Current Affairs 22 August 2022 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 22 August 2022 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Gross State Domestic Product

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Indian Economy

What is discussed under Gross State Domestic Product?

1. Key Findings of the Report
2. What Is Gross State Domestic Product?

Why in News?

• The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released figures for the Gross State Domestic Products (GSDP).

Key Findings of the Report

GI Tag for Mithila Makhana

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Policies and Developmental Studies

What is discussed under GI Tag for Mithila Makhana?

1. What Is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?
2. About Mithila Makhana

Why in News?

• The government has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Mithila Makhana, to help growers get the maximum price for their premium produce.
• According to the GI registry certificate, the GI has been registered in the name of Mithilanchal Makhana Utpadak Sangh.

What Is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

• A geographical indicator (GI) is a label applied to products with a particular geographic origin and characteristics or a reputation derived from that origin.
• An indication that a product is made in a certain location is necessary for a sign to be considered a GI.
• A GI is mainly a product made (crafts and industrial items), an agricultural product, or a natural product that comes from a certain geographic region.
• Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Once a product gets this tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name.
• This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
• Any group of people, producers, organisations, or authorities created by or operating under the legislation are eligible to apply for GI.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.

GI tag products

• Basmati rice

  

• Darjeeling Tea
• Chanderi Fabric
• Mysore Silk
• Kullu Shawl
• Kangra Tea
• Thanjavur Paintings
• Allahabad Surkha
• Farrukhabad Prints
• Lucknow Zardozi
• Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving

Benefits of GI registration

• Legal protection for that item
• Prevention against unauthorised use by others
• Promoting exports
• Assurance of quality and distinctiveness of the item

Registration process

• Filing of application
• Preliminary scrutiny and examination
• Show cause notice
• Publication in the geographical indications journal
• Opposition to registration
• Registration

About Mithila Makhana

• Mithila Makhana is makhana (aquatic fox nuts) grown in the Mithila region of Bihar.
• In Maithili (language), it is also referred to as Makhan.
• It is one of the three prestigious cultural identities of Mithila – the other two being pan (betel leaf) and machh (fish).
• Makhana is loaded with protein, fibre, iron, calcium and other essential nutrients that help benefit overall health.
• The geographical area of production of “Mithila Makhana” takes place in 21 out of 38 districts, mostly situated in the North of the Bihar state.

India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus

Source: PIB
GS III: Science and Technology

What is discussed under India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus?

1. What is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC)?
2. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (HFCV)
3. Why HFCVs are significant for India?
4. Highlights of India’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus
5. What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?

Why in News?

• Union Minister of State launched India’s first truly indigenously developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus developed by KPIT-CSIR in Pune.
• Union Minister also inaugurated the Bisphenol-A pilot plant in CSIR-NCL, an important feedstock for the production of epoxy resins, polycarbonate and other engineering plastics.

What Is a Fuel Cell?

• A fuel cell is a device that produces electrical energy through a chemical reaction.
• A positively charged ion (hydrogen) and an oxidising agent (oxygen) are used in fuel cells.
• Through carbon electrodes, hydrogen and oxygen are transferred into a concentrated sodium hydroxide solution to function fuel cell.
• The cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte that permits the movement of positively charged (hydrogen) ions between the fuel cell’s two sides are the same in all types of fuel cells.
• Fuel cells generate electricity with negligible pollution since the majority of the hydrogen and oxygen eventually combine to make water as byproduct.

What Is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC)?

• Hydrogen as a fuel is a zero-emission fuel when it is burned with oxygen.

  

• Also, it is non-toxic, readily available, has high applicability, powerful and renewable.
• The fuel cells fueled by hydrogen are called Hydrogen Fuel Cell.
• Among fuel cells, hydrogen-fueled fuel cells have the best performance and the lowest environmental impact.
• Hydrogen fuel cells can produce more energy than diesel or gasoline.
• They are nearly three times more efficient than petrol. 
• Compared to using petrol, this fuel produces fewer pollutants when burned.

What Is a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle (HFCV)?

• HFCVs are fuel cell vehicles with hydrogen-powered electric motor.
• Fuel cell cars and trucks mix hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, which powers a motor.
• Fuel cell cars are regarded as electric vehicles since they are totally powered by electricity.
• Their range and refuelling procedures are in line with those of regular automobiles and trucks.

Why HFCVs Are Significant for India?

• Over the past few years, India has vigorously promoted greener transportation.
• Eco-friendly technology is receiving support from the government through programmes like FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of (hybrid) and electric vehicles), FAME II, and a number of additional tax breaks, including decreased GST.
• The hydrogen fuel cell represents progress in this field.
• The application of such technology in vehicles would significantly reduce pollution as India is now the second-largest producer of tractors, lorries, and buses in the world.

Highlights of India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus

• This bus has zero emissions compared to a diesel bus plying on long-distance routes which usually emits 100 tonnes of CO2 annually.
• Fuel cell buses and trucks have lower operating costs per kilometre than diesel-powered vehicles thanks to their great fuel economy and the high energy density of hydrogen, which might revolutionise India’s freight industry.
• Fuel Cell vehicles also give zero green-house gas emissions.
• Heavy commercial diesel vehicles are responsible for 12–14% of the nation’s CO2 and particle emissions, which are decentralised and hence challenging to measure.
• However, vehicles powered by hydrogen offer a great way to get rid of the on-road pollutants from this industry.
• By becoming a significant producer of green hydrogen and a supplier of green hydrogen equipment, India may leapfrog from being a net importer of fossil fuel energy to a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy, giving India worldwide leadership in the hydrogen sector.

Bisphenol-A (BPA)

• It serves as a crucial raw material in the manufacture of technical plastics including polycarbonate and epoxy resins. 
• The global market for bisphenol-A is expected to increase at a CAGR of 2% from 2020 to 2027, reaching 7.1 million tonnes.
• The entire estimated annual demand of 1, 35,000 tons in India is imported today.
• The Minister believed that the technology developed by CSIR-NCL will make it possible to replace imports of this crucial raw material and support India’s Atmanirbhar project.
• The uniqueness of the process developed by CSIR-NCL is a novel downstream process technology, which makes this indigenous technology competitive with global benchmarks.
• The process is ready for technology transfer and further co-development to a commercial scale.

What Is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?

 Green hydrogen

• Green hydrogen is hydrogen generated by renewable energy or from low-carbon power.
• It has significantly lower carbon emissions than grey hydrogen, which is produced by steam reforming of natural gas, which makes up the bulk of the hydrogen market.
• It may be used to decarbonize sectors which are hard to electrify, such as steel and cement production, and thus help to limit climate change.
• In February 2022, the Ministry of Power notified Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy for the production of Green Hydrogen or Green Ammonia using renewable sources of energy.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

• The mission aims to aid the government in meeting its climate targets and making India a green hydrogen hub.
• This will help in meeting the target of production of 5 million tonnes of Green hydrogen by 2030 and the related development of renewable energy capacity.
• The fuels of the future are expected to replace fossil fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia.
• One of the key criteria for ensuring the country’s energy security in an ecologically acceptable manner is the production of these fuels using energy from renewable sources, also known as “green hydrogen” and “green ammonia.”
• The Indian government is taking a number of steps to ease the switch from fossil fuels and fuel-based feedstocks to green hydrogen and green ammonia.
• One of the key measures in this endeavour is the notification of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

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