Current Affairs
22 March 2023
1. When is the 'International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination' observed?
Answer: March 21
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is being observed annually on March 21. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire at a peaceful demonstration in South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination across the world.
2. What is the theme of the 'World Sparrow Day 2023'?
Answer: I love Sparrows
National Zoological Park celebrated the World Sparrow Day on March 20. The theme for this year is "I love Sparrows". It is designated to raise awareness about sparrow conservation and protection, as their numbers are declining across the world. The first commemoration of the day occurred in 2010.
3. UBS Group is a multinational investment bank based in which country?
Answer: Switzerland
UBS Group AG is a multinational investment bank and financial services company founded and based in Switzerland. UBS, Switzerland's biggest bank, has recently agreed to purchase its rival Credit Suisse. As per report, UBS has upgraded its initial offer and agreed to buy Credit Suisse for more than $2 billion in a deal brokered by the Swiss government.
4. Which institution has released 'Ethical Guidelines for AI in Healthcare and Biomedical Research'?
Answer: ICMR
The ICMR released the Ethical Guidelines for AI in Healthcare and Biomedical Research to guide the effective and safe development, deployment and adoption of AI-based technologies. Artificial intelligence has wide range of applications in the healthcare sector, like diagnosis, preventive treatments, clinical decision-making and more.
5. Polio cases were recently recorded in which country for the first time in 30 years?
Answer: Burundi
Polio cases were recorded in Burundi for the first time in 30 years. The Polio virus type 2 was confirmed from environmental surveillance of wastewater in the region. Polio is transmitted through contaminated water and food, or by contact with an infected person. Though many do not become seriously ill, some can go on to develop acute flaccid paralysis.
6. What is the rank of India in the 'Utility Bidder's Deforestation Report'?
Answer: Second
According to the Utility Bidder's Deforestation Report, lndia has seen the highest rise in deforestation in the last 30 years, with a high surge recorded between 2015 and 2020. It was ranked second only after Brazil with average deforestation of 668,400 hectares (ha), as per the report by Utility Bidder, a United Kingdom-based comparison site for energy and utility costs.
7. The Adani group has suspended work on Mundra Petrochem project In which state?
Answer: Gujarat
The Adani's Mundra Petrochem project was suspended recently. Under this project, a greenfield coal-to-PVC plant was planned to be set up in Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) land in Gujarat. The Adani group has suspended work on a Rs 34,900 crore project, as it focuses on resources to consolidate operations and address investor concerns following the report by US-based short seller Hindenburg.
8. As per the report released by Standing Committee on Water Resources, Over exploitation of groundwater for irrigation is a challenge In which states?
Answer: Punjab and Haryana
"Groundwater: A Valuable but Diminishing Resource" Report was released by the Standing Committee on Water Resources. The report According to the Utility Bidder's Deforestation Report, India has seen the highest rise in deforestation in the last 30 years, with a high surge recorded between 2015 and 2020. It was ranked second only after Brazil with average deforestation of 668,400 hectares (ha), as per the report by Utility Bidder, a United Kingdom-based comparison site for energy and utility costs.
9. Lakkhi Mela is organised in which state/UT?
Answer: Rajasthan
The Lakkhi Mela, also known as Kaila Devi Chaitra Mela, is organized in Rajasthan's Karauli district. It starts on the 12th day of Chaitra Badi. Khatu Shyam Temple in Rajasthan is a famous pilgrimage site for worshipping the deity Krishna.
10. Which country based laboratory released the study titled "Pathways to Atmanirbhar Bharat"?
Answer: USA
The study titled "Pathways to Atmanirbhar Bharat" was released recently by the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley. National Laboratory. The study noted that India can achieve energy independence by 2047.
11. LVM3 is the largest rocket of which country?
Answer: India
The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), previously referred as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk3), is a three-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The Indian space agency has announced that its largest rocket LVM3 will be launched on March 26 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
12. Babesiosis, a tickborne disease, is on the rise in which country?
Answer: USA
Babesiosis is a deadly disease caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. It has recently been reported that this disease is becoming common in the US. Tickborne disease has been on the rise in the U.S., with the number of cases growing 25% from 2011 to 2019.
13. Which country has unveiled the 'Plan for Free & Open Indo-Pacific'?
Answer: Japan
Japan's Plan for Free & Open Inda-Pacific was unveiled during Japanese Prime Minister Furnia Kishida's visit to India. The comes amid the rising diplomatic tensions between China and Japan over the disputed Senkaku/ Diaoyu islands in East China Sea.
14. Spring Equinox, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, usually begins in which month?
Answer: March
Spring Equinox, also known as vernal equinox, is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It began on March 20 this year. The equinox is also called the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere and the autumn equinox in the southern hemisphere.
15. India adopted the 'Biratnagar declaration' along with which country?
Answer: Nepal
The Nepal-India Literature Festival was jointly organized by the Biratnagar Metropolitan City and Krantidhara Literature Academy of Meerut, India. It concluded with the adoption of a 10point Biratnagar declaration, highlighting the mutual promotion of literature between Nepal and India.
16. The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) is an autonomous institute under which Union Ministry?
Answer: Ministry of Culture
The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NM ML) is an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture. It aims to preserve and reconstruct the history of the Indian independence movement. The Museum recently launched a project to digitize the research materials that are under its possession.
17. Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at which state/UT?
Answer: Tamil Nadu
Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary will span 80,567 hectares In Erode district and will be the 18th Wildlife Sanctuary in the State.
18. Asia's largest Tulip Garden opens for public in which state/UT?
Answer: Jammu and Kashmir
Asia's largest tulip garden, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, is now open for the public. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha opened the Tulip Garden in Srinagar. About 68 varieties of tulips will bloom in the garden this year. At present, there are 15 lakh tulips of numerous varieties and colours in the garden.
19. Emaar, the first overseas company to invest In Kashmir, is based in which country?
Answer: UAE
Dubai-based Emaar becomes the first overseas company to Invest in Kashmir. This is the first significant foreign direct Investment in Jammu and Kashmir. Emaar will invest a total of ₹5OO crore, Including, ₹250 crore tor the mega-mall, and more to help set up IT towers in Jammu and Srinagar.
20. India signed a MoU with which institution during Global Millets Conference?
Answer: World Food Programme
The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations during the Global Millets Conference. MoU between WFP and the Government of India for cooperation between 2023-2027 was signed.