7th January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) inaugurated the “National Genome Editing & Training Centre” (NGETC) at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali, Punjab?
1) Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India)
2) Amit Shah (Union Minister of Home Affairs)
3) Narendra Singh Tomar (Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare)
4) Jitendra Singh (MoS of Science and Technology)
5) Piyush Goyal (Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution)
Option “4” is correct.Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, inaugurated the “National Genome Editing & Training Centre” (NGETC) at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, in Mohali, Punjab. i. Dr Jitendra Singh also launched a 4-day International Conference on Food and Nutritional Security 2023 (iFANS-2023), which takes place from 6th to 9th January 2023.
2. In January 2023, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of Schemes of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) with an outlay of Rs 12882.2 crore for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission, from 2022-23 to________.
Option “4” is correct. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved continuation of Schemes of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission i.e. from 2022-23 to 2025-26. • Its outlay is Rs 12882.2 crore. i. Based on the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) recommendations, the funding for different northeastern states are as follows: • North East Special Infrastructure Scheme (NESIDS)– Rs.8139.5 crore including committed liabilities of ongoing projects • Special Packages for BTC, DHATC and KAATC in Assam– Rs.1540 crore (BTC- Rs 500 crore, KAATC – Rs 750 crore and old packages of BTC, DHATC & KAATC – Rs 290 crore).
3. The Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, India’s largest hockey stadium, in terms of seated (chair) capacity of 20,000, has recently (in Jan ‘23) inaugurated in which state/UT?
Option “3” is correct. Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, inaugurated the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, India’s largest hockey stadium, in terms of seated (chair) capacity of 20,000, in Rourkela, Odisha. • CM Naveen Patnaik also inaugurated the World Cup Village at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Complex in Rourkela. • CM also inaugurated the “Mo Bus” (my bus) service in Rourkela with 30 vehicles to ensure hassle-free movement during the hockey world cup. i. The stadium is inaugurated ahead of the 15th Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Hockey World Cup – FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 which is scheduled to be held from 13th to 29th January 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, Odisha. ii. The stadium, with a total capacity of 21,000, is built at a cost of Rs 146 crore, and was built by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO).
4. In January 2023, India received its 1st In vitro fertilization (IVF) mobile unit for animals in ____________.
1) New Delhi, Delhi
2) Amreli, Gujarat
3) Mumbai, Maharashtra
4) Bengaluru, Karnataka
5) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Option “2” is correct. India received its 1st In vitro fertilization (IVF) mobile unit for animals in Amreli, Gujarat. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, inaugurated the mobile IVF lab. i. The Government of India and Amar Dairy jointly dedicated the IVF mobile van.
BANKING AND FINANCE
5. In January 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) agreed to the Central Government request to reclassify its shareholding in ________ after its disinvestment as public holding.
1) ICICI Bank
2) IDBI Bank
3) HDFC Bank
4) YES Bank
5) Axis Bank
Option “2” is correct. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) agreed to the Central Government request to reclassify its shareholding in IDBI Bank after its disinvestment as public holding. i. However, this is subject to the condition that the government’s voting rights in the bank will not exceed 15% of the total voting rights after the sale. ii. This reclassification by the government must be specified in the letter of offer dispatched to the shareholders of the bank in connection with the open offer made by the acquirer.
6. How many entities were recently (in Jan’ 23) selected for the fourth cohort of the Regulatory Sandbox (RS) to test anti-fraud solutions?
1) 5
2) 7
3) 4
4) 6
5) 9
Option “4” is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had selected six entities out of nine applications for the Test Phase under the 4th cohort of Regulatory Sandbox (RS) on the theme ‘Prevention and Mitigation of Financial Frauds’. i. The selected entities will commence testing of their products on Anti-Fraud Solutions from February 2023. Selected entities & their Products: • Bahwan Cybertek for rt360 Real Time Monitoring System Product • Crediwatch Information Analytics for Crediwatch EWS Product • enStage Software Private Limited (Wibmo) for Trident FRM Product • HSBC in collaboration with Wibmo for a closed user group AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning) based solution. • napID Cybersec for napID Fraud Filter Layer Product • Trusting Social for Trusting Social CI & AV Product.
7. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) received a debt broker license from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)?
