Mar 2023 Daily News Current Affairs

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Mar 31, 2023
1. Visits to India (Mar 2023) -
  1. US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo visited India.
    1. During the visit, India & US signed a pact on setting up a semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnerships, and established a semiconductor sub-committee under framework of India-US Commercial Dialogue.
  2. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited India. Several Agreements were signed -
    1. NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) & Australia's national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), signed Letter of Intent to boost cooperation to drive innovation in areas of national challenges and shared priorities.
    2. India and Australia signed Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, to help ease mobility of students and professionals between two countries.
  3. Mexican foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard visited India.
    1. During the visit, Multi-Sectoral MOU was signed between India and Mexico, on research, technology and innovation collaborations in several key areas.
  4. UK Navy Chief Ben Key visited India.
  5. Australian Navy Chief Mark Hammond visited India.
2. General News /Events (Mar 21-31, 2023) -
  1. Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched Real-time Performance Monitoring Dashboard of MoPSW Sagar Manthan.
  2. Home Minister Amit Shah Laid foundation stone of Sahakar Samridhi Soudha market yard at Bengaluru, for agriculture marketing.
    1. He also unveiled statues of Lord Basaveshwara and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda at State Assembly premises in Bengaluru.
  3. Digital India Startup Hub through the Software Technology Parks of India has set up India’s first Centre of Excellence in Online Gaming at Shillong (Meghalaya), to catalyse startups from entire North East Region to build Next Gen Online Gaming ecosystem.
3. General News / Events (Mar 21-31, 2023) -
  1. IIT Kanpur organized Techkriti 2023, among Asia's largest technical and entrepreneurial festivals, with theme Enigmatic Tessellations.
  2. India become first country to develop a mathematical model to estimate prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) cases in country. Using this model, TB data for India will be available by March every year, way before annual World Health Organization (WHO) estimates released in October.
  3. Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated Vedic Heritage portal, aimed at communicating message enshrined in the Vedas.
  4. Tesla & Twitter CEO Elon Musk became most followed person on Twitter, leaving past former US president Barack Obama.
4. New Zealand Cricket Awards 2023 -
  1. Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for Cricketer of The year - Daryl Mitchell.
  2. Men's Test Player of the Year - Tom Blundell.
  3. Men's T20I Player of the Year - Glenn Philips.
  4. Men's ODI Player of the Year - Michael Bracewell.
  5. Umpire of the Year - Chris Brown.
  6. Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding service to cricket - Heath Mills
  7. From 2023, Onwards, New Zealand Cricket introduced Debbie Hockley Medal, to annually honor New Zealand's most outstanding female cricketer of the year. Amelia Kerr is 1st recepient of this honour.
  8. Women's T20I Player of the Year - Amelia Kerr
  9. Women's ODI Player of the Year - Suzie Bates
5. Mar 31 is observed as International Transgender Day of Visibility.
6. Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (FTP 2023) , to succeed FTP 2015-20.
  1. 4 pillars of FTP include Incentive to Remission, Export promotion through collaboration, Ease of doing business and Emerging Areas. It seeks to take India's exports to 2 trillion USD by 2030, up from US$ 750 Billion currently.
  2. Key features -
    1. Process Re-Engineering and Automation -
      1. Policy emphasizes export promotion and development, moving away from an incentive regime to a regime which is facilitating, based on technology interface and principles of collaboration.
    2. Towns of Export Excellence -
      1. Four new towns - Faridabad, Mirzapur, Moradabad, and Varanasi, have been designated as Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) in addition to existing 39 towns. TEEs will have priority access to export promotion funds under MAI scheme (Market Access Initiative) and will be able to avail Common Service Provider (CSP) benefits for export fulfillment under EPCG Scheme (Export Promotion Capital Goods).
    3. Recognition of Exporters -
      1. Exporter firms recognized with 'status' based on export performance will now be partners in capacity-building initiatives. Similar to the 'each one teach one' initiative, 2-star and above status holders would be encouraged to provide trade-related training to interested individuals.
    4. Promoting export from the districts -
      1. FTP aims at building partnerships with State governments and taking forward Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to promote exports at district level and accelerate development of grassroots trade ecosystem.
    5. Streamlining SCOMET Policy -
      1. There is a wider outreach and understanding of SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) among stakeholders, and policy regime is being made more robust to implement international treaties and agreements entered into by India.
    6. Facilitating E-Commerce Exports -
      1. E-commerce exports are a promising category that requires distinct policy interventions from traditional offline trade. e-commerce export potential is in range of $200 - $300 billion by 2030.
      2. FTP 2023 outlines intent and roadmap for establishing e-commerce hubs and related elements. Such as -
        Consignment wise cap on E-Commerce exports through courier has been raised from ₹5Lakh to ₹10 Lakh. Depending on feedback of exporters, this cap will be further revised or eventually removed.
        
        Integration of Courier and Postal exports with ICEGATE will enable exporters to claim benefits under FTP.
        
        Extensive training activities will be taken up to build capacity of artisans, weavers, gems and jewellery designers to onboard them on E-Commerce platforms and facilitate higher exports.
    7. Facilitation under Export Promotion of Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme -
      1. EPCG Scheme, which allows import of capital goods at zero Customs duty for export production, is being further rationalized. Some key changes -
        Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA) scheme has been added as an additional scheme eligible to claim benefits under CSP (Common Service Provider) Scheme of EPCG.
        
        Dairy sector to be exempted from maintaining Average Export Obligation.
        
        Battery Electric Vehicles, Vertical Farming equipment, Wastewater Treatment and Recycling and Green Hydrogen are added to Green Technology products, will now be eligible for reduced Export Obligation requirement under EPCG Scheme.
    8. Facilitation under Advance authorization Scheme -
      1. Advance authorisation Scheme accessed by DTA units provides duty-free import of raw materials for manufacturing export items and is placed at a similar footing to EOU and SEZ Scheme. Certain facilitation provisions have been added in FTP -
        Special Advance Authorisation Scheme extended to export of Apparel and Clothing sector self-declaration basis, to facilitate prompt execution of export orders.
        
        Benefits of Self-Ratification Scheme for fixation of Input-Output Norms extended to 2 star and above status holders in addition to Authorised Economic Operators at present.
    9. Merchanting trade -
      1. To develop India into a merchanting trade hub, FTP 2023 has introduced provisions for merchanting trade.
      2. Merchanting trade involves shipment of goods from one foreign country to another foreign country without touching Indian ports, involving an Indian intermediary. This won’t be applicable for goods/items classified in CITES and SCOMET list.
      3. This will allow conversion of hubs like GIFT city, into major merchanting hubs.
    10. Amnesty Scheme -
      1. To reduce litigation and foster trust-based relationships to help alleviate issues faced by exporters, FTP introduces a special one-time Amnesty Scheme, to address default on Export Obligations. This is in line with Vivaad se Vishwaas initiative, which sought to settle tax disputes amicably.
      2. This will provide relief to exporters who have been unable to meet their obligations under EPCG and Advance Authorizations, and are burdened by high duty and interest costs associated with pending cases. This amnesty scheme is aimed at giving exporters an opportunity to come into compliance.
Mar 30, 2023
1. UN observed First-ever International Day of Zero Waste on Mar 30, to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  1. Humanity generates an estimated 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which only 55 % is managed in controlled facilities. Every year, around 931 million tons of food is lost or wasted and up to 14 million tons of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems.
  2. Mar 30 is also statehood day of State of Rajasthan, established on Mar 30, 1949.
2. New Chief Justices named in Various high courts -
  1. Chhattisgarh HC - Ramesh Sinha
  2. Patna HC - K Vinod Chandran
  3. Allahabad HC - Pritinker Diwaker
3. PSB Union Bank of India became first Indian bank to open a Special Rupee Vostro Account through its corresponding bank in Malaysia, i.e. India International Bank of Malaysia.
  1. This will enable settlement of trade between India and Malaysia now in Indian rupee, in line with RBI's directions in July 2022, allowing settlement of international trade in Indian Rupees.
  2. India International Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (IIBM) is joint venture between 3 Indian banks - Bank of Baroda (40%), Indian Overseas Bank (35%) and Union Bank of India (25%).
4. As per RBI data, India's current account deficit (CAD) declined to US$ 18.2 billion, or 2.2 % of GDP, in Q3 of FY 23 (Oct - Dec 2022), due to narrowing merchandise trade deficit and robust services and private transfer receipts.
Mar 29, 2023
1. 2nd edition of joint military exercise The Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023) held at Foreign Training Node, Pune (Maharashtra). 25 nations of African continent participated in the exercise.
2. Japan approved Official Developmet Assistance (ODA) for several projects in India -
  1. Patna Metro Rail Construction Project (I) - 5509 crores.
  2. Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in West Bengal - 520 crores
  3. Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project (II) - 1056 crores.
3. 2nd edition of joint military exercise Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023) held at Foreign Training Node, Aundh, Pune (Maharashtra). 25 nations of African continent paticipated in it, along with Indian Army.
4. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s annual fellowships and awards 2022 -
  1. Akademi fellowships Awardees - Gopinath Kozhikode (Theatre director), Vidyadharan Master (Musician) and Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan (chenda and idakka exponent). Fellowships carry cash prize of 50000.
5. Egypt joined BRICS Nations' New Development Bank (NDB), Taking number of Member Nations to 9.
  1. BRICS Bank Members - Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Russia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
Mar 28, 2023
1. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated country's first naval submarine base named BNS Sheikh Hasina, at Pekua in Cox’s Bazar.
2. Marathi author and historian Shrimant Kokate's first English Book Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (illustrated), has been released, translated by Dilip Chavan.
3. Book A Matter of the Heart: Education in India, authored by Anurag Behar (CEO of Azim Premji Foundation) has been released.
4. Indian-origin American Actress Vera Mindy Chokalingam (known as Mindy Kaling) is among awardees of 2021 National Humanities Medal to be presented by US President Joe Biden.
5. As per Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2022 by Kroll -
  1. Actor Ranveer Singh is India's most valued celebrity of 2022, with a brand value of $181.7 million. He left past cricketer Virat Kohli to claim the spot.
Mar 27, 2023
1. Mar 27 is observed as World Theatre Day, proclaimed in 1961 by International Theatre Institute.
2. Argentine - American mathematician Luis Ángel Caffarelli has been named winner of Abel Prize 2023.
  1. It is awarded annually by King of Norway to outstanding mathematician(s).
  2. Named after Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, Abel prize carries monetary award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (Approx .7 USD).
3. National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized first Urban Climate Film Festival through CITIIS program under U20 engagement events, under India's 2023 G20 Presidency.
  1. It has been organised with support from Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, French Development Agency (AFD), and European Union.
4. Noted singer & musician Bombay Jayashri has bean chosen for Madras Music Academy's Sangita Kalanidhi award 2023.
  1. Other notable awards announced on the occasion -
    1. Nritya Kalanidhi - Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari
    2. Musicologist - Arimalam S Padmanabhan
5. Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh has been honored with 2022 Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award by England's Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), for his act of sportsmanship in a T20 international against Ireland.
Mar 26, 2023
1. 1st Women's Premier League (TATA WPL 2023) -
  1. It was 1st season of BCCI's women's franchise Twenty20 cricket league, featuring 5 teams.
  2. Mumbai Indians won the Title, defeating Delhi Capitals in final.
  3. Facts -
    1. Viacom 18 acquired media rights for Women’s IPL (WPL) for 951 crores, for five years.
    2. India's Smriti Mandhana became most expensive player at inaugural WPL, after being acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for 3.4 crores.
    3. Noted India Former Tennis Player Sania Mirza has been named mentor of Royal Challengers Bangalore for inaugural WPL.
2. 2023 Swiss Open Badminton -
  1. Men's singles - Koki Watanabe (Japan)
  2. Women's singles - Pornpawee Chochuwong (Thailand)
  3. Men's doubles - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty (India)
  4. Women's doubles - Rena Miyaura & Ayako Sakuramoto (Japan)
3. ISRO’s LVM3 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III), launch vehicle successfully launched 36 satellites of UK-Based satellite broadband Internet services firm OneWeb, into intended 450 km orbit.
  1. With this, ISRO's NSIL has successfully executed its contract to launch 72 satellites of OneWeb to Low Earth Orbit.
  2. Launch was carried out from from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
4. Tamil Nadu govt notifed Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary as 18th wildlife sanctuary in state, including reserve forest areas in Anthiyur, Bargur, Thattakarai and Chennampatti.
5. National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed 10 crores fine on Kerala government, for being unable to prevent uncontrolled pollution of designated Ramsar sites in state.

