SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY

Questions and references are provided by Tauseef Ahmad (IIT Delhi) and Insights 23) S&T 15/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 15/11/2013 1. The power sector reforms in India should be distribution led instead of generation led. Do you agree? (200 Words) 2. Prize based accolades have lot to offer in the field of research and development, rather than patent based? How far you agree with this statement.(200 Words) 3. Compare and contrast the generation of launch vehicles used and developed by India. Also highlight the issues associated with each generation? (250 Words) ANSWERS What is the point in increasing generation capacity if you cant plug leakages? Distribution continues to be the weakest link in the Indian power sector, with customer not being at the centrestage of the delivery process and the fiscal viability. Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses continue to be one of the highest across the globe. It is estimated that the losses, as a percentage of the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are likely to reach 1.2 per cent by March 2014. It is thus imperative to address issues that may jeopardise the growth of an already ailing power sector which, in turn, continues to be one of the key infrastructural challenges coming in the way of achieving a higher rate of GDP growth. The emphasis of almost all state governments is currently on capacity addition in the generation sector. Capacity addition will not bear fruit unless distribution reforms are taken forward on a war footing. Any increase in generation capacity is more than offset by inefficiencies and wastage at each stage production, transmission, distribution and delivery. This is a matter of great concern as the buyers of merchandise have to be solvent and efficient failing which the fiscal health of all associates in the value chain is impacted and this leads to a vicious and unviable circle of uncertainty. Thus, the foremost challenge is for the Indian power sector to actualise reforms in the distribution segment. Similarly, ensuring that all areas have access to 24x7 electricity supply has been eluding India for long.

The promise of electricity for all by 2012 has fallen flat with such an achievement still miles away.
Financial revamp

The combined cash losses of state-owned distribution companies are expanding by nearly Rs 1 trillion a year, of which 35 per cent is due to T&D losses and the remaining because the tariffs have not kept pace with the rising cost of supply. Distribution companies are tiding over the cash shortfalls by borrowing from commercial banks and repeated borrowings with no commensurate increase in efficiency have seriously undermined the financial health of the sector. Though the government has come out with financial restructuring schemes, this needs to be viewed only as a short-term benefit required for infusing funds into the ailing distribution sector. Moreover, the financial restructuring should be done through regulatory commissions and not by the states. That means money should be made available, as a financial support, to regulators who should then set targets and permit restructuring to happen only against the achievement of those targets. Its sad that the present day political system is shy of biting the bullet and embracing reforms quite like the Delhi Government led by Sheila Dixit exhibited. In addition to significant reform-intervention and a combination of tariff increases, going forward, the distribution segment also needs implementation of open access and competition, and enforcement of the obligation to service and not just use. The present policy system is governed by the overarching Electricity Act, 2003. The Act replaced the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 (which had earlier effectively nationalised the sector), and introduced a host of reforms such as unbundling of State Electricity Boards (SEBs), open access, competition, development of market mechanisms and independent tariff setting and regulation. It also paved the way for greater private sector participation in a hitherto public sector-dominated space.
Energise PPP model

From the experience of distribution sector reforms, so far, public-private partnership (PPP) has helped in the enhancement, effectiveness and discipline in distribution activities. The pace of PPP depends upon the Governments will and private sector appetite for distribution assets. Investors, both domestic and international, have shown a declining interest in energy assets in India because of half-hearted moves by key stakeholders.

