Option “5” is correct. Banwari Lal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, inaugurated North India’s largest floating Solar project of 2000kWp (Kilowatt peak) at Water Works in Chandigarh. i. He also inaugurated a 500kWp floating Solar Project with Fountains at Dhanas Lake in Chandigarh. ii. The 2000kWp solar project in the water works of Chandigarh is a unique floating project and it is a one of its kind solar plant in North India.
2. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022?
A) The Union Cabinet has approved the reworked Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that seeks to introduce changes in the governing structure of the Competition Commission of India
(CCI).
B) The Bill proposes to reduce the time limit for the CCI to pass an order on such transactions from 210 days to 150 days.
C) The Bill proposes the periodic revision of the basic deal value threshold of Rs 2,000 crore and its indexation to inflation.
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 Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the reworked Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that seeks to introduce changes in the governing structure of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), and modify the substantive, procedural and institutional provisions in the current competition law to address the needs of new age market. i. This revamped Bill will be taken up in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament starting on January 31, 2023. • Reduce the time limit for approval of mergers & acquisitions from the existing 210 days to 150 days. • Periodic revision of basic deal value threshold of Rs 2,000 crore and its indexation to inflation. • The bill was introduced in Parliament on August 5, 2022. Reworking has been done since the Standing Committee on Finance gave its report on the Bill in December 2022. • The Parliamentary Panel headed by Jayant Sinha had made recommendations to the Bill.
3. Name the biannual maritime exercise that is being conducted by the Indian Navy in theIndian Ocean Region (IOR) from January to March of 2023.
Option “1” is correct. The Indian Navy is conducting the 2023 edition of “Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise” (TROPEX), a significant biennial maritime exercise, in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). i. TROPEX 23 will take place from January to March 2023 over a three-month period. ii. In light of China’s rising military intrusions into the IOR, the exercise TROPEX aims to “validate and refine” the Indian Navy’s concept of “operations” and test overall combat capabilities. iii. As part of Exercise “TROPEX 2023,” all surface combatants of the Indian Navy, including destroyers, frigates, and corvettes, as well as submarines and aircraft, are subjected to complex maritime operational deployments.
BANKING AND FINANCE
4. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched ‘Vikram’ RuPay credit card dedicated to the Indian defence, paramilitary, and police personnel.
Option “3” is correct. BOB Financial Solutions Limited (BFSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, launched ‘Vikram – the contactless RuPay credit card’ dedicated to the Indian defence, paramilitary, and police personnel on the occasion of 74th Republic Day celebrations i.e. January 26, 2023. i. It will be offered as Lifetime Free (LTF) and it comes with reward points and an activation gift of a complimentary OTT (Over-The-Top) subscription.
5. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) entered into a co-lending agreement with the Aadhar Housing Finance Limited (AHFL) to offer home loans?
1) Punjab National Bank
2) Bank of Maharashtra
3) Bank of India
4) State Bank of India
5) Indian Bank
Option “1” is correct. Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Aadhar Housing Finance Limited (AHFL) have entered into a colending agreement to offer home loans at competitive interest rates. i. The main aim of this partnership is to reach out to a large section of society including economically weaker, lower, and middle-Income groups for providing easy, convenient, and efficient home finance solutions to customers.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
6. India will overtake China to become the world’s most populated nation in ________.
1) 2027
2) 2025
3) 2023
4) 2026
5) 2024
Option “3” is correct. India, which presently has 1.38 billion people, is on track to overtake China, which currently has 1.4 billion people, as the world’s most populous country in 2023. • India’s population is expected to reach 1.668 billion in 2050, surpassing China’s 1.317 billion at the time. • Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, with an estimated 230 million people. • Lakshadweep has the least population, with only 68,000 people. i. India is one of the world’s youngest countries, with 27.3% of its population aged 15 – 29 years. ii. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China reported that as of the end of 2022, China’s population was 1.41175 billion, a decrease of about 850,000 people from the end of 2021. • The total population of China will still exceed 1.4 billion in 2035 and stay around 1.3 billion in 2050, despite a decline in the population that started in 2022.
7. According to the ‘Countdown to 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) Report on global trans-fat elimination 2022’, released in January 2023, WHO stated that _________ (billion) people
globally remain unprotected from harmful Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA) leading to heart disease and death.
