Correct Answer :   Visakhapatnam

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Power sector PSU and India’s largest integrated power company NTPC Limited has signed a Land Lease Agreement in order to realize its green energy and green hydrogen objectives, thus also contributing to the Government of India’s efforts towards energy transition. The agreement, signed on 20th February, 2024 between NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), is for the development of an “Integrated Green Hydrogen Hub”. The hub will come up on 1,200 acres of land near Pudimadaka village of Atchutapuram Mandal in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub aims to create a world-class ecosystem for technologies in the new energy paradigm, such as electrolyser and fuel cell manufacturing, related ancillary industries, and start-up, incubation, testing facilities, production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives such as green ammonia and green methanol. The project includes construction of India's largest green hydrogen production facility (1,200 tons per day), which will enable further conversion of green hydrogen to derivatives such as green ammonia and green methanol, primarily catering to various export markets.

The Land Lease Deed was exchanged between Chief General Manager, NGEL, Shri Sivakumar V. V. and Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, APIIC, Shri Pravin Kumar at Secretariat, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Amravati in the presence of Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Shri K S Jawahar Reddy; Executive Director, NTP, Shri R Sarangapani and other senior officials.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on 4th January 2023, with an outlay of ?19,744 crores. The overarching objective of the Mission is to make India the Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

NTPC is India’s largest Power Utility into the core business of power generation, with a total installed capacity of 74 GW (including joint ventures and subsidiaries). As part of increasing its renewable energy portfolio, a fully owned subsidiary “NTPC Green Energy Limited” (NGEL) has been formed, which will take up Renewable Energy Parks and Projects including business in the area of Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage Technologies, and Round-the-Clock renewable energy power.

NTPC Group has ambitious plans of attaining 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2032. Currently, it has 3.4 GW of installed RE capacity and 22-plus GW under pipeline. NTPC is committed to supporting Andhra Pradesh’s and India’s decarbonisation goals..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   3 years

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ACC appoints M R Kumar as BOI Chairman, Srinivasan Sridhar as IOB Chairman, and Aravamudan Kumar as UCO Bank Chairman for three-year terms

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed former LIC Chairman M R Kumar as part time non official Director as well as non-executive Chairman of Bank of India (BOI)

He has been appointed as BOI Chairman for a term of three years.

ACC has also appointed Srinivasan Sridhar, as part time non official Director as well as non Executive Chairman on the Board of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB).  Sridhar has been appointed for a term of three years subject to the condition that he resigns from the Board of Bank of Baroda.

In another decision, ACC has appointed Aravamudan Krishna Kumar as part time non official Director as well as non Executive Chairman on the Board of UCO Bank. Kumar has been appointed for a term of three years subject to his resignation from the Board of Suraksha Asset Reconstruction Limited, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel & Training..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Madhya Pradesh

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The Madhya Pradesh government has announced 'bag less school' day once a week for students in classes 1 to 12, starting from the upcoming academic session in 2024-25. This decision applies to all government and private schools operating in the state.

The state government, aiming to alleviate the burden on students, has issued a notice outlining the maximum permissible weight of school bags for different classes.

According to the notice, students in classes 1 and 2 should carry bags weighing between 1.6-2.2 kg, while those in classes 3 to 5 should limit their bags to 1.7-2.5 kg. For classes 6 and 7, the recommended weight is 2-3 kg, and for classes 8, 2.5-4 kg. Students in classes 9 and 10 are advised to carry bags weighing between 2.5-4.5 kg.

Additionally, the weight of school bags for students in classes 11 and 12 will be determined by the school management committee based on the students' respective streams.

Uday Pratap Singh, the Minister of School Education, emphasized the objective of this initiative in an interview with ANI, said, "To avoid stress on children due to the burden of their bags, we have categorized the weight of bags of students according to their class." Singh further explained that the initiative includes a designated 'bag less school' day each week, during which students are encouraged to engage in recreational activities such as games, sports, cultural programs, and music.

