Correct Answer :   106

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The Ministry of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed 106 MoUs with various esteemed organizations and institutions in New Delhi (30th July 2023).

The event took place on the occasion of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2023 and the 3rd anniversary of the National Education Policy. Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the MoUs aim to foster innovation, research, and knowledge exchange in multiple domains, promoting collaboration in education and industry-academia linkages. These partnerships involve both public and private entities and cover school education, literacy, and higher education.
 
Under the CBSE, 15 MoUs were signed with organizations like Atal Innovation Mission, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, among others, to focus on skill development and education.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) signed 3 MoUs, including one with Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) to promote Indian Sign Language.
 
NCERT signed 20 MoUs for quality e-Content development and dissemination. In the realm of higher education, 6 MoUs were signed to promote the Indian Knowledge System. International collaborations were also strengthened with 6 MoUs signed.

Additionally, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed 14 MoUs to equip the youth with cutting-edge skills and knowledge. These partnerships reflect the government's commitment to nurturing academic excellence and fostering innovation in India..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   July 29

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International Tiger Day is celebrated on July 29 every year to raise awareness about the conservation of tigers. Tigers, listed as an endangered species in many regions worldwide, face numerous threats to their survival, including habitat loss and poaching. Countries all over the world celebrate this day as a comprehensive effort to protect tigers and their natural habitat at a global level. International Tiger Day is celebrated so that humans and tigers can coexist harmoniously.


International Tiger Day History :

* International Tiger Day, or Global Tiger Day, was proposed for the first time in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia. Many countries agreed to join an agreement to safeguard tigers. Among these countries were thirteen tiger range countries including India, Russia, and China.

* At the Saint Petersburg Summit, the countries committed to a resolution to double the number of tigers by 2022, which is also the Chinese year of the tiger. Since then, International Tiger Day has been celebrated every year.

International Tiger Day Significance :

* Tigers are mostly found in Asia and Africa. Unfortunately, because of poaching and habitat loss, more than 95 percent of tigers have been killed, leaving the remaining 5 percent severely endangered. Tigers play a crucial role in the food chain and in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.

* It is critical to save these animals before they become extinct. The importance of tigers for the environment, the threats they face from poaching for body parts, and the immediate measures required to safeguard this endangered species are all highlighted on International Tiger Day.

Correct Answer :   Deepak Mohanty

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Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the revamped website of the National Pension System Trust. Prof. Manoj Anand and Ms. Mamta Shankar, Whole Time Members, PFRDA, Shri Suraj Bhan, Chairman, NPS Trust, were also present on the occasion.

* The new website accessible at https://npstrust.org.in marks a significant milestone in NPS Trust’s commitment to enhancing user experience and providing seamless access to information related to the National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

* The new website features a sleek and intuitive design, optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. It incorporates a range of new features and improvements to better serve the needs of the people.

The key highlights of the website are :

* Streamlined navigation and menu structure
* Structured Information
* Enhanced online services with new features
* Enhanced user experience
* Improved search functionality

On the landing page itself, 3 important tabs :

1. Open NPS Account
2. Plan your retirement (pension calculator)
3. View my NPS holdings

are placed for the convenience of the subscribers.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The 10th meeting of Sub Committee on Military Cooperation between India and Malaysia was held in New Delhi on July 27, 2023.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence Shri Amitabh Prasad, while the Malaysian side was headed by Assistant Chief of Staff, Defence Operations and Training Division Maj Gen Dato' Khairul Anuar bin Abd Aziz.

During the meeting, the existing defence cooperation between the two countries was reviewed and wide-ranging discussions were held on issues of mutual interest.

Both sides explored effective and practical initiatives to further expand the bilateral defence engagements. The Indian side highlighted the potential of the Indian defence industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with the Malaysian Armed Forces in its shipbuilding and maintenance plans.

