The Prayas ePathshala

Exams आसान है !

Q1. Describe some of the features of the Light Combat Aircraft. (250 Words)

Paper & Topic: GS III Internal Security of India

Model Answer:

The 5.8-ton LCH is a “light” class, combat-oriented helicopter.
It has a 550 km range and a top speed of 268 kmph, allowing it to run continuously for more than three hours. It operates up to 20,000 feet in the air.
It is powered by two French-made Shakti engines.
The pilot and co-pilot share a seat, allowing for a more streamlined design and a smaller fuselage (i.e., one behind the other arrangement). The armament system is controlled jointly. pilot’s
Because it is made of radar-absorbing material, it has a lower radar signature. A countermeasure dispensing system shields it from missile infrared seekers.

Why is it significant?

As the first attack helicopter to set foot on Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, the LCH created history.
Only this particular helicopter is able to deliver fuel and weapons while landing and taking off at a height of 15,000 feet. Therefore, deployment along the LAC is appropriate.
As far as combat helicopters go, it is the lightest one ever made.
Currently, 45% of the population is made up of Native Americans, but estimates for the future show that this proportion will increase.
Given how slowly the defence acquisition system operates, the LCH’s induction is a remarkable accomplishment.

Q2. What is the significance of clean cooking fuel. What are some of the government initiatives in this regard.

Paper & Topic: GS III à Environmental Conservation

Model Answer:

Polluting cooking fuels are being used by fewer and fewer individuals throughout the world. However, 2.6 billion individuals still lack access to clean cooking. In Sub-Saharan Africa, traditional biomass fuels are used by almost 80% of the population. The level of dependence is still quite close to 50% in India as well.

Why is it so important to cook with clean fuel?

One of the criteria in the NITI Aayog-developed National Multidimensional Poverty Index, which will be made public in 2021, is the inability to obtain clean cooking fuels.

Fuel for clean cooking is related to:

lowering the amount of indoor pollutants.
enhancing the general wellness of mothers and children through enhancing health metrics.
achieving environmental goals.

What types of actions does the government take?

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, or PMUY:

This programme, which went into effect in 2016, significantly accelerated the switch from traditional fuels to LPG.
8 crore low-income women were able to obtain LPG connections through PMUY phase I without having to make a deposit.
In accordance with PMUY phase II, the beneficiaries also received free LPG hookups and stoves in addition to a free initial refill.

Under this objective, numerous measures have been made over time to boost LPG consumption, including:

200 rupees off for 14.2 kilogramme of refill.
The annual maximum for refills is 12.
There is a double bottle connection (DBC) option for 5 kg.
5 kg should be substituted for 14.2 kg.
A maximum of three free refills are available in 2020 for each recipient of the PM Garib Kalyan Package.

Natural Gas Piped:

Because PNG is more economically viable than LNG, the government is actively promoting it.
As an illustration, consider the National Gas Grid, which is now under construction.

Promote Electricity:

The Union Power Ministry started this campaign in February 2021 to promote EVs and electric cookery.
It might result in an annual saving of Rs. 8 crore on import expenses.

Indra Nutan:

It is a solar-powered cooking stove that the IOCL and the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas created (Indian Oil Corporation Limited).
To lessen the need for gas, this fixed, rechargeable indoor cooking platform was unveiled in June 2022.
It functions in a variety of ways, making it a dependable solution whatever the weather:
online and entirely solar-powered.
combining solar energy with a different energy source.