Correct Answer :   Neeraj Chopra

---

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished second in the men’s event at the Diamond League Final in Eugene, Oregon, USA 0n 16th Sep 2023.

The Indian's best throw of 83.80 meter came in his second attempt. However, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, won his third title with a best throw of 84.24 meter.

Reigning Olympic and world champion Chopra, who holds the Indian national record of 89.94 meter, won a world championship silver medal at the same venue last year (2022) with an 88.13 meter effort.

Earlier this month, Chopra, who won India's first-ever gold at the World Athletics Championships, failed to defend his Diamond League title, falling just short of Jakub Vadlejch 85.86 meter again, who took home the trophy.

Next, he will defend his title at the Asian Games 2023 starting in Hangzhou later this month..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   $24.16 Billion

---

India’s merchandise exports in August 2023 declined by 6.86% to $34.48 billion compared to $37.02 billion in August 2022. The decline is evident in key sectors like Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery. India’s trade deficit for August 2023 narrowed to $24.16 billion, showing a 2.8% improvement from the $24.86 billion deficit in the same month last year (2022).


Merchandise Imports Dip : Imports of merchandise also saw a decrease, down by 5.23% to $58.64 billion from $61.88 billion in August 2022.


Trade Deficit Narrows :

* Despite the decline in both exports and imports, India’s trade deficit for August 2023 narrowed to $24.16 billion, showing a 2.8% improvement from the $24.86 billion deficit in the same month last year.

April-August Trends :

* In the April-August period of 2023, merchandise exports contracted by 11.9% to $172.95 billion.
* Merchandise imports also fell by 12% to $271.83 billion during the same period.


Services Sector :

* In August 2023, services exports were estimated at $26.39 billion, slightly down from $26.50 billion in August 2022.
* Services imports for August 2023 stood at $13.86 billion, down from $15.22 billion in August 2022.


Services Sector Growth (April-August) :

* Services exports for the period from April to August 2023 reached $133.38 billion, reflecting a positive growth rate of 5.14% compared to the same period in the previous year.
* Services imports for the same period stood at $71.98 billion.

Sectoral Highlights :

* Notable sectors with substantial growth in merchandise exports in August 2023 included Iron Ore (1556.09%), Oil Meals (57.26%), and Electronic Goods (26.29%).
* Electronic goods exports surged to $2.17 billion in August 2023, compared to $1.72 billion in August 2022, with substantial growth of 35.22% over the April-August 2023 period.


Challenges in Imports :

* Merchandise imports faced challenges in August 2023, with 15 out of 30 key sectors experiencing negative growth.
* Notable sectors with declining imports included Silver (-78.15%), Cotton Raw & Waste (-74.67%), and Fertilisers (-55.69%).


Overall Trade Performance (August 2023) :

* India’s overall exports, including both merchandise and services, stood at $60.87 billion in August 2023, reflecting a 4.17% decline compared to August 2022.
* Imports for the same period totaled $72.50 billion, decreasing by 5.97% year-on-year, resulting in an overall trade deficit of $11.63 billion for August.

Correct Answer :   Rs 45,000 crore

---

On September 15, the Government of India took a significant step towards strengthening the country’s defense capabilities by approving a series of proposals. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave the green light to nine acquisition proposals, amounting to a total of Rs 45,000 crore.

These proposals encompassed various aspects of defense, from the Indian Air Force’s modernization to improving the Indian Navy’s capabilities and enhancing the overall indigenous content in defense projects.


Enhancing the Indian Air Force :

One of the key decisions made by the DAC was the approval of the procurement of 12 Su-30MKI aircraft for the Indian Air Force. These advanced fighter jets will be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a significant step towards bolstering the nation’s indigenous defense production capabilities. The project involves not only the assembly of aircraft but also the development of related ground systems.

Crucially, these Su-30MKIs will need to incorporate more than 60 percent indigenous content, marking a substantial stride in achieving self-reliance in defense production. These aircraft will be equipped with state-of-the-art Indian weapons and sensors, enhancing the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities.

A Boost for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ :

The Indian Ministry of Defence emphasized that all these procurements will be sourced from Indian vendors under the Buy Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)/Buy (Indian) category. This move aligns with the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ or self-reliant India, by promoting indigenous defense manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign imports.


Indian Air Force Upgrades :

In addition to the Su-30MKI procurement, the Indian Air Force is set to receive crucial upgrades. The DAC approved avionic upgrades for Dornier aircraft, enhancing their accuracy and reliability for operations. Furthermore, the Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile, a potent indigenous precision-guided weapon, will be provided for the indigenously built ALH Mk-IV choppers. These enhancements will significantly improve the Air Force’s capabilities.

