Context: The 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics was awarded to 13,508 physicists across four collaborative projects at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland.

Meaning of the context: The award was announced on April 5th as part of the 11th annual Breakthrough Prizes. Six prizes worth $3 million each were announced in Life Sciences, Mathematics and Fundamental Physics.

Learn More:

• The Breakthrough Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in science, often referred to as the “Oscars of Science”. 
• The awards were established in 2013 by Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, former Google chief Sergey Brin, genomics company 23&Me founder Anne Wojcicki, and tech investor couple Yuri and Julia Milner to recognize groundbreaking achievements in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.

Breakthrough Prize In Life Sciences – The award in this category was given to three groups of scientists:

• Weight-loss drugs : Five scientists — Daniel J. Drucker, Joel Habener, Jens Juul Holst, Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, and Svetlana Mojsov — were awarded a prize for discovering and characterizing the GLP-1 hormone, which led to the development of weight loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
• Multiple Sclerosis treatment : Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable chronic disease caused by the immune system attacking the protective sheath that covers nerve fibres of the central nervous system. Alberto Ascherio and Stephen L. Hauser were awarded the Prize for identifying the role of the B-cells of the immune system in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and devising treatments targeted at the same. 
• Gene-editing technologies : David R Liu was awarded the Prize for developing the base editing and prime editing technologies widely used to edit the DNA of living organisms. These are significant as they can edit the DNA without cutting its double helix, and rewrite entire stretches of defective DNA with a corrected version.

Breakthrough Prize In Fundamental Physics

• The Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics was awarded to four collaborations at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in CERN – ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb.
• The LHC is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, causing protons to accelerate and collide, thus helping scientists study the properties of matter. The four collaborations studied the Higgs boson. The Higgs boson, also known as the ‘God Particle’, is known to impart mass to every other particle.

Source : Indian Express

Context: In the ever-changing world of Internet technology, keeping users safe and verifying their identities is important. One of the most important security systems for this is CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart)

Meaning of the context: CAPTCHA was introduced in the early 2000s when the internet was flooded with automated bots.

Learn More:

• CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It is a security mechanism used on websites to differentiate between human users and automated bots. The test is designed to be easy for humans to solve but difficult for machines.
• Purpose of CAPTCHA
  • Prevent spam (e.g., in comments or registrations)
  • Block brute-force attacks
  • Protect online polls from manipulation
  • Limit abuse of online services (like ticket booking)

Types of CAPTCHA

• Text-based CAPTCHA – Distorted letters/numbers that users must type in.
• Image-based CAPTCHA – Users select images matching a given prompt (e.g., “select all images with traffic lights”).
• Audio CAPTCHA – For visually impaired users; users type spoken words or numbers.
• ReCAPTCHA – Developed by Google. Includes:
  • Checkbox (“I’m not a robot”)
  • Invisible CAPTCHA (analyzes user behavior without requiring input).

How CAPTCHA Works

• It presents a challenge that is easy for humans but difficult for bots.
• Bots struggle with image recognition, distorted text, and behavioral analysis.
• Advanced CAPTCHAs use AI-based detection to analyze user interactions.

Turing Test

• The Turing Test was proposed by British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing in 1950 as a way to assess a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from that of a human.
• How It Works
  • In the test, a human judge communicates with both a human and a machine (AI) via text-based conversation.
  • If the judge cannot reliably determine which one is the machine, the AI is said to have passed the Turing Test, demonstrating human-like intelligence.
  • While early computers struggled with this challenge, modern AI systems have made significant progress, creating more natural, human-like conversations.
• Connection Between Turing Test & CAPTCHA – CAPTCHA is actually a reverse Turing Test—instead of a human testing a machine, CAPTCHA is designed so that a machine tests whether the user is human.

Source : The Hindu

India’s 3-stage nuclear power programme is facing delays in deploying Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs). Amid these challenges, the former Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) chief has suggested using HALEU and thorium as fuel to effectively utilize existing PHWRs. 

How Can Thorium-HALEU Fuel Be Integrated into India’s Nuclear Programme? 

