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Daily Current Affairs and MCQs for March 18th, 2023

By Prishth || March 18, 2023, 12:16 IST

Stay informed and test your knowledge with our daily current affairs and MCQs for March 17th, 2023. Download the PDF and challenge yourself with our MCQs on a range of topics, from politics to sports. Perfect for students and exam preparation. Stay ahead of the game - Read now.

Welcome to the Daily Current Affairs page for March 18th, where we provide you with the latest updates on national and international news. Here are the key highlights for March 18th 2023, followed by some multiple-choice questions based on the current affairs:

Click Here: Download Current Affairs For March 18th In PDF Format

1. The Ministry of Ayush and MoRD have signed an MoU to provide skill training to rural youth and empower women.

• Ministry of Ayush (MoA) and Rural Development have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to empower women and rural poor youth.
• The collaboration aims to develop skilled personnel for the Ayush healthcare system.
• The training program will include the training of rural youth as panchakarma technicians on a pilot basis.
• The proposed training will be carried out under the flagship program of the Ministry of Rural Development, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY).
• DDU-GKY aims to diversify the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career ambitions of rural youth.
• The collaboration will provide career opportunities for rural youth, enhancing their socio-economic status.

2. Barda WLS in Gujarat has been proposed as the second home for Asiatic lions, with plans to relocate 40 lions from the Gir National Park.

• The Gujarat government plans to translocate 40 adult and sub-adult lions to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in the state, as per a new report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.
• The report titled Lion@2047: A vision for Amrutkal identifies Barda sanctuary, which is approximately 100 kilometers away from Gir National Park, as a potential site to accommodate the Asiatic Lions.
• Gir National Park is currently overflowing with the big cats, and as of the last count in 2020, there were 674 lions in the state.
• The translocation of lions to Barda sanctuary could potentially ease the pressure on Gir National Park, which is currently facing issues of overcrowding and could lead to better conservation efforts for the species.
• The initiative could also provide the lions with additional habitats and new ecosystems, which could ultimately help in their survival and well-being.
  

3. Bank of Baroda (BoB) and the Tamil Nadu government have partnered to launch a co-branded debit card for the 'Pudhumai Penn' scheme.

• Bank of Baroda has joined hands with the Tamil Nadu government to introduce a co-branded RuPay Platinum Debit Card in the state, offering personalised solutions.
• The debit card will be available to the beneficiaries of the 'Pudhumai Penn' scheme launched by the state government.
• The card provides personal accident insurance coverage up to Rs 2 lakh per annum, and the joining and annual fees for the first year have been waived.
• Bank of Baroda has stated that this partnership will enable it to increase its customer base and deliver customized solutions that will aid the state's financial inclusion initiatives.
  

4. The Indian economy is expected to grow by 6% in FY24, as per a report by Crisil.

• India's GDP growth is projected to be 6% in fiscal year 2024 by rating agency Crisil, lower than the 7% estimated by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO) for fiscal year 2023.
• Crisil also predicts that the Indian economy will average a growth rate of 6.8% over the next five fiscal years.
• The rating agency expects corporate revenue to log a double-digit increase next fiscal year.
• Crisil stated that a complex interplay of geopolitical events, persistently high inflation, and sharp rate hikes to counter inflation have contributed to a gloomier global environment.
  

5. The Hello Ujjivan app has won the "Innovation in Consumer Tech" award at the 13th Annual Aegis Graham Bell Awards.

• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank's Hello Ujjivan app has won the 13th Aegis Graham Bell Awards in the "Innovation in Consumer Tech" category.
• The award is an initiative of Aegis School of Data Science, backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, NITI Aayog, and Skill India, to promote an innovative culture in India.
• Hello Ujjivan is the first mobile banking app in India that offers speech, visual, and vernacular features for customers with limited reading and writing abilities.
• The app has AI and machine learning capabilities that allow customers to transact in their preferred language conveniently and safely.
• The app aims to provide MicroBanking and Rural customers with access to banking financial services and empower them to manage their finances.
  

6. Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as FIFA President for the third time.

• Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as the president of FIFA until 2027, standing unopposed at the congress of world football’s governing body.
• Infantino was elected for his third term by acclamation by delegates from the 211 member federations.
• FIFA statutes currently limit a president to a maximum of three four-year terms.
• However, Infantino has already prepared the ground to stay until 2031, declaring in December that his first three years at the helm did not count as a full term.
• Infantino has overseen the expansion of the men’s and women’s World Cup and huge increases in FIFA revenues.
• He defended Qatar’s hosting of last year’s World Cup despite criticism of the Gulf state’s treatment of migrant workers, women, and the LGBTQ community.
  

7. TCS has named K Kritivasan as the CEO Designate, following the sudden resignation of Rajesh Gopinath as MD and CEO.

• K Krithivasan is set to become the next CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services company.
• He will succeed Rajesh Gopinathan, who unexpectedly resigned as chief executive and managing director on Thursday.
• The board appointed Krithivasan as CEO-designate with effect from March 16.
• He will take over as CEO and managing director in the next financial year, subject to shareholder approval.
  

Click Here: Download Current Affairs For March 18th In PDF Format

8. The Indian Air Force is inducting the 'Vayulink' system to identify friendly forces in combat.

• Wing Commander Vishal Mishra, a helicopter pilot with the Indian Air Force, has developed the Vayulink system.
• The Vayulink system will help Indian armed forces identify friendly forces in a joint battlespace, facilitating better coordination during complex operations.
• The system will enhance battlefield transparency through identification of friendly forces in a combat situation through secure, jammer-proof communication.
• The Vayulink system will also arm pilots with accurate weather data before they fly.
• The system is being inducted along India's northern and eastern borders to curb instances of mistaken fratricide as happened in Budgam in the aftermath of the 2019 Balakot air strikes.
  

9. Rest of India has won the Z R Irani Cup 2023 by defeating Madhya Pradesh.

• Rest of India defeated Madhya Pradesh by 238 runs in the Irani Cup.
• The match was held in Gwalior and concluded on Sunday.
• Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 198 in their second innings, while chasing a target of 437 set by Rest of India.
  

10. Rachna Biswat Rawat is the author of the new book "Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform."

• Written by bestselling author Rachna Bisht Rawat, "Bipin: The Man behind the Uniform" features in-depth interviews with Rawat's friends, family members and comrades, making it a comprehensive tribute to one of India's greatest military leaders.
• Rawat's leadership style is also discussed in the book, including his decision to retaliate immediately and openly to every act of cross-border terrorism.
•  The book goes on to describe Rawat's bravery in the face of danger, including an incident where he was carried up to his company post on the Pakistan border, despite having a leg in plaster.
  

11.Richard Douglas Fosbury, an American high jumper and Olympic gold medalist, has passed away.

• Dick Fosbury, the Olympic gold medallist who originated the high jump technique still used today, passed away on Sunday at the age of 76.
• Fosbury won the gold medal in the high jump at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, using a revolutionary "back-first" technique that shifted his centre of gravity.
• This technique, which became known as the Fosbury Flop, replaced the forward-facing straddle technique that had been used for the previous 50 years.
• Today, the Fosbury Flop is still the dominant technique used by modern-day high jumpers.
  

IMPORTANT MCQs FOR 17^th MARCH 2023

1. What is the objective of the MoU signed between the Ministry of Ayush and MoRD?

a. To provide healthcare training to rural youth

b. To provide financial assistance to rural families

c. To empower women and rural poor youth

d. To promote traditional medicine in urban areas

Answer: c. To empower women and rural poor youth

Explanation: The MoU signed between the Ministry of Ayush and MoRD aims to empower women and rural poor youth by providing skill training. The collaboration will develop skilled personnel for the Ayush healthcare system and the training program will include the training of rural youth as panchakarma technicians on a pilot basis. The proposed training will be carried out under the flagship program of the Ministry of Rural Development, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). DDU-GKY aims to diversify the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career ambitions of rural youth.

