revision of the entire course: final words of wisdom

Revision of the Entire Course: Final Words of Wisdom

By Dr. Roman Saini

Session 1: Approach to Science & Technology

for UPSC, Analysis of Pre/Mains Syllabus & Previous Year Questions

Takeaway from Session- 1

Importance of SnT:

● Very important for Civil servants to implement various schemes especially e-governance related schemes. e.g. Digital India

● Also helps in daily life- use and working of gadgets, appliances etc.

● Helps in improving general awareness.

● Also forms a significant portion of prelims and mains syllabus- very important to clear the basics to score good marks in this portion

Syllabus:

● Memorize prelims and mains syllabus by heart.

● Go back to the UPSC syllabus and read it carefully.

● Get a print out of the syllabus and stick it on the wall in front of your study table.

Sources:

● Stick to limited but authentic sources.

● Read the same content multiple times rather than reading multiple sources only one time.

Previous year’s questions- Prelims:

● Try to memorize the topics of SnT questions of last 10 years, preferably after 2011.

● It will give you a summary of all the important topics you have to study in the SnT syllabus.

● Topics and related concepts in this year’s prelims will also be more or less same as compared to last 10 years. You just have to have a strong grip on the concepts.

● Google every topic and make precise and concise notes of the same and revise them well.

Previous year’s questions- Mains:

● Mains questions are mainly current affairs based questions with some basic concepts.

● You must have a command over the current developments of last 2-3 years in SnT.

● Prepare short notes on all the major topics of last 2-3 years in bullet points.

Session 2: PYQs Prelims - S&T

(2011 To 2018)


● UPSC has never required in depth knowledge of science and technological

phenomenon in last six years except basic ideas.

● Its range is limited to use, advantages, implications, applications and

feasibility of the particular phenomena or technology.

● Here, it follows the syllabus which mentions that there is no need of subject

specialization.

● And there are some topics that have been repeatedly asked year after year

since 2013 as they have an impact on public health and development.

● For example - disease (communicable and non-communicable).

● Specifically, UPSC loves viruses - Outbreak, causes, transmission, related

diseases, functioning, organism infected by viruses, differences from bacteria

etc. have been asked directly or indirectly.

● In 2019, all the questions were based on basic understanding, logic and

application.

● For example, use of LTE, black holes, multi-drug resistance, etc.

Session 3: PYQs Mains - S&T

(2013 To 2018)

Takeaway from Session- 3● We have discussed every question of mains from 2013 to 2018 in detail.

● We discussed the structure of the questions with sources.

● The important information, facts and figures were discussed for each question.

● From that content, you can list important points for the evergreen issues of SnT that have high a probability of being asked.

● As in 2018 Bose-Einstein Statistics is asked that is not any new development or research. But S N Bose’ 125th birth year celebration is going on that would be culminated on 1 jan 2019.

● Similarly, B N Srikrishna committee was frequently in news in 2018 and UPSC framed the question from it.

● The articles of The Hindu published related to this throughout the year was sufficient to write the answer of this question.

● As you have seen in the session that almost all questions are framed from the news in the Hindu every year.

● For mains answer, you don’t need to look for other sources apart from this course along with the Hindu articles of SnT that would suffice the current affairs of SnT.

● If you diligently follow the SnT section of the Hindu, you will be able to write mains answers well.

Session 4: Approaching NCERTs &

NCERTs Bookmarking and Important Topics


● The importance of science NCERTs cannot be highlighted more.

● Just go through the interviews of the toppers and every one of them will suggest you to prepare NCERTs well.

● Strong basics will help you not just in clearing prelims but also in writing mains answers.

● In this session, there was a detailed suggestion on important topics and how to read them for getting maximum benefits.

● Just go through these topics once again when you are revising (assuming that by now you must have finished and revised NCERTs at least once).

Session 5: Doubt clearing session

Session 6: Class 12 Biology NCERT Summary Part - I

Takeaway from Session - 6

● This session covered unit VIII (chapters 8, 9 & 10) and unit IX (chapters 11 & 12) of Class 12 Biology NCERT text.

● In chapter 8, we discussed about human diseases, immunity, AIDS, cancer and drugs abuse.

● In chapter 9, we discussed plant breeding, tissue culture and animals husbandry.

● In chapter 10, we discussed about microbes and their application for humans.

● Chapter 11 discussed the principles of biotechnology and DNA technology in detail.

● Chapter 12 contained a detail on the applications of biotechnology.

● Questions from chapters 11 and 12 have been asked in prelims and mains time and again.

Session 7: Basics of Physics & Applied Physics

and latest developments


● It was a little bit long session but an important one.

