Correct Answer :   Dr. Jitendra Singh

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Union Minister of State, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, M/o Earth Sciences; MoS, Atomic Energy and Space.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that an umbrella scheme Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for capacity building.

It consists of the following sub-schemes :

* R&D in Earth System Science (RDESS)

* International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean)

* Program for Development of Skilled manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK)
 

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the scheme is being implemented for entire country and not State/UT-wise. The main objectives of the above sub-schemes are

* Supporting various R &D activities in the thrust areas of different components of Earth System Sciences that are theme and need based and that would help in attaining the National goals set up for MoES.

* Develop useful collaborations with international organizations for mutual transfer of advanced knowledge in science and technology in Earth Sciences and to provide services to developing countries.   

* Develop skilled and trained manpower in Earth Sciences with the support of academic institutions in the country and abroad..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Parshottam Rupala

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Union Minister (FAHD) Shri Parshottam Rupala unveiled the department’s annual publication, the ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022’ on 15th March 2023 in presence of Minister of State of both Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department along with Secretary (AHD) and other Senior Officers of the Ministry.

The Minister congratulated Animal Husbandry Statistics Division for coming out with this publication. He said the book has become a tradition and important source of information in the field of Livestock.

The publication gives an overview of Animal Husbandry sector briefly in terms of important livestock statistics on livestock population, livestock production and other information like animal diseases, infrastructure etc.

It is the primary source of data on production estimates of four Major Livestock Products (MLPs) like Milk, Egg, Meat and Wool for the year 2021-22 and other technical aspects of Integrated Sample Survey (ISS).

The major highlights of “Basic Animal Husbandry statistics 2022” are given below :

* Total milk production in the country during 2021-22 is 221.06 million tonnes.

* In the current year 2021-22, the milk production has registered an annual growth rate of 5.29%.

* Top five major milk producing States are Rajasthan (15.05%), Uttar Pradesh (14.93%), Madhya Pradesh (8.06%), Gujarat (7.56%) and Andhra Pradesh (6.97%).

* In 2021-22, the total egg production in the country is 129.60 billion nos which has increased by 6.19% as compared to previous year.

* Total five major egg producing States are Andhra Pradesh (20.41%), Tamil Nadu (16.08%), Telangana (12.86%), West Bengal (8.84%) and Karnataka (6.38%).

* The total meat production in the country is 9.29 million tonnes for the year 2021-22 with an annual growth rate of 5.62%.

* The total five major meat producing States are Maharashtra (12.25%), Uttar Pradesh (12.14%), West Bengal (11.63%), Andhra Pradesh (11.04%), and Telangana (10.82%).

* The total wool production in the country during 2021-22 is 33.13 thousand tonnes which has decline by 10.30% as compared to previous year.

* The top five major wool producing States are Rajasthan (45.91%), Jammu and Kashmir (23.19%), Gujarat (6.12%), Maharashtra (4.78%) and Himachal Pradesh (4.33%).

* The per-capita availability of milk is 444 gram/day during 2021-22 increased by 17 gram/day over previous year.

* In 2021-22, the per-capita availability of egg is 95 nos/annuam increased by 5 nos/annuam over previous year.

* The per-capita availability of meat is 6.82 kg/annuam during 2021-22 increased by 0.30 kg/annuam over previous year.

* During 2014-15 and 2020-21, the value addition of sector grew at a compound annual growth rate of 7.93%.

* In 2020-21, the share of Livestock at constant prices in Agriculture Sector and total GVA was 30.13% and 4.9% respectively.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   United States of America (USA)

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The US Senate on Wednesday (15th Mar 2023) confirmed President Joe Biden's close aide Eric Garcetti as the country’s next ambassador to India.

* With the development, 52-year-old Garcetti will now fill in the key diplomatic position that had been vacant for more than two years.

* Garcetti's nomination was confirmed via a 52-42 vote.

