3rd January 2023 Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. In December 2022, An MoU for production of Goat Pox vaccine and “Lumpi-ProVac” vaccine was signed in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Which of the following institutes has developed the Lumpi-ProVac against lumpy skin disease (LSD) in animals?
1) ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI)
2) National Centre for Veterinary Type Cultures (NCVTC)
3) ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE)
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. An MoU for the production of goat pox vaccine and ‘Lumpi-ProVac’ vaccine has been signed in Nagpur, Maharashtra in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Phadnavis. i. National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture (NCVTC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) -National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar (Haryana), in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar (UP) developed a homologous liveattenuated LSD vaccine, named Lumpi-ProVac against lumpy skin disease (LSD) in animals.
2. In January 2023, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) raised the interest rate on a number of small savings schemes for the fourth quarter (Q4) of FY23.
Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to Small Saving Schemes (SSS) & their interest rates as of January 2023?
1) The Interest Rate of Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Account (SCSS) has changed to 8.0% from 7.6%.
2) The 5 Year Recurring Deposit has remained unchanged with an interest rate of 5.8 %.
3) Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) has changed to 190 months of maturity period with an interest rate of
7.0% from 124 months of maturity period with an interest rate of 6.9%.
4) The Public Provident Fund (PPF) has remained unchanged with the interest rate of 7.10%.
5) The Interest Rate of 2 Year Time Deposit has changed to 6.8% from 5.7%.
Option “3” is correct. The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), a department of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), has raised the interest rate on a number of small savings schemes for the fourth quarter (Q4) of the current fiscal year 2022–23 (FY23), which runs from January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023. • The rates on the various instruments have increased by 20 to 110 basis points (bps), and they now range from 4.0 % to 7.6 %. i. The 5 Year Recurring Deposit has remained unchanged with an interest rate of 5.8 %. ii. The Public Provident Fund (PPF) has remained unchanged with the interest rate of 7.10%. iii. The Interest Rate of Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Account (SCSS) has changed to 8.0% from 7.6%. iv. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) has changed to 120 months of maturity period with an interest rate of 7.2% from 123 months of maturity period with an interest rate of 7.0% v. The Interest Rate of 2 Year Time Deposit has changed to 6.8% from 5.7%.
3. In January 2023, the GoI introduced a new Integrated Food Security Scheme to supply free food grains to more than 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), _______.
1) 2013
2) 2017
3) 2015
4) 2019
5) 2016
Option “1” is correct. The Government of India (GoI) has introduced a new Integrated Food Security Scheme beginning January 1, 2023, to supply free food grains to more than 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. • According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution (MoCA, F&PD), the scheme will also ensure effective and uniform enforcement of the NFSA. i. The new integrated scheme will subsume two present food subsidy schemes run by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), MoCA and F&PD. They are: • Food Subsidy to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for NFSA • Food Subsidy for Decentralized Procurement States, which deals with procuring, allocating, and delivering free food grains to the states under the NFSA ii. Under the scheme, the GoI will distribute free foodgrains to all NFSA beneficiaries, including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Household (PHH) people, for 2023 through a network of 5.33 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPS) across India.
4. Which Scheme/Programme of Ministry of Rural Development has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched the ‘Prajjwala Challenge’ – Unlock the Rural Economic Opportunity’ inviting Ideas,
Solutions & Actions to Transform Rural Economy?
Option “4” is correct. The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)’s flagship poverty alleviation program Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has launched the ‘Prajjwala Challenge’ – Unlock the Rural Economic Opportunity’ with an aim to invite ideas, solutions, and actions that can Transform Rural Economy. i. Prajjwala Challenge is a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative to provide thoughtful minds with a platform to present new, innovative and scalable pathways for rural economic transformation in India. • Applications are open from 29th December 2022 to 31st January 2023
BANKING AND FINANCE
5. Which bank has recently (in Jan ‘23) unveiled the Quick Response (QR) code bill payment system for Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) in Mysuru, Karnataka?
1) Bank of India
2) Union Bank of India
3) Indian Bank
4) Canara Bank
5) Bank of Baroda
Option “3” is correct. Indian Bank unveiled the QR (Quick Response) code bill payment system for Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) making it the first power distribution company to offer such an initiative to customers in Mysuru, Karnataka. i. This dynamic QR code that is linked to the unified payments interface (UPI) on printed electricity bills, will help customers in making their payments without visiting any online portal or physically going to any payment centre.
6. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 26th issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR) released by RBI in December 2022?
A) India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to 4.4% of GDP in the Q2FY23, which is the highest since the June quarter of 2013.
B) India’s foreign exchange reserves on BoP basis recorded a deficit of USD 30.4 billion compared to a USD 31.2 billion surplus in the Q2FY22.
C) As per the 26th Financial Stability Report (FSR), the Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA) dropped to 10 years low of 1.3% in September 2022.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) 26th issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR), India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to 4.4% of GDP in Q2FY23 from 2.2 percent of GDP in the previous Q2:2022-23 and 1.2 per cent in 2021-22 • India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) widened to 4.4 per cent of GDP which is the highest since the June quarter of 2013. i. India’s foreign exchange reserves on BoP basis recorded a deficit of USD 30.4 billion compared to a USD 31.2 billion surplus in the Q2FY22. ii. The RBI also released the 26th Financial Stability Report (FSR) which states the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on risks to financial stability and the resilience of the financial system. It is published bi-annually. • The Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) fell to a seven-year low of 5% and Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA) have dropped to ten-year low of 1.3% in September 2022.
7. Name the organisation that has recently (in Jan ‘23) signed an agreement of Rs 2, 275 crores with the Tripura government to improve the power distribution network.
1) World Bank
2) International Monetary Fund
3) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
4) Asian Development Bank
5) African Development Bank
Option “4” is correct. The Tripura government has signed an agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) worth Rs 2,275 crore to strengthen and improve power distribution efficiency in Tripura. • Under this, ADB will support the state government’s efforts to strengthen its power sector by replacing inefficient power plants and strengthening the distribution system. The project will be implemented in the next three years. • Of the Rs 2,275 crore fund, the central government will repay Rs 1,820 crore while the state will provide Rs 455 crore. i. The state government will undertake massive renovation of two power projects – Rukhia in Sepahijala district and Gumati Hydro project in Gomati district. ii. Apart from the ADB funding, an additional amount of Rs 800 crore will be spent to improve the power distribution of the state.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
8. Name the country that has recently (in Jan ‘23) adopted the ‘Euro’ currency, and became a part of Europe’s border-free Schengen zone.
Option “4” is correct. Croatia, the youngest member of the European Union (EU), adopted the ‘Euro’ currency, and it became a part of Europe’s border-free Schengen zone. i. Croatia, a Balkan country, is now the 20th member of the Eurozone and the 27th country to join the passport-free Schengen zone. Croatia is a former Yugoslav republic that fought an independence war in the 1990s and joined the EU in 2013. ii. The European Union (EU) member states that have adopted the “Euro” as their national currency collectively refer to themselves as the “Euro Area” or “Eurozone.” iii. The euro will progressively replace the ‘Kuna’ as the official currency of Croatia starting on January 1, 2023.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
9. Which Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has recently (in Dec ‘22) partnered with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to introduce the “DRDO Industry Academia-Ramanujan Centre of Excellence” (DIA-RCoE)?
Option “1” is correct. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras has created a ‘centre of excellence’ named ‘DRDO Industry Academia-Ramanujan Centre of Excellence’ (DIA-RCoE) at a campus unit set up by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop advanced technologies for national defence and security. i. The interdisciplinary research group will bring in faculty and researchers from multiple departments for translational research.
SPORTS
10. Name the personality who has recently (in Dec’ 22) became India’s 78th Grandmaster (GM) in MPL 59th National Senior Chess Championship 2022 held at New Delhi, Delhi.
1) V Pranav
2) Aditya Mittal
3) Hari Madhavan N B
4) Pranav Anand
5) Koustav Chatterjee
Option “5” is correct. Kolkata, West Bengal (WB)-based chess player Koustav Chatterjee (19-year) became India’s 78th Grandmaster (GM) in MPL 59th National Senior Chess Championship 2022. He is also the 10th GM from West Bengal. i. The Event was held at K.D Jadhav Indoor Sports Hall, IG Stadium, New Delhi organised by Delhi Chess Association Under the aegis of All India Chess Federation (AICF). Note- Hari Madhavan N B (19 years old) from Tamil Nadu (TN) becomes the 1st International Master of India in 2023.
