UPSC GS 1
Jordan Valley
- News: The Shiite militia group, The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, claimed responsibility for conducting two drone strikes on Israeli sites in the Jordan Valley, which forms Jordan’s border with Israel and the West Bank.
- Jordan Valley:
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- The Jordan Valley is a rift valley situated in the Middle East, specifically in southwestern Asia.
- It is part of the East African Rift System and measures approximately 105 kilometers in length.
- The valley stretches from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south.
- It runs along the Jordan River and forms Jordan’s western boundary with Israel and the West Bank.
- The Jordan Valley encompasses over 20% of the West Bank’s territory.
- Geographical Features:
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- The valley descends more than 1,400 feet (430 meters) below sea level at the Dead Sea, which is the lowest natural point on Earth.
- It has an average width of about 6 miles (10 kilometers), though it narrows in certain areas.
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- Population and Communities:
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- Although the Jordan Valley is sparsely populated, there are some communities present.
- The city of Jericho, located in the West Bank, is one of the most notable communities in the region.
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- Religious Significance:
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- The Jordan Valley is of great religious significance for the three major Abrahamic faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
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UPSC GS 2
Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG)
- News: The newly operationalised Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced the launch of first two of its initiatives– the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) and the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas -Electric Vehicle (MAHA- EV) Mission.
- Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG):
- Objective: Supports early-career researchers to advance India’s scientific excellence and innovation.
- Engagement: Encourages young researchers to actively contribute to India’s evolving research landscape.
- Commitment to Growth:
- Part of the ANRF’s (Atal National Research Foundation) efforts to nurture early-stage researchers.
- Promotes a strong research culture and fosters an ecosystem of innovation across the country.
- Role of Early-Career Researchers:
- Empowerment and Development:
- Provides opportunities for researchers to excel and pursue groundbreaking discoveries.
- Focuses on creating a dynamic research environment that emphasizes quality and innovation.
- Contribution to India’s Global S&T Leadership:
- Recognizes the importance of early-career researchers in enhancing India’s scientific and technological standing.
- Aim of the PMECRG:
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- Promote Innovative Research: Supports high-quality research that pushes the boundaries of existing knowledge.
- Drive Technological Advancement: Facilitates the development of technologies that align with national priorities.
- Global Leadership in Science and Technology: Contributes to positioning India as a leading force in the global S&T arena.
Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas – Electric Vehicle (MAHA-EV) Mission
- Initiative: Launched under the Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) Scheme by the Atal National Research Foundation (ANRF).
- Objective: Focuses on accelerating research and innovation in Electric Vehicle (EV) technologies to reduce import dependence and position India as a global leader in the EV sector.
- Focus Areas of the Mission:The mission emphasizes three key areas:
- Tropical EV Batteries and Battery Cells – Develops energy storage solutions suited to India’s climatic conditions.
- Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD) – Enhances capabilities in EV powertrains and control systems.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – Focuses on building efficient and accessible charging networks.
- Domestic Innovation: Aims to strengthen India’s capacity to design and manufacture core EV components locally.
- Mission Goals:
- Promote Self-Reliance: Supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by fostering independence in EV technology development.
- Collaborative Efforts: Encourages partnerships across institutions and disciplines to address key scientific and technological challenges.
- Sustainable Growth: Aligns with national sustainability objectives by establishing India as a global hub for EV components.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
- News: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.
- Establishment: Founded in 1889 in Paris to promote representative democracy and foster global peace.
- Purpose: Facilitates parliamentary diplomacy, empowering parliaments and parliamentarians to advance peace, democracy, and sustainable development.
- Historical Significance: The IPU was the world’s first multilateral political organization, fostering cooperation and dialogue among nations.
- Current Location: The headquarters was relocated to Geneva in 1921.
- Member Representation: Comprises 180 national parliaments and 15 associate members.
- Democratic Promotion: Supports parliaments in becoming stronger, more inclusive, gender-balanced, and youth-representative.
- Human Rights Advocacy: A dedicated committee of parliamentarians defends the human rights of MPs worldwide.
- Funding: Primarily funded by contributions from member parliaments through public funds.
- Composition:
- IPU Assembly:
- Serves as the main decision-making body that voices IPU’s stance on political matters.
- Gathers parliamentarians to discuss international challenges and propose actionable recommendations.
- Governing Council:
- Acts as the key policy making entity, consisting of three representatives from each member parliament.
- The President of the IPU presides over the Council as an ex-officio member.
- Responsible for setting the annual program and budget of the IPU.
- Executive Committee:
- Comprises 17 members, including the IPU President as an ex-officio member.
- Provides guidance to the Governing Council and oversees the IPU’s administration.
- Fifteen members are elected for four-year terms by the Governing Council.
- Standing Committees: Three standing committees assist the Assembly in its work and provide specialized support.
UPSC GS 3
Renewable Energy in India
- News: India has reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey, with the country’s total renewable energy capacity crossing the 200 GW (gigawatt) mark as of October 10, 2024.
- Overview of Renewable Energy Capacity in India:
- Total Capacity: India’s renewable energy capacity has exceeded 200 GW, currently standing at 201.45 GW.
- Share in Electricity Generation: Renewable energy forms 46.3% of the nation’s total installed power capacity, which amounts to 452.69 GW.
- Breakdown of Renewable Energy Sources:
| Source | Installed Capacity |
| Solar Power | 90.76 GW (largest contributor) |
| Wind Power | 47.36 GW |
| Hydropower: | |
| a) Large Hydro | 46.92 GW |
| b) Small Hydro | 5.07 GW |
| Biopower | 11.32 GW |
- Top States by Renewable Energy Capacity:
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- Rajasthan: 29.98 GW
- Gujarat: 29.52 GW
- Tamil Nadu: 23.70 GW
- Karnataka: 22.37 GW
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- Government Initiatives and Targets:
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- 2030 Target: Aiming for 500 GW capacity from non-fossil energy sources.