* The former Los Angeles mayor's nomination was pending before the US Congress since July 2021, when he was nominated for the prestigious diplomatic posting by Biden.

* President Biden believes that the US has a crucial and consequential partnership with India and that Garcetti will make a strong and effective Ambassador, Olivia Dalton, Principal Deputy Press Secretary.

* "The President thanks Chairman Menendez and Senators on both sides of the aisle for their thorough consideration and for today’s bipartisan vote to confirm Mayor Garcetti,” Dalton said.

* “The relationship between India and the US is a strong one, and one of great strategic, economic, and cultural importance. Founded on shared values, supported by growing economic and trade ties, and strengthened by the Indian diaspora here in the US, this partnership continues to hold significant promise for the future," Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of Senate India Caucus.

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   8th

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India ranked at the 8th spot in the list of world's top 10 most polluted countries after SWISS firm IQAir released its 'World Air Quality Report' 2022. However, India improved its ranking as it dropped from 5th to 8th place.

In this list, 39 Indian cities are included in the top 50 polluted cities. As per the data, the PM2.5 level of the most polluted Indian cities was recorded at 53.3 in the World Air Quality.

According to the report, India is the eighth most polluted country in the world in 2022, declining from the fifth position last year. In this report, it has been said that in terms of the worst air quality in the Central and South Asian region, the condition of India and Pakistan is not good.

Rank	Top 10 most polluted countries in world
1	Chad
2	Iraq
3	Pakistan
4	Bahrain
5	Bangladesh
6	Burkina Faso
7	Kuwait
8	India
9	Egypt
10	Tajikistan

Source : India Tv News

Correct Answer :   OpenAI

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* Chatbot ChatGPT launched a new version (Chatbot GPT-4) of its artificial intelligence technology on Tuesday (14th March 2023), saying it was more powerful and predictable than previous versions and capable of analyzing images and handling much larger blocks of text.

* The announcement from OpenAI—a startup backed by billions of dollars from Microsoft Corp.—is the latest in a string of generative AI announcements as companies try to get ahead in the race to build and use the buzzy new technology.

* Many regulators, scholars and activists have urged tech companies to exercise more caution in developing the tools which haven’t yet been fully tested.

* Generative AI technology—special because it can generate original images, text and other content from basic language prompts—sometimes produces responses that seem unhinged and contain made-up facts or racist and sexist statements.

* On Tuesday (14th March 2023), OpenAI introduced a more powerful version of the technology behind ChatGPT called GPT-4.

* The updated chatbot is “more creative and collaborative" than previous versions when it comes to tasks like composing songs or writing screenplays, the blog said.

* The company is rolling out the technology starting Tuesday through data-sharing partnerships, which companies including Morgan Stanley and Duolingo Inc. are paying to access. It will also be offered to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who pay $20 a month for faster and more available service. It isn’t yet available to those who use the free service.

* In an online presentation Tuesday (14th March 2023), OpenAI demonstrated how the tool could be used to do things like explain obscure tax codes or summarize articles into sentences with every letter beginning with Q..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   IREDA

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State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) on Monday (13th March 2023) said it has received Infrastructure Finance Company status from the Reserve Bank of India.

* The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted an 'Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC)' status to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) on Monday, a company statement said.

* It was earlier classified as an 'Investment and Credit Company (ICC)'.

* With the IFC status, IREDA will be able to take higher exposure in RE financing.

* The IFC status will also help the company to access a wider investor base for fund mobilisation, resulting in competitive rates for fundraising.

* The recognition of IREDA as an IFC will increase the investors' confidence, enhance the brand value and generate a positive outlook in the market.

* The grant of IFC status is a recognition of IREDA's 36 years of infrastructure financing and development with focused development of renewable energy.

* With IFC status, IREDA will keep contributing towards the government target of 500 GW installed capacity of non-fossil fuels by 2030.

* Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director of IREDA, said, "The IFC status is a significant milestone for IREDA and will enable us to maintain our leading position as a financier of RE space. IREDA will continue to play a motherly role in the development of the RE sector".

