Subject: Tech solutions for daily challenges

India’s foodgrains production has surged from 50.8 million tons in 1950-51 to over 357 million tons in 2025. Science has played an important role in this transformation.

Science Interwoven Deeply With Our Lives

Healthcare – Vaccines, antibiotics, diagnostics (RT-PCR) have improved life expectancy from 62 in 1990 to 73 in 2025.

Communication & Connectivity – Internet, smartphones, satellites have transformed education, governance, and commerce. Eg- PM e-Vidya

Transport – Electric vehicles, GPS, high-speed transport have increased mobility. Eg- Vande Bharat

Energy Infrastructure – Renewables, smart grids etc shape modern living standards.

Daily Convenience – Refrigeration, water purification, digital payments, and sensor-based devices ease everyday life.

Disaster Management – Weather forecasting, early-warning systems save lives during cyclones and floods.

e-Governance has improved ease of access for citizens. Eg- m-Passport Seva

Striking Changes in Agriculture Triggered by Science-Based Technologies

Green Revolution HYVs increased wheat yields from 12 MT (1960s) to 55 MT (1980s).

Biotechnology & Genetics – Bt cotton reduced pesticide use by 40-60%.

Precision Farming & Sensors – Use of drones, IoT soil sensors, GIS mapping improves fertilizer and water efficiency.

Micro-Irrigation – Drip & sprinkler systems increase water-use efficiency by 40-70%.

Mechanization – Harvesters, seed drills, transplanters reduce labour cost and increase timeliness of operations.

Climate-Smart Agriculture – Drought-/flood-tolerant seeds reduce climate risk. Eg- Swarna Sub-1 rice

Post-Harvest & Storage Technologies – Cold chains, ripening chambers, packhouses reduce losses and enable access to distant markets.

Digital Agriculture – e-NAM, agritech platforms, Kisan drones improve market access and real-time advisory.

Soil & Water Management Tools – Soil health cards, nano-urea, and microbial biofertilisers improve soil fertility.

When science meets scale, when innovation becomes inclusive, when technology drives transformation, the foundation for great achievements is laid – PM Modi

The total length of National Highways in India is around 1.5 Lakh km. India currently uses FASTag, based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

Passive RFID tagRFID readers

Advantages of FASTag-Based Electronic Tolling

Reduced Congestion – Minimises stoppages, reduces queueing, and cuts travel time

Continuous movement lowers Fuel Consumption & Emissions

Improved Revenue Realisation- Eliminates leakages, cash handling issues, and human errors.

Better Traffic Management due to real-time vehicle data – enhances logistics efficiency.

Digital Financial Inclusion –Promotes cashless payments and creates digital transaction footprint

Limitations of the Current FASTag System

RFID Reading Errors- Faulty tags or improper placement cause delays.

Congestion during peak hours.

Bank downtime results in payment failures and traffic jams.

Fraud & Misuse- Cloning of RFID tags, misuse of blacklisted/invalid tags.

Inadequate adaption – Eg- non availability in rural areas

Proposed Changes to Make Tolling Seamless

Expansion of ETC lanes – 100% coverage by 2025

ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)-Based Tolling

GPS-based – Vehicles fitted with GPS devices and toll are charged based on the distance travelled on a highway.

Free-Flow Tolling (FFT) Corridors – open road tolling for uninterrupted movement.

Integration with NHAI’s ‘One Vehicle One FASTag’ Drive

Potential Hazards in Transition to New Tolling Systems

Privacy & Surveillance Concerns – Eg- Continuous GPS tracking and ANPR imaging

Cybersecurity Risks- vulnerability to hacking, spoofing, or data breaches.

ANPR systems may misread plates due to dirt, or damaged plates.

Digital Divide – Eg- 33% rural population is digitally literate (NFHS-5)

Technical Failures- Weather, fog, rain etc can affect ANPR accuracy and system reliability.

Replacing toll plazas with nationwide FFT infrastructure requires massive investment.

Addressing these concerns can ensure efficient, seamless, congestion-free highways.