CONTENTS

VOL-19
ISSUE-03

Editor
N.K. Jain Indian Judicial Collegium The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya
System Divas Convention
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Neeraj Chabra
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Interview 5
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Editorial
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be
trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people's thinking.”
- Steve Jobs
Dear Aspirants,
We feel delighted to present to you the "March 2023" edition of "Master in Current Affairs". MICA is a
comprehensive magazine focused on both the intellectual and competitive nature of learning. Apart from the competitive
edge, MICA is intended to provide you with a vision of self-enhancement. MICA includes highly acclaimed sections such
as Newsletters, News Diary, One Liner, World of English, which are directly related to your preparation for competitive
examinations. Chalte - Chalte is one of the most steering elements of MICA on the go, which is mentioned below every
page. This edition creates a forum where all candidates and guidance personnel can meet the important issues of this
month which may play a vital role in the forthcoming examination. The important topics covered in this edition are:
Indian Judicial collegium system: The Indian Judicial collegium system, where existing judges appoint judges to the
nation's constitutional courts, has its genesis in, and continued basis resting on, three of its own judgments made by
Supreme Court judges which are collectively known as the Three Judges Cases.
Voice of Global South Summit 2023: Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing and Urban Affairs
Sh. Hardeep S Puri addressed the Energy Ministers’ session of “Voice of Global South Summit–2023” theme as “Energy
Security and development: Roadmap to Prosperity”.
The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17th
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister released a commemorative
postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ and also inaugurated the first-ever digital PBD Exhibition
on the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’.
In this edition, as a wish for your bright and prosperous future, we are providing “LIC AAO Pre 2023
Model Paper” for your self-assessment. You can also test your Current Affairs by visiting the Quiz Time
section for self-assessment, which includes all possible multiple-choice questions from the current affairs
of this month. To serve you better we will diligently serve you our level best with various new
topics and news that is important from the examination point of view.
All the best for your examinations. Your suggestions will be highly valuable and welcomed.

With the Best Wishes

Editor : N.K. Jain “Your Success is Our Success”
 Sana INTERVIEW
Sana : Faculties are very
PERSONAL DETAILS cooperative. They always
Sana Khan keep motivating students
and help students in every
Father’s Name : Mr. Nazim Khan way possible
Mother’s Name : Mrs. Naseema Khan
Hobbies : Reading Newspaper, Dancing & Singing MICA : What is the role of “Time
Management” in one’s
Prior Selection : Not any success?
Name of the Exam : BANK
Roll No. of Qualified Exam : 2961000570 Sana : Time management is
very important in one's
Roll No. of Mahendra Institute : MAH0011013226 success especially in one
Sana : Teacher's guidance plus day examination. You
self-study. Giving speed have to manage your time
test regularly has helped according to weak and
me a lot in analyzing my strong areas. Give time to
performance speed test at least 4 times a
week.
English Language
MICA : How did you prepare for
Giving speed test regularly and the Interview?
Study Material Provided by the
institute. Sana : There is no interview in
MICA : Mahendra's family clerk exam.
expresses its heartfelt Reasoning Ability
MICA : From whom did you
congratulations on your Giving speed test regularly and get information of your
success. Study Material Provided by the selection and what was
Sana : Thanks for your support. institute. your reaction?
MICA : To whom do you want Numerical Ability Sana : I saw the result myself
to give the credit of your and yes I was very happy
selection? Giving speed test regularly and
and emotional at the same
Study Material Provided by the
Sana : I would like to give the time.
institute.
credit of my selection to MICA : What message do you
my parents. General Awareness want to convey to other
MICA : After how many attempts Giving speed test regularly and aspirants?
did you succeed in this Study Material Provided by the
examination? Sana : Focus on continuity.
institute.
There are times when you
Sana : It was my third attempt. MICA : What would you say feel you can't do it you
MICA : What is the role of about “Master in Current have to overcome that
Mahendra's institute in Affairs” Magazine feeling and keep yourself
your selection? (MICA) and Mahendra's motivated. Give speed
Website? test regularly and analyses
Sana : All faculty members have your performance.
always encouraged me to Sana : “Master in Current
perform better and helped Affairs” is a good MICA : Congratulations! once
me to know my mistakes magazine. again on your success.
and work on it Your success is our
MICA : What is the best thing about success.
MICA : How did you prepare for our coaching institute,
the examination? according to you? Sana : Thank You!

Recently, with the commissioning of Automatic signalling system in Sath Naraini- Rundhi- Faizullapur
Station section of Prayagraj Division, 762 KM long Ghaziabad-Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay section has been MARCH 2023 MICA 5
fully automated and has also become the longest automatic block signalling section of Indian Railways.
CURRENT AFFAIRS One Liner

ONE Liner
PERSONS IN NEWS
## Which exam have been cleared by for the first time, six
women officers? - Central Armed Police
## Recently Taranjit Singh Sandhu tenure extends for
a year, He is current India’s Ambassador in which
Country? - United States
Forces
## Recently Mina Sue Choi Crowned Miss Earth 2022,
## Recently who has appointed as full-time member of she associated to which Country?
NITI Aayog? - Arvind Virmani - South Korea
## Recently Kevin Conroy passes away, He was associated ## Recently who has elected as new President of
with which field? - Acting Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI)?
## Who has appointed as the chairman of the National - Prasanth Kumar
Pension System Trust? - Suraj Bhan
## Recently who has appointed as Governor of West AWARDS
Bengal? - C V Ananda Bose
## Which edition of FICCI higher education excellence
## Legend Abbas Moontasir passes away at 80, He was Awards 2022 presented by MoS for Finance Bhagwat
associated to which Sports? - Basketball Karad? - 8th
## Who has appointed as India head of Meta? ## Which Company team has won Gold award at 47th
- Sandhya Devanathan ICQCC-2022? - NTPC
## Recently who has assumed charge as the new Election ## Which Country has won Excellence in Leadership in
Commissioner of India? - Arun Goel Family Planning (EXCELL) Awards-2022?
## Recently who became first Indian woman to win medal - India
in Asian Cup Table Tennis tournament? ## Recently who has received Sumitra Charat Ram
- Manika Batra Award? - Uma Sharma
## Recently who has retired from Formula One racing? ## Recently which Indian has honoured with USA’s 1st Global
- Sebastian Vettel Humanitarian Award? - Danish Manzoor Bhat
## Recently Babu Mani passed away, He was associated ## Which Indian has been honoured with UN’s highest
with which Sports? - Football environmental award 2022? - Purnima Devi Barman
## Recently TG Sitharam has been appointed as the ## Which Bank has got award for Atal Pension Yojana
new Chairman of the All India Council for Technical enrolment? - Karnataka Vikas
Education (AICTE), He associated from which IIT? Grameena Bank
- IIT Guwahati ## Who has honoured Lifetime Achievement Award 2022
## Recently Areez Pirojshaw Khambatta passed away, He by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &
was a founder of which brand of drinks? Industry (FICCI)? - Rajendra Pawar
- Rasna ## Who has won Best Director Award in New York Film
## Recently Lt General Asim Munir appointed as New Army Critics Circle awards 2022? - SS Rajamouli
Chief of which Country? - Pakistan ## Which Bank has won Banker’s Bank of the Year Award
## Who has been nominated as CEO of Deloitte India? 2022? - Canara bank
- Romal Shetty ## Recently which Bangladeshi film wins Prasad DI
## Recently Jiang Zemin passes away, He was a Former award at International Film Festival of India in Goa?
President of which Country? - China - Agantuk
The gross GST revenue collected during December 2022 is Rs 1,49,507 crore, of which CGST is Rs
6 MICA MARCH 2023 26,711 crore, SGST is Rs 33,357 crore, IGST is Rs 78,434 crore (including Rs 40,263 crore collected
on import of goods) and Cess is Rs 11005 crore (including Rs 850 crore collected on import of goods).
 One Liner
## Who has awarded Economic Times Inspiring Leaders ## Uttarakhand High Court will be shifted from Nainital to
Award 2022? - AP Shreethar which city of Uttarakhand? - Haldwani
## Which Actor has received Indian Film Personality of ## 3-day International Tourism Mart has begun in which
the Year Award for 2022? - Chiranjeevi State? - Mizoram
## Recently which Indian writer selected for Kuvempu ## What is the rank of India in Network Readiness Index
national award? - Imayam aka V 2022? - 61th
Annamalai ## Recently which State Government has decided to
## Who has won Best Tech Initiative Award 2022? double the pension of freedom fighters from ten
- Manthan Platform thousand to twenty thousand rupees per month?
- Maharashtra
SCHEMES AND LAUNCHES ## Recently First Unani Medicine Regional Center has
## Recently which is the Phase of Digital Shakti Campaign inaugurated in which State? - Assam
has launched by National Commission for Women? ## Which Indian state has the largest installed grid-
- 4th interactive renewable energy capacity?
- Karnataka
## Recently Employment Employees Provident Fund
Organisation (EPFO) added how many lakh members ## 25th National Conference on e-governance to be held
in September 2022? - 16.82 Lakh in which State of India? - Jammu & Kashmir
## Recently which Bank has launched the seventh edition ## Recently South Western Command of the Indian
of ‘Evolve’ for MSMEs with the theme of ‘Indian Army has conducted Integrated Fire Power Exercise,
SMEs: Shifting Gears for Next Level Growth’? “SHATRUNASH’’ at MFFR in which State?
- Axis Bank - Rajasthan
## Recently which Tiger reserve has launched ‘jumbo ## How many years of Manipur cinema was celebrated
trails’ at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu? recently at the International Film Festival of India
- Anamalai Tiger (IFFI)? - 50 years
Reserve ## Recently 400th birth anniversary of Legendary War Hero
## Recently Jyotiraditya Scindia has launched _______ Lachit Barphukan begins in New Delhi, He was belongs
that allows entry of air passengers based on a facial from which State? - Assam
recognition system at the Delhi Airport? ## Recently which rank have got India in Climate Change
- DigiYatra Performance Index? - 8th
## Recently which Country has launches Indo-Pacific ## Recently which city has become the First City in South
strategy to boost military and cyber security? Asia to Top CDP’s Climate Action List?
- Canada - Mumbai
## Recently which scheme has launched by Ministry of ## Recently which edition of Odisha's flagship business
Power to procure aggregate power of 4500 MW to summit has been organized? - 3rd
help states? - SHAKTI Scheme ## Recently which Ministry has is organised an investor
## Recently which Ayog has launched the carbon capture conclave in Bengaluru? - Ministry of Coal
utilisation and storage (CCUS) policy framework and ## Recently ESIC approves proposal for setting up new
it’s Deployment Mechanism in India? 100 bedded Hospitals in which two States?
- Competition - Tripura and Kerala
Commission of India ## Technotex 2023 to be held in which city?
- Mumbai
NATIONAL & STATE ## Recently which village of Tamil Nadu State is declared
## Which state has registered the maximum number of as a biodiversity heritage site?
new companies post Maharashtra post Covid? - Arittapatti
- Uttar Pradesh ## Which city of India to Host First G20 Sherpa Meeting
## Recently Prime Minister Modi has inaugurated named in December 2022? - Udaipur
as Donyi Polo Airport in which State? ## Recently which state cabinet approves mental health
- Arunachal Pradesh and social care policy? - Meghalaya
Indian Railways’ Varanasi Cantt Railway Station has been awarded a 5- star 'Eat Right Station'
certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. This certification is granted by MARCH 2023 MICA 7
FSSAI to railway stations adhering to standard food storage and hygiene practices.
CURRENT AFFAIRS One Liner
INTERNATIONAL ## Recently Government e-Marketplace, (GeM) platform
has crossed how much crore rupees Gross Merchandise
## Recently who has invited as International Observer for value till for the financial year 2022-2023?
forthcoming Elections in Nepal? - 1 Lakh Cr.
- Rajiv Kumar
## Recently which Bank has signed a Share Purchase
## India and which Country have conveyed their fifth Agreement (SPA) with JC Flowers Asset Reconstruction
bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue in New Delhi? Company (ARC)? - Yes Bank
- Australia
## Recently which Bank has plans to raise Rs 10,000
## Which of the following Company to make India’s first crore worth of infrastructure bonds during the financial
multimodal logistics park in Chennai? year 2023? - State Bank of India
- Reliance Industries Ltd
## Recently SIPCOT industrial park inaugurated in which
## Recently India's take over Chair of Global Partnership State? - Tamil Nadu
on Artificial Intelligence from which Country?
## Recently which company has announced Rs 6,000 crore
- France
investment in Odisha? - Tata Power
## Recently which edition of bilateral exercise between
## Recently, which Bank has launched Online Insurance
the Indian and the Royal Oman navies, Naseem Al
Services platform ‘EasyNsure’?
Bahr-2022, commenced off the coast of Oman?
- Yes Bank
- 13th
## Railways has earned how much Crore Rs. from Freight
## Recently EU with which Country has Signed loading till November 2022? - 105905 Cr
Agreement for Cooperation in High-Performance
Computing? - India ## Recently which Mutual Fund company has launched
India’s First Passive Tax-Saving Fund?
## Recently, Kassym- Jomart Tokayev won presidential - IIFL Mutual Fund
election of which Country with 81.3% of vote?
- Kazakhstan ## Recently Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and which
Country has exchanged letters of cooperation in
## Recently which edition of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue the field of Central Counter Parties (CCPs) with the
start in New Delhi? - 4th objective of improving mutual cooperation?
## Recently UNESCO - India - Africa Hackathon 2022 - Japan
inaugurated in which State?- Uttar Pradesh ## Recently IDFC Mutual Fund has been renamed as?
- Bandhan Mutual Fund
FINANCIAL AWARENESS ## Recently India has signed Migration and Mobility
## Which is the First Indian Company to Set up European Agreement with which Country?
Works Council? - Wipro - Germany
## Recently which two Indian banks have received RBI ## Which Bank has launched India’s First Sticker-Based
approval for rupee trade with Russia? Debit Card FIRSTAP? - IDFC First Bank
- HDFC and Canara
Bank SPORTS
## Recently which Payments Bank has introduced face
authentication-based savings bank account opening ## Recently who has defeated Casper Ruud to collect a
for customers? - Airtel Payments Bank sixth ATP Finals title in Turin, Italy?
- Novak Djokovic
## Recently Tata company to acquire packaged water
giant Bisleri for about ________ Crore? ## Ministry of Sports has approved Neeraj Chopra’s
- 7000 Crore proposal to train in United Kingdom under which
Scheme? - Target Olympic
## Recently which of the following Bank has opened its
Podium Scheme
first dedicated Mid-Corporate Branch in Kerala?
- Bank of Baroda ## Recently which Indian cricketer named as brand ambassador
of UrbanGabru? - Suryakumar Yadav
## G-20 Sherpa meeting will be held in Rajasthan's
Udaipur from 5 to 7 December, who is current India's ## Recently which State has launched ‘One District One
Sherpa in India? - Amitabh Kant Sport’ scheme? - Uttar Pradesh
Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as the acting Central
8 MICA MARCH 2023 Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). He appointment comes after Suresh N. Patel completed his term as
the chief of the anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission on December 24.
 One Liner
## Recently which edition of the Admiral's Cup Regatta ## Recently what is the new name of Monkeypox has
begins at the Ettikulam Bay in the Kannur district given by World Health Organization?
Kerala? - 11th' - Mpox
## Recently which football player has become first male
player to Score in 5 World Cups? MISCELLANEOUS
- Cristiano Ronaldo
## National Epilepsy Day Observed on which date?
## Recently who has won gold in boxing in Youth Men's - 17 November
and Women's World Championships?
- Ravina ## What is the theme of World Toilet Day, 2022?
- 'Making the Invisible
## Recently which Indian Athlete becomes first woman Visible'
President of Indian Olympic Association?
- P T Usha ## Recently which edition of Naturopathy Day celebrated
across the Nation? - 5th
## Recently who has awarded as Para Sports Person of
Year award? - Avani Lekhara ## Recently The first ever Street Circuit Car Racing of the
India began in which city? - Hyderabad
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ## World Fisheries Day is celebrated on which date?
- 21 November
## Recently which Space Agency has launched Artemis ## Who is the Author of a book titled ‘The World: A
Mission on a test flight to the moon? Family History’? - Simon Sebag
- NASA
## Recently which foundation day has been celebrated by
## What is the name of first-ever private Rocket launched the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)?
by ISRO? - Vikram Suborbital - 33th
## Which edition of the Indian Chemicals Council (ICC) ## Who is the Author of a book ‘Nalanda – Until we meet
Sustainability Conclave has inaugurated by Chemicals again’? - Gautaam Borah
and Petrochemicals Secretary Arun Baroka?
- 4th edition ## Recently which state celebrated its 60th statehood day
on 01 December? - Nagaland
## Recently which Country has launched intercontinental
ballistic missile? - North Korea ## What is the theme of World AIDS DAY 2022?
- "Equalize"
## Recently which Airlines launches digital e-logbook for
pilots? - IndiGo ## Recently which Raising Day has celebrated by Border
Security Force on 01 December?
## Recently which edition of Joint Exercise Agni Warrior
- 58th
with Singapore Armed Forces has Concludes in
Maharashtra? - 12th ## International Day for the Abolition of Slavery observed
on which date? - 2 December
## Recently which Indian Institute of Technology Researchers
develop ‘Sindhuja’ which generates Electricity from Sea ## International Lusophone Festival was held in which
Waves? - IIT Madras state? - Goa
## Recently which PSLV rocket carrying earth observation ## National Pollution Control Day 2022 observed on
satellite has launched by ISRO? which date? - 2 December
- PSLV-C54 ## Recently which edition of Hornbill Festival 2022
## “Austra Hind 22” training exercise has been organized begins in Nagaland? - 23rd
between which two countries? ## Recently which anniversary of Longewala battle has
- India and Australia been celebrated as Parakram Diwas?
## Which edition of Aero India 2023 to be held in - 51th
Bengaluru? - 14th ## Recently which Foundation Day Celebrated of
## Which edition of Global Technology Summit to be Directorate of Revenue Intelligence?
held in New Delhi? - 7th - 65th
## World’s first Intranasal Vaccine ____ has received ## International Cheetah Day and Wildlife Conservation
approval for Covid booster doses from Drugs Controller Day celebrated on which date?
General of India (DCGI)? - iNCOVACC - 4 December
Telangana government has launched the 10th phase of Rythu Bandhu, the investment support scheme
for farmers. Under this phase, 7,676 crores will be deposited in the bank accounts of over 70 lakh 54 MARCH 2023 MICA 9
thousand farmers towards investment support for the Rabi crop season.
SPOTLIGHT ALL THAT MATTERS
ABBREVIATIONS IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
EFR : Exchange Fluctuation Reserve 1 March World Civil Defence Day
EPF : Employees Provident Fund 3 March World Wildlife Day, World Hearing Day
FCA : Foreign Currency Assets 8 March International Women's Day
FCCB : Foreign Currency Convertible Bond 14 March International Day of Action for Rivers, Pi Day
15 March World Consumer Rights Day
FCNR(B) : Foreign Currency Non-resident (Banks)
18 March Ordnance Factories Day
FCNRA : Foreign Currency Non-resident Account 20 March World Sparrow Day
FCNRD : Foreign Currency Non-Repatriable Deposit 22 March World Water Day
FDI : Foreign Direct Investment 23 March World Meteorological Day
FEMA : Foreign Exchange Management Act 24 March World TB Day
DRI : Differential Rate of Interest Scheme 27 March World Theatre Day
ECONOMIC GLOSSARY BOOKS & AUTHORS
'Market Capitalization'
Market capitalization is the aggregate Revolutionaries – The
valuation of the company based on
its current share price and the total
01 Other Story of How
India Won Its Freedom

number of outstanding stocks. It is - Sanjeev Sanyal

calculated by multiplying the current
market price of the company's share
with the total outstanding shares of the Braving A Viral Storm:
company. India’s Covid-19 Vaccine
Story 02
Description: Market capitalization is
one of the most important characteristics - Aashish Chandorkar
that helps the investor determine the
returns and the risk in the share. It also
helps the investors choose the stock that
can meet their risk and diversification
criterion.
03 Spare

For instance, a company has 20 million - Prince Harry

outstanding shares and the current
market price of each share is Rs100.
Market capitalization of this company
will be 200,00,000 x 100=Rs 200
crore. Stocks of companies are of three
Roller Coaster: An
Affair with Banking 04
types. The stocks with a market cap of - Tamal Bandyopadhyay
Rs 10,000 crore or more are large cap
stocks. Company stocks with a market
cap between Rs 2 crore and 10 crore
are mid cap stocks and those less than
Rs 2 crore market cap are small cap
05 Jadunama

stocks. - Arvind Mandloi

HDFC borrows USD 400 million from IFC: As part of their efforts to promote climate goals, the
10 MICA MARCH 2023 International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided a loan to mortgage giant HDFC in the amount
of USD 400 million for the financing of green, affordable housing units.
 APPOINTMENTS THE PEOPLE
Vikas Purohit Major General Mohit Seth

M eta announced
appointment of former Tata
CLiQ CEO Vikas Purohit as the
the
M ajor General Mohit Seth
has took over as the
General Officer Commanding
director of global business group in (GOC) of the Counter Insurgency
India. In his new role, Purohit will Force Kilo. He took over from
lead Meta’s strategic relationship Major General Sanjiv Singh
with various brands and agencies to Slaria who has been moved to
boost the adoption of digital tools for Northern Command headquarters
revenue growth of India’s business. in Udhampur. In his distinguished
At Meta, apart from engaging military career spanning over
brands and agencies, Purohit will three decades, the General
also lead partnership initiatives with the media and creative Officer has held various prestigious staff and command
ecosystems to increase adoption of Meta’s digital tools. He will appointments in Jammu and Kashmir, the northeast and at
head the company’s key business vertical teams, agency teams, the Army headquarters.
and business solutions teams. India is a key market for tech Dinesh Kumar Shukla
giants like Meta especially with regards to growing adoption
of digital advertisement services by companies that use ad
campaigns to target their consumers. In FY22, Meta India’s A ccording to an order issued
from the Department of
Personnel & Training (DoPT),
gross ad revenues rose 74% YoY to Rs 16,189 crore largely on
the back of increase in adoption of its digital ad tools. the Appointments Committee of
the Cabinet (ACC) has approved
Ashwini Vaishnaw the appointment of Dinesh Kumar

U nion Minister of Railways, Shukla to the post of Chairperson

Ashwini Vaishnaw has been of the Atomic Energy Regulatory
appointed as the Chancellor of Gati Board (AERB). Shukla is the
Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara, Former Executive Director of
by President Smt. Draupadi AERB.
Murmu. It is noteworthy to mention Career: Dinesh Kumar Shukla a graduate in Mechanical
that Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw will be Engineering from Jabalpur University of Madhya Pradesh
the first Chancellor of Gati Shakti (MP). He joined the Department of Atomic Energy
Vishwavidyalaya. President also (DAE) in the year 1981 after completing the 25th batch of
appointed Dr Manoj Chaudhary BARC Training School. He has been associated with the
as the first Vice Chancellor of Gati commissioning of the high flux research reactor Dhruva
Shakti University, Vadodara. As per the Central University and later held the positions of Reactor Superintendent of
Act, 2009, Dr Manoj Chaudhary will hold the position of Vice Dhruva Research Reactor and Head of Reactor Operations
Chancellor of Gati Shakti University for five years from the Division (ROD) at BARC. As the head of ROD, BARC, he
date he assumes office. was responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the
Key points research reactors at Trombay.
1) Gati Shakti University was granted the central status
by the Union Cabinet in July 2022.
Richard Verma
2) In August 2022, the Central Government introduced
a bill in the Lok Sabha to convert the National
Rail and Transportation Institute, into Gati Shakti
U S President Joe Biden has
nominated Indian American
Richard R Verma to a top diplomatic
Vishwavidyalaya, an autonomous central university. position in the US Department of
3) The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill was State. Biden announced his intent
introduced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra to nominate Verma as Deputy
Pradhan which seeks to expand the scope of the Secretary of State for Management
university from beyond the railways to cover the entire and Resources.
transport sector to support the ambitious growth and Verma is the Chief Legal Officer
modernisation in the field. and Head of Global Public Policy
Anurag Kumar was appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Electronics Corporation of
India Limited (ECIL). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Kumar’s MARCH 2023 MICA 11
appointment to the post till the date of his superannuation i.e 31.01.2026.
THE PEOPLE APPOINTMENTS
at MasterCard. He was the United States Ambassador regime for institutionalised
to India and Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative arbitration. The Appointments
Affairs during the Obama administration. Committee of the Cabinet has
Earlier in his career, Verma was National Security approved the appointment of
Advisor to the United States Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Justice Hemant Gupta (retired) as
Democratic Whip, Minority Leader, and then-Majority NDIAC chairperson and that of
Leader of the United States Senate. Ganesh Chandru and Anant Vijay
Palli as its part-time members.
He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and
received numerous awards and decorations, including the About Hemant Gupta:- Justice
Distinguished Service Medal from the Department of State, Gupta, who demitted office on
the International Affairs Fellowship from the Council on October 14, was part of a bench
Foreign Relations, and the Meritorious Service Medal from which had delivered a split verdict on a batch of petitions
the United States Air Force. challenging the March 15 judgement of the Karnataka
High Court refusing to lift the ban on wearing of hijab in
Suhel Ajaz Khan educational institutions in the state.

A n Indian Foreign Service

official of 1997 batch, Dr.
Santosh Kumar Yadav
Suhel Ajaz Khan who is presently
the Ambassador of India to the S antosh Kumar Yadav, the
senior bureaucrat, was
appointed as the Chairman of the
Republic of Lebanon has been
appointed as the next Ambassador National Highway Authority of
of India to the Kingdom of Saudi India (NHAI). Santosh Kumar
Arabia. He will replace Dr. Ausaf Yadav is a 1995-batch Indian
Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. Administrative Service (IAS)
Dr. Khan is expected to take up officer of the Uttar Pradesh
the assignment shortly. cadre. He is currently serving as
the additional secretary in the
Aloke Singh Department of School Education

T he Air India management has and Literacy, Ministry of Education.

appointed Air India Express An order issued by the Department of Personnel and
CEO Aloke Singh as the chief Training (DoPT) confirms that the Appointments
of Air India’s low-cost airline Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of
business from January 1, 2023. Mr. Santosh Kumar Yadav under the Ministry of Road and
The Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Transport & Highways in the rank and pay of additional
business will consist of AirAsia secretary to the Government of India.
India and Air India Express.
Air India signed agreements to N Chandrasekaran
complete the acquisition of 100%
shareholding in AirAsia India
(AAI) and to subsidiarise it under Air India.
A ccording to the Maharashtra
government Tata Sons
chairman N Chandrasekaran will
According to the internal communication, current AirAsia head the new Economic Advisory
India CEO Sunil Bhaskaran will assume the leadership of Council of Maharashtra, the
a new initiative, an aviation training academy. After taking state government. Deputy Chief
over loss-making Air India in January this year, Tata group Minister Devendra Fadnavis
has been working on consolidating its airline business. made the announcement in the
Legislative Council in Nagpur.
Hemant Gupta “To make Maharashtra a trillion

F ormer Supreme Court judge, Hemant Gupta has been dollar economy, the state
appointed as the chairperson of New Delhi International government is setting up an Economic Advisory Council,
Arbitration Centre (NDIAC). The NDIAC was established to be headed by Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran,"
for the purpose of creating an independent and autonomous he said. It will function as a private research organization
Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, honours Adar Poonawalla with
12 MICA MARCH 2023 Patangrao Kadam award for vaccine work. Devendra Fadnavis also praised Serum Institute of India
and its CEO Adar Poonawalla for their work in the fight against COVID-19.
 APPOINTMENTS
with focus on issues related to agriculture, banking, Moo comes with over 25 years of experience in private
engineering and education, among others, Fadnavis added. banking, wealth management and capital markets. This
The government is also focusing on certain 'aspirational' includes 22 years in Goldman Sachs, as well as time spent in
regions to enhance the state's human development index. New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. From 2017 to 2019,
Moo was the CEO for Goldman Sachs (Singapore). Moo
Praveen K Srivastava joins BoS from Julius Baer where he was head of private

V igilance Commissioner
Praveen Kumar Srivastava
has been appointed as the acting
banking, Southeast Asia and branch manager Singapore.
Maithili Thakur
Central Vigilance Commissioner
(CVC). He appointment comes
after Suresh N. Patel completed
F olk singer Maithili Thakur
was appointed the state
icon for Bihar by the Election
his term as the chief of the anti- Commission. The singer will
corruption watchdog Central create awareness among the
Vigilance Commission on voters for their participation in the
December 24. The commission is electoral process. This recognition
headed by a CVC and can have a will give her (Maithili) more
maximum of two Vigilance Commissioners. Besides Mr. impetus to spread Bihar’s folk
Srivastava, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Arvind music across continents and
Kumar is the other Vigilance Commissioner. The tenure of generate awareness about the
a CVC and vigilance commissioner is of four years or till importance of participating in the electoral process.
the incumbent attains the age of 65 years. About the Maithili Thakur:- Maithili, born in Bihar’s
Ajay Kumar Srivastava Madhubani district, along with her two brothers, were
trained by their grandfather and father in folk, Hindustani
A jay Kumar Srivastava has
been elevated as Managing
Director and CEO of Indian
classical music, harmonium and tabla.
Vinaya Prakash Singh

A
Overseas Bank with effect from ccording to the Ministry
January 1, 2023 from his current of Communications,
posting as executive director. He Vinaya Prakash Singh, a former
started his banking career as a Member (Personnel), Postal
probationary officer in 1991 with Services Board, was elected as
Allahabad Bank where he worked the union’s Secretary General
in various capacities in different and will assume responsibility
parts of the country. He is an for the position for a four-year
astute and hardcore banker with Vast field-level experience term following the successful
and has the distinction of having successfully led the largest elections held during the 13th
and most critical areas of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Delhi APPU Congress, which was held
while working at a senior level in Allahabad Bank. in Bangkok during the months of August and September
Jason Moo 2022. The Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU), which has
its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, will be led by India
B ank of Singapore (BoS),
the private banking arm
of Oversea-Chinese Banking
starting this month.
The union’s activities are overseen by the secretary general,
Corporation (OCBC), announced who also serves as director of the Asian Pacific Postal
that it has appointed Jason College (APPC), the largest intergovernmental postal
Moo as its new CEO. BoS’s training facility in the area.
announcement comes after Chetan Sharma
Bloomberg’s article on Dec 26,
2022. Moo will succeed Bahren
Shaari officially from March 6 C hetan Sharma was reappointed as the chairman of
the senior selection committee, exactly two months
after his entire panel was disbanded by the BCCI for the
onwards.
Odisha won the UN-Habitat’s World Habitat Awards 2023 for Jaga Mission, a 5T initiative of the state.
The awards recognize and highlight innovative, outstanding and revolutionary housing ideas, projects MARCH 2023 MICA 13
and programmes from across the world.
THE PEOPLE APPOINTMENTS
Indian team’s semifinal exit Anurag Kumar comes with several years of extensive
in the T20 World Cup. Salil experience in Project Management, Strategy Development
Ankola, Shiv Sunar Das, Subroto & Implementation and Strategic Planning. Over the years, he
Banerjee and Sridharan Sharath has garnered experience across diverse verticals including
are new members of the selection ITES, Telecom and Mass Manufacturing sectors, in areas
committee. The new committee such as business development, corporate planning and
has been picked by the Cricket strategy, new market entry, commercial management and
Advisory Committee comprising negotiations, and engineering and operations management.
Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape
and Sulakshana Naik. The Surinder Chawla
committee further recommended
Chetan Sharma for the role of Chairman of the senior men’s
selection committee.
P aytm Payments Bank has
received banking regulator
RBI’s nod to appoint Surinder
Chawla as its Managing Director
Anurag Kumar and CEO. The RBI, however,

A nurag Kumar was appointed as

the Chairman and Managing
Director of Electronics Corporation
continues to bar Paytm Payments
Bank from on-boarding new
customers. Before joining PPBL,
of India Limited (ECIL). The Chawla was working with RBL
Appointments Committee of the Bank, where he served as Head –
Cabinet (ACC) has approved Branch Banking and focused on
Kumar’s appointment to the post expanding the CASA base, fee revenue, and cross-selling
till the date of his superannuation across channels. The company in its regulatory filing said that
i.e 31.01.2026. According to an the latest appointment comes as part of PPBL’s ongoing efforts
order issued from the Department to strengthen its leadership team, enhance its technology
of Personnel & Training (DoPT), capabilities and drive financial inclusion in the country.
Kumar has been appointed to the post of CMD of ECIL for a Career of Surinder Chawla:- Chawla brings with him
period with effect from the date of his assumption of charge a career in retail banking spanning over 28 years across
of the post till the date of his superannuation i.e January 31, institutions such as HDFC Bank, RBL Bank, ABN Amro
2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. He joins PPBL from
Earlier, PSU Watch had reported when Kumar was RBL Bank, where he served as head of branch banking
recommended for the post of CMD of ECIL by the PESB and focused on expanding the Current Account Savings
panel on September 1, 2022. Presently, ECIL’s Director Account (CASA) base, fee revenue, and cross-selling
(Personnel) is holding additional charge of ECIL’s CMD post. across channels.

