Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: March 03, 2023
Current affairs are included in significant government exams, including the SSC, RRB NTPC, UPSC CDS, Railways, and more. The current events section of the test is given a higher weightage. This section’s preparatory phase is essential. How well-versed the candidate is in current affairs will determine whether or not they can pass this section. We have analysed the most current news from The Hindu, Indian Express, the Economic Times, and other sources to assist all the contenders in performing well in this part.
Current Affairs: Defence
Indian, Japanese air forces take part in Shinyuu Maitri bilateral exercise
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).
The exercise is being organised on the sidelines of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma Guardian, which is being conducted from 13 February to 2 March at Komatsu in Japan.
Rationale:
The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability between the two air forces.
The IAF is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 with one C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
The exercise’s first phase includes discussions on transport operations and tactical manoeuvring, followed by the second phase of flying drills by IAF’s C-17 and JASDF C-2 transport aircraft.
Indo-Japan Defence Corporation:
Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 marks a significant step in the expanding defence cooperation between India and Japan.
The exercise also allows the respective subject matter experts to interact and study each other’s operational philosophies and best practices.
It comes at a time when the IAF’s heavy lift transport aircraft fleet is also taking part in Exercise Desert Flag VIII in the UAE and Exercise Cobra Warrior in the UK.
Question: 1
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with the Air Force of which of the following countries?
A. Japan
B. Sri Lanka
C. Indonesia
D. Vietnam
Answer: A
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: Science and Technology
India’s first prospective DNA vaccine against dengue
In a significant development in DNA vaccination research, India’s first and only DNA vaccine candidate for dengue has shown promising results.
In preliminary trials on mice, the candidate generated a robust immune response and improved survival rates after exposure to the disease.
Earlier, the world’s first DNA vaccine—ZyCoV-D, was approved in 2021 for emergency use against COVID-19.
About DNA and RNA vaccines:
A DNA vaccine uses a copy of a genetic sequence from a part (i.e., outer or spike-protein) of a pathogen (virus or bacteria) to stimulate the body’s immune system.
More specifically, it is known as a “plasmid DNA vaccine”.
Whereas RNA vaccine uses a copy of a natural chemical called messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce an immune response in humans.
Delivery of mRNA is achieved by lipid nanoparticles. The DNA vaccine is more stable than the RNA vaccine. Unlike RNA vaccines, DNA vaccines have the potential to integrate into the host cell genome.
Benefits of DNA vaccine:
Stability and safety: Vaccines are non-infectious; carry no potential toxicity from viral vectors.
Efficacy and boosting: Stimulate both humoral and cellular arms of the adaptive immune system; pose minimal risk of anti-vector immunity.
Rapid and Scalable manufacturing: Lower cold chain requirements.
Major Issue:
Relatively limited data on safety and efficacy in humans, risk of development of antinuclear antibodies, and induction of antibiotic resistance.
Current Affairs: National
India hosts the first meeting of Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC)
India hosted the first meeting of the Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC) recently in Bengaluru.
India welcomed the delegates from BIMSTEC member countries and briefly explained ongoing cooperation among BIMSTEC countries.
Details:
India’s “Neighbourhood first” and “Act East” policies were highlighted during the meeting. A snapshot of areas where BIMSTEC countries could learn from each other was also presented.
As the Host of the BIMSTEC Energy Centre, India presented on establishing the BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC) in India.
It was conveyed to the member countries that the BEC will be housed on the premises of the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru.
Participants:
The meeting witnessed active participation from member countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
BIMSTEC Energy Centre:
Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand ( BIST- EC) – Economic Cooperation was formed at a meeting in June 1997
Myanmar was admitted in Dec 1997, and the organisation was renamed BIMST-EC
Question: 2
India recently hosted the first meeting of the Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC). Which of the following countries was not a participant in this meeting?
A. Bangladesh
B. Bhutan
C. Nepal
D. Indonesia
Answer: D
Current Affairs: National
Adopt a Heritage scheme
Private firms, companies, and public sector units can enter into agreements with the Union Ministry of Culture to adopt and maintain State-owned archaeological sites or monuments.
To conserve the country’s cultural heritage, the government aims to include the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) for businesses in India.
About the scheme:
The President of India launched the Adopt a Heritage Scheme on World Tourism Day, i.e., 27 September 2017.
Private firms, companies, and public sector units can enter into agreements with the Union Ministry of Culture to adopt and maintain State-owned archaeological sites
Businesses that enter such agreements are going to be known as Monument Mitras
The scheme can lead to the adoption of 500 protected sites by 15 August 2023 and another 500 sites shortly after that.
Fund allocation: Businesses may use their Corporate Social Responsibility funds at select sites to construct and maintain ticket offices, restaurants, museums, interpretation centres, toilets, and walkways.
The Ministry of Tourism has the power of term of MoU of Monument Mitras in case of non-compliance with guidelines, expression of interest (EoI), or any other reason for non-performance.
List of TEN Monuments adopted by companies under the Adopt a Heritage scheme:
Red Fort
Gandikota Fort
The area surrounding Gangotri Temple and Trail to Gaumukh
Stok Kangri Trek in Ladakh
Jantar Mantar
Surajkund
Qutub Minar
Ajanta Caves
Leh Palace
Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi
Question: 3
Which of the following monuments does not come in the ambit of the Centre’s Adopt a Heritage scheme?
