Beepedia Monthly Current Affairs (Beepedia) March 2024

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
INDEX
RBI, Banking and Economy ___________________________________________ 2
SEBI and Financial Awareness _________________________________________ 13
NABARD and Agriculture ___________________________________________ 20
National __________________________________________________________ 22
International _____________________________________________________ 29
States____________________________________________________________ 34
Reports and Indexes _______________________________________________ 41
Science and Technology ___________________________________________ 47
Defence __________________________________________________________ 50
Events ___________________________________________________________ 55
Awards & Rewards ___________________________________________________ 60
Appointments _____________________________________________________ 63
Important Days ___________________________________________________ 68
Obituaries_________________________________________________________ 71
Books ___________________________________________________________ 71
Sports ___________________________________________________________ 72
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Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
RBI, Banking and Economy

RBI Actions Details
Penalties on Banks
₹23.30 lakh penalty for non-compliance with operational
- Shikshak Sahakari Bank, Nagpur instructions.
- Progressive Co-operative Bank, ₹1.00 lakh penalty for non-compliance with RBI directions on
Mumbai exposure norms and investments.
- Solapur District Central Co- ₹5.00 lakh penalty for contravention of Banking Regulation Act and
operative Bank RBI directions on Depositor Education.
₹5.00 lakh penalty for non-compliance with RBI's Supervisory
- Noble Co-operative Bank, Noida Action Framework.
- Adarsh Mahila Co-operative Bank, ₹5.00 lakh penalty for non-compliance with RBI directions on loans
Muzaffarnagar and advances.
Forex Reserves
- Total Reserves (Week ended Feb
23) $619.072 billion, up by $2.975 billion.
- Foreign Currency Assets $548.188 billion, increased by $2.405 billion.
- Gold Reserves $47.848 billion, increased by $472 million.
- Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) $18.197 billion, increased by $89 million.
- Reserve Position with IMF $4.839 billion, increased by $9 million.
RBI Actions on IIFL Finance
Ceased gold loan disbursals due to supervisory concerns; existing
- Direction portfolios can be serviced.
Merger Approval
- Fincare SFB with AU Small
Finance Bank Approved merger effective from April 01, 2024.
RBI Restrictions on JM Financial Products Ltd.

Ceased financing against shares and debentures; violations of
- Action regulatory guidelines noted.
RBI-Bank Indonesia Collaboration
- Memorandum of Understanding Framework to promote local currencies (INR and IDR) for cross-
(MoU) border transactions signed.
All current and capital-account transactions; aims to develop an
- Coverage INR-IDR foreign exchange market.
Internet Banking Interoperability

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
RBI Actions Details

- Implementation Target (for NPCI
Bharat BillPay) 2024, to facilitate quicker settlement of funds for merchants.
Learn Along:
About RBI
Founded: 1 April 1935 Headquarters: Mumbai Governor: Shaktikanta Das
RBI imposes penalty on Tamilnad Mercantile Bank and DCB Bank Ltd.
 The RBI imposed a penalty of ₹1,31,80,000 on Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited for non-
compliance with directions on 'Interest Rate on Advances' and 'Central Repository of Information on
Large Credits (CRILC) - Revision in Reporting'.
 Tamilnad Mercantile Bank failed in several areas, including benchmarking interest rates on certain
loans to MSMEs to an external benchmark lending rate, adopting multiple benchmarks within the same
loan category, improperly pricing floating rate loans, and incorrectly reporting borrower ratings to CRILC.
 Separately, the RBI also fined DCB Bank Ltd. ₹63,60,000 for its failure to reset interest rates as
prescribed and to benchmark certain loan interest rates to an external benchmark lending rate,
based on findings from the same inspection period.
 These actions by the RBI aim to address regulatory compliance deficiencies and do not affect the
legality of the banks' transactions with their customers, with further actions by the RBI remaining a
possibility.
India's State of the Economy report
 Retail inflation's momentum in February necessitates a cautious monetary policy stance to aim for the
4% inflation target, as highlighted by the Reserve Bank of India's State of the Economy report.
 Recurring short-term food price pressures are impeding the quicker achievement of the inflation
target, despite a steady decline in core inflation.
 Private final consumption expenditure remained subdued, even during the festival season of the
third quarter, though there's an optimistic demand outlook for premium consumer businesses based on
shifts in per capita income.
 The report projects an economic growth rate closer to 8% for the current financial year, surpassing
the National Statistical Office's estimate of 7.6%, with GDP growth expected to stay strong at 7.4% for the
financial year 2024-25.
 Infrastructure development is highlighted, with the financial year likely witnessing the highest ever
construction of four-lane roads and speed/access-controlled highways, contributing to the positive
growth outlook.
RBI imposes monetary penalty on Indostar Capital Finance Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra
 RBI imposes a penalty of ₹13.60 lakh on Indostar Capital Finance Limited for non-compliance with
fraud monitoring and KYC directions.
 RBI fines Bank of India ₹1.40 crore for violating various regulatory directions including interest rates and
customer service.

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March 2024
 A ₹29.55 lakh penalty is levied on Bandhan Bank for not adhering to RBI's deposit interest rate
directions.
 Penalties based on statutory inspections and findings of regulatory non-compliance.
 Actions taken to ensure adherence to regulatory norms, without prejudicing other possible regulatory
actions.
RBI cancels Certificate of Registration of Four NBFCs
 The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the Certificate of Registration of the following companies.
Sr. No. Name of the Company CoR Issued On Cancellation Order Date
1 Nimisha Finance India Private Limited March 29, 2001 February 08, 2024
2 R.M.B. Finance Company Limited November 08, 2001 February 14, 2024
3 Suyash Finovest Pvt Ltd November 24, 2000 February 28, 2024
4 Kamdhar Leasing and Finance Limited November 28, 2001 February 29, 2024
RBI imposes monetary penalty on
Fine
Bank Name Location (INR) Reason for Fine
Pragati Mahila Nagrik
Sahakari Bank Bhilai 1,00,000 Avoiding the RBI's exposure and KYC directives
Janata Co-operative Malegaon, Gold loan excesses and over-lending to nominal
Bank Nashik 5,00,000 members
Jila Sahakari Kendriya Delays in submitting essential data to RBI and
Bank Sehore 75,000 NABARD
Karad Urban Co-
operative Bank - 13,30,000 Violating deposit interest rate instructions
The Kalupur
Commercial Co- Improper engagement with directors and delayed
operative Bank Ahmedabad 26,60,000 actions in protecting depositor interests
The Rajapalayam Co- Non-compliance with directions on Board of Directors,
operative Urban Bank Loans and Advances to Directors, and Exposure
Ltd Tamil Nadu 75,000 Norms
Excellent Co-operative Not transferring the eligible amount to the Depositor

Bank Ltd Mumbai 1,00,000 Education and Awareness Fund
Standard Urban Co- Violation concerning the Depositor Education and
operative Bank Ltd Aurangabad 50,000 Awareness Fund

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Fine
Bank Name Location (INR) Reason for Fine
The Howrah District
Central Co-operative Non-compliance with KYC Directions, 2016, including
Bank Ltd Howrah 1,00,000 failure in periodic updation and risk categorisation
The Mandi Urban Co- Himachal
operative Bank Ltd Pradesh 6,00,000 Breaching prudential inter-bank exposure limits
Learn Along:
About RBI
Founded: 1 April 1935 Headquarters: Mumbai Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Federal Bank launches RuPay smart key chain – Flash Pay for contactless payments and SBI Card
and Titan launch Titan SBI Card
Feature Federal Bank: Flash Pay SBI Card and Titan: Titan SBI Card
Product NCMC-enabled RuPay Smart Key Chain Shopping Credit Card
Name
Flash Pay Titan SBI Card
Partners SBI Cards and Payment Services & Titan
Federal Bank Company
Use Case Contactless payments, especially for

transit transactions at metro stations Shopping, especially at Titan brands
Transaction Up to ₹5,000 without PIN, up to
Limits ₹1,00,000/day with PIN ---
Design & Compact, integrates easily into daily life,

Compatibility compatible with various devices &
payment terminals Available on RuPay and VISA platforms
Security
Features
Tokenization, encryption ---
Special
Cashbacks, Titan gift vouchers, reward
Features - points
Benefits exceeding ₹2,00,000 annually;
Enhanced security, easy transit 7.5% cashback on select brands, 5% at
Benefits
transactions Mia, Caratlane, Zoya
Enrollment --- Digital or at Titan stores
Fees --- ₹2,999 joining and annual renewal fee

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Bharat Bank Bags its 70th Award in the Category of Best Risk Management by Indian Banks'
Association (IBA)
 Bharat Co-operative Bank (Mumbai) Ltd. was awarded by the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) for
Best IT Risk Management, marking its 70th accolade.
 The award, received during the 19th Banking & Technology Conference, highlights the bank's
commitment to new-age technology and effective risk management against cyber threats.
 Bharat Bank's focus on compliance, regulatory adherence, and continuous personnel training
has been crucial in mitigating IT risks and ensuring data security.
 The bank's Chairman, Suryakant Jaya Survana, attributed this success to the team's innovation,
diligence, and dedication to customer trust.
 This achievement reaffirms Bharat Bank's role as a stable and secure financial institution in the
banking industry.
Learn Along:
 The Indian Banks' Association (IBA), formed on September 26, 1946, started with 22 members
and now has a strong network of 247 members across the country.
S&P Global Ratings raises India's GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 6.8%
 S&P Global Ratings increased India's FY2025 GDP forecast to 6.8%, up by 40 basis points, though it
highlighted a lower fiscal deficit may slow economic growth compared to the RBI's projection of 7%.
 FY25's expected growth is a moderation from FY24's anticipated 7.6% due to restrictive interest rates
affecting demand and regulatory measures impacting credit growth.
 For Asian emerging markets, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, S&P predicts
robust growth. Consumer inflation in India is expected to average 4.5% in FY25.
 Inflationary pressures are expected to moderate, supported by increased summer sowing potentially
lowering food prices, as noted by the Finance Ministry.
 S&P maintains growth projections at 7% for FY26 and FY27, considering inflation risks as moderate
barring significant global shocks.
 India might experience rate cuts up to 75 basis points in the calendar year 2024, reflecting a potential
easing of monetary policy in response to slowing inflation and a smaller fiscal deficit.
Acquisition:
Target Details of
Acquirer Company Sector/Industry Acquisition Additional Information
- Adani Power is engaged in

- 100% acquisition
thermal power generation across
approved by the
Adani various states.
Competition
Power Lanco
Limited Amarkantak Thermal Power
Commission of India - Lanco Amarkantak is
India Power Limited Generation (CCI) undergoing Corporate

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Target Details of
Acquirer Company Sector/Industry Acquisition Additional Information
- Transfer of 100% Insolvency Resolution Process

equity share capital (CIRP) under IBC.
- Sonata operates in 10 states

through 549 branches with
assets under management worth
Rs 2,620 crore as of December
31, 2023.
- Acquired 100%
stake for Rs 537 crore - Kotak Mahindra Bank's CEO:
- Sonata has become Ashok Vaswani, Founded: 21
Kotak Sonata
Mahindra Finance Microfinance a wholly-owned November 1985, Headquarters:
Bank Private Limited Institution subsidiary Mumbai
Learn Along:
About Kotak Mahindra Bank
Founded: 21 November 1985 Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Ashok Vaswani
IT Dept slaps ₹564.44 crore penalty on Bank of India
 The Income Tax Department imposed a Rs 564.44 crore penalty on Bank of India for FY 2018-19
due to disallowances by the Assessment Unit, under Section 270A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
 Bank of India plans to appeal against the order at the Commissioner of Income Tax, National
Faceless Appeal Centre (NFAC), citing strong factual and legal grounds.
Learn Along
About Bank of India
Founded on 7th September, 1906 Chairman: M.R.KUMAR Headquarters: Mumbai
Strategic Collaborations & Innovations: Transforming India's Business & Finance Landscape
Empowering Fair Price Shops for a Brighter Future:
 The Department of Food & Public Distribution (DoF&PD) unveils transformative MoUs with the Small
Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and
Small Business Development (NIESBUD).
 A digital leap with SIDBI's "GST Sahay" app offers FPSs a breath of fresh air in working capital
assistance, while NIESBUD's initiative sharpens digital, financial, and entrepreneurial skills.
 These partnerships aim to morph FPSs into thriving nutrition hubs and smart outlets, leveraging
technology and ONDC for digital marketplace visibility, enhancing livelihoods across India.
Revolutionizing Payments: The Smartwatch Era
 Airtel Payments Bank, in collaboration with Noise and Mastercard, introduces a groundbreaking
smartwatch at INR 2,999.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 This device, a blend of style and functionality, redefines contactless payments with its Tap and Pay
feature, catering to transactions ranging from INR 1 to INR 25,000.
 With an NFC chip, health tracking, and up to 10 days of battery life, it marks the dawn of convenient
and secure digital banking solutions.
YES Bank & Indian Olympic Association: A Winning Partnership
 YES Bank steps up as the Official Banking Partner for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024.
 The "Milkar Jitayengey" campaign and the exclusive 'YES Glory Debit Card' spotlight a suite of benefits
for athletes, including medical insurance, international spend perks, and a focus on their well-being and
success.
Axis Mutual Fund & Enparadigm: A Learning Odyssey
 Axis Mutual Fund embarks on a knowledge-enrichment journey with Enparadigm, enhancing its team's
skills through AI-driven experiential learning.
 This partnership underscores the significance of continuous learning, aiming for business excellence
and superior customer service through advanced, gamified learning solutions.
Learn Along:
About SIDBI
Set up: 2nd April 1990 CMD: Sivasubramanian Ramann Headquarters: Lucknow
About Airtel Payments Bank

Managing Director & CEO: Anubrata Biswas Headquarters: New Delhi
Parent organization: Bharti Airtel Founded: 1 April 2010
About Yes Bank

MD & CEO: Mr. Prashant Kumar Headquarters: Mumbai Founded: 2004
About IOA
President: P. T. Usha Headquarters: New Delhi Founded: 1927
Govt announces Rs 500 crore e-mobility scheme to promote electric vehicles
 The heavy industries ministry launched a new e-mobility promotion scheme with a Rs 500 crore
outlay for April to July 2024.
 The scheme targets 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers, following the end of FAME-II on March 31, 2024.
 It offers Rs 10,000 support per 2-wheeler, aiming to benefit around 3.3 lakh vehicles.
 Small three-wheelers, like e-rickshaws and e-carts, will receive Rs 25,000 support, covering over
31,000 vehicles.
 Large three-wheelers are eligible for Rs 50,000 financial support.
 The scheme continues the FAME-II subsidies for e-vehicles sold up to March 31, 2024, or until funds
last.
Learn Along:
About Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India.
 Government has approved Phase-II of FAME Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 Crore for a period of 3 years
commencing from 1st April 2019.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Out of total budgetary support, about 86 percent of fund has been allocated for Demand Incentive so as to create
demand for xEVs in the country.
 This phase aims to generate demand by way of supporting 7000 e-Buses, 5 lakh e-3 Wheelers, 55000 e-4
Wheeler Passenger Cars (including Strong Hybrid) and 10 lakh e-2 Wheelers.
Innovative Banking for a Brighter Tomorrow: Axis Bank & DBS Bank India Lead the Way
Axis Bank: A Beacon of Hope in Cancer Care
 Axis Bank pledges a significant contribution of Rs 100 crore to the National Cancer Grid (NCG), a
collaborative network exceeding 300 centers steered by the Tata Memorial Hospital.
 This five-year partnership is set to transform cancer care accessibility, boost research, and embrace
digital health innovations.
 Key initiatives include the National Tumour Biobank, the National Cancer Tele-consultation Network,
and oncology-specific Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), aligning with the Government of India's vision
for digital health.
 The commitment was solidified with a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Axis Bank’s
Deputy MD, Rajiv Anand, underlining the bank's dedication to sustainable healthcare.
DBS Bank India: Empowering Start-ups and New Economy Companies
 DBS Bank India earmarks USD 250 million in lending support to fuel the growth of cutting-edge
start-ups and new economy companies, reinforcing India's vibrant start-up ecosystem.
 This initiative is tailored for start-ups employing emerging technologies to craft novel solutions,
tackling the challenge of capital access.
 Highlighted by Rajat Verma, MD & Head at DBS Bank India, the bank is set to bolster start-up
expansion with its advanced digital expertise and extensive Asian connections.
 Leveraging an innovative risk assessment approach, DBS Bank India aims to provide custom
banking solutions and exclusive benefits, fostering collaboration with over 1000 start-ups and 50
incubators nationwide.
A Future Led by Innovation and Compassion

 These initiatives by Axis Bank and DBS Bank India represent a remarkable stride towards combining technological
innovation with compassionate healthcare, setting new benchmarks for corporate social responsibility and support
for the burgeoning start-up landscape in India.
Learn Along:
About Axis Bank
MD and CEO: Amitav Chaudhary Headquarters: Mumbai Founded: 1993
About DBS Bank
 DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. DBS Bank has been present in
India for 29 years, opening its first office in Mumbai in 1994.
 DBS Bank India Limited is the first among the large foreign banks in India to start operating as a wholly-
owned, locally incorporated subsidiary of a leading global bank.
 DBS provides a range of banking services for large, medium, and small enterprises and individual
consumers in India.
 In November 2020, Lakshmi Vilas Bank was merged with DBS Bank India Limited.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
India, UK aim to sign free-trade agreement by July
 India and UK aim to sign a free-trade agreement (FTA) by July, giving Indian exporters enhanced market
access in sectors like textiles, machinery, automobile parts, and marine products.
 The trade deal is a priority for India's National Democratic Alliance-led government, with only 1% of
the deal remaining to be finalized. However, its announcement is pending until after the Indian
elections.
 The last round of negotiations concluded in early March, with continuous virtual discussions.
 The deal's timing is crucial, with the UK's general election approaching after India's Lok Sabha
elections in early June.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have discussed the FTA,
emphasizing a "fair and equitable" deal without rushing.
 Contentious issues delaying the deal include a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), a social security
agreement (SSA) for skilled workers, and negotiations on London’s carbon border tax.
 India has signed three significant FTAs since 2022 but views the UK deal as crucial post-RCEP
withdrawal.
Learn Along:
About UK
Prime minister: Rishi Sunak Capital: London Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
SIDBI gets GCF nod for $120 million green project
 Development bank SIDBI has secured approval from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its first
anchored project, Avaana Sustainability Fund (ASF), valued at $120 million.
 The closure was announced at the 38th board meeting of the GCF, which will invest $24.5 million in
the fund, SIDBI said.
 The primary aim of the ASF project is to invest in early-stage companies harnessing technology-led
innovation to spur climate solutions and sustainability in the country.
Learn Along:
About SIDBI
Set up: 2nd April 1990 CMD: Sivasubramanian Ramann Headquarters: Lucknow
Bank of Baroda launches green term deposit scheme with 7.15% interest
 Bank of Baroda (BoB) has announced the launch of the bob Earth Green Term Deposit Scheme, aimed
at raising deposits for financing eligible environment-friendly projects and sectors.
 The scheme offers customers the dual benefits of stable financial returns and contribution to a
greener planet.
 It offers annual interest rates, ranging from 6.75 per cent for a tenure of 12 to 18 months to 7.15 per
cent for 777 days.
 Additionally, for longer tenures of 1,111 days, 1,717 days, and 2,201 days, the interest rates are set at
6.40 per cent per annum.
 Funds collected through this scheme will be directed towards financing green initiatives such as
renewable energy and clean transportation.
 The scheme was anounced on the bank's 116th Foundation Day on July 20, 2023, underlining its
reaffirmed commitment to environmental responsibility.
Learn Along
About Bank of Baroda

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Established: 20th July 1908 Headquarteres: Vadodara Managing Director & CEO: Debadatta Chand
Fitch lifts India growth view to 7.8% for 2023-24
 Fitch Ratings increases India's GDP growth forecast to 7.8% for the current year and 7% for 2024-25,
citing positive outlooks for emerging markets.
 The revised growth projection surpasses the Indian government's estimate of 7.6%, with domestic
demand and investment driving growth.
 Short-term growth expected to exceed the economy's potential before aligning with the trend next
year.
 Retail inflation projected to decrease to an average of 4% in 2024-25 from 5.7% this year.
 Fitch adjusts its outlook, anticipating RBI to cut interest rates in the second half of 2024, delaying
earlier expectations.
Real GDP growth expected to moderate to 7% and 6.8% in FY25 and FY26: UBS
 According to a report by UBS Securities India, India could deliver 7 per cent growth in FY2025.
 The analyst noted that India’s GDP growth has been positively surprising , averaging above 8 per cent
in the first three quarters of FY2024.
 From 7.6 per cent y-o-y growth in FY24E, it expects real GDP growth to moderate to 7 per cent and
6.8 per cent in FY25 and FY26 respectively.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah to launch National Urban Co-operative
Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC)

