Daily Current Affairs September 21

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs September 21. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing  Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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September 21| Daily Current Affairs 2023

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs September 21

1. In 2023, the International Week of the Deaf is observed from September 18 to which date?
A) September 19
B) September 20
C) September 21
D) September 22
E) September 24
Answer: E) September 24

• The International Week of the Deaf (IWD) is an annual observance that spans the entire week ending on the last Sunday of September.
• In 2023, IWD is being recognized from September 18th to September 24th.
• The last Sunday of September is designated as the World Day of the Deaf or International Day of the Deaf.
• This initiative, known as the International Week of Deaf People (IWDP), was initially introduced by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958, with its inaugural event held in Rome, Italy.
• Theme: A World Where Deaf People Everwhere Can Sign Anywhere!

World Water Monitoring Day

• World Water Monitoring Day was an international day established in 2003 by America’s Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) as a global educational outreach program.
• World Water Monitoring Day was originally celebrated annually on September 18.
• This date was initially chosen to be a month later (October 18) to recognize the anniversary of the US Clean Water Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1972 to restore and protect the country’s water resources.

World Alzheimer’s Day 2023

• World Alzheimer’s Day is observed on September 21 every year.
• This day is a global effort to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
• It also aims to eradicate the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease as well as other types of dementia.
• The month of September is celebrated as the World Alzheimer’s Month.
• According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, the theme for the month-long campaign is “Never too early, never too late.”
• Alzheimer’s disease International and the World Health Organisation launched World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, 1994.
• It was introduced in Edinburgh on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Alzheimer’s disease International, founded in 1984.

International Day of Peace 2023

• The International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21.
• The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 36/67 on September 30, 1981, that called for a global ceasefire and the cessation of all hostilities on that day and thereby declared the third Tuesday of September each year as the International Day of Peace.
• The first International Day of Peace was celebrated on September 21, 1982 and marked a significant step towards promoting peace and raising awareness about the importance of peacekeeping efforts around the world but it was later in 2001 that the official date was declared as September 21.
• Until then, it was observed on the inaugural session of the annual General Assembly, the third Tuesday of September.
• Theme: “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals.”

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs September 21

2. SBI Life has become one of the official partners for the BCCI Domestic and International Season for which years?
A) 2021-2024
B) 2022-2025
C) 2023-2026
D) 2024-2027
E) 2025-2028
Answer: C) 2023-2026

• SBI Life has joined hands with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as one of the official partners for the BCCI Domestic and International Season 2023-2026.
• SBI Life – one of India’s largest insurance companies – has signed a 3-year deal with the BCCI and their partnership will begin with the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting September 22.

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3. Which company was named the Official Celebration Partner of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India?
A) Glenfiddich
B) Johnnie Walker
C) Bushmills Glassware
D) Jack Daniel’s
E) Jim Beam
Answer: C) Bushmills Glassware

• Bushmills Glassware is proud to announce its prestigious role as the official ‘Celebration Partner’ of the highly anticipated inaugural IndianOil Grand Prix of India.
• The inaugural, set to take place at the iconic Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22 to 24, 2023.
• The IndianOil Grand Prix of India is India’s first-ever MotoGP™ race and will be organised by the FairStreet Sports, in collaboration with Dorna Sports, at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22-24.
• The historic IndianOil Grand Prix of India will be the 13th race of the on-going MotoGP™ 2023 season

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Obituary – Daily Current Affairs September 21

4. Renowned writer-filmmaker Gita Mehta passed away. What was she well-known for?
A) Astrophysics
B) Literature and Fiction
C) Marine Biology
D) Classical Music
E) Space Exploration
Answer: B) Literature and Fiction

• Renowned writer-filmmaker Gita Mehta passed away
• She also produced and directed at least 14 television documentaries for UK, European and US networks
• In 2019, Gita Mehta was conferred with Indian’s fourth-highest civilian honour – Padma Shri – in the field of literature and education; however, she had declined the award.
• Gita Mehta was the elder sister of Naveen Patnaik and businessman Prem Patnaik.
• She has written books such as ‘Karma Cola’, ‘Snake and Ladders’, ‘A River Sutra’, ‘Raj’ and ‘The Eternal Ganesha’.

