Weekly Current Affairs March 2024 Week 02 Compressed

Weekly Current Affairs March 2024 Week - 02
iia
www.practicemock.com 1 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

iia
Contents
NATIONAL AFFAIRS ........................................................................................................ 2
STATES AFFAIRS .......................................................................................................... 13
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS .............................................................................................. 22
REPORTS & INDICES ..................................................................................................... 22
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES ........................................................................ 23
BUSINESS & ECONOMY ................................................................................................. 31
BANKING & FINANCE .................................................................................................... 36
RBI IN NEWS ............................................................................................................... 41
AWARDS & RECOGNITION ............................................................................................. 44
BOOKS & AUTHORS ...................................................................................................... 48
PERSON IN NEWS ......................................................................................................... 49
OBITUARIES ................................................................................................................ 50
SPORTS ...................................................................................................................... 50
IMPORTANT DAYS ......................................................................................................... 51
RRB PO Free Mock Test

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Inter-
Governmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) that was signed on 13th February 2024 during
the High-Level visit between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the
United Arab Emirates on Cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-
Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• The aim of the IGFA is to enhance the bilateral relations and to further strengthen the
relations between the two countries in the Ports, Maritime and Logistics sectors.
• The IGFA includes areas of cooperation between the two countries with the objective of
exploring further potential of future joint investment and collaboration in respect of
development of the IMEC.
• The Agreement contains detailed framework for cooperation between the two countries.
The cooperation will be based on a set of mutually agreed upon principles, guidelines, and
agreements consistent with the relevant rules and regulations of the countries'
jurisdiction.
India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):

iia
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Project was signed at the G20
Summit in New Delhi, which holds significant geopolitical and economic implications for
India.
The proposed IMEC will consist of Railroad, Ship-to-Rail networks and Road transport routes
extending across two corridors. The IMEC corridor will also include an electricity cable, a
hydrogen pipeline, and a high-speed data cable.
• The East Corridor – connecting India to the Arabian Gulf,
• The Northern Corridor – connecting the Gulf to Europe.
Signatories: India, the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the European Union, Italy, France, and
Germany.
2. The first edition of the “Biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference 2024” was conducted from
05 to 08 March 2024.
• The Conference is an institutional forum that enables deliberations on important
maritime security issues at the Military-Strategic level.
• The inaugural session of the Conference was held onboard the aircraft carrier INS
Vikramaditya.
• Follow-on proceedings were conducted at New Delhi, in hybrid format, on 7 and 8 March
2024.
• On the sidelines of the conference, Naval Commanders also interacted with various ‘Think
Tanks’ during a ‘Sagar Manthan’ event on 08 March 2024.
• The forum provided an opportunity to engage with MSMEs, innovators and Academia to
deliberate ways, means and novel avenues to further Aatmanirbharta initiatives and
enhance self-reliance in defence production.
Note: INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Indian
Navy.
3. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu visited the Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI), Moka,
Mauritius.
President Murmu paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located on the
campus of the Institute, which was established in 1970 as a joint initiative of the
Governments of India and Mauritius.
MGI is a leading institution promoting and propagating Indian arts, culture, and languages in
Mauritius.
MoUs signed Between India and Mauritius:

iia
• MoU between International Financial Services Centres Authority (GIFT City) and Financial
Services Commission, Mauritius
• MoU between Public Service Commission, Mauritius, and Union Public Service
Commission
• Protocol to amend the India-Mauritius Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to make
it compliant with Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Minimum Standards
• MoU between Central Bureau of Investigation, India and the Independent Commission
Against Corruption of Mauritius
Note: On 12 March 2024, the President of India participated as Chief Guest in the National
Day celebrations of Mauritius.
4. The Government of India officially notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
• The rules, in line with the 2019 amendment to The Citizenship Act, 1955, aim to provide
citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian
communities who entered India before December 31, 2014, from Pakistan, Afghanistan,
or Bangladesh.
• An online system for application, processing, and grant of citizenship under the
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is being explored by the Home Ministry.
• Eligible applicants include individuals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens, minor
children of Indian citizens, individuals with registered Indian citizen parents, and Overseas
Citizens of India Cardholders, among others.
• Autonomous councils created under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution are exempted
from the purview of CAA. The law therefore, not be implemented in most tribal parts of
Northeastern states.
• Autonomous councils under this special status include Karbi Anglong, Dila Hasao and
Bodoland Territorial Council areas in Assam, Garo Hills in Meghalaya, and tribal areas in
Tripura.
• Areas where the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for a visit by people from other parts
of the country in Northeastern states are excluded from the law. The ILP is in place in
parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019:

iia
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) is a legislative enactment that the Parliament of
India passed on December 11, 2019, to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955. This amendment
allowed for the grant of Indian citizenship to religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs,
Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, who fled from neighbouring Muslim-majority
countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution or fear
thereof before December 2014.
• Under the CAA 2019 amendment, migrants who entered India by December 31, 2014,
were eligible for fast-track Indian citizenship.
• The amendment reduced the residence requirement for naturalization from eleven years
to five.
5. Minister of Tribal Affairs, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Arjun Munda inaugurated the 3-
day National dairy Mela and Agricultural Exhibition at Chaibasa in West Singhbhum
district in Jharkhand.
• Dairy mela is a platform where efforts have been made to bring the latest technologies of
dairy science to the farmers.
• There is a need for the country's farmers and cattle rearers to adopt scientific methods to
augment milk production.
More than 6 thousand cattle rearers, farmers, input dealers, entrepreneurs, students, officers
and employees of government and non-government departments have participated in this
fair.
Note: ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana has organized this Dairy Fair
and Agricultural Exhibition from March 9 to 11, 2024.
6. Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 to

comprehensively improve the film certification process.
Pursuant to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, Ministry of Information and

Broadcasting, Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules,
2024, in supersession of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983.
Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024:
These new rules aim to streamline and modernize the film certification process for the digital
age, keeping pace with the emerging technologies and advancement in film sector.
The key aspects of improvements incorporated in the Cinematograph (Certification)
Rules, 2024 include:
• Comprehensive revision of the Rules has been done to fully align it with the adoption of
Online Certification processes, which will ensure enhanced transparency, efficiency & ease
of doing business for the film industry.

iia
• Reduction in time-lines for the processing of film certification and adopting complete
digital processes for eliminating all transactional time.
• Movies/feature films to have accessibility features for certification to make it inclusive for
disabled persons, as stipulated in the guidelines issued in this regard from time to time.
• Age-Based Certification: Introduction of age based categories of certification by further

sub-dividing the existing UA category into three age-based categories, viz. seven years (UA
7+), thirteen years (UA 13+), and sixteen years (UA 16+), instead of twelve years. These age
based markers would be only recommendatory, meant for the parents or guardians to
consider whether their children should view such a film. The age-based certification
system with UA markers to be implemented to ensure young viewers are exposed to age-
appropriate content. It will play a crucial role in balancing the need to protect vulnerable
audiences, such as children, with the principles of freedom of expression and consumer
choice.
• Greater representation of women in the CBFC Board & CBFC’s Advisory Panels, where it is
stipulated that one-third of the members in the Board shall be women and preferably half
shall be women.
• System for Priority Screening of Films for enhancing transparency and eliminating all
discretions. Provision for priority screening for expediting the screening of film screening
for certification, in case of any urgency felt by film-maker(s) due to their prior
commitments of release of the film in line with ease of doing business.
• Perpetual Validity of Certificates: Removal of the restriction on validity of certificate for

only 10 years for perpetual validity of certificates of Central Board of Film Certification
(CBFC).
• Change of Category of Film for Television: Recertification of the edited film for Television
broadcast, as only Unrestricted Public Exhibition category films can be shown on
television.
The principle rules were first notified by the Government in 1983 and have been amended
from time to time.
7. The Government of India, in consultation with the Election Commission of India (ECI), has
increased the minimum age for senior citizens eligible for postal ballot voting from 80
years to 85 years.
The Union Law Ministry amended the Conduct of Elections Rules-1961 to change the
definition of senior citizens who are eligible to choose the postal ballot facility from those
“above 80 years” to those “above 85 years.”

iia
The amendment, effective immediately, aims to streamline the voting process for the elderly
population and is part of the ongoing efforts to adapt electoral procedures to the evolving
demographic profile of the country.
The postal ballot facility had been extended to persons with disability, absentee voters who
are working in essential services and senior citizens (above 80 years) for the first time in
2019, after an amendment to the Conduct of Elections Rules on the recommendation of the
ECI.
8. The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has organized a significant meeting with UN Agencies and
other global organizations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, titled ‘Viksit Bharat
@2047 - Accelerating Tribal Development: Collaborative Global Partnerships’, was aimed
at forging partnerships in key areas such as Service Delivery, Tribal Health, Tribal Education,
Tribal Livelihood, Tribal Socio-Cultural Heritage, and Infrastructure.
The event saw participation from UN Agencies/Global organizations such as UNICEF, UNEP,
WHO, World Bank, UNDP, UN Habitat, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Volunteer,
UN WOMEN, UNESCO, JICA, IFAD, ILO, WSP, etc.
9. The comprehensive maritime security exercise “Sea Defenders-2024” between the Indian
Coast Guard (ICG) & United States Coast Guard (USCG) culminated at Port Blair on March
9, 2024.
• The exercise was aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between
the two forces.
• These joint exercises provide valuable training opportunities for both Coast Guards,
allowing them to refine their skills and improve their ability to work together in a
coordinated manner.
• The visit of the USCGC Bertholf to Port Blair serves as a powerful symbol of the growing
partnership between the US and Indian Coast Guard.
10. INS Tir, the lead ship of First Training Squadron (1TS) participated in Exercise “Cutlass
Express - 24 (CE – 24)” held at Port Victoria, Seychelles from 26 February to 8 March 2024.
The exercise was inaugurated by the President of Seychelles in attendance of dignitaries

from India, USA, and African countries.
As part of Cutlass Express, the Indian Navy actively engaged with participants from 16
friendly foreign countries.
Training was conducted on theoretical and practical aspects of Maritime Interdiction
Operations, Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures and Diving operations.

iia
Note: The Indian Navy has been participating in the exercise since 2019.
11. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and
Textiles, Piyush Goyal has joined U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Thai Deputy
Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, along with the ministers
from the other Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) partners, in their first
Ministerial meeting this year (2024).
Key points:
• During the virtual ministerial meeting on Pillars II-IV, IPEF partners welcomed the
significant progress made since the substantial conclusion of the negotiations for the
proposed IPEF Clean Economy Agreement (Pillar III), the IPEF Fair Economy Agreement
(Pillar IV), and Agreement on IPEF in November 2023.
• IPEF partners welcomed the entry into force of the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement w.e.f. 24
February 2024.
• On the Pillar-II (Supply Chains Resilience) Agreement, which entered into force on 24
February 2024, Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s global production capacities in many
critical sectors, which provide supply diversification opportunities for IPEF partners.
• He Highlighted the 'Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ as a project that not
only furthers clean economy objectives but also generates large socio-economic multiplier
effects.
• The IPEF partners also discussed next steps to deliver concrete outcomes under the
Framework over the next several months. This includes several new lines of effort under
the Clean Economy pillar, including the launching of four new Cooperative Work Programs
(CWPs), announcing that the inaugural IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum will be held in
Singapore on 05-06 June 2024, and providing more details on the IPEF Catalytic Capital
Fund.
• The IPEF partners also announced plans to provide $33 million in initial grant funding for
the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund under the Pillar III Clean Economy Agreement. These funds
will be instrumental in catalysing up to $3.3 billion in private investment for climate
infrastructure projects in IPEF economies party to the IPEF Clean Economy Agreement.

