10th February Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Which company recently (in Feb ‘23) signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to procure 41 indigenous modular bridges for the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers at a cost of over Rs 2,585 crore?
Option “2” is correct The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) to procure 41 indigenous Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army, a combat support arm which provides combat engineering support, develops infrastructure for armed forces. • The bridges will be procured at an estimated cost of over Rs 2,585 crore. i. The Modular Bridges were designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be produced by L&T as a DRDO-nominated production agency. ii. This will boost the indigenisation of defence equipment, in line with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission.
BANKING AND FINANCE
2. In February 2023, the European Investment Bank (EIB) formally agreed to join the “India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A)” and provide ___________ Euros for large-scale green hydrogen projects in India.
Option “5” is correct Kris Peeters, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), has formally agreed to join the “India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A)” and enhance support for large-scale green hydrogen hubs and projects across India with initial investment of Euro (€) 1 billion, subject to Indian government and EIB approvals. i. The EIB, a lending arm of the European Union (EU) bank, is the world’s largest international public bank and a leading financier of renewable energy and climate action. ii. The new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IH2A would allow the EIB to promote clean energy investment and green hydrogen development in India even more. iii. The EIB is currently exploring a credit facility with the Indian government to boost the growth of the green hydrogen industry by investing in important public sectors.
3. Which company has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched a new portal named “Insurance Mall” for its customers to ensure an easy-buy experience?
Option “2” is correct Bajaj Finance Ltd. (Bajaj Finance) has launched a new portal named “Insurance Mall” for its customers to ensure an easy-buy experience in an effort to provide quality services and to simplify all the inconveniences consumers may face during their policy purchase. i. The “Insurance Mall” portal offers a wide range of insurance plans and policies in addition to Bajaj Finance’s exclusive Pocket Insurance and Subscription categories. ii. Insurance Mall has over 250+ policies and plans designed to meet the needs of every customer, and these products are constantly updated to guarantee that they remain relevant.
4. Name the Small Finance Bank (SFB) that has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched India’s First Voice, Visual, Vernacular Banking App for the “Digitally Challenged”.
1) Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
2) ESAF Small Finance Bank
3) Suryoday Small Finance Bank
4) Equitas Small Finance Bank
5) Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
Option “1” is correct Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (SFB) has launched “Hello Ujjivan,” India’s 1st mobile banking application featuring three Vs—voice, visual, and vernacular-enabled features—to provide banking access to people with limited reading and writing skills. • The app “Hello Ujjivan” was developed in collaboration with Navana.AI. i. The ‘Hello Ujjivan’ app is designed to instill banking habits in its micro-banking and rural customers who are digitally challenged. ii. The app is accessible by voice in 8 regional languages: Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Oriya, and Assamese. • The app engine can also adapt to various dialects.
5. In February 2023, Which fintech app was the first in India to support RuPay Credit Cards on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?
Option “3” is correct MobiKwik, payment app of One MobiKwik Systems Limited, has become the first fintech app in India to support RuPay Credit Cards on Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has allowed Mobikwik to offer its customers the facility to make UPI payments through the RuPay credit cards. i. Objective: To make financial services accessible to all Indians and lead the way to financial inclusion.
6. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the RBI’s 1st Bi-monthly monetary policy of FY23 held in February 2023?
A) RBI has extended the validity of authorization issued to Vakrangee Limited to set up, own and operate White Label ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in India till March 31, 2024.
B) RBI will launch a pilot project on QR Code based Coin Vending Machine (QCVM) in 12 cities.
C) RBI permitted lending and borrowing against G-secs to increase the depth of the bond market & also restored the market trading hours in G-Sec to 9 am to 5 pm, from current timings of 9 am to 3.30 pm.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct RBI has extended the validity of authorization issued to Vakrangee Limited to set up, own and operate White Label ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in India till March 31, 2024. i. RBI will launch a pilot project on QR Code based Coin Vending Machine (QCVM) in 12 cities. ii. RBI permitted lending and borrowing against Government Securities (G-secs) to increase the depth of the bond market. It also restored the market trading hours in G-Sec to pre-pandemic levels i.e. 9 am to 5 pm, from current timings of 9 am to 3:30 pm w.e.f. February 13, 2023 to normalize liquidity and market operations. iii. RBI proposed to permit all inbound travellers to India to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for their merchant payments (P2M) while they are in India. • Initially it will be extended to travellers from G-20 countries arriving at select international airports.
7. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the RBI’s 1st Bi-monthly monetary policy of FY23 held in February 2023?
1) India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 6.4% for FY24 (lower than 7% in FY23)
2) The MPC raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50% from 6.25%.
