Why in the news?
Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted the major achievements of India’s science and technology ecosystem over the last 12 years.
Bioeconomy Growth
- India’s bioeconomy expanded from about USD 10 billion (2014) to over USD 190 billion (2026).
- Target: USD 300 billion by 2030.
- Growth driven by innovations in Biotechnology, Genomics, Diagnostics, and Biopharmaceuticals.
- Supported by the BioE3 Policy Framework.
Space Sector Achievements
- Space economy grew to around USD 8 billion and is projected to reach USD 45 billion in the next decade.
- Space startups increased from single digits to over 400.
- Major milestones: Chandrayaan-3 became the first mission to land near the Moon’s south pole. Gaganyaan preparations underway.
- Future goals: Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035. Indian Moon landing by 2040.
Weather and Climate Services
- Weather radars increased from 17 (2014) to nearly 50 operational radars.
- Another 50 radars planned under Mission Mausam.
- Forecast coverage expanded from 300 cities to nearly 1,700 locations.
- Expansion of Lightning detection systems, Rain-monitoring infrastructure, and Nowcast services for short-term forecasts.
- Mission Mausam: Initiative aimed at strengthening India’s weather forecasting and disaster resilience capabilities through modern observation and prediction systems.
Biotechnology and Healthcare
- India emerged as a global biotechnology hub.
- Advances include Affordable CAR-T cell therapy, Genomics and precision medicine, Next-generation antibiotics, and Indigenous diagnostics and vaccines.
- India’s COVID-19 vaccines showcased domestic scientific capability.
CSIR Innovations
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) expanded its outreach through:
- Aroma Mission promoting high-value aromatic crops.
- Steel slag road technology converting industrial waste into road-building material.
- Technologies in healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
Deep Ocean Technologies
- Development of Matsya 6000, India’s manned submersible.
- Development of Varaha, an indigenous deep-sea mining system.
Major Scientific Initiatives
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
- National Quantum Mission
- National Supercomputing Mission
- Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund
- National Geospatial Policy
Nuclear Energy Reforms
- Opening of the nuclear energy sector to greater private participation.
- Expected to boost Investment, Innovation, and Capacity creation.
[2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?
[A] Cloud Services
[B] Quantum Computing
[C] Visible Light Communication Technologies
[D] Wireless Communication Technologies
