NATIONAL NEWS

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completed 10 years.

• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched on August 28, 2014, by Narendra Modi, has completed 10 years.

• PMJDY is recognized as the largest financial inclusion initiative globally.

• As of August 14, 2024, the total number of PMJDY accounts reached 53.13 crore.

• Women account for 55.6% (29.56 crore) of the total Jan Dhan accounts.

• A significant 66.6% (35.37 crore) of these accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.

• The total deposit balances in PMJDY accounts stand at Rs. 2,31,236 crore.

• The average deposit per account is Rs. 4,352 as of mid-August 2024.

• A total of 36.14 crore RuPay cards have been issued to account holders under this scheme.

• PMJDY has played a transformative role in advancing financial inclusion in India.

Centre issued new guidelines for public grievance redressal within 21 Days

• The Centre has reduced the grievance redressal timeline on the CPGRAMS portal from 30 days to 21 days.

• New guidelines have been issued by the Centre to ensure timely and effective handling of public grievances.

• Nodal Officers will be appointed in all Ministries and Departments to manage public grievances efficiently.

• These guidelines are intended to make grievance redressal more accessible, timely, and meaningful for citizens.

• Each Ministry or Department will establish Dedicated Grievance Cells with adequate resources and knowledge.

• A monthly grievance redressal assessment index will rank the performance of ministries and departments.

• The role of Nodal Officers includes categorizing grievances, monitoring pending cases, and reviewing feedback.

• The CPGRAMS portal successfully redressed approximately 60 lakh public grievances during 2022-24.

• The Centre's new guidelines emphasize prompt grievance resolution and enhanced citizen empowerment.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Japan is on high alert as Typhoon Shanshan gets closer.

• Typhoon Shanshan is approaching Japan and could make landfall in western Japan between August 27 and 28.

• Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for strong winds, high waves, and heavy rain.

• The typhoon is currently near Amami Oshima island and may intensify into a very powerful storm by the end of the week.

• Residents are being urged to prepare for severe weather conditions as the typhoon nears.

• High winds of up to 162 kilometres per hour are expected to impact Kyushu and Amami.

• Waves as high as 9 meters are predicted for regions including Kyushu, Shikoku, and Amami.

• Japan is on high alert as Typhoon Shanshan continues its approach.

• The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is closely monitoring the typhoon's strength and trajectory.

• Typhoon Shanshan may bring extreme weather conditions to several parts of Japan as it gets closer.

STATE NEWS

Himachal Pradesh has raised the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years.

• Himachal Pradesh has increased the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years.

• The Himachal Pradesh State Assembly passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024 on August 27.

• The Bill was approved by voice vote in the State Assembly.

• This amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, is aimed at promoting gender equality and education.

• The Bill also amends related Acts as applicable in Himachal Pradesh.

• Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to raise the minimum marriage age for women to 21 years.

• The initiative was introduced by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

• The Bill's goal is to ensure better educational opportunities for women by raising the marriage age.

• This move is a significant step toward empowering women and ensuring gender equality in the state.

Himachal Pradesh government has launched 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana’.

• The Himachal Pradesh government has launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana' to support education and child welfare.

• The scheme aims to provide financial aid to widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents to help their children's education and well-being.

• A budget of Rs 53.21 crore has been allocated annually to fund this initiative.

• The initiative seeks to prevent child abuse, trafficking, teenage marriages, and drug abuse by reinforcing child protection at the family level.

• Eligible women and disabled parents with children under 18 will receive a monthly grant of Rs 1,000 for educational, health, and nutritional needs.

• Financial support will be provided to children who gain admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, or vocational courses to cover tuition and hostel fees.

• The scheme is designed to strengthen the educational and health support systems for vulnerable children in Himachal Pradesh.

• The government initiative also focuses on reducing social issues like child exploitation and early marriages by supporting families.

APPOINTMENTS

Government of India appointed B Srinivasan as the new NSG director general.

• B Srinivasan, an IPS officer, has been appointed as the new Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG).

• The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

• B Srinivasan will serve as NSG's Director General until August 31, 2027.

• He succeeds Nalin Prabhat, who has been assigned as the Special Director General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir.

• The NSG is an elite counter-terrorism unit operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

• The National Security Guard was established on September 22, 1986, under the National Security Guard Act.

• NSG personnel are commonly known as Black Cats.

• The NSG headquarters are located in New Delhi.

• The government has chosen B Srinivasan to lead the NSG due to his extensive experience in security matters.

• The NSG is a specialized force designed for counter-terrorism operations and high-risk situations.

Satish Kumar has been appointed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board.

• Satish Kumar has been appointed as the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, starting from September 1.

• He will succeed Jaya Varma Sinha, who is retiring on August 31.

• Satish Kumar, an Indian Railway Management Service officer, is currently serving as Member (Traction & Rolling Stock).

• He is the first Dalit to be appointed as the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board.

• Jaya Varma Sinha was the first woman to hold the CEO position at the Railway Board.

• Satish Kumar's appointment marks a historic milestone in the Railway Board's leadership.

• On July 29, an order was issued appointing Jaya Varma Sinha as an administrative member of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

• The new appointment of Satish Kumar follows Jaya Varma Sinha's upcoming superannuation.

• His extensive experience in the Indian Railways positions him well to lead the Railway Board.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Gopichand Thotakura becomes first Indian space tourist to join Blue Origin's NS-25 mission

• Gopichand Thotakura has become the first civilian space tourist from India on Blue Origin's New Shepherd-25 mission.

• He is the first Indian space tourist to travel with the crew on Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin mission.

• Gopichand Thotakura studied aeronautical engineering at California State University, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA.

• He is the second Indian to go to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma of the Indian Army.

• Thotakura's journey marks a significant milestone as the first Indian civilian to participate in a space mission.

• The New Shepherd-25 mission is operated by Blue Origin, founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos.

• His achievement adds to India's growing presence in space exploration.

• Thotakura's participation in the mission highlights his academic background in aeronautical engineering.