Strengthening Mechanized Forces :

The DAC also focused on enhancing the protection, mobility, attack capability, and survivability of mechanized forces. It approved proposals to procure Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S). Additionally, High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles will be acquired to facilitate swift mobilization and deployment of artillery guns and radars. These acquisitions will bolster India’s mechanized forces and increase their readiness.


Next-Generation Survey Vessels for the Indian Navy :

Furthermore, The Indian Navy will receive a substantial upgrade with the approval of the procurement of Next Generation Survey Vessels. These vessels will significantly enhance the Navy’s capabilities in performing hydrographic operations, strengthening its maritime presence and security.

Correct Answer :   Max Life Insurance

---

Max Life Insurance Company on Tuesday (12th Sep 2023) made its foray into the health and wellness category with the launch of a flagship offering, - Secure Earnings & Wellness Advantage Plan (SEWA).

It is the first of its kind offering in the industry that integrates health, protection, savings and holistic wellness benefits to cater to the evolving needs of the modern consumer, the company said.

It offers a comprehensive plan that covers hospitalisation, ICU, surgeries, critical illness, disability besides life cover.

Aim : To drive insurance adoption amongst women and transgender customers for financial inclusion, it provides a discount of 5 percent in the first year premium to these customer segments.

Additionally, the offering provides customers with access to Max Fit wellness digital app, which incentivises them for a leading a disciplined and healthier lifestyle, by providing enhanced maturity benefits. Customers can unlock a 5 percent discount on the first year premium by registering on the app.

They can record their healthy habits on the app and earn wellness boosters. These accrued wellness boosters will be paid along with the maturity benefit.

As per Max Life’s latest research on retirement (India Retirement Index Study), 59 percent of Indians prioritize health while planning for retirement, reflecting a growing consciousness about holistic well-being. Keeping in mind the evolving preferences of the consumer, SEWA aims to provide a unique blend of financial security and health benefits.

Prashant Tripathy, Managing Director & CEO, Max Life said, “SEWA is a unique product that combines the benefit of health, security and financial stability."..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Najma Akhtar

---

Professor Najma Akhtar, the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award-Academia 2023.

The award was presented by Padma Vibhushan awardee Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at the Grand Conference and Award Function titled "Making India Employable" organized by TeamLease EdTech.

Jamia Millia Islamia University mentioned in its press release, “A strong jury panel comprising of educationists and industry experts selected her for the award for her great efforts to connect education to employment.”

The ‘ Making India Employable' Awards are organized to celebrate individual success, innovation, and real-world impact in the field of education, employability, and skilling. “These awards are bestowed on the very best of the best who showcase exemplary contributions towards the common goal of Making India Employable.”.

Source : Collegedunia

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

---

Maharashtra clinched the title of champions in the 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 by securing a convincing victory over Karnataka, concluding with a final score of 31-10. This championship, which took place at Balewadi in Pune from September 10 to September 11, 2023, was marked by intense competition and served as a testament to the impressive development of wheelchair rugby in India.


Rugby India’s Grand Initiative :

The 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 was organized by The Indian Rugby Football Union (Rugby India), the governing body for rugby in India. It was conducted in association with the Wheelchair Rugby Federation of India and Mitsubishi Corporation. This collaborative effort aimed to promote and expand the sport of wheelchair rugby across the nation.

The championship saw an overwhelming participation of over 120 athletes from different parts of India, making it a truly national event. This massive turnout reflected the growing interest and enthusiasm for wheelchair rugby in the country.

A Landmark Occasion for Wheelchair Rugby in India :

The 5th National Wheelchair Rugby Championship 2023 marked a significant milestone for wheelchair rugby in India. With participants from 14 states, it became the largest national wheelchair event ever hosted by Rugby India. The states that took part in this prestigious competition were Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and the host state, Maharashtra.


The Road to Victory :

The semi-final matches were packed with excitement. Karnataka and Haryana faced off, with Karnataka securing a narrow 9-7 victory. Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Bihar battled it out, with Maharashtra emerging victorious by a scoreline of 22-13. The final showdown between Maharashtra and Karnataka was a spectacle, with Maharashtra ultimately triumphing with a final score of 31-10. Bihar secured the 3/4th place by defeating Haryana 23-9. The 5th to 8th positions were clinched by Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

Position	Team
1st	Maharashtra
2nd	Karnataka
3rd	Bihar
4th	Haryana
5th	Odisha
6th	Chhattisgarh
7th	Rajasthan
8th	Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Kuldeep Yadav

---

The story of India’s left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav’s success has been an impressive one. Kuldeep, in his last two games at Asia Cup, picked up nine wickets to win the game for Indian cricket team. With this magnificent show of his spin bowling, Kuldeep has broken several other records as well. He became the fastest Indian to reach 150 wickets mark.

