Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2021

Notes:
The Indian government, Government of Nagaland and the World Bank signed a USD 68 million project to enhance the governance of schools across Nagaland.
It also aims to improve teaching practices and environments in some select schools. The project titled “Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project” also provides technology support to hybrid and online learning.

Notes:
Indian Government think tank NITI Aayog has prepared a draft national migrant labour policy, along with a working group of officials and other members.
The draft highlights two approaches in designing the policy: one focussed on cash transfers, special reservations; two focussed on enhancing the capability of the community.

Notes:
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh approved the Indian Army’s proposal to buy 118 Arjun Mark 1-A ‘Hunter Killers’.
With this approval, Indian Army will soon have 118 indigenous Arjun Mk-1A Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Notes:
Ghana became the first country to receive a batch of free Covid vaccine doses through the COVAX initiative.
The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the COVAX initiative together with Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. It aims to share the vaccines to poorer countries.

Notes:
Vijay Sampla, former Union Minster recently took charge as the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), after being appointed by the President of India.
He served as the Union Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment from 2014 to 2019. Ram Shankar Katheria was earlier the head of NCSC.

Notes:
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced that it has selected 12 iconic sites under Phase 4 of the Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) initiative.
SIP is an initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G), which aims to improve the sanitation and cleanliness standards at and around the sites. Ministry of Jal Shakti coordinates with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and the State/UT governments.

Notes:
The militaries of India and Pakistan announced that they have agreed to stop firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas.
This is to be followed with effect from the midnight of February 24-25. The authorities of both the countries held discussions over the mechanism of hotline contact. They also reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a cordial atmosphere.

Notes:
The insurance regulator IRDAI has proposed a standard personal accident cover, named Saral Suraksha Bima.
All general and standalone health insurers have to mandatorily offer the policy from April 1 this year. The product will have a maximum sum assured of Rs 1 crore and minimum of Rs 2.5 lakh. The sum insured will also increase by 5 per cent each year for each claim-free policy year.

Notes:
The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed to introduce a concept called ‘accredited investors’.
SEBI has noted that accredited investors, (also known as qualified investors or professional investors) are those who have an understanding of various financial products, the risks and returns associated with them. They can take informed decisions regarding investments and are recognised by many securities and financial market regulators globally.

Notes:
As per the second advanced estimates of GDP released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the GDP for the financial year 2020-21 is recorded as -8 per cent.
NSO, MoSPI also released the quarterly estimates. After two consecutive quarters of contraction, India’s GDP for the October-December quarter (Q3) grew by 0.4 per cent. With this the country is said to have exited recession.