About Rejupave Technology

• It is developed by India’s oldest and premier road research organisation, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
• It is beneficial in constructing high-altitude bituminous roads at low and sub-zero temperature conditions.
• This technology brings down the production and rolling temperature of bituminous mixes by 30 degrees Celsius to 400 degrees Celsius with negligible heat loss in the bituminous mix during transit, despite long haulage time amid snowfall. 
• This technology's asphalt modifier is a bio oil-based product, which significantly lowers the heating requirement of bituminous mixes besides preserving the bituminous mix temperature during transit.
• Significance
  • Rejupave' asphalt modifier in cold climatic regions will have improved long-term durability and better resistance to thermal cracking under low-temperature conditions.
  • It also brings down the greenhouse gas emissions in the pristine eco-sensitive mountainous environment of Arunachal Pradesh.

Key facts about CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)

• It is a premier national laboratory established in 1952, a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• The major R&D programmes of CRRI related to the research and development projects on design, construction and maintenance of roads and runways, traffic and transportation planning of mega and medium cities, management of roads in different terrains, improvement of marginal materials, utilization of industrial waste in road construction and landslide control etc.
• The institute provides technical and consultancy services to various user organizations in India and abroad.
• For capacity building of human resources in the area of highway Engineering to undertake and execute roads and runway projects.

Q1) What Is Bituminous Road?

Bituminous road, also known as asphalt road, is a type of road construction that involves the use of bitumen as a binding agent to hold together a mixture of aggregates. Bitumen is a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. When combined with various types of aggregates like sand, gravel, or crushed stone, it creates a durable and flexible surface suitable for road construction.

Source: Indigenous technology used in constructing roads near China border in Arunachal

About INS Chennai

• It is the Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and constructed guided missile destroyer.
• It is the third and last ship of the Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyers (Project 15A).
• It was constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at Mumbai.
• It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 21, 2016.
• Features:
  • It measures 163 meters in length and has a beam of 17.4 meters.
  • Displacement: Over 7,500 tons.
  • Top Speed: 30 knots (approx. 55 KM/hour)
  • It is powered by four reversible gas turbine engines.
  • It can carry 350 to 400 people.
  • Armament: It is armed with Vertical launch and long-range surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile systems like supersonic BrahMos, ‘Barak-8’ Long Range Surface to Air missiles.
  • The ship is equipped to fight under nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.
  • It is fitted with a modern Surveillance Radar, which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship.
  • The ship’s Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket Launchers and Torpedo Launchers.

Q1) What is a P-8I aircraft?

P-8I is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft being manufactured by Boeing for the Indian Navy. It replaced the aging fleet of the Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft.

Source: 15 Indians among crew freed after Navy commandos board ship hijacked in Arabian Sea

About Fuel Cell

• A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity by a chemical reaction.
• Fuel cells can be used in a wide range of applications, providing power for applications across multiple sectors, including transportation, industrial/commercial/residential buildings, and long-term energy storage for the grid in reversible systems.
• Working:
  • A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode).
  • Both electrodes must be immersed in and separated by an electrolyte, which may be a liquid or a solid but must, in either case, conduct ions between the electrodes in order to complete the chemistry of the system. 
  • A fuel, such as hydrogen, is supplied to the anode, where it is oxidized, producing hydrogen ions and electrons. 
  • An oxidizer, such as oxygen, is supplied to the cathode, where the hydrogen ions from the anode absorb electrons from the latter and react with the oxygen to produce water. 
  • The difference between the respective energy levels at the electrodes (electromotive force) is the voltage per unit cell.
  • The amount of electric current available to the external circuit depends on the chemical activity and amount of the substances supplied as fuel.
  • A single fuel cell generates a tiny amount of direct-current (DC) electricity. In practice, many fuel cells are usually assembled into a stack. 
• Advantages of Fuel Cells:
  • Fuel cells have lower or zero emissions compared to combustion engines. Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water, addressing critical climate challenges as there are no carbon dioxide emissions.
  • There are also no air pollutants that create smog and cause health problems during the operation of a fuel cell.
  • They are quiet during operation as they have few moving parts.
  • They can operate at higher efficiencies than combustion engines.
  • A fuel cell resembles a battery in many respects, but it can supply electrical energy over a much longer period of time.
    • This is because a fuel cell is continuously supplied with fuel and air (or oxygen) from an external source, whereas a battery contains only a limited amount of fuel material and oxidant that are depleted with use.

Q1) What are electrodes?

An electrode is a conductor that is used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit. Electrodes are commonly used in electrochemical cells (see Figure 1), semiconductors like diodes, and in medical devices. The electrode is the place where electron transfer occurs.

