IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

IAS Exam Congress

i-Connect Series
Science and Technology
for
CSP-22

IASEC

i-Connect Series is compilation of contemporary affairs for CSE-22. I wanted to make i-Connect
series in much detailed manner but due to paucity of time, I am sharing just the compilation of all
important and relevant news items/links from THindu and IE (from last 2-3 years). If any one is
willing to share short notes or any notes made out of these links for larger community benefits, I will
be extremely thankful to the person. List May look overwhelming but very little relevant to CSE will
be found in a given link.

Best wishes,
Kaptaan !

IASEC i-Connect
 IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

1. Biotechnology
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-is-genome-editing/article19481402.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-hindu-explains-how-does-a-genome-editing-tool-
developed-by-two-women-scientists-help-in-tackling-diseases/article61718743.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/guidelines-for-non-transgenic-gene-editing-techniques-
pending-since-january-2020/article37113370.ece/amp/
https://frontline.thehindu.com/science-and-technology/explained-whos-responsible-for-your-genes/
article36645004.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/igib-finds-a-protein-with-better-precision-in-gene-editing/
article29605104.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/what-is-genome-editing-technology-
how-is-it-different-gm-technology-7846402/lite/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rules-relaxed-for-some-gene-edited-plants-
organisms-101648665945313-amp.html
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/who-is-manufacturing-indias-mrna-vaccine/
article65037683.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/biological-e-to-receive-mrna-vaccine-tech-from-who/
article65290270.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/traditional-vaccines-simpler-cheaper-and-as-effective-as-
mrna-vaccines-us-scientist/article38131875.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/slate/all-you-wanted-to-know-about/
article35285648.ece/amp/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57774294.amp
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/ncbs-how-micro-rnas-regulate-the-colour-of-fruits-leaves/
article28620917.ece/amp/
https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/qQSEpNfNPUEShuTezgvMaO/RNA-technologies-and-Indias-path-
forward.html?facet=amp
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech//article59889471.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/iiser-bhopal-scientists-identify-protein-that-helps-in-
plant-growth-regulation/article35282968.ece/amp/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
h t t p s : / / w w w. t h e h i n d u . c o m / s c i - t e c h / t e c h n o l o g y / ro b o t s - m a d e - f ro m - s t e m - c e l l s - o f - f ro g s /
article34251990.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/first-woman-reported-cured-of-hiv-after-stem-cell-transplant/
article65057101.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/identical-twins-arent-perfect-clones-study-shows/
article33537491.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/elizabeth-ann-the-first-cloned-ferret-spurs-
hope-for-endangered-us-species/article33886305.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/chinese-scientists-break-key-barrier-by-cloning-monkeys/
article22519333.ece/amp/
https://frontline.thehindu.com/columns/article30249924.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/rubber-board-to-promote-indigenously-
developed-clone-in-north-east/article37863230.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/children/the-science-behind-gm-crops/article60678649.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/gm-seeds-the-debate-and-a-sowing-agitation-6452999/lite/
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/nations-comply-with-fssai-regulations-on-gm-food-imports/
amp-11616527842269.html
https://amp.scroll.in/article/975600/when-india-already-grows-enough-brinjal-why-does-it-need-a-
genetically-modified-variety
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/first-ever-genetically-modified-rubber-planted-in-
assam/article34901294.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/explained-is-genetically-modified-rice-grown-in-india/
article37144630.ece/amp/
h t t p s : / / w w w. t h e h i n d u . c o m / o p i n i o n / c o l u m n s / G o l d e n - r i c e - i s n % E 2 % 8 0 % 9 9 t - re a d y - y e t /
article14556873.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-gets-first-herbicide-tolerant-launch-today-7538299/lite/

IASEC i-Connect
 IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/transgenic-mosquitoes-transfer-genes-to-native-mosquito-
species/article29446151.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/medicine-and-research//article59922646.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-a-quantum-leap-in-tackling-
malaria/article6105064.ece/amp/
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-&-technology/amp/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-for-
controlling-vector-borne-diseases-successful-trial-gives-hope-82495

2. Nanotechnology
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/cooler-fabric/article20921191.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/nanophotonics-hyderabad-scientists-manipulate-tiny-
crystals/article33829978.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/nano-coated-materials-could-be-the-anti-virus-weapons-of-future/
article32076313.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/iit-m-team-develops-sutures-with-nanofiber-yarns/
article32746959.ece/amp/
h t t p s : / / w w w . r e s e a r c h g a t e . n e t / p u b l i c a t i o n /
330254848_Control_drug_delivery_using_nanosheet_embedded_electrospun_fiber_for_efficient_tumor_trea
tment
https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=15766
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/nanomicelles-using-nanoparticles-for-cancer-treatment/
article33426073.ece/amp/
https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com/nanochip-technology-reprogram-cells/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/02/28/nanotechnology-how-small-chips-are-
creating-a-bigger-brighter-future/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/iffco-launches-worlds-first-nano-liquid-urea-7338821/lite/
https://theprint.in/india/what-is-nano-urea-indias-21st-century-product-aiming-to-revolutionise-world-
agriculture/673151/?amp

3. Computing and Communications

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/what-is-6g-the-next-level-in-communication/
article65184756.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/an-all-weather-chip-for-reliable-wireless-
communications/article33108098.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/from-the-cloud-computing-moves-to-the-edge-6093733/lite/

4. Emerging Technology
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-e-rupi-digital-currency-india-pm-
modi-7433637/lite/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/no-one-size-fits-all-for-central-bank-digital-currencies-
imf/article38405830.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/rbis-digital-currency-plans/article38395561.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/understanding-artificial-neural-networks/
article38390874.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/collecting-data-without-compromising-privacy/
article33193200.ece

