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GS Paper: GS3-16.Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

  • Samudrayaan Mission

    Why in the News?

    Two Indian aquanauts dived over 5,000 m in the Atlantic aboard French vessel Nautile, as part of India’s Samudrayaan Mission.

    What is Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)?

    • Approved: 2021 by the Union Cabinet, with a budget of ₹4,077 crore for 5 years.
    • Aim: Explore, conserve, and sustainably use deep-ocean resources to support India’s Blue Economy.
    • Six Components:
      • Develop technologies for deep-sea mining, submersibles, and robotics.
      • Ocean climate change advisory service with observations + predictive models.
      • Deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation.
      • Surveys for polymetallic nodules and minerals.
      • Energy & freshwater extraction technologies from oceans.
      • Advanced Marine Station for ocean biology & engineering → to bridge research & industry.

    About Samudrayaan Mission:

    • Nature: India’s first crewed deep-sea exploration mission.
    • Objective: To send 3 humans up to 6,000 m depth into the central Indian Ocean by 2027.
    • Vehicle: Crewed submersible Matsya-6000 (fish-shaped, 2.1 m personal sphere).
      • Capacity: 3 aquanauts.
      • Endurance: 12 hours normal + 96 hours emergency life support.
      • Material: Titanium alloy sphere (80 mm thickness) to withstand ~600x atmospheric pressure.
    • Coordinating Agency: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Ministry of Earth Sciences.
    • Strategic Significance: Will place India among a select group of countries (US, Russia, China, Japan, France) with human deep-sea exploration capability.

    Progress made so far:

    • Aquanaut Training: Discussed above.
    • Matsya-6000 Development:
      • Successfully wet tested in Feb 2025.
      • Titanium alloy sphere fabrication ongoing at ISRO using electron beam welding.
      • Initial steel test sphere used for 500 m trials.
    • Technology Development:
      • Indigenous acoustic telephone built for underwater communication (works in open ocean after initial failures).
      • Life-support systems designed to maintain 20% oxygen and scrub CO₂.
    • Next Steps:
      • Human test dive at 500 m depth planned before full 6,000 m mission.
      • Full Samudrayaan launch targeted by 2027.
    [UPSC 2021] Consider the following statements:

    1.The Global Ocean Commission grants licenses for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.

    2.India has received licenses for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.

    3. ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on the seafloor in international waters.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options:(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3

     

  • What is the Air Drop Test (ADT-1) conducted by ISRO?

    Why in the News?

    ISRO has successfully conducted IADT-1, a key milestone for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

    What is the Air Drop Test (ADT-1) conducted by ISRO?

    About Air Drop Test (ADT-1):

    • Test Setup: A dummy crew module weighing nearly 5 tonnes was dropped from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of about 3 km.
    • Purpose: To test the parachute-based deceleration system that will slow the crew module during re-entry and ensure a safe splashdown.
    • Parachute Sequence: Parachutes deployed in order — first drogue chutes, followed by three main parachutes — slowing the capsule to about 8 metres per second before landing.
    • Outcome: The touchdown matched expectations, successfully validating the design for human re-entry and landing.

    Roadmap for Gaganyaan:

    • Objective: The ultimate goal is to send Indian astronauts to low-earth orbit on a human-rated LVM3 rocket.
    • Validation Tests: A series of safety validation tests are planned before the crewed mission.
    • Crew Escape System (CES): Already tested with TV-D1 in October 2023; TV-D2 will demonstrate a more complex abort scenario.
    • First Uncrewed Mission (G1): Will carry the humanoid robot Vyommitra to simulate astronaut operations.
    • Parallel Trials: Multiple air drop tests and subsystem validations, including parachute trials and life-support system checks, will continue.
    • Key Technologies: Critical systems under development include the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), the Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS), and a strengthened human-rated LVM3 rocket.
    • Timeline: The first human spaceflight (H1) is currently targeted for 2027, though delays are possible due to complexity in human-rating systems.