AWARDS
IEI Industry Excellence Award The Institution of Engineers (India) has given the
Industry Excellence Award to NMDC , after reviewing the
2022 business operations, financial performance, environmental

N ational
NMDC won the
Miner

coveted IEI (Institution

performance, research and development, CSR and
corporate governance policies of a company. With an
eco-friendly, economic and efficient approach, NMDC is
of Engineers, India) taking up transformational projects to retain its domestic
Industry Excellence leadership and foray towards becoming a global mining
Award 2022 on 16th company.
December, 2022 in
Chennai. The largest Sonakshi Sinha

B
producer of the iron ore ollywood actress, Sonakshi Sinha has been awarded
in the country was felicitated at the 37th Indian Engineering PETA India’s 2022 Person of the Year title. Sonakshi’s
Congress for its outstanding performance and high level of actions helped save the lives of many animals killed for
business excellence. fashion, but her strong advocacy for dog and cat rights

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Doda district administration has launched e-library to benefit thousands
14 MICA MARCH 2023 of students of the district by providing them with notes and study material prepared by the best
subject matter specialists in the district.
 AWARDS
earned her the title. She & Innovation under the Ministry of Industry Science,
is actively involved in Technology & Innovation (MISTI), Kingdom of Cambodia.
animal welfare activities She has won the cash prize of USD 1,500 by virtue of being
and regularly voices out the winner of first prize.
the need for stronger The 2nd and 3rd prize has been won by grassroots innovators
animal protection laws. from Philippines and Myanmar respectively who have won
Last year, Alia Bhatt was USD 1000 and USD 500 respectively.
awarded the same title.
About PETA: PETA Sethrichem Sangtam
stands for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA
was founded in 1980 and is dedicated to establishing and
defending the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the
S ethrichem Sangtam,
who helped triple
the incomes of 1,200
simple principle that animals are not ours to experiment on, marginalised farmers
eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way. in Eastern Nagaland,
PETA is the largest animal rights organization in the world, was awarded the first
and PETA entities have more than 9 million members and Rohini Nayyar prize for
supporters globally. outstanding contribution
to rural development. The
Sargam Koushal prize awarded to an individual 40 years or under in age, was

S argam Kaushal
represented India and
was elected Mrs. World in
presented by the Niti Ayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery.
Mr. Sangtam works with 1,200 marginalised farmers in
Eastern Nagaland through his organisation ‘Better Life
Las Vegas on December Foundation’, which focusses on rural livelihood security,
18, 2022. Mrs Kaushal environment sustainability and education for change.
defeated competitors Among his many achievements were encouraging farmers
from 63 nations to reclaim in the region to abandon wasteful slash, burn cultivation
the crown for India after and move to permanent farming. The average income of
21 years. the farmers tripled as a result of his interventions.
The Mrs India pageant organizers announced the news on
Instagram, writing, "The long wait is over, we got the title Top Green Building Award
back after 21 years" Sargam Kaushal, a citizen of Jammu
and Kashmir, also posted a video expressing her joy at
earning the title. Sargam Koushal, 32, is a model, painter,
T he
Identification
Unique

Authority of India (UIDAI)

and content writer. She has a master's degree in English Headquarter in New Delhi
literature as well as a bachelor's degree in education. has won the prestigious
Koushal's father is an ex-banker. She commended him for GRIHA Exemplary
motivating her to pursue her dreams in life. Performance Award 2022,
a top national level Green
Shalini Kumari Building Award.

M s Shalini Kumari
from India received
first prize in the Grassroots
GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is
a national rating system for green buildings in India. UIDAI
HQ has been declared a winner among the existing highest
Innovation Competition rated building category. UIDAI believes and promotes the
at the 3rd ASEAN India idea of recycle and reuse to reduce carbon footprint. It has
Grassroots Innovation been harnessing solar power to meet a portion of its energy
forum for her innovation consumption. It is recycling and reusing water and has
‘Modified walker with been adhering to sustainable waste management practices.
adjustable legs’. on an average, 25% to 30% of its daily water consumption
Ms Shalini Kumari received the prize from H.E Dr. Hul is coming from recycled water. Similarly, the UIDAI HQ
Seingheng, Cambodia COSTI Chairman and Director building is also recharging ground water 3590 KL per year,
General, General Department of Science, Technology on an average.
India will assume the chairmanship of the plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement for one year. The
42-member Wassenaar Arrangement is a voluntary export control regime that monitors transfers of MARCH 2023 MICA 15
conventional weapons and dual-use goods.
THE PEOPLE AWARDS
Prof. Thalappil Pradeep Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize

I ndian scientist, Prof. 2021-22

T
Thalappil Pradeep, he Rabindranath
Indian Institute of Tagore Literary
Technology, Madras Prize has been jointly
received VinFuture won by Sudeep Sen for
special prize on 20th his genre and formbender
Dec. 2022 in Hanoi Anthropocene: Climate
for innovation of a Change, Contagion,
low-cost filtration Consolation (Pippa Rann
system to remove arsenic and other heavy metals from Books & Media, 2021)
groundwater. and Shobhana Kumar for her haibun collection A Sky Full
About Thalappil Pradeep - Thalappil Pradeep is an institute of Bucket Lists (Red River, 2021). The winners, awarded
professor and professor of chemistry in the Department of $10,000 and a Rabindranath Tagore statuette, were picked
Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. from a shortlist of 11 at India International Centre, with
He is also the Deepak Parekh Chair Professor. In 2020 he the Tagore Prize for social achievement going to Sanjoy K
received the Padma Shri award for his distinguished work Roy, producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
in the field of Science and Technology.
Wharton-QS Reimagine Education
Place of birth: Malappuram
Awards 2022

T
Kura Pokkhir Shunye Ura and he Wharton-
Upon Entry Awarded Best Film QS Reimagine

K
Education Awards, gave
ura Pokkhir Shunye
significant recognition
Ura (The Golden
to the Indian Institute
Wings of Watercocks)
of Technology, Madras
of Bangladesh and Upon
(IIT-M). The best
Entry of Spain won
programme awards
the Best Film Award
went to the IIT Madras
at the 28th Kolkata
courses, BS Data Science and NPTEL in partnership with
International Film
IISc Bangalore. The institute has been awarded and its BS
Festival.
in Data Science and Applications is awarded the silver in
Upon Entry is a film from Spain which is a story about the best online programme category. While, the National
the unexpected interrogation of a couple from Barcelona Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL),
that has to go through after landing in New York with pre- a joint initiative of IITs and IISc, run by IIT Madras, won
approved immigration visas. Kura Pokkhir Shunye Ura is the gold in the lifelong learning category.
a Bangladeshi Film that revolves around the journey of a
The Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Applications
peasant who is affected by the fury of nature.
program is a sought-after undergraduate degree that is
Key Points: uniquely designed to address the employability of students in
1) Kura Pokkhir Shunye Ura is directed by Muhammad this domain. The programme opens the door to the world of
Quayum who was present at the venue. data science and programming where the demand for skilled
resources is very high, to anyone from any background and
2) He dedicated the awards to the recognition of
of any age group. This tailor-made programme provides core
independent filmmakers of his country.
employment-oriented skills to students.”
3) The directors of Upon Entry, Alejandro Rojas and Juan
Sebastian Vasquez virtually thanked the audience and Prabhu Chandra Mishra
the jury.
4) The best film at the International Film Festival gets the O n the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of
the country Atal Bihari Vajpayee, many personalities
who played an important role in various fields were
Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award and prize money of
`51 lakh. honored, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi during 9th Atal

India's badminton star PV Sindhu is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes' annual list of the
16 MICA MARCH 2023 highest-paid female athletes in the world. Sindhu, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist, occupies
the 12th spot in the list.
 AWARDS
Samman Samaroh. railway stations that set
Prabhu Chandra Mishra benchmarks in providing
has been awarded Atal safe and wholesome food
Samman Award for his to passengers. The station
excellence in field of is awarded a certificate
science & research. His upon a conclusion of an
area of work is Stem FSSAI-empanelled third-
Cell & Regenerative party audit agency with
Medicine in infertility ratings from 1 to 5. The
especially when IVF also fails. The diseases like premature 5-star rating indicates full compliance by the station to
ovarian failure, thin endometrium, Asherman syndrome ensure safe and hygienic food is available to passengers.
Etc have shown satisfactory results with body’s own cells. The certification is part of the 'Eat Right India' movement- a
PRP & bone marrow-derived StemCells Research have large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country's food
shown promising hope for these patients/ couples who are system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all
struggling for their own child’s. Indians. Eat Right India adopts a judicious mix of regulatory,
About Prabhu Mishra: Prabhu Mishra is the President of capacity building, collaborative, and empowerment approaches
International Association of StemCell & Regenerative to ensure that our food is suitable both for the people and the
Medicine and ace Regenerative Medicine scientist and planet. The other railway stations with Star certification include
travelled around the globe for his work. He also wrote Anand Vihar Terminal Railway Station (Delhi); Chhatrapati
an interesting book on stemcells, called StemCell & Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai); Mumbai Central Railway Station,
Regenerative Medicine in infertility. (Mumbai); Vadodara Railway Station, Chandigarh Railway
Station and Bhopal Railway Station.
World Habitat Award 2023
‘Best Police Unit’ Award
O disha won the UN-
Habitat’s
Habitat Awards 2023
World
J alna district police and
Nagpur city police in
for Jaga Mission, a 5T Maharashtra have been
initiative of the state. awarded the Best Police
The awards recognize Unit Awards for 2021 in
and highlight innovative, the state under different
outstanding and classes for maintaining
revolutionary housing law and order, use of
ideas, projects and programmes from across the world. The modern technology, and
Jaga mission is the land titling and slum upgrading program evolving community policing and administration. The Jalna
that aims at empowering the lives of slum dwellers. Police got the award in Class A and the Nagpur Police in
About Jaga Mission- Jaga mission is the world’s largest Class B. The winners were announced by Additional Director
land titling and slum upgrading program which aims at General of Police (Law and Order) Kulwant Sarangal.
empowering the lives of slum dwellers. Under the inspiring Key Points
leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Government • Police units with less than 6,100 Indian Penal Code
of Odisha has set itself the ambitious target of becoming the Cases are grouped in Class A.
first slum-free state in India and is leading the Jaga Mission
• In Class B, there are more than 6,100 Indian Penal
programme to upgrade all of the state’s 2,919 slums.
Code Cases.
Varanasi Cantt Railway Station • In Class A, Raigarh district police got the second-best
awarded ‘Eat Right Station’ police unit award.

I
• The Sindhudurg district police won for the best unit for
ndian Railways’ Varanasi Cantt Railway Station has
conviction in session trial cases.
been awarded a 5- star 'Eat Right Station' certification
for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. • Beed district police was awarded for the best unit in
This certification is granted by FSSAI to railway stations techno for policing.
adhering to standard food storage and hygiene practices. • Gadchiroli Police was awarded for the best unit in
The 'Eat Right Station' certification is awarded by FSSAI to community policing initiatives.
Pakistani film "Joyland" may have faced trials and tribulations at home but to the international
community, it was a banger from the start and now has been shortlisted for the Oscars, the first ever MARCH 2023 MICA 17
movie to do so from the country.
THE PEOPLE AWARDS
• The police units were evaluated based on their has also been nominated in the Best Non-English Language
performance on 45 pre-selected parameters. Film category at the 80th Golden Globes. The awards are
• Jalna Police force comes under the Aurangabad range. considered a precursor for the Oscars.
Golden Globe Award Digital India Awards 2022

I ndian film RRR's super

hit song Natu Natu
has won the prestigious
e -NAM, a flagship
initiative of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Farmers
Golden Globe award for Welfare, has won the
Best Original Song. The Platinum Award in the
history creating track Digital Empowerment
from the director SS of Citizens Category in
Rajamouli’s blockbuster Digital India Awards 2022
movie is composed by held in New Delhi. The
MM Keeravani. The singers are Kaala Bhairava and Rahul President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, as Chief Guest of
Sipligunj. “Naatu Naatu,” which became an anthem of sorts the event, has conferred the Digital India Awards, 2022.
for the Rajamouli fans is a dance number featuring Jr NTR and What is e-NAM- e-NAM is a digital platform integrating
Ram Charan. It created ripples for its elaborate choreography 1260 APMC mandis across 22 States and 3 UTs to facilitate
and musical storytelling. online trading of 203 agriculture and horticulture commodities
Natu Natu left behind Taylor Swift’s “Carolina” from Where to enable farmers to realize better remunerative prices for their
the Crawdads Sing, “Ciao Papa” from Guillermo del Toro’s produce. e-NAM is catalysing the digital transformation of
Pinocchio, Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: mandi operations and e- trading of agricultural commodities.
Maverick, and “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda As on 31.12.2022, more than 1.74 Crore farmers & 2.39 Lakh
Forever, performed by Rihanna. The historical epic, RRR traders have been registered on e-NAM portal.

OBITUARY
Bhairon Singh Rathore wrote, "Deeply saddened to hear the demise of Kaikala
Satyanarayana Garu.. His contribution to our film industry
L ance Naik Bhairon Singh
Rathore, a BSF veteran and
hero of the 1971 India-Pakistan War,
will be remembered forever !! May his soul rest in peace".
H.R. Keshava Murthy

H
passed away in Jodhpur at the age
.R. Keshava Murthy, a
of 81. The BSF veteran’s bravery at
senior gamaka exponent,
Rajasthan’s Longewala post during
who was honoured with Padma
the war was portrayed by actor
Shri earlier this year, passed
Suniel Shetty in the Bollywood
away. He was born in a family
movie ‘Border’. He served in the
of gamaka artists. He had his
14th BSF unit during the war and
initial training from his father
retired from service in 1987.
Ramaswamy Shastry. Under
Kaikala Satyanarayana the guidance of Venkateshaiah
he continued his studies. Over
L egendary Telugu actor Kaikala
Satyanarayana passed away
in Hyderabad. He was 87 years
the decades he has presented
hundreds of programmes and trained many students.
Through his performances, he publicised noted Kannada
old. The death of the 'Sri Ranga
epics. Hosahalli, his native place, is known for many music
Neethulu' actor, who was also a
talents.
producer, director and politician,
was condoled by a number of Awards and Honours: Keshava Murthy has been honored
personalities from Tollywood. with many awards inlcuding Shantala Natya Shri award, by
Noting the contribution of the the State government and different cultural organisations.
'Bangaru Kutumbam' actor to The President honoured him with the Padma Shri this year.
the Telugu industry, Ram Charan The residents of his village celebrated the occasion.
The focal theme of this year's Indian Science Congress is Science and Technology for Sustainable
18 MICA MARCH 2023 Development with Women Empowerment. This year's ISC was held at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj
Nagpur University, Maharashtra.
 OBITUARY
Footballer Pele April 16, 1927, in the southern German village of
Marktl, close to Austria.
B razilian football legend Pele,
who won a record three
World Cups has passed away at
About the Pope: Pope is a title which is given to the Bishop
of Rome who is the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
the age of 82. Widely regarded as He is also the head of the sovereign country of Vatican City.
one of soccer’s greatest players, Roman Catholics are the largest of the three major branches
Pele is credited with scoring a of Christianity.
world record 1,281 goals in 1,363
appearances during a 21-year
RK Krishnakumar
career, including 77 goals in 92
matches for his country. The only
player to win the World Cup three
R Krishnakumar, a close
confidante of Ratan Tata and
a group veteran, passed away.
times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was Kerala-born Krishnakumar, who
named Fifa's Player of the Century in 2000. had served at multiple positions
in the group, including heading
His daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture of what
its hospitality arm Indian Hotels,
appeared to be Pele's family's hands on his body in the
was 84. He had been active with
hospital and wrote, everything we are is thanks to you. We
the Tata Trusts after his retirement
love you infinitely.
from executive roles and was
Heeraben reportedly a part of the team which
worked alongside Ratan Tata in the Cyrus Mistry ouster
P rime Minister Narendra
Modi's mother Smt Heeraben
cremated at the crematorium in
episode. In 2009, Krishnakumar was awarded Padma Shri.
Krishna Kumar, well known as KK, was instrumental in
Gandhinagar. Shrimati Hiraben the 271 million pounds buy-out of Tetley in 2000, which
breathed her last at UN Mehta not only catapulted Tata Global Beverages to the No. 2 spot
Institute of Cardiology and among the world’s tea makers but also brought the group
Research Center Ahmedabad. and India Inc to the international stage. He served as the
managing director (MD) of Tata Global Beverages from
Prime Minister Modi came to
May 1991 to January 1998.
Ahmedabad and after his arrival,
the mortal remains of Smt Sumitra Sen

N
Heeraben cremated. Recalling his meeting with his mother
oted Rabindra Sangeet
on her 100th birthday, the Prime Minister said that she
exponent, Sumitra Sen
encouraged him to work with intelligence and live a life
has passed away at the age of
with purity.
89. She will be remembered
Pope Benedict XVI for her rendition of songs like
Jokhon Porbe Na Mor, Sokhi
S tatement released by the
Vatican, the former Pope
Benedict XVI has passed
Vabona Kahare Bole and Mone
Ki Dwidha. Her rendition of Aaj
Jyotsna Raate Shobai Gechhe
away in the Mater Ecclesiae
Bone in Ritwik Ghatak’s classic
Monastery in the Vatican. He
movie Komal Gandhar has
was 95 years old. The head of
remained a steadfast interpretation of the song. She was
the Catholic Church, former
honoured with the Sangeet Mahasamman award by West
Pope Benedict, was the first
Bengal government in 2012.
pope in 600 years to resign.
He resigned in 2013 and was About the Rabindra Sangeet- Rabindra Sangeet also
replaced by the present pope known as Tagore Songs, are songs from the Indian
Francis. Pope Benedict was the first German to become subcontinent written and composed by the Bengali polymath
pope in 1000 years. He was the head of the Vatican City Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the 1913 Nobel Prize in
from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February Literature. Rabindra Sangeet refers to the 2000 plus songs
2013. He was born as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on and poetry of love and devotion composed by Tagore.
NITI Aayog has informed that during the current year up to November 2022, mobile phone exports
have already crossed 40,000 crore rupees, which is more than double the exports made during the MARCH 2023 MICA 19
same period last year, 2021.
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
Burning Topics of the Month

India, Australia Economic 1st All India Annual

India will become third
Cooperation & Trade States' on "Water
largest economy by 2035.
Agreement. Vision@2047" Begins.

& Many More...

for Crimes Against Peacekeepers’ launched during India’s
IICA signs MoU with DSNLU
current presidency of the UN Security Council.
15 Dec' 22

T
he Indian
PM launches Grih Pravesh
Institute of programme 19 Dec' 22

P
Corporate
rime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and
Affairs (IICA),
laid the foundation stone for several development
Manesar established
projects worth over Rs 6,800 crore in Tripura and
by the Ministry of
Meghalaya. In Tripura, the Prime Minister launched
Corporate Affairs
projects worth Rs 4,350 crore. These projects include
(MCA), Government
'Griha Pravesh' program for the beneficiaries under
of India and
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban and Pradhan Mantri
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU),
Awas Yojana-Gramin.
Vishakhapatnam have entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on December 14, 2022. According to Shri Modi, in the last eight years, many
national highways have been constructed in the Northeast
IICA is established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
and many rural areas are also connected by roads. The
as a think-tank and a Centre of Excellence to support
government is dedicated to improving the lives of tribal
the growth of the corporate sector in India through an
communities, he said. In Meghalaya, the Prime Minister
integrated and multi-disciplinary approach. IICA has been
unveiled projects worth over Rs 2,450 crore.
mandated to offer capacity building and advisory solutions
to Government, Statutory Authorities, Private Sector, etc,
Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone
apart from taking up research in the corporate area.
of 8 National Highway projects
The MOU is signed between IICA and DSNLU for the
purpose of academic collaboration that will encompass 19 Dec' 22

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offer and award of degree, diploma and certificate courses nion Minister for Road Transport and Highways
of contemporary importance. Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid
foundation stone of 8 National Highway projects
India launches ‘Group of Friends’ of 226 km length worth Rs 1800 crore at Igatpuri ,Nashik,
16 Dec' 22 Maharashtra.

I
ndia has launched a ‘Group of Friends’ to promote With these highway projects transportation in the district
accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, with will be accessible and safe, Fuel and time will be saved, as
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announcing that well as pollution will be less. These projects will make
New Delhi will soon have a database that will record all it easier for agricultural and handicraft business to reach
crimes against the Blue Helmets. the local markets, help in connectivity of the rural areas
with the cities more accessible, as well as new industries
India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal are
and new employment opportunities will be created through
co-chairs of the ‘Group of Friends to Promote Accountability
them.
The 10th Edition of the North East Festival began at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi,
20 MICA MARCH 2023 December 23. The festival aims to promote the North East region's diverse life, culture, traditions,
and tourism.
 NATIONAL
businesses. Businesses should see that their policies,
India ranked 3rd globally in the
practices, inputs and outputs are beneficial to all the
publication of scientific papers stakeholders. The impact leaders of the IICA certified ESG
20 Dec' 22 professional programme will have this responsibility to

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balance the purpose, people, planet and profit.
nion Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra
Singh has revealed that India had jumped from 7th Nitin Gadkari Launches First-ever
to 3rd in global scientific publications and scholarly
output, according to a report by America’s National Science
‘Surety Bond Insurance’ 21 Dec' 22

R
Foundation. India also ranks third globally in the number oad, transport
of PhDs produced annually. In a similar upward trend, the and highways
number of patents granted by the India Patents Office to minister Nitin
Indian scientists has more than doubled in just the last four Gadkari launched the
years. country’s first-ever
Key points- surety bond insurance
product, a move that
1) India’s scholarly output increased from 60,555 papers
would reduce the
in 2010 to 1, 49,213 papers in 2020.
dependence of infra
2) China leads the world in the publication of the developers of bank guarantee. Surety Bond Insurance will
maximum number of scientific papers followed by The act as a security arrangement for infrastructure projects and
United States of America. will insulate the contractor as well as the principal.
Importance:- The Surety Bond Insurance is a risk transfer
Govt accords approval for setting up tool for the Principal and shields the Principal from the
21 Greenfield Airports 20 Dec' 22 losses that may arise in case the contractor fails to perform

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their contractual obligation.
he Government has accorded in-principle approval
for setting up 21 Greenfield Airports across the The product gives the principal a contract of guarantee that
country. So far nine Greenfield airports have already contractual terms and other business deals will be concluded
been operationalized and the tenth Greenfield airport at in accordance with the mutually agreed terms. In case the
Mopa, Goa has been inaugurated on 11th of this month. contractor doesn’t fulfil the contractual terms, the Principal
can raise a claim on the surety bond and recover the losses
During pre-Covid period, in the year 2018-19 the number
they have incurred.
of passengers footfall at airports across the country had
increased by 11.6 per as compared to 2017-18. Passenger
footfall had decreased during the pandemic era. However,
India becomes the largest producer
post-Covid, in the year 2021-22, the trend shows an and exporter of sugar 22 Dec' 22

A
increase of 63.7 percent over the year 2020-21.
ccording to Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Minister Narendra Singh Tomar the farmers are
IICA launches ESG Impact Leader getting more money directly in their accounts
Programme 21 Dec' 22 through Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. He said use

I
of technology has eliminated the middlemen, brought
ndian Institute of Corporate Affairs, an autonomous
transparency, and benefited the farmers.
institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, Government of India has launched a programme Mr. Tomar highlighted the measures taken by the
to create Impact Leaders in the areas of Environmental- government to ensure food availability, create robust
Social-Governance (ESG). mechanisms for the procurement of foodgrains, and
effective implementation of One Nation One Ration card
Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
initiative in the country.
Change, Govt. of India Ms Leena Nandan was the Chief
Guest at the launch. Three lakh 81 thousand crore rupees have reached the
accounts of farmers through DBT scheme.
In future this association may also act as a regulatory
body to strengthen the ESG Profession in India. He said The Minister said, more than one lakh 14 thousand crore
that ‘Purpose before profit’ is a new vision given to the rupees dues of sugarcane farmers have been cleared out
The first-of-its-kind inclusive festival in India, 'Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity' is begins in Goa.
which aims to showcase how we can come together to create a welcoming and inclusive world for MARCH 2023 MICA 21
everyone.
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
of the total dues of more than one lakh 18 thousand crore said that over the next five years, India's annual rate of
rupees for the season 2021-22. He informed that India has GDP growth is expected to average 6.4 percent after which
become the largest producer and exporter of sugar. growth is expected to average 6.5 percent in the subsequent
nine years.
Parliament passes Maritime Anti- CEBR also adds that by 2037, world gross domestic product
Piracy Bill 2022 22 Dec' 22 will be doubled as developing economies will catch up

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with the richer ones. The shifting balance of power will see
arliament has passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill the East Asia and Pacific region account for over a third of
2022 with Rajya Sabha approving it. The Bill has global output by 2037, while Europe's share shrinks to less
already been passed by Lok Sabha. The Bill enables than a fifth.
Indian authorities to act against piracy on the high seas. It
applies to the sea beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone, It said on the other hand, the global economy will face recession
which is beyond 200 nautical miles from India’s coastline. in 2023 mainly due to rises in interest rates by the central banks
The Bill defines piracy as any illegal act of violence, to arrest higher inflation. In its annual World Economic League
detention, or destruction against a ship, aircraft, person, for Table, it said global economy surpassed 100 trillion Dollar for
private purposes, by the crew or passengers of a private the first time in 2022, but will stall in 2023 as policy makers
ship or aircraft. continue their fight against soaring prices.

Power Ministry, DRDO sign MoU India, Australia Economic

27 Dec' 22 Cooperation & Trade Agreement

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30 Dec' 22
ower Ministry and the Defence Research and

I
Development Organisation, DRDO, have signed ndia - Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade
an Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, for Agreement, ECTA, comes into force. The two nations
implementation of Early Warning System for Vulnerable signed the Agreement on the 2nd of April this year.
Hydro Projects and Power Stations. Power Secretary Alok ECTA is the first trade agreement of India with a developed
Kumar and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat signed the country after more than a decade. Our correspondent
MoU in New Delhi. It is to work jointly towards developing reports that the Agreement encompasses cooperation across
suitable mitigation measures against avalanches, landslides, the gamut of bilateral economic and commercial relations
glaciers, glacial lakes and other geo-hazards. between the two friendly countries.
Power Ministry has taken the initiative of implementing Under this trade agreement, Indian exports will benefit
Early Warning System, EWS, in the Hydro Power Projects, from preferential zero-duty market access in Australia for
especially in upper reaches of Hilly regions. EWS is an 100 per cent of its tariff lines. It will help India’s labor-
integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting and intensive sectors. As a result of this agreement, ten lakh
prediction, disaster risk assessment, communication and jobs are estimated to be created in the country. The total
preparedness for timely action to reduce disaster risks in bilateral trade is expected to cross 45 to 50 billion dollars in
advance of hazardous events. five years from the existing 31 billion US dollars.
The expertise of DRDO will also be utilized in developing
comprehensive EWS for vulnerable hydro projects and Country registers 18% reduction in TB
power stations in hilly regions. Expertise of DRDO will cases 30 Dec' 22

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also be utilized in developing comprehensive EWS, for
these projects. he country has witnessed an 18 percent reduction
in TB cases this year. According to Union Health
India will become third largest Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya the vision of the
Government is to end Tuberculosis in India by 2025, five
economy by 2035 27 Dec' 22 years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal.

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he Centre for Economics and Business Research To undertake intensified TB elimination project, Indian
(CEBR), a British consultancy, has said India will Oil Corporation Limited has signed a Memorandum of
become third largest economy by 2035 from the Understanding, as part of its corporate Social responsibility
current fifth spot. In its annual World Economic League with the Central TB Division and the States of Uttar Pradesh
Table, the Centre for Economics and Business Research and Chhattisgarh.

According to Bibek Debroy, chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, India’s
22 MICA MARCH 2023 GDP will be close to USD 20 trillion by 2047 and per capita income may reach USD 10,000 (at
current value of USD).
 NATIONAL
Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh share the highest burden of the State of Goa, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa conveyed
TB cases among the large States of India. Dr. Mandaviya unanimous decision of the Cabinet of State Government of
hailed the signing of the MOU by stating that these MoUs Goa to name the Greenfield International Airport, Mopa,
are of immense importance in eliminating the menace of TB. Goa as ‘Manohar International Airport – Mopa Goa’.
Indian Oil has emerged as the first corporate to supplement The Greenfield Airport at Mopa, Goa has been inaugurated
State's efforts in Active Case Finding campaign by investing by Hon,ble Prime Minister in December, 2022. The Airport
64 crore rupees in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. has been named after Late Dr. Manohar Parrikar, former
Chief Minister and Ex-Raksha Mantri of Union of India in
Cabinet approves National Green recognition of his contribution in building up modern Goa.
Hydrogen Mission 05 Jan' 23
Coal India Limited & 4 central trade

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he Union unions ink MoU 05 Jan' 23

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Cabinet,
chaired by oal India
the Hon’ble Prime Limited
Minister Shri and the
Narendra Modi, has four central trade
approved National unions have inked
Green Hydrogen a Memorandum
Mission. The initial of Understanding
outlay for the Mission will be Rs.19,744 crore, including recommending a 19
an outlay of Rs.17,490 crore for the SIGHT programme, percent minimum
Rs.1,466 crore for pilot projects, Rs.400 crore for R&D, and guaranteed benefit to its employees. This will benefit two
Rs. 388 crore towards other Mission components. MNRE lakh 38 thousand non-executive employees as part of the
will formulate the scheme guidelines for implementation of ongoing National Coal Wage Agreement -XI.
the respective components. The minimum guaranteed benefit of 19 percent is on the
The Mission will have wide ranging benefits- creation of emoluments as of the 30th of June, 2021 which include
export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives; basic pay, variable dearness allowance, special dearness
Decarbonization of industrial, mobility and energy sectors; allowance, and attendance bonus. The four central trade
reduction in dependence on imported fossil fuels and unions Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Hind Mazdoor Sabha,
feedstock; development of indigenous manufacturing All India Trade Union Congress, and Centre of Indian
capabilities; creation of employment opportunities; and Trade Unions have taken a lead in finalizing the minimum
development of cutting-edge technologies. India’s Green guaranteed benefit amicably.
Hydrogen production capacity is likely to reach at least
5 MMT per annum, with an associated renewable energy India’s GDP nearing to $20 trillion by
capacity addition of about 125 GW. The targets by 2030 2047 05 Jan' 23

I
are likely to bring in over Rs. 8 lakh crore investments and
create over 6 lakh jobs. Nearly 50 MMT per annum of ndia’s GDP
CO2 emissions are expected to be averted by 2030. will be close to
USD 20 trillion
Cabinet gives approval for naming by 2047 and per
of Greenfield International Airport capita income may
reach USD 10,000
Mopa 05 Jan' 23 (at current value of

T
he Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime USD), Bibek Debroy,
Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto chairman, Economic
approval for naming of Greenfield International Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, said.
Airport Mopa, Goa as ‘Manohar International Airport Virtually addressing the inaugural session at the 57th
Mopa, Goa’, as a mark of tribute to Late Shri Manohar Annual Conference of the Indian Econometric Society
Parrikar, Ex- Defence Minister and Four-time Goa Chief (TIES) held at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) here,
Minister. To fulfil the cherished aspirations of the people of he said though the COVID-19 pandemic may have passed,
Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, successfully carried out a training launch
of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the MARCH 2023 MICA 23
Odisha coast.
NEWS BITES NATIONAL
still there is a lot of uncertainty around the world on what Union Home
is happening in China, about the Russia-Ukraine conflict Minister also visited
growth prospects in Europe and the USA. Churachandpur district
“In 2047, India will have a per capita income of the value and inaugurated
of dollars of 10,000 US Dollars. The average size of the Churachandpur
GDP will be approaching close to 20 trillion US Dollars Medical College
too. India, therefore, will be a transformed society,” a press there. It is the first -
release from the varsity quoting Debroy said. ever medical college
constructed in the hill
1st All India Annual States' on "Water district of Manipur. He came to the historic site Moirang where
he hoisted a one hundred sixty-five feet high Indian National
Vision@2047" Begins 06 Jan' 23 flag in INA Headquarters Complex.

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he 1st All India Moirang is a town in Manipur that was liberated from
Annual States' British colonial rule by the Indian Nation Army under
Ministers Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during the Second World War.
Conference on "Water
Vision@2047" began India, Panama sign MoU to enhance
in Bhopal, Madhya cooperation in training of diplomats
Pradesh. The two
days conference
10 Jan' 23

I
began with the ndia and Panama
auspicious ‘Jal Kalash’ ceremony by the Chief Guest and have signed a
Dignitaries. The ceremony was followed by a special address Memorandum
by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi via video message of Understanding
wherein PM highlighted the importance of the Conference (MoU) to enhance
of Water Ministers of the country by shining the light on cooperation in
the unprecedented work done by India in areas of water the training of
security. PM highlighted that water is a state subject as per diplomats. External
the Constitution of India and therefore, it is the states' efforts Affairs Minister Dr
for water conservation that will go a long way in achieving Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that in a bilateral meeting
the collective goals of the country. “Water Vision @ 2047 is with Panama's Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney Mencomo
an important dimension of the journey of Amrit Kaal for the in Indore, they also discussed the opportunities for greater
next 25 years”, the Prime Minister remarked. economic, health, finance and people to people linkages.
Highlighting the importance of the circular economy in the Dr Jaishankar informed that as democracies, both leaders
field of water conservation, the Prime Minister informed have also shared their perspectives on global situations. He
that the government has laid a lot of emphasis on circular also appreciated the Panamanian Minister for participating
economy in this budget. “When treated water is reused, in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
fresh water is conserved, it benefits the entire ecosystem.
That's why water treatment, water recycling is essential”. 1,000 Khelo India centres will be
“Our rivers, our water bodies are the most important part of opened across the country
the entire water ecosystem” the Prime Minister said as he
10 Jan' 23
emphasised creating a network of waste management and

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sewage treatment in every state. ccording to Union Minister of Sports and Youth
Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur, 1,000 Khelo India
Amit Shah launches 21 development centres will be opened across the country under
projects worth 1,311 crore rupees the Khelo India campaign. Out of this, 750 centres have
06 Jan' 23 already been opened and the remaining 250 will be opened
by August 2023.

