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GS Paper: GS3-15.Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.

  • VYOMA Innovation Challenge

    Why in the news?

    The Digital India BHASHINI Division, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, launched the VYOMA Innovation Challenge to promote multilingual, voice first, offline AI solutions for India.

    Key Highlights

    • Initiative launched in collaboration with:
      • Current AI
      • Kalpa Impact.
    • Objective:
      • Promote open source multilingual AI systems that can function in:
        • Offline environments
        • Low connectivity regions.

    About Sunno Sutra

    The challenge is based on:

    • Sunno Sutra: A multilingual voice first handheld AI reference device.
    • Developed jointly by: BHASHINI and Current AI.

    Features of Sunno Sutra

    • Supports: Conversational AI in Indian languages.
    • Works: Without cloud dependence.
    • Uses: On device AI capabilities.
    • Suitable for: Rural and low resource environments.

    Objectives of the VYOMA Innovation Challenge

    • Encourage development of:
      • Multilingual AI applications.
      • Voice based technologies.
    • Improve:
      • Digital accessibility.
      • Language inclusion.
    • Promote: Edge AI innovation in India.

    What is Edge AI?

    Edge AI refers to: Artificial Intelligence processing directly on local devices instead of remote cloud servers.

    Advantages:

    • Faster processing
    • Offline functionality
    • Better privacy
    • Reduced internet dependence

    Sectors Targeted

    Potential applications include:

    • Education
    • Agriculture
    • Healthcare
    • Governance
    • Public service delivery

    [2020] With the print 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

  • Biopharma SHAKTI Scheme: Boosting India’s Biologics & Biosimilars Sector

    Why in the News

    The Government has announced the Biopharma SHAKTI Scheme with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore (5 years) to strengthen India’s biopharmaceutical ecosystem and enhance global competitiveness.

    What is Biopharma SHAKTI?

    • A flagship initiative to:
      • Promote biologics and biosimilars manufacturing
      • Support R&D, clinical trials, and innovation
    • Goal: Make India a global biopharma hub and ensure affordable healthcare

    Key Objectives

    • Build a self-reliant biopharma ecosystem
    • Reduce import dependence
    • Improve global competitiveness
    • Promote innovation-driven manufacturing

    Major Components of the Scheme

    • Funding Support: Discovery Grant Fund and Equity Fund for drug development
    • R&D Ecosystem
      • Strengthening: National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)
      • Creation of a National Biopharma R&D Network
    • Clinical Trials Expansion
      • 1,000 accredited trial sites across India
      • Led by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
    • Manufacturing Boost
      • Incentives for: Fermentation-based bulk drugs and Biopharma manufacturing inputs
    • Devices & Packaging
      • Develop ecosystem for: Drug delivery devices and Advanced packaging. 
    • Biosimilars & Biologics Production: Biosimilars (cost-effective versions of biologics) and Emerging biologics like gene therapies.
    • Regulatory Strengthening: Strengthen Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
      • Create scientific review cadre
      • Faster and globally credible approvals

    What are Biologics & Biosimilars?

    • Biologics: Medicines derived from living organisms (e.g., vaccines, monoclonal antibodies)
    • Biosimilars: Cheaper versions of biologics with similar efficacy
    • Not identical (due to complexity of biologics)
    • Must show no clinically meaningful differences in safety, purity, and effectiveness
    [2025] With reference to monoclonal antibodies, consider the following: 
    1. They are man-made proteins. 
    2. They stimulate the patient’s immune system to fight the specific disease. 
    3. They are produced using animal cells only. 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    (a) I and II only (b) II and III only (c) I and III only (d) All the three

  • Industrial Hemp

    Why in the News?

    • The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh has initiated a policy push to legalise and regulate industrial hemp cultivation.

    What is Industrial Hemp

    • Scientific name: Cannabis sativa L.
    • Belongs to the Cannabis genus and Cannabaceae family
    • Herbaceous, dioecious plant
    • Botanically related to marijuana but very different in use and effects
    • THC content less than 0.3%
    • High fiber content and negligible psychoactive effect

    Industrial Hemp vs Marijuana

    • Marijuana: High tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and psychoactive
    • Industrial hemp: Extremely low THC, used for industrial and commercial purposes

    Key Characteristics

    • Fast growing crop
    • Environment friendly
    • Requires relatively less water and pesticides
    • Suitable for diversified agro industrial value chains

    Applications of Industrial Hemp

    • Fibre and textiles: Cloth, upholstery, ropes
    • Industrial uses: Auto parts, paper, packaging
    • Energy: Biofuel production from stalk
    • Construction: Building materials like hempcrete
    • Seeds and oil: Food products and animal feed. Oil for cosmetics, lotions and personal care products

    Policy Significance

    • Opens avenues for farmer income diversification
    • Boosts green economy and sustainable industries
    • Potential for employment generation in hill states

    Prelims Takeaway

    • Industrial hemp is legally distinct from narcotic cannabis due to very low THC
    • Multi sector utility crop with applications in textiles, construction, energy, food and cosmetics
    According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels? (2020)

    1. Cassava 

    2. Damaged wheat grains 

    3. Groundnut seeds 

    4. Horse gram 

    5. Rotten potatoes 

    6. Sugar beet 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

  • Aloe vera Compounds as Potential Alzheimer’s Inhibitors  

    Why in the news?

