1.Vinay Mohan Kwatra appointed as new foreign secretary
Shri Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been appointed as the new Foreign Secretary . The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment. Presently Mr. Kwatra is serving as the Ambassador of India to Nepal . Mr. Kwatra will succeed Harshvardhan Shringla , who is due to retire at the end of this month.
2.India’s Aparajita Sharma has been appointed as the Vice President of International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
India has acquired a leadership position in this international body with the appointment of Indian official Ms. Aparajita Sharma as Vice-Chairman on the Standing Committee of the Council on Governance and Management of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) . The International Telecommunication Union has announced the appointment of Ms. Aparajita Sharma, a 1995 batch IP & TAF Service Officer, as the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee on Governance and Management, at the Council meetings held in Geneva from March 21 to March 31, 2022. Ms. Aparajita Sharma will continue to be the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Council for the years 2023 and 2024 and its Chairman for the years 2025 and 2026.
3.PM congratulates Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the victory in the Hungarian parliamentary elections
The Prime Minister , Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated the Prime Minister, Shri Viktor Orban , on his victory in the Parliamentary Elections of Hungary . Prime Minister Viktor Orban is also considered a big supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin .
4.Haryana government launched crop insurance portal of ‘Mukhyamantri Bagwani Bima Yojana’
Haryana Agriculture Minister JP Dalal has launched a new Horticulture Crop Insurance Scheme portal by the name of Mukhyamantri Horticulture Insurance Scheme . Under this, farmers will be compensated for the damage caused to crops due to adverse weather and natural calamities. The scheme is Rs 30,000 per acre for vegetables and spices and Rs 40,000 per acre for fruits .Compensation will be given to the farmers on the basis of the survey, which is claimed through four categories namely 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent and 100 percent. The farmer’s contribution will be only 5 percent of the sum insured i.e. Rs 750 per acre for vegetables and spices and Rs 1000 per acre for fruits. The scheme covers 21 crops – 14 vegetables, 2 spices and 5 fruits. This scheme will be optional for all the farmers who will be registered under Meri Fasal Mera Byora (a web portal through which the problems of the farmers of the state will be resolved). A provision of Rs 10 crore has been made as initial capital for the scheme. Compensation amount will be based on survey.
5.Lok Sabha passed the Criminal Procedure (Identity) Bill-2022
The Criminal Procedure Recognition Bill 2022 has been passed in the Lok Sabha . The Bill provides for identification of criminals and investigation of criminal cases and record keeping of cases related to crime. It provides for the legal acceptance of appropriate measures of identification of persons, including fingerprints, hand impressions and paw prints, photographs, records of the iris and retina, and physical biological specimens and their analyses. This will enable investigation of crimes more efficiently and quickly. The Bill empowers the National Crime Records Bureau to collect, preserve and share or destroy these records. Introducing the bill, Home Minister Amit Shah said that this bill will replace the Prisoner Identification Act of 1920 .
6.Chandrapur district of Maharashtra recorded the third hottest place in the world
According to the El Dorado weather website, Chandrapur was the third hottest city in the world, with a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius . According to the Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) , Nagpur was also the hottest city in Vidarbha with a maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Akola. According to El Dorado weather, Mali ‘s Cayes city is the hottest place on Earth with 44.4 °C on Tuesday , Mali’s Segou is second on the list with 43.8 °C while Chandrapur is third on the list.
7.FICCI estimates, GDP growth expected to be 7.4% in FY23
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has projected India’s GDP to grow at 7.4 per cent in FY 2022-23 (FY23) . The Economic Outlook Survey of FICCI was released on April 03, 2022. The report said that rising prices due to Russia-Ukraine conflict is the biggest challenge to the global economic recovery. According to the survey, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may start the rate hike cycle in the second half of 2022, while the repo rate is expected to increase by 50-75 bps by the end of the current financial year. The RBI is expected to continue to support the ongoing economic recovery by keeping the repo rate unchanged in its April policy review.
8.Vikas Kumar appointed as the new Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
The Delhi government appointed Vikas Kumar as the Managing Director (MD) of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) . He will replace Mangu Singh, whose term ended on March 31, 2022. Singh was the Managing Director of DMRC from 1 January 2012 and his famous tenure came to an end. Kumar is the third Managing Director of DMRC after E Sreedharan and Mangu Singh. He will hold this post for a period of five years.
9.The 4th edition of India Boat and Marine Show (IBMS) concluded in Kochi
The 4th edition of India Boat and Marine Show (IBMS) was held at Bolgatti Palace, Kochi, Kerala . IBMS is India’s only and most influential boat and marine industry related exhibition . The event is organized by Kochi-based Cruise Expo . IBMS 2022 showcased major international brands as well as indigenous boat manufacturers from across the country. Around 45 exhibitors from across India and two international exhibitors participated in the expo.
