COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic.

Theme

T110 Pandemics & global health: COVID-19, WHO, vaccines

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks about WHO's performance in COVID-19, how vaccines work and the platforms Indian manufacturers used, and technology for pandemic management.

What to cover

• WHO: IHR, delays, funding dependence, pandemic treaty
• Vaccine principle: antigen and immune memory; platforms (inactivated, viral vector, mRNA, DNA)
• Indian vaccines: Covaxin, Covishield, ZyCoV-D; Vaccine Maitri
• Technology: CoWIN, Aarogya Setu, genome sequencing (INSACOG), telemedicine (eSanjeevani)

Writing the answer

• Combine science (GS3) with governance (GS2)

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 3 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.