science and tech

Obesity and Undernutrition, Parameters, Causes, Socio-economic Factors

Context: Obesity and overweight are causing over 3.4 million deaths every year worldwide. Obesity and Undernutrition India faces a growing challenge of both obesity and undernutrition, co-existing within the population, as per a new Lancet study. This phenomenon, known as...

Tobacco Epidemic in India, Awareness and Control Programs

Context: Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of disease and death globally, affecting both consumers and cultivators. India’s tobacco exports likely cross ₹13,000 crore this year. About Tobacco Tobacco cultivation in India was introduced by the Portuguese in 1605. It...

Chandrayaan-4 Mission Expansion gets Centre’s Approval

Context: According to ISRO, a series of space-docking experiments will be conducted before the launch of the Chandrayaan-4 mission. Chandrayaan-4 Mission Mission Objective: It aims to bring rock and soil samples back from the Moon. Modules: The Chandrayaan-4 spacecraft will...

Addressing the Issue of Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) Drugs in India

What was the recent incident? Five young mothers in Ballari district, Karnataka, allegedly died due to contaminated drugs manufactured by a pharmaceutical company in West Bengal. Challenges with the Current Regulatory Framework Fragmented Regulatory Authority: Under the Drugs and Cosmetics...

Air Independent Propulsion Systems in Submarines

Context: The Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts to upgrade the capabilities of India’s Scorpene-class submarines, on integrating advanced technologies like Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules and Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedoes (EHWT). Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) It is...

Global Polio Resurgence and Need for Revaluation

About Polio Polio is a viral infectious disease that can cause irreversible paralysis and even death by affecting the nervous system. Transmission: The virus primarily spreads through the faecal-oral route and can multiply in the intestine, where it can invade...

OpenAI AI Risk Perceptions Study: AI in Education

Findings of the OpenAI Study on AI in Education (India-specific) Positive Findings Improved Learning Outcomes: Generative AI tools can make learning interactive and engaging (e.g., Socratic models), particularly for students with low academic interest or participation. AI-based systems can act...

Indian Navy’s Undersea Warfare

The Indian Navy commenced 2024 with significant advancements in its operational capabilities, particularly through Operation Sankalp. Operation Sankalp Focus on ensuring shipping security from piracy and providing assistance to ships targeted by Houthis in areas like the Gulf of Aden,...

Legal Gaps in India’s Unregulated AI surveillance

Use AI Surveillance in India In 2019, the Indian government announced plans to create the world’s largest facial recognition system for policing. AI-powered surveillance systems are in use at railway stations. The Delhi Police is preparing to use AI for...

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) IPF is a chronic and progressive lung disease where the lung tissue becomes scarred and thickened (fibrosis) without a known cause. This scarring makes it increasingly difficult for the lungs to function properly, leading to breathing...