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

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

Source-This post on Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is based on the article “DRDO completes flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System” published in “India Today” on 1st March 2024. Why in the News? The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two flight tests of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System… Continue reading Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)

Source-This post on Lancet study on Global Obesity rates is based on the article “Obesity rates going up across the world: Lancet study” published in “The Hindu” on 29th February 2024. Why in the News? According to Lancet study on Global Obesity rates, the obesity rates among children and adolescents worldwide have increased four times… Continue reading Lancet study on Global Obesity rates

Source-This post on India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry is based on the article “PM Modi launches hydrogen-powered ferry: features, significance” published in “The Indian Express” on 1st March 2024. Why in the News? Prime Minster recently launched India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry. It was manufactured by the Cochin Shipyard… Continue reading India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry

Source-This post on Haemophilia A is based on the article “India conducted 1st human clinical trials for ‘haemophilia A’ gene therapy: Science and Technology minister” published in “The Indian Express” on 28th February 2024. Why in the News? Recently, India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for ‘haemophilia A’ at Christian… Continue reading Haemophilia A

Source-This post on Roen olmi mushroom is based on the article “Turning mushrooms into gold? Goa researchers claim breakthrough in producing nanoparticles” published in “The Indian Express” on 28th February 2024. Why in the News? Researchers in Goa have claimed to have synthesized gold nanoparticles from the Roen olmi mushroom. It is a wild mushroom… Continue reading Roen olmi mushroom

Source-This post on International Astronomical Union is based on the article “3 new moons discovered around Uranus and Neptune will be named after Shakespeare characters and Greek goddesses” published in “LiveScience” on 27th February 2024. Why in the News? The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has confirmed the discovery of three unnamed moons. Among three, one… Continue reading International Astronomical Union

Source-This post on Gaganyaan mission: Astronauts’ Names & Current Status is based on the article “PM Modi announces 4 astronauts for Gaganyaan: Current status of the mission” published in “The Indian Express” on 27th February 2024. Why in the News? The PM recently unveiled the names of the four astronauts who will fly to low-Earth orbit… Continue reading Gaganyaan mission: Astronauts’ Names & Current Status

Source-This post on Genome India Project Completed is based on the article “‘10,000 genome’ project completed, says government” published in “The Hindu” on 27th February 2024. Why in the News? The government recently announced the completion of sequencing 10,000 healthy genomes from various regions across the country, representing 99 different populations. The aim is to… Continue reading Genome India Project Completed

Source– This post on Large Language Models is based on the article “What is an LLM, the backbone of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini?” published in “Indian Express” on 27th February 2024. Why in the News? Large language model serve as the backbone of Artificial Intelligence Chat boxes like ChatGPT and Gemini. What are Large… Continue reading Large Language Models

Source-This post on Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) is based on the article “Who’s calling? True caller faces Indian challenge” published in “Live Mint” on 27th February 2024. Why in the News? Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended the introduction of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) Supplementary Service in the telecom network. What… Continue reading Calling Name Presentation (CNAP)

Source- This post on Garbhini-GA2: AI Model of India to find gestational age is based on the article “India-specific model to give accurate gestational age of foetus” published in “The Hindu” on 26th February 2024. Why in the News? Researchers have developed an India-specific artificial intelligence model- Garbhini-GA2. It accurately determine the gestational age of… Continue reading Garbhini-GA2: AI Model of India to find gestational age

Source-This post on Bitcoin halving is based on the article “What is Bitcoin Halving and what it means to the crypto community? published in “The Hindu” on 24th February 2024. Why in the News? Crypto traders and Bitcoin miners are eagerly awaiting their quadrennial event known as Bitcoin halving, which is predicted to occur in… Continue reading Bitcoin halving

Source-This post on Edwards syndrome and Down Syndrome has been created based on the article “Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome found in ancient individuals” published in “The Hindu” on 24th Feb 2024. Why in the News? Researchers have identified six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome, from prehistoric skeletal remains, dating up to approximately… Continue reading Edwards Syndrome and Down Syndrome