S&T Current Affairs Gist (Jan 2024- Dec 2024)

S&T Current Affairs Gist 2024 Mana La Excellence Malleswari Reddy
S&T Current Affairs Gist (Jan 2024- Dec 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
and Research for research purposes. Capable of performing
Institute activities like push-ups and playing football.
Mitra Invento A five-foot-tall humanoid robot crafted from
Robotics fiberglass. 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 Robotics Shiny white humanoid robot deployed at HDFC
banks. 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 Generating new and original
future outcomes content
Learning Based on historical data Learns from diverse datasets
and patterns and creates new content
Functionality Anticipates likely futures Creates content autonomously
Examples Stock market prediction Image generation, text
models generation
Applications Finance, healthcare, Creative industries, art,
weather forecasting storytelling
Data Relies on large volumes of Requires diverse datasets for
Requirement historical data creativity
Challenges Overfitting, biased data, Maintaining coherence,
interpretability originality
Benefits Informed decision- Creative inspiration, content
making, risk 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, Mostly Infrared
Infrared 0.6 to 28 microns
0.8 to 2.5 microns
Mirror Size Primary Mirror- 2.4 meters Primary Mirror- 6.5-meter
in diameter Material: Glass diameter
and Aluminium Material: Berylium (Strong and
light)
Sunshield 43.5 ft.x14 ft 69.5 ft x 46.5 ft
Size
Orbit Low Earth Orbit around Legrangian Point L2, around
570 km 1.5million km
Purpose Capturing data of distant Deep Space explorations, early
stars and galaxies galaxies and start formations, etc
Servicing Operational Life can be Designed to be autonomous and
extended through servicing is not part of the
servicing 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 Few million parameters Billions of parameters
Capacity
Examples Llama 2 (Meta AI), Mistral GPT-3 (OpenAI), BERT (Google),
and Mixtral (Mistral AI) T5 (Google), Megatron
(NVIDIA)
Performance Examples: Llama 2 for Examples: GPT-3 for complex
basic NLP tasks language understanding,
Basic language tasks like content generation, QA
sentiment analysis, text Advanced tasks like natural
classification language understanding,
content creation, dialogue
Use Cases Examples: Llama 2 for Examples: GPT-3 for advanced
simple chatbots chatbots, content generation,
language translation
Capabilities Limited language High language capabilities,
capabilities, suitable for suitable for complex language
basic applications tasks
Training and Examples: SLMs are Examples: LLMs require
Fine-Tuning quicker to train and fine- extensive computational
tune resources and time for training
Complexity Less complex Complex architecture, requires
architecture, easier to specialized infrastructure and
manage expertise
Cost and Examples: SLMs are cost- Examples: LLMs require

Resource effective in terms of substantial computational
Needs resources power, memory, and expertise
Suitability Suitable for resource- Suitable for organizations with
constrained significant computational
environments 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.
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.
115. 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.
116. 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.
117. 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.
118. 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.
119. 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.
120. 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.
121. 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.
122. 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.
123. TRISHNA Satellite - The TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-
resolution Natural Resource Assessment) mission; Joint ISRO-CNES(French Space Agency)
mission for high-resolution thermal imaging; Will be launched using PSLV in 2025; Focus is
on Earth's surface temperature, water, and energy budgeting; High-resolution monitoring
of coastal/inland water, snow-melt, glacier dynamics; Equipped with Thermal Infra-Red
(TIR) (CNES) and Visible - Near Infra-Red - Short Wave Infra-Red (VNIR-SWIR) (ISRO)
payloads; Operates in a sun-synchronous orbit at 761 km altitude; Aims to monitor water
stress, coastal water quality, urban heat islands, and thermal anomalies while providing
data on snow-melt, aerosols, and atmospheric conditions; Supports global initiatives like
GEOGLAM, the Global Water Watch and UN’s SDGs; Aims to enhance resource
management, agriculture, and climate change efforts.
Indo-French Space Partnership:

i. Began in the 1960s with India's first sounding rocket (Rohini -75, in 1976) launch
carrying a French payload.
ii. Early collaboration on the Viking engine (Liquid Propulsion engine called VIKAS
Engine in India), used in ISRO's PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mk III.
iii. Joint satellite projects: Megha-Tropiques (2011) for tropical weather and SARAL
(2013) for oceanography.
iv. Recent collaboration: TRISHNA thermal infrared satellite project.
v. Private partnerships like Dhruva Space with Kinéis for global IoT connectivity.
vi. CNES and ISRO cooperate on space norms through United Nations Committee
on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), satellite manufacturing, and
space exploration.
vii. CNES supporting ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission with ISS-tested equipment and
astronaut training.
124. Reverse Transcriptase- During the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse transcriptase was
widely used in labs for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, becoming the gold standard in
diagnostic tests. Reverse transcriptase converts RNA into DNA. It has three enzymatic
activities: RNA-dependent DNA polymerase: Synthesizes a DNA strand complementary to
the RNA template. RNase H: Removes the RNA strand from the RNA–DNA hybrid. DNA-
dependent DNA polymerase: Completes the synthesis of double-stranded DNA; Used to
create complementary DNA (cDNA) from RNA for molecular biology research; Utilized in
Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to detect and compare mRNA
(messenger RNA) and surface protein levels; Discovered in 1970 by Howard Temin and
David Baltimore, who shared the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
125. Biopharmaceutical Alliance- The Biopharmaceutical Alliance was recently inaugurated

in San Diego during the Bio International Convention 2024, the world's largest
biopharmaceutical exhibition; Alliance of India, South Korea, Japan, US, and EU to
strengthen biopharmaceutical supply chain; Focus on coordinating biopolicies,
regulations, and R&D support; Aim to create a pharmaceutical supply chain map; Formed
in response to drug shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
126. Jumping genes- Nature published a paper by researchers at the University of
California, Berkeley, and the Arc Institute in the U.S. describing a new RNA-guided gene
editing system. Bridge Recombinase Mechanism (BRM) uses jumping genes for DNA
manipulation across genomes. Transposable elements (TEs), also known as
"jumping genes," are DNA sequences that move from one location on the genome to
another.; Jumping genes consist of a recombinase enzyme and extra DNA segments that
bind and modify DNA; BRM converts double-stranded DNA into single-stranded RNA,
facilitating flexible DNA modifications; Donor and target DNA loops in BRM can be
independently programmed, allowing versatile gene editing; BRM enables rearrangement,
recombination, duplication, and other modifications on long DNA sequences; Potential to
develop advanced gene-editing treatments for diseases; Other technologies include
CRISPR-Cas9, TALE nucleases, Zinc-finger nucleases, and RNA interference (RNAi).
RNA Bridges vs CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Technique
Feature CRISPR-Cas9 RNA Bridge

Established Yes No (emerging)
Gene Cuts and relies on cellular repair Precise cutting and joining
Editing
method
Gene Limited (small More versatile (insertions,
Editing insertions/deletions of DNA deletions, and inversions of
capabilities sequences) DNA sequences)
Potential Higher (leaves small bits of Lower (makes a clean cut,
for Errors nucleotides added/deleted making the edit specific and
during the repair process) tidy)
127. RLV by ISRO- Pushpak - ISRO successfully completed the third test of Reusable Launch
Vehicle Landing Experiment (RLV LEX-03) with the Pushpak vehicle; Key technologies
tested: precise landing, autonomous flight with course corrections, and reuse of key parts;
The mission tested landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space and validated
ISRO's guidance systems; Reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) can be used multiple times,
reducing costs by recovering and reusing the first stage; Agencies using RLVs: SpaceX, Blue
Origin, JAXA, ESA, and ISRO.
128. International Year of Quantum Science and Technology- The UN designated 2025 as
the ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology’ to raise awareness of
quantum science; The resolution was led by Mexico and adopted by nearly 60 countries
at the UNESCO General Conference in May 2023; 2025 marks 100 years since Werner
Heisenberg's foundational quantum mechanics paper; Heisenberg won the 1932 Nobel
Prize for his work in quantum mechanics; India launched the National Quantum Mission
in April 2023, running from 2023 to 2031 under the Department of Science & Technology
(DST). The mission focuses on four areas: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication,
Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices.
129. Apple Intelligence- Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a generative AI system in iOS
18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia; Provides personalized responses with on-device
privacy; Key features: Writing tools, Email management, Creative tools, Enhanced Siri.
130. AlphaFold- Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold debuted in 2020, employs AI and machine
learning to predict protein structures; AlphaFold 3, introduced in May 2024, predicts
protein-protein interactions, DNA, RNA structures, and their interactions. Proteins are vital
for regulating biological functions; understanding their folding is key to cellular and
organismal functions; The protein-folding problem is complex and crucial for
understanding biological processes; AlphaFold 3 uses a diffusion model to predict accurate
protein structures and is accessible to non-experts; It supports drug discovery by
predicting protein structures and interactions; Isomorphic Labs uses it for drug candidate
identification. (Macromolecules are the essential building blocks of cells and organisms.
These large molecules can be categorized into four main types: carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, and nucleic acids. Proteins are essential molecules composed of amino acids that
regulate nearly every biological function through their specific structures and functions.)
131. Earth CARE Mission- Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE)
Mission- It is a joint ESA-JAXA mission; It aims to study the interaction between clouds,
aerosols, and radiation to understand Earth's radiation balance and climate effects; The
mission uses a sun-synchronous orbit; Instruments include an atmospheric lidar, cloud
profiling radar, multispectral imager (MSI), and broad-band radiometer; Clouds impact
Earth's heat budget by either reflecting sunlight or trapping infrared radiation, based on
their characteristics; Aerosols are tiny particles that directly affect radiation and serve as
nuclei for cloud formation, influencing climate. Human activities modify aerosol
concentrations and regional climates.
132. Macrophages- Macrophages are key immune cells involved in fighting diseases and
tissue healing; Researchers identified new methods to study macrophages using the CSF1R
marker to differentiate cell types; Previously thought to have only pro-inflammatory or
anti-inflammatory activation states; new research suggests a range of states, termed
"Macrophage Activation Mosaicism.; The CSF1R marker helps accurately identify and
study macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells in various conditions; New multi-gene
tools targeting immune signals (e.g., IL-4, IFNg, LPS) allow detailed study and
measurement of macrophage activation, aiding in drug development and behavior
modification.
133. Zero Debris Charter- The Zero Debris Charter is an initiative by the European Space
Agency (ESA) to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and non- legally
binding; Twelve nations signed it at the ESA/EU Space Council; It was launched in
November 2023 at the ESA Space Summit in Seville; Goals include preventing new space
debris by 2030, maintaining a mission debris generation probability below 1 in 1,000 per
object, and achieving 99% success in post-mission disposal; ESA will focus on technologies
for satellite end-of-life disposal, in-orbit servicing, and active debris removal, and will work
with regulatory institutions; Space debris consists of human-made objects in orbit that no
longer serve a useful purpose, such as old spacecraft, rocket stages, and micro-debris,
found in low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit.
134. ESA to develop Zero-Debris Satellite- ESA has partnered with Airbus Defence and
Space, OHB, and Thales Alenia Space to develop large platforms for satellites in Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) that adhere to Zero Debris guidelines; The Zero Debris Initiative aims to stop
the creation of space junk in Earth and moon orbits by 2030, with strict design changes
enforced by the Space Debris Mitigation Standard; European companies are tasked with
creating debris-free platforms for large LEO satellites, with initial design goals set for 18
months and further development with tech companies.
135. GM Crops- Halted by Philippines- The Court of Appeals in the Philippines revoked
biosafety permits for Golden Rice and Bt eggplant, citing unresolved safety, health, and
legal concerns. The development of Golden Rice, led by the Philippine Rice Research
Institute, and Bt eggplant by the University of the Philippines Los Baños, faced resistance
from non-profits like Greenpeace and local farmers; Golden Rice is a genetically modified
rice designed to combat vitamin A deficiency, enriched with beta-carotene, which gives it
its yellow color; Bt eggplant is modified to produce a protein from the bacterium Bacillus
thuringiensis to combat pests, with the protein being selective to certain insects and not
harmful to humans or animals.
136. Food Irradiation- India plans to use food irradiation to extend the shelf life of 100,000
tonnes of onions; This move addresses a 16% drop in onion output; Food irradiation
prevents spoilage and pests; India faces 40-50% post-harvest losses due to spoilage;
Maharashtra is the top onion producer; key export markets include Bangladesh and
Malaysia.
137. Electric Vehicles in India- EVs have lifecycle emissions; in India, 75% of electricity
comes from coal, reducing their environmental advantage; Hybrids may be more cost-
effective with smaller battery packs and better fuel efficiency; India's EV journey includes
policies like NEMMP 2020, FAME scheme, and the recent New Electric Vehicle Policy; EV
adoption benefits include reduced air and noise pollution and improved fuel efficiency;
Major challenges: high EV costs, limited charging infrastructure, battery imports, reliance
on coal-based electricity, skill gaps, and battery recycling; Measures to accelerate EV
adoption: "Battery Lease-to-Own" programs, investment in battery tech, expanding
charging infrastructure, EV rural entrepreneurship, highway battery swap corridors, and
equal subsidies for EVs and hybrids; Lessons from Europe (financial incentives), China
(government support and competition), and the US (innovation and policy support) could
help shape India's EV strategy.
138. Hootch Tragedy-Around 34 people died, and 100 others were hospitalized in Tamil
Nadu after consuming spurious liquor; Hooch is a poor-quality alcohol often made in
unsanitary conditions, typically produced through fermentation and sometimes
distillation; The main alcohol in beverages is ethanol, but spurious liquor can contain
methanol, a toxic substance; Methanol, an industrial alcohol, can cause severe health
issues, including metabolic acidosis, vision impairment, and brain damage; Treatment
options include ethanol, fomepizole, dialysis, and folinic acid. Regulations exist to limit
methanol content in alcoholic beverages.
139. AI Washing - AI washing involves falsely claiming advanced AI technology in products;
It is derived from "greenwashing," where companies exaggerate environmental benefits;
The goal is to appear more cutting-edge and attract interest; An example is claiming a
chatbot uses “latest AI technology” while only matching keywords; It can lead to
businesses overpaying for ineffective tech; Investors may struggle to identify truly
innovative companies, risking misinformed investments.
140. Transfats- Five billion people globally are exposed to harmful trans-fat, increasing
heart disease and death risks; Trans-fat, or trans-fatty acids, can be natural or industrial;
Natural trans-fat comes from ruminants like cows and sheep; Industrial trans-fat is created
by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil, turning it into a solid known as partially hydrogenated
oil (PHO); PHOs are used in deep frying and baked goods to extend shelf life.
141. Daksha Project- The Daksha project aims to build two high-energy space telescopes to
study gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and gravitational wave sources; Each telescope will have
sensors covering 1 keV to > 1 MeV; With satellites orbiting opposite sides of Earth, Daksha
offers superior coverage compared to current missions and aims to discover thousands of
GRBs and dozens of high-energy counterparts to neutron star mergers over five years.
Other missions include: Astrosat: India’s multi-wavelength space observatory; Fermi
Gamma-ray Space Telescope: NASA’s broad gamma-ray observatory; Swift Observatory:
NASA’s mission focused on gamma-ray bursts.
142. Radical CAR-T Cell Therapy- CAR-T therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell
therapy, involves modifying a patient's T-cells to target and fight cancer cells; The FDA is
investigating whether CAR-T therapy may cause new cancers, with 33 cases of secondary
cancers reported among 30,000 patients by March 2024; Genetic changes during CAR-T
therapy, possibly due to retroviruses, may be linked to secondary cancers, though the
direct cause is not yet clear; Despite the risk, CAR-T therapy has shown significant benefits,
particularly for hard-to-treat cancers like lymphomas and multiple myeloma.
143. Polaris Dawn Mission- Polaris Dawn aims for the first non-governmental private
spacewalk and a high-orbit mission, reaching around 700 km above Earth (ISS at 400km);
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule will be used, aiming to break NASA's 1966
Gemini 11 altitude record; Led by Jared Isaacman, the mission crew consists of non-
professional astronauts; The mission will travel through the Van Allen Belts, areas of
intense radiation, collecting data crucial for future deep-space missions; Crew will test new
SpaceX spacesuits designed to protect against high radiation; Research will study space
travel's impact on human biology, including risks like Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular
Syndrome (SANS) and decompression sickness; Laser communication tests using Starlink
satellites will explore future communication technologies for Moon and Mars missions;
This is the first of three planned Polaris missions, with the third involving a crewed test of
SpaceX's reusable Starship spacecraft.
144. Junk DNA- Junk DNA refers to noncoding regions of DNA that don't create proteins;
Although DNA contains coding instructions for protein creation, most human DNA (98%)
is noncoding, while in bacteria, only 2% is noncoding; Some noncoding DNA produces non-
coding RNA like transfer RNA and regulatory RNA, but other parts remain unused with
unclear functions; Researchers have found evidence suggesting junk DNA may have
functional roles, possibly through exaptation, a process where non-functional DNA
acquires a new function through evolution rather than natural selection.
145. Aditya L1- Halo Orbit- ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Completes First Halo Orbit. Aditya-L1 was
placed in a halo orbit in early 2024, taking 178 days to complete a revolution around the
Lagrange L1 point; Lagrange points occur where the gravitational forces of two large
bodies create equilibrium, allowing a small object to remain stable; There are five
Lagrange points (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5) in the Sun-Earth system, with Aditya-L1 positioned at
L1; Halo orbits are 3D orbits in a 3-body system, often associated with L1, L2, or L3,
balancing gravitational and centrifugal forces; Benefits of Aditya-L1's halo orbit: long
mission life, reduced fuel usage, and continuous solar observation; Aditya-L1 (2023) is
India's first solar mission, studying the Sun's corona, solar winds, flares, and CMEs using
seven payloads like VELC and SUIT.
146. Medical Devices Information System (MeDevIS)- WHO launched MeDevIS, an online
platform offering global access to medical device information; It aids governments,
regulators, and users in selecting and using medical devices for diagnostics and treatment;
MeDevIS covers 2301 device types, addressing health issues like reproductive health,
noncommunicable diseases, and infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19); The platform
simplifies decision-making by consolidating information from various sources; It
references European (EMDN) and Global (GMDN) Medical Device Nomenclatures to assist
in regulation, procurement, and management; WHO aims for MeDevIS to improve access
to medical technologies, especially in resource-limited areas.
147. CHAPEA Project- Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA)
project- NASA's CHAPEA project simulates Mars living conditions to study long-duration
mission effects on crew health and performance; The habitat, Mars Dune Alpha, is a 3D-
printed structure at Johnson Space Center with 1,700 sq ft of living space and 1,200 sq ft
for activities like spacewalks; Four volunteers lived in the habitat for 378 days, engaging in
scenarios like spacewalks, growing vegetables, communication delays, and limited
resources; The mission aims to understand physical and mental challenges on Mars; Two
more simulations are planned for 2025 and 2026, with a Mars mission targeted for the
2030s.
148. Extreme Solar Particle Event- Extreme solar particle events occur when the sun ejects
a large number of protons into space, occurring about once every thousand years. The
most recent one was recorded in 993 AD; These events can severely damage Earth's ozone
layer, which protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation; Increased UV
exposure due to ozone layer damage heightens risks of skin cancer and DNA damage;
Long-term effects could include a 25% increase in UV exposure and 50% more DNA
damage, lasting up to six years.
149. Water on Moon- Chang-e 5- Chinese scientists found a hydrated mineral, ULM-1, in
lunar soil samples from the Chang’e-5 mission, confirming the presence of water
molecules; The discovery rules out contamination from Earth or rocket exhaust and
provides new evidence of water on the Moon; Chang’e-5 was China's first lunar sample-
return mission, and prior missions like Chandrayaan-1 had detected signs of water; It adds
to our understanding of water on the Moon, but questions about the origin and form of
lunar hydrogen remain; Further research from the Chang’e-6 mission is expected to
provide more insights.
150. RAMSES Mission- Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES)- The European
Space Agency's RAMSES mission will intercept and accompany asteroid 99942 Apophis
during its close flyby of Earth in 2029; Apophis, roughly 375 meters wide, will pass within
32,000 km of Earth on April 13, 2029, the closest approach of an asteroid this size ever
known in advance; The flyby will be visible to around 2 billion people across parts of
Europe, Africa, and Asia; Apophis poses no threat of collision with Earth for at least 100
years; RAMSES and NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX will study how Earth's gravity affects Apophis,
enhancing planetary defense strategies for future asteroid threats.
151. India- 6G Technology- India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is advancing
6G technology, collaborating with IIT Roorkee and IIT Mandi; The project focuses on
developing "Cell-Free" 6G Access Points, enhancing mobile communication; Goals include
creating radio access networks, promoting uniformity in 6G technologies, and generating
intellectual property rights (IPRs); 'Cell-Free' Massive MIMO uses multiple access points
for better connectivity, fewer dead spots, and faster data speeds; 6G, expected by 2030,
aims for over 100 Gbps speeds, 1 millisecond latency, and applications in AI, remote
surgeries, and bridging broadband gaps.
Differences between 5G and 6G-
Feature 5G 6G
Speed Up to 10 Gbps Over 100 Gbps
Latency Approximately 1 millisecond As low as 1 millisecond
Frequency Sub-6 GHz and mmWave (24- Terahertz frequencies (100
100 GHz) GHz - 1 THz)
Data Rate High data rates for mobile Ultra-high data rates for
broadband advanced applications
Connectivity Enhanced mobile Ubiquitous connectivity,
broadband, IoT advanced IoT
Use Cases Enhanced mobile Holographic communication,
experiences, smart cities, remote surgeries, augmented
autonomous vehicles reality
Network Cell-based design with base Cell-Free Massive MIMO with
Design stations distributed access points
AI Integration Limited AI applications for Extensive AI-driven network
network management management and optimization
Infrastructure Traditional cellular towers Advanced, sustainable

