Correct Answer :   Harivansh Narayan Singh

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Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will lead a delegation of Parliament to the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Johannesburg from 27-29 September 2023.

As the head of the delegation, he will make an Opening Statement and also chair a session on Climate Change and Legislative Mobilisation in BRICS Countries.

Members of the delegation Ms. Sumitra Balmik and Mr. Indra Hung Subba will participate in a debate on the theme “Harnessing Multilateralism and Parliamentary Diplomacy to Deepen BRICS and Africa Partnership for accelerated implementation of the Africa Free-Trade Agreement and also in other sessions. The Forum will conclude on Friday (29th Sep 2023)..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   1 Year

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The Central government has extended the term of RBI deputy governor M Rajeshwar Rao for a period of one year, the Reserve Bank said in a statement on Tuesday (26th Sep 2023).

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the “re-appointment of M Rajeshwar Rao as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank for a period of one year with effect from October 9, 2023, or until further orders, whichever is earlier," the circular read.

He was appointed as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank in October 2020 for a period of three years and was assigned the responsibility of financial regulation. Prior to that, he was the chief general manager of the financial markets operations department.

Rao was appointed as the executive director in November, 2016  and was looking after the department of statistics and information management, financial markets operation department and international department. Prior to this, he was the chief general manager of the financial markets operations department.

As a career central banker, Rao has exposure to various aspects of the RBI's functioning. He has previously held the charge of the Risk Monitoring Department. He has also worked as the Banking Ombudsman in New Delhi and in the Reserve Bank's regional offices in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and the national capital.

Rao joined the Reserve Bank in 1984 has a bachelor degree in economics and is an Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Cochin..


Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Shivraj Singh Chouhan

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday (24th Sep 2023) announced an increase in honorariums and retirement benefits for kotwars.

Addressing a state-level convention of kotwars here, the chief minister announced that the government would provide Rs 1 lakh to kotwars at the time of their retirement.

Kotwars are appointed at the village level to assist revenue officials and provide them with information.

Chouhan said kotwars, who do not own land, will get Rs 8,000 per month instead of the earlier Rs 4,000, while those with less than 3 acres of land will get Rs 2,000, and those owning service land up to 7.5 acres will receive Rs 1,200 and those with 7.5 acres to 10 acres will get Rs 1,000 per month.

Apart from this, their annual income will be increased by Rs 500 every year, he said.

Terming kotwars as the backbone of the revenue administration, Chouhan said the information shared by them is important while dealing with calamities.

He further said that kotwars will get the benefit of health insurance and will be provided CUG SIM cards and recharge for their mobile phones..

Source : Outlook India

Correct Answer :   Banmali Agarwal

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Tata Sons has appointed Banmali Agarwal as the new chairman of the group’s aerospace and defense solutions unit Tata Advanced Systems (TASL).

Banmali Agarwal has been appointed in place of Vijay Singh, Who have retired. Aggarwal is also a senior advisor to Tata Sons and chairman of Tata Electronics. Vijay Singh is the Vice Chairman of Tata Trust.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is the strategic aerospace and defense arm of the Tata Group. TASL is both an operating and holding company.

By 2018, Tata Sons had brought some of the group’s entities under a single defense vertical. Group companies like Tata Power SED, TAL Manufacturing, Tata Advanced Materials and the defense division of Tata Motors were consolidated into TASL.

Focus on making defense systems and equipment :

The company is now building its execution skills to bid for big defense contracts from the government, which plans to manufacture defense systems and equipment under its ‘Make in India’ scheme with technical help from foreign defense equipment manufacturers. Has been.


Partnership with Airbus :

TASL is focusing on growing the group’s defense business and is preparing to become India’s first private manufacturer of military aircraft. TASL has partnered with Airbus to manufacture 40 Airbus C295. The ₹21000 crore deal between TASL and Airbus to sell 40 Airbus C295 was approved by the Government of India in September last year.

