About Gravitational Lensing:

• Gravitational Lensing is an effect on light from a background source that arises as a result of the curvature of spacetime, the three dimensions of space and time united into a single entity, caused by mass.
• Gravitational Lensing causes the light to bend, distort, and magnify as it passes around the massive object.
• Gravitational Lensing Theory:
  • Gravitational Lensing was first predicted in 1915 by Albert Einstein, which involves the bending of light by objects of great mass.
  • According to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, time and space are fused together in a quantity known as spacetime.
  • Within this theory, massive objects cause spacetime to curve, and gravity is simply the curvature of spacetime.
  • As light travels through spacetime, the theory predicts that the path taken by the light will also be curved by an object’s mass.
  • Gravitational Lensing is a dramatic and observable example of Einstein’s theory in action.
• The effect is most observable when light from a bright background source, like a star, a quasar, or an entire galaxy, passes a very massive object like another galaxy or a cluster of galaxies, described as a lensing object or just a gravitational lens.
• This can have several results; it can make an object shift its apparent position in the sky over Earth, or it can cause a single object to appear at multiple points in the sky, occasionally giving rise to spectacular formations like rings and crosses made from the same object. 
• More than this, Gravitational Lensing can actually cause the lightfrom a background object to be amplified.
• That means that astronomerscan use the Gravitational Lensing arising from galactic clusters as natural cosmic magnifying glasses. 
• This has made it an important tool for the investigation of the universe when it was in its infancy, making light from the earliest galaxies that would usually be too faint to see observable by instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Q1: What is the James Webb Space Telescope?

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a monumental leap in space exploration and astrophysics. Launched on December 25, 2021, it is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever built, serving as the premier space-based observatory for the next decade. Developed by NASA with contributions from the European and Canadian space agencies, JWST is designed to observe the universe primarily in the infrared spectrum.

Source: MSN

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: 

• It is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs.
• It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India.
• Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. 
• History: This bi-annual celebration, held on January 9th, commemorates the day in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa to lead the country's freedom struggle.
• The primary goals of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are:
  • To commemorate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India's development
  • To create a better understanding of India abroad
  • To support India's causes and work for the welfare of local Indian communities worldwide
  • To provide a platform for overseas Indians to engage with the government and people of their ancestral land.
• These conventions have proven instrumental in fostering connections between India and its vast overseas community, enabling the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills across various fields.
• The theme for this year is the “Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).

Q1: Who is known as a Person of Indian Origin?

A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (except a national of. Pakistan, Afghanistan Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal) who at any time held an Indian passport. Or. who or either of their parents/ grand parents/ great grand parents was born.

Source: PIB

About Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet:

• It is an alliance of philanthropy, governments, technology, policy, and financing partners.
• Its mission is to enable emerging and developed economies to shift to a clean energy, pro-growth model that accelerates universal energy access and inclusive economic growth while supporting the global community to meet critical climate goals during the next decade.
• It aims to reduce 4 gigatons of future carbon emissions, expand clean energy access to one billion people, and enable 150 million new jobs.

Initiatives announced by GEAPP

• Multi-Donor Trust Fund:
  • GEAPP strengthened its partnership with International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing ISA's, Multi-Donor Trust Fund which aims to mobilize $100 million to fund high-impact solar energy projects.
  • GEAPP, through its Project Management Unit, will support ISA by providing governance oversight, facilitating fundraising efforts, and leveraging its expertise in energy transition planning, financing, and project implementation.
• DUET (Digitalization of Utilities for Energy Transition):
  • It is a program focused on the digitalization of grid systems through the development of a technology suite in which all grid assets are digitally captured (including geo-coordinates, specifications, etc.) and integrated with live smart sensors for real-time data.
  • The system will conduct load flow analysis and real-time tracking of voltage, current, and phase data to reduce transmission and distribution losses.
• ENTICE 2.0 (Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge)
  • It is a platform designed to identify, nurture, and scale innovative solutions that have the potential to accelerate India's startup ecosystem and help achieve its sustainability goals.
  • First launched in 2023, ENTICE aims to help scale innovations for the energy transition by facilitating access to funding, market linkages and mentorship.
  • ENTICE 2.0 will kickstart in January 2025, and will go beyond the scope of ENTICE 1.0 by focusing on supporting and scaling investable opportunities.

Q1:What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an intergovernmental organization that was launched in 2015, by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris. 

