric), 2 plies protective mask of the same material and Coveralls (1 ply =51 GSM) -The innovative hood has a 360 degree wrapping with tuckable base. There is a provision of inserting stethoscope or headphone earpieces (named Phone pouch) through a closed end pouch in the hood.
  • Two ply face mask (10 layered, 102 GSM density) which is almost two times denser than the N-95 respirator mask.
  • Face mask creates tight air sealing generating negative pressure inside (without expiratory valve) and has cup-shaped design with a nose fix.
  • Of fers fluid resistance due to zigzag patterned non-woven fabric, not letting fluid to settle on its surface.
  • Testing of the Fabric has been done by INMAS (DRDO) and passed by 6/6 SBPR test –Coverall exceeds ISO 16603 class 3 exposure pressure, or equivalent

NavRakshak PPE gown | UPSC -IAS

Advantages of NavRakshak PPE kit | UPSC – IAS

  • Low cost, optimal pathogen protection and easily adaptable design.
  • Provides optimal breathing comfort to the user while preventing viral exposure. – Innovative Provision for securely inserting stethoscope earpiece or mobile headphones into hood.
  • Easily available raw material in Indian market, 60-80% (anticipated) cost reduction compared to imported PPEs
  • Low capital investment, easily adaptable by existing Gown manufacturing units
  • Surgical procedures can also be done wearing the PPE

Innovation Cell – Institute of Naval Medicine (IC-INM)

  • The Indian Navy has established its first ever innovation cell, in January 2020, inside the premises of the Institute of Naval Medicine, Mumbai to recognise and promote Innovations from serving personnel. The innovation cell nurtures and inspires ideas and facilitates Prototyping and Product Formulation.

Update – Recently, Agra-based company bags NRDC license for manufacturing NavRakshak PPEs

National E-Governance Service Delivery Assessment | UPSC – IAS

National E-Governance Service Delivery Assessment | UPSC - IAS

National E-Governance Service Delivery Assessment | UPSC - IAS

National E-Governance Service Delivery Assessment | UPSC – IAS

In the United Nations e-Government Survey published in 2018, where a 193 member countries were assessed, India was placed 96th in the e-Government Development Index. There was a significant improvement in its rank from that of 2016, where the country was placed at a rank of 107.

For a nation which takes pride in using digital technologies and innovations for providing government services to citizens as well as businesses and with many well-established service delivery mechanisms across its various States and UTs, this rank can be enhanced further. (by NeSDA)

First-ever National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) 2019 rankings were released by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

  • It is done for 4 categories: Union territories (7), North-Eastern States and Hill states (11), Remaining states
    (18), Central government ministries websites.
  • Framework covers six sectors, viz. Finance, Labour & Employment, Education, Local Government & Utilities, Social Welfare (including Agriculture & Health) and Environment (including Fire).
  • The assessment was aimed at improving the overall e-Government development by evaluating the efficiency of service delivery mechanism from a citizen’s perspective.

It primarily assesses all State/UT and Central Ministry service portals on 7 key parameters:

  • Accessibility,
  • Content Availability,
  • Ease of Use,
  • Information Security & Privacy,
  • End service Delivery,
  • Integrated Service Delivery and
  • Status & Request Tracking.

Ranking | UPSC – IAS

  • Delhi, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu administration have emerged leaders among Union territories across all parameters.
  • Haryana and Rajasthan are the leading states in the assessment under the “remaining states” category comprising 18 states.
  • The website of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Finance Ministry is the winner under the assessment of central ministry service portals category. Whereas, the ministry portals of Health & Family Welfare, and Human Resource have emerged leaders across “all parameters”.
  • In terms of portals Kerala Scored the highest in states and UTs category.

Key Recommendations | UPSC – IAS

  • Creating an inclusive Digital Ecosystem
  • Mandatory sector-specific service focus to attain SDG Goals
  • e-Literacy for inclusiveness
  • Improvising Accessibility for higher uptake
  • Security and privacy for public data
  • Embracing new age technologies for improved service delivery
  • Adoption of Standards for uniformity in governance
  • Integrated service delivery – focus on IndEA (India Enterprise Architecture)

Golden Rice to counter Vitamin A deficiency | UPSC – IAS

Golden Rice to counter Vitamin A deficiency | UPSC - IAS | Digitally learn

Golden Rice to counter Vitamin A deficiency | UPSC - IAS | Digitally learnMap – Prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (1995 Data)

Golden Rice to counter Vitamin A deficiency | UPSC – IAS

Golden rice is a variety of rice (Oryza sativa) produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of rice. It is intended to produce a fortified food to be grown and consumed in areas with a shortage of dietary vitamin A.

Golden rice is the collective name of rice varieties that are genetically modified to counter vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.

  • European scientists developed the first strain of Golden Rice towards the end of the 1990s.
  • Research has indicated that one cup of Golden Rice can provide up to 50 per cent of the daily requirement of an adult for vitamin A.
  • The Golden Rice can be grown just the same way we grow normal rice. There is no change in cost of cultivation.
  • It reduces water use by up to 30 per cent without any yield loss.
  • It should not be stored for more than three months. It may lose its nutrients after that.

Golden Rice and Provitamin A

Golden rice differs from standard rice in that it contains extra genes one from maize and one from bacterial origin together responsible for the production of provitamin A (beta-carotene) in the rice grain.

  • Provitamin A colors the grains yellow-orange, hence the name ‘Golden Rice’.
  • Once absorbed into the body, provitamin A is converted into vitamin A.
  • Provitamin A is found in many fruits and vegetables; it is also what makes carrots orange, for example.

Vitamin A deficiency | UPSC – IAS

  • Vitamin A deficiency generally occurs due to an imbalanced diet including limited access to fresh fruit, vegetables and animal products.
  • Persistent deficiency in this vital nutrient can result in blindness, illness and even death.
  • Vitamin A deficiency also compromises the immune system, which means children die from common diseases including diarrhea, respiratory tract infections and measles.

Mission Chandrayaan 2 | ISRO | UPSC – IAS | Pib

Chandrayaan-2 (moon 2.0) mission by ISRO UPSC - IAS

Chandrayaan-2 (moon 2.0) mission by ISRO UPSC - IAS

Chandrayaan-2 mission by ISRO | UPSC – IAS

ISRO is planning to launch Chandrayaan-2 mission by mid-July 2019. Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second lunar exploration mission after Chandrayaan-1. Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation, the mission is planned to be launched to the Moon by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III. Chandrayaan-2 is a completely indigenous mission comprising of an Orbiter, Lander (called Vikram) and Rover (called Pragyan). It includes a lunar orbiter, lander and rover, all developed indigenously.

More About Chandrayaan-2 mission by ISRO | UPSC – IAS

  • It will be launched by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III (GSLV-F10).
  • It will be ISRO’s first interplanetary mission to land a rover on any celestial body.
  • The mission will attempt to soft land a rover 600 km from the lunar south pole.
    • Only three countries have ever soft-landed on the moon— the United States, the U.S.S.R. and China.
  • Primary Objective: To demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the lunar surface and operate a robotic rover on the surface.
  • Scientific Goals include studies of lunar topography, mineralogy, elemental abundance, the lunar exosphere, and signatures of hydroxyl and water ice.
  • Scientific Payload: It comprises a visible terrain mapping camera, a neutral mass spectrometer, a synthetic aperture radar, a near infrared spectrometer, a radio occultation experiment, a soft X-ray spectrometer and solar X-ray monitor.
    • The lander will carry a camera, seismometer, thermal profiler, and Langmuir probe, while the rover will hold cameras, alpha-proton X-ray spectrometer, and a laser-induced ablation spectroscopy experiment to analyse the lunar soil.
    • It will also carry NASA-owned laser retroreflector arrays that allow scientists to make precise measurements  of the distance to the Moon.

Significant Components of Chandrayaan – 2 | UPSC – IAS

Chandrayaan-2 consists of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover, all equipped with scientific instruments to study the moon.

Orbiter

  • The Orbiter will 100 km away from the moon, which will observe lunar surface and relay communication between Earth and the Lander.
  • The orbiter is equipped with different kinds of camera to take create high-resolution three-dimensional maps of the surface, would remain in orbit for a year.

Vikram Lander

The mission’s lander is called Vikram named after Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971) who is widely regarded as the father of the Indian space programme.

  • It is the first time that ISRO is attempting to soft-land a module in extra-terrestrial space.
  • The main challenge is in controlling its speed as it approaches the surface.
  • Once the Lander and the Rover, enter the Moon’s gravity, they would be in a state of free fall.
  • To enable a smooth landing, the speed of the Lander just ahead of touchdown should be 1 m/s (3.6 km/h) or less.
  • The Lander will mainly study the moon’s atmosphere and look out for seismic activity.

Pragyaan Rover

The mission’s rover is called Pragyan (Wisdom). The rover’s mass will be about 27 kg (60 lb) and will operate on solar power.

  • The 6-wheeled, AI Solar powered rover was designed, developed and build indigenously by ISRO.
  • The rover will be landed in be landed closer to the Moon’s equator to receive more sunlight.
  • Its primary objective will be to study the composition of the surface near the lunar landing site, and determine its abundance of various elements.
  • Both the Lander and Rover are designed to work for only 14 days (1 lunar day).

Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope Project | UPSC – IAS

Square Kilometre Array India UPSC - IAS

Square Kilometre Array India UPSC - IAS

Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope Project | UPSC – IAS

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a radio telescope project proposed to be built in Australia and South Africa. If built, it would have a total collecting area of approximately one square kilometre. It would operate over a wide range of frequencies and its size would make it 50 times more sensitive than any other radio instrument. It would require very high performance central computing engines and long-haul links with a capacity greater than the global Internet traffic as of 2013. It should be able to survey the sky more than ten thousand times faster than before.

On 12 March 2019, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) was founded in Rome by seven initial member countries, with several other expected to join in the future. This international organisation is tasked with building and operating the facility, with the first construction contracts scheduled to be awarded in late 2020

Location: – South Africa’s Karoo region and Western Australia’s Murchison Shire were chosen as co-hosting locations for this project.; Built Year: – 2024 – 2030.

Square Kilometre Array India UPSC - IAS Countries that participated in the preparatory phase of SKA
Countries that participated in the preparatory phase of Square Kilometre Array

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a global project with eleven member countries that aims to answer fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of the Universe. In the early days of planning, China vied to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), proposing to build several large dishes in the natural limestone depressions (karst) that dimple its southwestern provinces; China called their proposal Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope (KARST). In April 2011, Jodrell Bank Observatory of the University of Manchester, in Cheshire, England was announced as the location for the project headquarters.

More About Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project | UPSC – IAS

  • Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with eventually over a square kilometre (one million square metres) of collecting area.
  • It will use 1000s of dishes and up to a million low-frequency antennas that will enable astronomers to monitor the sky in unprecedented detail and survey the entire sky much faster than any system currently in existence.
  • Karoo will host the core of the high and mid frequency dishes and Murchison will host the low-frequency antennas.
  • Recent Developments – MeerLITCH is the world’s first optical telescope linked to a radio telescope launched in South Africa.
  • The device forms part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project and will be linked to MeerKAT, a radio telescope located 200km away.
  • Scientists at Cambridge have finished designing the data processor of SKA’s telescopes.

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) mission | NASA | UPSC – IAS

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) NASA UPSC - IAS The Hindu

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) NASA UPSC - IAS The Hindu

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) mission| NASA | UPSC – IAS

The NASA has selected a new mission Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) and is expected to be launched in August 2022, attached to the exterior of the Earth-orbiting International Space Station.

Atmospheric waves are motions of air in the Earth’s atmosphere which have different spatial (meters to thousands of kilometers) and temporal scales (minutes to weeks). They can impact the wind, density, pressure or temperature fields and can be identified as fluctuations of these parameters.

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) mission will help scientists understand and, ultimately, forecast the vast space weather system around our planet. Space weather is important  because it can have profound impacts – affecting-

    • Technology and astronauts in space,
    • Disrupting radio communications and,
    • At its most severe, overwhelming power grids.

About Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE)

  • It will investigate how waves in the lower atmosphere, caused by variations in the densities of different packets of air, impact the upper atmosphere.
  • Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) will focus will focus on colourful bands of light in Earth’s atmosphere, called airglow, to determine what combination of forces drive space weather in the upper atmosphere.
  • Earlier it was thought that only Sun’s constant outflow of ultraviolet (UV) light and particles, solar wind, could affect airglow region. However, now researchers have learned that Earth’s weather also have effect on it.
  • AWE was one of two finalists selected by NASA in 2017 as a heliophysics mission of opportunity for NASA’s Explorers program of small missions. The other finalist was the Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE), a constellation of cubesats that would act as a synthetic aperture radio telescope to study the formation of solar storms.

What is Heliophysics ?

  • It is the study of the effects of the Sun on the Solar System; it addresses problems that span a number of existing disciplines – solar and heliospheric physics, and magnetospheric and ionospheric physics for the Earth and other planets.
  • The discipline is closely related to the study of Space Weather, which can affect the technology on which we all depend, however heliophysics is more generalised covering all parts of the Solar System rather than just the Sun-Earth connection.

Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential (unnatee) launched | UPSC – IAS

Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential (unnatee) launched UPSC - IAS UPPCS PCS

Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential (unnatee) launched UPSC - IAS UPPCS PCS

Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential (unnatee) | UPSC – IAS

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has developed a national strategy document titled UNNATEE (Unlocking NATional Energy Efficiency Potential) towards developing an energy efficient nation (2017-2031).

  • It describes a plain framework and implementation strategy to establish a clear linkage between energy supply-demand scenarios and energy efficiency opportunities. The document offers a comprehensive roadmap to address India’s environmental and climate change mitigation action through energy efficiency measures.
  • This exercise is first of its kind, clearly delineating the energy efficiency targets for the respective demand sectors upto the state levels. Developing India’s blueprint of effective energy efficiency strategy is a leap towards stimulating energy efficiency ecosystem and enabling reduction of the pressure on demand

Why India need UNNATEE ? | UPSC – IAS

  • In India, there is still an immense potential to be realized from large scale implementation of energy efficiency interventions in the various demand sectors like industry, agriculture, transport, municipal, domestic and commercial lighting and appliances and Micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME).
  • In this context, BEE, with support from PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited has developed the national strategic plan for energy efficiency, presented in the form of this report “Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential – UNNATEE, Strategy plan towards developing an energy efficient nation (2017-2031)”.

Unlocking National Energy Efficiency Potential (unnatee) launched UPSC - IAS

Background Knowledge

  • India is expected to grow at around 8% and almost every economic activity requires energy. If energy consumption (primary energy and electricity) in India were to continue along current lines, it could lead to a growing imbalance between supply and demand.
  • The gap between supply and demand can be fulfilled by either increasing generation or by enhancing the efficiency of energy usage.

Some key numbers can be seen as-

  • India’s energy demand in 2016-17= 790 Mtoe(million tonnes of oil equivalent)
  • Energy saving potential by 2031= 87 Mtoe
  • Total emission reduction= 858 MtCO2 in 2030
  • Total energy efficiency investment potential= Rs. 8.40 lakh crore by 2031

UNNATEE Implementation Strategy | UPSC – IAS

Favourable Regulations | UPSC – IAS

Through an overarching energy efficiency policy, which includes targets, incentives and penalties.

  • Agriculture- Inclusion of agro projects under the National Clean Energy Fund
  • Buildings- Introduction of incentives for purchasing energy efficient houses.
  • Industry- Increasing the scope of the PAT programme.
  • Transport- Roll out of the proposed FAME-II scheme.

Institutional Framework | UPSC – IAS

through strong enforcement mechanism at state levels, which would lend further strength to the national and local level program.

  • Agriculture– A single window system for export of products and services will improve the competitiveness of sector R&D.
  • Buildings- A reporting framework for where the states are required to update their progress in implementation of Energy Conservation Building Code in their state.
  • Industry- Creation of an energy management cell.

Availability of Finance | UPSC – IAS

In the form of a revolving fund, risk guarantee, On-bill financing, Energy Savings Insurance, Energy Conservation Bonds.

  • Agriculture- Reduce interests in priority sector lending.
  • Buildings- Targeting low LCOC rather than low initial building cost by building for affordable maintenance.
  • Industry- Creation of fund for R&D in industry with 1% of turnover.
  • Transport- Introduction of ToD tariff rates for EVs. E.g. Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission has fixed the tariff for charging stations at Rs. 6 per unit.

Use of technology | UPSC – IAS

  • Including Internet of Things and Blockchain have the ability to bring an energy revolution across sectors. Example in agriculture (smart control panels), municipal (CCMS), commercial (building management systems), domestic (electric cook stoves).

Stakeholder Engagement | UPSC – IAS

  • Would result in faster adoption and smoother implementation. E.g. for adoption of electric vehicles it is important to first have policies for promotion and adoption of EVs, institutional framework to train new breed of engineers to make the transition to EVs, ecosystem players to provide services like EV charging and consumers to buy the vehicles.
  • Data Collection- Setting up of a Nodal Agency that advocates data collection and dissemination, covering the entire energy value chain of the country.
  • Setting State wise targets- Mandatory reporting of sector wise energy consumption, status of all EE programmes and the target of the same and energy efficiency roadmap.
  • Center of Excellence for industries- to increase R&D in specific sectors.

Genome Sequencing Significance in India | CSIR | UPSC – IAS

Genome Sequencing Significance in India CSIR UPSC - IAS

Genome Sequencing Significance in India CSIR UPSC - IAS

Genome Sequencing Significance in India | CSIR | UPSC – IAS

Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome

Significance of Genome Sequencing – Able to study the entire genome sequence will help them understand how the genome as a whole works – how genes work together to direct the growth, development and maintenance of an entire organism. And also Genome sequencing sample of citizens determine unique genetic traits, sus­ceptibility (and resilience) to disease.

CSIR plans Genome Sequencing to map Population Diversity in India

In an indigenous genetic mapping effort, nearly 1,000 rural youth from the length and breadth of India will have their genomes se­quenced by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Re­search (CSIR). 

