9th March 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. ‘Bahu Balli’, the world’s first 200-meter-long Bamboo Crash Barrier has been installed in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Assam
[D] Odisha
Answer : [B] Maharashtra
The world’s first 200-meter-long Bamboo Crash Barrier named “Bahu Balli”, has been installed on the Vani-Warora Highway in Vidarbh, Maharashtra. It has also been accredited by the Indian Road congress and provides an eco-friendly alternative to steel barriers with higher recycling value. The ‘Bambusa Balcoa’ bamboo is treated with creosote oil and coated with recycled High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE).
2. BrahMos Missile has been developed by a partnership between Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya and which organization of India?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] HAL
[D] BHEL
Answer : [B] DRDO
The BrahMos missile is a type of supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, airplanes, or land. It is currently the fastest supersonic missile in the world and was developed by a partnership between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, forming BrahMos Aerospace. Recently, Indian Navy successfully test fired the ship-launched version of the BrahMos missile.
3. Which country has proposed to create ‘International Big Cat Alliance’?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Indonesia
[D] Japan
Answer : [B] India
India has proposed the creation of a new global alliance called the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to protect seven major big cats; including tigers, lion, and cheetahs. The IBCA will be open to 97 countries and organizations interested in protecting these animals. India has committed to provide funding of 100 million USD over 5 years to support the IBCA. The IBCA will share information about protecting these animals. Its governance structure includes a General Assembly and a council.
4. The Draft Central Electricity Authority Regulations was issued recently to protect which species?
[A] One-horned Rhinos
[B] Great Indian Bustard
[C] Asian Elephant
[D] Asiatic Lion
Answer : [B] Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, and is native to Indian subcontinent. The species is critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and other human activities. The Draft Central Electricity Authority (Construction of Electric Lines in Great Indian Bustard Area) Regulations, 2023 was issued to bring all electric lines of 33 kV and below passing via the Great Indian Bustard Area underground while those above 33 kV will be overhead lines with bird flight diverts.
5. ‘Digital India Bill’ is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of External Affairs
[C] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Answer : [C] Ministry of Electronics and IT
The Digital India Bill is the proposed successor to the Information Technology Act, 2000, which currently regulates entities on the internet in India. The Ministry of Electronics and IT will hold a public consultation at Bengaluru to present the basic guiding principles and architecture of this proposed legislation. The Digital India Bill aims to ensure that the internet in India is open, free from user harm and criminality, and that there is an institutional mechanism of accountability.
6. A recent report has found that increasing global temperatures could result in more occurrences of which phenomenon?
[A] Hot lightning strikes
[B] Thunderstorms
[C] Floods
[D] Earthquakes
Answer : [A] Hot lightning strikes
A research paper titled ‘Variation of lightning-ignited wildfire patterns under climate change’ states that increasing global temperatures could result in more occurrences of “hot lightning” strikes around the world. The research team found that almost 90% of the 5,858 selected lightning-lighted fires in the US could have been started by hot lightning strikes.
7. The inaugural edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference-2023 is being organized aboard which ship?
[A] INS Kattabomman
[B] INS Shivaji
[C] INS Vikrant
[D] INS Viraat
Answer : [C] INS Vikrant
The INS Vikrant is an aircraft carrier currently in use by the Indian Navy. It is the first carrier to be built indigenously in India, and was built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kerala. The vessel is named after India’s inaugural aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant (1961). The inaugural edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference-2023 is being organized aboard INS Vikrant.
8. ‘Hola Mohalla’ is a famous festival celebrated in which religion?
[A] Jainism
[B] Sikhism
[C] Hinduism
[D] Islam
Answer : [B] Sikhism
Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated for three days in March, usually a day after the Hindu festival of Holi. A fair is organized in Anandpur Sahib on Hola Mohalla. The festival concludes with a long military-style procession near Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five seats of temporal authority of the Sikhs.
9. Which institution published the ‘Transportation or Dangerous Goods – Guidelines’?
[A] BIS
[B] FCI
[C] FSSAI
[D] Indian Railways
Answer : [A] BIS
The ‘IS 18149:2023 – Transportation of Dangerous Goods – Guidelines’ have been published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The aim is to enhance the safety in the transportation of hazardous materials. The guidelines provide guidance on classification, packaging, labelling and marketing, handling, documentation, training, transportation, emergency action and provisions for segregation of dangerous goods.
10. Which Union Ministry is associated with ‘Endorsements Know-hows! Guidelines’?
[A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs
[B] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Answer : [A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs
“Endorsements Know-hows!” is a set of guidelines released by the Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The guidelines are intended for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers who endorse products or services on social media platforms. The main purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that endorsers do not deceive their audiences and comply with the Consumer Production Act.