and infrastructure infrastructure with reduced
environmental impact
Coverage High coverage with some Improved global coverage,
gaps in rural areas including rural and
underserved regions
Technological Improved network efficiency, Introduction of new
Innovations speed, and capacity technologies like terahertz
communication and advanced
holography
152. mRNA Technology for H5N1 vaccine- The WHO has launched an initiative to develop
and make H5N1 mRNA vaccines more accessible in low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs); The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme (MTTP) will support this initiative,
supplementing the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework; The aim is to
promote vaccine equity and enhance pandemic preparedness in a decentralized way;
mRNA vaccines introduce a piece of mRNA that encodes a viral protein; Cells use this
mRNA to produce the viral protein, which triggers an immune response and antibody
production; For example, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines direct cells to make the spike protein
of the coronavirus to build immunity.
153. Enhanced DNA Editing System- CSIR-IGIB developed a new genome-editing system
more precise than current CRISPR technologies; Traditional CRISPR-Cas9 can cause off-
target effects; the new system uses the FnCas9 enzyme; Enhanced FnCas9 has better DNA
binding and editing efficiency than SpCas9; It shows improved accuracy in detecting
genetic variations and reducing off-target effects; Successfully corrected the RPE65 gene
mutation causing Leber Congenital Amaurosis 2 (LCA2); Potential for safer, patient-specific
stem cell treatments.
154. Meta-crimes- Metacrimes are crimes that occur within the metaverse, a virtual reality
space accessed through VR headsets; The metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual world
where users interact in immersive settings; Metacrimes are similar to cybercrimes but
involve unique challenges due to the immersive nature of VR, such as harder evidence
collection and more impactful harassment; Vulnerable groups, especially children, face
threats like grooming and abuse, with psychological trauma comparable to physical
assault; Traditional laws are inadequate for virtual crimes involving avatars, creating a
need for new legal frameworks; The metaverse combines VR, AR, and blockchain;
originated from Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel and gained prominence with Facebook's
rebranding to Meta; influences gaming, remote work, and education, with virtual real
estate and cryptocurrencies playing significant roles.
155. Global INDIAai Summit 2024- The Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi,
focusing on the future of AI in India and globally; The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
launched the Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard to track AI

readiness of 174 economies; India emphasized making AI accessible to all and aimed for
global AI leadership; The INDIAai Mission was highlighted for building a robust and
inclusive AI ecosystem, focusing on compute capacity, foundational models, datasets, and
startup financing; The Collaborative AI on Global Partnership (CAIGP) and the Global
Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) discussed mechanisms to overcome the global
AI divide, with India leading GPAI in 2024; Rs. 2,000 crore from the INDIAai Mission's
budget was allocated to support Indian startups developing AI solutions; Plans were made
to provide subsidized access to GPU infrastructure for startups; AI education was
emphasized, focusing on curated learning environments and sector-specific AI
applications; Ethical and human-centric AI development was reaffirmed, with
commitments to transparency, fairness, and human oversight.
The AIPI- (Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index) evaluates countries on digital
infrastructure, human capital, labor policies, innovation, integration, and regulation;
Singapore, Denmark, and the United States ranked highest on the AIPI, with India at 72nd,
categorized as an Emerging Market Economy.
156. GM Mustard- SC Judgement- The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on the
approval of GM Mustard (HT Mustard DMH-11) for environmental release; In October
2022, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and Union Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change approved GM Mustard, but the release was put
on hold by the Supreme Court in November 2022; The Court ruled that judicial review of
GEAC's decisions is permissible; The Union Government should develop a national policy
on GM crops in consultation with stakeholders, including states and farmer groups; The
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Act should be enforced for importing
GM food; GM crops are genetically modified for increased yields, resistance to pesticides,
and climate adaptation, but raise concerns such as allergic reactions and antimicrobial
resistance; Bt cotton is currently the only GM crop approved in India (2002); The rules for
GM crops are governed by the 1989 rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,
with GEAC responsible for the appraisal and release of genetically engineered organisms.
157. Orupoche Fever- It is caused by the Oropouche Virus (OROV); First identified in
Trinidad and Tobago in 1955; The natural hosts of the Oropouche virus are wild mammals,
such as sloths, non-human primates, and rodents, as well as birds; Spread by bites from
infected midges or mosquitoes; Urbanization, deforestation, and climate change increase
transmission risk; No human-to-human transmission observed. Symptoms: fever,
headaches, pain, chills, joint stiffness, nausea, vomiting; No vaccine or specific treatment;
management is symptom-focused.
158. Caller ID Spoofing- Caller ID spoofing falsifies the number displayed when a call is
made; Used to shield identity, carry out social engineering attacks, and bypass call blocking
systems; Legal in many jurisdictions; commercial services exist since 2004; Spoofing harms
telecom providers, customers, and makes investigations difficult’ Fixing it reduces fraud,
saves telecom revenue, and boosts the economy; Measures: ITU's 2021 report suggests
PKI-based authentication to tackle spoofing; TRAI recommends the CNAP(Caller Name

Presentation) system to display caller names based on verified KYC documents; DoT is
planning to pilot CNAP, but caller ID spoofing needs a technical fix first; The 2023
Telecommunications Act allows government intervention in emergencies but has drawn
criticism for privacy concerns.
159. Dark Oxygen- Deep Sea Mining- Scientists found oxygen production in deep (abyssal
zone) areas where photosynthesis is impossible; Polymetallic nodules may generate
oxygen by splitting water molecules, acting like battery cells; Deep-sea mining involves
extracting minerals from the ocean floor, with significant reserves in the Clarion-
Clipperton Zone; Dark oxygen refers to oxygen found in areas without sunlight; Deep-sea
mining poses ecological risks, potentially disrupting ecosystems dependent on dark
oxygen. The disturbances from mining could disrupt ecosystems that rely on this oxygen;
The International Seabed Authority has granted exploration contracts to various
contractors, including the Government of India, for deep-sea mining activities.
160. Lab Grown Meat- Singapore is currently the only country in the world where lab-grown
meat is available for purchase. Lab-grown meat, also called cultivated meat, is produced
by growing animal cells in a lab without raising or slaughtering animals; It uses less land
and water, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and lessens the need for traditional
livestock farming; Challenges include high production costs and difficulty in scaling up; The
process involves collecting animal cells, culturing them in nutrient-rich media, growing
them in bioreactors, forming muscle tissue, and then harvesting the meat; Countries like
the U.S., Israel, Australia, and China are exploring lab-grown meat;
161. New TB Detection System by ICMR- ICMR has developed a CRISPR Cas-based TB
detection system, which is affordable, fast, and user-friendly; This technology detects TB
using DNA from saliva and can process over 1,500 samples in two hours; It is the world's
cheapest TB test, designed for use even in primary health centers; TB is a major health
issue in India, causing 480,000 deaths annually; India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, but
progress has stalled, highlighting the need for new strategies; ICMR is inviting companies
for technology transfer to commercialize the system.
162. Pralay Missiles- Armenia’s reported interest in acquiring India’s Pralay missile
represents a significant opportunity for India; Pralay’ is a short-range, quasi-ballistic
surface-to-surface missile with a range of 350-500 km and payload of 500-1,000 kg;
Developed by DRDO, it serves defense needs along the LAC and LoC; It stays within the
atmosphere, follows a flat trajectory, and is guided by inertial systems with terminal radio
frequency DSMAC guidance; Equipped with Fused Silica Radar Dome and jet vane system
for maneuverability, it reduces radar signature with fins; It can carry various warheads,
including pre-fragmented and penetration blast types.
163. Microsoft Update- Global Outage- On July 19, a major global outage of Microsoft
cloud services affected industries like aviation, finance, and healthcare, causing IT failures
and "blue screen of death" errors; The "blue screen of death" occurs when Windows
encounters critical errors, halting the system to prevent damage, often caused by
hardware/software issues; The outage began due to a configuration change in Azure

backend workloads, affecting Microsoft 365 services; The root cause was a faulty software
update from CrowdStrike’s Falcon EDR, which is embedded in Windows systems; In India,
aviation was hit hardest with flight delays, but the financial sector remained mostly
unaffected. The government engaged with Microsoft and issued advisories.
164. Uranium Concentration in Drinking Water- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
study suggests uranium concentrations up to 60 µg/l in drinking water are safe; The Atomic
Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) set the limit at 60 µg/l, but the Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS) revised it to 30 µg/l in 2021, aligning with World Health Organization (WHO)
guidelines; BARC study argues the stricter BIS limit may lead to unnecessary costs without
significant health benefits; BARC cites WHO studies showing no significant health risks,
including cancer, at low uranium concentrations; Global standards vary, with Finland and
Slovakia having limits of 100 µg/l and 350 µg/l, and United States Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) setting the limit at 30 µg/l; BARC recommends considering local
conditions and suggests retaining the AERB limit of 60 µg/l for India; Mapping study shows
94% of water samples were below the BIS standard and 98% below the AERB limit.
165. Wolbachia Bacteria- Wolbachia bacteria are in 50% of insect species; Wolbachia
bacteria manipulate Encarsia formosa wasps to eliminate males entirely; The bacteria are
transmitted only by females and increase the production of female offspring; In the wild,
formosa wasps rarely produce males; antibiotics treatment leads to about 70% male
progeny; Wolbachia causes unfertilized eggs to double their chromosomes, producing
females; The bacteria’s genome includes a tra gene, acquired from a beetle, essential for
female development. Used by the World Mosquito Program to control dengue; Wolbachia
prevents dengue virus replication in mosquitoes; Reduces dengue transmission by limiting
virus spread; Successful in field trials in areas with high mosquito populations.
166. 100 years of EEG- Electroencephalography- 100th anniversary of the first human EEG
by Hans Berger; EEG stands for electroencephalography, recording electrical brain activity
from neuron movement; Used to diagnose epilepsy, monitor anesthesia depth, study
sleep, and confirm death; Volume conduction describes how brain signals travel through
layers to electrodes, requiring signal cleaning; EEG works by detecting and measuring
electrical waves from neurons via electrodes on the scalp; Effective for catching fast
changes in brain activity; limited in pinpointing exact brain activity origins; More affordable
and portable than MRI, with no large equipment needed.
Aspect EEG MRI

Purpose Measures electrical activity Provides detailed images of brain
in the brain structure
Principle Records brain wave patterns Uses magnetic fields and radio
via electrodes waves for imaging
Strengths Excellent for detecting rapid High-resolution images of brain
changes in brain activity anatomy
Limitations Less effective for locating Not suitable for real-time

deep brain structures; monitoring of brain activity
mainly captures surface
activity
Applications Diagnosing epilepsy, Diagnosing structural brain
monitoring sleep, assessing abnormalities, tumors, and
anesthesia depth, brain lesions
function evaluation
Cost and More affordable, portable, More expensive, requires large
Accessibility and less complex equipment, and is less portable
Safety Non-invasive, safe, and Non-invasive, safe, but uses
does not use radiation strong magnetic fields; not
suitable for patients with certain
implants
167. Stinger Missile- NATO recently signed a nearly $700 million contract to have member
countries produce more Stinger missiles; Man-portable surface-to-air missile system.
(MANPADS); Designed and manufactured by the American Defense Industry; Entered U.S.
Army service in 1981; Used by the U.S. and 29 other countries; Manufactured by Raytheon
and EADS in Germany; Provides air defense for troops; Characteristics- Length: 1.52
meters, Diameter: 70 mm, Weight: ~15 kg (missile and launcher), Range: About 8 km (5
miles), Max Altitude: 3,500 meters (11,500 feet), Passive infrared seeker locks on to
target’s heat, "Fire-and-forget" capability.
168. India’s Deep Drilling Project- Ministry of Earth Science is drilling 6 km into Earth's crust
with Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) in Karad, Maharashtra; 3 km
completed; Koyna's suitability due to Reservoir-Induced Seismicity (RIS) from Koyna Dam
construction and location on a fault line with minimal other seismic activity; Scientific deep
drilling studies Earth's crust composition, structure, and processes using rotary drilling,
percussion drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and geophysical surveys; Other methods include
seismic waves, gravitational and magnetic field measurements, heat flow, and meteorite
composition; Significance includes enhanced earthquake understanding, geohazard
management, verification of geological models, technological innovation, and global

scientific contribution.
169. Mitochondria Donation - Mitochondrial donation is an IVF-based technique to
prevent passing on faulty mitochondrial DNA; Involves transferring nuclear DNA from an
egg with faulty mitochondria to a donor egg with healthy mitochondria; The child inherits
nuclear DNA from the parents and mitochondrial DNA from the donor; Mitochondrial
disease impairs mitochondria’s energy production, potentially leading to organ failure;
Caused by faulty genes in nuclear DNA (from both parents) or mitochondrial DNA (from
the mother); Affects 1 in 5,000 people, impacting energy-intensive organs like the heart,
brain, and muscles.
170. Regenerative Breaking - Regenerative braking device market expected to grow
significantly from 2024 to 2031, driven by increasing electric vehicle (e-vehicle) popularity;
Regenerative braking captures and reuses energy during braking in electric and hybrid
vehicles; Traditional braking converts kinetic energy into heat, which is wasted;
Regenerative braking: Pressing the brake pedal makes the electric motor run in reverse,
converting kinetic energy into electrical energy; The electrical energy is stored in the
vehicle’s battery for later use; Benefits include energy efficiency, extended range, and
reduced wear and tear on traditional brake components.
171. Quantum Standardisation and Testing labs- DoT invites proposals for “Quantum
Standardization and Testing Labs” from Indian academic or R&D institutions; Goal:
Accelerate quantum technology research and development, ensuring quantum
communication system interoperability, reliability, and security; Labs will unite quantum
tech developers, testing equipment manufacturers, and researchers. Aligns with PM’s ‘Jai
Anushandhan’ vision to enhance lives through advanced telecom technologies; Supports
development of secure, reliable quantum communication systems for better data security
and communication. Objectives: Establish benchmarks and protocols for quantum
communication elements, Develop testing facilities to validate quantum technologies and
applications; Facilities will support quantum tech development in sectors like healthcare,
education, and finance; Aims to provide accessible quantum technology benefits to
industry, startups, and local telecom stakeholders at a nominal fee.
172. Radiation bio dosimetry- Radiation biodosimetry assesses exposure levels and guides
treatment during radiological events; It determines radiation exposure through changes
in blood, urine, or hair; Dicentric Chromosome Assay (DCA): Measures chromosome
aberrations; effective for small groups but labor-intensive for large numbers; Cytokinesis
Block Micronucleus Assay (CBMN): Identifies micronuclei in divided cells; simpler but
slower (~3 days) due to longer culturing; Current methods face scalability and speed
challenges; new High Throughput Screening (HTS) platforms aim to improve detection
rates.
173. Snowblind Malware- Snowblind is Android banking malware that steals credentials; It
bypasses security using the 'seccomp' feature; The malware repacks apps and uses code
injection; It can disable biometric and two-factor authentication; Primarily spreads

