Science and Technology Current Affairs Updates for UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Examination

Source-This post on Ross Ice Shelf  is based on the article “Antarctica’s France-Sized Ice Shelf Makes Daily Jumps, Raising Icequake Concerns “published in “NDTV” on 24th March 2024. Why in the News? Researchers have uncovered a surprising phenomenon in Antarctica where the massive Ross Ice Shelf which is roughly the size of France, lurches forward… Continue reading Ross Ice Shelf

Source- This post on Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft has been created based on the article “Voyager 1 transmitting data again after Nasa remotely fixes 46-year-old probe” published in “The Guardian” on 23rd April 2024. Why in news? Recently, NASA has announced that its Voyager 1 probe has resumed transmitting valuable data to ground control.… Continue reading Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft

Source-This post on Biomarkers has been created based on the article “Detecting cancer in minutes possible with just a drop of dried blood and new test, study hints” published in “Live science” on 24 April 2024. Why in the news? For the potential detection of cancer in its earlier stages, screening of blood biomarkers is… Continue reading Biomarkers

Source-This post on BFI Biome Virtual Network Program has been created based on the article “C-CAMP joins BFI Biome Virtual Network Program to accelerate transformative healthcare solutions” published in “The Hindu” on 22 April 2024. Why in the news? Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has joined the Blockchain for Impact (BFI) Biome Virtual… Continue reading BFI Biome Virtual Network Program

Source-This post on Llama 3 has been created based on the article “What is Llama 3, Meta’s most sophisticated and capable large language model yet?” published in “The Indian Express” Why in the news? Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has introduced its most capable Large Language Model (LLM), the Meta… Continue reading Llama 3

Source– This post on Fossils of huge prehistoric snake found in Kutch mine is based on the article “Fossils of huge prehistoric snake found in Kutch mine” published in “The Hindu” on 19th April 2024. Why in the News? Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee have reported the discovery of fossils of one… Continue reading Fossils of huge prehistoric snake found in Kutch mine

Source– This post on GPS spoofing is based on the article “Israel used GPS spoofing against Iran: Did US do it to India in Kargil war?” published in “The Business Standard” on 19th April 2024. Why in the News? Israel reportedly used GPS spoofing against Iran’s missile targeting teams by jamming Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation signals.… Continue reading GPS spoofing

Source– This post on Dragonfly Rotorcraft mission  is based on the article “NASA says its futuristic Dragonfly mission will launch in 2028” published in “Indian Express” on 19th April 2024. Why in the News? NASA has confirmed its Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s organic-rich moon Titan. About Dragonfly Rotorcraft mission 1. It is a “dual quadcopter” designed to… Continue reading Dragonfly Rotorcraft mission

Source– This post on Trachyons is based on the article “The universe may be dominated by particles that break causality and move faster than light, new paper suggests” published in “Live Science” on 18th April 2024. Why in the News? Physicists have recently proposed the radical idea that our universe is dominated by tachyons, a… Continue reading Trachyons

Source– This post on How a beam of sunlight was directed on Lord Ram’s forehead in Ayodhya temple  is based on the article “How a beam of sunlight was directed on Lord Ram’s forehead in Ayodhya temple” published in “The Indian express” on 16th April 2024. Why in the News? A three-minute-long Surya Tilak ceremony was performed… Continue reading How a beam of sunlight was directed on Lord Ram’s forehead in Ayodhya temple

Source– This post on Gaia BH3 is based on the article “Astronomers spot a massive ‘sleeping giant’ black hole less than 2,000 light-years from Earth” published in “CNN” on 16th April 2024. Why in the News? Recently, Astronomers have discovered a massive black hole named Gaia BH3. About Gaia BH3 1. BH3 is a dormant black hole… Continue reading Gaia BH3

Source-This post on Long period average rainfall is based on the article “Monsoon to be ‘above normal’, predicts IMD” published in “Hindustan Times” on 16th April 2024. Why in the News? India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that India will have an ‘above normal’ monsoon season with 106% of the long-period average. About Long period average rainfall 1.… Continue reading Long period average rainfall

