RAS question
Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) under India's PLI scheme promotes:
Correct answer: (A) Domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion and advanced battery cells.
The Advanced Chemistry Cell component of India's PLI scheme promotes domestic manufacturing of advanced battery cells, including lithium-ion and other advanced chemistries.
Explanation
The PLI ACC scheme is the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage, administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The PIB release confirms that it was approved with a total outlay of Rs 18,100 crore to establish 50 GWh of domestic Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing capacity. Domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion and advanced battery cells is the scheme's focus: it is not a general chemistry subsidy, but a targeted manufacturing incentive for battery storage cells. Lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state cells are exam-relevant examples, and the scheme supports India's electric-vehicle and energy-storage goals.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Chemical fertilizers are not the focus of this PLI ACC scheme, which is specifically framed around Advanced Chemistry Cell battery storage manufacturing.
- (C) Chemical weapons have no connection with the scheme; the cited PIB release describes battery storage cells and domestic manufacturing capacity.
- (D) Pharmaceutical chemicals are a different industrial category, while ACC under this PLI scheme refers to battery cells for storage applications.
Concept
In RAS Science and Technology, industrial policy, battery storage and electric mobility are closely linked. PLI schemes recur because they connect technology, manufacturing self-reliance and energy-transition policy.