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

  • Bharat Forecast System for Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting

    Why in the News?

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has unveiled the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) for weather predictions at panchayat level.

    About Bharat Forecast System (BFS)

    • Launch: The BFS was launched by IMD and developed by IITM Pune under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
    • Forecast Accuracy: It delivers hyperlocal weather predictions at the panchayat level, using a 6 km × 6 km grid — the highest resolution in the world.
    • Supercomputing Power: The system runs on two advanced supercomputers: Arka at IITM Pune and Arunika at NCMRWF Delhi.
    • Purpose: BFS enhances short- and medium-term forecasts critical for agriculture, disaster preparedness, and public safety.

    Key Features of BFS:

    • High-Resolution Forecasting: It provides 6 km resolution forecasts, improving on the earlier 12 km resolution. It covers the tropical region between 30° South and 30° North latitude.
    • Advanced Supercomputing: Arka- 11.77 petaflops, 33 petabytes; Arunika- 8.24 petaflops, 24 petabytes; Arka reduces forecast processing time from 10 hours to 4 hours; Includes a dedicated AI system with 1.9 petaflops power.
    • Real-Time Nowcasting: Uses data from 40 Doppler Weather Radars (set to grow to 100); Provides real-time forecasts for the next 2 hours with high accuracy.
    • Smart Grid Design: Uses a Triangular-Cubic Octahedral (TCO) grid, focusing computing power on weather-sensitive regions.
    • Practical Benefits: Helps forecast heavy rainfall, improve crop planning, manage flood risk, and guide resource allocation.
    • Global Benchmark: Most global models operate at 9–14 km resolution; India is now the only country with 6 km operational weather forecasts.
    [UPSC 2017] With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. IOD phenomenon is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.

    2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

     

  • Hoyle–Narlikar Theory of Gravity

    Why in the News?

    Jayant Narlikar, renowned Indian astrophysicist and Padma Vibhushan awardee, who co-developed the Hoyle–Narlikar Theory to refine Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, passed away in Pune at the age of 87.

    About Jayant Narlikar and His Contributions:

    • Early Life: Born in 1938 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and pursued a PhD at Cambridge University under Fred Hoyle.
    • Scientific Influence: Hoyle had earlier developed the steady-state theory with Bondi and Gold and coined the term “Big Bang” sarcastically in 1948.
    • Narlikar’s Belief: He argued that the universe always looks the same, as new matter fills the gaps created by expansion.
    • Critique of Big Bang: He believed the Big Bang theory includes unproven assumptions, especially about the sudden origin of all matter and energy.
    • Enduring Work: Despite steady-state theory’s decline, Narlikar’s contributions remain respected for their scientific depth and originality.

    What Is the Hoyle–Narlikar Theory?

    Fred Hoyle and Jayant Narlikar developed a theory to answer one of the most basic questions: Why do things have mass, and how are they connected to the rest of the universe?

    • Based on Mach’s Principle: They believed your mass isn’t just something you have on your own. Instead, it depends on your connection to everything else in the universe. That means even faraway stars and galaxies play a role in what you weigh.
    • Inertia Explained: In simple terms, when you feel resistance while trying to move (inertia), it’s because of the gravitational pull of all the matter in the universe acting on you at once.
    • Mass is Relative: Earth, the Sun, or even you don’t have a fixed mass. That mass is influenced by everything else that exists out there, no matter how far away it is.
    • C-field and Steady-State Model
      • New Idea – C-Field: They introduced the “creation field”, which creates new matter in space.
      • Universe Without a Start: Their steady-state theory says the universe has no beginning or end, is always expanding, and keeps its density constant.
      • Against the Big Bang: They believed the Big Bang couldn’t explain everything we see today.
      • Hydrogen Creation: They said hydrogen atoms form in space to fill in the gaps as the universe grows.
    • Issues with the Theory:
      • CMB Discovery (1965): Scientists found cosmic microwave background radiation, strong proof of the Big Bang.
      • Other Evidence: Later discoveries like young, chaotic galaxies and studies by Hawking and Penrose supported the Big Bang.
      • Current View: The Big Bang theory became more accepted, but Hoyle and Narlikar’s ideas are still respected for their scientific value.
    [UPSC 2018] Consider the following phenomena:

    1. Light is affected by gravity.

    2. The Universe is constantly expanding.

    3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

    Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media?

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

     

  • Asteroid YR4 might miss the Earth

    Why in the News?

