CONTENTS

VOL-19
ISSUE-09

Editor
N.K. Jain India Needs A Uniform Civil
23rd SCO Summit
Advisors Code

Neeraj Chabra
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Editorial
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
- John Dewey
Dear Aspirants,
We feel delighted to present to you the "September 2023" edition of "Master in Current Affairs". MICA is a
comprehensive resource designed to support aspiring candidates in competitive examinations. MICA aims to provide the
necessary knowledge and guidance to navigate the dynamic landscape of current affairs. In today's competitive exams, staying
updated with current affairs is crucial for success, as it bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application.
What sets MICA apart is its focus on relevance, accuracy, and comprehensive coverage.
Previous Year Questions: The magazine covers “Previous Year paper” questions. In month of September 2023 we
cover VDO Re-Examinations 2023 questions.
Impression: MICA goes beyond surface-level news by offering in-depth analysis, historical context, and insightful
perspectives of “Impression”. In Month of September 2023 we cover the Proposed Uniform Civil Code, 23rd SCO
Summit, Open Market Sale Scheme, A macro view of the fiscal health of States and India should refuse America's
'NATO Plus' bait. This approach helps aspirants develop a deeper understanding of significant events and enables them
to critically assess complex issues.
News Sections: It includes a wide range of “News Sections”, including National & State, International, Economy,
Science and Technology, Sports, Awards, Schemes & launches, and Miscellaneous. It provides up-to-date and
reliable information, curated by experienced writers and subject matter experts.
Practice Questions: MICA also comprises three different levels of “Practice Questions” of Current Affairs
MCQs all competitive examinations. The Level-1 are easy current affairs questions, Level -2 are the moderate
current affairs questions and Level-3 are contains hard current affairs with statements type questions.
Recognizing the importance of time management for exam preparation, MICA presents concise yet
informative content. The magazine aims to provide the most relevant information within the limited
study time of candidates, streamlining their learning experience.
The MICA team extends their best wishes to all aspirants and welcomes valuable suggestions.
Knowledge is power, and staying informed is key to success in competitive examinations.
Together, let us uncover the path to success and unlock the full potential of aspiring candidates.

With the Best Wishes

Editor : N.K. Jain “Your Success is Our Success”

MICA : Mahendra's family expresses
its heartfelt congratulations
on your success.
Chandan : Thanks for your support.
MICA : To whom do you want
to give the credit of your
selection?
Chandan : Mahendra’s Institute and
I practiced a lot of the previous year's
there teachers and my
parents.
MICA : After how many attempts
did you succeed in this
examination?
Chandan : This was my third attempt for
Staff Selection Commission.
MICA : What is the role of
Mahendra's institute in
your selection?
Chandan : Mahendra's institute helped
me out in everything,
related to studies materials,
books, clearing doubts,
speed tests, and regular
hybrid classes.
MICA : How did you prepare for
computer but I had also studied O-level
the examination?
Chandan : I learned basic concepts
MICA : What would you say
about subject knowledge
from Mahendra’s hybrid
mode classes and gave
regular mock tests for
practice.
Chandan : I would personally suggest
English Language
With the guidance of Mahendra's
faculties, solved previous year’s
questions and regularly reads a
newspaper.
CHANDAN
PERSONAL DETAILS
Father’s Name : Mr. Ravindra Singh
Mother’s Name : Mrs. Soni Singh
Hobbies : Reading Newspaper & Singing
Prior Selection : Not any
Name of the Exam : SSC (Post : Excise Inspector)
Roll No. of Qualified Exam : 3009011189
Roll No. of Mahendra Institute : MAH0012182104
Reasoning Ability
I learned the basic concept of
reasoning ability under the guidance
faculty of Mahendra’s, solved the
previous year’s questions, and
practiced Speed Test.
Numerical Ability
questions, self-prepared notes, and
gives regular Mock Speed Tests.
General Awareness
For current affairs, read MICA
monthly magazine, Read the
newspaper every day, and practiced
quizzes weekly.
General Studies
Make class notes and I had studied
General Studies materials kits
provided by Mahendra's and I gave
regular speed tests.
Computer Knowledge
Materials Kits and classes provided
by Mahendra's was sufficient for the
notes.
about “Master in Current
Affairs” Magazine
(MICA) and Mahendra's
Website?
every competitive candidate
should read “Master in
Current Affairs” (MICA)
at least the last 3 months of
current affairs.
INTERVIEW
Chandan Singh
MICA : What is the best thing about
our coaching institute,
according to you?
Chandan : The regular speed test
facilities, the mock exams
before the examinations,
and materials kits. The
quality of the teachers and
their supportive attitude.
MICA : What is the role of “Time
Management” in one’s
success?
Chandan : Time management is
extremely important for
the preparation of any
competitive examination.
MICA : How did you prepare for
the Interview?
Chandan : I had qualified for SSC
so there is no concept of
interview.
MICA : From whom did you
get information of your
selection and what was
your reaction?
Chandan : I had gotten information
from the telegram channel
of Mahendra's.
MICA : What message do you
want to convey to other
aspirants?
Chandan : Be very consistent and
regular in your studies and
give regular mock tests.
MICA : Congratulations! once
again on your success. Your
success is our success.
Chandan : Thank You!
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 5
VDO RE-EXAM 2023
GENERAL AWARENESS QUESTIONS
Q.1 Garo and Khasi are the associate official languages Q.11 Due to which incident did Gandhiji call of the Non-
belonged to which state ? cooperation movement ?
(A) Chhattisgarh (B) Jharkhand (A) Kakori Train Robbery
(C) Andhra Pradesh (D) Meghalaya (B) The Bengal Famine
Q.2 Which of the following is the first and largest (C) Appointment of Simon Commission
depository presently operational in India?
(D) Chauri Chaura Incident
(A) NSDL (B) BSL
Q.12 "Blitz" term belongs to which of the following sports ?
(C) UBI (D) CDSL
(A) Basketball (B) Chess
Q.3 In which schedule of the Indian Constitution powers
of panchayats are stated ? (C) American Football (D) Hockey
(A) 11th schedule (B) 8th schedule Q.13 The first-ever automated, driverless train in the
world has been unveiled in which country ?
(C) 9TH schedule (D) 10th schedule
(A) Japan (B) India
Q.4 World famous "Mathania Mirchi" belongs to which
state? (C) Switzerland (D) Germany
(A) Gujarat (B) Bihar Q.14 Which of the following was the most powerful
(C) Rajasthan (D) Odisha Mahajanpada from 6th to 14th century ?
Q.5 The plants, which grow under water stress (A) Vajji (B) Magadha
conditions are known by which name? (C) Vaishali (D) Anga
(A) Xerophytes (B) Mesophyte Q.15 Dalma Sanctuary is located in which of the
(C) Hygrophyte (D) Hydrophyte following state?
Q.6 Which article of the constitution is related to the (A) Telangana (B) Assam
National Commission for Scheduled Castes? (C) Jharkhand (D) Chhattisgarh
(A) Article 338 (B) Article 333 Q.16 Whose autobiography is "My Life"?
(C) Article 330 (D) Article 326 (A) Nelson Mandela (B) Bill Clinton
Q.7 Which of the following is the foundation of 5th (C) Margaret Thatcher (D) J. M. Lyngdoh
Generation computers?
Q.17 Which state of India does not touch any international
(A) Vaccume Tube (B) Artificial Intelligence
Border?
(C) Transisitor (D) VVLSI
(A) Sikkim (B) Telangana
Q.8 Todar Mal was known by which of the following names?
(C) West Bengal (D) Arunachal Pradesh
(A) Diwan-i-Ashraff (B) Khan-e-Khan
Q.18 The Planet which having the maximum number of
(C) Ajiao Din (D) Khan-e-Azam rings on it, is it?
Q.9 Kalamkari painting refers to:
(A) Saturn (B) Uranus
(A) A hand painted cotton textile in South India.
(C) Neptune (D) Jupiter
(B) A hand painted decorative silk cloth in North-
Q.19 Right against exploitation does not include which
Western India.
prohibation?
(C) A block painted woollen cloth in Western
Himalayan region of India. (A) Prohibition of Trafficking
(D) A handmade drawing on bamboo handicraft in (B) Prohibition of Untouchability
Northeast India. (C) Prohibition of employment of children below
Q.10 Founder of Chola Kingdom was who among the 14 year of age
following ? (D) Prohibition of forced labor
(A) Parantaka Chola 1 (B) Vijayalaya Chola Q.20 Visva-Bharati University was by which Indian
(C) Arinjaya Chola (D) Aditya I personality?
6 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

(A) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(B) Aurobindo Ghosh
(C) Annie Besant
(D) Rabindranath Tagore
Q.21 Which of the following country has become the 31st
member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)?
(A) Denmark (B) UK
(C) Finland (D) Germany
Q.22 Recently, a mobile artillery-locating, phased array
radar system named "Swathi" has been developed
by India. What is the specific type of that radar?
(A) Weapon Locating Radar
(B) Ground Search Radar
(C) Harbor Surveillance Radar
(D) Coastal Surveillance Radar
Q.23 'Hola Mohalla' a festival, which is about warriors,
bravery, victory, pride and fearlessness, is celebrated
in which Indian state?
(A) Rajasthan (B) Bihar
(C) Madhya Pradesh (D) Punjab
Q.24 Recently, The Supreme Court of India has granted
couples the right to divorce on the grounds of
"irretrievable breakdown of marriage" under which
Article of the Constitution?
(A) Article 142 (1) (B) Article 130
(C) Article 148 (D) Article 141
Q.25 Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, presented
the Maharashtra Bhushan) Award to Appasaheb
Dharmadhikari for his notable work in which field?
(A) Art (B) Agriculture
(C) Medical (D) Social work
Q.26 Bara-lacha La Pass connects which two states/UT
among the following ?
(A) Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand
(B) Punjab & Himachal Pradesh
(C) Uttarakhand & Ladakh
(D) Himachal Pradesh & Ladakh
Q.27 Which among the following rocks show change in
forms by immense heat or pressure?
(A) Igneous Rock (B) Metamorphic Rock
(C) Sedimentary Rock (D) Plutonic Rock
Q.28 Which of the following laws came into force soon
after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?
(A) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981
VDO RE-EXAM 2023
(B) Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974
(C) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(D) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Q.29 Recently Indian-origin Ajay Banga has been
appointed as the 14th President of which of the
following institution?
(A) International Monetary Fund
(B) World Health Organization
(C) World Bank
(D) World Trade Organization
Q.30 "The Bhupen Hazarika Setu" also referred as Dhola-
Sadiya bridge, is the longest bridge in India over
water spans on which among the following rivers ?
(A) Buroi (B) Lohit
(C) Kopili (D) Desang
Q.31 Which country's researchers discovered the
"Invisible Galaxy" or "Black Galaxy"?
(A) Italy (B) Russia
(C) Egypt (D) France
Q.32 In which state PM Modi virtually inaugurated "Jal
Jan Abhiyan?
(A) Sikkim (B) Rajasthan
(C) Odisha (D) Assam
Q.33 Which of the following state launched new green
initiative "Mero Rukh Mero Santi"
(A) Tripura (B) Meghalaya
(C) Telangana (D) Sikkim
Q.34 Which among the following countries is promoting
tourism targeting India by identifying sites linked to
Ramayana ?
(A) Greece (B) Cuba
(C) Sri Lanka (D) Norway
Q.35 The Indian Army installed the tallest 'Iconic
National Flag' in which of the following states ?
(A) Jammu and Kashmir
(B) Chhattisgarh
(C) Haryana
(D) Meghalaya
Q.36 Union Minister "Shri Narendra Singh Tomar"
inaugurated the seed processing and storage facility
at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute
at which of the following place?
(A) Jhansi (B) Bareilly
(C) Varanasi (D) Agra
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 7
VDO RE-EXAM 2023
Q.37 The Uttar Pradesh government has taken the consent
of the central government to include district-wise
sports of the districts in ODOS (one district, one
game) under the Khelo India scheme.
(A) 7 (B) 8
(C) 9 (D) 10
Q.38 "Operation SADBHAVANA" was launched in
which state/UT by the Indian Army?
(A) Ladakh (B) Puducherry
(C) Lakshadweep (D) Delhi
Q.39 In which among the following states of India, has the
world's longest railway platform been inaugurated?
(A) Gujarat (B) Bihar
(C) Maharashtra (D) Karnataka
Q.40 When Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is increased by
RBI (CRR), it :
(A) will have no effect on the money supply in the
economy
(B) reduction in money supply in the economy
(C) will automatically reduce the supply in the
beginning.
(D) money supply in the economy
Q.41 In which district of Uttar Pradesh 'Mukhya Mantri
Kanya Sumangala Yojana' has been launched to
provide conditional cash transfer to the girl child at
different stages of her life?
(A) Pratapgarh (B) Lucknow
(C) Sitapur (D) Sultanpur
Q.42 The meaning of "social equality" in the Indian
Constitution is:
(A) Equal opportunities for all sections of the
societies.
(B) No effort should be made to modify the existing
system.
ANSWER KEY
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(1) Q.3.(1) Q.4.(3) Q.5.(1)
(C) Partiality towards Elite class.
(D) Equal chance to women only.
Q.43 When was "World Oral Health Day" 2023 observed
?
(A) 18-Mar (B) 16-Mar
(C) 11-Mar (D) 20-Mar
Q.44 "Pashupati seal" has been found from which site of
the Indus Valley Civilization?
(A) Mohenjodaro (B) Lothal
(C) Banawali (D) Kalibanga
Q.45 Which among the following countries takes charge
of APPU (Asian Pacific Postal Union) in Bangkok,
Thailand ?
(A) India (B) Ireland
(C) Italy (D) France
Q.46 In which of the following state is the world's largest
river island located?
(A) Kerala (B) Goa
(C) Assam (D) Madhya Pradesh
Q.47 Which of the following is the smallest bone in the
body ?
(A) Tibia (B) Occipital
(C) Stapes (D) Femur
Q.48 What is Laughing gas ?
(A) Nitrogen dioxide (B) Nitrogen peroxide
(C) Nitrous oxide (D) Nitroen sulphide
Q.49 Which of the following vitamins is important for
the formation of red blood cells?
(A) Vitamin B-12 (B) Vitamin E
(C) Vitamin D (D) Vitamin C
Q.50 The Mishmi tribe is the resident of which among
the following states of India ?
(A) Odisha (B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Karnataka (D) Manipur
Q.6.(1) Q.7.(2) Q.8.(1) Q.9.(1) Q.10.(2)

Q.11.(4) Q.12.(3) Q.13.(4) Q.14.(2) Q.15.(3) Q.16.(2) Q.17.(2) Q.18.(1) Q.19.(2) Q.20.(4)

Q.21.(3) Q.22.(1) Q.23.(4) Q.24.(1) Q.25.(4) Q.26.(4) Q.27.(2) Q.28.(3) Q.29.(3) Q.30.(2)

Q.31.(1) Q.32.(2) Q.33.(4) Q.34.(3) Q.35.(1) Q.36.(1) Q.37.(4) Q.38.(1) Q.39.(4) Q.40.(2)

Q.41.(2) Q.42.(1) Q.43.(4) Q.44.(1) Q.45.(1) Q.46.(3) Q.47.(3) Q.48.(3) Q.49.(1) Q.50.(2)

8 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

IMPRESSION
What is UCC- The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a
proposed legislation in India that aims to establish uniform
personal laws applicable to all individuals, irrespective
of their gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
Currently, personal laws are governed by religious texts
specific to different communities.
Why in News:
The constitution has a provision for Uniform Civil Code
in Article 44 as a Directive Principle of State Policy which
states that The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens
a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.
There are a number of cases where the Supreme Court
has referred to Article 44 and the concept of uniform civil
code, mainly to highlight the lackluster attitude of the
executive and the legislature in the implementation of the
directive.
Why Need of UCC:
1. It Promotes Real Secularism:
A uniform civil code means that all citizens of India have to
follow the same laws whether they are Hindus or Muslims
or Christians or Sikhs. This sounds fair and secular to me.
That’s real secularism.
2. All Indians should be Treated Same:
Right now we have personal laws based on particular
religions, which means that while Muslims can marry
multiple times in India, a Hindu or a Christian will be
prosecuted for doing the same. This doesn’t seem like
equality to me. All the laws related to marriage, inheritance,
family, land etc. should be equal for all Indians.
3. It will provide More Rights to the Women
A uniform civil code will also help in improving the condition
of women in India. Our society is extremely patriarchal and
misogynistic and by allowing old religious rules to continue
India Needs A
Uniform Civil
Code
to govern the family life we are condemning all Indian
women to subjugation and mistreatment. A uniform civil
code will help in changing these age old traditions that have
no place in today’s society .
4. Every Modern Nation has it:
A uniform civil code is the sign of modern progressive
nation. It is a sign that the nation has moved away from
caste and religious politics.In fact it might be right to
say that socially and culturally we have degraded to a
point where we are neither modern nor traditional. A
uniform civil code will help the society move forward
and take India towards its goal of becoming a developed
nation.
Merits
• If a Common Civil Code is enacted and enforced.
• It world help and accelerate national integration.
• Overlapping provisions of law could be avoided.
Drawback
• Difficulties due to India’s diversity
• Interference of state in personal matters.
• The people from different communities are not willing
to adopt the secular laws separated from personal
laws.
Conclusion:
The implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is
a complex and contentious issue that requires careful
consideration and thoughtful deliberation. it also involves
navigating diverse religious and cultural norms that have
shaped individual communities for centuries.
It is important to approach the UCC debate with sensitivity,
taking into account the diverse perspectives and concerns of
all stakeholders involved.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 9
IMPRESSION

23rd SCO
Summit
Why in News:
•• Recently, India has chaired the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) virtual Summit, leaders called for
the formation of a “more representative” and multipolar
world order in the global interest.
•• During this 23rd Summit, Iran officially joined the
SCO as the Ninth Member Country.
•• The theme of India's chairpersonship of SCO is
'Towards a SECURE SCO’, which is derived from the
acronym coined by the Indian PM at the 2018 SCO
Qingadao Summit.
•• It stands for: S: Security, E: Economic development, C:
Connectivity, U: Unity, R: Respect for sovereignty and
territorial integrity, E: Environmental protection.
Key Highlights:
New Delhi Declaration:
The New Delhi Declaration was signed by the member
nations, which states that the international community
must come together to "counter the activities of terrorist,
separatist and extremist groups, paying special attention to
preventing the spread of religious intolerance, aggressive
nationalism, ethnic.
New Pillars of Cooperation:
India has created five new pillars and focus area for
cooperation in the SCO, which include,
•• Startups and Innovation
•• Traditional Medicine
•• Youth Empowerment
•• India's opposition to the BRI stems from its
inclusion of projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
(POK), which India considers a violation of its
sovereignty.
Indian Prime Minister’s Address:
•• The Indian PM highlighted the significance of
connectivity for enhancing mutual trade and trust
among SCO member states.
•• However, he stressed the need to uphold the
fundamental principles of the SCO charter, specifically
respecting member states' sovereignty and regional
integrity.
About SCO- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international
security and defence organization established by China and
Russia in 2001. It is the world's largest regional organization
in terms of geographic scope and population, covering
approximately 60% of the area of Eurasia, 40% of the world
population. As of 2021, its combined GDP was around 20%
of global GDP.
Headquarters: Beijing, China
Founded: 15 June 2001
Objectives:
•• Strengthening mutual trust and neighborliness among
the member states.
•• Promoting effective cooperation in -politics, trade &
economy, research & technology and culture.
•• Enhancing ties in education, energy, transport, tourism,
environmental protection, etc.

•• Digital Inclusion •• Maintain and ensure peace, security and stability in the
region.
•• Shared Buddhist Heritage
•• Establishment of a democratic, fair and rational new
India's Reservations on BRI: international political & economic order.
•• India refused to be part of the BRI (Belt and Road
•• The official working language of the SCO Secretariat is
Initiative) of the SCO members’ economic strategy
Russian and Chinese.
statement, mentioning “interested member states’.

10 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

IMPRESSION
India Should
Refuse America’s
‘NATO Plus’ Bait.
US Permanent Representative to North Atlantic Treaty
Organization’s (NATO) invited India to join the alliance
during a virtual press briefing in March on the NATO focus
on South Asia & Indo-Pacific region”.
Reflecting the same sentiment, the U.S. House Select
Committee on Strategic Competition between the US
& Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recommended
strengthening the ‘NATO-Plus’ framework by including
India in the grouping.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a
military alliance established on 4 April 1949. Its headquarter
is in Brussels. The organization has created a system of
collective security, under which member states agree to
cooperate in the event of external aggression.
Finland is latest Member its 31st member of NATO in
April 2023.
NATO Plus:
•• It refers to a security arrangement of NATO and the
five treaty allies of the U.S. — Australia, New Zealand,
Japan, Israel, and South Korea as members — to
enhance “global defence cooperation” and win the
“strategic competition with the Chinese Communist
Party”.
•• Not officially recognised concept within NATO: It has
been used in discussions and debates regarding the
potential expansion of the alliance.
•• Terms of inclusion: The inclusion of these countries
would require a complex process of negotiation of their
compatibility with NATO’s principles, obligations, and
defence commitments.
Significance-
•• Providing a security umbrella: Joining NATO will
provide India with protection and deterrence against
potential threats.
•• Strengthening India’s defence capabilities and
modernisation efforts: India could also gain access to
advanced military technologies, intelligence-sharing
platforms, and interoperability with other member-
states.
Potential impacts on India’s
strategic autonomy Plus
•• On relations with other countries: Getting into any
NATO framework will annoy Russia and China.
Should it join, India’s solidified strategic partnership
with Russia will crumble.
•• On India’s freedom of action: While aligning with
NATO may be tempting due to the threats posed by
China, having a military framework will limit India’s
freedom of action and prevent it from pursuing an
independent policy towards China.
•• On hopping into the Taiwan strategy of the U.S. under
NATO Plus: It will complicate India’s security, with the
possibility of Chinese justification for further military
build-up along the India-China border.
•• On India’s defence and security policies: India will
need to align its defence and security policies with
the objectives and strategies of the alliance, thereby
potentially undermining India’s autonomy.
Conclusion
•• While NATO has certain competencies to deal with
such issues, its larger geopolitical agenda starting
from Eurasia to the Indo-Pacific may divert resources
and attention away from these pressing issues and,
therefore, will not be of much help to India.
•• For the time being, India’s posturing through the Quad
looks more promising than the NATO Plus bait, though
China remains an elephant in the room during its
summits.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 11
IMPRESSION

A Macro View of
the Fiscal Health
of States
Why Important
The States mobilise altogether more than a third of total revenue, spend 60% of combined government expenditure, and
have a share in government borrowing that is around 40%.
Trends in Fiscal Health of Union and States
•• Receding Government Deficit: It is becoming evident that the increase in general government deficit and debt that
occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to recede. There have been significant post-pandemic fiscal
corrections at the Union and State levels.
•• Union: The fiscal deficit declined from 9.1% of GDP in 2020-21 to 5.9% in 2023-24 (BE).
•• States: The State fiscal deficit was 4.1% of GDP in 2020-21. It declined to 3.24% of GDP in 2022-23 (RE). For the
major States, for the year 2023-24 (BE), it is expected to be 2.9% of GDP.
Significance
Improved Union-State Coordination: Emergency provision for health spending and livelihood during the COVID-19
pandemic was not easy and required Union-State fiscal coordination.
Reprioritising Expenditure: States were able to reprioritise expenditure and quickly contain the fiscal deficit.
Buoyant Tax Revenues: The reduction in fiscal deficit is a combination of expenditure-side adjustments, improved Goods
and Services Tax (GST) collection and higher tax devolution due to buoyant central revenues.
Recovery in Non-Tax Revenues: Non-GST revenues are also showing signs of recovery after the pandemic in most
States.
Fiscal Challenges
•• Rising Revenue Deficit: The reduction in fiscal deficit has not been accompanied by a corresponding reduction in
revenue deficit. However, increasing revenue deficit driving the fiscal imbalance has long-run fiscal implications and
there is a need to correct this imbalance in the revenue account.
•• Increase in number of fiscally stressed states: An assessment of successive Finance Commissions since the
Twelfth Finance Commission identified three States, i.e., Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal, as fiscally stressed States
(measured in terms of the level of revenue deficit). The number of States that are now fiscally stressed has increased
to seven.
•• The combined fiscal deficit of these States is 3.71% of GSDP when the all-State average for the same is 2.9%.
•• Their combined revenue deficit is 2.15 % of GSDP, when the all-State revenue deficit is 0.78%.
•• Their combined debt ratio is higher than the Finance Commission recommended debt ratio for all States for the year
2023-24.
Conclusion:
The seven fiscally stressed states together contribute around 40% to India’s GDP. Some of these States have also been big
drivers of public capital expenditures and favoured investment destinations of private investors. Hence, the focus should
be on the management of revenue deficit.

12 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

IMPRESSION

The Centre-State Tussle

Over the Open Market
Sale Scheme
Open Market Sale Scheme •• NCDEX is a commodity exchange platform in India that
provides a platform for trading in various agricultural
The Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) is a government
and other commodities.
initiative in India aimed at reducing the excess stock of food
grains held by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state Food Corporation of India
agencies.
•• The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a statutory
•• Under the scheme, the government sells the excess stock body created and run by the Government of India.
of food grains in the open market through e-auctions and It is under the ownership of Ministry of Consumer
other means to ensure that the stocks do not go to waste Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, formed by
and to reduce the carrying costs of the grains. the enactment of Food Corporation Act, 1964 by the
•• The primary objective of the OMSS is to maintain price Parliament of India.
stability in the market by providing an adequate supply •• The objective of ensuring adequate availability of food
of food grains at reasonable prices to bulk consumers. grains throughout the country, and to maintain price
•• The scheme is also aimed at ensuring that food grains stability in the market.
held in the central pool are utilized effectively and not •• The FCI also maintains buffer stocks of food grains
wasted due to storage or other reasons. to ensure food security during times of scarcity or
crisis.
Why in News
•• The FCI is also responsible for distributing foodgrains
•• The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will offload 30
throughout the country for public distribution system.
LMT wheat from the Central pool stock to the market
through various routes under the Open Market Sale •• FCI also conducts e-auction as one of the methods to
Scheme (Domestic). dispose of its surplus food grains.
•• Wheat will also be offered to State Governments/UTs Founded 14 January 1965
for their schemes without e-auction.
•• FCI conducts weekly auctions for the OMSS for Founder Government of India
wheat on the platform of the National Commodity and
Headquarters New Delhi, India
Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX).

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 13

THE PEOPLE APPOINTMENTS
Ravi Sinha •• BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry is dedicated

S
to fostering trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship
enior IPS officer Ravi Sinha,
among the BRICS nations and other friendly countries.
an expert on neighborhood
countries and operations, was •• Sinha succeeds Shabana Nasim, who has transitioned
appointed as the new head of to the position of Executive Director of BRICS CCI
external spy agency RAW succeed and Chief Patron of BRICS CCI WE.
Samant Goel who completed his
Nutan Roongta
four-year stint on June 30.
Appointments Committee of
the Cabinet has approved the
T he Indian Economic Trade
Organization
has recently announced the
(IETO)
appointment of 59-year-old Sinha,
appointment of Nutan Roongta
a 1988 batch IPS officer from
as the Director of the USA East
Chhattisgarh, as the Secretary RAW for a tenure of two years.
Coast Chapter.
Swaminathan Janakiraman •• This significant development

T he government of India has highlights IETO’s

appointed Swaminathan commitment to expanding
Janakiraman as a Deputy its presence and promoting
Governor of the Reserve Bank of bilateral trade and economic
India (RBI). cooperation between India and the United States.
•• As per an official notification, About IETO- Economic Trade Organization is an Indian
Janakiraman’s appointment non-governmental trade association and advocacy group.
is for a period of three years It supports the countries to bolster industry support for
starting from the date of stronger participation in the multilateral trade negotiations
joining, or until any further process.
orders are issued. Headquarters: Bengaluru Founded: 2013
•• He has succeeded Mahesh Kumar Jain, whose tenure Aarti Holla-Maini

I
was concluded on June 22nd.
ndian-origin satellite industry
Aalok Kumar expert Aarti Holla-Maini has
been appointed as the Director
A alok Kumar, the Corporate
Officer and Senior Vice
President, Head of Global
of the United Nations Office for
Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
in Vienna.
Smart City Business at NEC
Corporation, and President and •• Aarti, of the United Kingdom,
CEO of NEC Corporation India, who has roots in Punjab, will
has been appointed as a member succeed Simonetta Di Pippo
of the Asian Development Bank’s of Italy.
(ADB). •• She is a member of the advisory board of the Satellite
Industry Association of India.
Ruby Sinha

R uby Sinha has been Rohit Jawa

R
appointed as the president of ohit Jawa took charges
BRICS Chamber of Commerce as the Managing Director
and Industry Women’s Vertical and Chief Executive Officer of
(BRICS CCI WE) for a three-year FMCG major Hindustan Unilever
term. Ltd (HUL).
•• Sinha, the founder of •• Rohit Jawa has replaced
SheAtWork and Kommune Sanjiv Mehta who retired on
Brand Communications, will after the company’s annual
assume the role. general meeting.

