17 March 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 17 March 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 17 March 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 – 17 March 2023
Polio Ravivar 2023: Celebrating National Vaccination Day in India
National Vaccination Day 2023: Every year on March 16, India observes National Vaccination Day, also known as “Polio Ravivar,” to raise awareness and promote polio vaccination. National Vaccination Day is an annual event observed in various countries to promote vaccination and increase public knowledge about its significance. The day is observed on different dates in different countries, but the primary goal is to encourage people to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves from communicable diseases.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Significance of National Vaccination Day
The importance of Indian National Vaccination Day, also known as “Polio Ravivar,” is found in its role in promoting vaccination and eradicating polio in India. Over the years, the immunization campaign proved to be a tremendous success, with India being officially declared polio-free in 2014. The effort required the involvement of government agencies, healthcare workers, volunteers, and the general public.
Today, National Vaccination Day serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccines and the critical role they play in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It also highlights the importance of continuing to promote vaccination and ensure that everyone has access to life-saving vaccines.
History of National Vaccination Day
In India, National Vaccination Day was first observed on March 16, 1995, as a way to promote vaccination against polio. The day is also referred to as “Polio Ravivar” in Hindi. At the time, India had one of the highest rates of polio cases in the world, and the government launched a massive immunization campaign to eradicate the disease.
The campaign was successful, and India was officially declared polio-free in 2014. National Vaccination Day is still observed in India every year as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and to encourage individuals to continue to receive recommended vaccinations.
National Vaccination Day may have a different history and purpose in other countries. For example, in the United States, National Immunization Awareness Month is observed every August to highlight the importance of vaccines for people of all ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched this month-long campaign in 1994 to promote vaccination and improve public health.
Bhutan’s graduation from the UN list of Least Developed Countries
Bhutan’s graduation from the UN list of Least Developed Countries: The landlocked Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan was recently removed from the list of LDCs, becoming only the seventh country to do so at the United Nations Least Developed Countries (LDC) Summit, which concluded on March 9 in Doha, Qatar.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
How did Bhutan get off the Least Developed Countries (LDC) list:
- Bhutan was included in the first group of LDCs in 1971. However, over the last few decades, it has made remarkable progress on a variety of socio-economic metrics.
- Bhutan first fulfilled the requirements for graduation in 2015, and then again in 2018. Bhutan was therefore scheduled to graduate in 2021.
- However, Bhutan’s request to align the effective graduation date with the completion of the nation’s 12th national development plan in 2023 was deemed legitimate by the UN, and thus the delisting was postponed.
- Bhutan has taken a number of measures to reach this point and the results have been significant.
- Bhutan’s economy has grown more than eightfold in the last two decades, from just under USD 300 million in 2000 to USD 2.53 billion in 2017, with an average annual growth rate of more than 7%.
- Additionally, the percentage of people living in poverty, as determined by the amount of money they make each day, decreased from 17.8 per cent in 2003 to 1.5 per cent in 2017. In the same vein, the percentage of people living below the national poverty line decreased from 23.2 per cent in 2007 to 8.2 per cent in 2017.
- Bhutan has mostly accomplished this by increasing exports of hydropower to India, which now accounts for 20 per cent of its economy.
- The nation also established Brand Bhutan in an effort to diversify exports while acknowledging the modest size of its local market.
What is UN’s Least Developed Countries(LDCs) List:
- The UN in the 1960s began to recognise some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged countries in the international community, considering factors such as development capacity, socio-economic parameters, lack of domestic financing, and geographical location.
- In 1971, the UN officially established the category of LDCs to attract particular support for them.
UN list of least developed countries:
There are currently 46 economies designated by the United Nations as the least developed countries (LDCs), entitling them to preferential market access, aid, special technical assistance, and capacity-building on technology among other concessions.
These 46 LDCs are distributed among the following regions:
- Africa (33): Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia
- Asia (9): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Timor-Leste and Yemen
- Caribbean (1): Haiti
- Pacific (3): Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu
What are the benefits of graduating from LDC List?
