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Current Affairs Weekly PDF – March 2024 – 1st Week
(1– 8)
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Overview of PM Modi’s visit to Gujarat and
Uttar Pradesh on 22nd and 23rd February,
2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Gujarat and
Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) on 22nd February, 2024 to 23rd
February, 2024.
PM Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the
foundation stone of various development projects
worth more than Rs 60,000 crore in Gujarat on 22nd
February, 2024.
✓ PM participated in Golden Jubilee Celebrations
of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing
Federation (GCMMF).
✓ PM Modi dedicated to the nation two
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHRs)
with combined capacity of 1400 MegaWatt
(MW) established at Kakrapar Atomic Power
Station (KAPS) in Surat, Gujarat.
✓ PM initiated work commencement for the
construction of Pradhan Mantri Mega
Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM
MITRA) Park with an investment worth Rs
3,000 crores in Navsari, Gujarat.
PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of
various development projects worth more than Rs 13,
000 crore on 23rd February, 2024 in Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh.
✓ PM Modi also inaugurated Quick Pontoon
Opening Mechanism System(QPOMS) in
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
✓ PM unveiled Sant Guru Ravidas Statue in
Varanasi on his 647th birth anniversary.
Click here to read full News
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MOCI Minister Piyush Goyal Launched
Bharat Startup Ecosystem Registry,
Website & Logo of Startup Mahakumbh
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce
and Industry (MOCI) unveiled a new database for
India’s startup ecosystem, named Bharat Startup
Ecosystem Registry, a website, and logo of
‘Startup Mahakumbh’ during the curtain raiser event
of the first-ever ‘Startup Mahakumbh’.
✓ The registry will act as a single platform
database for startups, investors, incubators,
and other stakeholders in India’s startup
ecosystem.
✓ The first-ever ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ is to be
held from March 18-20, 2024 at Bharat
Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi,
Delhi. The theme of the Startup Mahakumbh is
'Bharat Innovates,' which underscores the
intricate link between innovation and startups.
NABARD and NRLM Signed MoU to Support
Rural Women SHGs
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development (NABARD) and Deendayal Antyodaya
Yojana -National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM), under the Ministry of Rural
Development(MoRD), have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering rural women
Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
MoEF&CC Amends Green Credit Program
Rules to Award a Green Credit per Grown
Tree
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC) has notified the amendments to
the Green Credit Rules of the Green Credit Program
(GCP), which is an innovative market-based
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 5
 Weekly Content PDF

mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary Arunachal Pradesh Galo

4 Textiles
environmental actions. Textile Products
✓ Green credit would be awarded for carrying Arunachal Pradesh Adi
5 Textiles
out positive environmental activities such as Textile Products
tree planting, water conservation, sustainable Arunachal Pradesh Tai
6 Textiles
agriculture, or pollution reduction. Khamti Handloom Textile
Arunachal Pradesh Monpa
7 Handi Crafts
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Handmade Paper
releases Postal Stamp to Mark AIRF Arunachal Pradesh Dao Manufactured
8
(Sward) Goods
Centenary Celebration
Arunachal Pradesh Marua
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Manufactured
9 Apo (Marua Millet
Railways (MoR) has released a commemorative Goods
Beverage)
postage stamp to mark the 100 years of the All India
Arunachal Pradesh Manufactured
Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) in an event held at 10
Adi Apong (Beverage) Goods
Karnail Singh Railway Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi.
Arunachal Pradesh
11 Angnyat/ Adlay/ Tanyak Agriculture
Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani Launched Millet
Logo & Website of Alliance for Global Good Arunachal Pradesh Khelap
– Gender Equity and Equality 12 / Phalap/ Felap Tea Agriculture
Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, Ministry of Women (Bamboo Processed Tea)
and Child Development (MoWCD), launched the logo Note: With this, the total number of GI products from
and website for the Alliance for Global Good – Arunachal Pradesh has become 20.
Gender Equity and Equality in an event held in New
Delhi, Delhi. The logo forms the alphabet "e" MoE & MIB Jointly launches nationwide
symbolising Equality and Equity. awareness campaign “Mera pehla vote
✓ Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and
desh ke liye”
Equality was launched by India on the sidelines
The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of
of the 54th annual meeting of the World
Information and Broadcasting (MIB) have jointly
Economic Forum (WEF 2024) held Davos,
launched a nationwide awareness campaign “Mera
Switzerland in January 2024.
pehla vote desh ke liye (my first vote for the
country)” to encourage the first-time voters to
12 Indigenous Products from Arunachal participate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Pradesh get GI tag ✓ Union Minister Anurag Thakur, MIB & Ministry
Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)- based Geographical of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) launched
Indication(GI) Registry has awarded the GI tag to 12 a Campaign Anthem video to create
distinctive products from Arunachal awareness among first-time voters.
Pradesh including Apatani Textile Product, Dao
(broadsword), Adlay Millet, among others. Ministry of Defence signs Five Major Capital
S.No. Geographical Indications Goods
Acquisition Contracts worth Rs 39,125.39
Arunachal Pradesh
1 Textiles Crore
Apatani Textile Products
Arunachal Pradesh Monpa On 1st March 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has
2 Textiles signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth
Textile Products
Arunachal Pradesh Nyishi Rs 39,125.39 crore in New Delhi, Delhi.
3 Textiles
Textile Products

