Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
Despite the recent India-Nepal agreement, the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP) discussions remain deadlocked. Established through the Mahakali Treaty in 1996, the PMP is a cross-border hydropower initiative on the Mahakali River. With the goal of enhancing energy production and irrigation in both nations, it features a 315-meter dam (Sharda in India), aiming to generate 6,480 MW equally shared. Additionally, it targets irrigating 130,000 hectares in Nepal and 240,000 hectares in Indian Territory.

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India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) have joined forces to boost financial inclusion in rural Rajasthan. The collaboration aims to offer convenient access to bank accounts, pension products, savings, and investment schemes. Additionally, it empowers beneficiaries to serve as Individual Business Correspondents for IPPB services, promoting government social welfare schemes and facilitating income-generating loans in the region.

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The DRDO successfully tested the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile, a fourth-gen MANPAD developed indigenously in collaboration with Indian industry partners. Designed for short-range air defense, it boasts a 6-km range and features innovative technologies like a Dual-band IIR Seeker, miniaturized Reaction Control System, and integrated avionics. The portable missile, propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor, aims to safeguard ground forces and critical assets against low-altitude aerial threats, showcasing DRDO’s prowess in defense development.

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The Nagaland government introduced a fully-funded universal life insurance scheme, aiming to alleviate financial hardships resulting from untimely deaths. This initiative guarantees financial security by offering coverage for both breadwinners and their family members. The scheme works in conjunction with the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, providing comprehensive protection and support.

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Coal India Limited (CIL) inked a crucial MoU with IIM Mumbai and Sambalpur on March 1, 2024, under the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan-2021. Union Minister Piyush Goyal witnessed the signing, attended by Coal India Chairman PM Prasad and MCL CMD Uday Anant Kaole. The collaboration aims to enhance multimodal coal transportation infrastructure, emphasizing economic growth and environmental sustainability. The partnership merges industry expertise with academic excellence, promising a significant boost in logistics efficiency.

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REC Limited, in collaboration with UNISED, is contributing Rs. 9.91 crores through REC Foundation to educate 75,500 children in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh. As a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Power, REC aims to empower students with modern educational tools. UNISED will implement solar-operated smart classes and joyful learning labs in government schools, fostering innovative learning. Additionally, REC Foundation recently allocated Rs. 15 crores to support the education of 12,500 children of ex-servicemen through the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

Notes:
National Safety Day, observed annually on March 4 in India, marks the beginning of National Safety Week. Emphasizing safety and precautions in all sectors, the 2024 theme is “Safety for a Sustainable Future,” highlighting the vital connection between safety measures and sustainability. This day serves as a reminder of the critical importance of prioritizing safety, extending its focus beyond a single day to promote long-term safety practices.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has introduced “Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA)” to back young entrepreneurs. The initiative offers interest-free loans, up to Rs 5 lakh, supporting digital transactions and providing grants to encourage the adoption of digital payment methods. The government aims to nurture one lakh young entrepreneurs annually through this program, fostering economic growth and innovation in the state.

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India’s Prime Minister inaugurated the core-loading process of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam. The PFBR is a nuclear machine generating more fuel than it consumes, utilizing Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel and Thorium-232 for transmutation. Liquid sodium serves as a coolant, facilitating electricity production. With advanced safety features, the indigenously designed PFBR by BHAVINI marks a significant achievement involving 200+ Indian industries, including MSMEs.

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As of March 2024, the Gevra mine in Chhattisgarh, India, is set to become the largest coal mine in Asia. The mine is a subsidiary of Coal India, which is part of the South Eastern Coalfield Limited (SECL). In March 2024, the mine received environmental clearance to increase its production capacity from 52.5 million tons per year to 70 million tons per year. The mine also has first-mile connectivity, including a conveyer belt, silos, and a rapid loading system for eco-friendly coal evacuation.