13th January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Which university has recently (in Jan’ 23) signed an MoU with the Indian High Commission to establish a Hindi Chair?
1) University of Southern California
2) Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
3) Arizona State University
4) Harvard University
5) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Option “2” is correct. The Indian High Commission signed an MoU with Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka to establish a Hindi Chair at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. i. Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner, and Professor Udaya Rathnayake, Vice Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University, signed the MoU to establish the Hindi Chair as part of India’s cultural connect through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. ii. The Hindi chair will help familiarise students with India, its history, and culture as well as pave way for popularising Hindi by deputing Indian faculties.
2. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the cabinet approval on 11th January 2023?
A) The Union Cabinet has approved setting up a National Level multistate cooperative export society under the Multi State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002.
B) The Union Cabinet also approved a Rs 2,600-crore incentive scheme to promote Rupay debit card and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (person-to-merchant) in FY23.
C) The Union Cabinet has also given approval for renaming of National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality, Joka, Kolkata in West Bengal as ‘Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee
National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS)’.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the following proposals which were briefed to media by the Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) in New Delhi, Delhi: i. The Union Cabinet has approved setting up a National Level multistate cooperative export society under the Multi State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002 that will act as an umbrella organisation for carrying out and promoting exports. • It will be set up with the support from relevant Ministries especially the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) through their export related policies, schemes & agencies. ii. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Rs 2,600-crore incentive scheme to promote Rupay debit card and low-value BHIM-UPI (Bharat Interface for Money – Unified Payments Interface) transactions (person-to-merchant) in FY23. iii. The Union Cabinet has also given its ex post facto approval for renaming of National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality, Joka, Kolkata in West Bengal as ‘Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS)’. • The Institute has been set up on 8.72 acres of land in Joka, Kolkata, West Bengal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2022.
BANKING AND FINANCE
3. Name the organisation that has recently (in Jan ‘23) allowed UPI transactions for nonresident bank accounts linked to international mobile numbers.
1) Reserve Bank of India
2) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
3) Securities and Exchange Board of India
4) Small Industries Development Bank of India
5) National Payments Corporation of India
Option “5” is correct. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has allowed UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions for non-resident bank accounts like Non-Residential External (NRE) and Non- Resident Ordinary (NRO) linked to international mobile numbers. i. Initially, the transactions from mobile numbers of 10 countries – Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, United States of America(USA), Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK) – will be enabled ii. This means Non-resident Indians (NRIs) from these countries can transact through UPI.
4. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the “Startup Tracker-CY22” report published by PwC India in January 2023?
A) Funding for Indian startups fell by 33% to USD 24 billion in calendar year 2022 (CY22) as compared to CY21.
B) In value terms, early-stage deals made up roughly 12% of the total capital in CY22, compared to just under 7% in CY21.
C) In volume terms, early-stage deals made up 60–62% of the total funding in CY21 and CY22, with an average ticket size of USD 4 million per deal.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct. In accordance with the “Startup Tracker-CY22” report published by PwC India, funding for Indian startups fell by 33% to USD 24 billion in calendar year 2022 (CY22) as compared to CY21 but was still more than twice as much as the amount raised in CY20 and CY19 combined together. • Startups received a total of USD 13.2 billion in funding in 2019, USD 10.9 billion in CY20, and USD 35.2 billion in CY21. i. In value terms, early-stage deals made up roughly 12% of the total capital in CY22, compared to just under 7% in CY21. ii. In volume terms, early-stage deals made up 60–62% of the total funding in CY21 and CY22, with an average ticket size of USD 4 million per deal. iii. As of December 2022, Bengaluru (Karnataka), the National Capital Region (NCR), and Mumbai (Maharashtra), accounted for close to 82% of all startups in India in terms of city-wise startup funding.
5. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) entered into a strategic partnership with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC)?
1) Union Bank of India
2) Punjab & Sind Bank
3) Canara Bank
4) Bank of India
5) Bank of Baroda
Option “2” is correct. A corporate agreement was signed between Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB), a Public Sector Bank (PSB), and Pune (Maharashtra) based Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC). i. This will allow PSB’s new and existing customers to avail a variety of retail life insurance products from BALIC including term, savings, retirement and investment options.
6. Name the Fintech startup company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for payment aggregator’s licence.
Option “5” is correct. RBI has provided in-principle approval for the Fintech startup EnKash, for payment aggregator’s licence. This will enable EnKash to broaden its product offerings to millions of businesses for digital transactions. i. EnKash,established in 2018, has assisted around 1 lakh businesses to digitise and decentralise their corporate payments. Note – Hitachi Payment Services an end-to-end payment service provider and BharatPe, a fintech unicorn have also received in-principle approval from RBI for a payment aggregator licence.
