Correct Answer :   January 16

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed January 16 as National Startup Day, marking a pivotal moment in India’s recognition and celebration of its burgeoning startup ecosystem. Since then, various initiatives and events have unfolded, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

National Startup Day History :

National Startup Day was officially announced on January 15, 2022, with the inaugural observance taking place that same year. Prime Minister Modi, during a video conference with aspiring entrepreneurs, lauded the exponential growth of startups and their vital contribution to the economy.

National Startup Day 2024 Significance :

The day holds immense significance as it provides a dedicated platform to celebrate the triumphs of the startup community. It serves as an occasion for entrepreneurs to share insights, discuss innovations, and reflect on their journey. Moreover, National Startup Day emphasizes the critical role startups play in driving economic growth and job creation.

National Startup Week 2024, Unlocking Infinite Potential :

To amplify the celebration, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry have extended the festivities to a week-long event known as National Startup Week. Commencing from January 10 to 16, the week revolves around the theme “Startups Unlocking Infinite Potential.”

The Startup India Innovation Week, a flagship initiative, is a focal point of this celebration. Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, inventors, and enthusiasts converge to partake in a series of events, discussions, and activities aimed at fostering collaboration and growth within the startup ecosystem.

Correct Answer :   Switzerland

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has secured Switzerland’s agreement to host a global peace summit aimed at resolving the conflict sparked by Russia’s incursion into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Switzerland, known for its neutrality and past mediation roles, will facilitate talks to find a resolution.

Context :

Zelenskiy, during a press conference in Bern alongside Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd, revealed that the peace summit’s participants are yet to be finalized. However, he emphasized the invitation to countries respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, hinting at inclusivity.

Key Points :

* Open Invitation : Zelenskiy expressed openness to all nations endorsing Ukraine’s sovereignty, particularly emphasizing the Global South’s presence to showcase worldwide opposition to Russian aggression.

* Summit Logistics : No specific details on the summit’s date or location in Switzerland were provided. Zelenskiy was in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in Davos, potentially meeting Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other world leaders.

* Peace Formula : Zelenskiy’s peace formula, announced previously at the Group of 20 summit, calls for restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Russian troop withdrawal, cessation of hostilities, and the release of all detainees.

* Kremlin’s Response : The Kremlin dismissed talks in Davos on Ukraine’s peace proposals, asserting futility without Russian involvement.

Correct Answer :   Andhra Pradesh

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN) at Palasamudram, Sri Sathya Sai District in Andhra Pradesh on 16th Jan 2024.

He also took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion. The Prime Minister also interacted with Officer Trainees of the 74th and 75th batches of the Indian Revenue Service (Custom & Indirect Taxes) as well as officer trainees of the Royal Civil Service of Bhutan.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone for the inauguration of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics at Palasamudram.  He expressed confidence that the new campus of NACIN will create new dimensions of good governance and give a boost to trade and industry in the nation.

Further elaborating this PM Modi talked about the tax reforms in the last 10 years. He recalled multiple, non-transparent tax systems of earlier times. “We gave the country a modern system in the form of GST and simplified income tax and introduced faceless assessment. All these reforms have resulted in record tax collection”, the Prime Minister said. ‘We are returning people’s money through various schemes’, he added. He informed that the IT exemption limit was raised from the income of 2 lakh to 7 lakh rupees. Tax reforms after 2014 have resulted in tax savings of about 2.5 lakh crore rupees for the citizens. He said that the number of taxpayers is consistently increasing in the country as they feel happy that their tax money is put to good use.

He concluded by asking the officers to realize their role in nation-building and called for collective efforts to increase the country's income, and investment and enhance ease of doing business.

Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri S. Abdul Nazeer; Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman; Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy; and Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, were present on the occasion among others.

Thanking the Prime Minister for a World Class Institute and a World Class Academy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in his address on the occasion, said, “It is indeed a privilege to participate in the inaugural event of the 2nd NACIN Academy. It is a preeminent institution that enables comprehensive training and capacity building in the fields of customs, indirect taxes, and narcotics control. For officers representing various entities such as CBIC, Narcotics Control Bureau and so forth.”

