UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 July 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 July 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 3: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 July 2024)
• UNION BUDGET 2024-25: TWELVE INVESTMENT-READY “PLUG AND PLAY” INDUSTRIAL PARKS TO BE CREATED
UNION BUDGET 2024-25: TWELVE INVESTMENT-READY “PLUG AND PLAY” INDUSTRIAL PARKS TO BE CREATED
• Budget 2024-25: Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)
Budget 2024-25: Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
• Bioplastics from cassava
Bioplastics from cassava
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
• Sangameshwara temple
Sangameshwara temple
• Right to be forgotten
Right to be forgotten
• Project Cheetah
Project Cheetah
• Artificial reefs
Artificial reefs
• Triput class frigates
Triput class frigates
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 July 2024
#### GS Paper 3:
UNION BUDGET 2024-25: TWELVE INVESTMENT-READY “PLUG AND PLAY” INDUSTRIAL PARKS TO BE CREATED
Syllabus: Economy/ Geography: Industrial Parks
- •Source: PIB*
Context: TWELVE INVESTMENT-READY “PLUG AND PLAY” INDUSTRIAL PARKS TO BE CREATED UNDER NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: UNION BUDGET 2024-25
What are Industrial Parks?
Industrial Parks are designated areas specifically developed to accommodate clusters of industrial activities. They offer specialized infrastructure and facilities to support manufacturing and business operations.
Examples from India:
• Sri City, Andhra Pradesh: A large Special Economic Zone (SEZ) providing world-class infrastructure to attract global investments in various industries.
• Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh: An industrial park focusing on sectors like electronics, IT, and textiles, enhancing regional economic growth.
Examples from the World:
• Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, China: An industrial park that transformed Shenzhen into a major global manufacturing hub, boosting economic development and innovation.
• Silicon Valley, USA: A renowned industrial park for technology and innovation, housing numerous tech companies and startups, driving significant advancements in the tech industry.
Currently, the Government of India has approved the development of 11 industrial corridors, comprising 32 projects organized into four phases. The current list of industrial corridors includes:
• Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
• Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC)
• Extension of CBIC to Kochi via Coimbatore
• Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC)
• Hyderabad Nagpur Industrial Corridor (HNIC)
• Hyderabad Warangal Industrial Corridor (HWIC)
• Hyderabad Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC)
• Bengaluru Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC)
• East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) with Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) as Phase-1
• Odisha Economic Corridor (OEC)
• Delhi Nagpur Industrial Corridor (DNIC)
The National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) oversees these projects, aiming for systematic, multi-modal connectivity across economic zones to enhance logistics and economic activities.
Despite decades of development, these clusters have not propelled India to replicate China’s manufacturing success.
Reasons behind India not becoming a manufacturing hub like China:
• Poor Infrastructure: China has invested heavily in its infrastructure, including roads, ports, and power supply, facilitating efficient manufacturing and logistics. India’s infrastructure, though improving, still suffers from frequent power outages, inadequate transportation facilities, and congested ports, increasing production costs and causing delays. g., China’s Spent $8 trillion on infrastructure development between 2011 to 2021 while India plans only $1.4 trillion for the National Infrastructure Pipeline from 2019 to 2025.
• India’s infrastructure, though improving, still suffers from frequent power outages, inadequate transportation facilities, and congested ports, increasing production costs and causing delays.
• g., China’s Spent $8 trillion on infrastructure development between 2011 to 2021 while India plans only $1.4 trillion for the National Infrastructure Pipeline from 2019 to 2025.
• Logistical Inefficiencies: China boasts world-class logistics and supply chain management, ensuring smooth production and distribution. While inefficient logistics in India hinder productivity and competitiveness, impacting the overall efficiency of the manufacturing sector. g. India is currently ranked 38th in the LPI 2023 while china was ranked 14th.
• While inefficient logistics in India hinder productivity and competitiveness, impacting the overall efficiency of the manufacturing sector.
• g. India is currently ranked 38th in the LPI 2023 while china was ranked 14th.
• Regulatory and Bureaucratic Hurdles: India’s cumbersome regulatory framework involves multiple approvals, unclear regulations, and red tape, discouraging investors and delaying projects.
