SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

QUANTUM COMPUTING AND NATIONAL SECURITY

SUBJECT: GS-3: Science & Technology (Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity) GS-2: National Security (Defense Applications, Strategic Technology) Key Highlights NITI Aayog’s Quantum Push NITI Aayog launched the NITI Frontier Tech Hub to advance India’s capabilities in quantum computing. A strategic paper highlights how quantum technology will reshape national security and other sectors. …

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DUPLICATE VOTER ID NUMBERS

GS-2: Governance (Electoral Reforms, Election Commission’s Role) GS-3: Technology in Governance (Voter ID Digitization, Data Management) Key Highlights Election Commission’s Plan to Resolve Duplicate Voter IDs: Election Commission (EC) acknowledged the issue of duplicate EPIC (Voter ID) numbers. EC committed to resolving the issue within 3 months by ensuring a …

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AN EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE IN INDIA

GS-1: Society (Gender Disparities, Women Empowerment) GS-2: Governance (Education & Research Policies, Gender Inclusion) GS-3: Science & Tech (STEM Workforce, Gender Bias in Research) Key Highlights Challenges for Women in STEM: Gendered social norms, limited access to quality education, and non-inclusive workplaces hinder women’s participation in STEM. Harassment, discrimination, and …

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NEPAL’S RHINO CENSUS FACES UNCERTAINTY

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Overview Nepal’s five-yearly rhino census faces uncertainty due to the suspension of USAID funding. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) lacks financial resources, threatening the planned 2025 census. The last census in 2021 recorded 752 one-horned rhinos. Importance of the Census Essential for …

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BLUE GHOST MISSION 1: PRIVATE LUNAR SUCCESS

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH: Mission Overview Date: March 2, 2025 Operator: Firefly Aerospace Significance: Second-ever private lunar landing. First to land upright. Part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Landing and Location Landed at: Mons Latreille, Mare Crisium on the Moon. Preceded by: Intuitive Machines’ first commercial lunar …

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ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART)

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  Supreme Court recently ordered States to address transparency issues in tendering and procuring ART drugs for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) /AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) patients. About ART ART is a combination of medicines that help control HIV by reducing the virus in the body. HIV …

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PUNCH Mission

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: NASA is set to launch the PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, a Small Explorer initiative aimed at capturing global, three-dimensional observations of the young solar wind, extending from the outermost solar atmosphere (Corona) to the inner heliosphere. Key Features: …

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AI TRANSFORMING INDIA’S JUDICIARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH:  Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, including Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Predictive Analytics, are being harnessed to modernize judicial processes, legal research, and law enforcement in India. AI’s Role in Judiciary and Law Enforcement Judicial Modernization: Phase III of the …

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ISRO DEVELOPS WORLD’S LARGEST VERTICAL PROPELLANT MIXER

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  On February 13, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the successful development of the world’s largest 10-tonne Vertical Planetary Mixer for solid propellants. This breakthrough, achieved in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru, is a significant step toward self-reliance in space …

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SUCCESSFUL TEST OF MATSYA-6000

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH: India’s Deep Ocean Mission has achieved a milestone with the successful testing of Matsya-6000, a deep-sea submersible developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology. Designed for ocean exploration, it can operate at depths of up to 6,000 metres, aiding in marine research and resource discovery. …

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NEUTRINOS

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH:  Context: Recently, researchers have detected High-energy cosmic neutrinos under Mediterranean Sea. What are Neutrinos? Neutrinos are tiny particles with no electric charge and very little mass. They are incredibly difficult to detect because they rarely interact with matter. Where Do They Come From? The Sun: Produced …

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Indirect Prompt Injection

GS 3 – Science and technology Context: Cybersecurity researchers have raised concerns about a new vulnerability in AI chatbots known as Indirect Prompt Injection attacks. Understanding Indirect Prompt Injection This attack method involves manipulating AI chatbots into executing unintended or harmful commands. It exploits the fundamental ability of large language …

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Matsya 6000

GS 3 – Science and technology Context: India is on track to become the sixth nation to develop its own Deep Sea Mission. During the initial phase of harbour trials, the submersible is expected to reach depths between 40 and 50 meters. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has …

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KM3NET COLLABORATION ADVANCES IN NEUTRINO RESEARCH

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The KM3NeT (Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope) Collaboration is making significant strides in neutrino research through deep-sea observatories in the Mediterranean Sea. These detectors aim to study neutrinos—subatomic particles that can provide crucial insights into cosmic events. A recent breakthrough involved detecting a record-breaking ultra-high-energy …

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