Current Affairs 04 -MAR-2024 (The Hindu)

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Program

C => (Pg-1)

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness the initiation of the core loading of India’s indigenous 500 Mwe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in the nuclear complex at Kalpakkam, about 70 km south of Chennai. Developed by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited), the core loading of PFBR marks a historic milestone in India’s nuclear power programme, according to a release from the Press Information Bureau.

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Program

1st Stage - Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors

• Uses Natural Uranium - 99.3% Uranium-238 and 0.7% Uranium-235 as a fission material to produce energy.
• Plutonium will be a by-product.
• No need for Enrichment - Natural uranium is used.
• Location - Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, Gujarat.

2nd Stage - Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR)

• Uses mixture of Plutonium & reprocessed ‘spent Uranium from the first stage as fuel.
• Produce Electricity & more Plutonium as a product.
• Reason - Uranium will get converted into Plutonium.
• FBR does not use moderators.
• Uranium 233 is Final product - used as a fuel in the third stage of our nuclear program.
• India’s Prototype FBR - Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam near Chennai.

3rd Stage - Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR)(Thorium based Reactors)

• Thorium 232 mixed with U233 produced in the second stage - used as fuel.
• Overall design - Utilize large amounts of thorium reserves found in India in the form of monazite sand.
• India aims to be self-sufficient in nuclear energy – Through these stages.

Practice Question – Prelims

Consider the following statements regarding Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam.

1. The reactor is built by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited)

2. The reactor uses Heavy Water as a coolant.

3. The reactor does not have control rods, since breeding activity requires fast neutrons.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only.

b) 1 and 2 only.

c) 2 and 3 only.

d) 1 and 3 only.

Challenges and Solutions in Plastic Waste Management

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Why in News?

Plastic pollution is a significant issue in the Himalayan States, affecting water sources and biodiversity. Despite regulations and initiatives, challenges remain in waste management and segregation. Collaboration between local bodies and producers is lacking. Addressing data gaps and empowering local authorities are crucial steps to combat this problem.

Practice Question – Mains GS – III

Discuss the challenges and limitations of the existing waste management policies in tackling plastic pollution. Suggest improvements. (250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction

• 3.5 million tones of plastic waste annually
• Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.

Challenges and Limitations

• Existing waste management policies lack sufficient infrastructure.
• Lack of awareness among the general public.
• Non-compliance of laws by industries and individuals.
• Failed implementation and monitoring of waste segregation.
• Limited availability of recycling facilities.
• Involvement of informal waste collectors and recyclers pose challenges.
• Limited financial resources allocated.

Ways to Improve

1. Development of robust waste management infrastructure.
2. Comprehensive educational campaigns to raise public awareness.
3. Strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
4. Implement EPR schemes to hold producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products.
5. Provide incentives for industries and individuals.
6. Foster international cooperation and agreements.
7. Research and investment in innovative recycling.
8. Integrate informal waste collectors and recyclers.
9. Increase funding for waste management initiatives.
10. Promote a circular economy approach to plastic management.

Conclusion

• Amount of waste is expected to be 3 times by 2025.
• Less than one tenth of plastic is recycled.
• Address the loopholes in the existing policies to ensure sustainability and self-reliance in the long run.

Cryptography

D => (Pg-9)

Why in News?

Apple’s PQ3 protocol enhances data security for iMessage users by protecting messages from quantum computer hackers. It uses a hybrid design combining traditional and post-quantum encryption during key establishment and rekeying. Each device generates public keys locally, transmitted to Apple servers via ML-KEM during iMessage registration. PQ3 defends against current and future decryptions, but lacks features like group messaging security and authentication against quantum adversaries. It may not protect iCloud-stored messages and could be vulnerable to attacks from powerful quantum computers.

Cryptography

• The process of converting ordinary plain text into unintelligible text.
• A method of storing and transmitting data.
• Protects data from theft or alteration, but can also be used for user authentication.

Three types of cryptographic techniques:

• Symmetric-key cryptography
• Hash functions
• Public-key cryptography

Applications

1. Digital currency
2. E-commerce transactions
3. Military operations
4. Verify the identity
5. Secure Messaging
6. Digital rights management (DRM)

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding cryptography:

1. There are three types of cryptography.

2. Data compression is a fundamental aspect of cryptography.

3. Public-key encryption technique is primarily used for ensuring the confidentiality of data.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 2 and 3 only