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Type: Prelims Only

  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Magnetic Isolation and Concentration Cryo-electron Microscopy (MagIC)

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the news?

    Researchers from Rockefeller University introduced MagIC, a new method that allows cryo-EM to work with samples up to 100 times more dilute, making it easier to study rare or hard-to-purify molecules.

    About Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM):

    • Cryo-EM is a powerful microscope method used by scientists to see the 3D shapes of very small things like proteins, viruses, and cell parts.
    • In cryo-EM:
      • The sample is frozen very fast to keep it in its natural shape.
      • An electron beam is used instead of light to capture detailed images at extremely cold temperatures.
    • It helps in:
      • Understanding how diseases work
      • Designing new medicines
      • Studying cell processes
    • Problem: Cryo-EM usually needs a lot of the molecule to work well.
      • If the sample is too dilute (too weak), it’s hard to get good images.
    • Why MagIC helps: It solves this big problem by concentrating and organizing particles using magnetism and smart software, making cryo-EM work even for rare or tiny amounts of molecules.

    What is MagIC (Magnetic Isolation and Concentration cryo-EM)?

    • Overview: It is a new method developed by scientists in the U.S. to make it easier to study rare biological molecules under a special microscope called cryo-EM.
    • Sampling involved: Normally, cryo-EM needs the molecules in a sample to be very concentrated, which is hard when the molecules are rare or hard to collect.
    • MagIC solves this problem by using:
      • Tiny magnetic beads (50 nanometers wide) that stick to the molecules researchers want to study.
      • A magnet that pulls these beads together into one area.
    • This way, even when the solution has less than 0.0005 milligrams per milliliter of the molecules, scientists can still get useful images.

    Key Features of MagIC:

    • Magnetic Pulling: After molecules stick to the tiny magnetic beads, a magnet pulls them into clusters, making them easier to see.
    • Low Sample Requirement: Only 5 nanograms of sample per grid are needed. That’s a very tiny amount—much less than earlier methods.
    • Faster Imaging: The magnetic beads are easy to see, so scientists can quickly find areas with useful particles in the microscope.
    • Smart Software – DuSTER (Duplicated Selection to Exclude Rubbish):
      • It helps remove bad or blurry images and keep only the clear ones.
      • It picks each particle twice and only keeps it if the location matches both times.
    • MagIC works with samples that are 100 times more dilute than what cryo-EM could handle before.
    [UPSC 2023] ‘Aerial metagenomics’ best refers to which one of the following situations?

    Options: (a) Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go* (b) Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat (c) Using air-borne devices to colect blood samples from moving animals (d) Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies

     

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  • India’s Population hits 146.39 Cr: UNFPA

    IOCRPrelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Population & Associated Issues

    Why in the News?

    According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report titled “State of the World Population 2025: The Real Fertility Crisis”, India’s population has reached an estimated 146.39 crore, officially making it the world’s most populous nation.

    India’s Population hits 146.39 Cr: UNFPA

    About United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):

    • Origin: The organisation was established in 1969 as the UN Fund for Population Activities and renamed in 1987 as the UN Population Fund.
    • Headquarters: Its global headquarters is located in New York.
    • Mission Statement: UNFPA works to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
    • Mandate: To promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning, safe motherhood, and gender equality.
    • Governance Structure: UNFPA reports to a 36-member Executive Board, with representation from all regions, and receives guidance from ECOSOC and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
    • Global Presence: UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, in coordination with national governments and UN development partners.
    • Key Functions: It supports population censuses, family planning programs, and thematic health surveys, and engages in interagency frameworks like UN Development Group (UNDG) and UN Chief Executives Board (CEB).
    • Technical Role: UNFPA also provides research funding, technical assistance, and advocacy support to promote reproductive health and demographic planning.