iia
The Fund’s founding supporters include Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the
United States.
The IPEF partners also announced four new CWPs based on proposals put forward by
partners:
• On carbon markets, interested IPEF partners initially are seeking to understand existing
regional carbon market priorities and identify strategies for improving the enabling
conditions for cooperation;
• Interested IPEF partners also are pursuing clean electricity enhancement to facilitate
increased decarbonization and access to clean energy in the region, including through
public-private cooperation;
• To advance the promotion of employment creation and labor rights and strengthen
efforts to address employment shifts in the move to clean energy, interested IPEF
partners endeavor to pursue workforce development efforts to ensure a just transition
towards achieving a clean economy; and
• Interested IPEF partners will collaborate on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to enhance the
availability and affordability of SAF and its feedstocks, so as to catalyse and develop
regional SAF value chains in the region.
• India has also proposed certain specific Cooperative Work Programmes and is working
with IPEF partners for their early adoption.
Note: Pillar II: Building Supply Chain Resiliency for the Indo-Pacific, Pillar III: Cooperating to
Accelerate the Transition to Cleaner IPEF Economies, Pillar IV: Enhancing Transparency and
Predictability in the Business Environment.
About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):

IPEF was launched in May 2022, bringing together 14 regional partners – Australia, Brunei,
Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam – in a new model of economic
cooperation.
12. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted first successful flight
test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-
Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

iia
The flight test named “Mission Divyastra” was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in
Odisha.
13. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, launched its 24th Center of
Entrepreneurship (CoE) - "FinGlobe”, dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the
financial technology sector, at STPI-Gandhinagar, GIFT City, Gujarat.
• K Rajaraman, Chairperson, International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
inaugurated the CoE and its maiden Open Challenge Program (OCP) for the startups
amidst the presence of Ms Mona K Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science
& Technology, Government of Gujarat, and other dignitaries.
• The FinGlobe CoE, which has been set up in association with the Department of Science
and Technology, Government of Gujarat, aims to serve as a catalyst for the development
and proliferation of cutting-edge technologies within the financial services domain.
• By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, expert mentorship, and a collaborative
ecosystem, FinGlobe CoE seeks to empower startups, entrepreneurs, and established
players to ideate, innovate, and scale their solutions in the FinTech, TechFin, Banking
Industry and allied domains.
• The CoE provides 50 Plug-n-Play incubation seats.
Five MoUs were exchanged by STPINext Initiatives with its CoE partners i.e., (n)Code Solutions
(IT Division of GNFC Limited); Centre for Advancing and Launching Enterprises (CrAdLE), a
Technology Business Incubator at Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII),
Ahmedabad; Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar; GVFL Limited and TiE-
Ahmedabad.
14. Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has
approved fund worth Rs 15,000 crore for an indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium
Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet project for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian single-seat, twin-engine, all-
weather fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft being developed for the Indian Air
Force and the Indian Navy.
Other approval:

iia
The Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared a proposal for 34 new Advanced Light
Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv choppers, of which nine will be inducted in the Indian Coast Guard
while 25 of them will go to the Indian Army.
15. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has witnessed the ‘Bharat Shakti’ – a Tri-Services
Firing and Manoeuvre Exercise’ in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
‘Bharat Shakti’ has displayed an array of indigenous weapon systems and platforms as a
demonstration of the prowess of the country, premised on the nation’s Aatmanirbharata
initiative.
Key Equipment and Weapons Systems participated in the exercise include: T-90 (IM)
Tanks, Dhanush and Sarang Gun Systems, Akash Weapons System, Logistics Drones, Robotic
Mules, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and an array of unmanned aerial vehicles among
others, from Indian Army showcasing the advanced ground warfare and aerial surveillance
capabilities. Indian Navy showcased Naval Anti-Ship Missiles, Autonomous Cargo Carrying
Aerial Vehicles, and Expendable Aerial Targets, highlighting maritime strength and
technological sophistication. Indian Air Force deployed the indigenously developed Light
Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Utility Helicopters, and Advanced Light Helicopters,
demonstrating air superiority and versatility in air operations.
Bharat Shakti simulates realistic, synergised, multi-domain operations displaying integrated
operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces to counter threats across land, air, sea,
cyber, and space domains.
16. 'Agray' and 'Akshay', the 5th and 6th ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Watercraft (SWC) Project
being built by M/S GRSE for Indian Navy, were launched on 13 March 2024 at M/S GRSE,
Kolkata.
Key points:
• The Launch Ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Chief of the
Air staff. In keeping with maritime tradition, Mrs Neeta Chaudhari, President AFFWA,
launched the ships to the invocation from Atharva Veda.
• The ships have been rechristened as Agray and Akshay, named after erstwhile Abhay
Class Corvettes Agray and Akshay of Indian Navy.
• The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of
Defence (MOD) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 29 April
2019.
• The ASW SWC ships are 77.6 m long & 105 m wide with a displacement of 900 tons and
endurance of over 1800 NM.
• In the last one year, 3 indigenously built warships/ submarine for Indian Navy have been
delivered and a total of 09 warships were launched.
• The launch of two more ships of the project highlights the nation's resolve towards
'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in shipbuilding.

iia
• The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large
scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating
employment and capability enhancement within the country.
17. The protocol for establishment of Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) between
India and Dominican Republic was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) of
Dominican Republic at Santo Domingo in March 2024.
The protocol was signed by H.E. Mr. Roberto Álvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Dominican
Republic and Mr. Ramu Abbagani, Ambassador of India to the Dominican Republic on behalf
of the Department of Commerce.
The protocol envisages to strengthen and develop cooperation on trade, services, industrial
technologies, and various other sectors by means of technical assistance, training
programmes and capacity building.
India primarily imports gold from the Dominican Republic and exports pharmaceuticals,
marine products, motor vehicles, two and three wheelers etc., to them.
18. NITI Aayog has launched the 'Vocal for Local' initiative under its Aspirational Blocks
Programme on 13th March 2024 in a move towards bolstering local economies and fostering
grassroots entrepreneurship.
• The logo for ‘Aakanksha’ was also unveiled under the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative by Prof.
Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog in presence of Shri. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI
Aayog.
• As a part of this initiative, indigenous local products from 500 Aspirational Blocks have
been mapped and consolidated under Aakanksha.
• In order to encourage these products, a dedicated window for Aspirational Blocks
Programme under the brand name ‘Aakanksha’ on GeM portal has been established.
Note: NITI Aayog was established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission.
19. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Railways, and Electronics &
Information Technology has launched the 'NITI for States' platform, a comprehensive digital
initiative designed to empower states and union territories (UTs) in their pursuit of national
development goals.
The ‘NITI For States’ is a cross-sectoral knowledge platform designed to become a Digital
Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Policy and Good Governance.
The significant features of the platform include a multi-sectoral live repository of 7,500 Best
Practices, 5,000 Policy documents, 900+ datasets, 1,400 data profiles, and 350 NITI
publications.

iia
The knowledge products on the platform span 10 sectors including Agriculture, Education,
Energy, Health, Livelihoods and Skilling, Manufacturing, MSME, Tourism, Urban, Water
resources & WASH across two cross-cutting themes – Gender and Climate Change.
STATES AFFAIRS
20. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Administrative & Training
building at the Naval War College (NWC) in Goa. The modern edifice, named the 'Chola’,
pays homage to the mighty maritime empire of the Chola dynasty of ancient India.
The event marked a significant milestone in the history of the NWC, reinforcing its
commitment to excellence in military education and nurturing maritime thought.
During the event, he has also inaugurated two major piers in Naval Base, Karwar, which are
part of ongoing Phase IIA of Project Seabird. These developments will significantly enhance
the strategic presence on the western coast of the country.
21. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated India's first government-owned
Over-The-Top (OTT) platform at Kairali Theatre.
The OTT platform named 'CSpace' is managed by the Kerala State Film Development
Corporation (KSFDC).
The priority of CSpace is to onboard and stream contents with artistic and cultural values.
This will also help the promotion of the Malayalam language and culture.
A special curator panel is set by KSFDC to select content for the platform.
In the first phase, 42 films, including 35 feature films, six documentaries and one short film
have been admitted to CSpace and will be available to the public for streaming.
22. Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to issue 5 crore Ayushman cards under
the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
The State has issued 50,017,920 Ayushman cards and benefited 74,382,304 individuals.
A total of 3,716 hospitals in the State are impanelled under this scheme.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, a total of 3,481,252 health claims have been filed, with
3,275,737 claims settled, representing a settlement rate of 92.48 percent in the State.
Along with this achievement, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of patients
receiving free treatment under this scheme daily. Previously, the average daily admission of
patients under this scheme was 2,000, which has now increased to approximately 8,000 per
day.

iia
23. “North India’s first Government Homoeopathic College, centrally funded at a cost of
Rs.80 Crore will come up in Jasrota area of district Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Institution is being built in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government’s
healthcare approach of synergizing allopathic with Ayush streams of medicine, including
Homoeopathy, Ayurveda, and naturopathy.
Note: Homeopathy, also known as homeopathic medicine, is a medical system that was
developed in Germany more than 200 years ago. It’s based on two unconventional theories:
“Like cures like” and “Law of minimum dose”.
24. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, and laid the
foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs.17,500 crores in
Jorhat, Assam.
The development projects encompass the sectors of health, oil and gas, rail, and housing.
Key points:
• The Prime Minister unveiled a 125-foot bronze statue of 'Ahom general' “Lachit
Borphukan” in Jorhat, Assam.
• The Prime Minister also dedicated Barauni - Guwahati Pipeline under PM Urja Ganga
Yojna to the nation. The gas pipeline will connect the Northeastern grid with the national
grid and help supply gas to 30 lakh homes and more than 600 CNG stations, thereby
benefiting people from more than 30 districts of Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for projects under the Prime Minister’s
Development Initiative for North Eastern Region (PM-DevINE) scheme including the
Medical College & Hospital at Sivasagar and a Hemato-Lymphoid center in Guwahati.
• He also laid the foundation stone for important projects in the oil and gas sector including
the capacity expansion of Digboi Refinery from 0.65 to 1 MMTPA (million metric tonnes
per annum); Guwahati Refinery Expansion (1.0 to 1.2 MMTPA) along with installation of
Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU); and augmentation of Facilities at Betkutchi (Guwahati)
Terminal: Indian Oil Corporation Limited, among others.
• The Prime Minister dedicated to nation important projects like new medical Medical
College and Hospital at Tinsukia; and 718 Km long Barauni - Guwahati Pipeline (part of
Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project) built at a cost of about Rs 3,992 crore, among others.

iia
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated about 5.5 lakh homes under Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G), constructed at a total cost of about Rs.8,450 crore.
• The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation important railway projects worth more than Rs
1300 crore in Assam including Dhupdhara-Chhaygaon section (part of New Bongaigaon –
Guwahati Via Goalpara Doubling Project) and New Bongaigaon – Sorbhog Section (part of
New Bongaigaon – Agthori Doubling Project).
Note: Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. It is
spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands, and grasslands
are home to tigers, elephants, and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned
rhinoceroses.
25. Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has launched the Jharkhand Widow Remarriage
Promotion Scheme 2024. Under this scheme, the government has decided to provide Rs.2
lakh to those widows who want to remarriage.
The initiative encourages remarriage within a year.

