Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 21 August 2023

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2023

Q) Which one of the following statements is not correct about Hydrogen?

1. It is a non-combustible gaseous substance.
2. It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-toxic gas.
3. It is the lightest and one of the most abundant of chemical elements in the universe.
4. It is not typically found in its pure form on Planet Earth.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 19 August April 2023

Explanation:

• Option (1) is the correct answer: Hydrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic and highly combustible gaseous substance. Also, it is the lightest, simplest and most abundant member of the family of chemical elements in the universe. While hydrogen is not typically found in its pure form on Earth, it is commonly found in compounds such as water (H2O) and hydrocarbons.

Recently, the Government of India has notified the Green Hydrogen Standard for India, for the progress of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, is designated as the nodal authority for accrediting agencies responsible for monitoring, verification, and certification of Green Hydrogen production projects. This ensures proper oversight and compliance with the emission standards.

Q) With reference to India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, consider the following statements:

1. The normal season of forest fires in India extends from November to June, and majority of fires are caused by man-made factors.
2. The State of Jharkhand witnessed the highest number of fire incidents in India between November 2021 and June 2022.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect: Findings of the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 are as follows:
• As compared to the assessment of 2019, there is an increase of 2261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country. Out of this, the increase in the forest cover has been observed as 1540 sq km and that in tree cover is 721 sq km.
• More than 36% of India’s forest cover is vulnerable to frequent forest fires, 6% is ‘very highly’ fire-prone, and almost 4% is ‘extremely’ prone.
• The normal season of forest fires in India extends from November to June, and majority of fires are caused by man-made factors.
• Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of fire incidents, followed by Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, between November 2021 and June 2022.

Q) Consider the following statements:

1. Statement – I : At present, in India, green hydrogen is not commercially viable.
2. Statement – II : The high cost of manufacturing green hydrogen using renewable energy remains the most significant barrier to its widespread adoption in India.

Which one of the following is correct in respect to the above statements?

1. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
2. Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
3. Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
4. Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Green hydrogen is produced by renewable energy through electrolysis of water. Electrolyser technology is central to the green hydrogen production process. It is expected that Hydrogen demand in India could grow more than fourfold by 2050, representing almost 10% of global demand of which majority of this demand could be met with green hydrogen. At present, in India, green hydrogen is not commercially viable. The current cost in India is around Rs 350-400 per kg. It is likely to become viable only at a production cost of under Rs 100/ kg. The high cost of manufacturing green hydrogen using renewable energy is the most significant barrier to its adoption in India, accounting for around 65% of the entire cost.
• Hence statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1.

Q) Consider the following statements about the Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC):

1. It is created by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The platform will be launched across India from October 1, 2023, to bring efficiency to the lending process in terms of cost reduction, quicker disbursement and scalability.
3. The platform will focus on Kisan credit card loans, dairy loans, personal loans and home loans through participating banks.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Statements 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India launched the Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC) pilot project on 17^th August 2023. The PTPFC has been created by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India. The aim of the pilot project is to connect borrowers and lenders, which will make credit more accessible to millions of individuals looking for small loans.
• Statement 3 is correct: The PTPFC will be enabling the disbursal of non-collateral-based loans for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Kisan Credit Card loans up to Rs 1.6 lakh, dairy loans, personal loans, and home loans. With active participation from banks, NBFCs, Fintech firms, and start-ups, this collaborative strategy aligns with RBI’s dedication to seamless credit and payment solutions. It will have an open architecture, open Application Programming Interfaces (API) and standards, to which all financial sector players would be able to connect seamlessly in a ‘plug and play’ model. Apart from faster dispersion of loans to borrowers, the digital platform will help in reducing costs while increasing transparency, efficiency, and scalability.

Q) Consider the following statements about Supernova:

1. The Supernova event occurs when a massive Star runs out of nuclear fuel and collapses under its own gravity.
2. Supernova can emit more energy in a few seconds than our sun will radiate in its lifetime of billions of years.
3. According to a recent observation, helium-rich Wolf-Rayet star will produce a magnetar when it explodes as a supernova.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

• Statements 1 and 2 are correct: A supernova is the name given to the cataclysmic explosion of a massive star. They are the largest explosion that takes place in space. As star burns through its fuel and begins to cool, the outward forces of pressure drop. When the pressure drops low enough in a massive star, gravity suddenly takes over and the star collapses in just seconds. This collapse produces the explosion we call a supernova. It can emit more energy in a few seconds than our sun will radiate in its lifetime of billions of years.
• They’re also the primary source of heavy elements in the universe.
• On average, a supernova will occur once every 50 years in a galaxy the size of the Milky Way.
• Statement 3 is correct: Wolf-Rayet Stars are massive stars that are near the end of their stellar evolution. They are typically more than 25 times the mass the Sun and lose this mass at a very high rate. They are a rare sight and are among the most luminous, most massive, and most briefly detectable stars known to scientists. According to a recent observation by scientists at NSF’s NOIRLab (National Science Foundation’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory), helium-rich Wolf-Rayet star will produce a magnetar when it explodes as a supernova. A magnetar is an exotic type of neutron star, its defining feature that it has an ultra-powerful magnetic field.

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