Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has commissioned a state-of-the-art Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) in Andhra Pradesh. 

• With a capacity of 3.55 million metric tonnes per annum, the facility uses advanced residue hydrocracking and is a  landmark feat in indigenous engineering. 

Hydrocracking Technology

• It is a catalytic process widely used in refineries to convert heavy oil fractions into high quality middle distillates and light products such as diesel, naphtha and LPG. 
• In this process, high molecular weight molecules are broken to form lighter compounds.

Indian scientists developed first supercomputer-powered simulation to capture Mpemba effect. 

About Mpemba effect

• It is a long-existing paradox suggesting that hotter substances can freeze faster than colder substances under certain conditions. 
• Most famously, observed with water,  but the effect is not limited to water and shows up in other materials and physical systems, too.
• Significance: Heat engines and refrigeration systems, Quantum computing, Materials science etc.

Recently, a study on type of stellar twin called W Ursae Majoris–contact binaries orbiting each other closely gave new insights into evolution and  eventual fate of binary stars. 

• Stellar Twins are two stars with identical spectra.

Key Highlights

• W Ursae Majoris (W UMa)stars: Short-period, dumbbell-shaped binaries in which the two stars are in contact, sharing single atmosphere and acting as natural laboratories assisting in determination of fundamental stellar parameters like masses, radii, etc. 
• Study revealed important features like changes in the stars’ orbits, how mass is transferred between the stars and evidence of surface activity like star spots.

On its 79th Foundation Day, BIS launched a new standardization portal and initiatives like SHINE for women. 

About the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• BIS is India’s National Standards Body and works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. 
• Mandate: Established under the BIS Act, 2016, it formulates Indian Standards to ensure quality, safety, reliability, and efficiency of goods and services.
• Function: BIS operates product certification, hallmarking of gold and silver, compulsory registration schemes, etc. 

A study shows growing cracks in the Doomsday Glacier’s ice, indicating a possible collapse of the Antarctic ice shelf.

Doomsday glacier

• The Thwaites Glacier, commonly known as the ‘Doomsday Glacier’.
• It is called so because its potential to significantly add to worldwide sea levels, is one of the fastest changing ice-ocean systems on the planet. 
• The complete melting of the glacier could add 65 cm to global sea levels.

ISRO’s maiden home-made dust detector detects interplanetary dust particles striking Earth every 1,000 seconds

About Dust EXperiment (DEX)

• It is the first Indian-made instrument designed to detect and study high-speed interplanetary dust particles.
  • Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) are microscopic fragments originating from comets and asteroids.
• Mission Deployment: Flown on the POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) of PSLV-C58
• Developed by: Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad

New revised star rating of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) comes into force. 

• BEE is established as the statutory body under Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

About BEE Star Ratings

• It is a key feature of the Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme.
• Objective: To provide the consumer with an informed choice about energy saving and thereby the cost-saving potential of the relevant marketed appliance.
• Mandatory Appliances: Ceiling fans, Electric geysers, Tubular fluorescent lamps, Colour Television, etc.
• Voluntary Appliances: General Purpose Industrial Motor, Computer, Microwave Oven etc. 

United Nations has declared 2026 as ‘International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists’.

About Rangelands and Pastoralists

• Rangelands: Cover around half of Earth’s land surface like grasslands, savannas and shrublands, deserts, wetlands or mountain areas. 
  • Key Examples: The steppes of Central Asia, African savanna, Alps and the Pyrenees in Europe, Andes in South America and the Great Plains of the United States. 
  • Significance: Preserve unique fauna and flora and provide essential services including carbon storage and water regulation.
• Pastoralists:  Raise animals, contribute to food security, hold diverse cultural heritage and local and indigenous knowledge.