1. Japan’s first private rocket, explodes seconds into debut launch. What is the name of the rocket?
- Halca
- Hayabusa
- Suzaku
- Kairos
The Correct Answer is Kairos.
In News
- Kairos, Japan’s first private rocket, explodes seconds into debut launch.
Key Points
- Tokyo-based startup “Space One” failed to become Japan’s first private firm to put a satellite into orbit.
- The 18-meter, 23-ton Kairos rocket, carrying a mock-up of a government spy satellite, took off from a new space facility in Kushimoto.
- The startup’s goal is to undertake 20 liftoffs a year by the end of 2029 and 30 liftoffs in the 2030s.
- Space One was established in 2018.
2. Who has been appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner by the Uttar Pradesh government in March 2024?
- Rajkumar Vishawakarma
- Rajesh Sharma
- Rakesh Kumar Singh
- Rahul Verma
The Correct Answer is Rajkumar Vishawakarma.
In News
- UP govt appoints ex-acting DGP Rajkumar Vishawakarma as Chief Information Commissioner.
Key Points
- The Uttar Pradesh government appointed former acting director general of police (DGP) Rajkumar Vishwakarma as the Chief Information Commissioner of the state.
- A 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Vishwakarma retired from service in 2023.
- The government also appointed 10 information commissioners.
- The new information commissioners are senior journalist Mohammad Nadeem, Sudhir Kumar Singh, Girijesh Kumar Chaudhary, Swatantra Prakash, former IAS officer Shakuntala Gautam, Rakesh Kumar, Dilip Kumar Agnihotri, Rajendra Singh, Padum Narain (Dwivedi) and Virendra Pratap Singh.
- The information commissioners will have a term of three years each.
3. Cabinet approves signing of an MoU between India and ____________ on co-operation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures in March 2024.
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Sri Lanka
- Maldives
The Correct Answer is Bhutan.
In News
- Cabinet approves signing of an MoU between India and Bhutan on co-operation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures.
Key Points
- The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures.
- As part of this MoU, India aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting star labeling programme developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
- The formulation of building codes, to suite the climate condition of Bhutan, will be facilitated based with India’s experience.
- Creation of a pool of energy professionals at Bhutan is envisaged by institutionalizing training of energy auditors.
4. Which organization has recently signed a $181 million loan agreement with the Government of India to enhance urban livability and mobility in Ahmedabad city in Gujarat?
- World Bank
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The Correct Answer is Asian Development Bank (ADB).
In News
- Government of India, ADB sign $181 million loan to improve livability and mobility in Ahmedabad.
Key Points
- The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $181 million loan to build quality infrastructure and services toward improving urban livability and mobility in the peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad city in Gujarat.
- The project will benefit urban poor, women, and migrant workers through improved urban services and urban governance.
- It will construct 166 km of water distribution network, 126 km of climate-resilient stormwater drainage, 300 km of sewerage systems, and four sewage treatment plants.
- The project is also supporting 10 junction improvements along the existing Sardar Patel Ring Road to improve connectivity of peri-urban areas to Ahmedabad city.
5. How many writers were awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for the year 2023?
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 24
The Correct Answer is 24.
In News
- 24 writers honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award for 2023.
Key Points
- Twenty four writers, including English author Neelum Saran Gaur and Hindi novelist Sanjeev, received the Sahitya Akademi Award for 2023.
- The award ceremony coincided with the 70th anniversary celebrations of the National Academy of Letters at the ‘Sahityotsav’.
- The awards were given for literary works including nine books of poetry, six novels, five of short stories, three essays and one literary study.
- The authors and poets received the award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and an amount of Rs 1 lakh.
