21st January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has signed an MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to set an annual performance target for 2022- 23. GoI has set a target of __________ for revenue from operations For 2022–2023.
Option “2” is correct The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has signed an MoU with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to set an annual performance target for 2022-23. i. For 2022–2023, the Government of India (GoI) has set a target of Rs. 3,361 crore for revenue from operations, an increase of 18% from 2021-22. ii. In the second quarter of the fiscal year 2022–23 (FY23), IREDA reported a 67% increase in profit after tax (PAT) compared to the same period in FY22. iii. The net NPAs decreased from 4.87% to 2.72% compared to the same period in FY22.
2. With which country, the Indian Army has recently (in Jan ‘23) conducted the 1st edition of the Exercise Cyclone-I, at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan?
1) Mongolia
2) Kazakhstan
3) Egypt
4) Thailand
5) Kyrgyzstan
Option “3” is correct Exercise Cyclone-I, the first edition of a joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army is being conducted in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan with an aim to boost defence co-operation between India and Egypt. i. A 14 days long exercise has been conducted since 14th January 2023.
3. Name the union minister who has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched “Bharat Pravah – India along its shores”, to highlight the role of rivers, ports, and shipping.
1) Sarbananda Sonowal
2) Giriraj Singh
3) Pashu Pati Kumar Paras
4) Kiren Rijiju
5) Parshottam Rupala
Option “1” is correct The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched “Bharat Pravah – India along its shores”, an initiative to highlight the importance of rivers-ports-shipping in the life of the common man through literature dialogue and communication. i. Under the Bharat Pravah initiative, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways would organise events on various topics like Rivers and Sea-Centric Development in India: Through a Historical Lens’ and ‘Sea, Rivers, Ports and Ship in Folk Culture and Literature’, among others.
4. Which organisation has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Ports Association to set up a Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity?
1) Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
2) Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited
3) Research & Information System for Developing Countries
4) Shipping Corporation of India
5) Sagarmala Development Company Limited
Option “3” is correct Indian Ports Association (IPA) and Research & Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to set up a Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity. i. The proposed projects of the Transhipment Port at Galathea bay at Greater Nicobar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be advantageous for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Nations.
5. Which of the following points is/are ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Maharashtra in January 2023?
A) The PM inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth around Rs 52,000 crores in Mumbai.
B) He also launched MUMBAI 1 Mobile App and National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1).
C) The Foundation stone for redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus laid by PM with an outlay of over Rs 1,800 crores.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “1” is correct On January 19, 2023, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Maharashtra the details of which are given below: i. The PM inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth around Rs 38,800 crores in Mumbai. ii. He also launched MUMBAI 1 Mobile App and National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1). • The app will facilitate ease of travel, can be shown on the entry gates of Metro Stations and supports digital payment to buy tickets through UPI (Unified Payments Interface). • The National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1) will initially be used in metro corridors and can be extended to other modes of mass public transit including local trains and buses as well to enable quick, contactless, and digital transactions. iii. The Foundation stone for redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus laid by PM with an outlay of over Rs 1,800 crores.
6. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Yadgiri and Kalaburagi districts of Karnataka in January 2023?
A) The foundation stone of Yadgir multi-village drinking water supply scheme was laid by the PM under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with an outlay of more than Rs 2050 crore
B) He also inaugurated the Narayanpur Left Bank Canal – Extension Renovation and Modernization Project (NLBC – ERM) with the project costs about Rs 4700 crores.