Source: FE

About Future of Jobs Report 2025:

• It was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
• It is a result of data gathered from more than 1,000 leading global companies, collectively representing over 14 million workers across 22 industry sectors and 55 economies from across the world.
• Highlights:
  • Job disruption will equate to 22 percent of jobs by 2030.
  • It says 170 million new jobs will be created and 92 million jobs will be displaced, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs by 2030.
  • Technological change, geoeconomics fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and the green transition, individually and in combination, are among the major drivers expected to shape and transform the global labour market by 2030.
  • AI and machine learning, software and application developers, and FinTech engineers figured among the fastest-growing jobs in percentage terms.
  • Meanwhile, frontline job roles are predicted to witness the largest growth in absolute terms of volume.
• These include farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, salesperson, food processing workers, care economy jobs like nursing professionals, social work, etc.
  • However, traditional roles such as graphic designers and administrative assistants face steep declines due to automation. 
  • It stated that the skill gap is the most significant hurdle for business transformation in these companies.
  • Nearly 40% of the skills required for future jobs will be new or evolving, requiring workers to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
  • The WEF emphasises that 59% of the global workforce will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030 to remain competitive.
  • It mentioned the top 10 fastest-growing skills by 2030. It said Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data will emerge at the top of the list, followed by networks and cybersecurity.
• Technological literacy will be the third fastest-growing skill by 2030, followed by creativity in the fourth spot and resilience, flexibility, and agility in the fifth position.
  • Companies increasingly turn to AI-driven tools to handle routine tasks, reshaping the employment landscape.
  • 41% of companies also plan workforce reductions as automation becomes more pervasive.

Q1: What is the World Economic Forum (WEF)?

The World Economic Forum is the international non-governmental organization for Public-Private Cooperation. It was founded in January 1971 by German engineer and economist Klaus Schwab. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. It has no independent decision-making power.

Source: HT

About EmpowHER Biz Initiative: 

• It will offer mentorship and comprehensive training, covering retail management, digital tools, financial literacy and business development to aspiring women entrepreneurs.
• Through this collaboration with New Shop, WEP aims to create a robust retail ecosystem that empowers women entrepreneurs and drives sustainable growth in the sector.
• Under the initiative, fifty participants aged 18–35, will be selected through an online application process based on specific criteria.
• Top twenty of these participants will receive a 100% waiver on New Shop franchise fees, empowering them to own and operate their retail businesses with significantly reduced barriers to entry.
• The program is being launched for women from Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Key points about Women Entrepreneurship Platform

• It was incubated in NITI Aayog in 2018 as an aggregator platform, transitioned into a public-private partnership in 2022.
• It aims at empowering women entrepreneurs by overcoming information asymmetry and providing continuum of support across different pillars- Access to Finance; Market Linkages; Training and Skilling; Mentoring & Networking; Compliance & Legal Assistance and Business Development Services.
• With over 30 public and private sector partners, WEP fosters collaboration to develop scalable and impactful programs that benefit women entrepreneurs.
• Since 2023, the ‘Award to Reward’ initiative under WEP offers a plug and play framework for stakeholders to develop impactful programs.

Q1: What is NITI Aayog?

The National Institution for Transforming India, established on January 1, 2015, is the policy think tank of the Indian government, replacing the Planning Commission. It focuses on inclusive development, cooperative federalism, and sustainable growth. The organization is led by the Prime Minister and members include state representatives and experts. 

Source: PIB

About Neuroptera Species: 

• Indophanes barbara
  • It is an antlion belonging to the Myrmeleontidae family.
  • The larva of Indophanes barbara does not build pits like common antlion species.
  • They live under the surface in loose soils where they are protected from direct sunlight, wind and rain.
  • Adults of Indophanes barbara are misidentified as damselflies by non-taxonomists because of their morphological resemblance.
  • It can be easily distinguished by their long distinct antennae.
  • They come under Order Neuroptera, which includes holometabolous insects while the damselflies come under Order Odonata, which includes hemimetabolous insects
• Glenochrysa zeylanica
  • It is a green lacewing of Chrysopidae family in Order Neuroptera.
  • It was rediscovered after 111 years from Mananthavady and Thirunelly in Wayanad district.
  • This species, previously thought to be endemic to Sri Lanka, has been rediscovered from the State and reported for the first time from India.

What is a Neuroptera Species?

• It is any of a group of insects commonly called lacewings because of the complex vein patterns in the wings, giving them a lacy appearance.
• Habitat: Neuropteran adults are terrestrial and mostly associated with the aerial parts of plants, where they settle or hunt for prey.
• Ecological Significance: Due to their predatory behaviour, Neuropterans are used in agriculture. The voracious feeding capability, as well as active mobile prey-searching behaviour revealed by the larvae of species particularly of Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, and Coniopterygidae makes them active biological control agents of most important pests of agriculture and horticulture.

