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Relevance:
Mains: GS III –
- Technology Missions
| Technology Missions – Introduction |
- A Technology Mission generally implies that projects have clearly defined objectives, scopes, and implementation timelines. They have measurable outcomes and service levels with the help of technological advancements in a particular assigned sector.
- The Technology Missions were the brainchild of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The mission was started as an offshoot of the Seventh Plan in the fields of literacy, immunization, oilseeds, drinking water, dairy products, and telecommunication.
- Subsequently, pulses, oil palm, and maize were also brought within the purview of the Mission in 1990-91, 1992, and 1995-96 respectively. These missions are funded jointly by Centre and State Govt. and other allied institutions.
- Other technology missions like on Railways, nanotechnology, technical textiles, etc. have also been launched.
- These missions have transformed the socio-economic parameters of India, but there are still challenges like the slow pace of implementation, bureaucratic hurdles, lack of clarity about missions on stakeholders, etc., which need to be addressed soon.
Recent Technology Missions:
- The Prime Minister's Science, Technology Innovation and Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) formulated nine technology missions between October 2018 and January 2019.
- The Nine technology missions identified are:
- Natural Language Translation
- Quantum Frontier
- Artificial Intelligence
- National Biodiversity
- Electrical Vehicles
- BioScience and Human Health
- Waste to Wealth
- Deep Ocean Exploration
- Accelerating Growth of New India's Innovations (AGNIi)
- Each of these missions will be led by a Ministry lead and will engage international and national institutional partners, young scientists, and industry partners.
- All these missions are formulated keeping in mind the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
| Natural Language Translation |
This mission will facilitate access to teaching and research material across all regional languages.
- Objectives:
- To make the opportunity and progress in science and technology accessible to all in regional language.
- To enable access to teaching and researching material bilingually-English and one's native Indian Language using a combination of machine and human translation.
- To remove the barrier that the requirement of a high-level of proficiency in English poses today.
- To set up an ecosystem, which includes government agencies(Central and state) and start-ups as stakeholders working with scientists and researchers to build implementable solutions.
- Lead Partners:
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Ministry of Human Resource Development
- Department of Science and Technology
- SDGs related to the Mission:
- SDG1: No poverty
- SDG2: Zero Hunger
- SDG3: Good Health and Well Being
- SDG4: Quality Education
- SDG8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG10: Reduced Inequalities
| Quantum Frontier |
This Mission will initiate work in the understanding and control of the quantum mechanical systems with many degrees of freedom.
- Objectives:
- To Build excellence in the quantum frontier.
- To develop quantum computers, quantum chemistry, quantum communication, new materials, quantum sensors, and quantum cryptography.
- Lead Partners:
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Space
- Department of Atomic Energy
- Defense Research and Development Organisation
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- SDGs related to the Mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
| Artificial Intelligence |
This Mission will facilitate the advancement in the field of Artificial Intelligence by engaging closely with academia and industry to develop core research capability.
- Objectives:
- To deploy intelligent systems in a variety of decision-making tasks and enable better connectivity and enhance productivity
- To create new knowledge and develop new applications of intelligent systems
- To use intelligent systems with a focus on addressing India’s societal needs across areas like healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities, infrastructure, and mobility
- Lead Partners:
- NITI Aayog
- Department of Science and Technology
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Department of Biotechnology
- SDGs related to the Mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing
- SDG4: Quality Education
- SDG8: Decent Work and Economic growth
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG11: Sustainable cities and communities
- SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
| National Biodiversity |
This Mission aims to build exhaustive documentation of countries' biodiversity by cataloguing and mapping all lifeforms.
- Objectives:
- To assess India's biodiversity status in terms of distribution and conservation.