U
nion Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Mr. Thakur said that between 2017 and 2021, the Modi
and laid the foundation stone of 21 development government spent 2,600 crore rupees on the Khelo India
projects worth 1,311 crore rupees in Manipur. campaign. An amount of 3,400 crore rupees has been
Axis Bank has partnered with OPEN to provide a fully native digital current account journey for its
24 MICA MARCH 2023 customers including SMEs (small and medium enterprises), freelancers, homepreneurs, influencers
and more.
 NATIONAL
approved for the coming years, he added. to prepare and at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. High
encourage players for the Olympics and international Commissioner Gopal Baglay and Vice Chancellor of
games, the Central Government is encouraging players Sabaragamuwa University Prof. Udaya Rathnayake signed
under the Target Podium scheme. He said, 100 crore rupees the MoU to establish the Hindi Chair as part of India’s
have been spent on this. cultural connect through the Indian Council for Cultural
The Union Minister said that more than 3,000 players are Relations.
prepared under the Khelo India campaign. He said, the The Hindi chair will help in familiarizing students with
Central Government spends more than six lakh rupees on India, its history, and culture as well as pave way for
the training of each player in the Khelo India campaign. popularising Hindi by deputing Indian faculties. Mr.
Sports Minister added former sports persons are also being Baglay also gave away prizes to the winners of the Hindi
employed in the country through this campaign. Kavita competition held at the university.

83rd All India Presiding Officers India’s First Centre of Excellence in

Conference opens 11 Jan' 23 Online Gaming to be set up 14 Jan' 23

V D
ice President igital India
and Rajya Startup Hub
S a b h a through the
Chairman Jagdeep Software Technology
Dhankhar has Parks of India shall
inaugurated the set up India’s first
two-day-long 83rd Centre of Excellence
All India Presiding in Online Gaming
Officers in Jaipur. at Shillong by
According to Mr Dhankar the primary concern is optimisation March 2023, said The Minister of State for Electronics
of the contribution of the elected representatives in & Information Technology and Skill Development &
Parliament and Legislature for the welfare of the people. He Entrepreneurship,
said people in the Executive, Legislature and holding senior The Minister also highlighted the importance of
political positions must take care that high constitutional Digital Skills post Covid, as the rate of Digitalization
offices are kept away from their political stance. The Vice of products, services and devices continue to increase
President added India is privileged to be heading G20 at a across the globe. “Imparting Digital Skills to the
critical time and the session will focus on the Leadership of youth in North East Region to enable them to grab
India in G-20 as the mother of democracy. opportunities of jobs and entrepreneurship in the fast-
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said that the laws will expanding Digital economy is an article of faith for Shri
be stronger and more effective if there is a substantial Narendra Modi Government.” The Minister announced
contribution of people. Speaker also expressed concern another initiative of MeitY to set up a state-of-the-art
over the shrinking of time of debate and discussion in the facility under the National Institute of Electronics and
house. This 83rd Conference of All India Presiding Officers IT (NIELIT) to provide training on cutting edge Digital
is being held in Rajasthan after eleven years. Earlier this Skills at Shillong. A 10-acre campus shall soon be
conference was held in Rajasthan in the year 2011. ready for this purpose which shall cater to the skilling
requirement of youth in the North East Region.
Indian High Commission signs MoU Government is Re-launching Skill India through
12 Jan' 23 PMKVY 4.0, which shall train around 50,000 youth in

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Meghalaya in future ready skills with Industry backed Job
losely after the International Hindi Diwas, the Opportunities. “PM Narendra Modi is building New India
Indian High Commission signed a memorandum with re-imagined ambitions and aspirations for the young
of understanding to establish a Hindi Chair Indians.

Shri Ajit Kumar Saxena assumes charge as Chairman-Cum-Managing Director of MOIL Limited.
Prior to this assignment, Shri Saxena held the position of Director (Operations) at RINL- MARCH 2023 MICA 25
Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant.
NEWS BITES STATE
Burning Topics of the Month

Assam Government Telangana govt launches Maharashtra became the

Launched Orunodoi 2.0 10th phase of Rythu first state in the country to
Scheme. Bandhu. pass the Lokayukta Act.

& Many More...

event showcasing diverse Indian culture, history, traditions

Meghalaya Health Department
and development achievements.
honoured 16 Dec' 22
He also informed that Sikkim will be the only state in the

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he Meghalaya North East to host two meetings- Business (B20) on 16th
government, March, 2023 and Startup20 on 18th March, 2023. These
which has meetings will be attended by around 80 delegates from G20
adopted a ‘Jan countries.
Andolan’ (people’s
movement) against Uttarakhand HC bans mechanised
Tuberculosis mining in riverbeds 20 Dec' 22

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received an award
for best practices in he Uttarakhand High Court banned mechanised
controlling the disease that affects 2.6 million people in mining in riverbeds in the state. A division bench of
India every year. The award for Best Practice in Advocacy, High Court Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice
Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) in RC Khulbe passed these orders while hearing a PIL. All the
Tuberculosis control was presented to representatives of district magistrates have been asked to ensure compliance
the health department at a national workshop, aimed at by issuing this order.
ending TB infections, in the national capital. In this regard, the Bench asked the State Mines Secretary
The state registered 4,189 TB cases in 2021 while in the that the rate of mining 'royalty' on the website of the Forest
first quarter of 2022, around 1,075 patients have been Development Corporation has been mentioned as Rs 31 per
enrolled for treatment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had quintal, while on the website of private miners it is Rs 12
put a national target to eliminate the disease that affects per quintal. The Mines Secretary has been directed to file
over 26 lakh Indians each year by 2025, five years ahead of an affidavit in the court in this regard by January 12. The
WHO’s Sustainable Development Goals. TB affects about court has also ordered the DMs to confiscate the machines
2.6 million people in India every year. being used for sand mining.

Sikkim to host two G20 meetings in J&K bank signs MoU to provide
March 2023 17 Dec' 22 banking facilities 20 Dec' 22

C U
hief coordinator for India's G20 presidency Harsh nion Territory Ladakh and the Jammu and Kashmir
Vardhan Shringla and Sikkim chief secretary Bank Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding,
V B Pathak held a meeting in Gangtok on the MoU, to provide banking facilities to the UT
preparation for G20 meetings in the state scheduled in employees. Under the MoU, J&K Bank would give the
March 2023. most favoured client status to the UT Administration as well
as the active permanent employees who have their salary
Mr Shringla provided a presentation on preparation and
accounts in J&K Bank. MoU was signed in the presence of
activities for G20 presidency in the country. He informed
Lieutenant Governor, RK Mathur, in Leh. Both the signing
that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has desired that the
parties also agreed to work on all banking services with
G20 presidency be an impeccable and uniquely Indian
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the second version of 'Orunodoi', the flagship
26 MICA MARCH 2023 scheme of the state government aimed at providing financial security to financially disadvantaged
families.
 STATE
J&K Bank by nominating it as a preferred banker for all its Miri Widow Pension Scheme would be subsumed under
banking-related services by the Union Territory. Orunodoi 2.0. Divyangans and transgenders would also be
MoU also focuses on increasing awareness of banking included under the 'Orunodoi' scheme.
facilities; J&K Bank also agrees to organize various
financial literacy camps at its centres for UT employees. CM N. Biren Singh launches
J&K Bank would provide customized savings bank account upgraded Inner Line Permit (ILP)
services, including saving platinum, diamond, and gold System portal 24 Dec' 22

I
cards, to permanent employees of UT Ladakh.
n Manipur, an
J&K’s Bandipora hosted the first-ever advanced Inner
Tribal Winter Festival 21 Dec' 22 Line Permit

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(ILP) system portal
first-of-its- was launched by
kind Tribal Chief Minister
W i n t e r N Biren Singh.
Festival was held Keeping in view
in the Bandipora the importance of
district of Jammu protecting the indigenous population of the state and for the
and Kashmir. The convenience of visitors from outside the state to implement
festival is organised ILP, the upgraded portal has been launched. The portal
by the district is being opened for Deputy Commissioners and Labor
administration in collaboration with various departments Commissioners of Manipur. The Chief Minister said that
at Ketson, the festival witnessed huge public participation. the portal has been started with new developments in the
The festival witnessed music, dance, and cultural events earlier ILP system. With the help of an advanced portal,
that left the people enthralled. ILPs can now be issued through online also by Deputy
About the Tribal Winter Festival: People from the Kashmiri Commissioners and Labor Commissioners.
community, Gujjars and Bakerwals danced together to the
beats of dhol (drum) in a unique portrayal of cultural unity First batch of 'Agniveers' from J&K
in diversity. The ‘gatka’ was another attraction performed join Indian Army 27 Dec' 22

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by two tribal communities portraying the fighting spirit of
the Gujjars amid all geographic, social and political odds, he first ever batch of ‘AGNIVEERS’ selected under
he said. the Government of India sponsored AGNIPATH
scheme from UT of J&K joined Indian Army
Assam Government Launched for training as AGNIVEER General Duty, AGNIVEER
Technical, AGNIVEER Clerk/ Storekeeper Technical and
Orunodoi 2.0 Scheme 22 Dec' 22
AGNIVEER Tradesmen.

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ssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Approximately 200 candidates selected after rigorous tests
launched the second version of 'Orunodoi', the including physical tests, medical tests, written examination
flagship scheme of the state government aimed at and document verification, were despatched from Army
providing financial security to financially disadvantaged Recruiting Office, Srinagar to about 30 training centres of
families. various Regiments of the Indian Army on 24 December
The ceremonial launch held at the premises of Assam 2022.
House in the national capital, Sarma termed 'Orunodoi' The candidates will report for training between 25 to 30
the largest social-sector scheme in the history of the state December 2022 and their training shall commence with
that has the capability of radically transforming the lives of effect from 01 January 2023.
millions of its residents. around 17 lakh women have been
receiving an amount of Rs 1,250 each on the 10th of every Telangana govt launches 10th phase
month through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method of Rythu Bandhu 30 Dec' 22

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under the first phase of this social sector scheme.
April 2023 onwards, all the existing beneficiaries of elangana government has launched the 10th phase
the Deen Dayal Divyangan Pension Yojana and Indira of Rythu Bandhu, the investment support scheme
for farmers. Under this phase, 7,676 crores will be
e-NAM, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has won the
Platinum Award in the Digital Empowerment of Citizens Category in Digital India Awards 2022 held MARCH 2023 MICA 27
in New Delhi.
NEWS BITES STATE
deposited in the bank accounts of over 70 lakh 54 thousand crore respectively. The revised cost sanctions for cost
farmers towards investment support for the Rabi crop variations due to quantity changes (including additions/
season. alterations/ extra items) and time overruns due to the
State Finance minister, T. Harish Rao said on the first day developer shall be capped at 10% of sanctioned cost.
over 607 crore rupees was deposited in the accounts of over Keeping in view the aims and objectives of Atmanirbhar
21 farmers holding up to one acre of land. The investment Bharat Abhiyan, the present proposal for setting up of
support is being disbursed at a rate of 5000 rupees per 382 MW Sunni Dam HEP by SJVN shall provide various
acre. Farmers holding up to two acres of land will receive benefits to local suppliers/ local enterprises/ MSMEs.
the money and those owning up to three acres will get the
money in their accounts. Parshottam Rupala inaugurates
Assistance for 1.53 crore acres will be provided during 29 Mobile Veterinary Units and
this season. Through the Rythu Bandhu scheme, the state Centralised call center 06 Jan' 23

S
government is providing crop investment to the farmers at
the rate of ten thousand rupees per acre for both Kharif and hri Parshottam
Rabi seasons. Rupala, Union
Minister for
Maharashtra became the first state in Fisheries, Animal
the country to pass the Lokayukta Act Husbandry and
Dairying inaugrated
30 Dec' 22 29 Mobile Veterinary

I
n a landmark development, the Maharashtra legislative Units and centralised
assembly passed the Lokayukt Bill which brings in call center in
its ambit the Chief Minister, Ministers and People's Thiruvananthpuram in a significant step for the benefit of
representatives. the livestock farmers in Kerala.
The Bill which was tabled in the lower house on 26th of These MVUs will be operated through a centralised call
this month was passed today without any discussion and in centre with a uniform Helpline No. 1962. It will receive
the absence of legislators from the Opposition parties. The calls from livestock rearers / animal owners and Veterinarian
Bill will replace the 1971 Lokayukt Act and has the clause will prioritize all cases on the basis of emergency nature
of Prohibition of Corruption Act. and will transmit them to the nearest MVU for attending at
farmer’s doorstep.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
even though there is clause of Prohibition of Corruption Kerala is deploying 50 MVUs in different districts. Now, the
Act, certain filters have been set to register a case against veterinary hospital will be just a call away by dialling 1962.
the people's representatives. With this, Maharashtra has These vehicles are equipped with state of art diagnostic
become the first state in the country to pass the Lokayukt tools, animal treatment and breeding accessories, audio
Act. visual aids and necessary medications.
Elaborating on the scheme the Minister underlined that the
382 MW Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project scheme is promising and will transform the dairy sector
in Himachal Pradesh 05 Jan' 23 from a subsistence-based farm livelihood to a commercially

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viable enterprise by giving gainful employment to the
he Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs youth of the Kerala.
chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi has approved the investment for 382 MW India’s First Festival of Inclusion,
Sunni Dam Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh Purple Fest begins 06 Jan' 23

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by SJVN Limited, for an estimated cost of Rs. 2614.51
crore including Rs. 13.80 crore as budgetary support from he first-of-its-kind inclusive festival in India, 'Purple
Government of India for cost of enabling infrastructure. Fest: Celebrating Diversity' is begins in Goa. which
Ex-post facto approval is given for cumulative expenditure aims to showcase how we can come together to
incurred amounting to Rs.246 crore till January, 2022. create a welcoming and inclusive world for everyone.
Project cost of Rs.2614 crore included hard cost amounting Aimed at furthering the spirit of inclusion, the Purple
to Rs.2246.40 crore, Interest During Construction (IDC) Fest will feature a variety of exciting live performances,
and Financing Charges (FC) of Rs. 358.96 crore & 9.15 sporting events, grand exhibitions, immersive experience
IT giant Cognizant has announced Ravi Kumar as its new Chief Executive Officer, replacing the
28 MICA MARCH 2023 outgoing Brian Humphries, effective immediately. He was the president and COO of Infosys until
October 2022.
 STATE
zones, accessible movie screenings, & discussions on vital Key Points
subjects like inclusive education, tourism, employment, & 1) The government aims to make Hyderabad one of the
independent living. top cities in the world by hosting Formula E World
As part of the festival, the Department of Empowerment Championship.
of Persons with Disabilities in association with Office 2) The event will be climate-friendly as it is a net zero-
of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities carbon sport.
(CCPD) is organising a two days Sensitization Workshop
3) A total of 11 teams with 23 cars with 22 cars would
on 6th and 7th January in Goa. The workshop will feature
be racing here and they include some of the top racing
best practices in the field of disability with a focus on
companies.
improving accessibility addressing implementation
related issues of various schemes and programme for Bihar government begins caste
Persons with Disabilities, and innovations and action
plan in the field of accessibility. The workshop will survey 07 Jan' 23

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witness participation from stakeholders from all over he Bihar government has begun caste surveys in
the country. different parts of the State. Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar made it clear that only castes, not sub-
First regular flight from Bhubaneswar castes along with economic status of each family will be
to Rourkela flagged off 07 Jan' 23 cataloged. The economic status of each family will be duly

I
mentioned in the survey, he added. The Chief Minister
n Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union
elaborated that the caste survey would help know to take
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off regular
requisite measures for the upliftment of the deprived
flight between capital Bhubaneswar and Rourkela
classes. The number of all households in the State will be
from the Bhubaneswar airport in the presence of Union
counted and recorded in the first phase.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually. The
inauguration of the flight between the two cities under In the second phase of the survey which is to start from the
the UDAN scheme comes just ahead of the FIH Hockey 1st to the 30th of April, people living in the households,
World Cup being hosted by Odisha from the 13th of this their castes, and socio-economic conditions will be
month. collected. The survey will end on the 31st of May 2023.
Around five lakh people have been engaged for carrying
The flight connectivity under the Center’s UDAN scheme
out the whole exercise.
between the capital city of Bhubaneswar and the Steel city
of Rourkela will act as a great facilitator for hockey players The State government will spend 500 crore rupees from its
and hockey lovers alike to travel between the two cities contingency fund for the exercise.
which will together host all the matches of the prestigious
Cup. MP Tourism Board signs MoUs with
It will also come as a big relief to regular passengers as the chapters of eight countries of GOPIO
flight service will cut the travel time drastically down to 10 Jan' 23

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less than one hour instead of about 8 hours by train.
adhya Pradesh Tourism Board signed MoUs
Hyderabad to Host First-Ever Formula with chapters of eight countries of the Global
Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
E World Championship Race at the MP Tourism Pavilion of Brilliant Convention Centre
07 Jan' 23 in Indore at the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention.

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he countdown of the first-ever ABB FIA Formula These MoUs were signed with France Metropole Paris,
E World Championship race in India is to be held Mauritius, Reunion Island, Martinique, Sri Lanka, GOPIO
in Hyderabad. The Formula E World Championship International, Malaysia, and Mauritius.
will be held from 11th February. The MoUs were signed by Principal Secretary Tourism
The first ticket for the Formula E World Championship was and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Shri
booked by Telangana Special Chief Secretary (Municipal Sheo Shekhar Shukla on behalf of the Tourism Board and
Administration) Arvind Kumar. During the event, Akbar presidents of eight countries of GOPIO. Principal Secretary
Ebrahim, President Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Shri Shukla said that these MoUs have been executed with
India, and other dignitaries were also present. the aim of boosting cooperation in the development of the
The 26th edition of the Financial Stability Report was released by the Reserve Bank of India on
December 29. The Reserve Bank of India publishes a financial stability report (FSR) every two years MARCH 2023 MICA 29
(RBI).
NEWS BITES STATE
Tourism sector of the State, and promotion, and publicity To accelerate Digital Transformation across socio-economic
of tourist places. verticals, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
Under Telecom Startups & MSMEs Mission (TSuM) & 5G
India’s first-ever coal gasification Vertical Engagement Partnership Program (VEPP) have
based Talcher Fertiliser plant in been facilitating collaborations of Digital Communication
Tech - startups & SMEs to potential user communities
Odisha 10 Jan' 23
viz. State governments, Smart cities, Aspirational

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nion Health districts, vertical industries etc. Centre for Development
and Family of Telematics (C-DOT), DoT being pioneer in emerging
Welfare Digital communication Technologies, is front-ending the
and Chemicals and “5G use case promotional pilot” for deploying 5G/4G/
Fertilisers Minister IoT innovative solutions of Startups & SMEs at Vidisha
Dr. Mansukh (Aspirational district) Madhya Pradesh with a focus on
Mandaviya has said Health Agriculture Diary Education & Skill development
that the country’s first- benefiting the Vidisha community at large.
ever coal gasification
based Talcher Fertiliser plant in Odisha will be ready to be Maharashtra Govt to sign contracts
dedicated to the nation by October 2024. On the second day worth 1 lakh and 40,000 crore
of his visit to Odisha, the minister said this after reviewing rupees 13 Jan' 23

M
the progress of work in the plant in Talcher.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also aharashtra
present on the occasion. Dr. Mandaviya, talking to reporters Govt. is
in Talcher said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s all set to
vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, five out of four urea plants sign contracts worth
have already become functional. He said, the urea plant at nearly one lakh and
Talcher, which uses coal gasification technology to produce forty thousand crore
urea, will be ready before the end of next year. He said rupees with at least
that when operational, the plant will help us reduce our twenty companies
dependence on urea import. at the forthcoming
World Economic Forum in Davos. According to an official
Interacting with the local media Mr. Pradhan said that the
statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be
urea plant being constructed at a cost of about 17,000 crore
leading the state delegation and attend the conference on 16th
rupees will benefit the farmers across the country besides
and 17th of January.
generating local employment and boosting local economy.
He said that the Coal India Ltd, the Gas Authority of India Mr. Shinde will inaugurate the Maharashtra Pavilion at Davos
Ltd and the National Fertiliser Corporation are supporting 2023 on the opening day. The pavilion will show the state’s
the setting up the Talcher Fertiliser plant with the coal progress in an innovative and effective way. The focus will
gasification technology which will address our self-reliance be to showcase development being made on projects like
in Urea. Metro, Mumbai’s coastal road, Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway,
Mumbai-Pune Missing Link, and the encouragement being
Vidisha becomes the first ever district given to the electric vehicle industry besides the efforts being
made for a greener and sustainable Maharashtra.
in India for on ground deployment of
While various MoUs will be signed on both days, Mr.
innovative 5G 13 Jan' 23
Shinde will also attend a series of meetings with the Prime

V
idisha, an aspirational district of Madhya Pradesh Minister of Luxembourg, the Prime Minister of Jordan, the
became the first ever district in India for on Minister of Communications and Information of Singapore,
ground deployment of innovative 5G use cases the Bank of Japan, the Minister of Industries and Mineral
offered by startups - a joint initiative by Vidisha District Resources of Saudi Arabia and the Swiss India Chamber
Administration and Centre for Development of Telematics of Commerce. The Chief Minister will also be meeting
(C-DOT), Department of Telecommunications (DoT) the Chiefs of Centre for the New Economy and Society
under the guidance of Additional Secretary (Telecom) and and World Economic Forum’s Urban Transformation
Administrator USOF. department.

Russia will launch a rescue vessel to the International Space Station next month, to bring home three
30 MICA MARCH 2023
crew members who are in effect stuck in orbit after their original capsule was hit by a meteoroid.
 INTERNATIONAL

Burning Topics of the Month

US to provide its key Patriot

Maldives achieves 1.6 Spain passes new
missile defence system to
million tourists target. transgender law.
Ukraine.

& Many More...

UK, France, and UAE extend support Peru Govt. announces nationwide
for India's permanent membership emergency 15 Dec' 22

P
15 Dec' 22 eru government has announced a nationwide state

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he UK, France, and UAE have extended their support of emergency, granting special powers to police and
for India's permanent membership at the United limiting freedoms including the right to assembly.
Nations Security Council (UNSC). India is holding Defence Minister, Alberto Otarola informed this. The
the presidency of United Nations Security Council for the development comes after a week of fiery protests that have
month of December 2022. Permanent Representative of left at least eight dead.
France to the UN, Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere, has said The protests were sparked by the ousting of former President
that they support an expansion of the Security Council to Pedro Castillo on 7th December in an impeachment vote.
take into account the emergence of new powers that have Castillo, a leftist elected in 2021 was arrested after illegally
the world and the ability to shoulder the responsibility of a trying to dissolve the Andean nation's Congress. This is the
permanent presence on Security Council. latest in a series of political crisis Peru has faced in recent years.
The UN Security Council is the premier global body for
maintaining International peace and security. The Security Sri Lanka’s GDP contracted by 11.8%
Council, the United Nations' principal crisis-management 16 Dec' 22

S
body, is empowered to impose binding obligations on the
ri Lanka’s gross domestic product has contracted
193 UN member states to maintain peace.
by 11.8 percent in the third quarter of 2022. The
G-7 approves 15.5 billion US dollar quarterly performance has been the worst so far
this year as the GDP has contracted 7.1 percent over the
deal with Vietnam 15 Dec' 22 period from January till September. The island nation has

A
group of nine rich industrialized nations has been facing its worst-ever economic crisis which involved
approved a deal to provide Vietnam with 15.5 two years of money printing and a currency collapse. The
billion US dollars to help the Southeast Asian biggest decline was seen in industries at 21.2 percent
nation move faster from coal power to renewable energy, while services contracted by 2.6 percent. Agriculture was
cutting its climate-damaging pollution. The Group of estimated to have declined by 8.7 percent.
Seven major economies, along with Norway and Denmark,
said in a statement that the aim is to help Vietnam reduce its Bangladesh Celebrated 52nd victory
emissions to “net zero” by 2050. It is a goal which experts Day 17 Dec' 22

B
say needs to be met globally to cap global warming at 1.5
angladesh celebrated its 52nd Victory Day, known
degrees Celsius.
as Bijoy Dibos, to mark the liberation from Pakistan
The Just Energy Transition Partnership with Vietnam is in 1971 with enthusiasm and public participation.
among a series of agreements that developing and rich
On this day in 1971, the Pakistani armed forces led by
nations are negotiating. The first such deal was signed with
General A A K Niazi had surrendered before the Indian
South Africa last year, and a similar agreement was reached
army and the Mukti-Bahini liberation force of Bangladesh
with Indonesia last month.
The Reserve Bank has announced the indicative calendar for the issuance of Sovereign Green Bonds.
Accordingly, two auctions will be conducted for an amount of eight thousand crore rupees each.
MARCH 2023 MICA 31
NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL
with over 90,000 of his troops which ended the 9-month
Kevin Rudd has been named
long struggle of the people of Bangladesh. The day began
with President Hamid and Prime Minister Hasina paying country's next ambassador to the
rich tributes to the martyrs of the liberation war at the United States 20 Dec' 22

I
National Memorial in Savar and to Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman at his memorial in Dhanmondi. n Australia, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been
named country's next ambassador to the United States,
EU leaders add Bosnia to official Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed. In a statement,
the former Prime Minister said that Australia faces its most
candidates list 17 Dec' 22
challenging security and diplomatic environment in decades.

E
uropean Union leaders added Bosnia to the list of Mr. Rudd himself served twice as the prime minister of
official candidates to join the wealthy 27-nation Australia, first from 2007 to 2010 and then again briefly
bloc. The Western Balkans country joined the from June to September 2013. He also served as foreign
waiting room despite continuing criticism of the way it minister from 2010 to 2012.
is run. The approval was just a formality after European
affairs ministers agreed unanimously earlier in the week to Maldives achieves 1.6 million tourists
endorse a recommendation from the bloc's executive arm to target 21 Dec' 22

M
grant Bosnia the status. The war in Ukraine has served as
an accelerator for the bloc's enlargement process. aldives achieved the target of 1.6 million tourists
it set for 2022. The archipelago nation saw interest
Leo Varadkar of Indian origin by tourists despite the worldwide spread of
became the new Prime Minister of Omicron variant of Covid in the first two months of the year.
Ireland 19 Dec' 22 The target was achieved by the Maldives with Mr. Sanjay

I
Tejas Kothari who was given a warm welcome. 1.6 mn was
ndian-origin Leo Varadkar has returned for a second Maldives target for 2022. Indian is the biggest contributor
term as Ireland’s Prime Minister as part of a job- with over 15 percent share in the tourism market occupying
sharing deal made by the country’s centrist coalition the top position since 2020 due to better & enhanced
government. Lawmakers voted to approve Varadkar's connectivity between India and Maldives as well as strong
nomination to replace Micheál Martin during a special people-to-people relations.
session of the Dail, the lower house of Ireland’s parliament.
His appointment was confirmed when he received the seal US to provide its key Patriot missile
of office from President Michael D. Higgins, Ireland's defence system to Ukraine 22 Dec' 22

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head of state. In his first term, Mr. Varadkar was the Prime
Minister from 2017 to 2020. he United States has announced that it would provide
its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine. The
Harvard University named Claudine Patriot missile system can be used as a shield against
Gay as first black president 20 Dec' 22 short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and incoming

H
jets. This will be the first-ever handover of such a defence
arvard University named Claudine Gay, a dean system to Ukraine and strengthen the Ukrainian defence. The
of the Faculty of Arts and Science, as its new White House stated that the Patriot missile system would be
president, the first African American to hold the part of another 1.85 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine.
post at the prestigious university. Gay, 52, is just the second The package also includes military vehicles, mortars,
woman to be elected to head the school in Cambridge, ammunition for HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket
Massachusetts. Gay, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, Systems), and small arms.
will take over as the university’s 30th president on July 1,
2023. 'Energy emergency' in anticipation of
About Claudine Gay: The daughter of Haitian immigrants, arctic storm across US and Canada
Gay graduated from Stanford and then earned her Ph.D. in
24 Dec' 22
government at Harvard in 1998, winning the Toppan Prize

T
for best dissertation in political science. Gay was elected to he governors of New York state, Kentucky, North
the presidency by the Harvard Corporation, the university’s Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Oklahoma
principal governing board. have declared state of emergency in anticipation of
NTPC Ltd commissions India's first green hydrogen blending project. The green hydrogen blending
32 MICA MARCH 2023
has been started in the piped natural gas (PNG) network of NTPC Kawas township, Surat Gujarat.
 INTERNATIONAL
the arctic storm across the US and Canada. Wisconsin has the rules-based international order and strategic autonomy.
also declared an "energy emergency". The two sides discussed the global security environment.
Kathy Hochul, New York state governor, said flooding and They discussed expanding the scope of defence cooperation
ice jams - when large pieces of ice block the flow of a river to include the co-development of futuristic technologies in
and cause flooding, are going to wreak a lot of havoc in the line with India's priorities of Make in India and Atmanirbhar
community. She asked residents to avoid any non-essential Bharat. The agenda included discussions on the situation
travel. in Afghanistan, Africa, South East Asia, cooperation in the
Indo-Pacific, nuclear energy, space and cyber domains.
Spain passes new transgender law Both sides also agreed to strengthen bilateral defence and
security cooperation including in the South West Indian
24 Dec' 22
Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific and pursuit of new

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pain passes new transgender law: The lower house of initiatives in critical and emerging technologies.
the Spanish Parliament approved a measure allowing
individuals over the age of 16 to change their legally France to send light AMX-10 RC
recorded gender without the need for medical supervision. armoured combat vehicles to Ukraine
According to the law, drafted by the centre-left coalition 06 Jan' 23
government, minors between the ages of 14 and 16 must

F
be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians and rance has announced that it will send light AMX-
those between the ages of 12 and 13 will require a judge’s 10 RC armoured combat vehicles to Ukraine.
permission to make the move. The announcement came after French President
Emmanuel Macron called on Ukrainian President
Pushpa Kamal Dahal takes oath as Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Prime Minister of Nepal 27 Dec' 22 A French official told this is the first time that Western-

I
made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support
n Nepal, the newly-appointed Prime Minister Pushpa
of the Ukrainian army. However, the official did not give
Kamal Dahal as well as Deputy Prime Ministers Bishnu
any details about the volume or timing of the planned
Paudel of the CPN-UML, Narayankaji Shrestha of
shipments.
CPN (Maoist Center), and Rabi Lamichhane of Rashtriya
Swatantra Party took the oath of office and secrecy from According to the French armed forces ministry, AMX-10
President Bhandari. is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle with a high level
of mobility, with a carrying capacity of four crew. France
Mr. Paudel has been appointed as the finance minister,
has already delivered modern artillery, armoured personnel
Shrestha as Minister for Physical Infrastructure and
carriers, anti-aircraft missiles and air-defence systems to
transport and Lamichhane as the Minister for Home Affairs.
Ukraine.
Other ministers Jwala Kumari Shah, Damodar Bhandari,
Rajendra Rai and Abdul Khan took an oath to office and US announces military assistance
secrecy without portfolios.
worth over USD 3.75 billion for
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on being Ukraine 07 Jan' 23

U
elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal. nited States announced military assistance worth
over 3.75 billion US Dollar for Ukraine and its
India-France discusses global security European allies. In a statement, US Secretary of
environment and scope of defence State Antony Blinken said that assistance includes 2.85
cooperation 06 Jan' 23 billion dollars from the Department of Defence to be

N
provided immediately to Ukraine and 225 million dollars in
ational Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Diplomatic Foreign Military Financing to build the long-term capacity
Adviser to the President of France, Emmanuel and support modernization of Ukraine's military.
Bonne, co-chaired the annual India-France
The package also included 682 million US dollar in Foreign
Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi.
Military Financing for European partners and allies to help
India and France reiterated their commitment to take incentivize and backfill donations of military equipment to
forward their strategic partnership to ensure peace, stability Ukraine. US Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, the
and security in the Indo-Pacific based on common beliefs in 2.85 billion US dollar assistance is expected to include
The 10th edition of the Dhaka Lit Fest (DLF) kicked off to a colourful start at the Bengal Academy
grounds. The DLF is being organised after a gap of three years due to the Corona pandemic.
MARCH 2023 MICA 33
NEWS BITES INTERNATIONAL
Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Mine-Resistant Ambush
China suspends issued short-term
Protected and other personnel carriers, and self-propelled
howitzers. White House said that it was the largest aid visas 11 Jan' 23

C
package for Kyiv till date. hina has
suspended
Kevin McCarthy elected as new i s s u i n g
speaker of the US House 07 Jan' 23 short-term visas to

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individuals from
epublican
South Korea and
leader Kevin
Japan. Beijing's
McCarthy
move comes a day
has been elected
after it announced
as the Speaker of
retaliatory measures against countries that required negative
the US House of
COVID-19 tests from Chinese travelers. China said that the
Representatives. He
visa suspension will continue until South Korea lifts the
was picked after days
discriminatory entry restrictions against China.
of Election Drama,
making the election process for electing the Speaker as the South Korea had suspended tourist visas for those coming
longest in 160 years. from China. Japan is however allowing Chinese visitors if
they provide Covid-19 negative test reports.
57-year-old McCarthy got 216 votes in the final tally, to be
elected as Washington's top legislator, who presides over China reopened its borders on 8th January for the first
House business and is second in line to the presidency. time since March 2020 as part of scrapping its zero-Covid
policy.
Bangladesh growth rate to slow
down to 5.2 percent in 2023 European Union Inaugurates First
11 Jan' 23
Mainland Orbital Launch Complex

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14 Jan' 23

E
he GDP growth rate of Bangladesh is forecast to
decline to 5.2 percent in the Financial Year (FY) u r o p e a n
2023, says the World Bank in its latest Global officials and
Economic Prospects report for January 2023. It cites rising Swedish
inflation and its negative impact on household incomes King Carl XVI
and firms’ input costs, as well as energy shortages, import Gustaf inaugurated
restrictions, and monetary policy tightening as the reasons the EU’s first
for the sharp slowdown from 7.2 percent in FY 2022 to 5.2 mainland orbital
percent in FY 2023. However, the growth rate is forecast to launch complex.
rise to 6.2 percent in FY 2024. The European Union
The latest forecast of the World Bank negatively revises its wants to bolster its capacity to launch small satellites
own forecast of June 2022 for Bangladesh GDP growth rate into space with a new launchpad in Arctic Sweden. The
by 1.5 percent. For the current FY 2022, the WB revised its new facility at Esrange Space Centre near the city of
estimate of June 2022 upwards by 0.8 percent pegging it at Kiruna should complement the EU’s current launching
7.2 percent. capabilities in French Guiana.
The World Bank says that Bangladesh was hit hard by the About Swedish Space Corporation- The Swedish Space
spillovers from the changing global environment. It was Corporation (SCC) provides space subsystems, space and
priced out of global energy markets and unable to meet satellite operation, rocket and balloon systems including
the energy needs of households and businesses. The rising experiment equipment, launch services, Aerospace
cost of imports doubled the trade deficit since 2019. The engineering services as well as airborne maritime
deficit could have been even larger had it not been for surveillance systems. It is also engaged in the development
robust growth in demand for its ready-made garments and of propulsion systems and micromechanical systems for
a growing share of the global market, says the WB report. space applications.