10.India’s unemployment rate fell to 7.6% in March from 8.1% in February 2022
According to data from the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) , the overall unemployment rate in India fell to 7.6 per cent in March 2022 . In February 2022, this rate was 8.10 percent . The report also noted that although the overall unemployment rate in the country is falling, it is still high for a poor country like India. Haryana recorded the highest unemployment rate of 26.7 percent in March 2022 . It is followed by Rajasthan (25%) and Jammu and Kashmir (25%) , Bihar (14.4%), Tripura (14.1%) and West Bengal (5.6%). Karnataka and Gujarat recorded the lowest unemployment rate of 1.8% in March 2022registered. CMIE is an independent non-governmental organization based in Mumbai that functions as both an economic think-tank as well as a business information company.
11.PharmEasy appoints Aamir Khan as brand ambassador
PharmEasy , a consumer healthcare app , has unveiled its new campaign, featuring Bollywood actor Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador. API Holdings Limited is in charge of the PharmEasy brand. This partnership will help in the growth of the brand and increase consumer awareness about healthcare in India. The #GharBaitheBaitheTakeItEasy campaign features Aamir Khan as the new brand ambassador of PharmEasy, a healthcare brand through a series of eccentric, subversive and ‘mad-humorous’ genre TVCs.
12.Space data startup Pixxel launches its first satellite on SpaceX
Space data startup Pixxel launched its first fully operational satellite, TD-2 , on SpaceX ‘s Transporter-4 mission . The TD-2 is Pixxel’s first full-fledged satellite, one of the highest-resolution hyperspectral commercial cameras ever flown , taking the company one step closer to developing a global health monitoring system that will operate seven times a week. The day operates 24 hours a day.
13.Shriram Chaulia’s new book Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crisis
Dr. Shriram Chowlia has authored a new book titled Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crisis . The book was released by the Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi at the India International Center in New Delhi, Delhi . This book throws light on the much needed public confidence in the state to protect the country from the security threats posed by India’s external adversaries. The book analyzes PM Modi’s decision-making chain during the crisis with China and Pakistan.
14.Andhra Pradesh’s first ‘She Auto’ stand set up
In order to provide safe transport to women and girl students , the police has set up three She Auto stands in Chittoor , Andhra Pradesh , which is the first of its kind in the state. Three ‘She Auto’ stands have been set up at RTC Bus Stand, Mahila Vishwavidyalaya and Ruia Hospital in Tirupati.
15.Arunabha Ghosh appointed by UN chief to high level expert group on net-zero emissions commitments
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres appointed Arunabha Ghosh (India) to a high-level expert group on net-zero emissions commitments of non-state entities . Arunabha Ghosh is the CEO of Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) , a climate and energy think tank. He has been appointed to the G20 Finance Track Advisory Group of the Government of India for the G20 Presidency of India in 2023. In 2021, he was appointed as the co-chair of Indonesia’s T20 Task Force on Climate and Energy for G20 2022.
16.India records hottest days in 121 years
India Meteorological Department (IMD) analysis showed that India has recorded its warmest March days in 121 years . The maximum temperature across the country has crossed 1.86 degree Celsius above normal. This figure was mostly due to the large deviation in maximum temperatures over North West and Central India . March 1901In terms of daily temperatures, the Northwest region recorded its highest average maximum, while the Central region recorded its second warmest. The primary reasons were the lack of rainfall and the persistent hot and dry westerly winds that were blowing over central and north-west India. The sky was also cloudless due to which the earth was directly exposed to the sun’s rays, which increased the temperature. Along with this, there was also a lack of rain, due to which this heat increased further. Global warming is also one of the reasons for the record increase in temperature around the world.
17.UPI crosses 500 crore mark in volume
In March 2022, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India has crossed the 500 crore mark in terms of volume and Rs 10 lakh crore in terms of value.was close to reaching the milestone. About 540.56 crore payments have been processed by UPI in March, amounting to Rs 9,60,581.66 crore. This data has been released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). In February 2022, 452.74 crore transactions were processed by UPI, worth Rs 8,26,843 crore. For the financial year 2021-22, the 1 trillion mark was crossed on a payment of Rs 84,17,572.48 crore. In terms of volume, UPI crossed the 100 crore mark in October 2019. As of March 2022, 315 banks were part of the UPI platform. UPI is processing more than 17 crore payments daily which is more than Rs 20,000 crore.
18.Declaration of emergency in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a state of emergency in the country which gives broad powers to the country’s security forces. This announcement was made at a time when hundreds of citizens of the country expressed their concern about the economic crisis facing Sri Lanka.Angrily, tried to enter his house. The strict laws enforced give the military the power to detain and arrest any suspect for a long period of time without trial. The citizens of the country are protesting and demanding his resignation as an atmosphere of turmoil has been created in the country. The nation is facing acute shortage of essential commodities. Night time curfew has been imposed in the country after continuous protests against the President in the country. An emergency has been declared in order to maintain public order in the country as well as to protect essential services and supplies to the community.
