Correct Answer :   Uttar Pradesh

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The Uttar Pradesh Government has opened a Rahat Vani Kendra in the state capital, in order to prevent loss of life and property caused by various types of natural and man-made disasters.

* UP Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra said, “Through the information system, people will be given timely information about the occurring natural disasters, so that they can become aware and take action on it.”

* He said that emergency operation centres have also been strengthened at the district level, and the meteorological information network in the state is also being improved.

* He further stated that the meteorological department’s current 68 aviation weather centres and 132 automated rainguage stations are not enough for the state, and therefore, the state government is providing the department with additional equipment to improve their operations.

* Among these equipments, lightning sensors are being installed which will sound a warning 30 minutes to an hour ahead of the lightning strike, and river sensors too, which will provide an early warning on floods.

* “Through this Rahat Vani Centre, the work of disseminating early warnings of disaster to the people in real time through various mediums will be done so that the loss of lives due to disaster in the state can be reduced,” said the Chief Secretary..

Correct Answer :   Dinesh K Tripathi

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Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM took over as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 04 Jan 2024. On taking over, the Flag Officer paid homage to the Bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation by placing a floral wreath at the National War Memorial. Prior to taking over as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, VAdm Dinesh K Tripathi served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1985. A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, he served on frontline warships of the Navy as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer, and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai.

He commanded Indian Naval Ships Vinash, Kirch and Trishul. He has also held various important operational and staff appointments which include Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet at Mumbai, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director Network Centric Operations and Principal Director Naval Plans at New Delhi. On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at NHQ and as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.

On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral in Jun 2019, the Flag Officer was appointed as Commandant of the prestigious Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala. He was the Director General of Naval Operations from July 2020 to May 2021, a period that witnessed a high tempo of Naval Maritime Operations. He ensured that Navy remained a 'Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof Force, ready to address a host of complex security challenges despite all round severity of COVID Pandemic. Later, from Jun 21 to Feb 23, the Flag Officer served as the Chief of Personnel.

The Admiral is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, where he was awarded the Thimmaiya Medal. He also attended Naval Higher Command Course and Naval Command College at the US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Islands in 2007-08, where he won the prestigious Robert E Bateman International Prize.

Vice Admiral Tripathi is a recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Nausena Medal for devotion to duty. He is also a keen sportsman and avidly follows tennis, badminton, and cricket. The Flag Officer is a keen student of international relations, military history and art & science of leadership. He is married to Mrs Shashi Tripathi, an artist and homemaker. The couple have one son, a practising lawyer, who is married to Tanya, who works in the policy making domain..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Nagendra Singh

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Lieutenant General Nagendra Singh recently took command of the Chetak Corps as the 34th General Officer Commanding. He replaces Lieutenant General Sanjeev Rai, who retires on December 31, 2023, after a stint of more than a year in the Chetak Corps.

General Singh was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment in 1989 and is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun,  Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and National Defence College, New Delhi.

He has varied operational experience in serving across India’s borders. For his contribution to operations and distinguished service to the organisation, he has been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal and Sena Medal (gallantry).

Batala A 35-year-old shopkeeper was shot dead by two unknown bike-borne men in broad day light on Monday (01st Jan 2024) at Kahlanwali Chowk of border town Dera Baba Nanak in Batala, police said. The deceased has been identified as Hardeep Singh, resident of nearby Jodian Kalan village. He was outside his shop when two bike-borne men came there and fired as many as 12 shots at him. He died on spot, police said, adding that the body has been sent for post mortem and probe initiated. A case under section 302 of the IPC and Arms Act has been filed.

Heroin seized near IB in Ferozepur

Ferozepur Border Security Force (BSF) claimed to have seized 480 grams of heroin in Ferozepur on Monday (01st Jan 2024). In a release, a BSF spokesperson said that during evening hours on Monday, on specific information regarding the presence of a drug consignment, the BSF troops launched a search operation on the outskirts of the local LS Wala village. During search, a packet (gross weight - 480 gms) of heroin, wrapped in a yellow adhesive tape along with one small illuminating ball was recovered from a farming field, the official said..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Sudhansh Pant

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Senior IAS officer "Sudhansh Pant" took charge as the chief secretary of Rajasthan here on Monday (01st Jan 2024) and said appropriate steps would be taken to further strengthen the financial position of the state.

