Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- India and Japan have adopted the Rules of Implementation for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The mechanism provides a framework for collaboration on mitigation projects <\/strong>that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions<\/strong> while supporting sustainable development in India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It will also contribute to the achievement of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)<\/strong> of both India and Japan under the Paris Agreement.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Rules of Implementation lay down <\/strong>governance arrangements for the mechanism, including\n
\n- The establishment of a Joint Committee<\/strong> comprising representatives of both governments,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparent project approval procedures<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Third-party validation<\/strong> and verification processes, sustainable development safeguards and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- National registries<\/strong> for tracking the issuance and transfer of carbon credits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nArticle 6.2 of the Paris Agreement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Article 6.2 enables countries to cooperate and trade emission reduction units (carbon credits)<\/strong> with each other to achieve their climate targets under the Paris Agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A host country sells units to a buyer country, in exchange for investments, support for capacity building, and access to technologies<\/strong> not available through domestic resources.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The buyer country purchases these units, known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs)<\/strong>, to address any gaps in meeting its own climate goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-141.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRBI Allows Banks to offer Higher Interest Rates to NRIs\/PIOs to Mobilise Forex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- As per the directions of RBI interest rates on NRE\/NRO deposits<\/strong> will not be higher than those offered by the bank<\/strong> on comparable domestic rupee term deposits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It has decided to temporarily withdraw interest rate ceiling<\/strong> on fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident- Bank [FCNR(B)] deposits<\/strong> of 3-5 year tenors and restriction on interest rates on Non-Resident External (NRE) deposits<\/strong> of three year and above tenors till September 30, 2026 to boost forex reserves.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Significance: <\/strong>This move will help Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to avail higher interest rates from India banks to park their funds.<\/strong>\n
\n- It will help India to mobilise dollars to swell its foreign exchange reserves <\/strong>that may lend support to a depreciating rupee and help meet balance of payment obligations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank, or FCNR (B) account<\/strong>, means the deposit is held in a foreign denomination. This secures it against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Only NRIs\/PIOs\/OCIs <\/strong>can open an FCNR (B) account and the NRI status should be as per Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deposits are maintained in foreign currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, AUD, CAD, etc.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It can only be a term deposit <\/strong>with maturities ranging from 1 year to 5 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They are intended to attract foreign currency deposits from NRIs,<\/strong> helping India strengthen its foreign exchange reserves while providing NRIs protection against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHigh Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS2\/ Health, GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the establishment of the High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP)<\/strong> in Nagpur with an allocation of \u20b9300 crore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is a Medical Cyclotron?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A medical cyclotron is a specialized particle accelerator<\/strong> that produces radioactive substances called radioisotopes<\/strong> for use in healthcare.\n
\n- It works by accelerating charged particles, such as protons,<\/strong> to very high speeds using electric and magnetic fields.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These high-speed particles are then directed at a target material, triggering nuclear reactions that generate radioisotopes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The radioisotopes produced are used in:<\/strong>\n
\n- PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans and PET-CT imaging;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Various nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Targeted radionuclide therapies for treating diseases such as cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Common medical radioisotopes<\/strong> include Fluorine-18 (F-18), Gallium-68 (Ga-68), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBitumen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The recent conflict in West Asia has hit India\u2019s push to expand road infrastructure as India imports 30-40% of Bitumen.\u00a0<\/strong>\n
\n- Over 99% of India\u2019s bitumen imports<\/strong> come from Iraq, UAE, Iran, Oman and Bahrain.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bitumen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil, <\/strong>known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is predominantly used in road construction and roofing.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Canada <\/strong>has one of the largest natural deposits of bitumen<\/strong> in its oil sands, contributing significantly to global supply.\n
\n- Other deposits of bituminous sands <\/strong>can be found in the United States, Venezuela, and Russia.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is produced in refineries to <\/strong>ensure purity, maintain consistent quality, and meet massive global construction demands at a lower cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Universe\u2019s Expansion Still Accelerating: Researchers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- After revisiting data involving a type of exploding star, a team of researchers says it has confirmed the notion that the universe \u200cis expanding at an accelerated rate.<\/strong>\n
