Daily GK Update- 4th March, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Craig Fulton appointed as new Chief Coach of Indian men's hockey team: Hockey India has appointed South African Craig Fulton as the new chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team. He will succeed Australian Graham Reid who resigned in January 2023. He has nearly 25 years of coaching experience and earned 195 caps over a span of 10 years for South Africa. He also played Atlanta and Athens Olympic Games. He was named the Belgium Coach of the Year after he guided his club KHC Dragons to the Belgium Hockey League title in the 2020-21 season.

 

2. Minister Anurag Thakur launched Yuva Utsava - India@2047 in Punjab: Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur has launched Yuva Utsava - India@2047 from Ropar in Punjab. He has also launched the Dashboard of Yuva Utsav. Aim: To promote youth power In the first phase, Yuva Utsav is being organized in 150 districts across the country till the 31st of March, 2023. Youth Affairs Ministry is conducting ‘Yuva Utsav India @2047’ under its flagship youth organization Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

 

3. Union Home Minister, Amit Shah launched Safe City Projects in Karnataka: Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has launched the first phase of the Safe City project in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The project is an initiative to ensure the safety and security of residents in Bengaluru, especially women. Phase-1 of the project features high-resolution cameras, forensic vans, safety islands, and much more. The city police must maintain maximum reach and speed in addressing emergency situations while using the right technological intervention.

 

4. President Murmu to launch ‘Catch the Rain-2023’ campaign: President Droupadi Murmu will launch the ‘Catch the Rain-2023’ on March 4, 2023 as part of efforts to turn conservation of water into a mass campaign in the run-up to the monsoon season. The theme of this year’s campaign will be ‘Source Sustainability for Drinking Water’. “During Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2023. The significant role that water plays in the empowerment of women has been acknowledged with the theme ‘Jal Shakti se Nari Shakti’ The President will also confer 18 Awards under Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen, Jal Jeevan Mission and National Water Mission under various categories and release a compendium of case stories titled ‘Swachh Sujal Shakti Ki Abhivyakti’.

 

5. 4th March: National Security Day: Every year on March 4, India observes National Safety Day. The main goal of the day is to highlight safety measures, ensure that people are aware of them, and follow them in order to avoid workplace accidents. In India, the 4th of March also marks the start of National Safety Week. Theme 2023: ‘Nurture young minds – Develop safety culture’

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, Mexico sign MoU on research and technology: India has signed an MoU with Mexico on research, technology, and innovation collaborations in New Delhi. Focus: Key technology areas including Aerospace, Electronics, Earth and Ocean Sciences and Water, Minerals, Clean Energy, Biotech, and Healthcare Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh has assured Mexican Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard that India with CSIR and sister Organizations will provide tangible results in the three priority areas of Water, Lithium and Vaccines

 

2. World Wildlife Day 2023: 3rd March: World Wildlife Day 2023 is marked annually on March 3 to celebrate the unique wild species and create awareness to help conserve them. Theme 2023: Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation The 68th session of the UNGA has designated March 3 as World Wildlife Day on December 20, 2013. Reason: To raise awareness about the conservation of the world's wild flora and fauna The formal text of CITES was adopted at a meeting of 80 members of the IUCN on March 3, 1973.

 

3. World’s first’ bamboo crash barrier installed on Maharashtra highway: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on 4 March said a 200-meter-long bamboo crash barrier has been installed on a highway connecting Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts in Maharashtra, which he termed as the “world’s first” such exercise. Calling it a “remarkable achievement” for the country and its bamboo sector, he said this crash barrier offers a perfect alternative to steel and addresses environmental concerns.

 

4. IAF transport aircraft Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with Japan’s Air Self Defense Force: The Indian Air Force (IAF) along with the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) participated in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri. The Exercise Shinyuu Maitri is being organized on the sidelines of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma Guardian, which was conducted from 13 February 2023 to 02 March 2023 at Komatsu, Japan.

