Preview Neeraj Nachiketa Science & Technology 3e low res

6 Science and Technology Ecosystem
technology, and space, with the Prime Minister Department of Science& Industrial Research
himself taking the reins. As laid down by the (DSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research
founding fathers of modern India, the quality (ICMR),Defence Research and Development
of life in the country would improve only Organization (DRDO), Department of Space
with progress in industrialization. This led (DoS), and Department of Ocean Development
to the expansion of the Council of Scientific (DOD) (Fig. 1.1).
and Industrial Research (CSIR) with the
establishment of various institutions dedicated Department of
S&T
solely to the development of specific industries. Department of Department of
Space
Atomic Energy
At that time, the country was not so
developed economically that it could rely on its and Development Department of
Defence Research
private sector for the required developments in Organisation Departments Biotechnology
S&T. This made the Government intervene in of GOI
providing the initial momentum by taking up Indian Council of related to Ministry of
S&T
Medical
this responsibility, which resulted in a broad- Reasearch Earth Sciences
based and extensive S&T network. This also Department of Department
of Ocean
led to the adequate development of trained Scienti c and Development
Industrial
and competent manpower, infrastructure, and Reasearch Indian Council of
Agriculture
the ability to work towards specific goals in a Reasearch
given time frame. With this development, the Figure 1.1: Various departmentsrelated to
Government or the public sector now rightfully science and technology (GoI)
expects the private sector to become an equal, if
not the dominant, partner in the development of
technology to a level where it becomes globally Department of Science &
competitive. Technology
The S&T infrastructure in India has come The major responsibility of the Department
a long way and today S&T organizations are of Science and Technology is not only the
established everywhere, be it under the Central formulation and implementation of the
Government, state government, public or related policies, but also working towards the
private sectors, or areas as diverse as agriculture, identification and promotion of the thrust areas
healthcare, and nuclear and space research. of research in the following sectors:
The large number of institutes/undertakings ● science and technology
functioning under the Central Government
S&T departments are significant contributors ● technology information
to the development of science and technology. ● forecasting and assessment
The S&T departments functioning under ● international collaboration
the auspices of the Central government are ● promotion of science and society
the Department of Science and Technology programmes
(DST), Department of Atomic Energy ● coordination of S&T activities in the
(DAE),Department of Biotechnology country
(DBT),Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES),
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),

Science and Technology Ecosystem 7

Figure 1.2 Depicts the responsibilities of the DST.


Scienti c
Program
Science and Scienti c
Technology Services
Policy



Department
of Science
Professional and Staturory
Bodies Technology
Board



Inter-Sectoral
Science &
Technology Autonomous
Advisory S&T Institutions
Committee
Figure 1.2: Functions of the Department of Science and Technology

Department of Atomic Energy at various universities and institutes is also
supported.
The DAE plays a significant role in working
for the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Its main Ministry of Earth Science (MoES)
objectives are summarized below: The MoES is mandated to provide the nation with
● To work towards the production of safe the best possible services in forecasting season
and economical nuclear power using the changes such as the advent of the monsoons and
available resources of uranium and thorium other weather/climate parameters, ocean states,
● To extend the non-electric applications earthquakes, tsunamis, and other phenomena
of nuclear energy to the agriculture and related to earth systems through well-integrated
healthcare industry in order to improve the programmes. The Ministry also deals with S&T
quality of life for the exploration and exploitation of ocean
● To build research reactors and develop resources (living and non-living), and plays a
technologies related to accelerators and nodal role in Antarctic/Arctic and Southern
lasers Ocean research. The Ministry mandate is to also
● To support basic research in the areas look after atmospheric sciences, ocean science
related to nuclear energy and other areas & technology, and seismology in an integrated
of science through its well-equipped multi- manner.
disciplinary R&D centres. The Earth Commission, Ministry of Earth
Sciences, works in mission mode based on
Department of Biotechnology a commission structure and is responsible
The major objective of the DBT is to identify for formulating policies, overseeing the
and support specific R&D programmes in implementation of policies and programmes,
biotechnology and related fields. The training and ensuring the necessary interdisciplinary
of young scientists in the field of biotechnology integration. The various units under the Ministry
of Earth Sciences areas follows:

Science and Technology Ecosystem 27


SUMMARY

● The 20th century witnessed great strides made by Indian scientists such as Srinivasa
Ramanujan, J.C. Bose, P.C. Ray, Meghnad Saha, C.V. Raman, S.N. Bose, Birbal Sahni,
P.C. Mahalanobis, and M. Visvesvaraya, to name a few, who have left indelible imprints
on the world S&T scene.
● The Department of Space (DoS) operates through the Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO), which is responsible for planning and executing a viable space programme to
develop satellites and launch systems. It also provides for space-based services in the areas of
communication, meteorology, resources survey, management, and sustainable development.
● India is a Pioneer Investor under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and has been
allotted an area of 1,50,000 sq. km of the Central Indian Ocean for the survey, exploration,
and ultimate retention of 75,000 sq. km of high abundance area.
● Self-Employment and Talent Utilization (SETU) is a techno-financial, incubation, and
facilitation programme that was established to support all aspects of startup businesses
and other self-employment activities. It was established by the government under the NITI
Aayog.
● Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM) is a research programme aimed
at fostering scientific research on the effects of yoga and meditation on physical and mental
health and on cognitive functioning in healthy people as well as in patients with disorders.
● The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the Women Scientists Scheme
(WOS) during 2002-03, which is primarily aimed at providing opportunities to women
scientists and technologists in the age group of 27-57 years who have had a break in their
career but desired to return to the mainstream.
● The Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme places special emphasis
on non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIO)/overseas citizens of
India (OCI) to work as adjunct/visiting faculty for a specific period of time in Indian
public-funded academic and research institutions.
● The National Innovation Foundation (NIF), within the DST, is built on the concept of
the Honey Bee Network. It is India’s national initiative to strengthen the grassroots
technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge.
● The Inspire Awards, renamed MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration
and Knowledge), are a part of the larger Inspire programme of the DST that aims to
encourage children to develop interest in science and research through innovation.
● NIDHI (National Initiative for Development and Harnessing Innovations) is an umbrella
programme pioneered by the DST. It plays a major role in nurturing ideas and innovations
based out of knowledge and technology and using them for successful startups.
● The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a government initiative, which was established to
promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. The AIM acts as a platform for the
promotion of world-class innovation hubs, grand challenges, startup businesses, and other
self-employment activities, particularly in technology-driven areas.
● The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) is an
autonomous organization set up in 1988 under the DST to look ahead in technologies,
assess the technology trajectories, and support technology innovation by network actions
in select technology areas of national importance.
● India has declared 2010–20 as the Decade of Innovation.

28 Science and Technology Ecosystem


References (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3
National Innovation Foundation, India. (2018). 5. Which of following S&T programmes
INSPIRE Awards – MANAK. Retrieved from are helping in improving the innovation
nif.org.in/inspire-awards ecosystem in the country?
1. NIDHI
eXerciSe 2. MANAK
3. VAJRA
Practice Questions (Preliminary 4. AIM
Examination) (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2, and 3
1. Which of following is/are recently (c) 1, 2, and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
launched S&T programme(s) of the DST? 6. Who among the following is/are ancient
1. MANAK astronomer(s) of India?
2. AIM 1. Aryabhata
3. SETU 2. Charaka
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only 3. Brahmagupta
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 4. Nagarjuna
2. Which of following mega science projects (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only
has India has been participating in for the (c) 1, 3, and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
advancement of S&T?
1. ITER 7. Who are noble prize-winning scientists of
India?
2. LIGO 1. Dr C.V. Raman
3. LHC 2. Dr Hargobind Khorana
(a) 1 only (b) 3 only 3. Dr S.N. Bose
(c) 1, 2, and 3 (d) None 4. Dr S. Chandrasekhar
3. Which of following is/are blue-sky (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 4
research?
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(c) 1, 2, and 3
1. Vertical farming 8. Where in India was the Jantar Mantar
2. Artificial meat built?
3. Bio-luminiscence 1. Jaipur
4. Autonomous car 2. Mathura
5. Bioprinting 3. Indore
(a) 1 and 2 4. Delhi
(b) 1, 2, and 3 5. Varanasi
(c) 1, 2, 3, and 4 (a) 1 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (b) 1, 4, and 5
4. Which of following is/are DST S&T (c) 1, 2, 4, and 5
programmes for women scientists?
1. KIRAN 9. (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 organizations/
of
following
Which
2. IMPRINT institutes were established by the British
3. NIDHI India?

