CONTENTS

►EMISAT 07
Section-1 INDIAN REGIONAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (IRNSS)
07
Space Technology INDIAN DATA RELAY SATELLITE SYSTEM 08

01 ISRO’S SPACE EXPLORATION MISSIONS 09

►TYPES OF ORBITS 01 ►ASTROSAT 09
►GEOSTATIONARY TRANSFER ORBIT (GTO) 01 ►EXPOSAT 09
 ROCKET PROPULSION 02 ►MANGALYAAN 09
 LAUNCH VEHICLES IN INDIA 02 ►CHANDRAYAAN 1 09
►PSLV 02 ►CHANDRAYAAN 2 09
►GSLV 02 ►CHANDRAYAAN-3 10
►SSLV 03 ►SIGNIFICANCE OF LUNAR EXPLORATION 10
►VIKAS ENGINE 03 ►ADITYA-1 & ADITYA-L1 10
►LOX METHANE ENGINE 03 ►GAGANYAAN 10
►ION ROCKETS 03 ►VYOMMITRA 10
►SHUKRAYAAN 11

SATELLITE SYSTEMS OF INDIA 03 ►NISAR 11

INSAT SERIES 03
SEARCH SPECTROGRAPH) 11
►FREQUENCY BANDS OF COMMUNICATION SATELLITES 04
► LATEST COMMUNICATION SATELLITES 04
GSAT 30 04
GSAT 31 04
GSAT 7A (MILITARY SATELLITE) 04
GSAT 11 05
HIGH-THROUGHPUT COMMUNICATION SATELLITES OF INDIA
05
INDIAN REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE SYSTEM 05
►RECENT REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES 05
RISAT – 2BR1 05
RISAT-2B 06
RISAT SERIES 06
CARTOSAT 3 06
GiSAT: GEO-IMAGING SATELLITE SERIES 06
MICROSAT R 06
HYSIS: HYSPECTRAL IMAGING SATELLITE 06
►HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING: BASICS 07
►PRINCIPLE OF SPECTROSCOPY AND DIGITAL IMAGING 07
►PARAS (PRL ADVANCED RADIAL VELOCITY ABU SKY
►PROJECT NETRA (NETWORK FOR SPACE OBJECT
TRACKING AND ANALYSIS) 11
►NORAD 12
►NEW SPACE INDIA LIMITED 12
IMPORTANT MISSIONS OF NASA 12
►DART MISSION 12
►HAMMER 12
►EUROPA CLIPPER 12
►MESSENGER 12
►NASA’S MISSION TO VENUS 12
►CASSINI HUYGENS 12
►DISCOVERY 12
►INSIGHTS 12
►OTHER MISSIONS TO MARS 12
►OPPORTUNITY 12
►CURIOSITY 12
►KEPLER MISSION 12

i
 ►TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS) 13 ►TIANHE-1 16
►SUOMI NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING PARTNERSHIP ►FAST ARRAY/ TIANYAN 16
SATELLITE 13
►XUNTIAN 16
►MODIS 13 ►HAYABUSA MISSION 16
►DAWN MISSION 13 ►HERACLES 16
►CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY 13
►BIRDS PROJECT 16
►SOHO 13 ►SPICA 16
►LASCO 13 ►SPACE DEBRIS PROJECTS 16
►NEW FRONTIER’S PROGRAM 13 TELESCOPES 16
►NEW HORIZON 13 ►THE GIANT METERWAVE RADIO TELESCOPE 16
►DRAGONFLY 13 ►GEMINI TELESCOPE IN HAWAII 17
►DISCOVERY PROGRAM 14
►EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE 17
►LUCY 14 ►THIRTY METER TELESCOPE 17
►PSYCHE 14 ►DARK ENERGY SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENT (DESI) 17
►DAVINCI 14
►MEERKAT 17
►IO VOLCANO OBSERVER 14 ►STARLINK INTER-NET CONSTELLATION 17
►VERITAS 14 ►ONEWEB 17
►TRIDENT: NEPTUNE’S MOON 14
►PARKER SOLAR PROBE 14
►PUNCH MISSION 14
BASIC PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY 17
►HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE 14 ►STANDARD MODEL OF PHYSICS 17

►JAMES WEB TELESCOPE 14 ►ANTIMATTER 18

►ARTEMIS 14 ►QUARKS 18

►LUNAR ORBITAL PROGRAM – GATEWAY (LUNAR GATEWAY) ►LEPTONS 18

14 ►FERMION 18
►COBE SATELLITE 15 ►BOSON 18
►TERRA AND AQUA 15 ►GOD PARTICLE 18
►AURA 15
►NEUTRINOS 18
►SOLAR NEUTRINOS 19
►LARGE HADRON COLLIDOR 19
OTHER IMPORTANT MISSIONS 15
►DARK MATTER 19
►BEPI COLOMBO 15
►DARK ENERGY 19
►JUICE 15
►BLACK HOLES 19
►COPERNICUS 15
►GRAVITATIONAL WAVES 20
►ROSETTA MISSION 15
►LIGO 20
►SOLAR ORBITER 15
►LIGO-INDIA 20
►COSMIC VISION 15
►LISA PATHFINDER 20
►CHEOPS 15
►EUROPEAN COUNCIL FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCH (CERN)
►ATHENA 15 20
►AIDA 15 ►KUIPER BELT OBJECTS 21
►COMET INTERCEPTOR 15 ►PLOONET 21
►VENUS EXPRESS BY ESA 16
►CHANG’E-4 16
MISCELLANEOUS 21
►TIANGONG-1 16
►NOBEL PRIZE 2019: PHYSICS FOR EXOPLANETS AND
►TIANGONG-2 16
COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND RADIATION 21
►TIANZHOU 1 16
►FAST RADIO BURSTS 22

ii
 ►SHIFTING OF MAGNETIC NORTH POLE 22
►MAGNETARS 23
Section-2
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
24
 NUCLEAR FUEL 24
 NUCLEAR FISSION VS FUSION 25
 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS 26
► FISSION REACTORS 26
► TYPES OF FISSION REACTORS 26
LIGHT WATER REACTOR 26
HEAVY WATER REACTOR 27
FAST BREEDER REACTORS 27
► FUSION REACTORS 27
BASICS OF CONTROLLED FUSION 27
ITER (INTERNATIONAL THERMONUCLEAR EXPERIMENTAL
REACTOR) 27
COLD FUSION 27
NUCLEAR SECTOR IN INDIA 28
3-STAGE NUCLEAR PROGRAMME 28
NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA 28
►NUCLEAR REACTORS IN INDIA 29
►INDO-US CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION 29
►INDIA’S NUCLEAR COMMERCE 29
►CIVIL LIABILITY LAW IN INDIA 29
REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR
TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA 30
►DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY 30
►ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION 30
►ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD (AERB) 30
►PUBLIC SECTOR INSTITUTIONS 30
►NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED (NPCIL)
30
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS 30
►INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) 30
►WORLD ASSOCIATION OF NUCLEAR OPERATORS 31
►IMPORTANT NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATIES 31
PARTIAL TEST BAN TREATY 31
NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY 31
IAEA SAFEGUARD AGREEMENT AND INDIA 31
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY (CTBT) 31
►EXPORT CONTROL REGIMES 31
NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP 31
AUSTRALIAN GROUP 32
WASSEGNAR ARRANGEMENT 32
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME 32
►NUCLEAR FREE ZONES 32
MISCELLANEOUS 32
►RADIOACTIVITY AND APPLICATIONS 32
►RESEARCH REACTORS IN INDIA (BARC) 33
►ROOPPUR NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT 33
►MEDICAL CYCLOTRON FACILITY CYCLONE-30 33
►CAESIUM – 137 33
►GLOBAL CENTRE FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY PARTNERSHIP
(GCNEP) 34
►US TO SET UP 6 LIGHT WATER REACTORS IN KOVVADA,
ANDHRA PRADESH 34
Section-3
BIOTECHNOLOGY
35
►DNA PROFILING 36
►GENE THERAPY 36
►MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND NUCLEAR DNA 37
►THREE PARENT BABY 37
►STEM CELLS 37
► GENE EDITING 38
IN-VIVO GENE EDITING 38
CrispR Cas9 38
►GENE DRIVE TECHNOLOGY 39
►GM CROPS 39
►REGULATION OF GMO IN INDIA 39
BT COTTON 40
HTBT COTTON 40
BT BRINJAL 40
iii
 AGNI-II 46
MISCELLANEOUS 40
AGNI-III 46
►NATIONAL STEM CELL REGISTRY 40
AGNI-IV 46
►BIOBANK 40
INTER-CONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE 46
►MITOCHONDRIAL EVE 41
AGNI-V 46
►MANAV: HUMAN ATLAS INITIATIVE 41
AGNI-VI 47
►GENOME INDIA PROJECT 41
SURYA 47
►INDIGEN INITIATIVE 41
SUBMARINE-LAUNCHED BALLISTIC MISSILE 47
►HUMAN MICROBIOME PROJECT 41
K-15  SAGARIKA 47
►HUMAN PROTEOME PROJECT 41
K-4 47
►PROTEOMICS 41
K5 (UNDER DEVELOPMENT) 47
►BIONICS 42
K6 (UNDER DEVELOPMENT) 47
►ARTIFICIAL BLOOD 42
SURFACE-TO-AIR (SHORT-RANGE) MISSILES 47
►BIOINFORMATICS 42
TRISHUL 47
►BIO-COMPUTING 42
AKASH 47
►DNA DATA STORAGE 42
MAITRI (QRSAM) 47
►DNA OF THINGS (DOT) 42
REVATI 48
►NATIONAL GENOMIC GRID 42
ROHINI 48
►INDIA’S BRAIN MAP 42
BARAK-8 48
►EARTH BIO-GENOME PROJECT 43
IGLA-S 48
►IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND FROZEN EMBRYOS 43
AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE 48
►DESIGNER BABIES 43
ASTRA 48
►1st GENE-EDITED BABIES: LULU AND NANA 44
ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE 49
►SYNTHETIC MEAT 44
NAG 49
►CLEAN MEAT PROJECT 44
HELINA 49
SPIKE 49

Section-4 MILAN 49
SPICE 2000 49

Defence Technology
CRUISE MISSILES 49
45 ►NIRBHAY: SUBSONIC CRUISE MISSILE 49
►BRAHMOS: SUPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE 49
CRUISE MISSILE vs. BALLISTIC MISSILES 45
►BRAHMOS II: HYPERSONIC 50

BALLISTIC MISSILES 45
INDIA’S MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEMS 50
SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILES 45
►BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM 50
SHORT-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE 45
►MULTI-LAYERED AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM: S-400 50
PRITHVI-I 45
►BARAK-8 LONG AND MEDIUM RANGE SAM 50
PRITHVI-II 46
►AKASH MEDIUM-RANGE SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE SYSTEM
PRITHVI-III 46
50
DHANUSH 46
►MULTI-LAYERED AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM FOR DELHI 50
SHAURYA 46
►NASAMS-2 51
PRAHAAR 46
AGNI-I 46
INTERMEDIATE-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE 46

iv
 ►MIG 29 54
HYPERSONIC MISSILES 51
►SUKHOI-30 MKI 54
AVANGARD
►RAFALE 55
KINZHAL
►US-2 AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT 55
STARRY SKY 2 HYPERSONIC AIRCRAFT
DONGFENG MISSILES
IMPORTANT HELICOPTERS 55
►LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER 55
ARTILLERY WEAPON SYSTEM OF INDIA 51
►DHRUV 55
►DHANUSH 51
►CHINOOK 55
►K9 VAJRA T GUNS 52
►APACHE 55
►M777 ULTRA LIGHT HOWITZERS 52
►MH-60R (ROMEO) SEAHAWK HELICOPTERS 55
►SHARANG 52
►KAMOV 56
►ADVANCED TOWED ARTILLERY GUN SYSTEM 52

SPACE WEAPONISATION 56
►INFANTRY WEAPON SYSTEM OF INDIA 52
►ANTI SATELLITE TECHNOLOGIES 56
►AK-203 52
►TREATIES GOVERNING OUTER SPACE 56
►SIG SAUER 716 ASSAULT RIFLES 52
►UN RESOLUTIONS: PAROS TO TCBMS 56
►CARBINES 52
►MISSION SHAKTI 56

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS OF INDIAN NAVY 53

MISCELLANEOUS 57
►INS VIKRANT 53
►POSEIDON 57
►INS VIRAAT 53
►KEY OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF IAF 57
►INS VIKRAMADITYA 53
►HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING PROGRAM 57
►INS VIKRANT (IAC-1) 53
AWACS 58
►INS VISHAL 53
PHALCON 58
NETRA 58
SUBMARINE ARM OF INDIA 53 DRONE FLEET OF INDIA 58

 CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINES OF INDIA 53 SEARCHER 1 AND 2 58

►PROJECT 75-I 53 HERONS 58

 NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES 53 LAKSHYA 58

►SSN: (SUBMERSIBLE SHIP NUCLEAR) 53 NISHANT 58

►SSBN: (SUBMERSIBLE SHIP BALLISTIC NUCLEAR) 53 DAKSH 58

NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE FLEET OF INDIA 53 NETRA 58

 SSN FLEET 53 RUSTOM SERIES 58

CHAKRA-I 53 RUSTOM 2 58

CHAKRA-II 53 GHATAK 59

CHAKRA-III 54 PREDATOR-B 59

 SSBN FLEET 54 LASER-BASED DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON SYSTEM 59

ARIHANT 54 HELIOS 59

ARIGHAT 54 LW-30 59
INDIA’S LASER WEAPON SYSTEM 59
►INTEGRATED TRI-SERVICE AGENCIES 59
IMPORTANT FIGHTER JETS OF INDIA 54
►DEFENCE SPACE AGENCY 59
►TEJAS LCA 54
►CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF 59

v
 ►DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS 60
PLANT DISEASES 66
►INFORMATION FUSION CENTRE-IOR 60
►YELLOW RUST 66
►BOLD-QIT (BORDER ELECTRONICALLY DOMINATED QRT
INTERCEPTION TECHNIQUE) 60 ►FALL ARMYWORM 66

►VEHICLE BORNE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE 60 ►PINK BOLLWORM 67

►MILITARY EXERCISES 61 ►LOCUST 67

►SHEATH BLIGHT DISEASE 67
►OTHER PLANT DISEASES 67

Section-5 COMMON SUPERBUGS 67

HEALTH AND DISEASES ►STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

►STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS
67
67
►CANDIDA AURIS 67
62 ►SPREAD OF MULTI-DRUG RESISTANCE IN INDIA 68
►GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE
 VIRAL DISEASES 62 SYSTEM (GLASS) 68

►CORONAVIRUS 62 ►AWARE 68

►NIPAH 62 ►REDLINE CAMPAIGN 68

►YARAVIRUS 63 ►NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT ANTIMICROBIAL

RESISTANCE 2017 68
►ROTAVIRUS DISEASE 63
►BIOSIMILARS 68
►MEASLES-RUBELLA 63
►TRASTUZUMAB 68
►ZIKA 63
►SECRETAGOGIN 68
►KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE OR MONKEY FEVER 63
►DENGVAXIA 68
►YELLOW FEVER 63
►ETVAX 68
►ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS SYNDROME (AES) 64
►GV-971 / OLIGOMANNATE 68
►FLU 64
►ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE 68
►WEST NILE FEVER 64
►MOSAIC HIV VACCINE 69
►AIDS 64
►MOSQUIRIX 69
►CRIMEAN-CONGO HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER 64
►TYPBAR TCV 69
►DENGUE 64
►BEDAQUILINE 69
►JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS 64
►PRETOMANID 69
BACTERIAL DISEASE 64
►MOSCOW DECLARATION 69
►VECTOR BORNE DISEASE 65
►CAR-T 69
►MOSQUITOES 65
►ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (EDNA) 69
►WOLBACHIA METHOD 65
►ALLOGRAFT 69
►DISEASES CAUSED BY WORMS 65

GENETIC DISEASES 66 MISCELLANEOUS

►SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA 66 ►NATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE 69

►THALASSAEMIAS 66 ►SOWA-RIGPA 69
►HAEMOPHILIA 66 ►NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOWA-RIGPA 69
►TURNER'S SYNDROME 66
►ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE 70
►DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY FOR RARE DISEASES 66
►WHO’S REPLACE 70
►UMMID INITIATIVE 66
►EAT RIGHT MOVEMENT 70
►NILAVEMBU KUDINEER 70

vi
 ►AROGYAPACHA PLANT 70
►BROWN FAT 70
Section-6
►BIO-CAPSULES 70
►NATIONAL ESSENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC LIST 70 Cyber security and IT Space
►THE INDIA HEALTH FUND 70
►GLOBAL ANTIBIOTIC RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 74
PARTNERSHIP 70
►MERA INDIA INITIATIVE 71 CYBER SECURITY THREATS 74
►TRUENAT 71 ►MALWARE 74
►E-2020 INITIATIVE 71 ►DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE 75
►NEW INFLUENZA RESEARCH PROGRAMME 71 ►BUTTER OVERFLOW 75
►SAANS CAMPAIGN 71 ►BOT 75
►3S PROJECT 71 ►RANSOMWARE 75
►GLOBAL POLIO ERADICATION INITIATIVE 72 ►MAN-IN-THE-MIDDLE (MITM) ATTACKS 75
►GLOBAL FUND FOR AIDS, TB AND MALARIA 72 ►PHISHING 75
►NATIONAL HEALTH RESOURCE REPOSITORY PROJECT 72 ►SPEAR PHISHING 75
►THE INDIA HEALTH FUND 72 ►WEB CRAWLER 75
►NATIONAL CANCER GRID 72
►NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY 72
CYBER SECURITY PREPAREDNESS 75
► ‘STANDING COMMITTEE ON AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND
HEALTH PRODUCTS (SCAMHP)’ 72 ►NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY POLICY, 2013 75
►DRUGS TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD 72 ►CYBER APPELLATE TRIBUNAL 76
►CENTRAL DRUGS STANDARD CONTROL ORGANIZATION ►INDIAN CYBER CRIME COORDINATION CENTRE (I4C) 76
(CDSCO) 72 ►CYBER PREVENTION AWARENESS AND DETECTION
►NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE TRANSPLANT (CYPAD) 76
ORGANISATION 72 ►NATIONAL CRITICAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE
►NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (NADA) 72 PROTECTION CENTRE 76
►INDIAN COMPUTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM – CERT-
IN 76
REPORT AND INDICES RELATED TO HEALTH AND ►CYBER SWACHHTA KENDRA 76
DISEASE 72 ►S3WAAS 76

WORLD DRUG REPORT 72 ►TECHSAGAR 76

WORLD WILDLIFE CRIME REPORT 72 ►NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY COORDINATOR 77

GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE STUDY 72 ►DATA SECURITY COUNCIL OF INDIA 77

INDIA STATE-LEVEL DISEASE BURDEN INITIATIVE REPORT ►CYBER CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN 77
73
GLOBAL HEALTH REPORT 73
►BASICS OF MOBILE NETWORK 77
WORLD HEALTH STATISTICS 73
►1G TO 4G 77
THE GLOBAL HEALTH EXPENDITURE DATABASE 73
►5G TECHNOLOGY 78
TRACKING UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE 73
►APPLICATIONS IN INDIA 78
UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE (UHC) INDEX 73
HEALTHY STATES PROGRESSIVE INDIA REPORT 73
PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH OUTCOME INDEX 73 MISCELLANEOUS 78
►GLOBAL NUTRITION REPORT 73 ►WiFi 6.0 78
►Wi-Fi CALLING (VOWIFI) 78
►DATA PROTECTION BILL 78
►PUBLIC DOMAIN NAME SERVER (DNS) 80

vii
 ►NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION 80 ►RIPE: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SOLUTION 87
►PARAM SHAVAK 80 ►ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 87
►TRINETRA 80 ►MACHINE LEARNING 87
►SPINNAKER SUPERCOMPUTER 80 ►DEEP LEARNING 87
►SHAKTI PROCESSOR PROGRAM 81 ►BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY 88
►CRYPTO CURRENCY 81 ►VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED REALITY 88
►GOVERNMENT INSTANT MESSAGING SYSTEM (GIMS) 81 ►BIG DATA 88
►SYCAMORE 81 ►3-D PRINTING 88
►QUANTUM SUPREMACY 81 ►BIO-INK AND ARTIFICIAL CORNEA 89
►QUANTUM COMPUTER 81 ►LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES (NOBEL CHEMISTRY 2019) 89
►QUANTUM DOTS 82 ►NOBEL PRIZE 2019 89
►CLOUD NATIVE SCALABLE APPLICATIONS 82 ►ARTIFICIAL LEAF 89
►OPEN API (APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES) 82 ►BIO-PLASTICS 89
►UNIFIED MESSAGING PLATFORM 82 ►BIOPOLYMERS 90
►GLOBAL CYBERSECURITY INDEX (GCI) 82 ►AUTOMATED MULTI-MODAL BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM (AMBIS) 90
►BROADBAND READINESS INDEX FOR STATES 82
►NET NEUTRALITY 83 ►WASTE-TO-ENERGY 90
►HYDROTHERMAL CARBONIZATION 90
►DEEPNET AND DARKNET 83
►CENTRAL EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER (CEIR) 83 ►GAS HYDRATES 90
►FUEL CELL 90
►BIO-COAL: TORREFACTION TECHNOLOGY 91
Section-7 ►COAL GASIFICATION 91
►NANO TECHNOLOGY 91
Miscellaneous ►ELASTOCALORIC EFFECT 92
►GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 92

84 ►GLOBAL TALENT COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 92

►RESKILLING REVOLUTION 92
►CLOUD SEEDING 84
►GREEN CRACKERS 92
►ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH 84
►MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY 93
►GEOCHEMICAL BASELINE ATLAS OF INDIA 84
►VIRTUAL SIM 93
►SINGLE-LAYER GRAPHENE 85
►HYDROPONICS 85
►VERTICAL FARMING 85 Section-8
►CLAYTRONICS 85
►HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTIVITY 86 MCQs & Answer Key
►HYPERLOOP 86
►SMART FERTILIZERS 86
94-105
►MARICULTURE 86

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viii
SECTION 1

PACE

ECHNOLOGY
►TYPES OF ORBITS satellite appears to be fixed or hung all the time. They
provide continuous service over a large area.
• Satellites are generally characterized by their orbit i.e. the
• The orbits may also be classified into Polar and Equatorial.
distance from the earth at which they revolve around the
Earth. They are: • Polar orbits revolve the earth as the name suggests at an
inclination close to 90 degrees close to poles. Such Orbits
1. LEO Satellite (Lower Earth Orbit)
may be “sun-synchronous” too, which implies that these
2. MEO Satellite (Middle Earth Orbit)
satellites pass over a section of the earth at the same time
3. GEO satellite (Geo- Synchronous Earth Orbit and Geo- every day.
Stationary Earth Orbit)
• On the other-hand Equatorial orbits are closer to the
• The Geo-synchronous satellite is at a distance of 35,786 equator. A satellite in this orbit can cover almost half of
Km. This height allows the satellite to revolve around the earth.
earth in 24 hours, the time earth itself takes to complete
one day. Hence a GEO satellite always returns to the same
position in the sky after each day. When observed from
►GEOSTATIONARY TRANSFER ORBIT
earth, a Geo-Synchronous Orbit appears to form “8” (GTO)
(eight). • A geosynchronous / geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is
• The Geostationary Satellite is a special form of Geo- an elliptical orbit, with an apogee (high point) of 35,784
Synchronous Satellite which orbits the earth over the kilometres, a perigee (low point) of a few hundred kms.
equator. This kind of satellite has a circular orbit around
the earth. When observed from the Earth, such kind of

1
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020

• Its inclination is roughly equal to the latitude of the launch
site, into which a spacecraft is initially placed before being
transferred to a geosynchronous or geostationary orbit.
 ROCKET PROPULSION
• A rocket has to clear earth’s atmosphere to travel in space
or go into an orbit.
• The minimum height for a satellite to go into the Earth’s
orbit is approximately 200km.
• At a certain intial speed, as the satellite tries to go off at a
tangent to the earth, the Earth’s gravity pulls it back.
PRINCIPLE BEHIND ROCKET PROPULSION: NEWTON’S 3rd
LAW OF MOTION
• The only means available for any object to be put in orbit is
rocket propulsion.
• Newton’s third law of motion govern the working of a
rocket engine, viz. for every action, there is an equal
and opposite reaction.
• The mass of gas escaping through a rocket’s nozzle gives a
push or commonly called thrust to rocket to fly in the
opposite direction.
PERFORMANCE METRIC OF A ROCKET: THRUST AND
SPECIFIC IMPULSE
• The power generated by the rocket engine is balanced by
the thrust in the opposite direction on the rocket itself,
resulting in pushing the rocket at a certain initial velocity.
• More the power of the engine, more the thrust, more is
the initial velocity.
• The efficiency of a rocket is expressed in terms of specific
impulse, just like a car’s performance expressed in km/ltr
(remember mileage).
• Specific impulse depends on two things, one, the quality of
fuel used and two, the performance of the engine.
• Specific impulse is the amount of thrust derived from each
pound of propellant (rocket fuel) in one second of engine
operation.
• Higher the specific impulse means higher push to the
rocket.
LAUNCH VEHICLES IN INDIA
►PSLV
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is the workhorse launch
vehicle of ISRO since 1994. It is the 1st operational launch
vehicle of India.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• The PSLV is primarily developed to launch remote sensing
satellites into sun synchronous orbits.
• PSLV is a 4-stage launch vehicle that uses alternate
combination of liquid and solid fueled rocket stages.
• 1st & 3rd stages are solid-fueled,
• 2nd & 4th stages are liquid fueled.
• Strap-on motors are used in the 1st stage of PSLV (solid
stage) in order to provide additional thrust to the rocket.
• Additional thrust is needed in the 1st stage as the rocket
has to overcome the air resistance in the atmosphere in
order to be launched in the orbit.
• PSLV can deliver payloads of up to:
o 3,250kg to LEO (Low Earth Orbit)
o 1600 kg to SSO (Sun Synchronous orbit)
o 1400 kg to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit)
PSLV’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
• With its capability to put small satellites in LEO, PSLV is the
key to Indian presence in the Global space business.
• ISRO has launched 237 foreign satellites from 28 countries
successfully by PSLV during the period 1999-2018.
• Further PSLV-C37 launched 104 satellites on February
15, 2017, the highest number of satellites launched in a
single flight so far.
PSLV VARIANTS
Currently PSLV rockets have 4 variants
1. PSLV-CA (core alone)
2. PSLV-XL – 6 strap-on motors
3. PSLV-DL – 2 strap-on motors (PSLV-C44 was the 1st
mission to use it)
4. PSLV-QL- 4 strap-on motors
►GSLV
• Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle was conceived
and developed primarily to launch communication
satellites (INSAT Series) of 2.5 tonne class in Geostationary
Transfer Orbit and about 4.5 tonne class in Low Earth
Orbit.
• GSLV is a 3-stage Launch vehicle with solid fuel in the
1st stage, liquid in the 2nd stage and cryogenic in the
3rd stage.
GSLV MK-III
• Popularly called as ISRO’s ‘Fatboy’, GSLV Mk-III is the most
powerful rocket of India.
• GSLV MK III is a 3-stage heavy-lift rocket with an
rd
indigenous cryogenic engine in the 3 stage.
2

• GSLV Mk III rocket can carry satellites weighing more than
4 tonnes to GTO or satellites weighing about 10,000 kg to a
LEO.
• The GSLV Mk III rocket was the designated launch
vehicle for Chandrayaan 2.
• Further India’s first human space flight Gaganyaan to be
launched in 2022 will also use GSLV Mk-III.
CRYOGENIC TECHNOLOGY
• The indigenous cryogenic stage on the GSLV is the 3
rd
stage, and uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen
as oxidiser.
• Cryogenic stage is a highly efficient rocket stage that
provides more thrust for every kg of propellant it burns
compared to solid and earth-storable liquid propellant
stages.
• Cryogenic technology involves extremely low
temperatures. Hydrogen liquefies at extremely low
temperatures at minus 253 degree centigrade.
• Nearly 50% of the power for GSLV rockets as they push
into space comes from the cryogenic stage.
• As a result engines operating with cryogenic technology
can lift heavier satellites.
INITIAL VELOCITY OF PSLV AND GSLV: A COMPARISON
• A PSLV injects an initial velocity of 7.5 Km/sec to put earth
observation satellites of nearly 1000 Kg (1 tonne class) into
sun-synchronous polar orbits at a height of about 800-900
km above earth surface.
• In contrast, a GSLV needs a velocity of 10 km/sec to take a
satellite to a height of 36000 km (Geostationary orbit).
►SSLV
• ISRO is slated to induct the Small Satellite Launch
Vehicle in early 2020.
• SSLVs are considered small wonders capable of launching
payloads of 500-700 kg in LEO (1/3rd of what PSLV can
carry).
• It can reach upto heights of 500 KM in the LEO.
• SSLVs will cost 1/10th of a PSLV and will need only 72
hours for launch in comparison to 45 days for PSLV.
►VIKAS ENGINE
• The Vikas engine is used in
1. Second stage of the light lifting PSLV
2. Second stage and the four add-on stages of the
medium-lift GSLV;
3. Twin-engine core liquid stage of Mk-III
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Recently in 2018, Vikas engine was improved for higher
thrust by 6%, enabling it to carry 70 kgs of additional
payload.
• Vikas engine uses Di-Methyl Hydrazine as a fuel and
Nitrogen tetroxide as oxidizer.
►LOX METHANE ENGINE
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO is developing 2
Lox methane-powered rocket engines.
• The ‘LOx methane’ engine uses methane as fuel and liquid
oxygen as oxidizer.
ADVANTAGES
• Can be synthesized in space (Methane can be synthesised
using water and carbon dioxide in space).
• It is non-toxic. (Di-Methyl Hydrazine and Nitrogen tetroxide
is said to be highly toxic)
• Higher specific impulse (read above for Specific Impulse).
• Easy to store
• Does not leave a residue upon combustion
• Less bulky
►ION ROCKETS
• Ion rockets are the rockets of the future for deep space
exploration.
• They are much more efficient than conventional rockets
that use chemical fuels.
• While chemical fuels generate velocities of upto 2 to 3
km/s, ion rockets can achieve velocities of about 4,400
km/s.
• Ion rockets use electric repulsion of ions to propel the
rockets.
Small scale ion propulsion is used in a number of missions
including NASA’s Dawn mission and Deep Space mission,
ESA’s LISA Pathfinder and BepiColombo and Japan’s
Hayabusa Mission.
SATELLITE SYSTEMS OF
INDIA
 INSAT SERIES
• Communication satellites launched in Geo-synchronous
orbit at an altitude of about 36,000 km.
3
 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Applications: telecommunication, broadcasting, • Ka-band frequency bands facilitate high transmissions
telemedicine, meteorological services, disaster warning speed and significant information transfer with the
system. use of small ground equipment and thus used in
broadband applications.
• Due to the higher frequencies of this band, it can be more
vulnerable to signal quality problems caused by rain fade.
Important Communication Satellites
INSAT series has more than 15 satellites including INSAT-3A,
3C, 4A, 4B, 4CR and GSAT-6, GSAT-6A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 29, 30.

►LATEST COMMUNICATION
SATELLITES
GSAT 30
• ISRO’s latest high-powered communication satellite
• GSAT-30 will replace INSAT-4A in orbit.
• The satellite will provide communication services to
o Indian mainland and islands through Ku-band
o South East Asia, Gulf countries and Australia through C-
band
►FREQUENCY BANDS OF
• Applications: DTH, connectivity to VSATs for ATMs, Stock-
COMMUNICATION SATELLITES exchange, Television uplinking and Teleport Services,
The radio frequency bands that communication satellites Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and e-governance
operate in applications.

C band GSAT 31
• C-band operates within 4-8 Ghz. • High-powered communication satellite launched in Feb
• The C band is primarily used for voice and 2019.
data communications. • Weight - 2536 kg
• Because of its weaker power it requires a larger ground • Application: VSAT networks, Television uplinks, Digital
antenna. Satellite News Gathering, DTH-television services,
• It provides lower transmission power over wide telephone services in the Middle East, South Africa and
geographic areas. Europe.

Ku band GSAT 7A (MILITARY SATELLITE)

• Ku-band operates within 12-18 Ghz. • Known as India’s ‘Angry Bird’
• Ku band is used typically for consumer direct-to-home, • It a military communications satellite dedicated to the
tele-education applications. Indian Air Force.
• The antenna sizes are much smaller than C band because • It will boost the remotely-piloted aircraft operations
the higher frequency.
by satellite-control of military unmanned aerial
Ka band vehicles (UAVs). Thus, it will extend the reach,
• Ka-band operates within 26-40 Ghz. flexibility and endurance of UAVs in India beyond line
of sight missions.
• The Ka band is primarily used for two-way consumer
broadband and military networks.

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 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• It will enable the Air Force link various ground radar
stations, ground airbase, airborne early warning and
control system.
• GSAT-7A is only the second dedicated military satellite
after ‘Rukmini’ or GSAT-7 launched in 2013 (Indian
Navy).

GSAT 11
• Launched in December 2018
• ISRO’s heaviest communication satellite (5.8 tonne)
• High-throughput communication satellite carrying 40
transponders in the Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies
APPLICATIONS
• Capable of providing high bandwidth connectivity with up
• Natural Resource Management - Land use assessment
to 14 gigabit per second speed
and mapping, mineral prospecting, forest surveys etc.
HIGH-THROUGHPUT COMMUNICATION • Agriculture
SATELLITES OF INDIA o To assess net crop area, crop production
• ISRO is planning to launch 4 high-throughput satellites to o To conduct damage assessments
provide broadband connectivity of over 100 gigabits per o Classification of Agro-Climatic Zones: IRS-1A and 1B was
second in India. used to enumerate 15 Agro-climatic regions in India
• It includes • Meteorology: Early warning mechanism for cyclones,
o GSAT-19 weather forecasting, monitoring for droughts and floods

o GSAT-29 • Urban studies: To study urban sprawl, traffic

management etc.
o GSAT-11 (launched)
• Defence
o GSAT-20 (to be launched in early 2020)
IMPORTANT REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES
• It will provide satellite-based high-speed broadband
• RESOURCESAT-1, 2, 2A CARTOSAT- 1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and
connectivity in India, thus will be the backbone of Digital
2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL, SCATSAT-1,
India, BharatNet, National Broadband Mission and VSAT
HysiS etc
Network
• Some remote sensing satellites are also put in the
geostationary orbit for weather forecasting such as
 INDIAN REMOTE SENSING INSAT-3D, Kalpana & INSAT 3A, INSAT 3DR.

SATELLITE SYSTEM
►RECENT REMOTE SENSING
• Also known as earth observation satellites,
• They are mostly polar, sun-synchronous satellites in
SATELLITES
low- earth orbit (LEO) at about 800 km from the earth RISAT – 2BR1
surface.
• RISAT-2BR1 is radar imaging earth observation satellite in
• They zip around the circumference of the Earth in 1.5
the RISAT series.
hours.
• Radio imaging satellite with X-band synthetic aperture
• In a circular orbit few hundred kilometers above the
radar which enables all-weather, day-night radio
surface, the velocity of a satellite must be about 8 km/s.
communication
Therefore they are put in polar orbit.
• They are commonly called as remote sensing satellites as • The resolution of Risat-2BR is less than 1 metre.

they collect information of any object on Earth through the • The X-band SAR enables all-weather, day-night radio
measurement of radiation of the Sun that is reflected and communication.
scattered by objects on the surface of the earth.

