- DEEPSEEL AI MODEL JOLTS GLOBAL TECH LANSCAPE
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Deep Seek launchedDeepSeek-R1andDeepSeek-v3AI models, rivaling U.S. giants like OpenAI’s GPT-4
- Trained forunder $6 million(vs. billions by U.S. firms); operational cost50x cheaperthan GPT-4
- Nvidia’s market value dropped by$0.5 trillion post-announcement.
- DeepSeek’s AI Assistant overtook ChatGPT as the top free app on Apple’s App Store.
- Skepticism over chip access (alleged use of50,000 restricted Nvidia H100 chips).
- Data security concerns due to China’s stringent regulations.
2. STRATEGIC NEED FOR TUNGSTEN MUST BE BALANCED AGAINST ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Tungsten crucial for defense/high-tech industries; India imports 95%
- Auction annulled due to proximity to Arittapatti(Tamil Nadu’s first biodiversity heritage site)
- Central vs. State conflict (DMK’s muted opposition; BJP’s U-turn post-protests).
- GSI tasked with redefining mining boundaries
- Balancing ecological preservation (cave temples, rare species) vs. strategic resource needs.
3. THE IMPACT OF CLASSIFYING DENOTIFIED TRIBES
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- First-ever categorizationof268 denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribesby:
- Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI)
- Tribal Research Institutes (TRI)
- Classification Outcomes: 179 communities recommended for SC, ST, or OBC inclusion.
- 85 communities identified for classification for the first time.
- 63 communities not trace able due to assimilation, migration, or name changes.
- Criminal Tribes Act, 1924(repealed in 1949) led to misclassificationof DNTs.
- Previous Committees Attempted Classification:
- First Backward Classes Commission (1953)
- Lokur Committee (1965)
- Mandal Commission (1980)
- Renke Commission (2008)
- Idate Commission (2017)(documented 1,200+ DNT communities).
- Special Committee under NITI Aayog to finalize categorization. Debate over SC/ST/OBC inclusion or a separate DNT category.
- State governments may initiate independent classification
4. ISRO SET FOR A HISTORIC 100TH LAUNCH FROM SRIHARIKOTA
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Mission:GSLV-F15(carrying navigation satelliteNVS-02).
- Historic Milestones: First Launch (1979): SLV-3 E10 under Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
- Landmark Missions: Chandrayaan (2008, 2019, 2023), Aditya-L1 (2023), PSLV-C37 (104 satellites in 2017).
- Sriharikota’s Advantage: Proximity to equator, uninhabited safety zones
5. REPLACE REGULAR TABLE SALT WITH LOWER SODIUM SALT SUBSTITUTES THAT CONTAINS POTASSIUM : WHO
SUBJECT: SCIENCE
- Replace regular salt with potassium-enriched alternatives(for adults without kidney issues).
- Aim: Reduce sodium intake to <2g.day to curb hypertension, CVDs, and strokes.
- India’s Context: High salt consumption culture; need for affordable substitutes.
- Caveats: Avoid for pregnant women, children, and kidney patients
