11 April 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES
Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 11 April 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
So, here is the Top News of the Day for 11 April 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 11 April 2023
National Safe Motherhood Day 2023 observed on 11th April
National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: Every year on April 11, National Safe Motherhood Day is observed with the goal of increasing awareness of proper healthcare to promote the well-being and safety of mothers and expectant mothers. This initiative, launched by the Indian government, aims to decrease the number of maternal and neonatal deaths. In the past, India was recognized as one of the most perilous countries to give birth, responsible for 15% of all maternal fatalities worldwide.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI) established National Safe Motherhood Day as an annual event to emphasise the importance of adequate healthcare facilities for mothers, particularly during pregnancy. The WRAI’s primary aim was to create awareness about healthy healthcare practices, as well as the availability and accessibility of healthcare initiatives for women during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care, and to encourage the government to prioritize maternal health.
National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: Significance
The primary goal of National Safe Motherhood Day is to raise awareness about the critical role of maternal health and the importance of proper medical care during pregnancy and postpartum. The day serves as a reminder to both the government and society to prioritize the health and safety of mothers and their newborns.
Maternal mortality continues to be a significant problem in India, with numerous women dying from avoidable causes related to childbirth. National Safe Motherhood Day emphasises the importance of providing high-quality maternal healthcare services as well as addressing the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to maternal mortality.
History of the National Safe Motherhood Day 2023
As a result of the White Ribbon Alliance India’s persistent work, the Indian government proclaimed April 11 as National Safe Motherhood Day in 2003. This date is also significant because it falls on the birthday of Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s wife and a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer. Since then, National Safe Motherhood Day has been commemorated with a variety of awareness campaigns and events held throughout the country. Each year, the WRAI organizes a range of programs and awareness initiatives centered around a particular theme. The theme for this year’s National Safe Motherhood Day has not yet been announced.
About the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA)
The White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) is a global organization dedicated to promoting maternal and newborn health and rights. It was founded in 1999 and now operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The organization’s mission is to mobilise and empower individuals, communities, and organisations to demand and achieve high-quality maternal and newborn healthcare. The WRA works to promote the health and well-being of mothers and their newborns by advocating for policies and programs that improve access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare services. It also seeks to promote gender equality, women’s rights, and reproductive health and rights.
Legendary theatre actor Jalabala Vaidya passes away
Legendary theatre actor Jalabala Vaidya passes away: Jalabala Vaidya, a renowned theatre artist and co-founder of Delhi’s Akshara Theatre, died at the age of 86. Born in London to Indian author and freedom fighter Suresh Vaidya and English classical singer Madge Franckeiss, Jalabala Vaidya began her career as a journalist and contributed to various national newspapers and magazines in Delhi.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Jalabala Vaidya, who recently passed away, was a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Varisht Samman by the Delhi government, the Tagore Award by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Delhi Natya Sangh Award, the Andhra Pradesh Natya Akademi Honor, and Honorary Citizenship of the City of Baltimore, USA. Jalabala Vaidya married playwright-poet Gopal Sharman after a brief marriage to journalist and columnist C.P Ramachandran. She began her theatrical career with “Full Circle” in 1968 and went on to co-found Akshara Nati. Jalabala Vaidya played lead roles in over 20 plays. These plays include “Full Circle”, “The Ramayana”, “Let’s Laugh Again”, ‘Larflarflarf’, “The Bhagavad Gita”, “The Cabuliwala”, ‘Gitanjali’, and ‘The Strange Case of Billy Biswas”.
India will be third largest economy by 2027-28: Piyush Goyal
India will be third largest economy by 2027-28: Piyush Goyal– In a recent address to the Indian diaspora community in France, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India is set to become the third-largest economy in the world by 2027. India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, has experienced annual growth rates of around 7% on average over the last decade, owing to factors such as a growing middle class and a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
India will be third largest economy by 2027-28: Recent Performances:
Goyal cited the country’s export performance, which reached USD 750 billion in the 75th year of independence, as evidence of India’s upward trajectory.
He also emphasised India’s role as a global pharmacy, food bowl, and trusted partner, with the world looking to Prime Minister Modi to address current global challenges. Goyal affirmed India’s commitment to its partnership with France, and called on the Indian diaspora to play a crucial role in furthering this partnership.
India: A Developed Nation by 2047:
With an ambitious target to become a 30-35 trillion-dollar economy by 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence, the country faces significant challenges such as infrastructure deficits and income inequality, but also boasts a vibrant startup ecosystem and a focus on sustainable development.
