31st January Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. In January 2023, the ‘New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Act, 2022’ came into force & will rename the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as the India International Arbitration Centre. Which ministry holds the ‘India International Arbitration Centre’?
1) Ministry of Home Affairs
2) Ministry of Finance
3) Ministry of Law and Justice
4) Ministry of External Affairs
5) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Option “3” is correct. The ‘New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Act, 2022’ came into force that will rename the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre to the India International Arbitration Centre. i. The information for the same was provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice and it will amend the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019. ii. The Act also establishes the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre and designates it as a national institute. iii. The Act allows the central government to provide for removing any difficulties in implementing the Act up to two years from the date of commencement of the Act. The Act extends this time period to 5 years. Note- The Act came into force in the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Act, 2022 (23 of 2022)
2. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the ‘All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-2021’ released by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in January 2023?
A) Total student enrolment in higher education in 2020–21 increased to around 5.21 crore (crossing the 5 crore mark for the first time) from 3.85 crore in 2019–20.
B) The number of Universities in 2020-21 increased to 1,113 from 1,043 in 2019-20 (increased by 70).
C) Among the districts, the maximum number of colleges (1058) are situated in Bangalore Urban followed by Jaipur (671).
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “3” is correct. The Ministry of Education (MoE) released the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020- 2021. i. AISHE 2020-21 was the 11th annual Survey and 1st Survey being conducted using an entirely online data collection platform through the Web Data Capture Format (Web DCF), which was Developed by the Department of Higher Education and the National Informatics Centre (NIC). • Total students’ enrolment in higher education in 2020-21 increased to around 4.13 crore (crossing the 4 crore mark for the 1st time) from 3.85 crore in 2019-20. [Increase of 7.5% from 2019-20 and 21% from 2014-15]. • Gender Parity Index (GPI) i.e., the ratio of female GER to male GER, has increased from 1 in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21. • The top 6 States in terms of Student Enrolment are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan. • The number of Universities in 2020-21 increased to 1,113 from 1,043 in 2019-20 (increased by 70). • Among the districts, the maximum number of colleges (1058) are situated in Bangalore Urban followed by Jaipur (671).
3. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) ranking (2023) released in January 2023?
1) Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bengaluru (Karnataka) ranked first among government colleges in India for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) course, followed by IIM Kolkata.
2) London Business School, United Kingdom (UK) tops among the Business Schools in the world followed by Wharton- University of Pennsylvania, United States of America (USA).
3) The Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jharkhand, secured first rank among private colleges, followed by the Management Development Institute (MDI), Haryana
4) Mittal School of Business at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar (Punjab) improved from 84 to 41 in 2023 in the Private Institutions ranking.
5) The Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad (Telangana), topped the list for “School of Eminence of Employability.”
Option “1” is correct. According to the latest Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) ranking (2023), the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), is the top government college in India for pursuing the Master of Business Administration (MBA) course. • IIM Bengaluru (Karnataka) and IIM Kolkata (West Bengal) are ranked second and third, respectively, after IIM Ahmedabad. The top three colleges have remained unchanged since 2022. • London Business School, United Kingdom (UK) tops among the Business Schools in the world followed by Wharton- University of Pennsylvania, United States of America (USA). • The Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), came in first rank among private colleges, followed by the Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurugram (Haryana), and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune (Maharashtra). • Further, XLRI was ranked first among the “Top 10 B-Schools for Research in India 2023.” • Mittal School of Business at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar (Punjab) improved from 84 to 41 in 2023 in the Private Institutions ranking. • The Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad (Telangana), topped the list for “School of Eminence of Employability.” It was followed by XLRI and MDI. Note- The United States has the most top-ranked MBA colleges, whereas Singapore, India, and China are emerging leaders with prestigious MBA colleges offering a variety of courses.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
4. Which company has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an MoU with the Rolls Royce Solutions of Germany to manufacture Rolls Royce Marine Diesel Engines in India?
Option “2” is correct. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, a Mini Ratna Category 1 Defence PSU, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rolls Royce Solutions of Germany to locally manufacture Rolls Royce’s high-quality marine diesel engine in India. • The MoU aims to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ initiative. i. According to the agreement, GRSE and Rolls Royce Solutions will work together to localise and produce the technologically advanced MTU S4000 (Maximum Transmission Unit Series 4000) governmental marine engines. ii. These 746-4300 Kilowatt (KW) power output engines are compact, reliable, and easy to maintain and the S4000 engines will power Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), Interceptor Boats (IBs), and Fast Attack Crafts (FACs) built by GRSE and other shipyards around India.
