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My Dear Aspirants,
Greetings to all of you! “What we think we become” said Gautama Buddha. We all have dreams. To turn dreams into reality it takes a lot of determination, dedication, self discipline and hard work.
We at VETRII IAS Study Circle are committed to provide the right guidance, quality coaching and help every aspirant to achieve his or her life’s cherished goal of becoming a civil servant.
The class room coaching at VETRII IAS Study Circle is meticulously planned to equip the aspirants with all the relevant facts and fundamentals of the subjects. Further the VETRII IAS Study Circle Study material aim to support the candidate by providing the most relevant study material in a comprehensive manner.
Wishing You All The Very Best !!
M. SHUNMUGAM DIRECTOR Vetrii IAS Study Circle. TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018
CONTENT
SL.NO TITLE PAGE NO
1. Important Days 1 – 2
2. International Affairs 3 – 11
3. Natioanl Affairs 12 – 31
4. Sports 32 – 34
5. Awards 35 – 37
6. Personality 38
7. Indian Polity 39 – 41
8. Defence 42
9. Tamil Nadu 43 – 44
10. Appointment 45 – 47
11. Honours and Awards 48
12. Committee 49
13. Science and Technology 50
14. Schemes 51 – 52
15. Economy 53 – 57
16. Summit 58
17. Books and Authors 59
18. General Knowledge 60 – 70
19. March Month Questions 71 - 74
9600124042/ 9840097666 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018
IMPORTANT DAY
MARCH 3 - WORLD WILDLIFE DAY
Established by : United Nations General Assembly First Observed in : 1973 Theme : “Big cats: predators under threat"
MARCH 4 - NATIONAL SAFETY DAY
Established by : United Nations First observed : 1966
MARCH 8 - INTERANTIONAL WOMENS DAY AND MOTHERS DAY
Established by : United Nations First observed : 1909 Theme : #PressforProgress and Rural and urban activitist transforming women’s lives
MARCH 15 - WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY Established by : United Kingdom First observed : 1983 Theme : Making digital marketplaces fairer
MARCH 18 - ORDANCE FACTORIES DAY Established by : Indian government organisation First observed : 1802
MARCH 20 - WORLD SPARROW DAY
Established by : United Nations General Assembly First observed : 2010
Theme : I love Sparrows
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MARCH 21 - INTENATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Established by :United Nations General Assembly First Observed :1960 Theme :Promoting Tolerance , Inclusion, Unity and respect for Diversity
MARCH 22 - WORLD WATER DAY
Established by : United Nations First observed : 1993 Theme : Nature for Water
MARCH 23 - WORLD METROLOGICAL DAY
Established by : International Meteorological Organisation First observed : 1873 Theme : Weather – ready , Climate – Smart
MARCH 24 - WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY
Established by : World Health Organisation First observed : 1948 Theme : ’Light up the World for TB
BIRAC CELEBRATES ITS 6TH FOUNDATION DAY
Established by : Science and Technology Ministers First observed : 1998 Theme : ‘Sustaining Innovation-A Market Driven Pathway
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INTERNATIONAL
CUBA’S CAPITOL REOPENS AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF RESTORATION
After eight years of restoration work, Cuba re- opened to the public the doors of its Capital. Built-in 1929 to house Cuba’s Congress and Note: Most recently used for the Science and Technologyinspired by Ministry, Washingt on’s its restoration Capital, was started in 2010 as part of the Office of City Historian’s revamp of Havana.
INDIA, RUSSIA AND BANGLADESH SIGN MOU ON BUILDING THE NUCLEAR PLANT
India, Russia and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in building the Rooppur nuclear power project in Bangladesh. Indian companies can be involved in construction and installation works and supply of materials and equipment. The MoU was signed in Moscow by Rosatom’s deputy director
INDIA, JORDAN INK 12 PACTS TO BOOST DEFENCE TIES
Jordan and India signed a framework defence agreement which envisages a whole range of possibilities from the defence. India and Jordan signed 12 agreements after the high-level talks, covering areas as diverse as mass media, health, culture and tourism. But the area of interest for both countries is clearly defence and security.
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INDIAN-AMERICAN SCIENTIST AWARDED $1.1 MN GRANT
An Indian-American scientist has won a grant of $1.1 million (Rs. 7 Crore) for cancer research. Navin Varadarajan of the University of Houston will work on improving T-cell immunotherapy.
CHINA TO BUILD NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING WITHIN 7 YEARS The China Ship building Industry Corporation (CSIC) has announced to build its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Liaoning by the middle of the next decade. It was announced as a part of its list of ambitions hope to achieve in weaponry and technical developments for People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-Navy by 2025. PAKISTAN’S LEGISLATURE GETS ITS FIRST DALIT WOMAN SENATOR PPP CANDIDATE KRISHNA KUMARI KOHLI, 39, HAILS FROM SINDH
Krishna Kumari Kohli, a human rights activist fielded by the Pakistan People’s Party, became the country’s first Dalit woman Senator. Kohli, 39, who hails from the remote village of Dhana Gam in Nagarparka, Sindh, was elected to a reserved seat for women.
IRAQ IS A CRUDE OIL SUPPLIER TO INDIA
Iraq has overtaken Saudi Arabia to become India’s top crude oil supplier, meeting more than a fifth of the current financial year. Saudi Arabia traditionally has been India’s top oil source but in the April- January period of 2017-18, Iraq dethroned it, supplying 38.9 million tonnes. Iran continued to be the third largest supplier,
selling 18.4 million tonnes during April-January.
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MARSHALL ISLANDS TO LAUNCH WORLD-FIRST DIGITAL LEGAL TENDER
Marshall Islands in Pacific Ocean is set to become first country in world to recognize cryptocurrency as its legal tender and adopt transparent cryptocurrency as its legal tender and adopt transparent crypto monetary system. The parliament of island has passed law to create the digital currency called “Sovereign” with symbol SOV to raise some hard cash to pay bills and boost economy.
The Marshall Islands is partnering with Israeli fintech startup Neema to launch its
SOV.
It will have equal status with US dollar as form of payment. The island country will issue 24 million SOVs in Initial Currency Offering (ICO)
U.S AIRCRAFT CARRIER MAKES A HISTORIC VISIT TO VIETNAM
A U.S. aircraft carrier arrived in Vietnam for the first time since the end of the Vietnam War, dramatically underscoring the growing strategic tie between the former foes at a time when china’s regional influence is
rising.
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The imposing grey silhouette of USS Carl Vinson could be seen from the cliff top just outside the central Vietnamese city of Danang, where the 1, 03,000-tonne carrier and two other U.S. ship being a five- day visit.- The visit marks an enormously significant milestone in our bilateral relations and demonstrates U.S support for a strong, prosperous and independent Vietnam.
The Arrival of the Vessel Marks the Biggest U.S. Military Presence in Vietnam Since 1975- But It Also Illustrates Hanoi’s Complex and Evolving Relationship with Beijing.
PAKISTAN ACCEPTS INDIA’S OFFER ON EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS
Pakistan accepted humanitarian proposals received from India for exchange of prisoners over 70 years of age, facilitating the visit of medical experts from both sides to examine the mentally challenged prisoners for their repatriation ;and revival of the judicial committee mechanism. AMBANI WORTH TOPS $40 BN; AMAZON’S BEZOS UNSEATS GATES TO HEAD GLOBAL LIST
Mukesh Ambani’s net worth has making him the richest Indian for the 11th year in a row, while Amazon founder Jeff Bezos toppled Bill Gates as the world’s wealthiest person, says forbes. Mr. Bezos, referred to as the “Centi-billionaire”, topped the list becoming the only person to appear in the Forbes list with a 12-figure fortune.
India adds 18 billionaires According to Forbes, India is home to 119 billionaires, 18 more than last year.
WORLD ATM CONGRESS HELD IN SPAIN
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is participating in World ATM Congress (WATMC) 2018 being held at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid, Spain from March 6 to 8.
World ATM Congress is the world's largest international Air Traffic Management (ATM) exhibition and conference attracting thousands of delegates each year. The AAI is showcasing its achievements and initiatives, through a stall
at the conference.
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SAVITRI JINDAL RICHEST OF 8 INDIAN WOMEN
Eight Indian women have featured in Forbes list of the world’s richest. Forbes’ 2018 ‘World’s Billionaires’ list includes a total of 256 women an all time Among the Indian women, Savitri Jindal and family is the richest .She is ranked 176th globally. Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the second richest. She is India’s richest self-made woman
TWO INDIANS ON LONGLIST OF U.K.’S WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION : ARUNDHATI ROY AND MEENA KANDASAMY AMONG 16 AUTHORS
MEENA KANDASAMY ARUNDHATI ROY Two Indian authors are among the 16 from around the world to make the cut for the U.K.’s annual Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist released in London Arundhati Roy’s second work of fiction. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, and Meena Kandasamy’s tale of a violent marriage, When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife, are in the running for the £30,000 prize set up to celebrate excellence and originality in writing by women in English throughout the world.
INDIA –UK JOINT TEAM HAS WON THE NEWTON BABA FUND
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) of United Kingdom (UK) to find solutions to the water challenges faced in the pervasively arsenic-affected Ganga River Basin in groundwater Arsenic Research. The Newton Bhabha Fund aims to bring together the UK and Indian scientific research
and innovation sectors to find joint solutions to the challenges facing India in economic development and social welfare.
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CHINA DEVELOPS ARTIFICIAL HEART WITH ROCKET TECHNOLOGY
Chinese scientists have developed artificial heart using rocket technology and it is currently undergoing through testing experiments on animals. The heart was developed jointly by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) and Teda International Cardiovascular Hospital in North China’s.
INDIA RANKS 78TH ON WEF ENERGY TRANSITION INDEX
India was ranked at 78th among 114 countries on World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Energy Transition Index (ETI) released as part of report titled Fostering Effective Energy Transition. The index ranks countries on how well they are able to balance energy security and access with environmental sustainability and affordability.
BRICS Countries in ETI: Brazil (38th), Russia (70th) and China (76th).