Sarnbanada Sonowal Flags Off International Yoga Mahotsav in Dibrugarh
Sarnbanada Sonowal Flags Off International Yoga Mahotsav in Dibrugarh: The Union Minister for AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the International Yoga Mahotsav at the Dibrugarh University Playground to commemorate the upcoming International Day of Yoga 2023, which is only 75 days away.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Significance of this event:
The event aims to promote yoga practices globally, which has gained immense popularity under the initiatives of the Prime Minister. Last year, 125 million people participated in yoga practises, and this year’s goal is to increase that number. Several events were held as part of the 100-day countdown to the event, with this one marking the final 75 days. Additionally, students from 12 foreign countries studying at Dibrugarh University are also participating in the event.
About International Day of Yoga
- The International Day of Yoga is observed annually on June 21st to raise awareness of the health and well-being benefits of yoga practise.
- In 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of a UN-mandated day to celebrate Yoga during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- The resolution to establish the International Day of Yoga was supported by a historic 175 member states.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana sees record ₹50,000 crore surge in balance
PMJDY records highest-ever surge of ₹50,000 crores in account balance: In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme reached a significant milestone. The basic bank accounts under the scheme have registered a record surge of ₹50,000 crores, with the total balance reaching ₹1.99 lakh crore, an increase from ₹1.49-lakh crore in the previous financial year. In addition, 5 crore new accounts have been opened under the scheme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 48.65 crores.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Public sector banks lead as key drivers of the PMJDY scheme
According to a senior SBI official, the significant increase in the total balance on a year-on-year basis indicates the growing use of these accounts for various purposes by both the government and beneficiaries. The scheme is primarily driven by public sector banks, which hold 1.55 lakh crore in deposits, followed by Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) with 38,832 crores. The remaining deposits are held by private sector banks.
The growth of the Jan Dhan scheme over the last five years has been significant, with almost a quarter of the present total balance coming in the year 2022-23. This development is believed to be driven by a healthy rural economy, which gained traction in the last financial year, according to a senior analyst with a private rating agency.
Jan Dhan scheme’s inbuilt insurance cover offers ₹1 lakh accident cover
The RuPay card comes with an inbuilt accident insurance cover of 1 lakh under the Jan Dhan scheme, valid for up to 90 days after the cardholder completes a successful transaction at a merchant establishment, ATM, or e-commerce platform. However, the pace of issuing RuPay cards appears to have slowed down, with only 33 crore cards issued so far out of about 49 crore account holders. Additionally, about 8 percent of PMJDY accounts have zero balances, while the average balance is over ₹2,400, according to RBI data.
World’s first Asian King Vulture conservation and breeding center to be inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj District to Host State-of-the-Art King Vulture Conservation and Breeding Center: In Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district, the world’s first conservation and breeding centre for the critically endangered Asian king vulture is set to open. The center, named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre (JCBC), is spread over 1.5 hectares and is designed to maintain a sustainable population of the species by breeding king vultures in captivity and releasing them into the wild. The JCBC, which costs about Rs 15 crore, includes breeding and holding aviaries, nursery aviaries for juveniles, hospital and recovery aviaries, a food processing centre, and an incubation centre.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
JCBC Aims to Breed at Least 40 Vultures in a 15-year Project
The Asian king vulture, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, is localized primarily to northern India and has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2007 due to the widespread use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine in India, which caused a population collapse in recent years. Veterinary usage of diclofenac has been banned in India, and the JCBC aims to raise at least 40 vultures in captivity over 15 years to ensure the sustainable conservation of the species.
Male Vultures May be Captured for Breeding at Jatayu Centre
According to Gorakhpur DFO Vikas Yadav, the infrastructure for the centre was built as part of the project’s first phase in 2021. The second phase focuses on vulture breeding, with the centre initially housing ten vultures for breeding. The forest department has partnered with the Bombay Natural History Society for technical guidance. Male vultures are known to be more adept at taking care of the chicks, and once the breeding period is over, a male vulture may be captured from the wild and brought to the JCBC for breeding purposes.
INS Vikrant gets back its ‘original’ 1961 bell
INS Vikrant gets back its ‘original’ 1961 bell: The INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, was presented with a special gift in the form of its original bell from the first carrier of the same name commissioned in 1961. On March 22, Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, who recently retired as Vice Chief of Navy Staff, rang the bell for the commanding officer of INS Vikrant.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The INS Vikrant is expected to exhibit the original bell at the carrier to motivate current and future officers and sailors about the warship’s significant history. The bell was installed on the first INS Vikrant carrier in 1961, after India purchased and renamed a British aircraft carrier, HMS Hercules. The original bell was then transferred from the decommissioned carrier, INS Vikrant, to the designated residence of Indian Navy Vice Chief located at Motilal Nehru Marg.
