02 Apr 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Green Hydrogen Ecosystem
2. Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX)
3. CBI - Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
4. G20: Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) Meeting

1. Green Hydrogen Ecosystem

Syllabus – GS3, Infrastructure: Energy Security

Prelims – Green Hydrogen

Context – The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy hosted an event “Green Hydrogen – Advancing Net-Zero Pathways.”

Details –

• A side event “Green Hydrogen – Advancing Net-Zero Pathways” was conducted on the sidelines of the second ‘Energy Transition Working Group’ meeting and was hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• The side event was conducted in collaboration with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and International Solar Alliance  (ISA) with World Resources Institute India (WRI India) as knowledge partner.
• Creating policy mechanisms and regulatory frameworks along with establishing collaboration between countries is essential to accelerate a green hydrogen ecosystem. Also, developing consensus on a common framework for hydrogen certification would be extremely critical to enable green hydrogen trade.
• Green hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in the cross sectoral decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors and is a critical element for a sustainable, low carbon future.
• To meet clean energy transition objectives, G20 nations require to adopt multi-pronged strategies which should include renewable energy, green hydrogen and its derivatives. 

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)

• SECI was established in September, 2011 under the administrative control of MNRE.
• SECI facilitates the implementation of the National Solar Mission (NSM) and achievements of targets set therein.
• It is the only CPSU (Central Public Sector Undertaking) dedicated to the renewable energy sector.

WRI India –

• WRI is a global research organisation that works with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions and civil society groups to develop practical solutions that improve people’s lives and ensure nature can thrive.
• WRI has offices in 12 countries, including India.
• World Resources Institute India focuses on building sustainable and liveable cities and works towards a low carbon economy.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• ISA was conceived as a joint effort by Indian and France to mobilise efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
• It was conceptualised on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) held in Paris, 2015.
• At present 110 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement, of which 90 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA.

Also Read- National Hydrogen Energy Mission NHEM.

Paris Agreement (COP 21).

2. Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX)

Syllabus – GS3, Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Prelims – RLV LEX

Context – Shri Narendra Modi praises ISRO for conducting successful RLV LEX.

Details –

• ISRO, joined by DRDO and IAF successfully conducted the Reusable launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga, Karnataka.
• The Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) test was the second of five tests that are a part of ISROs efforts to develop RLVs, or space planes/shuttles, which can travel to low earth orbits (LEO) to deliver payloads and return to earth for use again.
• With LEX, the dream of an Indian Reusable Launch Vehicle arrives one step closer to reality.

3. CBI – Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Syllabus – GS3, Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims – Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Context– The Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of CBI on 3rd April.

Details –

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was established by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI on 1st April, 1963.
• During the programme, an Investiture Ceremony for recipients of President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officers of CBI will be held wherein Prime Minister will confer medals to the awardees.
• The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) is the main investigating agency of the GOI. It is not a statutory body; it derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. 
• It is an elite force playing a major role in preservation of values in public life and in ensuring the health of the national economy. It is also the nodal police agency in India, which coordinates investigations on behalf of Interpol Member countries.

4. G20: Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) Meeting

Syllabus – GS2, International Relations: Regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

Prelims – Second Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) Meeting (April 2-4, 2023).

Context – The second Energy Transition Working Group meeting commenced in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Details –

• Under India’s Presidency, 4 ETWG meetings, various side events, and a Ministerial Meeting have been planned to advance global cooperation in the clean energy transition and make it central to the agenda of sustainable economic development.
• During the 3 day meeting, over 100 delegates from G20 member countries, special invitee countries and international organisations are taking part in the meeting to engage in discussions and deliberations on priority areas.
• The focus of the meeting are the six priority areas-
  • Energy transition through addressing technology gaps
  • Low-cost financing for energy transition
  • Energy security and diversified supply chains
  • Energy efficiency, industrial low carbon transitions, and responsible consumption
  • Fuels for future
  • Universal access to clean energy and just, affordable, and inclusive energy transition pathways

Also read – India Takes Over Presidency Of G20.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

April 2nd, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here