Correct Answer :   PayPal

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The legal battle between PayPal and the FIU commenced in March 2018 when the latter demanded registration as a reporting entity under the PMLA. Despite PayPal’s resistance, the FIU imposed a penalty in December 2020, alleging non-cooperation and failure to comply with anti-money laundering obligations. This penalty was initially overturned in July 2023, but the court ruled that PayPal must adhere to reporting obligations under the PMLA as a payments system operator.

Registration with FIU-IND: What it Means

* Compliance Mandates : PayPal must now report large or suspicious transactions to FIU-IND and implement stringent customer verification procedures.
* Record Maintenance : Detailed records of users and transactions must be maintained for a specified duration.
* Sector-wide Implications : Other fintech firms may face similar registration requirements, increasing compliance burdens across the sector.

Legal Developments and Appeals

* Initial Penalty : FIU imposed a penalty in December 2020, citing non-cooperation and violation of PMLA obligations.
* Court Ruling : While the penalty was overturned, the court upheld PayPal’s obligation as a payments system operator under the PMLA.
* Ongoing Appeal : PayPal appealed the ruling, contesting its classification as a payments system operator and challenging the interpretation of “payment system” under the PMLA.

FIU Directive and PayPal’s Defense

* FIU Directive : The FIU demanded registration, citing the necessity to combat money laundering and protect India’s financial system.
* PayPal’s Defense : PayPal argued against registration, citing RBI guidelines and positioning itself as an Online Payment Gateway Service Provider (OPGSP), not a payments system operator.

Correct Answer :   PhonePe

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PhonePe launched its Android-based mobile app marketplace, Indus Appstore, in India on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The app store was launched by the Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a hybrid event. The Walmart-owned fintech firm said its new app storefront intends to solve the major pain point of the lack of regional language content in marketplaces. The Indus Appstore will be available in English and 12 Indian regional languages. It also comes with features such as video-led app discovery, mobile-based logins, and AI-driven app recommendations.

Indus supports regional languages like Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and more. It comes with a toggle button on the top through which users can switch between languages. The toggle not only changes the language of the content on the interface but also app names, app trailers and videos, as well as app descriptions. PhonePe said that the translations were done at the company's end.

Further, the platform also allows users to search in any of the 12 regional languages to see search results in those languages. PhonePe founder and CEO Sameer Nigam said that even transliterations in regional languages will fetch results. Android smartphone users can download and install the app here.

Indus Appstore has 200,000 apps at its launch, the company said. Some of the prominent apps include Flipkart, Disney+ Hotstar, Myntra, Zomato, Swiggy, Snapchat, and more. The number also includes several thousand games, where it is heavily focused. The platform has three major categories in gaming which are casual gaming, heavy gaming and real money gaming (RMG).

App listings on the developer platform will be free for the first year but after that, an annual fee will be levied. PhonePe also stated that the marketplace will not charge developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments if separate payment gateways are used. In contrast, Apple and Google charge between 15 percent and 25 percent commission for the same and do not allow integration of other payment services.

Additionally, the platform allows users to do a mobile number and OTP-based logins instead of using emails. For app recommendations, the developer platform uses artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms and uses location data. There are a couple of smart features as well such as smart updates that will allow for faster updations to the latest version. The personalised storage management feature will recommend to users the rarely used apps which can be put into hibernation (updates will be stopped) and the apps which are never used and can be deleted.

Nigam also said that app developers will have an option on whether to show ads in their apps or not. Those who opt in will be able to earn a commission from the generated ad revenue..

Source : Gadgets360

Correct Answer :   Arunachal Pradesh

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The Arunachal Pradesh government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to establish the state’s first Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). This move aims to bolster conservation efforts and protect the tiger population within the state.

Establishing the Special Tiger Protection Force :

Arunachal Pradesh, known for its biodiversity, is home to three tiger reserves: Namdapha, Kamlang, and Pakke. However, despite these reserves, the state lacked a dedicated force for tiger protection. With the signing of the MoU, a specialized force comprising 336 personnel will now be deployed across these reserves.

