Science & Technology

Context ∙ The Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India informed that the ‘Deep Tech’ Policy was sent to the Union Cabinet for approval. Background ∙ The Union government unveiled a ‘Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP)’ in July 2023 for public comment. ∙ It proposes a comprehensive policy framework to address the […]

Context ∙ Voice cloning through Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created fears around the AI software as AI voice cloning-related scams burgeoned. About ∙ A report by Market US has revealed that the global market for these voice cloning applications stands at $1.2 billion in 2022 and is estimated to touch almost $5 billion in 2032

Context ∙ India’s OTT market, sized at $2.5 billion, went through a major disruption in 2023. About ∙ This disruption was due to Jio Cinema offering the most premium content-IPL, free to users. ∙ This negatively impacted subscription revenue growth for peers and the industry at large and led to Disney Plus offering cricket World

Context ∙ A group of scientists have reported finding a sign of superconductivity in a  material called LK-99 at room-temperature. What is a superconductor? ∙ A superconductor is a material that can conduct electricity or transport electrons from one atom to another with no resistance. ∙ This happens at temperatures between 240 K and 275

Context: ∙ Quantum computing has gained a significant interest in the past decade for its applications in various fields. About Computing: ∙ A bit (binary digit) is the smallest piece of information storage in computing. Often, a large number of bits is required to convey meaningful information. ∙ In a computer, a bit is a

Context: ∙ Indo-US satellite- NISAR is to study Earth’s cryospheric changes which will help in natural resource, hazard management About the NISAR ∙ NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration between NASA  and  ISRO  for  an Earth-observing mission. ∙ The radar satellite is set to launch in 2024 ∙ The goal of NISAR

Context: ∙ The Central government has approved a new treatment regimen for leprosy, aiming to stop its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027. Three-drug regimen ∙ The WHO has recommended this treatment regimen in 2015. ∙ It consists of three drugs — dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. The combination is referred to as MDT (multidrug

Context ∙ Scientists at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, have found that phytocannabinoids, a class of compounds found in the cannabis plant, possess some hitherto unexplored antibiotic properties. About the study ∙ The study specifically focused on tetrahydrocannabidiol (THCBD), a phytocannabinoid, and its efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Context ∙ Recently the Supreme Court of India highlighted the D.K. Basu Judgment (1996) against police abuse and custodial violence. About the D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal Case (1996): ∙ It is a landmark judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the realm of human rights jurisprudence, and drawing attention to deaths

Context ∙ The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) regained contact with its Mars Ingenuity Helicopter after its 72nd flight. About Ingenuity ∙ It is a small robotic chopper and the first aircraft to make a powered, controlled flight sent to Mars on an experimental basis. ∙ It has been called a ‘Wright Brothers moment’.