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 Weekly Content PDF
✓ Out of the five contracts, one was with M/s
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), two
with M/s Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) and
two with M/s BrahMos Aerospace Private
Limited (BAPL).
✓ MoD signed a contract worth Rs 5,249.72
crore with Bengaluru (Karnataka)
headquartered HAL for the procurement of
Klimov RD-33 Aero Engines for Mikoyan MiG-
29 aircraft.
DPIIT & World Bank jointly organise National
Workshop on Logistics Efficiency
Enhancement
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry(MoCI), has partnered with the World Bank to
organise a National Workshop on Logistics Efficiency
Enhancement in New Delhi, Delhi.
Anant Ambani launched ‘Vantara’
programme for Welfare of Animals
Anant Ambani, Director on the boards of Reliance
Industries Limited (RIL) and Reliance Foundation, has
launched an umbrella initiative called the ‘Vantara’
(Star of the Forests) programme to rescue, treat, care
for, and rehabilitate injured, abused, and threatened
animals, in India and abroad.
✓ The initiative is the first of its kind in India and
it aims to construct the world’s largest animal
rescue and rehabilitation centre spanning
about 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of
Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex in
Gujarat.
Cabinet approvals on 29 February 2024
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister(PM)
Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals
on 29th February 2024
✓ The Union Cabinet approved the construction
of three semiconductor units in India under the
Development of Semiconductors and Display
Manufacturing Ecosystem with a total outlay of
Rs 76,000 crores including the first
semiconductor unit in the northeast(Assam).
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✓ Union cabinet has approved the PM-Surya
Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana which aims to install
rooftop solar panels in one crore households,
with a total budget of Rs. 75,021 crore.
✓ The scheme provides free electricity for up to
300 units every month. The scheme was
launched by PM Narendra Modi on 13
February 2024.
✓ Union cabinet has approved creation of the
post of Director of National Institute of One
Health, Nagpur at the level of Scientist 'H' (pay
level-15) to spearhead the National One
Health Mission for integrated disease control
and pandemic preparedness.
✓ Approved royalty rates for mining of 12 critical
and strategic minerals - Beryllium, Cadmium,
Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Selenium,
Tantalum, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten, and
Vanadium.
✓ Approved nutrient-based subsidy for P&K
fertilizers for Kharif Season 2024
✓ The Union Cabinet approved the establishment
of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
with a one-time budgetary support of Rs 150
crore for a period of 5 years (2023-24 to
2027-28).
Click here to read full News
MSME Minister Narayan Rane Launched
Three Initiatives to Promote Women
Entrepreneurship
Union Minister Narayan Rane, Ministry of Micro, Small,
and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) launched 3 new
Initiatives to promote women entrepreneurship in
India during the 9th Annual Shakti International Women
Entrepreneurs Summit held in New Delhi, Delhi.
The 3 new initiatives are,
✓ Panjikaran Se Pragati.
✓ Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
Unnati _ Udyamita se Pragati tak.
✓ Mentorship Platform.
Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches "Coal
Logistics Plan and Policy"
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Coal,
launched the “Coal Logistics Plan and Policy” in an
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 7
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event organized by the Indian National Committee
World Mining Congress(INC/WMC) with the patronage
of the Ministry of Coal in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi,
Delhi.
Note: The Ministry of Coal has undertaken various
initiatives to produce 1.5 Billion tonnes (BT) of coal by
2030.
Samudra Laksamana 2024: 3rd edition of
India-Malaysia Maritime Exercise held in
Visakhapatnam, AP
Exercise Samudra Laksamana 2024, the third edition
of the India-Malaysia maritime exercise, was held
at/off the coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra
Pradesh(AP) from February 28, 2024 to March 2, 2024
between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Malaysian
Navy.
First-ever USA-India Cyber Security
Initiative launched to strengthen IT
Connections
United States of America (USA) Consulate and the
Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and
Agriculture (MCCIA) have launched the first-ever USA-
India Cyber Security Initiative to strengthen
Information technology (IT) connections between the
two countries.
Overview of PM Modi’s visit to Kerala, Tamil
Nadu & Maharashtra from 27th to 28th
February 2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Kerala,
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra from 27th to 28th
February 2024.
✓ PM Modi visited the Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
and inaugurated 3 major space infrastructure
projects worth about Rs 1,800 crore.
✓ The 3 projects are; PSLV(Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle) Integration Facility(PIF); Semi-
cryogenics Integrated Engine and stage Test
facility; and Trisonic Wind Tunnel.
✓ PM Modi announced the names of the 4
astronauts selected for ISRO’s ambitious
Gaganyaan Mission, the 1st crewed Indian
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space mission, during his visit to VSSC in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He bestowed the
selected astronauts with “astronaut wings”.
✓ The Crew of the Gaganyaan mission:
• Group
Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair
(Kerala),
• Group Captain Angad Pratap,
• Group Captain Ajit Krishnan (Tamil
Nadu)
• Wing
Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
✓ PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s
1st indigenous Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Inland Waterway Vessel under the
Harit Nauka initiative at Thoothukudi, TN.
✓ PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the new
launch complex of the ISRO at
Kulasekrapattinam in Thoothukudi district,
Tamil Nadu.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches
ADITI scheme to promote Defence
Innovation
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of
Defence(MoD), launched Acing Development of
Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to
promote innovations in critical and strategic defence
technologies. The scheme was launch during the
DefConnect 2024 held in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The ADITI scheme falls under the iDEX
(Innovations for Defence Excellence)
framework of Department of Defence
Production (DDP), MoD. The scheme
envisages to create a 'Technology Watch Tool'
to bridge the gap between Armed Forces'
requirements and innovation capabilities.
✓ The scheme will provide start-ups with grant-
in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for research,
development, and innovation in defence
technology.
✓ Budget: Rs 750 crore has been allocated for
the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Target: The scheme aims to develop
approximately 30 deep-tech critical and
strategic technologies.
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 Weekly Content PDF
MoD inks MoU with BEML, BEL & MIDHANI
for Development of Advanced Fueling &
Control System
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a tripartite
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BEML
Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Mishra
Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) for indigenous
development of Advanced Fuelling and Control System
for Engines for heavy duty applications.
✓ MoD has signed a contract with an Indian firm
to upgrade the simulators of Sukhoi Su-30
MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
“Status of Leopards in India”: Number of
leopards in India Increased by 8% from 2018
to 2022
According to the report "Status of Leopards in India"
released by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEF&CC), estimated that the leopards population in
India has risen by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in
2022.
✓ The fifth cycle leopard population estimation
(2022) was carried out by the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife
Institute of India(WII), in collaboration with
State Forest Departments.
✓ Madhya Pradesh has 3907 leopards, the
highest number of leopards in India, followed
by Maharashtra(1985) and Karnataka(1,879) in
the second and third, respectively.
PM Modi flagged off 'Swarna Sindhu' first
tanker carrying Crude Oil from ONGC
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi flagged off the first
tanker 'Swarna Sindhu', carrying crude oil from Oil and
Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)'s KG-DWN-98/2
deepwater project. The Floating Production and
Storage Offloading (FPSO) Armada Sterling V unit has
been built and operated by Shapoorji Pallonji Energy
Private Limited (SP Energy).
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Bureau of Energy Efficiency Celebrates
22nd Foundation Day; State Energy
Efficiency Index 2023 released
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of
Power, celebrated its 22nd Foundation Day on 1st
March 2024 under the theme “Energy Transition
through Electrification and Decarbonization in
lndia”.
✓ The event marked the launch of the 5th edition
of the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI
2023) developed by BEE in collaboration
with Alliance for an Energy Efficient
Economy (AEEE).
✓ SEEI 2023 evaluates 36 states and UTs using
65 qualitative, quantitative, and outcome-
based indicators distributed across the
following seven demand sectors:
Energy Consumption Top-Performing States
Group (top 3)
Karnataka; Haryana;
Group 1
Maharashtra
Andhra Pradesh; Kerala;
Group 2
Telangana
Assam; Goa; Himachal
Group 3
Pradesh
Chandigarh; Meghalaya;
Group 4 Andaman & Nicobar
Islands
✓ The 1st edition of India Electric Vehicle
(EV) Digest (2023) brought out by
BEE highlighted the rise in EV growth and the
need for increased adoption, in line with the
national target of 30% EV share in vehicle
sales by 2030.
Union Minister of SDE Dharmendra Pradhan
Launches Project ODISERV in Odisha
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched
Project ODISERV at Gangadhar Meher University
(GMU) in Sambalpur, Odisha, aiming to equip young
graduates of Odisha for employment opportunities in
the financial services sector.
✓ The Project Odiserv is the inaugural skill
development initiative by the National Skill
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 9
 Weekly Content PDF

