Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill
The Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha.
Key Features
- The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, of 1948.
- Aim: To reform the legal framework to meet the current needs and market conditions and to make the sector more attractive to investors.
- Definition of mineral oils expanded: Bill expands the definition to include any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, coal bed methane, and shale gas/oil.
- It also introduces a single permit system namely, petroleum leases.
- Tags :
- Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill
Articles Sources
World Air Quality Report, 2024
7th annual World Air Quality Report 2024 released by IQAir.
- The Report evaluates the global state of air quality for the year 2024.
Key findings of the report
- Seven countries met the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m3: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand.
- The five most polluted countries in 2024 were:- Chad>Bangladesh>Pakistan>Democratic Republic of Congo>India.
- Delhi remains the most polluted capital city.
- Byrnihat(Assam), India was the most polluted metropolitan area of 2024.
- Oceania is the world’s cleanest region.
- Tags :
- World Air Quality Report
ASTRA Missile
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has successfully conducted test-launch of ASTRA missile.
Key Features
- It is ‘Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile’ (BVRAAM) designed and developed by DRDO.
- Range: 80 -110 km
- Maximum Speed: Mach 4.5
- It is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation capabilities.
- Tags :
- ASTRA Missile
- Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile
Articles Sources
PM-YUVA 3.0
The Ministry of Education has launched PM-YUVA 3.0 (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors).
About PM-YUVA 3.0
- It is an Author Mentorship programme to train young and budding authors (below 30 years of age) and aligns with National Education Policy 2020.
- Objective: To promote reading, writing and book culture & project Indian writings globally.
- Implementing Agency: National Book Trust
- A total of 50 authors will be selected through a contest on themes of:-
- Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building;
- Indian Knowledge System;
- Makers of Modern India (1950-2025)
- Selected Books will be published by NBT and translated into other Indian languages, fostering cultural and literary exchange while promoting 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
- Tags :
- PM-YUVA 3.0
- NBT
Articles Sources
APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID
The APAAR ID system has drawn scrutiny on data privacy.
About APAAR ID
- It is a specialized identification system designed for all students in India.
- It is a unique 12-digit code will help students to digitally store, manage, and access all their academic credits, including Score card, marksheets, gradesheet, degrees etc.
- It is a part of the 'One Nation, One Student ID' program launched by the government, aligning with the new National Education Policy of 2020.
- Benefits: Facilitate student mobility, Enhance academic flexibility, Empower students to choose their learning paths of their choice etc.
- Tags :
- APAAR ID
- One Nation, One Student ID' program
Geet Gawai
The Indian Prime Minister was welcomed with a traditional Bihari cultural performance Geet Gawai during his state visit to Mauritius.
About Geet Gawai
- It is a pre-wedding ceremony that combines rituals, prayer, songs, music and dance.
- It is also inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016.
- Performed mainly by Bhojpuri-speaking communities having Indian descent in Mauritius.
- Participants: Female family members and neighbors
- Main-Musical Instrument: Dholak (a two-headed drum).
- It extends to public performances and presently men also participate.
- Tags :
- Geet Gawai
Mycelium Bricks
Mycelium bricks promise the construction industry to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable.
About Mycelium Bricks
- These bricks are biodegradable, fire-resistant, and insulating, made from mycelia, the branching filaments of fungi.
- Mycelium is the thin root-like fibres from fungi.
- Mycelium bricks offer a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.
- Challenges: Mycelium-based materials are not as strong as conventional materials like concrete or brick or steel, high cost, susceptible to moisture etc.
- Tags :
- Mycelium
- Mycelium Bricks
Plastic Ice VII
Scientists have confirmed a fourth form of water called Plastic Ice VII using advanced neutron-scattering experiments.
About Plastic Ice VII
- It is an unusual phase of ice that forms at high temperature and high pressure and changes our understanding of water in space.
- Formation: >3 gigapascals(Pressure) and >450 Kelvin (Temperature).
- This phase allows water molecules to rotate freely within a rigid crystalline structure.
- Importance of the discovery
- Planetary Science: Behavior of Plastic Ice VII can help simulate interiors of ocean worlds and exoplanets.
- Exoplanet Habitability: Its ability to transport nutrients in deep oceans may influence the potential for alien life.
- This discovery changes our understanding of water in space.
- Tags :
- Plastic Ice