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4 February 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

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1. Nuclear Power in Union Budget 2025-26

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2099244&reg=3&lang=1 )

Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy
Context
  • The Union Budget 2025-26 emphasizes nuclear energy as a key element of India’s energy transition strategy, with a focus on innovation, capacity building, and private sector participation.
Everything You Need To Know About 4 February 2025: Pib Summary For Upsc

Introduction to Nuclear Energy in India

  • India has set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, which aligns with the broader goals of Viksit Bharat, ensuring energy reliability and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
  • The government is focusing on indigenous nuclear technology and public-private collaborations to achieve this target.

Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat

  • The government has launched the Nuclear Energy Mission to enhance domestic nuclear capabilities, promote private sector involvement, and speed up the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
  • The initiative has allocated ₹20,000 crore for research and development (R&D) of SMRs, with the goal of developing at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033.
  • To implement this mission, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be made to encourage private sector investments in nuclear power.

Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) and SMRs

  • Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), a key part of the government’s nuclear energy plan, are 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) known for their safety and performance.
  • The government plans to upgrade BSRs to make them suitable for deployment near industries like steel and aluminum, serving as captive power plants.
  • Private companies will be involved in providing land, cooling water, and capital, while the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will manage the design, quality assurance, and operations.
  • The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is also developing SMRs, which will be used for repurposing coal-based plants and providing power to remote areas.

Government Initiatives to Enhance Nuclear Capacity

  • India is focused on expanding its nuclear capacity from 8,180 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32, with ten reactors under construction and ten more in pre-project stages.
  • The government has given in-principle approval for a 6 x 1208 MW nuclear power plant in collaboration with the USA at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh.
  • A significant milestone was achieved with the criticality of Unit-7 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project, marking the country’s growing capability in building and operating indigenous nuclear reactors.

Safety and Regulatory Framework

  • Safety remains a top priority in India’s nuclear energy policy, with strict protocols ensuring that radiation levels in Indian nuclear plants are well below global standards.
  • The government’s efforts to promote nuclear energy align with the goal of providing clean, reliable, and sustainable energy for the country.

Recent Developments in Nuclear Energy

  • India has discovered new uranium deposits in the Jaduguda Mines, extending the life of the mine by over 50 years.
  • The first two units of the indigenous 700 MWe PHWR at Kakrapar, Gujarat, began commercial operations in 2023-24.
  • The country’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) achieved key milestones, and the government has signed a joint venture with NTPC to develop new nuclear power plants.

Conclusion

  • The Union Budget 2025-26 marks a transformative shift towards nuclear energy, aiming to enhance India’s energy security and meet long-term economic and environmental goals.
  • With the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, India is poised to become a global leader in advanced nuclear technology by 2047. 
PYQ: Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of the fast breeder reactor programme in India? (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2017)
Practice Question:  Discuss the role of the Nuclear Energy Mission in achieving India’s energy security goals by 2047. How do Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) contribute to this strategy? (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Benefits Accorded to Classical Language

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2099152&reg=3&lang=1 )

Topic: GS1 – Indian art and culture
Context
  • The news discusses the Government of India’s support for classical languages, including recognition, establishment of Centers of Excellence, and the recent addition of five new classical languages.
Everything You Need To Know About 4 February 2025: Pib Summary For Upsc

Support for Classical Languages

  • The Government of India provides various forms of support to languages notified as classical languages, such as awards, centers of excellence, and professional chairs in central universities.
  • This initiative aims to preserve and promote India’s rich linguistic heritage.

Languages Recognized as Classical

The following languages have been notified as classical languages by the Government of India:

  • Tamil (2004)
  • Sanskrit (2005)
  • Telugu (2008)
  • Kannada (2008)
  • Malayalam (2013)
  • Odia (2014)

Institutions and Centers of Excellence

The Ministry of Education, through the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, is actively promoting these languages. Various Centers of Excellence have been established to support research and scholarly activities:

  • Tamil: Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai (established in 2008).
  • Sanskrit: Central Sanskrit University, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, and National Sanskrit University.
  • Telugu: Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Telugu, Nellore.
  • Kannada: Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, Mysuru.
  • Malayalam: Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Malayalam, Tirur.
  • Odia: Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Odia, Bhubaneswar.

Recent Additions

In October 2024, the Government notified five more languages as classical languages:

  • Marathi
  • Pali
  • Prakrit
  • Assamese
  • Bengali
Practice Question: Evaluate the significance of the recent inclusion of five languages as Classical Languages in India. How can this contribute to cultural preservation and academic growth? (250 Words /15 marks)

 

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