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah to launch National Urban Co-
operative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC), the Umbrella organization for
the Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) on 2nd March 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
 This initiative aims to modernize and strengthen the Urban Cooperative Banking Sector in India,
ultimately benefiting both the banks and their customers.
 The NUCFDC has received Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the Reserve Bank of India to
operate as a Non Banking Finance Company (NBFC) and serve as the umbrella organization for the
urban cooperative banking sector.
 In addition to this, it will be allowed to operate as a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) for the
sector.
 The establishment of this umbrella organization will ensure specialized function and services to
cooperative banks, facilitate communication between banks and regulators, and address challenges
faced by Urban Cooperative Banks, such as technology constraints and issues regarding range of
services.
 The NUCFDC aims to raise capital, with plans to reach a capital base of Rs.300 crores. It intends to
utilize this capital to support Urban Cooperative Banks and develop a shared technology platform to
improve service offerings and reduce costs.
Kotak Mahindra Bank unveils ‘Smart Choice Gold Loan’
 Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KMBL) has announced the introduction of ‘Smart Choice Gold Loan’ for
customers.
 Unlike other credit products which have stringent eligibility criteria, gold loan has a simpler application
and disbursal process.
 By utilising gold as a collateral, borrowers can enjoy lower interest rates compared with
conventional credit, translating to savings during the course of the loan tenure.
Venture Center, BFI sign pact on biomedical innovation
 Venture Center has tied up with Blockchain For Impact (BFI) under the BFI-Biome Virtual Network
Program to expand initiatives aimed at nurturing innovation and driving advancements in
healthcare.
 Venture Center is the first incubator across India to partner BFI for the initiative.
 Under this programme, BFI will allocate more than $2 lakh over three years and leverage Venture
Center’s expertise for healthcare start-up programmes.
FDI inflows shrink by 21% to $41.31 billion in

2023, shows DPIIT data
 According to Department for Promotion of

Industry and Internal Trade data, Foreign direct
equity (FDI) investments contracted by 21 per
cent Y-o-Y to $41.31 billion during the calendar
year 2023.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The sustained contraction in investment inflows comes against the backdrop of uncertainties and
challenges in the global economy.
 This includes factors such as high inflation and slowdown in developed countries.
GDP growth estimate for current year raised to 7.6%
 The National Statistical Office (NSO) raised India’s real GDP growth estimate for this year to 7.6%
from the 7.3% projected last month.
 It also scaled down its 7.2% growth estimate for 2022-23 to 7% and raised its 2021-22 estimate from
9.1% to 9.7%.
 The Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy is projected to rise 6.9% this year, with the NSO
downgrading last year’s GVA growth to 6.7% from 7%.
 GDP growth for the first two quarters of this year was raised to 8.2% and 8.1%, further rising to 8.4% for
the October to December 2023 quarter (Q3).
SEBI and FINANCIAL AWARENESS

PFRDA inaugurates app to widen financial inclusion through fintech and to boost NPS
 In order to foster innovation and inclusivity within the NPS architecture, particularly through its
engagement of fintech entities as Point of Presence (PoP) thus, enhancing accessibility and convenience,
Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA),
inaugurated Zerodha Broking Limited's NPS web-app, in New Delhi.
 The app offers seamless access of NPS to a wider subscriber base.
 NPS provides continuity to retirement saving account irrespective of one’s employment status and is
available for non-resident Indians (NRIs).
 As youngsters are tech savvy, the facilitation by Zerodha Broking Limited would expand access to
NPS.
Learn Along:
About PFRDA
 The Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Act was passed on 19th September, 2013 and the same
was notified on 1st February, 2014.
 PFRDA is regulating NPS, subscribed by employees of Govt. of India, State Governments and by employees of
private institutions/organizations & unorganized sectors.
 Chairperson: Dr. Deepak Mohanty Hedquarters: New Delhi
Tech Fini joined hands with NPCI
 In another development, Mumbai's Fintech startup, Tech Fini, announced that it has joined hands
with NPCI to offer UPI 2.0 acquiring and issuing switch solutions to its merchants.
 The announcement comes at a time when the Fintech startup bagged UPI 2.0 Issuer & Acquirer, PCI
DSS, and ISO/IEC certifications from NPCI.
 This validation reaffirms the objective to equip our clients with a safe, flexible, and reliable digital
payment environment and foster a financially inclusive economy.


Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Kotak Life Insurance launches non-linked par product Kotak G.A.I.N
 Private sector life insurer Kotak Life Insurance launched a non-linked participating product Kotak
G.A.I.N which offers long-term saving or income.
 The minimum annual premium payable to avail the product is Rs 50,000. While taking the policy, the
minimum age of the policyholder should be 90 days while the policy maturing age should be
minimum 40 years and maximum 85 years.
 The product provides three options to the policyholder to choose from:
 Under the first option, policyholders can receive regular income from the 1st month of policy
issuance for monthly payout mode and 1st year onwards for annual payout mode.
 Under the second option, income benefits will be used to purchase additional sum assured
throughout the policy term and receive it as lump sum or withdraw as per convenience.
 The third option is where the policyholder receives cash bonus from the end of the premium
payment term, and there is also guaranteed loyalty additions (GLASs) payable in the policy that can
also be used to pay the last 2 years premiums.
 All three variants of Kotak G.A.I.N will offer customers a blend of long-term income as well as life
cover.
 In December 2023, Kotak Mahindra Life had launched a participating product. According to the
management, the product which was a combination of term plan and ULIP – TULIP has received good
traction among the customers.
India-Nepal Enhance Financial Cooperation; Digital Payment To Be Inaugurated Soon
 RBI's updated regulation allows Nepali account holders to send Rs 2 lakhs per transaction (without any
limit) to. Walk-in customers can remit Rs. 50,000 per transaction (12 per yr).
 Unified Payment Interface-Nepal Clearing House Ltd (UPI/NCHL), which is to be inaugurated soon,
will further eliminate any inconvenience of carrying cash.
 In June 2023, the NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Nepal Clearing House Limited
(NCHL) joined hands to facilitate cross-border digital payments between India and Nepal by
integrating the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the National Payments Interface (NPI) of
Nepal.
Learn Along:
About UPI
 Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile
application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant
payments into one hood.
 It also caters to the “Peer to Peer” collect request which can be scheduled and paid as per requirement and
convenience.
 NPCI conducted a pilot launch with 21 member banks. The pilot launch was on 11th April 2016 by Dr. Raghuram
G Rajan, Governor, RBI at Mumbai.
Nagaland CM presents Budget, announces universal life insurance scheme
 Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced a fully-funded universal life insurance scheme as
he presented the Budget for 2024-25.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The budget estimate is an increase of Rs 644.22 crore compared to the previous financial year
where the amount was at Rs 23,083.66 crore.
 Among significant measures, the state government announced a fully-funded universal life insurance
scheme to mitigate financial hardship due to untimely demise of a family's breadwinner.
 The Chief Minister's Universal Life Insurance Scheme will be fully funded by the state government.
 A life insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh will be given and additionally, accidental insurance coverage
of Rs 2 lakh each will also be provided for the breadwinner and three other family members, Rio said.
 The accidental insurance component covers both disability and death.
 This scheme will cover every household in Nagaland and a provision of Rs 15 crore has been
provided to pay the cost of premium.
Dvara Money & Jana Small Finance Bank to enable Digital Banking in India
 Dvara Money (DM), a technology-driven financial solutions platform, has announced a partnership
with Jana Small Finance Bank.
 This collaboration is set to combine DM’s Spark Money platform with the technological capabilities of
Jana SFB.
 A significant element of this partnership is the Third-Party Application Providers (TPAP) capabilities.
 TPAP will enable the integration of a full-stack UPI solution into the Spark Money platform.
 This integration will allow customers to connect their savings accounts for payments, facilitating
seamless digital transactions.
Flipkart launches digital payments service Flipkart UPI
 Ecommerce company Flipkart launched its UPI services, Flipkart UPI, in partnership with Axis
Bank.
 The service will allow its users to make UPI payments without switching to other applications.
 The new UPI offering comes after Flipkart demerged with PhonePe, the largest UPI player, in late
2022.
Learn Along:
About UPI
 Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application
(of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments
into one hood.
convenience.
About Flipkart
Founded: 2007 Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka CEO: Kalyan Krishnamurthi
Cabinet approves additional instalment of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief to Central
Government employees and pensioners
 The Union Cabinet Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved to release an additional instalment
of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
w.e.f. 1.1.2024 representing an increase of 4% over the existing rate of 46% of the Basic Pay/Pension,
to compensate against price rise.
 The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief
would be Rs.12,868.72 crore per annum.
 This will benefit about 49.18 lakh Central Government employees and 67.95 lakh pensioners.
 This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of
the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Government of India and ADB sign $23 million loan agreement to strengthen fintech ecosystem in
India
 India and ADB signed a $23 million loan agreement to boost fintech education and innovation at Gujarat
International Finance Tec-City (GIFT-City).
 The agreement aims to establish an International Fintech Institute (IFI) to enhance fintech education,
research, and start-up success.
 IFI to collaborate with global institutes and offer industry-aligned fintech training, focusing on
innovation and entrepreneurship, especially for women-led startups.
 The project will foster a holistic fintech ecosystem growth, improving employment opportunities and
productivity in new technologies.
 ADB's support extends to research in climate fintech, regulatory technology, social inclusion, and
gender equality in finance, aiming to develop a fintech readiness index.
Learn Along:
About ADB
Established: 19 December 1966 Headquarters: Manila, Philippines President: Masatsugu Asakawa
Government of India, ADB sign $181 million loan to improve livability and mobility in Ahmedabad
 The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $181 million loan to
build quality infrastructure and services toward improving urban livability and mobility in the peri-
urban areas of Ahmedabad city in Gujarat.
 The project aims to make peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad livable, environmentally sustainable,
and efficient with robust physical andsocial infrastructure, a vibrant economy, and a distinct identity as a
preferred investment destination.
 The project will benefit urban poor, women, and migrant workers through improved urban services
and urban governance.
 It will construct 166 km of water distribution network, 126 km of climate-resilient stormwater
drainage, 300 km of sewerage systems, and four sewage treatment plants.
 ADB will help strengthen the capacity of the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority and urban
local bodies in technology-based urban planning, including climate change and disaster-
resilientinfrastructure that promote environmental and social safeguards, gender equality and social
inclusion.
 The project will support land development plans and town planning schemes integrating these
elements that can be replicated by other states to enhance more planned urban development and
densification through agglomeration.
L&T Finance, JICA sign pact to support rural financing

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Non-banking financial company L&T Finance Holdings Ltd. (LTFH) had signed a pact with Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for $125 million to support financing in rural and peri-urban
areas in India, particularly women borrowers.
 At least 40% of the proceeds would be allocated to women borrowers, while the rest would be to
support farmers and MSMEs, besides loans to purchase new two-wheeler vehicles, including EVs.
Learn Along:
About L&T
CMD: S. N. Subrahmanyan Headquarters: Mumbai Founded: 7 February 1946
Aditya Birla Finance to merge with parent
 Aditya Birla Capital Ltd. has announced the amalgamation of Aditya Birla Finance Ltd., its wholly
owned subsidiary, with itself to create a large unified operating non-banking finance company
(NBFC).
 The board of directors of both the companies approved the scheme of amalgamation which is subject
to regulatory and other approvals.
 After the amalgamation, Aditya Birla Capital would get converted from a holding company to an
operating NBFC.
CCI approves merger of a financial technology company, Garagepreneurs Internet Private Limited
with the North East Small Finance Bank
 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of a financial technology
company, Garagepreneurs Internet Private Limited with the North East Small Finance Bank
pursuant to the composite scheme of amalgamation to be filed before the jurisdictional National
Company Law Tribunal and certain related transactions.
 GIPL operates under the brand name "slice" and focuses on facilitating payments and credit products
through digital means in India.
 GIPL primarily focuses on enabling access to financial services for underbanked customers through
affordable and transparent cost solutions and structures.
 NESFB is a private sector small finance bank (SFB). It is headquartered in Guwahati, Assam and has
branches in the North Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim), and West Bengal.
UPI can now be used to make payments to Nepalese merchants
 The NPCI announced that Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is now live in neighbouring Nepal. UPI users
can scan QR codes to make payments to Nepalese merchants.
 This follows a tie-up between the National Payments Corporation of India International Payments
(NIPL) and Nepal's largest payment network Fonepay Payment Service in September.
 In its first phase, the partnership will enable Indian consumers to make instant, secure, and
convenient UPI payments across various business stores in Nepal by using UPI-enabled apps.
 Merchants acquired by the participating members of Fonepay Network can accept UPI payments from
Indian customers.
Learn Along:
About UPI

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile
application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant
payments into one hood.
convenience.
About NPCI
 National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and
settlement systems in India, is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association
(IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for creating a robust Payment
& Settlement Infrastructure in India.
 Non Executive Chairman and Independent Director: Mr. Ajay Kumar Choudhary
FinMin notifies ₹90 coin to commemorate 90 years of RBI
 The Finance Ministry notified the issuance of a special

commemorative coin of ₹90 denomination to mark the
completion of 90 years of the RBI.
 One side of the coin shall bear the RBI’s logo in the
centre, with RBI@90 inscribed below.
 This will be a silver coin with 99.99% silver purity,
weighing about 40 grams.
 The face of the coin shall bear the Lion Capital of
Ashoka Pillar in the centre with “Satyamev Jayate”
inscribed in Devanagari script below it.
Tata AIA introduces Rising India Fund
 Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched the Tata AIA Rising India Fund, a new fund offering (NFO) that
will be open for subscription until March 31, with units priced at ₹10 per unit during the NFO period.
 The Rising India Fund aims to invest in pivotal sectors and companies contributing to India's growth,
including infrastructure, manufacturing, banking, digital, and defense sectors.
 It will operate as a sector-agnostic fund, allowing investments across different market capitalizations to
exploit a variety of opportunities fueling India's economic expansion.
 The fund's investment strategy includes allocating 70-100% of its assets to equity and related
instruments, with the remaining 30-0% directed towards debt and money market instruments, aiming for
capital appreciation.
 Tata AIA's Rising India Fund provides investors with an opportunity to invest in a diversified
portfolio spanning across market caps within a single fund.
Learn Along :
About Tata AIA
Headquarters: Mumbai CEO: Naveen Tahilyani
SEBI Approves Launch Of Beta Version Of T+0 Settlement On Optional Basis

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 SEBI has given the green light for the beta version of the T+0 settlement system to be launched on
an optional basis starting March 28, allowing for the same-day settlement of funds and securities for
transactions.
 The beta version of the T+0 settlement will be available for a select group of 25 scrips and with a
limited number of brokers, as per SEBI's official announcement.
 SEBI plans to conduct further consultations with stakeholders, including users of the beta version,
to gather feedback and insights on the implementation of the T+0 settlement.
 The progress of the T+0 settlement system will be reviewed by SEBI at the end of three months and
six months from the date of implementation to decide on any adjustments or wider rollout.
 Additionally, SEBI approved various measures to ease the process for foreign portfolio investors
(FPIs), aiming to enhance the ease of doing business in the capital markets.
Learn Along:
About SEBI
 The Securities and Exchange Board of India was established as a statutory body in the year 1992 and the
provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) came into force on January 30,
1992.
 Chairperson: Ms. Madhabi Puri Buch Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
SEBI cancels Karvy’s merchant banker license
 SEBI cancelled the registration of Karvy Investor Services Ltd. (KISL) as a merchant banker due to
breach of eligibility criteria.
 The decision followed an inspection conducted from March 15-17, 2023, during which SEBI discovered
that KISL was not functioning nor operational at its registered and correspondence addresses.
Collaboration/Agreements
Aspect Minfy and AWS Collaboration NTPC and JBIC Loan Agreement
Minfy, AWS (Amazon Web  NTPC Ltd., Japan Bank for

Entities Involved
Services) International Cooperation (JBIC)
Support USD 500 million business  Secure a JPY 30 billion (approx.
growth through international
expansion and enhance the use of  $200 million) loan for environmental
Objective
AI and cloud technologies. sustainability projects.
 Swayam.ai generative AI app
store.
 Expansion in the U.S., Australia,  - Loan aimed at NTPC and NTPC
and Southeast Asia. Renewables Energy (NREL).
 Focus on AI-led digital  Funding for Flue Gas
transformation. Desulphurization (FGD) and
Scope & Features
 Upskilling over 1,000 professionals. renewable energy projects.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Aspect Minfy and AWS Collaboration NTPC and JBIC Loan Agreement
 - Total Loan: JPY 30 billion (approx.

$200 million or ₹1,650 crore).
 JBIC contributed 60% of the loan,
remainder guaranteed by
Financial Details
N/A commercial banks.
 Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD)
Key - Amazon SageMaker. Amazon projects for reducing SOx emissions
Technologies/Tools
Bedrock. and renewable energy projects.
 Primarily for projects within India,
contributing to the country's
Geographical Focus
U.S., Australia, Southeast Asia environmental sustainability efforts.
- Hiring local talent. Developing
 - Focus on the GREEN initiative for
relevant solutions. Establishing a economic growth and environment
Strategic Plans
Cloud Centre of Excellence. preservation.
 Second JBIC loan under the GREEN
operations for NTPC, aligning with
goals for reliable, affordable, and
Historical Context
Over 500 AWS engagements sustainable energy.
 - Founded: 7 November 1975.
 Headquarters: New Delhi.
About NTPC Ltd.
N/A  Chairman & MD: Gurdeep Singh.
NABARD and AGRICULTURE

Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre
 The Union Agriculture Minister launched the Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre
(ICCC) at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, enhancing agricultural technology use.
 The Krishi ICCC is a tech-based solution within the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, utilizing
AI, remote sensing, and GIS to analyze agricultural data from various sources like IMD weather data
and Digital Crop Survey.
 It provides comprehensive insights on crop yields, production, drought situations, and agricultural
trends, and offers feedback on agriculture schemes through the Krishi Decision Support System
(DSS).
 Practical applications include customised farmer advisories based on GIS-based soil data, proactive
drought management, support for crop diversification, and a farm data repository for evidence-
based decision-making.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The ICCC aims to generate individual farmer-level advisories through apps like Kisan e-mitra and a
chatbot for PM-Kisan beneficiaries, employing Machine Learning and AI for customized advisories in
local languages.
Revolutionizing Rural & Agricultural Development Through Strategic Partnerships
In a significant move towards empowering the rural and agricultural sectors, two key Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) have been signed, heralding a new era of synergy and technological empowerment.
Empowering Livelihoods in Livestock Sector:
 The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, has partnered with Bharat Financial
Inclusion Limited (BFIL) under the visionary Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods
Mission (DAY-NRLM).
 This collaboration aims to revolutionize the livestock and fisheries sectors.
 A Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) will be established both at the national level and in seven states to
enhance market linkages and support livelihood interventions.
 BFIL's commitment extends to enriching basic animal healthcare through Pashu Sakhis and fostering
an IT-enabled veterinary care ecosystem.
DAY-NRLM Highlights:
 Launched in June 2011 by the Ministry of Rural Development with World Bank support.
 Focuses on building efficient rural poor platforms for sustainable livelihood enhancements.
Innovating Agricultural Practices:
 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has joined forces with Dhanuka Agritech Limited,
aiming to introduce cutting-edge technology to over 14.5 crore farmers.
 This partnership focuses especially on small landholders, aiming to deliver training on climate-resilient
agricultural production.
 By collaborating with central institutes, ATARIs, and KVKs, the initiative emphasizes natural farming
techniques and tackling climate change challenges.
ICAR in Brief:
 Established on 16 July 1929, headquartered in New Delhi.