    Long-term Goals:

    • Foundation: Gaganyaan marks the beginning of India’s long-term human spaceflight programme.
    • Space Station: The GoI has announced the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) to be established by 2035.
    • Lunar Mission: India aims to achieve a crewed lunar landing by 2040.
    • Critical Technologies: Capabilities such as in-orbit docking, demonstrated by the SpaDeX mission in 2025, will be essential for future missions.
    [UPSC 2025] Consider the following space missions:

    I. Axiom-4 II. SpaDeX III. Gaganyaan

    How many of the space missions given above encourage and support microgravity research?

    Options:

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three* (d) None

     

  • Reforming the steel framework

    Introduction

    Independence Day speeches are often symbolic, but in 2025 the Prime Minister shifted focus to frontier technologies, semiconductors, clean energy, AI, quantum computing, and defence indigenisation. Unlike earlier years, this vision was paired with the acknowledgment that bureaucratic inertia and regulatory red tape remain India’s toughest hurdles. The central challenge is whether India’s governance structures can keep pace with its technological ambitions.

    Significance of the 2025 Speech by the Prime Minister 

    • Future focus: Strong emphasis on frontier areas like semiconductors, EVs, and jet engines.
    • Symbolic push: The PM asked if fighter jet engines should not be Indian-made.
    • Bold promise: India will shed dependency in two decades.
    • Data milestone: India is the largest per capita data consumer (32 GB), ahead of China and the US.

    India’s current position in technology and self-reliance

    • Strength in mid-tech: Success in fintech, data access, and digitisation
    • Emerging hubs: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurugram drive high-tech growth.
    • Import dependency: India depends heavily on imports in semiconductors, defence hardware, AI hardware, and clean energy technologies.
    • Global presence: Firms like Nvidia and IBM rely on India’s talent pool, but domestic ecosystems remain thin.

    Bureaucratic Challenges that obstruct deep-tech ambition

    • Colonial bureaucratic legacy: The Westminster model prioritised control over innovation and accountability.
    • Rigid steel frame: The “steel frame” of the civil services designed to ensure subservience to colonial administrators remains rigid even a century after the Public Service Commission’s creation in 1926.
    • Unrealised reforms: The Veerappa Moily Committee (2005) suggested domain experts and ethics codes-still pending.
    • Lateral entry limits: Attempts at inducting experts face systemic resistance.

    Why are regulatory and judicial reforms critical?

    • Persistent red tape: The Deregulation Commission (2025) was set up to identify redundant compliance norms, but structural bottlenecks persist.
    • Judicial backlog: Slow dispute resolution and investment climate, affectshigh-tech sectors.
    • Comparative lessons:
      • US & China: Despite different models, both empower political leadership over bureaucracy to push national interests.
      • UK: Even Britain debates its bureaucratic model, Dominic Cummings under Boris Johnson pushed for external competition and greater ministerial control.

    How does this link to Viksit Bharat@2047?

    • Ambition vs. architecture: India’s goal of becoming a deep-tech powerhouse is contingent not just on financial investment but on restructuring governance.
    • Symbolic timing: The UPSC centenary in 2026 is a historic chance for overhaul.
    • Future-readiness: Without structural reform, Atmanirbhar Bharat may remain aspirational.

    Conclusion

    India’s ambition to lead in deep-tech must be matched with institutional reform. The PM’s 2025 speech acknowledged that Atmanirbharta is as much about fixing bureaucratic bottlenecks as building jet engines or quantum labs. The centenary of UPSC offers an opportune moment to align India’s governance with its 2047 goals.

    Value Addition
    Committees on Civil Service Reforms

    1. Santhanam Committee (1964)

    • Focus: Preventive corruption measures.
    • Key suggestion: Creation of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

    2. Kothari Committee (1976)

    • Focus: Recruitment and exam structure of Civil Services.
    • Key suggestion: Recommended 3-stage exam (Prelims, Mains, Interview), which is still followed today.

    3. Satish Chandra Committee (1989)

    • Focus: Review of recruitment and selection.
    • Key suggestion: Increased emphasis on aptitude and ethics in recruitment.

    4. Hota Committee (2004)

    • Focus: Ethics, transparency, and performance.
    • Key suggestion: Right to Information, performance-linked incentives, citizen charters.

