Science & Technology — 2023

CRISPR-Cas9 — Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. A molecular scissors tool that edits DNA at precise locations. Cas9 is the enzyme that cuts the DNA strand. Originally a bacterial immune defence mechanism against viruses.

Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Genome Edited Plants (2022) — issued by MoEFCC under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Provides a regulatory framework for genome-edited plants in India, distinguishing between SDN-1/SDN-2 (lighter regulation) and SDN-3 (treated as GMO).

GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) — functions under MoEFCC. Apex body for approval of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production. Responsible for environmental release of GMOs and genome-edited organisms.

CAR-T Cell Therapy — Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy. Patient's T cells are extracted, genetically modified to recognise cancer cells, expanded in lab, and re-infused. Targets specific antigens on B-cells (a type of lymphocyte). Lymphocytes are white blood cells central to adaptive immunity — includes T-cells, B-cells, and NK cells.

RailTel PM-WANI Wi-Fi — RailTel Corporation provides public Wi-Fi at railway stations under the PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme, aimed at broadband proliferation through public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Splinternet — the fragmentation of the global internet into isolated, nationally controlled networks. Countries like China (Great Firewall), Russia, and Iran have created their own restricted internet ecosystems, raising concerns about digital sovereignty vs. open internet.

GigaMesh — a technology solution for providing high-speed broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas using mesh networking architecture.

Hydra Market — one of the largest DarkNet marketplaces, shut down in 2022. DarkNet refers to encrypted overlay networks accessible only through specific software (e.g., Tor browser). Used for both legitimate privacy purposes and illegal activities.

LaMDA — Language Model for Dialogue Applications, developed by Google. An AI chatbot system designed for open-ended conversations. Made headlines when a Google engineer claimed it showed signs of sentience.

GPAI (Global Partnership on AI) — multi-stakeholder initiative with OECD secretariat support. India assumed the chair from France in 2022. Aims to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice through responsible AI development.

Ethereum Merge — Ethereum transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism in September 2022. Reduced Ethereum's energy consumption by ~99.95%. PoS validators are chosen based on staked cryptocurrency rather than computational power.

Declaration for the Future of the Internet — a political commitment by 60+ countries to advance an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet. Addresses threats from authoritarian approaches to internet governance.

ARYABHAT-1 — India's first analog chipset for AI/ML applications, developed by IISc Bangalore. Analog computing uses continuous signals instead of discrete 0s and 1s, offering faster and more energy-efficient processing for certain AI workloads.

Cryptojacking — the unauthorised use of someone's computing resources to mine cryptocurrency. Malware secretly runs mining scripts in the background, consuming CPU/GPU power and electricity without the victim's knowledge.

Bluebugging — a cyberattack exploiting Bluetooth vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to a device. Attackers can read/send messages, access contacts, make calls, and eavesdrop on conversations. Works within Bluetooth range (~10-15 metres).

Hermit Spyware — a sophisticated commercial spyware capable of infecting both Android and iOS devices. Can access call logs, contacts, photos, location data, and record audio. Similar to Pegasus in capability; attributed to an Italian vendor (RCS Lab).

TiHAN (Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation) — established at IIT Hyderabad under the NM-ICPS (National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems). India's first testbed for autonomous navigation systems, including UAVs and unmanned ground vehicles.

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM / Mangalyaan) — India's first interplanetary mission, launched by PSLV-C25 in November 2013. Made India the first Asian nation and the fourth space agency to reach Mars orbit. Carried 5 payloads including methane sensor and colour camera. Mission ended in 2022 after 8 years (designed for 6 months).

POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) — repurposes the spent 4th stage (PS4) of PSLV as an orbital platform for conducting in-space experiments. Cost-effective use of what was previously discarded as space debris.

Mission Prarambh — India's first private space launch by Skyroot Aerospace. Their rocket Vikram-S was successfully launched in November 2022, making Skyroot the first Indian private company to launch a rocket to space. Named after Vikram Sarabhai.

Pilanesberg Resolution (2001) — a resolution adopted at a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting regarding the management and conservation of elephant populations. Addresses the balance between wildlife conservation and community needs.

PEN Plus Strategy — WHO strategy for integrated management of severe Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at first-level referral hospitals in Africa. PEN stands for Package of Essential NCD Interventions. Targets conditions like rheumatic heart disease, type 1 diabetes, and sickle cell disease.

Operation Skylight — an initiative involving satellite-based systems for enhanced surveillance and monitoring. Leverages space technology for ground-level operational intelligence.

Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) — vehicles that can run on a blend of ethanol (20-85%) mixed with petrol. India is promoting ethanol blending to reduce oil imports and carbon emissions. E20 mandate: 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. FFVs have modified engines, fuel lines, and sensors to handle higher ethanol concentrations.

CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) — established in 1942. The Prime Minister serves as the President of CSIR. Largest publicly funded R&D organisation in India with 38 national laboratories. Operates under the Ministry of Science & Technology.

Click Chemistry — won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 (Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, K. Barry Sharpless). A method for building molecules quickly and efficiently by snapping molecular building blocks together, like clicking puzzle pieces. Applications: drug development, materials science, and bioorthogonal chemistry.

Dar-es-Salaam Declaration — adopted in 2023, a commitment to ending AIDS in children by 2030. Endorsed by 12 African countries with the highest burden of paediatric HIV. Focuses on preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring treatment access.

GSI (Geological Survey of India) — headquartered in Kolkata, operates under the Ministry of Mines. Established in 1851 to find coal deposits for railways. Now responsible for geological mapping, mineral exploration, and geoscience research across India.

JUICE Mission — Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, launched by ESA (European Space Agency) in April 2023. Will study three of Jupiter's largest moons — Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa — which are believed to have subsurface oceans. Expected to arrive at Jupiter by 2031.

TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) — a NASA instrument for monitoring air pollution across North America from geostationary orbit. Measures pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and formaldehyde on an hourly basis. First space-based instrument to monitor air quality hourly over a continent.

Technology & Innovation Report 2023 — published by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). Focuses on green innovation and how developing countries can leverage frontier technologies for sustainable industrialisation. Warns of a growing technological gap between developed and developing nations.

Yotta D1 — India's first hyperscale data centre, located in Greater Noida. Operated by Yotta Infrastructure Solutions. Built to Uptime Institute Tier IV standards (highest reliability). Provides scalable cloud infrastructure, colocation, and managed IT services.