Mana La Excellence

S&T Current Affairs Revision

by D.Malleswari Reddy
March 2024
22. Indigenous Electrolyser- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has launched its
first indigenously made electrolyser at the Green Hydrogen Plant in
Hazira, Gujarat, the electrolyser has a power capacity of 1 MW,
expandable up to 2 MW, and can produce 200 Nm3/Hr of hydrogen
efficiently. It helps in achieving the targets under National Green
Hydrogen Mission. Electrolysers, use electricity to split water into
hydrogen and oxygen, are a critical technology for producing low-
emission hydrogen from renewable energy.
23. Chakshu- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
launched 'Chakshu' on the Sanchar Saathi portal to combat telecom
misuse in cyber-crime and financial frauds. 'Chakshu' allows citizens
to report suspected fraud communications, including calls, SMS, or
WhatsApp messages, simplifying the reporting process. Citizens can
report various types of fraud, such as KYC-related frauds,
impersonation, sextortion, and other fraudulent activities.
24. Mission Divyastra- Successful
testing of an Agni missile equipped
with Multiple Independently Targetable
Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
Allows it to carry multiple warheads
meant to hit multiple targets
simultaneously. Agni-5, capable of
carrying nuclear warheads, has a range
of over 5,000 km. Countries with MIRV-
equipped missiles- USA, Russia, China,
France, and the United Kingdom.
25. IndiaAI Mission- The IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet
with a budget of Rs. 10,371.92 crore, aims to boost AI innovation in India.
It focuses on establishing the India AI Innovation Centre, enhancing
startup financing mechanisms, streamlining data management with a
National Data Management Office, and scaling AI computing
infrastructure.
26. PFBR- Stage 2 of Nuclear Program- Commencement of core-loading at
the indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) situated in
Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. PFBR produces more nuclear fuel than it
consumes. Core-loading event signifies the onset of Stage II of India’s
nuclear power program. Utilizes liquid sodium as primary coolant.
Significance of PFBR: Uses Pu-239 and U-238 to produce energy, U-233,
and more Pu-239. Liquid sodium facilitates heat transfer and electricity
generation. India's nuclear power contributes around 3.11% of its total
power generation, ranking fifth among its electricity sources.
 India’s 3-stage Nuclear Power Program:

Stage 1: Relies on Stage 2: Focuses on Stage 3: Involves

PHWRs using natural developing FBRs using developing thorium-
uranium as fuel, plutonium-239 produced based reactors, in
operational since the in Stage 1, in research & development
1960s. development phase. phase.
27. CE20 Cryogenic Engine- The CE-20 cryogenic engine,
developed by ISRO, is a powerful rocket engine using
cryogenic fuel and oxidizers. It's notable for its gas-generator
cycle and uses a combination of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid
hydrogen (LH2) propellants, stored at extremely low
temperatures (LOX liquefies at -183 degrees Celsius, and LH2
liquefies at -253 degrees Celsius). With a nominal thrust of
186.36 kN in vacuum, it's one of the world's most potent
upper-stage cryogenic engines. The engine is crucial for
ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight; The
CE-20 is used in the upper stages of rockets and is highly
efficient, increasing payload capacity.
28. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub (MATH)-
The Department of Science & Technology has partnered with the
Telangana government-led T-Hub to establish the MATH; To foster AI
innovation and create job opportunities in India. MATH will be equipped
with a mini data center with GPU capabilities, a tailored learning
management system (LMS) for AI education, and robust data
infrastructure to support various AI applications.
Objectives- Nurture over 150 startups
annually, generate more than 500 AI-related
jobs by 2025 by providing access to
advanced compute infrastructure, AI skilling
programs, data lakes, and virtual
connectivity to global AI ecosystems. India's
AI market, expected to reach $17 billion by
2027, with a compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 25-35%.
