In News:

The Gravehawk is a newly developed mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, introduced by the United Kingdom in collaboration with Denmark, to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian aerial threats. This innovative hybrid system exemplifies the modern trend in NATO of repurposing existing missile technology to build flexible, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable air defense platforms.

Overview and Development

• The Gravehawk system is designed to counter short-range aerial threats such as drones, cruise missiles, and low-flying aircraft.
• It combines Western and Soviet-era missile technologies, providing Ukraine with a unique edge in a contested aerial environment.
• The United Kingdom, in partnership with Denmark, is actively delivering these systems to Ukraine, with 15 additional units expected in the coming months.
• The cost per system is approximately USD 1.25 million, with Denmark covering 50% of the expense.

Key Features and Technical Capabilities

• Missiles Used: The system utilizes infrared-guided missiles including the AIM-132 ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile) and the Soviet-origin R-73 (AA-11 Archer).
• Guidance System: Both missiles employ passive infrared (IR) seekers, allowing them to track heat signatures of targets without emitting radar signals, thereby reducing vulnerability to electronic warfare (EW) detection.
• Speed and Range: Missiles can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.5 and engage targets at distances of approximately 12 miles (about 19 km).
• R-73 Specifics: Originally developed for close-range dogfights, the R-73 is highly maneuverable, capable of tracking targets up to 40 km ahead and 300 meters behind, with off-boresight targeting up to 40 degrees.
• Mobility: Mounted on all-terrain Drops vehicles, the system offers rapid ground mobility and deployment flexibility.
• Containerized Launch Platform: Housed in ISO-standard shipping containers, the system’s roof rolls back to expose two missile rails—repurposed from Soviet-era fighters like the Sukhoi Su-27.
• Crew and Operation: Operated by a five-member crew, the system incorporates electro-optical and infrared targeting cameras, enabling remote operation and safe standoff missile launches.

Strategic Relevance for Ukraine

• Ukraine’s acquisition of the Gravehawk system marks a significant advancement in its air defense capabilities, particularly in the face of persistent Russian air and missile attacks.
• It enhances short-range interception capacity, allows for quick reaction deployment, and reduces dependence on continuous NATO resupplies. Additionally, the system’s use of widely available R-73 missiles ensures operational sustainability.
• The Gravehawk is part of a broader effort to field "hybrid systems", where older missile stocks are integrated into modern platforms.
• Other such initiatives include FrankenSAM programs developed by the U.S. and UK, where systems like ASRAAM have been adapted to ground-based launchers.
• Ukraine has also employed R-73 missiles on drone boats and unmanned surface vessels to target Russian air assets, showcasing the multi-domain applicability of these munitions.

In News:

It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme aims at the socio-economic upliftment of the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, particularly targeting the reduction of poverty through various initiatives that focus on skill development, infrastructure, and income-generating projects.

Key Highlights:

• Launch and Funding: Launched in 2021, the scheme is fully funded by the central government, though states and Union Territories (UTs) have the option to contribute additional funds from their own resources. PM-AJAY is the consolidation of three pre-existing schemes:

• Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
• Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
• BabuJagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)

• Objectives of PM-AJAY: The scheme is focused on improving the overall well-being of SC communities by:

• Reducing poverty through income-generating schemes, skill development, and infrastructure projects.
• Promoting social and economic development by improving literacy rates, educational enrolment, and providing better livelihood opportunities.
• Transforming SC-majority villages into model villages with integrated development, enhancing socio-economic indicators like education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.
• Eligibility Criteria
• Scheduled Caste (SC) persons living below the poverty line (BPL) are eligible for benefits.
• For infrastructure development, villages with 50% or more SC population are prioritized for grants.
• Key Components of PM-AJAY: The scheme comprises three core components:

• Adarsh Gram Development (formerly PMAGY): Aims to develop SC-majority villages into model villages with holistic improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and skill development.
• Grants-in-Aid for District/State-Level Projects (formerly SCA to SCSP): Financial assistance is provided for livelihood development projects, including skill development programs and infrastructure projects, to generate sustainable income for SC communities.
• Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions (formerly BJRCY): Focuses on promoting higher education among SC students by constructing hostels in top-ranked institutions according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). This aims to reduce dropout rates and enhance access to quality education.

Special Provisions under the Grants-in-Aid Component

• 15% of the total grants are exclusively allocated for income-generating schemes for SC women.
• 30% of the grants are allocated for infrastructure development in SC-dominated areas.
• 10% of funds are reserved for skill development programs.
• The scheme encourages the formation of SC women cooperatives for producing and marketing consumer goods and services.

Achievements (2022-23)

• 1,260 villages were declared as Adarsh Gram in the financial year 2023-24 under the Adarsh Gram component.
• Nine new hostels were sanctioned under the Hostel Construction component.
• Perspective plans for seven states were approved under the Grants-in-Aid component.

In News:

The Union Government, under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, has introduced the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global diamond trade, promote exports, and protect employment, especially in the MSME sector.

