Daily Current Affairs 6 March 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Read the most important current affairs of 6 March 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on Hungary’s New President, India’s 1st Dolphin Research Centre, USGA’s Bob Jones Award.

Top 25 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 6 March 2024

National News

1.Minister Hardeep S Puri Inaugurates 201 CNG Stations And GAIL’s First Small Scale LNG Unit

• Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, overseeing Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as Housing and Urban Affairs, dedicated 201 CNG Stations and India’s inaugural Small Scale LNG Unit of GAIL to the nation via video conferencing.
• The establishment of GAIL group’s 201 CNG stations across 52 Geographical Areas signifies a significant stride towards achieving sustainability goals and environmental responsibility.

2.Government Raises Minimum Age for Postal Voting to 85 Years

• In a significant development, the Indian government, following consultations with the Election Commission of India (ECI), has revised the minimum age criterion for senior citizens to avail the postal ballot voting facility.
• The decision, which comes into effect immediately, raises the eligibility age from 80 to 85 years, marking a pivotal change in the electoral process aimed at ensuring greater convenience for the nation’s elderly population.

3.South Eastern Coalfield Limited’s Gevra Mine Set to Become The Largest Coal Mine in Asia

• South Eastern Coalfield Limited’s (SECL) Gevra mine, located in Chhattisgarh, is on the verge of becoming the largest coal mine in Asia.
• The mine recently received environmental clearance to enhance its production capacity to 70 million tons per annum, up from the existing 52.5 million tons.
• This expansion marks a pivotal moment not only for SECL but also for the nation’s energy sector, as India moves to bolster its coal production capabilities.

4.India’s First Underwater Metro Train Service Launched in Kolkata by PM Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s pioneering underwater metro train service in Kolkata, ushering in a landmark achievement in the nation’s infrastructure and urban development.
• The service, which is a significant component of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, is designed to enhance connectivity between Howrah and Salt Lake, the twin cities of West Bengal’s capital.
• The Ministry of Railways revealed that 10.8 kilometers of the East-West Metro route would be underground, complemented by 5.75 kilometers of elevated sections.

International News

5.Hungary Parliament Elects New President: Tamas Sulyok

• Hungary’s parliament recently appointed a new president following the resignation of the previous head of state amidst a scandal involving a controversial pardon granted in a child sexual abuse case.
• The appointment of Tamás Sulyok, a former head of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, sparked debate among opposition parties calling for direct presidential elections.
• Tamás Sulyok, a 67-year-old lawyer, assumed the presidency after a secret parliamentary vote, receiving 134 votes in favor and five against.

State News

6.Kerala Welcomes ‘Iris’ its first generative AI teacher

• Kerala school has introduced Iris, a humanoid teacher, marking a significant milestone in the realm of educational technology.
• Developed in collaboration with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited, Iris represents a pioneering effort to make learning more interactive, engaging, and accessible.
• Iris is designed to be more than just a robotic presence in the classroom; it is a generative AI entity capable of conducting interactive learning sessions.
• With the ability to communicate in three languages, Iris can tackle a wide array of questions, making it a versatile and invaluable educational tool.

7.IIHR Kicks Off 3-Day Horticulture Fair In Hessarghatta, Bengaluru

• Bengaluru, famously known as the Garden City, is poised to become the epicenter of cutting-edge advancements in the horticulture sector.
• The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) is gearing up to host the three-day National Horticultural Fair 2024 at its Hessarghatta premises, situated on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
• This event, themed “Nextgen Technology-led Horticulture for Sustainable Development,” promises to be a showcase of the nation’s most advanced technologies and practices in horticulture.

8.India’s 1st Dolphin Research Centre Inaugurated In Patna

• India’s first National Dolphin Research Center (NDRC) was officially inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
• This landmark facility, built at a cost of Rs 30 crore, is situated on the banks of the Ganges River within the Patna University campus.
• The NDRC’s primary objective is to aid researchers and students in understanding the behavior and ecology of freshwater dolphins, particularly the endangered Gangetic dolphin.

9.Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates Management Education Center At NALCO, Angul

• The Union Minister for Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the Centre of Management Education jointly established by IIM Mumbai and IIM Sambalpur.
• The inauguration took place at the NALCO Training Institute in Angul, Odisha, amidst the presence of Shri Sridhar Patra, CMD, NALCO.
• The center aims to enhance logistics and supply chain activities through digitization and specialized skill development programs.

Defence News

10.Raksha Mantri Inaugurates ‘Chola’ Building At Naval War College, Goa

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Administrative & Training building at the Naval War College (NWC), Goa on March 5, 2024.
• The modern edifice, named the ‘Chola’, pays homage to the mighty maritime empire of the Chola dynasty of ancient India.
• The event marked a significant milestone in the history of the NWC, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in military education and nurturing maritime thought.

Economy News

11.India’s February Services PMI: Growth Eases to 60.6

• In February, India’s service sector sustained its growth trajectory, supported by positive demand trends. The Purchasing Managers’ Index for India’s services sector dropped to 60.6 in February from January’s six-month high of 61.8.
• Despite the decline, the index remained comfortably above the neutral mark of 50.0, indicating a sharp rate of expansion well above historical averages.
• New business from abroad continued to rise for the thirteenth consecutive month, with gains reported from various regions including Australia, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the UAE.

12.After JP Morgan, Bloomberg to Include Indian Bonds in EM Index

• Bloomberg has announced the inclusion of India’s Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds in its Emerging Market (EM) Local Currency Government Index and related indices, with a phased approach over ten months starting January 31, 2025.
• Bloomberg will phase in the inclusion of FAR bonds over a ten-month period, starting January 31, 2025. Weight of FAR bonds will increase in increments of 10% of their full market value each month until October 2025 when they will be fully weighted.

