(Jan - May) 2024 S&T Current Affairs

S&T Current Affairs Gist 2024 Mana La Excellence
S&T Current Affairs Gist 2024

(1st Jan 2024- 1st June 2024)
1. Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)- India joined SKAO; An ambitious multinational initiative to
build the world’s largest radio telescope spanning over a square kilometre; A vast collection of thousands
of telescope antennas interconnected at sites in South Africa and Australia; India's expertise in software
development, including the advanced 'Telescope Manager,' derived from running the Giant Metrewave
Radio Telescope (GMRT), enhances SKAO's capabilities. Participation in SKAO offers India opportunities
to deepen cosmic understanding, including insights into galaxy evolution, stars, and black holes.
2. XPoSAT- ISRO successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) PSLV -C58 (60th flight of PSLV)
at 650km. First dedicated satellite from ISRO for researching and measuring X-ray emissions from celestial
sources like black holes and neutron stars. Second satellite globally to study X-ray polarization, following
NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) launched in 2021.
XSPECT, one of its payloads, conducts spectral and timing studies of soft X-ray emissions. Another
payload, POLIX, measures X-ray polarization from cosmic sources in the 8-30 keV energy range. XSPECT
tracks changes in soft X-ray emissions' spectral line intensities and profiles, covering 0.8-15 keV energies.
XSPECT successfully imaged Cassiopeia A, capturing the expanding gas shell from a supernova explosion.
Polarisation of light is a property shown by transverse waves. The light waves which travel only in a
single plane are known as polarized light waves. The process of transforming unpolarized light waves to
polarized light waves is called the polarisation of light.
Cassiopeia A is a supernova remnant located 11,000 light years away, offering insights into cosmic
phenomena. XPoSat's observations can provide valuable insights into gamma-ray bursts and other
energetic cosmic events.
Fourth stage of PSLV C58 lowered to about 350 km altitude for conducting PSLV Orbital Experimental
Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment; ISRO successfully tests Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell on PSLV-
C58’s orbital platform POEM3;
India’s space telescope AstroSat has for the first-time measured X-ray polarization from the Cygnus X-1
black hole. Cygnus X-1 is one of the first confirmed black hole systems in our galaxy.
3. Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) base stations- India adopts Open RAN for rural connectivity.
Open RAN disaggregates base station architecture. Open RAN allows: Mixing and matching components
from multiple vendors, Easy integration of new innovations and localized solutions, Faster rollout of
networks; Benefits: cost efficiency, flexibility, innovation. Applications: rural broadband, private 5G
networks, public Wi-Fi, disaster management. Aligns with National Digital Communications Policy 2018.
4. Cervical Cancer- Government initiative in 2024 budget to promote HPV vaccination for girls aged 9-14.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women. Caused by human papillomavirus
(HPV) infections, often sexually transmitted. Over 120,000 women diagnosed annually, with over 75,000
deaths. HPV vaccination recommended for girls aged 9-14 by NTAGI. Available vaccines: Gardasil and
CERVAVAC. India aims to save over 125,000 lives annually by strengthening the immunization program.
5. Obelisks- Recently, researchers at Stanford University discovered a new virus-like entity called obelisks.
Microscopic entities in human mouth and gut; Circular genetic material, self-organize into rods; Have RNA
genome, contain genes for proteins. Different from viruses and viroids; Likely rely on bacteria or fungi as
hosts for replication, without impacting the cell function of the host; Found in human gut, mouth, dental
plaque; Impact on human health uncertain, more research needed.
6. Vyommitra- Half-humanoid robot developed by ISRO; To simulate human activities aboard spacecraft;
Functions: Monitor parameters, perform life support operations, respond to queries using AI; India is
planning to send astronauts to low Earth orbit by 2025; Vyommitra's orbital mission in 3rd quarter of
2024, crewed mission likely in 2025.
7. The Future Circular Collider (FCC) - is a proposed €16 billion expansion of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
at CERN; To probe deeper into fundamental physics, investigate dark matter, supersymmetry, etc.
Benefits: Drive technological innovation, enhance international collaboration.
Large Hadron Collider- World’s most advanced and powerful particle accelerator ; Giant 27km long
experimental underground machine; Fires two beams of protons generated from D shaped
superconducting electro-magnets to collide at nearly the speed of light; To simulate conditions that
existed only factions of seconds after Big Bang; Project with International collaboration; Discovered Higgs
Boson aka God Particle (a particle that gives other particles mass); Recently, discovered 3 new subatomic
particles- a new kind of "pentaquark" and the first-ever pair of "tetraquarks"; Quarks- elementary
particles that combine in groups of twos and threes to form hadrons such as the protons and neutrons.
Rarely, however, they can also combine into four-quark and five-quark particles, or tetraquarks and
pentaquarks.
8. Neuralink- Founded in 2016 by Elon Musk; It achieved a milestone (In Feb 2024) with first human
brain chip implant; Aims to develop advanced neural interface technology for treating neurological
disorders and enhancing human-AI symbiosis.
Brain Chip Implant: "Link" device monitors brain activity, inserted via minimally invasive surgery using
specialized robot. Applications- Addresses epilepsy, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries; potential for
sensory/motor function restoration and cognitive enhancement. Challenges - surgical risks, device safety,
and ethical implications of cognitive enhancement.
9. Deep Technology- Interim Budget 2024-25 - Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research and development initiatives;
Aims to provide long-term, low-cost, or zero-interest loans for R&D projects and support deep-tech
capabilities.
Deep tech refers to startups developing offerings based on tangible engineering innovation or scientific
discoveries; These innovations disrupt existing markets or create new ones, requiring significant time and
capital for development. Deep tech startups in India raised USD 2.7 billion in venture funding in 2021 and
now represent over 12% of the country's startup ecosystem. The Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy
(NDTSP) aims to create an enabling environment for deep tech startups, focusing on areas like funding,
intellectual property, tax incentives, and talent nurturing. Challenges - high risk, scarcity of specialized
talent, market readiness, and insufficient research funding
10. SWATI (Science for Women- A Technology & Innovation) Portal - The government launched the SWATI
portal in February 2024 to highlight accomplishments of Indian women in STEMM fields. Women
constitute only 13-15% of researchers in STEMM in India, leading to a visibility gap and hindering diversity
and innovation; The portal allows self-registration of profiles and provides dynamic analytics on women's
distribution in STEMM roles; It addresses inclusion challenges by guiding counselling programs, enabling
targeted opportunity initiatives, and empowering women scientists.
11. BharatGPT- BharatGPT is a consortium, led by Reliance and top Indian institutes (IIT, IISc), will launch
Hanooman, an AI rival to ChatGPT; It aligns with India's AI goals for a $1 trillion economy by 2036.
Hanooman targets Indian language diversity, knowledge, and entertainment-education blend to compete
globally. Reliance's tech investments, including Jio Brain for AI integration, position it for rapid adoption.
12. BHU’s Human DNA Bank- BHU (Banaras Hindu University) launched the Human DNA Bank and is almost
done with the Wildlife DNA Bank, both part of Make in India. These banks advance genetic research,
aiding personalized medicine and wildlife conservation. Following Estonia's model, they tackle hereditary
diseases and improve healthcare with tailored treatment plans. They also enhance disease control
strategies and preserve endangered species through genetic diversity.
13. Monkey Fever- Monkey Fever, or Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), is a concern in Karnataka; caused by the
KFD virus. Recent outbreaks have led to fatalities. It spreads through tick bites or contact with infected
monkeys, small rodents, shrews, etc. Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pain. Diagnosis
involves PCR testing, and treatment focuses on supportive care. Prevention includes vaccination and
avoiding tick exposure.
14. Gemini Chatbot- Google renamed its chatbot, Bard, as Gemini; It introduces the Ultra 1.0 model, excelling
in complex tasks like coding. Seamlessly integrated with Google products, Gemini supports text, speech,
and image interactions, aiming for global accessibility and expansion.
15. National Deworming Day 2024 (Feb 10th 2024) To deworm all pre-school and school-age children
between 1 and 19 years old. It aims to optimize overall health, nutritional status, access to education,
and life quality of young children by providing them with deworming medication. It is done once in 6
months (Twice a year); The initiative started in February 2015, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
leading its implementation. Activities -administering Albendazole tablets to children in government and
government-aided schools and anganwadi centres, followed by a Mop-Up Day for those who missed the
dose. Deworming helps reduce malnutrition address anaemia, supports physical and mental growth, and
spreads awareness about health and the eradication of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH). Globally, 24%
of the population is infected with STH worms, with around 241 million children in India at risk.
STH, or intestinal worms, are parasites transmitted from soil and pose significant health risks, especially
to children. Reasons- poor hygiene, contaminated food and water, and consumption of raw or uncooked
meat. Symptoms - digestive issues, weight loss, fatigue, and itchiness, while long-term effects include
stunted growth, anaemia, energy loss, and organ damage. Prevention – Good sanitation, consuming
cooked food, using filtered water, and maintaining hygiene. Treatment - oral medications like praziquantel
for tapeworm infections and mebendazole or albendazole for roundworm infections.
16. Pulse Polio Program 2024- (March 3, 2024) Nationwide Pulse Polio Immunization drive aimed at
administering polio vaccines to children under 5 years old. India launched the Pulse Polio immunization
program in 1995 as part of the Universal Immunization Program, aiming for 100% coverage. As of January
13, 2023, India has been polio-free for 12 years. Concerns of cases from Afghanistan, Pakistan led to
intense Polio Immunisation in India.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral infection; Affects the nervous system, transmitted
through contaminated water, food, or contact with infected individuals; Symptoms include flu-like
symptoms, muscle weakness, sensitivity to touch, and in severe cases, paralysis. Vaccine- Oral Polio
Vaccine, Inactivated Polio Vaccine.
17. Coronoal Mass Ejection- Solar Wind- Aditya L1
The Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload on the Aditya-L1 satellite has detected the impact
of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on solar wind. PAPA is an energy and mass analyzer designed for in-situ
measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range. It has two sensors: the Solar
Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP, measuring electrons in the energy range of 10 eV to 3 keV) and the
Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR, measuring ions in the energy range of 10 eV to 25 keV
and mass range of 1-60 amu). The sensors are also equipped to measure the direction of arrival of solar
wind particles.
The Aditya-L1 is India's first solar space observatory, orbiting about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth in a
halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) between the Earth and the Sun. It studies the solar
atmosphere, solar magnetic storms, and their impact on the environment around the Earth.
