Correct Answer : Option (A) - Neeraja Prabhakar

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B.Neeraja Prabhakar has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) for the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) located in Pedavegi, Andhra Pradesh.

This significant appointment, effective from June 13, will see Ms. Prabhakar leading a ten-member committee for a three-year term. With her extensive experience and expertise in the field, Ms. Prabhakar’s appointment is expected to contribute to the growth and development of the oil palm industry in India.


About Neeraja Prabhakar : Ms. B.Neeraja Prabhakar is the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University. Her diverse background and in-depth knowledge of the horticulture sector have made her an ideal candidate for the position of Chairperson of the RAC for IIOPR. In addition to her new role, Ms. Prabhakar has previously served as a member of the Telangana Oil Palm Advisory Committee, where she provided valuable insights and recommendations for the cultivation and promotion of oil palm in the state.

The Significance of the Research Advisory Committee : The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) plays a crucial role in guiding and advising the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) on research and development initiatives. As the only dedicated institute in India for oil palm research, IIOPR aims to develop cutting-edge technologies applicable to all oil palm growing states. The RAC, led by Ms. Prabhakar, will provide strategic direction, review research proposals, evaluate ongoing projects, and offer valuable insights to ensure the institute’s research activities are aligned with the industry’s needs.


Focus on Oil Palm Research in India : Oil palm cultivation in India has gained significant importance in recent years due to its economic and nutritional value. Telangana, in particular, has emerged as a leading state in terms of oil extraction from oil palm kernels. With Ms. Prabhakar’s involvement in the Telangana Oil Palm Advisory Committee, her appointment as RAC Chairperson brings added expertise and understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities faced by the region.  The state aims to expand oil palm cultivation to 20 lakh acres in the near future with a target of reaching at least 10 lakh acres over the next four years.

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Hampi

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Third  G20 Culture Group (CWG) meet  began in Hampi, Karnataka from 9th July 2023. Briefing the media in Hampi 9th July 2023, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India,  Shri Govind Mohan said that the 3rd Culture Working Group Meeting  under India's G20 presidency   is being organized in Hampi, Karnataka from 9th -12th July.

He also said that the meeting will be attended by delegates from G20 members, guest nations, and several international organizations.

Aim : The aim of the G20 Culture Working Group is to make a place in the Guinness Book of World Records by creating the largest masterpiece of 'Lambani Embroidery Patch Work'..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Indira Gandhi International Airport

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Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is all set to inaugurate its 2.1 km long dual lane Elevated Cross Taxiway on July 14, 2023. In addition to this, the fourth runway at the airport will also become operational on Thursday.

The inauguration of ECT will cut short the waiting time in an aircraft from 20-25 minutes to 10 minutes. India's first Elevated Cross Taxiway will be inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Here are the key points you need to know about the amazing ECT at Indira Gandhi Airport.

Key highlights of India's first Elevated Cross Taxiway at Delhi's IG airport

* Total length of the dual-lane ECT is 2.1 kilometres. It will link the Northern and Southern airfields on the eastern side of the airport.

* Passenger experience : The waiting time inside the airplane after landing is expected to fall significantly, as planes will take lesser time after landing to reach Terminal 1. The same goes for the process of take-off. The distance that an aircraft needs to cover, after landing on the third runway and going to T1, will be reduced to 2 kms from the present 9 km.

* Less waiting time : As ECT will reduce the distance between the two airfields, it will also help in saving around twenty to seven minutes of passengers before take-off. However, it also depends upon factors like directions of aircraft landing, said Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)

* Main benefits of the ECT : According to DIAL officials, after the inauguration of ECT, airport authority would be able to reduce aircraft emissions, save natural resources like ATF, and enhance operational efficiency. ECT will mainly cut short the taxiing distances of aircraft.

* Carbon emissions : A minor reduction in distance between airfields can make a big difference in CO2 emissions. The taxiway is expected to optimise taxiing routes and aircraft operations. With this, it would be able to save approximately 55,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum and will contribute to achieving a "Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport' by 2030.

* India's first elevated taxiway : The first-of-its-kind taxiway has made Indira Gandhi International Airport to be India's first airport to have ECT. "This historic feat is a testimonial to DIAL's commitment to creating environmentally sustainable architecture and becoming a 'Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport' by 2030. With Eastern Cross Taxiway, the Delhi Airport has become India's first Airport to have an elevated taxiway in the country, which will not only enhance passenger experience but also make Delhi Airport future-ready," said Prabhakara Rao, deputy MD of GMR Group.

 * Strong and sturdy structure of ECF : The dual lane elevated Code F taxiways are also capable of ensuring to the safe and simultaneous passage of two big aircraft..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Voyager Space

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Voyager Space, a global leader in space exploration, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), to foster collaboration in spacecraft launch and deployment opportunities on-board NSIL’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

* Under this MOU, Voyager Space and NSIL will explore launch and deployment opportunities for small satellites orbited by SSLV and PSLV.

* The two organizations will also study the use of space qualified components from NSIL in support of spacecraft manufacturing, deployment, operations, and other areas of interest.