LI KEQIANG RE-ELECTED AS CHINA’S PRIME MINISTER FOR HIS SECOND TERM
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang re-elected for his second term. Zhang Youxia and Xu Qiliang were elected as the Vice Charman of the Central Military Commission headed by Xi
VIENNA IS WORLD’S MOST LIVEABLE CITY
Quality of Living Survey by Mercer As per 20th annual Quality of Living survey by Mercer, Austrian capital Vienna has been named the world’s best city to live in for the ninth consecutive year
USEFUL INFO 1. Vienna, Austria 2. Zurich, Switzerland
3. Auckland, New Zealand 4. Munich, Germany 5. Vancouver, Canada
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NEW DELHI RANKED 22ND GLOBALLY AS TOP DESTINATION FOR 2018
New Delhi ranked 22nd globally as top destination for 2018 This awards by TripAdvisor recognises 402 outstanding destinations in 42 list throughout the world
ABOUT TRIPADVISOR Headquarters – Massachusetts, U.S. Country Manager India – Nikhil Ganju
WORLD’S LONGEST SANDSTONE CAVE DISCOVERED IN MEGHALAYA
It was measured by the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA). It is 24,583 metres long It has also become India’s second longest cave in the general category. The Longest India cave is the Krem Liat Prah- Umim-Labit system in the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya
THREE DAY INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL BEGINS IN DELHI
Four cities namely Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Mysore have been shortlisted for conducting the main function of International Yoga Day 2018
GLOBAL CARBON EMISSIONS HIT RECORD HIGH IN 2017
The rise in carbon emissions during 2017 has been largely attributed to higher energy demand and the slowing of energy efficiency improvements.
32.5 gigatons carbon emissions in 2017 marks a 1.4% increment over previous year.
PAKISTAN TESTS NUCLEAR CAPABLE
Pakistan has conducted a test of its nuclear-capable, submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), Babur, which has a range of 450 km.
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US LAUNCHES WTO CHALLENGE AGAINST CHINA OVER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BREACHES
US has alleged that China is denying foreign patent holders (including US companies), basic patent rights that prevent Chinese entity from using the technology after a licensing contract ends. US believes that China is giving unfair treatment to US companies and innovators trying to do business in China
Quick Facts about World Trade Organisation (WTO) Formed in – 1995 Task – Regulation of International Trade Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland Current Director General – Robert Azevedo
WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP “SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS” SETS SAIL
It is 362 metres long and weighs nearly 228000 tonnes, being marginally bigger than its sister ship, the ‘Harmony of the Seas’, which was too built by STX France and was delivered to Royal Caribbean
EARTH HOUR 2018 OBSERVED ACROSS THE WORLD
India pledged “Give Up To Give About World Wide Fund for Nature Back” on Earth Hour 2018. People all (WWF) President & CEO – Carter Roberts over the world observed the Earth Formed – 1961 Hour 2018 by switching off non- essential lights for an hour between 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
INDIA BECOMES FOURTH LARGEST AUTO MARKET IN THE WORLD : India surpassed Germany to wind up the fourth biggest vehicle advertise on the planet. Car deals, including traveller and business vehicles, in Asia’s third-biggest economy, grew 9.5%. It is the quickest among major worldwide markets.
The main five nations on the run down are
1. China 2. USA 3. Japan 4. India 5. Germany
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DR.ABIY AHMED BECOMES NEW PRIME MINISTER OF ETHIOPHIA
Ethiopia’s ruling coalition has elected a new leader in the person of Dr. Abiy Ahmed. He will eventually become Prime Minister of the country. State-affiliated FANA Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported that the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) had elected Abiy as its chairperson.
FANA Broadcasting Corporate S.C. (FBC) is a private news media company operating in Ethiopia. Launched in 1994 it focuses mostly political, social and economical reports about Ethiopia. It operates both radio and television stations within Ethiopia.
RUSSIA TESTS NEW INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE
The Russian military says it has successfully tested its latest intercontinental ballistic missile. Sarmat is intended to replace the Soviet-designed Voyevoda, the world’s heaviest ICBM known as “SATAN” in the West.
TWO SATILITES LAUNCHED BY CHINA TO BOOST NAVIGATION SYSTEM
The BRI ( Basic rate Interface ) , previously known as ‘One Belt, One Road’, seeks to build rail, maritime and road links from Asia to Europe and Africa. By around 2020, when the BDS( BeiDou Navigation Satellite) goes global, it is expected to have more than 30 satellites.
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NATIONAL
RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV ENDS ON A GRAND NOTE IN INDORE
‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) -2018’ a diversified cultural carnival organized by Ministry of Culture in Madhya Pradesh ended in Indore with a dazzling closing ceremony graced by the esteemed presence of the Loksabha Speaker, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan as the Chief Guest.
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan is a Deemed University under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt of India in New Delhi, India. It was established in 1970.
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan has been accredited by NAAC
CABINET APPROVES CONTINUATION OF PMEGP BEYOND 12TH PLAN
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) beyond 12th Plan for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a total outlay of Rs.5,500 crore.
PMEGP SCHEME:
Scheme will create sustainable estimated employment opportunities for 15 lakh
persons in three financial years.
Dr.HARSH VARDHAN LAUNCHES MOBILE APP
In an effort to transform environment protection into a peoples’ movement, a digital mobile application was launched by the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Earth Sciences and Science & Technology in New Delhi.
The App, named “Dr Harsh Vardhan”, focuses on his social & public activities and involvement of citizens in “Green Good Deeds” movement, which urges people to perform at least one Green Good Deed every day.
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INDIA, ISRAEL JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ON HOMELAND AND PUBLIC SECURITY HELD
The two-day meeting of the Joint Steering Committee on Homeland and Public Security of India and Israel concluded in New Delhi.
Objectives: The meeting follows the resolve of the Prime Ministers of both countries to combat
the grave threat that terrorism poses to peace and security.
The objectives of the meetings were capacity building and modernization in the
Police Forces besides border management.
INDIA’S FIRST AVIATION MULTI-SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OPENS IN CHANDIGARH
An aviation multi-skill development centre (MSDC) was opened in Chandigarh by aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
A CSR initiative of Airports Authority of India (AAI), this first-of-its-kind centre has been
set up in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and is supported by the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) of India. The Rs 5.2 crore project is housed at Chandigarh's old airport terminal building.
GANDHI’S LETTER ON CHRIST UP FOR SALE
A powerful and emotional letter by Mahatma Gandhi in 1926, in which he discusses Jesus Christ, is now on sale. The letter, dated April 6, 1926, was sent by Gandhi from the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat to the U.S. “JESUS WAS ONE OF THE GREAT TEACHERS OF MANKIND,” Gandhi stated in the letter to Christian religious elder Milton Newberry Frantz.
Gandhi Titles :
Mahatma by Rabindranath Tagore 1947 Rastitrapita by Subhash Chandra Bose 1944
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CM SIDDARAMAIAH INAUGURATES WORLD’S ‘LARGEST’ SOLAR PARK IN KARNATAKA.
Shakti Sthala hailed as the world’s largest solar park by Karnataka government, was inaugurated by CM Siddaramaiah.
Currently, 600 MW of the total planned capacity is under operation. The remaining
capacity is expected to be ready by the end of this year.
ARUNACHAL EXPRESS BETWEEN NAHARLAGUN-ANAND VIHAR FLAGGED OFF.
A new train between Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh and Anand Vihar Terminal in the national capital was flagged off by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju.
This is the second direct train for Arunachal Pradesh and 14th for North East to connect with the national capital.
GOVERNMENT APPROVES RS 2,919 CRORE PROJECTS UNDER NIRBHAYA FUND TO CREATE 8 SAFE CITIES.
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has approved projects worth Rs 2,919 crore under Nirbhaya Fund for creating Eight safe cities.
They are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Lucknow.
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AMA GAON, AMA VIKAS’ PROGRAMME, LAUNCHED BY ODISHA GOVERNMENT
In hopes of reaching out to villagers of Odisha, the State Government has launched the ‘Ama Gaon, Ama Vikas’ (our village, our development) programme. The initiative aims to reach out to people in rural areas and involve them in developmental activities.
FIRST MEGA FOOD PARK IN MAHARASHTRA AT SATARA INAUGURATED
The first Mega Food Park in the state of Maharashtra, M/s. Satara Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. at Village Degaon, District Satarawas inaugurated on 1stMarch, 2018 by Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries in the presence of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, of Maharashtra.
This is the 12th Mega Food Park operationalized in the country so far and the 10th
operationalized during the tenure of present government.
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TARINI REACHES CAPE TOWN IN THE LAST LEG OF ITS JOURNEY
An all-women crew leading the India Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini docked at a port in Cape Town in South Africa in the last phase of its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe.
This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off the expedition from Goa on
September 10.
The vessel has covered 1,75,00 nautical miles from Goa. The indigenously-built INSV Tarini, a 56-foot sailing vessel, was inducted into the Navy earlier this year.
DR. BHAMRE INAUGURATES ANNUAL ARMY SEMINAR 2017-18
Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre inaugurated one-day Annual Army Seminar for 2017-18 on ‘Contribution of the Army Towards Nation Building’ at Manekshaw Centre New Delhi.
Objective of the seminar is to highlight the contributions of the Indian Army towards Nation building and identify new spheres and areas for future participation.
AIR INDIA OPERATES ALL-WOMEN CREW FLIGHT FROM KOLKATA.
National carrier Air India has operated a flight on the Kolkata-Dimapur-Kolkata sector with an all-women cockpit and cabin crew. According to a release issued by the airlines, the flight AI709, an Airbus 319, was operated by Captain Akanksha Verma and Captain Satovisa Banerjee in the cockpit.
Air India had operated the world’s first all-women crew flight from Kolkata to Silchar way back in 1985.
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KARNATAKA GOVT LAUNCHED HEALTHCARE SCHEME 'AROGYA KARNATAKA'
Karnataka government launched a healthcare scheme “Arogya Karnataka (Healthy Karnataka)” aimed at benefitting about 1.43 crore households in the state. The scheme will provide quality primary, secondary and tertiary treatment to both BPL and APL families in the state.
Under the scheme, all below-poverty-line (BPL) households will get free treatment
at government hospitals and for all above-poverty-line (APL) households; the
state will bear about 30 percent of the treatment cost.