Tamil Nadu Government has announced the ‘Nilgiri Tahr Project’, India’s first-of-its-kind initiative
34 MICA MARCH 2023
aimed at restoring the state animal’s original habitat and stabilizing its population.
 ECONOMY

Burning Topics of the Month

2022 Global Food HDFC Securities Launched IDFC FIRST Bank

Security Index (GFSI) Investor Education Platform launched ZERO Fee
Report. ‘Roots’. Banking savings accounts.

& Many More...

The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve

CCPA issues notices against online Bank of India has decided to allow discount of Rs 50
sale of acids in India 17 Dec' 22 (Rupees Fifty only) per gram from the issue price to those

T
investors who apply online and the payment is made
he Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
through digital mode. For such investors the issue price of
under Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of
Gold Bond will be Rs 5,359 (Rupees Five Thousand Three
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has
Hundred Fifty-Nine only) per gram of gold.
taken strong action on violations of consumer rights. In a
run-up to the increasing crimes in the society, CCPA took
stringent action to safeguard consumer interests. CCPA has
2022 Global Food Security Index
sent notices to two e-commerce entities, namely Flipkart (GFSI) Report 19 Dec' 22

T
Internet private Limited and Fashnear Technologies Private
he 2022 Global Food Security Index (GFSI) report
Limited (meesho.com) for gross violations relating to sale
was released by the British weekly The Economist.
of acid reported on their platforms. It has directed these
The 11th Global Food Security Index shows a
entities to furnish detailed responses within 7 days.
deterioration in the global food environment for the third
CCPA, being the watchdog of consumer interest in India, year, threatening food security. In this report, South Africa
has come across the sale of highly corrosive acids on these overtook Tunisia to become the most food-secure country
e-commerce platforms. It has questioned the easy and in Africa.
unregulated availability of such acids on these e-platforms.
Global Food Security Index & India: India is ranked at 68th
Availability of hazardous acids in such accessible manner can
position along with Algeria with the overall score of 58.9.
be dangerous and unsafe for consumers and to public at large.
China’s position is at 25th with the score of 74.2. India was
The ‘consumer rights’ as defined under Section 2(9) of ranked at 71st position in the Global Food Security (GFS)
the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 includes the right to Index 2021 of 113 countries with an overall score of 57.2
be protected against the marketing of goods, products or points on the GFS Index 2021.
services which are hazardous to life and property.
HDFC Securities Launched Investor
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022- Education Platform ‘Roots’ 21 Dec' 22
23

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17 Dec' 22

I
tock brokerage firm HDFC Securities has launched
n terms of Government of India Notification No.4(6)- Roots, a dedicated platform providing comprehensive
B(W&M)/2022 dated December 15, 2022, Sovereign investor education and market analysis. The site
Gold Bonds 2022-23 (Series III) will be opened for offers multiple forms of valuable information, including
subscription during the period December 19-23, 2022 with articles, bite-sized tips, podcasts by experts, video tutorials
Settlement date December 27, 2022. The issue price of and explainers, and live social media feed on the Indian
the Bond during the subscription period shall be Rs 5,409 financial markets. The biggest USP of the platform is that
(Rupees Five Thousand Four Hundred Nine only) per it produces content which are being searched on Google by
gram, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated current or prospective investors and traders.
December 16, 2022.
Indian Bank, one of the leading public sector banks in the country, has launched its flagship business
mentoring program for MSME entrepreneurs ‘MSME Prerana’ in the state of Rajasthan.
MARCH 2023 MICA 35
NEWS BITES ECONOMY
zero principal‘ under the Securities Contracts (Regulation)
IDFC FIRST Bank launched ZERO Fee Act, 1956.
Banking savings accounts 22 Dec' 22

I
DFC FIRST
IMF decreases FY23 India’s GDP
Bank has growth forecast to 6.8% 24 Dec' 22

I
declared ZERO
n light of lower-than-anticipated output in the second
Fee Banking on
quarter and more sluggish external demand, the
savings accounts
International Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced India’s
and waived fees on
growth prediction for FY23 from 7.4% forecasted in July
multiple banking
to 6.8%. India’s growth projection for FY23 has undergone
services, including
three decreases, starting from 9% in January of this year.
Passbook charges,
NEFT charges. The bank said that customers maintaining Key Points
as low as Rs 10,000 Average Monthly Balance, and the Rs 1) According to the IMF’s premier World Economic
25,000 AMB savings account variant will get these benefits. Outlook (WEO), which was published in Washington,
About IDFC First Bank- IDFC First Bank is an Indian DC, India’s growth is predicted to further decelerate in
Private Sector Bank formed by the merger of the banking FY24, reaching 6.1%.
arm of Infrastructure Development Finance Company and 2) Only Saudi Arabia is projected by IMF to develop at a
Capital First Ltd., an Indian non-bank financial institution. greater rate than India in 2022, at a rate of 7.6%.
Headquarters: Mumbai 3) The forecast for China’s growth by IMF in 2022 has
CEO: V. Vaidyanathan (19 Dec 2018–) been lowered by 0.1 percentage point to 3.2%.
Parent organization: Infrastructure Development Finance 4) The multilateral lender, IMF warned policymakers
Company that “storm clouds” were forming and declared that
the worst was still to come for the struggling global
HDFC borrows USD 400 million from economy.
IFC 24 Dec' 22 RBI’s Revised Bank Locker Rules to

H
DFC borrows USD 400 million from IFC: As Come into Effect from 1st of January
part of their efforts to promote climate goals, 26 Dec' 22

T
the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has
provided a loan to mortgage giant HDFC in the amount he Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently said that
of USD 400 million for the financing of green, affordable all leading banks should issue the locker agreement
housing units. to its holders before January 1, 2023, as the new
According to HDFC, it has set aside 75%, or USD 300 locker rules will be implemented from that date. Earlier,
million, of the IFC cash for financing environmentally the RBI had announced revised guidelines on August 8,
friendly affordable housing developments. Urban housing 2021, which became effective from January 1, 2022. And
was in under supply by 29 million units as of 2018, up more now, all the locker owners must display their eligibility for
than 54% from 2012, according to HDFC. a new locker arrangement and sign a renewal agreement
prior to January 1, 2023.
NSE Gets SEBI Nod to Set up Social RBI’s Revised Guidelines:
Stock Exchange 24 Dec' 22 1) Banks shall ensure that any unfair terms or conditions

O
are not incorporated in their locker agreements.
ne of the leading stock exchanges in India – The
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) received 2) Further, the terms of the contract shall not be more
in-principle approval from the capital markets onerous than required in the ordinary course of
regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to set business to safeguard the interests of the bank.
up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate segment. 3) Banks shall renew their locker agreements with
It is meant to serve the private and non-profit sectors by existing locker customers by January 1, 2023.
availing more capital to them. The union government issued 4) All banks need to circulate a new locker agreement to
a gazette notification declaring a new security ‘zero coupon their safe deposit locker holders under the new rules.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the reappointment of Baskar Babu Ramachandran as the
36 MICA MARCH 2023
MD & CEO of Suryoday Small Finance bank for three years effective from 23rd January 2023.
 ECONOMY
5) According to the Central bank, all the lenders can
Indian Bank launched ‘MSME
use the IBA-drafted model locker agreement, which
should comply with the updated instructions and Prerana’ programme 30 Dec' 22

I
Supreme Court’s directives. ndian Bank, one of the leading public sector banks in the
country, has launched its flagship business mentoring
AVGC sector expected to witness program for MSME entrepreneurs ‘MSME Prerana’
around 17% growth rate 26 Dec' 22 in the state of Rajasthan. Indian Bank’s unique program,

A
“MSME Prerana”, is a first-of-its-kind initiative for MSME
ccording
Sector in the country by any bank.
to the
Government Aim- It is aims at empowering MSME Entrepreneurs
the Animation, Visual through skill development and capacity building training in
Effects, Gaming their local languages, assisting them in acquiring necessary
and Comic (AVGC) financial and managerial skills, capacity to handle crisis in
sector has the business, understanding of dynamics of credit rating and risk
potential to provide management. The training program is in collaboration with
employment to over M/s Poornatha & Co, a firm that designs entrepreneurial
20 lakh people in the coming 10 years. It is expected that development program in vernacular languages using online
the sector will witness 16 to 17 percent growth rate in the web interactive sessions and case studies. Indian Bank
next decade. has already conducted this online program in 7 languages
across 10 states.
Recently, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag
Thakur was presented the Task Force Report on ‘Realising
Rs 1,49,507 crore GST Revenue
AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics
- Extended Reality) Sector Potential in India’ on the 22nd collected 02 Jan' 23

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of this month by the Chairman of the Task Force, Apurva he gross GST revenue collected during December
Chandra. The AVGC sector in the country has witnessed 2022 is Rs 1,49,507 crore, of which CGST is Rs
an unprecedented growth rate in recent times, with many 26,711 crore, SGST is Rs 33,357 crore, IGST is
global players entering the Indian talent pool to avail of Rs 78,434 crore (including Rs 40,263 crore collected on
offshore delivery of services. India today contributes about import of goods) and Cess is Rs 11005 crore (including Rs
2.5 to 3 billion dollars out of the estimated 260 to 275 850 crore collected on import of goods).
billion dollars worldwide in the AVGC market.
The Government has settled Rs 36,669 crore to CGST and
CIBIL, SIDBI, Online PSB loans launch Rs 31,094 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement.
The total revenue of Centre and the States after regular
MSME Rankings 27 Dec' 22 settlements in the month of December 2022 is Rs 63,380

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ith the intent of deepening credit flow to small crore for CGST and Rs 64,451 crore for the SGST.
businesses and also helping lenders avoid The revenues for the month of December 2022 are 15%
loan losses on such bets, credit information higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year.
company TransUnion CIBIL launched a ranking system During the month, revenues from import of goods was
for MSME borrowers. The ‘FIT Rank’ launched by 8% higher and the revenues from domestic transaction
TransUnion CIBIL in association with Online PSB (including import of services) are 18% higher than the
Loans, will rate the over 6 crore micro, small and medium revenues from these sources during the same month last
enterprises (MSMEs) by drawing inputs from their current year. During the month of November, 2022, 7.9 crore
accounts, income tax returns and also Goods and Service e-way bills were generated, which was significantly higher
Tax (GST) returns to arrive at a score between 1-10 to rate than 7.6 crore e-way bills generated in October, 2022.
a borrower after taking consent to draw the relevant data.
Significance-The ranking will give lenders an idea about Financial Stability Report, December
the capacity of an enterprise to pay, its creditworthiness and 2022 02 Jan' 23

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also intention to pay from past experience. The product will
go into the cash flows of an entity while arriving at the he 26th edition of the Financial Stability Report was
rank, and hence broaden the universe of entities who can released by the Reserve Bank of India on December
borrow because at present, banks insist on collaterals. 29. The Reserve Bank of India publishes a financial

The countdown of the first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India is to be held
in Hyderabad. The Formula E World Championship will be held from 11th February.
MARCH 2023 MICA 37
NEWS BITES ECONOMY
stability report (FSR) every two years (RBI). The report Governor, RBI. The first strategy framework (Utkarsh
reflects the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and 2022) covering the period 2019-2022 was launched in
Development Council’s (FSDC) collective evaluation July 2019. It became a medium-term strategy document
of the financial system’s resilience and vulnerabilities to guiding the Bank’s progress towards realisation of the
financial stability. identified milestones. Utkarsh 2.0 would allow the central
Highlights- With recessionary dangers hanging large, the bank to both react and act proactively to confront socio-
global economy is contending with significant obstacles. economic challenges.
Multiple shocks acting in concert have tightened financial Significance of Utkarsh 2.0:- Utkarsh 2.0 harnesses the
conditions and increased market volatility. Strong strengths of Utkarsh 2022 by retaining the six Vision
international headwinds are affecting the Indian economy. statements as well as Core Purpose, Values, and Mission
However, stable financial systems are being created by statement. Collectively, they create a strategic guiding
strong macroeconomic fundamentals, strong balance sheets path. The Vision in Utkarsh 2.0 that will guide the Reserve
in the financial and non-financial sectors, and other factors. Bank of India over the period 2023-25 are.
The report claims that the Banks have decreased the GNPA
ratio in relation to the non-performing assets (NPA) of the ONGC Top Profit Making Public
banking system through recoveries and write-offs. Sector Enterprises 05 Jan' 23

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HDFC Bank collaborates with he net profit of operating public sector enterprises
Microsoft 05 Jan' 23 jumped 50.87 per cent to `2.49 lakh crore during

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2021-22, with ONGC, Indian Oil Corp, Power Grid,
DFC Bank, NTPC and SAIL emerging as the top five performers. The
India’s largest net profit of operating central public sector enterprises
private sector (CPSEs) stood at `1.65 lakh crore in the previous fiscal.
bank, is partnering The Public Enterprises Survey 2021-22 also revealed that
with Microsoft in the net loss of loss-making CPSEs narrowed to `0.15 lakh
the next phase of its crore in FY 2021-22 from `0.23 lakh crore in FY 2020-21,
digital transformation showing a decrease of 37.82 per cent. Major loss-making
journey and unlocking CPSEs include Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL),
business value by Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Air India Assets
transforming the application portfolio, modernizing the data Holding Ltd, Eastern Coalfields Ltd and Alliance Air
landscape and securing the enterprise with Microsoft Cloud. Aviation Ltd.
HDFC Bank as a part of its Future Ready strategy is developing
in house IPs as well as partnering with several companies India Achieves 82.87 Million Ton Coal
including FinTechs’ to co -create technology IPs. HDFC Bank
as a part of its Future Ready strategy is developing in house
Production 06 Jan' 23

I
IPs as well as partnering with several companies including ndia’s total coal production increased by 10.81% to
FinTechs’ to co -create technology IPs. 82.87 Million Ton (MT) from 74.79 MT during the
The bank will leverage Microsoft Azure to consolidate and month of December, 2022 as compared to Dec'21. As
modernize its enterprise data landscape through a Federated per the provisional figures of Coal Ministry, during Dec,
Data Lake to scale its information management capabilities 2022, Coal India Ltd (CIL) registered a growth of 10.30%,
across enterprise reporting, and advanced analytics using whereas SCCL and Captive mines/ others attained a growth
artificial intelligence. Built on Microsoft Azure stack, the of 19.12% and 9.01% respectively. While 28 coal mines
solution will enable the bank to democratize and monetize produced more than 100%, four mines’ production level
its data landscape catering to several business units, stood between 80 and 100%.
spanning multiple systems, reports and processes. At the same time, coal despatch increased by 5.28% to
78.91 MT from 74.95 MT during Dec'22 as compared to
Reserve Bank of India Launch of the previous year. During Dec'22, CIL , SCCL and Captive
Utkarsh 2.0 05 Jan' 23 mines/Others registered a growth of 3.57%, 17.89% and

T
8.85% by despatching 62.72 MT, 6.72 MT and 9.46 MT
he Reserve Bank of India’s Medium-term Strategy respectively. Power utilities despatch has increased by
Framework for the period 2023-2025 – ‘Utkarsh 4.26% to 65.65 MT during Dec'22.
2.0’ – was launched by Shri Shaktikanta Das,
Ajay Kumar Srivastava has been elevated as Managing Director and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank
38 MICA MARCH 2023
with effect from January 1, 2023 from his current posting as executive director.
 ECONOMY
As declared earlier, coal production increased impressively
RBI announces indicative calendar
by 16.39% to 607.97 MT during Apr-Dec’22 as compared
to 522.34 MT produced during the same period of FY 22. 07 Jan' 23

T
CIL reported coal production of 479.05 MT up to December he Reserve Bank has announced the indicative
of FY 23 as compared to 413.63 MT during the same period calendar for the issuance of Sovereign Green
of FY 22, representing an increase of 15.82%. Bonds. Accordingly, two auctions will be
conducted for an amount of eight thousand crore rupees
India's real GDP may grow 7% during each.
2022-23 07 Jan' 23 The first auction will be held on the 25th of this month while

I
ndia's growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) the second has been scheduled for the 9th of February.
during 2022-23 is estimated at 7 percent compared to The RBI has informed that five percent of the notified
8.7 percent in 2021-22. amount will be reserved for retail investors. Investors will
Real GDP or GDP at Constant (2011-12) prices in the year have a choice to put in their money for either five years
2022-23 is estimated at 157.60 lakh crore rupees as against or ten years. The bonds will also be eligible for trading in
the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2021-22 of secondary markets.
147.36 lakh crore rupees, released on 31st May last year. It may be recalled that the Union Government had
According to First Advance Estimates of National Income, announced Sovereign Green Bonds as part of its overall
2022-23 released by National Statistical Office, Ministry market borrowings in the Budget 2022-23. The proceeds
of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the growth in will be deployed in public sector projects which help
nominal GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 15.4 percent in reducing the carbon intensity of the economy and
as compared to 19.5 percent in 2021-22. mobilizing resources for green infrastructure.

SBI MF gets RBI’s Nod to buy 10% Axis Bank Partners with OPEN
Stake 07 Jan' 23 to launch a Fully Digital Current

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Account 07 Jan' 23
he Reserve

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Bank of xis Bank has partnered with OPEN to provide a
India gave fully native digital current account journey for its
its approval to SBI customers including SMEs (small and medium
Funds Management enterprises), freelancers, homepreneurs, influencers and
Ltd to acquire up more. This has been the bank’s first-ever partnership with
to 9.99% stake a fintech player to launch a fully digital current account.
in Equitas Small Using this account, customers can avail 250+ banking
Finance Bank services and claim up to 50 per cent cashback through
through the schemes of SBI Mutual Fund, the bank said in grab-deals. With this partnership, all existing Axis bank
an exchange filing. Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund and account holders also get access to OPEN’s all-in-one
DSP Mutual Fund have also received RBI’s approval to digital banking platform that is used by over 30 lakh
buy 9.99% stake each in the bank. businesses currently.
Shares of Equitas Small Finance Bank witnessed a surge in Aim of This Move:- The partnership is aiming to offer
buying activity, with the stock price rising as much as 7% to hit access to Axis Bank’s holistic banking services coupled
a fresh record high, in an otherwise weak broader market. The with OPEN’s end-to-end financial automation tools for
share price of the private lender got a boost after the Reserve business management like payments, accounting payroll
Bank India (RBI) gave nod to SBI Funds Management compliance expense management and several other
Limited (SBIFML) to acquire shares in the bank. services to a larger business community.

The National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed every year in the United States on 11th
January. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking.
MARCH 2023 MICA 39
WORLD OF ENGLISH ETYMOLOGY
EDITORIAL WORD 4. Young and old saw in him an implacable opponent of
Implacable apartheid.

Pronunciation: 5. The city seemed to glitter in hard, implacable triumph.

Part of speech: Adjective 6. The Times has probably become his most implacable
critic.
Meaning:
7. Iraq is one of Israel's most implacable enemies.
1: unable to be appeased or placated.
8. Implacable, with arms folded, and a mulish pout.
Example: “He was an implacable enemy of Kishor "
9. Across that implacable distance a train carrying a
2: unable to be stopped; relentless. message would crawl with the slowness of a beetle.
Example: “The implacable advance of the enemy” 10. Against the implacable opposition of its lord, Aylesbury
Similar: failed utterly to hold on to the corporate status granted
it in 1554.
• Unappeasable • Unpacifiable
11. While the implacable opposition of Gen Aoun is the
• inexorable • intransigent
main obstacle in his path, there are plenty of other
• adamant • determined difficulties.
• unshakeable • unswerving 12. Papinian's divergent decision seems to rest on more
• unwavering • inflexible implacable opposition to infringing freedom of
testation.
Opposite:
13. He had been its implacable scourge, its unbending
• Compassionate • Flexible
critic, preaching and practising austerity and revenge.
• Kind • Merciful
14. Sentencedict.com try its best to collect and make good
• Remorseful • Sympathetic sentences.
• Yielding • Nice 15. The implacable opposition of employers had forced
• Placable wages down despite the most determined efforts of the
trade unions.
Origin of the word:
16. We are fascinated, all of us, by the implacable otherness
Implacable is based on the Latin verb placare, meaning "to of others.
calm" or "to soothe." It joins the negative im- to the root
to describe something that cannot be calmed or soothed or 17. No one can say that implacable biology ordains failure,
altered. The root placare also gave us placate. You may ask, that gay social organization is fixed, promiscuous, and
what about the similar-looking words placid and placebo? doomed.
These words are related to implacable and placate, but not 18. Then there's nothing but the implacable, soul-less beat,
as closely as you might suspect. They come from the Latin and a subdued babble of shudders and metallic gasps.
verb placēre, a relative of placare that means "to please."
19. He was constantly persecuted by his implacable
Example sentences: enemies.
1. He knew that Carlton could be an implacable foe. 20. Arguments proved useless, he was implacable.
2. The government faces implacable opposition on the 21. Operation Rescue was an organization notorious for its
issue of nuclear waste. confrontational tactics and its implacable opposition to
3. He knew that Karl could be an implacable foe. abortion under all circumstances.

Senior IAS Officer A Santhi Kumari has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Telangana.
40 MICA MARCH 2023 Santhi Kumari took charge as the first women Chief Secretary of the State.
OUR Presence in India
Branch Name
Agra
Allahabad
Ahmedabad
Address
2nd Floor Plot no. 808 A, Near Hotel Sagar Ratna, Khandari Bye Pass Road, NH- 2, Agra, Uttar Pradesh - 282002
124 C/C Ashirwad Bhawan, Tej Bahadur Sapru Marg, Near Lok Seva Ayog, Gate No.2, Civil Lines, Allahabad, UP-211001
30/305, Swapnil 5 Building, Beside Jain Upashray Bus Stand, Near Commerce Six Road, Navrang Pura, Ahmedabad,
Enq No
9236455136
9235253403
9228202732/
Gujarat, Pin Code - 380009 9227575027
Lucknow Plot No: KBC-3 Kanpur Road, Scheme Opp. Phoenix Mall, Alambagh, Sector B, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 9235253501
Alambagh Pin Code-226005
Azamgarh 2nd Floor, Building No 585, Above ICICI Bank, Civil Line, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Pin Code-276001 9208242842
Bhubaneswar Plot No 10P, 12P, City Mart Complex, 1st Floor, Opposite Fire Station, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 9237026745/
Pin Code-751003 7381093600
Bhilai 35, 36, 37 - Triveni Complex, 2nd Floor, Above ICICI Bank, Nehru Nagar-East, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, Pin Code-490020 8878783345
Bareilly MD Floor, Above Reliance Digital, 2nd Floor, Opposite Vishal Mega Mart, Ayub Khan Churaha, Bareilly-243001 9235253431
Bhopal Narulla Complex, 2nd Floor, Plot No-131, MP Nagar, Zone-2, Opp-Irrigation Office, Near-Pragati Petrol Pump, 9229174901/02
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Pin Code-462011
Berhampur Saraswati Plaza, 1st Floor, Shergodo Bangla Street, Panitanki Road, Near Dena Bank, Berhampur, Odisha 9078907945
Pin Code-760001
Varanasi B-27/70 Ground Floor, Beside Levis Showroom, Adjacent Indian Petrol Pump, Barhar Kothi, Durgakund, Varanasi, 9235253419
Uttar Pradesh, Pin Code-221005
Bilaspur 2nd Floor, Office No-A-231, 232, 233 Narayan Plaza, Link Road, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Pin Code-495001 8878817515
Balasore 388/212, 3rd Floor, Police Line Square, O.T. Road, Balasore, Odisha Pin Code-756001 9583185223/33
Kolkata 120 Lenin Sarani, Sunidhi Building, 2nd Floor, Near Moulali Crossing, Above PNB Bank, Kolkata, 9230141497
West Bengal, Pin Code-700013
Cuttack Rashmi Plaza 3rd Floor, Near Arunodaya Market, Link Road, Above Karnataka Bank, Cuttack, Odisha, Pin Code-753012 7894013095
Darbhanga Vikram Chambers Near, Malech Mardani Mandir, Mirjapur, Darbhanga, Bihar, Pin Code-846004 9204303818/
9204300620
Dehradun 14B 1st Floor, Opp of Velocity Gym, East Cannal Road, Near Survey Chowk, Dehradun, Pin - 248001 9208175710
Delhi Laxmi B-40, Guru Nanak Pura Road, Near Maharaja Banquet Hall, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi, Pin Code-110092 9268209355
Nagar
Delhi Mukherjee Shop No- 92/94 Ground Floor &1st Floor, Mall Road, Kingsway Camp, Near GTB Nagar, Metro Station, Gate No- 3, 9268561517
Nagar Delhi, Pin Code-110009
Guwahati V Square Mall, 2nd Floor, Above Jana Small Finance Bank, Arunodoi Path, Christian Basti, Guwahati 8134935078
Gorakhpur Narain Tower, 1st Floor, Gandhi Gali, Golghar, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Pin Code-273001 9235253400
Gaya 2nd Floor, Zion Complex, Swaraj Puri Road, Opp-Fire Station, Gaya - 823001 9234211469
Haldwani 1st Floor, Shiv Niwas Building, Opposite Bhoatia Padao Police Chowki, Near Sri Ram Hospital, Nainital Road, 9208256021
Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Pin Code-263139
Indore 91/47, 2nd Floor, Oasis Point, Sapna Sangeeta Road, Sneh Nagar, Indore, Madhya Pradesh - 452001 7581800951/52
Jabalpur 3rd Foor, 1230 Bhawan Plaza, Near 4th Bridge Rd, Napier Town, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh 482001 9200343764
Jhansi B.K.D Road Near Kunj Bihari Mandir First Floor Above State Bank of India, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 9235253424
Pin Code-284001
Jammu Lajpat Nagar Opp Irrigation Office, Above Woodland Showroom, Canal Road, Jammu And Kashmir, Pin Code-180001 8317092664
Jaunpur 25, Husainabad, T.D. College Road, Opposite- Teacher's Colony, Jaunpur. Pin-222002 9026173365
Jaipur 402 Ganga Height, 4th Floor, Tonk Rd, Opp. Kailash Tower, Lalkothi, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302015 9261601713/
9261518894
Jamshedpur P M Mall, 3rd Floor, Opp- Shitla Mandir, Tank Road Sakchi, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand Pin Code-831001 8877187640
Kanpur Kakadeo 117/N1 Bhadouria Building Raniganj Kakdev, Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-208025 9235253484
Kanpur Kidwai 133/28, N Block, Opposite Jyoti Heights Appartment, Near Bara Devi Chauraha, Kidwai Nagar, Kanpur, 9235253482
Nagar UP-208011
Kanpur Mall 419/1 Agarwal Building D Mall, Near Punjab National Bank, Mall Road,Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 9236757143/
Road Pin Code-208004 6386903174
Kurukshetra SCF 38, Sec 13 Main Market, Near Bank of Baroda, Kurukshetra, Haryana Pin Code-136118 9253678053/
8053822843
Lucknow B-54 Bhatia Complex Above Central Bank of India, Mahanagar, Kapoorthala Crossing, Chauraha, Lucknow, Uttar 9235253443/517
Mahanagar Pradesh 226006
Meerut 3rd Floor Star Plaza Bachcha Park, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-250001 9235253448
Muzaffarpur Opposite City Life Mall, Near Jubba Sahni Park Club Road Mithanpura, Muzaffarpur, Bihar Pin Code-842002 9204303515
Nagpur Munje Chowk Infront of Fortune Mall Near Sitabuldi Metro Station, Sitabuldi, Nagpur, Maharashtra Pin Code-440012 9168558073
Patna Boaring Suyash Paradise, 3rd Floor, In Front of HDFC Bank, Near By Udyan Hospital, West Boring, Canal Road Patna-800001 9204855301/02
Road
Lucknow B-17 Krishna Bazaar, 3rd Floor Bhootnath Market, Near Bhootnath Metro Indira Nagar, Lucknow, 9235253502/28
Bhootnath Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-226016
Patna Frazer Road Hardi Tower, Above PC Chandra Jewellers, Infront of Bank of Baroda, Dak Banglow Chouraha, Patna-800001 9204855305/06
Pune Plot No. 82/2, M Floor, Veeyaa Vantege, Law College Rd, Above Maruti Suzuki Showroom, Erandwane, Pune, 9225231629/
Maharashtra 411004 6386903201
Ranchi Sri Ram Neotia Arcade, First Floor, H.B. Road, Lalpur Chowk, Ranchi (Jharkhand)-834001 9204855313
Raipur 2nd Floor Shyam Square New Pandri Road Infront of LIC, Block-B, Pandri, Raipur, Chhattisgarh Pin Code-492001 6386903228
Website : www.mahendras.org Call us : 7052477777, 7052577777
Sambalpur 2nd Floor Samson Mansion Building, In Front of Odia Baptist Church, Above Bank of Baroda 8594958962/
(Regional Office) Christian Para, Sambalpur, Odisha Pin Code-768001 8594959148
Siliguri 3rd Floor, Sanat Trade Centre, Above Bank of Maharastra, Sevoke Road, Siliguri-734001 West Bengal 7602742939/
7063682939
Alirajpur Plot No. 415, Ward No. 09, Swagat Dwar, Urmali, Main Road, Bhuriyakua, Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh 7223999706
Badaun DM Road, Infront of Dr Mukesh Johri Clinic, Civil Line, Budaun, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-243601 9140954012/
9627671787
Bilhaur 1039 Kha(Araji) Deep Guest House, Kakwan Road, Bilhaur, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-209202 6386901913
Bahraich Bahraich, 395-A Maa Padmavati Tower Akbarpura Near Bahraich Bus Stand, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh 9670785434/
Pin Code-271801 9208249852
Barwani Saubhagya Tower, Ward No 10, In Front of Saraswati Eye Hospital, Anjad- Barwani Road, Barwani, 6389200332
Madhya Pradesh Pin Code-451551
Datia Ground First And Second Floor, Narmada Tower, In Front of Krishna Palace Hotel, Civil Line Road, Datia, Madhya 9140954026
Pradesh Pin Code-475661
Guna In Front of Jain Dharam Kanta, Near Cycle Factory, AB Road, Guna, Madhya Pradesh Pin Code-473001 9140954027
Hardoi Circular Road, Lucknow Chungi Chauraha, In Front of Mahila ITI, Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-241001 9140954017
Lakhimpur Gate No.799 Mohlla Hathipur, Mela Meidan Road, Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-262701 9140954016
Lalitpur Ground And First Floor, Chandra Tower Near Hero Two Wheeler Show Room, Hardelapur Jhansi Road, Lalitpur, Uttar 7565000475
Pradesh Pin Code-284403
Pilibhit Opp. Naveen Mandi Samiti Ag. Reliance Petrol Pump, Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-262001 9758011456
Rajgarh Opposite Union Bank of India, Maharana Pratap Nagar, By-Pass Road, Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Pin Code-465661 9752110210
Robertsganj 2nd Floor City Kart Office, Opp. Bisleshwar Mahadev Mandir Near Hotel Savera Civil Line, Robertsganj 9335941728
Pin Code- 231216
Rampur In Front of Radha Cinema, Nainital National Highway, Rampur, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-244901 9761910491
Ramtek Shreeram Arcade, Ramaleshwar Ward, Kisan Chowk Beside Ramtek Goods Garage Mansar Road, Ramtek, Nagpur, 6386901940
Maharashtra Pin Code-441106
Rewa 2nd & 3rd Floor, Yadvendra Tower, Subhas Chowk, Near Angoori Building Sirmour Road, Rewa, 7311168199
Madhya Pradesh Pin Code-486001
Sidhi Gulab Tower, B.P.K. Traders, First Floor, Singrauli Road, Dainiha, Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh Pin Code-486661 8823872308
Shrawasti Katra Bypass, Balrampur Road, Infront of Lord Buddha School, Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh, Pin Code-271845 9140954031
Singrauli Ground And 1st Floor, Dhoti Vindhyanagar, Waidhan,Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh Pin Code-486886 9140954030
Shahjahanpur Anta Chauraha Opp. Takshila School Near Shaker Hospital, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-242001 6386903242/
8874755025
Satna Shri KK Tower, 2nd & 3rd Floor, In Front of SBI Main Branch, Near Simariya Chowk, Satna, Madhya Pradesh Pin 9140954022
Code-485001
Sitapur Navin Chowk Front of Datsun Showroom, Bypass Chouraha, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh Pin Code-261001 7706008028/
9140954021
Vidisha Mansarovar Complex, Ashok Nagar, Bypass Road, Mukherjee Nagar, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh Pin Code-464001 9140954029
Ajmer 586/25, Gopal Vihar, Opposite Shantipura Bus Stop, Vaishali Nagar, Ajmer, Rajasthan 7311169605
Aligarh 2nd Floor, Mangalam Complex, Samad Road, In front of Allahabad Bank, Aligarh (U.P) 8859447070
Alipurduar Vidyaapith, 2nd Floor, Beside Indusind Bank, Old Bus Stand, Birpara 6391207018
Ambala 2 Floor 169/2, Rai Market, Near UCO Bank, Ambala, Cantt 9253058711
Ambedkar Nagar Purani Tahseel Tiraha, Near Tamsa Nadi Pul, Akbarpur, AMBEDKAR NAGAR. Uttar Pradesh-224122 7311169613
Arrah Parihar Complex , 2nd Floor, Katira More, Opp. Vinayak Petrol Pump, Ara, Dist- Bhojpur, Bihar 6391207017
Asansol Swagata Apartment, 1st Floor, Mother Teresa Road, Lower Chelidanga, Asansol,West Bengal 7311168121
Ballia 1st & 2nd Floor, Ravi Offset Building, Dwarikapuri Colony, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh - 277001 9208243152
Bardhaman Third Floor, Dutta apartment, G.T Road, Badamtala, Near Curzon Gate Opposite M Bazaar Bardhman (Burdwan)- 7311168124
West Bengal
Basti 11/3/11, Awas Vikas Colony, Satyawaanpuri Katra Basti Near Kali Mandir, Awas Vikas Colony 7706008031
Bengaluru J.P. Foundation, 2nd Floor, No-450-1-14, Lakshmi Complex, 27th Cross, 10th Main, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru 6391207014
Bhabua Kabir Nagar Rampur Colony turn, Opposite Electricity Office, Bhabhua, Bihar 7311169615
Bhagalpur Near Manali Chowk, S.M College Rd, next to Sbi E-corner Building, Bhagalpur, Bihar 812001 9204363221
Bokaro Below ICICI Bank, Near Neelkamal Hotel, Dharamsala More, Bypass Road, Chas, Bokaro Pin.- 827013 7311168105
Bongaigaon Kakoti Complex Mayapuri Bongaigaon Assam 6391207002
Buxar Bank of Baroda Building, In Front of Buniyadi School, Near Jyoti Chowk, Buxar, Bihar 9532007090
Cooch Behar Nilanjana Building, Ground Floor, Dinhata Road, W/No 13, NewTown,Near SBI New Town Branch Cooch Behar, WB 6391207001
Deoghar Parmeshwar Dayal Road, Near Masjid, Barmasia, Deoghar, Jharkhand 7311168101
Deoria Above Idbi Bank Second Floor Raghav Nagar Deoria 9208248122
Dhanbad Office No.-424&425, 2nd Floor, City Centre, Luby Circular Road, Dhanbad, Jharkhand-826001 9204979723/24/
9905553535
Dimapur Building number 75, 2nd floor, Opposite Pantaloons, Middle Point Colony, Tajen Ao Road, Dimapur 6391207027
Dumka Mahendra's, 2nd Floor, Dumka Education Center, Gilan Para Chowk- Zila School Road, Dumka Jharkhand - 814101 7311168104
Durgapur Unit No- 404,3rd Floor, Above HDFC Bank, Near Big Bazaar,City Centre, Durgapur 7311168122
Ernakulam Door No 53 A, Marottichodu Road, Edapally Cochin 7311169607
Faizabad G.S. Tower, Diagonally In Front Of Jagat Hospital, Near Agrasen Chowk,Naka, Raebareli Road, Faizabad 9235253421
Faridabad 5R/5 Nit Faridabad (HR)-121001 6391207015
Farrukhabad Sb Complex,1St Floor, Beside Anand Petrol Pump Landmark, Lal Darwaja Rd, In Front Of New Vishal Mega Mart, 7706008029
Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh
Firozabad 228, Agra Gate, Infront of Kids Corner School, Gandhi Park Chauraha, Firozabad 9208235736
Gandhinagar Plot No. 315, Second Floor, Behind Icici Bank, Gh-4, Sector 16, Gandhinagar 7311168125
Ghaziabad D1 MG Tower, 2nd Floor, Near Bikanervala, Rajnagar Rdc, Opposite BSNL Office, Ghaziabad (x) 7311169603
Ghaziabad-Loni MM-2 DLF Ankur Vihar Loni, Ghaziabad 6391207008
Gonda Career Success, Malviya Nagar, Opposite Sagra Talab, Purani Hanuman Garhi Road, Gonda (U.P) 9208250778

