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Subject: Science and Technology

  • ISRO’s NICES Programme Combatting Climate Change

    Why in the news?

    The National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) Program has extended invitations to Indian researchers to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

    What is NICES Program?

    • The NICES Programme is operated by the ISRO and the Department of Space.
    • It was launched in 2012.
    • It operates within the framework of the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
    • NICES aims to enhance the participation of Indian researchers in addressing climate change-related challenges through multidisciplinary scientific investigations.
    • Focus Areas: Potential areas for project submission include Space-based Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) and Climate Indicators, Climate Change Challenges, Weather Extremes, and Climate Services.

    Activities held under NICES Program

    • NICES invites project proposals from Indian scientists, academicians, and researchers affiliated with various governmental organizations, recognized institutions, universities, and departments.
    • Project proposals should address climate change-related challenges.
    • These projects are expected be completed within 3 years from the date of sanction.

    Objective and Functionality

    • The primary objective of the NICES Programme is to generate and disseminate long-term Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) derived from Indian and other Earth Observation (EO) satellites.
    • These variables, spanning terrestrial, oceanic, and atmospheric domains, are crucial for characterizing Earth’s climate and monitoring changes over time.

    Achievements and Impact:

    • Since its inception in 2012, NICES has developed over 70 geophysical products meeting stringent quality standards.
    • These products have been instrumental in documenting climate change and its impacts, contributing to scientific understanding and evidence-based decision-making.

    PYQ:

    2021: Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?

     

    Practice MCQ:

    The NICES Program is an initiative of:

    (a) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

    (b) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

    (c) Department of Science and Technology (DST)

    (d) None of the above.

  • Empathic Voice Interface (EVI): World’s first conversational AI with Emotional Intelligence  

    Why in the news?

    • Hume, a prominent research lab and tech firm based in New York, has unveiled Empathic Voice Interface (EVI), world’s first conversational AI endowed with emotional intelligence.

    What is Empathic Voice Interface (EVI)?

    • Hume’s Empathic Voice Interface (EVI) is powered by its proprietary empathic large language model (eLLM).
    • It can decipher tones, word emphasis, and emotional cues, improving the quality of interactions.
    • As an API, EVI can integrate seamlessly with various applications, offering developers a versatile solution for implementing human-like interactions.

    Potential Applications and Future Prospects

    • Enhanced AI Assistants: Hume’s technology enables AI assistants to engage in nuanced conversations, enhancing productivity and user satisfaction.
    • Improved Customer Support: By infusing empathy into customer support interactions, Hume’s AI promises to deliver more personalized service and foster stronger relationships.
    • Therapeutic Potential: Hume’s empathetic AI holds promise in therapeutic settings, offering support and guidance by understanding and responding to human emotions.

    PYQ:

    1. What is ’emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions?  (2013)
    2. “Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you.” Do you agree with this view? Discuss. (2019)
    3. How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices?  (2017)

     

    Practice MCQ:

    Which of the following statements correctly describes the Empathic Voice Interface (EVI)?

    (a) EVI operates as a standalone application, devoid of integration capabilities with other software systems.

    (b) It relies on conventional language models, neglecting emotional cues and word emphasis during interactions.

    (c) EVI, powered by its proprietary empathic large language model (eLLM), detects emotional nuances such as tones, word emphasis, and cues, enhancing interaction quality.

    (d) EVI is developed by the Microsoft.

  • Hepatitis B: Everything you need to know

    Why in the news?

    • A recent study by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, revealed alarming deficiencies in public knowledge (transmission, effects & vaccination) about Hepatitis B in India.
    • Despite the availability of a vaccine for over 30 years, HBV infection rates remain high in India, with prevalence estimates ranging from 2% to 8% and approximately 37 million carriers nationwide.

    About Hepatitis

    • Hepatitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the liver.
    • It can be caused by various factors, including viral infections (hepatitis viruses), alcohol consumption, certain medications, toxins, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders.
    Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C
    Causative Virus Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
    Transmission Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water) Blood and body fluids (unsafe sex, sharing needles) Blood-to-blood contact (sharing needles, transfusions)
    Vaccine Available Yes Yes Yes
    Chronic Infection No (usually acute) Yes (can become chronic) Yes (often becomes chronic)
    Symptoms Mild flu-like symptoms, jaundice Variable, from none to severe symptoms Often asymptomatic, but can lead to liver damage
    Chronic Complications None Cirrhosis, liver cancer Cirrhosis, liver cancer
    Preventable by Vaccine Yes Yes No
    Treatment Supportive care Antiviral medications Antiviral medications

     

    PYQ:

     

    Which one of the following statements is not correct? (2019)

    (a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

    (b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.

    (c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.

    (d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.

     

    Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? (2013)

    1.    Chikungunya

    2.    Hepatitis B

    3.    HIV-AIDS

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Practice MCQ:

     

    Consider the following statements regarding Hepatitis C virus:

    1.    It is spread mainly through contaminated water and food.

    2.    It primarily affects the functioning of respiratory system.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) Only 1

    (b) Only 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Global Spread of H5N1 Bird Flu

    Why in the news?

    • Since 2020, the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been spreading globally, posing a significant threat to both birds and mammals.

    H5N1 Bird Flu: Details

    • H5N1 originated from a virus outbreak on a goose farm in China in 1996 and has since evolved into a highly pathogenic strain.
    • The virus quickly spread from Europe to Africa, Asia, North America, and South America, and most recently, it reached mainland Antarctica.
    • H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus that causes severe respiratory disease in birds, known as avian influenza or “bird flu”.
    • Influenza A viruses are classified by subtypes based on the properties of their surface proteins, with H5N1 being one subtype.

    How widespread is it?

    • The virus has affected birds in over 80 countries, resulting in mass culling of poultry and wild birds.
    • Furthermore, it has now begun infecting mammals, including seals, sea lions, and marine mammals.
    • While humans rarely contract bird flu, those at risk are typically individuals who have extensive contact with infected birds at poultry farms.
    • Bird flu first broke out in Maharashtra in 2006.
    • The H5N1 virus led to the culling of millions of poultry so as to contain the virus. But it has resurfaced from time to time.

    Impact on Animals

    • Bird Species Affected: Numerous bird species, including Great Skuas and Barnacle Geese, have experienced significant mortality rates due to H5N1.
    • Endangered Species Threatened: Endangered birds like the California condors have been severely affected, with a notable percentage of the population succumbing to the virus.
    • Mammalian Casualties: H5N1 has crossed species barriers, infecting mammals such as foxes, pumas, skunks, and marine mammals like sea lions and dolphins.
    • Devastating Consequences: Mass mortalities of marine mammals, particularly elephant seals, have been reported, raising concerns about the long-term ecological impact.

    Factors behind Spread

    • Climate Change: Some scientists attribute the large-scale spread of bird flu to climate change, which alters bird behavior and facilitates the transmission of the virus.
    • Warmer Seas: Warmer sea temperatures have weakened marine mammal populations, making them more susceptible to disease outbreaks.

    PYQ:

     

    2015: H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

    (a) AIDS

    (b) Bird flu

    (c) Dengue

    (d) Swine flu

     

    Practice MCQ:

    How many of the given statements about H5N1 Virus is/are correct?

    1.    It is a type of influenza virus causing highly infectious, respiratory disease in birds.

    2.    It is highly contagious in humans.

    3.    Seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals are vulnerable to this Virus.

    Select the correct codes from below –

    (a) One

    (b) Two

    (c) Three

    (d) None

  • Discovery of Amino Acid unveils How Light makes Stomata Open in Plants

    Why in the news?

    Scientists from Nagoya University have made a discovery about the regulation of Stomatal opening in plants, a process vital for efficient photosynthesis by a type of amino acid threonine (Thr881).

    What are Stomatal Openings?

    • Stomata are microscopic pores on plant leaves crucial for gas exchange.
    • They particularly uptake carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis.