Rs. 1,000 CR. FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar that in a major boost for research and innovation, the centre had sanctioned Rs. 1,000 crore for the Phase II of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India Programme.
In a statement at the Visitor’s Conference in New Delhi, he said that under the IMPRINT-II, a fund was being created by the Department of Science and Technology and the HRD Ministry in which participation would come from the industry and interested Ministries.
“Under the IMPRINT-I Programme, 142 projects at a cost of Rs.318.71 crore are
under implementation.
These projects cover crucial domains like security and defence, information
technology, energy, sustainable habitat, advance materials, health care, nano
technology, climate change, etc.,”
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SUKHAD YATRA APP AND TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY NUMBER FOR HIGHWAY USERS LAUNCHED.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has launched Sukhad Yatra mobile application and 1033 Toll-free Emergency number for highway users.
It also launched scheme for District Driving Training Centres and will provide grant of financial assistance for Road Safety Advocacy and awards for outstanding work in Road Safety.
SUKHAD YATRA MOBILE APPLICATION
Sukhad Yatra mobile application it has been prepared by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to empower Highway user.
40 PARTICIPANTS ATTEND 46TH KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME
40 participants of Indian Origin from 9 countries attended 46th edition of Know India Programme (KIP). Madhya Pradesh was partner state of this edition.
KNOW INDIA PROGRAMMES (KIP).
KIP is initiative (scheme) of Ministry of External Affairs for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) between the age group of 18 to 30 years. The scheme was launched in 2004 and has so far had 40 editions in which some 1,293 PIO youths have participated.
ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA HEADQUARTERS SHIFTED FROM CHENNAI TO BALLABHGARH.
Government has shifted headquarters of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to Ballabhgarh in Faridabad District of Haryana from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
It was shifted after consultation with AWBI for better coordination between the Environment Ministry and AWBI for carrying out the animal welfare activities.
ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA (AWBI) AWBI is a statutory advisory body established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
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INDIA’S FIRST HELITAXI SERVICE LAUNCHED IN BENGALURU
India’s first helicopter shuttle service (HeliTaxi) was launched in IT capital Bengaluru, Karnataka in a bid to provide last-mile connectivity
The maiden trip of helitaxi was between Electronic City and Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. It was provided by Thumby Aviation.
It has reduced travelling time between airport and Electronic City from two hours (by road) to 15 minutes.
DELHI’S WOMEN’S DAY GIFT: PANIC BUTTONS
International Women’s Day, in a move to bolster the security of women passengers, the Delhi governments has announced a pilot project under which state-run buses would be installed with Panic Alarm System.
Panic Alarm System
The panic alarm system consists of panic alarm buttons and sirens. These panic alarm buttons located at rather, strategic locations inside a building premises. Moreover, high volume siren receivers spread across the building.
SWACHH SHAKTI 2018 TO BE HELD IN LUCKNOW
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is organizing a Women’s Convention – called Swachh Shakti 2018 – on International Women’s Day, at Lucknow
RAJASTHAN PASSES BILL TO GIVE DEATH PENALTY FOR CHILD RAPE Rajasthan became the second State, after Madhya Pradesh, to pass a bill providing for death penalty to those convicted of raping girls of 12 years and below
According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2016 report, the cases of crimes
against children have seen a steady increase in Rajasthan.
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SUVIDHA: GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES 100% OXO-BIODEGRADABLE SANITARY NAPKIN UNDER JANAUSHADHI PARIYOJANA.
The Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has launched ‘Suvidha’, a 100% Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). It was launched by Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs Ananthkumar on the occasion of International Woman’s day.
Objective of the PMBJP Scheme: Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi Medical Store”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare.
GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES UDYAM SAKHI PORTAL FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises launched Udyam Sakhi Portal (www.udyamsakhi.org) for women entrepreneurs on the occasion of International Women’s Day. It was unveiled by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of MSME, Giriraj Singh, in a program held at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
INDIA’S TALLEST FLAG HAS BEEN UNFURLED IN KARNATAKA
India’s tallest national flag has been unfurled in Belagavi (also known as Belgaum) in Karnataka. The 9,600 sq.ft flag on a 110 m flag pole was unfurled by Ramesh Jarkiholi, District in-charge Minister. The 110 m tall flag post at Kote Kere is near the historic Belagavi fort in the city. It is taller than the post in Pune (107 m) and the one at the India-Pakistan border at Attari (105 m) in
Punjab.
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THE JHANOR-GANDHAR THERMAL POWER STATION IS LOCATED IN GUJARAT
The Jhanor-Gandhar Thermal Power Station is a gas- based power plant located at Urja Nagar, in Bharuch district of Gujarat. It is run by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
THE BIGGHEST SOLAR POWER PLANT OF UTTER PRADESH HAS SET UP IN MIRZAPUR
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron have jointly inaugurated the 75MW solar power plant at Chhanvey block in Mirzapur
district of Uttar Pradesh
IMPAL- CITY TO HOST THE 105TH SESSION OF ISC
The 105th session of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) will be hosted by Manipur Central University in Imphal from 16 to 20 March 2018. The focal theme of the ISC is “Reaching the Unreached through Science & Technology”.
CCRAS HAS DEVELOPED A CODED DRUG AYUSH QOL-2C FOR CANCER PATIENTS.
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has developed a coded drug AYUSH QOL-2C for improving the quality of life in cancer patients. This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH. The CCRAS is an autonomous body under the Ministry
of AYUSH and is headquartered at New Delhi.
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FINLAND TOPS 2018 GLOBAL HAPPINESS INDEX
The World Happiness Report published ranked 156 countries by happiness levels, based on factors such as life expectancy, social support and corruption.
Finland is the happiest place to live. Norway and Denmark ranked second and third respectively. I ndia ranked 133rd in the report. Burundi ranked last in the index.
PUNE TOPS IN IMPROVED QUALITY GOVERNANCE: SURVEY
Pune has emerged as the top city to show improvement in quality of governance, according to a survey. The other cities that came in the top five include Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar and Surat. The survey was conducted by Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.
DELHI, BENGALORE, CHENNAI AMONG THE CHEAPEST CITY IN THE WORLD
Three Indian cities New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai are among the cheapest cities in the world, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey.
JAIPUR TO WITNESS 8TH THEATRE OLYMPICS
Jaipur will co-host 8th Theatre Olympics, the largest international theatre festival being held for the first time in India. The Jaipur chapter of Theatre Olympics 2018 is organised by National School of Drama (NSD) under the aegis of Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Ravindra Manch Society and Art & Culture Department, Rajasthan Government.
8th Theatre Olympics. The 8th edition of Theatre Olympics was inaugurated by Vice president Venkaih Naidu in New Delhi in February 2018. The event was organised by National School of Drama (NSD). The theme of festival is – “Flag of Friendship“ The 51-day long nationwide theatre extravaganza will cover 17 cities in India with more than 25,000 and 250 youth show. 30 countries participated in the festival from across the globe.
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UNION MINISTER OF STATE R K SINGH DEDICATED 4,611 SMART AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT LED LIGHTS TO ARA TOWN IN BIHAR
R K Singh, Union Minister of State for power and New & Renewable Energy dedicated 4,611 smart and energy-efficient LED lights to the people of Ara town in Bihar’s Bhojpur district. The lights have been installed in just three weeks under the Street Light National Programme (SLNP) of the Union Ministry of Power
Street Light National Programme is an initiative of the Government to promote energy
efficiency in the country. Government aims to replace 3.5 crore conventional street
lights with energy efficient LED lights. This would result in annual energy saving of
900 crore units and the total cost savings of municipalities every year will be Rs 5,500
crore.
MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT BANS USE OF PLASTIC
Maharashtra Government has banned use of plastic in time-bound manner, citing environmental and public health concerns. The decision was taken at cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The ban will include plastic bags, thermocol, disposable cups and plates, cutlery, non- woven polypropylene bags, plastic pouches and packaging.
PUNE TOPS IN URBAN GOVERNANCE: ASICS 2017 REPORT
Pune was ranked first among 23 cities across India in terms of quality of urban governance in the fifth edition of Annual Survey of India’s City-System. (ASICS) 2017 report released by Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation, Janaagraha.
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BHAWANA KANTH BECAME THE 2ND INDIAN WOMAN TO FLY A FIGHTER AIRCRAFT SOLO
Flying officer Bhawana Kanth became the second woman pilot of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to fly a fighter aircraft solo. Kanth, who hails from Darbhanga in Bihar, flew a MiG- 21 “Bison” from Ambala Air Force Station at around 2 pm.
Avani Chaturvedi become the first-ever Indian woman to break the sound barrier with resounding sonic booms in a supersonic fighter
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THE INAUGURATION OF FIRST INDIA-JAPAN WORKSHOP ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR) IN NEW DELHI
Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog inaugurated the First India-Japan Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Government of Japan
NITIN GADKARI INAUGURATES INLAND FERRY SERVICES IN GOA
Several dignitaries including Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shripad Naik were present at the inauguration.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT GOA
Capital – Panaji Current Chief Minister – Manohar Parrikar Current Governor – Mridula Sinha Important River – Mondovi
CENTRE APPROVES TO SET UP A PLASTIC PARK IN DEOGHAR DISTRICT OF JHARKHAND
The Plastic Park would be set up at a cost of Rs. 120 crores over an area of 150 acres. Range of polymer products including woven sacks, water tanks, moulded furniture, bottles, pipes mosquito nets, etc would be manufactured at this Plastic Park
QUICK FACTS ABOUT JHARKHAND
Capital – Ranchi
Current Governor – Draupadi Murmu
Current Chief Minister – Raghubar Das
Important Wildlife Sanctuary – Hazaribag Wildlife Sanctuary
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INDIA POST RELEASES SPECIAL COVER ON STEPHEN HAWKING
The special cover on Stephen Hawking was jointly issued by Chief Post Master General (CPMG) of Maharashtra and Goa Circle, H C Agrawal and Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Dr Sandip Trivedi at an event held in the General Post Office (GPO), Mumbai
NITI AAYOG, PIRAMAL FOUNDATION INK AGREEMENT TO IMPROVE HEALTH, EDUCATION IN ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS
Piramal Foundation will work in close conjunction with the State Government, district administration, and concerned Central ministries in improving the identified indicators in the health and nutrition and education sectors.