    Asteroid YR4, discovered in December 2024 via Chile’s ATLAS telescope, was first thought to threaten Earth but was later ruled out. Scientists now focus on its potential Moon impact in 2032.

    Asteroid YR4 might miss the Earth

    About Asteroid 2024 YR4:

    • Asteroid 2024 YR4 was discovered in December 2024 by the ATLAS telescope located in Chile.
    • It is a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) whose orbit brings it within 1.3 AU (Earth-Sun distances) of Earth.
    • It is estimated to be 65 metres wide, roughly the size of a 10-storey building.
    • Initially, it was suspected to have a 3.1% chance of impacting Earth in 2032, triggering NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert.
    • Subsequent tracking ruled out an Earth impact but indicated a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032.
    • A Moon impact would create a 500 to 2,000-metre-wide crater and release energy 340 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
    • Despite being smaller than the 140m threshold for “potentially hazardous asteroids,” its unusual trajectory drew global scientific attention.
    • Scientists continue to observe YR4, including during a close approach in 2028, to refine its orbital predictions.

    Back2Basics: ATLAS Telescope

    • ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) is a NASA-funded early warning project for detecting small near-Earth objects (NEOs).
    • It is developed and operated by the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy.
    • As of 2025, ATLAS operates five telescopes in Hawaii, South Africa, Chile, and the Canary Islands.
    • Each telescope has a 0.5-meter Wright-Schmidt design, a 1-meter focal length, and a 110 MP CCD detector with a 7.4° field of view.
    • The system scans 20,000 square degrees of sky three times per night and provides 1–3 week warnings for asteroids 45–120 meters wide.
    • In addition to asteroids, ATLAS also discovers supernovae, comets, dwarf planets, and variable stars.

     

    [UPSC 2011] Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

     

  • Fracture Discovered in a Cosmic Bone of the Milky Way

    Why in the News?

    NASA has released an image of a fractured structure in the Milky Way’s galactic centre. The feature, named G359.13, was captured using X-ray data from Chandra and radio data from South Africa’s MeerKAT array.

    Fracture Discovered in a Cosmic Bone of the Milky Way

    What is G359.13?

    • G359.13 is a long, linear structure near the centre of the Milky Way.
    • It is often referred to as a cosmic bone due to its shape and density.
    • It stretches about 230 light-years in length, making it one of the longest and brightest features of its kind in the galaxy.
    • It lies about 26,000 light-years from Earth, close to the Milky Way’s centre.
    • For context, over 800 stars exist within a radius of 230 light-years from Earth—the same length as this cosmic bone.

    New Discovery: A Fracture in G359.13

    • Astronomers identified a distinct break or fracture in the structure’s continuous body.
    • An X-ray and radio source was also detected precisely at the location of the fracture.
    • Scientists believe a pulsar—a magnetised, rotating neutron star—collided with G359.13.
    • The pulsar was likely moving at a speed of 1–2 million miles per hour at the time of impact.
    • The collision disrupted the structure, creating a visible fracture.

    Back2Basics: What is a Pulsar?

    • A pulsar is a neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation from its magnetic poles.
    • Though only about 20 km in diameter, it is more massive than the Sun.
    • Pulsars rotate extremely rapidly, some spinning hundreds of times per second.
    • When their radiation beam crosses Earth’s line of sight, we observe pulses of radiation, hence the name.

     

    [UPSC 2003] The time taken by the sun to revolve around the centre of our galaxy is

    Options: (a) 25 million years (b) 100 million years (c) 250 million years* (d) 500 million years

     

  • ‘Kamala’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’ GM Rice

    Why in the News?

    India’s Agriculture Minister has introduced ‘Kamala’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’, the country’s first genome-edited rice varieties, developed by ICAR. These are also the world’s first genome-edited rice varieties.

    About ‘Kamala’ and ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’:

    • Kamala (DRR Dhan 100): Developed by ICAR-IIRR Hyderabad, derived from Samba Mahsuri; shows higher yield, early maturity, drought tolerance.
    • Pusa DST Rice 1: Developed by ICAR-IARI Delhi, based on MTU1010; improves drought and salinity tolerance.
    • Agencies involved: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-IIRR, ICAR-IARI.
    • They were created using CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing, specifically Site Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN1). It has NO foreign DNA inserted.
    • It has been approved by Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC) and Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) under relaxed genome-edit rules.

