NATIONAL:
1. Bauxite Certified Reference Material (CRM)
Why in news - National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has successfully developed a Bauxite Certified Reference Material (CRM).
Key Points –
• This is the first of its kind CRM in India and 5 th in the World.
• Name - BARC B1201.
• Collaborator - Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
• NALCO - Navratna CPSE, under Ministry of Mines.
About CRM –
• Blocks of metal that indicate concentration of their various constituent elements.
• The CRM was certified for 9 property values.
2. Pension Reforms
Why in news – Formation of a committee to look into improving the system of pension for government employees was announced.
Key Points –
• 5 states reverted to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) - Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
About the Committee:
• Head - T V Somanathan (Finance Secretary).
• Task assigned – To work on an approach that will strike a balance between employees’ needs and fiscal prudence.
• Any changes proposed to be adopted by both Central and state governments.
3. Flood Disaster Preparedness
Why in news - The World Bank has approved a $108 million loan to help Assam improve disaster preparedness and enhance flood forecasting.
Key Points –
• It is part of a larger $500 million investment program for Assam.
• Flood affected protected areas in Assam - Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary etc.
4. Lord Basaveshwara
Why in news - Amit Shah unveiled the statues of Lord Basaveshwara and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Key Points –
About N Kempegowda –
• Chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire of the 16th century.
• Founder of Bengaluru.
• Developed around 1,000 lakes in the city to cater to its drinking and agricultural needs.
• Iconic figure among Vokkaligas
About Jagadguru Basaveshwara (Basavanna) –
• 12th century poet and philosopher.
• Founder of Lingayatism, Lingayat community. (Follower of Saivite).
• Teachings - Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience).
• He believed in a society free of the caste system, with equal opportunity for all.
• Established Anubhava Mantapa - Common forum for all to discuss the prevailing problems of socio, economic and political strata.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Humza Yousaf
Why in news - Humza Yousaf has been elected as Scottish National Party’s new leader.
Key Points –
• He replaced First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
• Pakistan origin Humza is set to become the first person of color to serve as Scotland’s first minister.
• He became the youngest and the first Muslim leader of a government in western Europe.
2. IMF Bailout
Why in news - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board approved a nearly $3 billion bailout plan for Sri Lanka.
Key Points –
• Bailout - extending support to an entity facing a threat of bankruptcy.
About IMF –
• Established - July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States.
• Function - last resort lender for countries facing severe economic crises.
• The IMF lends money in the form of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
• SDR is a basket of 5 currencies — US dollar, Euro, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen and British Pound.
• Lending is done through - Standby credit facility, extended fund facility, rapid credit facility, short term liquidity line, sustainability facility etc.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave
Why in news - The first joint conference of army chiefs of India and African countries was held in Pune.
Key Points –
• Chief guest - Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
• Army chiefs of 10 countries along with 31 representatives of African countries are present.
• It was organised on the sidelines of the AFINDEX joint exercises.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Gandhamardan Hill
Why in news - The Gandhamardan hill range of Odisha has been accorded the tag of ‘biodiversity heritage site (BHS).
Key Points –
• 3rd BHS in Odisha. (1st - Mahendragiri hills in Gajapati, 2nd - Mandasaru gorge in Kandhamal district).
• Spread – Bargarh and Balangir districts.
• It is famous for medicinal plants. It is considered the 'Ayurvedic paradise' of Odisha.
• 2 historical monuments on the hill - Nrusinghanath temple and Harishankar temple.
• BHS is declared Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It is notified by the State Government in consultation with local bodies.
ECONOMY:
1. Interchange fee on UPI Transactions
Why in news - NPCI has recommended an interchange fee on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions of over Rs 2,000.
Key Points –
• Using the Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) on UPI would attract interchange at 1.1% of the transaction value for transactions worth over Rs 2,000.
• No interchange in terms of peer-to-peer (P2P) or peer-to-peer-merchant (P2PM) transactions between the bank account and the PPI wallet would apply.
• PPIs are digital wallets that allow users to store money and make payments.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Wildlife Conservation Award
Why in news - Wildlife conservationist Aliya Mir was honoured by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Key Points –
• She is the first woman from J&K to receive it.
• Alia Mir's Wildlife Rescue Helpline (2021) works to rescue snakes and other wild animals.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. “War & Women”
Why in news – The Book “War & Women” written by Dr. MA Hasan was launched on March 24, 2023.
Key Points –
• It speaks against Pak Army on genocide in 1971.
POINTERS:
• According to S&P Global Ratings, India's economic growth is estimated to be at what percent in the fiscal year beginning April 2023 – 6%.
• Which state released the updated State Disaster Management Policy and Disaster Management Plan 2023 in March 2023 – Tamil Nadu.
• Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav recently launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project in which city – Gurugram.
• Where have researchers discovered a new species of moray eel named Gymnothorax tamilnaduensis in March 2023 – Cuddalore coast, Tamil Nadu.
• Which bank will buy all of SVB's deposits and loans - First Citizens Bank.
• What is the name of recently launched world's first 3D-printed rocket - Terran 1.
• What is the maximum GST compensation cess rate for pan masala on the retail sale price per unit - 51%.
• Who is heading the government constituted committee to monitor the stock of Arhar dal - Nidhi Khare.
• Who has won the Children's Champion Award 2023 in the health and nutrition category - 'Tapoban' (Assam's NGO).
• Recently, which Indian all-rounder cricketer has been included in the elite grade 'A+' of the BCCI central contract list- Ravindra Jadeja.