Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 15th March 2023

Correct Answer:  D. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted an ‘Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC)’ status to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) , a company statement said. It was earlier classified as an ‘Investment and Credit Company (ICC)’. With the IFC status, IREDA will be able to take higher exposure in RE financing. The IFC status will also help the company to access a wider investor base for fund mobilisation, resulting in competitive rates for fundraising. The recognition of IREDA as an IFC will increase the investors’ confidence, enhance the brand value and generate a positive outlook in the market. The grant of IFC status is a recognition of IREDA’s 36 years of infrastructure financing and development with focused development of renewable energy. With IFC status, IREDA will keep contributing towards the government target of 500 GW installed capacity of non-fossil fuels by 2030.

It has been promoting, developing and financing new and renewable sources of energy with the motto: Energy for Ever since 1987. It finances all RE technologies and value chains such as solar, wind, hydro, bio-energy, waste to energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility, battery storage, biofuel and new and emerging technologies.

Correct Answer:  C. USD 750 billion

Explanation:  Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said that India’s goods and services exports will cross $750 billion in the financial year 2022-23, and that country is expanding rupee trade with several countries, many of which are at an advanced stage of dialogue and finalization. Earlier, exports used to hover at around USD 500 billion every year, India’s merchandise exports during April-January this fiscal have increased to USD 369.25 billion as against USD 340.28 billion in the same period last year. Services exports during the 10-months period are estimated at USD 272 billion.

Correct Answer:  E. Both B & C

Explanation:  The Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi will host the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship 2023 from March 15–26. Mahindra has been named the title sponsor of this competition by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), while MC Mary Kom and Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar have been named as brand ambassadors. The third time in history, India is serving as the host country. The BFI’s goal of promoting female boxing involvement will be greatly enhanced by the appearance of Marykom and Bollywood superstar Farhan Akhtar.

The biennial international competition is set to feature 12 weight categories and more than 350 contestants from as many as 74 nations. Nikhat Zareen, the world champion from India, will be the centre of attention throughout the international competition. She will compete in the 50 kg weight division.

Correct Answer:  B. Rs 4,439 crore

Explanation:  Over 4,439 crore rupees have been allocated under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during 2017-18 to 2022-23. The scheme is a comprehensive package for creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. It is not only providing a big boost to the growth of the food processing sector in the country but also helps in providing better returns to farmers.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Prahlad Singh Patel said this in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. He said, out of 4,439 crore rupees, more than 3,566 crore rupees has been released in form of grants-in-aid as on February this year. Mr. Patel said, that SAMPADA scheme has assisted in benefitting over 56 lakh farmers and generated over eight lakh employment.

Correct Answer:  C. HSBC UK Bank plc

Explanation:  HSBC Holdings plc announces that its UK ring-fenced subsidiary, HSBC UK Bank plc, is acquiring Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited (SVB UK) for £1. SVB UK has been swept up in the implosion of California-based Silicon Valley Bank, which US regulators shut. SVB UK will become part of HSBC’s ringfenced UK business, which has 14mn customers and 18,500 staff. “This acquisition makes excellent strategic sense for our business in the UK,” Chief Executive Officer Noel Quinn said in the statement. “SVB UK customers can continue to bank as usual, safe in the knowledge that their deposits are backed by the strength, safety and security of HSBC.”

Correct Answer:  B. 3rd

Explanation:  The Indian Ocean Area will host the third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse. The Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy, and United States Navy will all have people, ships, and essential helicopters participating in this event. Every two years exercise La Perouse, an exercise run by the French Navy, aims to improve maritime domain awareness and maritime cooperation among the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific region.

This version of the drill will feature participation from the fleet tanker INS Jyoti and guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri, both of which were built domestically. The Indian Navy’s participation in the exercise demonstrates the allied navies’ high levels of coordination, interoperability, and synergy as well as their dedication to the Indo-Pacific region’s rules-based international order.

Correct Answer:  C. 14th March

Explanation:  Every year on March 14, people throughout the world mark the International Day of Action for Rivers to bring attention to how important rivers are to our daily lives. Also, the day aims to raise awareness of the disparities in access to clean water as well as the increased pollution of freshwater environments like rivers as a result of overt human activities. The 26th annual International Day of Action for Rivers, which is being observed this year, is a day to raise community awareness of the need to safeguard our rivers. People must cooperate and be committed to river management if rivers are to be preserved and used profitably. The theme of the 2023 International Day of Action for Rivers is “Rights of Rivers,” which calls for the designation of rivers as a national treasure. It also involves the legal authority to prevent rivers from becoming sewage or trash disposal areas.

Correct Answer:  C. IIT Roorkee

Explanation:  Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have discovered a new antibacterial small molecule (IITR00693) that could help in the fight against drug-resistant infections. The molecule has shown potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including some of the most problematic drug-resistant strains. IITR00693 acts like a dual sword. It prevents the emergence of resistance, ensuring that it remains effective for generations to come, said the statement. The research was led by Prof Ranjana Pathania, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Roorkee.