CMEs are massive eruptions of solar material and magnetic fields from the Sun's corona, often associated
with solar flares. They travel at high speeds and can ause geomagnetic storms, affecting satellites, power
grids, and communication systems.
Solar wind is a continuous stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun, flowing constantly into space.
It consists mainly of protons and electrons and interacts with Earth's magnetic field, causing phenomena
like auroras and the formation of the magnetosphere.
18. INSAT 3DS - GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission launched from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota and placed the
satellite in Geostationary Orbit; GSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle with a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes.
It includes solid and liquid propellant stages, along with a cryogenic stage; INSAT-3DS is a
meteorological satellite funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It aims to enhance
meteorological observations and disaster warning capabilities. Mission Objectives: Monitor Earth's
surface and environment, including oceanic observations; Provide vertical profiles of meteorological
parameters; Support Satellite Aided Search and Rescue services.
19. YUVIKA 2024- ISRO's Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA) 2024 aims to inspire school children's
interest in space science and technology. Students in Class 9 can apply, undergo two weeks of training,
and participate in various activities, including interactions with ISRO scientists.
20. 10000 Genome Project- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) completed the '10,000 Genomes
Project,' sequencing genomes from diverse Indian populations; Enables precision medicine and
genetic epidemiology studies tailored to India's population diversity; Project conceptualized in 2020
under the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-20. 10,010 genomes sequenced from
individuals across 28 states and 9 union territories; Implemented using a hub-and-spoke model with
three anchor institutes: CSIR-IGIB, IISER-RCGT, and ILS. World’s first ethnically relevant genome
database positioning India among few countries with indigenous genomic information at population
scale;
Applications: Understanding genetic diseases, enabling preventive healthcare policies, driving
research in genomics, precision medicine, and agriculture; Potential to develop targeted drugs,
diagnostics, and treatment protocols optimized for Indian sub-groups, revolutionizing healthcare.
21. Crew Gaganyan- PM revealed the identities of the four pilots undergoing training for India’s first
human space flight mission, Gaganyaan- Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit
Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla. The mission (2024-2025),
aims to send a crew of three individuals into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, with a safe return
to Earth via landing in Indian Ocean waters.
22. Indigenous Electrolyser- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has launched its first indigenously made electrolyser
at the Green Hydrogen Plant in Hazira, Gujarat, the electrolyser has a power capacity of 1 MW,
expandable up to 2 MW, and can produce 200 Nm3/Hr of hydrogen efficiently. It helps in achieving
the targets under National Green Hydrogen Mission. Electrolysers, use electricity to split water into
hydrogen and oxygen, are a critical technology for producing low-emission hydrogen from
renewable energy.
23. Chakshu- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched 'Chakshu' on the Sanchar Saathi
portal to combat telecom misuse in cyber-crime and financial frauds. 'Chakshu' allows citizens to
report suspected fraud communications, including calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages, simplifying the
reporting process. Citizens can report various types of fraud, such as KYC-related frauds,
impersonation, sextortion, and other fraudulent activities.
24. Mission Divyastra- Successful testing of an Agni missile equipped with Multiple Independently
Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. Allows it to carry multiple warheads meant to hit
multiple targets simultaneously. Agni-5, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has a range of over
5,000 km. Countries with MIRV-equipped missiles- USA, Russia, China, France, and the United
Kingdom.
25. IndiaAI Mission- The IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet with a budget of Rs. 10,371.92
crore, aims to boost AI innovation in India. It focuses on establishing the India AI Innovation Centre,
enhancing startup financing mechanisms, streamlining data management with a National Data
Management Office, and scaling AI computing infrastructure.
26. PFBR- Stage 2 of Nuclear Program- Commencement of core-loading at the indigenous Prototype Fast
Breeder Reactor (PFBR) situated in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. PFBR produces more nuclear fuel than it
consumes. Core-loading event signifies the onset of Stage II of India’s nuclear power program. Utilizes
liquid sodium as primary coolant. Significance of PFBR: Uses Pu-239 and U-238 to produce energy, U-
233, and more Pu-239. Liquid sodium facilitates heat transfer and electricity generation. India's
nuclear power contributes around 3.11% of its total power generation, ranking fifth among its
electricity sources.
India’s 3-stage Nuclear Power Program: Stage 1: Relies on PHWRs using natural uranium as fuel,
operational since the 1960s. Stage 2: Focuses on developing FBRs using plutonium-239 produced in
Stage 1, in development phase. Stage 3: Involves developing thorium-based reactors, in research &
development phase.
27. CE20 Cryogenic Engine- The CE-20 cryogenic engine, developed by ISRO, is a powerful rocket engine
using cryogenic fuel and oxidizers. It's notable for its gas-generator cycle and uses a combination of
liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) propellants, stored at extremely low temperatures (LOX
liquefies at -183 degrees Celsius, and LH2 liquefies at -253 degrees Celsius). With a nominal thrust of
186.36 kN in vacuum, it's one of the world's most potent upper-stage cryogenic engines. The engine
is crucial for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight; The CE-20 is used in the upper
stages of rockets and is highly efficient, increasing payload capacity.
28. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (MATH)- The Department of Science &
Technology has partnered with the Telangana government-led T-Hub to establish the MATH; To foster
AI innovation and create job opportunities in India. MATH will be equipped with a mini data center
with GPU capabilities, a tailored learning management system (LMS) for AI education, and robust data
infrastructure to support various AI applications. Objectives- Nurture over 150 startups annually,
generate more than 500 AI-related jobs by 2025 by providing access to advanced compute
infrastructure, AI skilling programs, data lakes, and virtual connectivity to global AI ecosystems. India's
AI market, expected to reach $17 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25-
35%.
29. New Space Port at Kulashekarapatnam by ISRO - A new spaceport at Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil
Nadu to launch payloads to polar orbits efficiently (No need for dogleg manoeuvre). Dogleg
manoeuver - altering a satellite's launch trajectory to avoid collisions or prevent debris from falling in
populated areas. The Kulasekharapatnam Spaceport allows launches to be sent directly south over
the Indian Ocean without the need for a dogleg maneuver; The spaceport will be dedicated
exclusively to SSLVs developed by the private sector, with an investment of Rs 950 crore.
30. Indelible Ink- Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL) is the sole manufacturer of indelible ink, essential
for elections. Export orders from countries like Cambodia, Fiji Islands, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-
Bissau. MPVL is exploring alternative products like marker pens as well. Indelible ink is applied on the
left forefinger of voters to prevent fraudulent voting and contains silver nitrate. The ink mark lasts for
about three days on the skin and a few weeks on the fingernail.
31. India's fastest indigenous IP/MPLS router- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled India's fastest
indigenous IP/MPLS router in Bengaluru. The router boasts a capacity of 2.4 tbps (terabytes per
second); It aligns with the Digital India Vision. Key features- blazing speed, versatile applications
across various sectors, and the use of MPLS routing technique.
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) optimizes data transfer efficiency by directing data based on
labels rather than traditional network addresses. The router is developed through collaboration
between the Department of Telecom, CDOT, and Nivetti, showcasing India's technological innovation.
32. CSapce- Kerala is launching CSpace, India’s first government-backed OTT platform. It aims to
democratize content consumption with a mix of informative and entertaining content. Managed
under the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala, it signifies the convergence of
technology and culture.
33. Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre- The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information Technology, announced the establishment of the
'Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre' during the All-India Research Scholars Summit – 2024. It is
will be set up at the IIT – Madras; will initially be co-located with Semiconductor Complex Ltd; It aims
to become a global standard institution, collaborating with academia, government, private sector, and
startups; Focus areas related to semiconductors- materials, physics, transistors, devices, packaging,
and system innovation; Budget for 2024-25, GOI allocated ₹1-lakh crore as the 'Research and
Innovation Fund' to catalyse innovation and research through an industry-academia partnership
model.
34. Mission Samudrayan- The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched India’s first manned ocean
mission “Samudrayaan” in Chennai. This Unique Ocean Mission has made India into the elite club of
nations such as the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China; Matsya 6000 is the human rated deep-sea
vehicle developed under the Samudrayaan project.; It is designed to carry three persons underwater
for deep-sea exploration to a depth of 6000 meters.
Exploration targets include polymetallic manganese nodules, gas hydrates, hydrothermal sulfides, and
cobalt crusts found at depths between 1000 to 5500 meters; Undertaken by the National Institute of
Ocean Technology (NIOT), the project received a site allocation of 75,000 sq km in the Central Indian
Ocean Basin from the International Sea Bed Authority (ISA) for 15 years; Estimated resource potential
of polymetallic nodules is 380 million tonnes, containing manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Six components of the mission- i. technology development for deep-sea mining, ii. ocean climate
change advisory services, iii. sustainable use of marine bio-resources, iv. deep ocean survey and
exploration, v. energy production from the ocean, vi. advanced marine station for ocean biology.
35. Project GR00T – AI chip manufacturer Nvidia announced Project GR00T or Generalist Robot 00
Technology; aims to create AI-powered humanoid robots capable of human-like understanding and
movement. It serves as a general-purpose foundation model for such robots, enabling them to
understand natural language and emulate movements by observing human actions.
The project leverages imitation learning and reinforcement learning, trained on NVIDIA GPU-
accelerated simulation and Isaac Lab platform. Leading robotics companies have partnered with
Nvidia for this initiative. Additionally, Nvidia has introduced updates like Isaac Manipulator and Isaac
Perceptor, enhancing robots' manipulation and perception capabilities. The new computer, Jetson
Thor, powered by Nvidia's Thor SoC, supports complex tasks and ensures safe interaction between
humans and robots.
36. Humanoid Robot- Humanoid robots are sophisticated artificial machines designed to mimic human-
like appearance and behaviour. Applications-space exploration, personal assistance, education,
search and rescue, manufacturing, public relations, and healthcare. While concerns about job loss
arise, humanoid robots are seen as potential aids to humans, improving their lives rather than
replacing them.
India’s Top Humanoid Robots
Robot Developer Description

