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 29&30 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 29&30 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 – 29&30 March 2023
International Day of Zero Waste 2023 observed on 30 March
International Day of Zero Waste 2023
On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly recognised the importance of zero-waste programmes and declared March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste beginning in 2023. International Day of Zero Waste will encourage sustainable consumption and production practices and enhance understanding of the ways zero-waste efforts help to achieve the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
According to UN data, approximately 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated each year, with only 55% of it being disposed of in managed facilities. In addition, an estimated 931 million tons of food are either lost or wasted annually, and as much as 14 million tons of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems each year.
International Day of Zero Waste 2023: Significance
The International Day of Zero Waste is significant because it emphasises the importance of reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns. It is observed annually on March 30. The day encourages people to adopt practices that minimize waste, reuse and recycle materials, and reduce the amount of waste generated.
This day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the negative impacts of waste on the environment, including landfills, pollution, and resource depletion. It also aims to promote the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by advancing Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12, which aim to make cities and communities more sustainable and promote responsible consumption and production.
Through various activities and initiatives, such as clean-up campaigns, recycling drives, educational programs, and advocacy campaigns, the International Day of Zero Waste seeks to empower individuals, communities, and organizations to take action towards creating a more sustainable and waste-free world.
International Day of Zero Waste 2023: History
On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste, to be observed annually. The proposal, which was co-sponsored by Turkey and 105 other countries, is part of a series of resolutions that deal with waste, such as “End plastic pollution: towards an internationally legally binding instrument,” which was adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly on March 2, 2022.
On the International Day of Zero Waste, member countries, United Nations organizations, civil society, private companies, academic institutions, young people, and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in activities aimed at promoting awareness of national, subnational, regional, and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to sustainable development. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) jointly oversee the observance of the International Day of Zero Waste.
This international day promotes zero-waste initiatives that address all forms of waste, such as food loss and waste, natural resource depletion, and electronic waste, in order to advance all of the objectives and targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12.
SpiceJet’s Ajay Singh takes over as ASSOCHAM President
SpiceJet’s Ajay Singh takes over as ASSOCHAM President: SpiceJet CEO Ajay Singh has been elected President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). He has replaced Sumant Sinha, who completed his tenure as Managing Director of Renew Power. Sanjay Nayar, the Founder and Chairman of Sorin Investment Fund, has been appointed as the new Senior Vice-President of ASSOCHAM.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Ajay Singh, who has been appointed as the new President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), has a diverse background. Apart from being the Chief of SpiceJet, he is also the President of the Boxing Federation of India and the Vice President of the International Boxing Association. He holds an engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi as well as an MBA from Cornell University in the United States. Singh also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from the Law Faculty at the University of Delhi.
About the ASSOCHAM
ASSOCHAM, or the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, is one of the leading trade associations in India. Established in 1920, it is a non-government, not-for-profit organization that represents the interests of Indian businesses and industry. ASSOCHAM works to promote economic growth and development, and to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in India. The organisation offers a network for businesses to network and engage with policymakers, regulators, and other stakeholders, as well as a variety of services and programmes to help its members. ASSOCHAM also conducts research and analysis on a range of economic and industry-related issues, and publishes reports and publications to disseminate its findings.
601st Meeting of Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India
601st Meeting of Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its 601st meeting in Hyderabad, presided over by Governor Shaktikanta Das, to assess current global and domestic economic conditions, as well as the associated challenges.
More About The Meeting of Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India:
According to a statement released by the RBI, during its meeting, the board evaluated the global and domestic economic scenario, as well as the associated obstacles, taking into account the influence of current global geopolitical events. Additionally, the board deliberated on the RBI’s undertakings during the ongoing 2022-23 accounting year, and approved the budget for the upcoming 2023-24 accounting year.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Need of The Meeting of Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India:
The meeting was held against the backdrop of growing global concern about the collapse of US banks caused by aggressive monetary tightening. Despite the banking crisis, the US Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates by 25 basis points in an attempt to control inflation. The Bank of England and European Central Bank (ECB) have also raised their benchmark interest rates. However, policymakers and experts have reassured that the Indian banking system is well-positioned.