Source- This post on Hydrocarbon extraction is based on the article “How does hydrocarbon extraction happen?” published in “The Hindu” on 15th April 2024. Why in the News? Hydrocarbons have been the foundational elements of crucial energy resources around the globe. What is hydrocarbon and where are they located? 1. A hydrocarbon is an organic… Continue reading Hydrocarbon extraction

Source- This post on Exo-Atmospheric Interception is based on the article “Iran-Israel crisis: Tel Aviv claims air-defence system stopped ‘99% of missiles’. What is Exo-Atmospheric Interception?” published in “Live Mint” on 14th April 2024. Why in the News? As tensions between Iran and Israel intensified, a video went viral on social media depicting  an Exo-atmospheric… Continue reading Exo-Atmospheric Interception

Source-This post on Volcanic Vortex Rings is based on the article “A Sicilian volcano is blowing smoke rings in the sky. What are volcanic vortex rings?” published in “Indian Express” on 12th April 2024. Why in the News? Mount Etna has been producing a volcanic vortex ring which has captivated scientists. About volcanic vortex ring… Continue reading Volcanic Vortex Rings

Source– This post Doxxing is based on the article “What is doxxing and what measures can you take if it happens to you?” published in “The Hindu” on 15th April 2024. Why in the News? Recently, there has been a rise in cases of doxxing. About doxxing 1. Doxxing is a form of online harassment… Continue reading Doxxing

Source: This post on PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) has been created based on the article “ISRO’s ‘zero orbital debris’ milestone” published in “The Hindu” on 12 April 2024. Why in the news? ISRO’s PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission successfully deployed the XPoSat satellite and converted the PSLV’s last stage into the POEM-3 module, leaving no debris in… Continue reading PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM)- ISRO’s Zero Debris Milestone

Source-This post on Coordinated Lunar Time has been created based on the article “How and why US wants to establish a time standard for the Moon” published in “The Indian Express” on 11 April 2024. Why in the news? US government has asked NASA to develop a time system for the Moon to ensure that… Continue reading Coordinated Lunar Time

Source-This post on God Particle has been created based on the article “Physicist Peter Higgs passes away: What is the ‘God particle’, which he theorised in 1960s?” published in “The Indian Express” on 11 April 2024. Why in the news? Nobel prize-winner Physicist Peter Higgs, known for proposing the Higgs boson or the God particle,… Continue reading God Particle

Source– This post on Functioning of Mosquito Bat is based on the article “Understanding the science behind the functioning of a mosquito bat” published in “The Hindu” on 9th April 2024. Why in the News? The following article explains the functioning of mosquito bats. How Mosquito bat works 1. Structure and Function: There are three metal… Continue reading Functioning of Mosquito bat

Source– This post on ‘Cyber Surakshit Bharat’ initiative is based on the article “NeGD, MeitY organises 43rd Batch of Chief Information Security Officers’ Deep Dive Training Programme from today under Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative” published in “The Hindu” on 9th April 2024. Why in the News? The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under its Capacity Building… Continue reading CISO Deep-Dive training programme

Source– This post on Technology behind Semiconductor chip manufacturing is based on the article “What is the technology behind manufacturing a semiconductor chip?” published in “The Hindu” on 7th April 2024. Why in the News? Recently, a rise in semiconductor global capability centres (GCCs) has been seen in India with a focus on design, testing and… Continue reading Technology behind Semiconductor chip manufacturing

Source-This post on Well Known Trademark has been created based on the article “Delhi HC declares ‘Haldiram’ as well-known trademark” published in “The Hindu” on 8 April 2024. Why in the news? Recently, the Delhi High Court has recognised “Haldiram” as a well known trademark. What is a trademark? It is a distinctive sign or… Continue reading Well Known Trademark

Source– This post on Shallow fakes is based on the article “More than deepfakes, shallow fakes should worry everyone” published in “The Indian Express” on 29th March 2024. Why in the News? With Lok Sabha elections starting on April 19, social media is flooded with misinformation, mostly in shallow fakes forms. What are Shallow fakes?… Continue reading Shallow fakes

Source-This post on India achieves target to eliminate ‘Kala-Azar’ is based on the article “India achieves target to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis ‘Kala-Azar‘” published in “Business Standard” on 5th April 2024. Why in the News? According to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) Programme, India has successfully met its goal of… Continue reading India achieves target to eliminate ‘Kala-Azar’