5. According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2023 Report released by the United Nations (UN) in January 2023, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth
forecast decreased by _________ (basis points) to 5.8% for 2023.
1) 40bps
2) 30bps
3) 20bps
4) 10bps
5) 30bps
Option “3” is correct. The United Nations (UN) in its World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2023 Report slashed India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the calendar year 2023 by 20bps (Basis Points) to 5.8% (from an estimated 6.4% in 2022) amid tighter monetary policy and weak global demand. • However, for FY 2023-24, it kept its growth forecast unchanged for India at 6%. i. The report is written by the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the regional economic commissions for Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and Western Asia. ii. The global economic growth will slow down to 1.9% in 2023, one of the lowest in recent decades, from 3.1% previously forecast. • The global growth in 2022 was 3% and it was expected to increase to 2.7% in 2024.
6. Name the company that has recently (in Jan ‘23) flagged off the 1st export consignment of AVGAS (aviation gasoline) 100 LL to Papua New Guinea from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container
Terminal (JNPT).
1) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
2) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
3) Hindustan Petroleum Limited
4) Bharat Petroleum Limited
5) Oil India Limited
Option “1” is correct. Tamil Nadu-based Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Limited has started the export of its Special Aviation Fuel (SAF) for small aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), AVGAS (aviation gasoline) 100 LL. i. IOC Chairman S M Vaidya flagged off the first export consignment of AVGAS 100 LL to Papua New Guinea from Gateway Terminals India (GTI) of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPT). ii. The shipment consisted of 16 KL (Kilolitre) of AVGAS packed in 80 barrels and was sent on 27th January 2023. • India’s largest auto fuel retailer aims to tap the USD 1.92 billion AVGAS market by exporting the SAF which was launched in 2022.
BANKING AND FINANCE
7. According to World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) statistics released in January 2023, the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE India) was named as __________ largest exchange in
the world in the equity segment by the number of trades (electronic order book) in 2022.
1) 4th
2) 3rd
3) 5th
4) 2nd
5) 6th
Option “2” is correct. According to World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) statistics, the NSE was named the 3rd largest exchange in the world in the equity segment by the number of trades (electronic order book) in 2022, up from 4th in 2021. i. The benchmark equity index, the Nifty 50 (NIFTY), reached an all-time high of 18,887.60 in the calendar year (CY) 2022. ii. Several product categories, including equity, equity derivatives, and currency derivatives, also experienced a great improvement in liquidity. iii. In the equity segment, daily average turnover of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) was Rs. 470 crore in CY 2022, a 51% increase year-on-year (Y-o-Y).
8. According to the Futures Industry Association (FIA), which stock exchange body has emerged as the world’s largest derivatives exchange in terms of the number of contracts
traded in 2022 for the 4th consecutive year?
1) Shanghai Stock Exchange
2) Bombay Stock Exchange of India
3) New York Stock Exchange
4) National Stock Exchange of India
5) London Stock Exchange
Option “4” is correct. According to the Futures Industry Association (FIA), a derivatives trade body, the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE India) has once again emerged as the world’s largest derivatives exchange in terms of the number of contracts traded in 2022. • The NSE India has retained its top spot for a record-breaking 4th year in a row. About the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE India): MD & CEO – Ashishkumar Chauhan Incorporated in – 1992 (commenced operations as a stock exchange in 1994) Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
9. Which asset management company has recently (in Jan ‘23) launched India’s first passive short-duration index fund?
Option “5” is correct. Edelweiss Asset Management Limited, one of India’s fastest-growing AMCs, has launched the “Edelweiss CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Short Duration Index Fund”, India’s first passive shortduration index fund. • This New Fund Offer (NFO) is open for subscription from January 27,2023 to February 10, 2023. i. Edelweiss CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Short Duration Index Fund, an open-ended index fund, would invest in 50% Indian Government Bonds (IGBs) and 50% State Development Loans (SDLs), subject to tracking errors. ii. It will replicate the Edelweiss CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL September 2028 Index Fund, which was launched in October 2022, as a new Target Maturity Index Fund. This fund is designed to invest in a diverse portfolio of IGBs and SDLs.
10. Name the bank that raised Rs 99 crore from the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India through the issuance of the second tranche (tier II) of Basel III-compliant bonds on January 24,
2023.