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 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• RISAT 2BR is equipped with unfurlable radial rib antenna Information System and Geographical Information System
technology (mobile communication)I that is primarily used application for various uses, coastal land use.
to receive signals, modify them and retransmit back to a
GiSAT: GEO-IMAGING SATELLITE
hand-held receiver on Earth
SERIES
• Application: Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster
Management. • New series of remote-sensing satellite
• GiSAT series is the Earth Observation Satellites in the Geo-
RISAT-2B
synchronous orbit.
• Radio imaging earth observation satellite.
• ISRO has planned to launched 2 satellites in this series
• The primary goal is to boost India’s surveillance including GiSat-1 and GiSat-12R
capabilities.
• It will yield multi-spectral and multi-resolution (50m to
• Application 1.5 km) images in visible, near infra-red and thermal
o Surveillance activities across the border and in Indian spectrum
Ocean • Multi-wavelength imaging for land mapping.
o Will help in planning preemptive strikes on terror • Application: Designed for both military and civilian
launchpads like surgical strikes and Balakot aerial strike. purposes.
RISAT SERIES • Significance:

• Risat is short for radio imaging remote sensing satellite o Normally earth observation satellites are put in the Low
series of India. Earth Orbit at 600km above the surface of the earth. GiSAT
st
series is the 1 among the earth observation satellites in
• Concept: While an optical remote sensing uses light
the Geo-Stationary Orbit.
reflected by objects on earth surface to ‘sense and
observe’, radio imaging remote sensing satellites beam a o Currently imaging satellites map a particular area only
radio signal on the earth’s surface and ‘senses’ the radio once in 22 days. (remember they in LEO)
signal reflected back. o Gisat can scan or map an area every 2nd day as it will be
• As a result radio imaging satellites are capable of remote placed in geostationary orbit.
sensing even at night or cloud cover or rain.
MICROSAT R
• ISRO has launched 4 satellites in the Risat series so far.
• Microsat R is the target satellite chosen under Mission
o 2009 - Risat 2 - Launched in the aftermath of 26/11 Shakti.
Mumbai terror attack
• Under Mission Shakti, A-SAT missile targeted and
o 2012 -Risat 1- Assisted planning of the 2016 surgical strike destroyed the live Microsat R satellite in the Low Earth
along with Cartosat-2. Orbit at about 300 km above the surface.
o 2019- Risat 2B – Stepping up C4ISR security architecture
HYSIS: HYSPECTRAL IMAGING
o 2020- Risat 2BR 1 - Agriculture, Forestry and Disaster
Management SATELLITE
• Other Risat-series satellites due to be launched include • India’s first hyperspectral imaging satellite.
Risat-2BR2, Risat-1A, Risat-1B and Risat-2A. • Sun-synchronous polar orbit, 636 km above the surface of
the earth.
CARTOSAT 3
• It observes earth’s surface in 3 different ranges including
• 3rd-generation agile advanced earth observation satellite
visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared regions in 55
launched at an altitude of 509 km.
spectral or colour bands.
• It has a pan-chromatic resolution capability of 25cm
• In short HysIS enables us to do a ‘CATSCAN’ equivalent of
(highest in the world).
Earth from space.
• Application: Cartography for large scale urban planning,
rural resource and infrastructure development, Land

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RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020

• Application
o Monitoring agriculture, forestry
o Assessment of coastal zones, inland waters, soil
o Oil and minerals mapping
o Military surveillance
►HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING
• Hyperspectral imaging combines digital imaging and
spectroscopy.
• For this it uses a critical chip called as ‘optical imaging
detector array’ which enables it to provide better defined
images that more clearly than regular optical or remote
sensing cameras.
►PRINCIPLE OF SPECTROSCOPY AND
DIGITAL IMAGING
• When an electromagnetic wave shines on the surface of an
object, some wavelengths are absorbed while others are
reflected.
• Example: The colour of plant leaf is green because it
absorbs red and violet light but reflects green light which is
what we see as colour green.
• Similarly, all objects absorb and reflect certain
wavelengths of electromagnetic spectrum unique to
that object.
• Thus, every object has its own ‘spectral signature’.
• The sensors or cameras which are sensitive to a particular
wavelength (say visible light, UV light, Infrared etc) capture
the image in that wavelength.
• This ‘image’ captured in ‘visible light’ or ‘infrared’ is super-
imposed and converted to usable data.
►EMISAT
• It is an electronic intelligence satellite developed by
ISRO and DRDO.
• It was developed under project KAUTILYA of DRDO.
• The 435 kg EMISAT was launched in the low earth orbit,
749 km above the surface of the earth.
SIGNIFICANCE
• Satellite-based electronic intelligence to augment the
armed forces to counter radars.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Electronic Intelligence basically involves interception of
signals from radars.
• Once the signal is intercepted, the ELINT system collects
data related to radar signals including its bandwidth,
intensity, location from where it is emitted etc creating
what is called a RF signature. (Radio frequency)
• Once the RF signature is created it can be used for locating
and identifying the radar in subsequent encounters.
• It can also help in developing appropriate jamming
techniques to counter the enemy radar.
 INDIAN REGIONAL
NAVIGATION SATELLITE
SYSTEM (IRNSS)
• Also called NavIC is similar to the GPS.
• While GPS has a constellation of 24 satellites, IRNSS has a
7-satellites constellation.
• NavIC has a position accuracy of 20 metres in its primary
coverage area.
• It can service regions extending up to 1500 km around
India's boundary.
• There are currently seven IRNSS satellites (1A to 1G) in
orbit.
o 4 satellites - A, B, F, G - are placed in a geosynchronous
orbit. (1A is replaced by 1I recently)
o 3 satellites - C, D, E - are located in geostationary orbit.
• NavIC provides two types of services
o Standard positioning service- meant for all users.
o Restricted service - Encrypted service provided only
to authorised users like military and security
agencies.
APPLICATIONS
• Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation
• Disaster Management
• Vehicle tracking and fleet management
• Integration with mobile phones
• Precise Timing
• Mapping and Geodetic data capture
• Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers
• Visual and voice navigation for drivers
7

 INDIAN DATA RELAY
SATELLITE SYSTEM (IDRSS)
• ISRO will launch a new satellite series called IDRSS
• It is primarily meant for providing continuous/real time
communication of Low-Earth-Orbit satellites including
human space mission to the ground station.
• Under IDRSS, 2 satellites will be launched in
geostationary orbit spaced 180 degrees apart to provide
continuous contact for any spacecraft in LEO.
FASTER DATA TRANSFER
• Currently the satellites in the low earth orbits
communicate with ground stations directly.
• However the limitation with direct communication with
ground station is that the satellites in LEO orbit the earth
once in 90 minutes.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Thus these satellites are in the line of sight (above the
horizon) only for 45 minutes giving very little time for data
transfers.
• Besides the new satellites like HySiS (Hyper-spectral
Imaging satellite) which provide high-precision images in
multiple spectra, require high data transfer at faster
speeds. IRDSS satellite will communicate with all these
satellites in LEO and downlink the data directly to one
single ground station.
CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF GAGANYAAN
Real-time communication with IRNSS system
• The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System which
monitors agriculture, water resources, urban
development, mineral prospecting, environment, forestry,
drought and flood forecasting etc requires real-time
continuous communication.
• This requires a number of ground-based stations in order
to keep communication intact at all times.
8

• A data relay satellite instead in the geo stationary orbit can
overcome the need for large number of ground based
stations.
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Main Objective: Exploration of Martian surface features,
morphology, mineralogy and atmosphere
IMPORTANT PAYLOADS
1. Lyman-Alpha Photometer: Measures the deuterium and
hydrogen concentration in the upper atmosphere to
estimate the water loss to outer space.
2. Methane Sensor: To measure methane in Martian
atmosphere and also to map its sources.
3. Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer: To study the
composition and mineralogy of Martian surface by
creating a temperature map by recording the emission
radiation.
• Note: ISRO is also planning a Lander mission to Mars
under Mangalyaan-2 by 2024. The main objective is to
study the surface geology, magnetic fields and
interplanetary dust.

►CHANDRAYAAN 1
st
• ISRO’s 1 mission to the moon.
• It is a lunar orbiter best known for helping to discover
evidence of water molecules on the moon.
• Orbited the moon for almost a year (between October
2008 and August 2009).
ISRO’S SPACE EXPLORATION • Major goals: to collect data on moon’s geology, mineralogy
and topography.
MISSIONS
►ASTROSAT ►CHANDRAYAAN 2
2nd lunar
• India’s 1st dedicated multi-wavelength• space exploration and 1st lander and rover mission of
observatory.
• Studies outer space objects in X-ray, limited optical and UV ISRO.
spectrum. • Lunar Orbiter-Lander-Rover mission of India.
• The 1500-odd kg satellite is launched into a 650 km orbit. • India’s 1st inter-planetary mission to land a rover on any
MAIN OBJECTIVES celestial body.

• To estimate magnetic field of neutron stars
• Study of binary star system
• Study of regions where stars are born
►EXPOSAT
• ExpoSAT is a multi-wavelength space observatory to study
the deep space.
• It is planned as the successor to Astrosat.
• It will explore X-ray sources in the universe.
• It will study neutron stars, supernova remnants, pulsars,
black holes in multiple wavelengths.
►MANGALYAAN
• Also called Mars Orbiter Mission, it is India's 1
st
interplanetary mission.
• Chandrayaan 2 is the world’s 1st lunar mission to the
South Pole of the Moon’s near side.
KEY COMPONENTS
• Orbiter: Placed in an orbit 100km above the moon.
• Orbiter payload
o Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) for mapping
of elements.
o Synthetic Aperture Radar to collect evidence confirming
the presence of water ice below the shadowed regions
of the Moon.
o Imaging IR Spectrometer for mapping of lunar surface
for the study of minerals, water molecules and hydroxyl
o Neutral Mass Spectrometer (ChACE-2) to study the lunar
exosphere.
o Terrain Mapping Camera-2 for preparing a 3-d map for
mineralogical and geological studies.

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LANDER ‘VIKRAM’ AND ROVER NAMED ‘PRAGYAN’
• The lander-rover integrated module was supposed to soft-
land near south pole (about 600 km) of the moon
• The 6-wheeled rover was planned to spend one lunar day
or 14 Earth days on the moon's surface and walk up to
150-200 km.
• However a last-minute software glitch led to crash-lading
of Vikram and Pragyan.
LANDER PAYLOAD
• A seismometer to study moon-quakes
• Langmuir probe to measure characteristics of plasma on
the moon surface.
ROVER PAYLOAD
• Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS)
• Alpha Particle Induced X-ray Spectroscope (APIXS)
PURPOSE
• To find traces of water and helium-3.
• On-site chemical analysis of the surface
• To send pictures to earth via the orbiter.
►CHANDRAYAAN-3
• Recently ISRO has announced Chandrayaan-3, a soft
landing mission, after the failure of Vikram Lander under
Chandrayaan 2.
• ISRO’s moon Lander will be the first to land in southern
hemisphere of moon surface.
►SIGNIFICANCE OF LUNAR
EXPLORATION
LUNAR MINING
• Study of lunar soil and hence its geology and mineralogy
will help future missions to moon, a possible research
station on moon.
• US and China have plans to set up research stations on
moon’s south pole by 2024 and 2029, respectively.
POTENTIAL SOURCE OF IN-SPACE FUEL
• The presence of volatile compounds on moon is a
potential propellant for rockets in space which if explored
and made usable can help deep space missions with
higher payloads.
• The lunar poles are repositories of water ice which could
be split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis
which in turn can be used as life support for astronauts in
space.
SOURCE OF ENERGY SECURITY OF THE FUTURE
• The presence of helium-3 has sparked interests for a
potential source for nuclear fusion and energy security for
future.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Once the moon’s far side is explored, we can station space
based telescopes on moon for better astronomical
observations.
SOURCE OF RARE EARTH METALS
Moon is known have resources including lathenides like
scandium and yttrium which can be used in modern
electronics.
►ADITYA-1 & ADITYA-L1
• India’s 1st first mission to study the Sun to be launched in
early 2020
• Its main objective is to study the solar corona.
• Corona is the outermost region of the Sun’s atmosphere.
Interesting thing about Corona is it has high
temperatures of more than 1 million degree Kelvin far
higher than the surface of the Sun (6000 degrees Kelvin).
• Initially Aditya-1 was meant to observe solar corona only.
• Now additional payloads under Aditya-L1 with observe
corona, chromosphere and photosphere.
• It is called L1 because it is placed in L1 orbit (Lagrange
point) which is outside earth’s magnetic field to study the
solar winds.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Solar Wind: Corona ejects millions of tonnes of high-speed
solar wind that engulfs the entire solar system including
earth.
• These solar winds are basically composed of electrons and
nuclei of hydrogen and helium atoms.
• Significance: Earth’s magnetic field acts as a protective
shield against the solar wind.
• However these solar winds can be harmful to space-based
instruments like satellites and thus to our communication
networks, GPS etc
►GAGANYAAN
• India’s 1st Human spaceflight programme to be launched
by 2022.
• It will include two unmanned flights to be launched in
December 2020 and July 2021 and one humanspace flight
to be launched in December 2021.
• It will carry 3 astronauts to a low earth orbit of 300 to 400
kilometres on board GSLV Mark III vehicle, for at least 7
days.
• It will make India the 4th country to send manned
mission after the Russia, USA and China.
COMPONENTS OF GAGANYAAN
• Rocket: GSLV Mk-III
10

• Crew Module
ο A crew module and service module.
ο The crew members will be selected by the IAF and ISR.
ο Crew will perform micro-gravity and other scientific
experiments for a week.
CREW MODULE ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY TECHNOLOGY -
CARE
• Satellites that are launched for communication or remote
sensing are meant to remain in space.
• However, a manned spacecraft needs to come back.
• While reentering Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft needs
to withstand very high temperatures created due to
friction.
• A prior critical experiment was carried out in 2014 along
with GSLV MK-III when the CARE (Crew Module
Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment) capsule successfully
demonstrated that it could survive atmospheric re-entry.
CREW ESCAPE SYSTEM - PAT
• The Crew Escape System is an emergency accident
avoidance measure.
• In July 2018, ISRO completed the first successful flight ‘pad
abort test’ or Crew Escape System.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL & LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
ECLSS will
• Maintain steady cabin pressure and air composition
• Remove carbon dioxide and other harmful gases
• Control temperature and humidity
►NISAR
• Manage parameters like fire detection and suppression
►VYOMMITRA
• ISRO’s humanoid robot that will test-flight Gangayaan in
December 2020.
• It is a Gynoid (female humanoid).
• Vyom Mitra was built by ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit,
Thiruvananthapuram.
OBJECTIVES
• To perform panel operations on board the spacecraft
• Act as companion to astronauts capable of recognizing,
conversing and responding to their queries
• To test the Environmental Control & Life Support
System of Ganganyaan in order todetect environmental
changes.
►SHUKRAYAAN
• ISRO’s planned orbiter to Venus. (2023)
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Main goals are to study
o atmosphere and its chemistry
o Surface and sub-surface features
o Interaction of the planet with solar radiation
ABOUT VENUS
• Venus has a solid surface by virtue of being one of the 3
inner planets besides Mercury and Earth.
• It is nearly the same size of the earth.
• The atmosphere of Venus is composed of 95% carbon
dioxide and thus high greenhouse effect.
• Sulfur compounds make up about 0.015% due to volcanic
eruptions and thus hot Sulfuric acid clouds that envelop
Venus.
• About 80% of the surface of Venus is composed of flat
plains of volcanic origin.
• Unusual thing about Venus is that its rotation period is
longer than its orbital period. (Rotation on its own axis
– 243 days, Orbital period around the sun - 224.7 days)
• It is the only planet which has retrograde rotation,
meaning it spins in the direction opposite to the direction
in which it orbits the Sun. (Sun would rise in west and set
in east on Venus)
• Due to slow rotation of Venus it has no global magnetic
field. (earth’s magnetic field is due to rotation of iron core)
• Short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar
st
• It is the 1 dual band radar imaging satellite. (L-Band and
S-Band)
• Joint earth observation project of NASA and ISRO based on
radar imaging.
• High resolution of 5-6m
MAIN OBJECTIVE
To observe natural processes, including ecosystem
disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such
as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
►PARAS (PRL ADVANCED RADIAL
VELOCITY ABU SKY SEARCH
SPECTROGRAPH)
• It is a spectrograph to find exo-planets.
• It is designed and developed by PRL. (Physical Research
Laboratory, Ahmedabad)
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 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Main aim is to search for exo-planets around dwarf main- • It is a kinetic impactor technique to change the motion of
sequence stars using radial velocity method. an asteroid to prevent its impact on Earth.
• It will impact on the small moon of asteroid Didymos.
►PROJECT NETRA (NETWORK FOR ►HAMMER - spacecraft designed to serve as
SPACE OBJECT TRACKING AND 1. Kinetic impactor, essentially a ram that can be used to
ANALYSIS) nudge the asteroid from its path. or
2. As a transport vehicle for a nuclear device to annihilate the
• ISRO’s early warning system to safeguard space assets
asteroid before it reaches the earth
• It includes a network of observational facilities like
connected radars, telescopes, data processing units and a ►EUROPA CLIPPER
control centre. • Spacecraft to conduct a detailed survey of Jupiter's moon
• The system can spot, track and catalogue objects as small Europa.
as 10 cm, up to a range of 3,400 km and equal to a space • It is aimed at assessing the suitability of Europa to harbour
orbit of around 2,000 km. life.
• The system is deployed to predict threats to Indian CHARACTERISTICS OF EUROPA
satellites from space debris, space attacks etc.
• Icy Planet
• The telescopes and radars under the network would be set
• Hubble Space Telescope observed water vapor above
up at four locations:
Europa.
o Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
• It means that it has a subsurface ocean.
o Mount Abu (Rajasthan)
►MESSENGER - Mission to Mercury
o One in Deep North (Leh)
o One in the Northeast region ►NASA’S MISSION TO VENUS
o Multi Object Tracking Radar at Nellore • Mariner 2: 1st flyby of Venus in 1962
• The telescope network will be set up under the Directorate • Magellan: Orbiter Mission
of Space Situational Awareness and Management at
►CASSINI HUYGENS
Bengaluru.
• Joint mission of NASA, ESA and Italian Space Agency to
Saturn
►NORAD
• Final flyby in 2017
• ISRO currently depends on NORAD (North American
• 1st spacecraft to observe presence of hydrocarbon rains,
Aerospace Defence Command) for tracking of space
rivers, lakes and seas on Titan.
debris and protect its satellites in course and during
launches. ►DISCOVERY- Mars lander and Rover Mission
• An initiative of USA and Canada.
►INSIGHTS - Mars’ lander mission under Discovery
• It shares selective debris data with many countries. programme, landed near the equator of Mars to study its
• NORAD too uses satellites, ground and air radars to secure interior.
USA and Canada against attacks from air, space and sea.
►OTHER MISSIONS TO MARS
• Mars Exploration Rovers ‘Spirit’ and ‘Opportunity’.
►NEW SPACE INDIA LIMITED
• Viking Mission also flew past Mars
Newly created second commercial arm of the Indian Space
• MAVEN: Mars Atmosphere And Volatile Evolution Mission
Research Organisation.
►OPPORTUNITY
IMPORTANT MISSIONS OF • Mars Rover Mission.
• Formal ended recently
NASA ►CURIOSITY - Mars Rover Mission
►DART MISSION ►KEPLER MISSION
• Double Asteroid Redirection Test Mission
• Mission to search for Earth-like planets around the Milky
Way galaxy that might harbour life.

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• Kepler Mission retired recently
IMPORTANT DISCOVERIES
st
• Kepler-22b: 1 planet found in the “habitable zone”.
• A habitable zone or ‘goldilocks zone’ is a region around a
star at a distance where liquid water could pool on a
planetary surface and possibly support life.
• TRAPPIST-1 system: home to seven Earth-size planets.
►TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY
SATELLITE (TESS)
• Successor of Kepler Mission
• 2-year mission in search of exoplanets.
►SUOMI NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING
PARTNERSHIP SATELLITE
• Joint mission of NASA and NOAA to capture the
illumination conditions using nighttime data.
• Alternative method of estimating the level of economic
development in the developing world.
• Higher the illumination higher the GDP
►MODIS
• Earth observation satellite of NASA
• Monitoring large-scale changes in the biosphere to
understand change in global carbon cycle.
►DAWN MISSION
• Main aim was to study two important objects in the
asteroid belt, Ceres and Vesta.
o Ceres: A dwarf planet and the largest object in the asteroid
belt
o Vesta: a protoplanet, is the second largest object in the
region.
st
• 1 spacecraft to orbit a body in the region between Mars
and Jupiter.
st
• 1 mission to visit a dwarf planet.
st
• NASA’s 1 deep space mission to be propelled by an ion
engine.
►CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY
• Named after the Indian- American astrophysicist
Subramanyan Chandrasekhar.
• X ray observatory to study X-Ray sources such as starts,
galaxies, supernova, blackhole etc ( at high temperatures
of 10^6 to 10^8 Kelvin, gases emit X-ray photons)
• Thus to study hot objects like inside of a star, supernova,
centers of galaxies etc X-Ray telescopes are necessary.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
►SOHO
• Short for Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.
• Joint project between ESA and NASA.
• Main goal is to study the Sun, from its deep core to the
outer corona, and the solar wind. (Remember Aditya: only
Corona)
• Objective of SOHO is to study the fundamental scientific
questions about the Sun including
o What is the structure and dynamics of the solar interior?
o Why does the solar corona exist and how is it heated to
the extremely high temperature of about 10 Lakh°C?
o Where is the solar wind produced and how is it
accelerated?
►LASCO
• Instrument on SOHO spacecraft.
• A telescope designed to block light coming from the solar
disk.
• It studies how the corona is heated and where and how
the solar wind is accelerated.
►NEW FRONTIER’S PROGRAM
• Aimed at exploring the solar system
• Various missions under New Frontiers Program are
1. New Horizons – Launched in 2006 to investigate distant
solar system object including Pluto and its moons and
Kuiper Belt.
2. Juno – launched in 2016 to study Jupiter
3. OSIRIS-REx mission to collect samples from an asteroid
(Bennu) and carry it to Earth for further study
4. Dragonfly – To be launched in 2026 to study Saturn and
its icy moons
►NEW HORIZON
• NASA’s space mission to Pluto
• Also the 1st mission to explore the solar system’s region
beyond the giant planets called the Kuiper Belt.
• Ultima Thule is a small rocky and icy trans-Neptunian
planetesimal in the Kuiper belt. (recent encounter of New
Horizon)
• Arrokoth: Recently New Horizon encountered this
primordial body in Kuiper Belt.This is a planetesimal and
thus will help us understand early solar system and its
origin.
►DRAGONFLY
• Lander Mission to Saturn’s Titan
13

CHARACTERISTICS OF TITAN
• Nitrogen-based atmosphere
• Clouds and rain of methane.
►DISCOVERY PROGRAM
• It is a series of Solar System exploration missions.
• It is a faster, better, cheaper planetary science missions of
NASA.
o Important Discovery missions – Lucy; Psyche; Davinci; Io
Volcano Observer; Veritas; Trident
►LUCY
• 1st space mission to study the Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids.
(NASA)
TROJAN ASTEROIDS
• The combined gravitational effect of Sun and Jupiter
capture asteroids at two locations outside the asteroid belt
called the stable Lagrange points
• These asteroids trapped at Jupiter’s Lagrange points are
called Trojan Asteroids.
►PSYCHE
• It is a NASA mission to explore the origin of planetary core
by studying metallic asteroid Psyche.
• Psyche is the heaviest known Metallic asteroid in the
asteroid belt. It is thought to be exposed iron core of a
protoplanet.
• It appears to be the exposed metal core of an early planet.
2021.
(made of nickel-iron like earth’s core)
• Psyche Mission is NASA's 1st mission to examine an object
made not of rock and ice, but metal.
►DAVINCI
• Proposed atmospheric probe to Venus.
• Short for Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble
gases, Chemistry, and Imaging
• Main aim is to study the chemical composition of Venus'
atmosphere
►IO VOLCANO OBSERVER - To study volcano
on IO. (one of the Galilean moons of Jupiter)
►VERITAS
• Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography,
and Spectroscopy mission
• Proposed mission to map with high resolution the surface
of planet Venus.
►TRIDENT: NEPTUNE’S MOON - Proposed
mission to study Neptune's largest moon Triton.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
►PARKER SOLAR PROBE
• It is the 1st ever visit to a star. It wil be 6.2 million km to the
Sun at closest approach.
• It will fly through the Sun’s Inner atmosphere to trace how
energy flows through the corona.
• Robotic spacecraft to probe outer corona of the Sun
►PUNCH MISSION
• It is a NASA mission which aims to understand the
transition of particles from Sun’s outer corona to the
solar wind that fills interplanetary space.
• It will have a constellation of four suitcase sized microsats
that will orbit the Earth.
• It will image and track the solar wind and coronal mass
ejections.
• Will be launched in 2022.
►HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
• Largest multi-wavelength space telescope yet
• Joint project of NASA and ESA
• 600 km above the surface of the earth.
• Aperture of the mirror: 2.4 m.
• Can observe objects in visible, near-ultraviolet, and near-
infrared light.
►JAMES WEB TELESCOPE
• Successor of Hubble Space Telescope to be launched in
• 2.5 times bigger than HST and thus 6 times more powerful.
• JWST will orbit the Sun. (not earth like HST)
►ARTEMIS
• Joint mission of NASA, ESA, JAXA and Canadian Space
Agency.
• Aim is to land the first female and next man on the Moon,
specifically at the lunar southpole region by 2024. Further,
it will establish sustainable exploration by 2028. Learnings
from the mission will be used to send astronauts to Mars.
• To study effects of solar wind from a lunar orbit.
• Deployed primarily to observe Moon’s interaction with the
solar wind.
►LUNAR ORBITAL PROGRAM –
GATEWAY (LUNAR GATEWAY)
• It is an in-development space station in lunar orbit
intended to serve as a solar powered communications
hub, science labarotary, short term habitation module, and
holding area for rovers and other robots. Critical to human
presence on Moon.
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 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• It would play major role in NASA’s Artemis Program. • Accordingly European Commission will provide India with
• It is being developed by all of the International Space free, full and open access to the data from the Copernicus
Station partners: ESA, NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA and Sentinel family.
Canadian Space Agency. • On the other hand Department of Space will provide the
Copernicus programme with afree, full and open access to
►COBE SATELLITE
the data from ISRO’s land, ocean and atmospheric seriesof
• Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) civilian satellites (Oceansat-2, Megha-Tropiques, Scatsat-1,
st
• 1 to confirm CMB radiation SARAL, INSAT-3D,INSAT-3DR) with the exception of
commercial high-resolution satellites data.
►TERRA AND AQUA - NASA’s earth observation
satellite network. ►ROSETTA MISSION - ESA’s mission to Comet
Rosetta
►AURA - Earth observation satellite for stratosphere
ozone and aerosol in upper atmosphere. ►SOLAR ORBITER
• Will perform unprecedented close up observations of the

OTHER IMPORTANT Sun and from high latitudes, providing the first images of
uncharted polar regions of the Sun, and investigating Sun-

MISSIONS Earth connection.

• Collaboration of NASA and ESA.
►BEPI COLOMBO - Joint mission of ESA and JAXA • At its closest, it will 42 million km, inside the orbit of planet
to Mercury. mercury.
►JUICE • It will use the gravity of Venus to enter a highly elliptical
orbit around the Sun.
• JUpiter ICy moons Explorer of ESA’s (European Space
Agency) ►COSMIC VISION
• Orbiter mission to explore Jupiter and three of its icy • ESA’s campaign for space exploration similar to Discovery
moons: Europa, Callisto and Ganymede. and New Frontiers Programmes of NASA
st
• 1 non-American outer Solar System mission o Will include a number of missions in solar system
►COPERNICUS exploration including – CHEOPS; Comet Interceptor; LISA;
ATHENA
• European Earth Observation Programme
• Main objective is to monitor of our planet and its ►CHEOPS - ESA’s measure known exoplanets' size

ecosystems. by photometry

• Constitutes a constellation of 6 families of satellites known ►ATHENA

as Sentinels
• Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics
• Coordinated and managed by the European Commission.
• X-ray observatory planned for 2031
• Copernicus allows full, free and open access to all data
collected.
►AIDA
• Scientists, policy makers, entrepreneurs and ordinary • Short for Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment
citizen can use this data. • Space probe to test impact models of whether a spacecraft
• 6 themes could successfully deflect an asteroid on a collision course
with Earth.
1. Atmospheric monitoring
2. Marine environment monitoring ►COMET INTERCEPTOR
3. Land monitoring • Robotic spacecraft mission of ESA planned for a 2028
4. Climate change launch.

5. Emergency management • It will be parked at the Sun-Earth L2 point (Lagrange Point)

6. Security • It is to intercept a long-period comet that will flyby in 2-3

years
COPERNICUS AND INDIA
• India joined Copernicus in 2018.

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 SPACE TECHNOLOGY

►VENUS EXPRESS BY ESA - Orbiter mission • Hayabusa 1 (2003): to study the features of asteroid
‘Itokawa’.
of European Space Agency launched in 2005
• Hayabus 2 mission (2014): asteroid ‘Ryugu’
►CHANG’E-4
►HERACLE - Joint lunar mission of ESA, JAXA and
• China’s lunar probe mission
st
Canada
• 1 ever probe to land on and explore the far side of the
moon. ►BIRDS PROJECT
• It will land on Von Karman crater in the South Pole region • Japan’s project to support non-spacefaring countries to
of moon which is the largest crater in our solar system. build their first satellite.
YUTU 2 • Called as The Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite
• Name of the rover under the Chang’e 4 project (BIRDS).

QUEQIAO RELAY SATELLITE • Birds1: Five countries participated in the first Bird
program: Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh.
• Part of Chang’e 4.
• Birds-2: Bhutan, the Philippines, and Malaysia
• Orbiter satellite used to communicate between the rover
on the far side of the lunar surface and earth. ►SPICA
►TIANGONG-1 • Joint effort of Japan and ESA.

• Chinese space station • Proposed infrared space telescope

• Also called Heavenly Palace or Celestial Palace 1. • Short for Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and
Astrophysics
• Launched in 2011, retired in 2018
• Aims to elucidate the process that enriched the universe
►TIANGONG-2 with metal and dust and led to the formation of habitable
• Launched in 2016 world by observing "metal and dust enrichment through
• Successor to Tiangong-1. galaxy evolution" and "planetary system formation of
habitable systems".
• Currently in orbit
• Aim is to test capabilities for long-term human presence in ►SPACE DEBRIS PROJECTS
space. • RemoveDEBRIS project of Surrey Satellite Technology ltd.
Aims to clean space debris using Cubesats (Small
►TIANZHOU 1 - 1
st
Chinese cargo spacecraft to
satellites).
service the Tiangong 2
• ClearSpace-1 will be the first space mission to remove an
►TIANHE-1 item of debris from orbit. It is planned to be launched in
• Permanent space module of China 2025. It will be led by Swiss Startup ClearSpace.

• Also called “Harmony of the Heavens” • ASTROSPACE (Japanese Company researching on Debris
removal)
►FAST ARRAY/ TIANYAN
• Mission Extension Vehicle -1 (MEV-1) made by USA
• Chinese Radio Telescope company Northrop Grumman.
• Short for the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio • Kessler Syndrome: once past a certain critical mass, the
Telescope total amount of space debris will keep on increasing:
• Also called “Sky Eye" or "The Eye of Heaven" collisions give rise to more debris and lead to more
collisions, in a chain reaction.
►XUNTIAN
• Chinese space telescope
• Also called “Heavenly Cruiser"  TELESCOPES
• It has a field 300 times wider than that of the Hubble
►THE GIANT METERWAVE RADIO
Space Telescope
• Will capture deep space objects like dark matter, dark
TELESCOPE
energy and exoplanets. • Located near Pune

►HAYABUSA MISSION • Deep space objects such as galaxy, neutron star, pulsar,
etc.
• Japanese space exploration mission to study asteroids.

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• An array of 30 fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes of
45 metre diameter.
►GEMINI TELESCOPE IN HAWAII
• Radio telescope of USA
• It was used to measure the distance to the galaxy.
• The distance of radio galaxies is measured in redshift.
• The farther away galaxies are, the faster they move away
from us and therefore appear to be redder due to Doppler
shift.
►EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE
• Imaged the 1st ever picture of Black Hole.
• Network of 8 radio telescopes located in Hawaii,
• Arizona, Chile, Mexico and Spain, and at the South Pole.
• It is synchronized in such a way in effect they form a radio
telescope of the size of the earth itself.
• The name of the Blackhole captured was kept ‘Powehi’.
►THIRTY METER TELESCOPE
• Multi-wavelength Large telescope in near-
ultraviolet to mid-infrared observations
• Proposed sites: Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Hanle in India
• Funding from Canada, China, Japan and India.
►DARK ENERGY SPECTROSCOPIC
INSTRUMENT (DESI)
• It is designed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
to explore the mystery of dark energy.
• DESI’s components are designed to automatically point at
preselected sets of galaxies, gather their light, and then
split that light into narrow bands of color to precisely map
their distance from Earth and gauge how much the
universe expanded as this light travelled to Earth.
• DESI will peer deeply into the universe’s infancy and early
development—up to about 11 billion years ago—to create
the most detailed 3-D map of the universe.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
►MEERKAT
• Inaugurated by South Africa, it will be the biggest
radio telescope of its kind in the southern
hemisphere.
• It will be incorporated into the complex Square
Kilometre Array (SKA) instrument.
• It will address some of the key science questions in
modern astrophysics – how did galaxies form, how are
they evolving, how did we come to be here.
►STARLINK INTER-NET
CONSTELLATION
• SpaceX has succefully deployed all 60 Starlink satellites
into orbit through Falcon 9 rocket. Starlink satellite
constellation will eventually have close to 12,000 satellites.
• These satellites will be deployed in Low Earth Orbit in the
altitude band of 350 km to 1200 km.
WHY LOW EARTH ORBIT FOR SPACE INTERNET?
1. It will have lower latency when compared with internet
provided by satellites in Geostationary orbit. (Less distance
to travel)
2. However, to cover the area of the earth and provide
continuous internet cover, many more thousands of
satellites will be needed.
AIMS
1. Provide low-cost, reliable and uninterrupted space based
internet services to the world.
2. About 4 billion people do not have access to reliable
internet as the traditional method to access internet using
fibre optic networks and wireless networks
►ONEWEB
• Constellation of satellites in low earth orbit.
• To be launched by 2021 to provide satellite-based
broadband services
BASIC PHYSICS AND
ASTRONOMY
►STANDARD MODEL OF PHYSICS
• The fundamental questions that have intrigued humans
for long are “What is the world made of?" and "What holds
it together?”.
• The Standard Model is an attempt to explain these
questions.
o According to Standard Model, all the known matter is
made up of fundamental particles called quarks and
leptons.
17

o Nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons
which are made of fundamental particles called quarks.
• Electrons are made up of leptons.
• These particles interact with each other in accordance with
rules known as the ‘four fundamental interactions’
which are
o Gravity
o Electromagnetism
o Weak Nuclear force
o Strong Nuclear force
• For the weak and strong nuclear interactions to work, the
Standard Model predicts the presence of a particle called
Higgs Boson.
• Thus, according to the standard model elementary
particles in nature are Quarks, Leptons and Bosons.
►ANTIMATTER
Every known matter has an antimatter which has the same
mass and volume; only difference being the inherent charge.
Antimatter has an opposite charge when compared to its
matter. While the Anti-matter of a proton is called Anti-
Proton, the Antimatter of an electron is called Positron.
►QUARKS
• Quarks are elementary particles propounded in the
standard model.
• They join to form hadrons, such as protons and neutrons,
which are components of the nuclei of atoms.
• The antiparticle of a quark is the antiquark.
• There are 6 principal quarks and, hence, 6 anti quarks.
• Quarks and antiquarks are the only two fundamental
particles that interact through all four fundamental forces
of physics: gravitation, electromagnetism, and the strong
interaction and weak interactions.
• A quark exhibits confinement, which means that the
quarks are not observed independently but always in
combination with other quarks.
• This makes determining the properties (mass, spin, and
parity) impossible to measure directly.
►LEPTONS
• Like quarks, leptons too are of 6 types. However, they do
not have any fractional charge. The leptons are:
ELECTRON, MUON, TAU and 3 Types OF NEUTRINOS
• Electron being a Lepton is a fundamental elementary
particle.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
►FERMION
• Fermions are particles which have half-integer spin and
therefore are constrained by the Pauli Exclusion Principle.
Fermions include electrons, protons, neutrons.
• Fermions include all quarks and leptons.
• The fact that electrons are fermions is foundational to the
buildup of the periodic table of the elements since there
can be only one electron for each state in an atom (only
one electron for each possible set of quantum numbers).
• The fermion nature of electrons also governs the behavior
of electrons in a metal where at low temperatures all the
low energy states are filled up to a level called the Fermi
energy.
►BOSON
Boson is a collective name given to particles that carry forces.
It has been named after Indian scientist Satyendra Nath Bose.
Gravity as a force of nature is yet not accepted by the
Standard Model due to the failure to discover its Boson.
Strong Nuclear Force is the strongest known force while
gravity is the weakest.
►GOD PARTICLE
• Peter Higgs suggested that particles did not have mass just
after Big Bang. As the universe cooled and temperature fell
below the critical point, an invisible force field got formed
which has been termed the Higgs Field.
• The associated particles with the Higgs field have been
termed the Higgs Boson. It has been theorized that any
particle that interacted with these Higgs Boson got mass
and those particles that were left out of the Higgs field
remained massless.
• As these Higgs Bosons have the capability to grant mass,
the primary condition for the existence of matter, they
were termed as the God particle.
• The Big Bang Theory is the leading explanation about how
the universe began. It talks about the universe as we know
it starting with a small singularity, then inflating over the
next 13.8 billion years to the cosmos that we know today.
• Recently, Scientist at CERN observed the Higgs boson
decaying to fundamental particles known as bottom
quarks.
►NEUTRINOS
• Neutrinos are subatomic particles that are almost mass
less.
• They are generally emitted during nuclear decays
• They move nearly at the speed of light.
18