The project aims at – Educating a genera­tion of students on the “use­fulness” of genomics. Globally, many countries have undertaken genome sequencing of a sample of their citizens to determine unique genetic traits, sus­ceptibility (and resilience) to disease.

This is the  first time that such a large sample of Indians will be recruited for a detailed study. The project is an adjunct to a much larger government led programme, still in the works, to  sequence at least 10,000 Indian genomes. Typically, those recruited as part of genome sample collections are representa­tive of the country’s popula­tion  diversity. In this case, the bulk of them will be col­lege students, both men and women, and pursuing de­grees in the life sciences or biology.

  • At the very least, the genome sequence will represent a valuable shortcut, helping scientists find genes much more easily and quickly.
  • A genome sequence does contain some clues about where genes are, even though scientists are just learning to interpret these clues.
  • Finally, genes account for less than 25 percent of the DNA in the genome, and so knowing the entire genome sequence will help scientists study the parts of the genome outside the genes. This includes the regulatory regions that control how genes are turned on an off, as well as long stretches of “nonsense” or “junk” DNA – so called because we don’t yet know what, if anything, it does.

Methodology | CSIR | UPSC – IAS

Genomes will be sequenced based on a blood sample and the scientists plan to hold at least  30 camps cover­ing most States. Every person whose ge­nomes are sequenced will be given a report. The partici­pants would be  told if they carry gene variants that make them less responsive to certain classes of  medi­cines. For instance, having a certain gene makes some pe­ople less responsive to clopi­dogrel, a key drug that pre­vents strokes and heart attack.

  • The project would involve the Hyderabad ­based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and cost 18 crore, with  the sequencing to be done at the IGIB and the CCMB.

Frequently Asked Questions  | CSIR | UPSC – IAS

What is Genomics ? | UPSC – IAS

Genomics is the scientific study of the genome and the role genes play, individually and collectively, in determining structure, directing growth and development, and controlling biological functions. lt consists of two branches: structural genomics and functional genomics.

GENOMES

What is Structural Genomics ? | UPSC – IAS

The field of structural genomics includes the construction and comparison of various types of genome maps and large-scale DNA sequencing. The Human Genome Project and the Plant Genome Research Program are structural genomic research on a grand scale. ln addition to genome mapping and sequencing. the objective of structural genomics research is gene discovery. localisation and characterisation.

  • Structural genomics projects have generated genome maps and complete DNA sequences for many organisms, including crop plants and their pathogens, disease causing bacteria and viruses, yeast, bacteria, the malaria parasite and the mosquito that transmits it, and the microbes we use to produce a wide variety of industrial products.

Because all living organisms share a common heritage and can translate genetic information from many other organisms into biological function, the different genome projects inform each other, and any gene discovered through these projects could have wide applicability in many industrial sectors. Knowing the complete or partial DNA sequences of cenain genes or markers can provide scientists with useful information, even if the precise details of gene function remain unknown.

What is Functional Genomics ? | UPSC – IAS

While sequencing entire genomes, discovering genes and mapping them are remarkable achievements, they represent only the first milestone in the genomics revolution. Gene sequence and mapping data mean little until we determine what those genes do, how they are regulated, and how the activity of one affects others. This field of study, known as functional genomics, enables scientists to navigate the complex structure of the human genome and to make sense of its content. Studies show that mammalian genomes have roughly the same number of genes and, in some case , species less complex than mammals have a higher number of genes.

  • It is not, however, the number of genes that is important to our understanding of the various species, but. rather the compositional, functional, chemical and structural differences that dictate differentiation.

Evolutionary analysis is emerging as a critical tool for elucidating the function and interactions of genes within a genome. Molecular evolutionists use comparative genomics techniques and bioinformatics technologies to analyze the number of changes that DNA sequences undergo through the course of evolution. Using this data, scientists can recognise functionally important regions within genes and even construct a molecular timescale of species evolution.

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) technique | UPSC – IAS

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) Technique UPSC - IAS

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) Technique UPSC - IAS

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) Technique | UPSC – IAS

Recently, Fertility doctors in Greece and Spain have produced a baby from three people in order to overcome a woman’s infertility, the team used a technique called maternal spindle transfer (MST).

Maternal Spindle Transfer is a technique similar to Pronuclear Transfer in its effort to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial disease. However, the main difference between these two techniques is that Maternal Spindle Transfer uses unfertilized eggs instead of the early embryos used in Pronuclear Transfer.

  • Mitochondrial transfer procedure, uses a snippet of DNA from a healthy female donor to prevent mothers passing on devastating genetic disorders such as muscular dystrophy and heart and liver conditions.
  • The experimental form of MST uses an egg from the mother, sperm from the father, and another egg from a donor woman.
  • All cells have mitochondria, which are like power packs for the cells and create the energy that keeps cells alive.
  • While a child’s DNA is a mixture from both the mother and father, mitochondria are separate “packages of genetics” that come solely from the mother.
  • Some people have a mitochondrial disease a problem with the genetics in their mitochondria which can lead to severe, life-threatening conditions, although this is rare.
  • One treatment for a woman who might have one of these diseases is to replace the mitochondria in her eggs via IVF.

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) technique Procedure | UPSC – IAS

Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST) technique Procedure | UPSC - IAS

  • Assisted reproductive technologies are used to extract the intending mother’s egg from her ovaries. The cytoplasm of the intending mother’s eggs contains the unhealthy mitochondria.
  • Chromosomes, the nuclear DNA material, are found in the intending mother’s eggs are grouped together in a spindle-like formation. The chromosomes are removed for transfer to the donor egg. The chromosome-free egg, which contains the unhealthy mitochondria, is then discarded.
  • Separately, a donated egg is also extracted from an unrelated woman who has healthy mitochondria. Similarly, the chromosomes of the donor’s egg are removed. However, these chromosomes are discarded, leaving behind the healthy mitochondria in the cytoplasm.
  • The spindle-like chromosomes previously taken from the intended mother’s egg are inserted into the enucleated donor’s egg.
  • The resulting reconstructed egg contains nuclear DNA from the mother and the healthy mitochondria from the donor.
  • The resulting egg can now be fertilized with sperm from the intended father. The resulting embryo will be implanted into the intending mother and will develop unaffected by inherited mitochondrial disease.

Negative aspect of Maternal Spindle Transfer Technique | UPSC – IAS

Some groups oppose the procedure because one approach involves the destruction of IVF embryos. The technique also crosses a line in medicine because it makes genetic modifications to an embryo that will pass down to all future generations. That raises the risk of unforeseen complications affecting generations to come.

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission | UPSC – IAS

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission UPSC - IAS

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission UPSC - IAS

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission | UPSC – IAS

The first-ever mission to demonstrate the capability to deflect an asteroid by colliding a spacecraft with it at high speed – a technique known as a kinetic impactor. Nasa’s dart mission will test our planetary defense capabilities against asteroids.

What is kinetic impactor ?  – Kinetic impaction involves sending one or more large, high-speed spacecraft into the path of an approaching near-earth object. This could deflect the asteroid into a different trajectory, steering it away from the Earth’s orbital path.

About the DART Mission | UPSC – IAS

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is a planned space probe that will demonstrate the kinetic effects of crashing an impactor spacecraft into an asteroid moon for planetary defense purposes. The mission is intended to test whether a spacecraft impact could successfully deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.

  • To make its demonstration, DART will go in the direction of an asteroid named Didymos. Another asteroid, Didymoon, orbits around Didymos.
  • It is Didymoon who will receive the impact of DART. With only 170 meters wingspan, Didymoon is indeed small enough that we can hope to measure the results. Didymos, for its part, will be able to provide a reference point for accurately measuring orbital changes

Rationale behind the DART Mission  | UPSC – IAS

The threat of asteroid impacts on Earth is statistically low, but the potential threat may be large. Recognizing this potential, in 2016, NASA formalized the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO). The office is managed in the Planetary Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. DART will demonstrate a kinetic impact, one of several techniques NASA is exploring for planetary defense.

Objective of the DART Mission | UPSC – IAS

  • Earth orbit is a dangerous neighborhood. Astronomers estimate there are about 1,000 near-Earth asteroids larger than 1 kilometer – big enough to cause a global disaster.
  • About 90 percent of them have been identified. Far less is known about smaller asteroids. All told, about 100 tons of extraterrestrial matter falls onto Earth every day, mostly in the form of harmless dust and an occasional meteorite.

Why do we need to test the impact of an asteroid in space? Primarily, scale. An asteroid impact is not easy to replicate on Earth in a laboratory experiment. While we understand some of how craters develop, we have not observed a crater created on an asteroid. The impacts to not only the asteroid’s surface structure and geology but also the orbital mechanics are key to understanding the potential success of the kinetic impact technique.

The technology goals of NASA’s DART include:

  • Measure asteroid deflection to within 10%
  • Return high resolution images of target prior to impact
  • Autonomous guidance with proportional navigation to hit the center of 150 meter target body

Why Didymos? | UPSC – IAS

Observing the change in a single asteroid’s orbit is very difficult. However, a binary system like Didymos offers two points of reference: Didymos and Didymos B, thus providing more information about the effect of the DART impact on that system.