- To develop a professional cadre to handle large sets of environmental data for management and monitoring of biodiversity
- To expand knowledge in ecosystem functioning which provide updation on restoration efforts
- To enhance choices for agricultural production and livelihoods
- To formulate a dynamic biodiversity-based sustainable economy anchored by a reliable information system
- To engage the public for security and the general well-being of society
- Lead Partners:
- Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
- Department of Biotechnology
- SDGs related to the Mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG2: Zero Hunger
- SDG4: Quality Education
- SDG8: Decent Work and Economic growth
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG13: Climate Action
- SDG14: Life Below Water
- SDG15: Life on Land
| Electric Vehicles |
This Mission is critical for India to reduce fossil fuel consumption and mitigate emissions by facilitating the production of Electric Vehicles (EVs) economically.
- Objectives:
- To facilitate focused research, development, and innovation in order to build indigenous capability
- To develop vehicle subsystems and components for Indian requirements including rare-earth-based electric motors, Li-ion batteries, power electronics, etc.
- Lead Partners:
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Heavy Industries
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Ministry of Power
- NITI Aayog
- SDGs related to the Mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing
- SDG7: Affordable and Clean energy
- SDG8: Decent work and Economic growth
- SDG9: Industry, innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG11: Sustainable cities and communities
- SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG13: Climate Action
| BioScience for Human Health |
This Mission will utilize healthy and disease samples to understand the impact of nature and nurture on human health.
- Objectives:
- To construct comprehensive reference maps of genomes, and understand the dynamics of how exposure to different environmental impacts our bodies
- To focus on the genomic study of human populations in order to identify and unravel the genetic basis and prevalence of rare and inherited diseases
- To improve diagnosis and treatment techniques, that can ultimately feed into the health care system of the country
- Lead Partners:
- Department of Biotechnology
- Department of Health Research
- Department of Health
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Atomic Energy
- SDGs related to the Mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG3: Good Health and wellbeing
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
| Waste to Wealth |
This Mission will identify, develop, and deploy technologies to treat waste to generate energy, recycle materials, and extract worth.
- Objectives:
- To identify and support the development of new technologies that can help create a cleaner and greener environment
- To boost and augment the Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities Project by leveraging science, technology, and innovation
- To create circular economic models that are financially viable for waste management
- To streamline waste handling in India
- Lead Partners:
- Department of Biotechnology
- Department of Science and Technology
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Ministry of Urban Development
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- SDGs related to the mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing
- SDG6: Clean water and Sanitation
- SDG7:Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG13: Climate Action
- SDG14: Life Below Water
- SDG15: Life on Land
| Deep Ocean Exploration |
This Mission will explore the deep oceans to improve our understanding of the blue frontier.
- Objectives:
- To address issues arising from long term changes in the ocean due to climate change
- To develop technologies for the deep-sea exploration of living (biodiversity) and non-living (minerals) resources
- To develop underwater vehicles and underwater robotics
- To provide ocean climate change advisory services
- To identify technological innovations and conservation methods for sustainable utilization of marine bio-resources
- To develop offshore-based desalination techniques
- To develop renewable energy generation techniques
- Lead Partners:
- Ministry of Earth Sciences
- Department of Biotechnology
- Department of Space
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
- Defense Research and Development Organisation
- Geological Survey of India
- National Hydrographic Office
- National Biodiversity Authority
- SDGs related to the mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG13: Climate action
- SDG14: Life Below Water
| Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations (AGNIi) |
This Mission will boost the innovation ecosystem in the country and help commercialize innovative solutions.
- Objectives:
- To support nation-wide efforts to boost India’s innovation ecosystem by bridging innovators across industry, individuals, and grassroots to the market and help commercialize innovative solutions
- To provide innovators with a platform to bring their technology-ready products and solutions to industry and the market
- To propel techno-entrepreneurship which can usher in a new era of inclusive socio-economic growth
- Working with government R&D laboratories and academia to help commercialize their innovations
- Training and capacity building of scientists, innovators, technology transfer offices, and technology license offices
- Lead Partner: Invest in India
- SDGs related to this Mission:
- SDG1: No Poverty
- SDG2: Zero Hunger
- SDG3: Good Health and wellbeing
- SDG4: Quality Education
- SDG6: clean water and sanitation
- SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG8: Decent Work ad economic growth
- SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG13:Climate Action
- SDG14: Life Below Water
- SDG15: Life on Land
- SDG17:Partnership for the goals
Following are some of the missions taken up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' welfare aiming at the development of the agricultural sector:
| National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture |
It is one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- objectives:
- It aims at promoting Sustainable Agriculture through climate change adaptation measures, enhancing agriculture productivity especially in rainfed areas focusing on integrated farming, soil health management, and synergizing resource conservation.