C) In Malkhed of Kalaburagi District, the PM distributed title deeds (hakku patra) to the eligible beneficiaries of newly declared revenue villages.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct On January 19, 2023, the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited the districts Yadgiri and Kalaburagi of Karnataka . i. The foundation stone of Yadgir multi-village drinking water supply scheme was laid by the PM under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with an outlay of more than Rs 2050 crore. Under this, a Water Treatment Plant of 117 MLD (Megalitres Per Day) will be built. ii. He also inaugurated the Narayanpur Left Bank Canal – Extension Renovation and Modernization Project (NLBC – ERM) with the project costs about Rs 4700 crores. iii. In Malkhed of Kalaburagi District, the PM distributed title deeds (hakku patra) to the eligible beneficiaries of newly declared revenue villages.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
7. Name the Small Finance Bank that has recently (in Jan ‘23) won the prestigious Inclusive Finance India Awards 2022.
1) Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
2) Capital Small Finance Bank
3) ESAF Small Finance Bank
4) Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
5) Equitas Small Finance Bank
Option “3” is correct ESAF Small Finance Bank has won the prestigious Inclusive Finance India Awards 2022 in recognition of its contributions to advancing the goal of financial inclusion and supporting inclusive growth. i. Paul Thomas, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ESAF Bank, received the award from Anantha Nageshwaran, Chief Economic Advisor at the 19th Inclusive Finance India Summit held in New Delhi, Delhi. ii. The Inclusive Finance India Awards is an initiative of ACCESS Development Services in partnership with HSBC India.
8. Which airport has recently (in Jan ‘23) won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport‘ award?
1) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Telangana)
2) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Maharashtra)
3) Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi)
4) Manohar International Airport (Goa)
5) Kempegowda International Airport (Karnataka)
Option “4” is correct The New Goa Manohar International Airport (MIA), formerly Mopa International Airport, won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport‘ award for the excellent initiatives taken by the GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) in implementing sustainability as one of their key concepts. i. The award was presented at the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)’s 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023 at Hotel Leela Palace, New Delhi, Delhi. ii. GGIAL received the award under the Aviation Sustainability and Environment category. Other Civil Aviation Awards: • GMR Aviation for the Best Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Services, Airbus for the Best Aircraft manufacturer, Pawan Hans for the Best Helicopter flights, SpiceJet for the Best Cargo Carrier, Adani for the Best Airport Technology and more.
9. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) won the Isa Award for Service to Humanity 2023, a top civilian award in Bahrain?
Option “2” is correct Dr Sanduk Ruit, a renowned Nepali ophthalmologist, won the Isa Award for Service to Humanity 2023, a top civilian award in Bahrain. • He has been declared the 5th laureate 2021-2022 of the Isa award for his work on blindness prevention and his service to the community and his achievements. i. The “Isa Award for services to Humanity” was established in 2009 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain. ii. The first 4 laureates to receive the Isa award are Dr Jemilah Mahmood (2013); Dr Achyuta Samanta (2015); The Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt, popularly known as Hospital 57357, (2017); and The Edhi Charitable Foundation (2019).
10. According to the Brand Finance Brand Guardianship Index 2023 released in January 2023, Mukesh Ambani is ranked No 1 among Indians and _______ globally, while __________ from the USA ranked No 1 in the Index.
Option “4” is correct According to the Brand Finance Brand Guardianship Index 2023, Mukesh Ambani chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is ranked No 1 among Indians and second globally with Brand Guardianship Index (BGI) score of 81.7. • Jensen Huang, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of US-based tech leader Nvidia, is ranked No 1 on the Brand Guardianship Index 2023 globally with a BGI Score of 83. • Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft is ranked 3rd followed by Shantanu Narayen of Adobe (4th) and Sundar Pichai of Google (5th). • 6 Indian CEOs or equivalents are featured among the top 100 on the index and 2 of them are among the top 10(Mukesh Ambani (2nd) and Natarajan Chandrasekaran(8th)). i. The Brand Guardianship Index 2023, ranking of the world’s top 100 CEOs or equivalents, was launched during the event hosted in association with Deloitte during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
BANKING AND FINANCE
11. The GoI entered into a conversion/switch transaction with the RBI on January 17, 2023. The GoI bought back _______ bonds maturing in 2024 (FY 2024-25) worth Rs. 22,610 crore at a price of Rs. 98.62.