Option “4” is correct. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has granted a debt broker license to GoldenPi Technologies, a Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based fintech company backed by Indian financial services provider Zerodha Broking Ltd. i. With this, GoldenPi Technologies became the first online bond platform (OBP) provider to obtain a debt brokerage licence from SEBI. ii. The licence is expected to boost investor trust in the online bond and debenture investment space. iii. SEBI relaxed certain provisions of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing Regulations) relating to the dispatch of a hard copy of the annual report (financial statements) due in the year 2023 to debenture holders till September 30, 2023, which shall take effect immediately. • The earlier extension lasted until December 31, 2022.
8. Name the bank that has recently (in Jan ‘23) partnered with Open Financial Technologies Pvt Ltd (OPEN) to launch a fully native digital current account.
1) Axis Bank
2) HDFC Bank
3) ICICI Bank
4) YES Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
Option “1” is correct. Axis Bank Limited (Axis Bank), India’s third-largest private sector bank, has partnered with Open Financial Technologies Pvt Ltd (OPEN), a digital banking firm, to give its customers a fully native digital current account journey. i. This is Axis Bank’s first collaboration with a fintech company to develop a fully digital current account. ii. The existing Current account holders of Axis Bank will have access to over 250 banking services from Axis Bank as well as OPEN’s financial automation tools for business management.
9. Which organisation has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched the “Utkarsh 2.0” Medium-Term Strategy Framework for the period 2023-2025?
1) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
2) Securities and Exchange Board of India
3) Reserve Bank of India
4) Small Industries Development Bank of India
5) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Option “3” is correct. The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shaktikanta Das, has launched the “Utkarsh 2.0” Medium-Term Strategy Framework for the period 2023-2025. i. Utkarsh 2.0 would enable the RBI to respond to socioeconomic challenges in both a proactive and reactive manner. ii. Utkarsh 2.0 relies on the strengths of Utkarsh 2022 by retaining the six vision statements, as well as the core purpose, values, and mission statement.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
10. Which organisation has recently (in Jan ‘23) released a “Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around the World” report with key highlighting that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of hours per week in paid work globally was around 43.9 hours?
1) World Bank
2) United Nations Human Settlement Programme
3) World Health Organization
4) United Nations Population Fund
5) International Labour Organization
Option “5” is correct. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) report “Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around the World”, more than half of the world’s workforce doesn’t typically work a nine-tofive schedule. i. As per the report, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average number of hours per week in paid work globally was around 43.9 hours (2019 or the latest available year). ii. The report examines the two main aspects of working time: working hours and working time arrangements (also called work schedules), as well as their effects on business performance and workers’ work-life balance.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
11. Name the railway station that has been awarded a 5- star rating for “Eat Right Station” by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in January 2023.
1) Mumbai Central Railway Station
2) Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
3) Bhopal Railway Station
4) Chandigarh Railway Station
5) Varanasi Cantt railway station
Option “5” is correct. The Varanasi Cantt railway station has been awarded a 5- star rating for ‘Eat Right Station’ certification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for providing high quality and nutritious food to passengers. i. The 5-star rating indicates full compliance by the station to ensure safe and hygienic food is available to passengers. ii. The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement- a large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform India’s food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.
12. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the On-Time Performance Review 2022 released in January 2023?
1) According to the On-Time Performance Review 2022 released by CIRIUM, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, Karnataka (2nd Rank) & Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi, (7th Rank) were listed among the top 10 in the Top Performing Global Airports of 2022.
2) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (Maharashtra) stood at the 11th spot.
3) The Top Performing Global Airports of 2022 list is topped by Haneda Airport in Japan.
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. According to the On-Time Performance Review 2022 released by CIRIUM, the aviation analytics company, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, Karnataka, and Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi, were listed among the top 10 in the Top Performing Global Airports of 2022.
13. Pinarayi Vijayan, CM of Kerala, has recently (in Jan ‘23) presented the 1st Gouriamma award to _________ at Olympia Hall at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
1) Selma De Montgomery (Denmark)
2) Bana Alabed (Syria)
3) Nandana Dev Sen (India)
4) Farzana Faruk Jhumu (Bangladesh)
5) Aleida Guevara (Cuba)
Option “5” is correct. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala, presented the 1st Gouriamma award to Aleida Guevara, Cuban child rights advocate and daughter of revolutionary leader Che Guevara, at Olympia Hall at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. i. The award recognises her efforts to rehabilitate differently abled children and provide debt relief to developing countries. ii. The award was instituted by The K.R. Gouriamma Foundation in memory of the Communist leader K.R. Gouriamma.
SPORTS
14. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) partnered with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the “Official Sponsor” of the Indian Cricket Team?
