India Achieves Milestone in Nuclear Energy Programme

Science and Technology

Context

India has achieved a major milestone as the indigenously built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has attain ed criticality.

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)

PFBR is an advanced reactor that generates more fissile fuel than it consumes.
India’s PFBR is located at Kalpakkam and operated by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited.
It uses Uranium–Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.

It is called a fast breeder because;

It uses high-energy, fast neutrons to sustain the fission reaction, rather than the slowed-down thermal neutrons used in standard reactors.
It converts fertile material (like Uranium-238) into fissile material (Plutonium-239).
The criticality refers to the point at which a reactor achieves a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction, where the number of neutrons produced is sufficient to keep the reaction going without external intervention.

Significance of the Achievement

Advancement of India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme: The PFBR marks progress in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme.
It enables the conversion of fertile material into fissile fuel.
It lays the foundation for the third stage, which focuses on thorium utilization.
Harnessing Thorium Potential: India possesses vast thorium reserves, and the PFBR helps generate the required fissile material (U-233) for thorium-based reactors.
Thorium-232, is not fissile but can be converted into a fissile material.
Technological and Strategic Significance: India becomes only the second country after Russia to develop a commercial fast breeder reactor.
It demonstrates advanced indigenous capability in nuclear technology and engineering.

Schemes

Context

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation a total of 1,094 SHG members have been trained as drone pilots in the country.

Namo Drone Didi

Launched in – 2023
Aim – to empower rural women by making them “Agri-tech” entrepreneurs.
Objective – It aims to provide 15,000 drones to selected Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across India between 2024 and 2026.
Financing – It is a Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union)
Implementation – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Key features

Women Empowerment: Transforming women in SHGs into skilled drone pilots and service providers.
Modernizing Agriculture: Promoting precision farming—using drones to spray liquid fertilizers (like Nano Urea) and pesticides accurately, which reduces waste and health risks for farmers.
Livelihood Generation: Creating an additional annual income of at least ₹1 lakh for each SHG through drone rental services.

History and Culture

Context

Babu Jagjivan Ram

He was a freedom fighter and social reformer born on 5 April 1908 in Chandwa village (present-day Bihar).
He studied at Banaras Hindu University and later graduated from University of Calcutta.
Role in Freedom Struggle: He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in the national movement.
He took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement.
Social Justice Contributions: He founded the Akhil Bharatiya Ravidas Mahasabha and the All India Depressed Classes League to mobilize marginalized communities.
He was instrumental in the enactment of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
Political Career: He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.
As Food & Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the Green Revolution and as Defence Minister he led India to the historic 1971 war, which saw the birth of Bangladesh.
He served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India in 1979 under Morarji Desai.

India Achieves Milestone in Nuclear Energy Programme | Namo Drone Didi Scheme | Babu Jagjivan Ram