Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2024

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the UDGAM portal, facilitating users to search unclaimed deposits in 30 banks, covering 90% of Depositor Education and Awareness Fund deposits. UDGAM, meaning Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation, allows centralized searches for both individual and non-individual categories. Users provide specific details like account holder’s name, bank name, and relevant identification for the search. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and awareness regarding unclaimed deposits in the RBI’s DEA Fund.

Notes:
Kerala launched its first government-backed OTT platform, CSpace at Kairali Theatre. The platform offers a unique blend of informative and entertaining content. CSpace operates on a pay-per-view model. Users can purchase a full-length feature film for Rs 75 and shorter content for a reduced price. Once purchased, viewers can access the content for up to three months if left unwatched. Once viewed, the content will expire within 72 hours.

Notes:
The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) signed an agreement with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) to deploy pine needles-based fuel-making technology in the state’s Champawat district. The agreement includes implementing two technologies at the grassroots level in Champawat: A briquetting unit with a capacity of 50 kg per hour based on pine needles & 500 units of improved cookstoves for rural households.

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Former members of Google’s DeepMind team recently unveiled Haiper, an innovative AI-powered video generation tool. Haiper, an all-in-one visual foundation model, empowers users of all technical backgrounds to effortlessly create high-quality video content. The founders emphasize Haiper’s role in advancing machine learning for enjoyable, surprising, and shareable creativity. The platform offers diverse tools like text-to-video, animated static images, and video repainting. Users can access the website, log in, and generate free HD videos with text prompts, limited to 2-4 seconds.

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Panama recently joined the International Solar Alliance as its 97th member. During a meeting in New Delhi, Ambassador Yasiel Burillo handed over the Instrument of ISA Ratification to Abhishek Singh, Joint Secretary of Economic Diplomacy. This development marks Panama’s commitment to global solar cooperation, contributing to the alliance’s efforts in promoting solar energy adoption worldwide.

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Celebrated annually on March 10, CISF Raising Day commemorates the inception of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in 1969 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Formed by an Act of Parliament, CISF, initially comprising a few battalions, has evolved into a formidable, multi-skilled security force with specialized training, emphasizing growth and strength since its establishment.

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The Blue Leaders High-Level Event on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) was held in Belgium. The event’s goal was to encourage nations to ratify a new treaty to protect the high seas from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The Blue Leaders are a group of countries that advocate for immediate action to protect the ocean from threats like pollution, overfishing, and the climate crisis. The event was part of Belgium’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

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Last year in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau region, a drilling incident resulted in one of the largest man-made methane leaks ever, possibly the second biggest. The fire caused by the incident raged for six months, releasing 127,000 tonnes of methane. Plumes of gas were visible from space, detected 115 times by satellite instruments. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes to global warming. Fossil fuel operations are responsible for 40% of human-caused methane emissions. The leak, now stopped, had an “unusual” and “extremely big” impact, according to the UN.

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The Gorsam Kora festival recently concluded in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district, featuring the theme ‘Zero Waste Festival.’ Held at the Gorsam Chorten, a 93 feet tall Stupa built in the 13th century by Lama Pradhar, the event was organized by the Zemithang community in collaboration with civil authorities. Zemithang Valley holds historical significance as the 14th Dalai Lama found refuge there in 1959. Devotees, including Bhutanese nationals, attend the festival on the last day of the first month of the Lunar calendar.

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On March 11, 2024, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs enforced the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 nationwide. The government established an Empowered Committee and District-Level Committee for processing citizenship applications. The Act, passed on December 11, 2019, allows illegal migrants of six religious communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to be eligible for Indian citizenship, provided they sought refuge in India due to religious persecution on or before December 31, 2014.