Answer: A
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Launched in 2016, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a 100
percent government-owned company setup under the aegis of the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
● It is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables
procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.
● GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement.
● GeM was developed with the technical support of the National eGovernance Division
under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
● In 2017, the government made it mandatory for all the departments and ministries to
source goods and services from the GeM.
● At present, the platform is open for procurement by all government buyers: central and
state ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, autonomous institutions, local
bodies, etc.
● In 2022, the government gave its approval for expanding the mandate of GeM to allow
procurement by Cooperatives as buyers on GeM.
● Statement 2 is incorrect: As per existing mandate, GeM is not available for use by
private sector buyers. Suppliers (sellers) can be from across all segments:
government or private.

Did you know?
GeM SAHAY app is an initiative to facilitate small sellers to avail of credit financing from various
integrated lenders for the orders received on GeM Portal.

Officers' Daily Motivation

4. Consider the following statements about the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).
1. TMT is a 30-meter diameter primary mirror optical and infrared telescope.
2. It is being established at Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
3. India is a Founder-Member Partner in this international collaboration project.

"Celebrating the energy, passion, and potential of youth worldwide! Together, we are shaping a brighter future."

Let's raise our voices and make a difference today!

#InternationalYouthDay #YouthPower #ChangeMakers

link- https://www.instagram.com/_officers__pulse_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Officers Pulse is now live on Instagram!

Follow us for daily current affairs updates and insights. Stay informed, stay ahead!

#CurrentAffairs #OfficersPulse #StayAhead #InstagramLaunch

Answer: C
Explanation:
● Statements 1 & 2 are correct: Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a 30-meter diameter
primary mirror optical and infrared telescope being established at Mauna Kea, Hawaii,
USA.
● TMT is a new class of extremely large telescopes that will allow us to see deeper into
space and observe cosmic objects with unprecedented sensitivity.
● At the heart of the telescope is the segmented mirror, made up of 492 individual segments.
Precisely aligned, these segments will work as a single reflective surface of 30m diameter.

● This will provide unparalleled resolution with TMT images more than 12 times sharper than
those from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (launched in 1990 into a low-Earth orbit).

● Once it is built, the TMT will become the world's largest ground-based telescope
operating at optical and infrared wavelengths, allowing astronomers to study the outer
reaches of the universe and study distant stars and exoplanets in much greater detail than is
currently possible.
o An exoplanet, or extrasolar planet, is a planet outside of our solar system that usually
orbits another star in our galaxy.

Who is building TMT?
● The Thirty Meter Telescope is being designed and developed by the TMT International
Observatory LLC (TIO).
● The TIO is an international collaboration of research institutions and national
governments including the USA, Japan, China, India and Canada.
● Statement 3 is correct: India is a Founder-Member Partner in this project which aims to
open new windows to the universe through optical and infrared astronomy.
Benefits of TMT
● It will allow astronomers to explore the mysterious period in the life of the universe
when the first stars and galaxies were formed.
● One of its key uses will be the study of exoplanets, many of which have been detected in
the last few years, and whether their atmospheres contain water vapour or methane — the
signatures of possible life.
● TMT will also observe the formation and development of the large-scale structures by
looking at faint distant galaxies and the intergalactic medium.
● It has the capability to detect and investigate black holes that reside in the center of many
distant galaxies, as well as study in detail the black hole in the center of our own Milky Way.

5. Exercise Maitree is a joint military exercise conducted between which two countries?

Answer: B
Explanation
● The 13th edition of India- Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE was recently held in
Thailand.
● Aim of Exercise MAITREE is to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand.

1. The primary objective of the RBI using the Standing Deposit Facility is to:

Answer: C
Explanation
● In 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF),
allowing banks to park their excess funds at a higher rate but without taking any
collateral from the central bank.
● Currently, the SDF rate has been set at an interest rate of 6.25%, higher than the 3.35%
fixed reverse repo rate, which is the rate at which banks park their excess funds with the
RBI in exchange of government securities as collateral.
● SDF is a tool to absorb excess liquidity, as it will be more attractive for the commercial
banks to pump liquidity back to the central bank due to higher returns, while for the central
bank it would not need to offer any security to the commercial bank.
Features of SDF
● SDF has the following features viz;
○ it is a monetary policy instrument to absorb liquidity without any collateral
with an interest rate of 6.25%;
○ it is operated on an overnight basis, with the flexibility to absorb liquidity for
longer tenor with appropriate pricing;
○ deposits under the SDF shall not be reckoned as balances eligible for the
maintenance of the cash reserve ratio (CRR), but shall be an eligible asset for
maintenance of the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR).

2. Consider the following indices
1) SDG India Index
2) Composite Water Management Index
3) Export Preparedness Index
4) India Innovation Index

Answer: D
Explanation
About NITI Aayog
● The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via
a resolution of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015. 
● It replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission.
● NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing
both directional and policy inputs. 
● While designing strategic and long term policies and programmes for the Government of
India, NITI Aayog also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.

● NITI Aayog’s entire gamut of activities can be divided into four main heads:
○ Policy and Programme Framework
○ Cooperative Federalism
○ Monitoring and Evaluation
○ Think Tank, and Knowledge and Innovation Hub.

Governing Council of NITI Aayog
● The Governing Council of NITI Aayog is chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises
Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with legislatures; Lt Governors of
other Union Territories; Ex-Officio Members; Vice Chairperson; Full-time Members; Special
Invitees and Chief Executive Officer.
● The Governing Council, which embodies the objectives of cooperative federalism, presents a
platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to accelerate
the implementation of the national development agenda.
Important reports released by NITI Aayog
● Healthy States, Progressive India Report
● Composite Water Management Index
● SDG India Index
● North-Eastern Region District SDG Index
● Multidimensional Poverty Index
● Export Preparedness Index
● India Innovation Index

3. Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana
1) The objective of the scheme is to promote organic farming practices in India.
2) It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Answer: D
Explanation
● Both the statements are incorrect.
● The "Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran)
Yojana" aims at providing financial support to Integrated Bioethanol Projects using
lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.
● It is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas.

4. Consider the following statements about Warli Painting
1) It is a tribal mural art belonging to the state of Maharashtra.
2) It is based on the concept of Mother Nature and the elements of nature are often kept in
focus.
3) Warli paintings are devoid of people and animals.