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs September 21

5. TruCap Finance Limited and HDFC Bank have initiated a co-lending partnership for which types of loans?
A) Home loans and personal loans
B) Auto loans and education loans
C) MSME business loans and gold loans
D) Agricultural loans and housing loans
E) Credit card loans and consumer loans
Answer: C) MSME business loans and gold loans

• TruCap Finance Limited (TRU) and HDFC Bank have commenced business under a co-lending partnership where TRU will leverage its Lending-as-a-Service (L-a-a-S) model to offer quality credit solutions to underserved borrowers.
• Under this partnership, HDFC Bank and TRU will offer MSME Business Loans and Gold Loans to borrowers pre-dominantly in non-urban locations.
• According to industry estimates, the MSME sector has a total credit demand of INR 69.3 trillion, growing at a CAGR of 11.5% with less than 15% of the demand being catered to by formal sources.
• TRU has cumulatively disbursed more than 2,000 Cr. in loans to over 1.9 lakh customers to support credit inclusion of underserved businesses.
• With a network of more than 118 branches today that are strategically located in over 50 cities in MSME clusters of West, Central and North India, TRU aims to enable timely solutions being delivered to small businesses, whether it is to avail working capital, or purchase assets to enhance their revenue, and power livelihood generation in non-metro regions.

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6. Axis Bank has launched a product called “NEO for Business” targeting which segment of businesses?
A) Large Corporations
B) Startups
C) Micro Enterprises
D) MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises)
E) Multinational Corporations
Answer: D) MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises)

• Axis Bank, a leading private sector bank announced a new banking offering ‘NEO for Business’ for MSMEs to cater to their real, current, and emerging transaction banking requirements.
• The services include digital self on-boarding, bulk payments, GST-compliant invoicing, payment gateway integration, 360° customer view, end-to-end transaction tracking, auto reconciliation, recurring collections, cash flow reports and more.
• Transaction banking refers to a set of banking services and products that facilitate the daily financial transactions and cash flow management of businesses, corporations, and financial institutions.
• It is primarily focused on the operational aspects of banking and plays a crucial role in supporting the day-to-day financial activities of businesses.
• Existing Axis Bank Current Account customers can use NEO for Business on mobile through the mobile app or through online registration.
• The service is currently available for sole proprietorship entities and individuals and will soon be extended to companies, partnerships, and LLPs.
• Last month, Axis Bank had announced offering up to Rs 10 lakh unsecured MSME loans and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for loans up to Rs 1.6 lakh per borrower under the pilot project of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit which commenced on August 17.
• The bank will leverage the tech platform by RBI’s Innovation Hub to access secure and consent-based customer data for PAN validation

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7. The World Bank has allocated USD 100 million to support the inclusive growth of which Indian state?
A) Assam
B) West Bengal
C) Sikkim
D) Karnataka
E) Punjab
Answer: C) Sikkim

• The Sikkim Government is taking up institutional reforms for inclusive growth, as part of a USD 100 million World Bank funded programme
• The Sikkim Integrated Service Provision And Innovation For Reviving Economies (INSPIRES) programme is tied to the State Planning & Development Department.
• The programme will support the state government’s efforts to boost economic inclusion of women and youth by promoting non-farm sectors.

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs September 21

8. GTBank from Nigeria has chosen which company’s solution for its multi-country digital transformation?
A) TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)
B) Wipro
C) Cognizant
D) Infosys Finacle
E) Accenture
Answer: D) Infosys Finacle

• Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has selected Infosys Finacle’sFinacle Digital Banking Suite for its multi-country digital transformation program.
• Leveraging the solution suite’s comprehensive capabilities, the bank will be able to meet ongoing modernization and business growth demands easily whilst minimizing the total cost of operations.
• GTBank will leverage Finacle’s suite of retail and corporate banking solutions to achieve a comprehensive transformation of its business across its home operations in Nigeria as well as in 10 other markets across Africa and Europe.
• Finacle’s cloud-native and open API-driven platform will help the bank become a more agile and open financial institution, ready to integrate with its ecosystem partners and benefit from new-age digital possibilities.