Source: Isro tests futurist fuel cell system that could power space station 

About Thanjavur doll

• The craft was brought to Thanjavur by Maratha ruler Raja Serfoji in the early 19th Century.
• In Tamil language, it is called Thanjavur thalayatti bommai.
• Thanjavur dolls are primarily of two kinds, one is the bobble-head version, and the other is the tilting doll version.
• Material used:
  • Doll-makers use papier-mâché, plaster of Paris and other materials for the body.
  • A mixture of vandal mann (fine silt deposited by rushing streams of water), kali mann (clayey riverbed mud), and manal (loose aggregate) is required to make the dolls’ pedestals. 
  • Copper sulphate powder is added as a fungicide.
• Process:
  • All the dolls have a lightweight body made of tapioca flour, papier-mache and plaster of Paris cooked and kneaded to the consistency of ‘roti’ dough.
  • Each toy is made in halves, by pressing the rolled-out ‘doll dough’ into cement moulds, with liberal dusting of chalk powder.
  • Dolls pass through at least seven stages from mould to assembly before they are packed for despatch, with each step, such as painting the facial features and costume embellishments, requiring a skilled artisan’s attention
• The dancing doll has four sections (including the arms that are individually glued to the torso), each balancing on the other with the help of inner metal loop hooks that create the light bobbing movement.
• It earned the Geographical Indication tag in 2009.

Q1) What Is Geographical Indication (GI) tag?

It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.

Source: Keeping Thanjavur doll industry out of the doldrums is no child’s play

About National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO)

• It was established in 1998 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India.
• It is the leading industry association for the real estate sector in the country.
• Its primary objective is to provide a legitimate platform for the government, the real estate industry, and the general public to address their concerns and find effective solutions to the challenges faced by the real estate sector.
• NAREDCO's mission is to improve the real estate industry's building, construction, and marketing standards.
• It contributes to the development of national fiscal policies and acts as a catalyst for economic growth in the Indian real estate sector.
• With a membership base comprising over 10000+ members across India with its State NAREDCO chapters, NAREDCO plays a crucial role in policy formulation by representing the viewpoints of its members to various ministries on a regular basis.
• All major national developers and public sector organizations in the fields of housing and real estate development, finance, and marketing are members of NAREDCO.
• Structure:
  • The organizational structure of NAREDCO includes National, State, and City Councils. 
  • The councils ensure that the policy recommendations accurately reflect the real conditions on the ground and cover the entire geography.
  • The National Council focuses on macro-level issues, the State Councils address state-level concerns, and the City Councils tackle local and on-ground issues.
  • The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India, serves as the Chief Patron of NAREDCO.

Q1) What is the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA)?

It is an act passed by the Indian Parliament in 2016 for the regulation and promotion of the real estate sector in the country. This Act establishes a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in every state to regulate the real estate sector and serve as the adjudication body to enable quick resolutions. The act applies to all under-construction projects with a plot size above 500 sq. m or projects with 8 apartments or more.

Source: NAREDCO plans event to showcase real estate opportunities in Ayodhya

About PRITHVI Scheme

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to enhance the understanding of the Earth and its vital signs.
• This overarching initiative, with an allocation of Rs 4,797 crore for the period 2021-26, aims to significantly enhance research, modeling, and service delivery across crucial areas like weather, climate, oceans, and the polar regions. 
• The Prithvi scheme integrates five existing sub-schemes:
  • Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)
  • Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
  • Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)
  • Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
  • Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).
• These programs collectively aim to enhance our understanding of the Earth's vital signs and translate scientific knowledge into practical services that benefit society, the environment, and the economy.
• What will the Prithvi Scheme do?
  • One of the primary objectives of Prithvi is to augment and sustain long-term observations across the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth.
  • This will enable recording and monitoring of the Earth System's vital signs and changes.
  • Additionally, the scheme focuses on developing predictive models for weather, ocean, and climate hazards, as well as advancing the understanding of climate change science.
  • Exploration of the polar regions and high seas is another key aspect, aiming at discovering new phenomena and resources.
  • The scheme also emphasizes the development of technology for the exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications.
• Various components of the PRITHVI scheme are interdependent and are carried out in an integrated manner through the combined efforts of the concerned institutes under the MoES.

Q1) What is Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS?

Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) umbrella scheme is a central sector scheme, pertaining to the atmospheric science programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The entire gamut of weather/climate prediction involves the observational systems, assimilation of meteorological observations, understanding the processes, research and development of dynamical models and providing the forecast services.

Source: Cabinet approves Rs 4,797 crore PRITHVI scheme to boost earth science research

About EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

• The EB-5 (employment-based, 5th preference), or US golden visa, provides a special road for overseas investors and their families to seek permanent residency and Green Cards in the United States. 
• It is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• It was created in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors.
• Under this program, investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence (become a Green Card holder) if they:
  • Make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States, and
  • Plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.
• A new commercial enterprise means any for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of lawful business, including:
  • A sole proprietorship;
  • Partnership (whether limited or general);
  • Holding company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (provided that each subsidiary is engaged in a for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of a lawful business);
  • Joint venture;
  • Corporation;
  • Business trust;
  • Limited liability company; or
  • Other entity, which may be publicly or privately owned.
  • This definition does not include noncommercial activity, such as owning and operating a personal residence.

