1. Bidyut Bihari Swain takes Oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, UPSC
Tags: Person in news
Bidyut Bihari Swain, IAS (GJ:1988) was administered the oath of office and secrecy as a member of UPSC by Dr. Manoj Soni, Chairman, UPSC.
An Overview of the News
Bidyut B. Swain joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1988 in the Gujarat cadre.
Between 1989 and 2018, he served the Government of Gujarat in various positions at the district and state levels.
In 2018, he joined the Government of India as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, overseeing Special Economic Zones and trade negotiations with CIS countries.
He also served in positions such as Chairman of the Kimberley Protocol and Commissioner General of India for the World Expo-Dubai.
In 2020, he was promoted to Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, responsible for the Trade Policy Division and the CIS and OCEANIA Divisions.
He also served as the Director General of Trade Remedies.
From January 2021 to May 2023, he served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
About UPSC
It is the central recruitment agency in India for Group 'A' officer posts under the Government of India.
It is established as a constitutional body under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution.
UPSC conducts competitive examinations for recruitment to various civil services including IAS, IPS and IFS.
It is responsible for the selection and placement of candidates in All India Services like IAS, IPS and IFS.
UPSC also conducts exams for recruitment to other central services like IRS, IAS, IRTS and others.
Establishment - 1 October 1926
Founder - United Kingdom Government
Headquarters - New Delhi
2. Govt appoints Ashwani Kumar as UCO Bank MD & CEO
Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ashwani Kumar, Executive Director, Indian Bank, as the Managing Director and CEO of UCO Bank.
An overview of the news
Ashwini Kumar will replace Soma Shankar Prasad, who retired on May 31.
The Center had appointed Prasad as the MD and CEO of UCO Bank in December 2021.
Ashwani Kumar will head the public sector bank for a period ofthree years from June 1.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, Kumar will also be eligible for extension of office for two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, after review of his performance.
Kumar, a Chartered Accountant, has served in various offices of five public sector banks - Bank of Baroda, Corporation Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National Bank and Indian Bank.
His work experience includes working as the Head of the Wholesale Banking Division and several branches (including industrial finance branches).
About UCO Bank
UCO Bank is a leading public sector bank in India with a rich history dating back to 1943.
It was established as the United Commercial Bank and later renamed UCO Bank in 1985.
UCO Bank is a government-owned bank and operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and complies with banking regulations and guidelines.
UCO Bank has a widespread branch network across India, serving customers in both urban and rural areas.
3. Parminder Chopra becomes first woman head of Power Finance Corporation
Tags: Person in news
Parminder Chopra was appointed as the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
An Overview of the News
Parminder Chopra is the first woman appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of a Maharatna company.
Joined PFC in 2005 and currently serves as Director (Finance) & CFO.
Power Finance Corporation (PFC):
Incorporated in 1986, Largest infrastructure finance company for power sector.
Ministry of Power, under the administrative control of the Department of Public Enterprises.
Awarded 'Maharatna' status, 11th PSU to receive this recognition.
Harsh Jain - President of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI):
Dream11 CEO Harsh Jain has been elected as the chairperson of IAMAI.
He will replace Google India Vice President and Country Manager Sanjay Gupta.
Rajesh Mago, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, was elected as the Vice Chairman of IAMAI.
R Dinesh - President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII):
TVS Supply Chain Solutions EVP R. Dineshbecame the President of CII for 2023-24.
Sanjiv Puri, MD of ITC, has been appointed as the chairman.
Dinesh Bajaj replaced Sanjiv Bajaj, CMD of Finserv Limited.
4. Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar Anand VSM takes over as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA)
Tags: Defence Person in news
Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar Anand, Vishisht Seva Medal took over as the Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) on 1 June 2023.
An overview of the news
An alumnus of the National Defense Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned as Air Marshal in the administrative branch of the Indian Air Force.
In a career spanning over 36 years, the Air Marshal has held various field and staff appointments.
Prior to his present appointment, he was the Director General (Administration) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.
For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India in January 2022.
Role of Air Officer-in-Charge Administration
Air Force Officer-in-Charge Administration is responsible for overseeing the administrative functions of the Indian Air Force.
It includes the management of human resources, logistics, infrastructure, welfare and other administrative aspects of the organization.
The AOA plays a critical role in driving modernization efforts and improving administrative efficiency within the Indian Air Force.
5. P Upadhyay INAS takes over as Director General of Naval Armament
Tags: Defence Person in news
P Upadhyay, INAS has taken over as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) from KSC Iyer, who superannuated on 31 May 23.
An overview of the news
P Upadhyay is an officer of the 1987 batch of Indian Naval Armament Service.
He joined the Naval Armament Organization of the Indian Navy on 12 July 1989.
An Electrical Engineering Graduate from SGSITS Indore, he earned his Post Graduate degrees from Devi Ahilya University in Electrical Engineering with specialization in 'Digital Techniques and Instrumentation' in 1988.
He is postgraduate in Mechanical Engineering from University of Pune with specialisation in 'Guided Missiles', in 1995.
In a span of 34 years, he has held various important assignments at NAD (Visakhapatnam), NAD (Karanja), NAD (Trombay), NAD (Alwaye).
