Current Affairs 15 March 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 15 March 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of PM Modi’s 3-Day Visit to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, WB & UPPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh from 8th to 10th March 2024. During the visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects.
Highlights:
i.On 9th March 2024, PM Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, and laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 17500 crore at Jorhat, Assam.
ii.PM Narendra Modi participated in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit North East program’ at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. During the visit, He inaugurated the Sela Tunnel and launched a new Industrial Development Scheme for the North East named UNNATI(Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme).
iii.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple developmental projects in the rail and road sector worth more than Rs 4500 crores during the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit West Bengal Programme’ in Siliguri, West Bengal.
iv.Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth more than Rs 42,000 crores.
About Assam
Chief Minister- Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor – Gulab Chand Kataria
National Park– Orang National Park; Dehing Patkai National Park;  Raimona National Park
Wildlife Sanctuary– Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary; Panidihing Wildlife Sanctuary
>> Read Full News

MoWCD Introduces National Curriculum for ECCE & National Framework for Early Childhood StimulationThe Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) launched a National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children from 3 to 6 years and a National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for children from birth to 3 years.
National Curriculum for ECCE:
i.The National Curriculum for ECCE 2024 aims to improve the quality of ECCE transacted at the Anganwadi Centre through competency-based lesson plans and activities.
ii.The curriculum emphasises all domains of development outlined in the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 (NCF-FS), such as physical, cognitive, etc.
iii.Focus on joy-based learning prepares children for primary school, emphasising a balance between child-led and educator-led activities, etc.
iv.Robust assessment tools track progress and ensure inclusivity, with special provisions for Divyang children in every activity.
National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation:
i.This 2024 framework empowers caregivers and Anganwadi Workers for holistic early stimulation.
ii.Based on principles of responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning, it ensures optimal development of children, both body and brain.
iii.It fills conceptual and practical gaps in the understanding of care and stimulation, based on the Nurturing Care Framework.
iv.The framework is designed to provide the Anganwadi Worker with:

• A basic understanding of the way children grow and develop;
• The importance of brain development, and the need for nurturing care.

v.Focus areas include serve and return, the caregiver’s 3 acts: love, talk, play, and positive guidance.
vi.Provides 36-month-wise age-based activities adaptable to household and Anganwadi Centre settings, with a special focus on Divyang children.
Preparation and Implementation:
i.The documents were developed by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), in collaboration with an Internal Committee and development partners.
ii.The curriculum and framework aim for flexibility, activity-based learning, and user-friendly formats after incorporating feedback from Anganwadi Workers.
iii.NIPCCD leads the training of Anganwadi functionaries on the new Curriculum and Framework.

• It will ensure effective implementation, with provisions integrated into the Poshan Tracker for monitoring and support.

About Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD):
Union Minister– Smriti Zubin Irani (Constituency- Amethi, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State– Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai (Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)

Interest rates on Small Savings Schemes remain unchanged for Q1FY25The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA-Budget Division), Ministry of Finance has kept the interest rate on small savings schemes unchanged for first quarter of 2024-2025(Q1FY25) i.e. from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 from those notified for Q4FY24.
Interest Rates on Small Savings Schemes for Q1FY25

About Small Savings Schemes:
i.Small Savings Schemes are savings instruments managed by the government to encourage citizens to save regularly.
ii.The small savings schemes have three categories- savings deposits, social security schemes, and monthly income plan.
iii.Interest rates for small savings schemes are notified on a quarterly basis by the government.

• The formula to arrive at the interest rates for small savings scheme was given by the Shyamala Gopinath Committee in January 2023.
• Interest rates for these schemes should range from 25 to 100 basis points above the yields of the government bonds.

