26th-27th April, 2023

1. “Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures” exhibition was organized in New Delhi.
2. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched ‘Learning Science via Standards’, an educational programme, for students.
3. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) organized the “Collaboration in Sports and Physical Fitness” Summit in New Delhi.
4. External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar inaugurated the Sri Lankan exhibition “Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential to be There” at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.
5. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced to set up a ‘One Step’ portal to provide information about foreigners who want to avail treatment in India.
6. Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023.
7. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched ‘herSTART’ platform to support women-led startups and encourage women entrepreneurs.
8. 3rd annual edition of the International SME Convention 2023 was organized jointly by the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of External Affairs, and India SME Forum in New Delhi.
9. Partnership Action against Tuberculosis (PAcT) Summit was organized at Delhi.
10. Supreme Court lifted a complete ban on a one-kilometre eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around protected areas – forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
11. India has launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indians from Sudan.
12. Gujarat government is planning to move 40 Asiatic lions (also known as the Persian lion) to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located 100 km from the Gir Forest National Park.
13. Phase-IV of Sagar Parikrama will cover the stretches of Uttar Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshan Kannada in Karnataka.
14. Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2023 was organized in West Bengal by the All India Matua Mahasangha.
15. Second edition of bilateral naval exercise ‘Al-Mohed-Al Hindi-23’ was conducted by Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces at WNC, Mumbai.
16. V.V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI), an autonomous institute under the Union Labour Ministry, has signed an MOU with the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
17. Relatively Space, a startup company based in California, had launched the world’s first 3D-printed rocket named ‘Terran 1’, as part of the “Good Luck, Have Fun” (GLHF) mission.
18. Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the first-ever national park of Nepal (set up in 1973).
19. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had launched H3 rocket, which was nto successful because of an engine failure during liftoff from the JAXA Tanegashima spaceport.
20. 5th session of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction will be held in New York in June 2023.
21. VLT Survey Telescope (VST) is located at European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Paranal Observatory, Chile.
22. SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, is a Boeing (747SP) aircraft, equipped with a telescope to conduct research in stratosphere.
23. Indonesia had launched the “dawn school trial”, starting the classes at 5:30 am.
24. Rwanda has become the first African country to establish the mRNA Vaccine Production Facility, developed by the German pharmaceutical company BioNTech.
25. Bhutan will be removed from the list of Least Developed Countries of UN on December 13, 2023.
26. Baidu, the Chinese search giant, introduced its new chatbot named Ernie Bot
27. Samsung Electronics aims to build the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturing base near Seoul, capital of South Korea.
28. United States’ Pennsylvania has declared the Hindu festival of Diwali as a national holiday.
29. Bain and Company released the “India Venture Capital Report 2023”.
30. RBI injected Rs 1.1 trillion into the banking system for the largest liquidity infusion in a day since April 24, 2019.
31. Eric Garcetti, former Los Angeles Mayor, was appointed as the new US ambassador to India.
32. March 16 – National Vaccination Day/Immunization Day/Polio Ravivar
33. Indian Navy has instituted two awards in memory of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat.
34. Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, was conferred with Australia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia, for his efforts in strengthening the India-Australia bilateral relations.
35. Midfielder Hardik Singh and goalkeeper Savita Punia conferred with the men’s and women’s Indian ‘Balbir Singh’s Hockey Player of the Year’ awards.
36. Dick Fosbury, the legendary American high jumper, has passed away.
37. Kenzaburō Ōe, the Nobel Prize-winning Japanese author, passed away.
38. Sika deer (Japanese deer or Northern spotted deer) is a species of deer native to East Asia (including Japan, Taiwan, and eastern parts of China).
39. HAL Cheetah helicopter crashed near Mandala in Arunachal Pradesh.

National News

1. “Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures” exhibition was organized in New Delhi.
   • The exhibition showcased 26 repatriated Indian antiquities during at the Khajuraho G20 culture group meeting in Delhi.

   Source: The Hindu

2. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched ‘Learning Science via Standards’, an educational programme, for students.
   • This initiative is designed to help students grasp scientific concepts, principles, and laws.
   • The programme features a set of lesson plans that demonstrate how these concepts are practically applied in the manufacturing, functioning, and quality testing of various products, as outlined in the appropriate Indian standards.

