Correct Answer : Option (D) - 11th May

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National Technology Day is celebrated annually in India on 11 May. This day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of innovators, scientists, and engineers, and to promoting scientific and technological innovation in the country.

The day was first established in 1998 to commemorate the successful nuclear test at Pokhran. This test was a significant milestone in India’s technological advancement, and it paved the way for the country to acquire a leading position in the field of nuclear weapons technology.

National Technology Day 2024 Date :

This year, National Technology Day will be celebrated in India on Saturday, 11 May 2024.

National Technology Day 2024 Theme :

The theme of National Technology Day 2024 has not been announced yet. However, like every year, the day will be recognized to embrace the advancements of India in the field of science and technology.

History of National Technology Day :

The history of National Technology Day in India dates back to 1998, when the Indian Army conducted five nuclear bomb tests (Pokhran- II) in Rajasthan under the surveillance of the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Pokhran – II was led by the Missile Man of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. India was entitled as the sixth nuclear country after the huge success of the Pokhran Test.

Correct Answer : Option (C) - IIT Bhubaneswar

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar have initiated a partnership aimed at advancing research in electronics warfare, AI-driven surveillance, power systems, and radar systems. DRDO has sanctioned nine projects from the Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS) Cluster to IIT Bhubaneswar, with an additional seven projects awaiting approval, backed by ?18 crore in funding.

Collaboration Announcement :

Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating that it signifies a shift from knowledge generation to practical application, entrepreneurship, and producing skilled professionals. He sees this partnership as a pathway to excellence in defence research and technology.

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 4.9%

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India’s industrial production growth rate decelerated to 4.9% in March 2024 compared to 5.7% in February 2024, as per data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for FY24 stood at 5.8%, up from 5.2% in the previous year. In March 2023, industrial output had grown by 1.9%.

Manufacturing Sector :

The manufacturing sector, a crucial component of India’s industrial landscape, saw a growth of 5.2% in March 2024, slightly up from 5% in February. Key contributors to this growth included the manufacturing of basic metals (7.7%), pharmaceuticals and medicinal products (16.7%), and other transport equipment (25.4%).

Sub-Sector Performance :

Within manufacturing, specific areas demonstrated notable growth. “Manufacture of basic metals,” “Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products,” and “Manufacture of other transport equipment” emerged as the top three positive contributors to IIP growth in March 2024.