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Banking & Financial Awareness

1. According to the Union ministry of statistics, what is the India's Gross Domestic Production (GDP) growth has been registered in the October-December third quarter of the current fiscal (2022-23) ______4.4%.

➢ GDP in the third quarter of 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 40.19 lakh crore, as against Rs 38.51 lakh crore in the third quarter of 2021-22.

➢ The real GDP is estimated to grow at 7% for the current FY compared to 9.1% in 2021-22.

➢ While Nominal GDP is estimated to grow at 15.9 percent.

2. According to the data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the credit growth of Indian banks has doubled to what percent in the October-December quarter (2022-23) from a year earlier _____16.8%.

➢ Bank credit had expanded by 8.4% in the quarter that ended December 2021 and 17.2% in the quarter that ended September 2022.

➢ The aggregate deposits of banks increased by 10.3% year-on-year in the December quarter.

➢ Banks' credit-deposit ratio rose further to 75.9% in the December quarter.

3. Which financial service provider has received the final registration from SEBI to commence its mutual fund operations ____ Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

➢ Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund, with Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Ltd (BFAML) as the Investment Manager, will soon offer a range of mutual fund products.

➢ The products include equity, debt, and hybrid funds, both in the active and passive segments, for investors.

4. Global rating firm Moody’s Investors Services, what would be the India’s growth rate has been projected for 2023 _____5.5%.

➢ Moody's also projected the growth of India at 6.5% in 2024.

➢ According to Moody’s projection, India’s growth rate in 2023 is the highest among G20 countries.

➢ It is followed by China (5 %) and Indonesia (4.8%).

➢ The US is expected to grow by 0.9%, the Euro area by 0.5%, Japan by 1.5%, and the UK (-0.4%).

5. According to the Finance Ministry, what amount has been collected as gross goods and service tax (GST) revenue in the month of February 2023 _____ Rs 1,49,577 crore.

➢ This amount was increased by around 12% on an annual basis (YoY).

➢ India's GST revenue in February 2022 was Rs 1,33,026 crore.

➢ Of the total revenue collected, CGST is Rs 27,662 crore, SGST is Rs 34,915 crore, IGST is Rs 75,069 crore while cess is Rs 11,931 crore (including Rs 792 crore collected on import of goods).

6. Which Indian stock exchange has received the approval from Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch the rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas (Henry Hub) futures contracts in its commodity derivatives segment _______National Stock Exchange (NSE).

➢ Earlier, NSE had signed a data licensing agreement with CME Group allowing NSE to list, trade and settle rupeedenominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas derivatives on its platform.

➢ NSE MD: Ashishkumar Chauhan

7. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) has partnered with which bank to launch a co-branded travel credit card - IRCTC ___ Bank Credit Card ____ HDFC Bank.

➢ It is a co-branded card, in a single variant, and is available on NPCI's Rupay network.

➢ This is the third tie-up of IRCTC after the State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.

➢ The card will provide exclusive benefits and maximum savings on bookings of train tickets.

➢ Chairman & MD, IRCTC: Rajni Hasija

8. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and 'Swadhan-epension-Gov' services for which co-operative bank ____Kangra Central Cooperative Bank.

➢ Aim: To make bank transactions easier and quicker, especially for the elderly and those living in remote areas

➢ These services would benefit thousands of account holders of the bank.

➢ He also released the bank's annual calendar on this occasion.

9. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of three crore six lakh sixty-six thousand rupees on which online payment service provider _______Amazon Pay (India) Private Limited.

➢ Reason: For non-compliance with certain directions related to Prepaid Payment Instruments and Know Your Customer.

➢ The action was based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the entity with its customers.

10. RBI has imposed a cap of _____ on withdrawals by individual customers from Tamil Nadu-based Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank _____ Rs 5,000.

➢ Reason: It is a part of several restrictions imposed on the lender due to its deteriorating financial condition.

➢ The restrictions on the lender will remain in force for six months from the close of business on March 3, 2023.

➢ Without the approval of the RBI, the cooperative bank cannot grant loans, make any investments, or disburse any payments.

11. Which insurance company has become the second domestic insurance company to launch surety insurance bonds ______New India Assurance.

➢ Surety bond insurance acts as a security arrangement for infrastructure projects and will insulate the contractor as well as the principal.

➢ These bonds are legally enforceable tripartite contracts that guarantee compliance, payment, and performance.

➢ The issuing insurer provides a guarantee, for a premium, in case of a default in the execution of a project.

12. The board of directors of which bank has recommended the reappointment of Sashidhar Jagdishan as managing director and CEO for three years, with effect from 27 October 2023 _____ HDFC Bank.

> The Bank also informed that it is subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the shareholders.

➢ Sashidhar Jagdishan joined the Bank in 1996 and was appointed as a chief financial officer in 2008, after which he was appointed as the MD and CEO.

