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GS Paper: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

  • Indigenous Sodium Ion Battery Development in India

    Why in the News?

    The Chatterjee Group is considering commercial production of indigenous sodium ion batteries, following successful development of a high speed charging Na ion battery by its research arm.

    Key Development

    • Scientists at Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE) have developed an India sourced sodium ion battery.
    • Battery charges up to 94 percent in 5 minutes.
    • Energy density: ~180 Wh per kg, comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries.
    • Prototype may be ready for industrial scale deployment in 2 to 3 years.
    • Estimated commercial investment could reach 10 to 12 billion dollars.

    About Sodium Ion Batteries

    • Use sodium instead of lithium as the charge carrier.
    • Sodium is abundant, low cost and widely available.
    • Safer thermal profile compared to lithium ion batteries.

    Key advantages

    • No use of lithium, cobalt, nickel or copper.
    • Reduces dependence on critical mineral imports, especially from China.
    • Lower supply chain vulnerability.

    Commercial Potential Areas

    • Electric mobility, especially two and three wheelers due to fast charging needs.
    • Grid scale energy storage for renewable energy integration.
    • Off grid and rural energy systems where robust and low cost storage is required.
    [2025] In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements: 

    I. Cobalt 

    II. Graphite 

    III. Lithium 

    IV. Nickel 

    How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All the four

  • Universe, Solar System Discoveries

  • Coconut Root Wilt Disease

    Why in the News?

    Coconut Root Wilt Disease is witnessing rapid spread across major coconut growing regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, affecting lakhs of coconut palms and causing severe yield losses.

    About

    • Chronic, non fatal disease of coconut
    • Caused by a phytoplasma which is a phloem limited pathogen
    • Leads to long term decline in palm health and productivity
    • Infected palms remain alive and act as persistent inoculum sources

    Origin and spread

    • First reported over 150 years ago from Erattupetta, Kerala
    • Continues as an endemic disease in southern India
    • Vector borne transmission is the primary mode of spread
    • Spread accelerates due to continuous coconut belts
    • Wind assisted vector movement enhances transmission
    • Abiotic stress such as temperature extremes and biotic stress like new sucking pests increase susceptibility

    Vector

    • Spread by sap sucking insect vectors
    • Important vectors include Stephanitis typica and Proutista moesta

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Disease is non fatal but debilitating
    • Caused by phytoplasma
    • Spread through insect vectors
    • Endemic to southern India
    • Management focuses on tolerance, soil health and stress reduction
    [2018] Consider the following: 

    1. Birds 

    2. Dust blowing 

    3. Rain 

    4. Wind blowing

    Which of the above spread plant diseases? 

    (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • Project Suncatcher

    Why in the News?

    Google Research unveiled Project Suncatcher, a research initiative exploring AI datacentres in low Earth orbit powered entirely by solar energy, aimed at addressing the rapidly rising electricity demand of advanced AI systems.

    What is Project Suncatcher

    • A concept and research programme
    • Proposes placing AI datacentres in Low Earth Orbit
    • Datacentres operate continuously on solar power
    • Designed to handle energy intensive AI workloads
    • Developed under Google Research

    Objectives

    • Reduce the energy footprint of AI
    • Enable round the clock clean solar power
    • Decouple AI compute growth from
      • Terrestrial power grids
      • Land constraints
      • Water intensive cooling systems
    • Support long term scalability of AI infrastructure

    Prelims Pointers

    • Orbit used: Low Earth Orbit
    • Power source: Solar energy only
    • Developed by: Google Research
    • Key orbit type: Sun synchronous orbit
    • Core challenge addressed: AI energy demand
    • Emphasis on inter satellite communication over Earth links
    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? 

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 

    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 

    3. Disease diagnosis 

    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 

    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • Indelible Ink 

    Why in the News?

    During municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, Opposition parties alleged that the indelible ink mark on voters’ fingers was easily removable, raising concerns over possible electoral malpractice. The issue gained traction after videos showed ink marks fading when marker pens were used.

