1. Pradeep Singh Kharola Appointed as Director General of NTA
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Pradeep Singh Kharola, retired IAS officer (1985 Kerala cadre), has been appointed as Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Ministry of Education.
An Overview of the News
Currently serving as Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).
Challenges Faced by NTA:
NTA has encountered issues such as exam cancellations and allegations of paper leaks (e.g., NEET-UG, UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET).
Concerns raised about inconsistent marking practices affecting public trust.
Objectives of the Appointment:
Tasked with restoring credibility to NTA through enhanced security measures and transparent examinations.
Focus on reforms in testing procedures and marking schemes.
Immediate Priorities:
Strengthening exam security to prevent future leaks.
Implementing rigorous evaluation processes to ensure fairness.
Committee Formation:
A seven-member committee established to assess NTA operations and recommend improvements.
Expected collaboration with Kharola to drive necessary reforms.
Monitoring and Expectations:
Kharola's tenure will be closely monitored for rebuilding public confidence in NTA.
Emphasis on transparency and fair practices in competitive examinations.
About NTA
The National Testing Agency (NTA) operates autonomously under India's Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education since November 2017.
Its primary mandate is to organize entrance examinations for admissions and recruitment purposes.
NTA conducts a variety of national-level exams covering fields such as engineering, medicine, management, and pharmacy.
These exams are crucial for securing admission and fellowships in higher educational institutions across India.
Headquarters:- New Delhi
Chairperson:- Pradeep Kumar Joshi
Director General:- Pradeep Singh Kharola, IAS (Additional charge)
2. Om Birla Re-Elected as Speaker of Lok Sabha
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Senior BJP MP Om Birla re-elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.
An Overview of the News
Election by voice vote; opposition fielded Congress MP K. Suresh but did not press for voting.
Om Birla previously served as Speaker in the last Lok Sabha.
Address by Om Birla:
Thanked members of the House for the opportunity and trust.
Emphasized priorities: enriching parliamentary values and democratic traditions.
Highlighted participation of over 64 crore voters in the 18th Lok Sabha elections.
Stressed MPs' responsibility to meet people's expectations effectively.
Advocated for debate and discussion over stalemate, maintaining dignity in protest methods.
Affirmed strict actions to maintain the House's dignity and decorum.
About Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives chosen by direct election based on Universal Adult Suffrage.
The Constitution of India allows for a maximum of 550 members: 530 from States and 20 from Union Territories.
Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 elected representatives.
The term of the Lok Sabha is five years from its first meeting unless dissolved earlier.
During a state of emergency, the term can be extended by Parliament for up to one year at a time, but not beyond six months after the emergency ends.
3. Atul Kumar Chaudhary Named New TRAI Secretary
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The Government of India (GoI) has appointed Atul Kumar Chaudhary as the new Secretary of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on deputation on foreign service terms, initially for a period of two years.
An Overview of the News
This appointment follows the superannuation of V Raghunandan on May 31, 2024.
Atul Kumar Chaudhary has been serving as the Deputy Director General (DDG) in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) since 2021.
About Atul Kumar Chaudhary:
He is an Indian Telecommunication Services (ITS) officer of the 1989 batch.
He served as Deputy Director General (DDG) in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications (MoC).
He has held multiple roles in personnel management, human resources (HR), administration, licensing, and the vigilance wing of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and DoT.
About TRAI:
It is a statutory body that regulates the telecommunications sector in India.
Established: 1997
Chairman: Anil Kumar Lahoti
4. Manoj Jain Appointed as New Chairman and Managing Director of BEL
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Manoj Jain appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with effect from June 20, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Earlier Manoj Jain served as Director (R&D) and held additional charge of Bangalore Complex Director.
Predecessor and Current Roles:
Bhanu Prakash Srivastava served as CMD (Additional Charge) from November 2022 to June 19, 2024.
Currently serves as Director (other units) since April 20, 2022.
Manoj Jain's Career Highlights:
Joined BEL in August 1991 as a Probationary Engineer.
Key contributions include development of Digital Multiplexers, Cross Connects, CDOT Exchanges, and Military Switches.
Chief Scientist at Central Research Laboratory Bangalore (CRL-BG) from December 2017 to May 2019.
General Manager of Electronic Warfare and Avionics SBUs at BEL's Bangalore Complex in June 2021.
Additional charge of Director (HR) from November 2022 to May 2023.
Received several R&D awards, Key Contributor Awards, Raksha Mantri's Award, and SODET Awards.
About BEL:
CMD: Manoj Jain
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established: 1954
5. UNHCR Appoints Theo James as Global Goodwill Ambassador
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, has named British actor, producer, and model Theo James as its new Global Goodwill Ambassador.
An Overview of the News
Theo James' birth name is Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis.
Goodwill Ambassadors are prominent public figures associated with UNHCR.
They enhance the organization's global visibility through their influence, dedication, and hard work.
Theo James' Support for UNHCR:
Theo James has been a High Profile Supporter of UNHCR since 2016, actively engaging through field visits, fundraising events, and advocacy campaigns.
In 2016, he embarked on his first UNHCR field mission to Greece to gain firsthand knowledge of UNHCR's work and the refugee crisis.
