Daily Current Affairs 1 March 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 1 March 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on NSG’s New Director General, Universal Life Insurance Plan, World Seagrass Day 2024.

Top 26 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 1 March 2024

National News

1.Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Unveils Coal Logistics Plan and Policy

• Union Minister for Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, announced the launch of the National Coal Logistics Plan and Policy, 2023 on February 29.
• The policy aims to enhance railway utilization in coal transportation to over 87 percent by FY 2029-30, anticipating a surge in coal consumption from 980 million tons to 1.5 billion tons by 2030. Key objectives include cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced efficiency in coal logistics.

2.Cabinet Approval, Establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with its headquarters based in India.
• This landmark decision comes with a one-time budgetary support of Rs. 150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
• The International Big Cat Alliance focuses on conserving big cats, including Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah.

3.PM Modi Launches India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India’s inaugural hydrogen fuel cell ferry, a product of indigenous development and construction built by Cochin Shipyard. Participating from Thoothukudi.
• Its inauguration ignites the use of hydrogen in marine sectors. Zero-emission, noise-free, and energy-efficient, it combats global warming. Embracing green hydrogen furthers India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.

International News

4.PM Modi & PM Jugnauth inaugurate airstrip, jetty in Agalega Island

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated significant infrastructure projects in Agalega Island, marking a milestone in bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius.
• The newly constructed airstrip will enhance connectivity to Agalega Island, facilitating smoother transportation and promoting economic growth in the region.
• he inauguration of the St James Jetty provides crucial maritime infrastructure, facilitating trade and transportation between Agalega Island and the mainland.

5.Ghana Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ Bill

• Ghana’s parliament has approved a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which awaits presidential assent.
• The bill aims to uphold traditional Ghanaian family values and regulate human sexual rights. It criminalizes identification with LGBTQ identities, imposing penalties of up to three years in prison.
• Individuals found promoting or supporting LGBTQ activities could face up to five years in prison under the proposed law. Ghana already prohibits gay sexual acts, carrying a maximum prison sentence of three years.

State News

6.‘Tawi Festival’ In Jammu To Kick Off On March 1, 2024, For Four Days

• Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the umbrella of the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) are poised to make a significant mark at the upcoming 4-day ‘Tawi Festival’ in Jammu.
• This endeavor aims to spotlight the rich tapestry of art forms and cultural heritage of the region while highlighting the skills and creativity of local artisans.

Defence News

7.DRDO Successfully Tests Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted two successful flight tests of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile on February 28th and 29th, 2024.
• The tests, carried out from a ground-based portable launcher off the coast of Odisha, demonstrated the system’s capability to intercept and destroy high-speed unmanned aerial targets under various interception scenarios.
• The missile is propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor and is specifically designed to neutralize low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges. Its design, including the launcher, has been optimized for easy portability, enhancing its usability in various operational scenarios.

Economy News

8.India’s Q3 FY24 GDP Surges to 8.4%: Exceeds Expectations

• India’s GDP for the third quarter of FY24 experienced a significant acceleration, reaching 8.4% year-on-year growth, as reported by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on February 29.
• The stellar performance in the construction and manufacturing sectors has been identified as pivotal factors driving the remarkable 8.4% GDP growth in the third quarter of the ongoing financial year.

9.Index of Eight Core Industries increase by 3.6 percent in January 2024

• In January 2024, the Combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) demonstrated a notable increase of 3.6 percent (provisional) compared to January 2023.
• This index reflects the collective performance of critical sectors including Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas, Petroleum Refinery Products, and Steel.
• These industries collectively constitute 40.27 percent of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), highlighting their significant contribution to the industrial landscape.

Banking News

10.RBI Revamps BBPS Norms for Enhanced Efficiency

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a revised regulatory framework for the Bharat Bill Payment Systems (BBPS), effective April 1, 2024.
• This overhaul aims to streamline bill payments, foster wider participation, and bolster consumer protection measures in light of evolving payment landscape dynamics.
• NPCI Bharat Bill Pay Ltd (NBBL), a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), serves as the designated Payment System Provider for BBPS.

Important Days News

11.World Seagrass Day 2024

• Celebrated annually on March 1, World Seagrass Day is a vital global observance aimed at highlighting the importance of seagrass in marine ecosystems.
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly on May 22, 2022, following Sri Lanka’s resolution, the day underscores the urgent need for seagrass conservation.
• Seagrass originated around 100 million years ago, with its evolution marking a significant adaptation to marine environments.

12.Zero Discrimination Day 2024

• March 1 marks Zero Discrimination Day, a day dedicated to advocating for the right of every individual to live a life free from discrimination and prejudice.
• This global observance, initiated by UNAIDS, aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of discrimination and the importance of promoting equality, compassion, and respect for all.
• Zero Discrimination Day was first celebrated in 2014 following the launch of the Zero Discrimination Campaign by UNAIDS on World AIDS Day in December 2013.

Ranks & Reports News

13.Bhupender Yadav Releases Report on Status of Leopards in India

• Shri Bhupender Yadav, in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India, unveiled the fifth cycle of leopard population estimation in India.
• India’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874, showcasing stability compared to the previous estimate. However, this represents only 70% of leopard habitat, with the Himalayas and semi-arid regions not sampled.
• Madhya Pradesh harbors the largest leopard population, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Tiger reserves like Nagarajunasagar Srisailam, Panna, and Satpura serve as significant habitats for leopards.

