ID: 65996
Title: KVKs at 50: nurturing the needs and aspirations of rural communities through tailored intervention
Author: Dileep Kumar Pandey and Souvik Ghosh
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (5) 517-522 10 Sep (2024)
Subject: KVKs at 50: nurturing the needs and aspirations of rural communities through tailored intervention
Keywords: None
Abstract: The Golden Jubilee of India’s Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) marks 50 years of gaining knowledge in the field of agriculture, rooted in the heartlands of rural India. Established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi in 1974, these centres have evolved into beacons of knowledge and progress at 731 locations nationwide. Their journey embodies a commitment to tailored interventions, leveraging local assets and fostering aspirations beyond economic growth. Despite facing challenges like inadequate human resources and climate change, KVKs offer opportunities for innovation and collaboration. As they celebrate their golden jubilee milestone, KVKs are poised to continue their transformative journey, bridging the gap between research and reality for sustainable rural development
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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Literature cited 2:


ID: 65995
Title: Sustainability science
Author: Vinod Kumar Gaur
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (5) 511-512 10 Sep (2024)
Subject: Sustainability science
Keywords: None
Abstract: It is now universally recognized that the key to sustainable living is participative management of local and regional environments and resources by their communities and managers. The recognition is rooted in the perception that local and regional communities do indeed adapt to changing socio-economic and environmental trends by modifying or adopting new practices to protect and enhance their livelihood bases and opportunity spaces. Community knowledge gained from an intuitive understanding of nature’s work and the resulting phenomena, infused with long experiential learning of their temporal perturbations, served people well for a long time, in evolving a stable order of life and work through times of moderate change. This subconsciously assimilated feedback from natural processes into human lives, in turn, maintained the seamless flow of ecosystem services through the human–nature system, leisurely adapting to slow evolving emergence of their new forms.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:


ID: 65994
Title: WhatsApp text messaging follows a daily rhythm in both formal and informal settings
Author: Nishi Soni, Saurabh Jaiswal, Sudhir Kumar, Shalie Malik and Sangeeta Rani
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 491-493 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: WhatsApp text messaging follows a daily rhythm in both formal and informal settings
Keywords: Behaviour, circadian rhythm, social networking, WhatsApp
Abstract: We examined and compared the 24-hour pattern of WhatsApp messaging between a formal cohort of n = 59 members of the Indian scientific society and an informal cohort of n = 41 family members. In particular, we analysed and calculated the intensity and pattern of messaging activity across 24 hours in relation to the sunrise and sunset timings, as well as the overall daily activity period. There was a daily periodicity in the WhatsApp messaging, with their close coupling to the time of day in formal compared to that in the informal cohort. However, the messaging activity pattern appeared to conform to a daily rhythm in both coho
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Astaburuaga, R., Basti, A., Li, Y., Herms, D. and Relógio, A., Circadian regulation of physiology: relevance for space medicine. REACH, 2019, 2, 14–15. Alhola, P. and Polo-Kantola, P., Sleep deprivation: impact on cognitive performance. Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat., 2
Literature cited 2: Evans, J. A. and Davidson, A. J., Health consequences of circadian disruption in humans and animal models. Prog. Mol. Biol. Transl. Sci., 2013, 119, 283–323. Kio, S. I., What students are saying on Facebook about their schools? Webology, 2015, 12, 1–12


ID: 65993
Title: Role of climatic conditions on malaria transmission in Chhattisgarh state of India through a modelling study
Author: Shambhavi Krishna and Shailendra Rai
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 483-490 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Role of climatic conditions on malaria transmission in Chhattisgarh state of India through a modelling study
Keywords: Climate change, entomological inoculation rate, rainfall, temperature, VECTRI.
Abstract: India represents 3% of the global malaria burden. Chhattisgarh is the second-most endemic region in India in terms of malaria transmission. The research related to the effect of weather variables on malaria transmission through dynamic modelling is at an early stage in India. We attempted to do it with the help of the VECtor borne disease community model of International Centre for Theoretical Physics, TRIeste model for the Chhattisgarh region during 2000–2019. The highest malaria transmission is found in August and September. We also found that the malaria transmissions are found to be more endemic in the districts, namely Baster, Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Raigarh, Jashpur, Balrampur, Bemetara and Baloda Bazar
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Alonso, P. and Tanner, M., Public health challenges and prospects for malaria control and elimination. Nat. Med., 2013, 19, 150–155; https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.3077. Kumar, A. et al., Surveillance based estimation of burden of malaria in India, 2015–2016. Malar. J., 2020, 19, 156; https://doi.org/10. 1186/s12936-020-03223-7.
Literature cited 2: Akpalu, W. and Codjoe, S., Economic analysis of climate variability impact on malaria prevalence: the case of Ghana. Sustainability, 2013, 5(10), 4362–4378. Klinkenberg, E., McCall, P. J., Wilson, M. D., Amerasinghe, F. P. and Donnelly, M. J., Impact of urban agriculture on malaria vectors in Accra, Ghana. Malar. J., 2008, J7(1), 15.


