Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of  the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing  Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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March 25 | Daily Current Affairs 2021

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed on which date?
A) 23 March
B) 24 March
C) 25 March
D) 26 March
E) 27 March
Answer: C) 25 March

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade:

• International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a United Nations international observance designated in 2007 to be marked on 25 March every year.
• The day honours and remembers those who suffered and died as a consequence of the transatlantic slave trade, which has been called “the worst violation of human rights in history”, in which over 400 years more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims.
• 2021 Theme: “Ending Slavery’s Legacy of Racism: A Global Imperative for Justice”.

The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members:

• The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is marked each year on the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, a former journalist who was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) when he was abducted by armed gunman in 1985.
• His body was finally found in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley in 2009.

BANKING AND FINANCE

2. Which Bank announced the launch of YES Essence Plus – a unique accelerator program to support women-led startups in partnership with SHEROES?
A) Karur Vyasa Bank
B) Karnataka Bank
C) IndusInd Bank
D) ICICI Bank
E) Yes Bank
Answer: E) Yes Bank

• YES BANK announced the launch of YES Essence Plus – a unique accelerator program to support women-led start-ups in partnership with SHEROES, the women-only social network.
• Over a 10-week period, the cohort start-ups will receive customised training through virtual workshops conducted by industry experts.
• The curriculum will focus on building skills such as financial management, legal, fundraising, marketing, and effective leadership.
• The accelerator culminates with a final Demo Day, where the startups will then present their ideas to venture capital partners, Bharat Innovation Fund, CIIE A and 3one4 Capital.
• Leading accelerators like the GAIN, Strategy Garage and WSquare will support outreach as ecosystem partners.

Yes Bank:
Hq: Mumbai, Maharashtra
MD and CEO : Prashant Kumar
Tagline: Experience our Expertise

YES BANK + SHEROES – YES Essence Plus accelerator to support women entrepreneurs.

3. IMF approves how much amount loan disbursement for Pakistan to help economy?
A) $300 million
B) $400 million
C) $500 million
D) $600 million
E) $700 million
Answer: C) $500 million

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a half-billion disbursement for Pakistan to help the country’s economy and save lives and livelihoods amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 350 million (about USD 500 million), bringing total purchases for budget support under the arrangement to about USD 2 billion.

IMF:
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S
Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva

IMF – Approve $500 million loan disbursement for Pakistan to help economy.

4. The Reserve Bank of India has imposed monetary penalty of how much amount on Nagpur Mahanagarpalika Karmachari Sahakari Bank Ltd, Nagpur?
A) Rs 3 lakh
B) Rs 2 lakh
C) Rs 1 lakh
D) Rs 5 lakh
E) Rs 6 lakh
Answer: C) Rs 1 lakh

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1 lakh (Rupees One Lakh) on Nagpur Mahanagarpalika Karmachari Sahakari Bank Ltd, Nagpur.
• The penalty was imposed for contravention of/non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on “Exposure Norms and Statutory/Other Restrictions – UCBs”.
• This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, taking into account the failure of the bank to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.

RBI imposes monetary penalty on Sonata Finance Private Ltd:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 23, 2021, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 15 lakh (Rupees Fifteen lakh only) on Sonata Finance Private Limited, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for non-compliance with certain provisions of the directions issued by RBI on ‘Pricing of Credit’ contained in Non-Banking Financial Company – Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016.
• This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, taking into account the failure of the company to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.
• This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers.

Reserve Bank of India:
Act: Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors– 4 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao)

RBl – Rs 1 lakh on Nagpur Mahanagarpalika Karmachari Sahakari Bank Ltd, Nagpur

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

5. Which Company announced the launch of a new cloud security offering called ‘CLOUDEFENDER’?
A) NSDC
B) Microsoft
C) Accenture
D) Tech Mahindra
E) TCS
Answer: D) Tech Mahindra

• Tech Mahindra announced the launch of a new cloud security offering called ‘CLOUDEFENDER.’
• It is a cloud-based attack mitigation service.
• The solution is powered by cybersecurity and application delivery solutions provider Radware and is an expansion of Tech Mahindra’s global partnership with the company to provide a full suite of cloud-based services.
• The solution will enable Cloud DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Protection, Cloud WAF (Web Application Firewall), Bot Management and Cloud-Native Protector services.
• The partnership between Tech Mahindra and Radware is meant to provide comprehensive cybersecurity protection to customers for both their network and their applications regardless of whether their infrastructure is cloud-native, hybrid, or data centre driven.

