Current Affairs March 2018 PDF

According to the Economic think-tank, National Council of Applied Economic Research

(NCAER), the Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.7 percent in the current financial
year 2017-18 and 7.5 percent in 2018-19.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out the successful test
flight of Rustom-2 drone at Chalakere in Karnataka's Chitradurga district. Rustom-2 is a
medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Indian gymnast Aruna Budda Reddy has become the first Indian to win an individual
medal at the Gymnastics World Cup. She has won a bronze medal in the women's vault
event.
Parupalli Kashyap has won the Men's singles title of the Austrian Open International
Challenge.
The Reserve Bank of India has launched 'Ombudsman Scheme' for non-banking financial
companies (NBFC). The scheme will provide a cost-free and expeditious complaint
redressal mechanism relating to deficiency in the services by NBFCs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Amma two-wheeler scheme in Chennai.
Under this scheme, 50 percent subsidy will be given to working women for buying two-
wheeler in Tamil Nadu.
Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank began its operations. It became the fourth Payment
Bank to start its operations after Bharti Airtel, Paytm and FINO Payments Bank.
India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable 'Dhanush' ballistic missile from a naval
ship off Odisha coast. It has a strike range of 350 kms.
India successfully conducted a night trial of its indigenously developed nuclear capable
Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km, from a test range in Odisha.
According to the latest report by non-government organisation Transparency
International, India has been placed 81st in the Global Corruption Perception Index
2017. New Zealand has topped this list of 180 countries.
Flying officer Avani Chaturvedi has become the first Indian woman to fly a fighter
aircraft.
Twenty-times Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has won the 2017 Laureus World
Sportsman of the Year and Comeback of the Year awards.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has announced five lakh rupees health-
cum-life insurance scheme for farmers in the state.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
IndusInd Bank has announced its partnership with Ripple, the block chain solution
provider to facilitate cross border remittances into and out of India.
Prabodh Panda, former MP and State Secretary of West Bengal for Communist Party of
India (CPI), died. He was 72.
Railways has partnered with ride-sharing company Ola to facilitate last mile connectivity
at its five key railway stations in Delhi. Through this partnership, passengers at these
stations will now be able to book cabs with the assistance of Ola representatives
stationed at its kiosks within the station premises itself.
Spain's legendary football player Quini passed away. He was 68.
Eminent Odia writer Kanakalata Mohanty passed away. He was 82.
The country's largest lender State Bank of India has revised retail and bulk deposits rates
by up to 0.75 percent.
India and Vietnam inked three pacts, including one on nuclear cooperation, and
resolved to jointly work for an open Indo-Pacific, while calling for a rules-based regional
architecture.
Reliance Energy had partnered with the Department of Posts to allow customers to pay
their electricity bills at post offices along with other modes of payment.
Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha has been honored with a lifetime achievement award
for his contribution to the fields of arts and politics at a ceremony in the UK's Parliament
complex in London.
The Indian combine of Pankaj Advani and Manan Chandra staged a remarkable recovery
to beat Pakistan in the final of the inaugural IBSF Snooker Team World Cup.
Ace wrestler Navjot Kaur scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler
to win a Gold medal in the Senior Asian Championships as she clinched the yellow metal
in the 65kg freestyle category in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, who was the junior pontiff of the Kanchi Mutt, has assumed
charge as its chief consequent to the passing away of 69th head Shankaracharya
Jayendra Saraswathi.
ArcelorMittal has entered into a joint venture pact with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal
Corporation (NSSMC) to jointly acquire the assets of Essar Steel.
Olympian Adille Sumariwalla was re-elected as president of the Maharashtra Athletics
Association while Satish Uchil has become the new general secretary.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
The famous Chameli Devi Jain Award, given to women journalists for special
contribution, will be given to the TV journalist Uma Sudhir this year.
India's exposure to US government securities rose sharply to a high of USD 144.7 billion
at the end of 2017, according to latest official data. The country remained the 12th
largest overseas holder of such securities.
Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, died. He was 88.
Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, inaugurated the
first Mega Food Park of Maharashtra 'Satara Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd.' at Degaon,
Satara.
