Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 31st March 2022) Part - 1 - UPSC PDF Download

Banking & Financial Awareness

Q.1. SBI Card, joins hand with which Indian leading grocery store brand to launch International Gourmet Card ?

Correct Answer is Nature's Basket.

• This card will introdued in two variants - 'Nature's Basket SBI Card' and 'Nature's Basket SBI Card Elite'
• The annual membership fee of Nature's Basket SBI Card and its Elite version will be Rs. 1499 and Rs. 4,999 respectively.

Q.2. In March 2022, Fitch Rating reduces India's FY23 growth forecast by 180 basis points to

Correct Answer is 8.5%.

• Fitch Rating downgrades the forecast citing sharply higher energy prices.
• The economic sanctions on Russia have led to high energy prices, supply-chain disruptions, raw material shortages, and record inflation rates.
• Forecast growth for FY23
  • Moody's - 9.1%
  • S&P - 7.8%

Q.3. In March 2022, for the first time ever, India has achieved the target of how much billion dollars of goods exports?

Correct Answer is 400 billion dollars.

• On average, every hour USD 46 million goods are exported, USD 1 billion goods are exported everyday and USD 33 billion every month.
• The exports in the financial year 2020-21 were USD 292 billion while the exports in 2021-22 are USD 400 billion with a 37 per cent rise.

Q.4. Which bank has launched the co-branded credit card for in partnership with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)?

Correct Answer is ICICI Bank.

• Christened ‘Chennai Super Kings ICICI Bank Credit Card,’ the card has been specially designed with a range of exclusive privileges for cricket fans of the iconic team.
• ICICI Bank CEO - Sandeep Bakhshi

Q.5. In March 2022, Kotak Mahindra has acquired how much stakes in ONDC for 10 crore rupees?

Correct Answer is 7.84%.

• This network develops and transform the Indian digital commerce ecosystem for both goods and services.
• It is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Q.6. ICICI Lombard has recently tied up with which payment bank for the insurance of smartphone?

Correct Answer is Airtel Payment Bank.

• This insurance facility is available on the Airtel Thanks app.
• This provides financial protection against damage to the phone and its screen from accidents or liquid spills.
• Customers can get an insurance till ten days after their purchase.
• Price of smartphone lies between the range of ₹10,000 to ₹ 100,000

Q.7. Which mobility firm has recently acquired Avail Finance?

Correct Answer is Ola.

• This acquisition provides financial services to working class.
• The acquisition will strengthen the Ola in the fintech space.

Q.8. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has inaugurated Reserve Bank Innovation Hub in which city?

Correct Answer is Bengaluru.

• The RBI has set up the RBIH as a Section 8 under Companies Act, 2013.
• RBIH is a wholly owned subsidiary of RBI with an initial capital contribution of ₹100 crore.

Q.9. Priya Village Roadshow (PVR), announced its merger with which entertainment company?

Correct Answer is INOX.

• After the formalities of merger, the company will be known as PVR Inox Limited.
• Ajay Bijli will be MD of PVR Inox Limited, Sanjeev Kumar will be executive director and Pavan Kumar Jain will be non-executive chairman of the consolidated board.

Q.10. Ease MyTrip partners with which bank to launch environment-- friendly green international debit card?

Correct Answer is DBS Bank.

• This card is made using 99% recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material.
• Green Debit Card provides exclusive travel-related offers and rewards to customers for adopting eco-friendly practices.

Q.11. Which insurance firm has recently launched digital the education platform 'KlarifyLife' to simplify life insurance complex topics?

Correct Answer is HDFC Life.

• 'KlarifyLife' is available on social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Q.12. Recently, RBI has set up the ink manufacturing unit of BRBNMPL named 'Varnika' in which city?

Correct Answer is Mysuru.

• Varnika has an annual ink manufacturing capacity of 1,500 MT, which helps to enhance the security of banknotes.

Q.13. In March 2022, ICRA has reduced the India GDP forecast for FY23 to ?

Correct Answer is 7.2%.

• ICRA projected GDP expansion in FY22 at 8.5%.
• The reason for the cut in GDP forecast is the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which increases commodity prices and the lockdown in China.

Q.14. In March 2022, what is the trade deficit between India and China's bilateral trade?

Correct Answer is US$ 69.56 billion.

• India’s exports to China increased by 34.28% year on year to reach US$28.03 billion.
• India’s imports from China witnessed an increase of 46.14% to reach US$97.59 billion.

Q.15. How much amount has the cabinet approved for the improvement and acceleration of the performance of MSME?

Correct Answer is $808 million.

• The new scheme is expected to commence in financial 2022-23.
• Out of the total amount, $ 500 million would be a loan from the World Bank, and the remaining amount of $ 308 million will be funded by the government of India.