Q1: What is Damselfly?

It is any of a group of predatory, aerial insects that are in the order Odonata. Damselflies are found mainly near shallow, freshwater habitats and are graceful fliers with slender bodies and long, filmy, net-veined wings. They are generally smaller, more delicate, and fly weakly in comparison with dragonflies.

Source: TH

About Garudakshi Portal:

• It is software modelled on the online FIR system to curb wildlife and forests crimes.
• It will be implemented on a pilot basis in the Bengaluru Urban, Bhadravathi, Sirsi and Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary divisions of Karnataka.
• Once the software is implemented, registering FIRs using the Garudakshi portal will be made compulsory.
• It will enable the online handling of forest crime cases under the Forest and Wildlife Protection Acts.
• The portal will auto-generate formats for various reports and complaints.
• Features
  • The software consists of a Legacy Case Registration Module, Online Forest Offence Registration, Investigation Module and Reporting and Analytics Module.
  • The portal will also allow the public to register complaints on forest offences using mobile phones or email addresses.
• It is developed in collaboration with the WildLife Trust of India (WTI).

Q1: What is Wildlife Trust of India?

It is a non-profit conservation organisation, committed to urgent action that works towards the protection of India's wildlife. It was formed in November 1998, in response to the rapidly deteriorating condition of the country's wildlife.

Source: IE

About Indo-Tibetan Border Police:

• It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces of India.
• Background
  • It was raised in 1962, in the wake of the Sino-Indian War of 1962 for deployment along India's border with China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
  • ITBP was initially raised under the CRPF Act. However, in 1992, parliament enacted the ITBPF Act and the rules there under were framed in 1994.
  • In 2004, ITBP was declared as a full-fledged central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The motto of the Force: “Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma Nishtha” (Valour – Determination – Devotion to Duty).
• This force guards the 3,488 km long India-China border through 197 BOPs situated at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 18,750 ft from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is a specialized mountain force and most of the officers and men are professionally trained mountaineers and skiers.
• It is headed by a Director General under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affair.
• Headquarter: New Delhi

Q1: What is the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)?

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the premier central police force of the Union of India for internal security. It functions under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India.

Source: HT

About Soapstone:

• It is also known as Steatite.
• It is a metamorphic rock made of talc, a naturally occurring mineral, and is used in construction and design for countertops, sinks, hearths, and sculptures.
• Depending on the quarry from which it is sourced, this natural stone also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles, quartz, magnesite, and carbonates.
• How Does Soapstone Form?
  • Soapstone most often forms at convergent plate boundaries where broad areas of Earth’s crust are subjected to heat and directed pressure. 
  • Peridotites, dunites, and serpentinites in this environment can be metamorphosed into soapstone.
  • On a smaller scale, soapstone can form where siliceous dolostones are altered by hot, chemically active fluids in a process known as metasomatism.
• Properties: It is a relatively soft, very dense, highly heat-resistant material.
• Major producing countries: China, India, Brazil, USA and Finland
• Major reserves in India: According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, the states of Rajasthan (57%) and Uttarakhand (25%) boast substantial reserves of soapstone in India.
• Applications
  • Soapstone in powdered form, often combined with corn starch, is used as baby powder.
  • This mineral is used as a thickening agent and lubricant; is an ingredient in ceramics, paint, and roofing material; and is a main ingredient in many cosmetics.
  • Talc is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.

Q1: What are minerals?

These are naturally occurring homogeneous solid with a definite chemical composition and a highly ordered atomic arrangement; it is usually formed by inorganic processes. 

Source: IE

About AnemiaPhone:

• It is a technology developed by Cornell University (United States) researchers to accurately, quickly, and cheaply assess iron deficiency.
• It has been transferred to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)for integration into its programmes for anemia alleviation, women’s health, and maternal and child health.
  • AnemiaPhone would enable access to rapid screening and diagnosis of iron deficiency at the point of need.
  • Iron deficiency is a leading cause of anemia, which affects 50% to 70% of pregnant women in India.
• How it Works?
  • The technology requires a small finger stick, a drop of blood on a test strip similar to a COVID-19 home test, and a few minutes for the reader to assess.
  • The information is uploaded to a clinical database via mobile phone, wireless tablet, or computer.
  • Healthcare workers can interpret the test and provide guidance, triage and referral, or intervention on the spot.

Q1: What is anemia?

Anemia is when you have low levels of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness and feeling short of breath. They can be mild or severe. Anemia may be life-threatening. Many things may cause it and there are different types of the condition. Treatment varies depending on why you have anemia.

Source: TH