    How does Light make Stomata Open?

    • Research unveiled a novel regulatory mechanism involving the phosphorylation of the 881st threonine residue (Thr881) of the plasma membrane proton pump in response to red and blue light.
    • Phosphorylation, a process involving the addition or removal of a phosphate group from amino acids, acts as a regulatory switch, influencing protein structure and function.
    • The researchers focused on the phosphorylation of Thr881 and its role in stomatal opening.
    • They observed phosphorylation in response to both red and blue light conditions, highlighting the interplay between photosynthesis and light signaling.

    Significance of Thr881 Phosphorylation

    • Mutant studies confirmed the critical role of Thr881 phosphorylation in stomatal opening.
    • Plants expressing a mutant proton pump lacking Thr881 phosphorylation exhibited reduced stomatal aperture and transpiration rates, emphasizing the regulatory significance of this amino acid residue.
    • The study identified Thr881, along with Thr948, as crucial phosphorylation sites for the activation of the enzyme H+-ATPase, essential for stomatal opening.
    • Manipulating Thr881 could offer avenues for promoting plant growth, enhancing carbon dioxide absorption, and reducing fertilizer usage.

    PYQ:

    2014: Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

    a)    Potential energy is released to form free energy

    b)    Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored

    c)    Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water

    d)    Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out

     

    Practice MCQ:

    What is the significance of phosphorylation of the threonine residue (Thr881) in the context of plants?

    a)    It helps in reducing carbon dioxide uptake and photosynthesis efficiency.

    b)    It enhances photosynthesis in dark conditions.

    c)    It reduces transpiration leading to enhanced water conservation.

    d)    It is essential for regulating stomatal aperture and facilitating gas exchange in plants.

  • Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) discovers 5000th Comet

    Why in the news?

    A Czech citizen has spotted a comet in an image from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft, which has now been confirmed to be the 5,000th comet discovered using SOHO data.

    Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)

    • The SOHO is a spacecraft jointly operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.
    • Launched in December 1995, its primary mission is to study the Sun, particularly its outer atmosphere, known as the corona, and the solar wind.
    • SOHO observes the Sun in various wavelengths of light, enabling scientists to study phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
    • SOHO orbits the Sun at Lagrange Point L1, about 1.5 million kilometers (nearly 1 million miles) from Earth, providing an uninterrupted view of the Sun.
    • Its observations have led to discoveries such as-
    1. Identifying the source regions of solar wind,
    2. Tracking solar eruptions, and
    3. Monitoring changes in the Sun’s activity over its 11-year solar cycle.

     

    What are Lagrange Points?

    • Lagrange Points are named after the French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange who discovered them in 1772.
    • They are specific points in space where the gravitational forces of two large bodies, such as the Earth and the Sun, or the Earth and the Moon, balance the centrifugal force felt by a smaller body.
    • These points are stable locations where objects can maintain their relative positions concerning the larger bodies, without drifting away or falling towards them.

    There are five Lagrange Points, denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5:

    1. L1: Located on the line connecting the two large bodies and closer to the smaller body, L1 is particularly useful for space observatories like the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) because it provides an unobstructed view of the Sun from Earth’s perspective.
    2. L2: Situated on the opposite side of the smaller body from the larger one, L2 is an excellent location for deep space observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) because it remains relatively shielded from solar interference.
    3. L3: Located on the line connecting the two large bodies but on the opposite side of the larger body from the smaller one, L3 is less stable and less frequently used than the other Lagrange Points.
    4. L4 and L5: These points form equilateral triangles with the two large bodies, with the smaller body at the third vertex. L4 precedes the smaller body in its orbit, while L5 follows it. These points are stable and have been found to accumulate natural objects, such as asteroids, known as Trojan asteroids.

