Correct Answer :   IIT Bombay

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Reliance Jio Infocomm, the largest telecom service provider in India, is working with the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay to launch ‘Bharat GPT’, a large-language model tailored for India’s needs, said chairman Akash Ambani while addressing a gathering at the IIT’s annual Techfest in Mumbai.

* “We have been working on a project with IIT Bombay to launch the Bharat GPT programme," he said.

* Jio is looking to introduce AI at its enterprise and across sectors within the group. The next decade will be defined by large-language models and generative AI, he said. “We are working very hard to launch AI not only as a vertical inside our organization, but horizontally across all our sectors."

* The firm will launch products and services in the media space, commerce, communication and devices, Ambani said. AI is going to “consume everything, to me, AI stands for artificial intelligence, and also stands for all included".

* The telco, a unit of Reliance Industries, is “comprehensively thinking" to launch an operating system for television, he said. “We have been working on our own OS (operating system) for a while now for TVs and we are comprehensively thinking about how to launch it."

* Ambani said work on vision of “Jio 2.0" was on, but did not elaborate further. Jio is very excited about offering 5G private networks, and will be offering a 5G stack to all enterprise irrespective of its size, Ambani said..


Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   C S Rajan

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* Kotak Mahindra Bank, on 27th December 2023, announced that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval for the appointment of C S Rajan, who currently serves as an Independent Director of the bank, as the Part-time Chairman. This appointment is effective from January 1, 2024, and is slated to last for a period of two years.

* C S Rajan assumed the role of Independent Director on the Bank's Board starting from October 22, 2022.

* “We thank Mr. Prakash Apte for his contribution to the Bank, first as an Independent Director and subsequently as the Chairman of the Bank’s Board. We would like to congratulate Mr. C S Rajan on his appointment as Chairman of the Bank’s Board. We are confident that the Bank will benefit immensely from Mr. Rajan’s guidance for its next phase of growth," said Dipak Gupta, Managing Director & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

* C S Rajan has experience of over 40 years across significant government portfolios. He assumed the role of an Independent Director on the Bank's Board on October 22, 2022. A distinguished IAS officer from the 1978 batch, he concluded his service as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Rajasthan in 2016.

* During his career, Rajan held leadership positions for 12 years in crucial infrastructure sectors, including Energy, Highways, Water Resources, and Industry, encompassing SSI/MSME. Additionally, he contributed his expertise for 14 years in the domains of Agriculture and Rural Development, as highlighted by the Bank.

* In October 2018, the Government of India appointed Rajan to the Board of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL & FS). Initially serving as a Director, he later assumed the role of Managing Director for a period of three and a half years, followed by a year as Chairman & Managing Director. Subsequently, he transitioned to the role of Non-Executive Chairman of IL & FS..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Maharishi Valmiki

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Ayodhya, the holy city in Uttar Pradesh, is all set to get its first international airport, marking a significant development in its pilgrimage and tourism potential. However, amidst preparations for the grand inauguration on 30 December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a potential name change for the airport has emerged.


Current Name and Proposed Change :

* The airport currently boasts the lengthy name “Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport.”
* The Yogi Adityanath government is reportedly considering renaming it “Maharishi Valmiki Airport,” honoring the revered poet who authored the epic Ramayana.


Reasons for the Potential Change :

* Following the completion of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a surge in pilgrim and tourist inflow is anticipated.
* The proposed name change aligns with the religious significance of the city and pays homage to Maharishi Valmiki, whose Ramayana immortalized the story of Lord Rama.

Preparations for the Inauguration :

* A successful test landing of an aircraft has recently been conducted, ensuring the airport’s readiness for operation.
* IndiGo flights are scheduled to commence operations on January 6, 2024, followed by Air India flights on January 16.
* Regular flight schedules will begin in January, with initial fares from Ayodhya to Delhi estimated around Rs 3,600.


Expected Rush during the Pran-Pratishtha :

* During the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, dubbed the “Pran-Pratishtha,” a massive influx of devotees is expected, leading to potential price hikes.
* Airfares during this period are predicted to soar above Rs 12,000, reflecting the high demand and limited availability.


Overall Significance :

* The opening of the Ayodhya International Airport marks a new chapter for the city, boosting its connectivity and accessibility for pilgrims and tourists. While the potential name change remains undecided, the airport’s launch undoubtedly signifies a pivotal moment in Ayodhya’s development and religious landscape.

Correct Answer :   Israel

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Israel’s government has agreed to provide Intel with a $3.2 billion grant for the construction of a new $25 billion chip plant in southern Israel.  The new plant, known as Fab 38, is expected to open in 2028 and operate through 2035.


KEY POINTS :

* The grant covers about 12.8% of the total investment in the facility in Kiryat Gat.
* Intel will buy 60 billion shekels ($16.6 billion) in goods and services from Israeli companies, and the new facility is expected to create several thousand jobs.
* This is a $15 billion extension to the investment in a new facility that Intel announced in 2019.