Mar 25, 2023

2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships (Hosted in New Delhi) -

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	India	4	0	0	4
2	China	3	1	3	7
3	Russia	1	1	1	3
4	Italy	1	1	0	2
5	Brazil	1	0	1	2
5	Morocco	1	0	1	2

Notably -
1. India topped the medal tally for the first time after 2006.
2. Indian Gold Medalists -
  1. Minimumweight - Nitu Ghanghas
  2. Light flyweight - Nikhat Zareen
  3. Middleweight - Lovlina Borgohain
  4. Light heavyweight - Saweety Boora

Notable points from PM Narendraa Modi's Visit to Karnataka -
1. Inaugurated Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR) in Chikkaballapur, to provide free of cost medical education and quality medical care.
2. Inaugurated 13.71 km stretch from Whitefield (Kadugodi) Metro to Krishnarajapura Metro Line under Bangalore Metro Phase 2, Built at cost 4250 crores.
Mar 25 is observed as -
1. International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade
2. International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members.
3. Also, on Mar 25, 2023, Earth Hour was observed, as a worldwide movement organized by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
  1. Event is held annually by encouraging turning off non-essential electric lights for one hour (8:30 to 9:30 p.m.), on a specific day towards end of March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.
Indian Army and Air Force conducted a joint exercise Vayu Prahar in eastern sector.

Mar 24, 2023
1. Cabinet Approvals (Mar 24, 2023) -
  1. CCEA -
    1. Approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Raw Jute for 2023-24 season, fixed at 5050 per quintal, ensuring return of 63.20 % over all India weighted average cost of production.
    2. Approved subsidy of 200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to be provided to approx 9.6 crore beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). It will cost 6100 crores for FY 23 and 7680 crore for FY 24.
2. Mar 24 - World Tuberculosis Day.
  1. On this occasion, PM Narendra Modi Inaugurated One World TB Summit 2023 in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), and launched TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative to leverage support of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats to raise awareness about TB.
    1. Notably, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end TB epidemic by 2030, while India aims to end TB by 2025.
  2. Mar 24 is also observed as International Day for Achievers.
3. Indian Air Force participated in Joint Exercise with UK's Royal Air Force, named Exercise Cobra Warrior. It was held at Waddington Air Force Base in UK.
4. Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Ministry approved setting of an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Dharwad (Karnataka), which is expected to create over 18000 jobs.
  1. It will be set up at Kotur-Balur Industrial Area in Dharwad District of Karnataka under EMC 2.0 scheme.
5. Book Basu Chatterji: And Middle-of-the-Road Cinema, authored by Aniruddha Bhattacharjee has been released. It is based on life of veteran Indian filmmaker Basu Chatterjee.
6. Pakistani-origin Scottish politician Humza Yousaf has been named Scotland‘s new First Minister, becoming first person of colour to serve the post.
  1. First minister of Scotland is head of the Scottish Government and keeper of Great Seal of Scotland.
7. Former Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff has been elected as new President of Shanghai based New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS bank.
  1. It is a multilateral financial institution created by BRICS Bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).
Mar 23, 2023
1. Mar 23 is observed as World Meteorological Day, to mark establishment of World Meteorological Organization on Mar 23, 1950.
2. Mar 23 is Obvserved As Martyr's Day (Shaheedi Diwas) in India. It marks death anniversary of Great Freedom Fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru. They were executed on 23 March 1931, in Lahore (Pakistan).
  1. Notably, In India, apart from Mar 23, there are 5 otherd days declared as Martyrs' Day-
    1. Jan 30 - Date of Assasination of M K Gandhi by Shri Nathuram Godse, is Observed as Martyr's Day.
    2. May 19 - Bengali Language Movement of Barak Valley in Assam was a protest against decision of Government of Assam to make Assamese only official language of state, even though significant proportion of population were Bengali. Main incident, in which 15 people were killed by state police, took place on 19 May 1961. 19 May is thus designated Bhasha Shahid Divas ("Language Martyrs Day").
    3. 21 October is Police Martyrs' Day. On this date in 1959, a CPRF patrol at Indo-Tibetan border in Ladakh was ambushed by Chinese forces.
    4. Odisha observes 17 November, death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai as Martyr's Day.
    5. Birthday of Rani Lakshmibai, 19 November is observed as Martyrs' Day in Maharashtra.
3. University of Texas (US) conferred Indian industrialist (and University's alumnus) Naveen Jindal with a lifetime achievement award for his accomplishments in industry, politics and education.
4. Saudi Arabia joined Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a dialogue partner.
  1. SCO has 8 members (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), 4 Observer states & 13 Dialogue partners.
  2. Notably, India is holding SCO presidency in 2023, along with G20 presidency.
5. Govt increased maximum age for Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority’s (PFRDA) ombudsman from 65 to 70 years, who is responsible for helping to resolve grievances that come under PFRDA regulations.
6. Assam NGO Tapoban, which supports children with special needs, has been honoured with Children's Champion Award 2023 by Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
7. Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) conferred special literary award on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, for his trilogy- The Unfinished Memoirs, The Prison Diaries and the New China 1952.
Mar 22, 2023
1. Mar 22 is observed Globally as World Water Day, Being Observed by UN since 1993. 2023 Theme is Accelerating change.
  1. As per a report published by UNESCO at UN 2023 Water Conference in New York, 2 billion people (26% of population) do not have access to safe drinking water and 3.6 billion (46%) lack access to safely managed sanitation.
2. Mar 22 is observed as Bihar Diwas, marking formation of state of Bihar. On Mar 22 in 1912, British had carved out Bihar from Bengal.
3. Annual bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and UK's Royal Navy, called Konkan 2023, held off Konkan coast in Arabian Sea.
4. Indian Navy launched Androth (built by GRSE Kolkata), as 2nd of 16 anti-submarine warfare vessels being built under Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project.
  1. Notably, INS Androth has been claimed to be most silent ship in Indian Navy.
  2. Under this project, 8 ships are being made by each of Cochin Shipyard (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). 1st ship to be launched under this project was Arnala.
  3. ASW SWC project consists 16 planned ships, with over 80% indigenous content.
5. Uttar Pradesh Govt & Quality Council of India launched Uttar Pradesh Gunvatta Sankalp (Uttar Pradesh Quality Mission), in collaboration with several industry associations.
6. Book War and Women, authored by M A Hasan (Bangladesh) has been released, during 52nd Session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva (Switzerland). It highlights suffering of Bengali women who were victims of sexual violence perpetrated by Pakistan Army during 1971 war.
7. Ajay Singh (SpiceJet CMD) has been named new President of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Mar 21, 2023
1. Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated Asia’s largest 4-metre International Liquid Mirror Telescope at Devasthal (Uttarakhand), to enable exploration of deep celestial sky.
  1. The telescope is located at altitude of 2450 metre at Devasthal Observatory campus of Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES).
2. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office & Innovation Centre in New Delhi (India).
  1. PM also unveiled Bharat 6G Vision Document, launched 6G R&D Test Bed & Call before u Dig App.
  2. ITU is United Nations' specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). New ITU Area Office in India will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran.
3. Manmeet K Nanda is named as new MD & CEO of Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India.
4. International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) constituted an expert committee to suggest measures to encourage Indian Fintech / Startups domiciled abroad to relocate to GIFT IFSC. This committee will be chaired by former RBI Executive Director G. Padmanabhan.
5. Mar 21 is observed as -
  1. UN International Day of Forests, proclaimed in 2012. 2023 Theme is Forests and health.
    1. On this occasion, J&K Administration honored Aaliya Mir (from J&K) with Wildlife Conservation Award.
  2. World Down Syndrome Day, Observed since 2006.
  3. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Proclaimed in 1966. 2021 Theme is Youth standing up against racism.
  4. World Poetry Day, Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999.
  5. World Puppetry Day.
6. Noted Indian industrialist Ratan Tata has been appointed as an Honorary Officer in General Division of Order of Australia, the highest civil honour in Australia.
7. Book Why Can’t Elephants be Red, authored by Vani Tripathi Tikoo (censor board member) has been released.
Mar 20, 2023
1. Switzerland based financial firm UBS Group acquired Switzerland based Credit Suisse, for approx 3.2 Billion USD, resulting in merger of Switzerland's two biggest banks.
2. Mar 20 is observed as International Day of Happiness. It has been observed by UN since 2013.
  1. UN released World Happiness Report 2023 -
    1. India improved to 126th place, compared to 136th last year. India is still ranked amongst most unhappy nations.
    2. Top 5 - Finland (1), Denmark (2), Iceland (3), Israel (4), Netherlands (5)
    3. Bottom 3 - Afghanistan (137), Lebanon (136), Sierra Leone (135)
  2. Other observations on Mar 20 -
    1. Mar 20 is also observed as UN French Language Day.
    2. Mar 20 is also observed as World Sparrow Day.
    3. Mar 20 is also Observed as World day of theatre for children and Young People.
    4. Mar 20 is also observed as World Oral Health Day.
3. General News / Events (Mar 11-20, 2023) -
  1. National Gallery of Modern Art (New Delhi) inaugurated exhibition Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential to be There, commemorating noted Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Manning Bawa. Notably, it is under 75th Anniversary celebrations of Indo-Lanka Diplomatic Relations.
  2. Health Ministry and WHO South-East Asia organized Global Conference on Digital Health – Taking Universal Health Coverage to the last citizen, in New Delhi.
  3. 3rd annual International SME Convention 2023 organized in New Delhi, with Madhya Pradesh as Key State Partner and Uttar Pradesh as Associate State Partner.
  4. Indonesia's most active volcano Mount Merapi erupted.
  5. Aahaar 2023 has been organized in New Delhi, as Asia’s biggest International Food and Hospitality Fair.
  6. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) launched Learning Science via Standards initiative, to promote science learning among school students.
4. India hosted 1st Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in New Delhi.
  1. On the occasion, PM Narendra Modi unveiled a customised postal stamp and currency coin on International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023, being observed by UN.
  2. Also, Hyderabad based ICAR-IIMR (Indian Institute of Millet Research) has been announced as Global Centre of Excellence.
5. Home ministry announced 10 % reservation for former Agniveers in vacancies in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) & Border Security Force (BSF).
6. US Senate formally recognised McMahon Line as international boundary between India’s Arunachal Pradesh and China.
  1. The resolution rejected Beijing’s claim on Arunachal Pradesh, and also condemned Chinese provocations in the region.
7. As per UK-based consultancy Skytrax -
  1. For 5th year in a row, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been declared best airport in South Asian region, and ranked 36th globally.
  2. Top 3 -
    1. Changi Airport (Singapore)
    2. Hamad Airport (Doha)
    3. Haneda Airport (Tokyo)

