Soyuz Spacecraft Latest News

A Soyuz spacecraft, adorned to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II's conclusion, departed from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome recently, transporting an American and two Russians to the International Space Station (ISS).

About Soyuz Spacecraft

• The Soyuz spacecraft is a Russian (formerly Soviet) spacecraft that has been used since the 1960s to transport astronauts and cosmonauts to and from space.
• The Soyuz programme is the longest operational human spacecraft programme in the history of space exploration. 
• The first crewed flight into space was on 23 April 1967. 
• Soyuz means "union" in Russian. 
• Although they were conceived by the Soviet Union at the start of the sixties, the Soyuz spacecraft are still used today, but with important modifications. 
• It has served mainly as a crew ferry to and from Earth-orbiting space stations, specifically the Salyut stations, Mir, and the International Space Station (ISS). 
• The Soyuz vehicles are launched by Russian rockets of the same name, which have already had over 1680 successful launches in total, including satellites and manned spacecraft. 
• Neither the Soyuz rockets nor the Soyuz vehicles are reusable.
• The journey of the Soyuz to the ISS can last six hours or two days depending on the mission profile. The return journey, in contrast, lasts only 3 hours. 

Soyuz Spacecraft Features

• The Soyuz spacecraft weigh 7 tonnes; they measure 7.2 m in length and 2.7 m in diameter. 
• With the solar panels open (they remain closed during launch), the Soyuz measures 10.6 m across. 
• A Soyuz vehicle can carry up to three astronauts.
• A Soyuz is made up of three modules: the service, the orbital, and the reentry modules. 
  • The orbital module (the “tip” of the spacecraft) carries the equipment necessary to dock with the International Space Station. 
  • The service module (the lower part) transports, among other things, telecommunications and altitude control equipment and the coupling of the solar panels. 
  • The descent module (in the middle) is where the astronauts travel, and it is the only section that reenters the atmosphere – the orbital module breaks up during reentry.

Soyuz Spacecraft FAQs

Q1. Which country made Soyuz spacecraft?

Ans. The Soyuz spacecraft was originally developed and made by the Soviet Union.

Q2. What is the Soyuz spacecraft primarily used for?

Ans. Transporting astronauts to and from space.

Q3. When did the first crewed Soyuz flight take place?

Ans. 23 April 1967

Source: TOI

Theobaldius konkanensis Latest News

A team of researchers from India and the U.K. recently discovered a species of land snail from the Konkan region of Maharashtra and named it, ‘Theobaldius konkanensis’.

About Theobaldius konkanensis

• It is a new species of land snail discovered from the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
• It is endemic to the northern Western Ghats.
• The species was principally found in tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. 
• The live specimens were found on the forest floor in leaf litter and on damp fallen branches from June to September, and at other times of the year only shells were observed.

Theobaldius konkanensis Features

• It is active during the day and night, with live individuals being easily found in the afternoon in well-shaded places under the forest canopy. 
• Itco-occurs with other ground-living land-snail genera.
• It is unique for its slightly flattened shell and raised centre. 
• Also near the snail’s neck, where the shell begins, a triangular-shaped outline of the shell is jutting out, and the protective cover has a raised edge and tiny spines. 
• The shell is corneous yellow with brown striations, and the body is stout and rounded. 

Theobaldius konkanensis FAQs

Q1. Theobaldius konkanensis is endemic to which region?

Ans. Northern Western Ghats

Q2. In what type of habitat is Theobaldius konkanensis primarily found?

Ans. Tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests

Q3. What color is the shell of Theobaldius konkanensis?

Ans. Corneous yellow with brown striations

Source: TH

De-Extinction Latest News

A US-based bioscience company, Colossal Biosciences, has recently made headlines by announcing the birth of three genetically modified grey wolf pups.

What is De-Extinction?

• De-extinction refers to the scientific process of reviving extinct species by using their genetic material, often through gene editing and cloning techniques. 
• It involves reconstructing the genome of an extinct species and modifying the DNA of a closely related living organism to resemble the extinct one.