• The neutrinos are particles that have no electric charge
and are not affected by electric or nuclear forces.
• Under most conditions matter is transparent to neutrinos
and thus neutrinos pass through all matter almost entirely.
Therefore they are difficult to detect.
• Indian Neutrino observatory is being constructed at Bodi
Hilks, in the Theni District of Tamil Nadu.
• Japan is planning to build Hyper-Kamiokande neutrino
detector which will be world’s largest neutrino
observatory.
►SOLAR NEUTRINOS
• In the fusion reaction in the Sun, 4 hydrogen nuclei fuse
together to make helium.
• In the process it releases 5 gamma rays, 2 neutrinos, and 2
positrons.
• During the hydrogen fusion reaction protons change into
neutrons and release neutrinos.
• The fusion of hydrogen to helium at the Sun’s center
produces 10^38 neutrinos each second.
• Every second, about 10^14 solar neutrinos pass through
each square meter of the Earth.
►LARGE HADRON COLLIDOR
• Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was built to study some of
these fundamental particles and how they interact and
behaved. • By the laws of cosmology, the total amount of mass in the
• LHC is a giant particle accelerator, perched on the border
of France and Switzerland.
• LHC operates by accelerating protons at nearly the speed
of light.
• The accelerated protons are made to collide resulting in
emergence of many particles one of which is Higgs boson
that was discovered.
• It is also imperative to study the properties of the other
particles which could answer some fundamental questions
of nature including “dark matter”, “supersymmetric
particles” and other deep mysteries of nature.
• Further the Higgs boson that was detected lasts only for
trillionth of a billionth of a second before decaying. Thus
detecting and studying their properties becomes difficult.
►DARK MATTER
• It was in 1930s when Fritz Zwicky observed that many
galaxies were moving faster than theoretical calculations.
This implied that there was some mysterious gravitational
pull towards the centre of those galaxies. The quantity of
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
matter needed to exert such a pull far exceed the
observed matter. This extra matter which is invisible and
undetected has been termed as Dark Matter.
• Gradually many astronomers started researching on dark
matter. It was when the Andromeda Galaxy was observed
to be moving faster than expected that dark matter took
the centre stage of astronomical research.
• It has not yet been observed directly. It doesn't interact
with matter and is completely invisible to light and other
forms of electromagnetic radiation making it impossible to
detect.
• Scientists are confident it exists because of the
gravitational effects it has on galaxies and galaxy clusters.
• The light from distant galaxies gets distorted and
magnified by massive, invisible clouds of dark matter in
the phenomenon known as Gravitational Lensing.
►DARK ENERGY
• Roughly 68% of the universe is dark energy. it is a property
of space so does not get diluted as space expands. As
more space comes into existence, more of this energy-of-
space appears. As a result, dark energy causes the
universe to expand faster and faster.
• While Dark matter exerts a “pull” on the universe, Dark
Energy has a contrasting expansionary effect. As is it
evident, our universe is expanding, indicating that Dark
Energy has a greater abundance than dark matter.
universe cannot increase. Hence while the amount of Dark
matter remains constant, Dark Energy which is a property
of space itself is bound to increase exponentially.
Eventually, Dark energy would overcome the influence of
dark matter and lead to further expansion of the universe.
►BLACK HOLES
• A black hole is a region in space where the pulling force of
gravity is so strong that light is not able to escape. The
strong gravity occurs because matter has been pressed
into a tiny space.
• A black hole cannot be seen because of the strong gravity
that is pulling all of the light into the black hole's center. A
black hole's gravity can sometimes be strong enough to
pull off the outer gases of the star. As gas spirals into the
black hole, the gas heats to very high temperatures and
releases X-ray light in all directions. Black holes are
detected by these X-rays.
• Our sun does not have enough mass to collapse into a
black hole. In billions of years, when the sun is at the end
of its life, it will become a red giant star. Then, when it has
19
 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
used the last of its fuel, it will throw off its outer layers and • LIGO detectors use laser interferometry to measure the
turn into a glowing ring of gas called a planetary nebula. minute ripples in space-time caused by gravitational waves
Finally, all that will be left of the sun is a cooling white from mergers of pairs of neutron stars or black holes, or
dwarf star. supernovae.
• The LIGO has detected the gravitational twice now, the
second time witnessing the merging of a second black hole
►GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
pair. The signal from this merger was weaker than the 1st
• Electric charges oscillating up and down produce observed gravitational waves. Hence a special technique
electromagnetic radiation. In a similar way, the general called matched filtering was adapted for gravitational
theory of relativity predicts that oscillating massive objects wave data analysis which was developed at IUCAA
should produce gravitational radiation, or gravitational (Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and
waves. Astrophysics), Pune.
• Gravitational waves are ripples in the overall geometry
of space and time produced by moving masses.
• Some of the cosmic events that produce such ripples are
exploding stars, collisions between ultradense neutron
stars or merging black holes or supernovae.
• Gravitational radiation is exceedingly difficult to detect,
because gravity by nature is much weaker than
electromagnetic radiation.
HOW ARE GRAVITATIONAL-WAVES PRODUCED?
• In 2016, gravitational waves finally were observed from
the merger of two neutron stars.
►LIGO-INDIA
• Two neutron stars rotate around each other; the closer
• IndIGO (Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave
they get, the faster they spin. Eventually, they collide. The
Observations) is a consortium of Indian gravitational-
energy from their spiraling and merging releases energy in
wave physicists to set up advanced experimental
the form of gravitational waves, or ripples in space-time.
gravitational-wave observatory facilities in India.
SIGNIFICANCE OF DISCOVERY
• LIGO-India is a planned advanced gravitational-wave
• The discovery of gravitational-waves is the beginning of
observatory to be located in India as part of the worldwide
new era in astronomy.
network.
• So far all observations of universe are made through
• LIGO-India is planned as a collaborative project between a
electromagnetic radiation emitted from the objects from
consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO
visible light to ‘gamma rays.
Laboratory in the USA, along with its international partners
• Gravitational waves are a new way of “seeing” what Australia, Germany and the UK.
happens in space.
• To establish this, a site near Aundha Nagnath in the
• We can now detect events that would otherwise leave little Hingoli District, Maharashtra has been selected.
to no observable light, like black hole collisions.
• It will also help untangle mysteries about the dense, dead
►LISA PATHFINDER
objects known as neutron stars.
• Short for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
• Mission led by the ESA to build a space-based observatory
►LIGO
for detecting gravitational waves. While LIGO is ground-
• The Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is designed based observatory LISA is space observatory.
to directly detect gravitational waves.
• In 2017, for the first time, scientists directly detected
►EUROPEAN COUNCIL FOR NUCLEAR
gravitational waves from the collision of two neutron stars
using the U.S.-based Laser Interferometer RESEARCH (CERN)
Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Europe- • Founded in 1952 as a provisional body, CERN is the
based Virgo detector; and some 70 ground and space- world’s largest nuclear and particle physics
based observatories laboratory with the mandate of establishing a world-

20
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class fundamental physics research organization along
the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva.
• At CERN, fundamental particles of matter are made to
collide together at the speed of light giving the physicists
clues about how the particles interact at such high
speeds and provides insights into the moment of
creation of our universe through recreating big bang.
• CERN has 22 member states, 4 associate member states,
4 observer states and 3 observer international
organizations.
• Indian scientists have been part of research since early
1960s with the support of Department of Atomic Energy
(DAE) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Recognizing India’s significant contributions, India was
awarded the Observer status of CERN in 2003. India was
invited to join CERN as an Associate Member in 2016.
• CERN will enhance participation of young scientists and
engineers in various projects and bring back knowledge
for deployment in the domestic programmes.
• It will also provide opportunities to Indian industries to
participate directly in CERN Projects.
►KUIPER BELT OBJECTS
• Kuiper belt extends from about 30 to 50 AU (Astronomical
Unit, 1 AU= distance between Sun and Earth) from the Sun
• When the solar system was young, a large number of icy
planetesimals formed in the region beyond Jupiter.
Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz
• The gravitational forces of the massive Jovian planets
pushed most of these planetesimals beyond Neptune’s
orbit, concentrating them into a belt centered on the
plane of the ecliptic called as Kuiper Belt.
• The objects in the Kuiper Belt are called trans-Neptunian
objects or Kuiper Belt Objects.
• The objects within the Kuiper Belt form the most primitive
objects from the beginning of the formation of the solar
system.
• Most of the comets also have their origin in Kuiper belt.
• Thus Kuiper Belt is a laboratory for studying well-
preserved primitivematerial from the planet formation era
4.5 billion years ago.
EXOPLANETS
• Planets outside our solar system are called exoplanets.
• Most exoplanets are part of star systems.
• Besides there are some “rogue” exoplanets that are not a
part of any star system.
• According to NASA there are 3,449 confirmed exoplanets
from among 4,669 candidates in 2,577 solar systems.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• The search for exoplanets is also the search for alien life
and habitable spaces beyond our star system.
• NASA’s Kepler and K2 missions have identified several
such candidates.
• In order to be considered habitable, exoplanets must orbit
within a distance of their stars in which liquid water can
exist on the planet’s surface. This distance is called the
“Goldilocks” zone.
• It is found that red dwarfs are the best place to find
‘exoplanets’.
►PLOONET
• Ploonet is the name given to a new class of objects that
were once upon a time orbiting a planet.
• In other words ‘rogue moons’ of a planet is called Ploonet.
MISCELLANEOUS
►NOBEL PRIZE 2019: PHYSICS FOR
EXOPLANETS AND COSMIC
MICROWAVE BACKGROUND (CMB)
RADIATION
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics is shared among an American
cosmologist, James Peebles and two Swiss astronomers,
1. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF PHYSICAL COSMOLOGY
• James Peebles’ contribution to modern cosmology (study
of nature of universe itself) includes
o Prediction of shape of CMB radiation
o Formation of primordial elements
o Prediction of how structures in the universe like galaxies
and cluster of galaxies are assembled and the importance
of dark matter in shaping the assembly of these structures
in the universe.
• Thus, his theoretical framework has immensely
contributed to the modern day understanding of evolution
of universe (big bang to present), its structure and how its
contents are structured within it.
2. DISCOVERY OF 1ST EXOPLANET
• The Swiss astronomers have been awarded the Nobel for
their discovery of the first ever exoplanet orbit a star.
21

• Exoplanet 51 Pegasi was the 1st exoplanet discovered
orbiting a sun-like star, about 50 light years away from
earth in the constellation of Pegasus.
• Till the time, search for exoplanets focused on pulsars (a
dead star).
• Thus, it paved the way for a new method in our search for
life beyond earth.
• The Pegasi is a gas-giant of the size about half of Jupiter
and is orbiting the star at a distance of about 8 million km.
BACKGROUND: MODERN COSMOLOGY
EVOLUTION OF UNIVERSE: BIG BANG TO PRESENT
Modern day understanding of evolution of the universe says
that the beginning of the universe was marked by a
spectacular event called Big Bang.
EXPANDING UNIVERSE AND BIG BANG
• Newtonian understanding was that universe was an
infinite expanse of stars that are static.
• Hubble’s law changed this understanding by stating that
universe is expanding.
• The Hubble’s law showed that the universe has been
expanding for billions of years which means that in the
past the matter in the universe must have been closer
together and therefore denser than it is today.
• This leads us to conclude that some sort of tremendous
event caused ultradense matter to begin the expansion
that continues to the present day.
• This event is what is called the Big Bang that marks the
creation of the universe.
COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND
RADIATION
Immediately after the big bang, the universe was so hot that
the thermonuclear reactions (that are usually seen in stars
today) happened everywhere in the universe leading to
formation of primodial elements, hydrogen and helium.
PEEBLE’S CONTRIBUTION IN PREDICTING CMB
• Peebles predicted that this thermonuclear fusion of
hydrogen into helium atoms led to release of high-energy
shortwave photons which is known to be cosmic
background radiation.
• As the universe expanded this radiation also expanded
becoming long-wave (microwave) which is why it is called
cosmic microwave background radiation which fills the
entire space.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• Thus CMB is an evidence for expansion of universe.
►FAST RADIO BURSTS (FRBs)
15 FRBs were detected by astronomers working for
‘BREAKTHROUGH LISTEN’.
ABOUT FRB
• High energy signal
• Found outside Milkyway Galaxy
• Bright; Appear to come from a point source
• Time Duration – few milliseconds
• Broadband – Contains large number of radio frequencies.
• Sources: Neutron stars, Black Hole, Extra-terrestrial
communication
BREAKTHROUGH LISTEN
• Project initiated by Stephen Hawking
• To look for extra-terrestrial communication
• Based on Radio Waves and Visible light
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• FRBs were first detected in 2007 which is called Lorimer
Burst.
• After then FRBs were recorded which were all one time
events.
• First, repeating FRB was recorded in 2016.
• Scientists in Canada, have discovered a FRB which
continuously repeats itself after a period of 16 days.
(CHIME project of Canada)
►SHIFTING OF MAGNETIC NORTH
POLE
EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD
• One of the ways to probe into the interior structure of
any planet is to study the magnetic field outside the
planet using an ordinary compass.
• The magnetic field of the earth is caused by the
motion of the molten liquid portions of the Earth’s
interior.
• As this molten material consisting of mostly iron conducts
electricity, these motions give rise to electric currents,
which in turn produce the Earth’s magnetic field.
22

MAGNETIC POLES V/S GEOGRAPHICAL POLES
the rate of about 55 km per year in the last few years.
• The axis of the earth’s rotation is the line joining the
geographical poles of the earth.
• Due to its magnetic field, earth behaves as a bar magnet
with a north and south poles.
• However as the temperatures of the earth’s interior is
around 770°C, the orientations of the electron orbits
become randomized.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
• As a result the magnetic poles of the earth do not exactly
coincide with the earth’s geographical poles.
MOVEMENT OF THE MAGNETIC POLES
• The high temperatures and random movement of the
liquid in the in the earth’s liquid core makes the magnetic
poles of the earth move erratically.
• According to data from compass of ship logs the north
magnetic pole was around northern Canada around 400
years ago.
• It has been moving back and forth around northern
Canada until the 1900s, before it started moving eastwards
at the rate of 14-15 km per year till the 1990s.
• Now it is seen that the north magnetic pole is moving at
WORLD MAGNETIC MODEL
• The World Magnetic Model (WMM) tracks the movement
of earth’s magnetpoles and is widely used in navigation,
attitude and heading referencing systems, in addition to
civilian navigation, smart phones etc.
• The World Magnetic Model is a standard model used by
the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.K. Ministry of
Defence, NATO and International Hydrographic
Organization.
• The World Magnetic Model is updated every 5 years owing
to movement of the magnetic poles
►MAGNETARS
It is a neutron believed to be having an extremely powerful
magnetic field.
23
SECTION 2

UCLEAR

CIENCE
• An atom is made up of a Nucleus (with Protons and
 NUCLEAR FUEL
Neutrons) and electrons revolving around the nucleus.
• A good nuclear fuel is essential for sustainability of a
• The mass of the atom is concentrated in the nucleus. The
nuclear power plant. A nuclear fuel generally sustains a
number of protons (Z) in an atom determines the atomic
chain reaction, has a very high chance of fission when
number of an element. While the term atomic deals with
bombarded with neutrons, releases 2 or more neutrons
10^(-10) m, the term nuclear deals with 10^ (-15) m.
under collision, enabling it to compensate for unsuccessful
• The volume of an atom is about 1015 orders of magnitude
fissions, has a reasonable half-life and is available in
larger than the volume of a nucleus. It is the electrons that
sustainable quantities.
are responsible for the chemical behavior of atoms, and
• The Uranium U-235 is a suitable candidate for a nuclear
which identify the various chemical elements.
fuel, however it is not available in abundant quantities
• The total number of Protons and Neutrons, called
across the world.
Nucleons is called the Atomic Mass Number(A)
TYPES OF FUEL
• Atoms such as 1H, 2H whose nuclei contain the same
• Fissionable Fuel consists of isotopes that are capable of
number of protons but different number of neutrons
undergoing nuclear fission. Typical fissionable materials:
(different A) are known as isotopes. Uranium, for instance,
232Th, 233U, 235U, 238U, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu.
has three isotopes occurring in nature – 238U, 235U and
234U.Hydrogen has 3 types of isotopes, Protium, • Fertile material are isotopes that are non-fissionable by
Deuterium and Tritium. neutrons, but can be converted into fissile isotopes (after
neutron absorption and subsequent nuclear decay). Th-

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232(Thorium) is a fertile isotope, Th-232 cannot be
fissioned by a fast moving neutron. Th-232 is not capable
of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction, because
neutrons produced by fission of 238U have lower energies
than original neutron. Upon capturing a neutron, Th-232
converts to U-233 which is fissionable. Typical fissile
materials: 235U, 233U, 239Pu, 241Pu.
• Fissile material are fissionable isotopes that are capable of
undergoing nuclear fission. Typical fertile materials: 238U,
232Th.
NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT
• To ensure that the Nuclear Reaction is sustainable, a
Nuclear Reactor uses such a fuel that has a high
probability of fission when bombarded by a fast moving
Neutron. To ensure this, a process called Enrichment is
carried out.
• The process of increasing the concentration of one isotope
relative to another is called “enrichment.”
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
• Naturally-occurring uranium contains 0.72% of the U-235
isotope. The remaining 99.28% is the u-238 isotope which
is a fertile isotope, but is not a fissile isotope. The level of
enrichment required depends on specific reactor design
(e.g. PWRs and BWRs require 3% – 5% of 235U) and specific
requirements of the nuclear power plant operator.
Without required enrichment these reactors are not able
to initiate and sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
• Enrichment accounts for almost half of the cost of nuclear
fuel and about 5% of the total cost of the electricity
generated. Enrichment processes require uranium to be in
a gaseous form at relatively low temperature, hence
uranium oxide from the mine is converted to uranium
hexafluoride in a preliminary process, at a separate
conversion plant.
• The radioactive half-life for a given radioisotope is the time
for half the radioactive nuclei in any sample to undergo
radioactive decay. After two half-lives, there will be one
fourth the original sample, after three half-lives one eighth
the original sample, and so forth.

 NUCLEAR FISSION VS FUSION

PARAMETER NUCLEAR FISSION NUCLEAR FUSION

Fission is the splitting of a large atom into Fusion is the fusing of two or more lighter atoms into a
Definition
two or more smaller ones. larger one.

Natural occurrence of Fission reaction does not normally occur

Fusion occurs in stars, such as the sun.
the process in nature.

Byproducts of the Fission produces many highly Few radioactive particles are produced by fusion
reaction radioactive particles. reaction.

Conditions High-speed neutrons are required. High density & high temperature environment.

Extremely high energy is required to bring two or more

Takes little energy to split two atoms in a
Energy Requirement protons close enough that nuclear forces overcome their
fission reaction.
electrostatic repulsion.

The energy released by fission is a million

times greater than that released in chemical The energy released by fusion is three to four times
Energy Released
reactions, but lower than the energy greater than the energy released by fission.
released by nuclear fusion.

One class of nuclear weapon is a fission

One class of nuclear weapon is the hydrogen bomb,
Nuclear weapon bomb, also known as an atomic bomb or
which uses a fission reaction to "trigger" a fusion reaction.
atom bomb.

Fusion is an experimental technology for producing

Energy production Fission is used in nuclear power plants.
power.

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Uranium is the primary fuel used in power Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium and Tritium) are the
Fuel
plants.
NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS
►FISSION REACTORS
WORKING
When a neutron hits a nucleus of a radioactive atom (U-235,
Plutonium-239), it triggers a breakup of that nucleus into two
large pieces called fission fragments. In addition to the two
large fragments, two neutrons are usually released which in
turn hits the nucleus of other atoms in the reactor setting up
what is called a chain reaction. The chain reaction of fission
generates heat which is then used to move a turbine to
produce electricity.
MODERATOR
• The neutron released in the chain reaction move at
extremely faster speed and may lead to uncontrolled chain
reaction leading to explosion. Thus in order to slow down
the neutron, the reactors use moderator.
• Moderators are generally atoms with lighter nuclei and
does not absorb neutron. Generally ordinary water, heavy
water and graphite rods are used as moderators.
CONTROL RODS
• In a nuclear reactor, generally only one of the neutrons
released from uranium fission is used to produce another
fission reaction. The other is absorbed using control rods.
• Control rods absorb neutrons but do not release energy in
the process.
• Note: Plutonium (Pu-239) is sometimes manufactured
using U-238 by hitting the neutron so released in the
reactor.
CRITICAL MASS
The minimum amount of uranium-235 atoms required to set
up the chain reaction is called the critical mass.
FUELS USED IN NUCLEAR REACTORS
• Fissile material
• Only U235, Pu-239 and U-233 are fissile material, meaning
they can set up chain reactions.
• U-235 releases 2 neutron when the atom is split
• Plutonium-239: releases 3 neutrons instead of 2.
• U-233: U-233 is not found in nature. It is produced in
Thermal breeder reactors where thorium-232 absorbs a
neutron to form U-233 which is fissile.
• Enrichment: About 99% of the uranium found on earth is
U-238 which is not suitable for fission as they are stable. As
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
primary fuel used in fusion power plants.
a result U-238 is converted to U-235 and this process is
called enrichment.
• U-238 is generally used in ‘Breeder reactors’ where U-238
is converted to Plutonium -239 due to absorption of a
neutron
• Thorium 232 is used to produce U-233.
► TYPES OF FISSION REACTORS
LIGHT WATER REACTOR
• They use H20 as both moderator and coolant. They
require the use of enriched fuel. Depending on the type of
technology employed they are further divided into Boiling
Water Reactor (BWR) and Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)
BOILING WATER REACTOR
• BWR uses boiling water to generate electricity. Fukushima
Daichi was the first such BWR. Tarapur Nuclear Power
station in India hosts a BWR.
PRESSURISED WATER REACTOR
• PWR uses specially built reactor where in the pressure
inside the reactor core is greater than atmospheric
pressure. This prevents the water from boiling and allows
the water to attain greater temperatures. The hot water
that leaves the pressure vessel is looped through a steam
generator, which in turn heats a secondary loop of water
to steam that can run turbines and generator. (BWRs don’t
have any steam generator). INS Arihant and Kudankulam
Plant in Tamil Nadu use a PWR.
• All liquids, at any temperature, exert a certain vapour
pressure. The vapor pressure increases with temperature,
because at higher temperature the molecules are moving
faster and are more able to overcome the attractive
intermolecular forces that tend to bind them together.
Boiling occurs when the vapor pressure reaches or
exceeds the surrounding pressure from the atmosphere.
• At standard atmospheric pressure, water boils at
approximately 100 degrees Celsius. That is simply another
way of saying that the vapor pressure of water at that
temperature is 1 atmosphere. At higher pressures (such as
the in a pressure cooker), the temperature must be higher
before the vapor pressure reaches the surrounding
pressure, so water under pressure boils at a higher
temperature. This is what happens in a PWR.
• A similar condition also occurs in areas of higher altitudes,
atmospheric pressure decreases. The vapor pressure
26

reaches that pressure at a lower temperature. This leads
to early boiling of water when cooking, however the food
may not cook properly!
HEAVY WATER REACTOR
• It is also referred to as CANDU reactor. Use of heavy
water (D2O) as both moderator and coolant. Can be used
with unenriched uranium fuel. Also known as
Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR).
• The use of Deuterium instead of Hydrogen gives a neutron
to better perform the moderation and also increases the
probability of a chain reaction.
FAST BREEDER REACTORS
• In contrast to most normal nuclear reactors, however, a
fast reactor uses a coolant that is not an efficient
moderator, such as liquid sodium, so the neutrons remain
high-energy.
• Although these fast neutrons are not as good at causing
fission, they are readily captured by U-238, which then
becomes plutonium Pu-239.
• These reactors are designed to maximize plutonium
production and produce more fuel than they consume
(Breed). Pu-239 is formed in every reactor and also fissions
as the reactor operate.
► FUSION REACTORS
BASICS OF CONTROLLED FUSION
• Fusion reactors is increasingly seen as the future of energy
security due to following factors
o Abundance of fuel (Hydrogen in the form of water in
oceans)
o Clean source of energy as it involves no release of carbon
dioxide
o Elimination of risk from nuclear waste
• 2 main factors to achieve fusion reaction are fuel and
conditions for fusion.
• A typical fusion reactor uses hydrogen as a fuel that is
abundant in the water of the oceans.
• However the main problem in fusion is that the hydrogen
nuclei repel each other.
• The electric repulsion of 2 hydrogen nuclei can be
overcome by heating the hydrogen to temperatures of
millions of degrees C. This is what happens in a typical
hydrogen bomb
• However the challenge for building a fusion reactor is that
such high temperatures leads to high pressure posing the
problem of explosion.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
• This problem is currently being addressed in 3 ways.
1. The first is to make the hydrogen work at a very low
density, so the pressure will not get high. This is the
approach used in Tokamak approach.
2. The second method is to let the hydrogen explode, but to
keep the explosions small. This is done in laser method.
3. The third way to achieve fusion is by keeping the hydrogen
cold. This is called cold fusion.
ITER (INTERNATIONAL
THERMONUCLEAR EXPERIMENTAL
REACTOR)
• ITER is a fusion reactor that works on the basis of
Tokamak approach.
• At such high temperatures, hydrogen gas is in plasma
state (electron and nucleus are not bound) and thus
difficult for ordinary containers to hold the hydrogen.
• Thus under Tokamak approach magnets are used to which
confines the hydrogen as long as the nuclei are in motion.
• As a result this method is sometimes called ‘magnetic
confinement”
DETAILS
• ITER is a fusion reactor launched in 1985.
• It is located in Saint-Paul-les-Durance in southern France.
• It is a joint collaboration of 35 countries with the following
members China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea,
Russia and the United States.
• ITER is designed to produce 500 MW of fusion power from
50 MW of input heating power.
• ITER project is about 65% complete and is expected to be
completed by 2025.
COLD FUSION
• One way to get fusion without requiring high temperatures
is to cancel its electric charge (remember high
temperature is required only to overcome the electric
repulsion). This is done by making a particle with negative
charge stick to the hydrogen nucleus.
• When a negative charge sticks to a hydrogen (or heavy
hydrogen) nucleus, it cancels the proton charge. This
electrically neutral nucleus can then get close to another
hydrogen nucleus. Then the nuclear force brings the two
nuclei together in fusion.
• In order to do this the hydrogen or deuterium is made to
react with metals like palladium, zirconium and nickel at
low temperature. (as these metals are hydrogen ‘soakers’)
• Cold Fusion is also called Low Energy Nuclear Reaction
(LENR)
27
 NUCLEAR SCIENCE
• India’s Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has recently
restarted research into it 25 years after it was shut.

►NUCLEAR SECTOR IN
INDIA

3-STAGE NUCLEAR
PROGRAMME
India has a 3-stage nuclear programme.The 3-stage nuclear
programme is developed with the aim of utilizing the vast
Thorium reserves in India (about 25% of the world) as India
has limited availability of Uranium reserves (about 2% of the
world’s uranium reserves)
1ST STAGE
• Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors are based on natural
uranium that contains 99.3% U-238 and 0.7% U-235.
NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA
• U-235 being fissile sets up the chain reaction and U-238 • Nuclear power contributes to 2.1% of the total energy
being non-fissile gets converted to Pu-239 as a byproduct basket of India.
(spent fuel) which is in turn used in the Fast Breeder
• Currently India has 22 nuclear reactors operating in 7
Reactors in the 2nd stage.
plants generating about 6780 MW of power.
2ND STAGE
• India plans to build 48 new plants with a target of
• Fast Breeder Reactors are primarily based on Plutonium.
63000MW of power by 2032.
• Further the breeder reactors use mix of Plutonium-239
produced in the 1st stage and U-238 that is abundantly
found on earth to produce Plutonium inside the reactor.
• Note that U-238 is not fissile material and thus cannot set
up chain reaction.
• Since the amount of Plutonium produced inside the
reactor is more than that initially used, it is called Breeder
reactor.
• In order to increase the probability of neutron hitting U-
238, these reactors do not use a moderator to slow down
neutrons and thus they are called Fast Breeder Reactors.
• Once the Plutonium-239 is completely used, Thorium is
introduced in the reactor to convert it into U-233 that will
be used in 3rd stage.
3RD STAGE
• Thermal Breeder Reactors uses thorium-232.
• Thorium is also not radioactive and thus not fissile.
• In these reactors thorium-232 is converted into Uranium-
233 which is a fissile material. (KAMINI)
• Since India has abundant thorium reserves in the form of
monazite sand, the 3rd stage is critical for India’s nuclear
energy basket.

28
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 NUCLEAR SCIENCE

►NUCLEAR RECTORS IN INDIA • These two developments the transfer of nuclear

technology and fuel to India by US companies for ‘peaceful
LOCATION & STATE TYPE CAPACITY purposes’.
Kakrapar, Gujarat PHWR 2X700MW

100X1, 200X1,
►INDIA’S NUCLEAR COMMERCE
PHWR
Rawatbhata, Rajasthan 220 × 4 = • Despite the signing of Indo-US nuclear deal, the nuclear
1080MW liability regime in India was seen as hurdle for foreign
companies to invest in India’s nuclear sector.
Gorakhpur PHWR 2 × 700MW
• The major hurdle for companies to do nuclear commerce
Kudankulam,TamillNadu VVER 2 × 1000 with India was the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage
Act, 2010 (CLINDA) which held the suppliers of nuclear
Kalpakkam, Tamil
Prototype Fast power projects liable in case of nuclear accidents.
Nadu
Breeder 500
(BeingImplemente RATIFICATION OF CSC
Reactors (PFBR)
dby BHAVINI) • This was solved in 2016 when India ratified the Convention
of Supplementary Compensation.
Chutka, MadhyaPradesh PHWR 2 × 700
• This marked India’s willingness to accede to international
Kaiga, Karnataka PHWR 4 × 220
nuclear liability regime which holds the operator liable to
Mahi Banswara, pay up for damage in case of nuclear accidents. (However
PHWR 4 × 700
Rajasthan it provides for operator to have the right to recourse with
the supplier in the contract)
Jaitapur, Maharashtra
EPR 6 × 1650 MW • India also launched an insurance pool with a liability cap
(France AREVA)
of ₹ 1,500 crore to cover the suppliers’ risk of potential
Kovvada, Andhra Light Water liability.
5 × 1208
Pradesh(USA) Reactors • As a result of this foreign companies have showed interest
ChhayaMithiVirdi,Guja in nuclear commerce with India
6 × 1000
rat(USA)

Haripur,WestBengal(Rus ►CIVIL LIABILITY LAW IN INDIA

6 × 1000 MW
sia) • In April 2015 India ratified the 1997 Convention on
Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage
Bhimpur,MadhyaPrades
PHWR 4 × 700MW (CSC). CSC establishes a worldwide liability regime and
h
provides for increase in the amount of compensation
160 x 2 and available to the victims of nuclear accidents.
Tarapur,Maharashtra BWR and PHWR
540 × 2 • A State which is a party to either the 1963 Vienna
220 x 2 = 440 Convention or the 1960 Paris Convention could become a
Narora,Uttar Pradesh PHWR party to the CSC. A State which is not a party to either of
MW
these conventions could also become a party to the CSC if
its national law on nuclear liability is in compliance with
►INDO-US CIVIL NUCLEAR the provision of the.
COOPERATION • India not being party to the Vienna or the Paris
• In the aftermath of 1998 Pokhran Test India faced a Conventions signed the CSC on 29 October 2010 on the
nuclear isolation across the world. basis of its national law namely the Civil Law for Nuclear
Damage (CLND) Act. This has paved the way for India to
• This changed after the 2005 Indo-US Civil Nuclear
sign civil nuclear cooperation agreements with number of
Agreement. (commonly called as 123 Agreement)
countries.
• In addition, India also signed an agreement with IAEA in
• So far India signed civil nuclear agreements with 14
2009 to place its civil nuclear facilities under IAEA
countries including USA, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina,
safeguards. (IAEA Additional Protocols)
Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh,
Kazakhstan, South Korea and Czech Republic.

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 NUCLEAR SCIENCE
o Overseeing the designand construction of the new
REGULATION AND reactors

DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR
►PUBLIC SECTOR INSTITUTIONS
TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA • Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL),Hyderabad
• Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), Mumbai
►DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY • Uranium Corporation of India, Singhbhum(PSE for
• It is apex body under the direct charge of Prime Minister uranium mining and processing)
working toward development and regulation of nuclear • Nuclear Power Corporation of India(NPCIL), Mumbai,
technology in India. Maharashtra (PSE forgeneration of electricity from nuclear
• In addition it is responsible for application of radioactivity power)
in the field of agriculture, medicine, industry and basic • Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited(BHAVINI),
research. Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu(Operating Stage II FBR at
• DAE comprises of regulatory bodies, research centres, Kalpakkam)
industrial organisations, five public sector undertakings
etc. ►NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION OF
INDIA LIMITED (NPCIL)
►ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
• NPCIL is responsible for design, construction,
• It is the governing body of Department of Atomic Energy commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors
• Important function include under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
o Promote nuclear research • NPCIL also has equity participation in BHAVINI which
o Prospecting and extraction of atomic minerals in India implements Fast Breeder Reactors programme in the
country.
o Extends financial assistance to autonomous national
institutes doing research • In 2016 the Atomic Energy (Amendment) Act was passed
by the parliament that enables NPCIL to form joint
• Accordingly 5 five research centres under AEC are
ventures with any government company to produce,
o Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
develop, control, and use atomic energy.
o Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR),
• Accordingly a license may be granted to any government
Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)
company to
o Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT),
o produce atomic energy
Indore
o acquire and use substances or minerals from which atomic
o Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata
energy can be obtained
o Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and
Research (AMD), Hyderabad.
o Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO)
INTERNATIONAL
ORGANISATIONS
►ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY
►INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY
BOARD (AERB)
AGENCY (IAEA)
• AERB is the regulatory authority responsible for safe
operations of nuclear reactors as well as regulation at all • It is also known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace”. The
other nuclear facilities in India. organization works within the United Nations.

• It derives its powers from Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and • The IAEA is the international centre responsible for
the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under
Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
• Important functions include
• It is headquartered in Vienna.
o Ensuring safety of population and environment from risks
arising out of the use of radiation and nuclear energy.

