[UPSC 2024] What are the challenges in the commercialisation and diffusion of indigenously developed technologies? Although India is second in the world in filing patents, still only a few have been commercialised. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialisation.
Linkage: The challenge of scaling up the impact of innovation by focusing on the commercialisation of patents, which is a crucial aspect for startups aiming to grow.
Mentor’s Comment: Startups in India have seen significant growth, especially with government initiatives like Startup India. However, Union Minister highlighted that many of these startups are focusing on repetitive ideas, like grocery delivery, rather than pushing the boundaries of innovation. He emphasized the need for more groundbreaking, science-based solutions to address broader challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Today’s editorial looks at startups in India, focusing on factors that help them grow, challenges like lack of innovation and funding, and the need to move beyond grocery delivery for long-term success.. This content would help in GS paper 3 mains.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Recently, at the Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that many startups are not focusing enough on real innovation and are mostly sticking to ideas like grocery delivery.
What challenges do deep tech startups in India face when it comes to scaling up?
High Initial Capital Requirement: Deep tech startups, especially in sectors like AI, biotech, or semiconductors, require significant funding in the early stages for R&D and prototyping. Eg: A startup working on quantum computing may need years of research before any commercial product is viable.
Lack of Follow-up Funding: Government seed funds like the Startup India Seed Fund provide limited support (~₹50 lakh), but large-scale funding is often unavailable, especially from domestic sources. Eg: A robotics startup may struggle to find Series A or B investors willing to back them after the seed stage.
Longer Time-to-Market and Uncertain Returns: Deep tech innovations take longer to reach the market and generate revenue, which deters many investors focused on quick returns. Eg: Healthtech firms developing diagnostic devices may take years to pass regulatory approvals before commercialization.
Why is private sector follow-up funding considered crucial after initial government support for startups?
Bridges the Capital Gap: Government funds are limited and mainly support early-stage needs. Scaling requires much higher investment. Eg: A biotech startup receiving ₹50 lakh from a seed fund may need ₹10 crore for clinical trials.
Enables Long-Term Growth: Startups need sustained funding over multiple stages (Series A, B, etc.) to expand, hire talent, and enhance products. Eg: An electric mobility startup may require continuous investment to build charging infrastructure.
Signals Market Validation: Private investment shows that the startup idea has commercial potential, encouraging more stakeholders to engage. Eg: A deep tech startup attracting VC funding is more likely to gain customer and partner interest.
Brings Strategic Guidance and Networks: Private investors often provide mentorship, access to global markets, and business connections. Eg: A startup funded by a top VC firm might get access to international accelerator programs.
Reduces Dependence on Government: Encourages a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem and reduces reliance on public funds. Eg: Startups backed by private capital scale faster without waiting for bureaucratic processes.
How do venture capitalists define innovation while deciding to invest in a startup?
User Impact and Experience: VCs assess whether the product/service offers a significant improvement in user experience or solves a real problem. Eg: A fintech app that reduces loan approval time from days to minutes is seen as innovative.
Market Potential and Demand: Innovation must address a need in a large or fast-growing market to be attractive to investors. Eg: An edtech startup targeting affordable online education in Tier-II/III cities taps into a large unmet demand.
Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Startups should have something unique that competitors can’t easily copy, like patents or proprietary tech. Eg: A healthtech startup with patented diagnostic AI software has a stronger edge.
Commercial Viability: Innovation must eventually lead to profitability and returns. VCs look for feasible business models. Eg: A SaaS platform with recurring revenue from subscriptions is more viable than a one-time product sale model.
Scalability and Replicability: The innovation should be scalable across geographies or customer segments. Eg: A logistics startup using AI route optimization can be scaled across different cities and industries.
Which factors have contributed to the rise in the number of startups under the Startup India initiative?
Policy Support and Government Incentives: Multiple ministries and state governments have launched startup-friendly policies, funding schemes, and incubation support. Eg: The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides up to ₹50 lakh for early-stage startups.
Improved Access to Funding: Capital inflow through both equity and debt has increased, with growing interest from banks and private investors. Eg: SIDBI’s Fund of Funds supports venture capital firms that, in turn, invest in Indian startups.
Changing Mindset and Entrepreneurial Culture: A cultural shift among youth toward entrepreneurship, driven by success stories and digital exposure. Eg: Companies like Flipkart and Freshworks have inspired a new generation to build their own ventures.
