Why is it in the News?

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a Rs-496-crore (until 2025-26) scheme to support pilot projects that either test the viability of green hydrogen as a vehicle fuel or develop secure supporting infrastructure such as refueling stations.

What is Green Hydrogen?

• Green hydrogen is a form of hydrogen gas produced through a process called electrolysis, where water (H2O) is split into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using electricity.
  • The electricity used in this process is generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power, hence the term "green" hydrogen.
• Unlike conventional methods of hydrogen production, which often rely on fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases, green hydrogen production is considered environmentally friendly because it doesn't generate carbon dioxide emissions.
  • It can be used as a clean energy carrier in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and energy storage.
• The production of green hydrogen is still relatively expensive compared to other forms of hydrogen production, but ongoing advancements in renewable energy technologies and electrolysis processes are expected to reduce costs and increase the viability of green hydrogen as a sustainable energy source in the future.

India's Push for Green Hydrogen in the Transportation Sector:

• India is aggressively pushing for the adoption of green hydrogen in its transportation sector:
• Major Indian commercial vehicle manufacturers like Tata Motors, Volvo Eicher, and Ashok Leyland are intensifying their efforts to develop hydrogen-powered trucks and buses.
• Simultaneously, Indian energy companies are ramping up efforts to increase the production of green hydrogen while striving to decrease costs, making it competitive with other fuels.
• Given its vast and expanding market for both vehicles and energy, India stands poised to reap substantial benefits from widespread green hydrogen adoption as a vehicular fuel.
• India anticipates numerous advantages from this transition, including mitigating pollution, achieving climate objectives, and reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports.
• Moreover, India views this shift as a significant business opportunity, aiming to establish itself as a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen.

Scheme for Use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector:

• The Scheme for Use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector focuses on several key objectives:
  • Validating the technical feasibility and performance of green hydrogen as a transportation fuel.
  • Evaluating the economic viability of vehicles powered by green hydrogen.
  • Demonstrating the safe operation of hydrogen-powered vehicles and refueling stations.
• Under the scheme, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will designate a scheme implementation agency responsible for inviting proposals for pilot projects.
• Once selected, the chosen company or consortium will serve as the project's executing agency and must complete the pilot project within a two-year timeframe.
• To support these initiatives, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will consider approving viability gap funding (VGF) based on the recommendations of a Project Appraisal Committee.
  • The VGF amount will be determined by assessing the specific needs, merits, and feasibility of each project.

Advantages of Green Hydrogen in the Transportation Sector:

• Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles utilize hydrogen through combustion, akin to traditional diesel and petrol vehicles, but without emitting carbon.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) convert hydrogen electrochemically into electricity, leaving water as the sole byproduct, offering a clean and efficient alternative.
• While hydrogen ICE vehicles emit no carbon, studies indicate that converting hydrogen into electricity in a fuel cell is more energy efficient than burning it.
• Unlike Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) where the battery is heavy, hydrogen FCEVs are typically lighter due to hydrogen being a lighter element.
• This lightweight characteristic of hydrogen fuel cell technology makes it particularly promising for heavy-duty trucks, providing a viable alternative to EV battery technology.
• Green hydrogen presents a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector without compromising revenue-generating payload capacity, addressing both environmental and economic concerns.

Challenges to the Large-Scale Adoption of Green Hydrogen in the Transportation Sector:

• Cost Prohibitions: The production cost of green hydrogen remains high, posing challenges to its viability as a fuel option.
  • To compete with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), the cost of green hydrogen needs to be reduced to between $3 and $6.5 per kilogram by 2030.
  • Retail green hydrogen prices in California reached as high as $30 per kilogram in 2023, underscoring the current cost disparity.
  • However, ongoing technological innovations and scale-up efforts are expected to drive cost reductions soon.
• Insufficient Infrastructure: Building hydrogen fueling stations for trucks can cost up to 72% more than those for battery electric trucks, according to the California Transportation Commission.
  • Challenges with supply complications and market factors have led to the closure of hydrogen refueling stations, exemplified by Shell's recent decision in California.
• Storage and Transportation Challenges: Hydrogen storage requires high-pressure cylinders, which are costly and pose technical challenges.
  • Existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure is unsuitable for transporting hydrogen.
  • Specialized cylinders capable of safely storing green hydrogen are under discussion, necessitating infrastructure development.
• Handling and Safety Concerns: Hydrogen's flammability necessitates stringent safety protocols and infrastructure at refueling stations.
  • Developing robust safety standards is imperative before widespread adoption can occur.
• Long-Term Viability: Advancements in battery technologies are continuously improving the weight and efficiency of EV batteries, potentially challenging the long-term viability of green hydrogen-powered vehicles, particularly in heavy-duty commercial applications.

