The 2014 Nobel Prize for physics has been awarded to a trio of scientists Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura for the invention of blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the early 1990s.   Importance of Blue LED  Although LED had been around for more than 50 years but these LED were monochromatic (one… Continue reading [Answered] The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings?

Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that involves the use of live organisms or enzymes from organisms to produce products and processes useful to humans.  Achievement in Biotechnology:  Biotechnology is used to produce genetically modified crops that are resistant to pests, improve crop yield, and have higher nutritional value. For example, Bt Cotton, GM Soyabean, etc.  Recombinant DNA… Continue reading [Answered] What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society?

Crop diversification refers to the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production on a particular farm taking into account the different returns in socio-economic and environmental terms. Due to diverse set of climates, soil types and cultures, India has diverse range of cropping systems.  The challenges before crop diversification:  Impact of Green… Continue reading [Answered] What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide opportunity for crop diversification?

The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-third of the country’s population. The enactment of this landmark legislation, brought a paradigm shift in approach to food security, from welfare to rights-based approach. The salient features of the act are as:  Coverage and entitlement: Up to 75% of rural… Continue reading [Answered] What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act 2013? How has the Food security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India?

Basic infrastructure facilities in the country provide the foundation of growth. In the absence of adequate infrastructure the economy operates at suboptimal levels and remains distant from its potential and frontier growth trajectory.  Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth  Creation of Jobs – Infrastructure development such as road construction, real estate,… Continue reading [Answered] “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience.

A V-shaped recovery is characterized by a quick and sustained recovery in measures of economic performance after a sharp economic decline  Indian Economy has recently experienced V shaped recovery  As per official data, country’s GDP grew by 20% in Q1 of FY 2021-22 in comparison to Q1 of FY 2020-21.  The Economic Survey has also… Continue reading [Answered] Do you agree that Indian economy has recently experienced V – shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of their answer.

Cyber threats are anonymous and borderless. Thus, it makes the tracking of criminals difficult and cybersecurity a national security issue.  Impact of cross border cyber attack  It will have debilitating impact on Critical Information Infrastructure (Power Plans, nuclear Plants, telecommunications etc.)  Cross border cyber-attacks can be used to threaten national security by indulging in contemporary… Continue reading [Answered] Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross border cyber-attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.

Money laundering is disguising the identity of illegally obtained money so that it would appear to have originated from legitimate sources. Money laundering is generally used by criminals to disguise their illicit funds, terrorists to dodge tracking or tax evaders.  Emerging technologies contribute to money laundering in following ways:  Use of cryptocurrencies and alternate finance that are unregulated by governments  Encrypted conversations facilitate exchange of information about money laundering   Large volume… Continue reading [Answered] Discuss how emerging technologies and globalization contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.

Earthquake is sudden shaking of earth surface, while earthquake hazard is anything associated with an earthquake that can affect people’s day-to-day life. Earthquake hazards can range across ground shaking, surface rupture, landslide, liquefaction, tectonic deformation, tsunami etc.  Vulnerability of India to Earthquake-related hazards:   According to BIS, more than 58.6 percent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity. The occurrence of the Killari earthquake in 1993 resulted in revision of the seismic zoning in India with the low hazard… Continue reading [Answered] Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.