 Led by Director Himanshu Pathak, committed to agricultural research and innovation.
India’s first oil palm processing unit commences operations in Arunachal Pradesh under Mission
Palm Oil
 3F Oil Palm has inaugurated India's first integrated Oil Palm Processing Unit in Arunachal Pradesh,
under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), signaling a major advancement
towards India's self-reliance in edible oils.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The facility, the first of its kind in both Arunachal Pradesh and India under NMEO-OP, includes a
state-of-the-art oil palm factory, a zero-discharge effluent plant, and a palm waste-based power plant,
aiming for sustainable and efficient oil palm processing.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the processing unit on March 9, 2024, and
emphasized the importance of Mission Palm Oil, particularly for the Northeast, to boost farmer income
and achieve Atmanirbharta in edible oil production.
 Sanjay Goenka, MD & CEO of 3F Oil Palm, highlighted the company's commitment to enhancing
domestic oilseed production, with planned investments of Rs 1100 crore in the Northeast by 2030, creating
jobs for 1,700 people.
 The initiative addresses India's challenge of edible oil self-sufficiency, with the country importing 96%
of its palm oil needs. The NMEO-Oil Palm Policy aims to reduce this dependency by promoting domestic
cultivation, particularly in the Northeast, which has a significant potential for oil palm cultivation.
Cabinet approves signing of an Agreement between India and Bhutan in the area of Food Safety
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of an Agreement
between Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan
and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding cooperation in the areas of food
safety.
 The signing of this Agreement will facilitate the trade between two neighboring countries.
 BFDA will issue a Health Certificate as a proof of compliance with the requirements prescribed by
FSSAI, while exporting the products to India.
 This will promote Ease of Doing Business and will reduce compliance cost on both sides.
Learn Along:
About FSSAI
 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and
Standards , 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in
various Ministries and Departments.
 Chairperson: Apurva Chandra Headquarters: New Delhi
Telangana State government will rejoin the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana scheme
 Telangana State government will rejoin the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) scheme in
the interests of farmers and to save them from losses caused by natural calamities.
 There has been no crop insurance scheme in Telangana, ever since the BRS government opted
out of the scheme in 2020.
Learn Along:
About Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
 Launch: 2016
 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) aims to support production in agriculture by providing affordable
crop insurance to ensure comprehensive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks
from pre-sowing to post-harvest stage, on an ‘Area Approach Basis’.
 Stakeholders: Central Government, State Governments, Banks, CSCs, Insurance Companies, Farmers
NATIONAL
Union govt. extends Ujjwala assistance by one more year

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the continuation of targeted
subsidy of Rs.300 per 14.2 kg cylinder (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinder) for up to 12 refills
per year to be provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during FY 2024-
25.
 As on 1st March, 2024 there are more than 10.27 crore PMUY beneficiaries.
 The total expenditure will be Rs.12,000 crore for financial year 2024-25.
 The subsidy is credited directly to bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries.
 India imports about 60% of it’s LPG requirement.
 To shield PMUY beneficiaries from the impact of sharp fluctuations in international prices of LPG and
to make LPG more affordable to PMUY consumers thereby ensuring sustained usage of LPG by them,
Government started a targeted subsidy of Rs.200/- per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per annum
(and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg connections) to the PMUY consumers in May 2022.
Learn Along:
About PMUY
 In May 2016, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG), introduced the ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’
(PMUY) as a flagship scheme with an objective to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural
and deprived households which were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, cow-dung
cakes etc.
 Usage of traditional cooking fuels had detrimental impacts on the health of rural women as well as on the
environment.
 The scheme was launched on 1st May 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra
Modi.
 Ujjwala 2.0: Additional allocation of 1.6 Crore LPG Connections under PMUY scheme with special facility to migrant
households. Target number of connections under Ujjwala 2.0 was achieved during Dec’22, thus taking overall
connections under the scheme to 9.6 Crore.
GI recognition for Narasapur crochet lace craft revives hopes of struggling artisans
 The famed Narasapur crochet lace craft has received the Geographical Indications (GI) tag, giving a
new lease of life to the dying craft in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh.
 The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry registered the craft in the Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) on March 1 certifying that
the craft is geographically limited to 19 mandals in West Godavari and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema
districts in the Godavari region.
 West Godavari District Alankriti Lace Manufacturing Mahila Mutual Aided Co-operative Societies’
Federation Limited (popularly known as Alankriti Federation), Narasapur All India Crochet Lace
Exporters Association and Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (APHDC)
jointly applied for the GI Tag for the crochet lace craft.
Learn Along:
About GI Tag
 A GI or Geographical Indication is a name or a sign given to certain products that relate to a specific
geographical location or origins like a region, town or country.
 Using Geographical Indications may be regarded as a certification that the particular product is produced as
per traditional methods, has certain specific qualities, or has a particular reputation because of its geographical
origin.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Cabinet approves establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the establishment of
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of
Rs.150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
 Prime Minister had,on the occasion of Commemorating 50 years of India's Project Tiger on April 9, 2023,
formally announced launch of an International Big Cat Alliance aiming at securing the future of big
cats and landscapes they thrive.
 Seven big cats include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah out of
these five big cats viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah are found in India.
 IBCA aims for mutual cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation
agenda.
 The International Big Cat Alliance recognizes the importance of integrating biodiversity policies with
sustainable development goals (SDGs) to achieve holistic and inclusive conservation outcomes.
Govt Launches ‘Chaksu’ Portal To Report Fraudulent Calls
 The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced the launch of ‘Chakshu’ portal, introduced
to report suspected fraudulent communication from mobile numbers via calls, SMS, or social media
like WhatsApp.
 It will help to strengthen the fight against mobile-based scams.
 It has also integrated with the department of telecommunications ‘Sanchar Sathi portal’, new portal
Chakshu will trigger the re-verification of suspected fraudulent numbers.
PM Narendra Modi launches India’s first underwater Metro line in Kolkata
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kolkata Metro’s Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section,
which passes below the mighty Hooghly river through the country’s first underwater transportation
tunnel.
 The 4.8-km Esplanade-Howrah Maidan stretch, which is a part of the East-West Corridor, has been
built at a cost of ₹4,965 crore.
 The ₹1,430-crore Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Airport line was
also inaugurated from the function at the Esplanade Metro station.
Cabinet approves signing of the following MoUs between India and Bhutan:
1. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending co-operation in the field of Energy
Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures.
 The MoU was signed between Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India and
Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan.
 As part of this MoU, India aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the household sector
by promoting star labeling programme developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The formulation of building codes, to suite the climate condition of Bhutan, will be facilitated based
with India's experience.
 The training of retailers would help in dissemination of energy efficient products with consumer
audience regarding savings from star rated appliances.
 India aims to support Bhutan in its endeavor to develop and implement the Standards and Labelling
scheme.
2. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval of signing of
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the Royal Government of
Bhutan on General Supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products from India to
Bhutan.
 It aims to benefit India and its citizens with improved economic and commercial linkages with
Bhutan irrespective of any gender, class or income bias, particularly in the area of hydrocarbon sector.
 Benefit:
 The Memorandum of Understanding will promote bilateral trade in the hydrocarbon sector and will
ensure secured and long term supply of petroleum products to Bhutan.
 Since, exports play crucial role in realizing Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The MoU will give thrust towards
self-reliant India.
 The MoU will be a strategic fit as Energy Bridge in India’s Neighborhood First Policy.
Learn Along:
About Bhutan
Capital: Thimphu Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)
Cabinet approves Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement India and United Arab Emirates on
cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its Ex-post facto approval to the
Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) that was signed on 13th February, 2024 during the
High Level visit between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the United Arab
Emirates on Cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe
Economic Corridor (IMEC).
 The aim of the IGFA is to enhance the bilateral relations and to further strengthen the relations
between the two countries in the Ports, Maritime and Logistics sectors.
 The IGFA includes areas of cooperation between the two countries with the objective of exploring further
potential of future joint investment and collaboration in respect of development of the IMEC.
 The Agreement contains detailed framework for cooperation between the two countries.
 The cooperation will be based on a set of mutually agreed upon principles, guidelines and agreements
consistent with the relevant rules and regulations of the countries' jurisdiction.
Learn Along:
About UAE
Capital: Abu Dhabi Currency: UAE dirham
Centre tweaks Prime Minister’s Rooftop Solar ‘free electricity’ scheme

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The Centre has tweaked the new ₹75,000-crore PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna (Prime Minister’s
Rooftop Solar: Free Electricity Scheme).
 From an initial plan to fully subsidise the installation of 1-3 KW solar systems in one crore households via
tie-ups with renewable energy service companies, the scheme will now only contribute up to 60% of
the costs.
 Households interested in availing the scheme’s benefits will have to fork out the balance amount
and pay a minimum of ₹20,000 depending on the power capacity of the installed system though this
could be defrayed by a low-interest, collateral-free loan.
 Only houses with a suitable roof and an existing connection to the grid will be eligible for the scheme
and consumers still have to pay for all the net power supplied and consumed via the grid.
 The major difference from previous versions of the scheme is a doubling of the subsidy on rooftop
solar (from an earlier ₹14,500 per kw) and an anticipated improvement in service delivery.
India, South Korea to collaborate in critical tech, semiconductors
 India wants to expand its strategic partnership with South Korea into new areas like critical and
emerging technologies, semiconductors and green hydrogen to make the bilateral ties more
contemporary.
 Ecternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission
Meeting (JCM) with his counterpart Cho Tae-yul in Seoul.
Learn Along:
About South Korea
Capital: Seoul Currency: South Korean won
CBI, Europol Sign Working Arrangement To Establish Cooperative Relations
 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement
Cooperation (Europol) signed a Working Arrangement to establish cooperative relations between
these organizations.
 The agreement was signed by CBI Director Praveen Sood and Europol's Executive Director
Catherine De Bolle during a virtual event held in New Delhi and The Hague.
 This arrangement aims to promote direct cooperation, explore synergies, and enhance joint efforts
in combating various forms of crime including organized crime, financial crimes, terrorism, cybercrime,
human and drug trafficking, and money laundering.
 The collaboration is expected to benefit law enforcement agencies in India and the 27 European
countries represented by Europol, along with associated third countries and organizations.
Para Archer and Arjuna Awardee, Ms. Sheetal Devi, will be ECI National PwD Icon
 The Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI), organized an Exhibition Cricket Match between the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA)
Team and the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) team on March 16, 2024, at Karnail Singh
Stadium, New Delhi, to promote voter education and inclusivity.
 Ms. Sheetal Devi, a Para-archer and Arjuna Awardee, was announced as the National Icon in the PwD
category during the event.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The ECI launched a dedicated Voter’s Guide for PwDs and Senior Citizen Electors, outlining
provisions for a smooth voting experience, such as infrastructural and procedural details at polling stations
and the procedure for Postal Ballots.
 Initiatives for PwDs by the ECI include home voting options for PwDs with benchmark disabilities,
mapping of Persons with Disabilities polling station-wise, provision of free transportation on poll day, and
the development of accessibility-friendly polling stations and voting materials.
 The ECI aims to enhance voter participation among youth and persons with disabilities in future
elections through these inclusive measures.
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About ECI
Chief Election Commissioner: Rajiv Kumar Election Commissioners: Gyanesh Kumar, Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
Election Commission Launches ‘Know Your Candidate’ App
 The Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, announced the launch of the 'Know Your Candidate'
(KYC) mobile application ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to help voters learn about candidates'
criminal records, assets, and liabilities.
 The KYC app aims to enhance voter awareness by providing detailed information about candidates
with criminal antecedents in their constituencies, available on Android and iOS platforms.
 Political parties fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds are required to justify their
selection and ensure the candidates make their criminal records public through newspapers and
television thrice.
 The initiative mandates transparency from parties and candidates about criminal backgrounds,
aiming to inform voters and encourage more informed voting decisions.
 The app, designed to promote electoral transparency and informed voting.
India Launches Operation Indravati To Evacuate Its Nationals From Haiti To Dominican Republic
 India has launched Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican
Republic.
Learn Along:
About Haiti
Capital: Port-au-Prince Currency: Gourde
About Dominican Republic
Capital: Santo Domingo Currency: Dominican peso
Supreme Court Appoints Committee To Look Into Preservation Of Great Indian Bustard
 Supreme Court appoints expert committee to preserve the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) while ensuring
sustainable development for renewable energy commitments.
 The committee, led by experts from Wildlife Institute of India and other conservation bodies, will assess
feasibility of overhead and underground electric lines in priority areas.
 It will also identify conservation measures for GIB and other fauna, while considering alternative
power line arrangements to protect the species.
 Earlier, the Court had directed conversion of overhead cables into underground powerlines due to
their threat to GIB survival.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Centre notifies 3-10% hike in MGNREGA wage rates for FY25 ahead of polls
 The central government announced a 3-10% wage rate increase for MGNREGA workers for the
financial year 2024-25, effective from April 1, 2024.
 Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will see the lowest increase at 3%, while Goa will have the highest
increase of 10.6%.
 The rural development ministry obtained Election Commission clearance for wage notification due to
the model code of conduct for the General Elections.
 Last year's revision showed a wage increase ranging from 2% to 10% across different states, with
Rajasthan experiencing the highest increase.
 The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj noted the
variation in MGNREGS wages across states and remarked on the inadequacy of wages relative to the
rising cost of living.
 The Anoop Satpathy Committee recommended MGNREGA wages should be Rs 375 per day to align
with the minimum wage standards.
Learn Along:
About MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGS)
 The Government of India passed the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 in
September, 2005.
 The Act gives legal guarantee of a hundred days of wage employment in a financial year to adult members of
a rural household who demand employment and are willing to do unskilled manual work.
 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was launched by Govt. of India in all Gram
Panchayats of districts Mahendergarh and Sirsa on 2nd February, 2006 and this scheme was also extended in
two more districts namely Ambala & Mewat w.e.f. 1st April, 2007.
 The remaining districts of the State have been covered under the scheme w.e.f. 1.4.2008.
Green Elections in India
 The Election Commission of India (ECI) has expressed concerns over environmental risks
associated with non-biodegradable materials in elections, advocating for a shift toward green elections
since 1999.
 Traditional election processes have significant environmental impacts, including campaign flights,
deforestation, energy consumption, and waste generation, contributing to the carbon footprint.
 The World Health Organization (WHO) defines carbon footprint as the total emissions of CO2 due to
human activities, emphasizing the need for measures to reduce these emissions in various sectors,
including elections.
 Green elections aim to minimize environmental impacts through eco-friendly campaign materials,
reduced energy consumption, and digital campaigning, showcasing a commitment to sustainability.
 Notable initiatives include Kerala’s Green Campaign in the 2019 general election, emphasizing the use
of sustainable materials and Goa’s Artisan-Crafted Eco-Friendly Booths in 2022, promoting local
craftsmanship.
 Sri Lanka’s Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party launched a carbon-sensitive campaign in 2019,
involving public tree planting to offset campaign emissions.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Estonia’s digital voting represents an international example of reducing electoral processes'

environmental impact through technology.
 Challenges in adopting green elections include access to new technologies, training for officials,
financial constraints, cultural inertia, and security concerns, underscoring the need for
comprehensive strategies and stakeholder engagement.
 A way forward includes legislative support for eco-friendly practices, digital campaigning, the use of
sustainable materials, and digital voting, emphasizing the role of political parties, governments, and the
ECI in fostering a green transition.
Learn Along:
About ECI
Chief Election Commissioner: Rajiv Kumar Election Commissioners: Gyanesh Kumar, Dr Sukhbir Singh
Sandhu
INTERNATIONAL
Saudi Arabia set to participate in Miss Universe Pageant
 Saudi Arabia will be represented for the first time at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant by 27-year-old
Rumy Alqahtani, a significant milestone for the conservative country.
 Alqahtani, a dentist and content creator from Riyadh, expressed her excitement on Instagram about
Saudi Arabia's landmark debut at the beauty pageant.
 She follows Lujane Yacoub, who represented Bahrain in the previous year, marking the first
contestant from the Gulf region in Miss Universe.
 The Miss Universe competition is set to take place in Mexico on September 18, and will include
Iran’s debut.
 Alqahtani, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in dentistry, is multilingual and has been crowned with
several titles, including Miss Saudi Arabia and Miss Arab World Peace 2021.
 The Miss Universe pageant 2023 saw the inclusion of two transgender contestants and the first
plus-size contestant to reach the semi-finals, with Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua winning, marking
Nicaragua’s first victory in the pageant.
Learn Along:
About Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh Currency: Saudi Riyal
Simon Harris set to be Ireland’s youngest PM
 Simon Harris is set to become Ireland's youngest ever taoiseach at 37, surpassing Leo Varadkar's
record at 38, and is known as the “TikTok Taoiseach” for his social media presence.
 Following Leo Varadkar's resignation, Harris quickly became the front-runner for the Fine Gael party
leadership and, by extension, Prime Minister, with major party support solidifying his position.
New Zealand government to ban disposable e-cigarettes

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The New Zealand government will ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, aiming to curb vaping
among the youth.
 Fines for retailers selling e-cigarettes to individuals younger than 18 will be increased as part of tighter
regulations.
 The government faces criticism for rolling back a tobacco sales ban but remains committed to reducing
smoking through different methods, including regulating vaping.
 Casey Costello, associate minister of health, emphasizes the move as a response to the "rapid rise in
youth vaping" being a concern for parents, teachers, and health professionals.
 These measures support the government's goal of a Smokefree New Zealand with less than 5% of the
population smoking daily by 2025.
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About New Zealand
Capital: Wellington Currency: New Zealand dollar
UN Adopts First Global Resolution on Artificial Intelligence
 On March 24, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the first global
resolution on Artificial Intelligence (AI), aimed at ensuring AI's benefits, safety, and respect for
human rights.
 Sponsored by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries, including Russia, China, and
Cuba, the resolution addresses the digital divide, human rights, and privacy policies.
 Key objectives include closing the digital divide, enhancing developing countries' access to AI,
safeguarding human rights, and monitoring AI for risks.
 The resolution represents global collaboration for the responsible development and use of AI,
emphasizing support for developing countries to leverage AI benefits.
 The resolution is nonbinding and highlights Europe's lead in AI regulation over the United States,
amidst efforts by the Biden administration to push for national AI regulation.
Learn Along:
About UN
 The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945.
 Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles
contained in its founding Charter.
 Secretary-General: António Guterres
Thailand moves to legalise same-sex marriage
 Thailand's lower house has passed a bill for same-sex marriage legalization, marking a significant
step toward marriage equality.
 The bill still requires Senate approval and royal endorsement but is expected to be enacted by the
end of 2024, positioning Thailand as the only South East Asian country to recognize same-sex unions.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The legislation will redefine marriage as a partnership between two individuals, granting LGBTQ+
couples equal rights in marital tax savings, inheritance, and medical treatment consent.
 It also allows married same-sex couples to adopt children, although the term "parents" was not
adopted in favor of "fathers and mothers".
 Thailand is seen as one of Asia's most LGBTQ+ friendly nations, with existing laws against
discrimination over gender identity and sexual orientation.
 This progress follows years of campaigning for same-sex marriage rights, with previous attempts failing
despite broad public support.
Learn Along:
About Thailand
Capital: Bangkok Currency:Thai baht
Nepal names Pokhara tourism capital
 Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamla Dahal has expressed intentions to seek China's assistance for
development, specifically requesting China to consider the Pokhara International Airport as a "grant
project" and to initiate regular commercial flights between China and Nepal.
 During the declaration of Pokhara as the "tourism capital of Nepal," Prime Minister Prachanda
announced these development ambitions.
 The Pokhara International Airport, constructed by China and completed in January 2022, has remained
unused due to disputes between Nepal and China regarding its classification as a Belt and Road
Initiative project, with Nepal maintaining that it is not.
 Concurrently, Nepal is finalizing arrangements to secure Chinese aid for constructing the Nepal-
China Industrial Friendship Park on nearly 4,000 acres, potentially expanding to 6,600 acres in Jhapa,
eastern Nepal, near the north Bengal border.
 The establishment of the industrial park and a 327-MegaWatt upper Marsyangdi hydroenergy
project are expected to be formalized at the Investment Summit in Kathmandu on April 29-30, as
communicated by Pradhyunna Upadhyaya, spokesperson for the Nepal Investment Board.
Learn Along:
About China
Capital: Beijing Currency: Renminbi
About Nepal
Capital: Kathmandu Currency: Nepalese rupee
EU and Egypt agree to a €7.4-billion deal on energy, migration
 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with leaders from Austria, Belgium,
Cyprus, Greece, and Italy, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for the agreement signing
to announce a €7.4 billion financial package aimed at boosting energy trade and managing irregular
migrant flows to Europe.
 The financial package for Egypt includes five billion euros in loans over four years, 1.8 billion euros in
investments, and additional funds for bilateral projects, notably in migration management.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The agreement aims to increase energy sales to Europe, reducing dependence on Russian gas, and
includes cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, and border protection, especially along Egypt's
southern border with Sudan.
 The deal is part of the EU's broader strategy to engage with northern African countries, like Libya,
Tunisia, and Mauritania, to address the challenge of irregular migration across the Mediterranean Sea.
Learn Along:
About European Union
 The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states that are located
primarily in Europe.
 Capital: Brussels Currency: Euro Founded: 1 November 1993
Vladimir Putin Wins Russian Presidential Elections For Record Fifth Term
 Vladimir Putin won a historic fifth term as President of Russia with an overwhelming 87% of the vote,
based on 80% of precincts counted, showcasing a significant electoral victory.
 The election saw other candidates trailing significantly, with none achieving more than 5% of the vote;
Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov was the runner-up, and newcomer Vladislav Davankov came
in third.
 This electoral win cements Putin's status as Russia's longest-serving leader, surpassing the tenure of
Josef Stalin.
Learn Along:
About Russia
Capital: Moscow Currency: Ruble
Zardari sworn in as Pakistan President for a second time
 Asif Ali Zardari took oath as Pakistan’s 14th President, a day after the veteran politician staged a
remarkable comeback when he was overwhelmingly elected as the only civilian President of the coup-
prone country for a second time.
 Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to the 68-year-old Asif Ali Zardari.
Learn Along:
About Pakistan
Capital: Islamabad Currency: Pakistani rupee
Shehbaz Sharif becomes the Pakistan PM for second time
 Senior PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif is set to become the next prime minister of Pakistan to lead
a coalition government after last month's elections produced a split mandate.
 Shehbaz Sharif, 72, who is the consensus candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), submitted his nomination.
Saudi Arabia inaugurates world’s first 3D printed mosque
 Saudi Arabia has inaugurated the world’s first mosque built using 3D technology.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The 5,600 sq m Abdulaziz Abdullah Sharbatly Mosque is situated in a residential area of Jeddah and
stands as a beacon of innovative design and spiritual significance.
 The project completed in just over nine months utilizes cutting-edge 3D printers from Guanli, a
renowned Chinese manufacturer.
 The mosque stands with an interesting design reflecting both beautiful Islamic aesthetics and
modern ingenuity facilitated by 3D printing technology.
Learn Along:
About Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh Currency: Saudi riyal
Nicaragua becomes first Spanish-speaking nation to recognise Indian pharma standards
 Nicaragua has become the first nation in the Spanish-speaking world to recognise Indian
Pharmacopeia, as India and Nicaragua signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
Pharmacopoeia on cooperation in the field of the regulation of medicines.
 Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is an autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare, created to set standards for drugs in the country.
 IP is the official book of standards for drugs defining the specified limits and testing methods for
crude drugs and finished formulations.
 IP has a legal status within the Second Schedule of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
 All the drugs imported, manufactured and distributed in India must conform to the standards
codified in the IP.
 The IP has been recognised as a book of standard by six nations - Afghanistan, Ghana, Nepal,
Mauritius , Suriname and Nicaragua .
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About Nicargua
Capital: Managua Currency: Córdoba
Peru Declares Health Emergency Amidst Dengue Surge; Over 31,000 Cases Reported
 In Peru, the government has declared a health emergency due to the rapidly rising cases of dengue
fever across the South American country.The health emergency was declared in 20 of Peru's 25 regions.
Learn Along:
About Peru
Capital: Lima Currency: Peruvian sol Prime Minister: Alberto Otárola
Sweden officially joins NATO after completing its accession process
 Sweden formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades
of neutrality as concerns about Russian aggression have spiked following Russia’s 2022 invasion of
Ukraine.
Learn Along:
About NATO
Founders: United States, France, United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, MORE
Founded: 4 April 1949, Washington, D.C., United States
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
About Sweden
Prime minister: Ulf Kristersson Capital: Stockholm Currency: Swedish krona (SEK)
STATES
Kerala-owned OTT platform launched
 Kerala launched a government-owned OTT platform CSpace with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
terming it as a decisive step in the onward journey of Malayalam cinema.
 The initiative would give prominence to films with artistic and cultural value without hurting the
mainstream film industry.
 The launch of CSpace also signifies leveraging of the cutting-edge technologies.
 CSpace will be managed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation.
 The platform, which operates on pay per view basis, allows viewers to watch a feature film for ₹75 and
shorter contents for much lesser price.
Learn Along:
About Kerala
Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala introduces its first generative AI teacher ‘Iris’
 Named Iris, the humanoid was unveiled last month at KTCT Higher Secondary School in
Thiruvananthapuram in collaboration with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited.
 According to Makerlabs, Iris was built as part of the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL), a 2021 NITI Aayog
project to boost students’ extracurricular activities in schools.
 Iris can speak three languages and also answer difficult questions, along with features including
voice assistant, interactive learning, manipulation capabilities, and mobilities.
 Iris is an “innovative voice assistant designed to aid in educational settings and DIY learning
environments”.
 This robot serves as a versatile teaching tool with interactive capabilities.
Telangana Govt to launch Indiramma Housing Scheme from March 11
 The Telangana State government will launch the Indiramma Housing Scheme from March 11 with
the first phase to see 3,500 houses being approved in each Assembly constituency.
 The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that poor and eligible people, who do not own a house,
get benefited under the scheme.
 Under the Indiramma Housing Scheme, those who own a plot of land will be given Rs.5 lakh for building
a new house in the plot. Homeless poor will be given Rs.5 lakh along with a house plot.
Learn Along:
About Telangana
Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan Chief minister: Anumula Revanth Reddy Capital: Hyderabad