Why is it in the News?

According to the recently released 2022 statistics by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), out of 3865 samples handled by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), 125 (3.2 percent) tested positive — the most in any country.

About World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA):

• WADA, or the World Anti-Doping Agency, is an international independent organization established in 1999.
• It operates with equal funding from both the global sports community and governments worldwide.
• WADA's primary objectives encompass scientific research, education, capacity-building in anti-doping measures, and oversight of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), which standardizes anti-doping policies across all sports and nations.
• Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, WADA comprises various governing bodies, including a foundation board, executive committee, and several specialized committees.
• The foundation board, consisting of 42 members, holds the highest decision-making authority within WADA.
  • It comprises equal representation from both the Olympic Movement and governments.
• Responsibilities for day-to-day operations and policy implementation are delegated by the foundation board to the executive committee, which comprises 12 members, also equally distributed between the Olympic Movement and governments.
• WADA's presidency is a voluntary role that alternates between representatives from the Olympic Movement and governments.
• Additionally, WADA's committees serve as advisory bodies, offering guidance and expertise to support the organization's programs and initiatives.

About National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA):

• The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) was established on November 24, 2005, under the Societies Registration Act of 1890.
• NADA operates to foster a culture of doping-free sports in India.
• NADA's key objectives include implementing anti-doping regulations in alignment with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, regulating the doping control program, promoting education and research, and raising awareness about the detrimental effects of doping.

The primary functions of NADA are as follows:

• Enforcing the Anti-Doping Code to ensure compliance by all sports organizations in the country.
• Coordinating dope testing programs in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitating anti-doping research and educational initiatives to instill the values of drug-free sports.
• Adopting best practices and quality standards to enhance the effectiveness and continual improvement of the anti-doping program.

Why is it in the News?

In the wake of evolving consumer preferences, India is at the forefront of an agricultural transformation, pivoting towards sustainable farming with an emphasis on health.

What is Hydroponics?

• Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, utilizing nutrient-rich water as the primary source of essential minerals and elements.
• The technique involves the circulation of nutrient-enriched water through a network of pipes or channels, directly supplying the roots of plants with the necessary nourishment for their growth and development.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Soilless Cultivation: Hydroponics eliminates the need for soil by providing an alternative substrate or a soil-like medium, such as rock wool, perlite, or vermiculite, to support the plants' roots.
• Nutrient Control: This technique enables precise control over the nutrient composition, concentration, and pH levels in the water, ensuring optimal nutrient availability for plants.
• Water Efficiency: Hydroponics recirculates and reuses water, significantly reducing water consumption compared to traditional soil-based farming.
• Space Optimization: Due to the compact nature of hydroponic systems, they can be used in urban areas, greenhouses, and indoor facilities, maximizing yield per unit area.
• Year-round Cultivation: With controlled environmental conditions, hydroponics allows for continuous cultivation, regardless of seasonal changes or weather fluctuations.
• Hydroponics provides a sustainable, efficient, and adaptable approach to agriculture, with potential benefits in resource conservation, food security, and sustainable urban food production.

Hydroponics in India:

• According to a report by Datamintelligence, India’s hydroponic market is poised for a remarkable growth trajectory, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.53% by 2027, outpacing the global industry’s estimated growth of 6.8%.
• This surge underscores the vast potential of hydroponics in meeting the rising demand for sustainable food produce, particularly in metros and tier 1 cities where health-conscious consumers are willing to pay a premium for fresh, safe, and sustainably grown products.
• This transformative shift is not just a response to changing consumer preferences for fresh produce but also an adaptation to the geographical and environmental challenges that face traditional farming methods.

Suitable Regions for Hydroponic Farming:

• Hydroponic farming presents a viable solution in regions where traditional farming faces significant barriers:
  • Areas with Limited Water Supply: Hydroponics drastically reduces water usage, making it ideal for drought-prone areas.
  • Rocky Regions: In places where the terrain is unsuitable for soil-based agriculture, hydroponics offers a practical alternative.
  • Low Soil Fertility Areas: Hydroponics bypasses the need for fertile soil, allowing cultivation in regions with poor soil quality.
  • Demand-Driven Areas: Regions with a high demand for fresh products are perfect for hydroponic farms, catering to health-conscious consumers in urban and semi-urban locales

The Edge with Hydroponic Farming in India:

• Hydroponic farming’s ascendancy in India is attributed to several compelling benefits, underpinned by technological advancements that lower operational costs and facilitate scalability:
  • Versatility in Location: It enables agriculture in environments traditionally deemed unsuitable, such as deserts or cold climates.
  • Controlled Conditions: Farmers have precise control over nutrients, pH, and the growing environment, optimizing plant health and yield.
  • Resource Efficiency: The recycling of water and nutrients significantly cuts down on input costs and environmental impact.
  • Enhanced Growth Rates: Increased oxygen availability accelerates plant growth, leading to quicker harvest cycles.
  • Pest and Disease Reduction: By eliminating soil, hydroponics reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests.
  • Higher Yields: The efficiency and controlled environment of hydroponic systems result in substantially higher crop yields.
  • Labour and Maintenance Savings: The absence of weeding and traditional cultivation reduces labour requirements and costs.
  • Improved Working Conditions: Elevating crops to a more accessible height improves ergonomics for farm workers, further reducing labour costs.
  • No Need for Crop Rotation: Hydroponics eliminates the necessity for crop rotation, simplifying farm management.
  • Reduced Transplant Shock: Plants grown hydroponically experience less stress when transplanted, enhancing survival rates.

Why is it in the News?

The NCERT has proposed updates to school textbooks, including adding findings from DNA analysis of skeletal remains at the Rakhigarhi archaeological site in Haryana and removing references to the Narmada Dam project's impact on tribals, leading to displacement and destitution.

About the Ancient Site of Rakhigarhi:

• The site of Rakhigarhi is one of the five known biggest townships of the Harappan civilization on the Indian subcontinent.
• The other four are:
  • Harappa
  • Mohenjodaro and Ganveriwala in Pakistan and
  • Dholavira (Gujrat) in India
• Five interconnected mounds spread over a huge area from the Rakhigarhi's unique site.
  • Two mounds, out of five, were thickly populated.
  • This site was excavated by Shri Amarendra Nath of Archeological Survey of India.
• The archaeological excavations revealed a mature Harappan phase represented by a planned township having mud-brick as well as burnt-brick houses with proper drainage systems.
• The ceramic industry is represented by redware, which includes dish-on-stands, vases, jars, bowls, beakers, perforated jars, goblets, and hands.
• Animal sacrificial pits lined with mud brick and triangular and circular fire alters on the mud floor have also been excavated signifying the ritual system of Harappans.
• A cylindrical seal with five Harappan characters on one side and a symbol of an alligator on the other is an important find from this site.
• Other antiquities included blades; terracotta and shell bangles; beads of semiprecious stones, terracotta, shell, and copper objects; animal figurines, toy cart frame and wheel of terracotta; bone points; inscribed steatite seals and sealings.
• The excavations have yielded a few extended burials, which certainly belong to a very late stage, maybe the medieval times.

About Harappan Civilization:

• The Harappan civilization is believed to be one of the oldest world civilizations together with Egypt and Mesopotamia.
• It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan and Western India.
• The Harappan civilization developed along the mighty river, the Indus, and for that reason, it is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The Harappan civilization is identified as a Bronze-age civilization because many objects have been found that are made up of copper-based alloys. 
  • For example, the famous ‘dancing girl,’ a bronze figurine that provides an insight into the advances made in art and metallurgy, as well as the hairstyle and ornaments prevalent during the period.
• In the 1920s, the Archaeological Department of India carried out excavations in the Indus Valley wherein the ruins of the two old cities, viz. Mohenjodaro and Harappa were unearthed.

Why is it in the News?

India recently abstained on a resolution at the Human Rights Council that called on Israel for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

India's Voting Pattern on Israel-Palestine Issues at the UNHRC:

• India's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been reflected in its voting behavior at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
  • While India has voted in favor of resolutions criticizing Israel for human rights violations, occupation of the Syrian Golan, and affirming Palestinian self-determination, it has also abstained from certain resolutions.
• In a significant development, India abstained from a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel.
  • This decision followed instances of violence, including the killing of aid workers and airstrikes.
  • India's abstention is believed to be in line with its previous votes on resolutions involving "accountability."
• India's approach indicates its belief that both parties should be held accountable for their actions.
  • As a result, it refrains from supporting resolutions that single out one side for condemnation.
  • By taking a balanced stance, India aims to promote peace and stability in the region while advocating for the rights of all parties involved.

About the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

• The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an inter-governmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2006.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the council serves as a key platform for addressing human rights issues globally.
• The High Commissioner for Human Rights serves as the principal human rights official within the UN system.
• The council convenes three times annually to address human rights violations worldwide.

Membership:

• Comprising 47 member states, the council is responsible for promoting and safeguarding human rights across the globe.
• Member states are elected individually via secret ballot by a majority vote of the General Assembly.
• The election of members occurs within geographical groups to ensure equitable representation.

Tenure:

• Council members serve for a term of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.

The UNHRC's primary functions include:

• Promoting universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Addressing violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations.
• Developing international human rights law and making recommendations to the UN General Assembly.
• Conducting investigations into alleged human rights abuses through special rapporteurs and working groups.
• Reviewing the human rights records of all UN member states through the Universal Periodic Review process.