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Gwalior 3rd floor, 3 - Khedapati Colony, Opp G.D.A office Gwalior ( M.P) 9229174910
Haidergarh Gramyanchal Seva Samiti, Haidergarh, Barabanki 6391207005
Hajipur 2nd & 3rd Floor, Maa Sharda Complex, Near Subhash Chowk, Gokul Sweets To Ramjeevan Chowk Lane, Hajipur 7311168107
Vaishali -
Haridwar 2nd Floor, Goel Motors Building, Near SBI Bank, Tibri Fatak Road, Old Ranipur More Haridwar, Uttrakhand-249403 7706008034
Junagarh 303, "MANGALMURTI” Complex, Jawahar Road, LIC Building, Junagarh 6391207020
Leh Mahendra Institute Opposite To Golden Bakery Near ITBF Gate Leh - 194101 9797468851
Ludhiana SCO4 2nd Floor, Gian Singh Rare Wala Market, Near K-Mall, Link Road, Ludhiana, Punjab - 141002 7311169614
Mainpuri Mahendra Education Pvt Ltd Near Purushottam Collection, Mainpuri 9208241450
Mathura 2054 Chowki Bagh, Bahadur Mathura, Near Vishal Mega Mart, Infront Brijwasi Royal, SBI Main Branch 7706008072
Lucknow Suman Complex, Mohanlal Ganj, Raibarely Road, Above Canara Bank, Near Mohanlal Ganj, Tahsheel Lucknow 6391207026
Mohanlal Ganj
Mokama Ganga Jumuna Tower Ward No. 1 Main Road Mokama Near Sadar Block 6391207012
Moradabad Opposite Cross Road Mall , Pilli Kothi Above Temptetion Restaurant, Moradabad-Civil Lines Near Pili Kothi 9235253442
Mugalsarai House No. 20, Nai Basti Mughalsarai, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, 7311169611
Mumbai Borivali Navkar Paradies L.T. Road, Near Veer Savarkar Garden, Borivali (w) 6391207009
Muzaffarnagar 2Nd Floor Civil Lines Prakash Chowk Muzaffarnagar Up- 7706008032
Nasik 08, Anant Chember, 1st Floor, Near Dholya Ganpati Mandir, Beside Shyam Sweets, Ashok Stambh, Nashik 7311168126
Padrauna Near Hanuman Inter College, Ramkola Road, Padrauna 7311168115
Pratapgarh Pure Chakai Post, Pure Ojha City Road, Pratapgarh 8707232481/
6391207006
Purulia Purulia Webel IT Park, North Lake Road, Near Krishi Bhawan, Purulia, West Bengal - 723101 7311169610
Raebareli Shri Narayan Complex, Rajghat, Kanpur Road Opposite Arpan Hospital, Raebareli UP 9235253412
Rajkot 204 Center One Complex, Beside Wockhard Hospital, Kalawad Road, Rajkot 9979316870
Sagar Beside of State Bank of India Gopalganj, Sagar, M.P. 7509219781
Saharanpur 2nd Floor, Above Dr Chawla Ultrasound, Vedraj Complex, Near By Clock Tower Saharanpur 7668916722/
9235253445
Samastipur Mahendra Education, KK Palace, Above Big Mart, Near Hanuman Mandir, Kashipur, Samastipur 6391207003
Sasaram 2nd Floor, Shanti Complex, Near Ara Railway Gumti, Gaurakshini, Sasaram-821115 6391207010
Sitamarhi Dumra Front of Canara Bank, Shankar Chowk - Kumar Chowk Rd, Sitamarhi, Bihar 7311168123
Sultanpur 1st Floor, Usha Commercial Complex, Raj Hotel Compound, Above Bank of Baroda, Besides Roadways, Civil Lines, 9208252915
Sultanpur 228001
Surat B-104, B-Block, ICC Building, Civil Char Rasta, Near Majura Gate, Surat 9537360459
Mumbai Thane Room No. 109, Siddharth Tower, Opp to Tip Top Sweets and Mangala's Chamber, Near Railway Station, Thane West 7311169612
400601
Trivandrum Zenith Educate Mahendra's, First Floor, MGOCSM Building, Opposite AKG Center, Palayam-Airport Road, Palayam, 7311169608
Trivandrum
Ujjain 60-Azad Nagar, Dewas Road, Ujjain, MP 6391207013
Unnao 1111 Adarsh Nagar, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh 6391207019
Vadodara 301/302, The Plaza Complex, Besides Ginger Hotel, Fatehganj, Main Road, Fatehganj, Baroda 9537589477
Vishakhapattnam 2nd Floor, Potluri Classic 47-14, 7, Dwarakanagar Rd, Beside SBI Branch, Dwaraka Nagar, Visakhapatnam, Andhra 9966593419
Pradesh
Yamunanagar 1/75, 1st Floor, Workshop Road, Near Fountain Chowk, Opp Meena Bazar, Yamuna Nagar 7311168120
Kasganj Moh. Nawab, Gali Bohran, Near Kotwali, Kasganj 7311168112
Barabanki Excel Net Building, In Front of Ambika Nursing Home, Lakhpedabag Colony, Barabanki 6391207060
Dumrao 27/25 Siddhashram Tower, Near CPSS High School, Hari Ji ka Hata, Dumraon 6391207004
Jamui Kachahri Road, Above Ajanta Press, Near Civil Court, Jamui 6391207062
Jhotwara 1 Jagannath Puri, Kanta Choraha, Near HDFC Bank, Jhotwara 6391207063
Madhubani 2nd Floor of Deviki Enclave, Opposite Railway Station, Town Club Road, Madhubani 6391207059
Nerul B 107, First Floor, Nerul Station Complex (East), Navi Mumbai 6391207030
Amroha Azad Road, Opp. J.S.H. (PG) College, Near HDFC Bank, 1st Floor, Dr. Javed Homeo Clinic, Amroha (U.P) 6391207064
Kolkata - Hoogly 92/C/1B, N. K Banerjee Road, Rishra, Hoogly, WB - 712248 8017652045
Kolkata - Behala Premises No. 627/2, Diamond Harbour Road, Near Ashoka Cinema, Behala, Kolkata-700034 9903409917
Morena Saraswati Plaza, Behind Hariraj Takiz, Vankhandi Road, Morena 7311168118
Hamirpur 2nd floor Varun Guest House Naubasta near Brajraj Hospital Hamirpur U.P. 6391207072
Vasai A-14, 2nd Floor, Jai-ish Krupa CHS, Near Platform No.1, Anand Nagar, Vasai West Mumbai 6391207076
Sitapur 1180, Collectorate Compound, Loharbagh, Sitapur 6391207080
Sikar FORTUNE TOWER, Near Police Station, Nawalgarh road, Sikar, Rajasthan, 33 6391207086
Viman Nagar Office no B202, 2nd Floor Ashoka Plaza Besides Hyatt Regency, above Domino's Pizza, Viman Nagar, Pune, 6391207089
Maharashtra.
Chandigarh SCO 23, 24, 25, Sector 34-A, Chandigarh 6391207091
Bijnor Judgi Road, Anta Ghar compound near Shakti chawk, Above Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bijnor 6391207088
Itanagar I.G. Park entrance gate, near old petrol pump,lower c sector, Papum pare district, Arunachal Pradesh 6391207092
Jorhat 3rd floor, Above ESIC office, Phukan Ali Road, Tarajan, Jorhat, Assam 6386903142 /
9864443070
Janjgir 49-52, Maa Market, Station Road, Naila, Janjgir 6391207090
Chhindwara Umang tower, Nagpur road, ELC Chowk, Chhindwara 6391207095
Begusarai Near Omer Girls High School, Bishanpur, Begusarai 6391207087
Tezpur Near Poruwa Chariali, Bhitorsuti, Tezpur 6391207096
Giridih 1st Floor Mangallam Mall, Infront of Zila Parishad, Kutchery Road, Giridih, Jharkhand 9140954006
Guwahati Tarini Bhanu Complex, Near Sonaram Market, Maligaon Complex, Guwahati, Assam 7290940162

Website : www.mahendras.org Call us : 7052477777, 7052577777

WHO'S WHO DESIGNATION
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 Suresh N. Patel
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 Subodh Kumar Jaiswal
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 K. N. Vyas
22. Chairman, SSC S. Kishore
23. Chairman,National Human Rights Commission Justice Arun Mishra
24. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Vivek Joshi
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 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 Ashok Kumar Gupta
34. Chairperson,Central Board of Film Certification Prasoon Joshi
35. President, ASSOCHAM Sumant Sinha
36. President, NASSCOM Debjani Ghosh
37. Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan
38. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari
39. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar
40. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande
41. Chief, RAW Samant Goel
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 20th January, 2023
Kura Pokkhir Shunye Ura (The Golden Wings of Watercocks) of Bangladesh and Upon Entry of
44 MICA MARCH 2023
Spain won the Best Film Award at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival.
 SPORTS

Burning Topics of the Month

Jaipur Pink Panthers won Goa to Host First Ever Geto Sora wins Junior
9th Pro Kabaddi League World Table Tennis International Badminton
title. (WTT) Series. Championship title.

& Many More...

Indian remained undefeated during the tournament and also

Khelo India Women’s Track Cycling
got promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women's Pro
tournament schedule 19 Dec' 22 League. This was the inaugural season of the Women's FIH

F
or the 1st time, the Khelo India Women’s tournament Nations Cup, with a promotion to next year’s Women’s Pro
will feature Track Cycling. The tournament, League hockey up for grabs for the winner. For India, Gurjit
scheduled to take place across 4 Zones, has been Kaur scored the winning goal of the match in the first quarter.
sanctioned for a total Rs 1.15 crore by the Department of Hockey India has announced Rs 2 Lakh for each player and
Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. 1 Lakh rupees for each support staff of the Indian Women's
SAI NSNIS Patiala will play host to the first phase for the Hockey Team that won the FIH Women's Nations Cup 2022.
North Zone Amritsar leg. The competition will take place in
cycling velodrome inside the NSNIS campus on December
India win 6 gold medals at 19th
20 and 21. The North Zone phases will then shift to the International Junior Science
Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana and the Guru Olympiad 19 Dec' 22

I
Nanak Dev University Campus, Amritsar, respectively on
December 23-24 and December 28-29. ndia secured the top rank at the 19th International Junior
Science Olympiad (IJSO) 2022 held in Bogota, Colombia
The 1st phase of the South Zone will also be held this year
by winning 6 gold medals. This was the last international
with SAI LNIPE Trivandrum hosting it on December 26-
Olympiad of 2022. India's nodal centre for Olympiad programs,
27. The Cycling Federation of India, with assistance from
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE),
the Union Sports Ministry, is organizing this tournament,
Mumbai informed that this year, of the 30 Indian students who
which will take place across the Sprint, Keirin, 500m
participated in Mathematics and Science Olympiads, 12 have
Individual Time Trial, Individual Pursuit and Scratch Race.
won Gold, 13 Silver, and 5 Bronze.
The Road Cycling events taking place this year under the
Arittra Malhotra, Rajdeep Mishra, Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya,
Khelo India Sports for Women component also include
Banibrata Majee, and Avaneesh Bansal were the students
Road event on December 24-25 in Bikaner and December
who bagged gold medals at the IJSO 2022, Bogota.
29-30 in Palode, Trivandrum.
The three-member team of Arittra, Avaneesh, and Rajdeep
Indian Women's Hockey Team lift FIH also got the Bronze medal jointly with another team in the
Experimental competition. In all, 20 gold, 42 silver, and
Nations Cup 19 Dec' 22 59 bronze medals were awarded at this IJSO that was held

I
n Hockey, the from 2 to 12 December 2022.
Indian Women's
Hockey Team Jaipur Pink Panthers won 9th Pro
defeated Spain 1-0 Kabaddi League title 22 Dec' 22

J
in the Final to win
the FIH Women's aipur Pink Panthers won the Pro Kabaddi League
Nations Cup 2022 Season 9 Final against a hard-fighting Puneri Paltan by
in Valencia, Spain. a score of 33-29 to win their second PKL championship.

Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan has become the only Indian to be named in an international
list of 50 greatest actors of all time by a prominent British magazine.
MARCH 2023 MICA 45
NEWS BITES SPORTS
After Patna, Jaipur The Railways team topped the medals tally with 10 medals
Pink Panthers, the - five golds, three silvers and two bronze. Madhya Pradesh,
league’s first-ever with one gold, two silver and five bronze stood second,
winners, are currently while Haryana with two gold and two bronze claimed third
only the second team position.
to win multiple titles.
The tournament Geto Sora wins Junior International
was played across Badminton Championship title
Bengaluru, Pune,
26 Dec' 22

B
and Hyderabad while the playoffs were played in Mumbai.
Jaipur Pink Panthers team is currently led by Sunil Kumar u d d i n g
Malik and coached by Sanjeev Baliyan. The team is owned badminton
by Abhishek Bachchan. sensation Geto
Sora once again made
Goa to Host First Ever World Table Arunachal proud by
Tennis (WTT) Series 23 Dec' 22 winning the Top Arena

G
Junior International
oa will host India’s first ever World Table Tennis B a d m i n t o n
(WTT) series event from February 27 to March 5. Championship title in
The top tier WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 will the below 9 years category, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
take place at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium,
He won the championship title after beating Malaysia’s
located at the Goa University Campus. Stupa Analytics, a
second seed Jaryl Teh in straight sets 21-5, 21-16.This is
home-grown sports analytics firm, will be the tournament
Sora’s second international badminton title in two months.
host with active support from the Goa government.
In November, the 7-year-old Sora had won the multinational
About World Table Tennis (WTT): World Table Tennis BTY-Yonex-Singha Championship, which was held at the
(WTT) was created by the International Table Tennis Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok, Thailand.
Federation in 2019 to create and manage professional men’s
and women’s Table Tennis events around the world. The PV Sindhu 12th highest-paid female
WTT organizes a series of events around the year and the
athlete in world 26 Dec' 22

I
highest ranked tournament being the four Grand Smashes.
ndia's badminton
Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen star PV Sindhu
win Gold medals 26 Dec' 22 is the only Indian

L
player in the top 25
o v l i n a in Forbes' annual list
Borgohain and of the highest-paid
Nikhat Zareen female athletes in the
have won Gold world. Sindhu, the
medals at Women's 2016 Rio Olympics
National Boxing silver medallist, occupies the 12th spot in the list. Japanese
Championship 2022 tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list. The 27-year-old
in Bhopal. While made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings, having won
Lovlina Borgohain a singles gold and doubles silver at the Commonwealth
beat Arundhati Choudhary of Services 5-0 in the 75kg Games earlier this year in Birmingham.
final, Nikhat Zareen defeated Anamika of Railways 4-1 in
For the third straight year, Osaka tops Forbes' annual list
the final of the 50kg category.
of the World's highest-paid female athletes. The list is
Haryana's Manisha (57kg) and Saweety Boora (81kg), dominated by tennis players once again. The list's Top 10,
Railway Sports Promotion Board's (SSCB) Sakshi (52kg), includes Serena Williams, Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek,
Madhya Pradesh's Manju Bamboria (66kg) also clinched Venus Williams, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. For the
gold medals in their respective categories in the tournament. record, Osaka and Serena are the only two women who are
Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and Sports placed in the Top 50 of Forbes' list of the world's highest-
Minister Anurag Thakur gave away awards to the winners. paid athletes.

Hockey Haryana's women's team won the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Women’s Under 18
46 MICA MARCH 2023
Qualifiers after defeating Madhya Pradesh 2-0 in the final at Bhubaneswar Odisha.
 SPORTS
Hockey Haryana Women’s U-18 team Naveen Patnaik inaugurates the
wins Khelo India Youth Games 2022 state-of-the -art hockey stadium
02 Jan' 23 06 Jan' 23

H O
ockey Haryana's women's team won the Khelo disha Chief
India Youth Games 2022 Women’s Under 18 Minister
Qualifiers after defeating Madhya Pradesh 2-0 in N a v e e n
the final at Bhubaneswar, December 30. In the final match, Patnaik inaugurated
Pooja and Gurmail Kaur scored a goal each for Haryana to the state-of-the-
end the contest in their favour. art hockey stadium
Odisha stepped up to claim third place after beating Hockey in Rourkela.
Jharkhand 2-1 in the 3rd and 4th place encounter. Inaugurating the
Sanjna Horo scored for Jharkhand but Odisha came stadium, named after
back with goals from Puja Sahoo and Sunelita Toppo to legendary freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the
complete a thrilling comeback. Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister said that it will play a pivotal role in taking
Odisha and Jharkhand have qualified for the Khelo India Indian hockey to global heights. The stadium has been
Youth Games to be held in Madhya Pradesh 2023. built at a cost of 261 crore rupees in a record time of 15
months. Along with the stadium, he also inaugurated the
Manika Batra rises to 35th in Hockey World Cup village which will house the teams of
the upcoming hockey World Cup.
women's singles in latest ITTF world
The Stadium, being billed as the World's largest with a
rankings 05 Jan' 23 sitting capacity of twenty thousand spectators, will be one

I
ndian table tennis of the two venues where the upcoming hockey tournament
star Manika will be played. The Hockey World Cup, being hosted by
Batra has reached Odisha for the second time, will also be played in the
her career-best 35th iconic Kalinga Stadium in the capital Bhubaneswar. The
position in women’s prestigious Cup will be vied for by as many as 16 teams,
singles. She moved including that of India in the tournament that begins on
up three spots in the the 13th of this month till the 29th. While inaugurating the
latest International stadium, the Odisha Chief Minister announced one crore
Table Tennis rupees each to the players of the Indian team.
Federation world rankings.
It is reported that Manika Batra's rise comes on the back of Mascot, torch and anthem of Khelo
an impressive outing at the Asian Cup in November, where India Youth Games unveiled
she claimed a historic medal for India. She defeated the 07 Jan' 23

I
world No. 6 Hina Hayata (Japan) and world No. 7 Chen
Xingtong (China) to win the bronze medal. n Madhya
Manika became the first Indian woman table tennis player Pradesh, Chief
to medal at the continental event and only the second Indian Minister Shivraj
to achieve the feat. Chetan Baboor won a silver in 1997 and Singh Chouhan
a bronze in 2000. unveiled the mascot,
torch, and anthem of
The 27-year-old Manika Batra entered the top 50 in the TT
Khelo India Youth
world rankings in February last year and remained in the
Games-2022 in a
30s and 40s throughout the year.
colorful program at
Apart from the Asian Cup high, Manika had a difficult Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal.
season. She made the semi-final of just one event and
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nishith
the quarterfinals of two tournaments, including the
Pramanik the guest of honour. Madhya Pradesh's Sports
Commonwealth Games 2022. Meanwhile, G Sathiyan
and Youth Welfare Minister Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia
remained India’s top-ranked men’s singles table tennis
informed that in this program various facets of Khelo India
player at world No. 39 while national champion Sharath
will be explained through drone and laser shows.
Kamal dropped three places to 47th.
The fifth Scorpène submarine, Vagir of Project - 75 Kalvari Class submarines has been delivered to
the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai.
MARCH 2023 MICA 47
NEWS BITES SPORTS
Madhya Pradesh is hosting the fifth edition of the Khelo 2) The same year saw her winning the Rachael Heyhoe
India Youth Games. In this sports event, to be held from Flint Award, a feat she repeated in 2021.
the 30th of January to the 11th of February, six thousand 3) Early on in her cricket career, she won BCCI’s MA
players will show their sports skills in eight different cities Chidambaram Trophy for best woman cricketer for the
for 13 days. year 2013-14.

Surya Kumar Yadav becomes fastest FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup
player to reach 1,500 runs 10 Jan' 23 opening ceremony 12 Jan' 23

S F
uryakumar IH Men’s
Yadav has H o c k e y
become the World Cup
fastest player to reach got off to a colorful
1,500 runs in T20 start in the historic
International cricket Barabati stadium in
in terms of balls the millennium city
faced. He took only of Cuttack in Odisha
843 balls to reach this January 12.
landmark. The Odisha Chief Minister welcomed the participants
However, he is the third-fastest batter to reach the 1,500- while thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the
run mark in terms of innings. The fastest batters to reach Govt of India for all the support extended to Odisha in
this landmark are Indian batter Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, hosting the World Cup. He said, while the Indian govt
Australian veteran Aaron Finch and Pakistan skipper has been doing its best to promote sports and games
Babar Azam, who all took 39 innings to score 1,500 runs in the country including hockey, the states are also
in T20 International cricket. Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter contributing immensely, to the true spirit of cooperative
Mohammed Rizwan reached the milestone in 42 innings federalism.
and Suryakumar did so in 43 innings. Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is
In 45 matches and 43 innings, Suryakumar has scored a great sports lover, the Minister said India under his
1,578 runs at an average of 46.41. He has three centuries leadership extended all support to the Indian hockey team
and 13 half-centuries in the format, with the best individual even during the tough time of the Covid pandemic which
score of 117. resulted in India winning the bronze in the 2022 Tokyo
Olympics.
Herbalife Nutrition India signed
Smriti Mandhana as sponsored sports Sony Sports signs Hyundai Ioniq 5,
athlete 12 Jan' 23 Samsonite as sponsors 13 Jan' 23

N B
utrition company Herbalife Nutrition India Private roadcaster Sony Sports Network, which will air
Limited is partnering with international women’s the Australian Open this month across its channels
cricketer, Smriti Mandhana as a ‘nutrition sponsor’. and OTT app SonyLiv. It has roped in sponsors like
She has had an incredible journey, taking the cricket world Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Samsonite as co-presenting sponsors
by storm with her batting performances. Currently, she is and Panasonic as an associate sponsor for the upcoming
the vice-captain of the Indian women’s national cricket open. This will mark the return of the Sony Sports network’s
team. Herbalife Nutrition has signed over 100 sponsorship live tennis studio show, ‘Extraaa Serve’, hosted by Arpit
deals with varied world-class athletes, teams and events. Sharma and the Hindi commentary for the tournament will
Multiple renowned Indian athletes like Virat Kohli, Mary be provided by Natekar, Manish Batavia & Atish Thukral.
Kom, Lakshya Sen, and Manika Batra have partnered up The Extraaa Serve will feature Olympian, Commonwealth
with Herbalife Nutrition. Games Gold Medalistand Indian tennis player, Somdev
1) Mandhana’s performance on the field made her the Devvarman, former tennis player Gaurav Natekar and
first Indian women cricketer to be recognized as the Davis Cup player Purav Raja. Sony Sports also launched
ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2018. its ‘Slam Of The Greats’ campaign.

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards upon 27 people during
48 MICA MARCH 2023
the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
 SCIENCE

Burning Topics of the Month

NASA Launches First human space flight

India to be First Country to
International Mission Gaganyaan to be launched
Auction SatCom Spectrum.
‘SWOT’. in 2024.

& Many More...

16th Edition of Indo-Nepal joint India to be First Country to Auction

training Exercise begins 16 Dec' 22 SatCom Spectrum 16 Dec' 22

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he 16th Edition of Indo-Nepal joint training ndia will be the first country to auction spectrum for
Exercise “SURYA KIRAN-XVI” between India satellite communication, and it should be designed
and Nepal started at Nepal Army Battle School, to attract investments in the sector, telecom regulator
Saljhandi. Exercise SURYA KIRAN is conducted annually Trai chairman PD Vaghela said. Speaking at a Broadband
between India and Nepal. this exercise aims to enhance India Forum summit on SatCom, Vaghela said the Telecom
interoperability in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will soon make
operations in mountainous terrain and Humanitarian recommendations to make permissions required for satellite
Assistance and Disaster Relief under UN mandate. communication from various ministries — Information and
Nepal and Indian army soldiers, through Surya Kiran joint Broadcasting, Space and Telecom.
military exercise in Saljhandi located in Lumbini Province Satellite communication: Satellite communication
in southern Nepal, shall develop interoperability. During the refers to any communication link that involves the use
exercise, participants training together shall be sharing the of an artificial satellite in its propagation path. Satellite
experiences gained during the conduct of various counter- communications play a vital role in modern life. They can
insurgency operations in their respective countries. The be found in geostationary, Molniya, elliptical, and low
joint exercise would focus on the evolution of combined Earth orbits and are used for traditional point-to-point
drills for planning and conduct of tactical operations at the communications, mobile applications, and the distribution
unit level in counter-terrorism operations. of TV and radio programs.
In 2021, the 15th India-Nepal combined battalion-level
military training exercise ‘Surya Kiran’ took place in India Carries Out Trials of Nuclear-
Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Capable ”Agni-5 missile” 17 Dec' 22

I
ISRO successfully launches 177 ndia has successfully conducted night trials of nuclear-
capable ballistic missile Agni V, capable of striking
foreign satellites 16 Dec' 22 targets at ranges more than 5,000 kilometres with

I
ndian Space Research Organisation, ISRO successfully very high degree of accuracy. The missile test firing was
launched one hundred seventy-seven foreign satellites conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha
belonging to 19 countries through its commercial arms coast. This was the latest test in the Agni missile series.
in the last five years. According to defence sources, the test was carried out to
validate new technologies and equipment on the missile
These countries include Australia, Brazil, France, Israel,
that are now lighter than before.
Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, and USA.
Atomic Energy and Space Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said Agni-5 missile: The nuclear-capable missile, which uses
this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Dr Singh informed a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, has been developed by
that foreign exchange generated through launching of these India’s Defence Research and Development organisation
satellites is approximately 94 million US dollars. (DRDO). The development of Agni missiles started in early

According to Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya the government has set a target to
increase the number of Janaushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024.
MARCH 2023 MICA 49
NEWS BITES SCIENCE
1980 under the Integrated Guided Missile Development water, capable of observing the finer details of the ocean
Programme spearheaded by scientist and former President surface topography and measuring the changes in the
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who was also a central figure in terrestrial surface water bodies.
India’s missile and space programmes.
Indian Navy launches INS Arnala
INSV Tarini to participate in Cape 21 Dec' 22

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town to Rio Race 2023 20 Dec' 22

I
rnala, the first ship of the ASW SWC Project, being
NSV Tarini built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers,
has set sail for GRSE for the Indian Navy was launched,
an expedition December 20 at Kattupalli, Chennai.
to Cape Town, In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Ms Chaube
South Africa for launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva
participating in the Veda. The ship has been named Arnala to signify the strategic
50th edition of Cape maritime importance accorded to the island of Arnala located
to Rio Race 2023. about 13 Km north of Vasai, Maharashtra by the great Maratha
This ocean sailing warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The contract for building
race will be flagged off from Cape Town on 2nd January, eight ASW SWC ships was signed between Defence Ministry
2023 and will culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. and GRSE, Kolkata in April 2019.
During the expedition while transiting from Goa to Rio de
Janeiro via Cape Town and back, INSV Tarini would be First human space flight Gaganyaan
covering a distance of almost 17000 nautical miles. The to be launched in 2024 22 Dec' 22

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crew, over a period of 5-6 months in this trans-oceanic
voyage is expected to face extreme weather and rough sea ccording to the Government, the country's maiden
conditions of the Indian, Atlantic and the Southern oceans. human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, is targeted
The expedition aims to train the crew on board, in essential to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. This
seamanship skills including Navigation, Communication, was stated by Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a
Technical and Planning. The expedition is an important milestone written reply in the Lok Sabha. The Minister said, in view
in training of the two women officers on board for undertaking of the paramount importance of crew safety, two uncrewed
solo circumnavigation sailing expedition of the globe. flights are scheduled, before the final human space flight-
'H1 mission', to demonstrate the performance of the crew
NASA Launches International Mission escape system and parachute-based deceleration system for
‘SWOT’ 20 Dec' 22 different flight conditions.