    Key Population Trends from the UNFPA Report (2025):

    • Data Sources: The report draws on Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and projections from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
    • India’s Population: As of 2025, India’s population is estimated at 146.39 crore (1.4639 billion), making it the most populous country in the world.
    • China’s Population: China’s population now stands at 141.61 crore (1.4161 billion), placing it second.
    • Total Fertility Rate: India’s TFR has declined to 1.9, which is below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating a trend toward population stabilisation.
    • Population Forecast: India’s population is expected to peak at around 170 crores in the coming decades and begin to decline within 40 years.
    • Life Expectancy: As of 2025, the average life expectancy is 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
    • Age Distribution: 68% of Indians are in the working-age group (15–64), while 7% are aged 65 and above, with life expectancy at 71 years (men) and 74 years (women).

    Back2Basics: Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

    • TFR measures the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive lifetime.
    • A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level, where each generation replaces itself without growing or shrinking.
    • According to the 2021 Sample Registration System by the Registrar General of India, the TFR had already reached 2.0, indicating that India had attained replacement level fertility nationally.

     

    [UPSC 2009] Consider the following statements:

    1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.

    2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.

    Which of the statements given abova is/are correct ?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2*

     

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    KATRIN Experiment sets strongest Limit on Neutrino Mass

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment (KATRIN) in Germany has achieved a major breakthrough in the search to measure the mass of the neutrino.

    What are Neutrinos?

    • Neutrinos are tiny, electrically neutral subatomic particles with an extremely small mass.
    • They come in 3 types (or “flavours”): electron, muon, and tau neutrinos.
    • Neutrinos are produced in nuclear reactions, such as those in the Sun, nuclear reactors, and supernovae.
    • They rarely interact with matter, making them very difficult to detect.
    • Their ability to change from one flavour to another (called oscillation) proves they have mass.
    • Neutrinos challenge the Standard Model of physics, hinting at undiscovered particles or forces.

    About KATRIN Experiment:

    • What is it: The KATRIN experiment is based at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and aims to measure the absolute mass of electron antineutrinos with unmatched precision.
    • Launch and Operation: It was inaugurated in 2018 and began data collection in 2019, with its latest results derived from 259 days of measurements.
    • Scientific Principle: KATRIN uses tritium beta decay, where tritium breaks into helium, an electron, and a neutrino, to study the energy spectrum of emitted electrons.
    • Focus Area: The experiment analyzes electrons near the energy endpoint, since they are most influenced by the neutrino mass.

    How KATRIN measures Neutrino mass?

    • KATRIN focuses on electrons that are emitted with energies close to the maximum limit (called the endpoint), which are most affected by the neutrino mass.
    • A retarding electric field filters out lower-energy electrons, allowing only the highest-energy ones to be measured precisely.
    • By analyzing millions of such decay events, KATRIN estimates the upper limit on the neutrino mass.

    India’s Achievements in Neutrino Observations:

    • Historical Detection: India was among the first countries to detect atmospheric neutrinos in 1965 at the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), marking a pioneering achievement in neutrino physics.
    • INO Project: The India-Based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is under development in Tamil Nadu, set to become a premier underground research facility.
    • Flagship Detector: INO will house the Iron Calorimeter (ICAL), a 50,000-tonne magnetized detector, which will be the largest of its kind in the world.
    • Applications: INO will advance detector technologies, enable training in high-energy physics, and have potential applications in medical imaging and electronics.
    • Global Integration: India’s involvement in neutrino science positions it to contribute unique insights to global efforts, complementing projects like IceCube.
    [UPSC 2010] India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the Planning Commission as a mega science project under the 11th five-Year Plan. In this context, consider the following statements:

    1. Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.

    2.Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.

    3.Neutrinos have a negligible, but nonzero mass.

    4.Trillions of Neutrinos pass through human body every second.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1,2 and 3 (c) 2,3 and 4 (d) 1,2,3 and 4 *

     

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    [pib] Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

    PIBPrelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, India made a powerful case for urgent international cooperation to protect the world’s oceans.

