• In the realm of technological advancements, QuantumScape's solid-state battery, featuring lithium metal with a solid electrolyte between the electrodes, stands out as a highly promising innovation in a crowded field.
• Co-founded by Jagdeep Singh a decade ago and backed by financial support from Volkswagen and Bill Gates' venture fund, the company went public late last year, quickly attaining a valuation of nearly $50 billion.
• This rapid ascent was fueled by the belief that QuantumScape's groundbreaking battery technology could present a safer and more cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
• Unlike previous attempts to develop a solid-state separator compatible with lithium metal, which is often compromised on factors such as battery cycle life and operating temperature, QuantumScape claims to have overcome these challenges.
• The company's utilization of solid-state separator technology effectively eliminates the undesirable side reactions between the liquid electrolyte and the carbon/graphite components in the anode of conventional lithium-ion cells.
• Through its collaboration with QuantumScape, Volkswagen envisions achieving production of solid-state batteries by 2025, signalling a significant leap forward in the pursuit of advanced battery solutions.

4. Limits of Lithium-Ion's batteries

• The energy density of contemporary lithium-ion cells, commonly used in mobile phones and electric vehicles, surpasses older nickel-cadmium batteries by nearly four times.
• However, persistent issues such as long charging times and limited energy density continue to pose challenges.
• While suitable for phones and laptops, lithium-ion batteries fall short of providing the range needed to make electric vehicles a compelling alternative to traditional internal combustion engines.
• A significant hurdle in lithium-ion technology is the extreme reactivity of lithium metal.
• Dendrites, branch-like lithium structures that can grow from the electrode, pose a major risk by potentially piercing through the separator and causing a short circuit.
• In current lithium-ion batteries with flammable liquid electrolytes, dendrite formation can lead to hazardous fires.

5. The Rise of Solid-State Batteries

QuantumScape addresses these challenges with its solid-state lithium-metal battery. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that use a polymer separator, QuantumScape replaces it with a solid-state separator. This innovation allows the integration of a lithium-metal anode instead of the conventional carbon/graphite anode.

The lithium metal anode in QuantumScape's design boasts higher energy density compared to traditional anodes. This enhancement enables the battery to store more energy within the same volume. Notably, the QuantumScape battery is 'anode-free,' manufactured in a discharged state, with the negative electrode forming in situ during the initial charge.

Key Advantages of QuantumScape's Technology

• By eliminating the carbon anode, QuantumScape's technology achieves higher cell energy density, allowing for the storage of more energy in the same volume.
• The elimination of the need for lithium diffusion into carbon particles in conventional lithium-ion cells results in reduced charge times.
• The solid-state battery technology enables more charging cycles, leading to a longer battery life.
• With a solid-state separator and the absence of a flammable liquid electrolyte, safety concerns associated with dendrite formation and potential fires are mitigated.
• QuantumScape aims to lower battery costs by 15-20% relative to lithium-ion batteries, a potentially game-changing factor given that battery expenses constitute a significant portion (30%) of total vehicle costs.

A study by Deloitte emphasizes that consumer considerations for purchasing electric vehicles include price, reliability, and the cost of charging. QuantumScape's technology aligns with these priorities by targeting lower battery costs, anticipating a significant impact on the overall adoption of electric vehicles. Current lithium-ion battery costs of around $137 per kWh are expected to decrease to $101/kWh by 2023, according to BloombergNEF data. 

 6. The Diverse Battery Landscape

Form Energy's Iron-Air Battery

In July, Form Energy Inc., based in the United States, introduced a rechargeable iron-air battery designed to deliver electricity for an impressive 100 hours. The company claims that its system cost is competitive with conventional power plants and is less than a tenth of the cost of lithium-ion batteries. Primarily intended for utility-scale applications, this front-of-the-meter battery enables continuous operation, ensuring round-the-clock functionality for renewable electricity grids. The innovative technology relies on the concept of 'reversible rusting,' using oxygen from the air to convert iron metal to rust during discharge and reversing the process during charging.