29. New Space Port at Kulashekarapatnam by ISRO - A new spaceport at
Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil Nadu to launch payloads to polar orbits
efficiently (No need for dogleg manoeuvre). Dogleg manoeuver - altering a
satellite's launch trajectory to avoid collisions or prevent debris from
falling in populated areas. The Kulasekharapatnam Spaceport allows
launches to be sent directly south over the Indian Ocean without the need
for a dogleg maneuver; The spaceport will be dedicated exclusively to
SSLVs developed by the private sector, with an investment of Rs 950 crore.
30. Indelible Ink- Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL) is the sole
manufacturer of indelible ink, essential for elections. Export orders from
countries like Cambodia, Fiji Islands, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau.
MPVL is exploring alternative products like marker pens as well. Indelible
ink is applied on the left forefinger of voters to prevent fraudulent voting
and contains silver nitrate. The ink mark lasts for about three days on the
skin and a few weeks on the fingernail.
31. India's fastest indigenous IP/MPLS router- Union Minister Ashwini
Vaishnaw unveiled India's fastest indigenous IP/MPLS router in Bengaluru.
The router boasts a capacity of 2.4 tbps (terabytes per second); It aligns
with the Digital India Vision. Key features- blazing speed, versatile
applications across various sectors, and the use of MPLS routing
technique.
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) optimizes data transfer efficiency by
directing data based on labels rather than traditional network addresses.
The router is developed through collaboration between the Department
of Telecom, CDOT, and Nivetti, showcasing India's technological
innovation.
32. CSapce- Kerala is launching CSpace, India’s first government-backed
OTT platform. It aims to democratize content consumption with a mix of
informative and entertaining content. Managed under the Department of
Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala, it signifies the convergence of
technology and culture.
33. Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre- The Union Minister of State
for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information
Technology, announced the establishment of the 'Bharat Semiconductor
Research Centre' during the All-India Research Scholars Summit – 2024.
It is will be set up at the IIT – Madras; will initially be co-located with
Semiconductor Complex Ltd;
It aims to become a global standard institution,
collaborating with academia, government, private
sector, and startups; Focus areas related to
semiconductors- materials, physics, transistors,
devices, packaging, and system innovation;
Budget for 2024-25, GOI allocated ₹1-lakh crore
as the 'Research and Innovation Fund' to catalyse
innovation and research through an industry-
academia partnership model.
34. Mission Samudrayan- The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has
launched India’s first manned ocean mission “Samudrayaan” in Chennai.
This Unique Ocean Mission has made India into the elite club of nations
such as the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China; Matsya 6000 is the
human rated deep-sea vehicle developed under the Samudrayaan project.;
It is designed to carry three persons underwater for deep-sea exploration
to a depth of 6000 meters.
Exploration targets include polymetallic manganese nodules,
gas hydrates, hydrothermal sulfides, and cobalt crusts found
at depths between 1000 to 5500 meters; Undertaken by the
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), the project
received a site allocation of 75,000 sq km in the Central
Indian Ocean Basin from the International Sea Bed Authority
(ISA) for 15 years; Estimated resource potential of
polymetallic nodules is 380 million tonnes, containing
manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Six components of the
mission- i. technology
development for deep-sea
mining, ii. ocean climate
change advisory services, iii.
sustainable use of marine
bio-resources, iv. deep
ocean survey and
exploration, v. energy
production from the ocean,
vi. advanced marine station
for ocean biology.
35. Project GR00T – AI chip manufacturer Nvidia announced Project
GR00T or Generalist Robot 00 Technology; aims to create AI-powered
humanoid robots capable of human-like understanding and
movement. It serves as a general-purpose foundation model for such
robots, enabling them to understand natural language and emulate
movements by observing human actions.
The project leverages imitation learning and reinforcement learning,
trained on NVIDIA GPU-accelerated simulation and Isaac Lab platform.
Leading robotics companies have partnered with Nvidia for this
initiative. Additionally, Nvidia has introduced updates like Isaac
Manipulator and Isaac Perceptor, enhancing robots' manipulation and
perception capabilities. The new computer, Jetson Thor, powered by
Nvidia's Thor SoC, supports complex tasks and ensures safe interaction
between humans and robots.
