Igla-S air defence system
Context: Indian Army is all set to begin receiving another set of Russian Igla-S very short-range air defence systems (VSHORAD), filling a critical void in its air defence requirement. About Igla-S system: Significance:
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Tag: Prelims Nuggets
Lead Pollution in India
Context: Lead poisoning poses a significant threat to public health, particularly among children, with pervasive exposure across various facets of daily life. Lead Pollution Magnitude of the Issue A 2020 report by UNICEF estimated that nearly 27 crore Indian children have unsafe blood lead […]
Australia’s weather agency issues ‘La Nina watch’
Context: A “La Nina watch” has been issued with some early signs pointing to the weather event that brings rains and floods to Asia, particularly India, forming in the Pacific Ocean later this year by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). El-Nino Southern Oscillation […]
More solar storms brewing after last week’s aurorae as Sun ‘wakes up’
Context – On Friday night, people from across the world were treated to a rare spectacle: vivid aurorae hanging like curtains of light in the sky. They appeared even in places where aurorae aren’t usually visible. For instance, people at the Indian Astronomical Observatory […]
Xenotransplantation
Context: The first recipient of a modified pig kidney transplant passed away recently around two months after the surgery was carried out. About Xenotransplantation Essentially, it is the use of animal cells and organs to heal humans.
Pine-Needle Power Projects
Context: Bio-energy projects set up by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA), to use the vast quantities of flammable pine needles for generating electricity have been “unsuccessful”, with officials saying appropriate technology does not yet exist to use them. Pine Resources of Uttarakhand […]
Semal Tree
Context: Semal trees are being wiped out in Rajasthan due to their use in Holika Dahan festivities. News Highlight Semal tree Ecological Benefits Significance for Tribes Economic benefits Medicinal Benefits Landscaping
Kotia: A tribal gram panchayat
Context: Kotia, a predominantly tribal gram panchayat that Odisha and Andhra both claim, seeks to vote differently with two votes to a person, one in each State, in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. About Kotia, a tribal gram panchayat:
Offerings of Oleander flowers banned in Kerala Temples
Context: Two Kerala government-controlled temple boards, which together manage 2,500-odd temples in the state, have banned use of oleander flowers (locally known as arali) in temple offerings after a 24-year old woman died after accidentally chewing some oleander leaves. Oleander Plant Significance in traditional […]
Superheroes of Building Materials
Context: Sustainable Structures. Green building materials offer new entrepreneurial opportunities for the next generation of builders. MorphoColor Coating: Greener Cement Alternatives: Aerogels and Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs): Composition and Structure: Properties and Performance: Applications in Construction: Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs): Performance Characteristics: Applications in […]
After Argentina deal, India targets Li blocks from Australia
Context: India is negotiating to secure lithium blocks in Australia as it aims to finalise a deal through state owned Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL). The discussions are reportedly under way for two lithium blocks and three cobalt blocks. Significance for India: Why is […]
Launch Vehicle Mark-3
Context: New Space India Ltd (NSIL) has released a Request for Qualification (RFQ) document inviting Indian industry partners for productionising Indian Space Research Organisation’s heavy lift launcher, Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) under a PPP framework. This collaboration aims towards manufacturing LVM-3s in increased numbers […]
Bio-taxis for Cancer treatment
Context: The researchers at the Indian Institute of Science have developed a new way to deliver cancer vaccines using the body’s natural transport system. They have developed an antigen that can attach itself to a natural protein called serum albumin in the blood and […]
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
Context: Since the inception of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), 34.27 crore cards have been issued, and 6.5 crore beneficiaries have received treatment across 30,000 empanelled hospitals. Despite its extensive reach, the program has encountered significant challenges, including substantial payment backlogs owed […]
DigiLocker Platform
What is DigiLocker? How secure is DigiLocker? Benefits of DigiLocker: Limitations of DigiLocker: While DigiLocker offers a compelling alternative to physical documents, but it is not quite a complete replacement yet.
World Migratory Bird Day and Flamingos
Context: Flamingos make merry at a pond in Navi Mumbai at the end of their migratory season. World Migratory Bird Day is observed on May 11, Saturday. World Migratory Bird Day How is World Migratory Bird Day Celebrated? The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) […]
India-Maldives Meet
Context: In the recent meeting between Indian and Maldivian foreign ministers in New Delhi, S. Jaishankar reiterated that the development of India-Maldives ties was based on ‘mutual interests’ and ‘reciprocal sensitivity’ given that they are close and proximate neighbours. More information: India-Maldives relations in […]
Polymetallic Nodules
Context – The Cook Islands is at the vanguard of a quest to mine the ocean floor for minerals used in electric car batteries. The researchers found a seabed carpeted with avocado-sized rocks, or nodules, rich in cobalt and manganese. Key facts about nodules:
Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)
Context: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has recently published a working paper on the share of religious minorities in 167 countries, including India. What is the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)?
International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)
Context: The Interpol has issued a blue corner notice against the Prajwal Revanna, a member of Parliament, over the allegations of sexual abuse. About Interpol: