Monthly BeePedia March 2022

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Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
INDEX
Finance and Banking ______________________________________________2
Economy _________________________________________________________
19
National __________________________________________________________
29
International _____________________________________________________
43
States____________________________________________________________46
Reports and Indexes _______________________________________________

50
Science and Technology ___________________________________________54
Agriculture and Rural Development __________________________________

55
Defence __________________________________________________________
56
Events ___________________________________________________________
59
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Appointments ____________________________________________________62
Awards and Rewards ______________________________________________65
Important Days ___________________________________________________71
Obituaries_________________________________________________________
73
Books ___________________________________________________________76
Sports ___________________________________________________________
77
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Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
FINANCE AND BANKING

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RBI cancelled licence of Sarjeraodada Naik Shirala Sahakari Bank
 Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the license of Sarjeraodada Naik Shirala Sahakari Bank, Sangli,
Maharashtra, as it did not have adequate capital and earning prospects.
 On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her
deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee
Corporation (DICGC).
Learn Along
RBI Headquarters: Mumbai Governor: Shaktikanta Das
4 Deputy Governors: T. Rabi Sankar,
MK Jain, MD Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao
Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of
India. It was established on 15 July 1978 under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961
for the purpose of providing insurance of deposits and guaranteeing of credit facilities. DICGC insures all bank
deposits, such as saving, fixed, current, recurring deposit for up to the limit of Rs. 500,000 of each deposit in a
bank.
DICGC Headquarters: Mumbai Executive: M.D. Patra
RBI launches UPI 123Pay for instant digital payments using feature phones
 RBI recently launched UPI for non-smartphone users.

 RBI’s new service, called UPI 123Pay, would allow feature phone users to make instant digital
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payments.
 UPI for feature phones was initially announced by the RBI in December at the monetary policy meeting.
 Along with the launch of UPI for feature phones, which will be available in all Indian languages, the
central bank also launched a 24*7 helpline for digital payments – DigiSaathi.
 It will offer four alternatives to users to make payments by offering them a menu of options and will add
to these features going forward.
o First is through an IVR system, or voice based system, where users can call the number
provided by NPCI, initiate a secured call, and make a transaction.
o Two, is through an app-based channel, where an app functionality will be offered in a feature
phone. All transactions available on a UPI app on smartphones will be offered except for the
feature to scan and pay.
o Third, is a proximity sound based payment. Transactions will be made using technology based
on sound waves to enable contact, enable networking and thus make contactless payments.
o Fourth, a missed call based system, where users can send a missed call and will get back a call.
Users can authenticate the payment by inputting a UPI pin and thus carrying out the payments.
Learn Along
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments
Corporation of India facilitating inter-bank transactions. The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of
India and works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.
Interest subsidy scheme for exporters extended till March 2024: RBI
 RBI extended the interest equalisation scheme for pre and post shipment rupee credit for MSME
exporters till March 2024 with the objective of boosting outbound shipments.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Exporters get subsidy under the ‘Interest Equalisation Scheme for pre and post-shipment Rupee
Export Credit’.
 The interest equalisation rates under the scheme have been revised to 2 per cent and 3 per cent for
specified categories of MSME manufacturer exporters.
RBI accepts USD 5.135 billion in USD/INR sell-buy swap auction
 Reserve Bank of India has accepted USD 5.135 billion in USD/INR sell-buy swap auction conducted
recently against the notified amount of USD 5 billion.
 Last month, the RBI had announced to undertake a USD/INR two-year sell/buy swap auction of USD 5
billion.
RBI comes up with UPI123pay for feature phones and DigiSaathi 2022
 Reserve Bank of India has launched two initiatives- UPI123pay and DigiSaathi.
 UPI123pay provides a UPI payment facility on feature phones.
 DigiSaathi is a 24×7 Helpline for Digital Payments.
 The UPI123pay will provide the users of feature phones the option to use Unified Interface Payments
(UPI) for making payments. For this, UPI123 pay presently offers four mediums/options to the users of
feature phones to make UPI payments.
RBI releases booklet on modus operandi of financial frauds
 RBI recently launched a booklet named “BE(A)WARE” which features common modus operandi used
by fraudsters and precautions to be taken while carrying out various financial transactions.
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 It aims to enhance public awareness about various types of financial frauds perpetrated on gullible
customers while carrying out digital payments and other financial transactions.
 It mentions safeguards against commonly used fraudulent techniques like SIM swaps,
vishing/phishing links, lottery, fake loan websites and digital apps etc.
RBI extends Interest subsidy scheme for exporters
 Reserve Bank of India extended the interest equalisation scheme for pre and post-shipment rupee
loans for MSME exporters through March 2024.
 It will expand export shipments.
 The ‘Interest Equalisation Scheme for pre and post-shipment Rupee Export Credit’ provides a
subsidy to exporters. The scheme was first extended until the end of June last year, and then again until
September 2021.
 The interest equalisation rates under the plan have been revised to 2% and 3% for certain categories of
MSME manufacturer exporters.
 The scheme will not apply to telecom instruments or businesses that receive benefits under the
government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme.
 The bank will be required to provide the prevailing interest rate, the interest subvention being provided,
and the net rate being charged to each exporter when issuing approval to the exporter, according to the
RBI, in order to ensure transparency and greater accountability in the scheme’s operation.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
RBI allows microfinance lenders to fix interest rates on loan
 RBI standardised the definition of microfinance loans, stating that all collateral-free loans, irrespective
of end use and mode of application, processing and disbursal, provided to households with an annual
income up to Rs 3 lakh shall be considered as microfinance loans.
 RBI also allowed microfinance lenders to fix interest rates on loans with a rider that those should not be
usurious for the borrowers.
 Each regulated entity (RE) should put in place a board-approved policy regarding pricing of
microfinance loans, said the ‘Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Regulatory Framework for
Microfinance Loans) Directions, 2022’.
Learn Along
Microfinance is a basis of financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses deficient in contact with
banking and associated services. Similar to banking operation traditions, microfinance entities are supposed to
charge their lender’s interests on loans.
NaBFID to be regulated as AIFI under RBI Act
 Reserve Bank of India has announced that National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and
Development (NaBFID) will be regulated and supervised by it as an All India Financial Institution (AIFI)
under the Sections 45L and 45N of RBI Act, 1934.
 Presently RBI has four AIFIs under it namely EXIM Bank, NABARD, NHB and SIDBI. NaBFID will be
the fifth AIFI under RBI.
 NaBFID has been set up as a Development Financial Institution (DFI) to support the development of
long-term infrastructure financing in India.
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Exim Bank is a specialized financial institution wholly owned by the Government of India with presence in Indian
and foreign cities around the world. It was set up in 1982, for the purpose of financing, facilitating and promoting
India’s international trade
Exim Bank Headquarters: Mumbai MD: HARSHA BANGARI
NABARD Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Govinda Rajulu Chintala
RBI directs Paytm Payments Bank Ltd to stop onboarding of new customers
 RBI recently directed Paytm Payments Bank Ltd to stop the onboarding of new customers with
immediate effect.
 The bank has also been directed to appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive System Audit of
its IT system.
 The RBI took the decision in exercise of its powers under section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act,
1949.
 It also advised Paytm Payments Bank to appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive System
Audit of its IT system. Once the audit is over, RBI will review the reports of IT auditors and based on the
reports grant or review its permission for onboarding of new customers.
 Annual inspections by the Reserve Bank of India found that the company’s servers were sharing
information with China-based entities that indirectly own a stake in Paytm Payments Bank.
 Paytm Payments Bank Ltd is a joint venture between Paytm and its founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma.
China’s Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and its affiliate, Jack Ma’s Ant Group Co., own shares of Paytm.
Learn Along
Paytm Payments Bank Headquarters: Noida, UP MD & CEO: Satish Kumar Gupta
Limited

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
RBI gives 3-month extension to RBL Bank's interim MD & CEO
 RBI has granted an extension of three months to its interim MD and CEO of Private sector RBL
Bank Rajeev Ahuja.
 The board of the bank had sent the then MD and CEO Vishwavir Ahuja on leave and elevated
Rajeev Ahuja as the interim chief.
Learn Along
RBL Bank Headquarters: Mumbai MD & CEO: Rajeev Ahuja
Microfinance Loans - Regulatory Framework issued by RBI
 RBI has instructed regulated entities lending to the microfinance sector to ensure that loans are
collateral-free and not secured by a lien on the borrower’s deposit account, that repayment
obligations are capped, that interest rates are not usurious, and that there is no prepayment
penalty.
 RBI harmonised regulatory framework for regulated lenders, which includes scheduled
commercial banks, small financing banks, NBFC-MFIs, and NBFC-Investment and Credit
Companies, includes these clauses.
 RBI’s Regulatory Framework for Microfinance Loans Directions, 2022, will take effect on April 1,
2022.
 All collateral-free loans offered to low-income households — households with annual income
up to $3 lakh — will be termed microfinance loans, according to the RBI, regardless of end use or
mode of application, processing, or disbursal.
Learn Along
Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 and engaged
in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by
Government or other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit
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business
Madras’ IIT and RBI Innovation Hub make ties
 IIT Madras Incubation Cell and RBI Innovation Hub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI,
inked a Memorandum of Understanding.
 The two organisations will collaborate to give early-stage entrepreneurs with unique and
disruptive ideas with incubation support and speed their scale-up journey.
RBI allows SBI Group entities to raise ICICI Bank stake to 9.99%
 RBI has told the company to ensure that the total shareholding of the SBI Group entities in
ICICI Bank remains below 10% of the paid up equity capital of the bank at all times.
 The approval is valid for a time period of 1 year, that is, up to March 22, 2023.
 Mutual funds currently hold a 28.2% stake in ICICI Bank and SBI Mutual Fund has a 5.72%
stake.
 RBI norms state that any entity who intends to acquire a 5% or higher stake in a private bank
shall have to seek prior approval of the central bank.
Learn Along
ICICI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai MD &CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi
RBI announces $5 billion dollar-rupee swap
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a $5 billion rupee-dollar swap — the second one this year.
 At the first swap on March 8, the banking regulator had accepted bids worth $5.135 billion.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 The auction had seen an overwhelming response with bids of $13.565 billion coming in against $5
billion on offer.
 The cut-off premium of 656 paise and the weighted average premium of the accepted bids of 649.71
paise translated into an annual premium of a little over 4%.
 The excess liquidity in the system is running at close to Rs 8 trillion.
 The first swap auction had been planned against the anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Life
Insurance Corporation.
Learn Along
Under the swap, a bank would sell US dollars to the RBI. It will simultaneously agree to buy the same amount of
US dollars at the end of the swap period. The swap transaction is materially different from OMOs (open market
operations). OMOs refer to a central bank's buying and selling of government securities in the 'open market'. On
the other hand, in swap transaction, only authorised dealers, mainly banks, will be allowed to deposit US dollars in
exchange for rupees.
RBI cancelled the license of People’s Co-operative Bank Ltd Kanpur
 Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the license of People’s Co-operative Bank Limited, Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh under Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
 The bank is prohibited from continuing its ‘banking’ business such as acceptance of deposits and
repayment of deposits as defined in Section 5(b) as mentioned in Section 56 of the Banking Regulation
Act, 1949 with effect from the close of business on March 21, 2022.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das inaugurated RBIH in Bengaluru
 RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das inaugurated the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) in Bengaluru.
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It was established with a Rs 100 crore initial capital contribution to foster and nurture financial
innovation.
 The Hub has an independent Board with Senapathy (Kris) Gopalakrishnan as Chairman and other
notable people from industry and academics as members.
Federal Bank, Bank of Baroda, Avanti Finance & Axis Bank partnered with RBIH
 The programme is aimed at advancing digital financial inclusion for women in India and to create digital
solutions for bridging the gender gap.
 Banks has teamed up with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, as scale up partner for the second phase of
Swanari TechSprint programme.
 Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) is hosting the 'Swanari TechSprint' from April 18-22.
Learn Along
Federal Bank Headquarters: Aluva, Kerala MD &CEO: Shyam Srinivasan
RBI Governor dedicates Varnika Ink Manufacturing Unit of BRBNMPL
 Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL) has set up an Ink Manufacturing Unit
named “Varnika” at Mysuru, Karnataka, with an annual ink manufacturing capacity of 1,500 MT.
 BRBNMPL) a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBI.
 It ensures that the entire requirement of banknote printing inks is produced in-house. To boost the ‘Make
in India’ initiative.
 This unit also manufactures Colour Shift Intaglio Ink and meets the entire requirements of banknote
printing presses in India.
 Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Shaktikanta Das has laid the foundation stone for the
establishment of a Learning and Development Centre (LDC) of the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note
Mudran Private Limited in Mysuru, Karnataka.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Learn Along
Bharatiya Reserve Bank Headquarters: Bengaluru Chairman: Dr. K.C.Chakrabarty
Note Mudran Pvt. Ltd.
RBI unveiled framework for geo-tagging of payment system touch points
 The framework is part of the central bank’s focus for deepening digital payments and providing inclusive
access to all citizens of the country.
 Geo-tagging of payment system touchpoints will enable proper monitoring of the availability of payment
acceptance infrastructure like Points of Sale (PoS) terminals, Quick Response (QR) codes, etc.
 This system will be deployed by banks / non-bank Payment System Operators (PSOs) to ensure proper
monitoring of the availability of payment acceptance infrastructure.
 Geo-tagging of Payment System TouchPoints/acceptance infrastructure under Section 10 (2) read with
Section 18 of Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
SEBI’s redressal portal SCORES receives 3,110 complaints in February; fixes 3,483
 Total 3,483 complaints received through grievance redressal system SCORES were disposed of
against listed entities or market intermediaries in February, according to data released by Sebi.
 SCORES is a grievance redressal system that was launched in June 2011. It is a platform designed to
help investors lodge their complaints online with Sebi, pertaining to the securities market, against
companies, intermediaries, and market infrastructure institutions.
Learn Along
SEBI Headquarters: Mumbai Chairman: Ajay Tyagi
Corrtech International files preliminary papers with Sebi to raise funds via IPO
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 Corrtech International (pipeline laying solutions provider), has filed preliminary papers with capital
markets regulator SEBI to raise funds through an initial public offering.
 The public issue comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 350 crore and an offer for
sale of 40 lakh shares by promoters, draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed with Sebi
showed.
 Corrtech International is the leading focused providers of pipeline laying solutions including
hydrocarbon pipeline laying works in India.
SEBI imposed penalties on three individuals for violation of insider trading norms in the shares
of Titan Company
 A fine of Rs 1 lakh each has been imposed on G S Saravanan, Ashik M P and V L George.
 Sebi had conducted an investigation into the shares of Titan after it was intimated about contravention of
prohibition of insider trading regulations and the company’s code of conduct for prevention of insider
trading by some of its designated persons/ employees.
 The probe found non-compliance by the individuals with respect to the regulations during the April 2018
to March 2019 period.
SEBI issues timelines for rebalancing portfolios of mutual fund schemes
 Sebi came out with timelines for rebalancing of portfolios of mutual fund schemes in order to bring
uniformity.
 SEBI said the rebalancing period will be applicable in the event of deviation from mandated asset
allocation mentioned in the Scheme Information Document (SID) due to passive breaches.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Passive breaches are generally that have not arisen due to omission and commission of Asset
Management Companies (AMCs).
 The mandated rebalancing period for all mutual fund schemes, except Index Funds and Exchange-
Traded Funds (ETFs) is 30 business days.
Learn Along
An exchange traded fund (ETF) is a type of security that involves a collection of securities—such as stocks—that
often tracks an underlying index. ETFs are listed on exchanges and ETF shares trade throughout the day just like
ordinary stock.
The first ETF was launched in India in December 2001 and was linked to Nifty 50
An asset management company (AMC) is a firm that invests pooled funds from clients, putting the capital to
work through different investments including stocks, bonds, real estate, master limited partnerships, and
more. AMC managers are compensated via fees, usually a percentage of a client's assets under
management.
SEBI allows introduction of options on commodity indices
 Securities and Exchange Board of India allowed exchanges to have a commodity derivative segment
to facilitate trading in options on commodity indices.
 Exchanges will have to seek a prior approval from the market regulator for allowing the same.
 The regulator has further asked exchanges to submit data of ‘at least’ three past years of the index
constructed, monthly volatility, rollover yield for the month, and monthly return.
 Sebi further stated that each option expiry should have minimum three strikes — one each for In the
Money (ITM), Out of the Money (OTM), and At the Money (ATM).
Government has extended the timeline up to ten years for startups to convert debt investments
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 The government has extended the timeline up to ten years for startups to convert debt investments
made in the company into equity shares.
 The investor is given the option that if the startup performs well or achieves some performance
milestones in the future, the investor can ask the startup to issue equity shares of the company against
the money they had initially invested as a loan/debt.
Over Rs 276 crore loans disbursed to 18,000 small entrepreneurs under Prayaas scheme
 According to SIDBI the scheme offers credit up to Rs 5 lakh loan to women and micro
entrepreneurs at an affordable rate.
 SIDBI said more than Rs 276 crore loans have been disbursed under its Prayaas programme to
over 18,000 small entrepreneurs.
 SIDBI had launched the Digital Prayaas scheme in August 2021.
 SIDBI had also sanctioning Rs 650 crore financial assistance in January this year to two small
finance banks — AU Small Finance Bank and Jana Small Finance Bank.
Learn Along
SIDBI Headquarters: Lucknow CMD– Sivasubramanian Ramann
SIDBI sanctions Rs 837 crore to Odisha govt
 Small Industries Development Bank of India has sanctioned Rs 837 crore under its SIDBI Cluster
Development Fund Scheme to the Government of Odisha to support the development of 18 MSME
infrastructure projects in the state.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 The projects would be implemented by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation,

included five new MSME parks, construction of 11 workers’ hostels and two projects for supporting
infrastructure to MSMEs.
SIDBI joins hands with Meghalaya govt
 Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has joined hands with the Meghalaya
government to develop an ecosystem for small and medium businesses.
 SIDBI has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Meghalaya Infrastructure
Development and Finance Corporation Ltd (MiDFC) to develop the MSME ecosystem in the state.
 It will also help in building capacity of MSMEs using online platforms PSB 59, Mitra
portals, GeMS, TReDS, initiating business information and counselling centres for micro enterprises
among others.
Banks Board Bureau eases eligibility criteria for NaBFID MD, reveals pay package
 The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has relaxed the eligibility criteria for the post of managing director of
the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID).
 In its latest notice, the appointment agency has also revealed that the role will have a compensation
package – total of fixed pay and performance bonus – of Rs 3.36 crore per annum.
 The final date for sending in applications has been extended to March 25 from March 7.
 An applicant must be a graduate or equivalent or have a professional qualification of CA/MBA or its
equivalent.
Learn Along
Banks Board Bureau is an autonomous body of the Government of India tasked to Search and Select apposite
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personages for Board of Public Sector Banks, Public Sector Financial Institutions and Public Sector Insurance
Companies and recommend measures to improve Corporate Governance in these Institutions.
BBB Ministry: Ministry of Finance Chairperson: Bhanu Pratap Sharma
Innovation, Incubation, and Acceleration Centre of SBI at Hyderabad.
 SBI will set up an Innovation, Incubation, and Acceleration Centre (IIAC) at Hyderabad,
Telangana which will be operational in six to nine months of on-boarding a consultant.
 It will help the bank to develop a set of technologies, knowledge, and skills for the introduction
of new products and services.
Learn Along
SBI Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
SBI signs co-lending pact with 5 HFCs for advancing home loans
 Shortage in affordable housing continues to be a major concern for India, especially for the economically
weaker sections (EWS) and the Informal sections of society.
 The arrangement with PNB Housing Finance Ltd., IIFL Home Finance Ltd., Shriram Housing
Finance Ltd., Edelweiss Housing Finance Ltd., and Capri Global Housing Finance Ltd., would help
sanction home loans to the unserved and underserved sector in line with RBI guidelines.
PNB acquires 5.97 % stake in public digital e-commerce platform
 Punjab National Bank has acquired nearly 6 % stake in public digital e-commerce platform
ONDC for Rs 10 crore.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
to promote open networks for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over digital networks.
 Private sector HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank have acquired 7.84 per cent stake
each in the open public digital infrastructure framework entity ONDC.
Learn Along
PNB Headquarters: New Delhi MD &CEO: Atul Kumar Goel
Bank of India invests nearly Rs 108.81 cr in NARCL
 Bank of India (BoI) recently said it has invested nearly Rs 108.81 crore in National Asset
Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) under preferential share issue.
 The bank's shareholding in NARCL will come to 9%.
 NARCL is an asset reconstruction company backed by the government and it was incorporated
in July 2021.
Learn Along
Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Atanu Kumar Das
ICICI Bank raises Rs 8,000 crore by issuing bonds
 ICICI Bank has raised Rs 8,000 crore by issuing debt securities on a private placement basis.
 Pursuant to this, the bank has allotted 80,000 senior unsecured redeemable long-term bonds in the
nature of debentures, aggregating to Rs 8,000 crore, on private placement basis.
Learn Along
ICICI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai MD &CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi
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Ban lifted on digital launches of HDFC Bank
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted ban on new digital launches by HDFC Bank.
 In August 2021, RBI had revoked a ban on fresh issuance of credit cards by HDFC Bank.
 The two measures were regulatory penalties imposed in December 2020 for repeated instances of
outages on the bank’s digital channels.
Learn Along
HDFC Bank Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
HDFC Bank launch “SmartHub Vyapar programme” & ‘AutoFirst’ app
 HDFC Bank has announced to launch the “SmartHub Vyapar programme” & ‘AutoFirst’ app to
give a digital push to small business loans.
 The financial institution has onboarded over 2.7 million retailers and is buying 100 thousand
retailers each month.
 HDFC Bank launch a utility ‘AutoFirst’ that may provide totally automated auto loans.
 The SmartHub Vyapar programme for retailers will probably be launched quickly.
HDFC sells over 2 % stake in oil explorer HOEC
 HDFC Ltd has sold over 28.89 lakh shares held in Hindustan Oil Exploration Ltd (HOEC) during July
2021 to March 2022 for Rs 61 crore.
 The sale crossed the 2 % threshold on a cumulative basis, on March 24, 2022.
 The total consideration for the sale of 28,89,638 equity shares is Rs 61.04 crore,”.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Central Bank of India partners Kwik.ID to digitize customer onboarding
 Central Bank of India has chosen Kwik.ID to implement digital know your customer (KYC), video
KYC and eKYC for its network across India.
 This partnership will support banks in driving the digital transformation agenda and support digital
finance initiatives championed by the government.
 Kwik.ID is an AI -based KYC video solution – lenders aim to digitize the onboarding of 10 million annual
customers and speed up the end -to -end process.
Learn Along
Central Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai MD & CEO: Pallav Mohapatra
Bank of Maharashtra launches “Project Banksakhi” in Odisha
 Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has recently launched “Project Banksakhi” in Odisha in collaboration
with Mahagram & Sunivesh India Finance Services Pvt. Ltd. for Online Bank Account opening.
 The project will provide doorstep and hassle-free access to the people of Odisha for opening bank
accounts.
Learn Along
Bank of Maharashtra Headquarters: Pune CEO: A. S. Rajeev
Bank of Maharashtra raises Rs 290 crore via AT1 bonds
 The bank received investor bids of Rs 1,055 crore against a base issue size of Rs 250 crore.
 The bank plans to use the Rs 290 crore capital raised through the AT1 bonds to support the business
growth.
 The AT1 instrument is perpetual in nature with call option after five years.
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Learn Along
AT1 bonds are a type of unsecured, perpetual bonds that banks issue to shore up their core capital base to
meet the Basel-III norms. Key features: These have higher rates than tier II bonds. These bonds have no
maturity date.
Best bank award from State Forum of Bankers' Clubs Kerala
 Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has received the best bank award at national level under the public sector
category from State Forum of Bankers' Clubs Kerala.
 Kerala's Industries and Commerce Minister P Rajeeve handed over the award to BoM Managing
Director A S Rajeev.
 The award for 2020-21 was given to the bank upon analysing performance with a 360-degree view on
various business parameters with a scoring model.
Lloyds bank to shut 60 branches
 British retail bank Lloyds announced plans to close 60 more branches as customers increasingly
switched to online banking during the Covid pandemic.
 Lloyds would shut 24 Lloyds, 19 Bank of Scotland and 17 Halifax-branded branches by the end of the
year, affecting more than 100 jobs.
Learn Along
Lloyds bank Headquarters: Edinburgh Chairman : Robin Francis Budenberg

