←
Science and Technology for AP Exams · Chapter 1

S&T Policy, Institutions and Indian Scientists

What to remember

  • Policy chain: Scientific Policy Resolution 1958, Technology Policy Statement 1983, Science and Technology Policy 2003, and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013. Each one added a new focus.
  • Institutions: CSIR (industrial research), DST (science promotion), DRDO (defence), ISRO (space), ICAR (agriculture), ICMR (medical research) and AEC/DAE (atomic energy).
  • Scientists and awards: Know each scientist with one key work, and know the main science awards.

Science and technology policy

The Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958, moved under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was the first national statement on science. It aimed to develop scientific research, train scientists and use science for the people. The Technology Policy Statement of 1983 stressed self-reliance and the use of indigenous technology. The Science and Technology Policy 2003 raised the idea of linking science with society and increasing spending on research. The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013 focused on innovation, participation of the private sector and science for inclusive growth. A new policy cycle is always under discussion, so check the latest official release for current details.

PolicyMain idea
Scientific Policy Resolution 1958Foundation of scientific temper and research
Technology Policy Statement 1983Self-reliance in technology
S&T Policy 2003Science with society; more investment
STI Policy 2013Innovation and inclusive growth

Article 51A(h) lists developing scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry as a fundamental duty of every citizen.

Major institutions

CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) was set up in 1942. It is a society, headed by the Prime Minister as President. It runs many national laboratories, such as the National Physical Laboratory (Delhi), the National Chemical Laboratory (Pune), the Central Food Technological Research Institute (Mysuru), the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (both in Hyderabad).

DST (Department of Science and Technology) was set up in 1971 under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It promotes new areas of science and supports research funding and science missions.

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) was founded in 1958. It develops weapons, sensors and defence technology. A DRDO naval laboratory, the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, works at Visakhapatnam.

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) was formed in 1969 and works under the Department of Space. Its headquarters is in Bengaluru. Vikram Sarabhai is called the father of the Indian space programme.

ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) began as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research in 1929 and is now the apex body for agricultural research and education.

ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) is the apex body for biomedical research. It began as the Indian Research Fund Association in 1911 and was renamed after Independence.

AEC and DAE: The Atomic Energy Commission was set up in 1948 with Homi Bhabha as its first chairman. The Department of Atomic Energy was set up in 1954. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at Mumbai is the main research centre.

BodyFieldNote
CSIRIndustrial researchMany national laboratories
DSTScience promotionFunds research
DRDODefenceMissiles and weapons
ISROSpaceLaunch vehicles, satellites
ICARAgricultureApex body
ICMRMedical researchBiomedical
AECAtomic energyFirst chairman Homi Bhabha

Indian scientists and their work

  • C. V. Raman: discovered the Raman effect (scattering of light). He got the Nobel Prize in Physics. National Science Day on 28 February marks the discovery.
  • Homi J. Bhabha: founded the Atomic Energy Commission and TIFR; planned the three-stage nuclear programme.
  • Vikram Sarabhai: founded the Physical Research Laboratory and led the beginning of space research.
  • S. Chandrasekhar: Chandrasekhar limit for the mass of white dwarf stars; Nobel Prize in Physics.
  • Satyendra Nath Bose: Bose-Einstein statistics; the particle "boson" is named after him.
  • Meghnad Saha: ionisation equation used in astrophysics.
  • J. C. Bose: showed that plants respond to stimuli; invented the crescograph and worked on radio waves.
  • Srinivasa Ramanujan: mathematician known for number theory.
  • Har Gobind Khorana: work on the genetic code and synthesis of genes; Nobel Prize in Medicine.
  • Venkatraman Ramakrishnan: structure of the ribosome; Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
  • M. S. Swaminathan: led the Green Revolution in India.
  • Verghese Kurien: led Operation Flood, called the White Revolution.
  • A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: led missile and satellite launch vehicle projects; became the President of India.
  • Salim Ali: the "Birdman of India", known for bird studies.
  • Birbal Sahni: studied fossil plants (palaeobotany).
  • Yellapragada Subbarow: an Andhra-born biochemist who worked on ATP and phosphocreatine and on medicines such as folic acid and the anticancer drug methotrexate.

Science awards

The Bharat Ratna and the Padma awards recognise science among other fields. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize was the best known award for Indian scientists under 45, given by CSIR. From 2023 the government replaced many such awards with the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, which has categories Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and Vigyan Team. The Nobel Prize is the global honour. The UNESCO Kalinga Prize recognises popularisation of science.