• High Cost of capital: Lower interest rates and better access to affordable credit in China facilitate manufacturing investments. While high-interest rates and limited affordable credit in India increase business costs, hindering expansion and technological upgrades. g., India’s average lending rate was 8.6 % in 2022, significantly higher than China’s 4.3%,
• While high-interest rates and limited affordable credit in India increase business costs, hindering expansion and technological upgrades.
• g., India’s average lending rate was 8.6 % in 2022, significantly higher than China’s 4.3%,
• Taxation issues: China’s tax policies are more conducive to manufacturing, encouraging foreign and domestic investments. Although GST reforms are positive, India’s tax structure remains complex, adding to operational costs.
• Although GST reforms are positive, India’s tax structure remains complex, adding to operational costs.
• Skill Gap and workforce issues: China has invested in vocational training and education, creating a skilled labour pool for manufacturing, while a significant portion of India’s workforce lacks advanced manufacturing skills, affecting productivity and quality. g., according to India Skills report, only 49% of Indian youth is employable.
• g., according to India Skills report, only 49% of Indian youth is employable.
• Limited technological adoption: Slow adoption of advanced technologies in India results in higher production costs and lower efficiency. g., Indian textile sector still relies on outdated technologies.
• g., Indian textile sector still relies on outdated technologies.
• R&D Investment: Significant investment in R&D in China drives innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities. While limited R&D investment in India hampers innovation and development of new manufacturing processes. g., India spends only 0.64 percentage of it GDP on R&D while China spends 2.64 % of its GDP.
• g., India spends only 0.64 percentage of it GDP on R&D while China spends 2.64 % of its GDP.
Way forward:
• Investment in Infrastructure: India should prioritize infrastructure projects such as the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and the Bharatmala project to improve logistics and connectivity across the country.
• Smart Industrial Zones: Establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with integrated infrastructure (power, water, transport) to attract manufacturing clusters. For instance, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) is a successful example of an SEZ attracting global financial institutions.
• For instance, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) is a successful example of an SEZ attracting global financial institutions.
• Expanding initiatives like the Skill India Mission to train and certify workers in manufacturing skills, modelled on successful vocational training programs in countries like Germany.
• Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies: Incentivizing the adoption of automation, IoT, and digital manufacturing technologies through schemes like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for electronics manufacturing.
• Green Manufacturing Initiatives: encouraging sustainable practices through incentives for eco-friendly technologies and compliance with global environmental standards, similar to Sweden’s carbon-neutral manufacturing goals.
Conclusion
By focusing on these strategic areas and learning from successful international examples, India can overcome its challenges and position itself as a competitive manufacturing hub. These initiatives not only enhance industrial capabilities but also contribute to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
About PM Gati-Shakti National Master Plan:
PM Gati Shakti Master Plan (2021), is a Rs. 100 lakh-crore project for developing ‘holistic infrastructure’. It aims to ensure the speed (Gati) and Power (Shakti) of infrastructure projects in the next four years, with a focus on expediting works on the ground, saving costs and creating jobs, and bringing down the logistics cost.
Gati Shakti scheme will give the necessary push to infrastructure development:
• Boost to infrastructure:A plug-and-play model for industrial parks. It will subsume National Infrastructure Pipeline launched in 2019
• Helps solve logistical issues: India’s logistics cost burden is 13-14% of GDP, compared to 6-8%in more competitive economies.
• Curbs red-tapism: , the Railways has started a ‘Common Drawing Approval System’on an online platform, so all the approvals can be accessed on one portal.
• Increased coordination: Gati Shakti will bring together 16 infrastructure-related Ministries.
• Incorporation of various projects from different ministries: Gati Shakti will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of various Union ministries and state governments:Bharatmala, Sagarmala, UDAN, inland waterways, dry/land ports, etc.
About NICDP:
The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) aims to develop futuristic industrial cities that can compete globally in manufacturing and investment. It includes 11 industrial corridors with 32 projects in four phases. The first corridor, the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, was approved in 2007. The implementation is managed by the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC), with oversight by an Apex Monitoring Authority chaired by the Finance Minister.