    5. Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) – Veerappa Moily (2005–2009)

    Most comprehensive civil service reform report (15 volumes). Key suggestions:

    • Lateral entry of domain experts.
    • Code of Ethics & Code of Conduct.
    • Citizen-centric administration
    • Performance-based appraisal system.
    • Training in e-governance and modern management practices

    6. Punchhi Commission (2010) – on Centre-State relations

    • Relevant link: Stressed need for civil service neutrality in federal governance.

    7. Baswan Committee (2016)

    1. Focus: UPSC exam age and attempts.
    2. Key suggestion: Reduce maximum age for UPSC CSE (though not implemented).

    8. Current initiatives 

    • Lateral entry into Joint Secretary and Director-level posts.
    • Mission Karmayogi (2020): National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) to train officers with competency-based framework.
    • Deregulation Commission (2025): Identifying and scrapping redundant compliances.

    Mapping Microthemes

    • GS Paper-II: Civil Service Reform, Regulation, Judiciary
    • GS Paper -III: Tech missions, Defence Indigenisation, Atmanirbhar Bharat
    • GS Paper -IV: Accountability, Ethics in governance

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2016] Civil Services “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment.

    Linkage: PM Modi’s Independence Day 2025 address highlighted that despite India’s technological advances, the colonial-era bureaucratic “steel frame” continues to obstruct innovation, investment, and governance reforms. The traditional bureaucratic structure—designed for control rather than development—remains a bottleneck in achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat. Thus, the speech directly echoes the UPSC 2016 theme that outdated bureaucratic culture hampers socio-economic transformation.

  • Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV)

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing its heaviest-ever rocket, the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV).

    About Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV):

    • Overview: India’s heaviest rocket under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
    • Purpose: Designed mainly for lunar exploration, including India’s first human mission to the Moon by 2040.
    • Strategic Role: Replaces the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) plan and will support India’s space station programme.
    • Scale: As tall as a 40-storey building, far larger than the current LVM-3.

    Key Features:

    • Payload Capacity: Can carry 80 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 27 tonnes to the Moon, suitable for human-rated spacecraft.
    • Three-stage: Partially reusable super heavy-lift vehicle with:
      • First two stages using liquid propellants.
      • Third stage using cryogenic propellant.
      • Strap-on boosters taller than the entire LVM-3 rocket.
      • 27 engines in the first stage (core + boosters).
    • Timeline: Expected completion by 2035.
    • Indigenous Development: Conceived by ISRO within months; aligned with India’s long-term space exploration goals.

    Future Missions based on LMLV:

    • Human Lunar Mission (2040 target): Capable of carrying 18–20 tonne crew modules for India’s first astronaut landing on the Moon.
    • Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): Will deploy heavy modules for India’s planned five-module space station by 2035.
    • Lunar Cargo Missions: Can transport ~27 tonnes to the Moon, supporting logistics and lunar infrastructure.
    • Deep Space Exploration: Its heavy-lift capacity could enable interplanetary missions in the 2040s, extending beyond lunar exploration.
    [UPSC 2018] With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements:

    1.PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.

    2.Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.

    3.GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

     

    Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only

     

  • Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile

    Why in the News?

    India has successfully test-fired the Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur (Odisha).

    Agni-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile

    What are Ballistic Missiles?

    • Powered by: Solid propellant rocket motors; thrust generated by exhaust gases forces missile upward.
    • Three phases:
      • Boost Phase – missile consumes propellant; trajectory fixed.
      • Midcourse Phase – missile coasts in space on momentum.
      • Terminal Phase – warheads re-enter atmosphere and strike target.

    About Agni-5:

    • Type: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed by DRDO.
    • Range: 5,000–5,500 km (upgrade under development up to 7,500 km).
    • Propulsion: Three-stage, solid-fuel rocket motors.
    • Payload: ~1.5 tonnes, nuclear-capable.
    • Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) Technology: Can carry multiple nuclear warheads that target different locations.
    • Features: Fire-and-forget system, advanced navigation, guidance and propulsion technologies.
    • First Test: 2012 from Wheeler Island (Odisha).
    • Strategic Role: Strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence posture, especially vis-à-vis China.

    Back2Basics: Agni Series and its Development

    • Origins: Began in 1983 under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) led by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
    • Evolution: Started as technology demonstrators for re-entry vehicles; later developed into full-fledged strategic missiles.
    • Variants:
      • Agni-I: 700–1,200 km range, inducted 2007.
      • Agni-II: 2,000–3,000 km range, inducted 2010.
      • Agni-III: 3,500 km range, highly accurate, tested 2007.
      • Agni-IV: 4,000 km range, advanced avionics, tested 2011.
      • Agni-V: 5,000+ km range, ICBM, MIRV capable.
      • Agni Prime (Agni-P): 1,000–2,000 km, lighter, tested 2021.
      • Agni-VI: Under development, 6,000–10,000 km, MIRV + submarine launch capable.
    • Significance: Backbone of India’s nuclear triad, enhancing deterrence against regional and global adversaries.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.

    2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2*

     

  • Yashoda AI Literacy Program

    Why in the News?

    The National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched “Yashoda AI”, an AI literacy program to empower women with skills in cybersecurity, digital privacy, and safe online practices, promoting digital inclusion across India.

    About Yashoda AI:

    • Launch: Introduced in May 2025 as an Artificial Intelligence Literacy Program for women.
    • Organisers: Joint initiative by the NCW and Future Shift Labs.
    • Objective: To train women in cybersecurity, digital privacy, and safe online practices.
    • Focus Areas: Covers AI-driven crimes, digital safety, and practical risk mitigation strategies.
    • Reach: Over 2,500 women trained to date.
    • Beneficiaries: Includes Self-Help Group members, local representatives (Sarpanchs, Pradhans, Mayors, Members of Legislative Assemblies), and frontline workers like Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers).

    Back2Basics: National Commission for Women

    • Status: Statutory body established in 1992 under the NCW Act, 1990.
    • Composition: Consists of a Chairperson, 5 Members, and a Member-Secretary—appointed by the Central Government.
    • Term: All members serve for a term of 3 years.
    • Powers: Holds civil court powers during inquiries:
      • Can summon individuals and enforce attendance
      • Examine witnesses under oath
      • Demand records and receive affidavits
      • Issue commissions for examination of witnesses or documents

     

    [UPSC 2017] What is the purpose of Vidyanjali Yojana’?

    1. To enable the famous foreign campuses in India.

    2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.

    3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 2 only * (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 2 and 3 only

     

  • Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize

    Why in the News?

    Indian mathematician Dr. Rajula Srivastava has received the Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize for her groundbreaking work in harmonic analysis and number theory.

    About the Indian Laureate: Dr. Rajula Srivastava

    • Affiliation: Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, University of Bonn and Max Planck Institute of Mathematics, Germany.
    • Field of Work:
      • Dr. Srivastava studied how to break down complex mathematical functions into simpler parts using advanced math tools.
      • She worked on finding how close certain numbers can get to specific points on curved shapes in higher dimensions.

    About the Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize:

    • Purpose: Recognises early-career women mathematicians (within two years of PhD completion) for outstanding research contributions.
    • Named After: Maryam Mirzakhani — first woman and first Iranian to win the Fields Medal; known for her work on geometry and Riemann surfaces.
    • Objective: To honour Mirzakhani’s legacy, encourage more women in mathematics, and elevate early-career contributions.
    • Established: November 2019 by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.
    • Prize Amount: $50,000, may be shared by multiple recipients in a year.
    • Eligibility: Women mathematicians who have:
      • Recently completed their PhD (within 2 years)
      • Shown exceptional promise and innovation in mathematical research.

    Other Important Prizes in Mathematics:

    • Fields Medal: Awarded every four years to mathematicians under 40, the Fields Medal is the most prestigious global mathematics award, established in 1936, and presented by the International Mathematical Union to recognize outstanding contributions to the field.
    • Abel Prize: Instituted by the King of Norway in 2001, the Abel Prize is an annual international award recognizing lifetime achievement in mathematics, often considered the closest equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the discipline.
    • Wolf Prize in Mathematics: Awarded annually since 1978 by the Wolf Foundation in Israel, the Wolf Prize honours exceptional achievements across all branches of mathematics and is ranked just below the Fields and Abel Prizes in prestige.
    [UPSC 2016] A recent movie titled The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the biography of

    Options: (a) S. Ramanujan* (b) S. Chandhrashekhar (c) S. N. Bose (d) C. V. Raman

     

  • Blockchain-verified Quantum Randomness for Secure Communication

    Why in the News?

