- NEW MOIRE SUPERCONDUCTOR OPENS THE DOOR TO NEW QUANTUM MATERIALS
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- New Moiré Superconductor and Quantum Materials Context: Scientists discovered superconductivity in moiré materials made from semiconductors, broadening the scope of quantum materials.
- Key Concepts: Moiré Materials: Created by overlaying two materials with a slight twist, leading tounique electronic properties. ○ Previously observed only ingraphene.
- Superconductivity: A state where a material conducts electricity without resistance.
- Moiré materials allow electrons to interact without energy loss.
- Applications: Advancing quantum computing and materials science.
2. TWO CUBS BORN TO AFRICAN CHEETAH IN KUNO FOUND DEAD
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Cubs were part of the African Cheetah reintroduction program in Kuno National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh.
- Cause of death under investigation; adult cheetahs remain healthy.
- Concepts: Cheetah Reintroduction in India: African cheetahs were introduced under the Cheetah Reintroduction Project in 2022 to re-establish the species after extinction in India (last seen in 1947).
- KNP was chosen due to suitable habitat and prey availability.
- Wildlife Challenges: High mortality rates among cubs in reintroduction programs.
- Risks from poaching, diseases, and habitat loss.
- Conservation Measures: Radio telemetry and monitoring for movement.
- Adequate prey base and habitat management.
3. SBI RAISES RS.50,000 CRORE VIA BONDS IN FY 25
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Key Details: Bond types: Long-term bonds: ₹30,000 crore.
- Tier 2 bonds: ₹15,000 crore.
- AT1 bonds: ₹5,000 crore.
- Oversubscription shows trust in India’s largest bank.
- Investors include provident funds, pension funds, insurers, mutual funds, and banks.
- Concepts: Bonds: Fixed-income instruments used by organizations to raise funds.
- Types of bonds: Long-term bonds:Offer higher yields due to longer maturity periods.
- Tier 2 bonds: Part of the bank’s capital structure, providing a cushion against financial instability.
- Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds: High-risk instruments without a fixed maturity.
- Used by banks to bolster theirTier 1 capital.
- Bank Capitalization: Basel III normsmandate banks to maintain adequate capital to handle risks.
- AT1 and Tier 2 bonds help meet these capital requirements.
- Role of Bonds in Economy: Boosts liquidityfor infrastructure projects.
- Provides secure investment options for institutions
4. INDIAN ARMY RECIVES LOGISTICS DRONES FOR USE IN EASTERN SECTOR
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- The Army inductedSabal-20logistics drones for deployment in the eastern sector.
- Stealth technology advancements were also announced by IIT Kanpur.
- Key Features of Sabal-20: Developed by Endure Air Systems, incubated at IIT Kanpur.
- Payload capacity: Up to20 kg.
- Engineered for: Long-range deliveries.
- High-altitude operations.
- Precision logistics.
- Utilizes Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL)technology.
- Stealth Technology:
- IIT Kanpur developed Metamaterial Surface Cloaking System (Anālakshya).
- Capabilities: Minimizes noise and enhances stealth.
- Counters Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging.
- Protects from missile tracking.
5. CONVERSION TO GET JOB AMOUNTS TO A FRAUD ON CONSTITUTION: SC
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Religious conversion without genuine belief, intended solely for availing reservation benefits, is unconstitutional.
- The judgment was based on a case where a Christian woman claimed Scheduled Caste (SC) status after converting to Hinduism to avail SC quota benefits.
- Key Points:
- Conversion for such purposes amounts to a fraud on the Constitution.
- The Court emphasized the right to religious freedom under Article 25, which requires genuine belief and adherence to the tenets of the new religion.
- SC status is granted to communities facing historical discrimination, not for opportunistic purposes.
- Implications: Reinforces constitutional values of equality and justice.
- Ensures the reservation system is not misused.
- Calls for thorough scrutiny of caste certificates in cases of conversion.
- Relevance for exam: Constitutional provisions like Articles 15, 16, and 25.
- Ethical concerns about misuse of affirmative action policies.
- Questions on secularism and religious freedom in India.