USEFUL INFO ABOUT PIRAMAL FOUNDATION Founded in – 2006 Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra Philanthropic arm of – Piramal Group
Engaged in projects related to – healthcare, education, livelihood
creation and youth empowerment
PUNJAB IMPOSES PERMANENT BAN ON HOOKAH BARS
Punjab cabinet approved an amendment to the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003 for the prevention and control of diseases caused by the use of tobacco products
JACKFRUIT DECLARED AS KERALA’S OFFICIAL FRUIT
An official announcement on this regard was made by Kerala Agriculture minister V S Sunil Kumar in the Kerala state assembly. This decision was taken based on a proposal
made by the Kerala Agriculture Department.
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GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES FREE WI-FI SERVICE FOR UDWADA IN VALSAD DISTRICT OF GUJARAT
The facility was launched by Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Communications and Minister of State for Railways. I&B (Information and Broadcasting) minister Smriti Irani selected Udwada village under Saansad Adarsh Gram scheme
ANDHRA GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NAIPUNYA RATHAM OR WORLD ON WHEELS
Andhra Pradesh (AP) State Government launched, NAIPUNYA RATHAM or World on Wheels, a multi-utility vehicle aimed at taking technology to the remote corners of the state
The first phase of the Naipunya Ratham launch will cover 13 districts and 28 smart
villages in collaboration with Hewlett Packard (HP), Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India and Guide Foundation for Development March 30
FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT HELD IN NEW DELHI
This conference has been organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Useful Info Formed in – 1986 Headquarters – New Delhi Parent Entity – Union Ministry of Home Affairs
Current Director General – Abhay
ALL INDIA POLICE SCIENCE CONGRESS KICKS OFF IN SHIMLA
All India Police Science Congress was organised by the Himachal Pradesh Police Department and The Bureau of Police Research and Development. It was held for 2 days.
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ISRO POSTPONES LAUNCH OF CHANDRAYAAN-2 MISSION
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that launch of India’s second lunar mission ‘Chandrayaan-2’, which was to be launched in April 2018, has been postponed to October 2018.
CHANDIGARH BECOMES NORTH INDIA’S 1ST CITY TO INSTALL DIGITAL AUTOMATIC SPEED GUN CAMERAS
The cameras will record the speed of the oncoming vehicles in its vision area and issue chalan to anyone driving above the stipulated city speed limit. The chalan along with image of over speeding will be sent to vehicle owner’s residential address.
SEVENTH INDIA-EGYPT JOINT COMMISSION MEETING HELD IN NEW DELHI
Important people: Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led the Indian side. The Egyptian side was led by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Development in the political, trade & investment, cyber security, capacity building, security, space, culture sectors etc. were reviewed.
DELHI GOVERNMENT PRESENTS ‘GREEN BUDGET’ AIMS AT CONTROLLING POLLUTION
Mr. Sisodia highlighted that, under Delhi Budget 2018-19, 26 programmes and schemes of transport, power, environment and PWD will be threaded together for devising a unified system of pollution control.
The green budget is one area where governments can influence human's
interaction with the environment by discouraging environmental destruction, and
encouraging beneficial behavior.
BENGAL RANKS TOP IN HIGHEST NO OF BEGGARS, LAKSHADWEEP LEAST
As per Census 2011 data, India is home to 413670 beggars. Among all state and Union
Territories, highest number of beggars resides in West Bengal (nearly 81000 beggars),
while Lakshadweep has only two beggars.
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AMBEDKAR JAYANTI TO BE CELEBRATED AS ‘SOCIAL JUSTICE DAY’
BJP national spokesperson Anil Baluni announced that, the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar (14th April) will be celebrated as ‘Social Justice Day’.
‘NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DOWN SYNDROME’ HELD IN NEW DELHI
A ‘National Conference on Down Syndrome’ was held in New Delhi on March 26, 2018. This conference was organised by the National Trust under Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
About Down Syndrome:
Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder associated with intellectual and learning disabilities. Children having Down syndrome face delayed development and behavioural problems. In 2011, United Nations declared to observe 21st March every years, as World
Down Syndrome Day (WDSD).
ASSAM GOVT TO CONSTRUCT 1 LAKH TOILETS ACROSS STATE
Assam State Government launched a special programme to build one lakh toilets across the state under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
This special programme is named ‘Mission Sambavh’ (Mission Possible ), under which, construction works will be completed within 10 days.
The programme was launched at Morigaon district, in presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal.
1ST PRINT BIENNALE INDIA – 2018 EXHIBITION BEGINS IN NEW DELHI
The exhibition is being hosted by India’s National Academy of Art, the Lalit Kala Akademi. Eminent Artist-Printmaker, Shakti Barman was the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony
Quick facts about Lalit Kala Akademi
Established in – 1954
Located in – New Delhi
Parent entity – Union Ministry of Culture
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SURAT BECOMES FIRST DISTRICT TO HAVE 100% SOLAR POWERED HEALTH CENTRES
This initiative will not only contribute in reducing the electricity bill by 40 percent but will also help in fighting global warming. 150 out of 572 gram panchayats in Surat are now powered by solar system.
WORLD’S OLDEST CITY VARANASI GOES ‘WIRELESS’
Under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) of Indian government, Powergrid has laid 16 square kilometers of underground lines in Varanasi. This will be utilized by nearly 50,000 consumers.
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS LAUNCHES COOL EMS SERVICE BETWEEN INDIA AND JAPAN
Ministry of Communications has introduced the Cool EMS Service between Japan and India with effect that will allow Indian customers to import Japanese food items for personal use.
About Ministry of Communications
Minister of state (Independent charge) for Communications – Manoj Sinha
Headquarters – New Delhi
ASIA LARGEST TULIP GARDEN IN SRINAGAR OPENS FOR VISITORS :
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden opened for guests in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It perceived as the Asia’s biggest tulip plant. This year, 12.5 lakh tulip knobs of 48 assortments were sown in the garden by the horticulture division. Aside from the tulips, 40,000 hyacinth globules have additionally been planted.
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INDIA AND ADB SIGN 80 MILLION LOAN AGREEMENT
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed $80 million loan agreement to help modernize technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and improve the skills ecosystem in the State of Himachal Pradesh.
The project will support the skill initiatives of Government of Himachal Pradesh and help
the State step-up the reform and scale-up its skill development efforts.
KTM IS THE INDIA’S FASTEST GROWING MOTORCYCLE BRAND
KTM, Europe’s no. 1 motorcycle brand is also India’s
fastest growing brand for 2017 With over 271 and more world championship titles every KTM is 100% ready to race. Launched in India in 2012.
SACHIN SANCTIONS RS.40 LAKH FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN KASHMIR
Former cricketer and MP Sachin Tendulkar has sanctioned 40 lakh from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme fund for construction of a school building in Drugmulla area in Jammu and Kashmir.
GHAZIABAD BECOMES THE FIRST DISTRICT TO HAVE A 100% ELECTRIFICATION
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath praised the Centre’s Saubhagya scheme and said his government’s efforts to augment the power infrastructure through it. In an attempt to improve health infrastructure in the state, the chief minister also launched the ‘Aarogyam’ app.
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SPORTS
ROGER FEDERER NAMED WORLD SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR 2017
Twenty-time tennis grand slam champion Roger Federer has won the 2017 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year awards. The 36-year-old Swiss won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles in 2017 after nearly five years without a major.
Serena Williams took the World Sportswoman of the Year award after winning her 23rd grand slam in 2017.
NAVJOT KAUR WINS 65KG ASIAN GOLD
Navjot Kaur became the first Indian woman to claim a gold medal in the Asian wrestling championships when she defeated Imai Miyu of Japan in the final to win the 65Kg title in the Kyrgyzstan capital.
VISWANATHAN ANAND WINS THE RAPID EVENT AT TAL MEMORIAL
Viswanathan Anand won the rapid event at the 11th Tal Memorial chess in Moscow.
The World rapid champion finished the event with 6 points while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (with 5 points) came second.
AFGHANISTAN’S RASHID KHAN BECAME THE YOUNGEST CAPTAIN IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan became the youngest captain in the history of international cricket.
The previous record was held by Rajin Saleh of Bangladesh which was 20 years and 297 days. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the youngest Indian to lead an ODI team in the age of 23 years and
126 days.
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MANU & OM BAG GOLD
Manu Bhaker stuck gold yet again, winning the mixed air pistol title with Om Prakash Mitharval, with a 0.9 point margin over Germany’s Christian Reitz and Sandra Reitz who had topped qualification, in the shooting world cup.
ANJUM SHOOTS SILVER
Anjum Moudgil translated her fabulous form into a silver medal in the women’s rifle 3-position event at the shooting Wold Cup.
MARCOS ROJO SIGNS A NEW DEAL AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Jose Mourinho favourite Marcos Rojo has signed a new deal at Manchester United that will keep him at the club until at least 2021
SHI YUQI DEFEATED LIN TO DAN WIN ALL ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Seventh seed Shi Yuqi defeated Lin Dan to win the All England Open badminton championships in Birmingham.
INDIA’S PURVA BARVE WON THE WOMEN’S SINGLES TITLE AT THE ISRAEL JUNIOR 2018
Purva Barve won the Under-19 Women’s Singles title at the Israel Junior 2018 Badminton Tournament at Israel.
She defeated Russian Anastasiia Pustinskaia in three sets
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VIDARBHA HAS WON THE IRANI CUP IN NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA
Vidharbha has grabbed their second title of the domestic season by winning the Irani Cup in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
INDIA’S ELAVENIL VALARIVAN WINS GOLD IN ISSF JUNIOR WORLD CUP
Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan won gold medal in the junior women’s 10m air rifle event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Sydney, Australia.
ROHTAK SET TO HOST FIRST WORLD SERIES OF BOXING CLASH
The National Boxing Academy in Rohtak, Haryana, is to host the World Series of Boxing (WSB) clash between Indian Tigers and the Astana Arlans from Kazakhastan on 31st March 2018.
