Correct Answer :   Kerala

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India expressed its willingness to host the 2025 IIAS (International Institute of Administrative Sciences) Annual Conference at Kochi, Kerala, in February, 2025.

The IIAS established in 1930, is a federation of member States, national sections and academic research centres jointly elaborating public administration solutions to the policy challenges of the day with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The decision of the Government of India was conveyed in the meeting of the Council of Administration by V.Srinivas, Secretary Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in a virtual meeting 14th June 2023.

The 2025 Annual Conference of IIAS would be attended by 30 Member Countries, 18 National Sections and over 50 IIAS Universities/ Institutes of Public Administration in Member Countries.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances is an institutional member of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences IIAS since 1998. As a nation deeply committed to Multilateralism, Democracy, Meritocracy and Good Governance, India has under Prime Minister Modi, pursued far-reaching administrative reforms under the policy maxim “Maximum Governance–Minimum Government”.

As an institutional member of IIAS, India has contributed significantly to the deliberative democracy, research publications, fiscal processes of budget/ audit through the institutional mechanisms of the Council of Administration and the Finance Committee.

The best manifestation of “Maximum Governance – Minimum Government” policy is a “Digitally Empowered Citizen” and a “Digitally Transformed Institution”.

Theme : In accordance with India’s governance model, the theme for 2025 IIAS Annual Conference at Kochi is proposed as “Next Generation Administrative Reforms - Empowering the Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile”..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   June 14

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The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on June 14 to thank the altruistic acts of selflessness of voluntary blood donors and celebrate life and humanity. Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life.

* A decision to donate blood can save a life, or even several lives, if the blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.

* However, blood donation can also come with its own set of benefits for donors. Blood donation can help reduce excess iron levels in the blood thereby preventing hemochromatosis, a condition which can increase risk of cardiovascular diseases including heart attack and stroke.

* This can help with early detection of certain health conditions, such as anaemia or infectious diseases, which may otherwise go unnoticed.

World blood Donor Day Theme 2023 : The slogan or theme of the World Blood Donor Day 2023 is "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often." The theme highlights the importance of giving blood or blood plasma regularly to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can be always available, all over the world, so that all patients in need can receive timely life saving treatment.

History of World Blood Donor Day : In 2004 World Blood Donor Day was first distinguished by the WHO. In the 58th World Health Assembly, 2005 it was declared as an annual global event to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation.

The history of blood donation goes far back to ancient times. In written history, English physician Richard Lower is most remembered for his pioneering work on blood transfusion and the function of the cardiopulmonary system, which he described in his book ‘Tractatus de Corde’. He was the first one to examine the science of blood donation with animals and he managed to successfully transfuse blood between two dogs with no appreciable ill effects.

But WHO decided to celebrate the birthday of Karl Landsteiner as World Blood Donor day. Landsteiner was Austrian American immunologist, pathologist. He was awarded Nobel Prize in 1930 for his works on blood group and development of modern blood transfusion system.

Blood donation significance : The importance of donating blood is not only to save the lives of thousands of people who are deprived of life, but also to save the lives of many more who are affected by various diseases and help them to fight numerous illnesses.

Blood donation does not cause weakness. As per published literature, Blood volume (plasma) is replenished within 24-48 hours. Red blood cells are replenished in 3-4 weeks in healthy adults after donation..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   June 13, 2023

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Cormac McCarthy, whose unflinching depictions of America's bleak frontiers and grim underbelly earned him global acclaim, died on June 13, 2023, aged 89.

* “All the Pretty Horses,” “The Road” and “No Country for Old Men” were among his acclaimed books that explore a bleak world of violence and outsiders.

* He was awarded the National Book Award in 1992 for his novel 'All the Pretty Horses'.

* He also won a Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for 'The Road'.

