Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.
Approach · directive: “why / describe”
What it asks · Explain why nanotechnology is a general-purpose technology of this century, then describe the Nano Mission's main features and the fields where it can help India's development.
It asks 3 things — answer each
- Why: nanotechnology is a key technology of the 21st century
- Describe: the salient features of the Nano Mission
- Describe: the scope of its application in India's development
Open with · Definition: nanotechnology engineers matter between 1 and 100 nanometres, where materials gain new strength, conductivity, reactivity and optical behaviour; such general properties make it a platform technology, which India answered with a dedicated Mission in 2007.
Cover
- Why key: properties change at nanoscale, and the technology cuts across health, energy, electronics, materials, water and agriculture, and converges with biotechnology and IT.
- Why key: it promises stronger, lighter and cleaner materials, targeted medicines and sensitive diagnostics, better solar cells and batteries, and smaller, faster devices.
- Nano Mission: launched by the Department of Science and Technology in May 2007 (Rs 1,000 crore for five years) as an umbrella programme for promoting research and development in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
- Features: basic research funding, setting up centres of excellence and shared facilities, applications and technology development, human resource development and international collaboration.
- Features: promotion of industry and public-private partnership, and public awareness and education on nanoscience.
- Applications: safe drinking water through nano-filters, health and diagnostics, farm inputs and food packaging, energy and defence, and textiles and construction materials.
- Concerns: toxicity and environmental risks, lack of standards, high costs, and IPR; hence the need for safety norms and regulation.
Close with · Safe, affordable nano-products for water, health and energy would carry India toward SDG 9.5, which asks countries to enhance scientific research and raise public and private R&D spending by 2030.
Add value (verified)
- DST: the Nano Mission was launched in May 2007 and continued as Phase-II through the 12th Plan till 2017 on Cabinet approval.DST: Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) page ↗“the Government of India launched a Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) in May 2007. Recognizing the success of Nano Mission, the Union Cabinet accorded approval for continuation of the Nano Mission in its Phase-II during the 12th Plan period till 2017.”
- DST: the Nano Mission closed on 31 March 2017 and was converted into a National Programme on Nano Science and Technology.DST: Nano Mission page (status) ↗“The National Mission on Nano Science and Technology stands completed as on 31 st March 2017. The above Mission has been converted to a National Programme on Nano Science and Technology.”
- SDG 9.5 wording for the conclusion: enhance scientific research and raise R&D workers and spending by 2030.UN SDG 9 targets (sdgs.un.org) ↗“Target 9.5 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2016, GS Paper III — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 3 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 292words · Minimalist IAS
Nanotechnology engineers matter between 1 and 100 nanometres, where materials gain strength, conductivity, reactivity and optical behaviour that bulk matter lacks. Because these gains cut across sectors, India created a dedicated Nano Mission in 2007.
Why nanotechnology is a key technology of the 21st century
- Scale changes properties: carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel yet light, silver nanoparticles kill microbes, nano-catalysts react faster.
- General-purpose reach: targeted drugs and sensitive diagnostics, better solar cells and batteries, smaller chips, water membranes and farm inputs.
- Convergence: it fuses with biotechnology, IT and materials science, shaping manufacturing, health and defence.
Salient features of the Nano Mission
- Umbrella programme: launched by the Department of Science and Technology in May 2007 with Rs 1,000 crore for five years.
- Five pillars: research grants, shared facilities and centres of excellence, industry and PPP projects, postgraduate training and fellowships, international links and public awareness.
Nano Mission: Basic research; Shared infrastructure; Applications and PPP; Human resources; International links
- Second phase: continued as Phase-II through the 12th Plan to 2017; completed on 31 March 2017, it became a National Programme on Nano Science and Technology.
Scope of application in India's development
- Water: nano-membranes and nanoparticle filters to strip arsenic, fluoride and pathogens from rural drinking water cheaply.
- Health: point-of-care diagnostic kits and targeted delivery of tuberculosis and cancer drugs.
- Agriculture, energy, industry: nano-fertilisers and pesticides that cut input use, smart packaging, efficient solar cells and LEDs, composites and cement.
- Caution: nanoparticle toxicity and missing standards.
Way forward
- From papers to products: translational funding, nano-safety standards and IPR protection so lab results reach markets.
Safe, affordable nano-products for water, health and energy would carry India toward SDG 9.5, which asks countries to enhance scientific research and raise public and private R&D spending by 2030.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 3 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
