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Nepal Cricket Association appoints former Indian cricketer Monty Desai as head coach

Nepal Cricket Association
The Nepal Cricket Association has appointed former Indian cricketer Monty Desai as the head coach of the Nepal national cricket team. He will replace another former Indian cricketer Manoj Prabhakar, who resigned from his post in December 2022. Nepal Cricket Association has signed a two-year deal with Monty Desai. Monty has been the head coach of teams like West Indies, Canada, UAE. Monty has also served as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). A total of 24 people had applied following a call for application by the CAN for the post of the national coach of Nepali national cricket team.

‘Main Bharat Hoon’ EC’s song aims to nudge voters for upcoming polls

The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) creative communication techniques to increase voter turnout are playing out on social media as it prepares for the nine Assembly elections this year and the Lok Sabha elections early the following year. One of its projects, the creation of the song “Main Bharat Hoon, Hum Bharat ke Matdata Hain” in partnership with the Subhash Ghai Foundation, is already starting to gather popularity on social media thanks to influencers and celebrities.

‘Main Bharat Hoon’ EC’s Song Purpose:
The song is one of these initiatives of the ECI’s systematic voter’s education and electoral participation (SVEEP) programme, which is the organisation’s flagship voter education programme and is centred on inclusion strategies and action plans for enhancing participation from all categories of voters under the organisation’s motto, “No Voter to be Left Behind,” according to ECI. The song aims to inspire voters to participate more in the election process as well as to inform them of their rights and responsibilities in order to strengthen democracy.

6th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders’ Meeting

The 6th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders’ Meeting is being hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in Lucknow on 6 February. Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Girish Chandra Murmu led the discussions on the theme ‘Integrating Emerging Technologies in Audit’.

Centre Notifies Appointment Of 5 Judges To Supreme Court of India, Working Strength Rises To 32.

The Union government notified the appointment of five new judges to the Supreme Court. With their appointments, the number of judges in the Supreme Court will rise to 32. Currently, the Supreme Court of India has a sanctioned strength of thirty-four Judges and is presently functioning with twenty-seven Judges.

Now there remain only two vacancies at the Supreme Court, which could be filled in the coming days if SC Collegium’s January 31 proposal to elevate Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Aravind Kumar as SC judges, is accepted by the president.

1. Justice Pankaj Mithal, the chief justice of Rajasthan High Court
2. Justice Sanjay Karol, the chief justice of Patna High Court
3. Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, the chief justice of Manipur High Court
4. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, a judge of Patna High Court
5. Justice Manoj Misra, a judge of Allahabad High Court

JEE Main April Session 2023: Registration Process Begins Today

The application process for the second session of JEE Main 2023 exam to be conducted for admission in engineering institutes across the country during the year 2023-24 is going to start today i.e. from 7th February. As per the schedule of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the registration process will continue till 9 pm on March 7, 2023. 

Registration Begins: 07 February 2023 
Last Date for Registration: 07 March 2023 
Exam Date: 06 to 12 April 

Exam City Slip
The exam city slip for the candidates will be issued in the third week of March and the admit card will be issued in the last week of March. The examination will be conducted from 6 to 12 April. 

Application Fee
Candidates will have to deposit the fee of Rs 1000 through online means. For female candidates, this fee is Rs 800. 

How to apply for JEE Main April session? 
Step 1: Visit the official website of NTA, https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ 
Step 2: Go to the JEE Main application page by clicking on the link that will be activated on the home page. 
Step 3: First register and then submit the application by logging in with the registered details.

PM Modi Inaugurated India Energy Week 2023 in Bengaluru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 event that aimed to showcase India’s rising prowess as an energy transition powerhouse. The IEW is being held in Bengaluru from 6th to 8th February 2023. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, and CM Basavaraj Bommai also felicitated the event.

Yaya Tso to be Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site

Yaya Tso, known as birds’ paradise for its beautiful lake located at an altitude of 4,820 metres, has been proposed as Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site (BHS). The Biodiversity Management Committee, the panchayat of Chumathang village, along with secure Himalaya Project recently resolved to declare Yaya Tso as Ladakh’s first BHS under the Biological Diversity Act.

First Youth20 Inception Meeting 2023 Begins in Guwahati

The first Youth20 (Y20) Inception Meeting 2023 under G20 began in Guwahati. Briefing the media ahead of the meeting  Meeta Rajivlochan, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs informed that Youth20 deliberations hope to reach out to youth and consult with them for their ideas for a better future.

