Chapter 3

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA

For the growth of science and technology in India, various plans and policies were implemented
since 1951 and research and development have been funded at various levels, manpower has
been trained in an effective manner. At the central level a scientific advisory committee SAC-C
was constituted in 1997, for giving advice on implementation of Science and technology policy
of the government. The committee consists of several academicians, technologists, social
scientists as well as the representatives of industry and Secretaries from science department. The
committee completed the exercise of co-coordinating Science and technology activities in the
Country.
Soon after Independence the Ministry of Science and technology was introduced. ThreeScientific
departments are under its preview. They are:
1. Department of Science and technology (DST).
2. Department of science and Industrial Research (DSIR).
3. Department of Bio-Technology (DBT).
State Science and technology councils were initiated during the 6 th plan by the DST for
identifying, formulating and implementing the states Science and technology programmes.
Emphasis was laid on popularization of science, remote sensing applications and rural
development. Science and technology advisory committees (STACS) have been set up in
individual ministries to formulate long term Science and technology programmes and to identify
the latest appropriate technologies for adoption by concerned sector. More over the inter-sectoral
science and technology advisory committees (IS-STAC) were also set up for co-ordination of the
efforts of STAC and monitoring the activities of various ministries.
In the central sector, scientific research is carried out mainly under certain Government
departments and autonomous bodies. In this category of research and development bodies there
are 2 types of departments. They are:
1. Research and Development Performing bodies: The department of atomic energy and space,
CSIR, ICAR etc.
2. Research and Development Sponsoring bodies: Department of science and technology, biotechnology, ocean developments etc.

There are research bodies, also under central ministries such as commerce, transport, railways,
housing, industry etc. another group of research and development institutions comes under state
governments. These deals with the areas like agriculture, animal husbandry, public health,
irrigation, forestry etc.
A very big body of research and development comprises the university system which under takes
2 activities teaching and research. These universities basically come under the preview of the
university grants commission (UGC).
Spectrum of Science and Technical Education in India
Indias University system continues to be the main source of science and technology
and man power development in the country. Now the numbers of universities in India are around
300. During the first five year plan expansion of technical education was given importance in
order to meet the needs of technically qualified persons at diploma, degree and post graduate
level. From the fourth five year plan emphasis was laid for the improvement of quality and
standards technical education. This was accomplished through implementation of the quality
improvementprogramme (QIP) which consists of 3 major components. These are:
1. Provision of M.E/M.Tech and PhD programme.
2. Establishment of Curriculum design and development.
3. Short term Training programmes.
Establishment of (AICTE):
All India council for technical education (AICTE) a statutory body was enacted in 1987. The
council was established with a view to:
1. Ensure proper planning and co-ordinate development of technical educationsystem throughout
the country.
2. Promoting the qualitative improvement of education.
3. Regularize the norms and standards in education system.
Technical Institutes:The technical institutes arenot uniform.technical institutes are classified as
follows:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Universities.
Deemed to be Universities.
Institutes or National importance such as IITs and IIMs.
Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs).

Some of the IITs in different places are listed below. They are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Kanpur.
Kharagpur.
Chennai.
Mumbai.
Delhi.
Roorkee.
Guwahati.
Hyderabad.
FewIIMs in different places are listed below. They are:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Ahmadabad.
Kolkata.
Bangalore.
Lucknow.
Indore.
Kozhikode.
Deemed to be Universities:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc-Bangalore).
Indian School of Mines (ISM-Dhanbad).
School of Planning and Architecture (SPA-New Delhi).
Regional Engineering Colleges:
All over India 17 Regional Engineering colleges were established. Out of 17 RECs,
10 were converted into NITs (National Institute of Technology). These are located at:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Allahabad.
Bhopal.
Calicut.
Hamirpur.
Jaipur.
Kurukshetra.
Rourkela.
Silchar.
Suratkal.

These RECs which were already converted to NITs were now granted the status of Deemed to
be Universities. These Universities will have full autonomy in academic matters.
Polytechnics:Polytechnics have been established throughout India to develop trained man power
at middle level. Keeping in view the changing needs in our country. World Bank assisted in
upgrading the polytechnics in quantity, quality and efficiency.
Future of Scientific and Technical Education: Within a very short time, India has laid a very
strong foundation to Scientific and Technical education, yet it has to improve its quality in future.
Various measures to improve it are:
1. To develop creative attitude in science education from primary level.
2. To encourage linkages between technical or research and industrial establishments.
3. To attract best brains towards science and technical research by sanctioning merit scholarships
and research fellowships.
4. To utilize scientific experience of retired scientists (Users) in the field of science and Technology.
5. To introduce awards for the outstanding works in CSIR, UGC etc...
Areas to be focused are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Electronics.
Environmental Engineering.
Computer Systems.
Nuclear Science.
Bio-Engineering.
In conclusion, we can state that India has built a very strong base in science and technical
education, which leads to our national development. The young scientists can play a vital role in
this process through their own contributions to science and technology.
Research Activities and Promotion of technology development:
The Department of Science and technology was established in 1971. The major activity of the
department is to formulate scientific and technological policies and their implementation. The
DST also keeps the track of International developments in scientific and technological fields.
The DST promotes research through the science and engineering research council (SERC)
created in 1974-75. The SERC is an advisory body consisting of eminent scientists and
technologists from universities, national laboratories and industries. It identifies new and interdisciplinary areas of research and development. Besides it monitors the progress of these areas.

The DST strengthens the basic infrastructures for research by providing instruments for scientific
community with a view to involve young scientists in research of national relevance, DST
operates several Schemes. In the field of science and technology the younger generation talents
were also utilized (BOYSCAST). The scheme (BOYSCAST) provides an opportunity to interact
with the latest developments of science and technology at International level.
On the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Indias Independence our Government
launched SwarnaJayanti for enabling outstanding young scientists to attain world class levels
in science. These fellowships are open for Indian Scientists in the age group of 30-40 years, with
proper capability for outstanding research work exploring new frontiers in their field of
Specialization.
Programmes aimed at Technological Self Reliance
Under the Programme Aimed at Technological Self reliance (PATSER), the Department of
Scientific and Industrial research promotes industries efforts in development and demonstration
of indigenous technologies. Some of the products or processes developed under PATSER
projects include IGBT based controller fork lift, multi-lingual pager, nickel extraction
technology, energy efficient drying system, implant material handling system, digested organic
supplement from agricultural waste, earth moving machinery etc.
PATSER projects have strengthens the linkages with more than 25 National Research
Laboratories or institutions which have been collaborating with Industry in the specific research
design development and engineering (RDDE) projects of high techno socio commercial impacts.
The Technopreneur Promotion Programme (TePP) is jointly operated by DSIR (through
PATSER scheme) and DST to tap the vast innovative potential of the Indian citizens. TePP
promotes individual innovator to become technology based entrepreneur.
Some of the products/ processes developed under TePP includes tiltable bullock cart, cost
effective polythene bags filling device etc.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Activities of CSIR:

The CSIR was constituted in 1942, It is a multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional giant body
with a network of 40 national laboratories/institutes, two research associations, regional
complexes, polytechnology transfer centres and over 100 extension centres. The major functions
of this organization include promotion, guidance and co-ordination of scientific and industrial
research in India. Establishment or development of and assistance to special institutions or
departmet of existing institutions for scientific study of problems affecting particular industries
and trades; Award of fellowship; utilization of councils R&D results for industrial development;
collection and dissemination of S&T information; and technology generation, absorption and
transfer.
Contributions of CSIR:
CSIR has made contributions in
a) Petroleum and petrochemicals
b) Developed Neem based pesticides
c) Developed indigenous 2-seater aircraft
d) Developed technologies to produce food from algal and industrial alcohol.
e) Developed the parallel supercomputers
f) Developed safety equipment for mining
g) Developed clean coal technologies and environment friendly coke oven
h) Developed special training chemicals
i) In the field of health CSIR has developed new drugs such as Centchroman (a non-steroidical,
once a week contraceptive for women); Picroliv (a herbal drug for treatment of liver disorder)
etc.
j) An air-environmental plan has been evolved for the air pollution protection zone around the Taj
Mahal.
k) In the field of energy several technologies have been developed for oil and coal extraction.

l) In the food sector, malt-based geriatric biscuits have been developed. Various methods of edible
oil extraction have been developed.
m) In the rural development sector, CSIR has provided technologies for cultivation of medicinal
plants, rural pottery units, mobile water testing labs, water treatment, defluoridation etc.
Expenditure on R&D:
According to the national survey carried out by the Department of Science and Technology in
1994-1995 India spent Rs. 6,821.02 crores or 0.81% of the Gross National Product on R&D of
the total
64.9% is met by the Central government
16.4% is met by the Private sector Industry
10.1% is met by the Public Sector Industry
8.6% is met by the Individual State Government
India spent 0.85% of GNP in 1990-1991, 0.83% of GNP in 1992-1993 on R&D activities while
most of the developed countries spend almost 2% of GNP or even more on R&D activities.
Technology Missions:
The national technology missions focus on key human needs. These missions relate to several
areas, such as improving the availability and quality of drinking water, immunization, literacy,
enhancing production of edible oils and pulses, telecommunication and wasteland development.
The special purpose of the missions is to improve the motivation level of the people. The
missions are funded by DST. The mission implementation takes place with the co-ordination of
the center, the states, districts and voluntary organizations in the private sector.
Science and Technology Resources Information:
The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) under DST
have the task of collecting, collating, analyzing and disseminating vital scientific and
technological information at the national level.