through untrusted apps and affects devices in Southeast Asia.
174. Steel Slag- Recently, the member (Science) of Niti Aayog released the Guidelines for
Utilization and Processing of Steel Slag as Processed Steel Slag Aggregates in Road
Construction; Steel slag is an industrial byproduct from steel manufacturing, produced in
electric arc furnaces or basic oxygen furnaces; It consists of calcium, magnesium,
manganese, and aluminum silicates and oxides; Steel slag cools into different types, used
based on consumer needs; Applications include barrier material for waste sites to prevent
heavy metal leaching and treating acidic water discharges from mines; It can replace
coarse aggregates in road construction due to its strength and anti-skid properties.
175. Small Modular Reactor- India is developing small modular reactors (SMRs) with
private sector collaboration; SMRs are smaller, safer, and more flexible than traditional
reactors; They range from 10 to 300 MWe and offer a stable energy source to complement
renewables; Challenges include proliferation resistance and higher costs; Economic
viability relies on mass production and effective grid integration.
176. Lifi in Defence communication- Light Fidelity - Velmenni’s Li-Fi technology is adopted
by the Defence Ministry for Indian Navy communication; Li-Fi uses visible light, specifically
LED bulbs, to transmit data wirelessly; Invented in 2011 by Professor Harald Haas, it offers
high-speed, bidirectional communication; Li-Fi provides faster speeds, lower latency, and
greater bandwidth than WiFi; It modulates LED light to encode binary data, received and
decoded by photodiodes; Ideal for environments sensitive to electromagnetic
interference, like aircraft cabins and hospitals.
177. National Space Day- India is celebrating its first National Space Day on August 23,
2024, to mark the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing; Chandrayaan-3, which landed on August
23, 2023, made India the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to reach its
southern polar region; The theme for National Space Day 2024 is "Touching Lives while
Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga; ISRO’s achievements include over 120 spacecraft
missions, 95 launch missions, and becoming the 8th largest space economy; Key future
missions include Chandrayaan-4, Gaganyaan, Venus Orbiter Mission, Mars Orbiter Mission
2, Lunar Polar Exploration Mission, and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station; India is investing
in space for national security, socio-economic benefits, space diplomacy, scientific

research, and revenue generation;
178. BioE3 Policy- India’s Union Cabinet approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy,
Environment and Employment) Policy to advance biotechnology-based manufacturing;
The BioE3 Policy focuses on sectors like bio-based chemicals, smart proteins, precision
biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, and carbon capture; The policy aims to
boost technology development, create jobs, and promote green growth through
Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs; India’s biotechnology sector, valued at over $130 billion,
is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030; Major areas include biopharmaceuticals, bio-
agriculture, and bio-industrial applications; Challenges include outdated educational
curricula, inadequate research funding, and low private sector investment.
179. Directed Energy Weapons- DRDO seeks USD 100 million for DURGA II, a 100-kilowatt
laser weapon for the Indian armed forces; Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs) use focused
energy (lasers, microwaves, or particle beams) to damage or destroy targets; Types include
laser weapons for target destruction, microwave weapons to disrupt electronics, and
particle beam weapons for kinetic damage. Advantages: Precision targeting, rapid
engagement, minimal collateral damage, and effectiveness against hypersonic missiles.
Challenges: Limited range, high development costs, effectiveness affected by
environmental conditions, and potential arms race.
180. EOS-08- ISRO successfully launched the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite with the
SSLV-D3 from Sriharikota. This was SSLV's final developmental flight, placing EOS-08 in a
475 km circular orbit. EOS-08 features advanced payloads for infrared observation, Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based remote sensing, and UV radiation monitoring.
The SSLV is designed for cost-effective, flexible, and rapid satellite launches,
accommodating payloads from 10 to 500 kg.
181. Axiom Mission 4- The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission is a private spaceflight organized by
Axiom Space, set to transport a crew to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day
mission. Scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket,
the mission will feature a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft; Indian astronauts for Ax-4 are:
Prime Mission Pilot: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla; Backup Mission Pilot: Group
Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair; This mission highlights international collaboration
with NASA and includes a diverse crew: Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznanski, Tibor Kapu, and
Shukla. The crew will conduct scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space
outreach activities.
182. Ladakh- Lunar / Martian Analogue- Ladakh's dry, cold, and rocky terrain, permafrost,
and volcanic rocks resemble Martian and Lunar conditions; One of 33 global analogue
research stations, with none in the Indian sub-continent; Ideal for testing technologies,
simulating human habitats, and studying isolation effects; Home to the Indian
Astronomical Observatory and Hanle Dark Sky Reserve; Has supported various space
programs, including NASA’s Spaceward Bound India Programme.
183. Mpox- WHO has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
(PHEIC) due to rising cases; Significant case surge in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) and neighboring African countries; Mpox detected in 10 African nations this year;
over 96% of cases are in the DRC; New strain clade 1b spreads mainly through sexual
contact; clade Ia affects children through various transmission modes; Mpox is caused by
the monkeypox virus, with symptoms including skin rash, fever, headache, muscle aches,
and swollen lymph nodes; Transmission occurs through contact with infected individuals,
contaminated materials, or animals; Prevention involves avoiding contact with infected
individuals and vaccination with JYNNEOS®; Treatment includes isolation and antivirals like
tecovirimat; further research is ongoing.
184. Hayflick Limits- Leonard Hayflick discovered that somatic cells divide 40-60 times
before stopping, known as the Hayflick Limit; This limit contributes to aging by causing
cells to cease dividing and accumulate as senescent cells; The maximum human lifespan,
based on this limit, is around 125 years; Different species have varying Hayflick Limits:
Galapagos turtles ~110 divisions, laboratory mice ~15 divisions; Hayflick's discovery led to
finding telomeres, which shorten with each division, and telomerase, a protein that can
replenish telomeres and bypass the limit in cancer cells.
185. Neutron Stars- Recently Astronomers discovered ten neutron stars near the Milky
Way’s core. These stars form when a massive star collapses, compressing protons and
electrons into neutrons; Neutron stars typically have a mass between 1.18 and 1.97 times
that of the Sun, averaging around 1.35 times, and are about 20 km (12 miles) in diameter;
Many are undetectable due to low radiation emissions. Most neutron stars are observed
as pulsars, which are rotating and emit regular radiation pulses from milliseconds to
seconds; They have strong magnetic fields that create powerful beams of light. Neutron
stars can also be rotating radio transients (RRATs) and magnetars.
186. DNA Profiling in rape case- The June 2024 Madras High Court decision questioned the
sole reliance on DNA evidence for convictions; DNA is the genetic material in cells,
organized into 23 chromosome pairs, and can be extracted from various biological
samples; DNA profiling identifies individuals by analyzing unique DNA regions, focusing on
Short Tandem Repeats (STRs); The profiling process includes isolation, purification,
amplification, visualization, and statistical analysis; Special cases use miniSTRs or
mitochondrial DNA for degraded samples; DNA evidence is compared to reference
samples, with results showing match, exclusion, or inconclusive; Indian legal provisions
allow DNA profiling under certain conditions but emphasize corroborating evidence;
Limitations include environmental stress, sample degradation, complexity, and cost; The
DNA Technology Bill, 2019 aims to regulate DNA profiling and prevent misuse.
187. Organ Donation in India- World Organ Donation Day is observed on 13th August 2024
to promote organ donation and registration; The 2024 theme is “Be the Reason for
Someone’s Smile Today!’; The first successful kidney transplant was in 1954 (USA); India’s
first deceased donor heart transplant was on 3rd August 1994; The United Network for
Organ Sharing (UNOS) reports 1,03,993 people need organ transplants; one donor can
save 8 lives and improve over 75 more; UNOS oversees the US organ transplant system
under government contract; India shifted National Organ Donation Day from 27th
November to 3rd August to mark the anniversary of the first successful heart transplant;
Organ donation in India is regulated by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues
Act, 1994.
188. Robin- EV Microcar- India will see the launch of a new electric microcar, Robin, in April
2025 by startup Wings EV, founded by Pranav and Prakash Dandekar; Robin is a two-seater
electric vehicle designed to ease personal travel and reduce city traffic, with high safety
standards approved by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI); Electric
microcars like the Renault Twizy are lightweight, under 1,000 pounds, ideal for city use;
They go up to 45 mph with a 50-100 mile range, charging in 3-8 hours; Compact and safe,
they qualify for tax breaks and reduce traffic congestion, perfect for eco-conscious urban
drivers.
189. Super Blue Moon- A rare Super Blue Moon, known as the "Sturgeon Moon," appeared
on August 19, 2024; A supermoon happens when the moon is closest to Earth, making it
appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter; A blue moon refers to two full moons in a month or
the third full moon in a four-moon season; The next supermoons will occur on September
18, October 17, and November 15, 2024; Super blue moons occur every 10-20 years, with
only 3% of full moons being blue moons; The moon may look yellow or orange near the
horizon due to light scattering, not actually blue.
190. Solar Paraboloid Technology- Solar paraboloid technology is a type of concentrating
solar power (CSP) that uses a parabolic reflector to focus sunlight on a single point; The
parabolic dish is made from materials like aluminum or silver-coated glass, designed to
concentrate sunlight; The receiver, placed at the focal point, absorbs solar energy and
converts it into thermal energy; Thermal energy is transferred to a working fluid (e.g.,
water, molten salt) to drive a thermodynamic cycle and generate electricity; It can achieve
temperatures up to 1000°C, allowing higher efficiency in energy conversion; Suitable for
both large-scale power plants and decentralized applications due to modular design;
Lower cost per unit of electricity, making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels;
Requires accurate sun-tracking systems, adding to complexity and cost; Efficiency can be
reduced by weather conditions like clouds and dust; Regular maintenance is needed for
reflective surfaces and moving parts; Promising potential for renewable energy, especially
in sun-rich regions, with future advancements expected to reduce costs and improve
reliability.
191. Mission Rhumi 2024- India launched its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1, for
climate research, developed by Space Zone India, a private startup company; RHUMI-1
carried 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites into a suborbital trajectory (Cube
satellites are nano satellites that weigh between 1 to 10 kg. Pico satellites are smaller
satellites, with weights ranging from 0.1 to 1 kg); Key features include a hybrid propulsion
system using both solid and liquid fuels, adjustable launch angles (0-120 degrees), and an
electrically triggered parachute system for eco-friendly recovery; It is entirely free of
pyrotechnics and TNT (Trinitrotoluene), emphasizing sustainability; RHUMI-1 aligns with

the Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Students Satellite Launch Mission (2023), involving student-
designed satellites
192. Gopichand Thotakura- India’s first civilian space tourist, returning to a warm welcome
in Delhi on August 26, 2024; He is the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma
in 1984; He was part of the six-member crew of Blue Origin's New Shepard-25 (NS-25)
mission; The NS-25 mission marked the seventh human flight under the New Shepard
program and its first since a 2022 engine failure.
193. National Medical Register Portal- The National Medical Register (NMR) Portal,
launched by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, creates a digital database of
all registered MBBS doctors in India; Mandated by Section 31 of the NMC Act, 2019, it is
managed by the Ethics & Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the National Medical
Commission (NMC); Key features include a centralized database, Aadhaar integration, easy
online registration, integration with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and support for
stakeholders like State Medical Councils; Benefits include improved digital healthcare
infrastructure, verified doctor records, and enhanced transparency in healthcare.
194. Vigyan Dhara Scheme- The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the 'Vigyan Dhara'
scheme, merging various DST schemes into three main components: Science and
Technology Capacity Building, Research and Development, and Innovation & Technology
Development; The scheme covers the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26; It aims to
strengthen the STI ecosystem in India, promote gender parity in S&T, and align with the
Viksit Bharat 2047 vision; The R&D component will adhere to global standards and
national priorities, aligning with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
195. Vaccine Derived Polio - A child from Meghalaya was recently diagnosed with vaccine-
derived polio (VDP); VDP happens when the weakened poliovirus in the oral polio vaccine
(OPV) mutates and causes paralysis; It mainly occurs in areas with low vaccination rates,
poor sanitation, or among immunocompromised individuals; Most VDP outbreaks are
linked to the Wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) found in OPV; India remains polio-free as
declared by WHO in 2014; this case does not affect that status; Wild poliovirus types WPV2
and WPV3 were eradicated in 2015 and 2019, respectively, with WPV1 still present in
Pakistan and Afghanistan; IPV (Inactivated Polio Vaccine), developed by Jonas Salk, uses
an inactivated virus, while OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine), developed by Albert Sabin, uses a live,
attenuated virus.
196. JUICE Mission- The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched by the
European Space Agency in 2023, aims to explore Jupiter’s moons Callisto, Europa, and
Ganymede, arriving in 2031; On August 19-20, JUICE will perform a lunar-Earth double
flyby to adjust its trajectory towards Jupiter; It will use the Moon’s gravity for the first assist
and Earth’s gravity for the second, with additional assists from Venus and Earth planned;
Gravity assist changes a spacecraft’s speed and direction using gravitational pull, allowing
more efficient fuel use; Single gravity assist involves one celestial body; double gravity
assist uses two bodies.
197. INS Arighat- India commissioned its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile
submarine, INS Arighat (S-3), under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project; INS
Arighat joins INS Arihant, operational since 2018, enhancing India’s ‘nuclear triad’ with
sea-based nuclear capabilities; It can carry more K-15 missiles compared to INS Arihant;
Powered by 83 MW pressurized light-water reactors with Russian assistance; Equipped
with four vertical launch system tubes for Sagarika SLBMs (K-15), with a range over 700
km; The third submarine, INS Aridhaman, will be commissioned next year, capable of
carrying K-4 missiles with a 3,500 km range; SSBNs (Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear)
are key for nuclear deterrence due to their stealth and retaliatory strike capability.
198. GAURAV- Long Range Glide Bomb- DRDO successfully tested its Long-Range Glide
Bomb (LRGB) named ‘Gaurav’ using a Su-30MKI fighter jet off the coast of Odisha; The
‘Gaurav’ LRGB is an air-launched weapon capable of delivering a 1,000 kg payload with
precision over long distances; It features an advanced hybrid navigation system for
accurate targeting; Developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, the bomb
hit its target on Long Wheeler’s island; The test was monitored using telemetry and
electro-optical tracking systems, with data crucial for future refinements; Industry
partners Adani Defence and Bharat Forge contributed to the development and testing; The
successful test enhances India’s defense capabilities and supports the move towards self-
reliance in defense technology.
199. DDOS Attack on X- Distributed Denial of Service- A DDoS attack aims to disrupt a
targeted server, service, or network by flooding it with excessive internet traffic, making it
unavailable to legitimate users; It uses multiple compromised devices (bots) to generate
attack traffic; Unlike other attacks, it doesn’t breach security but overwhelms servers and
networks; Attackers use botnets—networks of infected devices controlled remotely—to
flood the target with requests, causing service denial; DDoS attacks can mask other
malicious activities and complicate the separation of attack traffic from legitimate traffic.
200. Collision Avoidance System- Collision Avoidance System (CAS) prevents or reduces
collision severity using sensors (radar, lidar, cameras) and onboard processing units; It
issues warnings (audible, visual, haptic) and can take automatic actions (braking, steering)
if needed; Types include automotive (e.g., Forward Collision Warning, Automatic
Emergency Braking), aviation (e.g., TCAS, GPWS), and marine (e.g., ARPA); Benefits:
Enhanced safety, driver/pilot assistance, potential insurance savings; Challenges: Sensor
limitations, risk of over-reliance.
201. Google Deep mind AI Morni- Project Morni (Multimodal Representation for India);
Objectives- To develop AI models supporting 125 Indic languages and dialects, Address the
digital data gap for languages with limited or no online presence; Covers 73 languages with
no prior digital corpus and focuses on diverse linguistic representation across India;
Despite Hindi being spoken by nearly 10% of the global population, it accounts for only
0.1% of online text; Synergized with Project Vaani to gather data from the grassroots level;
Project Vaani led by Google DeepMind India, with contributions from academic and tech
institutions like IISc and ARTPARK; Integration of advanced AI technologies like multimodal
models to address language diversity effectively; Significance- Empower regional

