12th & 13th February Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. In February 2023, the first Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15) was launched by Capt Prashant Saxena, AWPS (Mbi) at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, in ___________.
1) Porbandar, Gujarat
2) Udupi, Karnataka
3) Thane, Maharashtra
4) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
5) Kochi, Kerala
Option “3” is correct The first Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15) was launched by Capt Prashant Saxena, AWPS (Mbi) at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane (Maharashtra), an MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises). i. In this Barge, all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers. This caters to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Ministry of Defence. • Its service life of Barge is 30 years.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
2. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data in February 2023, India’s position has improved to the ________ position from 112th place in the Aviation Safety Oversight Ranking of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
1) 40th
2) 60th
3) 32nd
4) 29th
5) 55th
Option “5” is correct As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s position has improved in the Aviation Safety Oversight Ranking of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as India’s aviation security monitoring ranking has improved to the 55th position from 112th place. • Under the continuous monitoring approach of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP), the Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) was launched in India from November 9 to 16, 2022. i. The ICAO team reviewed the progress in addressing 137 Protocol Questions (PQs) out of which 101 PQs are now satisfactory, 1 PQ to not applicable, and 35 PQs remained not satisfactory. • This resulted in an updated overall Effective Implementation (EI) of 85.65%.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
3. Which of the following companies has recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an agreement with Air India to buy around 500 new planes worth USD 100 billion?
1) Boeing
2) Airbus
3) Lockheed Martin
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “4” is correct Tata’s Air India has signed agreements to buy around 500 new planes worth USD 100 billion at list price. The deal for around 500 planes is split between French company Airbus and Boeing based in the United States of America (USA). i. Air India has agreed to purchase 250 Airbus planes, split between 210 single-aisle A320neos and 40 widebody A350s, and 220 Boeing aircraft including 190 of its 737 MAX narrowbody jets, 20 787 widebodies and 10 777Xs. ii. Boeing agreed to the deal on 27th January 2023 and Airbus agreed to the deal on 10th February 2023.
BANKING AND FINANCE
4. Name the company that has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched a G20 theme QR Code to celebrate India’s Presidency of the Inter-governmental forum and India’s leadership in mobile payments.
Option “1” is correct One97 Communications Limited, which owns financial services company Paytm, launched a G20 theme QR Code to celebrate India’s Presidency of the Inter-governmental forum and India’s leadership in mobile payments. • Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways and Information Technology, launched the QR Code during the “Digital Payments Utsav” at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, Delhi. i. The special commemorative QR Code includes the “DigiDhan Mission” logo from MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) along with the logos of the G20 in 2023 and the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. ii. Paytm is planning a special drive under the “Digital Payments Utsav” in which a branded car will travel to several areas in Delhi with a high public presence
5. Which Asset Management Company has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched 3 open-ended exchange-traded fund (ETF) schemes?
Option “4” is correct HDFC Asset Management Company Limited (AMC), investment manager to HDFC Mutual Fund (HDFC MF), launched 3 open-ended exchange-traded fund (ETF) schemes viz. HDFC S&P BSE 500 ETF, HDFC NIFTY Midcap 150 ETF, and HDFC NIFTY Smallcap 250 ETF replicating the S&P BSE 500 Index, NIFTY Midcap 150 Index & NIFTY Smallcap 250 Index respectively. • The captioned new fund offer (NFO) commenced on 30th January 2023 and will close on 13th February 2023. • The scheme will be managed by Abhishek Mor, Nirman Morakhia and Arun Agarwal. i. Objective of scheme: To provide returns that are commensurate (before fees and expenses) with the performance of the underlying index over long term, subject to tracking error.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
6. Name the personality from Mumbai, Maharashtra, who was recently (in Feb ‘23) crowned as the winner of Taj Miss India 2023 at the grand finale of Taj Miss & Mrs India 2023.
Option “4” is correct Akshata Rakshe from Mumbai, Maharashtra, was crowned the winner of Taj Miss India 2023 at the grand finale of Taj Miss & Mrs India 2023 held at Hotel Sadanand Regency in Balewadi, Pune, Maharashtra. i. Natasha Sadaphal was announced as the first runner-up and Isha was announced as the second runner-up of Taj Miss India 2023. ii. Jury Panel: Television Actor Dhanashri Bhalekar, actor-writer-director Chetan Chavada, Miss India 2018 Pia Roy and The Dental Hub’s Dr Sagar Abichandani.
7. Who has recently (in Feb ‘23) received the Félix Houphouët-Boigny- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Peace Prize 2022?
