APPSC Group 1 Mains 2023-Science Technology Environmental Issues

Discuss how Artificial Intelligence-manipulated digital media can impact privacy, democracy, and national security of a country. Suggest solutions to tackle this ‘infodemic’.

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The Impact of AI-Manipulated Digital Media on Privacy, Democracy, and National Security Introduction: The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in an era of sophisticated digital media manipulation. AI-powered tools can now create realistic deepfakes, synthetic media, and highly targeted disinformation campaigns with unprecedented ease and scale. This “infodemic,” as it’s often called, … Read more

Why is the number of patents granted in India still a fraction compared to China and the US, even though India’s global position in innovation has been rising?

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Why India’s Patent Grants Lag Behind China and the US Despite Rising Innovation Introduction: India’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem is evident in its rising global rankings in innovation indices like the Global Innovation Index (GII). However, the number of patents granted in India remains significantly lower than in China and the US. This disparity highlights a … Read more

What are the tools required for the successful commercialization of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in India? Discuss the role of CIPAM in the commercialization of Intellectual Property Rights.

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Tools Required for Successful Commercialization of IPR in India and the Role of CIPAM Introduction: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) encompass a range of legal rights granted to inventors and creators for their inventions, artistic works, designs, and brands. Successful commercialization of IPR translates these rights into economic value, generating revenue and fostering innovation. India, with … Read more

Inefficient farming and poor distribution are reasons for the world’s food shortage, and genetically modified crops are a bad answer to the wrong problem – Comment.

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Inefficient Farming, Poor Distribution, and the Role of Genetically Modified Crops in Addressing Food Shortages Introduction: The world faces a growing challenge of ensuring food security for a rapidly expanding population. While factors like climate change and conflict contribute significantly, inefficient farming practices and inadequate food distribution systems are undeniably major contributors to global food … Read more

Biotechnology has unlocked a vast potential for improving human life, but the risks it poses are now a concern – Discuss, highlighting the blessing and curse of Biotechnology.

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Biotechnology: A Double-Edged Sword Introduction: Biotechnology, encompassing the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, has revolutionized various sectors, from medicine and agriculture to industry and environmental remediation. Its potential to improve human life is undeniable, evidenced by advancements like genetically modified (GM) crops increasing food production and gene therapy offering … Read more

Why is Ecotourism considered a tool for conservation of natural heritage? Discuss the challenges associated with Ecotourism.

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Ecotourism: A Tool for Conservation and its Associated Challenges Introduction: Ecotourism, a form of tourism focusing on experiencing natural areas while minimizing environmental impact and benefiting local communities, is increasingly promoted as a conservation tool. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines it as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the … Read more

Why is antibiotic resistance getting worse in India? Discuss the strategies and action plans in India to deal with this issue.

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The Escalating Threat of Antibiotic Resistance in India: Causes and Countermeasures Introduction: Antibiotic resistance (AR), the ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of antibiotics, is a rapidly growing global health crisis. India, with its high population density, diverse healthcare systems, and widespread use of antibiotics, faces a particularly severe challenge. The World Health Organization … Read more

Bio-pesticides are slower in action compared to conventional pesticides, with shorter persistence and susceptibility to unfavorable environmental conditions, but still, there is a need to shift towards Bio-pesticides – Explain why.

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The Shift Towards Biopesticides: A Necessary Transition Introduction: The global reliance on synthetic pesticides has led to significant environmental and health concerns. Conventional pesticides, while effective in controlling pests, often exhibit high toxicity to non-target organisms, contribute to pesticide resistance, and contaminate soil and water resources. The World Health Organization estimates that 3 million pesticide … Read more

What is meant by open cast mining? Discuss its impacts on the environment and the solutions to overcome them. Add a note on the importance of post-mining reclamation.

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Open Cast Mining: Environmental Impacts and Solutions Introduction: Open-cast mining, also known as surface mining, is an extraction method where minerals or ores are extracted from the earth’s surface, rather than through underground tunnels. This technique is employed when the desired resource is located close to the surface and is economically viable to extract in … Read more

What are the various mitigation activities by the Government of India to lower CO₂ emissions for trading carbon credits in the international market under the Paris Agreement?

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Mitigation Activities by the Government of India for Carbon Credit Trading under the Paris Agreement Introduction: The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. A key mechanism for achieving this is through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline countries’ commitments to … Read more