● Any area under S&T cannot be totally neglected as we can see the example of 2018 mains. (Bose-Einstein Condensate- Quantum Physics)

● So, you need to have some idea about physics and its applications in our daily life as well.

● This session gave you many daily life examples of physics concepts.

● UPSC loves to ask the basic science behind daily phenomenon in our surroundings.

● Once you are done with this session well, try to again revise last 10 years’ prelims questions which are related to application of basic physics concepts and see if you have the command over these concepts.

● Some of the major developments have been discussed in this session.

● Such as Electromagnetic Train, LASER, Radio Frequency Identification Tag, 3D-Printing, Quantum Mechanics, LIGO and INO project.

● And more latest developments in physics have been covered in the Sessions of Current Affairs. Revise them multiple times.

● This session gave you a crux of all the important concepts in physics.

● Try to find out more practical applications of these concepts.

● You can expect at least one question in prelims from this session.

Session 8: Historical Perspective & Development of

Science & Tech in Society, Economy, Polity, and Environmental domains


● This session gave you a brief and concise description of evolution of SnT in India from ancient to modern times.

● We discussed development in areas of Mathematics, Astronomy, Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Industry, Agriculture, Energy, Space, Electronics, Ocean Science,etc.

● You also learned the importance of Science and technology in today’s India in this session as India has reached at the 52nd position in GII Index 2019.

● Hence, there is a long way to enter the club of top ten most innovative countries.

● We discussed the vision and role of the premier national R & D organisation that is CSIR- Council of Scientific and Industrial research.

● Further we have gone through the important developments made by S&T in society, economy(agriculture, industry & manufacturing), environment, and polity.

● Such as Cheaper HIV drugs, Bioactive molecules, Indigenous supercomputer, Light Combat Aircraft, Enrichment of coal, HANSA and SARAS, Wasteland development, LaCONES, etc.

● Space programme of India, Knowledge Resource Center, New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership, Initiative and National Innovation Foundation are well explained as well.

● Finally, the most important and latest S&T Policy of India, 2013 was discussed in detail- its objective, main elements, and key features.

● This policy document shows India’s aspiration for the development of S&T at present.

Session 9: Space Technology and ISRO


● It is a very important session as India is emerging as a great space power.

● And our space agency namely, ISRO is consistently in news for regular advancements in space research and missions.

● In this session, we have learned about the issues, significance, features, etc of different types of satellite orbits and the differences among them as well.

● Satellites types which were discussed- GEO, LEO, MEO, Geosynchronous, Sun synchronous, Inclined, polar, and clarke.

● In this sequence we have gone through the stages of launch vehicles to launch the satellites in the above discussed orbits.

● We learned about the different launch vehicles namely, PSLV, GSLV, Cryogenic engine, GSLV MK III etc.

● Sounding rockets and Reusable Launch vehicle Technology were also discussed in brief.

Other important topics of this session are the following;● Basics of Satellites- Communication satellites, Earth Observation satellites.● Global Navigation system- GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou.● International Space Station and space research in different areas such as

biology, biotechnology, earth science etc. on ISS● Major space observations- Kepler Mission, Hubble space telescope, James

webb telescope etc.● ISRO and its commercial organ Antrix, important centers, achievements etc.

Session 10: Nuclear Science and India

Takeaway from Session- 10● We began this session with the Evolution of the Universe.

● This session gave you an important insight about the particles and subatomic particles- protons, neutrons, electrons, from which the universe has been made up.

● We learned atomic mass, atomic number, binding energy, nucleus, nuclone, neutrino, isotopes, isobars in regards of the smallest unit, atom.

● Radioisotopes and most importantly - its applications were also discussed.

● Next we have gone through the concept of Radioactivity and Radioactive decay- alpha, beta and gamma decay.

● Then we learned about the different ways of production of nuclear energy- Fission and Fusion, and its negative sides in the form of nuclear weapons.

● Impact of radioactive elements, especially radiation in environment and Radioactive waste are two important topics to be focused upon.

● Applications of Nuclear science- health, environment, food, agriculture, industries, mining, minerals, archeology, etc were also explained.

● Nuclear imaging is another most important topic from this session that needs to be prepared well.

● Lastly, institutional framework of nuclear science in India followed,

○ Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

○ Three Stages of Nuclear energy programme of India - Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) Technology and Breeder Reactor (BR) Using U-233 Fuel

○ Research reactors in India- Kamini, Dhruva, Poornima, etc.