2. Which wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat has been proposed as the second home for Asiatic lions?

a. Gir National Park

b. Bandhavgarh National Park

c. Kanha National Park

d. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

Answer: d. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary 

Explanation: The Gujarat government plans to translocate 40 adult and sub-adult lions to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in the state, as per a new report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change. The report titled Lion@2047: A vision for Amrutkal identifies Barda sanctuary, which is approximately 100 kilometers away from Gir National Park, as a potential site to accommodate the Asiatic Lions. The translocation of lions to Barda sanctuary could potentially ease the pressure on Gir National Park, which is currently facing issues of overcrowding and could lead to better conservation efforts for the species.

3. What is the objective of the co-branded RuPay Platinum Debit Card introduced by Bank of Baroda and the Tamil Nadu government?

a. To offer personalised solutions to customers

b. To increase the customer base of Bank of Baroda

c. To provide personal accident insurance coverage

d. All of the above

Answer: d. All of the above

Explanation: Bank of Baroda has joined hands with the Tamil Nadu government to introduce a co-branded RuPay Platinum Debit Card in the state, offering personalised solutions. The debit card will be available to the beneficiaries of the 'Pudhumai Penn' scheme launched by the state government. The card provides personal accident insurance coverage up to Rs 2 lakh per annum, and the joining and annual fees for the first year have been waived. Bank of Baroda has stated that this partnership will enable it to increase its customer base and deliver customised solutions that will aid the state's financial inclusion initiatives.

4. What is the projected growth rate for India's GDP in fiscal year 2024, as per Crisil's report?

a. 7%

b. 6%

c. 6.8%

d. 5%

Answer: b. 6%

Explanation: India's GDP growth is projected to be 6% in fiscal year 2024 by rating agency Crisil, lower than the 7% estimated by the National Statistical Organisation (NSO) for fiscal year 2023. Crisil also predicts that the Indian economy will average a growth rate of 6.8% over the next five fiscal years. The rating agency expects corporate revenue to log a double-digit increase next fiscal year. Crisil stated that a complex interplay of geopolitical events,

5. Who has been re-elected as FIFA President for the third time?

a. Rajesh Gopinath

b. K Krithivasan

c. Gianni Infantino 

d. Vishal Mishra

Answer: c. Gianni Infantino

Explanation: Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as the president of FIFA until 2027, standing unopposed at the congress of world football’s governing body. He was elected for his third term by acclamation by delegates from the 211 member federations.

6. Who has been named as the CEO Designate of TCS?

a. Rajesh Gopinath

b. K Krithivasan

c. Vishal Mishra

d. Dick Fosbury

Answer: b. K Krithivasan

Explanation: K Krithivasan has been named as the CEO Designate of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services company. He will succeed Rajesh Gopinathan, who unexpectedly resigned as chief executive and managing director on Thursday.

7. What is the name of the system being inducted by the Indian Air Force to identify friendly forces in combat?

a. Vayulink

b. Irani Cup

c. Fosbury Flop

d. Airlink

Answer: a. Vayulink

Explanation: The Indian Air Force is inducting the 'Vayulink' system to identify friendly forces in combat. The Vayulink system will help Indian armed forces identify friendly forces in a joint battlespace, facilitating better coordination during complex operations.

8. Who won the Z R Irani Cup 2023?

a. Rest of India

b. Madhya Pradesh

c. Bombay

d. Karnataka

Answer: a. Rest of India

Explanation: Rest of India has won the Z R Irani Cup 2023 by defeating Madhya Pradesh. They defeated Madhya Pradesh by 238 runs in the Irani Cup.

9. Who is the author of the new book "Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform"?

a. Rachna Bisht Rawat

b. Rajesh Gopinath

c. K Krithivasan

d. Gianni Infantino

Answer: a. Rachna Bisht Rawat

Explanation: Rachna Biswat Rawat is the author of the new book "Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform." The book features in-depth interviews with Rawat's friends, family members and comrades, making it a comprehensive tribute to one of India's greatest military leaders.