18th January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) received the type certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its A200-XT drone.
Option “2” is correct. Asteria Aerospace Limited, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has received the type certification for its indigenously designed and manufactured A200-XT drone from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). i. With this, Asteria becomes the 1st company to have 2 DGCA-certified drones that can be offered to its customers for various applications like law enforcement, industrial security and infrastructure inspections and agriculture and land survey. ii. Asteria’s A200 becomes India’s 1st Micro Category Drone with DGCA Type Certification and is empanelled with Survey of India for SVAMITVA Yojana.
2. Which organization has recently (in Jan ‘23) released the First-Ever Audit Standard for Sustainability Information?
1) Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
2) Institute of Management Accountants
3) Indian School of Business
4) CFA Institute
5) Global Association of Risk Professionals
Option “1” is correct. The Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) released Standard on Sustainability Assurance Engagements (SSAE) 3000, “Assurance Engagements on Sustainability Information.” i. This audit standard for sustainability information is the first of its kind in the world, developed by ICAI to assist its members in providing “reasonable or limited” assurance on such information by reporting entities. ii. The ICAI has now issued 16 Social Audit Standards (SAS) that will apply to social enterprises listed on the social stock exchange. iii. The ICAI has also established the Institute of Social Auditors of India (ISAI) as a Section 8 company to regulate the profession of social audit.
3. In January 2023, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State(MoS) for Earth Sciences stated that India will be covered by Doppler Weather Radar Network by ___________ to predict extreme
weather events more accurately.
1) 2028
2) 2025
3) 2027
4) 2024
5) 2026
Option “2” is correct. On the occasion of the 148th Foundation Day of the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) (15th January 2022), Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Earth Sciences stated that India will be covered by Doppler Weather Radar Network by 2025 to predict extreme weather events more accurately. i. This will enhance weather monitoring capabilities and benefit the farmers and other stakeholders to contribute significantly to the economy. ii. IMD has initiated pro-active steps to increase the Radar Network from 15 in 2013 to 37 in 2023 and will add 25 more in the next 2-3 years.
4. In which city, Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, has recently (in Jan ‘23) joined the Bhoomi Pujan of the first SAI-Railways National Centre for Excellence
(NCOE)?
Option “5” is correct. Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting, joined the Bhoomi Pujan of the first National Centre for Excellence(NCOE), in Coochbehar, West Bengal, being set up with the joint partnership of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Railways. i. The NCOE will be instrumental in bringing about a big change in the sports ecosystem in North Bengal. This is the first-ever NCOE set up by SAI in partnership with another organization. ii. The centre will be a platform of world-class training for athletes of the region as well as for athletes from across India.
BANKING AND FINANCE
5. According to the RBI’s Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies Directions, 2023, issued in Jan’ 23, promoters to hold ________ of the paid-up share
capital or voting rights of a bank after the completion of _________ from commencement of its business.
1) 26%; 15 years
2) 32%; 12 years
3) 26%; 10 years
4) 32%; 15 years
5) 40%; 10 years
Option “1” is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued ‘Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies Directions, 2023’ which allowed promoters to hold 26% from the current 15% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of a bank after the completion of 15 years from commencement of its business. i. This increase in the cap on promoters’ stake is based upon the Internal Working Group (IWG) recommendations in 2021. ii. If the shareholder intends to get a strategic stake, the board has to inform the RBI even if the shareholding is less than 5%. • In case, the shareholding is not compliant with RBI’s norms, banks must submit an action plan for diluting shares within 6 months. iii. A ‘fit and proper’ clearance is required through continuous monitoring before buying a stake in a bank.
6. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2022-23” released in January 2023?
A) RBI released the annual report with the theme of “Capital Formation in India – The Role of States”, which provides data and analysis of the fiscal position of State governments in India for
FY23.
B) The States’ capital outlay-GDP ratio is budgeted to increase to 3.0% in FY23 from 2.1% in FY22.