    A recent breakthrough demonstrated use of quantum science, blockchain, and cryptography to create truly random and secure numbers used in encryption for secure communication.

    About the Technology:

    • Encryption: Converts readable data into unreadable code using a “key”; only someone with the correct key can decrypt the message.
    • Importance of Randomness: Secure encryption depends on unpredictable keys—predictable keys can be guessed or hacked.
    • Issue with Computers: Most keys are generated using pseudo-random algorithms, which appear random but are predictable if the method is known.

    About the Breakthrough Lava Lamp Method:

    • Setup: 100 lava lamps placed on a wall at Cloudflare’s San Francisco office; a camera takes periodic photos of the moving blobs.
    • Process: Each photo is converted into numerical data, creating a random seed to generate encryption keys.
    • Why Lava Lamps? The heat-driven movement of wax blobs is unpredictable and creates unique images.
    • Limitations: Movements follow physics, so not truly random. Also, the algorithm that converts images is deterministic—reproducible if known.

    Quantum Random Number Generation Protocol:

    • Why Quantum Physics: Subatomic particles like photons behave randomly; for example, a photon’s polarization is unknown until measured.
    • How It Works: Scientists used lasers to generate entangled photons and measured them millions of times to produce random results.
    • Data Conversion: The raw data (in binary) was biased, so a randomness extractor was used to generate a clean 512-bit unbiased number using a second random seed.
    • Blockchain Role: Each step was recorded on blockchain for transparency, with digital fingerprints (hashes) to ensure data integrity.
    • Team Involvement: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), University of Colorado, and DRAND each handled separate parts to ensure decentralization and trust.
    • Public Use: The final random numbers are shared via CURBy, a public distribution service.
    • Significance: Though still emerging, this method shows strong potential for future ultra-secure encryption systems.
    [UPSC 2025] Consider the following statements:

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

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

     

  • Piezo- Photocatalytic Water Filter

    Why in the News?

    Indian scientists from INST Mohali, IIT-Dharwad, and IIT-Kharagpur have developed a low-cost, reusable water filter that removes toxic industrial dyes using a process called piezo-photocatalysis.

    About the Light-Induced Water Filter:

    • Material Used: Built using 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) sheets (a biodegradable plastic); Sheets coated with bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanoparticles.
    • Working: It works in two ways. Together, this is called piezo-photocatalysis.
      • Photocatalysis: Uses sunlight to break dye molecules.
      • Piezoelectric effect: Uses vibrations (ultrasound) to work even in the dark.
    • Reusable: Can be used 5 times with only 3% loss in performance.
    • Lab tests showed:
      • 99% Congo Red removal
      • 74% Methylene Blue removal (in 90 minutes)

    Significance:

    • Eco-Friendly Solution: Removes harmful dyes without harmful chemicals or electricity.
    • Cost-Effective: Cheaper and safer than ozone or chemical-intensive treatments.
    • Green Energy Use: Operates using sunlight and mechanical vibrations—no external power needed.
    • Policy Alignment: Supports Namami Gange, Jal Nigam, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat missions.
    • Scalability: Ideal for deployment near textile treatment plants as a sustainable technology.
    [UPSC 2023] With reference to the role of biofilters in the Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:

    1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed

    2.Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate

    3.Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water

    How many of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two* (c) All three (d) None

     

  • Quick fix: On India’s Research Development and Innovation scheme

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has recently approved a ₹1-lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme to encourage private companies to invest more in basic scientific research.

    What are the aims and design of the ₹1-lakh crore RDI scheme?

    • Promote Private Investment in Basic Research: The scheme aims to shift the R&D funding balance by incentivising the private sector to invest in foundational scientific research, reversing the current trend where the government contributes around 70% of total R&D spending.
    • Special Purpose Fund under ANRF: A dedicated fund will be set up within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which will act as a custodian of ₹1-lakh crore and offer low-interest loans to eligible research projects.
    • Single-Window Clearance Mechanism: ANRF is designed as an independent institutional body with oversight from the Ministry of Science, providing a streamlined funding mechanism for universities and research institutions.
    • Targeting Mid-Stage Innovations (TRL-4 and Above): The scheme prioritises projects at Technology Readiness Level 4 or above, focusing on research that has demonstrated lab-scale feasibility and market potential, rather than early-stage, high-risk science.

