19th January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Name the union minister who has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched the “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge to promote tourism in border areas.
1) G. Kishan Reddy
2) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
3) Amit Shah
4) Rajnath Singh
5) Arjun Munda
Option “4” is correct Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge to promote tourism in border areas during the event organised as a part of the 7th Army Veterans’ Day in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. • The “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge is the world’s 1st Alpine skill and endurance challenge, set to take place from January to June 2023. i. Additionally, he launched a website where volunteers could sign up for a variety of adventurous activities under the joint initiative of the Indian Army and Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) Global, a veterans’ organisation. ii. He flagged off “Road to the End“, a 460-km-long car rally, as part of a joint expedition by the Indian Army and CLAW Global.
2. The GoI will host the First Global Tourism Summit in April 2023, as Part of its Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency. Which organisation is the industry partner of Global Tourism Investors Summit 2023?
1) Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
2) India Tourism Development Corporation
3) Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management
4) National Association of Software and Service Companies
5) Confederation of Indian Industry
Option “5” is correct As part of its Group of Twenty (G20) presidency, the Government of India (GoI) will host the country’s first “Global Tourism Investors Summit 2023” in April 2023, with participation from all G20 members. i. India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. ii. The Union Ministry of Tourism will organize the Global Tourism Investors Summit 2023, with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the industry partner, and it is scheduled to take place in New Delhi, Delhi, from April 10 to 12, 2023.
3. Which company has recently (January 23) signed an agreement with Ashok Leyland and Ballard Power Systems (Canada) to develop Asia’s first hydrogen-powered mining truck?
1) Adani Enterprises Limited
2) Reliance Industries Limited
3) Tata Group
4) Larsen & Toubro Limited
5) Bajaj Auto Limited
Option “1” is correct Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the flagship entity of Adani Group, signed an agreement with Chennai (Tamil Nadu)- based Ashok Leyland and Ballard Power Systems of Canada to start a pilot project to develop a hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck (FCET) for mining logistics and transportation. • This partnership marks the 1st planned hydrogen-powered mining truck in Asia and the FCET is planned to be launched in India in 2023. i. The Hydrogen-Powered Mining Truck will weigh 55 tons, have 3 hydrogen tanks, and a 200-Km working range. ii. It will be powered by Ballard’s 120 Kilowatt (kW) polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology.
4. Name the organisation that has recently (in Jan ‘23) organized the “Sainya Ranakshetram 2.0,” a Cyber Threat Seminar and Workshop.
1) National Association of Software and Service Companies
2) Cyberpeace Foundation
3) Data Security Council of India
4) Indian Army
5) All India Council for Technical Education
Option “4” is correct From October 2022 to January 2023, the 2nd edition of Hackathon named ‘Sainya Ranakshetram 2.0’ was organized by the Indian Army (IA) under the aegis of HQ Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). i. It was a Cyber Threat Seminar cum Workshop to facilitate engagement with individuals, academia and organizations for identification of suitable talent in the field of Cyber Security. ii. During the workshop, the identified talent was felicitated by General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (CAS) during a virtual function on January 17, 2023.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
5. According to the “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023” (WESO Trends), released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in January 2023, the global employment growth will expand to_______ in 2023, which is less than half the level in 2022.
1) 2.9%
2) 2.3%
3) 2.5%
4) 1.0%
5) 1.9%
Option “4” is correct According to the “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023” (WESO Trends), released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the present global economic slowdown is anticipated to worsen social and economic inequalities. i. According to projections, global employment would expand by 1.0% in 2023, a significant drop (less than half the level) from the 2.3% growth rate in 2022. • Global unemployment is expected to rise slightly in 2023, by roughly 3 million, to 208 million. This amounts to a 5.8% unemployment rate. ii. The report also defines the ‘Global Jobs Gap’ as a new, comprehensive indicator of unmet employment needs. In 2022, the global jobs gap was 473 million people, equivalent to a 12.3% job gap rate. It’s nearly 33 million more than in 2019.
6. In which country, the European Union (EU) has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched its first mainland orbital launch complex, “Spaceport Esrange,”?