ID: 65992
Title: Biological characterization of the predominant strains of fall armyworm in India with regards to biocontrol agents and pheromone
Author: Smita Patil, Nishtha Nayyar, Gandhi Gracy, Jagadeesh Patil, Subaharan Kesavan, Sivakumar Gopalsamy, Kandan Aravindram, Rangeshwaran Rajagopal, Ashwitha Gopal, Vinay Kumar Thirumalahatti Munikrishnappa, M. L. Mahalakshmi, Chaitra Mallasamudra,
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 475-482 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Biological characterization of the predominant strains of fall armyworm in India with regards to biocontrol agents and pheromone
Keywords: Biocontrol, CO1-CS, CO1-RS, genetic strains, invasive fall armyworm, pheromones
Abstract: The invasion of fall armyworm (FAW) to the Eastern hemisphere poses a major challenge to the food security efforts of several nations including India. Invasive FAW population is primarily composed of two predominant strains differentiated based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COI) gene, known as COI-RS (hybrid strain) and COI-CS (corn strain). COI-RS, in particular was found to be different from the ancestral rice strain in America and displayed characteristics of typical inter-strain hybrid population. Although the ancestral populations have been tested for their mating behaviour and response toward pheromones and biocontrol agents, similar studies have not been performed on the invasive populations. We report here the interstrain mating behaviour of COI-RS and COI-CS populations from India along with their susceptibilities towards different biocontrol agents. COI-RS larvae were more susceptible to SpfrNPV infection compared to COI-CS larvae. The response towards other biocontrol agents was similar in the two strains. Electroantennogram response study revealed that the two strains differed in their response towards FAW pheromone, where COICS males displayed higher mean antennal response towards Z-9-tetradecenyl acetate (87%), Z-11-hexadecenyl acetate (12.5%) and Z-7-dodecenyl acetate (0.5%) than COI-RS males. Similar to the ancestral population, we found unidirectional mating between COI-RS females and COI-CS males while the reverse cross did not yield viable offspring. However, further detailed studies are required to confirm this observation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Montezano, D. G. et al., Host plants of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Americas. Afr. Entomol., 2018, 26, 286–300. Rwomushana, I., Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) invasive species Compendium, Wallingford, UK, CABI, DOI, 2019, 10.
Literature cited 2: Goergen, G., Kumar, P. L., Sankung, S. B., Togola, A. and Tamò, M., First report of outbreaks of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), a new alien invasive pest in West and Central Africa. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11, e0165632. Sharanabasappa, S. et al., First report of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an alien invasive pest on maize in India. Pest Manage Horticult. Ecosyst., 2018, 24(1), 23–29


