Correct Answer :   Sudhansh Pant

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Senior IAS officer "Sudhansh Pant" took charge as the chief secretary of Rajasthan here on Monday (01st Jan 2024) and said appropriate steps would be taken to further strengthen the financial position of the state.

The Rajasthan government appointed Pant as chief secretary on Sunday following the retirement of Usha Sharma. Pant will also hold the additional charge of president of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Corporation Limited.

Interacting with reporters, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma for entrusting him with the responsibility. "Decisions will be taken in the interest of the state and the country. The administration will work with full devotion and dedication so that the citizens of the state can get relief," he said.

"Administrative action will be taken…. to create a developed India. Rajasthan will also be a strong pillar of developed India," Pant said, adding that appropriate steps would be taken to further strengthen the financial position of the state.

In response to a question on coordination between the Center and the state, he said, "There will definitely be very good coordination with the Centre. We will continue to get full support from the Centre. I believe that the Central government will be very happy if we can utilise the funds." A 1991-batch IAS officer, Pant has been in Delhi since December 2022. He was the Union health secretary before being appointed as chief secretary of Rajasthan.

Pant holds a B.Tech degree in Electronics and communications. He has served as district collector in Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Bhilwara and Jaipur besides holding charge as secretary of various departments during his illustrious career..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Ravindra Kumar Tyagi

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State-owned Power Grid Corporation on 1 January 2024 said it has appointed Ravindra Kumar Tyagi as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). Tyagi will take over from Sreekant Kandikuppa, who retired after reaching the age of superannuation, the company said in a regulatory filing.

"Consequent upon attaining the age of superannuation, Sreekant Kandikuppa, Chairman & Managing Director, POWERGRID, has ceased to be the CMD of POWERGRID with effect from December 31, 2023," as per the regulatory filing.

In pursuance of the Ministry of Power Office Order on December 19, 2023, Ravindra Kumar Tyagi, Director (Operations), Power Grid has assumed the charge of the post of CMD of Power Grid Corporation of India with effect from January 1, 2024, as per another filing.

Tyagi, 57, holds an electrical engineering degree from Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh and completed M Tech in Energy Studies at IIT Delhi. He is a "fulbright scholar" from Carnegie Mellon University, USA and has over 33 years of industry experience in the power sector at various key positions in leading CPSUs, as per the filing..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   4 Years

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India started its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) on Monday (1st Jan 2024), following a two-decade absence.

* India was unanimously elected in April 2023 to become a member of the commission from 1 January 2024. During this tenure, India, along with 24 other members, will play an essential role in deciding the "role in setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level."

* India's membership is seen as important as a global youth leader. It comes at a time when international bodies are trying to create a regular database of parameters under the Sustainable Development Goals.

* Indian representative Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis chaired the commission during its eighth and ninth sessions in 1954 and 1956, while V.R. Rao took up the chairmanship in 1976.

* According to experts, the most crucial business India will participate in is the finalization and implementation of the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA).

* The current estimates of national income are based on the 2008 SNA, with 2011-12 as the base year. Experts argue that developing countries, primarily those in the Global South, are at a disadvantage as many of their economic activities cannot be measured.

* Apart from the unquantified issues of unpaid work and digitalization, other important issues include the measurement of human well-being and the impact of climate change.

* The commission consists of five members from the African states, four from the Asia-Pacific region, four each from eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven more from western Europe and other regions..

Source : Sputnik News

Correct Answer :   Kia

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Kia India on Tuesday (02 Jan 2023) said it has appointed Gwanggu Lee as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

He will be the third MD and CEO of Kia India, succeeding Kook Hyun Shim and Tae Jin Park. Kia India’s former MD and CEO, Tae Jin Park, is retiring after his remarkable 36-year journey with Kia Corporation and a four-year stint with Kia India, the company said in a statement.

“With two segment-breaking updates — the new Seltos and the new Sonet and a host of more innovative products on the way, Kia India is surely on the right path to sustainable business growth. It’s a privilege to lead a team that has set industry benchmarks, and I shall be contributing towards achieving many more as one team,” Lee said.

