24th January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. In which state, Indian Navy (IN) has recently (in Jan ‘23) conducted a six-day-long mega military exercise “AMPHEX 2023”?
1) Maharashtra
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Gujarat
5) Odisha
Option “2” is correct The Indian Navy (IN) conducted a six-day-long mega military exercise “AMPHEX 2023”, the largest biennial tri-services amphibious exercise involving the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh(AP) between 17th January and 22nd January 2023. i. Participants: The exercise witnessed the participation of a number of amphibious ships consisting of Large Platform Dock (LPD), Landing Ships and Landing Crafts, Marine Commandos (MARCOS), helicopters and aircraft from the Indian Navy
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
2. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the World Economic Forum 2023 Summit?
1) The WEF held its 53rd Annual Meeting, “World Economic Forum—2023” in Davos, Switzerland with the theme of “Cooperation in a Fragmented World.”
2) According to Oxfam India’s report, “Survival of the Richest: The India Supplement,” the top 1% of Indians currently own more than 40.5% of the nation’s entire wealth in 2021.
3) Garuda Aerospace Pvt Ltd unveiled India’s first-ever carbon-neutral drone at the Indian Sustainability Lounge of the WEF 2023 Summit.
4) At the WEF 2023 Summit, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs. 1.36 lakh crore with global investors.
5) The WEF has designated Gandhinagar, Gujarat as its Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), which will focus on healthcare and life sciences.
Option “5” is correct The World Economic Forum (WEF) held its 53rd Annual Meeting, “World Economic Forum—2023” [Davos Summit], from January 16 to 20, 2023, in the highest city in Europe, Davos, Switzerland. • The theme of the WEF Summit 2023 is “Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” i. According to the non-profit organisation Oxfam India’s report, “Survival of the Richest: The India Supplement,” the top 1% of Indians currently own more than 40.5% of the nation’s entire wealth in 2021, while the bottom 50% of the population (700 million) has only about 3% of the nation’s total wealth. • Indian billionaires’ wealth has increased by 121%, or Rs. 3608 crore a day in real terms (around Rs. 2.5 crore every minute), since the COVID-19 pandemic started in January 2019 and ended in November 2022. ii. According to the WEF Centre for the New Economy’s “Chief Economists Outlook – January 2023,” released at the WEF 2023 Summit, nearly two-thirds of chief economists believe a global recession is likely in 2023, with 18% believing it is extremely likely. iii. Garuda Aerospace Pvt Ltd (Garuda Aerospace), India’s largest and most valuable drone startup firm, unveiled India’s first-ever carbon-neutral drone at the Indian Sustainability Lounge of the WEF 2023 Summit. iv. At the WEF 2023 Summit, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs. 1.36 lakh crore with global investors. v. The WEF has designated Hyderabad (Telangana) as its Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), which will focus on healthcare and life sciences.
3. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Union Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka in January 2023?
A) India has become the second creditor nation to extend assurance towards restructuring the debt of Sri Lanka with financial assistance worth USD 10 billion.
B) India’s Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland bagged a contract for supplying 32-seater 500 buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), of which 75 buses have already been
delivered.
C) The Ashok Leyland contract order is a part of a Line of Credit extended by Export Import Bank of India (EXIM), under the Economic Assistance Scheme of the Indian Government.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “3” is correct From January 18-20, 2023, India’s Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) paid an official visit to Sri Lanka which was impacted by the economic crisis. There he called upon Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. i. India has become the first creditor nation to extend assurance towards restructuring the debt of Sri Lanka with financial assistance worth USD 4 billion. ii. India’s Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland bagged a contract for supplying 32-seater 500 buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), of which 75 buses have already been delivered. • The order is a part of a Line of Credit extended by Export Import Bank of India (EXIM), under the Economic Assistance Scheme of the Indian Government. iii. India’s EAM also participated in 3 virtual inauguration ceremonies which included handing over of Kandyan Dance academy, a hundred houses each in Kandy, Nuwara Elia and Galle and 24 houses each in Badulla and Anuradhapura
4. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Union Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Maldives in January 2023?
A) 3 MoUs were signed between India and Maldives, which includes MoU for additional grant assistance of 100 million Rufiyaa for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme.
B) India has extended a concessional USD 40 million Line of Credit to develop sports infrastructure in the Maldives.
