UPSC Key | Nepal Floods, Small nuclear reactors, Cyber slavery and more

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Front Page

Small nuclear reactors get traction: Private players offer captive sites for power projects

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Government policies and interventions; Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

What’s the ongoing story- India’s plans to get into the manufacturing value chain of Small Modular Reactors are yielding some positives with a handful of private players learnt to have shown interest in deploying these at their captive site. 

Prerequisites: 

— What are small modular reactors (SMRs)?

— How are SMRs different from traditional nuclear reactors?

— Read about India’s civil nuclear program.

Key takeaways: 

— SMRs — with a capacity of 30MWe to 300 MWe per unit — are increasingly seen as important for nuclear energy to remain a commercially competitive option in the future. India is pushing for a leadership slot in this small reactor space, both as a way of fulfilling its commitment to clean energy transition, and bundling SMRs as a technology-led foreign policy pitch.

— With SMRs seen as playing a key role in countries achieving their energy transition goals, Russia is also learnt to be keen to expand its nuclear cooperation with India to include a partnership in SMRs, sources said.

— An SMR would typically account for about a third of the generating capacity of most traditional nuclear power reactors being deployed by countries such as France, Russia or the United States. 

— These reactors are important in offering base load power that could give grid operators some degree of operational flexibility. This is seen as significant since SMRs, when pooled together, can produce a meaningfully large amount of electricity and help meet the challenge of inducting more base load power to balance out the vagaries of renewable power output. While thermal generation is seen as important in this regard, nuclear energy offers a more carbon-neutral base load generation option.

— Though India’s civil nuclear programme has progressively upscaled its reactor sizes, from the earlier 220MWe reactors to the latest 700MWe PHWRs (pressurised heavy water reactors), the country does have an edge in producing and commercially operating small reactors. 

— What changes now is that this push for SMRs which has been on the policy agenda for well over a decade is now likely to turn mainstream and, more importantly, could have the backing of countries such as the United States, especially on the financing aspect and dissemination of the technology. 

— In the civil nuclear sector, New Delhi is pushing SMRs as a technology of promise that can help in industrial decarbonisation, and is hard selling its ability to take some kind of a leadership role in the dissemination of this technology.

For Your Information: 

— SMRs are small reactors offering 30-300 MWe power output per unit, and are seen as effective in not just producing base load power (where thermal is seen as important), but also amongst renewables as a more carbon-neutral source.

— SMRs are conceptualised in such a way that their systems and components are manufactured in a controlled factory environment and then transported straight to the project site to be installed, which optimises the construction lead time and cuts down the cost of these projects -— two big concerns with regard to traditional large reactor projects.

— They have potential deployment advantages like reduced size of the Emergency Planning Zone (ring fenced areas around the project site) and passive safety system, rendering them relatively safer than larger reactor-based projects. 

Points to Ponder: 

— What role can SMRs play in India’s energy security and its transition towards cleaner energy sources?

— What are India’s potential benefits from entering the manufacturing value chain for SMRs?

— What are the challenges faced by India in developing SMRs?

— How can the involvement of private companies in SMR deployment impact India’s nuclear energy sector?

Post Read Question:

(1) Consider the following statements with reference to the small modular reactors:

1. Small modular reactors offer 30-300 MWe power output per unit.

2. Presently, Two SMR projects have reached the operational stage globally.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Scaling down in nuclear power and space

About 30,000 Indians yet to return from Southeast Asia, Punjab tops list

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance; Polity and Governance, Rights Issues

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Government interventions, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention, International relations.

What’s the ongoing story- 29,466 of the 73,138 Indians who travelled to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam on visitor visas from January 2022 to May 2024 are yet to return. These new details have emerged in data compiled by the Bureau of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), amid reports of some Indians being trapped in “cyber slavery” in some Southeast Asian countries.

Prerequisites: 

— What is ‘cyber slavery’?

— What is cybercrime?

— Read about the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. 

— Map work: Location of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Key takeaways: 

— “Among the 29,466 unreturned passengers, 21,182 are males. Of the total, 20,450 did not return from Thailand, 6,242 from Vietnam, 2,271 from Cambodia, and 503 from Myanmar,” said a source in the security establishment.

— On March 28, The Indian Express had reported that over 5,000 Indians were suspected to be trapped in Cambodia, allegedly held against their will and forced to carry out cyber frauds. According to government estimates, Indians had been duped of at least Rs 500 crore in the six months prior to March this year.

— The Centre had then set up the inter-ministerial panel to look into the issue and identify the loopholes. The panel is learnt to have identified gaps in banking, immigration and telecom sectors.

— As reported by The Indian Express earlier, the victims are sent on the pretext of data entry jobs, and then forced to carry out cyber frauds. 

