Complete Science and Technology

UPSC PRELIMS 2024

General Biology
By: Siddharth
BIOLOGY
 Topics covered: Sources:

1. Cell 1. NCERT Science: class IX

2. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell • Chapter – 5, 13
3. Animal and Plant cell 2. Newspapers
4. Classification of organisms 3. Previous year questions
5. Diseases
6. Vitamins
7. Blood group relations
8. Vaccine , Types & working
1. Cell – basic unit of life
• The cell was first discovered and named by Robert Hooke in 1665.
• Basic components of cell
1. Cell membrane
2. Cytoplasm
3. Nucleus

Cell theory: by Schleiden and Schwann (1838-39)

1. All living things made up of cell.

2. Cell is basic structural and functional unit of life
3. All new cells comes rom pre-existing cells
(Rudolph Virchow)
2. Prokaryotic cell and Eukaryotic cell

Example: (Bacteria cell) Example: (Animal cell)

Not well defined nucleus

Membrane bound cell

organelles absent. present.
Membrane less organelle
Ribosome present.
3. Animal cell and Plant cell
Respiration in cell:

Glucose breakdown pathway

Organelle Function
Nucleus Contains DNA, “Brain of the cell”
Mitochondria Energy production, “Power house of cell”
Chloroplast (only in Plant Photosynthesis
cell)
Endoplasmic reticulum Synthesis of proteins, lipids, remove toxins
from cell
Golgi bodies Modification of proteins, Packaging
Vacuole Storage
Ribosomes Synthesis of proteins, protein factory of the
cell
Lysosome Cell digestion, Suicidal bags of cell
Centrioles (only in Animal Help in cell division
cell)
Q. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general
difference between plant and animal cells ? (2020)

1.Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.

2.Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do.

3.Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst an animal cell has many
small vacuoles.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[a) 1 and 2 only
[b) 2 and 3 only
[c) 1 and 3 only
[d) 1, 2 and 3
Three parent baby
4. Classification of organisms:

Five Kingdom Classification of living organisms

by R.H. Whittaker in 1969
5. Disease: any harmful deviation from the normal structural or
functional state of an organism
Communicable diseases
1. Diseases which can be passed
from one person to another.
2. They are caused by pathogens.
3. Person to person transmission
possible.
4. Example: Malaria, AIDS, Cold,
Tuberculosis
Non Communicable diseases
1. cannot be passed from one
person to another.
2. caused by deficiency of nutrients
or due to allergy
3. Person to person transmission not
possible.
4. Example: Cancer, Allergies,
Diabetes
Microbes: very small living things and are sometimes called micro-organisms.
• Microbes cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Pathogens: Disease causing microbes

Common human diseases

By Bacteria By Virus Passed through Vectors
1. Cholera 1. Smallpox 1. Chikungunya
2. Leprosy 2. the common cold , Flu 2. Dengue
3. Tuberculosis 3. Measles, Mumps, 3. Yellow fever
4. Plague 4. Hepatitis 4. Zika virus
5. Syphilis 5. Herpes 5. Malaria
6. Anthrax 6. Polio, Rabies 6. Japanese encephalitis
7. Ebola and Hanta fever 7. Lymphatic filariasis
Q. Consider the following:
(1) Birds
(2) Dust blowing
(3) Rain
(4) Wind blowing.
Which of the above spread plant
diseases? (2018)
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Diseases caused by Bacteria:
1. Tuberculosis:
• caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

• Most often affect the lungs (Pulmonary TB)

• Transmission: through the air. Cough, sneeze or spit

• Symptoms: Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss

• Treatment: treatable and curable disease. It is treated with a standard 6-month course

• Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) - bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid

and rifampicin first-line anti-TB drugs.

• Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a more serious, bacteria do not respond to

the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs
Initiatives by India
1. The Nikshay Ecosystem: Web portal to monitor TB
2. Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY): This scheme to provide
financial support to TB patients
3. TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign: Launch September, 2019,
for the elimination of TB.
4. The Saksham Project: By Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
providing psycho-social counselling to DR-TB patients.

 Vaccine: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for

tuberculosis (TB) disease.
 TruNat: TB test give results in one hour, also used for SARS COV-2
 DOTS treatment - Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course
• India notified the highest number of 24.04 lakh tuberculosis cases in year (2018)
as against an estimated 26.9 lakh cases by WHO
• India 1/4th of global TB cases, according to WHO.

India TB Report 2020:

1. State TB Index : Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh were the top
three best-performing
2. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu were selected as the best
performing Union Territories.
3. 8% of TB cases can be attributable to tobacco usage.

India’s Target:
• Eliminating TB by 2025
• five years ahead of the global target by the World Health Organisation (WHO) i.e.
2030.
2. Typhoid:
• Caused by Bacteria Salmonella typhi
• Due to contaminated food and drinking water
• Causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea
• Vaccines and antibiotics available

News:
 Typbar TCV world’s first typhoid conjugate vaccine prequalified by WHO
 Made in India by Bharat Biotech
 Pakistan first country in world to introduce WHO recommended Tybar TCV.
Diseases caused by Virus:
1. Polio:
• viral infectious disease
• Three distinct wild poliovirus strains:
1. Wild Poliovirus type 1 (WPV1)
2. Wild Poliovirus type 2 (WPV2)
3. Wild Poliovirus type 3 (WPV3)
• cause irreversible paralysis or even death

• WPV2 eradicated globally in 1999

• Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (GCC)

declared WPV3 to be globally eradicated in 2019

• WPV1 remains in circulation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

• There is no cure, but it can be prevented through immunization.

 Polio Vaccine:

Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV): Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV):

 three doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks  Killed Virus vaccine
 one booster dose at 16-24 months of age  Cannot spread disease
 Weakened Virus  Type- 1,2,3
 Type 1, 3

 oral vaccine-virus is excreted and

allowed to circulate in an unimmunized
population.
•Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led by national governments and the
(WHO), has been monitoring the disease situation globally.

•As per the WHO, since 1980, the cases of wild poliovirus have decreased by over
99.9% as a result of vaccination efforts made around the world.

•World Polio Day - 24th October every year

Polio in India:

• India received polio-free certification by the WHO in 2014,

after three years of zero cases.
• successful pulse polio campaign in which all children were
administered polio drops.
• The last case detected on 13th January 2011.
2. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome):

• Caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus)

• HIV weakens the immune system
• Two types:
1. HIV – 1 (group M is Major) – Worldwide
2. HIV – 2 west and Central Asia
• No cure and no vaccine
• Treatment to prolong life
HIV Structure
• HIV can spread through – exchange of body fluids through
sexual contact, blood transfusion, Pregnancy, using
common syringe
• HIV cannot spread through – Saliva, Sweat, Mosquito etc.
• AIDS is Pandemic
Pandemic, Epidemic, Outbreak difference:

Epidemic

outbreak

Pandemic
Pandemics:
Spanish flu 1918  SARS 2003  Swine flu 2009  MERS 2012  Ebola 2014 Zika
2015 COVID-19
3. Coronavirus
• Family of viruses
• 2019-novel CoV – temporary name given by WHO
• SARS CoV-2 – naming by ICTV (International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses-
formed in 1966, governed by International union of Microbial Society)
• COVID-19: Disease caused by SARS CoV-2
SARS – CoV 2 structure:

- Spherical shape
- Size – 50-200 nanometer (nm)
- RNA genetic material
- RBD (Receptor binding domain) on spike
- ACE-2 on host cell
4. Hepatitis

• Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.

• Causes: Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions
can all cause hepatitis.
• Usually caused by a group of viruses known as the “hepatotropic” (liver directed)
viruses, including A, B, C, D and E.
• There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B; however, there is no vaccine
for hepatitis C.
• Treatment:
Hepatitis A and E are self-limiting diseases (i.e. go away on their own) and require no
specific antiviral medications.
For Hepatitis B and C, effective medications are available.
• WHO’s global strategy which aims at eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
• The theme for the year 2021 is “'Hepatitis Can't Wait'”, with a strong
focus on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns.
• Hepatitis B and C together are the most common cause of deaths
• In 2018, the government launched the National Viral Hepatitis Program
• Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand became the first four countries in the
World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia region to have successfully controlled
Hepatitis B.
• Automated coronavirus testing device named ‘COBAS 6800’ was launched which
can also detect viral Hepatitis B & C, among others.

• Only for four diseases :

HIV-AIDS (1st December) , TB (24th March), Malaria (25th April), and Hepatitis
(28th July) the World Health Organization (WHO) officially endorses them.
Q. Which of the following diseases can Q. Which of the following statements is not
be transmitted from one person to correct? (2019)
another through tattooing? (2013) (a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like
1. Chikungunya HIV.
2. Hepatitis B
3. HIV-AIDS (b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not
Select the correct answer using the have a vaccine.
codes given below.
(a) 1 only (c) Globally, the number of people infected
(b) 2 and 3 only with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several
(c) 1 and 3 only times more than those infected with HIV.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B
and C viruses do not show the symptoms for
many years.
5. Influenza

Influenza A virus

H1, H2, H3 are marked as swine flu H5, H7, H9 are marked as bird flu/Avian flu
• Influenza viruses are classified into subtypes based on two surface
proteins, Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA)
• Avian influenza virus subtypes include A (H5N1), A(H7N9), and A(H9N2).
• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) virus occurs mainly in birds and is
highly contagious among them.
• Asian H5N1 is especially deadly for poultry.

India’s Status:
• Previously in 2019, India was declared free from Avian Influenza (H5N1), which
had also been notified to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
• The status will last only till another outbreak is reported.
• Recent outbreak Jan 2021 – H5N8

Note: Two viral diseases successfully eradicated globally:

1980 – Small pox  viral disease to humans
2011- Rinderpest  viral diseases in cattle, buffalo etc.
Q. Consider the following diseases Q. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in
(2014) the news with reference to which one of
1.Diphtheria the following diseases? (2015)
2.Chickenpox (a) AIDS
3.Smallpox (b) Bird flu
Which of the above diseases (c) Dengue
has/have been eradicated in India? (d) swine flu
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None
Diseases spread through Vectors:

1. Lymphatic Filariasis:
• Commonly known as Elephantiasis or Hathi paon
• abnormal enlargement of body parts
• Caused by : Filarial parasite (Wuchereria)
• Spread through Culex mosquito
• Can spread from person to person Wuchereria bancrofti
• According to WHO, second most common
cause of long term disability after mental illness.
• Govt. initiative:
• Hathipaon Mukt Bharat –
Health campaign launched in 2015
2. Kala Azar:

• Also known as Leishmaniasis, Black fever or Dum Dum fever

• Second biggest parasitic killer in the world after Malaria
• Half of global cases in India
• Spread through female sand fly

Leishmania
(disease causing protozoa)

Sand fly
(Transmission agent)
3. Malaria:

• Caused by parasite Plasmodium

• Spread by female Anopheles Mosquito
• World Malaria Day 2020 on April 25 with the theme ‘Zero malaria starts with me’.
• Malaria is a leading cause of human morbidity and mortality.

India’s efforts in this regard:

• At the East Asia Summit in 2015, India pledged to eliminate the disease by 2030.
• India launched the five-year National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination.
• This marked a shift in focus from malaria “control” to “elimination”.