     

    PYQ:

    2013: Consider the following phenomena:

    1. Size of the sun at dusk

    2. Colure of the sun at dawn

    3. Moon being visible at dawn

    4. Twinkle of stars in the sky

    5. Polestar being visible in the sky

    Which of the above are optical illusions?

    a)    1, 2 and 3

    b)    3, 4 and 5

    c)    1, 2 and 4

    d)    2, 3 and 5

     

    Practice MCQ:

    Regarding the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), consider the following statement:

    1.    SOHO spacecraft was launched in December 1995.

    2.    It is jointly operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.

    3.    It orbits the Earth in sun-synchronous orbit.

    How many of the above statements is/are correct?

    a)    One

    b)    Two

    c)    Three

    d)    None

  • 50,000-year-old Magnetic Fossils found in Bay of Bengal

    What is the news?

    Scientists from the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa have found in the Bay of Bengal a 50,000-year-old sediment containing giant magnetofossils, shedding light on ancient geological conditions.

    What are Magnetofossils?

    • Magnetofossils are fossilized magnetic particles created by magnetotactic bacteria, aiding scientists in understanding past environmental conditions.
    • Described initially in the 1960s and 1970s, magnetotactic bacteria utilize iron-rich minerals to navigate the Earth’s magnetic field, leaving behind distinctive fossil remnants.
    • These unique creatures were first described in 1963, by Salvatore Bellini, an Italian doctor and then again in 1975 by Richard Blakemore of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
    • These organisms were believed to follow the magnetic field to reach places that had optimal oxygen concentration.
    • Using an electron microscope, Blakemore found the bacteria contained “novel structured particles, rich in iron” in small sacs that essentially worked as a compass.
    • These magnetotactic bacteria create tiny crystals made of the iron-rich minerals magnetite or greigite, aiding them in navigating changing oxygen levels in the water body they reside in.

    Special Attributes of Bay of Bengal Sediment

    • Previous studies on magnetofossils often ascertained their origins to be hyperthermal vents, comet impacts, changes in oceanic ventilation, weathering or the presence of oxygen-poor regions.
    • Sediments deposited at the core site originate from the Godavari, Krishna, and Penner Rivers, highlighted on the map.

    Findings of the Study

    • Scientific Approach: In the study, combined magnetic analyses and electron microscopy to study the sediment sample.
    • Sediment Characteristics: The three-metre-long sediment core from the southwestern Bay of Bengal consisted mainly of “pale green silty clays,” they wrote in their paper. They also reported finding abundant benthic and planktic foraminifera — single-celled organisms with shells found near the sea bed and free-floating in water.
    • Microscopic Revelations: High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the fossil to be in the shape of needles, spindles, bullets, and spearheads.
    • Environmental Insights: Earlier, studies of sediments suggested that nearly 29,000 to 11,700 years ago, during the last Glacial Maximum-Holocene period, the northeast and southwest monsoon strengthened and resulted in significant weathering and sedimentation.

     

    PYQ:

    Consider the following kinds of organisms:

    1. Copepods
    2. Cyanobacteria
    3. Diatoms
    4. Foraminifera

    Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

    1. 1 and 2
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 3 and 4
    4. 1 and 4

    Practice MCQ:

    Which of the following statements is correct about the ‘Magnetofossils’?

    1. They are fossilized magnetic particles created by magnetotactic bacteria.
    2. They follow the magnetic field to reach places that have optimal oxygen concentration.
    3. They are tiny crystals made of the iron-rich minerals magnetite or greigite.
    4. All of these.

  • Can AI help in Navigating Mental Health?

    Context

    • We live in a world where therapy is a text away. Natural language processing (NLP), a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI), enables computers to understand and interpret human language that mirrors human comprehension.
    • In mental healthcare, we are already seeing a rapid evolution of use cases for AI with affordable access to therapy and better support for clinicians.

    Natural Language Processing (NLP)

    • Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) and computational linguistics that focuses on the interaction between computers and humans through natural language.
    • The goal of NLP is to enable computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language in a way that is both meaningful and useful.

    How does it help patients?

