In News:

Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman has been named among TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025, recognizing her as one of 13 global leaders working toward a more equitable and sustainable world. She is the only Indian woman on the list.

Key Contributions:

• Known for her pioneering conservation work with the greater adjutant stork (locally called Hargila), once critically endangered and culturally stigmatized in Assam.
• Founded the Hargila Army, a women-led grassroots movement focused on protecting the stork’s habitat and changing negative local perceptions.
• Her model uniquely blends wildlife conservation with women’s empowerment, engaging thousands of rural women in ecological and livelihood activities.

Impact:

• Due to her efforts, the greater adjutant stork’s population in Assam has significantly recovered, leading to its status being upgraded from “endangered” to “near threatened” by IUCN.
• The Hargila Army, with over 10,000 members, participates in bird rescue, awareness campaigns, tree planting, and embroidery-based income generation.
• Her approach has become a global model for community-based conservation.

Background:

• Hails from the Kamrup region of Assam.
• Holds a Master’s degree in Zoology from Gauhati University.
• Inspired by her early life near the Brahmaputra and her grandmother’s teachings on biodiversity.

Awards & Recognition:

• Nari Shakti Puraskar (2017) – India’s highest civilian award for women.
• UN Champions of the Earth Award (2022) – For entrepreneurial vision in conservation.
• Whitley Gold Award (2017, 2024) – Often called the "Green Oscar".

Other Roles:

• Director of Women in Nature Network (YNN) – India chapter.
• Member of IUCN’s Stork, Ibis, and Spoonbill Specialist Group.

About TIME Magazine:

• Founded in 1923, USA.
• Known for its global recognitions like Person of the Year and Women of the Year.
• Now operates as a multimedia platform covering politics, science, and culture.

In News:

Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, a new quantum chip that marks a significant advancement in quantum computing, suggesting that scalable quantum systems could be achieved in years rather than decades.

What is Majorana 1?

• It is the world’s first quantum chip built on a topological architecture, using Majorana fermions, exotic subatomic particles that are both particles and antiparticles.
• The chip is designed to be more stable and error-resistant than current quantum technologies developed by competitors like Google and IBM.

Core Technology & Innovation:

• Material Composition: Made from indium arsenide (a semiconductor) and aluminum (a superconductor).
• Topological Superconductivity: When cooled near absolute zero and exposed to magnetic fields, it enables the formation of Majorana Zero Modes, which serve as building blocks for stable qubits.
• Topoconductor Architecture: A new class of materials creating a topological state, offering enhanced fault tolerance.

Quantum Advantage:

• Qubit Efficiency: Majorana 1 reduces the number of physical qubits needed to generate logical (error-corrected) qubits.
• Error-Resistance: Its design addresses two major quantum computing limitations — qubit instability (decoherence) and high error rates.
• Scalability Potential: The chip includes eight topological qubits, with future potential to scale up to a million-qubit system.

Why This Matters:

• Improved Reliability: Lower error rates enhance the practical applicability of quantum systems.
• Accelerated Development: Brings the world closer to realizing commercially viable quantum computers.
• Wide Applications: Potential use in drug discovery, material science, clean energy solutions, and more.
• AI Integration: May combine with artificial intelligence to tackle global challenges like microplastic degradation.

Quantum Computing in Brief:

• Quantum Computers use qubits and properties like superposition and entanglement to perform highly complex calculations.
• Major Challenges: Qubit instability and error correction.
• Significance: Quantum computing could revolutionize fields by solving problems beyond the reach of classical computers.

In News:

IN-SPACe, India’s space sector regulator under the Department of Space, has launched the Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) to accelerate the commercialization of indigenous space technologies.

About TAF:

• Objective: To bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and market-ready space solutions developed by Indian startups, MSMEs, and industries.
• Goal: Reduce dependence on imported technologies and strengthen India's position in the global space sector.

Key Features:

• Financial Support:
  • Startups/MSMEs: Up to 60% of project cost.
  • Larger industries: Up to 40%.
  • Funding cap: ?25 crore per project.
• Eligibility: Open to all non-government entities (NGEs) with commercially viable space innovations.
• Support Provided:
  • Partial funding for development and commercialization.
  • Technical mentoring and guidance.
• Focus Areas: Launch vehicles, satellites, space-based applications, and related services.
• Outcomes Expected:
  • Development of new space products.
  • Intellectual property generation.
  • Enhanced production capabilities.
  • Economic growth and job creation.

About IN-SPACe:

• Established: 2020
• Ministry: Department of Space
• Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Role: Single-window agency promoting private participation in India's space ecosystem.
• Functions:
  • Authorizes and monitors private sector space activities.
  • Facilitates access to ISRO infrastructure.
  • Collaborates with academia, industry, and research bodies.

