UPSC Essentials : Mains answer practice : GS 3 (Week 13)

QUESTION 1

Discuss how the National Quantum Mission will work towards strengthening India’s research and development in the quantum arena.

QUESTION 2

The Waste to Wealth mission brings scientific processing of waste to the forefront to build a zero landfill and zero waste nation. Elucidate.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Discuss how the National Quantum Mission will work towards strengthening India’s research and development in the quantum arena.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about quantum computers and National Quantum Mission.

— A quantum computer seeks to exploit the laws that govern the behaviour of atoms and subatomic particles. In a quantum computer, information is stored in quantum bits, or qubits. And a qubit can be both 0 and 1 at the same time.

— National Quantum Mission (NQM) will help to scale up scientific and industrial R&D, for accelerating Quantum Technology-led economic growth and leverage India into a leading nation in the area.

(Sources: dst.gov.in, Explained: What is quantum supremacy? by Kabir Firaque)

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The NQM focuses on indigenously building quantum-based (physical qubit) computers which are far more powerful and are able to perform the most complex problems in a highly secure manner.

— It will target developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in eight years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.

— Communications: Satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India, Long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries and inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as a multi-node Quantum network with quantum memories are among the other objectives of the mission.

— The mission will help develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.

— It will also aid in the design and synthesis of quantum materials for quantum device production, such as superconductors, innovative semiconductor architectures, and topological materials.

— Four ‘Thematic Hubs‘ (T-Hubs) will be established in premier university and national R&D institutes in the fields of quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices. The hubs will focus on the development of new knowledge through basic and applied research, as well as the promotion of R&D.

— Single photon sources/detectors and entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communications, sensing and metrological applications.

(Source: Govt green flags National Quantum Mission to aid R&D in quantum tech)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short. You may include:

— The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31, aiming to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).

— According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), “ The National Quantum Mission will help India take a quantum leap in this area of research. It will have wide-scale applications ranging from healthcare and diagnostics, defence, energy and data security.”

(Source: Govt green flags National Quantum Mission to aid R&D in quantum tech, dst.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Quantum Computing

Quantum Communication

Quantum Sensing and Metrology

Quantum Material and Devices

QUESTION 2: The Waste to Wealth mission brings scientific processing of waste to the forefront to build a zero landfill and zero waste nation. Elucidate.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The ‘Waste to Wealth Mission’ of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) aims to identify, develop, and deploy technologies to treat waste to generate energy, recycle materials, and extract resources of value.

— The mission is working to identify and support the development of new technologies that promise to create a clean and green environment.

The objective of the mission is:

(i) To identify and support the development of new technologies that can help create a cleaner and greener environment.

(ii) To boost and augment the Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities Project by leveraging science, technology, and innovation.

(iii) To create circular economic models that are financially viable for waste management.

(iv) To streamline waste handling in India.

— The mission will assist and augment the Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities projects by leveraging science, technology, and innovation to create circular economic models that are financially viable for waste management to streamline waste handling in the country.

— The Waste to Wealth Mission is one of the nine scientific missions of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC).

— In addition, the objective will seek out and assist the development of innovative technologies that promise to build a clean and green environment.

— The mission will support and supplement the Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities programs by harnessing science, technology, and innovation to develop circular economic models that are commercially feasible for waste management in order to simplify trash management in the country.

Note: You can mention about few schemes such as:

GOBAR-Dhan” (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources-Dhan) initiative has two objectives:

(i) To make villages clean and generate wealth.

(ii) Energy from cattle and other waste.

Houseboat Sewage Management

The Waste to Wealth Mission will assist the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in piloting, verifying, and scaling up decentralized sewage treatment technology to address the input of untreated sewage from houseboats into Dal Lake.

Decentralized solid and liquid waste management

The Waste to Wealth Mission is engaging with Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) to jointly deploy technologies in solid and liquid waste management to address Faridabad’s enormous waste challenges.

Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship

The fellowship is a program to empower young innovators participating in community waste management/awareness campaigns/waste surveys/studies.

(Source: http://www.psa.gov.in, Wealth from waste by Parameswaran Iyer)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, about 4 lakh women are directly engaged in sanitation and waste management in cities.

— The Waste to Wealth mission acts as a platform for technology providers, government stakeholders, urban local bodies and users to seek an appropriate solution.

(Source: Women engaged in waste collection, segregation go on peer learning trips, and learn ways to convert waste to wealth by Damini Nath)

Points to Ponder

Challenges

Related Previous Year Question

What are the impediments disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid waste which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulated in our habitable environment? (2018)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 11)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 12)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 11)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 12)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 11)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 12)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 4 (Week 9)

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