General Studies Paper-3 Context: The Indian government has approved ISRO’s Venus Orbiting Satellite mission, named Shukrayaan. Shukrayaan Mission (Venus Orbiting Satellite) Launch Details: Set to launch in March 2028. Estimated cost of the mission is Rs 1,236 crore. LVM-3 launch vehicle has been identified to place the spacecraft in an Elliptical Parking Orbit (EPO) Objectives: Atmospheric Studies: Analyze the composition of Venus’s thick, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. Study the extreme greenhouse effect and its impact on the planet’s climate. Surface Mapping: Utilize advanced radar technology to map the planet’s surface, revealing hidden geological features. Ionospheric Studies: Explore the upper atmosphere of....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: As the number of satellites goes up, there is an increased concern about the Space Junk. About More than 10,000 active satellites are in orbit around the planet. This number is estimated to shoot up to more than 100,000 by the 2030s. As the number of satellites goes up, so will the space junk pollution. Space Debris Junk from space objects falling to the earth involve relatively small fragments from rockets that survive the friction of the atmosphere. Space junk can vary in size, from tiny bits like paint chips, to larger pieces like old satellites....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems can help solve some of the main data collection and coordination problems in the sustainable development and management of Indian cities. About As India continues on its trajectory of economic development, it is expected to add about 270 million citizens to its cities over the next 20 years. Such rapid urbanization will bring challenges, requiring to identify pathways of sustainable development to ensure that the country can realise the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. The vision for a developed nation in the 100th year of independence – for every....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Chairman, S Somanath, shared new timelines for Chandrayaan 4, Gajanana, and a joint moon-landing mission with Japan’s JAXA. About The Gaganyaan mission will likely begin in 2026 and sample return mission Chandrayaan-4 will be carried out in 2028. A joint moon-landing mission named LUPEX, or Lunar Polar Exploration, would be the Chandrayaan-5 mission. India would provide a lander for the mission, while a rover would come from Japan. Space Sector of India India’s space sector has benefitted from decades of consistent investment, with $13 billion invested in the last decade. It....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The recent extreme weather events have put the focus back on the country’s weather prediction capabilities and ways to improve them. Weather Prediction in India India, at present, depends on satellite data and computer models for weather prediction. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) uses the INSAT series of satellites and supercomputers. In India three satellites, INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR and INSAT-3DS are used mainly for meteorological observations. Forecasters use satellite data around cloud motion, cloud top temperature, and water vapor content that help in rainfall estimation, weather forecasting, and tracking cyclones. Initiatives taken to improve the efficiency The....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The Union Cabinet approved the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) to drive a biotech manufacturing revolution, akin to the IT sector’s transformation in the 1990s. Aim: The BioE3 Policy aims to revolutionize biotechnology in India by boosting sustainable bio-manufacturing across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation. It fosters innovation, supports national priorities, and enhances employment through advanced biotechnological processes. Features of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy: It focuses on promoting biotechnology-based manufacturing in India, aiming to catalyze a technological revolution. Here are the important features: High-Performance Biomanufacturing: Focuses....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. About The SSLV-D3 placed the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 precisely into orbit. It also marks the completion of ISRO/Department of Space’s SSLV Development Project. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and India’s private space industry can now produce SSLVs for commercial missions. What is an SSLV? It is a three-stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages. It also has a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a....Read More

General Studies Paper -3  Context: Environmental concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly gaining attention as we witness the rapid integration of AI technologies into various aspects of our lives. About Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is expected to enable transformative changes across several domains, including attempts to find solutions to climate change, has a very heavy emissions footprint, the scale of which is becoming evident only now. Recently, Google, in its annual environment report released, reported a 13% increase in its emissions footprint in 2023 compared with the previous year. The rise was attributed mainly to the increased electricity....Read More

General Studies Paper -3  Context: Recently, the Department of Space received an 18% hike over its expenses in 2023-24 in the Union Budget (2024-25) and the bulk of the hike goes towards the development of space technologies. India’s Space Economy India’s space endeavors have come a long way since the launch of Aryabhata, its first satellite, back in 1975. Over the years, the ISRO has achieved remarkable milestones, from Chandrayaan to Mangalyaan, and has significantly contributed to both scientific research and practical applications. Current Valuation and Global Share As of now, India’s space economy is valued at approximately ₹6,700 crore....Read More

General Studies Paper -3  Context: The Supreme Court pronounced a split verdict on the validity of the Centre’s 2022 decision granting conditional approval for environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard crops. About In 2022, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)— a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and regulator of genetically modified organisms in the country— recommended the environmental release. A subsequent decision was taken approving the environmental release of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11, a variety of GM mustard. In its recent judgment, the SC asked the Centre to formulate a national policy with....Read More