Humanoid Robot-
Humanoid robots are sophisticated
artificial machines designed to mimic
human-like appearance and behaviour.
Applications-space exploration,
personal assistance, education, search
and rescue, manufacturing, public
relations, and healthcare. While
concerns about job loss arise,
humanoid robots are seen as potential
aids to humans, improving their lives
rather than replacing them.
 India’s Top Humanoid Robots
Robot Developer Description
Manav A-SET India's first 3D-printed humanoid robot designed for
Training and research purposes. Capable of performing activities
Research like push-ups and playing football.
Institute
Mitra Invento A five-foot-tall humanoid robot crafted from
Robotics fiberglass. Excels in human-like conversations,
navigation, facial recognition, and speech
recognition.
Robocop H-Bots Designed to assist law enforcement in maintaining
Robotics law, order, and traffic management. Equipped with
cameras and sensors for autonomous operations.
 India’s Top Humanoid Robots
Robot Developer Description
KEMP Sirena Passenger-assistant humanoid robot deployed at Bengaluru
A Technologies airport. Provides airport-related information and engages in
casual conversations with passengers.
RADA Vistara AI-based robot deployed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi
International Airport. Automates simple tasks and enhances
customer experiences.
IRA Asimov Shiny white humanoid robot deployed at HDFC banks.
Robotics Assists branch staff and facilitates customer transactions
using AI and ML technologies.
Indro Santosh Tallest Indian robot built with low-cost materials. Capable of
Vasudeo performing lightweight tasks for entertainment, education,
Hulawale and household chores. Named after the Indian god Indra.
36. GPU- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) rapidly renders graphics and
images via mathematical calculations. Originally for 2D/3D rendering,
now used widely in professional and personal computing. Unlike CPUs,
GPUs have thousands of smaller cores for parallel processing. Employed
for tasks needing simultaneous operations, like creative content
production, video editing, HPC, and AI. Dedicated RAM optimized for
intensive graphics applications. Offloads graphics tasks from CPUs,
resulting in smoother rendering and improved performance.
37. Rooftop Solar Energy- PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was launched
for installing rooftop solar and providing free electricity up to 300 units
every month for One Crore households. Involves Photo Voltaic Solar
panels converting sunlight into electricity. Working- Inverter converts DC
to AC for household use; Grid connection allows two-way flow of
electricity; Battery storage enhances energy independence.
38. Drone Didis- Namo Drone Didi scheme was launched to empower
rural women through agricultural drones. The scheme aims to provide
15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups with drones for tasks like crop
monitoring and fertiliser spraying, offering employment opportunities and
enhancing agricultural productivity. Additionally, the scheme facilitates
the delivery of essential items to rural areas.; GoI aims to create 3 crore
"Lakhpati Didis". The drones distributed were manufactured by Garuda
Aerospace, highlighting support for homegrown drone technology and
startups.
39. Artificial Skin/ Smart Skin/ Electronic Skin- Researchers at TU Graz in
Austria have developed an advanced artificial skin prototype called
SmartCore, led by Dr. Anna Maria Coclite. SmartCore surpasses human
skin sensitivity by sensing pressure, temperature, and humidity
simultaneously, converting stimuli into electronic signals. Applications -
healthcare, robotics, prosthetics, wearable devices, and aerospace,
offering capabilities like sensing, monitoring, and responding to
environmental stimuli for enhanced performance and functionality.
40. 'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative - The Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) launched the 'Sangam: Digital Twin'
initiative through the Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE); It is to
revolutionize infrastructure planning and management. Digital twins
replicate physical assets digitally, collect real-time data, and model
process behaviours to improve operational efficiency and potentially
save costs in infrastructure projects. The initiative is seen as a
paradigm shift in conceptualizing and managing infrastructure; It
paves the way for smarter, more resilient cities and driving innovation
and efficiency in the telecom industry.