IASEC i-Connect
 IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

5. Energy, fuel
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/government-allows-use-of-h-cng-as-
alternative-fuel/article32714034.ece/amp/
https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/automobile/hydrogen-cng-bio-gas-and-menthol-the-new-
faces-of-automotive-fuel-120092801382_1.html
https://m.thewire.in/article/environment/heres-why-the-new-indore-bio-cng-plant-is-likely-to-succeed-
though-others-like-it-havent/amp
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/hydrogen-cars-electric-vehicle-supreme-court-how-cars-can-
run-on-hydrogen-6168796/lite/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/fuel-of-the-future/article65143828.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/a-policy-thrust-will-work-well-with-indias-solar-push-
an-rpo-like-package-will-boost-demand/article65068558.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-nitin-gadkari-travelling-to-parliament-in-
hydrogen-powered-car-7844554/lite/
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/explained-what-is-blue-hydrogen-and-why-is-
it-getting-attention-from-indian-energy-producers-8102541.html/amp
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-are-perovskite-solar-cells/article19778748.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/inkjet-solar-panels-set-to-reshape-green-energy/
article26168044.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-tech/new-double-perovskite-cell-a-a-step-closer-to-
towards-holy-grail-of-solar-cells/article64578074.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/waste-to-energy-plants-not-necessary/
article30837547.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-coal-gasification-can-help-india-bring-down-
its-urea-import-6025114/lite/
https://netl.doe.gov/research/Coal/energy-systems/gasification/gasifipedia/underground
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-tech/white-light-leds/article36165379.ece/amp/
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-&-technology/amp/iit-madras-researchers-design-white-
light-emitters-for-led-applications-79742

6. Quantum Technology
Source: https://www.nanowerk.com/what_are_quantum_dots.php
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/carbon-dots-help-detect-herbicide-pollution/
article30367674.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/cancer-cell-detection-dots-developed-from-coal-in-assam/
article28077873.ece/amp/
h t t p s : / / w w w . r e s e a r c h g a t e . n e t / p u b l i c a t i o n /
354497159_Excellent_supercapacitive_performance_of_graphene_quantum_dots_derived_from_a_bio-
waste_marigold_flower_Tagetes_Erecta
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/iit-bombay-uses-mango-leaves-to-make-fluorescent-
graphene-quantum-dots/article17892563.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/drdo-successfully-demonstrates-quantum-
communication-between-two-labs/article33292632.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-quantum-tech-demo-by-drdo-and-iit-
delhi-all-about-7789057/lite/
https://www.isro.gov.in/update/22-mar-2021/isro-makes-breakthrough-demonstration-of-free-space-
quantum-key-distribution-qkd
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/science-&-technology/amp/china-s-quantum-satellite-enables-
first-totally-secure-long-range-messages-71831
https://www.bloombergquint.com/amp/gadfly/banks-nato-prepare-for-a-future-of-quantum-powered-
cyber-attacks
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/what-is-quantum-supremacy/article29543857.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/india-finland-to-establish-virtual-network-centre-on-
quantum-computing/article65335313.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/toshiba-registers-new-quantum-record/
article34813472.ece/amp/

IASEC i-Connect
 IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1749667
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1684381

7. Space, ISRO
Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/microgravity-iss-space-research-astronauts/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-to-develop-full-fledged-earth-observation-satellite/
article19458651.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wuhan-aims-to-become-chinas-valley-of-satellites-in-
space-initiative/article65236879.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-nasa-james-webb-space-telescope-
explained-7684313/lite/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/james-webb-space-telescope-to-infinity-and-beyond/
article38053545.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/explained-how-the-hubble-space-telescope-spotted-the-
oldest-furthest-star-known-so-far/article65340937.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/all-about-solar-storms-and-how-they-affects-us/
article65245445.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/earliest-solar-storm/article38384424.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blexplainer/all-you-need-to-know-about-satellite-broadband-
services/article37892588.ece/amp/
https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/satellite-internet-work/

8. Health
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/ccmb-gets-cryo-electron-microscopy-
facility/article65260104.ece/amp/
https://dst.gov.in/cryo-em-facilities-can-help-research-structural-biology-enzymology-drug-discovery-
combat-new
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-one-health-approach-that-targets-people-animals/
article34474681.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/govt-launches-one-health-consortium-for-
surveillance-of-bacterial-viral-infections/article36998786.ece/amp/

9. Astrophysics, Physics
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/another-new-physics-alert-this-time-from-fermilab/
article61916146.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/LHC-new-physics-in-sight/article59835516.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/belle-ii-chasing-cousinly-rivalry-at-the-subatomic-level/
article26481187.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/study-of-distant-magnetar-reveals-facets-of-the-exotic-star/
article38037663.ece/amp/
https://frontline.thehindu.com/science-and-technology/explained-why-the-james-webb-space-telescope-
divided-scientists/article38019447.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/What-are-magnetars/article14640121.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/a-black-hole-dubbed-the-unicorn-may-be-galaxys-smallest-
one/article60688031.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indian-astrophysicists-spot-rare-merger-of-three-jumbo-
black-holes/article61425086.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/can-dark-matter-be-composed-even-partly-of-black-holes/
article65064942.ece/amp/

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 IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

10. Defence
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/need-to-focus-on-developing-dual-use-technologies-
defence-minister-rajnath-singh/article36822090.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-indias-missile-capability-7680821/lite/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-us-india-defense-technology-and-trade-initiative-
dtti-6077915/lite/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/explained-the-arms-race-towards-hypersonic-weapons/
article37874968.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/what-is-a-hypersonic-missile-features-
technology-7831110/lite/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/successful-anti-satellite-missile-test-puts-india-in-elite-club/
article26657024.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-gsat-7b-and-indias-other-military-
satellites-7834659/lite/

11. Agriculture
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/tea-plants-thru-tissue-culture-on-
anvil/article30794031.ece/amp/
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate%20change/amp/a-wonder-bamboo-from-tamil-nadu-to-
mitigate-climate-change-76851
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shift-to-green-ammonia-can-lead-to-huge-savings-on-
fertilizer-subsidy-report/article65342181.ece/amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-green-hydrogen-policy-7779679/lite/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/clean-tech/a-welcome-emphasis-on-green-ammonia/
article65066575.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/plastic-mulching-helps-prevent-yellow-leaf-disease-
says-scientist/article36953479.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indian-farming-practices-learning-from-elsewhere-in-the-
world/article37256781.ece/amp/
https://amp.dw.com/en/vertical-farming-with-leds/av-52186233
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/agriculture/amp/rice-fish-farming-system-in-india-is-in-urgent-
need-of-conservation-and-promotion-70523
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/fao-recognises-tribal-farmers-drive-to-revitalise-
soil-health/article37941062.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/farmers-call-for-steps-to-protect-pokkali-rice-cultivation/
article34362777.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/vertical-farming-explained/article30522508.ece/amp/

