In News:

• In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified a new species of sea slug deep within the ocean’s midnight zone—a place that lies between 3,300 to 13,100 feet (1,000 to 4,000 meters) below the ocean's surface.
• The species, named Bathydeviuscaudactylus, is a glowing, swimming sea slug that exhibits several unique adaptations to survive in the extreme conditions of the deep ocean.

Key Features of BathydeviusCaudactylus

• Glowing Bioluminescence: One of the most striking features of this newly discovered mollusk is its ability to glow with bioluminescence. Bathydevius emits a soft, starry glow, an adaptation seen in only a few deep-sea species. The glowing feature plays a role in distracting predators and even includes the ability to detach glowing projections from its tail as a decoy.
• Unique Body Structure: Unlike most sea slugs that typically live on the seafloor, Bathydevius has evolved to thrive in the open water. It has a gelatinous, paddle-like tail and a large, bowl-shaped hood that covers its internal organs, making it appear somewhat like a “megaphone with a feathered tail.” This structure helps it capture prey, such as mysid shrimp, which it traps using its hood.
• Adaptations for Deep Sea Life: Bathydevius' transparent body, along with its ability to drift with ocean currents and flex its body to move vertically in the water column, allow it to navigate the depths of the midnight zone. Its hermaphroditic nature means it carries both male and female reproductive organs, allowing it to reproduce by attaching to the seafloor and laying eggs when needed.

Discovery and Exploration

• The unusual species was first encountered by researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) during a deep-sea dive in February 2000 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called Tiburon. Since then, more than 150 sightings have been made of the creature in the waters off the Pacific Coast of North America, ranging from Oregon to Southern California.
• Interestingly, similar creatures have been observed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Mariana Trench, suggesting that Bathydevius may have a wider range than initially thought. A specimen was eventually collected for further study, revealing its identity as a nudibranch, a type of soft-bodied marine mollusk.

Survival Tactics and Behavior

• Prey Capture: Unlike typical sea slugs that scrape food from the seafloor, Bathydevius uses its large hood to trap crustaceans like mysid shrimp. This allows it to thrive in the open ocean where food can be harder to obtain.
• Defensive Mechanisms: When threatened, Bathydevius can glow with bioluminescence to distract predators. This glow, which creates a starry appearance across its back, has been seen in other deep-sea species but is rare in nudibranchs. Additionally, it can detach part of its tail (a glowing projection) to confuse attackers, similar to how lizards shed their tails as a defense mechanism.
• Reproduction and Movement: As a hermaphrodite, Bathydevius has the ability to self-fertilize or mate with other individuals. During reproduction, it descends to the seafloor and uses its foot to temporarily attach, releasing eggs before returning to its swimming lifestyle. It also relies on its flexible, transparent body to blend in with the surroundings and evade predators.

In News:

• India has made a major advancement in its defense capabilities with the successful flight test of its first long-range hypersonic missile, marking a historic moment in the country's defense technology.
• The test was conducted, by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), took place off the coast of Odisha from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island.
• The missile has a range of over 1,500 km and is capable of carrying various payloads for all branches of the armed forces.

Key Highlights of the Test:

• Successful Trial: The missile successfully completed its flight test with high accuracy, confirmed by the data gathered from down-range ship stations. It performed a series of terminal maneuvers, validating its precision targeting capabilities.
• Speed and Range: The missile achieved hypersonic speeds (Mach 6), or six times the speed of sound, and is designed for a range of more than 1,500 km, far exceeding the capabilities of many conventional missiles.
• Indigenous Development: This missile is a product of DRDO's indigenous efforts, developed with contributions from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, as well as other DRDO laboratories and industry partners.

What are Hypersonic Missiles?

• Definition: Hypersonic missiles are defined as weapons that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), or about 3,836 miles per hour (6,174 km/h). At such speeds, they are incredibly difficult to track and intercept, posing a challenge for traditional missile defense systems.
• Types:
  • Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): These are launched from rockets and glide towards their target.
  • Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): These missiles use air-breathing engines like scramjets for sustained flight at hypersonic speeds.
• Advantages: Hypersonic missiles offer several advantages, including:
  • Responsive strike capability: They can target time-sensitive threats quickly and with high precision.
  • Manoeuvrability: Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable parabolic trajectory, hypersonic missiles can change course mid-flight, making them harder to defend against.
• Challenges:
  • Heat and air resistance: Traveling at such high speeds generates tremendous heat due to friction, presenting engineering challenges.
  • Tracking and interception: Their low-altitude flight and high speeds make them harder to detect and intercept with existing missile defense systems.
  • High costs: Developing and deploying hypersonic weapons comes at a higher cost than traditional missile systems.