Where does India lag behind in comparison to countries like China and the U.S. in building a thriving startup ecosystem?
Lower Per Capita Income and Consumption Capacity: India’s lower GDP per capita limits domestic consumer spending, which affects the growth of digital and tech-driven startups. Eg: India’s per capita GDP is around $3,500, while China’s is over $12,000—boosting China’s digital economy faster.
Limited Domestic Risk Capital Availability: India relies heavily on foreign capital for startup funding, unlike the U.S. or China, which have strong domestic investor bases. Eg: Most VC funding in India comes from the U.S., while China has state-backed venture funds.
Bureaucratic Hurdles and Complex Regulations: Regulatory bottlenecks and lack of smooth implementation hinder startup operations and scalability. Eg: Despite policy support, startups still face delays in government clearances and compliances.
Way forward:
Strengthen Domestic Funding Ecosystem: Promote domestic VC funds, corporate venture arms, and pension fund investments in startups to reduce dependency on foreign capital. Eg: Incentivize Indian institutional investors to back deep tech ventures.
Simplify Regulatory Processes: Establish single-window clearances and reduce compliance burdens to foster ease of doing business for startups. Eg: Fast-track approvals for sectors like biotech, fintech, and healthtech.
Concerns about an AI arms race and AGI are rising, but research on AI’s impact on strategic affairs remains limited.
What are the key strategic differences between AI and nuclear weapons?
Strategic Difference
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Nuclear Weapons
Development and Control
Driven by private companies and research institutions (Eg: OpenAI)
Developed and strictly controlled by state actors
Resource Dependence
No ongoing physical resources needed once trained
Depend on rare materials like enriched uranium, requiring secure control
Global Accessibility
Rapidly accessible and globally developable (Eg: AI in healthcare)
Restricted to a few nations with production and maintenance capacity
How should these affect policy?
Focus on Global Tech Governance: Policies should emphasize international collaboration on AI standards and ethics, not just state-centric treaties. Eg: The OECD AI Principles guide responsible AI use across countries and private entities.
Regulate Private Sector Innovation: Governments must work closely with tech firms to monitor and regulate AI development. Eg: The EU AI Act places obligations on companies deploying high-risk AI systems.
Invest in Civilian and Dual-Use Oversight: Policies should ensure AI developed for civilian use isn’t misused for harmful purposes. Eg: Export controls on advanced AI chips to prevent their misuse by authoritarian regimes.
Why is the comparison between Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) and Mutual Assured AI Malfunction (MAIM) flawed?
Different Nature of Threats: MAD is based on physical destruction through nuclear weapons, while MAIM assumes AI failure or sabotage, which is less predictable and harder to control. Eg: A nuclear missile has a clear origin and impact but an AI malfunction could be decentralized and ambiguous.
Diffuse Infrastructure: Nuclear programs are centralized and state-controlled, but AI development is global, decentralized, and often driven by private entities. Eg: Open-source AI models can be developed by individuals or startups across countries, unlike nuclear weapons.
Unreliable Deterrence Mechanism: MAD relies on guaranteed retaliation; AI malfunction is not guaranteed nor clearly attributable, making deterrence weak. Eg: It’s hard to prove who caused an AI collapse, unlike a nuclear strike which can be traced.
What are its policy implications?
Risk of Escalation: Using MAIM as a deterrence may justify preemptive strikes or sabotage, increasing chances of conflict. Eg: States might attack suspected AI labs without solid proof, causing diplomatic or military escalation.
False Sense of Security: Assuming AI deterrence works like nuclear deterrence may lead to complacency in governance and oversight. Eg: Policymakers might underinvest in AI safety, believing threat of malfunction is enough to prevent misuse.
Lack of Accountability: Diffuse AI development makes retaliation or regulation difficult, weakening the policy’s enforceability. Eg: If a rogue actor causes an AI incident, it’s hard to trace or penalize, unlike state-driven nuclear attacks.
How feasible is controlling AI chip distribution like nuclear materials?
Different Resource Requirements: Unlike nuclear tech, AI doesn’t need rare or radioactive materials, making chip controls less effective. Eg: Once AI models are trained, they can run on widely available hardware like GPUs.