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
CDSL becomes first depository to register more than 60 million Demat accounts
 Central Depository Services Ltd. recently announced that it now has more than six crores active
Demat accounts.
Learn Along
Central Depository Services Ltd (CDSL), is the first listed Indian central securities depository and a division of
the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Ministry of Finance, Government of India based in Mumbai.
CDSL Headquarters: Mumbai MD & CEO: Nehal Vora
A demat account is an account to hold financial securities in electronic form. In India, demat accounts are
maintained by two depository organisations, National Securities Depository Limited and Central Depository
Services Limited.
Axis Bank commits USD 150 mn loan to healthcare sector
 Axis Bank has recently committed a USD 150 million (about Rs 1,140 crore) loan for strengthening
the healthcare infrastructure in the country in association with IPE Global.
 Axis Bank has committed to strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure by signing an MoU with IPE
Global for the SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility.
 Under this partnership, Axis Bank will provide affordable finance of up to USD 150 million through
SAMRIDH, to support health enterprises and innovators who would otherwise not have access to
affordable debt financing.
Union Bank raises Rs 1,500 crore by issuing bonds
 Union Bank has raised Rs 1,500 crore by issuing Basel III compliant bonds to investors.
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 The bank has allotted unsecured, subordinated, non-convertible, taxable, perpetual, fully paid-up Basel
III compliant additional tier-I bonds in the nature of debentures, aggregating to Rs 1,500 crore.
 The bonds are eligible for inclusion in the tier-I capital of the bank.
 To comply with Basel-III capital regulations, banks globally need to improve and strengthen their capital
planning processes.
Learn Along
AT-1, short for Additional Tier-1 bonds, are a type of unsecured, perpetual bonds that banks issue to shore up
their core capital base to meet the Basel-III norms. Tier 1 capital refers to a bank’s core capital. It includes
disclosed reserves that are present on a bank’s financial statements and equity capital.
A lender uses tier I capital to function on a regular basis and it forms the basis of a financial institution’s
strength.
DBS Bank India launches Green Deposits programme
 DBS Bank India has announced the launch of its Green Deposit Programme for corporate clients
providing a simple way for companies to support environmentally-friendly projects or avenues.
 DBS Bank is one of the few banks globally to integrate Sustainable Development Goals by offering
lending & trade credit solutions to sustainable and environmentally-friendly green sectors and now
offering a Green Deposit product.
Learn Along
DBS Bank Headquarters: Singapore Chairman: Piyush Gupta

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Wildlife bonds issued by World Bank to save rhinos
 The World Bank has issued the first-ever wildlife bond, worth $150 million, to be used to revive the
population of rhinoceros in South Africa.
 IBRD has created the world’s first kind of Wildlife Conservation Bond, also known as the “Rhino Bond,”.
 The money will be partly spent on two South African reserves, the Addo Elephant National Park (and
the Great Fish River Nature Reserve (GFRNR).
Learn Along
World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., US President: David. Malpass
PhonePe announces acquisition of GigIndia
 GigIndia is a network for freelance micro-entrepreneurs.

 GigIndia has 1.5 million entrepreneurs and over 100 enterprises as customers, will integrate
with PhonePe.
 Sahil Sharma is the CEO of GigIndia.
Learn Along
PhonePe Headquarters: Bengaluru MD &CEO: Sameer Nigam
SUD Life, Vakrangee join hands to sell insurance policies
 Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance (SUD Life) will tap customers living in smaller towns and
rural areas through a partnership with Vakrangee.
 SUD Life is a joint venture between Bank of India, Union Bank of India, and Dai-ichi Life
Japan.
 SUD Life, having more than 1.3 crore customers, with Vakrangee, currently having 19,230
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kendras, mostly in tier 5 and 6 towns.

Learn Along
Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Rajkiran Rai G.
Establish separate tribunals to hear motor accident claims
 Madras High Court has suggested to the state and central governments to constitute tribunals
exclusively to deal with motor accidents claims cases.
 There are 322 Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals (MACTs) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
dealing with 1,57,719 motor claims original petition (MCOP) cases as on January 31.
One Moto India partnered with Reliance General Insurance to provide motor insurance
 Electric two-wheeler maker One Moto India has partnered with Reliance General Insurance to
provide motor insurance to its customers.
 One Moto India has launched three electric scooters -- Byka, Electa, and Commuta.
 One Moto India Vice-President, Marketing & Sales - Aditya Reddy.
PFRDA and IRDAI granted licence to FinMapp to sell NPS, insurance
 FinMapp announced that it has been granted a licence under the National Pension Scheme by the
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
 It has also obtained a registration certificate as a corporate agent from the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Learn Along
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is the regulatory body under the jurisdiction of
Ministry of Finance, Government of India for overall supervision and regulation of pension in India.
PFRDA Headquarters: New Delhi Chairmanl: Supratim Bandyopadhyay
ICICI Lombard, Airtel Payments Bank partner to offer smartphone insurance
 Airtel Payments Bank announced its partnership with ICICI General Insurance Company to provide
smartphone insurance that offers device financial protection from damages caused by accidents, liquid
spillage, or more.
 By paying a monthly premium of Rs 1,299, customers also have the facility to get this insurance on
their own within 10 days of making the purchase.
 Users will be able to avail this facility through the Airtel Thanks App.
Learn Along
Airtel Payments Bank Headquarters: New Delhi MD & CEO– Anubrata Biswas
HDFC ERGO Launches VAULT, an Industry’s First Digitally-enabled Rewards based Program
 Under this program, the insurer will incentivize its Optima Restore health insurance customers by way of
reward points for performing certain activities like staying insured under the policy for more than two
years, holding two active HDFC ERGO retail policies, interacting digitally, using the cashless network
of healthcare providers, etc.
 The program is an experiment to test a new idea under the Regulatory Sandbox of IRDAI.
 The testing period will be till 14th May 2022 and further continuence of the product beyond the testing
period will be subjected to IRDAI approval. www.i xamBee.c om
Managing director of the Sambandh Finserve Pvt Ltd, held for Rs 109-crore fraud
 The MD of a private microfinance firm Sambandh Finserve Pvt Ltd has been arrested in
Odisha's Sundargarh district for allegedly embezzling over Rs 100 crore on the pretext of giving
loan.
 Sambandh Finserve Pvt Ltd, which is registered with the Reserve Bank of India as a Non-
Banking Finance Company-Microfinance Institution (NBFC-MFI).
 From 2015-2020, company had raised funds of more than Rs 109 crore from different investors
or lenders on the basis of forged documents.
Mahindra Finance raises Rs 255 cr by issuing bonds
 Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services said it has raised over Rs 255 crore by issuing bonds on
private placement basis.
 The committee of the board on March 28, 2022 approved the allotment of 2,500 secured redeemable
non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of face value of Rs 10 lakh each, aggregating to Rs 255.45 crore,
through private placement.
 The tenure of the bonds is 9 years and 234 days, and the date of maturity is November 17, 2031.
Learn Along
Mahindra Finance Headquarters: Mumbai Chairman & CEO: Anish Shah
Non-convertible Debentures (NCDs) are loan-linked bonds that cannot be converted into stocks and usually offer
higher interest rates than convertible debentures.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
EbixCash Partners with Axis Securities to Provide End-To-End Trading Services
 The collaboration will see integration of 3-in-1 services that includes savings, demat and trading
accounts.
 EbixCash Limited, a technology enabled provider of digital products and services in the B2C, B2B and
financial technology arena, through an integrated business model.
 EbixCash customers now have access to the seamless online platform of Axis Securities, empowering
them to buy and sell stocks and other investment products.
 EbixCash is a subsidiary of Ebix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EBIX).
Learn Along
Axis Bank Headquarters: Mumbai MD &CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry
SC directs banks to release Rs 1,500 crore by March 29 for construction of stalled Amrapali
projects
 Supreme Court directed the Bank of Baroda led consortium of seven banks to disbursal of Rs 1,500
crore for the construction of stalled real estate projects of Amrapali Group.
 The other six banks - Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India, Bank of India, Punjab National Bank,
Punjab and Sindh Bank and UCO bank.
 National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) has been entrusted by the court with completing
stalled projects of Amrapali Group.
Piramal Capital files bankruptcy proceedings against Reliance Power
 Piramal Capital and Housing Finance (PCHFL) has filed bankruptcy proceedings against Anil
Ambani's company Reliance Power and its subsidiary Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL).
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 The case is against a loan default of Rs 526 crore.

 The case has been filed under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016 in
the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Mumbai.
Ola to acquire neo bank Avail Finance
 Ola has acquire neo-banking platform Avail Finance in order to expand its financial services offering.
 The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed by Ola, which owns a 9% share in Avail
Finance.
 Ola Financial Services will expand its position in the credit underserved areas that include blue-collar
employees, such as Ola’s driver-partner ecosystem, with this purchase.
Learn Along
Ola Headquarters: Bengaluru CEO: Bhavish Aggarwal
Nelco and Omnispace have partnered to enable and distribute 5G non-terrestrial network in India
 Nelco provides satellite communication (Satcom) services to enterprise across many industry
segments, including aero and maritime communication.
 Tata Group firm Nelco and US-based Omnispace have partnered to enable and distribute 5G non-
terrestrial network, direct-to-device satellite services.
 The collaboration will expand the reach of 5G using satellite communication throughout India and South
Asia.
 The Omnispace network will deliver IoT-based solutions and a seamless mobile connectivity experience
beyond the boundaries of existing mobile networks.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
PGIM India Mutual Fund withdraws complimentary term insurance under SMART SIP
 PGIM India MF has decided to withdraw the complimentary term insurance cover that was offered to
eligible investors under its Smart SIP facility under some of its equity oriented, hybrid and international
schemes.
 The insurance cover being currently offered on a complimentary basis to eligible Smart SIP unit holders
is valid till May 16, 2022 and will be withdrawn with effect from this date.
Google Pay & Pine Labs collaborates to launch Tap to Pay for UPI
 With this new feature, users can just tap their phone on the POS terminal and authenticate transactions
on their phone using their UPI PIN.
 users no longer have to scan a QR code with their phone, which is slightly more time-consuming and
can get inconvenient when the QR code is in a poorly-lit location.
 this new functionality was initially piloted at Reliance Retail and is now available at other large
merchants like Future Retail and Starbucks.
Learn Along
Pine Labs Headquarters: Noida CEO: B Amrish Rau
Schemes/Facilities launched by various banks/private financial companies
Company Name Scheme/Facilities/Initiatives launched Learn Along
Google ‘Play Pass’ subscription- It will provide Android device users About Google
access to over 1,000 applications and games without ads, in-app Headquarters:
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purchases, and upfront payments. California, United States

CEO: Sundar Pichai
Google and MeitY The MeitY Startup Hub- a cohort of 100 early to mid-stage
Indian startups as a part of Appscale Academy programme.
Under the six-month Appscale Academy programme, the 100
startups will be trained through a customised curriculum which
includes virtual instructor-led webinars, self-learning material,
and mentorship sessions with local and global industry
professionals.
Hindustan
Petroleum About HPCL
MoU- to accomplish green energy targets and the Government
Corporation Ltd. Headquarters: Mumbai
of India’s efforts towards a carbon-neutral economy.
and Solar Energy CMD: Mukesh Kumar
Corporation of Surana
India Ltd.
About Union Bank of
Union Bank of India
Tie-up- for financing to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise
India and Ambit Headquarters: Mumbai
(MSME) customers
Finvest CEO: Rajkiran Rai G
About Future Generali

Future Generali ‘FG Dog Health Cover’ Insurance- comprehensive health India Insurance
India Insurance insurance for pet dogs, along with industry-first ‘Emergency Pet Company
Minding’ cover. The FGII also focuses on a digital campaign Headquarters: Mumbai
named ‘Oh My Dog!’ with an aim to create awareness on CEO: Anup Rau
purchasing dog health insurance cover and also targets on
social media like Instagram and Twitter.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

About Tata Motors
Axis Bank and Headquarters: Mumbai
Tie-up- to strengthen the growth of the digital ecosystem in
Airtel MD & CEO: Guenter
India, through a range of financial solutions. The partnership
Butschek
would enable access to credit and various digital financial
offerings from Axis Bank to Airtel’s 340 million-plus customers.
About Airtel
Headquarters: New
Tata Motors Delhi
‘Anubhav’- It is a mobile showroom to target rural customers by
MD: Sunil Bharti Mittal
increasing their reach in rural areas and providing them with a
doorstep car buying experience.
About Paytm
Paytm & IRCTC Headquarters: Noida,
Digital Ticketing Services- to provide consumers with digital
UP
ticketing services via Automatic Ticket Vending Machines
Founder: Vijay Shekhar
(ATVM) installed at railway stations across the country.
Sharma
About IRCTC
Headquarters: New
Delhi
CMD: Rajni Hasija
Reliance Industries About RIL

Jio World Centre- Reliance Industries (RIL) announced the
Ltd (RIL) Headquarters: Mumbai
opening of the country’s largest business, commerce and
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CEO: Mukesh Ambani

cultural destination — the Jio World Centre — spread across
18.5 acres at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. It will be a
historical business, commerce, and culture destination, which
will provide the people of India with a world-class landmark.
About Google
Google Cloud and Strategic partnership 2022- a multi-year strategic agreement to Headquarters:
Flipkart assist Flipkart accelerate its innovation and cloud strategy. California, United States
Flipkart’s next phase of expansion will be aided by this alliance, CEO: Sundar Pichai
which will help it achieve its goal of enrolling India’s next 200
million buyers and lakhs of vendors.
About HDFC Mutual

HDFC Mutual Fund #LaxmiForLaxmi- a women-led financial empowerment Fund
initiative that will connect women investors to a woman financial Headquarters: Mumbai
expert CEO- Navneet Munot
About Mastercard
Mastercard and Next-generation credit card processing- the companies will Headquarters: New
Zeta work together to create credit cards with issuers all around the York, US
world using Zeta’s modern, cloud-native, and API-ready credit Chairman: Michael
processing stack. Miebach
About Axis Bank
Axis Bank ‘HouseWorkIsWork’ project- provides possibilities for those Headquarters: Mumbai
who want to return to the workforce. MD & CEO: Amitabh
Chaudhry

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

About NSDL Payments
ToneTag, NSDL Bank
VoiceSe UPI payments service- It is for feature phone users.
Payments Bank Headquarters: Mumbai
Every user can only proceed with the financial transaction
and NPCI CEO: Abhijit
through UPI PIN. They do not require internet connectivity or a
smartphone for making payments. Kamalapurkar
About NPCI
National Payments “UPI Lite – On-Device wallet”- to make small value Headquarters: Mumbai
Corporation of transactions through UPI offline. CEO: Dilip Asbe
India
About Star Health
Star Health and Insurance
Star Women Care Insurance Policy- It is a woman-centric
Allied Insurance Headquarters: Chennai
comprehensive health cover specially designed to protect the
CEO: Prakash
healthcare needs of women at every stage of their lives.
Subbarayan
L&T-SuFin e-commerce platform- It is the country’s first About L&T
Larsen & Toubro complete e-commerce platform for industrial products and Headquarters: Mumbai
(L&T) services sold to other businesses. Chairman: A. M. Naik
About IIFL Finance
IIFL Securities “OneUp” - India’s first primary markets investment platform. Headquarters: Gurgaon
Through this platform, investment can be made in initial public CEO: Nirmal Jain
offerings (IPOs), non-convertible debentures (NCDs) and
sovereign gold bonds (SGBs), among others.
About Airtel
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Airtel, Axis Bank Headquarters: New

Co-branded credit card- The collaboration will provide Axis
Delhi
Bank support to penetrate deeper into tier 2 and 3 markets.
MD: Sunil Bharti Mittal
About Transcorp
Transcorp Mahila Money Prepaid Card - to help women entrepreneurs Headquarters: New
International Ltd easily collect payments, loans and get incentives for Delhi
transactions. MD: Gopal Sharma.
About ICICI bank

ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Credit Card - the bouquet of Headquarters: Mumbai
cards allows the customers to earn reward points – called CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi
Skywards Miles – on travel, lifestyle and everyday spends.
ICICI Bank Chennai Super Kings ICICI Bank co-branded credit card -
The new card is part of a limited-edition line of co-branded credit
cards offered by the Bank to allow sports fans to interact with
their favourite teams
About BPCL
Bharat Petroleum Digital payment to non-internet users - to provide BharatGas Headquarters: Mumbai
Corporation customers with a voice-based digital payment option for booking CMD: Arun Kumar
Limited LPG cylinders. Singh
Equitas Small Equitas Bank CSK Debit Card - The Bank launched this About Equitas Small
Finance Bank special edition debit card for Chennai Super King (CSK) fans. It Finance Bank
became the first bank to launch its Equitas Bank CSK Debit Headquarters: Chennai
Card in the Equiverse. MD & CEO: Mr.
Vasudevan P N

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

CAMSRep Deep contact tracing facility - CAMSRep has launched a deep About CAMSRep
contact tracing facility to assist insurance companies in Headquarters: Chennai
addressing their issue of unclaimed amounts. Director - Ravi Kiran
Bharti Airtel Acquire over 7 % stake in Avaada KNShorapur - Bharti About Bharti Airtel
Airtel has entered into an agreement to acquire over 7 % stake Headquarters: New
in Avaada KNShorapur for Rs 1.74 crore as cash consideration. Delhi
Founder: Sunil Bharti
Mitta
Byju’s MoU with Qatar Investment Authority - Byju’s and Qatar About Byju’s
Investment Authority have partnered to launch a new edtech Headquarters:
business and research and development centre in Doha. Bengaluru
MD & CEO: Byju
Raveendran
Max Life Insurance Max Life Smart Secure Plus Plan - Max Life Insurance Co. About PhonePe
Co. Ltd Ltd has announced the debut of this plan via the PhonePe app, Headquarters:
a non-linked non-participating individual pure risk premium life Bengaluru
insurance plan aimed at digitally savvy customers. MD & CEO: Sameer
Nigam
AIM, NITI Aayog & Project Her&Now - this project is for Economic Empowerment About NITI Aayog
GIZ of Women Entrepreneurs and Start-ups by Women. Headquarters: New
Delhi
Chairman: Narendra
Modi
DBS Bank India Debit card made using 99% recycled polyvinyl chloride
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About DBS Bank

(PVC) material - DBS Bank India has partnered with Headquarters:
EaseMyTrip to launch an environment friendly international debit Singapore
card CEO: Piyush Gupta
ECONOMY
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Japan and India renew the Bilateral Swap Arrangement of $75 billion
 Japan and India recently renewed the Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) the size of which is up to
USD 75 billion.
 The agreement is a platform where both authorities can swap their local currencies in exchange for the
US Dollar.
 The interest rate charged in this case is fixed at the time of signing the agreement and hence it reduces
the risk caused due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
 The agreement was signed in 2018 between the Bank of Japan and the Reserve Bank of India.
NSO projects GDP growth for India in 2021-22 at 8.9%
 National Statistical Office (NSO) has released the second advance estimates of national accounts.
The GDP growth rate projection as per NSO for 2021-22 (FY22) and 2020-21 (FY21) is given: For 2021-
22 (FY22) = 8.9% (earlier it was 9.2% in first advance estimates); For 2020-21 (FY21) = -6.6% (earlier it
was -7.3%).

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 As per NSO data, Gross Value Added (GVA) growth in the manufacturing sector growth remained
almost flat at 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2021-22, compared to a growth of 8.4 per cent a year
ago.
Learn Along
Gross value added is the output of the country less the intermediate consumption, which is the difference
between gross output and net output. GVA= GDP + Subsidies on Products- Taxes
US, EU, UK decided to eliminate selected Russian banks from SWIFT
 Canada, U.S.A. and their European allies have decided to remove the key Russian banks from the
Interbank messaging system (IMS) of SWIFT.
 It will cut off the country from much of the worldwide financial system.
 Russia’s removal from SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) will mean
that the Russian banks will not be able to communicate securely with foreign banks.
 Earlier, such removal has happened to Iran in 2014.
Learn Along
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), provides a network that enables
financial institutions worldwide to send and receive information about financial transactions in a secure,
standardized and reliable environment.
SWIFT Headquarters: La Hulpe, Belgium
IDRBT Founded: 1973
GST collections in February stand at Rs 1.3L crore
 Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection crossed the Rs 1.30-lakh crores mark for the fifth time in
February 2022.
 The gross GST revenue collected in the month of February 2022 is Rs 1,33,026 crore of which CGST is
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Rs 24,435 crore, SGST is Rs 30,779 crore, IGST is Rs 67,471crore and cess is Rs 10,340 crore.
 The revenues for the month of February 2022 are 18% higher than the GST revenues in the same
month last year and 26% higher than the GST revenues in February 2020.
Learn Along
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indirect tax (or consumption tax) levied on the supply of goods and services.
It is a comprehensive, multistage, destination-based tax: comprehensive because it has subsumed almost all the
indirect taxes except a few state taxes.
Adani Green gets LOA for setting-up 150 MW solar power plant
 Adani Green Energy Ltd recently stated that its subsidiary Adani Renewable Energy Holding Fifteen
Limited has obtained a letter of award (LOA) to build a 150-megawatt solar power plant.
 The fix for this project capacity is $2.34/kWh for 25 years.
Learn Along
Adani Group Headquarters: Ahmedabad Chairman: Gautam Adani
SWISS to Become World’s First Airlines to Use Solar Aviation fuel
 Swiss Air Lines and its parent company, Lufthansa Group have partnered with Switzerland based solar
fuels start-up, Synhelion SA to use its solar aviation fuel.
 Swiss Air Lines will become the first airline to use solar aviation fuel to help power its flights.
Hero MotoCorp named New EV Brand ‘Vida’ 2022
 Hero MotoCorp has unveiled a new brand “Vida”, (Vida means life) for its electric vehicles.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 It also announced a $100 million Global Sustainability Fund that will help the company to nurture more
than 10,000 entrepreneurs on ESG solutions.
Learn Along
Hero MotoCorp Headquarters: New Delhi Chairman & CEO: Pawan Munjal
BBB comes up with programme for bettering the quality of PSU bank boards
 The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has launched a development programme for public sector bank
management with the goal of boosting the quality of bank boards.
 The nine-month Directors’ Development Programme (DDP) is made for directors of Public Sector
Banks and financial institutions with the main objective of improving director effectiveness and
increasing their impact on boards, according to the Banks Board Bureau.
Microsoft to set up India’s largest Data Center region in Hyderabad
 Microsoft has announced to set up its fourth data centre in India in Hyderabad, Telangana.
 It will be one of the largest data centres in India and will be operational by 2025.
 Microsoft already has a data centre in three Indian regions across Pune, Mumbai, and Chennai.
 To set up the data centre, Microsoft has signed a definitive agreement with the Telangana state
government with a total investment of Rs 15,000 crore.
Learn Along
Microsoft Headquarters: Washington, US CEO: Satya Nadella
Shell says it will stop buying Russian oil, natural gas
 Energy Company Shell will stop buying Russian oil and natural gas and shut down its service
stations, aviation fuels and other operations in the country amid international pressure for companies to
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sever ties over the invasion of Ukraine.