Toyota's Solid-State Battery

Toyota, leading in the realm of solid-state battery patents with over 1,000 global filings, is actively working on solid-state battery technology. The Japanese automaker aims to regain its position as a battery technology leader, challenging current lithium-ion pack leaders, particularly in China. Toyota is on track to be the first to commercialize an electric vehicle (EV) equipped with a solid-state battery and has plans to unveil a prototype. Nissan is also actively pursuing developments in this field.

Apple's Breakthrough Battery Tech

In the final weeks of 2020, Apple Inc. announced its venture into self-driving car technology, targeting a 2024 timeline for producing a passenger vehicle. A key element of Apple's strategy is a "breakthrough" battery design aimed at significantly reducing battery costs and increasing the vehicle's range. The innovative design is anticipated to have a radical impact on electric vehicle technology.

Tesla's Tabless Battery

In September of the previous year, Tesla revealed plans to develop a "tabless" lithium-ion battery, presenting advancements in electric car range and power. Unlike traditional batteries, Tesla's tabless cells eliminate the need for a tab, the part forming a connection between the cell and the powered device. Tesla claims that these tablet cells will enhance energy capacity by five times, increase power by six times, and extend the vehicle's range by 16 per cent. This development showcases Tesla's continuous efforts to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology.

7. India's Ambitious Battery Initiatives

Government Blueprint for Grid-Scale Storage: The Indian government is formulating a comprehensive plan for a substantial project involving approximately 4,000 MWh of grid-scale battery storage systems. These installations will be strategically positioned at regional load dispatch centres, responsible for overseeing the nation's power grid. The primary objective is to address the challenges posed by the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation.

Reliance Industries' Energy Storage Giga Factory: Reliance Industries Ltd., a prominent Indian conglomerate, has unveiled plans to establish an Energy Storage Giga factory. This ambitious project reflects a strategic move toward advancing energy storage capabilities within the country. The facility is anticipated to play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for reliable and efficient energy storage solutions.

NTPC's Global Tender for Grid-Scale Battery Project: The state-owned NTPC Ltd. has taken significant steps by issuing a global tender for a grid-scale battery storage project. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance India's energy infrastructure and integrate sustainable practices. The global tender indicates a commitment to exploring cutting-edge technologies and solutions for large-scale battery storage systems.

Ministry of Heavy Industries' Call for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Manufacturing: The Ministry of Heavy Industries proactively issued a request for proposals on October 22, signalling the intent to establish manufacturing facilities for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage in India. This move underscores the government's commitment to fostering indigenous manufacturing capabilities for advanced battery technologies. The proposal submission deadline, concluding on December 31, highlights the urgency and priority accorded to the development of ACC battery storage within the country.

GLOBAL WARMING

1. Context

2. The difference in Temperature rise

• Temperature rises over land is much higher than over oceans. Overland the annual mean temperatures have risen by as much as 1.59 degree Celsius since preindustrial times, according to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• Oceans, in contrast, have warmed by about 0.88 degree Celsius. The warming trends over the Indian region are very different.
• An assessment of climate change over the Indian subcontinent, published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2020, said annual mean temperatures had risen by 0.7 degree Celsius from 1900.
• This is significantly lower than the 1.59 degree Celsius rise for land temperatures across the world. It could give the impression that the problem of climate change in India was not as acute as in other parts of the world. But that is not entirely accurate. 