11. FRINJEX-23 is the first-ever joint military exercise between India and which country?
[A] Israel
[B] France
[C] Ukraine
[D] Nepal
Answer : [B] France
FRINJEX-23 is the first-ever joint military exercise between Indian Army and French Army. It is scheduled to be held at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. India is represented by Indian Army troops based in Thiruvananthapuram and France is represented by the French 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
12. Which city is the host of ‘5th ASEAN-India Business summit’ in 2023?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Dhaka
[C] Kuala Lumpur
[D] Singapore City
Answer : [C] Kuala Lumpur
The 5th ASEAN-India Business Summit was held at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur this year. The summit is part of the ASEAN-India Year of Friendship. It was organized with assistance from the Indian Government, through the External Affairs Ministry’s Economic Diplomacy Division and Malaysian Government’s International Trade and Industry Ministry.
13. Professor Mahadeva Lal Schroff, who was seen in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Sports
[B] Pharmacy
[C] History
[D] Photography
Answer : [B] Pharmacy
National Pharmacy Education Day is celebrated on March 6th, in honor of the birth anniversary of Professor Mahadeva Lal Schroff, who established pharmacy education in India. The day was designed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) – a statutory body under the Ministry of Health. A platform named Pharma Anveshan 2023 was launched, where academic research and the industry can exchange their findings. A digital job portal called the ‘One Stop-Non Stop’ was also launched.
14. Which Ministry announced to create ‘Integrated Pensioners’ Portal’?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Personnel
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Labour and Employment
Answer : [B] Ministry of Personnel
The Union Ministry of Personnel announced that the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has decided to create a new “Integrated Pensioners’ Portal”. It will be created by combining all pension portals, ANUBHAV, CPENGRAMS, CGHS, etc. The government has already integrated the Pension Seva Portal of SBI and Canara Bank with Bhavishya portal.
15. Megha-Tropiques-1 (MT1) satellite was jointly developed by India and which country?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] Israel
[D] France
Answer : [D] France
The Indian Space Agency ISRO is conducting a controlled re-entry of a decommissioned Indo-French satellite, Megha-Tropiques-1 (MT!), jointly developed to study tropical weather and climate. The satellite was launched in 2011 and exceeded its intended operational lifespan until 2021. ISRO is using its remaining onboard fuel to precisely maneuver the satellite for a controlled atmospheric re-entry, predicted to splash down in the Pacific Ocean.
16. What is the name given to the final full moon of the winter season?
[A] Pink Moon
[B] White Moon
[C] Worm Moon
[D] Whiskey Moon
Answer : [C] Worm Moon
The final full moon of the winter season, called the Worm Moon, was visible on March 6 and 7 in the year 2023. The name of this full moon is derived from the time it appears in the year when winter subsides in the Northern hemisphere, leading to the earthworms emerging from the ground as the soil softens. Tribes named each full moon after the weather events occurring during that time. March’s full moon is also referred to as the Sap Moon.
17. Which country has introduced a concept known as the “Kill Web” in response to the escalating nuclear threat?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] South Korea
[D] China
Answer : [C] South Korea
The South Korean military has introduced a concept known as the “Kill Web” in response to the escalating nuclear threat from North Korea. This concept is a key part of Military Innovations 4.0, which seeks to utilize the latest AI technologies to ensure the country’s army can win a war with minimal casualties in the shortest possible time. It aims to employ a multi-layered integrated system that incorporates cyber operations, electronic warfare, and other tactics.
18. ‘Keeladi Museum’ was inaugurated in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Answer : [A] Tamil Nadu
The Keeladi museum was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Sivaganga district. This museum showcases the life of ancient Tamils during the Sangam Age. It is built on a 2-acre land in Keeladi at a cost of ₹ 18.43 crore. The museum features a variety of antiques, virtual reality experiences of the excavations, and models of the ships of the Sangam Age. The museum houses over 15,000 unique artefacts, which reveal the existence of an urban civilization in Tamil Nadu during the Sangam Age, contemporary to the urban life recorded in Gangetic plains.
19. Which institution launched the “Har Payment Digital” Mission?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] NPCI
[C] RBI
[D] Finance Ministry
Answer : [C] RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a new mission called “Har Payment Digital” as part of its efforts to make every Indian a user of digital payments. The initiative was launched during the Digital Payments Awareness Week and aims to reinforce the ease and convenience of digital payments, while also onboarding new users.
20. ‘Yuva Utsav India @2047’ initiative is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Education
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Answer : [A] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan – the flagship organization of the Youth Affairs Ministry – is organizing an event called ‘Yuva Utsav India @2047’. The first level will be a one-day district level programme and will take place in 150 districts. The aim of this event is to celebrate the power of youth in India and encourage young people to actively participate in the development of the country.