The Wide Area Linear Optical Polarimeter (WALOP), a vital instrument for the PASIPHAE Project, is being developed at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), India. Polar-Areas Stellar-Imaging in Polarisation High-Accuracy Experiment (PASIPHAE) is an international collaborative sky surveying project. Astronomical Polarimetry Polarimetry, a technique to measure the polarisation of …

China’s dominance in the rare earth metals, key to the future of manufacturing, is posing a major concern for the West. Important points: China has over time acquired global domination of rare earths, even at one point, it produced 90% of the rare earths the world needs. Today, however, it …

The ‘National AI Portal’, celebrated its first anniversary on 28th May, 2021. Important points: It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and NASSCOM. In 2009, NeGD was created as an Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation (a not-for-profit …

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister addressed the 47th G7 Summit 2021 through video conferencing. Earlier, the Finance Ministers from the G7 nations reached a landmark accord setting a Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate (GMCTR). Apart from India, Australia and South Korea were also invited to participate in the proceedings of …

DBT/BIRAC-NBM Supported Phase I/II Clinical Trials The Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Clinical trials conducted globally have shown promising results in end stage patients, especially in patients suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Though this technology has a remarkable therapeutic potential for …

Accurate estimation of black carbon (BC), the second most important global warming pollutant after CO­2, will now be possible using optical instruments in the Himalayan region. Thanks to a parameter called the mass absorption cross-section (MAC) specific to the Himalayan region that scientists have estimated. It will also improve the …

Recently, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) through its Operation Pangea XIV targeted the sale of fake medicines and products online. More than 1.10 lakh web links, including websites and online marketplaces, were taken down in the operation. Important points: Operation Pangea, is a well-established international effort of Interpol to …

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister announced the ‘Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors’ (YUVA) scheme – a mentorship programme to train young authors. Important points: The scheme is aimed at training 75 aspiring writers below 30 years, who are ready to express themselves and project India and its culture and literature …

Recently, NITI Aayog and Piramal Foundation launched ‘Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum Abhiyan’ in 112 aspirational districts. This drive was launched to assist the administration in providing home care support to Covid-19 patients, who are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Most of these districts are in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and …

Recently, the US’ President and UK’s Prime Minister signed a new version of the 80-year old Atlantic Charter. Important point: The Atlantic Charter was a joint declaration released by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on 14th August, 1941 (during World War II) following a …