3. Why is warming over India is lower?

• The relatively lower rise in temperatures over India is not a surprise. Also, India is not a special case. The increase in temperatures is known to be more prominent in the higher altitudes, near the polar regions, than near the equator.
• This is attributable to a complex set of atmospheric phenomena, including heat transfers from the tropics to the poles through prevailing systems of air circulation. India happens to be in the tropical region, quite close to the equator.
• A substantial part of the difference between the temperature rise over India and that over the entire world can be explained by understanding what the different numbers represent. 
• The planet as a whole has warmed by 1.1 degree Celsius compared with preindustrial times.
• But, as mentioned earlier, this is just the average. Different regions have seen very different levels of warming.
• The polar regions, particularly the Arctic, have seen significantly greater warming. The IPCC report says the Arctic region has warmed at least twice as much as the world average.
• Its current annual mean temperatures are about 2 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times. Some other studies suggest the Arctic could be warming even faster.
• Again, this happens because of a variety of reasons, including the processes mentioned earlier. Another prominent cause is what is known as the albedo effect, or how much sunlight a surface reflects. The ice cover in the Arctic is melting, because of which more land or water is getting exposed to the Sun.
• Ice traps the least amount of heat and reflects most of the solar radiation when compared with land or water.
• More recent research suggests that the higher warming in the polar region could be attributed to a host of factors, including the albedo effect, changes in clouds, water vapour, and atmospheric temperatures.
• The warming in the polar regions accounts for a substantial part of the 1.1-degree Celsius temperature rise over the entire globe. 

4. Higher warming over land than oceans

• However, the 0.7 degree Celsius temperature rise over India has to be compared with the warming seen over land areas, not the entire planet.
• As mentioned, land areas have become warmer by 1.59 degree Celsius. Land areas tend to get heated faster and by a larger amount, than oceans.
• Daily and seasonal variations in heating over land and oceans are usually explained in terms of their different heat capacities. Oceans have a higher capacity to cool themselves down through the process of evaporation.
• The warmer water evaporates, leaving the rest of the ocean relatively cooler. However, longer-term enhanced heating trends over land have to be attributed to other, more complicated, physical processes involving land-ocean-atmospheric interactions.

5. Impact of Aerosols

• Aerosols refer to all kinds of particles suspended in the atmosphere. These particles have the potential to affect the local temperature in multiple ways.
• Many of these scatter sunlight back, so that lesser heat is absorbed by the land. Aerosols also affect cloud formation.
• Clouds, in turn, have an impact on how much sunlight is reflected or absorbed.
  Aerosol concentration in the Indian region is quite high, due to natural as well as man-made reasons.
• Due to its location in the tropics and the arid climate, India is no stranger to dust. But it also happens to be experiencing heavy pollution right now.
• Emissions from vehicles, industries, construction, and other activities add a lot of aerosols to the Indian region. A reduction in warming could be an unintended but positive side effect.

Previous year Questions

SUB-CATEGORISATION OF SCHEDULED CASTE

 

1. Context

In a 6:1 landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Thursday (August 1) allowed the sub-categorisation of scheduled castes in reservations, allowing wider protection for underrepresented groups

2. What is the issue?

• Caution is needed when considering the sub-categorization of SCs and STs due to various complexities.
• Unlike OBCs, SCs and STs do not have a creamy layer, and addressing backwardness among them involves dealing with untouchability issues.
• Sub-categorization may exacerbate differences within these communities and lead to competition for affirmative action.
• There is already a demand for OBC status from groups like Marathas, Patels, and Jats, making the situation more challenging.
• Some SC communities, like Madigas in Telangana, feel marginalized and seek a separate quota.
• Key Ministries are discussing the proposal, which would require amending Article 341 of the Constitution.
• Legal options include waiting for a larger Supreme Court bench to rule on the matter or going ahead with the amendment.
• Sub-categorization has a contentious history, with earlier attempts in states like Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu on hold.
• The idea has both supporters and opponents within the government.
• Concerns include encroachment on states' powers, the potential for the creamy layer issue, and its applicability to STs and new entries in the list of SCs and STs.
• The issue remains complex and politically sensitive.

