Correct Answer :   Ranveer Singh

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The Walt Disney Company India-owned channel "Star Sports" has signed Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as its brand ambassador.

* The association, the company said, makes the pop culture icon the first actor to be associated with the channel and will be growing synergy between sports and entertainment, it said.

* Singh will be seen as ‘sutradhaar’ for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League or as the company is terming it, “Incredible League". He will be involved in creating content for the league. The league begins 31 March 2023.

* Singh’s collaboration with Star Sports is a significant move for the brand, it said. It aims to leverage Singh’s popularity and his love for sports to connect with diverse audiences which haven’t yet formed a deep relationship with sports.

* Sanjog Gupta, head of sports at Disney Star, said, We believe that sports in India is on the move but needs a continuous injection of fandom to turn into a full-fledged movement. In Ranveer Singh, we see a die-hard sports fan, a committed storyteller, and an entertainer par excellence, who is keen to use his popularity to grow sports. We want to reach new audiences, who still haven’t discovered their passion for the sport. This also includes millions of viewers, who haven’t been watching cricket or don’t watch cricket regularly...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Ajay Singh

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SpiceJet’s Chairman & Managing Director Ajay Singh has assumed charge as the President "Assocham", replacing Renew Power MD Sumant Sinha after the completion of his tenure.

* Sanjay Nayar, founder and Chairman of Sorin Investment Fund is the new Senior Vice-President of Assocham, the industry body said in a release on Wednesday (29th March 2023).

* He emphasised that the chamber would stay engaged with the government, Centre and states, leading academicians, economists besides corporate leaders to find solutions to the issues, which may crop up in a fast-changing global economic and political landscape.

About Ajay Singh :

Ajay Singh studied at the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi, where he received a degree in engineering, and got his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Cornell University in the US. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from the Law Faculty, University of Delhi..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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Deptt of Telecom organised ‘First International Quantum Communication Conclave’ on 27 to 28 March 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Modi Vision : Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision is that India should lead in development of telecom technologies and standards.

* Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Communications Shri Devusinh Chauhan inaugurated the Conclave on 27 th March 2023.

* The conclave was organised in association with CDOT, Telecommunications Standards Development Society India (TSDSI) and IEEE Communications Society - Delhi Chapter.

* The International Quantum Communication Conclave provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in quantum communication technologies. Experts from industries, academia, R&D centres, and government deliberated possible applications of Quantum Technologies in building a secure communication infrastructure.

* The standards on the ‘Test Guide of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) System’ and ‘Quantum-Safe and Classical Cryptography System’ were released by the  Minister during the inaugural.

* The C-DOT is actively engaged in developing solutions in Quantum Communications and is poised to be designated as hub for Quantum Communication related activities under NMQTA.

* C-DOT has developed Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) security solutions for communication. These solutions have been demonstrated in the live network and TEC certification process is also under way...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Bharat Electronics Limited

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The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday (29th March 2023) signed three contracts -- two with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad and one with New Space India Limited (NSIL) -- at a total cost nearly Rs 5,400 crore, to bolster the defence capabilities of the country.

* According to the Ministry of Defence, the first contract with BEL pertains to the procurement of the Automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System 'Project Akashteer' worth Rs 1,982 crore for the Indian Army.

* The second contract with BEL relates to the acquisition of Sarang Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems along with the associated Engineering Support Package from BEL, Hyderabad at an overall cost of Rs 412 crore for the Indian Navy.

* The contract with NSIL, a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space, Bengaluru pertains to the procurement of an advanced Communication Satellite, GSAT 7B, which will provide High Throughput Services to the Indian Army at an overall cost of Rs 2,963 crore, said the Defence Ministry statement..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   144th

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According to the latest update from the Passport Index, India’s Mobility Scores have decreased, resulting in the country experiencing the largest global drop on the Index this year. Prior to the pandemic in 2019, India had a mobility score of 71, which increased to 73 in 2022 as the post-pandemic wave of increasing mobility took effect.