  • Didymos will pass close by Earth in 2022 and observations of the DART impact and its aftermath by ground- and space-based assets will provide additional data. Scientists also understand Didymos system;
  • It was observed as a radar target in 2003 and there are several observation opportunities before the DART impact in 2022. Didymos has been spectrally classified as an S-type asteroid, suggesting that its composition is similar to very common ordinary chondrite meteorites and that its physical properties are shared by a large fraction of objects classified as Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHA).

Mission Shakti – India’s Anti-Satellite Missile | ISRO | DRDO | UPSC – IAS

Mission Shakti - India's Anti-Satellite Missile | ISRO | DRDO | UPSC - IAS

Mission Shakti - India's Anti-Satellite Missile | ISRO | DRDO | UPSC - IAS

About Mission Shakti| ISRO and DRDO | UPSC – IAS

On March 27, India carried out an anti satellite (ASAT) test using an interceptor missile (as a kinetic kill vehicle) to neutralise a target satellite (possibly the Microsat-R launched in January this year) in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of around 300 km. While India is the fourth country (after the U.S., Russia/USSR and China) to acquire this capability.

Test Conducted – from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island (earlier, known as Wheeler Island) in Odisha launch complex. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the test of an anti-satellite missile by bringing down one of its satellites in the low earth orbit 300 kilometers from the Earth’s surface.

  • This was a technological mission carried out by DRDO. The satellite used in the mission was one of India’s existing satellites operating in lower orbit DRDO’s (Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used in this mission).
  • The mission was fully successful and achieved all parameters as per plans. The test required an extremely high degree of precision and technical capability.
  • The interceptor missile was a three-stage missile with two solid rocket boosters. Tracking data from range sensors has confirmed that the mission met all its objectives.

Mission Shakti - India's Anti-Satellite Missile ISRO DRDO UPSC - IAS

Significance of Mission Shakti – India’s Anti-Satellite Missile

With this India joins a select group of nations, India joins an exclusive group of space faring nations consisting of USA, Russia and China. which have such capability. The test has once again proven the capability of indigenous weapon systems.

An ASAT capability is normally a part of a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme. While a BMD targets an incoming ballistic missile, an ASAT interceptor targets a hostile satellite. Since a satellite moves in a precise orbit which is tracked, it gives greater time for target acquisition though satellites in higher orbits pose greater challenges for the kill vehicle.

  • The capability achieved through the Anti-Satellite missile test provides credible deterrence against threats to our growing space-based assets from long range missiles, and proliferation in the types and numbers of missiles.
  • The display of technological prowess through the test accentuates the military dimension and brings into play an overwhelming assurance of what the Ministry of External Affairs describes as a ‘credible deterrence’ against attacks on India’s growing number of space assets.
  • The test has demonstrated the Nation’s capability to defend its assets in outer space.
  • It is a vindication of the strength and robust nature of DRDO’s programmes.
  • India has tested and successfully demonstrated its capability to interdict and intercept a satellite in outer space based on complete indigenous technology.
  • India’s space programme is a critical backbone of India’s security, economic and social infrastructure.
  • International efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets.
  • This is a technology where we have developed capability. Space technologies are constantly evolving. We have used the technology that is appropriate to achieve the objectives set out in this mission.

Does the test create space debris? | ISRO | DRDO | UPSC – IAS

Satellites in the Space  – Since the Sputnik was launched in 1957, more than 8,000 satellites/man-made orbiting objects have been launched, of which about 5,000 remain in orbit; more than half are nonfunctional. Currently, more than 50 countries own/operate the nearly 2,000 functional satellites in orbit.

The U.S. accounts for more than 800 of these, followed by China (approximately 280), Russia (approximately 150). India has an estimated 50 satellites. Of these 2,000 satellites, over 300 are dedicated military satellites.

  • The Mission Shakti test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris. Whatever debris that is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks.
  • The debris created by the Mission Shakti test , which was undertaken at a low altitude, is expected to dissipate much faster.

Violation of International treaty

To prevent the militarisation of space so that it is preserved “as the common heritage of mankind”. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty followed by the 1979 Moon Treaty laid the foundations of the legal regime for space i.e:-

  • Rule of law,
  • Refraining from appropriating territory,
  • Non placement of any weapons of mass destruction in space, and
  • Prohibition of military activities on the moon and other celestial bodies.

India’s test (Mission Shakti) has not violated any norm as there is no international treaty prohibiting the testing or the development of ASATs. 

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Mains Questions for practice | UPSC – IAS

Topic – Mission Shakti – India’s Anti-Satellite Missile

Question 1 – In the absence of a credible threat to India’s space assets from China or any other country with Anti Satellite missile capabilities, whether the ‘deterrence’ sought to be achieved by this test would lead to a more stable strategic security environment ?

Question 2 – Will the Mission Shakti test spur space weaponization ?

Question 3 – Is India entering into an arms race in outer space ?

Question 4 – What is the international law on weapons in outer space?

Param Shivay Supercomputer and its Specification | UPSC – IAS

Param Shivay Supercomputer India and its specifications UPSC - IAS

Param Shivay Supercomputer India and its specifications UPSC - IAS

About Param Shivay Supercomputer

Param Shivay the first super computer designed & built under the National Supercomputing Mission by C-DAC (Center for Development of Advanced Computing) at IIT-BHU (Varanasi). Although India’s first supercomputer called PARAM 8000 was launched in 1991 was built by CDAC..

Param Shivay Supercomputer Specification

Param Shivay Supercomputer will Include the following specifications:-

  • 833 teraflop capacity built at the cost of Rs 32.5 crore.
  • 1 petabyte secondary storage,
  • Open source system,
  • 223 processor nodes,
  • 384 GB per node DDR4 RAM,
  • Parallel file system,
  • and have CPU and GPU.

Other Supercomputers in India

  • At present, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has Pratyush,
  • National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting has Mihir and
  • Indian Institute of Science has SERC-Cray as supercomputers in India

Significance of Param Shivay Supercomputer

The National Supercomputer Mission (NSM) is an important initiative from the Government of India. This initiative supports the vision of the government’s ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India‘ and it will also play an important role in keeping India in the forefront of the world’s supercomputing map. The research that takes months would be completed in hours or minutes with the help of this supercomputer.”

The problems of common man related to relevant social issues such as irrigation schemes, traffic management, health, an affordable drug will also be taken care of with this supercomputer centre, claims the institute. (IIT-BHU)

About National Supercomputing Mission

  • The Mission, launched in 2015, envisages empowering our national academic and R&D institutions spread over the country by installing a vast supercomputing grid comprising of more than 70 high-performance computing facilities.
  • These supercomputers will also be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN).
  • The Mission would be implemented jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) for over a period of seven years, through the C-DAC and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
  • The Mission also includes development of highly professional High Performance Computing (HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these applications.
    • o PARAM Shavak is one such machine that has been deployed to provide training.
  • Application areas: Climate Modelling, Computational Biology, Atomic Energy Simulations, National Security/ Defence Applications, Disaster Simulations and Management, Computational Material Science and Nanomaterials, Cyber Physical Systems, Big Data Analytics etc.

Top-500 Project in the World (List)

  • Started in 1993, it ranks the 500 most powerful non-distributed computers in the world.
  • It publishes an updated list of the supercomputers twice a year.
  • Currently, China dominates the list with 229 supercomputers, leading the second place (United States) by a record margin of 121.
  • Since June 2018, the American “Summit” is the world’s most powerful supercomputer, based on the LINPACK benchmarks.
  • LINPACK benchmark are a measure of a system’s floating point computer power. It measures how far a computer solves a nxn system of linear equations.
  • India has 4 supercomputers in the Top-500 list of the world’s top 500 supercomputers with Pratyush and Mihir being the fastest supercomputers in India.

About C-DAC

  • It is the premier R&D organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas.

Removedebris Satellite Mission | UPSC – IAS

Removedebris Satellite Mission UPSC - IAS

Removedebris Satellite Mission UPSC - IAS

Removedebris satellite Mission | UPSC – IAS

RemoveDEBRIS was launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon refill spacecraft on 2 April 2018 as part of the CRS-14 (Commercial Resupply Service mission), arriving at the International Space Station on 4 April. Deployment of the satellite from the station’s Kibo module via robotic Canadarm-2 took place on 20 June 2018. At approximately 100 kg, RemoveDEBRIS is the largest satellite to have ever been deployed from the International Space Station.

About RemoveDebris Satellite Mission

RemoveDEBRIS is a satellite research project intending to demonstrate various space debris removal technologies. The satellite’s platform was manufactured by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and is a variant of the SSTL X50 series.

Rather than engaging in active debris removal (ADR) of real space debris, the RemoveDEBRIS mission plan is to test the efficacy of several ADR technologies on mock targets in LEO (low Earth orbit). In order to complete its planned experiments the platform is equipped with:-

  • A net,
  • A harpoon,
  • A laser ranging instrument,
  • A dragsail, and
  • Two CubeSats (miniature research satellites)

Space debris encompasses both natural (meteoroid) and artificial (man-made) particles. Meteoroids are in orbit about the sun, while most artificial debris is in orbit about the Earth. Hence, the latter is more commonly referred to as orbital debris.

