NATIONAL – DAIRY OF EVENTS

National Security Act (NSA), 1980

• Context: Recently, the Delhi Government’s Home Department gave the Delhi Police Commissioner the authority to use preventive detention powers under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act (NSA), 1980.

About the National Security Act (NSA), 1980

• • The National Security Act (NSA), 1980 is a preventive detention law.
  • It allows the Central and State Governments to detain a person to protect:

• National security, Defence of India, Public order, Essential supplies and services.

• The Act is meant to stop possible future threats, rather than punish someone for a crime already committed.

Preventive Detention under the NSA

• Preventive detention means keeping a person in custody to prevent them from carrying out activities that may threaten national security or public order in the future.
• Under the NSA, the detained person does not have to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, unlike arrests made under normal criminal law.

Features of the NSA

• Detention Period

• • • A person can be detained for up to 3 months initially.
    • After review, the detention can be extended up to 12 months.

• Grounds for Detention

• • A person can be detained if the government believes it is necessary to prevent activities that may affect: Defence of India, Security of the State, Public order, Friendly relations with foreign countries, Maintenance of essential supplies and services

• Advisory Board

• • • Every detention order is reviewed by an Advisory Board.
    • The Board is headed by a person who is qualified to be a High Court Judge.
    • It decides whether there is enough reason to continue the detention.

• Right to Representation

• • The detained person has the right to submit a representation against the detention order.
  • However, the government may withhold certain information if revealing it is considered against the public interest.

Constitutional Basis

• Article 22 of the Constitution

• • • Article 22 provides protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.
    • It also allows preventive detention as an exception under certain conditions.

• Constitutional Safeguards

• • The detained person must be informed of the reasons for detention.
  • The person has the right to make a representation against the detention.
  • The detention must be reviewed by an Advisory Board within the prescribed time.

 

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• Context : India has set a target to develop and operationalise at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors by 2033. 

• The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is designing three reactor types, including the 220-MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor, the 55-MWe Small Modular Reactor, and an up to 5-MWth High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor.

About Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactors that produce up to 300 MW(e) of electricity per module.

• Their power generation is about one-third of a conventional nuclear power plant.

• SMRs are designed to be smaller, modular, and easier to build and install.

Meaning of SMR

• Small

• • • Refers to the smaller physical size of the reactor compared to traditional nuclear reactors.
    • Requires less land and can be installed in more locations.

• Modular

• • The reactor parts are manufactured in factories.
  • They are transported as complete modules and assembled at the project site.
  • This reduces construction time and cost.

• Reactor

• • It uses nuclear fission to produce heat.
  • The heat is then used to generate electricity.

Working of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• Heat Generation

• • • Heat is produced through a controlled nuclear fission reaction inside the reactor core.
    • Control rods absorb extra neutrons to keep the chain reaction safe and stable.

• Steam Generation

• • Water (coolant) absorbs heat from the reactor core.
  • The heated coolant passes through a steam generator, where it converts water in a separate loop into steam.

• Electricity Generation

• • The steam rotates a turbine.
  • The turbine drives a generator, which produces electricity.

Categories of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• Current Operational SMRs

• • • At present, only two SMR projects are operational worldwide:
      • Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov (Floating SMR) – 35 MW
      • China’s HTR-PM – 210 MW

• Land-based Water-cooled SMRs (PWRs)

• • Installed on land.
  • Use Light Water Reactors (LWRs) or Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
  • Water is used as the coolant.
  • Example: RITM-200N (Russia – under development)

• Marine-based Water-cooled SMRs (PWRs)

• • • Built for use in marine environments.
    • Can be installed on floating platforms, barges, or ships.
    • Example: KLT-40S Floating SMR (Russia)

• High-Temperature Gas-cooled SMRs (HTGRs)

• • Use gas as the coolant.
  • Produce temperatures above 750°C.
  • Generate electricity more efficiently.
  • Can also provide heat for industrial processes.
  • Example: HTR-PM (China)

• Liquid Metal-cooled Fast Reactor SMRs (LMFRs)

• • • Use fast neutron technology.
    • Coolants include sodium, lead, lead-bismuth alloy, or helium.
    • Designed for improved fuel efficiency.
    • Example: BREST Reactors (Russia – planned)

• Molten Salt Reactor SMRs (MSRs)

• • Use molten fluoride or chloride salts as coolants.
  • Still under development.
  • Can operate with both thermal and fast neutrons.
  • Have long fuel cycles, lasting several years before refuelling.