Global Context of Hypersonic Weaponry

• Russia and China: Both Russia and China are leaders in hypersonic missile technology. Russia has already deployed the Kinzhal hypersonic missile in Ukraine, demonstrating its effectiveness in combat situations.
• United States: The U.S. is also making significant advancements, with contracts like the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), awarded to Lockheed Martin for continued development.
• Other Nations: Countries such as France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Israel are also actively working on developing hypersonic missile systems.

In News:

India continues to make significant strides in intellectual property filings, ranking among the top 10 countries for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.

India’s Performance in Global Intellectual Property (IP) Filings:

• Overall Growth: India continues to make significant strides in intellectual property filings, ranking among the top 10 countries for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.
• Patent Applications: India recorded a +15.7% growth in patent applications in 2023, marking its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth, placing it among the top contributors to global patent filings.
• Trademark Filings: India ranks 4th globally in trademark filings, reflecting the country’s growing focus on brand protection.
• Industrial Designs: India saw a 36.4% surge in industrial design applications, emphasizing creativity and design innovation.

India’s Global Patent Ranking:

• Global Rank: India ranks 6th globally for patent applications with 64,480 filings in 2023.
• Resident Filings: For the first time, over half (55.2%) of India’s patent applications were filed by residents, highlighting growing domestic innovation.
• Patent Grants: A 149.4% increase in granted patents in 2023 underscores the efficiency of India’s patent office and the rising quality of applications.

Key Metrics and Trends in Patents:

• Patent-to-GDP Ratio: India’s patent-to-GDP ratio grew from 144 in 2013 to 381 in 2023, signaling a knowledge-driven economy.
• Sectoral Diversity: India’s patent filings span diverse sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT, and renewable energy, showcasing the broad scope of innovation.

Surge in Industrial Design Applications:

• Growth Rate: A 36.4% increase in industrial design filings in 2023, reflecting a shift towards value-added industries focused on product design and functionality.
• Leading Sectors: Key sectors driving design filings include textiles, accessories, tools, machines, and health & cosmetics.
• Manufacturing Transformation: This growth signals India’s transition from basic manufacturing to a more design-driven, innovation-focused ecosystem.

Trademark Filings:

• Global Rank: India ranks 4th globally in trademark filings with a 6.1% increase over the previous year.
• Resident Filings: Nearly 90% of trademark filings in India were made by domestic entities, highlighting a strong focus on brand protection.
• Active Trademarks: India now has over 3.2 million active trademarks, the second-largest in the world, reflecting a competitive and dynamic domestic marketplace.

Sectoral Trends in Trademarks:

• Leading Sectors: Health (21.9%), agriculture (15.3%), and clothing (12.8%) were the top sectors for trademark filings, underscoring India’s leadership in pharmaceuticals, food production, and fashion.
• Global Expansion: The rise in trademark filings also mirrors the increasing global demand for Indian products and services.

India’s Contribution to Global IP Growth:

• Global Trend: In 2023, a record 3.55 million patent applications were filed worldwide, with India contributing significantly to this surge, particularly in emerging markets.
• Local Innovation Focus: India’s rising resident filings in patents and trademarks point to a shift towards local innovation, with more Indian businesses and startups protecting their intellectual property.

Government Initiatives Fueling IP Growth:

• National IPR Policy: Launched in 2016, this policy fosters innovation, improves IP awareness, and supports domestic IP development.
  • Key Measures: Modernization of IP offices, improvements in procedural requirements, and IP education initiatives.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat: Government campaigns like Atmanirbhar Bharat have supported local innovation and made Indian businesses more IP-conscious.
• Startup India & Atal Innovation Mission: These initiatives have further strengthened India’s innovation ecosystem by promoting entrepreneurship, research, and technological advancement.
  • Startup India: Over 1,49,000 recognized startups as of September 2024.
  • Atal Innovation Mission: More than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools and 3,500+ startups incubated across India.

In News:

A Semiconductor Plant has been set up in Morigaon, Assam, projected for completion by mid-2025.