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between India and Jordan on Cooperation in the Field of Manpower.
India, Bangladesh and Russia have signed tripartite memorandum of understanding
(MoU) for cooperation in construction of Rooppur nuclear power plant near Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
Sri Lankan Golfer, Mithun Perera won the Chennai Open 2018 Golf Championship.
Indian shooter Shahzar Rizvi clinched the gold medal with a world record score in a
memorable maiden ISSF World Cup appearance, while Jitu Rai and Mehuli Ghosh
bagged a bronze each.
Gary Oldman, for essaying former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in "Darkest
Hour", and Frances Mc Dormand for her role as a grieving mother in "Three Billboards
outside Ebbing, Missouri", won the best actor and best actress in a leading role
categories at the 90th Academy Awards.
James Ivory has won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay at the 90th Academy awards
for his work on the film “Call Me By Your Name”. At 89, Ivory is the oldest ever winner
of an Academy award.
The Indian media and entertainment sector revenues reached $22.7 billion in 2017, and
are expected to cross $31 billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
11.6 per cent
National People's Party (NPP) President Conrad Sangma will be the new chief minister of
Meghalaya.
China announced an 8.1 per cent increase of its defence expenditure in 2018 amounting
to USD 175 billion, which is over three times higher than India's defence budget. China
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
last year increased the defence budget to USD 150.5 billion. China is the second largest
spender on defence after the US.
Italy's tennis player Fabio Fognini won the Brazil Open title by defeating Nicholas Jerry
by 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Manu Bhaker clinched a gold medal in the women's 10m Air Pistol event while Ravi
Kumar bagged a bronze at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Switzerland's Roger Federer remained at the number one spot with 10,060 points,
exactly 600 points ahead of World No.2 Rafael Nadal of Spain, in the men's Association
of Tennis Professionals world singles rankings.
Simona Halep of Romania leads the Women's Tennis Association rankings ahead of
Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki.
Conrad Sangma sworn in as the 12th chief minister of Meghalaya.
Biplab Kumar Deb will be the next chief minister of Tripura. Tripura BJP president and
newly-elected MLA Biplab was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in
the state.
According to a report by CRISIL, the India's economic growth rate will grow up to 7.5 per
cent in fiscal year 2018-19.
Veteran Bollywood actress 'Shammi Aunty' died. She was 89.
The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani
inaugurated a three-day Global convention on Indian Media & Entertainment Industry
'FICCI Frames 2018' in Mumbai.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs3 crore on Axis Bank for
violation of non-performing asset (NPA) classification norms, and Rs2 crore on Indian
Overseas Bank (IOB) for not complying with the know your customer (KYC) regulations.
Legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar has been named as the Commissioner of the
inaugural edition of the T20 Mumbai League. Six teams will participate in this league and
all the matches will be held at the Wankhede Stadium from March 11-21.
16 year old Manu Bhaker won her second successive gold medal in a mixed team event
in the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.
India's first helicopter taxi service has been launched in Bengaluru to fly passengers
from Kempegowda International Airport to Bengaluru.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has entered into an agreement with a
non-profit organization, People of Indian Origin Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(PIOCCI) in an effort to promote Skill India Mission.
According to a report by Kotak Economic Research, The Indian economy is likely to
recover gradually to 7.1 per cent in 2018-19 financial year.
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has been rated as the world number one
among airports handling more than 40 million passengers per annum in a survey by the
Airports Council International (ACI).
Nagaland's Governor P.B. Acharya has appointed NDPP leader Neiphiu Rio as the new
chief minister of the state. He will sworn in on 8th March.
Amazon’s founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has topped Forbes’s 2018 ‘World’s Billionaires’
list.
Iraq has overtaken Saudi Arabia to become India’s top crude oil exporter by supplying
38.9 million tonnes (MT) crude oil in the current financial year.
Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development
and Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari has launched Sukhad Yatra mobile application
and 1033 Toll-free Emergency number for highway users.
Former Congress MLA, Surta Singh Maravi died. He was 75.
India will become the 69th member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD).
Former Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) chairman M K Bhargav died. He
was 78.
