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ITS 2025: Mentorship cum Integrated Test Series (Prelims and Mains). Get Details

Environment & Ecology (Green Energy Initiatives) by Rajvardhan

  • Category
    GS -III
  • Test Date
    11-03-2024 07:00 AM

Instruction:

  • There will be 2 questions carrying the First Question is-10 marks Write your answers in 150 words and the Second Question is-15 marks Write your answers in 250 words.
  • Any page left blank in the answer-book must be crossed out clearly.
  • Evaluated Copy will be re-uploaded on the same thread after 2 days of uploading the copy.
  • Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty. You will be informed via mail or SMS for the discussion.

Question #1. What is Green Hydrogen? Discuss the features of National Mission on Green Hydrogen. 10 marks (150 words)

Question #2. How the National Biofuel Policy, 2018 will help India reduce its carbon emissions?  15 marks (250 words)

 

(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).

Model Answer

Question #1. What is Green Hydrogen? Discuss the features of National Mission on Green Hydrogen. 10 marks (150 words)

Green hydrogen is the eco-friendly version of hydrogen fuel. Unlike regular hydrogen (often called grey hydrogen), which is produced using fossil fuels, green hydrogen is made through electrolysis. This process splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity sources like solar or wind power. Since the electricity comes from clean sources, the overall production of green hydrogen doesn't create greenhouse gas emissions.
India's National Mission on Green Hydrogen aims to make the country a global leader in this clean energy source. Here are some key features of the mission:
Hub Creation: The mission strives to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export. This will not only reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports but also position India as a frontrunner in clean energy transition.
Decarbonization: Widespread adoption of green hydrogen can significantly decarbonize the Indian economy. Sectors that are difficult to electrify directly, like heavy industries and transportation, can benefit from green hydrogen as a clean fuel source.
Technology Leadership: The mission aims to propel India towards technological leadership in green hydrogen. This involves research, development, and large-scale deployment of green hydrogen production technologies.
Infrastructure Development: Building a robust infrastructure for green hydrogen is crucial. This encompasses efficient transportation and distribution networks, including pipelines, storage facilities, and distribution channels for both domestic use and export.
By focusing on these aspects, the National Mission on Green Hydrogen can play a pivotal role in India's journey towards a sustainable energy future.

Question #2. How the National Biofuel Policy, 2018 will help India reduce its carbon emissions? 15 marks (250 words)

The National Biofuel Policy, 2018, aims to cut India's dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions by promoting biofuels. Here's how it can help:
  1. Sustainable Alternative: Biofuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, are derived from renewable biomass sources such as crops or agricultural waste. Burning them releases carbon dioxide, but it's part of a natural cycle if the biomass is replanted sustainably. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, whose burning adds new carbon to the atmosphere.
  2. Reduced Emissions: Biofuels are generally considered cleaner burning than fossil fuels. While production processes might have some emissions, studies suggest biofuels can significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline or diesel.
  3. Blending Mandates: The policy enforces blending mandates, requiring oil companies to mix biofuels with petrol and diesel at specific ratios. This increases biofuel consumption and lowers overall emissions from the transport sector, a major contributor.
  4. Waste Management:  The policy promotes using agricultural waste like crop residues for biofuel production. This not only reduces waste burning, a common practice leading to air pollution, but also creates a valuable product.
  5. Boosting Domestic Production: The policy incentivizes domestic biofuel production, creating jobs in rural areas and promoting energy security by reducing reliance on imported oil.
However, there are also challenges.  Ensuring sustainable biomass production to avoid land-use change and deforestation is crucial. Additionally, biofuel efficiency needs improvement, and achieving large-scale production targets requires continued policy support and technological advancements.
Overall, the National Biofuel Policy, 2018, offers a significant pathway for India to reduce its carbon footprint by promoting cleaner fuels, waste management, and domestic energy production.

Procedure of Answer Writing:

To participate in the answer writing program, Register yourself for the test. Copies will be evaluated only for the registered students. Registration will be closed after the scheduled date.

Answer Writing, Copy Evaluation, and Marks Improvement Cycle:

Step 1 (Theme, Details & Its Topics):

  1. Every round of Answer writing initiative will be around a theme related to the Subject/Topic.
  2. Please read the theme and its description, and try to cover the topics given within the theme before writing the answer along with the sources.

Step 2 (Answer Writing):

  1. Questions will be uploaded on the portal on the scheduled date at 7:00 AM.
  2. You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on the UPSC pattern.
  3. Mention your name, email id, location, and phone number on the 1st page in the top right corner and the page number on each page.
  4. After writing the answers, Click pictures of each page of your answer sheet, merge them all in a single PDF and upload them in the upload section of the same question.
  5. Kindly submit your written answers before 7:00 PM. Only the first 100 copies will be considered for evaluation. No request for late submission or evaluation will be entertained once the 100 mark is reached.

Note: Answer sheets without the proper guidelines given above will not be accepted for evaluation.

Step 3 (Copy Evaluation): Copies will be evaluated in the next 72 hours of the test date. After evaluation, copies will be uploaded into your account. During the copy evaluation period, doubt clearing and discussion about the theme or topic of the test with respective mentors of the test will be done in the telegram group

Step 4 (Mentorship): Evaluated copies will be sent to you via mail and also uploaded into your account on the website. After that a mentorship session for the marks improvement with respective faculty will be conducted on the Google Meet, so that students can get a wider perspective of the topics. Here you can discuss your evaluated copies also with the faculty. Top 5 copies of every test will be shared in the telegram group for reference.

Note: Aspirants who have not written the test can also participate in the mentorship session.

For Updates and Mentorship of the session, you will be notified through SMS or Telegram Group.

For Notification And Update About the Program Join Telegram Group at: https://t.me/gsscoreopendailyanswerwriting

Note: You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on UPSC pattern. Mention Your Name on 1st page and Page Number on each page. After writing the answer, Click pictures of each page of your answer sheet, merge them all in a single PDF and upload in the Your Answer Copy section of the same question.

Copy submission is closed now for this test.

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