PIB 247 November 2023 2 Lyst4029

PIB 247 - November 2023
NATIONAL
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) Platform
Project-SMART
G20 Feeder Thematic Workshops
Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign
Ayush Aahar
3rd International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards
National-level Innovation Challenge
MoU: ECI-Ministry of Education
Krishi 24/7
Jal Diwali -"Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign"
7th Ganga Utsav
MoU - APEDA and Lulu Hypermarket
National Cooperative Organics Limited
Chief Information Commissioner
Digital Consent Acquisition
Nayi Chetna – 2.0
MoU - DAY-NRLM and SIDBI
1st Sea trial shipment of banana
Insurance Surety Bond
AAINA Dashboard for Cities Portal
GoI and ADB sign $400 million loan
National Health Claim Exchange
Clean Toilets Challenge
Global Fisheries Conference India 2023
Project Collaboration Agreement
RISE Accelerator Program
AGNI Initiative
8th India Water Impact Summit
PIB 247 - November 2023 1

MoU- IWAI and Amazon
MoU - DGFT and Amazon
Cashew Exports
National Gopal Ratna Awards 2023
Krishi Sakhis
CBG Blending Obligation
Nayi Chetna- Pahal Badlaav Ki Campaign
3rd phase of Yuva Sangam
16th Finance Commission – ToRs
SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference
MAHASAGAR
INTERNATIONAL
6th Assembly of International Solar Alliance
Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
2nd World Local Production Forum
WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity
Social Impact Fund
International Sugar Organisation
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Mahatma Gandhi National Fellows Program
National Efficient Cooking Programme
Master Trainers Training Programme
Tribal Youth Exchange Program
LEAP AHEAD Initiative
DISHA scheme
Global TB Report 2023
15th Instalment of PM KISAN Scheme
Viksit Bharat Yatra
SHREYAS Scheme for EBCs and Others
REPORT & INDICES
Annual Report on Road Accidents in India-2022
State Educational Achievement Survey 2023
Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023
QUESTIONS IN NEWS
OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

NATIONAL
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) Platform
💡 What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY
Bharat)’ platform for youth of the country on the National Unity Day (31st
October).
💡 Why: To act as a facilitator for youth-led development
Tell me more
About MY Bharat Platform
Objectives:
Leadership Development in the Youth
Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community
needs
Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes
Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community
needs
Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries
Create a centralized youth database
Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives

and activities of other stakeholders
Create a Phygital Ecosystem - a blend of physical and digital experiences for

ensuring accessibility

It is an autonomous body established to benefit the youth in the age group of 15-29
years, in line with the definition of ‘Youth’ in the National Youth Policy.
Its focused beneficiaries will be in the age-group of 10-19 years.
It will serve as 'Phygital Platform' (physical + digital) comprising physical activity

along with an opportunity to connect digitally.
It is envisioned as technology-driven facilitator for youth development and youth-led

development.
Significance
It will establish a framework for bringing youth from diverse areas under a single
platform in line with Vision 2047
Vision 2047 requires a framework that can bring rural youth, urban youth and
Rurban youth on a single platform.
It will establish a new contemporary technology-led platform to engage with the

present-day youth.
It will ensure accessibility by creating a phygital ecosystem and empower young

individuals to become catalysts for community transformation.
They will act as "Yuva Setu," linking the government with its citizens.
Project-SMART
💡 What: An open seminar with regards to Project on Station Area Development

along Mumbai - Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Transport (Project-SMART) has
been recently organized in New Delhi
💡 Why: To contribute in preparation of ‘Station Area Development Plans’ for

Sabarmati, Surat, Virar and Thane HSR Stations.
Tell me more
About Project Smart

Objective: It envisages developing surrounding areas of Mumbai - Ahmedabad
High Speed Railway (MAHSR) Stations
To enhance accessibility and convenience of commuters & other stakeholders
To promote economic activities in the vicinity of station areas
It seeks to facilitate and enhance institutional capacity of State Governments,

Municipal Corporations/Urban Development Authorities to develop surrounding
areas of MAHSR stations.
Implementation: Under it, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, Ministry of

Railways and JICA have signed MoU for developing 4 model HSR stations
(Sabarmati, Surat in Gujarat and Virar and Thane in Maharashtra).
G20 Feeder Thematic Workshops
💡 What: NITI Aayog will be organising feeder thematic workshops on varied

themes which were discussed in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration
(NDLD).
💡 Why: To bolster the implementation of the G20 New Delhi Leaders'

Declaration
Tell me more
About Workshops
Objective: To engage all stakeholders, including concerned

Ministries/Departments, State Governments, private sector, academia, students,
youth, women, and young officers from States and Engagement Groups.
Duration: 1st to 9th November 2023
These workshops will be organised in collaboration with various Anchor Think Tanks
each having expertise in their respective fields.

Themes of the workshops: G20 to G21, Data for Development, Tourism, Digital
Public Infrastructure, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade, Indian Development
Model, Women Led Development, Reforming Multilateral Development Banks &
Climate Finance and Green Development.
1st workshop in this series on the over-arching theme of India-African Union

cooperation for a better inclusive world will be held in New Delhi.
Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign
💡 What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently participated in the programme

marking the culmination of Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign’s Amrit Kalash
Yatra in New Delhi.
Tell me more
About Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign
It is a tribute to the Veers and Veeranganas who have made the supreme sacrifice
for the country.
It comprised of many activities and ceremonies conducted across the country at

Panchayat/Village, Block, Urban Local Body, State and National levels in the spirit
of Jan Bhagidari
These activities included
Building of Shilaphalakam (Memorial): To express heartfelt gratitude to all the

bravehearts who have made the supreme sacrifice
Panch Pran pledge: Taken by the people at Shilaphalakam
Amrit Vatika’ (Vasudha Vandhan): Developed by planting of saplings of

indigenous species
Veeron ka Vandan: Conducting felicitation ceremonies for honoring the

freedom fighters and the families of deceased freedom fighters.
The program also marked the closing ceremony of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Prime
Minister also presented the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Awards

Top 3 performing States/UTs
Rank State/UTs
1 Jammu and Kashmir
2 Gujarat
3 Haryana and Rajasthan
Top 3 performing Ministries
Rank Ministries
1 Ministry of External Affairs
2 Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Railways
3
Ministry of Education
Ayush Aahar
💡 What: Ministry of AYUSH will be participating as the partner in the World

Food India event in New Delhi.
💡 Why: To showcase the innovative Ayush Aahar products of Ayush.
Tell me more
More than 30 newly developed Ayush products will be showcased at World Food
India.
Moreover, Ayush start-ups from across the country will showcase newly developed
Ayush Aahar products
For this, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy has been appointed as the
nodal agency.

3rd International Convention on Sustainable
Trade and Standards
💡 What: The Quality Council of India (QCI) has hosted the International
Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS) in New Delhi.
Tell me more
About ICSTS
Organiser: India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standards
Host: QCI in collaboration with United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards
It witnessed signing of a bilateral Agreement between QCI and African Organisation

for Standardisation (ARSO)
It seeks to strengthen trade relations and harmonize standards, enhancing the

global trade landscape.
India has already signed such agreements with Brazil, Mexico for cooperation
on Voluntary Sustainability Standards.
It also benchmarked IndG.AP. by the GLOBAL G.A.P. through National Technical

Working Group mechanism and creation of National Interpretation Guidelines.
About India Good Agricultural Practices (IndG.A.P.) Scheme
Objective: It is aimed to address
Quality and quantity of the produce obtained from a unit area
Various aspects of food safety
Pre-and post-harvest practices including workers health and safety
Sustained supply of produce of the desirable quality
It is a voluntary certification scheme developed by Quality Council of India.
QCI is an autonomous organization of the Department for Promotion of Industry

and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It provides a direction to introduce quality in the production system to ensure food
safety and hygiene.
This is to increase acceptability of the produce by consumers and the food

processing industry
Certification options
Individual Certification (Option 1): Individual producer applies for certification

and gets certification.
Group Certification (Option 2): Producer/farmer group applies for group

certification and the farmer group, as legal entity gets certification.
Categories of IGAP certification: It is currently done under five categories for

fruits, vegetables, tea, green coffee and spices.
Benefits of certification
Ensuring quality and safety of product throughout the food chain
Gaining market access
Maintaining consumer confidence in products
Environmental protection and social welfare an added advantage
Promote sustainable agriculture
Better price realization of the produce
National-level Innovation Challenge
💡 What: Ministry of Education has collaborated with the ATL Marathon program
to launch national-level innovation challenge
💡 Why: To empower young innovators
Tell me more

About National Challenge
Objective: To motivate young individuals to create functional prototypes of

innovative solutions.
Organisers: Ministry of Education and ATL Marathon program
ATL Marathon program has been spearheaded by the Atal Innovation Mission,
NITI Aayog, in partnership with UNICEF and YuWaah.
Theme: "India's 75th Republic Day"
Feature Problem Statements: Space, Agriculture, Inclusivity, Disaster

Management, Mobility, Health, Education, and Skill Development.
Student teams are encouraged to build projects addressing these challenges.
Benefits: The top-performing teams will have the opportunity to participate in the
Student Innovator Program.
This program will include internships with leading corporates and incubation
centers in India.
They will also receive certificates from AIM, NITI Aayog, and various exciting
opportunities.
MoU: ECI-Ministry of Education
💡 What: Ministry of Education and Election Commission of India (ECI) have

signed MoU
💡 Why: For electoral literacy
Tell me more
About MoU
Objectives:

To extend the ECI’s flagship Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral
Participation (SVEEP) in schools and colleges.
To encourage universal and enlightened participation of future voters in

elections.
To address the issues like apathy among urban and young voters, as a crucial
aspect of Continuous Electoral and Democracy Education
To empower young people by bridging the knowledge gap among the youth and
first-time voters
Salient features
It seeks to systematically integrate voter education and electoral literacy into the
curriculum, starting from classes 6 to 12 in all schools.
Under it, NCERT will introduce and update textbooks to include content on
electoral literacy and will advise State Education Boards and other Boards.
Designate one of the rooms in every senior secondary school as the

'Democracy Room' for the regular display of voter education materials.
It will also conduct of Continuous Electoral and Democracy Education

(CEDE) activities throughout the year
About SVEEP
Objectives:
To increase voter turnout to 75% in Lok Sabha elections 2024
To enhance the quality of electoral participation in terms of informed and ethical

voting
It was launched by ECI for spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy
in India.
Krishi 24/7

💡 What: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched first ever AI-
powered solution Krishi 24/7
💡 Why: For automated agricultural news monitoring and analysis
Tell me more
Objective: To address the need for an efficient mechanism to identify and manage
agricultural news articles of interest to aid timely decision-makin
Developers: Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) and

Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI) with support from
Google.org
It will aid DA&FW
To identify relevant news, generate timely alerts, and take prompt action to
protect farmers' interests
To promote sustainable agricultural growth through improved decision-making
Working
It scans news articles in multiple languages and translates them into English.
By scanning, it extracts essential information from news articles, such as

headline, crop name, event type, date, location, severity, summary, and source
link
This will ensure that the DA&FW receives timely updates on relevant events
published on the web.
World Food India 2023
💡 What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated second edition of

the 'World Food India 2023' in New Delhi.

Tell me more
Objective: To present India as the 'food basket of the world' and commemorate
2023 as the International Year of Millets.
Organiser: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
It has been organsied with support of 10 Ministries/Departments of the

Government of India, six commodity boards, and 25 states.
NOTE: 1st WFI was also organised by MoFPI in 2017 with the theme
"Transforming the Food Economy".
Five pivotal elements of the WFI-2023
Millets- ‘Shree Anna-The Super Food of India’
Innovation and Sustainability ‘Green Food’
White Revolution 2.0
Making India an export hub
Focus on technology and digitisation
Partner Country: The Netherlands
Focus Country: Japan
It witnessed the signing of MoUs worth Rs 33,129 crore between the MoFPI
and various industry entities.
Seed Capital Assistance
PM also dispersed Seed Capital Assistance to support over 1 lakh Self Help
Group (SHG) members.
Objective: To strengthen these groups, empowering local communities and

fostering self-reliance.
This support will help SHGs gain better price realization in the market through
improved packaging and quality manufacturing.

Jal Diwali -"Women for Water, Water for
Women Campaign"
💡 What: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched "Women for Water,
Water for Women Campaign" under its flagship scheme - Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
💡 Why: To provide platform for inclusion of women in water governance
Tell me more
About Jal Diwali- Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign
Objectives:
To empower women with knowledge about water treatment processes and

infrastructure
To enhance their ability to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water for
their households
To address issues of gender equality by promoting inclusivity and diversity in

sectors traditionally dominated by men
It has been launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in partnership with its
National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM).
Knowledge partner: Odisha Urban Academy
Duration: 7th to 9th November, 2023.
Under it, women will be given first-hand knowledge about water treatment
processes through visits to Water Treatment Plants in their respective cities.
Phase I of Campaign: It will witness participation from all States/ UTs (barring the 5
States under Model Code of Conduct)
Focus areas of the campaign include:

Familiarizing the women with functioning of Water Treatment Plants & water
testing facilities
Promote inclusivity & involvement through souvenirs & articles created by

Women SHGs
Familiarizing & educating the women about AMRUT scheme & its impact on
water infrastructure
During this campaign, women SHGs will visit more than 550 WTPs, with a
combined operational capacity of more than 20,000 MLD (more than 35% of the
country’s total).
India has more than 3,000 WTPs, with a designed water treatment capacity of
more than 65,000 MLD and operational capacity of more than 55,000 MLD.
7th Ganga Utsav
💡 What: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has organized the 7th
edition of Ganga Utsav in New Delhi.
Tell me more
This event also marked the release of
33rd edition of Namami Gange Magazine
New Chacha Chaudhary series
Voyage of Ganga Booklet, based on Ganga Pustak Parikrama in collaboration

with NBT
2nd edition of Ganga Pustak Parikrama was also flagged off
It will commence its 3-month-long journey from Gangotri and pass through all
cities and towns on the banks of River Ganga.
It will end its journey at Gangasagar (Haldia, West Bengal)
MoU - APEDA and Lulu Hypermarket

💡 What: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority (Ministry of Commerce) has signed a MoU with global retail major
LuLu Group International (LLC).
💡 What: To boost exports of agricultural products to the Gulf Cooperation

Countries (GCCs).
Tell me more
About MoU
It will help APEDA to promote Indian agri-products including Millets in international

markets especially across the GCC where LLC has its presence
LLC has presence across the GCC, Egypt, India and the Far East with 247
LuLu stores in operation and 24 shopping malls.
It is the fastest growing retail chain in the Middle East and Asia.
It will also facilitate promotional activities for APEDA’s scheduled products with the
LuLu Hyper market retail chain.
NOTE: APEDA also has facilitated signing of MoUs of following Indian organisations
with Lulu group for boosting exports potential from Himalayan and North Eastern
states
Arunachal Pradesh Marketing Board
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology
Jammu and Meghalaya Agricultural Marketing Board
National Cooperative Organics Limited
💡 What: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah

addressed National Symposium on Promotion of Organic Produce, organised
by National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) in New Delhi.

Tell me more
Logo, website and brochure of NCOL was also launched
About National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL)
Objective: To increase the return on produce while giving organic farmer and
producer organisations direct access to the market.
Established: It was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act,

2002 in January, 2023.
Promoters:
Three major cooperative societies of the country- National Cooperative

Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing
Federation Ltd and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of
India Ltd
Two major statutory bodies of Government of India - National Dairy

Development Board and National Cooperative Development Corporation
Functions
Act as an umbrella organisation for managing the entire supply chain of organic
products produced by various cooperative societies and related institutions
across the country
Provide its members better return for their organic produce by providing access
to national and international market under a strong brand
Undertake and promote the aggregation, branding and marketing of organic

products produced by cooperatives.
Provide support to the cooperative sector and associated companies involved in

the production of organic products.
This will include financing, capacity building, technical guidance,

establishment and maintenance of market intelligence systems, among
others.
Membership: Any Cooperative Society or an association of persons (as may be

permitted by the Central Registrar) can become its member.

