Banner for the Science and Technology module of UPSC GS3GS3 · Module 13 of 22

Science and Technology – UPSC GS3

This module of the GS Paper 3: Economy, Environment, S&T & Security course covers space, nuclear, biotechnology and emerging tech. It has 2 study lessons and a 16-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. Space and Nuclear Programmes of India

Free 7 min

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was founded in 1969. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is the father of India's space programme. Aryabhata (1975) was India's first satellite, launched by the Soviet Union. Orbits: Geostationary orbit is…

2. Biotechnology, Health and Emerging Technologies

Premium 8 min

DNA carries genetic information. A gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a protein. Genetic engineering cuts and joins DNA from different organisms (recombinant DNA). GM crops: Bt cotton (2002) carries a gene…

 Module quiz: Science and Technology (16 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

Map of ISRO centres: Sriharikota launch site, Bengaluru headquarters, VSSC Thiruvananthapuram, SAC Ahmedabad and NRSC Hyderabad
Sriharikota's east-coast location near the equator helps launches over the sea.
Timeline of ISRO milestones from 1969 to Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 in 2023
Chandrayaan-3 was the first to land near the lunar south pole.
Log-scale bar chart comparing altitudes of LEO, sun-synchronous, medium Earth, geostationary orbits, the Moon and the L1 point
NavIC uses geostationary and geosynchronous satellites; GPS orbits at about 20,200 km.
Flowchart of India's three-stage nuclear power programme from PHWRs to fast breeders to thorium reactors
India has limited uranium but large thorium in monazite sands.
Launch of ISRO's PSLV-C11 carrying Chandrayaan-1, 2008
Launch of ISRO's PSLV-C11 carrying Chandrayaan-1, 2008. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain.
Table comparing patents, copyright, trademarks, GI tags and industrial designs with their terms
Section 3(d) of the Patents Act prevents evergreening.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: Space and Nuclear Programmes of India; Biotechnology, Health and Emerging Technologies.

Answer: 1975. Aryabhata was launched in 1975 with Soviet help.

Answer: 23 August 2023. The Vikram lander touched down on 23 August 2023, now National Space Day.

Answer: Fast Breeder Reactors. Stage 2 uses Fast Breeder Reactors fuelled by plutonium.

Answer: Bt cotton. Bt cotton was approved in 2002.

Related modules

Indian Economy4 lessons
Growth, Development and Planning3 lessons
Public Finance and the Budget3 lessons
Money, Banking and Monetary Policy4 lessons
Financial Markets and Institutions2 lessons
External Sector and Trade3 lessons
Inclusive Growth, Employment and Industry4 lessons
Infrastructure4 lessons
Agriculture2 lessons
Agricultural Resources and Production4 lessons
Agricultural Marketing, Pricing and Support3 lessons
Food Processing and Allied Sectors3 lessons
Science and Technology in Depth5 lessons
Environment and Ecology2 lessons
Ecology and Biodiversity4 lessons
Pollution and Environmental Governance3 lessons
Climate Change3 lessons
Disaster Management2 lessons
Disasters and their Management3 lessons
Internal Security2 lessons
Internal Security in Depth5 lessons

Back to the GS Paper 3: Economy, Environment, S&T & Security course.

Join to unlock every lesson, revision note and mock test

Structured GS1–GS4, CSAT and Essay courses with maps, infographics, module quizzes and full-length mocks.

Create a free account See plans