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Shell Headquarters: London CEO: Ben van Beurden
Russia is now world’s most sanctioned country 2022
 New York-based sanctions watchlist site Castellum.AI said that Russia has become the most
sanctioned country in the world, due to its invasion on Ukraine.
 Russia faced 2,778 new sanctions since February 22, 2022, led by the US and European nations,
bringing the total sanctions to 5,530.
 It had already 2,754 sanctions in place.
IMF board approves $1.4 billion emergency support for Ukraine
 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved $1.4 billion in emergency support for Ukraine to
finance expenditures and shore up the balance of payments.
 The disbursement under the IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), equivalent to 50% of Ukraine’s
quota in the IMF.
 It will help fund urgent spending needs in the short term, while helping to catalyze financing from other
partners.
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IMF Headquarters: Washington, United States MD: Kristalina Georgieva
CRISIL projected GDP growth forecast at 7.8% for 2022-23
 CRISIL has retained its real GDP growth forecast at 7.8% for the fiscal year 2023.
 GDP growth of 8.5% is expected by the Economic Survey.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
National Land Monetization Corp approved by cabinet
 Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC) as
a wholly-owned Government of India corporation with an initial authorised share capital of 5000 crores
and a paid-up share capital of 150 crore.
 NLMC would monetize surplus land and building assets owned by Central Public Sector Enterprises
(CPSEs) and other government organisations. The idea is in accordance with the 2021-22 Budget
Announcement.
 The monetization of excess land and side assets is critical for CPSEs experiencing strategic
disinvestment so that their value can be unleashed. Monetization of the assets will be taken care of and
carried out by NLMC.
Tamilnadu Petroproducts became world’s first LAB manufacturing company to get BIS certification
 TPL (Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd.) is the world’s first linear alkylbenzene (LAB) manufacturing
company to be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
 TPL’s ‘Superlab’ brand is one of the most well-known laboratory brands in the country.
 LAB can be used to make biodegradable detergent, making it a more sustainable option than
conventional detergent formulations.
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The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national Standards Body of India working under the aegis of
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India. It is established by the Bureau of
Indian Standards Act, 1986. It is headquartered in Delhi.
Morgan Stanely projects India’s GDP for FY23 at 7.9%
 Morgan Stanely has projected India’s GDP growth forecast for 2022-23 (FY23) at 7.9%.
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 This is 50 bps less than its earlier projection due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on oil
prices.
 It also raised the country’s retail inflation estimate to 6%, meanwhile, current account deficits are seen to
widen by 3% of GDP.
 India is affected through three key channels — higher prices for oil and other commodities; trade, and
tighter financial conditions, influencing business/investment sentiment.
EPFO lowers interest rate on PF deposits to 8.1% for 2021-22
 Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has slashed the interest rate on provident fund
deposits to 8.10% for 2021-22.
 This rate is 0.4% lower than the previous year.
 The interest rate on PF deposits was 8.5% in 2020-21 and 2019-20.
Learn Along
EPFO is a statutory body established by the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment
EPFO Headquarters: New Delhi Central PF Commissioner: Neelam Rao
First ever GI-tagged Kashmir carpets flagged off to Germany
 The Jammu and Kashmir government has finally started a Geographical Indication (GI) registry for the
famed Kashmiri carpet with a quick response (QR) code with details of artisans and the material used.
 The first ever consignment of GI-tagged carpets were exported to Germany from New Delhi.
 The QR code attached to the GI tag will help in reviving the sheen and glory of the Kashmiri carpet
industry by certifying the genuineness of the hand-knotted carpets with relevant information of the
manufacturer, weaver, district, raw material etc.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 The Geographical Indication Registry of the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry granted GI tag to Kashmiri carpets in June 2016 but the registered
carpets were certified from this year.
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A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess
qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
RailTel finds mention in the 8th Edition Fortune India The Next 500 (2022 edition)
 RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel), owned by the Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways,
has ranked 124th in the 8th Edition Fortune India The Next 500 (2022 edition) of top midsize companies
operating in India.
 It is the only Telecom Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) of the Government of India (GoI) on the list.
 It was ranked 197 in the 2021 list of top midsize companies operating in India.
 IRCTC has been ranked at 309.
Sri Lanka receives a US$1 billion line of credit from India to assist pay for crucial imports
 The Indian government has issued a USD 1 billion line of credit (LoC) for Sri Lanka to aid in the
import of food, necessary products, and medication
 Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a serious economic crisis. India is extending the Line of Control as
part of its efforts to aid its neighbouring country in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its
negative impact on its development aspirations.
Commerce ministry to start online module for filing registration for interest equalisation scheme
 The commerce ministry has decided to operationalise a new online module for filing of electronic
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registration for interest equalisation scheme for exporters.

 It aimed at effective monitoring of the scheme.
 Under this, exporters get subsidies for pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit.
 The interest rates under the scheme have been revised downwards to 2 per cent and 3 per cent for
specified categories of MSME manufacturer exporters, as against the earlier rates of 5 per cent and 3%.
Sri Lanka tightens trade rules to boost currency reserves
 Sri Lanka’s Central Bank tightened trade restrictions, ordering exporters to repatriate foreign exchange
earnings within 180 days of transactions in a bid to improve country’s depleting foreign exchange
reserves.
 Sri Lanka is tackling its worst financial crisis in over a decade, struggling to pay for critical imports
including fuel, food and medicines and with just $2.31 billion of reserves.
 The bank’s moves include mandatory currency conversion for exporters of goods and services to
change their foreign exchange earnings into Sri Lankan rupees.
Reliance Retail buys 89% stake in Purple Panda Fashions
 Purple Panda Fashions operates Clovia, brand of innerwear and loungewear for women.
 Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries has acquired an 89% stake in Purple Panda Fashions
Pvt Ltd for Rs 950 crore.
 Purple Panda Fashions was started in 2013 by entrepreneurs Neha Kant, Pankaj Vermani and
Suman Chowdhury. The company had raised $4 million in its pre-Series C round of funding, led by
SheCapital Venture Fund and Golden Birch Investments in 2020.
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Reliance Retail Headquarters: Mumbai Founder: Mukesh Ambani

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
L&T Technology Services aims for carbon, water neutrality by 2030
 L&T Technology Services Limited, a leading engineering services company, released its first
Sustainability Report for the year 2020-21.
 CEO & Managing Director at L&T Technology Services - Amit Chadha.
Learn Along
L&T Headquarters: Mumbai MD & CEO: A. M. Naik
Reliance Industries gets CoC’s approval to acquire Sintex
 Reliance Industries received the committee of creditors’ (CoC) approval to acquire Gujarat-
based Sintex Industries, which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
 Sintex was established in the 1930s as a textile mill, in Kalol, Gujarat, and later rebranded as Sintex
Industries, a cotton yarn and fabric maker company.
 The company’s sales were hit by rising competition and Covid-19, following which the company filed for
bankruptcy.
Learn Along
Reliance Industries Ltd Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Mukesh Ambani
HPCL buys 2 million barrels Russian crude oil
 After Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd has bought two million barrels of
Russian crude oil at deep discounts.
 HPCL also bought Russian Urals crude through European trader Vitol.
 Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine led to Russian crude being available in the
market at deep discounts.
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HPCL Headquarters: Mumbai Chairman & MD: Mukesh Kumar Surana
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FCI will install GPS aided tracking system to track grain movement in North-Eastern states
 To track the movement of vehicles carrying food grains for distribution under the public distribution
system to far-flung areas North-Eastern states, the FCI will install GPS-aided vehicle-tracking
systems.
 FCI, distributes around 55- 60 million tons of grains under the National Food Security Act annually.
 Government distributes rice and wheat to beneficiaries under NFSA as Rs 3 and Rs 2 per kg.
 Budget (2022-23) made a provision Rs 2.06 lakh crore under food subsidy in 2022-23.
Learn Along
The Public distribution system (PDS) is an Indian food Security System established under the Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. PDS evolved as a system of management of scarcity through
distribution of food grains at affordable prices. PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the
State Governments. The Central Government, through Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the
responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of food grains to the State Governments.
Rs 1.42 lakh crore budget for Jammu and Kashmir for FY 2022-23
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a Rs 1.42 lakh crore budget for the union territory of
Jammu and Kashmir for the fiscal year 2022-23.
 Nirmala Sitharaman also tabled the Union Territory’s additional demands for the fiscal year 2021-22,
totaling Rs 18,860.32 crore.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
First cargo terminal of the Jodhpur Division of the North Western Railway zone
 Under PM Gati Shakti Yojana, the first cargo terminal will set up in Jodhpur Division of the North
Western Railway zone at Marwar, Mundwa.
 According to the Railway Ministry, while this move will benefit local industries, the income of Indian
Railways will increase as well.
 Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board is V K Tripathi.
Egypt state banks setting up $85 million fintech innovation fund
 Egypt's 3 biggest state-owned banks are setting up an $85 million financial technology fund that aims
to accelerate innovation in the sector, venture capital firm Global Ventures.
 These are Khazna, a financial app that provides products to underserved consumers.
Suzuki invest Rs 10,445 cr for local manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries in Gujarat
 Japanese Suzuki Motor Corporation will invest around 150 billion yen (about Rs 10,445 crore) by
2026, for local manufacturing of Battery Electric Vehicles and batteries in Gujarat.
 The company has signed a MoU to this effect with the Gujarat government.
 On March 19, 2022 at India-Japan Economic Forum held in New Delhi, India, in the presence of
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 Maruti Suzuki plans to enter the electric vehicles segment by 2025.
Maharashtra sees most bank frauds in India during first 9 months of FY22
 Maharashtra has witnessed bank fraud cases to the tune of Rs 124 crore for the first nine months of
financial year 2021-22 followed by New Delhi at Rs 93.07 crore and Telangana at Rs 89 crore.
 During the April-December period of 2021-22, the amount involved in bank frauds stood at Rs 648
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crore.
Moody’s trims its 2022 growth estimate for India.
 Global rating agency Moody’s trimmed its India growth forecast for the calendar year 2022, to 9.1%
from 9.5%.
 India grew 8.2% in 2021, according to Moody’s.
e-Shram: 270 million informal sector workers join portal
 e-Shram is a portal created by the Ministry of Labor and Employment for the welfare of workers in the
unorganized sector who are not members of the EPFO or ESIC.
 e-Shram portal was launched by Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav and
Minister of State, Rameshwar Teli.
 labour ministry hopes to bring the estimated 380 million of them on board by March 2023.
 All workers, aged between 16-59 years, and not members of existing social sector schemes run by the
ESIC, EPFO or NPS are eligible to register in the e-Shram portal.
 More than 400 occupations are being incorporated and registered under this portal.
Learn Along
e-Shram Portal comes under the control of Ministry of Labour and Employment. It aims to register 38 crore
unorganised workers such as construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors, and domestic workers,
among others.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Japan aims to invest $ 42 billion over the next five years in India
 PM Modi said Japan aims to invest $42 billion (5 trillion yen) over the next five years in India, after a
meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in New Delhi.
 The leaders held meetings as part of the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit.
 This is Fumio Kishida’s first visit to India as Japan’s Prime Minister.
 Japan has been the 5th largest investor in India.
 The countries are working as ‘one-team, one-project’ on Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor.
 This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
India has broken into world's top five club in terms of market capitalization
 India’s equity market has broken into the world’s top five club in terms of market capitalisation for the
first time.
 India’s total market cap stands at $3.21 trillion, which is higher than UK ($3.19 trillion), Saudi Arabia
($3.18 trillion), and Canada ($3.18 trillion).
 India has climbed two positions, despite a 7.4 per cent drop in its market cap.
Learn Along
Market capitalization, commonly called market cap, is the market value of a publicly traded company's outstanding
shares. Market capitalization is equal to the share price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited becomes largest coal producing company in India
 The Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a unit of the CIL, has crossed 157 million tonne (MT) in
coal production in the financial year of 2021-22, to become the leading coal producing company in
the country. www.i xamBee.c om
 Surpassing all previous records, MCL has despatched over 166 MT dry fuel to the consumers,
registering 22 per cent growth over a previous financial year while it has also removed 195 MCuM
(million cubic meters) of over burden registering 19 per cent growth over the last financial year.
India imported 651.24 tonne gold in 2020-21 fiscal
 India imported 651.24 tonnes of gold in financial year 2020-21 as compared to 719.94 tonnes in the
last year.
 In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel said the
imports stood at 982.71 tonnes in FY 2018-19.
 She also said that the import of toys, games, sports equipment from China is showing a declining trend.
 The imports of products from China have reduced from USD 451.71 million in 2018-19 to USD 206.11
million in 2021 (from April 2021 to Jan 2022).
Rs 1 out of every Rs 5 spent by the NHAI in 2022-23 goes towards debt servicing
 NHAI had around Rs 3.4-trillion debt as on November 2021, revealed parliamentary standing committee
report, presented to the Rajya Sabha.
 NHAI has to spend Rs 31,049 crore on servicing debt in 2022-23 and Rs 31,735 crore in 2023-24.
 The debt servicing cost would fall to Rs 30,601 crore in 2024-25 before rising again to Rs 37,732 crore
in 2025-26.
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NHAI Headquarters: New Delhi Chairman: Sukhbir Sandhu

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Govt's total liabilities rise 2% to Rs 128.41 lakh cr in December quarter
 The government's total liabilities rose to Rs 128.41 lakh crore in December quarter from Rs 125.71 lakh
crore in the three months ended September 2021.
 As of September 30, the total liabilities stood at Rs 1,25,71,747 crore.
 Public debt accounted for 91.60 per cent of the total outstanding liabilities in December quarter
compared to 91.15 per cent at the end of September.
Govt sets Rs 1-trillion infrastructure lending target for Development Finance Institution
 The Centre has set a target of about Rs 1 trillion for government-backed National Bank for Financial
Infrastructure and Development (NBFID) for sanctioning loans to the infrastructure sector in the next
financial year.
 To catalyse investment in the fund-star-v-ed infrastructure sector, the DFI plans to invest in
infrast-r-ucture projects in India and outside with a focus towards prioritising systemic risk mitigation and
credit enhancement.
 The government has infused Rs 20,000 crore as equity in the DFI, and an additional Rs 5,000 crore has
been given as grants to NaBFID.
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NBFID Headquarters: Mumbai Chairman: K V Kamath
CBIC introduces facility of restoration of cancelled GST registration
 The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced the facility of restoration of
cancelled registration under Goods and Services Tax (GST) on its online portal.
 Restoration of Cancelled Registration’ has been developed and deployed w.e.f. 23.03.2022, to facilitate
the jurisdictional Range officers to restore the registrations in pursuance of judicial or appellate orders.
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Central Board of Headquarters: New Delhi Chairman: Vivek Johri
Indirect Taxes and
Customs
India, UAE to establish Investment Council as part of CEPA
 India and the UAE have agreed to set up a technical council on Investment, Trade Promotion and
Facilitation, as part of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between
the two countries.
 India and the UAE on February 18 had signed CEPA with a view to boosting bilateral trade to USD 100
billion over a five-year period and creation of lakhs of jobs.
 UAE is India's third-largest trade partner.
 Bilateral trade between India and the UAE stood at USD 43.3 billion in 2020-21.
India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
 India has kept sensitive dairy products out of the purview of its free trade agreement (FTA) with the
UAE.
 A broad range of dairy products, including milk, yogurt, butter, ghee and cheese, which typically attract
duties of 30-60%, are excluded from the ambit of the agreement.
 The details were unveiled by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal in Dubai.
 India will scrap a 20% duty for the UAE on gold jewellery, subject to a quantitative cap of 2.5 tonne
annually in five years.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Egypt to import wheat from India
 Egypt, one of the largest importers of wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
 In 2020, Egypt imported wheat worth $ 1.8 billion from Russia and $ 600 million worth from Ukraine.
 India is also looking at increasing its share of exports to countries where it already sends wheat such as
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Middle East, Yemen, Korea, Philippines, Nepal and Indonesia.
OECD projects India’s GDP for FY23 at 8.1%
 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has retained the outlook for India’s real
gross domestic product (GDP) at 5.5% in FY24, lower than 8.1% in 2022-23.
 The GDP of China, India and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-
is projected to grow 5.8% this year, following a 7.4% expansion in 2021 and a 0.8% contraction in 2020.
Learn Along
OECD Headquarters: Paris (France) Secretary-General: Mathias Cormann
ICRA cuts India’s GDP growth forecast in FY23 to 7.2%
 Rating agency ICRA has lowered the growth forecast for India’s GDP in 2022-23 (FY23) to 7.2 %.
Earlier this rate was 8 %.
 The ICRA Ltd. has projected the GDP growth forecast for 2021-22 (FY22) at 8.5%, lower than the official
estimate from the NSO of 8.9%.
Russia- Ukraine Conflict affect on India’s GDP growth
 According to a UN report released, India’s projected economic growth for 2022 has been downgraded
by more than 2% to 4.6%. www.i xamBee.c om
 UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has lowered its global economic growth
prediction for 2022 to 2.6 % from 3.6 %.
Learn Along
UNCTAD Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Secretary-General: Rebeca Grynspan
India pays for Russian LNG imports in US dollar
 India’s largest gas utility GAIL continues to pay for the LNG it imports from Russia’s Gazprom in US
dollars.
 GAIL has a deal to receive 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually on a delivered
basis from Russia’s Gazprom.
 Russian banks continue to be on the main financial messaging SWIFT system, enabling payments for
commodities bought or sold.
UP govt extends free ration scheme by 3 more months
 The state cabinet decided to extend the free ration scheme to 150 million people of the state by three
more months till 30 June, 2022.
 The Centre had launched Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) in April 2020 in the wake of
the Covid-19 lockdown, in which beneficiaries were provided 5 kg of wheat/rice per unit (family member)
per month through the PDS.
Maharashtra signed MoUs worth Rs 3 lakh cr with 98 firms
 Maharashtra signed MoU worth Rs 3 lakh crore with 98 companies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 AURIC or Aurangabad Industrial City is a multi-billion dollar corridor being developed as part of the
Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
 The investment is from nations like USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan.
Emami announced the acquisition of Dermicool
 Emami announced the acquisition of Dermicool, currently the No. 3 brand in the Rs 750-800
crore category.
 After this acquisition, the Kolkata-based company will become market leader in this niche
category, replacing Zydus Wellness’ Nycil.
 Emami’s own Navratna Cool Talc is No. 2 brand in this category.
PVR-INOX merger
 INOX will merge with PVR in a share swap ratio of 3 shares of PVR for every 10 shares of INOX.
 The combined entity will be rebranded PVR INOX Ltd and will have a network of 1546 theatres.
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President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates ‘Arogya Vanam’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan
 President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated a hub of medicinal herbs and plants ‘Arogya Vanam’ at
Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and First Lady Savita Kovind.
 The Arogya Vanam has been developed in a 6.6 acre area and it has 215 types of medicinal plants like
Neem, Tulsi, Bel, Arand, Arjun, Ashwagandha and Harsingar.
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NITI Aayog developing National Gender Index
 NITI Aayog is in the process of developing a National Gender Index to measure the progress and
identify the persisting gaps in gender equality to make informed policy decisions.
 The index will serve as a tool to map the progress of states and Union Territories (UTs) on defined
gender metrics and build the foundation for positive change.
 The index will support policy action and advocacy around gender and will be aligned to the framework of
Sustainable Development Goals.
 NITI Aayog has also developed a draft State Energy and Climate Index to assess the performance of
states on indicators such as discoms' viability and competition; access, affordability and reliability of
energy; clean energy initiatives; energy efficiency; generation capacity; and environmental sustainability
and new initiatives.
Stree Manoraksha Project launched
 The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the ‘Stree Manoraksha Project’ in
collaboration with NIMHANS Bengaluru with an aim to improve the mental health of women in India.
 The project would focus on building on capacity building of OSC (One-Stop Center) functionaries on the
tools and techniques as to how to handle the cases of women approaching the One-Stop Centres,
particularly the women who have suffered violence and distress with due sensitivity and care.
 NIMHANS has also created a website regarding this which has many things related to training.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Ujjain in MP Creates Guinness Record by Lighting 11.71 Lakh Clay Lamps in 10 Minutes
 Known as the ‘Land of Mahakal’, the temple town of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh created a Guinness
record by lighting 11.71 lakh clay lamps (diyas), as part of the ‘Shiv Jyoti Arpanam Mahotsava’ on
the occasion of Mahashivratri.
Celebrating 75 years of Indo-Netherlands ties
 This year India and the Netherlands are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations. To mark the occasion, a special logo was unveiled to commemorate 75
years of diplomatic relations between both nations.
 India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. Since then, the two countries have
developed strong political, economic & commercial relations, and various sectoral co- operations.
India signs Host Country Agreement with the International Telecommunication Union for
establishment of Area Office & Innovation Centre at New Delhi
 Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications and H.E. Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) for the
establishment of an Area Office & Innovation Centre of ITU in New Delhi.
 International Telecommunication Union is the United Nations specialised agency for information and
communication technologies – ICTs. ITU currently has a membership of 193 countries and over 900
private-sector entities and academic institutions.
 The Area Office and Innovation Centre of ITU at New Delhi is expected to serve South Asian countries
namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. The Host Country
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Agreement provides the legal and financial framework for establishment and operations of the Area
Office.
DST tieup with Intel India to boost AI readiness
 ‘Building AI Readiness among Young Innovators’, a program by the Department of Science and
Technology (DST), in partnership with Intel India, was launched by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister
of State for Science and Technology(I/C).
 The program aims to build digital readiness among the students from classes 6 to 10, enrolled
under DST’s INSPIRE-Awards MANAK scheme. The flagship program of DST reaches out to students
pan India with an aim to create a culture of creativity and innovative thinking.
PM Modi inaugurates Rs 11,400 crore-worth Pune Metro
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pune Metro line.