The applicants need a marriage registration certificate, and upon approval, receive the
financial support to facilitate their integration into society.
Notably, the Jharkhand government allocated a budget of Rs 1.28 lakh crore for the fiscal
year 2024-25.
26. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated
the newly formed Bichom district, carved out of West Kameng and East Kameng districts in
Arunachal Pradesh.
It has become the 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh.

• In February 2024, the state assembly passed the Arunachal Pradesh (Re-Organisation of
Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for the creation of Bichom district.
• A total of 27 villages from West Kameng and 28 from East Kameng were made part of
Bichom district.
• A testing centre and administrative building of Central Agricultural University (Imphal)
were also inaugurated, and houses distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
27. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated “Mahtari Vandan Yojana” in
Chhattisgarh.
• The scheme has been launched to provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month to
eligible married women of the state as monthly DBT.
• The first instalment of Rs.655 crore has been disbursed under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana.

iia
• The scheme will provide benefits to all eligible married women of the state who are above
21 years of age as of January 1, 2024.
• Widows, divorced, and deserted women will also be eligible for this scheme.
• Around 70 lakh women will benefit from the scheme.
28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel project
during the Viksit Bharat Viksit North East programme in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh on
March 9, 2024.
• The tunnel has been constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of
13,000 feet on the road connecting Tezpur, Assam to Tawang in the West Kameng district
of Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is built at a total cost of Rs 825 crore.
• The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang across Sela Pass on the Balipara
- Chariduar - Tawang Road, boosting the preparedness of the Armed Forces and
augmenting the socio-economic development of the border region.
Note: The foundation stone of the tunnel was laid by the Prime Minister in 2019.
29. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram.
Kochrab Ashram was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India
from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat
Vidyapeeth.
The Prime Minister also launched the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial. Under
this master plan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres. 36
existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including ‘Hriday Kunj’,
which served as Gandhi's residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will
be reproduced.
30. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of petrochemicals complex of
petronet LNG at Dahej, Gujarat. He has also dedicated to the nation 50 Pradhan Mantri
Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
31. Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Jal
Shakti, Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated India’s first FutureLABS center in C-DAC
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

iia
This center, namely, “Centre for Semiconductor Chips & Systems for Strategic
Electronics”, will be playing a crucial role in catalyzing an ecosystem for next generation chip
design, manufacturing, and research.
Other announcements:
• There was a collaboration announced between C-DAC (T) and the Ministry of Railways for
the development of electric locomotive technologies.
• An MoU was signed between C-DAC(T) and Tata Power for the development and
deployment of microgrid technologies.
• There was also the announcement for the transfer of technology of the electric vehicle
wireless charger, developed by C-DAC(T) and VNIT Nagpur, to BelRise Industries Limited.
32. The Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Narayan Rane laid the
foundation stone of MSME-Technology Centre, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.
• Narayan Rane also inaugurated an exhibition on PM Vishwakarma.
• 20 New Technology Centres and 100 Extension Centres to enhance the access to Technology
by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will be established by Government of India across
the country.
MSME-Technology Centre, Sindhudurg, with an estimated project cost of Rs 182 Crores, will
focus on sectors like General Engineering and Food Processing and will create new
opportunities of growth for the MSMEs in the nearby areas.
33. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted air operator’s certificate to Just
Udo Aviation Pvt Ltd, located in Goa, to operate its airline Fly91.
The grant of the air operator certificate marks the completion of all regulatory and
compliance requirements for the airline to begin its commercial operations.
The airline has been allocated its first set of routes under the government’s regional
connectivity scheme UDAN, or Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik. This includes routes to Sindhudurg,
Jalgaon, Nanded and Agatti from Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad and Pune under the UDAN 5.0
of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
34. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of 2,880 MW Dibang
Multipurpose Hydropower Project of NHPC Limited in Lower Dibang Valley district of
Arunachal Pradesh, at a Viksit Bharat Viksit North East Program in Itanagar, Arunachal
Pradesh.
The Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for
multiple development projects worth about Rs. 55,600 crores in Manipur, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. The development projects encompass
sectors like rail, road, health, housing, education, border infrastructure, IT, Power, oil and gas,
among others.

iia
35. Union Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the first-of- its-
kind "National Speed Breeding Crop Facility" at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology
Institute (NABI) in Mohali.
This initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priority of doubling the farmer’s
income, ensuring their economic empowerment and promoting Agri-StartUps.
“DBT institute of NABI has developed technology of ‘Climate- resistant crops’, by harnessing
these technologies the farmers will not be restrained to cultivate a crop in a particular season
rather they will have the liberty to practise farming irrespective of climate conduciveness”.
36. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah inaugurated commencement
of PNG facilities in 41 villages and various development projects in 178 villages with an outlay
of Rs.383 crore under “Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan” in Delhi.
The objectives of “Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan” include enhancing quality of life of the villagers
by identifying and addressing gaps in infrastructure and civic amenities, strategic planning
tailored to local needs, fostering active community participation in decision making processes
and equitable access to community assets and opportunities.
• Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply in 41 villages has also been started by spreading 100 km
of pipeline network at a cost of Rs 20 crore by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL).
• The Government of India is committed to provide green energy in the national capital as
PNG is safe, affordable, and eco-friendly.
37. Taking significant strides towards unlocking the potential of critical and deep-seated
minerals, the states of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra
Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have issued Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT) for the auction of
Exploration Licence (EL).
The Exploration Licence regime has been introduced through amendment to the Mines
and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 effect from 17.08.2023, to further
boost exploration and mining of 29 critical and deep-seated minerals in the country.
• Exploration Licence can be granted for minerals specified in Seventh Schedule through
auction.
• Process for grant of Exploration Licence has been notified through the Mineral (Auction)
Amendment Rules, 2024.
The Exploration Licence regime is aimed at expediting the exploration of critical minerals such
as lithium, copper, silver, diamond, and gold, involves active participation from the private
sector.
38. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of various developmental
projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores at Dedicated Freight Corridor’s Operation Control
Centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

iia
Key Points:
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/
Coaching Depots; Phaltan – Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work
and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of Dedicated Freight Corridor between New
Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New
Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC’s Operation Control Center
(OCC), Ahmedabad.
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG
including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej,
Gujarat.
• The Prime Minister also flagged off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad -
Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr. MGR Central (Chennai),
Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun,
Kalaburagi – Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi
(Nizamuddin).
• The Prime Minister dedicated to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi
Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality
generic medicines to the people.
• The Prime Minister also dedicated 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the
Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different
modes of transportation.
• The Prime Minister dedicated more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the
nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate
income for local artisans and businesses.
• The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975
locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the
railways' carbon footprint.
39. The Ministry of Minority Affairs inspired by ‘Panch Pran’ of Honourable Prime Minister has
approved projects under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) Scheme for

iia
‘Establishment of Centre for Jain Studies in Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore
Campus with the total estimated cost of Rs. 25 Crore.
• The project by the university will be undertaken for preservation and promotion of Jain
Heritage, fostering interdisciplinary research in same, enhancing global understanding of
Jainism and its principles and practices and developing a support for community
engagement.
• Aligned with the purpose of ‘Viksit Bharat’, Ministry of Minority Affairs desires that Devi
Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), Indore should collaborate for integrated development of
Jain Communities for conservation of the Jain cultural heritage and knowledge along with
research and development of Jain literature.
40. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone for 22 National Highway Projects, spanning 268 Km and valued at over
Rs.4,000 Crore in Mysuru, Karnataka.
• Notably, initiatives like the Huliyar-KB cross-Chunchanahalli-Nelligere road aim to
enhance connectivity between Mysuru and North Karnataka.
• The 4-lane expansion of Belur-Hassan and Yedegowdanahalli-Bilikere road, coupled with
the installation of Road over Bridges (ROBs) at Hangarahalli and Holenarasipur Bypass,
anticipates a notable 2-hour reduction in travel time.
• The construction of a major bridge over Lakshmana tirtha River seeks to decongest
Hunsur Town, echoing the commitment to streamlined urban planning.
• The strategic inclusion of major and minor bridges, as well as Road over Bridges (ROBs) on
railway level crossings, underscores a concerted effort to facilitate unhindered traffic
movement.
Note: The Lakshmana Tirtha is a river of Karnataka, India. It rises in Kodagu district and flows
eastward. It joins the Kaveri in the Krishna Raja Sagara Lake.
41. Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated Fly91, a
regional airline and flagged off its maidan flight between Manohar International Airport
(MOPA), Goa and Agatti Islands, Lakshadweep.
• Manohar International Airport is an international airport at Mopa in Pernem Taluka, North

Goa district in the state of Goa, India.
• Agatti Island is a 7.6 km long island, situated on a coral atoll called Agatti atoll in the Union
Territory of Lakshadweep, India.

iia
42. India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Trade and Economic Partnership
Agreement (TEPA) in March 2024.
India has been working on a TEPA with EFTA countries comprising Switzerland, Iceland,
Norway & Liechtenstein.
The agreement comprises of 14 chapters with main focus on market access related to
goods, rules of origin, trade facilitation, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary
measures, technical barriers to trade, investment promotion, market access on services,
intellectual property rights, trade and sustainable development and other legal and
horizontal provisions.
The highlights of the agreement are:
• EFTA has committed to promote investments with the aim to increase the stock of foreign
direct investments by USD 100 billion in India in the next 15 years, and to facilitate the
generation of 1 million direct employment in India, through such investments. The
investments do not cover foreign portfolio investment.
• For the first ever time in the history of FTAs, a legal commitment is being made about
promoting target-oriented investment and creation of jobs.
• EFTA is offering 92.2% of its tariff lines which covers 99.6% of India’s exports. The EFTA’s
market access offer covers 100% of non-agri products and tariff concession on Processed
Agricultural Products (PAP).
• India is offering 82.7% of its tariff lines which covers 95.3% of EFTA exports of which more
than 80% import is Gold.
• India has offered 105 sub-sectors to the EFTA and secured commitments in 128 sub-
sectors from Switzerland, 114 from Norway, 107 from Liechtenstein, and 110 from
Iceland.
• TEPA provides an opportunity to integrate into EU markets. Over 40% of Switzerland’s
global services exports are to the EU. Indian companies can look to Switzerland as a base
for extending its market reach to the EU.
• TEPA will give impetus to “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging
domestic manufacturing in sectors such as Infrastructure and Connectivity,

iia
Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Food Processing, Transport and
Logistics, Banking and Financial Services and Insurance.
Note: European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is an inter-governmental organization set up

in 1960 for the promotion of free trade and economic integration for the benefit of its four
Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). Among EFTA countries,
Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
43. Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), becoming the
alliance's 32nd member.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an
intergovernmental military alliance of 32 member states. It was established in the aftermath
of World War II, the organization implements the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington,
D.C., on 4 April 1949. NATO's main headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.
44. Panama has officially gained membership of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). It has
become the 97th member of ISA.
This will enable Panama's commitment to promote the promotion and development of solar
energy in the energy sector.
The importance and impact of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was showcased at its 6th
conference, which was held at Pragati Maidan 'Bharat Mandapam' in New Delhi.
REPORTS & INDICES
45. Rating agency CRISIL, in its India Outlook report, has raised India’s GDP forecast for FY25 to
6.8 percent from 6.4 percent estimated earlier, citing higher growth momentum.
As per the report, the growth will moderate in FY25 from 7.6 percent in the current financial
year (FY24) as higher interest rates and lower fiscal impulse will temper demand and the net
tax impact will normalise.
The report also expects the Indian economy to grow at an average rate of 6.7 per cent till the
end of this decade.
The report projects manufacturing and services to grow 9.1 percent and 6.9 percent
respectively, between fiscal 2025 and 2031.