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He said, uncrewed 'G1 mission' will be targeted in the last
he US quarter of next year, followed by the 'G2' in the second
National quarter of 2024. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the astronaut
Aeronautics designates for the Gaganyaan are identified and undergoing
and Space mission-specific training at Bengaluru.
Administration
(NASA) and the ISRO signed 4 cooperative documents
French space agency
Centre National
to collaborate 23 Dec' 22

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d’Etudes Spatiales ccording to Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh,
(CNES) have jointly launched the newest Surface Water Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has
and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft to track nearly signed four cooperative documents specifically to
all the water on the surface of the Earth. collaborate in space exploration in the last five years. He
About SWOT mission: The Surface Water and Ocean said, the agreement with the USA is for accommodating USA
Topography (SWOT) mission is a satellite altimeter jointly instruments in India’s Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.
developed and operated by NASA and CNES (French The Minister said, the agreement with Japan is to conduct
space agency) in partnership with the space agencies of feasibility study for a joint lunar polar exploration mission,
the UK and Canada. The mission’s objective is to make while with UK for conducting feasibility study for
the world’s first-ever global survey of the Earth’s surface collaboration in future space science missions.
Jaipur Pink Panthers won the Pro Kabaddi League Season 9 Final against a hard-fighting Puneri
50 MICA MARCH 2023
Paltan by a score of 33-29 to win their second PKL championship.
 SCIENCE
India and Bhutan collaborated on the development of certificates, or ITI Diploma holders or graduates can apply
INDIA-BHUTAN SAT Satellite carrying into payloads in this apprenticeship mela. Individuals can register for the
NanoMX, an optical imaging payload developed by ISRO mela on the website www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in and
and APRS-Digipeater, jointly developed by DITT, Bhutan find the nearest location of the mela.
and ISRO. The satellite has been successfully placed in The Ministry has advised the candidates to carry three
orbit 26 November of this year. copies of their resume, mark sheets and certificates, photo
ID, and three passport-size photographs to the respective
SpaceX Launched First 54 Starlink venues. The Government is striving to train one million
v2.0 satellites 02 Jan' 23 youth per annum through apprenticeship training and to

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fulfill this mission, PMNAM is being used as a platform to
he SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle launched into increase the participation of establishments and students.
low Earth Orbit the first 54 Starlink Satellites of
the new generation, or v2.0 or Gen2. The SpaceX Privately-owned Virgin Orbit's 1st
Falcon 9 was launched on 28th December 2022, and it took
place from the SLC-40 launch pad of the US Air Force
space launch has failed 10 Jan' 23

I
Base at Cape Canaveral. It is the 60th successful SpaceX n UK, the privately-owned Virgin Orbit's first space
mission since the beginning of 2022. launch from Britain's soil has failed when a reported
Key Points anomaly prevented the rocket from reaching orbit on
1) Starlink v2.0 satellites have several different wee hours. It was the first attempt to launch a satellite from
configurations depending on the launch vehicle. western Europe. The repurposed Virgin Atlantic Boeing
747 aircraft, named 'Cosmic Girl' took off from Cornwall
2) It was assumed that the new satellites would be
in southwestern England and released the rocket around an
launched by Starship initially.
hour into flight over the Atlantic Ocean, toward the south
3) Hence, the size and mass should be several times of Ireland. However, Virgin Orbit said it appeared to have
larger than those of previous versions 2000 kg against an anomaly in a satellite launch and it had prevented the
260 and 295 kg in versions 1.0 and 1.5. rocket from reaching orbit.
4) However, SpaceX’s super-heavy rocket is a bit The rocket was carried-out nine small satellites. A crowd
delayed, and now, Starlink v2.0 is carried by the good of around 2,000 people attended the takeoff in Cornwall.
old Falcon 9. Previously in 2022 and 2021, Virgin Orbit launched four
5) The mass of such satellites is 303 kg, and the similar missions from California after some failed attempts.
dimensions are almost the same as in v.15.
6) The main difference of Starlink v2.0 is a larger antenna DRDO carries out successful test
and increased bandwidth of each satellite. launch of short-range ballistic missile
Prithvi II 11 Jan' 23
Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship

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Mela beings 10 Jan' 23 he Ministry

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of Defence
he Pradhan said that
M a n t r i Defence Research
National and Development
Apprenticeship Organisation,
Mela, PMNAM is DRDO, successfully
being conducted in carried out a training
242 districts of the launch of a Short-
country. The Ministry Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II from the Integrated Test
of Skill Development Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast. It said that the
and Entrepreneurship in a statement said that several Prithvi-II missile is a well-established system and has been
local businesses, companies, and organizations have been an integral part of India’s nuclear deterrence.
invited to be part of the mela and provide apprenticeship The Ministry said that the missile struck its target with high
opportunities to India’s youth. The candidates who are accuracy. The user training launch successfully validated
Class five to Class 12th pass outs and have skill training all operational and technical parameters of the missile.

According to the Maharashtra government Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran will head the new
Economic Advisory Council of Maharashtra, the state government.
MARCH 2023 MICA 51
NEWS BITES MISCELLANEOUS
Burning Topics of the Month

GNDU, becomes only in The Kashmir Files

National Human Trafficking
India to get A grade by shortlisted for Oscar Awards
Awareness Day.
NAAC. 2023.

& Many More...

The estimated number of international migrants has
Nation celebrated Vijay Diwas
increased over the past five decades. In recent years, conflict,
16 Dec' 22 insecurity, and the effects of climate change, war and conflict

T
he Nation is celebrated Vijay Diwas to commemorate have heavily contributed to the forced movement whether
India's victory over Pakistan in 1971 Bangladesh within countries or across borders. In 2020 over 281 million
Liberation war. On this day, the sacrifice of war people were international migrants while over 59 million
heroes is remembered and rich tributes are being paid to people were internally displaced by the end of 2021.
them. On 16th December 1971, the chief of the Pakistani
forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93
National Minorities Rights Day 2022
thousand troops, surrendered unconditionally to the allied 19 Dec' 22

N
forces led by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, in
ational Minorities Rights Day is commemorated
Dhaka after their defeat. The end of the war resulted in the
on December 18 every year in India. Its aim is to
freedom of Bangladesh.
safeguard the individual rights of the religious,
ethnic, racial, or linguistic minorities in the country. This
PMKKK now named as PM VIKAS
day is a reminder about the rights of minorities and to
Scheme 16 Dec' 22 raise awareness about it. Minority Rights Day in India is

T
he Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram commemorated by conducting debates and seminars on
(PMKKK) has now been named as Pradhan Mantri topic related to minority communities.
Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme. The Significance: Minorities Rights Day is commemorated
integrated scheme converges five erstwhile schemes of to uphold the right to freedom and equal opportunities for
the Ministry viz. Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari the ethnic minorities in India. It is a day to raise awareness
Dharohar, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil. The scheme has about the issues faced by these communities and how these
been approved by the Cabinet for the period of 15th Finance challenges can be tackled.
Commission. History: The Union Government set up the National
PM VIKAS aims to improve livelihoods of the minorities, Commission for Minorities under the National Commission
particularly the artisan communities, using the components for Minorities Act 1992.
of skill development, education, women leadership &
entrepreneurship. These components compliment each A book titled “The Light We Carry
other in the ultimate objective of the scheme to increase 19 Dec' 22

T
the incomes of the beneficiaries and provide support by
facilitating credit and market linkages. he Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain
Times is a nonfiction book written by Michelle
International Migrants Day 19 Dec' 22 Obama and published, by Crown Publishing. The

I
Light We Carry will inspire readers to examine their own
nternational Migrants Day is celebrated on 18 lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect
December with an aim at drawing focus toward the meaningfully in a turbulent world. The author “shares
social and economic conditions of migrants all across the contents of her ‘personal toolbox’ – the habits and
the globe. practices, attitudes and beliefs, and even physical objects
The 'FIT Rank' launched by TransUnion Cibil in association with Online PSB Loans, will rate the
52 MICA MARCH 2023
over 6 crore micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 MISCELLANEOUS
that she uses to overcome her feelings of fear, helplessness year. RRR was placed in the 9th spot. Rajamouli's magnum
and self-doubt.” opus follows a pre-Independence story set in the 1920s that
The essence : The Light We Carry: Overcoming in revolves around two real-life Indian revolutionaries - Alluri
Uncertain Times has generally received positive reviews Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem.
by book critics for herself on biography. In The Light We
Carry, the former First Lady shares her practical wisdom PV Iyer launched a book ‘Fit At Any
and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in Age’ 23 Dec' 22

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highly uncertain world.
ir Marshal PV Iyer (retd.) has launched his book
Goa Liberation Day 19 Dec' 22 ‘Fit At Any Age’ at India International Centre, New

G
Delhi. He penned his journey to fitness in the book
oa Liberation Day is celebrated on December and shared anecdotes from his life to explain how he became
19 to commemorate the state’s liberation from motivated to work out daily.
Portuguese rule in 1961. As part of Operation
About the book- This book explains how adhering to a culture
Vijay, the Indian armed forces used the armed forces
of fitness can keep illnesses at bay. Exercising strengthens
trifecta with the help of local resistance movements to
the heart and cleans the blood vessels. Informative, and
eradicate European rule from the country.
humorous, Fit at Any Age combines personal anecdotes,
History- Goa had been under Portuguese rule for roughly science-based logic and simple tips.
450 years on August 15, 1947, when India attained freedom.
It was at this time that the Portuguese began colonizing some Air Marshal P.V. Iyer, a 92-year-old runner, tells us how we
areas of India and demonstrated their steadfast control over can make fitness part of our everyday activities at any age,
Goa and other Indian territories, even after India gained leaving sufficient time for leisure.
independence from the British.
National Farmer's Day observed
GNDU, becomes only in India to get 23 Dec' 22

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A grade by NAAC 21 Dec' 22
ecember 23 is observed as Farmers’ Day or Kisan

T
he Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has got A Diwas across India. Farmers are the backbone of
grade by scoring 3.85 points in National Assessment our economy and to honour their hardship, this day
and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading, thereby was coined by the government of India in 2001. This day
becoming the only University in India to get this score. also marks the birth anniversary of the ‘Champion of Indian
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has congratulated the Peasants’ and the fifth Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary
university on the accomplishment, saying it is the result of Charan Singh.
persistent efforts made by everyone. He expressed hope that The day aims to spread awareness of the contributions of
all the universities in the state will replicate Guru Nanak Dev farmers to the socioeconomic development of the nation. It
University to bring laurels for the state. also recognises the efforts of the former Prime Minister who
About- Guru Nanak Dev University was established helped in uplifting the farmers in the country, introduced
at Amritsar, Punjab, India on 24 November 1969 to Debt Redemption Bill and Land Holding Act.
commemorate Guru Nanak Dev's birth quincentenary. The
university is Entitled by University Grants Commission to 'Joyland' becomes first Pakistani film
offer higher studies degree courses online. to enter Oscars shortlist 23 Dec' 22

P
RRR features in global list of top 50 akistani film "Joyland" may have faced trials
and tribulations at home but to the international
films of 2022 22 Dec' 22
community, it was a banger from the start and now

S
S Rajamouli's film RRR features in the global list has been shortlisted for the Oscars, the first ever movie to do
of Top 50 films of 2022 curated by Sight and Sound so from the country.
magazine. The list also includes Shaunak Sen's The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released
acclaimed documentary All that Breathes. its Oscar shortlists for the upcoming 95th edition in 10
RRR seems to be on an unstoppable run in the international categories. "Joyland" is among 15 films that made the cut for
awards season. SS Rajamouli's magnum opus has now the best international feature film honour and will advance to
secured a place in a global list of the top 50 films of this the final stage of nominations.

Actress Aparna Sen was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the opening ceremony of the
15th Edition of the Jaipur International Film Festival.
MARCH 2023 MICA 53
NEWS BITES MISCELLANEOUS
Films from 92 countries and regions were eligible in the best Innovations Pvt. Ltd, a MSME-Make in India Company at
international feature film category. India's "Chhello Show" MOPA (GOA) International airport. The ITRS is an Artificial
("Last Film Show") also made it to the list, according to the Intelligence based fully automatic machine that helps in
official website of the Academy. providing enhanced passenger security with advanced
screening technology. The machine is equipped with image
First Bekal International Beach analysis software with advanced tools that makes it easy for
Festival in Kerala 30 Dec' 22 the screener to take correct decisions against every baggage.

T
This in turn helps the passenger to complete the screening
he ‘Spice Coast’ in the far north of Kerala, better much faster and easier when compared to the conventional
known as North Malabar, bask in myriad colours and machines. The machine also contains a dedicated module for
the pomp and splendour of the cultural extravaganza the high threat baggage’s which needs immediate attention
titled ‘Bekal International Beach Festival’. Chief Minister at the airport. The ITRS machine is one of its kind that
Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the 10-day first international gives passengers a unique travel experience during the hand
beach festival, that captures the wholeness and the essence baggage screening at the airport. Shri Rane reiterated the
of the district’s cultural and artistic uniqueness and displays constant endeavour of Prime Minister to provide world-
the rich cultural diversity and grandeur of the country, at the class infrastructure and transport facilities across the country.
majestic Bekal Beach Park.
About Bekal International Beach festival- It is organised Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates
by Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC) in three-day ‘North East Krishi
association with the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kumbha-2023’ 06 Jan' 23
Kudumbashree, Asmi Holidays, and the local self-

I
government bodies in the district. In Kerala, festival dates n Meghalaya,
are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and Union Minister
the local traditions and customs. for Agriculture
and Farmers’ Welfare
Amit Shah launches mobile App Narendra Singh
‘Prahari’ 30 Dec' 22 Tomar inaugurated

H
the three-day
ome Minister Amit Shah launched the Mobile App ‘North East Krishi
‘Prahari’ and Manual of Border Security Force in Kumbha-2023’ and
New Delhi. took part in the 49th Foundation Day celebration of the
According to Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam. The
recently started the Vibrant Village programme. He urged all Minister also inaugurated the administrative cum academic
the Border Security Forces that through the Vibrant Village block office and Girls Hostel of the College of Agriculture at
program, they should make efforts towards increasing Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi district.
tourism in the village, making the village self-sufficient with The highlights of the North East Krishi Kumbha -2023
complete facilities. included live demonstrations and exhibition of recent
Mr. Shah said that, construction of 140 kilometer of fencing technologies through 102 stalls, by the host institute and its
and about 400 km of roads has been completed in difficult regional centers along with all the ICAR institutes.
places. He said that the government has worked for the
development of Border India. Nine integrated Check Posts IIJS Signature and India Gem &
have been developed and 14 more are in the process of being Jewellery Machinery Expo 2023
built.
06 Jan' 23

T
Narayan Rane inaugurates virtually he inauguration of IIJS Signature 2023 was graced
Intelligent Tray Retrieval System by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry
05 Jan' 23 Smt Anupriya Patel and Member of Parliament Smt.

U
Poonam Mahajan among other dignitaries.
nion Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane, According to Smt Anupriya Patel “Ministry has taken
inaugurated virtually Intelligent Tray Retrieval several steps such as implementation of simplified
System (ITRS), Manufactured by M/s SJK regulatory framework for gems & jewellery exports through

Union Minister of Roads Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated the country’s
54 MICA MARCH 2023
second longest cable-stayed eight-lane Zuari Bridge in Goa.
 MISCELLANEOUS
e-commerce, reduction of duties for imports of diamonds, descriptions of India's UNESCO World Heritage Sites on its
a new gold monetisation policy and hallmarking norms. website.
Government is committed to promotion of exports.”
Chairman of GJEPC Mr. Vipul Shah said that India is a Amit Shah inaugurates ‘Jai Hind- The
world leader in diamonds, gems & jewellery and GJEPC New Light and Sound Show'
has earned the title of being the most proactive EPC in India 11 Jan' 23

H
due to several initiatives such as IIJS Signature and IGJME.
“This year, the show has become bigger, better and greener ome Minister
than ever before. India's overall gem and jewellery exports Amit Shah
in this year saw a growth of 8.26% as compared to last year. inaugurated
About GJEPC- The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion the ‘Jai Hind- The
Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, New Light and Sound
Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Show' at Red Fort in
Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian New Delhi. The show
Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when will be showcased in
India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in Hindi and English
the international markets. languages. A total of 700 people can watch the show at one
time. The light and sound show in Red Fort is being started
The Kashmir Files shortlisted for after a gap of almost five years.
Oscar Awards 2023 10 Jan' 23 According to the Ministry of Culture, this show is a new avatar

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of the light and sound show, in which a dramatic presentation
ollywood film 'Kashmir Files' has been shortlisted of bravery and the history of India from the 17th century
for Oscars 2023. The film director Vivek Agnihotri to the present day, will be shown. The one hour long show
informed about the shortlisting of this film in the has been divided into three parts showcasing the important
Oscar. historical events related to rise of the Marathas, the 1857 War
The Kashmir Files revolves around the mass exodus of of Independence, the rise of the Indian National Army, INA trial
Kashmiri Pandits in the year 1990. other films, Kantara, and the fight for Independence. The country's progress over
RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Chhello Show have the past 75 years will also be presented by showcasing various
been also shortlisted for Oscars 2023. Information and performance art forms like projection mapping, live action
Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said that it is films, light and immersive sound, actors, dancers and puppets.
a matter of pride for everybody that Indian films have been
shortlisted for Oscars. National Human Trafficking
In an exclusive interview of veteran actor Anupam Kher has Awareness Day 11 Jan' 23

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expressed happiness over the shorlisting of The Kashmir he National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is
Files for Oscars 2023. observed every year in the United States on 11th
January. The day is dedicated to raising awareness
World Hindi Day was celebrated about human trafficking. Even though the entire month
10 Jan' 23 of January has been recognized as the National Slavery

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and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, January 11
orld Hindi Day is being observed on 10 January. specifically aims towards the prevention of illegal practices.
The day is commemorated every year with the Since the US Senate established this day of observance in
objective to promote use of Hindi language 2007, it has drawn massive public support from individuals
abroad. On this day in 2006, the First World Hindi as well as government-organized events.
Conference was held in Nagpur with the aim to promote the Significance- Human Trafficking Awareness Day is
language worldwide and since then, every year 10th January significant as it has a long-term impact on human lives,
is being observed as the World Hindi Day. The Ministry of families and households, as well as communities across the
External Affairs and Indian Missions abroad also observe the globe. The day is also commemorated to aid in detecting
day annually. human trafficking red flags so that many lives can be saved.
Last year on the occasion of World Hindi Day, the United Human trafficking is the exploitation of an individual for
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization labour, domestic servitude, or commercial sexual activity by
(UNESCO) World Heritage Centre agreed to publish Hindi force, fraud, or coercion.
Former world rapid champion Koneru Humpy has won India’s first-ever Silver medal in the FIDE
World Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
MARCH 2023 MICA 55
 Indian Judicial
Collegium
System
The Indian Judicial collegium system, where existing Judicial meaning of the word
judges appoint judges to the nation's constitutional
courts, has its genesis in, and continued basis resting
"recommendation"
on, three of its own judgments made by Supreme Court In its judgment on the presidential reference, the
judges which are collectively known as the Three Judges Supreme Court has dealt elaborately withelaborately
Cases. with the modality of rendering a recommendation by a
constitutional entity such as the Supreme Court, President
Following are the three cases: of India, etc. It is not at the discretion of the person
Over the course of the three cases, the court evolved the consulted to render the recommendation but internal
principle of judicial independence to mean that no other consultations with the peers shall be made in writing and
branch of the state - including the legislature and the the recommendation shall be made in accordance with the
executive - would have any say in the appointment of internal consultations. Here internal consultations refer to
judges. The court then created the collegium system, a panel of existing Supreme Court judges appointed by
which has been in use since the judgment in the Second existing judges.
Judges Case was issued in 1993. There is no mention of the
collegium either in the original Constitution of India or in
National Judicial Appointments
successive amendments. Commission Act
The Third Judges Case of 1998 is not a case but an opinion The Lok Sabha on 13 August 2014 and the Rajya
delivered by the Supreme Court of India responding to a Sabha on 14 August 2014 passed the National Judicial
question of law regarding the collegium system, raised Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill, 2014 to
by then President of India K. R. Narayanan, in July 1998 scrap the collegium system of appointment of judges.
under his constitutional powers. The President of India gave his assent to the National
Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014 on 31
Further, in January 2013, the court dismissed as without
December 2014, after which the bill was renamed
locus standi, a public interest litigation filed by NGO Suraz
the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act,
India Trust that sought to challenge the collegium system
2014.
of appointment.
In July 2013, Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam spoke Functions of the Commission
against any attempts to change the collegium system. As per the amended constitution, the functions of the
On 5 September 2013, the Rajya Sabha passed The Commission would have included the following:
Constitution (120th Amendment) bill, 2013, which amends • Recommending persons for appointment as Chief
articles 124(2) and 217(1) of the Constitution of India, Justice of India, Judges of the Supreme Court, Chief
1950 and establishes the National Judicial Appointments Justices of High Courts and other Judges of High
Commission, on whose recommendation the President Courts.
would appoint judges to the higher judiciary.
• Recommending transfer of Chief Justices and other
The amendment was struck down by the Supreme Court Judges of High Courts from one High Court to any
for being unconstitutional on 16 October, 2015. The other High Court.
constitutional bench of Justices J. S. Khehar, Madan Lokur,
• Ensuring that the persons recommended are of ability,
Kurian Joseph and Adarsh Kumar Goel had declared the
merit and other criteria mentioned in the regulations
99th Amendment and NJAC Act unconstitutional while
related to the act.
Justice Chelameswar upheld it.

Morocco was rewarded by FIFA with hosting rights for the next Club World Cup in February, with an
56 MICA MARCH 2023
expanded 32-team edition set to launch in 2025.
99th Amendment and NJAC Act system within the following existing four parameters, with
opinions from both parties (petitioners who challenged the
quashed by the Supreme Court NJAC and the government).
By a majority opinion of 4:1, on 16 October 2015, the
Supreme Court struck down the constitutional amendment • How the collegium can be made transparent
and the NJAC Act restoring the two-decade old collegium
system of judges appointing judges in the higher judiciary. • The fixing of eligibility criteria for a person to be
The Supreme Court declared that NJAC is interfering considered suitable for appointment as a judge
with the autonomy of the judiciary by the executive • A process to receive and deal with complaints against
which amounts to tampering with the basic structure of judges without compromising judicial independence
the constitution where parliament is not empowered to
change the basic structure. However, the Supreme Court • Debate on whether a separate secretariat is required,
also acknowledged that the collegium system of judges and if so, its functioning, composition and powers.
appointing judges is lacking transparency and credibility
which would be rectified/improved by the Judiciary. On 19 November 2015, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi
informed the Supreme Court that the central government
Later developments would not prepare a draft memorandum for judicial
On 3 November 2015 the Supreme Court upheld that it appointments contrary to commitment earlier and suggested
is open to bringing greater transparency to the collegium the same to be done through a judgment.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared the All India Inter-University Fencing (Men &
Women) Championship 2022-23 open at Jammu University.
MARCH 2023 MICA 57
 The 17th Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas
Convention
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2) Second Plenary on ‘Role of Indian Diaspora in
17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Indore, Madhya promoting Indian Healthcare Eco-system in Amrit
Pradesh. The Prime Minister released a commemorative Kaal: Vision @2047’, chaired by Minister of Health
postal stamp ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’ and & Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and co-
also inaugurated the first-ever digital PBD Exhibition on chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs Dr
the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - Contribution of Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.
Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’. 3) Third Plenary on ‘Leveraging the soft power of
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship India - Goodwill through craft, cuisine & creativity’,
event of the Government of India that provides an important chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt
platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians and Meenakshi Lekhi.
enable the diaspora to interact with each other. The theme 4) Fourth Plenary on ‘Enabling global mobility of
of this PBD Convention is ‘Diaspora: Reliable partners Indian workforce – Role of Indian Diaspora’, chaired
for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal’. Over 3,500 diaspora by Minister of Education, Skill Development &
members from nearly 70 different countries have registered Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
for the PBD Convention.
5) Fifth Plenary on ‘Harnessing the potential of diaspora
According to Prime Minister Modi the Pravasi Bharatiya entrepreneurs towards an inclusive approach to nation
Divas is taking place in all its glory after a gap of four building’, chaired by Minister of Finance, Smt.
years and highlighted the significance and joy of personal Nirmala Sitharaman. All the Plenary Sessions will
interaction. Welcoming everyone on the occasion on behalf feature panel discussions inviting eminent diaspora
of 130 crore Indians, the Prime Minister said that the event experts.
is taking place on the land of Madhya Pradesh which is
Partner State- Madhya Pradesh- Madhya Pradesh, as
known as the heart of India and famous for the holy waters
the name suggests, is a state situated in the central part of
of Narmada, the greenery, the tribal culture and spirituality.
the Republic of India. Madhya Pradesh (abbreviated as
The Prime Minister mentioned the recently dedicated Maha
MP) is the second largest state by area and the fifth largest
Kaal Maha Lok and hoped that dignitaries and delegates
state by population. It is surrounded by Uttar Pradesh in
will be able to visit the sacred place.
the Northeast, Chhattisgarh in the East, Maharashtra in the
Prime Minister highlighted that Indians have traversed all South, Gujarat in the West and Rajasthan in the Northwest.
parts of the globe while living among different cultures The natural environment of Madhya Pradesh is varied.
and traditions and yet found ways to unlock the gates Consisting mainly of a plateau streaked with the mountain
of prosperity through business partnerships. The Prime ranges of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, the hills give
Minister observed that when we look at crores of Pravasi rise to the primary river system - Narmada and the Tapti,
Bhartiyas on the global map, myriad images emerge running from east to west, and the Chambal, Sone, Betwa,
simultaneously which paint the picture of ‘Vasudhaiva Mahanadi from west to east.
Kutumbakam’.
Economy- The economy of Madhya Pradesh is primarily
The PBD Convention will have agrarian, and it is a champion in the development of
agriculture and allied sector for more than a decade. Owing
five thematic Plenary sessions-
to an impressive agriculture growth rate, MP has been the
1) First Plenary on ‘Role of Diaspora Youth in Innovations recipient of the Krishi Karman Award many times. Wheat,
and new Technologies’, chaired by Minister of Youth soybean, gram, sugarcane, rice, maize, cotton, rapeseed,
Affairs & Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur. mustard, and arhar are the main crops grown in Madhya

C Rangarajan authored a book titled “Forks in the Road: My Days at RBI and Beyond”. It was
58 MICA MARCH 2023
published by the Penguin Business (Penguin Group).
Pradesh. In the Morena district of MP, honey production have also promoted India’s interests abroad. The Pravasi
is renowned as well. The rural economy of the state also Bharatiya Samman Awards are presented annually on
benefits from Minor Forest Produce (MFP), which includes January 9th, which is celebrated as the Pravasi Bharatiya
items like lak, sal seed, teak seed, and tendu leaves. Divas (Indian Diaspora Day) in India. The awards were
Industrial Climate & Infrastructure- Madhya Pradesh is initiated in 2003 by the Government of India to recognize
home to around 280 pharmaceutical units operating in the the achievements and contributions of NRIs and PIOs in
industrial areas of Dewas, Indore, Pithampur, Mandideep various fields such as education, science and technology,
and Malanpur. Madhya Pradesh has immense potential arts and culture, social work, public service, trade and
to become the manufacturing hub of India due to the industry, and philanthropy.
availability of land, Narmada water, power surplus, almost The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are classified into
negligible labour-unrest incidents, presence of eminent three categories – Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Pravasi
skill institutes, and availability of the best infrastructure for Bharatiya Samman Gold, and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
setting up industries in the state. The state is suitable for the Life Time Achievement. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
auto sector, food processing, textile and apparel, defence is given to NRIs and PIOs who have made significant
sector logistics and warehousing development. The state contributions to their respective fields, while the Pravasi
has focused on infrastructure development in agriculture Bharatiya Samman Gold is given to those who have
and allied sectors, and by developing the infrastructure, made exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
it is attracting industries, thereby generating employment The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Life Time Achievement
opportunities. is given to NRIs and PIOs who have made outstanding
Tourism and Heritage- Tourism in Madhya Pradesh has contributions to their respective fields over a long period
been an attraction of India because of its location in the of time.
country’s center. One-half of the state is forested and offers The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards have been presented
a unique panorama of wildlife. In the National Parks of to a wide range of NRIs and PIOs from different countries
Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Shivpuri and others, visitors can see and fields. Some of the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya
the tiger, the bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope Samman Awards in 2023 are Prof. Sanjeev Mehta, Prof.
in natural surroundings. Due to the abundance of tigers Ramjee Prasad, Dr. Rajagopal, Dr. Archana Sharma, Mr.
and other wildlife in the national parks of the state, it has Ashok Kumar Tiwary and Mr. Sivakumar Nadesan.
been recognized as the ‘Tiger State of India’. Numerous
monuments, intricately carved temples, stupas, forts and Background
palaces on hilltops raise in the visitors’ minds visions of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Non-
empires and kingdoms, of the great warriors and builders, Resident Indian Day, is an annual event celebrated on
poets and musicians, saints and philosophers of Hinduism, January 9th to mark the contribution and achievements
Buddhism, and Jainism. of the overseas Indian community to the development of
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards- The Pravasi India. The day also commemorates the return of Mahatma
Bharatiya Samman Awards are presented by the Gandhi, the leader of India's independence movement, from
President of India in a grand ceremony held at the South Africa to India in 1915, which marked the beginning
Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) in New Delhi. of India's freedom struggle. PBD was first celebrated in
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are a prestigious 2003 and has since become an important platform for the
honor bestowed upon non-resident Indians (NRIs) Government of India to engage with the overseas Indian
and people of Indian origin (PIOs) who have made community and to showcase the achievements and progress
significant contributions to their respective fields and of the country.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Headquarter in New Delhi has won the
prestigious GRIHA Exemplary Performance Award 2022.
MARCH 2023 MICA 59
 Voice of
Global South
Summit 2023
Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Housing India the powerhouse of the Global
and Urban Affairs Sh. Hardeep S Puri addressed the Energy
Ministers’ session of “Voice of Global South Summit–2023”
South
themed as “Energy Security and development: Roadmap India has successfully positioned itself as a 21st-century
to Prosperity”. powerhouse during the course of its 75-year journey.
The country’s global stature has continuously expanded
The summit was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister
and has played a crucial role in mitigating global crisis
on 12th January 2023 as an important group of nations to
situations. Aside from having one of the largest diasporas,
collaborate on political, economic, social, environmental,
other factors such as technical breakthroughs, economic
cultural, and technical issues.
potential, and improvements in social indicators have
Meaning of Global South:- The term Global South in helped the country to establish itself as a strong global
common parlance is used for the countries which have leader.
low levels of economic and industrial development, which
are mainly located in the southern part of the world and India: Capable leader for the
are located to the south of the industrialized, developed Global South
nations. Another way one can understand Global South is
India has a lot to offer to the world, especially to the
the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
countries of the global south. In addition, to India’s Vaccine
Additionally, the phrase ‘Global South’ paints a vision
Maitri, which provided medicines and vaccines to over 100
of the world with the historically neglected and minor
countries during the pandemic, the world has seen how the
geopolitical players at its center.
nation played a significant role in evacuating citizens from
India, with its enormous population and enormous Afghanistan and Ukraine during the times of hostilities in
economic capabilities, is working to unite the nations of those countries.
the Global South into a powerful front so that an action
Notably, India’s digital public assets like UPI, RuPay,
oriented approach can be adopted for the countries of the
and India stack, which are supporting such a large
global south. Tracing a connection between the nations,
portion of the Indian population, can be a powerful
one may explain how the global south has suffered greatly
instrument for the digital transformation of other
yet contributes relatively little to global crises. The
developing and emerging countries. The first nation to
industrialization consequences, food crisis, and climate
implement the Bharat Interface for Money – Unified
change among others have had a significant negative
Payments Interface (BHIM-UPI) was Bhutan, which is
influence on the developing world.
a direct neighbor of India. Various other nations, like
“In the last Century, we supported each other in our fight Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, also permit the use of the
against foreign rule. We can do it again in this Century, to RuPay card system.
create a new World Order that will ensure the welfare of
Another example of India’s assistance to other nations is its
our citizens,” said Prime Minister Modi while addressing
hospital system, which treats thousands of foreign patients
the Voice of Global South summit.
and has proved to be one of the most efficient and effective
The world is fully aware of the untapped potential that exists healthcare systems worldwide. If the Global South and
in the growing economies of the Global South. The countries India worked together, they could make significant
will witness significant progress if they cooperate in areas advancements in the fight against terrorism, maritime
like technical exchanges, ideas exchanges, exchanging best policy, and other fields.
practices in manufacturing, and other areas.