ID: 65991
Title: Climate change hazards along the Indian coastal districts: spatial analysis on a climatic impact-driver framework
Author: Reshma Gills, Shelton Padua , C. Ramachandran , Eldho Varghese , K. R. Ratheesh , Grinson George , Rose P. Bright , E. Vivekanandan , J. Jayasankar and A. Gopalakrishnan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 461-474 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Climate change hazards along the Indian coastal districts: spatial analysis on a climatic impact-driver framework
Keywords: Cyclone, flood, heatwave, multi-hazard, sea level rise, shoreline change.
Abstract: Concepts, approaches and frameworks for assessing the impacts of climate change are evolving quickly. Due to their particular geographic location, proximity to oceans, concentration of populated regions, and infrastructure, coastal communities are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change. The present study aims to develop a thematic map based on the CID (climatic impact-drivers) framework proposed in the assessment report-6 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to evaluate the climate change’s physical hazards in the coastal districts of India. The study points out that West Bengal and Odisha are the two states with the highest cyclone hazard index values making them most vulnerable to cyclones. At the same time, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal respectively fall in the extremely severe category of flood, heatwave and shoreline change hazards. The maritime state of Gujarat along with Diu and Daman experiences maximum severity for the sea level rise hazard. The multi-hazards index developed in the study by considering 14 threshold-based CID indices showed that the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh has the highest proneness to the physical hazards due to climate change
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Masson-Delmotte, V. et al. (eds), Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. In Contribution of Working Group I Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2021. Weiskopf, S. R. et al., Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States. Sci. Total Environ., 2020, 733, 137782.
Literature cited 2: Santos, R. M. and Bakhshoodeh, R., Climate change/global warming/climate emergency versus general climate research: comparative bibliometric trends of publications. Heliyon, 2021, 7, e08219. Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H. and Younis, I., A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. Int., 2022, 29, 42539–42559.


ID: 65990
Title: Multi-criteria based hydrological zonation for water harvesting site suitability in Nuh watershed of Haryana, India
Author: Smita Jaiswal, Susama Sudhishri, Man Singh, Vinay K. Sehgal, Anil Kumar Mishra, Anchal Dass, Dinesh Sharma, P. Venkatesh, Love Kumar, Prashant Singh, Rashmi Yadav and Sangeeta
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 452-460 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Multi-criteria based hydrological zonation for water harvesting site suitability in Nuh watershed of Haryana, India
Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process, hydrological zonation, site suitability, watershed, water harvesting
Abstract: The present study aims to develop a protocol for determining the suitability of ponds in Nuh watershed, Haryana, India, using hydrological zoning, analytic hierarchy process, weighted overlay approach and geospatial techniques. Maximum area is in moderate and low run-off zones, with 50.43% and 32.4% of the area covering 104 and 129 ponds respectively. Area under least, moderate, high suitable zones are 33.2%, 51.92% and 11.38% respectively. Also, 137 more ponds are proposed, with 2, 49 and 86 ponds having very high, high and moderate suitable zones respectively. If these 472 ponds are revived, additional areas can be brought under irrigation in the watershed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, New Delhi, Annual Report 2021–22. Susama, S. and Dass, A., A report on revival of village ponds through scientific interventions, Water Technology Centre, ICARIARI, New Delhi, 2022, p.
Literature cited 2: Vaidya, O. S. and Kumar, S., Analytic hierarchy process: an overview of applications. Eur. J. Oper. Res., 2006, 169(1), 1–29. Yahaya, S., Ahmad, N. and Abdalla, R. F., Multicriteria analysis of flood vulnerable areas in Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin, Nigeria. Eur. J. Sci. Res., 2010, 42, 71–83


ID: 65989
Title: Constructing an innovative theoretical framework for tea grower’s adoption of carbon sequestration practices using PLS-SEM
Author: K. Shanmuga Surya , C. Cinthia Fernandaz, C. Karthikeyan , P. P. Murugan , K. Boomiraj , S. P. Thamaraiselvi , S. Manivasakan and Bindu Rajashekar
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 445-451 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Constructing an innovative theoretical framework for tea grower’s adoption of carbon sequestration practices using PLS-SEM
Keywords: Adoption, carbon sequestration practices, climate change, social influence, tea growers.
Abstract: Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils is crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of global climate change and enhancing soil fertility. Among various crops, tea plantations show significant promise in adopting carbon sequestration practices. Consequently, the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu was purposefully selected for the study, involving 120 tea growers chosen using the snowball sampling method. A theoretical framework was developed to assess the factors influencing tea grower’s adoption of carbon sequestration practices. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyse the gathered data. The results demonstrated that factors such as ‘knowledge’, ‘attitude’, ‘innovativeness’, ‘perceived benefits’ and ‘perceived need’ had a significant and positive influence on tea grower’s adoption of carbon sequestration practices. In contrast, ‘social influence’ had no significant effect, underscoring the importance of increasing awareness, providing financial incentives, establishing pricing structures and implementing government policies related to soil carbon sequestration.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Amsalu, A. and De Graaff, J., Determinants of adoption and continued use of stone terraces for soil and water conservation in an Ethiopian highland watershed. Ecol. Econ., 2007, 61(2), 294–302. Bekele, W. and Drake, L., Soil and water conservation decision behavior of subsistence farmers in the Eastern Highlands of Ethiopia: a case study of the Hunde-Lafto area. Ecol. Econ., 2003, 46(3), 437–451
Literature cited 2: Lal, R., Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security. Science, 2004, 304(5677), 1623–1627. Kalita, R., Kumar Das, A. and Nath, A. J., Assessment of soil organic carbon stock under tea agroforestry system in Barak Valley, North East India. Int. J. Ecol. Environ. Sci., 2016, 42(2), 175–182


