Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
February 29 marks Rare Disease Day, highlighting awareness and support for those with rare medical conditions. The 2024 theme, “Share Your Colours,” emphasizes collaboration for individuals facing rare diseases. Defined by WHO, rare diseases are debilitating, lifelong disorders with a prevalence of 10 or fewer cases per 10,000 people. This day aims to shed light on these infrequent conditions, promoting understanding and assistance for affected individuals globally.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank recently revised Regulatory Sandbox (RS) guidelines, allowing live testing of products or services in a controlled regulatory space. Acting as a “safe space,” it offers flexibility for business testing, potentially influencing innovation-friendly regulations. RS aims to facilitate low-cost financial products, promoting dynamic, evidence-based regulatory environments that adapt to emerging technologies. Essentially, it’s a formal program for market players to test innovations within specific safeguards and oversight before broader launches.

Notes:
India and South Africa opposed the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) agreement at the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization on February 28. The MC-13, held in Abu Dhabi from February 26 to 29, saw over 120 countries advocating for IFD to enhance the investment and business climate. India argued that IFD is a non-trade issue outside the multilateral trade body’s framework, while a China-led group sought to make the proposal binding through Annexure-4 of the WTO.

Notes:
India’s GDP growth rate for the October to December 2023 Q3 is estimated at ₹43.72 lakh crore, against ₹40.35 lakh crore in Q3 of 2022-23, showing a growth rate of 8.4 percent. India’s GDP growth rate for the October to December 2023 Q3 is estimated at ₹43.72 lakh crore, against ₹40.35 lakh crore in Q3 of 2022-23, showing a growth rate of 8.4 percent.

Notes:
Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, launched National Birth Defect Awareness Month 2024, emphasizing the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’s vital role in improving child health. The scheme covers half of India’s health and complements the existing Rashtriya Bal Swashtya Karyakram. The month-long campaign, themed “Breaking Barriers: inclusive support for children with birth defects,” aims to raise awareness about prevention, early identification, and timely management of birth defects.

Notes:
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme in New Delhi on March 04, 2024, allocating Rs 750 crore for 2023-24 to 2025-26. Operating under the iDEX framework, the scheme supports start-ups with grants up to Rs 25 crore for defence technology research. ADITI aims to develop 30 deep-tech critical technologies, fostering youth innovation and addressing Armed Forces’ needs, with 17 challenges in its inaugural edition.

Notes:
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has revealed the Indiramma Housing Scheme, set to commence on March 11. The initiative targets economic empowerment by offering housing solutions to underprivileged segments. In the initial phase, 3,500 houses per Assembly constituency will be approved, benefiting numerous recipients. Landowners will receive Rs. 5 lakh to build on their plots, while the homeless will get the same amount along with a plot for house construction, amplifying support for the economically disadvantaged.

Notes:
Dr. Pradeep Mahajan, Founder and CMD of StemRx, received the Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2024 for groundbreaking contributions to regenerative medicine. His unique approach and commitment have advanced scientific understanding and provided innovative therapies globally. Dr. Mahajan’s work at StemRx Hospital and Research Centre, and StemRx Bioscience Solutions, has not only transformed patient treatments but has also established him as a beacon in regenerative medicine, earning him the prestigious recognition for his impactful and pioneering efforts.

Notes:
IIT Madras is hosting the All India Research Scholars’ Summit (AIRSS) 2024 from March 4th to 7th. Organized by the Research Affairs Council, the event brings together minds from diverse disciplines across India to showcase and explore the latest research advancements. With a focus on fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the summit aligns with Aatmanirbhar Bharat’s vision, promoting self-reliance through innovation.

Notes:
Sub-inspector Suman Kumari is the first woman sniper in the Border Security Force (BSF). She recently completed an eight-week sniper course at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore and achieved “instructor grade”. Suman’s journey to becoming a sniper began when she was commanding a platoon in Punjab and saw the threat of cross-border sniper attacks. She volunteered for the sniper course, becoming the sole female among 56 male counterparts.