C) The ratio of revenue expenditure to capital outlay (RECO) for the States is budgeted to improve to 5.2 in FY23 from 6.1 in FY22.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “4” is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the annual report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2022-23”, which provides data and analysis of the fiscal position of State governments in India for FY23. • The theme of the 2023 Report is “Capital Formation in India – The Role of States”. i. The States’ capital outlay-GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio is budgeted to increase to 2.9 percent in FY23 from 2.3 percent in FY22. ii. The ratio of revenue expenditure to capital outlay (RECO) for the States is budgeted to improve to 5.2 in FY23 from 6.1 in FY22. iii. In the report, RBI stated risk over the subnational fiscal horizon due to restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) by some States. • RBI mentioned that under OPS, by postponing the current expenses to the future, the States risk the accumulation of unfunded pension liabilities in the coming years. The annual saving in fiscal resources that OPS entails is short-lived.
7. From Which organisation, Protean eGov Technologies Limited has recently (in Jan ‘23) received approval to operate as an Account Aggregator (AA) with an NBFC-AA certificate?
1) Securities and Exchange Board of India
2) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
3) Small Industries Development Bank of India
4) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
5) Reserve Bank of India
Option “5” is correct. Protean eGov Technologies Limited (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited), has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for its wholly owned subsidiary to operate as an Account Aggregator (AA) with an NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company)-AA certificate. i. AA is a type of RBI regulated entity (that helps an individual to securely and digitally access and share information from one financial institution they have an account with to any other regulated financial institution. Data cannot be shared without the consent of the individual.
8. Name the Payments Bank that has recently (in Jan ‘23) received RBI approval to operate as Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU).
1) India Post Payments Bank
2) Paytm Payments Bank
3) Fino Payments Bank
4) Airtel Payments Bank
5) Jio Payments Bank
Option “2” is correct. The RBI has granted final approval to Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) for it to operate as a Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. i. As a BBPOU, PPBL has the ultimate power to manage bill payment and aggregation business as an entity under the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). ii. BBPS is owned by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
9. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced that any person looking to acquire more than _______ stake in a bank will need prior approval from RBI.
1) 5%
2) 4%
3) 3%
4) 2%
5) 1%
Option “1” is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandated in its “Reserve Bank of India (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies) Directions, 2023” published on January 16, 2023, anyone who intends to make an acquisition that is likely to result in a major shareholding in a banking company should first obtain the RBI’s prior approval by submitting an application. • “Major shareholding” refers to a person’s “aggregate holding” of 5% or more of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in a banking company. i. If a person’s shareholding falls below 5% after an acquisition, the person must seek fresh approval from the RBI if the person intends to increase the aggregate holding to 5% or more. ii. Banks whose aggregate shareholding of entities does not meet the guidelines will be required to comply within 6 months. iii. The RBI will specify a differentiated shareholding dilution plan for Private Banks where the state or union government owns a stake.
10. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) to help farmers in availing low interest-rate loans?
1) Union Bank of India
2) Bank of Baroda
3) Bank of India
4) State Bank of India
5) Punjab National Bank
Option “4” is correct. Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) has signed an MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) to help farmers in availing low interest-rate loans. i. Objective: The MoU was signed with the intent to promote awareness about the new loan product called ‘Produce Marketing Loan’ to fund against e-NWRs (electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt) with features such as nil processing fee, no additional collateral and attractive interest rates.
11. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has recently (in Jan ‘23) partnered with the VFS Capital Limited to extend MSME loans upto _______ at 13% interest rate per annum.
Option “1” is correct. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has tied up with Kolkata (West Bengal) based VFS Capital Limited to extend loans to the MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) and SME sector. i. Under this agreement, VFS Capital will extend MSME loans upto Rs 5 lakh at 13% interest rate per annum. ii. Under this scheme, VFS Capital plans to disburse Rs 30 to 40 crore in this financial year. ii. The loan volume of Microfinance institutions (MFIs) is expected to grow to around Rs 1,100-1,200 crore by 2022-23 from Rs 805 crore in the previous financial year.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
12. What edition is the India-France Naval Exercise “VARUNA 2023,” which commenced on the Western Seaboard in January 2023?
