Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2024 of 19th April 2024. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2024 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

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1) Paytm has received approval from the National Payments Corporation of India to facilitate user transition to new Unified Payments Interface IDs. Now, how many banks will operate as Paytm's PSPs?

(a) 3

(b) 4

(c) 5

(d) 6

(e) 7

2) ICICI Lombard Reports Q4 Results: Net Profit Increases by what Percentage to Reach Rs 520 Crore?

(a) 18.5%

(b) 18.7%

(c) 18.3%

(d) 18.8%

(e) 18.9%

3) The Reserve Bank of India has proposed a ₹15 crore net worth requirement for offline payment aggregators in their draft regulations. By March 31, 2028, what is the minimum net value in crores?

(a) Rs.20crores

(b) Rs.15crores

(c) Rs.10crores

(d) Rs.25crores

(e) Rs.30crores

4) On April 1, 2013, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) of the Government of India (GoI) launched the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) by reforming the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY). Which year did NRLM change its name to DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission)?

(a) 2014

(b) 2016

(c) 2018

(d) 2017

(e) 2020

5) Which bank stated that senior citizen deposits increased by 150% in five years to Rs 34 lakh crore?

(a) RBI

(b) SBI

(c) HDFC

(d) ICICI

(e) PNB

6) Interest Subvention Program for Credit to Women Self-Help Groups In 2024-25, it will be extended to all public sector banks, private sector banks, and small finance banks across all districts. Banks would offer loans up to ₹3 lakh under the initiative at a concessional interest rate of what percentage per year?

(a) 5%

(b) 6%

(c) 7%

(d) 8%

(e) 9%

7) RBI Data Shows Over 27% Increase in Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB) Advances to Priority Sectors in FY23. Which state has the most UCBs, at 475?

(a) Madhya Pradesh

(b) Uttar Pradesh

(c) Maharashtra

(d) Kerala

(e) Gujarat

8) Kasturi Cotton's global brand drive would see the establishment of specialized test facilities in six states by the center. The establishment of this laboratory aims to compete with international brands of cotton, such as Supima and what other brand that is renowned for its remarkable softness, strength, and durability in the global market?

(a) Giza

(b) Suvin

(c) Levant

(d) Pima

(e) Upland

9) India, the world's fastest-growing major economy, increased by 6.7% in 2023 and is predicted to grow by what percentage in 2024, according to a report produced by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)?

(a) 6.2%

(b) 6.3%

(c) 6.4%

(d) 6.5%

(e) 6.6%

10) New FDI caps for satellite-related FEMA activities are announced by the Finance Ministry. As per the revised FDI policy, what is the maximum percentage of FDI permitted in the space sector?

(a) 90%

(b) 100%

(c) 95%

(d) 80%

(e) 75%

11) Which omnichannel platform, "ABCD," is launched by Aditya Birla Capital?

(a) A2B

(b) B2C

(c) B2B

(d) C2D

(e) D2C

12) Which Bank Board Advances Rajesh Upadhyay to the Position of General Manager?

(a) UCO bank

(b) Indian bank

(c) Canara bank

(d) DBS bank

(e) Axis bank

13) In which state did the Defence Research and Development Organisation inaugurate the Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation, the Indian Navy's Premier Sonar Systems Testing Hub?

(a) Karnataka

(b) Kerala

(c) Gujarat

(d) Tripura

(e) Sikkim

14) Which company has inked an agreement with Noida International Airport to build a pipeline for jet fuel supply?

(a) ONGC

(b) IOCL

(c) BPCL

(d) HPCL

(e) RIL

15) According to a UNFPA research, India's population is predicted to be how many crores, with 24% of the population aged 0 to 14?

(a) 145crores

(b) 144crores

(c) 142crores

(d) 140crores

(e) 149crores

Answers :

1) Answer: B

• Paytm owner One97 Communications (OCL) received approval from the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) to start the user migration from the existing Paytm Payments Bank UPI handle to the new Payment System Provider (PSP) bank handles.
• The approval follows NPCI's earlier decision to allow Paytm to function as a third-party application provider (TPAP) on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• Now, 4 banks-State Bank of India (SBI), Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and YES Bank will act as PSPs for Paytm.

