The Covid situation in India has been becoming "bad to worse over the last few weeks,"

New Delhi: 

The Covid situation in India has been becoming "bad to worse over the last few weeks," the Centre said on Tuesday. "Trends show the virus is still very active just when we think we can control it, it sparks back," said VK Paul, chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration. He, however, denied that the mutated strains have a role to play in this surge. States are being told to enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour -- "Use the law, use fine... people need to wear a mask," he said.

Here are the Top 10 points in this big story:

1. "Punjab is neither doing adequate number of tests, nor is isolating infected people properly. Maharashtra has 3.37 lakh active cases. Death has increased from 32 in Feb to 118 now. Karnataka needs to improve testing and isolation," VK Paul said, discussing the situation in the states.
2. Delhi, taken as one district, is among top 10 COVID-19 high-burden districts. Eight such districts are from Maharashtra, he added.
3. "We have taken pride that fatality has been low. But the death rate is now at four times -- at 271 from 73. The virus needs to be eliminated," Mr Paul said. "We want to emphasize that without contact tracing, quarantining, isolation etc. we cannot contain the virus," he added.
4. Denying that there is an Indian variant of the virus, Mr Paul said "There is a concept of virus shift drift and shift. There is no such thing as an Indian strain. It is not a cause to panic". Mutations, he said, are sporadic and "not significant".
5. The ministry also said the presence of foreign mutant variants of the virus is low. Of the 11,064 genome samples sequenced in 10 national laboratories, the scientists have found 807 cases of the UK variant, 47 South African variant and one of the Brazilian variant so far.
6. The Centre has told the states that there should be saturation of vaccination for priority age groups in districts that are reporting a surge in cases.  As of March 30 morning, 6.11 lakh vaccine doses have been administered.
7. All private facilities must be utilised optimally for vaccination, Mr Paul said. The facility must have adequate space for waiting, vaccination and observation room. The hospital must have a functional cold chain storage, adequate number of verifier and vaccinators. They must also have facilities to address adverse events following immunization.
8. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has said there are seven more COVID-19 vaccine candidates in various stages of clinical trials, and a further two dozen in pre-clinical trials, At present India has two vaccines - AstraZeneca and Oxford University's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.
9. Both Covaxin and Covishield are effective against the UK, Brazilian variant of the virus, the government said. Work is on against the South African variant.
10. More than 68,000 new cases were reported on Monday, the most in a day since October. On Tuesday morning, more than 56,000 fresh cases were reported, taking the country's active caseload to nearly 5.5 lakh.

Daily updates 11 March 2021

11 March 2021
-------------------------------
11th March 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

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 banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 11th March 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

International News

1. Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou wins Africa’s top prize

• Mahamadou Issoufou, the incumbent President of Niger has won the “2020 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership”, the world’s largest leadership prize, worth $5 million.
• He is the sixth winner of the Ibrahim Prize since it was introduced in 2006, by Sudanese billionaire Mo Ibrahim’s foundation to promote good governance in the world’s poorest continent.
• The 69-year-old Issoufou is stepping down as president of Niger in April 2021, after serving two terms in office. He first took office in 2011 and was then re-elected in 2016.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Niger Capital: Niamey.
• Niger Currency: West African CFA franc.

2. China and Russia Inks MoU to jointly build Lunar Space Station

• The space agencies of China and Russia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of their national governments, to jointly construct a lunar space station that will be open to all countries.
• The MoU was officially signed between the Chinese space agency, China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Russian space agency Roscosmos, on March 09, 2021.
• Dubbed as the “International Scientific Lunar Station (ISLS)”, the centre will be a “complex of experimental and research facilities” created on the moon’s surface and/or in orbit of the moon.
• The goal of setting up ISLS is strengthening research cooperation and promoting the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes in the interests of all mankind.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• China Capital: Beijing.
• China Currency: Renminbi.
• China President: Xi Jinping.
• Russia President: Vladimir Putin.
• Russia Capital: Moscow.
• Russia Currency: Russian Ruble.

Banking News

3. MeitY released the list of “Digital Payment Scorecard”

• The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has released the list of “Digital Payment Scorecard”. In the list, the State Bank of India (SBI) has topped for the third consecutive months.
• The digital payment scorecard tracks the performance of the Commercial Banks on several digital parameters. SBI maintained the top remitter bank by recording the highest UPI transaction volume which accounted for nearly Rupees 640 million.
• SBI has also emerged as the largest issuer of debit cards. It issued over 290 million debit cards with a 30% market share with respect to card spends and 29% share with respect to transaction volume. Bank has also made steady progress with respect to increasing payment acceptance infrastructure.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara.
• SBI Headquarters: Mumbai.
• SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.

