Current Affairs Quiz 5th January 2024 Quiz

Exp. ArcelorMittal partners with IIT Madras to create Hyperloop facility

Steel giant ArcelorMittal has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras to build “Asia’s first” Hyperloop test track facility in Tamil Nadu.

The companies, ArcelorMittal and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS), are providing foundational steel materials as well as engineering, design, and project management expertise to support the construction of Asia’s first Hyperloop test track at the 163-acre Discovery campus of IIT Madras, located at Thaiyur on the outskirts of Chennai.

ArcelorMittal is collaborating with the IIT Madras’s Hyperloop Technology teams — Avishkar Hyperloop, a student team, and TuTr Hyperloop, a startup incubated in IIT Madras, for the project. The Ministry of Railways is also a key partner.

ArcelorMittal and AM/NS will supply 400 tonnes of steel for the fabrication of a 400-metre vacuum tube at the site, while engineers from AMDEC, the design and engineering arm of ArcelorMittal, will help oversee the project.

The test facility is expected to be operational by the end of Q1, 2024.

IITs in News

• Reliance Jio joins hands with IIT Bombay to launch Bharat GPT
• IIT Guwahati collaborated with Assam govt’s Arohan Scheme over STEM
• Indian Navy signed MoU with IIT Kanpur to promote technology development
• Global cyber security company Kaspersky and IIT Delhi signed an agreement to jointly work on cybersecurity-related research and educational initiatives at the institute.
• Airbus tie-up with IIT Kanpur to promote aerospace education

Exp. U.P. tops in entry rate on ICJS platform

Uttar Pradesh has been ranked first for the third consecutive year in recording the highest entry rate on the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform, conceptualized by the Supreme Court’s e-committee and implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Notably, the ICJS platform facilitates the seamless transfer of data and information among various pillars of the criminal justice system nationwide.

It enables the exchange of data related to crimes and criminals between courts, police, jails, and forensic science laboratories through a single-window system.

Uttar Pradesh has recorded 1,56,22,514 entries on the ICJS platform so far. He added that Madhya Pradesh is in the second spot with 35,04,828 entries, and Bihar is in third place with 16,65,107 entries.

Through ICJS, records such as FIRs, case numbers, jail IDs, and details from filing FIRs against suspects to the imprisonment of culprits are maintained.

Additionally, details of court cases, trials, judgments, prosecution, and forensic information can be accessed by courts, police, jails, and forensic science laboratories through a single platform.

Exp. Kerala launches K-Smart tech solution

The Kerala Government has launched K-SMART (Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation), which will bring all services of the three-tier local self-government institutions on a unified digital platform.

This is the first such initiative in the country that the entire bouquet of services of a department is being made available to the public on a digital platform.

Kerala is showing the way in using modern technology. Kerala is the first state in the country to declare Internet access a fundamental right. K-SMART would provide a major relief to expatriates who want to avail various services of the local bodies without visiting the offices.

Initially, K-SMART application, developed by the Information Kerala Mission of the state IT department, will be operational in corporations and municipalities. Gradually, it will be rolled out in gram panchayats.

K-SMART adapts diverse technological disciplines, encompassing blockchain, artificial intelligence, GIS/spatial data, chatbot, message integration, API integration of various software, machine learning, data science, cloud computing, virtual and augmented reality, Internet of things among others.

About Kerala

• Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief Minister – Pinarayi Vijayan
• Governor – Arif Mohammad Khan

Exp. Czech PM to be chief guest at Vibrant Gujarat Summit

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala is to be the Guest of Honour at the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit to be held from January 10-12 in Gandhinagar.

Besides PM Fiala, Timor-Leste’s President José Ramos-Horta, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi will also be attending.

The Prime Minister will open the event on January 10th in Gandhinagar.

The biennial event has become a crucial platform for policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, investors, and corporates to foster collaborations, and partnerships and explore investment opportunities.

As many as 28 countries and 14 organizations have so far confirmed that they will be partners in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2024, the state government said.

The theme for the 10th edition of the VGGS is ‘Gateway to the Future’. It will be held in Gandhinagar from January 10 to 12.

Countries that agreed to join as partners are: Australia, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Tanzania, Thailand, the UAE, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Ghana, and Vietnam.

Partner organizations include the American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM India) EPIC India-University of Chicago, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), Indo-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, International Solar Alliance, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Korea Trade and Investment Agency, among others.

Exp. Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated Startup Expo in Kathua

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated Mega Expo under the theme “Emerging StartUp Trends in North India” at Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir.

