Context: India’s governance has been revolutionized through advancements in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Concurrently, the Council of Europe has introduced a groundbreaking AI treaty to uphold human rights and democratic principles. Key Trends Driving AI Integration in Governance Expanding Digital Footprint: With over 900 million Indians online, the number is …
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Antariksha Abhyas – 2024: India’s First Military Space Warfare Exercise
Context: India’s Defence Space Agency (DSA) has launched “Antariksha Abhyas – 2024,” the first dedicated military exercise aimed at preparing India for space-based warfare and defense. This initiative marks a significant step towards integrating space capabilities within India’s military operations, underlining space as a crucial area in defense strategy. Key …
Read More »Shale Gas in Jharkhand
Context: Recent Findings: A study has revealed promising potential for shale gas generation in the South Karanpura coalfield in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand. The assessment was carried out using Rock-Eval pyrolysis, a technique that evaluates the hydrocarbon content and thermal maturity of sedimentary rocks, primarily for petroleum and shale gas exploration. …
Read More »Impact of the DPDP Act on the RTI Act
The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, has raised concerns about its potential to weaken the Right to Information (RTI) Act, particularly regarding the balance between privacy and transparency. Key Concerns: Amendment to Section 8(1)(j) of RTI: The amendment limits the disclosure of personal information of public officials, even …
Read More »China’s Dominance in Strategic Minerals
Context: China recently restricted the export of antimony citing ‘national security’ concerns. Antimony Overview: Antimony is a semi-metal, silvery white in color, brittle, and crystalline. It is not a good conductor of heat or electricity and has a low vaporization temperature. Though not abundant, it is found in trace amounts …
Read More »Chandrayaan-3’s Role in Indian Space Exploration
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission marks a new chapter in space exploration. The successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole establishes India as the first country to achieve this feat in such a challenging lunar location. This accomplishment opens new opportunities for India to become a leader in space exploration and …
Read More »Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)
The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) marks a significant development in the strategic partnership between India and the United States. Launched in January 2023, this framework aims to foster collaboration in cutting-edge technological areas critical for economic growth, national security, and global leadership. What is iCET? iCET establishes …
Read More »Extreme Heat and Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries
Context Electric vehicle (EV) owners are increasingly concerned about the impact of extreme temperatures on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries function optimally at ambient temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly heat-sensitive, while solid-state batteries exhibit greater resilience. Impact of Extreme Heat on Lithium-ion Batteries Longevity Loss: High …
Read More »The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA)
Concept The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) was enacted in India in 1994 to regulate organ donation, retrieval, and transplantation. It aimed to prevent commercial dealings in organs and ensure ethical practices in organ transplantation. However, despite its noble intentions, several challenges persist in its implementation. Provisions …
Read More »PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE SCHEME
Introduction India’s electronics industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years. However, the sector remains heavily reliant on imports, particularly for highend components and finished products. This dependence exposes India to fluctuations in global prices and hinders its potential to become a major electronics manufacturing hub. To address these challenges, …
Read More »Higgs Boson – The God Particle of Quantum Physics
Concept : About Higgs Boson The Higgs boson imparts mass to elementary particles like electrons and quarks, being fundamental to the Higgs field. It is among the 17 elementary particles constituting the Standard Model of particle physics, the leading framework describing the universe’s fundamental constituents. The Higgs boson earns …
Read More »Agni Prime Ballistic Missile: Forefront of India’s Defence by DRDO
TABLE OF CONTENTS News Concept Understanding Ballistic Missiles News: The new generation ballistic missile Agni-Prime was successfully flight-tested by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) along with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha Concept : The Agni Prime …
Read More »Exploring the Cosmos: Revolutionizing Astronomy with Telescopes on the Moon – PRATUSH and Beyond
TABLE OF CONTENTS News Concept Why no moon? Upcoming Project News: Astronomers are looking forward to opening a new window on the universe by posting high-resolution telescopes on the moon and in orbit around it. There are numerous proposals to do this from astronomers around the world, including one from …
Read More »Unveiling the Potential: Exploring Sustainable Shrimp Cultivation Practices in India’s Aquaculture Sector for Economic Growth and Environmental Conservation
Concept TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Key Features of Shrimp Cultivation: Contribution to Economy and Employment: Government Initiatives and Regulations Introduction • Shrimp cultivation, also known as shrimp farming or aquaculture, is the practice of cultivating shrimp for commercial purposes. • Cultivation of shrimps is a significant economic activity, particularly along …
Read More »XPoSat
The XPoSat is an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) manufactured space observatory to study polarisation of cosmic X-rays. It was launched on 1 January 2024 on a PSLV rocket, and it has an expected operational lifespan of at least five years. The telescope is being developed by the Raman Research …
Read More »AI chatbots’ advancement in India’s banking sector
AI chatbots’ advancement in India’s banking sector The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published its 2022–2023 report on the trends and advancements in Indian banking. It examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in banks and how it has developed over time. About 80% of banks in India have adopted …
Read More »Renewable Energy in India
India is the world’s third-largest consumer of electricity and the third-largest producer of renewable energy. As of July 2023, renewable energy sources have a combined installed capacity of 179.322 GW, which accounts for 43% of India’s total energy capacity. Renewable energy in India Solar power is the largest source …
Read More »Start-up AR4, Sodion ally to make sodium ion battery packs
AR4 Tech, a start-up in Coimbatore, has partnered Sodion Energy of Singapore to make sodium ion battery packs for domestic and export markets. The sodium-ion batteries, developed by Sodion, will be made into battery packs here. AR4 Tech will use the packs to convert existing petroleum vehicles (mainly two-wheelers) into …
Read More »Tech diplomacy
Syllabus: advancement in technology India and Japan, In July 2023, agreed to collaborate on semiconductors to create a more resilient supply chain for this critical technology and work together for the joint development of the semiconductor ecosystem. Need for this collaboration Rapid expansion in the semiconductor industry – importance of …
Read More »THE IDEA OF SELF-DISCOVERY
Technological developments have long fascinated humans, not just in terms of how they help make our lives more efficient, but also for the vast potential they hold for influencing society beyond their immediate impact. The idea of self-discovery Self-discovery, as the name suggests, refers to the process by which a person …
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