- ISRO’S SECOND SHORT HOT TEST OF SEMICRYOGENIC ENGINE A SUCCESS
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- ISRO conducted a successful short-duration hot test of the semicryogenic engineat ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, on April 24, 2025.
- Second test after the first on March 28, 2025; lasted 3.5 seconds, achieving 60% of rated power.
- Tests validate engine design integrity (e.g., turbo pumps, control systems).
- Engine Power Head Test Article includes all engine systems; ignited and operated successfully.
- Paves way for semicryogenic engine integration into ISRO’s launch vehicles (e.g., GSLV-F16).
2. RNA BASED ANTIVIRAL OFFERS STRONG DEFENCE AGAINST DEADLY AGRI VIRUS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- RNA-based antiviral (HIGS and SIGS) to combat Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)in agriculture.
- CMV affects 25-30% of crops (e.g., cucumbers, melons, bananas); causes mosaic discoloration, stunted growth.
- RNA silencing using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)to target CMV genes. Methods: Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS)and Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS).
- Reduces infection by 80%; cost-effective, environmentally friendly
3. TWO T.N MINISTERS QUIT ON STRONG COURT REMARKS
SUBJECT: STATES
- Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise MinisterV. Senthilbalaji resigned following strong court observations.
- Supreme Court indicated Senthilbalaji must choose between being a Minister and retaining his personal freedom.
- Chief MinisterM.K. Stalin recommended their resignation acceptance and induction of Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet.
- Portfolios reassigned:Milk and Dairy Development to R.S. Rajakannappan, Transport to S.S. Sivasankar, and Prohibition and Excise to S. Muthusamy.
- Senthilbalaji’s resignation marks his second exit after previous arrest and legal troubles related to money laundering.
4. FINDING THE RHYTHM OF A PAINTER’S INCREDIBLE LIFE, AN ALBUM SHEDS LIGHT ON RAJA RAVI VARMA’S OEUVRE
SUBJECT: ART AND CULTURE
- Musical tribute planned at Kilimanoor Palace to commemorate Raja Ravi Varma’s 177th birth anniversary.
- Album titled”Pranamam”narrates Ravi Varma’s childhood, artistic journey, and final days.
- Paintings The Parsi Lady and Portrait of Thriketta Thirunal Uma Amma Thampuratti unveiled by Kilimanoor Palace Trust.
- Ravi Varma collapsed and died while working on The Parsi Lady at studio Chitrashala.
- Ravi Varma is celebrated for blending Indian traditions with European techniques, giving divine faces to gods and goddesses.
- Annual celebrations at Kilimanoor Palace have become a significant event for art enthusiasts, honoring Ravi Varma’s enduring influence
5. INDIA AI COMPUTE CONUNDRUM
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- India AI Mission aims to subsidize 40% of compute costs for priority sectors (healthcare, education).
- Bidding process favors lowest price, risking quality; 25% of Nvidia H100 chips underutilized.
- Focus on quality via user qualification criteria; allocate ₹4,500 crore for compute pillar.
- Long-term: Build sovereign compute infrastructure to reduce dependency on foreign models(e.g., US, EU, China)
