News- Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope identified the earliest known supernova, observed just 730 million years after the universe’s birth. About Supernova A supernova is a massive and extremely bright explosion of a star, marking its violent end after it runs out of fuel or gains excessive mass. Types of Supernova Type 1:… Continue reading Supernova
Category: knolls
Western Tragopan
News- Recent studies and conservation efforts highlight ongoing threats to the western tragopan despite decades of captive breeding success. About Western Tragopan The Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), locally known as Jujurana or “king of birds,” is a rare and vulnerable pheasant species endemic to the Western Himalayas. It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.… Continue reading Western Tragopan
Deodhar Tree
News- A study of Deodhar Tree in Batseri revealed a long record of spring moisture changes and linked these shifts to geohazard events in the Himalayan region. About Deodhar Tree The Deodhar or deodar tree (Cedrus deodara) is a large, evergreen coniferous tree native to the Western Himalayas. Naming: The name “deodar” comes from the… Continue reading Deodhar Tree
RAMBHA-LP
News- RAMBHA-LP from Chandrayaan-3 has reported new findings showing a far denser and more energetic plasma environment near the Moon’s south-polar region. About RAMBHA-LP RAMBHA-LP stands for Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe. It was a scientific payload onboard the Vikram lander of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO)… Continue reading RAMBHA-LP
Global Methane Status Report 2025
News: The Global Methane Status Report was released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem. About Global Methane Status Report 2025 The report provides updates on global progress on methane mitigation and the remaining work needed to achieve the Global Methane Pledge, as well as the potential for further ambition. Released by: It… Continue reading Global Methane Status Report 2025
Neodymium (Nd)
News: India is set to scale up its neodymium production ninefold to 500 tonnes by the end of FY27, as part of an aggressive push to boost self-reliance in rare earth elements. About Neodymium (Nd) Neodymium (symbol Nd, atomic number 60) is a ductile and malleable silvery-white metal belonging to the lanthanide series of rare-earth… Continue reading Neodymium (Nd)
AmazonFACE Programme
News: The AmazonFACE project, situated near the city of Manaus, seeks to explore how climate change will influence the Amazon rainforest, its rich biodiversity, and the ecosystem services it provides to humankind. About AmazonFACE Programme Led by: National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) in collaboration with several international partners. Location: The programme is a large-scale… Continue reading AmazonFACE Programme
Salwa Judum Case (2011)
News– A group of former judges and senior lawyers condemned the Union Home Minister for “misinterpreting” the Supreme Court’s 2011 Salwa Judum judgment. The Minister said that if Justice B. Sudershan Reddy (retd), the Opposition’s Vice-Presidential candidate, had not delivered the ruling, “Naxalism would have ended by 2020.” About Salwa Judum Case (2011) Background In… Continue reading Salwa Judum Case (2011)
Chandrayaan-5 mission
News: The Chandrayaan-5 mission, jointly undertaken by ISRO and JAXA, was approved by the Indian Cabinet in March 2025. It aims to explore the Moon’s surface and subsurface for water. Preliminary design work for the lander and rover is now underway. Chandrayaan-5 mission About Chandrayaan-5 Chandrayaan-5, also called LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration), this mission is… Continue reading Chandrayaan-5 mission
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
News: The government has appointed former Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This follows the retirement of Preeti Sudan on April 29. His appointment was made under Article 316(1) of the Constitution. His tenure will continue until October 2027, when he turns 65. Union Public… Continue reading Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