• Microreactors (MRs)

• • Very small nuclear reactors.
  • Generate up to 10 MW(e) of electricity.
  • Suitable for remote areas and small power needs.
  • Can use different coolants such as: Light water, Molten salt, Liquid metal

Key Features of SMRs

• Produce up to 300 MW(e) of electricity per module.

• Smaller and more compact than conventional nuclear reactors.
• Factory-built and transported as modules.
• Faster and easier to install.
• Can supply electricity as well as industrial heat.
• Suitable for remote areas, industries, and small power grids.
• Offer improved safety and flexibility compared to many traditional nuclear power plants.

 

SwaYaan Initiative

• Background: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the ‘National Innovation Challenge for Drone Applications and Research’ (NIDAR 2.0, 2026-27) under the SwaYaan initiative.
• Launched in collaboration with the ‘Drone Federation of India,’ NIDAR 2.0 aims to develop drones powered by semiconductor chips manufactured in India and to advance indigenous drone technology.

About the SwaYaan Initiative

• It was launched in 2022.

• • It is a national initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to build and strengthen the UAS/drone ecosystem in India.
  • Its vision aligns with the Government of India’s goal of transforming the country into a global drone hub by 2030.

• Objective: To upskill stakeholders across the spectrum—from undergraduate students to faculty members and self-learners—in five key technology domains through more than 1,500 academic, informal, research, and knowledge-sharing activities.

• The initiative is implemented through a network of 30 leading academic and R&D institutions, including IITs, IISc, IIITs, NITs, IIITDM, C-DAC, and NIELIT centers.

• Additionally, skill development bodies and industry organizations such as FICCI, ESSCI, TSSC, DFI, and HAL serve as key components of the initiative’s steering and oversight committees.
• The initiative is guided by five core themes—Drone Electronics, GNC Algorithm Simulation, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and related UAS technologies—which define the areas requiring special focus. 

Objectives of the SwaYaan initiative:

• • Developing indigenous drone technologies by promoting research, design, and manufacturing under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) vision.

• Building a skilled workforce through academic, informal, and research-oriented learning programs comprising over 1,500 training and knowledge-sharing activities.

• • Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by encouraging students, researchers, start-ups, and industry entities to develop next-generation drone solutions.
  • Strengthening academia-industry collaboration through partnerships between educational institutions, research organizations, and industry bodies.
  • Conducting advanced research in key drone-related domains, including:

• Drone electronics

• Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms and simulation

• Aerodynamics

• • Drone applications.

 

‘Gramodaya’ program

• Background: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched ‘Gramodaya,’ a rural entrepreneurship development program, with the aim of creating approximately 4,000 rural entrepreneurs over the next three years.

About ‘Gramodaya’ program:

• Launch Event: NABARD Chairman Dr. Shaji K.V. inaugurated the program to mark the bank’s 45th Foundation Day.
• Objective: The goal of the program’s pilot phase is to facilitate the establishment of around 4,000 rural enterprises over the next three years.
• Implementation: The program is being implemented in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the ‘Institute of Industrial Development’ (IID) serving as the implementation partner.
• Digital-First Approach: The program will adopt a ‘digital-first’ and hybrid operational model for registration, training, mentoring, and enterprise support across all states and Union Territories.
• Credit Facility: The program will assist beneficiaries in preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) suitable for securing bank loans, facilitating linkages with Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and other financial institutions, and accessing relevant government schemes and incentives.
• To ensure transparency and credibility, all beneficiaries will undergo an ‘e-KYC’ verification process through the NSDC. 
• Monitoring: To monitor registration, training, certification, enterprise creation, GST and UDYAM registration, and business operations in real-time, this scheme will be integrated with the NSDC’s digital platform