UPSC Prelims News 15 October 2022

UPSC Prelims News of 15 October 2022

INS Arihant

Context: India’s Nuclear Submarine INS Arihant has successfully launched Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM).

More on the News:

The launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate India’s nuclear deterrence capability.
A robust, survivable and assured retaliatory capability will uphold India’s policy to have ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’.

INS Arihant:

INS Arihant is India’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile capable submarine and was commissioned in 2016.
It was the first of the planned five in the class of submarines designed and constructed as a part of Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project of Indian Navy.

Technology: The Arihant class submarines are reported to be based on the Akula-class submarine of Russian Navy. It is powered by an 83 MW pressurized light-water reactor with enriched uranium fuel.
Significance: The capability of submarines being able to launch nuclear weapons has great strategic importance in the context of achieving a nuclear triad.

Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs):

It is a family of indigenously developed Submarine Missiles. They are also referred to as K-family missiles, codenamed after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Under SLBM, missiles of various ranges have been developed including K-15 also called Sagarika. It has a range of at least 750 km.
India has also developed and tested the K-4 missiles from the same family, having a range of 3,500 km.

UPSC Prelims News of 14 October 2022

Paddy Straw Pelletisation And Torrefaction Scheme

Context: The Union Ministry of Environment has announced a one-time only scheme to incentivize industrialists to set up paddy straw pelletisation and torrefaction plants.

About the Scheme:

New units would be eligible for government funding in the form of capital to set up such plants.
The Union government will fund pelletisation plants to a maximum of Rs 70 lakh subject to capacity.
The cost of setting up a torrefaction plant is higher and under the scheme, is eligible for a maximum funding of Rs 1.4 crore.

Pelletisation and Torrefaction:

Pelletisation is a process of molding biomass into dense pellets.
Torrefaction is a process in which a biomass is heated in oxygen-deficient environment to completely remove moisture.
The product of torrefaction is costlier as its energy content is much higher and theoretically substitutes for more coal in a power plant.
Significance: These processes can save coal as well as reduce carbon emissions, which would have been emitted in case the straw were burnt in the fields.

Stubble Burning:

Stubble burning is the practice of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after harvesting of crops such as paddy.
The practice is prevalent in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh, which has led to air pollution in Delhi-NCR region.

Rythu Bharosa Kendras

Context: An Ethiopian delegation visited Andhra Pradesh to study the Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) and to understand their operational know-how.

What are Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs)?

They are first-of-its-kind seeds-to-sales, single-window service centres for farmers set up by the state government of Andhra Pradesh.
These multi-functional kiosks with digital Aadhar authentication equipment act as a one-stop solution for all requirements and grievances of farmers in the state.

Services Provided by RBKs:

These centres sell pre-tested quality seeds, certified fertilizers and livestock feed.
They also provide farm equipment and enable farmers to sell their produce at the prevailing minimum support price (MSP) via supporting systems of e-cropping, geo-tagging and CM App.
They provide services like soil testing and consultancy regarding what crops to sow and quality and type of fertilizer to be used.
They facilitate interaction between farmers, agriculture scientists, and agriculture extension officers right at the village level.

Significance:

This has helped farmers change their cropping patterns and increase profits.
RBKs are responsible for the elimination of unproductive seeds and uncertified and dangerous fertilizers from the market. This has minimized crop damage and failures significantly.

Recognition:

The RBKs were recently nominated for UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Champion Awards (CCA), which recognizes contributions of governments in boosting food security.

Next-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV)

Context: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is developing a Next-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV) to replace operational systems like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

What are launch vehicles?

Launchers or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space.
India has two operational launch vehicles: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

What is the New-Gen Launch Vehicle (NGLV)?

About: It is a cost-efficient, three-stage to orbit, reusable heavy-lift vehicle with a payload capability of ten tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
Features:
- It will feature semi-cryogenic propulsion (refined kerosene as fuel with liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer) for the booster stages, which is cheaper and efficient.
- Its design will be simple and robust which allows bulk manufacturing, modularity in systems, sub-systems and stages and minimal turnaround time.
Uses: Potential uses will be in the areas of launching communication satellites, deep space missions, future human spaceflight and cargo missions.