Correct Answer :   GAIL India

---

GAIL (India) Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shell Energy India Private Limited to explore prospects of importing and handling of ethane and other hydrocarbons.

* It is primarily used as petrochemical feedstock and is separated from the other components of natural gas in most well-developed gas fields.

* In a bid towards diversification of the feedstock for its petrochemical plant, country’s largest gas firm is looking to import ethane from ethane-surplus countries with matured export terminal infrastructure, GAIL announced on Friday (17th March 2023).

* It will be transported further through GAIL’s 14,830 km of natural gas pipelines to demand centres.

* Reliance Industries has also begun to import ethane from the United States (US) to replace natural gas and naphtha as fuel at its petrochemical plants. Ethane is expected to be produced in large volumes in North America due to the shale gas revolution, which has generated an abundance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

* Ethane is mainly used to produce ethylene, which is then used by the petrochemical industry to produce a range of intermediate products, most of which, are converted into plastics, packaging films, wire coatings, squeeze bottles and synthetic rubber, among others...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   G Krishnakumar

---

G Krishnakumar has taken over as the new chairman and managing director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), the company said on Friday (17th March 2023).

* Krishnakumar, an electrical and electronics engineer from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli and a postgraduate in finance management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, was executive director in the company before his elevation.

* Government headhunter, the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) had, in December last year, picked up Krishnakumar over company's Director (Finance) Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta, Director (Refineries) S Khanna, and Director (Marketing) Sukhmal Kumar Jain.

* A company statement said Krishnakumar has taken over as the chairman and managing director of the company.

* He is an avid quizzer and a voracious reader. He is also a passionate cricket fan and a golfer.

* Krishnakumar replaces Arun Kumar Singh, who retired as chairman in October 2022. Post that, Gupta was holding additional charge of the chairman.

* Krishnakumar will hold the position of chairman and managing director till April 2025 or until any further notice, whichever is earlier, according to an official order..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Kerala

---

According to the Ministry of Education, Bihar has the lowest literacy rate in India at 61.8%, followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 65.3% and Rajasthan at 66.1%.

* Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India at 94%, followed by Lakshadweep at 91.85% and Mizoram at 91.33%.

* Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi shared this information in response to a written question in Lok Sabha.

* The literacy rate in rural India is 67.77% compared to 84.11% in urban India.

The Adult Literacy Rate: The Samagra Shiksha Scheme :

* To improve adult literacy rates, a centrally sponsored scheme called Saakshar Bharat was implemented in rural areas of 404 districts in 26 states and one union territory, which had a female literacy rate of 50% or below according to Census 2001.

* The scheme aimed to raise the overall literacy rate of the country to 80% and reduce the gender gap to 10% points by the end of the XII five year plan. The programme was prolonged to March 31, 2018.

* The Samagra Shiksha Scheme aims to provide universal access and retention in education, bridging gender and social category gaps, and enhancing learning levels from pre-school to senior secondary levels.

* The central government assists states and union territories in implementing the Samagra Shiksha Scheme as a program...

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Svaya Robotics

---

The indigenous robots and wearable exoskeletons were developed by Hyderabad-based Svaya Robotics in collaboration with the DRDO Labs,  Research and Development Establishment (R&DE), Pune, and the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru, as technology demonstrators with their design inputs.

* Both are dual-use robots and have multiple use cases in both Industry and healthcare.

Quadruped robots :

* They are four-legged robots that can walk or run on uneven and rough terrains.
* The robots can carry 25 kg in payload and walk along with the soldier.
* It is made for navigating in unstructured terrains to provide remote reconnaissance and inspection, which otherwise are not safe for humans to operate in.

Exoskeleton :

* It is developed to suit Indian soldiers’ anthropometry and augment soldier strength for walking long distances.
* These active exoskeletons, when worn by soldiers, can carry heavy loads without expending much effort..

Source : New Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Kavilmadam Ramaswami Parvathy

---

India’s Kavilmadam Ramaswami Parvathy, who has served in leading roles at the World Food Programme in Türkiye and Afghanistan, has been appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan.

* Parvathy took up her new post as Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan Wednesday (15th March 2023), following the appointment by the Secretary-General and confirmation from the host Government, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

* “We remain with full gender parity among our 130 Resident Coordinators,” Dujarric said.

* Parvathy brings more than 30 years of experience in development and humanitarian sectors, focusing on strategic planning, performance, risk management, people management, conflict analysis and humanitarian access negotiations, a statement issued here said.

* Prior to her appointment as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Parvathy served as Representative and Country Director for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Türkiye, addressing the food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable people.

* In this role, she led the emergency response of WFP, providing much-needed food assistance to hundreds of thousands of earthquake-affected people immediately in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in the southeast region of Türkiye.

* Parvathy actively contributed to the UN multi-sectoral response in support of the efforts of the government to provide emergency assistance to the earthquake-affected people.

* Previously, Parvathy has worked as Representative and Country Director for WFP in Liberia and as Deputy Country Director (Programme and Operations) for WFP in Afghanistan. In other career assignments, Parvathy has served in the Asia Pacific, West Africa, and the regional and global headquarters of WFP, further contributing to ending hunger in the world..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   CISF

---

Union Home Ministry has announced a 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Home Ministry announced the relief for former Agniveers via a notification after amending rules under the Central Industrial Security Force Act, of 1968.

The Home Ministry also announced a relaxation in the upper age limit for ex-Agniveers depending on their batch. The upper age limit for candidates of the first batch shall be relaxed by up to five years whereas the upper age limit for candidates of other batches shall be relaxed by up to three years, as per the Home Ministry notification. It further said that they will also be exempt from the physical efficiency test.