About The Dire Wolf

• The dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) was a large prehistoric canine that once roamed across southern Canada and the United States. It became extinct around 13,000 years ago.
• Although they resembled modern grey wolves (Canis lupus), dire wolves were larger, with thicker white coats, and hunted large prey like bison, horses, and even mammoths.
• Their extinction is believed to be linked to the disappearance of their prey species, possibly accelerated by human hunting activities.

Scientific Process: How Was It Done?

The de-extinction process followed by Colossal involved the following steps:

• DNA extraction: Scientists obtained DNA from two ancient dire wolf specimens: a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. The petrous bone from the skull, known for its preserved DNA, was crucial in this process.
• Genome reconstruction: The DNA was sequenced to recreate the complete genome of the dire wolf. This was then compared with genomes from closely related canids like coyotes, jackals, dholes, and particularly, grey wolves, which were found to share 99.5% of their DNA with dire wolves.
• Gene editing: Using gene editing tools, scientists made 20 unique changes to 14 genes in the grey wolf genome. These edits aimed to reproduce features such as:
  • Light-colored coat
  • Increased hair length
  • Distinct coat patterns
  • Larger body size
  • Enhanced musculature
• Surrogacy and Birth: The genetically modified embryos were implanted into surrogate dog mothers, leading to the birth of the pups.

De-Extinction FAQs

Q1. What is de-extinction?
Ans. The process of reviving extinct species using biotechnology like CRISPR gene editing, cloning, or back-breeding (e.g., attempts to resurrect the Woolly Mammoth).

Q2. How could de-extinction aid India’s ecology?
Ans. Potential restoration of keystone species like the Asiatic Cheetah (reintroduced in 2022) to rebalance ecosystems and boost biodiversity.

Q3. What ethical concerns surround de-extinction?
Ans. Risks include ecosystem disruption, animal welfare issues, and resource diversion from conserving extant endangered species.

Q4. Name a global de-extinction initiative involving India.
Ans. The Lazarus Project collaborates with Indian researchers on reviving the extinct Himalayan Quail using DNA from museum specimens.

Q5. How does de-extinction align with international frameworks?
Ans. The CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) urges caution, prioritizing habitat protection over “resurrection biology.”

Source: DTE

Biomass Satellite Mission Latest News

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch its newest space satellite, called Biomass.

About Biomass Satellite Mission

• It is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to provide more accurate measurements of forest biomass to enhance our understanding of the carbon cycle.
• It will provide detailed 3D maps of the world's most dense and remote tropical forests.
• The mission will lift off aboard the Vega C rocket from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana.
• It will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) — a type of orbit in which satellites are in sync with the Sun — at an altitude of around 666 km.
• It is the first space satellite to carry a long-wavelength radar, called P-band.
• This special radar means that it can scan deep through the forest canopy and collect information on different parts of the forest, such as tree trunks, branches, and stems, where trees store most of their carbon.
• This will allow the satellite to provide experts on the ground with new information on forest height and above-ground forest biomass from space.
• Scientists will then be able to find out more about the state of our forests and how they are changing, and further our knowledge about the role that forests play in the carbon cycle.

Biomass Satellite Mission FAQs

Q1. What is the mission of biomass?

Ans. It is designed to study forests and their role in the carbon cycle using advanced radar technology.

Q2. How long is the biomass mission?

Ans. The Biomass launch is expected in 2025 and is planned to be a five-year mission.

Q3. Which organization is responsible for the BIOMASS satellite mission?

Ans. European Space Agency (ESA)

Source: BBC

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme Latest News

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently notified the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s position as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.

About Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

• It is the first dedicated production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to promote the manufacturing of select passive electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, speakers, microphones, special ceramics, relays, switches, and connectors. 
• The scheme will offer three incentive structures: 
  • Turnover-linked incentive (based on revenue)
  • Capex-linked incentive (for investments in plants & machinery)
  • Hybrid incentive model (a combination of both)
• Incentives for incremental investments and turnover range from 1–10% depending on the year and the component.
• Employment generation will be a mandatory requirement for all applicants, including both component manufacturers and capital equipment producers. Thus, the scheme not only boosts manufacturing but also creates skilled jobs.
• This scheme has a tenure of six years, with a one-year gestation period.
• The scheme focuses particularly on passive electronic components. In contrast, active components fall under the purview of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
• This scheme is set to benefit a number of industries, such as automobiles, consumer electronics, and electronics.

