• To seek solutions for operational cyber challenges by providing a platform to identify indigenous talent
• To shorten the development time for innovative solutions in the field of Cyber Security
• To enhance the standard of training in Cyber Deterrence, Security Software Coding, Electro Magnetic
• Spectrum Operations (EMSO) and Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ ML).
• AEl focused on both mining operations and developing green hydrogen projects for sourcing, transporting, and building out hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
• AEL has previously announced that it intends to invest more than USD 50 billion over the next 10 years in green hydrogen and related ecosystems corresponding to a capacity of up to 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
• The hydrogen-powered mining truck will also enable other businesses’ option of switching fleets in ports, airports, and their industrial activities to long-term sustainable solutions
• Ballard Power Systems signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AEL in February 2022 to explore hydrogen fuel cell solutions in India’s transportation and industrial sectors.
• The summit would showcase India’s “major tourist destinations” to a global audience, with stakeholders from various state governments.
• Additionally, it will offer a number of educational workshops, exhibitions, investment-related discussions, and constructive future-looking dialogues.
• The GoI is committed to attracting global investment to the cruise, healthcare, religious, adventure, and eco-tourism industries.
• West Bengal (WB) ranks 5th in terms of foreign tourist arrivals, and the state has enacted a number of tourism-related policies, including the WB Tourism Policy 2019, the Tea Tourism Policy (which permits garden owners to use 15% of their land for tourism purposes), and the Homestay Tourism Policy.
• Durga Puja in Kolkata (West Bengal), which has been designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage in 2021, can be promoted as intangible culture and heritage tourism.
• A road show urging various eastern states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to take a proactive role in promoting their states in front of the international investors with niche destinations was held in Kolkata ahead of the Global Tourism Investors Summit 2023.
• By 2030, the GoI targets a forex contribution to GDP of USD 56 billion which will generate 140 million jobs.
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge to promote tourism in border areas during the event organised as a part of the 7th Army Veterans’ Day in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge is the world’s 1st Alpine skill and endurance challenge, set to take place from January to June 2023.
• Additionally, he launched a website where volunteers could sign up for a variety of adventurous activities under the joint initiative of the Indian Army and Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) Global, a veterans’ organisation.
• He flagged off “Road to the End“, a 460-km-long car rally, as part of a joint expedition by the Indian Army and CLAW Global. The rally ends at the destination in the Garhwal Himalayas, near Niti village in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
• The bank will serve the MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) and corporate customers of SAIL by providing financial assistance for working capital, especially steel procurement through its 928 branches.
• It will boost India’s steel production, in lines with the Central government’s infrastructure and industrial push.
• Project Dantak, is an overseas project of the Border Roads Organisation under the Ministry of Defence of India.
• Project Dantak was established in April 1961 as a result of the vision of His Majesty the Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.
• The project identifies the importance of connectivity in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan. It is tasked to construct the pioneering motorable roads in Bhutan.
• Veer Guardian 2023 aims to strengthen the bilateral air defence cooperation between India.
• Veer Guardian 2023, from 16th to 26th January 2023, will be held at the Hyakuri Air Base and its surrounding airspace in Omitama, as well as the Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Japan.
• The IAF women officers have been participating in the wargames with foreign contingents in India but this will be the first occasion where women officers represent the nation abroad.
• The bank received this award in the category of banks with a book size of less than Rs. 1 lakh crore.
• The TMB has shown its ability to perform well enough to win the respective category.
• According to the 14-member Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation, the Indian presidency of IRENA will strengthen India’s leadership in sustainability activities.
• The Smart City Programme and Green Hydrogen Hubs are avenues through which UAE companies like Masdar could invest in India.
• Masdar is an Abu Dhabi-based, government-owned provider of renewable energy that specialises in sustainability and green hydrogen projects.
• The UAE offers prospects for rooftop solar and captive regeneration to the Indian sector.
• The UAE and India can strengthen their bilateral cooperation on accelerated climate action and the implementation of the Paris Agreement (2015), including public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the deployment of renewable energy, the production of green hydrogen, sustainable finance, and the establishment of carbon markets.
• Pankaj Kumar Singh was the 29th Director General (DG) of BSF. He is the son of Ex BSF DG Prakash Singh, who served as the DG of BSF from 1993 to 1994.
• He served as the head of the Induction Training Session for the United Nations (UN) “Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (1997– 1998).
• He also travelled to 3 South American countries (Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile) to select officers from these countries for the UN Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• He has also served the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Development Council (NDC).
• In 2021, Pankaj Kumar Singh proposed to hold the BSF’s Raising Day in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• The government has now ordered all parliamentary groups, including the Army, to hold their foundation and raising days outside of Delhi.
• He has authored and published various articles including the book “Journey to the country of Shiva.”
• Neelakurinji is a tropical plant species and is native to the shola forests in the Western Ghats. It is also found in Shevaroy Hills in the Eastern Ghats, Annamalai Hills in Kerala and Sanduru Hills in Karnataka.
• It does not grow in any other part of the world.
• It grows on mountain slopes at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 meters to a height of 30 to 60 cm.
• Its flowers are violet-blue in colour and bloom once in 12 years.They have no scent or medicinal value.
• Because of these flowers, the Nilgiri hills at the southern end of the Western Ghats are called the Blue Mountains.
• The most recent blooming of Neelakurinji was over a vast area on the Kallippara hills at Santhanpara in Idukki, Kerala.
• Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs, released a book titled “Revolutionaries- The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom” authored by Economist Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister(EAC-PM), at a function in New Delhi, Delhi.
• He was the Principal Economic Adviser to the Finance Minister for 5 years till February 2022.
• He authored several books including Land of the Seven Rivers, The Ocean of Churn, India in the Age of Ideas, and the Indian Renaissance. He coauthored and edited six Economic Surveys of the Government of India between 2017 and 2022.