Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will chair the third National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi on 28th and 29th December 2023. This is the third such conference, the first was held in June 2022 in Dharamshala and the second in January 2023 in Delhi.

Driven by the vision of the Prime Minister of putting the principle of cooperative federalism in action, National Conference of Chief Secretaries are organised to encourage participative governance and partnership between the Centre and the State Governments. This year, the National Conference of Chief Secretaries will be held from 27th to 29th December 2023.

The three day conference will witness participation of more than 200 people comprising of representatives of the Central Government, Chief Secretaries and other senior officials of all States/Union Territories. It will lay the ground for collaborative action for achieving better quality of life for both rural and urban population by strengthening the delivery mechanisms of government interventions.

The key focus of the National Conference of Chief Secretaries this year will be ‘Ease of Living’. The Conference will emphasise on the evolution and implementation of a common development agenda and blueprint for cohesive action in partnership with the States.

With special emphasis on easy access to welfare schemes and quality in service delivery, five sub-themes which will be discussed in the conference are Land & Property; Electricity; Drinking Water; Health; and Schooling. Apart from these, special sessions will also be held on Cyber Security: Emerging Challenges; Perspectives on  AI,  Stories from the Ground: Aspirational Block & District Programme; Role of States: Rationalisation of Schemes & Autonomous entities and Enhancing Capital Expenditure; AI in Governance: Challenges & Opportunities

Besides these, focused deliberations will also be done on Drug De-addiction & Rehabilitation; Amrit Sarovar; Tourism Promotion, Branding & Role of States; and PM Vishwakarma Yojana & PM SVANidhi. Best practices from States/ UTs under each of the themes would also be presented at the Conference so that the States can replicate the success achieved in one state or manoeuvre as per their own requirements..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to fly

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Paleontologists from China and Brazil recently identified a new species of chaoyangopterid pterosaur.

About Pterosaur :

* A pterosaur is any of the flying reptiles that flourished during all periods (Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous) of the Mesozoic Era (252.2 million to 66 million years ago).

* Although pterosaurs are not dinosaurs, both are archosaurs, or “ruling reptiles,” a group to which birds and crocodiles also belong.

* They were also the first animals after insects to evolve powered flight—not just leaping or gliding, but flapping their wings to generate lift and travel through the air.

* Pterosaurs were not only the first reptiles capable of flight. They were also the first vertebrates to fly.

* It included the largest vertebrate ever known to fly: the late Cretaceous Quetzalcoatlus.

* The appearance of flight in pterosaurs was separate from the evolution of flight in birds and bats; pterosaurs are not closely related to either birds or bats and thus provide a classic example of convergent evolution.

* Their wings were formed by a sophisticated membrane of skin stretching from the thorax to a dramatically lengthened fourth finger.

* The pterosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, around 65.5 million years ago, during the mass extinction known as the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event (K-T extinction event)..

Source : SCI

Correct Answer :   Lucknow

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Uttar Pradesh is planning to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow to house and promote the AI ecosystem.

UP Electronics Corporation Ltd, the nodal agency for the project, has released an expression of interest (EoI) seeking proposals for the design, development and operation of an AI City in Lucknow, as per Businessline.

The vision for this AI city is to become a dynamic hub where ideas thrive, incorporating cutting-edge technology, research centres, and educational institutions. The EoI invites real estate developers to participate in building and operating the AI city, to nurture the workforce of the future.

Lucknow is already host to Centers of Excellence specialising in fields such as AI and medtech, showcasing extensive integration of AI technologies.

The AI Centre of Excellence at IIIT Lucknow plays a pivotal role in supporting over 15 AI/ML startups, contributing to the development of a vibrant culture of creativity and entrepreneurship.

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global AI market was valued at $137 Bn in 2022 and is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030..

Source : FTL

Correct Answer :   China

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Breathtaking patterns of giant trees appeared on the frozen Qiantang River in east China's Zhejiang Province amid a continuing cold wave.

About Qiantang River :

* It is a southeast Chinese River that originates on the borders of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces.

* It runs for 459 kilometers through Zhejiang, passing through the capital city - Hangzhou and Yanguan Town, Haining, Jiaxing City before flowing into the East China Sea via Hangzhou Bay.

* The river is also the southern terminal of the ancient Grand Canal that links five major rivers in China from north to south, enabling traffic north to Beijing from Hangzhou via the Canal.

* It is encircled by a group of economically booming cities, including Shanghai, the leading industrial and commercial hub of the country, and Ningbo, one of China's leading port cities.

* The spectacular Qiantang River Tidal Bore is known as one of the largest tidal bores in the world. The highest tidal bore can reach up to 9 meters (30 feet) high..

Source : CGTN

Correct Answer :   Deepika Padukone

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* TECNO has announced Deepika Padukone as its brand ambassador.

* As the brand ambassador, Deepika will take centre stage, representing TECNO across the board and strengthening their vision of making innovative and stylish tech accessible to everyone.

* Commenting on the new collaboration, Deepika Padukone, said: “I’m excited to join TECNO, a brand synonymous with innovation and stylish smartphones. TECNO's lifestyle-tailored approach seamlessly blends innovation, style, design, and accessibility, resonating with the spirit of the new generation. I look forward to this partnership and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”

* Speaking about the recently formed partnership, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, TECNO Mobile, said, "We are thrilled to announce Deepika Padukone as TECNO's brand ambassador. Deepika's charisma, coupled with TECNO's innovation focus, creates a powerful synergy that will strengthen our brand perception and resonate with younger audiences. Beyond being a smartphone brand, TECNO aspires to be a lifestyle companion. We anticipate the association will enhance our brand image and engage a diverse audience, fostering our pursuit of excellence and 'Stop at Nothing' brand philosophy. With Deepika, we look forward to a year of ground-breaking launches, captivating campaigns, and a partnership reflecting the essence of TECNO – where technology meets style to redefine the smartphone experience.”..