Option “2” is correct. The World Health Organization (WHO) in its 4th annual status report ‘ Countdown to 2023 WHO Report on global trans fat elimination 2022’, stated that 5 billion people globally remain unprotected from harmful trans fat resulting in increasing their risk of heart disease and death. i. In 2018, WHO called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (TFA) in 2023. 43 countries have implemented best-practice policies for tackling trans fat in food, with 2.8 billion people protected globally.
8. Which country has recently (in Jan ‘23) invested USD 32 million to Commercialise World’s
First Photonic-based Quantum Computer?
1) Japan
2) Russia
3) Germany
4) China
5) Canada
Option “5” is correct. Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau has announced a new federal investment of 40 million Canadian dollars (USD 32 million) that enables Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., a Torontobased Canadian quantum computing company, to build and commercialise the world’s first photonicbased, fault-tolerant quantum computer. i. The project is supported through the Canadian government’s Strategic Innovation Fund and with 177.8 million Canadian dollars (USD 142 million), the project is expected to create 530 new highly skilled positions in the high-tech and quantum computing fields.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
9. Name the railway station that has recently (in Jan ‘23) awarded a “Green Railway Station Certification” with the highest Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
1) Mumbai Central Railway Station
2) Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
3) Bhopal Railway Station
4) Chandigarh Railway Station
5) Visakhapatnam railway station
Option “5” is correct. Visakhapatnam railway station of East Coast Railway has been awarded the “Green Railway Station Certification” with the highest Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for adopting green concepts thereby reducing the adverse environmental impact. i. Visakhapatnam station secured 82 out of 100 points in 6 environmental categories, such as sustainable facilities, health, hygiene, energy and water efficiency, smart green initiatives, and innovation and development.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
10. Which organsation/company has recently (in Jan ‘23) acquired its first stressed asset “Jaypee Infratech” from lenders led by IDBI Bank?
1) India SME Asset Reconstruction Company Limited
2) National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited
3) Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited
4) Alchemist Asset Reconstruction Company Limited
5) Reliance Asset Reconstruction Company Limited
Option “2” is correct. The National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) has acquired its first stressed asset, Jaypee Infratech from lenders led by IDBI Bank. The total exposure of all the banks to Jaypee Infratech was over Rs 9,000 crore, while IDBI Bank’s exposure was Rs 3,750 crore. i. IDBI Bank received Rs. 253 crore, which is 15% of the Rs. 1,687.50-crore recovery in cash and Rs. 1,434.5 crore, an 85% of the recovery in the form of security receipts.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
11. In January 2023, ____________ became the 41st Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand, after the resignation of Jacinda Ardern.
1) Jenny Shipley
2) Bill English
3) Chris Hipkins
4) John Key
5) Helen Clark
Option “3” is correct. Chris Hipkins, leader of the Labour Party, was sworn in as the 41st Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand by the governor-general Cindy Kiro, King Charles representative in New Zealand, during a ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand. i. Chris Hipkins took over the premiership succeeding Jacinda Ardern, after she tendered her resignation to Governor-General Cindy Kiro on 25th January 2023. ii. Carmel Sepuloni was also sworn in as the deputy PM, the first time that a person with Pacific Island heritage has taken the role.
12. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) re-elected as the Chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)-Amul.
1) Kishibhai Patel
2) Jayen Mehta
3) Shamalbhai B Patel
4) Valjibhai R Humbal
5) Atish Mathur
Option “3” is correct. Shamalbhai B Patel was re-elected as the Chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the umbrella body of milk cooperatives in Gujarat which owns the brand Amul. i. The election took place at the headquarters of the federation in Anand, Gujarat in presence of the heads of all the district cooperative milk unions. ii. The board of directors of GCMMF has also re-elected Valamji Humbal as Vice-Chairman of the GCMMF for the 2nd time. iii. The election was conducted by the Deputy Collector of Anand in the presence of 17 out of 18 members who are chairmen representing their district milk unions in Gujarat.
13. In January 2023, the GoI extended the tenure of ‘Sangeeta Verma’ as acting Chairperson of which organisation?
1) Competition Commission of India
2) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
3) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
4) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
5) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry
Option “1” is correct. The Government of India (GoI) has extended the tenure of Sangeeta Verma as acting Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). i. In October 2022, She was appointed as the acting Chairperson of CCI for a period of 3 months following the retirement of Full time chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta on 25th October 2022. ii. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) noted that Sangeeta Verma will be the acting Chairperson of CCI until the date on which a new Chairperson is appointed or till any further orders in this regard. iii. The CCI has been without a full-time Chairperson since the retirement of Ashok Kumar Gupta.