13. According to National Statistical Office (NSO), what is the estimated annual per capita (net national income) at current prices for 2022-23, showing a growth of around 99% from Rs 86,647 in 2014-15 ____ Rs 1,72,000.

➢ However, after adjusting for inflation (constant prices), the per capita income has risen by approximately 35% from Rs 72,805 in 2014-15 to Rs 98,118 in 2022-23.

➢ The average growth of India’s per-capita income in real terms from 2014 to 2019 was 5.6 percent per annum.

14. The World Bank will lend up to $1 billion to India to strengthen which sector ______health infrastructure.

➢ The lending will be divided into two complementary loans of $500 million each.

➢ The bank will support India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) which was launched in October 2021.

➢ The loans will prioritize health service delivery in seven States - Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

15. MoS, personnel, public grievances, and pensions informed that the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare will integrate all the pension portals - Pension Disbursing Bank portals, ANUBHAV, CPENGRAMS, CGHS, etc into a single portal. Who is he _____ Dr. Jitendra Singh.

➢ These portals will be integrated into the form of the newly created “Integrated Pensioners’ Portal” (https://ipension.nic.in).

➢ Aim: To ensure the ease of living for the elder citizens

16. The All India Home Price Index (HPI), released by the RBI, has recorded a growth (year-on-year) of what percent to 302 in the third quarter (ended December) of 2022-23 as compared with 293.8, despite the rise in interest rates _____2.79%.

➢ On a quarter-on-quarter sequential basis, the index rose from 298, an increase of 1.34%, from September 2022.

➢ The Y-o-Y movements in HPI varied widely across the cities, ranging from a growth of 7.1% (Kochi) to a contraction of 9% (Jaipur).

17. According to the CRIF High Mark, the total of which loan outstanding was Rs 100.28 lakh crore in Dec 2022, up from Rs 81.91 lakh crore a year ago ___ Retail.

➢ The share of female borrowers in the retail loans outstanding has gone up to 26% at Rs 26.07 lakh crore as of Dec 2022 from 25% (Rs 20.47 lakh crore) in Dec 2021.

➢ Major retail loan products availed by female borrowers in India: Gold loans (42% share), Education loans (35%), Home loans (32%), and Loans against property (29%)

18. The RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das has launched which mission during the Digital Payments Awareness Week 2023, which is being observed from March 6 to 12, 2023 _______‘Har Payment Digital’.

➢ Campaign theme: Digital Payment Apnao, Auron ko bhi Sikhao (Adopt digital payments and Also teach others)

➢ RBI has launched a program to adopt 75 villages and convert them into digital payment-enabled villages.

➢ Payment system operators (PSOs) will adopt these villages across the country.

Obituaries

1. A M Ahmadi passed away at 90 due to a brief illness, was a ______Former Chief Justice of India.

➢ He was the 26th Chief Justice of India from October 1994 to March 1997.

➢ In 1964, he was appointed a civil and sessions judge in Ahmedabad and become the state’s law secretary.

➢ In 1976, he was appointed a judge of the Gujarat High Court and was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1988.

2. Sasthipada Chattopadhyay passed away in Howrah, West Bengal, was a _____ Writer.

➢ He was known for his famous ‘Pandav Goenda’ (five detectives) series.

➢ He joined Anandabazar Patrika and also worked for its ‘Rabibasoryo’ supplement before joining the Indian Railways.

➢ He created two more detective series — ‘Detective Ambar Chatterjee’ and ‘Goenda Tatar’.

3. Chandrashekhar Dasgupta passed away at the age of 82, was a ____ Former Indian diplomat.

➢ He joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1962.

➢ He served as the ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg, and China.

➢ He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2008 for his work in Indian civil service.

Important Days

1. World Wildlife Day 2023 is marked annually on which date to celebrate the unique wild species and create awareness to help conserve them ______ March 3.

➢ Theme 2023: Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation

➢ The 68th session of the UNGA has designated March 3 as World Wildlife Day on December 20, 2013.

➢ Reason: To raise awareness about the conservation of the world's wild flora and fauna

2. Which edition of the Jan Aushadhi Diwas is being organized on 7th March 2023 across India to enhance awareness about the scheme and promote generic medicines _____5th.

➢ Theme 2023: Jan Aushadhi – Sasti bhi Acchi bhi

➢ The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), and States/UTs.

➢ A week-long event is being organized in different cities all across the country from March 1-7, 2023.

3. The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness was observed on which date ______5 March.

➢ Aim: To deepen the global public’s understanding of how disarmament efforts contribute to enhancing peace and security, preventing and ending armed conflicts, and curbing human suffering caused by weapons.

➢ This day seeks to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people.

4. World Obesity Day is observed on which date every year to promote practical solutions and maintain a healthy weight ______ March 4.