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►WORLD ASSOCIATION OF NUCLEAR
OPERATORS
• It is an international NGO of nuclear scientists that certifies
the safety of nuclear reactors.
• India is a member of WANO
►IMPORTANT NUCLEAR NON-
PROLIFERATION TREATIES
PARTIAL TEST BAN TREATY
• Signed in 1963 by USA, USSR and UK, it prohibited all test
detonations of nuclear weapons except for those
conducted underground.
• It is a treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the
atmosphere, underwater and in outer space.
• One of the main aims of PTBT was to limit the amount of
radioactive fallout emitted from nuclear explosions.
NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION
TREATY
• NPT is an international nuclear disarmament treaty to
prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote
cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
• Signed by 191 countries, the treaty restricts nuclear non-
weapon states (countries which had no nuclear weapon till
1968) from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
• On the other hand the nuclear weapon states shall work
towards disarmament and share the benefits of peaceful
nuclear technology (civilian) to countries that have signed
the NPT.
• 5 states recognised as nuclear-weapon states include the
United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and
China.
• The countries that receive nuclear technology or fuel for
civil nuclear purposes (power generation) are subject to
export controls under the Nuclear Suppliers Group and
verification measures of the IAEA Additional Protocol.
• 4 UN member states that have never joined the NPT: India,
Israel, Pakistan and South Sudan.
• Though Iran is a signatory to NPT, it was declared non-
compliant by IAEA in 2002. Recently in 2020 after the US’s
withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and
consequent sanctions, Iran has threatened to withdraw
from NPT and resume nuclear enrichment.
• North Korea had signed the NPT in 1985 as a nuclear non-
weapon state. Thereafter in 1993 it unilaterally withdrew
from NPT. However there is no definitive legal opinion
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
regarding the membership of N.Korea which has resorted
to nuclear test time and again.
IAEA SAFEGUARD AGREEMENT AND
INDIA
• Though India is not a part of NPT, it has signed the
Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement IAEA in 2009.
• Besides India also signed the Additional Protocol in 2009
and entered into force in 2014.
• Accordingly India has kept 20 of its 22 civilian nuclear
facilities under IAEA safeguards.
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY
(CTBT)
• Adopted in 1996 by UNGA, it prohibits all forms of nuclear
tests in space, water & underground.
• India has not signed the treaty as it does not talk about
nuclear disarmament.
• So far it has been signed by 184 states, of which 168 have
ratified the treaty.
• However the treaty has not come into force yet as many
countries that possess nuclear technology have not yet
signed or ratified the
• Those that have signed but not ratified: China, Egypt, Iran,
Israel, USA.
• Those that have not signed: India, Pakistan and North
Korea.
►EXPORT CONTROL REGIMES
NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP
• Established in 1974 after Pokhran test.
• NSG is a mechanism to fulfil one of the key aims of NPT; to
share the benefits of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
• It is a 48-member export-control regime that regulates
export of nuclear technology and fuel.
• Accordingly, nuclear non-weapon states who have signed
NPT can have access to items listed in NPT.
• In 2008, India was granted a special waiver by NSG for
supply of nuclear fuel and technology to India. Thus India
became the first and only non-NPT signatory to have this
privilege.
• Consequently India signed civil nuclear agreements with
14 countries including USA, France, Russia, Canada,
Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam,
Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Czech Republic.
31

AUSTRALIAN GROUP
• Established in 1985 during Chemical Weapon use in Iran-
Iraq war in 1984
• It is aimed at controlling exports of biological and
chemical agents used as weapons.
• Headquartered in Paris, its members include India, US,
Canada, EU, Turkey, Argentina, Australia, Japan etc.
WASSEGNAR ARRANGEMENT
• It is a multilateral export control treaty that aims to
regulate the export of conventional arms/munitions and
dual-use goods and technology.
• It includes not only arms but also technologies that can be
used for military purposes including computers, sensors,
lasers, electronics, surveillance technologies etc.
• Currently, it has 42 members including India, US, Canada,
Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Russia, South Africa etc
MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL
REGIME
• Established in 1987, MTCR aims to regulate the export of
weapon delivery systems signatories to non-signatories.
• It restricts export of weapon delivery system that delivers
any type of weapon including conventional weapons,
chemical weapons, biological weapons and nuclear
weapons.
• Accordingly weapons delivery system carrying more than
500 kg payload for over 300 km is restricted under MTCR.
• India officially became a signatory of MTCR in 2018 which
enabled India to
o increase the range of BrahMos (from 290KM to 450KM)
o get access to predator drones from different countries
►NUCLEAR FREE ZONES
1. Antarctica by Antarctic treaty
2. Space by Outer Space Treaty
3. Seabed by Seabed arms control treaty
4. Tlatelolco treaty for Latin America and Caribbean
5. Bangkok Treaty for South East Asia
6. Pelindaba Treaty for Africa
MISCELLANEOUS
►RADIOACTIVITY AND APPLICATIONS
• Radioactivity in simple words means breaking of nucleus.
In the process of explosion of nucleus, a number of other
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
radiations are emitted. These include alpha rays, beta rays
and gamma ray.
• Alpha rays and beta rays bounce off many atoms before
they stop; with each bounce, they can knock apart a
molecule or mutate a gene.
• On the other hand, gamma rays tend to be absorbed by a
single atom; however, they frequently break up the atom
or even its nucleus, so secondary radiation is emitted. This
secondary radiation is often said to be most harmful.
• Given their properties to alter at the atomic level they have
a number of applications.
• The number of protons in the nucleus determines the
atomic number of an atom. This is useful for determining
the chemical property of an atom. On the other hand
number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus forms the
atomic mass of the atom.
• Atoms of an element with same number of protons but
different numbers of neutrons are called different isotopes
of that element. While Isotopes are said to have the same
chemical properties, they differ in terms of their
radioactive properties.
• Thus radioisotopes are species of the same chemical
element with different masseswhose nuclei are unstable
and dissipateexcess energy by spontaneouslyemitting
radiation in the form of alpha, beta,and gamma rays, E.g.
Iodine-131, Indium-192,Molybdenum-99, Chromium-51,
Phosphorus-32 etc.
AGRICULTURE
Radioisotopes are used for developing mutant crop varieties
such as for rice, wheat, pulses etc
MUTATION BREEDING
• It is a crop improvement technology developed by BARC.
Under this technology, the gene of crops are mutated by
ionising radiation thereby inducing desirable properties to
the crops including disease resistance, pest resistance,
nutrition content, high yielding etc.
• Advantage: Mutation breeding is done to quicken the
process of mutation to achieve desirable characteristics as
opposed to slow process of natural selection.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
• Radio-isotopes such as Cobalt-60, Arsenic-74 are used in
treating thyroid disorders and various types of cancer.
• Nuclear medicine is a branch of non-invasive medical
imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive materials
to diagnose and determine the severity of or treat a variety
of diseases including cancers, heart disease,
gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological disorders etc.
32

PET SCANNERS (POSITRON-EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY)
Certain isotopes of common elements such as like Carbon 11,
Nitrogen 13, Oxygen 15, Flourine 18 emit positrons instead of
alpha and beta rays. These positron is a form of antimatter
which when stopped by an electron release gamma rays
which are detected by gamma detectors.
CYCLOTRONS
• Acyclotron is a type of particle accelerator and the best
source of high-energy beams for nuclear physics
experiments.
• Cyclotrons can be used in particle therapy to treat cancer.
• Ion beams from cyclotrons can be used, as in proton
therapy, to penetrate the body and kill tumours by
radiation damage, while minimizing damage to healthy
tissue along their path.
SPECT SCAN (SINGLE-PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTERIZED
TOMOGRAPHY)
• SPECT is also a type of non-invasive nuclear imaging test
which uses gamma detectors to produce 3-d images of
internal organs.
• The advantage of SPECT scan is that while other imaging
methods like X-Ray produces images at a given point
of time, SPECT scan images show blood flowing to and
from the heart, blood flow restrictions etc.
• Besides it can be used to study brain, bone disorders,
clogged arteries etc.
WATER MANAGEMENT - FOOD IRRADIATION
• It is a method of food preservation which involves
exposing food to ionising radiation up to 10 Mega eV. The
substances that are normally used for food irradiation are
Cobalt-60, X-rays, high energy electrons.
• POTON is a food irradiating centre for potato and onion
near Nasik in Maharashtra.
• Food Irradiation is done in order to increase shelf life, to
prevent sprouting in case of potato and onion etc.
►RESEARCH REACTORS IN INDIA
(BARC)
Research reactors are nuclear reactors used for research,
radioisotope production, education, training etc.
APSARA
• 1st atomic reactor of India shut down in 2009
• 1MW Swimming Pool type reactor
APSARA U
• It is the upgraded version of “Apsara.
• It uses plate type dispersion fuel elements made of Low
Enriched Uranium (LEU).
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NUCLEAR SCIENCE
• Owing to higher neutron flux, this reactor will increase
indigenous production of radio-isotopes for medical
application by about 50%.
ZERLINA (ZERO ENERGY REACTOR FOR LATTICE
INVESTIGATION AND NEW ASSEMBLIES)
To study the Uranium heavy water lattice
DHRUVA
• 100-megawatt indigenous nuclear reactor
• Largest source of radioisotopes in India
PURNIMA-I
Plutonium Reactor for Neutronic Investigation in Multiplying
Assemblies
KAMINI
India's 1st fast breeder neutron reactor (U-233) set up at
rd
Kalpakkam. This is the 3 stage of India’s nuclear
programme.
►ROOPPUR NUCLEAR POWER
PROJECT
• India and Bangladesh have signed a Civil Nuclear
Cooperation Agreement.
• Rooppur Nuclear Power Project is the collaboration
between the India, Russia and Bangladesh.
• This will be the first time Indian companies will be able to
participate in a nuclear power project abroad.
►MEDICAL CYCLOTRON FACILITY
CYCLONE-30
• Cyclone-30, the biggest cyclotron in India for medical
application became operational in September 2018.
• Cyclone-30 facility at Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre
(VECC) , Kolkata is a unit of Department of Atomic Energy
(DAE).
• This facility will provide for affordable radio isotopes and
related radiopharmaceuticals for the entire country
• It will be used to produce 18F (Fluorine-18 isotope) for
the preparation of [18FlFluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a
radio- pharmaceutical.
• It will also have export potential for Germanium-
68/Gallium-68 generator for in-situ production of Gallium-
68 and Palladium-103 isotopes, used for breast cancer
diagnosis and prostate cancer treatment
►CAESIUM - 137
• It is the heavier, radioactive isotope of Caesium whose
most stable form is Cs-133. Silvery white, soft and
33

malleable, Cs-137 is one of the very few metals that
exist in liquid form at room temperature.
• It is produced as a byproduct in fission reactions of
uranium and plutonium in nuclear plants or nuclear
explosions. It is, this, part of the spent fuel.
• Cs-137 has a half-life of about 30 years.
• Cs-137 decays by Gamma and Beta decays. Exposure to
small amounts of Cs-137 is not very harmful. Very high
exposure can result in increased risk of cancer.
USES
In measuring instruments in the construction and other
industries; well logging devices in the drilling industry for
characterisation of rocks.
►GLOBAL CENTRE FOR NUCLEAR
ENERGY PARTNERSHIP (GCNEP)
• Government of India has approved the establishment of
Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) at
village Jasaur Kheri & Kheri Jasaur, near Bahadurgarh,
District Jhajjar, Haryana
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NUCLEAR SCIENCE
• GCNEP will help in capacity building, in association with the
interested countries and the IAEA, involving technology,
human resource development, education & training and
giving a momentum to R&D in enlisted areas.
►US TO SET UP 6 LIGHT WATER
REACTORS IN KOVVADA, ANDHRA
PRADESH
• India and USA have agreed to set up the long-pending 6
nuclear reactors in Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh.
• Under the agreement, the US Company Westinghouse
Electric will sell 6 AP-1000 nuclear reactors to India.
• The 6 x 1208 MWe reactors will be set up in Kovvada,
coastal town of Andhra Pradesh.
• AP-1000 reactors are light water reactors where fuel
used is U-235, ordinary water acts as both coolant and
moderator.
• The Westinghouse electric will only supply the nuclear
reactor technology and NPCIL will be responsible for
construction and operation of the plant.
34
SECTION 3

IOTECHNOLOGY
• DNA is a molecule that all living organisms carry in every • Chromosomes influence everything from a person’s
cell in their body. hair color to susceptibility to disease.
• DNA is a “code” that holds the detailed instructions for the • For example chromosome 1 contains the gene that
building of the organism. controls whether you’re susceptible to some forms of
• In humans, this information is laid out in long linear malaria while chromosome 16 has a gene that influences
strands of DNA in the nucleus. hair color.

• Rather than being one long DNA strand, we have DNA in • Some people have a missing chromosome, an extra
the form of many smaller, more manageable pieces, called chromosome, an inverted chromosome or any other
chromosomes. mutation, which can cause disorders.

• Humans have three billion base pairs divided into two

copies of 23 chromosomes (one from our mother and one
from our father) with six billion base pairs in every cell.

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 BIOTECHNOLOGY

►DNA PROFILING • Sequencing a gene is like reading a book one letter at a

time to look for any spelling mistakes.
• DNA profiling or DNA fingerprinting is creation of a
• Mapping out a person’s entire genetic code, or genome or
biometric database comprising DNA information of
in other words reading each of the 3 billion base pairs that
individuals.
make up a person’s genetic code is called genome
ESTABLISHING DNA PROFILES
sequencing.
• While DNA is unique to an individual’s genetic makeup, it is
• By creating a genome sequence we will be able to test
99.9% similar between all individuals within the human
specific genes to detect the presence of mutations
species.
associated with genetic disorders.
• The variable regions (0.1%) also called Variable Number of
• Within the next few years, experts expect the turnaround
Tandem Repeats (VNTR) that are unique to individual’s
time to improve and the cost to drop so much that
DNA constitute the DNA profile of that individual.
analyzing a person’s genome will be no more expensive
• The DNA profile of an individual varies in some regions in than zeroing in on just one gene.
terms of the number of times a sequence of nucleotide
base pairs is repeated.
• Thus by counting the number of times these base-pair
sequences are repeated in these variable regions a DNA
profile of an individual is established.
APPLICATION
• To establish the identity of persons.
• Helps in determining biological relationships to establish
parentage, viability of organ transplantation etc.
HOW DO GENES WORK?
• Every cell in an organism contains all of the information
needed to manufacture every protein in its body.
• The genes in strands of DNA are a storehouse of
information, an instruction book.
• The genes that an organism carries for a particular trait is
its genotype and the physical manifestation of the
instructions are the organism’s phenotype.
• Further a gene (a sequence of bases in a section of DNA)
affect the phenotype in two main steps.
• Transcription, in which a copy of a gene’s base sequence is
made, and
• Translation, in which that copy is used to direct the NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING
production of a protein.
• Next-generation sequencing simply refers to DNA
• In transcription, the gene’s base sequence or code is sequencing techniques that decode multiple DNA
copied into a middleman molecule called messenger RNA fragments at the same time in an automated process.
(mRNA).
• As a result next-generation sequencing procedures are
• In translation, the mRNA moves out of the nucleus and fast, accurate, automated and cheap.
into the cytoplasm of the cell, where the messages
encoded in the mRNA molecules are used to build proteins
►GENE THERAPY
WHAT IS GENOME SEQUENCING?
• Gene therapy involves removal of defective stem cells
• The full set of DNA present in an individual organism is
from the patient’s bone marrow.
called its genome.
• The stem cells so removed are genetically modified for
• DNA sequencing is a procedure for determining the linear
correction.
order of nucleotide bases in DNA.

36
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 BIOTECHNOLOGY
• The genetically modified cells are infused back in the bone • Undifferentiated cells are those that have the potential
marrow using a virus vector. to develop into many different types of cells like those in
• The corrected stem cells in the bone marrow develop muscles, kidney, liver etc.
healthy blood cells. • Stem cells are basically these undifferentiated,
primitive cells.
►MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND • Further Stem cells are of two types, Embryonic and
NUCLEAR DNA Adult/Somatic stem cells.

• The DNA we have been referring to is the DNA that is

present in the nucleus.
• In addition to DNA in the nucleus, some DNA is also
present in the mitochondria.
• During fertilization it the nuclear DNA (with 46
chromosomes) that is formed where 23 chromosomes is
inherited from the mother and 23 from the dad.
• Mitochondrial DNA only has one chromosome and it codes
for only specific proteins responsible for metabolism.
• It is the nuclear DNA that is responsible for inheritance
(from both father and mother).
• Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother and
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMBRYONIC AND ADULT/SOMATIC
thus it is more effective to trace human ancestry.
STEM CELLS

►THREE PARENT BABY TECHNIQUE Embryonic stem cells are Somatic stem cells or
derived from embryos. adult stem cells are
• Apart from receiving the usual “nuclear” DNA from its
They are totipotent in that undifferentiated cells
mother and father, the embryo would also include a small
they can be differentiated present in differentiated
amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from a woman
into most of the cell types. cells in a tissue or organ.
donor.
• This is resorted to when the actual mother is suffering They can produce a clone They help in repair and
from an incurable mitochondrial disease. of the entire organism. maintenance of specific
• This technique involves removing the faulty mitochondrial tissue or organ where they
DNA from the actual mother and nucleus form the are present.
mother’s egg and the resultant egg fertilizes with the
sperm cell of the father outside the body (in-vitro). INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS (IPS CELLS) AND
THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

• iPS are adult stem cells are adult stem cells, like in
►STEM CELLS
umbilical cord cells or bone marrow cells, that can be
• The most basic unit of any organism is a cell. induced to show properties of stem cells.
• It is the smallest unit of life that can function • They are mostly use in therapeutic cloning to treat
independently and perform all the necessary functions of degenerative diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s,
life. Alzhiemers etc.
• Cells develop to form tissues which in turn develop to form • They are created by stimulating mature, already
organs. specialised cells back into a juvenile state without the need
• Broadly speaking, cells are of two types, differentiated and for an embryo.
undifferentiated. • These can be derived from the patient themselves, making
• Differentiated cells are the building blocks of tissues and them less likely to be rejected.
organs and are specialised to from that tissue or organ.

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 BIOTECHNOLOGY
• The cells can be transformed into a range of different ►GENE EDITING
types of cells, and their use is a key sector of medical
• Gene Editing is the process of disabling faulty
research.
genes, correct the harmful mutation, insert a missing gene
• Further owing to ethical issues embryonic cells are banned
or change the activity of specific genes in living organisms.
in countries such as Ireland and in Latin America.

• Therefore use of iPS cells in therapeutic cloning is rather

significant.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STEM CELL THERAPIES

• Currently available therapies for Parkinson’s disease treat

symptoms without slowing or halting the disease
progression.
APPLICATIONS
• On the other hand, the new research aims to actively
reverse the disease. • Treating genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell
anaemia and muscular dystrophy.

• Gene editing is widely used to modify immune cells to

fight cancer, increase resistance in HIV cases.

• It can be used correct defective genes in human embryos

and prevent inheritance of genetic disorders

• Gene editing techniques are faster, cheaper and more

precise than conventional techniques in genetic
modification of crops.

• Further gene editing techniques are extremely helpful in

gene therapies including building of new diagnostic tools,
drugs, organ transplantations etc.

IN-VIVO GENE EDITING

• Recently gene editing was carried out inside the human
body (in-vivo) for the 1st time to treat Hunter’s syndrome.
GROWING HUMAN ORGANS IN ANIMAL BODY
• The zinc finger nucleases (ZNF) technique was used to
• Recently Japanese researchers have successfully
insert the corrective gene in the DNA of the patient
developed functional mouse kidneys inside rats using stem
through Intravenous therapy (IV).
cells.

• In the 1 st step, CRISPR/Cas9 technique was used to

CrispR Cas9
genetically silence rat embryos so that the rats did not • It is the revolutionary gene editing technique.
grow kidney on their own.
• Short for “clustered regularly interspaced short
• Then the genetically modified blastocysts (clusters of cells palindromic repeats”.
formed after egg fertilization), of the rat embryo were
• CRISPR uses an enzyme called Cas9 to cut strands of DNA
inserted with pluripotent stem cells from mice.
at precisely targeted locations and insert new genetic
• The altered rat embryo was then implanted back into rat material into the gap.
wombs to continue fertilization.
• CrispR is a replica of the natural process when a virus
• The stem cells then differentiated to form the missing infects a bacterium.
kidney in the rats that was functional.
• The bacterium has evolved the CRISPR/Cas9 system
• This could be replicated in Humans. adaptive immune system.

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►GENE DRIVE TECHNOLOGY
• In a breakthrough in the global fight for malaria, scientists
have wiped out an entire population of malaria-carrying
mosquitoes in lab conditions using a CRiSPR gene drive
technology.
• Gene drive technology is a genetic engineering technology
that can permanently change the traits of a population or
even an entire species.
• Gene drives are genetic elements that pass from parents
to unusually high numbers of their offspring, thereby
spreading quickly.
• Gene drives occur naturally but can also be engineered.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
• The gene drive technology is basically designed to
introduce a genetic tweak in the population of a species by
altering the rules of inheritance from parent to
offspring.
• Firstly using CRiSPR gene editing tool, a gene called
‘doublesex’ in female mosquitoes is disrupted.
• This genetic tweak of double-sex gene follows gene drive
inheritance.
• Here the gene drive inheritance makes the female
mosquitoes inherit two copies of the disrupted gene.
• When the female mosquitoes inherit two copies of the
disrupted gene, they develop like males and are unable to
bite or lay eggs.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
BIOTECHNOLOGY
►GM CROPS
• Transgenic (GM) plants are those that have been
genetically modified using recombinant DNA technology.
• Genetic modification is done to confer a particular trait to
the plant with one of the following properties
• Increased yield of a crop
• Increased nutritional content of a crop
• Developing resistance to
o Abiotic stresses like temperature, salinity or herbicide-
resistant
o Biotic stresses like insect-resistant crops.
• BT cotton is the only genetically modified crop that is
commercially allowed in India from 2002.
►REGULATION OF GMO IN INDIA
• Genetically modified organisms and the products thereof
are regulated under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• India is also a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety.
• India adopted biosafety rules under EPA in 1989 called
Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export & storage
of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered
organisms or cells.
• Accordingly Genetic Technology, Genetic Engineering
including gene editing and gene drives are regulated under
EPA in India.
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES
• GM Crops – Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
under MoEF is the final approval authority for
environmental release of GM crops in India including
confined field trials. It also includes approval for
commercial cultivation of GM crops.
• GM Food – Food Safety and Standards Authority of
India regulates manufacture, storage, distribution, sale
and import GM food.
39

BT COTTON
• BT cotton is the only genetically modified crop that is
commercially allowed in India from 2002.
• BT cotton grown in India is genetically modified for
developing resistance to the pink bollworm pest in the
crop.
• This is done by inserting ‘Cry1Ab’ and ‘Cry2Bc’ genes from
the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), into the
cotton seed.
HTBT COTTON
• Short for Herbicide Resistant Bt Cotton
• The cotton seed is inserted with ‘Cp4-Epsps’ gene from soil
bacterium, Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This produces a
modified protein glyphosate which makes it herbicide-
resistant.
• It is not allowed to be cultivated in India.
Bt BRINJAL
• Bt brinjal is genetically engineered by inserting a gene
from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis for its
insecticidal property.
• The gene disrupts the digestive system of the insect that
feeds on the crop, thus killing the insect.
• Since 2010 there is an indefinite moratorium on
commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal in India.
MISCELLANEOUS
►NATIONAL STEM CELL REGISTRY
• India is developing a National Stem Cell Registry of its own.
• It is a government managed database of unrelated bone-
marrow donors.
• Main aim is to find matching donors for treating patients
with blood-related disorders such as
o blood cancers (lymphoma, leukemia)
o thalassaemia,
o sickle-cell anaemia,
o haemophilia
• The registration to the database is voluntary.
IMPORTANCE
• About 3.5-5Lakh people in India suffer from blood-related
disorders like thalassaemia which require frequent blood
transfusions. The only cure for blood related disorders is
bone-marrow transplantation.
• Matching Donors
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
BIOTECHNOLOGY
• For bone-marrow transplantation, the donor and patient
should have exactly the same white blood cell type.
• Siblings usually have the exact match and thus suitable for
bone-marrow transplantations.
• Thus matching donors is extremely low and the database
will help connect unrelated matching donors
►BIOBANK
• Biobank is a repository that accepts, processes, stores and
distributes biospecimens and related data for academic
and clinical uses. Starting with small laboratory based
biobanks catering to the research needs of specific
projects; the field of Biobanking is flourishing
tremendously in the recent years.
• Large scale biorepositories have been created in order to
collect, analyze and store phenotypic and genetic
information of representative samples from around the
globe.
• Current age biobanks are government supported
commercial, population based and virtual. Virtual biobanks
are electronic databases that help investigators to locate
biospecimens and data mining from multiple biobanks.
• Biospecimen can include anything such as DNA, RNA,
tissue, cell lines, proteins, phenotypes, from healthy or
diseased individuals etc.
BIOBANKS IN INDIA
• ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources,
Haryana
• ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Pusa
• ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow
• ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important
Microorganisms, Uttar Pradesh
• ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources,
Bengaluru
• National Centre For Cell Science, Pune
• Tata Translational Cancer Research Centre Biobank,
Kolkata
• National Cancer Tissue Biobank, IIT Madras
• Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education
in Cancer, Mumbai
• CSIR- Institute of Microbial Technology
• National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences,
Bengaluru
• National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other
Mycobacterial Diseases
40

►MITOCHONDRIAL EVE
• In human genetics, Mitochondrial Eve is the matrilineal
most recent common ancestor for all living humans ie the
most recent woman from whom all living humans descend
in an unbroken line purely through their mothers and
through the mothers of those mothers, back until all lines
converge on one woman.
• The male analog of the Matrilineal Eve is
chromosome ADAM, the individual from whom all living
humans are patrilineally descended.
• Scientists in 2019, traced the mitochondrial eve to
Makgadikgadi paleowetland in Kalahari desert.
►MANAV: HUMAN ATLAS INITIATIVE
• Launched by Department of Biotechnology
• It is a project to construct a comprehensive map of every
tissue of the human body.
• It seeks to capture human physiology at the tissue level in
natural and diseased state.
OBJECTIVES
• To provide better biological insights of human physiology
• To understand the roles of tissues and cells linked to
various diseases.
• Develop disease models through predictive computing
• Drug discovery
►GENOME INDIA PROJECT
• It is a project to carry out whole-genome sequencing of
Indian.
• Also called ‘Bioscience Mission for Precision Health and
Optimal Well-being’
• It is aimed at studying the diversity of Indians and its
impact on lifestyle, environment and genes that is
inherited.
• It will help in development of personalized medicines.
• The initiative will involve large number of India from
various geographies, caste, tribal and linguistic groups.
• The Genome Sequencing will be a combined initiative of
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of
Health Research, Department of Biotechnology
• The initiative will include sequencing genomes and link it
to human health disease as a research initiative.
IMPORTANT GENOME SEQUENCING EFFORTS
• UK - Genomics England
• Australia- 100,000 Genomes Project
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
BIOTECHNOLOGY
• South and South-East Asia including 50000 Indians -
GenomeAsia100K
►INDIGEN INITIATIVE
• ‘IndiGen’ is the 1st of its kind whole genome sequencing of
Indians.
• Under the initiative, genome sequencing of 1000 odd
the Y- representatives of all states and ethnicities
• It was carried out by CSIR to accelerate the study of
genomics in India.
• ‘Indigen’ is precursor to Genome India project under
Bioscience Mission for Precision Health and Optimal Well-
being of Department of Biotechnology.
• ‘Indigen’ initiative will go a long way in development of
precision medicine, personalized medicine for various
diseases and increase awareness of genetic disorders in
India.
►HUMAN MICROBIOME PROJECT
• The project mainly aims to characterize the human
microbiome and to assess how this core microbiome
changes during disease.
• The project will include collection of saliva, stool and skin
swabs of 20,000 Indians across various ethnic groups from
different geographical regions.
• The project will help us to understand the impact of the
human microbiome on human health and disease which
range from neo-natal health, gastro-intestinal disorders,
rheumatoid arthritis, diseases associated with skin, lung,
liver, urogenital tract, neurological disorders, cancer to
lifestyle associated diseases like obesity and diabetes.
►HUMAN PROTEOME PROJECT
• International collaboration organized by the Human
Proteome Organization (HUPO)
• Aims to map the entire human proteome.(map of the
protein based molecular architecture of the human body.)
• Will enhance understanding of human biology at the
cellular level
• Thus it helps in development of diagnostic, prognostic,
therapeutic, and preventive medical applications
►PROTEOMICS
It is the study of entire set of proteins that is produced or
modified by an organism or system.
41
 BIOTECHNOLOGY
APPLICATION • An alternative to hard drives storage system is progressing
• Identification of potential new drugs for the treatment of in the form of DNA-based data storage.
diseases • DNA—which consists of long chains of the nucleotides A, T,
• In plant used for studying plant-insect interactions and C and G—is life’s information-storage material.
develop pest-resistant solutions. • Data can be stored in the sequence of these letters,
turning DNA into a new form of information technology.

►BIONICS • It is already routinely sequenced (read), synthesized

(written to) and accurately copied with ease. Currently 16
It refers to design and development of technology inspired by
GB of text from Wikipedia has been encoded into synthetic
biological methods.
DNA.
APPLICATION
• Medicine: Bionic organs like bionic ear, bionic nose, bionic
►DNA OF THINGS (DOT)
eye, silicon retina, artificial heart, bionic hand etc.
• DoT encodes digital data into DNA molecules, which are
• Robotics: Robots are often designed inspired from
then embedded into objects.
biological processes.
• While Internet of things is a system of inter-connected
computing devices, DoT creates objects which are
►ARTIFICIAL BLOOD independent storage objects.
• Substitute for red blood cells
• Designed for the sole purpose of transporting oxygen and ►NATIONAL GENOMIC GRID
carbon dioxide throughout the body.
• It will collect samples from cancer patients, through a
• Produced though synthetic production, chemical isolation,
network of pan-India collection centres by bringing all
or recombinant biochemical technology. cancer treatment institutions on board.
LIMITATION • This research is carried out through the technique of
• It performs the function of RBC only and not of white Genome Sequencing.
cells, platelets, and plasma. • NGG will help to study genomic factors influencing cancer
• Lab-cultured Meat/ Transgenic Meat and identifying the right treatment modalities for the
Indian population.The grid to be formed will be in line with
►BIOINFORMATICS the National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) set up at the
Indian Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
Use of data processing for better understanding of
• National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB), is a joint
biological data.
initiative of the Department of Science and Technology
APPLICATION
(DST), Government of India and Indian Institute of
• Image and signal processing Technology, Madras.
• DNA sequencing • The biobank collects cancer tissue samples with
consent from patients diagnosed with cancer.
►BIO-COMPUTING • The aim is to provide researchers with high quality of
• Biocomputing uses molecular biology parts as the cancer tissues and the patient data in order to facilitate
hardware to implement computational devices. cancer research that will lead to improvements in cancer
diagnosis and treatment.
• By following pre-defined rules, often hard-coded into
biological systems, these devices are able to process
inputs and return outputs—thus computing information. ►INDIA’S BRAIN MAP
• National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) is preparing an
►DNA DATA STORAGE Indian Brain Template (IBT).

• Use of DNA to store data as an alternate data storage to • It is one-of-its-kind database of brain templates.
binary data storage. • Brain templates are MRI images that provide anatomical
• Encoding and decoding binary data to and from information of human brains.
synthesized strands of DNA.

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• The IBT is funded by the Department of Science and
Technology.
APPLICATIONS
• It will help analyse the contribution of aging
degeneration of some key regions of the brain.
• It will help predict Alzheimer’s disease and other mental
disorders.
• Diagnosis, treatment and development of medicines.
• Brain templates can help in Artificial Intelligence to
accelerate future computing and build supercomputers
and robots of the future
►EARTH BIO-GENOME PROJECT
• International collaboration to sequence and digitize the
genomes of every eukaryotic biodiversity on Earth over a
period of 10 years.
• It is an open-source DNA database.
APPLICATION
Planning environmental conservation initiatives.
ISSUE
May lead to digital bio-piracy (because it is open-source)
which is against the principle of Nagoya protocol to
convention of Biodiversity that requires sharing of benefits
with the local communities
►IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND
FROZEN EMBRYOS
• In case of sexual reproduction, the beginning of
development of an offspring is fertilization of male and
female gametes into zygote (a fertilized egg or embryo).
• The zygote (embryo) is then implanted into the uterus
where it develops into full-fledged organism in various
stages.
• From the day of fertilization (union of male and female
gamete) up till 8 weeks the undeveloped zygote is called
embryo.
INFERTILITY
• Infertility may occur due to various reasons
• Insufficient production of sperm for zygote formation
• Insufficient production of oocyte
• Failure to implant embryo into uterus
IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION
• One way of assisted reproductive technology is IVF
• In in-vitro fertilization, the fertilization of egg occurs
externally outside the body.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
BIOTECHNOLOGY
• The externally developed fertilized zygote or embryo is
then implanted inside the uterus of the mother for full-
fledged development into human.
in FROZEN EMBRYOS
• The embryos so developed in-vitro are sometimes frozen
and stored for future use.
• The embryos are generally stored in liquid nitrogen or
nitrogen vapour at a temperature below -190°C.
REASONS FOR STORING EMBRYOS
• Some couples store embryos for conceiving at a later date.
(Implanting in the uterus)
• In-vitro fertilization is done choosing desirable gametes.
(say a male European gamete)
• Patients with terminal illness like cancer may store
gametes or even embryos before they undergo a radiation
therapy.
• Couples may store frozen embryos to continue in-vitro
fertilization in countries where IVF procedures are cheaper
and cost effective like in India.
• Further some couples may choose to store frozen embryos
in order to continue the IVF procedure in countries where
commercial surrogacy is allowed.
IMPORT OF FROZEN EMBRYOS
• India has emerged as the surrogacy hub of the world since
2002.
• There has been rampant misuse of frozen embryos
leading to illegal surrogacy in India because of the low cost
of IVF procedure here.
• Until 2015, import of frozen embryos or gametes was
allowed in India subject to a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
LAW GOVERNING IMPORT OF EMBRYOS IN INDIA
• In order to stop this practice, commercial surrogacy was
banned in India when the parliament passed the
Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 recently.
• Further import of human embryo is “prohibited” except for
research purposes from 2015.
►DESIGNER BABIES
• It refers to a baby that has been given special traits
through genetic engineering.
• This is done by altering the genes of the egg, sperm, or the
embryo.
43

►1ST GENE-EDITED BABIES: LULU AND
NANA
• In 2018 a Chinese doctor for the 1st time performed gene
editing on the embryonic stem cell using CrispR technique.
• The CRISPR technique was used to modify the CCR5 gene
on the embryonic cells of the couples to make them
resistant to the HIV virus.
• One of the couples subsequently gave birth to twins – Lulu
and Nana.
• However CCR5 gene is not just associated with HIV, it may
also play an important role in the inflammatory response
and in cognitive function.
►SYNTHETIC MEAT
• Clean meat or synthetic meat or lab-grown meat is a term
used for transgenic meat prepared ex-vivo in the
laboratory.
• The stem cells taken out of the body of the animals are
cultured in a petri dish giving rise to cell-based cultured
meat.
ADVANTAGES
• Nutrition: Clean meat is equivalent to its conventional
counterpart in terms of nutrition, taste, smell and texture.
• Animal welfare: Because of the difference in production
technique, clean meat can end animal slaughter and thus
ensure animal welfare.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
BIOTECHNOLOGY
• Reduces carbon foot print: Clean meat requires far less
resources compared to animal rearing including land,
water, fodder etc and thus reducing carbon footprint
• Fight anti-biotic resistance: Clean meat can completely
ward of rampant use of anti-biotics used in animal rearing
and thus help fight antibiotic resistance.
• Fortification of food: Lab-cultured meat can further be
genetically modified to augment its nutritional content and
thus help in food fortification.
• Waste management: Clean meat eliminates the need for
waste management that is a major area of concern in
slaughter houses.
• Food security: Clean meat is potential solution for
nutritional security of population.
• Fight Climate change: By significantly reducing methane
emissions in animal rearing, clean meat can alleviate
climate change to some extent.
• Sustainable food systems: By creating a source for
affordable proteins, clean meat holds potential for
sustainable food system.
►CLEAN MEAT PROJECT
• 1st ever project for research on clean meat in India.
• The Clean Meat project will be taken up by CCMB and
National Research Centre on Meat of ICAR.
• Lab-cultured meat can further be genetically modified to
augment its nutritional content and thus help in food
fortification
44
SECTION 4
EFENCE

ECHNOLOGY
CRUISE MISSILE BALLISTIC MISSILE
A cruise missile is guided towards a preset land-based
target using a navigation system.
Cruise missiles are known for low altitude flight and
high mobility and hence the name.
Cruise missile have short ranges of 300 to 1000 km
• Brahmos – 290 to 450 km
• Nirbhay – 700 to 1000
Easy to intercept because of high terminal speeds.
High precision due to navigation system
Cheaper and thus suitable for firing conventional
warheads
A ballistic missile is generally a projectile shot up in the
atmosphere.
Ballistic missiles are launched outside the atmosphere where
its warheads detach and hit the target (uses gravity of earth and
thus traces a parabolic path and hence the name)
Ballistic missiles have long ranges upto 1000 km (ICBMs)
• Agni V – 5000 km
Difficult to intercept due to high terminal speeds of 5000 m/s
Low precision
Expensive and thus suitable for firing nuclear warheads.

BALLISTIC MISSILES  SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILES

SHORT-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE

NAME CHARACTERISTICS

PRITHVI-I
Short range surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile
Range : 150 KM; Weapon Payload: 1000 kg

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

PRITHVI-II
Airforce Version
Range : 350 KM; Weapon Payload: 500 Kg

PRITHVI-III
Range : 350 KM; Weapon Payload: 1000 kg

DHANUSH
Naval Version of Prithvi I and Prithvi II class missiles
Range : 350 KM; Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg

SHAURYA • Hypersonic Canister-launched

Range : 600-700 KM; Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg • Both conventional and nuclear warheads

• To replace Prithvi I
PRAHAAR
• Weapons: High explosives, cluster munition, strategic nuclear
Range :150 KM; Weapon Payload: 250 Kg weapon

AGNI-I • Single stage solid fuelled

Range : 700–900 km; Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg • Nuclear capable missile

INTERMEDIATE-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE

NAME CHARACTERISTICS

AGNI-II (Range: 2000-3000 Km; Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg) Two and a half stage, solid fuelled missile with

AGNI-III (Range: 3200 Km; Weapon Payload: 2000-2500 Kg) 2-stage solid propulsion system

2-stage
AGNI-IV (Range: 3500 Km; Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg)
missile powered by solid propellant

INTER-CONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE

NAME CHARACTERISTICS

3-10 Multiple

Independent Targetable
AGNI-V
Reentry Vehicle (MIRV)
(Range: 5000 Km; Weapon Payload: 1500 Kg)
warheads

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

AGNI-VI
(Range: 8,000–10,000 km (Under development); 10 MIRV warheads
Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg)

SURYA
(Range: 10,000 km (Under development); Weapon 10 MIRV warheads
Payload: 3000 Kg)

SUBMARINE-LAUNCHED BALLISTIC MISSILE

NAME CHARACTERISTICS

• Replica of land based Shaurya Missile.

K-15  SAGARIKA • K-15 Missile gets help from Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
Range: 750 km; Weapon Payload: 500 Kg System.
• The K-series missiles are much faster than Agni Missiles

• Nuclear-capable underwater missile

• Meant for Arihant class submarines.
K-4
• It is a solid-fuelled missile launched underwater capable of
Range: 3500 Km; Weapon Payload: 1000 Kg withstanding 50N of water pressure.
• Submarine version of Agni 3. (Agni 3 – 17 m K-4 – 10 m)

K5 (UNDER DEVELOPMENT)
Range: 5000 Km

K6 (UNDER DEVELOPMENT)
Range: 6000 Km

 SURFACE-TO-AIR (SHORT-RANGE) MISSILES

NAME CHARACTERISTICS

TRISHUL
Range: 9-12 Km; Weapon Short range low-level surface-to-air missile
Payload: 5 Kg

• Supersonic speed: Mach 2.5.