  • The term Kessler syndrome is associated with Space Debris, which is used to describe a self-sustaining cascading collision of space debris in LEO (Low Earth Orbit).

The RemoveDebris satellite platform will showcase four methods for release, capture and deorbit two space debris targets, called DebriSATs:

  • Net capture: It involves a net that will be deployed at the target CubeSat.
  • Harpoon Capture: Which will be launched at a target plate made of “representative satellite panel materials”
  • Vision-based navigation: Using cameras and LiDAR (light detection and ranging), the platform will send data about the debris back to the ground for processing.
  • De-orbiting process: As it enters Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft will burn up, leaving no debris behind. The mission will demonstrate key Active Debris Removal (ADR) technologies in orbit, which will have significance for future missions as well.

As part of the space junk cleanup, a new device named space harpoon that captures junk has been tested successfully. It is part of the RemoveDEBRIS satellite project, a multi-organization European effort to create and test methods of reducing space debris

Space Harpoon

The harpoon is meant for larger targets, for example full-size satellites that have malfunctioned and are drifting from their orbit. A simple mass driver could knock them toward the Earth, but capturing them and controlling descent is a more controlled technique.

About Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee

  • It is an international governmental forum for the worldwide coordination of activities related to the issues of man-made and natural debris in space.
  • It aims to exchange information on space debris research activities between member space agencies, to facilitate opportunities for cooperation in space debris research, to review the progress of ongoing cooperative activities, and to identify debris mitigation options.
  • ISRO is also a member of this committee.

Why Space Debris is a concern?

  • Increase the cost of missions- Various space agencies have to manoeuvre their space programme in light of increasing space debris thus adding to extra economic and human resource on space programme.
  • Debris is bound to increase– Space-scientists concern about the inexpensive, tiny satellites called CubeSats, which are going to add space junk around 15% in next 10 years.

Obstruction to various space endeavors

  • NASA estimates that there are about 500,000 pieces of debris larger than half an inch across in low orbit, posing a potential danger to the 780-odd satellites operating in the area.
  • Space junk travels at speeds up to 30,000 km an hour, which turns tiny pieces of orbital debris into deadly shrapnel that can damage satellites, space shuttles, space stations and spacecraft with humans aboard.

Role of Space Technology in Border Management | UPSC

Role of Space Technology in Border Management UPSC IAS science and Technology UPPSC

Role of Space Technology in Border Management UPSC IAS science and Technology UPPCS

Role of Space Technology in Border Management | UPSC IAS

Sealing the entire border is a significant challenge mainly due to variations in the terrain and topography like mountain ranges, sea, tropical forest or climate factors, including desert or thinly populated regions. Space technology provides one of the more effective means to overcome it.

Significance of Space Technology

  • Timely Information: The information received through various satellites are used by various agencies including the security establishment. For instance, weather satellites can provide timely information about topographic features and weather conditions, which are critical to military and para-military operations.
  • Intelligence inputs and Surveillance: through Remote sensing satellites, radar satellites and satellites with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors which are capable of providing day and night all-terrain and all-weather inputs.
  • Checking infiltration: by using low earth orbit surveillance satellites, which would in turn enable the blocking of infiltrators through suitable force deployment. In this regard, the active deployment of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs will improve India’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
  • Defending the invisible: Earth observation satellites provide detailed images of hot spots where border crossings peak. India uses the RISAT and Cartosat spacecraft to capture still images as well as high-resolution video of the nation’s disputed borders.
  • Coordination between agencies: While defence forces already use space technology, border forces depend on intelligence shared by central agencies like IB, RAW and National Technical Research Organisation. They also face poor communication issues in areas like Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir Valley. With satellite technology border security authorities can exchange information or access critical data from headquarters, border checkpoints or on the-move border patrol units.
  • Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in remote areas will be also coordinated through satellite communications. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)-based GPS will provide navigation facilities for operational parties in high altitude, remote and difficult borders, and Maoist-affected areas.

Military Satellites in India

  • GSAT 7 is the first dedicated military communication satellite built by ISRO that provide services to the Indian defence forces with the main user being the Indian Navy.
  • GSAT-7A is an advanced military communications satellite meant primarily for the Indian Air Force with Indian Army using 30% of capacity.
  • Other military satellites are -Microsat-R, Cartosat 1 and 2 series, Risat-1 and Risat 2.

India’s Space Diplomacy UPSC – IAS | NASA

India's Space Diplomacy UPSC - IAS NASA Gk Today The Hindu

India's Space Diplomacy UPSC - IAS NASA Gk Today The Hindu

What is Space Diplomacy ? | UPSC – IAS | NASA

Space Diplomacy is the art and practice of using space to conduct International Relations and furthering National Interest. Space has emerged as new arena for competition and cooperation for global powers to compete and establish supremacy. Space technology being highly complex gives any nation international recognition, status and projects its soft-power.

As part of its space diplomacy, India will set up five ground stations and more than 500 terminals in five neighboring countries –

  • Bhutan,
  • Nepal,
  • Maldives,
  • Bangladesh and
  • Sri Lanka.

The infrastructure is being created as an extension of the South Asia Satellite launched in 2017. It will help put in place applications ranging from television broadcasting to telephony and internet, disaster management and telemedicine. This move also helps India in putting our strategic assets in the neighborhood.

Indian initiatives in Space Diplomacy | UPSC – IAS | NASA

  • India has also allowed SAARC countries to use its regional positioning system NAVIC.
  • India has also collaborated with other countries, example- NISAR.
  • India collaborated with NASA during its Chandrayan Mission which found water on the moon.
  • Data from Indian satellites is frequently shared with friendly countries for astronomical research which furthers goodwill and enhances relations.
  • The ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) operates three international stations in Brunei, Indonesia and Mauritius.
  • The ISRO also established the India-Myanmar Friendship Centre for Remote Sensing in 2001
  • South Asia Satellite or GSAT-9 is a Geostationary Communication satellite launched by ISRO to provide various communication applications over South Asian countries. Some other applications include: Tele-medicine, Disaster Management, Banking, e-governance etc.

Concerns associated with space diplomacy|UPSC – IAS | NASA

  • Lack of legal agreements: Space is one of the areas where few or no International treaties exist for its peaceful use. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs works to promote peaceful use of outer space but there are no binding agreements like NPT or CTBT to prevent weaponization of space.
  • Perpetuates Global inequality between Nations: Because only a few nations have space technology, it makes other underdeveloped and developing nations dependent on developed nations to make use of space.
  • Misuse of resources: There is also a concern that developing countries might overspend on space programs rather than addressing basic needs of its citizens. For example – North Korean has a space program too while its citizen suffers from famine and starvation.
  • Lack of uniform definition of Space boundary: There is no international agreement on the vertical extent of sovereign airspace.
  • Space-weaponization: Weaponization of space may become a new tool in the hands of nations in the future as a part of their space diplomacy. The space-weapons could be hundred times more lethal than current weapons and have a potential to wipe-out humanity.

Space as a tool in Indian foreign policy |UPSC – IAS | NASA

  • Furthering Neighborhood First Policy: The South Asian satellite is in line with India’s neighborhood first policy.
  • Enhancing Soft-Power of India: it will also enhance and project India’s soft-power and goodwill among foreign countries as we share the fruits of advancements in space technology with neighbors. India’s ISRO provides a cheaper alternative to developing nations to launch satellites compared to the American or European counterparts, thus bringing them closer to India.
  • Countering China: China has advanced satellite tacking center in Tibet which can not only track Indian satellites but also blind them. Ground Stations in the neighborhood will help India counter growing Chinese influence.
  • New Area of Cooperation: Space opens up new area of cooperation between India and other states which would further enhance bilateral relations with those countries.

Related International Bodies ( Space Diplomacy ) | UPSC – IAS | NASA

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)

United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is the forum for the development of international space law. The Committee has concluded five international treaties:-

  • • The “Outer Space Treaty” which regulates activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space.
  • • The “Rescue Agreement”: on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
  • • The “Liability Convention“: Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.
  • • The “Registration Convention”: Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
  • • The “Moon Agreement”: which governs the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. United

Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

  • It serves as the secretariat for Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
  • It is also responsible for implementing the Secretary-General’s responsibilities under international space law and maintaining the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)

  • It is an intergovernmental organization operated as a non-profit independent body with full international legal status.
  • It is headquartered in Beijing, China.
  • Members include space agencies from: Bangladesh, China, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand, and Turkey.
  • Indonesia is a signatory state and Mexico as observer state
  • It includes sharing data, establishing a space communication network, and tracking space objects.
  • India should consider forming an organization like this.

Natural Gas Hydrates in India | UPSC – IAS

Natural Gas Hydrates in India UPSC - IAS Science and Tech Gk today

Natural Gas Hydrates in India UPSC - IAS Science and Tech Gk today

Natural Gas Hydrates in India | UPSC – IAS | Science and Tech

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have experimentally shown that methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) can exist as gas hydrates.