Development Corporation (NSDC) and Bajaj Regulatory Authority (WDRA) to facilitate post-harvest
Finserv Ltd. financing for farmers.
✓ It was developed collaboratively by the
10 Products from 8 States got Geographical Department of Food and Public Distribution,
the Department of Financial Services, and the
IndicationTag
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Geographical Indication Registry(Chennai, Tamil Nadu-
Development (NABARD).
TN) under the Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and
Industry(MoCI), has awarded geographical indication
(GI) tags to 10 distinct products from 8 states.
Newly added 10 GI-certified Products:
S.no GI Product State Goods
Majuli Mask of Handi
1
Assam Crafts
Assam Majuli Assam
Handi
2 Manuscript
Crafts
Painting
Ambaji White Natural
3
Marble Goods
Gujarat
Kutch Rogan
4 Textiles
Craft
Cuttack Silver
Handi
5 Filigree (Chandi Odisha
Crafts
Tarakasi)
DoT Launched Digital Intelligence Portal &
Narasapur
Andhra ‘Chakshu’ Facility to Curb Cyber Crime &
6 Crochet Lace Textiles
Pradesh Financial Frauds
Products
Ratlam Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of
Madhya Communications(MoC) launched the Department of
7 Riyawan Lahsun Agriculture
Pradesh Telecommunications (DoT)’s ‘Digital Intelligence
(Garlic)
Hyderabad Lac Platform (DIP)’ and ‘Chakshu’(चक्षु)’ facility on the
8 Telangana Handicraft
Bangles Sanchar Saathi portal to empower the people and to
Tripura Risa foster a secure digital ecosystem.
9 Tripura Textiles
Textile ✓ DIP aims to eliminate the use of telecom
West resources in cybercrimes and financial frauds
10 Bengal Muslin Textiles
Bengal by coordinating the stakeholders.
✓ Chakshu facility will enable the citizens to
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launches ‘e- report suspected fraud communication.

Kisan Upaj Nidhi’ to Facilitate Post-Harvest

Financing for Farmers
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food & Public Distribution(MoCAF&PD),
launched ‘e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi’, an online digital
platform of the Warehousing Development and
2nd Phase of Dak Karmayogi Project
Completed; MoS Devusinh Chauhan
Launched 25 New Courses
On 5th March 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS)
Devusinh Chauhan, Ministry of Communications
(MoC) participated in the event organised to mark the

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 Weekly Content PDF

completion of the 2nd Phase of Dak and the world’s 1st Green Hydrogen plant with
Karmayogi project, an e-learning platform to enhance rooftop and floating solar.
the competencies of Gramin Dak Sevaks and Postal
Department employees. MoSPI signed a MoU with ISRO’s NRSC to
✓ Union MoS also launched 25 new courses
facilitate Urban Frame Survey in Digital
under Dak Karmayogi during the event held in
New Delhi, Delhi. Mode
✓ He also launched a Special Cover Field Operations Division (FOD) of National Sample
commemorating successful journey of Dak Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics
Karmayogi Project. and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) have signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National
Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Indian
PM Modi Inaugurates Multiple Development
Space Research Organization (ISRO) to facilitate
Projects and Program worth Rs 17,000 crore Urban Frame Survey (UFS) in a digital mode.
in Madhya Pradesh
The Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed the MoES Secretary Dr. M. Ravichandran co-
'Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh' program via
chairs 1st Blue Talks in New Delhi
video conferencing, during which he laid the foundation
The first edition of 'Blue Talks' meeting was held in
stone and dedicated multiple development projects
New Delhi, Delhi on 29th February 2024. The meeting
worth approximately Rs 17,000 crores across Madhya
hosted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) was
Pradesh on February 29, 2024.
co-partnered by the Embassy of France and Embassy
✓ PM launched the Cyber Tehsil Project in
of Costa Rica in India.
Madhya Pradesh (MP) to improve the delivery
✓ The meeting was jointly co-chaired by the
of government services.
Secretary, MoES Dr. M. Ravichandran;
✓ PM Modi virtually inaugurated the world’s first
Ambassador of France to India, Thierry
‘Vikramaditya Vedic clock’ at Jantar-Mantar in
Mathou, and Costa Rica Chargée d'affaires,
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh which aims to
Sofia Salas Monge. Discussions were held on
reintroduce the ancient Indian system of
matters related to 'Ocean Health and
timekeeping to the modern world.
Governance'.
✓ The clock was developed by the Maharaja
Vikramaditya Research Institute in
Ujjain with the help of Lucknow-based Farmers’ Enrollment under PMFBY increase
engineer Aroh Srivastav’s software unit. by 27% in FY24
Farmers’ enrollment under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Union Minister Scindia Inaugurates India's Yojana (PMFBY) has increased by 27% in the financial
year 2023-24 (FY24). So far, around 56.80 crore
1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel
farmers have enrolled under PMFBY and more than
Sector in Haryana
23.22 crore farmers have received claims.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of Steel,
✓ PMFBY is a Central Sector Scheme launched
virtually inaugurated India's 1st Green Hydrogen
by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers
Plant in the Stainless Steel Sector at Jindal Stainless
Welfare(MoAFW) in 2016. This is the world’s
Limited (JSL) in Hisar, Haryana. The Green Hydrogen
3rd largest insurance scheme, in terms of
plant has been set up by JSL in association with
premiums.
Hygenco Green Energies Private Limited. ✓ Premium: The Maximum Premium payable by
✓ This plant will be the world’s 1st off-grid Green
the farmers will be 2% for all Kharif Food &
Hydrogen plant for the stainless steel industry
Oilseeds crops, 1.5% for Rabi Food & Oilseeds