   Source: Financial Express

3. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) organized the “Collaboration in Sports and Physical Fitness” Summit in New Delhi.

Source: News on Air

4. External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar inaugurated the Sri Lankan exhibition “Geoffrey Bawa: It is Essential to be There” at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.
   • The exhibition was organized to mark the 75th anniversary of Indo-Lanka diplomatic relations, which falls this year.
   • The historic exhibition features the works of Sri Lanka’s iconic architect the late Geoffrey Bawa.

   Source: The Print

5. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced to set up a ‘One Step’ portal to provide information about foreigners who want to avail treatment in India.
   • The govt is working with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) and Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) for developing the portal for Promotion of Medical Value Travel.
   • Ministry of Ayush has signed an MOU with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Ministry of Tourism to work together for the promotion of Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

6. Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023.

Source: PIB

7. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched ‘herSTART’ platform to support women-led startups and encourage women entrepreneurs.
   • Purpose – to provide resources and training modules free of cost to aspiring women entrepreneurs
   • It was unveiled at the Bharat Startup Summit and Expo 2023, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also introduced a monthly allowance of ₹20,000 for up to one year for women-led StartUps.
   • At present, India has 5 decacorns – Flipkart, BYJU’s, Nykaa, Swiggy and PhonePe.
   • In October 2022, Gujarat University had launched ‘herSTART’ – a start-up platform in

   Source: PIB and PIB

8. 3rd annual edition of the International SME Convention 2023 was organized jointly by the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of External Affairs, and India SME Forum in New Delhi.
   • International Network for SMEs (INSME) and World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (WUSME) are the international partners.
   • TATA AIA is the insurance partner for the ISC 2023.
   • Partner States – Govt. of Madhya Pradesh as a key state partner and Govt. of Uttar Pradesh as Associate State Partner

   Source: PIB

9. Partnership Action against Tuberculosis (PAcT) Summit was organized at Delhi.
   • Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off 75 Trucks with TB awareness messages that have been provided by Apollo Tyres Foundation, who are actively supporting the Ni-kshay scheme.

   Source: PIB

10. Supreme Court lifted a complete ban on a one-kilometre eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around protected areas – forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
    • In June 2022, the Supreme Court had laid down such ESZs where no developmental work would be allowed.

    Source: Economic Times

11. India has launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indians from Sudan.
    • INS Sumedha and INS Teg has been deployed for this purpose.

    Source: Times of India

State News

1. Gujarat government is planning to move 40 Asiatic lions (also known as the Persian lion) to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located 100 km from the Gir Forest National Park.
   • Gir Forest National Park is the only home of the Asiatic Lions in India.

   Source: Down to Earth

2. Phase-IV of Sagar Parikrama will cover the stretches of Uttar Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshan Kannada in Karnataka.

Source: PIB

3. Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2023 was organized in West Bengal by the All India Matua Mahasangha.

Source: PIB

Defence News

1. Second edition of bilateral naval exercise ‘Al-Mohed-Al Hindi-23’ was conducted by Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces at WNC, Mumbai.
   • INS Tarkash is scheduled to participate in second edition, along with an Offshore Patrol Vessel and Indian Navy Dornier.
   • First edition of exercise was conducted off Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia in 2021.

   Source: Indian Navy’s website

Memorandum of Understanding

1. V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI), an autonomous institute under the Union Labour Ministry, has signed an MOU with the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
   • Purpose – for promoting professional and organizational development in areas related to jobs and labour

   Source: VVGNLI

International News

1. Relatively Space, a startup company based in California, had launched the world’s first 3D-printed rocket named ‘Terran 1’, as part of the “Good Luck, Have Fun” (GLHF) mission.

Source: Relatively Space

2. Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the first-ever national park of Nepal (set up in 1973).

Source: UNESCO

3. SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, is a Boeing (747SP) aircraft, equipped with a telescope to conduct research in stratosphere.
   • SOFIA made the first-ever measurement of heavy atomic oxygen in Earth’s upper atmosphere (mesosphere and lower thermosphere).

4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) had launched H3 rocket, which was not successful because of an engine failure during liftoff from the JAXA Tanegashima spaceport.

