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July13th Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – July 13th

Table of Contents

Iran Expands Conflict by Attacking West Asian Nations

Why in News?

Iran has widened the ongoing West Asia conflict by launching missile and drone attacks targeting countries hosting U.S. military bases, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman, following fresh U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military facilities. The attacks have raised fears of a broader regional war and renewed concerns over disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

What Happened?

  • The United States carried out a fresh round of strikes on Iranian military installations, citing the need to protect commercial shipping and deter attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
  • In retaliation, Iran launched coordinated missile and drone attacks against U.S.-linked military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and other Gulf nations.
  • Air defence systems intercepted several missiles, but the attacks significantly escalated regional tensions.
  • The conflict has increased concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies and maritime trade.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz Important?

  • Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
  • Nearly one-fifth of global crude oil trade passes through this narrow waterway.
  • Major exporters using this route include:
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Iraq
    • Kuwait
    • UAE
    • Qatar
  • Any disruption immediately affects:
    • Global crude oil prices
    • Energy security
    • International shipping
    • Inflation worldwide.

Implications for India

1. Energy Security

  • India imports a significant share of its crude oil from West Asia.
  • Rising oil prices may increase:
    • Inflation
    • Import bill
    • Current Account Deficit (CAD)

2. Indian Diaspora                 

  • Millions of Indians work in Gulf countries.
  • Escalation increases risks to their safety and may require evacuation efforts.

3. Maritime Security

  • Indian trade passes through the Arabian Sea and nearby sea lanes.
  • Increased naval deployment may become necessary to safeguard merchant shipping.

4. Foreign Policy

India continues to:

  • Call for de-escalation and dialogue.
  • Maintain strategic relations with:
    • Iran
    • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
    • United States
  • Follow its policy of strategic autonomy.

Debate Over Long Summer Vacation Rekindled: Should School Calendars Be Reformed?

Why in News?

The editorial discusses whether India’s long summer holiday break should be restructured in light of rising temperatures, changing climate patterns, learning outcomes, and the need for a more balanced academic calendar. The debate has gained attention as several states adjusted school calendars due to heatwaves and extreme weather.

Background

  1. Learning Loss (“Summer Slide”)
  • Long breaks can lead to decline in reading, mathematics and retention skills.
  • Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are affected the most due to limited access to learning resources.
  1. Climate Change
  • Rising summer temperatures make regular schooling difficult in many parts of India.
  • Some experts suggest shifting longer breaks to the peak heat period while redistributing holidays during the year.
  1. Student Well-being
  • Vacations provide:
    • Physical and mental rest.
    • Time for sports, hobbies and family interaction.
    • Reduced academic stress.
  1. Equity Concerns
  • Children from economically weaker sections may lack access to:
    • Libraries
    • Summer camps
    • Digital learning
  • This widens educational inequality.

Arguments for Reform

  • Introduce shorter, more frequent breaks instead of one long vacation.
  • Align school calendars with regional climatic conditions rather than a uniform schedule.
  • Promote summer enrichment programmes for voluntary learning.
  • Improve flexibility for states facing extreme weather.

Arguments Against Reform

  • Long vacations help prevent heat-related illnesses.
  • Teachers utilize the period for training, evaluation and academic planning.
  • Families use the break for travel and social obligations.
  • Frequent interruptions may affect continuity of teaching.

India's Rising Energy Imports: Balancing Energy Security with Clean Energy Transition

Why is it in News?

An editorial highlights India’s growing dependence on energy imports, especially crude oil, natural gas, and coking coal, despite rapid progress in renewable energy. The article emphasizes that ensuring energy security while accelerating the transition to clean energy has become a major policy challenge amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia and volatile global energy prices.

What is the Issue?

India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world, but domestic production is insufficient to meet its growing energy demand.

India’s Import Dependence

  • Crude Oil: Around 85–90% of India’s requirement is imported.
  • Natural Gas: Nearly 50% is imported in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
  • Coking Coal: About 55–60% is imported for the steel industry.

This heavy dependence exposes India to external shocks such as:

  • Geopolitical conflicts (e.g., West Asia, Russia–Ukraine).
  • Supply chain disruptions.
  • Fluctuations in global crude oil prices.

Why is Energy Security Important?

Energy Security means ensuring the availability, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability of energy supplies.

It is essential for:         

    • Economic growth.
    • Industrial production.
    • Transportation.
    • Agriculture.
    • National security.

Major Challenges

1. Rising Import Bill

  • Higher crude oil prices increase India’s import expenditure.
  • Worsens the Current Account Deficit (CAD).

2. Inflation

  • Expensive fuel raises transportation and production costs.
  • Leads to inflation in food and essential commodities.

3. Geopolitical Risks

  • Conflicts in West Asia threaten oil supplies.
  • Closure or disruption of the Strait of Hormuz can affect India’s energy imports.

4. Climate Commitments

    • India must reduce dependence on fossil fuels while meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Government Initiatives

National Green Hydrogen Mission

  • Promote green hydrogen as a clean fuel.
  • Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Renewable Energy Expansion

  • Large-scale deployment of:
    • Solar energy.
    • Wind energy.
    • Bioenergy.
    • Hydropower.

Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)

  • India maintains emergency crude oil reserves to tackle supply disruptions.

Ethanol Blending Programme

  • Increase blending of ethanol with petrol to reduce crude oil imports.

Electric Mobility                         

  • Promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) through schemes like FAME to reduce oil consumption.