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Prime Minister dedicates to the Nation the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) Sindri Fertiliser
Plant
 The Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to nation the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL)
Sindri Fertiliser Plant at Sindri, Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
 The Prime Minister had laid the foundation of the fertilizer plant in 2018.
 Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) is a Joint Venture Company of Public Sector
Undertakings (PSUs) namely, National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC), Indian Oil
Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Coal India Ltd (CIL) and FCIL/HFCL, which was incorporated on 15th June,
2016, revived Sindri Fertilizer Unit by setting up New Ammonia-Urea Plant with installed capacity of
12.7 LMT per annum.
 The Sindri Plant started urea production on 05th November 2022.
 The plant aims to ensure adequate supply of urea to the farmers in the state of Jharkhand as well
as West Bengal, Odisha, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
Learn Along:
About Jharkhand
Chief minister: Champai Soren Capital: Ranchi Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan
Dharmendra Pradhan launches Project ODISERV
 Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan,
launched Project ODISERV in Sambalpur to prepare young graduates of Odisha for employment
opportunities in the financial services sector.
 The Project ODISERV will empower the youth of the country, make them more employable and fulfil
their aspirations.
 National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Bajaj Finserv Ltd. unveiled their first skill development initiative - Project
Odiserv at Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) in Sambalpur, Odisha.
 Project Odiserv is the inaugural skill development initiative, following the partnership announced by
NSDC and Bajaj Finserv in December 2023 in the presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
Learn Along:
About National Skill Development Corporation
 National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is the principal architect of the skill ecosystem in the country.
 It is a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) enterprise working under the Ministry of Skill Development &
Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India.
 NSDC was established to catalyse the skilling ecosystem for private sector participation and be the strategic
implementation and knowledge partner to Skill India Mission to build efficient vocational training initiatives,
empowering India’s youth.
About Odisha
Chief minister: Naveen Patnaik Capital: Bhubaneswar Governor: Raghubar
UP emerges as the first State in country to issue five crore Ayushman cards under Ayushman Bharat
PMJAY
 Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the first State in the country to issue five crore Ayushman cards
under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The State has issued 50,017,920 Ayushman cards and benefited 74,382,304 individuals.
 A total of 3,716 hospitals in the State are impaneled under this scheme.
Learn Along:
About Uttar Pradesh
Governor: Anandiben Patel Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath Capital: Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh launches 'MYUVA Scheme' to empower youth entrepreneurs
 Uttr Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is poised to launch the "Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami
Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA)" scheme in Uttar Pradesh, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship among the
state's youth.
 This ambitious initiative reflects the commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering
a culture of innovation and enterprise.
 Through MYUVA, aspiring youth will receive support and resources to kickstart their
entrepreneurial ventures, thereby contributing to the economic growth and development of Uttar
Pradesh.
 Under this scheme, the government aims to prepare one lakh young entrepreneurs every year by
providing interest-free loans for projects of up to Rs 5 lakh.
 The government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore in the budget for the financial year 2024-25 to support
this initiative.
 This innovative scheme is designed to empower educated and skilled youth across the state,
facilitating selfemployment opportunities and fostering the establishment of new MSMEs. By
promoting entrepreneurship, the initiative seeks to generate employment opportunities in both rural and
urban areas.
 Under the scheme, interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh will be provided to projects in the industry
and service sectors.
 The goal is to directly benefit one million units (10 lakh units) over the next 10 years by financing
1,00,000 units annually.
₹1,500 monthly aid for Himachal women
 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu announced that under ‘Indira Gandhi Pyari
Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana’, all the women above 18 years of age of the State will be given
₹1,500 per month.
Kerala CM launches Sabari K-Rice, flays Centre’s scheme
 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the Kerala government’s subsidised Sabari K-Rice.
 The State government is providing a subsidy of almost ₹11 per kg on its Sabari K-Rice, which is
purchased by the State at ₹40 a kg.
 The CM also slammed the Centre’s decision to bar governments and State-run agencies from
sourcing food grains through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).
 Prior to the National Food Security Act, Kerala was eligible for 16.25 lakh tonnes of food grains.
 After its enactment, the quota reduced to 14.25 lakh tonnes.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The State government had been sourcing additional rice through the OMSS during times of higher
demand such as festivals and natural calamities.
Learn Along:
About Kerala
CM:Pinarayi Vijayan Governor:Arif Mohammed Khan Capital:
Thiruvananthapuram
Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar to be called Ahilyanagar
 The Maharashtra Cabinet formally approved the renaming of Ahmednagar district to Ahilyanagar
after the 18th Century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar.
 The decision to rename the district had already been announced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in
May last year on the 298th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar.
 The renaming of Ahmednagar follows the Mahayuti government’s decision to rename Aurangabad
district as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.
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About Maharashtra
Chief minister: Eknath Shinde Governor: Ramesh Bais Capital: Mumbai
Bichom becomes 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh
 Bichom, carved out of West and East Kameng, became the 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh.
 Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the district and laid the foundation of its headquarters at
Napangphung.
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About Arunachal Pradesh
Capital: Itanagar Chief minister: Pema Khandu Governor: Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
PM Modi launches Mahtari Vandan Yojana in Chhattisgarh
 The Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Mahatari Vandana Yojana and disbursed the first
instalment under The Scheme.
 The scheme has been launched in Chhattisgarh to provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 per
month to eligible married women of the state as monthly DBT.
 It has been envisioned to ensure economic empowerment of women, provide them financial security,
promote gender equality and strengthen the decisive role of women in the family.
 The scheme will provide benefits to all eligible married women of the state who are above 21 years
of age as of January 1, 2024.
 Widows, divorced, and deserted women will also be eligible for this scheme. Around 70 lakh women
will benefit from the scheme.
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About Chhattisgarh
Capital: Raipur Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan CM: Vishnu Deo Sai
Bronze statue of Lachit Borphukan unveiled in Assam

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 A 125-feet bronze statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan was unveiled at his burial site in eastern
Assam’s Jorhat district by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 The Statue of Valour is 84 feet tall, set on a pedestal of 41 feet, making the total height of the figurine 125
feet.
 It was unveiled at the Lachit Barphukan Maidam Development Project at Hollongapar near Teok.
 The foundation of the statue was laid by former President Ram Nath Kovind in 2022.
 Lachit Borphukan was an army commander of the Ahom kingdom.
Learn Along:
About Assam
Cm: Himanta Biswa Sarma Founded: 15 August 1947
Capital: Dispur Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
Gujarat launches schemes to provide financial help to students of Class 9 to 12
 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched two schemes to provide financial assistance to
students from Classes 9 to 12, for which the government has allocated Rs 1,650 crore in the state
budget.
 Under its "Namo Lakshmi Yogana", the government will provide Rs 50,000 to girls studying in Classes
9 to 12 over four years, while Rs 25,000 will be given to both girls and boys who have opted for the
science stream in Classes 11 and 12 under the "Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana".
 The chief minister launched the schemes from Gyanda High School in Ahmedabad, with around
35,000 students of primary and secondary schools and educators from across the state participating
virtually in the online programme.
 'Namo Lakshmi Yojana,'
 Its objective was to enable admission of girls to higher secondary schools from Classes 9 to 12 and
address their nutritional needs.
 The scheme will cover girls studying in government, aided, and private schools.
 The government has allocated Rs 1,650 crore for the schemes in this year's budget.
 The beneficiary students will receive Rs 500 per month for 10 months each year, and the remaining
Rs 10,000 will be disbursed after they pass the Class 10 board exam.
 Students in Classes 11 and 12 will receive Rs 750 per month for 10 months each year, and Rs 15,000
will be given after they pass the Class 12 board exam.
 The Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana
 It aims to encourage students to opt for the science stream and excel in it.
 Students in Classes 11 and 12 who have opted for the science stream will receive Rs 1,000 per month
for 10 months, totalling Rs 20,000 over two years, and the remaining Rs 5,000 will be disbursed after
they pass the Class 12 board exam.
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About Gujarat
Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel Governor: Acharya Devvrat Capital: Gandhinagar

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
PM inaugurates Kochrab Ashram in Sabarmati, Gujarat
 The Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sabarmati Ashram and inaugurated Kochrab Ashram and
launched the Master plan of Gandhi Ashram Memorial.
 It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in
1915.
 It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth.
 The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like
orientation center, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving
and leatherwork and public utilities.
 The Memorial will serve as an inspiration for future generations, fostering Gandhian thoughts and
will enliven the essence of Gandhian values.
Jharkhand Launches First-Ever Remarriage Incentive Scheme
 The Jharkhand government has launched a new scheme to provide financial assistance to widows
who choose to remarry.
 The scheme, which is the first of its kind in India, will provide a one-time grant of Rs 2 lakh to eligible
widows.
 To be eligible for the grant, the widow must be of marriageable age and not a government employee,
pensioner, or income tax payer. The scheme is aimed at empowering widows and encouraging them to
remarry.
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About Jharkhand
Chief minister: Hemant Soren Founded: 15 November 2000
Capital:Ranchi Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan
Rajasthan govt to give free seed kits to boost millets production
 The Rajasthan government will distribute free seeds of millets and coarse grains to boost production.
 Free mini kits of maize, pearl millet (bajra), mustard, moong, sorghum (jowar), and moth seeds will be
provided to millions of farmers.
 The initiative starts next financial year, with Rajasthan being a major producer of millets, especially bajra.
 The Rajasthan Millet Promotion Mission was launched with Rs 40 crore to set up 100 primary
processing units.
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About Rajasthan
Founded: 30 March 1949 Governor: Kalraj Mishra Capital: Jaipur
Haryana launches one-time settlement schemes for HSIIDC plot allottees
 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini introduced two one-time settlement schemes under the 'Vivadon
Ka Samadhan' initiative to settle dues and legacy issues for allottees of various types of plots in the
state's industrial model townships and estates managed by the Haryana State Industrial &
Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The schemes aim to provide relief to over 1,000 allottees of industrial plots, recovering more than Rs
150 crore for HSIIDC, and also benefit around 100 allottees of institutional, residential, commercial,
and group housing, with an expected recovery of more than Rs 80 crore.
 As of January 2024, the total default amount stood at Rs 330 crore for enhanced cost and plot cost,
with the HSIIDC offering a waiver of Rs 100 crore as part of the scheme.
 A special concession is being made for allottees of the 'Food Park' in Sonipat's Barhi, allowing them
to change the ownership status of plots from leasehold to freehold.
 The scheme, applicable to all existing allottees of industrial, commercial, institutional, residential,
or group housing plots allotted before January 1, 2021, is effective immediately, with the deadline for
application set for June 30, 2024.
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About Haryana
Chief minister: Nayab Saini Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya Capital: Chandigarh
3rd Edition Of North East Games 2024 Begins In Nagaland
 The 3rd edition of the North East Games 2024 commenced with an opening ceremony at the Regional
Centre for Sporting Excellence, Sovima, Nagaland, on March 18.
 Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio officially opened the Games, highlighting the Northeast's
significant potential in sports and the event's role in fostering sportsmanship and camaraderie among the
region.
 Over 3000 athletes from the eight North Eastern states are participating in 15 different sports
disciplines, with the competitions starting on March 19.
 The events are spread across 12 venues located in three districts: Chumoukedima, Dimapur, and
Kohima, showcasing a wide range of sports and talents.
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About Nagaland
Chief minister: Neiphiu Rio Capital: Kohima Governor: La. Ganesan
GI tag for Majuli masks of Assam
 The traditional Majuli masks and Majuli manuscript painting from Assam have been awarded
Geographical Indication (GI) tags, highlighting their unique cultural significance and origin from Majuli,
the world's largest river island.
 Majuli masks, used in bhaonas (theatrical performances) to depict various characters, are an integral
part of Assam’s neo-Vaishnavite tradition dating back to the 16th century, signifying the artistic heritage
preserved in the island’s sattras (monasteries).
 The art of mask-making in Majuli, concentrated mainly in four of the island's 22 sattras, has evolved
over time under the guidance of traditional practitioners like Hemchandra Goswami, aiming to adapt to
contemporary uses while preserving its traditional roots.
 Majuli manuscript painting, also receiving the GI tag, is a 16th-century art form involving painting on
manuscripts made from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree, with a history of patronage by Ahom kings
and continued practice in Majuli's sattras.
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About Assam
Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma Capital: Dispur Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
World’s First Om Shaped Temple in Rajasthan
 A unique 'Om' shaped temple, known as the 'Om Aakar' temple, is under construction in Pali district
of Rajasthan, set to be the world's first of its kind.
 Spanning 250 acres in Nagara Style architecture, the temple is located in Jadan village.
 The foundation stone was laid in 1995, with the temple expected to be completed by 2023-24.
 It will house 1,008 idols of Lord Mahadev and 12 Jyotirlingas, supported by 2,000 pillars and
containing 108 rooms.
 The complex features the tomb of Guru Madhavanand ji, with a shivling in the sanctum sourced from
Bansi hill of Dholpur.
 The project is led by Vishwa Guru Maha Mandleshwar Paramahansa Swami Maheswara Nanda
Puriji Maharaj, founder of Om Ashram, highlighting the Om mantra's significance in Hinduism as the
Mahamantra.
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About Rajasthan
Founded: 30 March 1949 Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Capital: Jaipur
Rajasthan Celebrates Its 75th Statehood Day
 Rajasthan celebrated its 75th Statehood Day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting the
state's role in contributing to a developed and self-reliant India.
 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor Kalraj Mishra, and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal
extended their congratulations to the people of Rajasthan.
 Various programs are being organized across the state to mark the occasion, including cultural events,
lectures, exhibitions, and more.
 Tourists can enjoy free entry into museums and monuments across Rajasthan today, with a cultural
evening planned at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur featuring folk singing and dances.
 The federal structure of Rajasthan was established on March 30, 1949, integrating princely states such
as Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner in seven phases.
REPORTS AND INDEXES

Hurun list: Mumbai pips Beijing to become Asia's billionaire capital for the first time
 Mumbai overtakes Beijing as Asia's billionaire capital for the first time, with 92 billionaires, ranking third
globally after New York and London.
 Mukesh Ambani leads Indian billionaires with $115 billion, followed by Gautam Adani with $86 billion.
 India sees a surge in billionaires, adding 94 individuals to reach 271 billionaires, the highest since 2013,
reflecting growing confidence in the economy.
 China retains the top spot globally with 814 billionaires, but faces challenges due to struggles in real estate,
renewable energy, and weak stock markets, leading to a decline in billionaire numbers.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
World Happiness Report 2024
 India was ranked 126th out of 143 nations in the World Happiness Report 2024, trailing behind
countries like Pakistan, Libya, Iraq, Palestine, and Niger.
 For the seventh consecutive year, Finland was named the happiest country in the world, with
Afghanistan ranking at the bottom.
 The report highlighted that older age is associated with higher life satisfaction in India, challenging the
notion that this trend is exclusive to high-income nations.
 Older men in India are generally more satisfied with life than older women, but when considering various
factors, older women report higher life satisfaction.
 Older adults in India with secondary or higher education and those from higher social castes
reported higher life satisfaction, contrasting with those without formal education and those from
scheduled castes and tribes.
ILO report says employment scenario in India grim; Supreme Court raises concern over the rich
gagging media, and more
 India's youth make up 83% of the unemployed, with those holding secondary or higher education
increasing from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022, according to the India Employment Report 2024 by
ILO and IHD.
 Youth employment and underemployment rose between 2000 and 2019 but fell during the pandemic,
with educated youths facing higher unemployment levels.
 The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and the
Unemployment Rate (UR) showed deterioration from 2000 to 2018 but improved post-2019 amid
economic distress.
 Despite some improvements in labor market indicators, non-farm sector growth has been insufficient
to absorb workers from agriculture, with 90% of workers in informal employment.
 A significant gender gap exists in the labor market, with low female labor force participation and high
unemployment among young, educated women.
 Social inequalities persist, with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes facing challenges in
accessing better jobs, often engaged in low-paid, casual, and informal work despite educational
advancements.
Learn Along:
About ILO
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Founded: 1919
India TB report 2024
 India's efforts in early tuberculosis (TB) detection and treatment, along with community engagement,
have led to a 16% decrease in incidence and an 18% reduction in mortality since 2015.
 The incidence rate dropped from 237 to 199 per lakh population from 2015 to 2022; similarly, the
mortality rate decreased from 28 to 23 per lakh population within the same period.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 2025 has been set as the target year for eliminating TB in India, as reported by the Union Health
Ministry in the India TB report 2024.
 In 2023, nearly 32% of TB case notifications originated from the private healthcare sector, marking a
17% increase from the previous year.
 The overall notification of TB cases has seen an increase of over 50% annually in the last nine years,
with Uttar Pradesh experiencing the highest jump in notifications (21%) compared to the previous
year.
 Post-COVID-19, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has focused on
accelerating TB elimination, highlighted by conducting approximately 1.89 crore sputum smear tests
under the National Strategic Plan 2017–25.
Food Waste Index Report 2024
 Over one billion meals were wasted daily in 2022, while 783 million people faced hunger and a third
of humanity experienced food insecurity, according to the Food Waste Index Report 2024 by the
UNEP and WRAP.
 In 2022, 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste were generated globally, averaging 132 kilograms per
capita, with 60% occurring at the household level, food services responsible for 28%, and retail for
12%.
 The report emphasizes the need for better data infrastructure to track food waste, highlighting that only
Australia, Japan, the U.K., the U.S., and the European Union have suitable food waste estimates for
monitoring progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.
 Food waste is not just a problem in wealthy countries; average levels of household food waste in high-
income, upper-middle, and lower-middle-income countries differ by only 7 kg per capita. Hotter
countries tend to have higher per capita food waste, possibly due to the consumption of fresh foods and
lack of cold storage.
 Food loss and waste contribute to 8%-10% of global GHG emissions, nearly five times that of the
aviation sector, and cause significant biodiversity loss by using up nearly a third of the world's
agricultural land. The economic impact is estimated at $1 trillion.
 Rural areas generally waste less food than urban areas, often diverting food scraps to pets, livestock,
and home composting. The report calls for governments to integrate food loss and waste reduction
into their Nationally Determined Contributions to raise climate ambition.
Cisco's 2023 Cybersecurity Readiness Index
 Only 4% of firms in India have a ‘mature’ level of readiness to combat modern cybersecurity risks,
according to Cisco's 2023 Cybersecurity Readiness Index.
 Enterprises face attacks ranging from phishing and ransomware to supply chain and social
engineering but struggle to effectively defend against them due to complex security postures and
reliance on multiple-point solutions.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 82% of respondents anticipate a cybersecurity incident could disrupt their business within the next 12 to
24 months.
 99% of companies are preparing to tackle new cyber challenges and plan to increase their
cybersecurity budgets in the coming year.
 The findings are based on a survey of over 8,000 private sector security and business leaders across
30 global markets, including India.
 Samir Kumar Mishra of Cisco India emphasizes the importance of increasing cybersecurity investment
and adopting an integrated platform approach to protect against AI-powered attacks and close the
security readiness gap.
New Delhi Ranked World’s Most Polluted Capital City For 4th Consecutive Year Since 2018
 New Delhi has been ranked as the world’s most polluted capital city for the fourth consecutive year,
from 2018 through 2023, according to the Air Quality Report by IQAir.
 The report indicates a deterioration in Delhi’s PM2.5 levels, which increased from 89.1 micrograms per
cubic meter in 2022 to 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
 Bihar’s Begusarai was identified as the world’s most polluted metropolitan area in the report.
 India was ranked third in terms of the worst air quality globally, following Bangladesh and Pakistan,
with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter.
 Over one billion people in India are exposed to PM2.5 concentrations that exceed the World Health
Organization’s recommended annual guideline level of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Grievance redressal assessment index (GRAI)
 The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ranked among the top 10 ministries in the grievance redressal
assessment index (GRAI) for the year 2023-24, excelling across all 15 specified performance indicators.
 The MHA committed to timely addressing public grievances via the centralized public grievance
redressal and monitoring system (CPGRAMS).
 During the 2023-24 period, the MHA resolved 48,837 public grievances, boasting an average redressal
time of eight days, significantly lower than the standard 30 days.
 The ministry experienced only 10% of grievances leading to appeals, marking one of the lowest appeal
rates among ministries, and achieved a 40% citizen satisfaction rate.
 The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances highlighted the MHA's
performance as a benchmark for other ministries and departments to aspire to.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX 2022
 India improved its HDI ranking to 134 in 2022, up from 135 in 2021, out of 193 countries.
 Sri Lanka and China are ahead of India, ranked at 78 and 75 respectively, in the High Human
Development category.
 India is categorized under Medium Human Development, along with Bhutan (125) and Bangladesh
(129), but ranks above Nepal (146) and Pakistan (164).