* Other novels : Suttree, Blood Meridian, The Border Trilogy, No Country for Old Men..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Arunachal Pradesh

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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister "Pema Khandu" launched (14th June 2023) an app called 'Arunpol App' of Arunachal Pradesh Police and flagged-off an APP awareness generation vehicle from the Civil Secretariat, Itanagar 14th June 2023.

* Speaking to the media after the event, state’s Home Minister Bamang Felix said that the Arunpol app will facilitate common people to lodge complaints without coming to the police station.

* He said that people can also apply for other clearances from the police through this app. Speaking on the Arunpol Seva Van, Mr. Felix said that the vehicle will go to different places and will try to know the issues of the people and create awareness among the masses.

* The state home minister also informed that Chief Minister Pema Khandu also launched another app called E-Vigilance app for the state government employees 14th June 2023. He said that this app will benefit the state government employees by ensuring timely vigilance clearance..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Mizoram

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Scientists have uncovered a new species of gliding geckos in Mizoram, an advance that will highlight the underappreciated biodiversity of northeast India and encourage greater efforts to document its wildlife.

Bearing the name of the state it was discovered in, the Mizoram parachute gecko, or Gekko mizoramensis, is one of the 14 geckos known to take to the air.

While one specimen of the new species was collected more than 20 years ago, the differences from its relatives have only now been appreciated.

"The wildlife of northeast India isn't as well known as it could be because of the amount of dense forest.

While recent development has opened up access, forest clearance endangers its biodiversity," said Ph.D. student Zeeshan Mirza, who co-authored the research paper published in the journal Salamandra,.

Geckos are are believed to be among the earliest evolving squamates, the group that contains all lizards, snakes and their close relatives, with their ancestors first appearing in the fossil record hundreds of millions of years ago. Early geckos had already developed some of their key characteristics by 100 million years ago.

Genetic studies and preserved remains reveal that they had evolved the adhesive pads on their feet which allow them to climb almost any surface using a network of microscopic hairs.

Other adaptations, such as the ability to discard and regrow their tails to distract predators, or see well in the dark, have helped them to become one of the most successful lizard groups, the researchers said.

There are more than 1,200 species of gecko today, making up around a fifth of all known lizards..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Mumbai

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Vigyan -Vidushi – 2023, an initiative to address the gender balance in the discipline of Physics at the doctorate level, has commenced at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), in Mumbai from 12th June 2023. 

* 40 women students from forty different institutes all over India, who have just completed their first year MSc in Physics, are attending this programme that will give them an exposure to advanced physics courses and encourage them to perform innovative experiments.

* Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), through its Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), has started the three-week summer programme “Vigyan Vidushi” for girl students pursuing Physics at M.Sc. level, since 2020.

* The programme, which had started during the COVID pandemic, will be held completely in the residential mode, at HBSCE, for the first time from 12 June to 1 July, 2023.

* Encouraging the girl-students pursuing MSc Physics, Centre Director of HBCSE Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya, gave a presentation of women-scientists who have made a successful career out of physics across the world. 

* Prof. Savita Ladage, Dean, HBCSE, stated that the students who attended this programme in the previous three batches gained a new perspective about the immense possibilities of a career in Physics. She urged the students to be torch-bearers of the programme and spread knowledge encourage other girl-students to study Physics..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Amit Shah

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Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that Central government will provide more than 8,000 crore rupees to the States to effectively deal with the situation of floods in urban areas, strengthening of fire brigade services and landslide mitigation.

* Mr. Shah 13th June 2023 chaired a meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management of the States and Union Territories in New Delhi to strengthen the disaster management ecosystem in the country.

* The Home Minister said, 5,000 crore rupees will be provided to states to expand and modernize fire services and 2,500 crore rupees to reduce the risk of urban flooding in the seven most populous metros including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune.

* He added that 825 crore rupees will be provided to 17 states and union territories for landslide mitigation.

* The Home Minister said, disasters have changed its form and frequency and efforts must be made to save every single life from disasters. He said, the government has emphasized on new approaches of implementing early warning system, prevention, mitigation and preparedness-based disaster management in the last nine years.