| Language | Title | Genre | Author |
| Assamese | Dr Pranavjyoti Dekar Srestha Galpa | Short Stories | Pranavjyoti Deka |
| Bengali | Jaler Upar Pani | Novel | Swapnamay Chakrabarti |
| Bodo | Jiu – Safarni Dakhwn | Short Stories | Nandeswar Daimari |
| Dogri | Daun Sadiyan Ek Seer | Poetry – Ghazal | Vijay Verma |
| English | Requiem in Raga Janki | Novel | Neelum Saran Gour |
| Gujarati | Sairandhree | Epic Poetry | Vinod Joshi |
| Hindi | Mujhe Pahachaano | Novel | Sanjeev |
| Kannada | Mahabharatha Anusandhanada Bharathayatre | Essays | Lakshmisha Tolpadi |
| Kashmiri | Yeth Waweh Halay Tsong Kous Zalay | Poetry | Manshoor Banihali |
| Konkani | Varsal | Short Stories | Prakash S. Parienkar |
| Maithili | Bodha Sanketan | Essays | Basukinath Jha |
| Malayalam | Malayala Novelinte Deshakalangal | Literary Study | E.V. Ramakrishnan |
| Manipuri | Yachangba Nang Hallo | Poetry | Sorokkhaibam Gambhini |
| Marathi | Ringan | Novel | Krushnat Khot |
| Nepali | Nepali Loksahitya Ra Loksanskritiko Parichaya | Essays | Judhabir Rana |
| Odia | Aprastuta Mrutyu | Poetry | Ashutosh Parida |
| Punjabi | Mann Di Chip | Poetry | Swarnjit Savi |
| Rajasthani | Palakati Preet | Poetry | Gaje Singh Rajpurohit |
| Sanskrit | Shunye Meghganam | Poetry | Arun Ranjan Mishra |
| Santali | Jaba Baha | Short Stories | Taraceen Baskey (Turia Chand Baskey) |
| Sindhi | Hathu Pakidijain | Poetry – Ghazal | Vinod Asudani |
| Tamil | Neervazhi Paduvum | Novel | Rajasekaran (Devibharathi) |
| Telugu | Rameshwaram Kaakulu Marikonni Kathalu | Short Stories | T. Patanjali Sastry |
| Urdu | Rajdev Ki Amrai | Novel | Sadiqua Nawab Saher |
6. Who recently became the youngest cricketer to win the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal in March 2024?
- Rachin Ravindra
- Lockie Ferguson
- Devon Conway
- Matt Henry
The Correct Answer is Rachin Ravindra.
In News
- Rachin Ravindra becomes youngest cricketer to win Sir Richard Hadlee Medal.
Key Points
- New Zealand’s top order batter Rachin Ravindra (24) became the youngest recipient of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on after being named the country’s outstanding male cricketer of the year.
- Meanwhile, Amelia Kerr became the year’s top female cricketer after winning the Debbie Hockley medal for the second time in a row.
- Kane Williamson received the ANZ Test Player of the Year Award and won the Redpath Cup for men’s first-class batting.
- Rachin Ravindra will join CSK ahead of IPL 2024.
7. What is the newly approved name for Ahmednagar city by the Maharashtra cabinet?
- Ahilya Nagar
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- Dharashiv
- Tanhaji Nagar
The Correct Answer is Ahilya Nagar.
In News
- Ahmednagar renamed as Ahilya Nagar: Maharashtra Cabinet approves name change.
Key Points
- Maharashtra Cabinet approved renaming of Ahmednagar as Ahilya Nagar.
- In 2023, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced the renaming of Ahmednagar city to ‘Ahilyanagar’ in honor of the esteemed 18th-century Maratha queen, Ahilyabai Holkar.
- This announcement was made on Ahilyabai Holkar’s 298th birth anniversary.
- The renaming of Ahmednagar follows previous initiatives by the Shinde-Fadnavis government, including renaming Aurangabad to ‘Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’ and Osmanabad to ‘Dharashiv’.
- Ahmednagar, founded by Ahmad Nizam Shah in 1494, later became the capital of the independent Sultanate of Ahmednagar.
- Aurangabad, established by Aurangzeb in the 1650s, and Osmanabad, named after Mir Osman Ali Khan.
8. What’s the designated theme for the International Day of Action for Rivers in 2024?
- Water for All
- Women, Water, and Climate Change
- Rights of Rivers
- The Importance of Rivers for Biodiversity
The Correct Answer is Water for All.
In News
- International Day of Action for Rivers: 14th March.
Key Points
- The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water, and Life was approved at the first International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams in March 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil.
- On March 14, river experts from 20 different nations announced the “Day of Action for Rivers”.
- The aim of the participants was to form a coalition against the degradation of ecologically sensitive water bodies, rivers and watersheds.
- This year’s theme is “Water for All”.
9. Wing Commander Satish Bhatia died. Which sports did he belong to?
- Badminton
- Running
- Archery
- Shooting
The correct answer is Badminton
In News
- Wing Commander Satish Bhatia (retd), former Indian badminton player credited with devising the banned “spin service”.
Key Points
- Satish Bhatia, a former badminton coach with the UT Sports Department, was a renowned left-handed singles player known for his deadly ‘spin service’.
- He represented India in multiple prestigious tournaments, including the Thomas Cup, Junior World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
- Bhatia’s unique forehand spin service, particularly effective against top players like Rudy Hartono, garnered him acclaim and admiration in badminton circles.
- Bhatia battled cancer for an extended period before passing away, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and contribution to the badminton fraternity.