Under this agreement, Airbus will sell 16 aircraft in fly-away condition within four years, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured and assembled by TASL at its new facility in Vadodara.

Correct Answer :   24th Sep 2023

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Veteran Malayalam filmmaker and national award winner K G George died on Sunday (24th Sep 2023) at an old age home near Kakkanad here. He was 78, according to a source at the old age home.

The veteran director suffered a stroke five years ago and the last couple of months had become very difficult for him, the source said. Condolences poured in from people, including politicians, actors and directors, from all walks of life on social media.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his condolence message said the filmmaker's death was an irreparable loss to the Malayalam film industry. George handled issues affecting society by analysing the societal structure and the mindset of individuals, the chief minister said in his Facebook post paying tribute to the veteran director.

He worked to reduce the difference between artistic and commercial cinema, Vijayan said."There are not many directors who have handled different themes (in their films)," the chief minister said in his post.

George's funeral is likely to be held on Tuesday (26th Sep 2023), the old age home said. He received the national award for best feature film Swapnaadanam (1976) and has also bagged nine state film awards since he started his film career in 1970.

Ulkaddal (1979), Onappudava (1978), Yavanika (1982) and Adaminte Variyellu (1984) are some of the best directorial works of the award winning director who was in 2015 selected for the J C Daniel Award -- the Kerala government's highest honour for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema.

Panchavadi Palam directed by George in 1984 is considered one of the best political satire films in Malayalam cinema.

His wife Selma George and son Arun are in Goa and daughter Thara is in abroad, the old age home said..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   Madhya Pradesh

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Madhya Pradesh Government has officially announced the establishment of the "Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve," marking the seventh tiger reserve in the state and 54th in the country.

The declaration was made through an official notification issued on Thursday (21st Sep 2023).

This newly designated Tiger Reserve will encompass areas within the Nauradehi (Wild Life) & Veerangana Drugavati Sanctuary, recognized for their ecological significance in preserving biodiversity, including flora, fauna, geology, and zoology. Presently, the sanctuary is home to approximately 15 tigers, making it a vital habitat for the endangered species.

The declaration is in accordance with the provisions of clause (ii) of sub-section (iv) of section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972). The combined protected area, formed by notifying Nauradehi and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuaries, comprises two core areas. Core Area-1 spans an expansive 1390.036 square kilometers, while Core Area-2 encompasses 23.97 square kilometers.

The newly established Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve covers an extensive area of 2,339 square kilometers and is located approximately 20 kilometers from Bhopal. It spans three districts—Narsinghpur, Sagar, and Damoh.

Madhya Pradesh is renowned for its six existing tiger reserves : Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Sanjay Dubri, and Satpura. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recently granted preliminary approval for the creation of this new tiger reserve during a meeting of its technical committee. The establishment of this reserve is a crucial requirement for the Ken-Betwa River linking project, adding another layer of significance to its preservation.

However, there is currently some uncertainty regarding whether the new tiger reserve will serve as a potential habitat for Project Cheetah. A scientific study conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) identified Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary as a suitable location for the translocation of cheetahs. Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Bhupendra Yadav, highlighted Nauradehi as a prospective release site for cheetahs in the near future. The relocation of cheetahs to Nauradehi depends on the completion of on-ground preparations outlined in the Cheetah Action Plan..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   September 25

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World Pharmacists Day is observed on September 25 Every Year. It serves as a dedicated occasion to acknowledge and honour the invaluable contributions made by pharmacists in advancing global health.

This day underscores the crucial role that pharmacists perform in improving human well-being. The primary objective of World Pharmacist Day is to endorse and provide support for initiatives aimed at raising awareness and advocating for the pivotal roles played by pharmacists worldwide.

World Pharmacists Day 2023 Theme : The theme for World Pharmacist Day this year is ‘Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems’. This day is devoted to recognising and celebrating the indispensable contributions of pharmacists in the fields of medical supplements and the healthcare profession.

