Test : March 2019 Weekly Current Affair - 1" - Current Affairs MCQ

Union Human Resources Development Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar, launched the Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) with an aim to provide industry apprenticeship opportunities to the general graduates exiting in April 2019 through the National Apprenticeship Promotional Scheme (NAPS) in New Delhi. The program will enhance the employability of Indian youth by providing ‘on the job work exposure’ and earning of stipend. SHREYAS portal will enable educational institutions and industry to log in and provide their respective demand and supply of apprenticeship and the matching of students with apprenticeship avenues will take place as per pre-specified eligibility criteria.These courses will be available from Academic year April-May, 2019 and more than 40 higher educational institutions have already been tied up for taking up embedded apprenticeship courses.SHREYAS is a programme basket comprising the initiatives of 3 Central Ministries, which are: Ministry of Human Resource Development,Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Ministry of Labour & Employment.

Swedish Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren, who was on a visit to India from 22nd to 25th February 2019, met with Union Health Minister J P Nadda and discussed about Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) which poses a dangerous challenge globally.Anti-microbial drugs, when overused, AMR develops as microorganisms such as bacteria, virus and fungi that become resistant to drugs.India and Sweden had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the field of various issues, including AMR, communicable diseases and public health, in February 2009.Stating that AMR work is an ongoing cooperation between India and Sweden, Lena Hallengren hoped that India would join the “Alliance of Champions”, a creation between many countries globally to face and to fight AMR“.

IDBI Bank and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) signed a bancassurance agreement under which the lender will offer LIC’s insurance products at its branches.As part of the agreement, IDBI Bank will become the preferred bank for LIC premium payments and also function as premium point to boost sale of LIC products, thereby gaining from fees and float income.The State-owned life insurer, LIC, acquired a majority stake in IDBI Bank, and the bank has also appointed LIC Chairman Hemant Bhargava as its non-executive whole-time Chairman.

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani became the first Indian and the only Asian to enter the Global top 10 richest billionaire list compiled by Hurun Research, China after a USD 9 billion or 20% surge in his wealth to USD 54 billion. India is at 5th spot with 104 billionaires. Last year, the country had added 32 billionaires, but this year it lost 28.Mumbai and New Delhi are the billionaire capitals of the country.

On 26th February 2019, West Bengal Education Minister, Partha Chatterjee unveiled a web portal, “Banglar Shiksha“ (banglarshiksha.gov.in), to provide real-time data on state-run and aided schools. Key points.This Web portal will store real-time data of 1.5 crore students, 5 lakh teachers and 1 lakh schools and will also address many issues like attendance of students and teachers.This portal is first of its kind in the country and it should come into commencement by May, 2019.

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle became the first player in the world to hit 500 sixes the 14th batsman and second from the Caribbean after Brian Lara, to reach the milestone of 10,000 ODI runs, after scoring 162 off 97 balls against England in the fourth ODI at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada. He had announced on 17 February 2019 that he will retire from One-Day International cricket after this 2019’s World Cup in England and Wales.

Australian city of Bathurst, best known for hosting an annual endurance car race,picked as the 2021 venue for the IAAF’s world cross-country championships. More than 700 competitors from 60 countries are expected to descend on the country town, around 200 kilometres (124 miles) west of Sydney, to pit themselves against the varied landscape of Mount Panorama.

The Cabinet committee on Economic Affairs chaired by PM Modi approved Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan – Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana. It will provide financial support integrated Bioethanol projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock. The total financial outlay is of Rs.1969.50cr for the period from 2018-19 to 2023-24.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved construction of four lane bridge which connects Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya over Brahmaputra. It will be constructed with loan assistance from Japan International Cooperative Agency at the Civil Construction cost of Rs.3548cr and total capital cost of Rs.4997.04cr.

Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up a Centre for Disability Sports at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh which will be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The estimated cost of setting up the centre shall be of Rs.170.99cr for a period of 5 years.

Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) took part in the 3-day ‘Mainamati Maitree Exercise 2019’ as a part of ‘Confidence Building Measures’ between the two border guards of India and Bangladesh held in a general area of BSF’s Srimantapur border outpost near Agartala, Tripura.The main objective of this exercise was to plan and conduct anti-smuggling and anti-criminal activity related operations with an aim to achieve better joint operational efficiency and border management in the area.Both the forces took part in joint patrolling, anti-smuggling drills, simulated raids on suspected places in both the countries, and checking of goods and identity at international check posts.The exercise was named after Mainamati hill range situated 8 km west of Comilla township in Bangladesh, which is home to ancient Buddhist archaeological site in the region.

A loan agreement of USD 455 million was signed between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Government of India for financing the Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads Project, which will connect 3,300 habitations with a population of more than 250, and benefit around 2 million people in New Delhi. The objective of the Project is to improve road transport connectivity in previously unserved communities by providing all weather rural roads in all 13 Districts of Andhra Pradesh.It is the third project in Andhra Pradesh signed by the AIIB after two projects in Power Sector and Water Sector.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) launched its own payment aggregator system, IRCTC iPay, a step which will help promote government’s Digital India initiative.It will provide an improved online digital payment convenience and ease of doing business to passengers availing online travel related services through the IRCTC website.It provides payment options like credit card, debit card, UPI (Unified Payment Interface), International Card and an option of IRCTC prepaid card cum wallet, auto debit will also be available soon.The back-end support will be provided by Delhi based MMAD communications, IRCTC’s technology partner.