iia
The rating agency expects overall capex to grow 9-11 percent annually over the next four
financial years.
Private capex is expected to rise to Rs 6.5 trillion annually on average between FY24 and
FY28, from Rs 3.9 trillion in the preceding five years.
46. The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on 12th of every
month (or previous working day if 12th is a holiday) with a six-week lag and compiled with
data received from source agencies, which in turn receive the data from the producing
factories/ establishments.
• India's Index of Industrial Production grown by 3.8% in January 2024.
• For the month of January 2024, the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
with base 2011-12 stands at 153.0.
• The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors
for the month of January 2024 stand at 144.1, 150.1 and 197.1 respectively.
• As per Use-based classification, the indices stand at 154.2 for Primary Goods, 109.2 for
Capital Goods, 163.0 for Intermediate Goods and 185.0 for Infrastructure/ Construction
Goods for the month of January 2024.
• Further, the indices for Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables stand at 120.7
and 163.9 respectively for the month of January 2024.
About Index of Industrial Production (IIP):

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index for India which details out the growth of
various sectors in an economy such as mineral mining, electricity, and manufacturing. It is
compiled and published monthly by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistical
and Programme Implementation six weeks after the reference month ends.
The current base year is 2011-2012.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES

47. The Union Government has approved a scheme to promote India as a manufacturing
destination so that e-vehicles (EV) with the latest technology can be manufactured in the
country. The policy is designed to attract investments in the e-vehicle space by reputed global
EV manufacturers.
This will provide Indian consumers with access to latest technology, boost the Make in India
initiative, strengthen the EV ecosystem by promoting healthy competition among EV players
leading to high volume of production, economies of scale, lower cost of production, reduce
imports of crude Oil, lower trade deficit, reduce air pollution, particularly in cities, and will
have a positive impact on health and environment.
The policy entails the following: -
• Minimum Investment required: Rs 4150 Crore
• No limit on maximum Investment

iia
• Timeline for manufacturing: 3 years for setting up manufacturing facilities in India, and to
start commercial production of e- vehicles, and reach 50% domestic value addition (DVA)
within 5 years at the maximum.
• Domestic value addition (DVA) during manufacturing: A localization level of 25% by the
3rd year and 50% by the 5th year will have to be achieved.
• The customs duty of 15% (as applicable to CKD units) would be applicable on vehicle of
minimum CIF value of USD 35,000 and above for a total period of 5 years subject to the
manufacturer setting up manufacturing facilities in India within a 3-year period.
• The duty foregone on the total number of EV allowed for import would be limited to the
investment made or Rs 6484 Crore (equal to incentive under PLI scheme) whichever is
lower. A maximum of 40,000 EVs at the rate of not more than 8,000 per year would be
permissible if the investment is of USD 800 Mn or more. The carryover of unutilized
annual import limits would be permitted.
• The Investment commitment made by the company will have to be backed up by a bank
guarantee in lieu of the custom duty forgone.
• The Bank guarantee will be invoked in case of non-achievement of DVA and minimum
investment criteria defined under the scheme guidelines.
48. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a nationwide initiative aimed at
offering credit support to the marginalized segments of society, where Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest of the event.
• During the event, PM unveiled the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar
Adharit Jankalyan' (PM-SURAJ) national portal online which symbolized the ministry’s
dedication in placing the underprivileged at the forefront, towards uplifting the most
marginalized sections of society, and supported credit assistance to one lakh
entrepreneurs hailing from disadvantaged communities.
• Ayushman health cards and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits were distributed by
the ministry to sewer and septic tank workers (Safai Mitras) under the National Action for
Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).
• The Ayushman health card is a form of identification issued under the Ayushman Bharat
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a government-sponsored health insurance

iia
scheme in India. It provides beneficiaries with access to cashless and paperless healthcare
services at empaneled hospitals.
49. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two contracts for a combined value of Rs.8073.17
crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru for acquisition of 34 Advanced
Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for Indian Army
(25 ALHs) and Indian Coast Guard (09 ALHs) under Buy (Indian-IDDM - Indigenously Designed,
Developed & Manufactured) category marking a significant move towards indigenisation in
defence manufacturing.
• The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility), the Indian Army version, is designed for Search &
Rescue, Troop Transportation, Internal Cargo, Recce/ Casualty Evacuation etc. It has
proved its performance in high altitude regions like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.
• The ALH Mk III MR (Maritime Role), the ICG version, is designed for Maritime Surveillance
and Interdiction, Search and Rescue, Rappelling Operations and for Cargo & Personnel
Transportation, Pollution Response using external cargo carrying capability and Medical
Casualty Evacuation. It has proved its mettle even in adverse atmospherics conditions
over sea and land.
50. Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024) scheme has introduced by Ministry of
Heavy Industries, Government of India with the approval of Department of Expenditure,
Ministry of Finance to further accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country.
This is a fund limited scheme with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crore for the period of 4
months, w.e.f. 1st April 2024 till 31st July 2024, for faster adoption of electric two-wheeler (e-
2W) and three-wheeler (e-3W) to provide further impetus to the green mobility and
development of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing eco-system in the country.
Eligible EV categories
• Two Wheelers (electric) (e-2W)
• Three-wheeler (electric) including registered e-rickshaws & e-carts and L5 (e-3W)
With greater emphasis on providing affordable and environment friendly public

transportation options for the masses, scheme will be applicable mainly to those e-2W and e-
3Ws registered for commercial purposes. Further, in addition to commercial use, privately or
corporate owned registered e-2W will also be eligible under the scheme.
The Scheme promotes an efficient, competitive, and resilient EV manufacturing industry in
the country thereby promoting the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat. For
this purpose, Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) has been adopted which encourages
domestic manufacturing and strengthening off EV supply chain.

iia
51. The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has announced
the Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance (RPTUAS) Scheme.
• It is a significant step in the government’s efforts to help upgrade the technological
capabilities of our pharmaceutical industry and ensure its alignment with the global
standards.
• The approval of the revised Scheme follows a comprehensive review by the Scheme
Steering Committee in light of the requirements of the revised Schedule-M of the Drugs
and Cosmetics Rule, 1945 as issued by the Department of Health & Family Welfare in
2023.
• The revised guideline aims to support the pharmaceutical industry's up-gradation to the
Revised Schedule-M & WHO-GMP standards, enhancing the quality and safety of
pharmaceutical products manufactured in our country.
Key Features of the Revised Scheme:
• Broadened Eligibility Criteria: Reflecting a more inclusive approach, eligibility for the
PTUAS has been expanded beyond Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to include any
pharmaceutical manufacturing unit with a turnover of less than 500 crores that requires
technology and quality upgradation. Preference remains for MSMEs, supporting smaller
players in achieving high-quality manufacturing standards.
• Flexible Financing Options: The scheme introduces more flexible financing options,
emphasizing subsidies on reimbursement basis, over traditional credit-linked approach.
This flexibility is designed to diversify the financing options of the participating units,
facilitating a more widespread adoption of the scheme.
• Comprehensive Support for Compliance with New Standards: In alignment with

revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP standards, the scheme now supports a broader range
of technological upgrades. Eligible activities include improvements such as HVAC systems,
water, and steam utilities, testing laboratories, stability chambers, clean room facilities,
effluent treatment, waste management etc. ensuring comprehensive support for
participating units.
• Dynamic Incentive Structure: Pharmaceutical units with the following average turnover
for the last three years will be eligible for incentive subject to a maximum of Rs. 1.00 crore
per unit: -
Turnover Incentives
i) Turnover less than Rs. 50.00 20% of investment under

crore eligible activities
ii) Turnover from Rs. 50.00 crore 15% of investment under
to less than Rs. 250.00 crore eligible activities;

iia
iii) Turnover from Rs. 250.00 10% of investment under
crore to less than Rs. 500.00 eligible activities.
crore
• State Government Scheme Integration: The revised scheme allows integration with
state government schemes, enabling units to benefit from additional top-up assistance.
This collaborative approach aims to maximize support for the pharmaceutical industry in
their technology upgradation efforts.
• Enhanced Verification Mechanism: The scheme introduces a robust verification

mechanism through a Project Management Agency, ensuring transparency,
accountability, and the efficient allocation of resources.
52. The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the 5th edition of "Jal
Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain" (JSA: CTR 2024) campaign on 9th March 2024, at the NDMC
Convention Centre in New Delhi.
The campaign, themed "Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti," emphasises the integral role of women
in water conservation and management.
The campaign comes under the National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources,
River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation in collaboration with the Department of Drinking
Water & Sanitation.
The Union Minister also virtually launched two books namely “Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2019 to 2023-
The Journey for Sustainable Water Future” and “101 glimpse of Women Power: Through the prism
of Jal Jeevan Mission”.
Focused interventions of the campaign includes:
• Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
• Enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific
plans for water conservation.
• Setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts
• Intensive afforestation
• Awareness generation
Apart from the these interventions, JSA: CTR 2024 will have a distinctive emphasis on
following key aspects this year (i) de-silting and cleaning of water bodies, (ii) Revitalizing
Abandoned/Defunct Borewells for groundwater recharge, (iii) Geo-tagging of water bodies,
coupled with meticulous mapping and regular updates in the State's revenue records, (iv)
Intensified afforestation efforts in the catchment areas of water bodies, (v) Snow harvesting
in hilly areas like stupas in Ladakh for conserving water and (vi) Rejuvenation of Small Rivers.
Background:
The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan in 2019 as a “Jan Andolan” to initiate
water conservation at the grass-root level through citizen participation to accelerate water
conservation across the country. JSA could not be implemented in 2020 due to restrictions

iia
imposed by Covid 19 pandemic and the Ministry of Jal Shakti implemented the ‘Catch the
Rain’ (CTR) campaign. Ever since it was launched as "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain"
Campaign in 2021, it has become an annual feature covering all the blocks of all districts
(rural as well as urban areas) across the country.
Note: "Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024” is the fifth edition in the JSA:CTR series which
is being implemented from 9th March, 2024 to 30th November, 2024.
53. Accelerating the efforts to boost quality infrastructure in the country, the Government of
India initiated a scheme thorough the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National
Standards Body of India, for upgradation and strengthening of the laboratory network in the
country.
With proposals over Rs.340 crore screened, the move is anticipated to give a significant
boost to the quality infrastructure of India by enhancing testing facilities across critical
sectors including Textiles, Food, Legal Metrology, and Power Transmission.
The Centre has now also extended the scheme towards supporting other laboratories for
creation/augmentation of test facilities in critical areas to the laboratories of institutions of
higher education and private organisations running laboratories for R&D purposes or not for
profit basis.
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India under
Department of Consumer affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public
Distribution, Government of India. It is established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act,
2016 which came into effect on 12 October 2017. BIS is responsible for the harmonious
development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods
and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
BIS has its Headquarters at New Delhi.
54. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of
the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade for Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme, 2024 (UNNATI – 2024)
for a period of 10 years from the date of notification along with 8 years for committed
liabilities.
The scheme's main objective is to generate gainful employment, which will lead to the area's
overall socio-economic development. It will create productive economic activity in the
manufacturing and service sectors.
The following incentives would be available under the scheme to investors for setting up new
units or undertaking significant expansion of the existing units.
S. Where GST is applicable Where GST is not applicable

No

iia
1 Capital Investment Incentive (For Both Capital Investment Incentive (For Both
New & Expanding Units): New & Expanding Units):
Zone A: 30% of eligible value of investment Zone A: 30% of eligible value of
in plant and machinery / construction of investment in plant and machinery /
building & durable physical assets with construction of building & durable
cap of Rs.5Cr. physical assets with cap of Rs. 10 Cr.
Zone B: 50% of eligible value of Zone B: 50% of eligible value of

investment in plant and machinery / investment in plant and machinery /
construction of building & durable construction of building & durable
physical assets with cap of Rs. 7.5 Cr. physical assets with cap of Rs. 10 Cr.
2 Central Capital Interest Subvention (For Central Capital Interest Subvention (For
Both New & Expanding Units): Both New & Expanding Units):
Zone A: 3% interest subvention offered

Zone A: 3% interest subvention offered
for 7 years
for 7 years
Zone B: 5% interest subvention offered
Zone B: 5% interest subvention offered
for 7 years
for 7 years
3 Manufacturing & Services linked incentive NIL

(MSLI)– For New Units only – linked to Net
Payment of GST, i.e., GST paid less Input
Tax Credit with upper limit of
Zone A: 75% of eligible value of investment

in P&M
Zone B: 100% of eligible value of
investment in P&M
Maximum Eligible benefits to one unit from all components of the scheme: Rs. 250 Cr.
The financial outlay of the proposed scheme is Rs.10,037 crore.