 

5. Mumbai jumps to 37th place globally in price growth in luxury housing: Mumbai’s rank has improved to 37th from 92nd in a global list of movement in prices of luxury homes as the city saw an appreciation of 6.4 per cent during 2022 calendar year, according to Knight Frank India.

In Bengaluru, the prices of prime property rose 3 per cent, helping the city improve its rank to 63rd in 2022 from 91st in 2021. “Delhi’s prime property market saw value appreciating by 1.2 per cent which moved up the ranking to 77th from 93rd in 2021 As per the report, the prime residential prices in Dubai accelerated 44.2 per cent in 2022. Aspen ranks 2nd with 27.6 per cent growth in prices, followed by Riyadh (25 per cent), Tokyo (22.8 per cent), Miami (21.6 per cent), Prague (16.3 per cent), Algarve (15.3 per cent), Bahamas (15 per cent), Athens 13 per cent and Porto (12.7 per cent).

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposes Rs 3.06 Crore penalty on Amazon Pay (India): Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of three crore six lakh sixty-six thousand rupees on Amazon Pay (India) Private Limited. Reason: For non-compliance with certain directions related to Prepaid Payment Instruments and Know Your Customer. The action was based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the entity with its customers.

 

2. RBI imposes restrictions on Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank: RBI has imposed a Rs 5,000 cap on withdrawals by individual customers from Tamil Nadu-based Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank. Reason: It is a part of several restrictions imposed on the lender due to its deteriorating financial condition. The restrictions on the lender will remain in force for six months from the close of business on March 3, 2023. Without the approval of the RBI, the cooperative bank cannot grant loans, make any investments, or disburse any payments.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Punjab discom gets ‘top performer' award for energy conservation measures: Under the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) program of the Union Ministry for Power, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) was awarded as the top performer among all Discoms across the country for energy conservation measures. The award ceremony was held in New Delhi on March 1. During PAT cycle II, a total number of 80,686 ‘Energy saving certificates’ (ESCerts) were issued to PSPCL. PAT is a flagship scheme under the National Mission on Enhanced efficiency.

 

2. NTPC conferred with the CBIP Award 2022: NTPC Limited has been honored with the CBIP Award 2022 for Outstanding Contribution in Power Generation, attributed to its Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station (VSTPS). VSTPS is the largest power station in the country for its efficiency and high level of generation. Union Minister of Power, R.K. Singh presented the award. It is conferred to institutions/individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of water, power, and Renewable Energy Sectors.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former CJI, A M Ahmadi passes away: Former Chief Justice of India, A M Ahmadi passed away at 90 due to a brief illness. He was the 26th Chief Justice of India from October 1994 to March 1997. In 1964, he was appointed a civil and sessions judge in Ahmedabad and become the state’s law secretary. In 1976, he was appointed a judge of the Gujarat High Court and was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1988. In his tenure in the Supreme Court, he was part of seminal verdicts that changed the course of a polity.

Daily GK Update- 3rd March, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IPS officer Rashmi Shukla appointed Director-General of Sashastra Seema Bal: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of a 1988 batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, Rashmi Shukla as director general of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) till her superannuation (30.06.2024). Presently, she is serving as the Additional Director General of CRPF. SSB: A border protection force of India deployed along the borders with Nepal and Bhutan. SSB Founded: 1963; Headquarters: New Delhi

 

2. India host Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi: India hosted the Quad Foreign Ministers in New Delhi on March 3, 2023. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar chaired the meeting. The Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan and the Secretary of State of the US participated in the meeting. It is an opportunity for the Ministers to continue their discussions held at their last meeting in New York in September 2022. QUAD: It is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the US.