Manav A-SET Training India's first 3D-printed humanoid robot designed for
and Research research purposes. Capable of performing activities
Institute like push-ups and playing football.
Mitra Invento A five-foot-tall humanoid robot crafted from fiberglass.
Robotics Excels in human-like conversations, navigation, facial
recognition, and speech recognition.
Robocop H-Bots Robotics Designed to assist law enforcement in maintaining law,
order, and traffic management. Equipped with cameras
and sensors for autonomous operations.
KEMPA Sirena Passenger-assistant humanoid robot deployed at
Technologies Bengaluru airport. Provides airport-related
information and engages in casual conversations with
passengers.
RADA Vistara AI-based robot deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi
International Airport. Automates simple tasks and
enhances customer experiences.
IRA Asimov Shiny white humanoid robot deployed at HDFC banks.
Robotics Assists branch staff and facilitates customer
transactions using AI and ML technologies.
Indro Santosh Tallest Indian robot built with low-cost materials.

Vasudeo Capable of performing lightweight tasks for
Hulawale entertainment, education, and household chores.
Named after the Indian god Indra.
37. GPU- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) rapidly renders graphics and images via mathematical
calculations. Originally for 2D/3D rendering, now used widely in professional and personal computing.
Unlike CPUs, GPUs have thousands of smaller cores for parallel processing. Employed for tasks
needing simultaneous operations, like creative content production, video editing, HPC, and AI.
Dedicated RAM optimized for intensive graphics applications. Offloads graphics tasks from CPUs,
resulting in smoother rendering and improved performance.
38. Rooftop Solar Energy- PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was launched for installing rooftop solar and
providing free electricity up to 300 units every month for One Crore households. Involves Photo
Voltaic Solar panels converting sunlight into electricity. Working- Inverter converts DC to AC for
household use; Grid connection allows two-way flow of electricity; Battery storage enhances energy
independence.
39. Drone Didis- Namo Drone Didi scheme was launched to empower rural women through agricultural
drones. The scheme aims to provide 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups with drones for tasks like
crop monitoring and fertiliser spraying, offering employment opportunities and enhancing
agricultural productivity. Additionally, the scheme facilitates the delivery of essential items to rural
areas.; GoI aims to create 3 crore "Lakhpati Didis". The drones distributed were manufactured by
Garuda Aerospace, highlighting support for homegrown drone technology and startups.
40. Artificial Skin/ Smart Skin/ Electronic Skin- Researchers at TU Graz in Austria have developed an
advanced artificial skin prototype called SmartCore, led by Dr. Anna Maria Coclite. SmartCore
surpasses human skin sensitivity by sensing pressure, temperature, and humidity simultaneously,
converting stimuli into electronic signals. Applications -healthcare, robotics, prosthetics, wearable
devices, and aerospace, offering capabilities like sensing, monitoring, and responding to
environmental stimuli for enhanced performance and functionality.
42. 'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative - The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the
'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative through the Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE); It is to revolutionize
infrastructure planning and management. Digital twins replicate physical assets digitally, collect real-
time data, and model process behaviours to improve operational efficiency and potentially save costs
in infrastructure projects. The initiative is seen as a paradigm shift in conceptualizing and managing
infrastructure; It paves the way for smarter, more resilient cities and driving innovation and efficiency
in the telecom industry.
43. Ultradian rhythm- Physiological patterns adopted by all living things for proper functioning; Recur
more frequently than once every 24 hours; Shorter than circadian rhythms, lasting for 90 minutes.;
Involves two types of sleep: REM sleep (dreaming) and non-REM sleep (physical restoration and
memory consolidation); Influences hormone release, metabolism, energy levels, and stress
responses.
44. Circadian Rhythms: Changes experienced by an organism over a 24-hour cycle; Influenced by light
and dark cycles; Every tissue and organ has its own circadian rhythm, collectively tuned to the day-
night cycle; Influences sleep patterns, hormone release, appetite, digestion, and temperature;
Studied under chronobiology.
45. Diurnal Rhythm: Circadian rhythm synced with day and night; Can be light-driven or clock-driven;
Synchronized to environmental cues like light-dark cycle.
46. Infradian Rhythm: Biological rhythms lasting more than 24 hours; Regulated by hormonal
fluctuations, environmental cues, and genetic factors; Controlled by internal biological clocks; Seen
in menstrual cycles, hibernation, and seasonal breeding patterns.
47. Satynedranath Bose- (January 1, 1894- February 4, 1974) - Indian mathematician and physicist;
collaborated with Albert Einstein to develop theories on electromagnetic radiation. Contributions-
introducing a new class of particles- Boson Particle, predicting Bose-Einstein condensate, and
deducing Planck's law without classical electrodynamics. Bose's work bridged classical and modern
quantum mechanics, earning him honors such as the Padma Vibhushan and a Nobel Prize nomination.
48. US Private Moon Lander- Intuitive Machines, a U.S. company, achieved a historic feat by becoming
the first private entity to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon; Despite landing tipped over, the
lander was reported to be in working condition with limited communications, marking the return of
the United States to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972.
49. Micellar Water- Miscellar water is a cleansing solution made up of micelles, tiny oil molecules
suspended in soft water, which effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin without
stripping away natural oils, making it suitable for sensitive skin and leaving a hydrated and refreshed
feeling.
Characteristic Micellar Water Normal Water