Insta Links
PM GatiShakti — National Master Plan
Mains Links
Gati Shakti will ensure integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects in the coming years, with a focus on expediting works on the ground, saving costs and creating jobs. Discuss. (250 Words) (UPSC Mains 2022)
Budget 2024-25: Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)
Syllabus: Indian Economy: Nuclear Energy
- •Source: DTE*
Context: The 2024-25 Union Budget emphasizes the importance of nuclear energy in India’s energy mix, particularly through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The government will partner with the private sector to develop Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs).
What are Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)?
Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) are a type of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designed for India’s energy needs. These reactors are compact, factory-built nuclear reactors with a power capacity of up to 300 MW. They aim to provide a safe, cost-effective, and low-carbon energy source, particularly suitable for locations that cannot accommodate larger nuclear plants. The development of BSRs involves collaboration between the Indian government and the private sector.
This marks a historic shift in India’s nuclear policy, as the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 previously barred private sector participation. Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), aligned with global trends in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), are based on India’s existing Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor technology. They aim to enhance nuclear energy’s contribution, currently at 1.6%, to India’s energy mix.
India’s Three stage Nuclear Programme:
In 1954, India established the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to harness nuclear resources for peaceful purposes, following Dr. Bhabha’s vision of self-reliance in nuclear energy.
Present status: With 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalakand, India is finally ready to start the second stage. However, experts estimate that it would take India at least another four decades before it has built up a sufficient fissile material inventory to launch the third stage.
• Globally, countries like Russia, Argentina, Canada, China, South Korea, and the US are already developing or licensing SMRs.
Use of nuclear power: electricity generation with over 20 reactors in operation, Scientific studies at BARC, Nuclear medicine, crop improvement, and food preservation are practical applications, while strategic deterrence is maintained for national security.
Challenges: India’s nuclear program has been subject to international sanctions and restrictions due to its status as a nuclear-armed nation outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Technological dependence on imported technology and equipment.
Small modular reactors and its advantages:
The term refers to a class of modern reactors that are essentially “small”, and each unit can be manufactured in a factory and transported to a location for installation. They are envisaged for markets such as remote applications or for remote locations with limited grid capacity.
Reactor | Power Capacity
Large, Conventional Reactor | 700+ MW(e)
Small Modular Reactor | Up to 300 MW(e)
Micro Reactor | Up to ~10 MW(e)
More about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
SMRs are | Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.
Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat for electricity production or direct application.
Capacity | Ranging from less than 30 MWe to 300+ MWe.
Classification | Land-based water-cooled SMRs, Marine based water cooled SMRs, High-temperature gas-cooled SMRs (HTGRs), Liquid metal-cooled fast neutron spectrum SMRs (LMFRs), etc
Status of development (globally) | At present, nearly 80 SMR designs are in the development and licensing stages, and a few of them are in the deployment and operational stages.
Advantages | Manufactured off-site: This can significantly save construction time, unlike the conventional nuclear reactors that are built on-site.
Low running costs (lesser fuel, fewer staff) and increased efficiency.
Better control/flexibility: Generating less electricity when demand is down and are particularly useful for remote locations – have variable power generation requirements.
Safety features: Don’t need a power supply and can handle accidents without the assistance of a person or a computer.
SMRs and SDGs: SMRs can play a key role in the clean energy transition, while also helping countries achieve SDG 7 (universal access to energy).
Challenges | Lack of development: SMR industry is yet to realise a fully developed operational fabrication facility for large-scale serial manufacturing of SMR components.
Economic benefits depend on the large-scale production of SMRs.
A large number of technologies: For deployment of the SMRs at the same time, could not only create regulatory challenges for the nuclear industry but also take away some degree of cost optimisation.
Mobilising finance: For technology development, licensing and construction of prototype plants.
Way ahead | Standardisation of designs of components and modules, strategic partnerships, and harmonisation of regulatory and licensing processes will facilitate the adoption of SMRs at a large scale.
The existing safety assessment methodology should be updated.
Availability of low-cost finance, inclusion in green taxonomy and utilisation of innovative financing instruments such as green bonds, etc.
Availability of required skilled personnel across the value chain of engineering, design, testing, inspection, construction, etc.