languages with digital tools, Improve AI inclusivity for underrepresented communities in
India, Potential applications in translation, voice recognition, and cultural preservation.
202. NASA’s Perseverance rover- Perseverance Rover started climbing up the Jezero Crater;
Mission: Mars 2020, part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program and landed on February 18,
2021, in Jezero Crater (ancient river delta); Objectives- To explore a geologically diverse
landing site, To evaluate the habitability of ancient Mars, To seek signs of ancient life,
particularly in certain rocks known to preserve life signs over time, To collect rock and soil
samples that could be returned to Earth in a future NASA mission, To demonstrate
technology for future robotic and human exploration; Unique Features: Carries Ingenuity,
the first helicopter to perform first ever powered flight on Mars; Equipped with 23 cameras
and 2 microphones for sound recording; Note- Olympus Mons: Largest volcano in the Solar
System, three times the height of Mt. Everest ; Historical Mars Missions- Mariner 4 (1965):
First successful flyby (USA). Mars 3 (1971): First soft landing (USSR, contact lost shortly
after). Sojourner (1996): First operational rover (USA). Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM, 2013):
India’s first interplanetary mission. Hope Orbiter (2020): UAE's Mars mission.
203. Vyomitra- India's first crewed space mission- Ganganyan, featuring Vyomitra, a half-
humanoid robot in 2025; Tests human-like tasks in space and gathers data on space travel's
effects on humans; AI-based humanoid with arms, a face, and a movable neck; Operates
spacecraft controls, monitors systems, and communicates with mission control; Simulates
human actions and conducts experiments; Skull made from lightweight AlSi10Mg alloy via
Additive Manufacturing for strength and low payload weight; Ensures astronaut safety by
performing repetitive or dangerous tasks; Prepares for future human space exploration,
including moon and Mars missions.
204. DART Mission- Meteor Shower- NASA’s DART mission launched by NASA successfully
crashed a spacecraft into asteroid moonlet Dimorphos; Resulted in debris potentially
forming the “Dimorphids,” a human-made meteor shower in 10-30 years; DART (Double
Asteroid Redirection Test) launched in 2021 to test asteroid deflection using kinetic
impact; Impact shortened Dimorphos’ orbit around Didymos by 33 minutes, proving
asteroid redirection feasibility; Dimorphos’ shape changed to a stretched ‘triaxial ellipsoid’
due to the collision; Demonstrated asteroid deflection as a viable method to protect Earth
from future asteroid threats.
205. Agni 4 Ballistic Missile- The Agni-4 missile was successfully launched from the
Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC);
The launch validated all operational and technical parameters, confirming the missile's
functionality; Agni-4 is developed by DRDO as part of the Agni series of intermediate-range
ballistic missiles as part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP); It
has a range of 4,000 kilometers, a length of 20 meters, and can carry a payload of 1,000
kg; The missile is equipped with advanced avionics, navigation systems, and precision
strike capabilities; The SFC, part of India’s Nuclear Command Auth ority (NCA), manages
the country's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile; The NCA's Political Council,
chaired by the Prime Minister, is the sole body authorized to approve the use of nuclear
weapons; The Executive Council, chaired by the National Security Advisor, provides inputs
for decision-making and executes directives from the Political Council; The successful test
of Agni-4 enhances India’s credible minimum deterrence, strengthening its strategic
defense capabilities
206. Chandrayan 3- Seismic Signature- Chandrayaan-3 detected 250 seismic signatures on
the Moon, marking a major advancement in lunar exploration; The data, recorded by the
Seismometer (ILSA), offers insights into the Moon's internal structure and seismic activity;
Seismic activity on the Moon is influenced by meteorite impacts, thermal stress, and
possibly remnants of tectonic activity; The findings suggest the Moon is more seismically
active than previously thought, challenging assumptions about its geology; The seismic
data helps scientists understand the composition and properties of the Moon’s crust and
mantle; These findings are vital for designing resilient infrastructure for future lunar
missions and settlements.
207. AI Tokens- AI tokens are cryptocurrencies linked to AI projects, built on blockchain
systems like Ethereum or Cardano; They are used within AI ecosystems for decision-
making, payments, and supporting AI initiatives; Token holders can participate in decisions
regarding the development of AI projects; AI tokens facilitate access to AI services and
tools and are used in Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs); Examples of AI
tokens include Injective (INJ), Render (RENDER), Theta Token (THETA), Oasis Network
(ROSE), and SingularityNET (AGIX); Investment firms predict a strong future for AI tokens,
with projections of $10.2 billion in annual revenue by 2030; Benefits of AI tokens include
faster, cheaper transactions, enhanced transparency through blockchain, and potential for
innovation in fraud detection and investment opportunities.
208. ISRO Technology Transfer Agreements- ISRO, IN-SPACe, and NSIL recently signed 5
technology transfer agreements, making a total of 75 Technology Transfer Agreements
(TTAs) with private firms since space sector reforms.; The TTAs allow private companies to
access ISRO's space technologies, applicable to areas like agriculture, energy,
infrastructure, defense, telecommunications, and cybersecurity; ISRO is India's national
space agency, IN-SPACe facilitates private sector involvement in space activities, and NSIL
is ISRO’s commercial arm for technology transfers.
209. New Blood Group System MAL- Scientists from NHS Blood and Transplant and the
University of Bristol discovered the MAL blood group system, solving the long-standing
mystery of the AnWj antigen; The AnWj antigen is rare and mainly found in Black
populations, linked to the glycophorin A protein on red blood cells, affecting blood
transfusion compatibility; The MAL blood group system, now the 47th official system,
includes M and N antigens linked to the glycophorin A gene and is separate from common
systems like ABO and Rh; M and N antigens affect disease risks and infection susceptibility,
inherited in a codominant manner; Genetic changes in the MAL gene are associated with
the AnWj-negative trait, aiding in more precise blood matching; This discovery could help
around 400 patients globally annually by improving transfusion safety; The research was
supported by NHSBT’s International Blood Group Reference Laboratory and emphasizes
the importance of safe blood transfusions.
210. India’s First Astronaut to ISS Set for Ax-4 Mission- In 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu
Shukla will become India's first astronaut on the ISS during the Axiom-4 mission, a
collaboration between India and the U.S. Shukla, supported by Group Captain Prashanth
Nair, will spend 14 days conducting five microgravity experiments to aid scientific research
and support India's Gaganyaan program. The mission, using SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon
spacecraft, will also include astronauts from Poland and Hungary. This mission is part of
NASA's private astronaut program and highlights growing international collaboration in
space.
211. Brain- Computer Interface (BCI) - Neuralink's 'Blindsight' received FDA "Breakthrough
Device" status to restore sight in blind individuals with intact visual cortex; BCIs translate
brain signals into device commands using sensors, processing computers, and output
devices; Neurons generate electrical signals measurable by technologies like EEG, critical
for BCI advancements; Types include invasive (e.g., Neuralink implants), partially invasive
(e.g., ECoG), and non-invasive (e.g., EEG, fMRI); Applications - medical rehabilitation,
mental wellness, cognitive enhancement, and entertainment; Challenges - weak signals,
tissue damage, infections, brain tapping risks, and ethical concerns like autonomy and
stigma;
212. Vishvasya- National Blockchain Technology Stack- MeitY launched Vishvasya, India's
National Blockchain Technology Stack, offering Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) for secure
and distributed applications; New initiatives include NBFLite for startups/academia,
Praamaanik for verifying mobile app origins, and the National Blockchain Portal for
managing blockchain-related content; BaaS simplifies blockchain adoption, ensures
security, and enables trust through decentralized software architectures; Blockchain
technology is a decentralized ledger system based on cryptography, ensuring
transparency, immutability, and security through peer-to-peer networks; Key features
include smart contracts, time-stamped records, distributed ledgers, consensus
mechanisms, and secure encryption; Types of blockchain include public (e.g., Bitcoin),
consortium (controlled by a group), and private (single entity control); Applications -
cryptocurrencies, supply chain management, voting, intellectual property protection, and
healthcare records; Challenges include performance issues, scalability limitations, heavy

storage demands, high energy consumption, interoperability, and privacy concerns under
existing laws; Other initiatives include MeitY's National Strategy on Blockchain,
NASSCOM's Future Skills PRIME, and global efforts like WEF's Presidio Principles and IBM
Blockchain World Wire.
213. Organ On Chip Technology- Organs-on-chips (OoCs) are advanced 3D culture models
designed to mimic biological organs on a chip-sized device using fluid channels and living
cells in flexible materials; Advantages- reducing animal testing and providing more
accurate biological responses compared to traditional 2D cultures; Applications- Drug
discovery for screening and developing drugs, precision medicine for personalized
treatments, studying disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets, and analyzing cell-cell
interactions; Challenges -standardization of manufacturing processes, lack of universally
accepted protocols, and difficulty in replicating the full complexity of human organs’ Steps
taken- Amendment of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules 2019 to include OoCs and NAMs,
and BioE3 policy emphasizing innovation in precision therapeutics.
214. Chandrayan -4- It was approved by the Union Cabinet; Chandrayaan-4, launching in
2027, is key to India's lunar ambitions, paving the way for a crewed Moon landing by 2040;
Critical technologies include docking/undocking, landing, lunar sample collection, and
Earth reentry, developed indigenously; Mission costs Rs. 2104.06 Crore, covering
spacecraft development, two LVM3 launches, deep space network support, and special
design validation tests; Features five modules across two launches to demonstrate
technologies like precision landing, lunar sample collection, and safe Earth return;
Advances critical processes such as docking/undocking, lunar orbit manoeuvres, and re-
entry; Integral to broader space goals, including the Bhartiya Antariksh Station (by 2035)
and crewed Gaganyaan missions (starting 2025).
215. Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)- Union Cabinet approved the development of
the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) for human-rated missions and low-cost access
to space; The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is being developed by ISRO with
three developmental flights (D1, D2, D3) planned over eight years; Key goals: supporting
India’s human spaceflight program, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, and lunar/interplanetary
missions; Offers 3x payload capacity compared to LVM3, launching 30 tonnes to Low Earth
Orbit (LEO); Features - reusability for cost efficiency (1.5x cost of current systems);
Enhances satellite deployment for communication, Earth observation, and space
exploration; Industry participation is emphasized for manufacturing and operational
transition.
216. Ganganyan Follow-up Mission - Union Cabinet approved the development of the first
module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) under the revised Gaganyaan program;
Gaganyaan program now includes missions to validate technologies for BAS, with the goal
of launching the first BAS module by December 2028; Human spaceflight program includes
eight missions by 2028, with four missions under Gaganyaan and four for BAS technology
demonstration; Vision: Establish an operational Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and a
crewed Lunar mission by 2040; Total funding for the revised program: ₹20,193 crore, with
an additional ₹11,170 crore; BAS will support microgravity research, technology
development, and industrial participation, leading to economic growth and employment
in space technology sectors; Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS): India’s first space station,
planned for launch in 2028; Aims to support microgravity research and technology
development; Key part of India's vision for space, targeting an operational space station
by 2035 and a crewed lunar mission by 2040.
217. Venus Orbiter Mission- The Union Cabinet approved the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)
to study Venus. ISRO will lead the development, with the spacecraft set to launch in March
2028; The mission is funded with Rs. 1236 Crore, with Rs. 824 Crore allocated to spacecraft
development; The mission aims to understand Venus's surface, subsurface, and
atmospheric processes, and the impact of the Sun on its atmosphere; It seeks to
investigate Venus’s transformation and its similarities to Earth, helping to understand the
evolution of both planets; The VOM will provide valuable insights into the divergent
evolutionary paths of Venus and Earth.
218. Polaris Dawn Mission: First Private Mission Space Walk- The Polaris Dawn Mission is
a privately-funded space mission led by billionaire Jared Isaacman in collaboration with
SpaceX; It became the first private mission to conduct a spacewalk and reached a peak
altitude of 1,400 km, surpassing NASA’s Gemini 11 mission record from 1966; The mission
aimed to study the impact of space radiation, particularly through Earth’s high radiation
regions, including the South Atlantic Anomaly and the Van Allen Radiation Belt; The crew
consisted of Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis; The spacecraft used was
SpaceX's Dragon capsule, and the astronauts spent 12 minutes outside the spacecraft; The
mission tested new, less-bulky spacesuits designed by SpaceX and advanced private space
exploration; It is a significant milestone for commercial spaceflight and may pave the way
for more civilian missions in the future.
219. MDR TB New Treatment- The Union Health Ministry in India has approved a new
treatment regimen, BPaLM, for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB); The regimen
includes four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin, and has been
shown to be safer, faster, and more effective than previous treatments; It reduces the
treatment duration from up to 20 months to just six months, which will help lower
healthcare costs and improve success rates; Approximately 75,000 MDR-TB patients in
India will benefit from this regimen, aiding the country's goal to eliminate tuberculosis by
2025.
220. NITI Aayog on Future Pandemic Preparedness- The NITI Aayog Expert Group Report
focuses on improving future pandemic preparedness by reflecting on challenges from the
COVID-19 pandemic; It points out issues such as inadequate legislative frameworks and
poor integration of data, affecting decision-making; There is a need for better research
and innovation collaboration, particularly between research bodies and industries for
rapid diagnostics and vaccine development; The report recommends enacting a Public
Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) to address emergencies beyond epidemics,