Objectives:
•Eliminate malaria from all low and moderate Category endemic states/UTs (26) by 2022
•Interrupt indigenous transmission of malaria in all States/ UTs (Category 3) by 2027
•to maintain malaria-free status of the country by 2030.
Animal diseases:
1. Foot and mouth disease (FMD):
• Caused by Virus
• Affects cloven hoofed animals (divided hoofs) including cattle, buffalo, camel sheep,
goat, pigs etc
• It is not zoonotic and rarely transmit to humans.
2. Brucellosis:
• Also known as Malta fever and Mediterranean fever
• Bacterial disease
• It is a zoonotic disease (transmit rom animal to humans)
• It affects cattle, sheep, goat, pig etc.
• Due to consuming raw milk or meat.
Bird disease:
Avian Botulism:
• Paralytic disease affects the nervous system of birds.
• Caused by bacteria (Clostridium botulinum)
• Bacteria is found in soil, heat resistant, anaerobic and secrete toxins.
• Responsible for killing 20,000 birds in Sambhar lake (Rajasthan) in Nov. 2019.
6. Vitamins:
Vitamin is an organic non-protein substance that is required by an organism for
normal metabolic function but cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantity by that
organism.
 S.No. Vitamins Deficiency disease

Water
Soluble

Fat
Soluble
Normal Bend knees

Rickets Scurvy Beri beri

Vitamin D deficiency Vitamin C deficiency Vitamin B1 deficiency

Night blindness
Vitamin A deficiency
Q. Consider the following pairs : (2014)

Vitamin Deficiency disease

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
d) None
Human blood:

 Components of Blood:
•Plasma
•Red blood cells (Erythrocytes)
•White blood cells (Leukocytes)
•Platelets (for clotting)

 Features:
 Color – Red color pigment
• Haemoglobin (Transport of oxygen )
 pH – 7.2
 5 liters volume approx.
Blood groups:
Rh factor:
• also called Rhesus factor,
• type of protein found on the
outside of red blood cells.
• The protein is genetically
inherited (passed down from
your parents).
• If you have the protein, you
are Rh-positive.
• If you did not inherit the protein,
you are Rh-negative.
Blood group matching table:
Q. A married couple adopted a male child, A few years later; twin boys were born to
them. The blood group of the couple is AB positive and O negative. The blood group
of the three sons is A positive, B positive, and O positive. The blood group of the
adopted son is (2011)
(a.) O positive
(b.) A positive
(c.) B positive
(d.) Cannot be determined on the basis of the given data
Vaccine
• Biological agents that elicit an immune response to a
specific antigen derived from an infectious disease-
causing pathogen.
• Generally, it comprises an agent that has a resemblance
to the disease-causing microbe.

Immunization:
• The action of making a person or animal immune to infection, typically by
innoculation.
Types of Vaccine:

(WHO website)
 Whole microbe approach

Inactivated Vaccine Live attenuated Viral vector Vaccine

Vaccine
(inactivate or kill using (uses a safe virus to
chemicals, heat or radiation) (weakened version of deliver specific sub-
the virus) parts – called
• Flu proteins)
• Polio vaccine • Measles, Mumps and
• Covaxin Rubella (MMR) vaccine • Ebola vaccine
• Covishield
 Subunit approach The genetic approach
(Nucleic acid vaccine)

(only uses very specific parts or

subunits of virus or bacteria) (uses genetic material for specific
• Whooping cough proteins- the DNA or RNA)
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria

 Toxoid Vaccine: Made by inactivating the toxin that causes disease symptoms.
 Conjugate Vaccine: They’re made using a combination of two different
components.
Inactivated Vaccine working mechanism:
Spike protein gene of
coronavirus

Spike protein

Viral Vector Vaccine working mechanism

Primary and secondary immune response (Naturally):
Primary and secondary immune response (Vaccine):
Antibody:

• An antibody, also known as an

immunoglobulins (Ig).
• It is Y-shaped protein
• Helps to identify and neutralize foreign
objects such as pathogenic bacteria
and viruses (Antigens).

- NCERT diagram
Types of Immunoglobulins:

• IgE – Responsible for allergic reactions.

• IgM – Responsible for early stages of
immunity.
• IgA – Pass from mother to baby during
feeding.
• IgD – Activates other cells for immune
response.
• IgG – Secreted in high quantity during
secondary response.
Plasma Convalescent Therapy:
Q. With reference to recent
developments regarding ‘Recombinant
Vector Vaccines’, consider the following
statements: (2021)
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the
development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as
vectors.
Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?
Q. In the context of hereditary diseases, consider
the following statements: (2021)
1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from
parent to child can be prevented by
mitochondrial replacement therapy either
before or after in vitro fertilization of egg.
2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases
entirely from mother and not from father.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?

a) 1 only a) 1 only
b) 2 only b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2 only c) 1 and 2 only
d) Neither 1 nor 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q. Consider the following: (2021) Q. The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the
context of: (2021)
1. Bacteria
2. Fungi a) genes introduced in the genetically
3. Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in modified plants
artificial/synthetic medium? b) development of India’s own satellite
a) 1 and 2 Only navigation system
b) 2 and 3 Only c) radio collar for wildlife tracking
c) 1 and 3 Only
d) 1, 2 and 3 d) spread of viral diseases
Q. Which of the following statements Q. Which of the following statements is / are
is/are correct? correct? (2013)
Viruses can infect (2016) 1. Viruses lack enzymes necessary for the
1. bacteria generation of energy.
2. fungi 2. Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic
3. plants medium.
Select the correct answer using the code 3. Viruses are transmitted from one organism
given below. to another by biological vectors only.
(a) 1 and 2 only Select the correct answer using the codes
(b) 3 only given below.
(c) 1 and 3 only (a) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. In tropical regions,
1. Zika virus disease is transmitted by
the same mosquito that transmits
dengue.
2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus
disease is possible.
Which of the statements given above
is/are correct? (2016)
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q. Among the following which were
frequently mentioned in the news for
the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
(2015)
(a) Syria and Jordan
(b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
(c) Philippines and Papua New Guinea
(d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam
Biotechnology

By: Siddharth
 1. What is DNA?
2. Difference between Cell, Chromosome and DNA
3. What is gene?
4. DNA vs RNA
5. What is Biotechnology?
6. Biotechnology Principle
7. How can Biotechnology be used to address various issues in
India?
Topics 8. Stem Cell therapy
covered: 9. Gene editing
10. GM crops
11. Biofortification
12. Government initiatives
13. Global initiatives
14. PCR technique in news
15. RNA interference technique
16. Challenges for Biotechnology in India
• Previous year questions (Prelims + Mains)
Sources:

• NCERT Class XII – Biology

Chapter 11 - Biotechnology: Principle and Processes

Chapter 12 - Biotechnology and its applications
Chapter 6 - Molecular basis of inheritance

• Newspapers – The Hindu, Indian express

 What is DNA?

• DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid is

the hereditary material in humans
and almost all other organisms.
• Nearly every cell in a person’s
body has the same DNA.
Difference between Cell, Chromosome and DNA

• DNA is packaged into chromosome.

• A chromosome contains a single, long DNA
molecule.
• Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of
the cell.
• Different organisms have different numbers
of chromosomes
• Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes .
• Human Genome is made up of 23
chromosome pairs and approx. 25000
genes.
What is gene? • A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity.
• Genes are made up of DNA.
• Some genes act as instructions to make molecules called proteins.
1. RNA has single strand,
instead of double
2. RNA has Uracil instead of
Thymine

• DNA is like a storage device,

storing genetic information.
• RNA decodes information
stored in DNA
Q. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term
‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to (2017)

(a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

(b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
(c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression
(d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells
 What is Biotechnology?
• uses living processes, organisms or systems to manufacture products or technology

• Biotechnology have been derived namely –

1. Blue biotechnology (marine and aquatic application)

2. Green biotechnology (agriculture processes)

3. Red biotechnology (medical)

4. White biotechnology (industrial)

Biotechnology Principle

Bacteria cell structure

Extract desired biotech product.

Example: Insulin protein
Biotechnology in India

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT) - setup in the year 1986 (Ministry of Science and
Technology).
• DBT has also set up BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) agency
to strengthen strategic research and innovation.

• India is among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology in the world, with
approximately 3% share in the global Biotechnology industry.

• The sector is divided into five major segments-

 Bio-pharma – vaccines, drugs
 Bio-services – R&D
 Bio-agri – GM crops, biofortification
 Bio-industrial – use of microbes in paper, pulp and textiles.
 Bioinformatics.
How can Biotechnology be used to address various
issues in India?

1. Food security:
Make crops more productive and tolerant of other stress like
pest and insect.
Enhanced nutrition by biofortification .
Example: Golden Rice with additional vitamin A
Making crops resistant to pest attacks (Bt Cotton and Bt Brinjal).

2. Adapting to Climate change:

Produce crops that are resistant to the effects of climate change
Decrease carbon-based fertilizers.
3. Tackling diseases:
to find solutions to threats like Zika virus and rise of antibiotic-
resistant bacteria.
4. Bioenergy:
use of bioethanol and biodiesels in India derived from plants and
their by-products, microbes or animal waste.
5. Advancement in drugs: cost advantage in the manufacture
of drugs.

6. Animal Biotechnology:
- improve the productivity of livestock
- development of affordable new generation vaccines
and diagnostics against animal diseases.

7. Bioremediation:
- It is waste management technique in which microorganisms
(e.g., bacteria, fungi), plants (termed phytoremediation), or
biological enzymes are used to consume and break down
environmental pollutants.
Example: oil zappers.
8. Stem cell therapy:
It is also known as regenerative medicine which promotes the reparative response of
diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells or their derivatives.
Stem cell therapy:
• Cell potency is a cell's ability to differentiate into other cell types.
• Stem cells are special human cells that are able to develop into many different cell types.

1. Totipotent cells – each cell can give rise to new individual.

Example – zygote cell

2. Pluripotent cells can give rise to all of the cell types that make up the body;
Example - embryonic stem cells are considered pluripotent.

3. Multipotent cells can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than
pluripotent cells.
Example - adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells

4. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells are derived from skin or blood cells that have been
reprogrammed back into an embryonic-like pluripotent state
• Use for therapeutic purposes.
 Advantages of stem cell therapy Disadvantages

1. Treatment of degenerative, incurable 1. Costly technique

and irreversible diseases like diabetes, 2. Difficulty in obtaining stem cells
heart disease, spinal cord injuries, 3. Long period of growth required
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease etc. before using them
2. Blood stem used to treat diseases of 4. Ethical issues – Example- Germ line
the blood like leukemia therapy
3. Stem cell transplant can be used to
replace such as bone marrow affected
during chemotherapy treatments.
4. Requires only small number of cells.
5. No risk of rejection
6. Fast recovery
7. No surgical complications generally
What is Gene editing?
 Definition:
The manipulation of the genetic material of a living organism by
deleting, replacing, or inserting a DNA sequence, typically with
the aim of improving a crop or farmed animal or correcting a
genetic disorder.

 The 2020, Nobel Prize in - Emmanuelle Charpentier and

Jennifer A. Doudna for discovering the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic
scissors, which allows scientists to ‘cut-paste’ inside a genetic
sequence.

 CRISPR guides Cas9 to particular gene

 Cas9 does the cutting

Gene editing:
What is Genetically Modified (GM) crop?
A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material
obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.
Examples:
1) Bt cotton:
• only GM crop allowed in India with the Cry 1 Ac gene
• genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
• develop a protein toxic against pest pink bollworm.

2) Herbicide Tolerant Bt (Ht Bt) cotton:

• resist the common herbicide glyphosate.

3) Bt brinjal: Bt cotton
• plant resist attacks of fruit and shoot borers.

4) DMH-11 mustard
 In 2002, the GEAC had allowed the commercial release of Bt cotton. More than 95%
of the country’s cotton area has since then come under Bt cotton.

 India is at the 4th global position in hectarage under GM crops.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted
in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under ‘Rules for Manufacture, Use,
Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered
Organisms or Cells 19892 , under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Issues involved:
The long-lasting effect of GM crops is yet to be studied.