The problem of making the distribution sector attractive for the private sector is compounded by a number of bottlenecks across the utility. PPP has to be done with an efficient and effective strategy, the main objective being reduction in AT&C losses. Investors seek an anti-theft legislation and its effective enforcement in addition to access to a legal system for speedy resolution of disputes. Investors also prefer to have a de-risked regulatory regime with clear tariff policy framework from the regulator so that they can understand the extent of independence, philosophy and the overall direction of regulation. This would, in turn, reduce regulatory risk. The Electricity Act, 2003 provides for a robust regulatory framework for distribution licensees to safeguard consumer interests. It also creates a competitive framework for the distribution business, offering options to consumers through the concepts of open access and multiple licensees in the same area of supply. The Act enables competing generating companies and trading licensees, besides the area distribution licensees, to sell electricity to consumers. The concept of open access has long been there but it has not been implemented in a large chunk of states yet. If implemented holistically, distribution reforms can provide benefits of competition to consumers. This is the thought behind the Mumbai distribution model. However, artificial barriers such as cross subsidy surcharges and wheeling charges negatively impact consumers right to choose and must be done away with immediately. Public-private partnership accelerates the implementation of modern technology, including Information Technology, in utilities. This facilitates creation of network information and customer data base which will help in management of load, improvement in quality of customer service, detection of theft and tampering, customer information and prompt and correct billing and collection. Government commitment for reform in terms of political will, support and implementation capacity is the foremost requirement towards the restructuring of the distribution segment. The political environment is an important factor in influencing the investors decision.
successful case study

Tata Power Delhi Distribution (TPDDL) is one of Indias most remarkable success stories in public-private partnerships. A joint venture carved out of the government-owned loss making power distribution company, Delhi Vidyut Board, TPDDL has come a long way in the decade of its existence. It is the first

power distribution company in India to report profits and present dividend earnings to its joint owners, the state government of Delhi and Tata Power. TPDDL, earlier named North Delhi Power (NDPL), which services the north and north-west areas of Delhi, began operations in July 2002. In the years since, it has brought aggregate technical and commercial losses down from 53 per cent to 12 per cent, beating the world average of 15 per cent. Power outages in the region it lights up are down from a regular five hours a day to near zero and revenues are up 60 per cent. Some of the takeaways from the TPDDL success include the Chief Ministers personal intervention against power theft, theft proofing through tamper-resistant meters and high voltage transmission lines and effective change management especially in terms of employee and expectation management. It is therefore political will and commitment to keep customers in centrestage of reforms that the country looks forward to we need more TPDDL-like stories. (The author is Managing Director, Tata Power)
(This article was published on October 10, 2013)

Keywords: Weakest link, power sector, delivery process, fiscal viability

22) S&T 14/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 14/11/2013 1. What paradigm shift NRHM has brought in the field of public health? (200 Words) 2. With the liberalization of global trade in agriculture there is an increased risk of introduction of exotic pests and weeds in the country that can cause serious economic. How far Biosecurity Bill, 2013 addresses this problem? (200 Words) 3. Discuss the plausible health and environmental impacts of nanotechnology? (150 Words) ANSWERS 21) S&T 13/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 13/11/2013 1. To ensure the sustainability of Non-conventional energy sources there is need for more innovative approach like Green Energy Corridor. Comment (200 Words) 2. How far IPR legislations and Biodiversity agreements have gone to provide safeguards to Traditional Knowledge? Substantiate. (200 Words) 3. Critically examine the increased Carbon Trading to control GHG emission. (20 Words)

ANSWERS 20) S&T 12/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 12/11/2013 1. How far the Coastal Regulation Zone notification has addressed the problems of Indian fisherman? Why it is important for India to have CRZ? (150 Words) 2. The Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 has created uproar in the general masses. Substantiate the core objective of the rule citing problems of its implementation? (150 Words) 3. Differentiate between C-band and S-band with their respective roles? (100 Words) ANSWERS 19) S&T 11/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 11/11/2013 1. Describe the Ethanol Blending program of India with reference to current economic situation? (200 Words) 2. Bio-fuel sector in India is undergoing a dramatic change, and it calls for efforts to generate necessary human resources to tap the emerging opportunities. Evaluate (200 Words) ANSWERS 18) S&T 09/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 09/11/2013 1. In laymans terms differentiate between El Nino and El Nino Modoki? (100 Words) 2. Differentiate between Bio-accumulation, Bio-concentration and Bio-magnification with examples. (150 Words) 3. Marine pollution is multi dimensional. Comment on the efforts of government to tackle the problem. (200 Words) ANSWERS 17. S&T 08/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 08/11/2013 1. What is cultural Eutrophication? Discuss its effects on species diversity. (150 Words) 2. Describe different types of Water Footprints? How it is measured. (150 Words) 3. What is Earths Overshoot Day? (100 Words)