Mar 19, 2023

Red bull's Mexican F1 Racer Sergio Pérez won Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023.

F1 Season 2023 -

Grand Prix	Winner	Race date
Bahrain Grand Prix	Max Verstappen (Dutch-Belgian)	5 March
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix	Sergio Pérez (Mexico)	19 March
Australian Grand Prix		2 April
Azerbaijan Grand Prix		30 April
Miami Grand Prix		7 May
Monaco Grand Prix		28 May
Spanish Grand Prix		4 June
Canadian Grand Prix		18 June
Austrian Grand Prix		2 July
British Grand Prix		9 July
Hungarian Grand Prix		23 July
Belgian Grand Prix		30 July
Dutch Grand Prix		27 August
Italian Grand Prix		3 September
Singapore Grand Prix		17 September
Japanese Grand Prix		24 September
Qatar Grand Prix		8 October
United States Grand Prix		22 October
Mexico City Grand Prix		29 October
São Paulo Grand Prix		5 November
Las Vegas Grand Prix		18 November
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix		26 November

Book Snakes In the Ganga: Breaking India 2.0, authored by Rajiv Malhotra and Vijaya Viswanathan has been released.
Book Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform, authored by journalist Rachna Biswat Rawat has been released. It is based on life of First Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat.
Team Rest of India won Irani Cup 2022/23 domestic cricket trophy, by defeating Madhya Pradesh in final.
Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district and Union Territory of Ladakh have been featured in TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2023 List, noted as 50 extraordinary destinations to explore.
Govt named Deepak Mohanty as new chairman of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
ICICI Bank launched Startup Ecosystem Banking as set of digital / physical solutions to cater to all banking needs of startups across their various life stages.

Mar 18, 2023
1. Mar 18 is observed as Ordnance Factory Day in India, to commemorate establishment of first Ordnance Factory in India at Cossipore near Kolkata in 1801.
  1. Mar 18 is also observed as Global Recycling Day, created in 2018.
2. Indian PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline as first cross border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, with a capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh.
  1. It is 2nd cross-border energy pipeline between India and its neighbours, while first was with Nepal, opened in 2019.
3. World Bank approved loan of 500 Million USD for construction of Green National Highway Corridors of 781 km length, in 4 Indian states - Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
4. As per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Data -
  1. India remained world’s largest importer of military equipment, despite 11% decline in arms purchases between 2018–22, compared to 2013–17.
  2. Russia's share in Indian arms imports fell from 64% to 45% (during 2018-22, compared to 2013–17), while France emerged as 2nd largest supplier between 2018-22.
5. Gianni Infantino (Switzerland) has been re-elected as Global Football governing body FIFA's president until 2027.
6. Bhutan became 7th nation to graduate from United Nations' Least Developed Countries (LDC) List, after its inclusion in first group of LDCs in 1971.
  1. Bhutan fulfilled the requirements for graduation in 2015 and then again in 2018, thereby qualifying for graduating from LDC list in 2021.
7. Swimmer Sampanna Ramesh Shelar become fastest Indian in under 21 group to swim across Palk Strait from Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to Dhanuskodi (Tamil Nadu), completing 29 Kms in in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
  1. Also, IPS officer Krishna Prakash became 1st person to swim from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves (Mumbai), completing 16.20 kms in 5 hours 26 minutes.
Mar 17, 2023
1. President Droupadi Murmu awarded President’s Colour award to INS Dronacharya, the Navy’s gunnery and missile warfare school. President’s Colour, also called Nishaan, is highest honour bestowed on a military unit for its exceptional service to the nation.
2. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das received Governor of the Year 2023 Award by international publication Central Banking, for steering through multiple crises including pandemic and inflation due to war in Ukraine.
3. Indian Air Force participated in multilateral air exercise Desert Flag VIII, hosted by UAE.
4. Cabinet Approvals (Mar 17, 2023) -
  1. CCEA -
    1. Approved listing of IREDA (CPSE under Ministry of New & Renewable Energy) on Stock Exchanges through an Initial Public Offer (IPO), by part sale of Government’s stake in it and to raise funds for IREDA through issue of fresh equity shares.
    2. Aproved exemption to NTPC from extant guidelines of delegation of power to Maharatna CPSEs for making investment in its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL).
      1. CCEA also exempted NGEL’s investment in NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NREL) and its other JVs/subsidiaries subject to a ceiling of 15% of its net worth beyond monetary ceiling of 5000 crore to 7500 crore, towards achieving a target of 60 GW Renewable Energy (RE) Capacity by NTPC Limited.
5. Govt announced sites for setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in 7 states - Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
  1. Inspired by 5F vision (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign), PM MITRA Parks will assist in making India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports.
  2. Ministry of Textiles will oversee execution of these projects, through an SPV to be set up for each park. Development Capital Support upto 500 crore & Competitive Incentive Support upto 300 crore will be alloted to every park.
6. As per Global Terrorism Index 2023 -
  1. Top 3 most affected nations - Afghanistan (1), Burkina Faso (2), Somalia (3)
  2. India ranks 13th, among nations most affected by terrorism.
7. G. Krishnakumar has been named CMD of Maharatna PSU Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
Mar 16, 2023
1. Mar 16 is observed annually as National Vaccination Day, (also National Immunization Day), observed since 1995. In 1995, India had started Pulse Polio Programme and first dose of Oral Polio Vaccine was given.
2. Indian Navy's INS Trikand participated in Sea Phase-I of International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23) held in the Gulf, including participation from 50 nations.
3. US Govt named Eric Garcetti as new US Ambassador to India.
4. Uttarakhand govt approved 10 % horizontal reservation for statehood activists in state government jobs.
5. SHE Changes Climate campaign named Climate entrepreneur Shreya Ghodawat as its India’s ambassador. The campaign aims at driving awareness of crucial role of women in accelerating climate action.
6. Rajasthan Govt announced creation of 19 new districts and 3 new divisions in state, taking number of districts to 50 and divisions to 10.
  1. New Districts -
    1. Jaipur North
    2. Jaipur South
    3. Jodhpur East
    4. Jodhpur West
    5. Anupgarh
    6. Balotra
    7. Beawar
    8. Deeg
    9. Deedwana Kuchaman
    10. Gangapur City
    11. Neem ka Thana
    12. Kotputli Behror
    13. Khairthal
    14. Dudu
    15. Kekri
    16. Phalodi
    17. Salumber
    18. Sanchore
    19. Shahpura
  2. New Divisions -
    1. Banswara
    2. Pali
    3. Sikar
Mar 15, 2023
1. Mar 15 is observed as World Consumer Rights Day. 2023 Theme is Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions.
  1. Mar 15 is also observed by UN as International Day to Combat Islamophobia. 2023 is first observance of this day.
2. Book India’s Struggle for Independence – Gandhian Era, authored by P. Jyothimani & G. Balan, has been released.
3. Ram Chandra Paudel has been elected as new president of Nepal.
  1. Also, Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has been named new Vice President of Nepal.
4. South American Nation Colombia opened military service to women, for first time in 25 years.
  1. Colombia has long had compulsory military service for men aged 18 - 24, which army relies on for carrying out basic administrative tasks.
  2. This year, Army allowed females in same age range to voluntarily join the military.
5. Monthly Trade and Inflation Data (Feb 2023) -
  1. Inflation and Trade Data for February 2023 -
    1. Wholesale price Index Based (WPI) -
      1. WPI based inflation fell to 3.85 % in February 2023, which is lowest in 25 months.
      2. WPI Inflation in last 12 months -
        
