3rd MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Paper £10 notes go out of circulation in UK

Old paper £10 notes, featuring British naturalist Charles Darwin, went out of circulation across the UK on March 1.

• They have been replaced by the new polymer version featuring British author Jane Austen introduced last year.
• Anyone with the old banknote will need to deposit it at a bank as shops will refuse to accept them as they cease to be legal tender.

2. World's largest solar park launched in Karnataka

The world's largest solar park set up at an investment of Rs.16,500 crore at Pavagada in Karnataka's Tumakuru district was launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

• The 2,000 MW park, named as 'Shakti  Sthala', spans across 13,000 acres spread over five villages.
• The park’s development is anchored by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd (KSPDCL).
• The project has been executed within a record time of two years.

3. Telangana launches integrated app for all government services

The Telangana government has launched an m-Governance mobile application called ‘T App Folio’ to help citizens with one point access to government services.

• The Telangana government plans to bring on-board all mobile apps of its various departments to T App Folio over next 12 months.
• Telangana has become the second state government in India to set up a mobile service delivery gateway in place for the provision of government to citizen (G2C) services.

4. Odisha Launches Scheme To Provide Free Sanitary Pads

As part of its initiatives to empower women, the Odisha government has launched Khushi scheme to provide free sanitary napkins to school girls across the state.

• The scheme will be implemented by the health and family welfare department of the state at a cost of 70 crore per year.
• Under the scheme, the state will provide free sanitary napkins to 17 lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools.

5. Centre approves Rs 2900 crore to make cities safer for women

The Centre has approved projects worth over Rs 2,900 crore under the Nirbhaya fund for eight major cities of the country in a bid to make them safer for women.

• Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad Ahmedabad and Lucknow have been sanctioned a total of Rs 2,919.55 crore after a meeting of the Empowered Committee, which is headed by the secretary of Women and Child Development (WCD).
• The Nirbhaya Fund was set up in the aftermath of the gruesome gangrape and murder of a paramedical student in Delhi in 2012, and aims at improving safety for women.

6. Maharashtra government ties up with Wikipedia to promote Marathi

The Maharashtra government has tied up with Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, to propagate the Marathi language and increase its usage online.

• The state government made its announcement via a press release on March 1 — Marathi language day.
• It said this will help spread the language across the globe and give Marathi-speaking people a single platform to interact.

7. RBI lifts per-borrower loan cap for MSMEs

In view of the increasing importance of the services sector and to encourage banks to lend more to this sector, the Reserve Bank of India has decided to lift per borrower loan limits to Micro/ Small and Medium Enterprises (Services).

• So far, loans to Micro/ Small and Medium Enterprises (Services) up to Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore, respectively, were classified as priority sector lending (PSL).
• Now all bank loans to MSMEs will qualify under priority sector without any credit cap.

8. Paytm emerges largest UPI transaction platform

Paytm has said it is the largest contributor to the overall volume of UPI transactions in February 2018.

• In a statement, Paytm said it had registered 6.8 crore UPI transactions in February.
• In December 2017, Paytm contributed 3.3 crore to the overall transaction volume for UPI.

9. R Subrahmanyam appointed higher education secretary

Senior IAS officers R Subrahmanyam and Anil Gopishankar Mukim have been appointed as secretaries of Higher Education, and Mines Department respectively.

• Subrahmanyam, who is at present special secretary in Department of Higher Education, succeeds K K Sharma.
• Mukim, a 1985 batch IAS officer, is working in his cadre state Gujarat.

10. Russia's Olympic membership restored by International Olympic Committee

Russia's Olympic membership has been restored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following its suspension from Pyeongchang 2018.

• Russia was banned from February's Games by the IOC over state-sponsored doping.
• Despite the ban, 168 Russians competed as neutrals in South Korea, and two of them failed drugs tests.

11. Navjot Kaur Becomes First Indian Woman Wrestler to Win Asian Gold

Navjot Kaur scripted history on 2 March by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold in the Senior Asian Championships.

• She clinched Gold in the 65kg freestyle category.
• Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik won a bronze in the 62kg freestyle category after getting the better of Kazakhstan's Ayaulym Kassymova 10-7 in a tough fight.
• The two medals took India's medal tally to six – a gold, a silver, and four bronze medals.