14 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 APPOINTMENTS
About Hindustan Unilever- Hindustan Unlever Navnit’s extended term demonstrates India’s commitment
Limited was established in 1931 as Hindustan Vanaspati to promoting its key priorities on the global trade stage.
Manufacturing Co. Following a merger of constituent
groups in 1956, it was renamed Hindustan Lever Limited. Tushar Mehta
Manoj Kohli T ushar Mehta, the incumbent
Solicitor General of India,

D eloitte has hired Manoj

Kohli, an experienced
professional, as a senior advisor.
has been reappointed for a three-
year term by the Appointments
Committee of Cabinet (ACC).
With a remarkable career spanning •• Mehta’s reappointment,
44 years and encompassing 30 along with six other law
countries, Kohli held significant officers, was announced after
positions such as the Country their previous terms in the
Head of Softbank India. During Supreme Court concluded.
his tenure, he played a crucial role •• In addition to Tushar Mehta, six other law officers
in expanding the firm’s presence have been granted extensions as Additional Solicitor
in the Indian digital start-up Generals (ASGs) in the Supreme Court, however their
market. duration of terms are yet to be issued.
About Deloitte- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited,
commonly referred to as Deloitte, is a British multinational Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti
professional services network headquartered in London,
England. S tate Bank of India, the
country’s largest lender, has
announced the appointment of
Founded: 1845, London, United Kingdom
Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti as its
Gernot Dollner Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

G erman luxury carmaker

Audi AG has announced the
appointment of Gernot Dollner as
•• Kodavanti, who has been
with the bank since 1991,
assumed the position on July
its new CEO. 1, 2023. This article provides
•• Dollner, currently heading details about Kodavanti’s
Volkswagen Group’s Product appointment and his
and Group Strategy, will professional background. Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti,
succeed Markus Duesmann a seasoned banking professional, has been appointed as
as Chairman of the Board of the CFO of State Bank of India.
Management. •• The appointment was effective from July 1, 2023. The
About Audi Company- announcement was made through a filing to the stock
exchanges.
Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury
vehicles headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. In PM Prasad

P
India, it was established in 2007 with its headquarters in M Prasad, who currently
Mumbai, Maharashtra. serves as the Chairman-cum-
Brajendra Navnit Managing Director of Central

I
Coalfields Limited (CCL), has
ndian government announced
been appointed as the Chairman-
the extension of Brajendra
cum-Managing Director of Coal
Navnit’s tenure as Ambassador
India Limited (CIL), a Schedule
and Permanent Representative
‘A’ Central Public Sector
of India to the World Trade
Enterprise (CPSE).
Organization (WTO) by nine
months. •• Prior to his new role, Prasad
successfully led CCL, a
This decision comes ahead of
subsidiary of Coal India, located in Jharkhand, to
the crucial 13th ministerial
achieve its production targets in the fiscal year 2022-23.
conference of the WTO in 2024.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 15
THE PEOPLE APPOINTMENTS
•• With over 30 years of experience in the coal mining •• The ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research
sector, Prasad holds a post-graduate degree in mining (IIOPR) located in Pedavegi is the sole esteemed
engineering from the Indian School of Mines, IIT institute in India dedicated to conducting research on
Dhanbad. oil palm and developing technologies applicable to all
oil palm-growing states.
Ajit Agarkar

A jit Agarkar has been Krishan Mishra

appointed as chairman of the
Senior Men’s Cricket Selection
Committee. The Selection
T he Financial Planning
Standards Board (FPSB)
of India has appointed Krishan
Committee now consists of Mishra as Chief Executive
Ajit Agarkar, Shiv Sundar Das, Officer (CEO), effective 1
Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, August 2023.
and Sridharan Sharath. •• FPSB India is the Indian
•• The former India all-rounder subsidiary of FPSB, the
represented the country in 26 global standards-setting body
Tests, 191 ODIs, and four for the financial planning
T20Is, in addition to playing 110 first-class, 270 List A, profession and owner of
and 62 T20 matches. the international Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
•• As a former fast bowler, he was part of India's victorious certification program.
squad in the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South P Vasudevan
Africa in 2007.
Qu-Dongyu T he Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) has appointed P.

T he 43rd session of conference Vasudevan as executive director.

of United Nation Food and His appointment is effective from
Agriculture Organization (FAO) July 03, 2023.
held at FAO’s headquarters, Rome •• Prior to being promoted as
began i.e. 1st July 2023. executive director, Vasudevan
•• In this conference of FAO was the Chief General
Qu-Dongyu was re-elected as Manager-in-charge of the
a Director General of United Department of Payment and
Nations Food and Agriculture Settlement Systems.
Organization (FAO). •• The apex bank said Vasudevan has, over a span of nearly
•• In 2019, Qu-Dongyu was 30 years in the Reserve Bank, served in supervision of
elected as the head of the UN agency and he is the first banks and non-banking financial companies, payment
Chinese national to serve in the position. and settlement systems and other areas in the Reserve
Bank, including a stint as a Member of Faculty in
B. Neeraja Prabhakar Bankers’ Training College.

B . Neeraja Prabhakar, the

Vice-Chancellor of Sri
G.K. Satish
Konda Laxman Telangana State
Horticultural University, has been R ussian energy giant Rosneft
has appointed a former
Indian Oil Cooperation (IOC)
appointed as the chairperson of
the Research Advisory Committee director Govind Kottis Satish as
(RAC) for the ICAR-Indian its board member.
Institute of Oil Palm Research •• The Russian Oil Company
(IIOPR) in Pedavegi, Andhra has partnership with the
Pradesh. Indian Oil Cooperation in oil
•• Ms. Prabhakar’s appointment as and gas fields in Russia.
RAC chairperson is effective from June 13 and she will lead •• Indian firms such as IOC and
a committee of ten members for a duration of three years. such other companies get the

16 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 APPOINTMENTS
crude oil from Russian Oil Company and the Russian period of five years. The decision,
Oil Company has recently initiated the shipment of made on the recommendation of
naphtha to refiners in Gujarat. the committee, is set to take effect
from July 22, 2024.
K Rajaraman
ITC Limited is an eminent Indian
T elecom Secretary
Rajaraman has been selected
by the government as the new
K conglomerate, which holds a
prominent position among the
largest companies in the country.
chairperson of the International Its operations encompass a
Financial Services Centres diverse range of business sectors,
Authority (IFSCA). such as tobacco manufacturing,
Rajaraman will take over from food processing, retailing, and financial services.
Injeti Srinivas, who served as the
inaugural chairperson since 2020. Harshvardhan Bansal
Rajaraman’s appointment is valid
for three years starting from the date T he National Real Estate
Development
(NAREDCO) has announced
Council
he assumes charge, or until he reaches the age of 65, or until
further orders are issued, whichever occurs earlier. establishment of its Delhi
chapter.
About IFSCA-
Harshvardhan Bansal, Director
The International Financial Services Centres Authority
of Unity Group, has been
(IFSCA) was formed in April 2020 through the enactment
appointed as the president of
of the International Financial Services Centres Authority
the NAREDCO Delhi Chapter.
Act, 2019. Its headquarters is situated in GIFT City,
NAREDCO is a leading national
Gandhinagar.
organization that represents the
Sheikh Talal real estate sector, it works under the Ministry of Housing

K uwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad and Urban Affairs.

Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO)
elected as the new President of the has also appointed PK Gupta, the current CMD of
Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). NBCC, as the Chairman, while Vineet Kanwar, the Group
Sheikh Talal replaces his older Executive Director of DLF, has been designated as the
brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Vice Chairman.
Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for Gaurav Jain, the CEO of India Infracorp Bahrain, has been
30 years until 2021. selected as the President Elect.
The 58-year-old Sheikh Talal beat Ujjal Bhuyan and S. Venkatanarayana
Kuwaiti Husain Al-Musallam, the
organisation’s director general and President of World Aquatics,
Bhatti
at the OCA General Assembly in Bangkok by 24 votes to 20.
About OCA T elangana Chief
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
and Kerala Chief Justice
The OCA was founded in 1982 by Fahad Al-Ahmed Al- S. Venkatanarayana
Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990 when he was killed Bhatti have been
defending Dasman Palace on the first day of the Iraqi appointed as judges of
invasion of Kuwait. the Supreme Court by the
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of President.
sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic
These appointments were
Committees. The current President is Talal Fahad Al-
made shortly after the Supreme Court Collegium, headed
Ahmad Al-Sabah.
by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, recommended
Sanjiv Puri their names to the government.

T he board of ITC Ltd has re-appointed Sanjiv Puri as

the company’s Chairman and Managing Director for a
The two new appointments increase the judicial strength
of the apex court to 33, leaving only one vacancy. Justice

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 17

THE PEOPLE AWARDS
Bhuyan, appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court on Director at SBI, will assume
October 17, 2011, had been serving as the Chief Justice of charge of his new role on August
Telangana since June 28 2022. 12, SBI Card said in a filing with
Justice Bhatti was transferred to the High Court of Kerala stock exchanges.
in March 2019. He had been serving as Chief Justice there He has been appointed as SBI
since June 1, 2023. Card’s MD&CEO for two years.
Incumbent MD & CEO Rama
Abhijit Chakravorty
Mohan Rao Amara has tendered

S BI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Card), the

country’s largest pure-play credit card issuer,
has appointed Abhijit Chakravorty as MD & CEO.
his resignation owing to his
transfer to SBI. Amara will demit
office on August 11.
Chakravorty, who is presently a Deputy Managing

AWARDS
Elizabeth Longford Prize •• The award given by Ministry of Culture, Gandhi Peace

H
Prize carries an amount of one crore rupees, a citation
istorian and writer
and a plaque.
Ramchandra Guha’s
book Rebels Against the German peace prize 2023

T
Raj: Western Fighters for
he Peace Prize
India’s Freedom has won
of the German
the Elizabeth Longford
Book Trade for 2023
Prize for Historical
has been awarded to
Biography 2023.
British-American author
•• Guha has been Salman Rushdie, “for his
awarded £5,000 (`5 lakhs approximately) and a bound indomitable spirit, for his
copy of Elizabeth Longford’s memoir. The jury was affirmation of life and for
chaired by Roy Foster. enriching our world with
•• The judging committee also included Antonia Fraser his love of storytelling”.
and Flora Fraser (daughter and granddaughter of •• Rushdie was born on June 19, 1947, in Bombay (now
Longford respectively), Richard Davenport-Hines and Mumbai), Ahmed Salman Rushdie’s name is best
Rana Mitter. known worldwide for his 1988 novel The Satanic
•• The book has been published by Penguin Random Verses, which caused widespread uproar in the Muslim
House in India, William Collins in the U.K., and Alfred world for its story inspired by the life of Islamic
Knopf in the USA. Prophet Muhammad.
Gandhi Peace Prize About German peace prize- Created in 1950, the €25,000
($27,300) Peace Prize of the German Book Trade will be

T he Gandhi Peace
Prize for the year
2021 will be conferred
awarded at a ceremony during the Frankfurt Book Fair in
October.

on Gita Press, Gorakhpur. 45th European Essay Prize

W
The Jury headed by the riter and activist
Prime Minister took the Arundhati Roy has
unanimous decision. been awarded the 45th
•• The award will be European Essay Prize
given to Gita Press for lifetime achievement
in recognition of its outstanding contribution to social, on the occasion of the
economic and political transformation through non- French translation of her
violent and other Gandhian methods. latest essay, ‘Azadi’.
•• Established in 1923, Gita Press is one of world’s largest The French translation
publishers, having published over 41 crore books in 14 ‘Liberte, fascisme, fiction’ appeared in Gallimard, a leading
languages, including over 16 crore Shrimad Bhagvad Gita. French publishing group.
18 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

At a function to be held on September 11 at the European
Essay Prize 2023 Round Table, Arundhati Roy will discuss
citizenship and identity, environment and globalization,
caste, and language.
IOC Awards Olympic Order
AWARDS
performance in several key areas, highlighting the
organization’s commitment to organizational purpose,
employee centricity, growth, recognition and rewards,
intrapreneurial culture, work-life balance, diversity, equality
and inclusion, safety, and trust.

T he International Order of the Nile

Olympic Committee
(IOC)
Tedros
awarded Dr.
Ghebreyesus,
P rime Minister
Narendra Modi was
bestowed with the highest
the Director-General state honor of Egypt,
of the World Health known as the ‘Order of
Organization (WHO), the Nile.’
with the Olympic Order. •• This recognition
•• This recognition was marks the 13th
given to Dr. Tedros for his inspiring efforts in making international award
the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 happen, even amidst received by Prime Minister Modi.
the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. •• Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian Prime
•• The presentation of the Olympic Order took place at Minister to visit Egypt since 1997.
the Olympic House and was done by the President of About ‘Order of the Nile’- According to the official
the IOC, Thomas Bach. website of the Egyptian Presidency, the ‘Order of the
Prof. Jayashankar Award Nile’ is bestowed upon heads of states, crown princes,
vice presidents, as well as individuals, both Egyptian and
A charya N. Gopi,
a renowned poet,
literary critic, and
foreign, who have rendered exceptional services to the
country or humanity.
recipient of the Sahitya Indian Medical Association award

I
Akademi Award, has been ndian Medical
chosen as the recipient Association has
of the Prof. Kothapalli selected Dr. K.
Jayashankar Award. Venugopal, chief
This prestigious award is consultant in respiratory
presented by Bharat Jagruthi, a cultural organization and medicine at General
an extended arm of Bharat Rashtra Samithi. The award Hospital, Alappuzha (City
ceremony will take place at the Telangana Saraswatha in Kerala) for the Indian
Parishath in Abids on June 21. Medical Association
Acharya Gopi, a prolific writer, has authored an impressive (IMA) awards under the category of community service.
collection of 56 books, encompassing various genres. About National doctors’ day
His literary works include 26 compilations of poems, 7 National Doctors’ Day is celebrated on 01 July every year in
compilations of essays, 5 translations, and 3 research books. India for the past 32 years.
“Most Preferred Workplace of It is celebrated to honour the legendary and renowned doctor
Bidhan Chandra Roy, a politician, a freedom fighterand an
2023-24” Award
advocate for education.

N TPC Ltd., India’s

largest
generator, has
power
been
About IMA- The Indian Medical Association is a national
voluntary organisation of physicians in India. It was
established in 1928 as the All India Medical Association,
recognized by Team
and was renamed the Indian Medical Association in 1930.
Marksmen as the “Most
It is a society registered under The Societies Act of India.
Preferred Workplace of
2023-24.” This esteemed Sahitya Akademi Award 2023

P
award acknowledges
riya A S, a talented writer, has been honored with the
NTPC’s outstanding
prestigious Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023 in
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 19
THE PEOPLE AWARDS
the Malayalam language for PEN Pinter Prize 2023

R
her novel “Perumazhayathe
enowned children’s
Kunjithalukal” (The
writer and
Children Who Never
performance poet, Michael
Withered).
Rosen, aged 77, has been
•• This recognition honored with the esteemed
adds to her previous PEN Pinter Prize 2023.
achievement of
•• This prestigious
winning the Kerala
award is bestowed
Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature in
upon a writer
2020 for the same novel.
hailing from the United Kingdom, Ireland, or the
•• With the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023, Commonwealth, whose body of work fearlessly
Priya A S’s talent and creativity in children’s literature uncovers and reveals truths about the realities of
have been acknowledged once again. modern-day existence.
2023 List Of Great Immigrants AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year
A jay Banga,
President of the
the Award 2023
World Bank, has been
recognized on the
I ndian football team
midfielder Lallianzuala
Chhangte was named the
Carnegie Corporation
AIFF Men’s Footballer
of New York’s annual
of the Year for 2022-
“Great Immigrants” list.
23 while Manisha
•• He is lauded for his Kalyan won her second
contributions and consecutive Women’s
efforts in enriching America and its democracy. Footballer of the Year
•• With over 30 years of experience in key positions, award.
63-year-old Banga is expected to usher in transformative The 26-year-old Lallianzuala Chhangte beat Nandhakumar
policies at the World Bank to combat poverty and Sekar and Naorem Mahesh Singh of East Bengal to win the
address climate change. award.
Global Indian Icon at UK-India Points of Light Award
Awards ajindar Singh Dhatt,
R
S porting legend and the driving force
India’s first-ever behind the “Undivided
Olympic medallist in Indian Ex-Servicemen’s
women’s boxing, Mary Association” has been
Kom, has been honored honored with the
with the Global Indian prestigious Points of Light
Icon of the Year award award for his exceptional
at the annual UK-India service and relentless
Awards in Windsor, efforts to bring together British Indian war veterans.
south-eastern England. Dhatt demonstrated his dedication to serving his country by
•• Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, behind Oscar-nominated joining the British Indian Army during the Second World War.
'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' received a Lifetime ASSOCHAM Awards
Achievement Award for his contribution to the field of
cinema across both nations at the awards, organized by
India Global Forum (IGF) as part of UK-India Week. I ndia’s mining major, NMDC (National Mineral
Development Corporation), was honored with two
prestigious awards at the ASSOCHAM Business Excellence
•• The Nehru Centre in London, the cultural wing of the
Awards 2023 held in Kolkata.
Indian High Commission, won the UK-India Award for
Significant Contribution to UK-India Relations. The company received the ‘Mineral Development
Award’ and the ‘Employer Brand of the Year Award’
20 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
 AWARDS
in recognition of its •• NLCIL’s growth in GeM procurement started from a
significant contributions small value of Rs 2.21 crore during the year 2018-
to the mining sector and 19 and the company has registered an impressive
its exemplary human growth of Rs 984.93 crore during the year FY 2022-
resources practices. 23.
The awards were •• Government e-Marketplace GeM is a dedicated
presented by Anurag e-Market service platform, a National public
Srivastava, IAS, procurement portal, governed by Government of India
Secretary of the Industry, for marketing different goods and services.
Commerce, and Enterprise Department, Government of •• To promote the power market in line with GEM's
West Bengal, during the Indian Mining and Minerals vision of transparent, inclusive and efficient public
Conclave 2023. procurement in India, awards are being presented by
NMDC’s Role in Mineral Development: the Government of India.
•• As the largest producer of iron ore in India and the •• Shri K Mohan Reddy, Director (Planning and Projects)
sixth largest in the world, NMDC plays a pivotal role received the award on behalf of NLC India Limited.
in the country’s mineral development. Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour

P
•• The company is renowned for its state-of-the-art rime Minister
Research and Development (R&D) Centre, which Narendra Modi has
focuses on enhancing productivity, promoting become the first Indian
sustainable mining practices, and developing advanced Prime Minister to have
beneficiation technologies. been conferred with
the Grand Cross of the
GeM Award in "Timely Payments"
Legion of Honour.
for 2023 Mr. Modi received the

N LC India Limited, a
navratna company
under the Ministry of
honour at the Elysee
Palace here on, July 13, 2023, and joined the ranks
of other prominent world leaders such as the former
Coal, bagged GeM award president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, King
in the category "Timely Charles – the then Prince of Wales, former Chancellor
Payments (CPSEs)" of Germany Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali,
for the year 2023 for its former Secretary General of the United Nations, among
outstanding contribution in others.
improving the reliability of The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor conferred by
e-market practices in line with the vision of GeM. French President Emmanuel Macron is another in a series
•• NLCIL registered and on-boarded in GeM portal in the of top international awards and honors bestowed upon
year 2017. Prime Minister Modi by various countries.

OBITUARY
Daniel Ellsberg Rakesh Master

D aniel Ellsberg, a U.S.

military analyst, passed
away at the age of 92.
R enowned Tollywood
choreographer S. Rama Rao,
widely known as Rakesh Master,
He became known for leaking has sadly passed away at 53 years
the “Pentagon Papers,” which old.
exposed how the U.S. government With an impressive portfolio of
deceived the public about the choreographing around 1,500
Vietnam War. movies and creating numerous
Later in life, he became an popular songs, Rakesh Master
advocate for whistleblowers and his story was depicted in initially started his career in dance
the movie “The Post” released in 2017. reality shows.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 21

THE PEOPLE OBITUARY
•• Master was born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, in Sabha between 2003 and
1961. He started his career as a dancer in the early 2004 during the Amarinder
1980s, and soon became one of the most sought-after Singh-led Congress regime
choreographers in Telugu cinema. in Punjab.
•• He worked on over 500 films, and his work was known About AISF- The All India
for its energy, creativity, and technical precision. Students’ Federation (AISF) is a
prominent student organization in
Kausar Rizvi India. It was founded in 1936 with

T he former Urdu newsreader

of Akashvani, Kausar Rizvi
passed away in Dubai. He was
the objective of advocating for
the rights and welfare of students
across the country.
79.
Kausar Rizvi was associated
Alan Arkin
with the Urdu unit of the News
Services Division of Akashvani A lan Arkin, a veteran US actor
known for his remarkable
talent and a career that spanned
in New Delhi for about 30 years
from 1975 to 2004. over six decades died.
Arkin, who received multiple
John Bannister Goodenough Academy Award and Emmy

R enowned American scientist

John Bannister Goodenough,
the co-inventor of Lithium-ion
nominations, left an indelible
mark on both the film and
television industry.
batteries and a co-winner of the
His unforgettable performances
2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry,
in films like “Catch-22,” “Edward Scissorhands,” and his
has sadly passed away.
Oscar-winning role in “Little Miss Sunshine” endeared him
Goodenough was just a month shy to audiences.
of his 101st birthday. His British-
American counterpart, Stan Namboothiri

W
Whittingham, shared the Nobel ell known painter and
prize with Goodenough for their sculptor Namboothiri
groundbreaking work. Whittingham initially discovered passed away. He was 97.
that lithium could be stored in titanium sulphide sheets,
and Goodenough perfected the concept by incorporating a •• A prolific literary illustrator,
cobalt-based cathode, resulting in a product that has become famous for his line art
an integral part of people’s lives. and copper relief works,
Namboothiri illustrated for
Bir Devinder Singh several frontline Malayalam

F ormer Punjab assembly deputy speaker Bir Devinder writers including Thakazhi
Singh passes away at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Shivashankara Pillai, MT
Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. Vasudevan Nair, Uroob and SK Pottakkad among others.

•• Having started out as a leader of the All India Students’
Federation (AISSF), Bir Devinder was elected MLA
for the first time from Sirhind in 1980 on a Congress
ticket.
•• He later won from the Kharar assembly constituency
in 2002. He served as the deputy speaker of the Vidhan
•• His works characterised a harmonious blend of tradition
and modernity, seamlessly bridging the past and the
present, and offered an elevated and enriching experience.
•• He was the recepient of the Raja Ravi Varma Award of
the Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi and the Kerala State
Film Award for Best Art Director.

22 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 NATIONAL NEWS BITES
NATIONAL
NEWS
NITI Aayog, UN signed
GoI-UN Sustainable
Development Cooperation
17-June-2023

• NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India

signed the Government of India-United Nations
Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
2023-2027 in New Delhi.
• The Government of India-UNSDCF was signed
by NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam and
UN Resident Coordinator Bharat Shombi Sharp.
• GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 represents the UN
development system’s collective offer to the
Government of India, in line with the national
vision for development, for the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals, promoting gender
equality, youth empowerment and human rights.

The Personnel Ministry announced that the central

Centre launches ‘Dakshta’
course collection on iGOT
platform 20-June-2023
About Dakshta
• This platform is a comprehensive guide for
government officials seeking to develop their
capacity-building skills.
• The Dakshta collection contains 18 courses
designed to equip learners with the necessary
knowledge and skills required to perform their
duties effectively.
• These courses cover a range of topics, including
data-driven decision making, office procedures,
effective communication, public policy research,
and stress management.
government has launched a new collection of courses
called “Dakshta” (Development of Attitude, Knowledge,
Skill for Holistic Transformation in Administration) on
the iGOT Karmayogi Platform.
Key Points
• The Department of Personnel and Training
(DoPT) has established Karmayogi Bharat, a
government-owned not-for-profit special purpose
vehicle, to steer the mission’s fundamental goals.
• It’s charged with the ownership, management,
maintenance, and enhancement of the iGOT
Karmayogi platform.
• Mission Karmayogi (National programme for
civil services capacity building), in line with
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of
building a ‘Viksit Bharat’, plays an important
role in nurturing a smart, citizen-friendly, and
future-ready public workforce.

India moves up The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released the annual Gender Gap
Report for 2023, which measures the gender disparity in various aspects of society.
8 places in WEF
Global Gender Gap Index
Global Gender Gap
•• The Global Gender Gap Index is a benchmark index introduced by the World
Report 24-June-2023 Economic Forum in 2006. It tracks progress and compares nations’ advancements
In the 2022 edition, India was toward gender parity and equality across four key dimensions with sub-parameters.
ranked 135th. The country has •• These dimensions are Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational
closed 64.3% of the overall gender Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
gap.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 23
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
India achieved milestone of
101 Million Cubic Meters per
Day 26-June-2023
• India has achieved the milestone of 101 Million
Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day of gas
production.

"
• Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, the Mr Puri said, since India imports about 50 per cent of
feat reflects the untiring efforts of India’s energy its natural gas requirement, enhanced gas production
soldiers and the impact of policy reforms.

"
within the country will reduce import dependence.

Centre approved Rs IISc Tops in Times Asia Rankings 2023

56,415 crores to 16 27-June-2023
States 27-June-2023 In the recently released Asia University Rankings 2023 by Times Higher
• The Centre has approved 56 thousand Education (THE), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, has
415 crore rupees to 16 States for Capital emerged as the leading university in India. The rankings highlight the
Investment under the ‘Special Assistance performance and reputation of universities across Asia.
to States for Capital Investment 2023- Key Points-
24’ scheme in the financial year.
• IISc Secures Top Position: The Indian Institute of Science
• The investments cover various sectors, (IISc) has claimed the highest position among Indian
including health, education, irrigation, universities, securing the 48th spot in the Asia University
water supply, power, roads, bridges, Rankings 2023.
and railways.
• Indian Universities in Top 200: India has made a notable
• It aims for giving a timely boost to presence in the rankings, with a total of 18 universities
capital spending by the States. Funds for featured among the top 200 in Asia. These institutions
meeting the State share of the Jal Jeevan showcase the growing prominence of Indian higher education
Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram on the global stage.
Sadak Yojana have also been provided
to the States under this scheme. Indian Rankings in Top 100: Among the top 100 universities in Asia,
India is represented by four institutions. Alongside IISc, JSS Academy
• The Special Assistance to States for of Higher Education and Research stands at 68th, Shoolini University of
Capital Investment 2023-24 scheme Biotechnology and Management Sciences at 77th, and Mahatma Gandhi
was announced in the Union Budget University shares the 95th spot with Xi’an Jiaotong University from China.
2023-24, to provide a boost to capital
spending by states.
• It offers 50-year interest-free loans
totaling 1.3 lakh crore rupees to State
governments during the financial year
2023-24.
• The 16 beneficiary States include
Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan,
Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and
West Bengal.

