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Q1.What is the focus of the nationwide raids conducted by CBI under Operation Megha Chakra?
- Narcotics Trafficking
- Child Abuse Material
- Cybersecurity Threats
- Human Trafficking
Ans:-2)Child Abuse Material
- Under Operation Megha Chakra, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a comprehensive operation targeting cases related to the online circulation of child sexual abuse material in 20 States and Union Territories. This endeavor has led to searches at 56 locations across the mentioned regions.
- The operation incorporated the utilization of cloud storage for investigating individuals involved in the distribution of such material on the internet. The CBI obtained crucial information from Interpol and intelligence gathered during last year’s Operation Carbon.
- In November 2021, Operation Carbon saw the CBI conduct raids at 76 different locations across the nation, resulting in multiple arrests. This operation was a concerted effort to combat the distribution of child sexual abuse material and its online presence.
Q2.What is the purpose of the portable device ‘SAANS’ introduced by Assam?
- To monitor air pollution levels
- To prevent neonatal deaths
- To enhance agricultural productivity
- To improve internet connectivity
Ans:-2) To prevent neonatal deaths
- The Assam government has taken a significant step by adopting ‘SAANS,’ an air pressure machine developed by a Bangalore-based startup, for deployment in state-run hospitals across the region.
- ‘SAANS’ stands as a portable neonatal Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) system, designed to offer crucial breathing support to infants not only within hospital settings but also while in transit. This decision follows the success of a pilot initiative aimed at reducing neonatal mortality rates through the application of specialized equipment.
- To date, over 50 SAANS devices have been put into service across medical colleges in Assam, with further deployments slated for district hospitals.
- In the development of this machine, InnAccel Technologies, incubated at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), collaborated with the SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility. Their partnership aimed to bolster respiratory support for newborns and pediatric populations in Assam, demonstrating a concerted effort to enhance healthcare in the region.
Q3.What is the name of the festival celebrated in Telangana that recently began across the state, with greetings from the Prime Minister?
- Pongal
- Diwali
- Bathukamma
- Ganesh Chaturthi
Ans:-3)Bathukamma
- The vibrant state floral festival of Telangana, known as Bathukamma, has kicked off with enthusiastic participation from women in large numbers. The official nine-day celebration in the state commenced on the 25th.
- Marking the auspicious occasion of Bathukamma, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his gratitude, particularly to the Nari Shakti of Telangana. In a tweet, PM Modi expressed his hope that this event would deepen our connection with nature and foster a newfound appreciation for flowers.
Q4.Who has been appointed as the Director General of ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation)?
- Rajendra Kumar
- Narendra Modi
- Amit Shah
- Arvind Kejriwal
Ans:-1)Rajendra Kumar
- In a recent senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle by the Centre, seasoned bureaucrat Rajendra Kumar has been named as the Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Kumar, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, presently serves as an additional secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- An official order issued by the Personnel Ministry confirmed his appointment to the role of DG at ESIC. Notably, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation is one of the two principal statutory social security bodies overseen by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, with the other being the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
Q5.Which two organizations have collaborated to promote chemistry education in Indian schools?
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
- National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM)
- Royal Society of Chemistry and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Ans:-3)Royal Society of Chemistry and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- In a concerted effort to advance chemical sciences education in schools and universities, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have joined hands in support of this endeavor.
- A significant milestone was marked as 30 CSIR laboratories played host to the RSC’s Global Coin experiment, engaging approximately 2000 students from across the nation.
- The collaboration between these two organizations is further solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU outlines their partnership in bolstering the CSIR’s Jigyasa programme, an outreach initiative designed for researchers and schoolchildren, spanning the entirety of India.
- It is noteworthy that this Memorandum of Understanding is a non-financial agreement, and it is set to run for a minimum of three years, with the potential for extension beyond that period.
Q6.Who has Air India signed an agreement with for aircraft engines?