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI expands Framework for Qualified Stock Brokers; Mandates Registration of Index Providers i.On March 11, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) expanded the framework of Qualified Stock Brokers (QSBs) to more stock brokers in order to protect the interest of investors, building trust in securities market, and strengthening the compliance culture among stock brokers
ii.This information by SEBI is issued  in  exercise  of  its powers  conferred  under  Section  11(1) of Chapter IV of the SEBI Act, 1992, read with Regulation  30 of Chapter  VII  of SEBI  (Stock Brokers)  Regulations,  1992.
iii.SEBI has notified the SEBI (Index  Providers)  Regulations, 2024 in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 30 read with sub-section (2) of Section 11 and Section 12 of the SEBI  Act,  1992 (15 of 1992).
About Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
Chairperson– Madhabi Puri Buch
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Establishment– 12 April 1992
>> Read Full News

SBI partnered with One97 Communications for UPI Transactions
State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has partnered with Noida (Uttar Pradesh) based One97 Communications Limited (OCL) to settle Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions upon acquiring the third-party app provider (TPAP) license.

• The other three banks are HDFC Bank Limited, Axis Bank Limited and YES Bank Limited.
• All these four banks will be acting as Payment System Provider (PSP) banks to OCL.
• The partnership aims to redirect Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL)’s handle “@paytm” to one of the four banks for settlement.
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which handles UPI payments, requires most significant UPI companies to have at least three banking partners.

What is PSP?
PSP (also known as a merchant service provider), is a third-party company that allows businesses to accept electronic payments.  They act as intermediaries between the customer making the payment and the business receiving it.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

96th Academy Awards – Oscars 2024: ‘Oppenheimer’ Wins 7 awards, Poor Things Wins 4 The winners of the 96th Academy Awards (Oscars 2024) were announced at the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA) on 10th March 2024.

• ‘Oppenheimer’ wins seven awards at the Oscars 2024; Director – Christopher Nolan, Best actor – Cillian Murphy, Best supporting actor – Robert Downey Jr., Film editing – Jennifer Lame,Cinematography – Hoyte van Hoytema ,Music (Original Score) – Ludwig Göransson, and Best Picture.
• “Poor Things” won four awards, including Best Actress, Production Design, Makeup & Hairstyling, and Costume Design.
• “The Zone of Interest” won two Oscar awards, including Best Sound and Best International Feature Film.
• Indian Art Director Nitin Chandrakant Desai was remembered at the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment, which honoured those who passed away last year.
• The Academy Awards (Oscars) have been presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since 1929.

About Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS):
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Bill Kramer
Founded in 1927
Headquarters– Beverly Hills, California, USA
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Devendra Jhajharia Elected as President Of Paralympic Committee Of India
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia was elected unopposed as the president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). He succeeded para-athlete Deepa Malik as president of PCI, whose term ended on 31st January 2024.

• Devendra Jhajharia won two gold medals and a silver in the Paralympics. He won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens(Greece) and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro(Brazil) Paralympics in the F46 disability category. He won a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo(Japan) Paralympics.
• Jhajharia has received awards including the Khel Ratna (2017), Arjuna Award (2004), Padma Shri (2012), and Padma Bhushan (2022) in the field of sports. He was the only para-athlete to win the Padma Bhushan award so far.
• The other office-bearers who were elected along with the President were R. Chandrashekhar and Satya Prakash Sangwan as Vice Presidents, Jayawant Hammanawar as Secretary General.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI approvals on March 12, 2024On March 12, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves the following mergers:
CCI approves merger of Garagepreneurs Internet Private Limited with the North East Small Finance Bank
CCI approved the merger of a financial technology company, Garagepreneurs Internet Private Limited (GIPL) with the North East Small Finance Bank (NESFB).