24 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 NATIONAL

Pralhad Joshi unveils India's first-ever

report on Critical Minerals 29-June-2023

• Union Minister of Mines, Pralhad Joshi, has unveiled India's first-ever

report on Critical Minerals for India.
• The report identifies 30 critical minerals essential for sectors including
defense, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, and telecom. This
comprehensive list marks a milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance
and security in mineral resources, aligning with the vision of achieving
'Net Zero' targets.

The list aims to guide policy formulation, strategic planning, and investment decisions in the mining sector.

• India has secured the 67th position in the World Economic Forum’s
India ranked 67th on (WEF) energy transition index, making it the only major economy
to witness an acceleration across all dimensions.
Energy Transition Index • The report, developed in collaboration with Accenture, highlights
2023 29-June-2023 India’s significant improvements in achieving a secure and
sustainable energy transition, reducing energy and carbon intensity.

Accelerated Energy Transition Across All Dimensions

India’s energy transition has garnered international recognition for its accelerated progress across all dimensions. The
report emphasizes India’s commitment to building a secure and sustainable energy future despite continued economic
growth. One of India’s notable achievements is the achievement of universal access to electricity.
Sweden topped the Index
Sweden has claimed the leading position, with Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland following closely behind.

India’s biggest natural

arch dicovered 01-July-2023
•• The Geological Survey of India’s (GSI)
state unit has discovered a magnificent
“Natural Arch” located in the Kanika range
of Sundargarh forest division in Odisha.
•• This geological marvel is believed to
have originated during the Jurassic
period. GSI has also proposed Geo
Heritage tag for “Natural Arch”.
•• If it is done, it will become the biggest
Significance and Geological Characteristics- natural arch of the country to have the
Apart from its remarkable size, the natural arch and its surrounding area Geo Heritage tag.
are a treasure trove of primary sedimentary structures, including planner •• This oval-shaped arch has a length of
and cross-bedding, along with occasional current ripples. These features 30 metres at the base and is 12 metre
indicate a high-energy fluvial environment during the sedimentation high. The alcove of the natural arch,
process. has maximum height and width of 7
metres and 15 metres respectively.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 25

NEWS BITES NATIONAL
Indian Coast Guard
& Indian Navy sign
MoD signed a contract MoU with IPR&RC
with Mazagon Dock Ltd 03-July-2023
Shipbuilders Ltd • A Memorandum
01-July-2023
• Ministry of Defence has signed
a contract on 30th June, 2023
for Medium Refit with Life
Certification (MRLC) of Sub-
Surface Killer (SSK) Class of
Submarine “INS Shankush”
with M/S Mazagon Dock
Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
Mumbai at an overall cost of
Rs. 2725 Cr
• Shankush is a SSK Class of
Submarine to be re-fitted at
MDL, Mumbai. Delivery of
Submarine post MRLC will be
in 2026.
• After completion of MRLC,
INS Shankush will be combat
ready and will join the active
fleet of the Indian Navy with
upgraded combat capability.
• This project is an important
step towards development of
MDL as Maintenance, Repair
& Overhaul (MRO) Hub
for supporting the industrial
ecosystem of India.
• The project will be a proud flag
bearer of Atmanirbhar Bharat in
consonance with the Make-in-
India initiative of Government
of India.
26 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
of
Understanding (MoU) was
signed between Indian Coast
Guard & Indian Navy with
Indian Port Rail & Ropeway
Corporation Ltd on July 2, 2023.
• In Gandhinagar for the planning,
development, construction, and
commissioning of a gallery on
the theme “Evolution of Indian
Navy & Indian Coast Guard” at
the National Maritime Heritage
Complex (NMHC) which is
being constructed at the historic
Indus Valley civilization region
of Lothal (Gujarat).
• The Government of India is
building the National Maritime
Heritage Complex (NMHC) at the
historic Indus Valley civilization
region of Lothal (Gujarat) under
the aegis of the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways.
• Comprising of a maritime museum,
lighthouse museum, maritime
theme parks, amusement park
centers, etc., NMHC will
showcase the maritime heritage
of the country from ancient
to modern times by adopting
an edutainment approach
using the latest technology to
spread awareness about India’s
maritime heritage.
India host 23rd
Summit of Shanghai
Cooperation
Organization 04-July-2023
• India hosted the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Summit in virtual
format. The 23rd Summit of
the SCO Council of Heads of
State has been chaired by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
• According to External
Affairs Ministry, all the SCO
Member States China, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Pakistan, Tajikistan, and
Uzbekistan have been invited
to attend the Summit.
• Iran, Belarus, and Mongolia
have been invited as Observer
States. As per SCO tradition,
Turkmenistan has also been
invited as the guest of the Chair.
Heads of the two SCO Bodies, the
Secretariat and the SCO RATS
has also attended the Summit.
• The theme of India’s
Chairmanship of SCO-SECURE
is derived from the acronym
given by the Prime Minister at the
2018 SCO Qingadao Summit.
• SECURE stands for Security,
Economic development,
Connectivity, Unity, Respect
for sovereignty and territorial
integrity, and Environmental
protection.
• India assumed the rotating
Chairmanship of SCO at
the Samarkand Summit in
September 2022. India set up
new pillars of cooperation
under its Chairmanship
by emphasising startups
and innovation, traditional
medicine, digital inclusion,
youth empowerment, and
shared Buddhist heritage.
 NATIONAL
India launches Bharat 6G
Alliance 05-July-2023
•• India has taken a significant stride forward in the field
of telecommunications, with the acquisition of over 200
patents for 6G technology.
•• The announcement was made by the Communications
and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, during the launch
of the Bharat 6G Alliance in New Delhi.
•• The alliance, consisting of industry, academia, and the
central government, aims to spearhead all 6G-related
initiatives in a systematic and methodical manner.
Objectives of Roll Out of 6G
•• To offer enhanced capabilities such as improved reliability, ultra-low latency, and affordable solutions
•• To revolutionise communication by providing speeds nearly 100 times faster than 5G
•• To open up exciting possibilities for the development of novel communication applications.
Need of Bharat 6G Alliance
Recognizing the rapidly evolving nature of the telecom sector and the importance of staying ahead of technological
obsolescence, the Department of Telecommunications launched the Bharat 6G Alliance. The primary objective of this
alliance is to go beyond technical requirements and understand the business and societal needs of 6G technology.

DGCA signs MoU with European India’s first ‘Police Drone Unit’
Union Aviation Safety Agency launched in Chennai 06-July-2023
06-July-2023 •• The Greater Chennai City Police (GCP) has
•• The Directorate launched the ‘Police Drone Unit’ for aerial
General of Civil surveillance over vast areas and quick detection of
Aviation (DGCA) criminal activities.
India has signed a •• The project costing around Rs 3.6 crore was
Memorandum of inaugurated by the outgoing Tamil Nadu Director
Understanding General of Police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu at Besant
(MoU) with the Avenue, Adyar.
European Union
Overview
Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) for cooperation in Unmanned Aircraft •• The use of drones in law enforcement will provide the
Systems and Innovative Air Mobility. police with an additional tool to monitor and secure
large areas more efficiently.
•• This MoU will focus on collaboration on unmanned
aircraft and innovative air mobility between the two •• The drones equipped with advanced surveillance
civil aviation authorities. technology will aid in identifying potential threats,
monitoring crowd gatherings, and assisting in traffic
•• This collaboration would include cooperation between
management.
DGCA and EASA in the areas of the development of
certification standards and environmental standards According to the police, a total of nine drones under three
and related requirements categories are available in this unit: Quick Response
Surveillance Drones (6), Heavy Lift Multirotor Drone
The MoU will also ensure regular information sharing
(1) and Long Range Survey Wing Place (2). These are all
between the two authorities on the technological
equipped with built-in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities
developments and research in this area and also their
and can be operated up to a distance of 5-10 km from the
respective strategies for outreach to relevant stakeholders.
ground station.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 27
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 approved by
Cabinet 06-July-2023
e
a y to b
The Union Government approved the draft Digital Personal Data he w
Bill and come before Parliament in the monsoon season. The a v i ng t
t’s p data
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
t a nd i ore
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received and considered 21,666 suggestions to ernm ndia
the draft bill that have been circulated i o n gov
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nb
be i 2020-21 & 2021-22 08-July-2023
Education Ministry, released
the Performance Grading
Bureau of Water Index for Districts (PGI-D)
combined report for 2020-21
Use Efficiency & and 2021-22.
Indian Plumbing • The report assesses
the performance
Association sign of the school
MoU 08-July-2023 education system at
the District level by
• The Bureau of Water creating an index for
Use Efficiency (BWUE) comprehensive analysis.
and Indian Plumbing • The Ministry said Indian Education System is one of
Association (IPA) have the largest in the world with about 14.9 lakh schools,
signed an MoU with the aim of achieving a Water 95 lakh teachers, and nearly 26.5 crore students from
Positive India on 7th July 2023. varied socio-economic backgrounds.
• The MoU focuses on creating awareness and • It devised Performance Grading Index for States and
promoting rainwater harvesting structures, low-flow released the report for the reference years 2017-18 to
fixtures and sanitary ware, treatment of grey and black 2020-21.
water, and water audit of the built environment.
• Based on the success of State PGI, 83-indicator-based
The collaboration between NWM and IPA will include PGI-D has been designed to grade the performance of
public education, awareness and outreach programmes, all districts in school education.
water stewardship, circular economy of water, rainwater
harvesting, aquifer recharge, and reclamation of used The Ministry said the ultimate objective of PGI-D is to help
water. the Districts to prioritize areas for intervention in school
education and thus improve to reach the highest grade.
28 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
 NATIONAL
Farmers Distress Index 08-July-2023
Farmers Distress Index is a kind of early warning system for farmers launched by the Central
Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), under the Indian Council of Agriculture
Research (ICAR).
Aim to launch :
•• Farmers Distress Index launched in July 2022, by the Central Research
Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) under the Indian Council
of Agriculture Research (ICAR) with the main motive to minimize
the agrarian distress in the form of crop loss, failure and income
loss.
Farmers Distress Index trying to reduce their distress and prevent its
spread from a few farmers to the village or block level by pre-warning
different stakeholders including central, state and local government and
also non-government agencies about the future occurrence of farmers
distress.

Ministry of Defence & FSSAI

37th Hyderabad Sailing sign MoU 13-July-2023
Week - 2023 & Laser •• A Memorandum
National Championship of Understanding
(MoU) to promote
concludes 10-July-2023 use of millets and
healthy eating
•• The 37th Hyderabad Sailing Week -2023 and Laser
practices among the
National Championship concluded on a grand note
Armed Forces and
at Secunderabad Sailing Club.
ensure availability
•• Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan of safe & nutritious food was signed in New Delhi on
has presented prizes to the winners under various July 13, 2023.
categories of the championship.
•• The MoU was signed by Director General (Supplies
•• She presented prizes to all winners and position and Transport) Lieutenant General Preet Mohindera
holders in each category, including Hyderabad girl Singh on behalf of Ministry of Defence (MoD) and
VV Vaishnavi who secured gold in the ILCA 4 girls CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
category at the event. (FSSAI) Shri G Kamala Vardhana Rao. It aims
In the ILCA 7 race, Mohit Saini clinched gold medal to create awareness about the nutritional benefits
ahead of Deepak Kumar Saini and Sikhansu Singh in of diet diversity and millet-based food products
second and third respectively. among the personnel. The MoU will also pave the
way for the introduction of millet-based menus in
mess, canteens and other food outlets under the
MoD.
•• This collaboration will also ensure training of food
handlers & chefs of mess, canteens of the Armed
Forces and other food outlets on food safety and
hygiene as per the Food Safety and Standards Act
2006..
The book ‘Healthy Recipes for Defence’, developed by
FSSAI, includes a range of millet-based dishes. It will
serve as a valuable resource for different canteens and food
outlets under the MoD.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 29

NEWS BITES STATE
STATE Jammu tops table
NEWS of District Good
Governance Index
17-June-2023
•• In Jammu and Kashmir,
the Jammu district has topped the table
of District Good Governance Index (DGGI 3.0) with an overall
score of 6.37 out of 10.
•• Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta released the 3rd
edition of District Good Governance Index 3.0 along with
performance of districts in achieving a set of 385 deliverables
given to them during 2022-23.
•• The Jammu district is followed by Samba at 2nd place with a
score of 6.17 and Srinagar (6) at 3rd place.
The DGGI parameters to measure the performances of districts consist of 58 indicators under 10 sectors that
include Agriculture & Allied sector, Commerce & Industry, Human Resource Development, Public Health
Sector, Public Infrastructure & Utilities, Social Welfare & Development, Financial Inclusion.

UP prisons to be known as The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath,

made a significant decision to UP prisons as 'Reform
“Reform Homes” 20-June-2023 Homes' in June 2023.
Key Points:
•• One of the most notable guidelines was the renaming of
Uttar Pradesh’s prisons to ‘Sudhaar Grah’ or Reform Homes.
•• This move implied a shift from the current approach to
prisons, as it went beyond the mere detention of prisoners
and aimed to foster a culture of reform and rehabilitation.
•• The chief minister also announced that the state
government has introduced a new parole policy that will
enable more inmates to be released from prison on parole,
subject to certain conditions.
The policy aims to reduce overcrowding in prisons and enable
more prisoners to be rehabilitated into society.

Surat sets Guinness Surat, a city in Gujarat, India, witnessed a historic event on International Yoga
Day as it broke the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people
World Record 23-June-2023 participating in a yoga session at a single location.
Yoga’s Global Acceptance
• International Yoga Day has garnered widespread support, with more than 176 countries embracing this annual
observance.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel acknowledged the teachings of yogacharyas (yoga practitioners) and rishi munis
(sages) who have imparted the wisdom of leading a healthy and stress-free life through daily yoga practice.

30 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 STATE
Paytm Collaborates with Arunachal
Pradesh 24-June-2023

•• Paytm Payment Services Limited (PPSL) entered into a

memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Arunachal Pradesh
Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) to establish a thriving
startup ecosystem for the youth in the northeastern state.
•• The partnership aims to nurture entrepreneurship and
encourage young business ventures during their early stages
of development.
•• As per the terms of the MoU, the Paytm Incubation Center will
extend its products to early-stage startups at a discounted price.
The MoU was formally signed at the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation
and Investment Park, which serves as the state’s inaugural marquee es.
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IIT Bombay ranked 1st in
India in QS World University
Rankings 28-June-2023
•• IIT Bombay has been ranked 1st in India and 149th in world in QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World
University Rankings.
•• It has moved significantly up from 172nd rank last year to 149th rank this year.
•• For the first time ever, IITB has been ranked within top 150 and top 10% in QS rankings.
•• IITB has a score of 81.9 in employer reputation, 73.1 in citation per faculty, 55.5 in academic reputation,
47.4 in employment outcome, 54.9 in sustainability.
•• Among the various 9 parameters, employer reputation indicated the strongest one for IIT Bombay with
a rank of 69 globally.
Director of IIT Bombay Prof. Subhas is Chaudhuri said, excellence in teaching is the key driving point
for IIT Bombay.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 31
NEWS BITES STATE
Gujarat government
signs MoU with Micron
Technology 29-June-2023
•• The Gujarat government signed an MoU with
American chipmaker firm Micron Technology
for a semiconductor assembly and test facility
at Sanand in Ahmedabad district.
•• The MoU was signed at Gandhinagar in
the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra
Patel and Union Electronics and IT Minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw.
•• Under the scheme, the Central Government
will provide 50 percent fiscal support for the
total project cost to the US-based firm while
the state government will provide incentives
representing 20 percent of the total.
•• The semiconductor assembly and test plant
is expected to create five thousand direct
employment opportunities in the State.Phase
1 of the plant will become operational by the
end of 2024.
Startup20 Shikhar summit in
Haryana 03-July-2023
• The Startup20 Engagement Group, under the India G20
Presidency, hosted two day Startup20 Shikhar summit in
Gurugram, Haryana from 3rd July 2023.
• The summit signifies India's commitment to fostering an
enabling environment for startups and reinforcing its position
as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.
• It serves as a significant milestone in the journey toward
unlocking the potential of startups to drive economic growth,
job creation, and societal progress.
• During the summit, the delegates will have the privilege to
connect with industry experts, policymakers, and thought
leaders, forging strategic alliances and shaping the trajectory of
startups on a global scale.
The summit will serve as a landmark event for the official release
of the final Policy Communiqué. The Communiqué will lay the
foundation for a transformative and inclusive startup ecosystem,
fostering economic growth, innovation, and cross-border
collaboration.

Andhra Pradesh CM launched the ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’

scheme 04-July-2023
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of Andhra Pradesh has taken a
significant step towards promoting education and empowering mothers
through the implementation of the Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme. With
an allocation of `6,392 crore, this initiative aims to provide financial
assistance to approximately 42 lakh mothers, offering them an annual gift
of `15,000 for sending their children to school.
Empowering Mothers and Benefiting Students
• Through the Amma Vodi scheme, approximately 83 lakh
students from Class I to intermediate levels will benefit from
the financial assistance provided by the state government.
By directly supporting mothers, the scheme recognizes their
critical role in shaping the educational journey of their
children.
Promoting Education for a Brighter Future
Under the Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme,
the Andhra Pradesh government is taking
proactive measures to ensure that every
child has access to education. The scheme
emphasizes the belief of Chief Minister
Jagan Mohan Reddy that education is a
valuable asset that can transform lives and
pave the way for a prosperous future.

32 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 STATE
Amit Shah laid foundation stone of the country’s first
cooperative-run Sainik School 05-July-2023
•• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah virtually laid the foundation stone of the country’s first
cooperative-run Sainik School near Mehsana in Gujarat.
•• Amit Shah said that this Sainik School has been started in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to start
100 new Sainik Schools on PPP basis in the country.
The Sainik School will be established at Boriyavi village, 11 kilometers away from Mehsana city by the leading
cooperative Dudh Sagar Dairy at the cost of 75 crores rupees.

Gujarat Govt ink six MoUs with private industries 07-July-2023

•• In Gujarat, the mangroves will be planted over 3000 hectares area of land to conserve coastal ecosystems. Gujarat
government inked six MoUs with private industries for the mangrove plantation under the MISHTI scheme at Dwarka.
•• Mr. Yadav said India has devised a unique biodiversity conservation model through a holistic approach. He also
underlined the critical role of mangroves in preventing coastal erosion.
The initiative will aid restoration and conservation of mangroves and achieve India’s carbon sink targets.

Urban-20 Mayoral Summit begins in Gujarat 08-July-2023

•• The Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit began in the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
•• Delegates and participants from 57 cities across the world and 35 cities from India including 45 Mayors, deputy
Mayors of the global cities are participating in the two-day summit.
•• For the first time large number of cities are participating in the U-20 summit. The Minister said, it is an important
platform for exchange of knowledge between cities at the urban level.
•• More than 45 Mayors and Deputy Mayors from across the world and about 35 Mayors from Indian cities are
participated in the Summit.
Urban 20 (U20)- The U20 works to coordinate a joint position between the mayors of major G20 cities and other
global urban centres to inform and enrich the discussions of national leaders. It focuses on responding to the climate
crisis by championing and accelerating the transition to carbon-neutral, more inclusive and resilient societies.

Mukhra (K) becomes first insured village in Telangana 10-July-2023

•• In Telangana, Mukhra (K), a model village in Adilabad district has become the first habitation in the State to have
insured by 100 percent.
•• Mukhra (K) village bagged many national awards which include the National-level Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh
award this year and an incentive of 50 lakh rupees.
•• It also won Swacch Sujal Shakti Samman this year, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Shashaktikaran Purashkar last
year for effectively implementing various schemes and the Biodiversity award and Swacch Sarvekshan Award for 2020.
•• The model village also installed two rooftop solar grids to produce 6KV electricity, earning revenue by selling of
vermicompost fertiliser produced by the rural civic body.
It achieved an open defecation-free tag by constructing toilets in all households besides planting 1 lakh saplings in open
spaces and on the premises of every house.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 33

NEWS BITES STATE
Chief Minister's College Students' Rehabilitation Scheme 2023
launched in Manipur 10-July-2023
•• In Manipur, the Chief Minister's College Students'
Rehabilitation Scheme 2023 was launched on 7th
July 2023, to provide the required educational
facilities to the undergraduate students displaced
and affected due to the prevailing situation in the
State.
•• The new scheme has been initiated to enable the
students of Government and Government aided
colleges to continue their education uninterrupted.
The State Education Minister Th. Basanta Kumar
launched the scheme at Imphal.
Under this one-time scheme, students from the
present college get transferred to a new college as per
the request made by them. The students will also get
free admission for the academic session 2023-24.

Tamil Nadu gets its first flying Telangana High Court

training school 13-July-2023 Declares Eunuchs Act
•• India’s aviation Unconstitutional 13-July-2023
education landscape
has witnessed a
significant boost
with the recent
approval of the first
Flying Training
Organisation (FTO) in Tamil Nadu by the Directorate
General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
•• EKVI Air Training Organization Pvt Ltd has been granted
permission to operate from Salem Airport, marking a
significant milestone for aspiring pilots in the region.
•• The approval of EKVI Air Training Organization Pvt
Ltd brings new hope and opportunities for aspiring •• The Telangana High Court recently made a landmark
pilots in Tamil Nadu. judgment, declaring the Telangana Eunuchs Act as
•• With access to professional training programs, students unconstitutional.
can now embark on a journey towards fulfilling their •• The Act, which had been in place since 1919, was
dreams of becoming skilled aviators. The FTO’s deemed discriminatory and a violation of the human
comprehensive training curriculum will encompass rights of the transgender community.
theoretical classes, flight simulator sessions, and
•• The Telangana Eunuchs Act came under scrutiny after
practical flight experience, ensuring a well-rounded
a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Vyjayanthi
education that prepares students for the dynamic
Vasanta Mogli, who argued that the Act was
aviation industry.
discriminatory and lacked legal support.
About DGCA- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation
The High Court bench, consisting of Chief Justice Ujjal
is a statutory body of the Government of India to regulate
Bhuyan and Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy, concurred
civil aviation in India. It became a statutory body under the
with the petitioner’s claims and struck down the Act
Aircraft Act, 2020.
on July 6, 2023.
Headquarters: New Delhi

34 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
Intel and Germany Sign $32.8
Billion Chip Plant Agreement
20-June-2023

Intel, the US-based global semiconductor chip

manufacturer, has entered into an agreement with the • The German government, recognizing the strategic
German government, investing $32.8 Billion in Germany's importance of the semiconductor industry, has pledged
technology infrastructure. to provide approximately 10 billion euros in financial
support toward Intel’s overall investment in the country
About the Agreement:
The deal is poised to bolster the country’s semiconductor
• This collaboration, with financial support from Berlin,
industry and solidify Intel’s position as a leading player in
represents the largest foreign investment ever made in
the market.
Germany.

• The United Nations has adopted the first-ever treaty to

United Nations adopt protect marine life in the high seas.
• Guterres told delegates that the adoption of the treaty
first-ever treaty to protect comes at a critical time, with the oceans are under
marine life 20-June-2023 threat on many fronts.
• The treaty is vital to address these threats and he urged
all countries to spare no efforts to ensure that it is signed

" The new treaty will be opened for signatures on

September 20, during the annual meeting of world
leaders at the General Assembly, and it will take effect •
and ratified as soon as possible.
The treaty to protect biodiversity in waters outside
national boundaries, known as the high seas, covering
once it is ratified by 60 countries.
" nearly half of earth's surface.

Dhaka at 7th position in least liveable city in world

•• Dhaka remained the 7th least liveable
city in the world for the second time
in a row, according to the Global
Liveability Index 2023 published
by the Economic Intelligence Unit
(EIU) of Economists.
•• Among 172 cities, Dhaka has the
rank of 166. It shares the least
liveable city index at number 7 with
Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe.
•• On the stability parameter, Dhaka
scored 50, on healthcare its
score was 41.7, on culture and
environment 40.5, education 75.0
and on infrastructure, it scored 26.8.
23-June-2023
•• Vienna in Austria tops the ranking the top 10 most liveable countries
of the most liveable cities in the at number 9.
world followed by Copenhagen After the end of covid restrictions,
in Denmark, Melbourne and the liveability index has shown a
Sydney on 3rd and 4th rank while noticeable improvement across the
Vancouver has been placed at the world. The average index score among
5th best city on the liveability index. all 172 cities has now reached 76.2
•• Damascus in Syria and Tripoli in out of 100.
Libya remained at the bottom of
the liveability index.
•• The top rank of the liveable cities
is dominated by European and
North American cities.
•• Among Asian countries, only
Osaka in Japan features among
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 35
NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL
India and UAE signed India, US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem
a Mutual Recognition ‘INDUS X’ launched 26-June-2023
Arrangement 23-June-2023 •• The India-United States
•• India and the United Arab Emirates Defence Acceleration
(UAE) have signed a Mutual Recognition Ecosystem, INDUS
Arrangement for Authorized Economic X was launched at an
Operators on the sidelines of the event in Washington
141st/142nd session of the World DC, USA.
Customs Organization (WCO) Customs •• Joint Secretary
Cooperation Council meeting held in (Defence Industries
Brussels. Promotion) in Ministry
•• The Mutual Recognition Arrangement of Defence Anurag Bajpai led the Indian delegation in the two-day
establishes a framework that enables event.
the recognition of Authorized Economic •• US Secretary of the Air Force Mr. Frank Kendall gave the opening
Operators (AEOs) from both countries. keynote address at the INDUS-X event. He stated that the India-US
•• By mutually recognizing the AEO status, relationship is growing exponentially.
India and the UAE seek to streamline •• He emphasised that there is enormous potential for startups of both
and expedite customs procedures, nations to collaborate in deep tech innovations, especially in Space
reducing administrative burden and costs and Artificial Intelligence (AI) domain.
for authorized businesses.
The event saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative
The signing of this arrangement signifies technologies by Indian and US start-ups. 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US
an important milestone in the economic start-ups, from multiple domains of maritime, AI, autonomous systems,
cooperation between India and the UAE. and space, showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders.

UK net debt passes 100% of GDP for first time Public

Sector Net Debt
26-June-2023 Surpasses 100% of GDP
•• The United Kingdom’s public sector net debt has surpassed 100% of its The ONS has reported that the
GDP in May, a level not seen since 1961, according to the Office for UK’s public sector net debt, excluding
National Statistics (ONS). state-controlled banks, reached £2.567
trillion, equivalent to 100.1% of the
•• The rising debt, excluding state-controlled banks, reached £2.567 trillion
country’s GDP. This milestone marks
($3.28 trillion), representing 100.1% of GDP.
the first time since 1961 that the
UK has experienced such high
levels of debt relative to its
Kyriakos Mitsotakis sworn in as Prime economic output.
Minister of Greece 27-June-2023
•• Greece’s centre-right leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis was sworn in as the Prime
Minister for a second term, a day after voters handed him a huge election
victory for the second time in five weeks.
•• Mr. Mitsotakis took the oath of office in the presidential palace at a ceremony
before the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, according to the tradition of
the deeply religious country.
•• With 99.67 percent of the vote counted, Mr. Mitsotakis’ New Democracy
party had 40.55 percent of the vote, more than twice the main opposition Syriza’s 17.84 percent.
It was the largest margin of victory in half a century, and slightly expanded New Democracy's 20-percentage-point lead in
the previous election five weeks before.
36 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
 INTERNATIONAL
Sri • Sri Lanka's government has announced its approval of an agreement with
the World Bank to secure a 500 million US dollar in budgetary support.
Lanka's
• This marks the largest funding tranche received by the crisis-stricken
govt announces nation since a previous accord with the International Monetary Fund in
approval of March. The government disclosed that the funds will be disbursed in two
installments.
agreement with • With a population of 22 million, Sri Lanka is currently recovering from
World Bank. its most severe economic downturn in 70 years. The country's economy
is anticipated to contract by two percent this year, following a record-
27-June-2023 breaking decline of 7.8 percent in 2022.