Tech Mahindra:
Hq: Pune, Maharashtra
Chairman: Anand Mahindra

Tech Mahindra – New cloud security offering called ‘CLOUDEFENDER’.

APPOINTMENTS

6. Who is appointed as brand ambassador of My11Circle?
A) Suresh Raina
B) Ajinkya Rahane
C) Virat Kholi
D) Rohit Sharma
E) M S Dhoni
Answer: B) Ajinkya Rahane

• Games24x7, an Indian online gaming company appointed Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane as a brand ambassador of My11Circle, its popular fantasy sports platform

AWARDS

7. Which State adjudged best State in Country on World TB Day?
A) Assam
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Mizoram
D) Himachal Pradesh
E) Manipur
Answer: D) Himachal Pradesh

• Health Secretary Amitabh Awasthi said that Himachal Pradesh has achieved first rank in the country amongst the States with a population of more than 50 lakhs, to end Tuberculosis.
• This survey was conducted in the month of February, 2021 and the results were compiled and declared on the occasion of world TB day.
• The Government of India also ranks the States in terms of programmatic interventions under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.
• This award was conferred at Delhi by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Ashwani Choubhey.

Himachal Pradesh:
Capital: Shimla
CM: Jai Ram Thakur
Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya

Himachal Pradesh – Best State in Country on World TB Day.

8. Who has been conferred with the Rising Star Award by the Asian World Film Festival?
A) Arun Gourav
B) Adarsh Gourav
C) Tarun Gourav
D) Suresh Gourav
E) Sundar Gourav
Answer: B) Adarsh Gourav

• Adarsh Gourav, the breakout actor from The White Tiger, has now been conferred with the Rising Star Award by the Asian World Film Festival.
• The festival which took place virtually owing to the pandemic, had a panel of jury members including Oscar-nominated producer Gil Netter (Life of Pi, The Blind Side), Oscar-winning screenwriter David Seidler (The King’s Speech), award-winning director Jean Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Big Little Lies), director Lulu Wang, Actress Lucy Liu, director Tabrez Noorani and several others.

Adarsh Gourav – Rising Star award at Asian World Film Festival.

9. Which Bank has adjudged the ‘India’s Best Bank for SMEs’ at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2021?
A) HDFC Bank
B) Karnataka Bank
C) IndusInd Bank
D) ICICI Bank
E) Yes Bank
Answer: A) HDFC Bank

• HDFC Bank has adjudged the ‘India’s Best Bank for SMEs’ at the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2021.
• In its evaluation, the magazine said on its website – “HDFC Bank’s transformation of its micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) business over the past few years makes it a worthy winner of this award.”

HDFC Bank:
Hq: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline: We Understand Your World
CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan

HDFC Bank – India’s Best SME Bank by Asiamoney.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

10. India, which country agree to re-establish Homeland Security Dialogue?
A) Myanmar
B) China
C) Nepal
D) Australia
E) USA
Answer: E) USA

• India and the U.S. have agreed to re-establish the U.S.- India Homeland Security Dialogue, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced following a discussion between India’s Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
• They also discussed cooperation that was already underway via the Quad, climate action and in the cybersecurity space, according to the readout.
• The first Homeland Security Dialogue between the two countries was held in 2011 when Janet Napolitano, Barack Obama’s DHS Secretary visited New Delhi for discussions with former Home Minister P Chidambaram, the Press Trust of India reported.
• The second dialogue was held between Ms Napolitano and former Home Minister Sushil Kumar.

United States of America:
Capital: Washington D.C
Currency: US Dollar
President: Joe Biden

India + US – Agree to re-establish Homeland Security Dialogue.

11. India and which country conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Indian Ocean Region?
A) New Zealand
B) China
C) Nepal
D) Madagascar
E) USA
Answer: D) Madagascar

• In a first, the navies of India and Madagascar undertook joint patrolling of Madagascar’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and also conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX).
• The first-ever joint patrol between the navies reflects the growing defence ties between the two Indian Ocean neighbours aimed at the common objective of ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The INS Shardul and Malagasy Naval Ship Trozona undertook the patrol.
• A four-member delegation led by Minister of National Defence of Madagascar Major General Léon Jean Richard Rakotonirina took part in the Defence Ministers conclave during the Aero India at Bengaluru.

Madagascar:
Capital: Antananarivo
President: Andry Rajoelina
Currency: Malagasy ariary

India + Madagascar – Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Indian Ocean Region.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

12. According to TERI-Shell report, Net zero emission energy transition achievable by which year?
A) 2020
B) 2030
C) 2040
D) 2050
E) 2060
Answer: D) 2050

• Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving ‘Net Zero Emission’ targets in energy by 2050, even though it calls for a concerted strategy and massive investments.
• Speaking after the launch of the report, “India: Transforming to a net-zero emissions energy system” by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Shell, Kant said, renewable energy, use of hydrogen on a mission mode and electric mobility will play a significant role in this transition.
• The report states that “India needs a suitable policy and innovation driven context to deploy clean energy technologies on a massive scale.
• It requires more and faster deployment of large-scale solar, wind and hydro power to enable greater electrification.
• It also requires the development of new fuels, such as liquid biofuels and biogas, as well as hydrogen produced from electrolysis.”
• The report suggests huge push towards renewable energy, target 13 per cent hydrogen in final energy including as a fuel for industry and transport, and transform bioenergy, with liquid biofuels surpassing petroleum products by 2040.
• Other suggestions include, “investment in processes, technologies and end uses to improve energy intensity per unit of GDP by almost 60 per cent by 2050, adopt economic mechanisms, such as carbon trading and/or pricing to facilitate re-allocation of capital and resources to support commercialisation of new fuels and technologies.”

NITI Aayog:
Abbreviation: National Institution for Transforming India Aayog
Founded: 2015
Hq: New Delhi, Delhi
CEO: Amitabh Kant

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant – Net zero emission energy transition achievable by 2050.

13. Which country plans to conduct airborne radar surveys to estimate the thickness of Himalayan glaciers?
A) Myanmar
B) China
C) Nepal
D) Australia
E) India
Answer: E) India

• India plans to conduct airborne radar surveys to estimate the thickness of Himalayan glaciers, with a pilot study to be conducted in Lahaul-Spiti basin of Himachal Pradesh.
• Once the pilot project is done, similar studies will be conducted in Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra sub-basins.
• The development assumes significance given the importance of glaciers in India’ river systems and the 500 million lives they sustain downstream in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
• They are also important from the energy security standpoint and have a strategic imperative.
• This also comes in the backdrop of India being one of the most vulnerable country for extreme weather events, ranking 20th on Climate Risk Index (CRI).
• Also, the country was recently witness to a human tragedy when several people lost their lives, after a glacier near Raini village above Rishiganga river in Uttarakhand burst in February.
• India plans to add 45 gigawatts (GW) of hydropower capacity to its energy basket. India is also grappling with the issue of China’s ambitious $62 billion south-north water diversion scheme of the rivers that feed downstream into the Brahmaputra, known in China as the Yarlung Tsangpo.

India – Conduct airborne radar surveys of Himalayan glaciers

14. Which state emerges as the model state for Van Dhan Vikas Yojana?
A) Assam
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Mizoram
D) Madhya Pradesh
E) Manipur
Answer: E) Manipur

• Manipur has emerged as the champion state where the Van Dhan programme has emerged as a major source of employment for the local tribals.
• Since the time that the programme was launched in the state in October 2019, 100 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been established.
• These constitute 1500 SHGs and are benefitting 30,000 tribal entrepreneurs, who are involved in the collection, processing, value-adding, packaging and marketing of value-added products from minor forest produce.
• The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is a programme for value addition, branding & marketing of Minor Forest Produces by establishing Van Dhan Kendras to facilitate creation of sustainable livelihoods for the forest-based tribes.
• One major scheme that has contributed to increasing employment and income generation among the tribal population is the Van Dhan tribal start-ups programme, a component of the The ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’ Scheme

Manipur:
Capital: Imphal
CM: N. Biren Singh
Governor: Najma Heptulla

Manipur – Model state for Van Dhan Vikas Yojana.

15. Who represents India at the World Summit on Information Society Forum 2021?
A) Venkaiah Naidu
B) Amit Shah
C) Ravi Shankar Prasad
D) Nirmala Sitharaman
E) Sanjay Dhotre
Answer: E) Sanjay Dhotre

• The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2021 represents one of the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community, is co-organized by International Telecommunications Union (ITU), UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD.
• During the address to High-Level Policy session of WSIS 2021 where in Secretary General ITU, Ministers of Russia, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe, Iran and leaders and high level dignitaries from across the globe were present, Shri Dhotre underscored the role of Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs) for modernization and transformation of the industry, promotion of inclusive economic growth and stimulation of the national economies to meet the larger objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The initiatives were taken not only to effectively manage the pandemic situation but also with the objective of bridging the digital divide in the country.
• Minister also mentioned innovative solutions such as Arogya Setu platform to monitor and alert health status of citizens, CovidSavdhan system for targeted messaging in a specified area, facilitation framework for Work from Home and Work from Anywhere, effective use of public Wi-Fi under PM-WANI scheme enabling effective service delivery for the citizens across the country

Shri Sanjay Dhotre – Represent India at the World Summit on Information Society Forum 2021.

16. Which UT inaugurates first Solar Lift Irrigation Scheme of KREDA at Latoo Village?
A) Bihar
B) Mizoram
C) Delhi
D) Jammu & Kashmir
E) Ladakh
Answer: E) Ladakh

• Ladakh Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur has inaugurated the first Solar Lift Irrigation Scheme of Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA) at Latoo Village.
• This is the last Village on the LOC.
• The project is inspired by the Vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for solarising Ladakh as a model region by making it fully solarised and Carbon Neutral.
• The agency has successfully installed and Commissioned a 41 Hp Submersible Pump backed with 50 Kw Solar Photovoltaic Plant making the first prototype of the Solar Lift Irrigation System in Ladakh in coloration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil.

Ladakh:
Capital: Leh, Kargil
Lt Governor: Radha Krishna Mathur

R K Mathur – First Solar Lift Irrigation Scheme of KREDA at Latoo Village.

17. J&K Lieutenant Governor e-inaugurates how many AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres?
A) 90
B) 73
C) 79
D) 82
E) 71
Answer: B) 73

• In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with the aim of promoting good health and expanding the outreach of comprehensive primary healthcare services to the people of J&K, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today e-inaugurated as many as 73 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat across the UT.
• The LG laid special emphasis on creating awareness and sensitizing all stakeholders and health service providers about the strengths of AYUSH systems for optimum utilization of its potential, and revival of the traditional systems of medicine.
• The LG also launched “Arogya Siddhi”, a compendium of clinical outcomes of AYUSH Interventions across the UT.
• Pertinently, out of 73 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres, Nine are in Udhampur, Seven in Rajouri, Six in Reasi, Five in Baramulla, Four in Budgam, Bandipora, Doda and Ramban, Three in Jammu, Srinagar, Kathua, Kupwara, Poonch, Anantnag and Pulwama, Two in Kulgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, Samba and one in Kishtwar.
• Out of 571 approved AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres, 94 have been completed in the First phase and 100 others will be completed in the second phase.

Principal Secretary inaugurates ‘Pashudhan Mela’ in Kathua:

• In Jammu and Kashmir, Principal Secretary Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department, Naveen Kumar Chaudhary has inaugurated ‘Pashudhan Mela’ in Kathua.
• ‘Pashudhan Mela’ is the first of its kind Mela held in the Union Territory organized with the objective to educate farmers about the latest cattle breeds.

Jammu and Kashmir:
Capital: Srinagar(summer), Jammu(winter)
Governor: Manoj Sinha

J&K Lieutenant Governor – e-inaugurate 73 AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres.

18. Kurnool Airport is situated in which state?
A) Assam
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Mizoram
D) Arunachal Pradesh
E) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: E) Andhra Pradesh

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated Kurnool Airport located at Orvakal and named it after the freedom fighter Uyyalavada Narasimha Reddy.
• The Chief Minister unveiled the statue of the former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy in front of the Airport Passenger Terminal building and inspected the buildings inside the airport.
• Later, the Chief Minister released a special postage stamp on the occasion of the inauguration of Kurnool Airport.

Andhra Pradesh:
Capital: Visakhapatnam (executive), Amaravati (legislative), Kurnool (judicial)
CM: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Governor: Biswa Bhushan Harichandan

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy – Inaugurate Kurnool Airport.

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