C) Union Minister S. Jaishankar also inaugurated the India-Funded community centre with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct From January 18-20, 2023, India’s Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) paid an official visit to Maldives. i. 3 MoUs were signed between India and Maldives , which includes MoU for additional grant assistance of 100 million Rufiyaa for the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme to implement a number of socio-economic development projects. ii. India has extended a concessional USD 40 million Line of Credit to develop sports infrastructure in the Maldives. The extension is part of India’s flagship projects such as “Fit India” and “Khelo India” being included in its Neighbourhood First Policy. iii. Union Minister S. Jaishankar also inaugurated the India-Funded community centre with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
5. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
1) Kunal Chopra
2) D C Sharma
3) Arun Kumar
4) Ashutosh Vasistha
5) Vikram Dev Dutt
Option “5” is correct The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has approved the appointment of Vikram Dev Dutt as Director General(DG) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) with effect from 28th February 2023. • Vikram Dev Dutt will succeed Arun Kumar, DG of the DGCA, who retires on 28th February 2023. i. Arti Bhatnagar, a 1990 batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) Officer, was appointed as Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI)
BANKING AND FINANCE
6. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) ended their partnership with Paytm for a co-branded credit card?
1) CSB Bank
2) Citibank
3) HSBC Bank India
4) DBS Bank
5) Standard Chartered Bank
Option “2” is correct Citibank and Paytm (One97 Communication Ltd) have ended their partnership for a co-branded credit card Paytm CITI Card ahead of the merger of Citibank’s commercial banking business with Axis Bank. i. The customers were informed that the Paytm CITI Card will be shut down, and they will be offered other cards they could opt for. ii. The cardholders will be offered uninterrupted benefits with the Paytm HDFC Bank credit card. iii. The customers will be offered the Citi Rewards Credit Card as a replacement to their Citi Paytm Credit Card, which should be chosen to consent for the same.
7. Name the organisation that has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched an information database on municipal bonds.
1) Reserve Bank of India
2) Securities and Exchange Board of India
3) Small Industries Development Bank of India
4) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
5) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
Option “2” is correct Ashwani Bhatia, a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has launched an Information Database, comprising a repository of municipal bond information, on its website to assist municipal debt issuers and other stakeholders in the municipal debt market i. Municipal bonds are a reliable alternative source of funding for projects carried out by municipal corporations. ii. The information database includes statistics and regulations, circulars, guidance notes, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) issued by SEBI in relation to municipal debt securities.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
8. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) announced a plan to acquire a 100% stake in Khargone Transmission Limited at an enterprise value of about Rs 1,497.5 crore?
1) India Grid Trust
2) RSWM Limited
3) India Infrastructure Trust
4) IRB InvIT Fund
5) Virescent Renewable Energy Trust
Option “1” is correct India Grid Trust (IndiGrid), an Indian power sector infrastructure investment trust, is set to acquire a 100% stake in Khargone Transmission Limited at an enterprise value of about Rs 1,497.5 crore. i. According to BSE, the acquisition will be made for a cash payment of not more than Rs 1,497.5 crore for the enterprise value. ii. The project aims to deliver 1320 megawatts (MW) of thermal energy from the Khargone power plant to users in the home, commercial, agricultural, and industrial segments in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, improving electricity supply and grid stability.
ENVIRONMENT
9. Which state government has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to conduct a “Tree Outside Forest” (TOF) field survey to promote Agroforestry?
1) Bihar
2) Tamil Nadu
3) Kerala
4) Andhra Pradesh
5) West Bengal
Option “1” is correct The Bihar Government, in collaboration with the Forest Survey of India (FSI), has decided to conduct a “Tree Outside Forest” (TOF) field survey to identify the dominant tree species that are growing outside the Recorded Forest Areas (RFA) in Bihar. i. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Bihar Government and FSI for the TOF field survey to promote agroforestry is expected to start in April 2023. ii. According to the FSI India State of Forest Report, 2021, Bihar saw increases in growing stock of 3.79% in RFA and 0.58% in TOF.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
10. How many internet satellites were recently (in Jan ‘23) launched by SpaceX in its 1st Starlink mission of 2023 from California, United States of America (USA)?
1) 60
2) 40
3) 51
4) 20
5) 32
Option “3” is correct Elon Musk-led SpaceX launched 51 internet satellites in its 1st Starlink mission of 2023 to lowEarth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base (formerly Vandenberg Air Force Base), California, United States of America (USA), which was initially scheduled to launch on 9th January 2023. i. The Starlink satellites on this launch, named Starlink 2-4, will fly in an orbit inclined 70 degrees to the equator. ii. SpaceX carried out the first Starlink launch of 2023 was launched to resume deployment of the constellation’s second shell. iii. The 51 Starlink internet satellites onboard the rocket will bring the total number of Starlink spacecraft launched to 3,717.
SPORTS
11. As per the ‘Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2023′ (HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750) held at New Delhi, Delhi in January 2023, __________ from Thailand won the championship in the Men’s singles category, while An Se-young from __________ won the Women’s Singles category.
1) Liang Wei Keng; Japan
2) Kunlavut Vitidsarn; South Korea
3) Liang Wei Keng; China
4) Kunlavut Vitidsarn; Japan
5) Aaron Chia; South Korea
Option “2” is correct The India Open Badminton Championship 2023, officially named ‘Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2023′ was held at KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi from January 17 – 22, 2023. It was the second tournament of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750. • Republic of Korea’s An Se Young became the first player from her country to win the women’s singles title • The next event, ‘Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2023’ will be held from January 24-29, 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia with prize money of USD 420,000.