In a significant development, the World Bank is expected to grant an additional 200 million dollar specifically
allocated for welfare programs, along with 700 million dollar in total funding, which is set for approval at the
upcoming board meeting.

•• ADNOC Distribution has announced a strategic agreement with Hindustan Petroleum

Corporation Limited (HPCL) to expand their lubricants business in the UAE, India, ADNOC
and other potential markets.
•• With India's annual demand for lubricants reaching three billion liters, ADNOC Distribution
Distribution aims to tap into this significant market through HPCL's extensive Signs
network of over 28,000 retail stations.
•• The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration, allowing both Agreement
companies to leverage their local market capabilities and infrastructure to enhance
the efficiency of their overseas lubricant operations.
with HPCL.
•• The agreement positions ADNOC Distribution and HPCL to capitalize on the growing 29-June-2023
demand for lubricants and leverage their expertise to expand their reach across borders.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is a globally recognized energy company based in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE).

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary of

the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo co-chaired the 5th India-Philippines
Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in New Delhi.
ratifies • During the meeting, both the leaders discussed a number of issues including
updated defense, maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crimes.
• According to Dr Jaishankar, the discussion also took place on growing
Air Services economic ties, including in trade and investments, development cooperation,
Agreement with health and pharma, tourism, agriculture and space cooperation.
• He said, the meeting was productive and the talks covered enhancing contacts
India. and broadening cooperation as both nations are heading towards the 75th
30-June-2023 anniversary of diplomatic ties.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 37

NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL
2nd meeting of India- UAE Established a new Ministry of
Tanzania Joint Defence Investment 04-July-2023
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the
Cooperation Committee establishment of a new Ministry of Investment aimed
30-June-2023
at developing the investment vision of the country and
•• India and Tanzania have concluded the enhancing its competitiveness in the global market.
second edition of Joint Defence Cooperation
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President,
Committee meeting in Arusha.
Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the
•• In a two-day defence cooperation meeting, UAE Cabinet meeting where the decision was made.
both sides have discussed a wide range of
• Under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
opportunities for collaboration with a view to
Al Nahyan, the UAE Cabinet approved the establishment of
enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region.
the Ministry of Investment and appointed Mohamed Hassan
•• The Defence Ministry in a statement said Al Suwaidi as the minister.
that the Indian delegation had highlighted
• The ministry's main responsibilities will include proposing
the growing prowess of the Indian Defence
investment policies, preparing strategies and legislation, and
manufacturing to export to friendly countries
implementing national programs to promote the investment
during the meeting.
environment and enhance its competitiveness.
A five-year roadmap for defence cooperation was
• The establishment of the Ministry of Investment reflects
also agreed upon between the two sides that covers
the UAE's commitment to attracting investments in various
the initiatives ranging from customised training
sectors and leveraging its world-class infrastructure as a
and capacity building to maritime cooperation,
global platform.
infrastructure building and collaboration in
defence equipment and technology. The ministry will work in coordination with relevant authorities to
support the country's business objectives and investment policies.

Indian Chamber of Food and New Zealand becomes

Agriculture and RAKEZ signs MoU
04-July-2023
•• Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Indian Chamber
of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting mutual growth and
development in the food and agriculture sectors of the UAE and
India.
•• The agreement, signed by RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad
and ICFA Chairman Dr. MJ Khan, strengthens the strategic
collaboration between the two countries. The partnership aims to
facilitate knowledge exchange, trade promotion, investment, and
research and development collaboration.
•• India, being one of the UAE's largest trading partners, brings
valuable innovation and expertise in the food and agriculture sectors,
particularly in sustainable farming and food processing technologies.
•• The collaboration aims to provide opportunities for knowledge
exchange and capacity-building, allowing tech and agricultural
companies in the RAKEZ business community to enhance their
methods and share innovative, sustainable farming techniques with
major Indian companies.
This MoU further strengthens the UAE-India relations, which have been
elevated by the recent Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
first country to ban
plastic produce bags
04-July-2023
•• New Zealand has taken a momentous
step towards reducing plastic waste by
becoming the first country to implement
a complete ban on thin plastic bags
commonly used in supermarkets for fruit
and vegetable purchases.
•• Moreover, this move will extend beyond
bags, as it also includes banning of plastic
straws and silverware.
•• This significant move aligns with the
government’s ongoing campaign against
single-use plastics, which began in 2019
with the prohibition of thicker plastic
shopping bags.
•• Since 2019, New Zealand has been
actively promoting sustainable practices
and combatting plastic pollution.
The initial ban on thicker plastic shopping bags was
a significant step towards reducing plastic waste
and encouraging the use of reusable alternatives.

38 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023


University of Jaffna &
IIT Madras sign MoU
05-July-2023
•• To foster academic collaboration
and promote research initiatives, the
University of Jaffna of Sri Lanka and the
prestigious Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) Madras have signed a Memorandum
of Understanding.
•• The MoU entails a range of opportunities
for both institutions, including student and
faculty exchanges. Initially, the exchange
program will facilitate the transfer of
approximately 10 students and faculty
members each year at the undergraduate
and postgraduate levels.
•• This initiative aims to enhance cross-
cultural learning experiences and promote
academic diversity.
•• The collaboration highlights specific
areas of joint research, with a particular
focus on renewable energy. Further,
IIT Madras has generously offered its
expertise to support the establishment of
joint research platforms in this domain.
Additionally, the University of Jaffna intends
to establish an incubation cell, modeled
after the successful unit at IIT Madras. The
renowned institution has pledged to provide
guidance and operational support to ensure its
smooth implementation.
INTERNATIONAL
Iran Becomes Full Member of SCO
05-July-2023
•• Iran has officially become a full member of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during an India-hosted virtual
summit of the influential grouping.
Significance of SCO Membership: PM Modi highlighted the growing
interest of other countries in joining the SCO, emphasizing the
organization’s importance. The interest shown by nations to become
part of the SCO demonstrates the organization’s relevance and influence
on regional and global affairs.
India’s Role as the Summit Host: As the current chair of the SCO,
India hosted the summit. Prime Minister Modi chaired the virtual
meeting, which included the participation of Chinese President Xi
Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif, and other leaders from SCO member states.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner
inaugurates expo on Construction,
Power & Energy 10-July-2023
•• An expo on Construction, Power, and Energy was inaugurated by
Indian Deputy High Commissioner Vinod Jacob in Colombo on
7th July 2023.
•• 47 Indian companies are taking part in the expo and are showcasing
their products and technology.
•• Mr. Jacob underlined India’s steadfast support to Sri Lanka,
especially over the last three years.
Several prominent Indian companies featuring at the expo include
Microtek, ARB bearings, Finolex cables, and Massimo batteries among
others.

UAE becomes first Arab country to get observer status 14-July-2023

• UAE or United Arab Emirates is participating with observer status in

the plenary of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), a
Financial Action Task Force-Style regional body (FSRB), taking place
this week in Vancouver, Canada.
• The UAE is the first Arab country to be granted observer status at the
APG.
• The UAE has placed international cooperation at the heart of its strategy
and plans for countering money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
• Observer status at FSRB events is granted to countries that demonstrate
an active and collaborative approach to fighting financial crime, which
the UAE has displayed through its participation in MENAFATF and
other multilateral organizations.
The UAE delegation to the plenary is led by Hamid Al Zaabi, Director-General of the Executive Office of Anti-Money
Laundering and Counter.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 39

NEWS BITES ECONOMY
ECONOMY
NEWS
HCL Foundation
signs MoU with
NCUI 16-June-2023
•• According to HCL Foundation it
has partnered with the National
Cooperative Union of India
(NCUI) to train over 5,000
women, youths and artisans from
marginalized communities for
sustainable income-generating
opportunities.
•• As per the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU), HCL
Foundation and NCUI’s Centre for
Entrepreneurship Development
and Cooperation (CEDC)
will set up a livelihood-cum-
entrepreneurship development
center in Noida.
•• Over the next three years,
NCUI and HCL Foundation will
develop and provide training
infrastructure, market platforms
and branding support to self-help
groups (SHGs) and cooperatives
across India.
•• Through the tie-up, HCL
Foundation and CEDC will help
increase the employability of
women and youth in the private
sector and other organizations.
HCL Foundation is the CSR arm of
HCLTech.
“By joining hands with India’s leading
cooperative institutes' association,
we aim to empower women, youths,
and artisans across India and promote
the cooperative movement,” HCL
Foundation Vice President (Global
CSR) Nidhi Pundhir said in a
statement.
Indian coal stock position crosses 110
million tonnes
••
16-June-2023
Overall coal stock position has touched 110.58 million tonnes as of
the 13th of June.
•• The Coal Ministry said, this indicates a substantial increase of 44.22
per cent as compared to the stock of 76.67 MT last year.
•• It added that this higher coal stock position indicates the commitment
to maintaining an ample supply of coal by the Ministry.
•• Overall, cumulative coal production for 2023-24 has witnessed
remarkable growth, with a production of 182.06 MT, representing
an impressive growth rate of 8.26 per cent compared to the previous
year's production of 168.17 MT for the same period.
SBI Presents Record-breaking Dividend
Cheque of Rs 5,740 Crore 17-June-2023
•• SBI, the country’s largest public sector bank, has presented a dividend
cheque of Rs 5,740 crore to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the
financial year 2022-23.
•• The dividend payment was made by SBI Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara,
in the presence of Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi.
•• This dividend amount marks the highest-ever dividend given by SBI to the
Government of India for a financial year.
•• Record-breaking Dividend: SBI declared a dividend of Rs 11.30 per
equity share (1,130 percent) for the financial year ending on March 31,
2023.
•• This dividend payment reflects the bank’s impressive financial performance
during the fiscal year. SBI’s net profit for the full year 2022-23 soared by
59 percent, reaching Rs 50,232.45 crore, compared to Rs 31,675.98 crore
in the previous fiscal year.
The substantial increase in profitability showcases SBI’s ability to navigate
challenges and generate robust returns.

40 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 DESIGNATION WHO'S WHO
WHO’S WHO
S.No. DESIGNATION NAME
1. Chairman, Rajya Sabha Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar
2. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
3. Chairman of Niti Ayog Narendra D. Modi
4. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge
5. Leader of House in Lok Sabha Narendra D. Modi
6. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha -
7. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
8. Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey, Arun Goel
9. Director General, ITBP Anish Dayal Singh
10. Central Vigilance Commissioner P. K. Srivastava
11. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra
12. Comptroller & Auditor General of India G. C. Murmu
13. Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair
14. Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Dr. P. D. Vaghela
15. CBI Director Praveen Sood
16. Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Harsh Chauhan
17. Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura
18. Chairman, UPSC Dr. Manoj Soni
19. Director General, National Investigation Agency Dinkar Gupta
20. Chairman, Space Commission and ISRO S. Somnath
21. Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Sec. Deptt. of Atomic Energy A.K. Mohanty
22. Chairman, SSC S. Kishore
23. Chairman,National Human Rights Commission Justice Arun Mishra
24. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Mritunjay Kumar Narayan
25. Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes Nitin Gupta
26. Chairman, Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India Debashish Panda
27. Chairman, Securities & Exchange Board of India Madhavi Puri Buch
28. Chairperson, State Bank of India Dinesh Kumar Khara
29. India’s permanent representative in UNO Ruchira Kamboj
30. Home Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs of India Ajay Kumar Bhalla
31. Chairperson of National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma
32. Chairman, 15th Finance Commission N. K. Singh
33. Chairman, Competition Commission of India Ravneet Kaur
34. Chairperson,Central Board of Film Certification Prasoon Joshi
35. President, ASSOCHAM Ajay Singh
36. President, NASSCOM Debjani Ghosh
37. Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan
38. Chief of Air Staff V.R. Chaudhari
39. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar
40. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande
41. Chief, RAW Ravi Sinha
42. Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre A.K. Mohanty
43. Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes Vijay Sampla
44. President, FICCI Subhrakant Panda
45. Chairman of 22nd Law Commission Ritu Raj Awasthi
46. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval
47. CEO, Prasar Bharati Gaurav Dwivedi
48. Chairman of National Testing Agency M.S. Ananth
49. Finance Secretary T.V. Somanathan
50. Chairman, Indian Banks Association A.K. Goel
Data as on 24th July, 2023

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 41

OUR Presence in India
Branch Name

Agra
Aligarh
Address
Uttar Pradesh
2nd Floor, Plot No. 808 A, Near Hotel Sagar Ratna, Khandari Bye Pass Road, NH- 2, Agra - 282002
2nd Floor, Mangalam Complex, Ramghat Road, Aligarh - 243122
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9236455136
8859447070
Allahabad 124 C/C Ashirwad Bhawan, Tej Bahadur Sapru Marg, Near Lok Seva Ayog, Gate No.2, Civil Lines, Allahabad - 211001 9235253403
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Amroha Azad Road, Opp. J.S.H.(PG) College, Near HDFC Bank, 1st Floor, Dr. Javed Homeo Clinic, Amroha 6391207064
Azamgarh 2nd Floor, Building No 585, Above ICICI Bank, Civil Line, Azamgarh - 276001 9208242842
Ballia 1st, 2nd Floor, Ravi Offset Building, Dwarikapuri Colony, Ballia - 277001 9208243152
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Bareilly MD Floor, Above Reliance Digital, 2nd Floor, Opposite Vishal Mega Mart, Ayub Khan Churaha, Bareilly - 243001 9235253431
Basti 11/3/11, Awas Vikas Colony, Satyawaanpuri Katra Basti, Near Kali Mandir, Awas Vikas Colony 7706008031
Bijnor Judgi Road, Anta Ghar, Compound Near Shakti chawk, Above Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bijnor - 246701 6391207088
Chitrakoot Kasahai Road, Karwi, Chitrakoot - 210205 6389302401/
9044283542
Deoria Above IDBI Bank, 2nd Floor, Raghav Nagar, Deoria - 274001 9208248122
Faizabad G.S. Tower, Diagonally In Front of Jagat Hospital, Near Agrasen Chowk, Naka, Raebareli Road, Faizabad - 224001 9235253421
Farrukhabad First Floor, Viswakarma Mandir, GT Road, In Front of Christian College, Near Sardar Bagh, Farrukhabad - 209625 7706008029
Firozabad 228, Agra Gate, Infront of Kids Corner School, Gandhi Park Chauraha, Firozabad - 283203 9208235736
Ghaziabad-Loni MM-2 DLF, Ankur Vihar Loni, Ghaziabad - 201102 6391207008
Ghaziabad- D1 Mg Tower, 2nd Floor, Near Bikanervala, Rajnagar RDC, Opposite BSNL Office, Ghaziabad - 201002 7311169603
Rajnagar
Gonda LBS chauraha, Hanuman Garhi Road, Gonda - 271001 9208250778
Gorakhpur Narain Tower, 1st Floor, Gandhi Gali, Golghar, Gorakhpur - 273001 9235253400/498
Hamirpur 2nd Floor, Varun Guest House, Naubasta, Near Brajraj Hospital, Hamirpur 6391207072
Hapur Railway Road, Near Jaina Takeez, Hapur - 245101 6389302407
Jaunpur 25, Husainabad, T.D. College Road, Opposite Teacher's Colony, Jaunpur - 222002 9026173365
Jhansi B.K.D Road, Near Kunj Bihari Mandir, Ist Floor, Above State Bank of India, Jhansi - 284001 9235253424
Kanpur Kakadeo 117/N1, Bhadouria Building, Raniganj Kakdev, Kanpur Nagar - 208025 9235253484
Kanpur Kidwai 133/28, N Block, Opposite Jyoti Heights Appartment, Near Bara Devi Chauraha, Kidwai Nagar, Kanpur - 208011 9235253482
Nagar
Kanpur Mall Road 419/1, Agarwal Building, D Mall, Near Punjab National Bank, Mall Road, Kanpur - 208004 9236757143 /
6386903174
Lucknow Alambagh Plot No: KBC-3, Kanpur Road Scheme, Opp. Phoenix Mall Alambagh, Sector B, Lucknow - 226005 9235253501
Lucknow Bhootnath B-17, Krishna Bazaar, 3rd Floor, Bhootnath Market, Near Bhootnath Metro Indira Nagar, Lucknow - 226016 9235253502/28
Lucknow B-54, Bhatia Complex, Above Central Bank of India, Mahanagar, Kapoorthala Crossing, Chauraha, Lucknow - 226006 9235253443/517
Mahanagar
Lucknow Suman Complex, Mohanlal Ganj, Raibarely Road, Above Canara Bank, Near Mohanlal Ganj Tahsheel, Lucknow - 226301 6391207026
Mohanlalganj
Mainpuri Mahendra Education Pvt Ltd, Near Purushottam Collection, Mainpuri - 205001 9208241450
Mathura 2054, Chowki Bagh Bahadur, Mathura - 281004 7706008072
Mau Near R.S. Palace, Purani Tehsil, Sahadatpur, Mau -275101 6391207099
Meerut 3rd Floor Star Plaza Bachcha Park, Meerut - 250001 6386903190
Moradabad Opposite Cross Road Mall, Civil Lines, Near Pilli Kothi, Above Temptetion Restaurant, Moradabad - 244001 9235253442 /
9717843588
Mughalsarai House No.20, Nai Basti, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Mughalsarai - 232101 7311169611 /
9453012582
Muzaffarnagar 2nd Floor, Civil Lines, Prakash Chowk, Muzaffarnagar - 251001 7706008032
Padrauna Near Hanuman Inter College, Ramkola Road, Padrauna - 274304 7311168115
Raebareli Shri Narayan Complex, Rajghat, Kanpur Road, Opposite Arpan Hospital, Raebareli - 229001 9235253412
Robertsganj Uttar Mohal, Market Road, In Front of Arihant Hotel, Robertsganj, Sonebhadra - 231216 6389302419
Saharanpur 2nd Floor, Above Dr. Chawla Ultrasound, Vedraj Complex, Near By Clock Tower, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh 7668916722 /
9235253445
Sitapur 1180, Collectorate Compound, Loharbagh, Sitapur - 261001 6391207080
Sultanpur 1st Floor, Usha Commercial Complex, Raj Hotel Compound, Above Bank of Baroda, Besides Roadways, Civil Lines, 9208252915
Sultanpur - 228001
Unnao 1111, Adarsh Nagar, Unnao 6391207019
Varanasi B-27/70 Ground Floor, Beside Levis Showroom, Adjacent Indian Petrol Pump, Barhar Kothi, Durgakund, Varanasi - 221005 9235253419
Varanasi Pandeypur SA 4/79 AK Pandeypur, Nayibasti Panchkoshi Road, Infront of Raheja SDS Apartment, Varanasi - 221002 6391207106
Uttarakhand
Dehradun 14B 1st Floor, Opposite of Velocity Gym, East Cannal Road, Near Survey Chowk, Dehradun, Pin Code - 248001 9208175710
Haldwani 1st Floor, Shiv Niwas Building, Opposite Bhoatia Padao Police Chowki, Near Sri Ram Hospital, Nainital Road, Haldwani - 263139 9208256021
Haridwar Ist Floor, Sharda Complex, Near Railway Fatak, Jwalapur, Haridwar - 249407 7706008034
New Delhi
Delhi Laxmi Nagar B-40, Guru Nanak Pura Road, Near Maharaja Banquet Hall, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi - 110092 9268209355

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Delhi Mukherjee Shop No- 92/94, Ground Floor And 1st Floor, Mall Road, Kingsway Camp, Near GTB Nagar Metro Station, Gate No-3, 9268561517
Nagar Delhi - 110009
Delhi Rajouri J-9/13, Upper Groud Floor, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi - 110027 6391207111
Garden
Delhi Rohini 114, 3rd Floor, Pocket: C-7, Sector-8, Rohini, Delhi-110085 6391207105/
9717136611
West Bengal
Alipurduar Vidyaapith, 2nd Floor, Beside Indusind Bank, Old Bus Stand, Birpara - 735204 6391207018
Asansol Swagata Apartment, 1st Floor, Mother Teresa Road, Lower Chelidanga, Asansol - 713304 7311168121
Bardhaman 3rd Floor, Dutta Apartment, G.T Road, Badamtala Near Curzon Gate, Opposite M Bazaar Bardhman (Burdwan) - 713101 7311168124
Behala Premises No. 627/2, Diamond Harbour Road, Near Ashoka Cinema, Behala, Kolkata - 700034 9903409917
Cooch Behar Nilanjana Building, Ground Floor, Dinhata Road, W/No 13, New Town, Near SBI New Town Branch, Cooch Behar - 736101 6391207001
Durgapur Unit No- 404,3rd Floor Above HDFC Bank, Near Big Bazaar, City Centre, Durgapur - 713216 7311168122
Hooghly 92/C/1B N. K Banerjee Road, Rishra, Hoogly - 712248 8017652045
Kolkata 120 Lenin Sarani, Sunidhi Building, 2nd Floor, Near Moulali Crossing, Above PNB Bank, Kolkata - 700013 9230141497
Medinipur Dakbanglow Road, Medinipur - 721101 6391207101
Purulia Purulia, Deshbondhu Road, Spansor, Near Bigbazar - 723101 7311169610
Siliguri 3rd Floor, Sanat Trade Centre, Above Bank of Maharastra, Sevoke Road, Siliguri - 734001 7602742939/
7063682939
Assam
Bongaigaon Kakoti Complex, Mayapuri, Bongaigaon - 783380 6391207002
Guwahati V Square Mall, 2nd Floor, Above Jana Small Finance Bank, Arunodoi Path, Christian Basti, Guwahati - 781005 8134935078
Guwahati Tarini Bhanu Complex, Maligaon Chariali, Near Sonaram Market, Guwahati, - 781011 7636913588
Jorhat 3rd floor, Above ESIC Office, Phukan Ali Road, Tarajan, Jorhat, Assam - 785001 6386903142/
9864443070
Nagaon DL Complex, Diphalu, Laokhowa Road, Near Bharat Petrolium, Nagaon 6391207093
Tezpur Near Poruwa Chariali, Bhitorsuti, Tezpur - 784001 6391207096/
9365582508
Bihar
Arrah Parihar Complex, 2nd Floor, Katira More, Opposite Vinayak Petrol Pump, Ara, Dist- Bhojpur - 802301 6391207017
Begusarai Near Omer Girls High School, Bishanpur, Begusarai - 851101 6391207087
Bhabua Kabir Nagar, Rampur Colony Turn, Opposite Electricity Office, Bhabua - 821101 7311169615
Bhagalpur Near Manali Chowk, S.M College Road, Next to SBI E-Corner Building, Bhagalpur - 812001 9204363221
Buxar Bank of Baroda Building, In Front of Buniyadi School, Near Jyoti Chowk, Buxar - 802101 8707000360/
9532007090
Darbhanga Vikram Chambers Near, Malech Mardani Mandir, Mirjapur, Darbhanga - 846004 9204303818/
9204300620
Dumraon 27/25, Siddhashram Tower, Near CPSS High School, Hari Ji ka Hata, Dumraon - 802119 6391207004
Gaya 2nd Floor, Zion Complex Swaraj Puri Road, Opposite Fire Station, Gaya - 823001 9234211469
Hajipur 2nd & 3rd Floor, Maa Sharda Complex, Near Subhash Chowk, Gokul Sweets to Ramjeevan Chowk Lane, Hajipur, Vaishali - 844101 7311168107
Madhubani 2nd Floor of Deviki Enclave, Opposite Railway Station, Town Club Road, Madhubani - 847211 6391207059
Muzaffarpur Opposite City Life Mall, Near Jubba Sahni Park, Club Road, Mithanpura, Muzaffarpur - 842002 9204303515
Patna Boring Road Suyash Paradise Building, In Front of HDFC Bank, Near by Udyan Hospital, West Boring Canal Road, Patna - 800001 9204855301/02
Patna Frazer Road Hardi Tower, Above PC Chandra Jewellers, Infront of Bank of Baroda, Dak Banglow Chouraha, Patna - 800001 9204855305/06
Purnea Jail Chowk, Purnea Near Domino, Central Bank - 854301 7311168103
Samastipur KK Palace, Above Big Mart, Near Hanuman Mandir, Kashipur, Samastipur - 848101 6391207003
Sasaram 2nd floor, Shanti Complex, Near Ara Railway Gumti, Gaurakshini, Sasaram - 821115 6391207010
Sitamarhi Laxmana Nagar, Near Hajarinath Mandir Sitamarhi - 843302 7311168123
Chattisgarh
Janjgir 49-52, Maa Market, Station Road, Naila, Janjgir - 495668 6391207090
Bhilai 35, 36, 37 - Triveni Complex, 2nd Floor, Above ICICI Bank, Nehru Nagar-East, Bhilai - 490020 8878783345
Bilaspur 2nd Floor, Office No-A-231, 232,233 Narayan Plaza, Link Road, Bilaspur - 495001 8878817515/
6386903227
Raipur 2nd Floor, Shyam Square New Pandri Road, Infront of LIC, Block-B, Pandri, Raipur - 492001 6386903228/
9229174912
Gujarat
Ahmedabad 3rd Floor, 304/305, Swapnil 5 Building, Beside Jain Upashray Bus Stand, Near Commerce Six Circel Navrang Pura, 9228202732/
Ahmedabad - 380009 9227575027
Anand Office No. S/01, S/02, S/08, and S/09, Second Floor, Raj Commercial Complex, Opp. Honest House, Vallabh Vidyanagar, 6391207109
Anand - 388120
Gandhinagar Plot No. 315, Second Floor, Behind ICICI Bank, GH-4, Sector 16, Gandhinagar - 382016 7311168125
Rajkot 204, Center One Complex, Beside Wockhard Hospital, Kalawad Road, Rajkot - 360007 9979316870
Surat B-104, B-Block, ICC Building, Civil Char Rasta, Near Majura Gate, Surat - 395002 9537360459
Vadodara 301/302, 3rd Floor, The Plaza Complex, Besides Ginger Hotel, Fatehganj Main Road, Fatehganj, Baroda - 390002 9537589477
Jharkhand
Bokarao Below ICICI Bank, Near Neelkamal Hotel, Dharamsala More, Bypass Road, Chas, Bokaro - 827013 7311168105
Daltonganj Pandey and Tiwari Complex, Near-Bhagwati Hospital, Ranchi Road, Redma, District-Palamu, Daltonganj - 822101 6391207103
Dhanbad Office No.- 424 & 425, 2nd Floor, City Centre, Luby Circular Road, Dhanbad - 826001 9204979723/24
Dumka Mahendra's, 2nd Floor, Dumka Education Center, Gilan Para Chowk- Zila School Road, Dumka - 814101 7311168104
Giridih 1st Floor, Mangallam Mall, Infront of Zila Parishad, Kutchery Road, Giridih - 815301 9140954006
Jamshedpur PM Mall, 3rd Floor, Opposite Shitla Mandir, Tank Road, Sakchi, Jamshedpur - 831001 8877187640
Ranchi Sri Ram Neotia Arcade, First Floor, HB Road, Lalpur Chowk, Ranchi - 834001 9204855313/
9204631321/
6386903231