• The GIPL include Quadrillion Finance Private Limited (QFPL) (an NBFC-SI-ICC) and Intergalactory Foundry Private Limited (IFPL).
• NESFB include RGVN (North-East) Microfinance Limited (RGVN)

Key Points:
i.GIPL, operating as “slice,” facilitates digital payments and credit products in India, particularly targeting underbanked customers with affordable and transparent financial services.
ii.NESFB, headquartered in Guwahati, Assam, is a private sector Small Finance Bank (SFB) with branches in the North Eastern states and West Bengal.
iii.The merger scheme will next require approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for completion.
CCI approves acquisition of stake in Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Private Limited
CCI also approved the acquisition of stake in Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Private Limited by TPG Growth V SF Markets Pte. Ltd. and Waverly Pte. Ltd. through Asia Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd.
It includes the following:
i.Acquisition of fresh Redeemable Preference Shares (New RPS) in Asia Healthcare Holdings Pte. Ltd. (AHH) by TPG Growth V SF Markets Pte. Ltd. (Growth V) and Waverly Pte. Ltd. (Waverly) (Part I)
ii.Subsequent acquisition of majority shareholding in Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Private Limited (AINU) by AHH (Part II).
Key Points:
i.Growth V is an investment fund managed by TPG Inc., a global investment firm with diverse strategies including buyout/control situations, growth & technology investing, and impact investing across various sectors.
ii.TPG Group, under TPG Inc., holds a controlling stake in NewQuest Capital, focusing on private equity investments in sectors like financial services, travel, and real estate.
iii.Waverly, a subsidiary of Lathe Investment Private Limited owned by GIC (Ventures) Pte Ltd., is an investment vehicle based in Singapore.
iv.AHH, a Singapore company jointly owned by the TPG Group and Waverly, invests in healthcare services in India, particularly in maternal, child, and related healthcare.
v.AINU is a healthcare center in South India specializing in urology, nephrology, dialysis, kidney transplant, radiology, and pathology services.

Aditya Birla Finance to be Amalgamated with Aditya Birla CapitalThe Board of Directors (BoD) of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL) has approved the Scheme of Amalgamation of Aditya Birla Finance Limited (ABFL), with ABCL.

• The scheme aims to make ABCL a large unified operating Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).

Key Points:
i.The proposed amalgamation will result in a reduction of legal entities and simplification of the group structure of ABCL.
ii.The proposed amalgamation will integrate the businesses and operational synergies and lead to the seamless implementation of policy changes and a reduction in the multiplicity of legal and regulatory compliances.
iii.The amalgamation will also create a strong capital base for ABCL to grow its business.
iv.The amalgamation is subject to the approval of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) 
Post-merger leadership:
After the merger, Vishakha Mulye will be acting as Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) whereas Rakesh Singh will assume the role as Executive Director (ED) and CEO (NBFC)  of the merged amalgamated company.
Note:
i.ABFL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the ABCL, which is registered with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as non-deposit taking systemically important Non – Banking Financial Company(NBFC)-Investment and Credit Company(ICC).
ii.ABCL is a systemically important non-deposit taking NBFC-Core Investment Company (CIC) registered with RBI.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur unveiled the Book ‘Israel War Diary’ written by Vishal Pandey
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), has released a book titled ‘Israel War Diary “इजराइल वॉर डायरी“ authored by Vishal Pandey at an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The book speaks about the war between Israel and Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (HAMAS), an Islamic Resistance Movement which is the largest and most capable militant group in the Palestinian territories.
• The book is published by Prabhat Prakashan Private Limited.
• The book is available in Hindi language.
• This is the first book authored by  Vishal Pandey.

Note: Vishal Pandey is currently working as Chief Special Correspondent at Zee Media Corporation Limited.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Kidney Day 2024 – March 14 World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global campaign annually observed across the globe on the 2nd Thursday of March to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to overall health and equitable access to care and medication for all.

• WKD also aims to raise awareness of kidney disease and to reduce the impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems.

WKD 2024 is observed on 14 March 2024.

• WKD 2023 was observed on 9 March 2023; WKD 2025 will be observed on 13 March 2025.