41. Ultradian rhythm- Physiological patterns adopted by all living
things for proper functioning; Recur more frequently than once every
24 hours; Shorter than circadian rhythms, lasting for 90 minutes.;
Involves two types of sleep: REM sleep (dreaming) and non-REM sleep
(physical restoration and memory consolidation); Influences hormone
release, metabolism, energy levels, and stress responses.
Circadian Rhythms: Changes experienced by an organism over a 24-hour
cycle; Influenced by light and dark cycles; Every tissue and organ has its
own circadian rhythm, collectively tuned to the day-night cycle; Influences
sleep patterns, hormone release, appetite, digestion, and temperature;
Studied under chronobiology.
Diurnal Rhythm: Circadian rhythm synced with day and night; Can be light-
driven or clock-driven; Synchronized to environmental cues like light-dark
cycle.
Infradian Rhythm: Biological rhythms lasting more than 24 hours;
Regulated by hormonal fluctuations, environmental cues, and genetic
factors; Controlled by internal biological clocks; Seen in menstrual cycles,
hibernation, and seasonal breeding patterns.
42. Satynedranath Bose- (January 1, 1894-
February 4, 1974) - Indian mathematician
and physicist; collaborated with Albert
Einstein to develop theories on
electromagnetic radiation. Contributions-
introducing a new class of particles- Boson
Particle, predicting Bose-Einstein
condensate, and deducing Planck's law
without classical electrodynamics. Bose's
work bridged classical and modern
quantum mechanics, earning him honors
such as the Padma Vibhushan and a Nobel
Prize nomination.
43. US Private Moon Lander- Intuitive Machines, a U.S. company,
achieved a historic feat by becoming the first private entity to successfully
land a spacecraft on the moon; Despite landing tipped over, the lander
was reported to be in working condition with limited communications,
marking the return of the United States to the lunar surface for the first
time since 1972.
44. Micellar Water- Miscellar water is a
cleansing solution made up of micelles,
tiny oil molecules suspended in soft
water, which effectively removes dirt,
oil, and makeup from the skin without
stripping away natural oils, making it
suitable for sensitive skin and leaving a
hydrated and refreshed feeling.
Characteristic Micellar Water Normal Water
Composition Contains micelles (tiny oil Pure water
molecules)
Cleansing Attracts and removes dirt, oil, Limited ability to
Properties makeup remove impurities
Effectiveness Thorough and gentle cleansing Basic rinsing
45. SAKHI App (Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew
Interaction)- developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC); Aids
Gaganyaan astronauts with technical assistance, health monitoring,
mission management, and seamless communication. Gaganyan mission
aims for a three-day Low Earth Orbit trip, demonstrating India's human
spaceflight capability. It utilizes Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark 3
(LVM3) and has achieved key milestones with a budget of less than Rs.
10,000 crore. The crew selection process involves four IAF test pilots,
marking India's milestone achievement as the fourth nation to conduct
independent human spaceflight.
46. Synthetic Human Embryos- Synthetic Human Embryos (SHE) are not
formed from egg and sperm fusion but from pluripotent stem cells
derived from embryos or reprogrammed adult cells; Researchers
manipulate culture conditions to guide cell differentiation, resulting in
three-dimensional structures resembling early embryos. These
structures mimic blastocyst-like cavities, placenta-like tissues, and
primitive streak-like structures, resembling gastrulation. Applications in
reproductive medicine, disease modeling, drug testing and
development, regenerative medicine, and developmental biology.
47. Shiv and Shakti Streams- The European Space Agency's Gaia space
telescope, led by Khyati Malhan of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy
(MPIA) in Germany, has discovered two ancient streams of stars named
Shiva and Shakti. These streams were formed approximately 12 billion
years ago and display unique orbits and chemical compositions, each
comprising about 10 million suns with stars aged 12 to 13 billion years.
These streams, situated towards the galaxy's heart, were formed as
separate fragments that merged into one galaxy early in its history,
shedding light on the Milky Way's early formation and suggesting a
complex origin involving gas and dust filaments.
