Today's Brief 24/02/2025
- Smriti IASxp
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
IE Analysis:https://youtu.be/ZsexUsBXAGA?feature=shared
JS Analysis:
1 . The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) is a central
government scheme providing financial aid to small and marginal farmers.
Direct Income Support: Eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three installments of ₹2,000, directly transferred to their bank accounts.
Eligibility: Farmers with up to 2 hectares of cultivable land. Excludes institutional landholders and higher-income farmers.
Funding: Fully funded by the central government.
Implementation: Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, with states identifying beneficiaries using land records.
DBT: Payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer for transparency.
Portal: Farmers can register and check status on the PM-KISAN portal (pmkisan.gov.in).
Objectives:
Provide income support to farmers.
Reduce agrarian distress and promote financial stability.
Challenges:
Issues with beneficiary identification and exclusion errors.
Lack of awareness in remote areas.
Impact:
Benefits millions of farmers, improving livelihoods and supporting agricultural activities.
2 . Quantum computing is a type of computation that harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers. It utilizes qubits, which, unlike classical bits, can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition and entanglement, enabling the exploration of numerous possibilities at once.
This capability allows quantum computers to tackle problems exponentially faster than classical computers for certain tasks.
Qubits are the fundamental units of quantum information, analogous to bits in classical computing. However, while a classical bit can only be 0 or 1, a qubit can be in a superposition of both states at the same time. This ability dramatically increases computing power by allowing multiple calculations to be performed simultaneously.
Qubits are implemented using various physical systems, including superconducting circuits, trapped ions, and photonic systems.
Despite its immense potential, quantum computing is still in its infancy and faces several key challenges, such as error rates and stability, limited qubit count, high cost and infrastructure, and software and algorithm development.
Why is Microsoft in News?
Microsoft's Majorana 1 chip represents a significant advancement in the field of quantum computing, particularly in the pursuit of more stable and scalable qubits.
What is Majorana 1?
it is built on the concept of topological qubits, which are theorized to be significantly more resistant to environmental noise and errors compared to traditional qubits. This robustness is crucial for building practical quantum computers.
The chip aims to harness Majorana fermions, exotic particles that are their own antiparticles. These particles, when confined in a special type of material called a topoconductor, can form Majorana zero modes, which are the basis for topological qubits.
Microsoft claims that Majorana 1's architecture paves the way for scaling quantum computers to a million qubits on a single chip, a threshold considered necessary for tackling real-world problems.
Why is it Important?
Stability: Current quantum computers are highly susceptible to errors, making them difficult to control and limiting their computational power. Majorana 1's focus on topological qubits addresses this challenge, potentially leading to more stable and reliable quantum computers.
Scalability: Building large-scale quantum computers with millions of qubits is essential for solving complex problems. Majorana 1's architecture offers a potential pathway to achieve this scalability.
Real-world Applications: With increased stability and scalability, quantum computers could revolutionize various fields, including medicine, materials science, and artificial intelligence.
overall, Majorana 1 is a promising development in the quest for practical quantum computers. Its focus on topological qubits and scalability could potentially overcome some of the major hurdles in the field.
3 . Germany Political System: (GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)
The Federal Republic of Germany is organised as a federal and parliamentary democracy. The Basic Law sets down that all state authority derives from the people. The people confer this power to the federal and state parliaments for one legislative period.
Key Institutions:
Federal President: The head of state, primarily a ceremonial role. They represent Germany internationally and have some reserve powers.
Federal Chancellor: The head of government, similar to a prime minister. They lead the government and are responsible for setting policy guidelines.
Bundestag: The lower house of parliament, the main legislative body. Members are elected by a mixed system of proportional representation and direct mandates.
Bundesrat: The upper house of parliament, representing the 16 states. It has a role in legislation, especially concerning state interests.
Federal Constitutional Court: The highest court, responsible for interpreting the constitution and ensuring its protection.
Germany has a multi-party system, with several parties represented in the Bundestag. Traditionally, the two largest parties have been the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). However, other parties like the Greens, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Left have also gained significant influence
The Bundestag is elected using a system called "personalized proportional representation." This combines elements of proportional representation (ensuring fair representation of parties) and direct mandates (allowing voters to choose individual candidates).
4 .Amit Shah to chair 27th Western Zonal Council meeting in Pune: (General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
The 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council was held in Pune, Maharashtra, on February 22, 2025.
It was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by the Chief Ministers of the member states and other senior officials for welfare, and economic growth.
The Western Zonal Council is one of five Zonal Councils in India. These councils were set up in 1956 with the aim of fostering cooperation and coordination between states.
Composition:
The Western Zonal Council comprises the states of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Objectives:
Promote Cooperation: The council aims to promote cooperation and coordination between the member states on various issues of common interest.
Address Regional Issues: It provides a platform for discussing and resolving issues specific to the western region, such as infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare.
Strengthen Federalism: The council plays a role in strengthening cooperative federalism by facilitating dialogue and collaboration between the states and the central government.
Key Functions:
Deliberation and Recommendations: The council discusses various issues and makes recommendations to the respective state governments and the central government.
Coordination: It helps coordinate the efforts of the member states in areas of mutual concern.
Conflict Resolution: The council can also play a role in resolving disputes or differences between the member states.
Significance: The Western Zonal Council is an important platform for promoting regional cooperation and addressing common challenges faced by the member states. It plays a vital role in strengthening federalism and promoting balanced development across the country.
Overall, the Western Zonal Council is a valuable mechanism for fostering cooperation and coordination between the states in the western region of India. It serves as a platform for dialogue, deliberation, and joint action on issues of common interest.
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