Headquarters of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has been shifted from
Chennai to Haryana's Ballabhgarh.
Former Australia Test opener Ed Cowan announced his retirement from professional
cricket.
Naveen Patnaik has launched the ‘Ama Gaon, Ama Bikas’ (Our village, Our development)
programme.
NITI Aayog has launched the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) on International
Women’s Day. Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) would provide a vibrant
entrepreneurial ecosystem where women do not face any gender-based barriers.
India's senior architect, Balkrishna Doshi has become the first Indian to win the
architecture’s highest honour- 'Pritzker Architecture Prize'.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 40 lakh on State Bank of
India for breach of norms on counterfeit notes.
According to Knight Frank Wealth's Report 2018, Mumbai has been ranked 16th among
the top 20 costliest cities in the world.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched 'Udayam
Sakhi' (www.udyamsakhi.org) portal for women entrepreneurs of India on the occasion
of International Women’s Day.
The Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, R K Singh has
launched the National E-Mobility Programme. The Programme aims to provide an
impetus to the entire e-mobility ecosystem including vehicle manufacturers, charging
infrastructure companies, fleet operators, service providers, etc.
Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Gita Mittal has become the first woman from
the field of law and justice who has been conferred the 'Nari Shakti Puraskar'.
The Union Cabinet has approved an Agreement between India and France on the
Prevention of the Illicit Consumption and Reduction of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs,
Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors, and related offences.
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Public Service Commission of
Mauritius.
Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of an agreement between India and
France to facilitate "Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications".
Competition Commission of India (CCI) has slapped a total penalty of more than ₹54
crore on Jet Airways, InterGlobe Aviation (Indigo) and SpiceJet.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced 'Mukhyamantri
Mahila Kosh' scheme.
Indian-origin steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta has been appointed as the UK skills
ambassador.
Cab hailing platform Uber has roped in the Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli as its
brand ambassador in India.
Famous Punjabi Sufi singer, Pyare Lal Wadali died. He was 75.
The current commissioner general of the Belgian Federal Police, Catherine De Bolle has
been appointed as the Executive Director of European Union Agency for Law
Enforcement Cooperation (Europol).
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched National Nutrition Mission, and pan India
expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
Indian shooter Anjum Moudgil clinched a silver medal in the women’s 50m Rifle 3
Positions event at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.
US and Israeli military have started the 9th edition of joint Military exercise “Juniper
Cobra 2018” in Israel.
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 crore on Airtel Payments Bank
for violating operating guidelines and KYC norms.
India and France have signed 14 agreements to promote cooperation in security,
nuclear energy, and other areas.
Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Patangrao Kadam died. He was
74.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) has signed
an agreement to promote solar energy deployment in Asia and the Pacific.
Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank has launched ‘Vikas She Plus’, a loan scheme for
women to take up new ventures or for expanding/modifying the existing enterprises.
According to MasterCard’s 'Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs' (MIWE), India
has been ranked 52nd in a list of 57 nations. New Zealand has topped this list. This index
focuses on the ability of women entrepreneurs in any country to redeem their
opportunities.
Indian archers bagged three gold and two bronze medals in Asia Cup Archery Stage 1
campaign in Bangkok, Thailand.
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has been given the additional charge of
the Civil Aviation Ministry.
The first Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise of the Indian Air
Force in association with South Asian Region nations will be held off the coast of Kerala
from March 12 to 17.
India has won the "Best Exhibitor Award" at ITB – Berlin.
IREDA & European Investment Bank have signed 150 million Euro Loan Agreement for
Renewable Energy Financing in India.
Akhil Sheoran has won the gold Medal in shooting World Cup.
Australia has won the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Air India got the 23rd and the final Boeing 777 aircraft under the deal. With this, more
than a decade old contract with the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing for supplying 68
aircraft has been completed.
Bishworjit Singh of the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) and Samira Abraham of Goa
emerged the respective champions in the men's and women's sections of the senior
National triathlon championship.
Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra will head a nine-member
committee that will co-ordinate with the government and Sports Authority of India (SAI)
to address all the reported issues of National Sports Federations (NSFs), State Olympic
Association (SOA).
