UPSC QUIZ 14.10.2023

Explanation:

• India's growth rate will remain strong in IMF's World Economic Outlook. It is estimated to be 6.3% in 2023 and 2024. This is due to better-than-expected consumption figures in the April to June-quarter.
• The IMF estimates global GDP growth of 3% in 2023, which is the same as its forecast global GDP for July 2023.
• However, global GDP growth for 2024 has declined by 10 basis points from the July forecast to 2.9%.

Explanation:

• India's unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above has fallen to a six-year low of 3.2%, according to the Periodic Labor Force Survey Annual Report 2022-2023 released by the National Sample Survey Office.
• This significant decline in unemployment means a positive trend in employment opportunities within the country.
• Recognizing the importance of availability of labor force data at more regular intervals, the National Statistical Office launched the Periodic Labor Force Survey in April 2017.

PLFS has two main objectives

1. To estimate key employment and unemployment indicators (i.e. worker-population ratio, labor force participation rate, unemployment rate) at short-term intervals of three months for urban areas only in the Current Weekly Status (CWS).
2. To estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both normal situation (PS+SS) and CEDBURO S in both rural and urban areas every year.

Explanation:

• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has joined the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG), a pivotal move to enhance global pharmaceutical standards, regulatory compliance, and international recognition of Indian pharmaceutical products.
• IPC was the only Pharmacopoeia body in the world to be selected for the pilot phase initiated in September 2022. After a year-long pilot phase, IPC's inclusion as a permanent PDG member was confirmed in September 2023.

Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG)

• The PDG is an international forum that aims to harmonize global pharmacopoeial standards to reduce the burden on manufacturers and ensure consistent quality.
• The PDG was established in 1989 by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP), and the US Pharmacopeia (USP).
• In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined as an observer.

Explanation:

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde approved a proposal to establish an Independent Scheduled Tribes Commission.
• It will be established for Maharashtra on the lines of the Central Government.
• This proposal has been approved in the 51st Maharashtra State Tribes Advisory Council meeting held in Mumbai.
• Various issues like the reorganization of scheduled areas of the state, provision of funds according to population, starting of the project office in talukas of tribal districts, etc. were discussed in the meeting.
• The Chief Minister also instructed to not divert the funds meant for the Scheduled Tribes department.
• Earlier, the Maharashtra government had appointed the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to submit a report on tribal status to Dhangars.
• TISS has submitted its report but the government has not made it public.

Explanation:

• Forbes World's Best Employers List 2023 was released.
• In this, NTPC Limited, India's largest integrated energy conglomerate, has been recognized as one of the "World's Best Employers 2023".
• It is ranked 261st among the top 700 companies in the world ranking and is the only Indian public sector undertaking (PSU) to feature in the list.
• This is proof that the people's practices at NTPC are at par with the top companies in the world.
• Every year, Forbes publishes the World's Best Employers list through independent market research to identify the top 700 companies.
• It offers an exciting and positive working environment, training, and career advancement opportunities, employee benefits, employee centricity, and diversity in the workplace.
• In 2023, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to create the seventh annual list of the World's Best Employers.
• It recognized NTPC's progressive and “people before plant load factor (PLF)” approach, and excellence in the development and management of its human resources through continuous process improvement.
• Policies and interventions by progressive people have helped its workforce remain agile and future-ready.