How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by the science-based technologies? (UPSC 2020)

Science is woven into daily life through phones, digital payments, health services, transport, energy and governance. It works behind the scenes through electronics, data systems, biotechnology and space science, making services faster, safer and more inclusive.

• Digital life: Aadhaar, UPI and digital public infrastructure support identity, payments and direct benefit transfer.
• Health and welfare: digital health records, telemedicine, vaccine science and AI improve diagnosis and public service delivery.
• Energy and security: solar power, green hydrogen and satellites aid communication, disaster warning and resource planning.

Science-led changes in agriculture:

• Precision farming: drones, sensors and remote sensing enable spraying, crop monitoring and real-time advisories.
• Digital agriculture: farmer IDs, crop surveys and GIS-based systems improve land records, loans, insurance and sowing decisions.
• Better inputs: biofortified seeds, climate-resilient varieties and nano-fertilisers raise yields and reduce waste.

Thus, science has shifted agriculture from manual and uncertain practices to data-driven, efficient and climate-smart farming, while also becoming central to modern life.