1. Threat to Biodiversity: Cross-pollination in GM crops paves the way for herbicide-

resistant superweeds.
• Could eliminate important species of pests
• Can affect the food chain also

2. Nutrition issues:
• Bt brinjal risk to human health as its resistance to antibiotics can turn medicines
ineffective
• may result in the formation of new toxins and allergens.

3. Implications for consumers and farmers:

• patent laws give dominance of food production and supply by a few companies.
Benefits of GM crops:
1. Cost-beneficial
2. Better tolerance: better tolerant to different harsh climatic conditions like cold, heat,
drought salinity etc.
3. Improved Crop Protection: resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or
viruses
4. Increased tolerance towards herbicides.
5. Increased food security for growing population
6. Improved agricultural performance (yields)
7. less labour input and less cost input: It has led to an
8. reduced waste and lower food costs to the consumer.
9. Reduced usage of pesticides and herbicides
Policy framework for GM Crops:

1. Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex):

 It is the joint FAO/WHO intergovernmental body
 developed principles for the human health risk analysis of GM foods in 2003.

2. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

3. GM food imports require approvals under two laws, Environment Protection Act
of 1986 and the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
Food fortification:
- deliberate addition of micronutrients to food.
Example: iodized salt

FSSAI has introduced the +F logo to identify fortified foods.

Biofortification:
It is the idea of breeding crops to increase their nutritional value.
Examples:
• Iron-biofortification of rice, beans, sweet potato, cassava, and legumes.

• Zinc-biofortification of wheat, rice, beans, sweet potato, and maize.

• Provitamin A carotenoid-biofortification of sweet potato, maize and cassava.

• Amino acid and protein-biofortification of sorghum and cassava.

• Golden rice with Vitamin A

Methods of Biofortification:
Importance of Biofortification

1. Improving the overall health of human

2. Often more resilient to pests, diseases, higher temperatures and drought
3. Provide a high yield
4. It provides a food-based, sustainable and low-dose alternative to
supplementation
5. It does not require behavior change
6. Can reach the poorest sections of the society
7. Supports local farmers.
8. It highly cost-effective and sustainable.
Challenges for Biofortification in India
1. Lack of consumer acceptance due to color changes (e.g. golden rice)

2. Last mile reach of fortified food remains a big challenge.

3. Adoption of farmers and cost involved in the process of fortification.

4. It is a slower process than genetic modification.

5. Marketing challenges
 Government Initiatives
National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020 (NBDS)
• Launched in 2015
• To establish India as a world class bio manufacturing hub.
• Launching Four Major Mission under – Healthcare, Food and Nutrition, Clean Energy
and Education
• The Mission implementation by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
(BIRAC).
• 50% cost for the program coming the World Bank loan.

National Biopharma Mission

• development for biopharmaceuticals.
• The World Bank assisted INNOVATE IN INDIA (i3) program to promote entrepreneurship
and indigenous manufacturing in the sector.
• The focus of the mission is to: Develop new vaccines, bio-therapeutics, diagnostics and
medical devices
 Promotion of Biotechnology in North Eastern Region of India
• In 2009-10 DBT had also set up a North Eastern Region – Biotechnology Program
Management Cell (NER-BPMC)
for coordinating and promoting the biotechnological activities in the NER.

UMMID
(Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders)
Aim:
• Train doctors in Human genetics, so that they better screen pregnant women
and new born babies for inherited genetic diseases.
• Establish NIDAN kendras to diagnose genetic diseases
• Initiative of Department of Biotech, Ministry of Science & Tech, not MoHFW

PROJECT MANAV
• To combine human biological data that exists in public databases in scattered form.
• launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
• Will be executed by the IISER Pune and National Center for sciences (NCCS) Pune.
Genome:
• an organisms complete set of DNA, including that is present outside the nucleus

Genome mapping / Genome sequencing:

• knowing the exact order of base pairs in genome.

Human Genome Project:

• 1990-2003
• International project for mapping the human genome
• Participant countries were US, UK, Japan, Germany, France, China.

Genome India Project:

Just like Human Genome Project, but:
• Will have genome of Indians
• collaboration of 20 Indian institutes
 Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID)

• Platform started by WHO in 2008

• hosted by the German government in partnership with nonprofit organization Friends
of GISAID.
• It promotes the international sharing of all influenza virus sequences as well as
species-specific data associated with avian and other animal viruses,.
• The Initiative through its database named EpiFlu

Earth BioGenome project

• It is a global effort launched in 2018,

• It aims to sequence, catalogue and characterize genomes of all of Earth’s eukaryotic
biodiversity over next ten years.
• Vision- preserving biodiversity and sustaining human societies.
PCR technique (Polymerase Chain reaction)

• multiple copies of the gene (or DNA)

of interest is synthesized in vitro
• i.e., 1 billion copies are made.
• repeated amplification is achieved by
the use of a thermostable DNA
polymerase (isolated from a
bacterium, Thermus aquaticus), Taq
polymerase remain active during the
high temperature
2020 News: New Delhi's Covid-19 testing strategy has become controversial due to the low
level of RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) re-testing in persons
tested negative in RADT (Rapid Antigen Detection Tests).

RT-PCR Test
• Kary Mullis, the American invented the PCR technique, awarded the Nobel Prize for
Chemistry in 1993.
• The ‘chain reaction’ signifies DNA copied, exponentially — one is copied into two, the
two are copied into four, and so on.
• A fluorescent DNA binding dye called the “probe” is added to DNA, which shows the
presence of the virus on a fluorometer.
• However, coronavirus is made of RNA (ribonucleic acid).
• Therefore to detect coronavirus, RNA is converted into DNA using a technique called
reverse transcription.
• A ‘reverse transcriptase’ enzyme converts the RNA into DNA.
• Copies of the DNA are then made and amplified.
RT-PCR process:
RADT

• It is a test on swabbed nasal samples that detects antigens (foreign substances

that induce an immune response in the body) that are found on or within the
SARS-CoV-2 virus.

• Quickly obtain a diagnostic result.

• Like RT-PCR, the rapid antigen detection test too seeks to detect the virus rather
than the antibodies

• RT-PCR test takes a minimum of 2-5 hours

whereas RADT, duration is 30 minutes.
RNA interference:

• A novel strategy to prevent this

infestation.
• RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic
organisms as a method of cellular
defense.
• This method involves silencing of a
specific mRNA due to a
complementary dsRNA molecule that
binds to and prevents translation of
the mRNA (silencing).
• Therapeutic use in cancer treatment.
Challenges for Biotechnology in India:
1. Low Research and development:
 India’s R&D expenditure is quite low at 0.67 % of GDP compared to Japan (3%), US (3%)
and China (2%).
2. Intellectual Property Right regime:
 Issue lies in Section 3(d) of the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005, which sets a higher
standard for patentability than mandated by TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights).
 India's stricter standards for patents discourages innovation and lowers foreign investment.
 Compulsory licensing, which gives the government power to suspend a patent in times of
health emergencies
3. Lack of Marketisation:
 This gap has a huge impact in commercialization of innovative ideas.
4. Lack of public Awareness
5. Less Lucrative: Less number and quality of jobs offered by this sector
Q. With reference to the recent
developments in science which one of the
following statements is not correct?(2019)
(a) Functional chromosomes can be created
by joining segments of DNA taken from
cells of different species.
(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be
created in laboratories.
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal
cell can be made to replicate outside a
living cell in a laboratory.
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals
can be made to undergo cell division in
laboratory petri dishes.
Q. ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology
has gained popularity in the last few years.
why? (2019)
1. It is used in developing gene silencing
therapies.
2. It can be used in developing therapies
for the treatment of cancer.
3. It can be used to develop hormone
replacement therapies.
4. It can be used to produce crop plants
that are resistant to virtual pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 4 only
Q. What is cas9 protein that is often
mentioned in news ? (2019)
(a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene
editing.
(b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection
of pathogens in patients.
(c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
Q. Consider the following pairs of
Terms sometimes seen in news vs
Context /Topic: (2018)
1. Belle II experiment: Artificial
Intelligence
2. Blockchain technology: Digital/
Cryptocurrency
3. CRISPR — Cas9: Particle Physics
Which of the pairs given above is/are
correctly matched ?

(d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in (a) 1 and 3 only

generally modified crops (b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. The Genetic Engineering
Appraisal Committee is constituted
under the (2015)
(a) Food Safety and Standards Act,
2006
(b) Geographical Indications of Goods
(Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Q. Consider the following statements : (2020)
1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells
that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective
parent.
2. A person’s genome can be edited before birth at
the early embryonic stage.
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be
injected into the embryo of a pig.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. With reference to ‘stem cells’, frequently Q. Recombinant DNA technology
in the news, which of the following (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to
statements is/are correct? (2012) be transferred (2013)
1. Stem cells can be derived from mammals 1.across different species of plants
only. 2.from animals to plants
2. Stem cells can be used for screening new 3.from microorganisms to higher
drugs. organisms
3. Stem cells can be used for medical Select the correct answer using the
therapies. codes given below.
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below: (a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Mains previous year questions:

Q. How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers? (2019)

Q. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How
has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (2018)

Q. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical
conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns.
Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other
treatments? (2017)
Nanotechnology

By: Siddharth
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (2021)
1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas
retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes.
2. Common cold is sometimes caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is
caused by a retrovirus.
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
Definition:
Nanotechnology is the design, production, and application of structures,
devices, and systems by manipulation of size and shape at the
nanometer scale.

1 cm = 10-2 m
1 µm = 10-6 m
1 nm = 10-9 m

• When the materials at their atomic and molecular levels are modified,
some unusual and useful properties are generated.
• Nanotech involves ability to control individual atoms and molecules.

• Example: 1.Bandage made of Silver Nano particles that cures burns.

2.Nano lasers in optical communication to transfer large
data rapidly.
Nano scale:
Applications:
Applications in medicine:

1. Development of diagnostic devices

2. Drug delivery vehicles to precise
cells
- destroying the cancer cells without
harming
healthy cells of the body. Example:
Nano-micelle
3. Scope for repairing damaged tissue Nano-bots
4. Other applications:
• Nanochips to check plaque in arteries
• Diabetic pads for regulating blood sugar levels.
• Nanoparticles for drug delivery to the brain for therapeutic treatment
• Nano-sponges used for absorbing toxins from the bloodstream
• Nano-bots are robots for specific drug delivery
Applications in Food Industry/Agriculture:

1. Contamination sensor, using a flash of light can reveal the presence

of bacteria.
2. Antimicrobial packaging made out nanoparticles of zinc, calcium to
kill bacteria.
3. Nano-enhanced barrier can keep oxygen-sensitive food fresh
4. Nano-encapsulating can improve the solubility of vitamins,
antioxidants, etc.
5. Nano-barcodes are used to tag individual products and trace
outbreaks.
6. Nano-emulsions to kill bacteria without harming plants.
7. Nano-capsule for effective penetration of herbicides, chemical
fertilizers, and genes into the targeted part of the plant.
Applications in Electronics:
Computers are already working on a nanoscale.
1. Reducing the size of the integrated circuits’ transistors. Example: Nano-transistors

2. Improving the display screens of the electronic devices

3. Reducing power consumption, weight, and thickness of the electronic devices.

Example: Nano-chips
Applications in Energy Efficiency:

1. can improve the efficiency of the existing solar panels

2. make the manufacturing process of solar panels cheaper and efficient.
3. can improve the efficiency of fuel production and consumption of petroleum
materials.
4. use in many batteries that are :
 less-flammable
 efficient
 quicker-charging
 lightweight
 higher power density
Applications in Environment Protection:

The nanotechnology has numerous eco-friendly applications:

1. Detection of impurities in water and purification. Example: Nano-absorents

2. Remove industrial water pollutants in the groundwater. Example: Nano-membranes

3. Nano-sensors to detect, identify, filter and neutralize harmful chemical or

biological agents in the air and soil.