ID: 65988
Title: Field investigations of hydraulic jumps in natural channels with discrepancy corrections for experimental-based formulations
Author: Maisnam Bipinchandra Singh, Ngangbam Romeji and Thiyam Tamphasana Devi
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 438-444 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Field investigations of hydraulic jumps in natural channels with discrepancy corrections for experimental-based formulations
Keywords: Hydraulic jump, length of jump, natural channels, sequent depth ratio.
Abstract: The phenomenon of hydraulic jumps has been widely studied in laboratory flumes. However, few studies have been made to bridge the discrepancy encountered in the formulation of relations ascribing hydraulic jumps based on laboratory model studies and that occur in natural conditions. Most of the predictive formulae for sequent depth ratio and length of jump proposed in the literature have not been verified in the field. The present study attempts to link the field investigation data of hydraulic jump in a weir with laboratory channel flume observation for similar flow conditions. The hydraulic jump parameters were collected in the field using feasible technologies in the study weir. The weir selected for this study has geometric, kinematic and Froude similarities with the laboratory model. The comparison of laboratory model data and field measurements showed inconsistency. It is observed that the sequent depth ratio and length of the jump are inaccurately predicted by the laboratory relation compared to the field observations by the laboratory relation. A field validated-based relationship is suggested for the calculation of sequent depth and length of jump in a smooth rectangular channel for Froude numbers ranging from 4 to 10.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: . Braden, G. E., The hydraulic jump in natural streams. In Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Sciences, 1957, 38, 78–79. Bakhmeteff, B. A., Hydraulics of Open Channels, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1932.
Literature cited 2: Harleman, D. R. F. Discussion of ‘Turbulence characteristics of the hydraulic jump’. Trans. ASCE, 1959, 124, 959–962. Gill, M. A., Effect of boundary roughness on hydraulic jump. Int. Water Power Dam Constr., 1980, 32(1), 22–24.


ID: 65987
Title: Q-DAI: design and implementation of a QGIS plugin for disaggregation of soil moisture content at 30 m spatial resolution
Author: Neha K. Nawandar† , Shaunak Sen and S. Janardhanan
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 432-437 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Q-DAI: design and implementation of a QGIS plugin for disaggregation of soil moisture content at 30 m spatial resolution
Keywords: DisPATCh, SMAP/SMOS, soil moisture content, QGIS, Qt creat
Abstract: Soil moisture content (SMC) plays a significant role in land surface water and energy cycle and is essential in performing various field-related studies. It is a crucial parameter provided by passive L-band sensors on soil moisture active passive/soil moisture ocean salinity satellite missions at a resolution of ~36–40 km. To obtain inference from the SMC data and apply it to different applications, its study and analysis are required that is achievable using any geographic information systems software. Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) is an open-source software with a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) and a repository of application-specific plugins. However, no plugin provides SMC or downscales the SMC product for a required location. Q-Daily Arial Image (Q-DAI), the QGIS plugin proposed here, implements a downscaling algorithm to obtain the low-resolution SMC product from SMAP/SMOS at fine resolution using inputs from high-resolution satellite imagery. The plugin is developed by designing a GUI using Qt Creator and defining its functionality using Python. Q-DAI is tested on QGIS 3.16.16 on Windows 10, 8 GB RAM PC and QGIS 3.22 on a macOS Ventura laptop. Q-DAI can be used to obtain high-resolution SMC for any location, and in this article, sample results of Q-DAI implemented for Delhi region data have been shown.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Coleman, M. L. and Niemann, J. D., Controls on topographic dependence and temporal instability in catchment‐scale soil moisture patterns. Water Resour. Res., 2013, 49(3), 1625–1642. Ranney, K. J., Niemann, J. D., Lehman, B. M., Green, T. R. and Jones, A. S., A method to downscale soil moisture to fine resolutions using topographic, vegetation, and soil data. Adv. Water Resour., 2015, 76, 81–96.
Literature cited 2: Ines, A. V. and Droogers, P., Inverse modelling in estimating soil hydraulic functions: a genetic algorithm approach. Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 2002, 6(1), 49–66. Loew, A., Impact of surface heterogeneity on surface soil moisture retrievals from passive microwave data at the regional scale: the upper Danube case. Remote Sensing Environ., 2008, 112(1), 231– 248