* It has been promoting, developing and financing new and renewable sources of energy with the motto: Energy for Ever since 1987..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   15th March

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World Consumer Rights Day is observed annually on 15 March. The day is recognised to create global awareness about the rights and needs of consumers.

This year, World Consumer Day falls on Wednesday, 15 March 2023. One of the primary reasons behind celebrating World Consumer Day is to highlight the fundamental rights of all consumers, honouring and respecting them, and making sure to protect them.

What Is the Theme of  World Consumer Rights Day 2023?

Every year the World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated under a specific theme. This year the theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is "Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions."

History and Significance of World Consumer Rights Day 2023 :

* The first ever World Consumer Rights Day was started by the Consumer International, a membership organisation for consumer groups around the world. It is a global organisation that ensures the protection and right use of consumer rights all around the world.

* Consumer International  was founded in the year 1960 as an independent and influential voice for consumers.

* World Consumer Rights Day was first celebrated in the year 1983. Every year, we observe World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March because on the same date, US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy introduced four important consumer rights while delivering a speech to Congress..

Source : The Quint

Correct Answer :   Shreya Ghodawat

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Shreya Ghodawat has been appointed as the ambassador of the initiative ‘She Changes Climate’. It is a global campaign to raise awareness of the important role women play in accelerating climate action. It is a global non-profit organization.

This organization has launched a special initiative called 'Embrace Equity' for International Women's Day.

The main objective of the event was to inspire and encourage women to take up more space in climate change conversations and lead innovative climate action solutions.

Among those who attended the event were women leaders and influencers from corporate, social, political and sustainability backgrounds, namely Payal Rajpal (Director - Robotex India & IBTC Estonia), Pooja Anand (President - Pune City Congress Women Cell), Kalyani Darda (Founder - Be Kind Be Human Foundation), Ruby Pashankar (Managing Partner - Limban Resorts), Avani Awasthee, Pooja Misal (Founder & Director - SMEF's Brick Group of institutes), Sheetal Ranka (Co-founder - Ranka Jewellers), Tejaswini Pawar (Senior VP - Dentsu), Meenal Patil (RJ - Radio One Pune), Namrata Kriplani, Divya Chavan Jachak, Pranati Shroff, Tejaswini Patil (Trustee - Mauli Vidyapeeth) and others..

Source :  ANI

Correct Answer :   ₹2,850 crore

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* The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of METRO Cash and Carry India by Reliance Retail Ventures, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries.

* In a statement released 14th Mar 2023, the competition regulator said: The proposed combination involves acquisition of 100% of the issued and paid-up equity share capital of METRO Cash and Carry India (target) by the Reliance Retail Ventures (acquirer).

* Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), on 22 December 2022, had signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% equity stake in METRO Cash & Carry India (METRO India) for a total cash consideration of Rs 2,850 crore, subject to closing adjustments.

* METRO India started operations in India in 2003 as the first company to introduce cash-and-carry business format in the country and currently operates 31 large format stores across 21 cities.

* Through this acquisition, Reliance Retail gets access to a wide network of METRO India stores located in prime locations across key cities, a large base of registered kiranas and other institutional customers, strong supplier network and some of the global best practices implemented by METRO in India.

* The acquisition will further strengthen Reliance Retail's physical store footprint and ability to better serve consumers and small merchants by leveraging synergies and efficiencies across supply chain networks, technology platforms and sourcing capabilities...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Mary Kom

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The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) appointed legendary boxer MC Mary Kom and actor Farhan Akhtar as the brand ambassadors of the IBA Women’s World Championships 2023.

Indian women’s boxing owes everything to six-time World Champion and Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom.

BFI also unveiled the title sponsor, Mahindra Automotive for the event.

The championship is scheduled from 15 March to 26 March 2023 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.

India is hosting the World Championships for the third time..

Source : The Hindu