 

3. President inaugurates 7th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference in Bhopal: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 7th International Dharma-Dhamma Conference at Bhopal (MP) on March 3, 2023, and will continue till March 5, 2023. Theme: Eastern Humanism for the New Era Aim: To bring together religious, political, and thought leaders from Dharma-Dhamma traditions to ponder over building a philosophical framework for the emerging new world order

Organized by: India Foundation in collaboration with Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies

 

4. Karnataka Bank appoints Abhishek Sankar Bagchi as new CFO: Karnataka Bank has appointed Abhishek Sankar Bagchi as a chief financial officer (CFO) on a contract basis. He has replaced Muralidhar Krishna Rao, whose tenure has been completed on 1 March 2023. He has over 18 years of work experience in RBI reporting, strategic planning, fund management, financial reporting, financial planning & control, taxation, and budgeting. He was CFO and Head of Finance at NSDL Payments Bank since September 2017.

 

5. NTPC commissions India’s first Air cooled condenser: NTPC has commissioned India’s first air-cooled condenser at the North Karanpura supercritical thermal plant in Jharkhand. It would help in water conservation. This project has been envisaged with Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) which has almost 1/3rd water footprint as compared to a conventional Water Cooled Condenser (WCC). NTPC started commercial operation of 1st unit of 660 MW at North Karanpura (3X660 MW) on March 1, 2023.

 

6. Godrej & Boyce, Renmakch sign MoU to develop a 'Make-in-India’ value chain: The flagship company of the Godrej Group, Godrej & Boyce has partnered with Renmakch to collaborate on Machinery & Plant (M&P) projects for Railways and Metro Rail, offering ‘Made in India' world-class equipment. With the help of this partnership, Godrej & Boyce will be able to offer a complete value chain ranging from design to building for the Railways. The Company has been a trusted partner of the Indian Railways for over 15 years.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Vo Van Thuong elected as new President of Vietnam: The Vietnam lawmakers have elected the candidate of the ruling Communist Party, Vo Van Thuong (52) as the new President of the country. His election comes after the sudden resignation of his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc in January 2023, who the Party blamed for wrongdoing and violations. A total of 487 out of 488 deputies present at the National Assembly voted for him. He is the youngest member of the party’s Politburo (the country’s top decision-making body).

 

2. World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2023 report released: According to the 9th Women, Business and the Law 2023 report, released by World Bank, UAE has topped the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with 82.5 scores out of 100 Belgium, Canada, and Denmark topped all eight indicators India scored 74.4 out of 100. Indicators: Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension It is an annual report that analyzes laws and regulations affecting women’s economic opportunity in 190 countries

 

3. Vietnam parliament elects Vo Van Thuong as new President: Vietnam’s National Assembly on 3March elected Vo Van Thuong as the country’s new President, in a reshuffle of the country’s top leadership amid an anti-graft campaign. In an extraordinary session, lawmakers confirmed Thuong after the ruling Communist Party nominated him on 2 March as President. Thuong’s election follows the sudden resignation of his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc in January, who the Party blamed for wrongdoing.

 

4. 3rd March: World Wildlife Day: Every 3rd of March, wildlife is celebrated all over the world for the UN World Wildlife This date was chosen as it is the birthday of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed in 1973. This global event is marked annually to celebrate and promote awareness of the planet’s wild fauna and flora. Theme 2023– ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’

 

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NSE gets SEBI nod to launch WTI Crude Oil, Natural Gas futures contracts: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has received the approval from Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch the rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas (Henry Hub) futures contracts in its commodity derivatives segment. Earlier, NSE had signed a data licensing agreement with CME Group allowing NSE to list, trade and settle rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas derivatives on its platform. NSE MD:  Ashishkumar Chauhan

 

2. IRCTC, HDFC Bank launch co-branded travel credit card: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) and HDFC Bank partnered to launch a co-branded travel credit card -  IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card. It is a co-branded card, in a single variant, and is available on NPCI's Rupay network. This is the third tie-up of IRCTC after the State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. The card will provide exclusive benefits and maximum savings on bookings of train tickets. Chairman & MD, IRCTC: Rajni Hasija

 

3. Himachal CM launches UPI e-services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and 'Swadhan-e-pension-Gov' services for Kangra Central Cooperative Bank. Aim: To make bank transactions easier and quicker, especially for the elderly and those living in remote areas These services would benefit thousands of account holders of the bank. He also released the bank's annual calendar on this occasion.

