Current Affairs Quiz 2nd and 3rd March 2024 Quiz

Exp. Leopard numbers show 8% rise from 2018 to 2022

India’s leopard numbers rose by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022, according to a report made public by the Environment Ministry.

While the highest number of leopards were reported in Madhya Pradesh (3,907), only three other States reported over 1,000 animals each — Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070).

While Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the big cat numbers — reportedly due to poaching and man-animal conflict, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal saw a collective 150% rise to 349 animals.

The survey covered 20 States of India, and focussed on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat, which are India’s tiger reserves and protected forest areas.

Forest surveyors travel 6,41,449 km for carnivore signs and prey abundance estimation. Camera traps were deployed at 32,803 locations, resulting in 4,70,81,881 photographs.

Exp. FSSAI gives ‘Eat Right Station’ certificate to 150 Railway Stations

Food regulator FSSAI has awarded ‘Eat Right Station’ certification to 150 railway stations so far for ensuring safe, hygienic and nutritious food options for passengers.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s Eat Right Station initiative is making significant strides in ensuring access to safe and healthy food within these bustling hubs.

The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification process involves rigorous audits of food vendors, training of food handlers, adherence to strict hygiene and sanitation protocols and efforts to raise awareness among individuals to make informed food choices.

Some of the prominent stations that have been certified as Eat Right stations are in New Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ujjain, Ayodhya Cantt, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Kozhikode, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Vadodara, Mysuru City, Bhopal, Igatpuri, and Chennai, among others from various states.

That apart, six pioneering metro stations have also been accredited as ‘Eat Right Stations’, including stations at Noida Sector 51, Esplanade (Kolkata), IIT Kanpur, Botanical Garden (Noida) and Noida Electronic City.

FSSAI remains committed to further expanding the ‘Eat Right Station’ programme. The aim is to encompass all major railway stations and metro stations.

Exp. 4 days long ‘Tawi Festival’ begins in Jammu

The four day long ‘Tawi Festival’ begins in Jammu region.

This time four-day ‘Tawi festival’ will strictly remain focussed on the promotion of Jammu’s rich, diverse art forms and cultural heritage where the youth will also get a platform to give a vent to their creativities besides sharing thoughts with experts.

The festival comprises Seminars, workshops, and talks, performances of folk music and street theatre, classical and folk dance and music, and a Mela, with an emphasis on showcasing entrepreneurship, innovation, local cuisines, and organic products sourced from women’s NGO groups across the Himalayan region.

Recent Fair / Festival in News

• International Puppet Festival – Chandigarh
• Divya Kala Mela – Agartala, Tripura
• Ethnic Mamani Festival – Ladakh
• Gole Mela Festival – Jagannath Temple, Udhampur
• Kala Utsav – Ministry of Education
• Ganga Sagar Mela – West Bengal

Exp. Telangana Government launched One-Time Scheme

The state government has ordered the implementation of ‘one time scheme’ (OTS) in all the urban local bodies (ULBs) of Telangana state including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Under the OTS the government ordered a waiver of 90 per cent on accumulated arrears interest on property tax, provided taxpayer clear the principal amount of dues till the financial year 2022-2023 together with 10 per cent of interest at one go.

The OTS applies to private and government properties.

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Deputy CM – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
• Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan
• Speaker of Telangana Assembly – Gaddam Prasad Kumar

Exp. Ministry of Women and Child Development organizes ‘Poshan Utsav’

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized the Poshan Utsav at The Oberoi.

The event aimed to promote good nutrition behavior and highlighted India’s ongoing efforts to combat malnutrition by promoting good nutrition practices.

The event was graced by Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani and Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

The event featured the release of the ‘Poshan Utsav Book’, conceptualized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and curated by the Deendayal Research Institute (DRI).

The book aims to revive ancient nutrition traditions, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote intergenerational learning.

Exp. Nicaragua becomes first Spanish-Speaking nation to recognize IPS

Nicaragua has become the first Spanish-speaking nation to officially recognize the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) or Indian Pharma standards.

This development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Pharmacopoeia Cooperation between the Governments of India and Nicaragua.

The move is expected to foster stronger ties between the two nations in the areas of healthcare, encouraging the exchange of expertise and resources for improved medical standards.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), compiled by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in India, serves as the official compendium of standards for drugs.

The legal significance of the IP within India, enshrined in the Second Schedule of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, necessitates adherence to its standards for all imported, manufactured, and distributed drugs within the country.

About Nicaragua

• Capital- Managua
• Currency- Nicaraguan Córdoba
• President– Daniel Ortega
• Continent- North America
• Official language- Spanish

Statements

(i) Union Cabinet approved a ₹85,021-crore package for the “PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana”. (Incorrect)

(ii) The scheme claims to be able to provide 300 units of “free electricity” every month to one crore households.  (Correct)

(iii) The scheme provides a central financial assistance of Rs 30,000 subsidy for 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW systems and Rs 80,000 for 3 kW systems or higher. (Incorrect)

(iv) Households can access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 5 percent at present for installation. (Incorrect)

Exp. Cabinet approves PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹75,021-crore package for the “PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana” (PM Free Electricity scheme) to promote rooftop solar (RTS) installations in India.

The scheme claims to be able to provide 300 units of “free electricity” every month to one crore households.

Prime Minister had launched the scheme on February 13, 2024.

Scheme provides a central financial assistance of 30,000 subsidy for 1 kW system, 60,000 for 2 kW systems and 78,000 for 3 kW systems or higher.

Households can access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 7 per cent at present for installation. In addition to this, Model Solar Village will be developed in each district to act as role model for adoption of rooftop solar in rural areas.