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 Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal Narulla Complex, 2nd Floor, Plot No - 131, MP Nagar, Zone-2, Opposite Irrigation Office, Near Pragati Petrol Pump, 9229174901/02
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh - 462011
Bhopal Extn Shri Nav Niketan, H.S. School, Near Bhagat Singh Square, Karond, Bhopal - 462038 6391207115
Chhindwara Umang Tower, Nagpur Road, ELC Chowk, Chhindwara - 480001 6391207095
Gwalior 3rd Floor, 3-Khedapati Colony, Opposite G.D.A Office, Gwalior 9229174910
Indore 91/47, 2nd Floor, Oasis Point, Sapna Sangeeta Road, Sneh Nagar, Indore - 452001 7581800951/52
Jabalpur 3rd Floor, 1230 Bhawani Plaza, Near, 4th Bridge Road, Napier Town, Jabalpur - 482001 9200343764
Jabalpur Nahta Center, Near Aditya Hospital, Shashtri Bridge, Jabalpur - 482003 9200343764
Jabalpur ACST College, Marhatal, Near Choupati, Civic Center, Jabalpur - 482002 9200343764
Sagar Beside of State Bank of India, Gopalganj, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh - 470001 7509219781
Ujjain 60, Azad Nagar, Dewas Road, Ujjain - 456010 6391207013
Maharashtra
Akola Deokinandan Sankul, Ist Floor, Opposite S.T. Workshop, Above Vaibhav Medical, Gayatri Nagar, Kaulkhed Road, Akola - 444004
6389302409
Mumbai-Borivali Shop-33, Goragandhi Apartment, Chanda Varkar Road Corner, S.V Road, Near Railway Station, Borivali West, Mumbai - 4000926391207009
Mumbai-Nerul B-107, First Floor, Nerul Station Complex (East), Navi Mumbai - 400706 6391207030
Mumbai-Thane Room No. 109, Siddharth Tower, Opposite to Tip Top sweets and Mangala's chamber, Near Railway Station, Thane West - 400601
7311169612
Nagpur Munje Chowk, Infront of Fortune Mall, Near Sitabuldi Metro Station, Sitabuldi, Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440012 9168558073
Nasik 08, Anant Chember, 1St Floor, Near Dholya Ganpati Mandir, Beside Shyam Sweets, Ashok Stambh, Nashik 422001 7311168126
Pune Plot No. 82/2, M Floor, Veeyaa Vantege, Law College Road, Above Maruti Suzuki Showroom, Erandwane, Pune - 411004 9225231629/
6386903201
Pune Viman Nagar Office No B202, 2nd Floor, Ashoka Plaza, Besides Hyatt Regency, Above Domino's Pizza, Viman Nagar, Pune - 411014 6391207089
Vasai A-14, 2nd Floor, Jai-ish Krupa CHS, Near Platform No.1, Anand Nagar, Vasai West Mumbai - 401303 6391207076/
8080311053
Odisha
Balasore 388/212, 3rd Floor, Police Line Square, O.T. Road, Balasore - 756001 9583185223 / 33
Berhampur Saraswati Plaza, 1st Floor, Shergodo Bangla Street, Panitanki Road, Near Dena Bank, Berhampur - 760001 9078907945
Bhubaneswar Plot No 10P, 12P, City Mart Complex, 1st Floor, Opposite Fire Station, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar - 751003 9237026745/
7381093600
Cuttack Rashmi Plaza, 3rd Floor, Near Arunodaya Market, Link Road, Above Karnataka Bank, Cuttack - 753012 7894013095
Rourkela 2nd Floor Unitech House (Opposite Income Tax Office), Main Road, Uditnagar, Rourkela - 769012 6391207114/
7377665571
Sambalpur 2nd Floor Samson Mansion Building, In Front of Odia Baptist Church, Above Bank of Baroda (Regional Office) Christian 6386903120/
Para, Sambalpur - 768001 8594959148
Rajasthan
Ajmer 586/25, Gopal Vihar, Opposite Shantipura Bus Stop, Vaishali Nagar, Ajmer, Rajasthan 7311169605
Jaipur 402 Ganga Height, 4th Floor, Tonk Road, Opposite Kailash Tower, Lalkothi, Jaipur - 302015 9261601713/
9261518894
Jhotwara 01, Jagannath Puri, Kanta Choraha, Near HDFC Bank, Jhotwara, Jaipur - 302012 6391207063
Sikar Fortune Tower, Near Police Station, Nawalgarh Road, Sikar 6391207086
Haryana
Ambala 2nd Floor, 169/2 Rai Market, Near UCO Bank, Cantt., Ambala - 133001 9253058711
Faridabad 5R/4 Near N.I.T, Opposite Surya Auto, Near Petrol Pump, Faridabad - 121001 6391207015
Kurukshetra SCF 38, Sec 13 Main Market, Near Bank of Baroda, Kurukshetra - 136118 9253678053/
8053822843
Yamuna Nagar 1/75, 1st Floor, Workshop Road, Near Fountain Chowk, Opposite Meena Bazar, Yamuna Nagar - 135001 7311168120
Kerala
Ernakulam Door No 53 A, Marottichodu Road, Edapally, Cochin - 682024 7311169607
Trivandrum Zenith Educate Mahendra's, First floor MGOCSM Building, Opposite AKG Center, Palayam Airport Road, Palayam, 7311169608/
Trivandrum - 695001 9821146637
Jammu & Kashmir
Samba NH1 Gurha Morh, Near Ishant Hotel, Vijaypur - 184120 6391207113
Jammu Lajpat Nagar, Opposite Irrigation Office, Above Woodland Showroom, Canal Road, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir - 180001 8317092664
Ladakh
Leh Mahendra Institute Opposite To Golden Bakery Near ITBF Gate, Leh - 194101 9797468851
Andhra Pradesh
Visakhapatnam 2nd Floor, Potluri Classic 47-14, 7, Dwarakanagar Road, Beside SBI Branch, Dwaraka Nagar, Visakhapatnam - 530016 9966593419
Arunachal Pradesh
Itanagar I.G. Park Entrance Gate, Near Old Petrol Pump, Lower C Sector, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111 6391207092/
6009392229
Himachal Pradesh
Una Near PG College, Near Jagat Hospital, Una, Himachal Pradesh - 174303 6391207107/
8219856144
Telangana
Hyderabad Door No 8-3-191/160/32/B, Vengal Rao Nagar Colony, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500038 6391207116
Karnataka
Bengaluru J.P. Foundation, 2nd Floor, No-450-1-14, Lakshmi Complex, 27th Cross, 10th Main, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru - 560011 6391207014
Punjab
Ludhiana SCO-4, 2nd Floor, Gian Singh Rare Wala Market, Near K-Mall, Link Road, Ludhiana, Punjab - 141002 7311169614
Chandigarh
Chandigarh SCO 23, 24, 25, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh - 160022 6391207091
Nagaland
Dimapur Building Number 75, 2nd Floor, Opposite Pantaloons, Middle Point Colony, Tajen AO Road, Dimapur - 797113 6391207027

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 ECONOMY
IREDA participates in “Intersolar Europe 2023”
Exhibition 19- June -2023
•• Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) participated in the three-day "Intersolar Europe 2023"
exhibition held in Munich, Germany from 14th to 16th June, 2023.
•• IREDA, a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry
of New and Renewable Energy, had set up a pavilion at the exhibition to educate visitors about the organization.
•• The pavilion was inaugurated by CMD, IREDA, Pradip Kumar Das. Speaking about the participation of IREDA
at the exhibition the CMD said: "Intersolar Europe provided a valuable opportunity for IREDA to showcase our
accomplishments and expertise in Renewable Energy Financing domain.
At the exhibition, team IREDA held meeting with KfW Development Bank to review the progress of the current line
of credit, technical assistance and discussed potential future collaborations to support new and emerging renewable
energy technologies.

GDT collections for FY 2023-24 register a growth of 12.73%

•• The figures of Direct Tax
collections for the Financial Year
2023-24, as of 17.06.2023 show
that net collections are at Rs.
3,79,760 crore, compared to Rs.
3,41,568 crore in the corresponding
period of the preceding Financial
Year i.e. FY 2022-23, representing
an increase of 11.18%.
•• The Net Direct Tax collection of Rs.
3,79,760 crore (as on 17.06.2023)
include Corporation Tax (CIT) at
Rs. 1,56,949 crore (net of refund)
and Personal Income Tax (PIT)
including Securities Transaction
Tax(STT) at Rs. 2,22,196 crore
(net of refund).
19- June -2023
•• The Gross collection of Direct
Taxes (before adjusting for
refunds) for the FY 2023-24
stands at Rs 4,19,338 crore as
compared to Rs 3,71,982 crore
in the corresponding period of
the preceding financial year,
registering a growth of 12.73%
over collections of FY 2022-23.
•• The Gross collection of
Rs 4,19,338 crore includes
Corporation Tax (CIT) at Rs.
1,87,311 crore and Personal
Income Tax (PIT) including
Securities Transaction Tax(STT)
at Rs. 2,31,391 crore. Minor
head wise collection comprises
Advance Tax of Rs 1,16,776
crore.
•• The Advance Tax collections for
the first quarter of the FY 2023-24
stand at Rs. 1,16,776 crore as on
17.06.2023, against Advance Tax
collections of Rs. 1,02,707 crore
for the corresponding period
of the immediately preceding
Financial Year i.e. 2022-23,
showing a growth of 13.70%.
The Advance Tax collection of Rs.
1,16,776 crore as on 17.06.2023
comprises Corporation Tax (CIT) at
Rs 92,784 crore and Personal Income
Tax (PIT) at Rs 23,991 crore..

•• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has acted against six entities
for violating insider trading norms in the case of Shilpi Cable Technologies.
Sebi
•• The entities have been barred from participating in the securities markets for one year bans 6
and have been ordered to pay penalties totaling Rs 70 lakh. entities from
•• Sebi has directed them to disgorge the unlawful gains amounting to Rs 27.59 crore,
along with 9 percent interest per annum from May 2017 until the date of payment.
securities
•• Investigation and Proceedings: The investigation conducted by Sebi focused on the trading markets
activities in the shares of Shilpi Cable Technologies Ltd (SCTL) from March to May 2017. 21-June-2023
•• The regulator sought to determine if certain entities had engaged in trading based
on unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI), which is in violation of the Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT) rules.
The UPSI in question was related to a demand notice issued by Macquarie Bank Ltd on behalf of the petitioner, seeking
payment of USD 3.01 million (approximately Rs 19.55 crore), which SCTL received on March 10, 2017.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 45
NEWS BITES ECONOMY
BIS Introduces
Standard IS 18267:
2023 22-June-2023
•• The Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS) has published IS 18267:
2023 "Food Serving Utensils
Made from Agri By-Products –
Specification," aimed at reducing
plastic pollution and promoting
sustainability.
•• The standard provides
comprehensive guidelines to
manufacturers and consumers,
ensuring uniformity in quality
requirements across the
country.
•• The implementation of this
standard has extensive advantages
as using biodegradable agri by-
product utensils can contribute
towards environmental safety,
conserve natural resources, and
promote a circular economy.
•• These utensils are free from
harmful additives and ensure
consumer well-being. The
standard also creates economic
opportunities for farmers and
supports sustainable agricultural
practices, contributing to rural
development.
•• The rising use of disposable
tableware worldwide is driving
the global market for disposable
tableware. Disposable plate’s
market size was valued at USD
4.26 Billion in 2020 and is
projected to reach USD 6.73
Billion by 2028, growing at a
Compound Annual Growth Rate
(CAGR) of 5.94% from 2021 to
2028.
46 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
HDFC Life gets Rs 942-crore GST demand
notice 24-June-2023
•• HDFC Life Insurance said it has received a demand notice of more than Rs
942 crore for non-payment of GST.
•• The matter relates to the claiming of input tax credit against supply
of services, which the Directorate of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Intelligence (DGGI) believes are ineligible for such claims, it said.
•• "HDFC Life Insurance Company has received a show cause cum demand
notice from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Mumbai Zonal
Unit asking the Company to show cause why a tax of Rs 942,18,46,028
pertaining to the period July 2017 to FY 2022, should not be demanded
from the Company," HDFC Life said in a regulatory filing.
•• On June 20, HDFC Life had said that the Competition Commission of
India has approved HDFC Ltd -- one of the promoters of the company -- to
increase its stake in HDFC Life to more than 50 per cent.
HDFC Life said the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
(IRDAI) has granted its approval for transfer of shares of HDFC Life, from
HDFC Ltd to HDFC Bank.
REC to provide ` 3,045 Crore financial
assistance to BMRC 26-June-2023
•• REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the
Union Ministry of Power, has decided to extend financial assistance of Rs.
3,045 crores to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), for
establishment and development of Metro Lines under Phase-II project of
Bangalore Metro. The decision to extend the assistance was taken at the
board meeting of REC, held in Bengaluru on 24th June, 2023, at which the
Board approved the proposal of BMRCL.
•• The Phase-II project of Namma Metro comprises extension of existing
two corridors of Phase-I, namely East–West Corridor and North–South
Corridor; and 2 new lines, namely one from R.V. Road to Bommasandra
and another from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara. These lines will traverse
some of the densest and high-traffic areas of the city.
•• Phase-II of the project will enhance connectivity and ease traffic in the
densely populated city of Bengaluru. With completion of Phase-II (72.09
km), the combined network of Namma Metro shall stand at a line length of
114.39 km, with 101 stations.
REC Limited is an NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development
across India. The financial assistance to BMRCL forms part of REC’s foray
into funding infrastructure development. Established in 1969, REC Limited has
completed over fifty years of operations.
 ECONOMY
India’s current account deficit narrowed First exhibition
to 1.3 billion dollars 28-June-2023 ‘Banking on
•• India’s current account deficit narrowed to 1.3 billion dollars or 0.2 percent World Heritage’
of GDP in the January-March quarter of FY23.
•• According to the data released by the Reserve Bank, the decline was
Inaugurated
mainly due to moderation in the trade deficit and a robust increase in 01-July-2023
services exports. •• The first of its kind exhibition
•• However, for fiscal 2022-23, the current account balance recorded a deficit of ‘Banking on World Heritage’ was
2 percent of GDP compared to a deficit of 1.2 percent in 2021-22 as the trade Inaugurated at IGNCA, New Delhi
deficit widened to 265.3 billion dollars from 189.5 billion dollars a year ago. by the Minister of Culture and
External Affairs, Smt. Meenakashi
•• RBI data has shown that net services receipts increased, both sequentially Lekhi on 30th June, 2023.
and on a year-on-year basis, on the back of a rise in net earnings from
computer services. •• The exhibition displays banknotes
of G20 member nations, depicting
•• The Balance of Payment (BoP) figures for FY23 reveal that net FDI inflows world heritage sites listed by
stood at 28 billion dollars, lower than 38.6 billion dollars in 2021-22. UNESCO, in a unique manner.
Net FPI recorded an outflow of 5.2 billion dollars in 2022-23 as compared with The exhibition has displayed till
an outflow of 16.8 billion dollars a year ago. RBI data has further revealed that July 9th 2023.
foreign exchange reserves were depleted by 9.1 billion dollars in the last fiscal. •• The exhibition has been curated
by the scholar Ms. Rukmini
Merger between Housing Development Dahanukar. The inauguration was
attended by High Commissioners
Finance Corporation limited and HDFC and Ambassadors of G20
Bank 03-July-2023 Countries.

•• The merger between Housing Development Finance Corp Ltd (HDFC) •• Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi said if
and HDFC Bank came into effect on 1st July 2023. the world has to progress and
humanity has to survive then
•• This created the world's fourth-biggest bank by market value behind J P Indian way is the way forward
Morgan, ICBC, and Bank of America. The merger was approved by the and that way is ‘Vasudhaiva
boards of directors. Kutumbakam’ . The exhibition
•• All employees of HDFC has become HDFC Bank employees from July has been organized in the spirit of
01, 2023. Post-merger, the key HDFC Bank subsidiaries will include Vasudaiva Kutumbakam.
HDFC Securities Ltd., HDB Financial Services Ltd., HDFC Asset The Minister said that the exhibition
Management Co. Ltd, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Co. Ltd., HDFC will help to connect the youth, who
Capital Advisors Ltd. and HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd. are mostly engaged on the digital

" The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the merger on
March 17, 2023. The bank had received the first okay from the Reserve
Bank of India in July 2022 which was followed by other regulators like
platform, to their heritage through the
physical currency notes. The depiction
of Heritage sites adds to the intrinsic
the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
"
•
value of currency notes.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it has

IMF agreement with reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on a 3 billion
dollar stand-by arrangement.
Pakistan on 3 billion dollar • According to the deal is subject to approval by the IMF board
stand-by arrangement in July. It comes after an eight-month delay and aims to address
Pakistan's acute balance of payments crisis and dwindling
03-July-2023 foreign exchange reserves.
With soaring inflation and foreign exchange reserves that can barely cover a month's worth of controlled imports, Pakistan
has been grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 47
NEWS BITES ECONOMY
NTPC achieves near-doubling in coal production in Q1
•• India's leading integrated power
producer NTPC Limited has nearly
doubled coal production from
its captive mines during the first
quarter of the financial year 2023 -
2024, compared to the production
during Q1 of the previous year.
•• According to the company, it
achieved an impressive coal
production of 8.48 million
metric tonnes (MMT) during
Q1 of FY24, compared to 4.27
MMT in Q1 of FY23.
03-July-2023
•• In addition, coal despatch has
more than doubled during Q1 of
2023 - 2024, relative to the first
quarter of 2022 - 2023.
•• A total of 8.82 MMT of coal
has been despatched in Q1 of
FY24, marking a significant
112 per cent increase over the
previous year for the same
period.
•• NTPC Limited is India's
largest integrated power utility,
contributing 1/4th of the power
requirement of the country.
•• With a diverse portfolio of thermal,
hydro, solar, and wind power
plants, NTPC is dedicated to
delivering reliable, affordable, and
sustainable electricity to the nation.
The company is committed to
adopting best practices, fostering
innovation, and embracing clean
energy technologies for a greener
future.

Infosys signs $454 million SBI launches 34 Transaction

deal with Danske Bank
03-July-2023
Infosys and Danske Bank have entered into a long-term
collaboration aimed at accelerating the bank’s digital
transformation goals. The collaboration, valued at $454
million for an initial 5-year period, with the potential
for three one-year extensions, is intended to support
Danske Bank in achieving its strategic objectives of
improving client experiences.
As a component of their collaboration
•• Infosys will purchase Danske Bank’s IT center
in India for Danish Kroner (DKK) 13.6 million
(approximately $2 million). The IT center currently
employs more than 1,400 professionals. Infosys
plans to bolster the bank’s digital strategy by greatly
improving its IT operations and capabilities. This
enhancement will be facilitated by Infosys Topaz,
a suite of services, solutions, and platforms that
leverage generative AI technology.
•• Based on the information disclosed in the exchange
filing, Infosys anticipates that the transactions
will be finalized by the second quarter of fiscal
year 2024, pending the fulfillment of customary
closing conditions. Danske Bank, which is based
in Denmark.
Salil Parekh, Chief Executive Officer and MD of
Infosys, stated that the collaboration with Danske
Bank aims to enhance their core business by leveraging
digital, cloud, and data capabilities.
Banking Hub Nationwide
04-July-2023
• On the occasion of its 68th foundation day, the
State Bank of India (SBI) has inaugurated 34
Transaction Banking Hubs across 21 district
centers in the country. These hubs aim to provide
efficient and quick Transaction Banking solutions
to customers.
• The SBI’s goal is to meet all customer needs and
offer comprehensive solutions for transaction,
payment, and collection requirements in one place.
• The bank aims to transform its Transaction Banking
services and Current Account-related offerings to
enhance customer experience.
• The newly launched Transaction Banking Hubs
will be staffed by product specialists who will
assist business customers with their financial
service needs.
• These hubs will leverage the ‘Power of One’ within
the SBI Group, enabling seamless connectivity
with various business verticals and subsidiary
companies.
Chairman D.K. Khara praised the staff for their
significant improvement in market share in the CA
segment. The transformation initiatives launched the
previous year have started yielding positive results. In
March 2023, the bank’s market share increased by 1.06
percent compared to the previous quarter, marking the
highest increase among all banks.

48 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023


IDFC First Bank to Merge with GNPA ratio of Scheduled
IDFC Ltd 04-July-2023 Commercial Banks fallen to 10
•• IDFC First Bank and IDFC Ltd have announced their
merger plans, with a share exchange ratio of 155 equity
year low of 3.9%
shares of IDFC First Bank for every 100 equity shares
of IDFC.
•• The merger aims to simplify the corporate structure,
increase the book value per share, and streamline
regulatory compliances. The merger is expected to
be completed in the current financial year, subject to
unforeseen circumstances.
Background: In March 2023, IDFC Ltd and IDFC
Financial Holding Company Ltd appointed Axis Capital
Ltd to determine the fairness of the share exchange ratio
for the merger. The companies have completed all stages
of corporate simplifications, with the amalgamation with
IDFC First Bank being the next step.
Benefits of the Merger: The merger is expected to increase
the book value per share of IDFC First Bank by 4.9 percent,
based on audited financials as of March 31, 2023. It will
consolidate IDFC FHCL, IDFC Limited, and IDFC First
Bank into a single entity.
ECONOMY
05-July-2023
•• Reserve Bank of India has informed that the Gross
Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of Scheduled
Commercial Banks has fallen to 10 year low of 3.9
percent in March 2023 and net non-performing assets
(NNPA) ratio declined to 1 percent.
•• According to RBI released its Financial Stability
report, Scheduled commercial banks bolstered their
capital base with Capital to risk-weighted assets
ratio at a historical high of 17.1 percent and common
equity tier1 capital ratio at 13.9 percent in March
2023.
The report says the Indian economy presents a picture
of resilience, supported by strong macroeconomic
fundamentals. Sustained growth momentum, moderating
inflation, narrowing current account deficit and rising
foreign exchange reserves, ongoing fiscal consolidation,
and robust financial system are setting the economy on a
path of sustained growth, it added.

RBI Launches Centralised Information Management System

06-July-2023
•• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and will gradually expand Streamlining Reporting Mechanism:
has introduced the Centralised to urban cooperative banks •• RBI’s Regulations Review
Information Management and non-banking financial Authority 2.0 (RRA 2.0)
System (CIMS) to revolutionize companies. recommends simplifying the
its data handling, analysis, and Enhanced Data Dissemination: reporting mechanism and reducing
governance. the regulatory compliance burden.
•• CIMS enables the compilation,
•• The system leverages advanced processing, and dissemination •• Several recommendations have
technology to manage big data, of a broader range of data, already been implemented, with
enabling powerful data mining, including RBI’s weekly statistical others in progress.
text mining, visual analytics, and supplement (WSS).
statistical analysis. The upcoming implementation
•• Public access to more data is through CIMS includes system-based
•• Governor Shaktikanta Das provided, supporting online submission to replace email-based
announced the launch during the statistical analysis by external reporting.
17th Statistics Day Conference in users.
Mumbai.
Regulated Entities’ Access to
About CIMS: Data:
Next-Generation Data Warehouse: •• Regulated entities gain access
•• CIMS serves as RBI’s advanced to their historical data and
data warehouse, facilitating assessments on quality parameters
comprehensive data flow within the CIMS.
management. •• This empowers entities to
•• Initially, it focuses on reporting monitor and evaluate their own
by scheduled commercial banks performance effectively.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 49

NEWS BITES ECONOMY
RBI released Draft Circular
on Credit Card Network
Portability 08-July-2023
•• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has unveiled
a draft regulation that grants debit, credit, and
prepaid cardholders the authority to select their
desired card network, marking a potentially
revolutionary development on a global scale.
•• This regulation challenges the prevailing
practice where card network options are
predetermined through agreements between
issuers and networks.
•• The RBI stated that the current arrangements
between card networks and card issuers, be
it banks or non-banking institutions, do not
promote customer choice and availability.
This proposed regulation aims to enhance flexibility
and competition in the credit card market,
empowering users with the freedom to choose the
card network that best suits their preferences and
requirements.
Gujarat govt announces
240-crore rupees relief
package 15-July-2023
•• In Gujarat,
the State
government
announced a
relief package
of 240 crore
rupees for
farmers who suffered losses due to Cyclone
Biparjoy in the Kutch and Banaskantha
districts.
•• Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel said
the cyclone had damaged standing crops as
well as plants and trees spread across 1.30
lakh hectares in Kutch and Banaskantha
alone.
Farmers who lost 10 to 33 per cent of their total
perennial horticulture crops or trees will get an
assistance of 25,000 rupees per hectare. In cases
where more than 33 per cent of the total perennial
horticulture crops were damaged farmers will be
eligible for a compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh per
hectare with a limit of two hectares.
50 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
Max Life Insurance Partners With
DCB Bank 13-July-2023
•• Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. has announced a strategic
partnership with DCB Bank Ltd., a new-generation private
sector bank in India.
•• The collaboration aims to provide a diverse range of life
insurance products to DCB Bank’s customers, including
term, savings, and retirement plans, enabling them to
secure their financial future and expand their investment
portfolio.
•• The partnership aims to leverage DCB Bank’s extensive
reach and customer-centric approach, along with Max Life’s
expertise in protection and long-term savings solutions.
By combining their strengths, the two organizations aim to
deliver superior customer experience, digital servicing, and
an omni-channel approach.
About Max Life Insurance:
•• Max Life Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture
between Max Financial Services Limited and Axis Bank
Limited.
•• It offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life
insurance solutions.
•• Max Life operates through multiple distribution channels,
including agency and third-party partners.
•• The company has achieved a gross written premium of INR
25,342 Cr for FY2022-23.
About DCB Bank:
•• DCB Bank is a new-generation private sector bank with 427
branches across India.
•• It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and is
professionally managed.
DCB Bank serves various business segments, including retail,
micro-SME, SME, mid-corporate, agriculture, commodities,
government, public sector, Indian banks, co-operative banks, and
NBFCs.
 SPORTS
First Women's
SPORTS Kabaddi League
NEWS Inaugurated in
Nahida Khan announces Dubai 17-June-2023

retirement from international •• The inaugural edition of India's

first-ever Women's Kabaddi League
cricket 16-June-2023 (WKL) commenced with great
•• Pakistan women’s cricketer Nahida Khan has fanfare in Dubai on June 16.
announced her retirement from international •• This historic event marks the first
cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable career time that women kabaddi players
that spanned over a decade. from across India have been given
The 36-year-old opening batter made her debut the opportunity to exhibit their
for the national team in February 2009 against Sri skills and prowess on a global stage.
Lanka and went on to represent Pakistan in over 100 The league consists of eight teams,
matches across formats. featuring a total of 96 players, each
representing Indian states.
•• The victorious team will be
awarded a prize of approximately
Indian Men's Senior Football Team half a million dirhams (equivalent
clinched Intercontinental Cup 19- June -2023 to 1 crore INR).
•• Indian men's senior football team clinched the Intercontinental Cup The Women's Kabaddi League is set
with a 2-0 victory over Lebanon in the final at Kalinga Stadium in to span over a period of 12 days, from
Bhubaneshwar. June 16 to June 27, at the Shabab Al
Ahli Sports Club in Dubai.
•• The first half was goalless while in the second half, the hosts made it
1-0 in the 46th-minute with Indian captain Sunil Chhetri's goal.
•• This is India's second title in the tournament, following their win in the
inaugural edition in 2018. Korea won in 2019. Satwiksairaj
•• India extended their streak of being unbeaten in the competition as Rankireddy, Chirag
they drew their previous meeting against Lebanon and defeated both
Vanuatu and Mongolia.
Shetty scripted
This is Chhetri's 87th international goals in 137 appearances. Chhetri history 19- June -2023
is continued to be the third highest goal-scorer among active players in •• India's shuttler
international football, only behind Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo and duo of Satwiksairaj
Lionel Messi of Argentina. Rankireddy and
Chirag Shetty
defeated reigning
world champions
Aaron Chia and
Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia to clinch the
Indonesia Open Men's Double Title, in
Jakarta.
•• Satwik and Chirag, who are ranked
sixth in the world, won their first
Super 1000 title with a straight-set
victory of 21-17, 21-18.
With this feat, they become India's first ever
doubles pair to win the prestigious tournament.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 51
NEWS BITES SPORTS
Abhishek Verma clinch gold medal
in Archery World Cup Stage 3
19- June -2023
•• Indian archer Abhishek Verma clinched gold medal in the
men's compound individual final at the Archery World Cup
Stage 3 in Medellin, Colombia.
•• With this medal, Abhishek became the third Indian compound
archer to book a spot in the 2023 Archery World Cup Final
which will be played on the 9th and 10th of September in
Hermosillo, Mexico.
•• The 33-year-old Abhishek defeated James Lutz of USA 148-

" Abhishek is multiple World Cup gold medalist

including the compound team gold and an
individual silver in the 2014 Incheon Asian
••
146, adding the second gold to the Indian medal tally.
En route to the gold in this tournament, Abhishek also beat
world number one and top seed Mike Schloesser.
Games.
"
Bhavani Devi win Tajinderpal Singh Toor sets new Asian shot
bronze medal at put record 21-June-2023
Asian Fencing •• India's top shot putter, Tajinderpal Singh
Toor has set a new Asian shot put record
Championships at the Inter-State Championships in
21-June-2023 Bhubaneswar.
•• The 28-year-old athlete, representing
Punjab, shattered his own previous Asian
record with a massive throw of 21.77
metres.
Toor surpassed his own record of 21.49 metres,
which he had set in 2021 in Patiala.

