Morning Brief: PM Internship Scheme Sees 1.55 Lakh Sign-Ups On Day 1; India To Get New Submarine Command Facility; First Govt Study To Trace Roots Of Ancient Indian Communities Begins

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning. 

PM Internship Scheme Sees Over 1.55 Lakh Registrations On Day One

The Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) has garnered an overwhelming response, with 1,55,109 candidates registering on the portal within the first 24 hours. Registration opened on October 12 and will remain available until October 25. Notably, the number of registrations on the first day surpassed the overall target of 1.25 lakh candidates set for the pilot project administered by the Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA).

The MCA aims to provide these internships by December 2. The scheme is designed for youth aged 21-24, including those who have completed their 10th, 12th, ITI, polytechnic, diploma, or graduated, to enhance their employability through skilling.

India To Get New Base For Command And Control Of Submarines

The Indian Navy will soon get a new facility for controlling submarines on extended missions. A VLF transmitting station in Vikarabad, Telangana, will enable seamless communication with submarines on long-range patrols. Set to be inaugurated on October 15, the facility will be fully operational in two to three years, offering 24/7 encrypted connectivity to submerged submarines across India’s area of interest. This VLF capability is vital for the command and control of nuclear submarines.

The new facility will support the expanding fleet of both diesel-electric and nuclear submarines. Recently, India inducted its second SSBN, INS Arighaat, which is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles. Another SSBN, INS Aridhaman, is set to follow next year. While more SSBNs, which are nuclear-powered submarines capable of carrying nuclear missiles, will be inducted in the coming years, India is also beginning work on a new project to build nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons, known as SSNs. 

First Ever Study To Find Roots Of Ancient Indian Communities

In a first, the government has launched scientific study to explore the population history of South Asia using ancient and modern genomics. Conducted by the Anthropological Survey of India, this project aims to clarify the origins of ancient Indian communities amidst various conflicting theories. The study will analyse 300 ancient skeletal remains, primarily cranial and bone fragments, including teeth.

These remains were collected from archaeological sites across India, including notable locations like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Burzahom, Nagarjunakonda, Maski, Ropar, and Lothal. Excavations took place between 1922 and 1958, with the Archaeological Survey of India later entrusting the remains to AnSI, which now acts as their custodian.

Other Developments

WhatsApp Violated India’s Competition Law With 2021 Service Terms

India's competition watchdog has determined that WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, violated the country's competition law concerning a controversial update to the messaging app's privacy policy and service terms from 2021. This update provoked significant backlash from users, prompting the investigation.

The Competition Commission is preparing to issue an order in the case, which may include financial penalties. India is a crucial market for Meta, with WhatsApp boasting approximately 536 million users, the largest user base globally. The messaging app has also faced similar regulatory scrutiny in other countries for its dominance in the market.

Demand for work under the MGNREGS has decreased in the first half of the current fiscal year, as indicated by official data. The rural development ministry reported that the total number of households seeking work under the scheme dropped to 1.6 crore in September, down from 1.85 crore a year earlier.

Monthly demand also saw declines from April to August, with April recording 2.15 crore households (compared to 2.4 crore last year) and June seeing a decrease to 2.64 crore from 3.37 crore. In July, the figure was 1.9 crore, down from 2.35 crore, and in August, it fell to 1.6 crore compared to 1.9 crore in FY24. The slowdown may reflect reduced government spending and a rain-driven recovery in rural areas.

Thar Desert Is Receiving Above-Normal Rainfall For 20 Years

West Rajasthan, home to the Thar desert and the driest region in India's plains, has received above-normal rainfall during this monsoon season, marking a trend observed over the past two decades. The region has experienced excess rainfall for six consecutive years, with above-normal rainfall recorded in 12 out of the last 20 years.

From June to September, the average rainfall in West Rajasthan from 2005 to 2024 has been 19 per cent above normal. In contrast, neighbouring Punjab and Haryana have only seen one above-normal year during the same period, with Punjab experiencing an average rainfall 13.5 per cent below normal.

From The States

President’s Rule Revoked In Jammu And Kashmir

The Centre has revoked President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for the formation of a new government. President's rule was imposed following the state's political crisis that began when the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition collapsed in June 2018. President's rule was imposed after six months of Governor’s rule, marking the first instance of Central rule in the militancy-affected region since 1996. The National Conference-Congress alliance, led by Omar Abdullah, is set to take charge after winning 49 seats in the recent elections, which were the first conducted since the region became a Union Territory. In contrast, the BJP secured victory in 29 seats.

Private Hospital Doctors in Bengal Begin 48-Hour Strike

Doctors in private hospitals across West Bengal have announced a 48-hour "partial cease work" starting Monday in solidarity with junior medics on a hunger strike, demanding justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim. The doctors, representing the Healthcare Professionals of Private Hospitals, assured that emergency services will remain operational during this period. They expressed concern that the West Bengal government has not taken adequate steps to address the demands of the agitating medics from state-run hospitals. "From October 14 onwards, the majority of doctors in private setups will not perform any non-emergency duties," the medics stated on Saturday.

Cops Investigating Bishnoi Gang’s Links To Siddique’s Murder

Police are investigating the murder of former Maharashtra MLA Ziauddin ‘Baba’ Siddique, suspecting it to be a contract killing orchestrated by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi allegedly hired two youths with no criminal records and provided them with weapons for the assassination. An Akola resident arrested in January for an Arms Act violation claimed on social media that Siddique was targeted due to his connections with actor Salman Khan and links to Dawood Ibrahim. His brother was arrested in Pune for conspiracy and for enlisting the two assailants, who were captured after a police chase. Police are also searching for the shooter in the case.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.