    A new study (Current Pharmaceutical Analysis, 2025) suggests that common plant molecules from Aloe vera—especially Beta sitosterol—may inhibit key enzymes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Findings are based entirely on in silico (computer simulation) techniques.

    What is Computer Simulation (In Silico Research)?

    • Computer simulation, often called in silico research, refers to the use of computational tools and algorithms to model biological, chemical, or physical processes.
    • It allows scientists to predict molecular interactions, drug behavior, and biological outcomes without physical experiments.

    Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) 

    • Most common form of dementia.
    • Characterised by:
      • Memory loss
      • Cognitive decline
      • Accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
      • Loss of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter linked to learning and memory.
    • Enzymes involved in acetylcholine breakdown:
      • Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
      • Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)
    • Current drugs (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine) work by inhibiting these enzymes but do not stop disease progression.

    Why Aloe vera?

    • Used for 3000+ years in traditional medicine.
    • Contains bioactive compounds such as Beta sitosterol, Succinic acid, polysaccharides, and phenolics.

    Major Findings

    • Beta sitosterol showed strong binding affinity to both enzymes:
      • AChE: −8.6 kcal/mol
      • BChE: −8.7 kcal/mol
    • The binding strength is higher than that of other screened compounds like Succinic acid.
    • ADMET results suggest:
      • Good absorption
      • Low toxicity
      • Favourable pharmacokinetic profile
    Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (2022)

    (a) Cloud Services 

    (b) Quantum Computing 

    (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies 

    (d) Wireless Communication Technologies

    This PYQ is chosen because it tests a fundamental concept related to the cutting edge of computational power and modelling, which is the operational domain of computer simulation.

  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency & Skin Manifestations 

    Why in the news?

    According to a study published in Canad­ian Family Physician, Vitamin B12 deficiency often shows early dermatological symptoms—such as pigmentation, dryness, and inflammation—before neurological or hematological complications appear.

    What is Vitamin B12?

    • Water-soluble vitamins are essential for: Red blood cell formation, Nerve function, DNA synthesis and Cell growth and repair

    Why Skin Shows Early Signs?

    • B12 deficiency → reduced RBC production → low oxygen delivery to skin → visible skin changes.
    • Weak immunity and impaired nerve function further worsen dermatological issues.
    High-Risk Groups

    More prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency:

    • Vegetarians/vegans
    • Adults > 50 years
    • Individuals with:
      • Gastritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease
    • Those taking:
      • Antacids (PPIs/H2 blockers)
      • Metformin
    • People with poor nutrient absorption
    Consider the following pairs: Vitamin : Deficiency disease (2014)

    1. Vitamin C : Scurvy 

    2. Vitamin D : Rickets 

    3. Vitamin E : Night Blindness 

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) None

  • Big Tech’s contempt for Indian Public Health

    Introduction

    India’s Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 (DMRA) prohibits advertisements claiming to cure 54 specific medical conditions without proven efficacy. However, the advent of Big Tech advertising has bypassed this framework. Platforms such as Meta, Google, and others are now running sponsored ads for unapproved ayurvedic and homeopathic treatments, violating DMRA provisions. Despite clear illegality, these violations persist due to jurisdictional leniency, U.S.-based corporate protection, and absence of enforcement by Indian regulators.

    Why in the News

    Big Tech’s persistent advertising of unverified health products and ayurvedic “cures” on Indian social media platforms has triggered major concern. The issue marks a systemic regulatory failure, even after India’s decades-old legal framework (DMRA, PNDT Act) prohibits such practices, platforms continue to profit from misleading medical claims. The scale of harm, coupled with cross-border corporate impunity, has made this a critical governance challenge and a new frontier in public health ethics and digital accountability.

    How Has Advertising in Public Health Evolved in the Digital Era?

    1. Shift from Traditional to Digital: Advertisement control has weakened as digital and social media replaced print and broadcast.
    2. Rise of Big Tech Platforms: Meta, Google, and others allow sponsored advertisements promoting “miracle cures,” violating the DMRA.
    3. Absence of Oversight: Digital platforms operate transnationally, making regulatory enforcement difficult.
    4. Public Health Implication: Continuous exposure to false medical claims undermines rational drug use and increases health risks.

