Pirola new Covid-19 variant
Context Recently, the rise of Covid-19 infections in multiple countries, driven by a new Coronavirus variant called BA.2.86, which is informally being termed ‘Pirola’. Pirola has been witnessed in the US,…
Bisphenol-A
Context The CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune has successfully demonstrated the operations of a pilot plant capable of manufacturing Bisphenol-A, a key raw material with high demand for manufacturing…
Aditya-L1 mission and its importance
Context The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) on recently released images of the Aditya-L1 mission — the space agency’s first attempt to study the Sun. Although the launch date of the…
EG.5 Covid variant ERIS
Context There is a new COVID variant: EG.5, also known as Eris. About EG.5 The WHO has classified the EG.5 as a Variant of Interest (VOI). At time of writing,…
What is Fediverse?
Context Currently available as a standalone app, but can only be used through an Instagram account, Threads will be the company’s first app to join the fediverse - a network of servers…
Data Protection Bill 2023
Context The Data Protection Bill 2023 has been tabled in Parliament without clarifying how and on what basis these changes were incorporated. Background of Data Protection Bill 2023 The journey…
Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS)
Context Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. About Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System This test involved five…
What are Bacteriophages?
Context With antibiotic resistance rising, scientists think bacteriophages — which hunt and kill bacteria — could cure bacterial infections. Bacteriophages: Anti-bacterial guard dogs The vast majority of viruses inside us…
National Research Foundation
Context The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill in Parliament, placing once again the debate on science and technology funding in the spotlight. What is the NRF?…
Chandrayaan-3 and other moon missions
Context The Chandrayaan-3 mission is India’s third lunar mission and second attempt to make a soft landing on the surface of the Moon. It’s one of the several space missions…