PV SINDHU TO BE INDIA’S FLAG-BEARER AT CWG OPENING CEREMONY
PV Sindhu has been chosen by IOA (Indian Olympic Association) as Indian contingent’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2018 at Gold Coast, Australia.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL WINS F1 SEASON’S FIRST GRAND PRIX IN AUSTRALIA
Sebastian Vettel finished the race in the first position and won the 2018 Formula One Grand Prix of Australia. Lewis Hamilton finished in the second position. Kimi Raikkonen finished in the third position. This is Sebastian Vettel’s 48th career victory.
17TH SUB JUNIOR NATIONAL WUSHU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STARTED IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
The four-day 17th Sub-junior National Wushu Championship began in Jammu today. The national level sports event is being organised in the winter capital city of Jammu by the the Wushu Association of India in collaboration with J&K State Sports Council at
MA Stadium.
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AWARDS
AWARD FOR MANI RATNAM
Director Mani Ratnam will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES)
90TH ACADEMY AWARD (OSCARS 2018)
The 90th academy award commonly referred to as Oscars was held at the Dolby theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California (US). The award presented in 24 categories by academy of motion picture arts and science (AMPAS), honouring best films of year 2017. The shape of water won the most number of awards totalling to four at the ceremony after it was nominated into highest 13 categories.
WINNERS ARE
Best Picture: The Shape Of Water Best Actress:France Mcdomand(Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, As Mildred Hayes). Best Director: Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape Of Water) Best Animated Short Film: Dear Basketball Best Animated Feature Film : Coco Best Live Action Short Film: The Silent Child Best Actor: Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour as Winston Churchill)
BALKRISHNA DOSHI WINS PRITZKER PRIZE: FIRST INDIAN TO RECEIVE THE ‘ARCHITECTURE NOBEL’
Architect Balkrishna Doshi, a pioneer of low-cost housing design, won the prestigious Pritzker Prize considered architecture’s Nobel equivalent.
He is the 45th Pritzker laureate and the first from India.
The international Pritzker prize, established by Chicago’s Pritzker family in 1979.
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THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (ICMR) HAS BEEN AWARDED THE INTERNATIONAL KOCHON PRIZE 2017
• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the research body of the health ministry, has been awarded the International Kochon Prize 2017 for its contribution to the national programme in Tuberculosis research.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – was awarded the International
Kochon Prize 2017 on March 13, 2018 in New Delhi for its contribution to the national programme in Tuberculosis research
CANADIAN MATHEMATICIAN ROBERT LANGLANDS WINS ABEL PRIZE
Robert Langlands will receive 6 million Norwegian kroner ($776,000) from Norway’s King Harald V at an award function to be held in Oslo on 22 May 2018.
G.K. REDDY MEMORIAL NATIONAL AWARD FOR 2017 PRESENTED TO JOURNALIST KARAN THAPAR
Karan Thapar is a senior journalist and television presenter. He has been awarded the G.K. Reddy Memorial National Award for 2017 for his contribution to journalism.
About Press Trust of India (PTI):
Head Office – New Delhi Chairman – Mr Viveck Goenkaution to journalism
BENGALURU AIRPORT WINS BEST AWARD IN REGIONAL CATEGORY
Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) announced this information and the place Kempegowda International Airport is located at Devanahalli, Bengaluru.
AHMEDABAD AIRPORT RECEIVES AWARD FOR ‘MOST IMPROVED AIRPORT’
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat has received ‘Most Improved Airport’ award in the Asia Pacific region, in Airport Service
Quality awards 2017 organised by the Airport Council International (ACI).
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LONDON BASED ORGANISATION SACF WINS FREDERICK PINCOTT AWARD FOR 2017
London-based South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF) has received the Frederick Pincott Award for 2017 from the Indian High Commissioner, Y K Sinha for promoting Hindi cinema in Britain for the last 18 years.
CHATTISGARH BAGS ‘WATER DIGEST AWARD’ FOR BEST WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION FACILITY
This award is presented in association with Central Water Resources River Development and Ganga Cleaning Ministry, UNESCO, Central Water Board, Central Water Commission and Ganga Purification National Mission.
ANISH BHANWALA WINS INDIA’S 3RD INDIVIDUAL GOLD IN ISSF JUNIOR WORLD CUP
Anish Bhanwala won gold medal in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Junior event at the ISSF Junior World Cup Rifle / Pistol / Shotgun in Sydney, Australia.
HOCKEY PUNJAB WINS 8TH HOCKEY INDIA SENIOR MEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 (A DIVISION)
Hockey Punjab won the 8th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2018 (A Division) at the Padma Shri Mohammad Shahid Synthetic Hockey Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
SREEKUMARAN THAMBI HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR THE J.C DANIEL AWARD
Lyricist and director Sreekumaran Thampi has been selected for the J.C. Daniel Award, the Kerala government’s highest honour for lifetime
contribution to Malayalam cinema.
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PERSONALITY
STEPHEN HAWKING, THE LEGENDARY THEORETICAL PHYSICIST HAS PASSED AWAY
Mr. Hawking was the author of several popular science books, including ‘A Brief History of Time’ which sold more than 10 million copies and was translated into 40 different languages. The physicist had won the Albert Einstein Award, the Wolf Prize, the Copley Medal, and the Fundamental Physics Prize. His life story was the subject of the 2014 film ‘The Theory of Everything’, starring Eddie Redmayne.
CHIEF ETHICS OFFICER OF TATA SONS, MUKUND RAJAN QUITS
Mukund Rajan, chief ethics officer of Tata Sons, has quit from the Tata group. As per Tata Sons press release, Rajan has conveyed personal reasons for his decision to leave the company and will be evaluating certain entrepreneurial pursuits
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INDIAN POLITY
ARUNACHAL PRADESH ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL TO HAVE TWO-TIER PANCHAYATI RAJ
Arunachal Pradesh Assembly passed Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill 2018 to do away with the Anchal Samiti, the intermediate level of the three-tier panchayati raj system and set up a two-tier system in the state.
This is being done as per 73rd Amendment of Constitution that enables state having less
than 20 lakh population not to have intermediate level and Arunachal has population of
13.84 lakh.
Three-tier panchayati raj institutions were set up in state in 2003, 2008 and 2013, and elections for next five-year term were due in April-May 2018.
SC UPHOLDS PASSIVE EUTHANASIA
The Supreme Court has upheld passive euthanasia and the right to give advance medical directives or ‘living Wills’ to smoothen the dying process as part of the fundamental right to live with dignity.
Passive euthanasia Passive euthanasia is the act of withdrawing or withholding medical support to a dying patient who has no hope for revival or cure.
A five-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice of Places where euthanasia India Dipak Misra, in four separate and concurring is illegal opinions, ruled that the fundamental right to life and U.K. Australia dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution includes New Zealand the “right to die with dignity”. Dignity is lost if a man Philipines is allowed or forced to undergo pain and suffering
because of “unwarranted medical support.
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Forms of euthanasia
Definitions of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) Vary across countries. These can be narrowed down to three categories as below
Categories Definition
Voluntary active euthanasia When a physicial administers a
medication, such as a sedative and neuromuscular relaxant, to intentionally end a patient’s life with the mentally
competent patient’s explicit request
Involuntary or non – voluntary When a physician administers a Active euthanasia medication to intentionally end a patient’s life but without the patient’s request. It is allowed in The Netherlands
Physician-assisted suicide When the physician provides medication at the explicit request made by a patient with the understanding that it will be used to end life. Legal in Germany.
SRI LANKA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AMID VIOLENCE
Sri Lanka declared an island-wide state of emergency to curb growing anti-muslim violence in the Central Province. The emergency will lapse in two weeks unless Parliament votes to extend it, legal experts.
A state of emergency in India refers to a period of governance under an
altered constitutional setup that can be proclaimed by the President of India. Under the
advice of the cabinet of ministers and using the powers vested in him/her largely by Part XVIII of the Constitution of India.
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PARLIAMENT PASSES BILL THAT LETS GOVT DOUBLE TAX-FREE GRATUITY TO RS 20 LAKH
Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced by Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar in the Lok Sabha during the winter session and was passed. Under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, formal sector workers with five or more years of service are eligible for maximum Rs. 10 lakh tax-free gratuity after leaving job or at time of superannuation.
IRDAI EXTENDS AADHAAR LINKING DEADLINE FOR INSURANCE POLICIES
This decision has been taken by IRDAI in accordance with Supreme Court of India’s order to extend the deadline of linking Aadhaar indefinitely till the matter is finally heard and the judgement is pronounced.
Quick facts about Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) : Constituted by – Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Current Chairman – T.S.Vijayan
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DEFENCE
INDIA, JORDAN INK 12 PACTS TO BOOST DEFENCE TIES
Jordan and India signed a framework defence agreement which envisages a whole range of possibilities from the defence. India and Jordan signed 12 agreements after the high-level talks, covering areas as diverse as mass media, health, culture and tourism. But the area of interest for both countries is clearly defence and security.
BRAHMOS SUPERSONIC CRUISE MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED FROM POKHRAN IN RAJASTHAN
The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile. It was developed in a joint-venture between India and Russia. This missile has been named after the rivers Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia.
GLOBAL FIREPOWER RANKS INDIA’S MILITARY AS FOURTH STRONGEST
India’s military is placed fourth on a global index that has ranked 133 countries on the basis of their global military prowess.
The US, Russia and China were on top three positions respectively.
India’s western neighbour Pakistan ranks 13 on the Global Firepower (GFP) list 2017.
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TAMILNADU
GOVERNMAENT LAUNCHES CLEAN INDIA MISSION IN THIRU - VANAMALAI
Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit launched the Swachh Bharat Mission programme in front of Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple. Interacting with the shopkeepers in front of the temple, he urged them not to litter the street.
T.N. CONSTITUTES STATE FOOD COMMISSION
A six-member Tamil Nadu State Food Commission, with IAS officer R.Vasuki as its Chairperson, was recently constituted by the State government, more than a year after it decided to implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA). As per Section 16 of the National Food Security Act, 2013 every State should constitute a State Food Commission for the purpose of monitoring and reviewing implementation of this Act. NFS Act, 2013, the Commission shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act in relation to the State, inquire into complaints of violations of entitlements, give advice to the State government for the effective implementation of food and
nutrition related schemes.