12. Blockchain, NFT etc.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/how-a-10-second-video-clip-sold-for-66-million/
article33974019.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/explainer-what-are-nfts-and-why-the-
sudden-frenzy-about-them/article37395195.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/what-are-the-advantages-blockchain-offers/
article61593220.ece/amp/

IASEC i-Connect
 IAS Exam Congress Agenda-22

13. Misc.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/gaganyaan-isro-seeks-microgravity-
studies/article25561269.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/e-coli-grows-in-simulated-microgravity/article4505457.ece/
amp/
https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/video-of-water-spheres-bouncing-off-in-
microgravity-goes-viral-7726092/lite/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/station-science-101/why-do-science-in-
microgravity/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/a-home-made-analogy-that-helps-study-solar-spicules-in-the-
lab/article65217103.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/how-are-mosquitoes-able-to-avoid-insect-repellents/
article65240016.ece/amp/
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1624009
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1621513
https://www.atriainnovation.com/en/graphene-characteristics-and-applications/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/four-fold-jump-in-li-ion-battery-imports-since-2016/
article30776630.ece
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/worlds-most-efficient-lithium-sulfur-battery-developed-how-
does-it-work-why-does-it-matter-6206791/lite/
https://www.thehindu.com/features/education/research/of-the-salts-of-the-earth/article2763784.ece/
amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/bioremediation-renders-hussainsagar-greenish/
article34353073.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/nbri-arsenic-bioremediation-using-two-soil-bacteria/
article27103979.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/bioplastics-not-an-eco-friendly-alternative-
to-plastic-study/article25704781.ece/amp/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/six-things-to-trash-in-2021/
article33363047.ece/amp/

I might have missed some links but these are general contemporary themes. (Might not
include current based links i.e. current affairs of last 1 year as this document is i-Connect
(compiles contemporary affairs).

