MAY05,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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Atacama Desert: Land of Extremes Light pollution threatens world’s darkest skies in Atacama Desert impacting Astronomical Observations. Atacama Desert » Location: Northern Chile, South America. o Coastal non-polar hyper arid desert running North to South between Pacific Ocean (west) and Andes Range (east). » Aridity: Caused by Humboldt Current (cold ocean current) flowing off Pacific Coast. » Features: salt pans, alluvial fans, dunes, and volcanic cones, supports astronomical observations due to clear skies. » Major Astronomical Observatories in Atacama: Atacama Large Millimeter Array; Paranal Observatory, etc. |
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Beyond-Lithium Batteries: Powering the Future Battery alternatives like Sodium and Fluoride ion batteries offer huge potential apart from lithium ion batteries. Sodium-Ion Batteries » Meaning: Function similarly to lithium-ion batteries but use sodium- ions (Na+) as charge carriers. o Rechargeable battery that generates electricity by moving ions between two electrodes: a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). Benefits Offered: » Availability: Sodium being abundant, inexpensive, and globally available. » Safer: Lower risk of catching fire compared to Lithium batteries when operated in extreme conditions. » Transportation and storage: Typically safer compared to lithium. Fluoride-Ion Batteries » Meaning: Rechargeable system in which fluoride ions (anions) serve as mobile charge carriers between electrodes during cycling. » Benefits Offered: o High Energy Densities: Could deliver more than 2000Wh/kg (compared 500 Wh/kg for Lithium ion batteries). o Availability: Fluorine is far more abundant than lithium with a larger supply chain. Lithium-Ion Batteries » About: Rechargeable battery, widely used in portable electronics and electrified transportation. o Anode and cathode store lithium, electrolyte carries positively charged lithium ions from anode to cathode and vice versa through separator. » Benefits: Higher energy densities compared to lead-acid batteries (75 Wh/kg) and sodium ion batteries (100-160 Wh/kg); low maintenance; low self-discharge rate (1.5-2% per month); does not contain toxic lead or cadmium. » Constraints: High import dependence and supply chain disruptions issues(depends on scarce lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel), slow charging rate, etc. |
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Bongos: Small Drums, Big Sound Bongo Antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus) » Characteristics: o World’s largest forest antelope. o Recognised by its reddish-brown body with white stripes and long spiral horns. o Two subspecies: Western Bongo and Eastern (Mountain) Bongo. » Habitat: Dense rainforests and forest-savanna ecosystems, in Central and East African forests. » IUCN Status: Western Bongo (Near Threatened); Eastern Bongo (Critically Endangered). » Threats: Habitat loss and poaching. |
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Dual-use Satellites: War or Peace? Cyber-attacks impacting satellite networks and GPS spoofing incidents brought to focus the issues concerning dual use satellites and modern space warfare. Space in Modern Warfare » Meaning: Refers to military conflict conducted into or from outer space, aimed at disrupting or destroying satellites and other space assets. o It involves Kinetic (Anti- satellite weapons) and Non-kinetic weapons (cyber warfare and electromagnetic pulses (EMPs)). Consequences of Space Warfare » Swiftness and Scale: Space amplifies weapon platforms by increasing velocities for missile trajectories, thus, enhancing speed and accuracy, potentially escalating conflicts. » Military Actions: Impair military operations like distant Drone operations, Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD), and Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) missions, etc. » Debris: A minuscule fragment of wreckage from an obliterated satellite can harm spacecraft like International Space Station. » Disruption of Essential Services: Including GPS Systems, Banking and power grids causing blackouts, etc. Key Measures Preventing Warfare in Space » Outer Space Treaty (1967): Prohibits deployment of weapons of mass destruction into space. » The Liability Convention (1972): Expands upon Article 7 of Outer Space Treaty, establishing absolute liability for launching states for damages caused. » The Moon Agreement (1984): Moon and other celestial bodies be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. » Key Indian Initiatives: Defence Space Agency (DSA) to protect Indian interests in outer space; Guidelines for Space Cyber Security by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), etc. |
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Empowering Villages: Samarth Panchayat Portal Centre to expand rollout of Samarth Panchayat Portal to states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Samarth Panchayat Portal » Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj » Purpose: Digital platform that empowers Panchayats to enhance and transparently monitor their tax and non-tax revenue sources. o Helps Panchayats strengthen their Own Sources of Revenue (OSR) through UPI-based online tax assessment and seamless tax payment at the Gram Panchayat level. |