• Using PHWRs with HALEU: India can enhance its nuclear energy programme by using a mix of High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) and thorium in existing 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). 
  • HALEU is uranium enriched between 5% and 20% U-235. This approach enables India to start utilizing thorium sooner, making its nuclear power generation more sustainable.  
• Recycling Spent Fuel: The spent fuel from PHWRs using HALEU-thorium can be reprocessed to extract valuable fissile material (substance whose nucleus can undergo fission when struck by a neutron). 
  • This reprocessed material can then be utilized in advanced reactors such as Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), which form part of India’s 3rd stage of its nuclear programme.  
  • It ensures optimal use of nuclear fuel, contributing to the long-term sustainability of India’s nuclear energy sector by minimizing waste and maximizing fuel efficiency. 

What is India's 3-Stage Nuclear Power Programme?  

• About: India’s 3-Stage Nuclear Power Programme, formulated by Dr. Homi Bhabha, aims to achieve long-term energy security by efficiently utilising India’s limited uranium and abundant thorium reserves.  
  • It is a phased plan to develop nuclear energy in a sustainable and self-reliant manner. 
• 3 Stages:

The Odisha government’s revived plan to build a dam at Pipalapanka has sparked protests, as locals and environmentalists accuse it of endangering the Rushikulya river to favour industries. 

Rushikulya River: 

• The Rushikulya River is a major river in Odisha, flowing primarily through the Kandhamal, Ganjam, and Boudh districts. 
• Rushimala Hills part of the Daringbadi hills of the Eastern Ghats range.  
  • Daringbadi, where the river originates, is called the ' Kashmir of Odisha ' 
  • Rushikulya River does not form a delta at its mouth. 
• Tributaries such as Jarau, Badanadi, Baghua, Dhanei, and Ghodahada once ensured perennial flow but are now weakened due to damming. 
  • Activists warn that illegal sand mining and industrial projects have further endangered the river’s health. 

Olive Ridley

• Turtle Nesting Site:  
  • At the river’s mouth lies Rushikulya Beach, a globally important site for Olive Ridley Turtle nesting. 
    • Each year, from January to March, thousands of turtles arrive for mass nesting — a phenomenon known as Arribada. 
  • Activists fear that the dam would exacerbate salinity intrusion from the Bay of Bengal and reduce fish yield due to freshwater depletion. 
    • Climate change-induced rising temperatures are skewing Olive Ridley turtle sex ratios, producing more females and endangering species survival. 

• About:
  • The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
  • These turtles are carnivores and get their name from their olive-coloured carapace.
  • They are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
• Habitat:
  • They are found in warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
  • The Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world’s largest rookery (colony of breeding animals) of sea turtles.

• Protection Status:
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
• Threats:
  • Human Consumption: They are extensively poached for their meat, shell and leather, and eggs.
  • Marine Pollution and Waste: An ever-increasing debris of plastics, fishing nets, discarded nets, polythene and other garbage dumped by tourists and fishing workers threaten all sea turtles and degrades their habitats.
  • Fishing Trawlers: Overexploitation of marine resources by use of trawlers often violates the rule to not fish 20 kilometers within a marine sanctuary.
    • There were injury marks on many dead turtles indicating they could have been trapped under trawls or gill nets.
• Initiatives to Protect Olive Ridley Turtles:
  • Operation Olivia:
    • Every year, the Indian Coast Guard’s “Operation Olivia”, initiated in the early 1980s, helps protect Olive Ridley turtles as they congregate along the Odisha coast for breeding and nesting from November to December.
      • It also intercepts unlawful trawling activities.
  • Mandatory use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs):
    • To reduce accidental killing in India, the Odisha government has made it mandatory for trawls to use Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), a net specially designed with an exit cover which allows the turtles to escape while retaining the catch.
  • Tagging:
    • The tagging of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles using non-corrosive metal tags is done to enable scientists to chart their movements and also know the areas they visit in order to protect the species and their habitats.

The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada is being observed from April 8 to April 22, 2025, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This annual campaign aims to strengthen efforts toward eliminating malnutrition and promoting healthy nutrition practices across India. The campaign seeks to enhance the health and well-being of women and children across India.