The scheme is proposed to be divided into two parts.
• Part- A caters to the incentives to the eligible units (Rs. 9737 crores)
• Part-B is for implementation and institutional arrangements for the scheme (Rs. 300
Crore).
The scheme will remain effective up to 31st March 2034.

iia
The proposed scheme envisages approximately 2180 applications, and it is anticipated that
direct employment opportunities of about 83,000 will be generated during the scheme
period.
Industrial unit will be allowed to apply for registration from the date of notification up to 31st
March 2026.
All applications for registration shall have to be disposed of by 31st March 2027.
All eligible Industrial Units to commence their production or operation within 4 years from
the grant of registration.
Districts are categorized in two zones: Zone A (Industrially Advanced Districts) & Zone B
(Industrially Backward Districts)
60% of the outlay of Part A has been earmarked to 8 North-Eastern states and 40% on First-
In-First-Out (FIFO) basis.
All new Industrial units and Expanding units would be eligible for the respective incentives.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will implement the
scheme in cooperation with the states.
55. The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the comprehensive
national level ‘IndiaAI Mission’ with a budget outlay of Rs.10,371.92 crore.
The IndiaAI mission will establish a comprehensive ecosystem catalysing AI innovation

through strategic programs and partnerships across the public and private sectors.
The Mission will be implemented by ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under
Digital India Corporation (DIC) and has the following components:
• IndiaAI Compute Capacity
• IndiaAI Innovation Centre
• IndiaAI Datasets Platform
• IndiaAI Application Development Initiative
• IndiaAI FutureSkills
• IndiaAI Startup Financing
• Safe & Trusted AI
Other Cabinet approvals:
• The Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Law & Justice for introduction of
the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies
of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 in Parliament.
• Cabinet has approved an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central
Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1st April 2024
representing an increase of 4% over the existing rate of 46% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to

iia
compensate against price rise. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of
both DA and DR would be Rs.12,868.72 crore per annum.
• Cabinet has approved the continuation of targeted subsidy of Rs.300 per 14.2 kg cylinder
(and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinder) for up to 12 refills per year to be
provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during FY 2024-
25. As on 1st March, 2024 there are more than 10.27 crore PMUY beneficiaries. The total
expenditure will be Rs.12,000 crore for financial year 2024-25.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY

56. Airbus has signed a deal with the Indian Institute of Management in Mumbai (IIM
Mumbai) to provide aviation education to professionals and empower them with industry-
ready skills through Airbus Beyond programmes.
Under this deal, IIM Mumbai will offer short-term aviation courses to aspiring and working
professionals who will be able to harness the power of Airbus Beyond programmes in the
areas of aviation logistics, supply chain management, operations excellence, cargo handling,
strategic procurement, business analytics and digitisation.
IIM Mumbai will organise courses, onboard students and provide infrastructure and logistical
support.
57. Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep S Puri has inaugurated 201 CNG
stations and India’s first Small Scale Liquefied natural gas (LNG) Unit of GAIL (India)
Limited.
The 201 CNG stations have been set up by 15 City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities of GAIL
group in 52 Geographical Areas (Gas) across 17 states while India’s first small-scale LNG unit
has been set up by GAIL at its Vijaipur (Madhya Pradesh) LPG plant.
Out of these 15 CGD entities, 53 stations belong to GAIL Gas Limited, 50 to Indraprastha Gas
Limited, 43 to GAIL and 20 to Mahanagar Gas Limited, among others.
The government aims to establish approximately 17,500 CNG stations and provide about 120
million PNG (Domestic) connections by 2030, fostering the growth of ancillary industries and
contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat.
58. The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) has signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology
iia
(UCOST) to deploy pine needles-based fuel-making technology in Champawat district of
Uttarakhand.
The MoU includes implementing two technologies at the grassroots level in Champawat: A
briquetting unit with a capacity of 50 kg per hour based on Pine Needles and 500 units of
improved cookstoves for rural households.
The briquettes produced will be used as fuel in homes and local industries.
59. Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) for exploration and execution
of 4,100 MW capacity power projects.
The proposed electricity generation would be through a mix of coal fired thermal power
plant, solar projects, pump storage plant and wind projects. With Rajasthan exploring several
opportunities for securing power to meet the growing energy demand, the entire generation
would be acquired by the sunny state.
60. NLC India Limited has signed an MOU with the Government of Rajasthan for Formation of
Joint Venture to set up 125 MW Lignite Based Power Plant and 1000 MW Solar Power Plant.
• The MoU between NLC India Limited and RVUNL entails a staggering investment of more
than Rs 7000 Crores.
• Among the notable projects, the MoU outlines the establishment of a 125 MW Lignite Pit-
head Thermal Power Plant in Bikaner district and a massive 1000 MW Solar Power Plant,
further reinforcing NLCIL's commitment to renewable energy initiatives.
• Additionally, a LoI for the setup of an 810 MW solar power plant has already been issued.
This is in line with the corporate plan of NLC India to become a power major of 17 GW
capacity with more than 6 GW renewable capacity by 2030.
NTPC and its renewable energy arm NGEL have each signed a non-binding Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) in Jaipur
on 10th March 2024.
61. The state government of Karnataka has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the World
Economic Forum (WEF) to set up a centre for artificial intelligence (AI) in the state.
Karnataka centre will be integrated into the WEF’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
(C4IR) Network, a global platform emphasising inclusive technology governance and
responsible digital transformation.
The centre’s primary focus will be to position Karnataka as a prominent global hub for
Artificial Intelligence.
The centre will foster global dialogue on Al ethics and support Al startups for global visibility
and collaboration opportunities.

iia
62. India and Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation
between the two countries in the sphere of Law & Dispute Resolution.
The Memorandum of Understanding is on further cooperation between the two countries in

the areas of common interest such as international commercial dispute resolution; matters
relating to promotion of robust alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in respective
countries and establishment of Joint Consultative Committee to oversee the implementation
of the Memorandum of Understanding.
63. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved acquisition of stake in Asian
Institute of Nephrology and Urology Private Limited (AINU) by TPG Growth V SF Markets
Pte. Ltd. and Waverly Pte. Ltd. through Asia Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd (AHH).
• Waverly is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lathe Investment Private Limited which is in turn,
wholly-owned by GIC (Ventures) Pte Ltd. Waverly is a special purpose vehicle organized as
a private limited company in Singapore that is part of a group of investment holding
companies managed by GIC Special Investments Private Limited.
• AHH is a Singapore incorporated company and is primarily engaged in long-term
investment holding activities and through its direct/ indirect subsidiaries, is active in
providing healthcare services in the field of maternal, child, and other related healthcare
services in India. AHH is jointly owned and controlled by the TPG Group and Waverly.
• AINU, as a single-specialty center in South India, focuses on providing healthcare services
through hospitals, specializing in (i) urology care, (ii) nephrology care, and (iii) dialysis and
kidney transplant.
64. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), India’s largest oil company, will manufacture fuel
used in adrenaline-pumping Formula One or F1 motor racing.
F1 fuel is essentially high-octane petrol, and the standards are heavily regulated by global
motor sport governing body Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on various
counts, including permissible additives and blending agents.
IOC has recently unveiled ‘Storm’ petrol, a high-performance fuel specifically designed for
the Asian region motorcycle road racing championship.
IOC, in partnership with the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, will supply ‘Storm’ fuel to
motorcyclists from 15 countries participating in the championship.
IOC aims to produce Category-1 fuel, followed by the production of Formula 1 fuel within
three months.

iia
65. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Institute of
Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), an autonomous scientific society under
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and Information
Technology Institute (ITI) affiliated by Ministry of Communication and Information
Technology of the Arab Republic of Egypt on 12th March 2024 in Cairo, Egypt.
The broad areas of collaboration includes Curriculum and Training Materials Development,
Exchange of Trainers and Experts, Mutual Recognition of Certification, Sharing of Virtual Labs
Facility, Offering of Post Graduate (PG) Diplomas/ Technical Certificates to interns nominated
by ITI Egypt, Offering of B.Tech/ M.Tech Programs to Egyptian students, Free Digital literacy
flagship course to Egyptian students through NIELIT Virtual Academy etc.
66. Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has signed a Non-Financial

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL)
to support the livelihood intervention of DAY-NRLM by syncing their activities in livestock and
fisheries development.
• As part of the MoU, in initial phase a centralized Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) will be
established to support DAY-NRLM at national level and State PMU in Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Bihar will be
developed.
• The PMU will comprise specialists from livestock (as per the need in respective state),
Market Linkage etc. BFIL will also strengthen the Pashu Sakhis (last mile extension
workers at village) developed under DAY-NRLM to provide basic healthcare support to
animals.
• The other area of intervention will be on livestock cluster facilitation, developing IT
enabled ecosystem and also for providing veterinary care and facilitation support to SHG
households of DAY-NRLM.
67. Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has partnered with Sri Lanka-based Elephant
House to manufacture, market, distribute and sell beverages under the Elephant House
brand across India.
• Through the collaboration, RCPL will strengthen their beverage portfolio, which already
includes brands like Campa, Sosyo, and Raskik.
• The collaboration also offers Indian consumers great choices and value propositions
through quality products.
Note: RCPL is a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) arm and wholly owned subsidiary of
Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL).

iia
68. The Ministry of Rural Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) to formalize their partnership in
applications of geospatial technology and artificial intelligence.
The MoU centers around the project "BhuPRAHARI," an ambitious initiative aimed at
leveraging ground and space-based geospatial technologies along with Artificial Intelligence
to monitor and manage assets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• The project is to be executed by the HydroSense lab led by Prof. Manabendra Saharia.
• This collaboration is a commitment to harnessing the power of technology for the
betterment of rural development processes.
69. Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
has signed a tripartite MoU with Prasar Bharati (under the Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting) and Open Network for Digital Commerce to proliferate affordable and
accessible digital services across the country.
The objective of the MoU is to bundle broadband services with OTT and e-commerce
platform for the rural India riding on Bharat Net infrastructure under the USOF.
The USOF has been instrumental in enabling highspeed broadband and mobile connections
across Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country.
Note: USOF was set up by an Act of Parliament in December 2003 by amending the Indian
Telegraph Act, 1885.
70. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending
co-operation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures.
The MoU was signed between Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of
India and Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal
Government of Bhutan.
As part of this MoU, India aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the
household sector by promoting star labelling programme developed by Bureau of Energy
Efficiency.
71. Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT
Roorkee) have signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together to
encourage innovation and advance the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) sector. This MoU
was signed in the presence of Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of Heavy Industries, Shri
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of the State of Uttarakhand (through VC) and senior
officials of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the State of Uttarakhand.