3) The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate adjusted to 6.25% from 6.0% and Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate to 6.75% from 6.50%.
4) The Bank Rate remained unchanged at 6.50%.
5) Inflation is projected at 6.5% in FY23.
Option “4” is correct The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on February 6-8, 2023, and released the Monetary Policy Statement, 2022-23 Resolution of the MPC which projected India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 6.4% for FY24 (lower than 7% in FY23) with FY24’s Q1 at 7.8%, Q2 at 6.2%, Q3 at 6%, and Q4 at 5.8%. • The stance is to focus on withdrawal of accommodation. • Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation or retail inflation is projected at 5.3% for FY24, with FY24’s Q1 at 5%, Q2 at 5.4%, Q3 at 5.4%, and Q4 at 5.6%. • Inflation is projected at 6.5% in FY23, with Q4FY23 at 5.7%. • The MPC raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50% from 6.25%.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
8. Which of the following Maharatna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) has recently (in Feb ‘23) been honoured with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Best Awards 2023?
1) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
2) NTPC Limited
3) Power Finance Corporation
4) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
5) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Option “2” is correct NTPC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has been honoured with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Best Awards 2023 for demonstrating enterprise success in the field of Talent Development by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), United States of America (USA). i.NTPC has won the ATD Best Awards for the sixth time. ii. NTPC won the ATD Best Award by the ATD, USA in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. iii. ATD has named 72 organisations as Best Awards 2023 winners, including 7 best of the best, organisations that have won the BEST Awards ten times or more
9. Who has recently (in Feb ‘23) selected for ‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for excellence in Journalism-2020’?
1) Devdutt Pattanaik
2) N Ram
3) Gulab kothari
4) Amitav Ghosh
5) Dr Anne Bhavani Koteswara Prasad
Option “5” is correct Veteran journalist Dr Anne Bhavani Koteswara Prasad, popularly known as ABK, has been chosen for the ‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for excellence in Journalism-2020’ for his outstanding contribution to the field of journalism. i.The award was conferred by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, chairperson of the Press Council of India (PCI). ii.He served as the chairman of the Official Language Commission from 2004 to 2009 in United Andhra Pradesh. iii.The award carries a cash award of Rs 1Lakh, a plaque, and a citation.
10. Recently (in Feb ‘23) Ricky Kej, an Indian music composer and environmentalist, won 3rd Grammy at the 65th annual Grammy Awards(Grammy 2023) under the Best Immersive Audio Album category. Which of his album’s won the 2023 Grammy award?
1) Wild Karnataka
2) Fiery Drums
3) Divine Tides
4) One World
5) Punjabi In The Club
Option “3” is correct Ricky Kej, an Indian music composer and environmentalist based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has his 3rd Grammy at the 65th annual Grammy Awards(Grammy 2023) under the Best Immersive Audio Album category for the album Divine Tides. i.He shared the award with rock legend Stewart Copeland, the drummer of the iconic British rock band, The Police. ii.This is Copelands’s 5th Grammy and also marks the 2nd grammy shared with Rickey Kej as a collaborator. iii.He won his first Grammy Award in 2015 (shared with Wouter Kellerman) under the best new age album category for ‘Winds of Samsara’ and the 2nd Grammy in 2022 (shared with Stewart Copeland) under the Best New Age Album category for ‘Divine Tides’.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
11. Which Indian Institution announced its partnership with Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) recently (in Feb ‘23) to promote research and development(R&D) in the field of on-chip Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection?
1) Indian Institute of Science Education and Research – Kolkata
2) Indian Institute Of Technology – Bombay
3) Indian Institute of Science – Bengaluru
4) Indian Institute Of Technology – Madras
5) Indian Institute of Science Education and Research – Pune
Option “3” is correct On 8th February 2023, Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR), a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, announced a new partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Karnataka, to promote research and development(R&D) in the field of on-chip Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection. i. ICs and SoCs are essential for any system, from small to big, but they are very sensitive to ESD failures, especially those developed using advanced nanoscale CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technologies. ii.ESD failures are responsible for the vast majority of IC chip failures and field returns.
12. Which company recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an MoU with PAO NOVATEK(NOVATEK) to supply Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and low-carbon ammonia?
1) Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited.
2) Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited
3) Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited
4) Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited
5) Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited
Option “4” is correct On 6th February 2023, PAO NOVATEK(NOVATEK), Russia’s 2nd-largest natural gas producer, and Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (Deepak Fertilisers) signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the supply of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and low-carbon ammonia. i.The MoU envisages spot and long-term LNG deliveries to Deepak Fertilisers, including from the Arctic LNG 2 project. ii.NOVATEK, the 7th-largest publicly traded company globally by natural gas production volume, was established as AOOT FIK Novafininvest, which was later changed to PAO NOVATEK).