* He said, the Modi government has set a target of preparing around one lakh youth volunteers in 350 high-risk disaster prone districts. He said, the release of funds from NDRF has increased by nearly three times from 25,000 crores rupees to 77,000 crore rupees in the past nine years.

* The day-long meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla along with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority and National Disaster Response Force. .

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Pankaj Agrawal

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Centre has appointed Pankaj Agrawal as the new Power Secretary, while Rajat Mishra will be the new Fertiliser Secretary and Chanchal Kumar to join the Civil Aviation Ministry as Secretary.

They are part of new postings for 15 senior bureaucrats who have now been promoted to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

* Pankaj Agrawal is a 1992 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre and to date, he was serving as Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry. Now, he will join as Officer on Special Duty in the Power Ministry in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India. He will take over as Power Secretary after superannuation of present Secretary Alok Kumar on June 30.

* Rajat Kumar Mishra is a 1992 batch IAS Officer of the Rajasthan cadre and to date, he was working as Additional Secretary in the Finance Ministry. He will join as Fertiliser Secretary, the post which has been lying vacant for some time. He will have Nivedita Shukla Verma, a 1991 batch IAS Officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, as his counterpart in the Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals. Verma, who was Special Secretary in Defence Ministry till date, will first join as Officer on Special Duty on August 1 and subsequently, take over as Secretary post superannuation of present incumbent Arun Baroka on August 31.

* Chanchal Kumar, a 1992 batch IAS Officer of the Bihar cadre, has been Managing Director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. He will join as Officer on Special Duty, Civil Aviation Ministry on  August 1 and then take over as Secretary from Rajiv Bansalupon post superannuation on August 31.

* Sudhansh Pant, a 1991 batch IAS Officer of Rajasthan cadre will move from the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry to Health Ministry, first as Officer on Special Duty and then as Secretary once present incumbent retires on July 31. Pant’s place in the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Ministry will be taken over by the 1991 batch IAS Officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, T K Ramchandran.

* Subhas Chandra Lal Das, a 1992 batch IAS Officer of the UT cadre and presently working as Director General of Hydrocarbons, will move to the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as Secretary. Debashree Mukherjee, 1991 batch IAS Officer of the UT cadre has been designated as Secretary in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. She is Special Secretary in the same Department and starts serving as Secretary after September 30 once the present Secretary Pankaj Kumar retires..

Source : Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   June 13

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International Albinism Awareness Day is observed annually on 13th June to create awareness about a genetic skin condition called Albinism, and promote the rights and regulations of Albinism on a global level. The day is recognized to put an end to the misconceptions and stereotypes related to this condition, and also encourage the inclusion of people suffering from Albinism in all aspects of society without any discrimination.

Theme for International Albinism Awareness Day 2023 : This year’s theme, “Inclusion is Strength,” builds on last year’s theme of “United in making our voice heard.” Its aim is to ensure the inclusion of the voices of persons with albinism in all sectors of life. It emphasises the importance of inclusion of a diversity of groups from both within and outside the albinism community.

What is albinism?

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world.

Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.

While numbers vary, it is estimated that in North America and Europe 1 in every 17,000 to 20,000 people have some form of albinism. The condition is much more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, with estimates of 1 in 1,400 people being affected in Tanzania and prevalence as high as 1 in 1,000 reported for select populations in Zimbabwe and for other specific ethnic groups in Southern Africa..

Source : UN

Correct Answer :   Chennai

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The World Cup Squash championship is being organized in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on June 13, 2023, after a gap of 12 years.

* It was formally inaugurated by the State Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Udhayanidhi Stalin.

* On the first day, India will play against Hongkong and China in the pool B matches and in another match Japan will play against South Africa.

* Each match will be played to the best of five games, each to seven points with a total of 11 points in general..

Source : AIR