In case you have joined the armed forces at the upper age limit of 21 years under the Agnipath scheme, you can still be recruited by the CISF till 30 years of age after four years of service in the Army or Navy or Air Force in case you belong to the first batch. For those belonging to the second batch, this age limit has been extended to 28 years of age.

List of relaxations for Agniveers in CISF recruitment provided by Home Ministry :

* Upper age limit waiver of up to five years for candidates belonging to first batch

* Upper age limit relaxed by up to three years for candidates belonging to other batches

* Exemption from physical efficiency test

* Those belonging to the first batch and entering the armed forces at 21 years of age can be recruited till 30 years of age

* Those belonging to the second batch and entering the armed forces at 21 years of age can be recruited till 28 years of age

* ‘Last week, the Home Ministry had announced similar measures for recruitments in the Border Security Force (BSF).

Agnipath Scheme :  Central government unveiled the recruitment scheme for Armed Forces aimed at youths between 17-and-a-half years of age and 21 years of age on a four-year short-term contractual basis.

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   Singapore Changi Airport

---

Singapore Changi Airport reclaimed its top spot after a hiatus of two years on the annual ranking of the world’s best airports announced on Wednesday (15th March 2023) at the World Airport Awards held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Amsterdam.

Skytrax, a leading UK-based airline and airport review and ranking site released the rankings.

Notably, the airport previously topped Skytrax’s list for eight years in a row before dropping a couple of spots down the list in 2021 and 2022.

Check out the world’s top 20 airports for 2023 :

* Singapore Changi Airport
* Hamad International Airport
* Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
* Incheon International Airport
* Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
* Istanbul Airport
* Munich Airport
* Zurich Airport
* Narita International Airport
* Madrid-Barajas Airport
* Vienna International Airport
* Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
* Rome Fiumicino Airport
* Copenhagen Airport
* Kansai International Airport
* Chubu Centrair International Airport
* Dubai International Airport
* Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
* Melbourne Airport
* Vancouver International Airport.

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   R. K. Singh

---

Union Minister of Renewable Energy & Power, R. K. Singh informed (16th March 2023) in the Lok Sabha, that Solar projects of aggregate capacity 64,380 MW have been installed in the country, as on 28.02.2023, including 106 MW in Ramtek Parliamentary Constituency.

* The solar capacity of the country has increased from 21,651 MW to 64,380 MW i.e. increase by 197% in last 5 years.

* The Government has set a target of achieving 500 GW of installed capacity from non-fossil fuels, including around 270 GW of solar capacity, by 2030.

* The Government has taken several measures to promote renewable energy, including solar energy, in the country. The details are given at Annexure.

* Solar projects of capacity 3772 MW are installed in Maharashtra. These projects provide   several benefits, including electricity generation, direct and indirect local employment, etc.

MEASURES TAKEN TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY INCLUDING SOLAR ENERGY IN THE COUNTRY :

* Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025;

* Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30;

* Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale;

* Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc;

* Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route continued;

* Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power;

* Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices;

* Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments;

* Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects;

* Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators;

* Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022;

* Notification of “The electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and related matters) Rules (LPS rules);

* Launch of Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges;

* National Green Hydrogen Mission approved with an aim to make India a Global Hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. This will help in setting up of additional RE capacity including solar.

Source : PIB 

Correct Answer :   Ravi Chaudhary

---

On 15th March 2023, the United States Senate confirmed Ravi Chaudhary, an Indian-American, as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and the Environment.

Chaudhary won the mandate with a vote of 65-29, making him one of the top civilian leaders in the Pentagon. He is the first Indian-American to serve in this position.

Chaudhary's nomination was supported by US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who released a statement congratulating him on his achievement. She shared that Chaudhary had dreamed of serving the United States as an Air Force pilot, and that he had dedicated his career to public service.

She expressed confidence in his qualifications and experience for the role and looked forward to working with him to support the men and women of the Air Force.

Who is Ravi Chaudhary?

Chaudhary served as an active duty Air Force pilot for over two decades, between 1993 and 2015. He conducted numerous combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq during this time. After his retirement from military service, Chaudhary served as a senior official within the Regions and Center Operations and Office of Commercial Space at the Federal Aviation Administration for five years. He was also appointed by President Obama to serve on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

As the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and the Environment, Chaudhary will be responsible for the Air Force's sustainability and operational readiness. This includes developing installations and basing strategies, as well as ensuring the quality of military housing..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Ministry of Ayush

---

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the Ministry of Ayush signed an MoU for the skilling of rural youth and empowering women.

* To collaborate in developing skilled personnel by imparting training for the Ayush healthcare system. The course will also include training of rural youth as panchakarma technicians, which will be started on a pilot basis.

* The proposed training will be imparted under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), which is the Ministry of Rural Development’s flagship program, charged with the dual goals of diversifying the incomes of rural poor families and catering to the career ambitions of rural youth.

* MoA will aid its institutes to conduct courses, training, and provide certification to the candidates. The Ministry will also depute nodal agencies across the country, who will ensure mobilization, counselling, training, placement, and tracking of candidates as per DDU-GKY norms in their respective designated states.

* This agreement focuses to make Lakhpati Didis (Women with annual earnings of Rs. 1 lakh +) from the SHGs, more empowered and skillful. Addressing the event, Union Minister of Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Both the Ministries will collaborate in boosting the spirit of self-employment and will enable the empowerment of rural youths and women.”

* The collaboration between the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of AYUSH will ensure that 22,000 rural poor youth will be trained in National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-compliant courses such as Panchakarma Technician, Panchkarma Assistant, Ayurvedic Masseur, Kshara Karma Technician, Cupping Therapy Assistant, etc...

Source : News on Air