He also has become the fastest left-arm spin bowler to complete 150 one-day international wickets. He has also become the seventh-quickest overall to complete the 150 ODI wickets milestone.

Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets against Sri Lanka and finished the game with two wickets in three balls in his last over. Kuldeep overtook Bangladesh left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak by 20 one-day internationals. Razzak completed his 150 ODI wickets in 108 games, while Kuldeep touched the mark in just 88 games.

As a spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq holds the record of being the quickest to pick up 150 ODI wickets, he completed the milestone in just 78 ODIs. Rashid Khan (80) and Ajantha Mendis (84) are the other two spinners quicker than Kuldeep Yadav. But Kuldeep has become the fast Indian spinner to reach this feat.


Quickest bowlers to 150 ODI wickets

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is the fastest to reach the 150-wickets milestone in one-day internationals. Starc played only 77 games as a fast bowler to hold this special record. Mohammed Shami is the quickest Indian bowler to claim 150 wickets. Shami took just 80 games to complete 150 wickets with his brute pace. Kuldeep Yadav will be taking up the responsibility of Indian spin bowling attack along with two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Ravindra Jadeja also had a decent game against Sri Lanka, while Axar failed to get a wicket..

Source : Khelnow

Correct Answer :   Airbus

---

India on Wednesday (13 September 2023) received the first C-295 MW transport aircraft. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhari attended the formal handing over ceremony of the first C-295 MW transport aircraft at Seville in Spain.

* According to the Indian Air Force, the aircraft was formally handed over by Airbus to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

* India has formalised the acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force AVRO fleet. As per the contractual agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in fly-away condition from its final assembly line at Seville.

* 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies. All the C-295 aircraft will be handed over in transport configuration and equipped with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite.

* The acquisition of 56 C295 aircraft will boost the Make in India initiatives. The partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced System will pave the way for the development of the industrial ecosystem in the aviation sector.

* As the process will involve manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft, it will attract huge investment and create several skilled and indirect jobs.

* The C-295 is used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for conducting logistic operations to locations that are not accessible for heavier aircraft...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Bharti AXA Life Insurance

---

Bharti AXA Life Insurance has unveiled a new product, Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh to simplify insurance and provide optimal protection to its customers. This plan addresses the twin goals of providing financial protection and ensuring a steady income stream.

The plan gives customers a regular stream of assured income for 10-12 years, depending on the policy term they choose. Initial income pay-out is 100 per cent of the annual premium one pays, which then increases to 150 per cent after five years for a 10-year policy term.

In the case of a 12-year policy term, the income increases by 200 per cent after six years. Also, the policyholder or the nominee will receive a guaranteed lump sum amount in the last year of the income period which can help them step up and accomplish important life goals. The product aims to strengthen the financial well-being of the customers along with their families.

Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh plan (a non-linked, non-participating, individual savings plan) will also provide life insurance coverage throughout the policy term. For those seeking even more comprehensive coverage, the plan offers optional riders. These riders will allow policyholders to enhance their protection coverage, providing them with peace of mind and added security. Furthermore, Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh (UIN: 130NI22VO1) will give the flexibility to choose premium payment terms or policy terms along with providing tax benefits for the customers.

Speaking on the launch of Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh, Parag Raja, MD & CEO, Bharti AXA Life Insurance said, “We are delighted to bring this product to our customers, which will add to their financial wellness through its unique benefits. Our sole purpose in launching Bharti AXA Life Income Laabh is to offer financial security at every stage of their life in a simple way so they can relish in the joys of their life. With our commitment to make insurance simple and accessible to all, we will continue to design simple and unique products which fulfill customers’ financial requirements as they step up in their respective lives.”..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Ruoning Yin

---

China's Ruoning Yin is the new No. 1 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings 2023

* She is the second Chinese player to reach No. 1 since the rankings began in 2006, joining Shanshan Feng (2017-18).

* Yin is also the third player aged 20 or younger to hit No. 1, joining Atthaya Thitikul (2022) and Lydia Ko (2015).

* The 20-year-old Yin is the 18th different player to reach the top spot and the fifth this year, a record..

Source : The Hindu