Option “4” is correct The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has discontinued the ‘Padho Pardesh – Scheme of Interest Subsidy On Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for The Students Belonging to The Minority Communities’. • The scheme was implemented by Canara Bank, which served as the scheme’s designated nodal bank, and will be phased out in 2022-23. i. According to MoMA’s most recent annual report, Canara Bank received an amount of Rs. 20.20 crore to reimburse interest subsidies paid to fresh plus renewal candidates under the Scheme during FY21. ii. The Padho Pardesh Scheme was launched in June 2006 as part of the Prime Minister’s 15-point program. Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India in 2006. • Objective: To provide an interest subsidy to meritorious students from economically weaker sections (EWS) of notified minority communities.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
2. According to data provided by Tracxn in January 2023, which city has topped the startup funding chart in India with $10.8 billion in 2022?
1) Bengaluru, Karnataka
2) Mumbai, Maharashtra
3) Gurugram, Haryana
4) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
5) Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Option “1” is correct According to data provided by Tracxn, a leading global market intelligence platform, Bengaluru (Karnataka) topped the startup funding chart in India with $10.8 billion in 2022. It is followed by Mumbai (Maharashtra) at USD 3.9 billion, and Gurugram (Haryana) at USD 2.6 billion. • Startups in Delhi and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) registered USD 1.2 billion each in funding, and Pune (Maharashtra) at $1 billion. i. Byju’s has topped the list of highest funding raised in 2022 with over USD 1.2 billion from existing investors. ii. There were 22 unicorns in 2022, compared to 46 in 2021, and average funding before the unicorn round was around USD 160 million.
3. Name the UN organisation that has recently (in Jan ‘23) released the ‘Transforming Education with Equitable Financing’ report, with the key finding that only 16% of the public funding for education goes to the poorest 20% of learners, while the richest benefit from 28%.
1) United Nations Development Programme
2) United Nations Human Settlement Programme
3) International Labour Organization
4) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
5) United Nations Children’s Fund
Option “5” is correct According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report titled Transforming Education with Equitable Financing, globally children from the poorest households benefit the least from national public education funding in both low- and middle-income countries. i. Only 16% of the public funding for education goes to the poorest 20% of learners, while the richest benefit from 28%. ii. The report examines data on government spending across pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary education from 102 countries.
4. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has recently (in Jan ‘23) adopted a resolution by consensus titled ‘Education for Democracy’ that reaffirms the right of ‘education for all’. Which country has co-sponsored the resolution?
1) Germany
2) France
3) United Kingdom
4) India
5) United States of America
Option “4” is correct The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution by consensus titled ‘Education for Democracy’ that reaffirms the right of ‘education for all’ and contributes to the strengthening of democracy. • The resolution is co-sponsored by India. i. This resolution will recognize the importance of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. According to the report by Dealroom and London & Partners released in January 2023, India ranked _______ globally for Tech venture capital (VC) investments in 2022, while _______ tops the list.
1) 4th; United States of America
2) 3rd; China
3) 4th; United Kingdom
4) 3rd; United States of America
5) 5th; China
Option “1” is correct According to the report by Dealroom and London & Partners, India ranked 4th globally, with USD 24.1 billion worth of Tech venture capital (VC) investments in 2022. i. At a national level, the top 3 countries for tech investment in 2022 were the United States of America (USA) with USD 233.3 billion tech investment, followed by China with USD 48 billion and the UK with USD 29.9 billion. ii. The research showed that USD 10.7 billion of the total tech investment to India(24.1 billion) went into companies based in Bengaluru(Karnataka). With this Bengaluru joins the top 5 hubs for tech VC investment. • Bengaluru accounted for five of the top 10 deals for Indian tech companies in 2022 viz. Byju’s (USD 800m) Swiggy (USD 700m), Dailyhunt (USD 805m), Polygon (USD 450m) and ShareChat (USD 225m). iii. Maharashtra grabbed two mega deals for ElasticRun (USD 300m) and Xpressbees (USD 300m), with Gurugram-based Delhivery (USD 300m) making up the top 10.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
6. Name the organisation/company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with the Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) to exchange knowledge & developments in the Indian Carbon Market.
1) International Energy Agency
2) Confederation of Indian Industry
3) The Energy and Resources Institute
4) Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States
5) Adani Power Limited
Option “4” is correct The Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI), and the Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS) signed an MoU to provide a regular exchange on policy and regulatory developments in carbon trading and assist in the development of an Indian carbon market. i. Aim of the MoU: To work for a carbon-neutral economy and support the development of the Indian carbon market.
