UPSC Mains 2016 GS Paper 3 Q13: model answer
Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.
What the question wants
Explain why nanotechnology matters in this century, the features of India's Nano Mission, and its scope in development.
How to structure it
Why key, the mission, applications.
- What nano is
- Why it is a key technology
- Nano Mission features
- Scope in development
- Concerns
How to think it through
1–100 nm; properties change (surface area, quantum effects). Key: cross-cutting — medicine, energy, electronics, water, agriculture, materials. Nano Mission 2007, DST, ₹1,000 crore (first phase): basic research, infrastructure (Centres of Excellence, INST Mohali), human resources, international collaboration, applications and technology development, Nano Applications and Technology Advisory Group. Scope: water filters (IIT Madras AMRIT arsenic), drug delivery, nano-fertilisers (IFFCO nano urea 2021), solar cells, batteries, sensors. Concerns: toxicity, regulation.
Model answer
In 2021, IFFCO launched Nano Urea: a 500 ml bottle meant to replace a 45 kg bag of fertiliser for some uses. Whatever the debate over its field results, the idea shows why nanotechnology is called a key technology of this century.
What it is
- The study and use of materials at 1–100 nanometres, a few atoms wide.
- At this size, materials behave differently: more surface area, new optical, electrical and chemical properties.
Why it is a key technology
- It is cross-cutting: medicine, energy, electronics, water, farming and materials all use it.
- It makes things smaller, lighter, stronger and cheaper.
- It drives chips, batteries and solar cells.
Features of the Nano Mission
- Launched in 2007 by the Department of Science and Technology.
- Basic research through individual and group grants.
- Infrastructure: Centres of Excellence and the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali.
- Human resources: M.Tech and PhD programmes and fellowships.
- Applications through public–private partnership.
- International collaboration and a Nano Applications Advisory Group.
Scope in development
- Clean water: IIT Madras' AMRIT filters remove arsenic and fluoride.
- Health: targeted drug delivery and cheap diagnostic kits.
- Agriculture: nano-fertilisers and sensors.
- Energy: better solar cells and batteries.
- Textiles and construction: stain-proof fabric, stronger cement.
Concerns
- Toxicity of nanoparticles to health and the environment, and the need for safety rules.
Nanotechnology works at the smallest scale, but its effects on development can be very large.
Draw: A scale bar from a human hair (about 80,000 nm) down to a nanoparticle.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
1–100 nm, surface area, quantum effects, Nano Mission 2007, DST, INST Mohali, Centres of Excellence, AMRIT filter, IFFCO Nano Urea 2021, drug delivery, nanotoxicity.
Where most answers lose marks
- Describing nanotech without the Nano Mission's features, which are asked directly.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) question paper. The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.
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