1) CSB Bank (India)
2) HSBC Bank (India)
3) DBS Bank (India)
4) SBM Bank (India)
5) Standard Chartered Bank (India)
Option “4” is correct. SBM Bank (India) Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Mauritius-based SBM Group, has raised Rs 99 crore from Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, through the issuance of the second tranche (tier II) of Basel-III compliant bonds on 24 January 2023. • The SBM bank has raised the entire corpus from LIC, the largest financial organisation in India. i. The bank issued its first tranche of tier-II bonds in April 2022, raising Rs 125 crore at a rate of 9.75%. This is the second tranche of those bonds. ii. SBM Bank India has now raised a total of Rs 224 crore through Basel III compliant tier II bonds with this new round of capital raising from multiple investors.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
11. Who was appointed as the brand ambassador of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Limited?
Option “4” is correct. NMDC Limited, formerly National Mineral Development Corporation, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Steel, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Nikhat Zareen, World Boxing Champion and gold medal winner of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, to representing NMDC as its brand ambassador. i. In 2022, she won the gold at the 2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship in Istanbul, Turkey. • She became the 5th Indian woman to win the gold medal at the IBA World Boxing Championship after Jeeny R.L., Mary Kom, Lekha K.C., and Laishrma Sarita Devi. ii. Nikhat Zareen received the Arjuna Award for Boxing from Draupadi Murmu, President of India, in 2022.
12. In January 2023, Petr Pavel, former chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) military committee, was elected as the 4th President of __________ (country) with effect
from March 2023.
1) Romania
2) Czech Republic
3) Republic of Croatia
4) Hungary
5) Bulgaria
Option “2” is correct. Petr Pavel (61-year-old), the former chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) military committee, won the runoff vote defeating former Prime Minister (PM) Andrej Babis, to become the 4th President of the Czech Republic. • He will succeed Milos Zeman who steps down in March 2023 at the end of his 2nd term. i. Petr Pavel served as the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018.with his term beginning in 2015 and retiring in 2018. ii. Paris awarded Petr Pavel the highest French order of merit, the National Order of the Legion of Honour (formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour), in 2012 for his bravery.
SPORTS
13. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 111th edition of the Australian Open (AO) held in January 2023?
A) Novak Djokovic of Serbia claimed the men’s singles title at the Australian Open (AO) 2023 defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.
B) Aryna Sabalenka of Poland won the women’s singles title at AO 2023, her first major singles title, by defeating Elena Rybakina of Australia.
C) In Mixed Doubles, Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos of Brazil defeated the pair of India’s Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “4” is correct. Novak Djokovic of Serbia claimed the men’s singles title at the Australian Open (AO) 2023 defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won the women’s singles title at AO 2023, her first major singles title, by defeating Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan • This marks Novak Djokovic’s 10th Australian Open title and 22nd major title(Grand Slam) overall. With this, he tied with Rafael Nadal’s (Spain) all-time record total of men’s singles titles (22).
14. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) defeated Belgium to win the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 and claimed their 3rd hockey world cup title.
1) Netherlands
2) Germany
3) Australia
4) Spain
5) New Zealand
Option “2” is correct. Germany(Nickname: Die Honamas) won the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, the 15th edition of the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup, by defeating Belgium(Nickname: The Red Lions) by 5-4 in the Penalty shootout during the finals held in Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. • This marks Germany’s 3rd hockey World Cup title, earlier they won the world cup in 2002 and 2006. i. With this win, Germany tops the FIH Men’s World Outdoor Rankings(as of 29th January 2023). Netherlands and Belgium are ranked 2nd and 3rd. • India is ranked 6th on the FIH Men’s World Outdoor Rankings. ii. The Indian hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, finished its campaign at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 on a winning note with a 5-2 victory over South Africa. With this win, India along with Argentina finished 9th on the Men’s hockey world cup 2023 ranking.
15. Indian Cricketer ‘Murali Vijay’ recently (in Jan ’23) announced his retirement from International Cricket.
Which team did he represent in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (then Ranji One-Day Trophy) in 2006/2007?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Himachal Pradesh
3) Karnataka
4) Saurashtra
5) Gujarat
Option “1” is correct. Veteran Indian Cricketer Murali Vijay, hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 38. • He was a member of the Indian Test Team till 2018 and plays for Tamil Nadu in Domestic first class cricket. • Murali Vijay started his cricketing career in first class cricket by representing Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (Then Ranji One-Day Trophy) in 2006/2007. i. Murali Vijay made his international debut representing India in the final Test of the 2008-09 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur replacing Gautam Gambhir. ii. He has played 61 Tests, 17 One Day International (ODIs) and nine Twenty20 International (T20Is) since 2008. iii. He led Punjab Kings in Indian Premier League (IPL) and was also a part of Delhi Daredevils in 2014 (now Delhi Capitals) and he also played for the Chennai Super Kings(CSK) and won 2 IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
16. In January 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) & the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) collaborated to demonstrate a nuclear thermal
rocket engine in space for NASA crewed missions to _________ (Planet).