    Specific Benefits Offered:

    • Yield boost:
      • Kamala: +19% over Samba Mahsuri (avg. 5.37 t/ha, max. up to 9 t/ha).
      • Pusa DST Rice 1: +9.6% to +30.4% over MTU1010 under stress conditions.
    • Climate resilience:
      • Kamala: Drought tolerance, early maturity.
      • Pusa DST: Salt and drought tolerance for saline/alkaline/coastal soils.
    • Water saving: Kamala matures 20 days early → saves 3 irrigations, i.e., 7,500 million m³ water.
    • Emission reduction: Cultivation over 5 million ha may reduce 32,000 tonnes GHG emissions (20% drop).
    • Food security support: Improved paddy output enhances India’s average yield, critical for 40% of total foodgrain basket.
    [UPSC 2018] With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:

    1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.

    2.GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.

    3.GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

     

  • ITER Tokamak Reactor

    Why in the News?

    Scientists working on the world’s largest nuclear fusion project ITER has completed its main magnet system with India playing a key role in building critical infrastructure.

    About ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor):

    • ITER is the world’s largest nuclear fusion research project, aimed at demonstrating that nuclear fusion can be a safe, carbon-free, and sustainable energy source.
    • It involves 35 nations, including the EU, US, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Russia.
    • It uses deuterium and tritium (hydrogen isotopes) to undergo fusion at temperatures over 150 million °C, 10 times hotter than the sun’s core, producing large amounts of energy.
    • Its goal is to achieve a fusion gain (Q) of 10, producing 500 megawatts of fusion power from just 50 megawatts of input heating power, a 10x gain.
    • Launched in 1985 and officially founded in 2006, the project began construction in 2007 and is expected to start its operations in 2033.
    • The tokamak is a doughnut-shaped magnetic fusion device used to contain the hot plasma required for nuclear fusion.
    • It uses powerful superconducting magnets to confine plasma and prevent it from touching the reactor walls.

    India’s Role in ITER/Tokamak:

    • India has been a full partner in ITER since 2005, contributing expertise and technology to key aspects of the project.
    • It has designed and manufactured the cryostat, a 30-meter-high, 30-meter-diameter vacuum shell made of stainless steel that houses the ITER tokamak and maintains the ultra-cold environment needed for superconducting magnets.
    • It has developed in-wall shielding to protect ITER’s components from heat generated during fusion reactions.
    • It provides cryogenic systems to cool the superconducting magnets and RF heating systems to heat the plasma to fusion temperatures.
    • It has contributed to developing the superconducting magnets, which are essential for plasma confinement inside the tokamak.

    Note:

    • India manages ITER-India, a project under the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), overseeing key contributions, including diagnostics, power supplies, and other infrastructure.
    • It is also working on the development of a tritium breeding module for future fusion reactors, ensuring self-sufficiency in this critical fuel.

     

    [UPSC 2016] India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

    Options: (a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation (b) It attain a global role in satellite-navigation (c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation*

     

  • Government revamps National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)

    Why in the News?

    The Union Government has reconstituted the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), appointing Alok Joshi, former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as its new chairman.

    About National Security Advisory Board (NSAB):

    • The NSAB is a high-level advisory body to the National Security Council (NSC).
    • It plays a crucial role in shaping national security policies and responses to both internal and external threats.
    • Composition: The NSAB includes eminent individuals from sectors like the armed forces, IPS, IFS, academia, and civil society, selected for expertise in areas such as defense, foreign affairs, internal security, economic affairs, and science & technology.
    • Key Functions:
      • Provide expert analysis on long-term security issues to the NSC.
      • Recommend solutions and policies on matters referred by the NSC.
      • Contribute significantly to India’s Nuclear Doctrine, Strategic Defence Reviews, and other critical policy frameworks.

    Back2Basics: National Security Council (NSC)

    • The NSC is the apex body advising the Prime Minister on national security and foreign policy matters, coordinating the government’s efforts to ensure the nation’s security.
    • It was established on 19 November 1998 by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
    • Members: National Security Advisor (NSA), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Ministers of Defence, External Affairs, Home, and Finance, Deputy NSA, Additional NSAs, and the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
    • Three-Tier Structure:
      • Strategic Policy Group (SPG): Highest decision-making body.
      • NSAB: Provides advisory support.
      • NSCS: Implements NSC decisions.
    • In July 2024, the NSCS was revamped to fill the Additional NSA post, delegating internal security management and threat analysis to enhance the NSA’s focus on broader challenges.