\n- In the \u200b1990s, these observations led to the identification of an enigmatic cosmic force called dark energy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Dark Matter and Dark Energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The content of the Universe is widely thought to consist of three types of substance: normal matter, dark matter and dark energy.<\/strong>\n
\n- Roughly 68% of the universe is dark energy, dark matter<\/strong> makes up about 27%<\/strong> and the rest everything observed adds up to less than 5% of the universe.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Matter: <\/strong>Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not interact with the electromagnetic force. <\/strong>This means it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot.\n
\n- Dark matter works like an attractive force,<\/strong> a kind of cosmic cement that holds the universe together.<\/strong> This is because dark matter does interact with gravity.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Since dark matter doesn\u2019t emit, absorb or reflect light, astronomers can only study its gravitational effect on visible matter,<\/strong> such as stars and galaxies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Energy:<\/strong> Dark energy is a repulsive force<\/strong>, a sort of anti-gravity\u00a0 that drives the universe\u2019s ever-accelerating expansion.<\/strong>\n
\n- Dark energy is the far more dominant force than Dark matter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The mechanism provides a framework for collaboration on mitigation projects <\/strong>that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions<\/strong> while supporting sustainable development in India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It will also contribute to the achievement of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)<\/strong> of both India and Japan under the Paris Agreement.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Rules of Implementation lay down <\/strong>governance arrangements for the mechanism, including\n
\n- The establishment of a Joint Committee<\/strong> comprising representatives of both governments,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparent project approval procedures<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Third-party validation<\/strong> and verification processes, sustainable development safeguards and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- National registries<\/strong> for tracking the issuance and transfer of carbon credits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nArticle 6.2 of the Paris Agreement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Article 6.2 enables countries to cooperate and trade emission reduction units (carbon credits)<\/strong> with each other to achieve their climate targets under the Paris Agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A host country sells units to a buyer country, in exchange for investments, support for capacity building, and access to technologies<\/strong> not available through domestic resources.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The buyer country purchases these units, known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs)<\/strong>, to address any gaps in meeting its own climate goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nRBI Allows Banks to offer Higher Interest Rates to NRIs\/PIOs to Mobilise Forex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- As per the directions of RBI interest rates on NRE\/NRO deposits<\/strong> will not be higher than those offered by the bank<\/strong> on comparable domestic rupee term deposits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- It has decided to temporarily withdraw interest rate ceiling<\/strong> on fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident- Bank [FCNR(B)] deposits<\/strong> of 3-5 year tenors and restriction on interest rates on Non-Resident External (NRE) deposits<\/strong> of three year and above tenors till September 30, 2026 to boost forex reserves.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Significance: <\/strong>This move will help Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to avail higher interest rates from India banks to park their funds.<\/strong>\n
\n- It will help India to mobilise dollars to swell its foreign exchange reserves <\/strong>that may lend support to a depreciating rupee and help meet balance of payment obligations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank, or FCNR (B) account<\/strong>, means the deposit is held in a foreign denomination. This secures it against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Only NRIs\/PIOs\/OCIs <\/strong>can open an FCNR (B) account and the NRI status should be as per Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deposits are maintained in foreign currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, AUD, CAD, etc.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It can only be a term deposit <\/strong>with maturities ranging from 1 year to 5 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They are intended to attract foreign currency deposits from NRIs,<\/strong> helping India strengthen its foreign exchange reserves while providing NRIs protection against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHigh Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS2\/ Health, GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the establishment of the High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP)<\/strong> in Nagpur with an allocation of \u20b9300 crore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is a Medical Cyclotron?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- A medical cyclotron is a specialized particle accelerator<\/strong> that produces radioactive substances called radioisotopes<\/strong> for use in healthcare.\n
\n- It works by accelerating charged particles, such as protons,<\/strong> to very high speeds using electric and magnetic fields.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These high-speed particles are then directed at a target material, triggering nuclear reactions that generate radioisotopes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The radioisotopes produced are used in:<\/strong>\n
\n- PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans and PET-CT imaging;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Various nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Targeted radionuclide therapies for treating diseases such as cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Common medical radioisotopes<\/strong> include Fluorine-18 (F-18), Gallium-68 (Ga-68), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBitumen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The recent conflict in West Asia has hit India\u2019s push to expand road infrastructure as India imports 30-40% of Bitumen.\u00a0<\/strong>\n