Gram Samridhi Yojana, a Rs 3,000 crore scheme funded by the World Bank and the Government of India, is being worked upon by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in order to strengthen the unorganised food processing sector concentrated in rural areas. World Bank will be giving Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 1,000 crore will be borne by the Centre while state governments will put in Rs 500 crore. The scheme will be run in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab for a five-year period in the initial phase and thereafter in other states of the country.NITI Aayog has given its approval to the scheme and now the proposal is pending with the Expenditure Finance Committee for clearance.

On 27th February 2018, “Mukhyamantri Parivar Samman Nidhi” scheme was launched by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inChandigarh. It is primarily meant for farmers of the state who cultivate on land with areas upto five acres and the families with an income of less than Rs. 15,000 per month. The scheme involves two categories of beneficiaries- For the age group of 18-40: Families can receive Rs. 6000 in 3 installments if Rs. 2000 each and amount will be deposited in the account of the head of family OR A family can nominate a member who will receive Rs. 36,000 after five years OR A pension of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month will be received after the person turns 60 OR The nominated beneficiary will get Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 after five years depending on whichever option they choose.The scheme provides insurance facilities of- Rs. 2 lakh on natural death, Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death, Rs. 2 lakh for permanent disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability.Those who are registered under the Pradhanmantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan, then they could receive a pension of Rs. 3,000 per month after they turn 60, whose premiums will be funded by the government.

On 28th February, 2019, Reserve Bank of India has constituted a task force which will be headed by its former deputy governor, Usha Thorat to examine issues related to offshore rupee markets and recommend policy measures. The 8-member task force will aim to ensure stability of the external value of the domestic currency.The motive behind this is to develop deep and liquid on-shore financial markets that will act as a price setter of the Rupee globally.

On 1st March, 2019, ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), which is one of the apex trade associations of India has conferred ‘Non-Life Insurer of the Year Award 2019′ to Bharti AXA General Insurance which is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and French insurance giant AXA. The award has been awarded for its contribution to the non-life insurance sector during the recently-held Insurance Leaders Meet 2019 and Excellence Awards in Kolkata.This award recognizes efficacy, excellence and contribution in the insurance industry annually.

On 1st March 2019, Academic and Manufacturing expert and founder of Warwick manufacturing Group (WMG), Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya passed away following a brief illness in London, UK at the age of 78.He was born in Bangalore, Karnataka and studied at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.He was awarded with Padma Bhushan in 2002.

On 2nd March 2019, Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley released a book titled ‘Mann Ki Baat – A Social Revolution on Radio’ during a function in New Delhi. The book gave a rare and exclusive opportunity to readers with unknown facets of Modi’s thinking and beliefs related to ‘Mann Ki Baat’.The book contains 50 episodes of PM Modi’s sincere talk with the citizens of India which is broadcasted by All India Radio.The radio series started on October 3, 2014. Behind the scene research work done on the massive public feedback which was received through various channels after the episodes were included in the book.Mann Ki Baat is a programme hosted by Modi which he address the people of the nation on All India Radio, DD News and DD National which aims to expand the reach of programme as far as possible.

According to the Delta ranking report released by NITI Aayog, Assam’s Hailakandi has become the top aspirational district among the 112 aspirational districtsof the country.Hailakandi in Assam has made a giant leap from 52nd position to no. 1 position on the basis of its performance during November-December 2018 and January 2019.For securing first rank to be the top aspirational district, Hailakandi will be given an allocation of Rs.10 crore.

Macky Sall has again won the election with 58.27% of votes casted to be the President of Senegal. This majority votes has handed Macky Sall a second term to be the President without the need for a second round of voting. Macky Sall was elected as president in 2012 for the first time.He is known for enhancing infrastructure of the country. He is also known as a moderniser who has helped to boost economic growth in the country.

Roger Federer defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece for his 8th Dubai title and 100th ATP Singles title overall. The score in the finals was 6-4, 6-4.

On 3rd March 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind has given his approval for an Ordinance which allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as ID proof for opening bank accounts and obtaining mobile SIM.The ordinance gives effect to the changes in the Aadhaar Act such as giving a child an option to exit from the biometric ID programme on attaining 18 years of age. Rajya Sabha could not approve the Bill eventhough Lok Sabha has given its assent. In such a situation an ordinance is necessary as per the law. The cabinet has approved it with effect to an Ordinance to give changes proposed in Aadhaar and two other legislations. The amendment include stiff penalties for violation of norms which are set for the use of Aadhaar and violation of privacy.

On 3rd March 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Amethi in Uttar Pradesh to address a public meeting and lay the foundation stone of an Ordnance factory unit in Amethi. This is the first visit by PM Modi since 2014 to Amethi. Modi addressed a public meeting in Kauhar area of Gauriganj. On 3rd March, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated an Indo-Russian joint venture (JV) Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd,that will manufacture the new Kalashnikov AK-203 rifle in Korwa, near Amethi (UP) to take a step to equip army soldiers with modern rifles.Modi laid foundation stone of Ordnance factory at Korwa. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones of 17 development projects costing around Rs.538crore.The AK-203, along with the US-origin Sig Sauer assault rifle, will replace the indigenous INSAS rifles and AK-47 rifles.

The eighth edition of joint military exercise ‘Sampriti-2019’ between the armies of India and Bangladesh was commenced on 3rd March, 2019, which aimed to increase mutual cooperation and camaraderie with an impressive ceremony in Tangail, Bangladesh.This exercise will be conducted till 15th March as a part of the ongoing India-Bangladesh defence cooperation.The motive behind this exercise is to hone their tactical and technical skills in countering insurgency, counter terrorism and aid to civil authorities for disaster management in an UN peace keeping scenario involving a combined deployment at a battalion level.