Session 11: Nanotechnology and Robotics


In this session, following topics need to be prepared well because both nano science and robotics are the mainstream developments in S&T for economic advancement:

● Applications of nanotechnology in all walks of life

● Nanomedicines

● Nano mission

● Humanoid Robots developed in India

● Applications of robots- Industrial and Non-industrial

● Draft guidelines for civil UAV

Session 12: Class 6 Science NCERT Summary


● This session gave a summary of the concepts in class 6 Science NCERT.

● Physics - Motion and Measurement of Distances, Light, Shadows and Reflections, Electricity and Circuits, Magnets.

● Chemistry - Fibre to Fabric, Water, Air, Garbage, Sorting materials, Separation of substances, Changes around us

● Biology - Food, Components of food, plants, living organisms and their surrounding, Body movements

Session 13: Class 7 Science NCERT Summary


● This session gave a summary of the concepts in class 7 Science NCERT.

● Physics - Heat; Winds, Storms and Cyclones; Motion and Time; Electric Current and its Effects; Light

● Chemistry (includes Environment): Fibre to Fabric; Acids, Bases and Salts; Physical and Chemical Changes; Soil; Water: A Precious Resource; Forests: Our Lifeline; Wastewater Story

● Biology: Nutrition in Plants; Nutrition in Animals; Weather; Climate and Adaptations of Animals to Climate; Respiration in Organisms; Transportation in Animals and Plants; Reproduction in Plants.

Session 14 & 42: Class 8 Science NCERT Summary Part - I & II

Takeaway from Session - 14 & 42

● These sessions gave a summary of the concepts in class 8 Science NCERT.

● Physics - Force and Pressure, Friction, Sound, Chemical effects of electric current, Some natural phenomena, Light, Stars and the Solar system

● Chemistry - Metals and Non-Metals, Coal and Petroleum, Combustion and Flame.

● Biology - Crop Production and Management, Microorganisms, Synthetic Fibres and Plastics, Conservation of Plants and Animals, Cell - Structure and Functions, Reproduction in Animals, Adolescence, Pollution of Air and Water

Takeaway from Session - 15 & 16


● Physics -Motion, Force and Laws of Motion, Gravitation, Work and Energy, Sound

● Chemistry - Matter, Atoms and Molecules, Structure of the Atom

● Biology - Cell, tissues, diversity in living organisms, diseases, natural resources, food resources

Session 17: Class 12 Biology NCERT Summary Part - II


● This session discussed unit X on ecology - chapters 13 - 16.

● Summary of chapter 13 - biotic and abiotic factors, responses, adaptation and populations and their interactions.

● Summary of chapter 14 - Ecosystem–Structure and Function, Productivity, Decomposition, Energy Flow, Ecological Pyramids, Ecological Succession, Nutrient Cycling, Ecosystem Services

● Summary of chapter 15 - Biodiversity and its conservation

● Summary of chapter 16 - air pollution, water pollution, wastes, greenhouse effect, global warming, ozone depletion, degradation, deforestation.

Session 18: Basics of Botany


● Not too much important for mains exam but important for prelims exam.

● And in previous years, some questions of Environment and ecology have been asked from this session.

● Hence, try to memorize the facts with understanding, avoid going into the analytical concepts of botany.

● Just learn the facts to solve objective type questions only.

Following are the important topics that need to be focussed

1. Parts of plants- root system, shoot system, stem adaptation, Aerial shoot system especially leaf system,

2. Plant cell and its components

3. Plant tissue- Xylem and Phloem and their difference

4. Plants Physiology- Photosynthesis, Respiration,Transpiration, Tropism,

5. Pollen and pollination- Self and cross pollination

6. Agents of Pollination- Biotic and abiotic

7. Plant nutrition and hormones

Session 19: Basics of Zoology


● Similarly, this session is not important for the mains exam. ● But in prelims, some general questions from zoology may be asked.● So, just have only a basic idea of classification of animal kingdom.● Selected topics to prepare are the following;

1. General characteristics of mammals2. Animal cell structure- Plasma membrane, ribosome, cytoplasm, golgi

apparatus, Mitochondria, Nucleus, chromosomes etc3. Sex determination in Humans4. Cell divisions- mitosis and meiosis

● But focus more on the characteristics and role of the following from the prelims point of view:

○ Beneficial animals- corals, earthworm, Honey bee, silkworms, Lac insects, predators, parasites, pollinators, prawns, crab, lobsters, pearls oyster, fishes etc.

○ Harmful animals- vectors, honey bees, wasps, scorpion, pests, etc.

