Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant''s Nuclear Security

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

• Located in southeast Ukraine, along the banks of the Dnipro River, which flows into the Black Sea.
• It is the largest nuclear plant in Europe.
• The plant is currently under the control of Russian forces.

Nuclear Security

• Nuclear security is about the prevention, detection, and response to unauthorized activities with nuclear materials.
• The IAEA has set seven key principles for nuclear safety and security.

Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security

• Physical Integrity: Ensuring that reactors, fuel ponds, and waste storage are secure and intact.
• System and Equipment Functionality: Keeping all safety and security systems operational.
• Operational Staff Capacity: Ensuring staff are capable and under no excessive pressure to maintain safety and security.
• Secure Off-site Power: Maintaining a reliable external power source for all nuclear facilities.
• Logistical Supply Chains: Ensuring uninterrupted supplies and transport to and from the sites.
• Radiation Monitoring and Emergency Response: Having effective radiation monitoring and emergency plans both on-site and off-site.
• Reliable Communication: Ensuring ongoing, dependable communication with regulatory bodies and relevant entities.

Key International Regulations

• 1979 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Facilities (CPPNM)
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004)
• 2005 International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT)

India-EU Trade &Technology Council

India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC)

• India-EU-TTC is strategic coordination and engagement on trade and technology between India and Europe
• First Trade and Technological Council: The EU-India Trade and Technology Council is the EU’s second bilateral forum and India’s first created with any partner. In June 2021, the European Union and the United States began a TTC.
• Aim: To establish a high-level coordination platform for solving critical issues at the convergence of trade, trusted technology, and security.
• Meetings of the Council: Ministerial meetings under the TTC are held annually to ensure regular high-level contact between India and the EU.
• These meetings are held to foster balanced participation and strengthen bilateral collaboration.

Working Groups

 The TTC is made up of three Working Groups (WGs) that report on roadmaps for future collaboration.

• The Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity: It will collaborate on topics of mutual interest, including digital connectivity, AI, 5G/6G, high performance and quantum computing, semiconductors, cloud systems, cybersecurity, digital skills, and digital platforms.
• The Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies: It  will prioritize green technologies, including investment and standards, with a focus on research and innovation.
• WG for Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains: It will aim to strengthen supply chains and improve access to vital components, energy, and raw materials.
• It will also aim to overcome recognised trade impediments and global trade difficulties by encouraging cooperation in multilateral settings.

SC held that an election candidate has a right to privacy from voters.

Rights of the Voters’ in India

• The voter’s have certain rights that are bestowed on them by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• These rights are safeguarded by the Constitution of the country and are provided to all the citizens of the country. Such Voter rights are -

Right to Know:

• • The voter has the right to know about the candidates contesting the elections.
  • The voters have the right to get the details of the past records of the candidate (criminal records, if any), financial position of the candidate, their election manifesto, etc.

Voting rights of NRIs:

• • The NRIs are those citizens of the country that are not present at their place of residence for reasons of employment or any other reasons but are still eligible to vote in the elections of the country.
  • NRIs were not initially allowed to vote in the elections of the country. However, a subsequent amendment allowed the NRIs to vote for elections in India.
• Voting rights of Prisoners: The constitution of India and the guidelines of the ECI do not permit a person who is imprisoned to vote in the upcoming elections of the country.
• NOTA (Right Not to Vote):
  • None of The Above (NOTA) is another right of the voter where the voter participates in the electoral process but does not vote or choose any of the contesting candidates.
  • This right is exercised when the voter feels that none of the contesting candidates are worthy of his/her vote.
• Tendered Voting Rights:
  • This right can be exercised by a voter when he/she realises that another person has wrongly voted on their behalf.
  • Such a person will need to provide a valid identity proof to authenticate their voting right and vote on a separate ballot paper as per ECI.

• Voting rights of Disabled or Infirm Citizens: The ECI will provide assistance to such voters to cast their votes by taking their vote with the help of an Electoral Officer.

