4 November 2023

• Science and Technology: White hydrogen, naturally occurring molecular hydrogen found in Earth's crust, emerged as a potential game-changer for clean energy at approximately one dollar per kilogram.
• Environment: India has 18 internationally recognised biosphere reserves; Panna in Madhya Pradesh is the latest addition.
• Climate finance: Developing nations need 215 to 387 billion dollars annually to adapt to climate change but receive only 21 billion dollars, a gap of 10 to 18 times.
• Economy: The National Efficient Cooking Programme targets deployment of 20 lakh induction cook-stoves with a 25 to 30 per cent cost advantage.
• Geography: Pakistan began mass deportations of up to four million Afghan migrants, citing economic strain and security concerns, along the 2,670-km Durand Line.

GS area: Science and Technology (Energy)

A major deposit of naturally occurring molecular hydrogen was discovered in northeastern France. White hydrogen forms through geological processes in the Earth's crust, distinct from green hydrogen (made by electrolysis using renewable electricity) and blue or grey hydrogen (made from fossil fuels).

• Cost: approximately one dollar per kilogram. Green hydrogen costs around six dollars per kilogram. The cost advantage is significant.
• Deposits identified: northeastern France, Mali, USA, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia and Oman.
• Why it matters: hydrogen can power fuel cells with zero direct emissions. If white hydrogen is available at scale at one dollar per kilogram, it could undercut all current clean energy options.
• Difference from green hydrogen: green hydrogen requires electricity input and electrolyser infrastructure. White hydrogen requires exploration, extraction and transport like natural gas.

Static linkage: Energy (Science and Technology, Economy).

GS area: Environment (Biodiversity, Conservation)

India has 18 biosphere reserves recognised under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. Panna in Madhya Pradesh is the most recently added Indian reserve to the UNESCO World Network. Globally, 748 biosphere reserves exist across 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites.

• UNESCO MAB Programme: launched in 1971. It created the biosphere reserve model with three zones.
• Three zones: core zone (strictly protected), buffer zone (limited research and tourism), transition zone (sustainable human activities).
• World Biosphere Reserve Day: 3 November.
• Twelve Indian biosphere reserves are part of the UNESCO World Network. The remaining six have national recognition only.
• India's list includes: Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarhi, Simlipal, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamalai, Khangchendzonga, Panna.

Static linkage: Environment (Biodiversity, Conservation), Indian Geography.

GS area: Environment (Climate Finance)

The 2023 Adaptation Gap Report found that developing nations need between 215 and 387 billion dollars annually for climate adaptation. They receive only about 21 billion dollars in adaptation finance annually. The gap is 10 to 18 times the current public finance flows.

• Gender gap within adaptation finance: only 2 per cent of gender-tagged adaptation finance is actually gender-responsive.
• Coastal exposure: sea-level rise is increasing coastal protection costs, squeezing adaptation budgets further.
• Loss and Damage context: separate from adaptation finance is the Loss and Damage fund, established at COP 27 in 2022 for irreversible climate impacts.

Static linkage: Environment (Climate change, international climate negotiations).

GS area: Economy (Energy, Government Schemes)

Energy Efficiency Services Limited launched two programmes. The National Efficient Cooking Programme targets deployment of 20 lakh induction cook-stoves. The Energy Efficient Fans Programme targets deployment of one crore five-star ceiling fans.

• EESL: Energy Efficiency Services Limited was founded in 2009 under the Ministry of Power. It has previously reduced LED bulb prices by 75 per cent through bulk procurement.
• Induction cook-stove advantage: 25 to 30 per cent lower operating cost than LPG. Reduces indoor air pollution significantly.
• Five-star fan specification: consumes 28 to 32 watts versus 75 to 80 watts for conventional fans. The difference adds up across India's 300 million-plus households.

Static linkage: Economy (Energy efficiency, government schemes).

GS area: International Relations (Geography)

Pakistan began mass deportations of up to four million Afghan migrants, of whom 1.7 million are undocumented. Pakistan cited economic strain and security concerns.

• Durand Line: 2,670-km border established in 1893 between British India and the Afghan emirate. Named after Mortimer Durand who negotiated it. It runs from Iran in the west to China's Xinjiang in the east.
• McMahon Line connection: a different line, the McMahon Line, was the 890-km border between British India and Tibet established at the 1914 Shimla Convention. The two lines are sometimes confused. The Durand Line is in the northwest; the McMahon Line is in the northeast.
• Afghanistan's position: Kabul has never formally recognised the Durand Line, arguing it was imposed under colonial duress.

Static linkage: India's neighbourhood (International Relations), World Geography.

GS area: Economy (Science and Technology)

India ranked 40th of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2022. R&D expenditure as a share of GDP stands at 0.7 per cent, against a world average of 1.8 per cent. Patent processing takes an average of 42 months in India compared to 20.8 months in the USA and 15 months in Japan.

• Women in STEM: women comprise 34 per cent of India's STEM workforce.
• Atal Tinkering Labs: 10,000 labs engaging 75 lakh students, with 60 per cent in rural areas.
• National Research Foundation Bill 2023: creates an apex body to fund and coordinate research across disciplines and institutions.
• Required digitally skilled professionals by 2026: 30 million.

Static linkage: Science and Technology (Economy, Education).

• UN agencies in Gaza: OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), established 1998 and headquartered in Geneva, coordinates humanitarian response. UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency), established 1949 and headquartered in Amman, serves Palestinian refugees in five fields. India contributes about five million dollars annually to UNRWA.
• Hunger hotspots: a joint FAO-WFP report identified 18 hunger hotspots across 22 countries. Countries with the highest concern level include Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.