{"id":74398,"date":"2026-05-20T20:41:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=74398"},"modified":"2026-05-20T21:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T15:47:28","slug":"news-in-short-20-05-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-05-2026\/news-in-short-20-05-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 20-05-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Nordic Countries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Places in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>After the Third India-Nordic Summit, Prime Minister Modi said that <strong>India and the Nordic countries <\/strong>are committed to \u201cdemocracy, rule of law and multilateralism\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Nordic Countries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nordic countries are a<strong> group of countries in northern Europe <\/strong>consisting of <strong>Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The designation includes the <strong>Faroe Islands and Greenland, <\/strong>which are autonomous island regions of <strong>Denmark,<\/strong> and the<strong> \u00c5land Islands<\/strong>, an autonomous island region of <strong>Finland.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"bfdad9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-148-1024x589.png\" alt=\"nordic countries\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-74400\" style=\"--dominant-color: #bfdad9; aspect-ratio:1.7385680098311882;width:507px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-148-1024x589.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-148-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-148-768x442.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-148-1536x883.png 1536w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-148.png 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Scandinavia,<\/strong> a peninsular region of northern Europe that serves as the geographic core of the Nordic countries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scandinavia is typically defined more restrictively, however, and refers <strong>primarily to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Denmark, Sweden and Finland<\/strong> are <strong>members of the EU<\/strong> while Norway and Iceland are European Economic Area (EEA) members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Among them <strong>Sweden <\/strong>is the <strong>most populated <\/strong>country while <strong>Iceland is the least populated.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/185709\/OPS\/G3PG0LJVE.1+GVQG0M9CO.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Euthanasia for Rabid and Dangerous Stray Dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court has allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs, citing the need to protect human life and public safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Observations of the Supreme Court<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court observed that the State has a <strong>constitutional obligation <\/strong>to protect citizens from repeated stray dog attacks and rabies threats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Court upheld its earlier order directing the<strong> removal of stray dogs <\/strong>from <strong>schools, hospitals, markets, and other high-footfall public spaces.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Municipal bodies<\/strong> may resort to euthanasia in areas where the stray dog population has reached alarming levels and where repeated dog bites or aggressive attacks continue to threaten public safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Constitutional and Legal Dimensions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 21 and Human Security: <\/strong>The judgment expanded the interpretation of Article 21 by linking public safety with the right to life and dignity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960:<\/strong> The Act protects animals from unnecessary cruelty while permitting humane treatment in exceptional situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023:<\/strong> The Rules emphasise sterilisation, vaccination, and scientific management of stray dog populations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/sc-permits-euthanasia-for-stray-dogs-posing-demonstrably-dangerous-to-human-life\/#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20has\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Delhi Police has suggested a <strong>larger SC Bench to review the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) bail curbs.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An earlier judgment by SC held that <strong>\u201cbail is the rule and jail is an exception\u201d<\/strong> even in prosecutions under the UAPA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Section 43D(5) of the UAPA imposes stringent restrictions on bail. <\/strong>A court has to conclude whether the allegation against the accused appears to be prima facie true while deciding bail.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is <strong>India\u2019s primary anti-terrorism law<\/strong> aimed at <strong>preventing unlawful activities,<\/strong> and terrorist activities that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was enacted in <strong>1967 <\/strong>by the Parliament of India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Central Government can <strong>designate organizations as terrorist organizations.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accused can be detained for a <strong>longer period without filing chargesheet <\/strong>up to 180 days in certain cases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cases are often investigated by the <strong>National Investigation Agency.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Investigation Agency (NIA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Established under:<\/strong> NIA Act, 2008 after 26\/11 Mumbai attacks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Function:<\/strong> Central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandate:<\/strong> Investigates offences affecting India\u2019s sovereignty, security, international treaties, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Jurisdiction extended: <\/strong>Can investigate scheduled offences committed outside India involving Indian citizens\/interests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expanded mandate: <\/strong>Covers offences under Explosive Substances Act, 1908 Human Trafficking, Cyber Terrorism Arms Act, 1959.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquarters:<\/strong> New Delhi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Special Courts: <\/strong>Total NIA Special Courts: 51\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exclusive NIA Courts: 2 (Ranchi &amp; Jammu).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/185709\/OPS\/G3PG0LJVE.1+GJKG0LK9C.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ayush Anudan Portal Under Ayush Grid Initiative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare launched the Ayush Anudan Portal at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ayush Anudan Portal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is developed by the <strong>Ministry of Ayush under the Ayush Grid initiative.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to streamline the submission, processing, approval, and monitoring of funding proposals under various <strong>Central Sector Schemes.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It supports the government\u2019s vision of <strong>\u201cEase of Doing Business\u201d<\/strong> and paperless governance by enabling organisations to submit grant proposals completely online.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is\u00a0 integrated with the<strong> NGO Darpan Portal<\/strong> and\u00a0 it ensures faster and more reliable verification of applicant organisations.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key features include scheme-wise application management, real-time tracking of proposals, and a user-friendly digital interface that replaces manual processes.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Do you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ayush Grid Project is conceptualized by the Ministry of Ayush for creating a comprehensive Information Technology backbone for the entire Ayush sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It envisages digitization of service delivery across the<strong> six functional areas <\/strong>\u2014 Health Services, Education, Research, Drug Administration, Medicinal Plants, and Ministry of Ayash Oversight along with capacity building and media outreach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is aimed at establishing an integrated, transparent, and <strong>citizen-centric digital ecosystem<\/strong> for the Ayush sector through the use of modern technology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Source : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2262897&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Oslo Summit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PM Modi participated in the Third India\u2013Nordic Summit held in Oslo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The summit brought together leaders of the five Nordic countries<strong>; Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The summit aims <\/strong>to strengthen cooperation between India and Nordic countries in trade, investment, clean energy, technology, innovation, maritime affairs and sustainable development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The first India\u2013Nordic Summit <\/strong>was held in Stockholm in <strong>2018 and the second <\/strong>summit took place in<strong> Copenhagen in 2022.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of Nordic Countries for India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technological Cooperation:<\/strong> Nordic countries are global leaders in clean technologies, innovation and digital governance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Green Energy Partnership:<\/strong> Nordic expertise in offshore wind, green hydrogen and sustainable technologies supports India\u2019s energy transition goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Cooperation: <\/strong>Nordic countries possess advanced capabilities in shipbuilding, maritime logistics and sustainable port infrastructure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Arctic Significance:<\/strong> Nordic cooperation is important for India\u2019s climate research and Arctic engagement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Research and Innovation:<\/strong> Collaboration in research, education and start-up ecosystems can strengthen India\u2019s knowledge economy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/185469\/OPS\/GLNG0CF2B.1+GM0G0DVN1.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Iran has established a new regulatory body named as <strong>Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To oversee and manage operations in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The move marks the <strong>formal creation of a dedicated authority<\/strong> responsible for monitoring the strait.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under the new system,<\/strong> vessels will be required to follow directives issued by the authority and secure transit permits before entering the Strait of Hormuz.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),<\/strong> the Strait of Hormuz falls under the transit passage principle protecting uninterrupted international shipping \u2013 a convention Iran signed but never ratified.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The US, Gulf states, and European nations<\/strong> have all rejected the legality of Iran\u2019s fee regime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/iran-establishes-new-regulatory-body-to-control-shipping-in-strait-of-hormuz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Zwan-Wolf Effect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A recent study published in Nature Communications has provided evidence of the Zwan-Wolf effect at Mars using data from NASA\u2019s MAVEN spacecraft.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Zwan-Wolf Effect?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Zwan-Wolf effect is a space weather phenomenon where <strong>electrically charged particles (plasma) are compressed and squeezed<\/strong> along magnetic field lines when a planet&#8217;s magnetic boundary interacts with the solar wind.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The solar wind is a continuous stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First identified in <strong>1976 by scientists B.J. Zwan and R.A. Wolf,<\/strong> the phenomenon creates a plasma &#8220;depletion layer&#8221; near the planetary boundary, helping deflect solar wind flows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"6d6459\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-147.png\" alt=\"zwan-wolf effect\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-74399\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6d6459; aspect-ratio:1.777078828386082;width:495px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-147.png 773w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-147-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-147-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of Discovery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mars lacks a strong global magnetic field unlike the Earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The discovery shows that even relatively \u201cunmagnetised\u201d planets can experience complex magnetic interactions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The findings may help explain atmospheric loss processes on Mars over geological timescales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The study also enhances understanding of space weather effects on planets without strong magnetic protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>MAVEN Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MAVEN stands for <strong>Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a NASA mission launched in <strong>2013 to study the Martian atmosphere <\/strong>and its interaction with the solar wind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mission investigates <strong>how Mars lost much of its atmosphere and water over time.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/185709\/OPS\/G3PG0LK03.1+GJKG0LKD9.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Apache Helicopters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The United States has approved the proposed sale of support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters to India at an estimated cost of 198.2 million US dollars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Apache helicopters<\/strong> are among the world\u2019s most advanced <strong>multi-role attack helicopters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developed by <strong>Boeing<\/strong>, it combines firepower, agility, and modern avionics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is equipped with <strong>Hellfire missiles<\/strong>, 70mm rockets, and a 30mm chain gun, enabling it to engage ground targets, armoured vehicles, and even low-flying aircraft.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They have advanced sensors, targeting radar, and night vision systems that make it effective for operations in all weather conditions, including <strong>high-altitude<\/strong> and <strong>low-visibility<\/strong> combat zones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Besides India, other users include Egypt, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/us-approves-apache-helicopter-m777-howitzer-sustainment-deals-india-10697996\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Chandrayaan-3: Latest Research\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory have used data from <strong>Chandrayaan-3 <\/strong>to reveal new details about the Moon\u2019s surface.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chandrayaan-3 Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation using the LVM3 M4 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Composition and Payloads&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lander payloads:<\/strong> Chandra\u2019s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature; Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for measuring the seismicity around the landing site; Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate the plasma density and its variations.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rover payloads:<\/strong> Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of landing site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mission objectives&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To demonstrate Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Latest Developments&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory found that the Moon\u2019s regolith is not uniform: a loose, porous surface layer quickly transitions into a much denser layer just 2\u20136 cm below the surface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The findings came from the ChaSTE instrument (Chandra\u2019s Surface Thermophysical Experiment), which analysed the lunar surface after the Chandrayaan-3 lander performed its unexpected \u201chop\u201d experiment in September 2023.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ChaSTE data shows the Moon has distinct layered soil up to 6\u20139 cm deep and provides key insights for future lunar missions, including surface changes from rocket plumes, possible non-polar water-ice, and sharp temperature drops with depth useful for habitat planning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/chandrayaan-3-lunar-regolith-study-shiv-shakti-point-cake-like-surface-10697933\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> After the Third India-Nordic Summit, Prime Minister Modi said that India and the Nordic countries are committed to \u201cdemocracy, rule of law and multilateralism\u201d. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Nordic Countries <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Nordic countries are a group of countries in northern Europe consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The designation includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are autonomous island regions of Denmark, and the \u00c5land Islands, an autonomous island region of Finland. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-05-2026\/news-in-short-20-05-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74398","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74398"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74408,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74398\/revisions\/74408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}