Composition Contains micelles (tiny oil Pure water
molecules)
Cleansing Attracts and removes dirt, oil, Limited ability to remove
Properties makeup impurities
Effectiveness Thorough and gentle cleansing Basic rinsing
50. SAKHI App (Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction)- developed by Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC); Aids Gaganyaan astronauts with technical assistance, health
monitoring, mission management, and seamless communication. Gaganyan mission aims for a three-
day Low Earth Orbit trip, demonstrating India's human spaceflight capability. It utilizes Human Rated
Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) and has achieved key milestones with a budget of less than Rs. 10,000
crore. The crew selection process involves four IAF test pilots, marking India's milestone achievement
as the fourth nation to conduct independent human spaceflight.
51. Synthetic Human Embryos- Synthetic Human Embryos (SHE) are not formed from egg and sperm
fusion but from pluripotent stem cells derived from embryos or reprogrammed adult cells;
Researchers manipulate culture conditions to guide cell differentiation, resulting in three-dimensional
structures resembling early embryos. These structures mimic blastocyst-like cavities, placenta-like
tissues, and primitive streak-like structures, resembling gastrulation. Applications in reproductive
medicine, disease modeling, drug testing and development, regenerative medicine, and
developmental biology.
52. Shiv and Shakti Streams- The European Space Agency's Gaia space telescope, led by Khyati Malhan
of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Germany, has discovered two ancient streams of
stars named Shiva and Shakti. These streams were formed approximately 12 billion years ago and
display unique orbits and chemical compositions, each comprising about 10 million suns with stars
aged 12 to 13 billion years. These streams, situated towards the galaxy's heart, were formed as
separate fragments that merged into one galaxy early in its history, shedding light on the Milky Way's
early formation and suggesting a complex origin involving gas and dust filaments.
Symbolically named after a divine couple in Hindu philosophy, Shiva and Shakti represent the
universe's creation and reflect the distinct characteristics of the stellar streams, with Shakti stars
having slightly more distant and circular orbits compared to those of Shiva.
The Gaia space telescope, launched in December 2013, has been surveying the skies for over a
decade, collecting extensive data to create a detailed 3D map of the Milky Way and advancing our
understanding of various astronomical phenomena.
53. Genome India Project- The Genome India Project- funded by the Department of Biotechnology, aims
to sequence 10,000 Indian genomes to understand disease patterns and genetic diversity. Led by the
Centre for Brain Research, it involves collaboration with 20 institutions. The project addresses India's
diverse population and aims to develop predictive diagnostic markers. The data, stored at the Indian
Biological Data Centre, is crucial for local genetic research. Genome sequencing, the process of
determining an organism's genetic makeup, helps in biomedical research, pharmacogenomics,
agricultural genomics, evolutionary biology, and conservation efforts.
54. India’s Space Station- India's own space station will be operational by 2035. The space station, named
Bharatiya Antariksh Station, is planned to be placed in a low Earth orbit and accommodate 2 to 4
astronauts. India aims to use its heaviest rocket, GSLV, to launch the station's components into orbit.
The space station will facilitate microgravity experiments, including astrobiology experiments, and
explore the possibility of moon surface habitats. Initial weigh about 20 tonnes, with inflatable
modules potentially increasing its final weight to 400 tonnes, with a specially developed docking port
compatible with the International Space Station. The station will have solar panels for power
generation and an Environmental Life Support and Control System to regulate oxygen levels and
remove carbon dioxide. This initiative aligns with India's space vision for 2047, which includes sending
the first Indian to the Moon by 2040.
55. Chandran 4- ISRO's Chandrayaan-4 mission (in 2028) represents India's next step in lunar exploration;
goal -bringing back samples of moon rocks and soil for scientific analysis. The mission will employ a
dual-rocket system, utilizing both the heavy-lifter LVM-3 and the reliable PSLV, to carry distinct
payloads for various aspects of the lunar mission; Chandrayaan-4 will consist of five spacecraft
modules: Propulsion Module: Responsible for providing propulsion to the spacecraft during different
phases of the mission; Descender Module: Designed to descend to the lunar surface and collect
samples of moon rocks and soil; Ascender Module: Responsible for lifting off from the lunar surface
with the collected samples; Transfer Module: Facilitates the transfer of samples from the lunar orbit
to Earth's orbit; Re-entry Module: Ensures the safe return of the samples to Earth's surface.
56. Ergosphere - Scientists theorize that extracting matter and energy from the Ergosphere, the region
between the event horizon and the stationary limit of a rotating black hole, is possible; The
ergosphere is a region surrounding a rotating black hole, located between the event horizon and the
stationary limit. In this area, space-time itself is dragged along with the rotation of the black hole.
Objects within the ergosphere are forced to rotate along with the black hole’s spin due to the
distortion of spacetime caused by its immense gravitational pull. The event horizon, on the other
hand, is a theoretical boundary around a black hole beyond which no radiation can escape.
57. Multiverse- The multiverse refers to the hypothesis that there could be multiple universes or
dimensions beyond our observable universe. These universes may have different physical constants,
laws of physics, or even different dimensions of space and time. The concept arises from various
theories, including inflationary cosmology, string theory, and quantum mechanics.
"Metaverse" is more commonly associated with virtual reality and the digital realm. It refers to a
collective virtual space that encompasses all virtual worlds, augmented reality, and the internet. In
this context, the metaverse is a conceptual extension of the internet, where users can interact with
each other and digital objects in immersive virtual environments.
58. Genomic Medicine- Genomic medicine is the study of our genes (DNA) and their interaction with our
health. It involves using an individual's genomic information to tailor their clinical care. It helps
diagnose diseases, predict outcomes, and guide treatment by considering genetic factors alongside
other environmental and lifestyle influences. By integrating genomic data into medical practice,
doctors can provide more targeted and personalized care, ensuring the right tests and treatments are
administered to each patient at the right time, leading to precision medicine.
59. Doomsday Clock- The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock that represents how close humanity is to
self-destruction. It was created in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to represent the threat
of nuclear war. The clock is updated annually by the Bulletin's Science and Security Board based on
their assessment of the current global situation. The closer the clock is to midnight, the greater the
perceived threat of global catastrophe. The Doomsday Clock is set to 90 seconds to midnight in 2024,
the closest it's ever been to midnight. The clock is a symbolic countdown to the apocalypse, with
"midnight" representing the end of the world. It indicates how close the world is to the disruptive
events like wars, climate change, and the arms race.
60. Japan’s Moon Snipper Landing Mission- Japan's "Moon Sniper," the Smart Lander for Investigating
Moon (SLIM), successfully executed a precise landing around 55 meters from its target on the lunar
surface; Japan is the fifth nation to achieve such a feat after the US, Soviet Union, China, and India;
The mission aims to analyze rocks in a lunar crater to uncover insights into the Moon's water
resources, crucial for potential future bases and Mars exploration. The SLIM craft detached two
probes, including a shape-shifting mini-rover, for further exploration and image transmission;
Significance- survived two lunar nights without its instruments freezing.
61. End to End Encryption- End-to-end encryption (E2EE) secures data during transmission by converting
it into an unreadable format. It of 2 types: Symmetric encryption- It uses a single key for both
encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses different keys; Concerns- i. E2EE can
be susceptible to MITM (Man in the Middle) attacks, where intercepting the key compromises data
security. ii. Users may become complacent due to perceived security, overlooking other vulnerabilities
like malware or backdoors
62. NISAR Mission (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) -The NISAR satellite (Weight- 2,800kg),
developed jointly by NASA and ISRO, is set to be launched 2024. It aims to monitor natural processes
and changes in Earth's ecosystems by capturing images of the Earth's surface every 12 days with a
mission life of three years. NISAR will track subtle changes in the Earth's surface, spot warning signs
of volcanic eruptions, monitor groundwater supplies, and track the rate of ice sheet melting.
Equipped with dual-frequency radar and a large 39-foot fixed antenna reflector, NISAR will provide
detailed observations of Earth's surface, aiding in disaster management, agriculture, and climate
change research.
63. Station Shiv Shakti- Chandrayaan-3 is India's third lunar exploration mission, successfully achieving a
soft landing on the Moon's surface with the Vikram lander; The International Astronomical Union
(IAU) approved the name 'Station Shiv Shakti' for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander
on the Moon.'Station Shiv Shakti' is derived from Indian mythology, representing the masculine
(Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) duality of nature, symbolizing resolution and strength for humanity's
welfare; The Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature documents all IAU-approved names of
topographic and albedo features; Previous lunar missions by India, such as Chandrayaan-1, also had
designated names for their impact sites, honoring figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime
Minister.
64. I- STEM Samavesha Project- The Samavesha project is a national initiative by Indian Science,
Technology, and Engineering (I-STEM) to improve research collaboration in India. The project aims to
connect researchers with scientific institutes through an online portal. The launch event for the
project was held on January 16, 2024 at IISc, Bengaluru, and I-STEM plans to conduct around 50
Samavesha events across India in 2024.
65. Startup Mahakumbh- India's largest and first-of-its-kind startup event, registered record
participation, serving as a vibrant platform for all stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem. The
confluence of stakeholders and experts is expected to help further develop emerging sectors like
DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, AI, Gaming, etc. The event is hosting over 2000 startups,
1000+ investors, 100+ unicorns, 300+ incubators & accelerators, 3,000+ conference delegates, 10+
country delegations, 3000+ future entrepreneurs and 50,000+ business visitors from across the
country.
66. Mars Orbiter Mission 2- MOM 2, aiming to land a rover and deploy a helicopter on the Red Planet.
Key component- Martian Boundary Layer Explorer (MARBLE), a sophisticated drone designed to
gather data on the Martian atmosphere. It will provide insights into temperature, atmospheric
pressure, composition, and wind dynamics on Mars.
Following in the footsteps of NASA's Ingenuity, ISRO plans to dispatch a rotorcraft to Mars, equipped
with various sensors to analyze atmospheric conditions. Challenges - thin atmosphere and extreme
temperatures. An alternative design approach, considering an airship design, might offer advantages
in navigating Mars's thin atmosphere with lower energy requirements.
67. India's First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry: Recently flagged off by the Prime Minister of India
under the Harit Nauka initiative; Built at the Cochin Shipyard, it emphasizes clean energy solutions
and aligns with the nation’s net-zero commitments. A key component of a major program including
the foundation stone laid for a project at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, the first Green Hydrogen Hub
Port of the country.
Harit Nauka Initiative: Introduced by the Ministry of Ports for inland vessels to use green fuels; Aims
for 50% green fuel use by 2034 and 100% by 2045; Reflects global shift towards eco-friendly fuels in
shipping.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell: Generates clean electricity from hydrogen with only water and heat as by-
products; Part of India's renewable energy efforts, including the National Hydrogen Energy Mission
and solar initiatives.
Net-Zero Target: Means balancing emissions with removal of greenhouse gases; India aims for net-
zero emissions by 2070, aligning with global goals; Requires advanced technologies like carbon
capture and storage, and more forests to absorb carbon.
68. ISRO’s Pushpak

