UPSC EXAM QUIZ 17.02.2025

Explanation:

• European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope discovered a rare Einstein ring around the galaxy NGC 6505, nearly 590 million light-years away from Earth.
• A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, which is 9.46 trillion kilometres. An Einstein ring is a ring of light around a galaxy, dark matter, or galaxy cluster caused by Gravitational Lensing.
• Gravitational lensing happens when a massive celestial body (like a galaxy) creates a gravitational field that distorts and amplifies the light from distant galaxies that are behind it but in the same line of sight.
• The object causing the light to bend is called a gravitational lens.The massive object, like the galaxy NGC 6505 in the Draco Constellation, acts as a gravitational lens, distorting and magnifying the light.Einstein rings are named after Albert Einstein, whose theory of relativity predicted that light could bend and brighten around cosmic objects.
• Einstein rings are very rare, occurring in less than 1% of galaxies. The first one was discovered in 1987, and only a few others have been found since.

Explanation:

• After the resignation of N Biren Singh from the post of Chief Minister in Manipur, President's rule has now been imposed in the state. President's rule has been imposed in Manipur under Article 356 of the Constitution.
• President’s Rule has been imposed following the resignation of the Chief Minister of Manipur due to the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur (Meitei-Kuki conflict, which started in May 2023).Recently in 2021, President’s Rule was imposed in Puducherry after the Congress government lost a vote of confidence.

President’s rule

• Article 356 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to take over the state government and legislature when the state’s government cannot function as per the Constitution.
• During its operation, the state executive is dismissed and the state legislature is either suspended or dissolved.
• The president administers the state through the governor and the Parliament makes laws for the state.
• In brief, the executive and legislative powers of the state are assumed by the Centre.

Explanation:

• UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme has achieved a new milestone with version 5.5. This phase aims to improve air connectivity in remote areas, hilly areas and islands. Under this initiative, under-served areas will be connected using seaplanes and helicopters.

UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme

• Launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, aims to develop regional airports and enhance connectivity.
• A part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.

Objectives

• To improve air connectivity in remote and regional areas of India.
• To provide affordable and accessible air travel in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Objectives of UDAN 5.5

• To promote air travel in remote and under-served areas.
• To develop routes connecting 80 water bodies (ponds, dams etc.) • To enhance connectivity for local residents and promote tourism.
• To provide economic benefits by facilitating trade and commerce.

Explanation:

• China approved the construction of the first South China Sea deepwater ‘space station’.
• This cold seep ecosystem research facility will be below the 2000m surface in the South China Sea.
• The facility will be one of the deepest and most technologically complex underwater installations.
• It will become fully operational by around 2030. It will have room for six scientists on missions that will last as long as a month.
• This planned facility will be used to study cold seep ecosystems.
• The South China Sea holds 70 billion tonnes of methane hydrates.
• It has many rare mineral deposits, including cobalt and nickel concentrations three times higher than land-based mines.
• This facility will have a long-term life support system that will be needed if scientists are to build and operate a permanent monitoring network to track methane fluxes.
• The scientists on board the facility will be able to conduct real-time experiments and adjust protocols in extreme conditions.

Explanation:

• Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has been conferred with the United Kingdom’s “The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division).
• It is the prestigious honorary civilian award to foreign nationals. He receives this award for his contributions to UK-India business relations.
• The list of foreign recipients of this British honours includes other notable figures such as Dagmar Dolby, Eric Schmidt, Jason Furman and Rajinder Dhatt.
• The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in fields such as the arts, sciences, charitable endeavours, and public service.
• Natarajan Chandrasekaran has been the chairman of Tata Sons since 2017.
• He also chairs the boards of key Tata Group companies, including Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, and Air India.