2. What is the theme of World Kidney Day 2024?
- Kidney Care Everywhere
- Optimal Kidney Care Worldwide
- Kidney Health For All
- Renal Health for Everyone
The correct answer is Kidney Health For All
In News
- The theme of World Kidney Day 2024 is Kidney Health For All
Key Points
- World Kidney Day, observed on the second Thursday of March annually, falls on March 14 this year.
- The theme for the 2024 campaign is ‘Kidney Health For All,’ aiming to raise awareness about the importance of healthy kidneys and preventing kidney-related diseases.
- It focuses on addressing the increasing burden of chronic kidney disease and advocating for optimal kidney care at all levels to overcome challenges.
11. What is the full form of PM-SURAJ, a portal inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024?
- Prime Minister Social Upliftment and Rural Job Assurance Yojana
- Pradhan Mantri Samajik Upkaran and Rozgar Adhyayan
- Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan
- Prime Minister Sustainable and Universal Rural Advancement Scheme
The correct answer is Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal, emphasizing credit support for one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.
Key Points
- PM-SURAJ portal signifies the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s commitment to prioritizing underprivileged individuals in development initiatives.
- The event includes interactions with beneficiaries of schemes like NAMASTE, VCF-SC, VCF-BC, and ASIIM, aimed at economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes, backward classes, and Safai Mitras.
- Ministry distributes Ayushman health cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Safai Mitras under the NAMASTE program, ensuring access to cashless healthcare services and safety for frontline workers.
- The government’s dedication to “Vanchiton Ko Variyata” ensures equitable support for historically underserved communities, aligning with the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat” for inclusive development.
12. First “Pi day” was celebrated in which year?
- 1988
- 1970
- 1990
- 1985
Google has dedicated a doodle to mark 30 years of “Pi Day”, a day first recognised by physicist Larry Shaw in 1988 to honour the mathematical constant. Pi is used in every field of science as it’s used for calculations involving the volume and surface area of spheres. The first Pi Day was held at a San Francisco Science Museum in 1988.
13. Which state cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report?
- Himachal Pradesh
- Goa
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
The correct answer is Uttarakhand.In News
- Uttarakhand cabinet approved UCC report bill.
Key Points
- The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report in a meeting held at Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s residence.
- The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dhami.
- The UCC drafting committee, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, submitted the draft to Chief Minister Dhami.
- Once implemented, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state after independence to adopt the UCC.
- The UCC aims to propose uniform civil laws for all communities in the state, covering aspects like marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws.
- The bill is expected to be tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly on February 6, marking a significant step towards fulfilling a major promise made by the BJP in the state.
MARCH Days & Events
1. Which of India’s neighboring countries celebrates its National Day on March 26?
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Bangladesh
The Correct Answer is Bangladesh.
- March 26 is the Independence Day of Bangladesh and celebrated as the National Day.
Key Points
- Bangladesh marks March 26 as the official Independence Day as it was on the day in 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced the birth of Bangladesh in a dramatic speech.
Additional Information
- Pakistan celebrates August 14 as the National day.
- Srilanka celebrates National day on 4 February to commemorate the country’s political independence from British rule in 1948.
2. World water day is celebrated on which day of the March?
- 20 March
- 21 March
- 22 March
- 23 March
The correct answer is 22 March.
Key Points
- World water day is celebrated on 22nd March.
Additional Information
- World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater.
- The theme of 2021 World water day is Valuing Water.
- International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems.
- Source:- https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day
March 2021 Important Days | |
Date | Name of Important Days |
1 March | Zero Discrimination Day |
1 March | World Civil Defence Day |
3 March | World Wildlife Day |
3 March | World Hearing Day |
4 March | National Safety Day |
8 March | International Women’s Day |
10 March | CISF Raising Day |
10 March | No Smoking Day (Second Wednesday of March) |
12 March | Mauritius Day |
14 March | Pi Day |
14 March | International Day of Action for Rivers |
15 March | World Consumer Rights Day |
15 March | Ramakrishna Jayanti |
16 March | National Vaccination Day |
18 March | Ordnance Factories Day (India) |
20 March | International Day of Happiness |
20 March | World Sparrow Day |
21 March | World Forestry Day |
21 March | World Down Syndrome Day |
21 March | World Poetry Day |
22 March | World Water Day |
23 March | World Meteorological Day |
24 March | World Tuberculosis (TB) Day |
27 March | World Theatre Day |
3. March 20 is observed as the International Day of Happiness. Since which year, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness?
- 2011
- 2013
- 2015
- 2017
The correct answer is 2013.
Key Points
- March 20 is observed as the International Day of Happiness.
- Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.
- The resolution to adopt it was initiated by Bhutan, a country that recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s.
4. World Sleep Day is observed on the Friday before the March equinox every year. It was first observed in _____?
- 2006
- 2008
- 2010
- 2012
The correct answer is 2008.
Key Points
- World Sleep Day is observed on the Friday before the March equinox every year.
- It is organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society
- It was first observed in 2008.
- It aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.
Additional Information
- World Sleep Day is observed annually with an aim to raise awareness and call to action on important issues related to sleep — including medicine, education, social aspects and driving.
- This year, the theme and slogan of the day is ‘Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World’.
- Human sleep architecture is defined by polysomnography (PSG) and divided into different stages: Four stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and one stage of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep.
5. Which of the following Days is observed every year on 23 March?
- World Health Day
- World Meteorological Day
- World Malaria Day
- World AIDS Day
The correct answer is World Meteorological Day.
- World Meteorological Day takes place every year on 23 March.
- World Meteorological Day in 2021 is devoted to the theme “the ocean, our climate and weather.”
- It commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization.
- It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.
- World Health Day – 7 April.
- World Malaria Day – 25 April.
- World AIDS Day – 1 December.
- World Hepatitis Day – 28 July.
6. International Day of happiness is observed every year around the world on March 20. In which year did the UN start celebrating this day?
- 2009
- 2011
- 2013
- 2015
The correct answer is 2013.
Key Points
- International Day of happiness is observed every year around the world on March 20.
- The UN started celebrating this day in 2013.
- The resolution was initiated by Bhutan.
- Bhutan initially prioritized the value of National Happiness over National Income in the 1970s.
- Bhutan is known for adopting the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product at the 66th General Assembly.
Important Points
- This year’s International Happiness Day theme is set as ‘Keep Calm, Stay Wise and Be Kind.’
- The main aim of the day is to create awareness among people that happiness is one most important things in an individual’s life.
7. World Consumer Rights day is observed on which date?
- 8th March
- 15th March
- 21st March
- 20th March
The correct answer is 15 March.
Key Points
- World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated annually on 15th March.
- The idea of celebrating a consumer rights day was given by former US President John F Kennedy in 1962.
- The theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is “Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions”
- Its main objective is consumer rights are to be protected and respected.
- National Consumer Day is observed every year on 24 December.
Additional Information
- April 14th:AmbedkarJayanti
- August 15th:Indian Independence Day
- March 8th:International Women’s Day
8. Every year, the 1st Friday of March is celebrated as Employee Appreciation Day. Who was the founder of this day?
- Dr Bob Nelson
- Dr Ben Crump
- Dr Aurora James
- Dr Tom Brady
The correct answer is Dr. Bob Nelson.
Key Points
- Every year, the 1st Friday of March is celebrated as Employee Appreciation Day, as a recognition of the good work of employees.
- The day was introduced to acknowledge the hard work and diligence of employees and bestow them with the recognition that they deserve.
- Dr. Bob Nelson, the founder of the organization Recognition Professionals International, was the founder of the day.
Additional Information
- This day is considered an opportunity to create a positive bond between employers and employees and to ensure a healthy mental and physical workspace for individuals.
- Dr. Bob Nelson introduced Employee Appreciation Day in 1995 to thank employees and boost their morale.
9. World Civil Defence Day is observed on 1 March. This day was declared as a global holiday by the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) in which year?
- 1990
- 1992
- 1994
- 1996
The correct answer is 1990.
Key Points
- World Civil Defence Day is observed on 1 March.
- This day was declared as a global holiday by the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) in 1990.
- It honours the significance of civil defence and the personnel who have sacrificed their lives for it.
- The ICDO is an intergovernmental organisation that helps citizens develop and stay secure while also protecting infrastructure and the environment.
Important Points
- ICDO stands for civil protection, civil defence, and civil safety.
- The International Civil Defence Organisation has 58 member states and 17 observer states and conducts as many training programmes as possible to improve the human resources of its member states’ civil defence cadres.
- ICDO, was created in 1931 by Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul who founded the Association of Geneva Zones, which later became the ICDO.
- Saint-Paul intended to build safe zones where residents may take refuge in times of war after witnessing the consequences of war on the populace.
10. When is World Wildlife Day observed?
- 1 March
- 2 March
- 3 March
- 4 March
The correct answer is 3 March.
Key Points
- World Wildlife Day is observed annually on March 3 to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s flora and fauna.
- On December 20, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as the UN World Wildlife Day.
The theme for World Wildlife Day 2021 is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”.
Additional Information
- The theme of 2022: “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”
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