Q1) What is an H1B Visa?

It is a multiple entry non-immigrant visa which allows foreign workers employed by US companies to work in the United States. The workers under H1B visas should be engaged in specialized occupations such as science, medicine, engineering and mathematics. H1B applicants must have at least a US bachelor's degree or equivalent. Generally this visa is granted for a period of three years and can be extended for an additional three years for special circumstances.

Source: Good news for American EB-5 Golden Visa applicants from India

About Kadamba inscription

• It is written in Kannada and Sanskrit.
• The inscription opens with an auspicious word be it well (Swasthi Shri).
• It records that when Talara Nevayya was administering the mandala, his son Gundayya having taken a vow to fulfil his father’s desire of capturing a gopura of the port of Goa, fought and died after fulfilling his father’s wish.
• Very interestingly, the record is composed as a vocal statement on the death of his son from the mouth of a lamenting father.
• It is in the literary style of the Talangre inscription of Jayasimha I of the same period.

Key facts about Kadambas of Goa

• The Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of Kalyana.
• Chalukya emperor Tailapa II appointed Kadamba Shasthadeva as mahamandaleshwara of Goa for his help in overthrowing the Rashtrakutas.
• Kadamba Shasthadeva conquered the city of Chandavara from the Shilaharas in 960 A.D.
• Later, he conquered the port of Gopakapattana (present Goa).
• Gundayya, the son of Talara Nevayya, may have participated in this battle, and won the port at the cost of his life.

Q1) What are inscriptions in history?

Inscriptions are the writings on stone, metal or some materials as an important historical source. These are valuable historical evidence of the existence and activities of early kings and empires. ... Inscriptions are the information written on the stones, pillars and other metals

Source: 10th century Kadamba inscription written in Kannada; Sanskrit found in Goa

About Plasma waves

• These waves are often observed in the Earth’s magnetosphere, a magnetic field cavity around the Earth.
• In general, plasma waves are identified as the short-time scale fluctuations in the electric and magnetic field observations.
• These plasma waves play an important role in the energization and transport of the charged particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
• Some of the plasma waves like electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves act as a cleaning agent for the Earth’s radiation belt, which is hazardous to our satellites.
• Knowing this scenario, researchers are curious to understand the existence of various plasma waves in the vicinity of unmagnetized planets like Mars.
• The planet Mars does not have any intrinsic magnetic field therefore the high-speed solar wind coming from the Sun interacts directly with the Mars atmosphere, like an obstacle in the flow.

Key observations

• Scientists have examined the existence of high-frequency plasma waves in the Martian plasma environment by making use of the high-resolution electric field data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) spacecraft of NASA.
• These waves could be either electron oscillations that propagate parallel to the background magnetic field (Langmuir waves) or electron oscillations that propagate perpendicular to the background magnetic field (upper-hybrid type waves) in the magnetosheath region of Mars.
• They observed two distinct wave modes with frequency below and above the electron plasma frequency in the Martian magnetosphere.
• These waves are either broadband- or narrowband-type with distinguishable features in the frequency domain.
• The broadband waves were consistently found to have periodic patchy structures with a periodicity of 8–14 milliseconds.
• Significance
  • Such waves provide a tool to explore how electrons gain or dissipate energy in the Martian plasma environment. 

Q1) What is magnetosphere?

The magnetosphere is the region of space surrounding Earth where the dominant magnetic field is the magnetic field of Earth, rather than the magnetic field of interplanetary space. The magnetosphere is formed by the interaction of the solar wind with Earth's magnetic field.

Source: High-frequency waves detected in the Martian Upper Atmosphere could help understand plasma processes over Mars

About Pallas fish eagle

• It is also known as Pallas's sea eagle or band-tailed fish eagle, is a large, brownish sea eagle.
• It can be seen near lakes, marshes and large rivers, from lowlands to 5,000 metres of elevation.
• It feeds primarily on fish, but many other preys are part of its diet.
• It breeds usually near water in a large nest placed in a tall tree.
• Distribution: It is found in the east Palearctic in Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia,China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. 
• It is partially migratory.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Threats: Humans contribute to the decline of this species through habitat degradation, pollution, and draining or overfishing lakes.

Key facts about the Chilika lake

• It is a brackish water lake and a shallow lagoon with estuarine character spread across the districts of Puri, Khurda and Ganjam in the state of Odisha.
• It is connected to the Bay of Bengal by a wide channel that mostly runs parallel to the Bay separated by a narrow spit.
• It is located at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
• It can be broadly divided into four ecological sectors based on salinity and depth, namely the southern zone, the central zone, the northern zone and the outer channel. 
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent.
• The Nalaban Island within the lake is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Q1) What is the aim of the Ramsar convention?

The aim of the Ramsar convention is to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits.

Source: Pallas fish eagle sighted in Chilika after 10 years