Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 18th September 2023

 

National News

1. The South Asia Conference of the United Nations International Trade Law Commission was held in New Delhi 

• The South Asia Conference of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) was organized from 14 to 16 September 2023 in New Delhi, India. The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, UNCITRAL, and the Indian National Coordination Committee. 
• Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and Attorney General R Venkataramani were present at the event. A press release from the Ministry of External Affairs said the three-day conference was in continuation of the conference held in New Delhi in 2016 to celebrate 50 years of UNCITRAL. 
• The objective of this conference is to advance India's engagement with UNCITRAL and encourage interaction between UNCITRAL, the judiciary, bureaucracy, academia, and the legal fraternity. The focus of this conference was to promote India as a center of international arbitration. 
• The broad agenda of the conference included sessions from global and regional experts providing insights on a wide range of topics such as the digital economy, MSMEs and access to credit, insolvency, investor-state dispute settlement reforms, international commercial arbitration, and mediation. United Nations Commission on International Trade Law 
• The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) was established by the General Assembly in 1966 (resolution 2205(XXI) of 17 December 1966). UNCITRAL's secretariat is in Vienna, Austria.

2. The Prime Minister inaugurates the International Convention and Expo Centre, 'Yashobhoomi' in New Delhi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated to the nation Phase-1 of the Rs 5,400 crore India International Convention and Expo Centre-‘Yashobhoomi’ in Dwarka, New Delhi on 17 September 2023. 
• World-class meetings, conferences, and exhibitions can be hosted in 'Yashobhoomi'. It has a total project area of over 8.9 lakh square meters and a built-up area of over 1.8 lakh square meters making it one of the largest convention and exhibition facility venues in the world.
• The convention center, built on an area of more than 73 thousand square meters, has 15 convention rooms. This includes the main auditorium, grand ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms with a total capacity to hold 11 thousand delegates. The convention center has the country's largest LED media screen. Its main auditorium has a seating capacity of about six thousand people. 
• On this occasion, Shri Modi also inaugurated the extension of Delhi Airport Metro Express Line from Dwarka Sector 21 to Sector 25. People will have convenience in reaching the India International Convention and Expo Center (IICC) named Yashobhoomi. 
• With the opening of this section, the total length of the Delhi Metro network now increases to 393 km with 288 stations, including the Noida-Greater Noida Metro corridor and the Rapid Metro in Gurugram.

3. Rajnath Singh approved 23 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode 

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the setting up of 23 New Sainik Schools in partnership mode, thereby increasing the tally of such schools functioning under the aegis of Sainik School Society to 42. 
• Apart from the existing 33 Sainik Schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern.
• The objective of eventually setting up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode is to provide quality education to the students in tune with the National Education Policy (NEP) and give them better career opportunities, including joining the armed forces. 
• The objectives of this initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi include providing quality education in line with the National Education Policy and enhancing career opportunities for students, including the option to join the armed forces. 
• It also promotes collaboration between the private sector and the government for nation building and the development of responsible citizens. 

4. The government received Rs 1487 crore from NTPC as dividend tranche

• The central government has received about Rs 1,487 crore from NTPC as a dividend tranche. 
• This follows NTPC’s recent announcement regarding the payment of its Final Dividend for the financial year 2022-23.
• A dividend is a reward companies often provide to their shareholders, though not mandatorily, from a portion of their earnings. 
• NTPC, a state-owned company, is India’s largest power utility firm with an installed capacity of 73,824 MW (including Joint Ventures) and plans to become a 130 GW company by 2032. 
• Earlier, the government has respectively received about Rs 2,182 crore and Rs 460 crore from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd as dividends tranches. 
• The government also received 1701 crore from Power grid Corporation of India Limited as a dividend.

5. Tata Steel signs 500 million pound-deal with UK govt 

• The United Kingdom has signed a joint investment package with Tata Steel worth £1.25 billion (about $1.55 billion), including a government grant of £500 million ($621 million,) to secure the future of Port Talbot operations in Wales — the country’s largest steelworks.
• The joint investment package is the largest in the UK steel industry in decades would pave the way for greener steelmaking at the Welsh unit, by replacing coal-powered blast furnaces nearing the end of their effective life with a state-of-art 3 million tonne electric arc furnace (EAF).
• The move is aimed at reducing the UK’s entire carbon emissions by around 1.5 percent. 
• The £500 million grant — one of the largest support packages from the UK government — is subject to relevant regulatory approvals and consultation processes. Tata Steel’s share, about £700 million, would be funded largely through internal equity. 