14. Name the personality who has recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JP Morgan Chase Bank India for 3 years.
Option “5” is correct. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to name Prabdev Singh as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JP Morgan Chase Bank India for a period of 3-years. i. He has been serving as the interim CEO of the bank since November 2022, replacing Madhav Kalyan. ii. Prior to joining JP Morgan in 2010, he has worked with HSBC Holdings Plc for over a decade JP Morgan Chase & Co is an American multinational financial services company headquartered in New York City, United States of America(USA).
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
15. Name the IIT Madras-incubated company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) developed ‘BharOS’, an indigenous mobile operating system (OS).
Option “1” is correct. JandK Operations Private Ltd., a company incubated by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, has developed ‘BharOS’, an indigenous mobile operating system (OS). i. It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T) through its “National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems” (NM-ICPS). ii. BharOS, a play on the Bharat Operating System, is promoted by IIT-Madras as a contribution to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and can be installed on commercially available mobile devices, creating a secure environment for users. iii. BharOS is identical to Android OS in terms of technology, with the primary distinction being that BharOS does not feature Google services.
IMPORTANT DAYS
16. The Election Commission of India (ECI) celebrated the _________ edition of National Voters’ Day (NVD) across India on 25th January 2023 with the theme of ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for
Sure’.
1) 15th
2) 17th
3) 13th
4) 16th
5) 14th
Option “3” is correct. On 25th January 2023, the Election Commission of India (ECI) celebrated the 13th edition of National Voters’ Day (NVD) across India to spread awareness about the importance of voting, and participating in the electoral process. i. The theme of 2023 National Voters’ Day is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’. ii. The first ever National Voters’ Day was celebrated in 2011, to encourage active participation in India’s electoral process. iii. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, presented the first copy of ECI Publication ‘Electing the First President- An illustrated Chronicle of India’s Presidential Elections’ to the President.
17. When was the National Tourism Day 2023 observed across India?
1) 23rd January 2023
2) 25th January 2023
3) 22nd January 2023
4) 26th January 2023
5) 24th January 2023
Option “2” is correct. National Tourism Day 2023 was observed across India on 25th January 2023 to raise awareness and promote tourism for India’s economic and financial growth and development. i. National Tourism Day was initiated by the Indian government in 1948 when the tourist committee was established. ii. The day highlights the importance of tourism for India’s economy, which contributes 8.1% of employment and 9.2% of the nation’s overall Gross domestic product (GDP). • India, with a score of 4.2, currently ranks 54th in World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (2021).
OBITUARY
18. In January 2023, Padma Shri Awardee & India’s 1st pritzker prize winner, “Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi (B.V. Doshi)”, passed away.
In which year did he confer with the ‘Pritzker Prize’ award for his outstanding contribution in the field of architecture?
1) 2020
2) 2016
3) 2018
4) 2015
5) 2019
Option “3” is correct. Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi (B.V. Doshi), a renowned Indian Architect and Padma Awardee, passed away in Ahmedabad, Gujarat at the age of 95. i. B.V. Doshi was conferred with both the RIBA’s Royal Gold Medal in 2021 and the Pritzker Prize (often referred to as the Nobel Prize for architecture) in 2018 for his outstanding contribution to the field of architecture. • He was the 1st Indian to receive the Royal Gold Medal and Pritzker Prize. ii. He was conferred with Padma Shri for Science and engineering in 1976 and Padma Bhushan (others) in 2020. iii. He also received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2011) and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1993-1995).
19. Former Indian Decathlete & Arjuna Awardee Sabir Ali, known as the ‘Ironman of India’ passed away in January 2023.
In which year did he receive ‘Arjuna award’ from the Government of India?
1) 1995
2) 2006
3) 1990
4) 1981
5) 1992
Option “4” is correct. Former Indian Decathlete & Arjuna Awardee Sabir Ali, known as the ‘Ironman of India’ passed away in New Delhi, Delhi, at the age of 67. i. He was honoured with the Arjuna award by the Government of India and Bhim award by the government of Haryana in 1981. • He won the decathlon gold at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. He became the 3rd Indian to win the Asian Athletics Championships decathlon after VS Chauhan (1974) and Suresh Babu (1975). • He also won 8 consecutive Open National titles between 1979 and 1985. He was declared the best sportsman of India in the year 1981. • He won 10 gold medals in the decathlon and 2 silver medals in the South Asian Athletics meet held at Kathmandu & Dhaka.
