3rd March 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. Which Ministry implements the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’?
[A] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers
[B] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Answer : [A] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers
The Indian government launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). In 2008 to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to everyone. It is implemented by the Pharma & Medical Bureau of India (PMBI), which was formerly known as the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), under the ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Union Health Minister recently announced that 9,082 Janaushadhi Kendras are being operated under PMBJP.
2. Dibang Multipurpose Project, India’s largest-ever hydropower project, is being set up in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Sikkim
[D] Uttarakhand
Answer : [B] Arunachal Pradesh
Dibang Hydropower Project, which was approved by the Central Government recently, is India’s largest-ever hydropower project. It is being set up close to China’s border on the Dibang River, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley District. This project will be developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) with an estimated cost of 319 billion INR.
3. The ‘Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD)’ has found the presence of lithium reserves in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Gujarat
Answer : [B] Madhya Pradesh
The preliminary surveys conducted by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) found the presence of lithium reserves in Madya district of Karnataka. The Central Government has started taking steps to initiate commercial exploration for the rare mineral in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The AMD is the oldest unit of India’s Department of Atomic Energy.
4. When is the ‘National Science Day’ celebrated every year?
[A] February 21
[B] February 24
[C] February 28
[D] March 3
Answer : [C] February 28
National Science Day is celebrated in India on February 28th every year to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. It was observed for the first time in 1987. The day celebrates the contributions of scientists and creates awareness about the importance of science in everyday life. This discovery of Raman Scattering won Raman the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, making him the first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize in a scientific field.
5. The United Kingdom signed ‘Windsor Framework’ with which institution?
[A] ISA
[B] EU
[C] G-20
[D] G-7
Answer : [B] EU
The United Kingdom signed a deal regarding post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland, with a view to remove the border between Britain and Northern Ireland running through the Irish Sea. The ‘Windsor Framework’ is set to replace the Northern Ireland Protocol, which had created political and economic issues between the UK and the EU after Brexit.
6. Yamunotri Dham, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Sikkim
[C] West Bengal
[D] Bihar
Answer : [A] Uttarakhand
Yamunotri Dham is part of Char Dham, the four famous Hindu Pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. The other famous Hindu pilgrimages in the Himalayas are Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The state government of Uttarakhand has inked a contract to construct a 3.38 km ropeway from Janki Chatti in Kharsali to Yamunotri Dham. The ropeway will bring down the travel time and it is estimated to cost Rs. 166.82 crore.
7. Which body examines and authorizes diversion of forest land for projects?
[A] Forest Advisory Committee
[B] Expert Appraisal Committee
[C] Parliamentary Committee on Forest
[D] National Green Tribunal
Answer : [A] Forest Advisory Committee
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is an expert body which examines and authorizes diversion of forget land for projects. The Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island Project is being criticized for its adverse impact on the island’s ecology and indigenous tribes. The Environment Ministry has withheld all discussions on forest clearance for the entire project recommended by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC).
8. Which organization manufactures the ‘228-201 LW aircraft’ which has been approved by DGCA?
[A] BHEL
[B] HAL
[C] ISRO
[D] DRDO
Answer : [B] HAL
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been granted approval by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a new variant of the Hindustan 228-201 LW aircraft. The recent DGCA approval will enable commercial pilots to fly the aircraft with a reduced qualification requirement, increasing the availability of pilots for the aircraft.
9. Which institution has recently tested the ‘CE-20 Cryogenic Engine’?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] BEL
[D] HAL
Answer : [B] ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the flight acceptance hot test for the CE-20 cryogenic engine. The engine will power the LVM3 launch vehicle’s Cryogenic Upper Stage for the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is slated to be launched in the later part of 2023. The test was carried out at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.
10. The ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’ was launched in which year?
[A] 2016
[B] 2018
[C] 2019
[D] 2021
Answer : [D] 2021
The ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’ was launched in the year 2021, to connect digital health solutions of various hospitals with each other. A milestone has been achieved under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), as over 25 crore health records have been successfully linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts.
11. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory body functioning under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Answer : [A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently launched a new security mechanism for Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication UIDAI is a statutory body that was established by the Indian Government in January 2009. It comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
12. Which country recently received the ‘GSMA Government Leadership Award 2023’?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] India
[D] Japan
Answer : [C] India
India received the GSMA Government Leadership Award 2023 at the GSMA’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023. The award recognized the Indian Government’s efforts in the development of the telecom sector. It also recognizes the regulatory mechanism policies targeting the mobile connectivity. Currently, 387 districts across India have access to 5G services.
13. When is the ‘Civil Accounts Day’ observed every year?
[A] March 1
[B] March 3
[C] March 5
[D] March 7
Answer : [A] March 1
The 47th Civil Accounts Day is observed on March 1, 2023. The day marks the foundation of the Indian Civil Accounts Service in New Delhi’s Dr. Ambedkar International Centre. The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) was established in 1976 after separating the maintenance of accounts of the Union Government from audit.
14. Which institution releases the ‘Methane Global Tracker report’?
[A] UNEP
[B] IEA
[C] UNFCCC
[D] World Bank
Answer : [B] IEA
The Methane Global Tracker report is the annual report released by the International Energy Agency. According to the latest report, fossil fuel companies released 120 million metric tonnes of methane into the atmosphere last year. The report found that no effort has been taken by the fossil fuel companies to bring down the emissions.
15. ‘VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme’ which was launched recently, is associated with which field?
[A] Sports
[B] Research
[C] MSME
[D] Finance
Answer : [B] Research
On the occasion of National Science Day (February 28), the Indian Government launched the VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme for the Indian Diaspora abroad. The newly launched scheme aims to improve the research capability of India’s higher education institutions. It will facilitate academic and research collaborations between the Indian higher education institutions and the top performing institutions from across the world.
16. Bird’s eye chilli’ is the geographical identification (GI) tagged product of which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Mizoram
[C] West Bengal
[D] Bihar
Answer : [B] Mizoram
Mizoram would export ‘Bird’s eye chilli’ of the state to the United States for the first time. 7.5 metric tons of organic bird’s eye chilli would be sent to the US after the budget session of the assembly. The state government has obtained geographical identification (GI) tag for bird’s eye chilli or ‘Mizo chilli’.
17. A 1,300-year-old Buddhist stupa has been recently unearthed in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Answer : [C] Odisha
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found a 1,300-year-old Buddhist stupa in Odisha’s Jaipur. State-run Odisha Mining Corporation was excavating Khondalite stones for their usage in the ambitious project to transform Puri into a world heritage city. Another smaller stupa has been completely destroyed due to mining at the site.
18. Which country has recently announced to ban TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices?
[A] Australia
[B] Canada
[C] India
[D] Japan
Answer : [B] Canada
Canada announced that it is banning popular social media app TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices. The decision follows similar moves in the United States and Europe. The country said that it has determined that the app presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.
19. Which country lifted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Trophy in 2023?
[A] India
[B] South Africa
[C] Australia
[D] England
Answer : [C] Australia
In Women’s Crocket, Australia lifted the ICC T20 World Cup Trophy for the sixth time. In the Final match, they defeated South Africa by 19 runs in Cape Town. Australia posted 156 for 6 in 20 overs while Beth Mooneyc scored an unbeaten 74 runs for Australia.
20. Who has taken charge as the Director General of the Press Information Bureau?
[A] Rajesh Malhotra
[B] Rakesh Sharma
[C] R K Mathur
[D] Ela Ganesan
Answer : [A] Rajesh Malhotra
Rajesh Malhotra, a 1989-batch Indian Information Services (IIS) officer, was appointed as the Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau. He has taken over the position after the superannuation of Satyendra Prakash. Previously, Rajesh Malhotra had been working in Ministry of Finance since January 2018.