4. Environment monitoring
Other Applications:
A. Textile industry:
•To produced stain and wrinkle resistant cloths

B. Transportation:
• The nanoscale sensors can provide structural monitoring of the condition and
performance of the bridges, rails, tunnels, etc.
• Enhance transportation infrastructure
• Avoid collisions and congestions
• Maintain lane position
C. Space:
• Carbon nanotubes can reduce the weight of the
spaceships and increasing the structural strength.
• Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
What are the risks of nanotechnology?

1. Nanotoxicology- is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials.

2. Nano-pollution - waste generated by the nanodevices or nanomaterials during

the manufacturing process.

3. Nano-wastes may be of risk due to their size and different properties and
interactions.

4. Misuse for spying and espionage purpose or weapon of war

5. Costly technique

6. Need expertise
Governmental Initiatives to Promote Nanotechnology:

 Nano Science and Technology Mission (NSTM):

• NSTM, launched in 2007 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• The objectives of the mission are:
a. Basic research promotion
b. Infrastructure development
c. Nano applications and technology development
d. Human Resource development
e. International collaborations

 Nano Science and Technology Initiative (NSTI):

• It was set up by (DST) in 2001
• Focus on infrastructure development, research and application programs related
to nanomaterials including drugs, drug delivery, gene targeting and DNA chips.
 COVID-19 Nano Coating:
 The Department of Science and Technology and the Science and Engineering
Research Board (SERB) called for a Short-term Research Grant for Nano Coating
COVID-19 in April 2020.

 The goals of the project are to focus on the following areas:

1. Antiviral Nano-coatings
• It will be coated/used on the appropriate material for producing anti-COVID-19
Triple Layer Medical masks and N-95 respirator or better masks in large
quantities.
2. All components of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• PPEs are used for safeguarding the health of all health care workers against
COVID-19.
International Conference on NanoScience and NanoTechnology (ICONSAT) 2020:
• March 2020 at Kolkata (West Bengal)
• Biennial
• Under the aegis of Nano Mission, Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Emphasised on 5Ms –
1. Mechanical
2. Material
3. Machines
4. Manufacturing
5. Manpower
Q. With reference to the carbon
nanotubes, consider the following
statement : (2020)
1.They can be used as the carriers of drugs
and antigens in the human body.
2.They can be made into artificial blood
capillaries for an injured part of human
body.
3.They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4.Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are
correct ?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. The talk of nanotechnology has been in
news recently. Consider the following
statements regarding the nanotechnology
and its scope: (2017)
1. Nanotechnology is science, engineering,
and technology conducted at the nanoscale,
which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.
2. The efficiency in the use of
nanotechnology in the solar panel has
already gone up to 46 % from 15 %, and it
will climb to 50 % shortly.
Which of the above statements is true?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q. With reference to the use of
nanotechnology in health sector, which of
the following statements is/are correct?
(2015)
1.Targeted drug delivery is made possible
by nanotechnology
2.Nanotechnology can largely contribute to
gene therapy
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
Mains questions:
Q. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe
the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology
and the scope of its application in the development process of the country. (2016)

Q. What do you understand by Nanotechnology and how is it helping in health

sector. (2020)
Information Technology

By: Siddharth
 Networks
Topics:
1. Introduction
2. Networks
3. 5G technology
4. Internet of Things
5. Virtual and Augmented reality
6. Blockchain Technology
7. Cryptocurrencies
8. Artificial Intelligence
9. Big Data
10. Dark net
11. Misc. digital technologies-
Drones, 3D Printing, RFID, FAStag, TechSagar
Information Technology:
- the study or use of electronic equipment, especially computers, for collecting,
storing and sending out information.

IT-Enabled Services Types:

1. Customer Interaction Services
2. Business Process Outsourcing /
Management, Back Office
Operations
3. Insurance Claims Processing
4. Medical Transcription
5. Legal Databases
6. Digital Content
7. Online Education
8. Data Digitization / GIS
9. Payroll / HR Services
10. Website Services
Networks :
1G - Voice only

2G - Voice , Data: GPRS,

EDGE (Both voice and
data travelled
separately)
3G - Voice , Data: HSPA

4G - Voice : VoLTE (Voice is converted

Data : LTE into data, then
transmitted)

Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) is a

high-speed wireless communication
Q. With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the differences
between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?
(2019)

1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.

2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.

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
VoWiFi:
• Mobile phone converts voice to data and sends to
telecom tower via WiFi
• No extra charges
• No mobile app needed
• Calls can be made even when mobile connectivity is zero.
LiFi vs WiFi:
Parameter LiFi WiFi
Medium Light waves Radio waves
Privacy Blocked by walls hence more Less secure and need other
privacy techniques to secure data
Speed Faster (1Gb/sec) Slower (150 mb/sec)

Coverage About 10 m About 32 m

Li-Fi is a Visible Light Communications (VLC) system for running wireless

communication.
• Advantages – no electromagnetic interference, low cost and high data rate, much
higher than traditional bluetooth.
 Q. With reference to visible light
communication (VLC) technology, which of the
Q. With reference to ‘Li-Fi’, recently in
following statements are correct? (2020)
the news, which of the following
statements is/are correct? (2017)
1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum
1. It uses light as the medium for high-
wavelengths 375 to 780nm
speed data transmission.
2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless
2. It is a wireless technology and is
communication
several times faster than ‘WiFi’.
3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data
Select the correct answer using the
faster than Bluetooth
code given below.
4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference
(a) 1 only
Select the correct answer using the code given
(b) 2 only
below
(c) Both 1 and 2
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
b) 1, 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
5G Technology: Applications:
1. High-Speed mobile network

2. Entertainment and multimedia

3. Internet of Things

4. Smart cities

5. Smart farming

6. Telemedicine services

7. Controlling of critical infrastructure

and vehicles.

8. Industrial applications
Advantages of 5G:
1. Enhanced mobile broadband that can meet high coverage requirements

2. High upload and download speed

3. Can diversify services and demonstrate spectral efficiency

4. Help cloud systems to stream software updates, music, and navigation data

5. Incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our daily lives

6. Facilitate the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem

7. Digital growth of country rise of GDP  employment generation

Current News of 5G:
• Airtel 5G: Airtel successfully demonstrates live 5G services in Hyderabad – 29th
Jan 2021
• 5G testbed – Testing 5G in small areas to develop related technology, funded by
DOT
• 5G hackathon – Competition organized by DOT in Feb 2020 and October 2020 to
develop uses in various fields like education, health, livestock, agritech etc.
• D10 Club - British government initiative of creating a 5G club of 10 democracies,
including India, amid growing security concerns related to Chinese telecom giant
Huawei.

Challenges:
a. Cost Factor
b. Infrastructural Issues
c. Cyber Security
d. Technical Issues
Internet of Things:
• Everyday objects will be connected to internet
Q. When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and
tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on
automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather
and indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some
groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognizes the
shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery
items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans,
geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. In the context of
emerging communication technologies, (2018)

(a) Border Gateway Protocol

(b) Internet of Things
(c) Internet Protocol
(d) Virtual Private Network
Virtual reality (VR): computer-generated simulation in which a person can
interact within an artificial 3D environment using electronic devices, such as special
goggles with a screen or gloves fitted with sensors.

• Everything is Virtual like video game.

Augmented reality (AR) is an enhanced version of the real physical world that is
achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli
delivered via technology.

• Fake images are overloaded on real things.

Q In The context of digital technologies for entertainment, consider the following
statements :
1. In Augmented Reality (AR), a simulated environment is created and the physical
world is completely shut out.
2. In Virtual Reality (VR), images generated from the computer are projected onto
real life objects or surroundings.
3. AR allows individual to be present in the world and improves the experience using
the camera of smart-phone or PC.
4.VR closes the world, and transposes an individual, providing complete immersion
experience.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2019)
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 4 only
Information Technology

By: Siddharth
What is Big Data:
• It refers to data sets so large that conventional systems cannot process them
• large amount of data which is of structured, semi-structured or unstructured nature.
• It also refers to the entire process of gathering, storing, and analyzing that data.
• It is characterized by five V’s:
a. Volume
b. Variety
c. Velocity
d. Veracity
e. Value
• As per the study conducted by NASSCOM,
“the Indian analytics industry is predicted to
reach $16 billion mark by 2025.”
Applications:
1. For policy making, e.g. understand savings and expenditure pattern of
population
2. For targeted delivery of welfare schemes, e.g. Aadhaar
3. To prevent market manipulations, e.g. Data lake project of SEBI
4. To catch income tax evaders (Low IT base), e.g. Project Insight of IT
department.
5. To improve competence of PSBs, e.g. Economic Survey 2020 suggests creation
of PSBN on lines of GSTN
6. To boost intelligence gathering through surveillance of communication
systems.
7. IoT is inevitable; it will generate lots of data due to number of connected
devices.
Challenges:

1. Lack of data Scientists: India has less than 10% of data scientists available
globally
2. Security: ensuring security of huge amounts of data is difficult
3. Invasion of Privacy: Big Data Analytics leads to the twin problems of
digitization, i.e. Data privacy and Net neutrality
4. Technical Challenges: Inefficient infrastructure for data collection & storage

Net Neutrality: the principle that internet service providers should enable access
to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favouring or
blocking particular products or websites.
Steps taken:
1. NITI Aayog is developing ‘National Data & Analytics Platform’ as a single
source for various data
2. Big Data Management Policy’ drafted by CAG for auditing big data generated
in public sector.
What is Dark Net?
Surface Web-
• Everything that can be found by a search engine like Google.
• E.g. info on websites freely accessible by all

Deep Web –
• Everything that can't be found by search engine like google.
• One needs authentication (login) to access this info.
• E.g. email; bank statements

Dark Web-
• One needs specific software to access this info, e.g. TOR (the
onion router), Freenet
• Uses public internet infra, but its hidden and anonymous.
• Used for: trading stolen data; organizing anti-govt. protests.
Issues with Dark Net:

1. Used for illegal activities like selling confidential data; drugs, etc.
2. Anonymity of users makes it difficult to identify the culprits.
3. It uses cryptocurrencies for payment, makes tracking transactions difficult.
4. Global distribution of users makes it difficult to crack the network.

Steps taken:
I. Centre has directed immunity for ethical hackers who help police counter
dark net crimes
II. CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is working with
CSIR to effectively monitor dark web activities.
III. Kerala has established a darknet lab in its Cyberdome project.
What are Drones?
• Aerial vehicle without human pilot on board.
• Remotely piloted aircraft have been divided into five categories based on their
weight-
1. Nano : Less than or equal to 250 grams.
2. Micro : From 250 grams to 2kg.
3. Small : From 2 kg to 25kg.
4. Medium : From 25kg to 150kg.
5. Large : Greater than 150kg.