Q.16. Which general insurance firm has launched the industry's first digital reward program, VAULT?

Correct Answer is HDFC ERGO.

• VAULT program leads the way in customer loyalty.
• It is the industry's first digital customer engagement and rewards program.

Q.17. Central government is planning to sell a what percent of stake in Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to raise over ₹3,000 crore through an offer for sale?

Correct Answer is 5%.

• Of these, a minimum of 25% of the shares will be reserved for mutual funds and insurance
• companies, 10% for retail investors, and 075% for employees.
• Divestment target for FY22 – Rs 78,000 crore
• Divestment target for FY 23 – Rs 65,000 crore

Obituaries

Q.1. R C Lahoti, who passed away recently was a former?

Correct Answer is Chief Justice of India.

• Justice Lahoti was appointed as the 35th chief justice of India on June 1, 2004. He retired on November 1, 2005.

Q.2. Stephen Wilhite passes away, he is known as a creator of?

Correct Answer is Animated GIF.

• The Oxford American Dictionary named GIF the word of the year in 2012.
• He was also honoured with a Webby Lifetime Achievement award in 2013.
• GIF refers to Graphics Interchange Format

Q.3. Miguel Van Damme passed away, was related to which sports?

Correct Answer is Football.

• Belgian footballer Miguel Van Damme passed away following a long-running battle with leukaemia.
• He was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016.

Q.4. Bhim Bahadur Gurung was former chief minister of which country who passed away recently?

Correct Answer is Sikkim.

• B. Gurung served as a teacher and a staff reporter in a Calcutta (Kolkata)-based newspaper the Amrita Bazar Patrika and he also edited the first news-based Nepali Journal of Sikkim, called Kanchenjunga.

Important Days

Q.1. World Water Day is celebrated globally every year on?

Correct Answer is 22nd March.

• The day aims to highlight the importance of freshwater. It is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
• The World Water Day theme 2022 is “Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible”.

Q.2. World Meteorological Day is celebrated globally every year on?

Correct Answer is 23rd March.

• The day is celebrated as the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and it concentrates on the behaviour of Earth’s atmosphere. The day also helps people be aware of their role in protecting Earth’s atmosphere.
• World Meteorological Day is celebrated with a different motto every year. This year World Meteorological Day is celebrated keeping the theme of Early Warning and Early Action.

Q.3. In India, every year on 23rd March is observed as?

Correct Answer is Martyrs Day (Shaheed Diwas).

• The day was observed to pay tribute to the death anniversary of the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru, who laid their lives for the freedom of India. Also, 30 January is observed as Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Diwas in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

Q.4. What is the theme of the World Tuberculosis Day 2022, that is observed annually on March 24 every year?

Correct Answer is Invest to End TB. Save Lives.

• World TB Day is observed every year on March 24
• To raise awareness about the infectious disease
• On March 24th, 1882, Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

Q.5. Which date observed as International Day for the Right to the Truth?

Correct Answer is 24th March.

• This annual observance pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980.
• Monsignor Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.

Q.6. What is the theme of International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2022 which is observed on 25th March every year?

Correct Answer is Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism.

• International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade observed on 25th March every year.
• Theme for 2022 - Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism.

Q.7. The United Nations observes the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members on?

Correct Answer is 25th March.

• This is a day to mobilize action, demand justice and strengthen our resolve to protect UN staff and peacekeepers, as well as our colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press.

Q.8. In March 2022, Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced to celebrate 5th October every year as which day?

Correct Answer is National Dolphin Day.

• This day will celebrate to create awareness for the conservation of Dolphins.
• Dolphins has been categorised as endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List.

Q.9. World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on?

Correct Answer is 27th March.

• This year, the World Theatre Day celebration will focus on the young, the next generation, the emerging artists, who have been a strong special focus of ITI in the recent past. Through this 60-year-old ITI flagship event, ITI wishes to offer the next generation of artists and art professionals a platform to exchange ideas and present themselves to the world.

Q.10. World Bipolar day observed on which date?

Correct Answer is 30th March.

• The theme of World Bipolar Day 2022 is Bipolar Together.
• March 27 observed a World Theatre Day

Q.11. World Backup Day is marked every year on which date to protect our precious digital documents as we’ve become more reliant on technology?

Correct Answer is 31st March.

• It is a day for people to learn about the increasing role of data in our lives and the importance of regular backups.
• Originally, World Backup Day began as World Backup Month, by a hard drive company named Maxtor which was later acquired by Seagate Technology.

Q.12. The International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) occurs annually on which date to raise awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide?

Correct Answer is 31st March.