Senior journalist Ranjan Roy died. He was 57.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated
Uttar Pradesh’s biggest solar power plant in Mirzapur.
Noted actor Amol Palekar has been honoured with the ‘Godavari Gaurav’ award.
Indian Wrestler Navjot Kaur has become world No 2 player in the women's 65 kg
category in the latest rankings released by the United World Wrestling.
Russia has successfully launched a hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missile.
Hyderabad's Anindith Reddy has been selected as the FMSCI National Motor Sports
Person of the Year.
West Bengal has become the best performing State both in terms of allotting Jobs and
Utilising funds under the MGNREGA.
India’s first national coastal policing academy will be setup in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate The Delhi End TB Summit at Vigyan
Bhawan, New Delhi.
India has topped the ISSF World Cup medals tally with four gold, one silver and four
bronze medals.
Sitanshu Kar has been appointed as the chief of Press Information Bureau (PIB).
New Development Bank (NDB) and International Solar Alliance (ISA) have tied up to
promote solar energy across the globe.
The first multilateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise
"Samvedna 2018" of Indian Air Force (IAF) in association with South Asian Region
nations has been started in Kerala.
ICICI Bank has launched instant overdraft ‘InstaOD’ facility for MSME.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
India's tallest national flag was unfurled in Belagavi (also known as Belgaum) in
Karnataka.
India announced a new Line of Credit of USD 100 million for defence procurement by
the Government of Mauritius.
Odisha will host the 80th Senior National Table Tennis Championships after a gap of 12
years.
Power Grid Corporation of India (Power Grid) has signed an agreement with State Bank
of India for Rs 5,000 crore term loan for meeting its capital expenditure.
DCB Bank has introduced a remittance service named 'DCB Remit' to enable customers
to send money online globally.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for enhancing cooperation
between the two regulators to ensure better implementation of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
British scientist Stephen Hawking died. He was 76.
Nepal’s first woman President Bidya Devi Bhandari has been re-elected for the post of
President for the second time.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has been selected for the country's top position
for the fourth consecutive time.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the merger of Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited
(BFIL) with the IndusInd Bank.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the World Hindi Secretariat building in
Mauritius.
Actor Narendra Jha, known for his work in films like Raees, Haider and Kaabil, died. He
was 55.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO have signed an agreement for
enhanced cooperation in the health sector.
Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International
Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP in New Delhi.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has signed a MOU with the Ministry of
Civil Aviation and the National Aviation University to enhance human resource
availability in India's aviation industry.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
According to the World Bank, the India’s GDP growth will be at 7.3% for the next
financial year 2018-19 and accelerate further to 7.5% in 2019-20.
India has been ranked at 78th in the list 114 countries on the World Economic Forum’s
(WEF) energy transition index. Sweden has topped this list.
Bengaluru has been named as the 5th cheapest city in the world in Economist
Intelligence Unit's 2018 Cost of Living Index.
According to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 2018 World
Happiness Report, India has been ranked 133rd in a list of 156 countries. Finland has
topped this list.
According to Fitch rating agency, India's growth rate will be 7.3 percent in the next
financial year and 7.5 percent in 2019-20.
The Indian football team has reached at 99th place in the latest world ranking released
by FIFA.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Understanding between India
and Iran on cooperation in the field of Health and traditional systems of medicine.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved continuation of Urea
Subsidy Scheme from 2017 up to 2020.
The 4th Edition of Women of India Organic Festival will be held at World Trade Centre,
Mumbai from March 16 – 20, 2018.
Karnataka Bank has opened its first fully Women operated branch in Bangalore.
India's Baskaran Adhiban clinched the 33rd Reykjavik Open Chess title.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th session of Indian Science
Congress in Imphal, Manipur.
Actor Jackie Shroff’s short film “Shunyata” has won Best Film award at India Short Film
Festival in Los Angeles, USA.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer, Sangeeta Bahadur has been named as the next
ambassador of India to the Republic of Belarus.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 5th Nadi Mahotsava at Bandrabhan of
Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched 'LaQshya' program aimed at
improving quality of maternity care in labour room and maternity Operation Theatre.