Concluded

IASEC i-Connect
1. Biotechnology
• Genome editing
◦ CRISPR-Cas9 : the Cas9 protein behaves like a molecular scissors that cuts the DNA at a specific location and
inserts a foreign piece of DNA to correct the mutation that causes the disease.
‣ commonly used Cas9 protein: from Strepotococcus pyogenes bacteria (SpCas9), FnCas9 protein derived
from rancisella novicida bacterium.
◦ Applications so far :
‣ Repaire mutation in human embryos by using CRISPR-Cas9 (curative medicine)
‣ Prevent transmission of hereditary diseases
‣ New breed resilient and high-yield crops
‣ Treatment of blindness, thalassemia, sickle cell disease
‣ COVID-19 testing kit Feluda
◦ Potential use :
‣ Cancer, heart diseases, mental illnesses, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
◦ Site Directed Nuclease (SDN) 1, 2, 3 :
‣ A technique of genome editing, SDNs deliver targeted mutations, gene modification, and DNA insertion.
‣ It’s the practice of cleaving DNA strands to effect the subsequent genome editing.
‣ SDN-1 and SDN-2 involve ‘overexpressing” certain traits in a genome without any insertion of gene
material from outside.
‣ In SDN - 3 a large stretch of donor DNA is used which makes it similar to Genetically modified organisms
(GMO) development.
◦ Genetically modified organisms (GMO) involves modification of the genetic material of the host by introduction
of a foreign genetic material, while genome editing does not involve introduction of foreign genetic material.
‣ BT cotton : introduction of genes cry1Ac and cry2Ab mined from the soil bacterium Bacillus
Thuringiensis (BT) allow the native cotton plant to generate endotoxins to fight pink bollworm naturally.
‣ Regulation :
• Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee constituted under RULES FOR THE MANUFACTURE, USE/
IMPORT/EXPORT AND STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MICRO ORGANISMS/ GENETICALLY ENGINEERED
ORGANISMS OR CELLS, 1989 (Environment Protection Act, 1986)
◦ To appraise activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and
recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
◦ To appraise proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products
into the environment including experimental field trials.
◦ The committee or any persons authorized by it has powers to take punitive action under the
Environment Protection Act.
• As of now five genes/events of Bt cotton and one BN Bt cotton variety and NHH Bt cotton hybrid have
been approved by GEAC.
• Institutional Biosafety Committees are constituted by all institutions handling hazardous
 microorganisms and/or GE organisms to implement the 1989 Rules.
◦ As per recent Government guidelines genome edited crops using SDN1 and SDN2 techniques
would require clearance only from IBSC that the crop is devoid of any foreign DNA.
◦ These two techniques are being by India’s scientists to develop new breed of crops that are
disease and drought resistant.
◦ Genetically modifying insects to control their population as a means to curb the spread of a disease -
‣ field trials on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (vector for viruses such as chikungunya, dengue, zika and yellow
fever) conducted in the US. Genetically engineered male mosquitoes mate with wild mosquitoes and their
female offspring’s die before they can reproduce.
‣ 3 million genetically modified male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were released in Cayman Islands to mate with
wild female counterparts so that they would not able to produce any offspring (2021) - to fight Dengue.
◦ Female Anopheles mosquito population control to curb malaria. Mosquitoes were injected with a gene which
resulted in more numbers of male offspring.
• Vaccine
◦ Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response
within the body. Vaccines activate the immune system to produce antibodies that help counter an infection from
an antigen by putting a weakened or inactivated antigen into human bodies in such a way that it cannot replicate.
◦ Ingredients of any vaccine
‣ All vaccines contain an active component (the antigen) which generates an immune response. The antigen
may be a small part of the disease-causing organism, like a protein or sugar, or it may be the whole
organism in a weakened or inactive form.
‣ Preservatives prevent the vaccine from becoming contaminated once the vial has been opened, if it will be
used for vaccinating more than one person. Most commonly used - 2-phenoxyethanol.
‣ Stabilizers prevent chemical reactions from occurring within the vaccine and keep the vaccine components
from sticking to the vaccine vial.
‣ Surfactants keep all the ingredients in the vaccine blended together.
‣ Residuals are tiny amounts of various substances used during manufacturing or production of vaccines that
are not active ingredients in the completed vaccine.
◦ Types of vaccines
‣ Inactivated vaccines contain the disease-carrying virus or bacterium, or one very similar to it, in inactivated
state or killed by using chemicals, heat or radiation. Eg. flu and polio vaccines.
‣ Live-attenuated vaccine uses a living but weakened version of the virus. Eg. measles, mumps and rubella
(MMR) vaccine and the chickenpox and shingles vaccine
‣ Viral vector vaccine uses a safe virus to deliver specific sub-parts – called proteins – of the germ of interest
so that it can trigger an immune response without causing disease. Eg. Ebol vaccine
‣ Subunit vaccines (acellular) is one that only uses the very specific parts (the subunits like sugar or protein)
of a virus or bacterium that the immune system needs to recognize. It doesn't contain the whole microbe or
use a safe virus as a vector. Eg. vaccines for whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria and meningococcal
meningitis.
‣ Nucleic acid vaccine just uses a section of genetic material that provides the instructions for specific
 proteins, not the whole microbe. DNA and RNA are the instructions human cells use to make proteins.
‣ Recombinant vaccines are made using a small piece of DNA from bacterial or yeast cells and inserted into
the manufacturing cells. These vaccines are similar to DNA vaccines except the weakened or attenuated germ
is used to carry DNA to the cells to stimulate immunity. Eg. hepatitis B vaccine
‣ Toxoid : Some bacteria release toxins (poisonous proteins) when they attack the body. Toxoid vaccines
contain inactivated versions of those toxins. Eg. tetanus vaccine
‣ Conjugate vaccines : Similar to subunit vaccines, conjugate vaccines use only portions of the germ. Many
bacteria molecules are coated by a sugar called polysaccharide which hides the antigen such that body
immune system is unable to recognise it. In conjugate vaccines polysaccharide is attached to a stronger
protein. When the immune system responds to the protein, it also responds to the polysaccharide. Eg.
Pneumoccocal Conjugate Vaccine.
• mRNA vaccine (read from Wikipedia)
◦ In case of SARS COV-2 virus there is a challenge of possibility of adverse reaction with traditional vaccines.
◦ Messenger RNA is a type of RNA that is necessary for protein production.
◦ In cells, mRNA uses the information in genes to create a blueprint for making proteins. Once cells finish making a
protein, they quickly break down the mRNA. mRNA from vaccines does not enter the nucleus and does not
alter DNA.
◦ mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA (created in laboratory) that corresponds to a viral protein
(usually found on the virus’s outer membrane). Using this mRNA blueprint, cells produce the viral protein. Now as
part of a normal immune response, the immune system recognizes that the protein is foreign and produces
specialized proteins called antibodies. Antibodies remain in the body, even after the body has rid itself of the
pathogen, so that the immune system can quickly respond if exposed again.
◦ Benefits =
‣ High potency
‣ Capacity for rapid development (because they only need the genetic code, it is possible to quickly update
vaccines to emerging variants and even use them for a variety of diseases)
‣ Potential for low-cost manufacture
‣ Safe administration (mRNA vaccines can be administered repeatedly)
‣ mRNA is a non-infectious, non-integrating platform, there is no potential risk of infection
◦ Disadvantage : stringent freezer conditions make them expensive.
◦ COVID - 19 : Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines
◦ mRNA vaccines are being tested for other infectious agents, such as Ebola, Zika virus, and influenza plus as a
treatment for cancer.
◦ Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is expected to roll out India’s first home-grown mRNA vaccine for
COVID-19.
◦ WHO Technology Transfer Hub :
‣ Announced on 21 June 2021.
‣ Objective: to build capacity in low- and middle-income countries to produce mRNA vaccines through a centre
of excellence and training (the mRNA vaccine technology hub).
‣ The hub is located at Afrigen, Cape Town, South Africa, and will work with a network of technology
 recipients (spokes) in low- and middle-income countries.
‣ In India, vaccine maker Biological E. has been selected to receive mRNA technology from the hub.
• DNA Vaccine : (read from Wikipedia)
◦ DNA vaccines involves the direct introduction into appropriate tissues of a plasmid containing the DNA sequence