        January 2023 - 4.73 %
        
        December 2022 - 4.95 %
        
        November 2022 - 5.85 %
        
        October 2022 - 8.39 %
        
        September 2022 - 10.07 %
        
        August 2022 - 12.41 %
        
        July 2022 - 13.93 %
        
        June 2022 - 15.18 %
        
        May 2022 - 15.88 % (30 Year High)
        
        April 2022 - 15.08 %
        
        March 2022 - 14.55 %
        
        Feb 2022 - 13.11 %
    2. Consumer Price Index (CPI) Based (retail inflation) -
      1. CPI-based inflation rate for February 2023 fell to 6.44 %.
      2. CPI Inflation in Last 12 Months -
        
        January 2023 - 6.52 %
        
        December 2022 - 5.72 %
        
        November 2022 - 5.88 %
        
        October 2022 - 6.77 %
        
        September 2022 - 7.41 %
        
        August 2022 - 7.01 %
        
        July 2022 - 6.71 %
        
        June 2022 - 7.01 %
        
        May 2022 - 7.04%
        
        April 2022 - 7.79 % (8 Year High)
        
        March 2022 - 6.95 %
        
        Feb 2022 - 6.07 %
    3. Trade -
Mar 14, 2023
1. NITI Aayog 's Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launched ATL Sarthi, a comprehensive self-monitoring framework to strengthen ecosystem of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL).
  1. Atal Innovation Mission is establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across India to foster creativity in young minds. ATL Sarthi will enable ATLs to be more efficient and effective.
2. Noted Hindi writer Gyan Chaturvedi has been selected for 32nd Vyas Samman 2022 by K K Birla Foundation, for his 2018 novel Pagalkhana.
  1. About the award -
    1. Instituted in 1991 by K K Birla Foundation, Vyas Samman recognises an outstanding Hindi literary work by an Indian citizen published during last 10 years. It carries an award money of ₹4 lakh.
    2. Awards Institited by K K Birla Foundation in 1991 -
      1. Saraswati Samman - For literary work in any Indian language
      2. Vyas Samman - For prose/poetry work in Hindi
      3. Bihari Puraskar - For prose/poetry work in Hindi/Rajasthani, only authors from Rajasthan are eligible
      4. Shankar Puraskar - For a work in Hindi concerning Indian philosophy, culture and/or art.
      5. Vachaspati Puraskar - For any work in Sanskrit.
      6. G.D. Birla Award for Scientific Research
3. Tamil writer Sivasankari has been chosen for Saraswati Samman 2022 by K K Birla Foundation, for her 2019 memoir Surya Vamsam.
  1. About the award -
    1. Instituted in 1991 by K K Birla Foundation, Saraswati Samman honors outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any of 22 languages of India listed in Schedule VIII of Constitution. It consists of 15 Lakh Prize Money.
    2. Awards Institited by K K Birla Foundation in 1991 -
      1. Saraswati Samman - For literary work in any Indian language
      2. Vyas Samman - For prose/poetry work in Hindi
      3. Bihari Puraskar - For prose/poetry work in Hindi/Rajasthani, only authors from Rajasthan are eligible
      4. Shankar Puraskar - For a work in Hindi concerning Indian philosophy, culture and/or art.
      5. Vachaspati Puraskar - For any work in Sanskrit.
      6. G.D. Birla Award for Scientific Research
4. Neelesh B Mehta has been selected for 32nd GD Birla Award for Scientific Research by K K Birla Foundation, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to field of wireless communications.
  1. About the award -
    1. Instituted in 1991 by K K Birla Foundation, G.D. Birla Award for Scientific Research honors eminent Indian scientists below age of 50 for their original and outstanding contributions to any branch of science. It consists of 5 Lakh Prize Money.
    2. Awards Institited by K K Birla Foundation in 1991 -
      1. Saraswati Samman - For literary work in any Indian language
      2. Vyas Samman - For prose/poetry work in Hindi
      3. Bihari Puraskar - For prose/poetry work in Hindi/Rajasthani, only authors from Rajasthan are eligible
      4. Shankar Puraskar - For a work in Hindi concerning Indian philosophy, culture and/or art.
      5. Vachaspati Puraskar - For any work in Sanskrit.
      6. G.D. Birla Award for Scientific Research
5. Mar 14 is observed as International Pi (π) Day, observed since 1988.
  1. Also, UNESCO Observes Mar 14 as International Day of Mathematics, Proclaimed in 2019.
    1. Note that Dec 22 is observed as National Mathematics Day in India, to commemorate birth anniversary of Legendary Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
  2. Mar 14 is also observed as International Day of Action for Rivers.
Mar 13, 2023
1. Indian Navy participated in 3rd edition of biennial multilateral exercise La Perouse in Indian Ocean Region, hosted by French Navy. It included navies from Australia, France, India, Japan, UK & US.
2. Indian Navy participated in 3rd edition of Exercise Sea Dragon 23, the multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft, conducted by US Navy. It includes navies from India, US, Japan, Canada & Souh Korea.
3. Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, held at Jodhpur Military Station (Rajasthan).
4. RBI granted Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC) status to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which was earlier classified as Investment and Credit Company (ICC).
  1. This will enable IREDA to take higher exposure in RE financing, and will help it in accessing wider investor base for fund mobilisation, resulting in more economical fund raising.
5. MSME Minister Narayan Rane launched MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme under MSME Champions Scheme, to provide a roadmap to global competitiveness for MSMEs of India.
  1. LEAN manufacturing is a production method aimed primarily at reducing times within production system, closely related to just-in-time manufacturing.
  2. LEAN manufacturing adopts just-in-time approach and also focuses on reducing cycle, flow and throughput times by further eliminating activities which do not add any value for customer.

Mar 12, 2023

Notable Points from PM Narendra Modi's visit to Karnataka -
1. Mandya -
  1. Launched 118 Km long Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway in Mandya, developed at cost 8480 crores. It will reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru from 3 hours to 75 minutes.
2. Hubballi-Dharwad -
  1. Dedicated IIT Dharwad to the nation, whose foundation stone was laid by PM in February 2019.
  2. Launched longest railway platform in world (with length 1507 metres) at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Station, recognized by Guinness Book of World Records.
Govt named Siddhartha Mohanty as chairman of Life Insurance Company of India (LIC).
Startup-focused American Bank Silicon Valley Bank collapsed after a bank run (Sudden withdrawal of deposits by many depositors), becoming largest bank to fail since 2008 financial crisis.
1. California banking regulators closed the bank, and appointed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver for later disposition of its assets. FIDC Further named Tim Mayopoulos to lead erstwhile Silicon Valley Bank.
2. Also, First-Citizens Bank signed a purchase and assumption agreement with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to acquire all loans and deposits of failed Silicon Valley Bank.

95th Academy Awards (Oscars 2023) -

Awardees -

Category	Winner
Best Picture	Everything Everywhere All at Once (USA), directed by Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Best Actor in a Leading Role	Brendan Fraser for The Whale
Best Actress in a Leading Role	Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Direction	Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Supporting Actor	Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Supporting Actress	Jamie Lee Curtis for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Original Screenplay	Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Adapted Screenplay	Sarah Polley for Women Talking, based on novel by Miriam Toews
Best Original Score	Volker Bertelmann for All Quiet on the Western Front
Best Original Song	Naatu Naatu from Indian Film RRR, Music by M. M. Keeravani, Lyrics by Chandrabose [INDIA]
Best Animated Feature Film	Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Best International Feature Film / Foreign Language Film	All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany), directed by Edward Berger
Best Documentary Feature	Navalny
Best Documentary Short	Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga for Tamil Film The Elephant Whisperers [INDIA]
Best Cinematography	James Friend for All Quiet on the Western Front
Best Film editing	Paul Rogers for Everything Everywhere All at Once

Facts -
1. Oscars are most prestigious honour in Film Industry globally.
2. Hosted at Dolby Theatre Hollywood, California (USA)
3. Most awards this year - Everything Everywhere All at Once (7)
4. Most nominations - Everything Everywhere All at Once (11)
5. India won 2 Awards at Oscars 2023 - For Best Original Song and Best Documentary Short. Notably, RRR Song Naatu Naatu also won Best Original Song at Golden Globe Awards 2023.
6. Other Notable Awards -
  1. Academy Honorary Awards -
    1. Euzhan Palcy
    2. Diane Warren
    3. Peter Weir Jean
  2. Hersholt Humanitarian Award
    1. Michael J. Fox