 A stretch of 12 km was inaugurated of the total 32.2 km Pune metro rail project that was flagged off. The
foundation stone of the project was also laid by the Prime Minister on December 2016.
 The entire project is being built at a total cost of more than Rs 11,400 crore.
 The Pune Metro Phase 1 comprises a 16.58-km Corridor-1 from Pimpri Chinchwad to Swargate with 14
stations and a 14.66-km Corridor-2 from Vanaz to Ramwadi with 16 stations.
 A Joint Venture between Centre and the Maharashtra government, the work in the Pune metro project
started in December 2016 and was scheduled to be completed by 2021 but the Covid-19 pandemic
delayed the project by more than a year.
 The Pune Metro project is funded through bilateral loan from European Investment Bank to the
tune of €600 million and €245 million from AFD.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Telangana Tops the Country in terms of Per Capita Net State Domestic Product at Current Prices
 Telangana surpasses Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to become Top performing states in
the country.
 Telangana is the top performing state in the country in terms of growth rate of Per Capita Net State
Domestic Product at Current Prices in the current fiscal.
 Telangana has registered a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs 11,54,860 crore in 2021-22, a
19.1 per cent growth over the previous financial year at current prices as on February, 2022. The per
capita income has also increased by 18.78 per cent to Rs 2,78,833.
Country’s first indigenous Flying Trainer HANSA-NG successfully completes sea level trials
 The country’s first indigenous Flying Trainer HANSA-NG designed and developed by CSIR-
National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, has successfully completed the sea level trials at
Puducherry.
 The aircraft was flown to Puducherry covering 140 nautical miles in one and half hours at a cruising
speed of 155 km per hour on 19th February.
 The objectives of sea level trials were to evaluate handling qualities, climb and cruise performance,
balked landing, structural performance power plant and other systems performance.
Shivaji Maharaj Statue, Made Up Of 1,850 kg Gun Metal, Unveiled in Pune
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the premises of
Pune Municipal Corporation.
 The statue is made up of 1,850 kg of gunmetal and is about 9.5-feet tall.
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2,000 km of rail network to be brought under ‘Kavach’ in 2022-23
 ‘Kavach’, the indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, will be deployed
across the entire rail network beginning with 2,000 km in the 2022-23 fiscal and will be rolled out in
4,000 to 5,000 km every subsequent year.
 ‘Kavach’, which literally means armour, is being promoted by the Railways as the world’s cheapest
automatic train collision protection system.
 Announced in the 2022 Union Budget as a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, 2,000 km of rail
network is planned to be brought under ‘Kavach’ for safety and capacity augmentation in 2022-23.
 ‘Kavach’ is designed to bring a train to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the
same line within a prescribed distance. Trains will also stop on their own when digital system notices
any manual error like jumping of the red signal or any other malfunction.
 ‘Kavach’ is developed by Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) in collaboration
with Indian industry.
MSME Ministry launches ‘SAMARTH’ to promote women entrepreneurship
 The MSME Ministry launched SAMARTH, a special entrepreneurship promotion drive for women.
 The drive will help women to be self-reliant and independent by providing them with self-employment
opportunities.
 Under SAMARTH, 20 per cent seats in free skill development programmes, organised under skill
development schemes of the ministry, will be allocated for aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs.
 This will benefit more than 7,500 women in 2022-23.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Moreover, 20 per cent of MSME business delegations sent to domestic and international exhibitions
under the schemes for marketing assistance implemented by ministry will be dedicated to women-
owned MSMEs.
 Women entrepreneurs can also avail a 20 per cent discount on annual processing fee on commercial
schemes of the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) in 2022-23.
Labour Ministry launches 'Donate-a-Pension' program
 Union Labour and Employment Minister Bhupender Yadav rolled out the 'Donate-a-Pension' program
under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM).
 It is an initiative under (PM-SYM) pension scheme where citizens can donate the premium contribution
of their immediate support staff such as domestic workers, drivers, helpers etc.
 Under the scheme, a donor can pay the contribution for a minimum of one year with the amount ranging
from Rs 660 to Rs 2,400 depending on the age of the beneficiary. The donation can be paid via
maandhan.in or by visiting a Common Service Centre.
IIT Roorkee gets Petascale Supercomputer ‘PARAM Ganga’ under National Supercomputing
Mission
 The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) has deployed PARAM Ganga-a High-Performance
Computational (HPC) facility at IIT Roorkee, with a supercomputing capacity of 1.66 Petaflops.
 Supercomputer PARAM Ganga has been established by the Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (C-DAC) under the approach of NSM.
About National Supercomputing Mission: In 2015, the National Supercomputing Mission was launched to enhance
the research capacities and capabilities in the country by connecting them to form a Supercomputing grid, with
National Knowledge Network (NKN) as the backbone. The NKN project is aimed at establishing a strong and robust
Indian network which will be capable of providing secure and reliable connectivity. The Mission plans to build and
deploy 24 facilities with cumulative compute power of more than 64 Petaflops. Till now C-DAC has deployed 11
systems at IISc, IITs, IISER Pune, JNCASR, NABI-Mohali and C-DAC under NSM Phase-1 and Phase-2 with a
cumulative compute power of more than 20 Petaflops. It supports the government’s vision of ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make
in India’ initiatives.
Union Minister RK Singh launches Virtual Smart Grid Knowledge Center and Innovation Park
 Union Minister for Power R.K. Singh launched the Virtual Smart Grid Knowledge Center (SGKC) and
Innovation Park virtually as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Programme.
 The SGKC has been established by POWERGRID for demonstration and advancement of frontier
smart grid technologies. SGKC aims to be one of the leading Centers of Excellence globally to foster
innovation, entrepreneurship and research in smart grid technologies and create capacities in the power
distribution sector.
 The Virtual SGKC enables a digital footprint of the physical setup of SGKC, the need for which was felt
during COVID-19 pandemic.
National sportswoman selected for Climate-Force Antarctica Expedition
 Aarushie Verma, a national level shooter in Pistol and trap shooting, a multi-time State & Northern India
Champion & National medalist, and an active environmentalist, has been selected to represent India at
the 2041 Climate Force Antarctica Expedition to be held in March 2022.

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March 2022
 The expedition aims to raise awareness and work for the preservation of Antarctica through the
promotion of recycling, renewable energy and sustainability solutions to combat the effects of climate
change.
 In this initiative, Aarushie will be fully supported and sponsored by The Hans Foundation, a public
charitable trust that works towards creating an equitable society and work primarily for health, education,
Livelihood and disaster relief interventions in rural and underdeveloped areas in the country
 2041 Climate Force is a global initiative to train and develop the next generation of sustainability
champions and to help corporations with their sustainability solutions.
India's largest reclining statue of Lord Buddha to be open for devotees next year
 India's largest reclining statue of Lord Buddha is being built in Bodh Gaya.
 Built by Buddha International Welfare Mission, the statue will be 100 feet long and 30 feet high.
 Lord Buddha is in the sleeping posture in the statue. It is being made with fiberglass and built by
sculptors from Kolkata.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, Shivraj Chouhan inaugurate first drone school in Gwalior
 With the aim to create an ecosystem for drone operations in the country, Union Civil Aviation Minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia along with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the
first drone school in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
 The inauguration of the first drone school in Gwalior is a step towards making advancements in the use
of drone technology in Madhya Pradesh.
Australian Army Research Centre Signs MoU with Centre for Land Warfare Studies (Claws), India
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 Lt Gen Richard Burr, the Chief of the Australian Army is on a three day visit to India.
 The Australian Army Chief visited the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), the Indian Army
think tank, New Delhi.
 In order to establish academic cooperation and engagement, a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) was also signed between Australian Army Research Centre (AARC) and Centre for Land
Warfare Studies (CLAWS) on the side-lines of the visit.
IIT Roorkee And BIS Tie Up To Cooperate In Standardisation And Conformity Assessment
 The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has signed an agreement with the Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) for collaboration in areas of standardization and conformity assessment
based on equality and reciprocity.
 IIT Roorkee and BIS, as per the agreement, will collaborate in several fields including civil, electrical,
mechanical, chemical, earthquake engineering, development and management of water resources and
renewable energy projects, infrastructure development, medical biotechnology and nanotechnology
biomaterials.
PM Modi dedicates building of Rashtriya Raksha University to nation
 PM Modi has dedicated the building of Rashtriya Raksha University to the nation. He delivered his first
convocation address at Ahmedabad for the university.
 Rashtriya Raksha University provides students with different academic courses related to policing and
internal security. These include courses such as police science and management, criminal law and
justice, cyberpsychology, information technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber security, crime

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March 2022
investigation, strategic languages, internal defence, and strategies, physical education, and sports,
coastal and maritime security.
First Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal commissioned in Asansol Division
 In pursuance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision “Gati Shakti” and the Railway Ministry’s Policy
regarding ‘Gati Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal’ (GCT), Asansol Division of the national
transporter has recently commissioned private siding of Maithan Power Limited at Thaparnagar
successfully.
 This move is expected to enhance Indian Railways’ earnings.
 This is the first such Gati Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal that has been commissioned in the Indian
Railways network since the publication of the GCT policy in December 2021.
 In the year 2009, the Maithan Power Project was initiated and in the year 2011, subsequently, the power
generation was started.
ISRO Young Scientist Programme to select 150 school students
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is launching a ‘Young Scientist Programme’
called the ‘YUva VIgyani KAryakram’ or YUVIKA, which will impart basic knowledge on space
technology, space science ,and space applications, while preference will be given to rural areas.
 Aimed at creating awareness about emerging trends in science and technology, this programme is
expected to encourage more students to pursue research and a career in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
‘India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale Start-up Challenge’ launched

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 Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) & Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh
Puri launched the ‘India WaterPitch-Pilot-Scale Start-up Challenge’ under Ministry’s Atal mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0.
 The Mission aims to empower startups in the water/ used-water sector to grow through innovation and
design that will drive sustainable economic growth and generate employment opportunities. Under this
initiative, Ministry will select 100 start-ups which will be provided Rs.20 lakhs as funding support as well
as mentorship.
Mission Indradhanush: Odisha tops list of full immunisation with 90.5% coverage
 Odisha has become the only state in the country to achieve 90.5% of immunization apart from the
successful vaccination against Covid-19 infection under Mission Indradhanush 4.0.
 In a step towards preventive health care for mothers and children, the intensified Mission Indradhanush
(IMI) 4.0 has been rolled out in the state for boosting full immunization coverage of the targeted women
and children.
 Twenty districts of the state were above 90% in full immunization, and 10 districts were below 90%.
Cabinet gives nod for WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar
 The centre will be established under the Ministry of AYUSH, which is dedicated towards the medicinal
sectors of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy.
 A Joint Task Force (JTF) is being constituted for coordination, execution and monitoring of activities for
the establishment of the WHO GCTM. JTF will comprise representatives from the Government of India,
Permanent Mission of India, Geneva and the World Health Organization.

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March 2022
 Under the ambit of this, an interim office is being established at the Institute of Teaching and Research
in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Jamnagar to execute the identified technical activities and planning of fully
functional WHO GCTM.
MSME Innovative Scheme & MSME IDEA HACKATHON 2022 launched
 Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane launched the MSME Innovative Scheme (Incubation, Design
and IPR) along with the MSME IDEA HACKATHON 2022.
 MSME Innovative is a holistic approach to unify, synergize and converge 3 sub-components and
interventions with a single purpose. MSME Innovative is a new concept for MSMEs with a combination
of innovation in incubation, design intervention and by protecting IPR in a single mode approach to
create awareness amongst MSMEs about India’s innovation and motivate them to become MSME
Champions.
 This will act as a hub for innovation activities facilitating and guiding development of ideas into viable
business proposition that can benefit society directly and can be marketed successfully.
 The primary objective of the scheme is to promote and support untapped creativity and to promote
adoption of latest technologies in MSMEs that seek the validation of their ideas at the proof-of-concept
level. Financial assistance up to Rs. 15 lakh per idea and up to Rs. 1.00 crore for relevant plant and
machines will be provided.
Chair of excellance in memory of CDS Bipin Rawat
 The Indian Army has instituted a chair of excellance in memory of late chief of defence staff Bipin
Rawat at United Service Institution of India (USI).
 The aim of Chair of excellance is to conduct research on strategic issues of significance pertaining to
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the armed forces.

 A cheque of Rs 5 lakhs was handed over to Maj Gen BK Sharma (retd), Director, USI which will be paid
as honorarium to the nominated Chair of Excellenc,.
 Gen Bipin Rawat memorial Chair of Excellence will focus on the field of jointness and integration among
the armed forces.
India's first 'World Peace Center' will be established in Gurugram
 Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organisation established by Ambassador of Peace, Eminent Jainacharya Dr

Lokeshji will establish India's first World Peace Center in Gurugram, Haryana.
 World Peace Center will work for the establishment of peace and harmony in the world. The voice of this
centre of Gurugram will be heard all over the world by its work, including the United Nations and the
World Religion Parliament.
 The programs of Peace Education, prepared with the coordination of ancient knowledge and modern
science, would be conducted for everyone such as students, teachers, youth, women, doctors,
engineers, lawyers, traders, farmers etc.
 The construction work of about 25000 square feet will be completed in two years.
Nation’s first AI & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) launched in Bengaluru
 An Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) with a seed money of Rs 230
crore was launched at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.
 Of the Rs 230 crore, Rs 170 crore would be borne by the Centre and the rest by the Karnataka
government.

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March 2022
 ARTPARK is intended to use futuristic technologies to connect the unconnected, would work on creating
a globally leading ArtificiaI Intelligence(AI) and Robotics Innovation ecosystem in the country.
 The ARTPARK has the objective of channelising innovations to create a societal impact by executing
ambitious mission-mode R&D projects in healthcare, education, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture,
retail, and cyber-security aiming to solve problems unique to India.
India's maternal mortality rate dips by 10 points
 Maternal Maternity Ratio (MMR) of India has declined by 10 points, with Kerala, Maharashtra and
Uttar Pradesh recording sharpest decline.
 The rise in MMR in West Bengal, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh have emerged as a cause
of concern.
 The ratio has declined from 113 in 2016-18 to 103 in 2017-19, a 8.8 per cent decline.
 The country has been witnessing a progressive reduction in MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122 in 2015-
17, 113 in 2016-18, and to 103 in 2017-19
 The number of states which have achieved the SDG target has now risen from 5 to 7 and includes
Kerala (30), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (56), Tamil Nadu (58), Andhra Pradesh (58), Jharkhand (61),
and Gujarat (70).
 Five states - Uttarakhand (101), West Bengal (109), Punjab (114), Bihar (130), Odisha (136) and
Rajasthan (141) have MMR in between 100-150, while for four states, Chhattisgarh (160), Madhya
Pradesh (163), Uttar Pradesh (167) and Assam (205) have MMR above 150.
India’s first digital water bank sets up in Bengaluru
 India, and possibly the world, got its first digital water bank, an initiative to aggregate water resources
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under a single platform in Bengaluru.

 Science and Technology Minister Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan inaugurated the water bank in
Bengaluru.
 The initiative is undertaken by AquaKraft Ventures.
 The initiative is a holistic and sustainable approach towards finding a much-needed solution to a crisis
which not only India but the world is staring at.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launches India's first green hydrogen fuel-cell EV Toyota Mirai
 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched India's first green hydrogen-based advanced fuel cell
electric vehicle (FCEV), Toyota Mirai. In Japanese, the word 'Mirai' means 'future'.
 This is the first-of-its-kind project in India that aims to create an ecosystem for such vehicles in the
country.
 FCEV, powered by hydrogen, is one of the best zero-emission solutions.
 It is completely environment-friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water.
 Toyota Mirai was launched in 2014 and was one of the world's first hydrogen fuel electric vehicles.
 It is the second generation, with a 30 per cent increase in range, better handling and sharper styling.
Motor Vessel Ram Prasad Bismil becomes longest vessel ever to sail on Brahmaputra river
 The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has achieved a landmark when the motor vessel (MV)
Ram Prasad Bismil became the longest vessel ever to sail on the Brahmaputra river.

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March 2022
 The 90 meters long flotilla is 26 meters wide, loaded with a draft of 2.1 meters, successfully completed
the aspiring pilot run of heavy cargo movement from Haldia Dock in Kolkata after it anchored at Pandu
port in Guwahati.
 The significance of this pilot run lays down the path for commencement of barging operation from
Kolkata to Guwahati via Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBRP).
 The Government of India along with the Government of Bangladesh funded the dredging of this stretch
with an 80:20 ratio respectively for seamless navigation. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
as well as Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) worked together so that this historic
cargo movement can move smoothly.
‘Green Triangle’ named after Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated in Madagascar’s
 As part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate India’s 75th year of independence, a “Green
Triangle” named after Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital
Antananarivo.
 It meets the objective of the Urban Municipality of Antananarivo to create the maximum green
space in the capital city of Madagascar.
 The new green space highlights Gandhi’s vision and philosophy when it comes to reducing
consumerism, respecting nature and aiming for sustainable development.
Mumbai becomes first South Asian city to aim for carbon neutrality by 2050
 Mumbai has set a target of achieving total carbon neutrality/net zero emissions by 2050, two
decades ahead of the Government of India's promised deadline set at the Glasgow CO Summit in
2021. www.i xamBee.c om
 India has committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. This makes it the first city in
South Asia to set such a timeline.
 The MCAP has been devised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as part of its
commitment towards building a climate-resilient city. The plan has proposed some significant changes to
the way Mumbai manages energy, water, air, waste, green spaces and transport for its 19 million
residents.
For drone-based mineral exploration NMDC Sign MoU with IIT Kharagpur
 National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (NMDC), country’s largest Iron Ore producer, a
CPSE under Ministry of Steel signed a MoU with IIT Kharagpur for ‘Drone-Based Mineral
Exploration’.
 NMDC and IIT Kharagpur would develop spectral products, methods and algorithms for exploration
using the Drone (UAV) for mining. The collaboration between NMDC and IIT Kharagpur would further
lead to the development of software spectral tools for mineral excavation and capacity building programs
on mining technology.
India's largest floating solar power plant launched in Tamil Nadu
 Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation Limited (SPIC), a private company inaugurated

and fully operationalised India's largest floating solar power plant.
 Situated in the SPIC factory's premises in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, this 48-acre floating solar power
plant has been set up on a large water reservoir that spans 62-acres.
 Capable of generating 42 million units of power per year, the plant is meant to cater to the energy
needs of the SPIC and Greenstar fertilisers factories.

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March 2022
 Constructed at a cost of Rs.150.4 crores, SPIC worked with France-based floating solar power
specialists and global leader Ceil & Terre to design, engineer, and anchor the floating islands and the
supply floats.
 EDAC Engineering Ltd, another company of the AM international group, undertook the plant's
construction.
 In addition, advanced high-capacity inverters of 3.25 MW have been installed to improve the plant's
reliability and reduce losses.
 The 25.3 MW DC / 22 MW AC floating solar power plant project aligns with their strategy to implement
new-age green, sustainable technology and self-sufficient captive energy generation.
Govt sets a target of creating 220 new airports by 2025
 The government has set a goal of developing 220 new airports by 2025.
 The government plans on building 33 new freight terminals, 15 new flight training schools and
increasing opportunities for jobs as well as focusing on drones.
Sujalam 2.0 campaign for greywater management in New Delhi
 Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Sujalam 2.0 campaign for
greywater management at a virtual event hosted by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
(DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti to mark the World Water Day, 2022 .
 A Joint Advisory was also signed by 9 Ministries namely the Ministry of (M/o) Jal Shakti, M/o Rural
Development, M/o Women & Child Development, M/o Youth Affairs and Sports, M/o Tribal Affairs, M/o
Health and Family Welfare, M/o Education, M/o Environment, Forest and Climate Change and M/o
Panchayati Raj, on how greywater management will be taken up at their level based on convergence
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model with all those who are directly associated in programme implementation.
 The theme for this year is ‘Groundwater: making the invisible visible’.
 The objective is to manage greywater through people’s participation.
India achieves highest ever goods export target of 400 billion US dollar
 For the first time ever, India’s merchandise exports have crossed USD 400 billion in a fiscal.
 In 2018-19, the outbound shipments had touched a record of USD 330.07 billion.
 The key export sectors, which contributed to record healthy growth include petroleum products,
electronic goods, engineering goods, leather, coffee, plastic, ready-made garments of all textiles, meat
and dairy products, marine products and tobacco.
Panchayati Raj Ministry implementing ePanchayat Mission Mode Project MMP
 Under the Digital India Programme, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing ePanchayat
Mission Mode Project MMP with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions
making them more transparent, accountable and effective.
 The objective is to manage greywater through people’s participation.
 Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been providing support for strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions
and capacity building of Elected Representatives and functionaries of PRIs to improve their
effectiveness and make them self-reliant.
 Under the e-Panchayats component of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Yojana, States are
provided with e-Governance Resource Groups which is e-State Project Monitoring Unit and e-District
Project Monitoring Unit and support for computers, UPS and Printers.

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March 2022
 Basic grants of 14th Finance Commission and 15th Finance Commission, can be utilized for e-
governance related activities by Panchayats such as purchase of computers and related accessories,
providing internet connectivity and recurring charges.
 The targeted date for completion of the BharatNet project is August 2023.
Bill to merge 3 Municipal Corporations of Delhi into one to be introduced in Lok Sabha
 Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in Lok
Sabha.
 The bill seeks to unify the three municipal corporations into a single, integrated and well-equipped entity.
 It also seeks to ensure a robust mechanism for synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation
of resources and bring about greater transparency, improved governance and more efficient delivery of
civic service for the people of Delhi.
 A special officer may be appointed to oversee its function till the first meeting of the body is held under
the reunification law, according to a bill on the merger.
India, UK conclude second round of talks for India-UK Free Trade Agreement
 The Republic of India and the United Kingdom concluded the second round of talks for an India-UK
Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
 The negotiations were conducted in a hybrid fashion, with some negotiators in a dedicated UK
negotiations facility, and others attending virtually.
 For this round of negotiations, draft treaty text was shared and discussed across most chapters that will
make up the agreement.
 The third round of negotiations is due to be hosted by India in April 2022.
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Doctor-population ratio is 1:834 in the country
 There are 13 lakh one thousand three hundred nineteen allopathic doctors registered with the State
Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC) as on November last year.
 The doctor-population ratio is 1 : 834 in the country.
 There are also two lakh 89 thousand registered dentists, 32 lakh 63 thousand registered nursing
personnel and 13 lakh allied and Healthcare professionals in the country.
 The government has taken many steps to further increase the availability of doctors in the country.
 The number of UG seats have increased to 89 thousand 875 seats as of date. It was 51 thousand 348
seats before 2014. The number of PG seats have also increased by 93 percent from 31 thousand 185
seats before 2014 to 60 thousand 202 seats.
Mahatma Gandhi's grand daughter inaugurates Modi Story website
 The Modi Story initiative was inaugurated ‘Modi Story’, a volunteer-driven initiative to uncover the
life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that will include anecdotes of his life as told by various personalities
from different walks of life, was launched, by the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Sumitra
Gandhi Kulkarni.
 The Modi Story website says it aims to bring together first-hand anecdotes and reminiscences of
persons who have closely witnessed Narendra Modi. Anyone can contribute to the collection in the
form of video, audio or text.

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March 2022
Cabinet extends Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till September 2022
 The Centre has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which aims to provide free
foodgrain to poor citizens, till September 2022.
 Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free foodgrain is provided to citizens in need
through the public distribution system.
 About 80 crore people will continue to get the benefit of this scheme for the next six months.
 The PMGKAY was launched by the Centre in March 2020 after the Covid pandemic breakout. Under
the scheme, free foodgrain is provided to citizens in need through the public distribution system. All
ration card holders and those identified by the Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme can avail benefits of the
scheme.
 The government will distribute 1,003 lakh metric tonnes of food grains at a total cost of Rs 3.4 lakh
crores.
National Mission for Clean Ganga urges People to Join hands to clean Yamuna
 As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
organized Yamunotsav in association with a group of NGOs at ASITA East River Front, ITO Bridge, to
celebrate the glory of Yamuna with a “pledge to keep it clean”.
 Under Namami Gange Programme, the focus was on the main stem of Ganga Basin and the positives
results are now showing, the target now is to clean River Yamuna and ensure that 3 big STPs being
constructed are completed by December 2022 with the support of stakeholders, preventing all the major
drains and dirty water from falling into Yamuna.
 NMCG is funding the construction of sewerage infrastructure for River Yamuna to the tune of around
Rs. 2300 crore. www.i xamBee.c om
Free trade agreement between India-UAE is expected to come into force from 1st May
 India and the UAE have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with
the aim of increasing bilateral merchandise trade to $100 billion by 2030.
 The India-UAE CEPA marks the first trade agreement India has made with a major trading partner in
over a decade.
 UAE treaty could give a fillip to Indian exports to the Gulf and Africa, benefit pharma and MSME sector.
 Under the agreement, the UAE is set to eliminate duties on 80 per cent of its tariff lines which
account for 90 per cent of India’s exports to the UAE by value.
 Key domestic sectors that are set to benefit include, gems and jewellery, textiles, leather, footwear,
sports goods, engineering goods, automobiles and pharmaceuticals.
Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2022
 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2022 at
ShreedhamThakurnagar, Thakurbari, West Bengal on the occasion of 211th birth anniversary of
Shree ShreeHarichand Thakur ji.
 Matua Dharma Maha Mela is an occasion to bow to the Matua tradition, foundation of which was laid
by Shree Shree Harichand Thakur ji and further nurtured by Guruchand Thakur ji and Boro Ma.
NCW launches legal aid clinic to resolve women grievances
 In a move to make legal aid more accessible for women, the National Commission for Women (NCW)
in collaboration with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has launched a legal aid clinic which

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March 2022
will act as a single-window facility for resolving grievances of women by offering them free legal
assistance.
 Under the new legal aid clinic, counseling will be provided for walk-in complainants, women in
distress will be given legal assistance, advice and information on various schemes of the National
Legal Services Authority (NALSA)/ DSLSA, assistance in mahila jansunwai, free legal aid, hearings in
matrimonial cases and other complaints registered with the Commission will be provided among other
services.
Matrubhumi–projection mapping show highlighting facets of India will now be exhibited at Red Fort
throughout the year
 As ten - day Red Fort Festival – Bharat Bhagya Vidhata completed its fifth day, the Projection Mapping
Show ‘Matrubhumi’ is received an overwhelming response at the cultural extravaganza.
 The show will be a permanent fixture at the historic Red Fort and will run throughout the year.
 The projection mapping show highlights rich and diverse culture of India through its long,
amazing, and chequered history and stirs numerous emotions of patriotism to instil pride among
the citizens.
 With ‘Matrubhumi,’ the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, in association with Monument Mitra, Dalmia Bharat
Limited, are collaboratively highlighting India’s rich history and heritage to newer generations through
engaging interactive sequences projected at Red Fort.
37 Cantonment Hospitals to start Ayurveda clinics from May 1, 2022
 With a view to provide benefits of Indian traditional Ayurveda System of medicine to a wider clientele,
Ministry of Defence has decided to operationalise Ayurveda Centres at 37 Cantonment Hospitals
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across the country from May 01, 2022.