encoding the antigen(s) against which an immune response is sought, and relies on the in situ production of the
target antigen.
◦ Zycov - D world's first DNA vaccine against Covid-19 developed in India.
‣ ZyCov-D is also India's first needle-free Covid-19 jab.
◦ ZyCoV-D uses plasmids or small rings of DNA, that contain genetic information, to deliver the jab between two
layers of the skin. The plasmids carry information to the cells to make the "spike protein", which the virus uses to
latch on and enter human cells.
◦ Benefits : cheap, safe, stable, can be stored at higher temperatures - 2 to 8C.
◦ Unlike DNA vaccines, mRNA vaccines do not need to reach the nucleus of the cell to be effective.
• RNA technology:
◦ Ribonucleic acid is essential for regulation and expression of genes.
◦ RNAi is a gene silencing technology that inhibits protein synthesis in target cells using double-stranded RNA.
‣ Applications :
• Formulation of drugs capable of reducing cholesterol levels by half
• Treatment of acute viral infections like AIDS
• cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines
• Treatment of allergic diseases
• Reprogramming of cell fates
• Genome editing (minimise the risk of nonspecific editing)
• in vivo delivery of IVT mRNA(in vitro transcribed) to replace or supplement proteins
‣ The production of IVT mRNA is relatively simple and inexpensive
‣ Challenges in usage of RNAi in Indian context :
• Lack of efficient and targeted delivery vehicles for these potential RNA molecules
• Stem cells:
◦ Stem cells are single cells with two unique qualities: they can make endless copies of themselves, and they can
mature into a variety of specialized cells. There are two types - pluripotent stem cells and adult stem cells.
◦ Pluripotent stem cells that are able to self-renew by dividing and developing into the three primary groups of cells
that make up a human body. So they can potentially produce any cell or tissue the body needs to repair itself.
This property is called pluripotency.
‣ Recently a U.S. patient with leukemia has become the first woman and the third person to date to be cured
of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor who was naturally resistant to the virus that causes
AIDS.
‣ Bio robots have been developed in the US using stem cells from frogs.
‣ Types :
• Induced pluripotent cell (iPS cells): Derived from skin or other body cells of the patient. Since they
are genetically matched to that patient, so they can eliminate tissue matching and tissue rejection
 problems in cell and tissue transplantation.
• True embryonic stem cell (ES cells) — derived from embryos
• Embryonic stem cells made by somatic cell nuclear transfer (ntES cells) : Involves transferring the
nucleus of a cell, which includes its DNA, into an egg which has had its nucleus removed. To make
ntES cells in human patients, an egg donor would be needed, as well as a cell from the patient
(typically a skin cell). Also called therapeutic cloning.
◦ ntES cells match patients genetically and hence could completely eliminate tissue matching and
tissue rejection problems.
◦ Scientists have successfully used SCNT to clone more than 20 species, including sheep, monkeys,
cows, pigs, dogs, rabbits, rats and mice.
• Embryonic stem cells from unfertilized eggs (parthenogenesis embryonic stem cells, or pES
cells): Through chemical treatments, unfertilized eggs can develop into embryos without being
fertilized by sperm, a process called parthenogenesis. The embryos are allowed to develop in the lab
for several days, and then pluripotent stem cells can be derived from them.
◦ Adult stem cells are specialized stem cells that give rise to one or more specific cells or tissues. Generally found in
small numbers in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat.
‣ However, emerging evidence suggests that adult stem cells may be able to create various types of cells. For
example, adult stem cells are currently being tested in people with neurological or heart disease.
‣ Scientists have successfully transformed regular adult cells into stem cells using genetic reprogramming.
◦ Application of stem cell
‣ Understand how diseases occur
‣ Generate healthy cells to replace cells affected by disease (regenerative medicine)
‣ Test new drugs for safety and effectiveness
• Identical twins are not perfect clones because of early genetic mutations.
◦ A mutation means an alteration in a sequence of DNA – a tiny change that is not inherently good or bad, but can
influence physical features or susceptibility to certain diseases. They can occur when a cell divides and makes a
slight error in replicating DNA.
• GM Crops :
◦ More than 10% of the world’s crop land grow Genetically Modified crops or GM crops.
◦ GM food involves the editing of genes of a crop in such a way that it incorporates beneficial traits from another
crop or organism.
◦ Advantages :
‣ Genetic engineering can improve crop protection. Crops with better resistance to pest and diseases can be
created. The use of herbicides and pesticides can be reduced or even eliminated.
‣ Farmers can achieve high yield, and thereby get more income.
‣ Nutritional content can be improved.
‣ Shelf life of foods can be extended.
‣ Food with better taste and texture can be achieved.
‣ Crops can be engineered to withstand extreme weather
◦ Disadvantages :
 ‣ Genetically engineered foods often present unintended side effects. Little research have been done in this
area.
‣ Some crops have been engineered to create their own toxins against pests. This may harm non-targets such
as farm animals that ingest them. The toxins can also cause allergy and affect digestion in humans.
‣ Risk of enhanced antibiotic resistance
‣ Social and economic issues - high financial burden on farmers, MNC monopoly, etc.
• Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985 :
‣ India’s first non-GM (no foreign gene introduced) herbicide-tolerant rice varieties developed by Indian
Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) through mutation breeding.
◦ These varieties contain a mutated acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene making it possible for farmers to spray
Imazethapyr, a broad-spectrum herbicide, to control weeds.
‣ Imazethapyr can’t be used on normal paddy, as the chemical does not distinguish between the crop and the
invasive plants.
◦ They can be directly seeded since Imazethapyr now replaces water to take care of paddy crops’s early growth
period and thus significantly save water and labour compared to conventional seed transplanting method.
◦ Commercial GM cultivation of rice is banned in India. GM foods are derived from plants whose genes are
artificially modified, usually by inserting genetic material from another organism.
‣ Golden rice : Golden Rice is an orange-yellow-coloured rice, genetically modified to produce beta-carotene,
the precursor of Vitamin A. It is expected to help combat Vitamin A deficiency among poles in Africa, South
and Southeast Asia.
◦ Non-GMO seeds are cultivated through pollination. Two ways -
‣ Variety developed through a specific, carefully controlled cross-pollinations of two different parent plants to
produce new traits that can’t be created by inbreeding two of the same plants. This technique has been used
for the above mentioned two varieties of rice.
‣ Open-pollinated seeds are produced from random pollination by wind, birds, insects, or other natural
means.
◦ Other herbicides currently used in Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique : Pendimethalin and Bispyribac-
sodium.
• Genetically modified rubber :
◦ World’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber plant suitable for the climatic conditions in the Northeast is
developed by Rubber Research Institute of India.
◦ Natural rubber is a native of warm humid Amazon forests and is not naturally suited for the colder conditions in
the Northeast.
◦ The GM rubber has additional copies of the gene MnSOD, or manganese-containing superoxide dismutase,
inserted in the plant, which is expected to tide over the severe cold conditions during winter.
• Bt Brinjal:
◦ Contains a protein gene (Cry1Fa1) from a soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
◦ Developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
◦ Objective: to resist the fruit and shoot borer, a pest that can reduce the plant’s productivity by 70%. This
technology can increase the productivity and profits of brinjal farmers by reducing pesticide use.
 ◦ New varieties of BT Brinjal approved for field trial in 8 states of India in 2020 uses indigenous transgenic varieties
of brinjal hybrids Janak and BSS-793.
◦ Principal criticism : it will kill native indigenous varieties of Brinjals and destroy gene diversity.
◦ Advocates : It reduces the cost of production by cutting down on the use of pesticides.
• BBX32 Protein :
◦ It’s a B-box protein that helps regulate plant growth. It is identified by scientists at IISER, Bhopal.
◦ It helps provide leads to control the timing of seedling emergence and help maximise proper seedling
establishment, thereby enhancing crop yields in areas prone to heatwaves during the Indian summer.
◦ It’s important because young seedlings emerging out of the soil are extremely sensitive to environmental factors
like heat, light, and humidity, this translates into losses in crop yield in regions prone to heatwaves like Vidharba

