22-23th January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Name the ministry that has recently (in Jan ‘23) issued the guidelines ‘Endorsements Knowhows!’ for social-media influencers to disclose the promotional content of the products or
services.
1) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
2) Ministry of Science and Technology
3) Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
4) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
5) Ministry of Home Affairs
Option “1” is correct. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs unveiled guidelines ‘Endorsements Know-hows!’ for socialmedia influencers, including celebrities and virtual avatars, for disclosing the promotional content of the products or services they endorse and their material connections with those. • Material connection with a brand covers monetary benefits, hotel stay, awards, employment relationships, sweepstakes entries, and media barters. • The guidelines were briefed by the Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh during a press conference in New Delhi, Delhi i. For promotion activities, the use of social media has been increased. So in order to ensure influencers do not mislead their audiences and to avoid unfair trade practices these guidelines have been framed in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. ii. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) can impose a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh on manufacturers, advertisers and endorsers and for repeated offences, a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh can be imposed.
2. Which of the following sectors were recently (in Jan’ 23) relaxed for the export obligations under the Central Government’s Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme?
1) Education
2) Healthcare
3) Hotel
4) Only 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. The Central Government relaxed export obligations under the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme for the hotel, healthcare, and educational sectors. Reason behind this Relaxation: To help the above mentioned sectors to cope with the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their export activities. • For the years 2020-21 and 2021-22, these sectors will not be required to maintain average export obligation for EPCG authorizations issued to them. • The export period would be extended from the date of expiry for the duration equivalent to the number of days the export obligation period falls between February 1, 2020, and March 31, 2022. • For EPCG authorizations issued for sectors other than Hotel, Healthcare and Educational, the export obligation period may be extended for the number of days the existing export obligation period falls between February 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021.
3. The American India Foundation (AIF) has recently (in Jan ‘23) inaugurated India’s 1st STEM Innovation and Learning Centre (SILC) and launched the Drone and Satellite Launch Vehicle
(DSLV) Mission in ___________.
1) Bengaluru, Karnataka
2) Chandipur, Odisha
3) Pokhran, Rajasthan
4) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
5) Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Option “4” is correct. The American India Foundation (AIF) inaugurated India’s 1st STEM Innovation and Learning Centre (SILC) under the scheme of Vanavil Mandram and launched the Drone and Satellite Launch Vehicle (DSLV) Mission at the Government Higher Secondary School, MMDA Colony, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). i. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Minister for School Education, Government of TN, joined the inauguration virtually. ii. The DSLV Mission was mentored and launched by Padma Shri Awardee (2016) Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, The Moon Man of India, Former Director of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Vice President of the State Council for Science and Technology, TN.
4. In which city, India’s Civil 20 Engagement Group (C20) was Inaugurated in January 2023?
1) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2) Bengaluru, Karnataka
3) Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
4) Kollam, Kerala
5) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Option “4” is correct. India’s Civil 20 Engagement Group (C20), the official engagement group of India’s G20 (Group of 20) leadership representing the voices of non-profit, voluntary citizens’ groups in service to society, was inaugurated at Amritapuri in Kollam, Kerala. i. The representatives of G20 and C20, government officials and other dignitaries virtually participated in the event. ii. Sri Mata Amritanandamayi(Amma), the chair of C20, Amitabh Kant, Former Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of NITI Aayog, Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament(MP), Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, V Muraleedharan Union Minister of State(MoS) for External Affairs, RN Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu and V Sivankutty, Public Education Minister of Kerala were among the participants.
5. Which organisation/company has recently (in Jan ‘23) received approval for internal reorganisation from Competition Commission of India (CCI)?
1) Hindustan Zinc Limited
2) Vedanta Aluminium Limited
3) Kalyani Group
4) Hindalco Industries Limited
5) JSW Group
Option “3” is correct. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the internal reorganisation of the Kalyani Group’s companies. The deal has been cleared under the green channel route, an automated approval scheme. i. A transaction is considered to be allowed under this framework after being intimated to the fair trade authority if there is no risk of an appreciable adverse effect on competition. ii. The current transaction entails the internal reorganization of 9 Kalyani Group entities under a scheme of amalgamation and arrangement entered between these entities.
6. The _________ edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2023 is being held at Jaipur, Rajasthan in January 2023.