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 Weekly Content PDF
crops, and 5% for Annual
Commercial/Horticultural Crops.
Government Notifies Rules framed under
Section 49M of the Wild Life (Protection)
Act, 1972
The Central Government in exercise of the powers
conferred by clause (jv) of sub-section (1) of Section 63
of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
US Chamber’s International IP Index 2024:
India retained 42nd rank; The USA tops
According to the 12th edition of the International
Intellectual Property (IP) Index (2024) by the United
States (US) Chamber of Commerce, India has retained
the 42nd rank with an overall score of 38.64%. The
United States of America (USA) has topped the list with
an overall score of 95.48% followed by the United
Kingdom (UK) in the 2nd place with 94.12% and France
in the 3rd with 93.12%.
Top 5 on International IP Index 2024:
Rank Country Score
1 USA 95.48%
2 UK 94.12%
3 France 93.12%
4 Germany 92.46%
5 Sweden 92.12%
42 India 38.64%
PM Modi & Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth
jointly Inaugurate New Airstrip & a Jetty at
Agaléga Island in Mauritius
On February 29, 2024, the Prime Minister (PM) of India,
Narendra Modi and PM of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth,
jointly inaugurated an Airstrip and a Saint James Jetty
at the Agaléga Island in Mauritius via video
conferencing. They also inaugurated the six community
development projects in Agaléga that were
implemented with financial assistance from India.
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unveiled Living Animal Species (Reporting and
Registration) Rules, 2024.
✓ Section 49 M mandates the registration of
possession, transfer, and birth, as well as
reporting deaths, of living scheduled animal
species listed in the Appendices of CITES
(Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora) and Schedule IV of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972.
Comoros, Timor-Leste Becomes New
Members of WTO at MC13 held in Abu
Dhabi
The Union of the Comoros and the Democratic
Republic of Timor–Leste have formally became the
members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
✓ The signing ceremony was held during the
WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13)
hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in
Abu Dhabi. With the accession of Comoros
and Timor-Leste, the total number of WTO
members becomes 166.
✓ WTO implemented an agreement on new
disciplines on domestic services regulations
benefiting all members, including non-
signatories like India.
Click here to read full News
India Ranks 113 in the World Bank’s
Women, Business, and the Law 2024 Index
According to the 10th edition of Women, Business,
and the Law (WBL) 2024 report released by the World
Bank Group, India has climbed to 113th place out of
190 countries in the Index, with a score of 74.4%. For
the first time, WBL assesses the gap between legal
reforms and actual outcomes for women in 190
economies.
✓ The index shows that in India, women enjoy
60% of the legal rights granted to men, which is
lower than the global average of 64.2%.
Click here to read full News
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BANKING & FINANCE

PFRDA notifies Amendments to Retirement RBI revises BBPS Framework to Streamline

Adviser Regulations
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
(PFRDA) made changes to the PFRDA (Retirement
Adviser) Regulations 2016 with effect from 20th
February 2024. This regulation may be termed as the
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
(Retirement Adviser/ RA) (Amendment) Regulations,
2023.
✓ Non-Individual applicants regulated by other
financial regulators, like the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI), or Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI), are
now eligible to become RAs.
Financial Literacy Week 2024: RBI
Announces Financial Literacy Ideathon for
PG Students
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched Financial
Literacy Ideathon for Postgraduate (PG) students,
currently enrolled in recognized educational
institutions. The Ideathon is being organised as a part of
the RBI’s Financial Literacy Week (FLW) 2024
observed from 26th February to 1st March 2024. The
theme of FLW 2024 is “Make a Right Start – Become
Financially Smart”. The 2024 theme targets young
adults, mainly students.
Bill Payments; Issues Master Direction for
Filing of Supervisory Returns
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the regulatory
framework for Bharat Bill Payment Systems (BBPS)
based on a review of developments in the payments
landscape. The revised directions, called as RBI
(BBPS) Directions, 2024, will be applicable from 1st
April 2024.
✓ The provisions of these Directions will be
applicable to NPCI Bharat Bill Pay Limited
(NBBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of National
Payments Corporation of India(NPCI); and
all Bharat Bill Payment Operating
Units (BBPOUs).
✓ The RBI (Filing of Supervisory Returns)
Directions 2024 were issued to reduce the
compliance burden of banks and non-banks on
issues related to filing supervisory returns and
risk mitigation.
✓ As per the RBI’s Quarterly House Price Index
(HPI) for Q3FY24, all-India HPI increased by
3.8% (Year-on-Year/Y-o-Y) in Q3FY24
compared to 3.5% growth in Q2FY24 and 2.8%
in Q3FY23.

Asian Development Bank priced USD 3.5

billion 5 year Global Bond
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) priced a USD 3.5
billion 5-year global bond. The proceeds of this bond
will become part of ADB’s ordinary capital resources.
Bond Details:
✓ The bond was priced at 99.827% to yield 12.7
basis points over the 4.25% United States
Treasury notes due February 2029.
✓ Coupon rate: 4.375% per annum (payable
semi-annually)
✓ Maturity date: 6 March 2029