in Maharashtra.

Nanotechnology
• Applications developed in India :
◦ Nanofibre : Clothes prepared using nanofibre give greater cooling effect possible due to effective thermal
management due to its high thermal conductivity.
◦ Nanophotonics : building organic photonic integrated circuit or OPIC
◦ Nano particles as surface coatings with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. They have higher potency to kill
virus and bacteria.
◦ Researchers at IIT Madras have developed suture thread made of nanofiber yarns that is bio-absorbable and
can deliver a higher load of antibiotics and/or therapeutics at the site itself.
◦ Carbon nanotube filters that efficiently remove micro-to nano-scale contaminants from water and heavy
hydrocarbons from petroleum. The nanotube composition makes the filters strong, reusable, and heat resistant,
and they can be cleaned easily for reuse.
◦ Heart pacemaker using nanotubes, liquid flow in carbon nano tubes can generate electric current. So instead of
batteries, the device will generate power by itself to regulate defective heart rhythm.
◦ Nano particle drug delivery for eye diseases, ocular inflammatory disease and allergies.
◦ Nanomicelles as drug delivery vehicle for cancer therapy
◦ World’s first nano urea liquid (IFFCO) that can curtail the requirement of the conventional urea by at least 50%
which will directly lower soil, water, and air pollution.
‣ Conventional urea is effective 30-40 per cent in delivering nitrogen to plants, while the effectiveness of the
Nano Urea Liquid is over 80 per cent due to higher surface-mass ratio of nano products, and help in the
controlled delivery of plant nutrients.
‣ The cost of nano urea is 10% cheaper than the cost of a bag of conventional Urea. It will also bring down
the cost of logistics and warehousing. Thus cost of input for farmers will be low.
‣ It will increase the production of crops with improved nutritional quality.
• Tissue Nanotransfection (TNT) : A nanochip technology that can repair injured tissue and restore the function of aging
tissue like organs, blood vessels and nerve cells. It can create any cell type for treatment within the human body.
Researchers have successfully reprogrammed skin cells to become vascular cells in badly injured legs with a lack of
 blood flow.

Computing and Communications

• Comparison

• Edge computing :
◦ Edge computing enables data to be analysed, processed, and transferred at the edge of a network. The idea is to
analyse data locally, closer to where it is stored, in real-time without latency, rather than send it far away to a
centralised data centre.
◦ In cloud computing remote servers hosted on the Internet store and process data. In edge computing, massive
amounts of data generated are stored and processed locally. Data doesn’t need to be sent over a network as soon
as it is processed; only important data is sent.
◦ Advantages:
‣

Emerging Technology
• e-RUPI:
 ◦ Electronic voucher based digital payment system (cashless and contactless) developed by National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI).
◦ Person-specific and purpose-specific payments system.
◦ It will be delivered to mobile phones of beneficiaries in form of an SMS-string or a QR code. This will essentially
be like a prepaid gift-voucher that will be redeemable at specific accepting centres without any credit or debit
card, a mobile app or internet banking.
◦ Objective : ensure a leak-proof delivery of welfare services. It can also be used for delivering services under
schemes meant for providing drugs and nutritional support under Mother and Child welfare schemes, TB
eradication programmes, drugs & diagnostics under schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana, fertiliser subsidies etc.
• Artificial Neural Networks :
◦ Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are comprised of node layers, containing an input layer, one or more hidden
layers, and an output layer. Each node, or artificial neuron, connects to another and has an associated weight and
threshold. If the output of any individual node is above the specified threshold value, that node is activated,
sending data to the next layer of the network.
◦ Neural networks rely on training data to learn and improve their accuracy over time.
◦ It is the building block of deep learning algorithms. ANNs can automatically detect patterns and parameters to an
algorithm.
◦ Automatic Image Recognition and Speech Recognition use particular types of AANSs like
‣ Convolution Neural Network (CNN), a special type of ANN, is used in Image Recognition.
‣ For Speech Recognition, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is used because it is good at handling inputs of
variable length like speech.
◦ Generative Adversarial Network can generate creative outputs like paintings and music.
◦ ANNs in smartphones - voice to type, Siri, alexa, etc.