    Why Are Big Tech Platforms Violating Indian Law?

    1. Profit-Driven Algorithms: Platforms profit from “sponsored” or “boosted” posts, regardless of legality or health implications.
    2. Weak Accountability: Advertisers and intermediaries claim immunity as “third-party hosts,” avoiding liability under Indian law.
    3. Jurisdictional Escape: Since most Big Tech firms are headquartered in the U.S., Indian laws like DMRA lack cross-border enforcement power.
    4. Regulatory Vacuum: Absence of a unified digital advertising regulator allows platforms to function without deterrence.

    What Legal Frameworks Are Being Ignored?

    1. Drugs and Magic. Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954: Prohibits advertisements for 54 medical conditions; violation is a criminal offence.
    2. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994: Bans sex-selection advertisements; Big Tech platforms earlier violated this as well.
    3. Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940: Requires all medicines to be clinically established before advertising.
    4. IT Act, 2000 (Section 79): Provides conditional immunity to intermediaries, which is being misused to escape responsibility.
    5. U.S. Corporate Protection: American law shields these corporations from Indian prosecution, leading to managerial impunity.

    What Are the Broader Implications for Governance and Sovereignty?

    1. Erosion of Regulatory Authority: India’s ability to enforce its health and advertising laws is weakened.
    2. Public Interest vs. Corporate Freedom: Public health suffers as profit-driven digital advertising goes unchecked.
    3. Failure of Accountability Mechanisms: Courts and regulators have struggled to bring Big Tech executives under Indian jurisdiction.
    4. Threat to Rule of Law: Unequal treatment between Indian entities and global corporations undermines trust in domestic regulation.

    What Policy Reforms Are Needed?

    1. Legal Recalibration: DMRA and PNDT Act need alignment with the Information Technology Act to hold intermediaries accountable.
    2. Managerial Responsibility: Indian courts should compel Big Tech executives to appear before regulators and face prosecution if violations persist.
    3. Strengthened Digital Health Advertising Rules: Mandate health ads to carry verification tags or disclaimers by government-authorized bodies.
    4. Bilateral Cooperation: India-U.S. digital diplomacy must address cross-border legal immunity for tech corporations.
    5. Institutional Oversight: Establish a Digital Health Advertising Authority (DHAA) under the Ministry of Health to oversee compliance.

    Conclusion

    Big Tech’s disregard for Indian health advertising laws symbolizes the intersection of technology, law, and public welfare. Without regulatory modernization and corporate accountability, digital platforms will continue to operate beyond the reach of Indian law. Ensuring managerial accountability, legal parity, and public health protection must now be central to India’s digital governance reform agenda.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?”Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare?

    Linkage: Health related topics are a recurring theme in both GS2 and GS3 papers. The growing use of AI by Big Tech in healthcare mirrors the same challenge of data misuse and weak accountability seen in misleading health advertisements. Both reflect how unchecked digital algorithms can exploit personal health data for profit, posing grave risks to privacy and public trust in India’s health governance system.

  • Akash Missile System 

    Why in the News?

    India has pitched for the supply of the Akash missile system to Brazil.

    akash

    About Akash Missile System:

    • Overview: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
    • Type: A short-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) designed to defend against aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters.
    • Operational Users: Inducted by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, forming part of India’s layered air defence grid.
    • Purpose: Protects vital assets from aerial threats within the short to medium range segment.
    • Deployment Mode: Mounted on mobile launchers for rapid positioning, flexibility, and operational agility.
    • Comparison: Functionally comparable to Israel’s Iron Dome, though Akash focuses on intercepting larger aerial targets rather than small projectiles.

    Key Features:

    • Range & Altitude: Effective range 4.5–25 km; altitude coverage 100 m–20 km.
    • Engagement Capacity: A single firing unit can engage four targets simultaneously in both autonomous and group modes.
    • Speed & Accuracy: Capable of high-speed interceptions with radar-guided precision.
    • Propulsion & Dimensions: Length 5.87 m, diameter 350 mm, weight 710 kg; powered by solid-fuel propulsion.
    • Automation: Fully automated system ensuring rapid reaction time from detection to neutralization.
    • ECCM Capability: Built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) to resist enemy jamming
    [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*

     

  • SARAL tool to simplify Scientific Research Papers

    Why in the News?

    The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), India’s newest science funding agency, has launched a digital tool called SARAL (Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning) to make scientific research more accessible.

    What is Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?

    • Establishment: Created under the ANRF Act, 2023, replacing the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
    • Nature: Acts as India’s apex science funding and policy-making body.

    • Mission & Objectives: 

      • Raise India’s R&D spending from 0.7% to 2% of GDP by 2030.
      • Mobilise 70% private sector participation in research funding.
      • Promote interdisciplinary research across sciences, technology, health, agriculture, humanities, and social sciences.
      • Align research with Viksit Bharat 2047 and the National Education Policy (NEP).