According to Navy officials, bells have traditionally played an important role on warships as they help indicate time to sailors and officers during different duties and emergencies. The previous vice chief decided to return the original bell to INS Vikrant so that it could inspire future sailors and officers about the Indian Navy’s rich history. During the 1971 war, the bell was on the first INS Vikrant, which played an important role in bombarding Pakistan and blocking Karachi harbour. The INS Vikrant is presently undergoing trials for the operations of fighter aircraft from its deck and is expected to become fully operational soon with its own aircraft element.
Project Tiger: India’s tiger population was 3,167 in 2022
Project Tiger: India’s tiger population was 3,167 in 2022- According to the most recent tiger census data released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s tiger population has reached 3,167 in 2022, a significant increase from previous census figures of 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014, and 2,967 in 2018. During the inauguration of the commemoration of 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’, the Prime Minister also launched the ‘International Big Cat Alliance’ that aims to protect and conserve seven major big cats worldwide, including tigers and lions. The Prime Minister emphasized that wildlife protection was a universal issue and that the IBCA was India’s contribution to protecting and conserving big cats. Additionally, he released a booklet named ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Tiger Vision’, which outlines the vision for tiger conservation in the next 25 years.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About the ‘Project Tiger’
‘Project Tiger’ is an Indian tiger conservation programme that began on April 1, 1973, with the goal of protecting and increasing the country’s tiger population. Initially, the project covered nine tiger reserves spread over 18,278 sq km. Currently, there are 53 tiger reserves spanning more than 75,000 sq km, which is approximately 2.4% of India’s geographical area.
The top 10 states with the highest population of Tigers in India are as follows:
| State | Number of tigers |
| Madhya Pradesh | 526 |
| Karnataka | 524 |
| Uttarakhand | 442 |
| Maharashtra | 312 |
| Tamil Nadu | 264 |
| Assam | 190 |
| Kerala | 190 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 173 |
| West Bengal | 88 |
| Rajasthan | 69 |
NASA’s High-Resolution Air Quality Control Instrument Launches
NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument has successfully launched, marking a significant step forward in the monitoring of major air pollutants. The instrument will provide unprecedented resolution, allowing scientists to observe air quality from space with accuracy down to just four square miles. The TEMPO mission aims to revolutionise air quality monitoring, thereby improving life on Earth.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
More About The Launch of NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument:
The instrument was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The payload was carried by the Intelsat 40E satellite, which separated from the rocket 32 minutes after launch. At 1:14 a.m., the signal was acquired. The commissioning of TEMPO will begin in late May or early June.
Significance of The NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument:
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has said that the TEMPO mission is about more than just studying pollution. It aims to improve life on Earth by monitoring the effects of everything from rush-hour traffic to pollution from forest fires and volcanoes. NASA data will aid in the improvement of air quality across North America and the protection of our planet.
The observations provided describe a new scientific instrument that is capable of monitoring air quality over North America at a high resolution and with a high frequency. Because this instrument is in geostationary orbit, it can continuously monitor the same region of the Earth’s surface, allowing for the tracking of changes in air quality over time.
What will it Observe:
The instrument is designed to measure several key pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, and formaldehyde. These pollutants are all known to have harmful effects on human health and the environment, so monitoring their levels is important for understanding and mitigating their impacts.
TEMPO, a NASA instrument, is set to revolutionize the way scientists observe air quality from space by providing unparalleled resolution of monitoring major air pollutants down to four square miles. As a fixed geostationary orbit above the equator, TEMPO will be able to measure air quality over North America hourly during the daytime, surpassing existing limits of about 100 square miles in the U.S.
India contributes USD 2 million to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS)
India contributes USD 2 million to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS): India has contributed USD 2 million to the United Nations Trust Fund in support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, presented the cheque.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
ATMIS was established on April 1, 2022, to reduce the threat posed by the terrorist group Al-Shabaad and to support the Somali Transitional Plan’s implementation towards a full handover of security responsibility to Somali security forces and institutions by the end of 2024. Earlier, India had contributed USD 4 million to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Indian origin American Mathematician CR Rao win 2023 International Prize in Statistics
Indian origin American Mathematician CR Rao win 2023 International Prize in Statistics: Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, a prominent Indian-American mathematician and statistician, has been named for the 2023 International Prize in Statistics, the highest honor in the field. Rao, a 102-year-old mathematician, was chosen for his seminal work 75 years ago, in which he demonstrated three fundamental results that paved the way for modern statistics and provided statistical tools widely used in science.
April 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Rao will receive the $80,000 award in July 2023 at the International Statistical Institute World Statistics Congress in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The International Prize in Statistics is awarded biennially by a collaboration among five leading international statistics organisations, to recognise a major achievement by an individual or team in the statistics field, particularly an achievement of powerful and original ideas that have led to practical applications and breakthroughs in other disciplines.