Facilitating Patents:
A patent facilitating cell was established in 1995-1996. The objectives of the cell are:
1) To introduce patent information as a vital input in the process of promoting R&D programmes
2) To provide patenting facilities to scientists and technologists in the country.
3) To keep a watch on the developments in the area of intellectual property rights, and make
important issues known to policy makers, scientists, industry etc.
4) To create awareness and undertaking about patents and the challenges and opportunities in the
area.
5) Undertake studies and analysis of policy related to TRIPs agreement and other agreements
under WTO etc.
Science Communication and Popularization:
The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) ever since its
inception

in

the

1980s

has

been

engaged

in

science

and

technology

communication/popularization and inculcation of scientific temper among the people. The

emphasis has been on the development, adaptation, promotion and use of different technologies.
The National Childrens Science Congress is an important activity involving children in the age
group of 10-17 years from all over the country. The programme is to encourage the students to
relate the learning of science to the environment around.
Vigyan Prasar was established in 1989 to take up large scale science popularization programmes.
Science Clubs are also established for spreading scientific awareness and promoting use of
scientific methodology in our lives.
International Co-operation:
There are three levels of the international science and technology co-operation
1) Bilateral Co-operation with developed and developing countries.

2) Regional co-operation such as with SAARC and ASEAN countries.

3) Multilateral Co-operation through science and technology centre.
India has bilateral science and technology co-operation programmes with more than 50 countries
of the world.
The following joint R&D centres have been established under international science and
technology co-operation programme. Indo-Russian Research Centre in Advanced Computing, at
Moscow; International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy at Hyderabad; IndoUzbek Centre for Medical Applications of Low Level Lasers for treatment of Tuberculosis and
Allied Diseases, at New Delhi.

Chapter-4 Science and Technological Developments in the Major Areas

Space Research
The India Space Research Programmes were developed for improving the socio-economic
conditions. The space research is helpful for
1) Communications
2) Natural Resources Management
3) Study of agricultural potential
4) Weather monitoring and
5) Disaster management
Objectives of space programs:
The main objectives of Space programmes are:
1) Satellite based resource survey
2) Environmental monitoring
3) Satellite communications
4) Meteorological applications
5) Development of indigenous satellite launch vehicles
The S&T projects of the Department of Space (DOS) fall under the following categories:
1) National Mission/ Mission-mode projects

2) Projects of DOS
3) DOS sponsored projects in Universities and other institutions.
Space Programmes during the 9th and 10th Plan:
9th Plan:
The major thrust of the space programme during the 9 th Plan was toward strengthening the spacebased services for the countrys socio-economic development.
The activities in the earth observations systems were oriented towards building state-of-art
satellite systems for applications related to management by land and ocean resources.
In the area of satellite communication and meteorology, the efforts were directed towards
augmenting the INSAT system with additional capacity nad newer services though the
development and launch of third generation INSAT satellites, based on demand voiced by the
users.
Besides, significant progress was made in the participation of industry, policy initiatives,
international operation, commercialization of space capabilities and human resource
development.
10th Plan:
The thrust of the 10th Plan was on the development of Space technology and large applications of
this technology for economic development.
The major goals set by the Department of Science for the 10th Plan are:
1) To acquire new capabilities for space communication by positioning Indian satellite systemsGRAMSAT and INSAT net-works for operational service.
2) To position earth observation infrastructure.
3) Improved weather and ocean state forecasting.
4) To encourage space service research.

Organization:
The Indian space programme has its genesis in the Indian National Committee for Space
Research (INCOSPAR) that was formed by the Department of Atomic Energy in 1962.

The first rocket was launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in 1963.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was formed under the Department of Atomic
Energy in August 1969.

The Department of Space (DOS) was formed in 1972 to formulate and implement space policies
in the country.

The Department of Space (DOS) is the nodal agency for co-ordinating R&D activities in space
science and technology.

The executive wing of the space communism is the Department of Space operates through the
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Bangalore; National Remote Sensing Agency
(NRSA), the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad; National MesosphereStratosphere-Troposphere Radar Facility (NMRF), North Eastern-Space Applications Centre
(NE-SAC) , besides sponsoring research projects in other institutions.
Space Centers and Units:
Research and Development activities under the space programme are carried out in the various
centers/units of ISRO/DOS. Some of the centres are:

1) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC): This is located at Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram.