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 Weekly Content PDF
RBI Updates Framework for Fintech
Sandbox to Streamline the Process
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has updated its
"Enabling Framework for Regulatory Sandbox" to
streamline the process for fintech companies. RBI has
extended the overall timeline for the Regulatory
Sandbox (RS) process from 7 months to 9 months,
excluding the preliminary screening period.
✓ RBI has introduced an additional phase called
"formulation of test design and integration"
in the regulatory sandbox process.
✓ New RS framework allows for "theme neutral
cohorts". This means that entities can apply to
test any innovative product, service, or
technology, cutting across various functions in
the RBI's regulatory domain.
NIPL & Eurobank S.A. Signed MoU to Offer
Foreign Inward Remittances Using UPI
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a
subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Greece-based Eurobank S.A., to transform
cross-border payments using the Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) platform.
✓ This initiative will place Greece as one of the
1st European countries to facilitate UPI
remittances, empowering the Indian diaspora
in Greece to undertake efficient remittances to
India.
Kotak Mahindra Bank launched the ‘Smart
Choice Gold Loan’
Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) launched the
‘Smart Choice Gold Loan’ with a simpler application &
disbursal process which aims to offer consumers the
maximum value and flexibility to meet their credit
needs. The monthly interest rate of the loan is as low
as 0.88%.
REC Listed Two Bonds worth Rs 5,375 crore
in BSE & NSE
REC Limited has successfully listed two bonds worth
Rs 5,375 crore on the NSE India (National Stock
Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com
Exchange of India Ltd) and BSE Limited (formerly
Bombay Stock Exchange).
✓ The first bond is worth Rs.2,500 crore and has
a maturity period of 10 years (matures on 28th
February 2034). It offers a yield of 7.47%.
✓ The second bond is worth Rs.2,875 crore and
has a maturity period of 3 years and 2 months
(matures on 30th April 2027). It offers a yield of
7.64%.
RBI Approves NBBL to Launch Interoperable
Payment System
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval to NPCI
Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) to launch an interoperable
payment system for internet banking in the Calendar
Year 2024 (CY24).
✓ RBI has sanctioned USD 530 million all-stocks
Scheme of Amalgamation of Bengaluru,
Karnataka based Fincare Small Finance Bank
(SFB) Ltd. (Transferor Bank) with Jaipur,
Rajasthan headquartered AU SFB Ltd.
(Transferee Bank) in exercise of the powers
contained in sub-section (4) of Section 44A of
the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949.
✓ RBI in exercise of its powers under
Section 45L(1)(b) of the RBI Act, 1934,
directed IIFL Finance Ltd. to cease and desist,
w.e.f March 4, 2024, from sanctioning or
disbursing gold loans or assigning/ securitising/
selling any of its gold loans.
Infibeam Avenues received Online Payment
Aggregator licence from RBI
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) based Infibeam Avenues
Limited (formerly Avenues India Private Limited) has
received final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) to operate an Online Payment Aggregator
(PA) for its payment gateway brand, CCAvenue.
WB approved USD 452 Million Loan to Boost
Connectivity in Assam
World Bank(WB) has approved a new project worth
USD 452 million to improve connectivity for over 1.8
million people living in rural areas of Assam.
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 14
 Weekly Content PDF
✓ The Assam Resilient Rural Bridges Program
will strengthen the resilience and management
of roads and bridges to help people living in
1,739 villages.
REC Limited Partnered with UNISED to
Support Childrens Education in
Siddharthnagar, UP
REC Limited through its Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) arm REC Foundation has
partnered with the Unit of Science and Educational
Development (UNISED) to support the education of
approximately 75,500 children in the Siddharthnagar
district of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
Reserve Bank of India Suspended the
Function of JMFPL
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred Mumbai
(Maharashtra) based JM Financial Products Ltd
(JMFPL) from financing against shares and
debentures including sanction and disbursal of loans
against initial public offering (IPO) of shares with
immediate effect.
✓ RBI imposed the ban in exercise of its powers
under section 45L(1)(b) of the Reserve Bank of
India Act, 1934.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
NGEL & MAHAGENCO Signed JVA to
develop RE parks in Maharashtra
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Maharashtra
State Power Generation Company Limited
(MAHAGENCO) have signed a Joint Venture
Agreement (JVA) to develop Gigawatt (GW)-scale
Renewable Energy Parks in Maharashtra in a phased
manner. The agreement is in alignment with the green
energy objectives of NTPC which aims to attain 60 GW
of renewable energy capacity by the year 2032.
CIL partners with BHEL to Develop
Ammonium Nitrate Plant in Odisha
Coal India Limited (CIL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals
Limited (BHEL) signed a joint venture agreement (JVA)
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PNB & EaseMyTrip partners to Launch Co-
branded Travel Credit Card: ‘PNB EMT
Credit Card’
Punjab National Bank (PNB), an Indian public sector
bank, has partners with EaseMyTrip(EMT), one of
India’s largest online travel tech platforms, to launch
‘PNB EMT Credit Card’, a co-branded premier travel
credit card.
✓ The PNB EMT credit card is available for an
annual membership fee of Rs 2,000 and can be
globally used across 100 countries.
Bank of Baroda offers LITE Savings Account
with Lifetime Zero Balance Feature
Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched a Lifetime Zero
Balance Savings Bank Account called ‘bob LITE
Savings Account’. This account offers a lifetime free
RuPay Platinum Debit Card for customers who
maintain a nominal Quarterly Average Balance (QAB).
✓ RBL Bank Limited has launched a zero-balance
digital savings account called ‘GO Account’.
This account offers a free premium GO Debit
Card.
to establish an ammonium nitrate plant in the
Lakhanpur area of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (one of
the subsidiaries of CIL), Odisha.
India's GDP grows at 8.4% in Q3FY24;
Economy to expand at 7.6% in FY24: NSO
The National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
released the Second Advance Estimates (SAE) of
National Income, Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24);
Quarterly Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
for October-December quarter of FY24 (Q3FY24).
✓ Real GDP in Q3FY24 is estimated at Rs
43.72 lakh crore, against Rs 40.35 lakh crore
in Q3 of FY23, showing a growth rate of 8.4%.
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 15
 Weekly Content PDF

✓ GDP at Current Prices in Q3FY24 is estimated NGEL & UP Rajya Vidyut partners to Develop
at Rs 75.49 lakh crore, as against Rs 68.58 RE Projects in UP
lakh crore in Q3 of F23, showing a growth rate
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has signed a joint
of 10.1%. venture agreement (JVA) with Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
(UP) based UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited
GDP growth in FY24 likely to be within (UPRVUNL) for the development of renewable power
striking distance of 8%: SBI report parks and projects in UP.
On March 1, 2024, according to the 'Ecowrap' report by
the State Bank of India (SBI), the GDP growth for
Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24)is likely to be within
striking distance of 8%. Indian Economy grew 8.4% in
Q3FY24.

C-DOT & Qualcomm Signed MoU to

Encourage Innovation in India
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and
Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of
Qualcomm Incorporated, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to encourage innovation in India
and support India-based developers and start-ups
working on innovative products and use cases. The
MoU was signed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC)
2024 held in Barcelona, Spain.
Moody’s revised India’s GDP growth to 6.8%
for 2024
According to Global credit rating agency Moody’s
report “Global Macro Outlook 2024”, India’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) projections for 2024 has
been raised to 6.8% from 6.1% earlier. For 2025,
India’s GDP growth is estimated at 6.4%.
✓ India’s real GDP grew at 8.4 % in the 3rd
quarter of FY24(October-December quarter),
resulting in a 7.7% growth for full-year 2023.
FDI Inflows Decline 13% to USD 32bn in
April-December 2023
According to the data by Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of
Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Foreign direct
investment (FDI) inflows in India decreased by 13% to
USD 32.03 billion in April-December 2023. This is
attributed by lower investments in sectors like
computer hardware and software, telecom, auto, and
pharma.
✓ FDI inflows were USD 36.74 billion during
April to December 2022. FDI equity inflows
decreased from major countries like
Singapore, the United States (US), the United
Kingdom (UK), Cyprus, and the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) during April-December 2023.

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 Weekly Content PDF

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Sangeet Natak Akademi Honors Six Artists Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti
as Fellows; 92 with Akademi Puruskar for Enterprises became the 1st Indian citizen to be
conferred the title of Knight Commander of the Most
2022 & 2023
Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) under King
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the
Charles III reign, recognising his contributions “for
National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New
services to United Kingdom (UK) and India business
Delhi, Delhi, unanimously elected 6 eminent
relations”.
personalities in the field of performing arts as
✓ The KBE is one of the highest honours
of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
conferred by the British Sovereign to civilians,
(Akademi Ratna Sadasyata).
granted to foreign nationals in recognition of
Winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship:
their outstanding contributions.
Winners Field
✓ He was the President of the Confederation of
Vinayak Khedekar Author and Folklorist
Indian Industry (CII) in 2007-08. In 2007, he
R. Visweswaran Veena Player was awarded the Padma Bhushan for Trade
Sunayana Hazarilal Kathak Dancer and Industry.
Raja & Radha
Kuchipudi Dancing Couple
Reddy
‘Staliner Divan’ Translated by Pankaj Kumar
Dulal Roy Theatre Director
Daya Prakash Chatterjee Won the Romain Rolland Book
Playwright
Sinha Prize 2024
Click Here for the Official List of all The 7th edition of the Romain Rolland Book
winners Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards Prize(2024) has been awarded to “Staliner Divan”,
(Akademi Puruskar) for 2022 & 2023, the Bengali translation of Jean-Daniel Baltassat’s
and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2022 & 2023 French novel “Le Divan de Staline” (Stalin’s Couch), by
Click here to read full News Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee.
Sunil Bharti Mittal to be Conferred With ✓ The Romain Rolland Book Prize is annually
presented by the French Institute in India (IFI -
Honorary Knighthood by King Charles III of
Institut Français en Inde) in collaboration with
UK
Apeejay Trust.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