As on date, around 2,000 cooperative societies have already become its
member or applied for its membership.
Chief Information Commissioner
💡 What: Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya & two new

Information Commissioners Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari
have assumed office recently.
Tell me more
About Central Information Commission
It is a statutory body established under Right To Information Act, 2005.
Established: 2005
Its jurisdiction extends over all Central Public Authorities.
Composition: It consists of a Chief Information Commissioner and not more than

ten Information Commissioners.
They are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a

committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of
Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the
Prime Minister.
Tenure of Office: The Chief Information Commissioner and an Information

Commissioner hold office for such term as prescribed by the Central
Government or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
They are not eligible for reappointment.
Digital Consent Acquisition

💡 What: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Ministry of Communications)
has issued a directive under Telecom Commercial Communications Customer
Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018).
💡 Why: For the development and deployment of a Digital Consent Acquisition

(DCA) facility by all Access Providers.
Tell me more
About DCA system
Objective: To create a unified platform for telecom subscribers to register their

consent digitally for receiving commercial communications from various entities.
Such entities are banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, trading

companies, and more, are known as Principal Entities (PEs) or Senders.
DCA will offer a solution by allowing customers to seek, maintain, and revoke their
consent as per the regulations set out in TCCCPR-2018.
This consent data will be shared on a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

Platform, also established under TCCCPR-2018, for thorough scrutiny by all
Access Providers.
Nayi Chetna – 2.0
💡 What: DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural

Livelihoods Mission), Ministry of Rural Development will be launching Nayi
Chetna – 2.0

💡 Why:
To foster a societal-level change with regard of Gender-Based Violence

(GBV).
To collectively strengthen redressal mechanisms for survivors of GBV.
Tell me more
About Nayi Chetna – 2.0
Objective: To advance the rights of women and gender-diverse individuals, for a life
without fear, and gender-based discrimination and violence.
It is the second edition of the National Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence
Launch date: 25 November on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination
of Violence against Women.
Coverage: It will be observed across 34 Indian states and UTs till 23 December
2023.
Implementation: It will be led by DAY-NRLM’s self-help groups network of over 9.8

crore rural women members with the spirit of a Jan Andolan or people’s movement.
Campaign activities will deepen awareness of GBV amongst self-help group

members and encourage GBV reporting.
It will also address social norms that sanction and help such forms of violence to
prevail.
Gender Resource Centres (GRC)
This campaign will complement DAY-NRLM’s ongoing programmatic efforts to

address GBV.
It has been establishing GRCs at the block level to enhance women’s decision
making and agency.
More than 3000 GRCs have been established across the country to date
These GRCs provide

A community-managed platform from where inequalities and discrimination on
the basis of gender can be protested
Survivors can seek redressal through the support of other departments and
agencies working on those issues.
MoU - DAY-NRLM and SIDBI
💡 What: DeendayalAntyodayaYojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-

NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development and Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) have signed a MoU
💡 Why: To mark a significant milestone in journey of women-led enterprises
Tell me more
About MoU
Objectives
To demonstrate on-the-ground activities that establish a reliable and sensitive

support structure for the capacity enhancement of women entrepreneurs.
To institutionalize standard protocols, systems, and procedures for streamlined

access to formal finance, as well as the development of a comprehensive
framework for new financial products and schemes.
It will bring together the expertise of DAY-NRLM and SIDBI to create a

transformative initiative for promoting women-led enterprises among experienced
members of SHGs.
Duration: 2 Years
Expected outcomes from this collaboration are:
Enhanced capacity and ability of State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLM) to

promote the graduation of seasoned SHG members into micro-entrepreneurs

Establishment of a reliable and sensitive support architecture for women-led
enterprises, involving a network of field cadres, mentors, and experts
Implementation of standardized protocols within DAY-NRLM to support women-

led enterprises
Formation of partnerships with financial institutions and a network of financiers
Design and implementation of new financial schemes, such as credit

guarantees and interest subventions
Creation of clear, scalable models for promoting women-led enterprises which

can be replicated nationwide
About SIDBI
It is a principal Financial Institution for promotion, financing and development of the

MSME sector.
It was established in 1990 by Government.
It is a statutory body under Ministry of Finance.
It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI).
1st Sea trial shipment of banana
💡 What: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development

Authority (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) has facilitated the export of the
first trial shipment of fresh bananas to Netherlands via a sea route.
💡 Why: To boost the prospects of fresh fruit exports from India
Tell me more
The trial shipment of bananas to Europe was carried out by the APEDA-registered
'InI Farms,' a top exporter of fruits and vegetables from India.
Significance:

It will help to build capacities among Indian exporters and European Union
importers by ensuring the export of quality fruits.
With this first trial shipment, it is estimated that India may be able to export
bananas worth more than US $1 billion in the next five years.
Background
India is the world's largest banana producer, accounting for 26.45% of the world's
banana production at 35.36 Million Metric Tonnes.
Despite this, India’s export share is currently just 1% in the global market.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported bananas worth US $176 million,
equivalent to 0.36 MMT.
Major export destinations: Iran, Iraq, UAE, Oman, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia,
Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and the Maldives.
Banana Producing States: It is a major horticultural crop grown in Andhra

Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, and
Uttar Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh is the largest banana-producing state, followed by

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
These five states collectively contribute around 67% to India's banana

production in the fiscal year 2022-23.
Insurance Surety Bond
💡 What: National Highways Authority of India has accepted first Insurance

Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate
Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14.
💡 Why: To boost liquidity and capacity of bidders
Tell me more

Issuance: It has been issued for NHAI monetization bid of TOT bundle 14 @ 0.25%
by the insurer without any margin money.
Significance: This will be the first time this innovative instrument is being utilized as
a Bank Guarantee (BG) in the road infrastructure sector for monetization of bids.
To implement it, NHAI has been working closely with Highway Operators
Association of India (HOAI), SBI General Insurance and AON India Insurance.
About Insurance Surety Bonds
They are instruments where insurance companies act as ‘Surety’ and provides the
financial guarantee that contractor will fulfil its obligation as per the agreed terms.
Ministry of Finance has made e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds at par with Bank
Guarantees for all Government procurements.
Benefits:
It will help to strengthen National Highway Infrastructure development, which

has cascading positive impact on Indian economy.
It will encourage private participation in the highway sector and will be a

significant step towards facilitating ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
AAINA Dashboard for Cities Portal
💡 What: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched ‘AAINA Dashboard
for Cities’ Portal
💡 Why: To create a robust database of the key performance metrics of Urban

Local Bodies (ULBs).
Tell me more
About Portal
Objectives: To help cities to

See how they are faring vis-à-vis other cities
Inspire them by pointing to possibilities and areas of improvement
Provide opportunity to learn and engage with frontrunners.
It has been envisaged as a permanent platform for ULB-related data, that would be
updated on a regular basis.
It will serve as a tool for comparing similarly placed cities and promoting peer
learning among cities and not rank the ULBs.
It will present the data submitted by the ULBs on the basis of indicators across five
broad pillars namely
Political & Administrative Structure
Finance
Planning
Citizen Centric Governance
Delivery of Basic Services
ULBs can update the information initially provided by them, anytime on the portal as
per need.
Implementation: MoUHA through Digital India Corporation will provide handholding

support to ULBs/States in the data submission process on a need basis.
GoI and ADB sign $400 million loan
💡 What: The Government of India has signed a $400 million policy-based loan
agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB).
💡 What: For the Sub-programme 2 of the Sustainable Urban Development and

Service Delivery Programme
Tell me more

Background
Sub-programme 1: It was approved in 2021 with a financing of $350 million.
It has established national-level policies and guidelines to improve urban

services
Sub-programme 2: It is supporting investment planning and reform actions at the

state and urban local body (ULB) levels.
Sub-programme 2 Loan will support
India’s urban reform agenda for creating high quality urban infrastructure, improving
service delivery, and promoting efficient governance systems.
Reforms initiated by the states and the ULBs in operationalising Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) targeted for universal
access of water supply and sanitation
Other mission for ensuring urban water security through reducing water losses,
recycling treated sewage for non-domestic use, rejuvenation of water bodies, and
maintaining sustainable ground water level.
National Health Claim Exchange
💡 What: The National Health Authority (NHA) and the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have joined hands
💡 Why: To operationalize the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)
Tell me more
About NHCX
It is a digital health claims platform developed by National Health Authority.
It serves as a gateway for exchanging claims-related information among various

stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance ecosystem.

It has been completely integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
This integration enables seamless interoperability of health claims processing,

enhancing efficiency and transparency in the insurance industry and benefiting
the policyholders and patients.
💡 What: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched a month-long
💡 Why: To accelerate change for safe sanitation through clean & functional
public toilets
Tell me more
About Campaign
Objectives:
To focus on ensuring functionality and sustainability of clean & functional public

toilets
To identify the best models, efficient restroom facilities, ensuring their

continuous upkeep, refurbishment, beautification and ease of access.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Duration: It will be run between the 19th Nov (World Toilet Day) to 25th December
(Good Governance Day)
It will identify, felicitate and share best model toilets for early replicability by other
cities with an objective to improve the operations and maintenance of toilets in
urban India.
It has been conceptualized in line with the World Toilet Day 2023 theme of
“Accelerating Change for Safe Sanitation”.
Background

World Toilet Day is observed every year on 19th November.
Objective: To inform, engage and inspire action to tackle global sanitation crisis
It was declared by UN General Assembly as an official UN day in 2013.
2023 Theme: ‘Accelerating Change’.
Water Action Agenda:
It was announced at the UN 2023 Water Conference in March 2023
It combines existing and new commitments from governments, companies,

organisations, and institutions to make rapid change on sanitation and water.
This action plan calls on everyone to rapidly deliver on their promises.
Global Fisheries Conference India 2023
💡 What: Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 will be held in Ahmedabad,

Gujarat.
💡 Why: To focus on international partnerships, innovations, start-up promotions

for sustainable fisheries.
Tell me more
About Conference
Objective: To bring together key stakeholders on one platform for fruitful

discussions, market insights and networking.
Organiser: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and

Dairying.
Theme: ‘Celebrating Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth’
It will serve as a platform to forge partnerships with national and international

stakeholders and chalk out a roadmap for sustainable growth of India’s fisheries
sector.

Project Collaboration Agreement
💡 What: The Ministry of Ayush and World Health Organization (WHO) have
signed Traditional and Complementary Medicine 'Project Collaboration
Agreement' in Geneva.
Tell me more
About Agreement
Objective: To standardize Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems,

integrate their quality and safety aspects into the National Health System, and
disseminate them at the international level.
To fulfil this objective, Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 will be prepared
by WHO with the support of the Ministry of Ayush.
This is the third ' Project Collaboration Agreement’ signed by the Ministry of Ayush
with WHO.
The first contract was signed in 2016 to take Traditional Medical systems like
Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani, and Panchakarma to the global level
The second contract was signed in 2017 to strengthen the system of Ayurveda,
Unani and Siddha medical systems
RISE Accelerator Program
💡 What: Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has launched a new
accelerator program called Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE)
💡 Why: To support Australian and Indian circular economy startups.
Tell me more

About RISE Accelerator programme
It is a joint initiative of CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and India's AIM.
It will support Australian and Indian circular economy startups and small-to-mid-
sized enterprises (SMEs).
A circular economy entails markets that give incentives to reusing products,

rather than scrapping them and then extracting new resources.
There is no charge for startups to participate in the program and will be delivered
virtually with opportunities to travel between both countries.
Participating startups are also be eligible for up to Rs. 40,00,000 in non-equity

grants.
AGNI Initiative
💡 What: Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (Ministry of Ayush)

has launched “Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative” (AGNI) for physicians
practicing in the field of Ayurveda.
💡 Why: To promote research for mainstreaming the pragmatic Ayurveda

practices through scientific validation and evidence-based appraisal.
Tell me more
About AGNI Initiative
Objectives:
To provide a platform to Ayurveda practitioners for reporting their innovative

practices & and experiences in various disease conditions.
To promote the culture of reporting evidence-based practice among Ayurveda

Practitioners.
To undertake research for mainstreaming pragmatic practices through scientific

validation and evidence-based appraisal.

It will document reported successful therapeutic regimens for various disease
conditions involving Single drug/formulation/procedures for education and
academics.
It will also identify the interested Ayurveda practitioners for collaboration in the
creation of a database through applications and capacity building through training in
research methods and good clinical practices.
It will also undertake research for mainstreaming pragmatic practices through

scientific validation and evidence-based appraisal
About CCRAS
It is an apex research organization under the Ministry of Ayush
It is committed to undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing, and promoting

research on scientific lines in Ayurveda.
It has initiated the
Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) for Undergraduate

Scholars
Scheme for Training in Ayurveda Research for PG Scholars (PG-STAR) for PG

Scholars
Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals

(SMART) program for teachers.
8th India Water Impact Summit
💡 What: The 8th Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) is being
organised at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
Tell me more
About Summit
Objective: To unite scientific experts, stakeholders, and government

representatives to address dynamic challenges and opportunities in India's water

sector.
Organisers: National Mission for Clean Ganga (Ministry of Jal Shakti) and the
Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga)
2023 IWIS Theme: 'Development vis-à-vis Land, Water and Rivers'
MoU- IWAI and Amazon
💡 What: A MoU has been signed between Inland Waterways Authority of India
(IWAI) and Amazon Seller Services Private Limited (Amazon)
💡 Why: For promoting cargo movement and transportation of customer

shipments & products via inland waterways using river Ganga (National
Waterway 1).
Tell me more
About MoU
Objective: To leverage the efficiency and sustainability of water transport to

streamline logistics, reduce environmental impact and foster economic growth.
Maiden ship with e-commerce cargo under this partnership will be flagged off from
Patna to Kolkata
Significance of this partnership
It seeks to harness the efficiency and sustainability of water transport to

optimize logistics, diminish environmental footprints, and promote economic
development.
NOTE: According to a World Bank Report, rail and road transport consume
18.5% and 91.6% more fuel than water transport, making it environment
friendly.
Background
Maritime India Vision 2030

It was launched during the Maritime India Summit 2021
It aims to increase inland water transport volumes by more than 200 MMT
by 2030 and to achieve a target of more than 500 MMT by 2047.
This is as per the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, launched by the Prime
Minister during GLOBAL MARITIME INDIA SUMMIT 2023 in October
2023 at Mumbai.
Upto 2023, the cargo handled by the Inland Waterways is 126 MMT
The plan also includes increasing the number of operational waterways to 23 by

2030
24 waterways are already operational till date which is planned to be increased

to more than 50 by 2047 as per the Vision Document.
MoU - DGFT and Amazon
💡 What: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Commerce and

Industry) has signed the first of its kind MoU with Amazon India.
💡 Why: To help MSMEs leverage e-commerce platforms and to promote

exports from districts
Tell me more
Background
DGFT is collaborating with the various e-commerce players to leverage the Districts
as Export Hubs initiative and promote e-commerce exports from the country.
This collaboration seeks to leverage e-commerce platforms to support local

exporters, manufacturers, and MSMEs in reaching potential international buyers.
This partnership aligns with the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, which identifies e-
commerce as a focus area for amplifying India's exports

Under it, Districts will be identified by various e-commerce platforms across India, to
undertake various capacity-building and outreach activities in collaboration with
DGFT- Regional Authorities.
NOTE: In the first such collaboration, DGFT has signed a MoU with Amazon India.
DGFT is also in discussion with various e-commerce platforms like Flipkart/Walmart,

E-bay, Shopclues, etc. to have similar collaboration in other districts of the country
under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative.
This will supplement DGFT’s efforts to hand hold, promote new and first-time
exporters and other MSME producers to export from India
It will help towards the goal of $1 trillion goods exports by year 2030.
Cashew Exports
💡 What: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority on

the occasion of National Cashew Day has facilitated Cashew Exports on
National Cashew Day to Bangladesh, Qatar, Malaysia and USA
Tell me more
Bangladesh will be receiving it’s first-ever shipment of Cashew Nuts all the way
from Odisha.
Background
India is the second largest producer and exporter of Cashew Nuts after Côte
d'Ivoire, with a share of more than 15%, followed by Vietnam in the world’s cashew
export.
Major Cashew producing states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha,

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
India’s top export destinations are: UAE, Netherlands, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
India primarily exports Cashew Kernels with small quantities of Cashew Nut
Shell Liquid and Cardanol.

National Gopal Ratna Awards 2023
💡 What: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has awarded
the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2023 as a part of National Milk Day
Celebrations 2023 (26th November) held in Guwahati, Assam.
Tell me more
About National Gopal Ratna Award
Objective: To recognize and encourage all individuals like Farmers rearing

indigenous animals, AI Technicians and Dairy cooperative societies / Milk Producer
Company/Dairy farmers Producers Organizations working in this sector.
It is one of the highest National Awards in the field of livestock and dairy sector
It has been instituted by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying under
the Rashtriya Gokul Mission
It is conferred in three categories, namely,
Best Dairy Farmer Rearing Indigenous Cattle/buffalo Breeds,
Best Dairy Cooperative/ Milk Producer Company/ Dairy Farmer Producer

Organization).
Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT)
Award consists of
It consists of a Certificate of merit, a memento and a monitory prize in the first two
categories i.e Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCS as under:
5,00,000 - 1st rank
3,00,000 - 2nd Rank
2,00,000 - 3rd rank
In the case of the Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) category -It consists
of a Certificate of merit and a memento only.
No cash prize will be provided in AIT Category.

Winners National Gopal Ratna
Awards 2023
Category Rank Name of Winner
Best Dairy farmer rearing indigenous

1 Ram Singh, Karnal, , Haryana
cattle/buffalo breeds
2 Nilesh Maganbhai Ahir, Surat, Gujarat
Brinda Siddharth Shah, Valsad,

Gujarat
3
Rahul Manohar Khairnar, Nashik,
Maharashtra
Best Dairy Cooperative society/Milk

Pulpally Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana
Producer company/ Dairy Farmer 1
Sangam D Ltd, Wayanad, Kerala
producer organization
T M Hosoor Milk Producers

2 Cooperative Society Ltd Cooperative
Society, Mandya, Karnataka
M.S 158 Nathamkovilpatti Milk

3 Producers Cooperative
Society,Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
Best Artificial Insemination Technician

1 Suman Kumar Sah, Araria, Bihar
(AIT)
2 Anil Kumar Pradhan, Anugul, Odisha
Muddapu Prasadarao , Srikakulam,

3
Andhra Pradesh
Krishi Sakhis
💡 What: The Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare have jointly launched training of Deendayal Antyodaya
Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM)’s Krishi Sakhis
💡 Why: For promotion of Natural Farming.