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Hantavirus: Rare but Deadly Hantavirus outbreak has trapped 150 people on Dutch flagged cruise ship MV Hondius leaving 3 persons dead. Hantavirus » Zoonotic viruses carried by rodents (rats and mice) that can cause severe disease in humans. » Transmission: People usually get infected through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. » It causes 2 types of syndromes: o Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS): A rapidly progressive condition affecting the lungs and heart. o Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). » There is no specific cure available. |
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High-Tech Push in Defence Sector At North Tech Symposium, Defence Minister stressed the urgent need for India to accelerate innovation in cutting-edge defence technologies in emerging domains. Emerging domains of Defense Technology » Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs): Ranged weapons that use concentrated electromagnetic energy like lasers, microwaves, or particle beams, rather than kinetic energy. » Hypersonic weapons Systems: Include Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs) operating at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and altering their flight paths mid-course which makes their interception extremely difficult. o E.g., Russia''s Oreshnik Hypersonic missile. » Artificial Intelligence (AI): For cyber defence (detecting anomalies and countering intrusions), predictive maintenance (assessing aircraft component health to reduce downtime), and sophisticated training simulations. » Quantum Technologies: o Quantum computers to optimize complex military logistics and supply chains. o Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to enable secure, un-hackable communications with instant detection of interception. o Quantum sensors to enhance detection of submarines, sea mines, stealth vehicles, and underground bunkers. Government Initiatives for emerging Defence Technology o iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): To foster innovation & indigenisation in defence and aerospace. o ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX): To develop 30 critical deep-tech and strategic technologies to reduce import dependence. o Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme: It funds industries, MSMEs, startups, and academic institutions to develop indigenous defence and dual-use technologies. o Institutional Framework for AI: Through Defence AI Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA). Hypersonic Weapons Development: E.g., ‘Dhvani’ Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (indigenous model). |
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ILO Article 24: Complaint Mechanism for Workers Tea plantation workers in West Bengal invoked Article 24 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Constitution, alleging labour rights violations and poor working conditions in tea gardens. » Article 24 allows workers’ or employers’ organisations to file a representation against a member state for non-compliance with ratified labour conventions. International Labour Organisation (ILO) » Established: 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles » Objective: Promote labour rights, decent work and social justice » Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland » Members: 187 member states (India is a founding member) » Other key information: o Tripartite structure involving governments, employers and workers. o First specialised agency of the United Nations (1946) o Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1969) for promoting social justice and workers’ rights. |
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India Launches AI Orbital Data Center To be built with partnership of Space-tech firm, Pixel and AI startup, Sarvam where former will design, build, launch, and operate pathfinder satellite, while latter would provide AI backbone. » The ODC, along with enhancing country’s space computing capabilities, would promote technological sovereignty by operating independently of foreign cloud infrastructure. Orbital Data Centres (ODCs) » Meaning: Scalable, cloud-enabled data processing and storage infrastructure operating directly in space. o Work either in conjunction with terrestrial cloud infrastructure or independently. Significance of ODCs » Abundant, Uninterrupted power: In a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), it can leverage continuous, high-intensity solar power, unhindered by night-time, weather, or atmospheric attenuation. » Free radiative cooling: Deep vacuum of space serves as a gigantic, cold heatsink having effective ambient temperature of around -270 Celsius, eliminating freshwater needs for cooling. o Single 40 megawatt (MW) terrestrial cluster can consume over 1 million tons of water annually for cooling. » Scalability and speed of deployment: ODCs can be linearly scaled almost indefinitely through modular design, and be launched faster compared to building terrestrial infrastructure. » Overcome Limitations of Terrestrial Data Centres: o Huge Power Consumption: Large data centres consume approximately 1.5% of global power (WEF). o Land and permitting constraints: Hyperscale data centres require significant land along with extensive planning, rights-of-way and environmental reviews. Pathfinder » 200-kilogram-class satellite, expected to reach orbit by fourth quarter of 2026. » Key Features: o Data Center-grade GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit): Unlike traditional satellite systems relying on low-power processors, it offers high performance computing in space. o Hyperspectral Imaging Camera: To be deployed for first time on a satellite, offering faster and real time decision making |