What are Gas hydrates? | UPSC – IAS | PCS

  • They are formed when a gas such as methane gets trapped in well-defined cages of water molecules forming crystalline solids. It is a solid ice-like form of water that contains gas molecules in its molecular cavities.
  • Natural gas hydrates occur on continental margins and shelves worldwide from Polar Regions to the tropics.
  • Gas hydrate reservoirs are generally associated with biologically rich cold seep ecosystems at the seafloor. Cold seeps are locations where hydrocarbon-rich fluid seeps up from below the seafloor, often as methane or hydrogen sulfide.
  • It is estimated that total amount of carbon in the form of methane hydrates, far exceeds the carbon content in all the fossil fuel reserves put together and hence these are supposed to be the future potential energy resource.
  • Combustion of methane, is more CO2 efficient than that of any other hydrocarbon. Hence, using methane from gas hydrate compared to other hydrocarbons is relatively climate friendly.
  • According to the latest estimates of the US Geological Survey, India has the second largest gas hydrate reserves after America. The Krishna-Godavari (KG), Cauvery and Kerala basins alone have 100-130 trillion cubic feet of estimated reserves.
  • The carbon dioxide hydrate produced in the lab by the IIT team raises the possibility of sequestering or storing carbon dioxide as hydrates under the sea bed.

Extraction of Gas Hydrates: The natural gas from gas hydrate can be produced via:-

  • Depressurization: Drilling of hole into the layer of hydrate and reducing the pressure beneath. This technique is implemented for hydrates only in polar regions beneath the permafrost.
  • Thermal stimulation: via steam injection, hot brine solution etc. that raises the temperature of the local reservoir outside the hydrate region to cause the dissociation of the hydrate, thus releasing free gas which can be collected.

However, no country in the world has so far developed the technology to produce gas hydrates commercially and economically.

Issues with Gas Hydrates Extraction | UPSC – IAS

Gas hydrates are also important for seafloor stability studies, because “melting” gas hydrate may cause seafloor “landslides”. Methane released from gas hydrate may therefore play a significant role in climate change.

Indian Initiative| UPSC – IAS | PCS

  • The National Gas Hydrate Programme (NGHP) is of national importance considering India’s phenomenal growing energy demand. The programme was initiated in 1997. It first conducted studies in 2006.
  • India has entered into an agreement with Canada to develop technology in this regard.
  • IIT Madras, in collaboration with GAIL, is working to recover methane from methane hydrate from the Krishna-Godavari Basin and sequester CO2 simultaneously.

Telerobotic Coronary Intervention Surgery – India World’s first | UPSC – IAS

Telerobotic Coronary Intervention Surgery - India World's first UPSC - IAS Gk today THe hindu PIB

Telerobotic Coronary Intervention Surgery - India World's first UPSC - IAS Gk today THe hindu PIB

India became the world’s first to successfully perform a telerobotic coronary intervention.

What is telerobotic coronary intervention? | UPSC – IAS | Pib

  • It is a robotic method of performing heart surgery. With the help of the internet and a robotic tower, a surgeon is able to treat patients from a distance.
  • This technology is especially important for high emergency situations of heart attacks and stroke, where ideal treatment must be received within 90 minutes or 24 hours.
  • This platform has the potential to improve patient access in rural & under-served populations and reduce
    treatment time, benefiting those groups, who have geographical barriers and low socio-economic status.
  • It will also reduce the variability in operator skills and improve clinical outcomes

Tele-robotics Applications | UPSC – IAS | Pib

  • Space: Most space exploration has been conducted with telerobotic space probes.
  • Telepresence and videoconferencing: The prevalence of high-quality video conferencing has enabled a drastic growth in telepresence robots to help give a better sense of remote physical presence for communication.
  • Marine applications: Marine remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are widely used to work in water too deep or too dangerous for divers. They repair offshore oil platforms and attach cables to sunken ships to hoist them. They are usually attached by a tether to a control center on a surface ship.

Sunspot Cycle – Help Understanding Aditya L1 Mission | UPSC IAS

Sunspot Cycle UPSC IAS PCS the Hindu Gk today

Sunspot Cycle UPSC IAS PCS the Hindu Gk today

These two images of the Sun show how the number of sunspots varies over the course of a sunspot cycle. The image on the left, with many sunspots, was taken near solar max in March 2001. The right hand image, in which no spots are evident, was taken near solar min in January 2005. 
Images courtesy SOHO (NASA/ESA).

Recently, scientists from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research have developed a way of predicting the intensity of activity in the next solar cycle (from 2020 to 2031).

What is Sunspot Cycle?

  • The amount of magnetic flux that rises up to the Sun’s surface varies with time in a cycle called the solar cycle. This cycle lasts 11 years on average. This cycle is referred to as the sunspot cycle.
  • They are darker, magnetically strong, cooler areas on the surface of the sun in a region called the photosphere.

What is the Significance of this ?

  • It will help in understanding of the long-term variations of the Sun and its impact on earth climate which is one of the objectives of India’s first solar probe – ‘Aditya L1 Mission’.
  • The forecast will be also useful for scientific operational planning of the Aditya mission

How does Sunspot Cycle affect the Earth?

  • An important reason to understand sunspots is that they affect space weather.
  • During extreme events, space weather can affect electronics-driven satellite controls, communications systems, air traffic over polar routes and even power grids.
  • Some believe that they are correlated with climate on earth. For instance, during past periods of low sunspot activity, some parts of Europe and North America experienced lower-than-average temperatures.

BullSequana XH200 – National Supercomputing Mission | UPSC IAS

National Supercomputing Mission The Hindu PIB Gk today UPPSC SSC

National Supercomputing Mission The Hindu PIB Gk today UPPSC SSC

France-based company Atos signed agreement with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for designing, building and installing Bull Sequana – the supercomputer in India.

About BullSequana

  • Atos will supply Bull Sequana XH200 supercomputer to India to create a network of over 70 high-performance supercomputing facilities with a cumulative computing power of more than 10 petaflops, for various academic and research institutions across India.
  • BullSequana will be set up in India under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

Challenges to Supercomputing in India:

  • Limited funding: Limited investments and delayed release of funds have held India back. Even after launching NSM, only 10 percent of its total budget has been released at the end of three years.
  • Hardware development: India’s stronghold is in software development, it has to depend on imports to procure the hardware components required for building supercomputers. Cutting edge technology in hardware components is difficult to procure as supercomputing is a niche field. Even a large part of Bull Sequana will only be assembled in India.
  • Brain Drain: Large Multinational Corporations (like Google) have also entered the supercomputing field. Competing with such MNCs to retain talent for developing and maintaining supercomputers proves difficult for Government.
  • Actual chip design and manufacturing is difficult to achieve (due to many factors like high initial investment needed, limited availability of rare earth metals).
  • However, India has software skills and personnel base which can be effectively leveraged to propel innovation on the software components of supercomputer technology. Also, Exascale system, which is now used in supercomputers, may reach its speed barrier soon. Thus, India could focus its research on new approaches like Quantum Computing and Optical Computing.

Some facts about supercomputing in the World

  • China is global leader in supercomputing with more than 225 out of top 500 supercomputers in world.
  • Currently India’s fastest and 39th fastest supercomputer in the world, Pratyush is installed in Pune’s Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. It is used for simulating and predicting ocean and atmospheric systems.
  • India has become the only country worldwide to have an Ensemble Prediction System (EPS), running weather models at a 12-km resolution due to Pratyush.

What is  C-DAC ?

  • C-DAC was setup in 1988 under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, for indigenous development of Supercomputers.
  • C-DAC developed India’s first supercomputer – Param 8000.
  • It was established after denial of import of Cray Supercomputer (dual use technology which could be used for nuclear weapon simulation), due to arms embargo.

About National Supercomputing Mission – National Supercomputing Mission was launched in 2015 with following objectives:

  • To make India one of the world leaders in Supercomputing capability.
  • To empower our scientists and researchers with state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities.
  • To minimize redundancies and duplication of efforts, and optimize investments in supercomputing
  • To attain global competitiveness and ensure self-reliance in supercomputing technology
  • It is spearheaded by Department of S&T and Department of Electronics and IT.

Under NSM, 70 supercomputers will be installed in India. These machines will be part of the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network, aimed at establishing a strong network for secured & reliable connectivity between institutions.

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems | UPSC – IAS

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems UPSC - IAS The Hindu science and technology ias s&t

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems UPSC - IAS The Hindu science and technology ias s&t

About National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (CSP)

  • It is a comprehensive mission which would address technology development, application development, human resource development, skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up development in Cyber-Physical Systems and associated technologies.

Implementation | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • It aims at establishment of 15 numbers of Technology Innovation Hubs, six numbers of Application Innovation Hubs and four numbers of Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRP).
  • These Hubs & TTRPs will connect to Academics, Industry, Central Ministries and State Government in developing solutions at reputed academic, R&D and other organizations across the country in a hub and spoke model.
  • They mainly focus on four areas:
    • Technology Development,
    • HRD & Skill Development,
    • Innovation,
    • Entrepreneurship & Start-ups Ecosystem Development and International Collaborations.

Significance of Mission | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • It will support other missions of the government, provide industrial and economic competitiveness.
  • It would act as an engine of growth that would benefit national initiatives in health, education, energy, environment, agriculture, strategic cum security, and industrial sectors, Industry 4.0, SMART Cities, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) etc.
  • It will bring a paradigm shift in entire skill sets requirement and job opportunities.
  • It is aimed to give impetus to advanced research in Cyber-Physical Systems , technology development and higher education in science, technology and engineering disciplines, and place India at par with other advanced countries and derive several direct and indirect benefits.