Tell me more
About Training programme
Objective: To train and certify 50,000 Krishi Sakhis in a phased manner by the
National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF).
NCONF is a subordinate office of the MoA&FW.
They will be trained under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (DAY–NRLM).
DAY-NRLM is a poverty alleviation program of MoRD that enables poor

households in rural areas to access gainful self-employment and skilled-wage
employment opportunities.
Under it, 5-day training course training modules have been prepared by NCONF
and sent to National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) for
the final review.
About Krishi Sakhis
They are practicing farmers and trained para extension professionals in agriculture
at the grassroots level.
They encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly and economically viable

agricultural methods by raising awareness.
Background
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development
have decided to converge their various Schemes to strengthen the economic status
of the SHGs.
To this effect, an MoU was signed between MoA&FW and DAY – NRLM, MoRD in
August 2023 to certify Krishi Sakhis as Para-Extension Workers by MANAGE,
MoA&FW.
CBG Blending Obligation

💡 What: National Biofuels Coordination Committee (NBCC), chaired by Union
Petroleum Minister has announced introduction of phase wise CBG Blending
Obligation (CBO)
💡 Why:
For mandatory blending of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) in CNG

(Transport) & PNG (Domestic) segments of City Gas Distribution (CGD)
network.
To promote production and consumption of CBG in the country.
Tell me more
About CBO
Objectives: To stimulate demand for CBG in CGD sector, import substitution for
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), saving in Forex, promoting circular economy and to
assist in achieving the target of net zero emission etc
Key outcomes of the CBO: It will encourage investment of around Rs. 37500
crores and facilitate establishment of 750 CBG projects by 2028-29.
Implementation of the CBO:
It will be voluntary till FY 2024-2025 and mandatory blending obligation will start
from FY 2025-26.
It will be kept as 1%, 3% and 4% of total CNG/PNG consumption for FY 2025-

26, 2026- 27 and 2027-28 respectively.
From 2028-29 onwards CBO will be 5%.
Central Repository Body (CRB) will be monitoring and implementing the

blending mandate based on the operational guidelines.
Nayi Chetna- Pahal Badlaav Ki Campaign

💡 What: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission
(DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development has announced the
commencement of the second year of its flagship annual campaign, Nayi
Chetna- Pahal Badlaav Ki.
💡 Why: To address gender issues and eliminating gender-based violence.
Tell me more
About Campaign
Objective: To address pressing issues like normalization of violence, reluctance to

speak up, lack of awareness of support mechanisms, and the absence of perceived
safe spaces.
Taglines of Campaign: ‘Sahenge nahin kahenge’ and ‘Chuppi Todenge’.
Duration: 1 month
It has been launched with convergence with 13 Ministries/Departments.
It will engage a wide array of stakeholders, including State Rural Livelihood

Missions, community institutions, Panchayati Raj Institutions, members of the
community, DAY-NRLM verticals, Civil Society Organizations and relevant line
Ministries and Departments.
1st edition of the campaign: It was launched in 2022 and mobilized 3.5 crore
people nationwide
3rd phase of Yuva Sangam
💡 What: The Ministry of Education has launched the 3rd phase of Yuva
Sangam
Tell me more

Duration: November and December 2023
It will have participation from 22 States and UTs
Under it, youth comprising mainly of students studying in Higher Educational

institutions (HEIs) as also off-campus youngsters in the age group 18-30 years from
across the nation will be travelling to their paired states.
About Yuva Sangam
Objective: To strengthen people to people connect and build empathy among youth
across the nation under the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Launch Year: 2023
Nodal Ministry: It has been conceptualized by Ministry of Education in

collaboration with various other ministries and departments.
Its focus is on conducting exposure tours of youth in the age group of 18-30 years
from eighth North Eastern States and other States.
During their visits, the youth are given a multi-dimensional exposure under five
broad areas–
Paryatan (Tourism).
Parampara (Traditions).
Pragati (Development).
Prodyogik (Technology).
Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect).
It seeks to provide an immersive experience of various facets of life, development

landmarks, recent achievements and youth connect in the host state.
It will give an opportunity to participating youth to celebrate the ancient culture and
natural diversity of India.
16th Finance Commission – ToRs

💡 What: The Union Cabinet has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the
Sixteenth Finance Commission (FC).
Tell me more
About Finance Commission
It is a constitutional body, to be set up every fifth year or earlier by the President,

under Article 280 of the Constitution.
Its work involves redressing the vertical imbalances between the taxation powers
and expenditure responsibilities of the centre and the States respectively and
equalization of all public services across the States.
It suggests the distribution of taxes and grants and works based on the terms of
reference set by the finance ministry, after being approved by the centre.
15th FC
It was set up in 2017 and chaired by NK Singh.
It made recommendations for 2020-21 and 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Its recommendations include:
For vertical devolution, the share of states in central taxes is to be 41%.
Criteria for horizontal devolution include income distance, area, population

(2011), demographic performance, forest and ecology, and tax and fiscal
efforts.
Suggested to reduce fiscal deficit to 4% of GDP by 2025-26
ToR for 16th FC:
Distribution between the Union and States of the net proceeds of taxes and
allocation between the States of such proceeds.
Principles for governing the grants-in-aid and revenues of state under article 275 of
the Constitution.
Measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the

resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities.

It may review present arrangements on financing Disaster Management initiatives
with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference
💡 What: ‘SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference: Accelerating Waste to Wealth

& Circular Economy’ is being organised in New Delhi
💡 Why: To accelerate Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector through cross-sectoral

linkages and promote dialogue and knowledge exchange among all
stakeholders
Tell me more
About Conference
Objective: To give a boost to CBG sector and accelerate Waste to Wealth &
Circular Economy
Organisers: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in partnership with GIZ, Circular
Waste Solutions and United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Background
Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan): It is an umbrella

initiative of Government of India.
It aims to convert “waste to wealth” and build a robust ecosystem for setting up
Biogas/CBG)/Bio-Compressed Natural Gas plants to drive sustainable
economic growth and promote a circular economy.
As per Budget 2023, 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan scheme
will be established for promoting circular economy.
These will include 200 compressed biogas plants, including 75 plants in urban
areas, and 300 community or cluster-based plants a total investment of Rs
10,000 crore.

SBM-U 2.0: Its primary objective is to create a garbage-free urban India by
prioritizing sustainable sanitation practices, efficient waste management, and the
promotion of a circular economy.
Its target is to establish 15,000 TPD Bio-CBG plants by 2026.
MAHASAGAR
💡 What: The Indian Navy has successfully conducted the first edition of the
MAHASAGAR: Indian Navy’s outreach initiative between Maritime Heads in
virtual format
Tell me more
About MAHASAGAR
MAHASAGAR stands for Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in
the Region
Objective: To promote security and growth for all in the Indian Ocean Region
Theme: ‘Collective Maritime Approach towards Countering Common Challenges’
Participating countries: Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives,

Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania
It is a high-level interaction between the Maritime Heads of the Indian Ocean

Region.
It has been organised in line with the Government of India’s vision of SAGAR
(Security and Growth for All in the Region).
INTERNATIONAL
6th Assembly of International Solar Alliance

💡 What: India recently hosted the sixth Assembly of the International Solar
Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi.
Tell me more
About ISA Assembly
It is the apex decision-making body of ISA, in which each Member Country is

represented.
It makes decisions concerning the implementation of the ISA’s Framework

Agreement and coordinated actions to be taken to achieve its objective.
It meets annually at the ministerial level at the ISA’s seat.
It assesses the aggregate effect of the programmes and other activities in terms of
deployment of solar energy, performance, reliability, cost, and scale of finance.
Highlights of Sixth Assembly of the ISA
It deliberated on the key initiatives of ISA on three critical issues energy access,
energy security, and energy transition.
Presided over by: Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K.
Singh in his capacity as the President of the ISA Assembly.
Participation: Ministers from 20 countries and delegates from across 116 Member
and Signatory countries participated in the Assembly.
Key Outcomes
It increased the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Cap for solar projects from 10% up to
35% of the project cost.
ISA programme for VGF provides funding for projects in developing countries.
Global Solar Facility (GSF) announced
It is set to receive a capital contribution of $35 million dollars.
Of this, Government of India is considering a $25 million investment
ISA to provide remaining $10 million

GSF was approved in 2022 by ISA Assembly to attract private capital to flow
into off-grid solar projects, rooftop solar projects, and productive use solar
projects.
It will serve as financing mechanism to provide:
Payment guarantee fund
Insurance fund to mitigate project risks
Investment fund for Technical Assistance to address regulatory gaps
Resolve contractual and financial uncertainties in the solar energy sector
GSF is designed to catalyze solar investments in underserved segments and

geographies across Africa.
After Africa, GSF aims to expand to regions such as Asia, Latin America
and the Middle East
In future, it plans to invest in innovative technologies to enhance solar energy

efficiency, support startups for faster solar energy implementation, and explore
emerging solar energy sectors.
Target for the GSF: To raise US $100 million.
Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
💡 What: India, in its capacity as the chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial
Intelligence (GPAI) has welcomed all nations to GPAI & India AI summits
scheduled for December 2023.
Tell me more
About Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)
Objective: To foster cooperation and collaboration to address challenges and

opportunities in AI and also promote human-centric and ethical AI development.
It is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible

development and use of AI for the benefit of humanity.

It works in collaboration between governments with partners and international
organisations, leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and
academia.
Launch Year: 2020
Membership: It is a congregation of 25 member countries.
India is its founding member.
It focuses on four key themes:
Responsible AI
Data governance
Future of work
Innovation and commercialization
It consists of two components:
GPAI Council: It is composed of representatives from member countries and

organizations, and it provides strategic direction and guidance.
GPAI Secretariat: It is hosted at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation

and Development (OECD) in Paris, France.
It supports the Council's work and facilitates the implementation of GPAI

initiatives.
2nd World Local Production Forum
💡 What: The Indian delegation led by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and
Fertilizers Bhagwant Khuba will be representing India in the 2nd World Local
Production Forum (WLPF) at The Hague, Netherlands.
Tell me more
About WLPF

Objective: To increase access to medicines and other health technologies.
It is a platform created by the World Health Organisation.
The 1st WLPF was conducted virtually in 2021.
Secretariat: It is located at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland
Function: It provides Member States and the global community with a platform to
shape strategies, foster partnerships on sustainable local production to improve
timely and equitable access to quality assured health products.
About 2nd WLPF
Objectives:
To provide a global platform to discuss key challenges in promoting local

production and technology transfer
To explore opportunities and mechanisms to tackle the bottlenecks
To promote sustainable local production capacity to improve access to quality,

safe and effective health products and technologies
Theme: “Galvanizing regional partnerships for sustainable local production and

equitable access”.
Organiser: Local Production and Assistance (LPA) Unit at the WLPF Secretariat in
collaboration of Netherlands.
WOAH Regional Commission for Asia and

the Pacific
💡 What: India is hosting the 33rd Conference of the WOAH (World Organization
for Animal Health) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific in New
Delhi.
Tell me more
About Conference

Host: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry & Dairying)
Background: The decision to host this event was made during the 90th General
Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the WOAH in Paris in May 2023.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for

Prosperity
💡 What: The 3rd in-person Ministerial meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic

Framework (IPEF) was hosted by USA in San Francisco, California.
Tell me more
About IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement
This first-of-its-kind IPEF agreement was signed in this ministerial meeting.
It is expected to make IPEF supply chains more resilient, robust, and well-
integrated, and contribute towards economic development and progress of the
region as a whole.
It seeks to fortify and strengthen global supply chains; and foster adaptability,
stability and sustainability.
It will come into force after implementation by any of the five member countries.
It proposes establishment of IPEF Supply Chain Council to monitor and implement

it.
About IPEF
Objective: To strengthen economic engagement among partner countries with the

goal of advancing growth, peace and prosperity in the region.
Launch Year: It was launched jointly by the USA and other partner countries of the
Indo-Pacific region in 2022 at Tokyo (Japan).
IPEF 14 partner countries: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic
of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam &

USA.
It is structured around four pillars relating to
Trade (Pillar I)
Supply Chains (Pillar II)
Clean Economy (Pillar III)
Fair Economy (Pillar IV)
NOTE: India has joined three pillars of IPEF (II, III and IV Pillars) andhas
observer status in Pillar-I.
IPEF is not a free trade agreement, but a U.S.-led framework to solidify

relationships with partner countries and engage in crucial economic and trade
matters that concern the region.
Social Impact Fund
💡 What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the launch of two India-
led initiatives during the Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit. They are
Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository
Social Impact Fund
💡 Why: To advance adaptation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the

Global South.
Tell me more
About Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository
Objective: To bridge the knowledge gap in the choices and methodologies required
for the design, construction, deployment, and governance of DPIs.

It is a comprehensive resource hub, pooling essential lessons and expertise from
G20 members and guest nations.
It showcases the information in a standardized format from countries and

organizations that have developed DPIs at scale, incorporating elements such as
maturity scales, source codes (where available), and governance frameworks.
Currently, the GDPIR features 54 DPIs from 16 countries
About Social Impact Fund
It is envisioned as a government led, multistakeholder initiative to fast-track DPI

implementation in the global south.
It will offer financial support to provide upstream technical and non-technical

assistance to countries in developing DPI systems.
It also offers a platform for all relevant stakeholders, including other governments,
international organizations, and philanthropic entities
To contribute to this fund
To help accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in

Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) through DPIs.
India has pledged an initial commitment of US $25 million for it.
Background
The G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) chaired by the India’s Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology has led the advancement of the global DPI
Agenda.
The DEWG’s rigorous negotiation efforts have culminated in the first-ever

multilateral consensus on DPI.
The Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting (DEMM) unanimously endorsed three DPI
deliverables, which includes
Framework for building DPI
Mobilizing finances for DPI development in Low-and Middle-Income Countries

(LMICs)

Creation of a Global DPI Repository (GDPIR) for the exchange of information
and best practices.
International Sugar Organisation
💡 What: In its 63rd council meeting, International Sugar Organisation (ISO),

has announced India to be the Chair of the organisation for 2024.
💡 Why: To lead global sugar sector
Tell me more
About ISO
It is an intergovernmental forum to promote the trade in and consumption of sugar

by gathering and publishing information on the sugar market, research into new
uses for sugar and related products
It is the apex international body on sugar and relating products.
Established: 1968
It was established by the International Sugar Agreement of 1968, as the body

responsible for administering the Agreement.
Headquarters: London
Membership: 87 member states including India. Its members represent
87% of world sugar production
64% of world sugar consumption
34% of world imports
92% of world exports
Background
India second largest producer and largest consumer of sugar in the world.

It accounts for about 15% share in global sugar consumption and about 20%
production of sugar.
India is the market leader in Eastern Hemisphere for sugar market.
Brazil is the market leader in the Western Hemisphere
India is 3rd largest country in the world in ethanol production after USA and Brazil
Ethanol blending percentage in India has increased from 5% in 2019-20 to 12%

in 2022-23
Ethanol production has increased from 173 crore litres to more than 500 crore
litres during the same period.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Mahatma Gandhi National Fellows Program
💡 What: Convocation ceremony for 581 Mahatma Gandhi Fellows was

conducted recently across 9 Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs)
Tell me more
Objective: To identify and train a group of young, committed, and dynamic

individuals who would work with the district administration in strengthening the
process of skilling and help create a vibrant local district economy.
It is a Certificate Programme in Public Policy and Management offered by IIMs
Launch Year: 2021
Collaborative initiative of: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and

9 IIMs.
NOTE: It is the first ever instance where 9 IIMs are supporting Government to
ensure common learning and participation across State/UTs governments

9 IIMs are Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, Jammu, Kozhikode, Nagpur,
Ranchi, Udaipur, and Visakhapatnam.
Parent Scheme: It is conceptualized under World Bank Funded Skills Acquisition

and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Programme.
Implementation: It is implemented in collaboration with State Skill Development

Missions.
It facilitates selected fellows to assimilate academic learning at IIM and use it to

address challenges faced by district ecosystem in raising employment, economic
output to foster growth and development.
Eligibility Criteria for fellows:
Age between 21 and 30 years
Graduate/Post Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university
3 years of work experience after secondary schooling in the social/non-profit

sector
National Efficient Cooking Programme
💡 What: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (Ministry of Power) has launched

National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans
Programme (EEFP)
💡 Why: To revolutionize cooking practices in India and emphasizing on the

importance and urgency of energy efficient fans.s
Tell me more
About National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP)
Objective: To distribute 20 lakh induction-based cook-stoves by EESL across the

country.

For this, EESL has partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the
large-scale deployment of induction cooktops
Benefits
These stoves will offer a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking
methods, providing both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions.
It will reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air
and improved health for citizens.
It is expected to accelerate the acceptance and large-scale adoption of modern

electric cooking devices in Indian kitchens.
About Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP)
Objective: To deploy 1 crore energy-efficient BLDC fans, with the goal of

distributing 1 crore ceiling fans.
It was proposed during the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group held in Goa in
July 2023.
Benefits:
It will help in reducing energy consumption and environmental impact
It will also enhance consumer comfort while lowering electricity bills, creating a
win-win situation for all.
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
Founded: 2009
It is promoted by Ministry of Power.
It is a Joint Venture of 4 public- sector undertakings
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC),
Power Finance Corporation Limited,
REC Limited
POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited
It is one of the main implementation arms of National Mission for Enhanced Energy
Efficiency- a mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Flagship programs of EESL:
Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme to distribute LED bulbs
across the country
Street Lighting National Programme
Smart Meter National Programme
Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme
Master Trainers Training Programme
💡 What: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has announced the

commencement of the Training of Master Trainers & Assessors Program
under PM Vishwakarma scheme
💡 Why: To empower artisans and craftsmen community in identified trades.
Tell me more
About Master Trainers Training Programme
Objective: To equip these master trainers with modern technology skills and
entrepreneurial knowledge.
Under this five-day residential training program, participants will receive training on
Entrepreneurial competencies
Business plan preparation
Government support ecosystem
Financial literacy
Digital and social media marketing
Branding, and marketing

Additionally, the master trainers will be provided with a modern tool kit to enhance
their skills and adapt to contemporary practices.
Master trainers will be trained to deliver the PM Vishwakarma scheme with a focus
on
Enhancing the quality and expanding the reach of products and services crafted
by artisans and skilled craftspeople.
They will be trained to undertake Skill Assessments for all registered beneficiaries
would be done to assess their existing skill levels.
This assessment has been prepared in all 12 regional languages.
Post training the candidates will be assessed on the 40 hours of basic training
being provided.
Implementing agency: National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business

Development (NIESBUD)
1st batch of training programme
41 master trainers from 10 different states/UTs will be trained.
Trades Catered: Barber (Naai), tailor (Darzi), mason (Rajmistri), carpenter

(Suthar/Badhai), doll & toy maker (Traditional), and blacksmith (Lohar).
NOTE: For more information about PM Vishwakarma scheme refer PIB247 -September
2023 Monthly Document.
Tribal Youth Exchange Program
💡 What: Ministry of Home Affairs has organised a Tribal Youth Exchange

Program in New Delhi in November 2023.
💡 Why: For the youth of most affected areas by Left Wing Extremism.

Tell me more
About Tribal Youth Exchange Programme
Objectives:
To promote the aspirations of the youth in areas affected by Left Wing

Extremism.
To counter the propaganda against the government being spread by CPI

Maoists.
To inform the youth of tribal areas about the development activities and
industrial progress
To spreading awareness about major development and welfare schemes

among the youth of the tribal community.
Developing an emotional bonding between youth belonging to the tribal

community and their peer groups in other parts of the country.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
It is being run through Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Under it, young men and women of the tribal community from the interior areas
most affected by Left Wing Extremism are taken on a tour to major cities and
metros across the country.
In it, constitutional authorities, senior government officials, outstanding achievers in

sports, industry, arts etc. are invited to interact with the youth.
LEAP AHEAD Initiative
💡 What: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has launched the

LEAP AHEAD initiative at the LEAP AHEAD summit held in New Delhi
💡 What: To support and accelerate the success of tech startups across India.

