Why in the News ? Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has begun systematic documentation of thousands of artefacts excavated from Rajghat, an ancient settlement near Varanasi. The material, including pottery, seals, coins, terracotta objects and human remains, could provide fresh insights into Kashi’s early urban development. Rajghat Excavations and Archaeological Significance ● Early Discovery:…
Why in the News ? A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that certain peptides can remain stable and retain complex three-dimensional structures even in 98% concentrated sulphuric acid. The finding challenges assumptions about extremely acidic environments and their potential for life. Peptides Survive and Fold in Concentrated…
Why in the News ? Scientists using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) have captured the highest-resolution images of the Sun’s surface, revealing previously unseen plasma whirlpools along solar granule boundaries. The discovery could improve understanding of magnetic-field braiding, energy transport and solar eruptions. Solar Surface Whirlpools and Key Findings ● High…
Why in the News ? The WHO has validated Bhutan as the first country in its South-East Asia Region to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem. Bhutan recorded its last rabies death in June 2023, marking progress towards the global 2030 elimination goal. Bhutan’s Rabies Elimination Strategy ● WHO Validation: Bhutan…
WHY IN THE NEWS ? ● Anthropic researchers studying Claude Sonnet 4.5 have identified internal neural patterns resembling an “internal monologue” during certain tasks. ● The findings have renewed debate over whether increasingly sophisticated Large Language Models (LLMs) could eventually develop consciousness, although researchers stress that the experiment provides no evidence…
WHY IN THE NEWS? Banking-system liquidity has surged to around ₹10.3 lakh crore, its highest level in four years, creating a monetary-policy challenge for the Reserve Bank of India.Large foreign-exchange inflows, especially through the forex swap facility, have released substantial rupee liquidity into the banking system. LIQUIDITY SURPLUS AND RBI’S MONETARY POLICY CHALLENGE ● …
WHY IN THE NEWS ? Argentina has renewed its claim over the Falkland Islands, known as Las Malvinas in Argentina, prompting Britain to reaffirm its sovereignty.The dispute has resurfaced amid controversy over oil exploration, renewed diplomatic tensions and references to a possible change in U.S. policy towards the issue. FALKLANDS DISPUTE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ●…
WHY IN THE NEWS ? Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has approved the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Nautor Regularisation) Rules, 2026.The rules establish a uniform mechanism to grant proprietary rights over eligible nautor land, addressing a long-standing issue involving landholders while protecting public and Council land. NAUTOR LAND REGULARISATION AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS ● …
WHY IN THE NEWS? The Union Government deferred the 2027 Census in Manipur amid demands from Meitei and Naga groups for an NRC exercise before the Census.The issue has renewed debates over citizenship, migration, displacement, demographic change and political representation in the conflict-affected State. NRC DEMAND, DEMOGRAPHIC CONCERNS AND DELIMITATION ● Ethnic Geography:…
WHY IN THE NEWS? OpenAI has released GPT-6 Astra, a frontier AI model claiming improvements in computer use, coding, cybersecurity and long-running tasks.Astra is the first OpenAI model classified at the “critical” cybersecurity capability level under its Preparedness Framework. ASTRA’S AUTONOMOUS AI AND REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS: ● End-to-End Tasks: Astra is designed to perform…