1) 3.78%
2) 6.18%
3) 5.12%
4) 7.89%
5) 4.45%
Option “2” is correct The Government of India (GoI) has been conducting conversion/switch operations with market participants as well as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in order to streamline its liability profile and promote market development. i. The GoI entered into a conversion/switch transaction with the RBI on January 17, 2023 (settlement on January 18, 2023), as part of these operations. Click here for official notification. ii. The GoI bought back 6.18% bonds maturing in 2024 (FY 2024-25) worth Rs. 22,610 crore (USD 2.78 billion) at a price of Rs. 98.62, and it issued 8.28% 2032 bonds to the RBI worth Rs. 21,025.914 crore at a price of Rs. 106.05. iii. Prior to this switch, the GoI had switched bonds worth more than Rs. 820 billion in FY23, falling short of its target of Rs. 1 trillion. [1 USD = 81.2680 INR (Indian Rupee)]
12. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) partnered with Paytail Commerce Private Limited (Paytail) to provide loans on lifestyle products?
Option “4” is correct Paytail Commerce Private Limited (Paytail) has partnered with HDB Financial Services Limited to provide loans on lifestyle products such as bicycles, electric vehicles (EVs), mobile devices, consumer durables, and kitchen appliances. • The loan amount varies from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 3 lakhs. i. It provides a 24-month Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) period, based on the amount borrowed and the product segment.
13. Name the Guaranteed Return Life Insurance Plan that was recently (in Jan ‘23) launched by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
Option “2” is correct The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has unveiled Jeevan Azad (Plan No. 868), a new nonlinked, non-participating plan designed for individual savings and life insurance. • The plan offers an attractive combination of protection and savings. i. LIC Jeevan Azad is a limited-period payment endowment plan that provides financial support to the family in the case of the untimely death of the life assured during the policy term and also addresses liquidity requirements through a loan facility. • The minimum basic sum assured is Rs. 2 lakh, while the maximum is Rs. 5 lakh.
14. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the RBI’s report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets for 2022-2023” released in January 2023?
A) The Report released by RBI under the theme “Capital Formation in India: The Role of States”
and three key observations from the RBI report are Debt-to-GDP, Contingent Liabilities & Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
B) The debt-to-GDP ratio has decreased from 31.1% in 2020-21 to 29.5% in 2022-23
C) Under the Contingent Liabilities, the amount of guarantees issued by state governments
increased from Rs. 3.12 lakh crore (2% of GDP) in 2017 to Rs. 7.4 lakh crore (3.7% of GDP).
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 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets for 2022-2023” on January 16, 2023, under the theme “Capital Formation in India: The Role of States.” • The report is an annual publication that presents information, analysis, and an assessment of state government finances for 2022–2023 (FY23) in comparison to actual and revised/provisional accounts for 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, respectively. The three key observations from the RBI report are as follows: i. The debt-to-GDP ratio has decreased from 31.1% in 2020-21 to 29.5% in 2022-23. ii. Under the Contingent Liabilities, the amount of guarantees issued by state governments increased from Rs. 3.12 lakh crore (2% of GDP) in 2017 to Rs. 7.4 lakh crore (3.7% of GDP). iii. Old Pension Scheme (OPS): The report also warns of new concerns, with some states preferring to return to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). • A substantial portion of state tax revenues are already allocated to pensions; in 2020–21, Rs. 3.86 lakh crore was allocated to pensions.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
15. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) assumed the additional charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL)?
Option “2” is correct Vishal Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), has assumed the additional charge as the CEO of Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of state-owned EESL. i. He succeeds CESL MD & CEO Mahua Acharya who resigned from the post on 1st December 2022. ii. Vishal Kapoor joined the EESL in November 2022 before which he served as Joint Secretary (Distribution) in the Ministry of Power (MoP), Government of India (GoI).
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
16. Name the Institute in Assam that has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (AMTRON) & RC Hobbytech Solutions (RCH) to improve drone-based technology in Northeast India.
