CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to halt the counselling process for admissions to medical colleges amidst allegations of paper leakage and irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate (UG) examination 2024.
• Established in 2017 by the Ministry of Education, the National Testing Agency (NTA) stands as a premier, autonomous organization mandated with conducting entrance examinations for higher educational institutions. Its functions encompass administering entrance exams, developing a comprehensive question bank using contemporary methodologies, fostering a robust research and development ethos, and collaborating with esteemed international entities like the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Additionally, the NTA undertakes any other examinations delegated to it by the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India or State Governments.
• NEET, short for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, serves as the gateway for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses (MBBS/BDS) and postgraduate courses (MD/MS) in both government and private medical colleges across the nation. The objective behind NEET is to standardize the admission process for medical and dental courses nationwide, ensuring equitable evaluation of candidates' eligibility. Administered by the NTA on behalf of the Ministry of Education, NEET plays a pivotal role in streamlining the medical education landscape in India.

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• Last week marked a significant milestone for SpaceX as its Starship rocket completed its inaugural fully successful test flight, culminating in both its booster and spacecraft gracefully touching down after an hour-long sub-orbital journey.
• Starship, an ambitious spacecraft endeavor by SpaceX, stands as a groundbreaking vehicle engineered for complete reusability, aimed at facilitating missions to diverse celestial destinations, notably Mars.
• Comprising the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft itself, this two-stage-to-orbit launch system is designed to revolutionize space travel. The Super Heavy booster serves as the initial stage, propelling Starship beyond Earth's atmosphere. In contrast, Starship, the second stage, is tailored for interstellar voyages, accommodating both crew and cargo.
• Key to its design is the concept of reusability, with both stages engineered to be refurbished and redeployed, promising a dramatic reduction in the costs associated with space exploration.
• With a capacity to accommodate up to 100 passengers or substantial cargo payloads, Starship boasts versatility tailored to a myriad of missions. Powered by advanced Raptor engines utilizing liquid methane and liquid oxygen (Methalox) as propellants, it embodies cutting-edge propulsion technology.
• Central to SpaceX's vision is the colonization of Mars, with Starship envisioned as the linchpin in establishing a self-sustaining human presence on the Red Planet. Moreover, the spacecraft has garnered attention from NASA, being selected for the agency's Artemis program, tasked with returning humans to the lunar surface.
• Beyond these ambitious goals, Starship is poised for a plethora of missions, ranging from satellite deployment to interplanetary exploration, and even venturing into the realm of space tourism. As SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of spaceflight, Starship stands as a testament to humanity's enduring quest for exploration and discovery.

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• Recently, the Prime Minister was spotted personally feeding a group of Punganur cows with fodder at his residence in New Delhi, showcasing his hands-on involvement in agricultural initiatives.
• The Punganur cow, revered for its diminutive stature, stands at a mere 70-90 cm tall and weighs less than 200 kg, making it one of the smallest cattle breeds worldwide. Indigenous to the Punganur village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, this breed demonstrates remarkable resilience to drought conditions and thrives on low-quality feed.
• Beyond its compact size, the Punganur cow is esteemed for its milk, renowned for its higher fat content, rendering it ideal for producing ghee. With an average yield of 1 to 3 litres per day and a milk fat content of 8 percent, surpassing that of other native breeds, its milk is prized for its nutritional richness, boasting Omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Displaying a variety of colors ranging from white, grey, and light brown to dark brown or red, Punganur cows feature distinctive crescent-shaped horns, with males exhibiting a forward and backward curvature, while females' horns curve laterally and forward.
• Eco-friendly by nature, Punganur cows demand minimal water, feed, and space in comparison to hybrid breeds, making them an environmentally sustainable choice for agricultural endeavors.
• Moreover, the cultural significance of the Punganur cow endures, as its milk continues to be utilized in religious rituals, such as the Ksheeraabhishekam (milk offering to the deity), observed in numerous temples across Andhra Pradesh, including the renowned Tirupati Thirumala Temple.

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• The Minister of State for Defence recently inaugurated the deployment of domestically produced Astra Missiles for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Bharat Dynamics in Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone in indigenous defence capabilities.
• Astra stands as a cutting-edge beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile meticulously crafted to equip fighter aircraft with formidable capabilities. Conceived and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and brought to fruition by Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL), this indigenous marvel is tailored to engage and neutralize highly agile supersonic targets, cementing its position as a world-leading air-to-air missile system.
• Distinguished by its versatility, Astra Missile is being developed in multiple variants to cater to diverse operational requirements. The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System, seamlessly integrated with SU-30 Mk-I aircraft, now joins the arsenal of the Indian Air Force (IAF), bolstering its aerial prowess.
• Characterized by its exceptional performance parameters, the ASTRA Mk-I boasts an impressive range of 80 to 110 km in a head-on chase, achieving speeds of up to 4.5 Mach, nearly reaching hypersonic velocities. Complementing its formidable range is a locally developed Ku-band active radar guidance system and a potent 15-kg warhead, ensuring precision and lethality in engagements.
• Equipped with innovative features such as the option for "Lock on Before Launch – LOBL" and "Lock on After Launch – LOAL," the ASTRA Mk-I empowers pilots with flexibility and tactical advantage, enabling swift engagement and maneuverability. Its foundation on advanced solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine technology ensures optimal performance across all weather conditions, day or night, further augmented by a remarkable 'Single Shot Kill Probability – SSKP.'
• As the Indian defence landscape continues to evolve, the induction of Astra Missiles underscores the nation's steadfast commitment to self-reliance and technological prowess, fostering a resilient defence ecosystem poised to safeguard national interests with unparalleled efficiency and efficacy.

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• The Ministry of Home Affairs has opened nominations for the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 awards, inviting submissions through the Award Portal from January 14th, 2024, until February 28th, 2024.
• Established by the Government of India, the "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar" serves as a distinguished accolade in the realm of Science, Technology, and Innovation. This national award seeks to honor exceptional contributions and achievements in the fields of scientific research, technological advancements, and innovative endeavors.
• The awards are categorized into four distinct segments:

• Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizing lifetime achievements and significant contributions in the field of Science and Technology, with a maximum of three awards to be conferred.
• Vigyan Shri (VS): Acknowledging distinguished contributions in the field of Science and Technology, with a maximum of 25 awards to be granted.
• Vigyan Yuva: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award: Commending young scientists for their exceptional contributions in Science and Technology, with a maximum of 25 awards to be presented.
• Vigyan Team (VT) award: Honoring exceptional team efforts in Science and Technology, with a maximum of three awards to be bestowed upon teams comprising three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators.

• These awards span across 13 domains, encompassing Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others.