Tell me more
About LEAP AHEAD initiative
It is a pan-India initiative to select tech startups for high-quality mentorship, securing

investments & establishing global connections.
It is a joint collaboration of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The

Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Delhi-NCR.
It is designed for Tech Startups with Early Traction and in the Growth stage.
It will enable startups to establish a product market fit, identify customer segments,
grow hacking strategies, business compliance, leadership recruitment and
fundraising.
Significance
Startups can benefit through funding support of up to Rs. 1 Crore and

comprehensive three-month mentorship program.
It will will provide start-ups with access to an extensive network and

personalized guidance through one-on-one mentorship sessions with seasoned
investors and industry experts.
About STPI
It is an organization under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
It is engaged in promoting software exports, nurturing tech startup ecosystem and

working for the dispersal of the IT/ITES Industry.
It has been actively involved in strengthening the startup ecosystem in India through
its
Next Generation Incubation Scheme
22 domain-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship innovation by providing

requisite support and resources to the startups
DISHA scheme

💡 What: Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP) under DISHA
Scheme has reached more than 6 lakh people through 14 implementing
agencies.
Tell me more
About Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)
Scheme
Objectives:
To design and consolidate various initiatives to provide citizen- centric delivery

of legal services.
To secure “Justice” to the people of India as enunciated in the Preamble and

under Articles 39A, 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
To design and consolidate various initiatives to provide citizen- centric delivery

of legal services
Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Law and Justice
Duration: 5 years (2021-2026)
Under it following programs are being implemented
Tele-Law: Reaching the Unreached
It seeks to connect the beneficiary with the Lawyer via tele/ conferencing
facilities available at Common Service Centers and through Tele-Law Citizens
Mobile Application.
Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services)
It connects practicing advocates, interested in volunteering their time and

services with eligible marginalized beneficiaries.
Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness programmes
Global TB Report 2023

💡 What: World Health Organization (WHO) has recently released Global
Tuberculosis (TB) report 2023.
Tell me more
Key findings: Global
It features data from 192 countries and areas
Globally, 7.5 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2022
Highest figure recorded since WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995.
TB incidence rate (new cases per 100,000 population per year)- Increased by 3.9%
between 2020 and 2022, reversing declines of about 2% per year for most of the
past two decades.
TB remained the world’s second leading cause of death in 2022 after COVID-19.
The net reduction of TB incidence from 2015- 2022 was 8.7% far from the WHO
End TB Strategy milestone of 50% reduction by 2025.
Only about 2 in 5 people with drug-resistant TB accessed treatment in 2022.’’
High-burden TB countries
Overall, 30 high-budget TB countries accounted for 87% of the world’s TB cases in

2022.
Top eight high-burden countries: India (27%) Indonesia (10%), China (7.1%),
Philippines (7%), Pakistan (5.7%), Nigeria (4.5%), Bangladesh (3.6%), and
Democratic Republic of Congo (3.0%)
Key Findings: India
India accounted for the highest number of TB cases in the world in 2022, a
staggering 27% of the global burden.
It is down one percentage point from the previous year’s 28%.
It recorded 2.8 million (28.2 lakh) TB cases in 2022, with a case fatality ratio of 12%.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis, with 1.1 lakh cases
recorded in India in 2022.
India’s Achievements
India has made tremendous progress in improving case detection and reversed the
impact of COVID-19 on the TB programme.
Treatment coverage has improved to 80% of the estimated TB cases, an increase

of 19% over the previous year.
India’s efforts have resulted in reduction of TB incidence by 16% in 2022 (from

2015) almost double the pace at which global TB incidence is declining (8.7%).
Mortality of TB has also reduced by 18% during the same period in India and
globally.
India’s intensified case detection strategies have resulted in the highest ever
notification of cases – in 2022, during which, over 24.22 lakh TB cases were
notified, surpassing the pre-COVID levels.
New TB cases per lakh population: 199 cases per lakh.
Pre-pandemic (TB Previous TB Present TB Report

Report 2020) Report 2022 2023
Estimated TB cases 26.4 lakh 29.6 lakh 28.2 lakh
Percentage of global
26% 28% 27%
burden
Mortality 4.36 lakh 4.94 lakh 3.31 lakh
36% 36% 26%
deaths
Drug-Resistant TB 1.16 lakh 1.19 lakh 1.10 lakh
27% 26% 27%
drug-resistant TB
Steps taken to prevent Tuberculosis
India has set a target of 2025 for eliminating TB in the country
National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination 2017-2025: It sets the

target of no more than 44 new TB cases per lakh population by 2025.

Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: Over 1 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras from all
walks of life coming forward to adopt over 11 lakh TB patients.
Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: Under it, about Rs 2613 Cr have been disbursed to over
95 lakh TB patients since its launch in 2018.
Newer patient centric initiatives like Family Care Giver Model and Differentiated
Care have been introduced to ensure further reduction in mortality and
improvement in treatment success rates.
15th Instalment of PM KISAN Scheme
💡 What: The 15th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme has been released
recently on the occasion of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ (Tribal Pride Day)
Tell me more
In 15th instalment
Amount Released: Rs.18,000 crores
Beneficiary farmers: Rs. 8 crores
With this, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries since the inception of the
scheme has crossed over Rs 2.80 lakh crore.
About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Objective: To supplement the financial needs of all land-holding farmers subject to

certain exclusion criteria of higher income status.
It is one of the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer schemes.
Type: Central sector scheme
Launch Year: 2019
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Financial benefit: 6,000/- per year in three equal instalments, every four months.

It is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’ families across the country
through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
Mobile App: It has been launched by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
with the feature of facial authentication-based e-KYC which can be used by the
farmers to complete their own eKYC.
It can also assist 100 other farmers in their neighbourhood to complete e-KYC
from the comfort of their homes.
It is first mobile app which use facial authentication feature in any benefit
transfer scheme of the Government of India.
PM-KISAN AI Chatbot (Kisan e-Mitra): It has been also launched to provide the
farmers with a one-stop solution for their grievances related to the PM-KISAN
scheme.
It has been integrated with Bhashini, the chatbot offers support in local
languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Odia, Bengali and English through voice and
text assistance.
Viksit Bharat Yatra
💡 What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched following initiatives on the
occasion of JanJaatiya Gaurav Divas from Khunti, Jharkhand.
Viksit Bharat Yatra
PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAM)
Tell me more
About Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra
Objective: To generate awareness regarding Central government’s welfare

schemes and policies to ensure 100% saturation of flagship government schemes
Implementation: It is being implemented with `whole of Government’ approach with

active participation of State Governments, District authorities, ULBs and Gram

Panchayats.
Coverage: It is one of the largest ever outreach initiative that aims to cover over
2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats and over 3,600 urban local bodies (covering every
district of country)
Duration: 15 November 2023 to 25 January 2024.
Schemes being publicized include: Ayushman Bharat, PMJAY PM Garlb Kalyan

Anna Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission,
PM Awas Yojana (Rural); PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Vishwakarma, PM Kisan Saman,
Kisan Credit Card, PM Poshan Abhiyan, Har Ghar Jal - Jal Jeevan Mission, Survey
of villages and mapping with improvised technology in village areas (SVAMITVA),
Jan Dhan Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension
Yojana, PM PRANAM, Nano Fertilizer etc.
About PM JANMAN
Objectives:
To ensure holistic development of tribal groups.
To benefit and saturate the tribal families and habitations with basic facilities
Under it, the government aims to reach out to primitive tribes, many of whom still
live in forests.
75 such tribal communities and primitive tribes across more than 22 thousand
villages, have been identified.
It is based on providing basic amenities like safe housing, clean drinking water,
education, health, road and sustainable livelihood etc.
It will focus on complete coverage of various schemes like Ayushman Bharat

yojana, TB elimination, 100% vaccination, PM Surakshit Matritva Yojana, PM
Poshan, etc.
SHREYAS Scheme for EBCs and Others

💡 What: The Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme-
SHREYAS, is being implemented by placing two ongoing Central Sector
schemes for OBC and others namely
National Fellowship for OBC
Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational

Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and
Economically Backward Classes (EBCs)
Tell me more
About SHREYAS Scheme
Objective: To educationally empower OBC & EBC students by way of awarding

fellowship (financial assistance) in obtaining quality higher education and interest
subsidy on educational loan for overseas studies.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Duration: 2021-22 to 2025-26
Type: Central Sector Scheme
Two Components:
1. National Fellowship for OBC students
Objective: To provide financial assistance to the OBC students in obtaining

quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil and Ph.D in
universities, research institutions and scientific institutions.
It provides 1000 Junior Research Fellowships per year to undertake

advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil. /Ph.D. Degrees, who
have qualified in the following tests
National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of

UGC (for Humanities/Social Sciences)
UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-

JRF Joint Test (for Sciences)

Coverage: It covers all universities/institutions recognized by the UGC
Implementing Agency: National Backward Classes Finance and

Development Corporation
Rate of fellowship
For Junior Research Fellowship level: 31000 per month
For Senior Research Fellowship level: 35000 per month
Out of 1000 slots
750 are allocated for the subjects under NET-JRF of UGC
250 are allocated for UGC-CSIR NETJRF joint test (for Science
streams)
NOTE: At least 5% of the total seats should be reserved for students with
disabilities.
2. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for

Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically
Backward Classes (EBCs)
Objective: To provide interest subsidy to the student belonging to the

OBCs and EBCs on the interest payable for the period of moratorium for the
Education Loans for overseas studies to pursue approved courses of
studies abroad at Masters, M.Phil. and Ph.D. level.
Implementing Agency: It is implemented through the Canara Bank (the

Nodal bank for the scheme).
Applicability: It is applicable for higher studies abroad and restricted to

students enrolled for course at Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D level
The interest Subsidy under it is linked with the existing Educational Loan
Scheme of Indian Banks Association (IBA)
Eligibility: The students should have secured admission in the approved

courses at Masters, M.Phil or Ph.D levels abroad for the courses listed in
the guidelines.
For OBC candidates

Total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her
parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not
exceed present Creamy Layer criteria (Rs. 8 Lakhs).
For EBC candidates
Total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her

parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not
exceed Rs.5 lakh per annum
NOTE: 50% of the total financial assistance under this scheme is reserved
for women candidates.
Benefits:
Maximum limit of loan: Rs 20 Lakhs
Under it, 100% interest payable by the students shall be borne by the
Government of India for the period of moratorium.
After the period of moratorium is over, the interest on the outstanding

loan amount shall be paid by the student.
NOTE: The student candidate will bear the Principal installments and
interest beyond moratorium period.
Eklavya Model Residential School Scheme
💡 What: President Droupadi Murmu recently inaugurated the new Eklavya

Model Residential school campus of Kuliana, Mayurbhanj, Jharkhand.
Tell me more
About EMRS Scheme
Objective: To provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) in remote

areas to enable them to access the best opportunities in education and to bring
them at par with the general population.
Launch Year: 1997-98

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Implementing Agency: National Education Society for Tribal Students

(NESTS)
Beneficiaries: Scheduled Tribes students from Class 6th to 12th
EMRSs are intended to provide good quality education to tribal students, free of
cost in their own environment on the lines of Navodaya Vidyalayas.
Criteria for setting up EMRSs:
In 2019, the Government decided to set one EMRS in every block with
more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per
2011 census)
Under this criteria, 452 new EMRSs were sanctioned in 2019.
The state governments are required to provide encumbrance-free land of

about 15 acres for the construction of these schools.
Capital cost for setting up the EMRS school complex: Including hostels and
staff quarters has been revised in 2022
For plain areas: From Rs 20 crores to Rs. 37crores
For North East, hilly areas and LWE affected areas: From Rs. 24 Crores
to Rs. 48 crores
Recurring cost per student: It has been also enhanced from Rs. 61,000 to RS
1,09,000.
Total EMRSs Sanctioned: 288 schools were sanctioned before 2019 under the
old scheme.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs will be setting up a total 740 schools by March

2026, including the construction of 452 schools approved in 2019.
EMRSs are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the
Constitution.
NOTE: Mayurbhanj district in Jharkhand alone has 19 EMRS schools one in

every block, which is the largest for any district in India.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme
💡 What: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has felicitated

26 expert artisans and craftsman during the ‘Sammaan Samaroh of
Vishwakarma Gurus’ under the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme
Tell me more
Felicitated expert artisans will further act as brand ambassadors of the scheme
They will also will extend opportunities to them to become Master Trainers and
Trainers in their respective trades.
About PM Vishwakarma scheme
Objectives:
To enhance the accessibility and quality of products and services offered by

traditional artisans and craftsmen.
To equip artisans and craftspeople with modern tools and techniques

coupled with credit support.
Financial outlay: 13,000 crores
Duration: FY 2023-2024 to FY 2027-28
Coverage: 18 trades which further has 28 sub-trades.
Benefits:
It provides end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople.
It offers collateral-free enterprise development loans of Rs. 1 lakh (first

tranche to be repaid in 18 months) and Rs. 2 lakh (second tranche to be
repaid in 30 months).
Under it, concessional rate of interest of 5% will be charged from the

beneficiary, with interest subvention cap of 8% to be paid by the Ministry of
MSME.
The credit guarantee fees will be borne by the Central government.

Training of Master Trainers & Assessors Program
It has been launched under it by Ministry of Skill Development &

Entrepreneurship to empower artisans and craftsmen community in
identified trades.
It aims to equip these master trainers with modern technology skills and
entrepreneurial knowledge.
It provides participants training on entrepreneurial competencies, business

plan preparation, the government support ecosystem, financial literacy,
digital and social media marketing, branding, and marketing.
Additionally, the master trainers are also provided with a modern tool kit to
enhance their skills and adapt to contemporary practices.
Scheme To Provide Drones To SHGs
💡 What: The Union Cabinet has approved Central Sector Scheme for
providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)
💡 Why: To empower women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and bringing new
technologies through drone services in agriculture sector.
Tell me more
About Scheme
Objective: To provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs for providing

rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose
Outlay: 1261 Crores
Tenure: 2024-25 to 2025-26
Features

Financing
Central Financial Assistance: It will be provided to women SHGs at

80% of the cost of the drone as well as accessories/ancillary charges
It is subject to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh.
Loan Component: Balance amount (total cost of procurement minus

subsidy) can be raised by the Cluster Level Federation (CLFs) of SHGs
as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).
For this interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided.
It will provide holistic interventions by converging the resources and efforts

of
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Department of Rural Development
Department of Fertilizers
Women SHGs
Lead Fertilizer Companies (LCFs)
Cluster-based Approach:
It will identify appropriate clusters where the usage of Drones is

economically feasible
Women SHGs in various States in the identified clusters will be

selected to provide drones
Pilot Training
It will be for 15 days comprising
5-day mandatory drone pilot training
Additional 10-days training for agriculture purposes of nutrient and

pesticide application
These trainings shall be provided as a package along with the

supply of drones

It will be provided to one of the members of the women SHGs who is
well qualified, 18 and above years of age
She will be elected by the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM)

and LFCs
Drone technician/assistant Training
It will be provided to other members/family members of the SHG with

the inclination to take up repairs of electrical goods, fitting and
mechanical works.
She will be selected by the SRLM and LFCs
Role of LFCs
They will act as a bridge between drone supplier companies and SHGs.
They will also promote use of Nano Fertilizers such as Nano Urea and
Nano DAP by the drones with SHGs.
SHGs will rent out the drone services to the farmers for Nano fertilizer
and also for pesticide applications.
Benefits
It will provide sustainable business and livelihood support to 15,000

SHGs.
It will enable them to earn additional income of at least Rs.1 lakh per
annum.
It will help infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved

efficiency, enhance crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the
benefit of farmers.
Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts
💡 What: Union Cabinet has approved continuation of Centrally

Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for further
three years

Tell me more
Extension Duration: 3 years (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026)
Financial implication of Extension: 1952.23 crore (Rs. 1207.24 crore as

Central Share and Rs. 744.99 crore as State share).
Central Share will be funded from Nirbhaya Fund.
About Scheme
Objective: To establish FTSCs for the timely disposal of cases related to

rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act)
Launch Year: 2019 for 1 year (till 2020)
It was extended for an additional two years till 31 March 2023.
Implemented by: Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice
It mandates the establishment of exclusive POCSO Courts for districts with

over 100 POCSO Act cases.
It augments State Government resources for establishing FTSCs across the

country, ensuring the swift disposal of cases related to rape and the
POCSO Act.
These courts support State/UT Government efforts to provide timely

justice to victims of sexual offenses. even in remote and far-flung areas.
30 States/UTs have participated in the Scheme
This has led to the operationalizing of 761 FTSCs, including 414

exclusive POCSO Courts, which have resolved over 1,95,000 cases.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya

Maha Abhiyan
💡 What: The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati

Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN).