Bhutan’s removal from the LDC list is expected to provide several benefits, including increased access to international financial markets, increased foreign direct investment, and improved trade opportunities.
It is also expected to boost Bhutan’s international image and attract more tourists to the country, which is known for its natural beauty and unique culture. The graduation also highlights the importance of sustainable development and good governance in achieving economic growth and reducing poverty.
CRISIL forecasts India’s GDP growth at 6% for next FY against NSO’s projection of 7%
CRISIL forecasts India’s GDP growth at 6% for next FY against NSO’s projection of 7%: CRISIL expects India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth to touch 6% in fiscal 2024, compared with 7% estimated by the National Statistics Office (NSO) for fiscal 2023.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Why the India’s GDP Growth On a Downturn:
A complex interplay of geopolitical events, stubbornly high inflation — and sharp rate hikes to counter that — have turned the global environment gloomier.
On the domestic front, the peak impact of the rate hikes — 250 basis points since May 2022, which has pushed interest rates above pre-Covid-19 levels — will play out in fiscal 2024.
Inflation Expectation By the CRISIL:
Consumer inflation is expected to fall to 5.0% on average in fiscal 2024, down from 6.8% in fiscal 2023, as a result of the high base effect and some softening in crude and commodity prices. A good rabi harvest would help cool food inflation, while the slowing economy should moderate core inflation.
The risks to inflation are tilted upward, given the ongoing heat wave and the World Meteorological Organization’s prediction that an El Niño warming event is likely over the next couple of months.
Exports Growth Prediction:
Merchandise exports are expected to grow at a slower pace of 2-4% in fiscal 2024, following a 5-7% increase in fiscal 2023, with the PLI scheme supporting demand through global supply chain diversification and ‘friend-shoring’ strategies.
India’s GDP growth forecast by various financial organizations:
NSO GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 8.9%
NSO stands for National Statistical Office
Fitch GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 8.4%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 7%
RBI GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.5%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 6.3%
Moody GDP forecast for India
• For calendar year 2022 ➥ 8.8%
• For calendar year 2023 ➥ 5.4%
ADB GDP forecast for India
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥7%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 8%
• ADB stands for Asian Development Bank
World Bank GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 8.3%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 6.5%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 6.8%
IMF GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7.4%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 6.9%
FICCI GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.1%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7.4%
OECD GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.4%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 6.9%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 5.5%
Goldman Sachs GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.1%
CRISIL GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.5%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7.3%
UN (United Nations) GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 4.6%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 6.4%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 6%
CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.5%
India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 8.6%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7-7.2%
Economy Survey GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 11%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 8-8.5%
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 9.5%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7.3%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 6.5%
ICRA (Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency) GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 8.5%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7.2%
SBI (State Bank of India) GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2022-23) ➥ 6.8%
Morgan Stanley GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 10.5%
• FY23 (2022-23) ➥ 7.2%
• FY24 (2023-24) ➥ 6.7%
CARE Rating GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 8.8 to 9%
Nomura GDP forecast for India
• FY22 (2021-22) ➥ 10.8%
• FY22 (2022-23) ➥ 4.7%.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Named ‘Governor of the Year’ by Central Banking
“Governor of the Year” for 2023: The Reserve Bank of India’s Governor, Shaktikanta Das, has been named “Governor of the Year” for 2023 by Central Banking, an international economic research journal. The publication praised Das for his steady leadership during challenging periods, including the collapse of a significant non-banking company, the initial and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, and inflationary pressures due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
This is the second time an Indian central bank governor has received the award, the first being Raghuram Rajan in 2015. Das’s leadership at RBI was critical in implementing essential reforms, innovative payment systems, and growth-oriented measures during the pandemic. He skillfully navigated political pressures and economic crises, earning accolades for his efforts.
Despite the fact that the National Bank of Ukraine received the Central Bank of the Year award, Das was deemed a deserving recipient of the Governor of the Year award due to his leadership during times of crisis and significant contributions to India’s economic reforms. Das’s ability to navigate political pressures and economic challenges with skill and professionalism, earning him praise from his peers and the Indian public. This award acknowledges his outstanding contributions to India’s economic growth and development, and highlights the importance of strong leadership in managing complex economic challenges.