    What is Indelible Ink

    • Applied on a voter’s finger after casting the vote
    • Ensures one person votes only once
    • Designed to remain visible for several days
    • Removal is possible only as the outer skin layer sheds

    When did India start using it

    • Introduced in 1962
    • Used for the first time in India’s third General Election
    • Decision taken by Election Commission of India
    • Has been in continuous use since then

    Who Manufactures the Ink

    • Manufactured exclusively by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited
    • Karnataka government undertaking
    • Supplies ink under contract with
      • Election Commission of India
      • Union Ministry of Law and Justice

    Note: Exported to countries like Afghanistan, Cambodia, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal and Nigeria.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Indelible ink introduced in 1962
    • Key chemical silver nitrate
    • Developed by National Physical Laboratory
    • Manufactured by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited
    • Ink visibility on nail can last up to four weeks
    • Marker pens allowed in local body elections since 2011
    [2017] Consider the following statements: 

    1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body

    2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections

    3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only

  • Bio Safety Level 4 Containment Facility in Gandhinagar

    Why in the News?

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of a Bio Safety Level 4 Containment Facility in Gandhinagar, describing it as a national health shield and a major step towards advanced health security and biotechnology.

    What is a BSL-4 Facility?

    • Bio Safety Level 4 is the highest level of biological containment
    • Designed to handle extremely dangerous and lethal pathogens
    • Pathogens are often
      • Highly infectious
      • Transmitted via air or contact
      • Without proven vaccines or treatments
    • Work conducted under strict international biosafety protocols
    • Scientists wear positive pressure suits and work in sealed environments

    Pathogens to be Studied at Gandhinagar Facility

    • Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus, Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, and Nipah virus

    BSL Facilities in India

    • Only civilian BSL 4 lab currently operational at National Institute of Virology
    • Defence BSL 4 lab established by DRDO in Gwalior in 2024
    • High security animal disease labs
      • National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases with ABSL 3 plus
      • International Centre for Foot and Mouth Disease with ABSL 3Ag

    Prelims Pointers

    • BSL 4 is the highest biosafety level
    • Handles lethal and exotic pathogens
    • Gandhinagar lab is
      • Second civilian BSL 4 in India
      • First fully state funded BSL 4 facility
    • Supports One Health approach linking human and animal health
    • Enhances India’s pandemic readiness and biotech capacity
    [2021] Consider the following: 

    1. Bacteria 

    2. Fungi 

    3. Virus

    Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium? 

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

  • Havana Syndrome Back 

    Why in the News?

    A renewed debate has emerged in the United States over Havana Syndrome after reports that the United States Department of Defense has been testing a covertly acquired device capable of emitting pulsed radio frequency energy, according to a report by CNN.  

    What is Havana Syndrome

    • Also officially termed Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs)
    • First reported in 2016 by US diplomats stationed in Havana, Cuba
    • Symptoms include:
      • Severe headaches
      • Dizziness and vertigo
      • Cognitive difficulties and memory issues
      • Sensations similar to head trauma without visible injury
    • Since then, cases have been reported across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa
    • Affected personnel include:
      • Diplomats
      • Intelligence officers
      • Military personnel

    Why It Is Difficult to Diagnose

    • No single, universally accepted medical definition
    • Delayed clinical examinations in many cases
    • Symptoms overlap with stress related and neurological disorders
    • Lack of direct physical evidence in most incidents

    Cause: 

    Havana Syndrome, officially termed Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), does not have one conclusively proven cause.

