Science and Technology (General)
🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)
Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.
- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation): Founded 1969; headquartered in Bengaluru; Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made India the first country to land near lunar south pole
- Chandrayaan missions: Chandrayaan-1 (2008) discovered water on Moon; Chandrayaan-3 (2023) successful soft landing
- Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan): 2013; India was the first country to succeed on its first Mars attempt; cost only ₹450 crore
- Aditya-L1: India’s first solar mission; studying the Sun’s corona; launched 2023
- Gaganyaan Program: India’s human spaceflight program; aims to send Indians to space by 2026
- ⚡ Notable Indian scientists: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (Missile Man), Dr. CV Raman (Raman Effect), Dr. Homi Bhabha (father of Indian nuclear program)
🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)
Standard content for students with a few days to months.
Science and Technology (General)
India has emerged as a significant player in global science and technology. For banking exams, questions focus on India’s achievements, key institutions, and major government initiatives in science and technology.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Overview
- Founded: 1969 (as INCOSPAR; renamed ISRO in 1972)
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Chairman: S. Somanath (as of 2024)
- Vision: Harness space technology for national development
Major Achievements
Chandrayaan-1 (2008):
- India’s first lunar probe
- Discovery: Confirmed presence of water molecules (hydroxyl) on Moon surface
- Made India the 4th country to place its flag on the Moon (after USSR, US, China)
Chandrayaan-2 (2019):
- Included orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan)
- Vikram lander crash-landed; orbiter is functional
- Found water ice in Moon’s permanently shadowed regions
Chandrayaan-3 (2023):
- Successfully landed near lunar south pole (August 23, 2023)
- India became first country to soft-land on the lunar south pole
- Included Vikram lander and Pragyan rover
- Confirmed presence of sulfur, oxygen, and other elements on Moon surface
Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan/MOM, 2013):
- Launched November 5, 2013; reached Mars September 24, 2014
- First country to succeed in its very first Mars mission
- One of the cheapest Mars missions ever (~$74 million vs NASA’s Maven at $187 million)
- Studied Mars surface, morphology, mineralogy
Gaganyaan (Human Spaceflight Programme):
- India’s first crewed space mission
- Target: 2026 — launch of Indian astronauts (Gagannauts) into Low Earth Orbit
- ISRO signed agreements with NASA and Roscosmos (Russia) for technical cooperation
Aditya-L1 (2023):
- India’s first solar mission
- Placed at Lagrange Point 1 (L1), ~1.5 million km from Earth
- Studies: Solar corona, solar wind, solar flares, CMEs
Launch Vehicles (Rockets)
- PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): Most reliable; used for satellite launches to polar orbits
- GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle): For heavier, geostationary satellites
- GSLV Mk III (LVM3): Heaviest rocket; used for Chandrayaan-3 and Gaganyaan
Satellite Systems
- IRNSS/NavIC: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System; 7 satellites; provides positioning for India and surrounding region
- IRS (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite): Largest constellation of civilian remote sensing satellites
- GSAT series: Communication satellites
Nuclear Program
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
- Homi Bhabha (father of Indian nuclear program)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Mumbai; main research facility
Nuclear Power Plants in India
- Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu) — largest (2 × 1000 MW)
- Tarapur (Maharashtra)
- Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)
- Rawatbhata (Rajasthan)
- Kakrapar (Gujarat)
- Narora (Uttar Pradesh)
India’s Nuclear Doctrine
- No First Use (NFU): India will not use nuclear weapons first
- Minimum credible deterrence
- Civilian nuclear program isolated from military program
Information Technology
IT Industry
- India is the back office of the world; major IT hub
- Top companies: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra
- Bangalore (Bengaluru) called the “Silicon Valley of India”
Digital India Initiative
- Launched: July 1, 2015
- Objective: Transform India into a digitally empowered society
- Key Components:
- Digital infrastructure as utility to every citizen
- Governance and services on demand
- Digital empowerment of citizens
Cybersecurity
National Cyber Security Policy
- National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC): Real-time threat assessment
- CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team - India): Handles cybersecurity incidents
- Cyber Surakshit Bharat: Capacity building for cybersecurity
IT Act, 2000
- Primary law for cybersecurity and electronic commerce in India
- Amendments post-2008: Added provisions for cybersecurity, data protection
Important Scientific Institutions
| Institution | Focus | Location |
|---|---|---|
| ISRO | Space | Bengaluru |
| DRDO | Defense R&D | Hyderabad |
| BARC | Nuclear research | Mumbai |
| CSIR | Scientific research | New Delhi |
| ICMR | Medical research | New Delhi |
| ICAR | Agricultural research | New Delhi |
| IITs | Engineering/Technology | Various |
| AIIMS | Medical education/research | New Delhi (+ others) |
Key Government Initiatives
- Start-up India: Promote startups; tax benefits, funding support
- ** Atal Innovation Mission**: Tinkering labs, startup incubators
- Digital India: Infrastructure, governance, digital literacy
- Make in India: Manufacturing; defence, electronics, semiconductors
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Major education reforms
Notable Indian Scientists
| Scientist | Contribution |
|---|---|
| C.V. Raman | Raman Effect (1928); Nobel Prize 1930 |
| Homi J. Bhabha | Father of Indian nuclear program |
| APJ Abdul Kalam | Missile Man; India’s nuclear tests (1998) |
| Srinivasa Ramanujan | Number theory; mathematical genius |
| Harish-Chandra | Representation theory |
| Vikram Sarabhai | Father of Indian space program |
| M. S. Swaminathan | Father of Green Revolution |
| Brahm Prakash | Father of Indian space program materials |
🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)
Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.
Emerging Technologies
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- National AI Strategy (IndiaAI)
- National Programme on AI
- AI in governance: Healthcare, agriculture, smart cities
Blockchain Technology
- Blockchain as a service for government applications
- Use in land records, supply chain, financial services
Internet of Things (IoT)
- Smart cities, precision agriculture
- Bharat Broadband Network
5G and 6G
- India launched 5G in 2022 (Airtel, Jio)
- Bharat 6G Vision document: India aims to lead in 6G technology
Biotechnology
Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
- Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG): Tracking COVID variants
- BioNEST: Bio-incubators across India
- Genetically Modified Crops: Bt Cotton (only GM crop approved in India)
COVID-19 Vaccines
- Covaxin (Bharat Biotech + ICMR) — India’s first indigenous vaccine
- Also approved: Covishield (AstraZeneca/Oxford)
- World’s largest vaccination program: 2 billion+ doses administered
Renewable Energy
- National Solar Mission: Target 500 GW by 2030
- PM-KUSUM: Solar pumps for farmers
- Green Hydrogen Mission: India aims to be hub for green hydrogen production
- Offshore Wind Energy: Targeted development along coasts
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