BrainBuzz Academy

Why in news?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategically significant Sela Tunnel project in Arunachal Paradesh on Saturday, March 9.
About:
The Sela Tunnel Project is located in the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.
It will be a lifeline as it will provide all weather connectivity to Tawang.
The project comprises of Tunnel 1, which is a 980 m long single tube tunnel and Tunnel 2, which is a 1555 m long twin tube tunnel.
Tunnel 2 has one bi-lane tube for traffic and one escape tube for emergencies.
It will also be one of the longest tunnels to have been constructed above altitude of 13,000 feet.
The project also includes construction of an approach road of seven kilometres to Tunnel 1, which takes off from BCT Road and a link road of 1.3 kilometres, which connects Tunnel 1 to Tunnel 2.
Built at a cost of Rs 825 crore, the tunnel project is constructed at an altitude of 13,700 feet in West Kameng district on the road connecting Tezpur to Tawang.
The foundation stone of the Sela Tunnel Project was laid by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2019.

Useful information for all competitive exams:
Arunachal Pradesh:
Capital: Itanagar
Governor: Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
Chief minister: Pema Khandu (BJP)
State Legislature    Unicameral
Assembly: Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (60 seats)
Rajya Sabha: 1 seat
Lok Sabha: 2 seats
High Court: Guwahati High Court - Itanagar Bench

Why in news?
Naval Detachment Minicoy will be commissioned as INS Jatayu, an upgraded naval base, marking an important milestone in the Indian Navy’s resolve to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategic Lakshadweep Islands.
What are the Key Highlights of INS Jatayu?
INS Jatayu, formerly Naval Detachment Minicoy, is commissioned as an upgraded naval base on Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
It will operate under the operational control of the Naval Officer in Charge (Lakshadweep), Southern Naval Command.
The base enhances the operational reach of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean, bolstering its capabilities for anti-piracy, anti-narcotics, and surveillance operations.
Situated in Minicoy, the southernmost atoll of the Lakshadweep archipelago, INS Jatayu strategically overlooks vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), strengthening India’s maritime presence in the region.
In light of China's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean, INS Jatayu reinforces India's ability to counterbalance and deter any attempts to undermine its maritime dominance and territorial integrity.
While India has had a naval detachment in Minicoy, the southernmost atoll of the Lakshwadeep archipelago, since the 1980s, INS Jatayu will effectively be the country’s second naval base in Lakshadweep. The Navy’s first base on the islands, INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, was commissioned in 2012.
INS Jatayu will be equipped with additional infrastructure, including an airfield and personnel housing, to support naval operations and ensure comprehensive security coverage.
Minicoy Island, where INS Jatayu is located, sits at the intersection of crucial Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) like the Eight Degree Channel and the Nine Degree Channel, making it susceptible to maritime pollution due to heavy maritime traffic.
Eight Degree Channel separates Indian Minicoy island from Maldives.
The Nine Degree Channel separates the island of Minicoy from the Lakshadweep archipelago.
The Lakshadweep Islands:
India's smallest Union Territory, Lakshadweep ( ‘a hundred thousand islands’ in Sanskrit and Malayalam) is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands located between 220 km and 440 km from Kochi.
The islands, only 11 of which are inhabited, have a total area of only 32 sq km. It is directly under the control of the Centre through an administrator.
The Lakshadweep is part of a chain of coralline islands in the Indian Ocean that includes the Maldives to the south, and the Chagos archipelago farther beyond, to the south of the equator.
Commands of Indian Navy:
It has three operational and one theatre commands. Each command is headed by a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief holding the rank of Vice Admiral.

Andaman and Nicobar Command, 2001: It is a unified tri-services theatre command based at Port Blair, A&N Islands.
It includes the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded the winners of the National Creators Award 2024 on Friday, March 8, 2024. This was the first edition of the award ceremony for the category. The awards were held at Bharat Mandapam, a convention centre in New Delhi. 
The Indian government launched this brand new award programme to recognise and empower digital creators who are making a positive impact.
In the end, 23 winners were chosen, including three international creators. Some of the award categories included Best Storyteller, Disruptor of the Year, Celebrity Creator, Green Champion, Social Change Advocate, and more. This diversity highlights the vast influence digital creators have on various aspects of Indian life.
National Creators Awards 2024: Complete Winners
Jaya Kishori: Best Creator for Social Change
Kabita Singh (Kabita's Kitchen): Best Creator in Food Category
Drew Hicks: Best International Creator
Kamiya Jani: Favourite Travel Creator
Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps): Disruptor of the Year
RJ Raunac (Bauaa): Most Creative Creator-Male
Shraddha: Most Creative Creator (Female)
Aridaman: Best Micro Creator
Nishchay: Best Creator in the Gaming Category
Ankit Baiyanpuria: Best Health and Fitness Creator
Naman Deshmukh: Best Creator in Education Category
Jahnvi Singh: Heritage Fashion Icon
Malhar Kalambe: Swachhta Ambassador
Gaurav Chaudhary: Best Creator in Tech Category
Maithili Thakur: Cultural Ambassador of The Year
Pankti Pandey: Favourite Green Champion
Keerthika Govindasamy: Best Storyteller
Aman Gupta: Celebrity Creator

