Mains Answer Writing - 23 Feb, 2026

GS3

Science & Technology

15 marks

Recent advances have enabled long-term data storage in glass using laser-based nanostructuring. Explain the working principle of glass-based data storage technology and examine its potential advantages and limitations compared to conventional magnetic and solid-state storage systems.

Attempt Challenge on App See Model Answer

Tips for your answer

Start with the principle (science first):
Briefly explain femtosecond laser → nanostructures (voxels) in 3-D layers → read by microscope + ML. Keep it 3–4 lines, not physics-heavy.
Compare with existing storage:
Write a small table/points:
HDD/SSD vs Glass → durability, density, energy need, lifespan, rewrite capability.
End with application + limitation:
Applications → archival records, governance data, heritage preservation, space missions.
Limitations → cost, speed, scalability, read/write infrastructure.
Finish with a future-tech concluding line.

Topper’s copy will be available soon Get notified on app

More Challenges

View All

GS2
Indian Polity
18 Jun, 2026
"The Tenth Schedule was designed to penalise opportunistic defection, yet the distinction it draws between a 'split' and a 'merger' has become the real determinant of a legislator's political survival." Discuss. Also examine whether vesting disqualification powers in the Speaker compromises the law's neutrality.
View Challenge
GS2
International Relations
Yesterday
The G7, once the steering committee of the global economy, is today seen as an institution in churn, struggling for relevance amid shifting power equations." Examine the validity of this statement.
View Challenge
GS3
Internal Security
16 Jun, 2026
"Recent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan highlight the challenges of governance, political representation, and resource distribution in Pakistan-administered regions of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir." Discuss. Also examine the strategic significance of these developments for India.
View Challenge