Applications:
1. Defence: reconnaissance, strike; e.g. DRDO Rustam; USA’s Predator
2. Law enforcement: crowd management; traffic control;
3. Agriculture: monitor crop health; spray insecticides
4. Miscellaneous: make GIS maps; Search & rescue after disasters;
photography
General Rules and Regulations
for flying drones
Drones regulations in India:

• Issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2018

• Classifies drones into 5 categories: nano (<250 gm) to Large (>150 kg)
• It is mandatory to get drones registered Nano drones (weight up to 250 grams) are
exempted from registration.
• No Permission No Take-off: Permission needs to be taken each time to fly drone
• Only for visual line-of-sight daytime only and a maximum of 400 ft altitude.
• There can’t be any human or animal payloads, or anything hazardous.
• Airspace has been partitioned into:
a) Red Zone (flying not permitted)
b) Yellow zone (controlled airspace)
c) Green Zone (automatic permission)
National Counter Rogue Drone Guidelines:
• Issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2019
• For handling the threats from Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Outlines three models to counter rogue drones, based on threat
perception:
1. Full-scale model with detectors like radars and full countermeasures. (for
places like Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament house)
2. Mid-segment model with some counter measures (for places like
powerplants, oil refineries)
3. Basic model (important govt offices)

News:
Saudi-Aramco Drone Attack – In Sept 2019, Drone attacks claimed by Yemen's
Houthi rebels struck two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia
Methods to control drones:
1) Sky fence: disrupt signals to prevent drone from entering an area
2) Drone gun: jam signals to bring it down to the ground.
3) Laser: damage drone by high energy laser beam
4) Net: throw a net around drone with a gun
5) Bigger drone: use a bigger drone with net to catch smaller drone
What is 3D Printing?

• 3D printing or additive manufacturing uses computer-aided designing to make

prototypes or working models of objects by laying down successive layers of
materials such as plastic, resin, thermoplastic, metal, fibre or ceramic.

• USA remains the global leader with more than 35% market share.

• In Asia, about 50% of its market is cornered

by China, followed by Japan at 30%,
and South Korea at 10%.

• Negligible material wastage

• Highly customised
Examples: Applications of 3D printing:

• Auto and ancillary auto

• Motor spare part engines
• Interior and exterior parts of luxury
vehicles, or consumer electronics
• printed circuit boards
• Clothing
• Toys
• Jewellery Defence
and space
• Organs

spare part
engines
Challenges:
1. Lack of Standards
2. Hesitation in Adoption
3. Risk of Job Losses
4. High Costing
5. Sector Specific Challenges
the largest consumer of 3D printing is the automotive industry, new vehicle design
development has slowed and so has the demand for 3D printing.
What is RFID technology?

• RFID stands for ‘Radio-frequency identification’

• Digital data is encoded in RFID tags or smart labels which is captured by a reader.

Applications of RFID technology:

1. Logistics and supply chain - increase efficiency, reduce errors and improve on quality
2. Inventory tracking
3. Tracking attendees
4. Increase level of security
5. Real time location system
FASTag:
• The FASTag is a reloadable tag that allows automatic deduction of toll without
having to stop for carrying out the cash transaction.
• The tag uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
• Fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle once active.
• It is operated by NHAI (National Highway Authority of India).
• It uses ‘National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC)’ system developed by NPCI
(National Payments Corporations of India).
TechSagar:
• It is online portal that has list of India’s Cybertech capabilities of the Indian
Industry, academia and research across 25 technology areas like Internet of Things
(IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc.
• Launced by National Cyber Security Coordinator's office in partnership with the
Data Security Council of India (DSCI)

National Cyber Security Coordinator

The NCSC office coordinates with different agencies at the national level for cyber
security matters.

Data Security Council of India

DSCI is a not-for-profit premier industry body on data protection in India, setup by
NASSCOM, committed to making cyberspace safe
Q. With reference to ‘Near Field Communication
(NFC) Technology’, which of the following
statements is/are correct? (2015)
1. It is a contactless communication technology
that uses electromagnetic radio fields.
2. NFC is designed for use by devices which can
be at a distance of even a meter from each other.
3. NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive
information.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. “3D printing” has applications in
which of the following? (2018)
1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the
code given below.
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Q. Consider the following activities : (2020)

1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field

2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes
3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis
At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be
successfully carried out by using drones ?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Mains question:

Q. What is CyberDome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet

crimes in India. (2019)
Q. How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity
and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regards? (2015)
Q. How does 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages
of the technology. (2013)
Information Technology

By: Siddharth
Blockchain Technology?

Ledger: is like a book that records all transactions

Centralized ledger:
• A book of records kept at one place
• Every party dependent on central party
• Central party has power over data

Distributed ledger:
• This book of records is kept in different places
• Every party holds the ledger
• Prevents data corruption
What is Blockchain Technology?

• It is a decentralized distributed digital ledger that records transactions on

thousands of computers globally in such a way that the registered transactions
cannot be altered retrospectively.

• It uses cryptography to securely record transactions.

• Enables instant transfer of money as against the current system, especially cross
border transactions.

• Data stored in multiple locations, reduce chances of data corruption.

• Network has no central authority.

 #126 #123 #124 #125 #126

Transaction Crypted form Block Block chain

Node
Node Node

#127
Node Node
Applications of Blockchain:
Recent updates:

1. World economic forum (WEF) estimates 10% of global GDP will be stored on
blockchain by 2025.
2. May 2020: WEF Global Blockchain Council published “Presidio Principles”, also
called as “Blockchain bill of rights”.
i. Right to information about system
ii. Right to own and manage data
iii. Right to data protection
iv. Right to recourse – rectify false data and access to grievance redressal mechanism
3. NITI Aayog – building platform “India Chain” as common blockchain infra. For
various govt. departments.
4. Andhra Pradesh – use for land records and vehicle registration.
5. West Bengal – use for birth certificates for new borns.
Challenges:

1. High initial investment cost in creating framework

2. Immense use of energy (electricity) as each transaction involves thousands of

node.

3. Data privacy issue

4. Need for legal and regulatory framework since no central authority

5. Irreversibility of data
What are Cryptocurrencies?
• Digital currency that can be used to buy goods and services but uses an online ledger
with strong cryptography to secure online transactions.

• Facebook – Libra cryptocurrency

to launch in 2021
• Ripple (XRP) – USA Ripple labs
Virtual currencies (VC):

• Larger umbrella term for all forms of currencies Virtual currencies

traded online. Cryptocurrencies
• No globally accepted definition
• Satoshi Nakamoto as founder of cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrencies
defined Bitcoin as new electronic cash system. using blockchain
• Entirely peer-to-peer regulation.

News:
 April 2018: RBI circular prohibiting use of VC for banks and NBFCs.

 March 2020: Supreme Court struck down ban on VC imposed by RBI.

o According to SC- VC are neither commodity and nor real money.

 Japan accepted Bitcoin as legal currency in 2017.

 Advantages Disadvantages
1. Easy to use 1. Volatility in value

2. Easy to store in digital mode 2. Money supply management

difficult - No central authority
3. People get choice
3. Difficult to regulate
4. Difficult to counterfeit like physical
currency 4. Cyber frauds

5. Highly secure with blockchain 5. Misuse – Tax evasion, Money

technology laundering
6. Needs high energy (electricity)
6. International usage requirement in extraction

7. Irreversibility
News: RBI working on digital currency, wants to tap on blockchain technology: Das
(February 25, 2021)
Artificial Intelligence:
• Describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically
required human intelligence.

Example: Facebook’s list of suggested friends,

Upcoming sale of the favourite brand of shoes and clothes

AI: Machine mimics human intelligence

ML: Machine improves with experience, by itself

DL: Machine learns from vast amount of data

Applications of AI :
1. Agriculture: accurate weather forecast; early warning of pest attacks; use in
precision agriculture

2. Manufacturing: decision support systems for inventory control, demand prediction

3. Services: smart chatbot for customer support (SBI’s SIA); early fraud detection
4. Health: automated diagnostics; early warning of disease outbreak; faster
development of new vaccine/medicine.
5. Education: personalized course module for each student as per need.
6. Mobility: self-driving cars; smart traffic signal to re-route heavy traffic.
Issues with AI:
1. Legal issues: fixing liability when law is broken by AI system
2. Inequality: economic inequality will increase as skilled will gain more by using AI,
whereas unskilled will lose bargaining power
3. Misuse: Deepfakes to malign political opponent; create social unrest; malign
character.

4. Surveillance: AI makes mass surveillance practical by use of public cameras,

telephone conversations, written communications, etc.
5. AI takeover: advanced AI system may grow out of control of humans
6. Ethical issues:
i. Livelihood: AI replaces humans, unlike computers which helps humans
ii. Bias: Chatbots learn social biases (racism/casteism/communalism)
e.g. Microsoft had to shut down 'Tay’
iii. Weapons: Lethal Autonomous Weapons can wrongly trigger attack
(antiaircraft systems)
Challenges:
1. Regulatory: finding the optimum level of regulation
2. Data security: AI systems generally use lot of data; ensuring its fair use is difficult
3. Technological: low computing power in most computers commonly available;
also less supercomputers at national level
4. Human resource: lack of talent to work on advanced technologies, despite
having huge IT manpower
Steps taken:
1) AIRAWAT: AI Research, Analytics and Knowledge Assimilation platform. India's
first AI-specific cloud computing infrastructure.

• This will help in transforming sectors

like education, health, agriculture,
urbanization and mobility.
2) Centre of Excellence in Artificial
Intelligence (CoE in AI) by NIC for AI
solutions for NIC's projects.
3) “OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Principles on AI”
• to promote AI that is trustworthy and respects human rights and democratic
values.
4) IN USA, its mostly self-regulation by tech giants like Google and Microsoft.
NEWS:
a. RAISE 2020 – ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020’ was jointly organised
by the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY).

b. In May 2020, the Government launched the National AI Portal of India - one-stop
digital platform for artificial intelligence-related developments in the country.

c. From 2020 onwards, CBSE has integrated AI into the school curriculum.

d. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)

- In June 2020, India became a part of the GPAI.
- The grouping aims to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of AI.
Q. With reference to "Blockchain Q. With the present state of development,
Technology" consider the following Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which
statements:(2020) of the following? (2020)
(1) It is a public ledger that everyone can 1.Bring down electricity consumption in
inspect, but which no single user controls. industrial units
(2) The structure and design of blockchain is 2.Create meaningful short stories and songs
such that all the data in it are about 3.Disease diagnosis
cryptocurrency only. 4.Text-to-speech conversion
(3) Applications that depend on basic 5.Wireless transmission of electrical energy
features of blockchain can be developed Select the correct answer using the code
without given below:
anybody's permission. a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
Which of the statements is/are correct? b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(a) 1 only c) 2, 4, and 5 only
(b) 1 and 2 only d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Computer Science

By: Siddharth
Basic computer Organization
 Computer Memory

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

RAM ROM
• The contents of RAM are no more available once the computer
is turned off.
• ROM or Read Only Memory is typical memory which can only
be read and contents of which are not lost even when the
computer is switched off.
• ROM contains manufacturer’s instructions
• ROM also stores an initial program called the ‘bootstrap
loader’ whose function is to start the operation of computer
system once the power is turned on.
 Differences RAM ROM
1. Data and Stores during and Stored by
Program after processing manufacturer
2. Content Stores information Stores information
temporarily permanently

3. Processing Very fast but uses a Fast, uses little

Time lot of power power

4. Volatility Volatile Non-volatile

Secondary Memory:
• These include devices that are outlying and are connected and
controlled by the computer to enable permanent storage of
programs and data.
• Secondary storage devices are of two types
1. Magnetic
2. Optical
• Magnetic devices include hard disks
o Hard disks are composed of rigid material and are usually a stack
of metal disks sealed in a box.
o These are rewritable.
• Optical storage devices are CDs, DVDs.