1) Venus
2) Mercury
3) Mars
4) Jupiter
5) Saturn
Option “3” is correct. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a collaboration to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA crewed missions to Mars. i. Both NASA and DARPA will partner on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) programme. ii. According to NASA, using a nuclear thermal rocket enables a quicker transit time while lowering the risk for astronauts. • For human missions to Mars, reducing transit times is essential since longer trips require more supplies and more robust systems.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
17. Who authored the book, “The Poverty Of Political Economy: How Economics Abandoned the Poor”?
1) Sheila Dow
2) Meghnad Desai
3) Philip Arestis
4) Malcolm Sawyer
5) John Grahl
Option “2” is correct. India-born naturalised British economist Meghnad Desai has authored a new book titled “The Poverty Of Political Economy: How Economics Abandoned the Poor” which highlights how the discipline of economics, since the time it evolved from the late 18th century, systematically kept the interests of the poor at the periphery. • The book is published by HarperCollins Publishers India. i. Through this book, Meghnad Desai studies the contributions of economics to domestic and international politics from Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes, and from the Great Depression to the collapse of the Lehman Brothers.
STATE NEWS
18. Which state/UT has recently (in Jan ‘23) inaugurated a “super site” mechanism and a mobile air quality management van to collect real-time pollution data?
Option “1” is correct. Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal launched mechanisms such as a ‘super site’ and a mobile air quality management van to collect pollution data in real-time to identify factors that are responsible for increasing air pollution at any place in Delhi. • Through this initiative, Delhi has become the first city in the country to get a real-time source segmentation of air pollution. i. The super site facility is located at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya premises near ITO (Income Tax Office). ii. The project has been initiated by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) in collaboration with IIT(Indian Institute of Technology) Kanpur, IIT Delhi, and TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute).
IMPORTANT DAYS
19. The _______ World Neglected Tropical Diseases(NTD) Day was observed across the globe by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on __________.
1) 5th; 29th January 2023
2) 3rd; 30th January 2023
3) 4th; 29th January 2023
4) 3rd; 28th January 2023
5) 4th; 30th January 2023
Option “5” is correct. World Health Organisations’ (WHO)’s World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day is annually observed across the globe on January 30 to create awareness of the devastating impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on the poorest populations around the world. i. 30th January 2023 marks the observance of the 4th World NTD Day with the theme “Act Now. Act Together. Invest in Neglected Tropical Diseases”. ii. For the 1st time, World NTD Day was informally observed on January 30, 2020. Note- Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic and bacterial diseases that cause substantial illness.
20. What is the theme of the 70th World Leprosy Day (WLD) that was observed across the globe on 29th January 2023?
1) Ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice, is fundamental to ending leprosy
2) United for Dignity
3) Act Now: End Leprosy
4) Let us fight Leprosy and make Leprosy a history
5) Beat Leprosy, End Stigma and Advocate for Mental Well-Being
Option “3” is correct. The World Leprosy Day (WLD) is annually observed across the globe on the last Sunday of January to create awareness about the fact that Leprosy, otherwise known as Hansen’s disease, still exists and to educate people to end leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. i. World Leprosy Day 2023 falls on 29th January 2023 and the theme for World Leprosy Day 2023 is ‘Act Now: End Leprosy’. • 29th January 2023 marks the observance of the 70th World Leprosy Day. ii. World Leprosy Day was established in 1954 by French journalist and activist, Raoul Follereau with 2 goals. Note- In India, Leprosy Day is annually observed on 30th January to coincide with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who did much work with persons affected by leprosy.
CA STATIC GK
21. In January 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) received a _________ donation from the European Union to tackle the food crisis in 11 countries in eastern and southern Africa.
1) USD 57.45 million
2) USD 62.90 million
3) USD 82.78 million
4) USD 4.34 million
5) USD 71.44 million
Option “5” is correct. The World Food Programme (WFP) has received a USD 71.44 million donation from the European Union to tackle the food crisis in 11 countries in eastern and southern Africa. i. The special funding will be used for WFP’s operations in DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
22. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Minister (CM) of Jharkhand?