including non-communicable diseases and bioterrorism.
221. Vishanu Yudh Abhyas- The "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas" (Virus War Exercise) took place in
Ajmer district, Rajasthan, from August 27 to 31, 2024, under the National One Health
Mission; The exercise simulated a mock zoonotic disease outbreak to test pandemic
preparedness and response; The objective was to evaluate the readiness and response
capabilities of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), which includes
experts from human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors; Participants included
organizations like NCDC, ICMR, DGHS, DAHD, MoEF&CC, ICAR, and AIIMS Jodhpur BSL-3
Lab; The drill focused on identifying the virus, controlling its spread across human and
animal populations, and implementing containment measures; The response of district
and state teams was prompt, with independent observers identifying strengths and areas
for improvement; The exercise provided valuable insights into India's preparedness and
the importance of coordinated, efficient responses across various sectors
222. European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)- CERN, the European
Organization for Nuclear Research, celebrated its 70th anniversary recently; Established in
1954, CERN is one of the largest and most respected centers for scientific research in
particle physics, located near Geneva, Switzerland, on the border with France; CERN's
primary mission is to explore the fundamental properties of the universe, focusing on dark
matter, dark energy, and physics beyond the Standard Model; It operates the Large Hadron
Collider (LHC), the world’s largest particle accelerator, and has plans for the Future Circular
Collider (FCC); CERN made a groundbreaking discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, which
validated the Standard Model of particle physics; The organization encourages
international collaboration, with 23 member states and global partners, fostering research
and technological innovations like the World Wide Web; CERN also supports science
education through fellowships, internships, and training programs to inspire future
physicists.
223. Sarco, a suicide pod- The Sarco suicide pod is under legal scrutiny in Switzerland after
a 64-year-old American woman used it to end her life on September 23, 2024. Four
individuals have been arrested in connection with her death; Euthanasia involves a
physician administering a lethal drug, while assisted dying refers to a person self-
administering a lethal substance with medical assistance; The Sarco Pod, created by Dr.
Philip Nitschke, is a 3D-printed, capsule-shaped euthanasia device designed for assisted
suicide in a peaceful and controlled manner; The pod works by filling with nitrogen,
lowering oxygen levels to cause unconsciousness within seconds, followed by death due
to hypoxia; The device is transportable and allows individuals to end their lives
autonomously, without medical assistance; Legal and ethical debates surround the Sarco
Pod, with concerns about misuse and its legal status in different countries.
224. Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Unit-7 Reaches Criticality- Unit-7 of the Rajasthan
Atomic Power Project (RAPP-7) recently reached criticality, marking the beginning of a
controlled nuclear fission chain reaction and the transition from construction to
operational phase; Criticality refers to a point in a nuclear reactor when a sustained and
controlled fission chain reaction begins, crucial for energy generation; RAPP-7, a 700 MW
Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), is part of India's indigenous nuclear reactor
development program; The reactor is the third in a series of Indian-designed units and
follows the successful operation of similar units in Gujarat; RAPP-7 and 8 will add 1400
MW capacity to India's grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to carbon
footprint reduction and sustainable growth; The reactor is expected to start power
generation by the end of 2024, with RAPP-8 to follow in 2025.
225. PARAM Rudra Supercomputer- The Prime Minister virtually launched three PARAM
Rudra supercomputers, marking India’s commitment to self-reliance in high-performance
computing (HPC); The supercomputers are deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata: Pune:
Used by the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) to study astronomical phenomena like
Fast Radio Bursts (FRB). Delhi: Used by the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) for
research in material science and atomic physics. Kolkata: Used by the S N Bose Centre for
research in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences; PARAM Rudra is part of the National
Supercomputing Mission (NSM), a collaboration between MeitY and DST; NSM aims to
create a network of advanced computing systems across India to handle complex, data-
intensive tasks.
226. Infrasound- The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is holding a
workshop for scientists on using ‘infrasound’ in the coming months. Infrasound refers to
sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz, inaudible to humans; It can travel long
distances and penetrate materials like walls; Sources include natural events (earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, ocean waves) and man-made ones (explosions, industrial machinery);
Frequencies range from 0.001 Hz to 20 Hz, and infrasound can pass through solid objects;
It requires specialized instruments such as barometers, seismometers, and infrasound
sensors for detection; Applications include monitoring natural disasters, detecting nuclear
explosions, aiding animal communication (e.g., elephants and whales), and supporting
atmospheric and medical research; These noiseless sounds can travel very long distances
without losing steam — a property that CTBTO finds useful for detecting distant nuclear
explosions. The CTBTO’s International Monitoring System (IMS) uses a range of
technologies to detect nuclear explosions.
227. Starlink- Impact on astronomical research- Starlink satellites, operated by SpaceX, are
disrupting optical and radio astronomy due to unintended electromagnetic radiation
(UEMR); Starlink is a satellite constellation designed to provide high-speed internet to
remote and underserved areas, with over 6,300 satellites currently orbiting Earth at 550
km altitude; Radio astronomy studies celestial objects using radio waves, which can be
interfered with by satellite emissions, making it harder for astronomers to collect data;
The issue is expected to worsen as the number of satellites grows, potentially reaching
100,000 by 2030, with no current regulations limiting radio pollution from these satellites.
228. Polaris Dawn Mission- The Polaris Dawn mission, launched on September 10, 2024,
using a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket ; It successfully completed a five-day journey,
achieving several milestones; The Crew Dragon spacecraft splashed down in the Gulf of
Mexico, after reaching an orbital altitude of 1,400 km, surpassing NASA’s Gemini 11
record; Mission commander Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis conducted
the first-ever commercial spacewalk for 12 minutes outside the Crew Dragon capsule,
testing SpaceX’s EVA suits; The crew ventured into the Van Allen radiation belts,
conducting critical research on space radiation’s effects on human health, vital for future
deep-space missions; Approximately 40 scientific experiments were performed, focusing
on microgravity and space radiation impacts on the human body; The mission tested laser
communications using SpaceX’s Starlink network, showing promise for deep space
communication; Diverse crew training demonstrated that non-professional astronauts,
including two engineers and a retired Air Force pilot, can successfully perform complex
space operations, paving the way for future commercial space exploration.
229. Helium and its use in Rockets- Space X - Polaris Dawn Mission - Helium was used in
the Polaris Dawn mission to pressurize fuel tanks and cool systems in the SpaceX Falcon 9
rocket; Helium is an inert, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with atomic number 2,
making it the second lightest element after hydrogen; It is the second most abundant
element in the universe, making up about 24% of its elemental mass; Helium is used in
cryogenics, cooling superconducting magnets (e.g., MRI scanners), and in balloons and
airships because it is non-flammable and lighter than air; It is produced in large quantities
by nuclear fusion reactions in stars, including the Sun; As a non-renewable resource, its
depletion on Earth is a concern due to its widespread use; In rockets, helium is used for its
lightness, energy efficiency, low boiling point, and non-reactivity; It helps reduce rocket
weight, lowers fuel consumption, and maintains fuel tank pressure as the rocket fuel is
used; Helium's small atomic size makes it prone to leaks, but its presence is easily
detectable in spacecraft systems; Leaks in systems like ISRO’s Chandrayaan 2, ESA’s Ariane
5, and NASA’s Starliner missions have been linked to helium.
230. Cellulitis Scheme- Cellulitis disease, which used to affect a few people during the rainy
season, is now widespread in the erstwhile Karimnagar district, Telangana ; Cellulitis is a
bacterial skin infection affecting the deeper layers of the skin, caused mainly by
Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria; The infection enters through breaks in the
skin, such as cuts, bruises, scrapes, and insect bites; People working in agriculture,
construction, or with compromised immunity (e.g., leukaemia, HIV, diabetes) are at higher
risk; Symptoms include swollen skin, red rashes, pain, fever, chills, and sweating; Cellulitis
is treatable with antibiotics, and quick treatment is important to avoid complications like
bloodstream infection; Proper hygiene and avoiding scratching injuries help prevent
cellulitis.
231. Pager and its working- Recent explosions in Lebanon involved modified hand-held
radios (walkie-talkies) and pagers used by Hezbollah, causing fatalities and injuries;
Walkie-talkies, invented in 1937, are portable two-way radios that transmit and receive
messages using radio waves. They are used in emergency services, security, and industries
where mobile networks are unavailable; Pagers, which receive messages through radio
signals, were popular in the 1980s and remain useful in low-signal areas like healthcare.
They can be modified for covert operations, such as remote detonation or alerts; Pagers,
with no GPS or internet, are harder to track and intercept, making them useful in Radio
Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs) for targeted attacks.
232. BharatGen- BharatGen is a generative AI initiative launched by the Ministry of Science
& Technology; Generative AI for public service; First government-funded multimodal LLM
for Indian languages; Focus: Language, speech, and computer vision; Led by IIT Bombay
under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems: NM-ICPS; Emphasizes
India-centric data and digital sovereignty; Key features- Multimodal models, Bhartiya
datasets, open-source, AI research; Outputs- Text, imagery, audio.
233. Marburg Virus- Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a severe, often fatal illness; Case
fatality rate: 24%–88% (average ~50%); Early care with rehydration and symptom
management improves survival; No approved vaccines or treatments; options are under
development; Natural host: Rousettus aegyptiacus (fruit bat); Transmission: Bat-to-human
and human-to-human; Community engagement is crucial for outbreak control.
234. Moon Light Program- ESA launched Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation
Services (LCNS) programme at the International Astronautical Congress; Moonlight is
Europe’s first satellite constellation for Moon communication and navigation;
Collaborative mission by ESA, nations, and industrial partners; Five lunar satellites planned
for telecommunication and navigation; Technologies to support future Mars missions
through MARCONI programme; Lunar Pathfinder, the first satellite, launches in 2026;
Initial services by 2028; fully operational by 2030; Focus on Moon’s South Pole for sunlight
and water ice resources; Eliminates need for standalone communication systems for lunar
missions; Supports data transfer over 400,000 km between Earth and the Moon.
235. PROBA- 3 of ESA- India will launch ESA's Proba-3 mission using PSLV from Sriharikota
in Dec 2024; Proba-3 is ESA’s first precision formation flying mission; Consists of two
satellites: Coronagraph and solar-disc-shaped Occulter; The core objective of the mission
is to create an artificial eclipse by precisely coordinating two independent satellites. This
capability will enable scientists to observe the Sun's corona, a region typically obscured by
the intense brightness of the Sun. Satellites fly 150 metres apart, with the Occulter casting
a shadow on the Coronagraph; Enables imaging of the solar corona in visible, ultraviolet,
and polarised light; Aims to study coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar energy output
changes; CMEs: Large plasma and magnetic field expulsions from the Sun, affecting Earth’s
satellites and power grids.
236. Europa Clipper Mission- NASA’s Europa Clipper is on a mission to investigate Jupiter's
moon Europa; Europa, almost Earth's moon size, has an icy crust with a vast salty ocean
beneath; Mission goal: Determine habitability, not search for life directly; Equipped with
instruments like ice-penetrating radar and cameras for mapping and analysis; Largest
spacecraft built by NASA for planetary missions; powered by solar panels due to Jupiter's
distance; Launch: October 2024 via SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket; cost $5.2 billion; Journey
spans 1.8 billion miles, reaching Jupiter in 2030, with 49 Europa flybys from 2031 to 2034;
Ends with a controlled crash into Jupiter’s moon Ganymede; Radiation shielding protects
instruments from Jupiter’s intense radiation belts; Europa’s water geysers and potential
energy sources, like thermal vents, are key areas of study; The spacecraft carries symbolic
"messages in a cosmic bottle" with water words, a poem, and 2.6 million names; Will orbit
Jupiter in 2030 and conduct Europa flybys from 2031; Equipped with ice-penetrating radar,
cameras, and thermal instruments to detect water eruptions.
237. SPADEX, or Space Docking Experiment- It involves the docking of two free-flying
spacecraft in space, allowing them to join and operate as a single unit; Will be conducted
in Dec 2024; SPADEX involves precise autonomous docking of two satellites, 'Chaser' and
'Target,' launched by a PSLV-class vehicle into different orbits; Docking occurs at 28,000
km/h at a 700 km altitude to form a single orbiting unit; Key maneuvers: autonomous
rendezvous and docking, formation flying, remote operations, and robotic arm usage for
servicing; Critical for missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4, and Bharatiya Antariksha
Station (BAS); Applications: geostationary satellite longevity, interplanetary missions, and
assembling space solar stations; Challenges: high-speed precision, autonomous systems,
sensor reliability, and risks from space debris.
238. Smart Insulin- Smart Insulin (NNC2215) responds to changing blood glucose levels,
developed by scientists from Denmark, the UK, Czechia, and the University of Bristol; It
has two components: a ring-shaped structure and a glucoside molecule that mimics
glucose; When blood sugar is low, the glucoside keeps insulin inactive. As glucose rises, it
replaces the glucoside, activating the insulin to lower blood sugar; NNC2215 proved as
effective as human insulin in animal trials (rats and pigs); The Glycaemic Index (GI) ranks
carbohydrate-containing foods by their blood glucose response after eating. Foods with a
higher GI cause a quicker rise in blood sugar.
239. Black Hole Triple System- The V404 Cygni system, once thought to be a binary black
hole system, has been discovered to be a triple system; It consists of a central black hole
consuming a star every 6.5 days, with a second star orbiting the black hole at a vast
distance, completing one orbit every 70,000 years; Located in the Milky Way, about 8,000
light-years from Earth, this discovery challenges traditional black hole formation theories;
The distant star's presence suggests a "direct collapse" formation of the black hole, instead
of a supernova explosion; Black holes have intense gravity, with their event horizon being
the boundary where escape velocity exceeds the speed of light; In 2019, the Event Horizon
Telescope captured the first-ever image of a black hole in the M87 galaxy, 55 million light-
years away.
240. Lidar technology in Archaeology- Light Detection and Ranging; LiDAR uses laser pulses
for distance measurement and 3D modelling; Recently used to discover a lost Mayan city
in Mexico; Components include a laser, scanner, and GPS receiver; Applications: forestry,
urban planning, archaeology, flood modelling, etc; Benefits: fast, accurate, effective in
difficult terrains; Limitations: expensive, requires skilled operators, affected by weather.
241. Nemaline Myopathy- Former Chief Justice of India of India discusses nemaline
myopathy, a genetic condition affecting his foster daughters. Nemaline myopathy is a rare
genetic disorder affecting skeletal muscles; Caused by mutations in genes essential for
muscle function; Symptoms include muscle weakness, delayed motor milestones,
difficulty feeding, swallowing, and breathing, hypotonia, and joint deformities; No cure,
but management includes physical therapy, respiratory support, and nutritional support;
Increased awareness can improve healthcare resources and support for affected
individuals.
242. Artificial Insemination- Baby Indian Bustard Chick- IVF breakthrough for the Great
Indian Bustard uses assisted reproductive technology for conservation; The chick was born
under the Species Recovery Programme at Desert National Park in Rajasthan; IVF involves
fertilizing an egg outside the body and implanting the embryo back into the female’s
uterus; IVF offers a new approach to preserving critically endangered species by
overcoming natural reproductive challenges.
243. Nobel Prizes 2024
S.No Category Recipient(s) Achievement