Andhra Pradesh science institutions

  • Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space Centre) is India's main launch base and lies on the Andhra Pradesh coast.
  • Visakhapatnam has the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, the Eastern Naval Command, and the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone.
  • Tirupati has IIT Tirupati and IISER Tirupati; the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory is at Gadanki.
  • Several leading research bodies in Hyderabad, such as CCMB and the National Geophysical Research Institute, were built before the State was divided.

Other bodies worth knowing

  • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was set up in 1986 to promote biotechnology research and its use in agriculture, health and industry.
  • Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) works with CSIR and helps industry to adopt indigenous technology.
  • Indian National Science Academy (INSA) is the national academy of science of India, with Fellows elected for their research.
  • Indian Science Congress is the annual gathering of scientists, started in 1914.
  • National Research Foundation: a law passed in 2023 created the Anusandhan National Research Foundation to fund and coordinate research across universities and laboratories.
  • National Innovation Foundation supports grassroots innovators and traditional knowledge.
  • Technology Development Board gives financial help for commercial use of indigenous technology.

Atomic energy programme in brief

India follows a three-stage nuclear power programme planned by Homi Bhabha. Stage one uses natural uranium in heavy-water reactors. Stage two uses plutonium in fast breeder reactors. Stage three uses thorium and uranium-233, because India has large thorium reserves. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research is at Kalpakkam on the Tamil Nadu coast, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai studies basic science. Nuclear power plants are run by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board oversees safety.

How these bodies work together

Research in India is spread among central departments, national laboratories, universities, the IITs and the private sector. The central government funds most basic research. Mission-mode agencies such as ISRO, DRDO and DAE work on defined goals, while CSIR and ICAR work through networks of laboratories and institutes. In recent years the government has encouraged private companies and start-ups to take part in space, defence and biotechnology. Scientific temper, which means a questioning and evidence-based way of thinking, is seen as the base of all this work.

Science and society

Science policy also links to everyday life. Research in agriculture gave high-yielding seeds, research in medicine gave vaccines and low-cost drugs, and research in electronics gave mobile and satellite services. Public science events, such as National Science Day and school science fairs, build interest among young people. Women in science, young researchers and rural innovators are given special schemes and fellowships. Telugu-medium readers should link each scientist to one clear idea, because exams usually ask for one-line matching.

Exam traps

  • ISRO was formed in 1969; INCOSPAR (1962) was the earlier body.
  • CSIR is for industrial research; ICAR is for agriculture; ICMR is for medicine.
  • The Scientific Policy Resolution is 1958; the Technology Policy Statement is 1983.
  • Raman effect is about light scattering; Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
  • Chandrasekhar limit applies to white dwarfs, not neutron stars.
  • Bose is linked to "boson"; Fermi is linked to "fermion".
  • Khorana is a medicine Nobel laureate; Ramakrishnan is a chemistry Nobel laureate.
  • Swaminathan is Green Revolution; Kurien is White Revolution.

One-liners

  • 1. The Scientific Policy Resolution came in 1958.
  • 2. CSIR was set up in 1942.
  • 3. DST was set up in 1971.
  • 4. DRDO was founded in 1958.
  • 5. ISRO was formed in 1969.
  • 6. Homi Bhabha was the first chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
  • 7. Vikram Sarabhai is the father of the Indian space programme.
  • 8. National Science Day is on 28 February.
  • 9. Article 51A(h) promotes scientific temper.
  • 10. The crescograph was invented by J. C. Bose.
  • 11. Sriharikota is the launch base of ISRO.
  • 12. Yellapragada Subbarow worked on methotrexate and folic acid.

Practice questions

  1. Who was the first chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India?

    1. Vikram Sarabhai
    2. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
    3. Homi J. Bhabha
    4. C. V. Raman
    Answer

    C. Homi J. Bhabha

    Homi Bhabha headed the Atomic Energy Commission when it was set up.

  2. Who is regarded as the father of the Indian space programme?

    1. M. S. Swaminathan
    2. S. Chandrasekhar
    3. Homi Bhabha
    4. Vikram Sarabhai
    Answer

    D. Vikram Sarabhai

    Vikram Sarabhai led the beginning of space research in India.

  3. The Raman effect is related to which phenomenon?

    1. Nuclear fission
    2. Scattering of light
    3. Reflection of sound
    4. Flow of current
    Answer

    B. Scattering of light

    Raman discovered change in wavelength of scattered light.

  4. Which scientist is associated with the Chandrasekhar limit?

    1. S. Chandrasekhar
    2. J. C. Bose
    3. Meghnad Saha
    4. S. N. Bose
    Answer

    A. S. Chandrasekhar

    The limit is the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star.

