Option “3” is correct During his two-day visit to Meghalaya, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, stated about the launch of India’s first Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Online Gaming at Shillong, Meghalaya by March 2023. i. Objective: To catalyse startups and entrepreneurs from the entire North East Region to build the next generation Online Gaming ecosystem. ii. The CoE will be set up by Digital India Startup Hub through the Software Technology Parks of India.
2. When was the ‘Lohri festival’ 2023 observed across India?
1) 12th January
2) 15th January
3) 14th January
4) 11th January
5) 13th January
Option “5” is correct On 13th January 2023, the Lohri festival was observed across India with the customary fervor and joy, which is mostly associated with crop harvesting and happiness. i. The festival is celebrated in North India, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Chandigarh
3. In January 2023, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that India is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by _________.
1) 2028
2) 2027
3) 2025
4) 2024
5) 2026
Option “2” is correct Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that India is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by 2027 three years ahead of the global target through mission mode, multi-partner, multi-sector, targeted drive for which they have drawn up the roadmap. i. Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the National Symposium on India’s Roadmap to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. ii. Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination is a priority illness with a deadline, in contrast to other countries where it may be neglected.
4. In which city, PM Narendra Modi has recently (in Jan ‘23) flagged off the ‘MV Ganga Vilas’, the world’s longest river cruise?
Option “1” is correct Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, flagged off the ‘MV Ganga Vilas’, the world’s longest river cruise in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP). i. The 51-day luxury cruise, passing through 27 river systems, will cover a distance of 3,200 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh in Assam, via Bangladesh. ii. The first trip of the cruise hosts 32 tourists from Switzerland. The expected date of arrival of MV Ganga Vilas in Dibrugarh is on 1st March, 2023. iii. MV Ganga Vilas, the first of its kind cruise service, is supported by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways (MoPSW). It is 62 meters in length, 12 meters in width and comfortably sails with a draft of 1.4 meters.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
5. Which country has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed a space agreement with the United States (US) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for deep space exploration?
1) Japan
2) Australia
3) Germany
4) France
5) India
Option “1” is correct The United States (US) and Japan signed a space agreement at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters in Washington D.C., US. It was signed during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s first visit to the US. i. It is based upon the long history of collaboration in space exploration between the two nations for deep space exploration. ii. This agreement is called the ‘Framework Agreement Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation in Space Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, For Peaceful Purposes’.
6. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an agreement with India on cooperation in the field of Green Hydrogen Development and Investment.
1) United Arab Emirates
2) France
3) Australia
4) Russia
5) Japan
Option “1” is correct Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar Singh (India), who is on a threeday visit to Abu Dhabi, and UAE’s (United Arab Emirates) Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei, signed the agreement on cooperation in the field of Green Hydrogen Development and Investment. i. They also discussed the launch of a sub-sea cable between India and the UAE under the Mission, ‘ONE SUN, ONE WORLD, ONE GRID INITIATIVE’, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ii. They also discussed opportunities in the field of power and renewable energy.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
7. In January 2023, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allowed the transfer of ownership of _________ to the Jalan-Kalrock consortium (JKC).
1) SpiceJet
2) Akasa Air
3) IndiGo
4) Jet Airways
5) Go First
Option “4” is correct The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allowed the transfer of ownership of Jet Airways to the Jalan-Kalrock consortium (JKC). i. Due to a financial crisis Jet Airways closed its operations in April 2019, after which it underwent a resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. ii. The revival plan submitted by the JKC was cleared by Jet’s committee of creditors in October 2020. The NCLT approved the revival plan in June 2021. iii. JKC will have an 89.79% stake while 9.5% will go to lenders.
BANKING AND FINANCE
8. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) established a bancassurance partnership with Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Ltd. (ABHICL)?
1) Union Bank of India
2) Punjab & Sind Bank
3) Canara Bank
4) Bank of India
5) Bank of Baroda
Option “2” is correct The Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Ltd. (ABHICL) and Punjab & Sind Bank have established a bancassurance partnership for the distribution of health insurance products through the bank’s branch network in India. i. This collaboration would allow ABHICL to expand its national footprint and serve the 1,528 branches and customers of Punjab & Sind Bank.
9. Name the Russian Bank that has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched direct payments in rupees to increase bilateral trade and investment?
1) Gazprombank
2) Sberbank
3) Alfa Bank
4) VTB Bank
5) Promsvyazbank
Option “4” is correct Russian VTB Bank, Russia’s second-largest bank, launched direct payments in rupees, which will significantly increase bilateral trade and investment. i. Russian Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) clients can now make transfers without double conversion, which simplifies the work on international trade contracts with India. ii. The mechanism of direct settlements allows for the setting of the price of a product and the payment in the national currency, as well as getting individual quotes on market terms
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
10. How many Agripreneurs has recently (in Jan ‘23) received the National Agripreneurs Award from the Government of India?
