India’s Emerging Technology Ecosystem

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It is used in a wide range of industries and has various applications. It can be used to create intricate and customized shapes in confectionery items like chocolates, candies, and other desserts. It has been used to create customized bionic ears for people with hearing impairments. It is used in the automotive industry for rapid prototyping, manufacturing of customized parts, and even some production of vehicle components. It is used in reconstructive surgeries to create patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and surgical guides. It can be used to create specialized components and parts for data processing technologies, such as computer hardware. Therefore, all the five statements are correct.

Statement 1 is correct. Carbon nanotubes are being explored for their potential use as drug and antigen carriers in the human body. Their unique properties allow them to attach drugs or antigens and deliver them to specific target cells. Statement 2 is incorrect. While research is ongoing, using carbon nanotubes for artificial blood capillaries in the human body is still in the theoretical or experimental stages. Statement 3 is correct. Carbon nanotubes show promise in developing biosensors due to their high electrical conductivity and sensitivity to changes in their environment. This makes them suitable for detecting biomolecules like enzymes, DNA, or toxins. Statement 4 is partially true. Some studies have found that carbon nanotubes are non-degradable, also some studies have shown them to be degradable. The official answer key of the UPSC has given 'C' as the correct answer.

In Andhra Pradesh, drones were banned from spraying fertilizers, however, it is practised in many parts of the world. In Peru, a crater was inspected with the help of drones. It has also been used for collecting water samples from aquatic animals to get their DNA data. All three functions mentioned have been performed in different parts of the world.

Statement 1 is Correct: The National Quantum Mission (NQM) aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1000 physical qubits within 8 years. Specifically, it targets 50–100 physical qubits in 5 years and scales up to 50–1000 physical qubits in 8 years using platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. Statement 2 is Correct: The implementation of the mission explicitly includes the establishment of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and national R&D institutes across India. These hubs focus on distinct technology verticals: Quantum Computing (led by IISc Bengaluru), Quantum Communication (led by IIT Madras), Quantum Sensing & Metrology (led by IIT Bombay), and Quantum Materials & Devices (led by IIT Delhi). Therefore, both statements are correct.

Statement 1 is correct: DigiLocker is a cloud-based digital locker system launched by the Government of India under the Digital India Programme. Its primary objective is to reduce reliance on physical documents by providing secure digital storage and access to e-documents issued by government departments, educational institutions, and other entities. Statement 2 is correct: DigiLocker enables users to access their electronic documents (e-documents) anytime, anywhere, provided they have an internet connection. This enhances convenience, eliminates the need to carry physical documents, and ensures secure and verifiable digital storage. Therefore, both statements are correct.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Summit's intellectual framework and core philosophy were anchored in three foundational principles (Sutras): People, Planet, and Progress, not People, Planning, and Progress. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The New Delhi Declaration introduced the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI to promote affordable access to foundational AI resources, support local innovation, and build resilient AI ecosystems. However, it was established as a voluntary and non-binding framework, respecting national laws, rather than a binding treaty. Statement 3 is Correct: The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven thematic pillars of action, officially referred to as Chakras. These foundational areas included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI, alongside Democratizing AI Resources, Economic Growth & Social Good, Human Capital Development, and Resilient, Efficient & Innovative AI Systems. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Correct: A primary objective of the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) is to generate hyper-local, highly accurate weather forecasts down to the Panchayat cluster level (village and block level) to aid rural communities, agriculture, and disaster management. It operates on an ultra-fine 6 km x 6 km grid (upgraded from India's previous 12 km resolution models), making it the highest-resolution operational global weather model currently used by any national meteorological agency in the world. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Bharat Forecast System was indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, which is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It was not developed by IIT Delhi. The model is powered by advanced High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, specifically the new 'Arka' supercomputer at IITM Pune and 'Arunika' at NCMRWF Noida. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Correct: DHRUV64 is the third chip to be fabricated under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme. The first chip was THEJAS32 and the second was THEJAS64. The DIR-V programme aims to create a complete portfolio of future-ready, indigenous RISC-V-based microprocessors to reduce India's dependence on imported chips and foreign intellectual property. Statement 2 is Correct: Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), DHRUV64 is officially recognized as India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. It is built on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture, which eliminates proprietary licensing fees and ensures technological sovereignty. Therefore, both statements are correct.

Statement 1 is Correct: Mission Sudarshan Chakra is designed as a multi-domain security umbrella. It explicitly aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence, and aerial offensive capabilities, acting as both a defensive shield and an offensive sword. Statement 2 is Correct: The mission integrates advanced technologies like AI, space-based sensors, and directed energy weapons to ensure rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses. This indigenous development (incorporating projects like Project Kusha) is specifically aimed at reinforcing India's strategic autonomy and self-reliance in the defence sector. Statement 3 is Correct: A major distinguishing feature of this initiative is its expanded scope. Announced as a 10-year national security initiative, a stated goal of the mission is to bring all public places (including hospitals, railways, and religious/cultural sites) under an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035, moving beyond the conventional protection of just military and strategic installations. Therefore, the correct option is A.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors. Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation. Hence, correct answer is option (B).

All three statements are directly supported by the facts provided in the 'Digital India Programme as the Backbone of Emerging Capabilities' section of the article. Optical fibre coverage, average monthly data consumption, and data cost decline figures are all explicitly mentioned.

The article states: 'Mission-mode initiatives in Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum technologies, supercomputing, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are shaping a strong innovation ecosystem.' It further mentions 'dedicated mission-mode programmes in emerging technologies such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, supercomputing, blockchain, and cloud infrastructure.' Biotechnology is mentioned as a subtopic but not explicitly listed under mission-mode initiatives in the provided excerpt.

The article explicitly states: 'India has transformed from a large digital market into an emerging global technology power over the last decade... Today, the country is increasingly shaping global technology development through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), indigenous innovation, startup ecosystems, and emerging technology capabilities. Sustained government investments have strengthened national capability...' This directly points to option B as the primary factor.