Indian para-athlete Deepa Malik won a gold medal in the F-53/54 category javelin event
at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Former world number two tennis player Tommy Haas officially announced his
retirement from tennis.
Sri Lanka Cricket, on the occasion of the 70th independence of the nation, paid a tribute
to former BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya by releasing a book, titled 'A Tribute to
Jagu'.
India has offered a USD 80 million LoC for agriculture & mechanisation for Madagascar.
N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, has been elected as the President of the Court
of the Indian Institute of Science for 2018-21.
Xi Jinping has been re-elected as the President of China.
Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $120 million
loan agreement for completion of works for double-tracking and electrification of
railways tracks along high-density corridors to improve operational efficiency of Indian
railways.
Indian actress Simi Garewal received the “UK Golden Flame Award” at the opening
ceremony of the Tongues of Fire UK Asian Film Festival in London.
Malayalam writer M Sukumaran has passed away. He was 76.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has launched a mobile application through which
travelers can register complaints to recover items they lost or forgot at various airports.
The app called 'Lost and Found' can be downloaded from the website of the Information
and Technology Ministry.
India to host 17th Annual Conference of International Competition Network 2018
(ICN2018) from 21st to 23rd March 2018 in New Delhi.
Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) would collaborate with
Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to strengthen its quality,
prediction ability and response capacity.
Poland will host the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Maharashtra government has decided to ban the use of plastic.
President Ram Nath Kovind released commemorative coins in denominations of ₹10 and
₹1000 on Lord Jagannath’s Nabakalebar festival.
India defeated Bangladesh by 4 wickets to win the Nidahas triangular T20 Trophy.
Chennaiyin FC defeated the hosts Bengaluru FC by 3-2 to win the 4th edition of Indian
Super league at Kanteerava Stadium.
Sanjivani Jadhav has won the Bronze Medal in 14th Asian Cross Country Championship.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
India's Neeraj Rathi and Karamjit Kaur finished fourth and eighth in the men's and
women's events respectively at the Asian 20km Race Walking Champion.
A UK-based genomics data platform and an American genetics company collaborated to
create the world’s largest project of its kind to study Indian population.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the no. 2 leader of the ruling Communist Party, has been re-
elected for a second five-year tenure.
Olympic silver medalist shuttler PV Sindhu got eliminated after being defeated by the
world number two Japanese player Akane Yamaguchi in the semi-finals of the All
England Championship.
Vladimir Putin has been elected as the President of Russia for his fourth term.
Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Roger Federer to win the Indian Wells
Masters tennis tournament title.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
(FINE) and presented the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation awards instituted by
Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions
[SRISTI].
Young swimmer Virdhawal Khade has won a gold medal in the 50 metres freestyle
category at the 49th Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships.
Defending champion Purva Barve defeated Russia's Anastasiia Pustinskaiaï to win the
Israel Junior 2018 Women's Singles (Under-19) title.
Ranji Champion Vidarbha has won the Irani Cup in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Bhawana Kanth became the second woman pilot of Indian Air Force to fly solo in a
fighter aircraft.
Kevin Pietersen has announced retirement from professional cricket.
According to an index created by the central government in collaboration with the
World Bank, West Bengal has bagged the top spot in the domestic Ease of Doing
Business Index.
Niti Aayog’s Vice-Chairman, Rajiv Kumar has inaugurated the First India-Japan Workshop
on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi.
Yi Gang has been appointed as the central bank governor of China.
Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik has been given the additional charge of Governor of
Odisha.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has tied up with Ola. Under
this agreement, consumers can book Ola Cab through IRCTC's Rail Connect mobile app
or its website.
Jnanpith awardee and Eminent Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh passed away. He was 84.
According to HSBC's Ranking, India is the most vulnerable country to climate change.
India and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement that will enable them to
share earth observation data from each other's satellites.
India and France joint naval exercise, "Varuna-18", has been started in the Arabian Sea
off the Goa coast.
Atul M. Gotsurve has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
SBI and India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) have signed an agreement to
offer mortgage guarantee scheme for prospective non-salaried and self-employed home
loan customers.