iia
BANKING & FINANCE

72. The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $23
million loan agreement to enhance access to quality fintech education, research, and
innovation at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT-City).
The signatories to the loan agreement for Promoting Research and Innovation through
Development of Fintech Institute at GIFT-City Project were Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint
Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India,
and Mr. Rajesh Vasudevan, Officer-in Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.
This project will establish an International Fintech Institute (IFI) to strengthen fintech
education, boost start-up success rates, and drive fintech research and innovation.
• The IFI, set to be established in partnership with globally reputed institutes and
universities, will offer industry-aligned fintech training programmes that meet
international standards.
• The institute will strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting startups,
especially women-led, through incubation and acceleration services.
• It will also collaborate with industry and venture capital funds to support the growth of
fintech startups.
73. Indian Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa-backed Fairfax India has announced its commitment
to provide up to USD 200 million (about Rs 1,650 crore) liquidity support to IIFL Finance after
the Reserve Bank of India barred the non-bank lender to disburse gold loans.
Fairfax India is one of the long-term investors in the IIFL group of companies and it owns a
15% stake in IIFL Finance.
About IIFL Finance Limited:

IIFL Finance Limited is an Indian diversified financial services company. The organisation was
incorporated in October 1995 at Mumbai, Maharashtra.
its subsidiaries:
• IIFL Home Finance Limited
• IIFL Samasta Finance Limited (Formerly known as Samasta Microfinance Limited)
• IIFL Open Fintech Private Limited

iia
74. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced a Third (III) Settlement
Schemes for entities involved in the Illiquid Stock Options (ISO)/reversal trades segment of
Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in terms of Section 15JB of the SEBI Act, 1992 read with
Regulation 26 of SEBI (Settlement Proceedings) Regulations 2018.
The Scheme is being implemented from March 11, 2024, to May 10, 2024.
Under this, entities involved in reversal trades in stock options between April 01, 2014, and
September 30, 2015, with pending proceedings will be offered a settlement opportunity.
After the scheme period ends, Securities laws will be enforced against entities that do not
take advantage of this settlement opportunity.
75. The World Bank (WB), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) recently pledged nearly USD 600 million towards eliminating
cervical cancer.
This funding includes USD 400 million over three years by WB, USD 180 million from the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation, and USD 10 million from UNICEF.
This commitment was made during the first-ever “Global Cervical Cancer Elimination
Forum: Advancing the Call to Action” held in Cartagena, Colombia from 5th to 7th March
2024.
Key highlights:
• The funds will be utilised to enhance global access to vaccination, screening and
treatment for cervical cancer.
• The Forum aims to unite governments, donors, civil society, and stakeholders to eliminate
cervical cancer globally.
• A woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes, mostly in low and middle-income
countries with limited access to vaccines, screening, and treatment.
• Immunization against HPV can prevent the majority of cervical cancer cases.
76. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, organised a seminar on ‘Facilitating
Strategic Engagement with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) for a Future-Ready India’
in New Delhi.
• The seminar was organised to reemphasise the commitment of various stakeholders to

the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by reflecting on how to deepen India’s engagement with
MDBs for maximum transformative impact.
• The seminar saw participation of more than 200 participants from the Government of
India, all State Governments, all MDBs in operation in India and major private sector
partners.

iia
During the seminar, the key points of focus included the urgent need of speeding up
MDB’s operational processes and enhancing its role in areas of credit enhancement and
risk management to leverage greater private capital.
77. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued regulations to amend the
REIT Regulations 2014, establishing guidelines for creation of Small and Medium Real Estate
Investment Trusts (SM REITs).
This aims to regulate the fractional ownership industry and safeguard investor interests,
incorporating both commercial and residential properties within the new framework.
The new regulations will be called SEBI (REIT) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
Key points:
• SM REIT is allowed to gather funds starting from Rs.50 crore by issuing units to a
minimum of 200 investors. These funds are to be used for acquiring and managing real
estate assets, generating income for the investors.
• The ownership of these assets will be structured through one or more schemes, each
operating under special purpose vehicles (SPVs). An investment manager responsible for
setting up an SM REIT is required to have a net worth of at least Rs.20 crore, and a
separate trustee will be appointed for oversight.
• For SM REIT schemes, at least 95% of the assets must be fully developed and generating
revenue, compared to the 80% requirement for larger REITs.
• An initial offering for an SM REIT will have a minimum subscription amount of Rs.10 lakh
per investor, contrasting with the current norm where fractional platforms often require
an investment of about Rs.25 lakh.
• Moreover, the investment manager is mandated to retain a minimum of 5% of the total
outstanding units in each scheme for a period of two years, starting from the fourth-year
post-listing, until the fifth year's end. This is a reduction from the 15% that was proposed
by the Sebi consultation paper.
• However, SM REITs utilizing leverage must ensure a 15% co-investment by the manager,
with leverage capped at 49% of the REIT's assets.
78. In order to foster innovation and inclusivity within the NPS architecture, particularly through
its engagement of fintech entities as Point of Presence (PoP) thus, enhancing accessibility and
convenience, Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority (PFRDA) has inaugurated Zerodha Broking Limited's NPS web-app.

iia
The app offers seamless access of NPS to a wider subscriber base.
NPS provides continuity to retirement saving account irrespective of one’s employment
status and is available for non-resident Indians (NRIs).
79. The department of industries & commerce, government of Nagaland, the nodal department
for promoting and advancing the successful implementation of the Open Network for Digital
Commerce (ONDC) initiative within the state, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with YES Bank and Sellmetric Pvt. Limited.
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a flagship initiative of the Department for
Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to
democratize e-commerce.
The primary aim of this tripartite agreement is to collaborate in facilitating digital sales for
small businesses, farmers, entrepreneurs, etc., through the ONDC platform, which is a new
initiative backed by the Government of India.
80. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of a financial
technology company, Garagepreneurs Internet Private Limited (GIPL) with the North East
Small Finance Bank (NESFB).
GIPL operates under the brand name "slice" and focuses on facilitating payments and credit
products through digital means in India. GIPL primarily focuses on enabling access to
financial services for underbanked customers through affordable and transparent cost
solutions and structures.
81. The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $181
million loan to build quality infrastructure and services toward improving urban livability
and mobility in the peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad city in Gujarat.
Key points:
• The project will benefit urban poor, women, and migrant workers through improved
urban services and urban governance.
• It will construct 166 km of water distribution network, 126 km of climate-resilient
stormwater drainage, 300 km of sewerage systems, and four sewage treatment plants.
• The project is also supporting 10 junction improvements along the existing Sardar Patel
Ring Road to improve connectivity of peri-urban areas to Ahmedabad city.
• The project will also build the government agencies’ capacity in financial planning,
revenue enhancement and infrastructure asset operations.
• Awareness-raising activities will be conducted in communities to encourage water
conservation, health, and hygiene.

iia
• Women self-help groups will be trained on water supply operations.
• The project will support development of recycling treated sewage for industrial use
through a public–private partnership.
82. The Boards of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL) and Aditya Birla Finance (ABFL) have
approved the Scheme of Amalgamation (Scheme) of the two companies, to further create a
large unified operating NBFC.
ABCL is a listed systemically important non-deposit taking core investment company (NBFC-
CIC), ABFL is a non-deposit taking systematically important NBFC (NBFC-ICC).
The proposed amalgamation will result in compliance with the Scale based Regulations of RBI
which require mandatory listing of Aditya Birla Finance by September 30, 2025.
Note: Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL) is the holding company for the financial services
businesses of the Aditya Birla Group. ABCL was incorporated in 2007.
83. The State Bank of India (SBI) has partnered with Paytm parent organisation One97
Communications for its UPI payments as the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) deadline for
Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) looms.
RBI imposed business restrictions on the payments bank, barring it from functioning beyond
March 15.
As per news, “four banks – Yes Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and State Bank of India” will
support Paytm’s consumer-facing UPI payments.
84. IndusInd Bank has introduced 'Indus PayWear,' which, in collaboration with Mastercard,
boasts to be the country's first all-in-one tokenisable wearables for both debit and credit
cards.
Tokenisable wearables enable users to tokenise their IndusInd Bank cards onto a chip-
enabled wearable device.
Key features of Indus PayWear:
• Swift and secure transactions: Indus PayWear facilitates tap-and-pay transactions at any
contactless Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminal globally, eliminating the need for physical cards or
payment apps. Users can securely make purchases with ease.
• Versatile wearables: The Indus PayWear range includes three options: a ring, watch
clasp, and stickers, catering to diverse customer preferences.

iia
• Enhanced security: Indus PayWear prioritises security with advanced tokenisation
technology, replacing actual card details with unique 'tokens' for every transaction. This
ensures the safety and security of each transaction conducted through the wearable.
• Reward benefits: Transactions made through Indus PayWear offer rewards and security
benefits associated with the underlying debit or credit card.
Transaction guidelines:
Transactions below Rs.5000 can be seamlessly conducted as tap-and-pay using the wearable.
However, for transactions exceeding Rs.5000, the PIN of the linked card must be entered on
the PoS machine in accordance with RBI guidelines.

RBI IN NEWS
85. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that 30 banks are now participating in the
UDGAM portal, designed for individuals to search for their unclaimed deposits/accounts.
As of March 4, 2024, 30 banks are already onboarded onto the UDGAM portal and cover
around 90% of unclaimed deposits (in value terms) in Depositor Education and Awareness
(DEA) Fund of RBI?
The remaining banks are in the process of being onboarded onto the UDGAM portal,
ensuring comprehensive coverage of unclaimed deposits/accounts.
UDGAM portal:
UDGAM, short for Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation, is an online portal
developed by RBI. It facilitates the registered users to search unclaimed deposits/accounts
across multiple banks in one place in a centralised manner.
All unclaimed deposits/accounts that are part of the Depositor Education and Awareness
(DEA) Fund of RBI can be searched in the UDGAM portal.
86. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6)
of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, has cancelled the Certificate of Registration of the
following companies.
• Nimisha Finance India Private Limited
• R.M.B. Finance Company Limited
• Suyash Finovest Pvt Ltd
• Kamdhar Leasing and Finance Limited
Non-Banking Financial Corporation (NBFC):

iia
A Non-Banking Financial Corporation (NBFC) is a company that is registered under the
Companies Act, 1956 and is involved in the lending business, hire-purchase, leasing,
insurance business, receiving deposits in some cases, chit funds, stocks, and shares
acquisition, etc.
NBFCs whose asset size is of Rs.500 crore or more as per last audited balance sheet are
considered as systemically important NBFCs.
87. The Reserve Bank of India released the Annual Report of the Ombudsman Scheme for the
period April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. This is the first full-year report after the launch of
Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2021 in November 2021.
The Annual Report covers the activities under the RB-IOS, 2021 as well as major
developments during the year in consumer education and protection.
Key highlights of the reports:
• Customer complaints with the Reserves Bank Ombudsman were up by 68 percent in
2022-23.
• Under the Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RBIOS), the RBI received
7,03,544 complaints between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.
• Public sector banks accounted for 41 percent of the complaints followed by the private
sector banks which accounted for 31 percent of the complaints.
• In terms of category of complaints, a fifth (20.27 percent) of the complaints were
concerning mobile and internet banking, while another fifth (20.13 percent) were
concerning loans and advances.
• The ombudsman’s office handled about 33 percent of the complaints.
• Of the total complaints 2,34,690 complaints were handled by the Ombudsman’s office and
4,68,270 complaints were closed by Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre (CRPC) as
non-complaints /non-maintainable complaints.
• The central bank’s integrated Ombudsman Scheme adopts “One Nation One
Ombudsman” principle and provides single window for resolution of complaints against
the regulated entities including banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs),
Payment System Participants and Credit.
About Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2021:

The RB-IOS, 2021 was rolled out in November 2021 by integrating the three erstwhile
Ombudsman Schemes viz., Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006, Ombudsman Scheme for

iia
Non-Banking Financial Companies (OSNBFC), 2018, and Ombudsman Scheme for Digital
Transactions (OSDT), 2019.
On the date of the launch, the Scheme covered the following regulated entities:
(i) all Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative
Banks and Non-Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with deposits size of Rs.50
crore and above as on the date of the audited balance sheet of the previous financial year;
(ii) all Non-Banking Financial Companies (excluding Housing Finance Companies) which (a)
are authorised to accept deposits; or (b) have customer interface, with an assets size of
Rs.100 crore and above as on the date of the audited balance sheet of the previous financial
year;
(iii) all Payment System Participants as defined under the Scheme.
Note: A Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre has been set up at RBI, Chandigarh for
receipt and initial processing of physical and email complaints in any language.
88. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank Indonesia (BI) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai for establishing a framework to promote the use of local
currencies viz., the Indian Rupee (INR) and the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) for cross-border
transactions.
• The MoU was signed by the Governor, Reserve Bank of India, Shri Shaktikanta Das and the
Governor, Bank Indonesia, Mr. Perry Warjiyo.
• The MoU on establishing a framework for cooperation in the area of cross-border
transactions in local currencies between India and Indonesia, aims to promote the use of
INR and IDR bilaterally.
• The MoU covers all current account transactions, permissible capital account transactions
and any other economic and financial transactions as agreed upon by both countries.
• This framework would enable exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their
respective domestic currencies, which in turn would enable the development of an INR-
IDR foreign exchange market. Use of local currencies would optimise costs and settlement
time for transactions.
89. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of Rs.1,40,76,000 on Bank of
India for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Interest Rate on Deposits’,
‘Customer Service in Banks’, ‘Interest Rate on Advances’, ‘Central Repository of Information on
Large Credits (CRILC) - Revision in Reporting’, and ‘Membership of Credit Information
Companies (CICs)’ and contravention of provisions of Credit lnformation Companies Rules,
2006 (ClC Rules).

iia
This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI conferred under the
provisions of section 47 A (1) (c) read with sections 46 (4) (i) and 51(1) of the Banking
Regulation Act, 1949 and section 25(1)(iii) read with section 23(4) of the Credit Information
Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.
90. The following seven Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) have surrendered the
Certificate of Registration (CoR) granted to them by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The RBI,
in exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6) of the Reserve Bank of India Act,
1934, has therefore cancelled their CoR.
• L&T Finance Limited
• L&T Infra Credit Limited
• Marudhar Food & Credit Ltd
• Creative Intra Limited
• Jinvani Trading & Investment Company Pvt Ltd
• Manjushree Fincap Private Limited
• Shruti Financial Services Private Limited

AWARDS & RECOGNITION
91. Noted golfer Tiger Woods has been honoured with the Bob Jones Award, the highest
honour bestowed by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The award recognizes
Woods' dedication to sportsmanship, his respect for the traditions of the game, and his
significant charitable endeavours.
The Bob Jones Award will be presented to him on 12th June 2024 during the week of the U.S.
Open held at Pinehurst Resort’s famed Course No. 2 in North Carolina.
92. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi presented the first-ever National Creators Award at
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The National Creators Award is an effort to recognize excellence and impact across domains,
including storytelling, social change advocacy, environmental sustainability, education, and
gaming among others. The award is envisioned as a launchpad for using creativity to drive
positive change.
The award is being provided across twenty categories including the Best Storyteller Award;
The Disruptor of the Year; Celebrity Creator of the Year; Green Champion Award; Best
Creator For Social Change; Most Impactful Agri Creator; Cultural Ambassador of The Year;
International Creator award; Best Travel Creator Award; Swachhta Ambassador Award; The
New India Champion Award; Tech Creator Award; Heritage Fashion Icon Award; Most
Creative Creator (Male & Female); Best Creator in Food Category; Best Creator in Education

iia
Category; Best Creator in Gaming Category; Best Micro Creator; Best Nano Creator; Best
Health and Fitness Creator.
List of winners:
• Disruptor of the Year award: Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps)
• Best Creator in Education Category (Male & Female): Naman Deshmukh
• Best Creator in Tech Category: Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji)
• Favourite Travel Creator: Kamiya Jani
• Best Health and Fitness Creator: Ankit Baiyanpuria
• Best Creator in Food Category: Kabita Singh (Kabita’s Kitchen)
• Celebrity Creator of the Year: Aman Gupta
• Green Champion’ Category: Pankhti Pandey
• Best Storyteller: Keerthika Govindasamy
• Cultural Ambassador of the Year: Maithili Thakur
• Most Creative Creator Female: Shraddha Jain
• Most Creative Creator Male: RJ Raunac
• Heritage Fashion Icon Award: Jahnvi Singh
• Best Creator for Social Change Award: Jaya Kishori
• Best Micro Creator Award: Aridaman
• Best Creator in Gaming Category Award: Nishchay
• Swachhta Ambassador Award: Malhar Kalambe
• Best International Creator Award: Drew Hicks, Kili Paul, Cassandra Mae Spittmann
• Best Nano Creator Award: Piyush Purohit
• Most Impactful Agri Creator: Lakshay Dabas
• The New India Champion Award: Abhi and Niyu
93. List of OSCAR award 2024 winners:
Actor in a Leading Role CILLIAN MURPHY (Oppenheimer)
Actor in a Supporting ROBERT DOWNEY JR.

Role Oppenheimer
Actress in a Leading EMMA STONE

Role Poor Things
Actress in a Supporting DA'VINE JOY RANDOLPH

Role The Holdovers
Animated Feature Film THE BOY AND THE HERON

Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki
Cinematography OPPENHEIMER

iia
Hoyte van Hoytema
Costume Design POOR THINGS
Holly Waddington
Directing OPPENHEIMER
Christopher Nolan
Documentary Feature 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL
Film Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath
Documentary Short THE LAST REPAIR SHOP

Film Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
Film Editing OPPENHEIMER

Jennifer Lame
International Feature THE ZONE OF INTEREST

Film United Kingdom
Makeup And POOR THINGS

Hairstyling Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston
Music (Original Score) OPPENHEIMER

Ludwig Göransson
Music (Original Song) WHAT WAS I MADE FOR?

from Barbie; Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas
O'Connell
Best Picture OPPENHEIMER

Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan,
Producers
Production Design POOR THINGS

Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set
Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek
WAR IS OVER! INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF JOHN & YOKO

ANIMATED SHORT Dave Mullins and Brad Booker
FILM
Live Action Short Film THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR

Wes Anderson and Steven Rales
Sound THE ZONE OF INTEREST

iia
Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn
GODZILLA MINUS ONE

VISUAL EFFECTS Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and
Tatsuji Nojima
Writing (Adapted AMERICAN FICTION

Screenplay) Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson
Writing (Original ANATOMY OF A FALL

Screenplay) Screenplay - Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
94. Eminent Writer Amitav Ghosh has been awarded the Erasmus Prize 2024 by the
Netherlands' Praemium Erasmianum Foundation for his writings on the planetary crisis and
climate change.
He received the prize for his passionate contribution to the theme ‘imagining the
unthinkable’.
Erasmus Prize:
The Erasmus Prize is an annual prize awarded by the board of the Praemium Erasmianum
Foundation in Netherlands to individuals or institutions that have made exceptional
contributions to culture, society, or social science in Europe and the rest of the world.
It is one of Europe's most distinguished recognitions. The prize is named after Desiderius
Erasmus, the Dutch Renaissance humanist.
The prize consists of a cash prize of 150,000 Euros and a momento, which is a folded ribbon
with a titanium plate at both ends.
95. Architect Riken Yamamoto of Yokohama, Japan, has been named the 2024 Laureate of the
Pritzker Architecture Prize, the highest global architectural recognition.
• He is the 53rd laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the 9th Japanese architect to
win the prize.
• The award includes a cash prize of USD 100,000 and a bronze medallion.
About Pritzker Architecture Prize:

The Pritzker Architecture Prize is an international architecture award presented annually to
honor a living architect or architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of those
qualities of talent, vision and commitment which has produced consistent and significant
contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.
• It was founded in 1979 by Jay A. Pritzker and his wife Cindy.
• The award is funded by the Pritzker family and sponsored by the Hyatt Foundation.
• It is considered to be one of the world's premier architectures prizes and is often referred
to as the Nobel Prize of architecture.

iia
96. The Union Health ministry, India has received the ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ award for
exemplary efforts in measles and rubella disease prevention.
• The award has been presented by The Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American
Red Cross that is, headquartered in Washington DC, USA.
• Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India,
Washington DC received the award on behalf of the Union Health ministry of Government
of India.
Key points:
• 50 districts consistently report no measles cases, while 226 districts haven't reported
rubella cases over the past 12 months.
• Measles and Rubella are Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs), and India aims to eliminate
them through its Universal Immunization Programme since 2017.
Note: The Measles and Rubella Partnership comprises a multi-agency planning committee,
including the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO, all
dedicated to reducing global measles deaths and preventing rubella illness.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

97. Former President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has authored a book titled 'The
Conspiracy to Oust Me from the Presidency' which speaks about his political downfall to a
"conspiracy" involving foreign and local parties.
98. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry Dairying Parshottam Rupala has released a
Book and Video on “Sagar Parikrama” in Rajkot, Gujarat.
Key points:
• The object of the book is to chronicle the Sagar Parikrama Yatra, encompassing content
on diverse elements, such as the Maritime route, cultural and geographical explorations,
and notable impacts from all 12 phases of Sagar Parikrama.
• The Book on Sagar Parikrama contains 7 chapters covering genesis of Sagar Parikrama,
Overview and detailed coverage of the journey of West coast and East coast.
• This document will provide an insight into the challenges of coastal fishermen, their
culture, religious and traditional fisheries heritage of India.
• The entire Sagar Parikrama has been documented in the form of short films, exhibiting all
the activities, events, and interactions of Union Minister with the beneficiaries.
• The video also captures the challenges faced during the Sagar Parikrama.

iia
Note: With 8% share in global fish production, India is the 3rd largest fish producer, 2nd
largest aquaculture producer, largest shrimp producer and 4th largest top seafood exporter
in the world.
PERSON IN NEWS
99. Gustavo Lino Adrianzen Olaya was sworn in as Prime Minister (PM) or President of the
Council of Ministers (PCM) of the Republic of Peru with effect from 6th March 2024.
• The swearing-in ceremony was led by the President of Peru, Dina Boluarte at the
Government Palace in Lima, Peru.
• Gustavo Adrianzen succeeded Alberto Otarola who resigned from the post on 5th March
2024.
100. Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have assumed charge as Election
Commissioners in the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Election Commission of India (ECI):

