Correct Answer :   6% to 6.5%

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India’s GDP is expected to grow in the 6 - 6.5% range in FY24, with agriculture growth continuing at a healthy pace, a recovery in industrial growth and the services sector remaining resilient, according to Bank of Baroda’s economic research department (ERD).

The projection takes into account an expected slowdown in the global economy, which may impact the external sector, and the continued resilience of the domestic economy.

RBI Projects 6.4% Growth for FY24 : Governor Shaktikanta Das of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected a real GDP growth rate of 6.4% for FY24. He cited increased rabi output, which enhances prospects for agriculture and rural demand. Additionally, the sustained recovery of contact-intensive sectors is expected to support urban consumption. Das also highlighted broad-based credit growth, improved capacity utilization, and the government’s focus on capital spending and infrastructure as factors that will bolster investment activity.

CARE Ratings Forecasts 6.1% GDP Growth in FY24 : CARE Ratings, a credit rating agency, estimates India’s economic growth for FY24 to be 6.1%. The agency emphasizes the government’s emphasis on capital expenditure (capex) and the growing intent of the private sector to invest, which should support investment demand. However, lower external demand and rising interest rates pose risks to investment revival. For FY23, CARE Ratings projects GDP growth at 7%, taking into account improving rural demand, rising rural wages, and the need for domestic demand to accelerate.

Moody’s Predicts 6.5% Growth for 2024 : Moody’s Investors Service, a global credit rating agency, forecasts India’s growth rate to be 6.5% for 2024 and 5.5% for 2023. Moody’s attributes the primary drivers of economic growth in these years to the decisions made by central banks regarding interest rates. They expect global economic growth to slow in 2023 due to cumulative monetary policy tightening. Moody’s forecasts a gradual improvement in G20 global economic growth, from 2.0% in 2023 to 2.4% in 2024..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   59th

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This year marks the 59th death anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India after Independence and played a significant role in the freedom struggle of India.

On the 59th Death Anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the legendary leader of India. PM Modi took this thought to Twitter and expressed his tribute.

Key Points :

* Jawaharlal Nehru was a mighty politician and freedom fighter who fought against the Britishers during the freedom struggle.

* Nehru fought against the Britishers and was among the key leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC).

* On May 27, 1964, the first Prime Minister of India took his last breath. He was the PM from 1947 to 1964 till he died at the age of 74.

* Nehru’s birth anniversary on November 14 is also celebrated as Children’s Day every year in India. He had a great fondness for kids, and children use to call him Chacha Nehru.

About Jawaharlal Nehru :

* Jawaharlal Nehru was born on November 14, 1889, in Allahabad, India, and died on May 27, 1964, in New Delhi.

* He was the first prime minister of independent India (1947–64), who established a parliamentary government and became noted for his neutralist policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the 1930s and ’40s.

* After the Lahore session of 1929, Nehru emerged as the leader of the country’s intellectuals and youth.

* Gandhi had shrewdly elevated him to the presidency of the Congress Party over the heads of some of his seniors, hoping that Nehru would draw India’s youth—who at that time were gravitating toward extreme leftist causes—into the mainstream of the Congress movement.

* Gandhi also correctly calculated that, with added responsibility, Nehru himself would be inclined to keep to the middle way.

Correct Answer :   28th May 2023

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (28th May 2023) inaugurated the new Parliament building on New Delhi and installed the historic Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber. He was accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The task of constructing the new Parliament building was a mammoth endeavour. It witnessed several key construction activities being done off-site as well. Further, the construction also saw the usage of materials sourced from across the country.

About New Parliament :

* Constructed by: Tata Projects Ltd

* Three main gates : Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar

* The new building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber

* The new Lok Sabha chamber has a peacock theme and Rajya Sabha's theme is based on National Flower, Lotus.

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   May 28

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Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene, break stigma around menstruation, and raise awareness about challenges regarding access to menstrual products.

According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate every month that includes girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons.

Many of them face a range of issues from stigma to social exclusion. Gender inequality, discriminatory social norms, cultural taboos, poverty and lack of basic services like toilets and sanitary products can all add up to the challenges surrounding menstrual health and hygiene.

Menstrual Hygiene Day date: Why is it celebrated on May 28?

Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on the 28th day of the fifth month because menstrual cycle averages 28 days in length and people on an average menstruate for five days each month.

Menstrual Hygiene Day History : Menstrual Hygiene Day was started by Germany-based NGO WASH United in 2013 when a 28-day social media campaign was launched to spread awareness around different aspects of menstruation. Motivated by the positive response around the campaign, Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed for the first time on May 28, 2014 with rallies, exhibitions, workshops, speeches etc.

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023 Theme : The theme for Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023 is - 'Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.

Menstrual Hygiene Day Significance : Menstrual hygiene is important for the well-being and dignity of individuals who menstruate and this day highlights the importance of proper menstrual hygiene practices such as using clean and safe menstrual products, maintaining personal hygiene, and managing menstrual discomfort effectively. Many in low-income communities do not have access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products and the day advocates for improved access to menstrual products. The day also stresses upon acquiring knowledge about our bodies, menstrual cycles, and reproductive health.

List of common menstrual products that can ensure hygiene during periods

* Menstrual pads
* Menstrual cups
* Organic cotton tampons
* Period panties
* Reusable cloth pads
* Tips for menstrual hygiene

As per CDC, these are the guidelines one must follow for a healthy period :

* Wash your hands before and after using a menstrual product.