With over 30 years of experience in the automotive sector, Lee will spearhead Kia’s transformative journey focusing on fostering sustainable business growth. “My vision is to unlock the next phase of growth through inspiring Kia brand experiences thereby creating more value and long-lasting impact for our customers, partners and employees alike,” he added.

Lee has held leadership positions in various capacities in both developed and developing economies, including roles in the US, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Kia Headquarters in Central and South America, and Kia Europe headquarters in Germany. His recent role as President at Kia Mexico played a pivotal role in the company’s substantial growth , the company said..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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The newly elected BJP government in Rajasthan has sought the union health ministry's approval to integrate the state's Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme with the Centre's Ayushman Bharat programme, two officials privy to the matter said.

* The scheme, to be named Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, is expected to retain the existing benefits of the state scheme, including a ₹25 lakh insurance cover in both private and government hospitals, the officials said.

* The Chiranjeevi scheme, introduced by former chief minister Ashok Gehlot of the Congress party, offers higher coverage compared to the Ayushman Bharat's ₹5 lakh.  

* "The scheme will continue, and the amount of the package is also going to be same, there won't be any deduction," said an official from the state government.

* Query sent to the union health ministry and CMO of Rajasthan on the matter went unanswered till the article was published.

* Gehlot had previously urged the Prime Minister to retain his flagship schemes regardless of the election outcome. Gehlot had raised concerns during the campaign that the BJP might discontinue the Chiranjeevi scheme.

* Currently, over 1.42 crore families are drawing benefits from the ongoing Chiranjeevi scheme. The final figures for the scheme is yet to be confirmed by the health ministry, the officials said.

* The state government has directed districts to issue new cards by January 26, aligning with national efforts to cover all Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries before the Lok Sabha elections.

* The state government official said some of the private hospitals had stopped accepting the Chiranjeevi cards even before the election results were out. "The hospitals had already flagged that if the government changes, there are high chances that the BJP govt would discontinue, and hence they had already stopped," added the official..

Source : Live Mint

Correct Answer :   TCS

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India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched the ‘National Single Window System (NSWS),’ a unified portal designed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to streamline the import of medical devices.

The initiative aims to create a centralized platform for investors, enhancing the ease of doing business. The NSWS, developed by TCS through Invest India, becomes operational from January 1, 2024.


Key Features and Scope :

* The NSWS serves as a one-stop-shop for all approvals related to the import of medical devices.

* It facilitates applications for certificates of registration and licenses for manufacturing or importing medical devices for various purposes, such as clinical investigations, tests, evaluations, demonstrations, or training.

Transition and Expansion :

* Existing portals like SUGAM and cdscomdonline will be disabled by January 15.

* Initially, the NSWS will handle activities under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, including certificate of registration, manufacturing licenses, and import licenses for specific purposes.

* In the upcoming months, the platform is expected to encompass additional activities related to medical devices.

Correct Answer :   Tata Pay

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Tata Pay, the digital payments app under Tata Digital, has been granted a payment aggregator (PA) license by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This license positions Tata Pay among industry leaders such as Razorpay, Cashfree, and Google Pay, enabling it to efficiently handle ecommerce transactions within its subsidiary entities.


Strategic Advantages of the PA License :

* Tata Pay gains the capability to power ecommerce transactions within its ecosystem, enhancing fund management.
* Similar licenses were also obtained by other players like DigiO, a Bengaluru-based identity verification startup supported by Groww, allowing them to integrate payment services with their digital identification solutions.


Tata Group’s Digital Payment Journey :

* Tata introduced its digital payments app on the Unified Payments Interface in collaboration with ICICI Bank in 2022.
* This move signifies Tata’s second foray into the payments sector within the group, following the acquisition of a license for ‘white label ATMs’ under Tata Communications.

RBI’s Recent Grant of PA Licenses :

* The RBI’s recent approvals, including Tata Pay, allowed new merchant onboarding for Razorpay and Cashfree after nearly a year.


Important Questions Related to Exams :

* What recent achievement has Tata Pay attained in the digital payments landscape?

* How does the payment aggregator (PA) license from the RBI benefit Tata Pay in managing funds within its subsidiary entities?

* Which other startup, supported by Groww, recently obtained a PA license as of January 1, and what new capabilities does this license provide?