 

4. Axis Bank completes deal to buy Citibank’s India consumer business: Axis Bank, India’s fourth-biggest private-sector lender by market value, on 2 March said it has completed the acquisition of Citibank India’s consumer businesses in India for a total consideration of ₹11,603 crore. The bank will get 2.4 million Citi customers and ₹39,900 crore of deposits through this acquisition.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Health Ministry received Porter Prize 2023: The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has received the Porter Prize 2023. The ministry was honored for the government's strategy in managing COVID-19, its approach, and the involvement of various stakeholders (involvement of ASHA workers to create PPE Kits). It was announced during 'The India Dialog' at Stanford University, California. Porter Prize: This award was named after award-winning economist Michael E. Porter. Minister for Health: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

Daily GK Update- 2nd March, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt approves procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft for IAF: The Indian government has approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. Reason: It will meet the shortage of basic trainer aircraft of IAF for the training of newly inducted pilots. The HTT-40 is a turboprop aircraft designed to have good low-speed handling qualities and provide better training effectiveness. The aircraft will be supplied over six years. Cost: 6,828 crore rupees

 

2. Govt approves contract with L&T for acquisition of 3 cadet training ships: The Indian govt has approved the signing contract with Larsen and Toubro Limited for the acquisition of three Cadet Training Ships. The delivery of these indigenously designed, developed, and constructed ships are scheduled to commence in 2026. These ships can use to train the officer cadets at sea and can be deployed for the evacuation of people. They can also train cadets from friendly countries to strengthen diplomatic relations. Cost: 3,108 crore rupees (Overall)

 

3. Agri Minister Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated the three-day-long Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela in New Delhi. It is being organized with the theme Nutrition, Food, and Environmental Protection with Shree Anna. The event also conducts technical sessions on contemporary issues in Agriculture, including the development of Shree Anna-based value chain, Smart Farming Model, Sustainable Agriculture, and Farmer Producer Organisations.

 

4. Government e-Marketplace (GeM) commemorates the success of “SWAYATT”: Government eMarketplace (GeM) has commemorated the success of “SWAYATT” initiative. This initiative aims to promote Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions (SWAYATT) on GeM. It was established by GeM in February 2019. Goal: To stimulate the inclusion of diverse categories of sellers and service providers on the portal. It was achieved by taking aggressive measures to simplify their training and registrations. GeM CEO: P.K. Singh

 

5. Hekani Jakhalu becomes first woman MLA in Nagaland history: Hekani Jakhalu of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has created history by becoming the first woman MLA of the Nagaland Assembly. She was announced the winner from the Dimapur-III constituency in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly elections. She defeated Azheto Zhimomi of LJP (Ram Vilas) by 1,536 votes. Of 31,874 votes counted in the constituency, she received 45.16% of the votes, just ahead of the LJP (RV)’s Azheto Zhimomi who received 40.34% votes.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Bola Tinubu wins the Nigeria's presidential election: The ruling party candidate, Bola Tinubu (70) has defeated vice president Atiku Abubakar (opposition People’s Democratic Party) to win the disputed presidential election in Nigeria. He received 37%, Atiku Abubakar polled 29%, and Labour's candidate Peter Obi received 25% of the vote. The opposition parties dismissed the poll as a sham and demanded a rerun. He will become Nigeria’s fifth elected president since 1999.

Nigeria Capital: Abuja; Currency: Naira

 

2. UAE: World’s first free zone for digital and virtual asset companies: The government of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), plans to establish RAK Digital Assets Oasis. This announcement was made at the Blockchain Life 2023 conference. It would be the world's first free zone dedicated to digital and virtual asset companies. This would be a purpose-built, proper innovation-enabling free zone for non-regulated activities in the virtual assets sector. UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi; UAE Currency: Dirham

 

3. Pakistan PM appoints first Ambassador for Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora as the Ambassador-at-Large for Kartarpur Corridor. This appointment is part of efforts to attract Sikh pilgrims from across the world. He hails from Kartarpur in Narowal. He is also the central general secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) minorities wing. This corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India.