This year’s Poshan Pakhwada focuses on 4 key themes 

• Focus on the First 1,000 Days of Life – Emphasizing critical early childhood nutrition.
• Promoting Poshan Tracker – Encouraging community use of the app for real-time nutrition monitoring.
• Community-Based Management of Malnutrition (CMAM) – Strengthening local responses to undernutrition.
• Addressing Childhood Obesity – Promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles.

Objectives of Poshan Pakhwada 2025:

• Enhancing Grassroots Nutrition Outcomes: Implementing targeted efforts at village, block, and district levels to improve nutritional status among vulnerable populations. 
• Community Engagement and Education: Conducting home visits, outreach programs, and awareness campaigns to educate communities about holistic nutrition practices. 
• Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding: Spreading awareness about the benefits of early nutrition practices to ensure optimal child development. 
• Empowering Citizens through the Poshan Tracker: Encouraging the use of the Poshan Tracker among beneficiaries to actively monitor and improve nutrition in their communities. 

Implementation and Activities:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is collaborating with various other ministries, including Rural Development, Health & Family Welfare, Education, Jal Shakti, and Panchayati Raj, to ensure the effective execution of Poshan Pakhwada. Activities planned during this fortnight include health check-ups at Anganwadi centers, nutrition camps, awareness drives on balanced diets and hydration, and the promotion of local, nutritious foods. Communities are also encouraged to register on the Poshan Tracker app to facilitate better access to nutrition services.

Significance

Poshan Pakhwada focuses on both malnutrition and obesity, targeting vulnerable groups including children, pregnant and lactating women. By combining traditional wisdom and technology, it aims to build a healthier, more nourished India

Padma Shri awardee Ram Sahay Pandey, a legendary figure in Rai folk dance, has passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire generations.

• Pandey died at a private hospital in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, after a prolonged illness.
• His final rites will be performed in his native village of Kanera Dev, where his extraordinary journey will come to a close.
• He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2022.

About  Ram Sahay Pandey

Born on March 11, 1933, in Maddhar Patha village in Sagar district, Pandey discovered his love for Rai (also spelled Raai) dance at the age of 14 during a local fair. Enchanted by its rhythm and expressive beauty, he devoted his life to mastering and promoting this traditional art form.

Sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik has won the first ever Fred Darrington award for excellence in art and culture for his 10-feet high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha, which will be showcased in Dorset, in south-west England, until Nov.

• The award was launched at SandWorld on Saturday(5 April) to mark 100 years since legendary sand sculptor Darrington first started making artistic sand sculptures on the Weymouth beach in 1925.
• Pattnaik, a Padma Shri award winner, is also the first Indian sculptor to exhibit at Sandworld, an annual international sand art festival that takes place in Weymouth, Dorset, where sand artists from across the world showcase their sculptures.
• The Lord Ganesha sculptor has the message ‘World Peace' on its plinth.
• Pattnaik was handed a gold medal containing a caricature of Darrington and a glass wave containing sand from his own sculpture. Pattnaik dedicated the award to his fans and hoped many people would come to see the Ganesha sculpture.

Saudi Arabia has put a temporary halt on issuing visas to citizens from 14 countries, including India.

This pause affects the granting of Umrah, business, and family visit visas.

The countries impacted by this decision are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Why the ban?

Authorities say the step is also aimed at stopping individuals from undertaking Hajj without proper registration. The decision is intended to prevent a repeat of last year’s Hajj tragedy, when a stampede occurred due to extreme heat and the presence of unregistered pilgrims.

The Board of Oman India Joint Investment Fund - Management Company, a private equity fund manager promoted by the Oman Investment Authority and the State Bank of India, has appointed Satish Chawla as its Chief Executive Officer.

• Chavva joins from British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution, where he held various roles, including heading Direct Private Equity for South Asia.
• He brings over 20 years of experience across private equity investing and finance.
• Chavva has a deep association with OIJIF, having previously served as Director of Investments at OIJIF between 2016 and 2022. Prior to that, he was with Citi Group in India and the UK, including in its private equity arm,
• Citi Venture Capital International for over 9 years.
• Chavva holds a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, a Master of Science in Computational and Applied Mathematics from the University of Texas, and an MBA from INSEAD.