* ISRO’s state-of-the-art launch infrastructure and NSIL’s experience in delivering payloads to orbit expands access to space for Voyager’s global customer base. Voyager Space has previously flown customer satellites on two PSLV missions.

* Clay Mowry, Chief Revenue Officer at Voyager Space stated, “We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with NewSpace India Limited. This partnership is a unique opportunity as we join forces to drive innovation and advancement in the small satellite launch industry. We look forward to growing Voyager’s presence in India and providing additional opportunities for our customers.”

* NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan shared, “We are delighted to enter into this alliance with Voyager Space. India’s space industry is open for business, and we are proud to serve the rapidly growing global small satellite launch service market. By working together, we will create a synergy that accelerates the development of a commercial space economy in India and abroad.”.

Source : Theprint

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Gujarat

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Gujarat government inked 6 MoUs with private industries for the mangrove plantation under the MISHTI scheme at Dwarka in the presence of Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

* In Gujarat, the mangroves will be planted over 3000 hectares area of land to conserve coastal ecosystems.
 
* Addressing the Hariyali Mahotsav at Dwaraka in Gujarat, Mr. Yadav said India has devised a unique biodiversity conservation model through a holistic approach.

* He also underlined the critical role of mangroves in preventing coastal erosion.  Mr. Yadav also participated in the mangrove plantation drive in Dwarka and congratulated the Gujarat government for joining hands with private players for the plantation of mangroves in the State.
 
* He said the initiative will aid restoration and conservation of mangroves and achieve India’s carbon sink targets. Gujarat State Environment Minister Mulu Bera was also present on the occasion..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Naveen Patnaik

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Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday (6th July 2023) launched ‘Ama Pokhari’ Yojana to rejuvenate around 2,000 large water bodies in all 115 urban local bodies of the state.

The state government would invest 120 crore rupees in the implementation of the initiative.

Launching the project, the chief minister said the project will be implemented using natural and organic methodology to improve the climate of surrounding areas.

The water bodies will also be developed for recreation of citizens and their surroundings will get an aesthetic facelift.

The renovation and maintenance of the water bodies will be done in collaboration with members of Mission Shakti. “This will help in developing healthy public spaces for recreation and strengthen the ecological fabric of cities..

Source : Newindianexpress

Correct Answer : Option (B) - K. Rajaraman

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The government has announced the appointment of senior bureaucrat and telecom secretary K Rajaraman as the next Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), showed an official order.

Rajaraman is an Indian Administrative Service officer of 1989 batch. His appointment is for a period of 3 years. He succeeds the first IFSCA Chairperson Injeti Srinivas who led the authority since 2020.

Rajaraman’s term will be for three years from the date of his assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 65 years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest, the order issued by the finance ministry said.

IFSCA was set up in April 2020 under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019, at GIFT City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat. IFSCA is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). At present, the GIFT IFSC is the maiden international financial services centre in India. Prior to the establishment of IFSCA, RBI, SEBI, PFRDA and IRDAI regulated the business in IFSC..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Bhupendrabhai Patel

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The Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit was inaugurated on 7th July 2023 by Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, and Shri Kaushal Kishore, Hon’ble Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs.

Speaking of the State’s rich history of urbanization dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, Shri Patel highlighted forward-looking urban initiatives being implemented in the State.

Shri Kaushal Kishore shared the key highlights of some of the policies and programmes initiated by the Government of India to promote green development, including the LIFE mission, promotion of renewable energy, policies on e-mobility and missions like Housing for All, Swachh Bharat Mission etc.

Ahmedabad, serving as the chair for the sixth U20 cycle, has brought together more than hundred and forty foreign city leaders from over 60 sixty cities across the G20 countries, seventy plus national and international speakers to deliberate on issues that affect urban areas and address challenges in achieving sustainable urban development. The Summit also saw the participation of over one hundred Indian delegates from more than thirty cities.

Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs spoke about the rapid pace of urbanization in India, where urban population is expected to increase from the current 450 million to about 800 million by 2050. Shri Joshi highlighted the need for building capacities and adequate finances to deal with the impact of climate change.

The Hon'ble Mayor of Ahmedabad Shri Kiritkumar J. Parmar welcomed the delegates and emphasized the need for an action-oriented agenda to ensure sustainable and equitable urban development through the outcome document of U20 deliberations- the Communiqué..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Ministry of Education

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Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for States and UTs which assesses the performance of the school education system at the State/UT level by creating an index for comprehensive analysis.

The PGI - States/UTs was first released for the year 2017-18 and so far, has been released up to the year 2020-21.

The new PGI structure covers 73 indicators and focuses on qualitative assessment including digital initiatives and teacher education..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 29 Projects

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (7th July 2023) unveiled 29 development projects worth Rs 12,100 crores in his Varanasi parliamentary constituency.

* Arriving here from Gorakhpur, the prime minister launched the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction-Son Nagar railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor. Built at a cost of more than Rs 6,760 crore, the new line will facilitate faster and more efficient movement of goods.

* He also laid the foundation stones or inaugurated several other projects for Varanasi and adjoining districts.

* Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present during the programme.

* Earlier in Gorakhpur, the prime minister attended the centenary celebrations of Gita Press and launched two Vande Bharat Express trains..