7. According to the EY (Ernst & Young) report, India’s economy will reach USD 26 trillion by ________.
1) 2025
2) 2047
3) 2040
4) 2030
5) 2045
Option “2” is correct According to the estimates released by consulting firm EY (Ernst & Young) in its report ‘India@100: Realising the potential of a $26 trillion economy’, India’s economy will reach USD 26 trillion by 2047. • Notably, the year 2047 will mark the 100th year of India’s independence. The per capita income is expected to increase to USD 15,000 which will place India among the ranks of developed economies. i. The report was launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Ministry of Railways, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) being held at Davos, Switzerland.
BANKING & FINANCE
8. Name the bank that has recently (in Jan ‘23) raised Rs 9,718 crore through its 2nd infrastructure bond issuance at a coupon rate of 7.70% per annum for the 15-year bond.
1) Indian Bank
2) Punjab National Bank
3) Bank of India
4) Canara Bank
5) State Bank of India
Option “5” is correct On 18th January 2023, the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest bank, raised Rs 9,718 crore through its 2nd infrastructure bond issuance at a coupon rate of 7.70% per annum for the 15-year bond. i. The pricing of 7.70% represents a spread of 17 basis points(bps) over the G-Sec (Government Security) curve. This is the 2nd fundraising of SBI since December 2022. ii. On 6th December 2022, SBI raised Rs 10,000 crore through its maiden infrastructure bond issuance at a coupon rate of 7.51%, at a spread of 17 bps over the corresponding G-Sec curve.
9. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) become the first Public Sector Bank (PSB) to introduce a credit card against fixed deposits (FDs) digitally?
1) Indian Bank
2) Bank of Baroda
3) Punjab National Bank
4) Union Bank of India
5) Bank of Maharashtra
Option “3” is correct Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become the first Public Sector Bank (PSB) to introduce a credit card against fixed deposits (FDs) digitally, for customers who do not fulfill the eligibility criteria for regular credit cards. i. PNB has introduced two types of consumer credit cards: ‘PNB Global Gold’ and ‘PNB Global Classic’, which are designed to meet various income levels and customer needs. ii. PNB has raised the interest rate on FDs across various tenures by 50 basis points (bps) in an effort to attract deposits. The revised FD rates are effective from January 1, 2023.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
10. Name the Indian state that has recently (in Jan ‘23) won the “Bronze Award” in the United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s (UN-Habitat) “World Habitat Awards 2023” for the Jaga Mission, a 5T programme of the state.
Option “2” is correct Odisha has won the “Bronze Award” in the United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s (UNHabitat) “World Habitat Awards 2023” for the Jaga Mission, a 5T programme of the state. [5T: Transparency; Technology; Teamwork; Time & Transformation] i. Jaga Mission – ‘Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission’ is India’s largest land titling and slum upgrading initiative, and one of the largest in the world. ii. The 2023 Bronze Award is Jaga Mission’s second bronze award; it previously won a bronze award at the ‘World Habitat Awards 2019’ for its achievement in granting secure land tenure to slum dwellers.
11. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the National Startup Awards(NSA) 2022, on the occasion of the National Start-up Day?
A) National Start-up Day observed on 16th January 2023, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & Textiles felicitated the winners of the NSA 2022.
B) The NSA 2022 recognised 46 winners (41 startups, 2 incubators, and 1 accelerator) in their respective categories.
C) He also launched the MAARG platform (Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth) to facilitate mentorship between startups and entrepreneurs across sectors, stages, and functions.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct On the occasion of the National Start-up Day (16th January 2023), Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & Textiles felicitated the winners of the National Startup Awards(NSA) 2022 during the award ceremony held in New Delhi, Delhi. i. The NSA 2022 recognised 46 winners (41 startups, 2 incubators, and 1 accelerator) in their respective categories. • Natura Crop Care has won NSA 2022 under 2 sectors, Rural Impact Startup and Agriculture while Algorithmic Biologics Private Limited have won awards under Health & Wellness sector and Special Category – Women-Led Startup. Click here for the complete list of NSA 2022 winners ii. He also launched the MAARG platform (Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth) during the award ceremony to facilitate mentorship between startups and entrepreneurs across sectors, stages, and functions. • DPIIT organised a workshop on Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and their Central role, chaired by Anurag Jain, Secretary, DPIIT at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. • On 10th January 2023, DPIIT organized the ASCEND (Accelerating Startup Calibre & Entrepreneurial Drive) SAMAGAM.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
12. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) elected as the Executive Director (ED) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for the second term?