BACKGROUND :

* Intel has a long history in Israel, having established a presence in the country in 1974. The company currently operates four development and production sites in Israel, including its manufacturing plant in Kiryat Gat called Fab 28, which produces Intel 7 technology or 10-nanometer chips and employs nearly 12,000 people in the country, while indirectly employing another 42,000 more. In June, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Intel would build a new $25 billion chip plant in Israel.

BENEFITS FOR ISRAEL & INTEL :

* The new Israeli plant is expected to pay a corporate tax rate of 7.5%, instead of the normal 23% rate, under Israel’s law to encourage investment in development areas. This reduced tax rate is intended to attract more businesses to invest in Israel and create jobs for its citizens. Additionally, Intel’s commitment to invest in Israel demonstrates the country’s ability to attract significant foreign investment, even amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

* The $3.2 billion grant from the Israeli government will help Intel advance its unprecedented expansion of chip production capacity. This investment comes at a time when the global semiconductor market is experiencing significant growth. The demand for advanced semiconductor technologies is also increasing. By investing in a new facility in Israel, Intel aims to capitalize on this growth. It also aims to maintain its position as a leading semiconductor manufacturer..


Source : Gizchina

Correct Answer :   Both 1 and 2

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Recently, the Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Guwahati University, Assam has developed a cost-effective formalin sensor that can effectively detect the presence of formalin in adulterated fishes.

Materials used : Tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite (rGO- SnO2).

* While reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been used to detect various toxic gases and VOCs, tin oxide (SnO2) has been extensively investigated for formaldehyde detection in pristine form and by incorporating it with various compounds, including graphene, due to its high stability and high sensitivity toward low concentrations of formaldehyde.

Process : The Graphene oxide (GO) was processed through wet chemical approach and tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite (rGO- SnO2) was synthesized by hydrothermal route followed by calcination of the obtained product.

* They found that the sensor made of tin oxide decorated reduced graphene oxide effectively sensed formaldehyde vapor at room temperature.

* The sensor shows long-term stability with a low detection limit.

* A new low-cost sensor made of metal oxide nanoparticles reduced graphene oxide composite can detect formalin adulteration in fishes at room temperature in a non-invasive way.

* The research for this supported by DST-PURSE (Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence).


What is Formaldehyde?

* It is a colourless, pungent gas that is used in a variety of industrial processes, including as a preservative in some foods, commonly in fish in developing countries..

Source : DST

Correct Answer :   Asia

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A new reptile species was recently discovered in China and has been called Wang’s Garden Lizard.

About Wang’s Garden Lizard :

* It is a new species of iguana.

Scientific Name : Calotes wangi

Distribution : It is found in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and tropical monsoon forests in southern China and northern Vietnam, mostly in mountainous areas, hills and plains on forest edges, arable land, shrub lands, and even urban green belts.

* It is not threatened at present. However, in some areas, their habitat was being fragmented.

Features :

* It is less than 9 cm long, and one of its distinguishing features is its orange tongue.
* It is active at the edge of the forest, and when it is in danger, it rushes into bushes or climbs tree trunks to hide.
* It lies on sloping shrub branches at night, sleeping close to the branches.
* It eats a variety of insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
* It is active from April to October every year, while in the tropics it is active from March to November or even longer.
* In addition, their bodies are used medicinally and the lizards are also eaten.


What are iguanas?

* Iguanas are stout lizards mainly living in the tropical parts of the western world.
* They are identified from their bulky appearance, scaly skin covered in warts, spines on their back, and a flap of flesh under their necks.
* They have shown various color morphs, the common ones being green, blue, and grey..

Source : SCI

Correct Answer :   Antarctica Peninsula and South America

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Recently, a research expedition in the Southern Ocean has mapped a string of seamounts that help to shape the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

* The Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean) is one of the five great ocean basins on Earth.

* It was formed around 34 million years ago when Antarctica and South America drifted apart, creating the Drake Passage.

* The passage is located between the Antarctica Peninsula’s tip and South America.

* It is made up of the portions of the world ocean south of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans and their tributary seas surrounding Antarctica below 60° S.

Physiography :

* The structure of the ocean floor includes a continental shelf usually less than 160 miles (about 260 km) wide that attains its maximum width of more than 1,600 miles (2,600 km) in the vicinity of the Weddell and Ross seas.

* It is known for its strong winds, intense storms, dramatic seasonal changes and cold temperatures.

* It is dominated by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC): the longest, strongest, deepest-reaching current on earth.

* The ACC circulates clockwise around the continent, carrying more water around the globe than any other current.