About United Kingdom (UK) 

• Capital – London 
• Currency – Pound sterling 
• Prime Minister – Rishi Sunak

 

State News

6. Hyderabad Liberation Day On 17 September

• Officially known as Kalyana-Karnataka Liberation Day (Vimochana Diwas), HyderabadKarnataka Liberation Day is an important annual observance celebrated across various districts of Karnataka, India. This event, held on the 17th of September each year, commemorates the integration of Hyderabad into India in 1948.
• The historical significance of this day dates back to September 17, 1948, when the formerly Nizam-ruled Hyderabad state became a part of the Indian union, marking a pivotal moment in India’s post-independence history.
• In 2022, the Government of Telangana made a decision to broaden the significance of this day by designating it as “Telangana National Integration Day” or “Telangana Jathiya Samaikyatha Vajrotsavam.” This move demonstrates a commitment to fostering unity and integration among the diverse communities in the state, emphasizing the importance of India’s diverse cultural fabric.

7. Maharashtra Issues Notification On Name Change Of Aurangabad, Osmanabad

• The Maharashtra government has issued an official notification regarding the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. The decision to change these names at various levels, including sub-division, village, taluka, and district, has been finalized. This notification has been issued by the Revenue Department of the state. 
• Aurangabad, a historic city in Maharashtra, derived its name from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Similarly, Osmanabad was named after a 20th-century ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad. The decision to rename ‘Aurangabad’ as ‘Sambhajinagar’ carries historical and cultural significance. 
• Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of the renowned warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the Maratha state established by his father. His execution on Aurangzeb’s orders in 1689 remains a significant chapter in Maratha history.

 

Sports News

8. India won the Asia Cup for the 8th time by defeating Sri Lanka by 10 wickets 

• India won its eighth Asia Cup trophy by defeating Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final on 17 September 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj did a magical job by taking 6 wickets for 21 runs and reducing Sri Lanka to 50 runs in 15.2 overs. Siraj took four wickets in the fourth over, Pathum Nissanka, Sadira Samaraiwickrama, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjay de Silva in 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6 balls.
• This remained Sri Lanka's lowest ODI score against India and its lowest in the ODI format of the Asia Cup. India's openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan easily chased down the target of 51 runs to win.
• Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj became the fourth bowler in ODI history to take four wickets in an over and equaled former Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas in taking the fastest five wickets in ODI. 
• India has won the tournament a record 8 times while Sri Lanka has managed to win it six times. Only two editions of the Asia Cup tournament were held in the T20I format – 2016 and 2022 – which were won by India and Sri Lanka respectively. 

Asia Cup

• Its first edition was held in Sharjah in 1984 and since then the tournament has been held 15 times. The final on 17 September 2023 was the 16th edition. Which was organized in Pakaistan and Sri Lanka from 30 August-17 September 2023. Nepal participated in this competition for the first time.The first match was between Pakistan and Nepal. 
• Mohammad Siraj got the man of the match in the Asia Cup final, while the most runs were taken by S Gill (302 runs) and the most wickets were taken by M Pathirana (Sri Lanka) with 11 wickets. The winner of Asia Cup 2023 will take prize money of Rs 1.25 crore and the runner-up will take home Rs 82 lakh. 
• Pakistan received $62,500 (Rs 51 lakh) as prize money, while Bangladesh, who finished fourth in the Super Four round, received $31,250 (Rs 25 lakh).

9. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Wins Singapore Grand Prix 2023 

• Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz won the Singapore Grand Prix to end Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen’srecord run of 10 wins in a row and shatter Red Bull’s dream of going through the season unbeaten. 
• McLaren’s Lando Norris finished a close second and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton took third place as Red Bull ended up off the podium for the first time since last November’s Brazilian Grand Prix. 
• The 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix drew a more-than-expected 264,108 spectators over the race weekend. Last year, the event attracted a record 302,000 spectators, surpassing the 268,000 figure for the 2019 edition. The Singapore Grand Prix was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

10. Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second In Diamond League Final 

• Neeraj Chopra, India’s star javelin thrower and the reigning World champion, displayed his skill and resolve at the Diamond League finals in Eugene. His best throw of 83.80 meters secured him the second position in this prestigious competition, where he engaged in a remarkable battle against formidable opponents. Neeraj Chopra had previously clinched the Diamond League crown in 2022, making a remarkable best attempt of 88.44 meters. 
• Chopra followed up his noteworthy effort with throws of 81.37, 80.74, and 80.90 meters. While these throws were commendable, they were not enough to surpass the eventual Diamond League champion, Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic. 
• Jakub Vadlejch made his victory by landing the javelin at an outstanding 84.24 meters. Finland’s Oliver Helander, secured the third position. Helander’s best throw of 83.74 meters was a mere six centimeters short of Chopra’s mark. 

