CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have recently uncovered evidence of an interaction between a radio jet produced by a unique type of galaxy known as Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and the surrounding interstellar medium.
• About Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN):
  • An AGN is a highly luminous central region of a galaxy, predominantly illuminated by the light from gas and dust spiraling into a supermassive black hole. This intensely bright area can outshine the entire galaxy itself.
  • AGNs emit radiation across the full electromagnetic spectrum, spanning from radio waves to gamma rays. This emission arises from the gravitational energy released as the central black hole consumes nearby material.
  • Galaxies that host AGNs are referred to as "active galaxies." AGNs are the most powerful and persistent sources of electromagnetic radiation in the universe, making them valuable tools for identifying distant cosmic objects.
  • Astronomers categorize AGNs into various types based on their observable properties. Among the most powerful are quasars, which feature extraordinarily bright galactic centers. Another specific type, a blazar, is characterized by a jet of light and energy directed toward Earth.

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• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has recently established a 10-member Group of Ministers (GoM) to evaluate the taxation of luxury, sin, and demerit goods after the compensation cess concludes in March 2026.
• About GST Compensation Cess:
  • The GST Compensation Cess is imposed under Section 8 of the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to State) Act, 2017.
  • Purpose of GST Cess: Since GST is a consumption-based tax, the state where goods and services are consumed receives the indirect tax revenue. Consequently, some states that are net exporters of goods and services are projected to face a decline in indirect tax revenue following the implementation of GST. To address this loss, the Central Government has instituted the GST Compensation Cess.
  • Utilization of GST Cess: All revenues generated from the GST compensation cess are deposited into a non-lapsable fund known as the GST Compensation Fund. This fund is used to compensate states for their tax revenue losses due to GST implementation. Any unutilized funds at the end of the transition period will be divided equally between the Central Government and the state governments. The distribution of the state governments' share will be based on their total revenue from state tax or Union Territory GST in the final year of the transition period.
  • Applicability: The GST Cess applies to both the supply of goods and services as designated by the Central Government. It affects both intrastate and interstate transactions. Under the GST framework, varied rates of compensation cess are levied on luxury, sin, and demerit goods, such as cigarettes, pan masala, gutkha, soft drinks, and automobiles. In 2022, the GST Council decided to extend the cess until March 2026 to repay the interest and principal on loans amounting to ₹2.69 lakh crore taken during the fiscal years 2021 and 2022 to offset states' revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• NASA scientists have indicated that China's largest hydroelectric project, the "Three Gorges Dam," is shifting vast quantities of water, which may be influencing the Earth's rotation.
• About Three Gorges Dam:
  • The Three Gorges Dam is situated on the Yangtze River in Hubei Province, China. It stands as the world’s largest hydroelectric power station.
  • Completed in 2012 after nearly two decades of construction, the dam boasts impressive dimensions, measuring 2,335 meters (7,660 feet) in length and 185 meters (607 feet) in height, making it the largest dam ever constructed.
  • Its reservoir has a capacity of 40 cubic kilometers (approximately 10 trillion gallons) of water, enabling it to generate up to 22,500 megawatts of electricity. The dam harnesses the flow of water from three nearby gorges—Qutangxia, Wuxia, and Xilingxia—to spin turbines and produce electricity.
  • In addition to its hydroelectric function, the dam aims to enhance the shipping capacity of the Yangtze River and mitigate flood risks downstream by providing necessary flood storage space.

