कयामत की घड़ी: आधी रात में 85 सेकंड

The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic clock representing the likelihood of a human-made global catastrophe. It was created in 1947 by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Its importance lies in serving as a barometer of global security, reflecting the dangers posed by nuclear weapons, climate change, and other threats to humanity's survival.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who had helped develop the first atomic weapons. Their foremost concern was the threat posed by nuclear weapons to global security.

The Doomsday Clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight due to a darkening security landscape. This includes eroding nuclear norms, escalating conflicts in Europe and Asia, climate and biological risks, and a fracturing international order.

The Doomsday Clock serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats to humanity's survival. While it doesn't directly impact daily life, it raises awareness about critical global issues like nuclear proliferation and climate change, encouraging citizens to advocate for policies that promote peace and sustainability.

The Doomsday Clock's origins trace back to 1947, two years after the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded. Initially, the clock symbolized the threat of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War. Its first setting was seven minutes to midnight.

Recently, the Doomsday Clock was moved to 85 seconds to midnight. This decision reflects concerns about eroding nuclear norms, escalating conflicts, climate change, biological threats, and a fracturing international order. The previous setting was 89 seconds to midnight.

The year 1945 is significant because it marks the founding of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. This organization created the Doomsday Clock in 1947 to warn the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons and other global threats.

Nuclear deterrence is a strategy where countries maintain nuclear arsenals to discourage other countries from attacking them. The Doomsday Clock reflects the stability (or instability) of this deterrence. Rhetoric about resuming nuclear testing and modernizing stockpiles destabilizes deterrence, moving the clock closer to midnight.

As per the topic data, the last remaining treaty governing nuclear weapon stockpiles between the U.S. and Russia expires. This raises concerns about a potential arms race and further destabilization of nuclear deterrence, which could lead to the Doomsday Clock being moved even closer to midnight.

For UPSC Prelims, remember these numbers: 85 (seconds to midnight currently), 89 (previous setting of the clock), and 1945 (year the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded).