India is a vast and diverse country with a population of over 1.3 billion people. It is also a vibrant democracy with a dynamic economy and a rich culture. India’s current affairs are constantly changing and evolving, reflecting the challenges and opportunities that the nation faces in the 21st century. Here are some of the latest news and developments that you need to know about India’s current affairs in 2023.
APAAR ID Registration: A New Digital Identity for Indians
The government of India has launched a new digital identity system called APAAR ID, which stands for Aadhaar-based Public Authentication and Registration. APAAR ID is a voluntary and secure platform that allows citizens to access various government and private services using their Aadhaar number and biometric authentication. APAAR ID aims to simplify and streamline the delivery of public services, such as subsidies, pensions, scholarships, health care, education, banking, and more. APAAR ID also enables citizens to create and update their digital profiles, which can be used for verification and validation by various service providers.
To register for APAAR ID, citizens need to visit the official website or download the mobile app and provide their Aadhaar number, mobile number, email address, and biometric details. They will then receive an OTP (one-time password) on their registered mobile number, which they need to enter to complete the registration process. Once registered, citizens can use their APAAR ID to access various services by scanning their QR code or using their biometric authentication. Citizens can also view and edit their digital profiles, which contain information such as name, date of birth, gender, address, education, occupation, income, family details, health status, etc.
APAAR ID is expected to benefit millions of Indians who lack proper identification documents or face difficulties in accessing public services due to various barriers. APAAR ID will also help the government to improve the efficiency and transparency of service delivery and reduce fraud and corruption. APAAR ID is compliant with the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, which ensures the privacy and security of citizens’ data.
IndiaSkills 2023-24: A National Skill Development Initiative
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched IndiaSkills 2023-24, a national skill development initiative that aims to enhance the employability and productivity of India’s youth. IndiaSkills 2023-24 is a biennial event that consists of three stages: regional competitions, national competitions, and international competitions. The initiative covers various sectors and trades, such as agriculture, automotive, beauty and wellness, construction, electronics, hospitality, IT, manufacturing, etc.
IndiaSkills 2023-24 is open to all Indian citizens who are between 18 and 28 years old as of January 1st 2023. The participants need to register online on the official website or through the mobile app and select their preferred sector and trade. They will then undergo a screening test and a skill test at the regional level. The winners of the regional competitions will qualify for the national competitions, which will be held in New Delhi in October 2023. The winners of the national competitions will represent India at the WorldSkills International Competition 2024 in Shanghai, China.
IndiaSkills 2023-24 is a part of the Skill India Mission, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. The mission aims to train over 400 million people in various skills by 2022. IndiaSkills 2023-24 will provide an opportunity for the youth to showcase their talents and skills and gain recognition and rewards. It will also create awareness about the importance of skill development and promote a culture of excellence and innovation among the youth.
India’s Nuclear Fusion Experiment: A Breakthrough in Clean Energy
Scientists in India have achieved a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion research by creating a plasma state that is hotter than the core of the sun. The experiment was conducted at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, using a device called Aditya-U Tokamak. A tokamak is a doughnut-shaped device that uses magnetic fields to confine plasma (a state of matter consisting of ionized gas) at high temperatures and pressures.
The Aditya-U Tokamak successfully produced plasma at a temperature of over 100 million degrees Celsius for about two seconds on October 15th 2023. This is nearly seven times hotter than the core of the sun, which has a temperature of about 15 million degrees Celsius. The plasma also reached a density of over 10^20 particles per cubic meter and a current of over 200 kiloamperes.
The experiment is a significant milestone in India’s quest for clean and sustainable energy from nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing enormous amounts of energy in the process. Unlike nuclear fission (the process used in nuclear power plants), nuclear fusion does not produce radioactive waste or greenhouse gases. However, achieving nuclear fusion on Earth is extremely challenging, as it requires creating and sustaining plasma at very high temperatures and pressures for a long duration.
India is one of the seven partners of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, which is building the world’s largest tokamak in France. The ITER project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a source of energy by producing 500 megawatts of power from 50 megawatts of input power for at least 400 seconds by 2035. India’s contribution to the ITER project includes providing components such as cryostat, cooling water system, in-wall shielding blocks, etc.
India’s nuclear fusion experiment is a remarkable achievement that showcases the country’s scientific and technological prowess. It also opens up new possibilities for harnessing clean and abundant energy from nuclear fusion in the future.