Table of contents
The UPSC Civil Services Examination demands an understanding of contemporary advancements. In this ever-evolving landscape, Science and Technology (S&T) hold immense potential to revolutionize governance and national security. This introductory section explores some of the latest breakthroughs in S&T, highlighting their potential impact on India's future and underlining their relevance for the UPSC aspirant.
PRATUSH
- Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen (PRATUSH) is a high-resolution telescope to be posted on the moon and in its orbit.
- It is a radio telescope built by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru in collaboration with the ISRO.
- The telescope will detect signals from the first stars and galaxies and help understand the universe's cosmic dawn.
- It will give insight into the formation of the first stars, their nature and the nature of light from the first stars.
- The frequency-independent antenna, an analogue receiver and a digital correlator will help catch radio noise from the Dark Ages.
![PRATUSH experiment concept and design overview | UPSC](https://media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10686-023-09909-5/MediaObjects/10686_2023_9909_Fig13_HTML.png)
POEM-3
- ISRO launched PSLV-C58/XPoSat to ensure it left no debris in space, by turning the last stage of the rocket into a small space station called POEM-3
- PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 was developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
- ISRO ensured POEM (powered by solar panels) orbit the earth as a stabilized platform to perform in-orbit scientific experiments.
- It communicates with ISRO’s NavIC satellite constellation for navigation and communicates with the ground station via telecommand system.
![PSLV Orbital Experimental Module - UPSC](https://compass.rauias.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/image-34.png)
![Space Junk | UPSC](https://images.hindustantimes.com/rf/image_size_640x362/HT/p2/2016/12/09/Pictures/space-junk_b2f87a10-be05-11e6-a898-3949986517f3.jpg)
![Space debris - Wikipedia](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Space_sustainability_urgency_in_earth_orbits_white.png/1200px-Space_sustainability_urgency_in_earth_orbits_white.png)
MIRV Technology
- Agni-5 missile with MIRV technology (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) undertook the first flight test of Mission Divyastra.
- India publicly acknowledged development of the MIRV technology which is possessed by major nuclear countries.
- It can deliver multiple warheads at different locations, which can include decoys to deceive the enemy’s ballistic missile program.
- Agni-5 can strike targets over 5,000 kilometers away with a payload capacity of around 1,500 kilograms.
![Incorporating MIRV Technology | MIRV technology (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) | UPSC](https://drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1710853726_MIRV%20Technology.png)
![MIRV technology (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) | UPSC](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/05/uPIj4hH-W-EQ4Qztv1L2vLtaBCni0s6giEyXsIVV5_JOtMc52b1a0bHT9ErFqdfxDP7eosIHPgQp5V83GdsPooR8RJqzQUt9w2ruXVo0l3DxeWGYxck-SvPciBvzPJI5l9DMwnC43rjWkOWc5UX5rz4-1.png)
![](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/05/1.-UPSCprep-Banner-2.png)
iOncology-AI Project
- AIIMS Delhi developed an AI powered model iOncology-AI Project, integrated with a supercomputer for informed decisions regarding cancer treatment.
- It is a collaborative effort between AIIMS Delhi, C-DAC and MEITY.
- The use of AI-enabled advanced algorithms assists doctors in treatment based on comprehensive genomic data analysis.
- A patient's genetic makeup and alterations in genes can be deciphered by genome sequencing.
![AIIMS Delhi developed an AI powered model iOncology-AI Project | UPSC](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/05/image-17.png)
![AIIMS Delhi developed an AI powered model iOncology-AI Project | UPSC](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/05/image-18.png)
![AIIMS Delhi developed an AI powered model iOncology-AI Project | UPSC](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/05/image-19.png)
Brainoware
- Recently, scientists fused brain-like tissues with electronics to make an organoid neural network called brainoware which is a computer-like structure..
- Lab-grown real human brain tissues were used to create mini-brains known as organoids. These organoids are 3D clusters of brain cells which are simply tissue structures without thoughts or feelings.
- Brain organoids are formed by extracting human pluripotent stem cells and are aggregates of early-stage neurons, mature neurons, neuron progenitor cells and astrocytes.
- Brainoware uses an artificial neural network to connect these organoids to microelectrodes by a process known as reservoir computing.
![Brainoware | UPSC](https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1400/1*jHgNLpK_pgvYgMXIY1JQIQ.png)
![UPSC | Organoid intelligence (OI): the new frontier in biocomputing and intelligence-in-a-dish](https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/1017235/fsci-01-1017235-HTML-r9/image_m/fsci-01-1017235-g001.jpg)
Fast Radio Burst (FRBs)
- It is a pulse of electromagnetic radiation of radio-frequency lasting a small fraction of a second but outshining most other sources of radio waves.
- FRBs release as much energy in a short time as the Sun does in weeks or even years.
- Origin of FRBs is based on theories like supermassive black holes, magnetars (highly magnetic neutron stars) etc.
- They can be detected using radio telescopes because they are short-lived bursts of radio waves.
- Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), to be launched in the early 2030s, will help in studying FRBs extensively.
![What is a Fast Radio Burst (FRB) | UPSC](https://d18x2uyjeekruj.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/frb.jpg)
![Fast radio bursts used as 'searchlights' to detect gas in Milky Way | UPSC](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/2023/fast-radio-bursts-used.jpg)
Juice Jacking
- Juice jacking is a type of cyberattack where hackers tamper public USB charging ports with malware.
- It is done through malicious charging stations by use of pre-programmed hardware or software in areas like airports, hotels, cafes, etc. After plugging in devices, the compromised port can be remotely accessed and sensitive data can be extracted.
- Also, charging cables can be replaced by cybercriminals with malicious ones to intercept data.
- Apart from awareness and avoidance, users can use a virtual private network and ensure that devices have the latest security updates installed.
![Juice jacking is a type of cyberattack where hackers tamper public USB charging ports with malware | UPSC](https://nmfta.org/wp-content/media/2023/05/Juice-Jacking-Graphic-1.png)
![Juice jacking is a type of cyberattack where hackers tamper public USB charging ports with malware | UPSC](https://www.upscprep.com/content/images/2024/05/image-20.png)
SIMA
- Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent or SIMA is an AI Agent which can itself process data and take actions.
- It is a generalist virtual buddy AI Agent capable of doing different tasks in all sorts of virtual environments
- It has been trained to process human language as it understands commands which can help accomplish tasks.
- SIMA is capable of learning and adapting through the interactions it has with the user. More interaction means SIMA gets smarter by learning from its experiences.
![SIMA, a Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent | UPSC](https://external-preview.redd.it/introducing-sima-a-scalable-instructable-multiworld-agent-v0-toTZ_jYn7UE0JcZnb0pNouqX0S_IaILjIO4tIMOjyeY.jpg?auto=webp&s=1c7b1de97cf3f9bd0c975eff44629d8afd01ec46)