Option “1” is correct. Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL), the retail giant, has announced plans to enter its flagship brand ‘Killer’ into a strategic partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as the Indian Cricket Team’s “Official Sponsor”. i. The brand will now be displayed on the Team India jersey’s right upper chest. KKCL will put on the brand Killer logo on Team India’s Kit until 31st May 2023.
15. In January 2023, M Pranesh became India’s _________ Grandmaster (GM) after winning the Rilton Cup 2022/2023 in Stockholm, Sweden.
1) 78th
2) 82nd
3) 79th
4) 75th
5) 80th
Option “3” is correct. M Pranesh (16-year-old) from Tamil Nadu (TN) became India’s 79th Grandmaster (GM) after crossing the 2500 ELO rating and winning the Rilton Cup 2022/2023 held in Stockholm, Sweden. i. The Rilton Cup is the first tournament of the FIDE circuit and Pranesh is the 28th Grandmaster from Tamil Nadu (TN).
16. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed a partnership with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for the 15th Edition of FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
1) Tata Steel Limited
2) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
3) Coal India Limited
4) JSW Group
5) Adidas India
Option “4” is correct. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has signed a partnership with the JSW Group for the upcoming 15th edition of FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, which will be conducted between 13th January 2023 – 29th January 2023 in Odisha. i. The JSW Group supports and promotes Olympics in India and has created an Olympic Training Institute in the Inspire Institute of Sport. It also has Olympic training centres across India.
ENVIRONMENT
17. In January 2023, Scientists discovered a new species of Dwarf Boa named “Tropidophis cacuangoae” in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Ecuador.
The “Tropidophis cacuangoae” belongs to which of the following species?
1) Snake
2) Turtles
3) Frog
4) Lizard
5) Fish
Option “1” is correct. Scientists have discovered a new species of dwarf boa(snake): Tropidophis cacuangoae in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Ecuador. The new species is named after 20th century Indigenous rights activist Dolores Cacuango. i. Two specimens of the species were found in the Colonso Chalupas national reserve and in the private Sumak Kawsay park. ii. The new species is 20 centimetres (7.8 inches) long, with skin colouring similar to those of the boa constrictor. iii. The researchers’ findings were published in the European Journal of Taxonomy.
OBITUARY
18. Veteran Sinologist Janaki Ballabh, an Indian translator and writer, passed away in January 2023.
In which year he was honoured with the Peace and Friendship Award by the China Government for his contributions to cultural exchange between China and India?
1) 1961
2) 1970
3) 1956
4) 1982
5) 1966
Option “1” is correct. Veteran Sinologist Janaki Ballabh, an Indian translator and writer, who translated a range of Chinese works into Hindi, passed away in Beijing, China, at the age of 94. i. He lived and worked in China as a Hindi Language expert from 1956 to the years immediately following the Cultural Revolution. ii. He was honoured with the Peace and Friendship Award in 1961 by former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai for his contributions to cultural exchange between China and India. Sinologist – a person who studies or is an expert in the academic study of China primarily through Chinese language, literature, and history.
STATE NEWS
19. Which state has recently (in Jan’ 23) launched the CM’s Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh with a Rs 101 crore fund to provide higher education for needy children?
Option “3” is correct. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh (HP), launched CM’s Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh with an outlay of Rs 101 crore for higher education for needy children especially orphans, destitute women and senior citizens with immediate effect. i. All 40 Congress Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) have agreed to deposit their first month’s salary into the fund.
20. Name the state government that recently (in Jan ‘23) signed MOUs with the Indian Army to offer the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).
Option “5” is correct. The Indian Army signed a MoUs with eight government medical colleges and hospitals under the Government of Assam to offer the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) in Assam. i. This scheme covers all types of diseases and will facilitate the cashless and capless treatment of almost 1.12 lakh beneficiaries. ii. The Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), Government of Assam and TATA Trust initiative, has also been empanelled with ECHS.
IMPORTANT DAYS
21. When was World Day of War Orphans 2023 observed across the globe?
1) 4th January 2023
2) 6th January 2023
3) 2nd January 2023
4) 5th January 2023
5) 3rd January 2023
Option “2” is correct. World Day of War Orphans 2023 was observed across the globe on 6th January 2023 to create initiatives to ensure a better future for children who have been left orphaned by war and to raise awareness of the need to preserve their human rights globally. i. The day provides a platform for discussing the problem of war orphans and emphasising the difficulties children experience as they develop emotionally, socially, and physically.