  5. The crescograph was invented by which scientist?

    1. Birbal Sahni
    2. J. C. Bose
    3. Salim Ali
    4. C. V. Raman
    Answer

    B. J. C. Bose

    J. C. Bose invented the crescograph to measure plant growth and response.

  6. The Green Revolution in India is associated with which scientist?

    1. M. S. Swaminathan
    2. Verghese Kurien
    3. Homi Bhabha
    4. Salim Ali
    Answer

    A. M. S. Swaminathan

    M. S. Swaminathan led the high-yielding crop movement.

  7. Operation Flood, the White Revolution, is linked to which person?

    1. Har Gobind Khorana
    2. M. S. Swaminathan
    3. Vikram Sarabhai
    4. Verghese Kurien
    Answer

    D. Verghese Kurien

    Verghese Kurien built the dairy cooperative movement.

  8. Which Indian-origin scientist received a Nobel Prize for work on the genetic code?

    1. S. Chandrasekhar
    2. C. V. Raman
    3. Har Gobind Khorana
    4. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
    Answer

    C. Har Gobind Khorana

    Khorana shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on the genetic code.

  9. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan won the Nobel Prize for work on the structure of what?

    1. Haemoglobin
    2. Chlorophyll
    3. Ribosome
    4. Insulin
    Answer

    C. Ribosome

    His Nobel Prize in Chemistry was for the structure and function of the ribosome.

  10. Which body is the apex body for biomedical research in India?

    1. CSIR
    2. ICMR
    3. DRDO
    4. ICAR
    Answer

    B. ICMR

    ICMR plans and promotes medical research.

  11. Which body is the apex organisation for agricultural research and education in India?

    1. DST
    2. CSIR
    3. ICMR
    4. ICAR
    Answer

    D. ICAR

    ICAR coordinates agricultural research and education.

  12. Which organisation runs a network of national laboratories for industrial research?

    1. CSIR
    2. ICAR
    3. ICMR
    4. ISRO
    Answer

    A. CSIR

    CSIR has many national laboratories such as NPL and NCL.

  13. The Scientific Policy Resolution was adopted under which Prime Minister?

    1. Rajiv Gandhi
    2. Indira Gandhi
    3. Jawaharlal Nehru
    4. Lal Bahadur Shastri
    Answer

    C. Jawaharlal Nehru

    The resolution was moved under Nehru.

  14. The Technology Policy Statement stressed which main idea?

    1. Self-reliance in technology
    2. End of research
    3. Import of all technology
    4. Closing all laboratories
    Answer

    A. Self-reliance in technology

    It stressed indigenous technology and self-reliance.

  15. Which Fundamental Duty is about developing scientific temper?

    1. Article 51A(d)
    2. Article 51A(a)
    3. Article 51A(j)
    4. Article 51A(h)
    Answer

    D. Article 51A(h)

    Article 51A(h) mentions scientific temper, humanism and inquiry.

  16. National Science Day is celebrated on 28 February to mark which discovery?

    1. Penicillin
    2. Raman effect
    3. Radioactivity
    4. Theory of relativity
    Answer

    B. Raman effect

    It marks the announcement of the Raman effect.

  17. Satyendra Nath Bose's work gave the name to which particle class?

    1. Fermion
    2. Quark
    3. Lepton
    4. Boson
    Answer

    D. Boson

    Bosons are named after S. N. Bose.

  18. Which Andhra-born biochemist worked on ATP and the anticancer drug methotrexate?

    1. Meghnad Saha
    2. Salim Ali
    3. Yellapragada Subbarow
    4. Birbal Sahni
    Answer

    C. Yellapragada Subbarow

    Subbarow made major contributions to biochemistry and drug research.

  19. Which Indian scientist is called the "Birdman of India"?

    1. Salim Ali
    2. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
    3. Birbal Sahni
    4. J. C. Bose
    Answer

    A. Salim Ali

    Salim Ali is known for bird studies.

  20. Birbal Sahni is known for work on what?

    1. Radio waves
    2. Fossil plants
    3. Rocket fuels
    4. Dairy farming
    Answer

    B. Fossil plants

    He is known for palaeobotany.

  21. Which Department was set up to promote biotechnology in India?

    1. Department of Atomic Energy
    2. Department of Space
    3. Department of Posts
    4. Department of Biotechnology
    Answer

    D. Department of Biotechnology

    DBT promotes biotechnology research and use.

  22. Which Prize for young Indian scientists was run by CSIR before being merged into the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar scheme?

    1. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
    2. Kalinga Prize
    3. Bharat Ratna
    4. Padma Bhushan
    Answer

    A. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize

    The SSB Prize was CSIR's best known science award.