4. RBI removes PCA restrictions on IDBI Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India has removed IDBI Bank from its enhanced regulatory supervision or Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework.
• It was noted that as per published results for the quarter ending December 31, 2020, the bank is not in breach of the PCA parameters on regulatory capital, net NPA and leverage ratio.
• The bank has also provided a written commitment that it would comply with the norms of minimum regulatory capital, net NPA and leverage ratio on an ongoing basis and has apprised the RBI of the structural and systemic improvements that it has put in place which would help the bank in continuing to meet these commitments.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• IDBI Bank CEO: Rakesh Sharma.
• IDBI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

5. Axis Bank launches "Wear N Pay" contactless payment wearable devices

• Axis Bank has launched a range of wearable contactless payment devices under the brand Wear ‘N’ Pay. These devices come in different forms of wearables like a band, key chain and watch loop and are available starting at Rs 750.
•  The wearables are directly linked to the bank account of an Axis Bank customer and function like a regular debit card. It allows purchases at any merchant store which accepts contactless transactions.
• Axis Bank's new 'Wear N Pay' devices are available in a variety of accessories like the band, key chain, and watch loop.
• Users do not need to carry their smartphones and wallet for payments anymore. These wearable devices can be worn easily to carry out contactless transactions on the go.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Axis Bank Commenced operations: 1994.
• Axis Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Axis Bank Tagline: Dil Se Open.
• Axis Bank MD and CEO: Amitabh Chaudhry.

Defence News

6. India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK II commences in Ranikhet

• The India - Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK II has commenced in Foreign Training Node Chaubatia, Ranikhet in Uttarakhand. This is the Second Edition of the annual bilateral joint exercise of both armies.
• It will continue till the 19th of this month. The first edition of the exercise was held in Uzbekistan in November 2019. 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and the Indian Army are participating in the exercise.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Capital of Uzbekistan: Tashkent; Currency: Uzbekistani Som.

• President of Uzbekistan: Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Science and Technology News

7. ISRO Develops Joint Earth Observation Satellite Mission Radar With NASA

• ISRO has completed the development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of producing extremely high-resolution images for a joint earth observation satellite mission with the US space agency NASA. NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) is a joint collaboration for a dual-frequency L and S-band SAR for earth observation.
• NISAR will be the first satellite mission to use two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band) to measure changes in our planet's surface less than a centimetre across.
• The mission is targeted to launch in early 2022 from ISRO's Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district, about 100 km north of Chennai.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• ISRO Chairman: K.Sivan.
• ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• ISRO established: 15 August 1969.
• Acting Administrator of NASA: Steve Jurczyk.
• Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States.
• NASA Founded: 1 October 1958.

Appointments News

8. Girish Murmu re-appointed Chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors

• Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu has been re-appointed as the Chairman of the Panel of External Auditors of the United Nations for the year 2021. Prior to this, Mr Murmu was elected as Chairman of the Panel for 2020 as well.
• At present, the panel consists of 13 countries which are India, Germany, Chile, China, United Kingdom, France, Philippines, Switzerland, Italy, Ghana, Indonesia, Canada and Russia.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• CAG Founded: 1858.
• CAG Headquarters location: New Delhi.

Awards News

9. Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured with 2021 FIAF Award

• Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured with an award by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF).
• The veteran actor will be the first Indian cinema personality to be bestowed with the FIAF Award for his dedication and contribution to the preservation of the world’s film heritage.
• Amitabh Bachchan was nominated for the award by the FIAF affiliate Film Heritage Foundation which is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur a filmmaker & archivist. This foundation is dedicated to preserve, restore, document, exhibit and study the film heritage of India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• FIAF Founded: 17 June 1938; Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

Important Days

10. Central Industrial Security Forces Celebrates its 52nd Raising Day

• The Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) – Raising Day (CRD) is observed on March 10 in India every year. In 2021, the nation is celebrating the 52nd Raising Day of CISF. The basic objective of the CISF is Better “protection and security” of industrial undertakings in both government and private sectors in the country.
• CISF was set up under an Act of the Parliament of India on 10 March 1969, for the better protection and security of industrial undertakings in the country.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Director-General of Central Industrial Security Force: Subodh Kumar Jaiswal.

Obituaries News

11. Veteran Marathi Actor Shrikant Moghe Passes Away

• The Marathi stage and film actor, Shrikant Moghe has passed away. He was popular for his work in both Marathi and Hindi languages. He was born at Kirloskarwadi in the Sangli district of Maharashtra.
• He is known for his performances in Marathi films like Madhuchandra, Sinhaasan, Gammat Jammat and Umbaratha, and plays such as Varyavarchu Varaat and Tuze Aahe Tujapashi.

Miscellaneous News

12. President Ram Nath Kovind presents Baton of Honor to Kiran Bedi

• President Ram Nath Kovind has presented a baton of honour and a letter of appreciation to former Puducherry lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The former Puducherry lieutenant governor received a Baton of Honor decorated with the emblem of the Indian Republic and the appreciation letter recognizing her service in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Kiran Bedi was removed as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry on February 16 by the President of India and Tamilisai Soundararajan took additional charge as the Lieutenant Governor on February 18.