Meeta Rajivlochan highlighted the Five themes of Y20 that is to be discussed in the three-day event, which are, Future of Work, Industry 4.0, Innovation and 21st century; Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability as a Way of Life; Peace Building and Reconciliation: Ushering in an Era of No War; Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance; Health, Wellbeing & Sports: Agenda for Youth.

Lata Mangeshkar Death Anniversary: Lesser-Known Facts about Singing Legend

Lata Mangeshkar Death Anniversary
Today is the singing legend, Lata Mangeshkar’s first death Anniversary. The entire nation is paying her tribute in which ever way possible. Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary musical empress of Bollywood, celebrated her first death anniversary, and Sudarsan Pattnaik honoured her via his art. Mumbai has organised a lavish musical homage called “Latanjali” to mark the first anniversary of Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar’s passing.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed on February 6. The primary objective behind observing this day is to amplify and direct efforts on the elimination of this cruel practice and to promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.

Grammy Award 2023: Ricky Kej, Bengaluru-Based Composer, Wins His third Grammy

Grammy Award 2023
Ricky Kej, a musician, won his third Grammy Award for the album “Divine Tides,” which he co-wrote with rock legend Stewart Copeland. This is undoubtedly a proud moment for India. The Indian music producer and composer from Bengaluru received the prize for “Divine Tides” after being nominated in the category of Best Immersive Audio Album. At the live event held at the Crypto.com venue in Los Angeles, USA, the outcome was revealed.

Saudi Arabia to Host Football’s 2027 Asian Cup

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) won the hosting of the 2027 Asian Nations Cup, for the first time in its history, since its inception in 1956. This came during the work of the 33rd Congress of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), February 1, in the Bahraini capital, Manama. Saudi Arabia was the only bid presented at the Congress in Manama after India’s withdrawal in December 2022.

NTPC to host G20 International Seminar on ‘Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage

India has assumed the presidency of G20 from 1st December 2022 for a period of one year.   In its presidency, 1st Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) Meeting is scheduled to be held from 5th February to 7th February 2023.

 NTPC,  India’s largest integrated power utility,  on behalf of Ministry of Power, Govt of India, will be hosting a side event in form of an International Seminar on Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS) on 5th February 2023 at Taj Westend, Bengaluru.  This seminar is likely to be attended by industries, policy makers, scientists and academicians of different countries.

Last date of Application Extended for the Posts of Forest Guard and Field Guard

Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) has asked for 2112 recruitment for Forest Guard and Field Guard posts. The application process started on January 25. Candidates can fill out their form by visiting the official website, peb.mp.gov.in.

The last to submit the application is February 8. However, earlier the last date for submission of applications was February 3, which has been extended to February 8. 
 

Educational Qualification

12th pass candidates can apply for this recruitment.

Age limit

Candidates age should be between 18 to 33 years.

Physical Test

Male candidates should have a height of 163 cms and a chest girth of 79 cms. Apart from this, the minimum height of female candidates should be 150 cms.

The physical test will consist of running of 25 kms in 4 hours for male candidates and 14 kms running in 4 hours for female candidates. Whereas, for Jail Prahari posts, male candidates will have to complete 800 meters race in 2:00 minutes 50 seconds. Apart from this, 7.26 kg ball will have to be thrown up to 20 feet.

India’s 1st Hydrogen train will come by Dec 2023 on Heritage Routes: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Going greener and more sustainable towards the environment, the Indian Railways is introducing a green revolution and will be introducing hydrogen and electric trains to the eight heritage routes in the country by December 2023. The Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed this recently.  These hydrogen trains will include the modified version of steam engines, that will be back on tracks, equipped with vintage sirens and green steam vapours.

Odisha’s VK Pandian honored with FIH President’s Award 2023

In the Finals of FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, FIH President Tayyab Ikram presented the FIH President’s Award to VK Pandian, Secretary to the Chief Minister of Odisha, for his commendable contribution to hockey. The FIH President highlighted the crucial role played by CM Naveen Patnaik along with VK Pandian in hosting a glorious Hockey World Cup.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed 31st Foundation Day of NCW

The President of India Droupadi Murmu addressed the 31st Foundation Day of the National Commission for Women in Delhi on January 31st, 2023. The theme of the program was ‘Sashakt Nari Sashakt Bharat’ which aimed at acknowledging and celebrating the stories of women who have excelled and paved their journey to leave a mark.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani and MoS, WCD, Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai also graced the occasion.