VSSC is the largest ISRO Centre. It provides the technology base for the countrys indigenous
satellite launch vehicle development.
2) ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC):This is located at Bangalore. This Centre is responsible for design,
fabrication, testing, and management of satellite systems for scientific, technological and
application mission. Aryabhatta, Bhaskara, APPLE and IRS 1A were built here.

3) SHAR Centre: This is located in Sriharikota island on the east coast of AP. It is the main launch
base for satellite launch vehicles and rockets.
4) Space Applications Centre: This is located at Ahmedabad. The activities include satellite based
telecommunication and television, remote sensing for natural resources survey and management,
environmental monitoring and meterology.
5) National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA): This is located at Hyderabad. The center has
facilities for surveying, identifying, classifying and monitoring earth resources using aerial and
satellite data.
6) National Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere Radar Facility: This center is located near
Tirupati in AP. The Center conducts atmosphere research.
Geostationary Satellite Services:
INSAT System:
The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is a multi-agency, multipurpose operational
satellite system for domestic telecommunications, meteorological observations and data relay,
nation-wide direct satellite television broadcasting and nation-wide radio and television
programme distribution. The Geo-stationary Satellite services in India were commissied in 1983
with the launch of INSAT-1B. Today INSAT is one of the largest domestic communication
systems in the Asia Pacific region with five satellite, INSAT-2DT, INSAT-2E, INSAT-3B,
INSAT-3C and KALPANA-1 in operation. The INSAT system is a joint venture of DOS
(Department of Science) and DOT (Department of Telecommunications) IMD (Indian
Meteorological Department) AIR (All India Radio) and Doordarshan. The overall co-ordination
and management of INSAT system rests with secretary level INSAT Co-ordination Committee
(ICC).
INSAT Services:
The INSAT System has had tremendous impact on telecommunication, weather forecasting and
television expansion.

1) Telecommunication: A total of 548 telecommunication terminals of various sizes and capabilities

are operating in the INSAT telecommunications network. Over 400 additional earth stations are
under various stages of implementation in the DOT network.
2) Mobile Satellite Services (MSS): The INSAT mobile telephony, under INSAT-MSS provides
mobile services.
3) Television: INSAT has been a major catalyst for the rapid expansion of television coverage in
India. Satellite television covers over 65% of the Indian landmass and over 80% of the Indian
population.
4) Educational TV: Transmission of educational programmes have been one of the high priority
areas for Doordarshan. In this direction an exclusive 24 hours Educational TV, Gyandarshan, has
been implemented by Doordarshan. Satellite based enrichment programmes for school children
are produced by several state institutes of educational technology.
5) Satellite News gathering and dissemination: Satellite news gathering using INSAT system
enables on-the-spot real time news coverage.
6) Radio networking: Radio networking through INSAT provides programme channels for national
and regional networking.
7) Training and developmental communication channel (TDCC): Training and developmental
communication channel using INSAT is operational since 1995. It provides one-way video and
two way audio system of interactive education. The participants at the classrooms located
nationwide receive lectures through simple dish antennae and have facility to interact with
lecturers using telephone lines.
Earth observation:
Indian earth observation (EO) system became operational with the advent of Indian Remote
Sensing Satellites, the first of which was launched in 1988.
The term remote sensing refers to the process of sensing refers to the process of sensing,
identifying and delineating various objects on ground from a distance without coming into direct
physical contact with them.

The Indian EO definition, development, operation and its applications are overseen by the
National Natural Resources Management system for which DOS is the nodal agency.
With its headquarters in Bangalore, NNRMS is a unique system in which data from the remote
sensing are integrated with conventional sources for effectively managing the countrys natural
resources. NNRMS undertakes natural resources survey and monitors projects in collaboration
with Central and State agencies.
The NNRMS activities are guided by ten standing committees namely
a) Agriculture and soils
b) Bio-resources
c) Geology and mineral resources
d) Water resources
e) Ocean resources
f) Cartography and mapping
g) Urban management
h) Rural development
i) Technology and training
j) Meteorology
Each of these standing committees is chaired by secretaries of the respective government
departments and includes experts from major user departments/agencies.
The national Remote sensing agency (NRSA) an autonomous organization of DOS, continues to
support high quality remote sensing data value added products and application services to
facilitate their use in natural resources management and disaster mitigation.