    • Privacy and Anonymity: These platforms offer privacy and anonymity, which can encourage individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or stigma.
    • Support and Validation: Chatbots can support users by helping them reframe negative thoughts, validate their emotions, and provide personalized care tailored to their needs.
    • Accessibility: Especially when human support is unavailable or inaccessible, these virtual assistants offer immediate support, potentially bridging the gap between patients and mental health services.
    • Improved Health Outcomes: Studies suggest that digital therapy tools can be as effective as in-person care in improving patient health outcomes, indicating that chatbots can contribute positively to mental health treatment.
    • Continuity of Care: By offering continuous support and resources, these tools help patients maintain a holistic approach to their mental health treatment, potentially reducing instances of relapse.
    • Resource Pointers: Chatbots can direct users to resources for coping with various mental health challenges, such as distress, grief, and anxiety, thereby empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward their well-being.
    • Scalability and Cost-effectiveness: Being scalable and cost-effective, chatbots can reach a wide audience at any time, making mental health support more accessible to those who may not have access to traditional in-person services.
    • Integration into Health Programs: By integrating chatbots into existing health programs, organizations can extend mental health support beyond traditional avenues, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care.

    How does it help clinicians?

    • Comprehensive Patient History: AI tools can analyze vast datasets, including clinical notes, patient conversations, neuroimages, and genetic information, to provide clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of a patient’s history. This saves time during sessions and ensures that clinicians have access to all relevant information.
    • Predictive Capabilities: Recent advancements in NLP programs enable the forecasting of responses to antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs by analyzing various data sources such as brain electrical activity, neuroimages, and clinical surveys. This predictive capability helps clinicians make more informed treatment decisions, reducing the risk of ineffective interventions.
    • Streamlined Treatment Decisions: By providing insights into potential treatment outcomes, AI tools streamline treatment decisions, allowing clinicians to tailor interventions more effectively to each patient’s needs.
    • E-triaging Systems: Some chatbots are creating e-triaging systems that can significantly reduce wait times for patients and free up valuable clinical person-hours. These systems prioritize patients based on urgency, ensuring that those in need of immediate care receive prompt attention.
    • Specialized Care for Severe Mental Illnesses: With improving bandwidth and the assistance of AI tools, mental health providers can devote a higher proportion of time to severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, where specialized care is crucial. This ensures that patients with complex needs receive the attention and support they require.

    What’s next?

    • Diverse Population-wide Datasets: Companies need to refine their applications by utilizing more diverse population-wide datasets to minimize biases. This ensures that the technology is effective and equitable for all users, regardless of demographic background or characteristics.
    • Incorporating Comprehensive Health Indicators: AI programs can incorporate a wider set of health indicators to provide a more comprehensive patient care experience. This includes integrating data from various sources such as wearable devices, lifestyle factors, and social determinants of health.
    • Guided by Conceptual Frameworks: It’s essential for the development and refinement of these applications to be guided by conceptual frameworks aimed at improving health outcomes. These frameworks can help ensure that the technology is aligned with the goals of promoting mental well-being and providing effective care.
    • Rigorous Testing and Evaluation: Continuous testing and evaluation are crucial to the success of these programs. Companies must rigorously test their applications to ensure effectiveness, safety, and adherence to global compliance standards.
    • Prioritizing User Safety and Well-being: Governments and institutions need to prioritize user safety and well-being by enforcing adherence to global compliance standards. This includes regulations related to data privacy, security, and ethical use of AI in healthcare.
    • Updating Laws and Regulations: As AI applications in mental health continue to evolve, it’s essential to update governing laws and regulations to keep pace with technological advancements and protect the interests of users.
    • Demanding Better Standards of Care: Stakeholders, including patients, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups, should advocate for better standards of care in mental health. This includes advocating for the integration of AI-powered tools into healthcare systems in ways that prioritize patient well-being and improve health outcomes.

    Conclusion

    AI, particularly NLP, aids mental health by providing privacy, personalized support, and streamlined care for patients. Enhanced by diverse datasets and adherence to safety standards, it empowers clinicians to deliver effective, data-driven treatment.