    About United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC)

    • What is it: The UNOC is a major international forum dedicated to supporting Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water.
    • Primary Focus: It promotes the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
    • Multi-Stakeholder Participation: UNOC brings together governments, NGOs, academia, intergovernmental organizations, private companies, and Indigenous communities to address ocean-related challenges.
    • Key Themes: The conference tackles issues like marine pollution, overfishing, climate change, and habitat degradation, and encourages policy coordination and financial pledges.
    • Timeline of Conferences:
      • 2017: First conference in New York, co-hosted by Fiji and Sweden
      • 2022: Second in Lisbon, co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya
      • 2025: Third in Nice, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica
      • 2028: Fourth conference to be hosted by Chile and South Korea (yet to be announced officially)
    • Legal Framework: UNOC operates within the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
    • Financial and Policy Impact: Since 2014, UNOC has mobilized over $130 billion and generated 2,160+ voluntary commitments toward protecting ocean health.

    Major Indian Initiatives Showcased at UNOC3 (2025):

    • Deep Ocean Mission: India showcased progress on the ‘Samudrayaan’ mission, a deep-sea manned submersible targeting 6,000-meter depth by 2026.
    • Plastic Pollution Action: India emphasized the national ban on single-use plastics and the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned 1,000+ km of coastline and removed over 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste. A draft Marine Litter Policy has been prepared and India strongly supports a Global Plastics Treaty.
    • Blue Economy Development: Under the Sagarmala Programme, $80 billion has been invested in port-led infrastructure. An additional $2.5 billion has been deployed under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, leading to a 10% rise in fish production and creation of 1,000+ fish farmer producer organizations.
    • Marine Biodiversity Efforts: India expanded Marine Protected Areas to 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone and restored over 10,000 hectares of mangroves.
    • Marine Data Transparency: India launched the SAHAV Portal, a digital ocean governance platform for science-based and transparent decision-making.
    • International Leadership: India co-led the ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica, participated in high-level panels, and advocated for equitable ocean data access and capacity-building in developing nations.

    Back2Basics: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

    • UNCLOS is a global treaty that regulates all maritime activities and ocean space.
    • It defines maritime zones such as: Internal Waters (within the baseline), Territorial Sea (up to 12 nautical miles), Contiguous Zone (up to 24 nautical miles), Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (up to 200 nautical miles), High Seas, which lie beyond national jurisdiction.
    • It came into force in 1994 and has 169 parties (as of 2024), including India, but not the U.S.
    • It established the International Seabed Authority and declared the deep seabed as the “common heritage of mankind.”
    • India ratified UNCLOS in 1995 and uses it to claim maritime rights, including its extended continental shelf.
    • It supports freedom of navigation and advocates for a rules-based maritime order under UNCLOS.

     

    [UPSC 2022] With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:

    1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.

    2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

    3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3*

     

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  • Zoonotic Diseases: Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

    HKU5 Bat Viruses pose potential Pandemic Risk

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    A new study warns that HKU5 bat coronaviruses, closely related to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), are just one mutation away from infecting humans.

    Back2Basics: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)

    • Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
    • It is a species of coronavirus which infects humans, bats, and camels.

    About HKU5 Virus and Its Characteristics:

    • Classification: HKU5 is a bat coronavirus that belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus).
    • Origin: It was first identified in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong. “HKU” in the name refers to the University of Hong Kong, where the virus was identified.
    • Virology: HKU5 is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus, structurally similar to other high-risk coronaviruses.
    • Spread: The virus has been detected in bats across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, indicating widespread natural reservoirs.
    • Cell Entry Mechanism: Like SARS-CoV-2, HKU5 uses the ACE2 receptor to infect cells, but current strains bind effectively only to bat ACE2, not human ACE2.
    • Recent Developments: In 2025, a new variant called HKU5-CoV-2 was isolated in China, and lab studies show it can infect human airway and gut cells, though less efficiently than SARS-CoV-2.
    • Genetic Similarity: HKU5 is genetically close to both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, though it has not yet been detected in humans.