Conclusion:
Nuclear science and technology in India has been marked by significant achievements, embracing Small Modular Reactors can pave the way for more sustainable and efficient nuclear power generation
Insta Links:
The Future of Nuclear Power in India
Mains Links:
Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of a fast breeder reactor programme in India? (UPSC 2019)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 July 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) :
Bioplastics from cassava
- •Source: PIB*
Context: In Nagaland smallholder farmers are producing compostable bioplastic bags from cassava starch, setting an example in reducing plastic use.
• This initiative, supported by the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), and led by Eco starch, a local MSME, aims to replace single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives.
• This initiative promotes the concept of ‘cassava village’ to boost the local economy, provide alternative livelihoods, and generate employment, especially for local youth and women’s self-help groups.
• Eco starch plans to expand its operations to include biodegradable films and bags for food packaging, further enhancing local employment opportunities.
Lessons that can be learnt:
• Sustainable Alternatives: Using locally available resources, such as cassava, for bioplastic production showcases the potential for sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
• Community Involvement: Empowering women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and local youth enhances community engagement and fosters inclusive growth.
• Economic Empowerment: Developing ‘cassava villages’ boosts the local economy by providing alternative livelihoods and generating employment.
• Scalability and Expansion: Expanding product lines can create more jobs and cater to a broader market, further enhancing local economic benefits.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25 July 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Sangameshwara temple
Source: TOI
Context: The ancient Sangameshwara temple in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, is once again submerged due to recent heavy rains and rising water levels in the Srisailam project.
About Sangameshwara temple:
• The Sangameshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, has recently been submerged in the backwaters of the Srisailam project in Nandyal district due to heavy inflow from the Krishna River.
• The temple was originally built in 740 AD by Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II on the Krishna River bank.
• It was originally situated where the Tungabhadra and Krishna Rivers merge, 10 km from its current location.
• To prevent submersion from the Srisailam Dam’s construction, the temple was dismantled and rebuilt at its current site in 1979, maintaining its historical and religious significance.
Right to be forgotten
- •Source: Business Standard*
Context: The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine the issue of the “right to be forgotten,” a concept related to digital privacy and the control of personal data.
• This right allows individuals to have their personal data, such as names and photos, removed from public records and online platforms.
Status of Right to be forgotten in India:
• In India, the “right to be forgotten” is considered part of the broader right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution, but specific legal provisions for this right are lacking.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which includes penalties for data misuse, does not explicitly cover this right.
• The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, offer a complaint process for unauthorized personal data exposure, but do not address the right comprehensively.
Project Cheetah
Source: TH
Context: Banni, a vast grassland in the southern part of Kutch, Gujarat, is being readied to host cheetahs from Africa as part of the next phase of Project Cheetah.
• However, Banni lacks sufficient prey for a viable cheetah population, necessitating the introduction of species like chital to sustain the big cats.
• Banni offers the advantage of having no leopards, making it a potential long-term site for a larger cheetah population once sufficient prey is established.
Tags: GS3, Environment, Project Cheetah
Artificial reefs
Source: TNIE
Context: Recently 300 artificial reef modules were deployed in various shapes off the coast of Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, to enhance marine fisheries resources and coastal biodiversity.
• These reefs, located 3 nautical miles offshore at a depth of 6 meters, benefit fishermen from eight fishing villages.
About Artificial reefs:
• Artificial reefs are human-made structures placed on the seabed using biorock technology.
• This technology involves passing a low electrical current through water via electrodes near a steel structure, attracting dissolved minerals to form a calcium carbonate layer akin to natural coral reefs.
• These reefs provide hard surfaces for algae, barnacles, corals, and oysters to attach to, creating habitats for fish, absorbing carbon dioxide, and benefiting local fishing communities.
Triput class frigates
- •Source: TH*
Context: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched the first of two indigenous Advanced P1135.6 stealth frigates, named ‘Triput,’ for the Indian Navy, with technology transferred from Russia.
• India contracted four frigates from Russia in 2016, with two built in Russia and two at GSL. The first Russian-built frigate, Tushil, is set to be delivered in September 2024, and the second, Tamal, by February 2025.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26 July 2024 [PDF]
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