Correct Answer:  B. Surekha Yadav

Explanation:  The Vande Bharat Express is now being driven by Surekha Yadav, the first female locomotive pilot in Asia. From Solapur to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal (CSMT) in Maharashtra, Yadav ran the Vande Bharat Express. Surekha Yadav, a native of Satara, Maharashtra, became the nation’s first female train driver in 1988. The Central Railway previously ran the famous Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen Express and CSMT-Kalyan ladies’ special local train with all-female crews in honour of International Women’s Day (8 March). Yadav was the Deccan Queen’s operator that day, while Sayali Sawardekar was his assistant loco pilot. As a group of six female travelling ticket examiners, commanded by chief ticket inspector Jiji John and Deepa Vaidya, aided and guided the passengers, Leena Francis handled the duties of the train manager (guard).

Mumtaz Kazi, the first suburban motor lady in Asia, was in charge of the K99 local, a ladies-only train that ran between Kalyan and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Station (CSMT). On the train, Mayuri Kamble was a guard.

Correct Answer:  C. Suryoday Small Finance Bank

Explanation:  Suryoday Small Finance Bank has launched a new savings account for women. Suryoday’s Blossom Women’s Savings Account is built on a strong proposition of giving women a complete, simplified, and rewarding banking experience.

• Women can earn up to 7% interest rate per annum. An exclusive and free Rupay Platinum Debit Card that rewards women customers with discounts and cashback. Monthly Interest Pay-out in the account. One complementary account for child (Savings Aditya Account). Average Monthly Balance (AMB) of ₹10,000.
• R Baskar Babu, MD, and CEO, of Suryoday Small Finance Bank said, “We are committed to providing best-in-class customer experience and solutions to our customers. We believe that Blossom Women’s Savings Account will help women to confidently save, invest and move towards achieving their financial goals.”

Correct Answer:  D. 15th March

Explanation:  Every year on March 15, International Consumer Rights Day is observed with the goal of promoting consumer protection and increasing global knowledge of consumer rights. The day is also used to raise awareness of global market inequities. The yearly celebration of cooperation among the global consumer movement. On this day, consumers everywhere promote their fundamental rights, call for their protection and observance, and denounce unfair trade practices. World Consumer Rights Day 2023’s theme is “Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions.” It aims to increase awareness of consumer empowerment and their responsibility to fight for a more rapid transition to renewable energy.

Correct Answer:  C. Shreya Ghodawat

Explanation:  Shreya Ghodawat appointed as India Ambassador of ‘She Changes Climate’. Climate Entrepreneur Shreya Ghodawat was appointed as the India Ambassador of She Changes Climate. The global non-profit organization launched a special initiative for International Women’s Day titled ‘Embrace Equity’ that aims to amplify the voices of women around the impacts of climate change. The campaign supports the role of women in accelerating climate action. She Changes Climate is working to bring about real transformation by asking global leaders of governments and businesses to look at the talent pool that already exists within their nations to build genuinely representative leadership teams.

Correct Answer:  B. 15th March

Explanation:  In 2022, the United Nations established the International Day To Fight Islamophobia, which is observed annually on March 15 across 140 nations. March 15 was selected as the date because it marks the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacres, which left 51 people dead. The UN has approved a resolution designating March 15 as the International Day to Fight Islamophobia, which was put forth by Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The resolution was passed three years to the day after a right-wing fanatic attacked two mosques in New Zealand with a bomb, killing over 50 Muslims.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had 60 member states, and the UN General Assembly approved a resolution that declared March 15 to be the International Day to Fight Islamophobia. The statement emphasises that no religion, nation, civilization, or ethnic group should be linked to terrorism or violent extremism. It urges an international conversation about fostering a culture of peace and tolerance based on adherence to human rights.

Correct Answer:  C. Uttarakhand

Explanation:  Ganesh Joshi, the state’s agriculture minister, said that Uttarakhand launched the country’s first “Resham Keet Bima” programme to safeguard its sericulturists. 200 sericulturists from five blocks in four districts—Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital—received insurance in the first phase of the pilot project, which started in Uttarakhand. This insurance protected them from the effects of climate change, water scarcity, and other dangers.

• The programme has been launched as a pilot project spanning five development blocks of four districts of the state in order to safeguard farmers from loss. The department and the Agricultural Insurance Company of India have decided to accomplish this. The initiative was launched in Dehradun and is managed by Saral Krishi Beema.
• The endeavour aims to promote the production of silk in the region. Over 12,000 families in the state are impacted by sericulture both directly and indirectly, and 6,000 stakeholders produce nearly 300 metric tonnes of silk fibroin there annually.