POLITY

• The Supreme Court is now operating at full capacity with 34 judges after two new judges, Justices Alok Aradhe and Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, were sworn in on recently. Chief Justice B.R. Gavai administered the oath of office in a ceremony attended by all Supreme Court judges and advocates. The appointments followed a swift approval by the Centre of the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation, bringing the court to its full strength.

ENVIRONMENT

• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Japan visit, India signed its first Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Tokyo on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), a Japanese initiative to implement low-carbon technologies in developing nations. Under the MoC, Japan invests in India’s clean energy projects, earning carbon credits while supporting India’s sustainable development. The agreement promotes technology transfer, capacity building, international carbon trading under the Paris Agreement, and aligns with India’s climate commitments, including emission reduction, renewable energy expansion, and afforestation targets by 2030.
• A dragonfly species, Crocothemis erythraea, believed to be extinct in the southern Western Ghats since the Ice Age, has been rediscovered. Previously mistaken for a similar species, Crocothemis servilia, this elusive dragonfly was reconfirmed by researchers after a series of field expeditions. The study suggests the species likely colonized the region during the Pleistocene Ice Age when cooler climates allowed temperate fauna to move south.

SCIENCE AND TECH

• The State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2024, released by Ministry of Power & BEE, in collaboration with AEEE, tracks energy efficiency progress of 36 States/UTs for FY 2023-24. The 6th edition covers 66 indicators across 7 sectors, with new focus on EVs, star-rated buildings, and DSM strategies. States are ranked as Front Runners, Achievers, Contenders, or Aspirants. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura emerged top performers in their respective energy consumption groups.
• India is set to roll out its first domestically assembled semiconductor chip later this year at CG Semi’s OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat, confirmed IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Backed by a ₹7,600 crore investment, the project marks a milestone under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021 with a ₹76,000 crore package. While India pushes to reduce import dependence and boost self-reliance, challenges include high capital needs, skill shortages, and reliance on global supply chains.
• MIT researchers have developed an innovative hydrogel-based device that turns air into drinkable water, even in arid regions. The system uses a special hydrogel panel containing glycerol to absorb atmospheric vapor, which then condenses into clean water. A key breakthrough is using glycerol to prevent lithium salts from contaminating the water, making it safe to drink without further purification. The compact, power-free panels can be scaled up to supply entire households, offering a promising solution for communities facing water scarcity.
• According to new research, exposure to heat waves can accelerate biological aging. Scientists studied nearly 25,000 adults and found that two years of extreme heat exposure could add eight to 12 days of age-related health damage. This effect accumulates over time and is more pronounced in older people and those without air conditioning. The study highlights the long-term health risks of climate change and the urgent need for public health interventions.

MISCELLANEOUS

• The Assam Cabinet has decided to name a new flyover in Guwahati after Prithu, a 13th-century Kamrup ruler credited with repelling Bakhtiyar Khilji’s 1206 CE invasion. Historical references include the Kanai Barasi Bowa rock inscription and the Persian Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, which mention the defeat of the “Turks” under the “Rae of Kamrud.” While scholars debate the evidence, Prithu is celebrated as a regional hero, with renewed recognition due to recent scholarship and cultural revival.
• The government has approved the appointment of former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel as Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a period of three years. He will replace K.V. Subramanian. The termination took effect on April 30. The IMF’s executive board is composed of 25 directors (Executive Directors or EDs) elected by member countries or groups of countries. India is part of a four-country constituency, along with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.