3. What is the Presidential list?

• In India, the term "Presidential list" typically refers to the Presidential Orders issued under Articles 341 and 342 of the Indian Constitution.
• These articles deal with the recognition and classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), respectively.
• The President of India, upon the advice of the Governor of a state, can issue a notification specifying which communities or groups within a state are to be recognized as Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.
• These notifications are known as Presidential Orders, and they are crucial for determining eligibility for various affirmative action programs, reservations in government jobs, educational institutions, and other benefits for SCs and STs.
• The process involves recommendations from the State Government, scrutiny by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at the central level, and finally, the issuance of the Presidential Order by the President of India.
• The Presidential list is, therefore, a list of communities or tribes that have been officially recognized as Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in a particular state or union territory of India.
• This list can vary from state to state based on the demographic composition and historical background of each region.

4. Who are Madiga community?

• The Madiga community is a Scheduled Caste (SC) community in India, primarily found in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Scheduled Castes, also known as Dalits, historically faced social and economic discrimination and were considered the lowest in the caste hierarchy in India.
• The Madiga community, like other SC communities, has historically experienced social and economic marginalization, including discrimination and exclusion from various aspects of social life, such as education and employment.
• As a result, they have been beneficiaries of affirmative action policies and reservations provided by the Indian government to uplift marginalized communities.
• It's important to note that within the broader category of Scheduled Castes, there are various subgroups and communities with their distinct identities, histories, and challenges.
• The Madiga community is one of these subgroups within the Scheduled Caste category in South India.
• Over the years, there have been movements and demands within the Madiga community for greater recognition and rights, as well as for a separate quota within the SC category to address internal disparities and inequities.

5. What is a Mala community?

• The Mala community is another Scheduled Caste (SC) community in India, primarily found in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
• As with other SC communities, the Mala community has historically experienced social and economic discrimination and has been subjected to various forms of marginalization and exclusion.
• The Mala community, like the Madiga community and other SC groups, has been a beneficiary of affirmative action policies and reservations provided by the Indian government to address historical injustices and uplift marginalized communities.
• These policies aim to provide opportunities in education, employment, and political representation to SCs.
• It's important to understand that within the broader category of Scheduled Castes, there are numerous subgroups and communities, each with its unique identity, history, and socio-economic conditions.
• The Mala community is one of these subgroups within the SC category in the southern regions of India.
• Like other SC communities, the Mala community has also had its share of social and political movements advocating for their rights and addressing disparities within their community.

6. What is a creamy layer?

The "creamy layer" refers to a threshold of economic and social status within a particular reserved category that is deemed to be relatively privileged and not in need of affirmative action benefits, such as reservations in educational institutions and government jobs. The concept of the creamy layer was introduced to ensure that the benefits of reservations reach those who are genuinely disadvantaged and economically deprived within the reserved categories.

For example:

• In the case of OBCs, the creamy layer concept is applied to exclude individuals or families within the OBC category who have achieved a certain level of income or social status. These individuals are considered part of the creamy layer and are not eligible for OBC reservations in higher education and government jobs.
• For SCs and STs, there is typically no creamy layer concept. Reservations for these categories are intended to benefit all members, regardless of their economic status, due to the historical discrimination and social disadvantages they have faced.

The idea behind the creamy layer concept is to prevent the reservation benefits from concentrating among the relatively well-off individuals or families within a reserved category, thereby ensuring that the most economically and socially disadvantaged individuals receive the intended benefits of affirmative action policies. The specific criteria and income thresholds for determining the creamy layer can vary and are periodically revised by the government.

7. What are the arguments for and against sub-categorisation?

Sub-categorization of reservations in India, especially within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), is a complex and contentious issue. Various arguments exist both for and against sub-categorization:

Arguments in Favor of Sub-Categorization:

• Addressing Internal Disparities: One of the primary arguments for sub-categorization is that it helps address internal disparities within SCs and STs. By identifying specific groups or communities within these broader categories that are more marginalized or disadvantaged, sub-categorization can ensure that the benefits of reservations reach those who need them the most.
• Equitable Distribution: Sub-categorization can lead to a more equitable distribution of reserved seats and benefits. It can prevent dominant groups within SCs and STs from monopolizing the advantages of reservations, ensuring that smaller and more vulnerable subgroups receive their fair share.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: Sub-categorization can help in efficient resource allocation by targeting government resources, such as scholarships and welfare programs, toward the neediest subgroups, thereby maximizing the impact of affirmative action policies.
• Social Justice: Proponents argue that sub-categorization aligns with the principles of social justice by addressing historical injustices and ensuring that the most marginalized communities receive support to uplift themselves.