7. In January 2023, Export-Import Bank of India ( Exim Bank) raised _________ through a 10- year Sustainability Bond Issue under its Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Framework.
Option “2” is correct. Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has raised USD 1 billion via a 10-year Sustainability Bond issue in the 144A/Reg-S format under its Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Framework. i. According to the Exim Bank, the net proceeds of Sustainability Bond will be used towards eligible projects under its ESG Framework, including renewable energy, clean transportation, access to essential services and basic infrastructure, affordable housing, and sustainable water and wastewater management.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
8. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the new study released by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) in
January 2023?
A) According to the report, around 3,700 large dams in India could lose on average 26% of their initial total storage by 2050 owing to sediment deposition.
B) The storage capacity losses of 47,403 large dams in 150 countries based on their present storage-loss rates, which will fall by 2050, resulting in a 26% storage loss.
C) Japan has already lost nearly 15% of its storage and will lose an additional 5% by 2040.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “2” is correct. According to a new study by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH), around 3,700 large dams in India could lose on average 26% of their initial total storage by 2050 owing to sediment deposition, which might affect future water security, irrigation, and power generation. • The findings were originally published in the journal ‘Sustainability’ in an article titled “Present and Future Losses of Storage in Large Reservoirs Due to Sedimentation: A Country-Wise Global Assessment” by the UNU-INWEH. i. The researchers estimated the storage capacity losses of 47,403 large dams in 150 countries based on their present storage-loss rates, which will fall to 4,665 billion cubic metres by 2050, resulting in a 26% storage loss. ii. China, the country with the most dams in the world, has already lost nearly 10% of its storage and will lose an additional 10% by 2050.
9. Name the organisation that has recently (in Jan ‘23) published ‘The Global Risks Report 2023’, with the keyfinding that “the Cost of Living Crisis and Digital Inequality Among India’s
Risks.”
1) World Bank
2) International Monetary Fund
3) International Labour Organization
4) World Economic Forum
5) United Nations Human Settlement Programme
Option “4” is correct. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has published ‘The Global Risks Report 2023’ (18th Edition), which lists the biggest risks for India over the short and medium terms. i. These risks include cost-of-living crisis, digital inequality, geopolitical competition for resources, natural disasters, and extreme weather events. ii. The Global Risks Report 2023 summarises the findings of the latest Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS). iii. Globally, the greatest risks over the next 2 years [2023–2025] include: cost-of-living crisis, natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, geoeconomic confrontations, failure to control climate change, and occurrences causing significant environmental damage.
10. According to OAG’s Punctuality League 2023 report, released in January 2023, which of the following airlines and airports are among the 20 most punctual airlines and airports globally
in terms of On-Time Performance (OTP) in 2022?
1) SpiceJet and Coimbatore International Airport
2) IndiGo and Jaipur International Airport
3) SpiceJet and Indira Gandhi International Airport
4) IndiGo and Coimbatore International Airport
5) Go First and Jaipur International Airport
Option “4” is correct. According to Official Airline Guide (OAG)’s Punctuality League 2023 report, released on 11th January 2022, India’s largest airline IndiGo and Airports Authority of India (AAI)-owned Coimbatore airport, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, are among the 20 most punctual airlines and airports globally in terms of On-Time Performance (OTP) in 2022. • Indigo and Coimbatore airport are the only indian airline and airport featured on the OAG’s Punctuality League 2023 report. i. IndiGo has been ranked 15th among the Top 20 most Punctual Airlines with OTP of 83.51 percent in 2022, while Coimbatore airport is ranked 13th among the Top 20 Most Punctual Airports. ii. The list is topped by Garuda Indonesia with an OTP of 95.63 percent, followed by Safair (95.30 percent) in the 2nd position and Eurowings (95.26 percent) in third spot.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
11. Name the Institute that has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited to explore opportunities in the areas of sustainability
and carbon-related works.
Option “3” is correct. Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited, a Miniratna (Category-I) and Schedule ‘A’ Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways (MoR) signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh for exploring opportunities in the areas of sustainability and carbon-related works including carbon neutrality, particularly in sectors such as steel and power.
SPORTS
12. Which of the following companies was recently (in Jan’ 23) signed as a sponsor for the Australian Open by the Sony Sports Network ?
