Daily Current Affairs March 20

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 March 20. 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 20 | Daily Current Affairs 2024

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs March 20

1. When was the first World Sparrow Day celebrated?
A) 2008
B) 2009
C) 2010
D) 2011
E) 2012
Answer: C) 2010

• World Sparrow Day is observed on March 20
• This international initiative aims to raise awareness about the house sparrow, a common bird in urban environments around the world.
• The Nature Forever Society, founded by Indian conservationist Mohammed Dilawar, is credited with coming up with the idea.
• Inspired by earlier local efforts to save the house sparrow, they proposed a day dedicated to raising awareness about the decline of these common birds.
• The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated on March 20, 2010.

Ranking – Daily Current Affairs March 20

2. Which state’s metropolitan area topped the list as the “Most Polluted Metropolitan area in 2023”?
A) Maharashtra
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Bihar
D) Madhya Pradesh
E) Gujarat
Answer: C) Bihar

• India ranked third worst polluted country out of 134 countries trailing behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, as highlighted in World Air Quality Report 2023.
• Bihar’s Begusarai topped the list as the “Most Polluted Metropolitan area in 2023”, while Delhi has been identified as the capital city with the “poorest air quality” among global nations, as per the findings of the World Air Quality Report 2023 by the Swiss organization IQAir.
• Ninty-six per cent of India’s population reside in areas where air quality exceeds WHO guidelines by seven times, according to the report.

Worldwide air pollution status:

• IQAir discovered that 92.5 per cent of the 7,812 locations analysed across 134 countries, regions, and territories exceeded the WHO’s PM2.5 guidelines for average air quality last year.
• Columbus, Ohio, emerged as the “most polluted major city in the United States”, while Beloit in Wisconsin, took the title of the “most polluted city overall”. Meanwhile, Las Vegas in Nevada, was recognised as the “cleanest major city in the US.”
• The report said that Africa continues to be the most underrepresented continent, with a third of its population lacking access to air quality data.
• For the first time in the report’s history, Canada was identified as the most polluted country in Northern America, with its borders containing the 13 most polluted cities in the region.
• Seven countries achieved compliance with the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline, which stipulates a yearly average of 5 µg/m3 or less: Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.

PM2.5:

• PM stands for particulate matter, with 2.5 representing its size, specifically 2.5 microns, or 1/30th the diameter of a single strand of hair.
• PM2.5 pollution has been linked to increased rates of heart attack and stroke.
• It can also cause oxidative stress, which is essentially damage to the body’s cells at a rate faster than they can repair themselves, according to a Bloomberg report.
• Even at modest concentrations, PM2.5 pollution has severe impacts.
• In 2021, the WHO tightened its recommended guidelines for PM 2.5 pollution from an average of 10 micrograms per cubic meter to 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

3. What factors are considered while evaluating happiness levels in the World Happiness Report?
A) Social support, income, health
B) Freedom, generosity, absence of corruption
C) Social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, absence of corruption
D) Social media engagement, job satisfaction, climate
E) None of the above
Answer: C) Social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, absence of corruption

• The 2024 World Happiness Report has been released, with Finland as the happiest country for the seventh consecutive year.
• India, on the other hand, ranked 126 out of the 143 countries listed.
• The annual report evaluates happiness levels across more than 140 nations, considering factors such as social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of corruption.
• Data is sourced from various outlets, including the Gallup World Poll, and the report is published annually in celebration of the International Day of Happiness on March 20.
• Collaborators include the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre.
• Denmark and Iceland retain their positions at second and third place, respectively, with Sweden following closely at fourth.
• Costa Rica and Lithuania have broken into the top 20 list for the first time, securing ranks 12 and 19, respectively.
• Afghanistan retained its status as the unhappiest country in the world for yet another year.
• Joining Afghanistan at the bottom of the list are Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and Congo.
• India ranked at 126 place, same as last year.
• All of India’s neighbouring countries ranked higher, with China at 60, followed by Nepal at 93, Pakistan (108), Myanmar (118), Sri Lanka (128), and Bangladesh (129).