President Appoints New Chairman & ✓ The Lokpal has been working without its
Members of Lokpal; Justice AM Khanwilkar regular chairperson since the retirement of
Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose,1st Chairperson
as Chairman
of Lokpal, on 27th May 2022.
Droupadi Murmu, President of
✓ Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicial
India, has appointed the new
member of the Lokpal, has been serving as the
Chairman and Members of
acting chairperson of lokpal since 28th May
Lokpal, the anti-corruption
2022.
authority in India. Former
✓ President Droupadi Murmu has appointed six
Supreme Court judge Ajay
members to Lokpal including three judicial and
Manikrao Khanwilkar was
three non-judicial.
appointed as the chairperson of Lokpal.

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 Weekly Content PDF
Ajay Kanwal Re-appointed as MD & CEO of
Jana Small Finance Bank
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the re-
appointment of Ajay Kanwal as the Managing
Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jana
Small Finance Bank (Jana SFB) for three years, from
21st March 2024 to 20th March 2027. Ajay Kanwal has
been working as MD and CEO of Bengaluru - Karnataka
headquartered Jana SFB since 2018.
MS Kamath appointed as MD of Mangalore
Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited
According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
(MoP&NG), the Competent Authority has approved the
appointment of Mundkur Shyamprasad Kamath as
Managing Director (MD) on the Board of Mangaluru
(Karnataka) based Mangalore
Refinery and Petrochemicals
Limited (MRPL).
✓ He will succeed Sanjay
Varma who served as MD
(Additional Charge) & Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of
MRPL.
RBI Approves Appointment of S
Ravindran as Part-time Chairman of TMB
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the
appointment of S Ravindran as the part-time
Chairman of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd. (TMB) with
effect from 29th February 2024 till 2nd August 2026.
The post of non-executive part-time Chairman of TMB
has been vacant since 2nd February 2020, following
the departure of S. Annamalai who held the post from
February 2017 to February 2020.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
CCI clears Ring Plus Aqua's 59% stake buy
in Maini Precision Products
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has
granted approval to Ring Plus Aqua Limited's (RPAL)
proposed acquisition of a 59.25% stake in Maini
Precision Products Limited (MPPL)
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Rajendra Prasad Goyal takes additional
charge as CMD of NHPC Limited
Rajendra Prasad Goyal has assumed the additional
charge as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)
of NHPC Limited (Formerly known as National
Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd.), with effect from
1st March 2024. He is succeeding Rajeev Kumar
Vishnoi, who was serving as CMD (Additional charge)
since 1st March 2023.
Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Took Oath
as Pakistan's PM for a 2nd Time
Mian Muhammad Shehbaz
Sharif was sworn in as the Prime
Minister (PM) of Pakistan for a
2nd term on 4 March 2024.
Pakistan's newly formed
parliament elected Shehbaz
Sharif as the new PM, who secured 201 votes in a 336-
member National Assembly, surpassing the required
169 votes.
✓ Previously, he served as PM of a coalition
government for 16 months from April 2022 to
August 2023 before Parliament was dissolved
to hold general elections.
Tamás Sulyok Appointed as Hungary’s
President
Tamás Sulyok, Former Head of Hungary’s
Constitutional Court (CC) & a lawyer, was appointed
as the President of Hungary by receiving 134 votes in
parliament. He succeeded Katalin Novák, the first
female President of Hungary, who resigned in February
2024 due to a scandal.
✓ Under this, there will be acquisition of 59.25%
shareholding in MPPL by RPAL, the acquisition
of the entire shareholding of JK Files &
Engineering Limited (JK Files) in JK Talabot
Limited (JKTL) by a wholly owned subsidiary of
Raymond Limited (New Company), and merger
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 18
 Weekly Content PDF
of RPAL, MPPL and the engineering business of
JK Files into the New Company.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
LSAM 18 (YARD 128): Indian Navy’s 4th
ACTCM Barge Launched in Thane
Indian Navy (IN) has launched an Ammunition Cum
Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 18 (YARD
128)’, 4th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project at M/s
Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, Thane
(Maharashtra). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and
Suryadipta Projects signed the contract for building the
11 X ACTCM Barges.
✓ The Barges are indigenously designed and built
by the classification Naval Rules and
Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping
(IRS).
DRDO Conducts Successful Flight Test of
VSHORADS Missile in Chandipur, Odisha
The Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of the
Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)
missile, a Man Portable Air Defence
System(MANPADS) , off the coast of Odisha on 28th
and 29th February 2024.
✓ VSHORADS was designed and developed by
the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in
collaboration with other DRDO labs and Indian
Industry Partners
L&T Commissioned First Indigenously
Manufactured Hydrogen Electrolyser at
Gujarat
Mumbai (Maharashtra) headquartered Larsen & Toubro
(L&T) Limited has commissioned its first indigenously
built hydrogen electrolyser at the Green Hydrogen
Plant in Hazira in Gujarat.
✓ The electrolyser has a rated power capacity of
1 megawatt (MW), expandable to 2 MW. It can
produce 200 Nm3/hour of hydrogen.
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Russia Launches Iran's 'Pars 1' Research
Satellite into Space
Russia launched Pars 1, an Iranian research-sensing
and imaging satellite by its Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the
Vostochny Cosmodrome launch base of Russia (some
8,000 kilometers(km) east of Moscow) into an orbit
500 km above Earth.
✓ Pars 1 will scan Iran’s topography and carry a
15-meter camera, enabling it to send high-
resolution images of surface locations from its
orbit.
✓ Pars-1 marks the 12th satellite launched under
the current administration of President
Ebrahim Raisi, which took office in August
2021.
SpaceX launched NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8
mission to ISS
The SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket topped with Dragon
Spacecraft (named Endeavour) has launched the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA)’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission from Launch
Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in
Florida, United States of America (USA).
✓ Crew-8 mission is NASA's eighth commercial
crew rotation mission with SpaceX to the
International Space Station (ISS).
✓ Matthew Dominick (Mission Commander,
USA), Michael Barratt (Mission Pilot, USA),
Jeanette Epps (Mission Specialist, USA) and
Alexander Grebenkin (Flight Engineer,
Russia).
Union Minister Sonowal dedicates 1st
Made-in-India ASTDS Tug
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) virtually
inaugurated 60-tonne (60T) bollard pull tug named
"Ocean Grace”, the first ever Made-in-
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 19
 Weekly Content PDF
India Approved Standardised Tug Design and
Specification (ASTDS) tug at Paradip Port, Odisha.
✓ Ocean Grace, developed by the Cochin
Shipyard Limited under MoPSW, was built at a
cost of Rs 45 crores.
Indian Navy Commissions INS Jatayu at
Minicoy & India’s 1st MH-60R Seahawk
Helicopter Squadron in Kochi
The Indian Navy (IN) commissioned the Indian Naval
Ship (INS) Jatayu at Minicoy, the southernmost island
in Lakshadweep. This is the 2nd naval base in
Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti, the
capital of Lakshadweep.
✓ It was commissioned by Admiral
Radhakrishnan (R.) Hari Kumar, the Chief of
Naval Staff (CNS).
✓ The CNS R. Hari Kumar also
commissioned Indian Naval Air Squadron
ENVIRONMENT
Melanochlamys Droupadi: A New Species of
Head-Shield Sea Slug Discovered in Odisha
and West Bengal
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
have identified a new species of head-shield sea slug
SPORTS
India Women’s Football Team Finished
Runners-up in Turkish Women's Cup 2024
The Indian women’s football team (nickname: Blue
Tigresses) finished runner-up at the Turkish Women's
Cup 2024 after losing to Kosovo in the finals held at the
Gold City Sports Complex in Alanya, Türkiye. The 8th
edition of the Turkish Women's Cup, also known as the
Alanya Gold City Cup, was held from 21st to 27th
February 2024 in Alanya, Türkiye.
Puneri Paltan Defeats Haryana Steelers to
Win Pro Kabaddi League Season 10
Puneri Paltan won the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)
Season 10 by defeating the Haryana Steelers in the
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(INAS) 334 ‘Seahawks’, India’s first MH 60R
multirole helicopter Squadron, at INS Garuda
in Kochi, Kerala.
✓ The MH 60R Seahawk is a maritime version of
the Black Hawk. It is a part of a 24-aircraft
contract with the United States (US) since
February 2020.
IAF's C-17 Aircraft Successfully Airdrops
Indigenously Built Platform
Indian Air Force (IAF)’s transport aircraft C-17
airdropped an extra long and heavy indigenously
developed platform that can carry a maximum load of
over 22 tonnes. The platform was developed by the
Aerial Delivery Research and Development
Establishment (ADRDE), which is a pioneer Research &
Development (R&D) lab of the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO).
‘Melanochlamys Droupadi’ along the coasts of
Odisha and West Bengal. The species is named after
Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India. The
discovery was published in the online edition of the
molluscan journal ‘Mollusca Research’.
finals held at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli,
Hyderabad, Telangana. It marks Puneri Paltan's first-
ever PKL title win since its first edition in 2014.
Khelo India University Games 2023:
Chandigarh University Tops Medal Tally
Chandigarh University won the overall championship of
the 4th edition of the Khelo India University Games
(KIUG 2023) held in the North East region from 17th -
29th February 2024. Chandigarh University topped the
medal tally of KIUG 2023 with a total of 71 medals (32
gold, 18 silver, and 21 bronze).
✓ The Mascot of the KIUG 2023 is
‘Ashtalakshmi’, a butterfly.
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 20
 Weekly Content PDF