— Analysis of data by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division of the MHA, had found an increase in the number of cyber crimes targeting Indians — about 45 per cent were found to originate from the Southeast Asia region. Around 1 lakh cyber complaints have been registered with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal since January 2023.

For Your Information: 

— The I4C works under the Union Home Ministry “to create an effective framework and ecosystem for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime in the country”.

— The I4C has identified four broad categories of fraud originating from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, following certain modus operandi. It includes trading scams, digital arrests, investment scam, and romance/ dating scams.

Points to Ponder: 

— What factors have contributed to the increase in cyber slavery cases involving Indians in Southeast Asia? 

(Thought Process: Think about the reasons why Indians visit Southeast Asian countries, such as unemployment,  illegal immigration networks and lack of awareness.)

— What legal frameworks exist at the national and global levels to combat human trafficking and cyber slavery? 

— What measures have been taken by the government to address the issue of cyber slavery?

— What are the initiatives taken by the government to tackle the cyber crimes in India?

(Thought Process: Know Cyber Security initiatives in India- Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-IN), Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative, National Cyber Security Coordination Centre (NCCC), Cyber Swachhta Kendra, I4C)

Post Read Question:

(2) In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents? (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. Service providers

2. Data centres

3. Body corporate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

How criminals based in southeast Asia are trapping Indians online

 

The World Page

Nepal: 170 dead after rain triggers landslides, floods

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology.
Mains Examination: GS-I, GS-II, GS-III: Geography, Environment and disaster management; International relations. 

What’s the ongoing story- Landslides and floods triggered by torrential rains have left at least 170 people dead and 42 missing in Nepal, government officials said.

Prerequisites: 

— What are landslides and floods?

— How prone is India to landslides?

— Read about India’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief effort in Nepal.

Key takeaways: 

— According to the authorities, rescue operations are underway as reports of deaths and destructions are pouring in. The number of casualties is expected to be higher than the officially announced number, said sources.

— The preliminary damage to property and standing crops due to the floods was estimated at around 24. 5 million Nepali rupees (over INR 15 million), said Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. The rains have also damaged 26 power projects, halting 1,200 MW of energy production.

For Your Information: 

— A landslide is a physical phenomenon in which a mass portion of rock, debris, or soil falls due to the influence of gravity. Landslides are one of the common geological hazards in hilly areas throughout the world.

— According to WHO, areas that are most vulnerable to landslides include:

• Any area where surface runoff is directed or land is heavily saturated;
• Steep terrain, including areas at the bottom of canyons;
• Land that has been modified due to human activity, such as deforestation or construction;
• Land previously burned by wildfires;
• Channels along a stream or river.

— Excessive or continuous rainfall over a period of days, or during particular seasons can lead to stagnation of water and cause flooding

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the geographical and meteorological factors leading to frequent landslides and floods?

— What are the socio-economic impacts of landslides and floods?

— How does climate change increase the risk of landslides and floods in the Himalayan region?

Post Read Question:

(3) Consider the following statements:

1. Any area where surface runoff is directed or land is heavily saturated is vulnerable to landslides.

2. The soil topography, rock type, geomorphology, and slope angles in certain areas can make them more vulnerable to landslides than others.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

UPSC Issue at a Glance | Landslides : 5 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

Israel kills another Hezbollah leader in Lebanon, strikes Houthis in Yemen

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: International Relations and Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

What’s the ongoing story- The Israeli military said on Sunday it has killed another high-ranking Hezbollah official in an airstrike as the Lebanese militant group was reeling from a string of devastating blows and the killing of its overall leader, Hassan Nasrallah. It also launched strikes at Houthi targets in Yemen after the militants fired missiles at Israel over the past two days, marking a fresh exchange in another front of the regional conflict.

Prerequisites: 

— Who are the Houthis?

— What is Hezbollah?

— Map work: Location of Yemen, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, West Bank, Gaza strip.

Key takeaways: 

— The military said Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah’s Central Council, was killed on Saturday. Hezbollah confirmed his death, making him the seventh senior Hezbollah leader slain in Israeli strikes in a little over a week. The Israeli military said it carried out another targeted strike on Beirut later Sunday.

Hezbollah had earlier confirmed that Ali Karaki, another senior commander, died in Friday’s strike that killed Nasrallah. Israel says at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were killed in the strike.

— Earlier this month, Hezbollah was also targeted by a sophisticated attack on its pagers and walkie-talkies that was widely blamed on Israel. A wave of Israeli airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon has killed at least 1,030 people — including 156 women and 87 children in less than two weeks, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Hundreds of thousands have been driven from their homes in Lebanon by the latest strikes. 

— The Israeli military said in a statement that dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, attacked power plants and a seaport at the RasIssa and Hodeidah ports. The strikes caused power outages in most parts of the port city of Hodeidah, residents said. The Houthi militants have fired missiles and drones at Israel repeatedly in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians.