2nd MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. First Mega Food Park in Maharashtra at Satara Inaugurated

The first Mega Food Park in the state of Maharashtra, M/s Satara Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. at Village Degaon, District Satarawas inaugurated on 1stMarch, 2018 by Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries in the presence of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, of Maharashtra.

• This is the 12th Mega Food Park operationalized in the country so far and the 10th operationalized during the tenure of present government.
• Under the Scheme, Government of India provides financial assistance upto Rs. 50 Crore per Mega Food Park project.

2. List of MoUs signed during the Visit of the King of Jordan to India

• MoU on Defence Cooperation
• Visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders
• Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)
• Manpower Cooperation Agreement
• MoU for cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine between India and Jordan
• MoU for setting up of the next generation Centre of Excellence (COE) in Jordan
• MoU for long term supply of Rock Phosphate and Fertilizer/NPK
• Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
• Twining Agreement between Agra and Petra (Jordan)
• Cooperation between Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and Jordan Media Institute (JMI)
• MoU between PrasarBharati and Jordan TV
• MoU between University of Jordan (UJ) and ICCR regarding setting up of a Hindi Chair at the University

3. Dr Bhamre inaugurates Annual Army Seminar 2017-18

Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre inaugurated one-day Annual Army Seminar for 2017-18 on ‘Contribution of the Army Towards Nation Building’ at Manekshaw Centre New Delhi.

• Objective of the seminar is to highlight the contributions of the Indian Army towards Nation building and identify new spheres and areas for future participation.

4. Western Naval Command Concludes Exercise Paschim Leher (XPL-18)

The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy concluded a large scale operational exercise in the Arabian Sea.

• The three week long exercise termed Exercise ‘Paschim Leher’ (XPL), tested the operational readiness of the Western Naval Command and the execution of it's operational plans.           
• Over 40 naval assets including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, frontline ships of the Western Fleet and Eastern Fleet (including the newly inducted Kolkata class), submarines, potent missile vessels of the 22nd Killer Squadron, Patrol vessels and craft of the Local Flotilla and Indian Coast Guard participated in the exercise.

5. Finance Minister Inaugurates GPF and EPPO Modules on 42nd Civil Accounts Day

The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Shri Arun Jaitley said that there is a certain amount of sanctity which must remain attached to the Government Accounting System.

• Delivering the Inaugural Address at the 42nd Civil Accounts Day function in national capital, the Finance Minister said that while there are Government Departments that can function with a fairly high amount of accuracy, the Civil Accounts Department is one that cannot afford to err because a small error can lay a huge foot prints.

6. Delhi govt to set up State Sanskrit Education Council

The Delhi government has decided to set up its State Sanskrit Education Council to improve the state of formal education of the language in the national capital.

• Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has directed the education department to examine various representations received by the Delhi government pertaining to Sanskrit education in schools and colleges.

7. NHAI to deploy all women toll collecting staff on international Women’s Day

The National Highways Authority of India has decided to deploy all women toll collecting staff in day shift on at least one toll plaza close to the city area, in every state and UT of the country on 8th March 2018, International Women’s Day.

• If this initiative is successful, then it will be implemented across all toll plazas under operation by NHAI within the next 3 months.
• The Regional Officers have been instructed in this regard.

8. Cabinet approves Establishment of  National Financial Reporting Authority

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for establishment of National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and creation of one post of Chairperson, three posts of full-time Members and one post of Secretary for NFRA.

• The decision aims at establishment of NFRA as an independent regulator for the auditing profession which is one of the key changes brought in by the Companies Act, 2013.
• The inclusion of the provision in the Act was on the specific recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance (in its 21st  report).

9. EESL to install energy-efficient LEDs across all airports in India

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for installing energy-efficient LED lights at airports, buildings and facilities owned by AAI across India.

• EESL will make the entire upfront investment of Rs. 24.41 crore on the project.
• The MoU is signed under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP).

10. Vinay Kumar is envoy to Afghanistan

Senior diplomat Vinay Kumar has been appointed as India’s ambassador to strategically key Afghanistan, succeeding incumbent Manpreet Vohra.

• Mr. Kumar, a 1992 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently serving as Joint Secretary (south) in the headquarters of the External Affairs Ministry.
• Mr. Kumar has served in various positions and has worked in India’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York.