K.SRINIVASAN POSTED AS ASSEMBLY SECRETARY
Tamilnadu governor Banwarilal Purohit appointed K.SRINIVASAN, who previously served as the private special secretary to speaker P.DHANAPAL as the assembly secretary.
INDIA’S FIRST INSECT MUSEUM OPENED IN TAMIL NADU
The museum is fully dedicated to insects and claimed to be the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu at Coimbatore.It has been set up over 6691 sqft area at the cost of Rs. 5 crore.
Insects preserved as specimens and also live ones, depicting different developmental stages are displayed at this museum.
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CHENNAI AIRPORT ADJUDGED THIRD BEST IN SIZE
Chennai airport has been adjudged the third best airport in the world by Airport Council International’s Airport Service Quality Awards 2017. It has been selected third best in the category (Best Airport by Size) in the airports handling 15-25 million passengers a year.Bengaluru airport got the second best airport in this category.
TNERC SUGGESTS 30% LOWER TARIFF FOR WIND, SOLAR POWER
A consultative paper of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has suggested a benchmark tariff of Rs. 2.86 per unit for wind energy and Rs. 3.11 per unit for solar energy, an over 30% fall from previously fixed tariffs.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES TOLD TO PAY PROPERTY TAX
At least 2,000 schools and colleges in the city will have to pay property tax, generating additional revenue of Rs. 40 crore per annum for the Chennai Corporation. According to a press release, the civic body has passed a resolution to amend the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919,
DAILY FLIGHT TO SALEM FROM MARCH 25
Passengers will have the option to fly to Salem from Chennai in an hour. Under the Regional Connectivity Schemed (RCS) introduced by the Civil Aviation Ministry, there will be one flight a day to Salem and back HIGH COURT TO SET UP STALL AT TRADE FAIR
In a first of its kind initiative, the Madras High Court Legal Services Authority (MHCLSA) has decided to set up a stall at the 44th All India Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair, conducted by the Stated government at the Island Grounds here, to create awareness among people about the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015. The stall will be set up through the Social Welfare Department.
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APPOINTMENT
VINAY KUMAR APPOINTED INDIA’S AMBASSADOR TO AFGHANISTAN.
Senior diplomat Vinay Kumar has been appointed as India’s ambassador to strategically key Afghanistan. Kumar, a 1992 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently serving as Joint Secretary (South) in the headquarters of the external affairs ministry.
VIRAT KOHLI NAMED UBER INDIA'S FIRST BRAND AMBASSADOR
Popular ridesharing app Uber has announced the appointment of Indian skipper Virat Kohli as its first brand ambassador in India. This partnership will see Uber and Virat Kohli joining hands to underscore the company's commitment to serve billions in the country, in the years to come.
BIDYA DEVI BHANDARI IS A NEW ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NEPAL
Bidya Devi Bhandari has been re-elected as President of Nepal for second term in office with an overwhelming majority. She defeated her Nepali Congress rival Kumari Laxmi Rai in the election held on March 13, 2018
RAVINDRA RAO APPOINTED AS THE NEW CEO OF RELIANCE ASSET RECONSTRUCTION COMPANY Reliance Asset Reconstruction Company (RARC) appinted its new Chief Executive Officer named Ravindra Rao. Ravindra Rao succeeds Asokan Arumugam, who is retiring after delivering four years of commitment at the helm at RARC
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RAKESH MAKKAR APPOINTED AS THE CEO OF FULLERTON INDIA HOME FINANCE
Fullerton India Home finance appoints Rakesh Makkar as the new Cheif Executive Officer. He has been associated with the company from last few years. He was holding the Senior Management position in Fullerton India Home finance
MYANMAR’S FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT HTIN KYAW RETIRES He is 71 years old. Myanmar President Office has announced that, the President post which has become vacant will be filled within 7 working days. He was the first Myanmar president to visit India in 2016.
MARTIN VIZCARRA SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT OF PERU
Martin Vizcarra replaces Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned on 21st March 2018 due to a corruption scandal.
Some UNESCO Cutural Heritage Sites in India Churches and Convents of Goa – Goa
Ellora Caves – Maharashtra Fatehpur Sikri – Uttar Pradesh
BALESH SHARMA NAMED CEO OF VODAFONE-IDEA INDIA MERGED ENTITY
Earlier, Balesh Sharma was the chief operating officer (COO) of Vodafone India. He joined Vodafone in 2003. Earlier, he was the business head of Gujarat Circle and the CEO of Vodafone Malta. He served as the CEO of Vodafone Czech Republic.
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JS RAJPUT NOMINATED INDIA’S REPRESENTATIVE TO UNESCO’S EXECUTIVE BOARD
J S Rajput has been nominated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development as India’s representative to the Executive Board (EXB) of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
INDU BHUSHAN APPOINTED CEO OF AYUSHMAN BHARAT MISSION
Indu Bhushan was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Union Government’s ambitious Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (ABNHPM). Bhushan, the Director General of East Asia Department, Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, Philippines appointed to the post for a period of two years.
LT.GENERAL HARPAL SINGH TAKES CHARGE AS DIRECTOR GENERAL BORDER ROADERS
Lt Gen Harpal Singh an alumni of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla is appointed as Director General Border Roads (DGBR). He was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers on 24 December 1982. He later commanded a Border Roads Task Force in Jammu & Kashmir valley.
GOVERNMENTS APPOINTS 13 NEW SECRETARIES
1992 batch IAS officer Vineet Joshi as director general of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Chandra Bhushan Kumar, a 1995 batch IAS officer, is new deputy election commissioner. Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey, a 1998 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer will be a joint
secretary in the department of revenue.
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CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG WAS APPOINTED TO SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM
China’s legislature appointed Premier Li Keqiang, of the ruling Communist Party, to a second five-year term. National People’s Congress delegates voted 2,964 to 2 to approve Li’s appointment
WIN MYINT ELECTED AS A NEW PRESIDENT OF MYANMER
Myanmar's Parliament elected Win Myint as the country's new President. This comes after Myanmar's first democratically elected President Htin Kyaw resigned from the position due to health issues. Myint is considered a close aide of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and has been a speaker in the lower house since 2012.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
ICE-PRESIDENT VENKAIAH NAIDU HONOURS FORMER CJI KHEHAR, MILKHA SINGH
Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu honoured several eminent personalities, including former CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar and legendary athlete Milkha Singh. Khehar and three other people were conferred the ‘Honoris Causa’ degrees during the 67th annual convocation of the Panjab University (PU).
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COMMITTEE
GOVERNMENT SETS UP SUBHASH CHANDRA GARG COMMITTEE TO REGULATE FINTECH SECTOR
The Union Government has set up 8 member steering committee look into the development and regulation of the financial technology (fintech) sector in India. It will be headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Garg. The move follows an announcement by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Budget.
Members:
Electronics and Information Technology Secretary,
Financial Services Secretary, MSME Secretary, Chairperson of Central Board of Excise and Customs, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Chief Executive Officer of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Joint Secretary Department of Economic Affairs.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UNDER POSHAN ABHIYAAN HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TO DECIDE ON ROAD MAP FOR MISSION.
The Executive Committee, which is the apex body for all nutrition related activities under the POSHAN Abhiyaan, held its first meeting to decide on the road map for the mission on March 14, 2018. The Committee is headed by Rakesh Srivastava, Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Notes: POSHAN Abhiyaan under Innovation component, envisages undertaking activities to be implemented intended to improve the service delivery system, capacity building of front line functionaries and community engagement for better nutritional outcomes. The successful pilots may be taken up later-on for scaling up in similar contextual specificities on a broader platform.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CHINA TO BUILD ‘WORLD’S FASTEST’ WIND TUNNEL
A Chinese researcher has said that, the 265 meter- long tunnel would be used to test hypersonic aircraft that can travel up to a speed of 30,625 kph. This speed is 25 times the speed of sound.
GREECE LAUNCHES NEWLY ESTABLISHED SPACE AGENCY ‘HELLENIC SPACE AGENCY’
Dr. Tom Krimigis, who is regarded as ‘Space Exploration Pioneer’ has been appointed Chairperson of the Board of Hellenic Space Agency. In the context of this news, it is to be noted that Greece has been a member of European Space Agency (ESA) since 2005 and has invested millions of Euros in its research programmes.
A THIN FILM TO SAVE GREAT BARRIER REEF :
An ultra – fine biodegradable film some 50,000 times thinner than a human hair could be enlisted to protect a great barrier reef from environmental degradation. Scientist from Australian Institute of Marine Biology have been buoyed by test results of a floating sun shield made of calcium carbonate that has been shown to protect the reef from the effects of bleaching.
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SCHEMES
BENGAL TOPS IN RURAL JOB SCHEME, T.N. IS SECOND
West Bengal has become the best performing State both in terms of allotting jobs and utilising funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
TOP PERFORMERS
State Work Days (Cr.) Fund spent (Cr.)
West Bengal 28.21 7,335.31
Tamil Nadu 22.17 5,981.75
Andhra Pradesh 18.16 5,054.17
Goa is ranked at the Bottom of the list with 94,000 work days and spent funds worth 2.47 crore.
CCEA APPROVES INTEGRATED SCHEME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SILK INDUSTRY :
The Central Government made a major stride in making India independent in silk creation. The choices taken by the bureau will prompt the development of a first-ever between ecclesiastical board to support R&D and innovation move in the silk division with a 1,000 crore rupee finance.
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INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at The U.N. The ISA has set a target of 1 TW of solar energy by 2030,
121 prospective member countries Only 56 countries have signed the ISA Frame work Agreement.
ROLE OF INDIA
India plays a significant role in the alliance in terms of being a host as well as a major contributor to the achievement of the target. India will provide assistance to 15 countries for $ 1.4 billion.
The founding ceremony of the International Solar Alliance was held in
New Delhi on March 11.
ISA is the first international body that will have a secretariat in
India.