     

    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances. 2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to person being held for preventive detention 3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence.

    How many of the above statements are correct?

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

     

  • DRDO achieves milestone in Scramjet Hypersonic Engine Development

    Why in the News?

    The DRDO Laboratory (DRDL), located in Hyderabad, successfully demonstrated long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for over 1,000 seconds.

    About Hypersonic Cruise Missiles:

    • Hypersonic cruise missiles are advanced weapons capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5 (approximately 6,100 km/h), making them 5x faster than the speed of sound.
    • These missiles use Scramjets (Supersonic Combustion Ramjets) powered by atmospheric oxygen, making them more efficient for long-duration travel compared to traditional missiles that carry their own oxidizers.
    • They maintain high speeds and are highly manoeuvrable, making them difficult to intercept by current missile defense systems.
    • They can strike targets at long ranges with minimal warning and penetrate advanced defense shields.

    DRDO’s Achievement:

    • The DRDO successfully conducted long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for over 1,000 seconds.
    • This test advances India’s capability to develop hypersonic cruise missiles, validating the design of the scramjet combustor and the test facility, both crucial for developing air-breathing propulsion systems.
    • This paves the way for full-scale flight-worthy combustor testing, bringing India closer to developing functional hypersonic missiles and enhancing its defense capabilities.
    [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*

     

  • Novel Silicon Photonics Breakthrough

    Why in the News?

    In a major breakthrough, Indian researchers have developed a new type of laser that can be placed directly onto silicon chips, a key component of modern computers.

    What is Silicon Photonics?

    • Silicon photonics is a technology that uses light (photons) instead of electrical signals to transmit data inside computer systems.
    • Light can carry more data at higher speeds with less energy than electricity, making it a promising technology for future computing and data transfer.
    • Traditional silicon chips struggle to produce light, requiring external lasers, which were inefficient and costly.
    • Silicon photonics can significantly enhance data transfer speed and efficiency, benefiting industries like data centers and telecommunications.

    About the Miniaturized Laser Technology

    • Indian researchers have successfully integrated a laser directly onto a silicon chip, eliminating the need for separate lasers.
    • The laser is made using gallium arsenide (where 20% of gallium atoms had been replaced with indium to achieve optimal light emission), which helps silicon emit light, a crucial step since silicon alone cannot produce light efficiently.
    • It uses minimal power, ideal for high-performance, energy-efficient computers.
    • Direct integration reduces costs, making the technology scalable for mass production.
    • This innovation boosts computing power, particularly in data centers where fast data transfer is critical.
    • Efforts are underway to enhance its durability, especially at higher temperatures, for broader industrial use.
    [UPSC 2008] Which one of the following laser types is used in a laser printer?

    (a) Dye laser (b) Gas laser (c) Semiconductor laser (d) Excimer laser

     

  • Real Time LAMP Assay for Early Diagnosis of TB

    Why in the News?

    Researchers from Thiruvananthapuram have developed a cost-effective Real-Time LAMP (rt-LAMP) Assay for early Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis.

    About the rt-LAMP Assay

    • The rt-LAMP assay (real-time Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification) is a molecular diagnostic test designed to detect TB DNA with high precision.
    • It can detect TB DNA at concentrations as low as 10 copy numbers per microlitre, ensuring early detection even with low bacterial loads.
    • Developed by SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram, the rt-LAMP assay uses Syto 16, a fluorescent dye, to monitor DNA amplification in real time, addressing the limitations of traditional LAMP tests.
    • Working Principle:
      • It uses six primers for DNA amplification (compared to two in RT-PCR), enhancing amplification speed.
      • It operates at a single temperature, unlike RT-PCR, making it simpler and more cost-effective.
      • It monitors the amplification process continuously, providing faster results.

    Advantages Offered:

    • High Sensitivity and Specificity: Ensures accurate detection of TB DNA due to the use of six primers.
    • Cost-Effective: Uses affordable fluorescent dyes and primers, reducing diagnostic costs.
    • Speed: Produces results in just 10-20 minutes, faster than traditional tests.
    • Ease of Use: Compatible with existing RT-PCR machines, reducing the need for new infrastructure.
    • High Throughput: Can process 96-384 tests in one run, making it ideal for high-volume settings.
    [UPSC 2007] Which of the following types is used by computed tomography employed for visualization of the internal structure of the human body?

    (a) X-rays (b) Sound Waves (c) Magnetic Resonance (d) Radioisotopes