Scientific instruments, atomic power stations and micro-organisms are all part of the AISSEE (Sainik School) GK syllabus, and RMS CET specifically lists atomic power stations. This guide explains each topic in simple points, with examples from recent news and a revision table at the end.
1. Scientific Devices in Daily Life & Applied Technology
Common Measuring Instruments
Thermometer: Measures body or room temperature using digital sensors or thermal expansion. A special space version, ChaSTE (on Chandrayaan-3), measured the temperature of the Moon's surface.
Barometer: Measures atmospheric pressure to predict changes in weather; modern weather stations use digital barometric sensors.
Ammeter & Voltmeter: An ammeter measures electric current in amperes; a voltmeter measures potential difference in volts.
Lactometer: A hydrometer that tests the purity of milk by measuring its specific gravity (density).
Microscope: Uses lenses or electron beams to magnify micro-organisms and cells too small to see with the naked eye.
Seismograph: Detects and records the strength, duration and magnitude of earthquake waves.
Medical & Diagnostic Devices
Glucometer & Insulin Pens: Portable devices for instant blood sugar testing and precise insulin delivery in diabetes care.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records the electrical activity of the heart to detect heart problems.
CT Scan & MRI: Use X-rays and magnetic resonance to see inside the body without surgery, and are also used for virtual post-mortems (Virtopsy).
Environmental & Sensing Technologies
LiDAR Buoys: Floating ocean instruments that use Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) laser pulses to measure wind speed and direction up to 300 metres above the sea.
Legal Metrology: The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the eMaap portal ensure that weighing and measuring instruments used in trade are accurate.
2. Atomic Power Stations & Nuclear Energy in India
Overview
India's installed nuclear power capacity is about 8.78 gigawatts (GW), giving reliable low-carbon electricity.
Targets: 22.38 GW by 2031–32 and 100 GW by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
India's Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme
Planned by Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha to make India self-reliant by using its large thorium reserves:
Stage I — Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs): Use natural uranium with heavy water; produce electricity and convert Uranium-238 into Plutonium-239.
Stage II — Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs): Use Plutonium-239 / mixed oxide (MOX) fuel and produce more fuel than they use. India entered Stage II when the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality.
Stage III — Thorium-Based Reactors: Will use Uranium-233 (bred from Thorium-232) in the thorium fuel cycle for long-term energy security.
Major Atomic Power Stations
Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu): India's largest nuclear power station, using imported enriched uranium in Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
Tarapur (Maharashtra): India's oldest commercial nuclear power station.
Kalpakkam / Madras Atomic Power Station (Tamil Nadu): Home to PHWR units, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) and the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor.
Kakrapar (Gujarat): Has indigenous 700 MWe PHWR units.
Kaiga (Karnataka): On the Kali River.
Narora (Uttar Pradesh): On the banks of the Ganga.
Rawatbhata / Rajasthan Atomic Power Station: Near Kota, Rajasthan.
Uranium Mining & Fuel Supply
Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) mines uranium at Jaduguda and Turamdih (Jharkhand) and Tummalapalle (Andhra Pradesh).
Because Indian ore is low-grade (about 0.02%–0.45%), India also imports safeguarded uranium from countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Canada and Australia.
3. Micro-organisms and Microbial Diseases
Types of Micro-organisms
Micro-organisms are tiny living things grouped into five types: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Protozoa and Algae.
Waterborne Diseases
Cholera: Severe diarrhoea caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Typhoid: A serious fever caused by Salmonella typhi, spread through contaminated food and water.
Dysentery / Shigellosis: An intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria, with diarrhoea, fever and dehydration.
Hepatitis A & E (Jaundice): Viral liver infections spread through contaminated drinking water.
Viral Diseases in the News
Nipah Virus (NiV): A virus carried by fruit bats (Pteropus) that can cause severe breathing problems and brain inflammation (encephalitis) in humans.
Ebola: A severe haemorrhagic fever causing internal bleeding and organ failure.
Hantavirus: Spread through contact with the saliva, urine or droppings of infected rodents; affects the lungs or kidneys.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV): A highly contagious disease of dogs that can also infect tigers and other big cats.
Plant & Animal Diseases
Panama Disease (Fusarium Wilt): A soil-borne fungal disease (Fusarium oxysporum) that attacks Cavendish banana plants.
Coconut Root Wilt: A yield-reducing coconut disease caused by tiny wall-less bacteria called phytoplasmas.
White Gut Disease: A parasitic disease of farmed Pacific white shrimp caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP).
Helpful Microbes
Bacillus subtilis: A helpful, spore-forming bacterium declared Kerala's 'State Microbe'; used as a probiotic and to protect crops from fungal disease.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF): Soil fungi that form networks with plant roots, supplying water, nitrogen and phosphorus in return for carbon from the plant.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
AMR happens when bacteria, viruses or fungi stop responding to medicines, often because of overuse or misuse of antibiotics.
India manages it through the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0), covering human health, agriculture and animal husbandry.
4. Quick Revision Summary Table
Concept / Topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
Lactometer | Measures purity and specific gravity of milk |
Seismograph | Records earthquake waves |
Three-Stage Nuclear Plan | Dr. Homi Bhabha (PHWR → FBR → Thorium) |
Stage II Milestone | PFBR at Kalpakkam achieved criticality |
Largest Nuclear Plant | Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu) |
Uranium Mines | Jaduguda & Turamdih (Jharkhand), Tummalapalle (AP) |
Shigellosis | Diarrhoeal infection caused by Shigella bacteria |
Nipah Virus Carrier | Fruit bats (Pteropus) |
State Microbe of Kerala | Bacillus subtilis |
Practise with MCQs
Test yourself with our Scientific Instruments and Inventions MCQs, Cell and Microorganisms MCQs and the April 2026 science current affairs set (Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor).
Free AISSEE Mock Test
Enunciate Academy runs online coaching for Sainik School, RMS, Navodaya and RIMC entrance exams for Class 6 and 9 students across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Message us on WhatsApp (94924 44498) to get a free mock test, or see the Spark batch details.
