SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Background The recent shift in the United States’ approach to cryptocurrency has prompted India to reconsider its own regulatory framework. US Policy Shift on Crypto 2019: Former President Donald Trump expressed doubts about cryptocurrencies, arguing that Bitcoin and similar digital assets were highly volatile …

Subject: GS-2: Governance & Policy – Census Operations, National Population Register (NPR), Demographic Insights GS-3: Technology & Data Systems – Digital Governance, Aadhaar in Policy Implementation Key Points Census Postponement & Panel’s Call The 2021 Census was deferred indefinitely due to COVID-19 disruptions. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs …

Subjects: GS-2: Governance & Tech: AI Strategy, Local Innovation GS-3: Science & Tech: AI Development, Quantum Advances Key Points Case for Homegrown AI Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, stresses India’s need for custom AI models tailored to its diverse population and languages. India’s AI Mission prioritizes computing power and data …

  SUBJECT: GS-2: Health & Biotechnology (Autoimmune Disorders, Gut Microbiome) GS-3: Science & Technology (Medical Research, Microbiome Therapy)   Key Highlights Understanding Vitiligo Autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks melanocytes, leading to skin depigmentation. Results in white patches, often causing social stigma and psychological distress. Affects 0.5% to 2% …

SUBJECT: GS-3: Science & Technology (Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity) GS-2: National Security (Defense Applications, Strategic Technology) Key Highlights NITI Aayog’s Quantum Push NITI Aayog launched the NITI Frontier Tech Hub to advance India’s capabilities in quantum computing. A strategic paper highlights how quantum technology will reshape national security and other sectors. …

GS-3: Economy (Agricultural Exports, Value Addition in Agriculture) GS-3: Science & Tech (Agri-based Pharmaceuticals, Food Processing) Key Highlights India’s Position in the Global Spice Market: India is the largest producer and exporter of spices, yet its share in the $4 billion global seasoning market is only 0.7%. Current spice exports: …

GS-2: Governance (Electoral Reforms, Election Commission’s Role) GS-3: Technology in Governance (Voter ID Digitization, Data Management) Key Highlights Election Commission’s Plan to Resolve Duplicate Voter IDs: Election Commission (EC) acknowledged the issue of duplicate EPIC (Voter ID) numbers. EC committed to resolving the issue within 3 months by ensuring a …

GS-1: Society (Gender Disparities, Women Empowerment) GS-2: Governance (Education & Research Policies, Gender Inclusion) GS-3: Science & Tech (STEM Workforce, Gender Bias in Research) Key Highlights Challenges for Women in STEM: Gendered social norms, limited access to quality education, and non-inclusive workplaces hinder women’s participation in STEM. Harassment, discrimination, and …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Overview Nepal’s five-yearly rhino census faces uncertainty due to the suspension of USAID funding. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) lacks financial resources, threatening the planned 2025 census. The last census in 2021 recorded 752 one-horned rhinos. Importance of the Census Essential for …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH: Mission Overview Date: March 2, 2025 Operator: Firefly Aerospace Significance: Second-ever private lunar landing. First to land upright. Part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Landing and Location Landed at: Mons Latreille, Mare Crisium on the Moon. Preceded by: Intuitive Machines’ first commercial lunar …

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  Supreme Court recently ordered States to address transparency issues in tendering and procuring ART drugs for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) /AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) patients. About ART ART is a combination of medicines that help control HIV by reducing the virus in the body. HIV …

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  India’s Aditya-L1 mission achieved a historic breakthrough on February 22, 2025, when its Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere. This discovery enhances our understanding of solar activity and its impact on Earth’s space …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: NASA is set to launch the PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, a Small Explorer initiative aimed at capturing global, three-dimensional observations of the young solar wind, extending from the outermost solar atmosphere (Corona) to the inner heliosphere. Key Features: …

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, including Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Predictive Analytics, are being harnessed to modernize judicial processes, legal research, and law enforcement in India. AI’s Role in Judiciary and Law Enforcement Judicial Modernization: Phase III of the …

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  India’s debut indigenous semiconductor chip is slated for production by 2025, a milestone in reducing reliance on imports and bolstering its global semiconductor standing. Currently, India depends heavily on nations like Taiwan and China for chips. Benefits of Indigenous Chips Developing local chips will strengthen national …

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  India’s space sector is poised for a fivefold increase, playing a vital role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Overview of India’s Space Economy Current Value: Valued at $8.4 billion, India holds a 2% share of the global space market. Economic Contribution: Over the …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  On February 13, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the successful development of the world’s largest 10-tonne Vertical Planetary Mixer for solid propellants. This breakthrough, achieved in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru, is a significant step toward self-reliance in space …

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH: India’s Deep Ocean Mission has achieved a milestone with the successful testing of Matsya-6000, a deep-sea submersible developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology. Designed for ocean exploration, it can operate at depths of up to 6,000 metres, aiding in marine research and resource discovery. …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Context: Recently, researchers have detected High-energy cosmic neutrinos under Mediterranean Sea. What are Neutrinos? Neutrinos are tiny particles with no electric charge and very little mass. They are incredibly difficult to detect because they rarely interact with matter. Where Do They Come From? The Sun: Produced …

GS 3 – Science and technology The RSVC was developed under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA). The center aims to integrate state-of-the-art technologies with rural requirements, improving the quality of life and empowering rural communities through sustainable solutions. The concept of RuTAGe was proposed …