 

4. After Singapore India’s UPI likely to extend to UAE, Mauritius, Indonesia: After the successful launch of the cross-border connectivity of real-time digital payment with Singapore last week, experts believe that India’s UPI likely to extend to UAE, Mauritius, Indonesia. Singapore is the first country with which a cross-border Person-to-Person (P2P) payment facility has been launched.

 

5. Bola Tinubu elected as the new President of Nigeria: Nigerian electoral officials announced on 1 March 2023 that the ruling party’s candidate in the presidential election, Bola Tinubu, has been elected as the country’s new president. Bola Tinubu has been associated with the ‘All Progressive Congress Party’ from which he has been winning elections. He will become Nigeria’s fifth president since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, emerging as winner for the country’s top job on his first attempt.

 

6. st March: Zero Discrimination Day: Zero Discrimination Day embarks on the first day of March, annually the day aims to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of the UN. Many countries have laws against discrimination but it’s still a problem in all layers of society in every country in the world. Countries still use discrimination as a way of governing. Theme 2023: “Save lives: Decriminalise”,.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Asia's longest ever cycle race flagged off from Srinagar, J&K: Asia's longest-ever cycle race was flagged off from Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar (J&K) and will culminate at Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu). The race will cover the longest highway, National Highway-44 distance of 3651 kilometers, passing through twelve major states, three major metropolitan cities, and over twenty major cities of the country. It has been accorded the status of Asian Ultracycling Championship by the World Ultracycling Association.

 

2. India’s Triple-Jumper Aishwarya Babu Banned by NADA for Four Years: the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) disciplinary panel has banned India’s top triple-jumper Aishwarya Babu for four years for using a prohibited anabolic steroid. Aishwarya Babu, 25 years old, was dropped from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022, along with sprinter S Dhanalakshmi after testing positive for the steroid, which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bajaj Finserv gets nod from Sebi to launch mutual fund business: Bajaj Finserv Ltd has received the final registration from SEBI to commence its mutual fund operations under Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund.Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund, with Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Ltd (BFAML) as the Investment Manager, will soon offer a range of mutual fund products.The products include equity, debt, and hybrid funds, both in the active and passive segments, for investors.

BFAML CEO: Ganesh Mohan Bajaj Finserv Chairman: Sanjiv Bajaj

 

2. Moody’s raises GDP growth forecast for India to 5.5% in 2023: Global rating firm Moody’s Investors Services has raised the growth projection of India to 5.5% in 2023 from the earlier projection of 4.8 percent in November 2022.Moody's also projected the growth of India at 6.5% in 2024.According to Moody’s projection, India’s growth rate in 2023 is the highest among G20 countries.It is followed by China (5 %) and Indonesia (4.8%).The US is expected to grow by 0.9%, the Euro area by 0.5%, Japan by 1.5%, and the UK (-0.4%).

 

3. February GST collection at Rs 1.50 lakh crore, up 12% YoY: According to the Finance Ministry, the government collected Rs 1,49,577 crore as gross goods and service tax (GST) revenue in the month of February 2023.This amount was increased by around 12% on an annual basis (YoY).India's GST revenue in February 2022 was Rs 1,33,026 crore.Of the total revenue collected, CGST is Rs 27,662 crore, SGST is Rs 34,915 crore, IGST is Rs 75,069 crore while cess is Rs 11,931 crore (including Rs 792 crore collected on import of goods).

 

4. Singapore Airlines to get 25.1% stake in enlarged Air India group: Singapore Airlines’ deal with Tata Sons (Tata) will inject a further SGD 360 million (USD 267 million) into Air India.It will give SIA a 25.1 per cent stake in the enlarged Air India group following its takeover by Tata.