The 2024 WKD campaign theme is, “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice.”
Background:
i.The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) jointly proposed that a World Kidney Day be established on the 2nd Thursday of March every year.
ii.WKD was first launched on 9 March 2006 (Thursday), and fully inaugurated on 8 March  2007 (Thursday).
About International Society of Nephrology (ISN):
President– Masaomi Nangaku (Japan)
President-Elect– Marcello Tonelli (Canada)
Founded in– 1960
>> Read Full News

International Day of Mathematics 2024 – March 14International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is annually observed across the globe on 14th March to create awareness about the importance of mathematics in addressing the challenges in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), climate change, energy and sustainable development.

• 14th March 2024 marks the observance of the 5th IDM.
• The theme of IDM 2024 is ‘Playing with math’.

Background:
i.Executive Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at its 205th session proclaimed 14th March of every year as the IDM.
ii.IDM was adopted by the 40th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in November 2019.
iii.The first-ever IDM was observed on 14th March 2020.
Why 14th March?
i.In the month/date format, March 14th represents the value of Pi, 3.14, which defines the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
About  International Mathematical Union (IMU):
i.IMU is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization, to promote international cooperation in mathematics.
ii.IMU was founded during the International Congress of Mathematicians in Strasbourg on September 20, 1920.
President – Hiraku Nakajima (Japan)
Headquarters –  Berlin, Germany
>> Read Full News

International Day of Action for Rivers 2024 – March 14The International Day of Action for Rivers is annually observed across the globe on 14 March to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and advocate for their protection and preservation. The day aims to draw attention to the threats faced by the rivers.
14 March 2024 marks the celebration of the 27th anniversary of the International Day of Action for Rivers.

• The 2024 theme of International Day of Action for Rivers is, “Water for All.”

Note: The Day was previously known as International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life.
Background:
i.The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life was adopted by the participants of the 1st International Meeting of People Affected by Dams in March 1997 in Curitiba Brazil.
ii.The 1st International Day of Action for Rivers was observed on 14 March 1998.
About International Rivers:
Interim Co-Executive Directors– Josh Klemm and Isabella Winkler
Headquarters– Oakland, USA
Formed in– 1985
>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Telangana CM Anumula Revanth Reddy Launches Indiramma Indlu’ Housing SchemeTelangana Chief Minister (CM) Anumula Revanth Reddy launched ‘Indiramma Indlu’, a housing scheme to provide house for homeless poor people, in Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana.

• The scheme will be implemented by the Telangana State Housing Corporation Limited (TSHCL).

About the Scheme:
i.The government of Telangana will construct 4.50 lakh Indiramma houses for Rs 22,500 crore under the scheme.  A provisional agreement was made to allocate 3,500 houses to each constituency.
ii.Under the scheme, a housing site and Rs 5 lakh financial assistance will be given to the poor who do not own land.
iii.Applicants, who already own land, will receive financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to construct a house on their land.
iv.They said the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) beneficiaries under the scheme are entitled for Rs 6 lakh financial assistance.
Eligibility:
i.Applicant must be a permanent resident of Telangana, living in huts or mud houses, and possessing a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card.
ii.The applicant’s family must be lower- or middle-class and their annual earnings cannot exceed Rs 2 lakhs.
About Telangana:
CM– Anumula Revanth Reddy
Governor– Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan
National Park– Mrugavani National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Pocharam Sanctuary and Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary

Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Renaming of Eight Railway Stations in Mumbai
The Maharashtra Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, approved the renaming of the eight railway stations in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The following is the new names for the stations: Curry Road as Lalbaug, Sandhurst Road as Dongri, Marine Lines as Mumbadevi, Cotton Green as Kalachowki, Charni Road as Girgaon, Dockyard Road as Mazgaon, and King Circle as Tirthakar Parshivnath.
• The cabinet also sent a proposal to the Railways Ministry to rename Mumbai Central Station as Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth Station.
• It also decided to rename the ‘Ahmednagar’ district as ‘Ahilya nagar’ in honour of the late Maratha Queen Ahilyabai Holkar.
• It approved the purchase of 2.5 acres of land in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) to construct a Maharashtra Bhavan. Maharashtra was the first state government to purchase land in J&K.

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