Focus Merit

Category: All Current Affairs

Karur Vysya Bank releases pre-paid card “Enkasu”

March 24, 2020
Karur Vysya Bank
  • Karur Vysya Bank has released India’s 1st pre-paid card Enkasu (My cash in Tamil) in Karur, Tamil Nadu under its Quit cash movement.
  • These cards are special in the sense that it can be accepted ‘online’ & ‘offline’ as well.

Charges for ATM cash withdrawal abandoned for 3 months

March 24, 2020
ATM
  • Union Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman declared that cash withdrawal from other bank ATMs and penalties for non-maintenance of minimum balance has been ignored for 3 months.
  • This has been done to make sure that individuals don’t visit bank branches to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

Gujarat Police become 1st state police to introduce taser guns

March 24, 2020
Taser guns
  • The Gujarat Police is now equipped with taser guns as a part of their modernization drive to ensure public safety and security.
  • Taser guns use compressed nitrogen to fire, by sending electricity through attached wires, which disrupt voluntary control of muscles.

Canada retreats from Tokyo 2020 Olympics

March 24, 2020
Tokyo 2020 Olympics
  • Canada has become the first country in the world to retreat from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to coronavirus pandemic.
  • Tokyo 2020 Olympics was scheduled to be held in Japan from 24th July to 9th August 2020.

UK validated as the first co-chair of India led CDRI

March 24, 2020
UK
  • The United Kingdom has been validated as the first co-chair of the Governing Council of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
  • CDR is an India-led global climate force that was established by Indian PM Narendra Modi at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 held in New York City, USA.

IOC becomes 1st company to start the supply of BS-VI fuel across India

March 24, 2020
IOC
  • Indian Oil Corporation Limited has begun supplying BS-VI fuel across India. Indian Oil Corporation Limited has become 1st company to commence the supply of BS-VI fuel across its 28,000 petrol pumps.
  • BS (Bharat Satge)-VI grade fuel is the world’s cleanest fuel comprising just 10 parts per million of sulphur.

ECI delays Rajya Sabha elections amid coronavirus pandemic

March 24, 2020
ECI
  • The Election Commission of India has delayed the Rajya Sabha elections amid the growing risk of rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic.
  • Elections to 18 seats of Rajya Sabha were programmed to be held on 26 March 2020.

1st ‘Made in India’ COVID19 Test Kit receives CDSCO approval

March 24, 2020
COVID19
  • “Mylab PathoDetect COVID-19 Qualitative PCR kit” has become the first ‘Made in India’ COVID19 Test Kit to receive the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approval.
  • CDSCO has given the commercial approval to the COVID-19 diagnostic test kit which is also called as the Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.

22nd March observed as World Water Day

March 23, 2020
World Water Day
  • World Water Day, on 22 March every year is about centering attention on the importance of water.
  • Theme 2020- ‘Water and Climate Change’

23rd March observed as World Meteorological Day

March 23, 2020
World Meteorological Day
  • World Meteorological Day is observed every year on 23 March to commemorate the entry into force in 1950 of the convention that founded the World Meteorological Organization.
  • The day also highlights the contribution that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services make to the protection and well-being of society. Theme 2020- Climate and Water