    Threats and Risks Associated with HKU5 Virus:

    • Near-Human Infectivity: HKU5 is considered just one mutation away from gaining the ability to infect humans via the ACE2 receptor.
    • Cross-Species Transmission: Certain HKU5 strains have already jumped into minks, demonstrating its capacity to cross species barriers.
    • Pandemic Potential: If HKU5 acquires mutations allowing efficient use of human ACE2, it could pose a significant zoonotic pandemic threat.
    • Relation to Deadly Viruses: Its structural similarity to MERS-CoV, which has a 34% fatality rate, places HKU5 in a high-risk category if human infection occurs.
    [UPSC 2015] H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news concerning which one of the following diseases?

    Options: (a) AIDS (b) Bird flu (c) Dengue (d) Swine flu*

     

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Kashmir Merino: India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    Researchers at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) have successfully created India’s first gene-edited sheep—a Kashmir Merino breed.

    Kashmir Merino: India's First Gene-Edited Sheep

    About Kashmir Merino Sheep:

    • Overview: Kashmir Merino is a high-quality domestic sheep breed known for its fine wool and ability to thrive in cold climates.
    • Genetics: It was developed by crossbreeding exotic Merino rams with local sheep breeds in Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Characteristics: The breed produces soft, dense wool with high fibre quality, making it valuable for the textile industry.
    • Resilience: It is well-adapted to high-altitude Himalayan conditions, including extreme cold and low oxygen levels.
    • Significance: It plays a key role in regional livestock economies, contributing significantly to wool and mutton production in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Gene-Editing Breakthrough in Kashmir Merino:

    • Gene Targeted: Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the myostatin gene, which normally inhibits muscle growth.
    • Impact: Disabling this gene led to a 30% increase in muscle mass, resulting in higher meat yield and improved economic returns for farmers.
    • Lab-to-Field Success: The edited embryo was developed in a laboratory and then successfully implanted into a surrogate mother, marking a full-cycle gene-editing achievement.
    • Biotech Significance: This success represents a major advancement in India’s livestock biotechnology, opening new paths for research in disease resistance, wool quality enhancement, and production of transgenic proteins.
    [UPSC 2017] What is the application of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology?

    Options: (a) Production of biolarvicides (b) Manufacture of biodegradable plastics (c) Reproductive cloning of animals* (d) Production of organisms free of diseases

     

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    NASA captures image of Mars’ Arsia Mons Volcano 

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter has captured a spectacular image of Arsia Mons, one of Mars’ largest volcanoes.

    mons

    About Arsia Mons Volcano:

    • Location: Arsia Mons is a massive shield volcano on Mars, located in the Tharsis region near the planet’s equator.
    • Volcanic Chain: It is part of the Tharsis Montes trio, which includes Pavonis Mons and Ascraeus Mons.
    • Size and Structure: The volcano rises about 20 km (12 miles) in height and spans 450 kilometres in diameter, making it one of the largest in the Solar System.
    • Summit Caldera: Arsia Mons has an enormous caldera, or summit crater, measuring 120 kilometres across, which is much wider than most Earth volcanoes.
    • Volcano Type: It is a shield volcano, characterised by gentle slopes formed through successive lava flows.
    • Surface Features: Signs of lava channels, landslides, and possible ancient glaciers have been observed on its flanks.
    • Cloud Activity: Known as the cloudiest volcano on Mars, Arsia Mons regularly develops water-ice clouds near its summit, especially at sunrise and during aphelion, when Mars is farthest from the Sun.

    Its Significance:

    • Recent Imaging: A new image released by NASA shows Arsia Mons piercing through morning haze, offering scientists a horizon-level view of Martian terrain.
    • Scientific Importance: Observations help researchers analyse Martian weather, seasonal climate patterns, and atmospheric behaviour.
    • Mission Relevance: Arsia Mons plays a key role in understanding Mars’ volcanic history, dust storm formation, and identifying future landing zones.
    • Exploration Support: Data from this region improve planetary weather models and assist in safe mission planning for upcoming robotic and human missions.

    Back2Basics: NASA’s Mars Odyssey Orbiter  

    • Launch: Mars Odyssey was launched in 2001, making it NASA’s longest-operating spacecraft at Mars.
    • Technology: The orbiter captured the Arsia Mons image using the THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) camera.
    • Capabilities: This instrument detects both visible and infrared light, allowing scientists to study surface temperatures, mineral compositions, and atmospheric properties.
    • Unique Technique: To photograph Arsia Mons against the Martian horizon, the orbiter rotated its camera 90 degrees, deviating from its usual ground-facing orientation.
    • Contributions: It continues to monitor climate changes, study volcanoes and dust storms, and assist with landing site selection.
    • Support Role: It also serves as a communication relay for other active Mars missions, enabling data transfer and navigation for landers and rovers.

     

    [UPSC 2016] Consider the following statements:

    The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only * (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

    Evidence of Pre-Harappan Human Presence discovered in Rann of Kutch

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    Why in the News?

    IIT Gandhinagar researchers have found evidence that humans lived in the Great Rann of Kutch 5,000 years before the Harappans, likely as coastal hunter-gatherers.

    About the Khadir Island Sites:

    • Location: Khadir Island (Khadir Beyt) is in the Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, near the well-known Harappan site of Dholavira.
    • Geographic Context: The island is one of 6 that were surrounded by water 5,000–6,000 years ago, due to higher sea levels.
    • Discovery Site: In 2016, researchers discovered archaeological remains near Bambhanka, about 1 km from Dholavira.
    • Site Features: Findings include house complexes, broken potsherds, marine shells, carnelian and agate flakes, and wall remnants made from random rubble masonry.
    • Shell Deposits: A 30–40 cm thick shell deposit was found on a hillock’s western edge, exposed by a pipeline trench. Similar shells were first reported in 1872 by geologist Arthur Beavor Wynne.
    • Shell Species: The Terebralia palustris shell species indicates a mangrove ecosystem once existed here.
    • Other Sites: Additional shell midden sites were discovered at Laungwali, Kunduwari, Ganeshpar, and Janan, mostly located 2–2.5 km from the coast.

    Key Findings:

    • Archaeological Significance:
      • Evidence suggests prehistoric hunter-gatherers lived here 7,000–7,500 years ago, before the Harappans.
      • Carbon dating of 15 shell samples shows they are 5,000–5,500 years older than Harappan remains.
      • A 400–500 year time lag may exist due to shellfish diets, meaning actual dates could be older.
    • Diet and Food Practices:
      • Broken shell middens and discoloured shells suggest people cooked and ate shellfish.
      • The diet likely included plants, fruits, tubers, and nuts, though no plant remains have yet been found.
    • Lifestyle and Settlement:
      • These were mobile hunter-gatherers, not permanent agriculturalists.
      • They likely moved seasonally, occupying each site for part of the year.
    • Tool Use:
      • Stone tools (flakes and cores) made of chert, jasper, chalcedony, basalt, limestone, and quartzite were found.
      • Smaller fragments may have served as arrow tips.
      • Agate, found locally, and other materials suggest trade or resource mobility.
    • Trade and Cultural Links:
      • Non-local tool stones indicate exchange networks.
      • Similarities with tools from Las Bela (Pakistan) and coastal Oman point to long-distance prehistoric connections across the northern Arabian Sea.
    [UPSC 2021] Consider the following pairs:

    Historical place : Well known for

    1. Burzahom : Rock cut shrines

    2. Chandraketugarh :Terracotta art

    3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3*

     

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  • Air Pollution

    Dynamic Route Planning for Urban Green Mobility (DRUM)

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    IIT Kharagpur has made a web app called Dynamic Route Planning for Urban Green Mobility (DRUM) to help people choose travel routes that are not just fast but also have cleaner air and better energy use.

