Daily GK Update- 1st Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India's unemployment rate rises to 3-month high of 7.8% in March 2023: According to the data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India's unemployment rate increased to 7.8% in March 2023. The unemployment rate in the country surged in December 2022 to 8.30% but declined in January to 7.14%. It edged up again in February 2023 to 7.45%. In March 2023, the unemployment rate in urban areas of India reached 8.4%, while in rural areas it stood at 7.5%. In March 2023, unemployment was the highest in Haryana at 26.8%.

 

2. Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launches Sagar Setu Mobile App: Union Minister for Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal launched the App Version of the National Logistics Portal (Marine) named Sagar-Setu. The app has been envisaged with deliverables covering features like a Login Module, Letter of Credit, Bank Guarantee, Certification, and Track & Trace etc. Benefits for Traders Improve convenience with the reduced turnaround time for approval and compliance. Increase the visibility of operations and tracking.

 

3. Tripura to host first-ever G20 summit of State commencing on April 3: Tripura will host the first-ever G20 summit of the State commencing on the 3rd of April 2023. The meeting will delve into 'Clean Energy for Greener Future.' After the first session of the summit, the second session will see the opening of exhibition stalls and an Investor Meet. A light and sound show will be organised for the G20 delegates at the Ujjayanta Palace. Chief Minister of Tripura: Manik Saha

 

4. 2nd Tourism Working Group meeting begins in Siliguri: The second G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting will be held in West Bengal’s Siliguri and Darjeeling from 1-3 April 2023. This meeting will carry a message about the prospects and potential of the North Eastern part of India. The meeting is to be attended by more than 130 Delegates from the G20 Member Countries, Invitee Countries, and International Organizations along with Tourism Industry partners, State Tourism, and local tour operators. The main aim behind holding this meeting at Siliguri is to showcase the typical features of the area, tea ploughing to the foreign delegates as well as to expose the opportunities for adventure tourism and local art and culture.

 

5. India’s agricultural exports grow by 6.04% during April-Jan 2022-23: India’s agricultural exports rose 6.04 percent during April-January of the current financial year to worth USD 43.37 billion. During the same period last year, it was USD 40.90 billion. During the full financial year 2021-22, India’s agricultural exports touched the highest ever at USD 50.21 billion. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) engages in export promotion activities for agricultural and processed food products.

 

6. Ministry of Defence Rs 1700 crore deal with BrahMos Aerospace: Ministry of Defence has inked a Rs 1,700 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of next-generation maritime mobile coastal batteries and BrahMos missiles. These systems will be equipped with supersonic BrahMos missiles and will significantly enhance the multi-directional maritime strike capability of the Indian Navy. BAPL is a joint venture between India and Russia making crucial contribution to augment the new generation surface-to-surface missile with enhanced ranges. This contract is going to give further boost to the indigenous production of critical weapon systems and ammunition with active participation of indigenous industries. This project will generate employment of more than 90,000 man-days over a period of four years.

The delivery of these batteries is scheduled to commence from 2027.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NASA appoints Indian-origin Amit Kshatriya to head 'Moon To Mars' Programme: Amit Kshatriya, an Indian-American software and robotics engineer was appointed as the first head of NASA's Moon to Mars Programme, with immediate effect. The new office aims to carry out the agency’s human exploration activities on the Moon and Mars for the benefit of humanity. He will be responsible for planning and executing human missions to these celestial bodies for the betterment of humanity. NASA Administrator: Bill Nelson

 

2. 10th Bilateral Maritime exercise SLINEX-2023 will be conducted in Colombo: The 10th Edition of the annual Indian - Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime exercise, SLINEX-2023 is scheduled to be held in Colombo on April 3, 2023. It is being conducted in two phases of three days each, the Harbour Phase followed by Sea Phase. The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Kiltan and INS Savitri while Sri Lanka Navy will have SLNS Vijayabahu and SLNS Samudura. The exercise will also have the Special Forces of the two navies participate together.