Remote Sensing Application:

Some of the major application projects carried out using remote sensing are:
1) Groundwater prospects mapping under Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking water Mission: This was
launched in January 1999 for 6 states (AP, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan)
2) Crop Acreage and Production Estimate (CAPE) and forecasting Agricultural output using Space
Agrometeorology and Land based observation: Acreage and production estimates for the
principle crops such as wheat, rice, sorghum, cotton, mustard and groundnut are generated.
3) Horticulture mission in North-Eastern state: Remote sensing based study has been taken up
towards generation of information for horticulture development in the North-Eastern states.
4) Cropping system analysis: Spatial crop rotation maps have been generated providing spatial
information on multiple cropping index and diversity index.
5) Decision support system for assessing fertilizer movement: Under this nation-wide project, a
decision support system has been developed for assessing the fertilizer movement with complete
database comprising natural resources, weather and other logistic details for the country, and has
been installed at Indian farmers Fertilizer Co-operative (IFFCO)
6) Precision farming: Optimizing agricultural input towards maximizing productivity and at the
same time ensuring maximum return for the farmers is the essence for precision farming model.
This has been launched in various sites along with ICRISAT, CRIDA-ICAR and ANGRNG.
7) Potential fishery zone maps Dissemination: Maps which indicate potential fishery zones are
drawn and distributed to Fishery departments, central government agencies and fishermen
groups.
8) Biodiversity characterization at landscape level using Remote Sensing and GIS: The department
of Biotechnology and DOS jointly brought out atlases containing database on species. This helps
biodiversity conservation and planning by setting priorities.

9) Development plan for Kachchh District, Gujarat: After the earthquake in Gujarat, development
plans have been prepared for entire Kachchh district pertaining to land and water resources
development.
10) Desertification, Monitoring and Assessment: the Ministry of Environment and forest has taken
up a study of different area to combat desertification.
11) Wetland information System: With the need for having proper conservation measures for
important wetlands in the country, information systems have been developed.
12) Natural resource Information system: A database of natural resources have been created for 8
states namely: Gujarat, Karnataka, MP,UP, Punjab, Orissa, Haryana, Maharastra.
13) Large Scale mapping: Mapping of urban areas using high resolution data, both from satellite and
aircraft has been continuing at the request of User agencies.
Launch Vehicle Technology:
Development of launch vehicle has been an integral part of achieving self-reliance in space
technology.
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV): SLV-3 was the first successful launch vehicle that was launched
in July 1980, carrying 40kg Rohini Satellite. SLV-3 was a four stage launch vehicle.
Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV): ASLV was meant for putting 150kg class payloads
into circular orbit. The ASLV was a five stage rocket using solid fuel. The development of the
solid fuel Hydroxy Terminated Poly Butadine (HPTB) and Lactone Terminated Poly Butadine
(LPTB) used in ASLV was a great achievement for ISRO.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): PSLV was meant for putting 1500kg class payloads into
polar sun-synchrome orbit. The PSLV was a four stage rocket. The first stage is a solid propellant
motor, the second is a liquid propellant stage, the third stage is a solid propellant stage and the
fourth is a liquid propellant stage. A closed loop guidance system with on board processor is
employed for the vehicle.

Geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) GSLV is capable of launching 1540 kg weight,
2T class INSAT satellites into the Geostationary Transfer Orbit. This was declared operational in
2004. The GSLV was a three stage rocket. The first stage is a solid propellant, the second stage is
a liquid propellant and the third stage is powered by cryogenic propellants. The development of
next generation launch vehicle GSLV MK III capable of launching 4T satellites into
Geostationary Transfer Orbit has also made significant progress.
From the modest sounding rockets of the 1960s India has now acquired capability to launch
remote sensing satellites using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous
communication satellites using GSLV. So far, PSLV had 13 consecutive successful flights, the
latest one on October 22, 2008 when it launched CHANDRAYAAN-1.
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) can launch 2 to 2.5 tonne satellite into
Geostationary Transfer Orbit (200 km by 36,000km). GSLV has four successful flights out of
five missions.
CHANDRAYAAN-1:
Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft is built at ISRO Satellite Center, Bangalore with contributions from
ISRO/Department of Space establishments like Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Liquid
Propulsion Systems Center (LPSC) and ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU).
The primary objectives of Chandrayaan-1 are:
1) To expand scientific knowledge about the moon.
2) To upgrade Indias technological capability
3) To provide challenging opportunities for planetary research to the younger generation of Indian
scientists.
Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft carrying 11 scientific instruments weights about 1400kg at the time of
its launch and is shaped like a cuboid with a solar panel projecting from one of its sides.
During the various phases of the flight, Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft has sent detailed information
about its health to Earth through its transmitter.