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Life expectancy in India increased from 67.2 years in 2021 to 67.7 years in 2022.
 The expected years of schooling rose by 5.88% from 11.9 to 12.6 years, and GNI per capita from $6,542
to $6,951.
 The UNDP report highlights a global trend of increasing inequality and challenges in collective action
on climate change, democracy, and poverty.
Country HDI Rank 2022
Switzerland 1
China 75
Sri Lanka 78
Bhutan 125
Bangladesh 129
India 134
Nepal 146
Pakistan 164
‘India was the top arms importer in 2019-2023’- SIPRI
 According to Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India
was the top arms importer in the world in the period 2019-23, with imports having gone up by 4.7%
compared with the period 2014-18.
 At the same time, arms imports by European countries increased by 94% between 2014-18 and
2019-23, which comes against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
 Although Russia remained India’s main arms supplier [accounting for 36% of its arms imports], this
was the first five-year period since 1960-64 when deliveries from Russia [or the Soviet Union prior
to 1991] made up less than half of India’s arms imports,”.
 Nine of the 10 biggest arms importers in 2019-23, including the top three of India, Saudi Arabia and
Qatar, were in Asia and Oceania or the West Asia.
 Ukraine became the fourth biggest arms importer after it received transfers of major arms in 2022-
23.”
 Imports of Pakistan, the fifth largest arms importer in 2019-23, went up by 43%, with China supplying
as much as 82% of all its arms imports.
India’s FY24 GDP growth could be within striking distance of 8%: SBI Ecowrap
 According to SBI’s economic research department, India’s FY24 GDP growth could be within striking
distance of 8 per cent even as the per capita GDP at current prices crossed ₹2 lakh mark in FY24 for the
first time.
 Defying all estimates, India’s economy grew by 8.4 per cent in Q3 FY24 after exhibiting more than 8 per
cent growth in the preceding two quarters.
 For FY24 GDP growth is expected to increase by 7.6 per cent. It estimates Q4 (January-March) GDP
growth at 5.9 per cent.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Moody’s pegs India’s FY24 growth at 8%
 According to Moody’s Investors Service India’s robust economic growth will continue and its real
GDP growth will accelerate to around 8% in 2023-24 from 7% in 2022-23.
 Government capital expenditure and strong domestic consumption will underpin India’s economic
growth.
 The global rating major’s growth estimate for this year is higher than the 7.6% uptick projected by the
National Statistical Office (NSO) in its second advance national income estimates released on February
29.
 According to Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, real GDP growth is likely to be closer
to 8% as NSO’s current estimate of 5.9% GDP growth for Q4 of FY24 is likely to be overshot.
Bhupender Yadav releases report on Status of Leopards in India
 Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav released the report
on Status of Leopards in India, on 29th February, 2024 at New Delhi.
 The fifth cycle leopard population estimation was carried out by the National Tiger Conservation
Authority and Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with State Forest Departments, as part of the
quadrennial “Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, prey and their habitat” exercise in tiger range States.
Key Findings:
 India's leopard population is estimated

at 13,874 (Range: 12,616 – 15,132)
individuals, representing stable
population in comparison to the similar
area being sampled in 2018 with 12852
(12,172-13,535) individuals.
 This estimate represent population of
70% of leopard habitat, the Himalayas
and semi arid parts of country which are
not tiger habitat were not sampled.
 Central India shows a stable or slightly
growing population of leopards (2018:
8071, 2022: 8820), Shivalik hills and
Gangetic plains experienced decline
(2018: 1253, 2022: 1109).
 In Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains,
there is a -3.4% decline per annum,
while the largest growth rate was in
Central India and Eastern Ghats of 1.5%.
 Madhya Pradesh houses the largest
population of leopards in the country
– 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879 ; 2018: 1,783) and Tamil Nadu (2022:
1,070; 2018: 868). Tiger Reserves or sites with highest leopard population are, Nagarajunasagar Srisailam
(Andhra Pradesh), followed by Panna (Madhya Pradesh), and Satpura (Madhya Pradesh).
 The fifth cycle of leopard population estimation (2022) in India focused on forested habitats within 18
tiger states, covering four major tiger conservation landscapes. Non-forested habitats, arid, and high
Himalayas above 2000 msl (~ 30% area) were not sampled for leopard. This cycle conducted a foot survey
spanning 6,41,449 km to estimate carnivore signs and prey abundance. Camera traps were strategically
placed at 32,803 locations, resulting in a total of 4,70,81,881 photographs, resulting in 85,488 photo-
captures of leopard.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Google unveils Genie AI which can create video games from text and image prompt
 Google's DeepMind team has unveiled "Genie" - a groundbreaking AI model poised to revolutionise
the gaming industry and creative endeavours alike.
 Genie introduced as an innovative platform capable of crafting interactive 2D video games from a
single image prompt or text description, marks a significant leap forward in the realm of artificial
intelligence.
 Developed by Google DeepMind's Open-Endedness Team, this pioneering project signifies a fusion of
cutting-edge technology and imaginative potential.
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About Google
Founded: 4 September 1998 Headquarters: California, U.S. CEO: Sundar Pichai
MoSPI Signs MoU with ISRO on Urban Frame Survey using Bhuvan
 The NSSO (FOD) under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has entered into
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to facilitate Urban Frame Survey (UFS) in a digital mode
using the state-of-the-art Geo ICT tools and techniques using Bhuvan Platform.
 UFS is conducted in five-year phases to prepare and maintain a frame of compact urban geographical
units, which serve as sampling frame in urban sector, mainly for NSSO large scale Socio-Economic
Surveys.
 The UFS in digital form was carried out for the first time during Phase 2017-22 using Bhuvan platform
covering more than 5300 towns.
 In the current phase (2022 – 2027), survey works of around 8134 towns are planned with improved
and robust versions of Mobile, Desktop and Web Based GIS solutions built on Bhuvan Platform.
 This collaboration is aimed at transformation of UFS from analogue to digital mode and helps
MoSPI to achieve the targets of updating Urban Frame regularly in a timely manner.
Learn Along:
About ISRO
Headquarters: Bengaluru Chairman: Sreedhara Somanath Founded: 15 August 1969

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
ZSI names a newly discovered sea slug after President Murmu
 The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has named a new

marine species of head-shield sea slug with ruby red
spot which was discovered from West Bengal and
Odisha coast after President of India Droupadi Murmu.
 This species belonging to Melanochlamys genus was
discovered from Digha of West Bengal coast and
Udaipur of Odisha coast.
 The new species of head-shield sea slug, which is found
nowhere else in the world, has been named
Melanochlamys droupadi.
 Species of the genus Melanochlamys are characterised morphologically by a short, blunt and
cylindrical body and a smooth dorsal surface with two dorsal equal or unequal shields, named the
anterior cephalic and posterior shield.
Google partners with Shakti to battle misinformation ahead of general elections
 Google has announced a partnership to combat misinformation. The tech giant has partnered with
Shakti, an Indian fact-checking collective, to help detect online misinformation, including deepfakes.
 Shakti comprises of major Indian news outlets along with independent fact-checkers.
 It aims to create a common repository that news publishers can use to tackle the challenges of
misinformation at scale.
 Shakti will be driven by DataLEADS, in collaboration with the Misinformation Combat Alliance, The
Quint, VishvasNews, Boom, Factly, and Newschecker, with support from the Google News Initiative.
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About Google
India’s 1st dolphin research centre inaugurated in Patna, will help in study of Gangetic Dolphins
 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated India’s first-ever dolphin research centre in Patna.
 Built at a cost of Rs 30 crore, the National Dolphin Research Center (NDRC) stands on the banks of the
Ganges inside the Patna University campus and will help students and researchers understand the
behaviour of freshwater dolphins, particularly of those found in the Ganges.
 NDRC was scheduled to be inaugurated in December last year but due to delays in completion of
work, it was postponed.
Learn Along:
 The foundation stone of this institute was laid by Nitish Kumar in the year 2020.
 The NDRC project was approved in 2013 by then Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh
Ahluwalia on the request of Professor R.K. Sinha — also known as the Dolphin Man of India — who was the
Professor of Zoology at Patna University at the time (he is currently the vice-chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
University).
India's fastest and indigenously designed IP/MPLS router launched

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 India's fastest and indigenously designed IP/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) router was
launched in Bengaluru by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and
Information Technology.
 MPLS is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the
next, based on labels rather than network addresses.
Google collaborates with ECI to enable voters to discover critical voting information
 Google has partnered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide authoritative information
on voting processes for the upcoming general elections via Google Search and YouTube videos.
 Additionally, Google has, in separate initiatives, taken new measures to combat misinformation and
help people navigate AI content in the upcoming election season.
 The new measures, ahead of the 2024 general elections, include tech giant’s move to support Shakti,
India Election Fact-Checking Collective, a consortium of news publishers and fact-checkers in India.
 Both Google and Shakti (a pan-India network) will work together to aid in the detection of online
misinformation, including deepfakes, and to create a common repository that news publishers can
use to tackle the challenges of misinformation at scale.
 The Shakti project will also provide news organisations and fact-checkers with essential training in
advanced fact-checking methodologies, deepfake detection, and the latest Google tools like the Fact
Check Explorer to streamline verification processes, according to the latest blogpost.
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About Google
ISRO achieves another milestone, successfully lands Pushpak reusable launch vehicle
 ISRO achieved a significant milestone in reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology with the
successful RLV LEX-02 landing experiment conducted at Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga,
Karnataka.
 The RLV-LEX-02, the second in a series of experiments, demonstrated autonomous landing capability
from off-nominal initial conditions after release from a helicopter.
 The vehicle, named Pushpak, was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and released from
4.5 km altitude, autonomously landing on the runway with precise cross-range corrections.
 The RLV-LEX-02 reused the winged body and all flight systems from the previous RLV-LEX-01
mission, demonstrating the reuse capability of flight hardware and systems.
 The mission was a collaborative effort by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Liquid Propulsion
System Centre (LPSC), and the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU).
Learn Along:
About ISRO
Headquarters: Bengaluru Chairman: Sreedhara Somanath Founded: 15 August 1969
Tamil Nadu start-up to launch its first rocket

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Tamil Nadu-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited is set to launch its first rocket,
Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), from Satish Dhawan Space Centre,
Sriharikota, on March 22.
 This launch marks several firsts: India’s first launch from a private launchpad, the first semi-cryogenic
engine powered rocket launch in India, and the world’s first rocket with a single piece 3D printed
engine designed and built indigenously.
 Agnikul Cosmos was founded in 2017 and became the first company to sign an agreement with ISRO
under the IN-SPACe initiative in December 2020, allowing it access to ISRO's expertise and facilities.
 The Agnibaan SOrTeD launch is notable for being India’s first liquid oxygen-kerosene rocket flight
from a privately developed launchpad, featuring the world's most integrated single piece 3D printed
rocket engine.
 The launch is a significant step towards India's future in space exploration, demonstrating
advanced technologies like a full stack of closed loop feedback guidance, control with a gimballed thrust
vector control, and preparation for an orbital flight as the next step.
Learn Along:
About Tamil Nadu
Chief minister: M. K. Stalin Founded: 1773 Governor: R. N. Ravi Capital: Chennai
DEFENCE
INDIAN NAVY'S ONGOING MARITIME SECURITY OPERATIONS (‘OP SANKALP’) 14 DEC 23 TO 23
MAR 24
 Indian Navy responded to the Israel – Hamas conflict in the maritime domain by enhancing ongoing
maritime security operations since mid-Dec 23.
 Completion of 100 days of Op Sankalp today (23 Mar 2024) marks significant actions against the
hijacking of MV Ruen and response to 18 incidents.
 Over 5000 personnel deployed, 450+ ship days, 21+ ships, and 900+ hours of flying in maritime
surveillance aircraft to address threats.
 Indian Navy's efforts resulted in saving over 110 lives, escorting 15 lakh tons of critical commodities,
seizing over 3000 kgs of narcotics, and assuring presence to over 450 MVs.
 Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) played a crucial role in enabling
information exchange, highlighting synergy with IAF and national agencies.
INDIA – MOZAMBIQUE –TANZANIA TRILATERAL (IMT TRILAT 24) EXERCISE CONCLUDES AT

NACALA, MOZAMBIQUE
 The second edition of the India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT 24)
concluded in Nacala, Mozambique on 28 Mar 24.
 The exercise highlighted the importance of maritime cooperation and interoperability between the
navies of India, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

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 INS Tir and Sujata participated from 21 - 28 Mar 24, engaging in joint exercises, training sessions, and
collaborative activities to exchange knowledge and enhance maritime security in the region.
 IMT TRILAT 24 was conducted in two phases:
 The harbour phase (21 - 24 Mar 24) included training on Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS),
Damage Control, Firefighting Drills, communication procedures, and medical lectures.
 The sea phase started on 24 Mar 24, involving joint operations and training with Mozambique's Namatili
and Tanzania's Fatundu, focusing on VBSS exercises, night manoeuvres, and joint EEZ surveillance.
 The closing ceremony underscored the successful collaboration and commitment to maritime
security and regional stability, highlighting India's role as a preferred security partner.
 Additional activities included official and training exchanges, cross deck visits, sports fixtures, and
yoga, along with outreach activities at Mizzizini orphanage center at Zanzibar and Obra Dom Orio
Reception Centre at Maputo, aiming to foster bonds of friendship.
EX TIGER TRIUMPH – 24
 Tiger Triumph – 24, a bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise
between India and the US, is scheduled from March 18 to 31, 2024, on the Eastern Seaboard.
 The Indian contingent will include Navy ships with helicopters and landing crafts, Navy aircraft, Army
personnel and vehicles, Air Force aircraft and helicopters, along with the Rapid Action Medical Team
(RAMT).
 The US participation involves Navy ships with US Marine Corps troops embarked, and US Army
representatives, focusing on enhancing interoperability for HADR operations and refining Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) for effective coordination.
 The exercise has a Harbour Phase from March 18 to 25, 2024, featuring Training Visits, Subject Matter
Expert Exchanges, Sports Events, and Social interactions between personnel from both navies.
 Following the Harbour Phase, ships with troops embarked will proceed to the Sea Phase to conduct
Maritime, Amphibious, and HADR operations based on simulated scenarios, aimed at practicing rapid
and seamless coordination between the forces of both countries.
“EXERCISE LAMITIYE – 2024”
 An Indian Army contingent departed for Seychelles to participate in the Tenth edition of the Joint
Military Exercise “LAMITIYE-2024” with the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), scheduled from 18-27
March 2024.
 "LAMITIYE" signifies "Friendship" in Creole and has been a biennial event since 2001.
 The exercise will see the participation of 45 personnel from both the GORKHA RIFLES of the Indian
Army and the Seychelles Defence Forces, focusing on enhancing interoperability in Sub-conventional
Operations in Semi-Urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on Peace
Keeping Operations.
 The aim is to boost cooperation and interoperability between the two forces during Peace Keeping
Operations, building on bilateral military relations, and exchanging skills, experiences, and best practices.
 The 10-day joint exercise will encompass Field Training Exercises, combat discussions, lectures,
demonstrations, and a culminating two-day Validation Exercise, with a focus on neutralizing threats in
Semi-Urban environments using new-generation equipment and technology.

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March 2024
TRILATERAL EXERCISE IMT TRILAT- 2024
 INS Tir and INS Sujata are set to participate in the second edition of the India Mozambique Tanzania
(IMT) Tri Lateral (TRILAT) Exercise from 21-29 Mar 24, following the first edition in Oct 22 involving INS
Tarkash.
 The exercise is divided into two phases: the harbour phase in Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Maputo
(Mozambique) from 21-24 Mar 24 involves joint training like Damage Control and Fire Fighting, while
the sea phase from 24-27 Mar 24 focuses on countering asymmetric threats and joint EEZ
surveillance.
 The sea phase will cover practical training in Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures, boat
handling, and firing exercises, concluding with a joint debrief in Nacala (Mozambique).
 During the harbour phase, Indian Naval ships will be open to visitors, engage in sports and cultural
exchanges, and conduct training visits for the 106 Integrated Officers Training Course sea trainees.
Indian Army raises its first Apache attack helicopter squadron near Pakistan front
 The Indian Army inaugurated its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in Jodhpur, enhancing
capabilities near the Pakistan border.
 The Apache helicopters, known as 'tanks in the air', will don desert camouflage and are expected to join
the fleet by May.
 These helicopters will initially land at the IAF's Hindon Air Force Station before deployment in Jodhpur.
 The Army Aviation Corps, already operating Dhruv and Chetak helicopters, had previously inducted
the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand in Assam.
 The Indian Air Force operates 22 Apache helicopters, stationed on both the eastern and western fronts.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN INDIAN NAVY AND IIT KHARAGPUR
 Indian Navy and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) today at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, symbolising their commitment to promote technology
development, innovative solutions and joint R&D.
 The strategic collaboration focuses on joint research and development initiatives involving teams from
Indian Navy and IIT Kharagpur.
 The MoU will be co-ordinated by INS Shivaji, Lonavala.
 This alignment signifies a move towards a symbolic relationship between the Academia and the
Military, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and knowledge exchange.
DRDO successfully conducts Mission Divyastra
 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted first successful flight test of
indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (
MIRV) technology.
 The flight test named Mission Divyastra was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
Learn Along:
About DRDO
Formed: 1958 Chairman: Dr Samir V Kamat Headquarters: New Delhi

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March 2024
Andaman & Nicobar Command carries out maiden all-women maritime surveillance mission
 A maiden all-women maritime surveillance mission was undertaken by the Andaman & Nicobar
Command on the 40th anniversary of INAS 318 and International Women’s Day on March 08, 2024.
 The crew based at INS Utkrosh comprised Lt Cdr Shubhangi Swaroop, Lt Cdr Divya Sharma and Lt
Vaishali Mishra.
 The occasion highlighted the crucial role played by women combatants in all the walks of the Naval
Air Arm, which included pre-flight briefing, meteorological briefing, medical check-up and Air Traffic Control
(ATC) briefing, all of which were conducted by women officers.
 INAS 318 is the elite Naval Air squadron in the Andaman & Nicobar Command, continuously engaged
in surveillance role since its commissioning on March 08, 1984.
 The squadron commenced its journey with the induction of Islander aircraft which were replaced by
Dornier aircraft in 1999.
 The Dornier aircraft is capable of carrying out long range maritime surveillance using state-of-the-art
Maritime Patrol Radars.
FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON PARTICIPATES IN CUTLASS EXPRESS 24
 INS Tir, the lead ship of First Training Squadron (1TS) participated in Exercise Cutlass Express - 24
(CE – 24) held at Port Victoria, Seychelles from 26 Feb – 08 Mar 24.
 The exercise was inaugurated by the President of Seychelles in attendance of dignitaries from India,
USA and African countries.
 During the sea phase, the ship's VBSS team boarded Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) ship LE Vigilant
and demonstrated procedures of boarding operations.
 Earlier INS Tir undertook joint EEZ surveillance with Seychelles Coast Guard from 01 – 03 Mar 24.
1st Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024
 The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024 commenced on March 05, 2024.
 The inaugural session of the three-day event saw Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh embarking at sea
to witness the Indian Navy’s ability to conduct ‘twin-carrier operations’.
 Both aircraft carriers showcased the growing capabilities of the Navy to safeguard India’s maritime
interests.
 The Naval Commanders’ Conference, this time around, is being held in a hybrid format.
 It serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to deliberate on strategic, operational, and
administrative matters concerning maritime security.
Meet Suman Kumari, Woman From Himachal To Become The First Mahila Sniper In BSF
 Sub-inspector Suman Kumari made history by joining the Border Security Force (BSF) as its first
female sniper.
 She received "instructor grade" at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore,
where she had completed an eight-week sniper training.
Learn Along:

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March 2024
About BSF
Founded: 1 December 1965 Headquarters: New Delhi Director General: Nitin Agarwal
DRDO successfully flight tests Very Short Range Air Defence System
 DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)
missile on 28th & 29th Feb 2024 from a ground based portable launcher off the coast of Odisha from
Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
 These tests were carried out against high speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception
scenarios.
 During all the test flights, the targets were intercepted and destroyed by the missiles, meeting the
mission objectives.
 VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously
by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry
Partners.
 The missile is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor and meant for neutralizing low altitude aerial
threats at short ranges.
Learn Along:
About DRDO
Formed: 1958 Chairman: Dr Samir V Kamat Headquarters: New Delhi
INDIAN NAVY TO ENHANCE ITS OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY WITH COMMISSIONING OF INS

JATAYU AT MINICOY ISLAND (LAKSHADWEEP)
 Indian Navy will commission Naval Detachment Minicoy as INS Jatayu on 06 Mar 2024.
 Naval Detachment Minicoy was set up in early 1980s under the operational command of Naval Officer-
in-Charge (Lakshadweep).
 Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep which straddles the vital Sea Lines of
Communications (SLOCs).
 INS Jatayu is the second Naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.
 With the commissioning of INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy will strengthen its foothold in the
Lakshadweep islands and along with extending operational surveillance, reach and sustenance, it will
usher in a new era of capacity building and comprehensive development of the island territories.
INDIA - MALAYSIA BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE SAMUDRA LAKSAMANA
 Exercise Samudra Laksamana is underway from 28 Feb - 02 Mar 24 at/ off Visakhapatnam.
 Indian Naval Ship Kiltan and Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir are participating in the 3rd edition of
this exercise which has harbour professional interactions followed by the operational phase at sea.
 The exercise aims to strengthen bonds and enhance interoperability between the Indian and Royal
Malaysian Navy.
US Coast Guard Ship Bertholf visits Port Blair for the joint exercise “Sea Defenders-2024” with Indian
Coast Guard

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March 2024
 Marking a significant step in bolstering bilateral cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and
the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the USCG Ship Bertholf reached Port Blair on 07 Mar 2024,
for joint exercise with Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
 Codenamed “Sea Defenders-2024”, the joint exercise is scheduled to take place on 09-10 Mar 2024 off
the coast of Port Blair.
 The exercise will simulate scenarios relevant to maritime piracy and asymmetric threats, including
simulated drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic, joint maritime search and rescue operations,
major firefighting, marine pollution response, and counter-drug interdiction exercises.
 Additionally, a simulated medical evacuation will be conducted to enhance readiness in emergency
situations.
 This exercise underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing maritime
challenges.
EVENTS
Sahitya Akademi's annual Festival of Letters to be held from 11th to 16th March 2024
 Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters, India, is completing 70 years this year and to
commemorate this occasion, the 'Sahityotsav' celebrated every year by the Akademi is being celebrated
this time as the world's largest literary festival from 11th to 16th March 2024.
 More than 1100 renowned writers and scholars are participating in more than 190 sessions, and more
than 175 languages of the country will also be represented in it.
 The Festival of Letters, organized in more than 190 sessions, will begin with the exhibition of the
major activities of the Akademi throughout the previous year.
 The prestigious Samvatsar lecture will be delivered by renowned Urdu writer and lyricist Gulzar on
March 13 at the Meghdoot open theatre.
Dr. V.K Paul, Member NITI Aayog launches National Birth Defect Awareness Month 2024
 Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is an aspirational scheme which covers half of India’s health and
that can be instrumental in child health too along with existing Rashtriya Bal Swashtya Karyakram.
 Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog launched the National Birth Defect Awareness Month 2024.
 The theme of this National Birth Defect Awareness Month 2024 is “Breaking Barriers: inclusive support
for children with birth defects”.
Secretary, Earth Sciences co-chairs the 1st ‘Blue Talks’ meeting on Ocean Health and Governance
 The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), hosted the 1st ‘Blue Talks’ meeting in New Delhi.
 The meeting was co-partnered by the Embassy of France and Embassy of Costa Rica in India.
 The meeting was jointly co-chaired by the Secretary, MoES Dr. M. Ravichandran, along with the
Ambassador of France to India, Mr. Thierry Mathou, and Costa Rica Chargée d'affaires, Ms. Sofia
Salas Monge.
 The core aim of the 1st Blue Talks meeting were to:
i) to exchange good practices and successful experiences on topics related to the governance and
health of the ocean,

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March 2024
ii) to seek recommendations and inputs from various stakeholders, both governmental and non-
governmental
iii) to reflect and to feed into the preparation of UNOC3 and
iv) to seek specific implementation actions in order to address the concerns over the ocean’s health.
 MoES, India has been recognized as a lead partner for the upcoming Ocean Conference in Nice, in
2025.
 India looks forward to a close cooperation with France and Costa Rica to prepare for this important
global event.
Launch of the Social Defence Fellowship
 National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), a part of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, in
collaboration with The/Nudge Institute - a Bangalore-based non-profit organization has launched a public-
private partnership known as ‘Social Defence Fellowship’, which aims to synergize the expertise of
senior private sector professionals with the vision and foresight of senior civil servants, toward
empowering marginalized communities.
 Five Social Defence Fellows were selected from a pool of 840+ applications from across the country
and went through a rigorous selection process.
 Over the span of 18-months, Fellows will work as part of the government system full-time, offering
strategic and implementation support by identifying challenges and opportunities and design their final
project charters.
 The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment the nodal Ministry for the welfare of the marginalized
and vulnerable sections of society.
 Each Fellow will collaborate with senior officials on priority areas including fostering
entrepreneurship and innovation within marginalized communities, enhancing access of specified
groups to welfare schemes and services, and promoting education empowerment initiatives.
NITI Aayog spearheads ‘National Conference to Accelerate Sustainable Development Goals’ in

partnership with Government of Rajasthan, UNDP and UN
 NITI Aayog organised the ‘National Conference on Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals’
in partnership with the host Government of Rajasthan and technical partners UNDP and UN in India
on 4th and 5th March, 2024 in Jaipur.
 The two-day conference brought together senior government officials from 31 States and Union
Territories and Government of India.
 The objectives of the conference were to encourage States and UTs to take stock of Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) localisation, exchange experiences on institutionalising the SDGs at the
subnational level, explore the SDG finance landscape at the national and subnational level and
charting a path for accelerating progress at the mid-point of the 2030 SDG agenda.
 This conference exemplifies NITI’s role as a platform for sharing the learnings and good practices
on SDGs from across the country.
 Three knowledge portals, UNDP ‘SDG Knowledge hub’, ‘Food and Nutrition Security Analysis
Dashboard’ of Government of Rajasthan, ‘SDG -2 (Zero Hunger) Dashboard’ of Government of

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March 2024
Rajasthan were inaugurated by Bhajanlal Sharma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Rajasthan in the presence of
Shri Suman Bery, Hon’ble Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog and Dr. V.K. Paul, Hon’ble, Member, NITI Aayog.
 The UNDP SDG Knowledge hub is a one-stop portal which brings together good practices, SDG
indicator frameworks, SDG linked budgets, among other knowledge products produced by States and
UTs.
Learn Along:
About Rajasthan
Founded: 30 March 1949 Governor: Kalraj Mishra Capital:
Jaipur
About UNDP
Founded: 22 November 1965, United States Headquarters: New York, United States
Poshan Pakhwada 2024 to be organized from 9th to 23rd March
 Poshan Pakhwada 2024 is going to be organized from 9th March till 23rd March, 2024.
 The focus of mass sensitization and community activities would be around the following main
themes:
1. Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB)- towards better Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)
2. Tribal, Traditional, Regional & Local dietary practices focused on sensitization around nutrition
3. Health of pregnant women & Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices
 In addition to the above themes, States/ UTs and partner Ministries/ Departments may also organize
additional sensitization activities around other important areas namely-
 Improving nutrition through Mission LiFE (with activities around Water Conservation through Rainwater
Harvesting(RWH) at AWCs), Adopting Sustainable Food Systems by promoting Millet & Poshan Vatikas,
and Adopting Healthy Lifestyles through Ayush practices; Focused activities around Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene (WaSH) and Diarrhea management; Test, Treat, Talk Anemia; Swasth Balak Spardha(SBS)
to promote regular growth measurement of enrolled children at AWCs and a variety of other general
sensitization activities that States/ UTs and partner Ministries/ Departments have been conducting since
the inception of Poshan Abhiyaan.
 In the last Poshan Pakhwada held in March-April 2023, more than 4 crore sensitization activities were
reported which focused around themes of promotion and popularization of Shree Anna / Millets for
nutritional wellbeing, celebration of Swasth Balak Spardha (SBS), and popularizing Saksham
Anganwadis.
 One of the key objectives of Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0 is to achieve nutrition
linked behavioral change at individual and community levels through Jan Bhagidari.
PM launches Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal
 The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a nationwide initiative aimed at offering
credit support to the marginalized segments of society.
 During the event, PM unveiled the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan'
(PM-SURAJ) national portal online which symbolized the ministry’s dedication in placing the

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March 2024
underprivileged at the forefront, towards uplifting the most marginalized sections of society, and
supported credit assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs hailing from disadvantaged communities.
NITI Aayog Launches ‘Vocal for Local' Initiative Fostering Grassroots Entrepreneurship and Self-
reliance
 In a move towards bolstering local economies and fostering grassroots entrepreneurship, NITI Aayog
launched the 'Vocal for Local' initiative under its Aspirational Blocks Programme on 13th March, 2024
in the presence of Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog and other dignitaries from various states
and blocks.
 This initiative aims to encourage a spirit of self-reliance among the populace of Aspirational Blocks,
propelling them towards sustainable growth and prosperity.
 The logo for ‘Aakanksha’ was also unveiled under the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative.
 As a part of this initiative, indigenous local products from 500 Aspirational Blocks have been mapped
and consolidated under Aakanksha.
4th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Startup Forum organized in New Delhi
 The 4th edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum was held on 19th
March 2024 in New Delhi, aiming to enhance startup interactions, innovation, and job creation among
SCO Member States.
 The event featured a showcase of over 15 SCO startups and a workshop by Startup India on
establishing seed funds to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
 A Special Working Group for Startups and Innovation (SWG) was agreed upon by all Member States
in 2022 to boost collaboration and regional economic development within the SCO, with India taking a
lead role.
 India plans to host the second meeting of the SWG in November 2024 and the SCO Startup Forum
5.0 in January 2025, continuing its efforts to empower the startup ecosystems in SCO Member States.
Learn Along:
About SCO
Headquarters: Beijing, China Founded: 15 June 2001
Membership: China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia,Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
India, Brazil hold first ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogue
 India and Brazil conducted their first '2+2' defence and foreign ministerial dialogue to explore
expansion in cooperation across various sectors including energy, critical minerals, technology, and
counter-terrorism.
 The dialogue, held in Delhi, covered a wide range of topics such as defense, space, energy, critical
minerals, technology, counter-terrorism, and other mutual interests.
 The Indian delegation was co-chaired by additional secretary in the external affairs ministry G V
Srinivas and joint secretary in the defence ministry Vishwesh Negi.
 The Brazilian team was led by Marcelo Camara, Director at the Brazilian foreign ministry, and Rear
Admiral Fernando de Luca Marques de Oliviera.
Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi

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March 2024
 The Startup Mahakumbh, a major event spotlighting India's startup ecosystem, commences in New
Delhi, continuing until the 20th March at Bharat Mandapam, featuring sector-focused pavilions on AI,
B2B, agritech, deeptech, climate tech, gaming, esports, fintech, incubators, and accelerators.
 Aimed at connecting startups with venture capitalists, investors, and potential corporate partners,
the event seeks to enhance visibility and networking opportunities for emerging businesses.
 This is the first event of its kind organized on such a large scale in the national capital, underlining
India's position as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally.
 The event is expected to draw participation from more than two thousand startups, thirty thousand
future entrepreneurs, fifty thousand business visitors, thousands of investors, over five hundred
incubators, and delegations from ten countries, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi anticipated to attend.
METOC SEMINAR 'MEGHAYAN 2024' - AN INSIGHT INTO THE FRONTLINE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
 World Meteorological Day is celebrated annually on 23rd March, marking the formation of the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 23 Mar 1950.
 The day highlights the critical role of meteorologists and their contributions to the field.
 METOC (Meteorological and Oceanographic) seminar 'Meghayan-24' was hosted by the School of
Naval Oceanology & Meteorology (SNOM) and Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre
(INMAC) at Southern Naval Command on 28 Mar 24.
 The 2024 theme for World Meteorological Day is 'At the Frontline of Climate Action'.
 Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate
change and the goal of 'Achieving a Climate Smart Society' under the WMO's framework.
 He acknowledged the Indian Navy's efforts towards sustainable policies and integrating climate
considerations into security strategies.
 Dr. TVS Uday Bhaskar and Dr. Ragavendra Ashit presented on innovative techniques and climate
data analysis for national policy decision-making.
 Discussions on the impact of weather and climate change on Naval operations were conducted,
showcasing the latest METOC techniques and forecasts used by the Indian Navy and scientific
organizations.
 Launch of INDRA (Indian Naval Dynamic Resource for Weather Analysis) app by BISAG for efficient
weather-related decision-making.
 The seminar facilitated knowledge sharing on weather and climate services and strategies to combat
climate change challenges.
2024 Summit for Democracy
 The third Summit for Democracy, initiated by U.S. President Joe Biden in 2021, started on March
18, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, marking its first occurrence outside the U.S. to promote democracy
globally.
 The summit faced public protests in Seoul, criticizing it for promoting American exceptionalism and
double standards, reflecting skepticism towards its agenda.

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 The U.S. delegation was led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with a notable absence of other
U.S. officials, amid domestic pressures and the summit's unpopularity in an election year.
 South Korea's choice as the host aimed to boost its international stance and support the pro-American
government of President Yoon Suk-yeol, despite facing economic and social challenges.
 Chinese analysts dismissed the summit as a failure of America's soft power, questioning its future impact
and continuity under potential new U.S. administration changes.
Climate Finance Road to COP29
 The UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, established a
Loss and Damage Fund for climate disaster recovery in developing nations.
 COP 28 in Dubai focused on transitioning from fossil fuels and pledged to triple renewable energy
capacity by 2030.
 COP 29 in Baku will focus on finance, particularly the New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG), a
new annual financial target that developed countries must meet from 2025 to aid climate finance in
developing countries.
 The NCQG is set to replace the 2009 commitment of USD 100 billion per year, which was not fully
delivered, aiming for a higher collective amount for mitigation and adaptation efforts in poorer nations.
 Global climate action requires significantly more financing than currently pledged, with developing
countries needing about USD 6 trillion annually until 2030, while transitioning to a low-carbon economy
could require USD 4-6 trillion annually until 2050.
 India has suggested the NCQG be at least USD 1 trillion per year, though developed countries'
commitment to such an amount remains uncertain.
 Challenges in climate finance include insufficient funds, lack of ambition from developed countries,
transparency and accountability issues, and the need for equity, justice, and mobilizing private
finance.
 Capacity building and technology transfer, along with managing debt burdens and considering the
economic impacts of a global slowdown, are crucial for effectively implementing climate action.
AWARDS AND REWARDS
Event Key Details
 - Presented By: President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

 Recipients: Former PMs Chaudhary Charan Singh, P V Narasimha Rao,
Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, Scientist M. S. Swaminathan, and L K
Advani.
Bharat Ratna  About: Highest civilian award in India, instituted in 1954, recognizing
Awards Presentation exceptional service without monetary grant.
 - Winner: French mathematician Michael Talagrand.
 For: Contributions to probability theory and functional analysis.
Abel Prize 2024  Prize: 9 million Norwegian kroner.

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March 2024
Event Key Details
 About: Annual award mirroring the Nobel Prizes, focusing on mathematics.

 - Launched By: World Inequality Lab (WIL) and Sciences Po’s CRIS.
Global Inequality  Winners: Bina Agarwal and James K. Boyce for work on social and
Research Award
environmental inequalities.
(GiRA) 2024
 About: Recognizes contributions to understanding global inequalities.
Aviation Week  - Recipient: Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
Laureates Award for  Achievements: Successful lunar South Pole landing, water detection.
Chandrayaan-3
 About: Recognizes Isro's contributions to global space exploration.
 - Recipient: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 Presented By: King of Bhutan during the 114th National Day.
Order of the Druk  About: Bhutan's highest civilian award, acknowledging Modi's efforts in
Gyalpo Award enhancing India-Bhutan relations.
 - Event: 128 players participated, setting a new record.
Guinness World  Location: Tau Devi Lal Indoor Stadium, Panchkula, Haryana.
Record in Kabaddi  About: Surpassed previous record of 84 players, promoting Kabaddi globally.
 - Recipient: Vijay Jain, Managing Director of Star Estate.
 Acknowledges: Leadership and achievements in the real estate sector.
Times Power Icon  About: Award by The Times Group, reflecting the commitment and excellence
2024 Award
of Star Estate.
Event/Award Recipient(s) Key Details

Armed Forces Received from CDS General Anil Chauhan for outstanding
Medical College Unit services (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). Ranked among top
Citation AFMC, Pune three medical colleges in India.
For Malayalam poetry work, Roudra Sathwikam. Recognizes
Saraswati Samman Poet Prabha exceptional contribution to Indian literature, carrying a citation,
2023 Varma plaque, and ₹15 lakh.
For contributions in low-cost electric solutions and mental
Uday Bhatia and health campaigning. Recognizes exceptional humanitarian
Diana Legacy Award Manasi Gupta work or social action.
Sangita Kalanidhi Vocalist T.M. For excellence and contribution to Carnatic music. Awarded
Award Krishna by the Music Academy for 2024.
For significant philanthropic contributions in healthcare,
PV Narasimha Rao education, rural development, and environmental
Memorial Award Ratan Tata sustainability.
Chameli Devi Jain Greeshma Kuthar For outstanding journalism. Recognizes investigative reporting
Award 2024 and Ritika Chopra and coverage of government policy and education.
2023 confirmed as the hottest year on record by the World
‘Hottest Year’ on Meteorological Organisation, with an average near-surface
Record 2023 temperature increase of 1.45 degrees Celsius.

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March 2024
Event/Award Recipient(s) Key Details

CERAWeek For securing the historic UAE Consensus towards a
Leadership Award by sustainable energy future. Advocates for smart policies to
S&P Global Dr. Sultan Al Jaber commercialize clean technologies.
Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer dominates 2024 Oscars
 The 96th Academy Awards, known as the 2024 Oscars, took place in Los Angeles, with Christopher
Nolan's biographical thriller "Oppenheimer" emerging as the big winner, securing victories in seven
categories.
 Oppenheimer which received 13 nominations, clinched the top honours, including Best Picture and
Best Director for Nolan, marking his first-ever directing award.
Category Winner
Best Picture "Oppenheimer" - Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, and Christopher Nolan
Best Director Christopher Nolan - "Oppenheimer"
Best Actor Cillian Murphy - "Oppenheimer"
Best Actress Emma Stone - "Poor Things"
Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr - "Oppenheimer"
Best Supporting Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph - "The Holdovers"

Best Adapted Screenplay American Fiction
Best Original Screenplay Anatomy of a Fall
Best Original Song "What Was I Made For?" - Barbie (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell)
Best Original Score "Oppenheimer"
Best International Feature "The Zone of Interest"
Best Animated Feature "The Boy and the Heron"
Best Documentary Feature "20 Days in Mariupol"
Best Film Editing "Oppenheimer"
Best Cinematography "Oppenheimer"
Best Documentary Short "The Last Repair Shop"
Sunil Bharti Mittal becomes first Indian citizen to be conferred an honorary Knighthood by Britain's
King
 Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal has become the first Indian citizen to
receive an Honorary Knighthood from United Kingdom's King Charles III.
 The award grants Sunil Bharti Mittal the title of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of
the British Empire, recognising his contributions to fostering stronger business ties between India and
the UK.