The Startup Expo was organized jointly by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), DBT, GoI, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu.

A total of 25 startups from North India, i.e. from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi showcased their innovations and products in the Mega Expo.

VP Dhankar also interacted with the distinguished gathering of traders, academicians, technocrats, and members of the civil society.   In the expo, StartUps exhibited their products, prototypes, and services, providing attendees with hands-on experiences of cutting-edge technologies.

Exp. Jharkhand govt reduces qualifying age for old-age pension to 50

Jharkhand Government has reduced the qualifying age for old-age pension for tribals and Dalits to 50 years from the previous 60 years.

According to the government, only 16 lakh people received pension benefits in the 20 years after the formation of Jharkhand in 2000, but his government has provided pensions to 36 lakh people – mostly to those aged above 60 years.

The government has decided to provide pension benefits to tribals and Dalits on reaching the age of 50 years. The death rate among them is high and they do not get jobs after 60 years.

The CM also asserted that his government was working relentlessly for the welfare of the people and a large number of schemes were being implemented for the first time, including his government’s outreach programme ‘Aapki Yojna, Aapki Sarkar, Aaapke Dwar’ delivering benefits of the government schemes to villagers at their doorsteps.

About Jharkhand

• Capital – Ranchi
• Chief Minister – Hemant Soren
• Governor – P. Radhakrishnan

Exp. Andhra Pradesh CM boosts social security pension to Rs 3,000.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the upgraded social welfare pension of ₹3,000 per month with an expanded reach to cover 66.34 lakh beneficiaries.

This would mark an increase of ₹250 as till now pension was at ₹2,750.

The State government was spending ₹1,968 crore every month on social pensions, and volunteers, irrespective of public holidays were distributing pensions at sun-rise on the first of every month to the pensioners.

The State government spent ₹26,000 crore on Amma Vodi, ₹33,330 crore on Rythu Bharosa, ₹19,178 crore on YSR Asara and ₹14,129 crore on YSR Cheyutha benefitting around 45 lakh mothers and Fifty-four lakh farmers. Additionally, the schemes benefitted 79 lakh women of self-help groups and Twenty-six lakh women of 45-to 60-years respectively.

About Andhra Pradesh

• Capital – Amaravati
• Chief Minister – YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
• Governor – Abdul Nazeer

Exp. France becomes first European country to issue digital Schengen visas

France will become the first European country to issue digital Schengen visas to visitors for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

France has announced plans to shift entirely to online procedures for 70,0000 French Schengen Visas, in a move that aligns with the EU’s digitalization plans.

France began operations of the “Olympic Consulate” system from January 1, 2024 – dedicated to processing visa applications for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The “Olympic Consulate” is expected to handle applications from 15,000 international athletes, 9,000 journalists, and delegations from foreign countries participating in the upcoming sporting events.

The initiative aims to streamline the visa application process, avoiding any mix-up with the surge of files currently undergoing processing at French visa centers worldwide.

The Schengen area includes 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with associated neighbors Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

About France

• Capital- Paris
• President- Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister- Elisabeth Borne
• Official language- French

Exp. India Ratings raises GDP growth forecast for FY’24 to 6.7% from 6.2%

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has revised upwards its GDP growth estimate for FY24 to 6.7 percent from 6.2 percent earlier.

The revision is led by a number of factors, including the resilience of the Indian economy (which grew 7.6 percent yoy in 2QFY24); sustained government capex; the deleveraged balance sheet of corporates/ banking sector; prospects for a new private corporate capex cycle; and sustained momentum in business and software services exports, coupled with remittances from across the world.

The revision comes on the heels of Reserve Bank of India upping its GDP growth forecast for 2023-24 by 50 basis points to 7 percent, from 6.5 percent earlier.

Updated GDP List

• Goldman Sachs – 6.2% (FY24)
• Fitch Rating – 6.9% (FY24), 6.5% (FY25)
• IMF – 6.3% (FY24), 6.3% (FY25)
• ICRA –6.5% (FY24)
• Kotak Mahindra Bank – 6.8% (FY24)
• Citigroup – 6.7%
• DBS – 6.8%
• ADB –6.7% (FY24), 6.7% (FY25)
• Morgan Stanley – 6.9%(FY24)
• RBI –7% (FY24)
• Nomura – 6.7% (FY24)

Exp. Canara Bank to launch Data Analytics center in Bengaluru

Public sector banking behemoth Canara Bank will open a separate cyber-security wing from April 1 as the bank steps up its investment in cyber security initiatives to prevent customers from falling into the trap of online fraudsters.