    • Structure:

      • Chairperson: Prime Minister of India (ex-officio).
      • Vice Presidents: Union Ministers of Science & Technology and Education.
      • Member Secretary: Principal Scientific Advisor.
      • Guided by a Governing Council and Executive Council for policy and funding.

    About SARAL:

    • Developer: Created by IIIT Hyderabad under the guidance of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
    • Purpose: Designed to make complex research papers accessible to students, professionals, and the general public.
    • AI Use: Generates summaries in multiple formats such as slides, videos, posters, and podcasts.
    • Language Support: Available in 11 Indian languages, ensuring wider inclusivity in science communication.
    • Workflow: Users upload research papers (LaTeX, arXiv links, PDFs); AI divides into sections (Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion); it produces editable slides and video summaries.
    • Significance:
      • Democratises science by converting research into layman-friendly outputs.
      • Enhances science communication and outreach.
      • Builds awareness of cutting-edge research across disciplines.
    [UPSC 2015] Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)?

    1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.

    2. NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

     

  • [pib] Siphon-Based Thermal Desalination System

    Why in the News?

    Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a siphon-based thermal desalination system that overcomes siltation issues, offering a low-cost and scalable solution.

    About Siphon-Based Thermal Desalination System:

    • Overview: Developed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers to overcome the inefficiencies of conventional solar stills.
    • Purpose: Designed as a low-cost, scalable, and sustainable freshwater solution for off-grid and water-stressed regions.

    • Working: 

      • Principle: Works on siphonage, where a fabric wick draws salty water and gravity maintains continuous flow.
      • Innovation: A grooved metallic surface flushes away salt deposits before crystallization, preventing clogging.
      • Process: Salty water evaporates as a thin film on a heated surface and condenses just 2 mm away on a cooler surface, ensuring high efficiency.

    Key Features:

    • High Efficiency: Generates >6 liters of freshwater per sq. m per hour under sunlight — several times more than conventional solar stills.
    • Multistage Design: Uses stacked evaporator–condenser pairs to recycle heat and boost output.
    • Salt Resistance: Handles up to 20% salinity without clogging, making it effective even for brine treatment.
    • Affordable Materials: Built from aluminum and fabric, keeping costs low.
    • Energy Flexibility: Operates on solar power or waste heat, adaptable to different settings.
    • Scalable Applications: Useful for villages, disaster zones, and island communities.
    • Sustainability: Offers a clean, low-maintenance desalination method without reliance on complex machinery.
    [UPSC 2008] Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh liters of freshwater per day based on low-temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned?

    Options: (a) Kavaratti * (b) Port Blair (c) Mangalore (d) Valsad

     

  • Delhi to witness Artificial Rain through Cloud Seeding

    Why in the News?

    The Delhi government is planning to trial cloud-seeding to trigger artificial rain to combat air pollution ahead of winters.

    About Cloud Seeding:

    • About: It is a microclimate management technique aimed at altering precipitation patterns by dispersing substances into clouds to stimulate rainfall or snowfall.
    • Why it is used: It is used to mitigate hail, disperse fog, and either induce precipitation or prevent it from occurring in subsequent days.
    • Techniques include:
      • Static Cloud Seeding: Chemicals are introduced into cold clouds already containing supercooled water droplets, encouraging the formation of ice crystals.
      • Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding: Salts are sprayed into the base of warm clouds to act as condensation nuclei, increasing the number and size of water droplets.
      • Dynamic Cloud Seeding: This method involves boosting vertical air currents to enhance moisture passage through the clouds, leading to more rain.
    • Common Cloud Seeding Chemicals:
      • Silver iodide (AgI): Preferred for its ice-like crystalline properties.
      • Potassium iodide (KI): Functions similarly to silver iodide.
      • Dry ice (solid CO₂): Used to rapidly cool cloud droplets, aiding rain formation.
      • Liquid propane: Used in specific cloud types, effective at higher temperatures.
      • Sodium chloride and calcium chloride: Used in hygroscopic (warm) cloud seeding methods.
      • Bismuth tri-iodide (BiI₃): Sometimes used based on experimental or environmental considerations.
    • Dispersion methods range from aircraft and ground-based generators to newer approaches like drones delivering electric charges or infrared laser pulses.

    Limitations: 

    • Concerns persist regarding the potential accumulation of seeding agents in sensitive ecosystems, although detailed studies have shown negligible impacts.
    • The chemicals used, such as silver iodide, may potentially damage the environment and cause health issues like iodine poisoning in high concentrations
    [UPSC 2025] Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of:

    (a) silver iodide and potassium iodide *

    (b) silver nitrate and potassium iodide

    (c) silver iodide and potassium nitrate

    (d) silver nitrate and potassium chloride