1 Physics John Hopfield (USA) Foundational discoveries in
and Geoffrey machine learning with artificial
Hinton (UK) neural networks
2 Chemistry David Baker (USA), Computational protein design
Demis Hassabis (Baker) and protein structure
(UK), John Jumper prediction (Hassabis and
(USA) Jumper)
3 Physiology Victor Ambros Discovery of microRNA and its
or Medicine (USA) and Gary role in gene regulation
Ruvkun (USA)
4 Literature Han Kang (South Intense poetic prose
Korea) confronting historical traumas
and human fragility
5 Peace Nihon Hidankyo Efforts for a world free of
(Japan) nuclear weapons and witness
testimony against their use
6 Economic Daron Acemoglu Studies on how institutions are
Sciences (USA), Simon formed and their impact on
Johnson (USA), prosperity
James Robinson
(UK)
244. Atoms4food- BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) participated in the IAEA
(International Atomic Energy Agency) Scientific Forum ‘Atoms4Food,’ launched by IAEA
and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in 2023. Use of nuclear techniques to
enhance agriculture, reduce food losses, and improve food security; Irradiation technique
extends food shelf life; Fallout radionuclide analyzes soil erosion; Cosmic-ray neutron
sensor measures soil moisture; Radioimmunoassay detects hormone levels for artificial
insemination; Sterile insect technique controls pests; India’s initiatives include provisions
for food irradiation units under PMKSY; BARC developed 42 high-yielding seed varieties
through Gamma irradiation; BARC established irradiation facilities in Vashi and Nashik,
Maharashtra.
245. Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory- MACE Observatory-
MACE (Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment) Observatory, Asia's largest and world's
highest imaging Cherenkov telescope, was inaugurated at Hanle, Ladakh, on 4th October
2024; Located at an altitude of ~4,300 m, the telescope is designed to study high-energy
gamma rays, advancing cosmic-ray research; Built indigenously by BARC with support from
ECIL and Indian industry, MACE is part of DAE's Platinum Jubilee year celebrations; MACE’s
role in both scientific progress and Ladakh's socio-economic development; The project
aims to inspire future generations in astronomy, astrophysics, and space research.
246. LUPEX Mission- The India-Japan joint moon mission; The Lunar Polar Exploration
Mission (LUPEX) is India's 5th lunar mission, approved by the National Space Panel; LUPEX
aims to investigate water quantity and quality on the Moon, focusing on the far side (dark
side) of the Moon, which is never visible from Earth due to tidal locking; The mission will
be a precursor to India’s lunar sample return mission and the goal of sending the first
Indian to the Moon by 2040; ISRO will manage the lunar rover, while Japan’s JAXA is
responsible for the lander; Observation instruments from NASA and ESA will also be
mounted on the rover; The landing site is the Moon's south pole, where high water
potential is believed to exist, though it presents challenges due to limited flat landing sites
and communication conditions; India became the first country to land on the Moon's
south pole with the Vikram Lander during Chandrayaan 3.
247. RISE Mission- The Remove Debris In-Orbit Servicing (RISE) mission by the European
Space Agency is a key step towards creating a circular economy in space; Scheduled for
launch in 2028, RISE will be the first in-orbit servicing mission, capable of docking and
controlling the orbits of geostationary satellites; The mission will operate in the
geostationary graveyard, about 100 km higher, where defunct satellites are parked after
completing their missions; The circular space economy focuses on satellite refurbishment,
space debris removal, and resource utilization (e.g., materials from asteroids or the
Moon); Key benefits include reduced space debris, resource conservation, cost reduction,
and faster development times; Challenges include technological limitations, funding, and
establishing global regulations for space sustainability; Global initiatives like ESA’s 2050
circular economy goal, NASA’s COSMIC program, and reusable launch vehicles (e.g.,
SpaceX Falcon 9) support space sustainability; In India, ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle
Technology Demonstrator and the goal of debris-free space missions by 2030 align with
these objectives.
248. Global Strategic Partnership, Readiness, Response Plan- Recently, the Global Strategic
Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan (SPRP) to tackle dengue and other Aedes-
borne arboviruses was launched by the World Health Organisation; Reduce disease
burden, suffering, and deaths from dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and other Aedes-borne
arboviral diseases through a coordinated global response; Leadership and coordination of
response activities; Tools for early detection, surveillance, diagnostics, and field
investigation; Community engagement and mosquito population control; Clinical
management and resilient health services; Research for improved treatments and
vaccines; Implementation until September 2025; Aligns with Global Vector Control
Response 2017–2030 to strengthen vector control; Aligns with Global Arbovirus Initiative
2022 to tackle mosquito-borne arboviruses; Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by
chikungunya virus; Transmitted through bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes
albopictus mosquitoes; Associated with other viruses like dengue and Zika.
249. Trachoma- WHO recognized India for eliminating Trachoma as a public health issue;
Trachoma: Contagious bacterial eye infection (Chlamydia trachomatis), can cause
blindness; Spread: Through contact with eyes, eyelids, or secretions of infected
individuals; Affects ~150 million globally; 6 million at risk of blindness; India’s efforts:
National Trachoma Control Program (1963), integrated into NPCB (National Program for
Control of Blindness); Trachoma caused 5% of blindness in 1971, now reduced to <1% via
NPCBVI and WHO SAFE strategy; India declared free of infective Trachoma in 2017;
ongoing surveillance (2019–2024); WHO's verification followed a National Trachomatous
Trichiasis Survey (2021–2024); Elimination achieved after final reports were submitted by
National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI).
250. National Center for Excellence AVGC- XR- The Union Cabinet approved the National
Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and
Extended Reality); Proposed in the 2022-23 budget to boost India's creative economy; Set
up as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013, provisionally named Indian
Institute for Immersive Creators (IIIC); Functions as an incubation center for AVGC-XR
startups; Benefits: Animation industry growth: 25%, valued at ₹46 billion (2023, FICCI-EY
Report); Focus on immersive technologies like VR, AR, MR, and 3D modelling; Creation of
indigenous intellectual property (IP) for domestic and global use; Employment generation:
5,00,000 jobs with emphasis on education and skilling; Enhances India's soft power and
attracts foreign investment; Creative Economy: Knowledge-based industries using
intellectual capital for economic growth, valued at $30 billion in India, employing ~8% of
the workforce.
251. India’s First Biomanufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI)- India's first Biomanufacturing
Institute, BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI), inaugurated
in Mohali; Aims to revolutionize the agri-food sector using biotechnology, aligned with
"Viksit Bharat" and "Make in India" initiatives; Focus: Bio-based solutions for sustainable
agriculture, including high-yield crops, biofertilizers, biopesticides, microbial
fermentation, and alternative protein sources; Streamlines research to commercialization,
enhancing food quality and reducing chemical reliance; Supports start-ups and companies
innovating in bio-manufacturing; Formed by merging National Agri-Food Biotechnology
Institute (NABI) and Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB); Features
BioNest Incubation Centre for nurturing startups in agriculture, food, and bioprocessing
with public-private collaboration.
252. Mission Mausam- Cloud Chambers- Mission Mausam was launched in 2023 by the
Ministry of Earth Sciences to enhance weather forecasting and manage extreme weather
events using advanced tools like AI and ML; Objectives: Improve weather prediction
accuracy; Strengthen climate resilience; Expand capacity in atmospheric sciences; Focus
Areas: Monsoon forecasts, air quality alerts, extreme weather warnings, and weather
interventions like fog and hail management; Cloud Chamber at IITM Pune: India's first
advanced facility for studying monsoon clouds. Simulates conditions for cloud formation
with convection properties to understand cloud behavior specific to India. Purpose:
Supports research on cloud physics, aiding weather modification and forecasting; Cloud
Seeding (CAIPEEX): Demonstrated rainfall increases of up to 46% in suitable conditions.
Highlighted as a supplemental, not standalone, solution for rainfall enhancement
253. Mechazilla and its application- SpaceX achieved a milestone by landing its Starship
rocket using "Mechazilla," a 400-ft rocket-catching structure with two mechanical
"chopstick" arms designed to catch the Super Heavy booster midair; The process involves
the Starship and booster lifting off, the booster separating at a certain altitude, descending
with precision thrusters, and being caught by Mechazilla's arms for a safe landing; This
innovation enables efficient booster refurbishment and reuse, reducing launch costs and
enhancing mission sustainability; Starship is a super-heavy-lift rocket and spacecraft
designed to transport large cargo and astronauts into deep space.
254. THHAD System- The United States recently deployed a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude
Area Defense) battery to Israel. THAAD is an advanced anti-ballistic missile system that
intercepts short to intermediate-range missiles using a "hit-to-kill" method. It was
developed after the 1991 Gulf War and was first deployed to Israel in 2008. However,
THAAD cannot detect low-flying objects like drones.
255. Dragon drones – These are UAVs equipped with thermite, used in warfare to ignite
materials. Thermite, a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide, burns at extremely high
temperatures and is difficult to extinguish. These drones were used in the Russia-Ukraine
war to target Russian troops hiding in vegetation. The use of thermite in warfare dates
back to World War I, and while not banned, international law prohibits its use against
civilians.
256. BioPolymers- Biopolymers are made from biological sources like fats, vegetable oils,
sugars, resins, and proteins; They have more complex structures than synthetic polymers,
making them more active in living organisms; Biopolymers are biodegradable and
decompose through oxidation, hydrolysis, or enzyme action; Some biopolymers like
polylactic acid and polyglycolate have plastic-like properties; They are environmentally
friendly and reduce carbon emissions; The biodegradation of biopolymers releases carbon
dioxide, which can be reabsorbed by crops, supporting sustainability.
257. Haber-Bosch Process - The Haber-Bosch process extracts 100 million tonnes of
nitrogen from the atmosphere and converts it into fertilizer; This results in an addition of
165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the soil; In comparison, natural biological
processes produce approximately 100-140 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen each year;
The Haber-Bosch process synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gases, crucial
for fertilizer production; It involves mixing nitrogen (N₂) from the air with hydrogen (H₂)
from natural gas under high temperature and pressure, using a catalyst; Ammonia is a
precursor for chemicals like nitric acid and explosives; Plants need reactive nitrogen forms
like ammonia for growth, but cannot use atmospheric nitrogen directly; Natural nitrogen
sources are limited, with lightning and certain bacteria providing small amounts; The
Haber-Bosch process ensures a steady supply of nitrogen fertilizers, boosting crop yields
and food security; Concerns include excessive nitrogen application, nutrient runoff causing
eutrophication, soil acidification, and air pollution from nitrous oxide; Sustainable use of
fertilizers is necessary to balance food production with ecological health.
258. X Band Radar and its applications- The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the
installation of an X-band radar in Wayanad, Kerala, following devastating floods and
landslides in July 2024; X-band radar operates within 8.0 to 12.0 GHz frequency range,
with wavelengths between 2.5 to 3.75 cm, offering high-resolution imaging ideal for
detecting small targets; Applications include weather radar for rainfall detection, maritime
navigation, military and surveillance, and air traffic control; Advantages: High resolution,
portability, and weather penetration for short-range forecasting; Doppler radar, used in
meteorology, tracks the speed and direction of objects based on frequency shifts caused
by the Doppler effect.
259. Fattah-2 Hypersonic Missiles- The Fattah-2 hypersonic missile was used by Iran in a
missile offensive against Israel in October 2024; Developed by Iran's Aerospace Force, it
aims to strengthen Iran's deterrence and regional security; Officially announced in
November 2022, the missile has a speed of Mach 13 to Mach 15, with a range of 1,400 km
(potentially up to 2,000 km); It is designed with high speed, maneuverability, and stealth,
making it capable of penetrating advanced missile defense systems like Israel’s Iron Dome;
Equipped with a mobile nozzle for trajectory adjustments, the missile's superheated
particles complicate radar detection and communications.
260. VSHORADS by DRDO- DRDO recently completed trials for the 4th Generation
miniaturised Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) missile system; VSHORAD is a Man
Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats
at short ranges; Developed indigenously by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat, it features a
dual-thrust solid motor and miniaturised technologies like the Reaction Control System
(RCS) and integrated avionics; With a range of 6 km, it is lightweight and portable, ideal
for quick deployment, especially in mountainous regions near the Line of Actual Control
(LAC).
261. RNA Editing in Genetic Disorder Treatment- RNA editing corrects errors in mRNA
post-synthesis to fix faulty protein production causing disorders Adenosine Deaminase
Acting on RNA (ADAR) enzymes convert adenosine to inosine in RNA, enabling functional
protein synthesis; Guide RNA directs ADAR to specific mRNA sequences for precise editing;
Wave Life Sciences treats α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) with RNA editing therapy WVE-
006, restoring normal protein levels; Future targets: Huntington’s disease, Duchenne
muscular dystrophy, and obesity; RNA editing is temporary, reducing long-term risks,
unlike permanent DNA edits; ADAR enzymes are naturally present, lowering immune
reaction risks compared to foreign proteins in DNA editing; Challenges: improving
specificity to avoid off-target effects and addressing transient therapy nature; Lipid
nanoparticles are used for delivery but have capacity limitations for complex treatments.
262. Rapid Aphophis Mission for Space Safety- ESA's Rapid Apophis Mission for Space
Safety (RAMSES) aims to study asteroid 99942 Apophis during its close flyby of Earth in
2029; Apophis, 375m in diameter, will pass 32,000 km from Earth on April 13, 2029—
humanity’s closest known advance encounter with such a large asteroid; Researchers will
observe how Earth's gravity affects Apophis, improving planetary defense strategies
against future threats; RAMSES will collaborate with NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX, which arrives
shortly after the flyby for comparative data; Apophis is named after a mythological
Egyptian entity symbolizing darkness; the missions echo humanity’s efforts to "conquer"
potential cosmic dangers; Asteroids, remnants of the Solar System's formation, pose risks,
with over 2,300 near-Earth objects classified as “potentially hazardous.”; A collision with a
large asteroid could unleash energy akin to nuclear explosions, as seen in past extinction
events like the one linked to dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago.
263. Decentralised Green Hydrogen Initiative - India launched a ₹200-crore decentralized
green hydrogen initiative focusing on innovative methods like floating solar panels,
biomass utilization, and wastewater conversion; Decentralized applications include
cooking, heating, off-grid electricity, and powering off-road vehicles; The scheme aims to
establish a green hydrogen ecosystem and reduce reliance on traditional fuels; Floating
solar panels generate hydrogen without occupying land; Biomass utilization converts
organic waste into hydrogen, reducing emissions; Wastewater treatment is leveraged for
sustainable hydrogen production; India's solar photovoltaic exports reached $2 billion in
2023-24, driven by US demand and shifting trade policies reducing Chinese imports; India’s
battery market remains heavily import-dependent, meeting only 30% of demand
domestically by 2030 (International Energy Agency); Green hydrogen, produced using
renewable energy, serves as a clean alternative for cooking, heating, and electricity
generation; Future goals include developing refueling stations and boosting local
production capabilities.
264. Lingosat satellite- Japan is launching the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat,
developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry; The satellite will be sent to the ISS
next week aboard a SpaceX rocket; LignoSat’s mission is to test wooden materials in space,
promoting sustainable satellite design; The wood used is from the Japanese honoki tree,
valued for strength and shatter resistance; Wood offers unique advantages: it doesn’t rot
in space and burns up harmlessly on re-entry, unlike metal satellites; LignoSat will orbit for
six months, collecting data on wood's performance in space conditions; The project
includes former Japanese astronaut Takao Doi, envisioning wooden structures on the
Moon and Mars; The mission represents a step towards eco-friendly space innovations
and sustainable practices.
265. Mpox Virus- Mpox, formerly monkeypox, has been a health concern since 1980, with
WHO declaring it an emergency in 2022 and 2023; There are two main types (clades) of
mpox: Clade I, which affects animals severely, and Clade II, responsible for recent
outbreaks; Clade IIb caused the 2022 outbreak, and Clade Ib emerged in 2023 in Central
Africa; Clade Ia, previously animal-to-human, can now spread between humans, raising
concerns; Mpox has low mutation rates but changes in viral DNA can help it adapt to
humans; Human-to-human spread of Clade Ia may not change vaccines, but different
clades respond differently to treatment; African countries are vaccinating, but there’s a
shortage of vaccines; More research is needed to understand the virus and improve
treatments and vaccines; Ongoing monitoring and strategies are needed to control the
virus.
266. PyPIM Platform- In Memory Computing Technology- PyPIM is a platform developed
by Israeli researchers that enables data processing directly in memory, bypassing the CPU;
It combines Python programming with processing-in-memory (PIM) technology, allowing
operations to be performed directly in memory using familiar programming languages like
Python; The platform addresses the "memory wall" problem, where processor speeds and
memory capacity outpace data transfer rates; By reducing the need for data transfers
between memory and the CPU, PyPIM improves time and energy efficiency; Traditional
computers require data to be transferred from memory to the CPU for computation, while
PyPIM performs some computations in memory itself.
267. World Radiography Day- World Radiography Day is observed on November 8,
celebrating Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen's discovery of x-radiation in 1895; Roentgen
accidentally discovered x-rays while experimenting with vacuum tubes, which led to his
Nobel Prize in 1901; The day honors radiographers for their critical role in healthcare,
ensuring accurate imaging for diagnostics and treatment; The 2024 theme is
'Radiographers – Seeing the Unseen,' highlighting their contributions to patient care; The
day also raises awareness about radiographic therapy and encourages interest in
radiography as a career; Roentgen's discovery revolutionized medical diagnostics, allowing
internal structures to be viewed without surgery.
268. Walking Pneumonia- World Radiography Day is observed on November 8, celebrating
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen's discovery of x-radiation in 1895; Roentgen accidentally
discovered x-rays while experimenting with vacuum tubes, which led to his Nobel Prize in
1901; The day honors radiographers for their critical role in healthcare, ensuring accurate
imaging for diagnostics and treatment; The 2024 theme is 'Radiographers – Seeing the
Unseen,' highlighting their contributions to patient care; The day also raises awareness
about radiographic therapy and encourages interest in radiography as a career; Roentgen's
discovery revolutionized medical diagnostics, allowing internal structures to be viewed
without surgery.
269. International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional

Knowledge- The International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of
Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024), held at Gurugram University, highlighted the
integration of Scientifically Validated Traditional Knowledge (SVASTIK) with modern
science. The conference, organized by CSIR-NIScPR and Gurugram University, focused on
promoting Indian traditional practices through scientific validation. Key topics included
interdisciplinary research, the release of key publications, and the use of digital platforms
for dissemination. SVASTIK is a significant initiative aimed at showcasing traditional
knowledge's relevance today. The event underscored the need for collaboration across
various fields for sustainable development and cultural preservation.
270. NISAR Mission- NISAR satellite is a joint project between NASA and ISRO, set to launch
in early 2025; It combines NASA's L-band radar and ISRO's S-band radar for advanced Earth
observation; The satellite will map the entire globe every 12 days; It will monitor
ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation, sea level rise, and natural hazards like earthquakes and
tsunamis; NISAR features a 12-meter antenna to enhance radar signal focus; The satellite
uses thermal blankets to regulate temperature during operation; Its applications include
disaster mitigation, environmental tracking, and infrastructure monitoring; The data from
NISAR supports sustainable resource management and decision-making.
271. Quantum Magnetic Material- Recent advancements in material science have led to a
new method for creating quantum magnetic materials using a ruthenium-based
framework; The focus is on achieving the elusive Kitaev quantum spin liquid state, which
differs from conventional magnets by exhibiting disordered magnetic properties;
Quantum spin liquids operate through quantum entanglement rather than classical
magnetic behavior; The ruthenium-based framework allows manipulation of ruthenium
ion interactions, crucial for exploring quantum states of matter; Previous research faced
challenges due to densely packed crystal structures that led to conventional magnetic
ordering, which this new approach overcomes; Advanced instruments like the UK’s ISIS
Neutron and Muon Source and Diamond Light Source were used in the experiments; The
findings represent a step forward in material engineering, opening up new possibilities for
quantum technologies and novel magnetic properties; Dr. Lucy Clark, the lead researcher,
highlights the significance of this work for future studies in quantum magnetism.
272. Chang-e 6- A new study published in Nature and Science reveals that volcanic
eruptions occurred on the Moon's far side, based on samples from China's Chang’e-6
mission. Key findings include: The far side of the Moon, like the near side, experienced
volcanic eruptions billions of years ago, with rock fragments dating back 2.8 to 4.2 billion
years, confirming widespread lunar volcanism; Previous data from NASA's Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter suggested volcanic activity, but this study provides the first
physical evidence; These eruptions lasted over a billion years, with future research aimed
at understanding their duration and causes; The far side is less flat and lacks the large lava
plains seen on the near side, prompting questions about the geological differences;
Chang’e Program is part of China's Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP), aiming to explore
the Moon’s geological history. The Chang’e-6 mission (2023) returned lunar samples from
the far side for analysis, continuing phase III of the program; India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission
(2028) plans to return lunar samples but currently has no plans for far side exploration.
273. Operation Dronagiri- Operation Dronagiri is a pilot project under the National
Geospatial Policy 2022, launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST); Its
goal is to demonstrate how geospatial technologies can improve industries like agriculture,
logistics, and transportation; The first phase will be conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,
Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, showcasing geospatial data integration; The
Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI) enables efficient sharing and analysis
of spatial data, crucial for urban planning, disaster management, and environmental
monitoring; National Geospatial Policy 2022 aims to position India as a global leader in
geospatial technology by enhancing infrastructure and innovation; By 2025, the policy
targets liberalizing the sector and democratizing data for commercialization; By 2030, it
plans high-resolution topographical surveys in urban and rural areas; By 2035, it will focus
on high-resolution bathymetric data for inland waters and sea surfaces to support the Blue
Economy; National Digital Twin is a virtual network of interconnected digital replicas to
improve urban and environmental planning; The Geospatial Data Promotion and
Development Committee (GDPDC) will regulate the geospatial sector's implementation
and strategic planning.
274. Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Program- PAIR initiative
aims to enhance research in universities with limited experience by pairing them with top-
tier institutions; It is part of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF),
launched under the ANRF Act 2023; The initiative follows the National Education Policy
2020 and uses a hub and spoke model for research growth; Department of Science and
Technology (DST) is the nodal ministry; Hub institutions include top NIRF-ranked
universities and institutions of national importance; Spoke institutions are central and
state public universities, along with selected NITs and IIITs; Funding: Each network can
receive ₹100 crore, with a 30:70 funding ratio for hub and spoke institutions. Private hubs
must allocate 25% of the budget to spoke institutions.
275. Aerial Taxi Vertiport in Dubai- Dubai is building its first aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai
International Airport, aiming to modernize urban mobility; The vertiport spans 3,100
square meters and will handle 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually; The
project will launch in phases, with initial stations in Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm
Jumeirah, expected to begin in 2026; Dubai aims to lead global urban aerial transport,
reducing travel time, such as from the airport to Palm Jumeirah, from 45 minutes to 10-12
minutes; Joby Aviation will manage aircraft manufacturing and operations; Skyports will
design and construct the vertiport; and RTA will oversee governance; The Joby S4 aerial
taxi features vertical take-off/landing, zero emissions, up to 161 km range, 321 km/h
speed, and accommodates four passengers and a pilot.
276. Long Range Land Cruise Mission- DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test
of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) off the coast of Odisha The missile
has a precision strike range of 1,000 km, ensuring accuracy in targeting strategic locations;
Equipped with advanced avionics and software, it can navigate predetermined waypoints,
perform maneuvers, and operate at various altitudes and speeds; Similar to the US
Tomahawk and Russia’s Kalibr, the LRLACM enables long-range, precise strikes; It plays a
strategic role by enabling stand-off attacks while safeguarding the launch platform and
personnel; Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment with support
from other DRDO labs and Indian industry partners.
277. Pinaka Rocket System- The French Army is evaluating India’s Pinaka multi-barrel rocket
launcher (MBRL) for potential use, highlighting India’s growing defense manufacturing
strength; Developed by DRDO, Pinaka is a versatile, high-precision Multiple Launch Rocket
System (MLRS) designed for mobility, quick response, and concentrated firepower; Pinaka
can launch 12 rockets in 44 seconds and is typically mounted on 8×8 or 6×6 trucks; Range:
Pinaka Mk-I has a 40 km range, Mk-II and Enhanced versions reach 60-75 km, and the
Guided variant extends up to 90 km with improved accuracy; It offers various warhead
options, including high explosives, incendiary, and anti-tank bomblets; Features quick
deployment and reloading, and its modular structure allows compatibility with advanced
technologies; Used by the Indian Army, especially in mountainous terrains, enhancing
artillery capabilities.
278. First Scientific Finding of Aditya L1 system- The first scientific findings from ISRO’s
Aditya-L1 mission have been released, marking a milestone in solar research; The Visible
Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), the mission's primary instrument, captured data to
estimate the precise onset time of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun; CMEs are
powerful solar eruptions that can disrupt Earth's satellite systems and communications;
Launched on September 2, 2023, Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar observation mission; VELC's
spectroscopic capabilities allow the study of CMEs near the Sun's surface, providing new
insights into their thermodynamic properties and source regions.
279. Mule Accounts- I4C- The Indian government froze around 4.5 lakh "mule" bank
accounts used for laundering cybercrime proceeds over the past year; These accounts
were found in major banks, including SBI, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Kotak
Mahindra Bank, and Airtel Payments Bank; Mule accounts are typically created using the
KYC documents of other people and are used by fraudsters to withdraw payments through
cheques, ATMs, or digitally; The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the
Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinated efforts to detect and freeze these accounts; I4C,
launched in 2018 and dedicated in 2020, aims to tackle cybercrime through improved
coordination among law enforcement agencies and enhanced national capabilities.
280. Nafithromycin- "Nafithromycin," an antibiotic developed in India, aims to combat
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and is designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial
Pneumonia (CABP); Developed over 14 years with ₹500 crore investment, it was created
with support from BIRAC and manufactured by Wockhardt under the name "Miqnaf.” The
drug is ten times more effective than current treatments like azithromycin, with a quicker,
safer, and more tolerable treatment regimen; Clinical trials confirmed its efficacy with a
three-day regimen and fewer side effects; Nafithromycin is awaiting approval from CDSCO
for public use.
281. India’s first AI Data Bank- India launched its first AI data bank to boost innovation and
national security; The data bank will provide essential datasets for AI solutions to
researchers, startups, and developers; It supports real-time analysis of satellite, drone,
and IoT data for national security, disaster management, and cybersecurity; AI’s potential
in sectors like governance, healthcare, and space exploration was highlighted; The
government emphasizes ethical, transparent AI use, focusing on fairness, data privacy, and
reducing algorithmic bias; Equal access to AI benefits is prioritized to prevent technology
gaps.
282. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) – It occurs above 2,400 meters due to reduced oxygen
levels. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and fatigue, progressing to severe conditions
like High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE),
both of which are life-threatening. The body adapts to high altitudes by increasing
breathing rates and red blood cells, but this can strain the heart and lungs. Treatment
involves immediate descent, with oxygen support if needed. To prevent AMS, ascend
slowly, rest every few days, and avoid increasing altitude by more than 500 meters daily
after 3,000 meters. Enhanced healthcare facilities in the Himalayas and safety
improvements are recommended.
283. The "One Day One Genome" initiative- launched by the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT) and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) on November 9,
2024; focuses on studying India's diverse microbial life; The goal is to explore the roles of
unique bacterial species in the environment, agriculture, and human health; The initiative
employs genome sequencing to unlock the potential of these microbes, identifying useful
enzymes, bioactive compounds, and mechanisms like antimicrobial resistance; Data on
the genomes of bacteria found in India will be freely accessible, promoting innovation in
science, industry, and society, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental
protection.
284. GSAT -20- GSAT-20 is a communication satellite launched by SpaceX on November 19,
2024; The satellite weighs 4,700 kg and has a 14-year mission life; It will improve internet
access in remote areas and provide in-flight internet services; The satellite has 32 user
beams, including narrow and wide spot beams; This marks the first commercial
partnership between ISRO and SpaceX; ISRO chose SpaceX due to limitations with other
providers; ISRO and SpaceX will also collaborate on sending an Indian astronaut to the ISS
in 2025.
285. Mechanical Quabit- Mechanical qubits use vibrational states, enabling longer
coherence times compared to traditional electromagnetic qubits; ETH Zurich developed
the first operational mechanical qubit, achieving a coherence time of ~200 microseconds;
Challenges include harmonics in mechanical systems, unlike anharmonic electromagnetic
qubits; Hybrid systems combining mechanical and electromagnetic qubits aim to optimize
coherence and performance; Advanced fabrication with piezoelectric disks improved
mechanical qubit capabilities; Potential to enhance quantum computing with efficient and
stable qubits.
286. New Telecom Cyber Security Rules in India Issued under the Telecommunications Act,
2023, replacing the 2017 rules; Defines terms like Telecom Cyber Security,
Telecommunication Entity, and Security Incident; Central Government or designated
agencies can request, share, and analyze telecom data; Telecommunication entities must
establish infrastructure for data collection, processing, and storage; Individuals must avoid
actions/messages that endanger telecom cyber security; Entities must adopt cyber
security policies, conduct audits, and establish Security Operations Centres (SOCs);
Entities must appoint a Chief Telecommunication Security Officer (CTSO) and provide their
details to the government; Security incidents must be reported within 6 hours, with
detailed updates within 24 hours; Telecom Cyber Security includes tools and policies to
protect telecommunication networks/services against cyber risks; Telecommunication
Entity refers to anyone providing or maintaining telecom networks/services; Security
Incident refers to events with actual or potential risks to telecom cyber security.
287. India’s First AI lab in Space Hyderabad-based TakeMe2Space to launch MOI-TD (My
Orbital Infrastructure - Technology Demonstrator), India’s first AI lab in space, in December
2024 using ISRO’s PSLV C60 rocket; MOI-TD processes satellite data in orbit, reducing
Earth-based transmission delays and costs; Supported by IN-SPACe, providing advanced
facilities to boost private space initiatives; OrbitLab platform allows users to upload AI
models for applications like environmental monitoring, deforestation tracking, maritime
observation, and greenhouse gas detection; Features include AI accelerators, onboard
computing, reaction wheels, magnetorquers, and flexible solar cells; Focused on Earth
observation, MOI-TD pioneers space-based computing, enabling long-term cost and
environmental benefits; Lays the groundwork for space-based data centers and advances
space exploration innovation.
288. Sabal 20 Logistics Drone- India inducts Sabal 20 logistics drone, developed by IIT
Kanpur and EndureAir, into the Eastern Theatre, including Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim;
Features a tandem rotor design inspired by the Chinook helicopter, with a load capacity of
20 kg and future upgrade potential; Built for high-altitude, rugged terrains with VTOL
(Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capability for confined spaces; Includes stealth features
with low noise and autonomous flight capabilities, suitable for Beyond Visual Line of Sight
(BVLOS) missions; Supports defense operations, anti-insurgency efforts, and disaster
humanitarian aid, improving logistical efficiency for the Indian Army.
289. Nanozymes- Nanozymes are synthetic enzymes mimicking natural enzyme functions,
with expanding applications for larger proteins like collagen; Research at CSIR-CLRI
demonstrated manganese-based oxidase nanozyme (MnN) effectively crosslinking
collagen molecules, enhancing stability and resistance to degradation; Crosslinking used
tannic acid under mild conditions, preserving collagen’s natural structure and durability; A
study with MOF-808 mimicked natural enzyme binding sites, improving reaction control
but facing challenges with larger proteins like cytochrome c; Advances in nanozyme design
balance reactivity, expanding applications in biomaterials and therapeutic uses while

