Correct Answer :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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

Correct Answer :   2 only

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Three states, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana, have recently rebuffed a proposal, approved by the Centre’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), to test a new kind of transgenic cotton seed.

About Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) :

* It is a statutory committee constituted under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)” framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
* GEAC functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
* It was earlier called Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, which was changed to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in the year 2010.


Functions :

* As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
* The committee is also responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials.
* It keeps a check on the use, import, and export of genetically modified (GM) organisms and crops.
* GEAC also has the power to prohibit the manufacture and use of certain recombinants as they are hazardous for commercial use.


Composition :

* GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
* Presently, it has 24 members and meets every month to review the applications in the areas indicated above.
* The members comprise experts from other ministries as well as institutions such as the ICAR, ICMR, CCMB, and so on..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Madhya Pradesh

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In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched 10th June 2023, a new scheme for women empowerment in the state level 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana' program organized at Garrison Ground, Jabalpur.

* Under this scheme named Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana, the Chief Minister inaugurated this scheme by depositing an amount of 1,000 rupees each in the accounts of 1.25 crore women of the state.

* Mr. Chouhan said that with time, the amount of Ladli Bahna Yojana will be increased upto 2,000 rupees to 3,000 rupees.

* He said that now women will not depend on the small requirements of their children from the family members. A road show was also held before the inauguration programme.

* Ladli Bahna Yojana programs were organized across the state today (10th June 2023). It is noteworthy that the Ladli Bahna Yojana was announced on 5th March 2023 and in about 35 days more than 1 crore 25 lakh women submitted applications to take advantage of this scheme.

* Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana aims to make women financially independent, improve their health and nutritional status and increase their role in family decisions..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Sarbananda Sonowal

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Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush "Shri Sarbananda Sonowal" launched ‘SAGAR SAMRIDDHI’ - the online dredging monitoring system - in order to accelerate ‘Waste to Wealth’ initiative of the Ministry here 9th June 2023.

* Secretary of MoPSW Sudhansh Pant along with other senior officials of the Ministry, Major Ports and Organisations also attended this programme.

* This system has been developed by National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) the technological arm of MoPSW. The new technology brings in marked improvement against the old system of Draft & Loading Monitor (DLM) system.

* The system will bring in synergy among multiple input reports like daily dredging report, the pre and post dredging survey data before processing and producing real time dredging report.

* The ‘Sagar Samriddhi’ monitoring system will also allow Daily and monthly progress Visualisation, Dredger performance and downtime monitoring, easy location track data with snapshot of loading, unloading and idle time  .This system strengthens the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India vision of PM Modi.

Capabilities of ‘Sagar Samriddhi’ include :

1. Real time dredging progress report

2. Daily and monthly progress Visualisation

3. Dredger performance and downtime monitoring

4. Easy location track data with snapshot of loading, unloading and idle time.

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Microsoft

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Microsoft has launched a new 'voice chat' feature to its AI-powered Bing Chat on the desktop, which will let users talk to the AI chatbot by clicking on the microphone icon in the Bing Chat box.

* Currently, the voice chat feature supports five languages -- English, Japanese, French, German, and Mandarin.

* The company said it will add more languages soon.

* Try asking Bing Chat -- How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?," Microsoft said in a blogpost on Friday (9th June 2023).

* Moreover, the company said that Bing Chat also supports text-to-speech answers, which will respond to your questions in its own voice.

* "Using voice input, ask Bing Chat -- What's the toughest tongue twister you know?" the company said. Meanwhile, Microsoft has again increased Bing Chat's turn limit to 30 chats per session and 300 chats per day.

* "Good news, we've increased Bing Chat turn limits again to 30 per conversation and 300 per day," Microsoft CVP of Search & AI, Jordi Ribas tweeted.

* Over the past couple of months, the company has gradually increased the chatbot's limit to enhance its usability..

Source : MSN