Current Affairs – March 6, 2021 [Today’s News Headlines]

Here are Today’s News Headlines by GK Today for March 6, 2021

India

Govt constitutes national committee to commemorate 75 years of independence

The government on March 5, 2021 set up a 259-member high-level national committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence. It will provide policy direction and guidelines for the formulation of programmes for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, at national and international levels.

DRDO tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on March 5, 2021 successfully carried out a flight demonstration based on Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

MHA asks OCI cardholders to seek special permit to undertake missionary activities

All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are required to take a special permission from the central government if they want to be involved in any missionary, ‘Tablighi’ or journalistic activities in the country. The OCI cardholders are also required to take a special permit to visit any place which falls within the protected or restricted or prohibited areas as notified by the central government or competent authority.

New Delhi World Book Fair 2021 – Virtual Edition inaugurated

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on March 5, 2021 inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair 2021 – Virtual Edition. ‘National Education Policy-2020’ is the theme of the book fair which is being organised by the National Book Trust.

OBC quota in Maharashtra’s local bodies should not exceed aggregate 50%: SC

The Supreme Court on March 4, 2021 held that reservation for Other Backward Classes in Maharashtra’s local bodies should not exceed the aggregate 50% of the total seats reserved in favour of SCs/STs/OBCs taken together. The court quashed the notifications issued by the State Election Commission in 2018 and 2020, providing reservation exceeding 50% in local bodies of some districts.

National Security Adviser of Nigeria visits India

The National Security Adviser of Nigeria Major General (Retd.) Babagana Monguno visited New Delhi for the First Strategic and Counter-Terrorism Dialogue between India and Nigeria at the level of NSA. During the two day visit which ended on March 5, 2021, he called on the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

PM Modi holds virtual summit with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 5, 2021 held a virtual summit with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven. The Swedish Prime Minister announced the decision of Sweden to join the International Solar Alliance. The two countries issued a Joint Statement and agreed to continue their outreach to expand the membership of the Leadership Group on Industry Transition.

Economy & Corporate

PSU IMPCL to sell products on Government e-Market portal

Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) will sell products on Government e-Market (GeM) portal. The IMPCL and GeM has finalised a deal in this regard and now the Ayurvedic and Unani medicines of IMPCL will figure on the GeM portal to hundreds of government sector buyers.

Driving License, Registration Certificate to be available online

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced that a total of 18 new services have been made available online with Aadhaar-based verification, without the need to visit an RTO. The major services that are available online include application for a Learner’s Licence, renewal of Driving Licence, duplicate licence application, address change in Driving Licence and Certificate of Registration, issuing of an International Driving Permit, the surrender of a class of vehicle from the licence, application for temporary registration of a motor vehicle, and application for the registration of a motor vehicle with a fully built body.

India’s forex reserves increase by $689 million to $584.55 billion

India’s forex reserves increased by USD 689 million to USD 584.554 billion in the week ended February 26, 2021. Foreign currency assets rose by USD 509 million to USD 542.615 billion. The foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen. Gold reserves increased by USD 172 million to USD 35.421 billion. The special drawing rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rose by USD 9 million to USD 1.517 billion.

Singapore was top source of FDI into India in the first 9 months of FY21

Singapore was the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in the first nine months of FY21 at $15.7 billion, followed by the US at $12.82 billion with Mauritius at the third position at $3.47 billion. FDI equity inflows rose 40% year-on-year in the April-December of FY21 at $51.47 billion compared to $36.77 billion in the year ago period. Gujarat garnered the highest share of FDI in the period followed by Maharashtra.

Muthoot Finance chairman Mathai George Muthoot passes away

Mathai George Muthoot, the chairman of Muthoot Finance which is the largest gold loan NBFC in the country, passed away on March 5, 2021 at the age of 71. His diversified group runs over 20 businesses from gold loans to securities, realty estate to infrastructure, hospitals to hospitality & education and is headquartered in Kochi. The Muthoot Group’s flagship Muthoot Finance had a loan book of close to Rs 56,000 crore in the December 2020 quarter.

Sports

M C Mary Kom wins bronze medal in Boxam International Boxing Tournament

Six-time world champion M C Mary Kom (51kg) settled for a bronze medal in the 35th Boxam International Boxing Tournament in Castellon, Spain after going down to American Virginia Fuchs in an intensely-contested semifinal bout on March 5, 2021.

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra improves his own national record

Olympic-bound star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra smashed his own national record with a throw of 88.07m, during the third Indian Grand Prix meet in Patiala on March 5, 2021. His previous record of 88.06 m was created during the gold-winning effort at the 2018 Asian Games.

India’s middle and long-distance coach Nikolai Snesarev of Belarus dies

India’s middle and long-distance coach Nikolai Snesarev of Belarus was on March 5, 2021 found dead in his hostel room at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, the Athletics Federation of India said. The 72-year-old Snesarev had returned to India after a gap of two years to be at the helm till the end of September.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021