Science and Technology News
Overview
This section tests your awareness of recent developments across space, defence, biotechnology, IT, and indigenous technologies — areas where India is making significant strides.
The examiner's approach is practical: questions often link a mission/technology to its purpose, the organization behind it, or its distinguishing feature. You are not expected to know deep technical specifications but must recognize what makes each development significant. Current affairs from the preceding 12-18 months carry the highest weightage, though foundational missions (Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, INS Arihant) remain perennial favourites.
Success requires systematic tracking of ISRO launches, DRDO tests, health/biotech breakthroughs, and major IT policy developments. Integrate this with static knowledge of institutional mandates (ISRO, DRDO, DBT, DST, CSIR) to answer elimination-based MCQs confidently.
Key Concepts
- ISRO's current priorities: Gaganyaan (human spaceflight programme), Chandrayaan-3 (successful lunar south pole landing, August 2023), Aditya-L1 (India's first solar observatory at L1 Lagrange point), and NISAR (NASA-ISRO SAR satellite for Earth observation).
- Launch vehicle evolution: PSLV remains the workhorse for polar/sun-synchronous orbits; GSLV Mk III (LVM3) handles heavier payloads and human missions; SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) targets on-demand small satellite launches.
- Defence indigenisation under Atmanirbhar Bharat: Positive indigenisation lists restrict imports of specified defence items; DPSUs and private sector encouraged; examples include Tejas Mk1A, INS Vikrant (indigenous aircraft carrier), and Pralay missile.
- Missile developments: Agni series (strategic ballistic), BrahMos (supersonic cruise, now with extended 800 km range), Agni-5 with MIRV capability (Mission Divyastra, 2024), and anti-satellite (ASAT) capability demonstrated in Mission Shakti (2019).
- Biotechnology and health tech: mRNA vaccine technology (India's first: GEMCOVAC), CAR-T cell therapy, genome sequencing initiatives, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance gain exam relevance.
- IT and emerging tech policy: Digital India, National Quantum Mission (2023-2031, ₹6000 crore), Semiconductor Mission, draft Digital Personal Data Protection Act implementation, and National Strategy on AI.
- Indigenous technology push: Kavach (automatic train protection system), Vande Bharat trains, 5G stack development, and indigenous navigation system NavIC.
Formulas / Key Facts
| Area | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-3 | Landed at Shiv Shakti Point near lunar south pole; Vikram lander + Pragyan rover; confirmed presence of sulphur, oxygen on lunar surface |
| Aditya-L1 | Launched September 2023; reached L1 point (1.5 million km from Earth) January 2024; carries 7 payloads including VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph) |
| Gaganyaan | Target: Indian astronauts (Vyomanauts) to LEO; test flights include TV-D1 (abort demonstration); ISRO collaborating with IAF for crew selection |
| LVM3 | Payload capacity: 4000 kg to GTO, 10000 kg to LEO; powered by S200 solid boosters, L110 liquid stage, C25 cryogenic stage |
| INS Vikrant | First indigenous aircraft carrier; commissioned August 2022; built at Cochin Shipyard; carries MiG-29K fighters |
| Tejas Mk1A | Single-engine, 4.5 generation fighter; AESA radar, EW suite; 83 ordered for IAF |
| BrahMos-ER | Extended range ~800 km after India joined MTCR; air, land, sea variants |
| National Quantum Mission | Focus: quantum computing, communication, sensing, materials; 4 thematic hubs (T-Hubs) |
| Kavach | Indigenous TCAS (Train Collision Avoidance System); developed by RDSO; uses GPS, RF communication |
| NavIC | Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System; 7 satellites; coverage over India + 1500 km; L5 and S band signals |
Worked Examples
Example 1: Which of the following statements about Aditya-L1 is/are correct?
- It is placed in a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 point.
- It will physically land on the Sun's surface.
- It carries instruments to study solar corona and solar wind.
Solution: Statement 1 is correct — L1 is a gravitationally stable point where the spacecraft orbits, not the Sun directly. Statement 2 is incorrect — no mission can land on the Sun; Aditya-L1 observes from 1.5 million km. Statement 3 is correct — payloads like VELC and ASPEX study corona and particle environment. Answer: 1 and 3 only.
Example 2: Consider Mission Divyastra (2024). What capability did it demonstrate?
Solution: Mission Divyastra was the first flight test of Agni-5 with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology. This allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads aimed at different targets — a significant strategic deterrence upgrade. India joins a small group of nations with proven MIRV capability.
Example 3: NISAR satellite is a joint mission of ISRO and NASA. What is its primary purpose?
Solution: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) will use dual-frequency SAR (L-band by NASA, S-band by ISRO) to map Earth's surface changes — tracking earthquakes, landslides, glacier movements, forest biomass, and coastal erosion with unprecedented detail. Launch expected in 2024-25.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing launch vehicles: PSLV is for lighter, polar-orbit missions; GSLV/LVM3 is for heavy, geostationary payloads. SSLV is new and smaller. Don't interchange them.
- L1 point misconception: Students assume Aditya-L1 goes "to the Sun." It orbits the L1 Lagrange point between Earth and Sun, not near the solar surface.
- Mixing Chandrayaan missions: Chandrayaan-1 was an orbiter with Moon Impact Probe; Chandrayaan-2 had orbiter (still functional) + lander (crash-landed); Chandrayaan-3 was lander + rover only (no orbiter).
- BrahMos origin error: BrahMos is a joint India-Russia venture (BrahMaPutra + Moskva), not purely indigenous. Calling it fully Indian loses marks.
- Ignoring institutional linkages: Questions often ask "developed by which organization" — confusing DRDO, ISRO, CSIR, or private players (L&T, Tata) can lead to wrong answers.
- Outdated information: Remembering old statistics (e.g., pre-MTCR BrahMos range of 290 km instead of current ~800 km) costs marks in factual questions.
Quick Reference
- Chandrayaan-3: Successful soft landing at lunar south pole, August 2023 — Vikram lander, Pragyan rover.
- Aditya-L1: India's first solar mission; observes from L1 point, 1.5 million km away.
- Gaganyaan: India's human spaceflight programme; test flights ongoing; target LEO mission.
- LVM3: Heavy-lift vehicle; cryogenic upper stage; used for Chandrayaan-3 and OneWeb commercial launches.
- Mission Divyastra: Agni-5 with MIRV capability tested in March 2024.
- National Quantum Mission: ₹6000 crore, 2023-2031; quantum computing, communication, and materials.