- SC ASKS PANEL TO LOOK INTO T.N’S PLAINTS OVER MULLAPERIYAR DAM
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- 125-year-old dam located in Kerala but controlled by Tamil Nadu.
- Dispute over dam safety and water-sharing.
- Supreme Court’s Directive: A supervisory committee, led by the National Dam Safety Authority, will mediate between TN & Kerala.
- The committee must report within four weeks.
- Concerns: Kerala raises dam safety issues.
- Tamil Nadu accuses Kerala of delaying approvals for maintenance.
- Importance: Highlights Centre-state & inter-state water dispute mechanisms.
- Role of the Dam Safety Act, 2021in resolving such conflicts.
2. DID THE IRON AGE ON INDIAN SOIL START FROM TAMILNADU
SUBJECT: HISTORY
- Recent radiocarbon dating: Iron smelting in India as early as the 16th century BCE.
- Excavations in Uttar Pradesh (Ganga Plains) also confirm iron artefacts dating back to the 13th century BCE.
- Tamil Nadu: Mayiladumparai site in Krishnagiri district suggests iron use around 4,200 years ago.
- Significance: Challenges traditional belief that the iron age in India started in northern India
3. NEITHER ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE NOR ETHICAL : NEW STUDY EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER TRANSLOCATION OF AFRICAN CHEETAHS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Project Cheetah: Launched to introduce African Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) into Kuno National Park, MP.
- 20 cheetahs from Namibia & South Africa introduced (2022-2023).
- Concerns Highlighted by Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS): High mortality rate (40%-50%) in the first phase, much higher than expected survival of 85%.
- Cheetahs face stress due to chemical immobilization and veterinary interventions.
- Over-reliance on a continuous supply of cheetahs from Africa is not ecologically sustainable.
- Alternative Conservation Approach Suggested: Conservation efforts should focus on natural habitat rather than frequent translocation.
- Justice-informed, participatory conservation model proposed
4. SC STAYS LOKPAL ORDER ON POWERS OVER HC JUDGES
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Issue: Lokpal attempted to bring High Court judges under its jurisdiction.
- SC’s Stand: Interpreted as interference in judicial independence.
- Legal Basis: HC judges are public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act (1988)but not under the Lokpal Act (2013).
- Article 214: High Courts exist as constitutional bodies.
- Article 124: Establishes the Supreme Court.
- Current Status: SC stayed Lokpal’s jurisdiction over HC judges
5. ASPIRANTS FROM INDIA ABROAD REGISTER FOR VIDEO GAME CONTEST
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Video Game Contest (WAVES 2025)-World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), 2025 initiative
- Organized by: Indian Digital Gaming Society under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry.
- Global Participation: Over 150 developers from 5 continents; 650+ Indian aspirants.
- Objective: Design handheld gaming devices integrating mechanics with physical hardware.
- Significance: Part of India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative
6. THE SILENT VICTIMS OF CANCER : THE INDIRECT CONSEQUENCES ON CHILDREN
SUBJECT: SCIENCE
- Issue: Cancer in parents affects children’s education, mental health, and economic stability.
- Govt Support: Ayushman Bharat covers cancer treatment.
- Some insurance plans include riders for lump-sum payouts.
- Challenges: School dropouts due to financial constraints.
- High medical expenses burden families.
- Proposed Solutions: Financial aid, educational support, social protection policies.
7. MICROSOFT UNVEILS NEW QUANTUM CHIP
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Chip Name: Majorana 1
- Technology: Uses Majorana fermions(exotic subatomic particles theorized in the 1930s).
- Claims to be less error-prone than existing quantum chips
- Significance: Advances in quantum computing can impact medicine, chemistry, space, and security.
- Competes with Google and IBM in the quantum race.
- Concerns: Lack of independent verification of Majorana 1’s capabilities.
