Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, launched the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program in Chandigarh.
Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra commended the initiative, emphasizing its potential to balance sports and studies.
KIRTI, part of the Khelo India mission, targets athletes aged nine to 18 in schools nationwide.
The program plans 20 lakh assessments annually through Talent Assessment Centres, utilizing IT tools to identify and showcase talent, reflecting India’s commitment to global sports excellence.
2. Which Union Minister launched the credit assistance program for Jan Aushadhi Kendras? – Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated a loan assistance program for Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Under this, an agreement was also signed between Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). He also launched the website related to it.
3. Who recently inaugurated the regional airline service Fly91? – Jyotiraditya Scindia
Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated Fly91, a regional airline service and flagged off the first flight between Manohar International Airport in Goa and the Agatti Islands of Lakshadweep.
Airline Fly91 will start commercial services on March 18. Fly91 is a Goa-based airline, its MD and CEO is Manoj Chacko.
Government Schemes
4. Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance (RPTUAS) Scheme, recently seen in the news, introduced by which ministry? – Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers introduced the Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS).
The initiative provides quality-based subsidies to pharmaceutical companies for achieving Revised Schedule M and WHO-GMP certifications.
The scheme aims to elevate the pharmaceutical industry’s standards, promoting adherence to Revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP guidelines, thereby enhancing the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products manufactured in the country.
Economic Affairs
5. With whom has SBI partnered for its transaction banking platform? – Arionpro
State Bank of India (SBI) has entered into an agreement with Aurionpro Solutions for the license and operation of cash management and transaction banking platform iCashpro+.
This deal, worth approximately Rs 100 crore, includes license and maintenance for 6 years.
Aurionpro’s iCashpro+ is based on advanced cloud technology and micro services.
Science & Technology
6.What are “Carmoisine, Tartrazine, and Rhodamine”, sometimes seen in the news? – Food coloring agents
The Karnataka government has banned artificial colors in ‘Gobi Manchurian’ and cotton candy due to health concerns.
Among 171 Gobi Manchurian samples, 107 contained unsafe colors like tartrazine and sunset yellow.
25 cotton candy samples revealed 15 with unsafe colors including carcinogenic Rhodamine-B.
The mi
Minister emphasized the danger, particularly to children, urging strict enforcement against the illegal use of such colors, highlighting Rhodamine-B’s cancer-causing potential.
Short News
Places in News
7. In which ocean is the Gulf of Tonkin located? – Pacific Ocean
The Andaman & Nicobar Command marked the 40th anniversary of INAS 318 and International Women’s Day with a historic all-women maritime surveillance mission.
The crew, consisting of Lt Cdr Shubhangi Swaroop, Lt Cdr Divya Sharma, and Lt Vaishali Mishra, showcased women’s pivotal role in the Naval Air Arm.
The event emphasized gender equality, as women officers handled pre-flight briefing, meteorological briefing, medical check-up, and Air Traffic Control.
The mission’s success reaffirms women’s capability in executing independent operational tasks, reinforcing their crucial contributions to national defense.
12. India’s first automobile in-plant railway siding project was inaugurated in which state? – Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first automobile in-plant railway siding project at Maruti Suzuki India’s plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat. This railway siding project is a collaborative initiative between Maruti and Gujarat Rail Infrastructure Development (G-RIDE).
13. Where did PM Modi lay the foundation stone of India’s first commercial semiconductor fabrication service? – Gujarat