Eric Garcetti appointed as US Ambassador to India
US ambassador to India: Eric Garcetti has been named as the new US Ambassador to India by the US Senate Committee. Despite being nominated by President Joe Biden almost two years ago, Garcetti’s appointment had been pending until now. Eric Garcetti served as the President of the City Council of Los Angeles for four consecutive terms and is known to be a close acquaintance of President Biden. He has also emerged as a leader within the Democratic Party. Garcetti’s tenure as mayor of Los Angeles, on the other hand, lasted nine years and was not without controversy. There was a contentious incident that occurred during his presidency in 2020.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Eric Garcetti’s nomination for the prestigious diplomatic posting as the US Ambassador to India had been pending before the US Congress since July 2021, when President Biden nominated him for the position. Prior to his confirmation, the position had remained vacant for more than two years. However, during President Biden’s first two years in office, some lawmakers had expressed concerns about Garcetti’s handling of sexual assault and harassment allegations against a former senior adviser, which led to his confirmation being delayed.
Eric’s Career
Before entering politics, Eric Garcetti was a guest lecturer of International Affairs at the University of Southern California, where he taught courses in diplomacy, public policy, and world affairs. He also served as an officer in the US Navy Reserve for nearly 12 years, starting in 2005. In addition to his political career, Garcetti is known for his passion for jazz piano and photography.
From 2013 to 2022, Garcetti held the position of Mayor of Los Angeles, making him the youngest mayor the city has had in 100 years and the first Jewish person to hold the office. Prior to his time as mayor, he served as the President of the Los Angeles City Council from 2006 to 2012 and as a Councilmember for the 13th District before that.
First abort mission of Gaganyaan in May: Govt
About Abort Mission: The Gaganyaan program aims to demonstrate India’s capability to launch humans into Low Earth Orbit using an Indian launch vehicle and bring them back safely. The programme includes four abort missions, the first of which is scheduled for May 20, 2023. The program also includes several test vehicle missions and an uncrewed mission planned for 2024. The total expenditure as of October 30, 2022, was ₹3,040 crore. The Human-rated Launch Vehicle Systems have been tested and qualified, as have the propulsion system tests. The crew escape system has been designed, and the stage for the first flight has been completed. The Crew Module structure for the TV-D1 mission has been delivered, and all Crew Escape System motors have been static-tested. Batch testing is currently underway.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
What is Gaganyaan program?
The Gaganyaan program is India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, aimed at demonstrating India’s capability to launch humans into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and bring them back safely. The program involves designing, developing, and launching a crewed spacecraft into space using an Indian launch vehicle.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Space collaborated on the Gaganyaan programme. The program has four main objectives, which are to demonstrate the capability to:
- Design and develop a crew module for human spaceflight.
- Launch a crewed spacecraft into orbit.
- Provide life support and other essential systems for the crew.
- Recover the crew module safely after the mission.
The program has a budget of around Rs 10,000 crore and aims to launch the first crewed mission by the end of 2024. The crewed spacecraft will carry two or three Indian astronauts to LEO, where they will stay for up to seven days before returning to Earth.
The Gaganyaan program has several technical challenges, including the design of a crew module, the development of a reliable launch vehicle, and ensuring the safety and well-being of the crew in space. However, if the programme is completed successfully, India will become the fourth country after the United States, Russia, and China to launch humans into space on their own spacecraft.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino re-elected for another term
FIFA president Gianni Infantino re-elected for another term: Gianni Infantino was re-elected as FIFA president until 2027 by acclamation, after highlighting his strong financial performance as a reason for keeping a CEO in their position for life. The decision was made by the congress of FIFA’s 211 member federations, whose annual funding from FIFA has increased from $250,000 to $2 million since Infantino’s first victory in 2016. Following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA now has $4 billion in reserves, and it conservatively predicts a record revenue of at least $11 billion from the 2026 men’s World Cup, which will be hosted in North America.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president in 2016, amid a crisis resulting from a wide-ranging corruption investigation by US federal authorities, which resulted in the removal of numerous soccer officials in the Americas. Sepp Blatter, the long-time FIFA president, was also forced to step down from his position within months of being re-elected. During Infantino’s tenure, FIFA has introduced larger and more lucrative tournaments, which have increased the organization’s revenue and provided more opportunities for national teams to qualify for the men’s and women’s World Cups, despite facing opposition from officials in European soccer.
History of FIFA:
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is an international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer. On May 21, 1904, in Paris, France, it was founded by seven founding members: Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. FIFA is based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Initially, FIFA’s main task was to organize international football matches between national teams, but over the years, it has expanded its role to include regulating the rules of the game, overseeing the organization of international competitions, and developing the sport globally.
FIFA continues to be one of the most influential sports organizations in the world, with 211 member associations and a mission to promote and develop the game of football globally. It organizes various tournaments, including the World Cup, which is the most prestigious international football tournament, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
Veteran actor Sameer Khakhar passes away
Veteran actor Sameer Khakhar passes away : The veteran actor Sameer Khakhar, best known for his role in the 1980s classic Nukkad, passed away at the age of 71. In the early hours of Wednesday, he died from multiple organ failure in a hospital. The actor was admitted to MM Hospital in Borivali in Mumbai on Tuesday morning after he experienced some respiratory issues.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
According to media reports, his brother Gansh stated that Sameer had collapsed earlier this morning. He said Sameer had experienced some respiratory issues yesterday morning, when they called the doctor, he told them to get him admitted. “We took him to the hospital & he was admitted to ICU. He then had multiple organ failures & today at 4.30 am he passed away.” he said.
He rose to fame with his roles in TV shows ‘Nukkad’ and ‘Circus’. He was also featured in ‘Shrimaan Shrimati’, and ‘Adaalat’. He also played vital roles in films, including ‘Hasee Toh Phasee’, ‘Jai Ho’, and ‘Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi’. He was last seen in the OTT series ‘Farzi’.
BIS launches ‘Learning Science via Standards’ initiative for students
BIS launches ‘Learning Science via Standards’ initiative for students : The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched the ‘Learning Science via Standards’ series for students.
The initiative focuses on a series of lesson plans aimed to use scientific concepts, principles, and laws to help students understand their practical applications in manufacturing, functioning, and testing of quality characteristics of different products as stated in the relevant Indian Standards. The subjects for the lesson plans are largely related to products used in day-to-day life and have been chosen based on their relevance to education as part of the course curriculum as well as to industrial applications, BIS said in a statement.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Focus: Aimed to use scientific concepts, principles, and laws to help students understand their practical applications in manufacturing, functioning, and testing of quality characteristics of different products
This series is in a continuum with an earlier BIS initiative under which ‘Standards Clubs’ are being established in educational institutions.
Mary Kom, Farhan Akhtar roped in as brand ambassadors of Women’s Boxing
Mary Kom, Farhan Akhtar roped in as brand ambassadors of Women’s Boxing : The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Monday unveiled the title sponsor for the IBA Women’s World Championships 2023 on Monday and legendary boxer MC Mary Kom and Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar were also announced as the brand ambassadors of the event, scheduled from March 15 to 26 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
BFI also unveiled the title sponsor, Mahindra Automotive for the event. The championship is scheduled from March 15 to 26 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi. India is hosting the World Championships for the third time.
President, Boxing Federation of India: Ajay Singh
RBI has allowed banks from 18 countries to trade in rupee
RBI has allowed banks from 18 countries to trade in rupee: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed banks from 18 countries to open Special Vostro Rupee Accounts (SVRAs) for settling payments in Indian rupees, according to a statement by the government to the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad stated that the SVRAs could be set up by banks of partner countries by approaching Authorised Dealer (AD) banks in India that may get permission from the RBI after due procedure.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
18 Countries: Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Guyana, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and UK
MoS Finance, Bhagwat Karad informed in the Rajya Sabha. In July 2022, govt informed that it would set up a mechanism to settle international trade in rupees.