He is an alumnus of Naval Defence College of NDC-53.
He is also adept at missile and torpedo maintenance apart from having expertise on ammunition disposal.
Naval Armament
The Naval Armament Directorate is responsible for the development, procurement, and maintenance of armament systems for the Indian Navy.
It plays a vital role in equipping the naval forces with advanced weaponry and supporting their operational readiness.
It plays a crucial role in promoting indigenous development and self-reliance in armament systems.
P. Upadhyay will contribute to the Indian Navy's "Make in India" initiative by supporting indigenous research, development, and production capabilities.
6. Recep Tayyip Erdogan becomes the President of Türkiye
Tags: Person in news International News
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the President of Turkey.
An Overview of the News
In the parliamentary elections, the AK Party and its allieswon 323 out of 600 seats.
Erdogan has been in power for two decades after becoming prime minister in March 2003.
Erdogan won the presidential election, defeating Kemal Kilikdaroglu, the opposition leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP).
Erdogan's government aims to prioritise fighting inflation and dealing with the aftermath of the devastating February 6 earthquake.
About Türkiye
It is officially known as the Republic of Turkey, a transcontinental country.
It is located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.
Ankara is the capital of Türkiye.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and serves as the main financial center.
President - Fuat Octay
Assembly Speaker -Mustafa Sentop
Chief Justice - Zuhu Arslan
Official languages - Turkish
7. Justice Augustine George Masih sworn in as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court
Tags: Person in news State News
Justice Augustine George Masih was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2023.
An Overview of the News
Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath of office at a function held at Raj Bhavan.
Justice Masih's appointment as Chief Justice comes after the previous Chief Justice, Justice Pankaj Mithal, was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in February 2023.
Prior to his appointment as the Chief Justice, Justice MM Srivastava was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Masih was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008 and became a permanent Judge on January 14, 2011.
Recently, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and senior advocate KV Vishwanathan were also sworn in as judges of the Supreme Court.
About Rajasthan
It is a state in northern India and is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population.
It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the northeast; Madhya Pradesh in the southeast; and Gujarat in the southwest.
Rajasthan is also home to three national tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota.
The state was formed on 30 March 1949 when Rajputana was merged with the Dominion of India.
Capital- Jaipur
District - 33 (7 Circle)
Governor - Kalraj Mishra
Chief Minister - Ashok Gehlot (INC)
State Legislature - Unicameral
Legislative Assembly - Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (200 seats)
8. Bola Tinubu of Nigeria sworn in as President
Tags: Person in news International News
Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria on 29 May.
news overview
Tinubu was inaugurated at Eagles Square in Abuja, which was attended by local and foreign dignitaries.
Tinubu's presidency is marked by economic crisis, security concerns, and the need for political stability.
Economic challenges in Nigeria include the need for diversification to reduce dependence on oil revenues.
Nigeria
It is an African country located on the Gulf of Guinea.
Capital -Abuja
Vice President - Kashim Shettima
Senate President - Ahmed Lawan
House Speaker - Femi Gbazbiamila
Chief Justice - Olukayode Arivula
9. Mukesh Ambani joins advisory committee of global climate change panel COP28
Tags: Person in news
Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani has been nominated to the Consultative Committee for the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
An overview of the news
This committee will work to guide and advise the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) on Climate Change.
Apart from Sunita Narayan, director general of the Center for Science and Environment, Ambani is the only Indian to be included in the COP28 President's Advisory Committee.
It is noteworthy that Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is promoting renewable energy.
Along with this, he is diversifying his conventional crude refinery and petrochemical business. For this reason, Ambani has been included in the committee's 31 international experts.
Other global leaders included in the COP28 Advisory Committee
BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink
Arctic Circle President Olafur Grimsson
Laurent Fabius, President of the Paris Agreement
Francesco La Camara, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Bob Dudley, President of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI)
About COP28
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change convention is known as the Conference of the Parties (COP).
The COP28 conference will be held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023.
The COP28 UAE Advisory Committee brings together climate experts from 6 continents, representing policy, industry, energy, finance and civil society.
There are 31 members in this committee.
10. CAG Girish Chandra Murmu re-elected as external auditor of WHO for a four-year term
Tags: Person in news
CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) Girish Chandra Murmu has been re-elected as the external auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO) for a period of four years from 2024 to 2027.
An Overview of the News
He has held this position at the WHO since 2019, with his current term set to end in 2023.
The re-election took place during the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
Mr. Murmu secured a massive majority of 114 votes out of 156 in the first round of voting.
The appointment of CAG Girish Chandra Murmu is a recognition of the position of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India among the international community.
This is the second major international audit assignment for CAG Girish Chandra Murmu this year.
Earlier in March, he was selected as the external auditor of the International Labor Organization.
World Health Organization (WHO):
Established on 7th April 1948.
Specialised agency of the United Nations.
Responsible for international public health.
Headquarters and Offices:
Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Operates through six regional offices.
It has 150 regional offices around the world.
Mandate and Focus:
To promote the highest standard of health for all people.
Addresses global health challenges.