1) 19th
2) 17th
3) 21st
4) 18th
5) 20th
Option “3” is correct. The 21st Edition of India France Naval Exercise VARUNA – 2023, the bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and French Navy commenced on the Western Seaboard. • The 5-day exercise will be conducted from 16th to 20th January 2023. • Varuna is considered a hallmark of the India – France strategic bilateral relationship. i. India is represented by indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS (Indian Naval Ship) Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters and MiG29K fighter aircraft. ii. The French Navy is represented by the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
13. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) become India’s fourth-largest trading partner.
1) China
2) Russia
3) Australia
4) Japan
5) United Arab Emirates
Option “2” is correct. Russia has now become India’s fourth-largest trading partner, with imports from Russia increasing five-fold to USD 32.9 billion between April – December 2022. i. India’s higher imports from Russia are mostly due to two commodities: fertilizers and crude oil. ii. Russia has improved from being India’s 20th largest source of imports in the previous fiscal year (FY22).
14. In January 2023, Siemens Mobility received a locomotive order worth of __________ from Indian Railways.
Option “1” is correct. Siemens Mobility, managed by Siemens AG of Germany, has received a locomotive order worth 3 billion Euro (~Rs 26,000 crore) from Indian Railways, under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, for 1,200 electric locomotives of 9,000 horsepower (HP). i. Under this contract, the delivery of locomotives is planned over an 11-year period and the contract also includes 35 years of full-service maintenance. ii. This is the single largest locomotive order in the history of Siemens Mobility and the single largest order in the history of Siemens India.
OBITUARY
15. The Last Nizam of Hyderabad, ‘Mukarram Jah’, passed away in January 2023.
In which year, GoI recognized him as Nizam VIII of Hyderabad and Berar?
1) 1967
2) 1969
3) 1972
4) 1959
5) 1971
Option “2” is correct. The titular Nizam VIII of Hyderabad, Mukarram Jah (89 years old), also known as Nawab Mir Barket Ali Khan Walashan Mukarram Jah Bahadur, passed away at his residence in Istanbul, Türkiye. The informal Nizamate of Hyderabad comes to an end with the demise of Mukarram Jah. • He will be buried at the family vault in Mecca Masjid near Charminar in Hyderabad (Telangana), where other members of the Nizam’s family, who ruled Hyderabad from 1724, are also buried. i. On February 24, 1967, Mukarram Jah was formally crowned as the Nizam VIII of Hyderabad following the demise of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam VII. In 1969, the GoI recognized him as Nizam VIII of Hyderabad and Berar. ii. He retained the position until November 1971, when the privy purse was abolished by the Government of India (GoI). iii. The golden jubilee of Mukarram Jah’s coronation was celebrated in 2017.
SPORTS
16. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2023 held at Kuala Lumpur in January 2023?
A) Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) won the Men’s Singles title by defeating Kodai Naraoka (Japan) and claimed the Malaysia Open title for the 2nd time.
B) Yamaguchi Akane (Japan) defeated An Se-Young(South Korea) to win the Women’s Singles title at the Malaysia Open 2023.
C) Pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Indonesia) won the Men’s doubles title defeating Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang(China) in the finals.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct. Olympic champion and World’s No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark won the Men’s Singles title defeating World’s No 6 Kodai Naraoka of Japan at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2023 held from 10th to 15th January 2023 in Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. • Viktor Axelsen, the defending champion, won the Malaysia Open title for the 2nd time. This made him the 1st men’s singles player since record 12-time champion Lee Chong Wei in 2014 to win back-to-back Malaysia Opens. i. Japan’s Yamaguchi Akane(World’s No 1) defeated South Korea’s An Se-Young(World’s No 4) to win the Women’s Singles title at the Malaysia Open 2023. • This was Japan’s first-ever Malaysia Open women’s singles title.
17. Which of the following points is/are ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the Sri Lanka Tour of India Twenty 20 Internationals(T20I) and One Day Internationals(ODI) series 2022-2023?