Session 20: Human Physiology


● Most important session for prelims and mains exam as well. ● Revise it multiple times.● We discussed the major organ systems of the human body

○ The Digestive System- GIT, Digestive glands○ The Respiratory System- Pharynx, Trachea, Bronchus○ The Circulatory System- Blood, Heart○ The Haematology System- Plasma○ The Lymphatic System- Transports of lymphs○ The Excretory System- Kidney, Ureteres, Bladder

○ The Nervous System- Neurotransmitters, brain,

○ The Muscular System- Muscles

○ The Skeletal System- Its function

○ The Integumentary System- Skin

○ The Endocrine System- Glands and Hormones

○ The Reproductive System- Female and Male reproductive organs, contraceptives,

● The table for glands, its location and hormones secreted from them must be prepared well.

● High chances of asking questions from this topic.

● Next, we discussed structure and features of Genetic materials- DNA and RNA.

● And most important t-RNA and mitochondrial DNA and its importance were also explained.

● Developments in Genetics have gained importance in recent years.

● Many researches are going on in this area to exploit the IT to have the genetic profiles, probability of disease in next generations, remedy for genetic disorders and much more.

● Hence, questions from this topic might be asked.

Session 21: Diseases and Immunization


● In this session, we learned about the common diseases/lifestyle diseases- their causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention.

● Such as Influenza, Cold, Cholera, Tuberculosis, Chikungunya, Typhoid, Dengue, Hepatitis, Swine Flu, Ebola, Zika, HIV/AIDS, Polio, H5N1, Yaws, HPV, Hospital Acquired Infections etc.

● Keep updated on the viral and bacterial diseases which are frequently in news e.g. Dengue, H1N1, ebola, zika, nipah etc.

● Further we learned all about cancer in detail- Cancerous cells, Types, Different Causes, Gene Therapy, Prevention, ICMR study of cancer in male and females.

● Next we have discussed the immune system and its types- innate immunity (WBCs) and Acquired immunity and its components.

● Vaccines, its mechanisms and types are also important -revise it again.

● The session gives a basic yet comprehensive overview of immune system.

● Terms that are discussed are at the level which is required for UPSC-CSE prelims preparation.

● We need to study General Science and get a basic idea of things rather than delving deep into concepts and ending up confused, which is not needed for prelims or even for Mains GS Paper III.

● Attention needs to be paid to common diseases, especially those in news, their causative agents and modes of transmission.

Session 23: Blood, Nutrition, and Vitamins


● Again this session is very important for prelims.

● First we discussed the ABO blood group systems in human.

● You need to learn the table made for compatibility of donor blood.

● Many questions can be framed from this.

● And matching of the blood group of baby and parents is also important to learn.

● In previous year prelims, you can find many questions related to blood group matching.

Other topics to be focussed are the following:

● Modes of nutrition

● Macronutrients- carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,

● Micronutrients- Vitamins, minerals,

● Table for various vitamins and diseases due to their deficiency must be learned.

● Malnutrition in India- Global Hunger Index 2019

Session 22 & 24: Basics of Biotechnology

& Latest developments in Biotechnology

Takeaway from Sessions- 22 & 24● Very hot topic and very very important session especially for mains. Since

developments in biotechnology have been a favourite pocket for UPSC.

● “Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?” - 2018

● “How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers?” - 2019

● Therefore, you can understand the importance and relevance of these sessions.

● You must revise these sessions multiple times.

● In the session of Basics of Biotechnology, focus on the following:

1. Meaning and applications of terms related to bio-tech such as bioremediation, biosimilars etc.

2. r-DNA technology

3. MRT and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

4. PCR

5. Cell and tissue culture

6. Stem cell technology

7. Human Genome Project and LUCA

8. Applications of Biotechnology

● Very important chapter.

● Understand the meaning and applications of different terms related to biotech

● Focus on the application parts more.

● Also, note down the developments which were in news recently e.g. CRISPR technique and LUCA.

● Next we discussed the latest developments in Biotechnology.

● This is highly important for the mains exam.

● Application based questions are frequently asked in S&T section, but technology and mechanism based question are asked only sometimes.

● Therefore, you need not be scared of the scientific developments and their mechanisms.

● Learn their applications in economy, society, polity, defence, environment, and the areas where they impact human life.

● We have categorised all important developments in the area of biotechnology as follows;

1. Bioeconomy

2. Bioengineering

3. Bioinformatics

4. Biometrics

5. Bionics

6. Biosimilars

7. Biosparging

8. Biologics

9. Biomimicry

10. Bioplastics

11. Biorobotics

12. Cyborg

13. DNA Barcoding

14. Epigenetics

15. Hydroponics

16. Narco test

17. Polygraph test

18. Brain mapping test

19. Probiotics

20. Genome Editing

21. Germline Editing

Session 25: Basics of Chemistry and

Latest developments


● Too long session but important for prelims.

