Correct Answer : Option (B) - Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

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Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday (31st July 2023) to establish mechanism of technical and institutional cooperation in telecommunications.

The Ministry of Communications informed in a press release that the Trai Centre of Studies and Research (Trai CSR) was established as an entity within Trai with a mandate to conceptualise, coordinate, and enable technological studies in the telecom and broadcasting sectors.

Its task is to enable technology-driven growth in India by combining the energies of different industries and sectors. The MoU has brought the two parties, Trai CSR and C-DoT together to reach the common goal of establishing a mechanism of technical and institutional cooperation in the field of telecommunications.

P D Vaghela, chairperson of Trai expressed his pleasure on this auspicious occasion and said that the commencement of a formal partnership shall empower us to embark on a journey of understanding new emerging technologies.

Aim : The partnership aims to promote cooperation for research on regulatory practices and bridge gaps in our understanding. We will conduct technical sessions, seminars and conferences to share knowledge and for capacity building, he added.

Secretary of DoT, K Rajaraman also lauded the efforts of Trai and C-DoT for signing this MoU. Rajaraman said that the collaboration will open new doors in the domain of policy research, regulatory studies and knowledge dissemination..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 8.2%

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India's eight core sectors posted a growth of 8.2% in June 2023, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on July 31, 2023.

At 8.2%, the growth in India's eight key infrastructure sectors - coal, crude oil, steel, cement, electricity, fertilisers, refinery products, and natural gas - in June is the highest in five months.

Core sector growth for May has been revised up to 5.0% from 4.3%. In June 2022, core sector growth was 13.1%, thanks to a favourable base effect.

For April-June, core sector growth has been 5.8%, down from 13.9% in the first three months of 2022-23.

The sharp improvement in performance last month was down to improved output growth in six of the eight sectors, with only fertiliser and cement output growing at a slower pace in June compared to May on a year-on-year basis. However, cement production still grew at an impressive 9.4%, while fertiliser output was up 3.4%, down from 9.7% growth in May.

Of the other six sectors which saw improved performance in June, crude oil output contracted again - this time by 0.6%, compared to a fall of 1.9% in May.

"The tardy onset of the monsoon contributed to an improved performance of electricity, coal etc," noted Aditi Nayar, chief economist at ICRA.

Electricity production was up 3.3% in June compared to a growth of 0.8% in May, while coal output increased by 9.8%. The sector to post the highest growth was steel, whose output jumped by 21.9% - double the May growth rate of 10.9%.

With the eight core industries making up more than 40% of the weight of the Index of Industrial Production, Nayar expects industrial growth in June to be in the range of 4-6% "in spite of the moderation in the year-on-year performance of several available high-frequency indicators".

India's industrial output had grown by 5.2% in May, as per data released on July 12. Data for June will be released on August 11..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Bengaluru

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India will be hosting a World Coffee Conference for the first time, with its fifth edition promoted by the International Coffee Organisation to be held in Bengaluru from September 25 to September 28, 2023.

ICO is the primary intergovernmental organisation dedicated to promoting coffee trade and fostering cooperation among coffee-producing and consuming nations. At a preview ceremony of WCC 2023 where its logo was unveiled here on Monday (31st July 2023), Coffee Board of India CEO and Secretary K G Jagadeesha announced that tennis player Rohan Bopanna would be the brand ambassador of the event.

ICO is organising the event in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India.

"WCC (2023) is being organised for the first time in Asia and it is set to bring immense benefits to coffee farmers in India," Jagadeesha said. "By promoting the coffees of India on a global stage, the event will create new opportunities and markets for these farmers".

'Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture' is the central theme for the event, featuring conferences, exhibitions, skill-building workshops, a CEOs & global leaders forum and a growers conclave, among programmes.

Producers, curers, roasters, exporters, policy makers and researchers from 80-plus countries are expected to take part in WCC 2023. Previous editions of the WCC were held in England (2001), Brazil (2005), Guatemala (2010) and Ethiopia (2016)..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Stuart Broad

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England pacer Stuart Broad has announced his retirement from cricket. He will call it quits from the game after the ongoing Ashes series. Broad announced the decision at the end of the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval. The 37-year-old has played 167 Test matches, picking 602 wickets. He has also featured in 121 ODIs and 56 T20Is.

BREAKING 🚨: Stuart Broad announces he will retire from cricket after the Ashes ends. pic.twitter.com/dNv8EZ0qnC

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 29, 2023

Career of Stuart Broad :

Broad, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2007, will go down as one of the great pacers in the sport – he sits at fifth on the all-time list of wicket-takers, and is one of only two fast bowlers to take over 600 wickets, alongside long-time bowling partner Jimmy Anderson.