19.Government of India to borrow Rs 8.45 lakh crore in the first half of 2021-23
8.45 lakh crore by the Government of India to finance the revenue gap for the revival of the economyIt has been targeted to be met in the first half of 2022-23. The estimated gross market borrowing for the next financial year is Rs 14.31 lakh crore. 8.45 lakh crore will be mobilized in the period from April to September. 60% of the borrowings for FY 2022-23 will be met in the first six months of the financial year. Gross borrowings for 2021-22 stood at Rs 12,500,500 crore. The purpose of borrowing is to increase the capital expenditure, which will have a multiplier effect on the economy of the country. Gross market borrowing through dated securities for 2022-23 will be Rs 14,95,000 crore. Taking into account the month of switch operations of January 2022, the gross market borrowings through dated securities for FY 2022-23 is expected to be Rs 14,31,352 crore. 32,000-33,000 crore in 26 weekly installments, The loan will be completed. Lending will be divided into 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 30, and 40-year securities as well as floating rate bonds (FRBs) of various durations.
20.Government reduces GST on drugs and equipment related to Kovid, from 12 to 5 percent
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Choudhary told in the Lok Sabha that the government has reduced the GST on drugs and equipment related to Kovid from 12 percent to 5 percent . On the subject of increasing health insurance coverage, Shri Choudhary said that the government has launched various insurance schemes under Ayushman Bharat. He said that in this 66 percent share is borne by the Central Government. Shri Chowdhary said that the rates of GST and exemption on all services are determined by the GST Council.
21.Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launched the Broadcast Services Portal in New Delhi
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur launched the Broadcast Services Portal in New Delhi . Permission, registration and license issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to the beneficiaries through this portalYou will get the facility of getting it from one place. This portal will facilitate all the beneficiaries of private satellite TV channels, teleport operators, community and private radio channels under the comprehensive format of Digital India. This will boost the business environment and provide more than nine hundred satellite TV channels, 70 teleport operators, one thousand seven hundred multi service operators, three hundred 50 community radio centers, three hundred 80 private F. Entire broadcasting sector including M. channels and other beneficiaries will be empowered. The broadcasting service portal will soon be linked with the National Single Window System ie National Single Window System. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Apoorva Chandra said that the new portal has made several improvements over the old portal and the suggestions of the beneficiaries were also included in the trials which lasted for a month.
22.Inauguration of India’s Freedom Struggle Exhibition in Parliament Library
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated an exhibition on India’s freedom struggle organized in the Parliament Library . Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan went to see the exhibition. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan said that events related to the country’s history of about two hundred years from 1757 to 1947 have been shown in this exhibition. He said that the objective of this exhibition is to highlight the contribution of those forgotten heroes whose memory should be remembered by the countrymen. The exhibition is organized by the Indian Council of Historical Research under the Ministry of Education .
23.Center extends foreign trade policy till September 30
The Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 has been extended for six months till September 30, 2022 . According to a notification of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, the current Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, which is effective till March 31, 2022, has been extended till September 30, 2022. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the policy was first extended for one year till the end of March 2020 and subsequently for another year till 30 September. The strategy recommends incentives under various programs such as Duty Free Import Authority (DFIA) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) along with promoting exports to boost economic growth and create jobs.
24.Meghalaya to host 83rd National Table Tennis Championship 2022
Meghalaya is all set to host the 83rd National Table Tennis Championship 2022, which will take place from April 18 to 25 at Sai Indoor Training Centre, NEHU, Shillong . This is the second time that the Northeast has hosted the world’s biggest table tennis tournament. During a press conference, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K SangmaSaid that this tournament is one of the biggest sporting events ever hosted by the state. The state is expecting around 650 people to participate, of whom 450 are players and the rest are coaches and support personnel. He said that the state is expecting a variety of officers from many states including the Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana. The tournament is being hosted in honor of the 50th anniversary of the state, he said, adding that the cost of hosting the tournament is estimated to be Rs 1.5 crore, with a total of 10 players from the state competing.
25.Inga Svitek wins Miami Open tennis title 2022
Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek claimed the 2022 Miami Open tennis tournament by defeating Naomi Osaka of Japan 6-4, 6-0 in the final match . For Switek, this is his fourth career WTA 1000 title and sixth singles title overall. Also, this is his 17th consecutive title win. This win will now move Switek to the No. 1 spot in the women’s rankings. With this win, 20-year-old Switek becomes the fourth woman to win back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami tournaments, a feat known as the “Sunshine Double” given the tournament’s respective venues in California and Florida. .
26.United Nations International Day for Mine Awareness and Mine Action Assistance 2022:
The International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Work is observed every year on 4 April of the United Nations . The day aims to raise awareness about landmines and make progress towards their elimination. Mine action refers to a series of efforts to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war, and to mark and close off dangerous areas. On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly announced that 4 April of each year would be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It was first celebrated on 4 April 2006.