Top 5 on KIUG 2023 Medal Tally: Jain University

5 12 7 6 25
Ra Gol Silv Bron Tot (Karnataka)
University
nk d er ze al Click here to read full News
Chandigarh
1 University(Chan 32 18 21 71 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Wins Season-
digarh)
Opening F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024
Lovely
Belgian-Dutch driver Max Verstappen (competing
Professional
2 20 14 8 42 under the Dutch flag) of Red Bull won the season-
University(Punja
opening Formula 1 (F1) Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 held
b)
at the Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain, from 29th
Guru Nanak Dev
February to 2nd March 2024.
3 University(Punja 12 20 19 51
✓ This victory also marks Verstappen’s second
b)
consecutive Bahrain GP title (2023 and 2024).
Panjab
4 University 12 12 16 40
(Chandigarh)

OBITUARY

Shafiqur Rahman Barq: India's Oldest Lok
Sabha MP Passed Away
India's oldest parliamentarian and a founding member
of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Shafiqur Rahman Barq
passed away at the age of 93 in Moradabad, Uttar
Pradesh (UP). He was born on 11th July 1930 in Deepa
Sarai, Sambhal, UP. He was serving as Member of
Parliament (MP) of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24)
representing the Sambhal constituency of UP.
Eminent Archaeologist & Padma Shri
Awardee Arun Kumar Sharma Passed Away
Renowned Archaeologist and Padma Shri awardee,
Arun Kumar Sharma, passed away at the age of 91 in
Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He was born on 12 November
1933, in Mohandi village near Chandkhuri in
Chhattisgarh. The government of India honoured him
with Padma Shri (Others category) in 2017.
Former Canadian PM Martin Brian Mulroney
Passed Away
Martin Brian Mulroney, who served as the 18th Prime
Minister (PM) of Canada(1984-1993), passed away at
the age of 84 in Palm Beach, Florida, the United States
of America (USA). He was born on 20 March 1939 in
Baie-Comeau, Quebec (Canada).
✓ He became the 1st Canadian PM in 35 years to
win successive majority governments, and the
1st Conservative PM to do so in a century. He
co-chaired the United Nations(UN) World
Summit for Children in 1990.
Senior Congress Leader Aziz Qureshi
Passed Away
Senior Congress leader Aziz Qureshi, who served as
Governor of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Mizoram,
passed away at the age of 83 in Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh. He was born on 24th April 1940 in Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh.
✓ He served as Governor of Uttarakhand from
2012-2015; and Governor of Mizoram from
January 2015 to March 2015. He served as
Governor (Additional charge) of Uttar Pradesh
from 23 June 2014 to 22 July 2014.

