Daily GK Update: 7th February 2024

 National & International Appointments

1. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi Appointed Army Vice Chief

• Northern Army commander Lt Gen. Upendra Dwivedi will take over as the army’s vice chief on February 15, replacing LG MV Suchindra Kumar.
• Dwivedi is the frontrunner for the post of army chief as he will be the senior-most general when General Manoj Pande retires on May 31, 2024.
• Lt Gen. Dwivedi boasts a distinguished career within the Indian Army, having previously served in key positions including Deputy Chief and Director General of Infantry at the Army Headquarters.

 National Affairs

2. Govt. to roll out satellite based GPS toll collection system on NH

• The government is set to roll out satellite-based GPS toll collection systems on national highways.
• Nitin Gadkari said, the satellite-based toll systems will be implemented before the Lok Sabha election this year.
• Under the new system, the toll will be deducted from the bank accounts directly with the identification of the vehicle number plate.
• The new toll collection system will help in removing the existing toll plazas and ease travel on the national highways.

 National Affairs

3. Microsoft to train over 2 million people in India in generative AI skills

• Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella has announced that the company will train over 2 million people in India in generative Artificial Intelligence skills by 2025.
• The Indian-origin Microsoft chief said that AI can help in boosting GDP growth in the country.
• Speaking about AI, Mr Nadella said that it is a powerful new technology that needs to be diffused fast to every corner of the world.

 National Affairs

4. Dharmendra Pradhan launches EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme in ND

• Minister of Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme in New Delhi.
• Mr. Pradhan said, as envisioned in the New Education Policy 2020, the Vidyanjali Scholarship Program symbolises a whole-of-society approach to empowerment through access and opportunities for education.
• This scholarship will benefit students belonging to economically disadvantaged sections.