1) 69
2) 93
3) 74
4) 58
5) 82
Option “5” is correct On the occasion of National Youth Day 2023 (12th January), the government of India presented the National Awards to 82 best Agripreneurs trained under the Central Sector Scheme – Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business (AC&ABC) at the National Agripreneurs Award ceremony was held at NASC Complex, New Delhi, Delhi. i. The award recognises their significant contribution to farmers through agri-clinic and agribusiness services. • 8 Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs) that efficiently deliver AC&ABC training were also recognised with awards for their best training, hand holding and facilitation activities. • Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MA&FW) inaugurated the Awards Ceremony and distributed awards.
11. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) won the 71st Miss Universe 2022 title.
Option “4” is correct R’Bonney Gabriel of the United State of America (USA) was crowned 71st Miss Universe 2022 during the Miss Universe 2022 pageant held in New Orleans, Louisiana while Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela was named as the first runner-up, and Andreina Martinez of the Dominican Republic was named as the second runner-up. i. R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned by the Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu
IMPORTANT DAYS
12. The _______ Indian Army (IA) Day was observed across India on 15th January 2023.
1) 74th
2) 72nd
3) 75th
4) 73rd
5) 76th
Option “3” is correct The Indian Army (IA) Day was observed on January 15, 2023 to commemorate its 75th anniversary at the Parade Grounds in Bengaluru, Karnataka which was attended by the Union Minister Rajnath, Ministry of Defence. i. This day recognizes the achievements of the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Indian Army General (later Field Marshal) Kodandera Madappa (KM) Cariappa. ii. It should be noted that it is for the first time that this day is celebrated outside the National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi. Till 2022, the main Army Day parade was held at the Cariappa Parade ground in Delhi where Service Chiefs paid homage to the IA.
13. When was the 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day observed across India?
1) 15th January 2023
2) 11th January 2023
3) 13th January 2023
4) 16th January 2023
5) 14th January 2023
Option “5” is correct On January 14, 2023, the 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day was observed to recognize the contribution of the veterans of the Indian Armed Forces in serving the nation. Defence minister Rajnath Singh presided over the Celebrations. i. The day honours the services rendered by Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa OBE, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Armed Forces. ii. He led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. He retired on January 14 in 1953. iii. January 14, 2016, was marked as the First Armed Forces Veterans Day.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
14. In January 2023, The English version of the book (Odalam Vanga) titled ‘Come! Let’s Run’ was released by Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former Captain of the Indian Cricket team. Who authored the book, ‘Odalam Vanga’ in Tamil?
Option “4” is correct The English version of the book titled ‘Come! Let’s Run’ by Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ma. Subramanian was released by Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former Captain of the Indian Cricket team. i. The Tamil version of the same book titled ‘Odalam Vanga’ was released on March 8, 2021. ii. The book was published by Emerald Publishers and the English translation was done by Geeta Padmanaban (a teacher) along with J. Joicy and Sharon
OBITUARY
15. Santokh Singh Chaudhary, Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from __________ constituency of Punjab, passed away in January 2023.
Option “2” is correct Santokh Singh Chaudhary, Lok Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) from Jalandhar constituency of Punjab, passed away at the age of 76, after suffering a cardiac arrest during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. i. Santokh Singh Chaudhary, a member of the Indian National Congress (INC), was a former Cabinet Minister of Punjab. ii. He won the 2014 Indian general election and 2019 Indian general election being an Indian National Congress candidate. He hails from Jalandhar, Punjab
16. A renowned scientist, Dr A D Damodaran, passed away in January 2023. He is the former Director of which organization of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)?
1) CSIR- National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
2) CSIR- Central Food Technological Research Institute
3) CSIR-National Institute For Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
4) CSIR- Indian Institute of Petroleum
5) CSIR- Structural Engineering Research Centre
Option “3” is correct Dr A D Damodaran, a renowned scientist and former Director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- National Institute For Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), passed away in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. i. Dr A D Damodaran worked briefly at the Nuclear Fuels Complex in Hyderabad, Telangana, and served as a visiting scientist at the Indian Institute of Metals and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. ii. He started working at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and later took over as Director of CSIRNIIST in 1985, where he held the position for 12 years.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
17. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched the world’s first agriculturefocused satellite called ‘AgriSAT-1 /ZA 008’.
1) South Africa
2) Russia
3) United States of America
4) Australia
5) United Kingdom
Option “1” is correct South Africa launched the world’s first agriculture-focused satellite, AgriSAT-1 /ZA 008. It is expected to generate over USD 100 million in revenue for South Africa. i. It was launched by Dragonfly Aerospace on a Space X Falcon 9 rocket, and will provide high-quality data to the agriculture and forestry industry for efficient and sustainable practices. ii. It is the first of a seven-satellite constellation in low Earth orbit for customer EOSDA (EOS Data Analytics). iii. Firsts associated with AgriSAT-1 /ZA 008: • First ever-commercial satellite licensed in South Africa • First imaging satellite designed and built by Dragonfly • First microsatellite to be manufactured in South Africa since 2009 • First agri-focused constellation in space.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
18. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has recently (in Jan ‘23) extended the tenure of Sanjiv Chadha as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ___________,till June 30, 2023.
