UPSC QUIZ 11.09.2023

Explanation:

• The 2023 Regional Cooperation and Integration (RCI) Conference was organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at Tbilisi, Georgia where India showcased its PM Gatishakti National Master Plan.

Asian Development Bank

• ADB is a regional development bank established in 1966 with the objective of promoting social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.
• It has 68 members; 49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. India is a founding member.
• ADB assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
• As of 31st December 2022, ADB's five largest shareholders are Japan and the US (each with 15.6% of total shares), China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.

Explanation:

• Reuters Institute's recently published 2023 Digital News Report has unveiled significant shifts in online news consumption patterns across the globe.
• The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is dedicated to exploring the future of journalism worldwide through debate, engagement, and research.

Key Highlights of the Report

Shifting Patterns in Online News Consumption in India

• Indians are increasingly turning to search engines and mobile news aggregators(43%) (online platforms or software devices that collect news stories) as their primary sources of online news, moving away from traditional news websites.
• Only 12% prefer reading news from direct sources, i.e. newspapers, while 28% prefer social media for news reading.
• Prefer watching or listening to news content over reading it.

Explanation:

• Prime Minister of India interacted with the winners of the National Teachers’ Award 2023 on the eve of Teachers’ Day.
• The purpose of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students.
• The awards are conferred by the President of India on 5th September.The awards consist of a silver medal, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.
• This year, the scope of the award has been expanded from including teachers selected by the Department of School Education & Literacy to now also including teachers selected by Department of Higher Education and Ministry of Skill Development.

Explanation:

• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• The signing ceremony was held in Bengaluru.
• The MoU focuses on the area of Short Range Air Defense Systems.
• BEL and IAI have previously worked together on joint development, production and product support programs for the Indian Defense Forces.
• The MoU is in line with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and 'Make in India' policies.
• These policies emphasize self-reliance in domestic manufacturing and defense capabilities.BEL and IAI aim to contribute to these national objectives through their collaboration.

Explanation:

• State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest bank, launched the 'Nation First Transit Card' to improve commuting experiences and encourage the use of digital payments.
• The innovative 'Nation First Transit Card' aims to simplify digital ticket fare payments within a single card for various transport modes including metro, buses, water ferries, parking, and more.
• Apart from transport payments, the card can also be used for retail and e-commerce transactions.
• The 'Nation First Transit Card' is powered by RuPay and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) technology, making it a potential game-changer for millions of Indians in their daily commute.