1) India defeated Sri Lanka in a comprehensive manner in both ODI (under the captainship of Rohit
Sharma) and T20I (under the captainship of Hardik Pandya).
2) India defeated Sri Lanka by 91 runs in the 3rd and final T20I match held in Saurashtra Cricket
Association Stadium, Rajkot, Gujarat.
3) India defeated Sri Lanka in the largest ever one-day victory margin of 317 runs in the 3rd and final
ODI held in Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
4) Suryakumar Yadav has become the fastest player to reach 1,500 runs in T20 International cricket in
terms of balls faced.
5) Rohit Sharma equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring 20 ODI centuries on home soil.
Option “5” is correct. The cricket team of Sri Lanka toured India for 3 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 3 Twenty 20 Internationals (T20Is) from 3rd to 15th January 2023. India defeated Sri Lanka in a comprehensive manner in both ODI and T20I. • In ODI, the Indian team captained by Rohit Sharma defeated Sri Lanka by 3-0 and in T20I, the Indian Team captained by Hardik Pandya defeated Sri Lanka by 2-1. i. India defeated Sri Lanka by 91 runs in the 3rd and final T20I match held in Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, Gujarat. India won the 3-match T20I series by 2-1. ii. India defeated Sri Lanka in the largest ever one-day victory margin of 317 runs in the 3rd and final ODI held in Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. iii. Suryakumar Yadav has become the fastest player to reach 1,500 runs in T20 International cricket in terms of balls faced. He is the 3rd fastest batter to reach the 1500-run mark in terms of innings. iv. Virat Kohli equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring 20 ODI centuries on home soil. He scored his 20th century on home soil with just 80 balls against Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI of the 3-match series.
STATE NEWS
18. RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. has recently (in Jan ‘23) received a work order of Rs 170 crore from ____________ government for Smart City project.
Option “1” is correct. RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. (RailTel), a Mini Ratna (Category I) Public Sector Unit (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways, has obtained a work order from the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management of the Government of Puducherry for design, develop, supply, instal, test, commission, and operations and maintenance for a period of 5 years. • The project involves setting up an Integrated Command Control Center (ICCC) and other related activities for the Puducherry Smart City Area. i. The total estimated value of the work order is Rs. 170.11 crore [including Goods and Services Tax (GST)], and the project would be finished in 10 months. ii. RailTel was selected through competitive bidding, and it is the first smart city project of the Puducherry government.
19. Which state has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with the NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NTPC REL) for the development of Floating and Ground Mounted based Renewable Energy
Projects?
Option “3” is correct. The NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NTPC REL), wholly owned subsidiary of the NTPC Limited(formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) signed an MoU with the Government of Tripura for the development of Floating and Ground Mounted based Renewable Energy Projects in Tripura. i. This MoU will initiate the development of large sized Renewable Energy Projects in the State of Tripura and also help the Government of Tripura in meeting its Clean Energy Commitments and obligations.
20. Name the state/UT that has recently (in Jan ‘23) declared as ‘Free Area’ for purposes of Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
Option “4” is correct. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has declared the Whole Union Territory (UT) as “Free Area” for purposes of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. i. The declaration has been made in the exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (5) of section 6 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals (PCICDA) Act, 2009, and in supersession of notification dated 5th September 2022, after the government of J&K on being satisfied that no cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) have been reported from any district of Union Territory of J&K.
CA STATIC GK
21. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)?
Option “2” is correct. Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) The ICAI is a statutory body formed by an Act of Parliament under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. It acts as the authority responsible for establishing national standards and accounting rules in India. President – Debasish Mitra Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
22. When was Paytm Payments Bank established?
1) 2013
2) 2015
3) 2016
4) 2017
5) 2020
Option “4” is correct. About Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL): Chairman- Vijay Shekhar Sharma Headquarters- Noida, Uttar Pradesh Establishment- 2017
23. Where is the Headquarters of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) located?
Option “5” is correct. About Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI): It is the principal financial institution for the development of MSMEs in India Chairman & Managing Director– Sivasubramanian Ramann Headquarter– Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Establishment– 1990
24. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of RailTel Corporation of India Ltd (RailTel)?