Arguments Against Sub-Categorization:

• Complexity: Critics argue that sub-categorization introduces complexity into an already intricate system of reservations. Determining which subgroups should receive how much benefit can be administratively challenging and lead to disputes.
• Divisiveness: Sub-categorization can sometimes lead to divisions and conflicts within the SC and ST communities. It may create rivalries among subgroups competing for reserved seats and benefits, potentially undermining solidarity among these communities.
• Administrative Burden: Managing multiple subcategories may pose an administrative burden on the government, including the need for data collection and constant revision of subcategories.
• Legal Challenges: The constitutionality of sub-categorization has been a subject of legal debate. While some judgments have upheld its validity, others have sought further clarification from larger benches of the Supreme Court.
• Political Factors: The issue of sub-categorization is often influenced by political considerations. Decisions to subcategorize or not can be influenced by electoral dynamics and political interests.

The arguments for sub-categorization focus on addressing internal inequalities and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits, while the arguments against it emphasize the potential complexities, divisiveness, and administrative challenges it may pose. The decision to implement sub-categorization is a nuanced one and requires careful consideration of its potential impact on marginalized communities and the broader social fabric.

For Prelims: The Presidential List, Article 341 of the Constitution, Creamy layer, Sub-Categorization, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST). For Mains: 1. Discuss the concept of sub-categorization of SCs in India. What are the key arguments in favor of and against sub-categorization? Assess the implications and challenges associated with implementing sub-categorization as a policy measure for social justice. (250 Words).

 

Previous year question 1. Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both? (UPSC 2013) A. State Forest Department B. District Collector/Deputy Commissioner C. Tahsildar/Block Development Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer D. Gram Sabha Answer: D

Source: The Indian Express

 

JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE

 

 

1.Context

On July 31, 1940, Indian revolutionary leader Udham Singh was executed at the Pentonville prison in London for killing Michael O’Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab.

Source: Wikkimedia

2. Background

• A British Colonel named Reginald Edward Harry Dyer ordered troops to surround the compound, situated between houses and narrow lanes, and launched indiscriminate firing on the assembled men, women and children who lacked the means to escape. Some of them jumped into a well located within the premises to escape the bullets
• According to the British, around 400 people were killed in the firing, the youngest of whom was nine-years-old and the oldest was 80. Indian historians peg the toll at 1,000
• While British rule in India led to numerous atrocities before and after Jallianwala Bagh, the nature of the violence that unfolded on unarmed civilians led to widespread condemnation later, including from British authorities
• Wartime British Prime Minister Winston Churchill went on to describe the day as “monstrous” and an inquiry was set up to probe Dyer’s orders

3. What happened at Jallianwala bagh

• April 13 saw celebrations for the Sikh festival of Baisakhi, which marks the onset of Spring and the harvest of winter crops
• Simultaneously, the movement for independence from British rule had been steadily gaining ground in recent years, and an event was held at Jallianwala Bagh to defy colonial orders and protest against the recently passed Rowlatt Bills
• These Bills curtailed the civil liberties of Indians and let colonial forces arrest people without any warrant or trial
• One of the Acts was pushed through the Legislative Council ignoring objections of elected Indian representatives, leading to resentment among Indians
• Some violent protests had been witnessed in cities of Delhi, Bombay (now Mumbai) and Lahore as well, even as MK Gandhi called for the launch of a non-violent peaceful protest at the time
• Sir Michael O’Dwyer imposed martial rule in Lahore and Amritsar on April 11, but the order reached Amritsar only on April 14
• He also sent Colonel Dyer, who was then holding the temporary rank of Brigadier General, from the Jalandhar cantonment to Amritsar
• On April 13, a Sunday, Col Dyer’s troops marched through the town to warn against the assembly of more than four people
• But the announcement did not reach most people, and devotees headed towards the Golden Temple
• By 4 pm, many gathered for a public meeting against the arrest of Dr Satyapal and Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew for opposing the Rowlatt Act
• Dyer saw the assembly as a violation of government orders. “They had come to fight if they defied me and I was going to give them a lesson……I was going to punish them
• "My idea from the military point of view was to make a wide impression,” Dyer said to the Hunter Committee of 1920 