Key Highlights:

Objectives:

• Boost value addition and export growth in the diamond sector.
• Support MSME exporters to compete globally.
• Retain India’s position as a global hub for diamond processing and exports.
• Mitigate recent challenges like export decline, job losses, and global demand shifts.

Key Features of the Scheme:

Feature                                                              Details

Type of Diamonds Allowed                             Natural cut and polished diamonds less than ¼ carat (25 cents)

Eligibility                                                          Exporters with Two Star Export House status and minimum $15 million annual exports

Export Obligation                                            10% value addition on imported diamonds

Duty Exemptions                                             Exempts Basic Customs Duty, Anti-dumping Duty, Countervailing Duty, etc.

Effective Date                                                  April 1, 2025

Exclusion                                                         Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGDs) not covered

Monitoring Agency                                         Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

Why the Scheme Was Introduced:

Challenges in the Diamond Sector:

• Global: Falling demand in US, Europe, China; rise in lab-grown diamonds.
• Domestic: High unsold inventory, rising operational costs, reduced credit flow, and high corporate tax.
• Employment Impact: Job losses in the diamond cutting and polishing segment.

International Context:

• Inspired by beneficiation policies in diamond-producing countries like Botswana and Namibia, which mandate local value addition.

Significance:

• Enhances India’s role in the global diamond value chain.
• Provides ease of doing business through duty relief.
• Promotes employment generation, especially for diamond assorters and processors.
• Facilitates inclusive growth by supporting MSMEs in a traditionally export-driven industry.

Way Forward:

• Regulate Lab-Grown Diamonds to prevent market distortion.
• Extend export credit period and consider tax exemptions for foreign diamond sellers.
• Ensure technology upgradation and skill training to sustain global leadership.

In News:

UJALA scheme completes 10 years, saves ?19,153 crore annually

UJALA Scheme (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All)

• Launch Date: 5th January 2015 by PM Narendra Modi
• Objective:
  • To promote energy-efficient LED lighting across India
  • To reduce energy consumption, lower electricity bills, and decrease carbon emissions
• Implementing Body: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Ministry of Power
• Scheme Relevance: Aims to provide affordable LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to every household
• Global Recognition: World’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting scheme

Key Features:

• Affordability: Subsidized LED bulbs (?70-80), reducing the cost of electricity for households
• Energy Efficiency: LEDs consume 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, 50% less than CFLs
• Environmental Impact: Significant reduction in CO? emissions by avoiding millions of tonnes annually
• Market Transformation: Over 36.87 crore LED bulbs distributed, saving approximately ?19,153 crore on electricity bills each year
• Consumer Benefit:
  • On-Bill Financing: LED bulbs available for purchase through deferred payment via electricity bills
  • Targeted low-income communities through Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

Achievements:

• Energy Savings: 47.9 billion kWh annually
• Cost Savings: ?19,153 crore saved on electricity bills
• Carbon Emission Reduction: 38.7 million tonnes of CO? avoided per year
• Peak Demand Reduction: 9,586 MW reduction in peak electricity demand
• Street Lighting: Over 1.34 crore LED streetlights installed, saving 9,001 million units annually

Key Initiatives:

• GRAM UJALA Scheme (March 2021): Aimed at rural households, providing LED bulbs at ?10 each
• Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP): Aimed at reducing public lighting costs with energy-efficient streetlights
• Encouraging Domestic Manufacturing: Stimulated local LED production, aligning with the "Make in India" mission
• E-Procurement Transparency: Real-time procurement ensuring price reductions and maintaining quality

Impact on Environment:

• Energy Savings & Carbon Footprint: The scheme significantly reduced the carbon footprint by promoting energy-efficient appliances
• Reduction in Household Consumption: Consumers benefit from reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills

In News:

• NTPC has achieved the first-ever synthesis of CO? (captured from flue gas) and hydrogen (produced via a PEM electrolyzer) into methanol at its Vindhyachal plant.
• This marks a significant step in carbon management technology, aimed at advancing sustainable fuel production.

About CO?-to-Methanol Conversion:

• Carbon Dioxide Capture:
  • CO? is captured from industrial sources, such as power plants, or directly from the atmosphere.
• Hydrogen Production:
  • Renewable energy sources like solar or wind power are used to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis.
• Methanol Synthesis:
  • The captured CO? is combined with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce methanol, typically under high pressure and temperature conditions.

Benefits of CO?-to-Methanol Conversion:

• Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU):
  • This technology reduces the impact of CO? on the atmosphere by converting it into useful products.
• Renewable Fuel Source:
  • Methanol produced through this process can be used as a fuel for transportation, power generation, or as a feedstock for chemicals.
• Energy Storage:
  • Methanol offers a more practical storage and transportation option than hydrogen, making it a potential energy storage solution and aiding the transition to hydrogen-based energy systems.
• Versatile Feedstock:
  • Methanol is widely used in producing chemicals, solvents, and plastics, supporting various industrial applications.