Option “4” is correct. About RailTel Corporation of India Ltd (RailTel): Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Sanjai Kumar Incorporated – September 26, 2000 Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
25. Who was recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the chairman of Indraprastha Gas Ltd?
Option “5” is correct. Rakesh Kumar Jain has taken over as the chairman of Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the firm that retails CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas to household kitchens in the national capital region and neighbouring towns. i. Rakesh Kumar Jain, who is Director (Finance) at state gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd, took over as the company chairman on January 14, 2023. ii. IGL is a joint venture of GAIL and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and they hold 22.5 per cent stake each. The two firms appoint directors on the board and rotate chairmanship among themselves.
26. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) celebrated its 148th foundation day on __________.
1) 15th January 2023
2) 13th January 2023
3) 16th January 2023
4) 14th January 2023
5) 17th January 2023
Option “1” is correct. The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has been adjudged the best among 28 states and six regional centres in the country. i. The performance of the Ranchi centre in disseminating weather-related information to its stakeholders in time with a higher accuracy rate has been appreciated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). ii. The incharge of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, received the award from Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, at a programme to commemorate the 148th foundation day of IMD in New Delhi on 15th January 2023.
27. Rise Roar Revolt (RRR) directed by _________, has recently (in Jan ‘23) won Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song for ”Naatu Naatu” in the Critics Choice Awards (CCA).
Option “5” is correct. SS Rajamouli’s ”RRR”continued its winning streak as the global blockbuster won two trophies — Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song for ”Naatu Naatu” — at the Critics Choice Awards (CCA). i. The Telugu magnum opus, headlined by Ram Charan and Jr NTR, was nominated in five categories at the CCA — Best Picture, Best Director (Rajamouli), Best Foreign Language film, Best Visual Effects (V Srinivas Mohan) and Best Song (Naatu Naatu).
28. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Axis Bank?
Option “3” is correct. Amitabh Chaudhry is the Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Axis Bank Limited. i. Axis Bank has trumped every competitor for the 16th consecutive year in 2022 as a rupee domestic bond issue arranger, cornering 19.20 per cent market share or Rs 92,904.5 crore across 127 issuances. ii. Significantly, the top three spots are retained by private sector lenders with the second position maintained by ICICI Bank with a market share of 17.67 per cent or Rs 85,486 crore and HDFC Bank third with 17.29 per cent or Rs 83,667 crore of the total share, according to the Bloomberg league table for 2022.
29. Who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yeti Airlines from Nepal?
Option “1” is correct. Anoj Rimal is the present Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yeti Airlines. i. Nepal saw its worst domestic air disaster on Sunday morning when Yeti Airlines flight NYT 691 from Kathmandu to Pokhara crashed a few minutes before landing at the new international airport. All 68 passengers onboard died in the accident. ii. Security personnel from Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police and locals were having a tough time pulling bodies out from the crash site on Seti River Gorge. iii. The black box of the crashed Yeti Airlines aircraft was located and retrieved. The Nepal Army brought the black box to Kathmandu and handed it over to the Air Crash Investigation Commission. Note- The black box is a crucial device that helps determine the cause of the crash and contains the flight radar record and cockpit voice recorder.
30. John Morris Fire Engine has participated at the 56th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on 15 Jan, 2023.
In which year, John Morris Fire Engine was manufactured?
1) 1930
2) 1914
3) 1916
4) 1919
5) 1920
Option “2” is correct. John Morris Fire Engine, one of the priceless possessions of Indian Railways maintained at the National Rail Museum New Delhi, participated at the 56th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally organized by The Statesman and VCCI at Major Dhayanchand National Stadium on 15 Jan, 2023. i. The 56th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally was flagged off from Statesman House. The John Morris Fire engine led the rally. It successfully bagged the Statesman Challenge Trophy this year. ii. John Morris Fire Engine, manufactured in 1914, was acquired by the Nizam of Hyderabad for the Nizam State Railway for dousing fires.
