Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

1.Global Planetary Defense Efforts 

Context

• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is keen to be part of global planetary defense efforts ahead of Earth’s 2029close encounter with asteroid Apophis.

About

• Planetary defense, the detection of asteroids and comets whose impact with Earth could significantly affect the planet and the prevention or mitigation of any such impacts.
• Asteroid Day: Asteroid Day is observed every year by the space community on June 30 on account of a huge air blast from an asteroid flattening 2,200 sq km of forest in Siberia, Russia, on June 30, 1908.

 

2.TDF Scheme (MoD) for “Atmanirbharta” in Defence 

Promotes Self-Reliance (Make in India):

• Flagship program of Ministry of Defence (MoD) executed by DRDO.
• Provides Grant-in-Aid to:
  • Indian industries (MSMEs, startups)
  • Academic & scientific institutions

Objectives:

• Develop defence & dual-use technologies (not currently available in India)
• Foster design & development culture in private industries (MSMEs, startups) for military technology
• Focus on niche technology R&D (first time in India)
• Bridge the gap between: Armed Forces, research organizations, academia & private sector

 

3.Spiral Galaxies Found Earlier Than Expected

New Discovery:

• Evidence of spiral galaxies found just 500 million years after the Big Bang (Universe age: 13.8 billion years).
• This challenges the previous belief of spiral galaxy formation around 6 billion years ago.

Galaxy Basics:

• Galaxies: Collections of stars, planets, gas & dust bound by gravity.
• Sizes: Range from thousands to trillions of stars, spanning hundreds to millions of light-years.
• Shapes: Spiral, elliptical, and irregular.

Spiral Galaxy Formation:

• Early Universe: Hot, dense plasma state with clumps of matter forming irregular galaxies.
• Cooling Universe: Formation of hot, thick disks in galaxies, eventually evolving into thin disks and spiral arms (billions of years).
• Younger galaxies tend to be spiral, older ones have diverse shapes.

Our Home: The Milky Way

• Milky Way: A spiral galaxy with a 100,000+ light-year wide disk of stars.
• Solar System: Orbits the Milky Way every 240 million years.

 

4.Codex Alimentarius Commission 

India Elected to Codex Executive Committee (July 2024):

• Represents Asian region in the FAO-WHO body.

Codex Alimentarius (Food Code):

• Collection of international standards for food safety & fair trade.
• Covers aspects like additives, contaminants, labelling, nutrition etc.

Origins & Purpose (Established by FAO & WHO in 1963):

• Protects consumer health through science-based food safety standards.
• Promotes fair practices in international food trade.

Importance of Codex Standards:

• Ensure food safety for consumers.
• Facilitate international food trade negotiations.
• Provide science-based recommendations for member countries (188).

 

5.Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Project: India’s 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft

• Project Goal: Develop an indigenous 5th generation fighter jet for the Indian Air Force and Navy.
• Timeline:
  • Sanctioned: March 2024 [Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)]
  • Prototype Expected: 2028-29
  • Production Start: 2032-33
  • Induction: Early 2030s
• Key Features:
  • 25-ton twin-engine stealth aircraft
  • Internal weapons bay
  • Diverterless supersonic intake (developed in India)
  • Internal payload: 1,500 kg
  • External payload: 5,500 kg
  • Internal fuel: 6,500 kg
• Developed By:
  • Designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
  • Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
• Significance:
  • India’s only planned 5th generation fighter aircraft
  • Promotes self-reliance in advanced military technology
  • Cost-effective alternative to Western and Russian jets
  • Enhances air superiority, deterrence, and strike capabilities

Compared to Global Peers:

• F-35 Lightning II (USA): Stealth and multirole combat
• Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia): Maneuverability and advanced avionics
• Chengdu J-20 (China): Stealth and long-range strike