Government imposes surcharge for Google Pay and other payment apps
Government imposes surcharge for Google Pay and other payment apps: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has implemented interchange fees of up to 1.1 percent for prepaid payment instruments used in merchant UPI transactions beginning April 1. The fee, ranging from 0.5 percent and based on the merchant category code, will be charged for UPI payments exceeding ₹2,000 made to online merchants, large merchants, and small offline merchants.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Need of The Interchange fee:
- The purpose of imposing an interchange fee is to compensate payment service providers for the expenses incurred in handling, verifying, and approving transactions.
- Consequently, this fee increase is anticipated to result in higher transaction costs.
- Wallet issuers such as banks receive payment from payment service providers in the form of interchange fees.
- These wallets are primarily used for online transactions such as those made possible by Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay.
About National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
- Under the ‘Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007,’ the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) jointly established the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) as an umbrella organization responsible for operating retail payment and settlement systems in India.
- This non-profit organisation is governed by Section 25 of the Companies Act of 1956, as amended in 2013.
- Its primary aim is to provide both physical and electronic payment infrastructure to India’s entire banking system.
SBI announces donation of ₹48 lakh for tree plantation
SBI announces donation of ₹48 lakh for tree plantation: As part of its corporate social responsibility, the State Bank of India (SBI) has donated Rs. 48 lakh to the NGO That’s Eco Foundation for the planting of 32,000 tree saplings at Bengaluru’s Garden City University. This initiative aims to contribute to the environment by increasing the green cover and promoting sustainable practices.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
More About The SBI’s donation of ₹48 lakh for tree plantation:
For the successful implementation of this project, an MOU has been signed by SBI, Garden City University, and the Eco Foundation. The plantation project at Garden City University in Bengaluru, is being implemented using the Miyawaki Technique. Developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, this technique involves creating dense, native forests that grow 10 times faster and are 30 times denser than usual.
Plants grown using this technique become self-sustaining within 2-3 years and the multi-layered forests help lower temperatures, improve soil quality, support local wildlife, and sequester carbon.
Kashmir’s Aliya Mir honoured with Wildlife Conservation Award 2023
Kashmir’s Aliya Mir honoured with Wildlife Conservation Award 2023: The administration has honoured Alia Mir, a woman from J&K, with the Wildlife Conservation Award for her conservation efforts in the region.J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha facilitated her with the wildlife honour award. She is also the first woman from Kashmir who works for the charity Wildlife SOS organization which is part of the Wildlife Rescue Team. She was awarded for her achievements in bear rescue in Kashmir, rescue, and release of wild animals.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About the Aliya Mir
Aliya Mir, the Wildlife SOS Program’s Head of Education System, is well-known for her extraordinary efforts in rescuing a wide variety of wild animals, including birds, Asiatic black bears, and Himalayan brown bears. She has also gained fame for her ability to catch snakes and releasing them back into the wild. Aliya’s notable rescues include the Levantine viper, a venomous snake, from the regional residence of the then chief minister, which made headlines due to its size of about 2 kg, and a viral video of her rescuing a snake trapped in a scooter in Jahangir Chowk.
What is Wildlife SOS?
Wildlife SOS is a non-profit organisation based in India that focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating distressed wildlife, particularly those subjected to cruelty and exploitation. Since its inception in 1995, the organisation has rescued thousands of wild animals, including elephants, bears, leopards, and reptiles. Wildlife SOS operates various rescue centers and rehabilitation facilities across India, providing veterinary care, nutrition, and rehabilitation programs for the rescued animals. In addition to its rescue efforts, Wildlife SOS also conducts educational programs and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting conservation and animal welfare.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman honoured with literary award
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman honoured with literary award: The Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) conferred Special Literary Award 2023 to Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in its 63rd Literature Festival.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
- The award was given to Bangladeshi writers and researchers Ramendu Majumdar and Mofidul Haque at the ceremony by eminent Punjabi novelist and FOSWAL founder Ajit Kaur.