    About DRUM:

    • Purpose: It is a navigation tool that prioritises air quality and energy efficiency, offering a greener alternative to traditional mapping apps.
    • Data Usage: DRUM uses real-time data on air pollution and traffic conditions to recommend optimal routes.
    • Sources: Pollution information is collected from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the World Air Quality Index.

    Important Features:

    • Routing Logic: DRUM applies a rank-based elimination method that prioritizes time, followed by distance, pollution exposure, and energy use.
    • Technical Tools: The app uses GraphHopper for route generation and Mapbox for live traffic updates.
    • Route Options: Users can choose from 5 routes — shortest, fastest, least pollution (LEAP), least energy use (LECR), and a balanced suggested route.
    • Live Updates: It retrieves real-time route data when a query is entered, not through scheduled updates.
    • Performance: In Delhi trials, the LEAP route cut pollution exposure by over 50%, and the LECR route reduced energy use by up to 28%.
    • Non-Motorized Inclusion: DRUM will expand to serve cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized users.
    • Predictive Upgrade: DRUM 2.0, currently in development, will use machine learning to forecast pollution and traffic and recommend best routes and departure times.
    [UPSC 2025] Consider the following types of vehicles:

    I. Full battery electric vehicles II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles III. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles How many of the above are considered as alternative (powertrain) vehicles?

    Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All the three* (d) None

     

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    Rare Proton Emission in Astatine Isotope

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Why in the News?

    In a groundbreaking discovery, an international team of nuclear physicists from Finland has measured the proton emission and half-life of 188Astatine (188At)—the heaviest proton-emitting isotope ever observed.

    What is Proton Emission?  

    • Atomic Structure: Atoms are made up of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
    • Radioactive Decay: When atoms are unstable, they become stable by emitting particles through a process called radioactive decay.
    • Common Emissions: Most atoms emit alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays during decay.
    • Rare Emission: In very rare cases, an atom can emit a proton, a process known as proton emission.
    • Conditions for Emission: Proton emission occurs only in proton-rich nuclei that lie on the extreme edge of nuclear stability.
    • Detection Difficulty: These atoms are extremely hard to create in laboratories and usually exist for less than a second, making them hard to study.

    Discovery of Proton Emission in 188-Astatine:

    • What is Astatine: Astatine (At) is a radioactive, halogenous element with atomic number 85, belonging to the halogen family (Group 17) on the periodic table. It’s a rarest natural element on Earth, not naturally occurring in significant quantities due to its short half-life.
    • Research Breakthrough: Scientists from Finland, India, and Portugal jointly studied a rare isotope called 188-Astatine.
    • Method: The atom was made by bombarding a silver target with strontium ions in a high-powered accelerator.
    • Observed Event: After its formation, 188-Astatine emitted a proton and transformed into polonium within 190 microseconds.
    • Role of Indian Scientists: Experts from IIT Roorkee used computer simulations to confirm the event and revealed that the atom’s shape resembled a watermelon, elongated and stretched.

    Significance of the Discovery:

    • Scientific First: This was the first recorded instance of proton emission from astatine, a rare and heavy element.
    • Understanding Atomic Limits: The discovery helps scientists learn how unstable atoms behave and where the proton-holding limits of atomic nuclei lie.
    • Contribution to Nuclear Science: It enhances our understanding of element formation in extreme environments like stars and nuclear reactors.
    • Future Implications: Such discoveries can contribute to medical advances, especially in developing radioactive materials for cancer treatment.
    [UPSC 2024] With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements:

    1. RTGs are miniature fission reactors. 2. RTGs are used for powering the onboard systems of spacecrafts. 3. RTGs can use Plutonium-238, which is a by-product of weapons development.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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