1. Chirality and Discovery in KV₃Sb₅

Researchers recently identified a chiral quantum state in the topological Kagome lattice material KV₃Sb₅, previously considered non-chiral—marking a breakthrough in condensed matter physics.

• Chirality is the property of an object or molecule that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, commonly observed in biological structures like DNA and amino acids.

• KV₃Sb₅ features a Kagome lattice of corner-sharing triangles, a structure known for enabling exotic quantum behaviors.

• Technique Used: Scientists employed a Scanning Photocurrent Microscope (SPCM)—distinct from STM—to detect the circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE), indicating chirality.

• Findings: At 4 Kelvin, the material exhibited spontaneous symmetry breaking and responded differently to circularly polarised light, confirming an intrinsic chiral charge order—a first for a bulk topological quantum material.

2. Persian Gulf Naming Controversy

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, former US President Donald Trump proposed renaming the ‘Persian Gulf’ as the ‘Arabian Gulf’, reflecting Arab preferences but igniting a long-standing geopolitical naming dispute.

• Historical Usage: ‘Persian Gulf’ has been used since the 16th century and is still recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

• Geography: A vital sea in Western Asia, the Persian Gulf spans ~251,000 km², with Iran owning the longest coastline and hosting Qeshm Island, the region’s largest.

• Strategic Significance: Around 30% of global oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The region hosts major naval forces and has strategic islands like Bahrain and Qeshm.

3. Operation Sindoor: Precision Strikes

India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military campaign against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, leveraging advanced precision weaponry to minimize collateral damage.

• Targets: 21 camps across 9 locations were neutralized using long-range, precision-guided munitions.

• Key Weapons:

  • HAMMER: A smart French weapon integrated with Rafale jets.

  • SCALP: Stealth cruise missile with 450 km range.

  • METEOR: Advanced air-to-air missile with extended range.

  • BRAHMOS: Supersonic cruise missile, adaptable across platforms.

  • Loitering Munitions: Drones capable of surveillance and pinpoint attacks.

These technologies showcase India’s evolving strategic depth in aerial and missile warfare.

4. Kosmos 482: Re-entry of Soviet Venus Probe

A fragment of Kosmos 482, a Soviet Venus lander launched in 1972, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around May 10, 2025, after decades in orbit due to a launch failure.

• What Went Wrong: A malfunction in the rocket’s upper stage left the spacecraft stranded in Earth orbit.

• Venera Programme: Kosmos 482 was part of the Soviet Venera series (1961–1984) designed to explore Venus. Its twin, Venera 8, landed successfully and transmitted data for 50 minutes.

• Design Features: Venera landers were engineered with titanium shells, thermal insulation, and pressure-resistant structures to survive Venus’s extreme environment (~462°C, 92 bar pressure).

5. IMDEX Asia 2025: Indian Navy’s Participation

INS Kiltan arrived in Singapore for IMDEX Asia 2025, a key maritime defence exhibition showcasing naval innovations and fostering global maritime security cooperation.

• About IMDEX: Held biennially since 1997, it brings together navies, coast guards, defence firms, and policymakers.

• Highlights:

  • Exhibits of modern naval platforms and technologies.

  • The International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) promotes collaboration on maritime domain awareness and security challenges.

Jointly hosted by the Singapore Navy and RSIS, IMDEX serves as a strategic platform for multilateral maritime dialogue and cooperation.

6. What is the SCALP Missile?
During Operation Sindoor, India reportedly used SCALP missiles launched from Rafale jets to target terror infrastructure deep within Pakistan and PoK.

Overview of SCALP Missile:
The SCALP missile, also known as ‘Storm Shadow’ in the UK, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile designed for precision strikes on high-value, fixed targets.
Its full French name—Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée—highlights its autonomous long-range strike capabilities. It was co-developed by France and the UK and is operational in the air forces of India, Egypt, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

Specifications and Features:

• Range: Approximately 500 km

• Weight: 1,300 kg, including a 450 kg warhead designed to penetrate fortified bunkers

• Dimensions: ~5 metres in length with a 3-metre wingspan

• Speed and Flight: Subsonic (~Mach 0.8), terrain-hugging low-altitude flight to evade radar

• Guidance Systems: Combines GPS/INS navigation, terrain mapping, and infrared terminal homing for pinpoint accuracy

• Operational Capabilities: All-weather functionality with high stealth characteristics

• Deployment in India: Integrated with Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force

7. What are the Piprahwa Gems?
Global Buddhist communities have raised objections to the auction of ancient Piprahwa gems, believed to hold relics linked to the Buddha himself.

About the Piprahwa Gems:
These gems were unearthed in 1898 from a stupa in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, by British engineer William Claxton Peppe. According to inscriptions found at the site, the stupa contained the remains of the Buddha, who died around 480 BC.

Significance:
The Piprahwa relics are among the earliest verifiable finds of the Buddha’s remains. The British crown, invoking the 1878 Indian Treasure Trove Act, claimed the discovery, later gifting the remains to Thailand’s King Chulalongkorn.

Composition:
The collection includes roughly 1,800 items—amethysts, garnets, coral, pearls, rock crystals, gold, shells—either crafted into ornaments or in raw form. While most went to the Indian Museum in Kolkata, Peppe was allowed to keep a portion, some labelled “duplicates” by British authorities.

8. Anak Krakatau Volcano
A satellite radar analysis has revealed that unnoticed ground deformation preceded the 2018 collapse of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano.

About Anak Krakatau:
Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatoa,” is a volcanic island in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra. It emerged from the sea in 1927 following the massive Krakatoa eruption of 1883 and is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Volcanic Activity:
Anak Krakatau has erupted frequently since its formation, with at least nine active periods since 1963.
On December 22, 2018, a significant eruption caused the southwestern flank of the volcano to collapse into the sea, triggering a deadly tsunami that struck coastal regions of southern Sumatra and western Java.

9. Jenu Kuruba Tribe
Recently, members of the Jenu Kuruba tribe began reclaiming their ancestral homes within Karnataka’s Nagarhole National Park.

About the Tribe:
The Jenu Kuruba are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), primarily residing in Karnataka’s Mysore and Kodagu districts. The name translates to “honey gatherer” in Kannada, reflecting their traditional livelihood based on honey collection and forest resource management.

Lifestyle and Social Structure:
They live in hamlets called Hadi and follow a semi-nomadic way of life. Their governance includes a headman (Yajamana) and a spiritual leader (Gudda), with most community decisions made independently from external authorities.

Belief System and Culture:
Their spiritual practices are rooted in reverence for natural deities, and their oral traditions—songs and dances—explore themes like agriculture, myths, marriage, and religious customs.

10. Key Facts about the Snow Leopard
Tourists in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley recently witnessed a rare sighting of a snow leopard—one of the world’s most elusive big cats.

About the Snow Leopard:

• Scientific Name: Panthera uncia

• Habitat: Snow leopards live in the rugged mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, from 1,800 metres in winter to 5,500 metres in summer.

• Distribution: Found across 12 countries including India, China, Bhutan, Nepal, Russia, and Mongolia. In India, their presence spans the Himalayas in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Physical Features:

• Pale grey fur with dark rosettes for camouflage

• Thick insulating undercoat for extreme cold

• Length: Up to 7 feet including the long balancing tail

• Height: ~2 feet at shoulder; Weight: 27–54 kg

Behaviour and Conservation:
Solitary and shy, snow leopards are rarely seen, earning them the nickname “ghost of the mountains.”

• IUCN Status: Vulnerable

• CITES: Appendix I

• India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I species