13. Deepika Padukone joins WEF list of Young Global Leader

• Actor Deepika Padukone has joined the list of the Young Global Leaders (YGLs) compiled by the World Economic Forum. The list also includes several Indian citizens and India-origin persons.
• They join a group of Nobel Prize recipients, Pulitzer winners, heads of state and chief executive officers committed to improving the state of the world.
• The Forum of Young Global Leaders was founded in 2005 by Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF, to create a world where leaders take responsibility for a sustainable future while meeting increasingly complex and interrelated challenges.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• World Economic Forum Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland.
• World Economic Forum Founder: Klaus Schwab.
• World Economic Forum Founded: January 1971.

Daily updates 05 March 2021

05 March 2021
-------------------------------
5th March 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

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 banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 5th March 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

National News

1. UNGA adopts India-led resolution declaring 2023 as Int'l Year of Millets

• The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The International Year of Millets is aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of the grain and its suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions.
• India's Permanent Mission to the UN also distributed savoury millet snack murukku to all UN Member States.
• The 193-member General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution, declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
• The resolution titled International Year of Millets 2023′ was initiated by India with Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia and Senegal and was co-sponsored by over 70 nations.
• The resolution considers the urgent need to raise awareness of the climate-resilient and nutritional benefits of millets and to advocate for diversified, balanced and healthy diets through the increased sustainable production and consumption of millets.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• UN General Assembly President: Volkan Bozkır.
• UN General Assembly Headquarters: New York, United States.
• UN General Assembly Founded: 1945, New York, United States.

International News

2. Australia building world’s first platypus sanctuary

• Australian conservationists have unveiled plans to build the world’s first refuge for the platypus, to promote breeding and rehabilitation as the duck-billed mammal faces extinction due to climate change.
• The Taronga Conservation Society Australia and the New South Wales State government said they would build the specialist facility, mostly ponds and burrows for the semi-aquatic creatures, at a zoo 391 km from Sydney, by 2022.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Australia Capital: Canberra.
• Australia Currency: Australian dollar.
• Australia PM: Scott Morrison.

Appointments News

3. Mary Kom appointed chairperson of AIBA’s champions and veterans committee

• Six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom has been appointed as the Chairperson of the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Champions and Veterans Committee. The 37-year-old was voted to the post by AIBA’s board of directors on March 03, 2021.
• The Committee was formed in December 2020. It consists of the most respected worldwide boxing veterans and champions who have achieved significant results and who are ready to share their experience.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• AIBA Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
• AIBA President: Umar Kremlyov.
• AIBA Founded: 1946.

Agreements News

4. India inks pact with the Philippines for sale of ‘defence equipment

• India has signed a key pact with the Philippines called “implementing arrangement” for “procurement of defence material and equipment”, as per which the country will buy the BrahMos cruise missiles from India.
• Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was also present at the pact's signing ceremony in Manila.
• The BrahMos missile is produced by an India-Russian joint venture “BrahMos Aerospace” and it can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or from land platforms.
• It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.
• Currently, the missile is used only by India, however, several countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Egypt, Oman, Chile and Brunei have expressed interest in the procurement of the missile.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Philippines President: Rodrigo Duterte.
• Philippines Capital: Manila.
• Philippines Currency: Philippine peso.

Ranks and Reports News

5. Ease of Living Index 2020 released

• Bengaluru emerged as the top city on the government's Ease of Living Index 2020 that was released by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Pune was second and Ahmedabad was ranked third among 111 cities.
• A total of 111 cities under the Smart Cities Program, participated in the assessment exercise that was conducted in 2020.

Million+ category

• Bengaluru emerged as the top performer in this category.
• This was followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Vadodara, Indore, and Greater Mumbai respectively.

Less than Million category

• In this group, Shimla was ranked the highest in ease of living.
• This was followed by Bhubaneshwar, Silvassa, Kakinada, Salem, Vellore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Davangere, and Tiruchirappalli.

6. 11th QS World University Rankings 2021 released

• The 11th edition of the QS World University Rankings was released on March 04, 2021. The QS World University Rankings 2021 ranks the top 1,000 universities from around the world, covering 80 different locations. There are 47 new entrants on the list.
• The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the United States has retained its top position as the best university for the ninth year in a row.
• Stanford University, the United States and the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom are the second and third best University globally in QS World University Rankings 2021.
• The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay has emerged as the best institution. It is placed at 172 positions. No institute in India is in the top 100.

7. Indore and NDMC tops Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020

• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has released the final rankings of the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020. The ranking has classified municipalities into two categories based on their population which are: million-plus category and the less than million categories.
• The Municipal Performance Index will help Municipalities in better planning and management, filling the gaps in city administration, and improving the liveability of cities for its citizens.

Million plus population category

• Indore has topped this list, followed by Surat and Bhopal.

Less than a million category

• New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) emerged as the leader, followed by Tirupati and Gandhinagar.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: Hardeep Singh Puri.