Source-This post on Vaping raises heart failure risk by 19%, reveals study is based on the article “Vaping increases risk of heart failure by 19 per cent, reveals study” published in “The Indian Express” on 3rd April 2024. Why in the News? A recent extensive study conducted in the US indicates that vaping at any… Continue reading Vaping raises heart failure risk by 19%, reveals study

Source– This post on NexCAR19: India’s first indigenous CAR T-cell therapy is based on the article “President of India Launches India’s First Home-Grown Gene Therapy for Cancer” published in “PIB” on 4th April 2024. Why in the News? The President of India recently launched India’s first indigenous anti-cancer CAR-T cell therapy, NexCAR19, at IIT Bombay.… Continue reading NexCAR19: India’s first indigenous CAR T-cell therapy

Source– This post on Agni-Prime Missile is based on the article “New Generation Ballistic Missile Agni-Prime successfully flight-tested by Strategic Forces Command & DRDO off the Odisha coast” published in “PIB” on 4th April 2024. Why in the News? The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the… Continue reading Agni-Prime Missile

Source-This post on Punnett square is based on the article “Punnett square: A genetics puzzle” published in “The Hindu” on 1st April 2024. Why in the News? This article explains Punnett squares, which predict the genetic combinations of offspring from two individuals with known genotypes. About Punnett square 1. The name “Punnett Square” originates from… Continue reading Punnett square

Source-This post on White Rabbit Collaboration is based on the article “CERN launches the White Rabbit Collaboration” published in “CERN” on 22nd March 2024. Why in the News? Recently, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) launched the White Rabbit Collaboration. What is White Rabbit (WR)? 1. About: a. It is a technology created at… Continue reading White Rabbit Collaboration

Source-This post on Mother of Dragons Comet is based on the article “‘Mother of Dragons’ comet visible in the skies. All you need to know” published in “India Today” on 1st April 2024. Why in the News? The “Mother of Dragons” comet, formally designated as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is currently making a rare appearance in the… Continue reading Mother of Dragons Comet

Source-This post on Bridge fuel is based on the article “Is natural gas actually cleaner than coal? Growing evidence says maybe not” published in “DownToEarth” on 1st April 2024. Why in the News? Natural gas is often referred to as a ‘Bridge Fuel’ for nations aiming to move away from coal and oil dependence while… Continue reading Bridge fuel

Source-This post on Statin is based on the article “ Study finds one way statins can cause diabetes, and a solution” published in “The Hindu” on 1st April 2024. Why in the News? A study by a group of researchers in China has found that administering ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can stave off the tendency of… Continue reading Statins

Source-This post on Havana syndrome is based on the article “What is ‘Havana syndrome’, linked to a Russian intelligence unit?” published in “The Indian Express” on 2nd April 2024. Why in the News? Recently, Russia dismissed claims from a joint media investigation linking a Russian military intelligence unit to the ‘Havana syndrome’ which affected US… Continue reading Havana syndrome

Source– This post on 125 years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is based on the article “125 years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory: How the Great Drought of 1876 led to its establishment” published in “The Indian Express” on 2nd April 2024. Why in the News? This year (2024) marks the 125th Year of the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory… Continue reading 125 years of Kodaikanal Solar Observatory

Source-This post on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) is based on the article “DoT asks telcos to suspend USSD-based call forwarding, switch to alternate mode from Apr 15” published in “The Economic Times” on 29th March 2024. Why in the News? The Department of Telecom has directed telecom operators to deactivate USSD-based call forwarding by… Continue reading Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)

Source: This article on the H5N1 bird flu is based on “How the H5N1 bird flu threatens the very existence of birds and mammals” which was published in “The Indian Express” on 29th March 2024. Why in news? It has been observed that since 2020 H5N1 has been spreading across the globe posing an existential threat to birds and wildlife.… Continue reading H5N1 bird flu