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs March 20

4. How much penalty did the Reserve Bank of India impose on Tamilnad Mercantile Bank?
A) Rs 1.2 crore
B) Rs 1.3 crore
C) Rs 1.4 crore
D) Rs 1.5 crore
E) Rs 1.6 crore
Answer: B) Rs 1.3 crore

• Reserve Bank of India imposed a penalty of Rs 1.3 crore on Tamilnad Mercantile Bank for non-compliance with directions on ‘Interest Rate on Advances’ and ‘Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) – Revision in Reporting’.
• The supervisory inspection for FY22 showed that the bank had failed to benchmark interest rates on certain floating rate loans to MSMEs to an external benchmark lending rate; had adopted multiple benchmarks within the same loan category and failed to price certain floating rate loans with reference to the actual benchmark rate applicable.
• It also wrongly reported external rating of certain borrowers to CRILC.
• The central bank also fined DCB Bank Rs 63.6 lakh for breach of norms on ‘Interest Rate on Advances’.
• The inspection for FY22 revealed that the bank failed to reset the interest rates at the prescribed periodicity in certain MCLR linked floating rate advances.
• It also failed to benchmark the interest rate of certain floating rate retail and MSME loans to an external benchmark lending rate.

Appointments – Daily Current Affairs March 20

5. Who has been appointed as the Governor of Telangana, replacing Tamilisai Sounderarajan?
A) CP Radhakrishnan
B) Tamilisai Sounderarajan
C) K. Rosaiah
D) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan
E) None of the above
Answer: A) CP Radhakrishnan

• Jharkhand governor CP Radhakrishnan got the additional charge of Telangana, replacing Tamilisai Sounderarajan.

6. Who has been named as the next Ambassador of India to Russia?
A) Vinay Kumar
B) S. Jaishankar
C) Nirupama Rao
D) Harsh Vardhan Shringla
E) None of the above
Answer: A) Vinay Kumar

• Vinay Kumar, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1992 batch, has been named as the next Ambassador of India to Russia.
• Kumar currently holds the position of Ambassador of India to Myanmar.

7. Who is stepping down from the position of Chief Executive Officer at Procter & Gamble India?
A) Kumar Venkatasubramanian
B) LV Vaidyanathan
C) Rajesh Kumar
D) Priya Menon
E) None of the above
Answer: B) LV Vaidyanathan

• Procter & Gamble India has announced the appointment of Kumar Venkatasubramanian as the Chief Executive Officer, effective from May 1, 2024.
• Kumar will assume responsibilities from LV Vaidyanathan, who is stepping down from the position after 28 years of service to the company.

8. Who was given the additional charge of the Ministry of Food and Processing Industries?
A) Kiren Rijiju
B) Pashupati Kumar Paras
C) Droupadi Murmu
D) Narendra Modi
E) None of the above
Answer: A) Kiren Rijiju

• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju was given additional charge of Ministry of Food and Processing Industries following the resignation of Pashupati Kumar Paras from the Union Council of ministers.
• President Droupadi Murmu assigned Rijiju the food processing industries ministry, in addition to his existing portfolio of the Ministry of Earth and Sciences.

Awards – Daily Current Affairs March 20

9. Who is the poet of the Malayalam poem ‘Roudra Sathwikam’, which won the prestigious Saraswati Samman?
A) Ayyappa Paniker
B) Prabha Varma
C) Sugathakumari
D) Kamala Surayya
E) None of the above
Answer: B) Prabha Varma

• Malayalam poem ‘Roudra Sathwikam’, penned by poet Prabha Varma has been chosen for the prestigious Saraswati Samman.
• The award instituted by K K Birla Foundation carried a purse of Rs 15 lakh, a citation and a plaque.
• Varma’s ‘Roudra Sathwikam’ is a poetic work published in 2022 as a novel in poetic verse.
• It probes the conflict between power and politics, individual and state, art and power in a unique manner.
• Saraswati Samman is given every year to an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language mentioned in schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution, by any Indian citizen published during the last 10 years preceding the specified Samman year.

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 20

10. What is the name of the campaign launched by YES Bank as part of its collaboration with the Indian Olympic Association?
A) YES Victory
B) YES Glory
C) YES Triumph
D) YES Champion
E) None of the above
Answer: B) YES Glory

• YES Bank announced its partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the Official Banking Partner for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024.
• As part of the collaboration, the bank launched the campaign ‘Milkar Jitayengey’ and introduced the ‘YES Glory Debit Card,’ specially designed for India’s Olympic athletes.
• The bank also unveiled the ‘YES Glory’ savings account proposition, extending benefits to athletes and their immediate family members.
• The YES Glory account offers a range of benefits tailored to the needs of champion athletes.
• These perks include a complimentary Welcome on-board Taj voucher, free orthopedic consultations, and zero cross-currency mark-up on international spends.

