UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2019: GS3 Science & Technology | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: How was India benefited from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively? (Science & Technology)
Ans: The British rule in India neglected the modernization of Indian agriculture and made little effort to improve the irrigation system. Post-independence, India faced challenges in feeding its growing population, relying on a "ship to mouth" existence.

During crucial periods, two influential personalities—Sir M. Visvesvaraya and M.S. Swaminathan—emerged, revolutionizing their respective fields and making significant contributions to India's development.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s Contributions in Water Engineering:

• He is renowned as India’s most prolific civil engineer, dam builder, economist, and statesman.
• Instrumental in constructing the Krishna Raja Sagara Lake and dam in 1924, providing water for irrigation and drinking in nearby areas and cities.
• Pioneered the Block System, automated doors for overflow conditions, and designed Hyderabad’s flood management system.
• Recognized for brilliance in harnessing water resources, constructing dams, and revolutionizing India’s irrigation system.
• Awarded the ‘Bharat Ratna’ by the Government of India in 1955 for his outstanding contributions to society.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s Contributions to Agricultural Science:

• A plant geneticist, he is considered the scientific leader of the green revolution movement.
• Internationally recognized for research in genetics, cytogenetics, radiation, and chemical mutagenesis, as well as food and biodiversity conservation.
• Conceptualized the ever-green revolution movement in agriculture, freeing India from a 'Ship to Mouth' existence to the 'Right to Food.'
• Served as the head of various national and international institutions, leading the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) in 2004 to address farmer suicides in India.

Adhering to the visions of these two men is crucial for India, especially with escalating agrarian challenges such as erratic rainfall, cycles of floods and droughts, unsustainable practices, and other endemic issues.

Q2: What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?(Science & Technology)
Ans: A space station is a large artificial satellite designed for extended occupancy, serving as a base for scientific observation. Recently, India has announced plans to construct its own space station, building on the Gaganyaan mission, which marks India's inaugural manned mission to space.

India’s Space Station Plan:

• The envisioned space station is expected to weigh 20 tonnes, providing accommodation for astronauts for 15-20 days.
• Placement in lower Earth’s orbit at approximately 400 km above the Earth.
• Launch timeframe set for 5-7 years after the Gaganyaan mission, slated for 2022, which will equip ISRO with essential technology for space platform creation.

Benefits of the Space Station for India’s Space Program:

• Facilitates prolonged Human Space Missions in the future.
• Enables microgravity experiments for scientific and technological advancements, including innovations in water purification and biotechnology.
• Supports deep space exploration, allowing the study of other galaxies.
• Enhances India’s global standing in space exploration, reinforcing its position as a space power.
• Opens avenues for revenue generation through commercial engagements with other countries leveraging India's space capabilities.
• Advocates for increased collaboration with the private sector and research institutions to cultivate human resources and foster innovative products for India’s growing space economy.

Q3: How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (Science & Technology)
Ans: Traditional medicine encompasses the medical aspects of Traditional Knowledge (TKs) that evolved over generations in various societies before the advent of modern medicine. India boasts a diverse array of traditional practices rooted in Ayurveda, Siddha, and various tribal practices that have developed across generations.

Challenges in protecting Traditional Knowledge:

• Non-codification of TKs: Traditional knowledge that is not codified is susceptible to losing relevance due to the influence of modern medical practices.
• Patenting by Biotechnology companies: Cases of bio-piracy in India involve biotech companies using Traditional Knowledge to develop products and obtain patents, such as the Jeevani sports drug derived from the Kani tribe's traditional knowledge.
• Access and Benefit Sharing: Traditional knowledge is often collectively held by communities, posing challenges for fair benefit sharing.
• Inadequate International Regimes: The community nature of traditional knowledge is not explicitly recognized in international laws.

Government Initiatives to Protect TKs:

1. Legal Steps:
   • Biological Diversity Act: Contains provisions for fair and equitable benefit sharing from the utilization of genetic resources.
   • Forest Rights Act 2006: Provides for community rights over forest resources, aiding in the protection of traditional knowledge and practices.
   • The Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999: Grants collective rights to holders of traditional knowledge associated with specific geographical areas.
2. Institutional Steps:
   • AYUSH Ministry: Focused on cultivating education and research in various indigenous medicine systems.
3. Policy Measures, Initiatives, and Projects:
   • Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): A repository of traditional knowledge, especially related to medicinal plants and formulations used in the Indian system of medicine.
   • National Ayush Mission: Promotes AYUSH medical practices, quality enhancement, mainstreaming these practices into the healthcare system, and education and awareness of AYUSH medicine systems.
   • Research Centres and National Institutes: Established across India in Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy, Siddha.
   • International Agreements: Collaborations with patent offices like the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office and the USA to prevent invalid patents by providing access to the TKDL database for patent search and examination.

The growing interest in traditional medicines, driven by concerns about side effects, adverse drug reactions, and the cost of modern medicines, underscores the need for awareness and development of various traditional knowledge practices. Mainstreaming these practices can unlock their potential to provide significant livelihood support, especially for tribal communities. Additionally, a sui-generis system should be developed to recognize the diverse nature of Traditional Knowledge and provide adequate legal and commercial protection.

Q4: How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers? (Science & Technology)
Ans: 

Biotechnology's Potential in Indian Agriculture: In India, a significant portion of the population is engaged in agriculture, but the returns, especially in non-green revolution areas, are often insufficient. Biotechnology emerges as a promising solution to transform agriculture, impacting various stages of the production chain, from agrochemical inputs to final food processing.

Within biotechnology, organisms such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals with altered genes through manipulation (Recombinant DNA Technology) are termed Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). GMO technology has introduced notable changes in agriculture and related domains.

Key Aspects and Benefits of Biotechnology in Agriculture:

• Tissue Culture: The science of cultivating animal/plant tissue in a prepared medium, leveraging technologies for crop improvement.
• Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Crops are made more tolerant to environmental stresses like cold, drought, salt, and heat, providing farmers with weather-resilient options.
• Pest Resistance: Development of pest-resistant crops has reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, benefiting farmers economically and consumers environmentally.
• Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: Biotechnology has decreased post-harvest losses by enhancing crops' ability to withstand transportation without perishing.
• Efficient Mineral Usage: Improved efficiency in mineral usage by plants prevents early soil fertility exhaustion, allowing sustained land use for optimal yields.
• Nutritional Enhancement: Biotechnology has increased the nutritional value of food, exemplified by Vitamin A enriched rice, enhancing market value and improving human health.
• Disease Resistance: Plants developed through biotechnology naturally resist specific insects, weed plants, and diseases, ensuring minimal crop loss (e.g., Bt crops).
• Customized Plant Development: Biotechnology facilitates the creation of tailor-made plants for alternative resource supply to industries, such as starches, fuels, and pharmaceuticals, fostering agricultural-industrial relations and uplifting farmers.

The advantages of biotechnology gain significance as the global population grows, and food demand increases, particularly in developing countries. Biotechnology enables farmers to produce more food on less land using environmentally sustainable practices, crucial for achieving better income and living standards. While biotechnology proves to be a powerful tool in feeding a growing world population, careful evaluation of its positive and negative potential is essential.