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March 2024
 An honorary Knighthood is one of the highest honours granted by the British Sovereign to civilians,
conferred upon foreign nationals in recognition of their exceptional contributions.
Scientist Pradeep Mahajan’s stem-cell research earns him 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award'
 Globally-acclaimed ,The Founder-Chairman of StemRX Bioscience Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman-cum-
Managing Director ,Mumbai scientist Pradeep V. Mahajan’s pioneering work in regenerative medicine
and stem-cells has earned him this year’s coveted ‘Maharashtra Bhushan Award’.
 Mahajan, 64, developed a unique stem-cell/platelet-based remedy to kill the Coronavirus “naturally,
with anti-inflammatory bodies”, which reduced the need for hospitalisation of Covid-19 patients by
nearly 75 per cent, lessening the load on the public health sector.
 Besides Mahajan, the other ‘Maharashtra Bhushan Award’ winners this year are -- Vijaykumar Yadav,
Dharmaveer Bharti, Rana Suryawanshi and Rahul Papal.
APPOINTMENTS
Organization Name News Learn Along
Election Commission Election Commissioner Arun Goel has resigned. His tenure was till ---
2027.
His resignation has been accepted by President Droupadi Murmu
with effect from March 9.
Paralympic Committee Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, has been Founded:
of India elected as the new President of the Paralympic Committee of 7 August 1994
India (PCI). He succeeds another renowned para-athlete, Deepa
Malik.
NHPC Rajendra Prasad Goyal, Director (Finance) of NHPC, has recently Headquarters:
assumed the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Faridabad
Director of NHPC Limited, a premier hydropower company in India
Founded:
and a Schedule ‘A’ enterprise under the Government of India.
7 November
1975
Rajya Sabha Philanthropist and author in Kannada and English Sudha Murty was ---
nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu.
Central vigilance The Hon’ble President of India vide warrant dated 9th February 2024 ---
Commission and by virtue of the power vested under Section 4 (1) of the Central
vigilance Commission Act, 2003 has appointed AS Rajeev as
Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission.
National Commission Kishor Makwana assumed the charge of Chairman of National ---
for Scheduled Castes Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi.
Luv Kush Kumar also assumed the charge of Member of National
Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi.
Lokpal Chairperson, Lokpal of India, Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar Founded:

administered the oath of office to the following as Judicial Member and 19 March 2019
Member of Lokpal of India:

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March 2024
Judicial Member
1. Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy
2. Justice Sanjay Yadav
Member
1. Sushil Chandra
Foreign Secretary The government gave Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra a six- ---
month extension, till the end of October.
National Commission Kishor Makwana has assumed the charge of Chairman of the Founded:
for Scheduled Castes National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi. 19 February
2004
Luv Kush Kumar has also taken charge as a Member of the NCSC.
Indian Sugar & Bio- The Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) ---
energy Manufacturers has appointed Mr. Deepak Ballani as its new Director General. With
Association over 25 years of extensive experience in public policy, government
affairs, and organizational management, Mr. Ballani brings a wealth of
expertise to this pivotal role.
Election Commission  President Droupadi Murmu appointed Gyanesh Kumar and

Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as Election Commissioners.
 Their selection was recommended by a panel led by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
 This marks the first appointments under the new Chief Election
Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
 The selection committee includes the Prime Minister, a Union
Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the Leader of
the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
 Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Adhir
Ranjan Chowdhury were part of the committee.

BJP Former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief R.K.S Bhadauria joined the BJP ---
along with former MP and YSRCP leader Varaprasad Rao in the
presence of Union Minister Anurag Thakur and party general secretary
Vinod Tawde.
Microsoft Microsoft has appointed Pavan Davuluri, an alumnus of IIT Madras, CEO:
as the new head of Microsoft Windows and Surfacer. Satya Nadella
Myanmar Senior Indian diplomat Abhay Thakur has been appointed as the Capital:
country’s next ambassador or top envoy to Myanmar. He is Naypyidaw
currently working as an Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of
External Affairs. He had served as the sous-sherpa (deputy
representative) for the G20 process during India’s presidency of
the influential group of 20 major economies.
Lokpal Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi sworn in as judicial member, Lokpal .The Founded:
oath was administered by Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, Chairperson, 19 March 2019
Lokpal of India.
Union Public Service Hansha Mishra, an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service Formed:
Commission (IA&AS) from the 2010 batch, has been appointed as Director in the 1 October
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Delhi. Her appointment 1926

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March 2024
comes after she was recommended for central deputation by the

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
Eveready Industries Eveready Industries India (EIIL), a leading battery brand, has ---
India announced a partnership with Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic
gold medalist and World no. 1 in men’s javelin throw, as its new
brand ambassador.
National Investigation Senior IPS officer Sadanand Vasant Date has been appointed as the Formed:
Agency Director General of the National Investigation Agency NIA. The 2009
1990-batch Indian Police Service officer is currently serving as Chief
of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Bank of Maharashtra In a significant development, the central government has approved the
appointment of Nidhu Saxena as the Managing Director & Chief
Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the Bank of Maharashtra. This
appointment will be effective for a period of three years starting
from 27 March 2024.
High Court of Jammu Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani was administered the oath of ---
and Kashmir office as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Jammu and
Kashmir and Ladakh. The oath was administered by Chief Justice N.
Kotiswar Singh in Srinagar.
United Nations The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has Founded:
appointed Kamal Kishore of India as the new Assistant Secretary- 24 October
General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for 1945
Disaster Risk Reduction. He will lead the United Nations Office for
Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Financial Services The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), the head-hunting ---
Institutions Bureau agency for public sector banks and insurance firms, has selected the
next Chairpersons and Managing Directors (CMDs) for New India
Assurance and United India Insurance.
Girija Subramanian, the current Chairperson and MD of Agriculture
Insurance Company (AIC), has been selected as the next CMD of
New India Assurance. Bhupesh Sushil Rahul, a General Manager at
AIC, has been chosen as the new CMD of United India Insurance.
Telangana and President Droupadi Murmu gave Jharkhand Govenor C.P. About
Puducherry Radhakrishnan additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry. She Telangana:
also accepted the resignation of Tamilisai Soundararajan who had Capital:
stepped down from the posts. Hyderabad
Founded:
Ms. Soundararajan resigned from the posts amid speculation that she 2 June 2014
could contest the Lok Sabha election.
Prasar Bharati Board Retired bureaucrat Navneet Kumar Sehgal has been appointed as the Founded
new chairperson of the Prasar Bharati Board. The position had been 23 November
vacant for four years after A Surya Prakash retired in February 1997
2020 after turning 70, the upper age limit for the post. Headquarters
New Delhi

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March 2024
NHPC Limited Sanjay Kumar Singh is poised to step into the role of Director Headquarters
(Projects) at NHPC Limited, following a commendation by the Public Faridabad
Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on March 12. Founded
Currently serving as Chief General Manager at SJVN Limited, Singh 7 November
emerges as the recommended candidate from a pool of twelve 1975
contenders.
Poonawalla Fincorp Poonawalla Fincorp, a notable NBFC, has chosen Arvind Kapil, a ---
seasoned retail banking expert from HDFC Bank, as its new Managing
Director & Chief Executive Officer. Kapil will commence his five-year
term on June 24, 2024, succeeding Abhay Bhutada, who opted for
early retirement.
Microsoft Microsoft has hired Mustafa Suleyman to head up its consumer CEO:
artificial intelligence business, adding to its ranks an influential figure Satya Nadella
in the artificial intelligence world to cement its position at the
forefront of the booming AI industry.
P&G India Leading FMCG company P&G India has announced the appointment of ---
Kumar Venkatasubramanian as its new Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), effective from May 1, 2024.
Vietnam Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong has resigned one year after Capital:
his election. His resignation has been accepted by the Vietnamese Hanoi
Communist Party. Currency:
Vietnamese
dong
Indian Steel Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power, has been Headquarter:
Association unanimously elected as the President of the Indian Steel Association New Delhi
(ISA) by the apex committee, which is the governing body of the ISA.
Indian Banks’ The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has elected M V Rao, Managing Founded:
Association Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Bank of India, as its 26 September
new Chairman. 1946

Bharat Petroleum Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) introduced Olympic and
Corporation Limited World Javelin Champion Neeraj Chopra as the brand ambassador for
their Premium Petrol ‘Speed’.
Electricity Benjamin L. Tlumtea has taken charge as Member of the Joint ---
Regulatory Electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur and Mizoram. He was
Commission administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy by the Union Minister
for Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh today, March 7,
2024.
National Security Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a 1990 batch IPS officer, has been Founded:
Guard appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Security 22 September
Guard (NSG), marking a significant development in India’s security 1986
apparatus.

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March 2024
Daljit Singh Chaudhary, currently serving as the DG of Sashastra

Seema Bal (SSB), will now shoulder the additional responsibility of
leading the NSG, commonly referred to as the “black cats”.
Tamilnad Mercantile The Reserve Bank has appointed Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd.’s Headquarters
Bank Ltd independent director S. Ravindran as part-time chairman of the bank Thoothukudi
from February 29 till August 2, 2026.
Currently, Mr. Ravindran is an independent director on the boards of

NSE, LTIDPL Invit Services, Shriram Finance and Bandhan AMC, the
lender said in a regulatory filing.
The non-executive part-time chairman post in TMB fell vacant after

the exit of S. Annamalai on February 2, 2020.
Bihar The Bihar government made a significant announcement, appointing
senior IAS officer Brajesh Mehrotra as the new chief secretary of the
state. This appointment underscores the government’s commitment to
efficient governance and administrative excellence.
Bank of India Bank of India (BoI) named M. R. Kumar as the Non-Executive Founded:
Chairman. He will be responsible for overseeing the overall growth 7 September
trajectory of the public sector lender. 1906
He was the Chairman of LIC India from 2019 to March 2023. Headquarters:
Mumbai
The bank named Rajiv Mishra as Executive Director. He will handle
stressed-asset resolution and recovery, including policy matters.
Lubrizol Speciality chemicals major Lubrizol has named Bhavana Bindra as MD ---
for India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) Region.
She will be responsible for leading the company’s IMEA team to
deliver regional growth for Lubrizol and its customers based on a local-
for-local approach.
SAP German technology major SAP has appointed Manish Prasad as --
president and managing director for SAP Indian Subcontinent. He
succeeds Kulmeet Bawa, who takes on a global role to drive the growth
and adoption of the SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) for
global customers.
Slice Slice, the popular mango-flavored drink, has recently announced the ---
appointment of acclaimed actress Nayanthara as its latest brand
ambassador. This collaboration aims to strengthen Slice’s
connection with its audience and reaffirm its status as the go-to
beverage for mango enthusiasts.
Future Generali India Alok Rungta has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO Headquarters
Life Insurance of Future Generali India Life Insurance, effective April 1st, pending Mumbai
regulatory approvals.
Founded
He will succeed Bruce De Broize, who currently holds the position 2007
until March 31st.

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March 2024
Alok Rungta, currently serving as the Deputy CEO and CFO, brings
over two decades of experience in the insurance industry to his new
role.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Tuberculosis Day is

observed every year on
March 24 to raise awareness
about the global epidemic of
tuberculosis (TB) and the
efforts made to eliminate it. It
provides recognition to
health professionals,
researchers, policymakers,
and advocates in the fight
against TB.

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March 2024
Day/Week Observance Significance

18th March Ordnance Factories Day  Every year on March 18th, India commemorates Ordnance
Factories Day, a day to recognise the significant
contributions of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to the
nation's defence needs.
 Ordnance Factories Day is an occasion to celebrate the
technological advancements and innovative spirit of the
OFB.
20 March World Sparrow Day World Sparrow Day is held every year with full intent on
spreading awareness about the significance of the presence
of sparrows for our ecosystem and biodiversity.
World Sparrow Day is observed every year on March 20.
In 2024, the theme for World Sparrow Day is “Sparrows: Give
them a tweet-chance!”, “I Love Sparrows” and “We Love
Sparrows”.

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March 2024
Day/Week Observance Significance

March 1 Zero Discrimination Day Zero Discrimination Day is marked every year on March 1 by the
United Nations (UN) and other international organisations.
This day is observed by all the UN member countries and it aims
to promote equality before the law.
Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé launched Zero
Discrimination Day in the major event held in Beijing and it was first
celebrated on March 1, 2014.
Zero Discrimination Day 2024 theme is “To protect everyone's
health, protect everyone's rights.”
3 March World Wildlife Day World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated every year on 3 March to
celebrate wild animals and plants.
The theme for this year is Connecting People and Planet:
Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.
4 March National Safety Day National Safety Day in India is observed every year on March 4,
2024. This day focuses on making safety and precautionary
measures a top priority of any sector.
8 March International Women's International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March in many
Day countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized
for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national,
ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States
on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in
honour of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where
women protested against working conditions.
In 2024 International Women’s Day is being celebrated under the
theme 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.

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March 2024
OBITUARIES
Name of Person Field Points to Remember
A.Ganesamoorthy Politics In Tamilnadu, A.Ganesamoorthy three time Lok Sabha MP died

in Coimbatore.
The 76 year old politician was elected to the Lok Sabha from
Erode. He also served as an MLA in the State Assembly from
1989 – 1991 and was elected from Modakurichi.
Daniel Kahneman Author and Daniel Kahneman, born on March 5, 1934, in Tel Aviv, recently
Psychologist passed away at the age of 90.
Work in Behavioral Economics and Nobel Prize
Kahneman, along with his collaborator Amos Tversky, pioneered
the field of behavioural economics.
Their groundbreaking research challenged traditional economic
approaches, arguing that people are not always fully rational and
self-interested, and that mental biases can distort their judgments.
This work earned Kahneman the Nobel Memorial Prize in
Economic Sciences in 2002.
Laxminarayan Defence Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas
Ramdas passed away at the Military Hospital in Secunderabad.
Sadi Mohammad Singer In Bangladesh, a legendary Rabindra Sangeet singer Sadi

Mohammad passed.
Sadi served as the director of the cultural organisation Rabi
Raag.
BOOKS
Book Title Author/s About the book
An illustrated guide Dr. Dhriti Banerjee The Zoological Survey of India published a book entitled, ‘An
to the Lepidoptera illustrated guide to the Lepidoptera of India: taxonomic
of India: taxonomic procedures, family characters, diversity and distribution’.
procedures, family The Book is authored by Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological
characters, Survey of India (ZSI) along with Dr. Navneet Singh, Dr. Rahul
diversity and Joshi and Dr. P. C. Pathania, Scientists of ZSI and a Lepidoptera
distribution’ expert from Hong Kong, Dr. R.C. Kendrick.
ON THE MOVE: The Abrahm Lustgarten Abrahm Lustgarten’s On the Move is the definitive account of
Overheating Earth what this massive population shift might look like. As he shows,
and the Uprooting the United States will be rendered unrecognizable by four
of America unstoppable forces: wildfires in the West; frequent flooding in
coastal regions; extreme heat and humidity in the South; and
droughts that will make farming all but impossible across much of
the nation.
Being Hindu, Being Vanya Vaidehi Meticulously researched and eloquently written, Being Hindu,
Indian: Lala Lajpat Bhargav Being Indian offers the first comprehensive examination of Lajpat
Rai’ s nationalist thought. By revealing the complexities of Rai’ s

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March 2024
Rai’s Ideas of thinking, it provokes us to think more deeply about broader

questions relevant to present-day politics: Are all expressions
Nationhood
of ‘ Hindu nationalism’ the same as Hindutva? What are the
similarities and differences between ‘ Hindu’ and ‘ Indian’
nationalism? Can communalism and secularism be expressed
together? How should we understand fluidity in politics? This
book invites readers to treat Lajpat Rai’ s ideas as a gateway to
think more deeply about history, politics, religious identity and
nationhood.
From A Car Shed To S. Raman S. Raman’s autobiography, “From A Car Shed To The Corner
The Corner Room & Room & Beyond,” offers a first-person account of his
Beyond, remarkable journey from a clerk at SBI to becoming the
Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank and a full-
time Member of SEBI. The book explores the intricate dance
between personal integrity, professional challenges, and
systemic issues in the financial world.
Audacious Hope: Indrajit Roy “Hope is crucial to democratic renewal. Far from being a wasted
An Archive of How emotion that hinders action, hope is what motivates people to act
Democracy is Being collectively against democratic backsliding,” writes Indrajit Roy
Saved in India in his book Audacious Hope: An Archive of How Democracy
is Being Saved in India. A professor in the department of politics
and international relations at the University of York in the UK, the
author firmly believes in the potential of hope to keep us
committed to our values, stretch our imagination of what’s
possible, forge solidarities, and build anew.
‘FIH Odisha Hockey --- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released a coffee table
Men’s World Cup book titled ‘FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023’ brought
2023’ out by Sportstar.
The Conspiracy to Gotabaya Rajapaksa Two years after his dramatic ouster from office by a popular
oust me from the people’s movement, Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya
Presidency Rajapaksa has sought to defend his regime, by launching a book
‘The Conspiracy to oust me from the Presidency’ that
attributes his political downfall to a “conspiracy” involving foreign
and local parties.
SPORTS
Former Australian wicketkeeper Wade retires from Test cricket
 Matthew Wade, former Australian Test wicketkeeper, announced his retirement from red-ball cricket
but will continue playing in cricket's shorter formats.
 The 36-year-old will play his 166th and last First Class match in the upcoming Sheffield Shield final,
where Tasmania faces Western Australia.
 He played 36 Test matches as both a wicketkeeper and specialist batter from 2012 to 2021, deciding
to retire to make way for younger players.
 He scored 1,613 runs in Tests at an average of 29.87, including four centuries and five half-centuries,
with a highest score of 117 against England in 2019.

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March 2024
Royal Challengers Bangalore Beat Delhi Capitals By 8 Wickets To Lift Women’s Premier League Title
 In the Final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Cricket, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) beat
Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi last night.
 Chasing a target of 114 runs set by Delhi Capitals, RCB scored 115 for 2 in 19.3 overs.
 For RCB, Ellyse Perry was the highest scorer with 35 runs followed by Sophie Devine with 32 and
Smriti Mandhana 31 runs.
 Earlier, deciding to bat first, Delhi Capitals were all out for 113 runs in 18.3 overs. For Delhi Capitals,
Shafali Verma was the top scorer with 44 runs.
 For RCB, Shreyanka Patil picked up 4 wickets, Sophie Molineux 3 and Sobana Asha took 2 wickets.
 Sophie Molineux was declared Player of the Match.
WPL 2024 Highlights: Orange Cap Winner, Purple Cap Winner, Most Valuable Player, Most Sixes, Prize
Winners and Other Awards
Category Winner Team Represented

WPL 2024 Orange Cap Winner Ellyse Perry Royal Challengers Bangalore
WPL 2024 Purple Cap Winner Shreyanka Patil Royal Challengers Bangalore
WPL 2024 Most Sixes Shafali Verma Delhi Capitals
WPL 2024 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Deepti Sharma UP Warriorz
WPL 2024 Player of the Final Sophie Molineux Royal Challengers Bangalore
Verstappen wins F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to extend winning streak
 Max Verstappen won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position, marking his second
consecutive win of the season.
 Sergio Perez finished second, completing a Red Bull one-two under the Jeddah floodlights.
 Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, earning his first podium of the season with the fastest
lap bonus point.
 This victory is Verstappen's ninth in a row, dating back to last season, and his 100th career podium.
 Oliver Bearman, Ferrari's youngest-ever rookie at 18, finished seventh in his F1 race debut and was
voted Driver of the Day.
 Alpine's Pierre Gasly was the first retirement of the season due to a suspected gearbox issue.
Position Driver Team

1 Max Verstappen Red Bull
2 Sergio Perez Red Bull
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari
4 Oscar Piastri McLaren
5 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin

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March 2024
Indian Olympic Association Dissolves Ad-Hoc Committee For Wrestling
 The Indian Olympic Association, IOA dissolved the ad-hoc committee for wrestling.
 The committee was formed in December last year after the sports ministry suspended the Wrestling
Federation of India.
 The Wrestling Federation of India now gets complete administrative control of the sport.
 The Indian Olympic Association dissolved the committee after the ban on the Federation was lifted
in February by the United World Wrestling.
 The decision was also guided by the successful conduct of the selection trials for next month’s
Olympic qualifying tournament.
Royal Challengers Bangalore is now Royal Challengers Bengaluru
 Royal Challengers Bangalore has changed its name to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
 Former RCB and India pacer Vinay Kumar was inducted to the RCB Hall of Fame.
 RCB opens its IPL 2024 campaign against Chennai Super Kings at Chennai on March 22.
Lakshya sen moves up to 13th spot in latest rankings
 India’s Lakshya Sen on jumped five places to reach World No. 13 in the latest BWF rankings, following
his impressive run at the All England Championships.
 The 22-year-old from Almora had reached the semifinals in Birmingham and his effort saw him
improve to World No. 12 from the 15th spot a week back in the Olympic Games Qualification.
1. Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
2. Shi Yuqi (P.R. China)
3. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (Indonesia)
4. Anders Antonsen (Denmark)
5. Jonatan Christie (Indonesia)
6. Naraoka Kodai (Japan)
7. Li Shifeng (P.R. China)
8. Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand)
9. HS Prannoy (India)
10. Lee Zii Jia (Malaysia)
13. Lakshya Sen (India)
Carlos Alcaraz Tops Daniil Medvedev To Repeat As Indian Wells Champion