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme FAQs

Q1. What is the main objective of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?

Ans. To promote the manufacturing of select passive electronic components.

Q2. What is the duration of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?

Ans. 6 years

Q3. What is the gestation period of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?

Ans. 1 year

Source: PIB

Inter-Parliamentary Union Latest News

Lok Sabha Speaker recently delivered the keynote address on ‘Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Justice’ at the 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union in Tashkent.

About Inter-Parliamentary Union

• The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments.
• It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations.
• The slogan of IPU is “For democracy. For everyone.”
• Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments.
• It also has 15 Associate Members – mostly parliaments drawn from groups of nations, or similar bodies. 
• It promotes democracy and helps parliaments become stronger, younger, gender-balanced and more diverse. 
• It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world. 
• Twice a year, the IPU convenes over 1,500 parliamentary delegates and partners in a world assembly, bringing a parliamentary dimension to global governance, including the work of the United Nations and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The IPU's principal administrative and policy-making body is the Governing Council, which meets at each Assembly. 
• The Governing Council is made up of three MPs from each Member Parliament.
• The headquarters of IPU is in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Funding: It is financed primarily by its members out of public funds.

Inter-Parliamentary Union FAQs

Q1. What is the Inter-Parliamentary Union?

Ans. The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments.

Q2. How many members are there in the Inter-Parliamentary Union?

Ans. IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments.

Q3. Where is the headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union?

Ans. The headquarters of IPU is in Geneva, Switzerland.

Source: TH

Registrar General of India (RGI) Latest News

The Registrar General of India (RGI) has recently issued a strong caution to both government and private hospitals across the country for failing to comply with legal requirements concerning the timely reporting of births and deaths.

About Registrar General of India (RGI)

• In 1949, the Government of India established a permanent organisation under the Ministry of Home Affairs, headed by the Registrar General and Ex-Officio Census Commissioner of India.
• This position's role is mainly to ensure a systematic collection of statistics related to India’s population size, growth, and distribution.
• The RGI is also responsible for implementing the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
• Administrative Structure: The Registrar General is typically a civil servant of Joint Secretary rank.
  • The office also conducts demographic and linguistic surveys in addition to the decennial Census.

Key Functions of the RGI

• Conducting the Census of India: The Census of India offers detailed data about the demographic, socio-economic, and geographic characteristics of the population.
  • Since its first complete round in 1881, the Census has been conducted 15 times, with the most recent in 2011.
  • Post-1949, the Census was conducted under the RGI and Census Commissioner.
• Linguistic Survey of India (LSI): Conducted alongside the decennial Census, this survey provides a comprehensive picture of the linguistic diversity in India.
  • It is instrumental for educational and social planning in different States.
  • The first Linguistic Survey was completed by George Abraham Grierson in 1928.
• Civil Registration System (CRS): It is a mandatory system for birth and death registration in India.
  • It serves as a real-time, continuous population data collection mechanism.
  • Hospitals, especially government ones, are expected to act as registration authorities.

Registrar General of India (RGI) FAQs

Q1. What are the RGI’s primary functions?
Ans. Conducting the Census, overseeing vital statistics (birth/death registration), and managing the National Population Register (NPR).

Q2. Why has the 2021 Census been delayed?
Ans. Pandemic disruptions, fund reallocation to welfare schemes, and debates over caste enumeration methodology.

Q3. How does the RGI support policymaking?
Ans. Through datasets like the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), which informed the Mission Parivar Vikas.

Q4. What recent reforms have impacted the RGI?
Ans. The 2023 Digital Census initiative, integrating Aadhaar for real-time data accuracy.

Source: TH

Governor’s Assent to Bills Latest News

Supreme Court Fixes Timeline for Governor’s Action on State Bills

Background

• The Supreme Court of India in a landmark verdict reprimanded Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for withholding assent or delaying action on 10 state bills, which were re-presented by the state legislature.
• The Governor had reserved these bills for the President’s consideration, which the Court held as unconstitutional.

