NANOTECHNOLOGY 

I. CORE CONCEPT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

• Nanotechnology involves control and manipulation of matter at atomic and molecular scale (1–100 nm)
• Proposed by Richard Feynman in his 1959 lecture “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”

II. PROPERTIES OF NANOMATERIALS

• Nanoparticles have high surface area to volume ratio
• Their properties differ from bulk materials:
  • Do not always behave as insulators → can be conductors or semiconductors
  • Melting point may decrease compared to bulk materials
• Unique optical properties due to:
  • Surface plasmon resonance (e.g., gold nanoparticles show colour change)

III. TYPES OF CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES

• Graphene:
  • Two-dimensional nanomaterial
  • Single layer of carbon atoms in 2D honeycomb lattice
• Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs):
  • Cylindrical carbon nanostructures
• Fullerenes:
  • Cage-like carbon structures

IV. IMPORTANT NANOMATERIALS & USES

• Gold nanoparticles:
  • Used in research, diagnostics, sensing
• Silver nanoparticles:
  • Known for antibacterial properties
• Titanium dioxide nanoparticles:
  • Used in sunscreens for UV protection
• Quantum dots:
  • Nanoscale semiconductor particles

V. APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

• Improves solar cell efficiency and material design
• Used in:
  • Medicine
  • Agriculture
  • Electronics
  • Energy sector

VI. INDIA – NANOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES (STATIC PART)

Nano Mission

• Launched in May 2007 by Department of Science and Technology
• Objective:
  • Promote R&D in nanoscience
  • Develop infrastructure
  • Encourage innovation

VII. CURRENT AFFAIRS – NANO FERTILIZERS

Nano-Fertilizer Subsidy Scheme (AGR-2 Scheme 2024–25)

• Launched by Amit Shah in Gujarat
• Key Features:
  • 50% subsidy to farmers
  • Focus on efficient nutrient delivery
  • Reduction in chemical fertilizer dependency

Promotion of Nano-Fertilizers

• Government focus:
  • Awareness campaigns (camps, webinars, demonstrations)
  • Promotion of:
    • Nano Urea
    • Nano DAP
• Focus is on usage promotion, not manufacturing incentives (no PLI support)

Government Position on PLI Scheme

• Nano-fertilizers not included in Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI)
• PLI launched in 2020under:
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat
  • Make in India
• Objective:
  • Boost manufacturing
  • Increase exports
  • Reduce imports

Sales Data (India)

• Nano Urea (500 ml):
  • 11.85 crore bottles sold (since Feb 2021)
• Nano DAP (500 ml):
  • 3.53 crore bottles sold

Usage Characteristics

• Nano Urea:
  • Used as foliar spray (on leaves)
  • Not a complete substitute for conventional fertilizers
  • Basal fertilizer still required

Impact on Agriculture

• Crop yield increase:
  • 1.65% to 14.82%

VIII. ROLE OF COOPERATIVES

• Strengthening:
  • Farmer collectives
  • Market access
• Launch of:
  • Bharat Organic Atta by National Cooperative Organics Ltd.

IX. INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT

• International Day of Cooperatives:
  • Observed since 1923
• United Nations General Assembly
  • Declared 2025 as International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025)
• Theme:
  • “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All”

X. LINK WITH ENVIRONMENT & POLICY

PM-PRANAM Scheme

• Full Form:
  • Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth
• Approved by:
  • Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (28 June 2023)
• Objective:
  • Reduce chemical fertilizer consumption
  • Promote:
    • Nano fertilizers
    • Organic fertilizers
  • Ensure sustainable agriculture