1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Lasers

Scientists in the US have developed an innovative method to remotely detect radioactive materials using carbon dioxide (CO₂) lasers.

About CO₂ Lasers

• The first CO₂ laser was invented by Indian-American scientist C.K.N. Patel.

• It is a four-level molecular gas laser that operates via the vibrational energy states of CO₂ molecules.

• Highly efficient, it delivers high-power continuous or pulsed output.

Structure of CO₂ Molecule

• A CO₂ molecule consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. It vibrates in three distinct modes:

  • Symmetric Stretching: Oxygen atoms move in sync towards or away from the carbon atom.

  • Bending Mode: Atoms vibrate perpendicular to the molecular axis.

  • Asymmetric Stretching: Oxygen atoms move in opposite directions to the carbon atom.

Working Principle

• Laser action is achieved through energy transfer from excited nitrogen (N₂) molecules to CO₂, leading to population inversion.

Characteristics of CO₂ Lasers

• Type: Molecular gas, four-level laser

• Active Medium: Gas mixture of CO₂, N₂, and He

• Pumping Method: Electrical discharge

• Optical Resonator: Concave mirrors

• Power Output: Up to 10 kW

• Output Nature: Continuous or pulsed wave

• Wavelength: 9.6 μm & 10.6 μm (Infrared)

Detection Mechanism

• Radioactive Decay & Ionization: Radioactive materials emit charged particles (alpha, beta, or gamma rays), ionizing the surrounding air and forming plasma.

• Avalanche Effect: Free electrons in plasma gain energy, triggering a chain reaction of ionization.

• Laser Characteristics: A CO₂ laser emitting long-wave infrared (LWIR) at 9.2 μm is used to enhance sensitivity while minimizing unwanted ionization.

• Optical Backscatter Analysis: Microplasma balls created by the laser generate measurable backscatter, aiding detection.

• Fluorescence Imaging: Helps analyze plasma formation and electron distribution.

• Mathematical Model: Predicts backscatter signals based on plasma density, validated by experimental results.

• Detection Capability:

  • Alpha particles detected from 10 meters away (10x improvement).

  • Potential for detecting gamma rays (Cs-137) from 100 meters with enhanced optics.

2. Polar Orbit

SpaceX successfully launched a private astronaut crew on a groundbreaking polar-orbiting mission aboard the Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

About Polar Orbits

• A Polar Orbit (PO) is a type of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ranging between 200 km and 1,000 km in altitude.

• Unlike equatorial orbits, satellites in polar orbits travel from pole to pole rather than west to east.

• A deviation of up to 10 degrees from the exact north-south trajectory is still classified as a polar orbit.

Significance of Polar Orbits

• Enables complete Earth coverage as the planet rotates beneath the satellite.

• Widely used for Earth observation, climate monitoring, and reconnaissance.

• The Fram2 mission is the first human spaceflight to utilize this trajectory.

Why This Mission Matters

• First Human Spaceflight in Polar Orbit: Unlike conventional missions, this one follows a pole-to-pole trajectory.

• Advancing Private Spaceflight: Fram2 is SpaceX’s sixth private astronaut mission, strengthening its dominance in commercial space travel.

• Reducing Dependence on NASA: Highlights the growing role of private enterprises in space exploration.

• Reusable Spacecraft: The mission employs the Crew Dragon capsule, developed with NASA funding, showcasing the cost-effectiveness of reusable spacecraft.

• Track Record: SpaceX has now conducted 16 crewed missions using the Crew Dragon capsule.

3. CARTOSAT-3

ISRO’s CARTOSAT-3 satellite captured high-resolution images of earthquake damage in Myanmar.

Why in the News?

• The 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025.

• ISRO’s satellite provided post-disaster imagery (March 29) for damage assessment in Mandalay and Sagaing.

About CARTOSAT-3

• A third-generation agile advanced Earth observation satellite developed by ISRO.

• Replaces the IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) series with superior imaging capabilities.

• Launched aboard the PSLV-C47 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

Applications

• National Security & Defense: Strategic surveillance, border security, and defense planning.

• Disaster Management: Monitoring earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

• Urban & Rural Planning: Road networks, water management, and land-use regulation.

• Coastal Monitoring: Tracks environmental changes along coastlines.

Other Earth Observation Satellites

• Cartosat Series: High-resolution Earth observation.

• RISAT Series: Radar-based imaging, capable of penetrating cloud cover.

• Oceansat Series: Monitors oceanic parameters and weather patterns.

• INSAT & Megha Tropiques: Focused on climate and atmospheric studies.

4. Arctic Council

The Arctic has become a global flashpoint due to rising geopolitical tensions, climate change, and resource competition.

About the Arctic Council

• Established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration as an intergovernmental forum.

• Member States (8): Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US.

• Permanent Participants: Six Indigenous groups representing Arctic inhabitants.

• Observers (Including India):

  • Thirteen countries (e.g., India, China, Japan, UK, France).

  • Thirteen intergovernmental organizations.

  • Twelve NGOs.

Strategic Importance of the Arctic

• Natural Resources: Holds 13% of undiscovered oil and 30% of untapped natural gas, along with rare earth elements.

• New Trade Routes:

  • Northeast Passage (Russia) and Northwest Passage (Canada) offer alternatives to the Suez Canal.

  • Potential to reduce shipping distances by thousands of kilometers.

• Geopolitical Tensions: Military activities by Russia, the US, and China are intensifying competition.