The Pushpak RLV (Reusable Launch Vehicle) is a unique type of rocket being developed by India; Unlike
traditional rockets that are discarded after use, the Pushpak is designed to be reused, similar to
airplanes; This reusability feature aims to reduce the cost of space missions significantly; The Pushpak
RLV takes off vertically like a rocket but can land horizontally, resembling a small space shuttle with
wings.
69. Indigenous IP/MPLS router - India has launched its fastest indigenous IP/MPLS router. With a capacity
of 2.4 tdps (terabytes per second), the router marks a significant milestone in India's technological
advancement towards the Digital India vision; Features - blazing speed, versatile applications across
sectors like railways, telecommunications, and media, and the use of MPLS routing technique for
optimized data transfer efficiency.
70. Anti-Retroviral Therapy- April 1, 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of India's launch of Antiretroviral
Therapy (ART) for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV), a significant step in combating HIV/AIDS; ART
involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day. ART can't cure HIV, but it can control the
virus, allowing people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives and reducing the risk of transmitting the
virus to others.; Challenges- delayed enrolment in treatment programs and issues with adherence to
medication; India's efforts - HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act 2017; ensuring access to
affordable Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for over 90% of people living with HIV globally; signing MoUs
to reduce stigma and discrimination; launching Project Sunrise to address rising HIV prevalence in
northeastern states, particularly among people injecting drugs; National AIDS Control Programme
(NACP) - NACP phase 5 calls for the attainment of ambitious targets of 95-95-95 by 2025, where 95%
of all people living with HIV know their HIV status; 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection
receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy
achieve viral suppression by 2025.
71. Retrovirus - A type of virus that uses RNA as its genetic material. After infecting a cell, a retrovirus
uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA. The retrovirus then
integrates its viral DNA into the DNA of the host cell, which allows the retrovirus to replicate. HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS, is a retrovirus.
72. Kodikanal Solar Observatory- Recently, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory celebrated its 125th birth
anniversary. Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu was chosen for its clear skies, low humidity, and minimal fog.
Cause of Establishment: The establishment of the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KoSO) in India, was
motivated by the need to understand the link between solar activity and monsoons; Imp Facts-
Owned and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics; Established in 1899 in Tamil Nadu; First
detected the Evershed effect in 1909; Established to understand the link between solar activity and
monsoons, following the Great Drought of 1875-1877.
Other Major Space Observatories in India: Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), Hanle: Situated in
Hanle Ladakh, operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics; Mt. Abu Infrared Observatory (MIO):
Located in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan, operated by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL); Giant
Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT): Near Pune, operated by the National Centre for Radio
Astrophysics (NCRA).
Global Efforts and Missions to Study the Sun: India’s Aditya-L1 Mission: A space-based observatory
studying the Sun from a distance of 1.5 million kilometers; NASA’s Parker Solar Probe: Traces energy
movement in the Sun's corona and studies the solar wind's source; Helios 2 Solar Probe: Joint venture
between NASA and West Germany, went within 43 million km of the Sun's surface in 1976; Solar
Orbiter: A joint mission by ESA and NASA to understand how the Sun creates and controls the space
environment.
73. Google DeepMind- Predictive AI models like SIMA (Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent) and
AlphaGeometry are gaining attention for their applications in diverse industries; SIMA, developed by
Google DeepMind, is an AI agent capable of performing various tasks in virtual environments,
enhancing gaming experiences. AlphaGeometry, also from DeepMind, specializes in solving complex
geometry problems using neural language models and symbolic deduction; Applications - volcanic
ash monitoring, oil and gas exploration, and medicine research.
Indian Initiatives - National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary
Cyber-Physical Systems, National AI Portal, INDIAai, India joining the Global Partnership on Artificial
Intelligence (GPAI)
Aspect Predictive AI Generative AI