1) Denmark
2) Sweden
3) France
4) Norway
5) Ireland
Option “2” is correct The European Union (EU) has launched its first mainland orbital launch complex, “Spaceport Esrange,” a new satellite launch and reusable rocket test facility at Esrange Space Center near the city of Kiruna in northern Sweden. i. It was inaugurated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. ii. The first satellite launch from Spaceport Esrange is scheduled for early 2024
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
7. According to the State Bank of India (SBI)’s Ecowrap report released in January 2023, India’s fiscal deficit is expected to grow at _________ for FY23.
Option “4” is correct The State Bank of India (SBI) in its Ecowrap report has estimated India’s fiscal deficit for FY 2023-24 (FY24) at around Rs 17.95 lakh crore or 6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). • This will result in a fiscal consolidation of 40 bps from FY23. i. In FY23, the fiscal deficit is expected to come to Rs 17.5 lakh crore. However, higher nominal GDP growth (15.4%) estimates will help in keeping the fiscal deficit at 6.4% of the GDP. ii. The net market borrowing of the Central Government in FY24 will be around Rs 11.7 lakh crore, and with repayments of Rs 4.4 lakh crore, gross borrowing is expected at Rs 16.1 lakh crore.
BANKING & FINANCE
8. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced the expansion of Girls4Tech Programme to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education among Girl Students.
1) Discover Financial Services
2) American Express
3) Capital One
4) MasterCard
5) Visa Inc
Option “4” is correct Mastercard announced the expansion of its flagship Girls4Tech, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education programme in India. This programme will benefit over 10,800 girls from 30 government schools in TamilNadu. i. The Girls4Tech programme is supported by the Mastercard Impact Fund in partnership with the American India Foundation (AIF). ii. It aims to reach an additional 1 lakh female students in India by 2024 to encourage them to pursue STEM education; this includes 10,800 students in Tamil Nadu.
9. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to provide financial assistance to the dealers of SAIL across India?
1) South Indian Bank
2) Axis Bank
3) ICICI Bank
4) RBL Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
Option “1” is correct A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been inked between the South Indian Bank (SIB) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to provide financial assistance to the dealers of SAIL across India. i. The bank will serve the MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) and corporate customers of SAIL by providing financial assistance for working capital, especially steel procurement through its 928 branches
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
10. Who recently (in Jan ‘23) became the 1st woman officer to be posted on a foreign assignment at the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and also in Project Dantak of Bhutan?
Option “1” is correct Captain Surbhi Jakhmola, an Indian Army officer from 117 Engineer Regiment, has been posted in the Project Dantak of Bhutan, she becomes the 1st woman officer to be posted on a foreign assignment at the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). i. Project Dantak, is an overseas project of the Border Roads Organisation under the Ministry of Defence of India. ii. Project Dantak was established in April 1961 as a result of the vision of His Majesty the Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.
11. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) became the 1st IAF Woman Fighter Pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad.
Option “5” is correct Su-30MKI pilot Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, one of the first 3 women combat pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF), is scheduled to participate in the inaugural air exercise Veer Guardian 2023 in Japan. She became the first IAF Woman Fighter Pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad. • Veer Guardian 2023 aims to strengthen the bilateral air defence cooperation between India. i. Veer Guardian 2023, from 16th to 26th January 2023, will be held at the Hyakuri Air Base and its surrounding airspace in Omitama, as well as the Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Japan
12. How many Indian Peacekeepers were recently (in Jan ‘23) honoured with the prestigious United Nations (UN) medals for their vital work in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in South Sudan?
1) 530
2) 820
3) 990
4) 2000
5) 1171
Option “5” is correct 1171 Indian Peacekeepers were honoured with the prestigious United Nations (UN) medals for their vital work in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Upper Nile, South Sudan. • Out of the 1,171 recipients of UN medals in 2023, 5 were women. i. According to the UN, the Indian contingent will be renowned for its efforts in safeguarding civilians as well as building and repairing critical infrastructure. • Lieutenant General Subramanian, the Force Commander of the peacekeeping mission, was there to present the well-deserved awards to the proud recipients. ii. Major Jasmine Chattha was the first woman to lead the huge contingent’s parade, comprising infantry, engineers and medical officials, at the award ceremony in Upper Nile. • She was one of 5 women to be honoured with the UN medal for their exceptional work, which also includes Captain Karishma Kathayat, an engineer
13. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) bagged the Best Small Bank award in the best banks survey for the year 2022 by Business Today (BT)-KPMG Best banks survey?
