Daily Current Affairs 13 May 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 13 May 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

PM-EAC Report on Share of Religious Minorities

Source: The Hindu
GS I:  Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Facts in the report
   • Global Scenario
   • India in the Report

Why in the News?

A new analysis by Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC) has shown, suggesting a ‘conducive environment’ for increasing diversity

News in Brief

• The PM-EAC report titled ‘Share of Religious Minorities: A cross country analysis’ studied data on religious composition of populations for 167 countries.
• The dipping majority population and rising minority population in India was in line with global trends, also seen in Europe, but stood out among India’s neighbours.
• The analysis relied on the Religious Characteristics of States Dataset 2017 to track religious composition across countries.

Key Facts in the report

Global Scenario

• This paper provides a detailed cross-country descriptive analysis of the status of minorities around the world measured in terms of their changing share in a country’s population over 65 years between 1950 and 2015.
• Analysis countries: 167 countries
• Majority Religious Denomination
  • The average value for the share of the majority religious denomination in the baseline year of 1950 is 75 per cent.
  • Globally the share of the majority religious denomination has gone down by approximately 22 percent.
• OECD Countries
  • Data was collected on the religious demographics of 38 OECD countries.
  • 30 of these countries experienced a significant decrease in the proportion of Roman Catholics, the predominant religious group.
  • The decline of the majority religious population was steeper in OECD countries, with an average decline of 29%.
• South Asian Region
  • The majority religious group is increasing.
  • Data shows a decline in the Minority population.
  • Minority decline scene is seen in countries like Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

India in the Report 

• Paper strikingly claimed that for India, while the share in population of Muslims increased by 43.15% in this time period, the share in population of Hindus decreased by 7.82%, adding that in 1950, Hindus’ share in population was 84.68%, coming down to 78.06% in 2015.
• Similarly, Muslims’ share in population had risen from 9.84% to 14.09%.
• Christian population rose from 2.24% to 2.36%.
• The Sikh population increased from 1.24% to 1.85%, whereas the share of the Buddhist population rose from 0.05%to 0.81%.
• Among the minority population of Jain and Parsi communities, it decreased.

3D-Printed Rocket Engine

Source: Live Mint
GS III: Science and Technology

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About 3D-Printed Rocket Engine

Why in the News?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked another achievement to its list of success stories on Friday, May 10, by successfully conducting a hot test of a liquid rocket engine created with Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology also known in common language as 3D printing.

News in Brief

• This engine is a vital component of the launch vehicle and plays a crucial role in manoeuvring the spacecraft during the initial stages of the mission.
• The test was conducted at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
• The complex is responsible for the development and testing of rocket engines and propulsion systems for India’s space program.
• The PS4 engine was put through a series of rigorous tests to evaluate its performance, reliability, and safety.
• The data collected from the test will be analyzed to improve the engine’s design and performance for future missions.

About 3D-Printed Rocket Engine

• The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has recently conducted a test of the PS4 engine that powers the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the upper stage (PS1) of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• The RCS plays a critical role in the PSLV’s trajectory and helps orient, position, and stabilise the spacecraft during different phases of the mission.
• ISRO confirmed that the same engine is also used in the Reaction Control System (RCS) of the first stage (PS1) of PSLV.
• The new engine now saves 97 per cent of raw materials and reduces production time by 60 per cent.

3D Printing Technology

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has revolutionized various industries by enabling the creation of three-dimensional objects from digital models. This technology builds objects layer by layer, offering unprecedented flexibility and customization possibilities. Let’s delve into some key facts and figures about 3D printing:

• Growth and Market Size
  • The 3D printing industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years.
  • According to a report by Grand View Research, the global 3D printing market size was valued at USD 13.78 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 62.79 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 20.4% during the forecast period.
• Applications
  • 3D printing finds applications across various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and education.
  • In aerospace, for instance, companies are leveraging 3D printing to manufacture lightweight, complex aircraft components, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
• Materials
  • Many materials can be used in 3D printing, including plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites.
  • Each material offers unique properties, allowing for the production of parts with specific mechanical, thermal, or aesthetic characteristics.
• Customization and Prototyping
  • One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing is its ability to produce highly customized and prototype parts quickly and cost-effectively.
  • This capability is particularly beneficial in industries like healthcare, where personalized medical implants and prosthetics can be tailored to individual patients.
• Sustainability
  • 3D printing can contribute to sustainability efforts by reducing material waste compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
  • Additive manufacturing only uses the material necessary for building the object, minimizing scrap and optimizing resource utilization.
• Challenges
  • Despite its numerous advantages, 3D printing also faces challenges such as limited material selection for certain applications, slow production speeds for large-scale manufacturing, and the need for skilled operators to ensure quality and reliability.

National Technology Day

Source: Live Mint
Prelims

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Facts
3. Conclusion and Way Forward

Why in the News?

National Technology Day is celebrated in India on May 11th

News in Brief

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