    • Pulsed electromagnetic / microwave energy: Most plausible explanation. Can cause neurological symptoms without visible injury.
    • Possible directed-energy device exposure: Suspected use of portable energy-emitting devices for covert harassment or surveillance.
    • Psychological and stress-related factors: High-stress diplomatic environments may have contributed in some cases.
    • Acoustic (sound-based) causes: Initially suspected but largely ruled out due to weak scientific support.
    • Environmental or chemical exposure: Considered but no common toxin identified across locations.
    [2010] Consider the following: 

    1. Bluetooth device 

    2. Cordless phone 

    3. Microwave oven 

    4. Wi-Fi device 

    Which of the above can operate between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz range of radio frequency band? 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • Greenwald Limit in Fusion Research

    Why in the News?

    China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) fusion reactor has achieved stable plasma densities 30 to 65 percent higher than the Greenwald limit, overcoming a decades old constraint in nuclear fusion research.

    About Greenwald Limit

    • The Greenwald limit is a theoretical upper limit on plasma density in a tokamak fusion reactor.
    • It links the maximum stable plasma density to:
      • Plasma current
      • Size of the tokamak
    • Crossing this limit usually causes plasma instability and sudden collapse.

    Why the Greenwald Limit Matters?

    • Nuclear fusion requires:
      • Very high temperature
      • High plasma density
      • Sufficient confinement time
    • The Greenwald limit restricted how much fuel plasma could be packed into a tokamak.
    • It has been a major bottleneck to achieving self sustaining fusion or ignition.

    Prelims Pointers

    • Greenwald limit applies to tokamak fusion reactors
    • Exceeding it traditionally causes plasma instability
    • EAST achieved stable plasma beyond this limit
    • Breakthrough achieved by plasma wall interaction control
    • Important for progress towards fusion ignition and clean energy
    [2016] India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India? 

    (a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation

    (b) It attains 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

  • DRDO Successfully Flight Tests Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

    Why in the News?

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted the flight test of the third generation Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability against a moving target on 11 January 2026 at KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra.

    About Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

    • Type: Third generation Fire and Forget Anti Tank Guided Missile
    • Indigenous status: Fully indigenously developed
    • Intended user: Indian Army
    • Launch modes:
      • Tripod based launcher
      • Military Vehicle Mounted launcher

    Key Technological Features

    • Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker
      • Enables day and night combat capability
      • Ensures high accuracy after launch without operator guidance
    • Top Attack Capability: Missile strikes the top of enemy tanks, the most vulnerable section
    • Tandem Warhead: Designed to defeat modern Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) with explosive reactive armour
    • All Electric Control Actuation System
    • Advanced Fire Control System
    • High Performance Sighting System
    • Indigenous Propulsion System

    Prelims Pointers

    • MPATGM is a third generation Fire and Forget missile
    • Uses Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker
    • Has top attack and tandem warhead capability
    • Successfully tested in January 2026
    • Developed by DRDO with BDL and BEL as production partners
    [2024] Consider the following statements: 

    1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, 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? 

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

  • Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Technology 

    Why in the News?

    The Government of India is preparing to roll out Vehicle To Vehicle (V2V) communication technology by the end of 2026 to significantly reduce road accidents, especially during fog, rear end collisions, and pile ups.

    What is Vehicle To Vehicle (V2V) Technology

    • A direct communication system that allows vehicles to exchange information with each other
    • Works without mobile network or internet
    • Vehicles send and receive real time safety alerts when another vehicle comes dangerously close
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

    How the V2V System Works

    • A SIM like communication device installed inside vehicles
    • Vehicles broadcast signals about: Speed, Position, Direction and Sudden braking
    • Nearby vehicles receive instant alerts and warn drivers

    Key Features

    • 360 degree communication: Alerts received from all sides of the vehicle
    • Distance warning system: Warns drivers if another vehicle comes too close
    • Stationary vehicle detection: Alerts about parked or broken down vehicles on roads
    • Fog safety: Highly effective during low visibility conditions
    • Pile up prevention: Reduces chances of multi vehicle collisions on highways
    [2023] Consider the following actions: 

    1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously 

    2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive

    3. Detection of the tilt of the smart phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode 

    In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required? 

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