Daily Current Affairs
To the Point Notes
1.OpenAI’s Project Strawberry
Context
- OpenAI is reportedly planning to release its most powerful AI model (codenamed Project Strawberry), and could integrate it into ChatGPT-5.
About
- Earlier known as Project Q* (Q-star), it has been billed as OpenAI’s push to create Artificial General Intelligence with capabilities similar to that of the human brain.
- It will be able to solve math problems even if it has never been trained on them, perform high-level tasks like designing market strategies and solving complex word puzzles and do “deep research.”
- It will also help the AI firm develop their next large language model (LLM) called Orion.
2.MNRE Exemption for Green Hydrogen Projects
Context
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has exempted export-oriented green hydrogen projects from its solar module shortlist of domestic manufacturers.
About
- The exemption for green hydrogen projects set up in special economic zones (SEZs) or export oriented units (EOUs) by 2030 from MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) was granted this year.
- The ALMM mandate requires solar project developers to purchase modules from an approved list, serving as a non-tariff measure to promote domestic manufacturing.
- Significance: These exemptions are intended to facilitate the swift deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, which is essential for the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives within SEZ/EOU.
- With the ability to use imported modules, which are cheaper than domestic modules , such projects can substantially reduce production costs.
What is Green Hydrogen?
- Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen that is produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or hydropower, through a process called electrolysis.
- Electrolysis involves splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using an electric current.
- When this electricity comes from renewable sources, the hydrogen produced is considered “green” because the overall process has a minimal environmental impact.
- Benefit: It is a clean burning element that can decarbonise a range of sectors including iron and steel, chemicals, and transportation.
- Hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time which can be used to produce electricity using fuel cells.
3.Smart Cities Mission
Context:
- 90% of projects under Smart Cities Mission completed.
- Remaining 10% delayed due to legal issues, clearances, land acquisition, construction challenges, and vendor/resource availability.
- 17 cities completed 100% projects, 75 cities completed 75% projects, 34 cities completed over 90% projects.
About Smart Cities Mission:
- Launched in 2015 by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Objective: Promote cities with core infrastructure, clean environment, and quality of life through smart solutions.
- 100 cities selected through a two-stage competition.
- Based on six fundamental principles:
- City as a platform
- Citizen engagement
- Data-driven decision-making
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- Integration
Key Features:
- Area-based development: Redevelopment, retrofitting, green field projects.
- Pan-city solutions: E-governance, waste management, water management, energy management, urban mobility, skill development.
- Four pillars: Social, Physical, Institutional, Economic Infrastructure.
- Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) for real-time monitoring.
- Digital infrastructure: Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS), Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD), and Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR), CCTV surveillance, smart education, smart health systems.
4.Peace Pact with Tripura Insurgent Groups
Context
- A Memorandum of Settlement was signed between the Government of India, Government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF).
About
- Under the Agreement more than 328 armed cadres will give up violence and join the mainstream of society.
- Centre has approved a special package of ₹250 crore for the overall development of the tribal population of Tripura.
- The peace pact is the 12th agreement for the Northeast and the third agreement related to Tripura in the past ten years.
- Through these agreements, about 10,000 insurgents have joined the mainstream by giving up arms.
NLFT and ATTF
- NLFT is a banned organisation that has been active since 1989.
- It was formed under the leadership of Biswamohan Debbarma with the objective to liberate Tripura from the Union of India, to deport all foreigners who entered Tripura after 1956.
- The ATTF was formed in 1990 with similar objectives and demanded removal of names of illegal migrants from the electoral roll who entered Tripura after 1956 and the implementation of the ‘Tripura Merger Agreement’ which came into force in 1949.
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