11. MotoGP Bharat Strikes Sponsorship Agreement With Indian Oil 

• Indian energy giant Indian Oil has taken on the title sponsorship of the edition of MotoGP Bharat, the first-ever grand prix in India, which will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22 to 24.
• The MotoGP Bharat, which is being put on by Fair Street Sports in association with Dorna Sports, is set to be an exciting spectacle with 42 teams and 84 riders competing in the MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 categories. Notable riders include Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Jack Miller, and Jorge Martin. 
• The sponsorship deal is a major coup for both MotoGP Bharat and Indian Oil. MotoGP Bharat is the first-ever MotoGP race in India, and it is expected to be a huge success. Indian Oil is one of the largest oil and gas companies in India, and it has a strong track record of supporting sports.

Schemes News

12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches 'PM Vishwakarma Yojana' worth ₹ 13,000 crore 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ₹13,000 crore ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ on Vishwakarma Jayanti on 17 September 2023. Under which 30 lakh families of traditional craftsmen and artisans will be provided loan assistance at minimum interest rate without any guarantee. 
• The objective of the scheme is not only to financially support the artisans and craftsmen in rural and urban areas across the country, but also to keep the age-old tradition, culture and diverse heritage alive and prosperous through local products, arts and crafts. 
• The scheme offers collateral-free enterprise development loans of ₹1 lakh (1st installment for 18 months repayment) and ₹2 lakh (2nd installment for 30 months repayment). 
• A concessional interest rate of 5% will be charged by the beneficiary with an interest subvention limit of 8% to be paid by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The credit guarantee fee will be borne by the Central Government. PM Vishwakarma Yojana 
• The scheme also includes benefits such as recognition as Vishwakarma through a certificate, ID card, and skill verification after basic training of 5-7 days (40 hours). Interested candidates can also enroll for 15 days (120 hours) of advanced training and will be provided a stipend of ₹500 per day. 
• Additionally, a grant of ₹15,000 as a toolkit incentive and an incentive for digital transactions of ₹1 per transaction up to 100 transactions monthly will be provided. 
• The National Committee for Marketing (NCM) will provide services like quality certification, branding and promotion, e-commerce linkage, trade fairs advertising, promotion, and other marketing activities. 
• Artisans or craftsmen working with hands and tools and engaged on a self-employment basis in unorganized sector in one of the 18 family-based traditional occupations mentioned in the scheme will be eligible for registration under PM Vishwakarma. The minimum age of the beneficiary should be 18 years from the date of registration.

13. IRDAI Standing Committee On Cyber Security 

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has established a standing committee dedicated to regularly assessing cyber threats associated with existing and emerging technologies. This committee is not only tasked with identifying vulnerabilities but also with recommending necessary changes to fortify the cyber security framework within the insurance sector. 
• One of the central tasks of the committee is to review the implementation of the IRDAI Information and Cyber Security Guidelines, 2023. These guidelines serve as a comprehensive framework for insurers and intermediaries to assess, manage, and mitigate cyber risks effectively 
• The 10-member committee is chaired by PS Jagannatham, a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of technology and cyber security. The committee comprises a diverse group of experts, including academics, industry professionals, and representatives from the insurance broking community.

Banking and Financial 

14. Max Life Insurance entered health, wellness segment with new plan SEWA 

• Max Life Insurance, a private life insurer, has ventured into the health and wellness segment with the launch of a new plan ‘SEWA’. 
• The Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage (SEWA) plan covers hospitalization, ICU stay, surgeries, critical illness, and disability, besides life cover. 
• To drive insurance adoption among women and transgender customers, as part of financial inclusion, it offers them a 5 percent discount in the first-year premium. 
• SEWA is a unique product that combines the benefit of health, security and financial stability. A product of innovation based on deep consumer insights; SEWA is a testament to Max Life’s dedication to contribute towards a healthier, financially secure India. 

