Current Affairs 23 March 2021

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 23 March 2021, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2021 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

‘UPFPO Shakti Portal’- UP CM Yogi Adityanath Launches India’s 1st of its kind FPO PortalOn March 21, 2021, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath launched UPFPO (Uttar Pradesh Farmer Producer Organization) Shakti Portal as part of the Kisan Kalyan Mission in Gorakhpur, UP.  It is the 1st of its kind in India.

• Developers – Department of Agriculture, UP with technical support & Funding Support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
• At present, UP has 576 FPOs comprising around 2.15 Lakh Farmers. Out of which, 471 FPOs have registered themselves on the portal.
• The initiative is aligned with Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 & making India a USD 5 Trillion economy by 2024.

Objective

• To benefit the farmers at the grassroots level.
• To bring farmers, producer groups, traders and the department of agriculture & other departments of the State government on one platform.

About Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
Capital – Lucknow
<<Read Full News>>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Military Direct’s Ultimate Military Strength Index – Indian Armed Forces 4th Strongest in the World, China No.1According to a study ‘Ultimate Military Strength Index’ by Defence Website ‘Military Direct’, India with 61 Points is the 4th Strongest Military Force in the World. China (82 Points) was rated as the World’s Strongest Military Force followed by the USA (74) & Russia (69).

• The index considers factors like – Budgets, number of inactive & active military personnel, total air, sea, land and nuclear resources, average salaries & weight of equipment.
• World’s Biggest Military Spender – USA (USD 732 Billion per year) followed by China (USD 261 Billion) & India (USD 71 Billion).

India, Pakistan, China to take part in Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise ‘Pabbi Antiterror’ in 2021: 36th Council meeting of RATS SCOIndia, Pakistan, China & other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will take part in a Joint Anti-Terrorism Exercise called ‘Pabbi-Antiterror-2021’ scheduled to take place in 2021. The decision to hold a Joint Anti-Terrorism exercise was taken during the 36th meeting of the Council of RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) of SCO held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in March 18, 2021.

• RATS, headquartered in Tashkent is a permanent organ of SCO which aims to promote cooperation among 8-members of SCO against Terrorism, Separatism & Extremism.

• The participants approved the draft program of cooperation for 2022-2024 to counter-terrorism, separatism & extremism.
• The next meeting of RATS SCO will be held in September 2021 in Uzbekistan.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):
It is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance that was established in 2001 in Shanghai, China.
i.Total members – 8; Observers – 4
ii. SCO has 2 permanent bodies –  SCO Secretariat based in Beijing, China & Executive Committee of RATS based in Tashkent.
About Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation  (RATS SCO):
Director – Jumakhon Giyosov
Head Office – Tashkent, Uzbekistan
<<Read Full News>>

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Reported 9.1% Growth in India’s Software Services Export in FY20On March 16, 2021, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) released the data related to the 2019-20 round of annual survey on exports of computer software and information technology-enabled services in which India’s export of software services stood at USD 128.6 billion during 2019-20, registering 9.1 % growth over the previous year.
Key points:

• The USA (the United States of America) was the major destination for software exports with a 56.6% share.
• Europe had a 27.6% share, in which half of which was in the UK

About the Survey in Brief:

• For the 2019-20 round of the survey, RBI has contacted 6078 software export companies, of which 1475 companies have responded and accounted for around 82.7% of the total software services exports during the year.
• Exports of computer services and ITES/BPO services contributed 66.6% and 33.4% of the total software services exports.
• Private limited companies accounted for more than half of the total export of software services.
• The US dollar, which was the principal invoicing currency for software exports accounted for a 71.6% share whereas, Euro and pound sterling together accounted for 16.7%.

