CIVIL SERVICE INFO

New Delhi Declaration on Equitable AI: Key Highlights At the AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi, 85 nations and three international organizations signed the New Delhi Declaration, aiming to ensure the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are shared globally. This development is significant for the UPSC GS Paper II (International Relations) and GS Paper III (Science & Technology). Core Objectives & Philosophy  * Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya: The declaration is rooted in the Indian philosophy of "Welfare for all, Happiness for all," emphasizing that AI benefits must be shared equitably across humanity.  * Democratizing AI: It introduces a "Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI," a non-binding framework to provide global access to foundational AI resources and support local innovation. Key Pillars of the Declaration  * Knowledge Sharing: Unlike previous summits that focused heavily on safety risks, this declaration prioritizes the exchange of tech...

HAL’s Dhruv NG: A Milestone in Civil Aviation Indigenization   General Studies Paper III (Science and Technology, Indigenization of Technology) and GS Paper II (Government Policies & Interventions). HAL’s Dhruv NG: A Milestone in Civil Aviation Indigenization Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) has officially entered the domestic civil helicopter market with the successful maiden flight of the Dhruv New Generation (NG) helicopter. This development marks a significant shift for the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), which has historically focused on the defense sector. 1. Key Features of the Dhruv NG  * Type: 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter.  * Design & Origin: Fully designed and manufactured indigenously in India.  * Operational Capability: Engineered to operate across India's diverse and challenging terrains (from high-altitude regions to coastal belts).  * Engine: Powered by the Shakti civil engine, developed in participation...

  Artemisinin Resistance in Asia: The efficacy of artemisinin, the primary antimalarial drug, is diminishing. Here is an overview of the critical aspects: **The Challenge:** * **Malaria Drug Efficacy Decline:** Malaria, a severe mosquito-borne disease, has historically been effectively treated with artemisinin-based therapies, derived from an ancient Chinese herb. * **Emergence of Drug Resistance:** In various regions of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia (e.g., Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand), malaria parasites are exhibiting resistance to artemisinin. This resistance compromises the drug's ability to rapidly and completely eradicate the parasites. * **Potential for Global Dissemination:** There is significant concern among researchers that this resistance could propagate globally, especially to Africa, which accounts for 90% of all malaria-related fatalities. Such a spread could precipitate a major global health crisis. **Contributing Factors:** * **Genetic Mutations:** T...

The Geopolitics of Tech: Analyzing the Shift in US-China Chip Trade          AI GENRATED IMAGE  Context In a significant shift in the ongoing US-China "Tech War," the U.S. administration (referenced as President Trump in the text) announced on December 8 that Chinese firms will be permitted to import Nvidia’s H200 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), subject to a 25% revenue surcharge paid to the U.S. government. This moves away from a strict ban toward a conditional trade model. Technological & Strategic Significance (GS-3) The H200 chips are critical infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, particularly for training Large Language Models (LLMs). While they are one generation behind Nvidia’s cutting-edge "Blackwell" architecture, they remain powerful tools. Previously, the U.S., alongside allies like Japan and the Netherlands, restricted these exports due to "dual-use" concerns—fearing China would utilize advanced compu...

Quantum tunnelling is a strange effect in quantum physics where very tiny things, like electrons, can pass through walls or barriers that they shouldn't be able to cross if the usual rules of physics applied. Imagine throwing a ball at a wall—normally, the ball would just bounce back, but in the quantum world, the ball could sometimes magically appear on the other side without climbing over the wal. This happens because particles act like waves that can stretch through barriers, and there is a small chance that the particle will end up on the other side, even though it doesn’t have enough energy to go over.