Recently cabinet approved the launching of National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) which is to be implemented by Department of Science &Technology for a period of five years.

What is Cyber-physical system (CPS) ? | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • Cyber-Physical Systems is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the deployment of computer-based systems that do things in the physical world. It integrates sensing, computation, control and networking into physical objects and infrastructure, connecting them to the Internet and to each other.
  • Examples of cyber physical systems are Smart Grid Networks, Smart Transportation System, Enterprise Cloud Infrastructure, Utility Service Infrastructure for Smart Cities, etc.

Cyber-physical system and its associated technologies, like:-

  • Artificial Intelligence (Al),
  • Internet of Things (loT),
  • Machine Learning (ML),
  • Deep Learning (DP),
  • Big Data Analytics,
  • Robotics,
  • Quantum Computing,
  • Quantum Communication,
  • Quantum encryption (Quantum Key Distribution),
  • Data Science & Predictive analytics,
  • Cyber Security for physical infrastructure and

**Other infrastructure plays a transformative role in almost every field of human endeavor in all sectors.

Advantages of Cyber-physical system technologies | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • Enhanced security capabilities: It can play role in expediting design and delivery of trustworthy, adaptable and affordable systems, operations in cyberspace and autonomous systems to augment security operations.
  • Disaster Management:  Cyber-Physical Systems technologies including next generation public safety communications, sensor networks, and response robotics can dramatically increase the situational awareness of emergency responders and enable optimized response through all phases of disaster events.
  • Energy: They are essential for the creation of energy infrastructure, optimization and management of resources and facilities and allowing consumers to control and manage their energy consumption patterns like smart meters.
  • Healthcare: Cyber-Physical Systems correct-by-construction design methodologies are needed to design cost-effective, easy-to-certify, and safe products.
  • Transportation: They can (potentially) eliminate accidents caused by human error, Congestion control, traffic-based grid jams.
  • Agriculture: They will play a key role in helping to increase efficiency throughout the value chain, improving environmental footprint and creating opportunities for a skilled and semi-skilled workforce.

Challenges in Cyber-physical system (CPS) | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • Privacy issues:  Cyber-Physical Systems technologies that enhance privacy and enable the appropriate use of sensitive and personal information while protecting personal privacy are needed.
  • Computational Abstractions: Physical properties such as laws of physics and chemistry, safety, resources, real time power constrained etc. must be captured by programming abstractions.
  • Collaborations, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Addressing the R&D gaps will require close collaborations between industry, R&D systems/Academics/ University and Government.
  • Data related challenges: It allows flexible control and resource use; provides conduits for information leakage; prone to mis-configurations and deliberate attacks by outsiders and insiders.
  • Infrastructural bottlenecks: This system requires a Sensor and mobile networks hence essential requirement to increase system autonomy in practice requires self-organization of mobile and Adhoc Cyber-Physical Systems networks.
  • Human Interaction: Human interaction with Cyber-Physical Systems often encounter a critical challenge when interpreting the human-machine behavior and designing appropriate models that consider the current situational measurements and environmental changes which are crucial in the decision-making processes, particularly in systems such as air traffic systems and military systems.
  • Technical barrier: One of the biggest problems that such integrations face is the lack of consistent language and terminology that need to exist to describe cyber-physical interactions.
  • Consistency: There are challenges in maintaining the same required level of accuracy, reliability, and performance of all system parts.

Cyber physical system (CPS) vs Internet of things (IoT)

Cyber Physical system (CPS)

  • They are physical and engineered systems whose operations are monitored, coordinated, controlled and integrated by a computing and communication core.
  • CPS engineering has a strong emphasis on the relationship between computation  and the physical world.
  • They are not necessarily connected with internet.
  • Ex: It may be individual system which integrates the physical and cyber technology like
    smart electricity meters.

Internet of things (IoT)

  • It is the network of devices such as vehicles, and home appliances that contain  electronics, software, actuators, and connectivity which allows these things to connect,  interact and exchange data.
  • IoT has a strong emphasis on uniquely identifiable and internet-connected
    devices and embedded systems.
  • They are connected to internet.
  • The Internet of Things (IoT) forms a foundation for this cyber- physical systems revolution.
  • Ex: Smart Home in which all appliances are connected to each other through internet like TV  is connected to mobile, lights are connected to mobile etc.

Indian Human Microbiome Initiative | UPSC – IAS | PIB

Indian Human Microbiome Initiative UPSC - IAS PIB

Indian Human Microbiome Initiative UPSC - IAS PIB

Indian Human Microbiome Initiative | UPSC – IAS | PIB

Indian Human Microbiome Initiative Project, led by The National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR) – National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) has been put up for approval.

What is Microbiome?  | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • The collective genome of all micro-organisms contained within the human body, residing inside tissues & bio-fluids is called Human Microbiome. It includes bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and viruses.
  • Most of them have either commensal (co-exist without harming humans) or mutualistic (each benefit from the other).
  • Different parts of human body including the skin, mammary glands, placenta, uterus, ovarian follicles, lungs, saliva, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, biliary and gastrointestinal tracts, are occupied by characteristic microbial populations.
  • The composition of microbiome is shaped by factors such as genetics, dietary habits, age, geographic location and ethnicity. Human microbiome makes up around 2% of the body mass of the adult.

Importance of the Human Microbiome | UPSC – IAS | PIB

Microbial communities play a key role in many aspects of host physiology:

  • Metabolism of otherwise complex indigestible carbohydrates and fats
  • Production of essential vitamins
  • Maintaining immune systems
  • Acting as a first line of defense against pathogens
  • Influence the susceptibility to certain infectious diseases, as well as contribute to disorders such as obesity and diabetes
  • Determines how one responds to a particular drug treatment

The diversity of microbes that make up human microbiome could lead to novel therapies e.g. an infection caused by a ‘bad’ bacterial species can be treated by promoting the growth of ‘good’ bacteria.

Indian Human Microbiome Initiative | NCMR & NCCS | UPSC - IAS | PIB Gk today The Hindu

About Human Microbiome Project (HMP) | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • Human Microbiome Project is a research initiative of US’s National Institute of Health with the mission to generate the resources and expertise needed to characterize the human microbiome and analyze its role in health and disease.
  • Launched in 2007, it is focused on identifying and characterizing human microbial fauna and elucidating their roles in health and diseases.
  • Some methodologies used in HMP are:
    • o Metagenomics as a culture-independent method of broad microbial community characterization
    • o Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to provide a “deep” genetic perspective on aspects of a given microbial community, i.e. individual bacterial species

Human Microbiome Research in India | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • India doesn’t have a dedicated national human microbiome project. But, the proposed Indian Human Microbiome Initiative holds a lot of potential.
  • The project will include collection of saliva, stool and skin swabs of 20,000 Indians across various ethnic groups from
    different geographical regions. India provides for a wide range of research with more than 4,500 ethnic groups and presence of two global biodiversity hotspots (Himalayan range and Western Ghats).
  • Scientists have found that Indian population, particularly tribals, have distinct gut microbiota than individuals from other parts of the world. Such tribal populations largely unaffected by “modern” diet and have lower prevalence of lifestyle diseases and their study would shed some light on mutualism between gut microbiota and the host.

Key terms Explanation

What is Metagenomics ? | UPSC – IAS | PIB

  • It is a sequence-based approach that allows the genetic material from the complete collection of microbes to be analyzed in their natural environment without needing to cultivate the microorganisms.
  • Currently, only a small percentage of the bacteria that comprise the human microbiome have been identified and studied. Majority (>95%) of them are difficult to isolate and culture, because the required growth conditions cannot be reproduced in the laboratory.
  • However, recent technological advances in DNA sequencing and the development of meta-genomics have now made it feasible to analyze the entire human microbiome.

Earth Biogenome project & its Significance | UPSC – IAS and PIB

Earth Biogenome project & its Significance UPSC and PIB IAS

Earth Biogenome project & its Significance UPSC and PIB IAS

About Earth BioGenome Project | UPSC – IAS

International biologists have launched an ambitious Earth BioGenome Project at an estimated cost of $4.7bn.

Aim of the Project – It aims to sequence, catalog and characterize the genomes of all of Earth’s eukaryotic biodiversity over a period of ten years.

Significance of Earth Biogenome project | UPSC and PIB

  • Saving Biodiversity: Given Climate Change and related worries such as loss of forest cover, about 50% of current biodiversity could be lost by the end of the 21st century in what is being referred to as the Sixth Great Extinction. This Project will help record the genomes of organisms at risk.
  • Discovery of Unknown Species: It is believed that there are somewhere between 2 million and 3 million eukaryotic species on the planet. Only about half have been identified so far.
  • New Resources: It should also lead to the discovery of new drugs, new biofuels, and boost agricultural technologies, with obvious commercial benefits.
  • Generate Revenues: It could help to boost scientific capacity and generate revenues for poor countries with rich biodiversity.
  • Better Understanding: It will revolutionize the understanding of biology and evolution and thus create new approaches for the conservation of rare and endangered species.