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Acquisitions and Mergers – Daily Current Affairs September 21

9. HDFC Mutual Fund has received approval from which regulatory body to raise its stake in Federal Bank and Equitas Small Finance Bank to 9.5%?
A) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
B) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
C) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
D) Ministry of Finance
E) National Stock Exchange (NSE)
Answer: C) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Reserve Bank has accorded approval to HDFC Mutual Fund to raise its stakes in Federal Bank as well as in Equitas Small Finance Bank to up to 9.5 per cent.
• The clearance has been granted with reference to the application made by HDFC AMC to RBI
• Equitas Small Finance Bank said HDFC AMC got RBI’s approval to raise ‘aggregate holding’ of up to 9.5 per cent of the paid-up equity capital or voting rights in the small finance bank.
• HDFC AMC holds a 4.49 per cent stake in Kerala-based Federal Bank, and a 4.68 per cent stake in Equitas Small Finance Bank as of June 30, 2023.
• The approval granted by the central bank is subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, RBI’s Master Direction and Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies dated January 16, 2023 (as amended from time to time), provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, regulations issued by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and any other guidelines, regulations and statutes as applicable
• As per the RBI intimation, it said HDFC AMC must ensure that the aggregate holding in the bank does not exceed 9.5 per cent of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of the bank at all times.
• Further, it said, if the aggregate holding falls below 5 per cent, prior approval of RBI will be required to increase it to 5 per cent or more of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of the bank.

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs September 21

10. Who has been appointed as the CEO of Liberty General Insurance?
A) Rajesh Kumar
B) Sunil Mehta
C) Parag Ved
D) Rakesh Sharma
E) K. G. Krishnamoorthy Rao
Answer: C) Parag Ved

• Liberty General Insurance announced the appointment of Parag Ved as its chief executive and a director on the board.
• Prior to joining Liberty, he was the president of consumer lines at Tata AIG General Insurance
• Ved has over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, holding senior leadership roles in organizations including ICICI Lombard General Insurance.
• Liberty General India began operations in 2013 and has an employee strength of over 1,100 with a presence across 100 locations in 28 states.

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs September 21

11. The Indian government has introduced the ‘RashtriyaVigyanPuraskar’ to honor excellence in which fields?
A) Literature and Arts
B) Sports and Athletics
C) Science, Technology, and Innovation
D) Social Work and Philanthropy
E) Environmental Conservation
Answer: C) Science, Technology, and Innovation

• The Government of India has launched a set of national awards known as the “RashtriyaVigyanPuraskar” (RVP) to recognize remarkable contributions in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
• This initiative aims to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding work of scientists, technologists, and innovators who have made significant contributions to these domains
  The RashtriyaVigyanPuraskar is poised to become one of the highest honours in India’s science, technology, and innovation landscape
• Those of Indian origin residing abroad, whose contributions have positively impacted Indian communities or society, are also eligible for these awards.
• The awards will be presented in four distinct categories.
• VigyanRatna (VR)- This award recognises lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions in any field of science and technology.
• Vigyan Shri (VS)- Distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology are acknowledged with this honour.
• VigyanYuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB)- Exceptional young scientists under the age of 45 who have made significant contributions to science and technology will be celebrated with this award.
• Vigyan Team (VT)- Recognising collaborative efforts, this award is presented to teams of three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators who have collectively made remarkable contributions to science and technology, read the press release.
• Nominations for the RashtriyaVigyanPuraskar will be accepted in 13 domains, spanning Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology and innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others
  The RVPC will include Secretaries of Science Departments, members of Science and Engineering Academies, and distinguished scientists and technologists from various fields.
• Nominations for these awards will be accepted annually from 14 January to 28 February, coinciding with National Science Day.
• The award recipients will be announced on 11 May, celebrated as National Technology Day, and the Award Ceremony will take place on 23 August, observed as National Space Day
• The introduction of the RashtriyaVigyanPuraskar is a significant step in recognising and honouring the achievements of the scientific community in India.

