Short selling
Supreme Court directed Centre and SEBI to investigate if Hindenburg report on short-selling caused harm to investors.
- It involves selling a stock not owned at the time of trade.
- Speculating a price decrease, sellers borrow stocks to sell, then buy them back at a lower price, making a profit.
- SEBI permits short selling for both retail and institutional investors, who must deliver securities during settlement.
- Naked short selling is illegal in India.
Megalosaurus
2024 marks the bicentennial (200th year) of the first scientific naming of a dinosaur, the megalosaurus.
- Meaning – Great lizard
- These are carnivorous dinosaur’s fossils.
- Discovered in – Oxfordshire, England (UK).
- In 1824, they were named based on scattered bones, including vertebrae, and hip.
Indian Science Congress (ISC)
The 109th edition of the Indian Science Congress event has been postponed this year. 108th edition of ISC was held in Nagpur (January 2023).
- An annual event in India that brings together scientists, researchers, academicians, and policymakers to discuss and showcase scientific achievements and advancements.
- Organised by – Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA)
- Headquarters of ISCA – West Bengal
- 1st meeting of Congress (1914) – Asiatic Society, Calcutta.
Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730-1796)
- Princess – Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) – Ramnad kingdom.
- Known by Tamils as Veeramangai.
- Proficient in languages like French, English, and Urdu.
- Contributions –
- 1st queen to have ever actively opposed the British rule.
- In collaboration with Hyder Ali and Gopala Nayaker, waged war against British.
- Went on to produce 1st human bomb and established first army of trained women soldiers.
- Reinherited Sivagangai kingdom of her husband.