Both the co-chairs also deliberated on the possible outcomes for the 12th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting which will be held at the level of Defence Secretary in India in September this year.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the Enhanced Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust & understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy & rule of law. The Enhanced Strategic Partnership was established during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Malaysia in 2015..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   National Health Authority

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National Health Authority (NHA) has launched 100 Microsites Project under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). A Microsite, within the context of ABDM, shall be a cluster of all small and medium scale clinics, nursing homes, hospitals (preferably <10 bedded), labs, pharmacies and other healthcare facilities that are ABDM-enabled and offer digital health services to the patients.

These Microsites would be established across the country in various states/UTs, majorly implemented by State Mission Directors of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission while the financial resources and overall guidance would be provided by National Health Authority.

Aim : The Microsites aim to establish a small ecosystem within a particular geographic area where there is complete ABDM adoption, and the entire patient journey is digitized.

The State/UT may leverage a development partner and an interfacing agency for setting up and running the microsite. Within the microsite, all health facilities and healthcare professionals serving across different systems of medicines, especially from the private sector, shall be registered in ABDM modules like Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), Health Facility Registry (HFR) followed by installation of ABDM enabled applications. 

The patients visiting these centers will also become a part of ABDM with their health records linked to their ABHA which would then be accessible to them on their mobile phone applications like ABHA App, Aarogya Setu among others.

Talking about the project, CEO, NHA said – “We aim to establish 100 such Microsites across the country where focused efforts would be made to bring as many small-medium scale healthcare entities under the ABDM fold.

This will not only increase adoption among private sector providers but will also help ABDM to expand its footprints among the private healthcare providers across the country as well.”

It is intended that through these microsites, as many small-medium scale healthcare providers are made aware of ABDM and its benefits, registered on ABDM’s core registries, use ABDM certified digital solutions, and eventually begin to link digital health records - all contributing towards a wider adoption of ABDM in the country. Such focused adoption efforts will activate the ecosystem to embrace ABDM..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Mahindra & Mahindra

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Mahindra & Mahindra Limited has picked up 3.53% stake in RBL Bank as an investment at a cost of ₹417 crore, the company informed the exchanges on Wednesday (26th July 2023).

“We may consider further investment subject to pricing, regulatory approvals and required procedures. However, in no circumstance will it exceed 9.9%,” it said.

Following reports of the stake buy, shares of RBL Bank jumped 8.5% to touch a 52-week high of ₹242.20 intraday. The stock later pared some gains to close 7.2% higher at ₹239.40 on the NSE.

As per RBI norms, any entity looking to acquire over 5% stake in a bank needs to seek prior approval from the regulator.

“No such application has been received by us till date. The bank wishes to state that the holding of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited as per the last beneficiary position as on July 21, 2023 as received from the depository (NSDL) is 3.53% of the total paid up share capital of the Bank,” RBL Bank notified the bourses..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Bhutan

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Bhutan has announced the successful elimination of rubella. On 21 July 2023, the World Health Organisation recognised Bhutan's efforts to tackle this highly contagious and potentially devastating disease, The Bhutan Live reported.

In the past 20 years, Bhutan's health workers have worked tirelessly and fought against rubella, also known as German Measles, according to the report.

This infectious disease poses a threat to those infected and also causes severe complications for pregnant women, resulting in irreversible birth defects in newborns.

However, Bhutan's efforts in vaccination promotion and creating awareness have resulted in commendable success..


Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   NS Vishwanathan

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Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as non-executive (part-time) chairman of Axis Bank for three years.

His appointment to the post will come into effect on October 27, 2023. Axis Bank appointed him as an independent director in May.

Vishwanathan who joined the Reserve Bank of India in 1981, has a career of nearly four decades at the central bank. He got retired in March 2020 as the deputy governor.

Throughout his time as the deputy governor, he demonstrated extensive knowledge and proficiency in central banking, which spanned several critical domains including administration, banking and non-banking regulation, governance, risk management, and human resource management.

He also held other significant roles including director of supervision at the Bank of Mauritius; chief vigilance officer and head of internal audit with the Industrial Financial Corporation of India. He was also a member of the board at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where he served from July 2016 to March 2020.

In addition to his role at Axis Bank, Vishwanathan currently serves as the non-executive chairman of the Governing Council at the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, Hyderabad, as also of the Academic Council of the College of Supervisors, RBI, Mumbai.

