Today Current Affairs for Competitive Exams - Current Affairs 2021 Online

IDBI Bank revises fixed deposit rates  The acquisition is valued at ₹3,604 cr and subject to regulatory approvals.  IDBI Bank has revised interest rates on fixed  Earlier in March 2021, Adani Ports had deposit (FD) with effect from 18 March 2021. announced the acquisition of Warburg  After the latest revision, FD interest rates in Pincus’s 31.5% stake in Gangavaram, and IDBI Bank range from 2.9 to 5.1% for FDs with the latest acquisition, it will own a total maturing in 7 days to 20 years. 89.6% stake in the port in Andhra Pradesh.  Current IDBI Bank FD rates for senior citizens range from 3.4% to 5.6%. IISc, Applied Materials India ink R&D pact  For deposits maturing in one year to 10 years,  Applied Materials India, the local subsidiary IDBI Bank will give 5.1%. of Applied Materials Inc., has signed a Adani Green Energy hits ₹2 tn in market cap research and development (R&D) pact with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc),  Adani Green Energy Ltd hit Rs 2 trillion in Bengaluru. market capitalisation after its shares touched  As part of the Industry Affiliate Program of the a record high. Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering  Having soared nearly 870% in last one year, (CeNSE), both will work closely with CeNSE the stock is now the most valued in Adani to explore new applications and solutions in Group. the field of advanced materials.  Adani Green's total renewable capacity stands at 15165 MW, of which 3395 MW is 23 lakh loans sanctioned under PM SVANidhi operational and 11770 MW under  More than 23 lakh loans have been implementation. sanctioned to the beneficiaries under the Allana Group picks up 1% stake in LT Foods Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors, Atma Nirbhar Nidhi Scheme - PM SVANidhi.  Allana Group has announced an investment  Over 18 lakh loans have been disbursed to of Rs 20 crore for a 1% stake in LT Foods. the beneficiaries.  The two companies plan to work together to  The scheme was launched on 1 June 2020, expand LT Food's consumer products with the objective to facilitate collateral-free business to focus on value-added as well as working capital loans up to Rs 10,000, to impulse food products. about 50 lakh street vendors across the  Allana Group distributes brands such as country. London Dairy Ice Cream, Sunny Oil, and Pristine Bakery. 30% fitment for Telangana govt employees  LT Foods sells its packaged rice brands such  Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao has as Daawat, Royal, etc. announced a 30 percent fitment for state govt Adani Ports to acquire Gangavaram Port employees and teachers under pay revision and increased the retirement age to 61 years  Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd from 58. will acquire a 58.1% stake held by DVS Raju in Gangavaram Port Ltd.

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 The decision to hike salaries is applicable for Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 21 March contract employees, Home guards, and 2021. others in the state.  Sachin Tendulkar, captain of the India  He further announced a decrease in the upper Legends, finished the tournament as the third- age limit from 75 to 70 years to get a highest run-getter in the tournament. 15% additional pension.  He scored 234 runs. 4 habitations of Kishtwar get electricity grid 2nd consignment of vaccines arrive in Bhutan  In Jammu and Kashmir, the Power  The second consignment of Made In India Development Department has successfully vaccines arrived in Bhutan on 22 March 2021. connected four more habitations of the  With this, Bhutan is all set for its nation-wide Kishtwar district to the electricity grid. mass vaccine roll-out.  Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Ashok  The country has received additional 4 lakh Sharma has formally declared the villages doses of the Covishield vaccine from India, 100 percent electrified. making possible the nationwide rollout of the  These habitations include Pethgam, Bungam, vaccination programme against COVID-19. Chinab Dindoo, and Watsar of the mountainous sub division Chatroo of Kishtwar Parliament passes Constitution Order Bill 2021 district.  The Parliament has passed the Constitution Delhi govt announces reforms in Excise Policy (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 with Rajya Sabha passing it on 22  Delhi government has announced reforms in March 2021. Excise Policy.  The Bill seeks to modify the list of Scheduled  The new excise policy was approved by the Castes in Tamil Nadu. Cabinet on basis of the recommendations of  The Bill replaces the entry for the the Group of Ministers and it will act as a Devendrakulathan community with major blow to the liquor mafia in the national Devendrakula Velalar which includes capital. Devendrakulathan, Kalladi, Kudumban,  The legal age to drink liquor in the national Pallan, Pannadi, and Vathiriyan. capital has also been reduced to 21 from 25. Martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh: 23 March Madhya Pradesh launches Sankalp campaign  The nation paid tributes to freedom fighters -  Madhya Pradesh launched a statewide Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev - on Sankalp or resolution campaign from 23 their martyrdom day on 23 March 2021. March 2021 for a week to create awareness  On this day in 1931, British rulers had on covid appropriate behavior. executed them in Lahore for their  Sirens will be played at 11 am and 7 pm in the revolutionary activities against the empire. state.  They were hanged a day before the  The public will stop at their place and take a scheduled date of execution. 2-minute resolution for the use of masks and  A number of programmes have been maintaining social distancing. organized across the country to mark the day. India wins Road Safety World Series T-20 Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021 passed  In cricket, India Legends defeated Sri Lanka  Lok Sabha has passed the Marine Aids to Legends by 14 runs in the final of the Road Navigation Bill, 2021, to replace an old Safety World Series to clinch the title at lighthouse law. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International