• Medium range surface-to-air missile
AKASH
• Part of Air-defence system
Range: 30 Km;
• It can simultaneously engage multiple targets in Group Mode or Autonomous Mode.
Weapon Payload: 50 Kg
• It has built in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features.
• Indigenous seeker technology.

• Developed by DRDO in collaboration with BEL and Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

MAITRI (QRSAM)
• Most effective in combating low flying Aerial targets faced by forward tactical battlefield area
Range: 25–30 km; formations like
Weapon Payload: 10 Kg o Attack helicopters

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
o UAVs
o Armed drones
o Sub-sonic Cruise missiles
• QRSAM is part of India’s air defense system.
• Capable of striking targets on-the-move.
• It can strike targets at various altitudes from 30m to 6km.
• It has a speed of 700-800 meters per second
• RF seeker (Radio Frequency) as a part of terminal guidance to hit the target.
• It has a truck-mounted canister.
• It is capable of multiple-target engagement.
• It is light-weight, has high-mobility and shorter-reaction time compared to Akash Air Defence
Surface-to-Air Missiles.
• It is equipped with electronic counter measures against the aircraft jammers to deceive enemy
radar.

REVATI
Range: 25–30 km; (Naval-Version of Maitri)

Weapon Payload: 10 Kg

ROHINI
Range: 25–30 km; (Airforce-Version of Maitri)

Weapon Payload: 10 Kg

BARAK-8 • Indian-Israeli Medium Range Surface-to-Air-Missile

Range: 70-100 Km; • Part of naval air defence system To be used aboard INS Vikrant (under construction)

Weapon Payload: 60 Kg • maximum speed of Mach 2

• Russia’s Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORAD)

• Man-Portable Shoulder launched Air Defence System
IGLA-S
• It can aim at enemy targets using
Range: Maximum range • Infrared signature
of 6 km, altitude of 3 km
• Laser targeting
• Remote-controlled targeting

 AIR-TO-AIR MISSILE
NAME CHARACTERISTICS

• It is a BvRAAM (Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile).

• 1st air to air missile developed by India.

ASTRA
• Capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes.

• Both short range targets at a distance of 20 km and long range targets up to a distance of 80-110 km.

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

 ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE

NAME CHARACTERISTICS
rd
• 3 generation anti-tank missile, best in its class for Indian conditions.
• Fire and forget capability.
• Imaging Infrared(IIR) guidance with day and night capability
NAG
• Weight - 48 Kg and therefore fired from a BMP-2 vehicle called Namica(Nag Missile Carrier)
Range: 3-7 Km;
DIFFERENT VARIANTS
Weapon Payload: 8 kg
1. Mounted on an infantry combat vehicle: NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier)
2. Man Portable shoulder carried
3. HeliNa: (Helicopter-launched Nag) Rudra Helicopter, Dhruv and LCH.

HELINA
Range: 7 Km; Helicopter-launched Nag

Weapon Payload: 8 Kg

• Israeli 4th generation anti-tank guided missile.

• Fire-and-forget capability
• Available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants.
SPIKE • Change the target mid-flight as a result of dual-seeker.
• Kill-probability of 95%
• Better than Nag because Nag is facing seeker issues especially if the temperature of the
target is high.

MILAN • It is anti tank guided missile for the Army. To be acquired from France.

SPICE 2000 • Israeli guided bombs for Indian Air Force.

Telegram Channel
CRUISE MISSILES https://t.me/visionpt3652019
NAME CHARACTERISTICS

• 1st indigenously developed long range cruise missile flying at low altitudes.
• It is will arm the army, the navy and the air force.
NIRBHAY:
• Speed: Subsonic speeds of 0.7 mach. (speed of sound)
SUBSONIC CRUISE
• Can fly at tree-top altitudes as low as 10 m. (now tested for 5 m).
MISSILE • As a result, it has terrain-hugging capability and sea-skimming capability and thus go
Long Range: 750-1000 Km; undetected by enemy radars.
Weapon Payload: 500 Kg • Capable of delivering nuclear warheads of 200-300 kg.
• 2-stage solid fuelled cruise missile.

• Joint venture missile between India and Russia.

BRAHMOS:
• Speed: Top speed of 2.8 Mach (speed of sound).
SUPERSONIC
• Range: After India became a full member to MTCR export control regime, the range of
CRUISE MISSILE BrahMos has increased from 300km to 450km.
Range: 290 Km; Weapon • Fire and forget principle of operation
Payload: 300 kg • Capable of being launched from land, water and air.

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
BrahMos NG
Low weight Air-launched version capable of being carried by Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas LCA

BRAHMOS II:
HYPERSONIC • 6 Mach
Range: 290 Km; Weapon
Payload: 300 Kg

• Note: USA is offering THAAD and Patriot as alternative to

INDIA’S MISSILE DEFENCE S-400 to India.

SYSTEMS ADDITIONAL
Iron Dome: Israeli SHORT-RANGE AIR DEFENSE
►BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE
SYSTEM ►BARAK-8 LONG AND MEDIUM RANGE
• 2-tier missile defence system SAM
• Aimed at intercepting aerial threat from ballistic missiles
• Medium-range surface-to-air missile system being
that have ranges upto 5000km at altitudes both outside
developed jointly by India and Isreal.
(exo) and inside (endo) the atmosphere
• It will have an interception range of 70-100 km.
• 1st layer: Endo
• Part of naval air defence system To be used aboard INS
o The single stage solid rocket-propelled Advanced Air
Vikrant (under construction)
Defence (AAD) low-altitude interceptor missile.
• Maximum speed of Mach 2
(Ashwin)
o The AAD interceptor missile is primarily designed to
intercept enemy missiles in the endo-atmosphere at ►AKASH MEDIUM-RANGE SURFACE
altitudes of 20-40 kilometers. TO AIR MISSILE SYSTEM
• 2nd layer: Exo • India has 2 regiments of the indigenous Akash systems
o Prithvi Air Defense Vehicle known as Pradyumna Ballistic which are capable of multi-target engagement.
Missile Interceptor is designed to destroy missiles with • It can strike targets up to a range of 25km and altitude of
ranges 300-2000 km at exo-atmosphere (about 80km 18,000m.
altitude).
o For higher altitudes upto 150 km, Agni-V-based ballistic ►MULTI-LAYERED AIR DEFENCE
interceptors would be used. (because of 5000km range)
SYSTEM FOR DELHI
►MULTI-LAYERED AIR DEFENCE • India is developing a multi-layered air defence system for
its cities besides air defence system for tactical battle
SYSTEM: S-400 areas.
ALTERNATIVES: THAAD AND PATRIOT • 1st layer: 2-tier Ballistic Missile Defence System
• India has signed a deal with Russia to acquire S-400 Triumf • 2nd Layer: S-400 layered defence system
multi-layered air defence system.
• 3rd Layer: Barak-8 long and medium range SAM
• S-400 is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range
• 4th Layer: Akash medium-range surface to air missile
surface-to-air missile defence system.
system
• S-400 layered defence system can intercept all types of
• 5th Layer: NASAMS-2
aerial targets including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAV), and ballistic and cruise missiles up to the range of
400km, at an altitude of up to 30km ►NASAMS-2
• Capable of firing three types of missiles to create a layered • India is acquiring NASAMS-2 from US.
defence.

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RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020

• NASAMS 2 will form the inner-most layer of Delhi Area Air
Defence Plan that has been conceived of.
• It will be deployed to protect vital assets and people in the
National Capital region of Delhi including President's
house, Parliament etc.
• It renders quick-reaction 3-dimensional protection at low
altitudes of 5 km to various types of aerial threats ranging
from drones to ballistic missiles.
FEATURES
• 12 multi-missile launchers to launch both advanced
medium-range air-to-air missiles AMRAAMs and Stinger
surface-air-missiles
• Sentinel X-band 3D radars
• 4 Fire distribution centres
• Advanced electro-optical/infrared sensor system vehicles.
HYPERSONIC MISSILES
• Travels at Mach 5 or higher (more than one mile per
second)
• They typically consist of a Supersonic Combustion Ramjet
or Scramjet propulsion system to enable such high speeds.
• Scramjet engine collects oxygen from the atmosphere as it
is travelling and mixes the oxygen with its hydrogen fuel,
creating the combustion needed for hypersonic travel.
• India is developing a Hypersonic Technology
Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) its Artillery Rationalisation Programme
• It is an unmanned scramjet (allowing supersonic
combustion) demonstration vehicle that can cruise to a
speed of mach 6 (or six times the speed of sound) and rise
up to an altitude of 32 km in 20 seconds. It has been
developed by DRDO.
• There are 2 types of Hypersonic Weapon Delivery Systems
1. Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCM)
2. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV)
SIGNIFICANCE
• They are a mix of the speed of a ballistic missile and
maneouvering capabilities of a cruise missile
• While cruise missiles achieve speeds of 550 mile per hour,
the hypersonic missiles aircrafts can reach speeds more
than 3500 miles per hour.
• Capable of penetrating any antimissile defence system
currently available that are designed to intercept cruise
and ballistic missiles.
• Specifically designed for increased survivalibility against
modern ballistic missile defence systems.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
IMPORTANT HYPERSONIC MISSILES
Only USA, Russia and China have hypersonic missiles
AVANGARD
• Russia’s nuclear capable, hypersonic boost glide vehicle.
• Capable of hitting target in excess of 6000 km
• Can travel at a speed of 20 Mach (20 times the speed of
sound).
KINZHAL
• Russia’s nuclear capable air launched ballistic missile.
• It has a range of more than 2000 km.
• Can travel at speeds of 10 Mach.
STARRY SKY 2 HYPERSONIC
AIRCRAFT
China's first hypersonic aircraft with a waverider technology.
It is known as waverider for its ability to ride on the shock
waves it generates.
DONGFENG MISSILES
China’s Hypersonic Missile systems
ARTILLERY WEAPON
SYSTEM OF INDIA
• In the aftermath of the Kargil War of 1999 India announced
• India has a 2-front porous border of 7000-odd kms and
4000-odd kms with China and Pakistan respectively.
• The operational requirement to fight a 2-front war is 3000-
odd artillery guns in addition to aerial weapons, precision-
guided weapons, multi-barrel rocket launches etc.
• The categories of artillery systems include
o Long-range guns of towed variety
o Self-propelled guns mounted on a high-mobility vehicle
(K9 Vajra)
o Light howitzers for difficult mountainous terrains.
(M777 howitzers)
►DHANUSH
st
• 1 indigenously produced long-range artillery gun.
• The 155mm 45 caliber long-range artillery gun
• 2 varieties
o Towed-variety
o Self-propelled mounted gun system variety
• 6-round magazine.
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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
• Capable of firing 60 rounds in 60 minutes.
►INFANTRY WEAPON
• Maximum firing range of 38 km in the plain areas
SYSTEM OF INDIA
►K9 VAJRA T GUNS The infantry weapon system constitutes
• South Korean long-range artillery gun in the self-propelled 1. Assault rifles
mounted gun category.
2. Carbines
• It has a range of 28-38 km. 3. Light Machine Guns
• 155-mm, 52-calibre • India is trying to modernize its infantry weapon system
• 1st ever-artillery gun that will be manufactured by private which includes acquisition of 7 lakh assault rifles, 44,000
sector in India with L & T India manufacturing 90 of them. light machine guns and 44,600 carbines.
• Capable of ‘burst firing’ meaning which it can fire 3 rounds
in 30 seconds ►AK-203
• 3-generation upgraded modern variant of the AK-47
►M777 ULTRA LIGHT HOWITZERS assault rifle.

• 155-mm, 39-calibre towed medium artillery gun. • Light weight about 3.5 kg (as against 4.15 kg of INSAS)

• Maximum range of 30 km. • 7.62x39mm NATO grade ammunition (INSAS-5.56 mm)

• Light artillery guns with a weight of 4 tonnes • 30-round magazine

• Capable of being air lifted by Chinook helicopters. • It can fire at a rate of 600 bullets per minute
• Range: 500m on iron sight and 800m on 4X zoom.
• Thus M777 can be deployed in mountainous terrains
devoid of roads & tracks. • AK-203 has a high grade poly hand grip and pistol grip.
(AK-47 and INSAS has wooden grip)
• Adjustable foldable buttstock made of plastic and thus are
►SHARANG
easy to carry and transport.(buttstock is back of the rifle)
• Indigenous Artillery Gun
• Equipped with optical scopes, night vision scopes with
• 155 mm thermal infrared scopes, flash light, red dot laser etc.
• Range: Increased from 12 km to 39 km • Note: Will equip the infantry groups, paramilitary forces
and police forces in 15-20 years
►ADVANCED TOWED ARTILLERY GUN • India will be manufacturing AK203 at Korwa, Uttar Pradesh
in a JV with Russia.
SYSTEM
• 155mm, 52-calibre gun-howitzer.
►SIG SAUER 716 ASSAULT RIFLES
• It is capable of firing at both low angle like a gun and high
• Replacement for ageing INSAS Rifles
angle like a howitzer
• Range: 600m compared to requirement of 500 m range for
• Range: 45 Km
counter-insurgency operations.
• World’s only gun with a six-round automated magazine.
• Automatic rifles that are gas-operated i.e they use gas
• High “burst fire” capability in that it can fire six-round burst generated by a fired cartridge to fire other bullets.
in just 30 seconds. • Accurate, reliable thereby reducing fatigue of the ground
• Other features soldier
o all-electric drive • Note: SigSauer Assault Rifles are more advanced with
o high mobility greater fire-power will equip the frontline infantry troops
for counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations only
o quick deployability
at LOC.
o auxiliary power mode
o Automated command and control system ►CARBINES
o India’s Artillery Combat Command and Control System India is signing a deal with UAE for acquiring 93,895 Close
is named ‘SHAKTI’ Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines.

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
• INS Vagsheer - Being manufactured and assembled.
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS OF
• Significance
INDIAN NAVY • The submarines built under the project will be capable of
o Anti submarine warfare
►INS VIKRANT
st
o Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions
• 1 aircraft carrier of India
o Underwater mining operations
• It was decommissioned in 1997 after serving for 37 years.
• Note: While the first four submarines will be conventional,
the two will be equipped with the Air Independent
►INS VIRAAT Propulsion (AIP) system in order to stay underwater for
nd
• 2 and the longest serving aircraft carrier of India. longer duration
• It was recently decommissioned in 2017 after serving for • The air-independent propulsion system will enable the
56 years. (26 years as HMS Hermes and 30 as INS Vikrant) submarines to stay submerged for longer duration and
thus increase their operational range

►INS VIKRAMADITYA
• India and Russia signed $1.5 billion for the acquisition the  NUCLEAR-POWERED
warship INS Vikramaditya inducted to the Indian Navy in
SUBMARINES
2013.
Nuclear submarines can be classified in to 2 categories
• INS Vikramaditya is the only aircraft carrier of Indian Navy
namely SSN and SSBN
in operation.

►INS VIKRANT (IAC-1) ►SSN: (SUBMERSIBLE SHIP NUCLEAR)

st • SSNs are attack submarines
India’s 1 Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is set to be inducted to
Indian Navy by 2020. • They are propelled by nuclear power.
• They are capable of launching conventional weapons like
►INS VISHAL torpedoes and cruise missiles

The 65000 tonne Naval super carrier, INS Vishal on the lines
of HMS Elizabeth will be built by India. ►SSBN: (SUBMERSIBLE SHIP
BALLISTIC NUCLEAR)
SUBMARINE ARM OF INDIA • SSBNs are also propelled by nuclear power.
• They are usually equipped with nuclear weapons like
ballistic missiles.
 CONVENTIONAL SUBMARINES • Therefore they are usually used as deterrents and not as
OF INDIA attack submarines.

►PROJECT 75-I
 NUCLEAR-POWERED
• 6 Scorpene class submarines are being constructed with
Transfer of Technology from France SUBMARINE FLEET OF INDIA
• The 6 Scorpene class submarines will be the core of India’s  SSN FLEET
conventional attack submarine arm.
►CHAKRA-I
6 SUBMARINES OF PROJECT 75-I
1st nuclear-powered submarine to be inducted to Indian
• INS Kalavari – Inducted in 2017
Navy.
• INS Kandheri – To be inducted in May 2019
• INS Karanj - Under trials, to be inducted by end of 2019
►CHAKRA-II
• INS Vela – To be launched for trials in 2019 • 2nd nuclear submarine to be inducted into Indian Navy.

• INS Vagir – Being manufactured and assembled. • It was inducted in 2012

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
• It is an advanced version of Chakra I with following • Designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development
features Agency.

o It can displace twice the amount of water compared to
Chakra I, thereby higher operating depths.
o Higher speed of 30 knots
o The onboard nuclear reactor produces double the power.
o It has more advanced weapon system including tube-
launched missiles.
o Chakra II is deployed with the Eastern Naval Command.
►CHAKRA-III
• India and Russia have signed agreement for leasing of
Akula class nuclear powered submarine Chakra III for $3
billion for at least 10 years.
• Powered by 190 MW nuclear power
 SSBN FLEET
►ARIHANT
• Under the Advanced Technology Vehicle programme, India
has indigenously-built Arihant, SSBN.
• India’s 1st nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
• Displacement capacity of 6,000 tonnes.
• Powered by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor with
enriched uranium.
• Formally inducted on November 2019 marking the Nuclear
Triad capability of India.
• Capable of launching K-15 Missile with a range of 750 km
and K-4 ICBM with a range of 3,500 km.
►ARIGHAT
• 2nd Arihant-class submarine built under Advanced
Technology Vessel Program.
• Powered by a pressurised water reactor
• Maximum speed of 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) when on
surface and 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged
• 4 launch tubes can carry up to 12 K-15 Sagarika missiles or
4 four of the under-development K-4 missiles
IMPORTANT FIGHTER JETS
OF INDIA
• The combat-ready version of the fighter comprise of
battle-time requirements such as mid-air refuelling, AESA
radar, electronic warfare suites, bombs and weapons etc.
• India does not have even a single squadron of the
indigenously produced fighters.
• In contrast, both China has fifth generation fighters
already in the test flying stage.
• Pakistan also has an operational indigenously built fighter
jet, JF 17 developed with Chinese assistance.
►MIG 29
• India’s premier Air Defense Fighter aircraft
• Light-weight air-superiority fighter aircraft developed by
Russia.
• Twin-engine jet fighter inducted into Indian Air Force in
1985.
• With about 110 Mig-29s operated by Indian Air Force and
Indian Navy combined, India is the second biggest
operator of Mig-29s in the world after Russia.
• The MiG-29 aircraft played an important role during the
Kargil War of 1999.
• Three squadrons of 16-18 MiG-29s aircrafts each are
deployed in the strategically important Adampur Air Force
Station, which is around 100 km from Pakistan and 250 km
away from China borders.
• The MiG 29s are far more superior to F-16s of the Pakistan
Airforce with the capacity to launch Beyond Visual Range
BVR missiles.
►SUKHOI-30 MKI
• Multirole combat fighter aircraft
• Jointly developed by Russia and India.
• India’s answer to F-16 of Pakistan.
• Top speed of 2120 kph (Mach 1.7).
• Capable of launching upto 6 air-air, 6 air-to-surface
missiles, 6 laser guided bombs and 8500kg of cluster
bombs.
• Recently test fired the world’s fastest supersonic cruise
missile, BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI.

►TEJAS LCA • This has provided a significant strategic deterrence against

China and Pakistan in multi-mission roles, including
• 4th generation supersonic, single-seat, single-engine
precision strikes on terror camps across the LoC, against
multirole light fighter aircraft.
high-value naval targets, including aircraft carriers and
• Conceived in the early 1980s to replace the Russia-made nuclear bunkers.
MIG 21 of the Indian Air Force.

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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

►RAFALE • Heavy-lift Capability

• Twin-engine medium multi-role combat aircraft,
manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation.
• Can carry weapons more than 9 tonnes including air-air,
air-ground and air-ship missiles.
• Main roles include missions including Air-defence/air-
superiority, Reconnaissance, close air support dynamic
targeting, Air-to-ground precision strike/interdiction, anti-
ship attacks, and nuclear deterrence, buddy-buddy
refueling.
• Can carry out both air-to-ground, as well as air-to-air
attacks and interceptions during the same sortie.
• Maximum speed of 1.9 mach.
• Range of more than 3700 km vs 400-550 of Su 30
• Weapon system include SCALP and METEOR missiles
• SCALP: a precision long range ground attack missile that
can take out targets with extreme accuracy. Has a range of
300 km, capped by the missile technology control regime.
• Modern heavy-lift helicopter woth payload lifting capacity
of 10-12.5 tonne
• Vertical-lift platform
• It has contra-rotating tandem rotors. (2 rotors rotating in
opposite direction)
• Will replace the Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopters of IAF.
IMPORTANCE
• To ferry 4.2 tonne M777 Ultra Light Howitzer to high
altitude forward areas with China and Pakistan which do
not have road connectivity
• Will airlift artillery, light armored vehicles, troops and
supplies to difficult Himalayan mountainous terrains
• It will assist Border Road Organisation to carry road
construction and engineering equipments to difficult high-
altitude terrains of North East.
• Deployed in disaster relief operations to carry and mass
evacuation of disaster victims.

• METEOR: a beyond visual range air to air missile that is

possibly the best in its class. Can take out enemy aircraft at ►APACHE
range of over 100 km. • Acquired from USA under Foreign Military Assistance
• It is a multi-role combat helicopter.
►US-2 AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT • All-weather helicopter that can engage both air and
Japanese amphibious aircraft that India is keen to import. ground targets.
• It is equipped with Hellfire missile (air to surface anti tank
missile).
IMPORTANT HELICOPTERS • The Hellfire is the same missile used by the Predator
drone to launch targeted killings of high-profile militants.

►LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER • It uses Longbow radar

SIGNIFICANCE
• Developed as a replacement for Cheetah and Chetak
helicopters • Can approach enemy troops covertly with relative stealth
and launch as close range attack
• New generation 3-Ton class helicopter.
• Capability to operate in hostile airspace with threats from
• Being indigenously developed by Hindustan Aeronauics
ground.
Limited (HAL).
• Capability to destroy enemy tanks, armoured personnel
carriers and fortified positions in mountainous terrain.
►DHRUV
• Provides cover to army tanks and infantry during battle.
Utility helicopter developed and manufactured by HAL. Used:
• Commuter Role
►MH-60R (ROMEO) SEAHAWK
• Evacuation
HELICOPTERS
• Rapid Deployment of Forces
• Acquired from USA under Foreign Military Assistance
• Logistic Air Support
• Naval multi-role helicopter.
• Search and Rescue
• Capable of being operated from various types of warships
including frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers
►CHINOOK
• Acquired from USA under Foreign Military Assistance

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• Equipped with state-of-art SONAR suite which provides
navigation, situational awareness, target data and weapon
guidance capabilities.
►KAMOV
The final deal on the 200 Kamov Ka-226 light utility
helicopters from Russia is in advanced stages and expected
to be signed soon
SPACE WEAPONISATION
►ANTI SATELLITE TECHNOLOGIES
• Satellites form an integral part of a country’s critical
infrastructure.
• Intercepting satellites can halt various critical applications
including navigation systems, communication networks,
broadcasting, banking systems, surveillance etc.
WHAT IS A-SAT?
Anti-satellite technology is a counter-space capability of a
country to neutralize space-based assets of enemy country.
TYPES OF A-SAT
1. Missile-based A-SAT: A missile is used to hit and destroy
satellite using
o Direct-ascent kinetic kill vehicle (Chinese A-SAT in 2007,
India now, USA and Russia)
o Co-orbiting missile (Russia has this type)
2. Co-orbital drones
o Approach the target satellite and deviate it from its
orbit. (China, UK, Russia are working on this technology)
3. High-energy lasers
o Blind the sensors of the satellites.
4. Interception and jamming of signals from the satellites
by sending more powerful radio signals.
HISTORY OF A-SAT MISSILE TESTS
• ASAT missile tests have been conducted by USA and Russia
in the cold-war era.
• USA has the anti-satellite weapon since 1959 followed by
Russia in 1960
• The cold-war witnessed the anti-satellite weaponry tests till
early 1980s.
• China conducted A-SAT weaponry test in 2007. (800km
orbit)
• Russia has recently shot down satellite using ASAT
weaponry as lately as October, 2018.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
►TREATIES GOVERNING OUTER
SPACE
OUTER SPACE TREATY 1967
• According to this treaty, outer space shall be used only for
peaceful purposes.
• It prohibits countries from placing into orbit around the
Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other
kinds of weapons of mass destruction.
• It requires that celestial bodies shall be used by all parties
exclusively for peaceful purposes and no weapon can be
stationed on them.
• However Outer Space Treaty by itself does not prevent
arms race in space.
• India is a party to Outer Space Treaty
• 50th anniversary of United Nations Conference on the
Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(UNISPACE+50) took place in 2018.
►UN RESOLUTIONS: PAROS TO
TCBMS
PAROS
• The Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) is
a UN resolution that advocates for a ban on the
weaponization of space.
• It was conceived of during the Cold-war era.
• The PAROS resolution acknowledges the limitations of
Outer Space Treaty in preventing of an arms race in outer
space.
• However, US opposition has thwarted treaty negotiations
in the UN General Assembly.
TCBMS AND PPWT
• Since 2005, the UNGA has adopted annual resolutions on
“Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer
Space Activities.”
• China and Russia in 2008 submitted the following treaties
to reiterate the importance of a weapon-free outer space.
• Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in
Outer Space (PPWT)
• Treaty on threat or use of force against Outer Space
Objects.
►MISSION SHAKTI
• Under Mission Shakti, India demonstrated the capability to
destroy a satellite in the low earth orbit using an anti-
satellite missile.
56

• India became only the 4th country to conduct an Anti-
Satellite missile test after USA, Russia and China.
TARGET
• Microsat R was a military imaging satellite placed in an
orbit 274 km above the Earth surface with an orbital
velocity of 7.8km/s.
TECHNOLOGY: ‘HIT TO KILL’
• The anti- satellite test involved the ‘hit to kill’ missile
technology.
• Under the ‘hit to kill’ technology, a missile is shot at the
satellite in order to hit and kill the satellite.
KILL VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
• The A-SAT missile was based on the exo-atmospheric kill
vehicle technology.
• It includes
o an 18-tonne, 3-stage interceptor missile
o with 2-stage solid propellants
o with a long range tracking radar and
o Infra-red and radar frequency seekers to reach the
target satellite and hit it.
• Accordingly the anti-satellite missile used was an advanced
version of ‘Prithvi Defence Vehicle’ of India’s Ballistic
Missile Defence system. This is because the target satellite
was in the 300km orbit.
MISCELLANEOUS
►POSEIDON
• Anti Submarine Warfare aircraft, which India plans to
acquire from USA.
• It is a boost to maritime ISR capabilities (intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance)
• Long-range maritime patrol aircraft capable of undersea
surveillance from a height of upto 40000 ft.
• It has operational speed of 450 mph and a range of 4,500
nautical miles.
• It has an operational time of upto 10 hours.
• It is equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array
(AESA) radars capable of engaging multiple targets
simultaneously.
• Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) radar will help locate
submarines in deep seas.
• The India-version of Poseidon 8 is equipped with Harpoon
Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes to enhance
its anti-submarine warfare capability.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
►KEY OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
OF IAF
SHORT-TERM
The key operational requirements of IAF in the short-term for
its new doctrinal focus towards counter-proxy wars include
• AWACS
• Close-in weapons for short-range battles
• Software Defined Radios (SDRs) to enhance inter-service
communication
LONG-TERM
• IAF has been facing a severe shortage of fighter aircrafts
with its current strength reduced to 32 squadrons against
the sanctioned strength of 42.
• With MiG 21 and MiG 27 due to retire by 2025 the
squadron strength will be reduced to 22 in the next 15
years.
• The efforts to augment the squadron strength with LCAs,
Rafale and upgraded platforms of existing fighter jets are
on.
• 40 Tejas Mk-1 will be delivered by 2023 and 83 Tejas MK-
1A are ordered.
• 36 Rafale fighter jets to be delivered by April 2022
The premier Air Defense Fighter aircraft, MiG-29, has
undergone major upgrades recently.
►HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING
PROGRAM
New-age aerial surveillance project of IAF expected to be
operational by 2022 involving Hyperspectral Imaging.
FEATURES
• Sensors or cameras for hyperspectral imaging will be
mounted on UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) which will
take images in 2 wavelengths of electro-magnetic
spectrum, namely visible light and infrared
• The images so takes will be run through ‘deep learning’
algorithms to process them into usable data.
• The data so processed is then communicated to the IAF Air
Warfare Strategy Cell.
APPLICATIONS
• New-gen aerial surveillance
• Can perform surveillance in areas under dense tree cover
along the international borders. (Due to infrared sensors)
• Multi-sensor imaging helps to track adversary movement
in day and night conditions.
57

• It works effectively in all-weather conditions, be it cloud
cover, dense fog or snow cover.
• Crop monitoring, Drought monitoring, Mapping soil
moisture, Mineral Prospecting etc
AWACS
• Indian Air Force has undergone a doctrinal shift from
conventional warfare to sub-conventional warfare due to
threats from proxy wars by Pakistan’s Deep State post
1990s.
• Thus India identified key operational requirements of IAF
in the aftermath of Balakot airstrike I line with the counter-
proxy war strategy.
• AWACS are one the short-term operational requirement
identified by IAF.
WHAT ARE AWACS?
• Known as ‘eyes in the sky’
• Air-borne radar systems mounted on aircrafts for scanning
and surveillance.
• With a 360-degree span, they are deployed to carry out
surveillance on enemy Air Defence systems and to prepare
an Air Situation Picture useful in aerial combats.
CURRENT FLEET OF AWACS IN IAF
India currently has 5 AWACS
PHALCON
• AWACS procured from Israel
NETRA
• Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system
indigenously developed by DRDO. (1st used in Balakot air
strike)
• Mounted on an Embraer aircraft was for the 1st time used
in an aerial combat by IAF in the Balakot airstrike
 DRONE FLEET OF INDIA
In the backdrop on the Kargil war of 1999, India felt the need
for accurate real time intelligence.
IMPORTANCE OF UAVs
• UAVs can carry a diverse array of payloads
reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering and
target acquisition.
• In the aftermath of the Doklam episode, it is important to
keeping our borders under greater surveillance.
• Besides with capabilities like electro-optical/Infra-Red
cameras, electronic and communication intelligence
gathering, UAVs can act as excellent force multipliers.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
• Thus the UAVs have evolved from being a surveillance and
reconnaissance asset to hunter -killer roles.
DRONE FLEET
SEARCHER 1 AND 2
• Israeli drone
• Acquired in 1998
HERONS
• Israeli drone for deployment by armed forces
LAKSHYA
• 1st indigenously built reusable aerial target system.
• Pilotless drone to serve as aerial target for the training of
air defence artillery weapon crews
• Lakshya-2 is an advanced variant and has autonomous
flight capability even at low level.
• It is suitable for training of crews for operating beyond
visual range (BVR) and cruise missiles
NISHANT
• It is a 340-kg UAV, with endurance of 4.5 hours
• Indigenously developed by the aeronautical development
establishment (ADE).
DAKSH
• Electrically powered and remotely operated wheeled
vehicle
• Designed for the task of bomb disposal.
• Capable of being remotely controlled over a range of 500m
line-of-sight (LOS) or even within buildings.
NETRA
• Netra is a lightweight, autonomous UAV for surveillance
and reconnaissance especially useful for anti-terrorist and
counter-insurgency operations.
RUSTOM SERIES
• 3 models of RUSTOM have been built with RUSTOM 2
testing done recently in 2017.
• The 3 models of RUSTOM include Medium Altitude Long
Endurance (MALE) category, High Altitude Long Endurance
for family (HALE), and Rustom H with combat capabilities.
(Rustom-I, Rustom-H and Rustom-C)
• Rustom UAVs are to be fitted with Helina missiles.
RUSTOM 2
• Latest addition to the Rustom series of UAVs.
• Medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV).
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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
• Maximum speed is about 225 kmph.
• Endurance of more than 24 hours and it can operate up to ►INTEGRATED TRI-SERVICE
an altitude of 35,000 feet above mean sea level. AGENCIES
• The unmanned aerial vehicle is designed to carry a variety • India is set to form tri-service agencies in 3 critical domains
of state-of-the-art payloads weighing up to 350kg. of cyber security, space and special operations as per the
• The payloads include electromagnetic intelligence (ELINT), recommendation of Naresh Chandra Committee.
communication intelligence (COMINT), synthetic aperture • The 3 tri-service agencies that are being established
radar (SAR), maritime patrol radar (MPR), radio altimeter, include
transmitting and receiving antennae, and situational o Special Operation Division
awareness payloads. o Defence Cyber Agency
GHATAK o Defence Space Agency

India’s 1st stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle • Note: India is also keen on restructuring the armed forces
into 3 theatre-based integrated tri-service commands
PREDATOR-B northern, western and southern on the lines on US (3) and
Weaponised version of Sea Guardian drones from the USA. China (5).
STRUCTURE
• The integrated tri-service agencies will draw staff from
 LASER-BASED DIRECTED ENERGY each service.
WEAPON SYSTEM • They will be headed by a 2-star officer (Major General) and
serve under the overall command of the Chairman, Chief
• The laser-based weapons are the advanced directed energy
of Staff Committee.
weapon system that can be mounted on a truck, a vessel,
GLOBAL SPECIAL FORCES
used as close-in weapons on aircraft making up for the 6th
generation fighters. United States Army
Green Berets
Special Forces
• They range from low-powered tactical beam emitters to a Russian Special Forces Spetsnaz GRU
high-energy strategic weapons system. under the KSK Kommando
German Special Forces
Spezialkräfte
• They can be used tactically to blind the enemy personnel,
damage or destroy enemy’s facilities, aircraft, anti-
personnel weapon systems, missiles, even space assets.
►DEFENCE SPACE AGENCY
COMPOSITION
HELIOS
• The Defence Imagery Processing and Analysis Centre
• US Navy’s high power laser weapon systems. (Delhi) and the Defence Satellite Control Centre (Bhopal)
will be merged to form the Defence Space Agency
• Designed to counter unmanned aerial systems and small
• It will be headed by an officer of the rank of air vice-
boats.
marshal serving under the overall command of the
• Sensors that ensures long-range ISR (intelligence, Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee.
surveillance and reconnaissance) capability IMPORTANCE
• A counter-UAS dazzler capability: A dazzler that can • To protect India’s space assets under the INSAT, IRS, IRNSS
obscure adversarial UAS-based ISR capabilities. systems.
• The counter-space capability is much needed in response
LW-30
to China’s offensive capabilities in the space which it has
• China’s vehicle-based laser defence weapon system. demonstrated.