1st MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Conference inaugurated to mark 'World Rare Disease Day'

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, in the presence of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the one-day Conference to mark "World Rare Disease Day".

• A newsletter published by the "Indian Organization of Rare diseases" was also released on the occasion.

2. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahtsav ends on a grand note in Indore

‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) -2018’ a diversified cultural carnival organized by Ministry of Culture in Madhya Pradesh ended in Indore with a dazzling closing ceremony graced by the esteemed presence of the Loksabha Speaker, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan as the Chief Guest.

• Braving showers, people participated in the valedictory of the cultural extravaganza in large numbers. Starting its journey from the Gwalior’s Maan Mandir Fort the event showcased an amalgamation of Crafts & Art Forms, Cuisine Fest and Magnificent Performances.
• The festival received continuous gratitude for playing a major role to effectively connect the audience to the rich, diverse and undiscovered culture of India under the umbrella of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

3. Cabinet approves continuation of PMEGP beyond 12th Plan

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) beyond 12th Plan for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a total outlay of Rs.5,500 crore.

• Scheme will create sustainable estimated employment opportunities for 15 lakh persons in three financial years.
• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal implementation agency at the national level.
• At the State/district level, State offices of KVIC, Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industry Centres (DIC) are the implementing agencies. Applications are invited and processed on-line on PMEGP-e-portal.

4. Dr Harsh Vardhan Launches Mobile App

In an effort to transform environment protection into a peoples’ movement, a digital mobile application was launched by the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Earth Sciences and Science & Technology in New Delhi. 

• The App, named “Dr Harsh Vardhan”, focuses on his social & public activities and involvement of citizens in “Green Good Deeds” movement, which urges people to perform at least one Green Good Deed every day. 
• Some of the 500 Green Good Deeds listed in the Mobile App include – planting trees, saving energy, conserving water, use of public transport and promoting carpool. 

5. Successful Flight Test of ATGM NAG

Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) NAG were successfully flight-tested  in desert conditions against two tank targets at different ranges and timings.

• NAG ATGM has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and flight tests have once again proved its capability.
• With this, the developmental trials of the missile have been completed and it is now ready for induction.

6. India, Israel Joint Steering Committee Meeting on Homeland and Public Security held

The two-day meeting of the Joint Steering Committee on Homeland and Public Security of India and Israel concluded in New Delhi.

• The meeting follows the resolve of the Prime Ministers of both countries to combat the grave threat that terrorism poses to peace and security.
• The objectives of the meetings were capacity building and modernization in the Police Forces besides border management.

7. 1,28,509 Affordable Houses Sanctioned for Urban Poor under PMAY(urban)

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved the construction of 1,28,509 more affordable houses for the benefit of urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) with an investment of Rs. 9,364  cr with central assistance of Rs. 1,928  cr.

• The approval was given in the 31st meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee in its meeting.
• The projects where sanctioned across 184 cities in the states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Puducherry(UT).

8. India’s first Aviation multi-skill development centre opens in Chandigarh

An aviation multi-skill development centre (MSDC) was opened in Chandigarh by aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

• A CSR initiative of Airports Authority of India (AAI), this first-of-its-kind centre has been set up in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and is supported by the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) of India.
• The Rs 5.2 crore project is housed at Chandigarh's old airport terminal building.

9. India’s GDP growth rises to 7.2% in December quarter

India regained the status of the world's fastest-growing major economy in the October-December quarter, driven by a pick-up in growth in manufacturing and services sectors.

• Gross domestic product or GDP grew 7.2 per cent in the October-December quarter.
• This is the highest quarterly growth recorded since July-September quarter of 2016-17.
• China had recorded a growth of 6.8 per cent in the December quarter.

10. PNB appoints A K Pradhan as Group Chief Risk Officer

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has appointed its general manager A K Pradhan as the Group Chief Risk Officer.

• The state-owned lender, however, did not disclose the functions and responsibilities of the Group Chief Risk Officer.
• PNB has said that the amount of fraud in the Nirav Modi case can go up to Rs 12,700 crore as against the earlier estimate of Rs 11,400 crore.

11. Roger Federer named World Sportsman of the Year 2017

Twenty-time tennis grand slam champion Roger Federer has won the 2017 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year awards.

