Science & Technology

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.

India’s space programme is led by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), headquartered in Bengaluru. Chandrayaan-3 (2023) made India the first country to land near the lunar south pole and the fourth nation overall to land on the Moon. Chandrayaan-1 (2008) discovered water molecules on the lunar surface. Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan, 2013) made India the first Asian country and the fourth space agency globally to reach Mars, at a cost of just ₹450 crore — the cheapest Mars mission to date.

In the field of information technology, India is a global leader in software services, with major companies including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Technologies. India has the world’s second-largest internet user base (over 900 million as of 2024) and the second-largest smartphone market. The IT sector contributed approximately 7.4% to India’s GDP in FY24.

Biotechnology in India is driven by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). India’s vaccine industry, often called the “Pharmacy of the World,” produces over 60% of the world’s vaccines, including Serum Institute of India — the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume.

⚡ Exam tip: SNAP science questions focus on ISRO missions (Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Gaganyaan), recent discoveries, IT achievements, and Nobel Prize winners in science. Always note the year and country of achievement. Questions pairing scientists with their discoveries are very common.

---

🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

ISRO and Indian Space Programme

ISRO was founded in 1969 by Dr Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the father of the Indian space programme. Satish Dhawan was another pioneer who led ISRO through its formative years. Key milestones include: first Indian satellite Aryabhata (1975), launch of Rohini satellite (1980), successful launch of Chandrayaan-1 (2008), Mars Orbiter Mission (2013), Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions (2023), and the upcoming Gaganyaan programme — India’s first human spaceflight mission targeting 2025.

ISRO’s launch vehicles include the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and the new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The PSLV has completed over 50 successful missions. ISRO’s launch facility is at Sriharikota (SHAR) on the eastern coast. ISRO’s total budget for 2024-25 is approximately ₹13,700 crore.

Chandrayaan-3 consisted of a lander (Vikram), rover (Pragyan), and propulsion module (Shukrayaan), landing on the lunar surface on 23 August 2023. Aditya-L1 (launched September 2023) is India’s first solar observation mission, positioned at Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth.

Information Technology and Digital India

India’s IT sector revenue crossed USD 250 billion in FY24. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme, launched in 1991, played a key role in promoting software exports. The government has launched the IndiaAI Mission (2024) with a budget of over ₹10,000 crore to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem. The National Deep Tech Startup Policy (2024) supports deep technology ventures.

Key digital initiatives include the CoWIN platform (COVID-19 vaccination management), DigiLocker (document storage), UPI (Unified Payments Interface), ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), and the India Stack — a set of open protocols and standards for digital governance.

Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals

India’s biotechnology sector is valued at over USD 150 billion. The Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. SII produced Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine) for India and global supply. Other major pharma companies include Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceutical, Cipla, and Biocon. India is the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines.

The CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), with its 38 institutes, has been at the forefront of research in fields including genomics, aerospace, mining, and chemicals. Notable CSIR achievements include developing India’s first indigenous aircraft (HJT-36), affordable HIV/AIDS drugs, and the Mission Krishna Namah (water purification).

Common traps in SNAP GK questions: Students confuse Chandrayaan-1 with Chandrayaan-3 — Chandrayaan-1 was an orbiter mission that discovered water, while Chandrayaan-3 achieved the landing. Mangalyaan was India’s Mars mission, not a lunar mission. Also note that Gaganyaan is India’s human spaceflight programme (first Indian will go to space by 2025), and Chandrayaan-4 (jointly with Japan) is planned for lunar south pole sampling.

---

🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.

Nobel Prizes in Science and Indian Connections

India’s Nobel Prize winners in science include: C.V. Raman (Physics, 1930) for Raman effect; Har Gobind Khorana (Physiology/Medicine, 1968) for genetic code interpretation; Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (Physics, 1983) for stellar structure and evolution; and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (Chemistry, 2009) for ribosome structure. Harish-Chandra (no Nobel), S.N. Bose (Bose-Einstein statistics, collaborator of Einstein), and Meghnad Saha (Saha ionisation equation) are notable near-misses. Indian-origin Nobel winners also include Abhijit Banerjee (Economics, 2019) and Abdul Kalam (shared 1997 Bharat Ratna, no Nobel).

Recent Scientific Discoveries and AI

India has prioritised research in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Semiconductor technology. The IndiaAI Mission (₹10,372 crore, 2024) aims to establish AI infrastructure. India joined the US-led Internet for All initiative and the Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) forum. The National Quantum Mission (₹6,003 crore, 2023) targets quantum communication and computing capabilities.

CSIR’s Institutes of Eminence include IITs and IISc Bengaluru. The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle, Ladakh, at 4,517 metres altitude, is among the world’s highest and houses telescopes including the Himalayan Chandra Telescope.

Defence Technology

India’s defence research is led by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), with notable achievements including the Prithvi, Agni, and BrahMos missile series, the Tejas light combat aircraft ( LCA, developed by HAL), the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and the INS Vikrant — India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2022. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (jointly developed with Russia) has a range of 300–500 km and is one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world.

Energy Sector

India’s energy mix includes coal (the largest source, about 55% of electricity), renewable energy (particularly solar, now the cheapest source of new electricity generation in India), nuclear (about 3%), and hydro (about 10%). India is the world’s third-largest renewable energy market. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched at COP21 in Paris (2015) and headquartered in Gurugram, aims to promote solar energy adoption globally. India has set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.

Genetics and Life Sciences

India’s genome sequencing efforts include the Indian Genome Variation Database (IGVD) and the Human Genome Project-India (HGPI). Dr J.B.S. Haldane’s contributions to population genetics and evolutionary biology are significant. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been at the forefront of disease surveillance and public health research, including the National AIDS Control Programme and recent disease outbreak management.

SNAP-specific question patterns: SNAP Science & Technology questions emphasize Indian achievements, recent discoveries, and scientists’ names paired with their contributions. Focus on ISRO’s most recent missions, PLI schemes for technology manufacturing, major IT initiatives (Digital India, UPI), and the names of heads of major science institutions. Remember the names Vikram Sarabhai (space programme), Homi Bhabha (nuclear programme), and Dr C.V. Raman (Raman effect).