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Despite investments in multiple space and ground-based solar observatories by the global community, the Sun's polar regions remain unchartered territory - the last great frontier for solar observations. Breaching this frontier is fundamental to understanding the solar cycle - the ultimate driver of short-to-long term solar activity that encompasses space weather and space climate. Magnetohydrodynamic dynamo models and empirically observed relationships have established that the polar field is the primary determinant of the future solar cycle amplitude. Models of solar surface evolution of tilted active regions indicate that the mid to high latitude surges of magnetic flux govern dynamics leading to the reversal and build-up of polar fields. Our theoretical understanding and numerical models of this high latitude magnetic field dynamics and plasma flows - that are a critical component of the sunspot cycle - lack precise observational constraints. This limitation compromises our ability to observe the enigmatic kilo Gauss polar flux patches and constrain the polar field distribution at high latitudes. The lack of these observations handicap our understanding of how high latitude magnetic fields power polar jets, plumes, and the fast solar wind that extend to the boundaries of the heliosphere and modulate solar open flux and cosmic ray flux within the solar system. Accurate observation of the Sun's polar regions, therefore, is the single most outstanding challenge that confronts Heliophysics. This paper argues the scientific case for novel out of ecliptic observations of the Sun's polar regions, in conjunction with existing, or future multi-vantage point heliospheric observatories. Such a mission concept can revolutionize the field of Heliophysics like no other mission concept has - with relevance that transcends spatial regimes from the solar interior to the heliosphere., Comment: This White Paper was submitted in 2022 to the United States National Academies Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) Decadal Survey

Bioclimatic potential studies are important for passive design applications in the conceptual stage of climate responsive building design. Being a land of vast climatic diversity, very few such studies exist in India. This paper aims to develop bio climatic charts for 21 locations within a composite climate zone in India. Spatial zoning maps for natural comfort and passive heating and cooling strategies have been developed for these 21 selected locations based on adaptive comfort criteria. A further evaluation of the bioclimatic potential analysis was carried out through a simple heating and cooling energy load simulation for all locations. Impact of the local climate on building heating and cooling energy load was evaluated using statistical techniques thus establishing a direct relationship between bioclimatic potential and annual energy load. Results show great variation in comfort and passive design potential even within the composite zone. A gradual increase in the number of comfort hours was observed as one moves geographically from the north towards south within the composite zone. The natural comfort potential varies from 23 to 46%, passive cooling potential varies between 26.5 and 53.5% and the passive solar heating potential varies from 3 to 20% of the time of the year based on location. Results of this study can be used for further sub-zoning of the composite region based on thermal comfort and passive design criteria, which will further the development of location specific passive design strategies. Limitations of the present study and scope for future investigation are also delineated.

Mobile phones have had one of the fastest adoption rates for any technology globally. Mobile services and mobile broadband have contributed to the economic growth and are increasingly seen as vehicles for development, especially in developing countries. As is the trend globally, spectrum has become a critical resource for further growth in the sector, especially with greater demand for data. The environment and hence the context of spectrum management varies significantly across developed and developing countries. Spectrum management in most developed countries is driven by the need to make the telecom sectors competitive and exploit technological advances for innovative cutting-edge services. The citizens and enterprises have a high propensity to pay. This is in an environment where there is near universal coverage of high-end services, both on wired and wireless infrastructure. On the other hand, in developing countries, wired infrastructure for broadband and backhaul services is very limited. In the wireless domain, supply side constraint of low spectrum availability prevails, as often institutional mechanisms for refarming, trading and sharing are inadequate. On the demand side, operators are obliged to serve large populations who are unable to migrate to newer technologies due to high cost of devices and services and lack of digital literacy in the population. The customers also have a lower propensity to pay, thus making it commercially demanding for operators to introduce new technologies. Most developing country leaderships also recognize that growth in broadband and economy is a twosided relationship. (...)