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India’s E-Waste Crisis: Need for Action At the Paryavaran NITI Manthan, policymakers flagged gaps in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation as India loses recoverable e-waste materials worth nearly ₹51,000 crore. Issues related to E-Waste Management in India » Weak Enforcement: Allows spurious and non-operational recyclers to distort EPR markets through fraudulent certification. » Informalization: India’s formal recycling rate is 10%, compared to global average (~22%), and USA (56%). » Narrow focus: EPR coverage in E-waste recycling is limited to Gold, Copper, Iron, and Aluminium. » Other issues: Low skills; accessibility of advanced recycling processes; collection inefficiencies; low consumer awareness etc. Status of India’s E-Waste » India is 3rd largest e-waste generator globally. » E-waste generation increased from ~2.76 MMT (2020) to ~6.19 MMT (2024) o Projected to reach 14 MMT by 2030. Government Measures for E-waste management » E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022: Strengthened EPR framework for producers and recyclers. » EPR E-Waste portal & Trading Platform: Developed by CPCB for registration, tracking and monitoring of e-waste, along with EPR certificate trading mechanisms. o Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR), 2022: Mandates collection, recycling, and refurbishment targets, prohibiting landfill disposal and incineration. » National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM): Aims to develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste and industrial scrap. Way Forward » GST-linked verification: To improve traceability and reduce discrepancies in recycling claims. » Expanding EPR coverage: To other high-value metals and critical minerals. » Promote Advanced Recycling Technologies: Like hydrometallurgy, AI-based material recovery systems etc. » Other measures: Increase authorised collection centres; integrate informal workers through training, certification and financial incentives; etc. |
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Naegleria fowleri: Hidden Danger in Water Scientists warn that rising temperatures due to climate change can spread the risk of disease-causing amoeba, particularly, brain-eating amoeba. Brain-Eating Amoeba » Lives in soil and warm freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs around the world. » Enters the body through the nose, and attacks the brain tissues. o Can cause an infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). o PAM is a rare, fulminant infection of central nervous system, that is always fatal. |
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NISAR: Earth’s Eyes in Orbit NASA’s NISAR satellite observations revealed rapid land subsidence in Mexico City due to excessive groundwater extraction. NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) Satellite » Nature: First joint Earth observation satellite mission between ISRO and NASA. » Launch Vehicle: GSLV-F16 (GSLV Mk-II) » Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit » Mission Life: 5 years » Dual Bands: First satellite to use both L-band and S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from a single platform Unique Feature. » Imaging Capability: o Fully polarimetric and interferometric data o ~240 km swath coverage o Revisits Earth every 12 days » Technique Used: Advanced SweepSAR technology for high-resolution wide-swath imaging. |
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Provisions for Survivors: Justice and Support Supreme Court has expanded definition of “acid attack victims” under Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016 by including forcible acid ingestion victims and victims with internal injuries (even without visible disfigurement). » SC has also suggested a shift in Burden of Proof on acid attack accused. » RPwD Act, 2016 ensures that all PwDs can lead their lives with dignity, without discrimination and with equal opportunities. Legal provisions for acid attack survivors in India » Section 124, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS, 2023): Acid attack causing injury/deformity is cognizable, and non-bailable offence with punishment up to 10 years to life and fine. » Section 397, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS): Free, immediate treatment in all hospitals; police intimation mandatory » Victim compensation scheme: Under Sec 396 Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). » Prime Minister''s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) Assistance: Up to ₹1 lakh aid and recognised for welfare schemes. » Landmark Judgments: o Laxmi case: Regulated acid sale o Parivartan Kendra: Action against illegal suppliers » After Vietnam, many countries codified it in its domestic laws. |
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UAE: Hub of Global Diplomacy United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Capital: Abu Dhabi) UAE accused Iran launched first attack since ceasefire and drone strike at Fujairah oil facility injures three Indians. Political Features » UAE is a federation of seven emirates including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah. » Bordering Countries: Saudi Arabia (west and south), Oman (southeast). » Maritime Boundary: Gulf of Oman (east), Persian Gulf (north and northwest). o Strategic location along the Strait of Hormuz, a transit point for crude oil. Geographical Features » It is located in the Eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. » Climate: Desert (hot and humid in summer, warm and sunny in winter); cooler in eastern mountains. o It has no perennial streams or regularly occurring bodies of surface water. » Tropic of Cancer passes through UAE (Abu Dhabi emirate). |