Starlink–UIDAI Partnership
News- UIDAI Onboards Starlink for Aadhaar-Based e-KYC: A Boost to India’s Digital Infrastructure.
- Partnership – Starlink (SpaceX) joins hands with UIDAI.
- Date – 20 August 2025.
- Focus – Use Aadhaar authentication for access, verification, and subscription to broadband services.
- Significance – Integration of India’s trusted digital identity with satellite internet services.
- Impact – Strengthens digital integration & global tech collaboration.
- About Starlink:
- Parent Company – Operated by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk.
- Launch Year – Pilot services began in 2019.
- Technology – Uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites (around 550 km above Earth) to deliver high-speed internet.
- About Adhaar:
- Launched – In 2009 by the Government of India;
- Implemented – by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).
- Nature – A 12-digit unique identification number linked to biometric (fingerprints, iris scan) and demographic data.
- Coverage – World’s largest digital ID system, with 1.3+ billion enrollees.
Varanasi: Portable Solar Panel
News-Varanasi becomes India’s first city to get portable solar panels between railway tracks.
- Event – Varanasi becomes first Indian city to install portable solar panels between railway tracks.
- Location – Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW).
- Pilot Setup – 70-meter-long removable solar panel system (28 panels, 15-kilowatt power).
- Innovation – Generates clean power without extra land use.
- Design – Epoxy adhesives + rubber pads (durable, vibration-resistant, removable).
- Goal – Supports Indian Railways’ net-zero target by 2030.
- Significance – First-of-its-kind project, showcasing sustainable use of idle railway space.
U20 World Wrestling Championships
News-Tapasya Wins India’s First Gold at U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025 in Bulgaria
- Event – U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025.
- Host Location – Bulgaria.
- Winner – Indian wrestler Tapasya.
- Achievement – Clinched India’s first-ever gold medal at the event.
- Category – Women’s 57kg.
- Final Match – Defeated Norway’s Felicitas Domajeva 5-2.
- Background – Already an Asian U20 Championship gold medallist.
29th Moon of Uranus
News-NASA Discovers 29th Moon of Uranus, Named S/2025 U1.
- Discovery – New moon of Uranus, named S/2025 U1.
- By – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
- Team – Led by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI).
- Uranus Moons – Total count now 29.
- Size – ~10 km diameter.
- Orbit – 56,000 km from Uranus.
- Remark – Lead scientist Maryame El Moutamid called it a “small but significant discovery.”
Sharmshree Scheme
News-West Bengal launches ‘Sharmshree Scheme’ for returning migrant workers.
- Scheme – Shramshree Scheme.
- Launched By – West Bengal Government.
- Target Group – Bengali migrant workers returning from other states due to linguistic/regional discrimination.
- Benefit – ₹5,000 monthly aid.
- Duration – Up to 1 year or until securing a new job in West Bengal.
MCQs
Q1. Starlink recently partnered with UIDAI to use Aadhaar authentication for which purpose?
a) Defence communication
b) Broadband access verification
c) Satellite launching
d) Aadhaar enrolment
Q2. The U20 World Wrestling Championships 2025 was hosted by which country?
a) India
b) Japan
c) Bulgaria
d) Kazakhstan
Q3. Varanasi’s pilot project of portable solar panels was installed at?
a) Varanasi Junction
b) Banaras Locomotive Works
c) Mughalsarai Station
d) Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Q4. The new Uranian moon discovered in 2025 is named?
a) U-29
b) S/2025 U1
c) Urania
d) Ariel II
Q5. The Shramshree Scheme was launched by which state?
a) Bihar
b) West Bengal
c) Odisha
d) Jharkhand