Background of the Judgement

• The judgement came in a petition filed by an Arunachal Pradesh MLA (Karikho Kri) challenging a Gauhati HC decision. He won the elections as an independent candidate.
• Last year, the HC declared his election (to the 44-Tezu Assembly Constituency) void for not declaring 3 vehicles as his assets in his affidavit filed in Form No 26 appended to the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
• The vehicles in question were a Kinetic Zing Scooty, a Maruti Omni van used as an ambulance and a TVS Star City motorcycle. The scooter was sold as scrap in 2009. The other two vehicles were also sold.
• The Gauhati HC did not examine the statements of the buyers.

Supreme Court Ruling:

• • Voters' Right to Know is not absolute.
  • A candidate’s choice to retain his privacy on matters which were of no concern to the voters or were irrelevant to his candidature for public office,
  • Did not amount to a ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act (RPA), 1951.
• Such non-disclosure would not amount to a “defect of a substantial nature” under Section 36(4) of the RPA 1951.
• There was no obligation for a candidate to lay his life exposed for the electorate to probe and scrutinise.
• It is not necessary that a candidate declare every item of movable property that he or his dependent family members own, such as clothing, shoes, crockery, stationery and furniture, etc.
• But the Court said every case would turn on its own peculiarities on what would amount to a non-disclosure of assets of a substantial nature.
  • For example, suppressing information about a collection of expensive watches from voters would be a substantial defect.
  • However, if a candidate and his family members each own a simple watch, suppression of the value of such watches may not amount to a defect at all.

India’s Regulation on Solar PV Modules

The Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2019 (ALMM Order)

• Introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2019.
• It requires manufacturers of solar modules to voluntarily submit to an inspection of their manufacturing facilities by the National Institute of Solar Energy.
• It comprises two lists: List-I for solar PV modules and List-II for solar PV cells (yet to be issued).
• The order mandates that companies must be listed as "approved" manufacturing facilities to certify that they are legitimate manufacturers of solar panels, rather than just importers or assemblers.
• It mandates that only models and manufacturers listed on the ALMM are permissible for use in government-sponsored or subsidized solar projects in India.

Benefits

• The ALMM mandate, introduced in 2021 as a non-tariff barrier, promotes domestic manufacturing by endorsing indigenous models and manufacturers for government-led solar development projects.
• Reduce dependency on Chinese imports (controlling 80% of global supply) and promote local manufacturing for livelihood generation.

India’s progress in solar energy

• India ranked fifth globally in solar power capacity with 62.80 GW installed by the end of 2022, up from 49.34 GW in 2021.
• By June 2023, the capacity had grown to around 70.10 GW.
• India currently has a solar module manufacturing capacity of approximately 50 GW, while its solar cell manufacturing capacity stands at around 6 GW.
• Over the past five years, imports of solar cells and modules into India amounted to approximately 11.17 billion USD.
• Notably, China has been the primary producer, accounting for 57% to 100% of Indian imports across various solar products, including modules, cells, wafers, and solar glass, since 2021.
• Reasons for import dependence include insufficient domestic manufacturing capacity, high costs of domestic solar PV panels, and limited production of wafers or polysilicon in India.

Initiatives facilitating domestic solar module manufacturing

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules by The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) Under certain schemes of the MNRE, such as CPSU Scheme Phase-II, PM-KUSUM Component B, and Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II.
• Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order,'' preference is given to ''Make in India'' products in public procurement.
• Implementation of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on the import of solar PV cells and modules.

Forever Chemicals in Band-Aids

 Forever Chemicals: Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl substances  PFAS

• These are a class of synthetic man-made chemicals also called “forever chemicals” because the bonds in their chemical compounds are so strong they don’t degrade down for hundreds to thousands of years. 