About Reserve Bank of India(RBI):
Key Roles of RBI:

• Monetary policy – It frames the Monetary policy of the country to meet the challenges and maintain the price stability of the economy.
• Inflation control -RBI has targeted to keep the mid-term inflation at 4%(+/- 2%)
• Decides benchmark interest rate – A six-member monetary policy committee headed by the RBI governor, decides the benchmark repo rate.
• Regulator of Foreign Exchange(Forex)– Foreign Exchange Management Act(‘FEMA’) envisages the RBI a key role in managing Forex reserves.

IRDAI Hiked the Maximum Cover Under Arogya Sanjeevani Policy from Rs 5 Lakh to 10 LakhInsurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), the insurance sector regulator has hiked the maximum cover under the standard health insurance plan – Arogya Sanjeevani Policy – from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and also has expanded the sum insured bands under the policy to between ₹50,000 and ₹10 lakh in multiples of ₹50,000.

• Insurers can offer the revised sum insured with effect from 1 May or earlier.

Objective: To bring more people under the ambit of health insurance by enhancing the coverage available under Arogya Sanjeevani Policy.

Latest Modifications in the policy by IRDAI:

• IRDAI made it compulsory for insurers to offer a sum insured of up to ₹10 lakh, starting from ₹50,000 and in multiples of ₹50,000.
• It let the companies file premium rates for the revised sum insured as per the guidelines on the filing minor modifications.
• Regulated that the unique identification number (UIN) allotted to a product will be retained after the modifications

About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
A statutory body formed under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 (IRDAI Act 1999) on the recommendations of the Malhotra Committee
Establishment – 1999(incorporated- 1st April 2000)
Headquarters – Hyderabad, Telangana
Chairman – Subhash Chandra Khuntia
<<Read Full News>>

Govt Appointed NTPL as a Trustee for Rs 750 Cr Credit Guarantee Fund Under AHIDF
On March 19, 2021, NABSanrakshan Trustee Pvt Ltd (NTPL), the wholly-owned subsidiary of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) has been appointed by the Government as a trustee for Rs 750 crore Credit Guarantee Fund under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).
Key points:

• The Credit Guarantee Fund will provide credit guarantees to eligible entities assisted under AHIDF.
• The fund shall be operationalized under a trust – Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Animal Husbandry and Dairying (CGFTAHD).

About Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF):

• In June 2020, the government has set up AHIDF with a corpus of Rs 15,000 crore as part of the Aatmanirbhar package.
• It would facilitate much-needed incentivization of investments in establishment infrastructure for dairy and meat processing.
• Beneficiaries: The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme would be Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), MSMEs, Section 8 Companies, Private Companies, and individual entrepreneurs with a minimum 10% margin money contribution by them, the balance of 90% would be the loan component to be made available by scheduled banks.

About National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD):
NABARD was established on the recommendations of the B.Sivaramman Committee (by Act 61, 1981 of Parliament) to implement the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act 1981.
Established – 12 July 1982
Chairman– Govinda Rajulu Chintala
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra

RBI Reported a ‘$36 Billion’ FPI Inflows into Equities, the Highest Record Since FY13Reserve Bank of India(RBI) in its recent report stated that Foreign portfolio investors(FPIs) pumped inflows into equities in India have made the highest record of $36 billion in FY21 up to March 10, which is the highest one since FY13.

Key points of RBI’s report:

• Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows jumped to $44 billion (till January 2021), from $36.3 billion a year ago, which was driven by the massive inflows in November and December ($6.3 billion) last year.
• The foreign exchange reserves as of March 5 are at $580.3 billion down from the all-time high of $590.2 billion (equivalent to 18.2 months of imports) on January 29, 2021.
• RBI reported that the Household debt to GDP ratio has jumped sharply to 37.1% in Q2 of FY21 while the savings rate plunged to a low 10.4%.
• There is a 60% increase in fintech investments in the country and surpassed China by clocking 33 fintech fundraising deals worth $647.5 million.

