Daily GK Update 31st March 2020: Read Daily GK-Current Affairs Update

Table of Contents

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about the banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 31st March 2020 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

National News

1. DRDO develops casualty evacuation bags

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed a casualty evacuation bag to transport or isolate persons infected with COVID-19. The bag is water and air-proof and treated to deal with biological agents. DRDO will be procuring an initial lot of 500 such bags. DRDO’s Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), which carries out research in aero-medical engineering and life support equipment and Nuclear Chemical and Biological (NBC) protection systems, has developed this bag.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

DRDO Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy; Established: 1958.
Headquarters: New Delhi.

2. MSDE prepares NSTIs as quarantine centres for COVID-19

All National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) have been readied by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) as quarantine centres to fight the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). MSDE has taken this step in order to align its efforts with the central government’s efforts against the pandemic which has led to a nationwide lockdown for 3 weeks to encourage social distancing among people.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Mahendra Nath Pandey.

International News

3. ADB to invest 100 million USD in India’s infrastructure sector

Asian Development Bank (ADB) will invest 100 million US Dollars in India’s infrastructure sector through the government-promoted National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) of India Fund of Funds (FoF). NIIF is India’s first sovereign wealth fund that was set up by the Government of India in February 2015.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

President of ADB: Masatsugu Asakawa.
Formation of ADB: 19 December 1966.
Headquarters of ADB: Manila, Philippines.
Membership of ADB: 68 countries.

4. IMF declares that World is now in “Recession”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that the world has clearly entered a recession due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has emphasized that the current recession is even worse than that of 2009. The statements about the world economy were made after the meeting of governing body of the IMF, the International Monetary and Financial Committee.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Managing Director of IMF: Kristalina Georgieva.

State News

5. Jharkhand govt launches PRAGYAAM app to issue e-passes

The Jharkhand Government has launched a mobile app PRAGYAAM to issue e-passes. The app was launched by the State Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The app aims to issue e-passes to everyone associated with the delivery of essential services during the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Jharkhand was created on 15h November 2000.
Governor of Jharkhand: Droupadi Murmu.
Ranchi is the capital of Jharkhand.

6. Rajasthan Police launches a mobile app “RajCop citizens app”

Rajasthan police have launched a mobile app “RajCop citizens app” to enable individuals and company employees in the state take permission for venturing out in necessary conditions.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

CM of Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot.
Capital of Rajasthan: Jaipur.
Governor of Rajasthan: Kalraj Mishra.

7. Andhra Pradesh govt sets up Mobile Hand-wash facilities

Andhra Pradesh State government has set up “Mobile Hand-wash facilities” for the benefit of Slum Dwellers amidst lockdown in the state. This facility to help them protect themselves from COVID-19. The mobile Hand Wash facility has become handy for both the state authorities and slum dwellers to access facility of hands cleaning.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
Governor of Andhra Pradesh: Biswa Bhushan Harichandan.
Capital of Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati.
Sri Venkateswara National Park is located in the Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Schemes and Committees

8. MCA introduces “Companies Fresh Start Scheme 2020”

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has introduced the “Companies Fresh Start Scheme, 2020”. The new scheme has been introduced to provide relief to law abiding companies and the Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) amid COVID-19 pandemic. MCA has also revised “LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020”.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Union Minister of Corporate Affairs: Nirmala Sitharaman.

Science and Technology

9. IIT Bombay develops mobile app ‘CORONTINE’

A team at IIT Bombay has developed a mobile app named ‘CORONTINE’. The ‘CORONTINE’ app aims to help the authorities in tracking the asymptomatic carriers and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

10. Apple launches COVID-19 information app

Apple has launched a new dedicated app and website for users across the US. The app provides accurate and credible information to users about the COVID-19 pandemic. The new COVID-19 app and website provide the needed guidance and latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Apple Inc. CEO: Tim Cook; Headquarters of Apple Inc: California, USA.

Sports

11. Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 rescheduled to year 2021

The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have been postponed by one year and will be held from 23 July to 8 August, 2021. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were earlier scheduled to be held from 24 July to 9 August 2020. The decision to postpone the 32nd edition of the tournament was taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) along with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Government of Japan. The decision has been taken by the IOC amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Prime Minister of Japan: Shinzo Abe; Capital: Tokyo; Currency: Japanese yen.
President of International Olympic Committee (IOC): Thomas Bach.
Tokyo 2020 President: Mori Yoshiro.

Obituaries News

12. Tamil folk singer and actress Paravai Muniyamma passes away

Tamil folk singer and actress Paravai Muniyamma passed away. She was born on June 26, 1937, in Paravai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu (TN). The acting career of Muniyamma began in the year 2003 in the film Dhool. Her song “Madurai Veeran” became a huge hit. She had appeared in over 50 films, usually playing grandmother roles. In March 2019, Muniyamma was honoured with the Kalaimamani title by the Tamil Nadu government.

13. Japanese comedian Ken Shimura passes away due to coronavirus

Veteran Japanese comedian Ken Shimura passed away due to coronavirus. The actor was set to star in his first feature film “God of Cinema”, directed by Yoji Yamada. Shimura grew up in the west Tokyo neighbourhood of Higashimurayama and he started his career in showbiz when he joined the Japanese rock band and comedy group The Drifters, famous for an opening for The Beatles during their early tours of Japan.

Miscellaneous

14. Tata Power JV starts Shuakhevi HPP in Georgia

Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC, a Joint Venture between Tata Power, Norway’s Clean Energy Invest (CEI), and International Financial Corporation (IFC) has announced the start of commercial operation of the 178 MW Shuakhevi Hydro Power Project (Shuakhevi HPP) located in southwest Georgia.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: