Which IPS officer has been appointed as the new Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF)?

Daily Current Affairs

S.V.Ramana Murthy

Alok Sharma

Varun Sindhu Kul Kaumudi

Nitin Agarwal

Correct Answer : Nitin Agarwal

Nitin Agarwal, an IPS officer of the 1989 Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the new director general of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday (11th June 2023) night. This appointment comes after a vacancy of over five months in the position.

Presently serving as the Additional DG of operations at the headquarters of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Delhi, Agarwal will now assume the role of leading the BSF.

The BSF is India's leading security agency responsible for safeguarding the 4,096-kilometer-long international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. In addition, it carries out various responsibilities in the realm of internal security. The BSF comprises a workforce of over 2.65 lakh personnel serving in diverse roles.

For the past five months, the additional charge of the BSF has been held by Sujoy Lal Thaosen, the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) issued an order appointing Nitin Agarwal as the director general of the BSF. The order stated that Agarwal's tenure would begin from the date of assuming the post until July 31, 2026, which marks his superannuation date, or until further instructions, whichever comes earlier.

The position of BSF chief had remained vacant for over five months since the retirement of Pankaj Kumar Singh on December 31, 2022.

Who is Nitin Agarwal?

Nitin Agarwal, an IPS officer of the 1989 Kerala cadre, currently holds the position of Additional Director General of Operations at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He attained the rank of ADG in 2014 while serving with the ITBP. Agarwal completed his B-Tech (1983-1987) and M. Tech (1987-1989) from IIT Delhi, as mentioned on his LinkedIn profile. Outside of work, he enjoys playing tennis.

Throughout his career, he has held various notable positions, including IG Training at ITBP, IG Sashastra Seema Bal, and ADG-Police with Kerala Police. In the initial stages of his professional journey, Agarwal served as an Assistant Engineer at the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers.

Following his promotion and the recent order, Agarwal has been placed at Level-16 of the Pay Matrix, which entitles him to an increased salary in his new position. As per the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix, the salary range for Level 16 falls between â‚¹2,05,400 and â‚¹2,24,400. In addition to the salary, Agarwal will also be entitled to various perks and allowances associated with his new role.

Nitin Agarwal's appointment coincided with the bi-annual four-day border talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and its Bangladeshi counterpart, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), taking place in Delhi. As there was no regular director general (DG) at the time, Sujoy Lal Thaosen led the BSF delegation in these talks. Once the discussions conclude on June 14, Agarwal is expected to assume his role as the new head of the BSF. This marks the 53rd edition of these talks, with the previous meeting held in July of the previous year when the BSF delegation visited Dhaka.

Published On : June 13, 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