• PFAS molecules have a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Example: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
• PFAS are a group of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals,according to a chemicals database (CompTox) maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

• They are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.
• Found in: Fluoropolymer coatings can be in a variety of products and industries including,

• Other Industries:  Clothing (active and sports wear), intimate hygiene products ( tampons, diapers, condoms, sanitary pads),papermaking, printing inks, sealants.  Recent studies have found PFAS in personal hygiene and care products such as cosmetics, dental floss, toilet paper and make up.
• Health risk: They pose a negative health effect such as decreased immune system performance and vaccine response, infant and child learning and developmental issues, certain cancers, decreased fertility, endocrine disruption etc.
• PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS are transferred to foetus through cord blood and to infant through breast milk

Concerns

• Widespread occurrence:PFAS  contaminated water or food is the most likely source of exposure, by using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS. 
• Studies find PFAS in the blood and urine of people with 97% of Americans having traces of PFAS in their blood.
• Persistent: They  remain in the environment for an unknown amount of time as they do not break down in the environment easily.
• Bioaccumulation: Over time, people may take in more of the chemicals than they excrete, a process that leads to bioaccumulation in bodies. Also it  can move through soils and build up (bioaccumulate) in fish and wildlife.
• Contaminate  drinking water sources:A study by the Environmental Protection Agency  found that about 31 percent of groundwater samples tested around the world  had PFAS levels considered harmful to human health.
• Expensive detection: Insitu methods of detection of PFAS  are still in the early stages of development. Current chemical and biological remediation technologies are expensive/not effective.

What can be done to Remove these Chemicals?

• Filtering PFAS using activated Carbon: This technique is expensive and only filters out the contaminated water but the real challenge is the disposal of PFAS-loaded activated carbons. 
• Incineration: Most PFAS will break down completely at incineration temperatures around 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit), but it’s energy intensive and suitable incinerators are scarce.
• Upcoming developments:
• Development of a supercritical water oxidationto destroy PFAS: High temperatures and pressures change the state of water, accelerating chemistry in a way that can destroy hazardous substances. 
• Plasma reactors: It uses water, electricity and argon gas to break down PFAS. They’re fast, but also not easy to scale up.
• Inhibitors: Scientists at the Michigan State University are working on materials which,  added to soil would prevent  plants from taking up PFAS, but it would leave PFAS in the soil.
• Using  sodium hydroxide A paper published in the journal Science, shows how one class of PFAS can be broken down into mostly harmless components using sodium hydroxide, or lye, an inexpensive compound used in soap.

PFASs and the Stockholm Convention for Persistent Organic Pollutants

• PFHxS, PFOA and PFOS are the three subgroups of PFASs currently listed under the Stockholm Convention as industrial POPs.
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): It is listed in Annex A (elimination) since 2019. 

• They are  used widely toproduce non-stick kitchen ware, and food processing equipment. Also it is a by product of inadequate incineration of municipal solid waste within inappropriate or open burning facilities.

• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): It is  listed in Annex B (restriction) since 2009

• Its acceptable uses include as an active ingredient in insect bait to control leaf-cutting ants, in closed-loops systems in metal plating and as fire-fighting foam and textiles. 
• Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS): Widely used in fire-fighting foam, carpets, and non-stick cookware, it is listed in 2022 
• Candidate POP for Inclusion: Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) used in coating products, fabric/carpet protectors, textile impregnation agents and firefighting foams is a candidate POPs proposed for listing under the Stockholm Convention.

The World Health Organisation published the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver.
• It is commonly the result of a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis.
• These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol.
• Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
• The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections.
• When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected.
• The five main viral classifications of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis.

Classification of Hepatitis Virus

Hepatitis A:

• • Hepatitis A is the result of an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease.
  • Treatment: Since it is a short-term illness, it may not require treatment.

Hepatitis B:

• • • The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition.
    • Treatment: There is no specific treatment program for acute hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C:

• • Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
  • HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections and typically presents as a long-term condition.
  • Treatment: Antiviral medications can treat both acute / chronic forms of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D:

• • This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection.
  • The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes liver inflammation like other strains, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection.
  • Treatment: The WHO lists pegylated interferon alpha as a treatment for hepatitis D.
• However, this medication can have severe side effects.
• As a result, it’s not recommended for people with cirrhosis liver damage.

Hepatitis E:

• • Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV).
  • Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.
  • Treatment: Currently, no specific medical therapies are available to treat hepatitis E.
• Because the infection is often acute, it typically resolves on its own.

Causes of Hepatitis

• Causes of non-infectious Hepatitis:

Although hepatitis is most commonly the result of an infection, other factors can cause the condition.