➢ 2023 theme: Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity

5. India celebrates National Security Day every year on which date ______March 4.

➢ The purpose of this day is to express gratitude to our nation’s security forces, which include the police, paramilitary units, guards, commandos, army officers, and other units involved in preserving the safety and security of our citizens.

➢ 2023 theme: Nurture young minds – Develop safety culture

6. National Safety Day is observed on which date annually to promote safe working environment and ensure the safety of people in all aspects ______March 4.

➢ This year will mark the onset of the 52nd National Safety Day.

➢ The theme for 2023 National Safety Day is ‘Our Aim – Zero Harm’.

7. Zero Discrimination Day is observed on which date to celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life and live it with dignity _____1 March.

➢ Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.

➢ Theme 2023: Save lives: Decriminalise

8. World Civil Defence Day is observed on which date to raise awareness about the importance of civil defence measures in protecting people _____1st March.

➢ The day honours the work of several civil defence organisations.

➢ 2023 theme: Uniting the world’s leading specialists for the safety and security of future generations.

9. World Seagrass Day is celebrated annually on which date to raise awareness about seagrass and its important functions in the marine ecosystem _____1st March.

➢ The seagrasses are grass-like plants that live close to the sea.

➢ They are the only flowering plant to grow in the marine environment.

New Appointments

1. Who has been appointed as the Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), with effect from March 1, 2023 ________Rajesh Malhotra.

➢ He succeeded Satyendra Prakash, who was superannuated on February 28, 2023.

➢ He was associated with the ECI as in-charge of media and communication for 21 years (1996-2017).

➢ While Priya Kumar was named the Director General of Doordarshan News (DD News).

➢ She will succeed Mayank Agrawal.

2. Who has defeated vice president Atiku Abubakar to win the disputed presidential election in Nigeria ______Bola Tinubu.

➢ He received 37%, Atiku Abubakar polled 29%, and Labour's candidate Peter Obi received 25% of the vote.

➢ The opposition parties dismissed the poll as a sham and demanded a rerun.

➢ He will become Nigeria’s fifth elected president since 1999.

3. Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif has appointed whom as the Ambassador-at-Large for Kartarpur Corridor _______ Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.

➢ This appointment is part of efforts to attract Sikh pilgrims from across the world.

➢ He hails from Kartarpur in Narowal.

➢ He is also the central general secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) minorities wing.

➢ This corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India.

4. Who has created history by becoming the first woman MLA of the Nagaland Assembly _______Hekani Jakhalu.

➢ She was announced the winner from the Dimapur-III constituency in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly elections.

➢ She defeated Azheto Zhimomi of LJP (Ram Vilas) by 1,536 votes.

➢ Of 31,874 votes counted in the constituency, she received 45.16% of the votes, just ahead of the LJP (RV)’s Azheto Zhimomi who received 40.34% votes.

5. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of whom as director general of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) till her superannuation (30.06.2024) _____ Rashmi Shukla.

➢ Presently, she is serving as the Additional Director General of CRPF.

➢ SSB: A border protection force of India deployed along the borders with Nepal and Bhutan.

➢ SSB Founded: 1963; Headquarters: New Delhi

6. Who has been elected as the new President of the Vietnam _____ Van Thuong.

➢ His election comes after the sudden resignation of his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc in January 2023, who the Party blamed for wrongdoing and violations.

➢ A total of 487 out of 488 deputies present at the National Assembly voted for him.

➢ He is the youngest member of the party’s Politburo (the country’s top decision-making body).

7. Karnataka Bank has appointed whom as a chief financial officer (CFO) on a contract basis _____ Abhishek Sankar Bagchi.

➢ He has replaced Muralidhar Krishna Rao, whose tenure has been completed on 1 March 2023.

➢ He has over 18 years of work experience in RBI reporting, strategic planning, fund management, financial reporting, financial planning & control, taxation, and budgeting.

➢ He was CFO and Head of Finance at NSDL Payments Bank since September 2017.

8. Hockey India has appointed whom as the new chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team ______South African Craig Fulton.

➢ He will succeed Australian Graham Reid who resigned in January 2023.

➢ He has nearly 25 years of coaching experience and earned 195 caps over a span of 10 years for South Africa.

➢ He also played Atlanta and Athens Olympic Games.

➢ He was named the Belgium Coach of the Year after he guided his club KHC Dragons to the Belgium Hockey League title in the 2020-21 season.

9. Who has been re-appointed as the Prime Minister of Kuwait _______Crown prince, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf alSabah.

➢ This decision came more than a month after the government resigned due to increased tensions with the parliament.

➢ Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who also oversees the duties of the ruling emir has nominated Sheikh Ahmed.

➢ Although political parties are prohibited in Kuwait, the legislature has more power than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies.

10. Who has taken charge as the 28th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) effective from 6th March 2023 _____ S.S. Dubey.

➢ Prior to this role, he was an Additional Controller General of Accounts, Public Financial Management System (PFMS).