APPENDIX B



Detailed Answers of UPSC (Main)

Examination 2020


(Science and Technology)







1. What do you understand by nanotechnology However, technological advancements
and how is it helping in health sector? are being availed readily to win over the
(Answer in 150 words) crisis. Give an account of how technology
2. How is science interwoven deeply with was sought to aid management of the
our lives? What are the striking changes pandemic. (Answer in 250 words)
in agriculture triggered off by the science- 4. Describe the benefits of deriving the
based technologies? electric energy from sunlight in contrast
(Answer in 150 words). to the conventional energy generation.
3. COVID-19 pandemic has caused What are the initiatives offered by our
unprecedented devastation worldwide. Government for this purpose?
(Answer in 250 words)


eXplanationS
1. Nanotechnology is an applied field of 1. Medical Diagnosis and treatment
science and technology which deals with of diseases: Nano scale diagnostic
the control of matter on a nano size scale, device can detect proteins and nucleic
normally approximately 1 to 100 nano- acids using nano sized biosensors or
meters, as well as the fabrication, design probes to diagnose cancer, viral and
and development of devices of this size bacterial infections. For example, RT-
made up of nano-particles and nano- PCR is used to diagnose COVID-19.
materials. It is a highly multidisciplinary 2. Delivery of drugs to targeted
field, drawing from fields such as applied cells and tissues: Nano-particles
physics, materials science, colloidal tagged with drug and coated with
science, device physics, supramolecular antibodies can specifically bind with
chemistry, and even mechanical and surface antigens of the targeted cells
electrical engineering. and deliver the drug to the cell, for
Nanotechnology is helping advance example, the use of Nano-gold particle
medical science, biotechnology, space to treat cancer.
technology, defence, electronics and 3. Tissue Engineering: Nanotechnology
computing, consumer products, etc. Few can help to repair damaged tissue
of the applications of nanotechnology in through the use of nano-prosthetics.
the medical field are following:

Detailed Answers of UPSC (Main) Examination 2020 639

4 Medical Nano-machines: These technology to spray fertilisers and
Nano sized robots can move inside pesticides as well as managing crop
the human body, transport important cycle.
molecules, manipulate microscopic 2. Introduction of Genetically Modified
object and communicate with (GM) crops and animals with high
physician by way of miniature sensor. yield, pest resistance, drought
5. Superbugs and anti-microbial tolerance, etc.
resistance: Nanotechnology holds 3. Use of ICT , for example, mobile
the key to stopping antibiotic resistant apps which provide information on
bacteria and the deadly infections they necessary farm inputs and weather
cause. conditions, besides disseminating
6. Nano-pharmaceutical is an emerging warnings for impending drought,
field that combines nanotechnology flood, etc.
with pharmaceutical and biomedical 4. Precision agriculture, which helps in
science with the goal of targeted drug strengthening better use of resources,
delivery which may improve efficacy increase crop productivity, improve
and safety profile. soil conditions, better manure
The development of Nano science and management, etc.
technology in India has huge potential Above mentioned areas are emerging fast
to help the country address societal and going to transform agriculture in a
challenges such as provision of drinking new way in future.
water, healthcare, etc., and simultaneously 3. The way COVID-19 pandemic has
achieve economic gains through growth impacted human lives was not anticipated
in the nanotech-based industrial sector. and its global and national impacts have
Therefore, it is necessary to develop forced us to re-design our lifestyles.
responsible nanotechnology governance, COVID-19 virus has killed many humans
encourage the development of appropriate and put pressure on public healthcare
products targeted to help meet critical system. The management of the pandemic
human development needs, and include requires a number technological
methods for addressing the safety, interventions to control spread of the
appropriateness, etc. deadly virus. Technology is also helping
2. Science and Technology (S&T) is an to adjust our daily lives as we go out for
integral part of human life. It has improved work in various ways. These technological
standards of human life across the globe interventions in this context are:
and transforming it in this 21st century. 1. The use of Rapid Antigen Test and RT-
Various applications of S&T are helping in PCR Test to diagnose the disease.
agriculture, healthcare, industry, transport
and so on. We use science in every walk 2. Production of oxygen at industrial
of our life such as household items, level to support critical condition
communication devices, mobile phones, patients in hospitals.
computers and laptops, personal vehicles 3. Development of vaccines worldwide
and public transport systems, medicines, in a fast pace, e.g. COVAXIN
clean water, electricity, etc. and COVISHIELD vaccines in
The striking changes triggered off by India. The use of COVID-19 Tools
science-based technologies are: (ACT) Accelerator is a pioneering
international teamwork to fast-
1. Use of Drones together with GPS track development, production, and

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