* However, as of March 2023, its mobility score has dropped to 70. This decline has occurred despite record increases in mobility as the global and national economies re-opened after the pandemic. India’s ranking has fallen by six places in 2023, resulting in an individual ranking of 144 compared to 138 in 2022.

* The Passport Index has released its latest update, which reveals that India’s Mobility Score has dropped. Other large Asian economies such as Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Thailand have also experienced declines in their mobility scores, indicating a missed opportunity to capitalize on the global uptick in mobility recorded last year.

* India’s sharp decline has been linked to the European Union’s policy of introducing visa requirements for Indian nationals, placing pressure on countries like Serbia in 2023.

* China continues to underperform in comparison to countries like the USA and Germany due to its lack of visa-free agreements with blocs like the EU or regional competitors like India and Japan.

* South Korea and Japan are the exceptions to the downward trend in mobility, with both maintaining their strong positions. South Korea has the highest mobility score in Asia at 174 and is ranked 12th overall. Japan is ranked 26th with a mobility score of 172, making it the closest Asian competitor to South Korea.

* Only 10 countries have seen a rise in their mobility score this year, with Sweden overtaking Germany to rise to second overall. Kenya recorded the largest gain this year, jumping four places in the individual ranking, in line with the broader movements towards greater mobility in the African continent, where 40% of the ten countries showing mobility growth were African nations.

Correct Answer :   Gujarat

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The 1st Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) meeting will take place from March 30 to April 1, 2023, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

* The G20 India Presidency has achieved a significant milestone by building consensus to start a new workstream on disaster risk reduction after assuming the G20 Presidency.

* The meeting will be inaugurated by Dr. PK Mishra, PS to Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of State for Communication, Government of India Shri DevuSinh Chauhan.

* More than 80 delegates from G20 member countries, invited countries and international organisations are attending the meeting.

* This momentous occasion serves as a resounding call to action for the global community to come together and collaboratively pave the path towards a future that is fortified against the devastation caused by disasters.

* India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), MHA, will lead the discussions on the DRRWG. The meeting over the three days would deliberate on - Global coverage of Early Warning Systems, Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, stronger national financial frameworks, disaster response systems and increased application of ecosystems-based approaches to DRR.

* On the margins of the main meeting, two side events are envisaged on ‘Early Warning-Early Action’ and ‘Disaster Risk Reduction and its Impact on Global Infrastructure Resilience: Insights for the G20’ respectively.

* As a prelude to the main event, a Curtain Raiser : ‘Learning from Disasters: Memorialising disasters, learning, building back better, investing in resilience’ took place on the 29th of March, 2023 at the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM) attended by Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Honourable Prime Minister along with subject-matter experts in Disaster Risk Reduction.

* Some other key participants included Dr. Adityajati, Deputy Minister, National Agency for Disaster Management, Indonesia, Ms. Rita Missal from UNDP, Dr. Agostino Goretti from Italy amongst others.

* During the three days, the delegates would also be given an opportunity to get a glimpse of the cultural heritage and cuisine of Gujarat along with a field visit to the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum at Bhuj..

Source : G20

Correct Answer :   ₹ 8.88 Trillion

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The central government has decided to make a gross market borrowing of ₹8.88 trillion in the first half of FY24, accounting for 57.55% of the overall market borrowings planned for the year, finance ministry said on Wednesday.

* The borrowing programme is finalised in consultation with the RBI, the ministry said. The Centre has budgeted a gross market borrowing of ₹15.43 trillion in FY 2024.

* Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had in her budget speech for FY24 projected a fiscal deficit of ₹17.86 trillion accounting for 5.9% of the nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Centre is pursuing a target of fiscal deficit lower than 4.5% of GDP by FY26.

* The ministry said the borrowing is scheduled to be completed in 26 weekly tranches of ₹31,000-39,000 crore.

* The borrowing will be spread under securities of 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 30 and 40 year maturity. Ten year securities account for the highest share of 20.5% among these.  

* The ministry also said that issuance of Sovereign Green Bonds will be announced in the second half (H2) of FY 2023-24.

