LASER

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

A device that emits a highly focused, coherent beam of light.

RADAR

Radio Detection and Ranging

A system that uses radio waves to determine the distance, angle, or velocity of objects (e.g., aircraft, weather).

SONAR

Sound Navigation and Ranging

A technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater) to navigate or detect objects.

pH

Potential of Hydrogen

A scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution (0-14).

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate

The primary energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things.

CNG

Compressed Natural Gas

A cleaner-burning alternative to gasoline and diesel, primarily composed of methane.

LPG

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

A flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases (propane and butane) used as fuel.

CFC

Chlorofluorocarbon

Organic compounds containing carbon, chlorine, and fluorine; known to deplete the ozone layer.

LED

Light Emitting Diode

A semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it.

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display

A flat-panel display technology that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals.

X-Ray

X-Radiation

A form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation used in medical imaging and crystallography.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development and function of living organisms.

RNA

Ribonucleic Acid

A molecule essential in various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the HIV virus, which damages the immune system.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The virus that causes AIDS by attacking the body’s immune system.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A medical imaging technique used to visualize detailed internal structures of the body using strong magnetic fields.

ECG / EKG

Electrocardiogram

A test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat to detect heart abnormalities.

EEG

Electroencephalogram

A test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp.

BCG

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin

A vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB).

DPT

Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus

A combination vaccine against three infectious diseases in humans.

ORS

Oral Rehydration Solution

A specific type of fluid replacement used to prevent and treat dehydration, especially from diarrhea.

BMI

Body Mass Index

A measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

ICU

Intensive Care Unit

A specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive treatment medicine for critically ill patients.

ISRO

Indian Space Research Organisation

India’s national space agency, headquartered in Bengaluru.

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program.

PSLV

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

An expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by ISRO.

GSLV

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

An expendable launch system operated by ISRO to place satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbits.

LVM3

Launch Vehicle Mark-3

Formerly known as GSLV Mk III, it is ISRO’s heaviest operational rocket, used for the Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions.

ISS

International Space Station

A modular space station in low Earth orbit, a collaborative project involving five space agencies.

LEO

Low Earth Orbit

An orbit around Earth with an altitude between 160 km and 2,000 km.

GEO

Geostationary Earth Orbit

A circular geosynchronous orbit in the plane of the Earth's equator, approximately 35,786 km above the Earth.

ESA

European Space Agency

An intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, headquartered in Paris.

CSIR

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

India’s largest R&D organization, focusing on industrial and applied sciences.

DRDO

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Responsible for developing cutting-edge defense technologies and missiles for the Indian Armed Forces.

BARC

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

India’s premier nuclear research facility, headquartered in Trombay, Mumbai.

DAE

Department of Atomic Energy

The government department responsible for nuclear energy and research in India.

ICAR

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

The apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture.

ICMR

Indian Council of Medical Research

The apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.

TIFR

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

A national centre of the Government of India, under the umbrella of the DAE, focused on fundamental research.

NCERT

National Council of Educational Research and Training

An autonomous organization that sets the curriculum and publishes textbooks for schools in India.

IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

The leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda.

CFC

Chlorofluorocarbon

Synthetic compounds formerly used in refrigeration, known for ozone layer depletion.

GHG

Greenhouse Gas

Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat (e.g., Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Water Vapor).

ODP

Ozone Depletion Potential

A measure of the relative amount of degradation to the ozone layer a chemical can cause.

BOD

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material in water (a key water pollution metric).

COD

Chemical Oxygen Demand

A measure of the total quantity of oxygen required to oxidize all organic material into carbon dioxide and water.

CNG

Compressed Natural Gas

Mentioned earlier, but also highly relevant as an eco-friendly alternative fuel.

AI

Artificial Intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

ML

Machine Learning

A subset of AI focused on building systems that learn from data and improve over time.

IoT

Internet of Things

The network of physical objects embedded with sensors and software to connect and exchange data.

RAM

Random Access Memory

Volatile computer memory that temporarily stores data and machine code currently being used.

ROM

Read-Only Memory

Non-volatile memory that permanently stores instructions for the computer to boot up.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator

The address of a given unique resource on the Web (e.g., a website link).

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol

The foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web.

GPS

Global Positioning System

A satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the US government, providing location and time information.