 

5. India’s February GST collections rises 12% YoY to Rs 1.50 lakh cr: The gross GST revenue collected in the month of February 2023 is Rs. 1,49,577 crores. The revenues for the month of February 2023 are 12% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year, which was Rs. 1,33,026 crores.Generally, February being a 28-day month, witnesses a relatively lower collection of GST revenue.As per the ministry data, out of the gross GST revenue, Central GST was Rs 27,662 crore, State GST was Rs 34,915 crore, Integrated GST was Rs 75,069 crore (including Rs 35,689 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess was Rs 11,931 crore (including Rs 792 crore collected on import of goods).

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Vinod Kumar Shukla wins PEN/Nabokov Lifetime Achievement Award 2023: Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla (87) has won the 2023 PEN America award for lifetime achievement in literature. It is one of the most coveted literary prizes worldwide.His acclaimed novels like Naukar Ki Kameez (1979) and poetry collections like Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992).He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award in 1999 for Naukar Ki Kameez, the Atta Galatta-Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize in 2019, and the Mathrubhumi Book of the Year award in 2020.

Daily GK Update- 1st March, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Rajesh Malhotra appointed as Principal DG of PIB: Rajesh Malhotra, a 1989-batch IIS officer, has been appointed as the Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), with effect from March 1, 2023. He succeeded Satyendra Prakash, who was superannuated on February 28, 2023. He was associated with the ECI as in-charge of media and communication for 21 years (1996-2017). While Priya Kumar was named the Director General of Doordarshan News (DD News). She will succeed Mayank Agrawal.

 

2. MeitY launched Grievance Appellate Committee: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched a digital platform - Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC). Union MoS Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, established it. It is a faceless dispute-resolution mechanism that would make all platforms (big and small) accountable to digital citizens. In accordance with the modified IT Regulations, 2021, the IT Ministry announced that three GACs must be established.

 

3. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launches VAIBHAV Fellowships: Union MoS (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched the VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme for the Indian Diaspora abroad. Aim: To improve the research ecosystem of India’s Higher Educational Institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world Eligible applicant: Should be NRI, PIO, or OCI. Must have obtained Ph.D/M.D/M.S degree from a recognized University.

 

4. Purushottam Rupala launched National Surveillance Programme phase 2: Union Minister for fisheries and animal husbandry, Purushottam Rupala, has launched phase 2 of the National Surveillance programme. Reason: For aquatic animal diseases and genetic improvement programme Aim: To help the farmers to identify and report the disease and also offer solutions

The government has allocated 33 Crore rupees for a period of three years for the implementation of the programme. The crop insurance scheme for shrimp-growing farmers was also launched.

 

5. ISRO successfully conducts flight test of cryogenic engine for Chandrayan-3: ISRO has successfully conducted the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 cryogenic engine for the Chandrayan-3 mission. The test was successfully conducted on February 24 at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The hot test was carried out for a planned duration of 25 seconds at the High Altitude Test Facility. The engine will power the Cryogenic Upper Stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle of the mission. Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third moon mission.

 

6. First Anti-Corruption G20 Working Group meeting organizes in Gurugram: The first Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) meeting of the G20 is being organized in Gurugram, Haryana from 1st - 3rd March 2023. Over 90 delegates from 20 member countries, 10 Invitee countries, and 9 International Organizations joined the ACWG. Aim: To strengthen International Anti-corruption mechanisms G 20 ACWG meetings have one Chair (Presidency country) and one co-chair country. The co-chair for the G20 ACWG 2023 is Italy.

 

7. Kerala temple deploys life-size ‘robotic elephant’ for festival: A Kerala temple, Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple (Thrissur district), has introduced a life-size motorized model of an elephant for performing rituals such as carrying processional deities. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India donated the 11-foot-tall robotic elephant, weighing 800 kg and made of an iron frame and rubber coating. Film actor Parvathy Thiruvothu joined hands with PETA in donating the robotic elephant, which cost 5 lakh rupees.