Option “4” is correct. Hemant Soren became the first Jharkhand Chief Minister to visit the ‘Budha Pahad’-once a Maoist hotbed that was freed from the red rebels’ control by security forces after over three decades situated near the border with Chhattisgarh. i. He is expected to launch a slew of welfare schemes in ‘Budha Pahad’, located around 150 km from the State capital Ranchi, along the Latehar and Garhwa districts, Jharkhand. ii. Visit comes as the Centre takes credit for the war won over Naxals in Budha Pahad, once seen as a refuge for senior Maoist leaders based in the Jharkhand-Bihar-Chhattisgarh border areas. iii. Budha Pahad, a forested area located in the tri-junction of Latehar and Garhwa districts in Jharkhand and Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh, was infamous as one of the headquarters of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
23. In which state ‘Similipal National Park’ is located?
Option “3” is correct. Similipal National Park in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has turned out to be the hunting ground for animal poachers over the last few years. i. Similipal witnessed 11 elephant deaths since 2019 including four in 2021-22, according to the data by the forest and environment department of the eastern state, presented by minister Pradip Kumar Amat during the budget session of the Assembly July 7, 2022.
24. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Forge Ltd?
1) Amit B Kalyani
2) B N Kalyani
3) Pratap G Pawar
4) G K Agarwal
5) Vimal Bhandari
Option “2” is correct. B N Kalyani is present Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Forge Ltd. i. The US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Bharat Forge have entered a partnership to produce main landing gear components, sub-assemblies and assemblies for remotely piloted aircraft. ii. The formation of this partnership is a crucial step towards accelerating manufacturing in India.
25. Which state’s contingent of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate has won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Banner at the Republic Day Camp (RDC)-2023 event for the 2nd
consecutive year?
Option “1” is correct. The Maharashtra contingent of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate has won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Banner at the Republic Day Camp (RDC)-2023 event for the second year in a row
26. Name the personality from India who has recently (in Jan ‘23) become the most streamed artist on YouTube.
Option “3” is correct. In a major achievement for the Indian music industry, playback singer Alka Yagnik has become the most streamed artist on YouTube, surpassing popular international artists like BTS and Taylor Swift. i. With a career spanning over three decades, Yagnik has captured the hearts of music lovers across the world with her soulful voice and melodious renditions of hit Bollywood songs.
27. In January 2023, the Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah addressed the ___________ celebrations of B V Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology at Hubli,
Karnataka.
1) 120th
2) 25th
3) 50th
4) 100th
5) 75th
Option “5” is correct. On 28th January 2023, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah addressed the Platinum Jubilee (75th) Celebrations of B V Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology as the Chief Guest at Hubli, Karnataka. i. The founding organization Karnataka Lingayat Education Society (KLE) Society, Belgaum, established BVB college in 1947 with an aspiration of creating an institution that would lay the foundation of modern engineering education in the northern region of Karnataka. ii. For the last 107 years, Karnataka Lingayat Education Society (KLE) has enlightened the lives of millions of people through education.
28. Every year Lala Lajpat Rai’s birth anniversary is observed across India on ___________.
1) 31st January
2) 28th January
3) 26th January
4) 30th January
5) 27th January
Option “2” is correct. Lala Lajpat Rai’s birth anniversary is observed on 28 January every year. Lala Lajpat Rai was born on 28 January 1865, in Dhudike, Punjab. He played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and the people of the country remember him for his work. i. Lala Lajpat Rai was popularly called the ‘Lion of Punjab’ and ‘Punjab Kesari’. He was one of the three members of the “Lal Bal Pal” trio, which included Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal.
29. In which Article of Indian Constitution, the Union Budget is referred as the Annual Financial Statement (AFS)?
Option “2” is correct. Article 112 of Indian Constitution, the Union Budget is referred as the Annual Financial Statement (AFS). In Parliament, The Budget goes through these stages: • Presentation of Budget • General Discussion • Scrutiny by departmental committees • Voting on Demands for grants • Passing of appropriation bill • Passing of finance bill.
30. Who presented the first budget for India in 1860 (Pre independence)?
1) Franklin Allen
2) Christopher Allsopp
3) James Wilson
4) Sir Alison
5) Julia Aglionby
Option “3” is correct. Before independence, The British economist James Wilson who presented the first budget for India in 1860. K. Shanmukham Chetty presented the first ever budget of Independent India on 26th November 1947.