Tell me more
Background
India has Schedule Tribe population of 10.45 crore as per 2011 census, out
of which 75 communities located in 18 States and the UT of Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
These communities have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable

Tribal Groups (PVTGs) as they continue to face vulnerability in social,
economic and educational fields.
In Union Budget Speech 2023-24, Pradhan Mantri PVTG of Development

Mission was announced to improve socio-economic conditions of PVTGs
It is aimed to saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic

facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation,
improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom
connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
About PM JANMAN
Objective: To protect the tribes on the verge of extinction and nurture them.
Targeted Coverage: It covers 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

(PVTGs) residing in 18 states and 1 UT (Andaman and Nicobar Island).
Total outlay:24,104 crore (Central Share: Rs.15,336 crore and State

Share: Rs.8,768 crore)
It comprises Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to focus on

11 critical interventions through 9 Ministries including Ministry of Tribal
Affairs which are as follows:
No of
Sr. No Activity Cost Norms
Beneficiary/Targets
Provision of pucca Rs 2.39 lakhs

1 4.90 lakh
houses /house
2 Connecting roads 8000 KM Rs 1.00 Cr/Km
3a Piped Water All PVTG habitations As per schematic

Supply including 4.90 lakhs HHs norms

to be constructed under
the mission
2500 Villages/
Community water habitations with As per actual cost
3b
supply population of less than arrived
20 HHs
Mobile Medical
Rs 33.88.00
4 Units with 1000 (10/district)
lakhs/MMU
medicine cost
Construction of
5a 500 Rs 2.75 Cr/hostel
hostels
Vocational
60 Aspirational PVTG
5b education & Rs 50 lakhs/block
blocks
skilling
Construction of
6 Anganwadi 2500 Rs 12 lakhs/AWC
Centers
Rs 60 lakhs/MPC
Construction of
Provision of ANM
7 Multipurpose 1000
and Anganwadi
Centers
worker in each MPC
Energization of
8a HHs (Last mile 57000 HHs Rs 22,500/HH
connectivity)
Provision of 0.3
Rs 50,000/HH or as
8b KW solar off-grid 100000 HHs
per actual cost
system
Solar lighting in
9 1500 units Rs 1,00,000/unit
streets & MPCs
Setting up of
10 500 Rs 15 lakhs/VDVK
VDVKs
Installation of As per schematic

11 3000 villages
mobile towers norms cost
Other than the interventions mentioned above, the following intervention of

other Ministries will be part of Mission:

Ministry of Ayush: It will set up Ayush Wellness Centre as per existing
norms and Ayush facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations
through Mobile Medical Units.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: It will facilitate

skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations, Multipurpose centres
and hostels as per the suitable skills of these communities.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna

Yojana
💡 What: The Union Cabinet has approved extension of Pradhan Mantri

Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of five years with
effect from 1st January, 2024.
💡 Why: To strengthen accessibility, affordability and availability of

foodgrains for the poor and the vulnerable
Tell me more
About PMGKAY Extension
Objective: It aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security by providing free

food grains (rice, wheat and coarse grains/millets) to the targeted
population.
Duration: 5 years (2024-2029)
Estimated cost: 11.80 lakh crore
It will be borne by Central Government as food subsidy
It will provide Nation-wide uniformity in delivery of food grains free of cost in

all States/UTs through a network of over 5 lakh Fair Price Shops under a
common logo.

It will also enable ease of living, in terms of allowing beneficiaries to lift free
of cost food-grains from any fair price shop in the country under the
ONORC (One Nation One Ration Card) initiative.
NOTE: PMGKAY is amongst World’s largest Food Security Schemes for

81.35 crore persons
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship

Scheme
💡 What: Ministry of Education has notified last date for submission of

applications National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme
(NMMSS) for the year 2023-24.
Tell me more
About NMMSS
Objective: To award scholarships to meritorious students of economically

weaker sections to arrest their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to
continue their education at secondary stage.
Launch Year: 2008
It has been continued from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 with total

allocation of Rs.1827 crores.
Type: Central Sector Scheme.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education
Amount of scholarship: 12000/- per annum.
Eligibility criteria for students
Parental income from all sources is not more than Rs. 3,50,000/- per
annum are eligible to avail the scholarships.
Must have minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade in Class VII

examination for appearing in the selection test for award of scholarship

It is relaxable by 5% for SC/ST students
Students should be studying as regular student in a Government,

Government-aided and local body school.
NOT Eligible: Students of NVS, KVS and residential schools.
It has been boarded on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - a one stop
platform for scholarship schemes given to students.
Disbursal of Scholarships: They disbursed directly into the bank accounts

of selected students by electronic transfer through Public Financial
Management System following DBT mode.
Under this scheme, 1 lakh fresh scholarships are awarded to selected

students from class IX every year and their continuation/renewal in classes
X to XII for students studying in State Government, Government-aided and
local body schools.
REPORT & INDICES
Annual Report on Road Accidents in India-

2022
💡 What: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released the Annual
Report on ‘Road Accidents in India-2022”.
💡 Why: To offer in-depth insights into various aspects of road accidents,

including their causes, locations, and their impact on different categories of
road users.
Tell me more
About Report

It is based on the data/information received from police departments of States/UTs
on calendar year basis in standardized formats
These formats based on those provided by UN Economic and Social Commission

for Asia and the Pacific under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Data (APRAD) base
project.
2022 Report Highlights
Total of 4,61,312 road accidents have been reported by States/UTs during the
calendar year 2022, which claimed 1,68,491 lives and caused injuries to 4,43,366
persons.
This marks an increase of 11.9% in accidents, 9.4% in fatalities, and 15.3% in

injuries compared to the previous year.
India has the highest number of accident-related deaths, followed by China.
Age groups (18-45) accounted for 66.5% of total accident deaths.
Rural areas reported greater number of road accidents.
Road accidents involve various factors like human error (traffic rule violations, non-
use of safety devices), road environment and vehicular condition.
Over speeding accounted for 72.3% of total accidents
MoRTH has formulated multi-pronged road safety strategy (aka 4Es):
Education: Awareness campaigns, driving training, road safety month/week.
Engineering (both roads and vehicles): Road Safety Audits, Electronic Detailed
Accident Report (e- DAR), automated vehicle inspection centers, etc.
Enforcement: Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 and electronic enforcement

devices like CCTV, etc.
Emergency Care: Good Samaritan protection, compensation and ambulance

services.
State Educational Achievement Survey 2023

💡 What: PRARKH (Ministry of Education) has successfully conducted State
Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023.
💡 Why: To assess educational competencies among students at the block level

in India in grades 3, 6, and 9.
Tell me more
About Survey
Objective: To assess the learning competencies of students at the end of each

educational stage, i.e., foundational, preparatory, and middle with a primary focus
on Language and Mathematics.
Conducted by: National Assessment Centre - PARAKH (Performance Assessment,

Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development)
Coverage: It covered approximately 80 lakh students from 3 lakh schools at 5917

blocks across the nation.
It also includes 6 lakh teachers and more than 3 lakh field investigators.
States Covered: It covered all States/UTs barring Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Odisha,

Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal.
It was conducted to understand the baseline performance in the development of the

competencies at the end of the foundational, preparatory, and middle stages.
Significance of SEAS 2023
It has expanded the sample size to understand the learning gaps at the block
level, a strategic shift from the district.
Insights gained from it has led to evidence-based decision-making and the

implementation of initiatives aimed at improving the education system.
About PARAKH
It is a National Assessment Centre set up In line with the National Education Policy
2020.

It is an assessment body for setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student
assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards of India.
It also guides the State Achievement Survey (SAS) and undertakes the National
Achievement Survey (NAS)
It also monitors the achievement of learning outcomes and encourage and help
school board to shift their assessment patterns towards meeting the skill
requirements of the 21st century.
Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023
💡 What: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has released Basic
Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023 (milk, egg, meat and wool production 2022-
23) based on Animal Integrated Sample Survey (March 2022-February 2023)
Tell me more
Background
Production of Milk, Egg, Meat and wool in the country is estimated annually based
on the results of Integrated Sample Survey (ISS).
ISS is conducted across the country in three seasons i.e., Summer (March-June),
Rainy (July-October) and Winter (November-February).
Highlights of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023

Milk Production
Total Milk production: 58 million tonnes
It has registered a growth of 22.81% over the past 5 years which was 187.75 million
tonnes in 2018-19.
Production has increased by 3.83% during 2022-23 over the estimates of 2021-22.
Top milk producing States during 2022-23
Uttar Pradesh (share of 15.72 % of total milk production)
Rajasthan (14.44 %)

Madhya Pradesh (8.73 %),
Gujarat (7.49 %)
Andhra Pradesh (6.70 %).
In terms of annual growth rate (AGR)
Karnataka (8.76%)
West Bengal (8.65%)
Uttar Pradesh (6.99%)
Egg Production:
Total Egg production: 38 billion nos. during 2022-23
It registered a growth of 33.31% growth over the past 5 years as compared to the
estimates of 103.80 billion numbers during 2018-19.
Further, the production has increased annually by 6.77%during 2022-23 over 2021-
22.
Top Egg Production States
Andhra Pradesh (share of 20.13 % of total Egg production)
Tamil Nadu (15.58 %)
Telangana (12.77 %)
West Bengal (9.94%)
Karnataka (6.51 %).
In terms of AGR,
West Bengal (20.10%)
Sikkim (18.93%)
Uttar Pradesh (12.80%)
Meat Production:
Total Meat production: 77 million tonnes

It has registered a growth of 20.39 % over the past 5 years as compared to the
estimates of 8.11 million tonnes in 2018-19
Further, the production has increased by 5.13 % in 2022-23 over 2021-22.
Major meat producing states
Uttar Pradesh (12.20 % share)
West Bengal (11.93 %)
Maharashtra (11.50 %)
Andhra Pradesh (11.20 %)
Telangana (11.06 %)
In terms of annual growth rate
Sikkim (63.08%)
Meghalaya (38.34%)
Goa (22.98%)
Wool Production:
Total Wool production:61 million kg
It has registered a negative growth of 16.84% over the past 5 years as compared to
the estimates of 40.42 million kg during 2018-19.
However, the production has increased by 2.12% in 2022-23 over 2021-22.
Top Wool producing states
Rajasthan (47.98%)
Jammu & Kashmir (22.55%)
Gujarat (6.01%)
Maharashtra (4.73%)
Himachal Pradesh (4.27%)
In terms of annual growth rate
Arunachal Pradesh (35.75%)

Rajasthan (6.06%)
Jharkhand (2.36%)
QUESTIONS IN NEWS
❓ Q.) Which of the following are the objectives of the recently launched 'Mera
Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)’ platform for the youth of the country on the
occasion of National Unity Day (31st October)?
(1) Leadership Development in the Youth
(2) Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community
needs
(3) Create a centralized youth database
(4) Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community
needs
(5) Create a Phygital Ecosystem - a blend of physical and digital experiences
for ensuring accessibility
[a] 1, 3 and 4
[b] 3, 4 and 5
[c] 1, 2, 3 and 5
[d] 2, 3 and 4
[e] All of the above
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) Project-SMART, which was seen recently in news, is related to?
[a] Development of Smart Cities with Smart Transportation
[b] Development of new age technologies for healthcare
[c] Enhancing water and nutrient efficiency in agriculture using AI
[d] To train school students with new age technologies
[e] To develop surrounding areas of Mumbai - Ahmedabad High Speed
Railway Stations
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry/ies recently released Annual Report on ‘Road Accidents in

India-2022” to offer in-depth insights into various aspects of road accidents,
including their causes, locations, and their impact on different categories of
road users?
[a] Ministry of Home Affairs
[b] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[c] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
[d] A and B
[e] A, B and C
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) Mahatma Gandhi National Fellows Program has been conceptualized
under World Bank Funded Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for
Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Programme. It is collaborative initiative of 9
IIMs and which Ministry?
[a] Ministry of Education
[b] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[c] Ministry of Rural Development
[d] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[e] Ministry of Women and Child Development
✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) The sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) recently
hosted by India announced Global Solar Facility to catalyze solar investments
in underserved segments and geographies across which region?
[a] Africa
[b] Asia
[c] Latin America
[d] East Europe
[e] Middle East
✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) Who is organizing feeder thematic workshops on varied themes which
were discussed in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration (NDLD)?
[a] Ministry of External Affairs
[b] Ministry of Education
[c] NITI Aayog
[d] A and C
[e] B and C
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Which State/UT has been presented top performer Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav Award?
[a] Maharashtra
[b] Bihar
[c] Gujarat
[d] Rajasthan
[e] Jammu and Kashmir
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Which organisation has been appointed as nodal agency by Ministry of

AYUSH for the World Food India event to showcase the innovative Ayush
Aahar products?
[a] Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy
[b] Ayushexcil (Ayush Export Promotion Council)
[c] National Institute of Ayurveda
[d] National Institute of Naturopathy
[e] Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga

✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) India Good Agricultural Practices (IndG.A.P.) Scheme is a voluntary

certification scheme developed by Quality Council of India (Ministry of
Commerce and Industry). It seeks to introduce quality in the production
system to ensure food safety and hygiene. Which of the following categories
are currently provided with IGAP certification?
(1) Fruits
(2) Vegetables
(3) Tea
(4) Green Coffee
(5) Spices
[a] 1 and 2
[b] 1, 2 and 5
[c] 3, 4 and 5
[d] 2, 3 and 4
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry has collaborated with ATL Marathon program to launch
national-level innovation challenge to empower young innovators?
[a] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[b] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[c] Ministry of Education
[d] Ministry of Science and Technology
[e] Ministry of MSME
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) Ministry of Education and Election Commission of India (ECI) has signed
MoU to systematically integrate voter education and electoral literacy into the
curriculum for classes ____________ in all schools. Fill the gap
[a] 7 to 11
[b] 5 to 10
[c] 6 to 12
[d] 4 to 9
[e] 8 to 12
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry has launched National Efficient Cooking Programme and
Energy Efficient Fans Programme to distribute 20 Lakh energy-efficient
induction cook stoves and 1 crore efficient BLDC fans nationwide?
[a] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[b] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[c] Ministry of Power
[d] Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
[e] Ministry of Rural Development
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) India, in its capacity as the chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial
Intelligence (GPAI) has welcomed all nations to GPAI & India AI summits
scheduled to be held in New Delhi in December 2023. When was GAPI
established?
[a] 2018
[b] 2016
[c] 2021
[d] 2020
[e] 2023
✅ Solution: [d]
❓ Q.) What is the name of the first-ever AI-powered solution launched by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for automated agricultural news
monitoring and analysis?
[a] Krishi Adhunik
[b] Krishi Suchana
[c] Krishi Vigyapan
[d] Krishi Drishti
[e] Krishi 24/7
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship recently has
announced the commencement of the Training of Master Trainers &
Assessors Program under the PM Vishwakarma scheme to empower artisans
and craftsmen community in identified trades. Which of the following trades
will be covered in the 1st batch of training program?
(1) Barber
(2) Tailor
(3) Mason
(4) Carpenter
(5) Blacksmith
[a] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[b] 3, 4 and 5
[c] 1, 2 and 3
[d] 2, 3, 4 and 5
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Which is the partner country of the 2nd edition of the 'World Food India
2023' organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in New Delhi?
[a] Japan
[b] Vietnam
[c] UAE
[d] Australia
[e] Netherlands
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) Which country is hosting 2nd World Local Production Forum (WLPF) with
the theme “Galvanizing regional partnerships for sustainable local production
and equitable access”?
[a] Switzerland
[b] Norway
[c] Finland
[d] Denmark
[e] Netherlands
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry is organising Tribal Youth Exchange Programme for the
youth of most affected areas by Left Wing Extremism?
[b] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[c] Ministry of Education
[d] Ministry of Culture
[e] Ministry of Women and Child Development
✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) Which Ministry has launched "Women for Water, Water for Women
Campaign" under its flagship scheme - Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and
Urban Transformation (AMRUT) to provide platform for inclusion of women in
water governance?
[a] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[b] Ministry of Rural Development
[c] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[d] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[e] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Under which scheme/mission has Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
launched the Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali campaign to emphasize the
importance of a clean and eco-friendly celebration?
[a] AMRUT
[b] Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
[c] Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – (Urban)
[d] National Urban Livelihoods Mission
[e] Smart Cities Mission
✅ Solution: [b]

❓ Q.) Where has National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized the 7th
edition of Ganga Utsav?
[a] Varanasi
[b] Kolkata
[c] Patna
[d] New Delhi
[e] Haridwar
✅ Solution: [d]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry has launched the LEAP AHEAD initiative at the LEAP
AHEAD summit held in New Delhi to support and accelerate the success of
tech startups across India?
[a] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[b] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[c] Ministry of Science and Technology
[d] Ministry of Finance
[e] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
✅ Solution: [b]

❓ Q.) With which global retail major has Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority (Ministry of Commerce) signed a
MoU to boost exports of agricultural products to the Gulf Cooperation
Countries?
[a] Amazon Global
[b] LuLu Group International
[c] Walmart International
[d] IKEA International
[e] Go Greens Global
✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry/ies recently launched implementation of Digital Consent

Acquisition under TCCCPR-2018 to tackle the issue of unsolicited commercial
messages sent via SMS or voice calls?
[a] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[b] Ministry of Communications
[c] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
[d] A and B
[e] A, B and C
✅ Solution: [b]

❓ Q.) Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Program (LLLAP) under DISHA
Scheme has reached more than 6 lakh people through 14 implementing
agencies. DISHA Scheme is being implemented from ____ to ____. Fill the
gap
[a] 2021 to 2026
[b] 2020 to 2025
[c] 2019 to 2024
[d] 2018 to 2023
[e] 2022 to 2027
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry will be launching Nayi Chetna – 2.0, a national campaign
against gender-based violence on the occasion of International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25th)?
[a] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[b] Ministry of Home Affairs
[c] Ministry of Rural Development
[d] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[e] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) With which financial institution has Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -
National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) signed an MoU with a primary
focus on demonstrating on-the-ground activities that establish a reliable and
sensitive support structure for the capacity enhancement of women
entrepreneurs?
[a] Exim Bank of India
[b] National Housing Bank
[c] SBI
[d] SIDBI
[e] NABARD
✅ Solution: [d]
❓ Q.) Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

(Ministry of Commerce and Industry) has recently facilitated the export of the
first trial shipment of fresh bananas to which European country via a sea
route?
[a] France
[b] Ireland
[c] Germany
[d] United Kingdom
[e] Netherlands
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) National Highways Authority of India has accepted first Insurance Surety
Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of TOT Bundle 14 to
boost liquidity and capacity of bidders. What does TOT stand for?
[a] Transfer Operation Trade
[b] Toll Operate Transfer
[c] Trade Operation Terminate
[d] Toll Open Transform
[e] Transform Operations of Toll
✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) Which of the following statement is incorrect about the recently released
Global Tuberculosis (TB) report 2023 by World Health Organization?
[a] Globally, 7.5 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2022, the highest
figure since WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995
[b] TB incidence rate (new cases per 100,000 population per year) has
increased by 3.9% between 2020 and 2022, reversing earlier declining trend
[c] Overall, 30 high-burden TB countries accounted for 87% of the world’s TB
cases in 2022
[d] India accounted for the second-highest number of TB cases in the world in
2022 with 27% of the global burden
[e] India recorded 2.8 million TB cases in 2022, with a case-fatality ratio of
12%
✅ Solution: [d]