maintaining selectivity and efficiency.
290. Moiré materials - Moiré materials are created by stacking and slightly twisting two
layers of a material, altering atomic arrangements and resulting in unique electronic
properties. Tungsten diselenide (tWSe₂), a semiconductor, has been found to exhibit
superconductivity when twisted at 3.65 degrees, producing flat energy bands where
electrons interact to form Cooper pairs. These pairs enable superconductivity by moving
without resistance. The superconducting transition occurs at approximately –272.93º C,
comparable to some high-temperature superconductors. The material demonstrates
robustness and the ability to switch between conducting and insulating states. These
findings enhance the understanding of superconductivity in semiconductors and open
possibilities for new quantum materials and electronics applications.
291. Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has
endorsed Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) technology, which generates electricity
from the kinetic energy of flowing water without needing significant water height, unlike
traditional hydro systems. SHKT operates efficiently in low-flow environments, making it
cost-effective at ₹2-3 per unit and accessible for remote areas. It can integrate into existing
water infrastructure, like canals and hydropower tailrace channels, to maximise India’s
water resources. The technology supports renewable energy demand, offering a scalable
solution aligned with net-zero emission goals. Its adoption enhances energy security,
sustainability, and the growth of India’s power sector.
292. The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope- The Major
Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) telescope, inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh in
2024, is the world's highest imaging Cherenkov telescope at 4.3 km above sea level; It
features a 21-meter-wide mirror-dish, the largest in Asia, and was developed by Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Electronics
Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), and Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA); The telescope
captures Cherenkov radiation, the blue glow emitted when charged particles exceed the
speed of light in a medium, using mirrors and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs); Equipped with
a high-resolution camera and movable base, it detects high-energy gamma rays above 20
giga-electron volts emitted by cosmic phenomena; It aims to detect Weakly Interacting
Massive Particles (WIMPs) for dark matter research and contribute to multi-messenger
astronomy; Gamma rays can ionize DNA, breaking chemical bonds, leading to mutations
that may cause cancers or genetic disorders if unrepaired.
293. India’s first made-in-India surgical robot- SSI Mantra (Srivastava Surgical Innovations
Mantra) is India’s first made-in-India surgical robot, developed in 2017 by Dr. Sudhir
Srivastava. Installed at Noble Hospital, Pune, with earlier installations in Delhi, Hyderabad,
Raipur, and Nepal. Features five robotic arms, a 3D HD headset, and a vision cart with 3D
4K (Ultra High Definition) imaging. Used for general, cardiac, thoracic, urological,
gynecological, and complex surgeries. Minimally invasive procedures with faster recovery,
less pain, and enhanced precision. Approved by CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation) for Telesurgery and Teleproctoring to enable remote surgeries and training.
CDSCO ensures safety and efficacy for medical innovations like the SSI Mantra.
294. Kessler Syndrome- It describes a self-perpetuating cycle of space debris collisions,
posing risks to satellites and future space exploration. Space debris includes defunct
satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or explosions, with tens of
thousands of pieces orbiting Earth. Notable incidents include the 2009 collision between
a defunct Russian satellite and an active communications satellite, creating nearly 2,000
fragments. Challenges in tracking debris include undetected small objects and high-speed
tiny fragments causing severe damage. Space debris endangers astronauts and
technologies like GPS (Global Positioning System), internet, and television services. Low-
Earth orbit is particularly vulnerable due to congestion, and high-altitude debris can persist
for centuries. Technologies like braking sails are being developed for debris removal, but
they are still in early stages. Geosynchronous orbit, home to communication satellites,
faces long-term risks from accumulating debris.
295. ISRO's SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission- launched aboard the reliable
PSLV, aims to dock two satellites in orbit using the indigenous Bhartiya Docking System,
showcasing India's advanced space technology. Space docking, essential for crew
transfers, resupply missions, and assembling large structures like space stations, relies on
advanced sensors and automated systems for precision and safety. Success in this mission
will enhance India’s capabilities in complex space operations, encourage international
collaborations, and pave the way for advanced missions, including potential human
spaceflight. The SpaDeX mission, scheduled for launch aboard PSLV-C60 on December 30,
2024, is a pivotal step in advancing space technology. Its primary objective is to
demonstrate the rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two spacecraft, Chaser (SDX01)
and Target (SDX02), in a low-Earth orbit at 470 km. This mission also aims to enable the
transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft, supporting future robotic
applications, and testing spacecraft control and payload operations after undocking.
Additionally, SpaDeX will conduct microgravity experiments using PSLV's spent fourth
stage, POEM-4. Indigenous technologies, such as a low-impact docking system, advanced
sensor suite, and GNSS-based RODP processor, are integral to this mission. By achieving
these technological milestones, SpaDeX will enhance India's space exploration
capabilities, positioning it as the fourth nation in the world to possess space docking
technology and laying the groundwork for future projects like Chandrayaan-4 and the
Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
296. ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket Achieves Multi-Orbit Capability- ISRO’s LVM3 rocket has achieved
multi-orbit capability with the development of a Multi-Element Ignitor for the CE-20
Cryogenic engine, enabling in-space restarts for deploying satellites into different orbits
during a single mission. The CE-20 engine, crucial for LVM3’s final stage, uses super-cooled
fuels and has been successfully tested using an adapted Sea Level Test method.
Historically, ISRO utilized Cold Gas Thruster technology for minor thrust adjustments
before the introduction of restart capabilities. This innovation, building on ISRO's
experience with multi-orbit missions like PSLV-C45, enhances flexibility for future missions
and prepares the LVM3 for heavier payloads, including the Gaganyaan Mission, which aims
to send Indian astronauts into space. The PSLV-C60/SPADEX mission, scheduled for
December 30, 2024, aims to demonstrate in-space docking technology essential for future
lunar missions and the establishment of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). The mission
will test the docking and undocking capabilities of two spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and
SDX02 (Target), in low-Earth orbit, and will also evaluate power transfer between them.
297. The JIGYASA program- launched by CSIR aims to foster scientific curiosity through
hands-on experiments, engaging over 550 students from 37 laboratories in a DNA isolation
activity during the Scientific Aptitude Assessment Exercise.
298. Speed Gun- A speed gun measures the speed of moving objects using electromagnetic
waves and the Doppler effect, which detects frequency changes caused by the motion of
the object. Initially developed for military use, speed guns calculate speed by analyzing
the difference in frequency between emitted and reflected waves. Challenges include
inaccurate readings due to multiple reflections. LIDAR (light detection and ranging) is
emerging as a more accurate alternative, using laser light instead of radio waves for precise
targeting and measurement.
299. India's Quantum Satellite Initiative- It is part of the National Quantum Mission (NQM)
approved in April 2023 with a ₹6,000 crore budget, aims to launch a quantum satellite
within the next 2-3 years to enhance secure communications using quantum technology.
The satellite will use Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for secure encryption key sharing,
ensuring integrity against eavesdropping. Despite challenges like high costs and hardware
limitations, India is exploring Hanle in Ladakh for QKD experiments over distances of 500
km. This initiative marks a significant step towards global leadership in secure
communication.
300. Status of India’s pharmaceutical industry- It is the third-largest globally by volume,
valued at $50 billion in 2023-24, with exports contributing $26.5 billion. It produces a wide
range of products, including generic drugs, bulk drugs, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics,
and employs over 9 lakh people. The industry is supported by seven National Institutes of
Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs), which focus on postgraduate and
doctoral education. A national policy promotes research and development, aiming to
position India as a leader in drug discovery and medical devices, fostering innovation and
quality healthcare.
301. BharatGen- It is an AI project focused on developing models tailored to India's diverse
languages and cultures, addressing the underrepresentation of Indian languages. Its
Bharat Data Sagar initiative collects primary data to improve AI model performance,
especially for underserved languages. BharatGen collaborates with top institutions like IIT
Bombay, IIIT Hyderabad, and IIT Mandi, as well as government bodies, industries, and
startups, to create applications benefiting marginalized communities. The project also
provides tools for regional growth, empowering local communities by enabling content
creation and technology engagement in native languages, bridging the digital divide.
302. Russia's mRNA Cancer Vaccine- It is a new treatment aimed at suppressing tumor
growth and preventing cancer spread. Set to be available for free by early 2025, the
vaccine has shown promising results in pre-clinical trials. The development process has
been accelerated using artificial intelligence, reducing what traditionally took hours to
mere minutes. This therapeutic vaccine targets cancer cell markers, helping the immune
system recognize and destroy cancerous cells. There are also preventive vaccines, like the
HPV vaccine, that reduce cancer risk by addressing virus-related cancers. This innovation
could revolutionize cancer treatment in Russia and globally.
303. Nvidia’s Jetson Orin Nano Super- It is a compact generative AI supercomputer priced
at $249, offering up to 67 TOPS, which is 1.7 times better than its predecessor. It features
8GB memory, Ampere GPU architecture with 1,024 CUDA cores and 32 tensor cores, and
a 6-core ARM Cortex-A78 CPU. The device is ideal for AI-driven applications in healthcare,
robotics, and smart surveillance. It supports tools like CUDA and TensorRT, making it
suitable for both novice and professional developers. This versatile supercomputer aids in
tasks like object detection and predictive analytics.
304. Hab-1- It is India's first analog space mission, conducted in Ladakh to simulate space
conditions for preparing astronauts for future lunar and Mars missions. The Hab-1 capsule
is egg-shaped and features space-grade Teflon, foam insulation, a bed, kitchenette, and
dry toilet. During a three-week mission, an astronaut lived in extreme conditions, with
temperatures ranging from 20°C to -18°C, mimicking those on Mars and the Moon. The
astronaut’s health was monitored using wearable devices. This mission is a precursor to
the Gaganyaan project, India’s space station, and lunar landing plans.
305. Space Debris – Collaborative Effort -Japan and India are collaborating to tackle the
growing issue of space debris. Their partnership involves Orbital Lasers (Japan) and
InspeCity (India), who aim to develop laser-equipped satellites to remove defunct
satellites and manage clutter in orbit. Orbital Lasers is working on a laser system to stop
debris from spinning, which makes it easier to service and remove. Testing is planned post-
2027. The collaboration also extends to the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission and
lunar projects, alongside supporting India's Make in India initiative for local production.
The partnership reflects a broader commitment to joint space exploration and debris
management.
306. Mirror Bacteria– These are synthetic organisms with molecular structures opposite to
those found in nature. This concept involves altering the chirality of molecules—DNA and
RNA usually consist of "right-handed" nucleotides, and proteins are made of "left-handed"
amino acids. If created, mirror bacteria could pose severe risks, including introducing
harmful pathogens and disrupting ecosystems. A 300-page report by 38 scientists from
nine countries warns of the catastrophic potential of these synthetic organisms and calls
for halting research unless evidence proves otherwise. The scientists emphasize stringent
oversight and caution in funding such projects.
307. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) – It is a chronic lung disease marked by progressive
scarring of lung tissue, making it hard to breathe. The cause is unknown, with
environmental factors, autoimmune responses, and genetic factors potentially