Funding Support and Deployment Strategy :

Under the terms of the MoU, the NTCA has committed to providing financial assistance for the establishment, equipping, and deployment of the STPF. This funding will be split with 90% provided by the central government and 10% by the state government. Each tiger reserve will host 112 personnel, ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection.

Addressing Declining Tiger Population :

The urgency for such measures was underscored by the concerning decline in tiger numbers revealed by the 2022 tiger census. From 29 tigers in 2018, the population dwindled to a mere nine in 2022 across the three reserves. This decline raised alarm bells and highlighted the pressing need for conservation efforts.

Objectives of the Special Tiger Protection Force :

The primary mandate of the STPF will be to safeguard the assets of the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change department, particularly within the tiger reserves. This includes preventing poaching activities targeting tigers and other wildlife species. By enhancing surveillance and enforcement, the force aims to curb illegal activities posing threats to the region’s biodiversity.

Government Commitment and Prior Approvals :

The establishment of the STPF underscores the commitment of the Arunachal Pradesh government to prioritize wildlife conservation. The decision to create this specialized force was preceded by approval from the state cabinet, aligning with the guidelines set forth by the NTCA. This effort signifies a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced in tiger conservation.

Correct Answer :   Reliance Industries Limited

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Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, in collaboration with some of the country’s premier engineering institutions, is poised to unveil its pioneering ChatGPT-style service named ‘Hanooman’ next month. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the advancement of AI capabilities within India, promising to bring a new era of digital innovation and accessibility.

Collaboration at its Core

The development of ‘Hanooman’ is a result of a concerted effort between Reliance Jio Infocomm, Centre, and several Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), including IIT Bombay. This collaborative endeavor, featuring a consortium of Reliance and eight affiliated universities, underscores the synergy between India’s leading corporate powerhouse and its academic institutions in pushing the frontiers of technology.

A Sneak Peek into ‘Hanooman’

During a recent technology conference in Mumbai, attendees were offered a glimpse into the capabilities of ‘Hanooman’. Demonstrations included a motorcycle mechanic interacting with the AI in Tamil, a banker using Hindi to converse with the tool, and a developer from Hyderabad employing the tool for coding. This preview highlighted ‘Hanooman’s’ proficiency in handling complex interactions across various professional fields.

Multilingual and Multifaceted

One of the defining features of ‘Hanooman’ is its ability to operate across 11 local languages, catering to a wide spectrum of fields including healthcare, governance, financial services, and education. This multilingual capability, coupled with speech-to-text functionalities, positions ‘Hanooman’ as a highly user-friendly and versatile AI model, ready to transform the digital landscape in India.

The Future of AI in India

The launch of ‘Hanooman’ comes at a time when the AI sector in India is witnessing substantial growth, with startups like Sarvam and Krutrim, backed by notable investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners and Vinod Khosla’s fund, also venturing into the development of open-sourced AI models tailored for the Indian context. Reliance Jio’s vision extends beyond ‘Hanooman’, with plans to develop customized models for specific applications through ‘Jio Brain’, leveraging AI to enhance its services for a subscriber base of approximately 450 million.

A Unique Public-Private Partnership

BharatGPT’s initiative represents a groundbreaking public-private partnership, bringing together key stakeholders from diverse sectors to innovate and deploy AI solutions that are uniquely suited to India’s needs. This collaborative model not only exemplifies the potential for innovation but also sets a precedent for future technological advancements in the country.

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJD's Debashish Samantray and Subhashish Khuntia were on Tuesday (20th Feb 2024) elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha.

Returning Officer Abanikanta Patnaik announced the names of the elected persons after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended this afternoon.

BJP candidate and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha with the ruling BJD's support. Vaishnaw had filed his paper on the last day of the nomination filing process on February 15 while two BJD candidates had filed nominations on February 13.

