For how many years has the Government of India extended the tenure of the head of UIDAI?

Daily Current Affairs

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

Correct Answer : 1 Year

The government of India has extended the tenure of UIDAI CEO Amit Agrawal by one year till November 2, 2024. A 1993 batch IAS officer from the Chhattigarh cadre, Agrawal assumed the top position of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on June 19, following the retirement of Saurabh Garg.

UIDAI is the statutory body which was established in 2016 under the Aadhaar Act. It was functioning as an attached office under the erstwhile Planning Commission since 2009. It is mandated to provide the 12-digit unique identification number to citizens, processing and managing those numbers as well as interlinking with partner databases.

Who is Amit Agrawal?

* Well-known as an expert in the field of IT and e-governance, Agrawal graduated from IIT, Kanpur.

* He held several crucial positions both the Centre, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

* He was the additional secretary in the Union ministry of electronics and information technology before joining UIDAI.

* He was earlier the additional secretary and joint secretary in the Union ministry of finance.

* In Chhattisgarh, he served as the finance secretary and the secretary in charge of the departments of commercial tax and technical tducation in the state government among other roles.

* In his first address after joining, Agrawal said he is committed to making Aadhaar more accessible and secure and working with the government, private sector to ensure the benefit of Aadhaar for all..

Source : Hindustan Times

Published On : October 5, 2023

Solar’s Ascendance in India :

In 2015, India ranked ninth in solar energy deployment, but by 2023, it produced 5.8% of its electricity from solar, up from 0.5% in 2015. This significant increase underscores India’s commitment to clean energy and its pivotal role in mitigating climate change.

Global Solar Growth Trends :

Ember’s report highlights that solar energy witnessed a remarkable increase globally, with 2023’s solar generation exceeding six times that of 2015. The top four solar growth countries, including India, accounted for 75% of this growth, emphasizing the widespread adoption of solar power worldwide.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India's Toy Exports Slip to _____ Million in 2023-24

$102.92

$121.19

$139.53

$152.34

Correct Answer : Option (D) - $152.34

India’s toy exports experienced a slight decline to USD 152.34 million in the fiscal year 2023-24, with limited benefits from quality control measures. Despite efforts to bolster the domestic industry and ensure product safety, exports did not see significant improvement.

Declining Export Trends :

Export figures dropped marginally from USD 153.89 million in the previous fiscal year to USD 152.34 million in 2023-24, as outlined by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). Despite a modest increase in exports from FY’2020 to FY’2022, the subsequent year witnessed a downturn.

Import Trends :

Conversely, imports rose to USD 64.92 million in 2023-24 from USD 62.37 million in the preceding year, indicating a persistent challenge in balancing trade dynamics.

GTRI’s Recommendations :

Comprehensive Industry Development Strategy : GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava emphasized the necessity for a holistic approach to foster the growth of India’s toy industry and bolster exports.

Domestic Ecosystem Strengthening : Developing a robust domestic ecosystem is paramount, alongside measures to encourage renowned global toy brands to establish manufacturing facilities within India’s borders.

Published On : May 9, 2024

Q .

India Leads Global Remittances, Surpassing _____ Billion Mark.

$50

$100

$200

$250

Correct Answer : Option (B) - $100

India emerged as the global leader in remittances in 2022, receiving over $111 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) highlighted India, alongside Mexico, China, the Philippines, and France, as the top five remittance recipient countries.

Consistent Growth: From $53.48 Billion to $111.22 Billion

The UN’s World Migration Report 2024 underscored India’s consistent growth in remittances, noting a rise from $53.48 billion in 2010 to $111.22 billion in 2022. This significant increase showcases India’s pivotal role in the global remittance landscape.

Southern Asia’s Significance in Global Remittances :

The IOM emphasized Southern Asia’s importance as a major recipient of global remittances, attributed to its high proportion of migrant workers and emigrants. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh all ranked among the top ten recipients worldwide, highlighting the sub-region’s reliance on labor migration.

Prominent Migration Corridors and Destination Countries :

While India ranks 13th as a destination country for immigrants, it features prominently in various international migration corridors, including India-United Arab Emirates, India-Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh-India, all of which are among the top 10. This indicates India’s significant role in global labor migration patterns.

Published On : May 9, 2024