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 The bill seeks to provide a framework for the  Rahman is known as the "Father of the development, maintenance, and management Nation" or simply "Mujib" in Bangladesh. of aids to navigation in the country.  Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award  It aims at repealing the Lighthouse Act, 1927, instituted by the Government in1995 and and provides for empowering the Directorate carries an amount of Rs 1 cr, a citation, a General of Lighthouses and Lightships with plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft. additional power and functions. Lok Sabha passes NCT of Delhi bill 2021 Meeting of PIC between India and Pakistan  Lok Sabha passed the National Capital  Meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021 on between India and Pakistan is being held in 22 March 2021. Delhi on 23-24 March 2021.  The bill amends the Government of National  The Commission deals with water rights on Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. the Indus river.  It amends certain powers and responsibilities  The Permanent Indus Commission was set up of the Legislative Assembly and the under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. Lieutenant Governor.  The Indus water treaty warrants the two International Letter Writing Competition commissioners to meet at least once a year.  The Department of Posts is organizing ISSF WC: Gold medal in 10m air rifle Universal Postal Union 2021 International  India's Divyansh Singh Panwar and Elavenil Letter-Writing Competition for young people in Valarivan won the gold medal on 22 March all states of the country through the postal 2021 in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team. circle offices.  The International Shooting Sport Federation  The subject for the competition is “Write a (ISSF) World Cup is being held in Delhi. letter to a family member about your  The Indian duo put on a brilliant display of experience with COVID-19". shooting to beat the Hungarian team of Istvan  It will be open to school-going children up to Peni and Eszter Denes 16-10 to win the top the age of 15 years. prize. NITI Aayog constitutes two task forces India supplies Mobile Harbour Cranes to Iran  NITI Aayog has constituted two task forces to  India supplied two Mobile Harbour Cranes lay emphasis on Enforcement of Contracts (MHCs) each weighing 100 tons to Iran on 22 and Conciliation Mechanism. March 2021.  The task force for Enforcement of Contracts  It is part of the development of phase-I of will give its recommendation for a policy Shahid Beheshti port in Chabahar by India. framework for Enforcement of Contracts and  This is the second such consignment of will be chaired by VC of NITI Aayog. equipment shipped to the strategic port at  The task force on Conciliation Mechanism will Chabahar. give its recommendation for an effective  India had earlier supplied two 140-ton MHCs Conciliation Mechanism. in January 2021. Parliament passes Insurance Bill, 2021 Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020  The Parliament has passed the Insurance  The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 will (Amendment) Bill, 2021 with the Lok Sabha be conferred on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur approving it on 22 March 2021. Rahman.  It seeks to amend the Insurance Act, 1938  Rahman was the first President of which will increase the limit of foreign Bangladesh.

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investment allowed in Indian insurance  Veteran filmmaker Sagar Sarhadi passed companies. away in March 2021.  The bill provides to increase of FDI limit from  He was known for his work in movies such as existing 49% to 74%. Bazaar and Lorie, which he directed, and  It also removes restrictions on ownership Kabhi Kabhi, Chandni, and , for which & control of insurance companies. he penned the dialogues.  Before he ventured into cinema, Sarhadi was 67th National Film Awards - 2019 an writer.  The 67th National Film Awards for the  He received his first break with Patni (1970). year 2019 were announced on 22 March IRDAI increases max cover under Arogya policy 2021.  Malayalam movie Marakkar Arabikkadilinte  The Insurance Regulatory and Development Simham will be awarded the Best Feature Authority of India (Irdai) has hiked the Film Award. maximum cover under the standard health  Kangana Ranaut will get the Best Actress insurance plan Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, award for her movies Manikarnika -The from Rs 5 lakh earlier to Rs 10 lakh. Queen of Jhansi and Panga.  It has made it mandatory for insurers to offer  Manoj Bajpayee and Dhanush will be a sum insured between Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 awarded the Best Actor award for the movie lakh. Bhonsle and Asuran respectively.  Arogya Sanjeevani is a standardized health insurance product that was launched in March Gandhi Peace Prize for year 2019 2020.  The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 is Himachal Pradesh High Court organises workshop being conferred on late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman.  The Himachal Pradesh High Court on 21  The award has been given in recognition of March 2021, organized a one-day workshop his outstanding contributions for social, on 'Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic economic and political transformation Substances Act'. through Gandhian methods.  It was organized in collaboration with the  The Jury for the Prize is chaired by PM Modi State Legal Services Authority and the and comprises of two ex-officio members and Himachal Pradesh Judicial Academy in the Leader of Opposition Party in Lok Sabha. Shimla.  The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Defence Ministry inks contract with MDSL Justice of Himachal Pradesh L Narayana  The Defence Ministry on 22 March Swamy. 2021, signed a contract with Mahindra Government to constitute a committee Defence Systems Limited for supply of 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles to the Indian Army at  The central government has decided to a cost of ₹1056 crores. constitute a committee for manufacturing in  The induction of vehicles is planned to be high technology areas. completed in 4 yrs.  The 10-member committee will be headed by  The Vehicles will be authorized to various the Minister of Commerce and Industry fighting units for carriage of Medium Machine Piyush Goyal. Guns, Automatic Grenade Launchers  The committee will consider investment or and Guided Missiles. project proposals in high technology areas, take action to facilitate investments, etc. Veteran filmmaker Sagar Sarhadi passes away 66% customers ready to buy electric vehicles

