1. Russia's Advanced Fuel Option for KKNPP: 

2. Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI): 

3. Mekedatu Project: River Cauvery: 

4. World Happiness Report 2024: 

5. State of the Global Climate 2023: WMO. 

6. Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP). 

1. Russia's Advanced Fuel Option for KKNPP:

• Context:
  • Russian state-owned Rosatom offers advanced fuel option to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu.
• Offer from Russia:
  • TVEL Fuel Company offers Advanced Technology Fuel (ATF) with a 24-month fuel cycle, compared to the current 18-month cycle.
  • Allows reactors to run for extended two-year cycles without stopping for fresh fuel loading.
• Benefits:
  • Enhances efficiency and power generation.
  • Saves foreign exchange needed for fresh fuel.
• Nuclear Energy:
  • Nuclear energy generated by splitting atoms in reactors to produce electricity.
  • Zero-emission, no greenhouse gases or air pollutants.
  • Requires significantly less land than wind or solar energy.
• Significance for India:
  • India is rich in thorium, the future nuclear fuel.
  • Potential to reduce import bills and ensure stable, reliable power supply.
  • India's initiatives include the three-stage nuclear power programme and building indigenous reactors.
• Current Nuclear Power Plants in India:
  • India has 22 operating nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 6780 MWe.
  • Major plants include Tarapur, Rajasthan, Madras, Kaiga, Kudankulam, Narora, and Kakrapar.

Daily Mains Questions:

1. Discuss the availability of raw material required for the generation of atomic energy in India and the world.
2. Explain the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of the fast breeder reactor programme?
3. Should India expand its nuclear energy programme amidst growing energy needs? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.

GS Paper 3: Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology, Mobilization of Resources.

1. Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI):

• A survey-based measure gauging changes in business variables compared to the previous month, indicating economic trends in manufacturing and services sectors.
• Purpose: Provides insights into current and future business conditions for decision-makers, analysts, and investors.
• Calculated separately for manufacturing and services, with a composite index also generated.
• Ranges from 0 to 100; above 50 indicates expansion, below 50 contraction, and 50 denotes no change.
• Compiled by IHS Markit for over 40 economies worldwide, a global leader in information and analytics under S&P Global.
• Timely release aids in making informed decisions ahead of official data on industrial output and GDP growth.
• Different from Index of Industrial Production (IIP), focusing more on dynamic economic shifts.
• Significance of PMI:
  • Reliable Economic Expectations:
    • Highly tracked indicator offering insights into overall economic and manufacturing performance.
    • Provides reliable expectations for economic conditions.
  • Economic Activity Indicator:
    • Gauges boom-and-bust cycles, crucial for investors, businesses, traders, and economists.
    • Considered a leading indicator of economic activity, preceding official data releases.
  • Decision-Making Tool:
    • Central banks utilize PMI data to set interest rates, influencing monetary policy decisions.
    • Helps stakeholders make informed decisions regarding investments and business strategies.

GS Paper 3: Indian Economy and Issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development, and Employment.

Top of Form

Top of Form

1. Mekedatu Project: River Cauvery:

• Karnataka government to challenge NGT's decision to appoint a joint committee to investigate unauthorized construction at Mekedatu, proposed dam site across Cauvery.
• Mekedatu, at Cauvery-Arkavathi confluence, earmarked for a Rs. 9,000 crore project to supply water to Bengaluru and generate 400 MW power.
• Initial approval granted in 2017, awaiting MoEFCC approval; faces opposition from Tamil Nadu due to concerns over water flow and interstate river rights.
• Reasons for Tamil Nadu's Opposition:
  • Contention over upper riparian rights; demands SC approval for inter-state projects.
  • Asserts Karnataka's obligation to seek lower riparian consent; cites CWDT ruling on equitable water sharing.
  • Disputes Karnataka's reservoir necessity, deeming existing facilities sufficient for water management.
  • Opposes project's irrigation expansion, contrary to Cauvery Water Disputes Award.
• Cauvery River Dispute:
  • Historical Background:
    • Dispute involves Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, dating back to colonial agreements.
    • CWDT formed in 1990 to resolve water-sharing; SC verdicts in 2018 affirmed allocations and established Cauvery Management Scheme.
  • Recent Developments:
    • SC's 2018 verdict reduced Karnataka's allocation, upheld CWDT's framework, and mandated the Cauvery Management Scheme's implementation.

GS Paper 2: Issues relating to the Development and Management of Water Resources.

Top of Form

1. World Happiness Report 2024:

• Finland retains title of world's happiest country for seventh consecutive year, per UN-sponsored report.
• Conducted annually in partnership with Gallup, Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, UNSDSN, and World Happiness Report's Editorial Board.
• Based on global survey data and considers six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
• Assigns happiness score averaged over a three-year period.
• Highlights:
  • Nordic nations dominate top rankings, with Finland leading for the seventh year.
  • Top 10 countries include Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia.
  • Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list.
  • US and Germany slip out of top 20 happiest nations, ranking 23rd and 24th, respectively.
  • Report notes absence of most populous nations in top rankings, with only Netherlands and Australia represented in top 10.
• India's Position:
  • India ranked 126th, consistent with last year's ranking.
  • Older age linked to higher life satisfaction, especially among married, educated older men.
  • Older women report lower life satisfaction.
  • Satisfaction with living arrangements, perceived discrimination, and self-rated health identified as top predictors of life satisfaction.