About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Established – 1st April 1935
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Governor– Shaktikanta Das
<<Read Full News>>

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Indian e-commerce market to be worth USD 99 Billion by 2024: EY-IVCA 2021 report 

According to a report ‘India Trend Book 2021’ released by EY-IVCA (Ernst Young-Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association), India’s e-commerce market is expected to be worth USD 99 Billion by 2024. It is also anticipated to grow at a 27% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) over  the period 2019-24.

• Grocery & Fashion/apparel will be the key drivers of this growth.
• India will have 220 million online shoppers in India by 2025.
• The Penetration of the online retail market is expected to be 10.7% by 2024, compared to 4.7% in 2019.
• The report also states that by 2023, 1.2 % or USD 10.5 Billion of India’s grocery sales will be online.

Fact

Indian Government aims to build an USD 1 Trillion Digital economy by 2025 through Digital India Programme.

Online Retail 

• The online retail market in India is estimated to be 25% of the total organized retail market and is expected to reach 37% by 2027-30.

EdTech sector

• India’s EdTech sector is estimated to grow from USD 2.8 Billion in 2020 to USD 10.4 Billion and 37 Million + Paid EdTech users by 2025.

FinTech

• The growth of FinTech during 2020-25 is projected at 22.7% CAGR

About Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (IVCA)
Chairperson – Renuka Ramnath
Headquarters – New Delhi
About Ernst & Young (EY)
Global Chairman & CEO – Carmine Di Sibio
Headquarters – London, UK
<<Read Full News>>

SPORTS

Overview of Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships 2021The 2021 All England Open (officially known as the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships 2021) took place at Arena Birmingham in England from March 17-21, 2021.

• It is the 2nd Tournament of the 2021 BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Tour.
• Organized by Badminton England; Sanctioned by BWF.

Winners of the Tournament

About Badminton England
Chief Executive – Adrian Christy
Headquarters – Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England
<<Read Full News>>

Cricket: India wins the 2020-21 Paytm T20I series against EnglandThe Indian Cricket Team defeated England in the 5th T20I Match held at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Gujarat to win the Match and consequently the 2020-21 Paytm T20I series by 3-2.

• Player of the Series – Virat Kohli.
• All 5 matches took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• India had already won the Test Series by 3-1.

Records & Highlights

• Virat Kohli became the 1st Cricketer to score 3, 000 runs in T20 Internationals.
• Rohit Sharma became the 2nd Indian after Virat Kohli to complete 9000 runs in T20 Cricket.

About the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI):
President – Sourav Ganguly
Headquarters – Wankhede stadium, Mumbai, Maharashtra
<<Read Full News>>

Government Recognised Indian Style Wrestling Association as a National Sports FederationOn 8th March 2021, The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has officially recognised the Indian Style Wrestling Association of India (ISWAI) as a National Sports Federation (NSF) for promotion and regulation of “Indian Style Wrestling” in India.With this recognition ISWAI is eligible to receive fund and support from the government.
Background:
i.The Government did not renew the recognition of ISWAI after the introduction of the new scheme of annual recognition from the year 2010.
ii.The recognition of ISWAI was not renewed since ISWAI failed to incorporate the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.
Benefits:
With the recognition as NSF, ISWAI will also have the advantages and benefits like rail concessions, recruitment against wrestlers of Indian style and also the participation of leading international wrestlers in our competitions.
Indian style wrestling:
Unlike professional wrestling which is played on a mat, Indian Style wrestling is played on mud.
The ISWAI was formed in 1958.

