UPSC EXAM QUIZ 08.11.2024

Explanation:

• Department of Atomic Energy is planning to build a 1 giga-electron volt (GeV) particle accelerator – a machine that will help convert thorium, which is available in abundance in India, into nuclear fuel. The aim is to build a continuous wave, high-intensity proton accelerator, Quantum has learned.

Particle Accelerator

• A particle accelerator is an advanced device that makes the process of converting thorium into uranium-233 possible by moving subatomic particles (such as protons, electrons, and neutrons) at high speeds. Uranium-233 is a fissile material that can be used in nuclear reactors to generate energy.
• India currently has several particle accelerators (such as cyclotrons and synchrotrons), but all of them fall in the 30 mega electron-volt (MeV) category. Establishment of 1 GeV accelerator is a necessary step towards high energy neutron production in India.

Explanation:

• Glacial lakes and other water bodies across the Himalayan region saw a 10.81% increase in area from 2011 to 2024 due to climate change, signalling a heightened risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), according to a Central Water Commission's (CWC) report.

Central Water Commission (CWC)

• It is a premier technical organization of India in the field of water resources.
• It is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.

Explanation:

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released the “Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024”, highlighting the serious economic impacts caused by climate change in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Key Highlights of the Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024

Economic Impacts of Climate Change

• Under high-end greenhouse gas emissions, the APAC region could see a 17% reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2070.
• By 2100, this figure may surge to 41% under high GHG emissions.
• India may experience a 24.7% GDP decline by 2070. Bangladesh faces a potential 30.5% loss, while Vietnam could see a 30.2% reduction, and Indonesia a 26.8% decline.

Explanation:

• European Space Agency's mission Proba-3 will be launched by India in December.
• A European Space Agency mission called Proba-3 will be launched by India from the Sriharikota Space Station in December, Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said.
• This mission will study the Sun's faint corona, which lies near the solar periphery.
• On November 5, while addressing the Indian Space Conference 3.0 in New Delhi, the minister highlighted that almost every sector in the country is using space technology.
• Space technology also promotes the creation of smart cities by providing facilities like navigation, satellite imaging, terrain mapping, etc.
• The Minister also outlined India's vision to increase its contribution to the global space economy from 2% to 10% in the coming years.
• Dr Singh also highlighted the upcoming missions of the Indian Space Research Organization such as Gaganyaan, launch of an Indian space station called Bharat Space Station by 2035 and landing of an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Explanation:

• Madhya Pradesh government approved 35% reservation for women in all state government services.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has increased reservation for women in all state government services from 33% to 35%.
• It is a major step towards women’s empowerment in the state.
• The state government has also given approval to open 254 new fertiliser sales centres in the state.
• A 660-megawatt critical thermal power plant will be opened in Sarni by decommissioning the earlier power plant units of a total of 830 MW units.
• The state government also granted permission to increase the recruitment age of assistant Professors in Medical College to 50 years from 40 years in the state.