Hard disk
Computer Viruses:
• Self-replicating program
• Can transmitted by email or by inserting copies of itself into
other programs Most viruses or worms are malicious programs
designed to pollute and gain control over a computer without
the owner’s knowledge.
• Spread through a computer system, or network when it is
activated.
• After it gets activated, these viruses look for certain programs to
infect.
Computer Malwares:
• Malware is the shortened form of malicious software.
• This is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user.
• The term refers to software that is deployed with malicious
intent.
• These malicious programs can perform a variety of functions,
including stealing, encrypting or deleting sensitive data,
altering or hijacking core computing functions and monitoring
users’ computer activity without their permission.
Types of Malware:
1. Adware: The least dangerous and most lucrative Malware.
Adware displays ads on your computer. Example: Fireball,
DeskAd
2. Spyware: Spyware is software that spies on you, tracking your
internet activities in
order to send advertising (Adware) back to your system.
Example: Pegasus
• Developed by Israeli company NSO group
• In 2019 many politicians in India were spied
• NSO sells this software only to governments
3. Spam: Spamming is a method of flooding the Internet with
copies of the same message. Most spams are commercial
advertisements which are sent as an unwanted email to
users.

4. Worm: A program that replicates itself and destroys data

and files on the computer. Worms work to “eat” the
system operating files and data files until the drive is
empty.
5. Trojan: A Trojan horse or Trojan is a type of malware that
is often disguised as legitimate software. Trojans are
written with the purpose of discovering your financial
information, taking over your computer’s system
resources etc.

6. Backdoors: Backdoors are much the same as Trojans or

worms, except that they open a “backdoor” on a
computer, providing a network connection for hackers or
other Malware to enter or for viruses or SPAM to be sent.
7. Keyloggers: Records everything you type on your PC in
order to get your log-in names, passwords, and other
sensitive information, and send it on to the source of the
keylogging program.

8. Ransomware: Your screen is locked out until you pay for

your cybercrimes. Your system is severely infected with a
form of Malware called Ransomware. Example: WannaCry
What is Quantum computers?
• Quantum Technology is based on the principles of
Quantum mechanics.
• Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics
that provides a description of the physical properties of
nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles.
• Quantum computing is the use of quantum phenomena
such as superposition and entanglement to perform
computation.
• Einstein called Entanglement as ‘spooky action at a
distance’.
Differences between Classical and Quantum computers :
Applications:
• Understanding the complexity of molecular and chemical
interactions leading to the discovery of new medicines and
materials.
• They may enable ultra-efficient logistics and supply chains,
such as optimizing fleet operations for deliveries during the
holiday season.
• They may help us find new ways to model financial data and
isolate key global risk factors to make better investments.
• They may make facets of artificial intelligence such as
machine learning much more powerful.
• Augmenting Industrial revolution 4.0: Quantum
computing is an integral part of Industrial revolution 4.0
Quantum Satellite/Communication:
• QUESS (Quantum Experiments at Space scale)
• Long-range secure communication
• It is a Chinese project on use of quantum physics in
space technology.
• One of its part is ‘Micius’ world’s 1st quantum enabled
satellite, launched by China in 2016.
• Quantum Cryptography: It uses laws of quantum physics. By
no-cloning theorem of quantum physics, if one attempts to read
the encoded data, the quantum state will be changed. Hence, it
is not possible to decipher such message.
• Scientists have started using quantum encryption for securing
long-range communication and Micius has been at the forefront
of quantum encryption for several years.
• This mechanism prevents malicious attacks, such as blinding the
telescopes with other light signals.
• This gives China the robust, unbreakable cryptographic
protection.
News:
• In 2019, Google’s quantum computer, named Sycamore, claimed
“quantum supremacy”.
• It reportedly did the task in 200 seconds that would have apparently
taken a supercomputer 10,000 years to complete.

What is “quantum supremacy”?

• The phrase “quantum supremacy” was coined in 2012 by John Preskill.
• Quantum supremacy refers to a quantum computer solving a problem
that cannot be expected of a classical computer in a normal lifetime.
• India does not have any quantum computers, but R&D is going on.
Supercomputers:
• A computer with a high level of computing performance
compared to a general purpose computer and performance
measured in FLOPS (floating point operations per second).
• Great speed
• The performance is generally evaluated in petaflops (1 followed
by 15 zeros).
• Memory is 250000 times of the normal computer we use on a
daily basis.
• Housed in large clean rooms with high air flow to permit cooling.
• Used to solve problems that are too complex and huge for
standard computers.
Supercomputers in India:

• The first supercomputer assembled indigenously, called Param

Shivay, was installed in IIT (Banaras Hindu University).
• Param Shakti installed at IIT-Kharagpur
• Param Brahma installed by IISER, Pune.
• They are equipped with applications from domains like Weather
and Climate, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Bioinformatics, and
Material science
• India setting up C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing) in 1988, which in 1991, unveiled the prototype of
PARAM 8000, benchmarked at 5 Gflops. This supercomputer
was the second-fastest in the world at that time.
• As of January 2018, Pratyush and Mihir are the fastest
supercomputers in India with a maximum speed of Peta Flops.
Applications of Supercomputers:

• Academic research: example, astrophysicists use supercomputers

as “time machines” to explore the past and the future of our
universe.
• Weather and climate modeling to forecast with better accuracy by
analyzing multiple factors and their interrelationships.
• Medicine discovery for e.g. How a protein folds information leads
to the discovery of new drugs.
• Big data mining to strengthen and better mobilization of digital
India mission.
• Oil and gas exploration, therefore, ensuring energy security
of India.
• Airplane and spacecraft aerodynamics research and
development, therefore better safety standards and
smoother connectivity thereby helping in ease of
transportation.
• Simulation of nuclear fission and fusion processes, therefore
imparting better nuclear infrastructure models and helping
in energy security of the nation.
• Molecular dynamics: development of innovative materials
for future generation technologies.
Edge Computing:

• Edge computing is defined as the deployment of data-handling

activities or other network operations away from centralized and
always-connected network segments (like Dropbox, Gmail, etc.) and
toward individual sources of data capture.
• The data is analysed locally, closer to where it is stored, in real-time
without latency.
• The global edge computing market is forecasted to reach more than
$ 8 Billion by 2025
Advantages of Edge Computing:

1. Quicker data processing and content delivery

2. Future Technology Enabled: like 5G and AI
3. Localized solution: preferred over cloud computing in remote
locations
4. Data-Efficient
5. Reduced cost
6. Data sovereignty
 Cloud Computing Edge Computing

Non-time-sensitive data processing Real-time data processing

Reliable internet connection Remote locations with limited or no

internet connectivity

Dynamic workloads Large datasets that are too costly to

send to the cloud

Data in cloud storage Highly sensitive data and strict data

laws
Robotics
By: Siddharth
Robotics:
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction,
operation, structural depositions, manufacture and application of robots.
Robotics Laws:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human
being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such
orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not
conflict with the First or Second Laws
Robotic process automation (RPA):

• Robotic process automation (RPA) is the use of software with artificial

intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities to handle high-volume,
repeatable tasks that previously required humans to perform.
• These tasks can include queries, calculations and maintenance of records and
transactions.
Practitioners divide RPA technologies into three broad categories:

1. Probots are bots that follow simple, repeatable rules to process data.
2. Knowbots are bots that search the internet to gather and store user-
specified information.
3. Chatbots are virtual agents who can respond to customer queries in real
time.
Components of Robotic System:
Timeline vision of robotics in India:

-Report of National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), 2030.

By 2013-2014 – Agricultural robots

By 2013 – 2017 - Robots that care for Elderly
By 2013-2020 – Nano Robots
By 2015 – To have one third of its fighting capacity provided by Robots
By 2017 – Medical Robots performing low invasive surgery
By 2017-2019 – Household Robots
By 2035 – To have first completely autonomous Robot soldiers on the battlefield
Applications of robotics
Examples:

Daksh: It is developed by (DRDO) Defense

Research and Development Organization. It is
one of the most current military robots of India,
it can also scan objects using its portable X-ray
Device.

AGRIBOT – Agriculture Robot: admirable

agriculture aid for the farmer.
Examples:
Medical robots: da Vinci Surgical System

Kitchen robots:
Boston Dynamics, SpotMini robot.
Challenges in Robotics:
1. Loss of job as robots may be efficient in doing repetitive tasks
2. Security threats
3. Existential threat to humanity if these Robots through Machine learning
become much intelligent than human beings
4. Ethical: lack of clarity on rights of Robots
5. Social: Human beings might get attached to Robots and it might weaken
our family systems
All India Council for Robotics and Automation:
• It is a not-for-profit organization established in 2014.
• It sets up standards in robotics & automation and education
industry, helping organizations and professionals to solve difficult
technical problems.
• It is engaged in various activities to promote and build an ecosystem for
robotics and automation in India.
Recent update:
Vyommitra:
• female-looking spacefaring humanoid robot
• developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• to function on-board the Gaganyaan, a crewed orbital
spacecraft.
Artificial Humans -NEONs
• NEONs, being called the world’s first artificial humans
• Created by Samsung’s Star Labs headed by Pranav Mistry, an India -
born scientist.
• NEONs are computationally created virtual humans —
the word derives from NEO (new) + humaN.
Xenobots (Living Robot):
• Scientists in the United States have created the world’s first “living
robots” named “xenobots”.
• The tiny robots have been built from the cells of the African clawed frog
(skin cells and heart cells)
• Skin provides rigid support, heart cells give push to move.
• Applications include searching out nasty compounds or radioactive
contamination, gathering microplastic in the oceans, travelling in arteries to
scrape out plaque, etc.
Astro Robot:
• Recently, Amazon has unveiled its ‘Astro’ home robot, which is designed to
help customers with a range of tasks like home monitoring and keeping in
touch with family.
• Designed to move around the home
• Keep a check on pets
• Combination of the Echo Show (smart speaker) and sophisticated Ring
security camera
• Recognise the faces of people and analyse them
Spot Robot:
• Researchers from Boston Dynamics, of Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT - USA)
• use it for patients with Covid-19 symptoms.
• can measure skin temperature, breathing rate, pulse rate, and blood
oxygen saturation in healthy patients, from 2 metres away.
Robotics in Pandemics:

1. Disinfecting surfaces
2. Contract Tracing
3. Testing for coronavirus
4. Medicine Delivery
5. Wuhan, China, CloudMinds robots were used to deliver food, drink and
medicine to patients.
6. Social Robots: provide social stimulation and interactions during
isolation
Mains question:

Q What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by
robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel research in premier research
institutes for substantive and gainful innovation. (2015)
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
- Siddharth
Satellite:
• An artificial body placed in orbit round the earth or moon or another planet in
order to collect information or for communication.
Basic orbits:

LEO – Lower Earth Orbit

MEO – Medium Earth Orbit
GEO – Geostationary orbit
 2001
1994

2010
1992
1979
 GSLV Mark-III PSLV

Uses (liquid oxygen

and liquid hydrogen)
Launch Vehicle stages:
Types of Satellite:
1. Astronomical satellites / Space observatory
• India’s envisioned ASTROSAT is an Astronomical satellite.
• Most common is HUBBLE observatory
Astronomy Satellites Applications:
• They can be used to make star maps.
• They can be used to study mysterious phenomena
such as Black holes and Quasars.
• They can be used to take pictures of the planets in
the solar system.
• They can be used to make maps of different
planetary surfaces.
NEWS: James Webb Space Telescope
• Also called JWST or Webb
• Replacement for HUBBLE telescope
• large infrared telescope with a 6.5-
meter primary mirror.
• The telescope was launched on an
Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana
in Dec. 2021. James Webb Space Telescope

• Study every phase in the history of our

Universe.
• Collaboration between NASA, the
European Space Agency (ESA), and
the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Hubble Space Telescope

2. Communication satellites
Example: The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) - INSAT-3A, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4CR , GSAT of
India
• enables the satellites to communicate over vast distances
• telecommunications links, mobile communications etc.