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector 

• Bharti AXA Life introduces “Life Income Laabh” to simplify insurance 
• DBS Bank unveils metaverse adventure on ‘DBS BetterWorld’ 
• HSBC India became the first foreign bank in India to launch ‘ONDC in a Box’
• AU Small Finance launches Zenith Metal credit card
• SBI Card adds new features to AURUM super premium credit card 
• SBI Card launched new credit card Simply SAVE Merchant SBI Card for MSMEs to cater shortterm credit needs

15. Dhanlaxmi Bank Independent Director Sridhar Kalyanasundaram Resigns From Board 

• Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd.’s independent director Sridhar Kalyanasundaram has resigned from the board with effect Sept. 16., citing “factionalism” to “unethical” business conduct. 
• Kalyanasundaram, appointed on Dec. 5, 2022, also referred to whistle-blower issues, rights issue of the bank and the “belligerent attitude” of Shivan JK, managing director and chief executive officer, among other reasons for his exit, according to the company’s exchange filing. 
• This comes after Ravindran Pillai, head of RP Group, who holds 9.99 per cent stake in the bank (largest shareholder), came out with a special notice for removal of Kalyanasundaram. A resolution in this regard would be passed at the 96th annual general meeting (AGM) to be held on September 30. 6.E-Rupee Worth ₹16.39 Crore In Circulation As Of March 2023: RBI 
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has disclosed that as of March 2023, the circulation of the E-rupee, India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), has reached ₹16.39 crore. This digital currency, which mirrors the country’s physical legal tender, comes in different denominations and serves both wholesale and retail purposes. Its denominations range from 50 paise to ₹100. 
• Total E-rupee circulation: ₹16.39 crore. Wholesale CBDC (e₹-W): ₹10.69 crore. Retail CBDC (e₹-R): ₹5.70 crore. The highest circulation is in ₹500 CBDC notes, amounting to ₹2.71 crore. ₹200 notes follow with a circulation of 1.16%. 
• As of now, there are approximately 15,000 E-rupee transactions daily. The RBI aims to scale this number to one million (10 lakh) transactions. Recent efforts have focused on making E-rupee interoperable with UPI QR codes, and the next step is to enhance transaction volumes. 

16. Indian Bank Launches ‘IB SAATHI’ To Enhance Financial Inclusion Services

• Indian Bank has introduced a new initiative called ‘IB SAATHI’ (Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion) to bolster its financial inclusion efforts. The primary goal of IB SAATHI is to provide essential banking services to various stakeholders through the business correspondent (BC) channel.
• Under this revamped model, Indian Bank is committed to offering basic banking services at all its centers for a minimum of four hours each day through fixed outlets. This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring widespread access to banking services. 
• Indian Bank has set ambitious targets for expanding its BC network. The bank plans to deploy over 5,000 new BCs by March 2024. Currently, it already has 10,750 BCs and 10 corporate business correspondents (CBCs). These numbers are set to increase significantly to 15,000 BCs and 15 CBCs, enhancing the bank’s reach and coverage.

Award News

17. Team including Indian researcher wins 2023 Ig Nobel prize 

• A team of scientists from India, China, Malaysia, and the US has won this year’s Ig Nobels, the prize for humorous scientific feats, in the mechanical engineering category for its study of repurposing dead spiders to be used in gripping tools.
• Researchers Te Faye Yap, Zhen Liu, Anoop Rajappan, Trevor Shimokusu, and Daniel Preston, from Rice University in the US, won the prize for their research on re-animating dead spiders to use as mechanical gripping tools.
• Counting nose hairs in cadavers, repurposing dead spiders, smart toilets idea, and explaining why scientists lick rocks, were among the 10 winning achievements in the 33rd Ig Nobel Prize ceremony.
• The Nobel Prize is the premier award in science, reserved for those that “have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” 

Recent Awards

• Leading Fintech Personality of the Year Award by Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) – Adeeb Ahamed 
• M S Swaminathan Award – P V Satyanaryana 
• National Diabetologist of the Year Award – Dr Navneet Agrawal 
• Top central banker globally by US-based Global Finance magazine – Shaktikanta Das (rated A+) 
• Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 – Manoj Bubna 

18. 84 artists conferred with Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit awards 

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards to 84 performing artists in New Delhi. 
• A total of 84 artists, including 70 men and 14 women, received the award at the ceremony. 
• The special achievement awards were given to artists above the age of 75 from all over India who have not been bestowed any national honour yet. 
• The honour carries purse money of one lakh rupees along with Tamrapatra and Angavastra. 
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards is a national honour bestowed on performing artists as well as teachers and scholars in the field of performing arts. 
• The list of awardees includes Krishen Langoo (theatre and music) from Jammu and Kashmir, John Claro Fernandes (playwriting) from Goa, Mahabir Nayak (folk music and dance) from Jharkhand and Tsering Stanzin (folk music) from Ladakh. 
• Three artistes from Andhra Pradesh, two from Arunachal Pradesh and six from Maharashtra also received the prestigious award. Three from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and two each from Punjab and Delhi were also selected. 
• Four award recipients each are from Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka while five each from Assam and Rajasthan also received the prize.