1) Indian Institute of Information Technology- Silchar
2) National Institute of Technology- Agartala
3) Indian Institute of Technology- Guwahati
4) Central Institute of Technology- Kokrajhar
5) National Institute of Technology- Silchar
Option “3” is correct The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G), Assam, signed an MoU with Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (AMTRON) and RC Hobbytech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (RCH) to improve and advance drone-based technology in Northeast India. i. The MoU covers research and development and manufacturing for varied sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, wildlife conservation and health care. ii. The members of the IIT Guwahati Drone Centre and Technology Incubation Hub will play a key role in this effort for the greater good of the region.
17. Which company has recently (in Jan’ 23) signed a tripartite agreement with the Department of Fisheries, Kerala and five fishermen’s self-help group (SHG) societies from Kerala to build ten fishing vessels?
Option “4” is correct A tripartite agreement has been signed between Malpe (Karnataka)-based Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the Department of Fisheries, Kerala; and five fishermen Self-Help Group (SHGs) societies from Kerala to construct 10 Deep-Sea Tuna Long Liner-cum-Gill netter fishing vessels. • The outlay for these advanced fishing vessels will be Rs 14 crores. i. The vessels are designed as per the standard design for Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’s (PMMSY) deep sea fishing. ii. The vessel is of 22.7 m length and 6.4 m of breadth with a capacity of 12 persons, and can achieve a maximum speed of 8 knots.
18. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) delivered the 1st fuselage for the Indian Army’s contract for six AH-64E Apache Combat helicopters.
1) BAE Systems Limited
2) Lockheed Martin India Private Limited
3) BrahMos Aerospace Limited
4) Horizon Aerospace Limited
5) Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited
Option “5” is correct
Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a Joint Venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited(TASL) and American aircraft manufacturer, Boeing Company, delivered the first fuselage for the Indian Army’s contract for six AH-64E Apache Combat helicopters. • The fuselage, which is the primary body of an aircraft, was officially handed over to Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Suri, Director General and Colonel Commandant of Army Aviation. i. The fuselage is dispatched by TBAL to Arizona in the United States of America (USA) for final assembly. The first Apache is scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Army in February 2024. The fuselage was built at the state-of-the-art TBAL facility in Hyderabad, Telangana. ii. The Apache attack helicopter is regarded as the world’s most advanced and deadliest attack helicopter, with over 1,275 AH-64 Apaches in operation worldwide.
STATE NEWS
19. In January 2023, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) approved an “Apple Cluster” for the _________ district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), under the Cluster Development Programme.
Option “5” is correct The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) approved an “Apple Cluster” for the Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), under the Cluster Development Programme. i. The approval was announced during a daylong conference on the “India Cold Chain Conclave”, organised by the MoA&FW in association with the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI) and National Center for Cold Chain Development (NCCD), in New Delhi, Delhi. ii. The project’s estimated cost is Rs 135.23 crore, of which the MoA&FW will contribute roughly Rs 37.05 crore as a grant-in-aid. It is expected to be implemented in 4 years.
OBITUARY
20. A renowned Assamese poet, Nilmani Phookan, who is recipient of the Jnanpith Award and Padma Shri Award, passed away in January 2023. In which year did he receive the 56th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary award?
1) 2019
2) 2020
3) 2018
4) 2021
5) 2022
Option “2” is correct Nilmani Phookan, a renowned Assamese poet and recipient of the Jnanpith Award and Padma Shri Awardee, passed away in Guwahati, Assam at the age of 89. i. In 1990, he was conferred the 4th-highest civilian award, Padma Shri, for Literature and Education (Assam). ii. In 2020, he won the 56th Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary award. He was the 3rd recipient of Jnanpith from Assam after Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya and Mamoni Raisom Goswami
ENVIRONMENT
21. In which state, Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) has recently (in Jan ‘23) discovered a rare low-altitude basalt new plateau housing 76 species of plants and shrubs?
