Science and Technology: Developments, Applications and Indian Achievements

What the official syllabus says

General Studies III (Main Written Examination, Paper V):

• Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

This part is about science as it touches daily life and national capability, not theory. For each technology, know how it works in outline, where it is used and what issues it raises.

Topics in detail

Science in everyday life

• Health: vaccines and immunisation, antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance, diagnostics, telemedicine
• Genetics and genomics: DNA, genome sequencing, genetic testing
• Nutrition, fortification and lifestyle diseases
• Agriculture: improved seeds, biofertilisers, precision farming
• Energy technologies: solar cells, batteries, electric vehicles
• Materials: plastics, composites, semiconductors
• Communication: mobile networks, satellites, internet
• Household technologies: LED lighting, water purification (reverse osmosis, ultraviolet), satellite navigation

Developments to follow

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Quantum technologies: computing, communication, sensing (National Quantum Mission, 2023)
• Semiconductors and electronics manufacturing (India Semiconductor Mission, 2021)
• New energy: green hydrogen, energy storage, small modular reactors
• 3D printing, drones and the Internet of Things
• Supercomputing (National Supercomputing Mission, 2015)

Defence and nuclear technology

• Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme: Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Nag and Trishul
• BrahMos cruise missile; Light Combat Aircraft Tejas; indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
• Nuclear submarines and the nuclear triad
• India's three-stage nuclear power programme (Homi J. Bhabha)
• DRDO and defence public sector undertakings

Achievements of Indians in science and technology

• C.V. Raman (Nobel Prize in Physics, 1930) and the Raman effect
• Srinivasa Ramanujan in mathematics
• Jagadish Chandra Bose (plant physiology, radio waves), Satyendra Nath Bose (Bose-Einstein statistics), Meghnad Saha (ionisation equation)
• Homi J. Bhabha (atomic energy) and Vikram Sarabhai (space programme)
• Indian-born Nobel laureates in science: Har Gobind Khorana (Medicine, 1968), Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (Physics, 1983), Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (Chemistry, 2009)
• M.S. Swaminathan (Green Revolution), Verghese Kurien (White Revolution)
• A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (missiles and launch vehicles), Satish Dhawan (space)
• Women scientists: Janaki Ammal (botany), Anna Mani (meteorology), Kalpana Chawla (astronaut, born in Karnal)

Indigenisation and new technology

• Self-reliance in defence: positive indigenisation lists, defence corridors
• Technology transfer and licensed production versus home-grown design
• Research and development spending; public and private R&D
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023
• Startups and innovation ecosystems; incubators in universities
• Patents filed by Indians; academia-industry links
• Brain drain and brain gain
• Science policy: Scientific Policy Resolution (1958), Technology Policy Statement (1983), Science and Technology Policy (2003), Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (2013)
• Indigenous vaccines and digital platforms for health; generic medicines and India as a pharmacy for the world
• Scientific institutions: CSIR, ICMR, ICAR, DRDO, ISRO, the Department of Atomic Energy

Overlaps

• Prelims General Studies: General Science at the level of an educated person.
• Haryana: Science, Technology and Environment: research institutes in Haryana.