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12. Kiriteshwari village in Bengal’s Murshidabad district received which award for being the best tourism village in India?
A) Incredible India Award
B) Swachh Bharat Award
C) Best Rural Tourism Award
D) National Tourism Excellence Award
E) Best Tourism Village of India Award
Answer: E) Best Tourism Village of India Award

• Kiriteshwari village in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district has been selected as the country’s best tourism village by the Centre
• The village beat 795 applications received from 31 states and Union Territories to bag the honour
• The Union ministry will give the award at a function in New Delhi on September 27

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs September 21

13. How many self-neutralizing anti-tank mines known as “Vibhav” were inducted by the Indian Army for providing mobility kill against enemy armored vehicles?
A) 300 mines
B) 400 mines
C) 500 mines
D) 600 mines
E) 700 mines
Answer: D) 600 mines

• In a significant development for India’s defence capabilities, the Indian Army has recently inducted 600 self-neutralizing anti-tank mines known as “Vibhav.”
• These mines, designed and manufactured indigenously in collaboration with the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), offer enhanced mobility kill capabilities against enemy armoured vehicles.
• The collaboration between the Indian Army and DRDO has resulted in the creation of ‘Vibhav’ as a point-attack anti-tank munition.
• The ‘Vibhav’ anti-tank mine is crafted from state-of-the-art plastic, providing it with the necessary strength and durability to withstand the rigours of storage, handling, and deployment in diverse field conditions.
• This innovative munition represents a notable advancement in India’s defence technology.
• An electronic anti-handling and anti-lift device (EAHALD) is integrated into ‘Vibhav.’
• Once armed, this device remains active for 120 days, further enhancing the mines’ effectiveness and safety.
• Compared to earlier mines, ‘Vibhav’ incorporates mechanical timers, enabling self-neutralization after 120 days.
• This feature significantly enhances safety and minimizes the risk of unintended consequences.
• The ‘Vibhav’ mines incorporate multiple safety and actuation mechanisms, ensuring safe handling for operators. Simultaneously, their lethal capabilities make them a reliable choice for countering current and future armoured vehicles.
• The production of ‘Vibhav’ mines is underway by the Kalyani Group for the Indian Army.
  Meanwhile, India’s arsenal of Anti-tank mines is not limited the Vibhavs. It comprises a range of anti-tank mines designed for different operational scenarios.
• The T-72 mine, a well-established option, has been widely used and is manually deployed to effectively target armored vehicles.
• The NUH anti-tank mine, a more recent addition developed by DRDO, incorporates advanced technologies for enhanced lethality.
• Meanwhile, the M-16 anti-tank mine is designed for blast penetration with a considerable kill radius.
• The Bharat 60 anti-tank mine, known for its versatility, can be laid manually or mechanically and offers effectiveness against various armored threats.
• Lastly, the Tarmet anti-tank mine is specifically designed to counter infantry and armored vehicle threats.

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs September 21

14. The Indian Coast Guard’s ship ‘SamudraPrahari’ conducted a Pollution Response Table-Top exercise and demonstration at which port in Thailand?
A) Bangkok Port
B) Pattaya Port
C) Phuket Port
D) Krabi Port
E) Khlong Toei Port
Answer: E) Khlong Toei Port

• Showcasing India’s maritime expertise and commitment, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Pollution-Control Vessel ‘SamudraPrahari’ carried out a comprehensive Pollution Response Table-Top exercise and demonstration at Khlong Toei Port in Thailand
• The exercise involved key personnel from Thailand’s Maritime Enforcement Coordination Centre (MECC) including Customs Department and Royal Navy
• It promoted knowledge sharing and co-operation during real-life oil pollution scenarios.
• The crew also along with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and Indian embassy representatives conducted an international outreach beach clean-up activity at Pattaya Beach.
• The initiative was part of the PuneetSagarAbhiyan, a nationwide flagship campaign of NCC to clean sea shores of plastic and other waste material.
• The visit of ‘SamudraPrahari’ to Bangkok under the India- ASEAN initiative marks a significant milestone in elevating the ties between the ICG and Thai MECC in maritime domain and highlighting India as a dependable maritime partner, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security & Growth for All in the Region) and the theme of India’s G20 Presidency ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
• The India-ASEAN Initiative of Overseas Deployment was announced by RakshaMantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Plus meeting in Cambodia in November 2022.