Symbolically named after a divine couple
in Hindu philosophy, Shiva and Shakti
represent the universe's creation and
reflect the distinct characteristics of the
stellar streams, with Shakti stars having
slightly more distant and circular orbits
compared to those of Shiva.
The Gaia space telescope, launched in
December 2013, has been surveying the
skies for over a decade, collecting
extensive data to create a detailed 3D
map of the Milky Way and advancing our
understanding of various astronomical
phenomena.
48. Genome India Project- The Genome India Project- funded by the
Department of Biotechnology, aims to sequence 10,000 Indian
genomes to understand disease patterns and genetic diversity. Led by
the Centre for Brain Research, it involves collaboration with 20
institutions. The project addresses India's diverse population and aims
to develop predictive diagnostic markers. The data, stored at the
Indian Biological Data Centre, is crucial for local genetic research.
Genome sequencing, the process of determining an organism's genetic
makeup, helps in biomedical research, pharmacogenomics, agricultural
genomics, evolutionary biology, and conservation efforts.
49. India’s Space Station- India's own
space station will be operational by 2035.
The space station, named Bharatiya
Antariksh Station, is planned to be placed
in a low Earth orbit and accommodate 2
to 4 astronauts. India aims to use its
heaviest rocket, GSLV, to launch the
station's components into orbit. The
space station will facilitate microgravity
experiments, including astrobiology
experiments, and explore the possibility
of moon surface habitats.
Initial weigh about 20 tonnes, with inflatable modules
potentially increasing its final weight to 400 tonnes, with a
specially developed docking port compatible with the
International Space Station. The station will have solar
panels for power generation and an Environmental Life
Support and Control System to regulate oxygen levels and
remove carbon dioxide. This initiative aligns with India's
space vision for 2047, which includes sending the first
Indian to the Moon by 2040.
50. Chandran 4- ISRO's Chandrayaan-4
mission (in 2028) represents India's next
step in lunar exploration; goal -bringing
back samples of moon rocks and soil for
scientific analysis. The mission will
employ a dual-rocket system, utilizing
both the heavy-lifter LVM-3 and the
reliable PSLV, to carry distinct payloads for
various aspects of the lunar mission;
Chandrayaan-4 will consist of five spacecraft modules: Propulsion
Module: Responsible for providing propulsion to the spacecraft
during different phases of the mission; Descender Module:
Designed to descend to the lunar surface and collect samples of
moon rocks and soil; Ascender Module: Responsible for lifting off
from the lunar surface with the collected samples; Transfer Module:
Facilitates the transfer of samples from the lunar orbit to Earth's
orbit; Re-entry Module: Ensures the safe return of the samples to
Earth's surface.
51. Ergosphere - Scientists theorize that extracting matter and energy
from the Ergosphere, the region between the event horizon and the
stationary limit of a rotating black hole, is possible; The ergosphere is a
region surrounding a rotating black hole, located between the event
horizon and the stationary limit. In this area, space-time itself is dragged
along with the rotation of the black hole. Objects within the ergosphere
are forced to rotate along with the black hole’s spin due to the distortion
of spacetime caused by its immense gravitational pull. The event
horizon, on the other hand, is a theoretical boundary around a black
hole beyond which no radiation can escape.
52. Multiverse- The multiverse refers to the hypothesis that there could be
multiple universes or dimensions beyond our observable universe. These
universes may have different physical constants, laws of physics, or even
different dimensions of space and time. The concept arises from various
theories, including inflationary cosmology, string theory, and quantum
mechanics.
"Metaverse" is more commonly
associated with virtual reality and the
digital realm. It refers to a collective
virtual space that encompasses all
virtual worlds, augmented reality, and
the internet. In this context, the
metaverse is a conceptual extension of
the internet, where users can interact
with each other and digital objects in
immersive virtual environments.