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body. It was established by the
Constitution of India to conduct and regulate elections in the country. Article 324 of the
Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections
to parliament, state legislatures, the office of the president of India, and the office of vice-
president of India shall be vested in the election commission.
It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as
national voters' day). The secretariat of the commission is in New Delhi.
101. BJP leader Nayab Saini has been appointed as the new Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana.
• Nayab Singh Saini was sworn in as the Haryana chief minister after Manohar Lal Khattar
and his cabinet ministers resigned from their posts.
• Five other ministers - BJP leaders Kanwar Pal, Mool Chand Sharma, Jai Parkash Dalal,
Banwari Lal, and an independent MLA Ranjit Singh Chautala also took oath as members of
the new council of ministers.
102. The Bihar government has appointed senior IAS officer Brajesh Mehrotra as the new
Chief Secretary of the state, emphasizing efficient governance and administrative excellence.
Brajesh Mehrotra, from the 1989 batch, holds the additional chief secretary position in
revenue and land reforms, with additional responsibilities in general administration and
parliamentary affairs.
He will succeed Amir Subhani, who is due to retire in April 2024.
103. Tamas Sulyok has been elected as the new President of Hungary. He has received 134
votes in favor and five against in a secret parliamentary vote.

iia
He has been appointed a new President following the resignation of the previous head of
state, Katalin Novák, amidst a scandal involving a controversial pardon granted in a child
sexual abuse case.
104. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has nominated renowned author, Indian
philanthropist & Padma Awardee Sudha Murty as the 12th nominated Member of Parliament
(MP) in the Upper House of Parliament (Rajya Sabha (RS).
105. Kishor Makwana assumed the charge of Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled
Castes (NCSC).
Shri Luv Kush Kumar also assumed the charge of Member of National Commission for
Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
OBITUARIES
106. Akira Toriyama, one of the most famous Japanese comic (manga) artists and character
designers has recently passed away.
• He was born on 5th April 1955 in Nagoya, Japan.
• He was the creator of Dragon Ball, one of the most influential and best-selling manga.
• In 2019, Toriyama received Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the
Order of Arts and Letters) from the French government for his contributions to the arts.
SPORTS
107. Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, has been elected as the new
President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). He has succeeded Deepa Malik.
About Devendra Jhajharia:

Devendra Jhajharia is an Indian Paralympic javelin thrower competing in F46 events.
He is the first Indian Paralympics player to win two gold medals at the Paralympics.
• He won his first gold in the javelin throw at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens,
becoming the second gold medalist at the Paralympics for his country.
• At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won a second gold medal in the
same event, bettering his previous record.

iia
• He became India's most decorated Paralympic player by winning his third medal, a silver
at the 2020 Summer Paralympics at Tokyo.
Note: Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) was founded in 1992.
108. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated unique
talent hunt event, Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme in
Chandigarh.
It is aimed at athletes in the age-group between 9 to 18 years.

The fundamental objective of KIRTI is to create a pyramidal structure starting from the
grassroots level and culminating in the development of elite athletes for achieving excellence
at international platforms.
KIRTI aims to conduct 20 lakh assessments across the country throughout the year to identify
talent through notified Talent Assessment Centres.
KIRTI will involve physical education teachers and experts in scouting talent.
In the first phase, 10 Khelo India disciplines -- archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey,
kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling have been identified.
About Khelo India Mission

The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth
Affairs & Sports. The Khelo India Mission aims at infusing sports culture and achieving
sporting excellence in the country thus allowing the populace to harness the power of sports
through its cross-cutting influence.
109. The Indian men’s test cricket team led by Rohit Sharma won the Anthony de Mello Trophy
2024 by defeating England (led by Ben strokes) in the five match test series for 4-1 held from
January 25th to 9th March 2024, in five venues across India.
About Anthony de Mello Trophy:

The Anthony de Mello Trophy is awarded to the winner of the England-India Test cricket
series held in India. The trophy was instituted in 1951, when England toured India for a five-
match series. The trophy is named after Anthony de Mello, an Indian cricket administrator
and one of the founders of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
IMPORTANT DAYS
110. International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed annually on 8th March to recognise the
social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
Theme 2024: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”

IWD 2024 campaign theme is #Inspire Inclusion.
This day was adopted by the United Nations in the year 1977.

iia
111. The International Day of Women Judges is celebrated on 10 March every year. This year
(2024), it falls on Sunday. The day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of women
judges worldwide. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of women's participation in
all levels of decision-making for the achievement of equality and democracy.
2024 International Day of Women Judges theme: "Empathy and Action: Women and Girls in
Carceral Settings”
Note: The day was first observed in 2022.
112. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) celebrated its 38th
Foundation Day on March 11, 2024, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards
fostering renewable energy development in India.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA):

IREDA was established on 11th March 1987 as a Public limited Government Company under
the Companies Act, 1956 and it promotes, develops, and extends financial assistance for
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency/Conservation Projects.
113. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) celebrated its 19th
Foundation Day on 12th March 2024 in New Delhi. To mark this occasion, the Commission
invited children from different parts of the country to acknowledge their efforts and
participation in Commission's Pariksha Parv campaign.
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR):

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was established in March 2007
under an Act of Parliament (December 2005) under the Commission for Protection of Child
Rights Act, 2005. The Commission works under the aegis of Ministry of Women and Child
Development.
114. World Glaucoma Day is an annual awareness day observed on March 12th, dedicated to
raising awareness about glaucoma—a group of eye conditions that can lead to optic nerve
damage and vision loss. The day serves as a global initiative to educate people about the
importance of early detection, regular eye examinations, and the potential consequences of
glaucoma.
World Glaucoma Day 2024 Theme: “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World”
Note: World Glaucoma Week has also been observed from 10 to 16 March 2024.
115. No Smoking Day is observed on the second Wednesday of March every year to help
smokers who want to quit smoking and also to raise awareness about the health effects of
smoking in daily life.
This year (2024) it falls on March 13.

iia
Theme 2024: Protecting children from tobacco industry interference.
Background:
No Smoking Day is an annual health awareness day in the United Kingdom which is intended
to help smokers who want to quit smoking. The first No Smoking Day was on Ash Wednesday
in 1984, and it now takes place on the second Wednesday in March.
116. World Rotaract Day is observed annually on 13th March to acknowledge the services
provided by rotaractors across the world.
13th March 2024 marks the observance of the 56th anniversary of the formation of the 1st
Rotaract club in 1968 in North Carolina, the USA.
World Rotaract Week 2024 is observed from 11 March to 17 March 2024.
117. International Day of Action For Rivers, observed on March 14 every year, is a day that is
dedicated to saving, celebrating, and creating awareness about the importance of rivers.
Theme for International Day of Action For Rivers 2024: “Water for all”
"The International Day of Action and For Rivers” was approved at the first International
Meeting of People Impacted by Dams in March 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil.
The year 2024 marks the 27th anniversary of International Day of Action For Rivers.
118. World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed annually on the second Thursday of March to spread
awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the
frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
This year (2024), the day falls on 14th March.

Theme: “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication
Practice”
World Kidney Day was first observed in the year 2006.
119. World Consumer Rights Day is observed annually on 15th March to safeguard consumer
rights and to ensure that customers are not subjected to market exploitation or social
injustice that may jeopardize their rights.
Theme 2024: “Fair and responsible AI for consumers”

In 1983, the first World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated.
Note: National Consumers Rights Day is observed annually across India on 24th December.
Important Day Date/Month Theme for 2024 Remark
International Women’s 8th March Invest in Women: This day was

Day (IWD) Accelerate Progress adopted by the
United Nations in the
year 1977

iia International Day of 10th March Empathy and Action: The day was first
Women Judges Women and Girls in observed in 2022
Carceral Settings
World Glaucoma Day 12th March Uniting for a
Glaucoma-Free
World
World Rotaract Day 13th March The day is also

observed to
commemorate the
founding of the first
rotary club in 1968.
No Smoking Day Second Protecting children The first No Smoking
Wednesday from tobacco Day was on Ash
(This year industry interference Wednesday in 1984
(2024) the
day falls on
March 13)
World Kidney Day Second Kidney Health for All World Kidney Day
Thursday – Advancing was first observed in
(This year Equitable Access to the year 2006
(2024) the Care and Optimal
day falls on Medication Practice
March 14)
International Day of 14th March Playing With Math The day was first
Mathematics observed in 2020
International Day of 14th March Water for all The International
Action For Rivers Day of Action and
For Rivers” was
approved at the first
International Meeting
of People Impacted
by Dams in March
1997 in Curitiba,
Brazil
World Consumer Rights 15th March Fair and responsible In 1983, the first
Day AI for consumers World Consumer
Rights Day was
celebrated
International Day to 15th March The day was
Combat Islamophobia introduced by
Pakistan’s permanent
representative to
United Nations (UN),
Munir Akram on
behalf of the
Organization of
Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) countries. The

iia day was first
observed in 2022

Weekly Current Affairs March 2024 Week 02 Compressed

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Weekly Current Affairs March 2024 Week 02 Compressed

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Weekly Current Affairs March 2024 Week - 02

www.practicemock.com 1 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

RRB PO Free Mock Test

India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):

www.practicemock.com 2 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

maritime security issues at the Military-Strategic level.

Tanks’ during a ‘Sagar Manthan’ event on 08 March 2024.

enhance self-reliance in defence production.

www.practicemock.com 3 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is being explored by the Home Ministry.

Citizens of India Cardholders, among others.

parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019:

www.practicemock.com 4 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

dairy science to the farmers.

augment milk production.

6. Government of India has notified the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 to

Pursuant to the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, Ministry of Information and

www.practicemock.com 5 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

• Age-Based Certification: Introduction of age based categories of certification by further

• Perpetual Validity of Certificates: Removal of the restriction on validity of certificate for

www.practicemock.com 6 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

RRB PO Free Mock Test

The exercise was inaugurated by the President of Seychelles in attendance of dignitaries

www.practicemock.com 7 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

(Pillar IV), and Agreement on IPEF in November 2023.

will be instrumental in catalysing up to $3.3 billion in private investment for climate

www.practicemock.com 8 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

conditions for cooperation;

partners endeavor to pursue workforce development efforts to ensure a just transition

towards achieving a clean economy; and

regional SAF value chains in the region.

with IPEF partners for their early adoption.

Predictability in the Business Environment.

About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):

www.practicemock.com 9 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

RRB PO Free Mock Test

amidst the presence of Ms Mona K Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science

& Technology, Government of Gujarat, and other dignitaries.

and proliferation of cutting-edge technologies within the financial services domain.

• By providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, expert mentorship, and a collaborative

ecosystem, FinGlobe CoE seeks to empower startups, entrepreneurs, and established

Industry and allied domains.

• The CoE provides 50 Plug-n-Play incubation seats.

www.practicemock.com 10 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

www.practicemock.com 11 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

been mapped and consolidated under Aakanksha.

• In order to encourage these products, a dedicated window for Aspirational Blocks

www.practicemock.com 12 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

RRB PO Free Mock Test

www.practicemock.com 13 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

Borphukan” in Jorhat, Assam.

Medical College & Hospital at Sivasagar and a Hemato-Lymphoid center in Guwahati.

Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU); and augmentation of Facilities at Betkutchi (Guwahati)

Terminal: Indian Oil Corporation Limited, among others.

www.practicemock.com 14 info@practicemock.com 9319314079

Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G), constructed at a total cost of about Rs.8,450 crore.

1300 crore in Assam including Dhupdhara-Chhaygaon section (part of New Bongaigaon –

New Bongaigaon – Agthori Doubling Project).

The initiative encourages remarriage within a year.

It has become the 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for the creation of Bichom district.

• A testing centre and administrative building of Central Agricultural University (Imphal)