Researchers find new way to improve storage time of quantum information

• It deals with the idea that all objects have wave-like properties.
• It states that, if an object''s wave-like nature is split in two, then the two waves may coherently interfere with each other in such a way as to form a single state that is a superposition of the two states.
• This concept of superposition is famously represented by Schrödinger''s cat, which is both dead and alive at the same time when in its coherent state inside a closed box.
• It lies at the heart of quantum computing, in which a qubit is in a superposition of the "0" and "1" states.

Quantum entanglement

• It means that aspects of one particle of an entangled pair depend on aspects of the other particle, no matter how far apart they are or what lies between them.
• Like coherence, quantum entanglement also plays an essential role in quantum technologies.

Principle of Superposition of waves

• It states that when two or more waves overlap in space, the resultant disturbance is equal to the algebraic sum of the individual disturbances.

qubit

• A qubit (or quantum bit) is the quantum mechanical analogue of a classical bit.
• A classical binary bit can only represent a single binary value, such as 0 or 1.
• A qubit, however, can represent a 0, a 1, or any proportion of 0 and 1 in superposition of both states.
• In quantum computing the information is encoded in qubits.

Scientists spot 1st gamma-ray eclipses from strange ''spider'' star systems

• It is a binary star system in which a superdense star (pulsar) spins quickly, eats another star.
• The super-dense object that begins to pull a matter from the companion resembles the habits of spiders of the genus Latrodectus, in which the female eats the male after mating, hence the name came.
• Initially, the dense pulsar strips material from the outer atmosphere of its companion, periodically shedding the gathered material in violent explosions.
• In the later stage of their lifetimes, the energetic particles streaming out of the pulsar can strip the atmosphere of its companion.
• In either case, the pulsar slowly erodes its companion over time.
• Two Types:
  • Black widows: Binary pulsar systems, in which the mass of a companion star is less than 5 percent of the pulsar.
  • Redback: Binary pulsar systems in which mass of the companion star is from 10 to 50 percent of the pulsar.

Binary star system

• A binary system is one in which two stars orbit around a common centre of mass, that is they are gravitationally bound to each other.

Pulsars

• Pulsars are rapidly spinning neutron stars, extremely dense stars composed almost entirely of neutrons and having a diameter of only 20 km (12 miles) or less.
• They emit concentrated streams of radiation far across the cosmos.

Neutron stars

• They are the remnants of giant stars that died in a fiery explosion known as a supernova.
• After such an outburst, the cores of these former stars compact into an ultradense object with the mass of the sun packed into a ball the size of a city.

PM Modi addresses first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ of 2023, urges citizens to read about ‘Padma’ awardees

• The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
• The award seeks to recognize works of distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines.
• Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954
• The award is given in three categories, namely,
  • Padma Vibhushan: for exceptional and distinguished service;
  • Padma Bhushan: for distinguished service of a high order; and
  • Padma Shri: for distinguished service.
  • Award: The awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
• Eligibility:
  • All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
  • Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
  • The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.
• Nominations
  • Nominations are invited from Central Ministries/Departments, States/UT Governments, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, Institutes of Excellence.
  • All citizens can make nominations/recommendation including self-nomination.
• All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
• On the basis of the recommendations of the Awards Committee, and after approval of the Home Minister, Prime Minister and President, the Padma Awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day.

All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-2021

• It is conducted by the Ministry of Education since 2011.
• Coverage: It covers all higher educational institutions located in Indian Territory and imparting higher education in the country.
• Objectives:
• To identify and capture all the institutions of higher learning in the country.
• Collect the data from all the higher education institutions on various aspects of higher education.
• The survey collects detailed information on different parameters such as student enrollment, teacher’s data, infrastructural information, financial information etc.

Highlights

• For the first time, in AISHE 2020-21, higher educational institutions have filled data using entirely online data collection platform through the Web Data Capture Format (DCF) developed by Department of Higher Education through the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
• Key Findings:
• The total number of Universities / University like institutions registered is 1,113, Colleges 43,796 and Standalone Institutions 11,296.
• Number of Universities has increased by 70, number of Colleges has increased by 1,453, in 2020-21 over 2019-20.
• Enrollment in higher education increases to 4.14 crore, crossing the 4 crore mark for first time; increase of 7.5% from 2019-20 and 21% from 2014-15.
• Female enrollment reaches 2 crore mark, increase of 13 Lakh from 2019-20.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved from previous year for all social groups.
• Enrollment in Distance Education has increased by 7% in 2020-21 from 2019-20.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) has increased from 1 in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21Total number of faculty/teachers increases by 47,914 from 2019-20

Bird census: Black-necked stork sighted in Porbandar for second year

• The black-necked stork is a tall long-necked wading bird in the stork family.
• Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
• Distribution: It is distributed in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.
• Habitat: They inhabits wetlands, such as floodplains of rivers with large shallow swamps and pools, and deeper permanent bodies of water.
• Features:
  • They are large birds, measuring 110 to 140 cm in length and weighing 4,000 grams.
  • Their wingspan is 190 to 220 cm.
  • The male and female birds look alike but female is distinguished by its yellow eye.
• IUCN status: “Near Threatened”

Bardasagar reservoir:

• It is located in the Porbandar district, Gujarat.
• The Bardasagar dam is created to store rain water for agricultural purpose.
• The Bardasagar dam and farms on its periphery are the ideal winter escape for thousands of cranese. Common crane and Demoiselle crane.
• Bardasagar is regular nesting ground for elegant Great crested Grebe like Mokarsagar. The “weed ceremony” and dancing ritual of Great crested Grebe can be seen here