Hunter Committee of 1920 that was setup to investigate the disturbances across cities. It had a specific section discussing Dyer’s actions

With his troops, Dyer entered the Bagh through a narrow alley, the only entry and exit path

• The 1920 report noted that Dyer entered Jallianwala Bagh with 25 Gorkha soldiers and 25 Baluchis armed with rifles, 40 Gorkhas armed with only Khukris and two armoured cars. A crowd of around 10 to 12,000 was gathered there at the time
• According to the report “Without giving the crowd any warning to disperse, which he considered unnecessary as they were in breach of his proclamation, he ordered his troops to fire and the firing continued for about ten minutes,”
• It noted that no one in the crowd was carrying firearms though some may have been carrying sticks
• In all, the soldiers fired 1,650 rounds. A later investigation brought the number of killed up to 379
• No figure was given for the wounded and it was thought that it may have been three times the dead
• Indian leaders expressed their anger and protested in response to the killings. Notably, Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood

 

4. About General Dyer

 

• Dyer was born in Murree in 1854, in present-day Pakistan, and was commissioned in the West Surrey Regiment in 1885 and then transferred to the Indian Army
• The Jallianwala Bagh incident led to focus on his actions in particular
•  After the incident too, Dyer was known to engage in barbarity against Indians in at least one other incident
• On April 10, 1919 Marcella Sherwood, a missionary, was cycling down the street in Amritsar when she was allegedly attacked. Some locals intervened and saved her
• Six days after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Dyer was informed of how Sherwood was attacked and he issued an order that no one would walk through the street where Sherwood was attacked
• Those who needed to pass through it, were told to crawl. Those disobeying these orders were to be flogged
• As part of the Hunter Committee report, statements from Dyer given to it show that he did not show particular regret for his action on April 13, believing them to be justified to quell the crowd
• He is quoted as saying in the report, “I had made up my mind. I was only wondering whether I should do it or not….The situation was very, very serious. I had made up my mind that I would shoot all men to death if they were going to continue the meeting.”

5. After things of Massacre

• The Hunter Committee condemned the incident but did not impose any punishment on Dyer
• Ultimately, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army directed Brig Gen Dyer to resign his appointment as Brigade Commander and informed him that he will receive no further employment in India
• However, Dyer remained a divisive figure at the time. Imperialists at home lauded Dyer for his actions against what they termed as unrest in India
• Conservative newspapers and organisations in the UK later arranged for a fund for Dyer and collected a significant amount
• Dyer would go on to retire and live in Britain. Incidentally, Michael O’Dwyer, the officer to order martial law, was later assassinated in 1940 in his retirement by Sardar Udham Singh, an Indian man who was present at Jallianwala Bagh and escaped the atrocities

 

For Prelims: Rowlatt Act, Hunter Commission, Legislative Council For Mains: 1.Jallianwala bagh incident has changed the perception about British rule in India. Comment (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions: 1.Which of the following statement(s) is/are true about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre? (UPSC CAPF 2019) 1. In Jallianwala Bagh troops opened fire upon an unarmed crowd 2. The troops were under the command of General Dyer 3. The troops did not issue any warning to the people before firing Select the correct answer using the code below A. 1 and 2       B. 2 and 3        C. 1 and 3      D. 1, 2, 3   Answer (D)

Source: indianexpress