Daily GK Update: 1st April 2023

 National & International Appointments

1. NASA appoints Indian-origin Amit Kshatriya to head 'Moon To Mars' Programme

• Amit Kshatriya, an Indian-American software and robotics engineer was appointed as the first head of NASA's Moon to Mars Programme, with immediate effect.
• The new office aims to carry out the agency’s human exploration activities on the Moon and Mars for the benefit of humanity.
• He will be responsible for planning and executing human missions to these celestial bodies for the betterment of humanity.
• NASA Administrator: Bill Nelson

 National Affairs

2. India's unemployment rate rises to 3-month high of 7.8% in March 2023

• According to the data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India's unemployment rate increased to 7.8% in March 2023.
• The unemployment rate in the country surged in December 2022 to 8.30% but declined in January to 7.14%.
• It edged up again in February 2023 to 7.45%.
• In March 2023, the unemployment rate in urban areas of India reached 8.4%, while in rural areas it stood at 7.5%.
• In March 2023, unemployment was the highest in Haryana at 26.8%.

 Banking & Finance

3. Fino Payments Bank and Rajasthan Royals ties up for Digital Banking Partner

• Fino Payments Bank has renewed its association with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Season 16 of the Indian premier cricket competition, IPL.
• Fino Bank will be RR’s official digital banking partner.
• The bank made its maiden foray with the mega sporting event last season by partnering with RR as the digital payments partner.
• The newly launched FinoPay digital savings account is expected to get more traction through this engagement.

 Banking & Finance

4. Govt hikes interest rates of small savings schemes

• The Government has raised interest rates on post office saving schemes for the April-June 2023 quarter.
• The interest rate of the National Savings Certificate will now attract 7.7% up from 7%.
• The rate for Sukanya Samriddhi has increased to 8% from 7.6%.
• The interest rates for PPF and savings deposits have been retained at 7.1% and 4%.
• Senior citizen savings scheme: 8.2%.
• Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP): 7.5%
• KVP will now mature in 115 months as against 120 months earlier. 

 Banking & Finance

5. GST revenue collection increases 13% to ₹1.60 lakh crore in March 2023

• India’s GST revenue collection for March 2023 stood at 1.6 lakh crore rupees, which is 13% higher than the GST revenues in March 2022.
• It is for the fourth time, in the current financial year that the gross GST collection has crossed 1.5 lakh crore rupees, since the implementation of GST.
• Out of the total collection, CGST is 29,546 crore rupees, SGST is 37,314 crore rupees and IGST is 82,907 crore rupees.
• The gross revenues in 2022-23 were 22% higher than in 2021-22.

 Banking & Finance

6. India Post Payments Bank launches WhatsApp Banking Services

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) in collaboration with Airtel has launched WhatsApp Banking Services for IPPB customers in New Delhi.
• This channel will enable IPPB customers to seamlessly connect with the bank on WhatsApp and effortlessly avail of a host of banking services.
• It includes doorstep service requests, locating the nearest Post Office, and much more.
• Airtel has been working with IPPB to deliver as many as 250 million messages per month to the bank’s customers.

 National Affairs

7. Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launches Sagar Setu Mobile App

• Union Minister for Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal launched the App Version of the National Logistics Portal (Marine) named Sagar-Setu.
• The app has been envisaged with deliverables covering features like a Login Module, Letter of Credit, Bank Guarantee, Certification, and Track & Trace etc.
• Benefits for Traders
  • Improve convenience with the reduced turnaround time for approval and compliance.
  • Increase the visibility of operations and tracking.

 Banking & Finance

8. IMF approves 15.6 billion dollar support package for Ukraine

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a 15.6 billion US dollar support package for Ukraine to assist with the conflict-hit country’s economic recovery.
• The loan is part of a broader 115 billion US dollar international support package to help the country meet urgent funding needs.
• Of the total amount, 2.7 billion dollars is being made available to Ukraine immediately and the rest of the funds are due to be released over the next four years.

 Summits & Conferences

9. Tripura to host first-ever G20 summit of State commencing on April 3

• Tripura will host the first-ever G20 summit of the State commencing on the 3rd of April 2023.
• The meeting will delve into 'Clean Energy for Greener Future.'
• After the first session of the summit, the second session will see the opening of exhibition stalls and an Investor Meet.
• A light and sound show will be organised for the G20 delegates at the Ujjayanta Palace.
• Chief Minister of Tripura: Manik Saha

 Defense

10. 10th Bilateral Maritime exercise SLINEX-2023 will be conducted in Colombo

• The 10th Edition of the annual Indian - Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime exercise, SLINEX-2023 is scheduled to be held in Colombo on April 3, 2023.
• It is being conducted in two phases of three days each, the Harbour Phase followed by Sea Phase.
• The Indian Navy will be represented by INS Kiltan and INS Savitri while Sri Lanka Navy will have SLNS Vijayabahu and SLNS Samudura.
• The exercise will also have the Special Forces of the two navies participate together.