* The Government will continue to exercise green shoe option to retain an additional subscription of up to ₹2,000 crore against each of the securities indicated in the auction notification.

* Weekly borrowing through issuance of Treasury Bills in the first quarter of FY24 is expected to be ₹32,000 crore with net borrowing of ₹1.42 trillion during the quarter, against net borrowing of ₹2.40 trillion in the comparable quarter of FY23...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   IIT Madras

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Researchers have developed a three-dimensional (3D) paper-based portable device that can detect adulteration in milk within 30 seconds. The test could be even performed at home.

* It can detect multiple substances commonly used as adulterating agents including Urea, detergents, soap, starch, hydrogen peroxide, sodium-hydrogen-carbonate, and salt, among others

* Unlike conventional laboratory-based methods to test the purity of milk, which are both expensive and time-consuming, this new technology is affordable and could also be used to test other liquids such as water, fresh juices, and milkshakes for traces of adulteration. Only a milliliter of any liquid would be as a sample to test for adulterants.

* This research was led by Dr. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, along with Research Scholars Mr. Subhashis Patari and Dr. Priyankan Datta.

* Elaborating on the functioning of this paper-based device, Dr. Pallab Sinha Mahapatra, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, The 3D paper-based microfluidic device is made up of a top and bottom cover and a sandwich structure middle layer.  This 3D design works well for transporting denser liquids at a consistent speed. The paper is treated with reagents and is let to dry. Both paper layers are adhered to both sides of the support after drying, and the covers adhere with double-sided tape. Whatman filter paper grade 4 is used in this design, which aids liquid flow and allows for the storage of more reagents...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   SEBI

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 29th March 2023 said it has allowed private equity (PE) funds to sponsor Mutual Fund schemes, and has also permitted the set-up of self-sponsored asset management companies (AMCs).

* The decisions were taken at the SEBI board meeting on March 29, where the regulator gave its nod to key overhauls.

* "We would like more innovation in the MF industry," SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said, while commenting on the decision to allow the PE funds to sponsor MF schemes.

* "Self-sponsored AMC will also be now allowed...Once their kids become mature, sponsors can exit without having to find a new parents for this grown-up child," Buch said, adding that this issue is a "very significant liberation in MF industry".

* In January 2023 earlier this year, SEBI had released a consultation paper that reimagined the role of the sponsor. SEBI had invited public comments on the same.

* On 29th March 2023, it finally took the decision to allow new types of sponsors in the Rs 40 trillion Indian MF industry. In the next few days, SEBI will release detailed guidelines as to how the new type of trustees would look like and what safeguards have been put in place.

* For instance, as per SEBI's concept paper in January, schemes of a PE-owned fund house must maintain the same rigors and limits when it comes to investing in companies where the sponsor PE fund holds more than a 10 percent stake. Any such company headed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) must also be avoided by the MF schemes..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   United Arab Emirates

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched its National Genome Strategy, which aims to provide a comprehensive legislative and governance framework to support the development and implementation of genomic programs.

* The strategy will last ten years and will focus on delivering public health priorities while improving the country's well-being.

* The Emirates Genome Council, which was established in 2021, will oversee the National Genome Strategy.

* The council has made significant progress in laying the groundwork for regulatory, research, technological, and medical institutions to connect, collaborate, and develop high-quality medical applications and services.

* The Emirati Genome Program is considered one of the most comprehensive genomic initiatives in the world and will advance the nation's preventive and personalized healthcare agenda as it collaborates with research and medical institutions across the UAE.

Aim : To collect one million samples nationwide and currently contains whole genome sequencing data from around 400,000 citizens.

* The National Genome Strategy will support efficiency in the country’s healthcare sector through preventive medicine programmes that will focus on genetic risk and precision medicine programmes that target genetic and rare diseases.

* It will also support doctors in taking proactive steps to reduce the prevalence of certain diseases, enable early intervention, and help to identify the most effective treatments...

Source : AIR