The Rajasthan government appointed Pant as chief secretary on Sunday following the retirement of Usha Sharma. Pant will also hold the additional charge of president of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Corporation Limited.

Interacting with reporters, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma for entrusting him with the responsibility. "Decisions will be taken in the interest of the state and the country. The administration will work with full devotion and dedication so that the citizens of the state can get relief," he said.

"Administrative action will be taken…. to create a developed India. Rajasthan will also be a strong pillar of developed India," Pant said, adding that appropriate steps would be taken to further strengthen the financial position of the state.

In response to a question on coordination between the Center and the state, he said, "There will definitely be very good coordination with the Centre. We will continue to get full support from the Centre. I believe that the Central government will be very happy if we can utilise the funds." A 1991-batch IAS officer, Pant has been in Delhi since December 2022. He was the Union health secretary before being appointed as chief secretary of Rajasthan.

Pant holds a B.Tech degree in Electronics and communications. He has served as district collector in Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Bhilwara and Jaipur besides holding charge as secretary of various departments during his illustrious career..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Ravindra Kumar Tyagi

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State-owned Power Grid Corporation on 1 January 2024 said it has appointed Ravindra Kumar Tyagi as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). Tyagi will take over from Sreekant Kandikuppa, who retired after reaching the age of superannuation, the company said in a regulatory filing.

"Consequent upon attaining the age of superannuation, Sreekant Kandikuppa, Chairman & Managing Director, POWERGRID, has ceased to be the CMD of POWERGRID with effect from December 31, 2023," as per the regulatory filing.

In pursuance of the Ministry of Power Office Order on December 19, 2023, Ravindra Kumar Tyagi, Director (Operations), Power Grid has assumed the charge of the post of CMD of Power Grid Corporation of India with effect from January 1, 2024, as per another filing.

Tyagi, 57, holds an electrical engineering degree from Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh and completed M Tech in Energy Studies at IIT Delhi. He is a "fulbright scholar" from Carnegie Mellon University, USA and has over 33 years of industry experience in the power sector at various key positions in leading CPSUs, as per the filing..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   4 Years

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India started its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) on Monday (1st Jan 2024), following a two-decade absence.

* India was unanimously elected in April 2023 to become a member of the commission from 1 January 2024. During this tenure, India, along with 24 other members, will play an essential role in deciding the "role in setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level."

* India's membership is seen as important as a global youth leader. It comes at a time when international bodies are trying to create a regular database of parameters under the Sustainable Development Goals.

* Indian representative Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis chaired the commission during its eighth and ninth sessions in 1954 and 1956, while V.R. Rao took up the chairmanship in 1976.

* According to experts, the most crucial business India will participate in is the finalization and implementation of the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNA).

* The current estimates of national income are based on the 2008 SNA, with 2011-12 as the base year. Experts argue that developing countries, primarily those in the Global South, are at a disadvantage as many of their economic activities cannot be measured.

* Apart from the unquantified issues of unpaid work and digitalization, other important issues include the measurement of human well-being and the impact of climate change.

* The commission consists of five members from the African states, four from the Asia-Pacific region, four each from eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, and seven more from western Europe and other regions..

Source : Sputnik News

Correct Answer :   Kia

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Kia India on Tuesday (02 Jan 2023) said it has appointed Gwanggu Lee as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

He will be the third MD and CEO of Kia India, succeeding Kook Hyun Shim and Tae Jin Park. Kia India’s former MD and CEO, Tae Jin Park, is retiring after his remarkable 36-year journey with Kia Corporation and a four-year stint with Kia India, the company said in a statement.

“With two segment-breaking updates — the new Seltos and the new Sonet and a host of more innovative products on the way, Kia India is surely on the right path to sustainable business growth. It’s a privilege to lead a team that has set industry benchmarks, and I shall be contributing towards achieving many more as one team,” Lee said.

With over 30 years of experience in the automotive sector, Lee will spearhead Kia’s transformative journey focusing on fostering sustainable business growth. “My vision is to unlock the next phase of growth through inspiring Kia brand experiences thereby creating more value and long-lasting impact for our customers, partners and employees alike,” he added.