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 Weekly Content PDF
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Former Indian Diplomat Lakshmi Puri
launched her Debut Novel "Swallowing the
Sun"
Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, Former Assistant
Secretary General, United Nations (UN) and wife of
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, penned her debut
novel ‘Swallowing the Sun: A Novel’. She is also a
former deputy executive director of UN Women.
✓ The novel is published by Aleph Book
Company, an independent publishing firm
promoted by Rupa Publications India.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Rare Disease Day 2024 - February 29
Rare Disease Day is annually observed across the
globe on the last day of February, either 28 or 29 in
leap years (the rarest day of the year), to raise
awareness of the rare diseases and their impact on the
people they affect.
✓ The 2024 theme of Rare Disease Day is
“Share Your Colours”. This theme is the
continuation of the 2022 and 2023 themes.
✓ Rare Disease Day 2024, observed on 29
February 2024, marks the 17th Observance of
Rare Disease Day.
Zero Discrimination Day 2024 - March 1
United Nations (UN)’s Zero Discrimination Day is
annually observed across the globe on 1st March to
promote equality, inclusion, peace, and diversity while
raising awareness about the harmful impact of
discrimination worldwide.
✓ 1 March 2024 marks the observance of the
10th anniversary of Zero Discrimination Day.
The 2024 theme of Zero Discrimination Day is,
“To protect everyone’s health, protect
everyone’s rights”.
✓ The symbol of Zero Discrimination Day is the
“Butterfly”. It represents a symbol of
transformation.
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Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Releases Coffee
Table Book Titled ‘FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s
World Cup 2023’
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik released a
coffee table book titled ‘FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s
World Cup 2023’ published by Sportstar, the sports
magazine of The Hindu Group. The 252-page book
captured every on-field and off-field moment of the
15th edition of the (Fédération Internationale de
Hockey, or International Hockey Federation) FIH
Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, which was
held from 13th to 29th January 2023 in Bhubaneswar &
Rourkela, Odisha.
World Civil Defence Day 2024 - March 1
World Civil Defence Day (WCDD), also known as
World Civil Protection Day, is annually observed across
the globe on 1st March to honour the significance of
Civil Defence and the personnel who have sacrificed
their lives for it.
✓ 1st March 2024 marks the observance of 35th
WCDD. The Theme of WCDD 2024 is “Honour
Heroes and Promote Safety Skills”. The
slogan for the day is “Innovative Technologies
in the Civil Protection Service”.
✓ The first-ever World Civil Defence Day was
observed in 1990 by the United Nations (UN).
48th Civil Accounts Day - March 1, 2024
Civil Accounts Day is annually observed across India
on 1 March to mark the Foundation Day of the Indian
Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), one of the Civil Services
functioning under the Department of Expenditure,
Ministry of Finance (MoF). 1 March 2024 marks the
observance of the 48th Civil Accounts Day.
World Seagrass Day 2024 - March 1
The United Nations (UN)’s World Seagrass Day is
annually observed across the globe on 1 March to raise
awareness of the significance of seagrasses,
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 22
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emphasising their fundamental role in marine
biodiversity, their threats, and their contributions to
sustainable development and climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
✓ 1 March 2024 marks the observance of the 2nd
World Seagrass Day. The first ever World
Seagrass Day was observed on 1st March
2023.
World Wildlife Day 2024 - March 3
The United Nations (UN) World Wildlife Day (WWD) is
annually observed across the globe on 3rd March to
celebrate and raise awareness about world’s wild
fauna (animals) and flora (plants). WWD serves as a
global acknowledgment of the incredible diversity in
our ecosystems.
✓ The theme of WWD 2024 is "Connecting
People and Planet: Exploring Digital
Innovation in Wildlife Conservation".
✓ The 1st ever WWD was observed on 3 March
2014.
World Hearing Day 2024 - March 3
World Hearing Day (WHD) is annually observed across
the globe on 3rd March to raise awareness regarding
hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care. The day
also call for action to address hearing loss and related
issues.
The theme of WHD 2024 is 'Changing mindsets: Let’s
make ear and hearing care a reality for all!'
✓ 3rd March 2024 marks the observance of the
18th WHD. The first-ever International Ear
Care Day was observed on 3rd March 2007.
International Ear Care Day was renamed as
World Hearing Day in 2016.
National Security Day 2024- March 4
National Security Day (NSD) or Rashtriya Suraksha
Diwas is annually observed across India on 4 March to
honour and show gratitude to the Indian Security
Forces. Security forces include the Police, Military,
Para-Military, Guards, Commandos, and other forces
who are involved in maintaining the peace and security
of the people of India.
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World Day of Fight Against Sexual
Exploitation 2024 - March 4
The World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation is
annually observed across the globe on 4 March to raise
awareness and promote action against sexual
exploitation. The day aims to protect vulnerable
individuals from sexual exploitation and provide
support to victims of sexual abuse.
✓ 4th March has been designated as the World
Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation
since 2009.
National Safety Day 2024 - March 4;
National Safety Week 2024 - 4 to10 March
National Safety Day (NSD) is annually observed
across India on 4 March to highlight the significance of
safety measures in preventing workplace accidents.
The day also encourages a culture of safety in
workplaces and stresses the importance of adherence
to safety guidelines.
✓ 4 March also marks the commencement of the
National Safety Week Campaign, which is
annually observed across India from 4-10
March.
✓ The theme of NSD/National Safety Week
Campaign 2024 is “Focus on Safety
Leadership for Environmental, Social, and
Governance (ESG) Excellence”.
✓ March 4 marks the foundation day of the
National Safety Council (NSC), which was
established on 4th March 1966.
World Obesity Day 2024 - March 4
World Obesity Day (WOD) is annually observed across
the globe on 4th March to create awareness about the
risks of obesity and to promote practical solutions to
end the global obesity crisis.
✓ The campaign theme of WOD 2024 is ‘Let's
Talk About Obesity And…’
✓ 4th March 2024 marks the observance of the
10th WOD. The first ever WOD was observed
on 11th October 2015.
Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 23
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International Day for Disarmament and Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Non-Proliferation Awareness 2024 - March Awareness was observed on 5 March 2023.

5
The United Nations (UN) International Day for
Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is
annually observed across the globe on 5 March to
promote awareness and understanding of
disarmament issues among the public, especially
among the youth.
✓ 5 March 2024 marks the observance of the 2nd
International Day for Disarmament and Non-
Proliferation Awareness. The 1st International
6th Jan Aushadhi Diwas - 7th March 2024
The Jan Aushadhi Diwas (Generic Medicine Day) is
annually observed across India on 7th March to create
awareness about the importance of Generic Medicines
and to highlight the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya
Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
✓ 7th March 2024 marks the observance of 6th
Jan Aushadhi Diwas. The first ever Jan
Aushadhi Diwas was observed on 7th March
2019.

STATE NEWS

Keyi Panyor Inaugurated as 26th District of Brajesh Mehrotra appointed as Chief

Arunachal Pradesh
Pema Khandu, Chief Minister (CM) of Arunachal
Pradesh, inaugurated Keyi Panyor, the 26th district of
Arunachal Pradesh. The new district, carved out of
Lower Subansiri, will have its headquarters at
Ter Gapin-Sam Sarth, strategically positioned for
agricultural and horticultural development.
Secretary of Bihar
The Government of Bihar has appointed Brajesh
Mehrotra, a 1989 batch Indian Administrative Service
(IAS) officer, as the Chief Secretary (CS) of Bihar with
effect from 4th March 2024. Mehrotra succeeded
Amir Subhani, a 1987 batch IAS officer, who
voluntarily retired from the post.

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