IMPORTANT DAYS
12. When was Parakram Diwas 2023 observed across India to commemorate the 126th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose?
1) 22nd January 2023
2) 20th January 2023
3) 23rd January 2023
4) 21st January 2023
5) 19th January 2023
Option “3” is correct Parakram Diwas 2023 was observed across India on 23rd January 2023 to commemorate the 126th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, fondly known as “Netaji”. • The 1st ever Parakram Diwas was observed on 23rd January 2021 on the 124th birth anniversary of Netaji. i. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually participated in an event to name the 21 largest unnamed Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Islands were named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees through video conferencing. ii. On the occasion of Parakram Diwas 2023, PM Narendra Modi unveiled a model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to be built on the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep (formerly Ross Islands).
OBITUARY
13. Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) & Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) awardee ‘Harjit Singh Arora’, former Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal, has passed away in January 2023. In which year did he receive the PVSM Award from Government of India (GoI)?
1) 2022
2) 2019
3) 2020
4) 2018
5) 2021
Option “3” is correct Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) & Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) awardee Harjit Singh Arora, former Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal, passed away in Delhi at the age of 61. i. In December 1981, Harjit Singh Arora was commissioned as an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot. ii. He served the force as the 44th Vice Chief of the Air Staff from 2019 to 2021. iii. Harjit Singh Arora was awarded the AVSM in 2011 and the PVSM in 2020.
STATE NEWS
14. In January 2023, HDFC Bank Limited donated ___________ to Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami for the Kedarnath Utthan Charitable Trust.
Option “3” is correct HDFC Bank Limited donated Rs 5 crore to Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami for the Kedarnath Utthan Charitable Trust. i. Bakul Sikka, the Circle Head of the HDFC Bank, and Gaurav Jain, the Head of Government Relations, were also present on the occasion. ii. Pushkar Singh Dhami informed that as many as 270 families have been shifted to different locations so far. iii. More than Rs 3.27 crores have been distributed as advance relief to 218 affected families in Joshimath, Chamoli, Uttarakhand.
15. Which state’s/UT’s Tourism Department has recently (in Jan ‘23) organised the annual Ethnic Mamani festival’?
Option “5” is correct On 21 January 2023, The Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) and Ladakh Tourism Department organised the annual Ethnic Mamani festival at the 500 years old village, Styangkung, Barsoo Kargil [Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)] and Chiktan Shagaran in Ladakh. i. Ethnic Mamani festival 2023 was organised in collaboration with the village Nyarpa committee and in collaboration with Awaz the Voice, Muntazir Enterprises Kargil, Zee Enterprises Kargil, Shotopa Traders, and Heritage Trials Ladakh.
16. Name the state/UT that has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched the Food Processing Project with the outlay of Rs 879.75 crore to improve farmer’s lives.
Option “1” is correct The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government has launched an ambitious project “UT Level Food Processing Programme for Development of Clusters for Specific Products of J&K”, at a financial outlay of Rs 879.75 crore targeted to revolutionise the food processing sector and transform the lives of farmers in the UT. i. The project also includes a grant-in-aid of Rs 293.25 crore (33.33 percent) and a debt-equity of Rs 586.50 crore to be raised by entrepreneurs. ii. This initiative aims to maximise farmer income and minimise post-harvest losses.
17. Which state/UT has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched the “100 Days to Beat Plastic’ campaign?
Option “4” is correct Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena launched a thematic 100-day campaign, “100 Days to Beat Plastic”, led by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), during an event held in Baansera in Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi. The campaign aims to make areas under the municipal corporation free of plastic. i. The campaign will end on 22nd April 2023, which marks International Earth Day 2023. ii. He also unveiled the mascot of the campaign – Nivaran Dadi.
18. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Odisha Cabinet’s approval in January 2023?
A) The Odisha cabinet headed by CM Naveen Patnaik has cleared the inclusion of 22 castes/ communities in the state list of Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC).
B) The inclusion of Backward Classes in the State list of SEBCs was made by approving the Amendment of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC) Act, 1993 by
inserting subsection 3 under Section – 9.
