Current Affairs 12 February 2026
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Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
As part of Space Vision 2047, ISRO aims to establish the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s own space station for long-duration human habitation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The station will provide a platform for microgravity research and scientific studies in various fields including life sciences and medicine.
Overall Configuration of BAS
- Total Modules: Five modules planned
- First Module (BAS-01): To be launched by 2028
- Review Status: Overall configuration reviewed by National Level Review Committee
- Current Status: Overall system engineering of BAS-01 module and technology development activities progressing at ISRO Centres/Units
Comparison with Other Space Stations
| Space Station | Country/Agency | Status | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Space Station (ISS) | USA, Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada | Operational (1998-present), decommissioning planned post-2030 | LEO (400 km) |
| Tiangong | China | Operational (completed 2022) | LEO (340-450 km) |
| Bharatiya Antariksh Station | India (ISRO) | Under development, BAS-01 by 2028 | LEO |
Key Points for Exam:
- Space Vision 2047 – ISRO’s long-term roadmap
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) – 5 modules, BAS-01 by 2028
- Integration with Gaganyaan Programme
- Enhanced budget: ₹20,193 crore
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operations
- Microgravity research applications
- Indigenous space capabilities development
Nuclear Energy Mission – Roadmap to 100 GW by 2047
The Union Government has drawn up a comprehensive roadmap for reaching 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 as announced in the Nuclear Energy Mission. This ambitious target represents more than an 11-fold increase from the current capacity.
Current Nuclear Power Status (2026)
- Operational Plants: 24 nuclear power plants (excluding RAPS-1)
- Total Capacity: 8,780 MW (8.78 GW)
ANEEL – Thorium-Based Nuclear Fuel
NTPC and CCTE (Canadian company) are exploring the development and deployment of ANEEL, a thorium-based fuel for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) reactors in India, subject to approval from respective governments in line with prevailing national laws.
About ANEEL
- Type: Thorium-based nuclear fuel
- Target Reactors: PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors)
- Collaboration: NTPC (India) and CCTE (Canada)
- Status: Exploration phase, subject to government approvals
- Compliance: Must align with SHANTI Act provisions
Current Fuel Deployment in PHWRs is Natural Uranium Oxide based fuel.
Our Country’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme
India has a well-articulated three-stage nuclear power programme designed to achieve long-term energy security through optimal utilization of limited uranium resources and abundant thorium reserves.
Stage 1: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)
- Fuel: Natural Uranium
- Technology: Indigenous PHWR technology
- Product: Plutonium-239 (from U-238 in spent fuel)
- Current Status: Operational – Most of India’s current nuclear plants
- Purpose: Generate electricity and produce Plutonium for Stage 2
Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)
- Fuel: Plutonium-239 (from Stage 1) mixed with Uranium-238
- Technology: Fast Breeder Reactor technology
- Special Feature: “Breeds” more fissile material (Pu-239) than it consumes
- Product: Uranium-233 (from Thorium-232 blanket)
- Current Status: PFBR (500 MWe) under commissioning at Kalpakkam by BHAVINI
- Purpose: Generate electricity, breed more Plutonium, and produce U-233 for Stage 3
Stage 3: Thorium-Based Reactors
- Fuel: Thorium-232 with Uranium-233 (from Stage 2)
- Technology: Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) and Molten Salt Reactors
- Advantage: Thorium is 3-4 times more abundant in India than uranium
- Current Status: R&D phase – Molten salt demonstration reactor under development
- Purpose: Self-sustaining long-term energy security using abundant domestic thorium
India is the only country in the world actively pursuing all three stages of a thorium-based nuclear fuel cycle. While other countries have explored thorium, none have committed to it as comprehensively as India.
The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam uses a unique pool-type design where the entire primary sodium circuit is contained within the reactor vessel, enhancing safety.
World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector
The Government of India has launched the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector (WLGSP) to create decentralized storage infrastructure at the village level through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and other cooperative societies.
Pilot Project Details
- Pilot District: Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh
- Location: Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit, Parswada village, Balaghat
- Capacity: 500 MT godown
- Status: Fully completed
- Inauguration: February 24, 2024 by Hon’ble Prime Minister
Implementation through Scheme Convergence
The Plan is implemented at PACS/cooperative societies level through convergence of various existing Government of India schemes:
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
- Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI)
- Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME)
Key Points for Exam:
- World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector (WLGSP)
- Pilot project: Balaghat, MP – 500 MT capacity
- PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) – over 1 lakh in India
- Scheme convergence: AIF, AMI, SMAM, PMFME
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