• The day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as celebrating their contributions to society.

New Appointments

Q.1. Yogi Adityanath sworn-in as CM of Uttar Pradesh for second time, he won the assembly election from which constituency?

Correct Answer is Gorakhpur (Urban).

• He won election from Gorakhpur (urban) Constituency.
• BJP-led alliance won 273 of 403 seats in the recent Assembly polls.

Q.2. In March 2022, who has been appointed as a captain of Chennai Super Kings?

Correct Answer is Ravindra Jadeja.

• Now he handed over his captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja.
• Under the captaincy of Dhoni, CSK won 4 times – 2008, 2011, 2018, 2021

Q.3. Who has been sworn-in as Lokayukta of Delhi ?

Correct Answer is Justice Harish Chandra

• The oath ceremony was administered by Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal in Raj Niwas.
• The post of Lokayukta was vacant since the retirement of Rewa Khetrapal in December 2020.
• He will hold office for a term of five years.

Q.4. Who has ben appointed as interim MD and CEO of CSB Bank for the period of three month from 1st April 2022?

Correct Answer is Pralay Mondal.

• C.VR. Rajendran, the present MD & CEO announced his early retirement from the position due to health reasons
• CSB Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala

Q.5. Hisashi Takeuchi has been appointed as a MD and CEO of which organization?

Correct Answer is  Maruti Suzuki.

• This decision will come into effect from April 01, for a period of three years.
• Current MD and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa term will be ended on March 31, but he will continue as executive vice chairman and whole-time director till September 30.

Q.6. On 28th March 2022, Pramod Sawant sworn-in as CM of Goa, he won assembly election from which constituency?

Correct Answer is Sanquelim.

• Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai administered him the oath of office at Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Stadium, Panaji.
• In the recent state Assembly polls, the BJP won 20 seats in the 40-member state Assembly.

Q.7. Who won the Stockholm Water Prize 2022?

Correct Answer is Wilfried Brutsaert.

• He received this prestigious award for his groundbreaking work to quantify environmental evaporation, helping to make accurate predictions of the impact that climate change has on local rainfall patterns and water sources.
• He is also known as 'Mr Evaporation'.

Q.8. PM Robert Abela has won the general election from which country?

Correct Answer is Malta.

• He took Malta's helm in January 2020.
• Labour Party has won 55.11% of the total vote against the Nationalist Party's 41.7%.
• Prime Minister of Portugal - António Costa

Q.9. The governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) elected whom as the 11th Director-General of ILO?

Correct Answer is Gilbert F. Houngbo.

• He is a former Prime Minister of Togo.
• Guy Ryder - current Director-General of ILO
• Jens Stoltenberg- Secretary General of NATO
• Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - Director-General of WHO

Q.10. Who has been appointed as the new Chairman of Broadcast Audience Research Council India?

Correct Answer is Shashi Sinha.

• Chief Executive Officer of IPG Mediabrands India, Shashi Sinha, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India.
• Sinha also worked with the Advertising Agencies Association of India.

Q.11. Name the former CAG who has been appointed as a Chairperson of Kalyan Jewellers?

Correct Answer is Vinod Rai.

• Founder of Kalyan Jewellers, TS Kalyanaraman will continue as MD on the company’s board.

Q.12. In March 2022, who has been appointed as the new Secretary- General of NATO?

Correct Answer is Jens Stoltenberg.

• He is a former PM of Norway. He appointed for the NATO Secretary-General in October 2014.
• This is the second time that his term has been extended.

Q.13. In March 2022, who has been elected as a first woman speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly?

Correct Answer is Ritu Khanduri.

• Ritu Khanduri won the 2022 assembly elections from the Kotdwar.
• Recently, Pushkar Singh Dhami sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand

Q.14. Who will take charge as Chairman of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) on April 3, 2022, after the completion of the tenure of Uday Kotak?

Correct Answer is CS Rajan.

• CS Rajan, MD of IL&FS, will take charge as Chairman and Managing Director for six months, from April 3 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Q.15. Who has been appointed as president of the Badminton Association of India from 2022 to 2026?

Correct Answer is Himanta Biswa Sarma.

• He has remained president of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) since 2017.

Q.16. Who has been set to replace Frederick W Smith, to be named the CEO of FedEx?

Correct Answer is Raj Subramaniam.

• He is set to replace the founder of FedEx, Frederick W Smith.
• Currently, Subramaniam is serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of FedEx.

Q.17. Who has taken charge of Forest Research Institute as the new Director?

Correct Answer is Renu Singh.

• She will be the second woman director of Forest Research Institute.
• She is an officer of the IFS of the 1990 batch of Madhya Pradesh cadre.