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- Key Programs:
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- National Green Hydrogen Mission: Promotes hydrogen production using renewable energy.
- PM-KUSUM: Supports solar pumps and grid-connected solar projects for farmers.
- PM Surya Ghar Yojana: Encourages solar adoption at the household level.
- PLI Scheme for Solar PV Modules: Offers incentives to boost domestic production of solar panels.
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- Investment and Infrastructure Development:
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- Foreign Investment: 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) permitted under the automatic route.
- Transmission Incentives: Waiver of inter-state transmission charges for renewable projects until specified deadlines.
- Mega Projects: Establishment of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to promote large-scale development.
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- Regulatory Framework and Policies:
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- Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020: Introduced net metering guidelines to facilitate consumer participation in renewable energy.
- Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022: Encourages open access to green energy for consumers and industries.
- Standard Bidding Guidelines: Provides a framework for tariff-based competitive bidding to ensure transparency in project allocation.
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SpaceX’s Starship
- News: SpaceX’s Starship vehicle has successfully captured its Super Heavy booster at the launch site, marking a significant achievement in aerospace technology.
- SpaceX’s Starship System:
- Description: A fully reusable transportation system comprising the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket.
- Mission Scope: Designed to conduct missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and further into deep space.
- Power and Capacity: The world’s most powerful launch vehicle, capable of carrying:
- 150 metric tonnes in a reusable configuration.
- 250 metric tonnes in an expendable setup.
- Crewed Flights: Can accommodate up to 100 passengers for long-duration interplanetary missions, ideal for human space exploration.
- Payload Versatility:
- Equipped with a larger cargo compartment than the Falcon rockets.
- Can deploy multiple satellites, large space telescopes, or large cargo at a lower per-launch cost.
- Supports Moon missions by delivering essential cargo for lunar base development.
- Support for Earth-to-Earth Travel:
- Speed and Efficiency: Capable of completing most international trips in under 30 minutes.
- Travel Experience: Operates at high altitudes, avoiding atmospheric friction, turbulence, and weather delays for smoother and faster travel.
- Lunar Missions: Designed to carry large volumes of cargo to the Moon’s surface to aid in building a sustainable lunar base for future exploration.
- Mars Colonization: Offers a cost-effective solution to transport both crew and cargo, crucial for establishing a human presence on Mars.
- On-Orbit Refueling Capability:
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- Refueling Process: Utilizes on-orbit refueling, allowing the main Starship vehicle to be refueled in low-Earth orbit using specialized tanker variants.
- Payload to Mars: After being refueled, Starship can carry up to 100 tonnes of cargo to Mars.
- Cost Efficiency: The primary operational cost involves liquid oxygen and methane propellants, which are relatively inexpensive.
Haber-Bosch Process
- News: The Haber-Bosch method allowed industries to develop cheap synthetic fertilizers, which was a critical component in the sevenfold rise in the world’s food supply during the 20th century.
- Haber-Bosch Process:
- Definition: A process that synthesizes ammonia (NH₃) by combining nitrogen (N₂) from the air with hydrogen (H₂).
- Ammonia is a key component in the production of plant fertilizers.
- Development:
- Invented by Fritz Haber in the early 1900s.
- Carl Bosch later modified it into an industrial process for large-scale fertilizer production.
- Significance:
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- Regarded as one of the most important technological advances of the 20th century.
- Enabled the mass production of fertilizers, revolutionizing agriculture and enhancing global food security.
- It was the first industrial process to use high pressure to facilitate a chemical reaction.
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- Working Mechanism of the Haber-Bosch Process:
- Nitrogen-Hydrogen Reaction: Combines nitrogen from the atmosphere with hydrogen gas under high pressure and moderately high temperature.
- Catalyst Role: An iron-based catalyst is used to speed up the reaction and lower the temperature needed for the process to occur efficiently.
- Ammonia Formation and Removal:
- Ammonia is continuously removed from the reaction mixture as it forms. This helps maintain an equilibrium that favors ammonia production.
- Effect of Temperature and Pressure:
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- Higher pressure increases ammonia yield.
- Lower temperature also improves ammonia production, although very low temperatures can slow down the reaction rate.
Biopolymers
- News: The Central Government has established India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune.
- Biopolymers:
- Definition: Biopolymers are materials derived from biological sources such as fats, vegetable oils, sugars, resins, and proteins.
- Structural Complexity: Compared to synthetic polymers, biopolymers have more complex molecular structures, making them more biologically active in living systems .
- Environmental Impact:
- Biopolymers are biodegradable and decompose naturally through microbial activity in soil.
- In contrast, synthetic polymers contribute to pollution through incineration and slower degradation.
- Characteristics of Biopolymers:
- Biopolymers decompose through several processes, including oxidation, hydrolysis, and enzymatic action.
- Oxidation primarily involves reactions with oxygen.
- Hydrolysis refers to the breakdown by water.
- Enzymatic action involves decomposition facilitated by specific enzymes.
- Some biopolymers are compostable.
- They can also exhibit certain chemical properties on their surfaces.
- Biopolymers like polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) may show properties similar to plastics.
- Benefits of Biopolymers:
- Carbon Emission Reduction: Biopolymers help reduce carbon dioxide levels by minimizing emissions from non-biodegradable waste.
- Carbon Recycling: As biopolymers biodegrade, the carbon dioxide released is absorbed by crops used to produce new biopolymers, creating a sustainable carbon cycle.