Detailed Explanation:

• Paytm owner One97 Communications (OCL) received approval from the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) to start the user migration from the existing Paytm Payments Bank UPI handle to the new Payment System Provider (PSP) bank handles.
• The approval follows NPCI's earlier decision to allow Paytm to function as a third-party application provider (TPAP) on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• Now, 4 banks-State Bank of India (SBI), Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and YES Bank will act as PSPs for Paytm.
• Operational Banks: All four PSP banks are now operational on the TPAP, simplifying the process for Paytm to shift user accounts to these banks.
• User Transition: Users with the @Paytm UPI handle can now create new virtual payment addresses (VPAs) with the partner PSP banks.
• OCL has begun transitioning '@paytm' handle users to the 4 PSP banks.
• Multi-bank Model: Paytm operates as a TPAP under a multi-bank model, allowing it to onboard and register customers on UPI through PSP banks.
• A PSP bank, either through its own application or a TPAP, onboards and registers customers on UPI.
• It links customers’ bank accounts to their respective UPI identifications.

2) Answer: E

• ICICI Lombard, the largest private sector general insurer, reported an 18.9% increase in its net profit for the March quarter, reaching Rs 520 crore compared to Rs 437 crore in the year-ago period.
• Annual Profit Growth: The company reported an 11% growth in profit after tax for the fiscal year 2023-24, amounting to Rs 1,919 crore compared to Rs 1,729 crore in the previous fiscal.
• Premium Income Growth : The gross direct premium income (GDPI) grew 22% to Rs 6,073 crore for the reporting quarter from Rs 4,977 crore a year ago, 9.5% higher year-on-year

Detailed Explanation:

• ICICI Lombard, the largest private sector general insurer, reported an 18.9% increase in its net profit for the March quarter, reaching Rs 520 crore compared to Rs 437 crore in the year-ago period.
• Annual Profit Growth: The company reported an 11% growth in profit after tax for the fiscal year 2023-24, amounting to Rs 1,919 crore compared to Rs 1,729 crore in the previous fiscal.
• Premium Income Growth : The gross direct premium income (GDPI) grew 22% to Rs 6,073 crore for the reporting quarter from Rs 4,977 crore a year ago, 9.5% higher year-on-year
• Combined Ratio: The combined ratio for the March quarter improved to 102.2% compared to 104.2% in the year-ago period.
• For FY24, the ratio stood at 103.3%, with a target of achieving 102% for FY25.
• Industry Growth: Excluding crop and mass health, ICICI Lombard's GDPI growth outpaced the industry, standing at 22% for the quarter compared to the industry's growth of 13.8%.
• The industry will continue to grow at 13-15% in FY25.
• Solvency Ratio : The solvency ratio was 2.62 times at March 31, 2024, against 2.57 times at December 31, 2023, and 2.51 times in the year-ago period.
• Investment Returns: Returns on the investment book improved to 7.98% in FY24 from 7.50% in FY23.
• Equities constitute 11.4% of the investment book.
• About 5-6% of the aggregate revenues come from the ICICI group.
• Leadership Changes: Rakesh Jha, an ICICI Group veteran, has been appointed as the chairperson from June 30, subject to IRDAI approval, replacing Lalita Gupte upon her retirement.
• Steve Dsouza has been appointed as the new chief risk officer, replacing Gopal Balachandran, who will continue as the chief financial officer (CFO).

3) Answer: D

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued two draft directions regarding the regulation of Payment Aggregators (PA), specifically focusing on physical Point-of-Sale (PoS) activities, net worth requirements, and licensing prerequisites.
• The second circular aims to revise and update Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, due diligence for merchants, management of operations in escrow accounts, etc., with the objective of fortifying the payment ecosystem.
• Regulation Announcement: In September 2022, RBI announced its intention to regulate offline Payment Aggregators handling proximity or face-to-face payments.
• The regulator has invited comments and feedback on the draft circular until May 31, 2024.
• Minimum Net Worth Requirement : Non-banks providing PA-P services will need a minimum net worth of ₹15 crore at the time of application and a minimum net worth of ₹25 crore by March 31, 2028.

