04 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam
2. DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
3. ADITI Scheme
4. Geological Survey of India
5. World Hearing Day
6. India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel Sector

1. Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam

Syllabus: GS-3, Science and technology

Prelims: Nuclear reactors, fast breeder reactors

Context:

The “Core Loading” at India’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu commenced.

Details:

• This nuclear power plant at Kalpakkam is India’s most advanced nuclear reactor – Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).
• The PFBR was indigenously designed and constructed by Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), created in 2003 for this purpose.
• Once commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have a commercially operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

Fast Breeder Reactor:

• The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. 
• The Uranium-238 “blanket” surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, thus earning the name ‘Breeder’. 
• With minimised nuclear waste generated from the reactor and advanced safety features, FBRs will provide a safe, efficient and clean source of energy and contribute to the goal of net zero. 
• This is also an important step for India towards thorium utilisation in the third stage of the nuclear power programme. 
• Core Loading:
  • The reactor core consists of control subassemblies, blanket subassemblies and fuel subassemblies. 
  • The core loading activity consists of the loading of reactor control subassemblies, followed by the blanket subassemblies and the fuel sub-assemblies which will generate power.

Three-stage nuclear power programme

• India has adopted a three-stage nuclear power programme with a closed fuel cycle. 
• In the PFBR, marking the second stage of the programme, spent fuel from the first stage is reprocessed and used as fuel in FBR. 
• A unique feature of this sodium-cooled PFBR is that it can produce more fuel than it consumes, helping in achieving self-reliance in fuel supply for future fast reactors.

Significance:

• Despite the advanced technology involved, both the capital cost and the per unit electricity cost are comparable to other nuclear and conventional power plants.
• The growth of the Indian nuclear power program is imperative to meet the twin goals of energy security and sustainable development.

2. DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)

Syllabus: GS-3, Science & Technology

Prelims: Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)

Mains: Issues of cyber security, cybercrime and financial fraud

Context:

Union Minister launched the Department of Telecommunications’ Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).

Details:

• The ‘Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)’ was launched for coordination among the stakeholders to curb the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial fraud.
• The minister also launched the ‘Chakshu’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal which is an initiative empowering citizens to proactively report suspected fraud communication.
• The two portals of DIP and Chakshu are expected to further appreciably enhance the capacity and ability to check any kind of cyber security threat.

Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP):

• Developed by the Department of Telecommunications.
• It ​​is a secure and integrated platform for real-time intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordination among the stakeholders i.e. Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks and financial institutions (FIs), social media platforms, identity document issuing authorities, etc. 
• The portal also contains information regarding the cases detected as misuse of telecom resources.
• It also acts as a backend repository for the citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi portal for action by the stakeholders.

‘Chakshu’:

• It facilitates citizens to report suspected fraud communication received over call, SMS or WhatsApp with the intention of defrauding like KYC expiry or update of bank account/payment wallet/SIM/gas connection/electricity connection, sextortion, impersonation as a government official/relative for sending money, disconnection of all mobile numbers by Department of Telecommunications, etc.

3. ADITI Scheme

Syllabus: GS-3, Security & Defence

Prelims: ADITI Scheme

Mains: Indigenous defence production

Context:

Raksha Mantri launched the ADITI scheme to promote innovations in critical & strategic defence technologies.

ADITI Scheme:

• The Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme was launched to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies during DefConnect 2024 in New Delhi.
• The scheme worth Rs 750 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26 falls under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence. 
• It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies in the proposed timeframe. 
• It also envisages the creation of a ‘Technology Watch Tool’ to bridge the gap between the expectations and requirements of the modern Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defence innovation ecosystem. 
• In its first edition, 17 challenges (3 for the Army, 3 for the Navy, 5 for the Air Force and 4 for the Defence Space Agency) were launched.

4. Geological Survey of India

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: Geological Survey of India

Context:

Geological Survey of India celebrated its 174th anniversary.

Details:

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific agency established in 1851, for conducting geological surveys and studies of India, and also is the prime provider of basic earth science information to the government, industry and the general public.

Read more about the Geological Survey of India in the linked article.

5. World Hearing Day

Syllabus: GS-1, Social Issues

Prelims: World Hearing Day 

Context:

World Hearing Day observed on March 3rd.

World Hearing Day:

• World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.
• World Hearing Day 2024 Theme: “Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!”.
• The first event was held in 2007. Before 2016 it was known as International Ear Care Day.

6. India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel Sector

Syllabus: GS-3, Environment 

Prelims/Mains: Green Hydrogen

Context:

Union Minister inaugurated India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel Sector.

Details:

• The plant is located at Jindal Stainless Limited, Hisar. 
• It will be the world’s first off-grid Green Hydrogen plant for the stainless steel industry and the world’s first Green Hydrogen plant with rooftop & floating solar. 
• This project aims to reduce carbon emissions considerably by around 2,700 Metric Tonnes per annum and 54,000 tons of CO2 emissions over the next two decades.  
• The project not only aligns with the government’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future but also creates valuable employment opportunities.

National Green Hydrogen Mission Transforming India’s Steel Industry:

• India’s steel sector has evolved from a net importer to a net exporter.
• It is aiming to become the world’s largest producer of crude steel.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) supports pilot projects in the steel sector with a budget of around ₹500 crore until FY 2029-30.

Read previous PIB articles here.