1) 16th
2) 13th
3) 15th
4) 12th
5) 14th
Option “1” is correct. The Jaipur Literature Festival 2023, the 16th edition of the festival celebrating the power of literature, art and culture with a focus on Indian languages is being held from 19th to 23rd January 2023 in Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur, Rajasthan. i. The 16th edition of the festival features a range of women writers and their exemplary works. The keynote address was delivered by Abdulrazak Gurnah, the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature (2021), on ‘writing as a form of resistance’.
BANKING AND FINANCE
7. According to the article “State of the Economy” published in “January 2023 bulletin” of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the 2023 Monetary Policy of RBI is objective to Direct Inflation
Towards a target ________ by 2024.
1) 2%
2) 4%
3) 6%
4) 5%
5) 3%
Option “2” is correct. According to the article titled “State of the Economy” published in the “January 2023 bulletin” of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the RBI’s 2023 monetary policy objective is to keep inflation within the required tolerance band (2%-6%) and lead it towards the medium-term target of 4% by 2024, which is the second milestone. i. The first monetary policy milestone has been reached, with inflation now falling inside the tolerance band. ii. According to provisional data issued by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on January 12, 2023, Retail inflation, as measured by Year-on-year (y-o-y) fluctuations in the all-India Consumer Price Index (CPI), slowed to 5.7% in December 2022 from 5.9% in November 2022. It was driven by a significant drop in food inflation.
8. According to data by “January 2023 Bulletin” of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released in January 2023, Indians remitted about ___________ under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme
(LRS) in November 2022.
Option “2” is correct. According to the most recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data on “Outward Remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for Resident Individuals,” Indians remitted about USD 1.99 billion in November 2022 under the LRS. • The data was released in the January 2023 Bulletin of the RBI. Outward remittances under LRS increased 29% to USD 1.99 billion from USD 1.54 billion in November 2021. Sequentially, the outward remittances under LRS increased by around 3.5%. According to the RBI data, Indians have remitted around USD 17.28 billion in outward remittances under the LRS to date (until November 2022) in the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23).
9. Which organisation’s paper titled “What Drives Startup Fundraising in India,” released in January 2023, stated that start-up fundraising in India is expected to rapidly rebound from the
macroeconomic disturbances seen over the last 2-3 years?
1) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
2) Securities and Exchange Board of India
3) Small Industries Development Bank of India
4) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
5) Reserve Bank of India
Option “5” is correct. As per the paper titled ‘What Drives Startup Fundraising in India’ in Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) January 2023 bulletin, the start-up fundraising in India is expected to rapidly rebound from the macroeconomic disturbances seen over the last 2-3 years. i. The paper is written by Rajas Saroy, Ashish Khobragade, Rekha Misra, Sakshi Awasthy and Sarat Dhal. ii. As per the paper, the concerns about macroeconomic and financial stability may arise due to their rapid integration into global supply chains and finance.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
10. Which of the following Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) has recently (in Jan ‘23) sailed a 6- day visit to Chittagong, Bangladesh, as a part of the cooperation between the ICG and
Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG)?
1) ICGS Varad
2) ICGS Shaurya
3) ICGS Rajveer
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) Shaurya and ICGS Rajveer, 2 vessels of the Indian Coast Guard(ICG) sailed to Chittagong, Bangladesh for a 6-day visit (13th to 19th January 2023) as a part of the close cooperation between the ICG and Bangladesh Coast Guard(BCG). i. The visit aims to enhance cooperative engagements and interoperability under the provisions of the MoU signed between ICG and BCG. ii. The visit of the ICGS Shaurya and ICGS Rajveer, the state-of-the-art indigenously built ICGS important part of the Defence Partnership between India and Bangladesh. iii. ICGS Shaurya is an Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited and ICGS Rajveer is an Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders, Kolkata, West Bengal.
11. In January 2023, the United Nations (UN) agencies issued a call to action for the “UN Global Action Plan on Child Wasting” in an effort to safeguard the most vulnerable children in the 15
countries heavily impacted by the unprecedented food and nutrition crisis. Currently, more than __________ children in the 15 worst-affected countries suffer from Acute malnutrition or wasting.