13.Finance Minister Sitharaman Inaugurates LIC’s International Business Centre and Receives Interim Dividend

• In a virtual ceremony, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman received an interim dividend cheque of ₹2,441.44 crore from LIC Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty, showcasing the insurance giant’s financial strength.
• The event also marked the inauguration of LIC’s new international business centre at GIFT City, Gujarat, emphasizing the company’s dedication to offering top-notch insurance and financial services globally.
• This strategic move underscores LIC’s commitment to offering world-class insurance and financial services at GIFT City, aligning with its global expansion strategy.

Banking News

14.RBI Streamlines Net Banking with Interoperable Merchant Payments

• Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das recently announced the forthcoming launch of an interoperable payment system for internet banking, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of digital payments in India.
• NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. has been authorized by the RBI to implement the interoperable net banking payment system. Its anticipated launch is slated for within the current calendar year, as affirmed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

15. Thirty Banks Join RBI’s UDGAM Portal for Unclaimed Deposits

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that 30 banks are now participating in the UDGAM portal, designed for individuals to search for their unclaimed deposits/accounts.
• This portal, developed by the RBI, aims to provide a centralized platform for users to access information regarding unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.
• As of March 4, 2024, 30 banks are already onboarded onto the UDGAM portal, covering approximately 90% of unclaimed deposits in value terms.

Business News

16.Tata Motors Unveils Next-Generation Green-Fuel Powered Fleet To Tata Steel

• Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has recently unveiled its next-generation, green-fuel powered commercial vehicles to Tata Steel.
• The fleet comprises Prima tractors, tippers, and the Ultra EV bus, which are powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and battery electric technologies.
• The flag-off ceremony took place during Tata Group’s Founder’s Day celebrations in Jamshedpur, officiated by Mr. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons.

Schemes News

17.Himachal Pradesh Announces “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna”

• In a significant move, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women in the state.
• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu unveiled the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna,” a scheme designed to provide financial support to women aged between 18 to 60 years.
• Under this scheme, eligible women will receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,500, amounting to an annual expenditure of ₹800 crore. The initiative aims to cover over five lakh women, offering them much-needed financial assistance.

Awards News

18.Tiger Woods Honored with USGA’s Prestigious Bob Jones Award

• Legendary golfer Tiger Woods has been selected to receive the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour bestowed by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
• This prestigious award recognizes Woods’ dedication to sportsmanship, his respect for the traditions of the game, and his significant charitable endeavors.
• The Bob Jones Award will be formally presented to Woods on June 12th during the week of the U.S. Open held at Pinehurst Resort’s famed Course No. 2 in North Carolina.

Appointments News

19.Slice Appoints Nayanthara As Brand Ambassador

• Slice, the popular mango-flavored drink, has recently announced the appointment of acclaimed actress Nayanthara as its latest brand ambassador.
• This collaboration aims to strengthen Slice’s connection with its audience and reaffirm its status as the go-to beverage for mango enthusiasts.
• Originally introduced by PepsiCo in 1984. In India, PepsiCo reintroduced Slice in 2008 as a mango-flavored fruit drink under the brand Tropicana Slice.

20.Future Generali India Life Insurance Appoints Alok Rungta as Managing Director & CEO

• Alok Rungta has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Future Generali India Life Insurance, effective April 1st, pending regulatory approvals.
• He will succeed Bruce De Broize, who currently holds the position until March 31st. Alok Rungta, currently serving as the Deputy CEO and CFO, brings over two decades of experience in the insurance industry to his new role.

Sports News

21.Spain Wins First UEFA Women’s Nations League

• Spain’s women’s team secured a historic victory over France, winning the first-ever UEFA Women’s Nations League with a convincing 2-0 triumph in Seville.
• The win represents a significant achievement for Spain in the realm of women’s football, further solidifying their position as a dominant force in the sport.

22.Asian River Rafting Champions Take on the Sutlej River

• The scenic town of Shimla has become the centre stage for the first-ever Asian River Rafting Championships, officially opened on March 4th, 2024, by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
• The championship is taking place on the Sutlej River, near Basantpur in the Sunni region, from March 4th to 9th, 2024.
• Around 20 national and international teams are participating, hailing from countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia.

23.Former WC Bronze Winner Sai Praneeth Announces Retirement from Badminton

• B. Sai Praneeth, the decorated Indian badminton player, has announced his retirement from the sport.
• Through a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), Praneeth expressed his gratitude towards badminton, signalling the end of an illustrious journey that has seen significant highs and memorable moments.
• His journey, which began with a bronze medal at the 2010 World Junior Badminton Championships, has been full of significant milestones and achievements.

Books & Authors News

24.A book on Indian modern art “The Gems of Indian Art” launched

• The launch of “The Gems of Indian Art”, a comprehensive documentation of Harish Khullar’s extensive collection of 20th-century Indian modern and contemporary art.
• This near-300-page book was unveiled by Ministers Shri Nitin Gadkari, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Shri S.P.S. Baghel, marking a pivotal moment in India’s art scene.
• Harish Khullar’s collection showcases the tireless efforts of the Khullar family. Their collection stands as a testament to a deep-rooted passion for Indian art, setting a precedent in a country where private art collections are a relatively new phenomenon.

Science & Technology News

25.India’s IN-SPACe Inaugurates Satellite & Payload Technical Centre in Ahmedabad

• Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh inaugurated a pioneering technical center in Ahmedabad, representing a significant advancement in India’s space sector.
• Established by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), this center aims to revolutionize private sector involvement in space technology development and testing.
• Its goal is to offer a comprehensive set of tools for thorough validation of space technologies in simulated space environments.

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

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