Indian women's doubles pair clinched

•• Olympian C. A. Bhavani WTT Contender tournament title
Devi has created history
by defeating reigning 26-June-2023
World Champion Misaki •• The Indian women's
Emura in the Asian Fencing doubles pair of Sutirtha
Championship quarterfinal Mukherjee and Ayhika
and securing India its first- Mukherjee won the World
ever medal at the event. Table Tennis, ( WTT)
Contender tournament
•• The Indian fencer stunned in Tunis, after beating
the world number one 15-10 the Japanese pair of
to enter the women’s sabre Miyuu Kihara and Miwa
semifinal. Harimoto. The Indian duo
Bhavani, however, lost to won 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 13-11) in a challenging final. The pair also
Uzbekistan’s Zaynab Dayibekova became the first Indians to win a Contender title this year.
in the semifinals, 15-14, securing a The Indian pair had advanced to the final after beating Korean duo of Shin Yubin
bronze medal. and Jeon Jihi 3-2 (7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9) in a hard-fought last four clash.
52 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
 SPORTS
Diksha Dagar wins record second ladies
European tour event title 30-June-2023
•• Diksha Dagar, a talented 22-year-old southpaw golfer from Jhajjar,
Haryana, secured her second Ladies European Tour (LET) title at
the Czech Ladies Open.
•• Diksha, who won her first LET title in 2019 and was part of the
winning team at the Aramco Team Series in London in 2021,
delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament.
This victory marks her second individual win on the LET, and she now
boasts nine top-10 finishes, with four of them achieved this season.

Neeraj Chopra clinches Indian pair won Asian Mixed

Lausanne Diamond
League title 01-July-2023
•• Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra
clinched the Lausanne Diamond League
2023 title with the best throw of 87.66
meters.
•• Olympic Champion Neeraj at Diamond
League 2023 event in Doha in May.
Neeraj's golden arm did its magic in the
fifth attempt and achieved a throw of
87.66 meters.
Germany’s Julian Webber slid secured second
place with a best throw of 87.03 meter while
Jakub Vadlech of the Czech Republic got third
place with an 86.13 meter throw.
Doubles Championships 2023
01-July-2023
•• India's Dipika Pallikal and Harinder
Pal Sandhu won the gold medal at
the Asian Mixed Doubles Squash
Tournament in Hangzhou, a test
event for the upcoming Hangzhou
Asian Games, in September.
•• This was the first appearance by the
31-year-old Dipika since the 2022
Commonwealth Games in any event
as she prepares for the continental
showpiece three months down the
line.
•• The other Indian duo, Anahat Singh
and Abhay Singh won the Bronze medal, also beating the top seeds.
•• The mixed doubles event is being held as a trial event for the
Hangzhou Asian Games in September as China prepares to host
the 19th Asian Games in September this year.
It kicked off on June 26 with 21 teams consisting of 42 athletes from 10
countries and regions, including China, Hong Kong, India, and Malaysia.

India won Asian Kabaddi

Championship in, South Korea
01-July-2023
•• India beat Iran 42-32 in the final of the Asian Kabaddi
Championship 2023 in Busan, Korea.
•• This is India’s eighth title in nine editions. Indian captain
Pawan Sehrawat led from the front with a super 10.
•• Earlier in the day, India had beaten Hong Kong 64-20 to end
the league stage of the tournament undefeated.
The next big challenge for the Indian kabaddi teams will be the
upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 53
NEWS BITES SPORTS
Yuki Bhambri
wins maiden ATP
doubles title
03-July-2023
•• In Tennis, India’s Yuki
Bhambri clinched his maiden
title on the ATP World Tour,
winning the doubles trophy at
the Mallorca Championships
with South African partner
Lloyd Harris, in Spain.
•• The Indo-South African pair
defeated the Dutch-Austrian
combo of Robin Hasse and
Philipp Oswald 6-3 6-4 in the
final of the grass-court event,
the last in the build-up to the
Wimbledon Championships.
The 30-year-old Indian Bhambri,
who is ranked 75 in the ATP
doubles tennis rankings, is all set
to jump up to a career-best 58th
position in the standings.
Indian pair
won gold
in junior
mixed team
compound
event 06-July-2023
The World Archery Youth
Championships event
is taking place at the
University of Limerick in
the west of Ireland from
July 3 to 9.
54 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
Max Verstappen wins Austrian GP 2023
03-July-2023
•• Max Verstappen, the reigning
Formula One champion, continued
his impressive performance by
securing a commanding victory at
the Austrian Grand Prix 2023.
•• This win further solidified his
pursuit of a third consecutive
world title. Starting from the pole
position for the fourth consecutive
race, Verstappen demonstrated his
dominance by achieving his fifth consecutive win and seventh win out of nine
races in the current season.
With this remarkable performance, Verstappen extended his lead in the championship
standings to 81 points over his teammate Sergio Perez, who also drives for the Red
Bull team. Charles Leclerc, the previous year’s winner at this circuit, finished in
second place, crossing the finish line 5.2 seconds after Verstappen.
India lifts SAFF Championships trophy 05-July-2023
•• In Football, India have lifted
the SAFF Championships
trophy for the ninth time,
beating Kuwait 5-4 in the
penalty shoot-out in the final
after a 1-1 stalemate at the
end of regulation time at
Sree Kanteerava Stadium in
Bengaluru.
•• A thrilling penalty shootout saw the game go down the wire after Udanta
Singh missed his kick. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh again turned out as the
hero for the Indian side, saving the final kick from the Kuwaiti captain.
•• The Indian team made it to the final after beating Lebanon in a semi-final
while Kuwait defeated Bangladesh 1-0 in the other last-four clash.
This was the second meeting of India and Kuwait in this tournament with the
earlier Group stage meeting ending in a 1-1 draw.
• Indian archers Priyansh and Avneet Kaur
won gold in the junior mixed team compound
event, in Limerick, Ireland.
• Defeating Israel in the final of the World
Archery Youth Championships in Limerick,
Ireland. It was a nail-biting contest wherein
the Indian players beat Israel with a close score of 146-144, on July 5.
• India's Manav Jadhav and Aishwarya Sharma also won a bronze medal
defeating Mexico in the cadet mixed compound event.
 SPORTS
Parth Salunkhe becomes first Indian to win Youth
World Championship 10-July-2023
•• Parth Salunkhe became the first male archer to win a gold in
the recurve category at the Youth World Championships as
India finished with their highest-ever tally of 11 medals.
•• The 19-year-old from Satara in Maharashtra provided
the perfect icing on the cake by defeating a Korean in the
Under-21 men's recurve individual final, Limerick, Ireland.
•• Salunkhe, who topped the rankings round, prevailed over
seventh seed Song Injun 7-3 (26-26, 25-28, 28-26, 29-26,
28-26) in a hard-fought five-setter.
The medal haul of the 24-member Indian contingent included six gold, one silver and four bronze. Of the 11 medals
India won, six were bagged in the U21 category - four gold and two bronze.

Lakshya Sen clinches Men’s India clinches three gold and

Singles title of Canada Open three bronze medals in Asian
Badminton 10-July-2023 Athletics Championships
14-July-2023

•• In the ongoing Asian Athletics Championships in

•• Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen clinched Men’s Singles
title of the Canada Open 2023 badminton tournament
defeating Li Shi Feng of China 21-18, 22-20 in the in
Calgary, Canada.
•• Lakshya Sen was down four game points in the second
set but saved all and ended up winning the game in
straight sets. Sen, world number 19, started the first
game well and maintained the lead throughout to
eventually win by 21-18.
This is the first BWF World Tour title of Commonwealth
Games champion Lakshya Sen after almost a year.
Bangkok, India have so far won three gold and three
bronze medals, in Thailand.
•• India's Jyothi Yarraji earlier won gold in 100m
hurdles, whereas Abdulla Aboobacker won the gold
in the men’s triple jump and Ajay Kumar Saroj in
men’s 1500m.
Tejaswin Shankar won the bronze medal in long jump
400m events and the other two bronze medalists are
Abhishek Pal and Aishwarya Kailash Mishra in men’s
10000m and women’s 400m, respectively. With this
India placed third on the medals table behind China and
Japan.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 55

NEWS BITES SCIENCE
SCIENCE
NEWS
IIT Madras
Researchers Develop
Data Science 16-June-2023
•• Researchers at the Indian
Institute of Technology Madras
(IIT Madras) have made
significant progress in the field
of air pollution monitoring by
developing a low-cost mobile air
pollution monitoring framework.
•• This innovative approach utilizes
data science, Internet of Things
(IoT) technology, and low-cost
pollution sensors mounted on
public vehicles to dynamically
monitor air quality at a high spatial
and temporal resolution.
The project, known as Kaatru
(meaning “air” in Tamil), aims to
address the limitations of traditional
stationary monitoring stations and
provide valuable insights for policy-
making and mitigation strategies.
Intel and Germany
Sign $32.8
Billion Chip Plant
Agreement
20-June-2023
Intel, the US-based global
semiconductor chip
manufacturer, has entered
into an agreement with
the German government,
investing $32.8 Billion in
Germany's technology
infrastructure.
56 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
NTPC Vidyut
Vyapar Nigam
commissions
first solar
rooftop project
16-June-2023
•• NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN) has commissioned its first
rooftop solar PV project at IIT Jodhpur, Rajasthan on June 14, 2023.
•• The 1 MW Grid connected solar project has been implemented by the
NVVN under the RESCO model with Power Purchase Agreement
duration of 25 years. NVVN is an arm of state-run power producer NTPC.
•• The project is set up on the roofs of 14 buildings inside the campus of
the IIT. The project will generate around 14.9 lakhs units per annum
and will meet 15 per cent of the electricity requirement of IIT Jodhpur.
" The Rooftop project will reduce 1060 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
The NVVN was formed by the NTPC in the year 2002 as its wholly-
"
owned subsidiary to tap the potential of power trading in the country.
Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster
vaccine developed 20-June-2023
•• The Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using
the indigenous platform technology by Genova Biopharmaceuticals
Ltd. has got a nod from the office of the Drug Control General of India
(DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
•• DBT has facilitated establishing Gennova's mRNA-based next-
generation vaccine manufacturing for developing the platform
technology from proof of concept till Phase I clinical trial of the
prototype mRNA-based vaccine developed against the Wuhan strain.
•• The project was further supported under the mission COVID Suraksha.
The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission' by DBT's dedicated
Mission Implementation Unit at Biotechnology Industry Research
Assistance Council (BIRAC), for further clinical development and Scale up
of the prototype vaccine, which received EUA on 29th June 2022.
About the Agreement:
• This collaboration, with financial support from Berlin, represents the
largest foreign investment ever made in Germany.
• The German government, recognizing the strategic importance of the
semiconductor industry, has pledged to provide approximately 10 billion
euros in financial support toward Intel’s overall investment in the country
The deal is poised to bolster the country’s semiconductor industry and solidify
Intel’s position as a leading player in the market.

IFFCO starts exporting
world’s first Nano urea
22-June-2023
•• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited
(IFFCO) has started exporting the world’s
first Nano urea invented and manufactured
indigenously in India to the US.
•• An agreement to export Nano urea was
signed between IFFCO and Kapoor
Enterprises Inc of California.
•• The nano urea is a revolution in the
agriculture sector as it has the potential
to reduce storage space and money.
A 500 ml bottle of IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid
has the capacity to replace at least one bag of
conventional Urea.
SCIENCE
IIT Kanpur successfully conducts test
flight for cloud seeding 23-June-2023
•• The Indian Institute of
Technology Kanpur has
successfully conducted a test
flight for cloud seeding.
•• The experiment was conducted
with due approval from the
DGCA (Directorate General
of Civil Aviation).
•• The test flight went up to
an approximate height of 5000 ft. The short flight took off and
came back to the IIT Kanpur Flight Lab airstrip, after successfully
completing the test ride.
•• Cloud seeding involves the utilization of various chemical agents
such as silver iodide, dry ice, common salt, and other elements with
the aim of enhancing the probability of precipitation.
•• In the experiment undertaken by IIT Kanpur, a Cessna aircraft was
flown from the Flight Laboratory of IIT Kanpur with cloud seeding
attachments.
These attachments were procured from a manufacturer in the US and the
modifications in the aircraft were approved both by the manufacturers of
Cessna and DGCA. The test flight spread the agents using a flare as is
standard practice.

TCS signed deal with the National Employment

Savings Trust 24-June-2023
•• IT services giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with
the UK’s National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), the country’s largest workplace pension scheme.
•• The £840 million ($1.1 billion) deal aims to digitally transform NEST’s administration services over an initial
tenure of 10 years, providing enhanced member experiences.
•• If extended to the full 18-year tenure, the contract’s total maximum estimated value will reach £1.5 billion ($1.9
billion).
TCS’s Success in the Region
TCS has demonstrated its prowess in
securing major deals in the UK market
throughout 2023. The contract with
NEST follows three other significant
agreements in the region this year.
These include a $723 million deal
with Phoenix Group, a partnership
with Marks & Spencer, and a 10-year
contract with the Teacher’s Pension
Scheme.

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First COVID-19
booster vaccine
developed in India
launched 26-June-2023
•• Science and Technology Minister
Dr Jitendra Singh launched
mRNA-based Covid Booster
Vaccine - GEMCOVAC-OM in
New Delhi.
•• The vaccine is the first booster
COVID-19 vaccine developed
in India against the highly
transmissible Omicron variant.
The vaccine will be rolled out
and it will cost two thousand 292
rupees per dose.
•• The booster vaccine can be
administered to individuals who
have received two doses of either
Covaxin or Covishield.
•• The vaccine can be stored at 2
to 8 degrees Centigrade. It has
demonstrated robust immune
responses in phase - 3 clinical trials
conducted at 20 centers across 13
cities in India. GEMCOVAC-OM
is a needle-free, thermostable
vaccine, which does not require
ultra-cold chain infrastructure
used for other approved mRNA-
based vaccines, making it easy for
deployment pan India.
It has received emergency use
authorization from the office of the
Drugs Controller General of India
for the Omicron variant. The vaccine
has been developed under the mission
COVID Suraksha..
58 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
Nagaland gets
its 1st HIV-1 Viral
Load Laboratory
27-June-2023
•• Nagaland has got its first HIV-1
Viral Load Laboratory at Naga
Hospital Authority Kohima
(NHAK).
•• The laboratory was officially
launched by the Commissioner
& Secretary of Health & Family
Welfare and Chairman of
Nagaland State AIDS Control
Society Y Kikheto Sema.
•• Mr. Sema said the launching
of the first HIV-1 Viral Load
Lab at NHAK marks a
significant milestone in the
state of Nagaland in ensuring
better treatment and care for
the People Living with HIV
(PLHIV) community.
Nagaland is the second highest HIV
positive state in the country and the
highest Antenatal Care in India and
termed it as a huge challenge for the
State.
Meta Launches
$250K Mixed
Reality Fund
29-June-2023
•• Meta has announced the launch of a
new Mixed Reality (MR) program
in India, offering a $250,000
award to support homegrown
startups and developers in building
applications and experiences. The
program aims to foster innovation
and establish a national XR
technology ecosystem.
Building the XR Ecosystem in
India:
•• Sandhya Devanathan, VP for
Meta in India, expresses Meta’s
commitment to building the XR
ecosystem in India. The Presence
Platform, an integral part of
Meta’s metaverse vision, aims to
enhance virtual experiences and
make them more accessible.
•• Monetary Grant and Mentorship:
•• The program will select up to five
Indian developers and startups to
receive a monetary grant, along
with top-notch mentoring and
guidance from Meta Reality Labs
specialists. Selected participants
will also have the opportunity to
upload their products to Quest
App Lab and gain exposure within
Meta’s developer ecosystem.
Accelerating VR and MR Adoption:
Meta believes that the fund and
program will accelerate the creation
and adoption of VR and MR
experiences in India, giving Indian
developers a platform to showcase
their innovations on a global scale.
 SCIENCE
GAIL Achieves Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) T3
Status 30-June-2023
•• GAIL India Limited, a leading natural gas company in India, has been bestowed with the prestigious Authorised
Economic Operator (AEO) T3 status by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Ministry of Finance.
•• This recognition marks the highest level of facilitation for exporters and importers, positioning GAIL as a trusted
and secure participant in international trade.
AEO Program- The AEO program, administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO), aims to strengthen
global supply chain security, streamline customs procedures, and promote the ease of doing business. By obtaining the
AEO T3 status, GAIL India joins the league of esteemed companies that adhere to the highest standards of customs
compliance and international trade best practices.
Enhanced Trade Facilitation- The AEO T3 status brings numerous benefits for GAIL India, positioning the company
as a reliable and preferred trade partner in the global market. The certification streamlines customs procedures, reducing
administrative burdens and enhancing the speed and efficiency of international trade transactions.

First IIT campus outside India to come up in Tanzania 06-July-2023

•• First IIT campus outside India A Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) has been signed for setting up
a campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
•• The agreement was signed in the presence of
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Zanzibar's
President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
•• According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this campus
reflects the longstanding friendship between India and
Tanzania and a reminder of India's focus on building
people-to-people ties across Africa and the Global South.
•• This unique partnership will bring the top-ranked
educational expertise of IITM to a prime destination
in Africa and serve the imperative current needs of
the region.
•• The academic programs, curricula, student selection
aspects and pedagogical details will be by IIT Madras,
whereas the capital and operating expenditure will
be met by the government of Zanzibar-Tanzania.
IIT Madras degrees will be awarded to the students
enrolled in this campus.

•• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on The state-of-the-art interdisciplinary degrees are expected
Internationalization and recommends that “High to attract a diverse cohort and will include students from
performing Indian universities will be encouraged to Tanzania and other countries as well. Indian students are
set up campuses in other countries”. also eligible to apply to these programs.

7th edition of bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023

06-July-2023
•• The 7th edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023, JIMEX 23 hosted by the Indian Navy, has
been conducted at Visakhapatnam.
•• This edition marks the 11th anniversary of JIMEX, since its inception in 2012. Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force
units and Indian Naval ships are participating in the exercise.
•• JIMEX 23 will witness the participation of INS Delhi, which is India's first indigenously built Guided Missile
Destroyer, and INS Kamorta which is an indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette.
•• The exercise will be conducted over six days in two phases - a Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam comprising
professional, sports, and social interactions.
After this, the two navies will jointly hone their warfighting skills at sea and enhance their interoperability through
complex multi-discipline operations in the surface, sub-surface and air domains.

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Chandrayaan 3
spacecraft integrated
with GSLV Mark III
launch 06-July-2023
•• Chandrayaan Three spacecraft
has been integrated with GSLV
Mark III launch vehicle at Satish
Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
spaceport.
•• The launch of Chandrayaan 3 took
on July 14, 2023. The Propulsion
module will carry the lander and
rover configuration till 100kms lunar
orbit.
•• The Propulsion module will orbit the
Moon as was done in Chandrayaan
I and II. ISRO is making a second
attempt to gently drop the lander on
the surface of the Moon and the rover
to move around the lunar surface.
•• The Indian Space Agency has made
improvements in the lander after
learning from the Chandrayaan 2
mission of 2019 when the lander
crash-landed on the Moon's surface
due to a software glitch.
The payloads on the Lander of
Chandrayaan 3 will soft land on Moon
and measure the thermal conductivity
and temperature, seismicity around the
landing site and estimate the plasma
density. The Rover payload will derive
the elemental composition in the vicinity
of the landing site.
60 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
Elena Introduces India’s First NavIC
07-July-2023
•• Elena Geo Systems, a Bengaluru-based firm, has unveiled the country’s
first hand-held navigation device based on the Indian Regional
Navigation Satellite System (NavIC).
•• The device aims to provide precise directions for various infrastructure
projects such as railway, land survey, telecoms, and hydrocarbon exploration.
•• With a cost of Rs 6,000, it can be easily attached to smartphones using
an on-the-go (OTG) connector, enabling users to leverage data from
any mapping application or satellite source.
Versatile and Cost-effective Solution
Priced at Rs 6,000, the handheld navigation device provides an affordable
option for individuals and organizations involved in infrastructure projects.
Its compatibility with smartphones via an OTG connector allows users to
access data from any mapping application or satellite source.
China launched first open-source
desktop operating system (OS) 08-July-2023
•• China recently launched its first open-source desktop operating
system (OS) named as OpenKylin 1.0 to reduce its dependency on US
technology and to create China’s independent software system.
•• The launch of OperKylin, an open-source desktop system marked
the country’s latest effort in developing homegrown software which
reduces reliance on Western Technologies.
•• The OpenKylin system has been developed with the contribution from
various companies and organizations.
•• Several Chinese Companies are currently working on creating operating
system that can replace Microsoft’s Windows and Apple MacOS. One
of these companies is Union Tech Software Technology Co. Ltd. is in
the process of developing its own operating system called ‘Unity’.
•• The main supporter in launching this open-source desktop system
OpenKylin is the China Industrial Control System Emergency Response
Team, which is overseen by the industry and Information Technology
Ministry and additional more than ten software companies.
OpenKylin 1.0 is a Linux operating system created by a community of about
4,000 developers.
 SCIENCE
ESA launched ‘Euclid Space ONGC became India’s First PSU
Telescope’ 10-July-2023 to receive the ABMS Certification
•• The European Space 12-July-2023
Agency (ESA) has recently •• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has recently made
launched the Euclid Space history by became the first Central Public Sector Enterprise
Telescope, (CPSE) in India to receive certification for its Anti-Bribery
•• Aspeciallydesignedinstrument Management System (ABMS).
aimed at revolutionizing our •• The certification was awarded by the internationally accredited
understanding of the universe. certification body InterCert USA. ONGC’s commitment to
•• This state-of-the-art combat bribery was previously demonstrated in 2005 when
telescope will enable it became the first organization in India to adopt the Integrity
scientists to create a detailed three-dimensional Pact (IP) initiated by Transparency International.
map of billions of galaxies spread across a vast ABMS Certification:
area of 10 billion light-years.
•• ONGC’s pursuit of an ABMS certification marks a significant
•• With its advanced capabilities, the Euclid
milestone in its journey as an Energy Maharatna, further
Telescope is expected to shed light on the mysteries
solidifying its position as a trusted business partner.
of dark matter, dark energy, and the expansion of
the universe. Moreover, it will also contribute to •• The certification was achieved by successfully implementing
various fields such as human resources, global the ISO 37001:2016 International Standard, following a
health, climate change, and oceans. thorough assessment and validation process conducted by
•• The primary objective of the Euclid Space InterCert USA.
Telescope is to construct the most accurate three- About ONGC: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited is
dimensional map of the universe to date. Over an Indian central public sector undertaking under the ownership of
its projected six-year mission, it will observe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. It
billions of galaxies spanning an immense area is headquartered in New Delhi. ONGC was founded on 14 August
of 10 billion light-years. 1956 by the Government of India.

Elon Musk reveals xAI 14-July-2023

SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, the well-known billionaire entrepreneur, has
introduced his highly anticipated artificial intelligence startup, xAI.
•• The primary objective of the company is to disrupt the dominance of major
technology corporations in the AI industry, with a particular focus on
developing an alternative to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
•• Musk has consistently voiced his advocacy for prudence and regulation
in the progression of AI technology. He has repeatedly expressed
concerns regarding the potential risks of uncontrolled advancement,
emphasizing the possibility of “civilizational destruction.” In
response to these concerns, xAI will adopt a distinct approach to
prioritize the safety of its AI systems.
•• This move indicates Musk’s dedication to exploring AI
technology further.

" Elon Musk previously hinted at the

launch of TruthGPT, an AI model
focused on seeking maximum truth,
aiming to rival Google’s Bard and
Microsoft’s Bing AI, both designed to

"
understand the universe’s intricacies.

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 61

NEWS BITES MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
NEWS

Odisha celebrated ‘Raja’

agricultural festival 16-June-2023

About the Raja festival:

• Raja or Raja Parba or Mithuna Sankranti is a three- • Second day is called “Raja/Mithuna Sankranti” which
day-long festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha, signifies beginning of the solar month of Mithuna(June/
India. July) from which the season of rains starts.
• On this occasion, people enjoy by cooking traditional • Third day is called “Bhumi Dahana or Basi Raja” which
delicacies, relishing paan, playing cards and other signifies the middle day of the festival in which people
games with family and friends. take a break from their routine work to relax and enjoy.
• First day of the festival is called “Pahili Raja” which On the fourth day called “Basumati snana”, people give bath
marks the beginning of the festival in which people do to mother earth with turmeric paste and adore it with flower,
all types of preparations for the festival. sindoor etc.

Why is it important:
KIIT-hosted 1st Janjatiya • It is a joint endeavor of the Odisha Government and the
Khel Mahotsav 17-June-2023 Union Ministry of Culture.
• The event’s opening ceremony was attended

" Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology hosted

the inaugural Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav, which is
a spectacular sporting event that came to a close
on June 12. The event has attracted around 5,000
indigenous athletes and 1,000 officials who represent
by Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Union Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan, and the founder of KIIT and
KISS, Dr Achyuta Samanta.
• During the ceremony, the speakers expressed their belief
that KIIT and KISS were the logical choices to host the

"
26 states. event.
Dr Samanta highlighted the event’s exceptional nature, specifically its merger of sports and culture, tribal communities and
sports, and the amalgamation of tradition and modernity.

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day celebrated

•• World Sickle Cell Awareness Day
is observed on June 19th each
year to raise awareness about
sickle cell disease (SCD) and its
impact on individuals, families
and communities worldwide.
•• Sickle cell disease is a genetic
blood disorder characterized by
abnormal red blood cells that take
on a crescent or sickle shape and
20-June-2023
these irregularly shaped cells can
cause blockages in blood vessels,
leading to a variety of health
complications.
This year the theme of World Sickle
Disease Day is ‘Building and
strengthening global sickle cell
communities, formalizing newborn
screening and knowing your sickle
cell disease status’.

62 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023


North India's first Skin Bank
inaugurated 21-June-2023
•• North India's first Skin Bank has been inaugurated
at New Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. It is a bank
where deceased donors can donate their skin
which will be helpful in treating burns.
According to Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh
Mandaviya the facility will be a boon for patients and
help in providing a better quality of life for people
suffering from severe burns and injuries.
International Olympic Day
2023 23-June-2023
•• World Olympic Day or International Olympic
Day is observed globally on June 23 to honor
the establishment of the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) and encourage the principles
upheld by the Olympic Movement.
•• World Olympic Day was created in 1948 as a
tribute to June 23, 1894, when the inception of
the modern Olympic Games took place at the
Sorbonne in Paris. The aim of Olympic Day is to
foster global engagement in sports, irrespective of
age, gender, or athletic aptitude.
Theme- The theme of this year’s Olympic Day is
‘Let’s Move’ .
World Drug Day 2023
26-June-2023
•• Every year on June 26th, the International Day
against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,
also known as World Drug Day, is observed to
promote global efforts in eliminating drug abuse.
The focus of this year’s campaign is to increase
awareness regarding the significance of treating
individuals who engage in drug use with empathy
and respect.
Theme- This year World Drug Day’s theme is “People
first: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen
prevention”.
MISCELLANEOUS
Narendra Singh Tomar
launched PM Kisan Mobile
App 22-June-2023
•• The PM-Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication
Feature was launched by Union Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh
Tomar under the central government's ambitious
and popular scheme for income support to farmers
"Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi".
Best example of modern technology using Face
Authentication Feature from this app farmer can
complete e-KYC remotely, sitting at home easily by
scanning face without OTP or fingerprint and helped
100 other farmers to do e-KYC at their home.
Shripad Naik inaugurated
Seafarers Club 26-June-2023
•• Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and
Waterways & Tourism Shripad Naik inaugurated
the Seafarers Club at Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Authority (JNPA), on the occasion of the
International Seafarers Day.
•• Pointing out the significant role seafarers play
in strengthening the country’s economy, Shripad
Naik said that the government is committed to
resolve the challenges faced by the seafarers.
The state-of-the-art club, located within JNPA
premises, provides a welcoming and comfortable
space for seafarers. The club will serve as a perfect
gateway for maritime professionals during their time
on land.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 63
NEWS BITES MISCELLANEOUS
First •• Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express
from Ranchi through video conferencing.
Vande •• This is the 1st Vande Bharat Express connecting the two States of Jharkhand
Bharat Express and Bihar.
The indigenously designed first
flagged off to ever Vande Bharat Express
connect Jharkhand, connecting two States of
Jharkhand and Bihar will bring a
Bihar major boost to education, tourism
27-June-2023 and business. The train consisting
of eight coaches will run between
Ranchi and Patna.