Option “4” is correct Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) led by Dr Mandar Datar discovered a rare low-altitude basalt plateau housing 76 species of plants and shrubs from 24 different families in Manjare village, Thane district, Maharashtra, in the Northern Western Ghats. • The research paper about this plateau was published in SpringerNature journal National Academy of Science Letters. About the New Plateau: i. The plateau is located 156 meters above mean sea level. ii. The newly discovered plateau is the 4th type of Plateau to be identified in the region; the previous 3 are lateritic outcrops at high (HLF) and low altitudes (LLF) and basalt outcrops at high altitudes (BM).
CA STATIC GK
22. The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the phased roll-out of E20 (20% ethanol blending in gasoline) will begin on _______.
1) 1st March, 2023
2) 1st April, 2023
3) 1st May, 2023
4) 1st June, 2023
5) 1st July, 2023
Option “2” is correct
The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the phased roll-out of E20 (20% ethanol blending in gasoline) will begin on April 1, 2023. i. India is on track to contribute 25 percent of global ethanol demand by 2040
23. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of January 2023, which country declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Sudan ebolavirus?
1) Ghana
2) Uganda
3) Kenya
4) Mali
5) Algeria
Option “2” is correct The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Uganda declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Sudan ebolavirus, less than four months after the first case was confirmed in the country’s central Mubende district on 20 September 2022. i. It was the country’s first Sudan ebolavirus outbreak in a decade and its fifth overall for this kind of Ebola.
24. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) became the first female Sikh judge in the United States (US)?
Option “1” is correct Indian-origin Manpreet Monica Singh became the first female Sikh judge in the United States (US). i. She was born and raised in Houston and now lives in Bellaire with her husband and two children. She was sworn in as a judge of the Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 in Texas
25. The Kilauea Volcanoes is situated in ________.
1) Samoa
2) Papua New Guinea
3) Tonga
4) Hawaii
5) Fiji
Option “4” is correct According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcanoes began erupting inside its summit crater, less than one month after the volcano and its larger neighbour Mauna Loa stopped releasing lava. i. Kilauea’s summit is inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and away from residential communities. ii. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It last erupted for 16 months starting in September 2021. For about two weeks starting November 27, Hawaii had two volcanoes spewing lava side by side when Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in 38 years.
26. Every year Earth’s Rotation Day is celebrated on _______.
1) 15th January
2) 9th January
3) 10th January
4) 8th January
5) 12th January
Option “4” is correct On January 8th, Earth’s Rotation Day celebrates the discovery that our planet rotates on its axis every 24 hours. i. It’s also a day to learn more about the French physicist, Leon Foucault. The axis on which the Earth rotates is an imaginary line that is drawn straight through the earth.
27. In which year ‘Sanduk Ruita’ from Nepal has received the Padma Shri award from the Government of India for Medicine?
1) 2018
2) 2014
3) 2016
4) 2022
5) 2020
Option “1” is correct Dr Sanduk Ruit, ophthalmologist from Nepal is the co-founder of the Himalayan Cataract Project. i. In 2006, Dr Sanduk Ruit received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding. ii. In 2018, he received Padma Shri from the Government of India for Medicine (Nepal). iii. He was also honoured with Nepal’s Prime Minister National Talent Award-2075 and Well known Prabal Janasewa Shri (First) Honorary Degree 2076.
28. When was the ‘Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)’ established?
1) 1992
2) 1987
3) 1972
4) 1962
5) 1959
Option “2” is correct IREDA is a Mini Ratna (Category I) Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) administered by MNRE. It is a public limited government company incorporated as a non-banking financial institution (NBFI). Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Pradip Kumar Das Established – 1987 Motto – “Energy for Ever”
Option “2” is correct Governor– Bhagat Singh Koshyari Chief Minister– Eknath Shinde National Parks– Chandoli National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Pench National Park
