The Oilfield (Regulatory and Development) Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha.

Key Features

• The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, of 1948.
• Aim: To reform the legal framework to meet the current needs and market conditions and to make the sector more attractive to investors.
• Definition of mineral oils expanded: Bill expands the definition to include any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, coal bed methane, and shale gas/oil.  
• It also introduces a single permit system namely, petroleum leases. 

7th annual World Air Quality Report 2024 released by IQAir.

• The Report evaluates the global state of air quality for the year 2024.

Key findings of the report

• Seven countries met the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m3: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand.
• The five most polluted countries in 2024 were:- Chad>Bangladesh>Pakistan>Democratic Republic of Congo>India.
  • Delhi remains the most polluted capital city.
• Byrnihat(Assam), India was the most polluted metropolitan area of 2024.
• Oceania is the world’s cleanest region.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has successfully conducted test-launch of ASTRA missile. 

Key Features 

• It is ‘Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile’ (BVRAAM) designed and developed by DRDO. 
• Range: 80 -110 km
• Maximum Speed: Mach 4.5
• It is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation capabilities.

The Ministry of Education has launched PM-YUVA 3.0 (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors).

About PM-YUVA 3.0

• It is an Author Mentorship programme to train young and budding authors (below 30 years of age) and aligns with National Education Policy 2020.
• Objective: To promote reading, writing and book culture & project Indian writings globally.
• Implementing Agency: National Book Trust
• A total of 50 authors will be selected through a contest on themes of:-
  • Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building; 
  • Indian Knowledge System; 
  • Makers of Modern India (1950-2025)
• Selected Books will be published by NBT and translated into other Indian languages, fostering cultural and literary exchange while promoting 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.

The APAAR ID system has drawn scrutiny on data privacy. 

About APAAR ID

• It is a specialized identification system designed for all students in India. 
  • It is a unique 12-digit code will help students to digitally store, manage, and access all their academic credits, including Score card, marksheets, gradesheet, degrees etc. 
• It is a part of the 'One Nation, One Student ID' program launched by the government, aligning with the new National Education Policy of 2020.
• Benefits: Facilitate student mobility, Enhance academic flexibility, Empower students to choose their learning paths of their choice etc.

The Indian Prime Minister was welcomed with a traditional Bihari cultural performance Geet Gawai during his state visit to Mauritius.

About Geet Gawai

• It is a pre-wedding ceremony that combines rituals, prayer, songs, music and dance.
• It is also inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016.
• Performed mainly by Bhojpuri-speaking communities having Indian descent in Mauritius.
  • Participants: Female family members and neighbors 
• Main-Musical Instrument: Dholak (a two-headed drum).
• It extends to public performances and presently men also participate.

Mycelium bricks promise the construction industry to reduce its carbon footprint and become more sustainable.

About Mycelium Bricks

• These bricks are biodegradable, fire-resistant, and insulating, made from mycelia, the branching filaments of fungi.
  • Mycelium is the thin root-like fibres from fungi.
• Mycelium bricks offer a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.
• Challenges: Mycelium-based materials are not as strong as conventional materials like concrete or brick or steel, high cost, susceptible to moisture etc. 

Scientists have confirmed  a fourth form of water called Plastic Ice VII using advanced neutron-scattering experiments.

About Plastic Ice VII

• It is an unusual phase of ice that forms at high temperature and high pressure and changes our understanding of water in space.
• Formation: >3 gigapascals(Pressure) and >450 Kelvin (Temperature).
• This phase allows water molecules to rotate freely within a rigid crystalline structure.
• Importance of the discovery
  • Planetary Science: Behavior of Plastic Ice VII can help simulate interiors of ocean worlds and exoplanets.
  • Exoplanet Habitability: Its ability to transport nutrients in deep oceans may influence the potential for alien life.
• This discovery changes our understanding of water in space.