•• The 8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 held in Mumbai garnered
attention due to the presence of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for
8th
Chemicals and Fertilisers and Health & Family Welfare. Global
•• Theme: The theme of the 8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 was Pharmaceutical
“Patient Centricity: New Paradigm of Manufacturing and Quality.” This theme
aimed to explore innovative approaches to manufacturing and quality assurance Quality Summit
in order to prioritize patient needs and enhance the overall healthcare experience.
2023 Concludes
Key Points:
• India’s Role as a Global Pharmacy: Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that India 27-June-2023
played a crucial role as the “pharmacy for the world” during the COVID-19
pandemic by ensuring a continuous supply of quality medicines and vaccines to
various countries.
Indian Pharmaceutical Industry’s Success: The Health Minister acknowledged the Indian pharmaceutical industry’s
achievements in terms of both quality and quantity. He stressed the importance of leveraging India’s brand power and
manpower to capitalize on the global demand for medicines and vaccines.

• National Statistics Day is

commemorated annually on
June 29 to honor the significant
contributions made by Professor
National Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
Statistics Day in the fields of statistics and
economic planning. Often hailed
2023 as the ‘father of Indian statistics,’
Professor Mahalanobis is
29-June-2023 renowned for developing the
Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure utilized to determine the disparity
between a point and a distribution.

Theme - The theme of National Statistics Day, 2023 is “Alignment of State Indicator Framework with National
Indicator Framework for Monitoring Sustainable Development Goals”.

64 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023


International Day of
Parliamentarism 2023 30-June-2023
•• Every year, June 30th marks the celebration of the
International Day of Parliamentarism, a day dedicated
to commemorating the formation of the Inter-
Parliamentary Union (IPU). The IPU was established
with the noble objective of promoting democratic
governance, fostering accountability, and encouraging
collaboration among national parliaments.
•• This year, the International Day of Parliamentarism will
mark its 134th anniversary. According to the website,
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) recently launched
the campaign ‘Parliaments for the Planet.’
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Parliaments for
the Planet.’
PM Modi inaugurated 17th
Indian Cooperative Congress
(ICC) 01-July-2023
•• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17th
Indian Cooperative Congress (ICC) in New Delhi.
•• On this occasion, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said,
a separate Ministry of Cooperation was set up under the
visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
•• National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) is
organizing the two-day event with the theme of Amrit
Kaal: Prosperity through Cooperation for a Vibrant
India.
•• According to the Ministry of Cooperation, the
objective of the meeting is to discuss various trends
in the cooperative movement, to showcase the best
practices being adopted by the successful cooperatives
and to deliberate on challenges being faced by the
cooperative world.
The event will witness the participation of more than three
thousand 600 stakeholders.
MISCELLANEOUS
National Doctors Day
celebrated 01-July-2023
•• National Doctors Day is celebrated on 01 July every
year.
•• The Day is celebrated across the country in memory
of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, physician and the second
Chief Minister of West Bengal. He was born on the 1st
of July 1882 and died on the same date in 1962.
•• This day is dedicated to honoring the contribution
and dedication of doctors toward the well-being and
healthcare of society. Doctors are considered soldiers
who do not fight at borders but save the lives of millions
suffering from diseases.
This year, National Doctor's Day 2023 theme is
"Celebrating Resilience and Healing Hands."
Home Ministry launched
scheme for modernization of
fire services 06-July-2023
•• Union Home Ministry has launched a scheme for the
expansion and modernization of fire services in the
states with a total outlay of five thousand crore rupees.
•• According to the Ministry, an amount of five hundred
crore rupees, out of the total outlay, has been kept
for incentivizing the States based on their legal and
infrastructure-based reforms.
During a meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management
of the States and Union Territories in New Delhi last
month, Home Minister Amit Shah announced the scheme.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 65
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World Swahili Language Day National Fish Farmer’s Day
07-July-2023 2023 Celebration 08-July-2023
•• World Swahili Language Day was observed on 07 July.
Swahili language from sub-Saharan Africa is among
the 10 most widely spoken languages in the world.
•• More than 200 million people across Tanzania,
Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda and along the East
coast of Africa speak this language. Swahili is an
official language of the African Union as well. Given
its importance, the United Nations declared 7th July
as World Swahili Day.
The External Services Division of Akashvani has been
broadcasting a daily Swahili language service since May
1943 to reach out to the African community across the globe. •• The Department of Fisheries launched the Fisheries
Startup Grand Challenge in partnership with Startup
India hub and DPIIT, to identify, reward and
PGIMER Chandigarh recognize startups creating exceptional impact in the
fisheries ecosystem.
celebrated 60th Foundation •• The selected startups has felicitated by Minister
Day 08-July-2023 for Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri
Parshottam Rupala on the occasion of National Fish
•• PGIMER Chandigarh celebrated its 60th Foundation
Farmer’s Day on 10th July, 2023 at Mahabalipuram,
Day on 7th July 2023.
Tamilnadu.
•• PGI Anthem ’Hum hain PGI’ composed by Prof. Biman
•• The selected startups under the Pradhan Mantri
Saikia and his team was also released on the occasion.
Matsya Sampada Yojana has provided with a cash
•• Thirty-two PGIMER employees were honoured for their grant of INR 2 lakhs to help them continue building
outstanding service and were presented with appreciation their innovations.
certificates along with mementos on this occasion.
The National Fish Farmer’s Day celebration event
•• The institute started in 1962 and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru at Mahabalipuram on 10th July, 2023 has feature an
inaugurated the hospital now named “Nehru Hospital” exhibition of 30 exceptional startups from across the
on 7th July 1963. The Institute was originally under country, showcasing the best amongst fisheries innovators
the Government of undivided Punjab. in the country.

Anil Chauhan inaugurated LRMR Hangar & Dispersal 10-July-2023

•• The Chief of Defense Staff,
CDS, General Anil Chauhan
inaugurated LRMR Hangar &
Dispersal at Naval Air Station,
INS Utkrosh in Port Blair.
•• The twin hangar spread over
6000 sq. mt. can accommodate
a combination of P8I aircraft
with Dronier & Advanced Light
Helicopters.
•• According to CDS the newly
added hangar facility will provide
support for vital air operations
in strategically important
66 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
A&N Islands. It will help in made in consultation with IIT Chennai
strengthening the security of the with a cost of more than 360 Cr.
Indian Oceans Region.
•• ANC is one of the finest example
of integration & jointness. He
praises the efforts of tri-service
personnel to work in synergy
for keeping the islands safe and
secure.
General Anil Chauhan also inaugurated
the Wet Basin & Refit Jetty at Naval
Ship Repair Yard at Port Blair. The
jetty has slung material compartments
and accommodation for personnel. It is
EASY LEVEL MCQ CURRENT AFFAIRS
EASY LEVEL MCQ
Q.1. CDS, General Anil Chauhan inaugurated LRMR (1) China (2) Russia (3) India
Hangar & Dispersal at Naval Air Station, INS
(4) USA (5) UAE
Utkrosh in where in India?
Q.9. Which of the following Ministry has released the
(1) Sikkim (2) Tripura
Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D)
(3) Karnataka (4) Port Blair combined report for 2020-21 and 2021-22?
(5) Andhra Pradesh (1) Ministry of Defence
Q.2. Which of the following edition of Hyderabad Sailing (2) Ministry of Tourism
Week -2023 and Laser National Championship has
(3) Ministry of Culture
been concluded?
(4) Ministry of Education
(1) 35th (2) 36th (3) 37th
(5) Ministry of Home Affairs
(4) 38th (5) 45th
Q.10. Urban-20 Mayoral Summit held in which state?
Q.3. Who has been appointed as new IFSCA Chairman?
(1) Gujarat (2) Maharashtra
(1) G.K. Satish (2) K Rajaraman
(3) Madhya Pradesh (4) Uttar Pradesh
(3) Injeti Srinivas (4) Krishan Mishra
(5) Himachal Pradesh
(5) B. Neeraja Prabhakar
Q.11. Who among the following has won the bronze
Q.4. Mukhra (K), a model village in which state has
medal in the elite men's keirin event at a UCI Class
become the first habitation in the State to have
1 Event-Finale Bahnen-Tournee 2023 cycling
insured by 100 percent ?
competition ?
(1) Kerala (2) Assam (3) Telangana
(1) Esow Alben (2) Marc Jurczyk
(4) Tamil Nadu (5) Andhra Pradesh
(3) Sebastien Vigier (4) John Michael
Q.5. Chief Minister's College Students' Rehabilitation
(5) Marc Selebi
Scheme 2023 has been launched in which state?
Q.12. Which of the following University has clinched
(1) Sikkim (2) Tripura (3) Manipur
first Gold medal in Khelo India University games
(4) Mizoram (5) Meghalaya 2023?
Q.6. Who has became the first male archer to win a (1) Osmania University
gold in the recurve category at the Youth World
(2) Delhi University
Championships ?
(3) Savitribai Phule University
(1) Limba Ram (2) Parth Salunkhe
(4) Jiwaji University
(3) Jayanta Talukdar (4) Abhishek Verma
(5) Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya
(5) Tarundeep Rai
Q.13. Recently who has assumed charge of Managing
Q.7. Who has been clinched Men’s Singles title of the
Director of Solar Energy Corporation of India
Canada Open 2023 badminton tournament?
Limited (SECI) ?
(1) Lakshya Sen (2) Li Shi Feng
(1) Ajay Yadav (2) Ajay Kumar Singh
(3) Gagan Narang (4) Abhinav Bindra
(3) Neera Tandon (4) Pramod Sood
(5) Saurabh Chaudhary
(5) Praveen Sinha
Q.8. Which of the following Country has launched its
Q.14. Which of the following state government has given
first open-source desktop operating system (OS)
subsidies up to 75 percent on solar pumps under the
named as OpenKylin 1.0 ?
PM-KUSUM scheme?
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 67
EASY LEVEL MCQ
(1) Kerala (2) Haryana (3) “Celebrating Resilience and Healing Hands"
(3) Uttarakhand (4) Uttar Pradesh (4) “lessen the mortality of COVID-19”
(5) Madhya Pradesh (5) “Zero tolerance to violence against doctors and
clinical establishment”
Q.15. Which edition of India, Vietnam Maritime Security
Dialogue held in New Delhi? Q.22. Which Country has won Asian Kabaddi
Championship 2023?
(1) 3rd (2) 4th (3) 5th
(1) India (2) Nepal (3) Iran
(4) 6th (5) 7th
(4) Iraq (5) Bangladesh
Q.16. Union Cabinet has approved ______ crore rupees
Q.23. Which edition of Durand Cup commenced in New
scheme to increase grain storage capacity in
Delhi?
cooperative sector.
(1) 130th (2) 132th (3) 135th
(1) One Lakh (2) Two Lakhs
(4) 140th (5) 145th
(3) Three Lakhs (4) Four Lakhs
Q.24. Who has clinched Lausanne Diamond League title
(5) Five Lakhs 2023?
Q.17. What is the theme of World No Tobacco Day 2023? (1) Tek Chand
(1) "Commit to quit" (2) Neeraj Chopra
(2) “Grow food, not tobacco” (3) Shivpal Singh
(3) 'Tobacco: Threat to our environment' (4) Sundar Singh Gurjar
(4) "tobacco and lung health" (5) Davinder Singh Kang
(5) “Tobacco Breaks Hearts” Q.25. Who has won Global Indian Icon at UK-India
Awards?
Q.18. Which of the following state government has
launched Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana? (1) Mary Kom (2) Sakshi Malik
(1) Assam (2) Kerala (3) Neeraj Chopra (4) Tejinder Singh

(3) Maharashtra (4) Madhya Pradesh (5) Sachin Tendulkar

(5) Himachal Pradesh Q.26. Who is the Author of a book title “Ringside”?

Q.19. Which of the following Ministry has signed a (1) Rupi Kaur (2) Ruskin Bond
contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd? (3) Dr. Vijay Darda (4) Shashi Tharoor
(1) Ministry of Culture (5) Dr. Manoj Kumar
(2) Ministry of Tourism Q.27. Who among the following has taken charge as SAIL
chairman ?
(3) Ministry of Defence
(1) Ajay Yadav (2) Sanjay Varma
(4) Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
(3) Ashwani Kumar (4) Amarendu Prakash
(5) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
(5) Angshumali Rastogi
Q.20. Recently India’s biggest natural arch discovered in
which state? Q.28. Which of the following Country has won Men’s
Junior Asia Cup 2023 ?
(1) Kerala (2) Odisha (3) Karnataka
(1) India (2) Sri Lanka (3) Pakistan
(4) Tamil Nadu (5) Andhra Pradesh
(4) Nepal (5) Bangladesh
Q.21. What is the theme of National Doctors Day 2023?
Q.29. Who has appointed as India's representative to
(1) 'Save The Saviours' the council of the International Civil Aviation
(2) 'Family Doctors on the Front Line' Organization?

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 CURRENT AFFAIRS
(1) Ajay Yadav (3) Sharad Pawar (4) Sanjay Raut
(2) Amarendu Prakash (5) Devendra Fadnavis
(3) Angshumali Rastogi Q.38. Who has won Austrian GP 2023?
(4) Praveen Kumar Srivastava (1) Lewis Hamilton (2) Max Verstappen
(5) Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma (3) Sebastian Vettel (4) Alain Prost
Q.30. India has signed seven agreements in the fields (5) Michael Schumacher
including trade and commerce, cross-border
Q.39. Who has won maiden ATP doubles title 2023 ?
petroleum pipeline and others with which Country?
(1) Novak Djokovic (2) Yuki Bhambri
(1) Nepal (2) Sri Lanka (3) Bangladesh
(3) Robin Haase (4) Philipp Oswald
(4) United States (5) UAE
(5) Roger Federer
Q.31. Recently which of the following Country has
conducts successful training launch of Agni-1 Q.40. International Day of Parliamentarism was
ballistic missile? celebrated on which date?
(1) India (2) Russia (3) China (1) 29-June (2) 30-June (3) 1-July
(4) United States (5) United Kingdom (4) 2-July (5) 3-July
Q.32. Who has become first woman leader of WMO? Q.41. Startup20 Shikhar summit, under the India G20
Presidency, hosted by which state?
(1) Neera Tandon (2) Ravneet Kaur
(1) Goa (2) Punjab (3) Haryana
(3) Celeste Saulo (4) Linda Yaccarino
(4) Karnataka (5) Maharashtra
(5) Parminder Chopra
Q.42. Who has reappointed as Solicitor General of India?
Q.33. Recently which of the following IT Company has
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) (1) Girish Murmu (2) Tushar Mehta
with Directorate General of Training (DGT)?
(3) Manoj Kohli (4) Rohit Jawa
(1) IBM (2) TCS (3) HCL
(5) Brajendra Navnit
(4) Microsoft (5) Accenture
Q.43. Indian Coast Guard & Indian Navy has signed MoU
Q.34. Telangana Formation Day 2023 observed on which with which corporation Ltd ?
date?
(1) Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
(1) 30-May (2) 31-May (3) 1-June
(2) Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd.
(4) 2-June (5) 3-June
(3) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation
Q.35. New Liberation War Gallery has inaugurated in
(4) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
which city?
(5) Indian Railway Finance Corporation
(1) New Delhi (2) Mumbai (3) Dhaka
Q.44. World UFO Day 2023 was observed on which date?
(4) Srinagar (5) Hyderabad
(1) 1-July (2) 2-July (3) 3-July
Q.36. Which of the following IT company has signed
$454 million deal with Danske Bank? (4) 4-July (5) 5-July
(1) IBM (2) Intel (3) TCS Q.45. Recently who has awarded the PEN Pinter Prize
2023?
(4) Infosys (5) Accenture
(1) Michael Rosen (2) Hanif Qureshi
Q.37. Recently who has sworn in as Deputy Chief
Minister of Maharashtra? (3) Salman Rushdie (4) Malorie Blackman
(1) Ajit Pawar (2) Aditya Thakre (5) Tsitsi Dangarembga

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EASY LEVEL MCQ
Q.46. Who has appointed as Chairman and MD of Coal (3) Petteri Taalas (4) Roger Stone
India?
(5) Neera Tandon
(1) PM Prasad (2) Pramod Agrawal
Q.55. Which of the following Country to be host World’s
(3) Parag Agarwal (4) Pramod Sinha Largest Conservation Conference in 2025?
(5) Praveer Shah (1) India (2) Russia (3) USA
Q.47. Which among the following Country has becomes (4) UAE (5) United Kingdom
first country to ban plastic produce bags?
Q.56. What is the theme of World Environment Day
(1) South Africa (2) New Zealand 2023?
(3) Australia (4) India (1) “Air pollution”
(5) UAE (2) 'Time for Nature'
Q.48. Which of the following Country has announced the (3) “solutions to plastic pollution”
establishment of a new Ministry of Investment ?
(4) Ecosystem Restoration
(1) UK (2) USA (3) UAE
(5) “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”
(4) China (5) Russia
Q.57. Gufi Paintal has passed away, He was associated
Q.49. Recently which state govt. has launched the from which field?
‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme?
(1) Novelist (2) Acting (3) Politics
(1) Telangana (2) Tamil Nadu
(4) Journalism (5) Science & Tech
(3) Andhra Pradesh (4) Kerala
Q.58. Who has named as new Chairperson of The Hindu
(5) Karnataka Group?
Q.50. Which edition of Summit of Shanghai Cooperation (1) Praveer Sinha (2) Pramood Sood
Organization has hosted by India?
(3) Nirmala Lakshman (4) Malini Parthasarathy
(1) 20th (2) 23rd (3) 25th
(5) Parminder Chopra
(4) 30th (5) 35th
Q.59. The 3rd Khelo India University Games Concludes
Q.51. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Sai Hira Global in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
Convention Centre in which state?
(1) Lucknow (2) Varanasi (3) Prayagraj
(1) Kerala (2) Telangana
(4) Kanpur (5) Agra
(3) Tamil Nadu (4) Andhra Pradesh
Q.60. Which of the following state govt has launched
(5) Himachal Pradesh KFON internet connectivity?
Q.52. Amit Shah has laid foundation stone of the country’s (1) Goa (2) Kerala (3) Assam
first cooperative-run Sainik School in which state?
(4) Sikkim (5) Meghalaya
(1) Gujarat (2) Maharashtra
Q.61. Aamir Raza Hussain passed away, He was
(3) Madhya Pradesh (4) Uttarakhand associated from which field?
(5) Andhra Pradesh (1) Acting (2) Politics
Q.53. Which of the following Institute got its 1st position (3) Novelist (4) Science & Technology
in Overall Category in India Rankings 2023?
(5) Journalism
(1) IIT Bombay (2) IIT Delhi (3) IIT Madras
Q.62. Who has received Points of Light Award 2023?
(4) IIT Roorkee (5) IIT Hyderabad
(1) Michael Rosen (2) K. Venugopal
Q.54. Recently who has won Presidency of WMO ?
(3) Acharya Gopi (4) Rajindar Singh Dhatt
(1) Gerhard Adrian (2) Abdulla Al Mandous
(5) Alok Verma

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 CURRENT AFFAIRS
Q.63. Recently Alan Arkin, Passed away, He was (4) Reserve Bank of India
associated from which field?
(5) AU Small Finance Bank
(1) Acting (2) Politics (3) Novelist
Q.71. Recently India’s first ‘Police Drone Unit’ has
(4) Historian (5) Science & Technology launched in which city?
Q.64. Recently which of the following Country has (1) Mumbai (2) Chennai (3) New Delhi
officially become a full member of the Shanghai
(4) Bengaluru (5) Ahmedabad
Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?
Q.72. Which of the following company has won
(1) India (2) Iraq (3) Iran
ASSOCHAM Awards 2023?
(4) Israel (5) Pakistan
(1) IOCL (2) NTPC (3) NMDC
Q.65. Who has won AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year
(4) ONGC (5) NPTEL
award 2023?
Q.73. Who will be appointed as India's Policy Head of
(1) Sunil Chhetri
Google?
(2) Nandhakumar Sekar
(1) Sundar Pichai (2) Sreenivasa Reddy
(3) Lallianzuala Chhangte
(3) Larry Page (4) Sergey Brin
(4) Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
(5) Parag Agarwal
(5) Naorem Mahesh Singh
Q.74. Indian Archers Priyansh and Avneet Kaur have won
Q.66. Which of the following Country has lifted SAFF which medal in the junior mixed team compound
Championship trophy in 2023? event, in Ireland?
(1) India (2) Kuwait (3) Nepal (1) Gold (2) Silver (3) Bronze
(4) Pakistan (5) Bangladesh (4) Cooper (5) None of these
Q.67. Who has appointed as Chairman of Senior Men’s Q.75. Which edition of Travel Agents Association of India
Cricket Selection Committee ? (TAAI) Convention has commenced in Colombo?
(1) Jai Shah (2) Ajit Agarkar (1) 60th (2) 63th (3) 65th
(3) Rahul Dravid (4) Sourav Ganguly (4) 67th (5) 70th
(5) Sachin Tendulkar Q.76. DGCA India has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with which Agency for
Q.68. Amit Shah has laid foundation stone of the country’s
Cooperation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and
first cooperative-run Sainik School in which district
Innovative Air Mobility?
of Gujarat?
(1) EUROCONTROL
(1) Rajkot (2) Surat (3) Mehsana
(2) Civil Aviation Safety Authority
(4) Jamnagar (5) Vadodara
(3) Federal Aviation Administration
Q.69. Recently University of Jaffna has signed an MoU
with which IIT to foster academic collaboration & (4) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
promote research initiatives?
(5) Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency
(1) IIT Bombay (2) IIT Delhi (3) IIT Madras
Q.77. Which edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime
(4) IIT Indore (5) IIT Roorkee Exercise 2023, JIMEX 23 has been conducted at
Visakhapatnam?
Q.70. Kameswar Rao Kodavanti has appointed as CFO of
which of the following Bank ? (1) 5th (2) 6th (3) 7th
(1) ICICI Bank (4) 8th (5) 10th
(2) State Bank of India Q.78. India has signed MoU with which country to set up
IIT Madras campus outside India?
(3) Union Bank of India
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 71
EASY LEVEL MCQ
(1) Peru (2) Namibia (3) Tanzania (1) 2025 (2) 2026 (3) 2027
(4) Canada (5) Netherlands (4) 2028 (5) 2030
Q.79. Which of the following Ltd. company has bags Q.87. Which of the following Country men team won
GeM Award in "Timely Payments for 2023? second FIH Hockey Pro League title 2022-23?
(1) NTPC (2) NHDC (1) India (2) Australia
(3) NPTEL (4) NLC India Limited (3) Netherlands (4) Nambia
(5) Bharat Petroleum limited (5) Canada
Q.80. Who has launched an NCC Integrated Software in Q.88. Who has appointed as chairman of credit bureau
New Delhi? TransUnion CIBIL?
(1) Narendra Modi (2) Amit Shah (1) M V Nair (2) Rajesh Kumar
(3) Rajnath Singh (4) Arvind Kejriwal (3) V Anantharaman (4) Nirmala Lakshman
(5) Jyotiraditya Scindia (5) Janardan Prasad
Q.81. Who has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer Q.89. Who has appointed new Director-General of
(CEO) of FPSB? Geological Survey of India?
(1) Krishan Mishra (2) P Vasudevan (1) Atul Verma (2) Janardan Prasad
(3) P M Prashad (4) Tushar Mehta (3) V Anantharaman (4) Nirmala Lakshman
(5) Kameswar Rao Kodavanti (5) Sanjay Swarup
Q.82. Who has been appointed as executive director of Q.90. Which of the following city tops the List as India’s
RBI? Costliest City?
(1) Ajay Banga (2) PM Prasad (1) Pune (2) Mumbai (3) New Delhi
(3) P. Vasudevan (4) Brajendra Navnit (4) Bengaluru (5) Hyderabad
(5) Ajay Bhatnagar Q.91. Who has won the gold medal in the Men’s 10m air
rifle event in the ISSF Junior World Cup 2023?
Q.83. Recently Namboothiri passed away, He was
associated with which field? (1) Gautami Bhanot (2) Amanpreet Singh
(1) Politics (2) Acting (3) Painting (3) Dhanush Srikanth (4) Swati Chowdhury
(4) Novelist (5) Journalism (5) Siddharth Choudhary
Q.84. Which state government has inked six MoUs with Q.92. Reckitt launched first Dettol Climate Resilient
private industries for mangrove plantation under School in which state?
MISHTI scheme?
(1) Assam (2) Uttar Pradesh
(1) Goa (2) Gujarat
(3) Madhya Pradesh (4) Uttarakhand
(3) Maharashtra (4) Madhya Pradesh
(5) Himachal Pradesh
(5) Himachal Pradesh
Q.93. Recently who has announced his retirement from
Q.85. Tamim Iqbal is associated with which country? football ?
(1) Nepal (2) India (1) Neymar (2) Lionel Messi
(3) Pakistan (4) Bangladesh (3) Ali Mabkhout (4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
(5) Sri Lanka (5) Robert Lewandowski
Q.86. India & Singapore has extended the Memorandum Q.94. Who has became the first Indian to be honoured
of Understanding to cooperate on public with the Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow
administration in various areas till which year? Star, the highest civilian award in Suriname?