 The move will make available well-established and time-tested therapies of Ayurveda to the residents of
Cantonments including Armed Forces personnel, their families and civilians availing health
services from these hospitals.
 To support this initiative, Ministry of AYUSH is providing skilled AYUSH Doctors and Pharmacists to
these 37 Cantonment Hospitals.
 It has also been decided that officials of Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE), Ministry of
Defence and Ministry of AYUSH would work in close collaboration to make these 37 Ayurveda Centres
functional.
Decentralised Waste Management Technology Park
 The Waste to Wealth Mission, an initiative under the office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the
government, in collaboration with the East Delhi Municipal Corporation will inaugurate a decentralised
waste management technology park in New Delhi's East Jaffrabad.
 K. Vijay Raghavan, the principal scientific adviser to the government of India will inaugurate the park.
 The waste management park is a pilot which provides solutions for waste management, from semi-
automated segregation of solid waste to on-site compaction and treatment of the waste. The park covers
around 1,000 square metres of area and has a capacity of ten tonnes per day.
PM Modi To Inaugurate Museum Of All Former PMs Of India On April 14
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the All Former Prime Ministers Museum in New
Delhi in April, 2022.

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March 2022
 The museum will come up inside Teen Murti Bhavan, which was the residence of Jawaharlal Nehru,
the first Prime Minister of India. The museum will be a tribute to all the former Prime Ministers of India.
India, WHO sign agreement to set up Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar
 The World Health Organization (WHO) and India's government signed an agreement to establish
the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
 This global knowledge centre for traditional medicine, supported by a USD 250 million investment from
the Government of India, aims to harness the potential of traditional medicine from around the world
through modern science and technology to improve people's and the planet's health.
 It will focus on developing a solid evidence base for policies and standards on traditional medicine
practises and products, as well as assisting countries in integrating it as appropriate into their health
systems and regulating its quality and safety for optimal and long-term impact.
Gujarat Gets India's First 'steel Road'
 Made with 100% processed steel slag, Gujarat is all set to get the first 'steel road'.
 The project is sponsored by the Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research (CSIR) and the
Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) with help from the Ministry of Steel and Policy
Commission and the NITI Aayog.
 Under the initiative of the Waste to Wealth and Clean India Campaign, the undertaking is 1 kilometre
long and has six lanes.
IIT Madras establishes AquaMAP, an inter-disciplinary water management and policy centre
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 To solve water problems in India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras establishes a new
inter-disciplinary water management and policy centre known as ‘AquaMAP’.
 The centre will offer smart solutions for water problems by designing scalable models using innovative
technologies. These models will be implemented at various chosen locations across the country as proof
of the concept.
 Moving ahead with this endeavour, AquaMAP will collaborate with other IIT Madras water research
centers such as Sutram, International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW) – IIT Madras, and PCoE on Water
and Sustainability, and other partners as well.
I&B Minister Anurag Thakur launches 'Training for Emirates Jobs And Skills' at Dubai Expo
 Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur launched the “Training for Emirates
Jobs And Skills (TEJAS)“ project at the Dubai Expo.
 It is aimed at skilling, certification and overseas employment.
 The project is expected to create a 10,000-strong Indian workforce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
during its initial phase.
‘Fleet Card-Fuel on Move’: IAF unveils new initiative for refuelling its convoys
 Indian Air Force in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has introduced a ‘Fleet
Card – Fuel on Move’ for its varied fleet of vehicles.
 This innovative initiative taken by the Indian Air Force provides a paradigm shift to the logistics
management of fuel.
 HQ Western Air Command was earmarked as lead agency in the implementation and execution of this
innovative concept of “Fuel on Move”.

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March 2022
 The availability of Fleet Card will permit the convoy to refuel at any IOCL fuel stations thus increasing
the pace of movement and reducing the lead time for readiness at operational locations across the
nation.
PM Modi Inaugurates Biplobi Bharat Gallery at Kolkata's Victoria Memorial
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas, virtually inaugurated the Biplobi
Bharat Gallery at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata.
 The gallery provides a holistic view of the events that led to Independence, highlighting the
contributions of revolutionaries in the freedom struggle.
INTERNATIONAL
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World's largest plane destroyed in Ukraine
 The world's largest plane, the Antonov AN-225, has been destroyed during the Russian invasion of
Ukraine.
 The enormous aircraft was named "Mriya," or "dream" in Ukrainian.
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About Ukraine Capital: Kyiv Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia
Revocation of Russia’s Most Favored Nation Trade Status

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 US President Biden announced that the United States, acting in coordination with the European Union
(EU) and leaders of major economies belonging to the Group of Seven (G7), would begin taking steps
to revoke most-favored-nation (or MFN) trade status for Russia.
 MFN trade status—known as Permanent Normal Trade Relations (“PNTR”) status in the United
States—is a term used to describe the nondiscriminatory treatment granted among most of the world’s
trading partners.
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About Russia Capital: Moscow Currency: Russian ruble
China's new-generation rocket launches 22 satellites into space
 China’s new Long March-8 rocket placed 22 satellites in space, setting a domestic record for the
most spacecraft launched by a single rocket.
 The rocket blasted off at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern Hainan Province before
sending the satellites into pre-set orbits.
 These satellites will be mainly used for commercial remote sensing services, marine environment
monitoring, forest fire prevention and disaster mitigation.
 The mission marked the 409th flight of the Long March carrier rockets.
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About China Capital: Beijing Currency: Renminbi

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March 2022
Swiss to become first airline to use solar fuel
 Swiss and its parent company, the Lufthansa Group, have partnered with synthetic fuel group
Synhelion to use its solar fuel.
 This will make Swiss the first airline in the world to use sun-to-liquid fuel.
Pakistan continues to remain on FATF's grey list
 The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has once again retained Pakistan on the
increased monitoring list, also known as the "grey list".
 Meanwhile, the global financial watchdog also added the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its grey
watchlist.
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About Pakistan Capital: Islamabad Currency: Pakistani rupee
Hungary elects Katalin Novak, first-ever female president
 The Hungarian parliament has elected Katalin Novak, a close ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as
the EU member’s first-ever female president.
 She was elected to the role by 137 votes to 51 in the parliament.
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About Hungary Capital: Budapest Currency: Hungarian forint
South Korea: Conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol elected president

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 South Korea has chosen a conservative opposition candidate, Yoon Suk-yeol, as the country's next
president.
 Mr Yoon, a political novice, edged out a victory over the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung.
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About South Korea Capital: Seoul Currency: South Korean won
Gabriel Boric becomes Chile’s youngest president
 Chile’s Left-leaning former student leader Gabriel Boric became the youngest president in the South
American country’s history.
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About Chile Capital: Santiago Currency: Chilean peso
Serdar Berdymukhamedov wins presidential election of Turkmenistan
 Serdar Berdymukhamedov, 40, who is the son of Turkmenistan’s autocrat leader, Gurbanguly
Berdymukhamedov, has won a decisive victory in the presidential election.
 He got 73% of the vote.
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About Turkmenistan Capital: Ashgabat Currency: Turkmenistani manat

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March 2022
North Korea test-fired biggest intercontinental ballistic missile

.
 North Korea test-fired its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile.
 The Hwasong-17, reached a maximum altitude of 6,248 kilometres and travelled 1,090 kilometres
during a 67-minute flight before landing in waters between North Korea and Japan.
 The missile could reach targets 15,000 kilometres away when fired on normal trajectory with a warhead
weighing less than a tonne.
 25 metres long, the Hwasong-17 is the North's longest-range weapon and, the world's biggest road-
mobile ballistic missile system.
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About North Korea Capital: Pyongyang Currency: North Korean won
Bangladesh observes Independence Day
 Bangladesh observed its 52nd independence and national day on 26 March, to mark the birth of
the youngest nation in South Asia breaking away from the shackles of Pakistan in 1971.
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About Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka Currency: Bangladeshi taka
Democratic Republic of Congo set to join East African Community
 The East African Community trade bloc admitted Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as its
seventh member increasing the market by half to 300 million people.
 The EAC common market, which consists of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and
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Uganda, was set up in 2010 to allow the free movement of goods and people across borders, and is
one of the most advanced trading blocs on the continent.
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About DR Congo Capital: Kinshasa Currency: Congolese franc
Bangladesh: World Bank approves USD 358 million to improve road safety
 The World Bank approved USD 358 million of financing for Bangladesh to help improve road safety
and reduce fatalities and injuries from road traffic crashes on selected high-risk highways and district
roads.
 The project will pilot comprehensive road safety measures including improved engineering designs,
signing and marking, pedestrian facility, speed enforcement, and emergency care on two national
highways Gazipur- Elenga, and Natore-Nawabganj.
 The project will help modernize the capacity of the Traffic Police and highway patrol to manage speed
and prevent risky road user behavior by using a combination of automated enforcement systems, such
as CCTVs, electronic messaging, and physical measures.
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About Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka Currency: Bangladeshi taka

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March 2022
US announces USD 152 million for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
 The US has announced an assistance of USD 152 million which is nearly Taka 1322 crore in new
humanitarian assistance for close to one million Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh host communities.
 This brings the total US assistance to the Rohingya refugee-related work for Bangladesh to US 1.7
billion since 2017.
Kuwait among world's hottest places
 Kuwait reached a temperature of 53.2 degrees Celsius (127.7 degrees Fahrenheit), making it among
the hottest places on earth.
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About Kuwait Capital: Kuwait City Currency: Kuwaiti dinar
Malta’s new Prime Minister – Robert Abela
 Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela has been sworn in after a landslide victory in elections that
delivered his Labour party a third term in government.
 Labour won 55.11 percent of the vote.
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About Malta Capital: Valletta Currency: Euro
STATES www.i xamBee.c om
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Schemes/Facilities/Initiatives launched by various States governments
State Scheme/Facilities/Initiatives launched
Assam The population of one-horned rhinoceros at the Kaziranga National Park has
registered an increase of 200, taking the total to 2,613. The rhino census
Capital: Dispur recorded 903 females, 750 males and 170 of undetermined sex in the adult
Governor: Prof. Jagdish Mukhi category of above six years. In the sub-adult category of three to six years, 146
CM: Himanta Biswa Sarma females, 116 males and 103 whose sex could not be determined were found.
The Delhi state government has introduced a new portal for the purchase and
Delhi registration of new electric autos in the capital. The new portal is called 'My EV'
through which potential buyers can purchase a new e-auto. Under the Delhi
Electric Vehicle Policy, the government will also grant a 5 percent interest
Governor: Anil Baijal subsidy on the purchase of e-autos on loans.
CM: Arvind Kejriwal
Goa Pramod Sawant was sworn in as Goa’s Chief Minister for the second time. In
the recently concluded state polls, the BJP won 20 seats, one short of the
Capital: Panaji majority in the 40-member House. Three independent MLAs and two
Governor: PS Sreedharan Pillai legislators of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) have extended
CM: Pramod Sawant support to the BJP. Constituency of Pramod Sawant: Sanquelim

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March 2022
Haryana The Haryana government presented a Rs 1.77-lakh-crore Budget for the

financial year 2022-23 against the Rs 1.53-lakh-crore Budget in 2021-22. While
presenting the Budget in the state's Assembly, Haryana Chief Minister
Capital: Chandigarh Manohar Lal Khattar announced the 'Sushma Swaraj Award' for women for
Governor: Bandaru Dattatraya their significant contribution or achievements in different walks of life in national
CM: Manohar Lal Khattar and international spheres.
Himachal Pradesh
The Border Roads Organisation re-opened the 210-km-long Manali-Sarchu
road. The road remains closed for over 160-180 days a year during winters.
Capital: Shimla The road will provide connectivity to the Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh
Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath and further lead to Leh in Ladakh.
Arlekar
CM: Jai Ram Thakur
Jammu & Kashmir Maha Shivratri, locally known as 'Herath', was celebrated with religious fervour
and gaiety across Jammu and Kashmir. The festival holds an important place
among the Pandits, who celebrate it to mark the wedding of Lord Shiva with
Capital: Srinagar (Summer)
Parvati by cooking traditional Kashmiri food and dishes especially fish.
Jammu (Winter)
Lt. Gov: Manoj Sinha
The Survey Settlement and Land Records (SSLR) unit of Karnataka’s revenue
department is making original land records more accessible through an app
called Dishaank. The Dishaank app was created as part of the Karnataka
Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Center’s Geographical Information System
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(GIS) programme (KSRSAC). The KSRSAC makes satellite data available to

Capital: Bengaluru agencies such as the SSLR unit for novel applications.
CM: Basavaraj Bommai
Karnataka Minister of Higher Education, Electronics, IT-BT, S&T and Skill
Governor: Thawarchand Gehlot Development Dr C N Aswath Narayan launched Women@Work (W@W)
programme with an aim to provide five lakh jobs within 2026 to women with
necessary employable skills.
The Karnataka government has announced Vinaya Samarasya Yojana, an

awareness programme meant to eradicate untouchability in Gram Panchayats
across the state. Chief Minister will launch Vinaya Samarasya Yojana on April
14 on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. The scheme was included in the
recently announced Karnataka Budget for 2022-23 with an objective to
eradicate untouchability in the state.
Kerala Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to implement carbon-
neutral agricultural practices in selected places, for which the government
has budgeted 6 crores in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Carbon-neutral farming will
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
be introduced at 13 farms under the Agriculture Department and tribal regions
Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
CM: Pinarayi Vijayan in the first phase, and plans are underway to transform the State Seed Farm at
Aluva into a carbon-neutral farm. In the second phase, model carbon-neutral
farms will be constructed in all 140 Assembly constituencies.
Madhya Pradesh In Madhya Pradesh, the concluding ceremony of Chitra Bharati Film Festival-
2022 was held at Ravindra Bhawan, Bhopal. Awards were given to the
directors of the winning films in five categories at the closing ceremony of the
Capital: Bhopal Chitra Bharati Film Festival.
Governor: Mangubhai

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March 2022

Chhaganbhai Patel
CM: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the virtual ‘grah pravesh’ (house-
warming) of houses built in Madhya Pradesh for beneficiaries of the Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural). So far, 24.10 lakh houses have been completed
under this scheme in Madhya Pradesh. These include 23,000 houses for
people from the Baiga, Saharia and Bharia tribal communities.
Maharashtra Maharashtra Finance Minister of State Ajit Pawar announcement about a

Medicity to be set up in Pune while presenting the annual budget in the state
Assembly. The Medical city will be named 'Idrayani Medicity' and will be
Capital: Mumbai spread in around 300 acres of land in the Pune district.
Governor: Bhagat Singh
Koshyari Chandrapur has set a record as the third hottest place in the world. The
CM: Uddhav Thackeray first forest fire was recorded in Chandrapur district, the third hottest place in the
entire world.
Manipur N Biren Singh took oath as Manipur's Chief Minister for a second term. He
became the 12th Chief Minister of the state.
Constituency of N Biren Singh: Heingang
Capital: Imphal
Governor: Najma Heptulla
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced a titled “100 Action Points
CM: N Biren Singh for First 100 Days”, the plan aims to strengthen citizen-centric governance, fill
gaps in infrastructure, quicken economic growth and strive for inclusive
development of the state.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
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Catch The Rain Campaign- 2022 in an aim to intensify water conservation

measures in the identified water-stressed blocks and districts across the
State.The State Water Resources Department would be the Nodal
Department for carrying out the campaign.
Theme: “Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls”
The governor of Manipur has declared a 5-day working week (Monday-Friday)

for all offices, agencies, bodies and public sector undertakings (PSU) under the
state government, except vacation departments, with effect from April 1.
The departments dealing in essential services will work out a roster system for
employees for non-working days to ensure non-disruption of essential services.
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) operationalised the National e-

Vidhan Application (NeVA) programme for conducting a session in paperless
Nagaland mode. The application will completely eliminate the process of sending out a
notice or request for collection of data. The software has provision to provide
Capital: Kohima access to these documents bilingually viz. English and any regional language.
Governor: Jagdish Mukhi Paperless Assembly of e-Assembly is a concept involving electronic means to
CM: Neiphiu Rio facilitate all the works of the legislature. It is being done under the supervision
of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Punjab
Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann took oath as the 17th Chief
Minister of Punjab. Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of
Capital: Chandigarh
office and secrecy to Mann. Constituency of Bhagwant Mann: Dhuri
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
CM: Bhagwant Mann

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March 2022
Rajasthan Faced with a declining number of camels in Rajasthan, the Rajasthan state
government has announced a 'Camel Protection and Development Policy'
in its budget 2022-23. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot proposed a budget of Rs 10
Capital: Jaipur crore in the next financial year under the new policy for rearing, protection, and
Governor: Kalraj Mishra overall development of the state animal.
CM: Ashok Gehlot
Sikkim The Sikkim government will give Rs 20,000 each to all non-working mothers
and free sanitary napkins to all girl students of class 9 and above in the state.
The state government will implement the 'Aama Yojna' for non-working
Capital: Gangtok
mothers and Bahini scheme for girl students.
Governor: Ganga Prasad
CM: Prem Singh Tamang
Tamil Nadu An animal welfare charity Blue Cross of India has launched India’s first
ambulance for street animals in Chennai. The Blue Cross of India has
started the project in collaboration with international animal welfare
Capital: Chennai organisation Four Paw.
Governor: R. N. Ravi
CM: MK Stalin The Narasinghapettai nagaswaram, a classical wind music instrument
traditionally made by artisans based at a village near Kumbakonam, has
received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The artisans based at
Narasinganpettai village, who inherited the skill of making these wooden
instruments from their forefathers, are making them through a process
requiring specialised skills.
Telangana www.i xamBee.c om
The second leg of the festival Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) 2022
began in Warangal. The National Cultural Festival of India, Rashtriya Sanskriti
Capital: Hyderabad Mahotsav 2022 started at Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh under the
Governor: Dr. Tamilisai Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Soundararajan
CM: K. Chandrashekar Rao
Tripura
In an attempt to ensure social security of over 7,000 tea garden workers of
Tripura, the state government has announced a special scheme named
Capital: Agartala
"Mukhyamantri Chaa Srami Kalyan Prakalpa".
Governor: Satyadev Narayan
Arya
CM: Biplab Kumar Deb
Uttar Pradesh
Yogi Adityanath took oath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the
second consecutive term.
Capital: Lucknow Consituency of Yogi Adityanath: Gorakhpur
Governor: Anandiben Patel
CM: Yogi Adityanath
Uttarakhand
Capital: Gairsain (Summer),
Dehradun (Winter) Pushkar Singh Dhami will return as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. He
took oath as the 11th Chief Minister of the state.
Governor: Gurmit Singh
Constituency of Pushkar Singh Dhami: Khatima
CM: Pushkar Singh Dhami

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

West Bengal
The people of Bengal celebrated the festival of colours, predominantly known
as Dol Utsav in the state through cultural programs, marking the onset of
Capital: Kolkata
spring season. In Eastern India, the festival of spring is celebrated as Dol
Governor: Jagdeep Dhankar Jatra, Dol Purnima, Dol Utsav and Basanta Utsav.
CM: Mamata Banerjee
REPORTS AND INDEXES

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Sustainable Development Report 2021
 The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), released its annual Sustainable
Development Report 2021, which ranked all the UN member states based on their performance against
the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report also comprises data on the International
Spillover Index.
 The 6th edition of the Sustainable Development Report (2021), ranked India at 120th out of 165
countries with a country score of 60.1.
 Finland topped the rankings with a score of 85.90 followed by Sweden with 85.61 and Denmark with
84.86, Germany at 82.48, and Belgium with 82.19.
 Central African Republic, Chad, and South Sudan have ranked the least on SDG.
India ranks 3rd in billionaire population globally: Report

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 Knight Frank has come up with the latest edition of The Wealth Report 2022.
 As per the report, India is ranked 3rd in terms of most number of billionaires’ population globally in
2021.
 The number of ultra-high-net-worth-individuals (UHNWIs) in India increased by 11% YoY in 2021 to 145
billionaires, the highest percentage growth in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
 UHNWIs are individuals with net assets of US$ 30m or more (Rs 226 crore).
 The list has been topped by the United States (748) and China (554) has got second rank.
 Germany and Russia stand at 4th and 5th position in the Index.
 Bengaluru recorded the highest growth in the number of UHNWIs in 2021 at 17.1% to 352 billionaires.
Freedom in the World 2022 – The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule
 A report titled “Freedom in the World 2022 – The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule" is released by
Freedom House, a US-based NGO.
 For the second consecutive year, India has been termed 'partly free' in terms of democracy and free
society. India scored 66 out of 100 this year.
 Countries with lowest freedom points are South Sudan (which scored 1 out of 100, 'not free'), Somalia,
Syria, and Saudi Arabia.
SKOCH State of Governance Rankings 2021
 Andhra Pradesh has retained its number one spot in the SKOCH State of Governance rankings for
the second consecutive year.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 The SKOCH State of Governance-2021 document said that AP has been a ‘Star’ in the rankings for the
fourth year in a row. Star is a category given to the States ranked from 1 to 5.
 West Bengal, Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the other Star States.
 The Star States have focussed on agriculture, ease of doing business, power and energy, social justice
and security and water.
India gets 2nd Rank in Global Investment in Digital Shopping 2021
 Global Investment in Digital Shopping 2021 has been published by London & Partners.
 India is the second-largest global venture capital investment hub for digital shopping companies,
growing by a whopping 175% from $8 billion in 2020 to $22 billion in 2021, as per the index.
 Within India, Bengaluru comes out on top globally with $14 billion worth of Venture Capital (VC)
investments in digital shopping in 2021, followed by Gurugram at No. 7 with $4 billion and Mumbai at
No. 10 with $3 billion.
 USA, India, China and UK are the top 4 nations in the Index.
V-Dem report: Liberal Democracy Report 2022
 V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute an independent research institute based at the University of
Gothenburg, Sweden, has published a report – “Democracy Report 2022: Autocratization Changing
Nature”.
India’s Position: As per the report, polarization is on the rise in India and the country has been ranked
93rd on the Democracy Index. The report stated that India is among the top ten most autocratic
countries. India no longer runs as a fully functioning democratic country but works as an electoral
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autocracy. India is in the bottom 40% to 50% of countries.
World Happiness Report 2021
 The World Happiness Report is a publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development
Solutions Network.
Top Performers: Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the 5th consecutive
year followed by Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
India’s ranking: India has been ranked 139, out of 149 countries evaluated. In 2020, India was ranked
144 out of 156 countries surveyed.
Worst Performers: Afghanistan (149) is the most unhappy country followed by Zimbabwe (148),
Rwanda (147), Botswana (146) and Lesotho (145).
Trends in International Arms Transfer 2021: SIPRI
 The latest report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Trends in
International Arms Transfer, 2021, released, reveals that India and Saudi Arabia had emerged as the
largest arms importers of arms between 2017-21, each accounting for 11% of all global arms sales.
 The report places India at the top of the list. Egypt, Australia and China were the next three largest
importers with respective shares of 5.7%, 5.4% and 4.8%.
 Russia at 46% and France at 27% retained their respective positions as the two largest exporters to
India. USA is the third largest exporter to India during with a percentage share of 12% in 2017-21.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 India is 23rd largest exporter in 2017-21, with a share of just 0.2% of the global exports.
Largest Arms Exporter to the World: With 32%, USA is the largest arms exporter to the world
followed by Russia (19%), France (11%), China (4.6%) and Germany (4.5%) .
Ring the Bell for Gender Equality: IFC and DSE’s Report
 International Finance Corporation (IFC) partnered with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), UN
Women, and United Nations Global Compact for the seventh consecutive year to 'Ring the Bell for
Gender Equality.'
 The report offers guidance on implementing gender-responsive action plans, such as supporting the
listing of gender-focused financial instruments, addressing barriers to gender equality on boards and
senior management, promoting increased transparency on gender performance through expanded
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure, and setting gender targets for listed
companies.
 There was an increase in the percentage of women who are independent directors on listed companies
from five percent in 2020 to six percent, despite the impact of COVID-19, which has disproportionately
affected women.
 Bangladesh tops the list in South Asia in terms of women on board of listed companies according to
a study by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).
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The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is an international financial institution that offers investment,
advisory, and asset-management services to encourage private-sector development in less developed countries.
The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and it was established in 1956.
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IFC Headquarters: Washington, D.C. MD: Philippe Le Houérou
Deloitte’s Global Powers of Retailing 2022
 Deloitte’s has launched the report titled “Global Powers of Retailing 2022: Resilience Despite
Challenges”.
 Walmart Inc., an American multinational retail corporation, tops the list, followed by Amazon, Inc.,
Costco Wholesale Corporation.
 The Indian brand, Reliance Retail, ranked 56th on the Top 250 list based on the retail revenue growth
for FY2020.
Hurun Global Rich List 2022
 SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk has bagged the top position on the 2022 Hurun Global Rich
List, with a total net worth of $205 billion.
 Hurun Global Rich List is published by research and luxury publishing group Hurun India in
association with realty firm M3M.
 Amazon.com Inc executive chairman Jeff Bezos ranked second with $188 billion in net worth.
 Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani occupied the ninth rank globally with a
net worth of $103 billion.
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SpaceX Headquarters: California CEO: Elon Musk

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March 2022
Global House Price Index Q4 2021 – India’s ranked 51st in the Index
 India has improved its rank by 5 spots to be placed at 51st position in the ‘Global House Price Index
Q4 2021’ released by property consultant Knight Frank.
 India was placed at 56th position in Q4 of 2020.
 New Zealand (22.6 per cent), Czech Republic (22.1 per cent), Slovakia (22.1 per cent) and Australia
(21.8 per cent) are among the top 5 countries respectively.
 Turkey have the highest annual price growth rate by 59.6 per cent in Q4 2021.
Delhi Economic Survey 2021-22
 Unemployment rate higher in urban areas compared to rural areas in Delhi.

