Science and Technology

Twitter has launched a new logo on 24 July 2023, replacing the iconic blue bird with an X as part of a broader rebranding effort.

1. Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, along with the Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino, unveiled the new logo for the platform.
2. The rebranding comes as the latest change since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 for $43.2 billion.
3. Twitter is an online social media and networking service owned and operated by American company X Corp, which is the successor of Twitter, Inc.
4. The platform was originally created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in March 2006, and it was officially launched in July of the same year.

Q.: What is the recent change made by Twitter in its branding?
a) Changed its name to X Corp.
b) Replaced its blue bird logo with an X.
c) Introduced a new social media platform.
d) Acquired a competitor company.

Ans : b) Replaced its blue bird logo with an X.

Graphics Processing Units (GPU) have played a crucial role in the global surge of artificial intelligence (AI) by becoming essential components in contemporary supercomputing and large-scale data centers. They are not only used for gaming but also serve as valuable accelerators for tasks like encryption, networking, and AI processing, contributing to advancements in gaming and professional graphics.

1. GPUs were originally designed for parallel processing and find applications in various fields, including graphics, video rendering, and AI. Their integration with AI has led to a significant revolution in deep learning, enabling complex neural networks to analyze intricate patterns and make precise predictions. Their parallel processing architecture allows them to execute multiple calculations simultaneously, leading to accelerated training and inference processes and the development of more accurate and sophisticated AI models.
2. The synergy between GPUs and AI has driven innovation in industries like healthcare, finance, transportation, and retail. Leveraging GPUs’ parallel processing capabilities, AI models efficiently analyze massive datasets and generate real-time predictions, leading to remarkable advancements in fields such as medical diagnostics and fraud detection.
3. GPUs are data-parallel, throughput-oriented processors, specifically designed to accelerate computer graphics tasks, while CPUs are task-parallel, latency-oriented processors. GPUs have evolved beyond their traditional graphics coprocessor role and are now used for general-purpose computations, thanks to their ability to perform matrix multiplications in parallel, significantly speeding up operations and reducing the time required for training neural networks.
4. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are integrated circuits with a programmable hardware fabric that can be customized after manufacturing, making them more efficient than generic processors. They offer hardware customization with integrated AI and can be programmed to deliver behavior similar to GPUs. However, FPGAs are challenging to program and require expertise in hardware descriptor languages like Verilog or VHDL.
5. Companies choose between FPGAs and GPUs based on their specific applications and requirements.

Q.: What does GPU stand for ?

a) General Processing Unit,
b) Graphics Processing Unit
c) General Purpose Unit
d) Graphic Purpose Universe

Ans : b) Graphics Processing Unit

The Indian team secured two Gold medals at the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2023 held in Chiba, Japan. The team also won two Silver and two Bronze medals.

1. The Indian team finished 9th out of 112 countries.
2. This is the fourth time India has achieved a position in the top 10.
3. The final team is selected through various stages of the National Olympiad Examination conducted by HBCSE.

Mathematical Olympiad Medal Winners from India

• Gold Medal : Arjun Gupta and Atul Shatavart Nadig
• Sliver Medal : Ananda Bhaduri and Siddharth Choppara
• Bronze Medal : Adhitya Mangudy Venkata Ganesh and Archit Manas

Source : Official list of medal winners

Q.: Which rank did the Indian Team secure in the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2023 out of 112 participating countries?
a) 1st
b) 5th
c) 9th
d) 12th

Answers: 2. c) 9th

The seventh edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC), Asia’s premier digital technology exhibition, will take place from 27 to 30 October at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

• The event is co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications and Cellular Operators Association of India.
• The theme for India Mobile Congress-2023 is ‘Global Digital Innovation.’
• The India Mobile Congress 2023 aims to promote India’s pivotal role in the global digital revolution, focusing on breakthroughs in 5G, 6G, broadcasting, satellite, semiconductor, drone, devices, and green technologies.

Q.: What was the theme for India Mobile Congress-2023?
a) Digital Transformation in Asia
b) Innovation in Telecommunications
c) Global Digital Innovation
d) Advancements in 5G Technology

Ans : c) Global Digital Innovation

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to transfer its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to the private sector. The decision comes in response to the increasing demand for small satellites.

ISRO will opt for the bidding route to transfer the SSLV to the industry. The transfer will involve the complete handover of SSLV to the private sector, including manufacturing and operational aspects.

SSLV is designed to launch small satellites, weighing less than 10 kg (nanosatellites) and less than 100 kg (micro-satellites). SSLV offers on-demand launch services, eliminating the need for clients to wait for larger rockets.

In the past, ISRO awarded a contract to a consortium of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen and Toubro for the construction of five polar satellite launch vehicles. A recent report by the Indian Space Association and EY India suggests that commercial satellite launch services could contribute around 13 billion US dollars to India’s economy by 2025.

Q.: What is ISRO’s plan for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)?

A) Collaborate with international space agencies
B) Decommission the SSLV due to low demand
C) Transfer SSLV to the private sector
D) Develop a larger version of SSLV for heavy satellite launches

Answer: C) Transfer SSLV to the private sector

India’s first indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) in Gujarat has started commercial operations. The reactor, named KAPP-3, achieved commercial status on June 30, 2023, at 10:00 AM.

• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is constructing two 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar, along with two 220 MW power plants.
• NPCIL plans to build sixteen 700 MW PHWRs across the country and has obtained financial and administrative approval for the project.
• Construction of 700 MW nuclear power plants is also underway at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan (RAPS 7 and 8) and Gorakhpur in Haryana (GHAVP 1 and 2).
• The Indian government has sanctioned the construction of 10 indigenously developed PHWRs in fleet mode at four different locations: Gorakhpur in Haryana, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh, Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan, and Kaiga in Karnataka.

Q: Where is India’s first indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear power reactor, KAPP-3, located?
a) Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
b) Kakrapar, Gujarat
c) Chutka, Madhya Pradesh
d) Gorakhpur, Haryana

1. Micron Technology Inc signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 June 2023 with the Gujarat government to establish a semiconductor unit in Sanand near Ahmedabad.
2. The project aims to create a semiconductor Assembly, Test, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) facility on 93 acres of land in Sanand GIDC-II industrial estate.
3. The facility will focus on transforming wafers into Ball Grid Array (BGA)-integrated circuit packages, memory modules, and solid-state drives.
4. The project is expected to cost Rs 22,500 crore and create 5,000 direct jobs.
5. The facility is targeted to be commissioned within 18 months.
6. The MoU signing ceremony took place in the presence of Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Micron Technology senior vice-president Gursharan Singh.
7. This is the second MoU signed by the Gujarat government with a semiconductor manufacturer. The first was signed with the Foxconn-Vedanta joint venture.
8. The Gujarat government had earlier selected Dholera SIR as the location for the Foxconn-Vedanta unit, but formal approval from the Central government is still pending.
9. Union Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the historic significance of this project and stated that it is a significant step towards India becoming self-reliant in manufacturing memory chips.
10. India currently imports semiconductors worth Rs 3 lakh crore, including around Rs 1 lakh crore worth of memory cards. Micron is one of the major manufacturers of memory cards.
11. The project is seen as India’s move towards achieving self-sufficiency (Aatma Nirbhar) in the production of memory chips.

Q.: Which company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government in the Month of June 2023 to establish a semiconductor unit?
a) Intel
b) QUALCOMM
c) Micron Technology Inc
d) Samsung

c) Micron Technology Inc