11. Who has recently (in Dec ‘22) won India’s 1st ever Silver Medal in the World Blitz Championship by defeating Zhongyi Tan (China) in Women’s World Blitz Championship at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2022?
Option “3” is correct. Indian Grandmaster (GM) Koneru Humpy, a former world rapid champion, has won a silver medal in the Women’s World Blitz Championship at the FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2022 held in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 25th to 30th December 2022. i. Koneru Humpy has won India’s 1st ever silver medal in the World Blitz Chess Championships defeating Zhongyi Tan of China and she is the 2nd Indian to win a medal at World Blitz, after Viswanathan Anand.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
12. Who has been recently (in Jan ‘23) appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for a period of 3 years?
Option “1” is correct. Ajay Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), a public sector bank (PSB), for a period of 3 years with effect from the date of assumption of office on or after 1st January 2023. i. Prior to this appointment, Ajay Kumar Srivastava was serving as the Executive Director of IOB. ii. He was appointed following the superannuation of Partha Pratim Sengupta, MD & CEO of IOB, on 31st December 2022.
13. In January 2023, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as 39th President of which country?
1) Argentina
2) Peru
3) Canada
4) Brazil
5) Portugal
Option “4” is correct. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the veteran left-wing politician, known widely as Lula, was sworn in for the 3rd term as the President of the Republic of Brazil during the inauguration ceremony held at the National Congress, in Brasilia, Brazil. i. He was sworn in as the 39th president of Brazil by winning the 2022 Brazilian general election against far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro (incumbent President of Brazil (from 2019 to 2022). • Geraldo Alckmin was sworn in as Brazil’s Vice President during the event. ii. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was first elected as the President in 2002 and was inaugurated as President on 1st January 2003. He was again re-elected as President in 2006 for a 2nd term which ended in 2011. • He governed Brazil for 2 consecutive terms between 2003 and 2010. He won his 1st term in 2002 and 2nd term in 2006.
14. Name the personality who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the State Icon for Bihar by the Election Commission (EC).
Option “2” is correct. Maithili Thakur, a Folk Singer, was appointed as the State Icon for Bihar by the Election Commission (EC). i. Maithili Thakur, an Indian classical and folk music-trained musician was recently chosen for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi Award) for her contribution to the folk music of Bihar for 2021.
OBITUARY
15. Grammy awardee and founding member of “the Pointer Sisters” (a vocal group), Anita Marie Pointer, passed away in December 2022.
How many Grammy awards have been won by the Pointer Sisters?
1) Two
2) Five
3) Six
4) Three
5) Four
Option “4” is correct. Anita Marie Pointer, a Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter, passed away at the age of 74. She was best known as a founding member of the vocal group the Pointer Sisters. i. “The Pointer Sisters” won 3 Grammys (1985 – Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and Best Vocal Arrangement For Two Or More Voices & 1975 – Best Country Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group) ii. The Pointer Sisters was the 1st African American group to perform on the Grand Ole Opry program and the 1st contemporary act to perform at the San Francisco Opera House.
16. Former Director of Tata Sons and Padma Shri Awardee ‘Rayaroth Kuttambally Krishna Kumar’ passed away in January 2023.
In which year did he receive the Padma Shri Award in the field of Trade and Industry?
1) 2009
2) 2016
3) 2010
4) 2015
5) 2020
Option “1” is correct. Tata group veteran and Former Director of Tata Sons, Padma Shri Awardee Rayaroth Kuttambally Krishna Kumar (R.K. Krishna Kumar) passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra at the age of 84. i. He was a close confidant of Ratan Tata, well-known for his role in several Tata Group acquisitions, including the acquisition of Tetley in 2000. ii. In 2009, R.K. Krishnakumar received the Padma Shri award, India’s 4th highest civilian honour, for his contributions to Indian Trade and Industry.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
17. Who authored the book, “Breaking Barriers: the Story of a Dalit Chief Secretary”?
1) Maheshwar Prasad
2) Kaki Madhava Rao
3) Aditya Nath Das
4) C.R. Krishnaswamy
5) K Ratna Prabha
Option “2” is correct. Former IAS officer Kaki Madhava Rao has authored a new book titled “Breaking Barriers: the Story of a Dalit Chief Secretary” which addresses the details about the dynamics of civil services at the ground level and also fills the gap in the knowledge about micro policies and governance. i. The book is published by Emesco Books Private Limited.