Option “1” is correct The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected Inger Andersen of Denmark as Executive Director (ED) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for a second, 4-year term beginning from 15th June 2023 to 14th June 2027. • She is currently serving her initial 4-year term from 2019 to 2023. i. She served as the Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, the Vice President for Sustainable Development, and the Head of the CGIAR Fund Council at the World Bank for 15 years (between 1999 and 2014). ii. Between 2015 and 2019, Inger Andersen led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for 4 years before being named the head of UNEP in June 2019.
13. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) joined Vodafone Idea as Vice President (VP) of active network and commercial.
Option “4” is correct Sujeet Sharma has joined Vodafone Idea as Vice President (VP) of active network and commercial, where he will be in charge of the procurement for the company. i. Prior to joining Vodafone Idea, he was working at Bharti Airtel for 15 years where he last held the position of VP & head of infrastructure procurement and operations.
SPORTS
14. Gareth Bale has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced his retirement from International Football. Which country did he represent in International Football?
1) Germany
2) Wales
3) Poland
4) Belgium
5) Netherlands
Option “2” is correct Welsh footballer Gareth Bale(33 years old), who plays for Wales national football team is it’s men’s all-time leading goalscorer and a 5-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has announced his retirement from international and club football with immediate effect. Gareth Bale started his career in 2006 at Southampton, England, UK. i. He holds the record for being named Welsh player of the year for a record 6 times. ii. He represented Real Madrid from 2013 to 2022 and Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Football Club (FC) in the United States (US) from 2022 to 2023. iii. In 2022, as captain and talisman, he led Wales to their 1st World Cup since 1958 at Qatar 2022.
ENVIRONMENT
15. Which country’s Archaeologists have recently (in Jan ‘23) found the ‘World’s Oldest Runestone’?
1) France
2) Sweden
3) Norway
4) Germany
5) Spain
Option “3” is correct Archaeologists in Norway have found the oldest runestone in the world. The inscriptions are up to 2,000 years old and date back to the earliest days of the enigmatic history of runic writing in Oslo, Norway. i. The runestone, which measures 31 by 32 centimetres, has numerous inscriptions that include runes and letters related to the Germanic alphabet. Eight runes on the front of the stone read “idiberug”. ii. The runestone was discovered in 2021 during the excavation of a grave at Tyrifjord, west of Oslo, Norway, in a region known for many monumental archaeological finds
OBITUARY
16. Padma Shri Awardee ‘Prabhaben Sobhaghchand Shah’, passed away in January 2023. In which field did she receive Padma Shri award in 2022?
1) Social Worker
2) Literature and Education
3) Art
4) Civil Service
5) Public Affairs
Option “1” is correct Padma Shri Awardee Prabhaben Sobhaghchand Shah, Social Worker from Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu passed away in Daman at the age of 92. i. Prabhaben Shah, fondly known as “Daman ki Divya”, organised canteens for the poor and coordinated the All India Women Council’s “Vatra Banks” to assist Gujarat flood victims. ii. In 2022, Prabhaben Shah received Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian award, for Social Work (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu).
17. Badara Alieu Joof, the Vice-President (VP) of the __________, passed away in January 2023.
1) Republic of Zambia
2) Republic of Ghana
3) Republic of Namibia
4) Republic of Nigeria
5) Republic of the Gambia
Option “5” is correct Badara Alieu Joof, the Vice-President (VP) of the Republic of the Gambia (West African country), passed away in India at the age of 65. His demise was announced by the President of Gambia, Adama Barrow. i. In 2022, Badara Alieu Joof became the Vice-President of Gambia. President Adama Barrow chose him as VP after being re-elected as President in 2021 for 2nd term. ii. He also served in the Gambian Civil service and the World Bank as an Education Specialist for West and Central Africa, transmitting his experience there to his time as minister of higher education, research, science and technology
IMPORTANT DAYS
18. When was 18th National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day observed across India?
1) 16th January 2023
2) 18th January 2023
3) 15th January 2023
4) 19th January 2023
5) 17th January 2023
Option “4” is correct The 18th National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day was observed across India on 19th January 2023 to commemorate the establishment of the NDRF, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. i. The 1st ever NDRF Raising Day was observed on 19th January 2006. ii. The NDRF celebrates the 18th Raising day of the National Disaster Response Force on 19th January 2023 at the Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. ii. The academic session on “Disaster Response in Mountains” is organised by NDRF at the event.