     

    PYQ Mains

    Q- Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)

    Q-Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (UPSC IAS/2016)

  • Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC)

    Why in the news?

    Agriculture Minister has recently inaugurated the Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi.

    What is Krishi ICCC?

    • The ICCC incorporates multiple IT applications and platforms to provide actionable insights and aid informed decision-making.
    • 8 large LED screens display crucial information such as crop yields, production, drought situation, cropping patterns, and relevant trends in graphical format.
    • The dashboard offers insights, alerts, and feedback on agriculture schemes, programs, projects, and initiatives, empowering stakeholders with comprehensive information.

    Data used by Krishi ICCC

    The ICCC will enable comprehensive monitoring of the farm sector by making available at one place geospatial information received from multiple sources such as:

    1. Plot-level data received through Soil Survey;
    2. Weather data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD);
    3. Sowing data from Digital Crop Survey;
    4. Farmer- and farm-related data from Krishi MApper, an application for geo-fencing and geo-tagging of land;
    5. Market intelligence information from the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg); and
    6. Yield estimation data from the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).

    Objectives and Functionality

    • Comprehensive Monitoring: The ICCC aims to enable comprehensive monitoring of the farm sector by consolidating geospatial information from various sources, including remote sensing, weather data, soil surveys, and market intelligence.
    • Decision Support: Integrated visualization facilitates quick and efficient decision-making by policymakers and stakeholders, supported by real-time data and analysis.

    Farmer-Specific Advisories and Practical Applications

    • Individual Farmer Advisories: The ICCC has the potential to generate individual farmer-specific advisories through apps like Kisan e-Mitra (a chatbot developed for PM-Kisan beneficiaries), leveraging AI and machine learning to customize recommendations based on farmer data.

    Practical Applications:

      1. Farmer’s Advisory: Visualizations of GIS-based soil mapping, soil health card data, and weather-related information enable customized advisories on crop selection and agricultural practices.
      2. Drought Actions: Correlation of yield data with weather patterns allows proactive measures to mitigate the impact of droughts.
      3. Crop Diversification: Analysis of crop diversification maps helps identify regions suitable for diversified cropping, optimizing agricultural productivity.
      4. Farm Data Repository: The Krishi Decision Support System (K-DSS) acts as an agriculture data repository, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and the preparation of customized advisories for farmers.
      5. Validation of Yield: The ICCC enables the validation of yield data captured through different applications, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

     

    PYQ:

    2018: With reference to the ‘Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CACSA)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. GACSA is an outcome of the Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015.
    2. Membership of GACSA does not create any binding obligations.
    3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    1. 1 and 3 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3

     

    Practice MCQ:

    What is the primary objective of the Krishi ICCC (Integrated Command and Control Centre)?

    1. To provide real-time market prices of agricultural products.
    2. To consolidate geospatial information from various sources for comprehensive monitoring of the farm sector.
    3. To offer financial support to farmers through direct benefit transfer schemes.
    4. To facilitate the construction of irrigation projects in rural areas.

  • How are Semiconductors fabricated? | Explained

    Why in the news? 

    The binary revolution (0s and 1s) constantly shape the way we interact with technology and with each other daily and the beating heart of this binary revolution is the semiconductor device.

    What are semiconductors?

    Semiconductors are materials that possess properties intermediate between those of conductors and insulators. They can conduct electricity under certain conditions but not as effectively as conductors, nor do they block it entirely like insulators.

    How are semiconductors made?