Lee has held leadership positions in various capacities in both developed and developing economies, including roles in the US, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Kia Headquarters in Central and South America, and Kia Europe headquarters in Germany. His recent role as President at Kia Mexico played a pivotal role in the company’s substantial growth , the company said..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

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The newly elected BJP government in Rajasthan has sought the union health ministry's approval to integrate the state's Chiranjeevi health insurance scheme with the Centre's Ayushman Bharat programme, two officials privy to the matter said.

* The scheme, to be named Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, is expected to retain the existing benefits of the state scheme, including a ₹25 lakh insurance cover in both private and government hospitals, the officials said.

* The Chiranjeevi scheme, introduced by former chief minister Ashok Gehlot of the Congress party, offers higher coverage compared to the Ayushman Bharat's ₹5 lakh.  

* "The scheme will continue, and the amount of the package is also going to be same, there won't be any deduction," said an official from the state government.

* Query sent to the union health ministry and CMO of Rajasthan on the matter went unanswered till the article was published.

* Gehlot had previously urged the Prime Minister to retain his flagship schemes regardless of the election outcome. Gehlot had raised concerns during the campaign that the BJP might discontinue the Chiranjeevi scheme.

* Currently, over 1.42 crore families are drawing benefits from the ongoing Chiranjeevi scheme. The final figures for the scheme is yet to be confirmed by the health ministry, the officials said.

* The state government has directed districts to issue new cards by January 26, aligning with national efforts to cover all Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries before the Lok Sabha elections.

* The state government official said some of the private hospitals had stopped accepting the Chiranjeevi cards even before the election results were out. "The hospitals had already flagged that if the government changes, there are high chances that the BJP govt would discontinue, and hence they had already stopped," added the official..

Source : Live Mint

Correct Answer :   TCS

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India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched the ‘National Single Window System (NSWS),’ a unified portal designed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to streamline the import of medical devices.

The initiative aims to create a centralized platform for investors, enhancing the ease of doing business. The NSWS, developed by TCS through Invest India, becomes operational from January 1, 2024.


Key Features and Scope :

* The NSWS serves as a one-stop-shop for all approvals related to the import of medical devices.

* It facilitates applications for certificates of registration and licenses for manufacturing or importing medical devices for various purposes, such as clinical investigations, tests, evaluations, demonstrations, or training.

Transition and Expansion :

* Existing portals like SUGAM and cdscomdonline will be disabled by January 15.

* Initially, the NSWS will handle activities under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, including certificate of registration, manufacturing licenses, and import licenses for specific purposes.

* In the upcoming months, the platform is expected to encompass additional activities related to medical devices.

Correct Answer :   Tata Pay

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Tata Pay, the digital payments app under Tata Digital, has been granted a payment aggregator (PA) license by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This license positions Tata Pay among industry leaders such as Razorpay, Cashfree, and Google Pay, enabling it to efficiently handle ecommerce transactions within its subsidiary entities.


Strategic Advantages of the PA License :

* Tata Pay gains the capability to power ecommerce transactions within its ecosystem, enhancing fund management.
* Similar licenses were also obtained by other players like DigiO, a Bengaluru-based identity verification startup supported by Groww, allowing them to integrate payment services with their digital identification solutions.


Tata Group’s Digital Payment Journey :

* Tata introduced its digital payments app on the Unified Payments Interface in collaboration with ICICI Bank in 2022.
* This move signifies Tata’s second foray into the payments sector within the group, following the acquisition of a license for ‘white label ATMs’ under Tata Communications.

RBI’s Recent Grant of PA Licenses :

* The RBI’s recent approvals, including Tata Pay, allowed new merchant onboarding for Razorpay and Cashfree after nearly a year.


Important Questions Related to Exams :

* What recent achievement has Tata Pay attained in the digital payments landscape?

* How does the payment aggregator (PA) license from the RBI benefit Tata Pay in managing funds within its subsidiary entities?

* Which other startup, supported by Groww, recently obtained a PA license as of January 1, and what new capabilities does this license provide?

* Highlight Tata Group’s previous ventures in the payments sector and their significance.