The minister emphasized that the aim is to ensure that school is not perceived as a source of stress for students but rather a source of joy. Strict instructions have been issued to schools to adhere to the new school bag policy from the commencement of the academic session in 2024-25..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   PayPal

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The legal battle between PayPal and the FIU commenced in March 2018 when the latter demanded registration as a reporting entity under the PMLA. Despite PayPal’s resistance, the FIU imposed a penalty in December 2020, alleging non-cooperation and failure to comply with anti-money laundering obligations. This penalty was initially overturned in July 2023, but the court ruled that PayPal must adhere to reporting obligations under the PMLA as a payments system operator.

Registration with FIU-IND: What it Means

* Compliance Mandates : PayPal must now report large or suspicious transactions to FIU-IND and implement stringent customer verification procedures.
* Record Maintenance : Detailed records of users and transactions must be maintained for a specified duration.
* Sector-wide Implications : Other fintech firms may face similar registration requirements, increasing compliance burdens across the sector.

Legal Developments and Appeals

* Initial Penalty : FIU imposed a penalty in December 2020, citing non-cooperation and violation of PMLA obligations.
* Court Ruling : While the penalty was overturned, the court upheld PayPal’s obligation as a payments system operator under the PMLA.
* Ongoing Appeal : PayPal appealed the ruling, contesting its classification as a payments system operator and challenging the interpretation of “payment system” under the PMLA.

FIU Directive and PayPal’s Defense

* FIU Directive : The FIU demanded registration, citing the necessity to combat money laundering and protect India’s financial system.
* PayPal’s Defense : PayPal argued against registration, citing RBI guidelines and positioning itself as an Online Payment Gateway Service Provider (OPGSP), not a payments system operator.

Correct Answer :   PhonePe

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PhonePe launched its Android-based mobile app marketplace, Indus Appstore, in India on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The app store was launched by the Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a hybrid event. The Walmart-owned fintech firm said its new app storefront intends to solve the major pain point of the lack of regional language content in marketplaces. The Indus Appstore will be available in English and 12 Indian regional languages. It also comes with features such as video-led app discovery, mobile-based logins, and AI-driven app recommendations.

Indus supports regional languages like Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, and more. It comes with a toggle button on the top through which users can switch between languages. The toggle not only changes the language of the content on the interface but also app names, app trailers and videos, as well as app descriptions. PhonePe said that the translations were done at the company's end.

Further, the platform also allows users to search in any of the 12 regional languages to see search results in those languages. PhonePe founder and CEO Sameer Nigam said that even transliterations in regional languages will fetch results. Android smartphone users can download and install the app here.

Indus Appstore has 200,000 apps at its launch, the company said. Some of the prominent apps include Flipkart, Disney+ Hotstar, Myntra, Zomato, Swiggy, Snapchat, and more. The number also includes several thousand games, where it is heavily focused. The platform has three major categories in gaming which are casual gaming, heavy gaming and real money gaming (RMG).

App listings on the developer platform will be free for the first year but after that, an annual fee will be levied. PhonePe also stated that the marketplace will not charge developers any platform fee or commission for in-app payments if separate payment gateways are used. In contrast, Apple and Google charge between 15 percent and 25 percent commission for the same and do not allow integration of other payment services.

Additionally, the platform allows users to do a mobile number and OTP-based logins instead of using emails. For app recommendations, the developer platform uses artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms and uses location data. There are a couple of smart features as well such as smart updates that will allow for faster updations to the latest version. The personalised storage management feature will recommend to users the rarely used apps which can be put into hibernation (updates will be stopped) and the apps which are never used and can be deleted.

Nigam also said that app developers will have an option on whether to show ads in their apps or not. Those who opt in will be able to earn a commission from the generated ad revenue..