Mar 11, 2023
1. Book As Good as My Word, written by KM Chandrasekhar (former Cabinet Secretary) has been released.
2. Denmark launched a project called Greensand, to store CO2 1800 metres beneath North Sea. It makes Denmark first country to bury CO2 imported from abroad.
  1. The project to store CO2, to prevent further warming of atmosphere, is on the site of an old oil field.
  2. Led by British firm Ineos and German firm Wintershall Dea, this is expected to store up to 8 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.
3. Uttarakhand became first state to start insurance scheme for its sericulturists, named Resham Keet Bima.
4. India stood 8th in list of the world’s most polluted countries in terms of air quality in 2022, as per Swiss company IQAir’s World Air Quality Report.
  1. Top 3 polluted nations - Chad (1), Iraq (2), Pakistan (3)
5. American Pharma Giant Pfizer acquired American Biotech Firm Seagen for $43 billion, to extend research in cancer treatments.
Mar 10, 2023
1. Mar 10 is observed by UN as International Day of Women Judges, since 2022.
  1. Mar 10 is foundation day of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which was set up on Mar 10, 1969.
2. National Youth Conclave has been organized jointly by Smart Cities Mission (MoHUA), Department of Youth Affairs and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), at Vigyan Bhawan (New Delhi).
  1. It has been organized under aegis of India’s 2023 G20 presidency, aligning with Urban20 and Youth20 engagement groups.
3. ISRO & NASA's jointly developed Earth-observation satellite NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) has been handed over to ISRO by NASA, for Launch from India in Sep 2023.
  1. NISAR has been jointly built by ISRO & NASA under a partnership agreement signed in 2014.
  2. This 2800 kilograms satellite consists of both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments, which makes it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
    1. While NASA provided L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data, and a payload data subsystem, ISRO has provided S-band radar, GSLV launch system and spacecraft.
  3. ISRO will use NISAR for a variety of purposes including agricultural mapping, and monitoring of glaciers in the Himalayas, landslide-prone areas and changes in the coastline.
4. 8th Edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy, held in New Delhi.
  1. Giorgia Meloni (Prime Minister of Italy) was chief guest at the event, held with theme Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest.
5. General News / Events (Mar 1-10, 2023) -
  1. International Yoga Festival 2023 held at Rishikesh (Uttarakhand).
  2. India hosted first meeting of Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru, with India's Ghanshyam Prasad (Central Electricity Authority Chairman) named as first Executive Director of BIMSTEC Energy Centre.
  3. 23rd Commonwealth Law Conference held in Goa.
  4. 3rd Session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in New Delhi.
  5. 5th Asean-India Business Summit hosted in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
  6. Yaoshang festival observed across Manipur, which resembles Hindu Festival Holi.
Mar 09, 2023
1. Book Mundaka Upanishad: The Gateway to Eternity, written by Karan Singh (former MP) has been released.
2. Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX 2023) concluded in Arabian Sea, including Coastal Defence exercise Sea Vigil and Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX. These exercises also witnessed participation from Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard.
3. Govt launched High Price Day Ahead Market and Surplus Power Portal (PUShP), as an initiative to ensure greater availability of power during peak demand season.
4. British architect David Alan Chipperfield has been named winner of Pritzker Architecture Prize 2023.
  1. Founded in 1979 by Jay A. Pritzker, the award is funded by Pritzker family and sponsored by Hyatt Foundation.
  2. It is referred to as Nobel Prize of architecture. The recipients receive US$100,000.
5. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has been named Qatar’s new prime minister.
6. Indonesia announced to move its capital from Jakarta to Borneo over environmental issues such as being congested, sinking into seawater, and being prone to earthquakes.
7. Li Qiang has been named new Chinese Premier, which is 2nd powerful position in China, after president.
  1. Also, Xi Jinping too formally began his unprecedented 3rd term as China’s president.
Mar 08, 2023
1. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways initiated One Nation, One Challan initiative, which aims to integrate all related agencies such as traffic police and Regional Transport Offices (RTO) on a single platform for seamless collection of traffic fines and data transfer.
  1. Notably, Gujarat govt announced setting up of virtual traffic courts under One Nation One Challan initiative.
2. Mar 8 is observed as International Women's Day. 2023 Theme is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. United Nations began celebrating the day in 1977. On this occasion -
  1. BSE and UN Women India launched FinEMPOWER programme, as a year-long joint capacity-building programme to empower women towards financial security.
  2. Exhibition Women and Nation Building: 1857 to the Republic held at National Archives of India (New Delhi).
  3. Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company launched digital campaign DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.
  4. Maharashtra govt announced to introduce fourth women's policy, to give more opportunities to women by considering issues of women from all groups.
  5. Suryoday Small Finance Bank launched Blossom Women’s Savings Account for female customers.
3. 1st Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 between Indian Army and French Army conducted at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).
4. 3 new Centers of Excellence (CoE) have been approved for Horticultural crops under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) -
  1. CoE for Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) by Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Bengaluru (Karnataka).
  2. CoE for Mango and Vegetables under Indo-Israel Action Plan at Panikoili, Jajpur District (Odisha)
  3. CoE for Vegetables and Flowers under Indo-Israel Action Plan at Govt. Agricultural Farm, Ponda (Goa).
5. 2nd edition of World Food India 2023 will be organised by Ministry of Food Processing Industries at Pragati Maidan (New Delhi), during Nov 2023.
Mar 07, 2023
1. Mar 7 is observed as Janaushadhi Diwas, with Mar 1 - 7 observed as Janaushadhi Week. 2023 is 5th observerance of Janaushadhi Diwas.
2. Researchers from Australian National University proposed existence of fifth layer of Earth, as its Innermost inner core (apart from earlier known cores - crust, mantle, outer core & inner core).
  1. Researchers measured speeds at which these seismic waves penetrate and pass through Earth’s inner core, using data from about 200 magnitude-6 and above earthquakes from last decade.
  2. Newly discovered layer is a solid metallic ball that sits within center of the inner core.
3. World Bank approved two complementary loans for India, of $500 million each, to support and enhance India’s health sector development.
  1. Through this combined financing of $1 billion, World Bank will support India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), to improve public healthcare infrastructure.
4. Govt released a unique cover of Department of Posts, titled Go Green, Go Organic for Sikkim.
  1. Notably, World Book Of Records London has Recognised Sikkim as World's First Organic & Crime-Free State. Sikkim has been felicitated for establishing a 100% organic policy, which includes banning of chemical fertilisers and pesticides throughout state.
5. United Nations signed first High Seas Treaty, to protect ocean bodies of world that lie outside national boundaries and form almost two-thirds of world's oceans.
  1. UN High Seas Treaty brings 30 % of world's oceans into protected domain, puts more money into marine conservation and sets new rules for mining at sea.
  2. The last international agreement on ocean protection was signed 40 years ago in 1982 - UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Mar 06, 2023
1. Govt appointed as SS Dubey as Controller General of Accounts (CGA) under Ministry of Finance.
2. Mar 6 is observed as National Pharmacy Education Day in India, commemorating birth anniversary of M L Shroff (father of Pharmacy Education of India).
3. The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 (Hosted in Paris (France) -
  1. The Best FIFA Player -
    1. Men's - Lionel Messi (Argentina)
    2. Women's - Alexia Putellas (Spain)
  2. The Best FIFA Coach -
    1. Men's - Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
    2. Women's - Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands)
  3. The Best FIFA Goalkeeper -
    1. Men's - Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
    2. Women's - Mary Earps (England)
  4. FIFA Puskás Award - Marcin Oleksy (Poland)
  5. The Best FIFA Special Award - Pelé (Brazil)
4. India joined Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C), a global platform launched by US and UAE, which aims to accelerate investment and support climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.
  1. India joined AIM4C during I2U2 (Israel, India, US and UAE) Business Forum in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
5. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma laid foundation stone of North East India’s first compressed biogas plant project at Domora Pathar in Sonapur (Kamrup district), with capacity of 5 tonne-per-day of compressed biogas.
6. 8th National Photography awards have been conferred on 13 awardees, including -
  1. Lifetime Achievement Award - Sipra Das.
  2. Professional Photographer of the year Award - Sasi Kumar Ramachandran
  3. Amateur Photographer of the Year award - Shri Arun Saha
7. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released book India’s Vaccine Growth Story – From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri, authored by Sajjan Singh Yadav. It was released during New Delhi World Book fair 2023.
8. Karnataka won Santosh Trophy National Football Championship after 54 years, beating Meghalaya in final. Final was hosted in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
9. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana, aimed at making single women (aged 25-45 years) self-reliant, by giving them self-employment in their village itself.
10. Noted Indian writer Vinod Kumar Shukla won 2023 PEN/Nabokov Lifetime Achievement Award.
  1. Referred to as PEN/Nabokov Award, it is awarded biennially by PEN America, carrying $50,000 monetary reward.

Mar 05, 2023

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won 2022 BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award after a public vote.
1. She became first athlete to win this award twice in a row (2021 & 2022).
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Ladli Bahna Yojana, for poor and lower middle class women of state, irrespective of caste / category.
1. Under it, INR 1000 funds will be deposited each month into accounts of recipients from every eligible family.
2. Notably, state govt earlier implemented Ladli Laxmi Yojna, To empower state’s underprivileged women.
UN Observes Mar 5 as International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.
Rajesh Malhotra has been appointed as Principal Director General in Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched National Crop Insurance Portal’s digitized claim settlement module namely DigiClaim, under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). It will enable electronic disbursal of claims, to benefit farmers.
India and Japan conducted Joint Defence Exercises, hosted by Japan -
1. India-Japan Air Forces participated in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri.
2. India-Japan Armies participated in Exercise Dharma Guardian.
World Bank released its Women, Business and the Law Report 2023, highlighting need of increased labour force participation by women and more effective allocation of resources.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated 7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference 2023. It has been organised by India Foundation & Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, in Bhopal (MP). 2023 Theme is eastern Humanism for the New Era.
President Droupadi Murmu launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain 2023 campaign in New Delhi, with theme source sustainability for drinking water.
1. It will run until 30 November 2023, focusing on saving and conserving rainwater, primarily in 150 water stressed districts of country, identified by Jal Jeevan Mission.

Red Bull's Dutch-Belgian F1 Racer Max Verstappen won season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix 2023.

F1 Season 2023 -

Grand Prix	Winner	Race date
Bahrain Grand Prix	Max Verstappen (Dutch-Belgian)	5 March
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix		19 March
Australian Grand Prix		2 April
Azerbaijan Grand Prix		30 April
Miami Grand Prix		7 May
Monaco Grand Prix		28 May
Spanish Grand Prix		4 June
Canadian Grand Prix		18 June
Austrian Grand Prix		2 July
British Grand Prix		9 July
Hungarian Grand Prix		23 July
Belgian Grand Prix		30 July
Dutch Grand Prix		27 August
Italian Grand Prix		3 September
Singapore Grand Prix		17 September
Japanese Grand Prix		24 September
Qatar Grand Prix		8 October
United States Grand Prix		22 October
Mexico City Grand Prix		29 October
São Paulo Grand Prix		5 November
Las Vegas Grand Prix		18 November
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix		26 November