11. What milestone did Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) achieve recently?
A) Status of Miniratna Category-II CPSE
B) Status of Miniratna Category-I CPSE
C) Status of Navratna CPSE
D) Status of Maharatna CPSE
E) None of the above
Answer: B) Status of Miniratna Category-I CPSE

• Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) achieved a significant milestone by being conferred with the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
• Established in 2009, GRID-INDIA holds the crucial mandate of overseeing the seamless and uninterrupted operation of the Indian Power System, ensuring the efficient transfer of electric power within and across regions, facilitating trans-national power exchanges with a focus on reliability, economy, and sustainability.
• Comprising five Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) and the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC), GRID-INDIA shoulders the immense responsibility of managing the All India synchronous grid, one of the world’s largest and most intricate power systems.

12. What is the name of the portal launched by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) for the upcoming Universal Acceptance (UA) Day?
A) BhashaPortal
B) NetAcceptance
C) BhashaNet
D) UniversalConnect
E) None of the above
Answer: C) BhashaNet

• National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of the BhashaNet portal for the upcoming Universal Acceptance (UA) Day, scheduled to take place on March 21, 2024, at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in the National Capital.
• This will be the second event hosted between NIXI and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), underscoring their joint commitment to promote the UA and advancing digital inclusion across the nation.
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Governance division, MeitY, Government of India are actively supporting UA Day.
• The theme of the event,”BhashaNet: Impetus Towards Universal Acceptance,” highlights NIXI’s dedication to ensuring that individuals, regardless of language or script, can fully participate in the digital world.
• Through UA Day, NIXI and MeitY aim to mobilise stakeholders and raise awareness about the importance of UA readiness in today’s digital landscape.
• The event will feature engaging sessions, including keynote addresses, panel discussions and technical workshops, led by distinguished speakers from various sectors.
• These discussions will focus on the significance of UA and the steps needed to achieve widespread acceptance.

About NIXI:

• Set up on 19th June 2003, the National Internet Exchange of India is a not-for-profit (Section 8) company under the aegis of MeitY and is tasked to increase internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating the various infrastructure aspects to enable the internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses.
• The four services which come under the NIXI are setting IXPs, towards building Internet Exchange Points, .IN Registry towards building the .in domain digital identity, IRINN towards IPv4 and IPv6 addresses adoption and Data Centre services under NIXI-CSC towards data storage services.
• Dr Devesh Tyagi, CEO of NIXI

13. What is the primary objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAR and Dhanuka Agritech Limited?
A) To promote agricultural research and development
B) To enhance agricultural productivity through joint initiatives
C) To provide financial support to farmers
D) To establish agricultural training centers
E) None of the above
Answer: B) To enhance agricultural productivity through joint initiatives

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Dhanuka Agritech Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR Dr. U.S. Gautam and Chairman, Dhanuka Agritech Limited Dr. R.G. Aggarwal signed this MoU on behalf of respective organizations.
• The objective of this agreement is to utilize the efficiency of both the institutions to deliver new technology to the farmers.

14. Where was the Start-up Mahakumbh inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
A) Mumbai
B) Kolkata
C) New Delhi
D) Chennai
E) Bengaluru
Answer: C) New Delhi

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Start-up Mahakumbh at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• India is the third largest startup ecosystem with 1.25 lakh startups involving 12 lakh youth who are directly linked with them.
• GeM portal has provided more than 20,000 crore rupees to businesses and startups.

15. What is the significance of the indigenously made 1500 HP engine for Main Battle Tanks (MBTs)?
A) It helps in improving communication systems for tanks
B) It reduces the cost of tank production
C) It enhances the firepower of tanks
D) It reduces dependence on Russia for tank spares and systems
E) None of the above
Answer: D) It reduces dependence on Russia for tank spares and systems

• Maiden test-firing of the first indigenously made 1500 Horsepower (HP) engine for Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) took place at the defence PSU Bharat Earth Movers Ltd’s (BEML’s) facility in Mysuru.
• It helps the country to come closer to completely getting rid of dependence on Russia for spares and systems of more than 4000 tanks Indian Army possess.
• The 1500 HP engine represents a paradigm shift in military propulsion systems, possessing cutting-edge features such as a high power-to-weight ratio and operability in extreme conditions including high altitudes, sub-zero temperatures and desert environments.

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