Detailed Explanation:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued two draft directions regarding the regulation of Payment Aggregators (PA), specifically focusing on physical Point-of-Sale (PoS) activities, net worth requirements, and licensing prerequisites.
• The second circular aims to revise and update Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, due diligence for merchants, management of operations in escrow accounts, etc., with the objective of fortifying the payment ecosystem.
• Regulation Announcement: In September 2022, RBI announced its intention to regulate offline Payment Aggregators handling proximity or face-to-face payments.
• The regulator has invited comments and feedback on the draft circular until May 31, 2024.
• Types of Payment Aggregators: The payments ecosystem in India comprises both online Payment Aggregators (PA-O) and those facilitating face-to-face or proximity payment transactions (PA-P).
• Approval and Compliance : An authorised non-bank PA-O (or PA-P) which wants to commence physical (or online) PA activity (as the case may be), shall seek approval from Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS), RBI, CO prior to commencement of such business.
• Compliance Deadlines : The draft guidelines mandate PA-P banks to comply with the final norms within three months of issue whereas non-bank entities providing PA-P services will need to inform RBI about their intention to seek authorisation within 60 days of the circular being issued and submit an application by May 2025.
• Non-bank PA-Os too will also need to seek RBI’s approval within 60 days if they wish to continue their PA-P operations.
• Minimum Net Worth Requirement : Non-banks providing PA-P services will need a minimum net worth of ₹15 crore at the time of application and a minimum net worth of ₹25 crore by March 31, 2028.

4) Answer: B

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India (GoI) launched the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on April 1, 2013, by restructuring the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY).
• Renaming: NRLM was renamed as DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission) w.e.f. March 29, 2016.

Detailed Explanation:

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India (GoI) launched the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on April 1, 2013, by restructuring the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY).
• Renaming: NRLM was renamed as DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission) w.e.f. March 29, 2016.
• The DAY-NRLM is the flagship program of the Government of India for promoting poverty reduction through building strong institutions for the poor, particularly women, and enabling these institutions to access a range of financial services and livelihoods.
• Community Investment Support Fund (CIF) : CIF will be provided by MoRD to the SHGs promoted under DAY-NRLM in all blocks and will be routed through the village level/cluster level federations, to be maintained in perpetuity by the federations.
• Eligibility Criteria for SHGs to avail loans: SHGs should be in active existence for at least 6 months as per their books of accounts (and not from the date of opening of S/B account).
• Panchasutras: SHGs should adhere to the 'Panchasutras,' which include regular meetings, regular savings, regular inter-loaning, timely repayment, and maintaining up-to-date books of accounts.
• Grading Norms : SHGs should qualify as per grading norms fixed by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
• As and when the federations of the SHGs come into existence, the grading exercise may be done by the federations to support the banks.
• Common Loan Application Forms : All banks may use the Common Loan Application Forms devised by Indian Bank’s Association (IBA) for extending credit facility to SHGs.
• Loan Types: SHGs may avail either Term Loan (TL) or a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) or both based on their requirement.
• Minimum Loan Amount: Banks are advised to sanction a minimum loan of ₹6 lakh to each eligible SHG for a period of 3 years with a yearly drawing power (DP) in case of CCL.
• Individual Member Loans : In order to facilitate women SHG members to graduate to entrepreneurs, banks may consider extending loans up to ₹10 lakh to individual members of select matured well performing SHGs (SHGs which are more than 2 years old and have accessed at least one dose of bank loan with timely repayment) as per their lending policy.
• MUDRA Scheme : One woman in every SHG under DAY-NRLM may be provided a loan up to ₹1 lakh under the MUDRA Scheme, if she is otherwise eligible.
• Overdraft Facility : Banks are advised to provide a minimum OD facility of ₹5000 to every woman SHG member having a PMJDY account in accordance with the guidelines issued by Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

5) Answer: B

• The share of senior citizen term depositshasdoubled in the last five years to 30 per cent in fiscal year 24 as many have locked in their savings at higher interest rates before the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) starts cutting rates.
• The report estimates a staggering 74 million senior citizen term deposit accounts in India, holding a combined value of Rs 34 lakh crore.
• This represents a remarkable 81% increase in account numbers and a staggering 150% jump in total deposits compared to 2018.
• Senior citizen term deposits have become increasingly popular in the last five years, a research report by the State Bank of India revealed.

