UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2023: GS3 Science & Technology | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1:  Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (Al). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (Science and Technology)
Ans: Artificial intelligence (AI) stands as the pinnacle of information technology excellence globally. It represents the closest achievement to developing human-like intelligence in computers, relying on the processing of extensive data.

AI in Clinical Diagnosis:

• Comprehensive Analysis: AI can efficiently process vast amounts of data and, based on a patient's previous medical history, offer a comprehensive health analysis.
• Early Detection: AI excels at detecting patterns in data. Through datasets of thousands, it can predict potential diseases for individuals with specific symptoms.
• For instance, AI has demonstrated the ability to identify patterns in individuals with a family history of heart disease, indicating those at risk.Helping Hand: Rather than replacing doctors, AI can assist by supplementing their efforts and facilitating decision-making.
• Monitoring: AI-based wearable devices can monitor various health parameters, such as smartwatches tracking blood pressure.

Threats of Privacy:

• Big Data: AI's intelligence stems from processing extensive data, necessitating people's consent, which is often not followed.
• Data Breach: As AI processes large databases containing individual medical records, the value of security becomes crucial, given the severe repercussions of a data breach.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence continues to bring about significant transformations worldwide across various sectors. While technology has revolutionized healthcare, its optimal utility relies on addressing these concerns adequately.

Q2: Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.(Science and Technology)
Ans: Microorganisms, such as algae and bacteria, have the potential to generate various fuels, including ethanol, hydrogen, methane, lipids, and butanol, from raw organic materials. This process converts the chemical energy present in biomass into chemical energy in the form of fuels.

Contribution of Microorganisms to Address Fuel Shortages:

• Biofuel Production: Algae and bacteria can be harnessed to produce biofuels like biodiesel and bioethanol. For instance, algae can convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into lipids, which can be processed into biodiesel.
• Biogas Production: Microbes play a role in anaerobic digestion, breaking down organic waste such as agricultural residues and sewage to produce biogas.
• Hydrogen Production: Certain microorganisms can generate hydrogen gas through fermentation processes, offering a clean fuel for various applications, including fuel cells powering vehicles.
• Bioremediation: Microorganisms contribute to cleaning oil spills and contaminated sites by breaking down hydrocarbons, enabling the recovery of useful hydrocarbons from polluted areas.
• Carbon Capture and Utilization: Microorganisms can capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes into biofuels.

The establishment of pilot plants for microbial energy fuel production is essential to alleviate fuel shortages. This approach not only has the potential to reduce elevated crude prices but also contributes to environmental sustainability.

Q3: What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (Science and Technology)
Ans: Chandrayaan-3 has made history for both India and the world by achieving the first soft landing on the moon's south pole. This accomplishment positions India as the fourth nation, after the United States, Russia, and China, to successfully land on the moon.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission includes the Vikram Lander and Pragyaan Rover. The rover's objective is to explore the landing site, conduct experiments, and transmit data to the lander, which, in turn, relays the information to the orbiter for communication back to Earth. Chandrayaan-3 is of significant importance as the 'permanently shadowed regions' near the moon's South Pole may contain valuable resources like water-ice. Various onboard subsystems of Chandrayaan-3 are designed to conduct several experiments for this purpose.

Lander payloads:

• Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE): Measures thermal conductivity and temperature.
• Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): Measures seismic frequencies around the landing site.
• Langmuir Probe (LP): Estimates plasma density and its changes over time.

Rover payloads:

• Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): Determines the elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks.
• Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS): Derives chemical composition and infers the mineralogical composition of the lunar surface.

Propulsion module payload:

• Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE): Aims to study exo-planets for habitability.

Role of Virtual Launch Control Centre:

• Nerve centre of the operation: Controls all procedures and operations of the launch and the mission.
• Master control: In case of abnormalities, safety protocols or the final abortion of the mission can be initiated from this center.

With the success of Chandrayaan-3, India can now anticipate sample retrieval from the moon surface in the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, which will further enhance our understanding of the lunar surface. The successful landing has also provided a morale boost, motivating the pursuit of future missions.