FIFA Collaboration with UNODC to Fight Against Match ManipulationOn March 16, 2021, The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) collaborated with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) to launch the Global Integrity Programme a comprehensive international programme to fight and prevent match manipulation.
Key Points:

• Objective: To protect the integrity of football and will play an important role in educating and building capacity within all 211 member associations to help fight match-fixing at a local level
• The programme is organized regionally per confederation and includes a series of three-module virtual workshops to be delivered to all FIFA member associations
• The first module on March 4 and will continue with the second module on March 16

About Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA):
Headquarters– Zurich, Switzerland.
Motto– For the Game. For the World.
President– Gianni Infantino.
<<Read Full News>>

BOOKS & AUTHORS

M Venkaiah Naidu virtually launches the book “Bringing Governments and People Closer”

On the World Happiness Day, 20th March 2021, Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu virtually launched the book “Bringing Governments and People Closer”. This is the 10th book authored by retired IAS officer Dr M Ramachandran.

• The book discusses the problems faced by common man while dealing with Government offices in getting certificates, benefits of govt. Schemes, clearances etc.

i.During the book launch, the Vice President reiterated the Government’s will to improve India’s Happiness quotient by bridging the gap between the intent of Policy & its implementation.
ii.Venkaiah Naidu, also invited youngsters to study the impact of COVID-19 in Indian villages, since the availability of more open space & clean air reduced the effect of COVID-19 spreading.
About Dr. M Ramachandran:
i.As an IAS officer, he served as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister & Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand.
ii.He also served as the Joint secretary at the Ministry of Shipping.
iii.At Present, he holds the portfolio of

• Chairperson – Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation
• Chancellor – the ICFAI University Dehradun
• Senior Adviser – US Green Building Council

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Forests 2021 – March 21
i.The United Nations (UN)s International day of Forests is annually observed across the globe on 21st March to create awareness about the importance of all types of forests.
ii.The day is annually organised by the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other organizations in the field.
iii.The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”.
iv.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), adopted the resolution A/RES/67/200 on 21st December 2012 and proclaimed the 21st March of every year as the International Day of Forests.
<<Read Full News>>

International Day of Nowruz 2021 –  21st March i.United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Nowruz, is annually observed across the globe on 21st March to create awareness about Nowruz and to organise annual events to commemorate the festival of Nowruz.
ii.The festival is also known by other names like Navruz, Novruz, Nooruz, Nevruz and Nauryz. The word Nawruz means “New Day”.
iii.The first International Day of Nowruz was celebrated on 21st March 2010. 
iv.Nowruz – the Persian New Year celebrated by more than 300 million people across the globe from Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Turkey and other countries in Central Asia and West Asia.
v.On 19th March 2021, India participated in the Nowruz celebrations held at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) Secretariat in Beijing China. The SCO has been celebrating the year 2021 as the “Year of Culture”.
<<Read Full News>>

World Poetry Day 2021: March 21i.United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrated, World Poetry Day every year on March 21 across the globe. It is one of the humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity.
ii.The day was observed to recognize the poetry movements nationally as well as internationally.
iii.Note – Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia, regarded as the earliest surviving notable literature and the second oldest religious text, after the Pyramid Texts.
iv.The Objective of celebrating the World Poetry Day is to help linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to provide the endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.
v.To enhance the oral tradition of poetry recitals, to promote the teaching of poetry, to restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General – Audrey Azoulay
Headquarter – Paris, France
<<Read Full News>>

World Puppetry Day 2021 – March 21i.The World Puppetry Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st March to promote the puppetry arts and allows the association of the puppet actors of the same territory.
ii.The day is celebrated across the globe through Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA)’s national centres and their members.
iii.The World Puppetry Day was launched by UNIMA, a non-governmental organisation affiliated with UNESCO, in 2003.
iv.Puppetry is a type of narrative theatre that includes the manipulation of puppets, the inanimate objects that resemble humans or animals.
<<Read Full News>>

UN’s World Down Syndrome Day Observed on 21st March 2021In a move to create awareness towards Down Syndrome, the United Nations annually observes 21st of March as the World Down Syndrome Day. All over the world, annually 3000 to 5000 childrens are born with this chromosome syndrome.
#LotsOfSocks campaign – An online campaign was conducted where people are asked to wear mismatched socks, to spread awareness on Down Syndrome.
Why 21st March ?
As an observance to the 3rd chromosome 21, the date 21/3 (21st March) is chosen as “World Down Syndrome day”.
Note- Globally 1 in every 1000-1100 child born is affected by Down Syndrome.
<<Read Full News>>