Detailed Explanation:

• The share of senior citizen term depositshasdoubled in the last five years to 30 per cent in fiscal year 24 as many have locked in their savings at higher interest rates before the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) starts cutting rates.
• The report estimates a staggering 74 million senior citizen term deposit accounts in India, holding a combined value of Rs 34 lakh crore.
• This represents a remarkable 81% increase in account numbers and a staggering 150% jump in total deposits compared to 2018.
• Out of such 74 million accounts, almost 73 million accounts are in the size of up to Rs 15 lakh.
• By assuming 7.5% interest on Senior citizen bank deposits, Rs 2.6 lakh crore is the interest earned.
• In 2018, SBI had estimated that there are around 41 million senior citizens term deposit accounts in the country with a total deposit of Rs 14 lakh crore.
• So, in 6 years, there has been an increase of 81% growth in the number of accounts and 150% in amounts.
• Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) allows deposits up to Rs 30 lakh with a guaranteed 5-year tenure and an attractive 8.2% interest rate.
• SCSS was launched with the main aim of providing senior citizens in India a regular income after they attain the age of 60 years old.
• It has a maturity period of 5 years.
• But, a depositor can extend one's maturity period for another three years.
• Minimum Deposit– Rs. 1,000 (and in multiples thereof)

6) Answer: C

• Interest subvention scheme on Credit to Women Self Help Group (SHG) during the year 2024-25 for all Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks and Small Finance Banks in all districts.
• The scheme is limited to Women Self Help Groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in rural areas only.
• Concessional Interest Rates: For loans up to ₹3 lakh under the scheme, banks will extend credit at a concessional interest rate of 7% per annum.

Detailed Explanation:

• Interest subvention scheme on Credit to Women Self Help Group (SHG) during the year 2024-25 for all Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks and Small Finance Banks in all districts.
• The scheme is limited to Women Self Help Groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in rural areas only.
• Concessional Interest Rates: For loans up to ₹3 lakh under the scheme, banks will extend credit at a concessional interest rate of 7% per annum.
• For outstanding credit balance upto ₹3 lakh, banks will be subvented at a uniform rate of 4.5% per annum during FY 2024-25.
• Higher Loan Range: For loans above ₹3 lakh and up to ₹5 lakh under the scheme, banks will extend credit at interest rate equivalent to their 1 year-MCLR or any other external benchmark based lending rate or 10% per annum, whichever is lower.
• For outstanding credit balance above ₹3 lakh and up to ₹5 lakh, banks will be subvented at a uniform rate of 5% per annum during FY 2024-25.
• Duration of Subvention: Interest subvention will be payable only when an account remains in the standard category.
• Implementation : The interest subvention scheme shall be implemented for banks through a Nodal Bank selected by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
• Operationalization : The Nodal Bank will operationalize the scheme through a web based platform, as advised by MoRD.
• For the year 2024-25, Indian Bank has been nominated as the Nodal Bank by MoRD.
• Submission of Claims : Any remaining claims pertaining to the disbursements made during the year 2024-25 and not included during the year, may be consolidated separately and marked as an 'Additional Claim' and submitted to the Nodal Bank latest by September 30, 2025, duly certified by Statutory Auditors.

7) Answer: C

• According to the Reserve Bank of India's report-Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks' Outlook 2022-23, the advances of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) to the priority sector surged more than 27% in the financial year 2023, compared to the previous year.
• UCB Demographics : As on March 31, there were 1,502 UCBs in India, with 10,117 branches across the country.
• Regional Distribution : Maharashtra has the highest number of UCBs with a total of 475, and the western region of the country houses 693 UCBs.

Detailed Explanation:

• According to the Reserve Bank of India's report-Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks' Outlook 2022-23, the advances of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) to the priority sector surged more than 27% in the financial year 2023, compared to the previous year.
• Total Advances: The RBI report indicates that UCBs' advances in FY23 amounted to Rs 2.2 trillion, a notable increase from Rs 1.73 trillion in FY22.
• Focus on MSMEs: Majority of UCBs' advances were directed towards Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), totaling Rs 1.3 trillion in FY23 compared to Rs 1 trillion in FY22.
• Priority Sector Share: Of the total lending by UCBs to the priority sector, almost 40 per cent was to the MSMEs in FY23 compared to 34.27 per cent last year.
• Priority Sector Lending Target : The RBI has set a target of 60 per cent for priority sector lending by UCBs till FY24.
• Comparison with Scheduled Commercial Banks : At the same time, scheduled commercial banks' achievement under the priority sector lending as on March 31, 2023, stood at 44.7 percent.
• Overall PSL Target Achievement : Both public and private sector banks, including foreign banks, have also achieved the prescribed 40 per cent overall priority sector lending (PSL) target during 2022-23.
• UCB Demographics : As on March 31, there were 1,502 UCBs in India, with 10,117 branches across the country.
• Regional Distribution : Maharashtra has the highest number of UCBs with a total of 475, and the western region of the country houses 693 UCBs.