● We had a brief idea of matters, substances, compounds, mixtures, solution, alloys, colloids etc. in this session.

● It also covers important applications of chemistry in our daily life.

● Give special attention to the physical and chemical changes, role of pH in everyday life, mechanism of formation of various fossil fuels, electromagnetic cells, working of soaps and detergents, chemical polymers, commonly used medicinal drugs, usages of washing and baking soda, applications of organic compounds etc.

● All these are explained under the latest developments of chemistry in the areas of food, health, energy and industry.

● Basics of combustion and flame, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry are the most important parts of this session.

● You can also find questions related to basic concepts of Chemistry in prelims.

● Therefore, the concepts given in this chapter are very important for prelims but not much for mains.

Session 26: Information Technology and IPR


● This session was more oriented towards recent developments in the field of ICT and IPR.

● Both are important topics for prelims and mains exam as well.

● You need to prepare it in both perspectives as one question of IoT has been asked in prelims 2018.

● And in mains, direct or indirect questions from this area can be expected as everything in human life is related to ICT.

● Therefore, nothing to leave in this session. You need to revise it thoroughly from first to last.

● And be updated on this from your current affairs sources.

● Following topics have been discussed in this session:

● IT definition

● Computer networking and its types

● Client, server, broadband & internet access

● Telecommunication Technologies- 3G, 4G and 5G

● Advantages and Disadvantages of ICT

● Applications of ICT

● Recent trends in ICT like cloud computing, Big Data, AI, IoT etc.

● Augmented reality.

● Treaties related to IPR- Berne, TRIPS, Marrakesh, WIPO etc.

● IPR in India- Patents, Trade marks, Copyright, Industrial Design, GI and Trade secrets.

● Key features of National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy 2016.

● Key features of IT Act 2000.

Session 27: Energy Scenario and Management


● This session covered evergreen topics for both prelims and mains.

● And there are overlapping issues that come under both the subjects- geography and science.

● So, in this session, we had emphasised on the scientific and technological aspects of energy and its management.

● First we discussed energy and its different types such as

1. Primary and Secondary energy

2. Commercial and Non-commercial energy

3. Renewable and Non-Renewable energy

● Further conventional and non-conventional sources of energy were discussed in the following way;

○ Location, varieties, problems, distribution across the country and mining of conventional sources of energy- Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Nuclear energy

○ Uses, advantages, disadvantages, challenges, sources, distribution across the country of non-conventional sources of energy- Solar energy, Wind energy, Tidal energy, Hydel power, Geothermal energy, Biogas, Biofuel, Hydrogen energy

● If you revise perfectly, you can easily write a good and complete answer from this session on the issues like energy resources, energy conservation, energy status of India, possibility of reliable energy sources in future etc.

● Next segment of the session was energy management and we learned about the following;

○ Energy pricing○ Energy security○ Energy conservation○ Energy efficiency benefits○ Energy strategy for future○ The Energy Conservation Act 2001; List of energy intensive industries

under the act is very important to learn for prelims.○ Bureau of Energy Efficiency○ National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency ○ National Solar Mission

Session 28: Doubt Clearing Session

Session 29: Blockchain, AI, IoT,

Cloud Computing, Net Neutrality and Privacy Debate


● All the new technologies and the issues arising from their growth have been discussed in this session.

● In fact, all these topics are very much important from prelims to interview stage.

● Pay good attention to this session and revise it again and again.

● Some debatable issues discussed in the session such as net neutrality, privacy of data, right to be forgotten etc. are important one not only from the perspective of S&T but also in GS ethics paper and essay as well.

● Therefore, prepare them well and keep them updated regularly.

All the topics we discussed can be summarised as follows

● Blockchain technology- What is?, Advantages,Types, Future impact, Applications,

● Cryptocurrency- Bitcoins, Ethereum,

● Artificial Intelligence- What is?, Features, types, Application

● Machine learning and Deep learning

● Application of AI in Banking Sector

● IoT- What is?, Components, Technologies used in IoT, Pillars of IoT, Challenges for IoT

● Cloud Computing- What is?, Threats, Components● MeghRaj- Government Cloud and National Data Centers● Net Neutrality- What is?, Open internet, digital divide, privacy● Privacy debate- World wide approach,Indian approach● Important features of B N Srikrishna Committee report; this has been asked

in mains 2018.● It has given its recommendations and debate on some crucial findings of the

report is still hot.● It has not yet been made clear whether the government has plans to

implement its recommendation or not.● So, be updated with all follow ups in this regard.

