Daily GK Update- 15th Mar, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gyanesh Kumar And Sukhbir Singh Sandhu Appointed Election Commissioners: Retired IAS officers Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have been appointed as Election Commissioners. The Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification in this regard. The posts of the two Election Commissioners were vacant after the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey and the resignation of Arun Goel. They were appointed election commissioners by the selection panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

2. Hardeep Singh Puri Launches Alternate Auto Fuel ‘Ethanol100’: The Unio Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched Ethanol100, an alternate auto fuel in New Delhi. The green fuels like ethanol 100 will play a key role in sustaining the economic growth of the country. Ethanol100 is a blend of 92 to 94 percent ethanol, 4 to 5 percent motor spirit to provide colour to flame and 1.5 percent Co-solvent higher saturated alcohol. The fuel produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases, a reduction by around 63% on well to wheel basis.

 

3. Senior bureaucrat Rahul Singh appointed new CBSE chief: The Central Government has appointed senior IAS officer Rahul Singh (1996 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Bihar cadre) the Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Rahul Singh will replace Nidhi Chiber in this post because Nidhi Chiber has been made an advisor in NITI Aayog. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Rahul Singh as the Chairman of CBSE.

 

4. L&T Finance Holdings inks pact with JICA for $125 million funding: Non-banking financial company (NBFC) L&T Finance Holdings Limited (LTFH) had signed a financing pact with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for $125 million to support financing in rural and peri urban areas in India, particularly women borrowers. At least 40% of the proceeds will be allocated for women borrowers, while the rest will be allocated to support farmers, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

 

5. Central Govt Proposes Ban On Sale & Breeding Of Ferocious Dogs: The Central government has proposed a ban on the sale and breeding of ferocious dogs. The Animal Husbandry Ministry issued a directive to states and Union Territories to ensure prohibition on the sale, breeding, or keeping of as many as 23 dog breeds that are dangerous for human life. It said that breeds like Rottweilers, Pitbulls, and American bulldogs are under scrutiny.

 

6. Droupadi Murmu To Grace Global Spirituality Mahotsav In Hyderabad: President Droupadi Murmu will be gracing the Global Spirituality Mahotsav in Hyderabad. The Four-Day, one-of-a-kind spiritual congregation will continue till Sunday at Kanha Shanti Vanam. The Global Spirituality Mahotsav is being held with the main theme, ‘Inner Peace to World Peace’. The Event is bringing spiritual leaders from all faiths and beliefs to one platform at the world’s largest meditation centre.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN Hails India’s Progress In Human Development Index: The United Nations has hailed India’s progress in the Human Development Index, highlighting significant strides made in different parameters, marking overall development. The HDI report has revealed that India’s average life expectancy reached 67.7 years in 2022, up from 62.7 years the previous year. Additionally, India’s gross national income (GNI) per capita has surged to 6951 dollars, marking a 6.3 per cent increase over the span of 12 months.

 

2. UK tests a laser weapon that can hit a coin from a kilometer: The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has conducted successful tests of its first-ever laser weapon, named “DragonFire”. The high-powered laser is designed to target and neutralize drones, offering a potentially low-cost alternative to traditional missiles. The DragonFire laser weapon is expected to significantly reduce the reliance on expensive ammunition, offering a cost-effective solution for air defense.

According to the UK government, firing the laser for just 10 seconds costs the equivalent of using a heater for an hour, typically less than £10 per shot. This cost efficiency makes it a promising option for military operations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Nausena Bhawan In New Delhi: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi.  CDS General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Navy Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. The newly built Nausena Bhawan is situated at Delhi Cantonment Area.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Max Verstappen Triumphs at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024: Max Verstappen won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position as Red Bull continued their dominant start to the Formula One season with a second one-two in as many races. Mexican Sergio Perez was runner-up under the Jeddah Corniche floodlights, last year’s winner taking the chequered flag 13.643 seconds behind his triple world champion teammate. It was the first time Verstappen, winner of a record 19 of 22 races last year, has won the first two races of a season.

 

2. Mumbai win record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title: The Mumbai cricket team, led by Ajinkiya Rahane, defeated Vidarbha in the final of the Ranji Trophy to win their 42nd title at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On the fifth day of the five-day final, the Mumbai team defeated the Vidarbha team by 169 runs. Musheer Khan of Mumbai was the Player of the Match, while Tanush Kotia of Mumbai was the Player of the Series. The Mumbai team collected the trophy and a Rs 5 crore winning prize.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Max India’s subsidiary partners with IIT Delhi for senior citizen care: Max India Ltd, an integrated service provider for senior care needs, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). This partnership aims to develop offerings tailored specifically for the senior demographic. Max India Ltd is the wholly owned subsidiary of Antara Assisted Care Services Limited. The company reported, in response to India’s growing elderly population and the accompanying challenges of mobility-related disabilities, the company with IIT Delhi will conduct research and design solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for seniors.

 

2. RBI bars Federal Bank, South Indian Bank from issuing co-branded credit cards: Following the directions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), private sector lenders Federal Bank and South Indian Bank stopped issuing co-branded credit cards to new customers on account of regulatory deficiencies. South Indian Bank said that it will not onboard new customers on their co-branded credit cards until it is fully compliant with directions under RBI Master Direction on Credit Card and Debit Card issuance. However, the lender added that it will continue to service the existing customers who hold co-branded credit cards. South Indian Bank has one co-branded credit card in partnership with State Bank of India (SBI), which is available in two variants SimplySAVE and Platinum.

 

3. RBI imposes ₹1.40 cr monetary penalty on Bank of India: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.4 crore on Bank of India for non-compliance with certain regulatory norms. It has also imposed a penalty of Rs 29.55 lakh on private sector lender Bandhan Bank for noncompliance with certain directions. The penalty on Bank of India has been imposed for non-compliance with the RBI’s directions related to ‘interest rate on deposits’, ‘customer service in banks’, ‘interest rate on advances’, and contravention of provisions of Credit lnformation Companies Rules 2006.