NATIONAL – DAIRY OF EVENTS

World’s First Nuclear Process Heat-Based Hydrogen Production Facility

• Context: The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has inaugurated the world’s first hydrogen production facility that uses nuclear process heat from a Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR). 

• The pilot plant is located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. 
• The initiative marks a significant step in using nuclear energy for clean hydrogen production, in addition to electricity generation. 

Key Highlights

• It uses process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), India’s only operational fast reactor research facility. 
• The project expands India’s three-stage nuclear power programme into the field of low-carbon hydrogen production. 

Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle

• • The pilot plant produces hydrogen using the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle. 
  • It is a thermochemical water-splitting process that: 
    • Uses high-temperature heat instead of electricity. 
    • Splits water into hydrogen and oxygen through a sequence of chemical reactions involving copper and chlorine compounds. 
  • It is considered an alternative to electrolysis, reducing electricity requirements. 
  • The heat required for this process is supplied by the 40 MWth Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). 

• This is a sodium-cooled fast nuclear reactor that achieved criticality on October 18, 1985.

• The Copper-Chloride (Cu–Cl) hydrogen production cycle was designed and developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai.
• The engineering, development, installation, testing, and commissioning of this project were carried out jointly by BARC and IGCAR.
• According to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), this facility serves as a technology demonstration tool.
• It demonstrates the feasibility of producing hydrogen using nuclear heat, scaling up from the laboratory level to the pilot-plant level.

Technology Development

• The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) developed the hydrogen production technology. 
• IGCAR integrated the system with the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). 

Significance

• Demonstrates the use of nuclear energy for producing clean hydrogen. 
• Supports India’s energy security by diversifying the use of nuclear power. 
• Contributes to decarbonisation by producing low-carbon hydrogen. 
• Showcases the potential of nuclear reactors to provide both: 
  • Carbon-free electricity. 
  • High-temperature process heat for industrial applications.

• • It supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

• It introduces a third carbon-free hydrogen production pathway integrating carbon-free heat with electrolysis and steam methane reforming for large-scale hydrogen production.

• It highlights the broader benefits of India’s Fast Breeder Reactor and three-stage thorium-based nuclear power programme, demonstrating their potential not only for electricity generation but also for clean fuel production and long-term energy security.

 

Draft Amendments to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 

• Context: The Union Food and Public Distribution Department has released a draft amendment to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. 

Proposed Amendment

• • A new provision in Section 3 of the NFSA, 2013 proposes: 
    • Every person in an Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) household will receive 7 kg of foodgrains per month, subject to a maximum of 35 kg per household. 

• Foodgrains for AAY beneficiaries will continue to be provided free of cost. 

• Current Provision: Every AAY household receives 35 kg of foodgrains per month, irrespective of family size. 

Reason for the Amendment

• • The government states that the existing household-based allocation creates inequities: 
    • Smaller households receive higher per-capita foodgrains. 
    • Larger households receive lower per-capita foodgrains, sometimes less than priority households. 

• Objective: 

• • Remove intra-category inequities. 
  • Ensure more rational foodgrain allocation. 
  • Better align foodgrain entitlements with nutritional requirements.

Salient Features of NFSA

• • Public Distribution System (PDS) is now governed by provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
  • Coverage under PDS is de-linked from the erstwhile ‘poverty estimates’.

• The Act provides coverage for nearly 2/3rd of the country’s total population, basis Census 2011 population estimates.

• 75% of Rural and 50% of Urban population is entitled to receive highly subsidised foodgrains under two categories of beneficiaries – Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH).
• The Act entitles 35 kg of foodgrains per AAY Household per month, whereas 5 Kg of foodgrain per PHH Person per month.
• Identification of beneficiaries/households under NFSA is done by respective State/UT Government, which is required to frame its own criteria.
• Highly subsidised Central Issue Prices of Re.1, Rs.2 and Rs.3 for Coarse-grains, Wheat and Rice respectively, kept unchanged till June 2019.
• No reduction in foodgrains allocation to any State/UT under NFSA. Allocation gaps if any, are covered with Tide-Over allocation

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

• Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) is a flagship food security programme launched in December 2000 to provide food support to the poorest and most vulnerable households in India. 
• Through the Public Distribution System (PDS), the scheme supplies essential food grains at highly subsidised rates to improve nutrition and reduce hunger in both rural and urban areas.

• Implemented by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 

• • Aims to ensure food security for the poorest sections of society and move towards a hunger-free India. 
  • Initially covered 1 crore households, with coverage later expanding to around 2.5 crore families. 
  • Beneficiaries receive food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS). 
  • The Central Government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), is responsible for procurement, storage and allocation of food grains, while State Governments identify beneficiaries and distribute food grains. 

• The scheme is currently integrated with the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). 

 

Operation Amistad

• • Context: Two major earthquakes struck the San Felipe and Yumare areas in Venezuela’s Yaracuy province. They registered 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, respectively.

• India launched ‘Operation Amistad’ to provide humanitarian relief. (‘Amistad’ means ‘friendship’ in Spanish.)

BHISHM Cube Emergency Mobile Hospitals

About BHISHM

• BHISHM stands for ‘Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri’ (India’s Health Initiative for Cooperation and Friendship).

• • As part of the relief effort, India provided two BHISHM Cube emergency mobile hospitals to Venezuela.
  • Each BHISHM Cube contains 1,000 medical items and essential medicines.
  • It can treat up to 200 patients per day.
  • It facilitates up to 20 surgeries per day.
  • A temporary hospital can be set up in 12 minutes using the integrated tent system.
  • It is equipped with facilities to instantly generate electricity and medical oxygen.
  • It includes a dedicated communication app that supports 180 languages ​​for patient interaction.

• India has previously supplied ‘Bhishm Cube’ emergency hospitals to the following countries: Ukraine, Maldives, Jamaica, and Kyrgyzstan.

Shatayu Dashboard

• Context: The Shatayu Dashboard has recently expanded its network of elderly caregivers to enhance care and support for senior citizens across India.

About Shatayu

• • The ‘Shatayu’ dashboard dedicated to comprehensive care assistance and training for the elderly was launched on May 22, 2026.

• The expansion of the acronym Shatayu stands for ‘Comprehensive Care Assistance and Training for Your Use (for Senior Citizens).’

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Key Features

• Connects users with verified elderly caregivers and support agencies at the district level.
• Monitors caregiver training programs and certification standards to ensure quality and consistency.
• Consolidates information from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), healthcare skill councils, and other entities involved in elderly care.

Objectives

• To create and maintain a verified database of trained elderly caregivers.
• To assist families in accessing qualified and reliable professional caregivers for senior citizens.

Related Platform

• The ‘Jeevan’ app is a mobile application designed for senior citizens.
• It provides emergency assistance services and information regarding geo-tagged old-age homes.

Support Service

• Senior citizens can seek immediate assistance through the National Helpline for the Elderly – 14567.

 

Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD)

• Context: The Union Home Minister is set to chair the 10th high-level meeting of the Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi.

Details about NCORD

• NCORD was established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2016 to enhance coordination between the Central Government and the States in combating drug trafficking and drug abuse.

• In 2019, the mechanism was strengthened by introducing a four-tier coordination structure.

Objectives

• To ensure effective coordination among States, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other relevant stakeholders in tackling the drug menace.
• To enhance communication, inter-agency cooperation, and intelligence sharing among law enforcement and drug enforcement agencies.
• To adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach towards drug prevention and law enforcement operations.

Key Initiatives of NCORD

Mission Spandan

• It encourages collaboration with spiritual and religious organizations to create awareness about drug abuse and prevention.

MANAS Helpline

• ‘MANAS’ is a toll-free helpline (1933) launched to enable citizens to report drug-related information and seek assistance.