Correct Answer : Option (D) - Nitin Agarwal

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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 ₹2,05,400 and ₹2,24,400. 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.

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 12 June

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The World Day against Child Labour has been observed annually on 12 June since 2002. This significant day was established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and all United Nations member countries have since been commemorating it.

World Day against Child Labour serves as a call to action, urging individuals, organizations, and governments to take decisive steps in combating child labour and promoting awareness about its detrimental effects. It is a reminder for collective efforts to be made towards eradicating child labour and creating a better future for children worldwide.

World Day against Child Labour Theme 2023 :

* The World Day Against Child Labour 2023 will focus on the theme of "Week of Action against Child Labour." The International Labour Organization (ILO) plans to initiate a week-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the injustices of child labour and inspiring individuals to actively oppose it.

* Aim : The aim is to encourage collective action and mobilize efforts to combat child labour, emphasizing the importance of creating a world where children are protected, educated, and given the opportunity to flourish.


World Day against Child Labour History :

* Child labour remains a significant concern, particularly in impoverished and developing nations, as it robs children of their childhood and innocence. To bring attention to this issue, the International Labour Organization (ILO) designated June 12 as the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002.

* Recognizing its significance, the United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year for the Eradication of Child Labour. This initiative aims to raise awareness and take concerted actions to eliminate child labour worldwide.


World Day against Child Labour Significance :

* The World Day Against Child Labour carries immense importance as it seeks to eradicate child labour globally. Marked every year on June 12, this occasion serves as a powerful reminder that countless children across the world still suffer from exploitative and dangerous work environments.

* Child labour not only violates the rights of children but also hinders their well-being, access to education, and overall development. The event aims to raise awareness about this pressing issue and mobilize efforts towards ending child labour.

Source : Mint

Correct Answer : Option (C) - China

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China announced the successful completion of the JF-22 wind tunnel’s final evaluation on May 30, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of hypersonic capabilities.  

* Named the JF-22, the wind tunnel located in the Huairou District in northern Beijing is reportedly able to simulate flights of up to 10 kilometers per second or 30 times the speed of sound, making it the fastest in the world according to China’s Institute of Mechanics, its operator.

* The JF-22’s construction began in 2018 and was completed in August 2021. The tunnel is 167 meters long and four meters in diameter.

* Unlike most other existing facilities which use mechanical compressors to generate high-speed airflow, the 265-meter-long wind tunnel relies on chemical explosions.

* The facility will support the development of a space-to-earth shuttle system. But the tunnel may also be used for developing hypersonic weapons for Beijing. These weapon systems are designed to travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound or approximately 6,174 kilometers per hour (3,836 miles per hour).

* The Chinese military already fielded several hypersonic weapons, such as the DF-17 and DF-21 ballistic missiles. The speed and maneuverability of hypersonic missiles make them extremely challenging to detect and intercept.  .

Source : Aerotime

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Kilauea

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One of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawaii, continued to erupt Thursday (8th June 2023), sending up fountains of lava from its crater floor.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the eruption began at 4:44 a.m. Wednesday (7th June 2023) local time with the glow of lava at the summit, and moved its volcano alert level from "warning" to "watch," and the aviation warning in the area to "red."

Viewers can see the glowing red lava ooze out of Kilauea for themselves via a livestream on YouTube. On Thursday(8th June 2023) morning, the stream showed lava bubbling to the surface of the crater and oozing down the volcano.

The eruption is confined to a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the service said.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said on Twitter that populated areas were not under threat. Lava flows from other parts of the volcano have destroyed populated areas in years past..

Source : USA Today

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Amit Agrawal

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Senior IAS officers Amit Agrawal and Subodh Kumar Singh have been appointed as CEO Unique Identification Authority of India and director general of the National Testing Agency, respectively, as part of a bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre.

* Both Agrawal (1993 batch) and Singh (1997 batch) are Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of the Chhattisgarh cadre.

* Agrawal, additional secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority in the rank and pay of additional secretary to the Government of India, a Personnel Ministry order said.

* Singh, who is currently additional secretary in the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has been named as the NTA's director general, it said.


Other appointments :

* Richa Sharma, additional secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has been moved to the Department of Food and Public Distribution to replace Singh, according to the order issued late Sunday night.

* Rashmi Chowdhary, additional secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, has been appointed as secretary in the Central Information Commission.

* Shyam Jagannathan, who is currently posted as development commissioner of the Santa Cruz Exclusive Export Processing Zone, Special Economic Zone, Mumbai, will now be the director general (shipping) in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

* Senior bureaucrat Sanjeev Kumar Chadha will be additional secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Vumlunmang Vualnam will be additional secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs and Ramesh Krishnamurthi will be additional secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the order said.

* As many as 13 senior officers have been appointed in different central government departments.

* L S Changsan will be additional secretary in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, R Anand will be additional secretary in the Department of Land Resources and Maninder Kaur Dwivedi will be additional secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

* Dwivedi will also hold the additional charge of managing director in the Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium, said the order.

* Vipin Kumar, who is joint secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, has been appointed as additional secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy.

Sunil Kumar Barnwal, who is currently joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, will be additional secretary in the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

* The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has also approved in-situ upgradation of two officers to the level of additional secretary to the government of India by temporarily upgrading the post held by them.

* Accordingly, Sanjay Sethi, chairperson of the Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, will now be in the rank and pay of additional secretary.

* Krishna Kumar Dwivedi, joint secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, will be additional secretary in the same ministry, the order said.

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Pieter Elbers

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IndiGo, India's preferred carrier, is proud to announce that its CEO, Pieter Elbers has been elected as the chair-elect of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors. Effective June 2024, he will succeed present Chair, Yvonne Manzi Makolo, the CEO of Rwandair.