1) Yes Bank
2) Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
3) IndusInd Bank
4) Dhanlaxmi Bank
5) Kotak Mahindra Bank
Option “2” is correct Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) Limited has bagged the Best Small Bank award in the best banks survey for the year 2022 done by Business Today-KPMG (BT-KPMG Best banks survey). i. The award was received by S. Krishnan, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Award (CEO) of TMB limited, from Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) of India, in a function held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
14. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) invented a “System and Method for Controlling Generation and Movement of Fugitive Dust” to minimize & control the fugitive dust in mining areas?
1) Singareni Collieries Company Limited
2) Vedanta Limited
3) Tata Steel Mining Limited
4) Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited
5) Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
Option “4” is correct Ranchi (Jharkhand)- based Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), a consultancy subsidiary of Coal India Limited(CIL) has invented a “System and Method for Controlling Generation and Movement of Fugitive Dust” to minimize and control the fugitive dust in mining areas. • CMPDIL received a patent (Patent No. 416055) for its invention in December 2022. i. The invention relates to the coordinated application of windbreak (WB) and vertical greenery systems (VGS) to reduce the production and dispersion of fugitive dust. ii. This system can be utilised to reduce and control fugitive dust in mines, thermal power plants, railway sidings, ports, etc.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
15. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) assumed the presidency of the 13th assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
1) United Arab Emirates
2) India
3) France
4) Australia
5) Germany
Option “2” is correct India has assumed the presidency of the 13th assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the first international organisation solely dedicated to renewable energy, which was held from January 13–15, 2023, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). i. Union Minister Raj Kumar Singh (R.K. Singh), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), delivered the opening remarks at IRENA’s 13th assembly. ii. The theme of the 13th IRENA assembly is “World Energy Transitions: The Global Stocktake with the objective to establish energy transition priorities in advance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – 28th session of the COP 28, which will be hosted by the UAE from November 30 – December 12, 2023.
16. Who has been recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) in the National Security Council Secretariat of India?
Option “3” is correct The Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Pankaj Kumar Singh, as Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) in the National Security Council Secretariat of India. i. He has been appointed on a re-employment contract of 2 years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or until further orders. ii. Pankaj Kumar Singh, a 1988-batch IPS officer, previously served as 29th Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) and retired on 31st December 2022. iii. He has authored and published various articles including the book “Journey to the country of Shiva.”
17. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of_________, has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced his resignation amid the ongoing Anti-Corruption Drive.
Option “5” is correct President of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, submitted his resignation after the communist party blamed him for the violations and wrongdoings by the senior ministers under him during his 2016- 2021 stint as Prime Minister(PM) of Vietnam. i. His resignation is a part of the anti-corruption drive which also led to the dismissal of 2 Deputy Prime Ministers (Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam). The anti-corruption drive is led by Nguyen Phu Trong, the Communist party general secretary. ii. Nguyen Xuan Phuc served as PM of Vietnam from 2016 until April 2021, when he was elected 11th President of Vietnam.
ENVIRONMENT
18. Name the plant species that has recently (in Jan ‘23) listed in the protected plants list under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
1) Neelakurinji
2) Paper Plant
3) Canna Lily
4) Royal Purple Plant
5) Silver Fern
Option “1” is correct The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has listed Neelakurinji or Kurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) in the list of protected plants under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. • The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits picking, uprooting or destroying plants and also prohibits the cultivation and possession of these plants. i. Neelakurinji has been included in the list after the Center expanded the earlier protected list of six plant species to 19. ii. Neelakurinji is a tropical plant species and is native to the shola forests in the Western Ghats. It is also found in Shevaroy Hills in the Eastern Ghats, Annamalai Hills in Kerala and Sanduru Hills in Karnataka. Its flowers are violet-blue in colour and bloom once in 12 years.They have no scent or medicinal value.
OBITUARY
19. Renowned British linguist Ronald Eaton Asher (R E Asher), who specialized in Dravidian languages, passed away in January 2023.
In which year did he receive the Gold Medal from the Kerala Sahitya Akademi for “distinguished services” in Malayalam?