Science and Technology News

8. SpaceX successfully tests Starship SN10 prototype rocket

• Elon Musk owned private rocket company, SpaceX successfully tested its Starship prototype rocket “SN10 “ after two recent failed attempts. SpaceX launched the rocket prototype, to an altitude of 10,000 kilometres and then landed back on the ground. However, the rocket exploded about six minutes after landing.
• The SN10 is an early prototype of the Starship Mars rocket of SpaceX which aims to get people and payloads to the moon, Mars and other distant destinations.
• This rocket is also a part of the company’s strategy to phase out its other flight hardware including, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and Dragon cargo and crew capsules, and let Starship shoulder the entire load.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• SpaceX founder & CEO: Elon Musk.
• SpaceX president & COO: Gwynne Shotwell.
• SpaceX Founded: 2002.
• SpaceX Headquarters: California, United States of America.

Awards News

9. WAN-IFRA names The Hindu Group ‘Champion Publisher of the Year 2020’

• The Hindu Group won two golds and two silvers at South Asian Digital Media Awards given by WAN IFRA (World Association of News Publishers), culminating in being named ‘Champion Publisher of the Year’, owing to the highest tally on the points table.
• The awards are presented in recognition of outstanding work done by news publishers, in digital media. The winners were honoured virtually at the Digital Media India 2021 Conference held on March 3, 2021.

Sports News

10. Kieron Pollard becomes 3rd Man to Hit 6 Sixes in an over

• Kieron Pollard hit six sixes in an over to guide West Indies to a comprehensive four-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first game of their three-match T20 series.
• Pollard joins former India batsman Yuvraj Singh as the only other player to hit six sixes in an over in T20 cricket, and just the third man to hit six sixes in an international match, emulating Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa) and Yuvraj Singh (India).
• Pollard achieved the feat when he hit Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya out of the park 6 times in the 6th over of West Indies' successful chase in the first T20I at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
• Sri Lanka leg-spinner Akila Dananjaya (3-62) was the unfortunate bowler, pummelled in all directions by Pollard, and this coming after he had taken a hat-trick in his previous over.

11. J&K tops medals tally at Khelo India Winter National Games

• Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir topped the medals tally in the second edition of the Khelo India Winter National Games.  J&K won 11 gold, 18 silver and 5 bronze medals.
• The five-day mega sports event which began on the 26th of February concluded in the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. The event was e-inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The second edition of the Khelo India winter games is a major step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a hub of the winter games.
• In the event, more than 1,000 athletes from 27 states and union territories took part.
• The event was organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir: Manoj Sinha.

Miscellaneous News

12. India to commemorate ‘Chabahar Day’ on 4 March

• The Ministry of External Affairs India will commemorate ‘Chabahar Day’ on March 4 on the sidelines of the Maritime India Summit 2021 being held in New Delhi.
• The virtual event will see the participation of ministers from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
• The Summit is being held from March 2-4, 2021. The ministerial-level opening session would be followed by two webinar sessions namely the ‘Boosting Business through Trade Promotion and Regional Connectivity’ and ‘Development of Port Infrastructure: Unleashing Opportunities’.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Daily news 2 March 2021

02 March 2021
-------------------------------
2nd March 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

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 banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 2nd March 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

National News

1. India describes Sri Lanka 'Priority One' partner in defence

• Indian High Commission in Colombo has described the island nation of Sri Lanka as its "Priority One" partner in the defence sphere and reiterated the assurance of fullest cooperation in the field of defence and security.
• The assertion comes at a time when the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is gearing up for the celebration of its 70th anniversary on 2 March.
• The SLAF is celebrating its 70th Anniversary on March 2 and to commemorate the historical event, a Fly Past and an Aerobatic Display are being organised for the first time in the country at a grand scale.
• A total of 23 Indian Air force (IAF) and Indian Navy aircraft will also partake in the event. Indian High Commission has called the participation indicative of the growing cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between the armed forces of the two nations.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Sri Lanka Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
• Sri Lanka President: Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
• Sri Lanka Currency: Sri Lankan rupee.

2. Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurates Global Bio India 2021

• The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the second edition of Global Bio-India-2021 in New Delhi through virtual mode. The three-day event will be held from March 01 to 03, 2021, on a digital platform.
• The purpose of the event is to showcase the strength and opportunities of the biotechnology sector of India at the national as well as international level. The Government of India has a target of building a USD 150 billion bio-economy by 2025.
• The theme of Global Bio-India-2021: “Transforming lives” with the tag line “Biosciences to Bio-economy”.
• The event is co-organised by the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science & Technology along with its Public Sector Undertaking, and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in partnership with industry association Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Invest India.

International News

3. Russia launches first Arctic-monitoring Satellite ‘Arktika-M’

• The Russian space corporation Roscosmos successfully launched its first satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment. The satellite called “Arktika-M”, was launched on February 28, 2021, onboard Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
• This satellite will help to collect information to solve operational meteorology and hydrology problems, and monitoring the climate and environment in the Arctic region.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Russia President: Vladimir Putin.
• Russia Capital: Moscow.
• Russia Currency: Russian Ruble.

