Science & Technology GS Paper III BY Dr. Chetan Kaushik

Model Answer

Question #1. Biotechnology can reduce the vulnerability of crops to environmental stresses and also help increase its yield. Discuss with suitable examples (150 words)

Approach:

• Describe Vulnerability of crops to environmental stress (30 words)
• Using examples, cite potentials of biotechnology in reducing this stress and increasing yield (100 words)
• Conclusion (20 words)

Hint:

Crops/Plants are subjected to a range of environmental stresses. This reduces and limits their productivity. The types of environmental stresses encountered by plants can be categorized as: Abiotic stress and Biotic stress.

Since plants are sessile in nature, they have no choice but to escape from these environmental cues. With increasing volatility in the climate factors, natural adaptation is no longer the viable route.

Potential of biotechnology in reducing environmental stress and increasing crop yield

• If appropriately used, Biotechnology can reduce the vulnerability of crops to environmental stresses and also help increase its yield.
• Biotechnology will allow the development of crops containing genes that will enable them to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses
• For example, drought and excessively salty soil are two significant factors affecting crop productivity. Hence, biotechnologists and plant geneticists are studying plants that can cope with these extreme conditions, trying to identify and isolate the genes that control these beneficial traits.
• The genes could then be transferred into more desirable crops, with the hope of producing the same phenotypes in those crops.
• Example of Rice: Researchers have created transgenic rice plants which are resistant to rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV). In Africa, this virus destroys much of the rice crops and makes the surviving plants highly susceptible to fungal infections.
• Also, scientists have created a transgenic purple tomato that contains a cancer-fighting compound and others that have high levels of antioxidants.

Pesticide reduction

• There is an alarming concern w.r.t the use of pesticides in agriculture. Therefore, many of the current commercial applications of modern biotechnology in agriculture are focused on reducing the dependence of farmers on these chemicals.
• For example, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) is a soil bacterium that produces a protein that can act as an insecticide, known as the BT toxin.
• However, Bt is a naturally occurring protein. Traditionally, an insecticidal spray has been produced from these bacteria.
• As a spray, the Bt toxin is in an inactive state and requires digestion by an insect to become active and have any effect.
• Crop plants have now been engineered to contain and express the genes for the Bt toxin, which they produce in its active form.
• When an insect ingests the transgenic crop, it stops feeding and soon thereafter dies as a result of the BT toxin binding to its gut wall.

Weed management

• The introduction of herbicide tolerant crops has the potential to reduce the number of chemicals needed during a growing season.
• This increases crop yield due to improved weed management and decreases harm to the crops.

Conclusion:

As elaborated above, the benefits of agriculture biotechnology include improved yield from crops made possible due to marked reduction in their vulnerability to environmental stresses. Looking at the rising demand for food products, this is the ripe moment to advance the extensive utilization of biotechnology in the crop cycle.

Question #2. Like Blue Origin and SpaceX, Should India also open up its Space Sector for Private players? Discuss the opportunities and challenges perceived (150 words)

Approach:

• Give a brief of growth trajectory of Space Sector (20 words)
• Explain the current status of Private players participation in Space sector in India (20 words)
• Argue whether India should open up its Space Sector for Private players (40 words)
• Discuss the opportunities and challenges perceived (50 words)
• Conclusion (20 words)

Hint:

Space based applications/ services over the years have grown exponentially. Many new applications are being developed world wide to meet the growing user demands and requirements. The activities are on a growth trajectory with huge commercial potential. Hence it makes sense to capitalize on the expertise and share the Research and Development Costs w.r.t space science.

Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos (of Amazon) with the vision of enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth.

SpaceX is a private spaceflight company of American origin that puts satellites into orbit and delivers cargo and crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

Indian Context:

• In India, many Non-Government-Private-Entities (NGPEs) have started engaging in space activities for commercial gains.
• Somenewly found industries have started making launch vehicles and satellites and are eager to provide space-based services.
• Participation of NGPEs including academic institutions, start-ups and industries in end-to-end space activities is expected to expand the space economy.

Should India open up its Space Sector for Private players?

• Space sector has the capacity to be the next “poster Boy’ of the Indian Economy like the IT industry. Indian Space sector and related technologies are known to be economic, effective and durable.
• Since this is a high value sector, it has the potential to remain immune to the cost volatilities. Moreover, Other nation’s space industries will find it challenging to meet the secure and “value for money” space-based solutions offered by the Indian Space Industry. This can help add much desired foreign exchange.
• Hence, India should open up its space for private players because they will bring the cost further down. Like a free market, the advent of competitive spirit in this sector will help devise new products and processes at a much faster pace as compared to the current time span taken by ISRO.
• In order to enhance the diffusion of space technology and boost space economy within the country, the Department of Space (DOS) desires to encourage the participation of private companies in space activities.

ISRO shall complement DOS in its objective of opening up the space sector to private industries. In this regard, the following reforms are proposed in the mode of execution of space activities in the country:

• In order to enhance utilization and maximize benefits from the space assets, it is proposed to change the approach from “Supply Based Model” to “Demand Based Model”.
• New Space India Limited (NSIL) will act as the aggregator of user requirements and obtain commitments.
• NSIL to take ownership from DOS for operational launch vehicles, commercialize launches, satellites and services.
• Permit NGPE’s to carry out space activities through an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe)
• ISRO to carry out capacity building in the Space domain through development of new technologies and capabilities and enable sharing of facilities by NSIL and NGPE’s.
• Announcement of Opportunities for NGPE’s offering challenges in new domains of technology.

Opportunities Perceived in Space sector are:

• There will be Production of components and subsystems of a launch vehicle, launch vehicle integration and testing intended for space launch.
• Huge avenues for design and Production of components of a spacecraft, spacecraft Integration and testing.
• Space launch of spacecraft on board a launch vehicle and establishment/ operation of launch infrastructure.
• Providing space-based services like operation, control and station keeping of spacecraft by establishing an operation of ground segment/ stations.
• Development of space-based applications using satellite data and rolling out of commercial services.

Challenges Perceived in Space sector are:

• Regulatory uncertainty: Private participation in the hitherto sovereign sector will bring in many challenges, with Questions of oversight and regulation being the primary ones.
• There could be barriers of entry for private firms and lack of synergies between ISRO and private collaborators.
• Indian rocket-making companies would want to build their satellites or test their rockets, reducing cost and increasing incentives for firms to build operational spacecraft. However, in order to commercialize it, they would want an open market. Would the Government be able to facilitate?
• Intellectual Property Protection: The private sector remains concerned about sharing its intellectual property with the government. If ISRO is serious about partnering with the private sector, policymakers will have to view the industry as more than just a collection of manufacturers or service providers.

Conclusion:

The Indian space sector is relatively small and uncrowded. With the country’s established space infrastructure, a healthy supply chain and supplier ecosystem, and the promise of additional regulatory reform, India will be one of the premier locations for space sector innovation and investments.  In this capital-intensive sector, India is also advantaged by its comparatively low operating costs. Removing regulatory blockages will pave the way for increased FDI into the sector. Private participation is a new and emerging area, just like the software book, time is conducive to allow stimulated growth in the Space sector.