JEE Main Result 2023

Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) January session examinations have been conducted. Now the examinees are waiting for the first session result and answer key. In this regard, NTA director Vineet Joshi has said that there will be no delay in releasing the result of this exam. It will be issued by February 7. Answer key will be released before the exam so that candidates can estimate their answer. The registration process for the second session will start after the declaration of JEE Mains January session results. And the second session will be held on 06, 08, 10, 11, and 12 April. 

Follow these steps to check the result. 

Step 1. Visit the official website of NTA https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ 

Step 2. After the declaration of the result, on the home page, 'JEE Mains Januray Session 1 Result 2023' link will be activated. 

Step 3. Here, candidates will be able to check their results by entering their login credentials. 

Step 4. After checking the result, keep a hard copy of it with you.

Puma India named Indian Captain Harmanpreet Kaur as its brand ambassador

Sports brand Puma India announced roping in women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur as its latest brand ambassador. As part of the partnership terms, Harmanpreet will endorse the brand’s footwear, apparel and accessories throughout the year. With this, Harmanpreet joins PUMA’s roster of brand ambassadors that include Virat Kohli, football stars Neymar Jr and Sunil Chhetri, boxer MC Mary Kom, cricketer Harleen Deol and Para-Shooter Avani Lekhara.

World Wetlands Day observed on 2nd February

World Wetlands Day 2023
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on 2nd February. The day is observed to create awareness among people about the importance of wetlands and different ways to restore their rapid loss and degradation. The day is aimed at highlighting the vital role wetlands play in maintaining biodiversity and supporting human well-being.

Wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide many important services to people and the environment, including water purification, flood control, habitat for diverse plant and animal species, and support for local communities livelihoods. Wetland degradation and loss reduce their ability to support biodiversity. By celebrating World Wetlands Day, people are reminded of the importance of these ecosystems and the need to protect them from degradation and loss. The day also provides an opportunity for governments, organisations, and individuals to take action to conserve and restore wetlands, as well as to raise public awareness about their value.

World Wetlands Day 2023: Theme
The theme for this year’s World Wetlands Day is ‘It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration. The theme highlights the urgency to prioritize wetland restoration.

Indian Coast Guard celebrates its 47th Raising Day 2023

Indian Coast Guard 47th Raising Day
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is celebrating its 47th Raising Day on 1st February 2023. From a modest beginning with just seven surface platforms in 1978, the ICG today has 158 ships and 78 aircraft and is likely to achieve the targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025. As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, the Indian Coast Guard has played a significant role in securing the Indian Coasts and enforcing regulations in the Maritime Zones of India. The ICG was formally established on February 1, 1977, by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.

UPSC recommends Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi As Drugs Controller General Of India

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recommended the name of Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as the new Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted interviews for the appointment of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The UPSC conducted interviews for the appointment of the DCGI, with the top contenders being Dr. VG Somani, Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, and Dr Jai Prakash.

Air Marshal A.P. Singh to be new Vice Chief of Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force
Air Marshal A P Singh has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force. He will succeed Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, who will retire from service. Air Marshal A P Singh is currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command. He will take charge as the Vice Chief on 01st Feb 2023. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on December 21, 1984.

President of India Awarded RPF/RPSF Personnel with Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards

The President of India Droupadi Murmu has awarded the RPF/RPSF personnel with Jeevan Raksha Padak awards to Jaipal Singh, Head Constable/ Northern Railway, Surendra Kumar, Constable/Northern Railway, and Bhuda Ram Saini, Constable/7th BN/RPSF.

Republic Day 2023: Uttarakhand tableau wins first prize

Republic Day 2023: Uttarakhand tableau wins first prize
Uttarakhand tableau which showcased the state’s wildlife and religious sites at the 74th Republic Day parade has won the top prize. Uttarakhand’s tableau showcased the state’s wildlife and religious sites during the ceremonial parade at Kartavya Path on January 26. In the foreground of the tableau, reindeer, deer and various birds were shown roaming in the world-famous Corbett National Park. The central part of the tableau depicted the state animal of Uttarakhand, musk deer, national bird peacock and ghoral. Jageshwar Dham, a group of 125 small and big ancient temples in Manaskhand’s Almora district, and popular deodar trees were shown in the rear part of the tableau.