   Source: Reuters

5. 5th session of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction will be held in New York in June 2023.

   Source: UN’s website

6. VLT Survey Telescope (VST) is located at European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Paranal Observatory, Chile.
   • It is one of the largest telescopes in the world designed for surveying the sky in visible light.

     Source: ESO’s website

7. Indonesia had launched the “dawn school trial”, starting the classes at 5:30 am.
   • Sunrise happens at 5.53 am in the country.

     Source: Indian Express

8. Rwanda has become the first African country to establish the mRNA Vaccine Production Facility, developed by the German pharmaceutical company BioNTech.
   Source: Down to Earth
9. Bhutan will be removed from the list of Least Developed Countries of UN on December 13, 2023.
   • Bhutan will become the seventh country to graduate from the list.
   • United Nations General Assembly had announced this exclusion in 2018 due to its sustainable development efforts.

10. Baidu, the Chinese search giant, introduced its new chatbot named Ernie Bot
    Source: Economic Times
11. Samsung Electronics aims to build the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturing base near Seoul, capital of South Korea.
    • The Korea-based company aims to establish a chip-making mega cluster in Gyeonggi Province by 2042.
      Source: Business Standard
12. United States’ Pennsylvania has declared the Hindu festival of Diwali as a national holiday.

    Source: NDTV

Reports and Indices

1. Bain and Company released the “India Venture Capital Report 2023”.
   • Investments grew 1.4x over the first half of 2021–2022 but saw a 70% decline in the second half of 2022 compared to the second half of 2021.
   • Within Asia-Pacific, the share of India-focused VC investments reached 20% for the first time, and India continued to account for ~5% of global VC funding in line with 2021.

   Source: Bain and Company

Banking and Economy

1. RBI injected Rs 1.1 trillion into the banking system for the largest liquidity infusion in a day since April 24, 2019.
   • This is the first time since April 24, 2019, that the RBI infused more than Rs 1 trillion into the banking system.

Appointments

1. Eric Garcetti, former Los Angeles Mayor, was appointed as the new US ambassador to India.

   Source: Indian Express

Important Days

1. March 16 – National Vaccination Day/Immunization Day/Polio Ravivar

   Source: WHO

Awards

1. Indian Navy has instituted two awards in memory of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat.
   • First award – General Bipin Rawat rolling trophy for women officer
   • It will be awarded to the ‘Women Agniveer Trainee standing First in Overall Order of Merit.’
   • Second award – Gen. Bipin Rawat’s rolling trophy for the ‘Most Spirited Officer’
   • This award recognizes and celebrates the spirit of General Rawat and encourages officers to imbibe his qualities of conviction and decisiveness.

   Source: News on Air

2. Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, was conferred with Australia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Australia, for his efforts in strengthening the India-Australia bilateral relations.

   Source: India Today

3. Midfielder Hardik Singh and goalkeeper Savita Punia conferred with the men’s and women’s Indian ‘Balbir Singh’s Hockey Player of the Year’ awards.
   • This was the fifth edition of Hockey India Annual Awards.
   • Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022 – Gurbux Singh (Rs 30 lakh and a trophy)
   • Best defender – Harmanpreet (men’s hockey team captain)
   • Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2022 – Vandana Katariya
   • Best Goalkeeper for 2022 – Krishan B Pathak was named the
   • Best midfielder award – Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam
   • Asunta Lakra Award for upcoming women’s player of the year for 2022 – Mumtaz Khan
   • Indian junior men’s team that won gold at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 was also felicitated with each player earning Rs 2 lakh each and the coaching staff receiving Rs 1 lakh each.
     Source: Indian Express

Miscellaneous

1. Dick Fosbury, the legendary American high jumper, has passed away.

   Source: Hindu Sportstar

2. Kenzaburō Ōe, the Nobel Prize-winning Japanese author, passed away.

   Source: Indian Express

3. Sika deer (Japanese deer or Northern spotted deer) is a species of deer native to East Asia (including Japan, Taiwan, and eastern parts of China).
   Source: Down to Earth
4. HAL Cheetah helicopter crashed near Mandala in Arunachal Pradesh.
   • HAL has been manufacturing Cheetah helicopter since 1970.

     Source: HAL’s website

     Note: This document contains some of the news from the month of March.

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