Day 51 Mains Questions – Ace Answer Writing Program

Question 1: Examine the contributions of Indian scientists to the development of COVID-19 vaccines. How have these achievements impacted India’s global standing in biotechnology? (10 Marks, 150 words)

Introduction

Indian scientists have played a pivotal role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, significantly contributing to global efforts in combating the pandemic. This achievement has bolstered India’s standing in the field of biotechnology and vaccine production.

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Contributions of Indian Scientists to COVID-19 Vaccines –

1. Development of Covaxin: Scientists at Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with ICMR, developed Covaxin, India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, showcasing advanced vaccine research capabilities.
2. Serum Institute’s Role: The Serum Institute of India, led by Indian scientists, produced Covishield, underlining India’s capacity for large-scale vaccine manufacturing.
3. mRNA Research: Indian researchers contributed to global mRNA vaccine research, aiding the development of cutting-edge vaccine technologies.
4. Genomic Surveillance: Indian scientists played a key role in genomic sequencing of the virus, critical for vaccine development and identifying variants, as seen in the work done by the INSACOG network.
5. Global Vaccine Distribution: India’s “Vaccine Maitri” initiative, supported by indigenous vaccine production, positioned India as a global leader in vaccine diplomacy.

Impact on India’s Global Standing in Biotechnology –

1. Biotech Leadership: India’s rapid vaccine development and production capacity have established it as a leader in the global biotechnology sector.
2. Enhanced Research Capabilities: The success in vaccine development has strengthened India’s research infrastructure, attracting global collaboration.
3. Diplomatic Leverage: Vaccine diplomacy has enhanced India’s geopolitical influence, particularly in developing countries across Asia and Africa.
4. Global Partnerships: India’s collaboration with international pharmaceutical companies has boosted its reputation as a reliable partner in biotechnology.
5. Boost to Make in India: The successful production of vaccines has reinforced the “Make in India” initiative, highlighting India’s potential in high-tech manufacturing.

Conclusion

The contributions of Indian scientists to COVID-19 vaccine development have significantly advanced India’s global standing in biotechnology. This achievement not only highlights India’s scientific prowess but also enhances its role in global health and diplomacy, contributing to broader goals of international cooperation and self-reliance in critical technologies.

Additional Data and Committees for Value Addition –

1. INSACOG Network: Played a crucial role in tracking COVID-19 variants, supporting vaccine development efforts.
2. National Biopharma Mission: Accelerated vaccine research and development in India, underlining the country’s biotech potential.
3. ICMR Collaboration: The Indian Council of Medical Research’s partnership with Bharat Biotech exemplifies successful public-private collaboration in vaccine development.

Question 2: Assess the progress made by India in developing indigenous defense technologies, such as the Tejas fighter jet and the Akash missile system. What challenges does India face in achieving self-reliance in defense production? (10 Marks, 150 words)

Introduction

India has made significant strides in developing indigenous defense technologies, such as the Tejas fighter jet and the Akash missile system, under the “Make in India” initiative, aimed at achieving self-reliance in defense production.

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Progress in Indigenous Defense Technologies –

1. Tejas Fighter Jet: The Tejas, an indigenously developed light combat aircraft, represents a major milestone in India’s aerospace capabilities, currently in service with the Indian Air Force.
2. Akash Missile System: The Akash surface-to-air missile system, developed by DRDO, has enhanced India’s air defense capabilities, being inducted into both the Army and Air Force.
3. Advanced Weaponry: Indigenous projects like the Astra missile and Arjun MBT demonstrate progress in missile technology and armored vehicles, strengthening India’s defense portfolio.
4. Export Potential: India has started exporting defense technologies, with the Akash missile being offered to friendly nations, reflecting global recognition of India’s defense capabilities.
5. Research and Development: Institutions like DRDO and HAL have been pivotal in advancing research, leading to the successful deployment of various indigenous systems.