4. Ghana becomes the world's first nation to receive COVAX vaccines

• Ghana has become the first country in the world to receive vaccines acquired through the United Nations-backed COVAX initiative with a delivery of 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India. 
• Ghana is among 92 low-and middle-income countries that are receiving vaccines for free through COVAX. Another 90 countries and eight territories have agreed to pay if they choose to receive vaccines through COVAX.
• The vaccines, delivered by UNICEF, arrived at Accra’s international airport and are part of the first wave of Covid-19 vaccines being sent by COVAX, an international cooperative program formed to make sure low- and middle-income countries have fair access to COVID-19 vaccines.
• COVAX is led by the United Nation’s World Health Organization; Gavi, a vaccine group; and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Ghana President: Nana Akufo-Addo.
• Ghana Capital: Accra.
• Ghana Currency: Ghanaian cedi.

5. UN body recommends Bangladesh graduation from LDC

• The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended the graduation of Bangladesh from the category of Least Developed Country (LDC). Bangladesh has fulfilled the eligibility criteria in terms of per capita income, human assets and economic and environmental vulnerability.
• This is the second consecutive time since 2018 that the CDP has made the recommendation for Bangladesh for graduation from the LDC category. Myanmar and Lao PDR also met the criteria for the 2nd time.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina; Capital: Dhaka; Currency: Taka.
• President of Bangladesh: Abdul Hamid.

Appointments News

6. Tenure of PC Mody as CBDT Chairman extended for 3 months

• The re-appointment of Pramod Chandra Mody as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has been extended for a further period of three months. He is a 1982-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, was appointed as the CBDT chief in February 2019.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved an extension for a period of three months with effect from March 1, 2021, to May 31, 2021. Earlier, Mr Mody's tenure was last extended in August last year for six months.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Central Board of Direct Taxes Established: 1924.
• Central Board of Direct Taxes Headquarters: New Delhi.

7. Jaideep Bhatnagar takes over as Principal Director General of PIB

• The former head of the News Services Division of All India Radio, Jaideep Bhatnagar, took over as Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau.
• Prior to his current charge as head of the organisation, Bhatnagar has worked in PIB for six years in different capacities. He will take over from Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, who superannuated on February 28, 2021.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• PIB has its Headquarters in New Delhi.
• The Press Information Bureau was established in June 1919.

8. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh takes over as ENC chief

• Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of Eastern Naval Command (ENC).
•  He replaces Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain. Atul Kumar Jain has been transferred to New Delhi to assume charge as the Vice Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
• Vice Admiral A.B. Singh inspected the ceremonial guard and reviewed platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of the ENC. He was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Eastern Naval Command Headquarter: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Eastern Naval Command Founded: 1 March 1968.

Awards News

9. Golden Globe Awards 2021 announced

• The Golden Globe Awards 2021 was held to recognise excellence in film, both American and international, and American television.
• This was the 78th edition of the annual event, which honoured the best in American television, as well as film in 2020 and early 2021, as chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
• American TV series “The Crown” won the most awards for the ceremony with four awards. Late American actor Chadwick Boseman won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in Drama category, posthumously, for his portrayal of Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

To read the complete article: Click here

Sports News

10. Vinesh Phogat wins gold in Ukraine wrestling event

• Star Indian wrestler, Vinesh Phogat has defeated 2017 world champion Vanesa Kaladzinskay of Belarus to win a gold medal at the XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial tournament, held in Kiev, Ukraine.
• Haryana’s Bhiwani-based Vinesh won in the 53kg bout with a 10-8 lead. She is the only Indian woman wrestler to have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics Games in the 53 kg category.

Important Days

11. Zero Discrimination Day: 01 March

• Zero Discrimination Day is an annual day celebrated on 1 March each year by the United Nations and other international organisations. Zero Discrimination Day is celebrated to promote and celebrate everyone’s right, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, skin colour, etc.
• Zero Discrimination Day aims to raise the voice for the right to live life with dignity, despite one’s choices, beliefs, profession, education, disability or even illness.
• The theme of Zero Discrimination Day 2021: “End Inequalities”.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• UNAIDS Executive Director: Winnie Byanyima.
• UNAIDS Founded: 26 July 1994.

12. 45th Civil Accounts Day celebrated on 01 March 2021

• The Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) observes the “Civil Accounts Day” every year on March 01, 2021, since its inception in 1976.
• The year 2021 marks the 45th Civil Accounts Day celebrations. ICAS is one of the Civil Services of India, under the Department of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance.
• Initially, the ICAS was carved out from the Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA & AS), through the promulgation of an Ordinance amending the C & AG’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Amendment Act, 1976.

Miscellaneous News

13. International Yoga festival begins in Rishikesh

• The International Yoga Festival was inaugurated by the Agriculture Minister of Uttarakhand Subodh Uniyal, head of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) Narendra Giri and Patanjali Yogpeeth chairman Acharya Balakrishna in Rishikesh.
• The festival is being jointly organised by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN).
• Yoga has played a very vital role in boosting immunity especially during the time of Covid. The regular practice of Yoga has helped in keeping the diseases away from the body. Yoga is also a cure for many diseases that are hard to treat using medical science.” The aim of Yoga is not only to keep us fit but also to end the negativity within human beings.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat.
• Governor of Uttarakhand: Baby Rani Maurya.