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Carlos Alcaraz won his second consecutive Indian Wells ATP title with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 victory over Daniil
Medvedev, marking his first win since Wimbledon and the first repeat Indian Wells champion since
Novak Djokovic (2014-16).
 The victory at Indian Wells helped Alcaraz address both mental and physical challenges,
emphasizing the importance of enjoyment and confidence in his play rather than just winning titles.
 Alcaraz denied Medvedev the only ATP hardcourt Masters 1000 title he has yet to win, further boosting
his confidence for the upcoming Miami tournament and future competitions.
India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran Clinches Men’s Singles Title At World Table Tennis Feeder Beirut
Tournament In Lebanon
 Sathiyan Gnanasekaran won the Men's Singles title at the WTT Feeder Beirut tournament in
Lebanon, defeating fellow Indian Manav Vikas Thakkar 3-1 in the final.
 Sathiyan, ranked 103 in the world, beat world number 74 Manav after overcoming world number 39
Chuang Chih-yuan from Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals.
 Manav Vikas Thakkar reached the finals in all three categories he participated in but ended the day
without a gold, losing in the men's doubles and mixed doubles finals.
 Indian players had a strong performance at the tournament, reaching three finals with two all-Indian
finals in Men's singles and Mixed doubles, finishing with two titles and three runner-up positions.
Austria’s Baumgartner scores fastest international goal
 Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner scored the fastest recorded goal in international football history,
just six seconds into a friendly win over Slovakia in Bratislava.
 Baumgartner's goal surpassed Lukas Podolski’s record for Germany against Ecuador in 2013 by one
second.
 The Austrian FA hailed Baumgartner's goal as the fastest in international football history.
 In another match, Wirtz matched the feat with a quick goal against France, showcasing remarkable
speed and accuracy.
 The fastest goal in World Cup history remains Hakan Sukur's strike for Turkey against South Korea
in 2002, achieved 11 seconds into the match.
Hockey Haryana women crowned National champions
 Hockey Haryana beat Hockey Maharashtra 3-0 in a shoot-out to claim the 14th Hockey India senior
women’s National championship at Pimpri on Saturday, after both the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of
regulation time. It was Haryana’s third title having won it in 2013 and 2020. Jharkhand finished third.
WTT Feeder Beirut 2024: G Sathiyan wins singles title; Diya Chitale-Manush Shah mixed doubles
champions

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Sathiyan Gnanasekaran became the first Indian to win a men's singles title at a WTT Feeder Series
event, defeating Manav Thakkar in the final at the WTT Feeder Beirut 2024.
 Diya Chitale and Manush Shah won the mixed doubles title, highlighting India's strong performance in
the tournament.
 Sathiyan's victory over Chuang Chih-yuan in the semi-finals was a significant upset, with Chuang being
a former world No. 3.
 Thakkar and Shah, despite their efforts, lost in the men’s doubles final to Jorge Campos and Andy
Pereira of Cuba.
 Manav Thakkar had a notable day, reaching the finals in men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed
doubles but didn’t secure a win in any.
PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS: SHARATH KAMAL TO BE INDIA’S FLAG-BEARER; MARY KOM CHEF DE
MISSION
 Sharath Kamal, a veteran table tennis player and Khel Ratna awardee, has been named India’s flag-
bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
 Mary Kom, London 2012 bronze medallist and boxing legend, will serve as the Chef de Mission for
the Indian contingent, with Shiva Keshavan, a former Winter Olympian, as deputy.
 Gagan Narang, a bronze medallist in air rifle at London 2012, will oversee the Indian shooting team
in France, indicating a strong focus on shooting, where India has secured 19 quotas.
 Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala has been appointed as the Chief Medical Officer, emphasizing the
importance of athletes' health and well-being.
 The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) aims for excellence with a "distinguished and capable team
of officials" leading the contingent, as stated by IOA president PT Usha.
Gabriel Barbosa: Flamengo striker suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud
 Gabriel Barbosa, also known as 'Gabigol', a Flamengo and Brazil striker, has been suspended for
two years for attempted anti-doping fraud.
 Barbosa denies the allegations, emphasizing his history of complying with the rules and negative
results from previous tests.
 He was judged by the Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice, which found a violation of the anti-doping
rule of attempted fraud, with the decision open to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
 The two-year ban began on April 8, 2023, making him ineligible for the current season but available for
the 2025 Brazilian Serie A campaign.
 Flamengo expressed surprise at the verdict and pledged to assist Barbosa with his appeal, claiming no
fraud or attempt thereof was committed.
India Open Jumps | Nayana bags long jump gold with personal best mark

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Nayana James from Kerala secured the women's long jump gold at the 3rd Indian Open Jumps
Competition with a personal best of 6.67m, standing out even though no athlete met the 2024 Paris
Olympics qualification mark.
 Pavithra Venkatesh of Tamil Nadu achieved a personal best in women's pole vault, clearing 4.15m,
despite recent travel issues preventing her participation in an international event.
 M. Gowtham also reached a personal best in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.10m, significantly
improving on his previous best.
 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Abdulla Aboobacker won the men’s triple jump with a leap
of 16.76m, leading over other competitors including CWG gold medallist Eldhose Paul.
 The event showcased significant personal achievements and national competitive spirit among Indian
athletes, with multiple athletes setting personal bests in their respective events.
Virat Kohli achieves new record, becomes 1st Indian to score 12,000 runs in T20 cricket matches
 Virat Kohli has become the first Indian cricketer to score 12,000 runs in the T20 format, achieving
this milestone during the IPL 2024 opening match between CSK and RCB.
 This record includes runs scored for RCB in the IPL, the now-defunct Champions League, Delhi in
domestic Twenty Over Cricket, and India in T20 Internationals.
 Kohli joins an elite group of international players including Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard,
Alex Hales, and David Warner, becoming one of the world's six players to reach this milestone.
 Throughout his T20 career, Kohli has scored eight centuries and 91 fifties, highlighting his consistent
performance across various leagues and international matches.
 In the IPL, Kohli holds the record for the highest runs of all time, with 7,284 runs in 239 matches,
including seven centuries and 50 fifties.
 Additionally, Kohli has scored over 1,000 runs against Chennai Super Kings alone, marking another
significant achievement in his illustrious career.
Formula 1: A ‘Sainz’ational triumph at Australian Grand Prix
 Carlos Sainz was left without a seat for 2025 after Ferrari chose Lewis Hamilton, but then won the
Australian Grand Prix after recovering from emergency appendicitis surgery.
 Sainz's victory was highlighted as Max Verstappen retired from the race due to a technical failure,
providing a rare opportunity for others to shine in the Verstappen-dominated Formula One era.
 Despite challenges, including his health, Sainz out-qualified his teammate Charles Leclerc, securing
second on the grid and eventually leading Ferrari to a 1-2 finish with Leclerc second.
 Mercedes faced difficulties in the same race, with Lewis Hamilton experiencing an engine failure and
George Russell crashing out, raising questions about Hamilton's move to Ferrari.
 Fernando Alonso, known for his racecraft, received a 20-second penalty for causing Russell to crash
after an unusual maneuver during their battle, demonstrating his competitive edge even at the age of 42.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 In MotoGP, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia had a tough weekend at the Portuguese Grand
Prix, crashing out along with Marc Marquez, while Jorge Martin won the race, taking a significant lead
in the championship standings.
CFC’s Bijay first Indian to sign for Latin American club
 Promising Indian footballer Bijay Chhetri has completed his move to Colon Futbol Club (Uruguay)
from Chennaiyin FC (CFC).
 It’s a loan until the end of the year with Colon FC retaining the option to make the signing permanent.
 He became the first Indian to sign a professional contract with a Latin American club.
 Colon FC is an 116-year-old club based in Montevideo and competing in second division of Uruguay.
Haryana crowned champion at boxing Sub Junior National Championship
 Haryana clinched team titles in both boys and girls categories at the boxing Sub Junior National
Championship, with a total of 19 medals.
 In the girls category, Haryana defended its title with 64 points and 10 medals (seven gold, one silver,
two bronze), with Diya (61kg) winning a gold and being named the best boxer.
 The girls team had other gold medallists including Bhoomi (35kg), Nischal Sharma (37kg), Rakhi
(43kg), Naitik (52kg), Navya (55kg), and Sukhreet (64kg).
 Delhi and Maharashtra finished second and third in the girls category, with Delhi achieving one gold,
three silver, and four bronze medals, while Maharashtra ended with a gold, three silver, and two bronze
medals.
 Hillang (37kg) from Arunachal Pradesh received the most promising boxer award in the girls
category.
 In the boys category, Haryana topped the chart with 62 points and 9 medals (six gold, two silver, one
bronze), with Uday Singh (37kg) leading the victories with a 5-0 win. Uttarakhand and UP followed in
second and third places, respectively.
 The tournament featured 612 boxers (337 boys and 275 girls), showcasing a wide participation across
categories.
NFL owners approve ban on swivel hip-drop tackling technique
 NFL owners approved a rule proposal to ban the swivel hip-drop tackle, aiming to reduce lower-body
injuries, with violations resulting in a 15-yard penalty.
 This rule will be enforced similarly to the "use of helmet" rule, likely leading to warning letters and fines
post-game rather than immediate penalties during the game.
 Two additional proposals were approved: teams receiving a third challenge after one successful
challenge, and rules regarding double fouls during possession changes.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The ban specifically targets a subset of rugby-style tackling that can cause significant injury, focusing on
actions where a defender grabs and traps the runner's legs in a specific manner.
 Despite objections from the NFL Players Association and players about potential confusion, the NFL
plans to educate teams with videos showing illegal hits and correct tackling techniques.
PR Sreejesh, Camila Caram named co-chair for International Hockey Federation
 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has appointed P.R. Sreejesh and Chile’s Camila Caram
as co-chairs of the FIH Athletes Committee.
 The FIH Athletes Committee is a consultative body that provides recommendations to the FIH
Executive Board and promotes resources and initiatives for athletes.
 FIH President Tayyab Ikram highlighted the 'athletes first' approach in the FIH's new ‘Empowerment
and Engagement’ strategy, emphasizing athlete welfare and well-being.
 The committee will assist in the implementation of the ‘Empowerment and Engagement’ strategy,
focusing on empowering athletes and promoting their well-being.
 Sreejesh expressed honor in being part of the committee and anticipates collaborating with Camila
Caram and committee members to improve hockey for players worldwide.
Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid first Bangladesh umpire to enter ICC elite panel, Nitin Menon enters fifth
year
 Bangladesh's Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid became the first from his country to join the ICC Elite Panel
of Umpires on March 28, while India's Nitin Menon entered the panel for an unprecedented fifth
time.
 Menon, the only Indian in the 12-member elite panel, has officiated in 23 Tests, 58 ODIs, and 41 T20s
and is poised to surpass S Venkataraghavan's match tally at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
 Sharfuddoula replaces Marais Erasmus, stepping up from the ICC International Panel of Umpires,
having officiated in 10 Tests, 63 ODIs, and 44 T20Is since his first international appointment in 2010.
 Chris Broad was not included in the 2024-25 ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, reducing the panel to
six members, as part of a restructuring process.
 The ICC acknowledged Chris Broad's long and distinguished contribution to cricket, with a tenure
that included refereeing in 123 Tests, 361 ODIs, and 135 T20s.
IIT Madras to host International Chess Federation (FIDE)-rated Rapid Chess Tournament
 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will host the '6th Shaastra Rapid FIDE
Rated Chess Tournament' on March 30th and 31st, 2024, featuring over 500 players from multiple
countries.
 This tournament includes six Grandmasters, sixteen International Masters, three Women
Grandmasters, and a Women International Master, making it a significant event in the chess calendar.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 A total prize fund of ₹5,00,000 is allocated, with the first prize being ₹65,000, highlighting the
tournament's competitive nature and the opportunity for substantial earnings.
 The event is FIDE-rated, offering participants the chance to gain or improve their FIDE ratings, with
players ranging in age from 6 to 72 years old, emphasizing the universal appeal of chess.
 The top 15 boards will be broadcast live on various online chess platforms, allowing global chess
enthusiasts to follow the games.
 Key players participating include GM Srinath Narayanan, GM Vishnu Prasanna, GM Pranesh M, GM
Deepan Chakkravarthy, GM R.R. Laxman, GM Bharath Subramaniyam, WGM Rakshitta Ravi,
WGM Srija Seshadri, and WGM Varshini V, showcasing the tournament's high level of competition.
Bangladesh wins SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship
 India fell short of a title conquest, losing to Bangladesh 2-3 in the penalty shoot-out during the SAFF U-
16 Women’s Championship final in Kathmandu.
Maini grabs F2 Saudi Arabian GP pole, first Indian to do so
 Invicta Racing’s Kush Maini grabbed pole in the F2 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah to become
the first Indian to achieve the feat.
Mona Agarwal wins gold and Paralympic quota place
 Mona Agarwal won the women’s air rifle gold and the Paralympic quota place for Paris in the
WSPS World Cup at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughlakabad, on Saturday.
 The results: R1 men’s 10m air rifle standing: 1. Lee Jangho (Kor) 249.9 (621.6); 2. Yerkin Gabbasov (Kaz)
246.8 (619.0); 3. Sotirios Galogavros (Gre) 224.8 (622.6); 9. Mahavir Unhalkar 615.0.
 S2 women’s 10m air rifle standing: 1. Mona Agarwal 250.7 (618.0); 2. Zhang Cuiping (Chn) 248.8 (627.7); 3.
Avani Lekhara 227.0 (623.9).
 P3 Mixed 25m pistol: 1. Yang Chao (Chn) 27 (589 WR); 2. Szymon Sowinski (Pol) 24 (565); 3. Huang Xing
(Chn) 21 (580); 4. Vikash Bhatiwal 16 (566).
Satwik-Chirag win French Open doubles title
 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lifed the French Open badminton crown for the second
time with a dominating straight game win over Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan in
the men's doubles final.
 The world No. 1 Indian pair had finished runners-up in the French Open in 2019 before winning the title
in 2022.
Minister Hardeep S Puri inaugurates 5th ONGC Para Games
 Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs inaugurated the
5th ONGC Para Games being held in Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi from 8-10 March 2024.
 The 5th ONGC Para Games, featuring a total of 371 athletes, will witness active participating from 249
ONGCians across a range of sporting disciplines.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 Athletes from various oil and gas public enterprises, including ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, EIL, OIL, and
GAIL, will compete across disciplines such as athletics, badminton, table tennis, and wheelchair racing.
Third edition of Khel Mahakumbh to start in Himachal’s Bilaspur from Mar 5
 The third edition of ‘Khel Mahakumbh’ will commence in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district.
 Village and panchayat level teams will compete for five sports events — volleyball, kabaddi, cricket,
basketball and athletics — in the event to be held at Luhnu ground.
 The tournament will be inaugurated jointly by Union Information cum Broadcasting Minister Anurag
Thakur, India cricket team coach Rahul Dravid and team captain Rohit Sharma.
 The ‘Sansad Khel Mahakumbh’ was launched by MP Anurag Thakur in 2018. The first edition of the
tournament was inaugurated by former captain and veteran cricketer Sachin Tendulkar at
Dharamshala cricket stadium.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur to inaugurate unique talent
hunt event, KIRTI in Chandigarh
 Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur to inaugurate unique talent hunt
event, KIRTI in Chandigarh.
 Olympic and world javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has lauded the Union sports ministry’s initiative
to launch the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme, saying “that it could possibly
provide the right balance between sports and studies.”
 Aimed at athletes in the age-group between nine to 18 years i.e. school-going age, KIRTI is an
ambitious nation-wide programme under the Khelo India mission that attempts to identify talent from
every nook and corner of the country by using IT tools and provide a common platform to showcase talent.
Learn Along:
ABOUT KHELO INDIA MISSION
 The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
 The Khelo India Mission aims at infusing sports culture and achieving sporting excellence in the country thus
allowing the populace to harness the power of sports through its cross-cutting influence. Under the “Sports
Competitions and Talent Development” vertical of the Khelo India Scheme, the “Talent Identification and
Development” component is dedicated to working towards the identification and development of athletes at
the grassroots and elite levels to develop the sports ecosystem in the country.
Ellyse Perry becomes the first bowler to take a six-for in WPL
 Ellyse Perry’s six for 15 in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians
is the best bowling figures in the history of the WPL.
 The Aussie became the first player (man or woman) to score a century and take a six-for in all three
formats of the game.
Mumbai vs Vidarbha Ranji Trophy final
 Mumbai won their 42nd Ranji Trophy title, ending an eight-year drought, by defeating Vidarbha by 169
runs.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The final was held in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium, with Mumbai setting a 538-run target for
Vidarbha.
Khelo India University Games 2023 concludes in Guwahati
 The Khelo India University Games 2023, which started on the 17th of February, were officially declared
closed by the Assam sports Minister Shrimati Nandita Gorlosa at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in
Guwahati.
 Chandigarh University clinched the overall championships of the 4th Khelo India University Games
2023.
 Vikash (Men 51-54kg), Harsh (Men 57-60kg), Deepak (Men 60-63.5kg), Priya (women 54-57kg) and
Pranjal (women 66-70kg) clinched the gold medals for Chandigarh University, who took home the KIUG
crown for the first time in four editions with a total of 71 medals, including 32 gold, 18 silver and 21
bronze.
 Lovely Professional University were a distant second with 20 gold, 14 silver and eight bronze while
Guru Nanak Dev University finished third with 12 gold, 20 silver and 19 bronze and was only
contingent apart from the champions to cross the 50-medal mark.
Paul Pogba banned for four years for doping
 France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned for four years for a doping offence
earlier this season.
 Pogba was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal in
September after testing positive for testosterone - a banned substance.
Puneri Paltan reigns supreme against Haryana Steelers, clinches its first crown
 Puneri Paltan emerged victorious in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 final, defeating Haryana
Steelers 28-25 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium.
Sports Ministry revokes suspension of Paralympic Committee of India with immediate effect
 The Sports Ministry has revoked the suspension of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) with
immediate effect.
 The main ground for suspension is being addressed and PCI will be hosting the 2024 World Shooting
Para Sport World Cup from 6th March to 15 March, 2024 at New Delhi.
 The Ministry in February this year, had suspended the government recognition of PCI due to delay in
holding the election after the expiry of the term of the executive committee of PCI and non-compliance with
its guidelines.
Learn Along:
About Paralympic Committee of India
President: Deepa Malik Founded: 7 August 1994
Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth announces retirement from international badminton
 Indian shuttler B Sai Praneeth has announced his retirement from international badminton.

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
 The 31-year-old battled nagging injuries since the Olympic Games in Tokyo and decided to hang his
boots due to that.
 In his 24-year-long career, he won a World Championships bronze medal and represented India at the
Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
 Following his retirement, Praneeth who has also won the 2017 Singapore Open, is set to begin a new
innings as the head coach of the Triangle Badminton Academy in the US.
Khelo India medal winners eligible for government jobs
 Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) of the Government of India, in collaboration with the
Department of Sports, has introduced comprehensive reforms in the recruitment, promotion, and
incentives framework for athletes.
 The updated guidelines, presented in a memorandum issued on March 4, are aimed at providing
enhanced incentives, transparency, and inclusivity
 Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur announced that Khelo India
medal winner athletes will now be eligible for government jobs.
Spain Wins UEFA Women’s Nations League; Germany Earns Spot At 2024 Paris Olympics
 By easily dominating France, and led by an exceptional Aitana Bonmati, Spain won the UEFA Women’s
Nations League.
 France, Spain and Germany will represent UEFA at the 2024 Olympics.
Key Points
o France, Spain, and Germany will represent UEFA at the 2024 Olympics.
o Australia and Japan qualified from Asia.
o The only seats still to be determined are Africa’s as the CAF’s final round is set to be played in April.
o Missed out on the Tokyo Olympics, Germany qualifies for Paris defeating the Dutch 2-0.
o The Netherlands, who made their first appearance in Tokyo, will not be in Paris.
o Qualified Teams - Paris 2024 Olympic
o 10 teams have already secured their spot at the soccer tournament of the upcoming Paris 2024 Summer
Olympic. 2 more spots will be determined in April.
1. France (hosts)
2. United States
3. Brazil
4. Colombia
5. Canada (title holders)
6. New Zealand
7. Australia
8. Japan
9. Spain
10. Germany
11. South Africa or Nigeria
12. Zambia or Morocco

Monthly BeePedia
March 2024
A Summary Of The inaugural Season Of The UEFA Women's Nations League

1. Spain – Winners
2. France – Second Place
3. Germany – Third Place
4. Netherlands – Fourth Place
Giants’ Shabnam Shakil becomes the youngest player in WPL
 The 16-year-old Gujarat Giants pacer Shabnam Shakil became the youngest to play in the WPL,
making her debut against RCB.
International umpire Erasmus set to retire
 South Africa’s Marais Erasmus will retire from international umpiring after officiating in the second
and final Test between New Zealand and Australia in Christchurch.
BAI announces cash incentives for players, support staff
 Badminton Association of India announced a cash incentive of over ₹1.12 crore to the players and
support staff for their success in major international tournaments including Asian Games, Badminton
Asia Team Championship and the BWF World Juniors.
 The women’s team that won the Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) crown last month will get
₹35 lakh, 2022 Asian Games gold medallist men’s doubles combination of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
and Chirag Shetty are awarded ₹12 lakh, 2022 Asian Games men’s singles bronze medallist H.S.
Prannoy will receive ₹5 lakh while the men’s team that bagged the 2022 Asian Games silver for the first
time will collectively get a prize sum of ₹40 lakh.
 The BAI has also rewarded 2023 BWF World Championships bronze medallist Ayush Shetty (₹ 1 lakh),
Badminton Asia Junior U-15 boys singles champion Bornil Aakash Changmai (₹ 2 lakh), U-17 girls singles
silver medallist Tanvi Sharma (₹1 lakh) and U-15 boys singles bronze medallist Jagsher Singh Khangurra
( 50,000).
Sources of the News:
The Hindu,The Indian Express,Business Standard, The Financial Express ,PIB, etc.


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L&T Finance, JICA sign pact to support rural financing

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