Mar 04, 2023
1. Mar 4 is observed as National Security / Safety Day in India, as a tribute to all security forces of country. National Safety Council was set up on 4 March 1966.
2. Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launched pan India Yuva Utsava-India@2047, from IIT Ropar (Punjab), to be organized in 150 Districts across country by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS).
  1. Yuva Utsav will follow a 3-tier format, beginning with District Level Yuva Utsav to be held till June 2023, followed by State level Yuva Utsav in August - September 2023 (For district winners) & National Level Yuva Utsav be held in October 2023 at Delhi.
  2. Notably, Yuva Utsava-India@2047 is different from Annual National Youth Parliament.
3. Karnataka govt will set up India's 1st Marina (a specially designed place for small boats and yachts), at Byndoor in Udupi district, to promote coastal tourism in state.
4. Geological Survey of India discovered gold deposits at several locations in three districts of Odisha - Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.
  1. Notably, India has three functional gold mines - Hutti and Uti mines in Karnataka and Hirabuddini mines in Jharkhand. India produces around 1.6 tonnes of gold annually.
5. India hosted its first-ever WTT (World Table Tennis) series event in Goa as WTT Star Contenders Goa 2023.
  1. World Table Tennis replaced ITTF World Tour in 2020 and structured their tournaments into three tiers - WTT Grand Smashes, WTT Star Contenders and WTT Contenders. Annually, 4 Grand Smashes and 6 Star Contenders evants are held.
  2. Notable Winners -
    1. Women’s Singles - Wang Yidi (China).
    2. Men’s Singles - Liang Jingkun (China).
6. Short stories collection The Book of Bihari Literature, edited by Abhay Kumar has been released.
7. American Space exploration firm SpaceX launched Crew-6 Mission to International Space Station (carrying 4 Astronauts), as final of six missions it was awarded by NASA.
  1. Crew-6 members will stay in space station for 6 months. The mission is SpaceX’s sixth operational crew launch for NASA and its ninth human spaceflight so far.
  2. Notably, The mission includes UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who is one of the first two astronauts from UAE, along with Hazza Al Mansouri.
8. NTPC began commercial operations of 1st Unit of 660 MW at North Karanpura (3*660 MW), in Jharkhand.
  1. Notably, NTPC commissioned India’s first Air cooled condenser at North Karanpura Super Critical plant in Jharkhand, enabling better water conservation through reduce, reuse and recycle.
9. SBI announced completion of a $1 billion Syndicated Social Loan Facility, as largest ESG loan by a commercial bank in Asia Pacific and second-largest social loan globally.
  1. This $1 billion loan facility is arranged through MLABs, MUFG Bank, and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, with MUFG as Lead Social Loan Coordinator.
10. Rashmi Shukla has been appointed as Director-General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the border-guarding paramilitary force deployed along Nepal and Bhutan border.
Mar 03, 2023
1. Adani Green Energy (AGEL) commissioned world’s largest wind-solar hybrid power plant of 700 MW Capacity, in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).
  1. With this, AGEL’s operating wind-solar hybrid portfolio reached 2140 MW, continuing to be largest in world.
  2. Earlier Commissioning at Jaisalmer by AGEL -
    1. May 2022 - India’s first hybrid power plant of 390 MW.
    2. Sep 2022 - Co-located hybrid power plant of 600 MW.
    3. Dec 2022 - 3rd hybrid power plant of 450 MW.
2. Mar 3 is observed as UN World Wildlife Day. 2023 Theme is Partnerships for wildlife conservation.
  1. Mar 3 is also observed as World Hearing Day.
3. India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) received Porter Prize 2023 as recognition for its effective COVID-19 management.
  1. The prize was conferred at The India Dialog organized by Institute for Competitiveness (IFC) and US Asia Technology Management Center (USATMC) at Stanford University.
  2. Porter Prize is named after noted American economist & researcher Michael E. Porter. Notably, it is different from Porter Prize conferred by Porter Fund Literary Prize, awarded annually to a notaable writer with connection with US State Arkansas.
4. UK and European Union signed Windsor framework as a new legal agreement, which is designed to address problem of movement of goods between European Single Market and United Kingdom in current Northern Ireland Protocol.
5. 2023 International IP (Intellectual property) Index released by US Chamber of Commerce -
  1. Top 3 - USA (1), UK (2), France (3)
  2. India Ranks 42nd in list.
  3. Neighbors - China (24), Pakistan (52)
6. Axis Bank completed acquisition of India consumer business of Citigroup-owned foreign bank Citibank, for 12325 crores. The deal was announced in March 2022.
7. Japan, US, South Korea and Taiwan launched a new framework called Chip 4 alliance, to help ensure a stable supply of semiconductors.
8. Tamil Nadu’s Jeswin Aldrin broke national record in men’s long jump at AFI National Jumps Competition, with 8.42 meters Jump.
  1. Notably, this exceeds Gold winning jump of 8.41 meters at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
9. Jishnu Barua has been named new chairperson of power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
10. Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been elected as new President of Nigeria (West Africa).
Mar 02, 2023
1. 4th edition of National Youth Parliament Festival 2023 concluded in New Delhi, with theme Ideas for a Better tomorrow: India for the World.
  1. Under it, District Youth Parliaments were conducted across country, followed by State Youth Parliament attended by top 2 position holders at District level. Winners of State Youth Parliament (SYP) attended finals held at national level in New Delhi.
2. Vo Van Thuong has been named new President of Vietnam (Southeast Asia).
3. Supreme Court issued 2 notable rulings -
  1. In response to pleas seeking a collegium-like system for appointment of election commissioners and Chief Election Commissioner, SC Ruled that these Appointments will be made by President of India, on advise of a committee comprising Prime Minister, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and chief justice of India. This norm will continue to hold good till a law on the issue is made by Parliament.
  2. SC ordered setting up of a six-member committee headed by former SC judge AM Sapre, to probe recent share crash of Adani Group triggered by short-seller Hindenburg Research’s fraud allegations.
    1. Notably, Adani Enterprises was also removed from US' Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, amid allegations of fraud and stock manipulation put on it by Hindenburg Research.
4. Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura Assembly Elections 2023 -
  1. Meghalaya -
    1. National People's Party remained largest party, winning 26 out of 60 seats. This enabled Conrad Sangma to be re-appointed as CM of Meghalaya, for his 2nd term.
  2. Tripura -
    1. BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) remained largest party, winning 32 out of 60 seats. This enabled Manik Saha to be re-appointed as CM of Tripura, for his 2nd term.
  3. Nagaland -
    1. Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) remained largest party, winning 25 out of 60 seats. This enabled Neiphiu Rio to be re-appointed as CM of Nagaland, for his 5th term.
    2. Notably, Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu became first women MLAs in Nagaland state, after winning in state assembly elections 2023.
5. Bangalore-based NewSpace Research and Technologies completed delivery of 100 SWARM drones to Indian Army, referred to as Autonomous surveillance and armed drone swarm (A-SADS).
6. Australia's Deakin University & Wollongong University became first foreign universities to set up an International Branch Campus in GIFT-IFSC City (Gujarat).
  1. Deakin University is first foreign university to get approval for setting up an International Branch Campus in GIFT-IFSC City.
7. President Droupadi Murmu presented President’s Colour to INS Dronacharya (Kochi based gunnery school of Indian Navy), as highest honour that can be bestowed upon any military / police unit 'in India, also known as Nishaan.
  1. Recently, President's Colour was also conferred upon Haryana state police.
8. Keel has been laid for 2 ships to be made under Indian Navy's Multi Purpose Vessel (MPV) Project - Named Samarthak & Utkarsh, as first Indian Navy Warships to be constructed by L&T Kattupalli (Tamil Nadu).
  1. MPVs are a planned Multi Purpose Vessel for the Indian Navy, to acquire 2 advanced warships. Project cost is 887 crores.
9. Power Minister R K Singh launched Industrial Decarbonization and EE Knowledge-Sharing Platform iDEEKSHA Portal.
  1. He also launched Voluntary Star-rated appliances program for 4 more types of appliances, bringing number of appliances under BEE's voluntary star rating program to 34.
  2. It aims to help achieve India's increased target of 45% reduction in emissions by 2030 in updated NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) in COP’26.
10. To ensure implementation of Greater Panna Landscape Management plan as part of Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), Greater Panna Landscape Council (GPLC) has been constituted under chairmanship of Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary (Iqbal Singh Bains currently).
  1. Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) aims to boost socio-economic prosperity of drought prone Bundelkhand region.
Mar 01, 2023
1. Mar 01 is observed as Zero Discrimination Day annually by UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS). It has been observed since 2014.
  1. Other observances on Mar 1 -
    1. World Seagrass Day, observed by UN. 2023 marks first observance of World Seagrass Day, with theme Healthy seagrass, healthy planet.
    2. Civil Accounts Day in India.
    3. World Civil Defence Day.
2. Misc. Appointments (Mar 2023) -
  1. Savlon India named Noted Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its Hand Ambassador.
  2. Mohit Joshi has been named IT Firm Tech Mahindra’s MD & CEO.
  3. Lalit Kumar Gupta is named as CMD of PSU Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).
  4. Media house NDTV named Former SEBI Chief Upendra Kumar Sinha as non-executive chairperson.
  5. Election Commission named padma shri awardee transgender folk dancer Manjamma Jogati as a poll icon to encourage more members of transgender community to vote.
  6. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been named as Vice President of UAE.
3. Misc. Defence News / Events (March 2023) -
  1. Indian Navy participated in Maritime Partnership Exercises (MPX) with French & Japanese Navies in Arabian Sea.
  2. Notable Procurements approved by Ministry of Defence -
    1. Approved signing contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for acquisition of 3 Cadet Training Ships at cost 3108 crores.
    2. Approved procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Indian Air Force, at cost 6828 crores.
    3. Signed contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems Project Himshakti, at cost 3000 crores.
    4. Approved procurement of improved Akash Weapon System and 12 Weapon Locating Radars, WLR Swathi (Plains) for Indian Army at cost 9100 crores.
    5. Signed contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and 6 Next Generation Missile Vessels at cost 19600 crores.
      1. 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels will be procured from Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
      2. 6 Next Generation Missile Vessels will be procured from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
    6. Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles & VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defence System) missile defence system for Indian Army.
4. Misc. Science News / Events (Mar 2023) -
  1. China launched Zhongxing-26 communication satellite onboard Long March 3B rocket.
  2. As an Environment Friendly Initiative, India's First Truck that runs on M100 (100 % Methanol), has been launched in Bangalore, under a partnership between IOCL, IISc and Ashok Leyland. It is India’s first and world’s second 100% Methanol (M100) prototype truck.
    1. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation also launched buses using MD-15 (15% methanol blended HSD).
  3. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) researchers discovered a new species of Moray Eel fish from Cuddalore coast in Tamil Nadu, named Gymnothorax Tamilnaduensis.