The Third edition of National Conclave on Mines and Minerals was held in New Delhi.
Centre has approved to set up a plastic park in Deoghar district of Jharkhand.
The 106th edition of the Indian Science Congress will be held in Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh.
Canadian mathematician Robert Langlands has won the Abel Prize for 2018. He has
been awarded for his visionary programme connecting representation theory to number
theory.
General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff released a book on Paramveer Chakra
Awardees - ‘Paramveer Parwane’.
According to Mercer's global Quality of Living survey 2018, Hyderabad and Pune have
been rated as India's most liveable cities and they have been jointly ranked 142nd in the
survey. Bengaluru and Chennai has been placed 149th and 151st respectively, while
Mumbai was ranked 154th. At the global level, Vienna has been chosen as the best city
in 450 cities.
Goldman Sachs has projected India's GDP growth rate to 7.6 per cent for Financial Year
2018-19.
Siliguri-based miniature artist Biplab Sarkar has been awarded with the 'Glenfiddichs
Emerging Artist of the Year 2018' award.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
The ministries of agriculture and skill development signed an agreement to conduct
training programmes for agriculture and allied sectors at 690 Krishi Vigyan Kendras
(KVKs) across the country.
India and Hong Kong have signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to
curb tax evasion and promote flow of investment.
Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has been named as the brand ambassador of a non-profit
organisation ‘Educate Girls’.
Nanda Bahadur Pun has been re-elected as the vice president of Nepal.
India successfully flight tested the supersonic cruise missile, 'BrahMos' from Pokhran
test range, Rajasthan.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the launch of a new
Centrally Sponsored Ayushman Bharat -National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM)
having central sector component under Ayushman Bharat Mission anchored in the
MoHFW. The scheme has the benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year.
New Delhi has been ranked 22nd in the world and eighth in Asia in the TripAdvisors'
"top 25 travellers’ choice of destinations" list.
Indian shooter Elavenil Valarivan shattered the world record and claimed the gold medal
in 10m women's air rifle event of the season's first junior ISSF World Cup.
The Singapore Changi Airport has been named as the world's best airport for the sixth
consecutive year by consultancy firm Skytrax.
State-run power equipment maker BHEL has entered into a technology collaboration
agreement (TCA) with HLB Power, Republic of Korea.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for Central Sector
Scheme "Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry" for the next three years
from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
The Union Cabinet chaired has given its approval for revision of the agreement between
India and Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal
evasion with respect to taxes on income.
Senior journalist and television presenter Karan Thapar has been awarded with the G.K.
Reddy Memorial National Award for journalism by the former Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John R Bolton will be the new National
Security Adviser to President Donald Trump, replacing Lt Gen H R McMaster.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Equitas Small Finance Bank has tied up with the Indian Premium League (IPL) franchise
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to launch ‘Yellow Army Savings Account’.
The government has decided to declare 2018 as 'National Year of Millets' to boost the
cultivation of millets like ragi and jowar.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir has inaugurated the first
National Conference on Drug Law Enforcement in New Delhi.
ISRO has entered into a Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) with Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) to transfer the technology for the manufacture of space grade
li-ion cells.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot has launched the first
Indian Sign Language (ISL) Dictionary of three thousand words in New Delhi.
Young Shooter Vivaan Kapoor has won the bronze medal in the ISSF Junior World Cup.
Kumar Mangalam Birla will be the non-executive chairman of the merged Idea-
Vodafone entity and Balesh Sharma will be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of this
entity.
Praveer Sinha has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Tata Power.
Private sector lender HDFC Bank signed an agreement with the Government e-
Marketplace (GeM). Under this agreement, the bank will facilitate a host of services to
the public procurement portal for Central and state government organisations.
India's 16-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker won a gold medal in the women's 10-metre air
pistol event while Gaurav Rana won a silver medal at the Junior World Cup in Sydney,
Australia.
Odisha government has signed a MOU with the British Council to strengthen
educational and cultural cooperation.
7th India-Egypt Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the 'mKeralam app' which will offer
government services through a unified interface.
Martin Vizcarra was sworn in as the new president of Peru.