C) The Odisha Cabinet also approved 9 piped water supply projects worth over Rs 1,287 crore in three districts (Jajpur, Nayagarh & Malkangiri) to provide safe drinking water.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct The Odisha cabinet headed by the state’s Chief minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik has cleared the inclusion of 22 castes/ communities in the state list of Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC). i. The inclusion of Backward Classes in the State list of SEBCs was made by approving the Amendment of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC) Act, 1993 by inserting subsection 3 under Section – 9. ii. The 22 castes/communities along with their synonyms, have already been included in the central OBC list, and now they were included in the Odisha SEBC list. iii. The Odisha Cabinet also approved 9 piped water supply projects worth over Rs 1,287 crore in three districts to provide safe drinking water. • 2 projects worth Rs 254.66 crore in Jajpur. • 3 projects with an outlay of Rs 393.93 crore in Nayagarh. • 4 mega piped water supply projects at Rs 639.26 crore under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ in tribaldominated Malkangiri.
19. Name the state that has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched a water conservation scheme with an outlay of Rs 467.32 crore.
Option “2” is correct Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh launched a water conservation scheme with an outlay of Rs 467.32 crore to aid farmers in Jharkhand, which endured drought in 2022. i. Under the Water Conservation Scheme, 2,133 ponds will be renovated and 2,795 percolation tanks will be constructed in all the blocks of 24 districts of Jharkhand. ii. Badal Patralekh laid the foundation for the renovation of 184 percolation tanks and 71 ponds. iii. The Jharkhand Government received 31.33 lakh applications from drought-hit farmers, and 8.5 lakhs have already received financial assistance.
CA STATIC GK
20. Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) is a unique ____ digit number issued to the state & central employees to receive their pension throughout their life under the National Pension System.
1) 7
2) 12
3) 10
4) 9
5) 11
Option “2” is correct Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) is a unique 12 digit number issued to the state and central employees to receive their pension throughout their life under the National Pension System (NPS). (This NPS scheme was launched in 2004). It is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), created by an Act of the Parliament of India.
21. In which state/UT ‘Ansupa Lake’ is located?
1) Odisha
2) Tamil Nadu
3) Jammu & Kashmir
4) Kerala
5) Andhra Pradesh
Option “1” is correct Ansupa Lake is located in the Banki subdivision of Cuttack district of Odisha, it is an oxbow lake formed by River Mahanadi and is spread over an area of 231 ha. It is home to at least 194 species of birds, 61 species of fishes and 26 species of mammals in addition to 244 species of macrophytes.
22. Where is the headquarters of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)?
1) Rome, Italy
2) Vienna, Austria
3) Paris, France
4) Geneva, Switzerland
5) Jakarta, Indonesia
Option “4” is correct CITES is a convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland.
23. What is the Capital of Finland?
1) Praia
2) Lima
3) Helsinki
4) Warsaw
5) Lisbon
Option “3” is correct The Capital of Finland is Helsinki and the currency of Finland is Euro
24. In which year, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MoFPI)?
1) 2021
2) 2019
3) 2018
4) 2020
5) 2014
Option “4” is correct
The centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises
(PMFME) Scheme was launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government
of India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
i. The centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises
(PMFME) Scheme,under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, has completed two years (2020-2022).
ii. The scheme to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with a total
outlay of Rupees 10,000 crore.
25. Uttar Pradesh is celebrating its foundation day on ___________.
1) 24th January 2023
2) 21st January 2023
3) 23rd January 2023
4) 20th January 2023
5) 22nd January 2023
Option “1” is correct Uttar Pradesh is celebrating its foundation day on 24th January 2023. The foundation day of the state on January 24 has been celebrated for three days since 2018 with the participation of all government departments. i. The main theme of the ‘Uttar Pradesh Day’ 2023 is ‘Investment and Employment’ this year. ii. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh was known as the United Provinces. However, on January 24, 1950, it was recognized as Uttar Pradesh.
26. Which of the following cricketers were recently (in Jan ‘23) named for ICC Men’s T20I team of the year – 2022?
1) Virat Kohli
2) Suryakumar Yadav
3) Hardik Pandya
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct Three Indians have found a place in the ICC Men’s T20I team of the year for 2022. Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli, sensational 360-degree batsman Suryakumar Yadav and fastbowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been named in the ICC team of the T20 format. i. The team, announced by ICC, is captained by England’s T20 world cup winning captain Jos Butler. ii. Three Indian women cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh have also been included in ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2022.
27. In which state ‘Betla National Park’ is located?
Option “4” is correct Chief Minister (CM)- Hemant Soren Governor- Ramesh Bais National Park- Betla National Park Wild Life Sanctuary- Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary
28. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Citibank India?
Option “5” is correct Citibank India is a foreign bank in India with a full-service onshore platform. It is a subsidiary of Citigroup headquartered in New York, United States of America. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Ashu Khullar (Citi India) Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
29. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF)?
1) Klaus Schwab
2) Tulsi Gabbard
3) Børge Brende
4) Itzik Yahav
5) Henry Kissinger
Option “1” is correct Founder & Executive Chairman – Professor Klaus Schwab Managing Director (MD) – Saadia Zahidi Headquarters – Cologny, GenevaCanton, Switzerland
30. The ‘Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located in __________.
