Science, Technology, and Public Health

Gaganyaan: Life Support in Orbit (ECLSS)

Gaganyaan’s ECLSS must manage the risk of hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning) caused by the 1 kg of CO2 exhaled by an adult daily.

• Parameters: Pressure is maintained at 101.3 kPa with temperatures at 20-26°C.
• Waste/Fire: Suction-based airflow manages "floating globules" of waste. For fire suppression, water mists are used; notably, the Soyuz module retains a depressurization option as a last resort, a riskier alternative to India's mist system.

Public Health: The Heat Stress Crisis

A 2024 BJOG study highlights that 74% of Tamil Nadu’s population is exposed to temperatures above 35°C. For pregnant women in Chennai’s tenements, this leads to preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction.

• Policy Failure: The TNUHDB has acknowledged that previous housing designs prioritized "cost over lived experience," creating concrete heat traps. The NDMA 2025 advisory now mandates climate-resilient "cool roofs."

The Neurodevelopmental Debate: Autism

Dr. Shefali Gulati (AIIMS) clarifies that while screen time is an environmental factor, it is not a sole cause of ASD. Children with ASD may naturally "prefer" screens due to their predictable nature. The focus remains on the "First Thousand Days" of life for critical neural network formation.

Education: The NEET-UG Systemic Crisis

The 2026 NEET-UG controversy, involving 22 lakh aspirants competing for only 1.37 lakh seats, has exposed "deep cracks" in the centralized system. The K. Radhakrishnan Committee recommends a two-stage examination and limiting attempts to reduce the "high-stakes" desperation that fuels paper leaks.