CA STATIC GK
22. Where is the Headquarter of the International Labour Organization (ILO)?
1) Paris, France
2) Geneva, Switzerland
3) Rome, Italy
4) Vienna, Austria
5) London, United Kingdom
Option “2” is correct. About the International Labour Organization (ILO): ILO is the only tripartite United Nations (UN) agency that brings together governments, employers, and workers from 187 member countries. India is a founder member of the ILO. Director-General – Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland Establishment – 1919
23. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Open Financial Technologies Pvt Ltd (OPEN)?
1) Ajeesh Achuthan
2) Deena Jacob
3) Mabel Chacko
4) Anish Achuthan
5) T Koshy
Option “4” is correct. Open Financial Technologies Pvt Ltd (OPEN): i. OPEN, a neo-banking platform headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, was founded in 2017. ii. Open, India’s 100th Unicorn, is backed by top global investors such as IIFL Finance, Temasek, Google, Visa, and Tiger Global, among others. iii. Anish Achuthan is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OPEN.
24. In which year United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was established?
1) 1946
2) 1944
3) 1956
4) 1963
5) 1972
Option “1” is correct. About the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Executive Director- Catherine M. Russell Headquarters- New York, USA Establishment- 1946
25. What is the currency of South Sudan?
1) Peso
2) Euro
3) Dollar
4) Pound
5) Franc
Option “4” is correct. About South Sudan: Capital- Juba Currency- South Sudanese pound India deploys a women-only platoon of peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Abyei on the border of Sudan and South Sudan as part of the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force, Abyei (UNISFA). i. The Indian contingent, which consists of two officers and 25 other ranks, will work as a platoon in an engagement and specialize in community outreach in addition to carrying out numerous securityrelated duties. India is among the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping. ii. This time India is deploying the largest single unit of female Blue Helmets in a UN mission since 2007.
26. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)?
1) The Jan Aushadhi Scheme was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F), in November 2008.
2) The scheme was renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in December 2016.
3) The government has set a target to increase the number of PMBJKs to 2000 by the end of March 2023.
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 1 & 3
Option “4” is correct. A new product Jan Aushadhi Special Chyawanprash under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) launched in New Delhi. Chyawanprash Special is a potent antioxidant paste, prepared through the synergistic blending of around 50 herbs and spices. About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): i. The Jan Aushadhi Scheme was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F), in November 2008 with the aim of ensuring the availability of quality generic medicines at affordable prices for all. ii. The scheme was relaunched as Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) in September 2015 and further renamed as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in December 2016. iii. The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1451 drugs and 240 surgical items. iv. Target: The government has set a target to increase the number of PMBJKs to 10500 by the end of March 2025.
27. In which state ‘Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “4” is correct. Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and an elephant reserve situated in Andhra Pradesh. i. It is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh with a population of Asian elephants which migrated after 200 years from neighbouring regions. ii. Recently, An 18-member herd of all female elephants from the forests of Gudiyattam and Pernambattu of Tamil Nadu are currently on the move in the Koundinya wildlife sanctuary zone in Chittoor district, apparently “in search of mates”.
28. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, India’s largest botanical garden is located in _________.
Option “5” is correct. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, India’s largest botanical garden (West Bengal) is currently under threat because of severe land erosion by River Ganga. i. The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden was previously known as the Indian Botanic Garden and the Calcutta Botanic Garden. It is situated in West Bengal’s Howrah, near Kolkata.
29. Alipay Singapore, an arm of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has recently (in Dec ‘22) sold _______ stake in Zomato for Rs. 1,631 crores.
1) 3.07%
2) 6.12%
3) 4.98%
4) 2.95%
5) 5.12%
Option “1” is correct. Alipay Singapore, an arm of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, sold 3.07% stake in online food delivery giant Zomato for Rs. 1,631 crores via an open market transaction. i. Alipay Singapore Holding Pte offloaded around 26,28,73,507 shares, aggregating to 3.07% stake in the firm, according to the bulk deal data available with the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
30. Name the organisation that has recently (in Dec ‘22) won the Champion of Champions Award, sweeping the 16th PRCI Global Communication Conclave 2022.
1) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
2) National Mineral Development Corporation
3) National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
4) Power Grid Corporation of India
5) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Option “2” is correct. National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) bagged the Champion of Champions Award, sweeping the 16th PRCI Global Communication Conclave 2022, to bring home fourteen Corporate Communication Excellence Awards. i. The awards were presented at the Global Communication Conclave organised by Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