STATE NEWS
20. What is the theme of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2022 that was held at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in January 2023?
1) Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation
2) Science for self-reliant India and Global welfare to support Atmanirbhar Bharat
3) Creativity in Science, Technology and Innovation for Prosperous India
4) Research, Innovation, and Science Empowering the Nation (RISEN) India
5) Science for Transformation
Option “1” is correct. The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2022, a 4-day festival, was held from 21st to 24th January 2023 at the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The IISF 2022 marks the 8th edition of IISF since its inception in 2015. i. The theme of the IISF 2022 is “Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation”. ii. On 21st January 2023, IISF 2022 was jointly inaugurated by Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minister (CM) of Madhya Pradesh and Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science & Technology.
21. In which state, the 3rd edition of the Orange Festival was held in January 2023?
Option “5” is correct. The 3rd edition of the Orange Festival (Orange Festival 2023) was held from 24th to 25th January 2023 in Rusoma village near Kohima, in Nagaland. i. The festival was organised under the aegis of Rüsoma Village Council in association with Kohima Smart City Development Limited, Rural Development Department, Horticulture Department, Agriculture Department and Land Resources Department. ii. The festival featured several stalls like handicrafts, organic vegetables and fruits, food items, the sale of orange saplings, a workshop on orange and coffee plantations and a campaign on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao”.
CA STATIC GK
22. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of Baroda (BoB)?
1) Sanjiv Chadha
2) Ashwani Bhatia
3) S. S. Mallikarjuna Rao
4) A S Rajeev
5) Dinesh Kumar Khara
Option “2” is correct. About New Zealand: Prime Minister – Chris Hipkins Governor General – Cindy Kiro Capital – Wellington Currency – New Zealand dollar
24. Who is the current (as of Oct ‘22) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India?
Option “3” is correct. About Election Commission of India: Chief Election Commissioner– Rajiv Kumar Election Commissioner– Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
25. Which organisation/company has recently (in Jan ‘23) awarded a project worth Rs 4.32 crore to Haridwar-based Patanjali Research Institute and Patanjali Organic Research Institute?
1) Central Ground Water Authority
2) NITI Aayog
3) Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited
4) National Mission for Clean Ganga
5) Watershed Organisation Trust
Option “4” is correct. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which comes under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and implements the government’s Namami Gange programme, has awarded a project worth Rs 4.32 crore to Haridwar-based Patanjali Research Institute and Patanjali Organic Research Institute. The project is aimed at “scientific exploration” of floral diversity near the Ganga river banks. i. The executive committee of the NMCG, in its meeting on December 23, 2022, decided to allocate the project to Patanjali.
26. Name the Indian cricketer who was recently (in Jan ‘23) picked in the ICC Men’s Test team of 2022.
Option “3” is correct. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is the only Indian to be picked in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Test team of 2022. The 25-year-old had a glorious year with the bat, amassing 680 runs from 12 innings at an average of 61.81 and a strike rate of 90.90.
27. Who has recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Toyota?
1) Takeshi Uchiyamada
2) Koji Sato
3) Shigeru Hayakawa
4) Akio Toyoda
5) James Kuffner
Option “2” is correct. Toyota named Koji Sato as its new President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Operating Officer, replacing Akio Toyoda, who will become Chairman. i. Representative Director Takeshi Uchiyamada will drop his Chairman title.
28. Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
Option “5” is correct. About Haryana: Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar Wildlife Sanctuaries – Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary
29. Google doodle celebrated the _______ birthday of Adelaide Cabete, a Portuguese feminist, humanitarian and activist on 25th January, 2023.
1) 148th
2) 150th
3) 153rd
4) 156th
5) 152nd
Option “4” is correct. Google doodle celebrates the 156th birthday of Adelaide Cabete, a Portuguese feminist, humanitarian, physician, and activist on January 25, 2023. She tirelessly fought for women’s rights and equality in the 20th century. i. She was the founder of the Portuguese women’s organization, Conselho Nacional das Mulheres Portuguesas, and served as its president from 1914 to 1935. ii. Adelaide de Jesus Damas Brazão Cabete was born on 25 January 1867 in Alcáçova near Elvas in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
30. In Which state ‘Kuno National Park’ is located?
Option “5” is correct. Kuno National park in Madhya Pradesh, India was established in 1981 as a wildlife sanctuary and it was originally developed as the second home for Asiatic lions in India, apart from Gir National Park (Gujarat).