  4. India’s first quantum computing-based telecom network link has been made operational between Sanchar Bhawan and National Informatics Centre office in New Delhi, with 10 lakh prize money for ethical hackers who can break the encryption of the system.
5. Obituaries (March 2023) -
  1. Satyabrata Mookherjee - Former Union minister and noted BJP Leader from West bengal.
  2. Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi - Former chief justice of India.
  3. Girish Bapat - Former member of Parliament from Maharashtra.
  4. Satish Kaushik - Noted Hindi Actor & Director.
  5. Innocent Vareed Thekkethala - Noted Malayalam Actor and Former Parliamentarian.
  6. Indibor Deuri- Noted Assamese Scholar.
  7. Chandrashekhar Dasgupta - Noted former Indian diplomat and Padma Bhushan Awardee.
  8. Innocent Vareed Thekkethala - Noted Malayalam Actor (comedian).
  9. Gordon Moore - Amerivcan Inventor who helped start Chip maker Intel. He proposed Moore's law which predicts that number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles about every two years.
  10. Pradeep Sarkar - Noted Indian filmmaker.
6. Misc. Economy / Financial News (March 2023) -
  1. NTPC completed transfer of its 15 renewable energy assets to its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL), for a consideration of Rs 10067 crores. Also -
    1. NTPC Subsidiary NGEL signed Joint Venture Agreement with IOCL for setting up of renewable energy projects to meet power requirement of IOCL Refineries.
    2. NTPC Subsidiary NTPC Renewable Energy Limited -
      1. Signed MoU with Indian Army for setting up Green Hydrogen Projects in Army its establishments.
      2. Partnered with Greenko ZeroC Pvt Ltd, to Supply 1300 MW RE Power for Greenko’s upcoming Green Ammonia Plant at Kakinada.
    3. NTPC commissioned India's first green hydrogen blending project, in piped natural gas (PNG) network of NTPC Kawas township (Surat).
  2. Notable Competition Commission of India approvals -
    1. LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management Limited’s acquisition of management rights over schemes of IDBI MF, from IDBI Asset Management Limited.
    2. Approved acquisition of METRO Cash and Carry India Private Limited by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, for approx 2850 crores.
  3. RBI launched Mission Har Payment Digital on occasion of Digital Payments Awareness Week 2023 (March 6-12, 2023).
  4. EPFO approved 8.15 % annual rate of interest for EPF subscribers for FY 23 (2022-23), up from 8.10 % last year.
  5. Kolkata based UCO Bank observed its 80 anniversary (founded on Jan 6, 1943).
  6. RBL Bank partnered with Export-Import Bank of India under Trade Assistance Programme (TAP), to support cross-border trade transactions. It aims to facilitate India’s exports globally by providing credit enhancement to trade instruments.
  7. Tata group owned Air India announced to discontinue Vistara brand, on completion of its merger with Tata SIA Airlines (operator of Vistara airline). The resultant full service carrier of Tata group will be known as Air India.
    1. Earlier in Nov 2022, TATA group announced to merge its Airlines Air India and Vistara.
      1. Tata Group owned 51 % stake in Vistara, while remaining 49 % was held by Singapore Airlines.
      2. As part of transaction, Singapore Airlines (SIA) invested 2058 crores in Air India. This gave SIA 25.1 % stake in enlarged Air India group.
  8. Indian GDP Growth Forecasts (Mar 2023) -
    1. Moody’s - 5.5% (FY 2024 (2023-24)) & 6.5% in FY 2025 (2024-25).
    2. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - 5.9% (FY 2024 (2023-24)).
    3. CRISIL - 6 % (FY 2024 (2023-24)).
    4. S&P Global Ratings - 6 % (FY 2024 (2023-24)) & 6.9% in FY 2025 (2024-25)
  9. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance launched Nishchit Aayush Plan, as a non-linked non-participating individual savings life insurance plan.
  10. Finance Ministry amended Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by bringing cryptocurrencies and other virtual digital assets trade under its ambit.
  11. Axis Bank launched payments solution MicroPay, as a PIN on Mobile solution that turns a merchant’s smartphone into a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal.
  12. ICICI Lombard General Insurance introduced an industry-first feature for health insurance policyholders called Anywhere Cashless, which allows customers to receive cashless facilities at any hospital, regardless of whether or not it is currently part of ICICI Lombard’s hospital network.
7. Misc. Sports News / Events (Mar 2023) -
  1. Madhya Pradesh won 13th Hockey India Senior Women National Championships 2023 in Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), defeating Maharashtra in final.
  2. Manchester United won 2022-23 EFL Cup English Domestic Football Title (also called Carabao Cup).
    1. EFL Cup is one of three top-tier domestic football competitions in England alongside Premier League and FA Cup.
  3. Indian Chess Player D Gukesh has been honoured with Player-of-the-Year award by Asian Chess Federation (ACF), for winning gold medal at 44th Chess Olympiad hosted in Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
  4. Indian triple-jumper Aishwarya Babu has been banned for 4 years by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a doping violation.
  5. Australian Cricketer Tim Paine announced his retirement from International cricket.
  6. American Sprinter Lashinda Demus has been officially declared winner of gold medal in 400-meter hurdles at 2012 London Olympic Games, after original winner Natalya Antyukh of Russia was later implicated in doping.
  7. Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) signed MoU with Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) for development of world’s 3rd largest cricket stadium (And India's 2nd largest) in village Chonp in Jaipur, to be named Anil Agarwal International Cricket Stadium. It will have seating capacity of 75000.
  8. UK's Football league Premier League inducted former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and ex-Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger into its Hall of Fame, making it first time that managers have been included in the noted list.
  9. Uttarakhand Govt announced to set up a new sports university in Kumaun region’s Haldwani.
  10. Female Hockey Player Salima Tete has been named AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) Athletes Ambassador from India, for 2 years.
  11. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) surpassed Tim Southee (NZ) to become leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket.
8. Misc. MOUs (Mar 2023) -
  1. Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between India's Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), to promote joint research.
  2. Ministry of Rural Development signed MoU with Ministry of Ayush, to collaborate in imparting training to rural poor youth and women for Ayush healthcare system under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, aimed at enabling Women to earn over 1 lakh annual earnings from Self Help Groups.
  3. MoU signed between Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Brahma Kumaris Mount Abu, to promote Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
  4. To improve self reliance on information security, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (part of Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to Govt), for joint R&D in deep tech domains including Quantum Computing, IoT Security and Cyber Security.
  5. Kerala government signed MoU with UN Women India, to work towards promoting gender-inclusive tourism sites in State.
  6. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) & National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) signed MoU to strengthen value based sport education amongst school children and teachers.
  7. RBI signed MOU with Central Bank of United Arab Emirates, for promoting innovation in financial product and services.
9. Misc. / Industrial Awards (March 2023) -
  1. CBIP (Central Board Of Irrigation And Power) Awards 2022 -
    1. Outstanding Contribution in Power Generation - NTPC's Vindhyachal super thermal power station.
    2. Best Contribution in Solar Energy - Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
    3. Best-performing transmission power sector - Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL).
  2. India's Ministry of Tourism won Golden & Silver Star at International Golden City Gate Tourism Awards 2023 in TV/Cinema Commercials International Category at ITB Berlin 2023 (world’s leading tourism trade show).
    1. Promotional films / commercials that received awards were produced by Ministry as part of its Post Covid Promotional Global Campaign on India reopening.
  3. GSM Association (GSMA) conferred Government Leadership Award 2023 to India, for implementing best practices in telecom policy and regulation.
  4. HDFC Bank MD & CEO, Sashidhar Jagdishan has been named as Business Standard Banker of the Year 2022.
10. GST Revenue Collected in Feb 2023 stood at 1.50 Lakh crores (including CGST 27662 crores, SGST 34915 crores, IGST 75069 crores & Cess 11931 crores.
11. Misc. Indian Railways News (Mar 2023) -
  1. Northeast Frontier Railway brought Electrified train tracks to Meghalaya for the first time. Notably -
    1. Mendipathar is only railway station in north-eastern state of Meghalaya, which is in operation since 2014.
    2. Indian Railways aims to become Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030, with December 2023 deadline for 100% electrification of India's rail network. As of 31st Mar 2023, 14 States / UTs have achieved 100% rail network electrification.
12. State Govt. budgets 2023-24 -
  1. Assam -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 135348 crores, a decrease of 11% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission scheme proposes to promote microentrepreneurship among families below poverty line and low income-households. Under it, seed capital of two lakh rupees each will be given to one lakh beneficiaries. Sectors covered will include manufacturing, food processing, and handicraft.
    3. Under Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Asom Yojana - Health insurance coverage of 5 lakh rupees will be extended to 27 lakh additional families.
    4. Mission for Prevention of Child Marriage - All Gram Panchayat Secretaries will be designated as Child Marriage Prevention Officers. State scheme aims at eliminating child marriage by 2026.
  2. Andhra Pradesh -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 260868 crores, an increase of 16% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. YSR Pasu Bhima Yojana has been approved which seeks to provide livestock insurance to farmers. It will cover improved and indigenous as well as nondescript breeds of animals.
  3. Bihar -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 238327 crores, a decrease of 12% from revised estimate of 2022-23.
    2. Agriculture -
      1. Multiple missions are proposed to be launched, incluidng Bihar Millet Mission, Bihar Pulses and Oilseeds Development Mission, and Crop Diversification Mission.
      2. Fourth Agriculture Roadmap will be implemented with special focus on pulses and oilseeds.
    3. A centre of excellence will be established for groundwater conservation.
    4. Requisition has been given for filling 63900 posts by Bihar Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, and Technical Service Commission. Approval has been given for creation of 75543 posts in state police.
  4. Chhattisgarh -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 121495 crores, an increase of 8% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. 2500 per month will be provided to educated unemployed as unemployment allowance.
    3. Rajiv Gandhi Rural Landless Agricultural Labourers Nyay Yojana will be extended from rural areas to nagar panchayat areas. Under this, landless labourers receive financial assistance of 6000 annually.
    4. 101 new Swami Atmanand English medium schools will be opened, with budgetary outlay of 870 crore.
    5. 25 crore will be allocated for establishment of a new thermal power plant in Korba.
    6. Light metro service will be introduced between New Raipur and Durg.
  5. Delhi -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 73760 crore, an increase of 8.8% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Mohalla Bus Scheme - Small electric buses will be used to connect major metro and bus networks to residential colonies to improve last mile connectivity.
    3. Govt will launch 30 EV charging stations by March 2023 and launch 59 more stations by the end of 2023-24.
    4. Schools of Applied Learning -12 schools will have a professional industrial setup to aid in skill development of students and prepare them for new-age jobs.
    5. Mohalla clinics will now offer 450 kinds of tests free of cost as compared to 250 earlier.