Case Context

• In 2023, the Tamil Nadu government approached SC, citing deliberate delay by the Governor.
• 12 bills (including one from 2020) were pending assent.
• On Nov 13, 2023, the Governor withhold assent to 10 bills.
• The Assembly re-enacted these bills on Nov 18, 2023.
• The Governor again reserved some bills for the President on Nov 28, 2023.

Key Constitutional Provisions Involved

• Article 200: Deals with the powers of the Governor regarding bills passed by the State Legislature. The Governor can:
  • Give assent
  • Withhold assent
  • Reserve the bill for the President's consideration
• Article 201 – President’s veto power on bills reserved by the Governor.
• Article 142 – Supreme Court’s plenary power to ensure complete justice.

Supreme Court's Major Observations

• The Governor’s action of reserving 10 bills for the President was declared illegal and arbitrary.
• Bills re-presented to the Governor shall be deemed to have received assent from the date of re-presentation.
• The Governor does not have discretion under Article 200 and must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
• The Governor cannot exercise an “absolute veto” or “pocket veto” by sitting indefinitely on bills.
• Delays in granting assent cripple the legislative process and are against the spirit of federalism and democracy.

Timelines Fixed by the Supreme Court (First Time Ever)

Judicial Oversight Introduced

• If these timelines are not followed, the Governor’s inaction becomes subject to Judicial Review.
• The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to declare the bills as deemed to have received assent.

Reaffirmation of Democratic Principles

• The Governor cannot act as an obstructionist.
• Elected legislators, being representatives of the people, are best placed to enact laws.
• The Governor must act as a “friend, philosopher and guide”, not as a political actor.
• The Governor must facilitate governance, not paralyze it.

Clarification on Reserve Power (Article 200)

• Once a bill is re-passed by the Assembly, the Governor cannot reserve it again unless the content has materially changed.
• Any attempt to delay action violates the Governor’s constitutional oath.

Governor’s Assent to Bills FAQs

Q1. What constitutional provisions govern the Governor’s assent to state bills?
Ans. Under Article 200, the Governor can assent, withhold assent, or reserve a bill for the President’s consideration. They may also return non-money bills for reconsideration by the state legislature.

Q2. Why is delayed assent by Governors controversial?
Ans. Prolonged delays (e.g., Tamil Nadu’s 2023 bills pending for 6+ months) undermine legislative autonomy, sparking judicial scrutiny (Supreme Court’s 2023 Punjab vs. Governor case).

Q3. Can courts intervene in assent-related disputes?
Ans. Yes. In Nabam Rebia (2016), the SC ruled that Governors must act on cabinet advice, barring exceptional cases like constitutional violations.

Q4. What happens if a bill is reserved for the President?
Ans. The President may assent, withhold assent (Article 201), or direct the Governor to return it to the assembly (e.g., Kerala’s University Laws Amendment Bill, 2022).

Source: HT

Quantum Supremacy Latest News

Researchers from the University of Oxford and Universidad de Sevilla demonstrated quantum supremacy through a simple mathematical game, published in Physical Review Letters.

What is Quantum Supremacy?

• Quantum supremacy refers to the ability of a quantum computer to solve a problem that classical computers cannot solve efficiently.
• It marks a milestone in quantum computing, proving that quantum machines can outperform classical computers for certain specific tasks.
• Demonstrating quantum supremacy has been a long-standing challenge due to the complexity of designing problems that showcase this advantage in an unambiguous and easily verifiable way.

The Quantum Supremacy Game 

• The game is based on the "odd-cycle graph colouring problem":
  • Can you colour a circle with an odd number of sections using only two colours, such that no two adjacent sections share the same colour?
  • Mathematically, this is impossible in classical terms for any odd-numbered cycle.
• It uses only two entangled qubits, making the setup far simpler than earlier quantum supremacy demonstrations.
• Google’s 2019 experiment used random circuit sampling on its Sycamore processor with 53 superconducting qubits, which required massive computational resources. 
• China’s Jiuzhang quantum computer used Gaussian boson sampling, again demanding complex tools and mathematics.
• In contrast, this new game-based method is minimalist yet powerful, demonstrating clear quantum advantage with far fewer resources.