• Alcohol and other toxins:
• Excess alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and inflammation. This may also be referred to as alcoholic hepatitis.
• The alcohol directly injures the cells of your liver. Over time, it can cause permanent damage and lead to thickening or scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) and liver failure.
• Other toxic causes of hepatitis include misuse of medications and exposure to toxins.
• Autoimmune System Response:
• In some cases, the immune system mistakes the liver as harmful and attacks it.
• This causes ongoing inflammation that can range from mild to severe, often hindering liver function.
• It’s three times more common in women than in men.

Common Symptoms of Infectious Hepatitis

Fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, pale stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice.

Prevention of Hepatitis

• There are vaccines that can help protect against many hepatitis viruses.
• There are vaccines for prevention against Hepatitis A, B and D.
• However, it is important to note that currently there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C or E.
• Minimizing the risk of exposure to substances containing these viruses can also be an important preventive measure.

World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Co report: ‘Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth’

 About Space Economy:

• The Space Economy is defined by the OECD as the full range of activities and the use of resources that create value and benefits for human beings in the course of exploring, researching, understanding, managing, and utilizing space.

• The term ‘space economy’ covers the goods and services produced in space for use in space.

Current Trends in the Space Economy:

• Economic Growth in Space Sector:  The Space Report 2022 estimates that the space economy was worth $469 billion in 2021 – a 9% increase from a year earlier. 

• Global space market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040.

• Rise in State-Backed Investment:  According to the Space Foundation report, there has been an increase in state-backed investment in space projects around the world. 

• There was a 19% jump in overall government spending on military and civilian space programmes in 2021. 

Drivers of Space Economy:

• Decrease in Launch Cost: Rapid and large drop in launch costs of satellites and rockets, which has fallen 10-fold over the past 20 years. 
• Price of Data and Connectivity: It is also expected to drop by at least 10 percent as demand increases by 60 percent by 2035.
• Commercial Innovations: Example, improvement in resolution of Earth-observation technology, which in turn drives down the price to access the said technologies.
• Diversification of Technologies: There is a rapid diversification of space-based technologies and activities such as space tourism.
• Cultural Awareness:  Cultural awareness and general enthusiasm for space in recent days is also a major driver of interest in space for future generations.
• Catalysts of Expansion: 

• Various industries are both drivers and beneficiaries of growth and diversificationby improving three key aspects of space technology: 
• Harmonisation
• Increasing ease of usability and accessibility, and 
• Education and awareness of growing technology.

• New Space Entrepreneurship has emerged in India with many start-ups which seek value in exploring end-to-end services in the Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer segments using New Space. 

Space Economy in India:

• Share in Global Space Economy: At current, the space sector in India accounts for around two percent of the global space economy.

• India’s space economy has the potential to reach $44 billion by 2033with about 8 per cent of the global share.

•  Size of the Indian Space Economy: It is estimated around 8.4 Billion USD. Of this, the downstream services market, primarily of communication and data applications, accounts for close to 80% of the total space economy, wherein the private sector is a major contributor. 

• Theupstream markete. satellite and launch operations, is primarily contributed by the Government, with the private sector in a vendor oriented role towards manufacturing and delivering subsystems/components.

• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): As per the various market surveys, the space economy has grown with an average CAGR of 8%.
• Rise in Number of Space Start-Ups: As per DPIIT Start-Up India Portal, the number of Space Start-Ups have increased from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023.

• The investment in Indian Space Start-Ups has increased to $ 124.7 Million in 2023.

• Increasing Role of Private Sector: Private companies are exploring satellite-based communication solutions,  Satellite integration and testing facilities.

• The local manufacturing of the satellite subsystems and Ground systems are being taken up by the private sector.
• Ex- SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Arianespace offer launch services and space tourism.

• Rise in Satellite Launches: There is an increase in the number of launches accomplished by the ISRO.Out of the 424 foreign satellites launched by Isro since 1990s, 389 (more than 90%) were launched in the last nine years.
• India earned $174 million from launching of foreign satellites.

Space Legislation in India:

• Satcom Policy: It aimed to develop a healthy and thriving communications satellite and ground equipment industry as well as satellite communications service industry in India. 

