20th March, 2024

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 3 semiconductor projects and addressed ‘India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat’ initiative.
2. PM Modi has unveiled the Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024, the 1st-ever nationwide tourist destination poll by the Ministry of Tourism.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory and dedicated 506 railway projects in Latur, Maharashtra.
4. Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri has launched Ethanol 100 (E100 Fuel).
5. Department of Fisheries has successfully inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal.
6. Perfios, a fintech-focused Software as a Service (SaaS) firm, has become 2nd unicorn of India for the year 2024.
7. Central Government is planning to introduce new Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for various textile products, including technical, protective, and build-tech textiles, etc.
8. According to the ‘World Air Quality Report 2023’ by IQAir, India has been ranked as the 3rd most polluted country of the world out of 134 countries.
9. Bharat Shakti exercise has took place at Pokhran during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rajasthan on March 12, 2024.
10. INS Tir, the lead ship of the First Training Squadron (1TS) has participated in Exercise Cutlass Express – 24 (CE – 24) held at Port Victoria, Seychelles.
11. Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been given jointly to independent journalist Greeshma Kuthar, and Ritika Chopra of the Indian Express.
12. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 championship by defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final match held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
13. REC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rajasthan.
14. Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India has signed a MoU with SIDBI and NIESBUD for the transformation of Fair Price Shops.
15. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has elected Ashwani Kumar as president unanimously.
16. Madhu Sasidhar has been appointed as president & CEO of Apollo’s hospital division.
17. Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas has passed away at the Military Hospital, Secunderabad, Telangana.

National News

1. PM Addressed ‘India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat’ and laid Foundation Stones for 3 Semiconductor Facilities.
   • What ? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 3 semiconductor projects and addressed ‘India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat’ initiative.
   • Key points:
     • These semiconductor projects are collectively valued at nearly Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
     • The event was hosted by the Central University of Odisha.
     • The 3 projects are:
       • Semiconductor fabrication facility at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), Dholera, Gujarat.
       • Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
       • OSAT facility in Morigaon, Assam.

   • About India’s Techade Initiative:
     • ‘India’s Techade’ symbolizes the country’s commitment to adopting digitalization for sustainable growth, job creation, improved quality of life, and global technological leadership.
       Source: PIB

2. Launch of Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024 poll, and other initiatives from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
   • What ? PM Modi has unveiled the Dekho Apna Desh, People’s Choice 2024, the 1st-ever nationwide tourist destination poll by the Ministry of Tourism.
   • Objective:
     • To identify top tourist attractions across various categories and understand public perceptions about tourism destinations.

   • Launch of Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign:
     • PM Modi initiated the ‘Chalo India’ Global Diaspora Campaign, encouraging the Indian diaspora to serve as ambassadors in promoting tourism to India.
   • Inauguration of Development Projects:
     • PM Modi dedicated multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore to the nation.
     • This includes the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) aimed at boosting the agricultural economy of the region.
     • Tourism-related projects worth more than Rs 1,400 crore were also inaugurated under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes.

   • About HADP:
     • HADP initiative brings together the agriculture, horticulture, and livestock sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
     • Its goal is to assist approximately 250,000 farmers by enhancing their skills and establishing Kisan Khidmat Ghars.

3. PM inaugurates Marathwada Rail Coach Factory and launches various projects.
   • What ? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory and dedicated 506 railway projects in Latur, Maharashtra.
   • More about Marathwada Rail Coach Factory:
     • It will play a crucial role in manufacturing Vande Bharat Train sets for the Indian Railways, comprising a 16-car formation.
     • It is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, the factory aims to revolutionize rail manufacturing in the region.
     • It will provide direct employment to around 1,300 persons and indirect employment to more than 10,000 persons.

   • About Wagon Repair Workshop at Badnera:
     • This workshop will cater to major freight depots of the Central Railway in Bhusaval and Nagpur, enhancing the availability of wagons.
   • Launch of Jan Aushadi Kendras (JAKs):
     • PM Modi inaugurated 5 Jan Aushadi Kendras, offering affordable and quality generic medicines at strategic locations including Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Manmad, Pimpri, Solapur, and Nagbhir.
       Source: BS

   
   
4. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has launched Ethanol 100 (E100 Fuel).
   • What ? Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri has launched Ethanol 100 (E100 Fuel).
   • Key points:
     • The launch took place at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)’s Retail Outlet Irwin Road Service Station in New Delhi.
     • E100 will be available at selected 183 retail outlets across 5 states:
     • Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu

   • Characteristics of Ethanol 100:
     • Ethanol 100 is a cleaner alternative to gasoline and it emits fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants, which helps combat climate change and improve air quality.
     • With a high-octane rating of 100-105, it is suitable for high-performance engines and it ensures improved efficiency and power output with minimal environmental impact.
     • Ethanol 100 can be used in a variety of vehicles including flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), designed to run on gasoline, ethanol, or any blend of the two.

   • More about Ethanol Blended Fuel Initiatives:
     • Indian government had previously rolled out 20% ethanol blended fuel (E20) in 2023 and increased its availability to around 12,000 outlets.
     • Government aims to achieve 20% ethanol-blended petrol by 2024-25 and 30% ethanol-blended petrol by 2029-30.
       Source: PIB

5. Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal.
   • What ? Department of Fisheries has successfully inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal.
   • Objective:
     • To revolutionize access to credit facilities for fishers, fish farmers, and stakeholders across the country.

