ICT in Disaster Management and Public Service Delivery is part of Information and Communication Technology. Below are notes on 8 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

Coro-bot

Indian robot developed to reduce physical contact of caregivers with COVID-19 patients.

Pratyush & Mihir

Indian supercomputers used for weather forecasting, air quality study, guiding fishermen (Potential Fishing Zones advisories), and detecting natural calamities.

Emergency Communication Networks and Satellite Connectivity

  • Emergency Communication Networks: Vital for disaster response, relief, and recovery, especially when terrestrial networks fail.
  • Satellite Connectivity: Offers resilient, reliable communication independent of damaged ground infrastructure.
  • Quick Deployment Antenna (QDA) Technology: Portable satellite antenna systems enabling rapid communication setup in disaster-affected areas.
  • Uttarakhand: First state in India to implement Quick Deployment Antenna (QDA) technology for disaster management (circa 2017).
  • VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal): Widely used satellite technology for fixedsite emergency communication.
  • BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network): Provides mobile broadband and voice services via Inmarsat satellites for field teams.
  • National Emergency Communication Plan (NECP): India's initiative to ensure robust, interoperable communication during emergencies, often leveraging satellite links.
  • ISRO's Role: Provides satellite communication links, remote sensing data, and navigation services (NavIC) crucial for disaster management.

Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging)

A technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water.

  • It is primarily used for locating submerged objects, mapping the seafloor, and detecting marine life.

Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Infrastructure and Monitoring

  • Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system for enhanced railway safety.
  • It is designed and developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian vendors.
  • Trials of Kavach were facilitated by the South Central Railway.
  • Kavach is a state-of-the-art electronic system.
  • It is certified with Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4), the highest level of safety certification.
  • It prevents collisions by automatically applying brakes if the loco pilot fails to control the train.
  • It aids loco pilots in signal passing at danger (SPAD) and overspeeding.
  • It provides a continuous update of movement authority and also enables a line-side display of signals.

Mobile Applications and SMS-based Services for Citizen Engagement

  • BSNL launched the "My Circle" app for women's safety.

15. Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart

Devices

Practice MCQs: ICT in Disaster Management and Public Service Delivery

Data Analytics, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Predictive Modelling and Resource Optimization

  1. What is 'Coro-bot'?

    Asked in: Assistant Auditor(LDCE) 2021

    1. An American robotic technology to detect the presence of COVID-19 virus among patients
    2. An Indian robot developed to reduce physical contact of care-givers with COVID-19 patients
    3. A robot for testing the efficacy of COVID vac‐ cines
    4. An Indian robotic technology for collecting COVID-19 related data during fieldwork
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An Indian robot developed to reduce physical contact of care-givers with COVID-19 patients

    Robotic technology played a role in mitigating the risks associated with healthcare professionals working in COVID-19 wards by minimizing direct contact. B. Central Botanical Research Institute C. Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Association D. Central Ayurvedic Research Institute Ans: A GK CDPO 33 2023 2709-2024 e-CHARAK is a digital platform for the trade of medicinal plants, developed by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB).

  2. Indian supercomputers 'Pratyush' and 'Mihir' are used for (i) weather forecasting (ii) air quality study (iii) guiding the fishermen for productive fishing (iv) detecting natural calamities Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    Asked in: Insp Stat GK 04 2023

    1. Only (i) and (ii)
    2. Only (ii), (iii) and (iv)
    3. Only (i), (iii) and (iv)
    4. (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

    'Pratyush' and 'Mihir' are India's high-performance computing (HPC) systems that are used for various scientific research and operational applications, including meteorology and climate studies.

Emergency Communication Networks and Satellite Connectivity

  1. Which is 1st state in India to use Quick Deployment Antenna (QDA) technology for disaster management?

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 4 2021

    1. Arunachal Pradesh
    2. Uttarakhand
    3. Gujarat
    4. Sikkim
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Uttarakhand

    Uttarakhand integrated ISRO's QDA technology into its disaster management framework to ensure reliable communication during emergencies, especially in remote or difficult terrains prone to disasters.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing for mapping and analysis

  1. An apparatus used for locating submerged objects is

    Asked in: Additional Private Secretary Exam 2017

    1. Radar
    2. Sonar
    3. Quasar
    4. Pulsar
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sonar

    Sonar uses sound waves to detect objects underwater. Radar uses radio waves for detection in air or on the surface.

Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Infrastructure and Monitoring

  1. Consider the following statements about Kavach, the automatic train protection system : 1. It is designed and developed by Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) in collabo-ration with Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), Japan 2. The trials of Kavach were facili-tated by the Southern Railway 3. Kavach is a state-of-the-art electronic system with Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 2 2023

    1. 1 only
    2. 3 only
    3. 1 and 2 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 3 only

    Kavach is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by the Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) under the Ministry of Railways, India. It was not developed in collaboration with RTRI, Japan.

Mobile Applications and SMS-based Services for Citizen Engagement

  1. Which of the following telecom companies has launched the women's safety app "My Circle"?

    Asked in: tcs tps pre 19

    1. Reliance
    2. Bharti Airtel
    3. BSNL
    4. Vodafone
    Show answer

    Answer: C. BSNL

    The "My Circle" app is designed to enhance the safety of women by providing features like emergency alerts, location sharing, and contact with trusted individuals.