❓ Q.) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched ‘AAINA Dashboard for
Cities’ Portal to create a robust database of the key performance metrics of
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). It will present the data submitted by the ULBs on
the basis of indicators across which broad pillars?
(1) Political & Administrative Structure
(2) Finance
(3) Planning
(4) Citizen Centric Governance
(5) Delivery of Basic Services
[a] 1, 2, 4 and 5
[b] 2, 3, 4 and 5
[c] 1, 2 and 3
[d] 2, 3 and 4
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) With which international financial institution has Government of India

signed a $400 million policy-based loan agreement for supporting the Sub-
programme 2 of the Sustainable Urban Development and Service Delivery
Programme?
[a] Asian Development Bank
[b] World Bank
[c] IMF
[d] New Development Bank
[e] Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) Which country is hosting 33rd Conference of WOAH (World Organization
for Animal Health) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific?
[a] Australia
[b] China
[c] Thailand
[d] Vietnam
[e] India
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) In 15th Instalment of PM KISAN Scheme, more than Rs. 18,000 crores
have been released to more than 8 crore beneficiary farmers. With this, total
amount transferred to the beneficiaries since the inception of the scheme has
crossed over __________. Fill the gap
[a] Rs. 3.40 lakh crore
[b] Rs. 2.59 lakh crore
[c] Rs 2.80 lakh crore
[d] Rs. 4.30 lakh crore
[e] Rs. 4.50 lakh crore
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) Which digital health claims platform has been developed by National
Health Authority for exchanging claims-related information among various
stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance ecosystem?
[a] National Health Claim Exchange
[b] Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
[c] National Digital Health
[d] National Insurance Exchange
[e] National Digital Insurance Platform
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) Centre is providing food grains free of cost under Pradhan Mantri Garib
Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of one year beginning from 1st
January 2023. Which food subsidy scheme/s have been subsumed as
PMGKAY for effective and uniform implementation of National Food Security
Act, 2013?
[a] Food Subsidy to FCI
[b] Antyodaya Anna Yojana
[c] Food Subsidy to Decentralized Procurement (DCP) States
[d] A and B
[e] A and C
❓ Q.) Which country recently hosted the 3rd in-person Ministerial meeting of the
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) where first-of-its-kind IPEF Supply
Chain Resilience Agreement was signed?
[a] Australia
[b] India
[c] USA
[d] Germany
[e] Japan

✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry is launching month-long Clean Toilets Challenge to

accelerate change for safe sanitation through clean & functional public
toilets?
[a] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[b] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[e] Ministry of Rural Development
✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) The Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme-
SHREYAS, is being implemented by Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Which of the following schemes are
component of SHREYAS?
[a] National Fellowship for OBC
[b] Dr.Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational
Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs and EBCs
[c] Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of Top Class Education for SC
Students
[d] A and B
[e] B and C
✅ Solution: [d]

❓ Q.) Where Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is organising
Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 under the theme ‘Celebrating
Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth’?
[a] Chennai
[b] Kochi
[c] Ahmedabad
[d] Mumbai
[e] Kolkata
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Under the scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School, funds are
released by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to National Education Society for
Tribal Students for implementation of the scheme. The Capital cost for setting
up the EMRS school complex including hostels and staff quarters has been
revised in 2022 from Rs 20 crores to _____________ in plain areas from Rs.
24 Crores to ___________ in North East, hilly areas and LWE affected areas.
Fill the gaps
[a] Rs. 40.50 crores, Rs. 50 crores
[b] Rs. 37.80 crores, Rs. 48 crores
[c] Rs. 35.32 crores, Rs. 46 crores
[d] Rs. 34.33 crores, Rs. 45 crores
[e] Rs. 33.45 crores, Rs. 44 crores
✅ Solution: [b]

❓ Q.) With which organisation has Ministry of Ayush signed the Traditional and
Complementary Medicine 'Project Collaboration Agreement'?
[a] World Bank
[b] EU
[c] WHO
[d] UN
[e] FAO
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) PRARKH (Ministry of Education) has successfully conducted State

Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 to assess educational
competencies among students at the block level in India at grades 3, 6, and
9. It covered all States/UTs barring
(1) Chhattisgarh
(2) Delhi
(3) Odisha
(4) Rajasthan
(5) West Bengal
[a] 1, 2 and 3
[b] 1, 2, 4 and 5
[c] 2, 3 and 4
[d] 2, 3, 4 and 5
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) Which initiative has been launched by Central Council for Research in
Ayurveda Sciences (Ministry of Ayush) for physicians practicing in the field of
Ayurveda to promote research for mainstreaming the pragmatic Ayurveda
practices through scientific validation and evidence-based appraisal?
[a] AGNI
[b] VAYU
[c] SHAKTI
[d] SURYA
[e] DHARTI
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) Where has the National Mission for Clean Ganga (Ministry of Jal Shakti)
and the Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies organised
the 8th Edition of the India Water Impact Summit?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Rishikesh
[c] Varanasi
[d] Patna
[e] Kolkata
✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) With which e-commerce giant has the Inland Waterways Authority of India
signed a MoU for promoting cargo movement and transportation of customer
shipments & products via National Waterway 1 (River Ganga)?
[a] Flipkart
[b] Walmart
[c] Amazon
[d] Snapdeal
[e] Alibaba
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) With which e-commerce platform has the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry signed the first of its kind collaboration MoU to help MSMEs leverage
e-commerce platforms and to promote exports from districts?
[a] Flipkart/Walmart
[b] E-bay
[c] Shopclues
[d] Snapdeal
[e] Amazon India
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) Which fund has been announced under India’s G20 Presidency to
advance the adaptation of Digital Public Infrastructure in the Global South?
[a] Digital Global South Public Fund
[b] Digital Public Infrastructure Fund
[c] Social Impact Fund
[d] Global South Digital Impact Fund

[e] Global Digital Fund
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) India is the ___________ largest producer and exporter of Cashew Nuts,
with a global export share of more than ___________. Fill the gap
[a] 1st, 10%
[b] 2nd, 15%

[c] 3rd, 20%
[d] 4th, 25%
[e] 5th, 30%
✅ Solution: [b]

❓ Q.) Which country has been announced as the chair of the International
Sugar Organisation (ISO) for the year 2024?
[a] Brazil
[b] USA
[c] India
[d] Indonesia
[e] South Africa
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Identify incorrect statement about National Gopal Ratna Award
[a] It is one of the highest National Awards in the field of livestock and dairy
sector
[b] It has been instituted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission
[c] It is conferred in three categories
[d] It consists of a Certificate of merit, a memento and a monitory prize in first
two categories i.e Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPCS
[e] A Cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs is given in the Artificial Insemination Technician
Category of this award
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) The Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare have jointly launched the training of Deendayal Antyodaya
Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM)’s Krishi Sakhis for
promotion of Natural Farming. This collaboration aims to train and certify
_______________ Krishi Sakhis in a phased manner by the National Centre
for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF). Fill the gap
[a] 50,000
[b] 25,000
[c] 15,000
[d] 20,000
[e] 10,000
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry recently felicitated 26 Vishwakarma Gurus across 18

trades at a Samman Samaroh of Vishwakarma Gurus under the ‘PM
Vishwakarma’ scheme?
[b] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[c] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[d] Ministry of MSME
[e] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
✅ Solution: [e]

❓ Q.) The National Biofuels Coordination Committee (NBCC) chaired by the
Union Petroleum Minister recently announced the introduction of phase-wise
CBG Blending Obligation (CBO). When mandatory blending obligation under
CBO will come into effect?
[a] 2024-25
[b] 2025-26
[c] 2026-27
[d] 2027-28
[e] 2028-29
✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-

NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development has announced the commencement of
the second year of its which flagship annual campaign aimed to address
gender issues and eliminate gender-based violence?
[a] Women against Gender based Violence
[b] Nari Saman Nari Suraksha
[c] Nayi Chetna- Pahal Badlaav Ki
[d] India against Gender based Violence
[e] Stop Violence, Empower Women
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) The Ministry of Education kick-started the 3rd phase of Yuva Sangam with
a delegation of 50 students belonging to diverse parts of Madhya Pradesh
traveling to West Bengal for a cultural cum education tour. It seeks to conduct
exposure tours of youth in the age group of ______ from 22 States/UTs of
India. Fill the gap
[a] 16-30 years
[b] 14-22 years
[c] 18-35 years
[d] 18-30 years
[e] 15-27 years
✅ Solution: [d]

❓ Q.) Identify incorrect statements about recently released Basic Animal
Husbandry Statistics 2023 (milk, egg, meat and wool production 2022-23)
based on the Animal Integrated Sample Survey (March 2022-February 2023)
(1) India has recorded 230.58 million tonnes of milk production during 2022-
23, registering a growth of 22.81% over the past 5 years
(2) Major contribution to the total Egg production comes from Tamil Nadu
followed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Karnataka
(3) Total Meat production in the country is estimated as 9.77million tonnes

during 2022-23, a growth of 20.39 % over the past 5 years
(4) Highest milk producing states during 2022-23 are Gujarat followed by
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh
(5) Total Wool production in the country is estimated as 33.61 million
kg during 2022-23, registering a positive growth of 16.84% over the past 5
years
[a] 1, 2 and 5 Only

[b] 1, 2 and 3 Only
[c] 2, 4 and 5 Only

[d] 3, 4 and 5 Only
[e] 2, 3 and 4 Only
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) Which of the following statements about the recently approved Scheme
for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) are incorrect?
(1) It aims to provide drones to 25,000 selected Women SHGs to provide

rental services to farmers for agricultural purpose
(2) It is a Centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores
(3) It is being implemented from 2024-25 to 2025-26
(4) Under it, Central Financial Assistance will be provided to women SHGs at
90% of the cost of the drone, subject to a maximum of Rs 20 lakh
(5) Under it, 15 days of drone pilot training will be provided to one of the
members of the women SHGs who is well qualified, 18 and above years of
age
[a] 1, 2 and 4 Only

[b] 2, 3 and 5 Only
[c] 1, 2 and 3 Only

[d] 3, 4 and 5 only
[e] 1, 3 and 5 Only
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) The Union Cabinet recently has approved the continuation of Fast Track
Special Court (FTSCs) as, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for
_________ years with financial implication of ___________. Fill the gaps
[a] 2 years, Rs. 1734.98 crores
[b] 3 years, Rs. 1952.23 crores
[c] 4 years, Rs. 1234.34 crores
[d] 5 years, Rs. 1530.67 crores
[e] 6 years, Rs. 1655.56 crores

✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) Identify incorrect statement about recently approved Pradhan Mantri

Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) by Union Cabinet
[a] It aims to protect the tribes on the verge of extinction and nurture them
[b] It covers 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) residing in 18
states and 1 UT (Andaman and Nicobar Island).
[c] It comprises Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to focus on

11 critical interventions through 9 Ministries including Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[d] It has a total outlay of Rs.24,104 crore with a Central Share of Rs.18,336
crore
[e] It has the target of constructing 8000 km roads at Rs. 1 crores/km
✅ Solution: [d]
❓ Q.) The Union Cabinet has decided to extend Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of __________ years with effect from 1st
January, 2024 at an approx. cost of ___________. Fill the gaps
[a] 1 year, Rs. 5.57 lakh crore
[b] 2 years, Rs. 10.45 lakh crore
[c] 5 years, Rs. 11.80 lakh crore
[d] 4 years. Rs. 7.34 lakh crore
[e] 3 years, Rs. 6.89 lakh crore
✅ Solution: [c]

❓ Q.) The Union Cabinet has approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the
Sixteenth Finance Commission (FC). It will make its recommendations report
covering a period of five years commencing on the ___________. Fill the gap
[a] 31st March 2025
[b] 23rd August 2025

[c] 31st October2025
[d] 1st January 2024

[e] 1st April, 2026
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry in partnership with GIZ, Circular Waste Solutions and
United Nations Industrial Development Organization has organised ‘SBM-
GOBARdhan Biogas Conference: Accelerating Waste to Wealth & Circular
Economy’ in New Delhi?
[a] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[c] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[d] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[e] Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
✅ Solution: [c]
OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

❓ Q.) The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 8.1%
(provisional) in September 2023 as compared to the Index of September
2022. The ICI measures combined and individual performance of production
of eight core industries viz. Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Electricity, Fertilizers,
Natural Gas, Refinery Products and Steel. These eight Core Industries
comprise ________ of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial
Production (IIP). Fill the gap
[a] 60.56%
[b] 55.34%
[c] 40.27%
[d] 35.67%
[e] 25.44%

✅ Solution: [c]
The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items
included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

❓ Q.) Which country is hosting “AI Safety Summit 2023” with an aim to discuss
risks of Artificial Intelligence, especially at the frontier of development and
how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action?
[a] USA
[b] France
[c] Australia
[d] India
[e] UK
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) What is the purpose of Delhi Declaration signed at 76th session of WHO
Regional Committee for South-East Asia?
[a] Eliminating Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS by 2030
[b] Gender Equality for better health and better future

[c] Strengthening primary healthcare as a key element towards achieving
universal health coverage
[d] Strengthening secondary and tertiary care for tackling lifestyle diseases
[e] Adopting One Health Approach to prevent future pandemics
✅ Solution: [c]
Delhi Declaration signed at this session aims at strengthening primary

healthcare as a key element towards achieving universal health coverage

❓ Q.) With which country has India re-launched negotiations of the Economic
and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA)?
[a] United Kingdom
[b] Japan
[c] France
[d] Sri Lanka
[e] Canada
✅ Solution: [d]
India and Sri Lanka recently conducted the 12th round of negotiations on
the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) in
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The two countries had 11 rounds of bilateral talks from 2016 to 2018.
Thereafter the negotiations were paused.
❓ Q.) The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) on its

13th Foundation Day conducted seminar on the “Role of Financial Institutions
in Promoting e-NWR based Pledge Finance” in New Delhi. Under which
Ministry does WDRA function?
[a] Ministry of Finance

[c] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[d] Ministry of Rural Development
[e] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

✅ Solution: [e]
WDRA is under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry

of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
It is nodal agency for issuance of electronic- negotiable warehouse

receipt (e-NWR) in the country and only WDRA registered warehouses
can issue e-NWR.
It has registered 1522 warehouses, an increase of 150% of the

registration done in the previous financial year.
Finance pledged against e-NWR has gone up to Rs. 2,442 crores, a

rise of 64% over the previous year.
NOTE: Logistics and warehousing sector accounts for 15% of the GDP
and is growing at a CAGR of 16% per annum.
❓ Q.) With which country has India recently signed MoU to strengthen existing
educational cooperation facilitating student and faculty mobility?
[a] Australia
[b] Germany
[c] Saudi Arabia
[d] New Zealand
[e] United Arab Emirates
✅ Solution: [e]
India and UAE Education Ministers recently have signed this MoU
It aims to strengthen the existing cooperation in the field of educational

institutions in both countries, by facilitating student and faculty mobility,
joint research programmes, designing courses, organising and
participation in conferences, lectures, symposia, courses, scientific and
educational exhibitions in areas of mutual interest held in both countries.

❓ Q.) Which Ministry has organised inaugural Global Conference on
Cooperation in Enforcement Matters in New Delhi with a resolve to reinforce
the cooperation among the Customs administrations, International
organisations and Law Enforcement Agencies in fight against cross border
crimes?
[a] Ministry of Finance

[b] Ministry Home Affairs
[c] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[d] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[e] Ministry of Defence
✅ Solution: [a]
It has been organised by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI),

Ministry of Finance
❓ Q.) Which Ministry in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the
International Solar Energy Society organised High-level Conference on New
Technologies for Clean Energy Transition in New Delhi on the sidelines of the
Sixth Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly?
[a] Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
[b] Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
[c] Ministry of Power
[e] Ministry of Science and Technology

✅ Solution: [a]
It is being organized jointly by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy,

the Government of India; the Asian Development Bank, and the
International Solar Energy Society.
❓ Q.) Which PSU recently hosted a workshop on ‘Customized Debt Financing

for Commercial Mining & MDOs (Mine Developers and Operators)’?
[a] REC
[b] ONGC
[c] BCCL
[d] CIL
[e] SECL
✅ Solution: [a]
It is being organsied by REC Limited, a leading public sector enterprise

under the Ministry of Power.

[a] REC
[b] ONGC
[c] BCCL
[d] CIL
[e] SECL

✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has achieved significant milestones in

the procurement of services over the past few years. The services sector has
exhibited a staggering increase in the overall contribution to GeM Gross
Merchandise Value or the total order value transacted through the platform,
having jumped from 23% in FY 21-22 to nearly ___________in the current
financial year. Fill the gap
[a] 30%
[b] 47%
[c] 55%
[d] 63%
[e] 71%
✅ Solution: [b]
The services sector has exhibited a staggering increase in the overall

contribution to GeM Gross Merchandise Value or the total order value
transacted through the platform, having jumped from 23% in FY 21-22 to
nearly 47% in the current financial year.

❓ Q.) GST revenue collection for October 2023 is second highest ever, next
only to ____________, at Rs. 1.72 lakh crore and has recorded increase of
13% Y-o-Y. Fill the gap
[a] April 2023
[b] May 2023
[c] June 2023
[d] July 2023
[e] August 2023
✅ Solution: [a]
GST highest ever collection was in April 2023 at Rs. 1,87, 035
The gross GST revenue collected in the month of October, 2023 is Rs.
1,72,003 crore out of which Rs. 30,062 crore is CGST, Rs. 38,171 crore is
SGST, Rs. 91,315 crore (including Rs. 42,127 crores collected on import
of goods) is IGST and Rs. 12,456 crore (including Rs. 1,294 crore
collected on import of goods) is cess.
❓ Q.) Which city officially became India’s first to be named as ‘City of Literature’
in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network?
[a] Chennai
[b] Indore
[c] Pune
[d] Kozhikode
[e] Varanasi

✅ Solution: [d]
Kerala’s Kozhikode city was officially designated as a Unesco City of

Literature. This recognition makes Kozhikode the first city in India to
receive this title
❓ Q.) Which city from India was recently designated as ‘City of Music’ in
UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network?
[a] Ludhiana
[b] New Delhi
[c] Lucknow
[d] Jaipur
[e] Gwalior
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) Where is Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Indian Chemical

Council (ICC) organizing 5th Edition of ICC Sustainability Conclave 2023 with
the theme “Integrating Sustainability & Business Strategy for the Chemical
Industry- Addressing Challenges and Opportunities”?
[a] Jamnagar
[b] Mumbai
[c] New Delhi
[d] Chennai
[e] Lucknow

✅ Solution: [c]
Environment Resource Management (ERM), a globally renowned entity in

the sector, is the Knowledge Partner for the Conclave.
NOTE: India’s Chemical and Petrochemical Industry holds a pivotal

position in economy, serving as a backbone for numerous sectors.
It is posed to grow from its current value of approximately US $215

billion to an estimated US $300 billion by 2025.
Chemical sector has recorded about 90% of the growth in FDI in

2021-22.
❓ Q.) Which organisation in collaboration with Global Energy Alliance for People
and Planet is organising the first edition of Energy Transition Dialogue in New
Delhi?
[a] NITI Aayog
[b] WWF
[c] TERI
[d] CPCB
[e] ORF
✅ Solution: [e]
It is being co-hosted by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
NOTE: Despite supporting 17% of global population, India’s contribution

to greenhouse gas emissions or the depletion of the ozone layer is barely
2.5% percent.