Science and Technology News

19. IIT Guwahati researchers develop pharmaceutical and food products 

• Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed pharmaceutical and food products from tea factory waste.
• As per a recent study, tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide with world tea consumption reaching 6.3 million tonnes and is expected to rise to 7.4 million tonnes by 2025. 
• This huge increase in tea consumption leads to an increase in industrial tea waste generation which leads to the non-utilisation of valuable agricultural resources and deterioration of environment. 
• The findings of these studies have also been published in various international journals including the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Chemosphere, Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, etc. 

Important day 

20. 18 September – World Bamboo Day 

• World Bamboo Day is observed annually on September 18. 
• Objective – To raise awareness about the myriad benefits of bamboo and its role in addressing pressing global challenges. 
• World Bamboo Day was established courtesy the efforts of the World Bamboo Organization, a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 by Susanne Lucas and David Knights to promote bamboo as a valuable and versatile resource. 
• In 2009, the WBO organized the first World Bamboo Congress in Bangkok, Thailand which brought together bamboo enthusiasts, experts, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world and proposed the idea of creating a dedicated day to celebrate bamboo. 
• Bamboo is a type of grass that grows rapidly and is known for its strength. 

21. 18 September – International Equal Pay Day 2023 

• International Equal Pay Day is observed every year on 18 September. 
• This day underscores the commitment of the United Nations to uphold human rights and combat all forms of discrimination, particularly discrimination against women and girls. 
• International Equal Pay Day traces its origins back to 1996 when it was first observed by the National Committee on Pay Equity.
• This committee comprised women’s and civil rights organizations dedicated to eradicating wage discrimination based on gender and race. Their ultimate goal was to achieve pay equity for all.

Business News 

22. SIDBI Plans Rs 10,000 Crore Rights Issue For Fiscal Expansion 

• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), a key player in SME loan refinancing, has unveiled plans to raise Rs 10,000 crore through a rights issue in the upcoming fiscal year. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering its equity capital as the institution anticipates an expansion of its assets, targeting Rs 5 lakh crore by March 2024 from its current standing at approximately Rs 4 lakh crore as of March 2023. 
• SIDBI’s Chairman and Managing Director, Sivasubramanian Ramann, has disclosed that the rights issue will be executed in two tranches of Rs 5,000 crore each during the next fiscal year. This strategy will augment the institution’s capital base by a total of Rs 10,000 crore, providing vital support for its burgeoning balance sheet, which is projected to expand by a quarter from its current size. 
• The ownership landscape of SIDBI includes the central government with a 20.8% stake, the State Bank of India holding 15.65%, and the Life Insurance Corporation at 13.33%. The remaining equity is distributed among various public financial institutions and banks. It is expected that these stakeholders will subscribe to the proposed rights issue.

Ranks and Reports News 

23. Santiniketan On UNESCO World Heritage List 

• Santiniketan, the cultural and educational hub founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a coveted spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The decision to include Santiniketan in the prestigious list was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its importance on the global stage.
• Santiniketan, originally an ashram established by Rabindranath Tagore’s father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, served as a spiritual retreat. It welcomed individuals, irrespective of their caste and creed, to meditate before the one Supreme God. This inclusive ethos laid the foundation for what would become a cultural and educational powerhouse.
• With this latest addition, India now ranks sixth on the World Heritage List, further highlighting the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural and natural treasures. The inclusion of Santiniketan reinforces India’s status as a custodian of world heritage. Santiniketan now stands as India’s 41st World Heritage site, solidifying its place in the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

Obituaries News 

24. Renowned Writer Gita Mehta Passes Away 

• Renowned writer-filmmaker Gita Mehta passed away. She was 80 years old. Mehta had written books including Karma Cola, Snakes and Ladders, A River Sutra, Raj and Eternal Ganesha. She also produced and directed at least 14 television documentaries for UK, European and US networks. 
• Her film compilation of the Bangladesh liberation war of 1971, Dateline Bangladesh, was shown in cinemas both in India and abroad. Mehta’s books have been translated into 21 languages and have been on the bestseller lists in Europe, the US, and India. 
• Gita Mehta was born in 1943 to Biju Patnaik and Gyan Patnaik in Delhi. In 2019, she was given the Padma Shri award but she refused to accept it. Mehta was the daughter of Biju Patnaik and the sister of Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik. She was married to American publisher Sonny Mehta, who died in December 2019.