Global Geopolitics: BRICS 2024 Expansion
- 15th BRICS Summit (2023): Held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Key Decision: Agreement to expand the bloc for the first time since 2010.
- Goal of Expansion: To enhance global south representation and balance the influence of Western-dominated institutions.
- Implementation Date: New members officially joined on January 1, 2024.
- New Membership Structure:
| Original Members (BRICS) | New Full Members (Effective Jan 1, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | Saudi Arabia |
| Russia | Iran |
| India | Ethiopia |
| China | Egypt |
| South Africa | UAE (United Arab Emirates) |
- Note: Argentina was initially invited but declined the membership offer later in 2023.
National Energy Policy: Green Hydrogen Mission
- Mission Name: National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
- Objective: To position the nation as a global hub for the production, utilization, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
- Financial Commitment: Initial outlay approved is [Specific Figure] crore rupees.
- Targeted Outcomes (by 2030):
- Development of 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) annual Green Hydrogen production capacity.
- Over ₹8 lakh crore in total investments.
- Reduction in fossil fuel imports by over ₹1 lakh crore.
- Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual CO2 emissions.
- Implementing Authority: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Key Components:
- SIGHT Programme: Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (focuses on domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and components).
- Pilot Projects in steel, transport, and shipping sectors.
Space Exploration and Scientific Findings
- Mission: Chandrayaan-3 (India's third lunar mission).
- Landing Site: Near the south polar region of the Moon (first mission to achieve this).
- Key Instrument Findings (Pragyan Rover/Vikram Lander):
- Temperature Measurement: ChaSTE payload recorded significant temperature variations between the lunar surface and a depth of 10 cm, confirming poor thermal conductivity of the regolith.
- Composition: Confirmed the presence of Sulphur (S) using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), along with Aluminium (Al), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), and Titanium (Ti).
- Seismic Activity: The ILSA payload recorded a lunar seismic event, which is being investigated for natural or impact origin.