← 21 October 2026's Current Affairs · Science & Tech GA Prelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆
Indian researchers develop an AI sensor to tell cobra and viper venom apart
Why in News?
Cobra or viper? A 95% accurate AI sensor decides: the snakebite science GS-III tests
A liquid-crystal and AI sensor separates cobra and viper venom with about 95% accuracy.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 min read
Indian researchers have developed a laboratory sensor that uses liquid crystals and artificial intelligence to distinguish cobra venom from viper venom with about 95 per cent accuracy.
The work was published in the journal Sensors and Actuators A: Physical.
Quick identification of the venom type could help guide treatment of snakebite.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- Indian researchers built a lab sensor using liquid crystals and AI to tell cobra venom from viper venom
- Reported accuracy is about 95 per cent
- Findings were published in the journal Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
- Quick identification of venom type could help guide snakebite treatment
- Cobras are elapids (mainly neurotoxic venom); vipers are viperids (mainly haemotoxic venom)
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- Liquid crystals are a state of matter with properties between those of a conventional liquid and a solid crystal, and respond to changes at their surface.
- Cobras belong to the family Elapidae, while Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper belong to the family Viperidae.
- The 'Big Four' venomous snakes of India are the spectacled cobra, common krait, Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper.
- The WHO lists snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease.
Mains
GS-III (Science and Technology; biotechnology; health). Snakebite is a major rural health burden, and treatment depends on knowing which venom is involved. An AI-assisted liquid-crystal sensor can speed up venom identification and antivenom choice, but it is still a laboratory device. The way forward is field validation, low-cost point-of-care versions, better antivenom access and stronger primary-health preparedness.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), India's national agency for responding to cyber security incidents, functions under the:
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Ministry of Defence
- Department of Telecommunications
Show answer
Answer: B — The correct answer is Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. CERT-In operates under MeitY and is the designated agency under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
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