 During the July 2019- June 2020 period, the estimated unemployment rate in Delhi was at 8.7 % while
the employment rate was at 91.3 %.
 In the urban areas, the unemployment rate is at 8.9 % while the same was at 2 % in the rural areas.
 Delhi ranked third in terms of per capita income behind Sikkim and Goa.
NITI Aayog`s Export Preparedness Index 2021
 The Export Preparedness Index, prepared by NITI Aayog in partnership with the Institute of
Competitiveness, is a comprehensive analysis of India’s export achievements.
 Gujarat topped Export Preparedness Index 2021, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka in second
and third place, respectively. Other states in the top five ranking include Tamil Nadu and Haryana.
 Among union territories, Delhi has topped the index followed by Goa, Jammu and Kashmir,
Chandigarh and Puducheery. www.i xamBee.c om
 While Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim and Manipur were at the top five places
among Himalayan states.
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NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi Chairman: Narendra Modi
UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report
 The report was titled as ‘Tapering in a time of conflict’.

 UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report downgraded its global economic
growth projection for 2022 to 2.6% from 3.6% due to shocks from the Ukraine war and changes in
macroeconomic policies that put developing countries particularly at risk.
 India was forecast to grow at 6.7 per cent in 2022 and this projection has been downgraded to 4.6 % by
UNCTAD.
 The report has downgraded the GDP growth of the US from three per cent to 2.4 %.
 China will also see growth decrease to 4.8 % from 5.7 %.
 The report projects a deep recession for Russia, with growth decelerating from 2.3 % to -7.3 %.
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UNCTAD Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Secretary-General: Rebeca Grynspan

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Frontiers 2022: Noise, Blazes and Mismatches: United Nations Environment Programme's report
 The United Nations Environment Programme's released a report - Frontiers 2022: Noise, Blazes and
Mismatches.
 It reveals interesting insights on noise pollution globally.
 On top of the list is Bangladesh’s Dhaka with a noise pollution of 119 dB (Decibels), while Pakistan’s
Islamabad is at the third spot with 105 dB after UP’s Moradabad at 114 dB - making all the top three
cities from South Asia.
 Four other Indian cities — Delhi, Kolkata, Asansol, and Jaipur — have also managed to find spots on
this list of 61 cities worldwide.
 10 most noise polluted cities in the world:
i. Dhaka (Bangladesh) - 119 dB

ii. Moradabad (India) - 114 dB
iii. Islamabad (Pakistan) - 105 dB
iv. Rajshahi (Bangladesh) - 103 dB
v. Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam) - 103 dB
vi. Ibadan (Nigeria) - 101 dB
vii. Kupondole (Nepal) - 100 dB
viii. Algiers (Algeria) - 100 dB
ix. Bangkok (Thailand) - 99 dB
x. New York (US) - 95 dB
 Meanwhile, Jordan’s Irbid at 60 dB, France’s Lyon at 69 dB, Spain’s Madrid at 69 dB, Sweden’s capital
city of Stockholm at 70 dB, and Serbian capital Belgrade at 70 dB are world’s quietest cities.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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NASA launches latest generation satellite to track hazardous weather
 NASA has successfully launched the third in a series of next-generation weather satellites for the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
 The newest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-T, was launched on a United
Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
 The satellite will be providing continuous coverage of weather and hazardous environmental conditions
in the Western Hemisphere. The GOES program predicts space weather near earth that can interfere
with satellite electronics, GPS, and radio communications.
 Once GOES-T is positioned in a geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above earth, it will be renamed
GOES-18.
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NASA Headquarters: Washington, D.C., US
IIT Kanpur develops biodegradable nanoparticle to protect crops from diseases
 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed a biodegradable
nanoparticle that can be used as an alternative to chemical-based pesticides and help farmers
protect their crops from bacterial and fungal infections.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Coined Biodegradable Carbonoid Metabolite (BioDCM), the nanoparticle can remain active at low
concentration and can be as effective as pesticides without having any negative impact on soil and
health of consumers.
DRDO successfully tests Quantum Key Distribution tech between 2 cities
 A joint team of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, for the first time in the country successfully demonstrated
Quantum Key Distribution link between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal in Uttar Pradesh, a distance of
more than 100 km.
 Quantum key distribution is a secure communication method which implements a cryptographic
protocol involving components of quantum mechanics. It enables two parties to produce a shared
random secret key known only to them, which can then be used to encrypt and decrypt messages.
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DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi Agency Executive: Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy
ISRO successfully conducts ground test of solid booster stage for SSLV
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the ground test of the solid-
fuel based booster stage (SS1) of its new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), completing the
ground testing of all three stages of the launch vehicle.
 The new launch vehicle is now ready for its first development flight, which is scheduled for May 2022.
 The SSLV is likely to cost Rs 30 crore.
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About ISRO
Headquarters: Bengaluru Founder: Vikram Sarabhai Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
IIT Hyderabad developed cost-effective ventilator available for commercial use
 An IIT Hyderabad developed portable, cost-effective, and IoT-enabled ventilator powered by lithium-
ion batteries is now available for commercial use.
 The smart ventilator named 'Jeevan Lite' was launched by Telangana and Puducherry Governor
Tamilisai Soundararajan.
 Each unit costs Rs 4 lakh against similar imported devices priced at Rs 10-15 lakh per unit.
 Jeevan Lite will improve the healthcare facilities for the public.
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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Matsya Setu 2.0 app to boost freshwater fisheries
 The Government will soon launch Matsya Setu 2.0 whereby farmers, wholesale buyers, suppliers of
feed and equipment and other members of the value chain will be able to share information on market
prices and availability of produce.
 Matsya Setu 2.0, is an android mobile app developed by ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater
Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, with funding from the National Fisheries Development Board,
Hyderabad.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
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The ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
ICAR Headquarters: New Delhi Director General: Trilochan Mohapatra
Tamil Nadu providing free power to farmers
 Tamil Nadu government will providing free electricity to all the farmers across the state, an amount of
Rs 5,157.56 crore will be provided to Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Coroporation
(TANGEDCO), for the fiscal year 2023.
 Tamil Nadu government has allocated an amount of Rs 2,399 crore as state share of premium
subsidy.
 Tamil Nadu government continues to implement the crop insurance scheme to protect the farmers from
crop losses due to adverse natural calamities.
 The state governement will source funds from NABARD.
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NABARD Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Govinda Rajulu Chintala
Centre extends free foodgrain scheme for 6 months till September
 Central government extended the scheme to provide 5 kg of foodgrains free of cost to the poor by six
months till September 30 at a cost of Rs 80,000 crore.
 In the last two years, around Rs 2.6 lakh crore has already been spent under this scheme and it will cost
another Rs 80,000 crore with the extension of six months.
 In March 2020, the Centre had launched the scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to
provide free 5 kg foodgrains per person per month to over 80 crore beneficiaries covered under the
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National Food Security Act.
Govt’s paddy procurement reaches 741.62 lac tons so far in 2021-22 season
 According to the Union Food Ministry, Centre has procured 741.62 lakh tonne of paddy in the ongoing
2021-22 marketing year so far at the minimum support price.
 Out of the total procurement undertaken so far, maximum of 187.28 lakh tonne of paddy has been
procured from Punjab, followed by 92.01 lakh tonne from Chhattisgarh.
 During the 2020-21 marketing season, the government had procured 895.83 lakh tonne of paddy at a
MSP value of Rs 1,69,133.26 crore.
Madhya Pradesh waives mandi taxes
 Madhya Pradesh announced a waiver of mandi fee and other levies aggregating 3.5% on grain
purchases in the state to wheat exports.
 The state is the second-biggest producer of wheat in the country. UP is the leading producer of wheat in
the country.
DEFENCE
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Ninth edition of India-Sri Lanka Naval Exercise SLINEX begins in Visakhapatnam
 The ninth edition of India-Sri Lanka Naval Exercise, SLINEX, is scheduled at Visakhapatnam.
 The exercise is being conducted in two phases, the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam followed by the
Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Indian Air Force postpones Exercise Vayu Shakti at Pokharan
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) has postponed Exercise Vayu Shakti that was scheduled to take place at
the Pokharan range in Jaisalmer.
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts Exercise Vayu Shakti at the Pokharan range every three years to
demonstrate its readiness to conduct full spectrum operations. The last one took place in 2019.
India and Seychelles to conduct military exercise ‘LAMITIYE’
 The Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) are conducting the ninth Joint Military
Exercise Lamitiye 2022 at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) in Seychelles from March 22 to
March 31 into the Indian Ocean.
 The ninth joint military exercise LAMITIYE-2022 between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence
Forces will commence at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA).
 Exercise LAMITIYE, will be conducted at Mahe, Seychelles from March 22 to March 31
Defence Secretary commissions Offshore Patrol Vessels ICGS Saksham at Goa
 Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Saksham, the
fifth in the series of 105-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) class, at Goa.
 The 105-meter OPV has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited and fitted
with advance technology, navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery.
India successfully test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in Andaman and Nicobar
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 India successfully test fired the extended range version of a surface-to-surface BrahMos supersonic
cruise missile from a launch pad in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 The successful launch of the world’s fastest cruise missile has a maximum speed of Mach 2.8 (nearly
three times the speed of sound).
 The Indian Navy had successfully launched an extended range land attack BrahMos missile from INS
Chennai, the Navy’s indigenously built stealth destroyer.
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About BrahMos: The BrahMos missile, which has been developed by the joint venture between Russia’s NPO
Mashinostroyeniya and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is capable of being
launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface- and sea-based targets, and can carry both conventional
and nuclear warheads of up to 300 kilogram. In January BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd, the Indo-Russian aerospace
and defence corporation, had bagged a $375 million (Rs.2,770 crore) contract to export the 290-km range BrahMos
missiles to the Philippines. The first air launch of BrahMos was successfully carried out from a Su-30MKI fighter
aircraft in 2017.
President Kovind awards prestigious President's Colour to INS Valsura
 President Ram Nath Kovind, awarded the prestigious “President’s Colour” to Indian Naval Ship
(INS) Valsura at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
 Established in 1942, INS Valsura is a premier training establishment of the Indian Navy.
 The President’s Colour is bestowed on any military unit, in recognition of exceptional service
rendered to the nation, both in peace and in war.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
India successfully test-fires two MRSAMs off Odisha coast
 Two successful tests of the Army version of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) against
high-speed aerial targets at two different ranges, were conducted by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) off the coast of Odisha.
 This MRSAM version is a Surface-to-Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace
Industries (IAI) for use by the Indian Army.
 The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises a multi-function radar, mobile launcher system and other
vehicles.
Cabinet Committee on Security approves procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopters Limited

Series
 The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) led by Prime Minister approved the procurement of 15
indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore.
 10 helicopters will be for the Indian Air Force and five will be for the Indian Army.
Third Dustlik exercise between India and Uzbekistan
 The third edition of the joint training exercise between India's and Uzbekistan's armies - EX-
DUSTLIK - began in Uzbekistan’s Yangiarik and will continue till March 31.
 The Indian contingent, comprising the platoon strength of the Grenadiers Regiment, left for the drill to
join the Uzbek Army contingent represented by troops of the North Western Military District.
 The joint exercise will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under a United
Nations Mandate. www.i xamBee.c om
Exercise Suraksha Kavach 2- Joint Security Exercise by Indian Army and Maharashtra Police
 Agnibaaz Division organized a joint exercise between Indian Army and Maharashtra Police at
Lullanagar, Pune.
 The aim of the exercise was to harmonize the drills and procedures undertaken by Army and Police to
counter any likely terrorist actions in Pune.
 The exercise involved participation of Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) of Indian Army, Anti-
Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra Police alongwith Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), Dog Squads and
Bomb Disposal Teams of both agencies.
 Joint action was thereafter carried out by Army’s CTTF and QRT of Maharashtra Police to neutralize the
terrorists.
Malaysia to host 4 nations for Bersama Shield military drills
 Malaysia will host armed forces from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom in
the annual Bersama Shield 2022 training exercise. Bersama means together in Malay.
 The exercise, referred to as BS22, is conducted within the framework of the Five Power Defense
Arrangements (FPDA) – a series of bilateral and multilateral defense agreements established in 1971.
 The exercise will involve sea and air drills, mostly in international waters but also in part of Malaysia’s
exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
EVENTS
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28th DST-CII India-Singapore Technology Summit
 Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with Department of Science & Technology
(DST) is hosting the 28th edition of the DST – CII Technology Summit (over a virtual platform).
 Singapore is the Partner Country for Technology Summit in 2022.
 Technology Summit over a period of more than two decades has been instrumental in providing
significant opportunities to forge and foster bilateral technology partnerships.
 The focus areas would be Smarter Cities, Space, Industry 4.0 and Advanced Engineering, Healthcare,
Precision Medicine, Mobility etc.
19th edition of India-US Military Cooperation Group concludes
 The two-day meeting of 19th edition of India-US Military Cooperation Group concluded in Agra, Uttar
Pradesh.
 The meeting was co-chaired by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff
Committee CISC Air Marshal BR Krishna from the Indian side and Deputy Commander, US Indo-Pacific
Command Lieutenant General Stephen D Sklenka from the US side.
 The discussions focussed on strengthening the ongoing defence engagements between the two sides
and mulled on new initiatives under the ambit of existing cooperation mechanism.
IIT Madras and NIOT bring OCEANS Conference

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 Indian Institute of Technology Madras and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT),
Chennai, are organizing the OCEANS 2022 Conference and Exposition, the Bi-annual event for Global
Marine Researchers, technologists and engineers, students and policymakers.
 This conference is being organized in India for the first time and is being coordinated by the
Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras.
 They are organizing the event on behalf of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Ocean Engineering Society (IEEE OES) and Marine Technology Society (MTS). The Conference is
being held in Hybrid Mode.
 This event is for global maritime professionals to learn, innovate, and lead in the protection and
utilization of the world’s largest natural resource Oceans.
 ‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ is the main theme of the conference.
5th session of United Nations Environment Assembly
 Hosted by the UN Environment Programme, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) brings
together representatives of the 193 Member States of the UN, businesses, civil society and other
stakeholders to agree on policies to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
 The resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) took place
online and in Nairobi from 28 February – 2 March 2022.
 The overall theme for UNEA-5 was “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals,” highlighting the pivotal role nature plays in our lives and in social, economic and
environmental sustainable development.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Study in India meet 2022 inaugurated in Dhaka
 The two day long Study in India (SII) 2022 meet was inaugurated in Dhaka.
 The event organised by the High Commission of India was inaugurated by the Education Minister of
Bangladesh Dr. Dipu Moni and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami.
 Educational exchange between the two countries will further strengthen the friendly relations between
the two countries.
 The Study in India campaign is also an opportunity to connect the next generations of the two countries
in profitable and mutually beneficial enterprises.
Industry Connect 2022: Industry and Academia Synergy
 The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government
of India in association with Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET)
and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is organizing a seminar
“Industry Connect 2022”: Industry and Academia Synergy in New Delhi.
 The broad objectives of the seminar are to focus on R&D – Laboratory to Industry, Skill Gap Analysis for
the Human Capital in Petrochemicals Sector, Support Aatmanirbhar Bharat by providing Indigenous
Technology, Aatmanirbhar CIPET with the help of Industry Connect, Support of Technology with the
help of TDB (Technology Development Board) to establish synergy between industry and academia for
the sector.
3rd edition of NIC Tech Conclave
 Communications and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the 3rd edition of NIC Tech Conclave
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in New Delhi.
 The two-day event was organized by the National Informatics Centre.
 Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar, was the guest of honour.
 NIC has been organizing Tech Conclave focused on Emerging Technologies applicable especially in e-
Governance.
 The theme for Tech Conclave this year is “Next-Gen Technologies for Digital Government”.
India Global Forum to bring together leaders of new unicorns and Union ministers
 India Global Forum’s (IGF) annual summit themed ‘The New India Inc.’ will bring together eminent
faces of tech-driven disruption and those who have joined the unicorn club along with Union ministers,
policymakers and global business leaders.
 The two-day event will be hosted in Bengaluru.
 This comes as the first-of-its-kind confluence, particularly after the incentives announced by Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the budget.
Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2022
 Mobile World Congress 2022, the largest mobile technology event of the year is going to be held in
Barcelona this year.
 At the event, leading smartphone brands in the world such as Samsung, OnePlus and Google will
showcase their upcoming devices and new technologies.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Germany to host G7 meeting on Ukraine invasion's impact on food security
 Germany will host a virtual meeting of agricultural ministers from G7 countries to discuss the impact
of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on global food security and how to best stabilize food markets.
 Germany holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven most advanced economies this year.
3rd edition of National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF)
 The 3rd edition of National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) was inaugurated in the Central Hall of
Parliament, New Delhi.
 Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur will address the inaugural session of National
round of National Youth Parliament Festival 2022.
 The objective of the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) is to hear the voice of the youth, who will
join various careers in coming years, including public services.
WINGS INDIA 2022
 Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI will jointly organise Asia's largest event on Civil Aviation -
WINGS INDIA 2022 - from 24th to 27th March at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.
 Theme of the event is “India@75: New Horizon for Aviation Industry.”
 WINGS INDIA Awards will be conferred upon the Aviation-related companies, institutions and
organizations that have created benchmarks and made notable contributions in the area of civil aviation
in the country.
36th International Geological Congress www.i xamBee.c om
 The 36th International Geological Congress (IGC), themed “Geosciences: The Basic Science for a
Sustainable Future” will be held in New Delhi on a virtual platform.
 The 36th IGC is a joint endeavour of the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Indian
National Science Academy and the Science Academies of Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
 Described as the Olympics of Geosciences, the IGCs are held quadrennial.
35th Surajkund International Crafts Mela begins in Haryana
 The Surajkund International Craft Mela will start from March 19 and will last till April 4.
 Artists from 20 countries will take part in the fair.
 The Mela is organized annually in Faridabad by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism
in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.
 In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level.
 The theme state for Surajkund Mela 2022 is ‘Jammu & Kashmir.’
Ten-day Red Fort Festival-Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
 The ten-day Red Fort Festival - Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, began at the iconic 17th- century monument,
Red Fort, New Delhi.
 The festival will feature a wide range of experiences including “Matrubhumi” –Projection Mapping
Show, YATRA - A 360° immersive experience, a Cultural Parade, Khao Galli, Live performances at
Rang Manch, Dances of India, AnokheVastra, Khel Manch and Khel Gaon and Yoga on the Go.
 Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the festival.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend 5th BIMSTEC Summit virtually
 External affairs minister S Jaishankar visited the Maldives and Sri Lanka to hold bilateral meetings
and participate in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meeting in Colombo.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually joined the fifth BIMSTEC Summit being hosted by Sri Lanka.
 Several India-supported projects were signed during Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives
 The Maldives and Sri Lanka are India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean and occupy a
special place in the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and its
Neighbourhood First policy.
APPOINTMENTS
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Organization News Learn Along
Name
BharatPe Ashneer Grover, the co-founder of Indian fintech unicorn BharatPe, has Headquarters:
resigned as the managing director and director of the company. New Delhi
National The University Grants Commission (UGC) has appointed educationist and
research scientist Professor Bhushan Patwardhan as chairman, of the Headquarters:
Assessment and
executive committee of the National Assessment and Accreditation Bangalore
Accreditation
Council Council (NAAC), Bengaluru.
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Yash Raj Films India’s leading film production house, Yash Raj Films (YRF), announced
that Akshaye Widhani has been named the Chief Executive Officer Headquarters:
(CEO), effective immediately. Mumbai
LIC Mutual Fund LIC Mutual Fund announced the appointment of TS Ramakrishnan as
its managing director and chief executive officer. ---
Bharti AXA Life Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises,
one of India’s leading business groups and AXA has appointed National ---
Insurance
Award-winning actress Vidya Balan as its brand ambassador.
Jet Airways The Kalrock Jalan consortium is putting together a senior management
team as it looks to revive Jet Airways. The consortium announced the Headquarters:
appointment of aviation sector veteran Sanjiv Kapoor as its chief Mumbai
executive officer.
State Bank of India State Bank of India (SBI) has appointed former Ujjivan Small Finance Headquarters:
Bank CEO Nitin Chugh as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) to drive Mumbai
digital banking operations. He has been appointed for an initial term of
three years.
Headquarters:
Financial Action Mr T. Raja Kumar will assume office as president of the Financial New Delhi
Task Force Action Task Force (FATF) on July 1 and will serve a fixed two-year term.
Telecom Disputes The Centre has cleared the appointment of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Headquarters:
Settlement and DN Patel as the next Chairperson of the Telecom Disputes Settlement New Delhi
Appellate Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

