SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

GS3 – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY  Context: India has developed its first indigenous aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, Shakti, through a collaboration between IIT Madras and ISRO under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) initiative. This marks a significant step towards semiconductor self-reliance and strengthening India’s strategic autonomy. About Shakti Semiconductor Chips What is …

GS3 – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY  Context: The Union Minister for Science & Technology has launched Sṛjanam, India’s first indigenous automated biomedical waste treatment plant, at AIIMS, New Delhi. What is Sṛjanam? Sṛjanam is an eco-friendly, non-incineration biomedical waste treatment system designed to disinfect pathogenic medical waste without burning, thereby reducing …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Overview Scheduled for launch in 2025, Pandora aims to study exoplanet atmospheres. The mission addresses the high demand for observation time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Focus areas include clouds, hazes, and the presence of water in distant worlds. About Exoplanets Exoplanets orbit stars …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH: On February 7, 2025, ISRO conducted a successful ignition trial of the CE20 cryogenic engine at the High Altitude Test Facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and is crucial for the Gaganyaan mission. Significance of …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Chandrayaan-3 Mission India’s third lunar exploration mission by ISRO achieved a historic soft landing on the moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023. Key components included the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, which collected critical data on lunar geology. Age Estimation The Shiv Shakti point is …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Context The evolution of digital technology in India has greatly impacted the education sector, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the digital transformation in rural India. While access to technology has increased, significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable educational outcomes for all, especially the underprivileged. …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH: AI is transforming industries and geopolitics, highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable individuals. India must play a pivotal role in shaping global AI safety while ensuring its competitive edge. AI and Geopolitics AI transcends national borders, requiring international governance. India, with 30% AI …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Context The global AI race is intensifying, with the US heavily investing in semiconductors and new open-source models challenging proprietary AI. India has the potential to lead in AI, supported by strong digital infrastructure and a skilled workforce. India’s Strengths in AI Ecosystem: India supports both …

GS III: Science & Technology   Recent Development Scientists at the University of Oxford have successfully linked quantum computers using quantum teleportation, advancing large-scale quantum networking. What is Quantum Teleportation? Quantum teleportation transfers the state of a quantum particle to another distant particle using quantum entanglement, without physical movement. It is …

GSIII: Science & Technology Recent Development India is set to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol ahead of schedule, enhancing energy security and cutting crude oil imports. What is Ethanol Fuel? Ethanol is a renewable biofuel made from sugarcane, grains, and molasses. Blending it with petrol reduces emissions, improves fuel …

GS3: Science & Technology Context – The Union Minister for Science and Technology has announced the launch of SARAT Version 2, an upgraded tool designed to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness of India’s search-and-rescue (SAR) agencies. The tool offers faster response times and improved visualization capabilities for better decision-making. …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH Overview: SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is set to launch on February 27, 2025, with a mission to survey the cosmos and decode mysteries of the Big Bang. Key Features: Entire sky survey with data collection in …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH Overview: Innovative HEAs offer a promising alternative to precious metals in hydrogen production. New Catalyst: CeNS researchers in Bengaluru developed the PtPdCoNiMn catalyst, significantly improving water electrolysis efficiency. HEA Characteristics: Composed of five or more elements in equal proportions. Enhanced stability and versatility due to entropy-driven …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: A recent study has confirmed that the Bennu asteroid samples brought to Earth contain organic compounds essential for life, along with remnants of an ancient water-rich environment. Major Highlights The material was collected in 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft and returned to Earth …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The National Geospatial Mission is an initiative aimed at modernizing land records and enhancing urban planning across India. It will leverage the PM Gati Shakti framework to build a strong geospatial infrastructure and database, enabling better planning and execution of infrastructure projects. Key Objectives: …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH Historic Achievement: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This milestone underscores India’s growing participation in human space exploration. …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH The Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology announced that an indigenous AI model could be ready within six months. The Minister also launched a call for proposals under the India AI Mission, inviting startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop foundational AI models using Indian datasets. Features …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH  China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as China’s Artificial Sun, maintained a steady-state high-confinement plasma operation for over 1,000 seconds, reaching a temperature of 100 million °C. Tokamak: A machine that confines plasma using magnetic fields in a donut shape to harness fusion energy. Significance of …

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  About K-Salts K-salts are potassium-based alternatives to regular table salt, replacing sodium chloride with potassium chloride. This switch reduces sodium intake while increasing potassium, which is crucial for heart health and helps lower blood pressure. WHO Guidelines on Sodium and Potassium Intake WHO recommends reducing sodium …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Researchers at IIT Madras have made significant progress in developing technologies for constructing habitats on the Moon by successfully extracting silicon carbide (SiC) from simulated lunar soil. This breakthrough holds potential for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) during lunar missions. About Lunar Regolith Definition: Lunar …