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ECONOMY
INDIA’S GDP GROWTH FORECAST FOR FY 19 AT 7.3 % AS PER WORLD BANK LATEST REPORT
According to the World Bank’s latest report “India Development Update – India’s Growth Story”, India’s GDP growth has been projected at 7.3% for the financial year FY 19 (2018-19) and it is expected to accelerate further to 7.5%
INDIA TO JOIN MULTILATERAL LENDER EBRO
India has got the go-ahead to join the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), after shareholders of the London-based multilateral lender agreed to the country becoming its 69th member, enabling Indian companies to undertake join investments in regions in which the EBRD operates.
“This is an important step in the relationship between the EBRD and India, allowing us
to build further on already very close ties,”
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GOOGLE LENS ROLLED OUT FOR IOS DEVICES
Google announced the official rollout of its on-demand object recognition tool, Google Lens, for IOS devices. The Google Lens is the company’s visual search engine that recognises images and scans business cards.
MICROSOFT OFFERS $250,000 TO IDENTIFY CHIP BUGS
Microsoft is offering up to $250,000 for identifying bugs that are similar to the “Meltdown” and “Spectre” CPU flaws. The offering is part of Microsoft’s new limited- time bounty programme for “speculative execution” side-channel vulnerabilities.
EDELWEISS CALLS OFF ACQUISITION DEAL WITH RELIGARE SECURITIES
Edelweiss group announced that it is calling off acquisition of religare enterprises’ securities business. Citing the seller’s inability to obtain clearances, edelweiss has cancelled the deal.
The Edelweiss Group is a diversified financial services with headquarters in Mumbai,
India. It is not backed up by any major conglomerate
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AMAZON INDIA LAUNCHES A SIX FULFILLMENT CENTERS IN INDIA
Amazon india is investing in six specialized fulfilment centers (fcs) in india. The states include is pune, gurugram, bhopal, coimbatore, lucknow, and mumbai. Now, Amazon india has a network of 15 fulfilment centers.
INDIA HANDS OVER 18 HIGH-END DIESEL LOCOS TO MYANMAR
These locomotives have been customised QUICK FACTS ABOUT for the Myanmar Railways and have MYANMAR
been built by Diesel Locomotive Works, Capital – Naypyidaw Varanasi. Currency – Burmese kyat Current President – Htin Kyaw The handing over ceremony was Important River – Irrawaddy attended by Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain.
INDIAN OIL CORP STARTS DOORSTEP DELIVERY OF DIESEL ON A PILOT BASIS IN PUNE
It became first company in India to provide such service after receiving clearance from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
QUICK FACTS ABOUT IOC Founded in – 1964
Headquarters – New Delhi
Current Chairman – Sanjiv Singh
US SLAPS ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON CHINESE, INDIAN STEEL FLANGES
The anti-dumping duty has been imposed based on a probe by US Department of Commerce, through which, it was found that exporters from India and China received subsidies on these products and were thereby able to sell it in US market much below the fair value.
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MICROSOFT OPENS THE GARAGE IN HYDERABAD
The Garage was inaugurated at the Microsoft India Development Centre in Hyderabad by Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao.
About Microsoft India: President, Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. – Anant Maheshwari MD, Microsoft India (R&D) Private Limited and Corporate Vice President,
Cloud & Enterprise, Microsoft India Development Center – Anil Bhansali
INDIAS RECEIVES MAIDEN US LNG SHIPMENT AT DABHOL
India received its first LNG cargo from the US under a long-term supply deal, when a ship carrying super-cooled natural gas arrived at Dabhol in Maharashtra.
SWIGGY PARTNERS WITH ICICI BANK, LAUNCHES UPI-BASED DIGITAL PAYMENT SERVICE
The first one is a Unified Payment Interface (UPI) based solution which enables instant fund transfers while the other is a facility for depositing cash at automated Cash Deposit Machines (CDM) available at ICICI Bank branches and ATMs across India.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT ICICI BANK • Founded in – 1994 • Headquarters – Mumbai • Current MD & CEO – Chanda Kochhar
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VENEZUELA TO ELIMINATE THREE ZEROS OFF CURRENCY
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro decided to remove three zeros of the Venezuelan currency Bolivar fuerte with effect from June 4, 2018. This decision is aimed at controlling the prevailing hyperinflationary situation across Venezuela which witnessed 6147 percent price rise in last 12 months.
Quick Facts about Venezuela Capital – Caracas
Currency – Bolivar fuerte
Current President – Nicolas Maduro Important Rivers – Orinoco, Caroni
SWIFT INTRODUCES UNIVERSAL REAL-TIME PAYMENT TRACKING
SWIFT (Society for World Interbank Financial Telecommunication System platform) has announced the extension of its GPI (Global Payment Innovation) Tracker to cover all payment instructions sent across the network.
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR INDIAN RAILWAY FINANCE CORPORATION (IRFC) BONDS
Union Ministry of Finance has approved Government guarantee of Rs. 5000 crore in financial year 2017-18 for Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) bonds to be subscribed by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
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SUMMIT
GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO RESET CHINA TIES WITH A MODI-XI SUMMIT.
India and China are discussing the possibility of an informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. It is a part of an effort to reset bilateral ties set back by last year’s military standoff on the Doklam plateau.
PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATES 105TH INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 105th session of Indian Science Congress (ISC) at Manipur Central University in Imphal. The focal theme of 5-day ISC is “Reaching the Unreached Through Science & Technology”.
ISCA was started in the year 1914 at its headquarters in Kolkata. It organises Indian
ScienceCongress annually in the first week of January. The first meeting of the ISCC was held in January 1914 in the Asiatic Society, Kolkata. He 104th edition of ISC was held in Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) with the theme “Science and Technology for National Development”.
5TH INDIA MAIZE SUMMIT HELD IN NEW DELHI
The India Maize Summit 2018 was organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The India Maize Summit has been conducted About Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
Established – 1927 President – Rashesh Shah
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BOOKS AND AUTHORS
INDIAN ARMY RELEASES BOOK ON PARAMVEER CHAKRA AWARDEES
Paramveer Parwane is a book on the bravery of Paramveer Chakra Awardees from 1947 to 1965. It has been authored by Dr Prabhakiran Jain General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff, released a book on Paramveer Chakra Awardees named ‘Paramveer Parwane’.
'EXAM WARRIORS'- A BOOK PENNED DOWN BY PM NARENDRA MODI RELEASED
The book penned down by PM Narendra Modi named 'Exam Warriors' was launched to reach out to the students across the country ahead of their exams.
SHYAM SARAN'S BOOK 'HOW INDIA SEES THE WORLD' LAUNCHED
The book of Former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran named “How India Sees the World: Kautilya to the 21st Century” launched by former Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh.
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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
CITIES AND ITS NICKNAMES City State Nickname/Nicknames Agra Uttar Pradesh Taj Nagari
Ahmedabad Gujarat Boston of India
Manchester of India
Allahabad Uttar Pradesh Abode of the God
Sangam City City of Prime Ministers Amritsar Punjab Golden City Asansol West Bengal Land of Black Diamond
Bengaluru Karnataka Electronic City of India Garden City of India
Silicon Valley of India Pensioners Paradise
Space City Science city of India IT Capital of India Bhagalpur Bihar The Silk City of India Bhopal Madhya Pradesh City of Lakes Indore Madhya Pradesh Mini Mumbai Bhubaneswar Odisha Temple City of India Chandigarh Chandigarh The City Beautiful
Chennai Tamil Nadu Gateway of South India
Detroit of Asia Auto Hub of India
Health Capital of India
Coimbatore Tamil Nadu Textile City of India
Manchester of South India
The Pump City
Coorg Karnataka Scotland of India
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Darjeeling West Bengal The Queen of the Hills Dhanbad Jharkhand The Coal Capital of India Shillong Meghalaya Scotland of East Dibrugarh Assam Tea City of India Durgapur West Bengal Ruhr of India Gandhinagar Gujarat Green city Guwahati Assam Gateway of North East India Nilgiri Tamil Nadu Blue Mountains
Hyderabad Telangana City of Pearls City of Nizams
World Capital of Biryani HITECH City
Jaipur Rajasthan Pink City
Paris of India City of Palaces Jaisalmer Rajasthan Golden City of India
Jamshedpur Jharkhand Steel City of India Pittsburgh of India
Kanpur Uttar Pradesh Leather City of the World
Manchester of North India Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir Switzerland of India
Kochi Kerala Gateway to Kerala
Queen of the Arabian Sea
Kolkata West Bengal City of Joy
City of Palaces Cultural Capital of India
Gateway of Eastern India Heaven of the Aged Kolhapur Maharashtra City of Wrestlers
Kollam Kerala Prince of Arabian sea
Cashew Capital of the World
Gateway to Backwaters
Lucknow Uttar Pradesh Shiraz-e-Hind
Constantinople of the East
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The Golden City of India
City of Nawabs
Madurai Tamil Nadu Athens of the East City of Festivals
City of Four Junctions Temple city
Sleepless City Malda West Bengal Mango City
Mangalore Karnataka Rome of the East
Cradle of Indian Banking Gateway of Karnataka
Mumbai Maharashtra City of Seven Islands Financial Capital of India
Maya Nagari City of Dreams
Gateway of India
Hollywood of India
Maximum City Mundi Madhya Pradesh Power Hub City Mussoorie Uttarakhand Queen of the Mountains
Mysore Karnataka Heritage City
Green City Nagpur Maharashtra Orange City Nainital Uttarakhand City of Lakes New Delhi Delhi City of Rallies Patiala Punjab Royal City
Panipat Haryana City of Weavers City of Handloom Pondicherry Puducherry Paris of the East Prayag Uttar Pradesh Abode of the God Pune Maharashtra Queen of Deccan Purulia West Bengal Manbhum City