Quantum vs Classical Computing

• Classical Computers operate on bits (0 or 1) and rely on classical physics.
• Quantum Computers work on qubits, which can exist in superposition — being 0 and 1 at the same time.
• Qubits also exhibit entanglement, where the state of one qubit instantly affects another, regardless of distance.

Superposition and Entanglement:

• Superposition allows a quantum processor to perform many computations simultaneously.
• Entanglement creates non-classical correlations, which are central to quantum communication, cryptography, and computation.

Power of Qubits

• As the number of qubits increases, the computational capacity increases exponentially compared to classical bits.
• For instance, a 50-qubit quantum processor can potentially outperform the fastest classical supercomputer.

Quantum Supremacy FAQs

Q1. What is quantum supremacy?
Ans. Demonstrated when a quantum computer solves a problem infeasible for classical computers (e.g., Google’s 2019 Sycamore processor).

Q2. Why is it strategic for India?
Ans. Critical for cryptography, drug discovery, and AI. India’s National Quantum Mission (2023) allocates ₹6,000 crore for R&D by 2031.

Q3. Which Indian institutions lead quantum research?
Ans. IISc Bengaluru, TIFR Mumbai, and IIT Madras’ Centre for Quantum Information, Communication, and Computing.

Q4. What are the key challenges?
Ans. Error rates in qubits, scalability issues, and high costs (₹100+ crore per advanced quantum computer).

Source: TH

India’s Presidential Visit to Portugal and Slovakia Latest News

The President’s visit to Portugal and Slovakia represents a significant step in India’s foreign diplomacy, especially concerning strengthening engagement with Europe.

Geopolitical and Geographical Key Facts

Portugal

• Portugal is the westernmost country in continental Europe, situated on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula.
• It is bordered by Spain on the north and east, and the North Atlantic Ocean on the south and west.
• Portugal also administers two autonomous regions: the Madeira and Azores archipelagos, located in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Lisbon, its capital, is among the oldest cities in Europe, rich in maritime and colonial history.
• Climate: The country experiences a maritime temperate climate—cool and rainy in the north, and warmer and drier in the south.
• Terrain: The Tagus River flows westward and divides Portugal into mountainous northern regions and rolling plains in the south.
• The highest point in Portugal is Ponta do Pico (Pico Alto), located in the Azores.

Visit to Portugal

• The visit is historic, as it aligns with the 50th anniversary of India-Portugal diplomatic relations.
• Bilateral trade between India and Portugal currently stands at USD 1.5 billion and is witnessing steady growth.
• Notably, Portugal was the first European nation to sign a Migration and Mobility Agreement with India, showcasing the strength of people-to-people and institutional ties.

Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe, strategically located at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe.

• It shares borders with Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest.
• The terrain is dominated by the Carpathian Mountain range, which includes the Tatra Mountains, a well-known tourist and ecological zone.
• The highest peak is Gerlachovský Peak, part of the High Tatras.
• Major rivers flowing through Slovakia include the Danube, Váh, and Hron, vital for inland navigation and hydroelectric power.

Visit to Slovakia

• This visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Indian Embassy in Bratislava, underlining three decades of diplomatic engagement.
• India’s gratitude is evident for Slovakia’s strategic support during the 2022 evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine, highlighting solidarity in times of crisis.

India’s Presidential Visit to Portugal and Slovakia FAQs

Q1. What was the focus of the Presidential visits?
Ans. Strengthening bilateral ties in tech, renewable energy, and diaspora engagement (India has 85,000+ citizens in Portugal).

Q2. What agreements were signed with Portugal?
Ans. MoUs on green hydrogen, marine conservation, and a mobility pact to ease work visas for skilled professionals.

Q3. How did the Slovakia visit boost defence cooperation?
Ans. Talks on joint production of anti-drone systems and leveraging Slovakia’s EU membership for India’s FTA negotiations.

Source: PIB