1) Hyundai Ioniq 5
2) Samsonite
3) Panasonic
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. Broadcaster Sony Sports Network, which will air the Australian Open across its channels and OTT (Over-The-Top) app SonyLiv has roped in sponsors including Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Samsonite as copresenting sponsors and Panasonic as an associate sponsor for the upcoming Australia Open. i. This will mark the return of the Sony Sports network’s live tennis studio show, ‘Extraaa Serve’, hosted by Arpit Sharma and the Hindi commentary for the tournament will be provided by Natekar, Manish Batavia & Atish Thukral. ii. Sony Sports also launched its ‘Slam Of The Greats’ campaign, which pays homage to the ‘Greats of Tennis in this Era’, that includes Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty and highlights the rise of new young tennis stars.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
13. Which organisation’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently (in Jan’ 23) discovered its first exoplanet, a planet that orbits another star?
1) European Space Agency
2) SpaceX
3) Canadian Space Agency
4) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
5) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Option “4” is correct. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered its first exoplanet, a planet that orbits another star, formally classified as LHS 475 b, which is reportedly almost the exact size of Earth, clocking in at 99% of Earth’s diameter. i. The research team is led by Kevin Stevenson and Jacob Lustig-Yaeger, both from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, United States (US). ii. Researchers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to observe exoplanet LHS 475 b on 31st August 2022.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
14. In January 2023, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, launched the book titled “Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story” in New Delhi, Delhi.
Name the co-author of the book “Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story” along with Aashish Chandorkar.
Option “5” is correct. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, launched the book titled “Braving A Viral Storm: India’s Covid-19 Vaccine Story” in New Delhi, Delhi. i. The book is co-authored by Aashish Chandorkar and Suraj Sudhir and published by Rupa Publications India. ii. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, has received a book from Aashish Chandorkar where he has detailed India’s advancements in vaccination.
IMPORTANT DAYS
15. When was National Youth Day 2023 celebrated across India with the theme of “Viksit YuvaViksit Bharat”?
1) 12th January 2023
2) 9th January 2023
3) 11th January 2023
4) 8th January 2023
5) 10th January 2023
Option “1” is correct. National Youth Day 2023 was celebrated across India on 12th January 2023 to mark the 160th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu spiritual leader, Philosopher and reformer in India, whose contributions to India’s freedom movement and revival of nationalism were enormous. • The theme of National Youth Festival 2023 is “Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat”. • The 1st ever National Youth Day was observed on 12th January 1985. i. On National Youth Day 2023, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the 26th National Youth Festival (from 12th to 16th January 2023) in Hubbali, Karnataka. ii. The 26th National Youth Festival is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka. iii. Basavaraj Bommai, Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka, released the logo and mascot of the 26th National Youth Festival. The mascot ‘Champi Chikka’, the elephant, was created by Inbam of Bengaluru.
STATE NEWS
16. Which state’s ONGC Power Company Limited has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to develop a 250 MW battery energy
storage system project in Assam?
Option “1” is correct. ONGC Tripura Power Company Limited (OTPC) and Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) signed an MoU to develop a battery energy storage system project in Assam at an investment of Rs 2000 crore. i. The 250 megawatts (MW) / 500 MW-hour system will be developed in a phased manner by incorporating a joint venture company. ii. The development project would assist Assam in realising its goal of becoming a leader in the green energy transition.
17. Name the state that recently (in Jan ‘23) launched a 30 shared school bus system and an agriculture response vehicle scheme.
Option “3” is correct. Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister (CM) of Meghalaya, flagged off 30 Shared School Bus systems and unveiled Prime Tourist Vehicles and an agriculture response vehicle scheme at a function held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong, Meghalaya. i. The buses are part of the Sustainable Transport & Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS) programme, which focuses on mobility and overall transportation to decongest Shillong, Meghalaya. ii. The buses have a passenger information system and LED screens to display the routes, and they are GPS-enabled for real-time tracking.
18. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as first woman Chief Secretary of Telangana?
1) D. Ronald Rose
2) Somesh Kumar
3) K. Ramakrishna Rao
4) A Santhi Kumari
5) T.K. Sreedevi
Option “4” is correct. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao appointed Senior Indian Administrative Officer (IAS) officer A Santhi Kumari (1989 batch) as the first woman Chief Secretary of Telangana for a tenure until April 2025. i. She will succeed the incumbent Somesh Kumar, after the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) relieved him from the post and repatriated him to his home cadre Andhra Pradesh(AP).
CA STATIC GK
19. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chairperson of PwC India?
