Why in the News? ● Major Discovery: Indian researchers discovered a blue straggler star hosting a brown dwarf companion in an ultra-compact binary system. ● Shortest Orbit: The binary system has an exceptionally short orbital period of nearly 5.6 hours (0.234 days). ● Scientific Significance: The discovery was published in the journal Monthly Notices of…
Why in the News? ● Portal Launch: The Ministry of Ayush launched the Ayush Anudan Portal for digital grant management, establishing a framework similar to how environmental clearance systems streamline regulatory processes. ● Transparency Push: The platform aims to improve transparency, accountability and operational efficiency in scheme implementation, drawing parallels with principles like the precautionary…
Why in the News? ● Mars Discovery: Scientists detected the Zwan-Wolf effect on Mars using data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s MAVEN spacecraft. ● Scientific Study: The findings were published in Nature Communications by researchers from France, the U.K. and the U.S. ● Solar Storm Trigger: The phenomenon was observed during a powerful coronal…
Why in the News? ● SC Direction: Supreme Court of India permitted euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill and demonstrably dangerous stray dogs. ● Public Safety Concern: The judgment was delivered in response to rising incidents of dog bites and rabies infections, particularly involving children. ● Suo Motu Case: The court initiated the matter suo motu…
Why in the News? ● New Discovery: Data from Chandrayaan-3 revealed that the Moon’s upper surface contains two distinct subsurface layers within a few centimetres. ● Hop Experiment: The findings emerged from the lander’s unique ‘hop’ experiment conducted on September 4, 2023. ● Scientific Publication: Researchers from the Physical Research Laboratory published the findings in…
Why in the News? ● Legal Challenge: The Supreme Court of India heard a petition challenging the SHANTI Act, 2025, raising concerns about environmental jurisprudence and regulatory safeguards. ● Liability Concern: Petitioners argued that the Act fixes nuclear accident liability at an “absurdly low” level of below ₹4,000 crore, potentially undermining the polluter pays principle….
Why in the News ? The Union government informed the Supreme Court of India that the Delhi Rent Act, 1995 cannot be enforced through judicial directions, arguing that notifying the law is a policy matter within executive discretion and linked to administrative preparedness, avoiding ex post facto legal complications. Centre’s Stand Before Supreme Court ● …
Why in the News ? The Union Ministry of Rural Development has amended PMAY-G guidelines to allow non-RCC roofs such as tiles and tin sheds for rural houses, enabling beneficiaries to receive full financial assistance and wage benefits without mandatory concrete roofing, while ensuring compliance with environmental clearance norms for sustainable construction. PMAY-G Amendment and…
Why in the News ? The joint Europe-China SMILE mission is set to launch aboard the Vega-C rocket to study how Earth’s magnetosphere protects the planet from harmful solar winds and dangerous space weather events. Objectives and Features of the SMILE Mission ● SMILE stands for Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer, a joint mission…
Why in the News ? Sri Lanka is commemorating the 17th anniversary of the end of its civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam with a National Victory Day event scheduled in Battaramulla under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. National Victory Day and Civil War Legacy ● Sri Lanka observes National Victory Day to…