14. Land Ports Authority of India Celebrates its 9th Foundation Day

• The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) has celebrated its 9th Foundation Day on 01 March 2021.
• The Land Ports Authority of India or LPAI is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing border infrastructure in India. It manages several Integrated Check Posts all across Borders of India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Land Ports Authority of India Chairman: Aditya Mishra.
• Land Ports Authority of India Founded: 1 March 2012.
• Land Ports Authority of India Parent organization: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Land Ports Authority of India Headquarters: New Delhi.

Daily news 3 March 2021

03 March 2021
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3rd March 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

Here is the Daily GK Update of 3rd March 2021 covering the following news headlines: Sansad TV, UAE ambassador, Gharoki Pechan, Chelik Naam, Central Bank Of India, Central Reserve Police Force.

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 banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 3rd March 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

National News

1. Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV merged into Sansad TV

• The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Television channels that broadcast the proceedings of the upper and lower Houses of Parliament, respectively, have been merged into a single entity.
• The new channel has been named the ‘Sansad Television’. This change is effective from March 01, 2021.
• Ravi Capoor, a retired IAS officer of the 1986 batch, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sansad TV for one year.
• The decision to change the name was jointly taken by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

International News

2. Israel officially receives first-ever UAE ambassador

• Israel's president has formally received the first-ever ambassador from the United Arab Emirates, following last year's historic agreement between the countries to normalise ties. UAE envoy Mohamed Al Khaja, who arrived in Israel, delivered his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at a ceremony in Jerusalem.
• The UAE was the first country to agree to establish full diplomatic relations with the Jewish state under the Abraham Accords, a pact brokered by former US President Donald Trump.
• The agreement made the UAE only the third majority Arab country to form official ties with Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan have subsequently joined the Abraham Accords.
• The agreements broke with the longstanding Arab consensus that there should be no normalisation with Israel until it reaches a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Israel Prime minister: Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Israel Capital: Jerusalem.
• Israel Currency: Israeli Shekel.

State News

3. Uttarakhand CM launches ”Gharoki Pechan, Chelik Naam” scheme

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has launched “Gharoki Paachan, Chelik Naam” (daughter”s name is a home”s identity) programme and development schemes worth Rs 42 crore in Nainital.
• Initially, the scheme has been launched in Nainital and later is set to be extended to the entire Uttarakhand.
• The government is working towards women empowerment and 32,000 women groups of the state are being linked with self-employment to make them self-reliant. The state government is also set to implement many public welfare schemes for the benefit of the youth.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat.
• Governor of Uttarakhand: Baby Rani Maurya.

Appointments News

4. Matam Venkata Rao assumes Charge as MD & CEO of Central Bank Of India

• Matam Venkata Rao has taken charge as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Bank Of India. Rao till now held the position of Executive Director at Canara Bank. His appointment is for a period of 3 years with effect from the date of assumption of office on or after March 1, 2021, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
• Rao is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. He is a post-graduate in agriculture from Sri Venkateshwara Agriculture College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Central Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Central Bank of India Founded: 21 December 1911.

5. Kuldiep Singh takes additional charge as CRPF DG

• IPS officer Kuldiep Singh has given an additional charge of CRPF director general (DG) after incumbent chief A P Maheshwari retires.
• Kuldiep Singh is working as the special DG of its central zone, will hold the additional charge of the CRPF head till "the appointment and joining of the successor or until further orders.
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the country's largest paramilitary with an estimated strength of about 3.25 lakh personnel. It is designated as the lead internal security force with its main operational theatres being Left Wing Extremism affected states, counter-terrorist combat in the Kashmir valley and counter-insurgency operations in the northeast.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Central Reserve Police Force Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
• Central Reserve Police Force Formed: 27 July 1939.
• Central Reserve Police Force Motto: Service and Loyalty.

Defence News

6. Indian Air Force to Participate in EX Desert FLAG VI

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Desert Flag-VI, which has been organised from March 03 to 27, 2021 at Al-Dhafra airbase, UAE.
• The purpose of the exercise is to provide operational exposure to the participating forces, train them to undertake simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment, provides an opportunity to enhance their operational capabilities along with the mutual exchange of best practices.
• Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
• The exercise will also see the air forces of the United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain.
• The IAF is participating with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chiefs of Air Staff: Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.

Economy News

7. GST collections up by 7 % to Rs 1.13 lakh cr in February

• The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue collected in the month of February 2021 is ₹ 1,13,143 crore of which CGST is ₹ 21,092 crore, SGST is ₹ 27,273 crore, IGST is ₹ 55,253 crore (including ₹ 24,382 crores collected on import of goods) and Cess is ₹ 9,525 crore (including ₹ 660 crores collected on import of goods).
• Revenues for February are 7% higher than the GST revenues of February 2019. Revenues from the import of goods were 15% higher than Feb ’19.