4. Ecological Deficit is much more alarming than Fiscal deficit. Comment (200 Words) ANSWERS 16. S&T 07/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 07/11/2013 1. Why Bedaquiline was in news recently? (100 Words) 2. Discuss the role of silver Nanoparticles in water purification? (100 Words) 3. What is the New National Antibiotic Policy? How far this policy will curb the menace of increasing antibiotic resistance? (150 Words) 4. What is Bio-terrorism? Explain with examples(150 Words) ANSWERS 15. S&T 06/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 06/11/2013 1. What is WIFS program of Union health Ministry? What are its benefits? (150 Words) 2. What is Robo-bee? Explain its applications. (150 Words) 3. What is Biobank? What are the ethical concerns involved in establishing Biobanks? (150 Words) ANSWERS 14. S&T 05/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 05/11/2013 1. What is Minamata Convention? Discuss on the backdrop of the related disaster.(150 Words) 2. What is the difference between TFR and NFR?(100 Words) 3. What is Cable TV Digitization? Discuss its implications on consumers, industry and Government. (150 Words) ANSWERS 13. S&T 04/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 04/11/2013 1. Emerging technologies bring with them new ethical and regulatory challenges. Comment.(200 Words)

2. Critically analyze the salient features of the Mental Health Care Bill 2012? (200 Words) 3. What is cDNA? Why it was source of concerns in recent times? (100 Words) ANSWERS 12. S&T 02/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 02/11/2013 Short answer type (50 Words) 1. Salinity ingress 2. He La cells 3. CD-4 cells 4. CCI- Satellite 5. Grey Field project 6. Li-Fi 7. 3D printing 8. Cherenkov Telescope Array 9. Genome Editing 10. NEEMO Write about the following in 20 words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Tokkamak GSLV-mk-III JENVEC Upsalite Truvada treatment 2

ANSWERS 11. S&T 01/11/2013 QUESTIONS: 01/11/2013 1. What is the link between HIV and TB? Give your views on governments efforts in TB eradication and what are challenges for India? (200 Words) 2. True polio eradication is nothing but zero incidence of polio virus infection. Justify the statement based on Indias performance and suggest measures for improvements. (200 Words) ANSWERS 10. S&T 31/10/2013

QUESTIONS: 31/10/2013 1. Powerful Science communication is an asset to the transformation of societies. Examine. (200 Words) 2. India needs to speed up the indigenization process of its defense production in order to root out corruption from the sector. Comment (200 Words) ANSWERS 9. S&T 30/10/2013 QUESTIONS: 30/10/2013 (Topics - S&T in India, Space) 1. Discuss the salient features of New Science, Technology and Innovation policy, 2013? (250 Words) 2. Describe the achievements of ISRO in the last few years. What are the challenges for India in Space research technology?(250 Words) 100 words 1. What are designer babies? Describe the various issues associated with it? 2. What are Bitcoins? Why government is critical of its working? 3. What is Quantum cryptography? Why it was in news recently? Short Note Questions (50 Words) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ug 99 Metro Dot P K Iyenger Nalgonda Technique K-15 sagarika

ANSWERS 8. S&T 29/10/2013 QUESTIONS: 29/10/2013 (Topics Biotechnology; Climate Change; IPR; R&D) 1. The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill, 2013, if passed, will adversely affect agriculture, health of humans and animals, and the environment, causing unparalleled harm. Critically examine. (200 Words) 2. Too many international conventions and agreements on climate change have perplexed and disappointed the world. Comment. (200 World) 3. India should act proactively to protect its high standard Patent regime. Comment in the light of recent happenings and Supreme Court verdicts.(250 Words)

4. All debates about scientific research inevitably end up zeroing in on the deficiencies of our educational system as the root cause of the abysmal record in scientific research. Do you agree with the statement?Critically comment.(200 Words) Short answer type (50 Words) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Obaid Siddiqui Regenerative Medicines Quasi crystals Semantic Web Copyleft