Speaking on the occasion, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said that, “This is an Institute of National Importance where the Indian Revenue Service officials will get their training like how the IAS officers get their training in LBSNAA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration) and IPS officers get their training at SVPNPA (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy). This is recognised by World Customs Organisation and is capable of training officers from South East Asian countries also. I would like to thank Shri Narendra Modi ji for gracing the occasion.  I extend my sincere gratitude to the State Government for providing 500 acres of land for this purpose.”

Welcoming the Prime Minister on the occasion, Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairperson, CBIC, in his address, said, “NACIN campus is sprawling across 500 acres of land and will serve as a temple of learning with state-of-art technologies. Despite the vast area and challenging terrain, the buildings of the campus have taken shape at unprecedented pace and the facility has been made ready in short span of 18 months.”

Shri Aggarwal further said, “With international collaborations and a focus on regional capacity building, the Academy is slated to emerge as a pioneer in excellence and professional training.”..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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NITI Aayog report reveals that 24.82 crore people in India have successfully moved out of multidimensional poverty from 2013-14 to 2022-23. The decline is remarkable, dropping from 29.17% to 11.28% during this period. The multidimensional poverty index assesses deprivations across health, education, and standard of living using 12 sustainable development goals-aligned indicators.

State-Level Progress: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh Lead the Way :

At the state level, Uttar Pradesh takes the lead with 5.94 crore people escaping poverty, followed by Bihar at 3.77 crore and Madhya Pradesh at 2.30 crore. All 12 indicators, encompassing nutrition, mortality rates, education, and more, witnessed significant improvements.

Accelerated Decline: India Aims for Single-Digit Poverty Rates by 2024 :

NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand highlights the accelerated pace of poverty reduction, translating to 2.75 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty annually. The government is committed to bringing multidimensional poverty below 1%, with efforts directed towards this ambitious goal.

Sustainable Development Goals: India on Track for Early Achievement :

The report suggests that India is poised to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1.2 (reducing multidimensional poverty by at least half), well before the 2030 deadline. The accelerated decline is attributed to various government initiatives targeting specific deprivation aspects.

Future Outlook: India Set to Reach Single-Digit Poverty Levels by 2024 :

Anticipating a continued positive trajectory, the report envisions India reaching single-digit poverty levels by 2024. The paper underscores the government’s commitment and the impact of targeted initiatives in driving this transformative change.

Correct Answer :   Curb the overuse of antibiotics

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The Kerala Drug Control Department has taken a proactive step to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through Operation Amrith (Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health).

This initiative aims to curb the overuse of antibiotics in the state by conducting surprise raids in pharmacies and detecting over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.

Understanding AMR :

AMR, or antimicrobial resistance, refers to the ability of bacteria and microbes to resist the drugs used to inhibit or kill them. Recognized as a “silent pandemic,” AMR was associated with approximately 5 million deaths globally in 2019, with 1.3 million deaths directly attributed to it.

Role of Drug Controller :

The Drugs Controller of Kerala emphasized the significant role played by the Drugs Control Department in optimizing antibiotic use by preventing OTC antibiotic sales. Pharmacies are now required to maintain records of antibiotic sales and display posters stating “antibiotics not sold without doctor’s prescription.” Strict actions will be taken against those who fail to comply.

Public Participation :

To involve the public in this crucial initiative, the Drug Control Department encourages individuals to report pharmacies selling antibiotics without prescriptions. A toll-free number has been provided for lodging complaints, and upon receipt, the complaints will be transferred to the zonal office for verification and immediate action.

Alignment with State Action Plan :

Operation Amrith activities align with Kerala’s Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP) and its antibiotic literacy initiative. Kerala, being the first Indian state with a state action plan on AMR aligned with the national plan, initiated the Antibiotic Literate Kerala Campaign to raise awareness about AMR.

Phase Out OTC Antibiotic Sales :

The health department in Kerala is committed to completely phasing out OTC antibiotic sales without prescriptions and taking strict actions against violating pharmacists. This step is crucial in curbing the misuse of antibiotics and promoting responsible antibiotic use.

Drug Take-Back Programme :

Kerala has implemented the Programme on Removal of Unused Drugs (PROUD) to ensure proper disposal of unused antibiotics. Launched in Thiruvananthapuram district in 2019, this drug take-back programme aims to prevent environmental contamination and further resistance development.