He is the only English player with two hat-tricks to his name in Test cricket. His finest hour in Test cricket came against his arch-rivals Australia when put himself in cricketing folklore with a stunning 8/15 at Trent Bridge in 2015. Broad was still firing at all cylinders even at 37 years of age but decided to call time on his career while he was still at the top of his game, informing his decision to the captain last night.

Stuart Broad – ICC Ranking, Age, Career and Retirement :

Stuart Broad is a former English cricketer who played Test cricket for the England cricket team and was One Day and Twenty20 International captain. He retired from all forms of cricket on July 29, 2023.

* ICC Ranking : As of August 1, 2023, Broad is ranked 8th in the ICC Test bowling rankings with a total of 771 points.

* Age : Broad was born on June 24, 1986, and is 37 years old.

* Career : Broad made his Test debut for England in 2007 and went on to play 167 matches, taking 604 wickets at an average of 27.68. He also played 121 ODIs, taking 178 wickets at an average of 30.13, and 56 T20Is, taking 65 wickets at an average of 22.94.

* Retirement : Broad announced his retirement from cricket on July 29, 2023, at the end of the 5th Ashes Test against Australia. He said that he wanted to “finish at the top of the game”.

Broad was a highly successful bowler for England, and his retirement is a significant loss to the team. He was a master of swing bowling, and his ability to take wickets in both the early and late stages of an innings was a major asset. He was also a reliable fielder, and took some important catches in his career.

Broad will be remembered as one of England’s greatest bowlers, and his retirement marks the end of an era.

Correct Answer : Option (B) - CAIT

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The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Sunday (30 July 2023) announced the creation of a National Digital Nagrik Forum, an online platform that aims to advance the rights of traders and consumers and other sections of the society and shape policy to boost the digital trade economy.

The forum aims to raise awareness about digital regulations and help build capacities of citizens to engage with innovation via expert sessions and instructional materials.

The CAIT has also convened a two days National Traders Conference at Raipur on August 24-25 which will be attended by trade leaders from all states.

“National Digital Nagrik Forum will focus on five core themes. First, consumer protection and online safety with a core focus on efficient grievance redressal. Second, the pitfalls of digital cartelisation and how a level-playing field is necessary to discourage discriminatory and anti-competitive practices in the online world,” said CAIT National President B C Bhartia.

The Digital Nagrik Forum is expected to study emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to assess their impact on retail trade and  safeguard consumers’ interests.

“CAIT will involve stakeholders from the corporate and non-corporate sectors, MSMEs, farmers, consumer, experts and technocrats, among other relevant groups within the Forum,” said Pradeep Khandelwal , CAIT general secretary..


Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Ahmedabad

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Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), as part of its initiative of “India of Tomorrow”, has been collaborating with various leading Incubation Centres in the country to promote Deep Tech and science led Innovation by facilitating access to seed capital.



In this regard, a formal contribution/ collaboration agreement for setting up of “SIDBI Accelerator Fund at IIMA’s CIIE.CO” with an initial corpus of `20 cr. was signed between SIDBI and CIIE.Co, IIM, Ahmedabad in the august presence of Shri S. Ramann, CMD, SIDBI on July 27, 2023.

The collaboration agreement was signed by Prof Chitra Singla, IIM (Ahmedabad)-Faculty Chairperson, CIIE.Co and Sh. S. P. Singh, CGM, SIDBI. The arrangement would facilitate institutional seed investment in early stage viable and scalable ventures in future.

The agreement is an outcome of SIDBI’s new initiative to support the India of Tomorrow by augmenting the developmental and funding ecosystem for ideation/ early-stage startups and offering equity/ equity like capital to such startups through partnership with leasing incubators. Focus shall be on supporting startups having new and meritorious ideas, innovations, and technologies important for India’s goals for 2047/ which shall help India become self-reliant as well as a dominant player in high quality/ high entry barrier products/ services.

Sectors aimed to be supported include deep tech, hardware/ product startups, energy, clean tech, pharmaceuticals, biotech, defence innovations, rural, social and industrial technologies, high quality components, chips and other R&D driven startups.

During the program, six start-ups made a presentation on their ideas, methodology and the likely amount of seed capital required for scaling up their operations. On this occasion, Sh. Sanjay Gupta, General Manager, Ahmedabad Regional Office of SIDBI, Sh. Kunal Upadhyay, Co-founder, CIIE.CO along with his team members and few leading Industrialists of Ahmedabad (who are customers of SIDBI) were also present. These High Net-worth Individual promotors showed keen interest in all the presentations made by the startups.