GS Paper 2: Social Justice and Happiness Indexes.

Top of Form

1. State of the Global Climate 2023: WMO

Why in News?

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently released its State of the Global Climate 2023 report, indicating record-high ocean heat content and compounding concerns over weather and climate hazards.

Key Highlights:

• Record-High Ocean Heat Content:
  • Heat content of world's oceans reached unprecedented levels in 2023, attributed to anthropogenic climate drivers.
• Contrasting Heating and Cooling Patterns in North Atlantic:
  • While most oceans warm, subpolar North Atlantic experiences cooling linked to slowdown of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
• Global Average Sea-Surface Temperatures:
  • Record-high global average sea-surface temperatures observed in 2023, notably in various regions including North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean.
• Marine Heatwaves and Ocean Acidification:
  • Global ocean experienced significant marine heatwave coverage, impacting marine ecosystems and coral reefs.
• Global Mean Near-Surface Temperature:
  • 2023 registered as the warmest year on record, with every month from June to December setting record warmth.
• Accelerating Glacial Retreat and Antarctic Sea Ice Loss:
  • Glaciers worldwide experienced extensive ice loss, while Antarctic sea ice reached record low.
• Increased Frequency and Intensity of Extreme Weather Events:
  • Extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and cyclones had major socio-economic impacts globally.
• Renewable Energy Surge:
  • Renewable energy generation surged in 2023, indicating potential for decarbonisation and climate mitigation.
• Climate Financing Challenges:
  • Climate-related finance flows increased but still fall short of required investments, posing challenges for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Socioeconomic Impacts:

• Food Insecurity:
  • Extreme weather events exacerbated food insecurity, doubling acute food insecurity globally.
• Population Displacement:
  • Climate-related displacements strained resources and exacerbated social tensions, particularly in conflict-prone regions.
• Economic Losses:
  • Economic losses due to climate-related disasters included damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods.
• Inequality:
  • Climate-related shocks widened inequality gaps, affecting various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Global Economic Impact:
  • Socioeconomic impacts extended globally, affecting economic stability and straining resources on a global scale.

About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):

• An intergovernmental organization with 192 Member States and Territories, specializing in meteorology, operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.
• Originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) established in 1873, it became a specialized agency of the UN in 1950.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it works towards international cooperation in weather and climate-related matters.

GS Paper 1: Environmental Pollution & Degradation.

GS Paper 3: Government Policies & Interventions.

Top of Form

1. Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP)

Why in News?

• Bihar has initiated a Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP) for waste and wastewater management, aligning with its goal to become a Net Zero state by 2070.

What is LCAP?

• About:
  • LCAP is a strategic document addressing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and promoting sustainable waste management.
  • Customized for Bihar, it outlines a roadmap for emission reduction and sustainable waste practices.
• Components:
  • Assessment and Inventory: Evaluates existing waste infrastructure and GHG emissions data.
  • Identification of Key Issues: Identifies challenges like poor waste segregation and sewage management.
  • Setting Targets and Goals: Establishes ambitious targets for emission reduction by 2030, 2050, and 2070.
  • Intervention Strategies: Proposes low-carbon interventions like waste segregation and methane recovery.
  • Community Engagement and Policy Enforcement: Relies on stakeholder participation and policy enforcement for success.

Benefits of LCAP:

• Environmental: Combats climate change, improves air quality, and fosters resilience to extreme weather.
• Public Health: Reduces respiratory illnesses by improving air quality.
• Economic: Creates jobs in renewable energy sectors and offers long-term cost savings.

Challenges of LCAP:

• Upfront Costs: Initial investment required for transitioning to low-carbon technologies.
• Changing Habits: Resistance to lifestyle changes like increased use of public transport.
• Political Will: Sustained effort needed amid potential political resistance.
• Equity Concerns: Ensuring fairness in transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

Initiatives Related to Waste Management in India:

• Solid Waste Management Rules 2016: Focuses on waste segregation at source and user fees for collection.
• Waste to Wealth Portal: Aims to convert waste into energy and valuable resources.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules: Mandates minimizing plastic waste generation and promoting segregation.
• Project REPLAN: Aims to produce carry bags from processed plastic waste and cotton fibre rags.
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022: Specifies responsibilities of stakeholders in managing plastic waste.

Way Forward:

• Spread the Burden: Use a mix of public and private funding to lessen financial strain.
• Focus on Long-term Savings: Highlight cost benefits of LCAPs in the long run.
• Set Ambitious but Achievable Goals: Break down LCAPs into clear milestones.
• Job Training and Retraining: Invest in programs for a just transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Make Low-Carbon Options Attractive: Invest in public transportation, bike lanes, and subsidies for low-carbon technologies.

General Studies Paper 3:

• Environmental Pollution & Degradation: LCAP addresses environmental concerns related to waste management and GHG emissions.