Correct Answer : Option (D) - Shaktikanta Das

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* The Reserve Bank of India Governor, Shaktikanta Das has been awarded the title 'Governor of the Year' for 2023 by Central Banking, an international economic research journal.

* Das was commended by the publication for his unwavering leadership during difficult periods, such as the failure of a significant non-banking company, the COVID-19 pandemic's initial and second waves, and the inflationary effects caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

* This is the second time that an Indian central bank governor has received this award, with Raghuram Rajan being the previous winner in 2015.

* Das's leadership at RBI was instrumental in implementing crucial reforms, innovative payment systems, and growth-oriented measures during the pandemic.

* He skillfully navigated between political pressures and economic crises, earning praise for his efforts.

* Das ensured that most of the RBI's COVID-19 interventions had a "sunset clause" and provided targeted liquidity to vital sectors, foreign exchange, and state governments with more favourable overdraft facilities.

* The National Bank of Ukraine was also awarded the Central Bank of the Year award.

* However, given Das's leadership during a time of crisis and his significant contributions to India's economic reforms, he was deemed a deserving recipient of the coveted Governor of the Year award...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 3.85%

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Wholesale Price-based Inflation (WPI) for February 2023 eased to two year low of 3.85 percent against 4.73 percent recorded in preceding month.

* Decline in the WPI is primarily contributed by fall in prices of crude petroleum & natural gas, food products, electronic, chemicals and electrical equipment.
 
* In February, fuel and power rose 14.82 per cent as compared to 15.15 per cent in January 2023 and food index stood at 2.76 per cent against 2.95 per cent in preceding month.
 
* WPI is in line with retail inflation data released yesterday which showed that annual retail inflation (CPI) eased to 6.44 per cent in February 2023, helped by a fall in the price of food items...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 13th

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The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour exercise from 06-13 March 2023 at Jodhpur Military Station, India.

* For the first time in the exercise series, both armies participated in a command post Exercise, which involved Battalion and Brigade level planning elements and computer wargaming.

* Hosted by the Indian Army, the exercise involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and an Armoured Brigade of Indian Army.

* The ten-day long joint training that commenced on 05th March fostered common understanding of mechanised warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing inter-operability through a computer simulation-based Wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post.

* Both contingents not only learnt about each other’s operating drills and procedure, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in a modern combat zone.

* Exercise Bold Kurukshetra is conducted under the ambit of the bilateral arrangement for the joint Army Training and exercises between the Singapore Army and the Indian Army.

* First conducted in 2005, this exercise underscores the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between both countries and enhances cooperation between the two armies.

* Both defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level visits, policy dialogues, courses and other professional exchanges..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Bengaluru

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a maiden flight-test of the Power Take off (PTO) Shaft on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) Limited Series Production (LSP) -3 aircraft in Bengaluru.

* The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

* Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO, PSUs and the Industry and said that the successful realisation of the PTO shaft is another major milestone towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

* In a statement, the Defence Ministry said, the PTO shaft, which is a critical component in the aircraft, will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft and their variants and offers competitive cost and reduced time of availability.

* The PTO shaft was designed with a unique innovative patented ‘Frequency Spanning Technique’ which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds. The lightweight high speed, lubrication free PTO shaft transmits higher power between the aircraft engine gear box and Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gear Box while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Perumal Murugan

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Indian author Perumal Murugan's Tamil novel ‘Pyre' is among 13 books from across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America to make it to the longlist of the International Booker Prize 2023, announced by the Booker Prize Foundation here on Tuesday (14th March 2023)

Murugan, 56, makes it to the prestigious list with his 2016 book "Pyre", translated from Tamil by Aniruddhan Vasudevan, becoming the first Tamil writer to make it to the longlist of 13 works.

"Pyre", tells the tale of an intercaste couple who elope, setting in motion a story of terrifying foreboding.

The coveted literary prize, won last year by Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell for the first-ever Hindi novel ‘Tomb of Sand', is awarded annually for a work of fiction written originally in any language, translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.

The GBP 50,000 prize money is shared between the writer and translator of the winning work, which will be declared this year (2023) on May 23.

Murugan, based in Salem in Tamil Nadu, described "Pyre" as a very important book of his..

Source : Mathru Bhumi

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Australia

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Australia's star player Ashleigh Gardner won the Women's Player of the Month award for the month of February 2023.

* She left behind the other two players involved in this race, South African opener Laura Wolvaardt and England all-rounder Nate Sciver-Brunt.

* Also, she played an important role in getting his team the T20 World Cup title.

* The Women's Player of the Month award for January 2023 was won by Grace Scrivens (England).

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Harry Brook

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ICC has announced the Player of the Month Awards for the month of February 2023. England's young cricketer Harry Brook won the ICC Men's Player of the Month award.

This is the second time that Harry Brook has won this award. Brook won the award leaving behind Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and West Indies spinner Gudakesh Moti who were in the race for the award.

Last month (January 2023) this award was won by India's young cricketer Shubman Gill.

Correct Answer : Option (C) - France

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The third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse is scheduled to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region from 13 to 14 March 2023.

* This edition will witness participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters of Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy.

* The biennial exercise La Perouse is conducted by the French Navy.

* Aim : At enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimising maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.

* The two day exercise provides an opportunity for like minded navies to develop closer links in planning, coordination and information sharing for seamless maritime operations. The exercise will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defence exercises, cross deck landings and tactical manoeuvres.

* Indigenously built guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker INS Jyoti will be participating in this edition of the exercise.

* Participation of Indian Navy in the exercise showcases the high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies, and their commitment to a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Suryoday Small Finance Bank

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Suryoday Small Finance Bank on Monday (13th Mar 2023) launched a new savings account for women. Suryoday's Blossom Women’s Savings Account is built on a strong proposition of giving women a complete, simplified, and rewarding banking experience.

Under this new account, women can earn up to 7% interest rate per annum with monthly interest credit coupled with a specially designed RuPay Platinum Debit Card which offers discounts on shopping and online purchases and many more.

R Baskar Babu, MD, and CEO, of Suryoday Small Finance Bank said, “We are committed to providing best-in-class customer experience and solutions to our customers. We believe that Blossom Women’s Savings Account will help women to confidently save, invest and move towards achieving their financial goals."

Further, the new women's savings account can be operated through the Bank’s 571 banking outlets and digital banking platform.

Some of the key benefits of the Blossom Women’s Savings Account are :

* An exclusive and free Rupay Platinum Debit Card that rewards women customers with discounts and cashbacks.

* Monthly Interest Pay-out in the account

* 1 complementary account for child(Savings Aditya Account)

* Concession processing fees on 2-wheeler loans (*select cities only)

* Door-step banking as per availability

* Insurance as per the Debit card variant.

* Average Monthly Balance (AMB) of ₹10,000.

Source : Mint

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 6.44%

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According to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), India's retail inflation has lowered to 6.44% in February 2023 from 6.52% in January 2023.

But it remained above the upper band of the 4+/- 2 percent medium-term target of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the second consecutive month.

While food inflation eased marginally to 5.95 percent in February 2023 from 6% in January 2023, inflation for cereals, milk, and fruits picked up..

Source : Indian Express