Global Health and Economic Impact :

The World Bank estimated in 2017 that annual global healthcare costs could reach $1.2 trillion by 2050 under a high AMR impact scenario. Additionally, the world could lose 3.8% of GDP annually, leading to up to 10 million deaths each year, primarily in Asia and Africa. Kerala’s proactive measures contribute to the global fight against the economic and health impacts of AMR.

Kerala’s Efforts on AMR Surveillance :

In addition to Operation Amrith, Kerala has undertaken significant efforts in AMR surveillance. The state launched the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (KARS-NET) for human surveillance in 2018-19. Moreover, in August 2023, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board inaugurated an AMR lab specifically dedicated to environmental surveillance, further emphasizing the comprehensive approach towards tackling AMR.

Correct Answer :   Vice Admiral AN Pramod

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Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) on 15 Jan 2024. An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course, Naval Academy, Goa, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1990.

The Flag Officer is a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication & Electronics Warfare Specialist. He did the Staff Course at DSSC Wellington (Nilgiris) and the Naval Higher Command Course at NWC, Goa.     

His important afloat appointments include Fleet Operations Officer, Western Fleet, Command of IN ships Abhay, Shardul and Satpura, Executive Officer Rajput, SCO Sujata and GO II Kirpan.  He commanded the Naval Air Station, Utkrosh at Port Blair and was also the Directing Staff at DSSC, Wellington.

He has also held important staff appointments that include Joint Director, Naval Air Staff & Joint Director, Director and the Principal Director Aircraft Acquisition.  He has also been the member of Indian Strategic & Operational Council (INSOC) and Tactical Audit Group (TAG) from 2016-19 and 2006-09 respectively.

The Flag Officer has tenanted the appointments of Deputy Commandant, INA, ACNS (Air) at Naval Headquarters and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.  The Flag Officer is married to Mrs Ambili Pramod. They have two children Chitranjali and Siddhanta..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Droupadi Murmu

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The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 5th Edition of the Meghalaya Games in Tura, Meghalaya today (January 15, 2024).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the North East region has a tremendous potential for development of sports and sportspersons. She noted that this region traditionally has a strong sports culture.

The President said that diversity is the beauty of our nation and we should utilise it to further boost India’s global image in the sports arena. She emphasized the need to support the talent from the tribal areas and groom them to become professional sportspersons.

The President was happy to note that the society of North East encourages women to play and join sports as a profession. She said that the North East region has produced many great women athletes. She also underlined the potential of adventure sports and adventure tourism in this region and the need to explore and leverage it on priority.

The President said that India’s sporting culture has developed immensely in recent years. With Government’s new initiatives and encouragement to the athletes, Indian sportspersons are now winning more medals than ever in global events.

Programmes such as Khelo India are helping in identifying and nurturing future sports champions. She said that India has also demonstrated its ability to host large scale international sporting and other events.

The President urged children and youth to learn at least one sport and participate in sports activities. She said that they may or may not adopt sports as a career but playing together will inculcate team spirit and competitiveness in their personality apart from keeping them physically and mentally fit.

The President said that the decision of the government to hold these games in different parts of the state is a welcome step and would ensure wider reach of such events among masses. She expressed confidence that the events like Meghalaya Games will encourage athletes for excellence, promote competitiveness and create a vibrant sporting ecosystem..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Argentina

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The Centre on Monday (15th Jan 2023) signed an agreement to acquire five lithium brine blocks for exploration and development in Argentina. The agreement was signed between Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) and Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), a state-owned mining and energy company in the Argentine province of Catamarca.   

This is the first ever lithium exploration and mining project by a state-owned company. KABIL will start exploration and development of five lithium brine blocks — Cortadera-I, Cortadera-VII, Cortadera-VIII, Cateo-2022-01810132 and Cortadera-VI — covering an area of about 15,703 hectares in the Catamarca province.  

Business Standard reported on the potential deal last month.   

Calling the deal historic for both India and Argentina, Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said: “We are scripting a new chapter in bilateral ties which will not only play a crucial role in driving the energy transition for sustainable future but also ensure a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical and strategic minerals essential for various industries in India.”  

