POLYGON NETWORK TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- In the biggest round of investments in an Indian blockchain venture, marquee investment firms have infused $450 million in Polygon, a decentralised scaling platform for ethereum blockchain. Concept- Polygon Network: Polygon is essentially a “Layer 2” network built on the Ethereum blockchain to mitigate the traffic […]
ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS (API) TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in pharmaceutical sector is to reduce import dependence on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), drug intermediates (DIs) and key starting materials (KSMs). Concept- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients are the active ingredients contained in a medicine. It is […]
SPUTNIK LIGHT VACCINE TOPIC: Science & tech Context- The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given green signal to emergency use of single-dose Sputnik Light Covid vaccine in the country. Concept- Sputnik Light Vaccine: Sputnik Light has been made by Russia’s Gamaleya Center, built on a human adenovirus vector platform. It is […]
HIV VIRUS TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- A new, highly virulent strain of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has been discovered in the Netherlands. Concept- HIV infection was originated in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) around year 1920 when HIV crossed species from chimpanzees to humans. In 1959, the […]
SOLAR STORMS TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- Through analysis of ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, a research team has found evidence of an extreme solar storm that occurred about 9,200 years ago. Concept- What is a Solar Storm? A solar storm or a Coronal Mass Ejection as astronomers call it is an […]
CRYPTOCURRENCIES TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a 30% tax on income earned from transfer of virtual digital assets. Concept- The Government is yet to recognise cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. What would be the tax component for income from virtual digital assets? The Budget […]
HAVANA SYNDROME TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- A recent U.S. intelligence report says that ‘Havana Syndrome’ —a collection of symptoms and related brain injuries, reported by U.S. officials, particularly diplomats in embassies. Concept- What is Havana Syndrome? ‘Havana Syndrome’ is a colloquial name given to a set of symptoms such as dizziness, hearing […]
DRONE RULES TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has requested several ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), to encourage various entities under their administrative control to promote the use of drones. Concept- About Drones: It is a layman terminology for Unmanned Aircraft (UA). Originally developed for […]
NANO MISSION TOPIC: Science & Tech Context- Covid-19 mask to be developed under a DST-sponsored nano-mission. ARCI developed copper-based nanoparticles of around 20 nanometres by a ‘Flame Spray Pyrolysis’ (FSP) processing facility. Concept- Nano Mission The Government of India launched the Nano Mission in 2007 as an “umbrella capacity-building programme“. It is being […]
STARLINK NETWORK TOPIC: Science & tech Context- Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink has started offering a ‘premium’ service to its customers. Concept- Starlink is a SpaceX project to build a broadband network with a cluster of orbiting spacecraft that could eventually number thousands. What is the satellite broadband service? The service offers […]