Name
Securities and Ashwani Bhatia, who is the managing director of State Bank of India
(SBI) has been appointed as a whole-time member (WTM) of the Headquarters:
Exchange Board of
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of three Mumbai
India
years.
Colgate-Palmolive FMCG major Colgate-Palmolive (India) has identified former Hindustan

(India) Unilever (HUL) executive Prabha Narasimhan as managing director
and chief executive officer, replacing Ram Raghavan who is moving to ---
the parent company in the US.
The Supreme Court urged its former Justice AK Sikri to take over as the
Indian Govt. Chairman of the high-powered committee constituted by it to “consider the
cumulative and independent impact of the Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas ---
Pariyojana (Char Dham Highway Development Project) on the entire
Himalayan valley”.
A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant requested Justice
Sikri to accept the assignment as Ravi Chopra, current Chairman of the
committee, had opted to quit.
Insurance Government has appointed retired IAS officer and former financial
services secretary Debasish Panda as chairman of the Insurance Headquarters:
Regulatory and
Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Hyderabad
Development
Authority of India
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National Financial The government has appointed former finance secretary Ajay Bhushan
Pandey as chairman of the National Financial Reporting Authority ---
Reporting
Authority (NFRA) for a period of three years.
Bajaj Allianz
General Insurance Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company announced that Tapan Headquarters:
Company Singhel, managing director and CEO, has received a five-year tenure Pune
extension with effect from April 1, 2022.
State Bank of India State Bank of India (SBI) has appointed Nitin Chugh as deputy
managing director (DMD) & head of digital banking. Chugh has earlier Headquarters:
served as MD & CEO at Ujjivan Small Finance Bank and at HDFC Bank Mumbai
as head of digital banking.
Lupin Ltd Homegrown pharma major Lupin Ltd has signed six-time world boxing
champion and Olympics bronze medallist Mary Kom as brand Headquarters:
ambassador for its Shakti campaign. The campaign is aimed at Mumbai
increasing awareness about heart diseases among women through
interactive social media sessions, sharing informative videos from doctors,
and in-clinic awareness activities for patients.
Oil India Ltd Government headhunter PESB has picked a non-upstream executive,
Ranjit Rath to head India's second largest state oil and gas producer, Oil Headquarters:
India Ltd. as chairman and managing director. Noida
Headquarters:
Air India Tata Sons chief Natarajan Chandrasekaran was appointed as chairman New Delhi
of Air India.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

Name
Bajaj Auto Bajaj Auto appointed Dinesh Thapar the Chief Finance Officer. He was Headquarters:
CFO in Relliance Retail earlier. Pune
My11Circle My11Circle has appointed Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad as its ---
brand ambassadors.
Flipkart Health+ Flipkart Health+ has appointed Prashant Jhaveri as its chief executive ---
officer (CEO) to lead Flipkart’s foray in the fast-growing healthcare sector
in India.
Tata Consultancy IT major Tata Consultancy Services board has re-appointed Rajesh
Gopinathan as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Headquarters:
Services
five years, from February 21, 2022 to February 20, 2027. Mumbai
The company has also re-appointed N Ganapathy Subramaniam as the
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director from February 21, 2022, to
May 19, 2024.
Indian development economist Jayati Ghosh has been appointed by UN Headquarters:

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to a new high-level advisory board New York,
Organization on effective multilateralism. Ms Ghosh has been named to the 12- United States
member board, which will be supported in its work by the Centre for Policy
Research of the United Nations University in close coordination with the
Executive Office of the Secretary-General.
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International The ILO Governing Body has elected Gilbert F. Houngbo as the Headquarters:
Labour Organization’s 11th Director-General, who will take office in October Geneva,
Organization 2022. The current Director-General, Guy Ryder, from the United Switzerland
Kingdom, has held the office since 2012. Houngbo is currently President
of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
IL&FS CS Rajan, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director,

IL&FS for six months with effect from April 3 by the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs.
Maruti Suzuki India Hisashi Takeuchi has been appointed as the Managing Director and Headquarters:
Chief Executive Officer of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) with New Delhi
effect from April 1, 2022.
CSB Bank appointed its current deputy Managing Director, Pralay

Mondal, as the interim Managing Director (MD) & CEO for a period of 3 Headquarters:
CSB Bank
months from 1 April 2022 or till the appointment of a regular MD & CEO, Thrissur
whichever is earlier.
North Atlantic NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will remain in his role for
an extra year to help steer NATO through the security crisis sparked by Headquarters:
Treaty
Russia's war on Ukraine. Brussels,
Organization
Belgium

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022

Name
Former State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Rajnish Kumar has joined the
international strategic advisory board of data and analytics firm Dun Headquarters:
Dun & Bradstreet
& Bradstreet. United States
Kumar, a veteran banker, currently sits on the boards of HSBC Asia
Pacific, L&T Infotech, Hero MotoCorp and BharatPe.
Ministry of Lt. Gen. Vinod G. Khandare (retd.) has been appointed as Adviser in ---
Defence the Ministry of Defence. He will work closely with the Defence Secretary.
Broadcast
Audience Shashi Sinha, chief executive officer, IPG Mediabrands India, has been Headquarters:
Research Council elected as the chairperson of the Broadcast Audience Research Mumbai
India Council (BARC) India.
FedEx Indian-origin Raj Subramaniam became the President and CEO of Headquarters:
FedEx. Subramaniam, who was born in Thiruvananthapuram, will replace United States
Frederick W Smith, chairman and CEO.
Forest Research The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has Dehradun
Institute appointed Dr Renu Singh as Director of the premier Forest Research
Institute.
Badminton
Association of Incumbent Himanta Biswa Sarma was re-elected unopposed as the
president of Badminton Association of India (BAI) for a second term Headquarters:
India www.i xamBee.c om
of four years -- 2022 to 2026. New Delhi
AWARDS AND REWARDS

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IISER professor Deepak Dhar becomes first Indian to bag Boltzmann Medal
 Physicist professor Deepak Dhar has become the first Indian to be awarded the Boltzmann Medal. He
shares the medal with John J Hoefield of Princeton University.
 The Commission on Statistical Physics of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
(IUPAP) presents this medal once in three years for contributions in the field of statistical physics.
National Mission For Clean Ganga Gets Special Jury Award
 National Mission for Clean Ganga was awarded the Special Jury Award at the 7th India Industry
Water Conclave and the 9th edition of the FICCI Water Awards that was held on a virtual platform.
 NMCG is engaged in to bring about a paradigm shift in water management, even as they endeavour to
revive river Ganga.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
NMDC receives 1st prize in Ispat Rajbhasha Award for 2018-19 and 2020-21 and Ispat Rajbhasha
Prerna Award for 2019-20
 National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (NMDC), Country’s largest Iron Ore producer, a
CPSE under Ministry of Steel received 1st prize in the Ispat Rajbhasha Award for 2018-19 and 2020-21
and the Ispat Rajbhasha Prerna Award for 2019-20 in the meeting of the Hindi Salahakar Committee
of the Ministry of Steel held in Madurai.
International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award for 2022
 Bangladeshi environmental lawyer Rizwana Hasan has been selected for the International Women of
Courage (IWOC) Award for 2022.
 She is among the 12 women from around the world who will be honoured by the US department of
State with the award for showing exceptional courage and leadership to make a difference in their
communities.
 Rizwana Hasan is a lawyer who has demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in her mission to
protect the environment and defend the dignity and rights of the marginalised Bangladeshis.
Learn Along
About the award: The International Women of Courage (IWOC) award was established in 2007 by the US
department of State to honour women of exceptional courage, strength and leadership who work to bring change to
their communities. Till now 170 women from 80 countries have been honoured under the IWOC programme.
Nari Shakti Puraskar – 2020 and 2021
 President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’ – 2020 and 2021, at a special
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ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

 The award was conferred on 29 outstanding and exceptional women achievers for the years 2020
and 2021. Twenty-eight awards – (14 each for the Year 2020 and 2021)- were presented to 29
women in recognition of their exceptional work towards empowerment of women, especially the
vulnerable and marginalised.
Six Indian airports adjudged at best airports by ACI in Asia Pacific region
 Seven Airports Authority of India's (AAI) airports namely Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, Pune, Patna,
Bhubaneswar & Chandigarh that participated in ACI-ASQ survey in 2021 have been chosen for 'voice
of customer recognition' under ACI World’s voice of the customer initiative.
 Airports Council International (ACI) has initiated the ‘Voice of the Customer' initiative to acknowledge
and recognize airports that continued to prioritize their customers and are committed to ensuring their
voice was heard.
J&K Bank wins National Award for SHG Bank Linkage
 In recognition of its best performance in Self Help Group Bank Linkage, Ministry of Rural
Development (GoI) has awarded J&K Bank with ‘National Award for Outstanding Performance for FY
2020-21’.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
International Booker Prize 2022 Longlist
 Author Geetanjali Shree’s novel ‘Tomb of Sand’ is among 13 books from across the world longlisted
for the International Booker Prize, the first Hindi language work of fiction to make the cut for the
prestigious literary prize.
 Shree’s book, translated into English by Daisy Rockwell will compete for the GBP 50,000 prize,
which is split evenly between the author and translator.
75th British Academy Film Awards
 The 75th British Academy Film Awards, also known as the BAFAs (or BAFTAs), were held at the Royal
Albert Hall in London, honouring the best national and foreign films of 2021.
 The awards are presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
 Here are the some of the winners:
Category Winner
Best Film The Power Of The Dog
Outstanding British Film Belfast
Animated Film Encanto
Director Jane Campion (The Power Of The Dog)
Leading Actress Joanna Scanlan (After Love)
Leading Actor Will Smith (King Richard)
31st GD Birla Award for Scientific Research www.i xamBee.c om
 Professor Narayan Pradhan has been selected for the 31st GD Birla Award for Scientific Research for
his outstanding contribution in the field of material sciences.
 He has provided his expertise in crystal modulations to help design new shapes of these tiny lighting
materials.
Learn Along
About the Award: Instituted in 1991, the award recognises eminent Indian scientists below the age of 50 for their
original and outstanding contributions to any branch of science. It carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.
Axis Bank bags IFR Asia's Asian Bank of the Year and India Bond House Award
 Axis Bank, India's third-largest private sector bank has been awarded IFR Asia's Asian Bank of The
Year for its breadth of coverage and depth of expertise in the Asian investment banking space.
 The award acknowledges the bank's outstanding performance in equity and debt issuance, across all
major products and segments.
India’s Oscar nominations 2022
 Indian documentary Writing with Fire has been nominated in Best Documentary Feature category.
 ‘Writing with Fire’ is the first all-India independent production to make it to the final nomination in this
category. It had made it to the Oscars shortlist — among 15 films from a pool of 138.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Maldives Sports Awards 2022
 Former India cricketer Suresh Raina was felicitated with the prestigious 'Sports Icon' award at the
Maldives Sports Awards 2022 by the Government of Maldives.
 He was the first Indian player to score 6000 as well as 8000 runs in a Twenty20 career and the first-
ever cricketer to reach 5,000 runs in IPL. He also holds the record for scoring the most fifties in
Champions League T20 history.
 Raina was nominated alongside 16 international sportspersons, including former Real Madrid and
Brazil footballer Roberto Carlos, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, former Sri Lankan cricket
captain Sanath Jayasuriya and Dutch football legend Edgar Davids.
Miss World 2021
 Karolina Bielawska from Poland who has been crowned Miss World 2021 at the 70th edition of the
pageant at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 Shree Saini of USA and Olivia Yacé of Cote D’Ivoire emerged as the first and second runners-up,
respectively.
 India’s Manasa Narayan was awarded Beauty with Purpose award.
Pritzker Architecture Prize 2022
 Burkino Faso-born architect, Diébédo Francis Kéré, has become the first African to win the
prestigious Pritzker Prize, which is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture.
About the award: The Pritzker Architecture Prize is an award presented annually to honor a living architect or
architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has
produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.
Founded in 1979 by Jay A. Pritzker and his wife Cindy, the award is funded by the Pritzker family and sponsored by
the Hyatt Foundation. It is considered to be one of the world's premier architecture prizes, and is often referred to as
the Nobel Prize of architecture.
The Pritzker Architecture Prize is said to be awarded "irrespective of nationality, race, creed, or ideology". The
recipients receive US$100,000, a citation certificate, and, since 1987, a bronze medallion.
Renowned Musicologist Sanjida Khatun presented Padma Shri in Dhaka
 Renowned musicologist and cultural personality of Bangladesh Dr. Sanjida Khatun was presented
the Padma Shri Award for 2021 by the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami
in Dhaka.
 Dr. Sanjida Khatun has been awarded the Padma Shri for her distinguished contribution to Arts.
Stockholm Water Prize 2022
 Professor Emeritus Wilfried Brutsaert is named Stockholm Water Prize Laureate 2022 for
groundbreaking work to quantify environmental evaporation.
 The Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most prestigious water award. The Stockholm Water Prize is
often described as the Nobel Prize of water.
 The Prize is awarded by SIWI in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and
presented by H.M King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who is the official patron of the Prize.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
94th Academy Awards
 The 94th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films released between March 1 and December 31, 2021, at the
Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
 Here are some of the winners:
Category Winners
Best Picture award CODA
Best director Jane Campion
Best Actress Jessica Chastain
Honorary Academy Awards Samuel Jackson, Elaine May and Liv Ullman.
The Jean Hersholt Danny Glover
Humanitarian Award
Actor in leading role Will Smith
Animated Feature Film Encanto
Cinematography Dune
Costume Design Cruella
Short Film (Animated) The Windshield Wiper
Documentary (Feature) The Queen of Basketball
International Feature Film Drive My Car
Fifth Edition of Women Transforming India Awards

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 NITI Aayog organized the fifth edition of the Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards.
 This year, as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate 75 years of India’s independence, the
WTI Awards were conferred on 75 women achievers to celebrate their contribution towards a
‘Sashakt Aur Samarth Bharat’.
 The award ceremony recognized women entrepreneurs who have made their mark across different
sectors.
 Since 2018, the Awards have been hosted under the aegis of NITI Aayog’s Women
Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), with a special focus on entrepreneurship.
Abel Prize 2022
 The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has awarded the Abel prize for the year 2022 to
American Mathematician Dennis Parnell Sullivan, who is with the Graduate School and University
Center of the City University of New York and the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
 The award has been given, “For his groundbreaking contributions to topology in its broadest sense, and
in particular its algebraic, geometric and dynamical aspects.”
Cochin International Airport bags ‘Covid Champion Award’
 Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) bagged the ‘Covid Champion Award’ at Wings India
2022, Asia’s largest event on civil aviation jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.
 The airport operator was selected for the successful implementation of a meticulous project named
‘Mission Safeguarding’ during the pandemic to ensure safe travel at Kochi Airport.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Deepika Padukone Receives Time100 Impact Award
 Bollywood's actress, Deepika Padukone, was conferred with the TIME100 Impact Award, a recognition
of leaders who, through sustained effort, have done extraordinary work to shape the future of their
industries and the world at large.
 She receives the award in Dubai's Museum of the Future.
National Water Awards
 President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the 'Best State' award to Uttar Pradesh followed by Rajasthan
and Tamil Nadu, at the third National Water Awards event.
 The National Water Awards are given by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for exemplary work in the field of
water management, and expansion of water campaigns to underline the importance of water.
 The 'Best District' awards for the north zone was bagged by Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) and
Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar (Punjab); for the south zone, it was Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) and
Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh); for the east zone, East Champaran (Bihar) and Godda (Jharkhand) won
the award; Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Vadodara (Gujarat) and Banswara (Rajasthan) won the
awards in the west zone while Goalpara (Assam) and Siang (Arunachal Pradesh) won the awards for
the north-east zone.
 The awards also included zone wise 'Best Village Panchayat', 'Best Urban Local Body' (Vapi in Gujarat,
Dapoli in Maharashtra and Madurai in Tamil Nadu).
 Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kaveripattinam in Tamil Nadu, Amalorpavam Lourds
Academy, Thiruvallur, Puducherry and Amity International School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh won the
awards in the Best School category.
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Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw elected Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh
 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Biocon Biologics, and one of leading
woman entrepreneurs from India who has made her mark in India and abroad in the biopharmaceutical
arena, has been elected as the Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).
 It is Scotland’s National Academy established in 1783, for the advancement of learning and useful
knowledge.
 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw will be joining RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows who are
recognized as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with
Scotland.
Bangladesh: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina confers National Film Awards 2020 in Dhaka
 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the National Film Awards 2020 winners in a function held in
Dhaka.
 Prime Minister Hasina gave away the award to 32 winners in 27 categories. Here are some of the
winners:
o Best film for the year 2020: Gor (The Grave) and Bishwoshundori
o The Life Time Achievement Award: Anwara Begum and Raisul Islam Asad
o The award for Best Actor in the lead role (male): Siam Ahmed
o The Best Actor in the lead role (female): Deepanwita Martin
o The best documentary category: Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Jibon o Bangladesher Obbhyudoy

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
IMPORTANT DAYS
Back to Index
Day/Week Observance Theme
1 March ---
Zero Discrimination Day
46th Indian Civil Accounts Day

---
1 March
World Civil Defence Day
---
World Hearing Day To hear for life, listen with care
3 March
World Wildlife Day Recovering key species for ecosystem
restoration
---
National Security Day
4 March National Safety Day Nurture young minds - develop a safety

culture
World Obesity Day

---
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1 -7 March Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi

Janaushadhi Diwas week
8 March International Women's Day Gender equality today for a sustainable

tomorrow
9 March No Smoking Day (Second Wednesday of ---

March)
10 March World Kidney Day (second Thursday of

Kidney Health for All
March)
10 March International Day of Women Judges

---
10 March ---
National Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Day
---
10 March
53rd Raising Day of CISF
13 March World Rotaract Day

---
14 March International Day of Mathematics

Mathematics Unites
14 March International Day of Action for Rivers

The Importance of Rivers for Biodiversity
15 March World Consumer Rights Day

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Fair Digital Finance

---
16 March National Vaccination Day
15 March International Day to Combat Islamophobia

---
16 March National Vaccination Day

Vaccines work for all
---
18 March World Sleep Day
18 March India’s Ordnance Factory Day

---
18 March ---
Global Recycling Day
19 March ---
CRPF's 83rd Raising Day
20 March World Sparrow Day

Monitor the Sparrows & other common birds
20 March International Day Of Happiness

Build Back Happier
20 March World Oral Health Day Be Proud of their Mouth for their happiness
and well-being
20 March UN French Language Day ---
21 March ---
World Poetry Day
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International Day for the Elimination of

21 March Voices For Action Against Racism
Racial Discrimination
21 March
We Decide
World Down Syndrome Day
Forests and sustainable production and
21 March International Day of Forests
consumption
22 March World Water Day Groundwater, making the invisible visible
21st March to Integration of Modern and Traditional

4th Poshan Pakhwada Practices
4th April
22 March ---
Bihar Day
23 March ---
Shaheed Diwas
“Early warning and early action”

World Meteorological Day
23 March
24 March Invest to End TB. Save Lives

World Tuberculosis Day

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
International Day for the Right to the Truth ---

24 March Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
25 March International Day of Remembrance of the ---

Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic
Slave Trade
25 March International Day of Solidarity with

---
Detained and Missing Staff Members
26 March Earth Hour

Shape Our Future
World Theatre Day

Theatre and a Culture of Peace
27 March
---
Rajasthan day
30 March
31 March ---
International Transgender Day of Visibility
October 5 to be celebrated as National Dolphin Day
 Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav announced that
October 5 will be celebrated as National Dolphin Day from this year.
 This initiative is aimed at “generating awareness” and “community participation” for conservation of the
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species.”
 Gangetic river dolphins were declared national aquatic species in 2010.
 There are about 3,700 Gangetic dolphins in the Indian river systems.
OBITUARIES
Back to Index
Name of Person Field Points to Remember
Legendary West Indies spinner, Sonny Ramadhin, has passed

West Indies Cricketer away at the age of 92. Sonny Ramadhin was a West Indian
Sonny Ramadhin
cricketer, and was a dominant bowler of the 1950s. He was the
first of many West Indian cricketers of Indian origin, and was one
of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1951.
Oscar-winning producer and influential motion picture executive

Alan Ladd Jr Alan Ladd Jr., who ushered in the Star Wars era of motion
Producer pictures, passed away. During his tenure at 20th Century Fox in
the late 1970s, Ladd greenlit “Star Wars,” a $10 million sci-fi film
that would become the yardstick for blockbuster movies and
tentpole film franchises thereafter. In later years, Ladd became an
independent producer, and his most notable accomplishment was
1995 Oscar best picture winner “Braveheart,”.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Jai Prakash Jai Prakash Chouksey, a well-known film critic in the

Film critic entertainment industry passed away.
Chouksey
Former Army Chief Former Army Chief General SF Rodrigues (retd) passed away.
General Sunith
General Sunith Francis Rodrigues (retd) was the 15th Chief of
Francis Rodrigues
Army Staff from July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1993. He was also the
26th Governor of Punjab and 13th Administrator of Chandigarh.
General S F Rodrigues was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva

Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of his dedication
and service beyond the call of duty during his coloured service of
forty-one years. He was also instrumental in the induction of
women in the serving area of the Army in 1991, marking an
important step towards empowering women to serve their country.
Australian cricketer Rodney William Marsh MBE was an Australian professional

Rod Marsh
cricketer who played as a wicketkeeper for the Australian national
team. Marsh had a Test career spanning from the 1970–71 to the
1983–84 Australian seasons.
Rafiq Tarar, a veteran Pakistani politician and former Supreme

Court judge who served as the country's President from 1997 to
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Rafiq Tarar Former Pakistani 2001, passed away. He was 92.

President Prior to his foray into politics with the PML-N, Tarar had served as
a Supreme Court judge from 1991 to 1994. He also served as the
Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court from March 6, 1989 to
October 31, 1991.
Rupiah Banda Rupiah Banda, who served as president of Zambia from 2008 and
Zambia's ex-President 2011, died in the capital Lusaka at age 85.
Banda was vice president of the southern African nation when the
surprise death of President Levy Mwanawasa in 2008 propelled
him to the top job, making him the fourth leader of the country
after it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.
Former Andhra Pradesh Governor Kumudben Josh passed away.

