ISRO: GAGANYAAN AND CHANDRAYAAN-3 IN MISSION MODE
Mission Gaganyaan: Under the Gaganyaan schedule, three flights will be sent in orbit. Of the three, there will be two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight. The human space flight programme, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman. It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 […]
INDIA SET TO PARTICIPATE IN WHO’S MEDICINE TRIAL
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? India is all set to join World Health Organisation’s “Solidarity trial” aimed at rapid global search for drugs to treat COVID-19. The country has stayed away so far from this multi-country trial “due to its small sample size and because our contribution would have looked minuscule,” said […]
SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY DRUG CANDIDATES AGAINST VIRUS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Disaster Management Why in news? Nearly 70 drugs and experimental compounds may be effective in treating the coronavirus, a team of researchers reported on 22nd March 2020 night. Some of the medications are already used to treat other diseases, and repurposing them to treat Covid-19, the illness caused by the […]
IIT-D TEAM DEVELOPS A CHEAPER COVID-19 TEST
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology here have developed a method to detect COVID-19 which can significantly reduce the test cost, making it affordable for large sections. The “probe-free detection assay” has been optimised and tested for sensitivity at the research laboratories of IIT. Other Details […]
COVID-19 IS A NEW ANIMAL IN THE ZOO
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Disaster Management Why in news? Co-chair of the Empowered Committee for COVID-19 Response, India, Dr. V.K. Paul said the changed circumstances of the spread of the disease called for a revised testing strategy and marshalling all resources to contain the pandemic. He also indicated that India is close to rolling […]
CENTRE SET TO REVAMP IT ACT
Focus: GS-II Governance, GS-III Industry and Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? The government will soon kick-start the process of revamping the nearly 20-year old Information Technology Act, 2000, with an aim to bring it in tune with the technological advancements with a focus on stronger framework to deal with cybercrimes. An expert […]
VIRUS CASES EMERGING FASTER GLOBALLY: WHO
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? There are now more new cases of COVID-19 reported each day outside China than inside the hardest-hit country, the World Health Organization said on 26th February 2020. Governments worldwide are scrambling to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) after a surge of infections in […]
ISRO TO LAUNCH GISAT-1 ON MARCH 5
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? GISAT-1, the country’s first earth imaging satellite in a geostationary orbit, will be launched in the evening of March 5 from the Sriharikota launch centre. Medium-lift GSLV launcher numbered F10 would orbit the 2,275-kg spacecraft. Details Operating from its geostationary orbit [at around 36,000 km from […]
GOVT. EYES PUBLIC-PRIVATE FUND TO GIVE R&D A SHOT IN THE ARM
Why in news? In an effort to stimulate investment in research and development (R&D), the Department of Science and Technology is mooting a fund that will match the contributions made by private companies in R&D Details: The idea is to pool funds from a group of companies willing to invest in fundamental research, such as […]
NEW SOLAR ENERGY PARK TO COME UP IN RAJASTHAN’S JAISALMER
Context and Details: A new 925 MW solar energy park will come up shortly at Nokh in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district The agreement is likely to bring an investment of ₹ 4,000 crore to the State While the NTPC Limited will develop solar photovoltaic projects in the park at an estimated investment of ₹3,500 crore, the […]