Purpose Analyzing data to predict future Generating new and original content
outcomes
Learning Based on historical data and Learns from diverse datasets and
patterns creates new content
Functionality Anticipates likely futures Creates content autonomously
Examples Stock market prediction models Image generation, text generation
Applications Finance, healthcare, weather Creative industries, art, storytelling
forecasting
Data Relies on large volumes of Requires diverse datasets for creativity
Requirement historical data
Challenges Overfitting, biased data, Maintaining coherence, originality
interpretability
Benefits Informed decision-making, risk Creative inspiration, content
assessment generation
74. Agniban Cosmos- Agnikul Cosmos launched the Agnibaan SubOrbital Technology Demonstrator
(SOrTeD) with a single-piece 3D-printed engine from Sriharikota; The sub-orbital mission reached 8
km before splashing into the sea; This was Agnikul's first flight and the second private startup launch
in India; Skyroot launched first in 2022; Agnibaan SOrTeD was launched from India's first private
mobile launchpad, Dhanush; It featured India's first semi-cryogenic engine, Agnilet, using sub-cooled
oxygen; The 3D-printed process aims to reduce launch costs and assembly time; Payload capacity
ranges from 30 kg to 300 kg; IN-SPACe facilitates private sector participation in India's space activities.
75. OSRIS- APEX- OSIRIS-APEX, previously OSIRIS-REx, (OSIRIS-REx was a NASA asteroid-study and
sample-return mission that visited and collected samples from 101955 Bennu, a carbonaceous near-
Earth asteroid) now aims to visit asteroid Apophis after successfully sampling Bennu; The spacecraft's
new mission includes perihelion passes, bringing it closer to the sun; First perihelion pass on January
2, 2024, required adjusting solar panels to protect sensitive sensors; The spacecraft handled the high
temperatures and radiation well; MapCam camera performance improved with 70% fewer hot pixels
due to the heat; Next perihelion pass is scheduled for September 1; Bennu, discovered in 1999, is a
carbonaceous asteroid with a 1 in 2,700 chance of hitting Earth in the late 22nd century; Bennu's
samples could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth.
76. PREFIRE Satellite- NASA launched two CubeSats for the PREFIRE mission to measure heat lost from
Earth's poles; PREFIRE aims to study the Earth's energy budget by measuring infrared and far-infrared
radiation from the Arctic and Antarctica; Two CubeSats equipped with thermal infrared spectrometers
will gather this data; This information will help predict changes in Earth's ice, seas, and weather
patterns; CubeSats are low-cost, small satellites, typically used for research and technology
demonstrations; They are nanosatellites, weighing less than 10 kg, and can be launched in larger
numbers for scientific research.
77. Astrosat’s New Discovery- Indian astronomers using AstroSat discovered an aperiodic modulation of
high-energy X-rays in the black hole binary system "Swift J1727.8-1613"; Observations were made
from September 2 to 14, 2023, showing QPO frequency changes from 1.4Hz to 2.6Hz in seven days;
This is the first observed variation of its kind in any black hole X-ray binary system; The discovery
provides insights into gas accretion and relativistic jet formation around black holes; A black hole X-
ray binary consists of a black hole and a normal star; high-energy X-rays are emitted as the black hole
accretes matter from its companion star. AstroSat, launched by ISRO on September 28, 2015, is India's
first dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope, observing in ultraviolet, optical, and X-ray
wavelengths.
78. First Indian Space Tourist- Gopi Thotakura, from Andhra Pradesh, became the first Indian space
tourist on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission. He is the second Indian to venture into space after Wing
Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984; The mission was Blue Origin's seventh human spaceflight and
the 25th flight for the New Shepard program; The crew included six members: Thotakura, Mason
Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, Carol Schaller, and Ed Dwight; Ed Dwight was the first black
astronaut candidate, selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961; New Shepard has flown 37
people into space so far; Blue Origin’s mission emphasizes protecting Earth and inspiring future
generations through its Club for the Future foundation.
79. Social Media- Addictive Behaviour Concerns- The European Union has launched an investigation into
Meta Platforms Inc. over concerns that Facebook and Instagram may foster addictive behaviors;
Assess if practices breach EU laws on digital safety and consumer protection; Addictive Behavior
concerns over social media's impact, especially on youth. Facebook - founded in 2004, rapid growth,
largest photo library; Instagram- Launched in 2010, rapid user growth, notable for its hashtag
projects.
80. ISRO’s 3D Printed Rocket Engine- ISRO and Wipro 3D developed a 3D-printed rocket engine for 4th
stage of PSLV; Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) reduced components to one piece,
eliminating weld joints; Engine uses bipropellant combination of nitrogen tetroxide and monomethyl
hydrazine; Rigorous testing, including 665-second hot test, validated performance; Marks milestone
in additive manufacturing for ISRO's space missions; This streamlined design drastically reduced raw
material usage and production time, enhancing efficiency and performance.
81. AI Deadbot- Deadbots are AI chatbots mimicking deceased loved ones. They offer comfort but raise
ethical concerns like psychological distress and emotional dependency. Microsoft's Deadbot patent
and services like Project December highlight the need for clear guidelines prioritizing user well-being.
82. BSNL Indigenous 4G- BSNL plans to launch 4G services across India in August, using indigenous
technology aligned with the government's "Atmanirbhar" policy; Peak speeds of 40-45 megabits per
second were recorded during pilot phases, using premium spectrum bands like 700 MHz and 2,100
MHz; The 4G core developed by C-DoT has shown stability within 10 months of installation in Punjab,
indicating readiness for nationwide deployment; BSNL has partnered with TCS, Tejas Networks, and
ITI for deploying the 4G network, which is upgradable to 5G; The company is in the process of
deploying 1.12 lakh towers for 4G and 5G services, with over 9,000 towers already installed across
various circles.
83. Water Ice on Moon- Recent studies by scientists from ISRO, IIT Kanpur, University of Southern
California, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad suggest: Higher possibility of water ice in
Moon's polar craters; Subsurface ice at 1-2 meters depth is 5 to 8 times more than surface ice; Drilling
for ice access is crucial for lunar missions; Northern polar region has double the ice compared to the
south; Ice's origin is linked to volcanism during the Imbrian period; Mare volcanism and impact
cratering affect ice distribution; Data gathered from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter of Chandrayan 2
instruments; Understanding ice distribution aids site selection for future lunar missions.; Study aligns
with ISRO's Space Applications Centre findings on lunar ice presence.
84. West Nile Fever- West Nile Fever has re-emerged in Kerala's Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode
districts; It is caused by the West Nile Virus (WNV), transmitted by infected Culex mosquitoes; WNV
is a mosquito-borne, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family; The virus is
transmitted between humans and animals, primarily birds, which act as reservoir hosts; Mosquitoes
become infected by feeding on infected birds and can transmit the virus to humans during subsequent
bites; WNV can also spread through blood transfusion, from mother to child, or in laboratories;
Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, rash, and swollen glands; The
disease is asymptomatic in 80% of cases, with the remaining experiencing West Nile fever or severe
West Nile disease.
85. Mumps- Mumps, a viral infection primarily affecting children, has been spreading in Kerala recently.
It is not part of the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) due to its historical low mortality and
perceived low public health significance; Mumps manifests with symptoms like fever, headache, and
swollen salivary glands; Recent outbreaks in Kerala have raised concerns due to complications such
as encephalitis and aseptic meningitis; Lack of mortality and limited documentation of mumps cases
have contributed to its exclusion from national immunization schedules; Control measures include
public awareness campaigns, improved immunization coverage, strict isolation for patients, school
closures during outbreaks, enhanced surveillance, and training for healthcare providers; Vaccine
effectiveness studies and integration with measles and rubella control efforts are recommended. The
mumps vaccine is usually given as part of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
86. Chang e-6- Chinese spacecraft lands on far side of Moon; Chang’e-6 mission collects soil and rock
samples; It is the second mission aimed at bringing back samples. The first was the Chang'e 5 mission
in 2020, which collected samples from the near side of the moon; China has successfully soft-landed
on the far side of the Moon twice, when no other country has done it once; Far side differs from near
side in geology; Potential insights into Moon's origin and evolution; Exploration aims to understand
impact history; Missions to the moon's far side are more difficult because it doesn't face the Earth,
requiring a relay satellite to maintain communications. The terrain is also more rugged, with fewer
flat areas to land
87. World’s first Wooden Satellite - Japan launches wooden satellite LignoSat; Aims to reduce space
debris by burning up in atmosphere; Collaboration between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry;
Crafted from magnolia wood for strength and workability; Scheduled launch in September on SpaceX
rocket; Tests on ISS to assess strength and temperature resistance; Potential for environmentally
friendly satellites; Combating space pollution and debris
88. Aircraft Turbulence- Aircraft turbulence is disruption of airflow causing irregular vertical motion.
Recently, one passenger died of a suspected heart attack and 30 others were injured after a Singapore
Airlines flight from London to Singapore hit severe turbulence. About Aircraft Turbulence: Turbulence
means disruption of airflow over the wings of an airplane, which causes it to enter irregular vertical
motion; Can be caused by unstable weather patterns triggering storms; Seven types of turbulence:
Wind Shear, Frontal, Convective, Wake, Mechanical, Clear Air, Mountain Wave; Each type has distinct
causes and effects on flight; Pilots use various techniques to navigate through turbulence and ensure
passenger safety.
89. Nucleosynthesis- Nucleosynthesis is the creation of new atomic nuclei, the centers of atoms that are
made up of protons and neutrons. Nucleosynthesis first occurred within a few minutes of the Big
Bang. At that time, a quark-gluon plasma, a soup of particles known as quarks and gluons, condensed
into protons and neutrons. Stellar nucleosynthesis: How stars create elements in their cores;
Hydrogen, the most abundant element, is not formed this way; Stars' cores have extreme pressure
and temperature, up to 15 million °C; Nuclear fusion in stars forms helium from hydrogen in p-p
process; CNO cycle in massive stars forms elements from helium onwards; As fusion progresses, star
produces heavier elements until iron. Elements heavier than iron are formed in supernova explosions.
90. Solar Strom- A solar storm is a disturbance in space weather caused by eruptions on the Sun's surface,
such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These eruptions release charged particles and
electromagnetic radiation that can reach Earth, potentially disrupting satellites, power grids, and
communication systems. Impacts: Disrupt satellite operations; Affect power grids, causing potential
outages; Disrupt GPS and navigation systems; Cause beautiful auroral displays visible at lower
latitudes; Airlines advised to reroute flights, especially over polar areas.
91. 55 Cancri e, also called Janssen- Recently, astronomers detected rocky planets beyond our solar
system with an atmosphere; 55 Cancri e, also known as Janssen, is a rocky exoplanet; Located 41 light-
years away in the Cancer constellation; Diameter about twice that of Earth, mass about eight times
Earth; Orbits its star at 1.4 million miles, completing an orbit in less than 18 hours; Likely tidally locked,
always showing the same side to its star; Discovered in 2004, the first super-Earth found around a
main sequence star; Potential atmosphere rich in CO2 or CO, lacking thick hydrogen or water vapor;
Temperature around 2,800°F, suggesting heat distribution from day to night side.
92. Standard time for Moon by NASA- White House directs NASA to create Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)
by 2026; Aims to coordinate international and private lunar operations; Moon's day/night cycle: ~29.5
Earth days; Current Moon time uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC); UTC based on International
Atomic Time (TAI) since 1960; UTC used globally, adjusts for Earth's rotational changes; Moon's time
differs due to gravity and rotation differences; LTC can't rely on UTC due to time differences; Atomic
clocks suggested for lunar surface; Three atomic clocks recommended to account for lunar variations
93. CoViNet- Global Network by WHO- WHO launched CoViNet for global coronavirus detection and
monitoring; expands on the COVID-19 lab network to cover SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and new
coronaviruses.; Includes 36 labs from 21 countries across all WHO regions.; Focuses on early
detection, risk assessment, and response planning.; Embraces a One Health approach involving
human, animal, and environmental experts.; Aims to inform WHO policies with timely data for global
health decisions.
94. Kodikanal Solar Observatory- Celebrated 125th anniversary of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO)
on 1 April 2024; KSO houses historic and modern telescopes, and a digital repository of over 1.2 lakh
solar images; Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) commemorated KSO's history and scientists;
Established in 1899 by the British; significant in solar astrophysics research; Holds one of the world's
longest continuous daily records of the Sun; Digitized database available for global astronomers; IIA
plans events to highlight KSO’s achievements and ongoing research; Prof. Siraj Hasan discussed the
Evershed Effect discovery and ongoing digitization efforts; KSO’s legacy includes chasing eclipses,
discovering Helium, and understanding solar processes; Continues its legacy with Visible Emission
Line Coronagraph on Aditya-L1 and proposed National Large Solar Telescope in Ladakh.
95. ISRO START program- ISRO offers Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) for post-
graduate and final-year undergraduate students; Covers domains like Astronomy, Heliophysics,
Instrumentation, and Aeronomy; aims to train students in space science and technology, providing
insights into research opportunities and careers; The program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature
of space science.
96. John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr. Award for Space Exploration for Chandrayan 3 team - ISRO's Chandrayaan-
3 mission team receives 2024 John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr. Award for Space Exploration by the US-based
Space Foundation; Award recognizes outstanding achievements in space exploration; Chandrayaan-3
landed a lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragyan) at the moon's south pole, a first in history.; ISRO's
leadership and ingenuity in global space arena acknowledged. John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr. Award honors
legacy of Apollo 13 mission astronaut; The Space Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in
1983, dedicated to the global space ecosystem. Space Foundation promotes collaboration and
education for space exploration.
97. India 2nd in Hepatitis B and C cases- WHO's Global Hepatitis Report 2024 highlights viral hepatitis as
the second leading infectious cause of death globally; 1.3 million deaths occur annually due to viral
hepatitis, equal to tuberculosis; Deaths from viral hepatitis increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3
million in 2022; Hepatitis B accounts for 83% of deaths, while hepatitis C accounts for 17%; Globally,
3,500 people die daily from hepatitis B and C infections; Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia,
Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Vietnam have two-thirds of the global burden; 254
million people have hepatitis B, and 50 million have hepatitis C; Half of chronic hepatitis B and C cases
are in people aged 30-54, with 12% in children under 18; Men make up 58% of all cases. Hepatitis is
liver inflammation, commonly caused by viral infections (A, B, C, D, E), leading to symptoms like
jaundice and abdominal pain. It can be chronic, causing liver damage and increasing cancer risk, with
treatments ranging from antivirals to liver transplantation. Vaccine is available for prevention.
98. International Day for Human Space Flight- Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space on April 12,
1961, aboard Vostok 1, marking the start of human space exploration. Since 2011, 12 April every year
is celebrated as the international day of human space flight; Laika, a dog, was the first living being in
space in 1957, paving the way for human spaceflight; Belka, Strelka, and other animals proved
survivability in space before human missions; Americans used chimpanzees like Ham and Enos to test
spaceflight conditions before human astronauts.
99. Indigenous technology for Cruise missiles - DRDO conducted a successful flight-test of Indigenous
Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM); ITCM is equipped with advanced avionics and software, developed
by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) with contributions from other Indian labs
and industries; It is monitored by range sensors like radar and Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS)
for precise targeting. Cruise missiles are guided missiles used against terrestrial or naval targets, flying
at constant speed and low altitude for stealth and precision; they can be subsonic, supersonic, or
hypersonic based on their speed capabilities.
100. Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE)- Sonar Testing
Center- DRDO inaugurated a state-of-the-art SPACE hub for sonar system testing for the Indian Navy;
Located at Kulamavu, Kerala, it's developed by Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory; SPACE
includes a floating platform and a submersible platform for testing sonar systems at depths up to 100
meters; facilitates efficient deployment, retrieval, and evaluation of sonar systems on navy platforms
like ships, submarines, and helicopters; also conducts surveying, sampling, data collection, and
analysis for Anti-Submarine Warfare research.
101. Debris free space missions 2030- Recently, ISRO's PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission achieved near-
zero debris in Earth's orbit by converting the final stage into the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3
(POEM-3), which then safely re-entered the atmosphere rather than remaining in orbit after
completing its mission. India plans to debris free missions by 2030. Space debris, mainly in LEO (Low
Earth Orbit), poses collision risks and the 'Kessler syndrome'. ISRO's Space Situational Awareness
Control Centre and Project NETRA address debris threats; India's Manastu Space focuses on in-space
refuelling and satellite de-orbiting; Japan's CRD2 project and Europe's 'Zero Debris charter' aim to
mitigate space junk; NASA's Orbital Debris Program and Space Force track and remove debris,
promoting space safety; Future solutions - space-based recycling, robotic arms for debris capture, and
advanced space traffic management systems.
102. Personalised mRNA Vaccine- Moderna and MSD are developing a personalised mRNA vaccine
(mRNA-4157) for melanoma (Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer) in Phase III trials; The vaccine
targets unique genetic markers on each patient's tumour cells, aiding the immune system in
eliminating cancer cells. The vaccine has potential applications in treating other cancers like lung,
bladder, and kidney tumours, offering hope for improved cancer treatment outcomes. Personalized
mRNA vaccines use mRNA fragments to introduce tumor-specific antigens into the body, training the
immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells based on their unique antigens, potentially
improving cancer treatment outcomes.
103. NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System Mission (ACS3)- NASA launched the ACS3
spacecraft using sunlight for propulsion; It deploys an 80-square-meter solar sail in orbit; Solar sails
use reflective materials to capture sunlight and provide continuous thrust; Solar sailing offers
efficiency, maneuverability, and potential for interstellar travel.
104. Blue Origin’s NS-25 Mission- Gopi Tothakura- Gopi Thotakura becomes the first Indian space
tourist on Blue Origin's NS-25 mission; The mission also features Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut
in space, among six crew members; Blue Origin aims to expand beyond suborbital flights and
collaborate with NASA for lunar exploration. Blue Origin is a private aerospace company founded by
Jeff Bezos in 2000 with the goal of making space travel more accessible. Blue Origin's flagship project
is the New Shepard suborbital rocket, designed for vertical takeoff and landing with a reusable
booster.
105. Mangalyan 2- Mangalyaan-2 is India's next Mars mission after Mangalyaan-1; It plans to land
a rover and helicopter on Mars, a first for India; Previous successful Mars landings were achieved by
the US and China; Key components include a rover, helicopter, and relay satellite for communication;
Will be launched using Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3); Scientific goals - studying Martian geology,
atmosphere, and potential signs of past life; Challenges -precise landing and operation in Mars' thin
atmosphere.
106. Hubble vs JWT
Factor Hubble Telescope James Webb Telescope