* Do not flush the menstrual products down the toilet and instead wrap them with a toilet paper or tissue and dispose them in a dustbin.

* Sanitary pads must be changed every few hours even if the flow is light. Change them more frequently if the flow is heavy.

* Change tampons every 4-8 hours.

* In case of menstrual cups, clean them after a day’s use and sanitise them properly by placing them in boiling water for a few minutes after your period is over.

* Wear cotton underwear and keep your genital area clean. Wipe from the front of your body toward the back.

* Drink enough liquids to keep up the hydration levels..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   26th May 2023

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Writer and literary critic Govindaray H Nayak, who was popularly known as G H Nayak, passed away Friday(26th May 2023) at 88 due to a heart attack in Mysuru.

He won the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award for his work ‘Uttarardha’ in 2014.

He was also awarded the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award for ‘Nirapeksha’ and V M Inamdhar Memorial Award for ‘Nijadani’.

He had also been the recipient of the prestigious Pampa Award.

His works include Samakaalina and Anivaarya..

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   Mansukh Mandaviya

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Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya as he inaugurated the 8th International Conference on Pharma and Medical Device Sector in the presence of Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ms. S Aparna, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, and Shri Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

This conference is organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for two days to promote India as a manufacturing hub of quality medical products in the pharmaceutical and Medical Device Sector.

Recalling and reiterating the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Dr Mandaviya stated “India played a phenomenal role in meeting the requirements of not just its domestic but needs of many others under unprecedented circumstances.”

Dr. Mandaviya unveiled the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023, and launched the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices. Additionally, the Union Minister also launched a scheme titled ‘Assistance for Medical Devices clusters for Common Facilities (AMD-CF)’.

Aim : This scheme aims to establish and strengthen common infrastructure facilities in the medical devices clusters and fortify testing facilities for medical devices..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Justice MS Ramachandra Rao

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The Central government Friday (26th May 2023) notified the appointment of Justice MS Ramachandra Rao as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.

* The office of the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court has been vacant since January this year after the retirement of Chief Justice Amjad Sayed.

* The Supreme Court Collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud had recommended Justice Rao's elevation last month. It had reasoned that the Telangana High Court (Justice Rao's parent High Court), presently has no representation among Chief Justices of the High Courts.

* Justice M S Ramachandra Rao was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on June 29, 2012.

* On the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh, he opted for Telangana as his parent High Court.

* He was transferred as a judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on October 12, 2021 where he is currently a judge..

Source : Bar and Bench

Correct Answer :   PhonePe

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PhonePe has said that it has become the first digital payments app to successfully enable the linkage of 2 lakh RuPay credit cards to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

* In addition, PhonePe has also processed a total payment value (TPV) of Rs 150 crore via RuPay credit on UPI.

Aim : “PhonePe aims to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions for RuPay Credit on UPI in partnership with NPCI to popularize its usage among customers and merchants alike.

* The company has already enabled the acceptance of RuPay Credit Cards on UPI across 12 million merchant outlets in the country, achieving the highest merchant penetration in the ecosystem.

* This widespread acceptance has ensured that customers have ample opportunities to utilize their Rupay credit cards for transactions through UPI," the company said in a statement..

Source : News18

Correct Answer :   Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma

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Private sector lender Karnataka Bank on Friday (26th May 2023) appointed Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma as managing director and chief executive officer of the bank for a period of three years.

* The appointment is subject to the shareholders’ approval at the next Annual General Meeting or within a period of 3 months from the date of assuming charge, whichever is earlier, Karnataka Bank said in a regulatory filing.

* Pursuant to the approval received from the Reserve Bank of India, the Board of Directors at its meeting held on Thursday (25th May 2023) has appointed Sarma as an additional director to take up the role of MD and CEO, the bank said.

* At HDFC Bank, he was part of the founding management team, for over 9 years, and as the country head of transactional banking and operations, was involved in setting up the bank's corporate and retail banking, treasury, and capital markets infrastructure business. He later joined Yes Bank.

* At Jio Payments Bank, as MD and CEO, he was responsible for the application and coordination for approval of license with the RBI, incorporation of the company, formation of the board, strategic direction, and commencement of operations in 2018...

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   $593.48

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India's foreign exchange reserves saw a fall of $6.052 billion to $593.477 billion as on May 19, 2023, as per Reserve Bank of India data updated on Friday. The drop in the kitty has snapped two consecutive weeks of increases.

* India's forex kitty had jumped $3.553 billion to $599.529 billion for the week ended May 12.

* Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets (FCAs) include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves. India's total FCA saw a dip of $4.654 billion to $524.945 billion.

* Gold reserves fell by $1.227 billion to $45.127 billion while SDRs fell by $137 million to $18.276 billion.

* India's reserve position in the IMF saw a dip of $35 million to $5.130 billion.

* The Indian rupee rose on Friday and snapped two straight weeks of losses as persistent dollar inflows into equities helped offset the impact from a broadly strong dollar. The rupee ended up 0.2% to 82.5750 versus the U.S. dollar. The currency has recovered from a near three-month low of 82.85 hit earlier in the week. The rupee ended up 0.1% for the week.

* It can be noted that in October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of USD 645 billion. The reserves have been declining as the central bank deploys the kitty to defend the rupee amid pressures caused majorly by global developments..

Source : Economic Times