What is Methanol?

• Brief: Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is the simplest form of alcohol. It is a clear, colorless, and flammable liquid with a distinctive odor.
• Key Properties:
  • Colorless, miscible with water, toxic if ingested, flammable.

In News:

• India is in talks with Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, and Singapore to establish cross-border electricity transmission lines.
• This is part of the ambitious OSOWOG initiative to create a global renewable energy grid.

Key Points:

• Proposed by the Prime Minister of India at the 2018 International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly.
• Aims to create a transnational electricity grid that delivers power worldwide.
• Led by India and the UK, in collaboration with ISA and the World Bank Group.

Vision of OSOWOG:

• Connect regional grids through a common infrastructure for the transfer of renewable energy, focusing on solar power.
• Harness solar and other renewable energy from regions where the sun is shining and efficiently transmit it to areas of need.
• Aim to provide power to 140 countries using clean and efficient solar energy.

Phases of OSOWOG:

• Phase 1:
  • Connect the Indian grid with grids in the Middle East, South Asia, and South-East Asia.
  • Share solar and other renewable energy resources.
• Phase 2:
  • Expand the interconnected grid to include renewable resources from Africa.
• Phase 3:
  • Achieve a global interconnection aiming for 2,600 GW by 2050.
  • Integrate as many countries as possible into a single renewable energy grid.

Global Collaboration:

• Involves national governments, international organizations, legislators, power operators, and experts.
• Focus on accelerating infrastructure development for a clean energy-powered world.

Why in the News?

During a recent event held in Rajasthan's Sikar, the Prime Minister unveiled "Urea Gold," a novel type of Urea fertilizer.

About Urea Gold:

• Urea Gold is an advanced variety of Urea that features a Sulphur coating.
• Its primary purpose is to address soil Sulphur deficiency while also offering cost-saving benefits to farmers.
• In comparison to the existing Neem-coated urea, Urea Gold stands out due to its superior economic viability and efficiency.
• The gradual release of nitrogen facilitated by its Sulphur coating enhances crop uptake, and the inclusion of humic acid extends its fertilizing lifespan.
• Notably, Urea Gold not only acts as a substitute for traditional urea but also contributes to a reduction in overall fertilizer usage.
• According to a report, using 15 kg of Urea Gold can provide comparable benefits to 20 kg of conventional urea, making it a more efficient and effective choice for farmers.

Why in the News?

In a recent development, INDIAai and Meta India entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a collaborative framework for cooperation and partnership in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.

About INDIAai:

• INDIAai, the National artificial intelligence Portal of India, was launched on 28th May 2020 as a comprehensive platform.
• It serves as a knowledge portal, research organization, and ecosystem-building initiative.
• Its primary aim is to foster unity and encourage collaborations within India's AI ecosystem by bringing together various entities.
• This joint initiative is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), and NASSCOM.
• NeGD, established in 2009 under the Digital India Corporation (a not-for-profit company set up by MeitY), plays a crucial role in this venture.
• NASSCOM, a prominent not-for-profit industry association, serves as the apex body for India's IT and IT-enabled products and services sector.
• INDIAai functions as the central knowledge hub for artificial intelligence and related fields, catering to aspiring entrepreneurs, students, professionals, academics, and all other stakeholders in the domain.

What is Artificial intelligence (AI)?

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science: It involves the development of intelligent machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence.
• Machine Learning and Algorithms: AI systems utilize machine learning algorithms to process vast amounts of data, learn from it, and improve their performance over time without explicit programming.
• Applications in various fields: AI finds applications in diverse domains, including natural language processing, image recognition, robotics, healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles, among others. Its goal is to mimic human cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making.

Why in the News?

The synchronization of the 660-MW unit-2 of the 1,320-MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) with the electricity grid in Bangladesh was recently announced by the state-owned engineering firm Bharat Heavy Electricals.

• Location:
• It is situated in Rampal, in the Bagerhat district of Bangladesh's Khulna division.
• It will be one of the biggest coal-fired power plants in Bangladesh, along with the Payra Power Plant in Pataukhali, which commenced test production in January 2020.
• Capacity and Cost:
• The power station has a capacity of 1320 MW (2x660 MW) and is estimated to cost around $2 billion.
• Financing Plan:
• The project is being developed under India's tax concessions finance plan, aiming to enhance Bangladesh's national grid by an additional 1320 MW.
• Financed through a £1.3bn ($1.6bn) loan from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India.
• Implementing Entity:
• India’s Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is responsible for constructing the power plant on behalf of Bangladesh-India Friendship Electricity Company Private Limited (BIFPCL).
• Commercial Operation:
• The first unit of the super thermal power plant is expected to commence commercial operation in early October, representing a significant milestone in the growing cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the power industry.
• Future Expansion:
• In the subsequent year, the power plant's Unit-II, also known as the Rampal coal-fired power project, is scheduled for implementation.