1) Canara Bank
2) Bank of India
3) Union Bank of India
4) Bank of Baroda
5) Punjab National Bank
Option “4” is correct The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the extension of Sanjiv Chadha tenure as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of Baroda (BoB) for about five months till June 30, 2023 i.e. when he attains 60 years, the retirement age. • This was proposed by the Department of Financial Services. i. Earlier his tenure was going to end on January 19, 2023.
CA STATIC GK
19. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Minister of Meghalaya?
1) Neiphiu Rio
2) Pu Zoramthanga
3) Conrad K Sangma
4) PS Golay
5) Himanta Biswa Sarma
Option “3” is correct The first government engineering college was inaugurated in Shillong by Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM) Conrad K Sangma. i. The project was undertaken by Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and constructed at the cost of Rs 26 crore and constructed in the Mawlai area. ii. The engineering college will cater to degree courses of three technical branches – civil engineering, electrical engineering and mining engineering with an intake capacity of 30 for each branch. iii. The government has created 55 posts which include 36 teaching and 19 non-teaching posts.
20. In which state ‘Bondla Zoological Park’ is located?
Option “4” is correct Chief Minister (CM) – Dr Pramod Sawant Governor– PS Sreedharan Pillai Zoological Park – Bondla Zoological Park Airport – Goa International Airport
21. In which state ‘Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “1” is correct Capital– Astana Currency– Kazakhstani Tenge
23. What is the Tagline of Bank of Baroda?
1) Together We Can
2) Support All the Way
3) Relationship Beyond Banking
4) We Understand Your World
5) India’s International Bank
Option “5” is correct Headquarters– Vadodara, Gujarat Tagline– India’s International Bank
24. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab & Sind Bank?
1) Swarup Kumar Saha
2) Atanu Kumar Das
3) Sanjiv Chadha
4) T. N. Manoharan
5) P V Bharathi
Option “1” is correct MD & CEO – Swarup Kumar Saha Established – 1908 Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi Tagline – Where Service is a Way of Life
25. The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number is a _______ digit number that helps users to share and access their health records digitally.
1) 11
2) 7
3) 12
4) 9
5) 14
Option “5” is correct Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is the first step towards creating digital health records which is currently optional. Digital Health ID or ABHA number is a 14-digit number that helps users to share and access their health records digitally with registered healthcare providers and this unique ABHA number can be generated through Edelweiss website. i. Over 10 crore health records have been linked digitally to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account under the ABDM. ii. Over 30 crore citizens have generated their unique Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) so far.
26. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) conferred with the Gangadhar National Award for poetry-2021 by Sambalpur University.
1) Rajeevan
2) Shyama Madhavam
3) Prabha Varma
4) Chandana Nazhi
5) K G Sankara Pillai
Option “5” is correct Eminent Malayalam poet, K G Sankara Pillai was conferred with the prestigious Gangadhar National Award for poetry-2021 by Sambalpur University on the occasion of its 56th foundation day (10th January, 2023). i. The award carries Rs 1 lakh, a shawl, a citation and a memento.
27. Which state government has recently (in Jan ‘23) conducted trials of drone technology to deliver medicines and vaccines?
Option “2” is correct The Health Department of Uttarakhand has successfully completed the trial of drone technology to deliver medicines and vaccines in a time-bound manner in remote areas. i. To deliver medicines to remote areas of the state, the unique initiative by the health department to provide vaccines to the beneficiaries living in remote districts of the state through information technology proved successful in the shortest possible time.
28. Harry Brook from England has been rewarded with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award and Ashleigh Gardner from ________ has been rewarded with the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for December 2022.
1) West Indies
2) New Zealand
3) Australia
4) Netherlands
5) England
Option “3” is correct England’s up-and-coming star Harry Brook made an instant impact in Test cricket and has been rewarded with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December 2022. i. Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner secured the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award as her contributions with bat and ball guided her side to T20I series victory in India, and led her to the summit of the Player Rankings for all-rounders.
29. Name the union minister who has recently (in Jan ‘23) inaugurated the ‘Jai Hind- The New Light and Sound Show’ at Red Fort in New Delhi.
1) Pralhad Joshi
2) Raj Nath Singh
3) Nirmala Sitharaman
4) Amit Shah
5) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Option “4” is correct Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the ‘Jai Hind- The New Light and Sound Show’ at Red Fort in New Delhi. On this occasion, he said, the rich history and heritage of India has been presented very well in this one-hour show. i. He called upon the people to make collective efforts to make the country number one in the world in the coming 25 years during the Amrit Kaal.
30. In January 2023, the ________ edition of the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF) began at Pollachi in Coimbatore District.
1) 8th
2) 5th
3) 7th
4) 4th
5) 6th
Option “1” is correct The eighth edition of the three-day Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF) began at Pollachi in Coimbatore District on January 13, 2023. i. Hot air balloons from Brazil, Thailand, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Vietnam, Spain, the U.S. and the U.K. will participate.