- Rolls-Royce
- General Electric
- Pratt & Whitney
- Willis Lease
Ans:-4)Willis Lease
- Air India has confirmed the finalization of a sale and lease back agreement with the Nasdaq-listed Willis Lease Finance Corporation for a total of 34 CFM56-5B engines that are currently in use on its Airbus A320 family aircraft.
- In line with the arrangement, these engines will fall under Willis Lease’s ConstantThrust program, promising notable gains in reliability and cost-efficiency compared to conventional Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) practices.
- As part of the sale component of the transaction, Willis Lease will acquire all 34 engines from Air India, providing power to 13 Airbus A321 and four Airbus A320 aircraft. This strategic move is set to enhance Air India’s operational efficiency and ensure the continued reliability of its fleet.
Q7.What are the growth forecasts for India’s fiscal year 2023 by S&P and OECD, respectively?
- S&P: 7.3%, OECD: 6.9%
- S&P: 6.9%, OECD: 7.3%
- S&P: 7.5%, OECD: 6.5%
- S&P: 6.5%, OECD: 7.5%
Ans:-1)S&P: 7.3%, OECD: 6.9%
- Despite a deceleration in external demand for Indian products and services, both the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and S&P have maintained their growth projections for India in Fiscal Year 2023, at 6.9 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively. However, they have also pointed out increasing downside risks.
- In its most recent assessment of the Asia-Pacific region, S&P noted a robust resurgence in India’s economy, fueled by the ongoing recovery in services consumption and strong growth in investment.
Q8.Which insurance company has become the first foreign business to own 74% of an Indian life insurance company?
- Ageas
- Prudential
- Allianz
- AIG
Ans:-1) Ageas
- Ageas Federal Life Insurance (AFLI) has made history by becoming the first life insurance company in India with a foreign partner holding a substantial 74% stake. This milestone was achieved after Ageas Insurance International, based in Belgium, successfully acquired the additional 25% investment in the life insurance joint venture (JV) from IDBI Bank.
- In a significant transaction amounting to Rs 580 crore in cash, Ageas secured the extra 25% ownership previously held by IDBI Bank in Ageas Federal Life Insurance. As a result, Ageas saw its ownership in the JV surge from 49% to an impressive 74%.
- While IDBI Bank exited as a stakeholder, Federal Bank maintains its ownership of 26% in the life insurance venture. Under a share purchase agreement (SPA), IDBI Bank had previously committed to selling its entire stake of 200 million equity shares in AFLI (Ageas).
Q9.Who is set to inaugurate the Dairy Cooperative Conclave in Gangtok?
- Narendra Modi
- Amit Shah
- Rajnath Singh
- Nirmala Sitharaman
Ans:-2)Amit Shah
- Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to inaugurate a daylong dairy cooperative conclave representing the eastern and northeastern regions in Sikkim on October 7. This significant event is being organized by the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI).
- Mangal Jit Rai, Chairman of NCDFI, has confirmed Shah’s participation at the conclave, set to take place in Gangtok. Sikkim Chief Minister P S Tamang will be the guest of honor during the function.
- The event is expected to draw top officials from the cooperative milk unions and state dairy federations in the eastern and northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Altogether, approximately 1,200 participants from these 12 states are anticipated to attend this gathering.
Q10.Who launched the Virtual Conference ‘SymphoNE’ aimed at boosting the Tourism Sector?
- Narendra Modi
- Amit Shah
- G Kishan Reddy
- P S Tamang
Ans:-3)G Kishan Reddy
- Union Minister for DoNER, Tourism & Culture, G. Kishan Reddy, has inaugurated the two-day virtual conference ‘SymphoNE’. Organized by the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, the conference is being held on the 24th and 27th of September 2022 in commemoration of World Tourism Day.
- North East India boasts incredible culinary delights, rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and architectural marvels, making it one of the most picturesque regions on Earth. However, there exist significant opportunities to further enhance the Tourism Sector in the Region.
- This comprehensive two-day conference aims to chart a course for unveiling the untapped beauty of North East India and propelling the tourism sector in the North Eastern Region to new heights.