Source : Exchange4media

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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Forest department personnel in Odisha recently arrested four poachers and two timber smugglers from Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district during patrolling.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) :

Location :

* STR is located within the Mayurbhanj District, in the northernmost part of Odisha.

* It was declared a 'Tiger Reserve' in 1956 and included under the national conservation programme 'Project Tiger' in 1973.

* It is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515m above mean sea level).

* The STR, along with a 'transitional area' of 2250 sq. km, was included as a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2009.


Terrain :

* The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.

* The inclined plateau has risen abruptly from the low coastal plains. The steep side faces the Bay of Bengal and runs northwards to finally merge with Chhota Nagpur.

* The water level is high, and the tract is woven with perennial water sources converging into rivers like Budhabalanga, Salandi, and many tributaries of the Baitarani River flowing from the Reserve.

Vegetation :

* It is a mix of different forest types and habitats, with Northern tropical moist deciduous dominating some semi-evergreen patches.

* It is the only landscape in the world that is home to melanistic tigers.

* The region around STR is home to a variety of tribes, including Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.


Flora :

* An astounding 1078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids, are found here.

* Sal is the dominant tree species here.

* Fauna: Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Langur, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin etc.

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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Marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated UP’s first intra-district helicopter service from Bateshwar in Agra to Goverdhan in Mathura.

Based on the private-public partnership (PPP), the helicopter service is to be run by a private player from Uttrakhand. A helicopter service will cover a distance of 65 km between Agra city and Mathura.

“The chief minister inaugurated the first helicopter service today, marking the beginning of the helicopter service from one district to another in the state,” said Avinash Chandra Mishra, Joint Director of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism department.

During the ceremony, UP CM Yogi Adityanath also unveiled a statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary in his native village Bateshwar in Agra district.

UP CM also laid the foundation stone of projects worth ₹100 crore, which are aimed at bringing new life to Bateshwar, a historical village located amid the ravines of Chambal across the borders of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh..

Source : Financial Express

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

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Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar is scheduled to release a special postal cover commemorating the 100th anniversary of the late Justice Konda Madhav Reddy, Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai High Courts and former Governor of Maharashtra, on 27th December 2023. The event will be held at the AV College in Gagan Mahal.

The event, hosted by the Justice Konda Madhav Reddy Foundation, will be presided over by the Governor D. Tamilisai Soundararajan. The guests include Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court Alok Aradhe; former judge of the Supreme Court of India Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, Chief Postmaster General, Telangana Circle, P.V.S. Reddy and chairman of Apollo Hospitals group Dr Prathap C. Reddy..

Source : Deccan Chronicle

Correct Answer :   Angola

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The south-western African country Angola has decided to withdraw from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with effect from January 1, 2024.

Angola became a member of OPEC in 2007. Earlier, Ecuador in 2020 and Qatar in 2019 had left this organization.

OPEC, an organization of permanent petroleum exporting countries, was established in Baghdad in 1960. Its headquarters is in Vienna, Austria. 

Correct Answer :   Rs.13,000 crore

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The objective of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme is to enable / provide support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands, using tools, in the 18 trades covered through:

* the recognition of artisans and craftspeople as Vishwakarma, making them eligible to avail all the benefits under the Scheme;
* skill upgradation to hone their skills and make relevant and suitable training opportunities available to them;
* support for better and modern tools to enhance their capability, productivity, and quality of products and services;
* providing the beneficiaries an easy access to collateral free credit and reduced cost of credit through interest subvention;
* incentives for digital transactions to encourage digital empowerment of Vishwakarmas; and
* a platform for brand promotion and market linkages to help them access new opportunities for growth.

The financial outlay for the scheme from FY 2023-2024 to FY 2027-28 is Rs.13,000 crore.  Year wise funds allocation is given below:

As per guidelines of the PM Vishwakarma scheme, the eligibility criteria for availing the benefits of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme are as under;

* An artisan or craftsperson working with hands and tools and engaged in one of the 18 family-based traditional trades, in the unorganised sector, on self-employment basis, shall be eligible for registration.

* The minimum age of the beneficiary should be 18 years on the date of registration.

* The beneficiary should be engaged in the trade concerned on the date of registration.

* The beneficiary should not have availed loans under similar credit-based schemes of Central Government or State Government for self-employment/business development e.g. PMEGP, MUDRA and PM SVANidhi in the past 5 years. However, beneficiaries of MUDRA and PM SVANidhi who have fully repaid their loan will be eligible under PM Vishwakarma.

* The registration and benefits under the Scheme shall be restricted to one member of the family. For availing benefits under the Scheme, a ‘family’ is defined as consisting of the husband, wife and unmarried children.

* A person in government service and her/his family members shall not be eligible under the Scheme.

* As on 18.12.2023, as per PM Vishwakarma Portal, 57,815 applications have been registered for availing the benefits of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.


As informed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 177 candidates have completed the Basic training and 133 candidates have been assessed and certified as on 17.12.2023. The payment of stipend to the Basic Training certified Vishwakarmas is currently under process in Public Finance Management System (PFMS).  State-wise details of Trained and Assessed/Certified candidates are given at Annexure.


Source : PIB