Daily GK Update: 15th July 2022

National & International Appointments

Former CEO of Union Bank, G Rajkiran Rai has been recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) as Managing Director at the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID).
He served as the MD & CEO of Union Bank of India for five years, till the date of his superannuation in May 2022.
FSIB was incorporated on July 1, 2022.
The erstwhile Banks Board Bureau (BBB) was revamped into FSIB with certain amendments in its mandate.

Banking & Finance

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) of India for the month of June 2022 is 15.18% (Provisional), is marginally lower than the WPI number of 15.88% in May, 2022.
Reason of high rate of inflation: Rise in prices of mineral oils, food articles, crude petroleum & natural gas, basic metals, chemicals & chemical products, food products etc.
Fuel and Power category: Index increased by 0.65% to 155.4 in June.
It remained in double-digit for the 15th straight month.

National Affairs

The National Rail and Transportation Institute in Gujarat has been upgraded to a central university and will be known as the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.
The Union Cabinet gave its approval to introduce a Bill in Parliament, namely, the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009 for setting up of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV).
This is the second central university in the state following the Central University of Gujarat.

National Affairs

The Department of Consumer Affairs has set up a committee in developing a framework for the ‘Right to Repair’.
The committee will be chaired by Nidhi Khare (Additional Secretary of Department of Consumer Affairs).
Aim: To empower consumers and product buyers in the local market, harmonize trade between the original equipment manufacturers and the third-party buyers and sellers.
Countries like the U.S.A, U.K, and European Union have already recognized the Right to Repair

National & International Organizations

The TIME magazine has listed Kerala and Ahmedabad among the 50 extraordinary destinations to explore in its list of the World’s Greatest Places of 2022.
Kerala: It is one of India’s most beautiful states. With spectacular beaches and lush backwaters, it’s known as “God’s own country” for good reason.
Ahmedabad: India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad, boasts both ancient landmarks and contemporary innovations.

Defense

Dunagiri, a Project 17A frigate has been launched into the Hooghly river at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata.
The ceremony was attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the chief guest.
It is christened after a ‘Dunagiri’, mountain range in the state of Uttarakhand.
It is the fourth ship of P17A Frigates (Shivalik Class) with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.

Agreement

Nasscom Foundation has joined hands with Google to set up a call centre named “DigiVaani Call Center”, in collaboration with a not-for-profit body Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP).
Aim: To help women farmers scale up their business.
This pilot project is being conducted in six states — Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Nasscom Chairperson: Krishnan Ramanujam

National Affairs

Paper Import Monitoring System will come into effect from 1st October 2022, an importer need to provide advance information online about the import of papers and obtain a registration number.
It is applicable on import by a Domestic Territory Area unit on a wide range of paper products covering 201 tariff lines, such as newsprint, handmade paper, tissue paper, toilet paper and cartons.
The automatic registration number shall remain valid for a period of 75 days.

National Affairs

UIDAI has launched a new mobile app named “AadhaarFaceRd".
Aim: To perform face authentication through mobile app from anywhere and at any time.
Through this verification, an Aadhaar holder's real identity is validated and recorded in the databases of UIDAI which was captured at the time of Aadhaar enrolment.
Aadhaar Face Authentication technology has been developed inhouse by UIDAI.
Benefits of Aadhaar FaceRD: Jeevan Pramaan, Ration Distribution (PDS)

Banking & Finance

Agri-tech startup nurture.farm has partnered with the SBI General Insurance and Future Generali India Insurance Company to expand its insurance solutions for farmers.
nurture.farm is an open digital platform for growers, farming communities and food systems.
The company had recently received a corporate agency licence from IRDAI to enable nurture.farm, to help farmers access innovative insurance solutions at cost-effective price points.

Science & Technology

Agnikul Cosmos (Chennai-based space-tech start-up) has opened its Rocket Factory-1, India’s first-ever rocket facility dedicated to 3D printed rocket engines at scale.
The facility at IIT Madras Research Park was unveiled by N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, TATA Sons with ISRO Chairman S Somanath being the Guest of Honour.
The IIT Madras incubated start-up became the first Indian company to sign an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation in December 2020.

National & International Organizations

Infosys has signed an agreement to acquire life sciences consulting and tech firm BASE life science for up to $€ 110$ million in an all cash deal.
The BASE life science brings Infosys domain experts commercial, medical, digital marketing, and clinical.
It will also help to deepen the life sciences domain capabilities and strengthen its footprint across Europe.
The BASE collaborates with software technology providers such as Veeva, IQVIA, and Salesforce.