Published by VETRII IAS STUDY CIRCLE F Block New No. 1, 9th Street, 1st Avenue main Road, Chinthamani, Anna Nagar (E), Chennai – 102. Phone: 044 – 26265326 / 9600124042 / 9840097666 www.vetriias.com E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] © All rights reserved with the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, will be responsible for the loss and may be punished for compensation under copyright act. 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 9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 1 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018 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 9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 2 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018 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’sits 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. 9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 3 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018 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. 9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 4 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018 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. 9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 5 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018 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. 9600124042/ 9840097666 Page 6 TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS I March 2018 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.