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 CURRENT AFFAIRS
(1) Amit Shah (2) Narendra Modi (1) First (2) Second (3) Third
(3) Droupadi Murmu (4) Ratan Tata (4) Fourth (5) Fifth
(5) Gautam Adani Q.98. What is the theme of International Albinism
Awareness Day 2023?
Q.95. Recently Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
(IICA) and which University has signed MoU for (1) "Made to shine"
academic and research collaboration?
(2) “Inclusion is Strength”
(1) University of Delhi
(3) "Strength Beyond All Odds"
(2) Columbia University
(4) “United in making our voice heard”
(3) Harvard University
(5) "Shining our light to the world"
(4) Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU)
Q.99. Who has appointed as Chair-elect of IATA’s Board
(5) Maharshi Dayanand University of Governors?
Q.96. What is the theme of World Food Safety Day 2023? (1) Pieter Elbers (2) Rwandair
(1) 'Safer food, better health' (3) Neera Tandon (4) Silvio Berlusconi
(2) 'Safer food, better Lives' (5) Yvonne Manzi Makolo
(3) “Food Standards Save Lives” Q.100. Recently which state government has anounced to
transfer Rs 6 thousand 423 crore of farmers?
(4) “Food safety, everyone's business”
(1) Uttarakhand (2) Maharashtra
(5) "Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow"
(3) Uttar Pradesh (4) Madhya Pradesh
Q.97. Which edition of India, France and UAE Maritime
Partnership Exercise has takes off? (5) Himachal Pradesh

ANSWER KEY
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(3) Q.3.(2) Q.4.(3) Q.5.(3) Q.6.(2) Q.7.(1) Q.8.(1) Q.9.(4) Q.10.(1)

Q.11.(1) Q.12.(3) Q.13.(1) Q.14.(2) Q.15.(1) Q.16.(1) Q.17.(2) Q.18.(3) Q.19.(3) Q.20.(2)

Q.21.(3) Q.22.(1) Q.23.(2) Q.24.(2) Q.25.(1) Q.26.(3) Q.27.(4) Q.28.(1) Q.29.(3) Q.30.(1)

Q.31.(1) Q.32.(3) Q.33.(4) Q.34.(4) Q.35.(3) Q.36.(4) Q.37.(1) Q.38.(2) Q.39.(2) Q.40.(2)

Q.41.(3) Q.42.(2) Q.43.(2) Q.44.(2) Q.45.(1) Q.46.(1) Q.47.(2) Q.48.(3) Q.49.(3) Q.50.(2)

Q.51.(4) Q.52.(1) Q.53.(3) Q.54.(1) Q.55.(4) Q.56.(3) Q.57.(2) Q.58.(3) Q.59.(2) Q.60.(2)

Q.61.(1) Q.62.(4) Q.63.(1) Q.64.(3) Q.65.(3) Q.66.(1) Q.67.(2) Q.68.(3) Q.69.(3) Q.70.(2)

Q.71.(2) Q.72.(3) Q.73.(2) Q.74.(1) Q.75.(4) Q.76.(4) Q.77.(3) Q.78.(3) Q.79.(4) Q.80.(3)

Q.81.(1) Q.82.(3) Q.83.(3) Q.84.(2) Q.85.(4) Q.86.(4) Q.87.(3) Q.88.(3) Q.89.(2) Q.90.(2)

Q.91.(3) Q.92.(3) Q.93.(4) Q.94.(3) Q.95.(4) Q.96.(3) Q.97.(1) Q.98.(2) Q.99.(1) Q.100.(4)

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 73

MEDIUM LEVEL MCQ
MEDIUM LEVEL MCQ
Q.1 What recent decision was made by the Telangana
High Court regarding the Telangana Eunuchs Act,
and what was the outcome?
(1) The Telangana High Court declared the
Telangana Eunuchs Act as unconstitutional,
providing legal recognition and rights to the
transgender community.
(2) The Telangana High Court upheld the Telangana
Eunuchs Act, ensuring protection and welfare
measures for the transgender community.
(3) The Telangana High Court modified certain
provisions of the Telangana Eunuchs Act,
addressing concerns raised by the transgender
community.
(4) The Telangana High Court suspended the
implementation of the Telangana Eunuchs Act
until further review and examination.
(5) The Telangana High Court referred the
Telangana Eunuchs Act to the legislative
assembly for amendment and reconsideration.
Q.2 Which regulatory authority recently took actions
to ensure compliance and stability in the financial
sector by canceling the registration of four non-
banking finance companies (NBFCs) and accepting
license surrenders from 11 other entities?
(1) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
(2) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
(3) National Stock Exchange (NSE)
(4) Ministry of Finance, Government of India
(5) Indian Banks' Association (IBA)
Q.3 Which government official inaugurated the
exhibition 'Banking on World Heritage' at IGNCA,
New Delhi, marking the first of its kind, on June
30th?
(1) Narendra Modi
(2) Nirmala Sitharaman
(3) Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi
(4) Shaktikanta Das
(5) Arvind Kejriwal
Q.4 What is the theme of the seventh edition of India
Mobile Congress (IMC) scheduled to be held from
the 27th of October 2023 at Pragati Maidan in New
Delhi?
74 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
(1) 'Global to Vocal'
(2) 'Global Digital Innovation'
(3) 'Digital Global Innovation'
(4) "International Plastic Bag Free day"
(5) “Unleashing Kiswahili’s potential in the digital era”
Q.5 After merging with Housing Development Finance
Corp, HDFC, a domestic Indian company, is poised
to become:
(1) One of the largest banks in India
(2) A global leader in the banking industry
(3) A significant player in the housing finance sector
(4) A key contributor to the Indian economy
(5) One of the world's most valuable banks
Q.6 What decision did the Odisha state cabinet recently
make regarding the Kui language?
(1) Approving the inclusion of Kui language in the
8th schedule of the Constitution of India
(2) Initiating efforts to preserve and promote the
Kui language
(3) Recognizing Kui language as an official
language of the state
(4) Allocating funds for the development of Kui
language literature and education
(5) Establishing language institutions to support
the growth of Kui language
Q.7 Which organizations recently signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIM
Lucknow EIC, Noida campus in Uttar Pradesh?
(1) International Financial Services Centers
Authority (IFSCA) and IIML-EIC
(2) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and International
Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA)
(3) Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow
and IIML-EIC
(4) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
and International Financial Services Centers
Authority (IFSCA)
(5) Ministry of Finance and Indian Institute of
Management (IIM) Lucknow
Q.8 What is the objective behind the inauguration of
34 Transaction Banking Hubs by the State Bank of
India (SBI) across 21 district centers in the country ?

(1) Enhancing customer experience by offering
personalized Transaction Banking solutions
(2) Expanding SBI's presence in key district centers
for better accessibility to banking services
(3) Streamlining and accelerating Transaction
Banking processes for improved efficiency
(4) Promoting digital banking and encouraging
cashless transactions
(5) Facilitating seamless and convenient
Transaction Banking services for customers
Q.9 What is the purpose of the financial inclusion
dashboard called 'Antardrishti' unveiled by RBI
Governor Shaktikanta Das?
(1) Tracking the progress of financial inclusion
through data analysis and insights
(2) Monitoring the performance of banking
institutions in promoting financial inclusion
(3) Providing a comprehensive view of the current
state of financial inclusion in India
(4) Identifying gaps and areas for improvement in
the financial inclusion ecosystem
(5) Enabling policymakers to make informed
decisions to enhance financial inclusion efforts
Q.10 Which achievement has Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC) recently accomplished,
making it the first of its kind among Central Public
Sector Enterprises (CPSE) in India?
(1) Obtaining certification for its Anti-Bribery
Management System (ABMS)
(2) Achieving record-breaking revenue growth in
the energy sector
(3) Establishing a groundbreaking partnership with
a leading international oil company
(4) Pioneering innovative sustainability practices
in the oil and gas industry
(5) Implementing a successful digital transformation
strategy for operational efficiency
Q.11 What is India's ranking on the Global Peace Index
among 163 countries, and how does it compare to
the global average ?
(1) What is India's current position on the Global
Peace Index out of 163 countries?
(2) How does India's overall score on the Global
Peace Index compare to the global average?
(3) Among 163 countries, where does India stand in
terms of its ranking on the Global Peace Index?
CURRENT AFFAIRS
(4) Is India's overall score on the Global Peace
Index above or below the global average?
(5) How does India's performance on the Global
Peace Index compare to other countries around
the world?
Q.12 In a move to empower women, which housing
finance company recently opened its first all-
women branch called "Maitreyi" in Tripunithura, a
suburban area in Kochi?
(1) HDFC Bank
(2) State Bank of India (SBI)
(3) ICICI Bank
(4) Piramal Finance
(5) Axis Bank
Q.13 Which esteemed list for 2023 includes Indian-
origin women Jayshree Ullal, Indira Nooyi, Neha
Narkhede, and Neerja Sethi among the world's
richest individuals, as reported by Forbes?
(1) Forbes' Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs of
2023
(2) Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women in Business
for 2023
(3) Forbes' Global Billionaires List for 2023
(4) Forbes' 100 Most Influential People in
Technology for 2023
(5) Forbes' 100 Richest Self-Made Women in the
World for 2023
Q.14 Recently Moody’s Projects _____% GDP Growth
for India.
(1) 6-6.3% (2) 6-6.8% (3) 6.5-7%
(4) 7.5-8% (5) 5.6-6.6%
Q.15 The Government of India has recently signed a
loan agreement worth $130 million with which
international financial institution to support
initiatives focused on enhancing agricultural
productivity and improving irrigation access in
Himachal Pradesh?
(1) World Bank
(2) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(3) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
(4) Asian Development Bank (ADB)
(5) New Development Bank (NDB)
Q.16 Which of the following Payments bank has
Introduced India’s first spending account?
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 75
MEDIUM LEVEL MCQ
(1) Fino Payment Bank (2) HDFC Life Insurance Co
(2) Airtel Payment Bank (3) Max Life Insurance Co.
(3) NSDL Payment Bank (4) LIfe Insurance Corporation
(4) Jio Payment Bank (5) Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Co.
(5) India Post Payment Bank Q.24 Which organization promoted Utkarsh Small
Finance Bank, which is commencing its IPO
Q.17 Which of the following Bank has Presents Record-
subscription, and initially focused on providing
breaking Dividend Cheque of Rs 5,740 Crore?
microloans to underserved and unserved areas in
(1) Indian Bank Uttar Pradesh and Bihar?
(2) ICICI Bank (1) Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
(3) Reserve Bank of India (2) Utkarsh CoreInvest Ltd
(4) State Bank of India (3) Small Finance Institutions of India
(5) Central Bank of India (4) National Bank for Financial Inclusion
Q.18 NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India signed (5) Reserve Bank of India
the GoI-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Q.25 According to S&P Retains, India’s Growth
Framework for which year? Projection at ___% for FY 24 ?
(1) 2023-2027 (2) 2023-2028 (3) 2023-2029 (1) 5.50% (2) 6.00% (3) 6.50%
(4) 2023-2030 (5) 2023-2035 (4) 7.00% (5) 7.50%
Q.19 Which of the following Bank has Introduced Q.26 Which of the following bank has unveiled 4 new
Innovative Scheme Allowing Customers ? deposit options for women, retirees, and co-ops?
(1) ICICI Bank (1) UCO Bank (2) ICICI Bank
(2) Indian Bank (3) HDFC Bank (4) Union Bank of India
(3) Indian Overseas Bank (5) State Bank of India
(4) HDFC Bank Q.27 Which bank has launched digital services under the
(5) Axis Bank 'Project WAVE' initiative?
Q.20 GDT collections for FY 2023-24 register a growth (1) Indian Bank
of ______% . (2) Central Bank of India
(1) 12.73% (2) 12.55% (3) 15.73% (3) Bank of Maharashtra
(4) 14.73% (5) 14.55% (4) Bank of India
Q.21 According to investment bank Goldman Sachs, by (5) None of these
which year India will become the second-largest Q.28 What is the value of India's FY23 external debt at
economy in the world? the end of March 2023?
(1) 2024 (2) 2047 (3) 2050 (1) USD 435.6 billion (2) USD 547.2 billion
(4) 2075 (5) 2080 (3) USD 350.5 billion (4) USD 624.7 billion
Q.22 Which IT company have joined with Intel to (5) None of these
establish an artificial intelligence (AI) lab in
Q.29 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revoked the
Telangana institute?
banking permit of which bank?
(1) Dell (2) Infosys (3) TCS
(1) Bandhan Bank
(4) Accenture (5) Microsoft
(2) Mahalaxmi Cooperative Bank Ltd
Q.23 Which of the following Life Insurance company
(3) Muthoot Finance Ltd.
has received a demand notice of more than Rs 942
crore ? (4) Bajaj Finance Limited
(1) ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. (5) None of these

76 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

 CURRENT AFFAIRS
Q.30 Which Indian bank has recently become the fourth Q.38 Which bank is set to approve an aid package worth
most valuable bank in the world? 700 million for the crisis-hit Sri Lanka?
(1) HDFC Bank (2) Punjab National Bank (1) State Bank of India
(3) Bank of Baroda (4) State Bank of India (2) Reserve Bank of India
(5) None of these (3) Asian Development Bank
Q.31 Which bank has received RBI's approval to appoint (4) World Bank
AP Hota as the part-time Chairman?
(5) None of these
(1) Federal Bank (2) UCO Bank (3) Yes Bank
Q.39 Which Bank has launched IVR-based UPI?
(4) Canara Bank (5) None of these
(1) Reserve Bank of India
Q.32 Along with which bank, will the Union Culture
(2) HDFC Bank
Ministry implement the "Financial Assistance for
Veteran Artists" program? (3) Punjab National Bank
(1) PNB (2) HDFC Bank (4) ICICI Bank
(3) Canara Bank (4) Yes Bank (5) None of these
(5) None of these Q.40 Recently, in which state has the sub-office of the
Q.33 Which bank has entered into a partnership with Reserve Bank been opened?
Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission? (1) Karnataka (2) Gujarat
(1) Punjab National Bank (3) Nagaland (4) Assam
(2) HDFC Bank (5) None of these
(3) State Bank of India Q.41 Which of the following non-banking financial
(4) Indian Overseas Bank companies has surrendered its NBFC License to
RBI?
(5) None of these
(1) Bandhan Bank
Q.34 Which bank granted a USD 255.5 Million loan to
enhance technical education in India? (2) Equitas Holdings Limited
(1) World Bank (2) Axis Bank (3) UCO Bank (3) Power Finance Corporation Limited
(4) Yes Bank (5) None of these (4) Bajaj Finance Limited
Q.35 Which Indian bank has introduced the One-View- (5) None of these
Multi-Bank aggregator feature on its mobile app? Q.42 Which organization has recently launched the
(1) Axis Bank (2) SBI 'EVOLVE Mission' for the EV industry in India?
(3) HDFC Bank (4) ICICI (1) Bank of Baroda
(5) None of these (2) Securities Exchange Board of India
Q.36 Which bank will Apple Inc tie up with to launch its (3) Small Industries Development Bank of India
credit card in India?
(4) Reserve Bank of India
(1) PNB (2) HDFC (3) SBI
(5) None of these
(4) ICICI (5) None of these
Q.43 What has the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed
Q.37 Which bank introduced four new deposit options as participants in the Trade Receivables Discounting
catering to women, retirees, and co-ops? System?
(1) Union Bank of India (1) P-Notes (2) Insurance Companies
(2) Yes Bank (3) Private Banks (4) Individual Investors
(3) State Bank of India (5) None of these
(4) HDFC Bank Q.44 Which bank has initiated a unique campaign titled 'I
(5) None of these am Adyar, Adyar is me' in Chennai?

SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 77

MEDIUM LEVEL MCQ
(1) Yes Bank (2) Federal Bank (3) UCO Bank Q.48 What is the purpose of the recently launched
(4) Dena Bank (5) None of these dashboard 'ANTARDRIHSTI'?

Q.45 Which of the following figures accurately represents (1) Reducing NPA
the current repo rate? (2) Financial Inclusion
(1) 5.60% (2) 6.50% (3) 7.20% (3) Reducing stress on Banks
(4) 3.40% (5) None of these (4) Increasing saving accounts
Q.46 Which bank has introduced a savings program (5) None of these
exclusively for UHNIs (Ultra High Net Worth
Individuals) and HNIs (High Net Worth Q.49 How many penalties did RBI impose on Indian
Individuals)? Overseas Bank for rule violations?
(1) Bank of Baroda (2) Kotak Mahindra Bank (1) 1.5 crore (2) 1.9 Crore
(3) HDFC Bank (4) ICICI Bank (3) 2.15 crore (4) 2.20 crore
(5) None of these (5) None of these
Q.47 Which bank has introduced the Millennia Credit Q.50 Which bank has appointed Ashwani Kumar as its
Card? new Managing Director and CEO?
(1) SBI Bank (2) ICICI Bank (1) Yes Bank (2) UCO Bank
(3) HDFC Bank (4) PNB Bank (3) HDFC Bank (4) ICICI Bank
(5) None of these (5) None of these

ANSWER KEY
Q.1.(1) Q.2.(1) Q.3.(3) Q.4.(2) Q.5.(5) Q.6.(1) Q.7.(3) Q.8.(5) Q.9.(2) Q.10.(1)

Q.11.(2) Q.12.(4) Q.13.(3) Q.14.(1) Q.15.(4) Q.16.(1) Q.17.(4) Q.18.(1) Q.19.(3) Q.20.(1)

Q.21.(4) Q.22.(1) Q.23.(2) Q.24.(2) Q.25.(2) Q.26.(4) Q.27.(1) Q.28.(4) Q.29.(1) Q.30.(1)

Q.31.(1) Q.32.(3) Q.33.(4) Q.34.(1) Q.35.(1) Q.36.(2) Q.37.(1) Q.38.(4) Q.39.(3) Q.40.(3)

Q.41.(3) Q.42.(3) Q.43.(2) Q.44.(2) Q.45.(2) Q.46.(2) Q.47.(3) Q.48.(1) Q.49.(4) Q.50.(2)

78 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023


DIFFICULT LEVEL MCQ
Q.1 Which of the following statement true about
International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
(A) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
downgraded its forecast for global economic
growth in 2023.
(B) Headquarters of IMF located in UK.
(C) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) works
to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity
for all of its 190 member countries.
(1) Only A option is true
(2) Only B option is true
(3) Both A & B options are true
(4) Both A & C options are true
Q.2 Recently Sonam Wangchuk, has been honored with
the prestigious Santokbaa Humanitarian Award,
Which statement is true about Sonam Wangchuk?
(A) He is an Engineer
(B) He is a Doctor
(C) He belongs to union territory of Ladakh
(D) Sonam Wangchuk was born 1 September 1966
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option A,B,C & D are True
Q.3 Indian Army and Tezpur University signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
providing Chinese language training to the Indian
Army personnel, Which statement is true about
Tezpur University?
(A) Tezpur University is a state University
(B) Tezpur University is a Central University
(C) Tezpur University is located in state of Sikkim
(D) Tezpur University was established by an act of
Parliament, in 1994.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option B & D are True
Q.4 Bhubaneswar Odisha, hosted the senior men's national
team during the Intercontinental Cup 2023, Which
statement is true about Intercontinental Cup 2023 ?
(A) Intercontinental Cup 2023 held in July 2023
DIFFICULT LEVEL MCQ
(B) The European/South American Cup, more
commonly known as the Intercontinental Cup
(C) Intercontinental Cup was Abolished 1985.
(D) Intercontinental Cup associated with football.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option B & D are True
Q.5 Piramal Finance opens first all-women branch in Kochi,
Which statement is true about Piramal Finance ?
(A) Piramal Finance headquarters in Mumbai
(B) Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited
founded in 1985.
(C) Piramal Capital and Housing Finance is sub
branch of AU Finance.
(D) Jairam Sridharan is CEO of Piramal Capital
and Housing Finance.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option A & D are True
Q.6 Recently Reserve Bank Holds 33rd Conference Of
State Finance Secretaries, Which statement is true
about Reserve Bank ?
(A) Reserve Bank headquarters in NewDelhi
(B) Reserve Bank commenced operations on April
1, 1935.
(C) Reserve Bank of India was set up on the basis
of the recommendations of the Hilton Young
Commission. The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
(D) Swaminathan Janakiraman was appointed as
RBI's deputy governor.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option B,C and D are True
(4) Option A & D are True
Q.7 Recently State Bank of India celebrates 68th Bank
Day, Which statement is true about State Bank of
India?
(A) State Bank of India headquarters in Mumbai
(B) State Bank of India was established on April 1,
1955.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 79
DIFFICULT LEVEL MCQ
(C) State Bank of India was set up Bank was
incorporated by an Act of Parliament on
01.07.1955.
(D) Swaminathan Janakiraman is State Bank of
India Chairman.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option B,C and D are True
(4) Option A & C are True
Q.8 Recently Lloyds Banking Group Establishes Tech
Centre in Hyderabad, Which statement is true about
Lloyds Banking Group?
(A) Lloyds Banking Group headquarters in UK
(B) Lloyds Banking Group was formed in 2009.
(C) Lloyds Banking Group was incorporated by an
Act of Parliament on 01.07.2009.
(D) Charlie Nunn is Lloyds Banking Group Chairman.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and D are True
(4) Option A & C are True
Q.9 Recently Sberbank introduces Indian rupee accounts for
individuals, Which statement is true about Sberbank?
(A) Sberbank is the Central Bank of Russia.
(B) Sberbank was formed in 1147.
(C) Sberbank headquarters in Moscow, Russia.
(D) Charlie Nunn is Sberbank Chairman.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option A & C are True
Q.10 Recently Mary Kom named Global Indian Icon at
UK-India Awards, Which statement is true about
Mary Kom?
(A) Mary Kom is associated with Boxing.
(B) Mary Kom was born in 24 November 1982.
(C) Mary Kom is associated with Sikkim state.
(D) Mary Kom has been the winner of the World
Boxing Championship 10 times.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option A & B are True
80 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023
Q.11 Recently Priya A.S. received Sahitya Akademi
Award 2023, Which statement is true about Sahitya
Akademi Award?
(A) Sahitya Akademi is awarded annually by the
Sahitya Akademi.
(B) Sahitya Akademi Award was established in 1954.
(C) It was first awarded in 1956.
(D) It is awarded annually to 24 authors for
outstanding original literary works published in
24 Indian languages recognized by the Academy.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and D are True
(4) Option A & B are True
Q.12 Recently NMDC won ASSOCHAM Award 2023,
Which statement is true about NMDC?
(A) National Mineral Development Corporation is
Maharatna company.
(B) National Mineral Development Corporation
was established in 1958.
(C) Amitava Mukherjee, NMDC Director (Finance),
has been given the additional responsibility of
Chairman-Cum-Managing Director.
(D) NMDC, was honored with two prestigious
awards at the ASSOCHAM Business
Excellence Awards 2023 held in New Delhi .
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and D are True
(4) Option B & C both are True
Q.13 Recently Andhra Pradesh launched the ‘Jagananna
Amma Vodi’ scheme, Which statement is true about
‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme?
(A) ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme was launched
in 2020.
(B) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan
Mohan Reddy launched the 'Jagananna Amma
Vodi' scheme for the fourth year.
(C) Under the scheme, an amount of `15,000 is deposited
into the bank account of beneficiary's mother.
(D) Second phase of the scheme was launched on
11th Jan 2023.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option B & C both are True

Q.14 Recently Ajit Pawar Sworn in as Deputy Chief
Minister of Maharashtra, Which statement is true
about ‘Ajit Pawar’?
(A) Ajit Pawar is Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
leader.
(B) Ajit Pawar was born on 22 July 1959.
(C) Ajit Pawar is Nephew of Sharad Pawar.
(D) Ajit Pawar was Elected as an MP to the Lok
Sabha from Baramati in 1995.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Option A,B and C are True
(4) Option B & C both are True
Q.15 Recently PNB Launches Virtual Branch in the
Metaverse, Which statement is true about Punjab
National Bank?
(A) Punjab National Bank (PNB) is a state-owned
commercial bank.
(B) Punjab National Bank was founded in May 1884.
(C) The Name You Can Bank Upon is the tagline
for Punjab National Bank.
(D) Atul Kumar Goel is MD & CEO of Punjab
National Bank.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Options A,B, C and D are True
(4) Option B & C both are True
Q.16 Recently K Rajaraman Appointed as New IFSCA
Chairman, Which statement is true about IFSCA?
(A) IFSCA full form is Indian Financial Services
Centres Authority.
(B) IFSCA was founded in 2020.
(C) The Headquarters of IFSCA in Gujarat.
(D) IFSCA CEO is Shri Injeti Srinivas.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Options B, C and D are True
(4) Option B & C both are True
Q.17 According to Investment Bank Goldman Sachs
India is poised to become world’s second-largest
economy by 2075, which statement true about
Goldman Sachs?
(A) Goldman Sachs is the second largest investment
bank in the world by revenue.
DIFFICULT LEVEL MCQ
(B) Goldman Sachs is ranked 55th on the Fortune
500 list of the largest corporations by total
revenue.
(C) Goldman Sachs founded in 1869.
(D) Investment Bank Goldman Sachs Headquarers
in New York US.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Options B, C and D are True
(4) All are True
Q.18 Recently Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has
been elected as the new President of the Olympic
Council of Asia, which statement true about OCA ?
(A) The Olympic Council of Asia is a governing
body of sports in Asia.
(B) Currently with 50 member National Olympic
Committee.
(C) Olympic Council of Asia founded in 1982.
(D) Olympic Council of Asia Headquarters in Kuwait.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Options A, C and D are True
(4) All options are True
Q.19 Dell joins Intel to launch Artificial Intelligence skills
lab, which statement is true about Dell Company?
(A) Dell Inc. is an American-based technology company.
(B) Michael S. Dell was founder of Dell company.
(C) Dell Inc. founded in 1982.
(D) The Headquarters of Dell in Texas, United States.
(1) Only option A is True
(2) Only option B is True
(3) Options A, B and D are True
(4) All options are True
Q.20 India topped the medals tally at the International
Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2023, which statement is
true about International Biology Olympiad (IBO)?
(A) The 34th International Biology Olympiad
(IBO) was held in 2023.
(B) The International Biology Olympiad is a
biological olympiad for pre-university students
under the age 20.
(C) The first IBO was held in Czechoslovakia in 1995.
(D) IBO aims to inspire and empower the next
generation of leaders in the life sciences.
SEPTEMBER 2023 MICA 81
DIFFICULT LEVEL MCQ
(1) Only option A is True (A) Vasudevan holds a Bachelor's Degree in
(2) Only option B is True Commerce and is a Fellow of the Institute of
Cost Accountants of India.
(3) Options A, B and C are True
(B) Padayatt Kesavapillai Vasudevan Nair is full
(4) All options are True name of P Vasudevan.
Q.21 Mukhra (K), a model village has become the first (C) P Vasudevan was born in 1950.
habitation in the State to have insured by 100
percent, which statement is correct about Mukhra (D) P Vasudevan belongs to Rajasthan state.
(K), a model village? (1) Only option A is True
(A) In Telangana, Mukhra (K), a model village in (2) Only option B is True
Adilabad district has become the first habitation (3) Options A and B are True
in the State. (4) All options are True
(B) The Sarpanch of the village G. Meenakshi Q.24 Tamim Iqbal retires from International Cricket,
handed over documents of insurance to 350 which statement is correct about Tamim Iqbal?
households of the habitations.
(A) Tamim Iqbal was associated from Bangladesh
(C) Mukhra (K) village bagged many national international cricket .
awards which include the National-level Gram
(B) In 20 years career, he scored highest runs in ODIs.
Urja Swaraj Vishesh award.
(C) Tamim Iqbal was born in 1980.
(D) The model village also installed two rooftop
solar grids to produce 6KV electricity, earning (D) Tamim Iqbal made his One Day International
revenue by selling of vermicompost fertiliser debut in 2007.
produced by the rural civic body. (1) Only option A is True
(1) Only option A is True (2) Only option B is True
(2) Only option B is True (3) Options A and B are True
(3) Options A, C and D are True (4) Options A and D are True
(4) All options are True Q.25 G.K. Satish has appointed as a board member of
Q.22 NLC India Ltd bags GeM Award in "Timely Russian Energy Giant Rosneft, which statement is
Payments for 2023, which statement is correct correct about Russian Energy Giant Rosneft?
about NLC India Ltd? (A) The Russian Oil Company has partnership with
(A) NLC India Limited, a navratna company under the Indian Oil Cooperation in oil and gas fields
the Ministry of Coal . in Russia.
(B) NLCIL registered and on-boarded in GeM (B) According to the data Russian Oil company
portal in the year 2020. supplies Indian firms with approximately 2
million barrels per day of crude oil which is
(C) NLC India Limited headquarters in Bengaluru. equivalent to 100 million tonnes.
(D) NLC India Limited founded in 1950. (C) Russian Oil Company was founded in 1933.
(1) Only option A is True (D) Rosneft Headquarters located in Sofiyskaya
(2) Only option B is True Embankment, Moscow.
(3) Options A, C and D are True (1) Only option A is True
(4) All options are True (2) Only option B is True
Q.23 RBI appoints P Vasudevan as new executive director, (3) Options A and B are True
which statement is correct about P Vasudevan? (4) All Options are True
ANSWER KEY
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(2) Q.3.(4) Q.4.(2) Q.5.(4) Q.6.(1) Q.7.(2) Q.8.(1) Q.9.(2) Q.10.(2)

Q.11.(2) Q.12.(4) Q.13.(2) Q.14.(1) Q.15.(4) Q.16.(3) Q.17.(1) Q.18.(2) Q.19.(1) Q.20.(3)

Q.21.(1) Q.22.(3) Q.23.(2) Q.24.(3) Q.25.(4)

82 MICA SEPTEMBER 2023

SSC