GSAT -31 INSAT 4-B

3. Earth observation satellites-
• Navigation satellites, Weather satellites

Example: India’s IRS and RESOURCESAT

• Used for observing the earth’s surface
• Often termed geographical satellites

Applications of Earth observation Satellite:

• Agriculture
• Water resources
• Urban development
• Mineral prospecting
• Environment and forestry
• Drought and flood forecasting
• Ocean resources
• Disaster management
NEWS:
• Cartosat-3 is an earth-observation remote
sensing satellite which will replace Indian
Remote Sensing (IRS) series.
• So far, ISRO has orbited 8 Cartosats since
2005.
4. Radar Imaging Satellite:
• RISAT (Radar Imaging Satellite) series are the first all-weather Earth
observation satellites from ISRO.
• The radar can penetrate clouds and darkness.
• Use synthetic aperture radars (SAR) that measure changes on the surface of
the Earth.
• RISAT 2 - 2009
RISAT 1 - 2012
RISAT-2B - 2019
RISAT-2BR1 - 2019
RISAT-2BR2 - 2020
RISAT-1A - 2021
• Applications: agriculture, forestry and disaster management, RISAT-1
their primary purpose is military surveillance.
Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

• IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by

the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
• The main objective is to provide reliable position, navigation and timing
services over India and its neighbourhood.
• The IRNSS constellation was named as “NavIC” (Navigation with Indian
Constellation) by the Prime Minister.
• NavIC provides two types of services:
1. Standard Positioning Service (SPS) is meant for the general public.
2. Restricted Service (RS) is an encrypted service meant for authorised users
and agencies.
• India has become the 4th country in the world to have its independent
regional navigation satellite system recognised by the IMO as a part of the
World Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS).
• GPS includes 24 satellites while NavIC has 8 satellites and their range is within
India and its adjoining regions extending up to 1,500 km from the country's
border.
• Compared to GPS which has a position accuracy of 20-30 metres, the NavIC is able
to pinpoint location to an estimated accuracy of under 20 metres.
• It is being considered as a significant achievement towards the ‘Atmanirbhar
Bharat’ initiative.
• Apart from navigational benefits it has strategic
importance as it reduces overdependence on the
global navigation system.
8 33
5
Important Navigation Systems:
• USA navigation system: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-
based navigation system that consists of 24 orbiting satellites.
• Glonass is Russian Satellite Navigation System considered as a counterpart
to GPS of the USA.
• BeiDou Navigation Satellite System of China: A hybrid constellation
consisting of around 30 satellites in three kinds of orbits.
• Galileo is Europe's Global Navigation Satellite System.
• QZSS - Japan
Q. Satellites used for telecommunication
relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A
satellite is said to be in such an orbit
when: (2011)
1. The orbit is geosynchronous.
2. The orbit is circular,
3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s
equator.
4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km.
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 1, 3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. With reference to the Indian Regional
Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider
the following statements: (2018)
1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary
and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq.
km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation
system with full global coverage by the middle
of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) None
Q. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following
statements: (2018)
1. PSLVs launch the satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas
GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same
position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-staged launch l vehicle with the first and third stages l
using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket
engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct.?

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3
c) 1 and 2
d) 3 only
Mains Previous Year questions:
Q. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology.
How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic
development? (2016)

Q. What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning System’ and ‘Precision

Positioning System’ in the GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from
its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites. (2015)
History of ISRO:
1962: INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research)
1969: ISRO superseded INCOSPAR (still under DAE)
1972: Department of Space set up
1975: Aryabhata, first Indian satellite, launched by USSR
1980: Rohini, first satellite launched by Indian vehicle SLV-3
1993: PSLV’s first flight

Achievements:
ISRO has reputation of launching cost-effective space missions.
1. Communication: INSAT and GSAT satellites.
2. Remote sensing: Cartosat series, Bhuvan portal
3. Navigation: IRNSS and GAGAN
4. Defence:
• RISAT-2 (2009) for border surveillance
• GSAT-7 (2013) for Navy; GSAT-7A (2018) for Army and Air Force
• EMISAT (2019) for electronic intelligence gathering
5. Astronomy: Astrosat (2015) India's first multi wavelength space observatory
6. Space Exploration: Chandrayaan-1 & 2; MOM
7. International Relations: South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) for SAARC countries,
launched in 2017; used for DTH, telemedicine, tele-education, disaster
management support, etc.
8. Education: EDUSAT (2004) (GSAT-3) exclusively for distance-education
9. Commercialization: satellite launches for private sector and foreign
companies through ANTRIX and NewSpace. (Antrix has 1,700 crore annual
revenue)
10. Outreach programmes:
• Village Resource Centres to work with panchayats and NGOs.
• Young Scientist program to give knowledge about space to school
students.
• Samvad with students where ISRO chairman interacts with students.
• Launching satellites made by students, like Anusat, Studsat, etc
Upcoming missions of ISRO:
1. Chandrayaan-3: in 2022, as a repeat of Chandrayaan-2, but without orbiter.
2. Aditya-L1: solar observatory at Lagrangian point-1 of Earth-Sun system.
3. Shukrayaan: Venus orbiter mission (related news: phosphine on Venus)
4. XPoSat X-ray Polarimetry Satellite: to study polarized X-rays from cosmic
objects.
5. Gaganyaan: to carry three Indians to LEO for 7 days.
6. IDRSS (Indian Data Relay Satellite System): for continuous communication
during Ganganyaan.
Challenges of ISRO:
1. Low global share: India has just 2% share in global space industry ($7 billion of
$350 billion)
2. Dependent on government support:
i. Countries like USA have huge private participation (Falcon rocket of SpaceX,
Boeing Starliner).
ii. NASA has a 'Tipping Point' program for partnerships with private
companies.
3. Attracting talented youth: Talented youth prefers high-paying MNC jobs.
 Private sector in space
Why is the need to involve private sector?
1. Increasing demand: Demand for space-based services in India is far greater than
what ISRO can provide.
2. Faster growth: Private sector will bring faster growth of space sector, just like it
did after 1991 LPG reforms.
3. Fiscal pressure: ISRO’s annual budget has crossed 13,000 crore and is expanding.
Private sector will bring in investment.
4. Talent: Restricting space activities to ISRO prevents use of talent hidden in private
sector.
5. Focus on R&D: ISRO will be able to focus more on R&D and defence applications,
as private companies will do the routine tasks like making communication
satellites, making PSLV, etc. (e.g. NASA)
6. International cooperation: It is easier for private companies to establish
partnerships with foreign companies to get latest technological solutions.
Steps taken:
1. Space Technology Park where ISRO has set up range of facilities for use by
industry.
2. ISRO has outsourced manufacturing of 27 satellites to private companies.
3. NewSpace, founded in 2019, to facilitate transfer of ISRO technologies to
industry.

Challenges:
1. It’s a highly risky business: Private companies may not be able to bear
failures.
2. Dual-use technologies and Critical information may fall in wrong hands.
3. Revenue loss to ISRO: Antrix current revenue of about Rs 1,700 crore will
reduce.
INSPACE Indian National Space Promotion:
• 1992 ANTRIX focusses on selling ISRO's products and services like satellite
launch.
• 2019 NEWSPACE also focusses on increasing private industry participation in
space programmes.
• 2020 INSPACe is currently stated to promote private industry in space program,
but in future, it will become regulator of space activities in India.
• INSPACe is not a commercial arm of ISRO.
• Antrix & NewSpace are both commercial arms of ISRO.

Department of Space

ISRO IN-SPACe
2020

Antrix NewSpace
1992 2019
Space Research Institutes:
 India’s Lunar mission

Chandrayaan 1 Chandrayaan 2
Year 2008 2019
Launch Vehicle PSLV GSLV Mk III
Orbiter Yes Yes
Lander Yes, Planned crash landing Yes (Vikram), Planned
soft landing but crashed
Rover No Yes (Pragyan), but failed
due to lander’s crash
Major • Moon impact probe struck South Pole
Achievements • India 4th nation to have flag on moon
• Confirmed presence of lunar water
• Evidence of lunar caves
 Tidal locking:
• It means the orbiting body always has
the same face towards the object it is
orbiting.
• Moon is tidal locked to Earth.

Why the Moon’s South Pole?

• Its craters are untouched by sunlight for billions of years.
• Records of Solar system origin
• Untapped sources of essential resources and minerals
• Could be used as pit stop for future space explorations.
• Huge resource of water
Chandrayaan 2: Rover- Pragyan
• Launched On 22 July 2019
• from Satish Dhawan Space Centre,
Sriharikota.
• Core Objective: To map the location, and
abundance of lunar water.
• Equipped with different kinds of cameras to
create high-resolution three-dimensional
maps of the surface. Lander - Vikram Orbiter
• First set of data from the Chandrayaan-2
mission is now being released for the wider
public use through the PRADAN portal
hosted by Indian Space Science Data Centre
(ISSDC) in Dec 2020
Chandrayaan 3:
• Launch date: 2022 (planned)
• Rocket: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
Mark III
• Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre
• Spacecraft component: Rover
• Operator: (ISRO)
• Manufacturer: (ISRO)
• No orbiter in Chandrayaan -3

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex):

• By ISRO (India) and JAXA (Japan)
• To explore lunar south pole.
• After 2023, not much finalised yet.
News: Recently, an instrument on Chandrayaan-2 named CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large
Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer) has detected charged particles present on the moon soil
during the orbiter’s passage through the “Geotail”.

What is Geotail?
• The Sun emits the solar wind, which is a continuous stream of charged particles.
• These particles are embedded in the extended magnetic field of the Sun.
• Earth has a magnetic field it obstructs the solar wind.
• Solar winds pushes earth’s magnetosphere.
• This interaction results in the formation of a magnetic envelope around Earth.
• It brings moon within earth’s magnetosphere for around 6 days per month.
• On the Earth side facing the Sun, the envelope is compressed into a region that is
approximately three to four times the Earth's radius.
• On the opposite side, envelope is stretched
into a long tail, which extends beyond the
orbit of the Moon called the Geotail.
• In such situation, the rays falling on moon’s
surface, emit some radiations, which reveals
more info about elements in moon surface.
 Gaganyaan Mission
News: Human spaceflight module of Gaganyaan will be launched after the second
unmanned mission planned in 2022-23.
• Under the Gaganyaan schedule:
i. Three flights will be sent into orbit.
ii. There will be two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.
iii. The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian
astronauts, including a woman for five to seven days.
• Aim: by 2022 when India completes 75 years of independence.
• First unmanned mission is planned in December 2021.
• It has been delayed due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown
• It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit
• at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth
Payloads:
• The payload will consist of:
1. Crew module - spacecraft carrying human beings.
2. Service module - powered by two liquid propellant engines,
and usually burns up during atmospheric re-entry.
• equipped with emergency escape and emergency mission abort.

Launch: GSLV Mk III

Training in Russia:
• In June 2019 ISRO and the Russian government-owned Glavkosmos signed a
contract for the training
• It includes Russian support in the selection of candidates, their medical
examination, and space training.
• Training on Soyuz manned spaceship of Russian spacecraft. It carries people
and supplies to and from the space station.
2004: The ISRO Policy Planning Committee, recommendation for a manned space
mission
2006: Preliminary studies , generic name Orbital Vehicle
2007: Spaced capsule recovery experiment
2008: An initial design of a fully autonomous vehicle was finalised
2014: Successful testing of experimental flight of GSLV MK-III was carried out,
crew module atmospheric re-entry
July 5, 2018: First successful flight of the crew escape system was carried out.
• It is an emergency measure designed to quickly pull the crew module along with the
astronauts to a safe distance from the launch vehicle in the event of a launch abort.
August 15, 2018: Prime Minister promised manned mission before 2022.
Significance:
• Enhancement of science and technology levels in the country
• Inspire youth
• Improvement of industrial growth.
• Boost private sector participation in space
• Help in development of technology for social benefits.
• In improving international collaboration.
• One International Space Station (ISS) put up by multiple countries may not
be enough. Regional ecosystems will be needed and Gaganyaan will focus on
regional needs: food, water and energy security.
Aditya-L1 mission (ISRO):
• ‘Aditya-1’ mission was planned for LEO, as a 400 kg solar observatory.
• It has now been revised to “Aditya-L1 mission”. (1,500 kg; 2022 launch)
• It is the first Indian mission to study the Sun. It will be inserted in a halo orbit
around the L-1, at 15 lakh km from Earth.
• Reason: L-1 gives continuous view of the Sun, without any obstruction or eclipse.
What are Lagrangian points?
• These are positions in space where a small object will maintain
• Position relative to the large orbiting bodies.
• For a two body system, there are five Lagrangian points.
• Although a Lagrange point is just a point in empty space, its peculiar
characteristic is that it can be orbited.