Launch Year 1990 2021
Wavelength Visible, Ultraviolent, Infrared Mostly Infrared
0.8 to 2.5 microns 0.6 to 28 microns
Mirror Size Primary Mirror- 2.4 meters in Primary Mirror- 6.5-meter diameter
diameter Material: Glass and Material: Berylium (Strong and light)
Aluminium
Sunshield 43.5 ft.x14 ft 69.5 ft x 46.5 ft
Size
Orbit Low Earth Orbit around 570 km Legrangian Point L2, around 1.5million
km
Purpose Capturing data of distant stars Deep Space explorations, early galaxies
and galaxies and start formations, etc
Servicing Operational Life can be Designed to be autonomous and
extended through servicing servicing is not part of the mission (10-
year orbit duration)
107. TSAT 1 A- TSAT-1A is an optical sub-metre-resolution Earth observation satellite; Built by Tata
Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in collaboration with Satellogic Inc; Equipped with multispectral and
hyperspectral imaging capabilities; Launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space
Center, Florida; Designed for gathering discreet information for Indian defense forces; Aims to
enhance defense preparedness, response capabilities, and strategic decision-making; Represents the
first private sector initiative for military spy satellites in India.
108. Juice Jacking Scam- RBI warns against charging phones via public ports due to juice jacking;
Juice jacking is a cyberattack via public USB charging stations, stealing data from connected devices.;
Attackers use malware or altered hardware to collect private information like addresses, bank details,
and passwords; Scammers set up fake charging stations in public places like malls, hotels, cafes, and
airports; Users are advised to use personal chargers and trusted power sources to avoid cybersecurity
risks.
109. Small Language Models- Compact AI models with fewer parameters than large models
(LLMs); Uses Artificial Neural Networks; Used for sentiment analysis, text summarization, question-
answering, code generation; Advantages- Require less computational power, Faster processing Cost-
effective; Examples: Llama 2 (Meta AI), Mistral and Mixtral (Mistral AI), Phi and Orca (Microsoft),
Alpaca 7B (Stanford), StableLM (Stability AI); Increased adoption for privacy and cost benefits
Feature Small Language Models Large Language Models (LLMs)

(SLMs)
Size and Capacity Few million parameters Billions of parameters
Examples Llama 2 (Meta AI), Mistral and GPT-3 (OpenAI), BERT (Google), T5
Mixtral (Mistral AI) (Google), Megatron (NVIDIA)
Performance Examples: Llama 2 for basic Examples: GPT-3 for complex