- It as a programmatic intervention caters to Mission Deliverables that focuses mainly on Conservation agriculture to make the farm sector more productive, sustainable, remunerative, and climate-resilient by promoting location specific integrated/composite farming systems.
- Schemes under NMSA:
- Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
- Soil Health Management (SHM)
- Sub Mission on Agro-Forestry (SMAF)
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
- Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI)
- National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
- National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF)
- Central Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institute (CFQC&TI)
| Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) |
It covers the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
- Objective:
- MOVCDNER (2015-16 to 2017-18) is a Central Sector Scheme that seeks to capitalize on the organic farming potential of North-East India.
- It aims at the development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers.
- It supports the development of the entire value chain, covering Value Chain Production, Processing, Marketing, and Support Agencies.
| The mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) |
- A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MIDH has been launched for the holistic development of horticulture in the country during the XII Plan. The Scheme, which took off from 2014-15, integrates the ongoing schemes of National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States, National Bamboo Mission, National Horticulture Board, Coconut Development Board & Central Institute for Horticulture, Nagaland.
- Objective: Besides, Integrated Pests/Nutrient Management, Horticulture Mechanization, Beekeeping initiatives, Market and Management Infrastructures facilitation, and training of farmers were taken up.
| National Livestock Mission |
- Objectives: The Mission covers all activities required to ensure improvement in livestock production systems & capacity building of all stakeholders. It covers everything for the improvement of livestock productivity & support projects & initiatives subject to the condition that such initiatives cannot be funded under other Centrally Sponsored Schemes
- It has 4 Sub-Missions:
- Livestock Development;
- Pig Development in NE Region;
- Feed & Fodder Development; and
- Skill Development, Technology Transfer & Extension
| Technology Mission on Cotton |
- Objectives: To improve the yield and quality of the cotton, to increase the income of cotton growers by reducing the cost of cultivation & by increasing the yield; to improve the quality of processing of cotton.
- It had four Mini Missions-
- Cotton Research and Technology Generation;
- Transfer of Technology and Development;
- Development of Market Infrastructure;
- Modernization / Setting up of new G&P factories
| Technology Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses |
- Objectives: The Mission was launched in 1986 to increase the production of oilseeds to reduce imports and achieve self-sufficiency in edible oils. Subsequently, pulses, oil palm & maize were also brought within the purview of the Mission.
- Schemes under the mission are:
- Oilseeds Production Program
- National Pulses Development Project
- Accelerated Maize Development Program
- Post-Harvest Technology
- Oil Palm Development Program
- National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oil Development Board
| National Mission on Oilseeds and Palm Oil |
- Objectives:
- To increase the production of vegetable oils sourced from oilseeds, oil palm & tree-borne oilseeds. The Mission is implemented through three Mini Missions (Oilseeds, Oil Palm & TBOs) with specific targets.
- The strategy includes increasing Seed Replacement Ratio with focus on varietal replacement; increasing irrigation coverage; diversification of area from low yielding cereals; intercropping; use of fallow land; expansion of cultivation in watersheds & wastelands; increasing availability of quality planting materials; enhancing procurement of oilseeds and collection & processing of TBOs.
| Technology Mission on Coconut |
- Objectives: The Mission was launched to converge & synergize all the efforts through the integration of existing programs & address the problems and bridge the gaps through appropriate programs in mission mode to ensure adequate, appropriate, timely & concurrent action to make coconut farming competitive & to ensures reasonable returns.