CA STATIC GK
19. Sister André, the world’s oldest known person, who lived through two world wars and the 1918 influenza pandemic and survived Covid-19, Passed away in January 2023. Sister André belongs to which country?
1) Kenya
2) Costa Rica
3) France
4) Brazil
5) Italy
Option “3” is correct Sister André, a French nun and the world’s oldest known person, who lived through two world wars and the 1918 influenza pandemic and survived Covid-19, Passed away in France. She was 118. i. Sister André made headlines in recent years for being the world’s oldest known survivor of Covid, according to Guinness World Records. She beat the disease with barely any complications just as she was about to turn 117.
20. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) becomes first LGBTQ woman of colour to take oath as the Oakland City Council member in the US state of California.
Option “4” is correct Janani Ramachandran, a 30-year-old Indian-American attorney, has emerged as the youngest and the first queer woman of colour to take oath as the Oakland City Council member in the US state of California. i. Ramachandran took the ceremonial oath wearing a saree as the Oakland City Council member for District 4 in an inauguration ceremony held on January 10.
21. What is the capital of Peru?
1) Bogota
2) Lima
3) Caracas
4) Georgetown
5) Quito
Option “2” is correct Capital- Lima Currency- Sol
22. Who is the current (as Jan ‘23) President and Managing Director (MD) of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) India?
Option “5” is correct Rohit Suri, President and Managing Director (MD), Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) India, will retire from his position on March 31, 2023. i. Rohit Suri joined Tata Group with Tata Motors as Head of Premier Car Division and led the launch of Jaguar and Land Rover in India in 2009.
23. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Justice of India (CJI)?
Option “3” is correct In a clear indication that the Narendra Modi government is determined to restructure the collegium system of appointments to the higher judiciary, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has written to Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud suggested a nominee of the Union government in the Supreme Court Collegium and a State representative in each of the High Court collegiums. i. The four-page letter has raised a long list of complaints and sought the formation of a search-andevaluation committee, which will have government representatives, to suggest names to the collegiums for appointment as judges in constitutional courts.
Option “5” is correct The Odisha State AIDS Control Society, Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha under the leadership of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in coordination with the Department of Sports & Youth Services & Hockey India organized an awareness programme on HIV AIDS by forming the ‘largest human red ribbon chain’ in the East Gallery of Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 19th January 2023. i. The spectators in the gallery included 4,800 students from various schools, Red Ribbon Club members from colleges, people from the community, and participants from the Mission Shakti Department.
25. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Director General (DG) of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)?
1) Sanjay Kumar
2) Atul Karwal
3) S N Pradhan
4) Krishna Chaudhary
5) Mahboob Alam
Option “2” is correct Director General- Atul Karwal Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi Motto- Sustained Disaster Response Service
26. In which year, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was established?
1) 1972
2) 1989
3) 1964
4) 1997
5) 1958
Option “1” is correct Executive Director– Inger Andersen Headquarters- Nairobi, Kenya Establishment- 1972
27. In which state ‘Similipal Tiger Reserve’ is located?
28. Every year National Startup Day is celebrated across India on __________.
1) 18th January
2) 16th January
3) 19th January
4) 15th January
5) 17th January
Option “2” is correct National Startup Day is annually observed across India on 16th January to celebrate the spirit of the Indian startup ecosystem. The day also marks the founding day of Startup India. i. The observance of the National Startup Day is organised by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), under MoCI (Ministry of Commerce and Industry). ii. 2023 marks the observance of the 2nd National Start-up Day. iii. National Start-up Day 2023 marks the completion of 7 years of Start-up India.
29. What is the tagline of Punjab National Bank (PNB)?
1) Your Perfect Banking Partner
2) Support All the Way
3) Together We Can
4) We Understand Your World
5) The name you can bank upon
Option “5” is correct MD & CEO – Atul Kumar Goel Established –1894 Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi Tagline – The name you can bank upon
30. Where is the Headquarters of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) located?
1) New York, United States
2) Geneva, Switzerland
3) Rome, Italy
4) Vienna, Austria
5) Paris, France
Option “1” is correct President– Csaba Kőrösi Headquarters– New York, United States Establishment– 1945