From The Editorial Page “A dangerous edge”

— With the death of Nasrallah, geopolitical equations in the region will shift considerably. Iran, which has armed and supported Hezbollah as part of its “Axis of Resistance” has vowed vengeance for the death of a man it describes as a “martyr”.

— States like Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be watching Iran and Israel’s next moves carefully and closely, weighing the gains to be potentially made in a more stable region, including through the expansion of economic opportunities beyond oil, against the mounting losses inflicted by greater escalation.

For Your Information: 

— Yemen is located at the junction of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, its coastline commanding the strategic strait of Bab al-Mandab. 

— The Houthis are a large clan belonging to the Zaidi Shia sect, with roots in Yemen’s northwestern Saada province. Zaidis make up around 35 per cent of Yemen’s population.

— The Zaidis ruled over Yemen for over a thousand years until 1962, when they were overthrown and a civil war followed, which lasted until 1970. The Houthi clan began to revive the Zaidi tradition from the 1980s, resisting the increasing influence of the Salafists, who were funded by the state.

— Hezbollah, meaning “Party of God”, is a Shiite militant organisation that was set up by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli forces that had invaded Lebanon that year. 

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the Israel-Hezbollah conflict?

— What is the significance of West Asia for India?

— What is ““Axis of Resistance”?

— What do recent developments in the Middle East mean for India’s Middle East policy?

Post Read Question:

(4) Recently Hodeidah was in the news, it is located in which country?

(a) Israel

(b) Yemen

(c) Lebanon

(d) Jordan

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Why Nasrallah’s killing has West Asia on the edge

 

Explained 

Cadaver donations: need, rules and challenges 

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Polity: Rights issue; General Science

Mains Examination: GS-III: General Science and Ethics

What’s the ongoing story- Cadaver donation sees a person donate their entire body (rather than individual organs) to science after death.

Prerequisites: 

— What is Cadaver Donation?

— How does Cadaver Donation differ from living organ Donation?

Key takeaways: 

— Generally, cadavers are used to train doctors by helping them better understand human anatomy and practice surgery. Although dummies can be used for training, cadavers provide the most realistic experience of performing surgery on a human being.

— Apart from training doctors, cadavers can also be used for developing new medical devices and studying the physiological impact of various diseases.

— Anyone over the age of 18 years can legally consent to become a cadaver donor. In case they are not registered as one at the time of death, their guardian or next of kin can still donate their body.

— Although those who have died of chronic illnesses are eligible donors, bodies of those with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, sepsis, or HIV are unlikely to be accepted. The same is the case with bodies of organ donors. Lastly, medical colleges may also refuse to accept bodies of persons who have died due to unnatural reasons and are subject of a medico-legal case.

— There is no national organisation to track whole-body donations (unlike organ donation).

For Your Information: 

— The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 governs the transplantation of human organs and tissues in India, including the donation of organs after death. 

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the legal framework governing cadaver donation in India?

— What are the ethical concerns and challenges associated with cadaver donation in India?

— What initiatives have been taken by the government to promote organ donation?

Post Read Question:

(5) With reference to the transplantation of human organs and tissues in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 provides for transplantation of human organs and tissues in India.

2. The act allows living donations from close relatives.

3. Altruistic donations are not allowed.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

The Editorial Page

Unlocking the Retail Advantage 

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: GS-III: Indian Economy and Infrastructure

What’s the ongoing story- Abhinav Singh writes—“India stands at the threshold of a transformation. With a burgeoning middle class, increasing disposable incomes, and a young population, the country is poised for a retail revolution. Projections indicate a leap to an impressive $2 trillion by 2033, from $820 billion in 2023. E-commerce has a crucial role in this transformation. With rapid digitalisation and growing internet penetration, the Indian e-commerce market is expected to reach $325 billion by 2030.”

Prerequisites: 

— What is the National Logistics Policy (NLP)?

— Read about the Logistics Performance Index and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

— What is the Gati Shakti National Master Plan?

Key takeaways: 

— “The retail and e-commerce boom stands on the backbone of logistics and supply chain infrastructure in the country. As we target a $5 trillion economy by 2030, the seamless and efficient movement of goods is essential to meet demand and drive the growth of this sector.”

— “This growth, however, hinges on the ability to manage and reduce logistics costs, which currently account for a hefty 11-14 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In comparison, the global average is around 8 per cent”

— “To unlock the full potential of our retail sector, it is imperative to bring down logistics costs. This reduction can lead to more competitive pricing, better profit margins for retailers, and ultimately, more affordable products for consumers. Achieving this target requires a multi-faceted approach, adopting global best practices, and implementing strategic infrastructural developments.”