Tata Motors Ltd has named Rajendra Petkar as the firm’s chief technology officer.
Pakistan's MP Sherry Rehman made history by becoming the first woman Leader of the
Opposition in the Senate, the upper house of parliament.
PV Sindhu will be the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent for the opening ceremony of
the Commonwealth Games.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented the G.K. Reddy Memorial National
Award for journalism to senior journalist and television presenter Karan Thapar.
Pankaj Advani has won the Asian Billiards Championships title by defeating B. Bhaskar.
The Government of India has decided to nominate Professor J S Rajput, former Director
NCERT, as India’s representative to the Executive Board (EXB) of UNESCO.
The country’s National Academy of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi hosted the first-ever
International Print Biennale in the country with a record number of 17 countries taking
part in it. The first-ever International Exhibition of Graphic Prints ‘Print Biennale India
2018’ opened, at the Rabindra Bhavan Galleries of the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi.
The India U-16 team emerged champions in the Jockey Cup International Youth
Invitational Football Tournament with a 4-2 victory over Hong Kong U-17 in the final.
Afghan spinner Rashid Khan has become the fastest-ever bowler to reach 100 wickets in
ODI cricket.
India has become the third largest electricity producer ahead of Russia and Japan.
South Asian Cinema Foundation (SACF), a city-based organisation has received the
Frederick Pincott Award for 2017 from the Indian High Commissioner, Y K Sinha for
promoting Hindi cinema in Britain for the last 18 years
India's 15-year-old shooter Anish Bhanwala won a gold medal at the ISSF Junior World
Cup in the 25m rapid fire pistol event, which was India's third gold at the event.
Bhanwala was placed 7th in the same event at the ISSF Senior World Cup.
India has ranked 67th in fixed broadband speed as of February which has increased from
76th position last year, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. However, India’s
rank for mobile internet download speed remains constant at 109th position globally.
A’ National Conference on Down Syndrome’ was organised by the National Trust under
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at New Delhi.
Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu and Minister of
Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Zhong Shan, co- chaired the11th
meeting of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science and
Technology at New Delhi.
Ferrari's German driver Sebastian Vettel has won the Australian Grand Prix title.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), signed
the Host Country Agreement
Tribal Affairs Minister, Shri Jual Oram will launch “E-Tribes India” in New Delhi.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Bollywood actress-producer Anushka Sharma has been featured in the Forbes 30 under
30 Asia 2018 list.
According to latest global Automobile sales data, India has overtaken Germany to
become the fourth largest automobile market in the world.
Airport Authority of India (AAI) has signed an MOU with the Assam state Government
under its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiative.
First International Exhibition of Graphic Prints ‘Print Biennale India 2018’ was held in
New Delhi.
Anmol and Manu Bhaker have won a Gold Medal in the mixed 10m air pistol event at
the ISSF Junior World Cup.
Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) will provide a USD 500 million credit facility to ECOWAS
Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to fund various development projects in
western-south Africa.
Gujarat's Surat has become the first Indian district to have 100% solar-powered Primary
Health Centres (PHCs).
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has
signed the 'Host Country Agreement'. The Agreement will give ISA a juridical personality
and gives it power to contract, to acquire and dispose off movable and immovable
properties, to institute and defend legal proceedings.
NITI Aayog has joined hands with the world's top technology company, SAP Global to
promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
Indu Bhushan has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre's
ambitious Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (ABNHPM).
Justice Jawad Rahim has been appointed as the acting chairperson of National Green
Tribunal (NGT).
Ministry of Communications has launched the 'Cool EMS Service' which will come into
force from 29.03.2018. Cool EMS service is one-way service from Japan to India which
allows customers in India to import Japanese food items for personal use which is
allowed under Indian regulations.
The Government will release a Rs 350 commemorative coin to mark 350th birth
anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last Sikh Guru.
Short movie "Jal" was awarded the best film honour at the recently concluded National
Students' Film Festival organised at the Mumbai University.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Muskan Bhanwala has won the Gold Medal in ISSF Junior World Cup
Harsimrat Kaur Badal will inaugurate the Rajasthan’s first mega food park at
Roopangarh Village in Ajmer.