• Climate Change Impact: Melting ice is unlocking new exploration opportunities.

• Legal Concerns: Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic lacks a comprehensive international treaty for governance.

5. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Ranchi is set to launch Jharkhand’s first large-scale screening campaign for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

About NAFLD (Now Called MASLD)

• A condition caused by excess fat buildup in the liver, unrelated to alcohol consumption.

• Can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if untreated.

• Linked to: Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.

Types of NAFLD

• NAFL (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver): Mild fat accumulation.

• NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis): Severe inflammation, fibrosis, and risk of liver failure.

Who Is at Risk?

• People with obesity, diabetes, or metabolic disorders are more susceptible.

• Can affect individuals of all ages, including children.

Treatment Options

• No specific medication currently exists.

• Weight loss is the most effective treatment.

• Managing associated conditions (diabetes, hypertension) helps prevent complications.

6. Tribhuvandas Patel

The Lok Sabha has recently passed a bill to establish the Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, Gujarat, named after Tribhuvandas Patel, a key figure in India's cooperative movement and a driving force behind the foundation of Amul.

About Tribhuvandas Patel:

• Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel was an Indian independence activist, lawyer, and politician.

• A devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he is credited as the father of India's cooperative movement, particularly for his role in forming the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union in 1946 and spearheading the Anand Co-operative movement.

• Born in 1903 in Gujarat to a farming family, he was deeply influenced by Gandhi’s ideology, participating in movements related to civil disobedience, rural development, and social reform.

• Served as President of Harijan Sevak Samiti from 1948 to 1983.

• Imprisoned for the first time in 1930 during the Salt Satyagraha in Nasik and later in Visapur, where he vowed to dedicate his life to the welfare of the masses.

• Established the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd. (KDCMPUL) in 1946 to challenge the exploitation of farmers by Polson Dairy, with guidance from Morarji Desai and inspiration from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

• Focused on building milk cooperatives at the village level, ensuring inclusivity irrespective of caste, creed, or community.

• Invited Dr. Verghese Kurien to KDCMPUL, who later led India's White Revolution.

• Played a key role in forming the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).

• Received several prestigious honors, including:

  • Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963) for community leadership.

  • Padma Bhushan (1964) for his contributions to social service.

7. Abel Prize 2025

The prestigious Abel Prize for Mathematics has been awarded to Japanese mathematician Masaki Kashiwara for his groundbreaking work in algebraic analysis, representation theory, and sheaf theory.

About the Abel Prize:

• Recognizes outstanding contributions to mathematics and is often considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in the field.

• Named after Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel (1802-1829), who made pioneering contributions across various mathematical disciplines.

• Established in 2002 by the Norwegian Parliament to mark Abel’s 200th birth anniversary.

• Administered by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, with recipients selected by an expert committee advised by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) and the European Mathematical Society (EMS).

• First awarded in 2003, the Abel Prize carries a monetary reward of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (approx. USD 720,000) and includes a commemorative glass plaque by artist Henrik Haugan.

Abel Prize 2025 Winner: Masaki Kashiwara

• Recognized for fundamental contributions to algebraic analysis and representation theory, particularly for developing D-modules theory and discovering crystal bases.

• His work has helped solve long-standing mathematical problems and established unexpected connections between different areas of mathematics.

• Crystal bases, discovered by Kashiwara, simplify complex mathematical computations by representing them as graphical structures of vertices and connections.

8. NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal

Amid concerns raised by opposition-led states regarding alleged resource allocation bias, the Union Finance Minister is set to launch the NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal.

About the Portal:

• Developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

• Serves as a comprehensive database containing social, economic, and fiscal data spanning 1990-91 to 2022-23.

• Features four main components:

  1. State Reports – Summarizes the macroeconomic and fiscal landscape of 28 Indian states, with insights into demographic, economic, and fiscal indicators.

  2. Data Repository – Provides access to an extensive database classified into five categories: Demography, Economic Structure, Fiscal, Health, and Education.

  3. State Fiscal and Economic Dashboard – Offers graphical insights into economic trends and quick access to raw data via summary tables and appendices.

  4. Research and Commentary – Provides expert insights, policy papers, and analyses on state finances and fiscal policies.

Significance:

• Facilitates comparative analysis of states against each other and national averages.

• Enhances policy debates by providing real-time analytics and historical trends.

• Serves as a research hub for policymakers, researchers, and economists to assess state-level economic progress and fiscal policies.

9. Exercise Tiger Triumph

India and the United States are set to commence the fourth edition of their major tri-service exercise, Tiger Triumph, in the Bay of Bengal.

About Exercise Tiger Triumph:

• A tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise aimed at enhancing coordination between the Indian and U.S. armed forces for effective disaster response.

• Focuses on establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for setting up a Combined Coordination Centre (CCC) for HADR operations.

Participants:

• India:

  • Indian Navy – Ships INS Jalashwa, Gharial, Mumbai, and Shakti, equipped with helicopters and landing crafts.

  • Indian Air Force – C-130 aircraft, MI-17 helicopters, and the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT).

  • Indian Army – 91 Infantry Brigade and 12 Mechanical Infantry Battalion.

  • Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (P8I).

• United States:

  • US Navy – Ships Comstock and Ralph Johnson, along with troops from the US Marine Division.

Additional Activities:

• Participants will engage in training exchanges, subject matter expert discussions, sports events, and social interactions to foster military cooperation.