With this agreement, KABIL has obtained exploration and exclusivity rights to evaluate, prospect and explore and subsequent to existence/discovery of lithium mineral exploitation rights for commercial production, the Ministry of Mines said on Monday (15th Jan 2024).

The deal will not only boost India’s quest for sourcing lithium but will also help in bringing in technical and operational experience for brine type lithium exploration, exploitation and extraction.  

Argentina holds 20 per cent of the world’s 98 million tonnes of lithium resources, second only to Bolivia. according to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Lithium Statistics and Information 2023 report.   

The country is also part of the “Lithium Triangle” along with Chile and Bolivia, which together hold more than half of the world’s total lithium resources.  

Argentina has second largest lithium resources, third largest lithium reserves and forth largest production in the world.

India is also engaged in talks with Argentina because its salt-lake lithium provides a cost-effective extraction method compared to hard-rock mining. This makes it commercially appealing and contributes significantly to production.

KABIL is also preparing to set up a branch office at Catamarca, Argentina. The project cost is about 200 crores.

After Australia, this is India’s second attempt to sign a foreign partnership for sourcing critical minerals. In 2022, India signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia's Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) to explore five blocks — two dedicated to lithium and three to cobalt.

The deal is aimed at bringing sustainable development of the mining sector, ensuring a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical and strategic minerals essential for various industries.

Currently, the country meets the lithium demand through 100 per cent import. India’s lithium imports in FY23 amounted to roughly $3 billion (approximately ?24,900 crore), marking a 58 per cent increase from FY22, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data. The data also reveals that over 95 per cent of India’s lithium imports originate from China and Hong Kong.

The exploration and development agreement for five lithium blocks will aid India’s objective to attain net-zero emissions by 2070 and establish itself as a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles.

Lithium finds extensive use in various applications, particularly in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power a wide array of devices such as smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems for renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Also, lithium is employed in certain medical treatments, ceramics, and as a component in aerospace technology..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Tribal Group

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In continuation of its tribal outreach ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the government will release the first instalment for pucca houses amounting to Rs 540 crore to one lakh beneficiaries from particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) on Monday (15th Jan 2024).

The money will be credited directly in their Jan Dhan accounts.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually interact with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), the flagship central scheme launched in November 2023 for socio-economic welfare of PVTGs, spread across 18 states and Union Territories.

Simultaneously, in 100 districts, officials from both the Centre and the respective state governments will distribute benefits under the package to gram panchayats and village chiefs, said a statement issued by the Tribal Affairs Ministry on Sunday (14th Jan 2024).

In the two months since the launch of the scheme on November 15, the government has sanctioned projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore through nine ministries under the PM-JANMAN package, said Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.

PM-JANMAN, with a budget of Rs 24,104 crore, focuses on 11 critical interventions and is aimed at saturating PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, electricity, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Munda, who will join the event from Bishnupur in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, said in order to reach out to every household, more than 7,000 camps were organised in PVTG habitations of all 188 districts, to facilitate their Aadhaar cards, Jan Dhan accounts, Ayushman Bharat cards, and enable registration for different schemes under the mission.

During these camps held over the last one month, 72,000 new Aadhaar cards were made, more than 80,000 Ayushman Bharat cards were made, besides ration cards and Kisan Credit Cards, said the ministry statement. Many habitations and people were completely left out of the benefits of flagship schemes, because of remoteness of locations and lack of road and digital connectivity, it said.

Under the PM-JANMAN mission, the government has already sanctioned the building of 1,207-km roads in PVTG habitations; approved schemes to connect all left out PVTG households to the PM Jal Jeevan Mission; and sanctioned 916 anganwadi centres, 816 of which are expected to be operational by the end of this month.

It was in 1960-61 that the Dhebar Commission identified disparities among Scheduled Tribes, leading to the creation of the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) category. In 2006, this category was renamed Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   USA

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The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project is situated on Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, USA.

With a 30-meter diameter primary mirror, it is the world’s most advanced ground-based observatory for optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observations.

Collaboratively developed by institutions from the USA, Japan, China, Canada, and India, TMT incorporates innovations in precision control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics, showcasing global collaboration in advancing astronomical research.