UPSC Prelims 2020 Q42: Science & Technology – Defence Technology
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Drone Applications: Current Feasibility (2020)
| Activity | Drone feasible? |
|---|---|
| 1. Spraying pesticides | YES |
| 2. Volcano crater inspection | YES |
| 3. Whale breath sampling (DNA) | YES |
All three activities are feasible with current drone technology:
1. Pesticide spraying: Agricultural drones (DJI Agras, etc.) widely used 2015-2020 for precise pesticide/fertilizer application. Cost-effective, reduces chemical use.
2. Volcano inspection: Drones can reach crater edges safely (humans cannot), withstand heat/ash. Used to monitor lava, gas emissions, volcanic activity.
3. Whale breath collection: Drones equipped with petri dishes fly over whale blowholes, collect respiratory droplets for DNA analysis. Researchers use this 2015-2020+.
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3 - all feasible.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Incomplete. Activities 2 and 3 are also feasible.
- (b) Incorrect. Incomplete. Activity 1 is also feasible.
- (c) Incorrect. Incomplete. Activity 2 is also feasible.
- (d) CORRECT. All three activities are feasible with current drone technology: agricultural spraying, volcano crater inspection, whale breath sampling.
Key point
Drone applications 2020: Agriculture (spraying, monitoring), Volcanology (crater inspection, emissions monitoring), Marine biology (whale monitoring, breath sampling). All proven technologies by 2020.
Remember
At present level of technology, all three activities can be successfully carried out by using drones: (1) Spraying pesticides on crop fields (agricultural drones), (2) Inspecting craters of active volcanoes (aerial reconnaissance), (3) Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis (marine research drones).
Common mistakes
- Underestimating drone capabilities by 2020. Drones have advanced rapidly since 2010s.
- Assuming whale breath sampling is too difficult. Researchers demonstrated this 2015+.
- Missing safety aspects - drones can access dangerous/toxic environments (volcanoes, pesticide clouds) where humans cannot.
Exam tip
Drone evolution 2010-2020: Consumer drones (DJI), agricultural drones (Agras), industrial drones (inspection, mapping). By 2020: proven in agriculture, volcanology, marine biology, search-rescue, infrastructure inspection.
Sources
- DJI Agras Platform Documentation
- Ocean Alliance — SnotBot: drones for whale research