1) Yitzhak Rabin
2) Angela Merkel
3) Martti Ahtisaari
4) Yasser Arafat
5) Shimon Peres
Option “2” is correct Angela Merkel, former Federal Chancellor of Germany, received the Félix Houphouët-BoignyUNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Peace Prize 2022 during the ceremony held in Yamoussoukro, the capital of the Ivory Coast. • She received the prize in recognition of her efforts to welcome refugees during her term in the office. i. The international jury members headed (President) by Denis Mukwege, gynecologist & Nobel Peace Prize winner, announced Angela Merkel as the recipient of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny-UNESCO Peace Prize 2022 in August 2022.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
8. Name the bank that has recently (in Feb ‘23) acquired 100% of the equity shares of Sonata Finance Pvt Ltd (SFPL) for about Rs. 537 crores in cash.
1) YES Bank
2) Kotak Mahindra Bank
3) IndusInd Bank
4) Axis Bank
5) ICICI Bank
Option “2” is correct Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) has entered into binding share purchase agreements with existing shareholders to acquire 100% of the equity shares of Sonata Finance Pvt Ltd (SFPL) for about Rs. 537 crores in cash. The acquisition is scheduled to be completed in H1 (April-September) of the fiscal year 2023- 24 (FY24). i. SFPL will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of KMBL once the transaction is approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). • SFPL is a Non-Banking Finance Company and Microfinance Institution (NBFC-MFI)
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
9. In February 2023, Ekta Kapoor & Shobha Kapoor stepped down from their positions as the head of the ALTBalaji, a subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms Limited, an OTT platform. Who was recently (in Feb ‘23) named as the Chief Business Officer (CBO) of ALTBalaji?
1) Hina Khan
2) Tejasswi Prakash
3) Vivek Koka
4) Arjit Taneja
5) Ronit Roy
Option “3” is correct Ekta Kapoor, a film Producer, and her mother Shobha Kapoor have stepped down from their positions as the head of the ALTBalaji, a subsidiary of Balaji Telefilms Limited, an OTT (over-the-top) platform. The process of stepping down started in 2022. i. Vivek Koka, who has been named Chief Business Officer (CBO) of ALTBalaji, will now run the online streaming business. • ALTBalaji wants to continue its excellent tradition of providing its consumers with original, high-quality programming under the leadership of Vivek Koka. ii. Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor are the Managing Director and Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms Limited, respectively.
10. Who was appointed as the Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Moldova, after the resignation of Natalia Gavrilița in February 2023?
1) Dorin Recean
2) Maia Sandu
3) Aureliu Ciocoi
4) Gheorghe Brega
5) Ion Chicu
Option “1” is correct Natalia Gavrilița (41 years old), Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Moldova announced her resignation from the post, claiming a lack of support in the former Soviet Union. The pro-Western government had been in power for just 18 months (August 2021 to February 2023). i. Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, appointed presidential adviser Dorin Recean, a pro-Western economist, as the new PM following the resignation of Natalia Gavrilița. ii. Natalia Gavrilița, a Moldovan economist and politician, was appointed as the PM of Moldova in August 2021. She became the 3rd woman PM of Moldova after Zinaida Greceanii and Maia Sandu.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
11. In February 2023, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Navy carried out initial recovery trials of the Crew Module in the Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF) in Kochi, Kerala for _______________ mission.
Option “5” is correct The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Navy carried out initial recovery trials of the Crew Module in the Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF) in Kochi, Kerala for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s human space flight mission. i. A Crew Module Recovery Model (CMRM) was used for the trial that simulates the mass, the centre of gravity, outer dimensions, and externals of the actual Crew Module at touchdown. ii. According to ISRO, the Gaganyaan project will demonstrate the capability of human spaceflight by sending its three crew members into a 400 km orbit for a 3-day mission and safely bringing them back to land in Indian sea waters.
STATE NEWS
12. Which state government has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched the portal for creation of “Parivar Pehchan (Family Identity (ID))-One Family One ID”?
Option “3” is correct The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has launched the portal for creation of “Parivar Pehchan (Family Identity (ID))-One Family One ID” to identify families as a unit to implement the ‘One Family One Job’ scheme. i. Aim: To give free or discounted rations to families without ration cards who are ineligible for the National Food Security Scheme. ii. The database entered in the portal will help with better beneficiary scheme management, timely targeting, and transparent operation, giving 100% of the benefit of the scheme to eligible persons, and streamlining public access to government services.
13. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to recent (in Feb ‘23) approval by Assam Government in February 2023?
A) The State Cabinet of Assam chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma cleared the Assam Industrial and Investment Policy (Amendment), 2023.
B) The Assam factories (Amendment) Rules, 2023′ was approved in view of certain omissions and errors in the existing provisions.