During 9th Atal Samman Samaroh, Prabhu Chandra Mishra has been awarded Atal Samman Award
60 MICA MARCH 2023
for his excellence in field of science & research.
 CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ
Q.1. Vijay Diwas is celebrated on which date? Q.9. Recently who has inaugurated the statue of
(1) 14-Dec (2) 15-Dec (3) 16-Dec Mahakavi Subramanian Bharathiyar in Varanasi ?
(4) 17-Dec (5) 18-Dec (1) Yogi Adityanath (2) Narendra Modi
Q.2. Which edition of Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise (3) Anandiben Patel (4) M.K.Stalin
“SURYA KIRAN” between India and Nepal started (5) Amit Shah
at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi? Q.10. Recently Indian Renewable Energy Development
(1) 15th (2) 16th (3) 17th Agency Limited (IREDA) has signed a loan
(4) 18th (5) 19th agreement with SJVN Green Energy Limited
Q.3. Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated worth Rupees?
the 7th Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (1) 4,444.71 crore (2) 4,333.71 crore
in which city? (3) 5,444.71 crore (4) 5,333.71 crore
(1) New Delhi (2) Mumbai (3) Varanasi (5) 6,444.71 crore
(4) Lucknow (5) Agra Q.11. Recently which edition of GST Council meeting
Q.4. Recently, Prime Minister Kaushal Ko Kaam held in New Delhi?
Program (PMKKK) has new What has been (1) 45th (2) 46th (3) 47th
named? (4) 48th (5) 49th
(1) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan Q.12. India and Australia have signed the India-Australia
(2) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Vishwas Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-
(3) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samayojan Aus ECTA), which will come in to the force ?
(4) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samapan (1) 23.12.2022 (2) 25.12.2022 (3) 27.12.2022
(5) Pradhan Mantri Ki Virasat (4) 29.12.2022 (5) 31.12.2022
Q.5. What is the India has launched to promote Q.13. Which Company has won IEI Industry Excellence
accountability for crimes against peacekeepers? Award 2022?
(1) ‘Group of Friends’ (1) National Mineral Development Corporation
(2) ‘Group of Friendship’ (2) National Thermal Power Corporation
(3) ‘Group of Nations’ (3) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
(4) ‘Group of Schemes’ (4) Indian Oil Corporation
(5) ‘Group of Nation in G20’ (5) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Q.6. Which has to be First Country To Auction SatCom Q.14. Which State to host two G20 meetings in March
Spectrum? 2023?
(1) USA (2) Britain (3) India (1) Kerala (2) Karnataka (3) Sikkim
(4) Russia (5) China (4) Tripura (5) Assam
Q.7. Which Bank has announced the launch of its Q.15. Which company will spend Rs 7,930 crore under
sixth annual grants program for social startups the PLI scheme for specialty steel to manufacture
in partnership with the Government of India’s eight types of high-end alloy in the country?
flagship initiative ‘Startup India’? (1) Steel Authority of India Ltd
(1) ICICI Bank (2) HDFC Bank (2) Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL)
(3) Axis Bank (4) Punjab National Bank (3) Essar Steel India Ltd
(5) State Bank of India (4) Tata Steel Limited
Q.8. Which state Health Department has received an (5) Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. (RINL)
award for best practices in controlling the disease Q.16. Recently which Anniversary of Victory Day has
in India? celebrated by Bangladesh?
(1) Maharashtra (2) Meghalaya (3) Manipur (1) 50th (2) 51th (3) 52th
(4) Uttarakhand (5) Madhya Pradesh (4) 53th (5) 54th

State Bank of India (SBI) has launched e-Bank Guarantee (e-BG) facility in association with
National e-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).
MARCH 2023 MICA 61
QUIZ TIME CURRENT AFFAIRS
Q.17. Who has named as CEO of 2032 Olympic Q.27. Which Country women's Hockey Team has lift
organising committee? FIH Nations Cup 2022?
(1) Jacques Count Rogge (1) Spain (2) France (3) India
(2) Cindy Hook (4) Japan (5) Germany
(3) PT Usha Q.28. Gross Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year
(4) Lord Killanin (FY) 2022-23 register a growth of _____%?
(5) Thomas Bach (1) 23.5 (2) 24.7 (3) 25.9
Q.18. Who has finished 21st in the men's +109kg event at (4) 27.2 (5) 29.3
the World Championships? Q.29. Plenary Session at 7th Petrochemical Conclave
(1) Gurdeep Singh (2) Lovepreet Singh held in which city?
(3) Vikas Thakur (4) Pardeep Singh (1) Mumbai (2) New Delhi (3) Bengaluru
(5) Sathish Sivalingam (4) Chennai (5) Hyderabad
Q.19. Who has becomes England’s youngest cricketer to Q.30. Who has become the new Prime Minister of
debut in test cricket? Ireland?
(1) Rehan Ahmed (2) Armaan Malik (1) Leo Varadkar (2) Michael D. Higgins
(3) Ben Foakes (4) Irfaan Khan (3) Micheál Martin (4) Enda Kenny
(5) Jack Middleton (5) Brian Cowen
Q.20. Which edition of Atal Innovation Mission and Q.31. Who has won Mrs World 2022 title?
UNDP India launched?
(1) Sargam Kaushal (2) Shalini Iyer
(1) 2nd (2) 3rd (3) 4th
(3) Shaylyn Ford (4) Kate Schneider
(4) 5th (5) 6th
(5) Caroline Jurie
Q.21. ‘Goa Liberation Day’ is celebrated on which date?
Q.32. Which bank has signed a Memorandum of
(1) 16-December (2) 17-December
Understanding (MoU), to provide banking facilities
(3) 18-December (4) 19-December to the UT employees?
(5) 20-December (1) Kerala Gramin Bank
Q.22. Who is the Author of a book titled “The Light We (2) Jammu and Kashmir Bank
Carry?
(3) Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
(1) Liz Truss (2) Michelle Obama
(4) State Bank of India
(3) Barack Obama (4) Rishi Sunak
(5) ICICI Bank
(5) Virat Kohli
Q.33. Who has been named Australia next ambassador to
Q.23. What is the rank of India in Global Food Security
the United States.
Index (GFSI) Report 2022?
(1) 67th (2) 68th (3) 69th (1) Kevin Rudd (2) Anthony Albanese
(4) 70th (5) 71th (3) Scott Morrison (4) Mathias Cormann
Q.24. Which player has won golden boot in 2022? (5) Malcolm Turnbull
(1) Kylian Mbappe (2) Robert Lewandowski Q.34. Which state High Court banned mechanised mining
in riverbeds in the state?
(3) Cristiano Ronaldo (4) Mohamed Salah
(5) Harry Kane (1) Madhya Pradesh (2) Uttar Pradesh
Q.25. National Minorities Rights Day 2022 observed on (3) Uttarakhand (4) Himachal Pradesh
which date? (5) Arunachal Pradesh
(1) 17-December (2) 18-December Q.35. Who is the Author of book "Black River"?
(3) 19-December (4) 20-December (1) Nilanjana Roy (2) Barac Obama
(5) 16-December (3) Michelle Obama (4) Ruskin Bond
Q.26. How many gold medals India won at 19th (5) Khushwant Singh
International Junior Science Olympiad 2022? Q.36. Recently Jitendra Singh inaugurates Good
(1) 4 (2) 5 (3) 6 Governance Week 2022, This week has started
(4) 7 (5) 8 from which date?

Union Communications, IT, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has launched high-speed fifth-
62 MICA MARCH 2023
generation (5G) telecom services in Odisha.
 CURRENT AFFAIRS
(1) 19 December to 25 December (1) Mohit Seth
(2) 25 December to 31 December (2) Manoj Mukund Naravane
(3) 10December to 18 December (3) Manoj Pande
(4) 01 December to 08 December (4) Ajit Doval
(5) 25 November to 01 December (5) Abhinav Singh
Q.37. INSV Tarini to participate in which edition of Cape Q.46. Recently Shipping Ministry sanctions 151 projects
Town to Rio Race 2023? under which Scheme?
(1) 40th (2) 45th (3) 50th (1) Sagarmala Scheme
(4) 55th (5) 60th (2) Sagarmatha Scheme
Q.38. Which Ministry hosted Millet Food Festival? (3) Mission Karmayogi
(1) Ministry of Culture (4) Sahakar Mitra Scheme
(2) Ministry of Rural Development (5) Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
(3) Ministry of Agriculture Q.47. The fifth Scorpène submarine, Vagir of Project - 75
Kalvari Class submarines has been delivered to the
(4) Ministry of Finance
Indian Navy by which Company?
(5) Ministry of Home Affairs (1) Goa Shipyard Ltd
Q.39. International Human Solidarity Day 2022 is (2) Hindustan Shipyard Ltd
celebrated on which date?
(3) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(1) 19-November (2) 20-November
(4) Hooghly Dock & Port Engineers Ltd
(3) 19-December (4) 20-December
(5) Larsen & Tourbo Shipbuilding Ltd
(5) 21-December Q.48. Which Ministry has organised two-day National
Q.40. What ranks of India globally in the publication of Level Competition (Grand Finale) of the Vande
scientific papers? Bharatam Nritya Utsav 2023?
(1) 5th (2) 6th (3) 3rd (1) Ministry of Education
(4) 4th (5) 2nd (2) Ministry of Culture
Q.41. Which Bank has launched Roots, a dedicated (3) Ministry of Rural Development
platform providing comprehensive investor (4) Ministry of Home Affairs
education and market analysis? (5) Ministry of Finance
(1) ICICI Bank (2) HDFC Bank (3) Yes Bank Q.49. What is the name of first ship of the ASW SWC
(4) Axis Bank (5) Dena Bank Project, being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders &
Q.42. Who has launched the country’s first-ever surety Engineers, GRSE for the Indian Navy was launched?
bond insurance product? (1) Arnala (2) Arpala (3) Durga
(1) Nitin Gadkari (2) Narendra Modi (4) Shakti (5) Tejaswini
(3) Shaktikanta Das (4) Nirmala Sitharaman Q.50. Garners revenue worth ______ thousand crore in
(5) Draupadi Murmu Mobile phone exports in 2022?
Q.43. Which state hosted the first-ever Tribal Winter (1) 20 Thousand Cr (2) 30 Thousand Cr
Festival? (3) 40 Thousand Cr (4) 50 Thousand Cr
(1) Punjab (2) Haryana (5) 60 Thousand Cr
(3) Nagaland (4) Jammu & Kashmir Q.51. Which bollywood film featured in global list of top
(5) Himachal Pradesh 50 films of 2022?
Q.44. Which Country has achieved the target of 1.6 (1) Bahubali (2) Tanaji (3) RRR
million tourists it set for 2022? (4) KGF (5) Shershaah
(1) India (2) Maldives (3) Malaysia Q.52. Recently which bank has launched ZERO Fee
(4) Indonesia (5) Canada Banking savings accounts?
Q.45. Who has took over as the General Officer (1) IDFC First Bank (2) ICICI Bank
Commanding (GOC) of the Counter Insurgency (3) HDFC Bank (4) Indian Bank
Force Kilo? (5) Yes Bank

Vivek Agnihotri's film 'The Kashmir Files' has been shortlisted for Oscars 2023. That means now this
film has qualified to get an Oscar.
MARCH 2023 MICA 63
QUIZ TIME CURRENT AFFAIRS
Q.53. Which Kabaddi team won the Pro Kabaddi League Q.63. National Farmer's Day observed on which date?
Season 9 ? (1) 22-Nov (2) 23-Nov (3) 22-Dec
(1) Bengal Warriors (2) Jaipur Pink Panthers (4) 23-Dec (5) 24-Dec
(3) Haryana Steelers (4) Bengaluru Bulls Q.64. Who has awarded Rohini Nayyar prize 2022?
(5) Gujarat Giants (1) Sethrichem Sangtam
Q.54. Who has named as new head of AERB? (2) Dr. Ashok Khosla
(1) Dinesh Kumar Shukla (3) Dr. Rajesh Tondon
(2) Dinesh Kumar Sharma (4) Suman Thakur
(3) Pradeep Kharolia (5) Renana Jhabwala
(4) Rajeev Kumar Q.65. Which state will host India’s first ever World Table
(5) Pranay Verma Tennis (WTT) series event?
Q.55. Which state government has launched Orunodoi (1) Kerala (2) Karnataka (3) Goa
2.0 Scheme? (4) Sikkim (5) Maharashtra
(1) Kerala (2) Karnataka (3) Odisha Q.66. Which building has won top Green Building Award?
(4) Assam (5) Tamil Nadu (1) Unique Identification Authority of India
Q.56. Recently Bhairon Singh Rathore passed away, He (UIDAI) Headquarter
was associated with which field? (2) Police Headquarter of Delhi
(1) Defence (2) Politics (3) Acting (3) Parliament House
(4) Writer (5) Science and Tech (4) Namaste Tower Mumbai
Q.57. Which Country to provide its key Patriot missile (5) Police Headquarter of Lucknow
defence system to Ukraine? Q.67. Which city to host FIFA club of World Cup 2023?
(1) Britain (2) USA (3) Russia (1) Morocco (2) New York (3) Chicago
(4) China (5) India (4) Los Angeles (5) New Delhi
Q.58. All India Inter-University Fencing Championship Q.68. Kaikala Satyanarayana passed away, He was
2022-23 open at which city ? associated to which field?
(1) Jammu (2) New Delhi (3) Mumbai (1) Politics (2) Acting (3) Historian
(4) Lucknow (5) Bengaluru (4) Author (5) Science and Tech
Q.59. Recently India’s textile and apparel exports Q.69. Which Ministry has organised a one of its kind
including handicrafts achieve over ______billion musical event, Dance to Decarbonise, National
dollar? Stadium in New Delhi?
(1) 40 billion dollar (2) 44 billion dollar (1) Ministry of Culture
(3) 50 billion dollar (4) 55 billion dollar (2) Ministry of Rural Development
(5) 60 billion dollar (3) Ministry of Education
Q.60. India has become the largest producer and exporter (4) Ministry of Petroleum
of- (5) Ministry of Home Affairs
(1) Sugar (2) Sugarcane (3) Liquor Q.70. Which film becomes first Pakistani film to enter
(4) Milk (5) Wheat Oscars shortlist?
Q.61. Who is the author a book ‘Fit At Any Age’? (1) Joyland
(1) P V Iyer (2) PT Usha (2) Intezaar
(3) Vikram Sampath (4) Gautam Borah (3) Showgirls of Pakistan
(5) Shekhar Pathak (4) Hum Tum
Q.62. Who has appointed as new brand Ambassador of (5) Balochabad
Puma? Q.71. Who is 12th highest-paid female athlete in world?
(1) Virat Kohli (2) Anushka Sharma (1) Sakshi Malik (2) Neeraj Chopra
(3) Vicky Kaushal (4) Aliya Bhatt (3) PV Sindhu (4) Mirabai Chanu
(5) Ranveer Singh (5) Abhinav Bindra

Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti has taken over the charge of new Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
64 MICA MARCH 2023
(CEO), Railway Board (Ministry of Railways).
 CURRENT AFFAIRS
Q.72. Which bank has borrowed USD 400 million from Q.80. Who has appointed as India’s new ambassador to
International Financial Corporation (IFC)? Saudi Arabia?
(1) ICICI Bank (2) HDFC Bank (1) Dr. Ausaf Sayeed (2) Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan
(3) Axis Bank (4) State Bank of India (3) Dr. Shabana Shekh (4) Gurmeet Singh
(5) Punjab National Bank (5) Imran Khan
Q.73. Which organization has given approval to the Q.81. Which Indian Institute of Technology has won
National Stock Exchange to set up a social stock Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards 2022?
exchange? (1) IIT Delhi (2) IIT Mumbai (3) IIT Madras
(1) Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) (4) IIT Kanpur (5) IIT Indore
(2) Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Q.82. Who has Honoured with Atal Samman Award
(3) Reserve Bank of India 2022?
(4) State Bank of India (1) Prabhu Chandra Mishra
(5) India International Exchange (2) Ramdarsh Mishra
Q.74. Which of two films won the Best Film Award at (3) Abhishek Mishra
the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival? (4) Narendra Modi
(1) Kura Pokkhir Shunye Ura and Upon Entry (5) Sadanand Mishra
(2) RRR and Kura Pokkhir Shunye Q.83. Recently who has been appointed as the acting
(3) RRR and Upon Entry Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)?
(1) Praveen Kumar Srivastava
(4) Joyland and RRR
(2) Arvind Kumar
(5) Joyland and Nargis
(3) Suresh N. Patel
Q.75. Which edition of the North East Festival begins in
New Delhi? (4) Arun Kumar
(1) 6th (2) 7th (3) 8th (5) Pranay Kumar
(4) 10th (5) 12th Q.84. Which Bank has launched its flagship business
mentoring program for MSME entrepreneurs
Q.76. President Joe Biden has nominated which Indian to
‘MSME Prerana’ in the state of Rajasthan?
a top diplomatic position in the US Department of
(1) ICICI Bank (2) Indian Bank
State?
(3) Bank of India (4) Axis Bank
(1) Richard R Verma (2) Rajat Verma
(5) HDFC Bank
(3) Ankit Choudhary (4) Rakesh Sharma
Q.85. Which Country has successfully fired Brahmos Air
(5) Rajeev Kumar
Launched missile from a SU-30MKI aircraft?
Q.77. By what percent India's growth forecast for FY23
(1) Ukraine (2) India (3) Pakistan
has been cut by the International Monetary Fund
(IMF)? (4) China (5) Russia
Q.86. Which mobile App and Manual of Border Security
(1) 8.80% (2) 7.80% (3) 6.80%
Force in New Delhi has launched by Amit Shah?
(4) 5.80% (5) 4.80%
(1) Suraksha (2) Samman (3) Prahari
Q.78. Which two countries has declared a state of
(4) Border (5) Shakti
emergency in anticipation of an arctic storm?
Q.87. India and which Country have signed several
(1) US and Canada
agreements in various fields including defense and
(2) UK and Canada military cooperation?
(3) Netherlands and US (1) Netherlands (2) Cyprus (3) Egypt
(4) Us and UK (4) Canada (5) Columbia
(5) India and China Q.88. Who has to head Maharashtra's new economic
Q.79. Which state has launches upgraded Inner Line advisory body?
Permit (ILP) System portal? (1) Ratan Tata (2) N Chandrasekaran
(1) Kerala (2) Sikkim (3) Manipur (3) T N Rao (4) Parag Agarwal
(4) Meghalaya (5) Maharashtra (5) N Y Patil
According to Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar India becomes the
largest producer and exporter of sugar.
MARCH 2023 MICA 65
QUIZ TIME CURRENT AFFAIRS
Q.89. First Bekal International Beach Festival organized Q.95. Who has named as to a key national space advisory
in which State? group by US Vice President?
(1) Kerala (2) Karnataka (1) Rajeev Badyal (2) Rajeev Ranjan
(3) Maharashtra (4) Andhra Pradesh (3) Sanjeev Kumar (4) Gurdeep Singh
(5) Tamil Nadu (5) Praveen K Srivastava
Q.90. Pele died at the age of 82, He was associated to Q.96. _______ launched by TransUnion Cibil in
which sport? association with Online PSB Loans, will rate the
(1) Cricket (2) Volleyball (3) Football over 6 crore micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs).
(4) Tennis (5) Badminton
(1) SAFE RANK (2) FIT RANK
Q.91. Recently Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen
(3) FIRST RANK (4) TOP RANK
have won Gold medals in which sports?
(5) DULL RANK
(1) Football (2) Boxing (3) Shooting
Q.97. Recently who has joined as Chairman-cum-
(4) Swimming (5) Weightlifting
Managing Director of MOIL?
Q.92. Recently who has appointed as the Chairman of the (1) Ajit Kumar Saxena
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)?
(2) Arun Kumar Srivastava
(1) Prabhu Chandra Mishra
(3) Praveen Kumar Srivastava
(2) Santosh Kumar Yadav
(4) Rajeev Kumar
(3) Praveen Kumar Sharma (5) Akshay Mundra
(4) Suresh Chandra Q.98. Recently Arata Isozaki passed away, He was
(5) Arun Kumar associated to which field?
Q.93. Which state has become the first state in the country (1) Architect (2) Politics
to pass the Lokayukta Act? (3) Science and Tech (4) Author
(1) Madhya Pradesh (2) Uttar Pradesh (5) Acting
(3) Uttarakhand (4) Maharashtra Q.99. Tata Motors to complete the acquisition of which
(5) Meghalaya Motor company in January 2023?
Q.94. Which state government has launched the 10th (1) Maruti (2) Ford (3) Hyundai
phase of Rythu Bandhu, the investment support (4) Audi (5) BMW
scheme for farmers? Q.100. India’s second longest cable-stayed eight-lane
(1) Kerala (2) Karnataka Zuari Bridge open in which state?
(3) Andhra Pradesh (4) Telangana (1) Kerala (2) Maharashtra (3) Goa
(5) Tamil Nadu (4) Tamil Nadu (5) Madhya Pradesh
ANSWER KEY
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(2) Q.3.(1) Q.4.(1) Q.5.(1) Q.6.(3) Q.7.(2) Q.8.(2) Q.9.(4) Q.10.(1)
Q.11.(4) Q.12.(4) Q.13.(1) Q.14.(3) Q.15.(2) Q.16.(3) Q.17.(2) Q.18.(1) Q.19.(1) Q.20.(4)
Q.21.(4) Q.22.(2) Q.23.(2) Q.24.(1) Q.25.(2) Q.26.(3) Q.27.(3) Q.28.(3) Q.29.(2) Q.30.(1)
Q.31.(1) Q.32.(2) Q.33.(1) Q.34.(3) Q.35.(1) Q.36.(1) Q.37.(3) Q.38.(3) Q.39.(4) Q.40.(3)
Q.41.(2) Q.42.(1) Q.43.(4) Q.44.(2) Q.45.(1) Q.46.(1) Q.47.(3) Q.48.(2) Q.49.(1) Q.50.(3)
Q.51.(3) Q.52.(1) Q.53.(2) Q.54.(1) Q.55.(4) Q.56.(1) Q.57.(2) Q.58.(1) Q.59.(2) Q.60.(1)
Q.61.(1) Q.62.(2) Q.63.(4) Q.64.(1) Q.65.(3) Q.66.(1) Q.67.(1) Q.68.(2) Q.69.(4) Q.70.(1)
Q.71.(3) Q.72.(2) Q.73.(1) Q.74.(1) Q.75.(4) Q.76.(1) Q.77.(3) Q.78.(1) Q.79.(3) Q.80.(2)
Q.81.(3) Q.82.(1) Q.83.(1) Q.84.(2) Q.85.(2) Q.86.(3) Q.87.(2) Q.88.(2) Q.89.(1) Q.90.(3)
Q.91.(2) Q.92.(2) Q.93.(4) Q.94.(4) Q.95.(1) Q.96.(2) Q.97.(1) Q.98.(1) Q.99.(2) Q.100.(3)

FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup got off to a colorful start in the historic Barabati stadium in the
66 MICA MARCH 2023
millennium city of Cuttack in Odisha.
LIC AAO PRE MODEL PAPER 2023
LIC AAO PRE
MODEL PAPER 2023
Q.1-5. Read the following passage and answer the if we intend to walk into the sunset together that
questions based on it. we enjoy the journey and what we share. Do
It’s amazing how much time we spend wooing, you want to grow old unhappily, in boredom,
pampering and putting our best foot forward feeling unloved, hoping for a miracle that will
when we meet someone we are attracted to. We once again make you feel relevant and special?
dress well, we smell good, use mouthwash, we Agree to create your own relationship code
are well mannered, attentive, protective and that works to preserve and protect what you
bring conversation and fun to the table. We pretty share, because after all, it’s the person you will
much make the person feel like they are the center be spending the rest of your life with and you
of the universe. What’s equally amazing is how value it. Many a time you need some time off
once couples get into a long-term relationship to evaluate life and relationships. Sometimes a
or marriage how things change so dramatically. committed break gives a lot of perspective into
Grubby clothes, oily hair, long hours at work, an what you want and what you are not willing to
exhausted even grumpy attitude once back home, compromise on. Both of you will experience
and of course, the fact that you even fart loudly what life is like without the other and evaluate
without caring if it’s going to stink. What’s the whether the relationship is worth holding onto,
most amazing is that people later wonder why rebuilding, or letting go as it has run its course.
the relationship has faded, the magic gone and Q.1. As per your reading, explain why is it important to
apathy set in. If you invest 10 hours a day into cut-off from someone for a brief period?
your work life and that needs constant effort to A.  In order to break off as things become mundane.
be on a winning streak, so does your relationship.
B.  In order to ascertain the fact that whether it is
It is fine to take a relationship off the pedestal of
lucrative to stay together or apart.
1st place, but it’s not okay to park it in the garage
either. Relationships are built on emotional C. In order to know the feeling one gets in the
investments and require constant updates like absence of the other one.
a software program. People are constantly D. In order to assess one’s standing in the
changing, needs are evolving, and the fact is that relationship.
both people are human beings who needs love, (1) Only A (2) Both B and C
kindness, affection and care daily. It is something
(3) Both C and D (4) Both A and B
that needs to be spoken about, addressed clearly
and commitments made as to how to give value (5) B, C and D
and respect to what is supposed to last a life time. Q.2. With reference to the passage, mention the best
People are deeply immersed in building their possible way(s) to ensure that one’s relationship
respective professional futures and it involves thrives.
working 10 to 12-hour days. But they need (1) Spending ample amount of time with each
to have a clear understanding that what they other.
share must be nurtured. The rules are simple: (2) Using the spent time to have a light moment
spend minimum 20 minutes every morning which ultimately determines how the day is
chatting over cups of tea together. No phones, going to turn out.
no computers, no distractions. Just time to chat,
bond, share, laugh and set a good tone for the (3) Trying and striving that electronic gadgets
day ahead. Most importantly, shut off from all don’t come in way while interacting.
work at 8 pm. Sundays are committedly a day (4) Expounding one’s idea of an ideal relationship
off together (with only an occasional 4-hour to those who do not have one.
window only if urgent stuff still needs to be (5) All except (4)
done), because it’s time for “relationship time”. Q.3. What exactly is/are the point(s) which should
Be it a day on the beach, dinners out, watching remain explicit between the people involved in any
Netflix, entertaining friends, it’s important that relationship?

Tata Motors to complete the acquisition of Ford India’s manufacturing plant at Sanand through its
subsidiary on 10th January 2023.
MARCH 2023 MICA 67
LIC AAO PRE
(1) The manner in which one treats the other Q.7. While speaking on the dais, the teacher strike a
(2) How to cherish what one has got. note of informing about the new remedial classes
being organized in school premises and this is as
(3) Being dynamic in the relationship as well as in
far the most important decision after the meeting.
life.
(1) Hit a note, from far
(4) Deep mutual admiration towards each other.
(2) Strike a thought, by now
(5) Both (2) and (4)
(3) Bang a note, so far
Q.4. With reference to the passage, draw a parallel
between relationships and software programmes. (4) Struck a note, by far
A.  Just like a software, there is always room for (5) None of the above
improvement in relationships also. Q.8. Nowadays, parenting is the new school of thinking
B. Relationships are no rocket science to be in raising a child for the intellectual development
understood with lots of efforts, contrary to of a child from infancy into adulthood and our
software. society falls under the line.
C. A software programme is developed with the (1) School of thought, falls in the line
love of its maker and so are relationships. (2) Institute of thought, falls with the graph
D.  Just like a software, relationships also need to (3) college of idea, falls in the line
be flexible to changes and adapt them time to (4) school of belief, drop in the line
time.
(5) None of the above.
(1) Only A (2) Both B and C
Q.9. The musical band leave me cold and this is the
(3) Both C and D (4) Both A and B reason we had everything in the line for the live
(5) Only D concert, but having these kinds of songs are really
Q.5. Which of the following points has/have not been like throwing a span on the concert.
conveyed by the author? (1) Withdrew me cold, throwing a wrench
A.  It’s a point to ponder later and one tries and (2) Leave everybody cold, throwing a tool
finds out the reason for the ‘in absentia’ charm (3) Left me cold, throwing a spanner
in the relationship.
(4) Left me cool, throwing a nut
B.  The sole basis of relationships is the emotions
involved from both the people. (5) None of the above.
C.  One needs to give enough time to our bond as Q.10. John rolled under the responsibilities he had been
we do to our work. given in organizing an event and he was so stressed
but it was pretty smooth sailing on that day.
D.  The primary prerequisite is to have a desire to
be with each other. (1) Real under, smooth selling
(1) Only A (2) Both B and C (2) Roll under, settle sailing
(3) Both C and D (4) Both A and B (3) Reeled under, smooth sailing
(5) None of the above (4) Rolled into, smooth boating
Q.6-10. In the following question, two phrases are given (5) None of the above.
in bold. Identify the grammatically correct set Q.11-15. If one part of the sentence which is given in
of phrases from the following options :- bold is fixed at its place then what will be the
Q.6. Don’t give up now, it just drew in the face of your correct rearrangement of the sentence given
hard work in this case because the jury will uphold below? In case you feel the given sentence is in
cognizance of your evidence eventually. its correct sequence then mark option (5) i.e., no
(1) Waves on the face of, draw cognizance of change required as your answer.
(2) Flies in the wings of, take notice of Q.11. New Delhi must intensify its dialogue with (A)/
regional and global stakeholders, and impress upon
(3) Flies in the face of, take cognizance of
(B)/ them that any dialogue with the Taliban (C)/ must
(4) Flies under the face of, took cognizance of not come at the cost of the hard-fought (D)/ victories
(5) None of the above. of the Afghan people in the past two decades (E)/.