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15. Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay and Kavaratti, along with submarine INS Sindhukesari, arrived in Singapore to participate in which annual bilateral Naval exercise between the Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)?
A) Malabar
B) Varuna
C) SIMBEX
D) IBSAMAR
E) SLINEX
Answer: C) SIMBEX

• Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay and Kavaratti and submarine INS Sindhukesari arrived in Singapore to participate in the 30th edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX), an annual bilateral Naval exercise between the Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), which is being conducted since 1994.
• SIMBEX holds the distinction of being the longest continuous naval exercise that Indian Navy has with any other country.
• SIMBEX-2023 is being conducted in two phases – Harbour Phase at Singapore from 21 to 24 September 2023, followed by a Sea Phase.
• Besides Ranvijay, Kavaratti and Sindhukesari, Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I is also participating in the exercise.
• The Harbour Phase will witness a wide range of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and sports fixtures, aimed at enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies.
• The Sea Phase of SIMBEX 23 will involve complex and advanced air defence exercises, gunnery firings, tactical manoeuvres, anti-submarine exercises and other maritime operations.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs September 21

16. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled a 108 feet tall statue of AdiShankaracharya in which location?
A) Bhopal
B) Ujjain
C) Indore
D) Omkareshwar
E) Jabalpur
Answer: D) Omkareshwar

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the 108 feet tall statue of AdiShankaracharya, ‘Statue of Oneness’, in Omkareshwar.
• The statue of AdiShankaracharya is based on Mandhata mountain in Omkareshwar.
• The statue weighs 100 tons and has been installed on a 75 feet high platform. It is made up of bronze that contains 88% copper, 4% zinc and 8% tin. The statue internal structure is made-up of high-quality steel.
• At the event, Chouhan also laid the foundation stone for Rs.2,200 crore ‘AdvaitLok’ at Omkareshwar

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17. India is set to host the 17th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement in which year?
A) 2023
B) 2025
C) 2026
D) 2027
E) 2028
Answer: D) 2027

• India has secured the privilege of hosting the esteemed International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement (ICCC) in 2027.
• The successful bid presentation was made by India’s leading research and academic institutions, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM) and IIT Delhi, during the ongoing 16th ICCC in Bangkok, Thailand
• India faced competition from Switzerland and the UAE, ultimately emerging as the chosen host.
• The International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement is a highly prestigious event that reviews advancements in cement and concrete research.
• These congresses have been held approximately every four to six years since 1918, serving as a crucial bridge between academia and the cement industry.
• Notably, India previously hosted the 9th Congress in 1992.
• The current 16th ICCC is taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 18 to 22
• Hosting the 17th ICCC in New Delhi
• The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM), an apex Research and Development organization under the administrative control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, will play a pivotal role in organizing this significant event. NCCBM is dedicated to research, technology development, education, and industrial services for the cement, allied building materials, and construction industries
• India’s cement industry, which is the second-largest in the world with an installed capacity of 600 million tonnes, plays a vital role in the country’s circular economy framework

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18. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the creation of a new district named KeyiPanyor in which assembly constituency?
A) Itanagar
B) Tawang
C) Ziro
D) Yachuli
E) Roing
Answer: D) Yachuli

• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced the creation of a new district, KeyiPanyor, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Yachuli assembly constituency in Lower Subansiri district.
• the government is ready to create the KeyiPanyor district by bifurcating the existing Lower Subansiri district.
• With the creation of KeyiPanyor, Arunachal Pradesh will have 27 districts.
• Earlier in the day, Khandu inaugurated 33 development initiatives and laid the foundation stones for 34 projects in the constituency.
• He also inaugurated a tribal culture centre at New Pitapool and attended a prayer to Almighty Donyi Polo there, besides visiting the museum where traditional items related to the Nyishi tribe are on display.

