March 19th Current Affairs: All at one place

Here are the top March 19th current affairs useful for all competitive exams - UPSC, APPSC, TSPSC, Civils, Groups, Banks, Railways and SSC exams.

Persons in News
Governor of Telangana

1. The President of India has approved the resignation of Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
2. Additionally, the President has appointed Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Jharkhand, to fulfill the responsibilities of Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry alongside his existing duties, until further arrangements are made.

National

1. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has introduced a new mobile application called 'Know Your Candidate' (KYC) ahead of announcing the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This app allows voters to check if any electoral candidate in their constituency has any criminal records, providing transparency for voters. Kumar emphasized that voters have the right to know about the criminal records, assets, and liabilities of candidates from their constituencies. He stated that all relevant information will be made available on the application.
2. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated India’s first indoor athletics stadium and indoor aquatic centre at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneshwar. He also laid the foundation stone for a new indoor diving centre in the stadium complex. These new indoor facilities, according to Patnaik, will enable athletes to train throughout the year without being affected by weather-related disturbances.

Key Features:

1. The indoor athletics stadium is the first of its kind in India, equipped with facilities for hosting national and international athletic events.
2. Built at a cost of Rs 120 crore, it can accommodate 120 athletes for full-time coaching, offering amenities such as classrooms, medical facilities, and a dedicated pantry.
3. The stadium features a 10,000 sq. meter track by Italian company Mondo SpA, along with facilities for various athletic events.
4. The indoor aquatic centre boasts a 50-meter Olympic-size pool and a 25-meter warm-up pool, seating 1000 spectators and capable of hosting national and international events.
5. The facility will house the Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport High-Performance Center.
6. Additionally, the foundation stone was laid for an Indoor Diving Centre, which will include a 25-meter diving pool with synchronized swimming facilities, all temperature-controlled.

Science & Technology

1. The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is currently happening in New Delhi, India. It's a five-day event running from March 18 to 22, 2024. The first day focused on academic exchange at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). Experts shared their insights on the future of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
2. NASA's Europa Clipper mission launches this October to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, looking for signs of life in its subsurface ocean. To symbolize human curiosity, the mission will carry a metal plate engraved with a poem and a silicon chip with public names. The plate's other side will have greetings in 103 languages, including Hindi.

Defense

1. The Indian Army created its first squadron for Apache attack helicopters on March 15th at Jodhpur. The squadron, named 451 Aviation Squadron, will receive its helicopters in two batches, starting from May 2023. This follows a deal with Boeing in 2020 for six Apaches and training for Indian personnel.
2. India's army launched a new tech unit, STEAG, to research cutting-edge communication tools for future wars. STEAG will focus on AI, 5G/6G networks, machine learning, and even quantum technologies.
3. The Indian Air Force successfully tested an emergency landing strip built on a highway in Andhra Pradesh. Fighter jets practiced flyovers while transport planes landed and took off. This collaboration between the IAF and civil agencies improves air operation capabilities in emergencies and during disasters.

Sports
Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at the Indian Wells ATP tournament, defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets (7-6, 6-1). This victory makes Alcaraz the first player to win consecutive Indian Wells titles since Novak Djokovic (2014-2016), and his first championship since Wimbledon last year.

Environment
Scientists found a giant volcano on Mars named Noctis. It's 29,600 feet tall and 450 kilometers wide, located south of the equator. Data from multiple space missions helped reveal this hidden marvel.

Bilateral 
Guyana is buying two Dornier 228 aircraft from India for $23.27 million to boost its defense capabilities. These Indian-made planes are well-suited for Guyana's terrain and will be used for patrolling its borders, resupplying military bases, and transporting troops.

Published date : 20 Mar 2024 11:07AM