Energy, fuel
• H-CNG:
◦ The Hydrogen Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG) is a mixture of compressed natural gas and 4-9 per cent
hydrogen by energy.
◦ Use : fuel in internal combustion engine + home appliances.
◦ Benefits :
‣ Cleaner (70% reduction in CO) + economical + HCNG is easier and safer to use than hydrogen as it
contains low energy content from hydrogen
• Bio-CNG
◦ Renewable energy obtained by purifying biogas which is produced when microbes break down organic matter like
food, crop residue, waste water, etc.
◦ Advantages : clean solid waste management + mitigation of air, water, and soil pollution + the by-product of
organic compost is better for soil health than chemical fertilisers (and will save India forex as well) + cleaner and
greener fuel both for transportation sector and home applications.
◦ Challenges : high capital investment + lack of awareness on source segregation + risk of methane leakage from
 small plants
◦ The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation, an initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas, encourages entrepreneurs to set up compressed biogas plants.
• Hydrogen - based fuel cell electric vehicle (HFCV)
◦ Combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate an electric current, water being the only byproduct.
◦ Converts chemical energy to electrical energy.
◦ It does not store energy and, instead, relies on a constant supply of fuel and oxygen, similar to a conventional
internal combustion engine that relies on a constant supply of petrol or diesel. However unlike the combustion
engine cars, there are no moving parts in the fuel cell, so they are more efficient and reliable by comparison.
◦ Advantages: clean and green + more energy efficient (unlike EVs fuel cell vehicles do not need to be plugged in,
and most models exceed 300 km of range on a full tank) + refuel King time of just 5 minutes compared to 35-40
minutes for BEV + consumers get about five times better energy storage per unit volume and weight, which frees
up a lot of space for other things.
◦ Disadvantages: The process of making hydrogen involves fossil fuel + safety concerns as hydrogen is more
explosive than petrol + expensive technology + high transportation and storage cost.
• Blue Hydrogen
◦ Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas with a process of steam methane reforming, whereby natural gas is
mixed with very hot steam and a catalyst.
◦ High GHG emission (methane)
◦ Commercially most viable among all types of hydrogen power. It does not suffer from input shocks, and can be
adapted to the technology already available with petroleum refineries, chemical production units and other
industries.
◦ Pink hydrogen : sourced from nuclear energy
• White LED
◦ Conventional LED materials cannot emit white light because LEDs produce light of a single wavelength. White
light is a mixture of colors.
◦ Scientists from IIT Madras have been able to obtain natural white light emitter from a distortedn Crystalline
structure of ‘Halide-Perovskites’.
‣ Advantage : low cost + long-lasting + energy saving
◦ This innovation has been granted Government of India’s ‘SERB-Technology Translation Award last year.
‣ The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) provides financial assistance to researchers, academic
institutions, research and development laboratories, industrial concerns, and other agencies.
◦ Apart from general lighting, white LEDs can potentially be used in liquid crystal display backlights, display
mobile lighting and medical and communication equipment.
• Coal gasification:
◦ Coal gasification is the process of converting coal into synthesis gas (also called syngas), which is a mixture of
hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The syngas can be used in a variety of
applications such as in the production of electricity and making chemical products, such as fertilisers - urea.
◦ Underground coal gasification
‣ Advantages = eliminates the need for mining, and thereby dangers to miners
 • Convert deep or difficult to access coal seams into usable energy assets
• Compared to surface gasification, UCG requires much smaller gas cleanup equipment, because both
the tar and ash content of UCG-based syngas is substantially lower
• Because the processing of the coal is kept underground, surface and air emissions of sulfur, nitrous
oxides, and mercury are dramatically reduced.
• Transportation of gas easier,
‣ Disadvantage = gasification is water intensive and hence leaching of unwanted substances into
groundwater like VoC - Benzene + release of CO2, though underground capture and storage option is
available.
◦ Biological underground coal gasification: uses natural or introduced microorganisms and/or nutrients to enhance
their growth to break down in situ coal into simpler compounds, methane and other gases, which can then be
extracted via wells.

Quantum Technology
• Quantum dots :
◦ Quantum dots (QDs) are man-made nanoscale crystals that that can transport electrons.
◦ Applications:
‣ Medicine
• To study cell processes at the level of a single molecule
• Improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancers
• However presence heavy metals like cadmium toxic and carcinogenic for human health.
‣ Photovoltaic : Low cost manufacturing of solar cell as compared to silicon.
‣ Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) ,potential in the fields of photoelectronics, photovoltaics, biosensing, and
bioimaging owing to their unique photoluminescence (PL) properties, including excellent biocompatibility,
low toxicity, and high stability against photobleaching and photoblinking.
‣ Compared to OLEDs, QD-based materials have purer colors, longer lifetime, lower manufacturing cost, and
lower power consumption.
• QSim – Quantum Computer Simulator Toolkit, to enable Researchers and Students to carryout research in Quantum
Computing in a cost effective manner developed by IISc Bangalore, IIT Roorkee and C-DAC .
◦ QSim allows researchers to explore Quantum Algorithms under idealized conditions and help prepare experiments
to run on actual Quantum Hardware.
• Quantum Communication technology
◦ Ensures unconditional data security by virtue of the principles of quantum mechanics, which is not possible with
the conventional encryption systems.
◦ Quantum Key Distribution involves sending encrypted data as classical bits (a stream of electrical or optical pulses
representing 1s and 0s) over networks, while the keys to decrypt the information are encoded and transmitted in a
quantum state using qubits (state of superimposition - multiple combinations of 1s and 0s simultaneously).
‣ Now if a hacker tries to observe them in transit, their super-fragile quantum state “collapses” to either 1 or 0.
meaning a hacker can’t tamper with the qubits without leaving behind a telltale sign of the activity.
‣ DRDO to use it for defence purposes.
◦ ISRO has successfully demonstrated free-space Quantum Communication over a distance of 300 m in 2021 paving
 way for Satellite Based Quantum Communication (SBQC), where ISRO is gearing up to demonstrate the
technology between two Indian ground stations.

Space, ISRO :
• Satellite internet:
◦ Satellite internet is a type of connection that uses a satellite to get an internet signal from internet service provider
(ISP) to the user.
◦ There are only two satellite internet providers: Viasat (formerly Exede internet) and HughesNet.
‣ Starlink available in 32 countries.
◦ Access to internet in remote areas but suffer from high latency.
◦ Severe thunderstorms, heavy snow, or blizzards can interrupt satellite transmission temporarily.
• James Webb Space Telescope:
◦ NASA + European Space Agency + Canada Space Agency
◦ Webb will primarily study the universe in the infrared, while Hubble looks at it mainly at optical and ultraviolet
wavelengths.
‣ Star and planet formation in the local Universe takes place in the centers of dense, dusty clouds, not visible
at normal wavelengths. Near-infrared light, with its longer wavelength, is less hindered by the small dust
particles, allowing near-infrared light to escape from the dust clouds. By observing the emitted near-infrared
light we can penetrate the dust and see the processes leading to star and planet formation.
◦ The primary goals of Webb are to study galaxy, star and planet formation in the Universe.
‣ For this Webb will have a much larger primary mirror than Hubble (2.7 times larger in diameter, or about 6
times larger in area), giving it more light-gathering power.
‣ Webb operates much farther from Earth (Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point, 1.5 million km away), maintaining its
extremely cold operating temperature, stable pointing and higher observing efficiency than with the Earth-
orbiting Hubble.