• Usually truck-mounted, they are used to intercept aerial
targets including UAVs, drones, guided bombs etc.
INDIA’S LASER WEAPON SYSTEM
• DRDO is developing a laser weapon system.
• China is the second country after the US to have
demonstrated this capability.
Note: USA has recently established a Space Force as a
separate military branch

• High-powered laser weapon of 2KW ►CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF

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4 star general
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS
• Principal Military Advisor to the Union Defence Minister on
all Tri-Services matters.
• Will not exercise any military command, including over the
three Service Chiefs
• Act as the secretary of Department of Military Affairs
• Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
• Will command Tri-service agencies related to Cyber and
Space
• Will be member of Defence Acquisition Council
• Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority
►DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS
A new Department of Military Affairs was created by making
amendments in the Allocation of Business Rules.
MANDATE
• India’s Armed Force.
• Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence
comprising of Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air
Headquarters and Defence Staff Headquarters
• Territorial Army
• Procurement exclusive to the Services except capital
acquisitions,
• Promoting jointness in procurement, training and staffing
• Facilitation of restructuring of Military Commands
• Promoting use of indigenous equipment by the Services
►INFORMATION FUSION CENTRE-IOR
The IFC-IOR is established as a real time maritime
information sharing hub for Indian Ocean region.
AIM
To keep track of both conventional and unconventional
threats in our primary area of geopolitical interest spreading
from the Persian Gulf to well beyond the Malacca Strait.
FUNCTIONS
• The IFC-IOR will help collate shipping data from
1. Partner countries with whom we have white shipping
agreements (US, UK, France, Australia, Brazil, Israel,
Vietnam, Oman and Mauritius)
2. Multi-national networks for exchange of shipping data
(For instance, Trans Regional Maritime Network signed
in December 2018)
3. Other Maritime Information Centers
• It also facilitates dissemination of maritime security and
safety information to partner nations, constructs and
agencies.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
• Now India has extended the facility to other participating
countries of the Goa Maritime Conclave including Indian
Ocean littoral countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore and Thailand from South East Asia.
►BOLD-QIT (BORDER
ELECTRONICALLY DOMINATED QRT
INTERCEPTION TECHNIQUE)
• The project was conceived of in 2017 under
Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System
• It primarily involves installation of technical systems to
equip border area with sensors.
• Under the project the entire span of riverine border is
covered with a data network using various communication
devices.
• The communication devices used in the data network
include microwave communication, OFC cables, DMR
communication, day and night surveillance cameras and
intrusion detection system.
• The various devices under the data network feed signals to
BSF control rooms.
• This ensures quick reaction teams (QRTs) from BSF in
handling cross-border crimes.
• Since electronic communication devices are used to
ensure quick reaction time from BSF in border
surveillance, the project is named BOLD-QRT.
• Recently the reverine border at Dhubri, Assam between
India and Bangladesh is now secured with electronic
surveillance with the formal launch of BOLD-QIT project.
►VEHICLE BORNE IMPROVISED
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
• Car bombs or Vehicle-borne IEDs are lethal explosive
devices installed in a vehicle able to detonate in various
ways including remotely.
• VBIEDs are detonated using mercury switch where a tilt
tube is used, one end of which is filled with mercury and
other is connected to an electric circuit.
HOW A VBIED IS TRIGGERED?
• Opening driver side door
• Racing the accelerator
• Switching ignition off or on
• Via timers
Note: Pulwama terror attack that claimed more than 40 lives
CRPF personnel adopted 'car bomb', generally termed as
Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device.
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 DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

►MILITARY EXERCISES Elephant

Ekuverin joint military exercise Indian Army and
DOMESTIC EXERCISES the Maldives
PARTICIPATING Sampriti joint military exercise India-Bangladesh
NAME DETAILS
COUNTRIES
Sundarban Navy India-Bangladesh
Gagan Shakti Indian Airforce Maitri
Short for Slinex Navy India-Srilanka
(Theatre Level
Mitra Shakti Army India-Srilanka
Readiness and
Operational
Indian Navy, assets of AUSINDEX Naval India-Australia
Exercise)
the Indian Air Force,
TROPEX Largest KAKADU Naval Australia-led
Indian Army and the
amphibious exercise multilateral
Indian Coast Guard.
exercise of India
Inter-service Hand in Hand Joint Military India-China
maritime theatre
level war exercise
Desert Eagle Air Force India-UAE
Army, Navy and
Cyberex Major Cyber Exerciser Gulf Star Naval India-UAE
AIrforce
Prabal Dostyk Joint Training India-
Him Vijay Indian Army
Kazakhsthan
Kharga Prahar Indian Army
KAZIND Joint Military India-
Mission Reach Kazakhsthan
Indian Army
out
Khanjar Joint Training 'Exercise India and
India’s 1st Kyrgyzstan
simulated space
INDRA Joint Military India-Russia
warfare exercise.
(Held in 2019) AVIAINDRA Air Force India-Russia
IndSpaceEx SIMBEX Navy India-Singapore
Conducted under
the supervision Bold Joint Military India-Singapore
of Integrated Kuruksheta
Defence
Maitree JointStaff.
Military India-Thailand
VINBAX Joint Military India-Thailand
JOINT EXERCISES CORPAT India-Thailand
PARTICIPATING Harimau joint training exercise India-Malaysia
NAME DETAILS
COUNTRIES Shakti
MILAN Multi-lateral Naval India will host
Exercise 2020 version Samudra Navy India-Malaysia
Mostly Indian Ocean Theme: Synergy Lakshmana
Region Countries, South across the Seas
Garuda Shakti military exercise India-Indonesia
East Asian Countries
Imbax Bilateral Army Exercise India-Myanmar
MILEX BIMSTEC
Lamitye Navy India- Seychelles
MALABAR Trilateral naval exercise India, US and
Varuna Navy India-France
exercises Japan
Shakti Army India-France
Tiger-Triumph 1st Tri-Service (VVV India-USA
Important) Garuda Airforce India-France
Vajra prahaar Joint military exercise India and US SHINYUU Airforce India-Japan
Maitri
Dharma Army India-Japan
Ex Cope India Air Force India and US
Guardian
AFINDEX Army India-Africa
Ajeya Warrior Joint Military India and UK
Konkan Navy India and UK
Nomadic joint military exercise India-Mongolia

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SECTION 5

EALTH &

ISEASES

• Relative of SARS
 VIRAL DISEASES
TRANSMISSION
• It depends on a host organism for its nutrients. Thus it can
• These viruses are zoonotic – transmitted from animals to
metabolise and multiply only inside the living cells of other
humans
creatures.
• Human-to-Human: Mother to baby: Breastfeeding and
• It is made up of a DNA or RNA genome.
placenta
• It lacks enzymes essential for the energy production
• WHO has named the new coronavirus disease as ‘Covid-19’
• It can infect animals, plants, and other microorganisms.
• Remdesivir: An anti-viral drugs under trials in Wuhan
2019
►CORONAVIRUS
• Large family of viruses, first identified in the 1960s. ►NIPAH
• Can infect both animals and humans. • Zoonotic virus
• It causes illness ranging from the common cold to more TRANSMISSION
severe respiratory illness (like SARS & MERS)
• Natural host – fruit bats.
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19
• Intermediate host: Pigs
• A new strain that has not been previously identified in
• It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or
humans.
directly between people.
• First detected in Wuhan, China.

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 HEALTH & DISEASES
ο Serious complications include blindness, encephalitis

SYMPTOMS (brain swelling), and diarrhea.

• Similar to that of influenza: fever, muscle pain, and • Prevention

respiratory problems. ο WHO recommends routine measles vaccination for

• Inflammation of the brain causing disorientation.
• Late onset of Encephalitis can also occur.
• Note: There are currently no drugs or vaccines specific for
Nipah virus infection.
►YARAVIRUS
• Discovered in a lake in Brazil
• ‘Yara’, a water-queen figure in Brazilian mythology.
SIGNIFICANCE
ο Has genes that have not been described before.
ο It could change how Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
viruses are classified.
• It does not infect human cells.
►ROTAVIRUS DISEASE
• Leading cause of severe diarrhoea and death among
children less than five years of age.
• Symptoms – fever, nausea, and vomiting, abdominal
cramps and frequent watery diarrhoea.
• Transmitted by the faecal-oral route, contact with
contaminated hands, surfaces and objects, and possibly by
the respiratory route.
►MEASLES-RUBELLA
MEASLES
ο Contagious air-borne infection of the respiratory tract.
ο Caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family.
ο Can spread through direct contact or coughing, sneezing
etc.
• High-risk group
ο It affects mostly children under the age of 5 years.
ο Unvaccinated groups including children, pregnant
women
ο People with weak immune system
• Symptoms
ο High fever
ο Runny nose and cough
ο Red and watery eyes,
ο Small white spots inside the cheeks
ο Rashes in face, upper neck, hands and feet
children and mass immunization campaigns as key
public health strategies to reduce global measles
deaths.
ο 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a
measles-rubella combination should be the standard
for all national immunization programmes.
ο Note: India, along with ten WHO South-East Asia Region
member countries, plans to eliminate measles and
control rubella/ congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by
2020.
RUBELLA
• Also known as German Measles
• Generally a mild disease but can have serious
consequences for pregnant women and their children as it
may cause congenital rubella syndrome in the foetus.
• Both measles and rubella can be prevented by a highly-
effective Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, given under
Universal Immunisation Programme.
►ZIKA
• Zika is a viral infection spread by Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• Zika belongs to a group of viruses called the flaviviruses,
which includes dengue, West Nile and yellow fever.
• Zika virus infect and replicate inside the cells of several
species, including humans, monkeys, and mosquitoes.
►KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE OR
MONKEY FEVER
• It is a tick borne (a tick which is found on monkeys) viral
haemorrhagic fever. (haemorrhage is used to describe
loss of blood)
• It is endemic to South Asia.
• The same family also causes yellow fever, dengue fever,
chikungunya and Zika infection.
►YELLOW FEVER
• It is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by
infected mosquitoes.
• The 'yellow' in the name refers to the jaundice that affects
some patients.
• Infected mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti specie transmit
the virus from person to person.

• Effects
ο Severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.

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 HEALTH & DISEASES

►ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS SYNDROME
(AES)
• It is characterized as acute-onset of fever and a change in
mental status.
• Viruses are the main causative agents in AES cases,
although other sources such as bacteria, fungus, parasites,
spirochetes, chemicals, toxins and non-infectious agents
have also been reported over the past few decades.
• Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of
HIV completely. So once one has HIV, he/she will have it for
life.
• HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the T
cells, which help the immune system fight off infections.
• If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of T cells in the
body, making the person more likely to get infections or
infection-related cancers.

►FLU
• There are three species of Influenza Virus viz. Influenza-A,
Influenza-B, and Influenza-C.
• Influenza A infects birds and mammals.
• Influenza C Virus: Detected less frequently and usually
causes mild infections, thus does not present public health
importance.
• Influenza D virus: primary affect cattle and are not known
to infect or cause illness in people.
• It has very high rate of mutation, and this is the reason
that so many different strains of influenza virus are found.
• Various strains of Virus differ in certain proteins on the
virus surface — hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase
(NA) proteins. This is the basis of naming viruses.
• The common Influenza outbreaks caused by Influenza-A
strains include
ο H1N1 (swine flu)
ο H5N1, H5N8, H2N9 (Bird Flu)
►WEST NILE FEVER
►CRIMEAN-CONGO HAEMORRHAGIC
FEVER
• Transmitted to humans from tick borne virus.
• No vaccine exists either for humans or animals.
►DENGUE
• Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly
of the species Aedes aegypti.
• The disease may develop into the life-threatening dengue
haemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of
blood platelets and blood plasma leakage.
• Recently, Spanish health authorities confirmed world’s first
case of dengue being transmitted sexually, which until
recently was thought to be transmitted only by mosquitos.
►JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS
• Caused by a flavi virus that affects the membranes around
the brain.
• A major cause of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in
India

• It can cause fatal neurological disease in humans.
• Infection is most often the result of bites from infected
mosquitoes
• transmitted to humans through bites from infected
mosquitoes of the Culex species.
• JE vaccination is also included under the Universal
Immunization Program

►AIDS
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus if left untreated, can lead
to the disease AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome).

 BACTERIAL DISEASE
ISEASE SPREAD PARTS OF BODY AFFECTED VACCINE/CARE

Canbeeasily prevented by hygienic

Maternal and nervous system and causes
unclean deliveries and umbilical cord delivery and cordcarepractices,
Neonatal muscles throughout the body
care practices and/ orbyimmunizing mothers with
Tetanus to tighten
tetanus vaccine

Spreads through personal contact Eye (It affects the conjunctiva Antibiotics treatearly-stagetrachoma.
Trachoma
and flies that have contact with the under the eyelids.) Surgery is required in later stages.

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 HEALTH & DISEASES
discharge from the eye.

slow-growing bacteria called Rifampicin and clofazimine are now

nerves, skin, eyes, and lining
Leprosy Mycobacterium leprae (not very combined with dapsone to treat
of the nose
contagious) multibacillary leprosy

bacteria can be transmitted to Flu-like symptoms, such as antibiotics, such as doxycycline or

Leptospirosis
humans through cuts and abrasions headache, chills and muscle penicillin
(rat fever)
of the skin pain.

BCG living attenuated bacteria.

Tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mainly lungs
Antibiotics e.g. streptomycin.

Alimentary canal (mainly

Cholera Vibrio cholera Antibiotics
small intestine)

Alimentary canal, then

Typhoid Salmonella typhi spreading to lymph and TAB vaccine
blood, lungs, bone

Transmitted mainly through direct Benzathine Penicillin injection cures

Yaws skin, bones and joints
skin contact with an infected person. the disease.

►VECTOR BORNE DISEASE TICKS

• Kyasanur Forest Disease or Monkey Fever
• Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and
parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another. • Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

• Common in tropical and sub-tropical regions. SAND FLY

• Account for 17% of the estimated global burden of all Kala Azhar
infectious diseases.
• The most deadly vector-borne disease is malaria ►WOLBACHIA METHOD
• Fastest growing vector-borne disease •is dengue.
To control the spread of dengue and chikungunya
naturally occurring bacteria, Wolbachia, is introduced in a
►MOSQUITOES strain of Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector that transmits
AEDES
the viruses that cause dengue.
• Chikungunya
• Wolbachia inhibits viral infection. Even if people encounter
• Dengue fever
mosquito bite, they will not be infected.
• Rift Valley fever
• Wolbachiabacteria do not allow the virus to replicate in the
• Yellow fever mosquito thereby minimising its number within the
• Zika mosquito and hence virus won’t be transmitted through a
 ANOPHELES bite.

MALARIA
• caused by the infectious Plasmodium
►DISEASES CAUSED BY WORMS
• Spread: Female Anophelesmosquitoes deposit parasite • Lymphatic filariasis
sporozoites into the skin of a human host. ο Caused by infection with parasitic worms living in the

• World’s first vaccine against a parasitic disease: Mosquirix lymphatic system.

CULEX ο The larval stages of the parasite circulate in the blood

and are transmitted from person to person by
• Japanese encephalitis
mosquitoes.
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Pinworm disease
• West Nile fever
• Hook-worm disease

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 HEALTH & DISEASES

 GENETIC DISEASES ►TURNER'S SYNDROME

►SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA
• Genetic blood-disorder that results in deformation and
break down of red blood cells in the blood.
• Most common inherited blood disorder that can be
acquired from either or both the parents who carry the
defective gene.
• Normally hemoglobin is smooth, round, disk-shaped and
flexible allowing the RBCs to flow smoothly through our
bloodstreams.
• In case of patients with sickle-cell disease, the gene that
codes for hemoglobin is genetically mutated making the
hemoglobin sticky.
• The mutation of hemoglobin-beta gene occurs
chromosome 11.
• The abnormal sticky hemoglobin forms rods that clump
together distorting the shape of the RBCs.
• The distorted RBCs become curved and rigid taking the
shape of a C-shaped sickle and hence the name.
• Chromosomal disease affecting only females
• Occur when one of the X chromosomes (sex
chromosomes) is missing or partially missing
• Medical and developmental problems, including short
height, failure of the ovaries to develop and heart defects
►DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY FOR RARE
DISEASES
• WHO defines rare disease as often debilitating lifelong
disease or disorder condition with a prevalence of 1 or
less, per 1000 persons.
• They include genetic diseases, rare cancers, infectious
on tropical diseases and degenerative diseases.
• 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin and hence
disproportionately impact children.
• The most common rare diseases include Haemophilia,
Thalassemia, Sickle-cell Anaemia and Primary Immuno
Deficiency in children, auto-immune diseases etc.

►THALASSAEMIAS ►UMMID INITIATIVE

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that reduces the • UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and treatment
production of haemoglobin (oxygen carriers) in the RBCs of of Inherited Disorders) has been launched to tackle
the blood. inherited genetic diseases of newborn babies.

EFFECTS • Shifting of focus from “sick-care” to “wellness” by

promoting the prevention of genetic diseases.
Excessive destruction of red blood cells leading to anaemia
• NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration)
SYMPTOMS
Kendras are established under the initiative to provide
• Dark urine
counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management,
• Under-growth and development in children and multidisciplinary care in Government Hospitals
• Fatigue wherein the influx of patients is more.
• Yellow pale skin
• Bone deformities in the face
 PLANT DISEASES
• Haemophilia
►YELLOW RUST
►HAEMOPHILIA • It is a fungal disease which turns crop’s leaves yellowish
and stops photosynthesis activity.
• Haemophilia is a blood-related inherited disorder that
restricts the ability of blood to clot. • It is one of the three wheat rust diseases principally found
in wheat grown in cooler environments (northern latitudes
• Males are most likely to be affected by Haemophilia.
or cooler seasons)
EFFECTS
Prolonged bleeding
►FALL ARMYWORM
SYMPTOMS
• Invasive Species
• Skin bruises
• Spodoptera frugiperda is a species in the larval life stage
• Pain and stiffness around joints due to internal bleeding
of a fall armyworm moth.
• Blood in urine, stool.

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• Native of America Smut disease Bajra Fungus
• First detected in Karnataka this year (now has spread to W.
Swollen shoot Cocoa Fungus
Bengal and Gujarat)
disease
• Attacks crops particularly maize.
Brown rot Cocoa Fungus

►PINK BOLLWORM White Stem Coffee White stem borer

Borer pest
• Infects cotton
• BT cotton grown in India is genetically modified for Red rot Sugarcane Fungus
developing resistance to the pink bollworm pest in the Sugarcane White grub
crop. beetles
• This is done by inserting ‘Cry1Ab’ and ‘Cry2Bc’ genes from
Late blight potato Fungus
the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), into the
cotton seed. Tikka disease Ground nut Fungus
(leaf spot
disease)
►LOCUST
• A locust is a large, mainly tropical grasshopper with strong fire blight Apple Bacteria
powers of flight (unlike ordinary grasshoppers) Black rot Cabbage Bacteria
• Under dry and stressful condition grasshoppers are
Canker Lemon Bacteria
getting stressed and transformed into locusts.
• Only four species of locusts are found in India
ο Desert locust
COMMON SUPERBUGS
ο Migratory locust

ο Bombay Locust
►STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
ο Tree locust • Found on the mucous membranes and the skin

• Locust adults can eat their own weight every day, posing • It is extremely adaptable to antibiotic pressure.
huge threat to food security. • 1st bacterium in which penicillin resistance was found
• Consequently Methicillin replaced penicillin as antibiotic
►SHEATH BLIGHT DISEASE • MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) first
• Disease in rice detected in 1961 is now common in hospitals.

• Fungal disease • CA-MRSA (Community-acquired MRSA) has now emerged

as an epidemic that is responsible for rapidly progressive,
• Decreases the yield by 60%
fatal diseases including pneumonia, severe sepsis etc.
• NDM-1 (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-1) is an enzyme
►OTHER PLANT DISEASES that makes bacteria resistant to a wide range of powerful
DISEASE AFFECTED PLANT CAUSE antibiotics used to treat multidrug-resistant infections.

Tutaabsoluta Tomato Tomato pinworm

►STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS
Quick wilt, black pepper vines Black pepper
The superbug, identified as, is a type of bacteria commonly
vines
found on human skin.
Stigmatomycosis number of crops, fungal disease
such as cotton,
►CANDIDA AURIS
soybean, pecan,
pomegranate, citrus, • Multidrug-resistant fungus (yeast)
and pistachio • It can cause many different types of infections such as
bloodstream infection, wound infection, ear infection etc.
Rice blast Rice Fungus

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 HEALTH & DISEASES

►SPREAD OF MULTI-DRUG ►BIOSIMILARS

RESISTANCE IN INDIA • They are ‘similar biologic drugs’, clinically equivalent, in
terms of safety and efficacy, to biologic medicines.
• Self-medication
• Cheaper versions of complex biologics such as vaccines,
• OTC- Over the counter medication.
growth proteins, gene therapy usually developed from
• Over-prescribing and unregulated use
recombinant DNA technology.
• Incomplete antibiotic dosage.
• While generic medicines are chemically synthesized,
• Antibiotic use in agriculture and livestock. (Tylosin and biosimilars are developed in living cells using recombinant
Colistin used in poultry as growth promoters) DNA technology.
• Bad sanitation practices DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIOSIMILARS AND GENERIC
1. Biosimilars are ‘similar’, generics are ‘identical’.
►GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL 2. Biosimilars are only similar and must be equal to
RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM its’biologic counterpart’ in terms of safety and efficacy.

(GLASS) 3. Biosimilars need not work in the same way as the

corresponding biologic; the only requirement being
• WHO system launched in 2015
biosimilars should have the same effect as the
• Aim: Support global surveillance and research in order to corresponding biologic.
strengthen the evidence base on antimicrobial resistance
(AMR) and help informing decision-making and drive
►TRASTUZUMAB
national, regional, and global actions.
• First bio similar medicine prequalified by WHO.
• India has enrolled to GLASS system.
• It is used to treat breast cancer.

►AWARE
►SECRETAGOGIN
• Global campaign lead by WHO.
Biomarker for diabetes
• Online tool to guide policymakers and health workers to
use antibiotics safely and more effectively.
►DENGVAXIA
►REDLINE CAMPAIGN st
• 1 ever vaccine licensed for dengue.

Campaign to curb over-the-counter use of antibiotics in India • Approved to treat patients in the age group 9-16 only.
• Recipients of the vaccine must have had a previous
►NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO dengue infection.
• Live, attenuated dengue virus
COMBAT ANTIMICROBIAL
RESISTANCE 2017
►ETVAX
• Adopted by Delhi declaration
A potential Diarrhea vaccine
• Objectives
ο enhancing awareness
►GV-971 / OLIGOMANNATE
ο strengthening surveillance
• 1st ever carbohydrate-based drug for Alzheimer’s disease.
ο improving rational use of antibiotics
• It is a seaweed-based drug, administered orally.
ο reducing infections
• Multi-target drug which hits several targets in the body.
ο promoting research

• In addition, support to neighbouring countries in collective

fight against infectious diseases.
• Kerala and Madhya Pradesh have developed an state-level
action plan to manage antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
►ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
• Irreversible and progressive brain disorder.
• It slowly destroys memory, thinking ability and the
capability to carry out simple tasks.

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 HEALTH & DISEASES

►MOSAIC HIV VACCINE • It is nuclear or mitochondrial DNA that is released from an

organism into the environment.
• HIV vaccine under final stages of clinical trial
• Sources include secreted faeces, mucous, gametes, shed
• It is developed by incorporating genetic material from
various HIV strains from around the world. skin, hair and carcasses.

►MOSQUIRIX
• 1st ever vaccine against malaria
• Note: At the East Asia Summit in 2015, India pledged to
eliminate the disease by 2030. Following this public
declaration, India launched the five-year National Strategic
Plan for Malaria Elimination. This marked a shift in focus
from malaria “control” to “elimination”.
►TYPBAR TCV
st
• World’s 1 conjugate Typhoid vaccine.
• Pre-qualified by the World Health Organization’s Strategic
Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO-SAGE).
►ALLOGRAFT
• It is the transplant of an organ or tissue or cells from one
individual to another of the same species with a different
genotype (genetically non-identical donor) although of a
compatible blood type.
• For example, a transplant from one person to another, but
not an identical twin, is an allograft.
• Allografts are commonly used in the transplants of skin,
corneas, hearts, livers, kidneys, and bone and bone
marrow, although transplants of the last often come from
relatives.

►BEDAQUILINE MISCELLANEOUS
An anti-TB drug to treat multi-drug resistant disease (MDR-
►NATIONAL HEALTH PROFILE
TB)
• Covers comprehensive information on demographic,
socio-economic health status, health finance indicators,
►PRETOMANID
health infrastructure and health of human resources in the
3rd new drug developed for the treatment of people with country.
Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB) or Multi Drug-
• Released by the Central Bureau of Health
Resistant TB (MDR-TB) affecting the lungs.
Intelligence(CBHI)
• CBHI was established in 1961 under the Directorate
►MOSCOW DECLARATION General of Health Services.
• Global commitment to end TB by 2030
• Adopted at 1st WHO Global Ministerial Conference on
►SOWA-RIGPA
Ending Tuberculosis in 2017
• Sowa-Rigpa (the science of healing) is a traditional system
of medicine practised in the Himalayan belt of India.
►CAR-T
• It originated in Tibet and popularly practiced in countries
• Personalized form of cancer treatment.
namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Russia.
• It is a form of immunotherapy stimulating the body's
• In India, it is widely practised in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh,
immune system to help fight cancer.
West Bengal's Darjeeling, Himachal Pradesh and the Union
• Under this, a virus is used to insert genes into T-cells (a Territory of Ladakh.
special type of immune cell) which then modifies the
• The majority of theory and practice of Sowa-Rigpa is
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR). These engineered CAR-T
cells – programmed to recognize and destroy the patient's similar to “Ayurveda”.
cancer cells - are multiplied in huge numbers and then
infused back into the patient. ►NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOWA-
RIGPA
►ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (EDNA)
• Has been proposed to be established at Leh, Union
• eDNA testing is a tool for monitoring the biodiversity of an Territory of Ladakh.
area without physically collecting specimens.

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• It will be an autonomous national institute under the
Ministry of AYUSH with the mandate to undertake
interdisciplinary education and research programmes in
Sowa-Rigpa.
• The existing Sowa-Rigpa institutions work under the
Ministry of Culture.
►ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
• Ability of microorganisms to resist the effects of an
antibiotic to which they were once sensitive.
• It evolves naturally via natural selection through random
mutation.
• Different ways to resist antibiotics:
ο Some bacteria pump an antibiotic out of their cells as
fast as it enters, so it never reaches a lethal
concentration inside the bacterial cell.
ο Some have proteins that bind to the antibiotic molecule
and block its lethal effect.
ο Some have enzymes that break down the antibiotic
molecules, which are then used as fuel to help the
bacteria grow faster.
ο Once such a gene is generated, bacteria can then
transfer the genetic information between individuals by
plasmid exchange.
ο They will then pass this trait to their offspring, which will
be a fully resistant generation.
• Further microorganisms or bacteria that carry several
resistance genes that resist treatment with more than one
antibiotic are called multidrug-resistant organisms or
superbugs.
►WHO’S REPLACE
Strategic approach to eliminating industrially-produced trans-
fat from national food supplies by 2023.
►EAT RIGHT MOVEMENT
• Launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(FSSAI)
• SAI has prescribed a limit for Total Polar Compounds
(TPC) at 25% in cooking oil to avoid the harmful effects of
reused cooking oil.
• The movement aims to cut down salt/sugar and oil
consumption by 30% in three years.
• It also aims to engage and enable citizens to improve their
health and well-being by making the right food choices
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
HEALTH & DISEASES
►NILAVEMBU KUDINEER
• A Siddha medicine found to provide protection against
Chikungunya virus.
• Siddha medicine is a system of traditional medicine
originating in ancient Tamilakam (Tamil Nadu) in South
India and Sri Lanka.
►AROGYAPACHA PLANT
• Medicinal plant endemic to the Agasthya hills.
• Kani tribal community uses it to combat fatigue.
• A drug named Jevanni was developed from Arogyapacha
plant.
►BROWN FAT
• Special type of body fat that is activated when we get cold.
• It produces heat to help maintain our body temperature in
cold conditions.
• It contains many more mitochondria than does white fat.
• Because of brown fat's ability to burn calories, scientists
are looking for ways to exploit its power to help fight
obesity.
►BIO-CAPSULES
Bio-fertilizers packed in tiny capsules.
►NATIONAL ESSENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC
LIST
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) finalised India’s
first National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL).
• India is the first country to compile such a list.
• It also encompasses tests relevant for new programmes
such as Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under the
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
►THE INDIA HEALTH FUND
• To eradicate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 and malaria by 2030
from India.
• It a collaborative initiative by the Tata Trusts and the
Global Fund.
►GLOBAL ANTIBIOTIC RESEARCH &
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
• It has been created by the World Health Organization
(WHO) and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).
70
 HEALTH & DISEASES
• Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and simultaneously carried on only
Development (R&D) Hub: Berlin after positive
TB test

►MERA INDIA INITIATIVE

• Launched by ICMR to eliminate malaria by 2030 ►E-2020 INITIATIVE
• Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India’ – a It is part of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-
conglomeration of partners working on malaria control – 2030 endorsed by WHO.
in order to prioritise, plan and scale up research to
eliminate the disease from India by 2030
►NEW INFLUENZA RESEARCH
• Malaria is the most deadly vector-borne disease.
• Malaria is caused by a Plasmodium Parasites that is
PROGRAMME
transmitted from one human to another by the bite of • Indian and European Union collaborated for new influenza
infected Anopheles mosquitoes. research programme to develop Next Generation
Influenza Vaccine.

►TRUENAT • The programme will get fund under EU funding

programme for research and innovation called
WHO has endorsed TrueNat, an indigenous molecular
'Horizon 2020'.
diagnostic tool for TB
IMPORTANCE OF MOLECULAR TESTS IN TB DIAGNOSIS
►SAANS CAMPAIGN
• Early diagnosis is extremely important in fighting TB.
Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia -
• Widely followed diagnosis methods include Sputum smear
launched by Ministry for Health and Family Welfare
microscopy which studies phenotype of the pathogen from
the sputum sample of the infected patient.
• However studying the phenotype makes this method less ►3S PROJECT
sensitive as it cannot detect drug-resistant pathogen. • Smart Safety Surveillance or 3S project aims to optimize
• On the other hand molecular studies have enabled study post-marketing surveillance of priority drugs and vaccines.
of genotype of the pathogen resulting in detection of drug- • Recommended by WHO.
resistant strain. • It aims to ensure the vaccines distributed under the
• While sputum microscopy has only about 50% sensitivity, universal immunization programme are safe.
Molecular Test has been found to have higher sensitivity • As part of the 3S project rotavirus vaccines is being
upto 89%. evaluated.
• Currently Genexpert is the molecular diagnostic test
commonly used. However, it is run on electricity and air-
►GLOBAL POLIO ERADICATION
conditioned atmosphere. The advantage of TrueNat over
GeneExper INITIATIVE
• TrueNat is portable as it is battery operated. • Public-private partnership to eradicate polio worldwide
COMPARISON BETWEEN Genexpert AND TrueNat • It has five partners – WHO, Rotary International, the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, Bill &
PARAMETERS GENEXPERT TRUENAT
Melinda Gates Foundation and GAVI, the vaccine alliance.
Sensitivity and • Its goal is.
Same Same
Specifity

Time required More time Less Time

►GLOBAL FUND FOR AIDS, TB AND
Airconditioning Required Not Required
MALARIA
Continuous Battery • International financing institution based on a unique
Power
Electricity Supply operated
partnership between governments, civil society, the private
Expensive as test Cheaper since sector and affected communities.
Cost advantage for MDR TB and TB second test for
• To fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases
diagnostic is done MDR TB is
(AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria)

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• Secretariat – Geneva, Switzerland.
• The World Bank is the trustee of funds contributed to the
Global Fund.
►NATIONAL HEALTH RESOURCE
REPOSITORY PROJECT
st
• India’s 1 ever healthcare establishment census to collect
data of all public and private healthcare establishments.
• It is launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is technology
partner for this project mainly for data security.
HEALTH & DISEASES
• It is part of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization
(CDSCO) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
►CENTRAL DRUGS STANDARD
CONTROL ORGANIZATION (CDSCO)
• CDSCO is the national regulatory body for Indian
pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
• Within the CDSCO, the Drug Controller General of India
(DCGI) regulates pharmaceutical and medical devices,
under the gamut of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The DCGI is advised by the Drug Technical Advisory Board
(DTAB) and the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC).

►NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE

►NATIONAL CANCER GRID
• Established and managed by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC)
• It has been made open to the cancer hospitals and other
relevant institutes from foreign countries.
• The objective of the NCG has been removing the disparity
in Cancer Care.
TRANSPLANT ORGANISATION
• It functions under MoH&FW and is an apex body for
coordination and networking for procurement and
distribution of organs/tissues and transplantation.
• At National level it creates awareness, promotion of organ
donation and transplantation activities.

►NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL ►NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING AGENCY

PRICING AUTHORITY (NADA)
Independent body under Department of Pharmaceuticals • National organisation responsible for promoting,
under the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. coordinating, and monitoring the doping control program
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS in sports in all its forms in India.
• fix/revise the controlled bulk •drugs pricesby and
It is formed the Union Government under the societies
formulations Registration Act.
• enforce prices and availability of the medicines • NADA includes scientists and representatives from the
• Monitor the prices of decontrolled drugs Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

► ‘STANDING COMMITTEE ON
REPORT AND INDICES
AFFORDABLE MEDICINES AND
HEALTH PRODUCTS (SCAMHP)’ RELATED TO HEALTH AND
• An autonomous body under Ministry of chemicals and DISEASE
fertilizers.
• Gives recommendation to the National Pharmaceutical WORLD DRUG UN Office of Drugs and
Pricing Authority (NPPA) Crime.
REPORT
• It decide list of drugs which should be under price control.
WORLD WILDLIFE UN Office of Drugs and
►DRUGS TECHNICAL ADVISORY CRIME REPORT Crime.
BOARD
Health Metrics and
• DTAB is highest statutory decision-making body on GLOBAL BURDEN OF Evaluation; funded by
technical matters related to drugs in the country.
DISEASE STUDY the Bill and Melinda
• It is constituted as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Gates Foundation.

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 HEALTH & DISEASES

joint initiative of the

Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR),
the Public Health
INDIA STATE-LEVEL Foundation of India
DISEASE BURDEN (PHFI) and the Institute
for Health Metrics and
INITIATIVE REPORT
Evaluation (IHME) in
collaboration with the
Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare

GLOBAL HEALTH
WHO
REPORT

WORLD HEALTH
WHO
STATISTICS

THE GLOBAL
HEALTH
WHO
EXPENDITURE
DATABASE

TRACKING
UNIVERSAL HEALTH WHO

COVERAGE

UNIVERSAL HEALTH
COVERAGE (UHC) World Bank

INDEX

HEALTHY STATES
NITI Aayog + MoH&FW +
PROGRESSIVE INDIA World Bank
REPORT

PERFORMANCE OF
HEALTH OUTCOME NITI Aayog

INDEX
Expert Group of the
GLOBAL NUTRITION
Global Nutrition Report;
REPORT WHO is a partner

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SECTION 6
YBER
& SPACE
CYBER SECURITY THREATS
►MALWARE
• Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that
is harmful to a computer user.
• Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses
and spyware.
• Malwares can perform a variety of functions, including
stealing, encrypting or deleting sensitive data, altering or
hijacking core computing functions and monitoring users'
computer activity without their permission.
TYPES OF MALWARE
• Virus – It is the most common type of malware. It can
execute itself and spread by infecting other programs or
files.
Stuxnet: Malware that targeted Iranian nuclear enrichment
facilities.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
ECURITY
• Worm – It is a type of malware that can self- replicate
without a host program. Worms typically spread without
any human interaction or directives from the malware
authors.
• Trojan – It is a malicious program that is designed to
appear as a legitimate program. Once activated following
installation, Trojans can execute theirmalicious functions.
o Xafecopy
 It is a Trojan Malware.
 It is disguised as useful apps and operates normally.
 Malware uses technology to bypass ‘captcha’ systems
designed to protect users by confirming the action is
being performed by a human.
• Spyware – It is a kind of malware that isdesigned to
collect information and data on users and observe their
activity without users’ knowledge.
o Pegasus
74

 It is a spyware developed by the Israeli cyber arms
firm NSO Group Technologies.
 It mainly uses exploit links, clicking on which installs
Pegasus on the target’s phone.
►DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE
• Denials of service (DoS)– is a malware attack that
prevents or impairs the authorized use of information
system resources.
• Working: The malware first creates a number of botnets.
These botnets then pings a single server all at the same
time. As the number of pings are far beyond the capacity
of the target server, the server crashes and denies service
to genuine users and hence the name.
• Distributed denial-of-service –is a variant of the denial-
of-service attack that uses a coordinated attack from a
distributed system of computers rather than a single
source.
• Unlike other kinds of Cyberattack, DoS assaults don’t
attempt to breach the security perimeter. Rather, they aim
to make the website and servers unavailable to legitimate
users.
►BUFFER OVERFLOW
• It is a bug in a computer program that can lead to a
security vulnerability. A buffer is a part of the physical
memory storage that is temporarily used to store data.
Buffer overflows occur when a program or process tries to
write or read more data from a buffer than the buffer can
hold.
• It can give an attacker access to different parts of the
internal memory and eventually control the program
execution, introducing risks in confidentiality, integrity and
availability. Only native code programs are vulnerable to
buffer overflows.
►BOT
Bot is software that is capable of compromising the victims’
machine and using it for further malicious activities. The
activities could be directed by Bot’s command and control
server.
►RANSOMWARE
• It is malicious software that is injected into the computer
to limit the access of the system to the user and encrypt
the data.
• Cyber criminals demand money in lieu of encryption key
(that would unlock all the data and restore the access to
the system).
• Nowadays, ransom is demanded in terms of Bitcoins.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
Examples - WannaCry Ransomware, Locky Ransomware etc
►MAN-IN-THE-MIDDLE (MITM)
ATTACKS
• Occurs when a malicious actor inserts himself as a
relay/proxy into a communication session between people
or systems.
• A MitM attack exploits the real-time processing of
transactions, conversations or transfer of other data.
►PHISHING
• It is a form or e-mail spam where a perpetrator sends an
official looking fraudulent e-mail message in an attempt to
obtain the victim’s personal and financial information.
• In the recent days, zombie computers or botnets are
increasingly used for launching phishing attacks.
►SPEAR PHISHING
• In the recent times IT and ITES companies have
increasingly become victims of phishing attacks.
• Attackers disguise themselves as business related
accounts like vendors, auditors etc to launch attacks on
business groups.
• Once the business accounts are hacked they are used a
jump-off points to launch attacks on customers.
• This type of phishing attacks where the attackers disguise
as legitimate accounts to attack a business group or its
customers is called spear phishing.
►WEB CRAWLER
• Also known as a web spider, it is a program or automated
script which browses the World Wide Web in a systematic
manner.
• Web crawlers are mainly used to create a copy of all the
visited pages for later processing by a search engine.
• Crawlers can also be used for automating maintenance
tasks on a Web site, such as checking links or validating
HTML code.
CYBER SECURITY
PREPAREDNESS
►NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY
POLICY, 2013
• To build a secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens,
businesses and Government
75

• It aims to protect information and information
infrastructure in cyberspace, build capabilities to prevent
and respond to cyber threats, reduce vulnerabilities and
minimize damage from cyber.
STRATEGY
• National Nodal Agency: CERT-IN
• Central Information Security Officer in all private and
public organisations
►CYBER APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
• Established in accordance with Section 48(1) of the IT Act
2000
• As per the IT Act, any person aggrieved by an order made
by the Controller of Certifying Authorities or by an
Adjudicating Officer under the Act can appeal before the
Cyber Appellate Tribunal (CAT).
►INDIAN CYBER CRIME
COORDINATION CENTRE (I4C)
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was
recently inaugurated by thegovernment. It will be set up
under the newly created Cyber and Information Security (CIS)
division of the Ministry of Home Affair.
COMPONENTS
• National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
• National Cyber Crime Training Centre
• Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit
• National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre
• National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem
• Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team
►CYBER PREVENTION AWARENESS
AND DETECTION (CyPAD)
• Established under Delhi Police to tackle the threats posed
from growing cybercrime like online financial frauds,
stalking, crypto-currency fraudsand international tech-
supported frauds.
• CyPAD has been given a wider ambit to deal with all sort of
online frauds affecting public at large.
►NATIONAL CRITICAL INFORMATION
INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
CENTRE
• Established under Information Technology Act, 2000 to
secure India’s critical information infrastructure.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
• It is designated as the National Nodal Agency in respect of
Critical Information Infrastructure Protection.
►INDIAN COMPUTER EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TEAM – CERT-IN
• National nodal agency for responding to computer security
incidents as and when they occur
• Under the Information Technology Amendment Act 2008,
CERT- In has been designated to serve as the national
agency to perform the following functions in the area of
cyber security:
1. Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on
cyber incidents.
2. Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
3. Emergency measures for handling cyber security
incidents
4. Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
5. Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and
whitepapers relating to information security practices,
procedures, prevention, response and reporting of
cyber incidents.
6. Such other functions relating to cyber security as may
be prescribed
►CYBER SWACHHTA KENDRA
• It is Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre.
• It is a part of the Digital India initiative under the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• It has been set up in accordance with the objectives of the
National Cyber Security Policy.
• This centre is being operated by the Indian Computer
Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the provisions
of IT Act, 2000.
►S3WAAS
• Secure, Scalable and Sugamya Website as a Service
• It is a website generating and deployment product hosted
on the National Cloud of NIC.
• It leverages technology to generate secure websites using
GIGW compliant templates which are highly customizable
and can seamlessly be deployed on a scalable software
defined infrastructure.
►TECHSAGAR
• An online portal launched by National Cyber Security
Coordinator's office in partnership with the Data Security
Council of India (DSCI).
76

• It provides actionable insights about capabilities of the
Indian Industry, academia and research across 25
technology areas like Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial
Intelligence (AI), etc.
CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
• Marks the coming of data transmission - enabled mobile
devices to send and receive e-mails and pictures.
• GPRS had operating speeds of up to 115kbps.
• EDGE increased the maximum speeds upto 1 mbps

►NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY 3G

COORDINATOR • Faster data-transmission speeds – Max speed upto 2 Mbps
It coordinates with different agencies at the national level for • 3G phone cannot communicate through a 4G network, but
cyber security matters. a 4G phone can communicate through a 3G or even 2G
networks.
►DATA SECURITY COUNCIL OF INDIA
4G USES LTE PROTOCOL
• It is a not-for-profit premier industry body on data
protection in India. • 4G is different technology compared to 3G. 4G is a
• It has been setup by NASSCOM common name given to LTE (Long Term Evolution)
technology.

