Context: In 2011, the Nobel Prize was awarded to three scientists for discovering that the Universe is expanding at an ever-accelerating rate through observations of distant supernovae.Now a team of Indian astronomers observing such distant supernovae have narrowed down the possible mechanisms of explosion of such supernovae which provide key measures of cosmological distances. The explosive death …
Large Area Certification’ (LAC) Scheme –The Government of India has certified 14,491 ha of such area under Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of islands in UT of A&N Islands. This area becomes the first large contiguous territory to be conferred with organic certification under the ‘Large Area Certification Scheme ‘of the PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System) …
Narrow-Line Seyfert 1: Astronomers have discovered a new active galaxy – the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy- identified as the farthest gamma-ray emitting galaxy that has so far been stumbled upon. Analysis Ever since 1929, when Edwin Hubble discovered that the Universe is expanding, it has been known that most other galaxies are moving away …
Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) & The Concept of ‘Red Shift’ Read More »
Context: In a declaration of war on low-tax jurisdictions around the globe, US has urged the world’s 20 advanced nations to move in the direction of adopting a minimum global corporate income tax rate– in essence, setting a minimum rate for corporations all over the world to pay regardless of which jurisdiction they are registered …
What is Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate in UPSC? Read More »
Oxygen Concentrators Vs Oxygen Cylinders: As cases surge and with oxygen cylinders in short supply across several states, the oxygen concentrator is among the most sought-after devices for oxygen therapy, especially among patients in home isolation and for hospitals running out of oxygen. Analysis How does it work? An oxygen concentrator is a medical device …
Oxygen Concentrators Vs Oxygen Cylinders-Important Points Read More »
Context: Russia recently announced that it would be withdrawing from the International Space Station in 2025, and build and manage its own floating laboratory/ Space Station that will be launched into orbit by 2030. Analysis The station will reportedly orbit the Earth at a higher latitude, enabling it to better observe the polar regions, especially …
International Space Station (ISS) Live updating News Read More »
National Panchayati Raj Day and SVAMITVA Scheme Context Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates 24th April of every year as the National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD), as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which led to the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj, came into force on this date. Analysis Every year, on this occasion, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has …
Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. Earth Overshoot Day is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network (GFN), an international research organization that provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate …
Context: Certain areas in four districts of Mizoram have been declared as epicentres of the African swine fever (ASF) that has so far killed 1,119 pigs in a month. What is African Swine Fever (ASF)? ASF is a severe viral disease (DNA virus) that affects wild and domestic pigs typically resulting in an acute haemorrhagic …
Context: Terming pendency of around 57 lakh cases in High Courts as “docket explosion”, the Supreme Court activated a “dormant” constitutional provision to pave way for the appointment of retired High Court judges as ad-hoc ones for a period of two to three years to clear the backlog and came out with guidelines to regulate …
Supreme Court paves way for Ad hoc Judges in High Court Read More »