Significance:

• Encourages private innovation in space tech.
• Aligns with the larger vision of making India a hub for space entrepreneurship.
• Strengthens India’s self-reliance and competitiveness in global space technology.

In News:

Recently, the Supreme Court directed states with remission policies to consider the premature release of prisoners even if they don’t apply for remission beforehand.

What is Remission?

• Remission refers to the reduction of a convict's sentence by the government before the term is completed. It does not nullify the conviction, but shortens imprisonment.
• It is governed by:
  • Section 473 of BNSS, 2023 (earlier Section 432 of CrPC, 1973) – empowers state governments to grant remission.
  • Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution – empower the President and Governors respectively to remit sentences.
  • Section 475 of BNSS (earlier Section 433A CrPC) – restricts remission for life convicts found guilty of offences punishable by death until 14 years of imprisonment are completed.

Background: SC’s Suo Motu Intervention

• The Supreme Court in 2025, in the suomotu case In Re: Policy Strategy for Grant of Bail, altered the interpretation of remission rules to address prison overcrowding.
• The Court held that states must consider remission for eligible convicts even without a formal application, if a remission policy exists.

Shift in Judicial Interpretation

• Earlier rulings (Sangeet v. Haryana and Mohinder Singh v. Punjab, 2013) required a convict's application for remission.
• The 2025 judgment acknowledges that many state prison manuals already mandate prison authorities to initiate remission review.
• It recognized that failing to consider remission proactively could lead to arbitrary discrimination, violating Article 14 (Right to Equality).

Key Guidelines Issued by the Supreme Court

• Suo motu Remission:States must automatically assess eligibility under remission policies—no application needed.
• Mandatory Remission Policy:States without existing remission policies must formulate a comprehensive one within two months.
• Conditions for Remission Must Be:
  • Reasonable, non-oppressive, and clearly defined.
  • Based on factors like motive, criminal background, and public safety.
  • Aimed at rehabilitation and prevention of recurrence.
• Safeguards Against Arbitrary Cancellation:
  • Minor breaches shouldn’t lead to automatic cancellation.
  • Notice and hearing must be given before cancellation.
• Transparency:
  • Legal aid bodies must monitor remission cases.
  • States to maintain real-time digital data on remission.

Significance and Implications

• The ruling helps streamline remission processes and could contribute to decongesting Indian prisons, which are heavily overcrowded.
• It ensures uniformity and fairness in the exercise of executive powers related to sentencing.
• Reinforces constitutional values of equality and procedural fairness for prisoners.

Note:

• Remission ≠ Pardon: Remission reduces sentence, doesn’t erase conviction.
• Articles 72 & 161: Concern constitutional remission powers (President & Governor).
• BNSS Sections 473 & 475: Replace CrPC Sections 432 & 433A, relevant for state remission powers.
• Suo motu action by SC: Taken to address systemic prison overcrowding.
• Article 14 invoked: To ensure equitable treatment of eligible prisoners.

Brazil Joins OPEC+

Source: Times of India

In News:

In February 2025, Brazil officially joined OPEC+, a coalition of oil-producing nations. This development comes ahead of Brazil hosting COP30, the annual UN climate summit.

About OPEC and OPEC+

• OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries):
  • A permanent intergovernmental organization established in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference.
  • Aims to coordinate and unify petroleum policies to ensure stable prices and regular supply.
  • Headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
  • Current members include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, UAE, Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, and others.

• OPEC+ Formation:
  • Created in 2016 to stabilize oil markets, particularly in response to rising U.S. shale oil production.
  • Includes 12 OPEC members plus 11 non-OPEC countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and now Brazil (2025).
  • Functions as a forum for strategic discussions but not all members are bound by production quotas.

Brazil’s Role and Strategic Significance

• Oil Production Status:
  • Seventh-largest oil producer globally, with around 4.3 million barrels/day.
  • In 2024, crude oil became Brazil’s top export, overtaking soybeans.
• OPEC+ Membership:
  • Brazil joins the Charter of Cooperation but retains autonomy in production decisions.
  • It seeks to influence global oil policy while protecting its energy interests.
• Balancing Act:
  • While focusing on oil revenue for economic growth and energy transition funding, Brazil also pursues renewable energy through agencies like IRENA.
  • This dual approach reflects an attempt to align development with environmental commitments.

Environmental Concerns and Criticism

• Brazil’s decision to expand oil exploration—especially near sensitive ecosystems like the Amazon—has drawn criticism.
• Environmentalists argue it contradicts climate goals, particularly as Brazil prepares to host COP30.

Note:

• OPEC+ is not a formal organization but a strategic alliance.
• Brazil is part of OPEC+ but is not bound by production quotas.
• OPEC’s headquarters is in Vienna, Austria (Austria is not an OPEC member).
• India is not a member of OPEC or OPEC+.