• The 36-year-old Swiss won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles in 2017 after nearly five years without a major.
• Serena Williams took the World Sportswoman of the Year award after winning her 23rd grand slam in 2017.
• Formula 1 constructors' champions Mercedes picked up the Team of the Year accolade, and wheelchair athlete Marcel Hug won Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.

28th FEBRUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. India Ranks 47th on Inclusive Internet Index

India is ranked 47th out of 86 countries when it comes to inclusive Internet and connectivity for all, a Facebook report said.

• Facebook, which commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) to create a comprehensive “Inclusive Internet Index,” found India in the middle of Asian countries (12th out of 23) when it comes to connectivity.”
• Sweden took the first place, followed by Singapore and the US.

2. Saudi Arabia allows women to join military

Saudi Arabia has for the very first time opened applications for women to enlist in the military as the kingdom continues to enact reforms granting females more access to a wide range of previously forbidden careers.

• Interested candidates can apply for positions with the rank of soldier in the provinces of Riyadh, Mecca, al-Qassim and Medina.
• A list of requirements says applicants must be Saudi citizens and aged between 25 and 35 with a high school diploma.

3. Govt sanctions Rs. 1200 cr to clear pollution in Delhi

In a move to provide Delhi residents relief from the burgeoning air pollution crisis in the city, the central government has sanctioned schemes worth Rs 1,200 crore to keep a check on alarming pollution levels in the capital.

• According to NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, on account of the air quality worsening in Delhi due to burning crop residue from October to December months, the schemes will help curb pollution.

4. Second India-Korea Business Summit Held

Second India-Korea Business Summit organized by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with ChosunILbo, KOTRA, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Invest India, was held in New Delhi.

• Aim of the summit is to strengthen the economic relationship, boost trade relations and increase investments between India and Republic of Korea.
• The roundtable included delegates from both Governments and 25 CEOs from leading Korean companies with an estimated revenue of USD 575 billion.

5. Uma Bharti launches 2nd project of Swajal Yojana in Rajasthan

Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti, launched the Swajal pilot project at Village Bhikampura, Karauli, Rajasthan.

• Besides ensuring the availability of clean drinking water to every household round the year, the project would also generate employment.
• She inaugurated the pilot Swajal Project at Bhikampura with a budget of more than 54.17 lakh rupees.

6. Shri J P Nadda chairs 5th meeting of Mission Steering Group of NHM

“The Health and Wellness Centers are expected to provide preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative care for a package of 12 services.”

• This was stated by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare as he chaired the 5th meeting of the Mission Steering Group of the National Health Mission (NHM) in New Delhi.
• Shri Hardeep S Puri, Union Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Smt. Anupriya Patel, Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare and Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog were also present at the meeting.

7. National Science Day: 28 February

National Science Day is celebrated in India on 28 February each year to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir Chandrashekhara Venkata Raman on 28 February 1928.

• For his discovery, Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
• The theme of the year 2018 is "Science and Technology for a sustainable future."

8. Google ties up with SBI for mobile payments app Tez

Internet giant Google has tied up with State Bank of India (SBI) for its mobile payments app Tez.

• Through this partnership, Google Tez will allow users to create an SBI UPI Id - @oksbi and get access to exclusive offers for SBI customers.
• The partnership will focus on building unique propositions for users and merchants, including specially curated offers.

9. KYC norms for e-wallets made mandatory from March 1

Users of prepaid payment instruments (PPI) such as mobile wallets will have to complete the KYC requirements by February 28 as the Reserve Bank of India has refused to extend the deadline any further.

• Those who do not comply with the KYC norms will not be allowed to load money into their respective wallet accounts or carry out remittance-based transactions.
• They will also not be allowed to transfer the cash in the wallet account to their bank accounts.

10. Karnataka beat Saurashtra to win Vijay Hazare Trophy

Sensible batting from opener Mayank Agarwal (90) helped Karnataka outplay Saurashtra by 41 runs in the final match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 50-overs cricket tournament.

• Following the win, Karnataka pacer Sreenath Arvind also announced his retirement from first-class and list A cricket.
• This is the third title for Karnataka.

Points to Remember

• The Vijay Hazare Trophy was started in 2002–03 as a limited-overs cricket domestic competition involving state teams from the Ranji Trophy plates.
• It is named after the famous Indian cricketer Vijay Haza