1) 30 million
2) 10 million
3) 52 million
4) 20 million
5) 12 million
Option “1” is correct. The United Nations (UN) agencies issued a call to action for the “UN Global Action Plan on Child Wasting” in an effort to accelerate the enactment of timely and decisive measures to safeguard the most vulnerable children in the 15 countries heavily impacted by the unprecedented food and nutrition crisis. • Acute malnutrition or wasting, affects more than 30 million children in the 15 worstaffected countries. • Severe wasting, the most dangerous form of undernutrition, affects 8 million of these children. i. In the 15 worst affected countries, 40 million children (under five) live in severe food poverty and 27 million children experience severe food insecurity. • 15 worst-affected countries: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
12. To which company, L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS) has recently (in Jan ‘23) selected as a strategic engineering partner?
1) Lockheed Martin Corporation
2) Boeing India
3) Airbus
4) United Technologies Corporation
5) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Option “3” is correct. L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS), a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), has been selected as a strategic engineering partner to Airbus for providing Advanced Engineering Capabilities and Digital Manufacturing Services under a multi-year contract. i. LTTS will support Airbus in key verticals and technology for its ongoing Commercial and innovation programs.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
13. The Geotail spacecraft has recently (in Jan ‘23) retired after 30 years in orbit due to the failure of its remaining data recorder.
The Geotail spacecraft is the first joint mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and_________.
1) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2) European Space Agency
3) Canadian Space Agency
4) Blue Origin
5) Indian Space Research Organisation
Option “1” is correct. Geotail spacecraft, the first joint mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) retired after 30 years in orbit. The mission operations of Geotail were ended due to the failure of its remaining data recorder. i. Geotail, which was launched on 24th July 1992 orbited earth and gathered datasets on the structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere, Earth’s protective magnetic bubble. ii. Following the failed attempts to repair the recorder, the mission operations ended on 28th November 2022.
14. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) developed India’s first 5G-enabled drone called ‘Skyhawk’?
Option “2” is correct. Startup firm IG Drones has developed India’s first 5G-enabled drone namely ‘Skyhawk’ that is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and can be used in defence and medical applications, among other sectors. • It can carry a 10 kg payload and has an endurance of around five hours. The drone, if operated at its peak speed, can cover almost 100 kms in 12-15 minutes i. IG Drones startup is formed out of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) campus in Odisha’s Sambalpur. ii. It is IP67 rated and can be controlled via a combination of NavIC + GPS navigational satellites which remain connected in the upper range of 50 to 60 in case of failsafe activation.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
15. Name the bank that has recently (in Jan ‘23) sold its entire 40% stake in Commercial Indo Bank LLC (CIBL) to State Bank of India (SBI).
1) Bank of Baroda
2) Union Bank of India
3) Bank of India
4) Canara Bank
5) Punjab National Bank
Option “4” is correct. Canara Bank is set to sell its entire 40% stake in the Russian joint venture (JV) Commercial Indo Bank LLC (CIBL) to the JV partner State Bank of India (SBI). The cash consideration for the transaction is equivalent to USD 14.67 million. (Rs 114 crore). • The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31st March 2023. i. Post-acquisition, the State Bank of India will hold a 100% stake in CIBL. ii. CIBL, incorporated in 2003 in Russia, is a JV between SBI, (60% stake), and Canara Bank(40% stake).
SPORTS
16. Which organisation has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed a partnership with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for its development programs and 15th edition of Men’s FIH Hockey
World Cup?
1) Tata Steel Limited
2) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
3) Coal India Limited
4) JSP Foundation
5) Adidas India
Option “4” is correct. The International Hockey Federation (FIH), originally Fédération Internationale de Hockey, has signed a partnership with JSP Foundation, the executive arm of Jindal Steel & Power(JSP) for its development programs. i. FIH will work closely with the JSP Foundation on some of its significant hockey development initiatives. ii. As a part of this partnership with FIH, The JSP Foundation will become a global partner of the ongoing FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela. Note: The Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup, which takes place in 2023, is the 15th edition being played from 13 to 29 January 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in Odisha.
STATE NEWS
17. In which State/UT, a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) was launched in January 2023?
Option “3” is correct. R K Mathur, Lieutenant Governor(LG) of the Union Territory(UT) of Ladakh, launched a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) in Ladakh. The initiative was welcomed by both hill councils of Kargil and Leh. i. The ULPIN would support the digitisation of land records and also reach a conclusive land titling. ii. The LG termed ULPIN as a “game changer” and the next step in ‘SVAMITVA’(Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) for digitisation and computerisation of land revenue records.
