Current Affairs Quiz: March 22, 2024

Option B
Explanation:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated India’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered bus, which will be operated by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation.MSRTC has signed an MoU with M/s Kings Gas for the conversion of buses to LNG.

Option C
Explanation:
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is pleased to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Council of Architecture (COA) aimed at promoting inclusivity and accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in public spaces and buildings.

Option C
Explanation:
In a move to enhance agricultural practices, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Dhanuka Agritech Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement was signed by Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) of ICAR, Dr. U.S. Gautam, and Chairman of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, Dr. R.G. Aggarwal.The agreement aims to utilize the efficiency of both institutions to deliver new technology to farmers with small land holdings.

Option C
Explanation:
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) have announced the launch of the BhashaNet portal at the Universal Acceptance Day event.The portal is aimed at advancing the vision of digital inclusion.
The theme of the event, “BhashaNet: Impetus Towards Universal Acceptance,” highlighted MeitY/NIXI’s unwavering commitment towards ensuring that, regardless of linguistic or textual barriers, everyone can fully participate in the digital world.

Option C
Explanation:
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave nod to a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) project for designing and developing Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) to fulfil Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) requirement for a fifth generation stealth fighter jet.Besides that, the CCS in its meeting, has also cleared proposals for acquisition of 34 new Advanced Light Helicopters Dhruv for the Indian Army and Indian Coast Guard.

Option C
Explanation:
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first municipal corporation in Asia to raise 1 billion rupees through certified green municipal bonds.

Option B
Explanation:
Ministry of Rural Development, GOI, and Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL) have solidified their commitment to boosting livelihood interventions under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) through a Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Option A
Explanation:
DoT Secretary, Dr Neeraj Mittal, was unanimously elected as co-chair of the Digital Innovation Board of ITU, formed under the aegis of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.

Option B
Explanation:
Two Indian naval vessels, INS Tir and INS Sujata, are gearing up to participate in the upcoming India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT) Tri-Lateral Exercise. Scheduled from March 21 to March 29, 2024, this joint maritime exercise aims to strengthen cooperation between India, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Option D
Explanation:
GIFT IFSC based HDFC Life International announced the launch of a comprehensive US Dollar Student Health Insurance Plan, under the plan name ‘Global Student Health Care’. The product is designed for students who are currently studying abroad.

Option C
Explanation:
Leading private general insurer Bajaj Allianz General Insurance launched “Insurance Samjho”, a Gen AI powered bot designed to simplify insurance complexities for customers.The bot aims to address the dissatisfaction of policyholders during claim settlement arising due to lack of understanding, intricate details and fine print of the insurance policy.

Option B
Explanation:
Airtel Payments Bank collaborated with Noise, a smartwatch brand, and Mastercard, a global technology company in the payments space, to unveil A New Way to Pay. The entities have come together to launch a Smart Watch that aims to make contactless payments.

Option C
Explanation:
DBS Bank India announced a lending commitment of USD 250 million for new-age start-ups. The initiative is part of the bank’s focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the country’s thriving start-up ecosystem.

Option A
Explanation:
The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Laborers and Rural Laborers (Base: 1986-87=100) remained steady in February 2024, with figures of 1258 and 1269, respectively.The month-to-month inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL were recorded at 7.43% and 7.36% in February 2024 showing a decrease from 7.52% and 7.37% in January 2024 respectively.

Option A
Explanation:
Axis Mutual Fund, a well-known asset management organization based in Mumbai, has partnered with Enparadigm, a leader in AI-powered experiential learning solutions.This collaboration seeks to provide individualized learning journeys to improve the performance and productivity of Axis MF workers at all levels.

Option C
Explanation:
National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to conduct various awareness programmes throughout the country to enhance public perceptions on peaceful use of nuclear power and disseminate scientific & authentic information. The MoU was signed between DG NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh and Executive Director (Corporate Communication & Corporate Planning), NPCIL Shri BVS Shekhar.

Option C
Explanation:
The Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-India) has been awarded the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). This recognition given by the Ministry of Power, Government of India underlines the role of Grid-India in the power scenario of the country.

Option C
Explanation:
The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Sri Lanka and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to usher in a new era of education by enabling the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into Sri Lanka’s National School Curriculum.

Option C
Explanation:
India’s economy will likely grow 6.8% in FY25, up from 6.5% projected earlier, on the back of stronger growth momentum and improving global prospects, S&P Global Market Intelligence said.The global analytics firm also raised India’s FY24 forecast upward to 7.3% from 6.9% projected earlier.

Option B
Explanation:
India’s retail inflation gauged by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to remain slightly above 5 per cent till May before declining towards 3 per cent in July, according to SBI Research. The retail inflation print is expected to stay below 5 per cent beginning November till the end of the financial year 2024-25.Retail inflation in India eased a tad in February to 5.09 per cent from 5.10 per cent the prior month, due to the deceleration of prices in all categories except food.

Option A
Explanation:
M.V. Rao, MD & CEO of Central Bank Of India has been elected as the Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association.Three Deputy Chairmen for IBA would be Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI); S L Jain, MD and CEO , Indian Bank and N Kamakodi, Managing Director and CEO, City Union Bank. Madhav Nair, Country Head and CEO, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, would be Honorary Secretary of the Association.

Option C
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank said it has been selected for the Risk Manager Award by the London-based Central Banking as part of Central Banking Awards 2024.Reserve Bank of India has been selected for the Risk Manager Award for rolling out a new enterprise-wide risk management (ERM) framework across the organization.

Option A
Explanation:
Dr. Uma Rele, the esteemed Principal of Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai, has been conferred with the prestigious Maharashtra Gaurav Award.

Option A
Explanation:
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP28, was awarded the prestigious ‘CERAWeek Leadership Award for Building Global Consensus towards a Sustainable Energy Future’ at the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference at Houston.