8) Answer: A

• To promote the global brand of Kasturi Cotton, the Center will set up dedicated testing laboratories in six states.
• The central government plans to set up dedicated laboratories for testing high-grade cotton in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
• It will be set up as part of an effort to establish Indian Kasturi cotton as a global brand.
• The aim of setting up this laboratory is that India wants to compete with global cotton brands like Supima and Giza, known for their exceptional softness, strength, and durability.

Detailed Explanation:

• To promote the global brand of Kasturi Cotton, the Center will set up dedicated testing laboratories in six states.
• The central government plans to set up dedicated laboratories for testing high-grade cotton in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
• It will be set up as part of an effort to establish Indian Kasturi cotton as a global brand.
• The laboratories will be set up in convergence with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) testing facilities, ensuring alignment with national quality standards.
• The aim of setting up this laboratory is that India wants to compete with global cotton brands like Supima and Giza, known for their exceptional softness, strength, and durability.
• However, India has taken up branding of its cotton only recently despite being a major producer with the largest area under the crop.
• While Egypt has successfully established its Giza cotton brand internationally with a modest annual production of one million bales.
• The Indian product, Kasturi Cotton India, is produced according to stringent standards, with a strict limit of 2% on waste content to ensure its premium quality and 100% traceability.

9) Answer: D

• UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its report released that India grew by 6.7 per cent in 2023 and is expected to expand by 6.5 per cent in 2024, continuing to be the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
• The expansion in 2023 was driven by strong public investment outlays as well as the vitality of the services sector which benefited from robust local demand for consumer services.

Detailed Explanation:

• UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its report released that India grew by 6.7 per cent in 2023 and is expected to expand by 6.5 per cent in 2024, continuing to be the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
• The expansion in 2023 was driven by strong public investment outlays as well as the vitality of the services sector which benefited from robust local demand for consumer services.
• The UNCTAD report said the Reserve Bank of India is expected to keep interest rates constant in the near term, while restrained public consumption spending will be offset by strong public investment expenditures.
• In other Southern Asian countries, however, economic growth remains more subdued.
• Three countries in the region – Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – are currently under IMF programmes, the conditionalities of which necessitate the application of tight monetary policies and fiscal austerity measures whose impacts are most severely felt by low-income households.
• Global growth is projected to be 2.6 per cent in 2024, slightly slower than the 2.7 per cent in 2023.
• This makes 2024 the third consecutive year in which the global economy will grow slower than before the pandemic when the average rate for 2015–2019 was 3.2 per cent.

10) Answer: B

• The Finance Ministry has notified a new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit for various satellite-related activities under Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules.
• This means that all key regulations are in place to implement the higher FDI limit.
• The new rules come into effect from April 16, 2024.
• Earlier in February, the Government approved an amendment in FDI policy for the space sector.

Detailed Explanation:

• The Finance Ministry has notified a new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit for various satellite-related activities under Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules.
• This means that all key regulations are in place to implement the higher FDI limit.
• The new rules come into effect from April 16, 2024.
• Earlier in February, the Government approved an amendment in FDI policy for the space sector.
• Under the amended FDI policy, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in the space sector.
• Now, satellite manufacturing & operation, satellite data products and ground segment & user segment can get FDI up to 74 per cent under the automatic route, beyond which government route will be applicable. Sub-sector comprises launch vehicles and associated systems or sub-systems.
• The creation of spaceports for launching and receiving spacecraft can get FDI through automatic routes up to 49 per cent.
• One hundred per cent FDI under automatic route has now been permitted to manufacture components and systems/sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment.
• To date, FDI is permitted to establish and operate satellites only through the government’s approval route. In line with the vision and strategy under the Indian Space Policy 2023.

11) Answer:  E

• Aditya Birla Capital announced the launch of its omnichannel D2C platform ABCD making “Everything Finance as Simple as ABCD”.
• This platform is housed under Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”).

Detailed Explanation:

• Aditya Birla Capital announced the launch of its omnichannel D2C platform ABCD making “Everything Finance as Simple as ABCD”.
• This platform is housed under Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”).
• Through this platform, Aditya Birla Capital targets to add 30 million new users over the next 3 years.
• Guided by a Maximum Viable Product approach, the ABCD D2C platform offers a comprehensive portfolio of 22 products and services, including facilities of a payment platform.
• Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman Aditya Birla Group.

12) Answer: A

• The UCO Bank Board elevated Rajesh Upadhyay, Zonal Head, Bhopal Zonal Office to General Manager of the Bank.
• Rajesh Upadhyay, aged 55 years, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Law and a Master's degree in Arts.
• Currently, he serves as the Zonal Head of the Bhopal Zonal Office.

Detailed Explanation:

• The UCO Bank Board elevated Rajesh Upadhyay, Zonal Head, Bhopal Zonal Office to General Manager of the Bank.
• Rajesh Upadhyay, aged 55 years, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Law and a Master's degree in Arts.
• He is also a certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (CAIIB).
• He has worked in various capacities in different branches/zones of the Bank across the country.
• Currently, he serves as the Zonal Head of the Bhopal Zonal Office.

13) Answer: B

• A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by the Secretary, the Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr Samir V Kamat at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala.
• The SPACE, set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.

Detailed Explanation:

• A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by the Secretary, the Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr Samir V Kamat at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala.
• The SPACE, set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.
• The SPACE marks a milestone in naval technology advancement.
• It will consist of two distinct assemblages - a platform which floats on the water surface, and a submersible platform which can be lowered to any depth up to 100 m using winch systems.
• Upon completion of operations, the submersible platform can be winched up and docked with the floating platform.
• The SPACE will mainly be utilised for the evaluation of complete sonar systems, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers.
• It will be suitable for survey, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation.
• It will cater to the needs of data processing and sample analyses in modern, well equipped scientific laboratories heralding a new era of Anti-Submarine Warfare research capabilities.

14) Answer: C

• State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has signed an agreement with Noida International Airport to construct a pipeline for jet fuel supply.

Detailed Explanation:

• State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has signed an agreement with Noida International Airport to construct a pipeline for jet fuel supply.
• The agreement on February 20 proposes to lay a dedicated aviation turbine fuel (ATF) pipeline from BPCL’s Piyala terminal to the tank farm at the airport for efficient fuel supply and reduction in carbon emissions by eliminating the need for tanker lorry movements.
• The 34-km dedicated ATF pipeline, including 1.2 km inside the airport, will operate on a common/contract carrier basis.

15) Answer: B

• The United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) State of World Population - 2024 report -- "Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights" -- revealed that India's population is estimated to double in 77 years.
• India's population is estimated to have reached 144 crore, with 24 per cent in the 0-14 age bracket.
• India leads globally with an estimated population of 144.17 crore, followed by China at 142.5 crore.
• India's population was recorded at 121 crore during the last census, conducted in 2011.

Detailed Explanation:

• The United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) State of World Population - 2024 report -- "Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights" -- revealed that India's population is estimated to double in 77 years.
• India's population is estimated to have reached 144 crore, with 24 per cent in the 0-14 age bracket.
• India leads globally with an estimated population of 144.17 crore, followed by China at 142.5 crore.
• India's population was recorded at 121 crore during the last census, conducted in 2011.
• The report further detailed that an estimated 24 per cent of India's population is aged 0-14 while 17 per cent is within the 10-19 age range.
• The segment aged 10-24 is estimated to constitute 26 per cent, with the 15-64 age group making up 68 per cent.
• Additionally, 7 per cent of India's population is aged 65 years and above, with men having a life expectancy of 71 years and women 74 years.
• The report has found that 30 years of progress in sexual and reproductive health has mostly ignored the most marginalised communities worldwide.
• According to the report, the child marriage percentage in India was at 23 between 2006-2023.
• The report noted that maternal deaths in India have fallen considerably, accounting for 8 per cent of all such fatalities worldwide.
• The report said millions of women and girls remain far behind, and progress is slowing or stalled on key measures -- 800 women die every day giving birth, unchanged since 2016.
• The most alarming rate, at 1,671 deaths per 100,000 births, is observed in the Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh, which is predominantly rural and has a substantial indigenous population.