- The award was given to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his outstanding literary excellence, as he is a towering figure of national emancipation of the oppressed people of the world.
- A citation by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature compares him with Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, saying that no power on earth can erase him from history.
About SAARC Writers and Literature Foundation (FOSWAL)
- It was founded as a non-profit organisation in 1987 with the goal of promoting regional cooperation and cultural exchange among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries through literature and the arts.Its founding members were writers and poets from SAARC countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
- Its main objective is to promote peace and understanding among the people of the SAARC region through literature, cultural exchange and dialogue.
- It organises literary and cultural events such as poetry readings, book launches, and cultural festivals to promote the SAARC countries’ rich cultural diversity and to give writers and artists a platform to showcase their work.
- It also provides a forum for writers and scholars to exchange ideas and collaborate on literary and cultural projects that promote regional cooperation and understanding.
- It has been recognized for its efforts to promote regional cooperation and cultural exchange and has received several awards and honours, including the SAARC Literary Prize and the Mother Teresa International Prize for Social Justice.
Dalai Lama names US-born Mongolian boy third highest leader in Buddhism
Dalai Lama names US-born Mongolian boy third highest leader in Buddhism: Dalai Lama has named an eight-year-old Mongolian boy born in the United States the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche – the third highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism, reported the Times.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
According to the report, the Dalai Lama was photographed with the chosen boy at a ceremony on March 8 in Dharamshala, where the Buddhist leader lives in exile. The ceremony was held in Dharamsala, the exile residence of the Dalai Lama (87). The eight-year-old boy is the son of a university professor and has a twin brother.
In 1995, the Dalai Lama named a new Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in the faith. The boy was arrested by Chinese authorities. The Panchen Lama is Tibetan Buddhism’s second most important spiritual leader. After his kidnapping, the Chinese authorities went ahead and replaced the Panchen Lama with its own candidate.
Veteran artist Vivan Sundaram passes away
Veteran artist Vivan Sundaram passes away: Renowned contemporary Indian artist Vivan Sundaram passed away in Delhi at the age of 79. His work has been showcased in museums and exhibitions across the world. He worked with different media – painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation, and video art.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
He was a founding member of the Kasauli Art Center, the Journal of Arts & Ideas, the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT), and a managing trustee of the Sher-Gil Sundaram Arts Foundation.
Education Ministry shortlisted around 9,000 schools for PM SHRI
Education Ministry shortlisted around 9,000 schools for PM SHRI: The Ministry of Education has shortlisted around 9,000 schools from across the country for its flagship Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI), according to officials. The institutions were selected from over 2.5 lakh government schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, which were found eligible to apply for the tag. The institutions were selected based on six broad parameters including curriculum, access and infrastructure, human resources, and gender equity were assessed.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About PM SHRI:
PM Modi announced this scheme on 5th September 2022.
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Aim: To upgrade and develop around 14,500 schools.
Agriculture sector employs highest female workers: Labour Ministry
Agriculture sector employs highest female workers: Labour Ministry– The agriculture sector has the highest estimated percentage distribution of female workers followed by manufacturing. Nearly 63% workers are female in the agriculture sector at the pan-India level, while the estimated percentage distribution of female worker in the manufacturing sector is 11.2%, according to the annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Report 2021-22.
March 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
To improve women’s participation in the labour force and quality of their employment, the government has incorporated several protective provisions in the labour laws for equal opportunity and congenial work environment for women workers.
The government has incorporated several protective provisions in the labor laws for equal opportunity and a congenial work environment for women workers. These include enhancement in paid maternity leave to 26 weeks from 12 weeks, provision for mandatory crèche facility in the establishments having 50 or more employees, permitting women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.