❓ Q.) Which Ministry/ies recently organised G20 Standards Dialogue 2023
under the aegis of India's G20 presidency at Bharat Mandapam in New
Delhi?
[a] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
[b] Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
[c] Ministry of Commerce & Industry
[d] A and B
[e] A and C
✅ Solution: [e]
Organisers: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution,

and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Host: Bureau of Indian Standards
❓ Q.) Where has Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
recently conducted One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Awareness
Drive?
[a] Ladakh
[b] Jammu and Kashmir
[c] Uttarakhand
[d] Assam
[e] Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Solution: [b]
The awareness drive workshop took place in Jammu
It was aimed at enlightening beneficiaries about the benefits of ONORC,

a transformative scheme designed to ensure seamless access to ration
entitlements across the nation.

❓ Q.) Rice procurement estimates for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2023-24)
is 521.27 LMT out of which 20.76% (108.23 LMT) has already been procured.
Which state is the highest contributor in this procurement?
[a] Haryana
[b] Telangana
[c] Tamil Nadu
[d] Punjab
[e] Odisha

✅ Solution: [d]
Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2023-24 is progressing smoothly and

quantity of 161.47 LMT of paddy (till 1 November 2023) has been
procured.
It has benefitted about 9.33 lac farmers with MSP (Minimum Support
Price) value of Rs. 35,571.14 crore.
Major contributors are: Punjab (66.42 LMT), Haryana (36.11 LMT) &
Tamil Nadu (3.26 LMT).

❓ Q.) DRDO’s High Energy Material Research Laboratory in association with
which country is organising XVIII International Workshop on High Energy and
Special Materials (HEMs-2023) in Pune?
[a] Russia
[b] Australia
[c] Japan
[d] USA
[e] France
✅ Solution: [a]
Objective: To strengthen the collaboration of scientists and researchers

across the globe on the development of new articles based on High
energy and special materials.
Theme: ‘Emerging Trends in High Energy and Special Materials’.
It is being organised in association with Tomsk State University & Federal

Research & Production Centre, Russia.
❓ Q.) Which Ministry in collaboration with Laghu Udhyog Bharti & IMS
Foundation organising 6th edition of ‘India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru,
Karnataka under the theme ‘Make in India, Make for the World’?
[a] Ministry of MSME

[c] Ministry of Defence

[d] Ministry of Heavy Industry

✅ Solution: [c]
The show has been jointly organised by Laghu Udhyog Bharti & IMS
Foundation and supported by Department of Defence Production,
Ministry of Defence.
❓ Q.) Who is organising Workshop on the theme “Harnessing Data for

Development (D4D) for Accelerating Progress on Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)” in New Delhi?
[a] National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
[b] Digital India Corporation
[c] Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
[d] Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
[e] NITI Aayog
✅ Solution: [e]
This workshop is the 2nd in the series of Feeder Thematic Workshops

being organised by NITI Aayog on varied themes to discuss the G20 New
Delhi Leaders' Declaration.
It will conduct four sessions on the following themes
Sustainability
Inclusion
Technology and Finance
Capacity Building

[a] REC
[b] ONGC
[c] BCCL
[d] CIL
[e] SECL
✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) With which country has India recently signed Letter of Intent in Public
Administration and Administrative Reforms?
[a] USA
[b] UK
[c] France
[d] Australia
[e] Singapore
✅ Solution: [c]
India-France signed this LoI in the field of Good Governance for period of
3 years

❓ Q.) Which Ministry is organising Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign
2.0 from 1st – 30th November, 2023 at 500 locations in 100 cities in all
States/ UTs of India?
[a] Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
[b] Ministry of Science and Technology
[c] Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
[d] Ministry of Education
[e] Ministry of Finance
✅ Solution: [b]
To enhance ‘Ease of Living’ of Central Government pensioners,

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has been promoting Digital
Life Certificate (DLC) i.e. Jeevan Pramaan extensively.
Campaign 2.0 will be targeting 50 lakh pensioners in collaboration of 17

Pension disbursing banks, Ministries/ Departments, Pensioners’ Welfare
Association, UIDAI, MeitY.
❓ Q.) Where is NITI Aayog through Atal Innovation Mission hosting State-level
innovation workshop to catalyze regional Innovation & entrepreneurship
ecosystems development?
[a] IIT Delhi
[b] IIM Ahmedabad
[c] IIT Kharagpur
[d] IIT Bombay
[e] IIM Bangalore

✅ Solution: [e]
It will take place at IIM Bangalore.
It will provide a unique platform for states/UTs across India to convene,

exchange insights, and build strategies to foster innovation and
entrepreneurship (I&E) within their respective regions.
❓ Q.) Which State Government recently organized Antyodaya Mahasammelan

to launch five Antyodaya Upliftment schemes?
[a] Uttar Pradesh
[b] Bihar
[c] Rajasthan
[d] Madhya Pradesh
[e] Haryana
✅ Solution: [e]
❓ Q.) ATL Marathon 2023-24’- a flagship innovation challenge has been

organised by Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) in collaboration with the
Ministry of Education, YuWaah and ____________. Fill the gap
[a] UNICEF
[b] World Bank
[c] WTO
[d] WIPO
[e] UNDP

✅ Solution: [a]
• It has been organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education,
YuWaah and UNICEF.
❓ Q.) Where has the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine organized the
Children Science Festival?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Mumbai
[c] Chennai
[d] Bengaluru
[e] Hyderabad
✅ Solution: [a]
India’s first Virtual Science Lab for Children under CSIR Jigyasa
Programme was launched.
It will provide quality research exposure and innovative pedagogy for

school students based on an online interactive medium
❓ Q.) Where has Ministry of Power organized National Conference of Power

and New & Renewable Energy Ministers of States & UTs to deliberate on
challenges in Power Sector?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Lucknow
[c] Jodhpur
[d] Kolkata
[e] Mumbai

✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry in collaboration with NITI Aayog has organised landmark
conclave on "Augmenting Indian Insurance Sector for Greater Coverage and
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities" for improving insurance coverage for
Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in India?
[a] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[b] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[e] Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
✅ Solution: [e]
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Ministry of

Social Justice & Empowerment) and Niti Aayog have jointly organized this
conclave.
❓ Q.) From where first International Cruise Liner ‘ÇOSTA SERENA’ in India was
flagged off for domestic sailing?
[a] Kochi
[b] Chennai
[c] Mumbai
[d] Kolkata
[e] Vishakhapatnam

✅ Solution: [c]
It was flagged from Mumbai, Maharashtra
NOTE: India aims to have 50 million cruise passengers by 2047
Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, Government envisions to establish

India as the premier cruise hub in the Asia Pacific region
It also seeks to increase the annual number of cruise passengers in

India to 18 lakhs by 2030, up from the current figure of 4.72 lakhs.
❓ Q.) The 1st MeitY-National Science Foundation (NSF) Workshop for research
collaboration recently took place in New Delhi under the MeitY-NSF Research
Collaboration. NSF is organisation of which country?
[a] France
[b] Australia
[c] Japan
[d] Israel
[e] USA
✅ Solution: [e]
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NSF have

signed an Implementation Arrangement (IA) on Research Collaboration in
May 2023.

❓ Q.) Where has President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an art
exhibition titled, “Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre” to
celebrate the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Dehradun
[c] Bhopal
[d] Bhubaneshwar
[e] Guwahati
✅ Solution: [a]
• It is being organised by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in

collaboration with the Sankala Foundation in New Delhi.
❓ Q.) NITI Aayog recently organised a Workshop on the theme “Implementing

Goa Roadmap for Tourism” in New Delhi. This workshop is part of series of
10 feeder thematic workshops being held on varied themes discussed in the
G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. Which of the following is not the theme
of this Workshop?
[a] Green tourism
[b] Tourism micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
[c] Digitalization
[d] Strategic management
[e] Border Areas Tourism

✅ Solution: [e]
The workshop will include four sessions on the following themes:
Green tourism
Tourism micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
Digitalization
Strategic management
❓ Q.) Where has Ministry of Culture organised first Zonal capacity-building

workshop for the North-East region of India for the safeguarding,
identification, documentation and inventorying of the intangible cultural
heritage (ICH) of India?
[a] Shillong
[b] Guwahati
[c] Dimapur
[d] Agartala
[e] Imphal
✅ Solution: [c]
The first Zonal capacity-building workshop has been inaugurated at

Dimapur, Nagaland by the Ministry of Culture.
Objective: To strengthen and build the capacity of the multiple

stakeholders and custodians for the safeguarding, identification,
documentation and inventorying of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH)
of India.

❓ Q.) NSDC International recently signed an agreement with We One, a
subsidiary of DP World for long term recruitment of skilled manpower. Where
is DP World based?
[a] USA
[b] France
[c] UK
[d] UAE
[e] Germany
✅ Solution: [d]
DP World is an Emirati multinational logistics company based in Dubai,

United Arab Emirates.
This agreement with DP World aims to upskill and assist in overseas

employment for Indian youth
NOTE: CBSE India also has announced to open a regional office in Dubai
for better administration and for the benefit of the Indian diaspora.
Of the 5-lakh Indian students studying in CBSE-affiliated Indian

schools in the Gulf Cooperation Council, more than 2.50 lakh
students are in the UAE.
❓ Q.) With which country has India recently signed a Memorandum of Intent
(MOI) on cooperation in the field of medical product regulation?
[a] Singapore
[b] Vietnam
[c] Netherlands
[d] France
[e] Germany

✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Government has recently authorised the State Bank of India to issue and
encash Electoral Bonds through its 29 authorised branches in the XXIX
Phase of sale. These Electoral Bonds shall be valid for _________ calendar
days from the date of issue. Fill the gap
[a] 10
[b] 15
[c] 20
[d] 25
[e] 30
✅ Solution: [b]
If the Electoral Bond is deposited after expiry of this 15 days validity

period, no payment can be made to any payee Political Party.
❓ Q.) NITI Aayog in collaboration with which Ministry has organised workshop
on the Transformative Technology – Promoting Development, Growth and
Innovation through Digital Public Infrastructures in New Delhi?
[a] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[b] Ministry of Communications
[e] Ministry of Education

✅ Solution: [a]
This workshop is jointly organised with the Ministry of Electronics and

Information Technology (MeitY).
It is the fourth in the series of G20 Feeder Thematic Workshops being

organised on 10 themes discussed in the G20 New Delhi Leaders'
Declaration.
❓ Q.) NTPC Renewable Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC,

recently has declared the commercial operation of its first wind project 50 MW
capacity at Dayapar. Where it is located?
[a] Uttar Pradesh
[b] Rajasthan
[c] Tamil Nadu
[d] Gujarat
[e] Maharashtra
✅ Solution: [d]
It is located in in Kachch, Gujarat.
It is the first project of NTPC REL and the first capacity in India to be
declared commercial under new Indian Electricity Grid Code and General
Network Access Regime
With this, the total installed capacity of NTPC Group has become 73,874
MW and the total RE operational capacity of NTPC Group now stands at
3,364 MW.

❓ Q.) Which Ministry is organising Global Bio-India 2023, a mega international
congregation on biotechnology stakeholders at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi?
[b] Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
✅ Solution: [c]
Organiser: Department of Biotechnology Ministry of Science &

Technology, and it's PSU - Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Council.
NOTE: India is poised to be among top 5 Global Bio-manufacturing Hubs

by 2025.
In 2014, India’s bioeconomy stood at just about $10 Billion, today it is

$80 Billion. It is expected to touch $300 Billion by 2030.
❓ Q.) Which Ministry recently has issued blocking orders against 22 illegal
betting apps & websites on request of Enforcement Directorate?
[b] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[c] Ministry of Finance

✅ Solution: [b]
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued blocking
orders against 22 illegal betting apps & websites under Section 69A IT Act
2000.
❓ Q.) Where will be the first Australia-India Education and Skill Council meeting
held?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Gandhinagar
[c] Mumbai
[d] Chennai
[e] Bengaluru
✅ Solution: [b]
It will be held at IIT Gandhinagar.
The AIESC (earlier the Australian India Education Council), is a bi-

national body established in 2011.
It guides the strategic direction of the education, training and

research partnerships between the two countries.
This is for the first time that education and skilling is being brought
under the same institutional forum.

❓ Q.) Legacy Iron Ore Limited, a subsidiary of NMDC Ltd (State-owned Steel
CPSE) recently launched its first gold mining operations at the Mount Celia
Gold Project. Where is this project located?
[a] Brazil
[b] Ghanan
[c] Rwanda
[d] Australia
[e] South Africa
✅ Solution: [d]
Mount Celia Gold Project is located in Australia.
❓ Q.) Which country is hosting International Mining and Resource Conference

(IMARC) 2023?
[a] Australia
[b] South Africa
[c] Tanzania
[d] Malaysia
[e] Japan
✅ Solution: [a]
An Indian Delegation led by Minister of State for Mines, Coal & Railways
Rao Saheb Patil Danve participated in the International Mining and
Resource Conference (IMARC) 2023 held in Sydney, Australia.

❓ Q.) With which entertainment channel has announced its collaboration with
the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’
initiative, to address the issue of girl child abandonment through the launch of
its new fiction show Doree?
[a] Zee Tv
[b] Star Plus
[c] Colors
[d] ETV Hindi
[e] Sun TV
✅ Solution: [c]
COLORS, India’s leading Hindi GEC has announced its collaboration with
the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative.
Through its prime time show Doree, COLORS aims to raise awareness
about the social evil of girl child abandonment.
In addition, it will also promote the 24-hour emergency toll free Child
helpline number (1098) for those seeking assistance for any abandoned
girl child across the nation.
❓ Q.) Where is NITI Aayog organising workshop on the theme “Inclusive Trade
for Prosperity”?
[a] Mumbai
[b] Chennai
[c] Gandhinagar
[d] New Delhi
[e] Kolkata

✅ Solution: [d]
• This workshop is part of series of 10 feeder thematic workshops being held

on varied themes discussed in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration
(NDLD).
❓ Q.) Which Ministry is organising DSIR-CRTDH Conclave-2023 at Indian

Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar?
[a] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[b] Ministry of Heavy Industry
[c] Ministry of MSME

✅ Solution: [d]
About Common Research and Technology Development Hubs
(CRTDHs)
Objective: To encourage Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs) for conducting industrial R&D/innovation activities and
strengthening R&D infrastructure in Public Funded Research Institutions
(PFRIs).
Launch Year: 2014-15
Nodal Implementing Department/Ministry: Department of Scientific

and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology
This program recognizes the importance of MSMEs in the overall

economy of India.
It focuses on the creation of R&D infrastructure in driving scientific

advancements, technological innovations and socio-economic
development.
CRTDH program has now entered the 10th year of successful

implementation with 18 CRTDHs across the country.
❓ Q.) NITI Aayog will be organising a workshop on the theme ‘Indian

Development Model’ in New Delhi as a part of series of 10 feeder thematic
workshops being held on varied themes discussed in the G20 New Delhi
Leaders' Declaration (NDLD). Which of the following is not broad discussion
topic of this workshop?
[a] Perspectives on Growth of Indian Economy
[b] Rural Development and Agriculture
[c] Women Empowerment
[d] Infrastructure and Industrial Development
[e] Inclusive India and Social Development

✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) NITI Aayog will be organising a workshop on the theme ‘Indian

Development Model’ in New Delhi as a part of series of 10 feeder thematic
workshops being held on varied themes discussed in the G20 New Delhi
Leaders' Declaration (NDLD). Which of the following is not broad discussion
topic of this workshop?
[a] Perspectives on Growth of Indian Economy
[b] Rural Development and Agriculture
[c] Women Empowerment
[d] Infrastructure and Industrial Development
[e] Inclusive India and Social Development
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry recently convened 1st Meeting of the Board of Governors
of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)?
[c] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[e] None of the above

✅ Solution: [c]
Key discussions of 1st meeting
Enhancing Registration on MY Bharat Portal
Attracting Youth Engagement
Roadmap for Sustainability: To address the long-term sustainability of

the MY Bharat portal, aiming to ensure it remains interesting and valuable
for the youth.
❓ Q.) India provides approximately __________ of the global vaccine supply,

accounts for 20-22% of generic exports and serves over 200 countries
through its pharmaceutical exports. Fill the gap
[a] 60%
[b] 74%
[c] 86%
[d] 52%
[e] 43%
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) National Coal Index (NCI) has been rolled out by the Ministry of Coal in
2020. It acts as a barometer for the variations in coal prices month-over-
month, in comparison to a fixed base year. What is current base year of NCI?
[a] 2015-16
[b] 2016-17
[c] 2017-18
[d] 2019-20
[e] 2020-21

✅ Solution: [c]
NCI is used to determine the Premium (on a per tonne basis) or Revenue
Share (on a percentage basis) based on a market-based mechanism.
It is meant to encompass all transactions of raw coal in the Indian market.
This includes coking and non-coking of various grades transacted in

the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.
The transactions include those at notified price, coal auctions and

coal imports.
Base Year: 2017-18
❓ Q.) India has raised concerns about the Carbon Border Adjustment
Mechanism implemented by which economic block?
[a] APEC
[b] ASEAN
[c] NAFTA
[d] GCC
[e] European Union

✅ Solution: [e]
About Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
It is a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive products imported by the

European Union.
It has been legislated as part of the European Green Deal, and will take
effect in 2026, with reporting starting in 2023
It is being introduced gradually to phase-out of the allocation of free

allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System to support the
decarbonisation of the EU industry.
It seeks to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of
carbon-intensive goods that are entering the EU and to encourage
cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.
NOTE: India has taken up the CBAM issue with the European Union and
at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
❓ Q.) Where 4th edition of ‘ISA Steel Conclave 2023’ is being organised with
theme "Steel shaping the sustainable future"?
[a] Kolkata
[b] Jamshedpur
[c] New Delhi
[d] Hyderabad
[e] Mumbai
✅ Solution: [c]
• It is being organised in New Delhi by Indian Steel Association and
supported by Ministry of Steel.