Biodiversity : The Ocean supports a variety of plants and animals, with most animals relying on the rich phytoplankton from the Antarctic Convergence. Marine life includes whales, penguins, orcas, and seals..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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Shares of Bharat Electronics, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, jumped 5.5% to hit a new all-time high of ₹184.50 apiece in today's (26th Dec 2023) trade after the company received orders worth ₹678 crore.

In today's exchange filing, the company said it had signed a contract for a value of ₹445 crore with the UP government for the next-generation UP (Uttar Pradesh) Dial 112 project. The company will provide comprehensive and state-of-the-art hardware, AI-based software tools, and cybersecurity solutions for the Dial 112 project, which is spread across the entire state of Uttar Pradesh.

“BEL is happy to be associated with the UP Government for this project, which is one of Asia's biggest emergency response system. BEL will be utilising the ecosystem of domestic suppliers, including MSMEs, for the execution of this project," the company's exchange filing said.

In addition, the company said it has also received additional orders worth ₹233 crore, which pertain to communication display units, thermal imaging cameras, and other miscellaneous spares and services.

Strong order wins :

Last week, the company received orders worth ₹2,673 crore from Goa Shipyard Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers for the supply of 14 types of sensors for use on Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV).

On December 15, the Ministry of Defence entered into a significant agreement with BEL, Pune, for the acquisition of electronic fuzes for the Indian Army over a 10-year period, with a total investment of ₹5,336.25 crore.

With the latest order wins, Bharat Electronics Limited has accumulated orders totaling ₹26,613 crore in the ongoing financial year 2023–24.

Meanwhile, global brokerage firm UBS has lifted its target price on BEL to ₹205 apiece, citing the company's improving earnings growth visibility and an expanding order pipeline..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Both 1 and 2

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* Children suffering from lysosomal storage disorders like Gaucher disease are facing a bleak future as their treatment has been stopped due to the exhaustion of one-time support from the Union health ministry.

* It is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder (LSD).

* It is a type of disease that causes fatty substances (sphingolipids) to build up in your bone marrow, liver and spleen.

* The sphingolipids weaken bones and enlarge your organs.


Symptoms : Enlarged spleen, liver, eye movement disorders and yellow spots in the eyes etc.


There are three types of Gaucher disease :

Type1 : It affects your spleen, liver, blood and bones. It doesn’t affect your brain or spinal cord. Gaucher disease type 1 is treatable, but there’s no cure.

Type 2 : A rare form of the disorder appears in babies younger than 6 months old.

* It causes an enlarged spleen, movement problems and severe brain damage. There’s no treatment for Gaucher disease type 2.

Type 3 : It is the most common form which appears before age 10 and causes bone and organ abnormalities and neurological (brain) problems.


* Treatments can help many people with Gaucher disease type 3 live into their 20s or 30s.

Treatment : There’s no cure for Gaucher disease, but treatments can relieve symptoms and greatly improve quality of life.

Correct Answer :   Bihar

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (27th Dec 2023) approved the construction of a new 4.56 km long, 6-lane bridge on the river Ganga, connecting Digha and Sonepur in Bihar, according to an official statement.

* The total cost for the project is estimated at Rs 3,064.45 crore, including Rs 2,233.81 crore for civil construction, it added. The bridge will make traffic faster and easier, resulting in the overall development of the state, especially north Bihar, the statement noted.

* "The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today (27th Dec 2023) gave its approval for the construction of the new 4,556 m long, 6-lane high level/ extra dosed cable-stayed bridge across River Ganga (Parallel to Western Side of existing Digha-Sonepur Rail-Cum Road Bridge) and its approaches on both sides in the districts of Patna and Saran (NH-139W) in Bihar on EPC mode," it said.

* Digha (situated at Patna and South Bank of Ganga River) and Sonepur (North Bank of Ganga River in Saran District) are presently connected by a rail cum road bridge for the movement of light vehicles only.

* Therefore, the statement said, the present road cannot be used for the transport of goods and commodities, which is a major economic blockade.

* The constraint will be removed by providing the bridge between Digha and Sonepur, and goods and commodities can be transported once the bridge is constructed, unleashing the economic potential of the region, as per the statement.

* The work is to be implemented on an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) model with the use of the latest technology like 5D-building information modelling (BIM), bridge health monitoring system (BHMS) and monthly drone mapping to ensure quality of construction and operations. The work is targeted to be completed in 42 months from the appointed date.

* "This bridge will provide direct connectivity from Patna to Golden quadrilateral corridor via NH-139 at Aurangabad and Sonepur (NH-31), Chhapra, Motihari (East-West corridor oldNH-27), Bettiah (NH-727) in the Northern side of Bihar," the statement said. It also pointed out that this project is a part of the Buddha circuit.

* According to the statement, the economic analysis results of the project have shown an economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of 17.6 per cent in base case and 13.1 per cent in worst case scenario which may be attributed to the savings in distance and time travelled..

Source : Zeebiz