List of GST Collection previous months

• January 2021: ₹ 1,19,847 crore (All-time Highest).
• December- Rs 1,15,174 crore (All-time Highest).
• November: ₹1.04 lakh crore.
• October 2020: ₹ 1,05,155crore.

Sports News

8. Mumbai City FC win ISL League Football Winners Shield

• Mumbai City FC has scripted a 2-0 triumph over ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) at the GMC Stadium in Goa to bag the ISL League Winners Shield and the coveted AFC Champions League spot that comes with it.
• Mumbai and ATKMB finished level on 40 points, but the former claimed first place with a better head-to-head record. Mumbai City FC became the second-ever Indian club to qualify to the group stages of the AFC Champions League.

9. Indian shuttlers Varun, Malvika win Uganda International titles

• India’s Varun Kapur and Malvika Bansod clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the 2021 Uganda International Badminton tournament in Kampala.
• Varun beat compatriot Sankar Muthusamy 21-18, 16-21, 21-17 in the men’s singles final. Malvika beat compatriot Anupama Upadhyaya in the women singles summit clash 17-21, 25-23, 21-10.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Uganda Capital: Kampala.
• Uganda Currency: Ugandan shilling.
• Uganda President: Yoweri Museveni.

Important Days

10. World Wildlife Day observed globally on 3rd March

• World Wildlife Day is observed globally on the 3rd of March every year to celebrate the beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora present on earth. World Wildlife Day also raise awareness about the benefits that the conservation of wild fauna and flora provides to people living on earth.
• The day also reminds us of the need to fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species causing various wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
• World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2021 under the theme "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet", as a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystems services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• World Wildlife Fund Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland.
• World Wildlife FundFounded: 29 April 1961, Morges, Switzerland.
• President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund: Carter Roberts.

11. World Hearing Day: 3 March

• World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.
• The theme of World Hearing Day 2021 is Hearing care for ALL!: Screen, Rehabilitate, Communicate. World Hearing Day 2021 will mark the launch of the first-ever World Report on Hearing.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Director-general of WHO: Tedros Adhanom.

Obituaries News

12. Lok Sabha MP Nandkumar Singh Chauhan passes away

• Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh, has passed away.
• He was a six-term MP, who was elected as the Lok Sabha MP for the first time in 1996 and got re-elected in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2014 and 2019.

Miscellaneous News

13. Thaawarchand Gehlot launches “Sugamya Bharat App”

• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot has launched the “Sugamya Bharat App”, through a video conference in New Delhi. The minister also launched a handbook entitled “Access – The Photo Digest”.
• The App and the handbook have been developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It is a Crowdsourcing Mobile Application to enable people with disabilities and even the elderly to register accessibility-related problems
• The aim of the app is to sensitising and enhancing accessibility in the 3 pillars of the Accessible India Campaign which includes the built environment, transportation sector and ICT ecosystem in India.
• This handbook is a collection of photographs from across different States and UTs, to act as a tool and guide for stakeholders, to sensitise them about 10 basic features of accessibility and related good-bad practices in easy to understand pictorial form.

All the Best BA’ians for ECGC PO exam!

Daily news 4 March 2021

National News

1. Government amends Insurance Ombudsman Rules 2017

• The Government of India has notified comprehensive amendments to the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017, for better resolution of policyholders’ complaints regarding insurance service deficiencies, in a timely, cost-effective and impartial manner.
• This will help in facilitating the resolution of the complaints with respect to the deficiencies in insurance services in a cost-effective and impartial manner on time.
• The Ombudsman mechanism was administered by the Executive Council of Insurers. This has now been renamed as the Council for Insurance Ombudsmen.
• Earlier, the scope of complaints to Ombudsmen was limited to only disputes, but now it has been enlarged to include deficiencies in service on the part of insurers, agents, brokers and other intermediaries.
• The insurance brokers have also been brought within the ambit of the Ombudsman mechanism. The Ombudsmen has been empowered to pass awards against insurance brokers as well.
• To strengthen the timeliness and cost-effectiveness of the mechanism, policyholders will now be enabled for making complaints electronically to the Ombudsman.
• A complaints management system will be created to enable policyholders to track the status of their complaints online.
• The rules also provide that, the ombudsman can use video-conferencing to hear the cases.

Banking News

2. World Bank plans $100-mn guarantee scheme for solar rooftop projects

• The World Bank plans to introduce a $100-million credit guarantee scheme to boost India’s rooftop solar programme, which has not gained enough traction.
• The scheme will allow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail concessional debt financing for setting up rooftop solar units.
• The World Bank scheme, along with the State Bank of India (SBI) and the MSME ministry to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar units, will help MSMEs access credit of around $1 billion.
• The arrangement will be beneficial for the firms that often do not meet the lending criteria of banks and other financial institutions, with their financial woes been exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States.
• World Bank Formation: July 1944.
• World Bank President: David Malpass.