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19. The President of India inaugurated the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show at which location?
A) Lucknow
B) Kanpur
C) Agra
D) Varanasi
E) Greater Noida
Answer: E) Greater Noida

• The President of India, SmtDroupadiMurmu inaugurated the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show at Greater Noida
• Over 2000 exhibitors showcase their products across a wide spectrum of sectors, including automobiles, handicrafts, healthcare, food processing, pharmaceuticals, dairy, electronics, and e-commerce.
• State government departments and institutions, along with Mumbai Dabbawala, will conduct informative sessions on various business activities. Additionally, 108 new startups will also participate in the show.
• The five-day event unfold at the India Expo Mart in Knowledge Park, Greater Noida, and is jointly organized by the UP Government and India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML).

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20. Shri Manoj Ahuja launched an innovative mobile application and web portal for which agricultural survey to revolutionize farming practices?
A) Soil Health Card Scheme
B) Pradhan MantriFasalBimaYojana (PMFBY)
C) General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES)
D) National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
E) Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
Answer: C) General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES)

• In-line with the Prime Minister’s vision towards maximizing digital technology for social benefit, Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) launched the mobile application and the web portal for GCES (General Crop Estimation Survey).
• This revolutionary portal and mobile application have been designed to transform agricultural practices across the nation.

Key Challenges Addressed by GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application:

• Delay in Reporting– Till date data collection, compilation and yield estimation is completely manual process which cause delay in reporting by states. In the new process, the field data will be collected using GPS enabled mobile application and will be stored in the server which ensures on time reporting of crop statistics.
• Transparency- GPS enabled devices provide precise latitude and longitude coordinates for data collection points. This information ensures that data is linked to specific geographic locations, leaving no room for ambiguity or manipulation of data regarding where it was collected.

Key Features of the GCES Web Portal and Mobile Application:

• Comprehensive Information– The portal and the app provide a comprehensive repository of yield estimation including village wise GCES plan and plot details where the crop cutting experiments are conducted, post harvesting crop weight and driage weight of the crop.
• Geo-referencing– Geo-referencing is one of the key features of the mobile application, which enables the primary worker to draw the boundary of the experimental plot and upload photos of the plot as well as of the crops through it. This feature will ensure transparency and accuracy of the data as well.

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21. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Kailash Choudhary, launched an AI chatbot for which government scheme?
A) Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (PMAY)
B) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
C) Pradhan MantriKrishiSinchayeeYojana (PMKSY)
D) Pradhan MantriKisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
E) Make in India
Answer: D) Pradhan MantriKisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India launched AI Chatbot for the Pradhan MantriKisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme at New Delhi
• The AI Chatbot launch marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, and also providing farmers prompt, clear, and accurate responses to their queries.
• The AI Chatbot acts as a comprehensive guide for the beneficiaries, providing them with timely and accurate responses to their queries related to the scheme.
• This is the first AI Chatbot integrated with a major flagship scheme of the Union government.
• It has been developed and improved with the support of EKstep foundation and Bhashini.
• The introduction of the AI chatbot in the PM-KISAN grievance management system is aimed at empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform. In its first phase of development, the AI chatbot will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status, and other scheme-related updates.
• The AI Chatbot, accessible through the PM KISAN mobile app, is integrated with Bhashini, which offers multilingual support, catering to the linguistic and regional diversity of the PM KISAN beneficiaries.
• Currently, the Chatbot is available in English,Hindi,Bengali, Odia, and Tamil. In a short period, it will be available in all 22 languages of the country.
• The Pradhan MantriKisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 to support the financial needs of land-holding farmers in India. The scheme offers an annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- in three equal instalments to eligible farmers’ families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
• Since its inception, over Rs. 2.61 Lakhs Crores disbursed to more than 11 Crore farmers so far, it stands as one of the largest DBT schemes globally.
• During the Covid Pandemic, more than Rs. 1.75 lakh Crore was transferred to the beneficiaries that provided a great relief to farmers and their families in a difficult time.
  Government of India has also developed a mobile app with the feature of face authentication-based e-KYC.
• This app is first mobile app that use face authentication-based e-KYC feature in any benefit scheme of the Government. This Mobile App is very easy to use and is easily available for download on Google Play store.
• the Government of India has also extended the facility for completing e-KYC of farmers to State Government officials, allowing each official to do e-KYC for 500 farmers.

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