Chapter 7: Science & Technology Class 9 • Maharashtra Board
🔬 Atomic energy • 🚀 Space • 🛰️ Satellites • 📡 Telecom • 🛤️ Rail • 🛢️ Energy
📚 Introduction
India has achieved significant milestones in science and technology since independence—ranging from atomic energy, missiles and space to telecommunications, rail and oil & gas. This note summarises key institutions, projects and their contributions.
🧪 National Science Day: 28 February is celebrated across India. Plan a quiz, poster-making, or lab-demo in your school!
⚛️ Indian Atomic Energy – Foundations & Growth
- Indian Atomic Energy Commission (10 Aug 1948): set up by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru; first Chairman Dr Homi Bhabha.
- Objectives: electricity from atomic energy, improved food preservation & yields, develop requisite technologies incl. nanotechnology.
- Apsara (1956): India’s research nuclear reactor (Dept. of Atomic Energy).
- Tarapur Atomic Power Station (1969); Kalpakkam Reactor Research Centre (thorium utilisation).
- Heavy Water: plants at Vadodara, Talcher, Tuticorin, Kota; “Heavy Water Projects” later became Heavy Water Board.
Dhruva Reactor (1985)
- Located at Trombay (Mumbai); indigenously built; uses uranium fuel.
- Produces ~350 radioisotopes used in industry, agriculture & medicine.
NPCIL (1987)
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.—to generate safe, affordable, eco-friendly atomic power and build self-reliance in nuclear technology.
💥 Nuclear Tests at Pokharan
| Year | What Happened | Key People / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | First nuclear test at Pokharan (Rajasthan)—for peaceful purposes & self-sufficiency. | Dr Homi Sethna (IAEC), Dr Raja Ramanna (BARC); decision by PM Indira Gandhi. Site chosen for remoteness & lack of groundwater. |
| 1998 | Second series of tests (incl. a hydrogen bomb) to demonstrate preparedness. | PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee affirmed “No First Use”; US imposed sanctions. |
🧭 1974 tests led India to pursue indigenous programmes in space, communications and missiles.
🛰️ Missiles & Defence Research
- DRDO (1958): to make India self-reliant in defence tech.
- IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme): led by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam—the “Missile Man”.
Prithvi (1988)
- Surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
- Variants: Prithvi-1 (Army), Prithvi-2 (Air Force), Prithvi-3 (Navy).
- Payload: 500–1000 kg; Range: ~150–300 km.
Agni (1989)
- Agni-1 range ~700 km to deter threats and secure borders.
- Further variants: Agni-2, Agni-3.
Akash & Nag (1990)
- Akash: surface-to-air; carries ~720 kg warhead; ~30 km range.
- Nag: anti-tank, fire-and-forget.
🚀 Space Research & Satellites
- Indian National Committee for Space Research (NCSR): launched first research rocket from Thumba (Kerala), 1961.
- Rohini-75 launched in 1967 (indigenously built rocket).
- Aryabhatta (1975) with Soviet assistance—proved India’s capability to build & operate satellites.
- ISRO founded on 15 Aug 1969; HQ Bengaluru; launch site at Sriharikota (AP).
Bhaskar-1 (1979) & Bhaskar-2 (1981)
- Remote sensing satellites (launched from Soviet Russia).
- Applications: water bodies, minerals, weather, environment, forests, oceanography.
APPLE (1981)
- First indigenously built ISRO satellite; launched from French Guiana (19 June 1981).
- Enabled education & emergency telecom services.
INSAT-1B (1983) – A Communication Revolution
- Boosted telecom, TV, radio, weather forecasting & space research.
- Linked ~207 Akashvani (All India Radio) stations.
- Enabled disaster search & rescue, cyclone tracking, and telemedicine (PHCs ↔ specialty hospitals).
📡 Communication, IT & Postal Systems
Telex & Satellite Centres
- Telex (1963); Devanagari telex in 1969; usage fell after rise of internet (1990s).
- 1967: Domestic satellite communication earth station at Jodhpur Tekra (near Ahmedabad) for training & ops.
- 1970: International telecommunication centre at Arvi (near Pune).
PIN Codes & Speed Post
- PIN Code system from 15 Aug 1972 (6 digits):
1st = Region • 2nd = Sub-region • 3rd = Sorting district • Last 3 = Post office - Maharashtra starts with 40/41/42/43/44.
- Speed Post (1986) for rapid delivery.
ISD, VSNL, MTNL, Internet
- 1972: Overseas Communication Service (Mumbai) for international telephony.
- 1976: ISD started—direct Mumbai–London calling.
- 1986: VSNL expanded international/Internet services; MTNL served metro phone networks.
- Sam Pitroda played a key role in telecom modernisation.
Mobiles & BSNL
- 22 Aug 1994: Mobile service launched (handset ~₹45,000; calls ~₹17/min initially).
- 1990s: Private players → lower tariffs.
- BSNL (2000) created to provide services (cellular, internet, broadband), while Dept. handled policy.
