Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. India’s space programme has evolved from a scientific endeavour into a strategic national asset supporting economic growth, governance and global influence. Discuss.
- Q. “Global regulation of artificial intelligence must address technological risks without creating a new regime of digital inequality.” Discuss with reference to the interests of developing countries.
Q. India’s space programme has evolved from a scientific endeavour into a strategic national asset supporting economic growth, governance and global influence. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Science & Technology, Space Technology, Indigenisation, Innovation and Disaster Management)
Introduction:
India’s space programme has moved beyond scientific exploration to become an instrument of strategic autonomy, economic development, public-service delivery and international influence. Missions such as Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, SPADEX and Gaganyaan reflect this broader transformation.
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Scientific and Strategic Capability
- Deep-Space Exploration: Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan and Aditya-L1 have strengthened India’s capabilities in lunar, planetary and solar science.
- Critical Technologies: SPADEX, indigenous docking systems, reusable launch vehicles, cryogenic engines and space microprocessors reduce external dependence.
- Human Spaceflight: Gaganyaan and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station expand India’s long-term strategic and scientific capacity.
- Navigation Sovereignty: NavIC supports independent positioning, navigation and timing services.
Economic Growth
- Private-Sector Expansion: The opening of the space sector, Indian Space Policy 2023, liberalised FDI and IN-SPACe have encouraged private participation.
- Start-up Growth: Space start-ups increased from one in 2014 to over 400 by February 2026.
- Commercialisation: NSIL promotes launch services, satellite services and technology transfer, strengthening India’s space economy.
- Employment and Innovation: Private investment promotes manufacturing, research, skilled employment and indigenous technology.
Governance and Public Welfare
Space technology supports:
- Crop forecasting, drought assessment and water management
- Cyclone, flood and forest-fire monitoring
- Telemedicine and satellite education
- Fisheries advisories and distress alerts
- Monitoring of schemes such as MGNREGA, PMGSY and PMKSY
Thus, space-based platforms improve evidence-based governance and service delivery.
Global Influence
India has expanded cooperation with the United States, Russia, France, Japan, ESA and BIMSTEC countries. Joint missions such as NISAR, TRISHNA and LUPEX enhance scientific credibility, while commercial satellite launches strengthen India’s position as a trusted and responsible space partner.
Conclusion:
India’s space programme now combines science, security, commerce, governance and diplomacy. Continued investment in indigenous technologies, private innovation, human capital and responsible space operations will help India emerge as a leading global space power.
Q. “Global regulation of artificial intelligence must address technological risks without creating a new regime of digital inequality.” Discuss with reference to the interests of developing countries.
(UPSC GS Paper III: Science & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, Cybersecurity and Innovation)
Introduction:
Artificial intelligence is a transformative general-purpose technology capable of reshaping economies, public services, labour markets and national security. Since its development and deployment cross national borders, fragmented domestic regulations alone cannot adequately address its risks or ensure equitable access to its benefits.
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Need for Global AI Regulation
- Common Safety Standards: International norms can establish minimum requirements for transparency, accountability and risk assessment.
- Prevention of Misuse: Advanced AI systems may facilitate biological weapons, chemical weapons, cyberattacks and large-scale disinformation.
- Regulatory Certainty: Harmonised principles can reduce compliance costs arising from conflicting national rules.
- Protection of Developing Countries: Nations lacking technical and regulatory capacity require international safeguards against harmful AI deployment.
- Inclusive Benefits: Countries should not be excluded from AI-enabled development in healthcare, agriculture, education and governance.
Risks of Digital Inequality
Only a few countries and companies currently control advanced computing infrastructure, large datasets and powerful AI models. Developing nations may therefore become digital colonies—supplying data and markets while remaining dependent on foreign platforms.
Further, AI regulation could assume a non-proliferation character, under which technologically powerful countries claim exclusive authority to develop advanced AI. Such an arrangement would institutionalise technological inequality and limit the developmental opportunities of poorer countries.
Strict interpretations of data sovereignty may also fragment the AI ecosystem and disadvantage countries that cannot build domestic computing infrastructure.
Role of Inclusive Global Institutions
The UN-backed Global Dialogue on AI can provide an inclusive forum for governments, while the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI can supply periodic scientific assessments.
The Trusted AI Commons, initially hosted by India, can democratise access to safety benchmarks, datasets, testing tools and deployment protocols. It can particularly benefit start-ups, research institutions and developing countries lacking independent evaluation infrastructure.
Way Forward
Global AI governance should adopt:
- Minimum common safety standards
- Risk-based and technology-neutral regulation
- Meaningful representation of developing countries
- Capacity-building and technology-sharing arrangements
- Open and accessible safety resources
- Safeguards against monopolistic control
- Independent scientific assessment
Conclusion:
Global AI governance must simultaneously promote innovation, control serious risks and ensure equitable access. An inclusive system based on scientific evidence and shared resources can prevent both unsafe AI development and the emergence of a new hierarchy of technological power.