 

3. Finland became the 31st member of NATO: Finland has become the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Turkey’s unanimous vote played a key role in Finland’s acce ptance as a NATO member. Finland shares a long border of over 1,340 kilometers with Russia, and its decision to join NATO was prompted by security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Sweden’s application to join NATO has been declined by Turkey and Hungary.

 

4. 31 March – International Drug Checking Day: International Drug Checking Day is observed every year on 31 March. Objective – To promote harm reduction initiatives to reduce the risks associated with drug use and educate people about drugs and their effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 11.8 million deaths were linked to drug abuse in 2017, and more and more teenagers are falling prey to substance abuse. The International Day of Drug Checking is an effort to collectively reduce drug abuse and create a drug-free world.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Aravindh Chithambaram wins Delhi International Open chess title: Aravindh Chithambaram has won the Delhi International Open chess title. Aravindh, who aggregated a massive 9.5 points from 10 rounds, collected Rs 6 lakh and the winner’s trophy from an event that offered Rs 45 lakh in prize money. Georgia’s Luka Paichadze took the second spot with nine points and gained Rs 5 lakh Aravindh Chithambaram Veerappan is an Indian chess grandmaster. He won the Indian chess championships twice, in 2018 and 2019. He earned his international master title in 2014 and his grandmaster title in 2015.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Fino Payments Bank and Rajasthan Royals ties up for Digital Banking Partner: Fino Payments Bank has renewed its association with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Season 16 of the Indian premier cricket competition, IPL. Fino Bank will be RR’s official digital banking partner. The bank made its maiden foray with the mega sporting event last season by partnering with RR as the digital payments partner. The newly launched FinoPay digital savings account is expected to get more traction through this engagement.

 

2. Govt hikes interest rates of small savings schemes: The Government has raised interest rates on post office saving schemes for the April-June 2023 quarter. The interest rate of the National Savings Certificate will now attract 7.7% up from 7%. The rate for Sukanya Samriddhi has increased to 8% from 7.6%. The interest rates for PPF and savings deposits have been retained at 7.1% and 4%. Senior citizen savings scheme: 8.2%. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP): 7.5% KVP will now mature in 115 months as against 120 months earlier. 

 

3. GST revenue collection increases 13% to ₹1.60 lakh crore in March 2023: India’s GST revenue collection for March 2023 stood at 1.6 lakh crore rupees, which is 13% higher than the GST revenues in March 2022. It is for the fourth time, in the current financial year that the gross GST collection has crossed 1.5 lakh crore rupees, since the implementation of GST. Out of the total collection, CGST is 29,546 crore rupees, SGST is 37,314 crore rupees and IGST is 82,907 crore rupees. The gross revenues in 2022-23 were 22% higher than in 2021-22.

 

4. India Post Payments Bank launches WhatsApp Banking Services: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) in collaboration with Airtel has launched WhatsApp Banking Services for IPPB customers in New Delhi. This channel will enable IPPB customers to seamlessly connect with the bank on WhatsApp and effortlessly avail of a host of banking services. It includes doorstep service requests, locating the nearest Post Office, and much more. Airtel has been working with IPPB to deliver as many as 250 million messages per month to the bank’s customers.

5. IMF approves 15.6 billion dollar support package for Ukraine: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 15.6 billion US dollar support package for Ukraine to assist with the conflict-hit country’s economic recovery. The loan is part of a broader 115 billion US dollar international support package to help the country meet urgent funding needs. Of the total amount, 2.7 billion dollars is being made available to Ukraine immediately and the rest of the funds are due to be released over the next four years.

 

6. World Bank announces $100 million as loan Odisha: The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has approved a USD 100 million loan to Odisha. Purpose – To robust its early forecasting systems for improved response to disasters and enhance its social protection coverage for poor and vulnerable households through digital platforms. Odisha is vulnerable to natural disasters with cyclones hitting the state every 15 months on average.