\n- Over 99% of India\u2019s bitumen imports<\/strong> come from Iraq, UAE, Iran, Oman and Bahrain.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bitumen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil, <\/strong>known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is predominantly used in road construction and roofing.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Canada <\/strong>has one of the largest natural deposits of bitumen<\/strong> in its oil sands, contributing significantly to global supply.\n
\n- Other deposits of bituminous sands <\/strong>can be found in the United States, Venezuela, and Russia.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is produced in refineries to <\/strong>ensure purity, maintain consistent quality, and meet massive global construction demands at a lower cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Universe\u2019s Expansion Still Accelerating: Researchers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- After revisiting data involving a type of exploding star, a team of researchers says it has confirmed the notion that the universe \u200cis expanding at an accelerated rate.<\/strong>\n
\n- In the \u200b1990s, these observations led to the identification of an enigmatic cosmic force called dark energy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Dark Matter and Dark Energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The content of the Universe is widely thought to consist of three types of substance: normal matter, dark matter and dark energy.<\/strong>\n
\n- Roughly 68% of the universe is dark energy, dark matter<\/strong> makes up about 27%<\/strong> and the rest everything observed adds up to less than 5% of the universe.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Matter: <\/strong>Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not interact with the electromagnetic force. <\/strong>This means it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot.\n
\n- Dark matter works like an attractive force,<\/strong> a kind of cosmic cement that holds the universe together.<\/strong> This is because dark matter does interact with gravity.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Since dark matter doesn\u2019t emit, absorb or reflect light, astronomers can only study its gravitational effect on visible matter,<\/strong> such as stars and galaxies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Energy:<\/strong> Dark energy is a repulsive force<\/strong>, a sort of anti-gravity\u00a0 that drives the universe\u2019s ever-accelerating expansion.<\/strong>\n
\n- Dark energy is the far more dominant force than Dark matter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The establishment of a Joint Committee<\/strong> comprising representatives of both governments,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparent project approval procedures<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Third-party validation<\/strong> and verification processes, sustainable development safeguards and\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- National registries<\/strong> for tracking the issuance and transfer of carbon credits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nArticle 6.2 of the Paris Agreement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Article 6.2 enables countries to cooperate and trade emission reduction units (carbon credits)<\/strong> with each other to achieve their climate targets under the Paris Agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A host country sells units to a buyer country, in exchange for investments, support for capacity building, and access to technologies<\/strong> not available through domestic resources.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The buyer country purchases these units, known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs)<\/strong>, to address any gaps in meeting its own climate goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSource: <\/strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
RBI Allows Banks to offer Higher Interest Rates to NRIs\/PIOs to Mobilise Forex<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- As per the directions of RBI interest rates on NRE\/NRO deposits<\/strong> will not be higher than those offered by the bank<\/strong> on comparable domestic rupee term deposits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- It has decided to temporarily withdraw interest rate ceiling<\/strong> on fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident- Bank [FCNR(B)] deposits<\/strong> of 3-5 year tenors and restriction on interest rates on Non-Resident External (NRE) deposits<\/strong> of three year and above tenors till September 30, 2026 to boost forex reserves.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Significance: <\/strong>This move will help Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to avail higher interest rates from India banks to park their funds.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- It will help India to mobilise dollars to swell its foreign exchange reserves <\/strong>that may lend support to a depreciating rupee and help meet balance of payment obligations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank, or FCNR (B) account<\/strong>, means the deposit is held in a foreign denomination. This secures it against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Only NRIs\/PIOs\/OCIs <\/strong>can open an FCNR (B) account and the NRI status should be as per Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Deposits are maintained in foreign currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, AUD, CAD, etc.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It can only be a term deposit <\/strong>with maturities ranging from 1 year to 5 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They are intended to attract foreign currency deposits from NRIs,<\/strong> helping India strengthen its foreign exchange reserves while providing NRIs protection against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP) in Nagpur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS2\/ Health, GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the establishment of the High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project (HEMCP)<\/strong> in Nagpur with an allocation of \u20b9300 crore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is a Medical Cyclotron?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A medical cyclotron is a specialized particle accelerator<\/strong> that produces radioactive substances called radioisotopes<\/strong> for use in healthcare.\n
- \n