Widespread Availability: AI chips are mass-produced and used in consumer electronics globally, making strict regulation difficult. Eg: Chips used for gaming or smartphones can also power AI applications.
Black Market and Bypass Risks: Efforts to restrict chip distribution may lead to smuggling or development of alternative supply chains. Eg: Countries barred from chip exports may create domestic chip industries or resort to illegal imports.
What assumptions about AI-powered bioweapons and cyberattacks are speculative, and why?
Inevitability of AI-powered attacks: It’s assumed AI will inevitably be used to develop bioweapons or launch cyberattacks, but such outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Eg: While AI can assist in simulations, creating bioweapons still requires complex biological expertise.
State-driven development dominance: The assumption that states will lead AI weaponization ignores the current dominance of private tech firms. Eg: Companies like OpenAI or Google, not governments, are at the forefront of AI research.
Equating AI with WMDs: Treating AI as a weapon of mass destruction assumes similar scale and impact, which is yet unproven. Eg: Cyberattacks can cause disruption, but rarely match the immediate devastation of a nuclear blast.
Why is more scholarship needed on AI in strategic affairs?
Lack of tailored strategic frameworks: Current strategies often rely on outdated comparisons like nuclear weapons, which don’t suit AI’s complexity. Eg: Using MAD to model AI deterrence ignores AI’s decentralized development and dual-use nature.
Unclear trajectory of AI capabilities: Without deeper research, it’s difficult to predict how AI might evolve or impact global security. Eg: The potential of superintelligent AI remains hypothetical, needing scenario-based academic exploration.
Policy gaps and ethical dilemmas: Scholarly input is crucial to guide regulation and international norms around AI use. Eg: Without academic insight, actions like preemptive strikes on AI labs could escalate conflicts unjustly.
Way forward:
Establish Multilateral AI Governance Frameworks: Nations should collaborate with international organizations, academia, and private stakeholders to create adaptive, inclusive, and enforceable AI governance structures. Eg: A global AI treaty modeled on the Paris Climate Accord can align safety, ethics, and innovation priorities.
Promote Interdisciplinary Strategic Research: Invest in dedicated research centers combining expertise from technology, security studies, ethics, and international law to anticipate and mitigate AI-related risks. Eg: Establishing think tanks like the “AI and National Security Institute” to inform real-time policy with evidence-based analysis.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2015] Considering the threats cyberspace poses to the country, India needs a “Digital Armed Force” to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013, outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation.
Linkage: The strategic importance of cybersecurity and the need for a digital defence force, which would involve AI capabilities. This article will talk about the strategic significance of AI.
Public health has evolved with the growing economy and modern lifestyles. Key challenges include antimicrobial resistance, chronic diseases, zoonotic diseases, and mental health, with NCDs making up 60% of global deaths.
What are the key modern public health challenges faced globally, and how do they impact India?
Rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): NCDs like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer account for over 60% of global deaths and are projected to rise by 17% in the next decade. India faces a dual burden of NCDs and infectious diseases. Eg: As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), over 20% of Indian adults suffer from high blood pressure.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock has led to drug-resistant infections, making common illnesses harder to treat. India is one of the largest consumers of antibiotics, and AMR increases mortality rates and healthcare costs. Eg: A 2019 ICMR report showed a rise in resistance to last-resort antibiotics like colistin in Indian hospitals.
Mental Health Crisis: Stress, urbanization, and socio-economic pressures are driving a rise in mental health illnesses, yet policymakers and health systems continue to under-address them. India has a high treatment gap — about 80% of people with mental illness do not receive treatment due to stigma and lack of resources. Eg: WHO estimates that India loses nearly $1 trillion in productivity annually due to mental health issues.
How does the ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme aim to strengthen India’s public health system?
Financial Protection through PM-JAY: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offers ₹5 lakh health insurance coverage per family per year to poor and vulnerable populations. It reduces the financial burden of hospitalization and protects against catastrophic health expenditure. Eg: A BPL family needing heart surgery under PM-JAY can avail treatment in empanelled hospitals without paying out-of-pocket.
Strengthening Primary Healthcare via Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): These upgraded Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) provide comprehensive care, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services, close to communities. Eg: A rural health centre now screens for diabetes, mental health, and cancers under the AAM model, increasing early detection and timely treatment.
