[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] Science and Technology: Its issues, advancements, and efforts in U P

1. Issues in Science and Technology in UP

Trend: Shift from “General Problems” to “Structural Gaps,” “Regional Disparities,” and “Adoption Challenges.”

A. Structural & Infrastructural Gaps

• R&D Spending: While India spends ~0.7% of GDP on R&D, state-level private sector contribution in UP is negligible outside the NCR belt. Dependence on central institutes (IIT-K, CDRI) is high.
• Lab-to-Land Disconnect: Innovations in premier institutes (like IIT Kanpur’s artificial rain technology) often face bureaucratic delays in field implementation.
• Digital Divide: Despite 5G rollout in cities like Lucknow and Varanasi, “Shadow Zones” persist in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions, hampering the delivery of DBT and Tele-medicine.

B. Human Resource Challenges

• Brain Drain: Graduates from premier UP institutes (IIT-K, IIT-BHU, MNNIT) migrate to Bangalore/Hyderabad or abroad due to a lack of high-end R&D jobs within the state.
• Skill Mismatch: The curriculum in state technical universities often lags behind Industry 4.0 requirements (AI, Robotics, VLSI Design), creating a workforce gap for upcoming hubs like the Jewar Semiconductor Cluster.

C. Regional Imbalance

• The “NCR Bias”: 60-70% of tech startups and electronic manufacturing units are concentrated in Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida/Greater Noida), leaving Eastern UP (Purvanchal) technologically starved.

2. Advancements in Science and Technology

Trend: “Deep Tech,” “Indigenization,” and “Sector-Specific Growth.”

A. Biotechnology & Healthcare

• Bio-Economy: UP is emerging as a bio-manufacturing hub.
  • Genome Sequencing: New labs in Lucknow (KGMU/CDRI) for pandemic preparedness.
  • Medical Devices: Development of the Medical Device Park in Greater Noida (North India’s first) to reduce import dependence on high-end medical equipment (CT Scans, MRI).
• Agri-Biotech: Development of climate-resilient wheat varieties (DBW-187) and bio-fortified crops by state research stations.

B. IT, Electronics & Semiconductors

• Electronics Hub: UP produces ~55% of India’s mobile components (Samsung, Lava).
  • Semiconductor Push: The proposed “Tarq Semiconductors” unit by Hiranandani Group in Jewar marks UP’s entry into the fabrication (Fab) space.
• Data Centers: Noida-Greater Noida has become the “Data Center Capital” of North India with operational giants like Yotta D1 and AdaniConnex.

C. Defense & Space Technology

• Defense Corridor: Technology transfer for manufacturing BrahMos Missiles (Lucknow Node) and Ammunition Complexes (Kanpur Node).
• Drone Technology: IIT Kanpur remains the national nodal center for drone research, aiding the state in “Drone-as-a-Service” for agriculture (Nano Urea spraying) and policing (Kumbh Mela surveillance).

D. Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Emerging Tech

• AI City: Lucknow is being developed as India’s first “AI City” (Nadarganj) to house AI incubators and startups.
• Green Hydrogen: UP is pioneering the blend of Green Hydrogen in the piped natural gas (PNG) network in collaboration with NTPC.

Current Affairs Linkage :

• UP Electronics Component Manufacturing Policy 2025: Effective from April 1, 2025, this policy targets the production of Display Modules and Lithium-Ion Cells, aiming to capture 25% of India’s component market.
• Digital Crop Survey: In 2025, UP became the first state to implement 100% Digital Crop Survey using satellite imagery and AI to settle Fasal Bima claims within weeks.

3. Government Efforts (Policy & Implementation)

Trend: “Policy Innovation,” “Industry Status,” and “E-Governance Saturation.”

A. Policy Interventions

• Industry Status for IT/ITeS (Nov 2024): The UP Cabinet granted “Industry Status” to the IT sector, allowing tech firms to acquire land and electricity at industrial rates (cheaper than commercial rates).
• UP FDI Policy 2024:
  • Feature: Offers “Front-End Land Subsidy” (up to 80%) for Fortune 500 tech companies.
  • Goal: To attract Global Capability Centers (GCCs) to Lucknow and Noida.
• UP Startup Policy (Amended): Increased sustenance allowance for rural startups and those founded by women/Transgenders.

B. Institutional Infrastructure

• Centers of Excellence (CoE):
  • AI & Big Data: Established at IIT-Kanpur and IIT-BHU.
  • MedTech: At SGPGI Lucknow and GIMS Greater Noida.
• Incubation Network: StartInUP has expanded the incubator network to 60+ districts, moving beyond the “Lucknow-Noida” axis.

C. E-Governance & Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

• Family ID (Ek Parivar Ek Pahchan): Using data analytics to map families and ensure “Saturation” of welfare schemes.
• Nivesh Mitra 2.0: One of India’s largest Single Window Systems integrating 45+ departments for investor clearances.
• Mine Mitra: Using satellite geofencing to check illegal mining in Sonbhadra/Bundelkhand.

Current Affairs Linkage :

• Green AI City Mandate (Jan 2026): The government mandated that the upcoming Lucknow AI City must be powered by 100% Renewable Energy, integrating technology with sustainability.

Maha Kumbh 2025 Tech: The event is being used as a sandbox for new technologies, featuring AI-based Crowd Management, Facial Recognition for Lost & Found, and River Cleaning Drones.