Business News

3. SBI Mutual Funds Launches First Overseas Fund

• The State Bank of India (SBI) Mutual Funds has launched its first overseas offering on 1 March 2021.
• The fund titled SBI International Access — US Equity FOF is an open-ended fund of funds scheme investing in a mutual fund scheme/ETFs that invest in US markets, which are domiciled overseas.
• The scheme will invest 95-100 per cent of its net assets generally in Amundi Funds – US Pioneer Fund (including ETFs), which invest predominantly in the US markets.
• The customers interested in the scheme are required to invest at least Rs 5,000 for the first time. However, for additional purchase, the minimum application amount is Rs 1,000.
• There is no upper cap for the investment in this fund.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara.
• SBI Headquarters: Mumbai.
• SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.
• SBI Mutual Fund MD & CEO: Vinay Tonse.

Appointments News

4. Manpreet Vohra Appointed India's High Commissioner To Australia

• Senior diplomat, Manpreet Vohra has been appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Australia. Vohra, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is presently Ambassador of India to Mexico.
• He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Mr Vohra’s appointment comes at a time India-Australia ties are at an upswing and the two countries are stepping up cooperation particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Prime Minister of Australia: Scott Morrison.
• The currency of Australia: Australian dollar.
• Capital of Australia: Canberra.

Ranks and Reports News

5. Elon Musk Tops Hurun Global Rich List 2021

• The 10th Edition of Hurun Global Rich List 2021 was released, which ranked 3228 billionaires from 2,402 companies and 68 countries. The report showed that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the world added 8 billionaires every week in 2020 and 421 in a year, taking their total number to a record 3,288.
• Tesla chief Elon Musk bagged the top spot on the Hurun Global Rich List for the first time after adding a massive $151 billion during the year 2020 to take his net worth to $197 billion. 
• Asia’s richest person and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is ranked eighth on the Hurun Global Rich List 2021. The total wealth of Ambani surged by 24% to $83 billion (approximately Rs 6.09 lakh crore).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Hurun Report Chairman and Chief Researcher: Rupert Hoogewerf (Hu Run).
• Hurun Report Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
• Hurun India MD and Chief Researcher: Anas Rahman.
• Hurun India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Science and Technology News

6. Indigenously developed "Spectrograph" commissioned in Nainital

• Indian Scientists at Aryabhatta Research Institute of observational sciences (ARIES), Nainital, have indigenously designed and developed a low-cost optical Spectrograph named as Aries-Devasthal Faint Object Spectrograph & Camera (ADFOSC).
• It has been commissioned on the 3.6-m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
• The ADFOSC spectroscope is the largest of its kind among the existing astronomical spectrographs in India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• ARIES Founded: 20 April 1954.

7. Udaipur Science Centre inaugurated at Udaipur in Tripura

• The Governor of Tripura, Ramesh Bais has inaugurated the Udaipur Science Centre, at Udaipur, Tripura.
• The Udaipur Science Centre has been developed at a cost of Rs 6 crore funded jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Tripura Government and with this; the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) has now set-up science centres in all the northeastern states.
• Science Centres play a vital role in developing a scientific temper in society and inculcating a culture of Innovation among the masses, particularly among students.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Chief Minister of Tripura: Biplab Kumar Deb; Governor: Ramesh Bais.

Important Days

8. National Safety Day: 04 March

• The National Safety Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 4 March by the National Safety Council (NSC) of India. In 2021, we are observing the 50th National Safety Day.
• The purpose of the day is to instil a sense of safety awareness among people by providing them with safety, health and environment-related support services.
• The National Safety Day Theme 2021 is “Sadak Suraksha (Road Safety)”.
• The day is also celebrated to mark the foundation of the National Safety Council, which was set up on 4th March 1966 by the Ministry of Labour, Government of India. The first National Safety Day was observed in 1972.
• Additionally, the National Safety Week is celebrated from 4 March to 10 March by organizing week-long safety campaigns.

9. National Security Day: 04 March

• In India, March 4 is celebrated as National Security Day (Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas) every year, in the honor of the Indian Security Forces.
• The day aims to show gratitude to all the security forces, including policemen, para-military forces, commandos, guards, army officers, and other persons involved in security, who sacrifice their life in maintaining the peace and security of the people of the country.
• 4 March also marks the day when the National Security Council (NSC) of India was established, in 1966 by the Ministry of Labour under the Government of India. The first National Security Day (NSD) was held in 1972.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• National Security Council of India Founded: 19 November 1998.
• National Security Council of India Headquarters: New Delhi.

Miscellaneous News

10. Virat Kohli becomes the first cricketer to have 100 million followers on Instagram

• India captain Virat Kohli became the first cricketer in the world to have 100 million followers on the social media platform Instagram. The 32-year-old Kohli is also the fourth most followed sportsperson on Instagram.
• Portugal football star Cristiano Ronaldo tops the chart with 265 million followers, ahead of Argentina football captain and FC Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar, who are second and third in the list with 186 million and 147 million followers respectively.
• The others in 100 million club are Hollywood actor and former pro-wrestler Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, American singer-songwriter Beyonce, and Ariana Grande.