Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2023

Notes:
National Stock Exchange (NSE) launched India’s first municipal bond index, the India Municipal Bond Index (IBMX).
The Nifty India Municipal Bond Index was launched at a SEBI workshop on Municipal Debt Securities at Bengaluru. It tracks the performance of municipal bonds issued by Indian municipal corporations across maturities and having investment grade credit rating.

Notes:
India has provided a grant of Rs 2 Billion to Bhutan for the Gyalsung Infra Project. The project aims to empower the youth of Bhutan and build a strong foundation for the country’s future.
The first tranche of the grant of Rs 1 Billion was presented recently by the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan. The grant is in addition to India’s commitment to provide planning assistance of Rs.50 Billion to Bhutan.

Notes:
The U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the country is nominating Ajay Banga to lead the World Bank
The 63-year- old leader currently serves as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic. He was President and CEO of Mastercard was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016. He has worked as the Co-Chair of the Partnership for Central America, is a member of the Trilateral Commission, a founding trustee of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum among other prestigious positions.

Notes:
Kerala entered into an agreement with UN Women, to boost women-friendly activities in the State’s tourism sector. It was signed during the first-ever Global Responsible Tourism Summit in Kumarakom, Kerala.
A memorandum of understanding agreed to work towards promoting gender-inclusive tourism sites in the State. It seeks to provide training stakeholders who include young representatives and civil organisations.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Culture kicked-off the celebrations of Santh Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti at Dr. BR Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
The Union government kicked-off year-long celebrations to mark the 284th birth anniversary of Santh Sevalal Maharaj, a spiritual and religious leader of the Banjara community. It is a nomadic community that has been declared a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in a few States of India.

Notes:
The Indian High Commission in London opened its visa application process for U.K. nationals to apply for the new Young Professionals Scheme (YPS).
Under the reciprocal scheme signed between India and UK at the G20 summit in Indonesia last November, Indian and British nationals aged between 18 and 30 can apply to live and work in either country for a period of up to two years.

Notes:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a new wheat variety which can overcome the challenges arising out due to changes in weather patterns and rising heat levels.
This new wheat variety called HD-3385 is open to to early sowing, escaping the impact of heat spikes and can be harvested before March end.

Notes:
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is an expert body which examines and authorises diversion of forest land for projects.
The Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island Project is being criticised for its adverse impact on the island’s ecology and indigenous tribes. The Environment Ministry has withheld all discussions on forest clearance for the entire project recommended by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC).

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the flight acceptance hot test for the CE-20 cryogenic engine.
The engine will power the LVM3 launch vehicle’s Cryogenic Upper Stage for the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is slated to be launched in the later part of 2023. The test was carried out at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.

Notes:
Canada announced that it is banning popular social media app TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices.
The decision follows similar moves in the United States and Europe. The country said that it has determined that the app presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.