World Pharmacists Day History :

* The history of World Pharmacist Day traces back to its inception at the 2009 International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress held in Istanbul, Turkey. This special day was established to underscore the critical significance of pharmacists and pharmacy professionals in the domain of healthcare.

* The annual World Pharmacists Day campaign is organized by the FIP, with the theme for each year determined by the FIP Bureau. Notably, in 2020, FIP introduced World Pharmacy Week, broadening the celebrations to encompass the entire pharmacy profession and inclusively recognise all sectors within the field of pharmacy.


World Pharmacists Day Significance :

* World Pharmacist Day holds immense significance as it is celebrated globally to acknowledge and express gratitude for the essential role pharmacists play in our society.

* Pharmacists play a pivotal role in educating the public about medications, ensuring the safe utilization of healthcare and pharmacy products, and fostering worldwide awareness of health issues.

Correct Answer :   New Delhi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited the youth to participate in the G20 University Connect Finale on 26th September 2023.

It will be organized at the prestigious 'Bharat Mandapam' located in New Delhi.

Recently, G20 Summit 2023 was organized under the chairmanship of India in 'Bharat Mandapam'.

Prestigious institutions like IITs, IIMs, NITs and medical colleges will also participate in it.

My young friends,

I look forward to your taking part in the G20 University Connect Finale on the 26th of this month. Over the year gone by, the G20 University Connect has emerged as a great forum to highlight the priority areas of India’s G-20 Presidency.

I look forward to a…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2023

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   9

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 September 2023 flagged off Nine (9) Vande Bharat Express trains across 11 states via video conferencing.

The launch of these nine trains will connect religious and tourist destinations across 11 states. As per the PMO statement, the introduction of these nine Vande Bharat trains will herald a new standard of rail service in the country and will be equipped with world-class amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology.

Check Route, timings, stoppages, other details here :

1. Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express : The Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express run six days a week, except for Tuesday. The train number 20979 will depart from Udaipur city at 7:50 am and reach Jaipur at 14:05 pm while the return train 20980 from Jaipur will depart at 15:45 pm and reach Udaipur at 22:00 pm. The train will have seven stops including Ranapratapnagar, Mavli Junction, Chittaugarh, Bhilwara, Bijainagar, Ajmer JN, Kishangarh. The fare for Udaipur – Jaipur route is ₹1330 for Chair Car and ₹2350 for Executive Chair Car. The fare for Jaipur-Udaipur is ₹1275 for Chair Car and ₹2300 for Executive Chair Car.

2. Hyderabad –Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express : The Kacheguda- Yesvantpur JN will run six days a week expect for Wednesday. The train will depart from Kacheguda at 5:30 am and reach Yesvantpur JN at 14:00 and from Yesvantpur JN, the train will depart at 14:45 and reach Kacheguda at 23:15. The train will stop at Kacheguda, Mahbubnagar, Kurnool City, Anatapur, Dharmavaram Jn. The fare for Kacheguda- Yesvantpur JN is ₹1600 for Chair Car and ₹2915 for Executive Chair Car. The fare for Yesvantpur JN-Kacheguda is ₹1540 for Chair Car and ₹2865 for Executive Chair Car.

3. Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express : The Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express will depart from Jamnagar at 5:30 am and reach Ahmedabad at 10:10 am while from Ahmedabad the train will depart at The train will halt at Rajkot, Wankaner Jn, Surenndranagr, Viramgam Jn, Sanand, Sabarmati Jn. The fare for Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express is ₹955 Chair car and for Executive Chair Car it is ₹1790. The train will run for for six days except for Wednesday.

4. Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express : The 20678 Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express will depart at 15:20 and reach at Chennai at 22:00. Price for Vijayawada – Chennai: ₹1420 for chair Car and ₹2630 for Executive Chair car. The train will run six days a week except Tuesday. Halts: Tenali Jn, Ongole, Nellore, Reninguta Jn.

5. Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express : Train Number 22348 from Patna to Howrah will depart at 8 am and reach Howrah at 14:35 while from Howrah the train will depart at 15:50 and reach Patna at 22:40. Fare for Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express: ₹1505 for Chair car and ₹2725 for Executive Chair Car. Halts: Patna Saheb, Mokameh Jn, Luckeesarai Jn, Jasidih JN, Jamtara, Asandol Jn, Durgapur. The Patna-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will start its regular run on September 26, ECR's Chief Public Relations Officer Birendra Kumar told PTI.

6. Kasaragod - Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express : Train number 20633 from Kasaragod will depart at 14:30 and reach Thiruvananthapuram at 22:35. Train number 20634 will depart from Thiruvananthapuram CNTL at 5:20 am and reach Kasargod at 13:20. The train will run six days except for Thursday. Halts: Kannur, Kozhikkode, Shoranur Jn, Thrisur, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Kollam Jn/

7. Rourkela-Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express : Train number 20835 from Rourkela will depart at 14:10 and reach at 21:40 while train number 20836 will depart from Puri at 5:00 and reach Rourkela at 12:45. Fare for Rourkela-Puri is ₹1410 for Chair car and ₹2595 for Executive while. Fare for Puri-Rourkela is 1245 for chair car and ₹2400 for Executive chair car. Halts: Jharsuguda Jn, Sambalpur City, Rairakhol, Angul, Talcher road, Dhenkanal, Cuttak, Bhubaneshwar, Khurda Road Jn.

8. Ranchi-Howrah Vande Bharat Express : Train number 20898 will depart from Ranchi at 5:15 and reach Howrah at 12:20 while train number 20897 will depart from Howrah at 15:45 and reach Ranchi at 22:50. Fare for Ranchi Howrah: ₹1155 for chair car and Rs2200 for Executive chair car. Fare for Howrah-Ranchi train: ₹1320 for chair car and ₹2395 for Executive chair car. The train will run six days a week except for Tuesday. Halts: Muri, Kotshila, Purulia Jn, Chandil Jn, Tatanagar Jn, Kharagpur Jn.

9. Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express : Train Number 20666 will depart from Tirunelveli at 6:00 and reach Chennai at 13:50 while train number 20665 will leave Chennai at 14:50 and reach Tirunelveli at 22:40. Fare for Tirunelveli- Chennai Vande Bharat Express: ₹1665 for chair car and ₹3055 for Executive chair car. Fare for Chennai-Tirunelveli train: ₹1610 for chair car and ₹3005 for Executive chair car. The train will run six days a week except for Tuesday. Halts: Virudunagar Jn, Madurai Jn, Dindigul Jn, Tiruchchirapali, Villupuram Jn, Tambaram..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   75%

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About 4.4 lakh or 75 per cent of India's villages have achieved the open defecation free-plus status, Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Saturday (23rd Sep 2023).

An 'ODF Plus' village is one which has sustained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status along with implementing either solid or liquid waste management systems.

Addressing media persons, Shekhawat said over 4.43 lakh villages so far have declared themselves ODF Plus, which is a significant step towards achieving the goals of  the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin by 2024-25.

He added that all villages in 14 states and Union Territories (UT) have achieved ODF Plus Status, of which four have been declared 'ODF Plus Model'.

The top performing states and UTs which have 100 per cent ODF Plus villages are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura.

Of these, Andaman and Nicobar, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim have have achieved the 'ODF Plus Model' status.

Out of the 4,43,964 ODF Plus villages so far, 2,92,497 villages are 'ODF Plus Aspiring' with arrangements for solid waste or liquid waste management systems, 55,549 are 'ODF Plus Rising' with arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management and 96,018 are 'ODF Plus model'.

Overall, 2,31,080 villages so far have arrangements for solid waste management, while 3,76,353 have arrangements for handling liquid waste, he said.

"The achievement of 75% ODF Plus villages is a significant milestone for India, as the country has moved from ODF to ODF Plus in Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin Phase II," Shekhawat said..

Source : Economic Times