He is an independent expert professional on the Investment Approval Committee of the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai and holds the position of non-executive chairman of the Board of Directors at Acuite Ratings and Research Ltd, based in Mumbai.

Additionally, Vishwanathan serves in advisory capacities at Ernst and Young LLP in India and Razorpay in Bangalore. He is also a Senior Fellow in the Centre for Public Policy at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore..

Correct Answer :   28th July

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World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and its impact on global health. The day aims to promote prevention, testing and treatment, and to show support for those affected by hepatitis.

The distressing figures showing that someone dies from hepatitis or other associated illnesses every 30 seconds globally give rise to the necessity of this awareness campaign. A hidden killer that causes many fatalities each year is viral hepatitis.

The goal of World Hepatitis Day is to increase public awareness of the issue and the steps that need to be taken to improve efforts at viral hepatitis prevention, screening, and control.


World Hepatitis Day 2023 theme :

World Hepatitis Day aims to create awareness about viral hepatitis, with this year's theme being 'One life, one liver.' Each year, the day centres around a specific theme to enhance understanding of the global hepatitis situation and drive positive action. Diverse events, including campaigns, seminars, and lectures, encourage worldwide participation to educate people about the disease and promote a healthier future.

History of World Hepatitis Day :

World Hepatitis Day, initially observed on May 19, was later moved to July 28 in 2010. The World Hepatitis Alliance, established in 2007, organized the first community-driven World Hepatitis Day in 2008. This decision came after the World Health Assembly decided to honour the birthday of Dr Baruch Samuel Blumberg, the American physician credited with discovering Hepatitis B in the 1960s. On July 28, World Hepatitis Day serves as an occasion to enhance national and international efforts against hepatitis, encouraging action and involvement from individuals, partners, and the public.

It highlights the need for a stronger global response, as outlined in the WHO's Global Hepatitis Report of 2017. The chosen date of July 28 coincides with the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, who made groundbreaking contributions to hepatitis research by discovering the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developing a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus. To achieve the global elimination goals for hepatitis by 2030, addressing the significant gap in testing and treatment coverage is crucial.


Significance of World Hepatitis Day :

The significance of World Hepatitis Day is to increase public awareness of viral hepatitis and its effects on public health. On this day, communities, people, and politicians may learn about the many varieties of hepatitis, as well as about preventative strategies, testing, and treatment choices. It promotes global advocacy and cooperation in the fight against the rising number of hepatitis-related diseases and fatalities. World Hepatitis Day is essential for encouraging a coordinated worldwide response and working towards the WHO's target of eradicating viral hepatitis as a significant public health hazard by 2030 by stressing the need for greater immunisation, early diagnosis, and improved access to healthcare services.

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum – billed to be the world's largest museum – will be housed in the North and South blocks in New Delhi. The museum will have eight thematic segments telling the story of India spanning over 5,000 years.


Here is all you need to know :

* The museum will cover an area of 1.17 lakh square metre with 950 rooms spread over a basement and three storeys.

* In May, the PM also launched a virtual walk-through of the upcoming museum on the occasion of the International Museum Expo at Pragati Maidan.

* The eight thematic segments broadly include ancient Indian knowledge, ancient to medieval, medieval, medieval to transition phase, modern India, the colonial rule (when the Dutch, the British, the Portuguese and others came to India), the freedom struggle and the 100 years from 1947 onwards, including the vision ahead, a senior official told news agency PTI.

* The virtual walkthrough of the museum provides a glimpse on how the galleries and gardens in it will appear once the project is completed. Ancient town planning systems, the Vedas, Upanishads, ancient medical knowledge, Mauryan to Gupta Empires, Vijayanagara Empire, Mughal Empire, and the rule of several other dynasties are mentioned in the walkthrough.

* The National Museum building will become part of the Kartavya Path. All the ancient artefacts and other rich collections of the museum will be shifted to the buildings of the North and South Blocks.

* Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation of the National Museum building on May 12, 1955..


Source : CNBC