Rishikesh Uttrakhand City of Sages
Yoga City
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Siliguri West Bengal Gateway to the Dooars
City of Hospitality Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir City of lakes Tezpur Assam City of Blood Thane Maharashtra City of Lakes
Tiruchirappalli Tamil Nadu Rock Fort City
Energy equipment and fabrication capital of India
Tucker Trichy
Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu City of Paddy fields
Oxford city of South India Halwa city of India
Udaipur Rajasthan White City
City of Lakes Venice of the East
Varanasi Uttar Pradesh Spiritual capital of India
Religious capital of India
City of Lights City of Temples
City of Learning Oldest living city on Earth
Holy City
Jodhpur Rajasthan Blue City
Sun City
Nasik Maharashtra Wine capital of India Grape city of India
California of India
Surat Gujarat Diamond City Of India City Of Diamonds
Textile city Of India
Vadodara Gujarat Cultural City Of India
Sayaji Nagari
Banyan City
World Capital Of Garba
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Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh City Of Destiny
Kakinada Andhra Pradesh Pensioners Paradise
City of Kaja Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh The Place of Victory
Bhimavaram Andhra Pradesh Second Bardoli of India
City of Prawns Rajahmundry Andhra Pradesh Cultural City Guntur Andhra Pradesh City of Chillies Vaniyambadi Tamil Nadu Leather city of South India
Warangal Telangana City of Lakes
City of Temples Second city of Nizam Zunheboto Nagaland Land Of Warriors
IMPORTANT PORTS IN INDIA
Name of the Sea Port Coast State
Kandla Western Coast Gujarat
Mumbai Western Coast Maharashtra
Jawaharlal Nehru Western Coast Maharashtra
Marmugoa Western Coast Goa
Manglore Western Coast Karnataka
Cochin Western Coast Kerala
Haldia Eastern Coast West Bengal
Paradip Eastern Coast Odisha
Vishakapatnam Eastern Coast Andhra Pradesh
Chennai Eastern Coast Tamil Nadu
Ennore Eastern Coast Tamil Nadu
Tutikorin Eastern Coast Tamil Nadu
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RECIPIENTS OF THE BHARAT RATNA
Year Name of Recipient About him/her Image 1954 Shri Chakravarti Last Governor – General, Independence activist Rajagopalachari
Dr. Sarvapalli India’s 1st Vice President, Philosopher and India’s Radhakrishnan 2nd President
Dr. Chandrasekhara Physicist Venkata Raman
1955 Dr. Bhagwan Das Author, Independence activist, Kashi Vidya Peeth Founder
Dr. Mokshagundam Diwan of Mysore, Civil engineer Visvesvaraya
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Author, Independence activist, 1st Prime Minister
1957 Pt. Govind Ballabh Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Independence Pant activist, Home Minister
1958 Dr. Dhondo Educator, social reformer Keshave Karve
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1961 Dr. Bidhan Chandra Chief Minister of West Bengal and a Physician Roy
Shri Purushottam Educator, Independence activist Das Tandon
1962 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Jurist, Independence activist, 1st President of India
1963 Dr. Zakir Hussain Scholar, Independence activist, 3rd President of India
Dr. Pandurang Sanskrit scholar and Indologist Vaman Kane
1966 Shri Lal Bahadur 2nd Prime Minister of India, Independence activist Shastri (Posthumous)
1971 Smt. Indira Gandhi Knowns as the Iron Lady of India, 3rd Prime Minister of India
1975 Shri Varahagiri 4th President, Trade unionist Venkata Giri
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1976 Shri Kumaraswami Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Independence activist Kamraj (Posthumous)
1980 Mother Teresa Founder of Missionaries of Charity and a Catholic nun
1983 Shri Acharya Independence activist and a Social reformer Vinobha Bhave (Posthumous)
1987 Khan Abdul Ghaffar Independence activist, First non-citizen Khan
1988 Shri Marudu Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Film actor Gopalan Ramachandran (Posthumous)
1990 Dr. Bhim Rao Ramji Crusader against Untouchablity, Chief architect of Ambedkar Indian Constitution, Social Reformer, Dalit Icon, (Posthumous) Historian, Economist, scholar, politician
Dr. Nelson 2nd non – citizen and non – Indian recipient, Leader
Rolihlahla Mandela of Anti – Apartheid movement
1991 Shri Rajiv Gandhi 6th Prime Minister of India (Posthumous)
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Independence activist, 1st Home Minister Patel (Posthumous)
Shri Morarji 4th Prime Minister and Independence activist Ranchhodji Desai
1992 Maulana Abul 1st Minister of Education and an Independence Kalam Azad activist (Posthumous)
Shri Jehangir Philanthropist and Industrialist Ratanji Dadabhai Tata
Shri Satyajit Ray Filmmaker
1997 Shri Gulzarilal Interim Prime Minster, independence Activist Nanda
Smt. Aruna Asaf Ali Independence activist (Posthumous)
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Aeronautical Engineer and 11th President of India Kalam
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1998 Smt. Maduari Carnatic Classical Singer Sanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi
Shri Chidambaram Minister of Agriculture and an Independence Subramniam Activist
1999 Loknayak Politician, Independence Activist Jayaprakash Narayan (Posthumous)
Professor Amartya Economist
Sen
Lokpriya Gopinath Chief Minister of Assam, Independence activist Bordoloi (Posthumous)
Pandit Ravi Shankar Sitar Player
2001 Sushri Lata Playback Singer Dinanath Mangeshkar
Ustad Bismillah Hindustani classical Shehnai player Khan
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2008 Pandit Bhimsen Hindustani classical Singer Gururaj Joshi
2014 Sachin Tendulkar Indian Cricketer, First Sportsman and Youngest Indian who got Bharat Ratna
Prof. C.N.R Rao Indian Scientist
2015 Atal Bihari Atal Bihari Vajpayee is an Indian statesman who Vajpayee was the Eleventh Prime Minister of India from BJP
Madan Mohan The freedom icon and Educationist popularly known Malviya as ‘Mahamana”
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MARCH MONTH QUESTIONS
1. King Abdullah II of which country visited India on a three-day official visit from February 27, 2018 to March 1, 2018? (A) UAE (B) 2. Iran (C) Saudi Arabia (D)Jordan
2. Cabinet approves Establishment of National Financial Reporting Authority. How many members are there in NFRA? (A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6 3. Name the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) which had arrived at a port in Cape Town in South Africa on 2nd March 2018? (A) Tarini (B) Nandhi (C) Dhanvi (D) Varuna
4. Which Indian state’s women team won the interstate national tennis championship 2018 held in Chhattisgarh? (A) Rajasthan (B) Madhya Pradesh (C) Maharashtra (D) Gujarat
5. Who won the rapid event at the 11th Tal Memorial chess in Moscow, Russia? (A) Viswanathan Anand (B) Garry Kasparov (C) Anatoly Karpov (D) Bobby Fischer
6. Name the first country of the World to launch its own crypto-currency as legal tender in a bid to raise money? (A) Solomon Islands (B) Marshall Islands (C) Cook Islands (D) Pitcairn Island
7. Which state’s Buddhist Community celebrated the silver jubilee of the Losar Festival? (A) Sikkim (B) Arunachal Pradesh (C) Jammu Kashmir (D) Nagaland
8. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ayushman Bharat – National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM)? (A) Suraj Gupta (B) Deepankar Singhvi (C) Kirti Pal Saxena (D) Indu Bhushan
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9. Which state has highest number of fully covered tribal habitations with the safe drinking water? (A) Madhya Pradesh (B) Odisha (C) Rajasthan (D) Jharkhand
10. Which state government has signed pact with Airport Authority of India (AAI) to develop villages in Kamrup? (A) West Bengal (B) Mizoram (C) Nagaland (D) Assam
11. Which state government has signed pact with Airport Authority of India (AAI) to develop villages in Kamrup? (A) West Bengal (B) Mizoram (C) Nagaland (D) Assam
12. How much amount has been fixed by the Government of India as agriculture credit target for the fiscal year 2018-19? (A) Rs 11 lakh (B) Rs 9 lakh (C) Rs 12 lakh (D) Rs 10 lakh13
13. ISRO has tied up with which Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) company for the production of space-grade lithium-ion cells? (A) NTPC (B) BHEL (C) SAIL (D) GAIL
14. The first-ever National Conference on Drug Law Enforcement has started in which city? (A) Chennai (B) New Delhi (C) Bangaluru (D) Jaipur
15. The Union Government has constituted which task force to draft new Direct Tax Law? (A) Arun Jaitely (B) Arvind Subramanian (C) Pritam Das (D) Arvind Modi
16. What is the theme of the 2018 International Day of Happiness? (A) Share Happiness (B) Angry Birds Happy Planet (C) Reclaim Happiness (D) Happy Heroes
17. Which state is hosting the 7th edition of the Women Science Congress (WSC-2018)? (A) West Bengal (B) Punjab (C) Manipur (D) Haryana
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18. Who has been elected as the new President of China? (A) Li Keqiang (B) Xi Jinping (C) Wang Yang (D) Wang Qishan
19. Which among the following countries has recently unfurled world’s biggest flag stretching over 200 km? (A) Bolivia (B) Chile (C) Peru (D) Argentina
20. Who was invited as the chief guest, in the golden jubilee of independence celebrations of Madagascar, the island nation? (A) Sushma Swaraj (B) Smriti Rani (C) Arun Jaitely (D) Ram Nath Kovind
21. Which of the following teams has won the Newton-Bhabha Fund for project on Groundwater Arsenic Research in Ganga River Basin? (A) India-Russia Joint Team (B) India-UK Joint Team (C) India-Japan Joint Team (D) India-Israel Joint Team
22. The Jhanor-Gandhar Thermal Power Station is located in which state? (A) Chhattisgarh (B) Karnataka (C) Andhra Pradesh (D) Gujarat
23. Name the rakhi sister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who passed away recently at the age of 103. (A) Sharbati Devi (B) Rajeshwari Devi (C) Champa Rani (D) Bandhani Devi
24. In an effort to prevent bank fraud, the government has made passport detail mandatory for loans above Rs ______crore. (A) Rs 75 crore (B) Rs 25 crore (C) Rs 50 crore (D) Rs 10 crore
25. In an effort to prevent bank fraud, the government has made passport detail mandatory for loans above Rs ______crore. (A) Rs 75 crore (B) Rs 25 crore (C) Rs 50 crore (D) Rs 10 crore
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ANSWERS:
1 E 6 B 11 D 16 A 21 B
2 D 7 B 12 A 17 C 22 D
3 A 8 D 13 B 18 B 23 A
4 C 9 A 14 B 19 A 24 C
5 A 10 D 15 D 20 D 25 C
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