Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Tea on Wednesday got a European Union Geographical Indication Tag (GI tag).

• A GI, a kind of IPR, is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.
• Both the EU and India place a major emphasis on GI, placing a high value on local food, protecting and developing rich cultural heritage. Once a product gets a GI tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name. This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
• The other benefits of GI registration include legal protection for the item, prevention against unauthorised use by others, and promotion of exports.

India's foreign exchange reserves rose for the second consecutive week by $5.977 billion to $578.778 billion in the week ended March 24, according to data by the Reserve Bank of India.

• In the week ending March 23, the foreign exchange reserves had risen by $12.8 billion to $572.8 billion.
• It can be noted that in October 2021, the country's forex reserve had reached an all-time high of $645 billion. 
• The reserves have been declining as the central bank deploys the kitty to defend the rupee amid pressures caused majorly by global developments.
• For the week ended March 24, the foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, increased by $4.38 billion to $509.728 billion, according to the Weekly Statistical Supplement released by the RBI.

India's central bank and regulatory body, Reserve Bank of India celbrated RBI foundation day on 1st April 2023. 

• RBI has served 88 years till now to the nation.
• RBI serves as the banker to the Government of India and banks in India.
• It was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. 
• The RBI is responsible for regulating and maintaining the monetary policy and price stability in the economy. 
• RBI is governed by a central board of directors, which is appointed by the Government of India. 
• The Governor of RBI is the chief executive of the organization and is responsible for implementing the policies and decisions of the central board.

Renowned Malayalam novelist Sarah Thomas passed away here on Friday. She was 88.

• Born on September 15, 1934, she published her first novel Jivitamenna Nadi at the age of 34.
• Her novel Narmadi Pudava won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 1979.
• The funeral will be held at St Thomas Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Pattoor on Saturday.

Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations on 01 Apr 23.

• He was commissioned on 01 January 1988 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (71st Course, Delta Squadron) the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur (Bangladesh) and the National Defence College, New Delhi.
• He has also attended the prestigious Advance Security Cooperation Course at the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii, USA. His educational qualifications include an MPhil and MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies, Masters in Defence Studies and a BSc Degree.
• He is also recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Meda.

Unity Cup Cricket Tournament 2023 was jointly organized by HUDCO and NBCC on April 01, 2023 at Siri Fort Sports Complex, New Delhi to encourage Team building and promote Fit India Movement of the Government of India.

• The Tournament inaugurated by Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA, was held between mega Teams from MoHUA, CPWD, NBCC & HUDCO. The series of exciting matches kick-started with the inaugural match played between MoHUA & CPWD.
• After all the contesting matches’ enjoyed by all, MoHUA won the final strike by 20 runs from NBCC in the finals. Sh. Manoj Joshi lifted the winning Trophy on behalf of MoHUA Team.

Utkala Diwas, also known as the Odisha Diwas, is the foundation day of Odisha, a state located in the eastern part of India.Odisha became an independent province on April 1, 1936, following a three-century battle.

• Every year, the state celebrates April 1 as the day of its origin. On this day, the state of Odisha was declared an independent province when divided by Bihar.
• The state is the 8th largest state by area and the 11th largest state by population.
• The reports from the World Bank suggest that the state of Odisha has a rich mineral reserve containing 30 percent of India's iron ore and 90 percent of India's chromite deposits.
• It also has resources like coal, bauxite, nickel, and manganese. People across the state have a holiday. They celebrate this day with lots of zeal and enthusiasm.

 The UK has signed a deal to join a trade pact with 11 Asia and Pacific nations, three years after it officially left the European Union, BBC reported.

• Joining the group will boost UK exports by cutting tariffs on goods such as cheese, cars, chocolate, machinery, gin and whisky, the government said.
• However, the government’s own estimates show being in the bloc will only add 0.08 per cent to the size of the UK’s economy.
• The trade area covers a market of around 500 million people,
• The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was established in 2018, and includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.