5 Lagrangian points of Earth-Sun system

Artemis (NASA):

• ARTEMIS (Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of the

Moon’s Interaction with the Sun) mission
• NASA mission
• to help in future space missions, like for Mars manned missions.
• News: NASA announces graduating class of 11 astronauts for upcoming space
missions including the Artemis Mission.
• The team includes an Indian American- Raja Chari.
• Orion is the spacecraft that will carry humans.
• Space Launch System is the rocket that will take spacecraft to space. (like India has
GSLV/PSLV)
• Gateway is a small spaceship that will orbit around Moon, like ISS (International
Space Station) orbits around Earth.
• the first woman and the next man to the Moon by the year 2024, which it plans on
doing through the Artemis lunar exploration program.
Moon History:
• Total 12 men have landed on moon.
• USA is the only country to have sent humans to moon.
• No human has ever been to south pole.
• First rover on moon: USSR Luna 1 and 2 in 1959.
• First was Neil Armstrong, last was Gene Cernan.
• First on Apollo 11: 20 July 1969 (Tranquility base)
• Last on Apollo 17: 14 December 1972
• Apollo 11: Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin walked. Michael Collins in orbit.
NEWS:
• Dec. 2020, Israel launched the Beresheet 2 project aimed at landing an
unmanned craft on the moon in 2024.
• Earlier, Israel’s Beresheet probe crash landed on the Moon.
• Launched in February 2019, using Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral (USA) and
arrived in lunar orbit in April 2019.
• It suffered an engine failure as it prepared to land and crashed abruptly on the
surface of the moon.
News: China has launched an unmanned spacecraft to bring back lunar rocks, the first
attempt by any nation to retrieve samples from the Moon in four decades.
• Launch: The Long March-5 Y5 rocket, carrying the Chang’e-5 spacecraft, was
launched from Wenchang Space Launch Center (China).
• Mission:
1. To drill 2 meters beneath the moon’s surface and scoop rocks and debris to be
brought back to Earth.
2. To determine Moon’s origins
3. Volcanic activity on its surface and its interior
4. Protecting any form of life from the sun’s radiation dissipated.
• This mission would make China only the third country to have retrieved lunar
samples, joining the United States and the Soviet Union.
China’s Other Space Plans:
a) It aims to have a permanent manned space station in service by around 2022.
b) Within decade, China plans to establish a robotic base station to conduct
unmanned exploration in the south polar region of the moon.
c) It is to be developed through the Chang’e-6, 7 and 8 missions through the 2020s.
 MARS EXPLORATION
Why study Mars?
• It is the planet that is closest and most similar to earth.
• To learn about changes that can fundamentally change a planet.
• To establish future home for humans.
• To expand human understanding of planetary evolution; solar system, universe.

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM):

• India's 1st interplanetary mission; Unmanned; No lander/rover
• Launched by PSLV in November 2013; reached in September 2014.
• India became 4th country to reach Mars; 1st from Asia; 1st in maiden attempt
• It has five payloads in the orbiter which helped in following:
1. Prepared an atlas and albedo map of Mars through detailed pics
2. Close distance photos of its two moons Phobos and Deimos
3. Found that dust storms can rise up to hundreds of kms.
NASA's InSight mission:
• Reached Mars in 2018.
• First dedicated mission to study deep interiors of Mars
Findings:
1. Mars doesn’t have tectonic plates, but it has volcanically active regions.
2. Quakes on Mars are of lower magnitude than earth.

NASA's InSight Mars Lander

News:
 February 2021 ‘Hope’ mission is not only important for UAE, but also for the whole
of Arab world, the United Arab Emirates' (UAE’s) first-ever interplanetary Hope
Probe mission has successfully entered orbit around Mars.
• ‘Hope’ was developed by UAE scientists in the USA and was launched in July 2020
from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.
• Life of UAE’s Mars mission is around one Martian year (687 days on Earth).

Significance:
• The UAE becomes the 5th entity to reach the Red Planet, joining NASA, the Soviet
Union, the European Space Agency and India.
• Help UAE in building a knowledge-based economy, leading to more investment in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for young Emiratis..
• The probe reached Mars in the year the UAE celebrates its 50th anniversary.
• Arab world's first interplanetary mission.
Mars 2020 mission:
• NASA’s mission; launched in July 2020;
• It has ‘Perseverance’ rover and ‘Ingenuity’ helicopter
drone.
• Aim is to look for bio-signatures and habitable
conditions for humans.
• MOXIE will make oxygen from CO2
‘Perseverance’ rover
(95% of Mars atmosphere has CO2).
News:
• NASA’s Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars.
• Launch: 30th July, 2020
• Landing: 18th February, 2021
• Landing Site:
• Jezero Crater (an ancient river delta that has rocks and minerals that could
only form in water).
Tianwen-1: China’s mission to Mars
Some famous Mars missions:
• Viking (1975)
• Spirit (2003)
• Opportunity (2003)
• Pathfinder (1997)
• Curiosity (2011)
• InSight (2018)
Voyager Program
• Heliosphere: vast bubble from sun to planets
• Heliopause: outermost edge of the heliosphere
• It is usually considered as solar system's boundary
• Interstellar space lies beyond heliopause.
• In August 2012, Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space.
In Nov. 2018, Voyager 2 became the second spacecraft to enter interstellar space
Astronomical Unit (AU) is the average distance between Earth & Sun (15 crore or
150 million km)

Voyager program:
• Two spacecrafts launched by NASA in 1977.
• Mission: study Jupiter and Saturn
• But they did much more than the initial mission.
• Voyager 2 also studied Uranus and Neptune.
• Currently, they are in interstellar space, and still
sending us information.
• They detected increase in density of space outside the solar system.
 Space Debris
• Space debris refers to human made objects in space that no longer serve any
useful purpose. e.g. dead satellites, broken pieces of satellites, upper stages of
rockets, tools lost during repair jobs, etc.
• 34,000 pieces of space debris, of size more than 10 cm are orbiting the earth
(European Space Agency, November 2020)

Space debris poses risk to:

• satellites which serve important function like communication, GPS, etc.
• space station which is inhabited by humans
• space telescope, like Hubble and Astrosat
• humans, as dead satellites may fall on earth, without complete burning
• Engages human and technological resources to track space debris.
• Increase cost of missions as satellites need to be navigated to avoid debris.
Kessler Syndrome: domino effect of few collisions destroying all space assets
How to deal with Space debris:
1. Prevent:
• Reduce the number of satellites
• Mandatory re-entry of satellites after end-of-life

2. Remove:
• Active debris removal
• Net capture, Harpoon capture, etc.

3. Manage:
• Track the debris
• Avoid collision by steering satellites
• Use graveyard orbits for non-functional satellites
• Ban anti-satellite tests
Sun Spots:
• They are dark spots on Sun
• They have less temperature
• They are caused by strong magnetic field
• They usually follow 11 year solar cycle
Solar maxima:
• period of greatest sun activity
• Large number of sunspots appear.
• Large solar flares appear.

 Solar maxima more sunspots more solar flares more heat on earth

 Solar minima less sunspots less solar flares less heat on earth
Gravitational Lensing:
• The phenomenon of gravitational lensing occurs when a huge amount of
matter, such as a massive galaxy, cluster of galaxies or a black hole, creates a
gravitational field that distorts and magnifies the light from objects behind it.
• Gravitational lensing is based on Einstein's theory of general relativity
(Mass bend light).
• Gravitational lenses act like natural cosmic telescopes.
Misc. topics:
 GEMINI device: (Gagan Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information)
• GEMINI is a portable receiver that is linked to ISRO-satellites
• device can send signals up to 300 nautical miles.
• It uses GAGAN system (developed by ISRO and Airport authority of India)
• It is one way communication
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in collaboration with
the Airports Authority of India (AAI) utilized the GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented
Navigation) satellite while developing the GEMINI device.
Use:
• Effective dissemination of emergency information
• Communication on Ocean States Forecast
• Mapping of Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) to fishermen
• Useful while dealing with cyclones, high waves, and tsunamis.

 Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS):

• Autonomous organization
• Under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Located in Hyderabad
• Established in 1999 under the MoES and is a unit of the Earth System Science
Organization (ESSO).
• Provide the best possible ocean information and advisory
 Giant impact or Big splat:
• Formation of moon. Mars sized object collided with earth. Part of earth blasted into
space, later forming the moon.
 Space debris: nano-satellites will be launched to track space debris. Made by a
private company (Digantara), not ISRO.

 ASTHROS: helium filled balloon to carry telescope at 40 km for three weeks, over
Antarctica, to observe space by NASA, in 2023.

 Comet: a small body of ice, rock and dust that leaves a tail of gas and ice as it travels
near the Sun. e.g. Halley’s comet (visible every 76 years), Oumuamua, Borisov.

 Asteroid: a rocky body, larger than 10 meters, orbiting the Sun. Most asteroids are
found between Mars and Jupiter.

 Mission Sunrise: NASA mission to study solar storms

 Dwarf Planet: This designation is given by IAU (International Astronomical
Union). There are five dwarf planets in our solar system (Pluto, Eris, Make make,
Haumea, Ceres).
• Hygiea, an asteroid, may soon be labelled as Dwarf planet.
 Criteria used by IAU to identify Dwarf planets:
• It orbits Sun,but is nota moon.
• It has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.
• It is roughly spherical due to its strong gravity.
 Ceres: largest asteroid (940 km). Recently, salty water discovered ,hence called
Ocean World.
 SPT0418-47: a galaxy12 billion light years away, that looks like our Milky way.

 Andromeda: nearest major galaxy to our Milky way.

 Space bricks: by IISc & ISRO. Make bricks on moon by lunar soil, human urine,
guar gum, etc.
 International Space Station:
• ISS is in Lower earth orbit (LEO)
• It can be seen by naked eye
• Crew & material needs transportation.
• Till 2011: Space shuttle
• 2011 till now: Russian Soyuz
• From now: SpaceX’s Crew dragon spacecraft
 Cassini–Huygens (1997 – 2017):
• Saturn Mission of NASA, ESA, Italy
• Cassini orbited Saturn
• Huygens landed on its largest moon Titan
 Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART):
• Planned for July 2021.
• NASA mission to deflect asteroid Didymos.
• Didymos is not an Earth-crossing asteroid.
Mains Previous Year questions:
Q. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our
space programme? (2019)

Q. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including

the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned
space mission. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission,
both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (2017)

Q. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How
the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic
development? (2016)

Q. What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning System’ and ‘Precision

Positioning System’ in the GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its
ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites. (2015)
Q. The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
2. made India the second country to have a
spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
3. made India the only country to be
successful in making its spacecraft orbit the
Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Which of the following pair is/are correctly matched? (2014)

Spacecraft Purpose
1. Cassini-Huygens Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth
2. Messenger Mapping and investigating the Mercury
3. Voyager 1 and 2 Exploring the outer solar system

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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