* Pieter Elbers' appointment comes at a significant time for the Indian aviation industry, which is experiencing unprecedented growth and development. As the chair-elect of the IATA BoG, Elbers will play a pivotal role in further shaping the global aviation landscape, advocating for the industry's interests, and driving innovation and sustainability initiatives.

* Commenting on the occasion, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said, "It is an immense honor to be appointed as the chair-elect of the IATA Board of Governors. I look forward to continue working closely with global industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

* With a focus on enhancing the passenger experience, the airline has consistently demonstrated its commitment to affordable fares, on time performance, courteous and hassle-free services across its unparalleled network. Pieter Elbers' appointment reinforces IndiGo's position as a driving force in the Indian aviation landscape, while placing India firmly on the global aviation map..

Source : Goindigo

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Kerala

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Kerala government has now come up with a novel scheme to reward all those who report such acts and earn up to Rs 2,500 for each reporting.

* This is part of the 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam' campaign to make the state garbage-free.

* Additional Chief Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Sarada Muraleedharan, issued an order in this regard, suggesting citizens to report littering/dumping of both solid and liquid waste in public spaces, private property and water bodies.

* The person who informs authorities of such violations will be given Rs 2,500 (maximum) or 25 per cent of the fine imposed on those resorting to disallowed disposal of garbage.

* The report must be backed with evidence, including credible photograph or video clip, along with details such as the place and time of the wrong-doing.

* The order states that citizens have to report with a WhatsApp number and E-mail and authorities will not publicise the informer's name or details.

* The order also asks all local bodies to conduct widespread awareness campaigns against littering of waste and garbage-dumping, besides on the citizens' responsibility of reporting violations and obtaining reward for it.

* The enforcement teams can seize and confiscate vehicles that illegally carry garbage.

* If needed, the carriers can be arrested and legal steps be taken against the violators..

Source : Business Insider

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Both 1 and 2

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Insolvency regulator, IBBI, proposes to stipulate mandatory audit of Insolvency Resolution Process Costs (IRPC) in resolution cases where the assets of the corporate debtor (CD) is in excess of ₹ 100 crore.

About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) :

* It was established on 1st October 2016 under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
* It is responsible for the implementation of the IBC. The IBC amends and consolidates the laws relating to insolvency resolution of individuals, partnership firms and corporate persons in a time-bound manner.

Functions :The IBBI regulates professionals as well as processes.
* It has regulatory oversight over the insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professional entities, insolvency professionals and information utilities.
* It enforces rules for processes of corporate insolvency resolution, individual insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation and individual bankruptcy under the IBC.
* It specifies the minimum eligibility requirements for registration of insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professionals and information utilities and curriculum for the qualifying examination of the , insolvency professionals for their enrolment.
* It collects and maintains records relating to insolvency and bankruptcy cases and disseminate information relating to such cases.

Constitution : The Board consists of the following members who are appointed by the Central Government, A Chairperson.

* Three members from among the officers of the Central Government equivalent or not below the rank of a Joint Secretary. Out of the three members, each will represent the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Law, ex -officio.
* One member nominated by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), ex-officio.
* Five other members nominated by the Central Government, out of which at least three should be whole-time members.
* The term of office of the Chairperson and members (other than ex-officio members) is five years or until they attain sixty-five years, whichever is earlier, and they are eligible for re-appointment..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer : Option (A) - West Bengal

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* WBIDC, Amazon and FICCI join hands to promote e-commerce exports from West Bengal on Thursday (8th June 2023).

* Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Government of West Bengal; Ms. Vandana Yadav, Principal Secretary, Industry, Commerce and Enterprises; Rudra Chatterjee, Chairman, FICCI West Bengal State Council, and senior Amazon leaders spoke at e-Export Haat 8th June 2023 in Kolkata.

* 200+ potential exporters from Kolkata, North and South Parganas, Hooghly, and Howrah attended the event on June 8, 2023 at Silpa Sadan in Kolkata.

* To enable small businesses and entrepreneurs from West Bengal and to expand their businesses globally through e-commerce exports, the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), Amazon Global Selling and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) jointly organized an e-Export Haat on June 8, 2023, at Silpa Sadan in Kolkata.

* This event was conceptualized as a knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building forum to enable small businesses from the state to create robust exports businesses and global brands. More than 200 potential exporters and MSMEs from Kolkata, North and South Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, and other cities and districts in the state participated in the event.

* The event featured keynote sessions on the e-commerce exports opportunity as well as masterclasses and on-spot registrations on Amazon Global Selling for the attending exporters. The masterclasses focused on various aspects of e-commerce exports including cross-border logistics and payments, compliance requirements, insights on global markets and more..

Source : About Amazon

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Both 1 and 2

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Recently, after Arab League reinstating Syria as its member, the discussions on the trade of Captagon pills have taken the centre-stage once again.

* It is a highly addictive amphetamine-type drug, which is produced mainly in Syria.

* The original Captagon contained fenetylline, a synthetic drug of the phenethylamine family to which amphetamine also belongs.

* It was commercially sold in several countries until the 1980s and was banned due to fears of its highly addictive nature.

* It stimulate the central nervous system, providing a boost of energy, enhance someone’s focus, let someone stay awake for longer periods of time, and produce a feeling of euphoria.

* These type drugs usually stay in the blood for around 36 hours.

* When taken orally, their peak effect occurs one to three hours after consumption, and effects last for as long as seven to 12 hours.

* They can cause loss of appetite and weight, heart problems such as fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and heart attack, which can lead to death.

* They can also cause high body temperature, skin flushing, memory loss, problems thinking clearly, and stroke..

Source : Indian Express