US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian American Richard R Verma to a top diplomatic
68 MICA MARCH 2023
position in the US Department of State.
 MODEL PAPER 2023
(1) ABECD (2) ACBED (3) ADECB (ii) People are asked to remain out of the abandoned
(4) ACDBE (5) No change required quarry (A)/ query (B) because of the danger
of falling rocks.
Q.12. major concessions to the Taliban, (A)/ including
dialogue without insisting (B)/ that peace in (1) AB (2) BA (3) AA
Afghanistan is not possible without (C)/ The (4) BB (5) Both AA and BB
U.S. and Russia have accepted the idea (D)/ on a Q.18. (i) Rather than fining the graffiti artist, the
cessation of violence (E)/. judge ordered him to make reparation (A)/
(1) ABCDE (2) DCBAE (3) DCABE repatriation (B) by painting the entire building.
(4) ADCBE (5) No change required (ii) My physics teacher challenged us to refute (A)
Q.13. In its ostensibly even-handed intervention in /refuse (B) his laboratory findings with our
the (A)/ stand-off between the Central and State own evidence.
governments over (B)/ the manner of investigation (1) AA (2) BB (3) AB
of a contentious case, (C)/ the Supreme Court has (4) BA (5) Both AA and BB
de-escalated (D)/ political tensions, at least for now.
Q.19. (i) Hopefully the movie trailer piqued (A) /
(E).
peaked (B) the interest of moviegoers and
(1) ABECD (2) ABDCE (3) ADECB motivate them to buy tickets to see the film.
(4) ACEBD (5) No change required (ii) The criminal forced his wife to be his consort
Q.14. While the CM may have reason to believe (A)/ concert (B) in crime.
that (A)/ was politically motivated, his (1) AA (2) BB (3) AB
government’s response, (B)/ the timing of the
(4) BA (5) Both AA and BB
CBI’s operation (C)/ officials, was shocking
and inexcusable (D)/ manhandling and Q.20. (i) The mountain trek will exhilarate (A)/ accelerate
detaining the CBI (E)/. (B) tourists who love to challenge themselves.
(1) ABECD (2) ACBED (3) ADECB (ii) His reactions to unpleasant situations tended
to aggregate (A)/ aggravate (B) everyone’s
(4) ACDBE (5) No change required
nerves.
Q.15. To appear before the CBI before it (A)/ had been
(1) AA (2) BB (3) BA
served a number of notices (B)/ Team investigating
the chit fund case (C)/ The Police Commissioner (4) AB (5) Both AA and BB
and his Special Investigation (D)/ sent a team to Q.21-25. In the question three different words are
his house in Kolkata (E)/. given followed by three phrases which may or
(1) CDBAE (2) DABCE (3) ABCDE may not define the words mentioned in column
1. Choose the option/s which is/are available
(4) DCBAE (5) No change required
as the meaning of the words. If the meaning is
Q.16-20. In the following question, two sentences are ‘available’ or ‘not available’ for all the words,
given. Each sentence has a pair of words that mark option (5).
are highlighted. From the highlighted words
(1) Only A is defined
select the most appropriate word (A or B) to
form correct sentences. (2) Only B is defined
Q.16. (i) The company offers month-long paid satirical (3) Both A and B are defined
(A)/ sabbatical (B) for all employees. (4) Both B and C are defined
(ii) During Dean’s surgeon (A) / sojourn (B) in (5) All are defined/ All are not defined
Paris, he spent two weeks visiting all of the Q.21.
city’s cultural attractions.
Column 1 Column 2
(1) AA (2) BB (3) BA
A. Deterrent i. something that discourages
(4) AB (5) Both AA and BB
B. Envisage ii. to gain advantage by
Q.17. (i) The fact that the celebrity was behind the
rumors was appealing (A) /appalling (B) to manipulating unfairly
his followers. C. Hitherto iii. upto a level

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the
Pali district of Rajasthan.
MARCH 2023 MICA 69
LIC AAO PRE
Q.22. Q.29. Schools that send children for door to door
collection of money for various causes will be
Column 1 Column 2
--------------------under the Child Rights Act.
A. Garrulous i. causing quarrels
(1) Hailed (2) Distanced (3) Mourned
B. Preternatural ii. beyond what is normal or
(4) Prosecuted (5) Liberated
natural
Q.30. In the ---------of a road, most residents were either
C. Affinity iii. amicable forced to walk or use horses for commuting.
Q.23. (1) Hence (2) Presence (3) Chance
Column 1 Column 2 (4) Absence (5) Sustenance
A. Lurch i. make an uncontrolled move Q.31-34. The series given below has one wrong number
B. Unprecedented ii. never done before find that number and answer the question.
C. Impuissant iii. powerless Q.31. 32, 39, 65, 128, 253, 467, 809, 1320
Q.24. (1) 39 (2) 65 (3) 253
Column 1 Column 2 (4) 467 (5) 32
A. Cantankerous i. bad tempered Q.32. 47, 44, 45, 46, 33, 57, 3, 88
B. Afflict ii. cause pain or trouble (1) 44 (2) 57 (3) 46
C. Contemplate iii. contemporaneous (4) 3 (5) 47
Q.25. Q.33. 45, 131, 228, 338, 466, 619, 800
Column 1 Column 2 (1) 131 (2) 466 (3) 619
A. Entrenched i. enumerable (4) 45 (5) 800
B. Curmudgeon ii. a bad tempered person Q.34. 19, 22, 32, 46, 73, 108, 158
C. Ambidextrous iii. a person who can write (1) 22 (2) 46 (3) 73
with both hands (4) 19 (5) 158
Q.26-30. In the following question, a sentence with a Q.35-39. In the following question two equations
blank has been given. Below it five words have numbered I and II are given. You have to solve
been denoted by numbers (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5). both the equations and give answer thereof.
Find out which word can be filled up in the blank Q.35. I. 8x2 + 3x = 38
to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
II. 6y2 + 34 = 29y
Q.26. We have an imbalanced structure of health
(1) x > y
services, in the sense that we don't provide free
immunization but provide for free cure of diseases (2) x ≥ y
caused by the absence of that very------------------. (3) x < y
(1) Desperation (2) Consternation (4) x ≤ y
(3) Motion (4) Aspiration (5) x = y or relation can’t be established
(5) Immunization Q.36. I. x2 - x - 6 = 0
Q.27. The expense of high school and higher secondary II. 2y2 + 13y + 21 = 0
education ---------a number of students drop out.
(1) x > y
(1) Frames (2) Speculates (3) Shifts
(2) x ≥ y
(4) Makes (5) Causes
(3) x < y
Q.28. As the doors of many of the buses get jammed
during accidents and fire, emergency exits were (4) x ≤ y
planned to speed up ----------operations. (5) x = y or relation can’t be established
(1) Service (2) Rescue (3) Peril Q.37. I. P2 = 4
(4) Recover (5) Acquit II. q2 + 4q = -4

Santosh Kumar Yadav, the senior bureaucrat, was appointed as the Chairman of the National
70 MICA MARCH 2023
Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
 MODEL PAPER 2023
(1) p > q ratio between total annual profit and A's share in
(2) p ≥ q profit was 11:5, what was the investment made
by A?
(3) p < q
(1) Rs.24000 (2) Rs.16000 (3) Rs.12000
(4) p ≤ q
(4) Rs.18000 (5) Rs.27500
(5) p = q or relation can’t be established
Q.44. If perimeter of a square and rectangle is equal. If
Q.38. I. p2 + 5p + 6 = 0
length and breadth of rectangle are 12 cm and 10
II. q2 + 3q + 2 = 0 cm respectively. The area of square is what % more
(1) p > q than that of rectangle?
(2) p ≥ q (1) (2) (3) 1
(3) p < q
(4) p ≤ q (4) (5)
(5) p = q or relation can’t be established
Q.45. A trader sold an article at 12% loss. Had he sold
Q.39. I. x2 = 4 the article for Rs. 109.20 more, he would have
II. y2 + 6y + 9 = 0 earned a profit of 30%. What would be the selling
(1) x > y price of the article if the article is sold at 40%
(2) x ≥ y profit?
(3) x < y (1) Rs.364 (2) Rs.392
(4) x ≤ y (3) Rs.350 (4) Rs.332
(5) x = y or relation can’t be established (5) Other than those given as options
Q.40. The sum of five consecutive even numbers is Q.46. A 7 m wide path is to be made around a circular
equal to 170. What is the sum of the second largest garden having a diameter of 7 m. What will be the
number amongst them and the square of the area of the path in square metre?
smallest number amongst them together? (1) 298 (2) 256 (3) 308
(1) 940 (2) 932 (3) 934 (4) 365 (5) 387
(4) 938 (5) 936 Q.47. 3 containers having capacities in the ratio 2: 3:
Q.41. A boat can travel 6.4.km downstream in 16 minutes 1 contain mixture of liquids A and B such that
and 8.7 km upstream in 29 minutes. What is the total the ratio of A to B in them is 2: 3, 1: 4 and 3: 7
time taken by the boat to travel 36 km upstream and respectively. If all the three containers are emptied
the same distance downstream together? in a single container, what will be the ratio of A to
B in the final mixture?
(1) 3 hours 45 minutes (2) 4 hours 11 minutes
(1) 12: 23 (2) 23: 12 (3) 17: 43
(3) 4 hours (4) 3 hours 30 minutes
(4) 43: 17 (5) None of these
(5) 3 hours
Q.48. A bag contains 6 red, 2 blue and 4 green balls. 3
Q.42. 9 children can complete a piece of work in 360 balls are chosen at random. What is the probability
days. 18 men can complete the same piece of work that at least 2 balls chosen will be red?
in 72 days and 12 women can complete the same
piece of work in 162 days. In how many days can 4 (1) 1/2 (2) 2/3 (3) 1/3
men, 12 women and 10 children together complete (4) 3/4 (5) None of these
the same piece of work? Q.49. Dheeraj has Rs. 45000 with him. Scheme B and C
(1) 124 days (2) 81 days (3) 68 days offers interest at the rate of 5% and 4% respectively.
(4) 96 days (5) 108 days He wanted to invested his money in such a way that
the interest received from these scheme after one
Q.43. A and B started a business. B's investment was year of investment is equal so how much money he
Rs.4000 more than that of A. At the end of 3 should invest in scheme C?
months from the start of the business, B left
and C joined with an investment which was (1) 20000 (2) 40000 (3) 10000
Rs.6000 more than that of A. If the respective (4) 30000 (5) 25000

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Q.50. 2 employees and 3 trainees together can finish a Q.56. What is the ratio of the number of females in
project in 7 days, 6 employees and 13 trainees Paradise apartment to the number of males in
together can finish the same project in 2 days. Maurya apartment?
Find the time taken by 4 employees and 4 trainees (1) 109: 121 (2) 121: 109 (3) 127: 121
together to finish the same work.
(4) 121: 127 (5) None of these
(1) 5 (2) 6 (3) 4
Q.57. The number of males in Umang apartment is what per
(4) 3 (5) None of these cent of the total number of females of all five apartments
Q.51-55. What should come at place of question mark together? (nearest to two digits after decimal)
(?) in the following questions? (1) 32.05% (2) 28.40% (3) 26.05%
Q.51. 87.5% of 420 – 85% of 300 = ?% of 400 (4) 39.80% (5) None of these
(1) 28.25 (2) 27.625 (3) 28.125 Q.58. The total number of females in Drishti apartment
(4) 28.875 (5) None of these and Kala Kunj apartment together are how much
Q.52. 143×15–173×12=?2–12 more/less than the total number of males in
Paradise and Umang apartments together?
(1) 7 (2) 8 (3) 9
(1) 98 (2) 97 (3) 87
(4) 11 (5) None of these
(4) 76 (5) 68
Q.53.
Q.59. What is the approximate average population of
Paradise, Umang and Kala Kunj apartments together?
(1) 360 (2) 260 (3) 255
(1) (2) (3) (4) 320 (5) None of these
Q.60. What is the ratio of the number of people in
(4) (5) None of these Paradise apartment to the number of people in Kala
Kunj apartment?
Q.54. 842–722=?% of 800 (1) 127: 106 (2) 106: 127 (3) 312: 127
(1) 232 (2) 234 (3) 212 (4) 127: 312 (5) None of these
(4) 219 (5) None of these Q.61-65. Read the graph carefully and answer the
Q.55. 183–722=? questions.
(1) 632 (2) 593 (3) 648 Number of passengers who travel from Mumbai to
Delhi in different days (in thousands)
(4) 678 (5) None of these
Q.56-60. Study the following information carefully and
answer the questions given below:
In Belur area of Kolkata, there are 1200 people living
in five different apartments, viz Drishti, Paradise,
Umang, Maurya and Kala Kunj. The number of
males in 24 more than the number of females.
One-fourth of the total number of population are
in Umang apartment. 16% of the total number
of population are living in Drishti apartment.
Maurya apartment has 50 people more than
Q.61. Find the average of Femalee passengers who travel
Drishti apartment. The ratio of the number of
from Mumbai to Delhi during all the given days.
males to females is 3: 1 in Drishti apartment. The
number of people in Kala Kunj is 20 more than (1) 60500 (2) 65000 (3) 63000
the number of people living in Drishti apartment. (4) 61500 (5) None of these
There are equal numbers of males and females living Q.62. The total number of female passengers who travel
in Maurya apartment. 50 percent of the population on Tuesday and Wednesday is approximately
of Paradise Apartment are males. Three-fourths of how much % more than the number of female
the population of Kala Kunj apartment are famales. passengers who travel on Thursday?
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 MODEL PAPER 2023
(1) 50% (2) 33% (3) 75% Q.67. Among the following which of the pair of
(4) 15% (5) None of these children and month is true?
Q.63. Find the difference between the total number of (1) April- Teju (2) October- Rinki
female passengers who travel on Monday and (3) None (4) May- Salman
Tuesday and the total number of male passengers (5) June- Tika
who travel on same day.
Q.68. How many children play the tournament
(1) 25000 (2) 35000 (3) 18000
between Teju and Jassi?
(4) 12000 (5) 30000
(1) One (2) Two (3) Four
Q.64. Find the ratio between the total number of female
(4) Three (5) Cannot be determined
passengers who travel on Sunday and Tuesday
and the number of male passengers who travel on Q.69. If Visu play the tournament after Simi then who
Thursday. will play the tournament after Visu?
(1) 5: 4 (2) 1: 3 (3) 2: 3 (1) Haider (2) Pinki (3) Tika
(4) 1: 1 (5) None of these (4) Peehu (5) None of these
Q.65. If the number of passengers who travel from Mumbai Q.70. In which of the month Haider’s tournament
to Delhi on Friday is 20% more than the total held?
passengers who travel on Wednesday and the ratio (1) April (2) October (3) May
between male and female passengers is 5: 3, Find the
(4) February (5) June
numbers of male passengers who travel on Friday.
(1) 63000 (2) 105000 (3) 70000 Q.71-75. Answer the questions on the basis of the
information given below.
(4) 85000 (5) None of these
Eight persons – A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting
Q.66-70. Read the given information carefully and in a straight line in which some of them facing
answer the questions given beside: North and some are facing south, not necessarily in
Ten children Pinki, Peehu, Rinki, Simi, Teju, the same order.
Salman, Visu, Haider, Jassi and Tika are going to
A is sitting second to the left of D. Two people
play tournament on five different months among
are sitting between G and the one who is facing
February, April, May, June and October but not
north. One who faces south and G are sitting
necessarily in the same order. The tournament held
together. A does not face north. B is sitting third
on two different dates like 25th and 26th of each
to the right of A. There is only one neighbor of
month. No two child play on the same date.
the C. The number of people sitting between
Three child play tournament between Peehu and F and C is the same as the number of people
Haider. sitting between F and H. There is two-person
Salman play tournament in April. between B and C. D is sitting third to the right of
Teju's tournament is not in last. F. Three-person sit between E and the one who
faces south direction. G, E and C are facing the
Peehu play tournament on 26th of the month which
opposite direction of B.
has the least number of days.
Q.71. Who faces the north direction?
Pinki and Simi's play on an odd date.
(1) B (2) A (3) D
Pinki play tournament in the month which has 31
days. (4) G (5) None of these
Two child play tournament between Simi and Tika. Q.72. How many people are sitting between G and C?
Two child play tournament between Jassi and Visu. (1) Three (2) Five (3) Four
Only three- child play tournament before Tika. (4) Two (5) None
Q.66. Who is going to play tournament on 25th Q.73. Among the following which of the group is
October? facing south direction?
(1) Peehu (2) Salman (3) Jassi (1) A, C, B (2) F, D, B (3) A, B, G
(4) Pinki (5) None of these (4) C, F, H (5) B, A, D

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Q.74. What is the position of H in the respect of G? order. Some of them are facing towards the centre
(1) Second to the left (2) Third to the left while some of them are facing outside the centre.
Two person is sitting between D and A. C is
(3) Fourth to the right (4) Third to the right
sitting third to the left of D. Both the immediate
(5) None of these neighbours of H are facing the same direction (if
Q.75. Which people are sitting at the end of the line? one is facing towards the centre then second is also
(1) A, C (2) E, D (3) H, B facing the centre and vice-versa). G is sitting third
to the right of H. B is an immediate neighbour of
(4) C, E (5) B, A
A but is not an immediate neighbour H. G is sitting
Q.76-80. Study the following information and answer immediate left of C and immediate neighbour of
the question below. C are facing in opposite directions. E is not an
Twelve persons A, B, C, D, E, F, O, P, Q, R, S, immediate neighbour of A and D. F and A are
and T are sitting in two parallel rows. The persons facing the same direction but opposite direction of
O, P, Q, R, S and T are facing south. Each person G and B. B does not face outside.
of row 1 is facing the other person of row 2. Q.81. How many persons are facing the center?
F sits at one of the ends of the row and second to the
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 3
left of C. There are two persons between D and E.
There is only one person between T and S. Q sits third (4) 4 (5) None of these
to the right of R and is not opposite either F or C. S Q.82. Who sits third to the right of A?
and T are not opposite F. P and S are adjacent to each (1) B (2) D (3) G
other. E is not adjacent to A, who is not opposite T.
(4) E (5) None of these
Q.76. Who among the following is the opposite of R?
Q.83. What is the position of F in the respect of C?
(1) C (2) D (3) A
(1) Fourth to the left (2) Third to the left
(4) E (5) None
(3) Fourth to the right (4) Both 1 and 3
Q.77. How many persons are there between S and Q?
(5) None of these
(1) One (2) Two (3) Three
Q.84. Four of the following five are alike in a certain way
(4) None (5) None of these and hence form a group. Which of the following
Q.78. Which of the following statements is/are true about P? does not belong to the group?
(1) S does not sit adjacent to P (1) A, B (2) B, D (3) G, C
(2) D sits opposite the person who sits third to the (4) D, H (5) H, E
left of P Q.85. Who sits between B and G?
(3) C sits opposite P (1) F (2) E (3) A
(4) E does not sit opposite the person who sits on (4) C (5) None
the immediate right of P?
Q.86-89. Study the following information carefully and
(5) None of these answer the questions given below.
Q.79. Who among the following sit at the extreme ends In a certain code language "save tree and water" is
of row? coded as "no ka ta ko", "do not cut tree" is coded as
(1) O,C (2) E,B (3) T,A "no re jo fa", "do not waste water” is coded as "ta
(4) F,T (5) None of these jo le re" and "think and do" is coded as "jo ro ko".
Q.80. Who among the following sits second to the right Q.86. If "save for none" is coded as "ba ka ra" and "have
of E? for none" is coded as "ba hr ra" then what would be
the code for "none have tree"?
(1) R (2) F (3) T
(1) ta ra ba (2) ra hr no (3) hr no ka
(4) A (5) None of these
(4) no ra ba (5) ta ra hr
Q.81-85. Study the following information carefully and
answers the questions given below: Q.87. What is the code for "do and save"?
Eight person A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting (1) ko jo ka (2) re jo no (3) ko no ka
around a circular table, but not necessarily in the same (4) ko jo re (5) None of these

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 MODEL PAPER 2023
Q.88. ‘jo ko fa’ is the code of which of the following? is Chandni’s husband. Bhumi is Bittu’s sister.
(1) do tree water (2) cut water and Bhumi is married to Gori.
(3) cut do and (4) do not cut Q.96. How is Kajal related to Gori?
(5) None of these (1) Daughter (2) Son
Q.89. What is the code of the ‘waste’? (3) Brother-in-law (4) Sister-in-law
(1) ko (2) le (3) jo (5) Can’t be determined
(4) re (5) None of these Q.97. How is Gori related to Bittu’s grandmother?
Q.90. How many meaningful English words can be (1) Brother-in-law (2) Daughter-in-law
formed with the letters O, M, E and R using all the (3) Grandson-in-law (4) Son- in-law
letters, and each letter only once in each word? (5) None of these
(1) One (2) Two (3) Three Q.98-100. In each of the questions below is given
(4) Four (5) None of these three statements followed by two conclusions
Q.91-95. Read the following series carefully and answer numbered I and II. You have to take the given
the question given below. statements to be true even if they seem to be at
variance with commonly known facts. Read all
T$ 6 U K 7 % * 4 J O @ 2 3 LP9 8A#Y^ 5W& the conclusions and then decide which of the
Q.91. If all the even digits are dropped from the sequence given conclusions logically follows from the given
then which of the following elements is fifth to the statements disregarding commonly known facts.
right of '%'? (1) None follows
(1) O (2) @ (3) 3 (2) Only I follows
(4) L (5) None of these (3) Either I or II follows
Q.92. Which of the following elements is 17th from the (4) Only II follows
left end?
(5) Both conclusion I and conclusion II follow
(1) # (2) @ (3) P
Q.98. Statement:
(4) L (5) 9
Some cabin are office
Q.93. Four of the following five are alike in a certain
No cabin is canteen
way and thus form a group. Which of the following
does not belong to that group? Only few canteens are area
(1) #5A (2) @LO (3) PA2 Conclusion:
(4) L83 (5) 9#P I. Some area cannot be cabin.
Q.94. Which of the following elements is 7th to the left of II. Some area are cabin.
the18th element from the left end? Q.99. Statements:
(1) 4 (2) @ (3) O Only few goat are cow.
(4) J (5) None of these All cow are Pigeon.
Q.95. If all the symbols are dropped from the sequence No cow is Bird.
then which of the following elements is fifteenth to Conclusions:
the right end? I. Some bird are not goat.
(1) K (2) 7 (3) U II. Some goat are pigeon
(4) 4 (5) None of these Q.100. Statement:
Q.96-97. Read the following information carefully and Only few wire are plug.
answer the question given below. All plug are red.
A family of seven members – Seeta, Kajal, Some red is blue.
Honey, Chandni, Gori, Bhumi and Bittu
distributed along 3 generations. Such that: Conclusions:
Seeta is Bittu’s paternal grandmother. Chandni is I. All plug can be wire.
Kajal’s mother. Gori is Honey’s son-in-law. Honey II. All blue can be wire.

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MARCH 2023 MICA 75
LIC AAO PRE
Explanation
Q.1.(5) The answer can be inferred from the last Q.15.(4) The Police Commissioner and his Special
paragraph. Investigation Team investigating the chit fund
Q.2.(5) The answer can be inferred from the third case had been served a number of notices to
paragraph. appear before the CBI before it sent a team to
his house in Kolkata.
Q.3.(5) The answer can be inferred from the beginning
of the third paragraph. Q.16.(2) In 1st sentence sabbatical (n) which means a
period of paid leave granted to a university
Q.4.(5) The answer can be inferred from the second
teacher or other worker for study or travel,
paragraph.
traditionally one year for every seven
Q.5.(5) The answer can be inferred after reading the years worked and satirical means mocking,
passage carefully. sarcastic.
Q.6.(3) fly in the face of --to be or act in clear opposition In 2nd sentence sojourn (n) is used which means
to something else a temporary stay and surgeon (n) means a doctor
Take cognizance of- to notice or give attention to who is specially trained to perform medical
Q.7.(4) Struck a note- express/ communicate operations
By far - doubtlessly Q.17.(2) In 1st sentence appalling (adj.) is
used which means very bad, awful
Q.8.(1) School of thought means a specific way of
Appealing (adj.) means showing or expressing
thinking.
a desire for help or sympathy.
Falls in the line means to follow the rules and
In 2nd sentence quarry (n) which means a place,
behave according to expected standards of
typically a large, deep pit, from which stone
behavior
or other materials are or have been extracted.
Q.9.(3) left me cold-: not to make someone excited, And query means (n) means question, having
interested doubt
Throw a spanner- prevent, stop Q.18.(1) In 1st sentence reparation (n) is used which
Q.10.(3) reel under means – to suffer (due to a burden) means payment for harm or damage and
Smooth sailing- progress, development repatriation (n) which means the sending of
Q.11.(5) New Delhi must intensify its dialogue with money back to one's own country.
regional and global stakeholders, and impress In 2nd sentence refute (v) is used which means
upon them that any dialogue with the Taliban disprove and refuse (v) means reject
must not come at the cost of the hard-fought Q.19.(1) In 1st sentence pique (v) is used which means
victories of the Afghan people in the past two arouse (interest or curiosity) and peaked (adj.)
decades. means rising to a point.
Q.12.(3) The U.S. and Russia have accepted the idea that In 2nd sentence consort (n) is used which means
peace in Afghanistan is not possible without partner, companion.
major concessions to the Taliban, including
Concert (n) means a musical performance given
dialogue without insisting on a cessation of
in public, typically by several performers or of
violence.
several compositions.
Q.13.(5) In its ostensibly even-handed intervention in
Q.20.(4) In 1st sentence exhilarate (v) is used which
the stand-off between the Central and State
means to make (someone) feel very happy and
governments over the manner of investigation
accelerate (v) means increase in rate, amount,
of a contentious case, the Supreme Court has
or extent.
de-escalated political tensions, at least for now.
In 2nd sentence aggravate (v) is used which
Q.14.(2) While the CM may have reason to believe that
means to make (a problem, injury, or offence)
the timing of the CBI’s operation was politically
worse or more serious and aggregate (n) means
motivated, his government’s response,
total
manhandling and detaining the CBI officials,
was shocking and inexcusable. Q.21.(1) Hitherto (adverb) – until now

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 MODEL PAPER 2023
Envisage (v) – form a mental picture of 46 + (3×4) = 58
(something not yet existing or known). 58 + (5×6) = 88
Q.22.(2) For other options- Q.33.(2) 45 131 228 338 467 619 800
Garrulous (adj) – talkative 86 97 110 129 152 181
Affinity (n) – empathy 11 13 19 23 29
Q.23.(5) All are defined. 11, 13, 19, 23 and 29 are the prime numbers
Q.24.(3) For other options- Hence, 466 is the wrong number
Contemplate (v) – look thoughtfully at Q.34.(2) 19 22 32 47 73 108 158
something
3 10 15 26 35 50
Contemporaneous (n) – existing at or occurring
22-1 32+1 42-1 52+1 62-1 73+1
in the same period of time
Q.35.(4) x = 2, - 2.375
Q.25.(4) For other options-
y = 2.83, 2
Entrenched (adj) – established/ unlikely to
change Q.36.(1) x = -2, 3
Enumerable (adj) – able to be counted by y = - 3.5, - 3
one-to-one Q.37.(2) p = 2, - 2
Q.26.(5) Immunization q = -2, - 2
For other options: Q.38.(4) p = - 2, - 3
Consternation (n)- distress q = -2, -1
Q.27.(4) Makes Q.39.(1) x = - 2, + 2
For other options: y = - 3, - 3
Speculate (v)- risk Q.40.(5) According to the question
Q.28.(2) Rescue x + x + 2 + x + 4 + x + 6 + x + 8 = 170
For other options: 5x = 1270 – 20 = 150
Peril (n)- danger x = 30
Acquit (v)- let go Required value = 36 + 900 = 936
Q.29.(4) Prosecuted Q.41.(4)
For other options: Down¬stream speed = × 60 = 24 km/hr.
Hailed (v)- welcomed
Liberated (v)- given freedom Upstream speed= × 60 = 18 km/hr.
Q.30.(4) Absence
For other options: Total time taken= = 2 + 1.5 = 3.5 hours
Sustenance (n)- maintenance
= 3 hours 30 minutes
Q.31.(3)
Q.42.(5) 9 C × 360 = 18 M × 72 = 12 W × 162
32 39 65 128 252 467 809 1320
5C = 2M = 6W
7 26 63 124 215 342 511
9 × 360 = 30 × D
23-1 33-1 43-1 53-1 63-1 73-1 83-1
D = 108 days
Q.32.(2) First series 47, 45, 33, 3
Q.43.(5) Equivalent ratio between capitals
47-(1×2) = 45
= x × 12 : (x + 4000) × 3 : (x + 6000) × 9
45-(3×4) = 33
According to the question
33- (5×6) = 3
Second series 44, 46, 57, 88
44 + (1×2) = 46

International Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced India’s growth prediction for FY23 from 7.4%
forecasted in July to 6.8%.
MARCH 2023 MICA 77
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132x = 120x + 330000
days
12x = 330000
x = 27500 Q.51.(3) 367.5-255=?×4
Q.44.(1) Perimeter of rectangle = 2(l + b) = 22 × 2 = 44 ?=28.125
Perimeter of square = perimeter of rectangl= 44 Q.52.(3) ?2=69+12
Side of square = 11 ?=9
Area of square= 121 Q.53.(3)
Area of rectangle= 12 × 10 = 120

Required =
Q.54.(2) ?×8=1872
Q.45.(1) 30 % + 12 % = 109.20 ?=234
42 % = 109.20 Q.55.(3) 5832–5184=?
100 % = 260 ?=648
140% = 364 Q.56.(3) Let the number of females be x
Q.46.(3) So, the number of males = x + 24
According to the question,
x + x + 24 = 1200
x = 588
Q.47.(3) Let the mixture in container is 20 L, 30 L, and So, the number of females = 588
10 L respectively.
Number of males = 588 + 24 = 612
Then quantity of A and B in each container is 8
and 12, 6 and 24, and 3 and 7 Total no. of population in Umang apartment
So, required ratio = 17: 43
Q.48.(1)
Total no. of population in Drishti apartment

Q.49.(5) Let the amount to be invested in scheme B and

C be x and y Total no. of population in Maurya apartment =
192 + 50 = 242
So,
Total no. of population in Kala kunj = 192 + 20
x ×5×1/100 = y×4×1/100
= 212
5x= 4y
Total no. of population in Paradise = 1200 – 300
x /y= 4/5 – 192 – 242 – 212 = 254
He should invest in the ratio of 4:5 in the two Now, the no. of males in Drishti apartment
schemes
Amount to be invested in scheme C = 5×45000/9
= Rs. 25000 No. of females in Drishti apartment
Q.50.(3) Total work = 7 × (2E + 3T) = 2 × (6E + 13T)
14E + 21T = 12E + 26T
2E = 5T …….. (1)
No. of males in Maurya apartment = 121
Total work done by 4 employees and 4 trainees
together in ‘x’days = x × (4E + 4T) = 2 × (6E + 13T) No. of females in Maurya apartment = 121
From equation (1)- No. of males in Paradise apartment = 127
x × (10T + 4T) = 2 × (15T + 13T) No. of females in Paradise apartment = 127

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 MODEL PAPER 2023
According to the question,
No. of females in Kala Kunj =
x + x + 24 = 1200
No. of males in Kala Kunj = 53
x = 588
Number of males in Umang = 167
So, the number of females = 588
Number of females in Umang = 133
Number of males = 588 + 24 = 612
Required Ratio = Total no. of population in Umang apartment
Q.57.(2) Let the number of females be x
So, the number of males = x + 24 Total no. of population in Drishti apartment
According to the question,
x + x + 24 = 1200
x = 588 Total no. of population in Maurya apartment =
So, the number of females = 588 192 + 50 = 242
Number of males = 588 + 24 = 612 Total no. of population in Kala Kunj = 192 + 20
Total no. of population in Umang apartment = 212
Total no. of population in Paradise = 1200 – 300
– 192 – 242 – 212 = 254
Total no. of population in Drishti apartment Now, the no. of males in Drishti apartment

Total no. of population in Maurya apartment = No. of females in Drishti apartment

192 + 50 = 242
Total no. of population in Kala kunj = 192 + 20
= 212 No. of males in Maurya apartment = 121
Total no. of population in Paradise = 1200 – 300 No. of females in Maurya apartment = 121
– 192 – 242 – 212 = 254
No. of males in Paradise apartment = 127
Now, the no. of males in Drishti apartment
No. of females in Paradise apartment = 127
No. of females in Kala Kunj =
No. of females in Drishti apartment No. of males in Kala Kunj = 53
Number of males in Umang = 167
Number of females in Umang = 133
No. of males in Maurya apartment = 121 Total no. of females in Drishti and Kala Kunj
No. of females in Maurya apartment = 121 apartments = 48 + 159 = 207
No. of males in Paradise apartment = 127 Total number of males in Paradise and Umang
apartments = 127 + 167 = 294
No. of females in Paradise apartment = 127
Difference = 294 – 207 = 87.
No. of females in Kala Kunj = Q.59.(3) Let the number of females be x
No. of males in Kala Kunj = 53 So, the number of males = x + 24
Number of males in Umang = 167 According to the question,
Number of females in Umang = 133 x + x + 24 = 1200
Required % = x = 588
Q.58.(3) Let the number of females be x So, the number of females = 588
So, the number of males = x + 24 Number of males = 588 + 24 = 612

SS Rajamouli's film RRR features in the global list of Top 50 films of 2022 curated by Sight and
Sound magazine.
MARCH 2023 MICA 79
LIC AAO PRE
Total no. of population in Umang apartment Total no. of population in Maurya apartment =
192 + 50 = 242
Total no. of population in Kala kunj = 192 + 20
Total no. of population in Drishti apartment = 212
Total no. of population in Paradise = 1200 – 300
– 192 – 242 – 212 = 254
Now, the no. of males in Drishti apartment
Total no. of population in Maurya apartment =
192 + 50 = 242
Total no. of population in Kala kunj = 192 + 20
= 212 No. of females in Drishti apartment
Total no. of population in Paradise = 1200 – 300
– 192 – 242 – 212 = 254
Now, the no. of males in Drishti apartment No. of males in Maurya apartment = 121
No. of females in Maurya apartment = 121
No. of males in Paradise apartment = 127
No. of females in Drishti apartment No. of females in Paradise apartment = 127

No. of females in Kala Kunj =

No. of males in Maurya apartment = 121
No. of males in Kala Kunj = 53
No. of females in Maurya apartment = 121
Number of males in Umang = 167
No. of males in Paradise apartment = 127
Number of females in Umang = 133
No. of females in Paradise apartment = 127
Required Ratio =
No. of females in Kala Kunj =
Q.61.(3) Female passengers who travel on Sunday =
No. of males in Kala Kunj = 53
120000 – 70000 = 50000
Number of males in Umang = 167
Female passengers who travel on Monday =
Number of females in Umang = 133 150000 – 85000 = 65000
Average Population= Female passengers who travel on Tuesday =
110000 – 60000 = 50000
Female passengers who travel on Wednesday =
140000 – 70000 = 70000
Q.60.(1) Let the number of females be x
Female passengers who travel on Thursday =
So, the number of males = x + 24
180000 – 100000 = 80000
According to the question,
Total Female passenger = 50000 + 65000 +
x + x + 24 = 1200 50000 + 70000 + 80000 = 315000
x = 588
So, the number of females = 588 Average =
Number of males = 588 + 24 = 612
Q.62.(1) The total number of female passengers who
Total no. of population in Umang apartment travel on Tuesday and Wednesday = 50000 +
70000 = 120000
The number of female passengers who travel on
Total no. of population in Drishti apartment Thursday = 80000

% more =

Air Marshal PV Iyer (retd.) has launched his book ‘Fit At Any Age’ at India International Centre,
80 MICA MARCH 2023
New Delhi.
 MODEL PAPER 2023
Q.63.(5) Total number of female passengers who travel Q.76-80.
on Monday and Tuesday = 65000 + 50000 =
115000
Total number of male passengers who travel
on Monday and Tuesday = 85000 + 60000 =
145000
Difference = 145000 – 115000
= 30000
Q.64.(4) The total number of female passengers who
travel on Sunday and Tuesday = 50000 + 50000 Q.76.(2)
= 100000
Q.77.(1)
The number of male passengers who travel on
Q.78.(3)
Thursday = 100000
Q.79.(4)
Ratio = 100000 : 100000
Q.80.(4)
=1:1
Q.81-85.
Q.65.(2) Total number of passengers who travel on
Friday = 120% of 140000 = 168000

Male passengers =

Q.66-70.
Date 25th Date 26th
Month
Children Children
Q.81.(3)
February Teju Peehu Q.82.(4)
April Salman Tika Q.83.(4)
Q.84.(2)
May Jassi/Visu Haider Q.85.(3)
June Simi Jassi/Visu Q.86-89.

October Pinki Rinki

Q.66.(4)
Q.67.(2)
Q.68.(5)
Q.86.(2)
Q.69.(2)
Q.87.(1)
Q.70.(3)
Q.88.(3)
Q.71-75.
Q.89.(2)
Q.90.(2) MORE
ROME
Q.71.(4) Q.91.(3) T $ 6 U K 7 % * 4 J O @ 2 3 LP9 8A#Y^ 5 W &
Q.72.(3) T$UK7%*JO@3LP9A#Y^5W&
Q.73.(5) Q.92.(5) T $ 6 U K 7 % * 4 J O @ 2 3 LP9 8A#Y^ 5 W &
Q.74.(2) Q.93.(3)
Q.75.(4) Q.94.(3) T $ 6 U K 7 % * 4 J O @ 2 3 LP9 8A#Y^ 5 W &
18 – 7 = 11th element from the left end.
The 26th edition of the Financial Stability Report was released by the Reserve Bank of India on
December 29.
MARCH 2023 MICA 81
LIC AAO PRE
Q.95.(1) T $ 6 U K 7 % * 4 J O @ 2 3 LP9 8A#Y^ 5 W & Q.99.(4)
T 6 U K 7 4 J O 2 3 L P 9 8AY 5 W
Q.96-97.

Q.96.(5)
Q.97.(3)
Q.98.(2) Q.100.(5)

Kerala has kicked itself into the Guinness Book of World Records by taking 4,500 penalty kicks in
82 MICA MARCH 2023
12 hours.