Awards News

14.Sunil Bharti Mittal Awarded Honorary Knighthood

• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and founder of Bharti Enterprises, has been conferred with an honorary Knighthood by Britain’s King Charles III.
• He becomes the first Indian citizen to receive this prestigious honour, recognized for his contributions to UK-India business relations. The award acknowledges Mittal’s significant role in fostering business relations between the UK and India.

Appointments News

15.IPS Officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary Named NSG’s New Director General

• Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a 1990 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG), marking a significant development in India’s security apparatus.
• Chaudhary, currently serving as the DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), will now shoulder the additional responsibility of leading the NSG, commonly referred to as the “black cats”.

Agreements News

16.India Post Payments Bank Partners With Hindustan Zinc For CSR Financial Services

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) signed an MoU to enhance financial inclusion in rural Rajasthan.
• The objective of this collaboration are to to provide easy access to opening bank accounts, pension products, savings, and investment schemes,.
• Furthermore it empower beneficiaries to become Individual Business Correspondents for IPPB services and promote government social welfare schemes and facilitate income-generating loans.

17.MoSPI Signs MoU with ISRO on Urban Frame Survey using Bhuvan

• NSSO and NRSC team up to digitize the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) using advanced Geo ICT tools via the Bhuvan Platform.
• The Objective is to facilitate the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) in a digital mode to enhance efficiency and accuracy in data collection and maintenance.
• The aim is to enhance the mobile application used for Geo-tagging NSSO Urban Frame Survey data, focusing on its development and improvement.

18.NTPC Green Energy Ltd Partners With MAHAGENCO To Develop Renewable Energy Parks In Maharashtra

• NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) partners with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) to develop Renewable Energy Parks in Maharashtra.
• The agreement underscores commitment to green energy initiatives and supports India’s energy transition goals. The objective of the Joint Venture is to create a company focused on building gigawatt-scale renewable energy parks in Maharashtra.

Schemes News

19.Ministry of Women and Child Development Organizes ‘Poshan Utsav: Celebrating Nutrition’ to promote good nutrition behavior

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development organized the Poshan Utsav at The Oberoi on 29th February 2024.
• The event aimed to promote good nutrition behavior and highlighted India’s ongoing efforts to combat malnutrition by promoting good nutrition practices.
• The event featured the release of the ‘Poshan Utsav Book’, conceptualized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and curated by the Deendayal Research Institute (DRI).

20.Telangana Government Introduces One-Time Scheme

• The Telangana state government has issued a directive for the adoption of the One Time Scheme (OTS) across all urban local bodies (ULBs), including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
• This initiative is geared towards alleviating the financial strain faced by property owners who are grappling with mounting arrears interest on property tax payments.

21.Nagaland Govt Unveils Universal Life Insurance Plan

• The Nagaland government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, has unveiled an initiative aimed at alleviating financial hardships caused by the untimely demise of a family’s primary earner.
• The primary objective of the CM’s Universal Life Insurance Scheme is to mitigate the effects of losing a family’s breadwinner on various aspects of life, including education, health, and socio-economic stability.

Sports News

22.Juventus Midfielder Paul Pogba Banned for 4 Years for Doping

• Paul Pogba received a four-year ban from football following doping allegations, with Italy’s sports prosecutors advocating for the suspension.
• The doping incident occurred after Juventus’ 3-0 victory against Udinese in the Italian Serie A opener, leading to Pogba’s provisional suspension.

Obituaries News

23.Brian Mulroney, Former Canadian Prime Minister, Passes Away at 84

• Brian Mulroney, the former Canadian Prime Minister known for his transformative policies and complex legacy, has died at the age of 84.
• Brian Mulroney led the center-right Progressive Conservatives to a historic victory in 1984, defeating Pierre Trudeau’s Liberals. His nine-year tenure was marked by significant policy reforms, including the negotiation of the Canada-United States Free Trade

Miscellaneous News

24.Zoological Survey of India Names New Marine Species after President Droupadi Murmu

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has identified and named a new species of marine head-shield sea slug discovered along the West Bengal and Odisha coasts.
• Named Melanochlamys droupadi, this distinctive species bears a ruby red spot and has unique characteristics that distinguish it from other sea slugs.
• The species was discovered from the coastal areas of Digha in West Bengal and Udaipur in Odisha. It is characterized by its short, blunt cylindrical body, smooth dorsal surface, and distinctive red spot.

25.Indian Dam In Punjab Halts Ravi River Flow To Pakistan

• After 45 years, the Shahpur-Kandi barrage’s completion is a major milestone, stopping Ravi River’s water flow into Pakistan.
• This will greatly impact Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting over 32,000 hectares of land with irrigation. This project was initiated in 1995 by former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao.
• According to the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, India maintains sole control over the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers, with the halt of water flow into Pakistan expected to bring advantages to Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

26.DGCA Penalizes Air India ₹30 Lakh For 80-Year-Old Passenger’s Demise

• On February 12, upon arriving at Mumbai airport from New York on an Air India flight, an 80-year-old passenger, who had pre-booked a wheelchair, chose to walk due to the unavailability of one.
• Unfortunately, he collapsed during immigration and subsequently died in the hospital. DGCA imposed a penalty of ₹30 lakh on Air India for the incident.
• DGCA issued an advisory to all airlines to ensure the availability of an adequate number of wheelchairs for passengers requiring assistance.

1 MARCH CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

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