Session 30: NITI Aayog’s Three Year Action Agenda Report +

Transforming SnT in India: Economic Survey 2017-18

Takeaway from Session- 30● This session gave you the gist of NITI Aayog’s action plan for three years in

the field of S&T.

● Four to five chapters of that action agenda report are related to S&T.

● And the chapter of latest Economic Survey 2017-18, namely “Transforming S&T in India” along with Economic survey 2018-19 was also explained.

● Hence, this session is not only helpful for S&T section but also for other GS papers and essay as well.

● It discusses every aspect that affects the development of our country.

● You can directly quote many statements and facts from this session in the respective answer.

● Next, many questions in mains can be expected from these documents as this is a very decent source to frame questions for a future civil servant.

● Therefore, collect the key points and make short and concise notes for quick revision.

● Try to form questions out of the issues or solutions discussed in these documents having connection to ongoing concerns and debates.

● You can smartly extract 25-30 general qualitative statements from this session that can be used in most of the answers of social and political issues.

● They are highly authentic and valuable as they have been given by the government’s think tank.

NITI Aayog’s Three Year Action Agenda Report:

1. S&T: Context and Challenges

2. Factors for declining S&T

3. Goals for 2017-2020 for S&T

4. Digital Connectivity: A Challenge

5. Strategic Objective for Digital Connectivity

6. Public and Preventive health

7. Assurance of Health Care

8. Access to Medicine

9. Key Social Determinants of Health

10. Air Pollution and Regulation of Industries

11. Forest and Tree Cover

12. Sustainable Management of Water Resources

Transforming SnT in India: Economic Survey 2017-18:

1. Time to Transforming S&T in India

2. Science for Society, Economy and Security

3. Input and Output for S&T

4. Expanding R&D in India: The Way forward

Session 31: Defence Technology


● This is again a very important session to be revised and learned well.

● Besides, it needs to be updated with all news related to induction of new technologies and equipment in our defence system.

● We have to include all the important ones till date in a very precise and explicit manner.

● Important topics in this session are summarised as

○ First and foremost, the stealth technology- its principle, advantages and disadvantages

○ Radar system of India- Rohini, Rajendra, Indra and Swathi

○ SONAR system of India- Abhay, Humsa-AG, NACS, AIDSS

○ Indian Missile System- IGMDP (Prithvi, Akash, NAg, trishul and Agni)

○ Other Missiles- Brahmos, Barak, MRSAM, QRSAM, Prahaar

○ Fighter Aircraft in India- 1st to 5th generation, Sukhoi, Mirage, Tejas, Lakshya, Rafael

○ UAVs of India- Tapas, Nishant, Panchi

○ Indian Navy Ships (INS)- Arihant, Kalveri, khanderi, Karanj, tarasa,Vikrant, Vikramaditya

Session 32: Public Health


● Any civil services aspirant should have a basic understanding of the issues of public health.

● As public health is an important part of administration and government schemes.

● And science and technology is an integral part which tackles public health issues.

● Hence, this is a very relevant and an important session to revise.

● You need to focus upon the objectives, visions, provisions, components and implications of the important initiatives, schemes, programmes, missions and policies of the government in this regard.

Different government initiatives and programmes can be summarized as follows;Health programmes:

1. Ayushman Bharat Yojana2. National Ayush Mission (NAM)3. National Health Mission (NHM)4. RMNCH+A5. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)6. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)7. DAKSHATA Initiative 8. Facility Based Newborn and Child Care

9. Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC)10. Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram(NSSK)11. Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRC) 12. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)13. Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) 14. Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs)15. Menstrual Hygiene Scheme

Nutritional Programmes:1. National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme2. Mid-day Meal Scheme3. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

Immunization Programme:1. Universal Immunization Programme of India2. Mission Indradhanush3. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)

Welfare Programmes:1. National Programme for Health Care for Elderly2. National Family Planning Programme3. Family Planning 2020 India Commitments

National Policies for Health:1. National Health Policy 20172. National Mental Health Policy 2014

Session 33: Disaster and Disaster Management

Takeaway from Session- 33● This session is the most important because it covers most of the necessary

topics to be prepared for “Disaster and Disaster Management”.

● And in UPSC syllabus, no subtopics have been mentioned under “Disaster and Disaster Management”.

● Hence, you should prepare this session with multiple revisions and regular updates.

● You will definitely be able to answer any general question from “Disaster and Disaster Management”.

● Every year, only 15-20 marks questions in mains are asked. So, it is not worthy to spend time on searching more resources for that short topic.

● Prepare important Natural, Biological and Chemical Hazards and their mitigation.

● Focus on causes, effects and types of Earthquake, Landslide, Tsunami, Floods, Cyclone, Heat waves, Drought etc.