►CYBER CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN • 4G uses LTE which allows to communicate with voice and

Prepared by CERT-In data simultaneously. LTE allows transmission of data while

OBJECTIVE
• To establish the strategic framework and guide actions to
prepare for, respond to, and begin to coordinate recovery
from a cyber-incident.
• To ensure that interruption or manipulations of critical
functions/services in critical sector organisations are brief,
infrequent and manageable and cause least possible
damage.
• To fix responsibilities and accountabilities right down to
individual level.
voice calls are routed to 2G or 3G networks.
• Under LTE, you cannot access your 4G data services while
on a call.
• Applications include amended mobile web access, IP
telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV,
video conferencing, 3D television, and cloud computing.
• The max speed of a 4G network when the device is moving
is 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps for low mobility communication like
when stationary or walking.

VoLTE
►BASICS OF MOBILE • VoLTE is an update to LTE protocol.

NETWORK • Allows voice calls to be ‘packaged’ and carried through LTE

networks.
• Mobile phones communicate through ground-based
• Thus enables both data and voice communication over the
cellular networks.
same 4G network.
• The cellular networks are divided into ‘communication
cells’ with which our mobile phones and mobile devices
communicate.
• Mobile communication involves transmitting voice or data
using wireless radio transmission.

►1G to 4G
1G - Analog technology that supported only voice
communications. Maximum speed was 2.4 Kbps.

2G - 1st time radio signals became digital

GPRS (GENERAL PACKET RADIO

SERVICE)
• Bridge between 2G and 3G.

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►5G TECHNOLOGY
• 5G is the next generation cellular technology that will
provide faster and more reliable communication with
ultra-low latency (Latency is gap time or transmission time
for a packet of data).
• The Steering Committee constituted for identifying the 5G
deployment roadmap for India recently submitted report
titled 'Making India 5G Ready'. As per government panel
report with 5G data speed would be 2-20 Gbps.
FEATURES OF 5G
• High datarates (1Gbps for hotspots, 100Mbps download
and 50Mbps upload for wide-area coverage)
• Massive connectivity (1million connections per square
kilometre)
• Ultra-low latency (1milli second)
• Highreliability (99.999% for mission critical‘ ultra-reliable’
communications), and
• Mobility at high speeds (upto 500km/hi.e. high-speed
trains).
►APPLICATIONS IN INDIA
• Will enhance infrastructure efficiencies like ‘vehicle
platooning’.
• Platooning can double vehicle density in roads promoting
efficient and safer use of the limited road infrastructure.
• In manufacturing, 5G will enable use of robotics for
precision manufacturing.
• 5G can also enable better logistics to track goods from raw
materials to product delivery.
• In agriculture, 5G can enable improvement in the entire
value-chain, from precision farming, smart irrigation,
improved soil and crop monitoring, to livestock
management.
• In the energy sector, ‘smart grids’ and ‘smart metering’ can
be efficiently supported enabling growth of alternate
energy technologies.
• In health-care, 5G can enable more effective tele-medicine
delivery, tele-control of surgical robotics and wireless
monitoring of vital statistics.
• 5G will be used in in key government projects such as
smart cities and Digital India.
MISCELLANEOUS
►WiFi 6.0
• Next generation standard in WiFi technology
• Also known as “AX WiFi"
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
• It was built for in response to the growing number of
devices in the world of IoT (Internet of Things) due to
faster data transmission rates.
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 NETWORKS ENSURE
• Each connected device performs at an optimum level, in
locations with hundreds or thousands of connected
devices.
• Highest standards for security and interoperability.
• Lower battery consumption.
• Increased bandwidth to deliver greater performance with
lower latency
►Wi-Fi CALLING (VoWiFi)
• It makes use of high speed Internet connection, available
via broadband, to make and receive high definition (HD)
voice calls.
• This is not much different from a voice call using
WhatsApp or any other over-the-top messaging platform,
but here the call is from one number to another, and not
using an app.
• Wi-Fi Calling can be configured on compatible
smartphones by upgrading operating systems to the
version that supports Wi-Fi Calling, and enabling this in
Settings.
• Airtel says it will soon be compatible with all broadband
services and Wi-Fi hotspots, and rolled out in other
locations.
►DATA PROTECTION BILL
• In the aftermath of the landmark decision of the
constitutional bench of the SC on Right to Privacy in
Puttuswamy case, Justice Sri Krishna Committee was
constituted study issues relating to data protection in India
and to recommend a suitable data protection law for India.
• Accordingly draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 was
framed covering various aspects of data protection.
• Now the cabinet has approved the Data Protection Bill
which is set to be introduced in the Parliament.
ABOUT THE BILL
• The Bill deals with the broad guidelines on the collection,
storage, and processing of personal data, the consent of
individuals, penalties and compensation, and a code of
conduct.
• Any entity that offers goods or services to Indian residents
or processes the personal data of Indian resident is
covered under the data protection law.
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IMPORTANT PROVISIONS activity or fraud, whistleblowing, medical emergencies,
The bill classifies personal data into 3 categories credit scoring, operation of search engines and processing
of publicly available data.
1. Critical personal data
• Personal data processed in the interest of prevention,
• In case of certain critical personal data the bill requires
detection, investigation and prosecution of any offence is
both storage and processing of data on servers located
exempt.
solely within the national borders.
• In the interest of sovereignty, national security, preventing
• Central government is empowered to notify categories of
communal violence, we exempted some agencies from the
personal data as critical personal data.
law.
2. Personal data
IN LINE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION
• The bill allows some personal data to be stored and
• This is in line with proposed changes to Section 79 of the IT
processed abroad without requiring a mirror of the data in
which centres around social media regulation.
India.
• According to draft rule 3(9), the online platforms or
• However all personal data can be processed outside only
“intermediaries” must “deploy appropriate technologies to
with the consent of the person.
proactively identify, remove or disable access to
3. Sensitive Personal data
unlawful content.
• The draft Bill classifies ‘sensitive personal data’ as including
• The unlawful content also include those that “threatens
passwords, financial data, health data, sex life, sexual
critical information infrastructure” in India.
orientation, biometric data, genetic data, transgender
• Further the online platforms would have to inform its
status, intersex status, caste or tribe, and religious or
users to refrain from hosting, uploading or sharing any
political belief or affiliation.
content that is blasphemous, obscene, defamatory, hateful
STORAGE
or racially, ethnically objectionable or those which threaten
• “Sensitive” personal data shall be stored only in India. national security.
PROCESSING TRACEABILITY OF CONTENT
• This data can be processed abroad only under certain According to the Draft Rule 3(5), the intermediary shall enable
conditions, including the approval of a Data Protection tracing out of originator/source of unlawful content on its
Agency (DPA). platform.
• Sensitive personal data can be processed only with the DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY
explicit consent of the person, and this consent needs to
• Data Protection Authority to ensure compliance with data
be informed, clear, and specific.
protection norms.
GOVERNMENT’S POWERS
• Permission of DPA for processing of sensitive information.
Access to data
PENATIES
• Government is empowered to gain access to any non-
• In case of data leak of inaction - ₹5 crore or 2% of turnover,
personal data — anonymised data like traffic patterns or
whichever is higher
demographic information — mainly for framing policy for
• In case of sharing of data without consent – 15 crore or 4%
better delivery of services and evidence-based policy.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR CONSUMERS
DUTY OF INTERMEDIARIES
User Verification
• The Bill also requires social media companies, which are
deemed “significant data fiduciaries” (SDF) to develop their
own user verification mechanism.
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
• This is primarily to curb the menace of fake news in India
Processing of data without consent
• The Bill includes exemptions for processing data without
an individual’s consent for “reasonable purposes”,
including security of the state, detection of any unlawful

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DUTIES OF INTERMEDIARIES
DATA LOCALIZATION IN INDIA
• Reserve Bank of India has issued data localization rules for
local storage of payments data.
• The draft Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act
(DISHA) also has a provision for data localization of
healthcare data.
• The draft National e-Commerce Policy by DIPP also has a
provision for data localisation of consumer data.
GLOBAL PRACTICES
Individual rights centric
• EU’s GDPR
o According to EU’s General Data Protection Regulation it
is not mandatory to have local storage of data.
o Besides cross-border flow of information is permitted if
adequate data protection framework in there is the
recipient country.
• USA
o US does not even have a federal law for data protection
STATE-CENTRIC
China and Vietnam mandates strict data localisation norms.
MIDDLE PATH
Canada and Australia are selective in that they have
provisions to protect their health data.
►PUBLIC DOMAIN NAME SERVER
(DNS)
• The government will launch a public Domain Name Server
(DNS) aimed at providing a faster and more secure
browsing experience for Internet users in the country,
while ensuring that citizens’ data is stored locally.
• The main objective of bringing country’s own public
DNS is to ensure availability, particularly for smaller
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who don’t have
credible DNS.
• A user will be free to choose any DNS and they need not
compulsorily need to shift to India public DNS.
• The National Informatics Centre (NIC) would configure the
setup which would be offered to all citizens Domain Name
System (DNS).
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
WHAT IS DNS?
• DNS is a system that translates domain names to Internet
Protocol or IP addresses that allows browsers to load
websites sought.
• Domain Name System translates human readable domain
names (for example, www.google.com) to machine
readable IP addresses (for example, 192.0.2.44).
• A domain name server is a computer that houses DNS
zones of domain names.
►NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING
MISSION
• Jointly steered by MEITY and Department of Science
and Technology (DST).
• Being implemented by CDAC and IISc with the objective of
creation of state of art High Performance Computing
facilities and infrastructure to enhance the national
capability to enable cutting edge research in various
domains in solving grand challenge problems.
• Aims to empower our national academic and R&D
institutions spread over the country by installing a vast
supercomputing grid comprising of 70 high performance
computing facilities.
• These supercomputers will also be networked on the
National Supercomputing grid over the National
Knowledge Network.
►PARAM SHAVAK
It is an affordable supercomputing solution in a box that
aims to provide computational resource (capacity building)
with advance technologies to perform high end computations
for scientific, engineering and academic programsto address
and catalyse the research using.
►TRINETRA
• It is the next generation indigenous HPC interconnect,
being developed by CDAC.
• It will facilitate efficient inter-node communication
between compute nodes under National Supercomputing
Mission.
• It is being designed for performance, power efficiency and
support for large scale systems.
►SPINNAKER SUPERCOMPUTER
• It is the world's largest neuromorphic supercomputer.
• Designed and built to work in the same way a human brain
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• It has been designed and built in the University of
Manchester, UK.
• SpiNNaker is unique because, unlike traditional
computers, it doesn’t communicate by sending large
amounts of information from point A to B via a standard
network. Instead it mimics the massively parallel
communication architecture of the brain, sending billions
of small amounts of information simultaneously to
thousands of different destinations.
• It is funded by Human Brain Project of the EU.
►SHAKTI PROCESSOR PROGRAM
• India’s first indigenously developed microprocessor that
can be used in mobile computing, networking, wireless
systems, and may be even for country’s nuclear systems.
• Developed and booted by Indian Institute of Technology
Madras.
• Note: India’s first Indigenous Semiconductor Chips by
Bengaluru based semiconductor company Signalchip for
4G/LTE and 5G.
►CRYPTO CURRENCY
• European Central Bank defined virtual currency as "a type
of unregulated, digital money, which is issued and usually
controlled by its developers, and used and accepted
among the members of a specific virtual community.
• Examples of such currencies are Bitcoin, Ripple, and
Libra(of facebook)etc.
• All such currencies take help of Blockchain technology in
their operation.
DRAFT BILL BANNING CRYPTOCURRENCY
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Virtual
Currency constituted headed by Subhash Chandra Garg has
submitted its report. The committee has also presented a
Draft Bill ‘Banning of Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official
Digital Currency Bill, 2019’.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
• Cryptocurrency cannot be used as legal tender or currency
at any place in India.
• Total prohibition to mine, generate, hold, sell, deal in,
issue, transfer, dispose of or use Cryptocurrency in the
territory of India.
• The Central Government is allowed to declare Digital
Rupee to be legal tender with the consent of the Reserve
Bank of India.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
• The Reserve Bank is empowered to declare any official
foreign digital currency to be recognised as foreign
currency in India.
• The use of Distributed Ledger Technology for creating a
network for delivery of any financial or other services or
for creating value, without involving any use of
cryptocurrency is not prohibited.
• Direct or indirect use of Cryptocurrency shall be
punishable with fine or imprisonment of 1 year which may
be extended to 10 years or both.
• The Court is empowered to transfer any fees recovered, to
the Consolidated Fund of India.
►GOVERNMENT INSTANT MESSAGING
SYSTEM (GIMS)
• It is an Indian equivalent of popular messaging platforms,
such as WhatsApp and Telegram, for secure internal use.
• Designed and developed by National Informatics Centre
(NIC).
• It is being packaged for employees of Central and state
government departments and organisations for intra and
inter organisation communications.
• It is being developed as a secure Indian alternative without
the security concerns attached with apps hosted abroad or
those owned by foreign entities.
• Like WhatsApp, GIMS employs end-to-end encryption for
one-to-one messaging.
►SYCAMORE
• Google announced that it had reached quantum
supremacy and made quantum computer called Sycamore.
• It is a 54-qubit processor, solved a particularly difficult
problem in 200 seconds.
• It could take years or decades for the technology to be
freely available.
►QUANTUM SUPREMACY
It refers to a problem-solving process by the quantum
computer that cannot be solved by a classical computer in its
normal lifetime.
►QUANTUM COMPUTER
• Quantum computer runs on the laws of quantum physics
as opposed to the classical computers (i.e. phones and
laptops), which run on classical physics like Newton’s laws
of motion and utilising the flow of electricity.
81

• It uses the laws that govern the behaviour of atoms and
subatomic particles. At that tiny scale, many laws of
classical physics do not apply, and the unique laws of
quantum physics come into play.
• The quantum computer was posited by Richard Feynman.
►QUANTUM DOTS
• It is a nanoparticle made of any semiconductor material
such as silicon, cadmium selenide, cadmium sulfide, or
indium arsenide.
• “Quantum dots” are more than 90% effective at wiping out
antibiotic-resistant germs like Salmonella, E. coli and
Staphylococcus.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Bacteria rely on redox reactions, those involving the addition
or removal of oxygen (reduction and oxidation, respectively).
And when several Quantum dots are “excited” nearby, they
produce chemicals that are able to be reduced or oxidized by
reactive compounds within the bacteria. This effectively
interferes with their intercellular processes, disrupts their cell
growth, and kills them.
►CLOUD NATIVE SCALABLE
APPLICATIONS
• Cloud-native applications are a collection of small,
• The service provides a multilingual platform comprising of
independent, and loosely coupled services.
11 local languages with a go-live in English and Hindi
• They are designed to deliver well recognized business
value, like the ability to rapidly incorporate user feedback
for continuous improvement.
• In short, cloud-native app development is a way to speed
up how you build new applications, optimize existing ones,
and connect them all together. Its goal is to deliver apps
users want at the pace a business needs.
►OPEN API (APPLICATION
PROGRAMMING INTERFACES)
• They provide an open architecture, allowing any business
to access data and functionality without any association
with the API providers.
• Open APIs can bring in the profound changes in the overall
digital ecosystem. Open APIs basically allow data to be
accessible to larger institutions.
• Government of India has open API policy for programmes
like Aadhaar, eKYC, eSign, and Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) among others.
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• Though Aadhaar data is handled by Unique Identification
Authority of India (UIDAI) and banks have no control over
the data, still banks are able to use the data. For instance,
banks use Aadhaar-enabled biometric authentication to
open bank accounts.
• An open API also gives banks the ability to monetise your
data. But that doesn't mean all your information is made
public. The data exchange in open APIs happens in a
controlled manner.
• However, security does seem to be a concern with open
APIs. Hence, not many banks currently offer them. But
they are still works in progress and you can’t rule out the
possibility that someday, any bank would be able to fetch
your data from any bank, of course, with your consent.
►UNIFIED MESSAGING PLATFORM
• MeitY has released Unified Messaging Platform for secure
and efficient Government communications, envisages to
provide email service to over 5 million officials of Central
and State Government employees
• NIC is the implementing agency
• The service has been built through an open source
solution in accordance with the “Policy on adoption of
Open source software for Government of India”. This gives
strategic control of government over the solution.
initially, followed by other languages.
►GLOBAL CYBERSECURITY INDEX
(GCI)
• The index measures the commitment of Member States to
cybersecurity in order to raise awareness.
• The GCI revolves around the ITU Global Cybersecurity
Agenda (GCA) and its five pillars (legal, technical,
organizational, capacity building and cooperation).
►BROADBAND READINESS INDEX FOR
STATES
• Department of Telecommunications and Indian Council for
Research on International Economic Relations
(ICRIER) have signed a MoU to develop a Broadband
Readiness Index for Indian states and Union Territories
(UT).
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 CYBER SECURITY & IT SPACE
• The index will include indicators such as percentage of • The data is generally sensitive and private (government
households using computers/ laptops with internet private data, bank data, cloud data etc), so kept out of
connection, percentage of households with fixed reach.
broadband connection, internet users as a percentage of • The third layer is the darknet which is also known as a
the population, smartphones density, percentage of part of the ‘Deep Web’. It is a network built over
households with at least one digitally literate member, etc. the internet which is encrypted.
• It is basically a layer of the Internet accessible only by
►NET NEUTRALITY using special software like Tor or I2P (Invisible Internet
Project).
• Net neutrality is the principle that internet service
providers and governments regulating the internet should • Anything present on the dark web will not be pulled up in
treat all data on the internet the same, and not internet searches, thereby offering a high degree of
discriminating or charging differentially on the basis of anonymity.
user, content, website, platform, application, type of
attached equipment, or mode of communication. ►CENTRAL EQUIPMENT IDENTITY
• In 2016, TRAI took a revolutionary decision, prohibiting REGISTER (CEIR)
telecom service providers from levying discriminatory
• Initiated by Department of Telecommunications to Identity
rates for data, thus ruling in favour of Net Neutrality in
Register (CEIR) for mobile service providers.
India. This move was welcomed by not just by millions of
Indians but also by various political parties, • The National Telecom Policy of 2012 calls for the
businesspersons, and industry leaders. establishment of a National Mobile Property Registry to
address the issue of security, theft, and other concerns
including reprogramming of mobile handsets.
►DEEPNET AND DARKNET
• CEIR will have information on the Device’s –
Internet has three layers –
ο International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
• The first layer is publicly accessible. It consisting of sites
ο Model
that one uses frequently like social networking sites, e-
commerce sites etc. This layer makes up only around 4% of ο Version

the entire internet.

• The second layer, the deep web, is a network where data
is stored in databases that cannot be accessed through
traditional search engines like Google. It is used to provide
access to a specific group of people.

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SECTION 7

ISCELLANEOUS
►CLOUD SEEDING ►ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH
• Process of augmenting the process of precipitation by
manipulating the size of condensation nuclei.

• Under his process substances capable of absorbing water

vapour (hygroscopic) such as silver iodide, sodium
chloride, potassium chloride, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide)
are sprayed in the clouds to act as using an aircraft or an
artillery gun.

• This catalyzes the growth of condensation nuclei which in

turn results in enhanced precipitation.

APPLICATIONS OF CLOUD SEEDING

• Agriculture –To augment rainfall in drought-stricken

areas. For instance ‘Project Varshadhari’ in Karnataka in
2017.

• Power Generation – Cloud seeding experiments have

shown to augment production of hydroelectric during the
last 40 years in Tasmania, Australia.
• Water Pollution Control –To maintain minimum summer
flows of the rivers and dilute the impact of treated
wastewater discharges from municipalities and industries.
• Used to denote the present geological time interval
characterised by humanity’s large impact on the
environment.
• Adoption of new epoch will signal the end of the Holocene
epoch, which began 12,000 to 11,600 years ago.

• Weather modification: Fog Dispersal, Hail Suppression, ►GEOCHEMICAL BASELINE ATLAS OF

and Cyclone Modification. Project Sky Water of U.S.A. INDIA
• Air pollution – Urban areas like Delhi and Mumbai have • Developed by CSIR-National Geophysical Research
contemplated the use of cloud seeding to combat air Institute (NGRI) to assess environmental damage.
pollution as rain water absorbs particulate matter.

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• Comprises of 45 maps of metals, oxides and elements
present in top and bottom soils across India.
• For future assessment of the chemical compositional
changes on Earth’s surface.
►SINGLE-LAYER GRAPHENE
Next-generation wonder material that will revolutionize
material science.
STRUCTURE OF GRAPHENE
• ‘Graphene is a 1-atom thick layer of carbon atoms
arranged in a hexagonal ring shape.
• The carbon-atoms in graphene are laid out flat making it
effectively a 2-D crystal.
• Imagine graphite (used in pencil) to be made up of billions
of layers of carbon atoms, one such layer is what
represents graphene.
• The way the carbon atoms are arranged in graphene gives
it the unique combination of properties. deep roots
UNIQUE COMBINATION OF PROPERTIES
• Strength: It is a 2-d crystal stronger than diamond and 300
times stronger than steel.
• Thickness: Thinnest material known, million times thinner
than human hair.
• Light: Being 1-atom thick layer, it is extremely light
• Conductor: It exhibits both electrical and thermal
conductivity.
• Optically Transparent
• Flexible
• Hydro-phobic
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
• Aerospace, ship building and Automotive
ο Next-gen materials for aircraft bodies and ship hulls.
ο Being light and strong; it will reduce the drag of the
aircraft or ship hulls, thereby increasing their fuel
efficiency.
ο For the same reason mentioned above graphene may
be useful automotive bodies.
RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020
MISCELLANEOUS
• High-speed electronics: As a result of super-conductivity,
it is ideal for high-speed electronics.
• High-speed computers
ο The speed and performance of any computer depends
on the size of the microprocessors inside it.
ο Graphene may potentially replace silicon chips used to
make transistors in microprocessors.
• Flexible Screens, sensors: Graphene may also
revolutionise touch-screen technology due to its flexibility.
(flexible foldable screens)
• Thermo-electric devices: Due to thermal conductivity,
graphenes may be used in thermo-electrical devices which
can convert heat wasted in many devices like computers,
automobile etc into electricity.
• Solar panels
• Graphenes can potentially be used to make photovoltaic
cells.
ο Currently P-V cells undergo degradation upto 30% a
year due to exposure to radiation from sun.
ο Energy Storage: Graphenes can make the size of
batteries extremely small.
►HYDROPONICS
• It is a method of growing plants without soil in which
plants get their nutrients from a mineral solution.
• Suitable for growing greens and herbs as they don’t have
BENEFITS
• Higher yields due faster growth (direct access to required
nutrients)
• Water-efficient: Only about 20% of the water used in the
conventional methods.
• It minimizes the loss of nutrients and has a lot more
accurate control over the nutrients required for the plants.
►VERTICAL FARMING
Category of Hydroponics where crops are grown vertically
indoor
►CLAYTRONICS
• It is the next-generation manufacturing technology based
on programmable matter.
• It basically entails merger of physical and computational
world.
• The programmable matter called C-Atoms or catoms, are
the building blocks of claytronics which interact with each
85

other using electrostatic forces to form tangible 3D
objects.
►HIGH-TEMPERATURE
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
• Superconductivity is a state in which a material shows
absolutely zero electrical resistance i.e it allows
unhindered flow of electron.
• A number of materials become superconductors at
extremely low temperature and/or extremely high
pressure.
• Currently, the highest temperature superconductor works
at a temperature of about 150 K, equal to -123 C.
• To achieve superconductivity these materials immersed in
liquid helium that boils at a temperature of 4 Kelvin .i.e. -
273 degree Celsius.
CHALLENGE
• The conductors that are generally used for transporting
energy are copper and aluminum wires.
• The problem with these conductors is that much of the
energy that is transported is wasted because of inherent
resistance in these wires.
• Thus wires made of superconductor which have zero-
resistance would revolutionize the way energy is
transported as energy-loss is minimum.
• However at such low temperatures• the Thismetal become
is done to reduce the friction and therefore achieve
extremely brittle and cannot be made into wires.
THE BREAKTHROUGH: SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AT ROOM
TEMPERATURE
• The researchers at IISC have achieved superconductivity in
silver nanoparticles embedded in a gold matrix at room
temperature.
• The gold-silver nano-material used exhibited
superconductivity at a temperature below 13°C which can
go up to 70°C.
• The scientist observed superconductivity at -37° Celsius,
highest temperature at which superconductivity is
observed so far.
SIGNIFICANCE
• The achievement of superconductivity at room
temperature is a breakthrough in physics as it can reduce
energy loss significantly.
• Reducing energy-loss can be significant in achieving the
Paris goal of 1.5° rise in the temperature
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MISCELLANEOUS
• Superconductivity so far has been possible only at
extremely low temperatures, in the range of 100°C below
zero.
• IISc researchers have reported superconductivity at room
temperature.
►HYPERLOOP
• Hyperloop will allow travel at the near-supersonic speeds
of 1,200 kilometers per hour, or Mach 0.91.
st
• India has mooted its 1 hyperloop project, the Mumbai-
Pune Hyperloop system.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
• Hyperloop transportation system propels a pod-like
vehicle.
• It involves moving the passenger capsules through low-
pressure near-vacuum tubes.
• The pods work similar to pneumatic tubes that are used to
deliver mails.
• Firstly, the track on which the capsules move is essentially
an electromagnetic motor laid flat on the floor.
• Each pod is pushed along the track when an electric
current is fed through the magnets.
• Where an electric motor spins in a circle, the hyperloop
pod is propelled forwards.
• Nearly all of the air inside the hyperloop tube is removed
with a series of vacuum pumps.
large near-supersonic speeds thus creating a cost- and
energy-efficient transport system.
►SMART FERTILIZERS
Smart Fertilizers have water-insoluble molecules that allow
controlled release of nutrients by a plant-root activated
mechanism
►MARICULTURE
Cultivation of marine organisms for food and other products.
SEAWEEDS: A SOLUTION TO HUNGER
• Also called brown algae
• Multi-cellular photosynthetic eukaryotes.
• Very similar to plants, the only difference being they live
only in water or on very moist land surfaces, in other
words they grow in the tidal zone.
• Exhibit highest photosynthesis efficiency due to moist
conditions.
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 MISCELLANEOUS

• As a result they contribute to about 50% of all ►DEEP LEARNING

photosynthesis in the world.
ADVANTAGES OF EDIBLE SEAWEED
• Low-calorie and nutrient-dense food items.
• Rich in vitamins A and C.
• Good source of minerals such as Ca, Mg, Zn, Se and Fe.
• High level of vegetable proteins and omega 3 and 6 fatty
acids.
• Since Seaweeds live in water they do not require irrigation.
• Also known as deep structured learning or hierarchical
learnin
• It is an area under machine learning that is based on
learning data representations, as opposed to task-specific
algorithms.
• Neural networks, a biologically-inspired programming
paradigm which enables a computer to learn from
observational data.

• They do not require pesticides, fertilizers. • Deep learning, a powerful set of techniques for learning in
neural networks.

►RIPE: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED

SOLUTION
• Project to increase photosynthesis efficiency (Realizing
Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency).
• Under RIPE, scientists have used genetic engineering to
increase the efficiency of photosynthesis in the tobacco
plants which increased yield by 20%.
• This process can be replicated in cassava (sabudana)
whose roots are rich in carbohydrates. Note: Cassava is a APPLICATIONS OF MACHINE LEARNING
staple food in parts of Andhra, Kerala and the hilly areas of • Machine learning has been used across many industries,
Assam. including banking and finance, manufacturing, marketing,
and telecommunications.
►ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) • Some more common every day examples include e-mail
AI is a self, adaptive learning systems. spam filters, face recognition, search engines, speech
recognition, and language translation.
IMPORTANT AI PROJECTS IN NEWS
MANUFACTURING RETAIL
NAME COMPANY • Predictive maintenance or • Predictive inventory planning
• condition monitoring • Recommendation engines
Project debater- World’s 1st first AI system IBM
• Warranty reserve estimation • Upsell and cross-channel
that can engage with humans in a live debate. Propensity to buy marketing
Watson- Quiz answering machine • Demand forecasting • Market segmentation and
• Process optimization targeting
Deep Blue- Chess-playing AI • Telematics • Customer ROI and lifetime
value
DeepMind’s Starcraft - Videogame to test AI Google
HEALTHCARE AND LIFE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY
AlphaGo SCIENCES
Alexa Apple • Alerts and diagnostics from • Aircraft scheduling
real-time patient data • Dynamic pricing
• Disease identification and risk • Social media - consumer
stratification feedback and interaction
►MACHINE LEARNING • Patient triage optimization analysis
• Building block of AI • Proactive health management • Customer complaint
• Healthcare provider resolution
• Machine learning algorithms analyze data features as sentiment analysis • Traffic patterns and
inputs, and by the process of iterative improvement can congestion management
produce linear and nonlinear predictive models. FINANCIAL SERVICES ENERGY, FEEDSTOCK, AND
• One of the types of machine learning algorithms is artificial UTILITIES
• Risk analytics and regulation • Power usage analytics
neural networks (ANNs).
Customer Segmentation • Seismic data processing
• Cross-selling and up-selling • Carbon emissions and trading
• Sales and marketing • Customer-specific pricing

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campaign management • Smart grid management • Large volume of data is used for predictive analytics to
• Credit worthiness evaluation • Energy demand and supply extract value from data.
optimization
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & INTERVENTIONS
• NITI Aayog: ‘National Data & Analytics Platform’, .
►BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
• ‘Big Data Management Policy’ drafted by CAG for auditing
• Blockchain is an information sharing platform where
large chunks of data generated by the public sector in the
multiple authorities cooperate, coordinate and collaborate
states and the union territories, is a great start.
in a decision making process.
• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has
• Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed database on
proposed to establish a ‘National Data Warehouse on
a peer-peer network which works on the basis of a
Official Statistics’ which will leverage technology and use
consensus mechanism involving every node (computer) on
big data analytical tools to improve the quality of macro-
the network.
economic aggregates.
KEY FEATURES OF BLOCKCHAIN
• Use of Direct Benefit Transfer in MGNREGA &
• Distributed ledger
Aadhaar for authentication & availing welfare scheme
• Immutable – Since any change or error or tampering of benefits helps in the filtering of ghost beneficiaries.
the transaction data is reflected, the transaction is
• The Ministry of Agriculture has signed a deal with
immutable.
the ISRO to use satellites for mapping of agricultural
• Enforces trust
assets.
o Since it is a decentralized database, it removes the need
• Smart City Mission, Digital India, digital economy proposals
for a 3rd party intermediary to enforce trust (like a
like BHIM app, inter alia are important government
bank)
initiatives that are using Big Data for achieving good
o This is because everyone in the network plays a role in
governance in the country.
validation and verification of the transaction.
• Cost-effective and time-saving
►3-D PRINTING
o Since blockchain is a distributed database, it does not
need intermediaries thereby reducing cost of • Also known as additive manufacturing
transaction. • It is a process of making three dimensional solid objects by
laying down successive layers of material one by one.
►VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED • Each layer is a horizontal cross-section of the final object.
REALITY • 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing,
VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) the principle on which the CNC (Computer Numerically
Controlled) machines work on which cuts or hollows out a
• Computer-generated simulation or recreation of a real life
piece of metal or plastic
environment or situation
APPLICATIONS
• Coding language used is known as VRML (Virtual Reality
Modeling Language) wo create a series of images and their • Rapid prototyping: Using 3D printers to create prototypes
interactions. is called rapid prototyping.
AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) • Rapid Manufacturing: Used for short run / small batch
• Technology that layers computer-generated custom manufacturing.
enhancements atop an existing reality in order to make it • Automotive
more meaningful
• Aviation and Aerospace
• AR is developed into apps and used on mobile devices to
• Construction and Architecture
blend digital components into the real world in such a way
that they enhance one another. • Furniture and Lighting
• Medical: Bio-printing of implants and prosthetics

►BIG DATA • Dental implants

• Big data is a term for data sets that are so large or • Food
complex that traditional data processing system (RDBMS) • Fashion
is inadequate to deal with them.

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►BIO-INK AND ARTIFICIAL CORNEA • While conventional plastics are made from petroleum-
based raw materials, bioplastics are made from 20 percent
• The ‘bio-ink’ is created with the help of stem cells from a
or more of renewable materials.
healthy donor cornea which when mixed together with
• Bioplastic can be both biodegradable and non-
alginate and collagen becomes a solution that grow into a
biodegradable.
cornea ready for transplantation.
• Further bio-plastics can also be non-bio based but
• The 3D printer prints out layers of “bio-ink”, building
biodegradable.
them up in concentric circles, to form cornea-shaped
scaffolding. The gel containing the combination of alginate
and collagen keeps the stem cells alive while producing a
material which is stiff enough to hold its shape but soft
enough to be squeezed out the nozzle of a 3D printer

►LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES (NOBEL

CHEMISTRY 2019)
• Rechargeable, lightweight batteries.
• Lithium triangle–Majority of the world’s lithium reserve are
concentrated in lithium triangle countries Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile (ABC countries – Mnemonics)
CHARACTERISTICS
TYPES OF BIOPLASTICS
• Light weight
1. PLA (polyactic acid)
• High energy density
• Typically made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava or
• Safer energy-storage devices
sugarcane.
• Low rate of self-discharge
• The starch is comprised of long chains of carbon
• Low maintenance molecules; similar to the carbon chains in plastic from
fossil fuels form a long-chain polymer (a large molecule
►NOBEL PRIZE 2019 consisting of repeating smaller units) that is the building
block for plastic.
• The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to a trio
• It is biodegradable, carbon-neutral and edible.
of scientists whose works, independently, have
contributed to development of lithium-ion batteries as an 2. PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate)
alternative to fossil fuels. • It is made by microorganisms, sometimes genetically
• The winners of the prize include John B. Goodenough, a engineered, that produce plastic from organic materials.
German-American (Oldest Nobel Laureate at 97) M. • The microbes are deprived of nutrients like nitrogen,
Stanley Whittingham, a British-American and Akira Yoshino oxygen and phosphorus, but given high levels of carbon.
of Japan. • They produce PHA as carbon reserves, which they store in
granules until they have more of the other nutrients they
►ARTIFICIAL LEAF need to grow and reproduce.