Health
• One Health consortium
◦ Department of Biotechnology led consortium of 27 institutes
◦ Surveillance of important bacterial, viral and parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as transboundary pathogens in
the country.
◦ One health approach = human-plant-animal health

Agriculture
• Vertical farming
◦ Crops are grown indoors, under artificial conditions of light and temperature.
◦ It uses soil-less methods such as hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics. Higher productivity in smaller places.
◦ Uses less water and pesticides than traditional agricultural methods.
◦ Low wastage and round the year production
◦ Disadvantages:
 ‣ High operational costs
‣ Energy intensive - artificial lightning
‣ Economic viability of only few crops
• Pollutants : Paddy fields = methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide.
◦ Global Warming Potential (GWP) of methane is 25 times more than that of carbon dioxide.
◦ Rice-fish farming system = low methane emission + improve soil fertility + avoid soil degradation + low input
cost + high production
• Green ammonia
◦ Ammonia is mainly used in the manufacture of nitrogenous fertilizers, like urea and ammonium nitrate.
‣ Ammonia is also being considered as a means to store renewable energy for delayed use.
‣ Both ammonia and hydrogen are being considered to replace fossil fuel in shipping industry.
◦ In the conventional ‘Haber-Bosch’ process of ammonia production, one tonne of ammonia production releases two
tonnes of CO2.
◦ India major importer of ammonia.
◦ The manufacture of ammonia needs natural gas as feedstock to supply hydrogen.
◦ Green hydrogen is produced from the electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy sources and can replace
grey hydrogen, which is generated from natural gas, or methane, as a feedstock for ammonia production
◦ Green ammonia as maritime fuel as compared to hydrogen :
‣ Both for combustion as a marine fuel and in fuel cells on ships.
‣ It is significantly easier to store and handle + a safer way to transport hydrogen itself + ammonia is about
80% more energy-dense than liquid hydrogen
◦ Green ammonia would help cut India’s fertilizer subsidy burden and boost energy self-reliance by reducing
dependence on imports of expensive liquified natural gas (LNG) for fertilizer manufacturing.
◦

• Farming practices beneficial for farmers in India (can be used in mains exam)
◦ Relay planting : Planting of different crops in the same plot, one right after another, in the same season.
‣ Eg. planting rice, cauliflower, onion, and summer gourd in the same season.
‣ Benefits: less risk of single crop failure and thereby farmer’s income + better distribution of labour + insects
spread less + any legumes will add nitrogen to the soil.
‣ Disadvantages : high management requirements + mechanisation will be difficult
◦ Strip planting : Large plots of land is divided into strips, and strips of grass are left to grow between the crops.
Different crops are in alternate manner.
 ‣ Eg. wheat, corn, and soya bean in the US using this method.
◦ Soil mulching : Requires keeping all bare soil covered with straw, leaves, and the like, even when the land is in use.
‣ Benefits: Erosion is curtailed + moisture retained + beneficial organisms, such as earthworms, kept in
place.
‣ Zero tillage offers same benefits.

Blockchain, NFT etc.

• NFT:
◦ Any digital asset such as a piece of music, image, photograph, painting, GIF, meme an audio or video file or game
that can exist in a digital format.
◦ Non-fungible means these things are not interchangeable for other items because they have unique properties.
◦ They can only have one official owner at a time and they're secured by the blockchain platform like ethereum.
The blockchain serves as a public ledger, allowing anyone to verify the asset's authenticity and ownership.
◦ Currently energy-intensive.

Astrophysics/Physics
• Gravitational lensing : When light travels through space and passes near a massive or compact body – a star, a galaxy or
a black hole, the intense gravity of that body may attract the light towards it, bending it from its rectilinear (straight
line) path. This is known as G.L.
◦ Massive objects like galaxies can bend light significantly, producing multiple images, this is called strong lensing.
◦ Lighter objects like stars or black holes bend light less, and this is called microlensing.
• Magnetars: An extremely dense type of neutron star that can produce magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than
sun’s. Neutron stars are formed when stars more massive than sun explode as supernovae.
◦ High magnetic field and high luminosity.
◦ Magnetars emit violent flares (short-lived) and it is only during such flare that it becomes visible.
◦ Studying these flares will not only help understand the physics of magnetars, it will also help in understanding fast
radio bursts, which are among the most enigmatic phenomena in astronomy.
• Particle accelerator experiments :
◦ Belle II - on B-mesons (particles that contain the B-quark, also known as the beauty or bottom quark) - Japan
◦ Large Hadron Collider - world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator - CERN
◦ Muon g - 2 - Fermilab (USA)

Defence
• Defence Technology and Trade Initiative: India - US
• Hypersonic weapons
◦ Manoeuvrable weapons that can fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, five times the speed of sound.
◦ Hypersonic weapons travel within the atmosphere and can manoeuvre midway which combined with their high
speeds makes their detection and interception extremely difficult. This means that radars and air defences
cannot detect them till they are very close and little time to react.
‣ Ballistic missiles follow a fixed trajectory and travel outside the atmosphere to re-enter only near impact.
◦ US and Russia have successfully tested hypersonic missiles.
 ◦ India is also developing an indigenous, dual-capable hypersonic cruise missile as part of its Hypersonic
Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) program and successfully tested a Mach 6 scramjet in June 2019
and September 2020.

Misc.
• Bioplastic: Considered as climate-neutral since they are based on renewable raw materials such as maize, wheat or sugar
cane.
◦ However commercial production can potentially lead to change in land use - an increase in the conversion of
forest areas to arable land for cultivation of these plants. But forests absorb considerably more CO2 than maize or
sugar cane annually.
◦ Biodegradable Plastic : plastic that will degrade completely into substances found in nature.
◦ Compostable plastic : a subset of biodegradable plastic. Compostable plastic breaks down and becomes usable,
◦ non-toxic soil conditioner under controlled conditions.
• Lithium - sulphur battery :
◦ High performance ( capable of powering a smartphone for 5 continuous days)
◦ Low cost of production- sulphur abundant
◦ Energy efficient. May be used in e - vehicles