* Highlight Tata Group’s previous ventures in the payments sector and their significance.

Correct Answer :   Jharkhand

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Chief Minister Hemant Soren of Jharkhand announced (29th Dec 2023) a reduction in the qualifying age for old-age pensions. The decision primarily targets tribals and Dalits, lowering the age threshold from 60 to 50 years. This bold initiative aims to provide financial support to a broader segment of the population, acknowledging the specific challenges faced by these communities.


Pensions for the Elderly: A Paradigm Shift :

Chief Minister Hemant Soren highlighted the historical context, emphasizing that, in the two decades following Jharkhand’s formation in 2000, only 16 lakh people received pension benefits. However, under his government’s tenure, pensions have been extended to an impressive 36 lakh individuals, predominantly those aged above 60 years. This shift reflects a commitment to address the financial needs of the elderly population and recognize their contributions to society.


Inclusive Approach for Tribals and Dalits :

The pivotal announcement during the event at Ranchi’s Morabadi ground signifies a strategic approach to inclusivity. By extending pension benefits to tribals and Dalits at the age of 50, Chief Minister Soren acknowledged the challenges faced by these communities, including a higher death rate and limited employment opportunities after the age of 60. The decision reflects a proactive stance in mitigating socio-economic disparities.

Four Years of Welfare Initiatives :

During the function marking the completion of four years of the JMM-led government in the state, Chief Minister Hemant Soren highlighted the achievements of his administration. Over this period, pension benefits were extended to various segments of the population, including individuals above 60 years of age, widows above 18 years of age, and physically challenged persons. The government’s commitment to social welfare is evident in the implementation of numerous schemes, with a focus on improving the lives of its citizens.


Aapki Yojna, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar: Government’s Outreach Program :

Chief Minister Soren stressed the government’s relentless efforts in implementing a multitude of schemes for the welfare of the people. The ‘Aapki Yojna, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar‘ outreach program stands out as a pioneering initiative. This program aims to deliver the benefits of government schemes directly to villagers at their doorsteps, ensuring that the advantages of these schemes reach every corner of the state.


Inclusive Pension Scheme for Transgenders :

In a progressive move in September of the same year, the Jharkhand government expanded its universal pension scheme to include the transgender community. To avail the benefits of the pension scheme, transgenders are required to obtain a certificate from the deputy commissioner’s office, marking a step towards social inclusion and security for this marginalized community..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   200

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday (1st Jan 2024) flagged off 200 electric buses from Guwahati. He termed the initiative as the government's one of the biggest push towards a pollution-free environment.

* "In one of our biggest pushes towards a pollution-free environment in Assam, I dedicated 200 AC e-Buses today which will ply across Guwahati and adjoining areas," CM Sarma said while addressing the media.

* "By 2025, we want to establish Guwahati as the country's first city to be powered by a 100 per cent green public transportation system. This new fleet builds upon the 100 CNG buses dedicated to the New Year," he added.

* State Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya also attended the flag-off ceremony of 200 AC E-buses.

* Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Minister also ceremonially launched the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), a versatile transport card in Guwahati.

* The card, introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is a one-stop solution for facilitating payments of travel fares, toll taxes, and retail purchases, and allows cash withdrawals.

* Operating via the RuPay card system, the NCMC can be obtained as a prepaid, debit, or credit card from associated banks.

* CM Sarma urged everyone to get their NCMC to ensure ease of transportation..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   1 January 2024

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Prominent Indian-American legal scholar, Professor Ved Prakash Nanda passed away on Monday, 1 January 2024.

A Padma Bhushan awardee for his contributions to literature and education, Nanda also held prestigious position of the John Evans Distinguished University Professor of International Law at Colorado's University of Denver.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over Nanda's demise. who said that Professor Nanda’s work highlighted his commitment to legal education.

Deeply saddened by the passing away of Professor Ved Prakash Nanda Ji, a distinguished academic whose contributions to the legal field are invaluable. His work highlights his strong commitment to legal education. He was also a prominent member of the Indian diaspora in USA and… pic.twitter.com/ihs19v1q5q

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 2, 2024

Source : The Quint