contributing. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue, and
weight loss. It primarily affects individuals over 50, with men at slightly higher risk.
Diagnosis involves CT scans, pulmonary tests, and sometimes biopsies. While there's no
cure, medications like pirfenidone and nintedanib can slow progression. Oxygen therapy
and lung transplants are options for severe cases. Early diagnosis is key for better
outcomes.
308. The Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) – is a tool developed by the Indian National
Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to assist in sea rescue operations,
particularly by the Indian Coast Guard. Introduced in 2016, SARAT helps predict the
potential locations of missing objects or individuals by factoring in environmental
elements like wind, currents, and waves, which influence object drift. The upgraded
version, SARAT 2, enhances functionality with better visuals, colour-coded search regions,
and markers indicating specific locations. The tool allows customization for 60 different
types of missing objects, optimizing the accuracy and efficiency of rescue operations.
309. The SAMARTH Centres – Ministry of Heavy Industries under the Scheme for
“Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector” has set up 4 Smart
Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub (SAMARTH) Centres. Four
centres are located in Pune, Delhi, and Bengaluru: C4i4 Pune - Centre for Industry 4.0 Lab,
featuring a Model Factory and over 100 Digital Maturity Assessments for automotive
companies. IITD-AIA Foundation (Delhi) - Collaborates with academic institutions to
create tailored Industry 4.0 solutions for MSMEs. I-4.0 India @ IISc Bengaluru - Developed
six Smart Technologies and 14 solutions for various industries. CMTI Bengaluru - Centre
for Manufacturing Technology & Innovation, offering training for 5,000 professionals and
a Smart Factory. These centres provide workshops, training, consultancy, and incubation
for startups, but no financial assistance for MSMEs.
310. Sea level test of CE20– ISRO has successfully completed a crucial sea-level test of its
CE20 cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The
CE20 engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and plays a vital
role in India's space missions. Sea-level testing of cryogenic engines is challenging due to
potential flow separation in the nozzle, which can lead to vibrations, heat issues, and
damage. To address this, ISRO developed a Nozzle Protection System, simplifying the
testing process and ensuring engine performance. The CE20 engine, with a thrust level of
19 tonnes, has been used in six missions and is upgraded to 20 tonnes for the Gaganyaan
mission, with plans to increase it further for heavier payloads in future missions.
311. Lo Moon– Io is the innermost and third-largest of Jupiter's four Galilean moons. Io is
covered in hundreds of volcanoes. Jupiter's moon Io is the most volcanically active body
in the solar system, with around 400 active volcanoes continuously reshaping its surface.
Discovered by Galileo in 1610, Io's intense volcanic activity was confirmed in 1979 by
NASA’s Voyager 1. NASA's Juno mission, through close flybys in late 2023 and early 2024,
provided new insights into Io's volcanism. Juno's gravity measurements revealed that Io’s
volcanoes are powered by localized magma chambers, not a global magma ocean as
previously thought. Tidal flexing caused by Jupiter's immense gravity generates heat,
melting Io’s interior and fueling the volcanoes, shedding light on volcanic processes across
the solar system.
312. EnVision Mission– The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed its EnVision
mission, scheduled for launch in 2031, to explore Venus. This mission will be the first to
use radar technology to investigate Venus's subsurface. With the goal of understanding
Venus's geological history and potential for life, EnVision will study the planet's extreme
environment, with surface temperatures around 464 °C and atmospheric pressure 92
times that of Earth. Equipped with various scientific instruments, including spectrometers
and a NASA-provided radar system, it will collaborate with NASA's DAVINCI+ and VERITAS
missions for a comprehensive study of Venus's surface, interior, and atmosphere.
313. Sora Tool –OpenAI has launched Sora, an AI tool that generates videos from written
text, marking a significant advancement in text-to-video technology. Currently available
to premium ChatGPT subscribers, Sora allows users to create imaginative content, ranging
from animations to complex narratives, without extensive video production skills.
However, OpenAI is prioritizing safety by limiting the generation of videos featuring real
people, preventing deepfakes and unethical uses. The tool's potential to revolutionize
content creation in entertainment and marketing is significant, but it raises ethical
concerns, particularly around misinformation and impersonation.
314. Bharat Antariksha Station– India is set to launch the Bharat Antariksha Station by
2035, aiming to bolster its presence in low Earth orbit and promote scientific research and
international collaboration. Along with the space station, India plans to send an astronaut
to the moon by 2040, furthering its space exploration efforts. These advancements are
supported by recent achievements, including the launch of 432 foreign satellites, with 90%
occurring in the past decade. The government has also introduced reforms to encourage
private sector investment in the space industry, fostering innovation and boosting the
economy.
315. Progress of Gaganyaan Mission –The Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human
spaceflight initiative, is progressing swiftly with the first uncrewed flight scheduled for late
2024. All propulsion systems, including solid, liquid, and cryogenic stages, have been
delivered to the launch site in Sriharikota and successfully tested. The integration of the
crew and service modules is ongoing, and astronaut training is advancing with two of
three training semesters completed. The mission control center and ground stations are
nearly finished, and ISRO’s partnership with the European Space Agency ensures robust
support for the mission’s success. The crewed mission is planned for late 2026.
316. New Bluetooth System– IIT Ropar's AWaDH has unveiled a new Bluetooth Low Energy
(BLE) Gateway and Node System under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-
Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). The system offers flexible connectivity options (4G, WiFi,
LAN), transmits data up to 1 km, and supports over 100 BLE nodes. Designed for durability,
it withstands harsh weather and is energy-efficient. The system aids in agriculture,
monitoring soil moisture and air quality, and in logistics for perishable goods. It also
enhances smart cities and industries with real-time data for operational efficiency and
security. The system is compatible with mobile apps and cloud platforms for easy
integration.
317. Willow Quantum Chip– Google has unveiled its Willow quantum chip, a breakthrough
in quantum computing that can solve complex problems in minutes, a task that would take
the Frontier supercomputer 10 septillion years. Willow utilizes 105 qubits and
demonstrates the power of quantum computing, which differs from traditional computing
by using qubits that can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously through superposition.
This allows for incredibly fast calculations. Willow solved Random Circuit Sampling (RCS)
in under five minutes, a key achievement in the field. While challenges like error rates
remain, the chip’s development lays the groundwork for future advancements in quantum
technology, with applications in AI, medicine, and energy.
318. Hyperloop Test Track– IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track as
part of a collaboration with the Indian Railways, the Avishkar Hyperloop team from IIT
Madras, and TuTr, a startup. Hyperloop, proposed by Elon Musk in 2012, aims to
revolutionize transportation with high-speed travel in a vacuum-sealed environment,
reaching speeds up to 1,100 km/h. The project is being developed in two phases: an initial
11.5-kilometer track for testing and certification, followed by an extension to 100
kilometers. The first full-scale implementation will be on the Mumbai-Pune corridor,
reducing travel time to just 25 minutes.
319. Site for Quantum Signal Transmission– Research has identified the Indian
Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle, Ladakh as the optimal site for quantum signal
transmission into space. A study by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) compared three
observatories—Hanle, Mount Abu, and Nainital—assessing their meteorological
conditions for quantum communication feasibility. Hanle's low humidity, minimal
atmospheric water vapor, and extremely cold temperatures make it ideal for quantum key
distribution (QKD). It showed the lowest signal loss at 44dB, outperforming the other
locations. This research supports India's role in global quantum communication
developments, particularly for satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
320. The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 – It has been amended to
modernize energy policies and promote India's green energy transition. The amendments
expand the definition of "mineral oils" to include shale gas, tight oil, and gas hydrates,
opening up exploration for modern energy resources. The term "mining lease" has been
replaced with "petroleum lease" to reflect current industry practices. To encourage
investment, the amendments ensure stability in lease terms and introduce alternative
dispute resolution (ADR) methods for efficient conflict resolution. Additionally, the
reforms support the integration of renewable energy with traditional oil production, and
certain offences have been decriminalized, replacing criminal charges with fines to
promote innovation and compliance. These changes aim to boost oil and gas production,
reduce energy imports, and support a green energy transition.
321. Homo juluensis– The discovery of Homo juluensis marks a significant development in
our understanding of human evolution. This species, which existed around 300,000 years
ago in eastern Asia, coexisted with other human species such as Homo floresiensis, Homo
luzonensis, and Homo longi. Known for their large skulls, they earned the nickname "big-
head people." These species likely interacted and exchanged traits, challenging the
previously held view of a linear evolution. The findings suggest a more complex
evolutionary tree, particularly in eastern Asia, which has been less studied compared to
Europe and Africa. Despite the breakthrough, many fossils remain incomplete, and further
research is needed to explore genetic links and provide more clarity on Homo juluensis's
role in human evolution.
322. India and Cyber Crimes– India has become the leading target for mobile malware
attacks, accounting for 28% of global incidents between June 2023 and May 2024. This
surpasses the United States at 27.3% and Canada at 15.9%. The rise in attacks highlights a
growing cybersecurity issue, with financial losses from scams increasing by 158%. Delhi
residents lost ₹452 crore in 2024 compared to ₹175 crore in 2023. Phishing attacks,
especially targeting mobile banking users, have also escalated, affecting several private
banks. India leads the Asia-Pacific region, with 66.5% of mobile malware incidents in this
area. Strengthening cybersecurity measures, public awareness, and education on phishing
are critical steps to mitigate these risks.
323. Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) – It is a small, circular genetic fragment found in
cancer cells that plays a critical role in tumor growth and resistance to treatment.
Originally discovered 50 years ago, ecDNA was initially thought to appear in only a small
percentage of tumors. However, recent studies show that it is found in up to 90% of
certain brain tumors. Unlike chromosomal DNA, ecDNA can move freely and cluster,
enhancing the expression of oncogenes and contributing to faster tumor growth and
treatment resistance. EcDNA violates Mendel's third law of inheritance by clustering
during cell division, giving cancer cells an advantage in preserving beneficial genetic
combinations. Despite its risks, ecDNA presents a potential weakness in cancer cells, which
could be targeted therapeutically. Blocking the CHK1 protein, involved in DNA repair,
may selectively kill cancer cells with ecDNA. Companies like Boundless Bio are focusing
on developing treatments targeting ecDNA-driven cancers, such as glioblastoma, ovarian,
and lung cancers. This emerging field holds promise for improving cancer treatment
outcomes by targeting ecDNA-related mechanisms.
324. India’s Nuclear Energy Sector– with a capacity of 8,180 MW, includes contributions
from international partners like Russia. While India excels in using pressurized heavy water
reactors and has a strong safety record, progress has been slow. Despite vast thorium
reserves, which could play a crucial role in future energy security, India has not yet
harnessed thorium for power generation. The country’s three-stage nuclear program,
designed by Dr. Homi Bhabha, faces delays at the second stage, hindering overall
advancement. Key projects like the 500 MW Prototype Fast-Breeder Reactor and the
Advanced Heavy Water Reactor have faced construction and approval delays. Emerging
technologies, such as small modular reactors, could help meet future energy needs if India
addresses these delays promptly.
325. Proba-3 Mission– ISRO launched the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission,
involving two satellites for precision formation flying in space, marking a technological first
in solar observation. PSLV 59 launched the Proba-3 mission, marking a collaboration with
the European Space Agency (ESA) and New Space India Limited (NSIL). The Proba-3
mission is the first precision formation flying mission, aiming to deploy two satellites into
a special elliptical orbit to study the solar corona. With a combined weight of 550 kg, the
mission is focused on understanding the Sun's outermost layer, which plays a critical role
in solar physics and space weather forecasting. The PSLV’s reliability makes it ideal for this
complex mission, highlighting India's growing capabilities in space exploration.
326. The High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) observatory in Namibia has detected
cosmic rays with energies up to 40 teraelectronvolts (TeV), 40,000 times more powerful
than visible light. These cosmic rays lose energy while traveling through space due to
interactions with light and magnetic fields. While the exact sources remain unclear,
scientists suspect they are located a few thousand light-years away. The detection of high-
energy electrons and positrons suggests the occurrence of extreme cosmic events. These
findings are important for understanding phenomena like star explosions, pulsars, and
black holes, although cosmic rays can interfere with technology like satellites.
327. The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime – adopted by 193 UN member
states, is a landmark global treaty aimed at strengthening international cooperation in
combating cybercrime and safeguarding societies from digital threats. The treaty
mandates countries to implement domestic laws that criminalize unauthorized access to
information systems and encourages collaboration in cybercrime investigations while
respecting state sovereignty. It also ensures that the treaty’s provisions align with
international human rights law and mandates the criminalization of child sexual
exploitation material. Additionally, the treaty advocates for global initiatives to raise public
awareness and prevent cybercrime. Set to be signed in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2025, it marks
the first international criminal justice agreement in over two decades and reflects a
significant commitment to enhancing cybersecurity.
328. The IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite)
space programme – launched by the European Union, is an ambitious initiative aimed at
providing secure, high-speed satellite connectivity. It is the EU's third major satellite
infrastructure project, following the Galileo Navigation System and Copernicus Earth
Observation Programme. With a constellation of 290 satellites operating in medium and
low Earth orbits, IRIS2 aims to offer connectivity in regions where traditional networks are
inadequate. The programme will support a wide range of governmental applications,
including surveillance, crisis management, security, and defence, and is designed to rival
private initiatives like Elon Musk’s Starlink. The European Space Agency has been
instrumental in its development.
329. The Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3– (HLVM-3) is a modified version of ISRO's
LVM3, developed to transport humans for India's Gaganyaan mission. The mission aims to
achieve safe human spaceflight with advanced reliability and safety features. The HLVM-3
stands 53 meters tall, weighs 640 tonnes, and has a payload capacity of approximately 10
tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). A critical component is the Crew Escape System (CES),
designed to protect astronauts in case of an emergency during flight, particularly during
early stages of ascent. The base LVM3 vehicle, a three-stage launch vehicle, is capable of
carrying up to 8 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbits (GTO).
330. Dharani – is a pioneering project by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, which
has released the largest publicly available digital dataset of the human foetal brain. This
comprehensive atlas offers detailed insights into brain development from the second
trimester of the foetus. Dharani is developed with significantly lower funding compared
to the US-based Allen Brain Atlas, making it a cost-effective achievement. The dataset aims
to enhance current foetal imaging techniques and enable early diagnosis and treatment
of brain-related health conditions. Additionally, it provides valuable data for
understanding neurological disorders such as autism.
331. Voronezh Long-Range Radar System– India is finalizing a $4 billion defense deal with
Russia to acquire the advanced Voronezh long-range radar system, developed by Russia’s
Almaz-Antey Corporation. This system is capable of detecting threats like ballistic missiles
and stealth aircraft over distances of up to 8,000 kilometers, and can track over 500 objects
simultaneously. The radar uses phased array technology, offering rapid electronic beam
steering, making it more efficient than older radar systems. The system will be part of an
integrated Missile Attack Early Warning System, and the radar will be installed in
Chitradurga, Karnataka, providing early warning capabilities against missile threats from
China and Pakistan.
332. MuleHunter.AI– It is an advanced AI tool developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
to combat financial fraud and money laundering by detecting mule accounts. Mule
accounts are exploited by criminals to funnel illicit funds, often through unsuspecting
individuals, called money mules. The tool uses machine learning algorithms to analyze
transaction data and account details, identifying mule accounts with greater accuracy than
traditional rule-based systems. It tracks illicit fund flows, helping banks detect fraudulent
activities more effectively. Successfully piloted in two public sector banks, MuleHunter.AI
is being urged for wider adoption across the banking sector.
333. Nano Bubble Technology– launched at the National Zoological Park in Delhi, uses
extremely small bubbles (less than 200 nanometers in diameter) to enhance water quality.
These nanobubbles are formed by injecting any gas into liquid and exhibit unique
properties like strong surface charge, hydrophobic nature, and Brownian motion.
Nanobubbles improve microbiological activity, making processes like wastewater
treatment and lake muck digestion more efficient. They have various benefits, including
improving water treatment, enhancing agriculture and aquaculture growth, enabling
more efficient cleaning, increasing oil and gas recovery efficiency, and promoting healthier
skin and hair by boosting product absorption.
334. Marburg virus disease (MVD) – It is a rare and severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused
by the Marburg virus (MARV) or Ravn virus (RAVV), which belongs to the filovirus family,
the same as Ebola. It is transmitted from fruit bats to primates, including humans, and
spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids. MVD causes symptoms such as
fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and nausea, progressing to liver failure, shock,
bleeding, and organ failure. The disease has a fatality rate of 24-88%, depending on the
outbreak. There is no specific treatment, but early supportive care improves survival.
All the best.

S&T Current Affairs Gist (Jan 2024- Dec 2024)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

S&T Current Affairs Gist (Jan 2024- Dec 2024)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

S&T Current Affairs Gist (Jan 2024- Dec 2024)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

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

S&T Current Affairs Gist (Jan 2024- Dec 2024)

Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, often sexually transmitted. Over

Deep tech refers to startups developing offerings based on tangible engineering

manoeuvre). Dogleg manoeuver - altering a satellite's launch trajectory to avoid collisions

Exploration targets include polymetallic manganese nodules, gas hydrates, hydrothermal

India’s Top Humanoid Robots

Robot Developer Description

KEMPA Sirena Passenger-assistant humanoid robot deployed at

Characteristic Micellar Water Normal Water

Cleansing Attracts and removes dirt, oil, Limited ability to remove

organism's genetic makeup, helps in biomedical research, pharmacogenomics, agricultural

Aspect Predictive AI Generative AI

Factor Hubble Telescope James Webb Telescope

107. TSAT 1 A- TSAT-1A is an optical sub-metre-resolution Earth observation satellite; Built

Feature Small Language Models Large Language Models (LLMs)

Cost and Examples: SLMs are cost- Examples: LLMs require

reasoning; AlphaGeometry suggests potential geometric constructs using its language

Indo-French Space Partnership:

125. Biopharmaceutical Alliance- The Biopharmaceutical Alliance was recently inaugurated

Feature CRISPR-Cas9 RNA Bridge

Infrastructure Traditional cellular towers Advanced, sustainable

launched the Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard to track AI

PKI-based authentication to tackle spoofing; TRAI recommends the CNAP(Caller Name

hardware/software issues; The outage began due to a configuration change in Azure

Aspect EEG MRI

Limitations Less effective for locating Not suitable for real-time

management, verification of geological models, technological innovation, and global

injection; It can disable biometric and two-factor authentication; Primarily spreads

in space for national security, socio-economic benefits, space diplomacy, scientific

pyrotechnics and TNT (Trinitrotoluene), emphasizing sustainability; RHUMI-1 aligns with

models to address language diversity effectively; Significance- Empower regional

healthcare records; Challenges include performance issues, scalability limitations, heavy

Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) to address emergencies beyond epidemics,

S.No Category Recipient(s) Achievement

269. International Conference on Communication and Dissemination of Traditional

balance reactivity, expanding applications in biomaterials and therapeutic uses while

environmental factors, autoimmune responses, and genetic factors potentially

All the best.

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.