NLP tasks language understanding, content
Basic language tasks like generation, QA
sentiment analysis, text Advanced tasks like natural language
classification understanding, content creation,
dialogue
Use Cases Examples: Llama 2 for simple Examples: GPT-3 for advanced
chatbots chatbots, content generation,
language translation
Capabilities Limited language capabilities, High language capabilities, suitable
suitable for basic applications for complex language tasks
Training and Examples: SLMs are quicker Examples: LLMs require extensive
Fine-Tuning to train and fine-tune computational resources and time
for training
Complexity Less complex architecture, Complex architecture, requires
easier to manage specialized infrastructure and
expertise
Cost and Examples: SLMs are cost- Examples: LLMs require substantial
Resource Needs effective in terms of computational power, memory, and
resources expertise
Suitability Suitable for resource- Suitable for organizations with
constrained environments significant computational resources
110. Goldman Environmental Prize- Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the Green Nobel,
recognizes grassroots environmental activists.; 2024 award given to Alok Shukla on May 2, 2024;
Shukla led a campaign saving 445,000 acres of forests in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Aranya region from
coal mining; Hasdeo Aranya forest is the "lungs of Chhattisgarh" with 25 endangered species, 92 bird
species, and 167 rare/medicinal plant species; Goldman Environmental Prize (Green Nobel) awarded
by the Goldman Environmental Foundation; Founded by Richard and Rhonda Goldman in 1989;
Recognizes grassroots environmental leaders from six regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America,
South and Central America, and islands/island nations; Winners selected by an international jury and
awarded USD 200,000 as prize money.
111. Two new Malaria Vaccines in Africa- Malaria incidents rising; 249M cases in 2022; Africa: 94%
of cases, 95% of deaths; RTS,S vaccine by Walter Reed Army Research Institute; WHO-approved in
2021; RTS,S prevents 30% severe malaria in children under 5; 2M children vaccinated in Ghana, Kenya,
Malawi since 2019; 18M RTS,S doses allocated to 12 African countries; R21/Matrix M vaccine by
Oxford's Jenner Institute; WHO-approved in 2023; R21/Matrix M: 75% efficacy, cheaper, easier to
produce; Serum Institute of India to produce 100M doses annually; First R21 batches available in the
second half of 2024; Vaccines to be combined with other malaria control strategies.
112. Glycemic Index- Glycemic Index (GI) measures carbohydrate quality in food; GI indicates how
much food raises blood glucose levels; GI of glucose is 100; other foods are compared as a percentage
of this; Glycemic Load (GL) = GI x carbohydrate amount consumed; GL considers portion sizes; High
GI foods like white rice and wheat lead to very high GL diets in India and South Asia; High GL diets
increase risk of type 2 diabetes.
113. Peter Higgs- Nobel laureate physicist Peter Higgs recently passed away; Higgs theorized the
Higgs boson ('God particle') in the 1960s; Higgs boson gives mass to other fundamental particles; It is
the quantum excitation of the Higgs field, which permeates the universe; Discovery of the Higgs boson
completed the Standard Model of Particle Physics; Particles gain mass by interacting with the Higgs
field; Stronger interaction with the Higgs field means a more massive particle; Higgs boson was
experimentally discovered in 2012 at CERN's Large Hadron Collider.
114. India TB Report 2024- India TB Report 2024: Mortality rate from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 23 per
lakh in 2022; Majority TB cases reported from government health centers, private sector reports also
increased.; 33% of 2023 TB cases (8.4 lakh) from private sector, up from 1.9 lakh in 2015. Estimated
TB incidence in 2023: 27.8 lakh, mortality: 3.2 lakh; India reached 95% treatment initiation target in
2023.
115. Tuberculosis: Bacterial infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Airborne transmission;
Symptoms: cough with sputum/blood, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, fever, night sweats; 10
million annual cases, 1.5 million deaths; Treatment: Standard 6-month course of 4 drugs. MDR-TB
and XDR-TB require second-line drugs; Drugs: Isoniazid (INH), Rifampicin (RIF), Delamanid; Initiatives:
WHO's "Find. Treat. All. #EndTB"; Global Plan to End TB 2023-2030; India's efforts: Pradhan Mantri
TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis Elimination, TB Harega Desh
Jeetega Campaign, Nikshay Poshan Yojna, RePORT India.
116. Smear microscopy for TB detection- Smear microscopy is a rapid and inexpensive method for
detecting tuberculosis (TB) in sputum by identifying acid-fast bacilli (AFB). It's essential in low- and
middle-income countries (LMICs), where nearly 95% of TB cases and 98% of TB deaths occur.
Sensitivity- 50%; Specificity: Can produce false positives due to laboratory errors and cannot
differentiate between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous
mycobacteria (NTM); Rifampicin Resistance: Ineffective at diagnosing; Efforts to improve smear
microscopy include physical and chemical sputum processing, centrifugation, LED fluorescence
microscopy, and automation systems.
117. PRATYUSH Telescope- Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen
(PRATUSH) Telescope is a radio telescope designed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in
collaboration with ISRO. It aims to detect signals from the early universe, shedding light on the cosmic
dawn, the formation of the first stars, and the nature of their light. Planned for the moon's far side,
PRATUSH will use advanced technology to achieve high sensitivity in capturing radio noise from the
Dark Ages.
118. Pushpak RLV- ISRO conducted Pushpak Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 landing
experiment; Experiment took place at Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga; Pushpak RLV is winged,
designed for autonomous landing after space missions; Equipped with advanced navigation, control,
and landing gear systems; Marks a milestone in India's pursuit of reusable space technology; Enables
future missions to Low Earth Orbits and supports scientific/commercial endeavors.
119. IceCube- IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica detects neutrinos; Recently found
potential evidence for astrophysical tau neutrinos; Built by IceCube Collaboration led by University of
Wisconsin, Madison; Consists of sensors buried 1.4 km beneath ice and detectors above; Works by
detecting radiation produced when neutrinos interact with ice; Neutrinos are mysterious particles,
produced in nuclear reactions in stars; Neutrinos oscillate between different types and interact
weakly with matter.
120. AlphaGeometry- AlphaGeometry is a specialized AI system designed by DeepMind; It focuses
on solving complex geometry problems; Unlike general-purpose AI models, AlphaGeometry is
specifically tailored for geometric reasoning tasks; It combines advanced neural language modeling
techniques with a symbolic deduction engine; Neural language models aid in intuitive idea
generation, while symbolic deduction enables precise reasoning; AlphaGeometry suggests potential
geometric constructs using its language model; It then utilizes the symbolic deduction engine to make
further deductions and approach solutions systematically; The system was evaluated using a
benchmarking set of geometry problems from the International Mathematical Olympiads; It
demonstrated impressive performance, surpassing previous AI systems in geometry and approaching
human gold medallists' performance levels in the IMO.
121. 50 years of launch of Aryabhatta- U R Rao Satellite Centre celebrated Satellite Technology Day
2024, marking 50 years since India's first satellite launch, Aryabhata, in 1975; The event highlighted
URSC's achievements and recent missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and X-ray Polarimeter
Satellite; Aryabhata, named after the mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, was India's first
satellite; It was launched from Kapustin Yar, Russia, on 19th April 1975, making India the 11th nation
globally to send a satellite into orbit; Aryabhata was built by ISRO for experiments in X-ray astronomy,
aeronomics, and solar physics.
122. Miracle Drugs- Miracle drugs are highly effective pharmaceuticals that revolutionize medical
treatment. Examples include Penicillin, Insulin, Antiretroviral Drugs for HIV/AIDS, Sovaldi/Sofosbuvir,
and Trikafta. However, India also sees use of unapproved miracle drugs like Semaglutide, Fen-Phen
for weight loss, and Adcetris for blood cancers, raising concerns about safety and regulation. India's
drug approval process involves DCGI oversight; Unapproved drugs raise concerns about quality,
contamination, and health effects.
123. Weight Loss Drugs- Semaglutide, promoted as a "magic injection" for weight loss, is not
approved for sale in India. Semaglutide, originally for Type 2 diabetes, is used for weight loss; Not
approved for sale in India but used by affluent patients; Media coverage lacks mention of its
unapproved status and side effects; Works by mimicking a hormone to regulate blood sugar and
appetite; Should be used with a healthy lifestyle; unsupervised use can be risky.

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S&T Current Affairs Gist 2024 Mana La Excellence

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17. Coronoal Mass Ejection- Solar Wind- Aditya L1

India’s Top Humanoid Robots

Robot Developer Description

Indro Santosh Tallest Indian robot built with low-cost materials.

Characteristic Micellar Water Normal Water

68. ISRO’s Pushpak

Aspect Predictive AI Generative AI

106. Hubble vs JWT

Factor Hubble Telescope James Webb Telescope

Feature Small Language Models Large Language Models (LLMs)

Performance Examples: Llama 2 for basic Examples: GPT-3 for complex

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