1) 2001
2) 1990
3) 1983
4) 2007
5) 1971
Option “3” is correct Renowned British linguist Ronald Eaton Asher (R E Asher) who specialized in Dravidian languages has passed away in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK). i. He is well-known for translating the works of Vaikkom Mohammed Basheer (Malayalam) and Pudumaipithan (Tamil). ii. In 1971, he wrote his 1st book in Tamil, “A Tamil Prose Reader” with R. Radhakrishnan. He served as the president of the International Association for Tamil Research from 1983 to 1990. iii. In 1983, he received the Gold Medal from the Kerala Sahitya Akademi for “distinguished services” in Malayalam. In 2007, the Sahitya Akademi elected R E Asher as an Honorary fellow.
SPORTS
20. Name the Indian Tennis players who has recently (in Jan ‘23) won the Men’s doubles title at the Bangkok Open 2023(2), held at Nonthaburi, Thailand in January 2023?
1) Sriram Balaji and Divij Sharan
2) Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni
3) Sumit Nagal and Divij Sharan
4) Yuki Bhambri and Arjun Kadhe
5) Arjun Kadhe and Saketh Myneni
Option “2” is correct India’s Tennis players, Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni(1st seed), have won the Men’s doubles title at the Bangkok Open 2023(2) held in Nonthaburi, Thailand from 9th to 14th January 2023. • The Indian duo defeated Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia and Akira Santillan of Australia in the finals
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
21. Who authored the book, “Revolutionaries- The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom” that was recently (in Jan ‘23) released by Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah?
Option “5” is correct Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs, released a book titled “Revolutionaries- The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom” authored by Economist Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister(EAC-PM), at a function in New Delhi, Delhi. i. He was the Principal Economic Adviser to the Finance Minister for 5 years till February 2022.
CA STATIC GK
22. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chairman of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)?
Option “1” is correct Chairman– Soma Mondal (First Female Chairperson of SAIL) Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
23. In which year, Durga Puja in Kolkata (West Bengal) was declared as the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)?
1) 2022
2) 2020
3) 2018
4) 2021
5) 2017
Option “4” is correct Durga Puja in Kolkata (West Bengal), which has been designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage in 2021, can be promoted as intangible culture and heritage tourism.
24. In which year, Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) was Established?
Option “4” is correct Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 in Basti, Uttar Pradesh through video conferencing. i. Saansad Khel Mahakumbh has been organised in Basti by Lok Sabha MP from the constituency, Harish Dwivedi since 2021. Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 is being organised in two phases. ii. The first phase was organised from 10th to 16th December, 2022 and the second phase of the Khel Mahakumbh will be organised from today to 28th January, 2023.
26. The MyndStories, India’s 1st content platform for mental health was launched in January 2023.
MyndStories is owned by Metta Media Pvt. Ltd located in __________.
1) Noida, Uttar Pradesh
2) Hyderabad, Telangana
3) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
4) New Delhi, Delhi
5) Bengaluru, Karnataka
Option “5” is correct MyndStories, found at www.myndstories.com is India’s first independent mental health content platform that offers original, fact-checked content, news, research, support groups, and podcasts updated daily. • MyndStories is based in Bengaluru (Karnataka), India, and is owned by Metta Media Pvt. Ltd. i. MyndStories offers comprehensive mental health content tailored to an Indian audience through features, news, interviews, podcasts, first-person essays, curated therapists, and support groups.
27. What is the currency of Vietnam?
1) Rial
2) Dinar
3) Peso
4) Dong
5) Euro
Option “4” is correct Prime Minister– Pham Minh Chinh Capital– Hanoi Currency– Vietnamese Dong
28. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) National Security Advisor of India?
Option “4” is correct The National Security Advisor post was created in 1998. Brajesh Mishra served as India’s 1st National Security Advisor (NSA). National Security Advisor- Ajit Kumar Doval Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
29. Where is the Headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) located?
1) Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2) Paris, France
3) Bangkok, Thailand
4) Vienna, Austria
5) Geneva, Switzerland
Option “1” is correct Director General (DG) – Francesco La Camera Established – 1981 Headquarters – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Members – 167 countries & the European Union (EU)
30. What is the tagline of South Indian Bank (SIB)?
1) We understand your world
2) Experience Next Generation Banking
3) Your Perfect Banking Partner
4) Where service is a way of life
5) The Banker to Every Indian
Option “2” is correct Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Murali Ramakrishnan Headquarters– Thrissur, Kerala Tagline– Experience Next Generation Banking