ANSWERS 7. S&T 28/10/2013 QUESTIONS: 28/10/2013 1. Hydrogen as a fuel offers huge potential for an energy deficient country like India. Critically comment. (150 Words) 2. Doping remains greatest threat to sports integrity.Comment on the statement explaining various forms of doping. (200 Words) 3. Compare and contrast Cloud computing and Grid computing? What are the issues involved with them? (200 Words) 4. What is the significance of Helium-3? How it is related to the quest for lunar missions? (100 Words) Short answer type (50 Words) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Biosimilars Biometrics Carbon capture and utilization SmartNav MUAV Netra

ANSWERS 6. S&T 26/10/2013 QUESTIONS:26/10/2013 (Biodiversity and Environment) 1. What are the specific provisions contained in the environment related international instruments regarding Transfer of Technology? Discuss the tussle between developed and developing nations for TOT. (250 Words) 2. The lack of scientific certainty should not be a reason to postpone cost effective measures to prevent climate change. Critically comment.(200 Words)

3. The lack of structural deficit in managing water and biodiversity has escalated the stress on Indias environmental and biodiversity laws. Critically evaluate (200 Words) 4. The CBD and TRIPS embody conflicting system of rights. Comment. (150 Words) Short answer type 50 Words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. OLED KIROBO NANO MISSION BLUE BRAIN PROJECT ADITYA SATELLITE

ANSWERS 5. S&T 25/10/2013 QUESTIONS:25/10/2013 1. 2. 3. 4. Discuss the critical aspects of National Telecom Policy-2012?(250 words) Critically evaluate the nuclear programme of India?(250 words) Comment on the significance of LHC experiments.(100 words) Gene Therapy offers wide range of prospects for humans. Comment.(100 words)

Short answer 50 words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Kaveri Engine EU-ETS Algal Fuels INO Generic Drugs

ANSWERS 4. S&T 24/10/2013 QUESTIONS: 24/10/2013 (Topics - Biotechnology, Health, India technology) 1. Discuss the issues related to clinical trials in India? What are the implications of Supreme Courts latest ruling in this regard. (250 Words) 2. India has become a surrogacy haven. Comment on the recent issues and controversies related to surrogacy in India. Do you think ART, Bill, 2010 is strong enough to tackle the issue. Suggest measures to improve the vitality of the bill? (250 Words) 3. Evergreening is a major obstacle in legal allocation of patents. Comment (100 Words) 4. Comment on the significance of blue water navy for India? (100 Words) ANSWERS

3. S&T 23/10/2013 QUESTIONS:23/10/2013 (Topics Space; Biotechnology) 1. The dark energy and dark matter has proved to be elusive for physicist around the world. Comment. (200 Words) 2. Highlight the issues associated with the increased patenting in the biological domain especially in the light of recent controversies and verdicts? Do you think patenting biological forms is desirable? Substantiate. (250 Words) Short Note Questions Write about the followings in not more than 50 words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Probiotics Square Kilometer Array Anti-Doping Administration and Management System(ADAMS) Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System(CCTNS) Near Field Communication(NFC)

Write about the following in not more than 20 words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Beema Bamboo Open Source Drug Discovery(OSDD) Bharat Broad Band Project Green Nylon Insight Mission

ANSWERS 2. S&T 22/10/2013 QUESTIONS: 22/10/2013 (Topics: Nanotechnology, Environment) 1. The core of nanotechnology lies in its interdisciplinary nature. Comment (250 Words) 2. There is an urgent need to adopt technologies for gainful utilization and safe management of fly ash. Discuss. (250 Words) ANSWERS 1. Insights S&T 21/10/2013 QUESTIONS: 21/10/2103 (Topics - Biotechnology; Environment) 1. The governments nod for shale gas extraction is in violation of Indias effort to abide by the international and national environmental laws? Critically analyse. (250 Words)

2. Promoter cannot be regulator. Discuss on the validity of the statement based on the Pesticides Management and Regulations in India? Suggest improvements to the status of the Pesticides Management Bill,2008, that is still pending in the Parliament. (250 Words) 3. The draft DNA profiling Bill,2012, advocates the principle of enhancing protection of people in the society and administration of justice. Analyse. (250 Words) ANSWERS