   • Key points:
     • It will streamline processes, digitize workflows, and enhance loan management services to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.
     • This integration promotes inclusive growth in the fisheries industry by eliminating barriers to financial access and facilitating greater financial inclusion.

   
   

Source: PIB

Banking and Economy

1. Perfios become India’s 2nd unicorn of 2024.
   • What ? Perfios, a fintech-focused Software as a Service (SaaS) firm, has become 2nd unicorn of India for the year 2024.
   • Key points:
     • Perfios specializes in providing software products and platforms to Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) clients.
     • AI startup Krutrim was recognized as 1st unicorn of 2024.

2. India is set to introduce new quality control orders (QCOs) for various textile products.
   • What ? Central Government is planning to introduce new Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for various textile products, including technical, protective, and build-tech textiles, etc.
   • Objective:
     • To improve position of India in global manufacturing and supply chains by ensuring product quality and encouraging global players to establish manufacturing units in India.

   • Key points:
     • QCOs will not apply to export items but will cover more than 2,000 products, including bedsheets, pillow covers, PPE kits, masks, etc.
     • The new QCOs under consideration are for protective, agro, and build-tech textiles, and consultations with stakeholders are underway.
     • Textile exports from India totaled $30.96 billion during the April 2023-February 2024 period, with the country being the world’s third-largest exporter of textiles and apparel.
       Source: livemint

Source: BS

Reports and Indices

1. World Air Quality Report 2023′ by IQAir.
   • What ? According to the ‘World Air Quality Report 2023’ by IQAir, India has been ranked as the 3rd most polluted country of the world out of 134 countries.
   • Key points:
     • The average annual PM2.5 concentration in India was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter.
     • Delhi was identified as the most polluted capital city globally for the 4th consecutive time.
     • Air quality situation of India worsened compared to the previous year, with an increase in PM2.5 levels.
     • In 2022, has India ranked 8th with an average PM2.5 level of 53.3 micrograms per cubic meter.
     • Begusarai, a town in Bihar, emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area globally, recording an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic meter.
   • Top 3 most polluted countries:

Source: BS

Defence News

1. Bharat Shakti exercise took place at Pokhran.
   • What ? Bharat Shakti exercise has took place at Pokhran during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rajasthan on March 12, 2024.
   • Objective:
     • To showcase excellence of India in global military equipment production by displaying indigenous weapon systems and platforms.

   • Key points:
     • It demonstrated the firepower capabilities of indigenous weapons and the operational readiness of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
     • Bharat Shakti simulated realistic, synergized, multi-domain operations to display the integrated operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
       Source: The Hindu
2. Exercise Cutlass Express 2024.
   • What ? INS Tir, the lead ship of the First Training Squadron (1TS) has participated in Exercise Cutlass Express – 24 (CE – 24) held at Port Victoria, Seychelles.
   • More about Exercise Cutlass Express – 24:
     • It is a multinational maritime exercise conducted in East African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean.
     • It aims to counter malign influence, aggression, and activities along overlapping command seams and maritime regions.
     • The exercise is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet.
       Source: PIB

   
   

Awards

1. Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person.
   • What ? Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been given jointly to independent journalist Greeshma Kuthar, and Ritika Chopra of the Indian Express.
   • About Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024:
     • It was established in 1980 by the Media Foundation and named after Chameli Devi Jain, a notable figure in the independence movement of India and a champion of social reform.
     • The award recognizes women journalists who demonstrate excellence and impact in their reporting in various fields including social development, politics, gender justice, human rights, etc.
     • It was 1st awarded in 1982 and has been presented annually ever since.
       Source: The Hindu

Sports

1. Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the Women’s Premier League.
   • What ? Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 championship by defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final match held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
   • Key points:
     • The tournament took place from February 23 to March 17, 2024.
     • This victory marks the 1st-ever WPL title for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
   • Teams:
     • Tata WPL 2024 witnessed the participation of 5 teams including Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, UP Warriorz, and Delhi Capitals.
   • Key awards:

Source: y20

Memorandum of Understanding

1. MoU between REC Limited and the Government of Rajasthan.
   • What ? REC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rajasthan.
   • Objective:
     • To boost the development of power and infrastructure projects in Rajasthan and improve the economic growth and overall infrastructure landscape of the state.
   • Alongside the MoU with REC, the Rajasthan government also inked several agreements worth Rs. 1.6 lakh crore with various central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) under the power ministry and the coal ministry.
     Source: PIB
2. MoU between Department of Food and Public Distribution, SIDBI and NIESBUD.
   • What ? Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India has signed a MoU with SIDBI and NIESBUD for the transformation of Fair Price Shops.
   • Objective:
     • To help in developing entrepreneurship skills for Fair Price Shop owners
       Source: PIB

Appointments

1. FIEO unanimously elects Ashwani Kumar as the new President.
   • What ? Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has elected Ashwani Kumar as president unanimously.
   • He has replaced A Sakthivel.

   
   

2. Appointment of President & CEO of Apollo’s hospital division.
   • What ? Madhu Sasidhar has been appointed as president & CEO of Apollo’s hospital division.
     Source: BS
   
   

Miscellaneous

1. Former Navy Chief Admiral L. Ramdas has passed away.
   • What ? Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas has passed away at the Military Hospital, Secunderabad, Telangana.
     Source: The Hindu

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