● Most importantly Disaster Risk reduction and its components must be well prepared.

● Next is Disaster Management in India that is done by the following agencies;○ National Disaster Management Authority, ○ National Disaster Management Plan, ○ National Disaster Relief Force

● Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is the initiative at the global level to mitigate disaster threats. It should be prepared well.

Session 34: Ocean Technology, Fuel Cells,

Science and Governance, Biopiracy


● Fuel cells and Biopiracy are very important topics that have been discussed in this session.

● Ocean technology cannot be neglected as these days UPSC is touching those areas that have not been asked yet.

● And this topic is worthy of being asked as many advancements have been made to explore the full potential of the resources obtained from the ocean.

● Besides, interlinkage between science and governance was also explained in the session.

● Hence, go through the session once again and revise important topics.

Focus on:

● Ocean Observation System

● Deep Mining and Gas Hydrates

● Vessel Management Cell

● Tidal Energy- Technologies used, advantages, disadvantages and future

● Wave Energy- Advantages and disadvantages

● OTEC- Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation

● Fuel Cells and its development in India

Session 36: Achievements of India

in Science and Technology- Indigenisation of Technology


● Indigenisation of technology is a much debated issue these days.

● No nation can be a global leader without having its own innovative and developed ideas or technologies.

● Hence, this session gave you a good amount of knowledge in this regard that will help you in writing a good answer on this topic.

● Following aspects of indigenisation have been discussed in this session;

○ Importance, Benefits, Obstacles and Promotion of Indigenisation

○ Achievements in Technology for Health, Defence, Space and Energy

○ India’s ranking in innovation and universities to promote this- GII 2019 and World University Ranking 2019

Session 38: Schemes of

Government to promote Science and Technology in India


● This session can be considered more or less as current affairs.

● We discussed important schemes of the government not only running in recent years but since the government’s first initiative for the development of S&T in India.

● Therefore, it also requires updation with all new findings and changes in these schemes.

● You have to focus on the basic objectives, target sections, and other important provisions of these schemes.

● Also the abbreviation of schemes like INSPIRE, PURSE, SATYAM, IMPRINT and VAJRA and various missions like Nano mission, Supercomputing mission, Digital India etc.

● To have a better understanding out of this session, all the schemes have been categorised and discussed under their respective ministries/departments.

Technology Development under DoST:

1. Technology Watch and Foresighting (TWF)

2. Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS)

3. Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS)

Science and Engineering Research schemes under DoST:

1. Mega Facilities for Basic Research

2. Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research Programme (INSPIRE)

3. FIST, SAIFs, and PURSE

4. Science and Technology for Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)

5. Programme for Science students

6. Swarnajayanti Fellowships

7. National Science & Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS)

8. Cognitive Science Research Initiative (CSRI)

9. IMPRINT initiative

10. VAJRA Faculty Scheme

Science and Technology for Socio-Economic-Environment Programme:

1. Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED)

2. Water Technology Initiative (WTI) Programme

3. Clean Energy Research Initiative (CERI)

4. Nanotechnology Mission of India

5. National Supercomputing Mission, 2015

6. Women Scientists Scheme

7. National Action Plan on Climate Change, 2008

8. National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)

9. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC)

Department of Biotechnology:

1. Centres of Excellence and Innovation in Biotechnology (CEIB)

2. Research Resources, Service Facilities and Platforms

3. Biotechnology for Societal Development

4. Biotechnology Parks

5. Glue Grant

6. Special Programmes for North-East Region

7. NER- Biotechnology Programme Management Cell

8. Women Scientist Scheme-Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme (Bio-CARe)

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY):

1. BPO Promotion Schemes

2. Digital India Programme, 2015-Nine Pillars of Digital India Programme

3. National Information Infrastructure (NII)

4. Common Services Centres (CSCs)

5. e-Kranti: Electronic Delivery Of Services

6. Mission Mode Projects (MMP)

7. National Policy on Electronics (NPE), 2019

8. National Policy on software products

Session 40: Computers and Cyber Security


● This session was about the basics of computer and cyber security.

● You need to have only a overview of the basics of computers- What is it?, Computer generation, Computer hardware, Functional units, Computer languages, Computer softwares etc. It is not so important.

● But next segment of the session is very important not only for S&T but also for the security issues in GS paper 3.

● Because cyber security is the major challenge for total security of our country.

Following important topics need to be focused in this session;1. Cyber Security- Threats and Challenges2. Related terms such as Access, Hacking, Firewall, Virus, Phishing etc.3. Malware and its different types- bug, bot, worm, trojan etc.4. Budapest Convention on Cybercrime is very important for both prelims and

mains.5. National Cyber Security Policy 2013; it is latest one but need to update if

changes done.6. Cyber Swachata Kendra7. National Cyber Coordination Center8. GoI initiatives to prevent cyber crime; it can help you write the good answer

with latest examples.


