Anil Kakodkar Advocates Thorium Fuel in PHWRs to Accelerate India's Nuclear Self-Reliance

Anil Kakodkar Advocates Early Thorium Shift in PHWR Fleet for India’s 100 GWe Nuclear Mission by 2047

India's top nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar urges early introduction of thorium-based fuel in India's indigenous PHWR fleet to accelerate utilisation of the world's largest thorium reserves. This strategic shift, using HALEU-thorium fuel without major design changes, aims to reduce uranium import dependency and achieve the 100 GWe nuclear mission by 2047.

Kudankulam Nuclear Reactor Costs Surge 55%: Impact on India's Nuclear Expansion Plans

Cost of four under-construction nuclear reactors at Kudankulam has risen by 55% to ₹1,38,330 crore, driven by Russia-Ukraine war. This poses a challenge to India's ambitious nuclear expansion plans and could increase electricity tariffs, especially as the government opens the sector to private participation.

India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047, 5 New Reactors This Decade for AI & Chip Demand

PM Modi announced a target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047 and 5 new reactors this decade, driven by soaring electricity demand from AI, semiconductors, and data centres. The SHANTI Act and draft rules now enable private participation, with a focus on small modular reactors (SMRs) for faster deployment and grid flexibility.

Subsea Cables Carry 99% Internet Traffic: Vulnerabilities, Ownership Concentration & India's Resilience Plan

Subsea cables carry over 99% of global internet traffic, yet their supply chain is concentrated among a few private players and hyperscalers, making them vulnerable to sabotage, cyberattacks, and economic disruption. Recent NATO, Finland, and China incidents highlight intensifying threats, while India is building repair capacity via a DoT single-window clearance portal. This is a high-yield topic for GS3 infrastructure, science-tech, and security questions.

KAVACH Version 4.0 Commissioned on SCR: India’s Indigenous Automatic Train Protection System Explained

KAVACH, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, has been upgraded to Version 4.0 and commissioned on the South Central Railway's Malkajgiri–Kamareddi section over 108 route km. This is crucial for UPSC as it touches infrastructure, safety technology, and comparisons with global systems like ETCS, ATC, and PTC. The article also links to Sam Pitroda committee recommendations on railway modernisation.

IIT Hyderabad Launches ANUGYAN: 3-Month Nuclear Tech Programme for 100 GWe Target by 2047

IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with Crimson Energy Experts, has launched ANUGYAN – India's first industry-academia programme in nuclear technology. The three-month residential programme aims to train professionals for India's civil nuclear sector, targeting an increase in nuclear capacity from 8.8 GWe to 100 GWe by 2047. This initiative is crucial for building a skilled workforce to achieve India's clean energy goals.

Climate Change Intensifies Clear Air Turbulence: 55% Rise in Severe CAT Over North Atlantic, DGCA Investigates Air India Incident

Climate change is making mid-flight turbulence, especially clear air turbulence (CAT), more frequent and severe. A 2023 study found severe CAT over the North Atlantic rose over 55% in four decades. For exam aspirants, this links climate change impacts to aviation safety, DGCA's regulatory role, and passenger safety protocols.

India’s First LNG-Diesel Dual-Fuel Train Launched by ICF; Compare with Hydrogen Train for UPSC

Indian Railways launched its first LNG-diesel dual-fuel train from Sabarmati on September 27, 2026, following the hydrogen train debut in July. This is a high-yield topic for UPSC Prelims (Science & Tech, Environment) and Mains (GS-3: infrastructure, alternative fuels). The article also explains Kavach (Automatic Train Protection system) – a recurring Prelims favourite.