18. ___________ has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced a target to become the “first Green Energy State” by the end of 2025.
Option “5” is correct. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister(CM) of Himachal Pradesh(HP) announced that Himachal Pradesh targets to become the “first Green Energy State” by the end of 2025. i. This will be achieved by harnessing hydro, hydrogen and solar energy and switching on to green products that enhance the premium and advantage in export. ii. The government is set to invest in Solar plants and will install 500 MW Solar projects during the year 2023-24. 200 MW of this would be installed by HPPCL.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
19. Who authored the book, “India’s Knowledge Supremacy: The New Dawn” that was recently (in Jan ‘23) launched by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education?
Option “1” is correct. Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, launched the book titled “India’s Knowledge Supremacy: The New Dawn” authored by Dr Ashwin Fernandes, the International Indian expat. The thought-provoking book is published by Bloomsbury Prime. i. The book was launched at the event organised at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, Delhi. ii. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the world has always benefited from India’s knowledge systems and traditions.
CA STATIC GK
20. In which state ‘Chail Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “5” is correct. About Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister– Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Governor– Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Wildlife Sanctuary– Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary; Chail Wildlife Sanctuary UNESCO heritage site– Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area; Mountain Railways of India
21. What is the Tagline of Canara Bank?
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 “3” is correct. About Canara Bank: Non-Executive Chairman- Vijay Srirangan Headquarters- Bangalore, Karnataka Establishment- 1906 Tagline- ‘Together we can’
22. Where is the Headquarters of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) located?
1) Lausanne, Switzerland
2) Paris, France
3) Vienna, Austria
4) Madrid, Spain
5) Montreal, Canada
Option “1” is correct. About the International Hockey Federation (FIH): President- Tayyab Ikram Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Thierry Weil Headquarters- Lausanne, Switzerland Establishment- 1924
23. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) chairman of State Bank of India (SBI)?
Option “5” is correct. About State Bank of India (SBI): Chairman- Dinesh Kumar Khara Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra Establishment- 1955 Tagline- ‘The Banker to Every Indian’
24. In January 2023, _________ became India’s 1st district to digitise basic documents for all tribals.
Option “2” is correct. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated Kerala’s Wayanad on becoming India’s first district to digitise basic documents for all tribals.
25. Which of the following is ‘Not’ a flagship scheme of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)?
1) Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
2) National Pension System
3) Atal Pension Yojana
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “1” is correct. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has invited applications for filling one post of trustee on the board of National Pension System Trust. i. Applications are invited from Indian citizens for appointment as a trustee on the board of NPS Trust for a period of three years from the date of appointment with provision of extension for another term of two years only. ii. The PFRDA has two flagship pension schemes– National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY). Note- The Atal Pension Yojana (APY)- targeted towards unorganised sector workers, the highest-ever takers in 2022 with enrolments rising 36%. The figure crossed 10 million for the first time in a calendar year. The number of enrolments in 2022 rose to 12.5 million from 9.2 million in 2021.
26. In January 2023, Apple became the first company from India to export smartphones worth of ___________ in December 2022.
Option “1” is correct. iPhone maker Apple has become the first company from India to export smartphones worth USD1 billion (Rs. 8,100 crore) in a single month, meeting the milestone in December 2022. i. December was also a record month for the industry with mobile phone exports of over Rs 10,000 crore
27. What is the capital of Brazil?
1) Santiago
2) Quito
3) Bogota
4) Stanley
5) Brasilia
Option “5” is correct. The Capital of Brazil is Brasilia and the Brazilian Real is the currency of Brazil. i. Brazil’s ministry of health has declared a medical emergency in the Yanomami territory, the country’s largest indigenous reservation bordering Venezuela, following reports of children dying of malnutrition and other diseases caused by illegal gold mining.
28. Which of the following is ‘Not’ one of the 8 core Industries of India?
Option “5” is correct. The 8 core industries of India are Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.
29. What is the full form of DICGC?
1) Deposit Insurance and cash Guarantee Corporation
2) Direct Insurance and Cash Guarantee Company
3) Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation
4) Direct Insurance and Credit Guarantee Company
5) Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Company
Option “3” is correct. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the Reserve bank of India (RBI). i. It was established on 15 July 1978 under Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 for the purpose of providing insurance of deposits and guaranteeing credit facilities to the customers of banks.