Challenges in Achieving Self-Reliance in Defense Production –

1. Dependence on Imports: Despite progress, India remains heavily reliant on foreign technology and components, particularly in critical systems like engines and avionics.
2. Delays in Development: Indigenous defense projects often face significant delays and cost overruns, as seen in the prolonged development of the Tejas jet.
3. Technological Gaps: Limited access to cutting-edge technologies and know-how hinders the development of next-generation defense systems, affecting competitiveness.
4. Infrastructure and Funding: Inadequate infrastructure and inconsistent funding for research and production facilities slow down the pace of innovation and manufacturing.
5. Skill and Talent Shortages: A shortage of highly skilled personnel in defense R&D and manufacturing sectors limits the ability to scale up indigenous production.

Conclusion

India has made notable progress in developing indigenous defense technologies, such as the Tejas fighter jet and the Akash missile system, bolstering national security. However, challenges such as reliance on imports and development delays persist, necessitating continued efforts to achieve true self-reliance in defense production.

Additional Data and Committees for Value Addition –

1. DRDO’s Role: The Defence Research and Development Organisation has been instrumental in advancing indigenous defense technologies.
2. Strategic Partnership Model: Aimed at fostering collaboration between Indian and foreign firms to bridge technology gaps.
3. Defense Procurement Policy 2020: Focuses on promoting indigenous production through the ‘Buy Indian’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

Question 3: Critically analyze the significance of the Indian government’s push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in the field of technology and innovation. How has this policy influenced the startup ecosystem in India? (15 Marks, 250 words)

Introduction

The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, introduced by the Indian government in 2020, aims to build self-reliance across sectors, with a strong emphasis on technology and innovation. This policy seeks to reduce dependency on foreign technologies, promote indigenous solutions, and position India as a global leader in innovation.

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Critical Analysis of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in Technology and Innovation –

1. Promotion of Indigenous Technologies:
2. The initiative encourages the development of homegrown technologies, leading to the emergence of Indian alternatives to global apps, such as Koo and JioMeet, which enhances digital sovereignty.
3. However, the rapid push for indigenous solutions can sometimes lead to quality compromises or inefficiencies, especially if not matched by adequate R&D investment and infrastructure.
4. Boost to R&D:
5. Increased government support for research in critical sectors like AI and quantum computing has driven innovation, helping India to develop cutting-edge technologies.
6. Despite this, India’s overall R&D expenditure remains low compared to global standards (less than 1% of GDP), limiting the scale and impact of innovations emerging from the initiative.
7. Strategic Autonomy:
8. The focus on indigenous tech strengthens India’s strategic autonomy, reducing vulnerabilities in critical areas such as defense, as seen in the development of indigenous weapon systems by DRDO.
9. However, the challenge lies in achieving technological parity with global leaders, as many indigenous solutions still rely on imported components, such as semiconductors.
10. Reduced Dependency:
11. The policy has led to a significant push for local manufacturing, particularly in electronics and semiconductors, reducing dependency on imports and fostering a self-reliant supply chain.
12. Nonetheless, India’s manufacturing ecosystem needs substantial improvement in terms of quality control, scalability, and global competitiveness to fully replace imports.
13. Public-Private Partnerships:
14. The initiative has fostered collaborations between the government and the private sector, leading to successful joint ventures in innovation, as seen in the defense and energy sectors.
15. However, bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory challenges still pose significant obstacles to the seamless execution of such partnerships, potentially slowing down progress.

Influence on the Startup Ecosystem –

1. Increased Funding: The policy has led to a surge in government-backed funds and incentives for startups, particularly in tech-driven sectors, boosting their growth potential.
2. Innovation Ecosystem: ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ has nurtured a robust innovation ecosystem by promoting incubators and accelerators across the country, seen in the rise of tech hubs in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
3. Market Opportunities: Startups are capitalizing on new market opportunities created by the push for local solutions, particularly in sectors like fintech, edtech, and healthtech.
4. Global Competitiveness: The focus on self-reliance has made Indian startups more competitive globally, leading to an increase in unicorns and global investments in Indian tech firms.
5. Policy Support: The government’s supportive policies, such as the Startup India initiative, have been aligned with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, providing a conducive environment for startup growth.

Conclusion

The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has significantly bolstered India’s capabilities in technology and innovation, leading to a more self-reliant and globally competitive economy. Its impact on the startup ecosystem has been profound, fostering innovation, increasing funding, and creating new opportunities for growth. This policy is critical for India’s long-term vision of becoming a global technology leader.