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2021 – March 21i.The United Nations(UN)’s International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination is annually observed across the globe on 21st March to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination and to create awareness about the impacts of racial discrimination.
ii.The day aims to support a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination.
iii.The theme of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2021 is “Youth standing up against racism”. 
iv.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/2142 (XXI) on 26th October 1966 and proclaimed the 21st March of every year as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
v.During the 2nd half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination in 2979, the United Nations General assembly has decided to organise a week of solidarity starting from on 21 March.
<<Read Full News>>

World Water Day 2021 – 22nd Marchi.The United Nations(UN)’s World Water Day is annually observed across the globe on 22nd March to enhance the focus on the importance of freshwater and to create awareness about the global water crisis.  The day also raises awareness about the 2.2 billion people across the globe who are living without access to safe water.
ii.The main aim of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Water and Sanitation for all by 2030.
iii.The theme of World Water Day 2021 is “Valuing water”. The theme of 2021 is about “What water means to people and its true value and how to protect the water, the vital resource”.
iv.UNESCO Partners with United Schools Organisation(USO) of India and Toonz Media group for a water conservation awareness programme for students.
v.Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign over a virtual platform in which the Ministry of Jal Shakti signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Uttar Pradesh for starting the Ken-Betwa Link project. 
<<Read Full News>>

STATE NEWS

Rajasthan Government to launch ‘Universal Health Scheme’ from May 1, 2021Rajasthan Chief Minister (CM), Ashok Gehlot announced to implement Universal Health  named ‘Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojana’ from May 1, 2021. The scheme will provide free annual medical insurance of upto INR 5 Lakh for every family in the State.

Key Points:

• The Universal Health Scheme is worth INR 3, 500 Crore and was announced during the Rajasthan State Budget for the FY 2021-22.
• Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojana will provide free insurance to all families under BPL (Below Poverty Line), NFSA (National Food Security Act) & SECC categories (Socio-Economic Caste Census).
• Individuals/families covered under Ayushman Bharat Mahatma Gandhi Rajasthan Swasthya Bima Yojana can also avail the scheme.
• In addition to this, Contractual workers and Small & Marginal farmers can also avail themselves of this scheme for free.
• Families which don’t belong to NFSA, SECC BPL categories are also eligible for the scheme but have to pay 50% of the premium (~ INR 850 annually) for the insurance scheme.

Additional Info:

Gehlot increased the MLA Local Area Development (MLA LAD) fund from Rs 2.25 crore to Rs 5 crore annually.

About Rajasthan:
Forts – Anupgarh, Badnore, Bhatner

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launched The Mission GramodayaOn 18th March 2021, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister(CM) of Madhya Pradesh(MP) and Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare jointly launched the Mission Gramodaya for the development of villages in MP.
Objective:

• To provide basic and fundamental infrastructure to rural areas in the state
• To provide housing to the needy.

Features:
i.Around 10600 community construction works under various schemes of the department of rural development will be inaugurated under this programme.
ii.The construction works include,

• 6000 community sanitation complexes,
• 2000 sports grounds
• 2 thousand Shanti dhams
• 634 panchayat buildings

iii.Under this program the process of releasing Rs. 2000 crore to 5 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will also be started.
iv.Rs.1562 crore, the cost of 1.25 lakh houses were handed over to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during the mission gramodaya programme.
v.The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was effectively implemented in Madhya Pradesh.

About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U)

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U), a flagship Mission of Government of India being implemented by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), was launched on 25th June 2015. The Mission addresses urban housing shortage among the EWS/LIG and MIG categories including the slum dwellers by ensuring a pucca house to all eligible urban households by the year 2022.

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