Though the BJD had the required numbers in the Odisha assembly to win all the three Rajya Savha seats to fall vacant in April this year, the ruling party had preferred to field only two candidates leaving one berth for BJP's Vaishnaw.

Patnaik-led BJD had announced its support to Vaishnaw "for the larger interest of the state's railways and telecom development". In 2019 also, Patnaik had supported Vaishnaw when he got elected to the Upper House of the Parliament for the first time.

In June 2019, the BJD had announced to extend support to Vaishnaw, a former Odisha cadre IAS officer, following a telephone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik.

As the three candidates filed their papers for three seats to be vacant, there was no need for an election, the Returning Officer said.

The tenure of three RS members - Vaishnaw, BJD's Prashant Nanda and Amar Patnaik will end in April this year. The election process was to fill up the three vacancies..

Source : Deccan Herald

Correct Answer :   Malta

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International Solar Alliance on Tuesday (20th Feb 2024), the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The ISA is an alliance of more than 120 signatory countries that aims to reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels.

Permanent Secretary at the Maltese Foreign Ministry, Christopher Cutajar signed the ISA Framework Agreement on Tuesday.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Head of Depository and Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) Abhishek Singh in the national capital.

"India welcomes Republic of Malta as the 119th country to join @isolaralliance. Permanent Secretary @chriscutajar of @MFETMalta signed the ISA Framework Agreement in the presence of Head of Depository & Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) @Abhishekifs in New Delhi today," the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France. Currently, 116 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.

"The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries," the ISA website reads.

The platform strives to develop and deploy cost-effective and transformational energy solutions powered by the sun to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories, with a particular focus on delivering impact in countries categorized as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.

It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015, the ISA website added..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Sambalpur

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Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the first Skill India Centre (SIC) of the country in Sambalpur, Odisha on 20th Feb 2024. Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International Shri Ved Mani Tiwari; and other dignitaries were present at the event.

While addressing the youth at the inauguration Shri Pradhan stated that by spearheading the skill training programs in new-age job roles, the skills-set of Amrit Peedhi will be upgraded in demand-driven industries and the aim will be to empower over 1200 students through this centre.

He also said that India requires a skilled and competent workforce to propel its development journey forward in the 21st century. The new-age and future skills are available at considerably higher cost in global markets and realizing this, it has been envisioned to democratize access to quality education and establish a level-playing field for the aspiring youth, he highlighted. Shri Pradhan also said that the introduction of low-cost courses in the centre will empower large youth and make them part of the evolving job market.

Shri Pradhan also mentioned that aligning with the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering youth with new-age skills, the Centre will equip a vast majority of the young populace with employable skills in demand-driven trades, creating an industry-ready workforce, encouraging entrepreneurship and strengthening the skilling ecosystem. It will be a catalyst of prosperity, he mentioned.

The initiative is designed to build the capabilities and knowledge of Yuva Shakti in trades that are high in demand such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS. It stands as a progressive step towards creating a conducive learning environment that empowers youth with industry-specific skills through a unique combination of classroom and work-based learning.

The centre is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities that will catalyse demand for formal skills and will serve as a catalyst in enabling youth to acquire the skills needed to succeed in their respective fields. To further fuel growth, collaborative efforts are being made to harness the potential of demographic dividends to catalyse rural development, nurture local entrepreneurship and spur socio-economic growth..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   February 20th

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Each year, on February 20, the World Day of Social Justice is commemorated globally. With significant injustices and extensive labour insecurity posing threats to social welfare, the day emphasises the imperative of constructing fairer and more equitable societies.

WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE HISTORY :

* The United Nations General Assembly designated February 20th as the annual World Day of Social Justice, starting from the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, in a declaration made on November 26, 2007.

* On June 10, 2008, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) unanimously adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation.

WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE SIGNIFICANCE :

* The concept underpinning the observance of World Day of Social Justice is that prioritising social justice should be the fundamental aim of both national and international policies.

* The United Nations (UN) website states that advocates argue for the importance of advancing decent work and a fair globalisation agenda centred on essential rights, employment opportunities, social protections, and constructive social dialogue amongst governments, employers, and workers as essential for placing social justice at the forefront.

* Nonetheless, the UN highlights the ongoing significant injustices, widespread labour insecurity, heightened inequality, and fraying social agreements worsened by global crises.

* According to the UN, social development and social justice are crucial for establishing and preserving peace and security within and among nations. It also asserts that social development and social justice cannot be achieved without peace and security or without upholding all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

* Globalisation and interconnectedness are creating new prospects through trade, investment, capital flows, and advancements in technology, including information technology, for enhancing the global economy and rising living standards worldwide. However, substantial challenges persist, such as severe financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion, and inequality within and amongst societies, alongside significant barriers to further integration and full realisation of potential..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   Uttarakhand

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the 'Himalayan Basket' at his residence.

Key Points :

* The initiative was started by Sumit and Sneha Thapliyal in 2018, aiming to provide employment to local people.

* Sumit, an engineer, and Sneha, a marketing professional, initiated the project with a focus on agricultural products like milk, turmeric, and mint.

* Under the Himalayan Basket, these agricultural products are purchased, processed, and supplied to foreign countries.

* Special products like 'Churpi' (a hard cheese) and 'Ghee' (clarified butter) are particularly in high demand.

* The government and district administration have supported the initiative by leasing a gardening cold store to them.

* The CM expressed the government's commitment to supporting initiatives in this field and aiming to create an ideal Champawat.

Correct Answer :   February 20th

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In 1987, Arunachal Pradesh, one of India’s north-eastern states attained full statehood, and that is why Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day has been celebrated annually on 20 February since that year.

Arunachal Pradesh is a land of natural wonders and cultural heritage. It is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique tribal cultures.

It is a place where the mountains meet the sky, the forests are lush and green, and the people are warm and welcoming. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, Arunachal Pradesh has something to offer to everyone.

History and Significance of Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day :

Arunachal Pradesh has a rich history that dates back centuries. The state was formerly known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) until it was granted statehood on 20 February 1987. Prior to that, it was a part of the larger state of Assam. The state was divided into 16 districts in 1975, and the first general election for the Assembly was held in February 1978.

Rhe Director of Research of the Arunachal Pradesh Foundation, Bibhabasu Das Shastri, and the Chief Commissioner of Arunachal Pradesh, KAA Raja, had renamed the NEFA to Arunachal Pradesh on 20 January 1972, following which it became a union territory before being declared as a state in 1987.

Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day: Interesting Facts You Should Know

Here are some of the interesting and unknown facts about Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day.

Natural Attractions : Arunachal Pradesh is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in India. The state is home to the majestic Himalayas, lush rainforests, and beautiful valleys. The Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India, is located in Arunachal Pradesh. Other major attractions include the Orchid Sanctuary, two National Parks, and eight wildlife sanctuaries.

Cultural Heritage : Arunachal Pradesh is home to a rich cultural heritage that is reflected in its traditional festivals, music, dance, and art forms. The state is home to 26 main tribes and several other sub-tribes. While a large number of people follow the Christian faith, there are also a significant number of secular residents.

Biodiversity : Arunachal Pradesh is known for its rich biodiversity. The state is home to a variety of wildlife, including four major cats: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard. Two thirds of the state is forested, and it is home to thousands of mammal and bird species. Arunachal Pradesh is also the only state in India to have 500 varieties of orchids.

Economy : Arunachal Pradesh has a growing economy that is based on agriculture, horticulture, and tourism. The state is a major producer of fruits like apple, kiwi, pine, pineapple, and orange. Arunachal Pradesh also has significant hydropower potential and is working to develop its tourism industry..

Source : The Quint