Infrastructure Development through PM-ABHIM: The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) improves health system preparedness by investing in labs, critical care units, and public health surveillance systems. Eg: District hospitals are being upgraded with ICU beds and disease monitoring labs under PM-ABHIM, boosting emergency response and pandemic readiness.
What are the reasons behind the lack of trust in India’s public health system?
Poor User Experience and Service Quality: Long wait times, overcrowding, and inadequate attention from healthcare staff often lead to patient dissatisfaction and erode trust in public facilities. Eg: Patients at many government hospitals report delays in receiving treatment due to staff shortages and administrative inefficiencies.
Inconsistent Infrastructure and Cleanliness: Lack of clean facilities, essential medicines, and functional equipment in some centers diminishes public confidence in receiving quality care. Eg: A 2022 Health Ministry survey found that several PHCs in remote areas lacked basic amenities like running water and power backup.
Stigma and Miscommunication in Care Delivery: Lack of sensitivity among staff, especially in mental health and maternal care, coupled with poor communication, creates a sense of neglect or discrimination. Eg: Many rural women avoid public health centers for childbirth due to past experiences of rude treatment or neglect by staff.
How does the quality and accessibility of private healthcare in India compare to the public sector?
Better Infrastructure and Perceived Quality in Private Sector: Private hospitals often offer cleaner facilities, modern equipment, and shorter wait times, making them the preferred choice for many. Eg: Urban patients may choose a private multispecialty hospital over a government facility due to advanced diagnostic tools and faster service.
Higher Costs and Risk of Catastrophic Expenditure: While private healthcare ensures timely treatment, it comes at a high cost, which can push middle- and low-income families into debt. Eg: A cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy in a private hospital may face bills in lakhs, unlike subsidized or free treatment in public hospitals under schemes like PM-JAY.
Limited Accessibility for Rural and Poor Populations: Private hospitals are concentrated in urban areas and are often unaffordable for rural or economically weaker sections, widening the healthcare gap. Eg: A villager may have to travel over 50 km to access private healthcare, while a nearby government PHC is under-equipped or understaffed.
What is the role of National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) in enhancing public health services in India?
Improves Service Delivery and Patient Care: NQAS ensures that healthcare facilities follow standardized procedures, improving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care provided. Eg: A district hospital certified under NQAS follows set protocols for infection control and patient safety, reducing the chances of hospital-acquired infections.
Builds Accountability and Performance Monitoring: Facilities are regularly assessed on key quality indicators, encouraging a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Eg: A Primary Health Centre (PHC) striving for NQAS certification upgrades its infrastructure and staff training to meet quality benchmarks.
Enhances Public Trust in Government Facilities: By aligning public health facilities with global standards like ISQua, NQAS boosts confidence among patients to seek care from government institutions. Eg: An NQAS-certified Community Health Centre (CHC) attracts more patients due to its improved cleanliness, better staff behaviour, and reliable service delivery.
Way forward:
Invest in Quality and Infrastructure: Strengthen public health facilities with adequate staff, modern equipment, and essential supplies to ensure reliable, high-quality care across rural and urban areas.
Promote Awareness and Trust: Launch community-based health education campaigns and feedback mechanisms to reduce stigma, improve service perception, and increase public trust in government healthcare systems.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2021] “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.
Linkage: The importance of a strong primary health structure, which is fundamental to making healthcare accessible and achieving broader development goals.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)
Why in the News?
The Union Environment Ministry’s 2015 policy mandating the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) equipment in all of India’s 537 coal-fired plants has been scrutinised by a recent study commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)
About Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) in Power Plants
FGD is used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from flue gases in coal-fired power plants.
The process involves passing exhaust gases through a scrubbing system using absorbents like ammonia, sodium sulfite, or limestone.
Methods:
Wet Limestone Scrubbing: Gases pass through a scrubber tower with a slurry of water and limestone.
Dry Sorbent Injection: Uses a dry alkaline agent to neutralize SO₂.
Sea Water-Based Systems: Utilizes seawater’s natural alkalinity to absorb SO₂.
FGD can remove up to 95% of sulfur dioxide, reducing SO₂ emissions significantly.
Reduces sulfur emissions, major contributors to acid rain and air pollution.
FGD Gypsum, a byproduct, can be used in industries like cement manufacturing.