Source : Gadgets360

Correct Answer :   Arunachal Pradesh

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The Arunachal Pradesh government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to establish the state’s first Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). This move aims to bolster conservation efforts and protect the tiger population within the state.

Establishing the Special Tiger Protection Force :

Arunachal Pradesh, known for its biodiversity, is home to three tiger reserves: Namdapha, Kamlang, and Pakke. However, despite these reserves, the state lacked a dedicated force for tiger protection. With the signing of the MoU, a specialized force comprising 336 personnel will now be deployed across these reserves.

Funding Support and Deployment Strategy :

Under the terms of the MoU, the NTCA has committed to providing financial assistance for the establishment, equipping, and deployment of the STPF. This funding will be split with 90% provided by the central government and 10% by the state government. Each tiger reserve will host 112 personnel, ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection.

Addressing Declining Tiger Population :

The urgency for such measures was underscored by the concerning decline in tiger numbers revealed by the 2022 tiger census. From 29 tigers in 2018, the population dwindled to a mere nine in 2022 across the three reserves. This decline raised alarm bells and highlighted the pressing need for conservation efforts.

Objectives of the Special Tiger Protection Force :

The primary mandate of the STPF will be to safeguard the assets of the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change department, particularly within the tiger reserves. This includes preventing poaching activities targeting tigers and other wildlife species. By enhancing surveillance and enforcement, the force aims to curb illegal activities posing threats to the region’s biodiversity.

Government Commitment and Prior Approvals :

The establishment of the STPF underscores the commitment of the Arunachal Pradesh government to prioritize wildlife conservation. The decision to create this specialized force was preceded by approval from the state cabinet, aligning with the guidelines set forth by the NTCA. This effort signifies a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced in tiger conservation.

Correct Answer :   Reliance Industries Limited

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Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, in collaboration with some of the country’s premier engineering institutions, is poised to unveil its pioneering ChatGPT-style service named ‘Hanooman’ next month. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the advancement of AI capabilities within India, promising to bring a new era of digital innovation and accessibility.

Collaboration at its Core

The development of ‘Hanooman’ is a result of a concerted effort between Reliance Jio Infocomm, Centre, and several Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), including IIT Bombay. This collaborative endeavor, featuring a consortium of Reliance and eight affiliated universities, underscores the synergy between India’s leading corporate powerhouse and its academic institutions in pushing the frontiers of technology.

A Sneak Peek into ‘Hanooman’

During a recent technology conference in Mumbai, attendees were offered a glimpse into the capabilities of ‘Hanooman’. Demonstrations included a motorcycle mechanic interacting with the AI in Tamil, a banker using Hindi to converse with the tool, and a developer from Hyderabad employing the tool for coding. This preview highlighted ‘Hanooman’s’ proficiency in handling complex interactions across various professional fields.

Multilingual and Multifaceted

One of the defining features of ‘Hanooman’ is its ability to operate across 11 local languages, catering to a wide spectrum of fields including healthcare, governance, financial services, and education. This multilingual capability, coupled with speech-to-text functionalities, positions ‘Hanooman’ as a highly user-friendly and versatile AI model, ready to transform the digital landscape in India.

The Future of AI in India

The launch of ‘Hanooman’ comes at a time when the AI sector in India is witnessing substantial growth, with startups like Sarvam and Krutrim, backed by notable investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners and Vinod Khosla’s fund, also venturing into the development of open-sourced AI models tailored for the Indian context. Reliance Jio’s vision extends beyond ‘Hanooman’, with plans to develop customized models for specific applications through ‘Jio Brain’, leveraging AI to enhance its services for a subscriber base of approximately 450 million.

A Unique Public-Private Partnership

BharatGPT’s initiative represents a groundbreaking public-private partnership, bringing together key stakeholders from diverse sectors to innovate and deploy AI solutions that are uniquely suited to India’s needs. This collaborative model not only exemplifies the potential for innovation but also sets a precedent for future technological advancements in the country.