 

8. PM Modi To Inaugurate 3-Day Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi: The eighth edition of the annual Raisina Dialogue, the flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy, begins in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the annual Raisina Dialogue. The Foreign Ministry is organizing the event in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation from 2nd March to 4th March 2023. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be the chief guest and keynote speaker at its inaugural session

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India and Lithuania agreed to work in the areas of deep tech Start-Ups: India and Lithuania have agreed to work in the areas of deep tech startups and forge lasting ties in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips. Minister Jitendra Singh and Economy and Innovation Vice Minister of Lithuania, Karolis Aemaitis discussed ways and means to revive the 2010 agreement in the area of science and tech. In 2010, a revised Indian counter-draft with a few modifications was formally submitted to the Lithuanian and its formal response is still awaited.

 

2. 8th Edition of Raisina Dialogue to be held on March 2 in New Delhi: The 8th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be organized from 2-4 March 2023 in New Delhi. The Dialogue will be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and joined by the PM of Italy, Giorgia Meloni as the Chief Guest. Theme 2023: Provocation, Uncertainty, And And Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest It is a flagship conference of India on geopolitics and geo-strategy. The Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation organizes it.

 

3. Australia’s Deakin The 1st Foreign University To Set Up Campus In India: The International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) on 1 march said it has given approval to Deakin University of Australia to set up its campus in Gujarat’s GIFT City. With this, Deakin became the first foreign university to get a nod to set up its campus in India.

 

4. 1st March: World Civil Defence Day 2023: World Civil Defence Day is observed on 1st March to raise awareness about the importance of civil defence measures in protecting people and their property from natural disasters, accidents, and other emergencies. Theme 2023: Uniting the world’s leading specialists for the safety and security of future generations”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Jeswin Aldrin Breaks National Record at AFI National Jumps Competition: Tamil Nadu’s Jeswin Aldrin broke the national record in the men’s long jump in the second AFI National Jumps Competition. Jeswin Aldrin, 21-year-old, leaped 8.42 meters to take over the previous mark of 8.36 meters set by India teammate M Sreeshankar at the Federation Cup in Kozhikode in April 2022.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India's GDP registers growth of 4.4% in Oct-Dec of the current fiscal: According to the Union ministry of statistics, India's Gross Domestic Production (GDP) growth has been registered at 4.4% in the October-December third quarter of the current fiscal (2022-23). GDP in the third quarter of 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 40.19 lakh crore, as against Rs 38.51 lakh crore in the third quarter of 2021-22. The real GDP is estimated to grow at 7% for the current FY compared to 9.1% in 2021-22. While Nominal GDP is estimated to grow at 15.9 percent.

 

2. Credit growth of banks accelerates 16.8% in December quarter: RBI: According to the data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the credit growth of Indian banks has doubled to 16.8% in the October-December quarter (2022-23) from a year earlier. Bank credit had expanded by 8.4% in the quarter that ended December 2021 and 17.2% in the quarter that ended September 2022. The aggregate deposits of banks increased by 10.3% year-on-year in the December quarter. Banks' credit-deposit ratio rose further to 75.9% in the December quarter.

 

3. SBI announces completion of $1 billion Syndicated Social Loan Facility: State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the completion of a $1 billion Syndicated Social Loan Facility. This syndicated transaction is significant for SBI and the Indian ESG financing market since it is the largest ESG loan by a commercial bank in the Asia Pacific and the second-largest social loan globally. Additionally, this is the bank’s inaugural social loan and the first syndicated loan in the past five years. The $1 billion facility was arranged through MLABs, MUFG Bank, and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. MUFG and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank are Joint Social Loan Coordinators while MUFG is the Lead Social Loan Coordinator for this transaction.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. India wins GSMA Government Leadership Award 2023: India has been awarded the prestigious GSM Association (GSMA) Government Leadership Award 2023 at Mobile World Congress Barcelona on 27 February 2023. Reason: For implementing best practices in telecom policy and regulation Minister for Communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw has also informed that the Right of Way (RoW) permissions which used to take more than 230 days, now get approval within 8 days. More than 85% of mobile tower clearances are now instantaneous.