• Device used to harness solar energy and convert it into
usable chemical energy.
• Generally a cobalt and silicon coated Perovskite is
immersed in water that is split into hydrogen and oxygen
in the presence of sunlight.
• The hydrogen so formed is then used to produce ‘syngas’
(hydrogen and carbon monoxide) which can be
compressed to form liquid fuel that is used in vehicles.
►BIO-PLASTICS
• Category of plastics derived from renewable bio-based
resources.
• Because it is biodegradable and will not harm living tissue.
• PHA is often used for medical applications such as sutures,
slings, bone plates and skin substitutes; it is also used for
single-use food packaging.
ADVANTAGES OF BIOPLASTICS
• Reduced use of fossil fuel resources.
• Smaller carbon footprint.
• Bioplastics do produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas
emissions than traditional plastics over their lifetime.
• Faster decomposition.

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• Bioplastic is also less toxic and does not contain bisphenol
A (BPA), a hormone disrupter that is often found in
traditional plastics.
►BIOPOLYMERS
• Polymers that are produced by living organisms.
• Characteristrics
• Renewable.
• Compostable
• Biodegradable
• Chitosan – obtained naturally from the hard outer skeleton
of shellfish – developed as an eco-friendly biopolymer
using nanotechnology for water-softening and water
purification applications.
►AUTOMATED MULTI-MODAL
BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
(AMBIS)
• Crime detection system based on fingerprint, palm print,
facial recognition and iris scan data of criminals
• Presently, AMBIS is being used by Interpol and other
European agencies.
• Fingerprint data can be shared by the State government
with the National Crime Records Bureau, other State
governments, investigation agencies, courts, crime experts
and even with Interpol and foreign investigation agencies.
st
• Maharashtra became the 1 state in the country to adopt
AMBIS
►WASTE-TO-ENERGY
• The process of generating energy from the primary
treatment of waste, or the processing of waste into a fuel
source
TECHNOLOGY FOR WASTE-TO-ENERGY
• Incineration and bio-methanation are the most common
technologies
• Emerging technology: Pyrolysis and gasification
a) Thermal Conversion
• Degradation and complete combustion of waste under
high temperature.
• Most important form is incineration.
• Disadvantage is its emission characteristics.
b) Thermo-chemical conversion
• High temperature driven decomposition of organic matter.
• Useful for organic non-biodegradable matter and low
moisture content.
• Most important forms are Pyrolysis and Gasification.
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MISCELLANEOUS
• The products such as producer gas, exhaust gases etc can
be used purely as heat energy or further processed
chemically, to produce a range of end products.
c) Bio-chemical conversion
• Enzymatic decomposition of organic matter by microbial
action to produce methane gas, alcohol etc.
• Preferred for wastes having high percentage of organic,
bio-degradable matter and high level of moisture.
• Major forms are bio-methanation and fermentation.
d) Electrochemical conversion
• Microbial fuel cells (MFC):The reduction-oxidation machinery
of immobilized microbial cells is catalytically exploited.
►HYDROTHERMAL CARBONIZATION
• Hydrothermal reactions are responsible for the conversion
of dead plants and animals into different forms of fossil
fuels such as coal and petroleum.
• This process are being mimicked for the production of
biofuels by the transformation of carbohydrates and
biomass
• Types of Hydrothermal Reaction
ο Hydrothermal gasification
ο Hydrothermal liquefaction,
ο Hydrothermal carbonization
• Hydrothermal carbonisation is a preferred way to
convert Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) with high moisture
content into biofuel
►GAS HYDRATES
• A hydrate is any chemical or mineral that contains water,
bound within its chemical structure
• Gas hydrates are formed when low molecular weight gases
like methane are bound within a solid crystal lattice
formed by water molecules.
• Naturally methane hydrates are found as sedimentary
mineral in the continental shelf areas, permafrost regions,
and marine sediments.
• Thus methane hydrate sediments are found at conditions
of low temperature and high pressure.
SIGNIFICANCE
• The process can help in carbon sequestration in carbon
dioxide hydrates.
• It also helps to sequester gaseous CO2 as solid hydrate
under the sea bed.
• It also makes it easier to extract methane from methane
hydrates present in Krishna-Godavari Basin and sequester
the resultant CO2 simultaneously.
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• Thus while it is a good step in the direction of energy
security, it also helps in reducing the carbon footprint of
the extraction process of methane from methane
hydrates.
►FUEL CELL
• Uses positively charged ion(Hydrogen) and an oxidising
agent (oxygen).
• There are many types of fuel cells, but they all consist of a
cathode,an anode, and an electrolyte that allows positively
charged(hydrogen) ions to move between the two sides of
the fuel cell.
• They differ from batteries as they require the continuous
supply of fuel. And both battery and fuel cell produce
direct current (D.C).
• Can be used for power backup in commercial and
residential buildings.
• Can be arranged in stacks like series and parallel
connection.
MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS
• A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts
chemical energy to electrical energy by the action of
microorganisms.
• It is a bio-electrochemical system that uses bacteria as the
catalyst to oxidize organic and inorganic matter, and
consequently, generate electric current out of it.
• It has applications in various fields such as power
generation systems, bio-recovery, waste-water treatment,
etc.
CSIR- HIGH-TEMPERATURE BASED FUEL CELL SYSTEM
• CSIR developed first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel
Cell System in partnership with Indian industries under
India’s flagship program named “New Millennium Indian
Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)”
• The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power in a green
manner using methanol / bio-methane, with heat and
water as bi-products for further use; amounting to greater
than 70% efficiency, which otherwise may not be possible
by other energy sources.
►BIO-COAL: TORREFACTION
TECHNOLOGY
• Thermal process to convert biomass into a coal-like
material.
• The process involves heating up straw, grass, sawmill
residue and wood biomass to 250 degrees Celsius - 350
degrees Celsius.
• This changes the elements of the biomass into ‘coal-like’
pellets. These pellets can be used for combustion along
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MISCELLANEOUS
with coal for industrial applications like steel and cement
production.
ADVANTAGES
• Higher capacity of converting 150-200 kilograms of paddy
straw to bio-coal every hour.
• Reduces CO2 emissions by 95%.
• Torrefied biomass is more brittle, making grinding easier
and less energy-intensive.
• Replacement for coal because of lower sulphur and ash
content
►COAL GASIFICATION
• Transforms the fossil fuel into Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG).
• Syngas is a mixture of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide
(CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water
vapour (H2O).
• Can be used to produce a wide range of fertilizers, fuels,
solvent and synthetic materials.
• The hydrogen obtained from coal gasification can be used
for various purposes such as making ammonia, powering a
hydrogen economy.
►NANO TECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology
conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100
nanometers.
APPLICATIONS
Medicine
• Targeted drug delivery – the required drug dose and
side-effects are minimised.
• Tissue Engineering - damaged tissue can be reproduced
or repaired.
• Antibacterial Treatments - gold nanoparticles and
infrared light can be used to kill bacteria.
• Wound Treatment – bandage can apply electrical pulses
to a wound using electricity produced by nanogenerators.
• Cell Repair - Nanorobots could be programmed to repair
specific diseased cells functioning similar to antibodies.
• Cancer Treatment - Iron nanoparticles or gold shells are
finding important application in cancer treatment.
• Imaging - Using nanoparticle contrast agents, images such
as ultrasound and MRI have improved contrast.
• Blood purification - the purification with nanoparticles
allows specific targeting of substances.
• Neuro-electronic interfacing is a visionary goal dealing
with the construction of nanodevices that will permit
computers to be joined and linked to the nervous
system.
91

• Gene sequencing - nanodevices like gold nanoparticles
can be used to tag and detect short segments of DNA.
• Stem Cell Technology: magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)
have been successfully used to isolate and group stem
cells.
►ELASTOCALORIC EFFECT
• Refers to phase transformation when stress is applied on
an object. This results in heating/cooling of the material.
• For example, when rubbers bands are twisted and
untwisted, it produces a cooling effect.
• Elastocaloric effect, if harnessed, may be able to do away
with the need of fluid refrigerants used in fridges and air-
conditioners.
ADVANTAGES OF ELASTOCALORIC REFRIGERATION
• More efficient than vapor-compression refrigeration
• No gases or volatile liquids involved
• Non-hazardous
• Re-usable and recyclable parts and components
• There are refrigerant fluids (such as Hydro-Fluorocarbon-
HFCs) susceptible to leakages, and can contribute to global
warming including deletion ozone layer.
• For development of greener, higher-efficiency and low-cost
cooling technology.
►GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX
• Co-published by WIPO, Cornell University and INSEAD
• India’s rank: 52nd
• 1st in the world in ICT services exports
• 4th in labor productivity growth.
• 2nd among the middle-income economies
►GLOBAL TALENT COMPETITIVENESS
INDEX
• Released by INSEAD, Addeco and Google.
• India’ rank: 72nd rank
►RESKILLING REVOLUTION
• It is an initiative by the WEF to provide one billion people
with better education, skills and jobs by 2030.
• India recently joined the World Economic Forum's
Reskilling Revolution as a founding government
member.
• Founding governments include Brazil, France, India,
Pakistan, the Russian Federation, UAE and the US.
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MISCELLANEOUS
►GREEN CRACKERS
• Green crackers as crackers with low emission, sound and
light emitting functional crackers with PM reduction by 30-
35% and significant reduction in NOx and SO2.
• Developed by CSIR – National Environmental Engineering
Research Institute (NEERI).
• They are named as Safe Water Releaser (SWAS), Safe
Thermite Cracker (STAR) and Safe Minimal Aluminium
(SAFAL)
• Unique property of releasing water vapour, air as a dust
suppressant and diluents for gaseous emissions
CHEMICALS IN FIRECRACKERS
• Aluminium, sulphur and potassium nitrate are primarily
used in noise-making crackers.
• Barium nitrate and strontium nitrate are used for light
emitting crackers.
• Antimony used for producing safety matches is a
carcinogen.
• Mercury is used as a trigger for explosives.
• Arsenic otherwise non combustible is highly explosive
when mixed with other oxidizing agents.
PROBLEM WITH CSIR FORMULATION OF GREEN CRACKERS
• It has barium nitrate and Potassium nitrate
• Barium nitrate is used in light emitting crackers.
• It is poisonous if injested.
• Exposure to barium nitrate fumes will cause irritation in
the respiratory tract.
• Potassium nitrate is usually used for sound-making
crackers.
• They produce toxic dust increasing PM pollution.
• It is also known to produce sulphur compounds.
PETROLEUM AND EXPLOSIVES SAFETY ORGANISATION
(PESO)
• Regulatory authority for crackers.
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• PESO has autonomous status under Ministry of Commerce

and Industry.

►MICRODOT TECHNOLOGY
• It is an effective form of Whole of Vehicle Marking.
• It involves spraying thousands of the small dots using laser
etched with an Identification Number throughout the
vehicle.
• The microdot also includes an adhesive that fluoresces
under UV light making it simple to identify the dot’s
number.
VIRTUAL SIM: WORKING PRINCIPLE
• It is an identification tool used in the recovery of vehicles.
• In case of Virtual SIM, there is no physical SIM card issued
to the end user.
►VIRTUAL SIM • Instead the mobile phones are embedded with a universal
WORKING OF SIM SIM card that can be configured to store data of any
• A traditional physical SIM card is simply a means to identify operator. (Note: In the traditional SIMs the SIM card stores
an end user using mobile telephone services. data only of a particular operator)

• It usually stores the identity data of the end user (mobile • This enables remote SIM provisioning, which simply means
number) associated with a particular operator (service that one may connect to any operator of choice remotely
provider). without actually having to buy a physical SIM card.

ILLUSTRATION • To enable remote SIM provisioning, you will be

• When you want to use a mobile network from Airtel, you
enter into a contract with Airtel who issue a physical SIM
card to you.
• The SIM card issued by Airtel stores data of the end user
and operator (mobile number and other data) that enables
you to connect to the Airtel’s network.
authenticated by the operator (say Airtel) using say a QR
Code sent to you or other means.
• Further the information on Virtual SIM is rewritable which
means you can decide to change operator.
• Further the smart phone can have ‘multiple virtual SIM’
facilities

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SECTION 9

NSWER KEY
Q1. Consider the following pairs of diseases and affected 3. Drum beating and spraying kerosene are adopted to
plants: arrest their spread.
Diseases Plant Select the correct option using the codes given below
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
1. Yellow rust Wheat
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Fall armyworm Rice
3. Pink bollworm Cotton
Q3. Consider the following statement with respect to
4. Sheath blight disease Maize antimicrobial resistance:
1. India is a member of Global Antimicrobial Resistance
Which of the above pairs have been correctly matched? Surveillance System (GLASS) launched by WHO.

(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only 2. Genetic predisposition of some people also may cause
antimicrobial resistance.
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) All of the above
3. Kerala is the first state to develop an action plan to
manage antimicrobial resistance.
Q2. Recently there was widespread attack of locust in
Select the correct option using the codes given below
India. Consider the following statements about locust:
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
1. They have strong powers of flight, going from one
continent to another. (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the above

2. They attack maize crop only.

Q4. What is Candida auris that was recently in news?

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

(a) An arterioid (d) Demonstrating that a quantum device can solve a

(b) Man-made mineral problem that classical computers practically cannot.
(c) Multidrug-resistant fungus
(d) Yeast cultivated for food security Q10. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Open
Application programming interfaces’:

Q5. CAR-T is a personalized form of treatment for: 1. They provide an open architecture, allowing anyone to
access data and functionality without any association
(a) AIDS
with the API providers.
(b) Tuberculosis
2. Government of India has open API policy for
(c) Sickle cell anemia
programmes like Aadhaar, eKYC, eSign, and Unified
(d) Cancer Payments Interface (UPI).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q6. Consider the following statements about TrueNat that (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
was in news recently?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. TrueNat can be used to detect multi-drug resistant TB
strain also
Q11. Lithium-ion battery is emerging as a promising
2. Diagnosis of TB becomes cheaper and faster with
technology for batteries. In this regardconsider the
TrueNat compared to existing molecular diagnostic
following statements:
testing tool
1. Lithium-ion batteries can handle hundreds of
Select the correct option using the codes given below
charge/discharge cycles.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. Self-discharge is less than half compared to nickel-
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 cadmium.
3. Faultily designed lithium-ion battery can turn into a
Q7. Pegasus was seen recently in news. Which area is it miniature bomb.
closely related to? 4. India imports around 60% of Lithium-ion batteries
(a) Space Science from South America.
(b) Cyber Security Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) Chronic Disease Diagnosis (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) Sustainable agriculture (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) All of the above

Q8. Consider the following statements Indian Cyber Crime Q12. Which of the following is not a benefit of seaweeds,
Coordination Centre (I4C): from the point of view of health and nutrition?
1. It will be set up under the newly created Cyber and (a) Edible Seaweeds are high-calorie nutrient-dense food
Information Security (CIS) division of the Ministry of items.
Electronics and Information Technology. (b) They are rich in vitamins A and C.
2. It has been created under Information Technology Act, (c) They are a good source of minerals such as Ca, Mg, Zn,
2000 Se and Fe.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (d) They also have a high level of vegetable proteins and
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q13. Torrefaction technology is related with which of the
Q9. Which of the following statements most appropriately following?
describes Quantum supremacy? (a) Production of bio-coal
(a) Explanation of physical phenomenon through (b) Extraction of shale gas
quantum mechanics that otherwise cannot be done by (c) Civil engineering technology to reduce pressure on
classical mechanics. buildings
(b) Supremacy in financial sector due to fast (d) Stress mutation of virus strains
communication bus.
(c) Cyber capability, both offensive and defensive, of a
Q14. Consider the following pairs of initiatives and their
nation.
respective areas

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

Initiative Area Q20. Consider the following pairs of Export Control Treaties
and respective weapons
1. iPrism Gravitational lensing
Export Control Area of operation
2. L2Pro India Intellectual Property Rights
Treaties
3. E-2020 initiative Electric Vehicle
1. Wassenaar Chemical or biological
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? Arrangement weapons
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only 2. Nuclear Suppliers Spread of nuclear weapons
(c) 3 only (d) All of the above Group
3. Australia Group Conventional arms and dual-
Q15. Claytronics, an evolving concept, is related to which of use goods and technologies
the following?
4. MTCR Restrict exports of missiles
(a) Quantum computing
and related technologies
(b) Programmable matter
Which of the above have been correctly matched?
(c) Soil testing
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(d) Robot to scoop matter from celestial body
(c) 2 and 4 only (d) 2 and 3 only

Q16. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Smart

Q21. Consider the following statements with regard to LOx
Fertilizers’:
Methane Engine?
1. Nutrient is released only on-demand by the crop
1. Chadrayaan 2 mission used Lox Methane Engine in its
2. It has designer molecule that allows sustained release
2nd stage
of nutrients by a plant-root activated mechanism.
2. It is less toxic compared to Hydrazine engine
3. Each molecule is a Nano bot that helps in elimination
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
of unwanted microorganisms from the soil.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) 2 and 3 only
Q22. Consider the following statements regarding
Hyspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) of ISRO –
Q17. Which country has recently approved 1st human-
1. HysIS is an earth observation satellite.
animal embryo experiment?
2. It is launched in the geo-stationary orbit.
(a) China (b) Germany
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) Japan (d) India
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q18. Consider of the following statement regarding bio-
plastics?
1. All bio-plastics are biodegradable Q23. Consider the following statements regarding GiSAT
series satellite –
2. Can be made out of different feed stocks extracted
from food crops. 1. It is a communication satellite series.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 2. They are launched in the geo-stationary orbit.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(c) Both 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

Q19. Which of the following is critical for Cold Fusion (c) Both 1 and 2
technology? (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) Negative charge sticking to the hydrogen nucleus
(b) Decreasing the fusion temperature to Zero Kelvin Q24. Consider the following pairs of satellite and their area
(c) Use of neutrinos in hydrogen fusion reaction of use:

(d) Under water reactor establishment Satellite Area

1. EMISAT Defence

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

2. GISAT Communication 2. Vector borne diseases can be controlled using the

technology.
3. CHEOPS Exoplanets
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which of the following has/have been correctly matched?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) 1 only (d) All of the above

Q30. Consider the following statements regarding National

Q25. New Frontier’s Program of NASA will help in which of Stem Cell Registry:
the following ways?
1. It comes under the ageis of Ministry of Health and
(a) Discovery of new exo-planets. Family Welfare
(b) Unravelling the mystery of black hole 2. A person enrolling for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
(c) Exploration of our solar system Yojana will be automatically enrolled in National Stem
(d) Discovering new habitable zones outside our solar Cell Registry.
system. 3. It will help in treating patients with blood-related
disorders.
Q26. Consider the following statements with regard to Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
various space missions: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only
1. Discovery Program is a solar system exploration (c) 3 only (d) All of the above
missions.
2. Dawn Mission aims at studying the solar corona. Q31. Which of the following is correct regarding Avangard
3. JUICE mission is to explore Jupiter and its icy moons. which was in news?
Which of the following has/have been correctly matched? (a) Iranian nuclear enrichment facility
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (b) NASA’s electric plane
(c) 3 only (d) All of the above (c) Micro drones for avian survey
(d) Russia’s hypersonic glide missile.
Q27. Recently Japan has launched BIRDS project. What is
the purpose of this project? Q32. Which of the following is correct description of
(a) To support non-spacefaring countries to build their Poseidon(P-8I) which was in news?
first satellite. (a) Anti-microbial resistant strain of a bacteria
(b) To launch drones monitored global avian survey. (b) A sub-atomic particle
(c) Electric planes that can be used for commercial (c) Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft
purposes
(d) Micro electric shock generator
(d) Nano technology related project to make miniature
flying objects to perform artificial pollination.
Q33. Elasto-caloric effect has an application in which of the
Q28. Which of the following benefit can come out of our
following?
understanding of human genome sequence?
(a) LED lights
1. Genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell
(b) Rocket launch
anemia can be identified.
(c) Higher calorie burn in the body.
2. Personalised medication can be prescribed.
(d) Refrigeration
3. Treatments for common cancers can be developed.
Select the correct option using the codes given below
Q34. Which of the following is incorrect regarding
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the above
(PPV&FR) Act, 2001?
(a) A farmer can produce using any seed protected under
Q29. Consider the following statements regarding gene the act.
drive technology:
(b) Seed Producers will have exclusive rights against the
1. It alters the rules of inheritance from parent to protected variety and criminal remedy in case of
offspring infringement of rights.

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(c) Researcher can use any of the registered variety under Defence equipment Country
the Act for conducting an experiment or research.
1. US-2 Amphibious Aircraft Japan
(d) There is provision for compensation to the farmers for
non-performance of variety. 2. Predator-B Israel
3. Heron United States
Q35. Broadband Readiness Index will be released by which Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
organisation? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(a) Niti Aayog (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the above
(b) Department of telecommunication
(c) International Telecom Union Q40. Which of the following can be considered as a case of
(d) World Economic Forum allograft?
1. Heart transplant among identical twins.
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding Chief of 2. Bone marrow transplant from one cousin to another.
Defence Staff: 3. Transplants of skin from mother to daughter.
1. Will be Principal Military Advisor to the Union Defence Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Minister on all Tri-Services matters.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. Head of Department of Military Affairs
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the above
3. Will exercise military command over all three Service
Chiefs
Q41. Consider the following statements with respect to
Which of the above statements is /are correct?
Gaganyaan?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
1. It will carry astronauts to a low earth orbit.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the above
2. India will become the 3rdcountry to send manned
mission.
Q37. Consider the following statements regarding Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
IOR):
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Information Fusion Centre will be established in
capitals of all member states of IORA.
Q42. Consider the following pairs of Solar Missions and
2. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) will
their area of interest
be critical part of the initiative.
3. It will be spearheaded by ISRO. Solar Missions Area of Interest
Which of the above statements is /are correct? 1. ADITYA-L1 A. Solar Poles
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only 2. Parker Probe B. Corona,
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) None of the above Chromosphere,
Photosphere
Q38. Consider the following statements with respect to 3- 3. Solar Orbiter Mission C. Inner atmosphere
parent baby? of
1. This technology will protect children from all genetic Select the correct answer based on codes given below –
diseases.
(a) 1-A; 2-B; 3-C (b) 1-B; 2-A; 3-C
2. It involves gene editing of nuclear DNA biological
(c) 1-C; 2-A; 3-B (d) 1-B; 2-C; 3-A
mother.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q43. Which of the following is correct regarding DNA Data
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
storage technology?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 will legalise its
use.
Q39. Consider the following pairs of defence equipments (b) CSIR has developed a prototype and dedicated it to
and country the nation.
(c) Use of DNA to store data as alternate data storage to
binary data storage

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

(d) History of genetic disorder in human beings can be (b) Multi Drug Resistance
traced using this technology. (c) Road Safety
Q44. Which of the following services can be provided by (d) Children against trafficking
Cartosat-2 satellite?
1. Creation of land use maps
Q50. What is TRAPPIST-1 that was in News recently?
2. Traffic studies
(a) Telescope (b) Star
3. Resource exploration
(c) Exo Planet (d) Electric Vehicle
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
Q51. Which of the following statements is/are correct about
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the above the Characterising Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS)?
1. It has been launched by NASA to search for habitable
Q45. Consider the following statements: planets.
1. In theory, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells can be used 2. CHEOPS satellite has been orbiting the Earth in
to treat blood disease like thalassaemia, sickle-cell Geostationary satellite.
anaemia and haemophilia. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
2. National Stem Cell Registry is being planned to be (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
created under Ministry of Science & Technology.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q52. Which of the following statements are correct about
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None of the above
the Microdot patches?
1. This involves spraying of body parts of vehicles with
Q46. What is ‘Sagarika’ in the context of Indian defence invisible microdots, which give a unique identification.
technology?
2. They will reduce road accidents.
(a) Nuclear-powered submarine
3. They will reduce vehicle thefts
(b) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(c) Submarine-launched ballistic missile
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q47. Which of the following is/are true with respect to

Q53. Consider the following statements about the
graphene?
Asperger’s Syndrome:
1. It is a 2-d crystal stronger than diamond and steel.
1. It is a developmental disorder.
2. It is the thinnest material known.
2. It is characterized with constricted and repetitive
3. It exhibits both electrical and thermal conductivity. patterns of behaviour.
4. It is optically transparent 3. It is now considered to be a part of the Autism
Select the correct answer using the code given below: Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) All of the above (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q48. ‘IndiGen Initiative’, that is often seen in the news
recently, is related to which of the following?
Q54. Which of the following statements is/are correct
(a) Project for indigenization of defence technology. regarding the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
(b) Project for genome sequencing of Indians. Research and Development (R&D) Hub?
(c) Public domain name server of India. 1. The Global AMR R&D Hub was launched by ASEAN.
(d) Project to provide free generic drugs. 2. It is an initiative to tackle the threat of resistant
pathogens.
Q49. Moscow declaration recently seen in news is related to 3. India has joined the Global AMR R&D Hub.
which of the following? Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Global TB response (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 1. Through this mission, NASA wants to send the first
woman and the next man to the Moon by the year
2022.
Q55. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a
multipurpose spacecraft to make a comprehensive 2. NASA’s new rocket Space Launch System (SLS) shall be
atlas of the Moon’s features and resources, was used for the mission.
launched by which of the following organizations/ Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
institutions? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) ISRO (b) NASA (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Roscosmos (d) SpaceX
Q61. Consider the following statements about Magellanic
Q56. Consider the following statements regarding Oxytocin: Clouds:
1. It is a hormone secreted by the pituitary glands of the 1. They are two irregular dwarf galaxies that are close by
mammals. to the Milky Way.
2. It can also be chemically manufactured. 2. They are visible from the southern hemisphere with
3. It is misused in dairy animals to increase milk the naked eye assuming favourable conditions.
production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q62. Consider the following statements with respect to
Q57. Recently, "Nightingale" was in the news. What is it? artificial leaf

(a) An electric plane tested by NASA. 1. Artificial leaf is a lab-grown leaf using Recombinant
DNA technology
(b) The name given to the geoportal of ISRO with 3 D
imaging capabilities of India. 2. Artificial leaf can harness sunlight to produce cleaner
liquid fuels that can be used in vehicles
(c) OSIRIS-REx’s primary sample collection site on the
asteroid Bennu. Which of the above given statements is/are correct?

(d) Latest technology to control the accidentally caused (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
flames from oil wells. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q58. Consider the following statements about the Long- Q63. The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is
Lived In-situ Solar System Explorer (LLISSE) the direct evidence of which of the following?
1. It is an integrated probe system of the European Space (a) Existence of ‘god particle’
Agency (ESA). (b) Expansion of the universe
2. It is an independent probe for Venus surface (c) Presence of gravitational waves
applications. (d) Theory of relativity
3. It will last up to 60 days.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect? Q64. Which of the following represents the term ‘Paris Call’,
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only that is often seen in the news?
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) An international NGO working towards the rights of
the refugees.
Q59. Which of the following is correct about Goldschmidtite, (b) An international coalition to fight cyber threats.
which was recently in the news? (c) UNFCC’s roadmap to reduce the temperature by 1.5 °C
(a) It is a type of mineral. by 2100.
(b) It is a type of snake found in the Amazon rainforest. (d) An international effort to combat anti-microbial
(c) It is a mission to the Red planet. resistance.

(d) It is a mission to Jupiter.

Q65. Consider the following statements with respect to
trans-fat:
Q60. Consider the following statements about the Artemis
Mission: 1. Trans-fat decreases the shelf life of food.

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2. Trans-fats increase the levels of bad cholesterol and Q71. Recently, "Hydrogen Wall" was in the news. What is it?
decrease the level of good cholesterol, increasing the (a) The name given to the rings of Saturn.
risk of heart disease. (b) The name given to the geoportal of NASA for the
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? identification of hydrogen on Mars.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) It is described as the place where bubbles of solar
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 wind cease to exist.
(d) It is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Q66. Consider Scuba Rice that is often seen in news relates
to which of the following? Q72. Consider the following statements about the
(a) Flood-resistant rice Coronaviruses:
(b) Rice fortified with Vitamin A 1. Coronaviruses are zoonotic.
(c) Another name for seaweed 2. WHO has named the new coronavirus disease as
(d) Pest-resistant rice ‘Covid-19’x which originated at Wuhan city of China.
3. Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is also
Q67. Consider the following statements with respect to caused by coronaviruses.
artificial leaf: 4. Almost everyone gets a coronavirus infection at least
1. Artificial leaf is a lab-grown leaf using the Recombinant once in lifetime.
DNA technology. Which of the statements given above are correct?
2. Artificial leaf can harness sunlight to produce cleaner (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 1 and 2 only
liquid fuels that can be used in vehicles. (c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Q73. Which of the following organizations is/are involved in
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 naming new diseases?
1. The World Health Organization (WHO)
Q68. Avangard, often in the news recently, is related to 2. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
which of the following? Nations (FAO)
(a) Russia’s hypersonic glide vehicle 3. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
(b) USA’s laser weapon system Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(c) China’s mission to the far side of the Moon (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(d) Israeli missile defence system (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q69. The term ‘Nuclear Pasta’ is sometimes seen in the Q74. Consider the following statements about the Project
news in the context of: NETRA:
(a) Celebration for the discovery of the Higgs boson. 1. It is an early warning system in the space to detect
(b) Material deep inside the crust of neutron stars. debris and other hazards to Indian satellites.

(c) Year-long social and mass media campaign of the 2. The project will involve launch of a satellite by ISRO to
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). track space debris.

(d) Iran’s nuclear missile programme. 3. It will track and protect all satellites.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q70. Consider the following statements about the Starlink (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
Satellite Constellation: (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
1. It has been developed by NASA.
2. It aims to provide internet from the space. Q75. Consider the following statements about the
3. Satellites will be deployed in the Geostationary Earth Cryogenic Engine:
Orbit. 1. A cryogenic engine is the last stage of space launch
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? vehicles which makes use of cryogenics.

(a) 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only 2. It is more efficient than solid and earth-storable liquid
propellant rocket stages.
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

3. It provides more thrust for every kilogram of 1. It has discovered “layers” and “rifts” in the electrically
propellant it burns. charged part of the upper atmosphere of Mars.
4. ISRO is yet to develop an indigenous cryogenic engine. 2. MAVEN carries several scientific instruments that
Which of the statements given above are correct? measure plasmas in the atmosphere and space
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only around Mars.

(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

Q76. Consider the following statements about a black hole: (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

1. It is a region in the space where the pulling force of

gravity is so strong that even light is not able to Q81. Consider the following statements regarding the Lucy
escape. Mission:
2. A black hole cannot be observed. 1. It will be the first space mission to study the Trojans.
3. It can be formed by the death of a massive star. 2. Lucy’s discoveries will open new insights into the
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? origins of our Earth.

(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 only (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q77. Consider the following statements:

1. Net neutrality refers to the principle that all data on Q82. Consider the following statements regarding Aditya-
the internet should be treated equally. L1:

2. TRAI ruling did not favour net neutrality in India. 1. It is ISRO’s solar mission in collaboration with the
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. The Aditya-L1 solar programme will be studying the
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Sun’s corona.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q78. Consider the following statements about the WIFI 6.0:
1. It will allow for more devices to be connected while
Q83. Consider the following statements about the space
traversing large, congested networks in airports and
harpoon:
train stations.
1. The space harpoon is a part of the Remove DEBRIS
2. Higher battery consumption is one of the challenges of
project.
WIFI 6.0.
2. The harpoon is meant for larger targets, for example
3. It will support the Internet of Things.
full-size satellites that have malfunctioned and are
Which of the statements given above are correct?
drifting from their orbits.
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q79. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Prithvi is a surface-to-surface short-range ballistic
Q84. Consider the following statements regarding the
missile.
Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak
2. Trishul is a short range surface-to-surface missile. (EAST):
3. NAG is an anti-tank guided missile. 1. It is an experimental superconducting tokamak
Select the correct answer using the code given below: magnetic fusion energy reactor in the USA.
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only 2. It is an “Artificial Sun” designed to replicate the process
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 our natural Sun uses to generate energy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q80. Which of the following statements is/are correct about (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
the MAVEN spacecraft? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

1. It is an initiative of the Public Health Foundation of

Q85. Which of the following statements is/are correct about India.
“Natural gas hydrates”? 2. It aims to eliminate malaria from India by 2030.
1. They are a naturally occurring, ice-like combination of Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
natural gas and water. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. They are known as flammable ice. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. They are known to occur in marine sediments on
continental shelf margins. Q91. Mitochondrial Eve relates to which of the following?
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) It is a genetic disease due to mutation in mitochondrial
(a) 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only genes.
(c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) It is the name of the technology used to produce a
three parent babies.
Q86. Which of the following statements is/are correct about (c) It is the name of a common female ancestor from
the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)? which all humans trace their descent.
1. The Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) is published by (d) It is the name of the genetic changes taking place in
the International Telecommunication Union. mitochondria when females hit menopause.
2. It measures the commitment of the countries to
cybersecurity, in order to raise cybersecurity Q92. Consider the following statements about Transposons:
awareness. 1. They cannot be used for gene editing.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: 2. They are genes that hop around genomes.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q87. Consider the following statements about the
International Intellectual Property Index (IIPI):
Q93. Consider the following statements about the CCR5
(1) It assesses the Intellectual Property (IP) environments gene:
of 100 world economies.
1. A natural mutation in CCR5 genes offers protection
(2) This Index is published by the U.S. Chamber of against HIV infection.
Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC).
2. Recently, a Chinese scientist used CCR5 gene mutation
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? to produce HIV resistant children.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q88. ‘IPrism’ is related to which of the following?
(a) For the promotion of Make in India. Q94. Consider the following statements about the Earth Bio
(b) A competition for students. Genome Project (EBP):
(c) Certificate of authorization for Agmark. 1. It aims to sequence the genomes of all of Earth’s
(d) A Cloud Computing Initiative. eukaryotic biodiversity over a period of ten years.
2. It was launched by a special committee of the U.S.
Q89. The term ‘Distributed Ledger’ is often seen in the news National Academy of Sciences.
in context of which of the following technologies? Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Artificial Intelligence (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(b) Blockchain Technology (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Cyber Physical System
(d) Internet of Things Q95. What do you understand by the term Kibble Balance?
(a) The new way to measure a centimetre.
Q90. Consider the following statements about the MERA (b) The new temperature measurement system.
India Initiative: (c) The new weather prediction system.
(d) The new way to measure the kilogram.

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 PRACTICE MCQ’s

Q96. Consider the following statements regarding (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
“Gravitational lensing”: (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
1. It is a phenomenon of distortion and magnification of
light of more-distant galaxies located behind the Q99. Consider the following statements about the LIGO-
clusters. India project:
2. It helps to map the distribution of dark matter in the 1. It is a collaboration between India and the European
space. Union.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 2. It is a part of the global network gravitational waves
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only interferometers.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 3. Gravitational Waves were predicted by Einstein’s
General Theory of Relativity.
Q97. The term ‘Vyommitra’, sometimes mentioned in the Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
news recently, is related to – (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(a) Space technology (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) Cyber security Q100. Which of the following statements is/are correct about
(c) Weather forecast geoportal the IndOBIS?
(d) Banking services 1. IndOBIS is responsible for the collection, collation and
dissemination of data and information about
Q98. Consider the following statements about the Large biodiversity.
Hadron Collider (LHC): 2. It supplies the global scientific community with various
1. It is the world’s largest and most powerful particle types of geo referenced information on the
accelerator. biodiversity of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

2. It was constructed by the European Organization for Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Nuclear Research (CERN). (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
3. It is located in an underground tunnel in Genoa, Italy. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 ANSWER KEY

ANSWER KEY
1. b 23. b 45. a 67. b 89. b

2. c 24. b 46. c 68. a 90. b

3. d 25. c 47. d 69. b 91. c

4. c 26. b 48. b 70. a 92. b

5. d 27. a 49. a 71. c 93. c

6. c 28. d 50. c 72. d 94. a

7. b 29. c 51. d 73. a 95. d

8. d 30. c 52. a 74. a 96. c

9. d 31. d 53. d 75. b 97. a

10. c 32. c 54. b 76. b 98. a

11. b 33. d 55. b 77. a 99. b

12. a 34. b 56. d 78. a 100. a

13. a 35. b 57. c 79. a

14. b 36. a 58. a 80. c

15. b 37. d 59. a 81. c

16. c 38. d 60. b 82. b

17. c 39. a 61. c 83. c

18. c 40. c 62. b 84. b

19. a 41. a 63. b 85. d

20. c 42. d 64. b 86. c

21. b 43. c 65. b 87. c

22. a 44. d 66. b 88. b

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RAU’S IAS FOCUS SPECIAL EDITIONS | PRELIMS COMPASS (C3 CURATION) for CSE 2020