10 September 2024

• Governance: The 54th GST Council formally reduced cancer drug rates and released its decisions on food taxation.
• Sports: India's medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 reached 29 (7 gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze).
• Economy: The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Saha-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) received attention as Standard Operating Procedures were released for production and processing clusters.
• Technology: AIIMS New Delhi's Tobacco Cessation Clinic was inaugurated to address India's 267 million tobacco users.

GS area: Sports, Governance

India finished the Paris Paralympics 2024 with 29 medals: 7 gold, 9 silver and 13 bronze. This is India's highest-ever medal tally at the Paralympics.

Key statistics and context:

• Previous record: India won 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 (5 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze).
• Top sports: Para-athletics contributed the most medals. Para-badminton and para-archery also featured.
• Para-sport governance: Governed globally by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). In India, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is the national body.
• Khelo India: The government's sports development programme includes a component for para-sports infrastructure.
• Significance for UPSC: The Paris games are framed as a governance and social inclusion success story, not merely a sports achievement.

Static linkage: Sports governance, social inclusion, disability rights.

GS area: Economy (infrastructure), Science and Technology

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) confirmed the phased rollout of GNSS-based (Global Navigation Satellite System) toll collection alongside FASTag at dedicated lanes in 100 toll plazas.

• FASTag basis: FASTag uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags that are scanned at fixed toll plazas. It became mandatory for all four-wheeled vehicles in 2021.
• GNSS advantage: Vehicles do not need to stop. Distance-based charging via satellite reduces both congestion at plazas and the incentive to avoid tolled roads.
• Technology: GNSS includes GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU) and India's own NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). NavIC covers the Indian subcontinent and 1,500 km beyond its borders.
• Transition plan: GNSS initially operates alongside FASTag. Full transition will happen once vehicle-side units are widely available.
• Policy goal: Reduce total vehicle stops on national highways and enable a more accurate pay-per-use tolling model.

Static linkage: Road transport, digital infrastructure, NavIC, FASTag.

GS area: Economy (schemes), Social welfare

The rule change effective from 1 October 2024 requires that Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts opened by grandparents must transfer guardianship to the girl's parents or legal guardians.

• Why this matters: Some accounts were held indefinitely by grandparents who pre-deceased the beneficiary girl. The rule ensures the girl or her legal guardian has control before the account matures at age 21.
• Financial inclusion angle: SSY is a flagship scheme under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The interest rate (8.2 per cent for FY24-25) is among the highest for small savings instruments.
• Section 80C: Deposits up to Rs 1.5 lakh qualify for tax deduction. Maturity proceeds are tax-free. The scheme offers EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) tax status.
• National Small Savings Fund (NSSF): SSY deposits are routed through the NSSF. Interest rates are reviewed quarterly by the government.

Static linkage: Small savings, Beti Bachao, financial inclusion.

GS area: International Relations

Analysis continued following PM Modi's historic first visit by an Indian PM to Brunei, marking 40 years of diplomatic relations.

• Brunei geography: A small sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia. It consists of two non-contiguous territories separated by Malaysia's Sarawak state. Coastline on the South China Sea.
• ASEAN and Commonwealth member: Brunei is a founding member of ASEAN and also belongs to the Commonwealth.
• Energy: Brunei is a significant oil and gas producer. It is an important partner in India's energy diversification strategy.
• Act East Policy: India's Brunei engagement falls under Act East, which prioritises ASEAN connectivity and economic integration.
• LNG imports: India is exploring LNG import deals with Brunei to diversify from Middle East dependence.

Static linkage: Act East Policy, ASEAN, India's energy imports.

GS area: Polity (judiciary)

The Jharkhand government filed a contempt petition against the Central government for delaying the appointment of the Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice.

Key legal framework:

• Contempt of Court definition: There are two types: civil contempt (willful disobedience of a court order) and criminal contempt (actions that obstruct or scandalise the administration of justice).
• Contempt of Courts Act 1971: The primary legislation. The Supreme Court and High Courts have inherent power to punish contempt under Articles 129 and 215 respectively.
• Appointment delay context: The appointment of High Court judges, including Chief Justices, follows the collegium system introduced by the Supreme Court in the 1993 Second Judges Case. The executive is expected to act on collegium recommendations within a reasonable time.
• Second Judges Case (1993): Established that the President acts on the advice of the Chief Justice of India in matters of High Court appointment.

Static linkage: Judicial appointments, collegium system, contempt of court.

GS area: Environment, Governance

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (7 September; also observed through the following week) carried the 2024 theme "Invest in clean air now."

• UN declaration: Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2019.
• India's NCAP: National Clean Air Programme targets 20-40 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 by 2026 from 2017 baselines.
• Top pollutants in India: PM2.5 and PM10 from vehicular emissions, stubble burning, industrial activity and construction dust.
• India's global ranking: Third most polluted country (IQAir 2023). The average PM2.5 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre against the WHO guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Delhi-NCR-specific system of escalating restrictions on polluting activities based on AQI levels. Implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

Static linkage: Air quality, NCAP, CPCB, CAQM.

• Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP): Operational at Delhi and Mumbai airports. Provides 60 per cent faster clearance for High Net Worth Individuals, CEOs, Overseas Citizens of India. Requires biometric enrollment, five-year validity.
• Project 200: Unveiled by Bellatrix Aerospace (Bengaluru) at Bengaluru Space Expo 2024. An Ultra-Low Earth Orbit satellite concept (180-250 km altitude) that would reduce communication latency by 50 per cent and improve image resolution threefold.