    • Silicon Wafer Selection: Engineers begin by selecting a silicon wafer as the foundation for the semiconductor.
    • Purification of Silicon: Silicon, sourced from sand, undergoes meticulous purification to achieve ultra-pure levels with impurity levels as low as a few parts per billion.
    • Photolithography Process: A crucial step where the circuit pattern is carved on the wafer using photolithography. The wafer is coated with a light-sensitive material (photoresist), and a mask with small gaps in the circuit pattern shape is used to shine light onto the wafer, eroding parts of the photoresist to acquire the pattern.
    • Chemical and Physical Techniques: After photolithography, engineers use chemical and/or physical techniques to remove uncarved parts of the photoresist, leaving behind the circuit’s structure on the silicon substrate.
    • Doping of Semiconductor: Impurities are deliberately added to specific parts of the semiconductor to alter its electrical properties.
    • Deposition of Thin Layers: Thin layers of materials such as metals or insulators are deposited onto the wafer’s surface to form electrical connections or insulate components.
    • Packaging and Testing: The resulting product undergoes packaging, where individual chips are separated, encapsulated, and tested to ensure functionality and reliability.Finally, the semiconductor chips are integrated into electronic devices.

    Need Expertise

      • Need high precision and diverse scientific principle-Each step in semiconductor fabrication demands ultra-high precision and harnesses a blend of diverse scientific principles. For example, to make the most advanced transistors, the photolithography process requires a light source emitting electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of 13.5 nm.
      • Specializing in specific domains-The semiconductor manufacturing process is characterised by specialisation, leading to an oligopoly controlled by companies specializing in specific domains. For example ASML, a spin-off of Philips, is in fact the sole provider of photolithography machines for cutting-edge semiconductor technology worldwide

    Status of India in fabrication – 

      • Bengaluru serves as a hub for chip design, showcasing India’s leading role in this field.Despite its prowess in chip design, India lacks ownership of the intellectual property rights (IPR) necessary to execute these designs.
      • Most IPR for chip designs is retained by parent companies or Arm, limiting India’s autonomy to being a mere user of their products.The situation resembles the McDonald’s business model, where India hosts outlets but lacks ownership of the recipe and supply chain, controlled by a parent company elsewhere.

    Significance of semiconductors:

    • Ubiquitous Influence: Semiconductors power various technologies beyond smartphones and computers, including smart air-conditioners, space telescopes, and more.
    • Critical Solutions for Crises: Semiconductors are crucial for addressing 21st-century challenges like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, space exploration, and personalized healthcare, highlighting their significance for human survival and progress.
    • Innovation and Job Creation: Semiconductor technology facilities foster innovation, create high-paying jobs, and nurture deep-tech start-ups, contributing to advancements in various fields like materials science, computer engineering, and chip design.
    • Geopolitical Significance: Semiconductors have become a focal point of geopolitical interest, with nations competing to establish fabrication facilities and imposing sanctions on others to control access to advanced technology, driving efforts to bolster domestic semiconductor production capabilities.

    Challenges related to semiconductor manufacturing in India:

    • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): India faces limitations due to a lack of ownership of IPR necessary for chip fabrication.
    • Technology Transfer: Despite advancements in chip design, India struggles with technology transfer issues.
    • Infrastructure: Developing semiconductor manufacturing facilities requires significant investment in infrastructure
    • Skilled Workforce: The semiconductor industry demands highly skilled professionals proficient in various aspects of chip design, fabrication, and testing.
    • Regulatory Environment: India’s regulatory environment, including policies related to intellectual property, taxation, and investment, may not be conducive to attracting semiconductor manufacturing investments.

    Measures to address challenges related to semiconductor manufacturing in India:

    • Education and training programs:  Offer specialized courses and certifications to equip individuals with the necessary skills for the industry.
    • Policy reforms: Implement policy reforms to create a conducive regulatory environment for semiconductor manufacturing sector.
    • Diversification of suppliers: Encourage diversification of semiconductor supply chains by supporting domestic suppliers and fostering partnerships with global manufacturers
    • Government grants and incentives: Provide financial support and incentives for semiconductor R&D projects
    • Strategic partnerships: Forge strategic partnerships with leading semiconductor-producing countries and organizations to leverage their expertise, share best practices, and facilitate technology transfer and knowledge exchange.

    Conclusion: Addressing challenges in semiconductor manufacturing in India requires collaborative efforts, investment in infrastructure and education, regulatory reforms, and strategic partnerships. These measures are vital for India to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor industry.

    Mains PYQ-

    Q- Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. ( 2020 )