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Daily solar observations gathered for years at the century-old Kodaikanal Solar Observatory have led to a breakthrough understanding of how the Sun's magnetic activity varies across its latitudes -- a discovery that could deepen insights into the solar dynamo, impact space-weather forecasting, and even help climate models. The study, led by researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), analysed 11 years (20152025) of spectroscopic data captured in the calcium-K line of sunlight -- a spectral signature that forms high in the Sun's chromosphere and serves as a sensitive marker of magnetic activity. The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, which recently celebrated 125 years of continuous observation, maintains one of the world's longest solar datasets, said Apoorva Srinivasa, one of the authors of the study, to PTI. According to him, the research team used this rich archive to track how the Sun's magnetic
Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Saturday said India's scientific progress must move beyond laboratories and focus on meaningful engagement with citizens, students and youth. Addressing a gathering at the four-day India International Science Festival (IISF) here, he said the festival was conceived not as a routine academic gathering but as an open, public-facing platform that brings science closer to people. The festival encourages direct interaction between scientists and beneficiaries of scientific research, he said, emphasising the government's push for greater coordination among science ministries and departments. Reiterating that the IISF is built on the three C's - Celebration, Communication and Career - the minister said the event celebrates India's scientific achievements, communicates scientific knowledge beyond academic spaces and helps young participants explore careers in research, startups and industry. He said students, researchers and ...
India's most celebrated astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, who passed away in May, was on Saturday selected for the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar. Narlikar challenged the Big Bang theory, which states that the universe was created in a single moment. He, along with British astronomer Fred Hoyle, proposed that the universe had always existed with continuous creation of new matter into infinity. Narlikar died on May 20 at the age of 86. Modelled on the Padma awards, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is the country's top science award. The winners for 2025, the second edition of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, were announced on the website of the national awards -- awards.gov.in -- on Saturday. The government also announced eight Vigyan Shri, 14 Vigyan Yuva and one Vigyan Team awards. Noted agriculture scientist Gyanendra Pratap Singh, popularly known as the wheat breeder, won the Vigyan Shri award for his contribution to the field of Agricultural Science. Yusuf Mohammad Seikh, Director of the phys
Girls have outshone boys in the Class 12 examination of the Science and Commerce stream, the results of which were announced by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) on Saturday. The JAC announced the results in the presence of the state Education minister Ramdas Soren. JAC secretary Jayant Mishra said 79.26 per cent of students in science and 91.92 per cent of students in commerce passed the examination. In science, 80.53 per cent of girls passed the exams, while boys' pass percentage was 78.47 per cent. Similarly, 95.05 per cent of girls cleared the examination in the commerce stream, while 89.61 per cent of boys passed it, the official said. Ankita Dutta from Government High School, Govindpur, emerged as a state topper in the science stream with 95.4 per cent marks, while Reshmi Kumari from St Xavier's Girls Inter College, Chaibasa, became the state topper with 95.2 per cent marks in the commerce stream. Mishra said out of 98,634 students who appeared for the science stream ...
A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives that would allow the National Science Foundation to support a modernized math curriculum and improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Introduced by Congressman Chrissy Houlahan from the Democratic Party and Jim Baird from the Republican Party, the Mathematical and Statistical Modelling Education Act aims at helping students compete globally in STEM subjects, especially in view of countries like China and India are making dramatic investments in education, especially in math and science. Houlahan said, "As I have travelled the world, I have seen how China, India, and our other global competitors are making dramatic investments in education, especially in math and science. We must act quickly to ensure America's students are not left behind in the global economy. "Giving the National Science Foundation the authority to invest in modernized STEM education is an important step ...