Geography

India's Reservoir Status in 2024 - The Hindu

Context

• After a season of good rains, India’s reservoirs are experiencing high water storage levels.
• As of September 17, 2024, the country’s total live storage capacity stands at 153.757 billion cubic meters (BCM), which is 85% of the total live storage capacity.
• This marks a significant improvement compared to the previous year and the 10-year average.
• India's reservoir levels are monitored by the Central Water Commission (CWC) across 155 reservoirs.

Polity

Union Finance Minister to Launch NPS Vatsalya Scheme on September 18, 2024 - PIB

Context

• The NPS Vatsalya Scheme, a new initiative by the Government of India, will be launched by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on September 18, 2024, in New Delhi.
• This scheme aims to promote early financial planning for children by allowing parents to invest in a pension account for their children’s future.

NPS Vatsalya Scheme

• Announcement: The NPS Vatsalya Scheme was first announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 as part of the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to promote financial security for future generations.
• About: A pension scheme designed for minors, where parents can open an account in their child's name and contribute towards securing their financial future. It is a scheme under the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
• Regulatory Body: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
• Mechanism: Funds will accumulate until the child reaches the age of 18. Following this, the accumulated funds will be transferred to the standard NPS account.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Call for Early Delhi Assembly Elections - Indian Express

Context

• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for early elections to the Delhi Assembly, suggesting his possible resignation. This has raised questions about the legal framework regarding early elections in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Background and Related Framework

• Delhi Assembly's Current Term: The Delhi Assembly's current term is set to expire in 2025.

• Similar Example: An example occurred in Telangana in 2018, when then CM K Chandrasekhar Rao recommended the dissolution of the Assembly ahead of schedule, leading to early elections. However, Delhi operates under a different framework due to its status as a Union Territory.
• Delhi’s Legislative Framework: Governed by the Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991.
• The Lieutenant Governor (LG) has significant powers, and in certain cases, decisions must be cleared by the Central Government. While the CM can recommend the dissolution, as per Section 6(2)(b) of the NCT Act, 1991, the Central Government must approve the request before elections can be called.

Society

Swacchata Hi Seva Abhiyan 2024 - PIB

Context

• The Swacchata Hi Seva Abhiyan 2024 is set to begin today and will continue until October 2, 2024.

Subhadra Yojana - The Hindu

Context

• The Prime Minister, on his 74th birthday, launched the Subhadra Yojana, a women-centric scheme by the Odisha government, along with inaugurating railway and national highway projects worth over ₹3,800 crore.

Subhadra Yojana

• About: A newly introduced scheme by the Odisha government, aimed at providing financial assistance to women aged 21-60 years over a period of five years.
• Financial Assistance: ₹50,000 over five years (2024-25 to 2028-29).
• Distribution: ₹10,000 per year, credited in two equal installments to the beneficiary’s bank account.
• Ineligible Women: Financially strong, government job holders, income tax payers, and people receiving assistance of ₹1,500 or more monthly or ₹18,000 or more under any government scheme.
• Subhadra Debit Card: The beneficiaries will also be given a Subhadra debit card.

Concerns Regarding Digi Yatra Program - Indian Express

Context

• The Digi Yatra program, an initiative aimed at digitizing airport processes using facial recognition technology, is under scrutiny as discrepancies arise between the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Ministry of Information Technology (IT). Concerns have been raised about the lack of regulatory safeguards and privacy issues associated with the program.

Digi Yatra

• About: Digi Yatra is a digital platform designed to streamline airport check-ins and boarding procedures by using facial recognition technology.
• Aim: The system is intended to reduce human involvement and make the process more efficient.
• Implementation: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Digi Yatra Foundation

• Established: In 2019 as a joint venture (JV) company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Shareholders: Airports Authority of India (26%); Hyderabad, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi airports (74%).
• Responsibilities: It will be the custodian of the Passenger ID validation process.
• Policy: Facial biometrics deleted 24 hours after departure.

Sci and Tech

Scientists Pen Letter to Principal Scientific Adviser Demanding ‘Transparency’ on Vigyan Puraskar - The Hindu

Context

• A group of eminent scientists has requested clarification from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) regarding the selection process for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP). Their concerns revolve around whether the process was transparent and free from external influences, following media reports suggesting that some recommended scientists might have been excluded due to non-scientific reasons.

Miscellaneous

Booker Prize 2024 Shortlist Features Record Number of Women Authors - The Hindu

Context

• The Booker Prize 2024 has made history by shortlisting five women out of the six finalists for the first time in its 55-year history. The prestigious literary award, which celebrates the best fiction published in the U.K. and Ireland, announced its finalists on September 16, 2024.