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 An increasing number of Indian customers are  Two-day 'Nandini River Festival' that was willing to buy electric vehicles (EVs), organised on the banks of river Nandini at according to a CarDekho OMG survey. Sasihithlu in Mangalore concluded on 21  CarDekho, the leading auto-tech firm, has March 2021. released the Electric Vehicle Customer  Kayaking, stand-up paddle, traditional boat Awareness Study in association with and race, swimming, and other competitions were OMG (Omnicom Media Group). held in the festival.  According to the survey, 66% of customers  The river festival was organised by a village are willing to buy EVs, out of which 53% community named 'Anjaneya Gudi and are strongly inclined to go electric. Vyayama Shala' with the support of the State Tourism Department. Airtel dilutes 0.664% stake to Lion Meadow Bihar: 1st to have own ethanol policy  Bharti Airtel has allotted around 36.47 million preferential shares to a Warburg Pincus  Bihar Industries Minister Syed Shahnawa affiliate, Lion Meadow, at Rs 600 per share in Hussain has launched the Ethanol Production addition to some cash. Promotion Policy, 2021.  It has been allotted for buying out the fund  The makes Bihar the first state in the country house's 20% stake in its DTH arm, Bharti to have an ethanol promotion policy under the Telemedia. National Policy of Biofuels, 2018.  Post the transaction, Lion Meadow  The state ethanol policy allows the extraction Investment, an affiliate of Warburg Pincus, will of ethanol from surplus quantities of maize as hold 0.664% in Airtel. well. UP CM to establish 3 PAC women battalions China has world's strongest military  UP CM Yogi Adityanath has announced to  China has the strongest military force in the establish three PAC women battalions named world with a score of 82 while India stands at after female warriors. number four, according to a study released by  The Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) the defence website Military Direct. battalions will be established after women  The USA, despite their enormous military warriors- Rani Avantibai Lodhi, Uda Devi, and budgets, comes in 2nd place with 74 points, Jhalkaribai who sacrificed themselves in followed by Russia with 69, India at 61 and India's freedom struggle. then France with 58.  These will be set up in Badaun, Lucknow, and  The UK came in 9th place with a score of 43. Gorakhpur. Gram Ujala scheme to offer LED bulbs for Rs 10 Indian engineering goods see a surge in demand  Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL)  China, Singapore, Germany, Thailand and Italy has launched the Gram Ujala programme. were among the nine countries that saw high  Under this, high-quality energy-efficient LED double-digit growth in demand for Indian bulbs will be given for Rs 10 per piece in engineering goods in February 2021. certain villages of five states in the first phase.  This was stated in a release issued by the  In the first phase of this programme, 15 Engineering Export Promotion Council of million LED bulbs will be distributed across India (EEPC). villages of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra  Exports to China, India’s second-largest Pradesh, Maharashtra, and western Gujarat. export destination recorded positive growth in both monthly as well as cumulative terms. India, Japan agree for cooperation Two-day Nandini River Festival concludes  India and Japan have agreed to recognize each other’s offices to act mutually as

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competent International Searching and  Turkey was the first country to ratify the International Preliminary Examining Authority Council of Europe convention adopted in (ISA/IPEA) for any international patent Istanbul. application filed with them. World Meteorological Day: 23 March  The agreement was arrived at during the 4th review meeting between both in March  World Meteorological Day takes place every 2021 under a Memorandum of Cooperation year on 23 March. (MoC) on industrial property.  It commemorates the coming into force on 23 Turkey withdraws from Istanbul Convention March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization.  Turkey withdrew from a European treaty on  World Meteorological Day in 2021 is devoted preventing and combating violence against to the theme “the ocean, our climate and women and domestic violence. weather.”  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a  In 1961, the World Meteorological decree to withdraw from the Istanbul Organization designated March 23rd as the Convention that was signed in 2011. UN World Meteorological Day.

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