13. Name the Insurance company that recently (in Feb ‘23) rebranded itself as Zuno General Insurance Limited.
1) United India Insurance
2) Reliance General Insurance
3) ICICI Lombard General Insurance
4) Edelweiss General Insurance
5) Liberty General Insurance
Option “4” is correct
Edelweiss General Insurance has rebranded itself as Zuno General Insurance Limited (Zuno GI), a new-age digital insurer with the ambition to reimagine and redefine insurance to make it easy, friendly, and transparent. i.Zuno GI has also launched a consumer study titled ‘Usage Based Insurance: Decoding Awareness, Perception and Behaviour’. ii.The study was done to assess Millennials’ and GenZ’s (Generation Z) awareness, understanding, and consideration of usage-based insurance (UBI).
14. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has recently (in Feb ‘23) announced the expansion of its partnership with _________________ for long-term savings.
1) Google
2) Standard Life
3) Zoho
4) Cisco
5) Phoenix Group
Option “5” is correct Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced an expansion of its partnership with Phoenix Group, the United Kingdom’s (UK) largest long-term savings and retirement provider, through a contract valued at over 600 million British pound sterling (GBP). i.TCS will use the Bell Administrative Network Communications System (BaNCS)-based platform to digitally transform Phoenix’s ReAssure business, including its administration services, as part of the agreement.
OBITUARY
15. Elena Fanchini the 3 time Winter Olympics winner from Italy has recently (in Feb ‘23) passed away. Which sport did she represent in the Winter Olympics?
Option “4” is correct On 8th February 2023, Italian Alpine Ski Racer Elena Fanchini, who represented Italy at 3 Winter Olympics(2006, 2010, and 2014), and 6 World Championships, passed away in Solato, Brescia, Italy, at the age of 37 due to cancer. She was born on 30th April 1985 in Lovere, Italy. • Elena Fanchini made 4 World Cup podiums, all in downhill, including 2 victories in Lake Louise, Canada in 2005 and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy in 2015. • She won a silver medal in the downhill at FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2005, which were held in Bormio, Italy. She raced last in 2017.
STATE NEWS
16. Which state/UT has recently (in Feb ‘23) initiated a programme called “alternate agriculture system for sustainability project” to boost organic food production?
Option “1” is correct The Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has initiated a programme “alternate agriculture system for sustainability project” to boost organic food production and increase economic returns for farmers in the Union Territory (UT). i.The J&K government has allocated Rs 84 crore to support the programmes over the next 5 years. The project is estimated to create around 12600 jobs and 300 enterprises in the organic agri sector. ii.The project aims to create six to seven organic clusters per district, covering 2,000 hectares of land and converting another 2,000 hectares into organic production, including niche crops and default organic areas.
17. Name the state government that has recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an MoU with India Health Link (IHL) Private Limited to set up “hPod,” a health ATM.
1) Madhya Pradesh
2) Haryana
3) Karnataka
4) Uttar Pradesh
5) Tamil Nadu
Option “4” is correct India Health Link (IHL) Private Limited, a digital health and medical device start-up, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) under UP’s InvestUP Programme to set up “hPod”, a Health ATMs providing screening of various health parameters at more than 4,600 community and primary health care centres in UP. i. “hPod” will provide a non-invasive digitally-integrated ecosystem that enables Primary, Preventive, and Predictive Healthcare. ii. IHL, backed by the American company, Iyka Ent, has committed through signing an MoU of up to Rs 1,000 crore and opening significant job opportunities in UP over the next 5 years by establishing a manufacturing plant in UP’s 1st Medical Device Park.
18. Which bank has recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an agreement with the Telangana government’s Directorate of Treasury and Accounts to collect online government receipts?
1) Dhanlaxmi Bank
2) South Indian Bank
3) YES Bank
4) IDBI Bank
5) Federal Bank
Option “2” is correct South Indian Bank Ltd. (SIB) has signed an agreement with the Telangana government’s Directorate of Treasury and Accounts (DTA)(Cyber Treasury), Hyderabad, Telangana. This agreement authorises SIB to collect government receipts on their behalf. i.SIB is one of the six private sector banks that Telangana State has designated for the purpose of facilitating payments to the Cyber Treasury. ii.Under this partnership, residents of Telangana can make payments to the state’s online treasury portal, “Cyber Treasury,” using SIB’s Internet banking platform, “SIBerNet.”