Myanmar's parliament has elected Win Myint as the country's next president.
The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed $80 Million
Loan Agreement to help boost Youth Employability in the State of Himachal Pradesh.
K Vijay Raghavan has been appointed as the Principal Scientific Advisor to the
Government of India.
Indian captain Virat Kohli's wax figure will be included at Delhi's Madame Tussauds
Museum. Eminent sportspersons like Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev and Lionel Messi
already have their statues in the Museum.
Government of India has increased its annual contribution for UNRWA from US$ 1.25
million to US$ 5 million from 2018-19 for three years.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a communication
satellite GSAT-6A from Sriharikota. This is the 12th flight of GSLV and the sixth of the
Indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage.
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed Rs 58.9 crore fine on ICICI Bank for failure to
meet disclosure norms on the sale of securities.
Shekhar Kapur has been appointed as chairman of the central panel of the 65th National
Film Awards.
One of the most popular Malayalam film personalities, Sreekumaran Thampi has been
awarded with the prestigious J.C. Daniel Award.
Bandhan Bank has become India's eighth most valued bank with a market capitalization
of over ₹56,000 crore.
American diplomat Rosemary DiCarlo has been appointed as the head of UN political
affairs. She is the first woman to be appointed on this post.
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between India and Zambia in the field of Judicial Cooperation.
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post approval for the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between India and Canada to establish bilateral cooperation
activities in the field of Intellectual Property (IP).
17th Sub-junior National Wushu Championship has been started in Jammu.
India has won the 22 Medals in the ISSF Junior World Cup in Sydney, Australia.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
Dr Promila Gupta will take over as the DGHS (officer incharge) in the Health Ministry.
India's JSW Steel will buy Acero Junction Holdings for $80.85 million.
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has been re-elected as the president of Egypt.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has launched ‘181-Sakhi’ toll-free women
helpline to intensify women safety in the state.
The Chhattisgarh government has decided to honor the famous film director Shyam
Benegal with the first 'Kishore Sahu Memorial National Award'.
Jana Small Finance Bank (formerly Janalakshmi Financial Services), announced the
commencement of its banking operations.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development organised the first ever National
Conclave on Psychological Trauma, Child Protection, and Mental Illnesses in New Delhi.
The number of subscribers under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana has gone up
to 13.41 crore.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated a 10.30-km-long elevated
road in Ghaziabad. It is the longest elevated road of its kind in the country.
Tata Motors has partnered with auto component manufacturer Wabco India to offer
safety technologies in its commercial vehicles.
Russia has conducted a second drop test of its latest intercontinental ballistic missile
(ICBM) ‘Sarmat’.
Tibetans started the year-long celebrations under “Thank You India” event to mark 60
years of the Dalai Lama’s arrival in India in Mcleodganj of Himachal Pradesh.
The former chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Vineet Joshi,
was appointed the first director-general of the National Testing Agency (NTA)
China has successfully sent pair of twin Beidou-3MEO satellites – Beidou-30 and Beidou-
31 –into space as part of its third and final stage of launching its domestic Beidou
(Compass) satellite navigation system.
Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India has
awarded Geographical Indication (GI) Tag to Madhya Pradesh’s Kadaknath chicken.
The population of the one-horned rhino in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park has risen to
2,413, a 2018 census has found. This amounts to an increase of 12 rhinos over the 2015
census count of 2,401.
Current Affairs March 2018 PDF
A recent study suggests that India has witnessed the highest increase in antibiotic
consumption among Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) between 2000 and
2015.
Scientists have discovered a new organ 'Interstitium' in the human body, a discovery
that could help the scientists understand the spread of cancer within the body.
Ultra-clean Euro-VI grade petrol and diesel, at no additional price, will be supplied in the
national capital from 1st April in a bid to combat alarming levels of air pollution.
Indians are consuming almonds like never before, leaving behind China and Spain to
emerge as the world’s largest consumer of the nut in recent times.
Gurugram-based hotel aggregator Oyo has launched its own cryptocurrency called 'Oyo
Smart Coin', the startup announced.