The wing will be headed by a general manager and monitor digital transactions on a real-time basis and trigger alerts if a fraudster is trying to break into a customer’s account.

After opening the bank’s new data and analytics centre (DnA) in Bengaluru, the PSU bank has been at the forefront in leveraging analytics for improving customer experience and operations.

AI is reshaping our lives in unprecedented ways, and we are committed to adopting it to spur business growth while ensuring data privacy and security.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Bank of India introduced Super Special Fixed Deposit with interest rate of 7.50% per annum
• IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘IndusInd Bank eSvarna’, India’s first Corporate Credit Card on RuPay network.
• Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance launched U.L.I.P (Term with Unit Linked Insurance Plan) Product
• RBL Bank Introduces Electronic Bank Guarantee on NeSL Platform
• Reliance General Insurance unveils ‘Reliance Health Global

Exp. Randhir Jaiswal became Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs

Randhir Jaiswal, a Senior Indian Foreign Service officer, assumed the position of Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.

A seasoned 1998 batch IFS officer, Jaiswal replaced Arindam Bagchi in this capacity.

Earlier in October 2023, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was appointed India’s next Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

A 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Bagchi is an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Mr. Bagchi took over as spokesperson in March 2021. His tenure was eventful as it spanned the COVID-19 pandemic, the standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, India hosting the G20 Summit in September this year and the increased pace of India’s engagements with various partners.

Mr. Jaiswal has served in Portugal, Cuba, South Africa and at India’s permanent mission to the UN in New York.

Recent Appointment

• President of European Investment Bank – Nadia Calviño (replace Werner Hoyer)
• Chairperson of SC legal services committee by NALSA – Justice BR Gavai (replace Justice Sanjiv Khanna)
• MD & CEO of Kia India – Gwanggu Lee
• Defense Minister of China – Dong Jun (replace Li Shangfu)
• DG of Fire Service, Civil Defence & Home Guards – Vivek Srivastava

Exp. Sanjay Jasjit Singh took charge of Western Naval Command

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh has assumed the role of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command (WNC).

Singh succeeds Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

Before this, Singh served as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, boasting a versatile naval career of about 38 years.

Singh has held notable positions such as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, Flag Officer Sea Training, Western Fleet Commander, and more.

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector

• DG of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – Nina Singh (first woman Director)
• DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) – Rahul Rasgotra (replace Anish Dayal Singh)
• DG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) – Anish Dayal Singh
• DG of the Fire Service – Vivek Srivastava
• Vice Chief of Naval Staff – Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi

Exp. Chhattisgarh declared dry day on January 22 to honor Ram temple

Chhattisgarh government has decided to declare January 22 as a “dry day” as the consecration of Ram temple will take place in Ayodhya on that day.

Ram Raj has been the model of our good governance, CM said.

We are fortunate that Chhattisgarh is Lord Ram’s ‘nanihal’ (the place of Lord Ram’s maternal grandparents) and it is also fortunate that ‘pran pratistha’ of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will take place on January 22,”.

The state’s rice millers association has sent 300 metric tonnes of aromatic rice to Ayodhya for the ceremony and cultivators from the state will also dispatch vegetables to the city in Uttar Pradesh.

Lord Ram had passed through several places located in Chhattisgarh during his 14-year exile from Ayodhya. Chandkhuri, a village located 27 km from Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, is considered as the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Ram.

The ancient Mata Kaushalya temple situated in the village was given a magnificent look during the previous Congress government in the state.

About Chhattisgarh

• Capital – Raipur
• Chief Minister – Vishnu Deo Sai (replace Bhupesh Baghel)
• Deputy CM – Arun Sao & Vijay Sharma
• Governor – Biswabhusan Harichandan
• Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly – Raman Singh

Exp. Former India defender Prabir Majumdar passes away

Former Indian defender Prabir Majumdar passed away at the age of 77.

A stylish wing-back of the 1960s and 1970s, Majumdar was a member of the Indian team in the 1974 Asian Games.

He also featured for the national side during the 1974 Asian Games held in Tehran, where the team failed to create an impact and finished at the bottom of the group table.

In the domestic circuit, Majumdar was a part of East Bengal and Eastern Railways, besides also representing Bengal in the Santosh Trophy.

Majumdar won several titles with East Bengal, which included the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield, Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, DCM Trophy, Bordoloi Trophy, and many more.