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

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

Source-This post on Graphics processing unit (GPU) is based on the article “What is a GPU? An expert explains the chips powering the AI boom, and why they’re worth trillions” published in “The Hindu” on 12th March 2024. Why in the News? This article discusses the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), which has seen a surge… Continue reading Graphics processing unit (GPU)

Source-This post on March 14-Pi day is based on the article “Pi Day: Behind the world’s most famous mathematical constant” published in “The Indian Express” on 14th March 2024. Why in the News? March 14 is celebrated worldwide as Pi Day, commemorating the well-known approximation (3.14) of the mathematical constant Pi. On Pi Day, mathematicians… Continue reading March 14-Pi day

Source-This post on Parthenogenesis has been created based on the article “Why it matters that scientists modified a ‘sexual’ fruit fly to be asexual” published in “The Hindu” on 11 March 2024. Why in the news? Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough by engineering a sexually reproducing fruit-fly species to reproduce asexually. What is Parthenogenesis?… Continue reading Parthenogenesis

Source-This post on iDEX initiative: Contract signed for anti-drone systems is based on the article “Defence Ministry signs ₹200 crore contract for anti-drone systems under iDEX initiative” published in “The Hindu” on 11th March 2024. Why in the News? The Defence Ministry has recently signed a ₹200 crore contract with Big Bang Boom Solutions Private Ltd.… Continue reading iDEX initiative: Contract signed for anti-drone systems

Source-This post on ChipIN has been created based on the article “ChipIN, the one-stop centre for chip designers across the country, gets fillip with support from semiconductor industry leaders” published in “PIB” on 7th March 2024. Why in the news? The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Electronics and IT started the ChipIN Centre at… Continue reading ChipIN Centre

Source-This post on Mission Divyastra: Agni-V Missile with MIRV technology is based on the article “India test-fires Agni-V ballistic missile with multiple warhead technology under Mission Divyastra” published in “The Hindu” on 11th March 2024. Why in the News? India recently conducted a test of the Agni-V ballistic missile with MIRV technology. The test was… Continue reading Mission Divyastra: Agni-V Missile with MIRV Technology

Source-This post on Parrot fever disease has been created based on the article “Parrot fever outbreak: Symptoms to treatment, all about deadly respiratory infection that has killed 5 people in Europe” published in “Hindustan Times” on 9th March 2024. Why in the news? Psittacosis also known as parrot fever has killed five people across Europe… Continue reading Parrot fever disease

Source-This post on IndiaAI Mission is based on the article “Union Cabinet approves IndiaAI Mission with 10,372 crore outlay: How it could help private players” published in “The Indian Express” on 9th March 2024. Why in the News? The Union Cabinet recently approved the IndiaAI Mission with a budget of Rs 10,372 crore for the… Continue reading IndiaAI Mission

Source- The post on ISRO to Provide Internet Services in 80 Remote Tribal Villages is based on the article “Centre to rope in ISRO to provide Internet in 80 remote tribal villages” published in “The Hindu” on 8th March 2024. What is the News? The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is planning to collaborate with ISRO to deploy… Continue reading ISRO to Provide Internet Services in 80 Remote Tribal Villages

Source-This post on Penicillin G manufacturing in India has been created based on the article “India to restart Penicillin G manufacture: why was it stopped, what changed now” published in “The Indian Express” on 7 March 2024. Why in the news? India has decided to resume the manufacturing of the common antibiotic Penicillin G after… Continue reading Penicillin G manufacturing to restart in India

Source-This post on Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft has been created based on the article “5th generation fighter jet project gets CCS approval” published in “The Hindu” on 7 March 2024. Why in the news? The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved the project for the design and development of India’s fifth-generation fighter jet,… Continue reading Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft/ Fifth Generation Aircraft

Source-This post on India’s second spaceport at Kulasekharapattanam (TN) has been created based on the article “Modi lays stone for India’s second spaceport at Kulasekarapa” published in “Times of India” on 29th February 2024. Why in the news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the country’s second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in in Tuticorin district. About… Continue reading India’s second spaceport at Kulasekharapattanam (TN)

Source- This post on Dry ice has been created based on the article “What is ‘dry ice’, at the centre of the Gurugram restaurant incident?” published in “Down to earth” on 5th March 2024. Why in the news? Recently, Dry ice mistakenly provided at a party in a Gurugram restaurant caused severe injuries to people’s mouths… Continue reading Dry ice

Source-This post on Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs) is based on article “Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and Meta join hands to establish Frontier Technology Labs in schools” published in “PIB” on 6th March 2024. Why in the News? Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog and Meta have collaborated to set up Frontier Technology Labs… Continue reading Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs)

Source-This post on MethaneSAT- A satellite to track Methane is based on the article “Meet MethaneSAT, a satellite which will ‘name and shame’ methane emitters” published in “The Indian Express” on 5th March 2024. Why in the News? MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to track and measure methane emissions globally, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon9… Continue reading MethaneSAT- A satellite to track Methane

Source-This post on Semiconductor fabrication is based on the article “Cabinet approves 3 chip plants, including two by Tata, at estimated investment of Rs 1.26 lakh crore” published in “Business Today” on 29th February 2024. Why in the News? Recently, the Union Cabinet approved three semiconductor plant proposals. Two semiconductor plant will be set up… Continue reading Semiconductor fabrication

Source-This post on Vikramadtiya Vedic Clock is based on the article “Vikramaditya Vedic Clock: PM Modi inaugurates world’s 1st Indian ‘panchang’-based timepiece in Ujjain” published in “Live Mint” on 29th February 2024. Why in the News? The Vikramadtiya Vedic Clock which is mounted on an 85-foot tower at Jantar Mantar in Ujjain, was inaugurated by… Continue reading Vikramadtiya Vedic Clock

Source-This post on Juice jacking is based on the article “Juice jacking: RBI issues warning against charging mobile phones using public ports” published in “The Hindu Businessline” on 28th February 2024. Why in the News? Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a warning to mobile phone users regarding the risk of juice… Continue reading Juice jacking