Daily Mains Practice Questions 08-03-2023

KEY POINTS

·        The need for inclusive technology and digital education is essential for a sustainable future.

·        Nearly, three million cook-cum-helpers play a critical role in preparing and providing hot, cooked meals to millions of schoolchildren under the scheme.

·        Nutritional improvement through the mid-day meals scheme is inextricably linked with food safety.

·        Unsafe food served in schools has the potential to create a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, impacting school children who eat these meals.

·        The National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) indicates that 54% women and 64% children in India’s urban areas are anaemic.

·        A needs assessment conducted by the WFP among urban poor women in Delhi showed that few had a bank account.

·        India accounts for half the world’s gendered digital divide given that only a third of all Internet users in the country are women.

·        The NFHS-5 shows that more than 18% of women between 15 and 49 years have a low body mass index while more than half the pregnant women in the same age group are anaemic.

·        Access to digital literacy and platforms would create awareness about the gap and needs in the populations that are often on the margins of the digital revolution.

KEY POINTS

·        It is no secret that India’s relationship with Germany has traditionally lagged behind its relations with its other European partners such as France.

·        The visit assumes greater importance as India holds the G-20 presidency this year and seeks to avoid geopolitics hampering cooperation in the forum.

·        A recent agreement on India-Germany triangular cooperation involving development projects in third countries is also an important step in this direction.

·        Besides, the first ever France-India-Germany military exercise drill is slated to take place in 2024 towards enhanced security and defence collaboration.

·        India and Germany also cooperate in multilateral forums, as part of the G-4 grouping pushing for United Nations Security Council reform, and as evident in Germany’s invitation to Mr. Modi to attend last year’s G-7 summit.

·        Germany is India’s largest economic partner in the European Union (EU). Thus, trade naturally figured high on the agenda boosted by the relaunch of the India-EU free-trade agreement negotiations

·        . The subject of mobility and migration was also under focus given Germany’s shortages of skilled manpower; where technically skilled Indians could help plug this gap.

·        Against the backdrop of volatile geopolitical shifts, emerging multipolarity, and Europe’s enhanced courtship of India, India’s ties with Germany could be vital in shaping a new global order.

KEY POINTS

·        India has committed to 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.

·        But an energy transition in industry is needed at the same time. Most industrial greenhouse gas emissions in India come from steel, cement, fertilizers and petrochemicals.

·        Green hydrogen holds the promise of fuelling industrial growth while simultaneously reducing industrial emissions.

·        India is targeting at least five million tonnes of production by 2030, which is larger than that of any single economy.

·        With abundant sunshine and significant wind energy resources, India is geographically blessed to become one of the lowest-cost producers of green hydrogen.

·        Blending mandates for refineries can be another demand trigger. Urea plants have been exempted.

·        Over time, targets can be ratcheted up with blending mandates rising (including for urea fertilizers). Another approach is to leverage government procurement.

·        India can be an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment. Green hydrogen production projects announced/underway in India are far fewer compared to others.

·        The mission envisions green hydrogen hubs to consolidate production, end use and exports. A mission secretariat can ensure project clearance is streamlined and reduce financial risks.

·        These rules must address operational threats, industrial competitiveness and strategic threats. India should promote a global network on green hydrogen via which companies could collaborate.

Q.1 

KINDLY REVIEW

Q. 3]. Green hydrogen