A. Red Fort
B. Qutub Minar
C. Jantar Mantar
D. Taj Mahal
Answer: D
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: Awards and Recognitions
Vinod Kumar Shukla wins the 2023 PEN/Nabokov lifetime achievement award
Vinod Kumar Shukla, at 87, has won the PEN America award for lifetime achievement in literature, one of the most coveted literary prizes worldwide, after decades of composing acclaimed novels like Naukar Ki Kameez (1979) and poetry collections like Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992).
PEN/Nabokov Award:
The PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature is awarded biennially by PEN America (formerly PEN American Center) to writers, principally novelists, “whose works evoke to some measure Nabokov’s brilliant versatility and commitment to literature as a search for the deepest truth and the highest pleasure— what Nabokov called the ‘indescribable tingle of the spine’.”
It is one of the most coveted literary prizes worldwide. The winner is awarded $50,000.
The award is financed by the Vladimir Nabokov Foundation, founded by Dmitri Nabokov. It has been called one of the most prestigious PEN prizes.
The PEN American Center awards have been characterised as being among the “major” American literary prizes.
Question: 4
Who among the following has recently won the PEN/Nabokov lifetime achievement award 2023?
A. Vinod Kumar Shukla
B. P.N. Haxar
C. Navneet Roshan
D. Rahul Bhattacharya
Answer: A
Factbook: 02-March-2023
Precision Attack Loitering Munition (PALM 400)
The Indian Army is going to conduct PALM 400 drone tests in Pokhran.
PALM 400 is an armed remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) built by AVision Systems.
It is a joint venture between Israeli firm UVision Air Ltd and Hyderabad-based Aditya Precitech Private Ltd.
It is a high-precision loitering system launched from a canister which can loiter for up to 120 minutes. Speed: 50-140 knots (90-260 km per hour), Height: 3,000-4,000 feet above the ground.
It picks out its target and fires an armour-penetrating projectile from the top – where its armour protection is the least.
New Indian Air Force base in CWS in Eastern Ladakh
The standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared the setting up of an Air Force base in CWS in Eastern Ladakh.
CWS is located in Ladakhi Changthang plateau in the Leh district of Ladakh, UT.
It covers lakes like Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar.
Flora: Devoid of trees, rare and endangered plants can be found throughout the region.
10 yrs post-retirement, a life-size statue of Sachin Tendulkar at Wankhede
A decade after his retirement, there is news about plans to install a life-size statue of Sachin Tendulkar inside the iconic Wankhede stadium, where he played his last game for India.
Tendulkar already has a stand named after him at Wankhede Stadium.
Apart from Sachin, MCA has also honoured former Indian Captain Sunil Gavaskar with a corporate box and batsman Dilip Vengsarkar with a stand.
Life-size statues of cricketers inside stadiums are rare in the country.
However, there are wax statues of several players with stands named after them in their respective state associations.
Also, many former cricketers have their statues at Madame Tussauds in London.
Tendulkar played 200 Test matches, 463 one-day internationals, and one T20 for India. His record of most centuries (100) and most runs in international cricket (34,357) still stands tall and unbroken.
Ravichandran Ashwin replaces James Anderson as number 1 ranked test bowler
Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently jumped to the top of the latest ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings, replacing England pacer James Anderson.
Ashwin claimed the top spot after taking six wickets in India’s emphatic victory over Australia in the second Test in New Delhi.
Ravichandran Ashwin:
He has the record for most wickets in a career which is 686 wickets.
He has the record for most balls bowled in a career which is 31556 balls.
He also has the record for most wickets taken and caught, which is 382 wickets.
He also has the record for the most wickets taken by a fielder, which is 323 wickets.
Question: 5
Which of the following Indian bowlers recently replaced James Anderson as the number 1 ranked test bowler?
A. Ravindra Jadeja
B. Ravichandran Ashwin
C. Jasprit Bumrah
D. Mohammad Shami
Answer: B
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar takes over as Vice Chief of Army Staff
Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar has taken up the post of Vice Chief of the Army Staff as of 01 March 2023.
He has replaced Lieutenant General BS Raju, who has taken over as the head of the Sapta Shakti Command in Jaipur.
Before taking on his new role, Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar served as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) at Army HQ.
His recent appointments demonstrate his expertise in intelligence, operations, force structuring, operational logistics, and tech infusion.
The new Vice Chief of the Army Staff is an alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur and the National Defence Academy.
He was commissioned into the 1 ASSAM REGIMENT in June 1985 and has served in various capacities, including as a commander of the 59 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion (ASSAM).
Karnataka launches ‘Stop Tobacco’ app to curb public smoking
The Karnataka Tobacco Control Cell launched the GPS-based mobile app ‘Stop Tobacco’. The app protects non-smokers from being exposed to cigarette smoking in public places.
If anyone is found smoking in a public place, all that needs to be done is to take a picture of the violator and upload it on the app.
The squad from the tobacco control cell will rush to the spot and slap a fine on the violator.
Out of 22.8% of adults in Karnataka who use tobacco products, 8.8% are smokers, and 16% use smokeless tobacco products.
Assam CM lays the foundation stone for northeast India’s first compressed biogas plant project
The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the first-ever compressed biogas plant project in northeast India occurred at Domora Pathar in Sonapur under the Kamrup district.
The plant is being built by businessmen Pankaj Gogoi and Rakesh Doley under the name Redlemon Technologies.
The plant will have a 5-tonne-per-day production capacity for compressed biogas from raw materials like municipal solid wastes and cattle manure.
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