Overview of the Morigaon Semiconductor Plant:

• Location: Morigaon, Assam.
• Investor: Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT).
• Investment: ?27,000 crore.
• Production Capacity: Expected to produce 48 million semiconductor chips daily.
• Technology: Utilizes advanced packaging technologies such as flip chip and Integrated System in Package (ISIP).
• Sectors Served: Automotive, electric vehicles, telecommunications, consumer electronics.
• Completion: Projected to be completed by mid-2025.
• Job Creation: Expected to generate 15,000 direct jobs and 11,000-13,000 indirect jobs.
• Market Reach: Will serve both domestic and international markets, enhancing India's position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

India's Semiconductor Industry and Market Growth:

• Market Size (2023): Estimated at $38 billion.
• Projected Growth: Expected to grow to $109 billion by 2030.
• Government Initiatives: Several initiatives have been launched to promote domestic semiconductor manufacturing, including the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and the Semicon India Program.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):

• Objective: To build a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem in India.
• Launched: 2021 with a financial outlay of ?76,000 crore.
• Scope: Covers semiconductor fabs, packaging, display manufacturing, Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT), sensors, and other critical components.
• Support Schemes: Includes Modified Schemes for setting up Semiconductor and Display Fabs, as well as support for Compound Semiconductors, Silicon Photonics, and Sensors.

Key Projects in Semiconductor Industry:

• Morigaon Facility: Part of the broader government-backed initiative to enhance semiconductor production in India.
• Other Facilities: New semiconductor units by Tata Electronics (Dholera, Gujarat), CG Power (Sanand, Gujarat), and KaynesSemicon Pvt Ltd (Sanand, Gujarat).
• Modernization: The Semi-Conductor Laboratory in Mohali is being modernized, alongside initiatives like the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.

Strategic Importance of Semiconductors:

• Role in Modern Electronics: Semiconductors are critical for a wide range of devices like computers, smartphones, solar cells, LEDs, and integrated circuits.
• Global Dependence: The global semiconductor market has significant reliance on suppliers like Taiwan (44%), China (28%), and South Korea (12%).
• Global Shortage: The 2021 chip shortage highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains, prompting efforts by countries to boost domestic semiconductor production.

Government Support for Semiconductor Manufacturing:

• Financial Incentives: The government offers fiscal support for setting up semiconductor manufacturing plants:
  • 50% of project cost support under the Semiconductor Fab Scheme and the Display Fab Scheme.
  • Support for Compound Semiconductors and Chips to Startup (C2S) initiatives.
  • Training 85,000 engineers through the C2S Programme in collaboration with academic institutions, R&D organizations, and MSMEs.

In News:

Recently, the Ministry of Defence launched the AI-enabled e-Tarang System.

Key Highlights:

• Development Collaboration: Created in partnership with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).
• Purpose:
  • Improve planning for interference-free operation of defence equipment during both wartime and peacetime.
  • Enable automated, efficient planning and management of Defence Spectrum.
  • Support the development of newer technologies in higher frequency bands.
  • Facilitate rapid decision-making and integration of critical modern defence technologies.

BISAG-N Overview:

• Status: Autonomous Scientific Society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
• Key Roles:
  • Technology development and management.
  • Research and development in geo-spatial technologies.
  • National and international cooperation in geo-spatial fields.
  • Capacity building and entrepreneurship development in geo-spatial technology.
• Core Domains:
  • Satellite Communication
  • Geo-informatics
  • Geo-spatial Technology

Joint Electromagnetic Board (JEMB) – Annual Meeting Highlights:

• Chairperson: Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).
• Attendees: Senior officers from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, DRDO, DDP, and industry.
• Agenda: Focused on joint operations and integration in several areas:
  • Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • Signature Management
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Electromagnetic Interference/Compatibility (EMI/EMC)
  • Spectrum Management
  • Human Resource Management
• Key Outcome:
  • Introduction of the AI-enabled e-Tarang System to enhance Defence Spectrum management.
  • Release of the Technical News Letter (TNL) 2024, outlining future technologies for modern warfare.
  • Development of a roadmap to enhance Spectrum Warfare capabilities and integration of EW assets across the three Services.
  • Successful joint EW exercise conducted in September 2024, promoting the principle of “Victory through Jointness”.

Objective of the Meeting:

• Goal: Achieve synergy in joint electronic warfare operations across the Services.
• Focus: Establish technology development and training priorities for the future.