🛢️ Energy, Industry & Transport
ONGC (1956) & Bombay High
- Exploration after Digboi (Assam): finds at Ankleshwar; Gulf of Khambhat (Gujarat).
- 1974: Sagar Samrat drillship began work at Bombay High with Russian help; 1975—oil & gas extraction started.
- Eventually 8500+ oil wells, 33 gas wells; ~38% of national crude output and ~14% of crude demand met.
Rail Engines & Exports
- Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (Bardhaman, WB): steam/electric/diesel engines.
- Diesel Locomotive Works (Varanasi): first diesel engine made here.
- Exports to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Vietnam.
Konkan Railway (1998)
- 760 km across MH–GA–KA–KL • 92 tunnels (longest: Karbude 6.5 km).
- 179 big & 1819 small bridges; Sharavati bridge (2065.8 m) the longest.
- Panval bridge (near Ratnagiri) is ~64 m tall—India’s tallest rail bridge (at that time).
- Engine-mounted landslide sensors for safety.
Rail Tech & Metros
- 1984: Computerised reservation began (Delhi).
- 1984: Kolkata Metro started.
- E. Sreedharan—the “Metroman”—renowned for Delhi Metro & Konkan Railway.
🗓️ Snap Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1948 | Indian Atomic Energy Commission founded (Homi Bhabha). |
| 1956 | Apsara reactor goes critical. |
| 1961 | First research rocket (Thumba); NCSR activities. |
| 1967 | Rohini-75 launched; Satellite Earth Station (Jodhpur Tekra). |
| 1969 | ISRO founded; Tarapur atomic station; Devanagari telex in Delhi. |
| 1972 | PIN Code introduced; Overseas Communication Service (Mumbai). |
| 1974 | Pokharan-I; Sagar Samrat at Bombay High. |
| 1975 | Aryabhatta; oil & gas extraction begins at Bombay High. |
| 1979–81 | Bhaskar-1 / Bhaskar-2; APPLE (1981). |
| 1983 | INSAT-1B launched. |
| 1984 | Computerised rail reservation; Kolkata Metro starts; Family Courts (contextual law). |
| 1985 | Dhruva reactor operational. |
| 1986 | Speed Post; VSNL expands international/Internet services. |
| 1987 | NPCIL established. |
| 1988–90 | Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Nag (IGMDP era). |
| 1994 | Mobile service launched in India (22 Aug). |
| 1998 | Pokharan-II nuclear tests; Konkan Railway opens. |
| 2000 | BSNL formed (service ops); Dept. retains policy. |
🧠 Quick Revision (Exam-Ready)
- Atomic: IAEC 1948 (Bhabha) • Apsara 1956 • Dhruva 1985 • NPCIL 1987.
- Nuclear Tests: 1974 (Indira; Sethna, Ramanna) • 1998 (Vajpayee; no-first-use).
- Missiles: DRDO 1958 • IGMDP (Kalam) • Prithvi/Agni/Akash/Nag.
- Space: Thumba 1961 • Rohini-75 1967 • Aryabhatta 1975 • ISRO 1969 • Bhaskar • APPLE 1981 • INSAT-1B 1983.
- Telecom/Post: Telex 1963 → Internet; PIN 1972 • ISD 1976 • VSNL/MTNL • Mobiles 1994 • BSNL 2000 • Speed Post 1986.
- Energy/Transport: ONGC 1956 • Bombay High 1974–75 • CLW/ DLW engines & exports • Konkan Railway 1998 • Rail e-Reservation 1984 • Kolkata Metro 1984.
✅ Conclusion
India’s science–technology journey—from atomic energy and space to telecom, rail and energy—shows a consistent move toward self-reliance, innovation and public welfare. These foundations power India’s 21st-century aspirations.
📝 Chapter 7: Science & Technology – Exercises with Answers
1) (A) Choose the correct option / Complete the statements
- Dr Homi Bhabha was named as the first Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. (a)
- APPLE (Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment) was the first completely indigenous communication satellite made by ISRO. (d)
(B) Identify and write the wrong pair
| Pair | Given | Verdict | Correction / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | Prithvi – surface to surface ballistic missile | ✅ Correct | Variants for Army, Air Force, Navy. |
| (2) | Agni – surface to underwater ballistic missile | ❌ Wrong | Agni is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile. |
| (3) | Akash – surface-to-air attacking missile | ✅ Correct | Medium-range SAM. |
| (4) | Nag – anti-tank missile | ✅ Correct | Fire-and-forget ATGM. |
2) (A) Activity – Timeline of India’s S&T Progress
| Period | Key Milestones (exam-focused) |
|---|---|
| 1961–1970 | 1961: First research rocket launched from Thumba • 1967: Rohini-75 launched; Earth Station at Jodhpur Tekra • 1969: ISRO founded; Tarapur atomic station operational; Devanagari Telex in Delhi. |
| 1971–1980 | 1972: PIN code system started • 1974: Pokharan-I nuclear test; Sagar Samrat at Bombay High • 1975: Aryabhatta satellite • 1976: ISD (direct international calling) • 1979: Bhaskar-1. |
| 1981–1990 | 1981: APPLE (indigenous communication satellite), Bhaskar-2 • 1983: INSAT-1B • 1984: Computerised rail reservation (Delhi), Kolkata Metro • 1985: Dhruva reactor • 1986: Speed Post, VSNL expansion • 1987: NPCIL • 1988–90: Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Nag. |
| 1991–2000 | 1994: Mobile service launched (22 Aug) • 1998: Pokharan-II; Konkan Railway • 2000: Dept. of Telecom restructured; BSNL created for service delivery. |
Anchors: 1961 – India’s first successful rocket launch ✅ • 2000 – Restructuring of the Department of Telecommunications / creation of BSNL ✅
(B) Write short notes on
1) Space research
- 1961: Thumba rocket launch; 1967: Rohini-75.