    Why is ANRF’s role in research funding considered innovative?

    • Single-Window Clearance for R&D Funding: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) offers a unified platform to fund research across academic and industrial institutions, reducing bureaucratic delays. Eg: Instead of applying to multiple agencies like DST, DBT, and CSIR, universities can now approach ANRF for consolidated support.
    • Private Sector Integration in Basic Research: ANRF aims to source 70% of its budget from private players, incentivising corporate investment in long-term, foundational science rather than only market-ready products. Eg: Tech companies can fund AI or clean energy research at IITs through ANRF, blending commercial interest with academic innovation.
    • Bridging Academic-Industry Gaps: By acting as a funding bridge between universities, startups, and industries, ANRF fosters collaboration that accelerates the conversion of research into scalable solutions. Eg: A university developing a green hydrogen prototype can partner with a renewable energy firm under ANRFguidance and funding.

    How does the TRL-4 condition affect R&D inclusivity?

    • Excludes Early-Stage Fundamental Research: The requirement of Technology Readiness Level-4 (TRL-4) support means only projects with demonstrated application potential are eligible. This excludes TRL-1 to TRL-3 projects, which involve basic, foundational research. Eg: A university lab studying the quantum behaviour of materials may be denied funding despite its long-term potential.
    • Narrows Innovation Pipeline: Focusing only on mid-to-late stage research limits the scope for high-risk, high-reward innovation, which often begins at lower TRLs. This curbs diverse and disruptive innovations from entering the ecosystem. Eg: Internet and GPS started as risky low-TRL military projects—India might miss such breakthroughs by ignoring early research.

    What global lessons can India adopt to boost core innovation?

    • Invest in Early-Stage Research through Public Funding: Countries like the United States and Germany fund basic science heavily through institutions like the NSF and Max Planck Society, recognising that core innovation often starts at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Eg: The U.S. government’s early funding of ARPANET (precursor to the Internet) shows how foundational research can lead to transformative technologies.
    • Link Academia, Industry, and Government: Nations such as South Korea and Israel foster strong collaboration between universities, industries, and the state to accelerate innovation from lab to market. Eg: South Korea’s “Innovation Clusters” connect academic research with industrial application, leading to global tech giants like Samsung.

    Why does brain drain persist despite new research schemes?

    • Limited Research Infrastructure and Bureaucracy: Many Indian institutions lack state-of-the-art labs, smooth funding access, and administrative efficiency, discouraging cutting-edge work. Eg: A 2023 study by IISc found that over 40% of PhD graduates in STEM preferred postdoctoral positions abroad due to better facilities and research environments.
    • Lack of Competitive Salaries and Academic Freedom: Indian researchers often face lower salaries, rigid hierarchies, and limited autonomy compared to global peers. Eg: According to a DST report, Indian scientists earn 3–4 times less than those in OECD nations, prompting talent to settle in countries like the US and Germany.
    • Weak Industry-Academia Collaboration: Private sector investment in R&D is low, leading to few applied research opportunities or innovation ecosystems. Eg: In South Korea, over 75% of R&D is industry-funded, whereas India’s share is just around 37%, limiting prospects for applied researchers.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Research Ecosystems and Autonomy: Invest in world-class infrastructure, streamline funding mechanisms, and provide greater academic freedom to scientists and institutions to pursue innovative research without bureaucratic hurdles.
    • Enhance Industry Collaboration and Incentives: Foster stronger industry-academia linkages by offering tax benefits, matching grants, and innovation clusters to attract private R&D investment and create lucrative opportunities for researchers in India.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2024] What are the intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.

    Linkage:  The article discusses the Union Cabinet’s approval of a ₹1-lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme aimed at incentivizing the private sector to invest in basic research. This PYQ directly addresses the challenge of commercialization of patents in India, a critical bottleneck in the country’s innovation ecosystem that the implicitly highlights by article.