• Remote Sensing Data Policy (RSDP) 2011: It governs the acquisition and distribution of satellite remote sensing data by non-government users, which may be acquired either through an Indian satellite or a foreign satellite.

Regulatory Framework for Space Activities in India:

• India’s space programme is headed by the Office of the Prime Minister, governing all operations and exercising control over India’s space programme through the Space Commission and the DOS.
• The Space Commission is in charge of framing India’s space policy.
• Responsibility for the implementation of this policy lies with the DOS. 
• Research and development in the space sector is primarily realised through ISRO.
•  Space Debris: According to NASA, there are more than 100 million pieces of space debris at a size of one millimetre or larger orbiting the Earth.

• This debris can includenon-functional spacecraft, abandoned equipment, and mission-related debris travelling at speeds up to 17,500 miles per hour (28,160 kilometres per hour).
• Even a tiny piece of debris can damage a satellite or spacecraft.

• Lack of Regulatory Ecosystem for Startups: The start-ups in India are yet to take off in the absence of regulatory clarity. 

• Hence, they need anenabling ecosystem, a culture of accelerators, incubators, venture capitalists, and mentors that exist in cities like Bengaluru which is where most New Space start-ups have flourished. 
• India has to transform these start-ups into full-fledged industries to accelerate India’s dominance in space. 

• Cyber Attacks: The draft National Cyber Security Strategy lacks a focus on space security, despite concerns raised by the Data Security Council of India about potential attacks on critical infrastructure, including space agencies. 
• Minimal Share in Global Economy: India’s share is estimated at just 2% of the global market.

• Over a third of transponders used for Indian services are leased from foreign satellitesand this proportion will rise as the demand grows.
• Thus,  India needs to collaborate with partners to increase its share in the global space market.

• Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP): The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), have consistently reported UAP sightings. India is lagging significantly behind other nations in addressing the UAP issue. 

• UAPs denote flying objects linked to non-human (alien) intelligences. 

• Human Spaceflight Expertise: India lacks experience in human spaceflight, which is essential for building and operating a space station. 
• Hazards to Astronaut Health: The space environment can be lethal without the correct protection equipment and precautions. 
• The greatest threats are a lack of oxygen and pressure in closed environments; expansion of the cerebral ventricles, altered gravity fields; radiation and the psychological effects of isolation and confinement.

 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its ‘Vision for Regional Security’ 

About Gulf Cooperation Council:

• It is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union established on 25 May 1981, with formal signing of the Charter of the GCC. 
• Member states: It comprise of 6 national monarchies of the Gulf region ie. The Kingdoms of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Headquarters: Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia
• Military arm: The Peninsula Shield Force is the military arm of the GCC, formed in 1984.
• Objectives:  To effect coordination, integration and inter-connection between member states in all fields in order to achieve unity between them.

Vision Statement for ‘Regional Security’

Principles:

• The vision statement operates on the principles of shared destiny and indivisible and collective security of the member states.
• It outlines the principles ofrespecting sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of the States

Objective: 

• To preserve regional security and stability, tackle the challenges facing them and settle the disputes through peaceful means. 
• To build regional and international partnerships to deal with the regional threats.

Commitments: 

• Resolution of conflict: The GCC states needjoint actions to prioritize dialogue and negotiation to resolve their differences and conflicts  and to avoid the use of force.
• Terrorism and extremism: It urges the member states to combat terrorism and extremism by stopping the flow of money to the hands of the terrorists and to combat money laundering.
• Maritime security:  A call for regional and international coordinationto ensure maritime security and ensure safety of trade and energy supply routes. 
• GCC countries are the key suppliers of energy and  any disruption in the sea lines of communication will directly affect their national economies.Example: The Red Sea Crisis.
• Nuclear non proliferation Regime:The GCC has asked  to make the region a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (WMDFZ) with  Iran and Israel possessing nuclear programmes.
• It calls for a Nuclear non proliferation Regime in West Asia, but also supports the right of the States to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
• Cybersecurity: The vision document urges the member states to take effective steps to combat cyber security challenges with growing digitisation. 
• Shared challenges: Effective collaboration in addressing the new age challenges of  climate change, water and food security, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), energy security, defending economic resources and creating investment opportunities.