● Physics - Light – Reflection and Refraction, the Human Eye, Electricity, magnetic Effects of Electric Current, Sources of Energy

● Chemistry - Chemical Reactions and Equations, Acids, Bases and Salts, Metals and Non-metals, Carbon and its Compounds, Periodic Classification of Elements.

● Biology (includes environment) - Life Processes, Control and Coordination, How do Organisms Reproduce. Heredity and Evolution, Environment, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.

Session 35, 37, 39 & 44: SnT - Last 18 Months

Current Affairs

Takeaway from Sessions- 35, 37, 39 & 44

● These four sessions were dedicated to current affairs of last 18 months.

● We have discussed more than 50 topics in these sessions.

● Almost all topics of S&T from different sources of current affairs have been covered there.

● Great efforts and attention have been put to compile all the important developments and latest advancements in the field of S&T in last years.

● But as usual, it is current affairs, so you need to check it regularly from the newspapers, magazines and other sources. You should prefer to be updated on these topics till the exam.

Categorization of Current Affairs of SnT:

1. Basic Science

2. Health and Diseases

3. Biotechnology

4. Space Technology

5. Information Technology

6. Robotics and Computers

7. Nobel Prizes for Science: 2018 & 19

● You need to carve out the best strategy to revise these four sessions to retain all the facts and information.

● First make a list of all issues section wise and go through them once after the class.

● That list will help you to trace the topics in news for updation. Mark these topics.

● Then, select the keywords and important facts for each topic and prepare some handouts/doc.

● And keep it too short and concise so that you can easily revise all these four sessions in one hour.

● Keep a sharp focus on the topics that are in news consistently and might be further (pending bills, policies, recommendations, technologies etc).

Session 45: Important Issues of

Environment and Ecology


● This session gave an overview of important issues of environment and ecology.

● It was only a brief introduction of environment and ecology.

● So, you need to prepare it separately according to the syllabus and previous year trends.

● Following topics were covered under this session;

1. Environmental pollution

2. Eutrophication

3. Climate Change- evidences, cause, effects, solutions

4. Greenhouse Gases

5. Ecological system

6. Organism’s adaptation

7. Biotic Interactions

8. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification

9. Food chain, ecological pyramid, trophic levels

10. Biogeochemical Cycles- Carbon, Nitrogen and Water

Final Words of Wisdom

● Your static portion and conceptual part should be rock solid not only in S&T but in every subject of GS.

● So if you don’t have command over NCERTs, do not give most of your time to current affairs. First read them.

● You cannot afford to have S&T section as a weakness as per the UPSC’s latest trends. Make it at least decent.

● Taking mocks is your key to opening the lock of prelims. Take as many mocks as possible. Similarly, answer writing for mains exam.

● Before actually appearing for the exam, ideally, you should have taken 20-30 mocks religiously by proper evaluation of your weak areas, working on them and improving in the subsequent tests. For mains, write an answer daily.

● Rather than giving too much time in improving your already strong areas (e.g. polity for most of the people), you should try to improve your weak areas (e.g. SnT for many arts people) to make it at least average.

● Actual exam paper is much different than the mocks provided by various coaching institutes.

● In the actual exam, you can score good even if you have not done so in the mocks. So, have faith and work hard.

● One of the common mistakes people do is to keep taking mocks without proper evaluation of their performance.

● Their score does not improve as they do not work on their weak areas and study without any strategy.

● Secondly, another mistake is to access many sources without checking their credibility.

● Specially for S&T. Therefore keep your sources limited and authentic.

● For S&T, this course can be substantiated with the selected sources to make your preparation complete such as

○ The Hindu S&T section

○ Yojana issues related to S&T

○ RSTV Programme on S&T

● The third mistake is they lack confidence and perform poorly in actual exam paper by committing silly mistakes.

● The most important factor to get selection is your confidence.

● Good confidence in itself will boost your score by at least 5-10 percent at every stage.

● Confidence will come only when you have a solid conceptual base and you have taken and improved gradually by multiple revisions.

● Finally, have faith in yourself, work very hard in the right direction and get ready for exam with confidence and without any fear. You will do wonders.

● The general, easy and effective process to gain confidence in the preparation follows as

READING ----->RETAINING------>RECALLING------>REPRODUCE

● In short “Keep your preparation Smart, Simple & Updated”.

All The Best & Thank You !

revision of the entire course: final words of wisdom

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