Option “2” is correct. North Eastern-Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC), located at Shillong, Meghalaya, is a joint initiative of DOS and North Eastern Council (NEC) to provide developmental support to the North Eastern Region (NER) using space science and technology. i. NEC, constituted in 1972, completed 50 years and celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 18th December 2022 in Shillong at a programme graced by Hon’ble PM, in the presence of other dignitaries.
21. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) topped the ‘Global minority index’ published by Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA)?
1) China
2) India
3) Japan
4) United States of America
5) South Korea
Option “2” is correct. Patna-based research institute Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA) has put India on top of the ‘global minority index’, followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama and the US, in its Global Minority Report tabulating 110 countries. i. Maldives, Afghanistan and Somalia figure at the bottom of the list, while the UK is ranked 54, and the UAE 61.
22. In January 2023, Rajasthan government’s programme of giving free seeds to women under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Sathi Yojana.
Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan?
Option “5” is correct. Ashok Gehlot is the present Chief Minister (CM) of Rajasthan. i. The Rajasthan government’s programme of giving free seeds to women under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Sathi Yojana has become popular in the state. ii. “Mini-kits containing seeds of moong, moth, urad, mustard, jowar, bajra etc have been distributed free under the Krishak Sathi Yojana,”.
23. In January 2023, NBFC-MFIs outpaced banks for the first time in years and picked up a dominating share in the microfinance sector accounting for nearly ________ of the industry.
1) 31%
2) 32%
3) 35%
4) 38%
5) 30%
Option “4” is correct. Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) – Microfinance Institution (MFI) (NBFC-MFI) has outpaced banks for the first time in years and picked up a dominating share in the microfinance sector accounting for nearly 38 per cent of the industry while banks have slipped to the second position with close to 36 per cent market share. i. According to the latest quarterly report compiled by Sa-Dhan, the association of inclusive finance institutions and SRO (Self regulatory organisations) for the microfinance sector, the microfinance industry clocked nearly 20 per cent growth in the second quarter of the current fiscal compared to the same period last year.
24. In January 2023, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) was named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme, under _________ ministry.
1) Ministry of Minority Affairs
2) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
3) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
4) Ministry of Rural Development
5) Ministry of Home Affairs
Option “1” is correct. The Minister of Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today informed that the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Ko Kaam Karyakram (PMKKK) has now been named as Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme. i. The integrated scheme converges five erstwhile schemes of the Ministry viz. Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil. The scheme has been approved by the Cabinet for the period of 15th Finance Commission.
25. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) union minister of Commerce and Industry (MoCI)?
Option “3” is correct. About the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI): Union Minister – Piyush Goyal (Rajya Sabha – Maharashtra) Ministers of State (MoS) – Anupriya Patel; Som Parkash
26. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Director of United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH)?
1) Duminda Perera
2) Vladimir Smakhtin
3) Manzoor Qadir
4) Lina Taing
5) Charlotte MacAlister
Option “2” is correct. About United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH): UNU-INWEH, also known as the UN’s ‘Think Tank on Water’, is one of the UNU institutes and an academic arm of the United Nations (UN). Director – Vladimir Smakhtin Established – 1996
27. What is the Tagline of Punjab & Sind Bank?
1) We understand your world
2) The Banker To Every Indian
3) Your Perfect Banking Partner
4) Where service is a way of life
5) Good People to Grow With
Option “4” is correct. About Punjab & Sind Bank: Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Swarup Kumar Saha Headquarters– New Delhi (Delhi) Tagline– Where service is a way of life
28. In which state ‘Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “3” is correct. About Meghalaya: Chief Minister (CM)- Conrad K Sangma Governor- Brig. (Dr.) B D Mishra (Retd.) Capital- Shillong Wildlife Sanctuary- Siju Wildlife Sanctuary; Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary
29. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights celebrated its _______ Foundation Day on 12th January, 2023.
1) 18th
2) 13th
3) 15th
4) 11th
5) 14th
Option “1” is correct. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights celebrated its 18th Foundation Day on 12th January, 2023 to fully dedicate this occasion to the children, a Quiz was launched by the Commission on the occasion of National Youth Day (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti) on 12th January, 2023.
30. Where is the Headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) located?
1) Rome, Italy
2) Montreal, Canada
3) Geneva, Switzerland
4) London, United Kingdom
5) Vienna, Austria
Option “2” is correct. About the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO): Secretary General – Juan Carlos Salazar Establishment – 1944 Headquarters – Montreal, Canada