- 1969: ISRO set up (HQ: Bengaluru); launch site at Sriharikota.
- 1975: Aryabhatta proved satellite-building capability.
- 1979 & 1981: Bhaskar-1/2 remote sensing (water, minerals, forests, weather, oceanography).
- 1981: APPLE (indigenous comms) • 1983: INSAT-1B revolutionised telecom, TV, radio, weather & telemedicine.
2) Telex service
- Started in 1963 to send typed messages quickly across India; 1969 Devanagari telex in Delhi.
- Used by govt., business and media; usage declined after the rise of the internet in the 1990s.
3) Pokhran nuclear test
- 1974 (Pokharan-I): Peaceful nuclear explosion to achieve self-reliance; led by Dr Homi Sethna and Dr Raja Ramanna; decision by PM Indira Gandhi.
- 1998 (Pokharan-II): Series of tests (incl. a hydrogen device) to demonstrate preparedness; PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee affirmed “No First Use”.
4) Bhaskar-1 satellite
- Launched in 1979 (from Soviet Russia) as a remote sensing experimental satellite.
- Provided data on water bodies, mineral deposits, environment/forests, weather, and oceanography—useful for national development.
3) Explain the following statements with reasons
(1) Pandit Nehru established the Atomic Energy Commission.
- To nurture a scientific temper and drive modernisation after independence.
- To harness atomic energy for electricity, agriculture/food preservation, industry and medicine.
- To build self-reliance in sensitive technologies instead of external dependence.
(2) India decided to conduct nuclear tests.
- To validate indigenous nuclear designs and ensure credible deterrence.
- Regional security concerns—China’s nuclear capability and Pakistan’s pursuit—made preparedness essential.
- To signal self-sufficiency and strengthen national security policy.
(3) USA imposed economic sanctions on India.
- Following the 1998 Pokharan-II tests, US non-proliferation laws triggered sanctions against India.
- Restrictions affected economic/technology flows until relations normalised later.
4) Answer the following questions in detail
(1) Which everyday services are influenced by satellite technology?
- Telecommunication: long-distance calling, connectivity to remote areas.
- Television & Radio: nationwide broadcasting; linking ~207 Akashvani stations via INSAT.
- Weather & Disaster Management: weather forecasting, cyclone tracking, search & rescue.
- Tele-education & Telemedicine: educational telecasts; connecting PHCs with super-specialty hospitals.
(2) Why is Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam called the ‘Missile Man’?
- He led the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) at DRDO.
- Guided indigenous development of Prithvi, Agni, Akash, and Nag missiles.
- His leadership made India more self-reliant in strategic missile technology.
(3) How can one do computerised reservation for rail travel?
- Check availability: Enter journey details (from–to, date, class, quota) at a reservation counter or official online portal.
- Select train & class: Compare timings/berths; choose preferred train/coach/class.
- Enter passenger details: Name, age, gender, ID details; choose berth preference.
- Payment & ticket: Pay via accepted modes; receive printed or e-ticket with PNR. Track PNR for status updates.
- Note: Computerised reservation in India began in 1984 (Delhi) and later expanded nationwide.
(4) Write the key features of Konkan Railway.
- Opened in 1998; spans ~760 km across Maharashtra–Goa–Karnataka–Kerala.
- 92 tunnels (longest: Karbude ~6.5 km).
- 179 big and 1819 small bridges; longest: Sharavati (~2065.8 m).
- Panval bridge near Ratnagiri ~64 m high (one of India’s tallest rail bridges).
- Landslide-prone safety: sensors fitted to engines to reduce accidents.
🧠 Quick Recap
- First AEC Chairman: Homi Bhabha • First indigenous comms satellite: APPLE.
- Wrong pair: Agni – surface to underwater ❌ (it’s surface-to-surface).
- Satellites enable: telecom, TV/radio, weather/disaster, tele-education & telemedicine.
- ‘Missile Man’: Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (IGMDP: Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Nag).
- Konkan Railway: 760 km • 92 tunnels • Karbude 6.5 km • Sharavati 2065.8 m • Panval 64 m.