ID: 65986
Title: Open access availability patterns of Indian research publications during the last two decades
Author: Vivek Kumar Singh, Prashasti Singh and Anurag Kanaujia
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 423-431 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Open access availability patterns of Indian research publications during the last two decades
Keywords: Access to knowledge, Indian research, open access, open science, research funding
Abstract: In the current era of knowledge-based economies and societies, access to knowledge and scientific advances is a key requirement for the scientific, technological and economic development of a country. Scientific research outcomes are often considered by many as a public good and hence it is often advocated that they should be openly and freely accessible to the scientific community and the wider society. To fulfil such aspirations, there have been several initiatives towards open access (OA), both globally and at national levels, including many important declarations and policies. India has also taken several initiatives over the last two decades to promote OA to scientific research outcomes, including putting in place mandates that require that all public funded research should be openly accessible. This article presents a quantitative analysis to understand how much of Indian research output from 2001 to 2020 is openly accessible, which in turn presents a reflection on the effectiveness of the various OA initiatives. The major OA routes adopted by Indian researchers and the subject-specific OA availability patterns are identified. Finally, the OA availability levels for funded and non-funded Indian research publications are determined. The results indicate growth in OA availability of Indian research papers, with green and gold OA routes being the preferred ones. A higher OA availability is observed in case of funded research publications. The article concludes with a brief discussion on the major patterns observed and their policy implications
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: UNESCO, Open Science, 2021; https://www.unesco.org/en/openscience (accessed on 12 February 2024). 2. https://arxiv.org/ (accessed on 28 August 2023).
Literature cited 2: Strategies for preservation of and open access to scientific data in China, National Research Council, Washington DC; https://nap. nationalacademies.org/read/11710/chapter/1#ii (accessed on 29 August 2023). www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org (accessed on 27 August 2023).


ID: 65985
Title: Post centennial of micelles: an overview
Author: Animesh Kumar Rakshit , Bappaditya Naskar, and Satya Priya Moulik
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 406-422 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Post centennial of micelles: an overview
Keywords: Computer simulation, micelle, mixed micelles, polymeric micelles, second CMC
Abstract: Micelles of different types and properties are basically formed by the assembly of surfactants. The conditions for the formation of micelles, their shapes, sizes and morphologies are also different, and are discussed for surfactants, block copolymers and ionic liquids in the present article. Theories by Debye and others, Markov chain model, ladder model of micelle growth are employed to understand in detail the thermodynamics of micelles and mixed micelles formation. Apart from these, other concepts like effect of additives on micelle formation, application of polymeric, multicompartment micelles in drug delivery, fundamentals of formation of single and double critical micelle concentration and computer simulation methods for amphiphile aggregation are reviewed in the present study
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Vincent, B., McBain and the centenary of the micelle. Adv. Colloid Interf. Sci., 2014, 203, 51–54. McBain, J. W., Colloids and their viscosity. Trans. Faraday Soc., 1913, 9, 99–101
Literature cited 2: McBain, J. W. and Martin, H. E., XCII – studies of the constitution of soap solutions: the alkalinity and degree of hydrolysis of soap solutions. J. Chem. Soc. Trans., 1914, 105, 957–977. McBain, J. W. and Salmon, C. S., Colloidal electrolytes, soap solutions and the