India hosted the 71st Miss World pageant after a 28-year-long hiatus. Contestants from 115 countries competed against each other to win the coveted crown. Last year's winner, Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska of Poland crowned her successor Krystyna Pyszková of Czech Republic in a grand event at the Jio World Centre in BKC, Mumbai.
This year, 22-year-old Sini Shetty, winner of Miss India World, represented India at the competition.
Nita Ambani, who was the guest of this program, received the Miss World Humanitarian Award. Miss World Organization Chairwoman Julia Morley presented the award.
From Manushi Chhillar, Aishwarya Rai to Reita Faria, here's list of all past Indian winners:
Reita Faria Powell
Reita Faria Powell was the first woman from India, in fact from Asia, to win the prestigious beauty pageant in 1966. At the time of participating in the competition, she was a medical student.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Bollywood diva, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, created history by winning the Miss World crown in 1994. With this, she became the second Indian to wear the crown.
Diana Hayden
In 1997, another Indian won the Miss World title for the third time, she was Diana Hyden.
Yukta Mookhey
Yukta Mookhey from Mumbai, became the fourth Indian to win the Miss World title in 1999.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Desi girl Priyanka Chopra needs no introduction, for her career in Bollywood and Hollywood speaks for herself. The Citadel actress won the Miss World title in 2000 and became the fifth Indian woman to wear the crown.
Manushi Chhillar
The most recent Indian winner of the Miss World title is Manushi Chhillar. She brought the crown back to India in 2017.

On March 8, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian educator, author, and philanthropist Sudha Murty has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu. The nomination, which coincides with International Women’s Day (March 08), underscores the importance of representation from different regions of the country and the role of women in political decision-making.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that Murty’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is a powerful testament to ‘Nari Shakti’ (women power), exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping the nation’s destiny. The nomination serves as an inspiration for women across the country and highlights the importance of their contributions to various fields.
Sudha Murty’s Contributions:
Sudha Murty, wife of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and mother to venture capitalist Akshata Murty (married to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak), is a prolific writer in Kannada and English. She has authored novels, technical books, and travelogues, and her philanthropic efforts are extensive.
As the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, Murty has tackled issues like poverty, healthcare, and sanitation. She has built thousands of homes in flood-affected areas, established libraries in schools, and funded the construction of public toilets. Her influence extends beyond India, as she founded the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.
Awards to Sudha Murthy:
Sudha Murty was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for social work by the Government of India in 2006. In 2023, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India.
Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha:
Under Article 80 (3) of the Constitution, out of the 245 members in the Rajya Sabha, 12 are nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government. According to the Article’s provisions, the nominated members should have special knowledge or practical experience in areas such as literature, science, art, and social service. Murty is both an author and a philanthropist.
A nominated member, however, is allowed to join a political party within the first six months of taking a seat. Four of the current nominated members — Sinha, Mansingh, Jethmalani, and Ali — joined the BJP following their nomination. The door to join a political party after nomination remains open for Murty too for six months.
The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution says, “A nominated member of a House shall be disqualified for being a member of the House if he joins any political party after the expiry of six months from the date on which he takes his seat after complying with the requirements of Article 99 or, as the case may be, Article 188.”
Both Articles 99 and 188 deal with the provision of taking oath after being nominated.

In a surprise move, Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned days ahead of declaration of Lok Sabha polls. Goel’s resignation has left the three-member Chief Election Commission with only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The other Election Commissioner besides Goel was Anup Pandey who had completed his tenure in February and since then the Government had not brought any replacement for him.
Goel’s resignation, less than four years before he would have completed his tenure in December, 2027, was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu. “In pursuance of clause (1) of Section 11 of The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, the President is pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner with effect from the 09th March, 2024.
A retired 1985-batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre, Goel became Election Commissioner in November of 2022.

Useful information for all competitive exams:
Election Commission of India (ECI):
Formed: 25 January 1950 (Jan 25: National Voters Day)
Jurisdiction: Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
Headquarters: Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi
Chief Election Commissioner of India: Rajiv Kumar
Election Commissioner of India: Gyanesh Kumar, Retd.I.A.S., Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Retd.I.A.S.

Why in the News?
The Union cabinet has recently tweaked the new ₹75,000-crore PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (Free rooftop solar electricity scheme).
What are the recent changes?
1. Original plan– To completely subsidize the installation of 1 kW-3 kW solar systems in one crore households through partnerships with renewable energy service companies.
2- Changed Plan:
a. Now, the scheme will only cover up to 60% of the installation costs.
b. Households interested in the scheme will need to pay the remaining amount, starting from a minimum of ₹20,000, depending on the power capacity of the installed system.
c. Households can get a low-interest, collateral-free loan.
d. Only houses with a suitable roof and an existing grid connection can participate in the scheme. Consumers must still pay for all the net power they use from the grid.
About Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
1. Objective: To deliver 300 units of ‘free electricity’ monthly to 1 crore households via rooftop solar setups.
2. Department: Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
3. Central subsidy:
a. 60% of installation costs for 2 kW systems
b. 40% of costs for systems ranging from 2-3 kW capacity
Note- Systems with higher wattage are ineligible.
c. At present rates, there will be a subsidy of Rs 30,000 for 1 kW systems, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW systems, and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher.
4. National Portal – It will facilitate subsidy applications and assist in finding a suitable vendor for installing rooftop solar. Additionally, it will aid decision-making by providing relevant information as needed.