❓ Q.) Two international universities - Deakin University and University of
Wollongong have opened their campuses in the GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
Both of these universities are from which country?
[a] Canada
[b] United Kingdom
[c] United States of America
[d] New Zealand
[e] Australia
✅ Solution: [e]
• Opening up of foreign universities on Indian soil is in line with the Nation

Education Policy 2020’s vision of the internationalization of education.
❓ Q.) In which state were 12 GST Seva Kendras recently opened to assist
taxpayers with GST (Goods and Services Tax) related issues?
[a] Maharashtra
[b] Gujarat
[c] Uttar Pradesh
[d] Haryana
[e] Madhya Pradesh

✅ Solution: [b]
These 12 GST Seva Kendras were opened in Gujarat.
GST Seva Kendra is a dedicated service centre established by the

Ministry of Finance to assist taxpayers with related issues to GST
(Goods and Services Tax).
On this occasion, Union Finance Minister also gave away prizes to 6

customers with a cheque award of Rs 10 lakh to who participated in Mera
Bill Mera Adhikaar (MBMA) scheme
MBMA is a scheme was launched by the CBIC in 2023 to promote the

culture of generating bills/invoices during sale purchase transactions.
❓ Q.) Which Ministry has organised the 7th edition of the Swachh Talks Webinar
Series on the theme of 'Health & Wellness in Sanitation & Waste
Management Sector’?
[d] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
✅ Solution: [d]

❓ Q.) Ministry of Tourism is participating in the World Travel Market (WTM)
2023. Where it is being held?
[a] Berlin
[b] Paris
[c] Geneva
[d] Dubai
[e] London
✅ Solution: [e]
Incredible India Pavilion at WTM 2023, London will showcase varied

tourism products and series of transformative experiences for travellers to
India under the theme ‘Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023’.
❓ Q.) Where NITI Aayog is organizing a workshop on the theme of Nari Shakti:
Towards Women-led Development?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Mumbai
[c] Chennai
[d] Bengaluru
[e] Varanasi
✅ Solution: [a]
It was eighth workshop in the series of G20 Feeder Thematic Workshops

being organized on 10 themes discussed in the G20 New Delhi Leaders'
Declaration (NDLD).
Knowledge partner of this workshop: Institute of What Works to

Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE).

❓ Q.) Which PSU recently has launched Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
portal for enhancing transparency in its CSR initiatives?
[a] BHEL
[b] IREDA
[c] ONGC
[d] NTPC
[e] SAIL
✅ Solution: [c]
This portal has been launched by Indian Renewable Energy Development

Agency (IREDA), a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India
enterprise.
It will facilitate transparency in receipt and disposal of CSR requests from

various organizations and institutions.
It will be accessible to all 24x7, with a CSR policy and proposal checklist
for examination of CSR requests.
It will also contribute to the more efficient execution of IREDA's social

welfare initiatives as part of its CSR efforts, making them readily available
to the public.
❓ Q.) Where has National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child

Development (NIPCCD) organized a State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs)
Training Programme on ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ for CDPOs and
Supervisors?
[a] New Delhi
[b] Mumbai
[c] Indore
[d] Jaipur
[e] Hyderabad

✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Where has the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child
Development (NIPCCD) organized an awareness programme on ‘Importance
of Care and Education for Pre-school Children for Functionaries of
Anganwadi Services Scheme’?
[a] Rampur
[b] Patna
[c] Guwahati
[d] Agartala
[e] Imphal
✅ Solution: [a]
❓ Q.) Which Ministry has signed a MoU with Lean Campus Startups (Trust) &
WEICI India to empower corporate and women entrepreneurs through
various training programmes?
[b] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[c] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[e] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
✅ Solution: [c]
• This MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (Ministry
of Corporate Affairs) and Lean Campus Startups (Trust) & WEICI India

❓ Q.) Where 6th High-Level Meeting of the India-OPEC Energy Dialogue took
place?
[a] Doha
[b] Abu Dhabi
[c] Riyadh
[d] Vienna
[e] Paris
✅ Solution: [d]
It took place at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria
As per World Oil Outlook 2023, India will be the fastest-growing major
developing economy, averaging long-term growth of 6.1% between 2022-
2045.
It will also account for over 28% of incremental global energy demand
during the same period.
❓ Q.) Government e-Marketplace has achieved a landmark Gross Merchandise

Value of Rs. 2 Lakh Crore in less than eight months of FY 2023-24. It has
witnessed a significant growth in average GMV per day reaching more than
__________ per day in current Financial Year. Fill the gap
[a] Rs. 1245 crores
[b] Rs. 1050 crores
[c] Rs. 850 crores
[d] Rs. 630 crores
[e] Rs. 550 crores

✅ Solution: [c]
GeM displays a diverse catalogue of nearly 312 service categories and

more than 11,800 product categories.
Cumulatively, it has surpassed the Rs. 5.93 lakh crore GMV since
inception, with the overwhelming support of its stakeholders.
The total number of transactions on GeM has also crossed 1.8 crore.
GeM has enabled government to save over Rs. 45,000 crores since
2016.
According to the Economic Survey 2021-22, GeM's prices were 9.5%

lower than other online platforms for 10 out of 22 commodities.
❓ Q.) The Ministry of Coal has planned to produce ____________ million

tonnes (MT) of coal by year 2027 and ________ MT by year 2030. Fill the
gaps
[a] 1124 MT, 1345 MT
[b] 1404 MT, 1577 MT
[c] 1567 MT, 1769 MT
[d] 1845 MT, 1946 MT
[e] 20566 MT, 21345 MT
✅ Solution: [b]

❓ Q.) In which category, India was recently placed in CITES National Legislation
programme?
[a] Category I
[b] Category II
[c] Category III
[d] Category IV
[e] Category V
✅ Solution: [c]
The CITES Standing Committee in its 77th meeting has decided to place
India in Category 1 as it had fully complied with the requirements of
CITES National Legislation programme
CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species of wild fauna and flora
The 77th meeting of CITES was recently held in Geneva, Switzerland.
India is a Party to the CITES since 1976.
❓ Q.) Which weekly one-hour show of Ministry of Women and Child

Development will be aired on Akashvani to celebrate the incredible tales of
the empowerment of women with the aid of initiatives of the Government?
[a] Nai Kahani, Nai Umeed
[b] Nai Manzil, Nai Suraksha
[c] Nai Umeed, Nai Suvidha
[d] Nai Soch, Nai Kahani
[e] Nai Udan, Nai Samaj

✅ Solution: [d]
‘Nai Soch Nai Kahani--A Radio Journey with Smriti Irani’ will be hosted by
the Union Cabinet Minister.
It will be broadcasted on every Wednesday from 9 AM to 10 AM on

Akashvani Gold
❓ Q.) Which Ministry has launched the software application "Dashboard" portal
for real-time, prompt and effective Parliament business including Parliament
Questions, Acts of Parliament and Gazette Notifications of Govt. of India as
well as Cabinet Notes?
[a] Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
[e] Ministry of Defence
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) Which country is hosting 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus

(ADMM-Plus)?
[a] Vietnam
[b] Indonesia
[c] Brunei
[d] Cambodia
[e] Singapore

✅ Solution: [b]
ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in

ASEAN.
ADMM-Plus is a platform for the 10 ASEAN member states and its eight
Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation.
10 ASEAN Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR,

Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
8 Dialogue Partners: India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea,

Australia and New Zealand.
India became the dialogue partner of the ASEAN in 1992
Inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010.
Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to

bolster cooperation amongst the ASEAN and the Plus countries.
❓ Q.) The Indian patent office has granted the "highest" number of _________
patents till November 15, 2023, in the fiscal year 2023-24. Fill the gap
[a] 35,605
[b] 41,010
[c] 47,894
[d] 50,789
[e] 54,576
✅ Solution: [b] In 2013-14 fiscal year, 4,227 patents were granted.

❓ Q.) Which country is hosting 2nd Voice of Global South Summit in a virtual
format?
[a] South Africa

[b] Brazil
[c] Argentina
[d] India
[e] Vietnam
✅ Solution: [d]
India will be hosting the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit in a virtual
format
India had hosted the inaugural Voice of Global South Summit in

January 2023 virtually.
❓ Q.) Where has the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government
of India organised one of its kind S&T Policy summit - 'Dialogue 2023:
Expanding Science and Technology Horizon'?
[a] Hyderabad
[b] Bengaluru
[c] Pune
[d] Bhopal
[e] New Delhi
✅ Solution: [b]
• It was jointly organised with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in
Bengaluru.

❓ Q.) Where International event ‘Sambhav- 2023’ by Divyang (Physically and
Mentally Challenged) Artists has been organised by A.L.P.A.N.A. (Association
for Learning Performing Arts & Normative Action Society)?
[a] Varanasi
[b] Chennai
[c] Nagpur
[d] Jaipur
[e] New Delhi
✅ Solution: [e]
It was held in New Delhi
Divyang Artists from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia,

Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand had participated in
this event.
❓ Q.) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has approved 27

manufacturers under PLI Scheme – 2.0 For IT Hardware. When was this
scheme launched?
[a] 2022
[b] 2023
[c] 2020
[d] 2021
[e] 2019
✅ Solution: [b]
• This scheme covers laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, Servers and Ultra
Small Form Factor devices

❓ Q.) 11 Stakeholder Ministries/Departments recently met to discuss measures
taken and action Plan for Improving India’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI)
Ranking. Which international organisation releases LPI?
[a] UNDP
[b] World Bank
[c] OECD
[d] EU
[e] WTO
✅ Solution: [b]
It is released by World Bank
Six parameters of LPI are (i) Customs., (ii) Infrastructure (iii) Ease of
arranging shipments (iv) Quality of logistics services (v) Tracking and
Tracing and (vi) Timeliness.
❓ Q.) Foundation stone of administrative buildings, hostels, sports facilities

have been recently laid at Central Sanskrit University, Shree Sadashiva
Campus. Where it is located?
[a] Puri
[b] Varanasi
[c] Haridwar
[d] Shimla
[e] Srinagar
✅ Solution: [a]

❓ Q.) With which organisation has Small Industries Development Bank of India
signed MoU to enter into a credit alliance?
[a] TDB
[b] ISRO
[c] DRDO
[d] IISC
[e] IIT New Delhi
✅ Solution: [a]
This MoU has been signed between Technology Development Board

(TBD) and SIDBI to bolster the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
(MSME) sector in India.
It seeks to facilitate easier access to credit for enterprises engaged in the

development and commercial application of indigenous or imported
technology?
Through it, TDB and SIDBI have entered into a credit alliance, wherein
TDB and SIDBI shall refer additional funding needs of companies they
have previously funded to each other.
❓ Q.) Which forum has been launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
to address the complex challenges of urban sanitation?
[a] Cities Forum for SBM-U 2.0
[b] SBM-U 2.0 Clean India Forum
[c] Partners Forum for SBM-U 2.0
[d] Forum of SBM-2.0 Partners
[e] Clean Cities Clean India Forum

✅ Solution: [c]
The forum envisions partnerships beyond Development Partners and

Sector Partners, to Corporates, PSUs, Line Ministries/Departments
associated with WASH sector, International Funding Institutions etc.
It has been launched with potential areas of collaboration - waste

management infrastructure and services, O&M models, communication
and outreach, technology, IT-enablement and Knowledge Management,
Capacity Building, IEC/BCC, research and studies etc.
❓ Q.) Which Ministry/ies recently organised a workshop on “Public Private

Partnership (PPP) Project Structuring Toolkit for Roads and Highways
Sector”?
[a] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
[b] Ministry of Finance
[d] A and B
[e] A and C
✅ Solution: [b]
❓ Q.) Which country recently hosted Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2023

(IPRD-2023) under the theme of “Geopolitical Impacts upon Indo-Pacific
Maritime Trade and Connectivity”?
[a] Sri Lanka
[b] Singapore
[c] Indonesia
[d] Australia
[e] India

✅ Solution: [e]
IPRD-2023 concluded recently in New Delhi.
It is an annual apex-level regional strategic dialogue of the Indian Navy.
It engages globally renowned experts from India and abroad, senior

officers from the Indian Armed Forces and the Government of India,
scholars and the public-at-large in intensive deliberations.
❓ Q.) Where Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) is organising an International

Conference-cum-Exhibition on ‘Aerospace & Aviation in 2047’?
[a] Bengaluru
[b] Mumbai
[c] Hyderabad
[d] New Delhi
[e] Pune
✅ Solution: [d]
This conference-cum-exhibition is being organised in New Delhi to
commemorate 75 years of excellence of the AeSI
❓ Q.) Which Ministry in collaboration with C-DAC and IEEE India Council is
organising Nationwide Roadshow on Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Program?
[b] Ministry of Science and Technology
[c] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[d] Ministry of Defence
[e] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

✅ Solution: [c]
DIR-V Program was announced in 2022 by Ministry of Electronics and

Information Technology to uplift India's semiconductor ecosystem.
Its primary goal is to promote indigenous innovation in the field of

microprocessors, laying the foundation for self-reliance.
❓ Q.) Where 7 PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas and 26 PM SHRI Jawahar

Navodaya Vidyalayas have been launched recently?
[a] Odisha
[b] Chhattisgarh
[c] Jharkhand
[d] Assam
[e] Bihar
✅ Solution: [a]
PM SHRI schools will showcase the implementation of the National

Education Policy 2020 and emerge as exemplar schools shaping the path
towards a brighter future for students.
They will create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key
21st-century skills.

❓ Q.) National e-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics & Information
Technology, under its Capacity Building scheme in collaboration with which
institute is organising Digital Government Senior Leaders program under
Digital India?
[a] IIT-Mumbai
[b] IISc-Bengaluru
[c] IIM-Bangalore
[d] IIM-Ahmedabad
[e] IIT-New Delhi
✅ Solution: [c]
❓ Q.) The 2nd Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership Joint Working Group
meeting between India and which country recently took place in New Delhi?
[a] USA
[b] France
[c] Japan
[d] UK
[e] Australia
✅ Solution: [d]
PM SHRI schools will showcase the implementation of the National

Education Policy 2020 and emerge as exemplar schools shaping the path
towards a brighter future for students.
They will create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key
21st-century skills.

❓ Q.) Which state is hosting the 11th edition of International Tourism Mart
organised by Ministry of Tourism?
[a] Assam
[b] Nagaland
[c] Tripura
[d] Sikkim
[e] Meghalaya
✅ Solution: [e]
The 11th edition of International Tourism Mart is being organized by the

Union Tourism Ministry of India.
It is held at Shillong, Meghalaya to showcase untapped potential of NE

with focus on promoting sustainable tourism.
The event will include an exclusive session dedicated to business

meetings between local North Eastern stakeholders and domestic and
international buyers.
❓ Q.) Which portal of Sari Walkathon has been launched by Ministry of Textiles
to promote Handloom sari culture in India?
[a] E-Registration portal
[b] E-Sari India portal
[c] E-Sari Handloom portal
[d] E-Nari Shakti portal
[e] E-traditional sari portal

✅ Solution: [a]
The e-Registration portal of Sari Walkathon has been launched for

inviting the participation of women from various states showcasing their
ways of wearing saris and thereby, presenting India as a country having
“Unity in Diversity”,
The Sari Walkathon will be organised in Mumbai in December 2023.
The First Sari Walkathon was organised at Surat, Gujarat.

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PIB 247 - November 2023

PIB 247 - November 2023 1

PIB 247 - November 2023 2

Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) Platform

💡 Why: To act as a facilitator for youth-led development

About MY Bharat Platform

Leadership Development in the Youth

Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes

Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries

Create a centralized youth database

Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives

Create a Phygital Ecosystem - a blend of physical and digital experiences for

PIB 247 - November 2023 3

Its focused beneficiaries will be in the age-group of 10-19 years.

It will serve as 'Phygital Platform' (physical + digital) comprising physical activity

It is envisioned as technology-driven facilitator for youth development and youth-led

It will establish a new contemporary technology-led platform to engage with the

It will ensure accessibility by creating a phygital ecosystem and empower young

💡 What: An open seminar with regards to Project on Station Area Development

💡 Why: To contribute in preparation of ‘Station Area Development Plans’ for

About Project Smart

PIB 247 - November 2023 4

To enhance accessibility and convenience of commuters & other stakeholders

To promote economic activities in the vicinity of station areas

It seeks to facilitate and enhance institutional capacity of State Governments,

Implementation: Under it, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, Ministry of

G20 Feeder Thematic Workshops

💡 What: NITI Aayog will be organising feeder thematic workshops on varied

💡 Why: To bolster the implementation of the G20 New Delhi Leaders'

Objective: To engage all stakeholders, including concerned

Duration: 1st to 9th November 2023

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1st workshop in this series on the over-arching theme of India-African Union

Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign

💡 What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently participated in the programme

About Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign

It comprised of many activities and ceremonies conducted across the country at

These activities included

Building of Shilaphalakam (Memorial): To express heartfelt gratitude to all the

Panch Pran pledge: Taken by the people at Shilaphalakam

Amrit Vatika’ (Vasudha Vandhan): Developed by planting of saplings of

Veeron ka Vandan: Conducting felicitation ceremonies for honoring the

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1 Jammu and Kashmir

3 Haryana and Rajasthan

Top 3 performing Ministries

1 Ministry of External Affairs

💡 What: Ministry of AYUSH will be participating as the partner in the World

💡 Why: To showcase the innovative Ayush Aahar products of Ayush.

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Organiser: India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standards

Host: QCI in collaboration with United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards

It witnessed signing of a bilateral Agreement between QCI and African Organisation

It seeks to strengthen trade relations and harmonize standards, enhancing the

It also benchmarked IndG.AP. by the GLOBAL G.A.P. through National Technical

About India Good Agricultural Practices (IndG.A.P.) Scheme

Objective: It is aimed to address

Quality and quantity of the produce obtained from a unit area

Various aspects of food safety

Pre-and post-harvest practices including workers health and safety

Sustained supply of produce of the desirable quality

It is a voluntary certification scheme developed by Quality Council of India.