ID: 65984
Title: Assessing the agricultural innovation landscape of public agricultural research organizations in India through patents
Author: Ankita Kandpal, T. M. Kiran Kumara and Shruti Mishra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 399-405 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Assessing the agricultural innovation landscape of public agricultural research organizations in India through patents
Keywords: Agricultural innovation, national agricultural research system, patent landscape, technological focus, valuation
Abstract: This study extensively explores the agricultural innovation landscape of Indian public agricultural research organizations, emphasizing technological focus from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). The findings reveal diverse concentrations of patents in agricultural engineering, chemical processes and formulations, biotechnology and food categories. The prominent themes that emerged from the patent landscape include livestock health management, animal feed, chemical formulations, agricultural machinery and aquaculture practices. However, the temporal shifts indicate an increased focus from biotechnology to food, chemical and engineering during the last three decades. Patent statistics indicate variations in technology scope, claims, inventor size and renewal term. SAUs had comparatively broader technology scope, shorter grant lag and a higher number of claims than the ICAR patents. On the other hand, inventor size and renewal term were significantly higher in the ICAR patents. Survival functions demonstrate more longevity for the ICAR patents, with evolving dynamics in patent value over different periods.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Suman Archana and Pandey Divya, Patent trends in ICAR institutes – a review. J. Intell. Property Rights, 2014, 19, 260–265. Mittal Rekha and Singh, G., Patenting activities in agriculture from India. J. Intell. Property Rights, 2005, 10, 315–320
Literature cited 2: Kandpal Ankita, Bhooshan Neeru and Pal, S., Recent trend in patenting activity in India and its implications for agriculture. Agric. Econ. Res. Rev., 2015, 28(1), 139–146. Bessen, J., The value of US patents by owner and patent characteristics. Res. Policy


ID: 65983
Title: Biofertilizers: helping sustainable food production
Author: S. Garcha
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 395-398 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Biofertilizers: helping sustainable food production
Keywords: None
Abstract: Biofertilizers are products containing microorganisms which aid in crop nutrient acquisition, enhance soil health and crop yield. They are an important tool in practice of sustainable agriculture. Constraints impeding the adoption of biofertilizer technology can be dealt with by all stakeholders – scientists, farmers and policy makers.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: www.statista.com (accessed on 10 May 2024). www.fao.org (accessed on 1 May 2024)
Literature cited 2: Hartmann, M. and Six, J., Nat. Rev. Earth Environ., 2023, 4, 4–18. Fu, N., Chen, L., Huang, H., Qu, P. and Wei, Z., Environ. Pollut. Bioavail., 2021, 33, 164–173.


ID: 65982
Title: Key drivers for achieving India’s 100 GW nuclear power ambition
Author: D. K. Aswal and Anirudh Chandra
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2024
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 127 (4) 393-395 25 Aug (2024)
Subject: Key drivers for achieving India’s 100 GW nuclear power ambition
Keywords: None
Abstract: India is projected to become the fourth largest economy by 2050 and the second largest by 2075 (ref. 1), driven by a young workforce, increased consumer activity and innovation. To meet the likely surge in energy and electricity demand sustainably, the country is focusing on renewable energy and nuclear power. The intermittency of renewables poses challenges to fulfil baseload electricity demands, making nuclear energy the better alternative. With its high load factors, long lifespan and low carbon footprint, nuclear power provides a reliable and clean baseload solution. Early recognition of these attributes led India to establish its civilian nuclear energy programme, the ‘three-stage programme’, now in its 75th year. Despite facing historic challenges like cost overruns, lack of indigenous uranium, trade bans, technological hurdles and local opposition, at present nuclear power contributes 1.6% to the installed power capacity and 2.8% to electricity generation in India
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Goldman Sachs, How India could rise to the world’s second-biggest economy, 6 July 2023 (online); https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/how-indiacould-rise-to-the-worlds-second-biggesteconomy.html (accessed on 15 May 2024). Press Trust of India, India aims to produce 100 GW nuclear power by 2047: AEC Chairman Mohanty, Business Standard, 3 April 2024 (online); https://www.businessstandard.com/industry/news/india-aims-toproduce-100-gw-nuclear-power-by-2047- aec-chairman-mohanty-124040301076_1. html (accessed on 10 April 2024).
Literature cited 2: Garg, A., Patange, O., Vishwanathan, S S., Nag, T., Singh, U. and Avashia, V., Report prepared for the Office of the Principle Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India GoI), and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, PSA, GoI, New Delhi, 2024. Calabrese, E. J., Environ. Pollut., 2018, 241, 289–302.