— “Backed by recent announcements by the government that it will increase the outlay for infrastructure…. the logistics industry is predicted to grow 8.8 per cent annually to $484.43 billion by 2029. India has moved up six places in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index to 38th in 2023, out of 139 countries.”

— “A significant catalyst for transforming the logistics landscape is the government’s National Logistics Policy (NLP), which works towards a comprehensive framework to improve the logistics performance index, reduce cost and create data-driven decision support mechanisms for an efficient logistics ecosystem by promoting standardisation, encouraging investments and fostering innovation.”

— “The NLP also focuses on the digitisation of processes. Digital platforms for real-time tracking, e-documentation, and seamless information exchange can eliminate inefficiencies and reduce delays. Moreover, the policy envisages the development of a Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) to bring all stakeholders onto a single platform, facilitating better coordination and collaboration.”

— “The emphasis on sustainability is another crucial aspect. By promoting eco-friendly practices such as the use of electric vehicles, energy-efficient warehousing, and sustainable packaging, we can also minimise our environmental footprint.”

— “Countries like Germany offer valuable lessons — its logistics sector is renowned for its efficiency and reliability, supported by advanced infrastructure, technology integration, and a skilled workforce.”

— “We can take a leaf out of Germany by investing in technology and infrastructure. We began this journey with the Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on providing formal education and skilling. Additionally, improving warehousing standards and practices is essential as a modern, tech-enabled warehouse can streamline inventory management, reduce storage costs, and minimise wastage.”

— “A robust logistics ecosystem is not merely an economic imperative but a vital step towards achieving holistic development that can enhance the competitiveness of Indian businesses, create job opportunities and improve the standard of living for millions. That will also enable us to leverage our strategic location, connecting East and West, and become a hub for international trade.”

— “By adopting global best practices, investing in infrastructure and skilled labour, and leveraging technological innovations, India can fully unlock its retail sector’s potential.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the status of the India’s logistics industry?

— What are the major challenges faced by India’s logistics sector? 

— How can the new emerging technologies transform the logistics and supply chain sector in India?

— What are the major government initiatives for the development of logistics and supply chain infrastructure in India?

Post Read Question:

(6) The Logistics Performance Index is released by the:

(a) World Trade Organisation

(b) World Bank

(c) World Economic Forum

(d) None of the above

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Accurate data is the first step in bringing down logistics costs in India

 

The Ideas Page

Food that doesn’t feed 

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development

Mains Examination: GS-III: Indian Economy, Agriculture, Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, supply chain management.

What’s the ongoing story- Ashok Gulati, Raya Das writes— “The United Nations has designated September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (FLW). Events to mark the day are jointly convened by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) because the issue has important implications for food security and saving our environment.”

Prerequisites: 

— What is the difference between food loss and food waste?

— Organisations to look for: FAO and UNEP

Key takeaways: 

— “An FAO, 2023 report estimates that food lost between harvest and retail amounts to 13.2 per cent of the global food production. Interestingly, UNEP estimates that 17 per cent of food is wasted between retail and feeding people. Together, the food loss and waste (FLW), amounts to about 30 per cent of the global production. Even if half of this food is saved and used, it could easily feed all the hungry people in the world.”

(Thought Process: Given facts can be used in the main answer and essay)

— “Such savings could also help reduce at least eight to 10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 38 per cent of total energy usage, making our planet breathe better. Both these dreams remain unfulfilled. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these potential benefits and commit ourselves to reducing FLW by at least 50 per cent, thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.”

— “The study shows that food loss largely occurs during harvesting, threshing, drying and storage stages, predominantly due to low levels of mechanisation and inadequate logistics infrastructure.”

— “Farmers who use combine harvesters, for instance, see a marked reduction in paddy losses compared to those relying on traditional manual methods. The study reveals that overall loss in paddy drops to just 2.84 per cent if mechanisation in harvesting and drying is adopted at the farm.”

— “To promote farm mechanisation, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) can play a crucial role through group leasing arrangements and the “uberisation” of farm machinery.”

— “In a country where climate change and malnutrition still pose a major challenge, it would be only wise to focus on reducing FLW. Reducing post-harvest losses is not just a matter of improving economic efficiency, but also providing food security to people while building resilience in our food systems. Thus, save people and save the planet.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the reasons behind the high FLW in India?

— What is the significance of agricultural mechanisation?

— What are the environmental and economic consequences of FLW? How do FLW impact food security and nutrition?

— What policies and initiatives have been taken by the Government of India to reduce food loss and waste?

Post Read Question:

(7) Consider the following statements about Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA):

1. It is a landmark decision under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that recognizes the unique potential of agriculture in tackling climate change.

2. It resonates with FAO’s core mandate to eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

How to ensure food safety and reduce waste

 

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