C) Approval for Power Purchase Subsidy of Rs 150 crore to Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) for easing the burden on consumers.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct The State Cabinet of Assam chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma cleared the Assam Industrial and Investment Policy (Amendment), 2023. • To amend the existing policy for attracting global investment through customized incentives for implementation of mega projects in the state and to make Assam a globally-competitive investment destination. i. The Assam factories (Amendment) Rules, 2023′ was approved in view of certain omissions and errors in the existing provisions. ii. Approval for Power Purchase Subsidy of Rs 150 crore to Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) for easing the burden on consumers
14. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to Rajasthan state government budget for 2023–24 presented by Ashok Gehlot, CM and Minister of Finance in February 2023?
A) The Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy will benefit at least 76 lakh families under the Ujjwala scheme, who would receive LPG cylinders at Rs 500.
B) The Rajasthan government would provide free electricity of up to 2,000 units to 11 lakh farmers.
C) The APJ Abdul Kalam Institute of Biotechnology will be built in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) at a cost of Rs. 500 crores.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “2” is correct Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan and Minister of Finance, presented the state’s 2023–24 budget. For the first time, the state budget was streamed live to all state government offices and private colleges. • The budget for 2023-24 gains importance as it is the final budget of the current Ashok Gehlotled government, which is about to go for election later in 2023. i. The Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy will benefit at least 76 lakh families under the Ujjwala scheme, who would receive LPG cylinders at Rs 500. ii. The Rajasthan government would provide free electricity of up to 2,000 units to 11 lakh farmers. iii. The annual family limit for medical coverage under the Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana (Health Insurance Scheme) has been raised from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh. iv. The APJ Abdul Kalam Institute of Biotechnology will be built in Jaipur (Rajasthan) at a cost of Rs. 300 crores.
IMPORTANT DAYS
15. When was 31st World Day of the Sick observed across the globe?
1) 10th February 2023
2) 12th February 2023
3) 9th February 2023
4) 11th February 2023
5) 13th February 2023
Option “4” is correct World Day of the Sick, annually observed across the globe on February 11 marks the annual day of prayer for the sick. • The day was established by Pope John Paul II in 1992 as a way to offer hope and comfort to those who are suffering from illness. • The day also marks the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes in honour of the Marian apparitions that were said to have been seen in and around Lourdes, France. i. 11th February 2023 marks the 31st World Day of the Sick with the theme of observance “Take care of him: Compassion as a synodal exercise of healing”,
16. What is the theme of World Unani Day 2023 that was observed across the globe on 11th February 2023?
1) Unani Medicine for Public Health
2) Integration of Unani Medical System in Mainstream Health Service
3) Diet and Nutrition in Unani Medicine for Good Health and Well-Being
4) Disease Prevention in the New Normal through Unani System of Medicine
5) Opportunities and Challenges in times of COVID-19
Option “1” is correct World Unani Day 2023 was observed across the globe on 11th February 2023 with the theme of “Unani Medicine for Public Health”. • The day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan, better known as “Hakim Ajmal Khan”, a great Indian Unani Scholar and social reformer. 11th February 2023 marks the 155th anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan. i. The 1st ever World Unani Day was observed on 11th February 2017 at the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM) (now National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders (NRIUMSD)), Hyderabad, Telangana. ii. The International Conference on “Unani Medicine for Public Health” was held on 10th & 11th February 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi, organized by the CRIUM, Ministry of AYUSH.
17. When was the United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 observed across the globe?
1) 11th February 2023
2) 8th February 2023
3) 9th February 2023
4) 13th February 2023
5) 10th February 2023
Option “1” is correct The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 was observed across the globe on 11th February 2023 to promote the full and equal access and participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. i. 11th February 2023 marks the observance of the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science. • The theme of International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 is “Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance, Sustain. (IDEAS): Bringing communities Forward for sustainable and equitable development”. ii. The 1st ever International Day of Women and Girls in Science was observed on 11th February 2016.
CA STATIC GK
18. In which state, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently (in Jan ‘23) started ‘Mission 929’ to take voter turnout to over 90%?
Option “1” is correct The Election Commission of India (ECI) has started ‘Mission 929’ in Tripura. It will focus on 929 polling booths across Tripura with a target to increase the voter turnout to 92 percent in the next assembly elections. However, the ECI has yet to announce the poll schedule of Tripura. i. According to the ECI, these booths recorded a voter turnout of less than 89 percent in the 2018 assembly polls. Except for these booths almost all the booths in the state recorded a voter turnout of 91 % or more. The voter turnout was 89.5% in the 2018 Tripura assembly election.
19. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of LG Electronics India.
1) Kim Ki-Wan
2) Hong Ju Jeon
3) Young Lak Kim
4) Hemendu Sinha
5) Koo In-hwoi
Option “2” is correct LG Electronics India appointed Hong Ju Jeon as the Managing Director (MD). i. The former managing director, Young Lak Kim, has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President. He will be joining as Korea Sales & Marketing Head.
20. Which state/UT government has recently (in Jan ‘23) abolished the revenue/Patwari policing system in the state?
Option “4” is correct The Uttarakhand government has abolished the revenue/Patwari policing system in the state. This was notified by the Pushkar Singh Dhami government on 3 January 2023. All the revenue villages will now be under the regular policing system. i. According to the Chief Minister’s Office the law and order in 1,800 revenue villages of Uttarakhand will now be handled by the state police. ii. It was introduced by the British in the hilly state 150 years back. Under the system the civil officials/patwari of the Revenue department had the power to investigate and arrest the offenders just like police
21. In February 2023, President Droupadi Murmu announced that India has the _______ largest start-up ecosystem in the world.
1) 5th
2) 3rd
3) 4th
4) 1st
5) 2nd
Option “2” is correct President Droupadi Murmu announced that India has the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world and that all educational institutions, especially universities and technical educational institutions should take full advantage and encourage students for research and innovation. i. President Droupadi Murmu was addressing the 10th convocation of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow.
22. In which year ‘UN Women’ (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) was established?
1) 2000
2) 2003
3) 2010
4) 2008
5) 2005
Option “3” is correct About the UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women): Executive Director- Sima Bahous Headquarters- New York, USA Establishment- 2010
23. Reed Hastings has recently (in Jan ‘23) stepped down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Netflix.
In which year, Netflix was founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph?
1) 2000
2) 2005
3) 1995
4) 2003
5) 1997
Option “5” is correct Reed Hastings stepped down as chief executive of Netflix handing the reins to longtime partner and co-CEO Ted Sarandos and chief operating officer Greg Peters. • Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters Are Now Co-CEOs of Netflix, With Reed Hastings as Executive Chairman. i. Shares of Netflix rose 6.1% to $335.05 in after-hours trading as the streaming video pioneer also said it had picked up more subscribers. ii. Netflix, Inc. is an American media company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California,
24. In which city, the Union Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan has recently (in Jan ‘23) flagged off the Tarang Mail Service to deliver parcels and mail through the sea route?
Option “3” is correct India Post started Tarang Mail Service to deliver parcels and mail through the sea route. Union Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan flagged off the service at Hazira port in Surat, Gujarat. i. India Post has decided to use RoPax Ferry Services on Gogha- Hazira route for speedy postal services between Saurashtra and South Gujarat & Mumbai.
25. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced the launch of a free ambulance service for all its active delivery executives and their dependents in the case of emergencies.
Option “1” is correct Swiggy, an on-demand convenience platform, announced the launch of a free ambulance service for all its active delivery executives and their dependents in the case of emergencies. i. Swiggy has partnered with Dial 4242 Ambulance Services for this industry-first initiative. Delivery executives can reach them at the toll-free number: 1800 267 4242
26. In which state ‘Kali Tiger Reserve’ is located?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Telangana
3) Kerala
4) Andhra Pradesh
5) Karnataka
Option “5” is correct A three-day festival, titled Hornbill Festival Dandeli, was held in February 2023 at the Kali Tiger Reserve of the Dandeli forests in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. i. The objective of the festival is to fuel interest in birdwatching and nature as well as develop a community of birdwatchers.
27. In February 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed ______________ (amount) fined on Tata Group’s no-frills carrier AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India).
Option “3” is correct Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has fined Tata Group’s no-frills carrier AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) Rs 20 lakh and suspended the airline’s head of training for three months for failing to conduct a few mandatory exercises during pilot proficiency and instrument rating checks. i. Additionally, the DGCA has slapped a fine of Rs 3 lakh each on eight designated examiners of the airline, taking the total fine imposed on the carrier and its executives to Rs 44 lakh
28. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah attended the golden jubilee celebrations of CAMPCO (Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Limited) at Puttur, _________ on 11th February 2023.
Option “1” is correct Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah attended the golden jubilee celebrations of CAMPCO (Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited) as the chief guest at Puttur, Karnataka on 11th February 2023.
29. The ‘Dibru – Saikhowa National Park’ is located in which state?
Option “2” is correct About Assam: Governor– Prof. Jagadish Mukhi Capital– Dispur National Parks– Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and Dibru – Saikhowa National Park
30. In which state ‘ Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
