India and Malaysia Agreed to Trade in Indian Rupees

• As per the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Malaysia can now settle trade in Indian rupees (INR) in addition to other currencies.
• The decision comes after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved international trade settlements in INR last year.
• The move is intended to encourage trade growth, with Kuala Lumpur's India International Bank of Malaysia opening a Rupee Vostro account with India's Union Bank of India to facilitate INR settlements.

World Autism Awareness Day

• Every April Autism Speaks, an organization that advocates for individuals with autism celebrates World Autism Month, beginning with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 12. This year marks the 16^th anniversary of this day.
• It also aims to encourage early diagnosis and intervention that can lead to improved outcomes for individuals with autism.

What is Autism?

• Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the communication, social interaction, and behaviour of an individual. It is characterized by repetitive behaviours, communication difficulties and problems with social interaction. Autism affects people of all ages, races, and ethnicities.

Theme 2023

• This year the theme for World Autism Awareness Day 2023 is "Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts and in policymaking."

New Vice-Chief of Indian Navy

• Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh has taken over as the Indian Navy's vice chief of naval staff, succeeding Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, who retired after more than 39 years of service.

Rudrendra Tandon as India’s Next Ambassador to Greece

• Rudrendra Tandon has now been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Greece.
• He became India's Ambassador to Afghanistan in September 2020.

WhatsApp Banking Services Launched by India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)

• In collaboration with Airtel, Indian Post Payments Bank launched ‘WhatsApp Banking Services’ which will make it possible for IPPB customers to use their mobile phones to access banking services.
• As per the Union ministry of communications, this move is in line with the government's goal of promoting digital and financial inclusion among citizens in their language.
• The Airtel-IPPB WhatsApp Banking solution aims to provide multi-language support, making it even easier for customers, especially those in rural areas.
• India Post Payments Bank CGM & Chief Sales Marketing Officer - Gursharan Rai Bansal.

10^th Indian - Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime exercise

• On April 3, Colombo will host the 10^th annual bilateral maritime exercise between India and Sri Lanka known as SLINEX-2023.
• The exercise is being carried out in two phases, the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase, each lasting three days.
• INS Kiltan and INS Savitri will represent the Indian Navy, while SLNS Vijayabahu and SLNS Samudura will represent the Sri Lankan Navy.
• The exercise would also include the participation of Sri Lanka Air Force Dornier and BEL 412 helicopters, as well as the Chetak helicopter and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy. The two navies' Special Forces will also participate in the exercise together.

SLINEX-2023

• SLINEX-2023 will expect to upgrade between operability, mutual understanding and trade best practices and methodology in multi-faceted Maritime operations between the two Naval forces.
• Sports games, yoga classes, and cultural events would be part of the Harbour Phase, which would give people from both navies a chance to learn from each other, reaffirm their shared values, and form friendships and bonds of friendship.

Prime Minister Inaugurated Vande Bharat Express

• The Vande Bharat Express train service between Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1st April 2023.
• The train will run every day, except on Saturday, and will travel 701 kilometres in 7 hours and 30 minutes. It will make stops in Jhansi, Gwalior, and Agra at Veerangana Laxmibai.

Vande Bharat Express

• With a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour, it is the first semi-high-speed train service in the nation.
• It has been planned and manufactured in India, with 80% of its parts being native.
• It offers Wi-Fi, automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information systems, and other amenities to passengers.

Rise in India’s Unemployment Rates

• According to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India's unemployment rate increased to 7.8% in March, marking a three-month high and indicating a decline in the country's labour market conditions.
• According to the data that was available, the unemployment rate in India in March reached 8.4% in urban areas and 7.5% in rural areas.

Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE)

• CMIE, or Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, is a leading business information company. It was established in 1976, primarily as an independent think tank.
• CMIE is a privately owned and professionally managed company head-quartered at Mumbai.
  • Chairman- S A Dave
  • Managing Director- Mahesh Vyas

Britain to join Indo-Pacific free-trade bloc

• Britain has signed its largest-ever trade agreement, which is significant development for Britain after Brexit.
• The country is planning to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which covers a market with approximately 500 million people and £9 trillion in combined GDP.
• The bloc, which is home to 500 million people, will be worth 15% of global GDP once the UK joins, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

• The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.
• The CPTPP was signed by the 11 countries on 8 March 2018 in Santiago, Chile.
• The CPTPP entered into force on 30 December 2018 for Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore; on 14 January 2019 for Vietnam; on 19 September 2021 for Peru; on 29 November 2022 for Malaysia and on 21 February 2023 for Chile.