Recent Study on FGD in Power Plants
A study by NIAS critiques India’s FGD policy, recommending limited FGD installations for plants using imported or high-sulfur coal.
92% of coal in Indian plants has low sulfur content (0.3%-0.5%), meaning FGD may not significantly improve local air quality.
Widespread FGD installation could increase power and water consumption, and result in 69 million tonnes of additional CO₂ emissions by 2030.
Removing SO₂ (cooling agent) while increasing CO₂ emissions may accelerate climate change.
Recommendations: Installing electrostatic precipitators (₹25 lakh per MW) can reduce 99% of particulate matter (PM), offering a more cost-effective and impactful solution.
[UPSC 2024] According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?
Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has partnered with IIT Bombay to launch a pilot project on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, integrating electric vehicles into the power grid.
About V2G Technology:
V2G enables Electric Vehicles (EVs) to send power back to the grid when not in use, turning EV batteries into decentralized energy storage devices.
It involves two key functions:
Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V): Power is transferred from the grid to charge the EV.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): Power is sent from the EV back to the grid, making the vehicle a distributed energy source.
Smart charging strategies optimize charging based on grid demand and renewable energy availability, enhancing grid stability and enabling renewable energy integration.
About the KSEB-IIT Bombay V2G Pilot Project:
This pilot aims to assess EVs’ role in supporting the power grid, especially during peak demand periods when solar energy is unavailable.
Kerala’s growth in EV adoption and rooftop solar installations has raised concerns about increased electricity demand, particularly in the evenings.
The project will explore the feasibility of using EVs to reduce grid strain and optimize the use of renewable energy.
Applications of V2G:
Grid Support: EVs can supply power back to the grid during high-demand periods, improving grid stability.
Solar Energy Integration: V2G encourages charging during the day when solar power is abundant, and storing excess energy to supply the grid at night.
Emergency Power Source: EVs can act as backup power during crises or natural disasters, providing electricity to communities.
[UPSC 2024] Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles powered by hydrogen?
Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have found signs of possible life on exoplanet K2-18 b by detecting gases usually produced by Earth’s biological processes.
Key findings of the Recent Study:
Scientists detected significant biosignatures in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, including dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS).
These gases, on Earth, are primarily produced by marine phytoplankton.
High concentrations of these gases suggest the possibility of microbial life, particularly in the planet’s oceans.
However, researchers caution that this is not definitive proof of life but a potential biosignature indicating biological processes.
Further studies and observations are needed to confirm whether these gases are biologically produced or the result of other processes.
About James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
JWST is a joint venture between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) launched in December 2021.
It is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
Webb was formerly known as the “Next Generation Space Telescope” (NGST), and it was renamed in 2002 after a former NASA administrator, James Webb.
It isa large infrared telescope with an approximately 6.5-meter primary mirror.
JWST is positioned at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point, 5 million km away.
It consists of a mirror, spanning 6.5 meters in diameter compared to Hubble’s 2.4 meters, and its specialised instruments optimised for infrared observations.
Key Objectives:
JWST observes deeper into the universe than Hubble.
Observes celestial objects from earlier epochs.
Enables the detection of light from the universe’s earliest stars, dating back over 13.5 billion years.
[UPSC 2020] The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:
Options: (a) Voyager-2 (b) New Horizons (c) LISA Pathfinder (d) Evolved LISA*
The 6th edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-6 commenced at the Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra.
About Exercise DUSTLIK
Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual event alternating between India and Uzbekistan.
It is named after Dustlik, a town in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan.
The first edition of the exercise was held in 2019 near Tashkent.
The 5th edition was held in Termez District, Uzbekistan.
4th edition held in Pithoragarh, India, in February 2023.
Objectives and Focus Areas:
Focus on physical fitness, joint planning, and tactical drills.
Emphasis on special arms skills and multi-domain operations.
Tactical drills include establishing command posts, intelligence centers, heliborne operations, and room intervention.
Back2Basics: India’s bilateral exercises with Central Asian Countries
Country
Exercise
Kazakhstan
Ex PRABAL DOSTYK, Ex KAZIND
Kyrgyzstan
Ex KHANJAR
Mongolia
Ex NOMADIC ELEPHANT
Tajikistan
Ex Farkhor
[UPSC 2008] Hand-in-Hand 2007’, a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of the Army of which one of the following countries?