Challenges in Earth Biogenome project | UPSC and PIB

  • High Quality data: The most difficult part in EBP will be to acquire and process high-quality samples from species that are hard to reach.
  • Lack of Technologies: New technologies such as specimen-collecting drones may need to be developed.
  • IPR issue: There are complicated protocols involved in transferring physical samples and genetic data across borders, and there are bound to be disputes about the sharing of the benefits obtained.
  • Legal Frameworks: While the Nagoya Protocols of 2014 provide a framework for such transfers, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity will have to work out new protocols and, ideally, create a new, transparent and equitable legal framework.

About Earth BioGenome Project | UPSC and PIB

  • It involves projects by various countries:
    • US-led project to sequence the genetic code of tens of thousands of vertebrates
    • Chinese project to sequence 10,000 plant genomes
    • The Global Ant Genomes Alliance, which aims to sequence around 200 ant genomes.
  • UK participants, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, will also sequence the genetic codes of all 66,000 species inhabiting Britain in a national effort called the Darwin Tree of Life.
  • Currently, fewer than 3,500, or about 0.2 per cent of all known eukaryotic species on Earth have had their genome sequenced.
  • Physical samples would be stored frozen in liquid nitrogen in four or more facilities located in different parts of the world, and repositories of digitised information would be created.
  • The completed project will generate at least 1 exabyte (that is, 1 billion gigabytes) of data, which is to be
    shared online for free.
  • The initiative would produce a database of biological information that provides a platform for scientific research and supports environmental and conservation initiatives.
  • The participating institutions would raise their own funding as far as possible. However, the project has the backing of the World Economic Forum
  • The potential benefits of EGP are compared to those from Human Genome Project, which has transformed research into human health and disease.

Key – terms  Explain | UPSC and PIB

Eukaryotes  

  • These are organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed by membranes.
  • These are animals, plants, fungi and protozoa, which encompass all of life except simple microbes (bacteria and archaea).

Prokaryotes

  • These are the organisms with single cell nucleus e.g. bacteria and archaea.

Human Genome Project (HGP) | UPSC and PIB

  • It was the international, collaborative research program whose goal was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings. All our genes together are known as our “genome”.
  • It helped to develop modern sequencing techniques, which have vastly improved the efficiency while reducing the costs of genomic research.
  • It read the genetic code of just one species, Homo sapiens, between 1990 and 2003.

Neutrinos its Misconceptions and Significance | UPSC – IAS

Neutrinos its Misconceptions and Significance UPSC – IAS

Neutrinos its Misconceptions and Significance UPSC – IAS

Neutrinos its Misconceptions and Significance | UPSC – IAS

What are Neutrinos particles ?

  • The elusive neutrinos are second most abound particles in the universe, yet a lot more is to be understood about them.
  • They interact very little with anything and pass through everything that’s why it’s hard to detect them.
  • They carry no electrical charge and nearly massless.
  • It occurs in 3 different types/flavors, separated based on mass (electron-neutrino, muon-neutrino, tau-neutrino).
  • It is produced in the core of the sun & millions of them roam around in the solar system.
  • They are key to understanding the evolution of universe and energy production in the Sun and the stars.

Misconceptions related to neutrinos | UPSC – IAS | Pib 

Several misconceptions related to neutrino research led to common opposition to the project

  • Harmful to the human body: They are least harmful of elementary particles, as they hardly interact with matter. In fact, trillions of solar neutrinos pass through our body every second without doing any harm to us.
  • Effect of the associated radiation: No radiation is involved as INO only studies atmospheric neutrinos produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere.
  • Potential uses in weaponization: They are often confused with neutrons, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons.

Other neutrino study projects 

  • LAGUNA (Large Apparatus studying Grand Unification & Neutrino Astrophysics) in Europe
  • Hyper Kamiokande Detector at Kamioka Observatory in Hida (Japan)
  • DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino) project in South Dakota (US)

Significance of India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) | UPSC – IAS | Pib 

  • It will give a boost to scientific studies in India and encourage students to take up Science and Research as profession.
  • It has been gaining urgency in the recent years with China announcing the construction of a similar neutrino observatory in Jiangmen province.
  • Nicknamed the ‘blueprint of nature’ by scientists, neutrinos are an important tool for mankind to learn how matter evolved from simple particles into more complex composites, creating everything around us.

How neutrino research is useful ? | UPSC – IAS | Pib 

  • Messengers of cosmic information, as they travel large distances without much interaction. Can revolutionize the existing understanding of astrophysics, astronomy and communication
  • Basic building blocks of matter, along with quarks and electrons. Enhance understanding of basic physical laws
  • Role in nuclear non-proliferation through remote monitoring of nuclear reactors, where neutrinos are produced in abundance
  • As they change their direction and spin based on the medium, they can be used to map natural resources inside the earth
  • Helpful in understanding of dark matter (which constitute 95% of earth), as they are one of the few particles that can pass through it
  • Rapid analysis of geo-neutrinos (produced by radioactive decay of uranium, potassium and thorium in the earth’s crust) by the monitoring systems, called Neutrino Tomography, could provide vital seismographic information & may help us detect early defect inside the earth
  • Neutrinos can pass right through the earth and thus, neutrino-based communication systems are better than round the earth communication through cables, towers and satellites. No data transmission loss as they rarely interact with other particles. If there is any extra-terrestrial life, most effective way to communicate with them

India based neutrino observatory | Potential ecological concerns | UPSC – IAS | Pib

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld the environmental clearance granted to the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO), a major research facility proposed in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

  • Contamination of ground water due to leaching of chemicals
  • Negative impact on the aquifers and nearby dams due to the vibrations caused by blasting the rocks
  • Tectonic fracturing may make geological structure unstable, increasing vulnerability of already ecologically sensitive Western Ghats
  • If INO moves from studying atmospheric neutrino properties to probing accelerator-produced neutrinos, it would require precision underground facilities to contain radioactivity

Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite | UPSC – IAS | Pib and ISRO

Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite UPSC IAS Pib and ISRO

Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite UPSC IAS Pib and ISRO

Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite | UPSC – IAS | ISRO

ISRO’s PSLV C43 launched India’s first Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) along with 30 foreign satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

  • Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (Hysis) is an earth observation satellite built around ISRO’s Mini Satellite-2 (IMS-2) bus.

hyperspectral imaging satellite isro UPSC IAS PCS SSC Isro

About the Hyperspectral Imaging Technology | UPSC – IAS

  • It combines the power of digital imaging and spectroscopy to attain both spatial and spectral information from an object.
  • This result can be then used to identify, measure and locate different materials and their chemical and physical properties. Every pixel in the image contains a continuous spectrum (in radiance or reflectance) and can be used to characterize the objects in the scene with great precision and detail.
  • Hyperspectral images provide much more detailed information about the scene by dividing the spectrum into many more bands than a normal color camera, which only acquires three different spectral channels corresponding to the visual primary colors red, green and blue.
  • It was first tried by ISRO in an experimental satellite in May 2008 and later on Chandrayaan-1 mission for mapping lunar mineral resources, this is the first time a full-fledged hyperspectral imaging satellite (Hysis) has been launched.

Application of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Isro | UPSC – IAS 

  • Hyperspectral remote sensing is used for a range of applications like agriculture, forestry, soil survey, geology, coastal zones, inland water studies, environmental studies, detection of pollution from industries and the military for surveillance or anti-terror operations.
  • Other utilities include online industrial monitoring/sorting/classification to laboratory measurements, clinical instruments for medical diagnostic and airborne and satellite based remote sensing tools.

Challenges: This technology is accompanied with high cost and complexity. There is a need for fast processing of data (fast computers), sensitive detectors and large data storage capacities for hyperspectral imaging data.

Key – Terms | related to Hyperspectral imaging satellite (Hysis) (UPSC – IAS)

Polar Sun-Synchronous orbit

  • It is a nearly polar orbit around a planet, in which the satellite passes over any given point of the planet’s surface at the same local mean solar time.

Geosynchronous orbit

  • It is an orbit around Earth of a satellite with an orbital period that matches Earth’s rotation on its axis, which takes one sidereal day.

Geostationary orbit

  • It is a circular geosynchronous orbit 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above Earth’s equator and following the direction of Earth’s rotation.

What is Spectral Imaging ? (Isro)

  • It is imaging that uses multiple bands across the electromagnetic spectrum like using infrared, the visible spectrum, the ultraviolet, x-rays, or some combination of the above.
    hyperspectral imaging vs multi spectral imaging
  • The main difference between multispectral and hyperspectral is the number of bands and how narrow the bands are.
  • Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) uses continuous and contiguous ranges of wavelengths (e.g. 400 – 1100 nm in steps of 0.1 nm) whilst multispectral imaging (MSI) uses a subset of targeted wavelengths at chosen locations (e.g. 400 – 1100 nm in steps of 20 nm).
  • Hyperspectral imagery consists of much narrower bands (10-20 nm). A hyperspectral image could have hundreds or thousands of bands. In general, it comes from an imaging spectrometer.

Keywords – Isro, The Hindu, Pib, UPSC – IAS, hysis isro