IIMA’s CIIE.CO, which leads the incubation and entrepreneurship activities at IIM Ahmedabad, is a Centre of Excellence set up with support of GoI’s Dept of Science & Technology. It aims to nurture innovation and boost entrepreneurship at the most fundamental level and support fearless founders building disruptive technology solutions in their early stages..

Source : Bizzbuzz

Correct Answer : Option (D) - July 31st

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World Ranger Day, celebrated on July 31, serves as a special occasion to pay tribute and show gratitude to the courageous men and women who devote their lives to safeguarding wildlife and preserving our precious natural resources.

These unsung heroes selflessly work day and night, striving to protect some of the most fragile ecosystems and endangered species on our planet. Their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the cause of conservation deserve our utmost respect and admiration.

World Ranger Day 2023 Theme : The theme of World Ranger Day 2023 is “30 by 30,” building on the momentum from the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). During COP15, world leaders and decision-makers agreed upon a Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to effectively conserve and manage at least 30 percent of the planet's areas by 2030 (also known as the '30 by 30' target). This ambitious goal highlights the urgent need for increased conservation efforts to safeguard ecosystems and protect the planet's biodiversity.

World Ranger Day History : The origins of World Ranger Day can be traced back to the International Ranger Federation (IRF), an organisation established in 1992 to promote and support the work of park rangers worldwide. The day was first observed in 2007 in memory of eight rangers who tragically lost their lives while on duty in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, World Ranger Day has grown to become an internationally recognised occasion to celebrate rangers' contributions and raise awareness about the challenges they face in their line of duty.

World Ranger Day Significance : By commemorating this World Ranger Day, we not only honour the courage and sacrifice of park rangers and conservationists but also raise awareness about the challenges they face in their noble pursuits. World Ranger Day serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments to come together and support the conservation efforts that will ensure a sustainable and thriving planet for generations to come.

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Mysuru

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The Think20 Summit will be organised in Karnataka's Mysuru from 31st July to 2nd August 2023. Think20 serves as an 'ideas bank' for the multilateral grouping by bringing together high level experts to discuss policy issues relevant to the G20.

The three-day event will be a gathering of distinguished members of the seven Think20Task Forces and policy experts from around the world.

Think20 Summit provides an unparalleled opportunity to collectively showcase issues such as lifestyle for sustainable development, women-led development, digital transformation, green transformation and many more.

The Summit will also see the launch of four associated publications. More than 250 foreign delegates from 20 countries including America, Russia, China, South Africa, Japan, India, France and Germany will take part in the summit.

The Think20 Summit is the final of the four key convenings by Think20 India. Think20 has, thus far, organised 64 side events in 22 cities in India and abroad, and published over 300 policy briefs from 706 institutions.

Elaborate security and transport arrangements have been made for the delegates. After the summit, the delegates will visit tourist places in Mysuru including the Mysore Palace. Deputy Director of the Palace Board TS Subrahmanya said in a release that entry to the sound and light program held on August 2 from 7 to 8 pm has been restricted for tourists in view of the Think20 Summit here.

The T20 Summit is the milestone event of T20 India. It will be a gathering of distinguished task Force members and policy experts from around the world. It provides an opportunity to collectively showcase ideas and insights on the priorities of India's G20 Presidency, a press release by the Observers Research Foundation stated

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Nisha Biswal

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Indian-American policy expert Nisha Biswal is confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a US finance agency.

Ms. Biswal will serve as the Deputy CEO of the United States International Development Finance Corporation.

A White House press release said that US President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Nisha Desai Biswal earlier in March this year for the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation.

She has a high-profile career of over 30 years of experience in US foreign policy and international development programmes within the White House; US Congress and the private sector.

Ms. Biswal currently holds the position of Senior Vice President for International Strategy and Global Initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce, overseeing the US-India Business Council and US-Bangladesh Business Council..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Shivendra Nath

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Shivendra Nath has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Engineering Projects (India) Ltd., a public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

Currently, Nath is serving as the senior general manager in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and has been recommended for the CMD position by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on Thursday (27 July 2023).

The selection was made after interviewing four candidates for the position by PESB on 27 July. Out of the four candidates, two were from BSNL.

In his new role, Nath will be the Chief Executive of the company working under the board and directors. He will be responsible for the smooth functioning of the company in order to achieve the organisational objectives.

Source : Business World