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJD's Debashish Samantray and Subhashish Khuntia were on Tuesday (20th Feb 2024) elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha.

Returning Officer Abanikanta Patnaik announced the names of the elected persons after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended this afternoon.

BJP candidate and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha with the ruling BJD's support. Vaishnaw had filed his paper on the last day of the nomination filing process on February 15 while two BJD candidates had filed nominations on February 13.

Though the BJD had the required numbers in the Odisha assembly to win all the three Rajya Savha seats to fall vacant in April this year, the ruling party had preferred to field only two candidates leaving one berth for BJP's Vaishnaw.

Patnaik-led BJD had announced its support to Vaishnaw "for the larger interest of the state's railways and telecom development". In 2019 also, Patnaik had supported Vaishnaw when he got elected to the Upper House of the Parliament for the first time.

In June 2019, the BJD had announced to extend support to Vaishnaw, a former Odisha cadre IAS officer, following a telephone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik.

As the three candidates filed their papers for three seats to be vacant, there was no need for an election, the Returning Officer said.

The tenure of three RS members - Vaishnaw, BJD's Prashant Nanda and Amar Patnaik will end in April this year. The election process was to fill up the three vacancies..

Source : Deccan Herald

Correct Answer :   Malta

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International Solar Alliance on Tuesday (20th Feb 2024), the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The ISA is an alliance of more than 120 signatory countries that aims to reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels.

Permanent Secretary at the Maltese Foreign Ministry, Christopher Cutajar signed the ISA Framework Agreement on Tuesday.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Head of Depository and Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) Abhishek Singh in the national capital.

"India welcomes Republic of Malta as the 119th country to join @isolaralliance. Permanent Secretary @chriscutajar of @MFETMalta signed the ISA Framework Agreement in the presence of Head of Depository & Joint Secretary (Economic Diplomacy) @Abhishekifs in New Delhi today," the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France. Currently, 116 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.

"The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy transition in its member countries," the ISA website reads.

The platform strives to develop and deploy cost-effective and transformational energy solutions powered by the sun to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories, with a particular focus on delivering impact in countries categorized as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.

It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015, the ISA website added..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Sambalpur

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Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the first Skill India Centre (SIC) of the country in Sambalpur, Odisha on 20th Feb 2024. Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International Shri Ved Mani Tiwari; and other dignitaries were present at the event.

While addressing the youth at the inauguration Shri Pradhan stated that by spearheading the skill training programs in new-age job roles, the skills-set of Amrit Peedhi will be upgraded in demand-driven industries and the aim will be to empower over 1200 students through this centre.

He also said that India requires a skilled and competent workforce to propel its development journey forward in the 21st century. The new-age and future skills are available at considerably higher cost in global markets and realizing this, it has been envisioned to democratize access to quality education and establish a level-playing field for the aspiring youth, he highlighted. Shri Pradhan also said that the introduction of low-cost courses in the centre will empower large youth and make them part of the evolving job market.

Shri Pradhan also mentioned that aligning with the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering youth with new-age skills, the Centre will equip a vast majority of the young populace with employable skills in demand-driven trades, creating an industry-ready workforce, encouraging entrepreneurship and strengthening the skilling ecosystem. It will be a catalyst of prosperity, he mentioned.

The initiative is designed to build the capabilities and knowledge of Yuva Shakti in trades that are high in demand such as Media & Entertainment, Leather, Tourism & Hospitality, and IT-ITeS. It stands as a progressive step towards creating a conducive learning environment that empowers youth with industry-specific skills through a unique combination of classroom and work-based learning.

The centre is equipped with best-in-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and modern facilities that will catalyse demand for formal skills and will serve as a catalyst in enabling youth to acquire the skills needed to succeed in their respective fields. To further fuel growth, collaborative efforts are being made to harness the potential of demographic dividends to catalyse rural development, nurture local entrepreneurship and spur socio-economic growth..

Source : PIB