Way Forward

  • Diversify sources of crude oil imports.
  • Increase domestic exploration of oil and natural gas.
  • Expand renewable energy capacity.
  • Strengthen Strategic Petroleum Reserves.
  • Promote green hydrogen and biofuels.
  • Improve energy efficiency across sectors.

Ethanol-Blended Fuel: Key to India's Energy Security and Green Mobility

Why in News?

An editorial discusses the growing role of ethanol-blended fuel in reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting farmers. The debate also highlights concerns regarding food security, water usage, and the long-term sustainability of ethanol production.

What is Ethanol-Blended Petrol (EBP)?

Ethanol is a renewable biofuel produced mainly from:

    • Sugarcane juice
    • Molasses
    • Damaged food grains (rice, maize)
    • Agricultural biomass
  • It is blended with petrol to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Example:                                                           

  • E20 Fuel = 20% Ethanol + 80% Petrol.

Why is Ethanol Blending Important?

1. Reduces Crude Oil Imports

  • India imports nearly 85–90% of its crude oil requirements.
  • Increased ethanol blending helps lower the import bill and improves energy security.

2. Reduces Carbon Emissions

  • Ethanol burns cleaner than petrol.
  • Helps reduce:
    • Carbon monoxide (CO)
    • Hydrocarbon emissions
    • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

3. Increases Farmers’ Income

  • Provides an additional market for:
    • Sugarcane
    • Maize
    • Surplus food grains
  • Supports diversification of agricultural income.

4. Supports Circular Economy

  • Converts agricultural residues and waste into useful fuel.
  • Promotes sustainable resource utilization.

Government Initiatives

Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme

  • Launched in 2003.
  • Implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
  • Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) procure ethanol from domestic producers for blending with petrol.

National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 (amended in 2022)

Key objectives:

  • Encourage production of biofuels.
  • Expand feedstock sources beyond sugarcane.
  • Promote advanced biofuels and second-generation ethanol.

E20 Target

  • India has advanced its target of 20% ethanol blending (E20) ahead of the earlier 2030 timeline, aiming to reduce fossil fuel dependence and emissions.

Challenges

1. Food vs Fuel Debate

  • Diversion of food grains for ethanol production may affect food availability and prices.

2. Water Consumption

  • Sugarcane, a major feedstock, is highly water-intensive.
  • Expansion of sugarcane cultivation can strain groundwater resources.

3. Vehicle Compatibility

  • Older vehicles may not be compatible with higher ethanol blends.
  • Manufacturers need to expand production of flex-fuel and E20-compatible vehicles.

4. Feedstock Availability

  • Seasonal variations in agricultural output can affect ethanol supply.

Way Forward

  1. Diversify feedstock by promoting:
    • Agricultural residues
    • Bamboo
    • Municipal solid waste
    • Second-generation (2G) ethanol
  2. Improve water-use efficiency in agriculture.
  3. Encourage flex-fuel vehicle adoption.
  4. Strengthen ethanol storage and distribution infrastructure.
  5. Balance energy security with food security.

Gaganyaan Mission Achieves Major Milestone with Indigenous Crew Systems

Why in News?

India has achieved another significant milestone in the Gaganyaan Mission with successful development and testing of critical crew systems, bringing the country’s first human spaceflight mission closer to launch. The progress strengthens India’s ambitions in human space exploration and demonstrates advances in indigenous space technology.

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

  • Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight mission, being developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • The mission aims to send a crew of Indian astronauts (Gaganyatris) into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for about 3 days and safely bring them back to Earth.
  • It marks India’s entry into the group of nations capable of independent human spaceflight.

What are Gaganyaan Crew Systems?

Crew systems are the technologies that ensure the safety, survival, and mission success of astronauts during launch, orbit, and re-entry.

Major Crew Systems                      

1. Crew Module (CM)         

  • Habitable spacecraft carrying astronauts.
  • Designed to withstand extreme temperatures during atmospheric re-entry.

2. Service Module (SM)

  • Provides:
    • Propulsion
    • Electrical power
    • Thermal control
    • Life-support functions

3. Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)

  • Supplies:
    • Oxygen
    • Cabin pressure
    • Temperature and humidity control
    • Carbon dioxide removal

4. Crew Escape System (CES)

  • Rapidly separates the crew capsule from the launch vehicle during emergencies.
  • Ensures astronaut safety in case of launch failure.

5. Human-Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3)

  • A modified version of the LVM3 rocket with enhanced reliability and safety standards for carrying astronauts.

Recent Progress

  • Successful qualification of critical crew safety and life-support systems.
  • Completion of several integrated ground tests.
  • Ongoing uncrewed test missions before the first crewed flight.
  • Astronaut training continues with Indian and international collaboration.

Significance of Gaganyaan

1. Technological Advancement

  • Demonstrates India’s capability in:
    • Human spaceflight.
    • Advanced spacecraft design.
    • Crew safety technologies.

2. Strategic Importance

  • Enhances India’s position among leading spacefaring nations.
  • Strengthens national security and technological self-reliance.

3. Economic Benefits

  • Boosts India’s space industry.
  • Encourages private-sector participation and innovation.
  • Creates opportunities in aerospace manufacturing.

4. Scientific Research

  • Enables microgravity experiments in:
    • Biology
    • Materials science
    • Medicine
    • Space technology

Challenges

  • Ensuring astronaut safety throughout the mission.
  • Achieving long-term reliability of life-support systems.
  • Managing the high costs and complexity of human spaceflight.
  • Developing sustained human space exploration capabilities.
  •  

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