    6. From 2023-24, Tax Policy and Revenue Augmentation Unit will identify opportunities to increase revenue, help detect revenue leakages and support policy formulation.
  6. Gujarat -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 270270 crores, an increase of 18% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Shreshtha Gujarat scheme will be implemented at a cost of Rs 4,200 crore over next five years with World Bank assistance. It will cover multiple sectors including health, infrastructure, and nutrition.
    3. Parikrama Path - Border areas will be connected with road network over 3 years through Parikrama Path scheme.
    4. Share of renewables in the energy consumption basket of state will be increased to 42%.
    5. A Bill will be introduced to amend Electricity Duty Act, to streamline administration of electricity duty.
    6. Rates of Value Added Tax on piped natural gas for domestic consumption and compressed natural gas for automobiles has been lowered from 15% to 5%.
  7. Haryana -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 148730 crores, an increase of 12% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antyodyay Parivar Suraksha Yojana will be launched to provide financial assistance in case of death or disability of a member whose family has an annual income of up to 1.80 lakh.
    3. A new scheme will be introduced for farmers to facilitate the adoption of green manuring through dhaincha cultivation. Govt will bear 80% of total cost (720 per acre) and 20% cost will be contributed by farmer.
    4. Three new centres of excellence for horticultural crops will be established.
    5. Haryana Pashudhan Utthan Mission will be introduced to promote entrepreneurship development in animal husbandry.
    6. A new scheme for installation of grid connected roof top (GCRT) solar power plants in social and community institutions will be formulated in 2023-24.
    7. State government will prepare a Toy Manufacturing Policy for electronic toys and a Medical Device Manufacturing Policy for promoting investments in medical devices.
  8. Himachal Pradesh -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 47926 crores, a decrease of 7% from revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Under Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holding Act 1972, daughter of a family will be made a separate unit to give them right to own land.
    3. Youth will be provided 40% subsidy to set up solar power projects on their own/leased land.
    4. Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Programme will be launched to set up solar power projects, sub-stations, and distribution lines.
    5. GST Revenue Enhancement Project will be launched to reduce loss of GST compensation.
    6. State will levy milk cess of Rs 10 per bottle of liquor to increase income of milk producers. Water cess will be imposed on hydro power projects.
    7. Mukhya Mantri Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana will be launched to provide education loans to economically weaker children at the interest rate of 1 %, for pursuing higher/professional education.
  9. Jharkhand -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 110093 crores, an increase of 19% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Birsa Irrigation Well Enrichment Mission has been announced, under which irrigation wells will be constructed on land of 1 lakh farmers.
    3. New Anganwadi Chalo Abhiyan will provide clothes, textbooks, furniture, and other necessities for pre-school children in anganwadis.
    4. To improve irrigation and conserve water resources, allocation has been made for desilting of lakes under five acres in area.
  10. Jammu and Kashmir -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 118000 crores.
  11. Kerala -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 176089 crores, an increase of 6% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. A Social Security Cess of two rupees per litre will be charged on liquor, petrol, and diesel. Proceeds of approx 1150 crores will go to Social Security Seed Fund.
    3. Make in Kerala project will be launched to boost manufacturing in state, with 100 crores allocated.
    4. Nava Kerala Nagara Nayam will be set up to formulate a new policy for urbanisation.
    5. 2000 crore has been earmarked for interventions to control inflation in 2023-24.
  12. Madhya Pradesh -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 281552 crores, 12% increase over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Under new Food subsidy scheme, Rs 1000 will be transferred to bank accounts of women belonging to backward tribes (Baiga, Bariya, and Sahariya), to address malnutrition.
    3. Chief Minister Skill Apprenticeship Scheme will be formulated to provide skill development to the youth.
    4. Under new Chief Minister’s Balika Scooty Scheme, e-scooters will be distributed to female students who attain highest marks at higher secondary level.
  13. Maharashtra -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 547450 crores, an increase of 3.6% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Scheme will provide an annual amount of 6000 per farmer, to benefit 1.2 crore farmer families, with outlay of 6900 crores in 2023-24.
    3. Girls born in families with annual income below 1 lakh rupees will receive grants at various stages of education, and will receive grant of 75000 on attaining age of 18.
    4. 50% concession will be provided in state transport bus tickets for women.
    5. Profession tax limit for women will be increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000.
    6. VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) will be reduced from 25% to 18%.
    7. An amnesty scheme for waiving taxes payable prior to implementation of GST has been announced. It proposes a full waiver for arrears up to two lakh rupees, and an 80% waiver for arrears between Rs 50 lakh and two lakh rupees. The Scheme will apply to arrears pending as of May 1, 2023.
  14. Mizoram -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 12767 crores, a decrease of 12% from revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Under Socio Economic Development Program (SEDP), state has committed to distribute Rs 50,000 each to 60,000 families, to help them support ongoing economic activities or start new ventures.
  15. Meghalaya -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 21781 crores.
    2. Introduction of ‘Household ID’ for effective implementation of welfare and development programs across departments.
    3. Upper limit for interest-free working capital provided to the co-operatives enhanced from ₹ 50 Lakh to ₹ 1 Cr.
    4. Introduction of Chief Minister’s Rural Connectivity Scheme to connect villages roads, suspension and foot bridges across streams and rivers to ensure last mile connectivity.
    5. Introduction of Chief Minister’s Service Delivery Centers in about 750 locations to act as one-stop-shop for providing all citizen services.
    6. A mission-mode program - Drug Reduction. Elimination and Action Mission, will be launched as a key step in making Meghalaya drug-free.
  16. Nagaland -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 23085 crores.
  17. Odisha -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 211214 crores, an increase of 14% over revised estimate of 2022-23.
    2. MSMEs-
      1. New scheme will be launched to provide interest subvention on working capital loan to MSMEs.
      2. New procurement policy will be formulated to make it mandatory for Odisha govt entities to procure from micro and small manufacturing units of Odisha.
    3. Mukhyamantri Janajati Jeebika Mission will be launched to mitigate critical infrastructural needs incidental to livelihood promotion. It will cover 14.5 lakh households in Phase-I.
    4. Mukhyamantri Van Surakshya Kendra initiative will be launched to build 10,000 kendras in the areas of Van Suraksha Samiti to promote forest conservation at grassroot level.
    5. Under Odisha Chip Program, A new centre of excellence will be set up to create an ecosystem in field of electronics design and manufacturing.
  18. Punjab -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 134836 crores, an increase of 5.9% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. A new Agriculture Policy will be launched to conserve natural resources and increase farmers income. A Crop Insurance Policy will also be formulated.
    3. 5 horticulture estates will be set up in districts of Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Bathinda, and Faridkot.
    4. Two new schemes- Professional Coaching for Employment, and Soft Skill and Communication Training will be launched. A new Sports Policy will be formulated to prepare players for national and international competition.
  19. Rajasthan -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 297091 crores, an increase of 7.1% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. A Gig Workers Welfare Act will be introduced under which the Gig Workers Welfare Board and Gig Workers Welfare and Development Fund will be set up. The Fund will be provided with Rs 200 crore.
    3. Under Chief Minister’s Free Electricity Scheme, consumers were provided with free electricity up to 50 units. This has been increased up to 100 units.
    4. Beneficiaries under National Food Security Act 2013 will be provided with free ration and Chief Minister’s Annapurna Food Packet (includes rice, sugar, oil).
    5. A Youth Policy will be formulated under which a Youth Development and Welfare Fund will be set up to provide for education, skill development, and employment.
  20. Tamil Nadu-
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 365321 crores, an increase of 14% over revised estimate of 2022-23.
    2. Under Magalir Urimai Thogai - Women heads of eligible households will be provided Rs 1,000 per month in 2023-24
    3. Tamil Nadu Tech City will be established in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hosur.
    4. Energy -
      1. 33 GW of electricity generation capacity will be added by 2030, with high priority to renewables.
      2. A special purpose vehicle will be created for renewables.
      3. A new policy for wind mills will be prepared.
    5. Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme will be expanded to cover all government primary schools.
    6. A new law will be enacted to ensure adequate allocation of funds and effective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Tribal Sub Plans.
  21. Telangana -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 277690 crores, an increase of 23% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. 60 Courts will be established in 2023-24 including Junior, Senior and District Judge Courts.
    3. 9 new medical colleges will be established in 2023. This will increase number of medical colleges in Telangana to 26.
  22. Uttar Pradesh -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 659061 crores, an increase of 17% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Subsidy on electricity consumption of private tube-well owners will be increased from 50% to 100% in 2023-24.
  23. Uttarakhand -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 66179 crores, an increase of 10% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Over 3 years, 50000 polyhouses (a type of greenhouse) will be set up to promote cluster-based horticulture.
    3. Six ‘aroma valleys’ will also be developed, such as the Cinnamon Valley in Nainital and Mint Valley in Haridwar.
    4. 1000 crores allocated towards reconstruction of subsidence-hit towns, such as Joshimath.
  24. West Bengal -
    1. Expenditure is estimated to be 278622 crores, an increase of 8.6% over revised estimates of 2022-23.
    2. Rebate of 2% on stamp duty and 10% on circle rate of land/property for home buyers will be available till September 30, 2023.
    3. Agricultural income tax on tea gardens will be waived for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
    4. Under Bidhayak Elaka Unnayan Prakalp, annual allocation for each MLA will be increased from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 70 lakh for local area development works.
    5. Beneficiaries under Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will receive an old age pension of 1000 per month after attaining 60 years of age.
    6. Under Matsyajeebi Bandhu Scheme, On death of a registered fisherman in age group of 18-60 years, dependent family will receive grant of 2 lakh rupees.
    7. Bhavishyat Credit Card scheme will be launched, which will provide loans up to 5 lakh rupees to 2 lakh people in age group of 18-45 years, for setting up micro enterprises.

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Mar 2023 Daily News Current Affairs

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