Source-This post on WHO launches CoViNet has been created based on the article “WHO launches ‘CoViNet’ — a global laboratory to monitor emerging coronaviruses” published in “Down to Earth” on 30 March 2024. Why in the news? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently launched a new network for coronaviruses, CoViNet. About CoViNet Description-It is… Continue reading WHO launches CoViNet

Source-This post on 50,000-year-old magnetofossil is based on the article “Goa scientists find 50,000-year-old magnetic fossils in Bay of Bengal” published in “The Hindu” on 26th March 2024. Why in the News? Recently, scientists have found 50,000-year-old magnetic fossils in the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the youngest giant magnetofossils to be found… Continue reading 50,000-year-old magnetofossil

Source-This post on Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount) is based on the article “Sensing China threat, India joins race to mine new sea patch” published in “The Hindu” on 26th March 2024. Why in the News? Recently, India applied for rights to explore two vast tracts in the Indian Ocean seabed. The application to explore… Continue reading Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount)

Source-This post on Pushpak Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 landing experiment is based on the article “ISRO successfully conducts ‘Pushpak’ Reusable Landing Vehicle landing experiment“ published in “The Hindu” on 22nd March 2024. Why in the News? ISRO has successfully tested the Pushpak Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 in Chitradurga, Karnataka. About Reusable… Continue reading Pushpak- Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 landing experiment

Source-This post on Fact Check Unit is based on the article “Government notifies PIB’s  Fact Check Unit under IT Rules 2021” published in “PIB” on 20th March 2024. Why in the News? Recently, the Centre has notified the fact check unit under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as the authorised fact check unit for the… Continue reading PIB Fact Check Unit notified under IT Rules 2021

Source-This post on Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) Test for diabetes is based on the article “What is the HbA1C test and why is it used to check for diabetes?” published in “The Hindu” on 15th March 2024. Why in the News? This article discusses the Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) Test, which is used to diagnose diabetes. According… Continue reading Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) Test for Diabetes

Source-This post on SIMA: Google Deepmind’s new AI is based on the article “What is SIMA, Google Deepmind’s new AI that can play video games with you” published in “The Indian Express” on 15th March 2024. Why in the News? Google DeepMind introduced its newest AI gaming agent, SIMA. It can understand and execute tasks… Continue reading SIMA: Google Deepmind’s new AI

Source-This post on Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) Project is based on the article “How the United States plans to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza” published in “The Indian Express” on 18th March 2024. Why in the News? The United States, as part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) project, is planning to construct a floating… Continue reading Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) Project

Source– This post on Anti-piracy mechanism of India is based on the article “Marathon operation by Navy, IAF led to pirates’ surrender” published in “The Hindu” on 18th March 2024. Why in the News? Recently, Indian Navy’s highly secretive Marine Commandos (MARCOS) conducted their first-ever para-drop operation at sea. They managed to secure and safely evacuate the 21… Continue reading Anti-piracy mechanism of India

Source-This post on Devin AI is based on the article “Meet Devin AI, the world’s ‘first fully autonomous’ AI software engineer” published in “Indian Express” on 15th March 2024. Why in the News? Cognition has introduced the world’s first AI software engineer- Devin AI. About Devin AI 1. About: It is the world’s first AI… Continue reading Devin AI

Source- The post on Lyme disease is based on the article “Lyme disease reported in Kerala’s Ernakulam” published in “Times of India” on 13th March 2024. What is the News? Recently, a case of Lyme disease has been reported in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. About Lyme disease Aspect Details Description It is a vector-borne infectious disease. Caused by… Continue reading Lyme disease

Source-This post on INFAAR 2019-22 Report: First national report on AMR surveillance in India’s fisheries, livestock sectors is based on the article “FAO publishes first national report on AMR surveillance in India’s fisheries, livestock sectors” published in “DownToEarth” on 11th March 2024. Why in the News? The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United… Continue reading INFAAR 2019-22 Report: First national report on AMR surveillance in India’s fisheries, livestock sectors

Source-This post on Hyodol Robot is based on the article “Meet Hyodol, an AI social robot to help senior citizens beat loneliness” published in “The Indian Express” on 13th March 2024. Why in the News? The South Korean government has deployed about 7,000 Hyodol dolls to provide companionship and medication reminders for senior citizens. About… Continue reading Hyodol Robot