- It works by accelerating charged particles, such as protons,<\/strong> to very high speeds using electric and magnetic fields.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These high-speed particles are then directed at a target material, triggering nuclear reactions that generate radioisotopes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The radioisotopes produced are used in:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans and PET-CT imaging;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Various nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Targeted radionuclide therapies for treating diseases such as cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Common medical radioisotopes<\/strong> include Fluorine-18 (F-18), Gallium-68 (Ga-68), Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bitumen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The recent conflict in West Asia has hit India\u2019s push to expand road infrastructure as India imports 30-40% of Bitumen.\u00a0<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Over 99% of India\u2019s bitumen imports<\/strong> come from Iraq, UAE, Iran, Oman and Bahrain.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bitumen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil, <\/strong>known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is predominantly used in road construction and roofing.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Canada <\/strong>has one of the largest natural deposits of bitumen<\/strong> in its oil sands, contributing significantly to global supply.\n
- \n
- Other deposits of bituminous sands <\/strong>can be found in the United States, Venezuela, and Russia.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is produced in refineries to <\/strong>ensure purity, maintain consistent quality, and meet massive global construction demands at a lower cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Universe\u2019s Expansion Still Accelerating: Researchers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- After revisiting data involving a type of exploding star, a team of researchers says it has confirmed the notion that the universe \u200cis expanding at an accelerated rate.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- In the \u200b1990s, these observations led to the identification of an enigmatic cosmic force called dark energy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Dark Matter and Dark Energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The content of the Universe is widely thought to consist of three types of substance: normal matter, dark matter and dark energy.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Roughly 68% of the universe is dark energy, dark matter<\/strong> makes up about 27%<\/strong> and the rest everything observed adds up to less than 5% of the universe.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Matter: <\/strong>Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not interact with the electromagnetic force. <\/strong>This means it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot.\n
- \n
- Dark matter works like an attractive force,<\/strong> a kind of cosmic cement that holds the universe together.<\/strong> This is because dark matter does interact with gravity.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Since dark matter doesn\u2019t emit, absorb or reflect light, astronomers can only study its gravitational effect on visible matter,<\/strong> such as stars and galaxies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Energy:<\/strong> Dark energy is a repulsive force<\/strong>, a sort of anti-gravity\u00a0 that drives the universe\u2019s ever-accelerating expansion.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Dark energy is the far more dominant force than Dark matter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Since dark matter doesn\u2019t emit, absorb or reflect light, astronomers can only study its gravitational effect on visible matter,<\/strong> such as stars and galaxies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dark Matter: <\/strong>Unlike normal matter, dark matter does not interact with the electromagnetic force. <\/strong>This means it does not absorb, reflect or emit light, making it extremely hard to spot.\n
- Roughly 68% of the universe is dark energy, dark matter<\/strong> makes up about 27%<\/strong> and the rest everything observed adds up to less than 5% of the universe.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The content of the Universe is widely thought to consist of three types of substance: normal matter, dark matter and dark energy.<\/strong>\n
- In the \u200b1990s, these observations led to the identification of an enigmatic cosmic force called dark energy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It is produced in refineries to <\/strong>ensure purity, maintain consistent quality, and meet massive global construction demands at a lower cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It is predominantly used in road construction and roofing.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil, <\/strong>known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Over 99% of India\u2019s bitumen imports<\/strong> come from Iraq, UAE, Iran, Oman and Bahrain.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The recent conflict in West Asia has hit India\u2019s push to expand road infrastructure as India imports 30-40% of Bitumen.\u00a0<\/strong>\n
- It works by accelerating charged particles, such as protons,<\/strong> to very high speeds using electric and magnetic fields.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A medical cyclotron is a specialized particle accelerator<\/strong> that produces radioactive substances called radioisotopes<\/strong> for use in healthcare.\n
- Only NRIs\/PIOs\/OCIs <\/strong>can open an FCNR (B) account and the NRI status should be as per Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank, or FCNR (B) account<\/strong>, means the deposit is held in a foreign denomination. This secures it against currency fluctuations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Significance: <\/strong>This move will help Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to avail higher interest rates from India banks to park their funds.<\/strong>\n
- It has decided to temporarily withdraw interest rate ceiling<\/strong> on fresh Foreign Currency Non-Resident- Bank [FCNR(B)] deposits<\/strong> of 3-5 year tenors and restriction on interest rates on Non-Resident External (NRE) deposits<\/strong> of three year and above tenors till September 30, 2026 to boost forex reserves.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A host country sells units to a buyer country, in exchange for investments, support for capacity building, and access to technologies<\/strong> not available through domestic resources.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparent project approval procedures<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n