In 2019, he contributed his voice to a video for UNHCR's High-Level Segment on Statelessness, promoting the global efforts of the "#IBelong Campaign" to End Statelessness.
Notable Works of Theo James as an Actor:
Underworld: Awakening (2012)
Divergent (2014)
The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015)
Allegiant (2016)
How It Ends (2018)
The White Lotus (2022)
The Gentlemen (2024)
About UNHCR:
UNHCR, formally known as the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees.
A global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Filippo Grandi
Headquarters: Genève, Switzerland
Established: 1950
6. ACC Reappoints Ajit Doval as NSA and PK Mishra as Principal Secretary to PM Modi
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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the reappointment of Ajit Kumar Doval as the National Security Advisor (NSA) and Pramod Kumar (PK) Mishra as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, effective June 10, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Ajit Doval has been serving as the NSA since May 30, 2014, and this marks his third consecutive appointment to the position.
PK Mishra has been serving as the Principal Secretary to the PM since September 2019.
Both Ajit Doval and PK Mishra will hold the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence during their term.
Their appointments are co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders.
About Ajit Kumar Doval
Serving as NSA since May 30, 2014, and this is his third consecutive term.
Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1968 batch of Kerala cadre.
Actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and Mizoram, earning the title 'Indian James Bond'.
Served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) from 2004 to 2005.
Appointed as Chairman of the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) in October 2018.
About PK Mishra
Serving as Principal Secretary to the PM since September 2019.
Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1972 batch of Gujarat cadre.
Served as Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture from 2006 to 2008.
Held the position of Additional Principal Secretary to the PM from 2014 to 2019.
Extensive expertise in policy making and administration, including roles as Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Chairman of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), and in disaster management.
Additional Appointments by ACC
New Advisors to the PM:
Amit Khare: Retired IAS officer appointed as Advisor to the PM.
Tarun Kapoor: Retired IAS officer appointed as Advisor to the PM.
Appointment Details:
Both advisors have been appointed in the rank and scale of Secretary to the Government for a period of two years, effective from June 10, 2024, or until further orders.
These appointments are on a contract basis as per usual terms and conditions.
About ACC
Chairperson: Narendra Modi
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
7. Tesam Pongte Unanimously Elected as Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
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Tesam Pongte, MLA from Changlang North, has been elected unanimously as the Speaker of the 8th Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
An Overview of the News
The special session of the Assembly commenced with the election of the Speaker.
Pro-tem speaker Ninong Ering announced Tesam Pongte's election as Speaker, as no other nominations were received.
Kardo Nyigyor, MLA from Likabali, was also elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the 8th State Legislative Assembly.
About Arunachal Pradesh
It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
Establishment:- 20 February 1987
Capital:- Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister:- Pema Khandu
Official flower:- Rhynchostylis retusa
Official Animal:- Gayal
8. Mohan Charan Majhi Sworn in as Odisha's First BJP Chief Minister
Tags: Person in news State News
Mohan Charan Majhi was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha in a grand ceremony in Bhubaneswar.
An Overview of the News
Alongside Majhi, two Deputy Chief Ministers, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, also took the oath.
Thirteen ministers were sworn in as part of the new government.
The oath was administered by Odisha Governor Raghubar Das.
The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Nitin Gadkari, Jual Oram, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Bhupinder Yadav.
Many chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, BJD supremo and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, and other dignitaries were also present.
About Odisha
Formation - 1 April 1936
Capital - Bhubaneswar
Governor - Raghubar Das
Chief minister - Mohan Charan Majhi
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 21 seats
9. Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev First Woman Helicopter Pilot in Indian Navy
Tags: Defence Person in news
Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev has made history as the Indian Navy's first female helicopter pilot.
An Overview of the News
She completed her training at INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, where she graduated from the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC).
Anamika is now qualified to pilot Sea Kings, ALH Dhruvs, Chetaks, and MH-60R Seahawks.
Lieutenant Jamyang Tsewang: First Naval Officer from Ladakh
Lieutenant Jamyang Tsewang became the first Commissioned Naval Officer from Ladakh.
He also completed his helicopter pilot training at INS Rajali as part of the 4th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course (BHCC).
Both Anamika and Jamyang were among the 21 officers awarded the Golden Wings at the passing out parade.
Significance of the Graduation Ceremony
The passing out parade marked the completion of Stage I training for the 4th BHCC.
It celebrated the graduation of the 102nd HCC, signifying a new cohort of trained helicopter pilots for the Indian Navy.
Historical Context
In 2018, Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo.
10. Appointment of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi as Chief of Army Staff
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Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi will assume the role of Chief of Army Staff from 30th June.
An Overview of the News
General Manoj C Pande will step down as Chief of the Army Staff on the same date.
Background of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi:
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was born on 1st July 1964.
Commissioned into the Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) of the Indian Army on 15th December 1984.
Has served for nearly 40 years in various capacities.
Career Highlights:
Served as Director General Infantry.
Held the position of General Officer Commanding in Chief, Headquarters Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.
Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
Education:
Alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa.
Holds an M Phil in Defence and Management Studies.
Holds two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
Awards:
Decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
Awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Received three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