53. Genomic Medicine- Genomic medicine is the study of our genes
(DNA) and their interaction with our health. It involves using an
individual's genomic information to tailor their clinical care. It helps
diagnose diseases, predict outcomes, and guide treatment by
considering genetic factors alongside other environmental and lifestyle
influences. By integrating genomic data into medical practice, doctors
can provide more targeted and personalized care, ensuring the right
tests and treatments are administered to each patient at the right time,
leading to precision medicine.
54. Doomsday Clock- The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock that
represents how close humanity is to self-destruction. It was created in
1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to represent the threat of
nuclear war. The clock is updated annually by the Bulletin's Science and
Security Board based on their assessment of the current global
situation. The closer the clock is to midnight, the greater the perceived
threat of global catastrophe. The Doomsday Clock is set to 90 seconds to
midnight in 2024, the closest it's ever been to midnight. The clock is a
symbolic countdown to the apocalypse, with "midnight" representing the
end of the world. It indicates how close the world is to the disruptive
events like wars, climate change, and the arms race.
55. Japan’s Moon Snipper Landing Mission- Japan's "Moon Sniper," the
Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), successfully executed a
precise landing around 55 meters from its target on the lunar surface;
Japan is the fifth nation to achieve such a feat after the US, Soviet Union,
China, and India; The mission aims to analyze rocks in a lunar crater to
uncover insights into the Moon's water resources, crucial for potential
future bases and Mars exploration. The SLIM craft detached two probes,
including a shape-shifting mini-rover, for further exploration and image
transmission; Significance- survived two lunar nights without its
instruments freezing.
56. End to End Encryption- End-to-end encryption (E2EE) secures data
during transmission by converting it into an unreadable format. It of 2
types: Symmetric encryption- It uses a single key for both encryption and
decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses different keys; Concerns- i.
E2EE can be susceptible to MITM (Man in the Middle) attacks, where
intercepting the key compromises data security. ii. Users may become
complacent due to perceived security, overlooking other vulnerabilities
like malware or backdoors
57. NISAR Mission (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) -The NISAR
satellite (Weight- 2,800kg), developed jointly by NASA and ISRO, is set to be
launched 2024. It aims to monitor natural processes and changes in Earth's
ecosystems by capturing images of the Earth's surface every 12 days with a
mission life of three years. NISAR will track subtle changes in the Earth's
surface, spot warning signs of volcanic eruptions, monitor groundwater
supplies, and track the rate of ice sheet melting. Equipped with dual-
frequency radar and a large 39-foot fixed antenna reflector, NISAR will
provide detailed observations of Earth's surface, aiding in disaster
management, agriculture, and climate change research.
58. Station Shiv Shakti- Chandrayaan-3 is India's third lunar exploration
mission, successfully achieving a soft landing on the Moon's surface with
the Vikram lander; The International Astronomical Union (IAU) approved
the name 'Station Shiv Shakti' for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3's
Vikram lander on the Moon.'Station Shiv Shakti' is derived from Indian
mythology, representing the masculine (Shiva) and feminine (Shakti) duality
of nature, symbolizing resolution and strength for humanity's welfare; The
Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature documents all IAU-approved names
of topographic and albedo features; Previous lunar missions by India, such
as Chandrayaan-1, also had designated names for their impact sites,
honoring figures like Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister.
59. I- STEM Samavesha Project- The Samavesha project is a national
initiative by Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering (I-STEM) to
improve research collaboration in India. The project aims to connect
researchers with scientific institutes through an online portal. The
launch event for the project was held on January 16, 2024 at IISc,
Bengaluru, and I-STEM plans to conduct around 50 Samavesha events
across India in 2024.
60. ISRO’s Pushpak
The Pushpak RLV (Reusable Launch Vehicle) is a unique type of rocket
being developed by India; Unlike traditional rockets that are discarded
after use, the Pushpak is designed to be reused, similar to airplanes; This
reusability feature aims to reduce the cost of space missions significantly;
The Pushpak RLV takes off vertically like a rocket but can land horizontally,
resembling a small space shuttle with wings.
All The Best