CA STATIC GK
19. In February 2023, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued directions to block the first episode of the BBC Documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ on YouTube. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting?
Option “2” is correct Anurag Singh Thakur is the present Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued directions to block the first episode of the BBC Documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ on YouTube. i. The directions were reportedly issued by the Information and Broadcasting Secretary on Friday using emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021.
20. Which country has recently (in Jan ‘23) unveiled one of the world’s strictest anti-tobacco laws?
1) Italy
2) Spain
3) Brazil
4) Argentina
5) Mexico
Option “5” is correct Mexico has brought into force one of the world’s strictest anti-tobacco laws by enacting a total ban on smoking in public places. i. The step was first approved in 2021. It also includes a ban on tobacco advertising. ii. Mexico’s existing 2008 law, which created smoke-free spaces in bars, restaurants and workplaces, is now extended to an outright ban in all public spaces.
21. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vedanta’s Cairn Oil & Gas.
1) Nick Walker
2) Rakesh Agiwal
3) Hitesh Vaid
4) Praveen Palakeezhil
5) Pushkar Kataria
Option “1” is correct Nick Walker is appointed the chief executive officer of Vedanta’s Cairn Oil & Gas, India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, effective from January 5, 2023. i. Prior to joining as CEO of Vedanta’s Cairn Oil and Gas, Walker was the president and CEO at Lundin Energy, one of the leading European independent E&P companies. ii. Walker had previously worked with energy majors such as BP, Talisman Energy and Africa Oil.
22. Which country has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched the Astana International Forum to address key global challenges?
1) Mongolia
2) Belarus
3) Kazakhstan
4) Turkmenistan
5) Kyrgyzstan
Option “3” is correct Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced the launch of a new international initative – the Astana International Forum – aimed at addressing key global challenges such as climate change, food scarcity, and energy security. i. The forum is scheduled to take place from June 8-9, 2023 in Astana and will bring together delegates from governments, international organizations, business, and academia.
23. In which state/UT ‘Raimona National Park’ is located?
Option “2” is correct Raimona National Park is located in Assam. The area of the park includes the northern part of the notified Ripu Reserve Forest, which forms the western-most buffer to the Manas National Park that straddles the India-Bhutan border.
24. Which of the following 2023 Padma Shri awardees are correctly matched with their respective field?
1) Premjit Baria- Art
2) Radha Charan Gupta- Literature and Education
3) Dilshad Hussain- Sports
4) Only 1 & 2
5) Only 2 & 3
Option “4” is correct Premjit Baria- Art Radha Charan Gupta- Literature and Education Dilshad Hussain- Art
25. Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a __________ alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department.
Option “5” is correct Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit unique alphanumeric number issued by the Income Tax Department. i. It helps to identify the Indian nationals and regular Income Tax payer under the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. ii. It is issued by the Indian Income Tax Department under the supervision of the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT). Income Tax PAN card will be issued under Section 139A of the Income Tax Act.
26. In which state/UT ‘Samaspur Bird Sanctuary’ is located?
1) Madhya Pradesh
2) Haryana
3) Karnataka
4) Uttar Pradesh
5) Tamil Nadu
Option “4” is correct Chief Minister (CM)- Yogi Adityanath Governor- Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel Bird Sanctuary- Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary Airport- Kushinagar International airport, Kanpur Airport
27. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of South Indian Bank (SIB)?
Option “5” is correct About South Indian Bank (SIB): MD & CEO – Murali Ramakrishnan Headquarters – Thrissur, Kerala Tagline – Experience Next Generation Banking
28. In which year, the European Investment Bank (EIB) was Founded?
1) 1960
2) 1982
3) 1958
4) 1978
5) 1972
Option “3” is correct About European Investment Bank (EIB): President – Werner Hoyer Founded – 1958 Headquarters – Luxembourg
29. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Managing Director (MD) of Bajaj Finance Ltd?
1) Radhika Haribhakti
2) Sanjiv Bajaj
3) Anami N Roy
4) Rajeev Jain
5) Atish Mathur
Option “4” is correct About Bajaj Finance Ltd (Bajaj Finance): Bajaj Finance Ltd., a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit-taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is categorized as an NBFCInvestment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). It was founded in 1987 as Bajaj Auto Finance Limited and incorporated in 2012 as Bajaj Finance Limited. Managing Director (MD) – Rajeev Jain Headquarters – Pune, Maharashtra
30. In which year Ujjivan Small Finance Bank was established?
1) 2016
2) 2013
3) 2015
4) 2021
5) 2017
Option “5” is correct About Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB): MD & CEO – Ittira Davis Established – 2017 Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka Tagline – Build a Better life