  23. The Kalinga Prize is given by which organisation for popularising science?

    1. ISRO
    2. UNESCO
    3. WHO
    4. UNICEF
    Answer

    B. UNESCO

    UNESCO gives the Kalinga Prize for popularisation of science.

  24. Where is the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, a DRDO laboratory, located in Andhra Pradesh?

    1. Anantapur
    2. Nellore
    3. Visakhapatnam
    4. Kakinada
    Answer

    C. Visakhapatnam

    NSTL works on naval systems at Visakhapatnam.

  25. Which AP place hosts the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory?

    1. Machilipatnam
    2. Amaravati
    3. Rajahmundry
    4. Gadanki
    Answer

    D. Gadanki

    NARL is at Gadanki.

  26. A researcher wants to study fundamental atomic and nuclear science in Mumbai. Which institute is linked to Bhabha?

    1. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
    2. Central Food Technological Research Institute
    3. National Physical Laboratory
    4. Indian Agricultural Research Institute
    Answer

    A. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

    TIFR was founded under Bhabha's lead and studies basic science.

  27. A laboratory develops a new food-processing technology for industry. Which body is most likely its parent?

    1. ICMR
    2. CSIR
    3. DRDO
    4. ISRO
    Answer

    B. CSIR

    CSIR laboratories such as CFTRI focus on industrial and food technology.

  28. Which statement best describes scientific temper?

    1. Belief without checking
    2. Following custom only
    3. Rejecting all new ideas
    4. A questioning, evidence-based way of thinking
    Answer

    D. A questioning, evidence-based way of thinking

    Scientific temper means reason and inquiry.

  29. Which organisation develops missiles and defence technology in India?

    1. ICAR
    2. CSIR
    3. DRDO
    4. ICMR
    Answer

    C. DRDO

    DRDO is the defence research body.

  30. The three-stage nuclear programme was planned by whom?

    1. Kalam
    2. Homi Bhabha
    3. Raman
    4. Subbarow
    Answer

    B. Homi Bhabha

    Bhabha planned a path from uranium to thorium use.

  31. Consider these statements on Indian science bodies. 1. ICAR deals with agricultural research. 2. ICMR deals with medical research.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  32. Consider these statements on the Raman effect. 1. It is about scattering of light. 2. Raman received the Nobel Prize in Physics.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  33. Consider these statements on the Chandrasekhar limit. 1. It applies to white dwarf stars. 2. It applies to ordinary planets.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The limit is for white dwarf stars, not planets.

  34. Consider these statements on science policy. 1. The Scientific Policy Resolution preceded the Technology Policy Statement. 2. The STI Policy came before the Scientific Policy Resolution.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The 1958 resolution came first and the STI policy came much later.

  35. Consider these statements on DST. 1. It promotes new areas of science. 2. It is the apex body for agriculture research.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    ICAR, not DST, is the apex agricultural research body.

  36. Consider these statements on scientists. 1. J. C. Bose studied plant responses. 2. M. S. Swaminathan is associated with the Green Revolution.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  37. Consider these statements on CSIR. 1. It runs many national laboratories. 2. It is the apex body of medical research.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Medical research is led by ICMR.

  38. Consider these statements on Sriharikota. 1. It is a launch base of ISRO. 2. It lies on the Andhra Pradesh coast.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  39. Consider these statements on the Atomic Energy programme. 1. The Atomic Energy Commission came before the Department of Atomic Energy. 2. Homi Bhabha was its first chairman.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  40. Consider these statements on Bose. 1. S. N. Bose worked on statistics of particles. 2. J. C. Bose wrote on Bose-Einstein statistics.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Bose-Einstein statistics belongs to S. N. Bose.

  41. Consider these statements on Nobel laureates. 1. Khorana won the Nobel Prize in Medicine. 2. Ramakrishnan won the Nobel Prize in Physics.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Ramakrishnan won in Chemistry.

  42. Consider these statements on Andhra Pradesh. 1. Visakhapatnam has a DRDO naval laboratory. 2. IIT Tirupati is in Andhra Pradesh.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  43. Consider these statements on DRDO. 1. It develops defence technology. 2. It is part of the Ministry of Agriculture.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    DRDO is under the Ministry of Defence.

  44. Which earlier committee preceded the formation of ISRO?

    1. CSIR
    2. INCOSPAR
    3. DRDO
    4. AEC
    Answer

    B. INCOSPAR

    The Indian National Committee for Space Research was the forerunner of ISRO.

  45. Which CSIR institute works on cellular and molecular biology?

    1. Central Food Technological Research Institute
    2. National Chemical Laboratory
    3. National Physical Laboratory
    4. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
    Answer

    D. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology

    CCMB is a CSIR laboratory for modern biology.

Page 1 of 1
‹
›