Former AP Governor She was the Governor of Andhra Pradesh from November 26,
Kumudben Joshi
1985 to February 7, 1990. Kumudben Joshi was the second
female Governor of the state after Sharda Mukherjee.
Rabindra Kumar Rana was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of

Former Bihar Minister India. He represented the Khagaria constituency of Bihar and was
RK Rana
a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal political party. His name
became famous in the Fodder Scam.
Ramesh Chandra Lahoti was the 35th Chief Justice of India,

RC Lahoti serving from 1 June 2004 to 1 November 2005.
Former CJI Justice Lahoti, who was known in the legal circles as a man of few
words, was born in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, in 1940.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Eugene Parker, an astrophysicist who pioneered the solar

research field of heliophysics, has died at age 94. Parker joined
Eugene Parker US Astrophysicist University of Chicago as faculty in 1955 and eventually became
the S. Chandrasekhar Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus.
Parker was hailed as a visionary who laid the groundwork for the
field of heliophysics, the science of understanding the Sun and its
interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space
weather. Parker's work revolutionized human understanding of the
sun and interplanetary space. In 1958, he proposed the concept
of solar wind after realizing the sun had a magnetic field that
created a structure in our solar system, populated by plasma and
hot particles. He realized that this stream was a flow of gas.
In 2018, he became the first person to witness the launch of a
spacecraft bearing his name, NASA's Parker Solar Probe.
Two-time WWE hall of famer and pro-wrestling legend Scott Hall

Scott Hall a.k.a died aged 63. A hugely influential Superstar, Hall began his career
Razor Ramon Former wrestler in 1984, performing with various organizations across the country
before joining World Championship Wrestling in 1991 as The
Diamond Studd. In 1992, Hall signed with WWE and introduced
fans all over the world to the character of Razor Ramon,
becoming a four-time Intercontinental Champion and one of the
most enduring personas of WWE’s “New Generation.” After
retiring from the ring, Hall capped off a one-of-a-kind career by
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being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as Razor Ramon in

2014 and again as a member of the nWo in 2020.
Stephen Earl Wilhite was an American computer scientist who

Inventor or creator of worked at CompuServe and was the engineering lead on the team
Stephen Wilhite
the GIF that adapted the GIF image file format from the earlier Unisys-
owned LZW algorithm. GIF went on to become the de facto
standard for 8-bit color images on the Internet until PNG became
a viable alternative. Known as the inventor or creator of the GIF,
he received a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga was a Malian politician who was the

Mali’s Former Prime Prime Minister of Mali between 30 December 2017 and 18 April
Soumeylou Maiga
Minister 2019. The leader of the Alliance for Solidarity in Mali, he had
previously served in the government of Mali as Minister of Foreign
Affairs under President Amadou Toumani Touré from in April 2011
until the March 2012 coup d'état. Later he was Minister of Defense
from 2013 to 2014 and was Secretary-General of the Presidency
from 2016 to 2017.
Shahabuddin Bangladesh's former president and chief justice Shahabuddin

Bangladesh's ex- Ahmed passed away at the age of 92. Shahabuddin Ahmed
Ahmed
interim president served as the President of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, and
the Chief Justice of Bangladesh from 1990 to 1995. He previously
served as the acting president during 1990–91 when Hussain
Muhammad Ershad resigned from the post.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
BOOKS
Back to Index
Book Title Author/s Publisher
---
Captain AD Manek
Udaan Ek Majdoor Bachhe Ki
The Millennial Yogi Penguin eBury Press

Deepam Chatterjee
The New BJP: Modi and the Making of

Nalin Mehta ---
the World's Largest Political Party
Burning Questions: Essays and ---

Margaret Atwood
Occasional Pieces, 2004 to 2021
---
Abundance: The Inner Path to Wealth Deepak Chopra M.D.
Planning Democracy: How a ---

Professor, an Institute, and an Idea
Shaped India Nikhil Menon
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The Queen Of Indian Pop: The ---

Authorised Biography Of Usha Uthup Vikas Kumar Jha (Author),
Srishti Jha (Translator)
The Blue Book: A Writer's Journal ---

Amitava Kumar
On Board My Years in BCCI Ratnakar Shetty ---
Soli Sorabjee: Life and Times: An Penguin Viking

Abhinav Chandrachud
Authorized Biography
Role of Labour in India’s Development ---

---
MODI@20: Dreams Meet Delivery Sudha Murty, Sadhguru, Amit ---

Shah, Arvind Panagariya,
S. Jaishankar, Lata
Mangeshkar, Ajit Doval K.C.,
P.V. Sindhu, and many more

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Book Title Author/s Publisher
---
Monsoon Abhay K
Road to 1000 ---

---
Wrist Assured An Autobiography Gundappa Vishwanath ---
Aiming High: Masayoshi Son,

Atsuo Inoue ---
SoftBank, and Disrupting Silicon
Valley
Unfilled Barrels ---

Richa Mishra
India’s oil story
Indian Agriculture Towards 2030:

Ramesh Chand, Pramod Joshi,
Pathways for Enhancing Farmers’
Shyam Khadka ---
Income, Nutritional Security and
Sustainable Food and Farm Systems
The Book of Joy

Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu ---
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Spoorthi Pradatha Sri Somayya

Syam Prasad ---
SPORTS
Back to Index
IOC Withdraws Top Olympic Honour from Vladimir Putin
 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to withdraw the Olympic Order given to
Russian President Vladimir Putin and two other top functionaries for the extremely grave violation of
the Olympic Truce and other violations of the Olympic Charter by the Russian government by its
invasion of Ukraine.
 Besides Putin, the Olympic Order has been taken away from Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime
Minister, and Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
 The IOC has also decided to withdraw the Olympic Order from all persons who currently have an
important function in the government of the Russian Federation or other government-related high-
ranking positions.
Pooja Jatyan Wins Silver At Para Archery World Championships
 Rookie para archer Pooja Jatyan scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a silver medal
in an individual section of the Para World Championships.
 She lost to Italian Petrilli Vincenza in the finals at the Para Archery World Championships.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
31st Southeast Asian Games to open in Vietnam
 The 31st Southeast Asian Games, the region's biggest sporting event, will be held in Vietnam from May
12 to 23 this year.
 The Games will feature 40 sports with 526 events, attracting around 10,000 participants.
 The Vietnamese capital Hanoi will be the main venue alongside 11 neighbouring localities including
Quang Ninh, Phu Tho and Bac Ninh.
Pro Kabaddi League 8
 The 2021-22 Vivo Pro Kabaddi League was the eighth season of Pro Kabaddi League. The season
began in December 2021.
 Sheraton Grand Hotel and Convention Center located in Whitefield, Bangalore was announced as the
venue.
 Dabang Delhi KC defeated Patna Pirates in the final match to win their maiden title.
73rd Strandja Memorial Boxing
 Indian boxer Nikhat Zareern won a gold medal in the 52kg category at the 73rd Strandja Memorial
Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.
 Nikhat Zareern, who defeated Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the semi-final,
outpunched Ukraine's Tetiana Kob, a three-time European Championships medallist 4-1 in the final to
win the gold medal.
 In all, the tournament featured over 450 boxers from 36 countries, including Kazakhstan, Italy, Russia,
France and Ukraine. www.i xamBee.c om
Women's World Cup 2022
 The International Cricket Council's Women's Cricket World Cup begins on March 04, 2022, with
hosts New Zealand taking on West Indies in the opener.
 This would be the 12th edition of the quadrennial showpiece event with New Zealand hosting its third
tournament.
RuPay named Official Partner for Tata IPL
 The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) announced RuPay, the flagship product of
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), as an official partner for Tata IPL, which will begin on
26th March 2022.
 This will be a multi-year partnership.
Mithali Raj Becomes First Female Cricketer to Appear at Six ICC World Cups
 Indian stalwart Mithali Raj started her sixth ICC Women's World Cup Campaign, against Pakistan,
becoming the first woman to do so.
 She is also only the third cricketer– male or female– to participate in six ICC World Cups and she has
ensured the record enters a new decade as former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad appeared in the
first six Men's Cricket World Cups between 1975 and 1996 and Sachin Tendulkar played six beginning
with the 1992 World Cup.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Priyanka Nutakki becomes the 23rd Woman Grandmaster of India
 19-year-old Priyanka Nutakki secured her final WGM-norm at MPL 47th National Women Chess
Championship.
 She scored 7.0/9, performed at 2348 to become India's latest Woman Grandmaster. She was also
placed third in the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer and Amelia Kerr voted ICC Players of the Month for February 2022
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced India’s star all-format batter Shreyas Iyer and
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr were voted ICC Players of the Month for February 2022.
Russian and Belarus Athletes Banned from Winter Paralympics: IPC
 Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from competing in the Beijing Winter Paralympics, the
International Paralympic Committee announced.
 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had urged sporting federations across the world to exclude
athletes from the two countries.
 The 2022 Winter Paralympics was held in Beijing, China from 4 to 13 March 2022. This was the 13th
Winter Paralympic Games, as administered by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
S Sreesanth announces retirement from all forms of first-class cricket
 India pacer S Sreesanth announced his retirement from all forms of domestic cricket.
 Sreesanth played 27 Tests and 53 ODIs for India, taking 87 and 75 wickets respectively. He has also
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taken seven wickets in 10 T20 Internationals.

 His career went downhill after the spot-fixing scandal. He got life ban for spot-fixing in the 2013 edition of
the IPL. The BCCI banned Sreesanth in August 2013 along with his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit
Chandila and Ankeet Chavan.
Mondo Duplantis sets pole vault world record of 6.19m
 Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis broke his own world pole vault record with a 6.19-meter
clearance at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting.
 Duplantis set the record of 6.18 in February 2020 indoors in Glasgow.
Indian GM S L Narayanan wins Cattolica International Open chess tourney
 Indian Grandmaster S L Narayanan emerged winner in the Grandiscacchi Cattolica International

Open while his compatriot R Praggnanandhaa finished runner-up.
 Narayanan and six others, including Praggnanandhaa, finished equal first on 6.5 points after nine
rounds. However, Narayanan took the top spot on the basis of a better tie-break score.
International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup 2022
 India have taken first place in the medal standing in International Shooting Sport Federation, ISSF
World Cup 2022 in Cairo.
 The Indian team finished on the top of the medals tally with a total of seven medals comprising of four
gold, two silver and one bronze.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Norway, who won six medals- three gold, one silver and two bronze claimed second spot on the
medals tally. France were third, with three golds out of the 20 on offer.
Legendary Golfer Tiger Woods Inducted Into World Golf Hall Of Fame
 Tiger Woods was formally inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
 Woods was hailed for a transcendent career that has seen him capture 15 major titles, second only to
the career-record 18 of Jack Nicklaus, and win 82 US PGA Tour titles, level with Sam Snead for the all-
time record. Woods accomplished the “Tiger Slam” in 2000-’01, becoming the first golfer since Bobby
Jones (1930) to hold all four major titles at one time. He also is a two-time winner of THE PLAYERS
Championship and became the first two-time winner of the FedExCup.
 Joining Woods as part of the 2022 induction class are 11-time LPGA Tour winner and three-time U.S.
Women’s Open champion, Susie Maxwell Berning, former PGA TOUR commissioner, Tim Finchem, and
golf course designer/architect, Marion Hollins.
German Open Super 300: Kunlavut Vitidsarn outclasses Lakshya Sen to win men’s singles title
 India's Lakshya Sen had to settle for silver after losing the men’s singles final to Thailand's Kunlavut
Vitidsarn at the German Open 2022.
 Sen suffered an 18-21,15-21 defeat to the world number 20 from Thailand at the BWF World Tour Super
300 event in Muelheim.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates 11th Khel Mahakumbh in Ahmedabad
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 11th Khel Mahakumbh at Sardar Patel Stadium in
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Ahmedabad, an annual sports competition organized by the Gujarat government.

 Khel Mahakumbh had started in 2010 that has revolutionised sports in Gujarat. With 16 sports and 13
lakh participants, Khel Mahakumbh today encompasses 36 general sports and 26 para-sports.
 With no age bar, the event witnessed the participation of people from across the state who compete in
various events over a period of one month. It is a unique confluence of traditional sports like kabaddi,
kho-kho, tug of war, yogasana, mallakhambh, and modern sports like artistic skating, tennis, and
fencing.
PR Sreejesh won World Games Athlete of the Year Award
 Veteran Indian hockey goalkeeper PR Srejeesh, won the prestigious World Games Athlete of the Year
for his 2021 performances, becoming only the second Indian to receive the accolade.
 Sreejesh became the first man and second hockey player to win the award, following in the
footsteps of compatriot and India women's captain Rani, who took the 2019 prize.
India to host 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022
 The 44th Chess Olympiad, which was moved out of Russia after it invaded Ukraine, will be organised
in Chennai later this year.
 The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) had submitted a guarantee of USD10 million (approx Rs 70
crore) to FIDE to host the tournament.
 The Chess Olympiad is a biennial team event in which teams from some 190 countries compete over a
two-week period.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
Ferrari's Leclerc wins Bahrain GP
 Ferrari’s driver Charles Leclerc won the Bahrain Grand.

 Carlos Sainz of Ferrari was second and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was third.
Pankaj Advani bags Asian Billiards title for eighth time
 Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani defeated compatriot Dhruv Sitwala by six frames to win his eighth
title at the 19th Asian 100 UP Billiards Championship 2022.
 This is Advani's 40th international title and 8th Asian crown.
Hyderabad FC Win Their Maiden ISL Trophy
 Hyderabad FC clinched their maiden Indian Super League title after defeating Kerala Blasters in
penalty shoot-out in the summit clash at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa.
 Hyderabad beat Kerala 3-1 in the shoot-out after the match ended 1-1 in the regulation and extra time.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah's term as ACC president extended by one year
 BCCI secretary Jay Shah's tenure as president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) was extended
by a year to the 2024 ACC AGM.
 Shah had taken as the president of the ACC in January last year from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)
president Nazmul Hassan, making him the youngest administrator to be re-appointed as ACC president.
Sportstar Aces Awards 2021 www.i xamBee.c om
 The 2021 Sportstar Aces Awards saw 31 winners declared as ‘Giants of the Decade’ in 27 categories.
 It was held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.
 Here are the winners:
Popular Awards:
o Sportswoman of the Decade (Cricket) – Mithali Raj

o Sportsman of the Decade (Cricket) – MS Dhoni
o Sportswoman of the Decade (Racquet Sports) – PV Sindhu
o Sportsman of the Decade (Racquet Sports) – Kidambi Srikanth
o Sportsperson of the Decade (Motorsport) – Narain Karthikeyan
o Sportswoman of the Decade (Individual Olympic Sport) – Mary Kom
o Sportsman of the Decade (Individual Olympic Sport) – Sushil Kumar
o Sportswoman of the Decade (Team Sports) – Rani Rampal
o Sportsman of the Decade (Team Sports) – Manpreet Singh
o Club of the Decade – Bengaluru FC
o Moment of the Decade – PV Sindhu's World Championship Win in 2019 and Viswanathan Anand's
2017 World Rapid Triumph
Jury Awards:
o Sportswoman of the Decade (Track and Field) – Krishna Poonia

o Sportsman of the Decade (Track and Field) – Neeraj Chopra
o Parathlete Sportsperson of the Decade (Female) – Deepa Malik

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
o Parathlete Sportsperson of the Decade (Male) – Devendra Jhajharia

o Sportswoman of the Decade (Individual Non-Olympic Sport) – Koneru Humpy
o Sportsman of the Decade (Individual Non-Olympic Sport) – Viswanathan Anand
o Lifetime Achievement Award – GR Viswanath
o Sportstar of the Decade – Mary Kom
o Inspirational Giant of India Sport – Sachin Tendulkar and Abhinav Bindra
o Coach of the Decade – P. Gopichand
o National Team of the Decade – 2011 World Cup-Winning Men's Cricket Team
o Best State for the Promotion of Sport – Odisha
o Best PSU for the Promotion of Sport – Railways
o Best Corporate for the Promotion of Sport – Hero Motocorp
Chairperson’s Choice Awards
o Giants off the Field (COVID-19 Warriors) – Joginder Sharma, Akhil Kumar and Ajay Thakur
o Sport for Social Good – Anantapur Sports Academy
Ravindra Jadeja reclaims No 1 spot in ICC Men's Test Rankings for all-rounders
ICC Test Rankings:

 Ravindra Jadeja Becomes World No. 1 All-rounder.
 Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has made massive gains in the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings for
batters, moving up three spots to No.5 on the chart.
 Three Indian cricketers — Rohit Sharma (7th), Virat Kohli (9th) and Rishabh Pant (10th) — have
maintained their positions in the rankings for batters, which is led by Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne
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and followed by England skipper Joe Root.

 India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah continue to hold on to their second
and fourth sports respectively on the bowlers’ list, which is led by Australia’s Pat Cummins.
 In the all-rounders’ chart, India’s Ravindra Jadeja is back at the No.1 spot, while West Indies’
Jason Holder has dropped to No.2 after struggling during the second Test in Barbados. Holder picked
up only one wicket and aggregated 12 runs in the match. R. Ashwin continues to hold on to the No. 3
spot among all-rounders behind Holder.
Sprinter Pranav Prashant Desai wins India's first gold at World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai
 India claimed five gold medals, six silver and three bronze to secure the eighth spot.
 Colombia finished on top with 25 medals, including 12 gold, followed by Algeria (16) and
Thailand (30).
 Sprinter Pranav Prashant Desai and high jumper Ramsingbhai Govin Padhiyar clinched a gold
each on the final day as India signed off with 14 medals from the 13th Fazza International Para
Athletics Championships.
 Sprinter Pranav Prashant Desai wins India's first gold at Dubai 2022 Para Athletics GP.
 Padhiyar and Shailash Kumar produced a leap of 1.84m each but the former was awarded gold in men's
high jump T42 final. Thailand's Angkarn Chanaboon took the bronze in the T47 category with a jump of
1.90m.
 In the shot put F42/46 final, Asian Para Games medallist Mohammed Yasser settled for a silver after
confusion arose with the weight of his shot put. He was thus forced to play with someone else's
equipment, managing 14.73m in his fourth throw.
 Indian para club thrower Dharambir sets new Asian record, wins silver in Dubai.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
 Kuwait's Faisal Sorour threw a distance of 15.23m to take the gold, while Kazakhstan's Ravil
Mansurbayev (14.44m) won the bronze.
 In women's events, Jayanti Behera ran the 100m final T46/47 in 13.16s to take the bronze, behind
USA's Brittni Mason (12.43s) and Tereza Jakschova of Czech Republic (13.04s).
15th edition of Indian Premier League 2022 to begin
 The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to start on March 26, 2022.
 IPL 2022's first match will be between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at
the iconic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
 The IPL 2022 edition will have 10 teams.
 Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led CSK to four IPL titles, handed over the captaincy to Ravindra
Jadeja.
Long jumper Someswara Rao Ramudri, javelin thrower Mohit bag Gold medals at World Para
Athletics Grand Prix
 Long-jumper Someswara Rao Ramudri and javelin thrower Mohit clinched gold medals in their
individual events at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix.
 The Indian contingent won six medals on the penultimate day and set two Asian records.
 Ramudri came out with a personal best effort — a leap of 6.40m — to take the gold in the combined
T43/44/63/64 finals.
 In the men’s F44/46/63/64 javelin finals, Mohit achieved an impressive 54.71m distance in his very first
throw, which was enough to clinch the gold medal.
 Paralympian Dharambir claimed his second silver medal, with a distance of 10.93m.
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 Jayanti Behera claimed the silver in the women’s 200m T46/47 final. Ishwari Nishad won a silver in
the women’s 400m T11 event.
Second edition of SAAF, 56th National Cross Country Championships commence in Nagaland's
Kohima
 The 2nd South Asian Athletic Federation (SAAF) Cross-Country championship and the 56th National
Cross Country Athletics Championship was held in Kohima on March 26.
 SAAF and AFI have come up with the new date of March 26 in consultation with the Government of
Narasingapettai following the easing of the pandemic situation in the state.
 The tournament will be the first ever international athletics event in Nagaland.
 The championships will be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima and more than 600 athletes will
participate in the event from all the AFI affiliated states and union territories of the country and also
South Asian countries.
Indian team clinches SAFF U-18 Women's Championship title at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand
 Despite losing 0-1 to Bangladesh, India emerged champions of the 2022 SAFF U-18 Women's
Championships because of a better goal difference. India enjoyed a better goal difference of +11 in
comparison to +3 of Bangladesh.
 The valuable player of the tournament and the highest goal scorer was Lynda Kom who scored five
goals in total.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2022
ICC Women's World Cup
 India were knocked out of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 with the final ball of the league
stage as South Africa won by three wickets.
 Australia topped the table with 14 points after going unbeaten during the round robin stage, while
South Africa’s place in second was confirmed prior to the start of the match, but the win moved them to
11 points.
Swiss Open: PV Sindhu wins women's title; Prannoy H.S. loses to Jonatan Christie
 India's PV Sindhu defeated Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-16, 21-8 to win the women’s singles
crown at the Swiss Open 2022.
 HS Prannoy lost to Jonathan Christie in straight games in the men's singles final.
All England Championships
 Viktor Axelsen registered a victory over India youngster Lakshya Sen in the men's singles final of
the All England Championships.
 The Denmark World No.1 won his second singles title in his fourth final appearance at the event,
defeating Sen 21-10, 21-15.
 Sen was the first Indian in 21 years to reach the men's singles final at the All England Championships.
 After taking part in this final, Sen is now only the fifth Indian - after Prakash Nath (1947), Prakash
Padukone (1980 and 1981), Pullela Gopichand (2001) and Saina Nehwal (2015) - to make the summit
clash of All England.
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Devendra Jhajharia becomes first para-athlete to receive Padma Bhushan
 Devendra Jhajharia became the first para-athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-
highest civilian award. Jhajharia has won many Paralympic medals, including his first gold at the 2004
Paralympics in Athens, his second gold at the 2016 Rio Games, and a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo
Olympics.
 Avani Lekhara, a para-shooter, was also awarded the Padma Shri award in the Sports category.
Avani Lekhara is the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic medals in the same Games, as well as
the first Indian woman to earn Paralympic gold.
 Along with Jhajharia and Lekhara, President Ram Nath Kovind also conferred Padma Shri award to
Vandana Katariya. She also made history by becoming the first Indian woman to achieve a hat trick at
the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Sources of the News:
PIB India, DD News, News on AIR, The Economic Times, Financial Express, liveMint, The Indian Express,
The Times of India, Business Standard, Business World, Business Line, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Al
Jazeera, BBC, Zee News, Republic World, Times Now News, Money Control, NDTV, Outlook India and
Wikipedia


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Finance and Banking ______________________________________________2

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Science and Technology ___________________________________________54

Agriculture and Rural Development __________________________________

Awards and Rewards ______________________________________________65

Important Days ___________________________________________________71

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FINANCE AND BANKING

RBI cancelled licence of Sarjeraodada Naik Shirala Sahakari Bank

 RBI recently launched UPI for non-smartphone users.

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RBI accepts USD 5.135 billion in USD/INR sell-buy swap auction

RBI releases booklet on modus operandi of financial frauds

RBI extends Interest subsidy scheme for exporters

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RBI allows microfinance lenders to fix interest rates on loan

NaBFID to be regulated as AIFI under RBI Act

NABARD Headquarters: Mumbai Chairperson: Govinda Rajulu Chintala

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RBI gives 3-month extension to RBL Bank's interim MD & CEO

Microfinance Loans - Regulatory Framework issued by RBI

Madras’ IIT and RBI Innovation Hub make ties

RBI announces $5 billion dollar-rupee swap

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RBI cancelled the license of People’s Co-operative Bank Ltd Kanpur

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das inaugurated RBIH in Bengaluru

RBI Governor dedicates Varnika Ink Manufacturing Unit of BRBNMPL

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RBI unveiled framework for geo-tagging of payment system touch points

SEBI issues timelines for rebalancing portfolios of mutual fund schemes

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SEBI allows introduction of options on commodity indices

SIDBI sanctions Rs 837 crore to Odisha govt

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 The projects would be implemented by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation,

SIDBI joins hands with Meghalaya govt

Innovation, Incubation, and Acceleration Centre of SBI at Hyderabad.

PNB acquires 5.97 % stake in public digital e-commerce platform

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Bank of India invests nearly Rs 108.81 cr in NARCL

ICICI Bank raises Rs 8,000 crore by issuing bonds

Ban lifted on digital launches of HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank launch “SmartHub Vyapar programme” & ‘AutoFirst’ app

HDFC sells over 2 % stake in oil explorer HOEC

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Central Bank of India partners Kwik.ID to digitize customer onboarding

Bank of Maharashtra launches “Project Banksakhi” in Odisha

Bank of Maharashtra raises Rs 290 crore via AT1 bonds

Best bank award from State Forum of Bankers' Clubs Kerala

Lloyds bank to shut 60 branches

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Axis Bank commits USD 150 mn loan to healthcare sector

Union Bank raises Rs 1,500 crore by issuing bonds

DBS Bank India launches Green Deposits programme

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