Through this scheme, the households will be able to save electricity bills as well as earn additional  income through sale of surplus power to DISCOMs. A 3 kW system will be able to generate more than 300 units a month on an average for a household.

The proposed scheme will result in addition of 30 GW of solar capacity through rooftop solar in the residential sector, generating 1000 BUs of electricity and resulting in reduction of 720 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the 25-year lifetime of rooftop systems.

It is estimated that the scheme will create around 17 lakh direct jobs in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales, installation, O&M and other services.

Exp. India’s GDP growth at 8.4% in Q3 2023-24

India’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of the ongoing financial year accelerated to 8.4 per cent year-on-year, showed data shared by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

In the same period last year, the GDP growth was 4.3 per cent.

GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in Q3 of 2023-24 is estimated at Rs 43.72 lakh crore, against Rs 40.35 lakh crore in Q3 of 2022-23, showing a growth rate of 8.4 percent.

While analysts had estimated the GDP growth in the third quarter at below 7 per cent.

The double-digit growth rate of the construction sector (10.7 per cent), followed by a good growth rate of the manufacturing sector (8.5 per cent) has boosted the GDP growth in FY24, according to the government.

The growth in these sectors has also been attributed as key reasons behind the stellar 8.4 per cent growth in the third quarter of the ongoing financial year.

Exp. GST Collections Jump 12.5% YoY To Rs 1.68 Lakh Crore in Feb 2024

Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collected for February 2024 is ₹1,68,337 crore, marking a robust 12.5% increase compared to that in the same month in 2023.

This growth was driven by a 13.9% rise in GST from domestic transactions and 8.5% increase in GST from import of goods.

GST revenue net of refunds for February 2024 is ₹1.51 lakh crore which is a growth of 13.6% over that for the same period last year.

Breakdown of February 2024 Collections-

• Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST)- ₹31,785 crore
• State Goods and Services Tax (SGST)- ₹39,615 crore
• Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST)- ₹84,098 crore, including ₹38,593 crore collected on imported goods
• Cess- ₹12,839 crore, including ₹984 crore collected on imported goods

GST Collection of Previous Months

• August 2023 – 1,59,069 crore
• September 2023 – 1,62,712 crore
• October 2023 – 1,72,003 crore
• November 2023 – 1,67,929 crore
• December 2023 – 1,64,882 crore
• January 2024 – 1,72,129 crore
• February 2024 – 1,68,337 crore

Exp. PM Modi launches development projects worth 35,700 crore rupees in Jharkhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth 35,700 crore rupees in Jharkhand from Sindri in Dhanbad district.

These projects are related to fertilizer, rail, power, and coal sectors.

Modi dedicated to the nation the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd’s (HURL) Sindri fertiliser plant, in order to attain self-sufficiency in the urea sector. The plant has been developed at a cost of over 8,900 crore rupees.

PM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several rail projects worth over 17,600 crore rupees in the state.

These projects include third- and fourth-lines connecting Sone Nagar and Andal, Tori-Shivpur first and second, and Biratoli-Shivpur third line, Mohanpur-Hansdiha new rail line and Dhanbad-Chandrapura rail line. These projects will expand the rail services in the state and lead to the socio-economic development of the region.

PM Modi in News

• PM Modi unveils India’s first hydrogen fuel cell ferry
• PM Modi inaugurated ‘Bharat Tex 2024’ in New Delhi
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for Sikkim’s first railway station at Rangpo.
• PM Modi inaugurates India’s longest cable-stayed bridge Sudarshan Setu
• PM Modi inaugurated and dedicated to the nation two central institutions in Telangana and five in Andhra Pradesh.

Exp. Cabinet approves establishment of International Big Cat Alliance

The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of Rs.150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

PM Modi on the occasion of Global Tiger Day 2019 called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to curb poaching in Asia.

While commemorating 50 years of India’s Project Tiger on April 9, 2023, he formally announced the launch of International Big Cat Alliance.

International Big Cat Alliance aiming at securing the future of big cats and landscapes they thrive. India is home to five big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah.

It also aims to establish networks and develop synergies in a focused manner to bring to a common platform a centralized repository of successful practices and personnel, backed by financial support to strengthen the conservation agenda.

IBCA aims for mutual cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda.

IBCA would have a multipronged approach in broad basing and establishing linkages manifold in several areas and help in knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance and resources support, research and technical support, education and awareness.  

Exp. DRDO conducts successful flight test of VSHORADS missile

Defence Research and Development Organization DRDO conducted a successful flight test of a Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile from a ground-based portable launcher off the coast of Odisha from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.

The test was carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception scenarios.

The VSHORADS is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor and would be used for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.

The VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) indigenously developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and other industry partners.

Exp. Paul Pogba banned for four years for doping

France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been banned for four years for a doping.

Pogba was provisionally suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal in September after testing positive for testosterone — a banned substance.

The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on Aug. 20, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance. The 30-year-old was an unused substitute in that game.

Exp. 3 March – World Hearing Day

World Hearing Day is observed on 3rd March every year.

Objective – To raise awareness about the importance of hearing health and the prevention of deafness.

Theme 2024 – Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all.

World Hearing Day was first recognized by WHO in 2007. Previously, the day was recognized as International Ear Care Day. After 2016, WHO changed the name to World Hearing Day.

Exp. 3 February – World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on March 3 and serves as  a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect and preserve the world’s fauna and flora.

Theme 2024 – Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.

The inception of World Wildlife Day traces back to a proposal made by Thailand to the United Nations General Assembly in 2013.The proposal aimed at dedicating a day to raise awareness about the world’s wild animals and plants.

Consequently, March 3 was officially designated as World Wildlife Day in 2014, following the adoption of a resolution by the General Assembly on December 20, 2013.