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• The Tu-22M3 missile carriers of the Russian Aerospace Forces recently targeted Snake Island in the Black Sea using Kh-22 cruise missiles.
• About KH-22 Cruise Missile:
  • The Kh-22 is a long-range supersonic cruise missile from the Soviet era, known by its NATO reporting name AS-4 'Kitchen.' Developed in the 1960s, the Kh-22 was specifically designed for launch from Tupolev-22 bombers.
  • This missile was primarily created to engage large naval targets, such as aircraft carriers, and can be equipped with either conventional or nuclear warheads. It has impressive capabilities, achieving speeds of up to Mach 4.6 and a range of around 600 kilometers.
  • Approximately 3,000 Kh-22 missiles were produced in the USSR. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many remained in Ukraine, but after gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine relinquished its nuclear and strategic aviation arsenal.
  • In 2000, Ukraine transferred 386 Kh-22 missiles to Russia as part of a settlement for gas debts. The successor to the Kh-22 is the Kh-32, which can be deployed by the new Russian Tu-22M3M bombers. This upgraded missile features a conventional warhead, an enhanced rocket motor, and a new radar imaging terminal seeker, offering a longer range while having a smaller warhead.

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• Assam's renowned Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve will reopen to tourists following the completion of the monsoon closure period as directed by the Government of India.
• About Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve:
  • Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas in Assam, Manas National Park is contiguous with Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park. This area holds the prestigious status of being a Natural World Heritage Site, as well as a Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and Important Bird Area.
  • Established as one of the first reserves in the tiger conservation network under Project Tiger in 1973, Manas is part of a broader tiger conservation landscape that includes the Buxa, Nameri, Pakke, and Namdapha tiger reserves, along with protected areas in Bhutan and Myanmar.
  • The park is named after the Manas River, which itself is named after the serpent goddess Manasa. This river is a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra River, flowing through the national park.
  • Flora: The vegetation in the park includes Sal (Shorea robusta), scrub forests, old plantations in buffer zones, semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, along with grasslands and riparian vegetation in the core area.
  • Fauna: Manas National Park is celebrated for its rare and endangered wildlife, including the Hispid Hare, Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, and Asiatic Buffalo, making it a vital sanctuary for endemic species.

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• India has risen to 39th place among 133 global economies in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII).
• Published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the GII serves as a valuable resource for governments worldwide to evaluate innovation-driven social and economic transformations within their countries.
• Key Highlights of the Global Innovation Index 2024:
  • India ranks first among 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia, reinforcing its leadership in regional innovation.
  • The country has also attained the 4th position in the WIPO Science and Technology (S&T) Cluster Ranking.
  • Major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are recognized among the world’s top 100 S&T clusters, serving as centers for research, development, and technological innovation.
  • India has achieved a notable 7th rank globally in intangible asset intensity, which assesses the value of non-physical assets like patents and trademarks, crucial for fostering innovation.

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• The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, has developed lightweight bulletproof jackets called ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat).
• About ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat):
  • Developed by DRDO and IIT Delhi, these jackets utilize polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic materials. Their design is based on the characterization of various materials under high strain rates, followed by detailed modeling and simulation.
  • The new jackets are engineered to withstand the highest levels of threats while being lighter than the maximum weight limits set for the Army, thereby enhancing both soldier protection and mobility. With a minimum weight of 8 kg and 9.3 kg for different Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) levels, these modular-design jackets feature front and rear armor, offering comprehensive 360-degree protection.
  • Classified as BIS level 5 and BIS level 6 by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which establishes standards for bullet-resistant jackets and ballistic shields for the Indian Army, the design ensures adaptable 360-degree protection. The modular armor plates can be customized to meet varying mission requirements, providing soldiers with enhanced flexibility in diverse combat situations.

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• Alexander Dunn has been honored with the esteemed 2024 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize.
• About the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize:
  • Established in 2005, this prize is awarded annually by SASTRA University on its campus near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, in celebration of Ramanujan's birth anniversary on December 22.
  • Eligibility: The award is given to mathematicians worldwide who are under the age of 32 and are engaged in work influenced by the legendary Srinivasa Ramanujan. The age limit of 32 is intended to acknowledge Ramanujan's remarkable achievements within that brief period.
  • Prize Details: The award includes a citation and a cash prize of $10,000. Since its inception, the prize has garnered international recognition.
  • Notable Recipients: Past awardees include prominent mathematicians such as Manjul Bhargava and Akshay Venkatesh.