Prelims Focus – 25th April 2024

Report on the Global Military Expenditure including India

In News:  The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released the report based on the Global Military Expenditure including India.

• • According to the SIPRI report, the arena army expenditure rose by 6.8% in real terms (i.e. when adjusted for inflation) to $2443 billion in 2023, the best level ever recorded by SIPRI.
  • In 2023 military spending increased in all 5 geographical areas for the first time since 2009.
  • Total army expenditure accounted for 2.3% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
  • The five largest spenders in 2023 have been the US, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for 61% of world army spending.

• India’s Military Expenditure 

• • India’s military expenditures in 2023 was up by 4.2% from 2022 and by 44% from 2014.
  • It was specially a concluding result of increasing personnel and operations costs, which made up nearly 80% of the whole army finances in 2023.
  • SIPRI highlighted that India’s army expenditure was the fourth.
  • It aligns with the government ’s priority to bolster the operational readiness of the defense force amid ongoing tensions with China and Pakistan.

Psychoanalysis

In News: Sudhir Kakar, a pioneering Indian psychoanalyst, author, and cultural critic passed away at the age of 85.

• Psychoanalysis is a psychological concept and healing method given by Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis.
• It’s primarily based on the perception that unconscious conflicts and goals, frequently rooted in youth reports, shape our mind, feelings, and behaviors.
• It proposed that tons of human behavior is decided by subconscious thoughts, memories, and desires that lie outside of concerned attention.
• Freud believed that human development happens in awesome degrees, every characterized by the dominance of a particular erogenous sector and associated conflicts.

Pink Hydrogen

In News: Recent studies revealed that pink hydrogen facilities can achieve a high capacity factor due to the strong base load profile of nuclear power.

• Hydrogen, a versatile energy carrier, has been gaining attention as a key participant in the transition to a sustainable energy future.
• While green hydrogen, produced the usage of renewable electricity, some other version, called crimson hydrogen, is emerging as a promising opportunity.
• Pink hydrogen is generated via the electrolysis of water, similar to green hydrogen. However, the key difference lies inside the source of electricity used for the process.
• Pink hydrogen makes use of electricity generated by nuclear power.
• It makes crimson hydrogen a capacity potential game-changer in the energy sector, as it can enable large-scale hydrogen production without emitting greenhouse gases.

National Career Service (NCS) portal

Recent News:

The government is planning to improve the National Career Service portal, which is nine years old, in order to connect millions of young people with potential employers and create a workforce that is prepared for the future.

Details: 

• The National Career Service (NCS) portal, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, serves as a pivotal platform bridging the gap between job seekers and employers. Launched with the vision of providing comprehensive career-related services, the NCS portal offers a plethora of resources and tools aimed at enhancing employability and facilitating the recruitment process.
• For job seekers, the NCS portal provides services such as job search, career counselling, skill assessment, and access to skill development courses. Individuals can utilise the platform to search for employment opportunities based on their qualifications and preferences. Additionally, career counselling services assist in making informed decisions about career paths. The portal also offers assistance in resume building and provides information about upcoming job fairs and recruitment events.
• Employers benefit from services like job posting, candidate search, and recruitment assistance. They can post job vacancies, search for suitable candidates, and access a database of job seekers. The platform streamlines the recruitment process by matching job requirements with the skills of potential candidates.

Pink hydrogen

Recent News:

Using nuclear energy can help drive the production of ‘pink’ hydrogen in India by making changes to the relevant legislation.

Details:

• Pink hydrogen, also known as purple or red hydrogen, is produced through electrolysis powered by nuclear energy. 
• The high temperatures generated by nuclear reactors can be utilised to produce steam for more efficient electrolysis or fossil gas-based steam methane reforming. 
• Nuclear power has advantages for pink hydrogen production, such as reducing costs and emissions, making it a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.
• Pink hydrogen shows promise as a replacement for fossil fuels in industries like cement, steel, aviation, and heavy transportation, as it can be used as both a feedstock and energy source without emitting greenhouse gases.

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