CA STATIC GK
18. In which state ‘Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS)’ is located?
Option “3” is correct. In August 2022, the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) in Maharashtra was designated as a Ramsar site. i. The Ramsar Convention, which came into existence in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. ii. The convention got its name Ramsar Convention from the city of Ramsar in Iran where it was signed in 1971 and came into force in 1975. India joined the convention in 1982.
19. Which Committee has provided the formula to calculate the interest rates for the small savings scheme?
1) C Rangarajan Committee
2) Shyamala Gopinath Committee
3) Narasimham Committee
4) Kelkar Committee
5) Raghuram Rajan Committee
Option “2” is correct. The Shyamala Gopinath Committee provided the formula to calculate the interest rates for the small savings scheme.
20. India holds the Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023 with the theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
The theme of G20 was inscribed from which of the following?
Option “4” is correct. India holds the Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. i. The theme for India’s G20 Presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which refers to “One Earth, One Family, One Future. It is taken from the Maha Upanishad, an ancient Sanskrit text. i. The G20 logo features a lotus, the national flower of India, painted in the tricolour (saffron, white, & green) and blue, together with an image of the Earth. The word “Bharat” is written in Devanagari script under the G20 logo.
21. What is the capital of Croatia?
1) Dublin
2) Tallinn
3) Helsinki
4) Pristina
5) Zagreb
Option “5” is correct. About Republic of Croatia: President – Zoran Milanović Capital – Zagreb Currency – Euro (EUR)
22. In which state ‘Gomati Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “1” is correct. About Tripura: Governor– Satyadeo Narain Arya Chief Minister– Manik Saha Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS)– Sepahijala WLS, Trishna WLS, Gomati WLS
23. What is the Tagline of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)?
1) We understand your world
2) The Banker To Every Indian
3) Your Perfect Banking Partner
4) Your Own Bank
5) Good People to Grow With
Option “5” is correct. About Indian Overseas Bank (IOB): Establishment – 1937 Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu Tagline – Good People to Grow With
24. The Defence Research and Development Organisation celebrated its 65th Foundation Day on __________.
1) 31th December 2022
2) 30th December 2022
3) 1st January 2023
4) 2nd January 2023
5) 3rd January 2023
Option “3” is correct. On 1st January 2023, Floral tributes were paid at the bust of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Headquarters in New Delhi to mark the 65th Foundation Day of the Organisation. i. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat along with Director Generals and senior officials of DRDO paid floral tributes at the bust of Missile Man of India, APJ Abdul Kalam.
25. Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zomato Ltd?
Option “3” is correct. Deepinder Goyal is the present chief executive officer (CEO) & Founder of Zomato Ltd. i. Online food delivery platform Zomato Ltd announced its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Gunjan Patidar resigned from the post. ii. In November, another co-founder of the company, Mohit Gupta, had resigned. Gupta, who had joined Zomato four-and-half years back, was elevated to co-founder in 2020 from the position of CEO of its food delivery business. iii. Zomato had witnessed some top level exits last year (2021), including those of Rahul Ganjoo, who was head of new initiatives, and Siddharth Jhawar, the erstwhile vice-president and head of Intercity, and co-founder Gaurav Gupta.
26. Which country has emerged as Nepal’s top inbound tourist market in 2022?
1) Italy
2) Germany
3) China
4) India
5) Sri Lanka
Option “4” is correct. India has emerged as Nepal’s top inbound tourist market in 2022, as the key sector in the Himalayan nation is gradually witnessing recovery from the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic. i. Of the total 614,148 foreign visitors from January to December last year (2021), 209,105 were from India, followed by the US with 77,009 and the UK 44,781, according to data published by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). ii. Australia is in fourth place with 26,874 inbound visitors, while Bangladesh with 25,384 tourists ranked fifth in the list.
27. In which state ‘Gangotri National Park’ is located?
1) Uttarakhand
2) Uttar Pradesh
3) Maharashtra
4) West Bengal
5) Kerala
Option “1” is correct. About Uttarakhand: Chief Minister- Pushkar Singh Dhami Governor- Gurmit Singh National Park- Rajaji National Park; Gangotri National Park
28. Which country’s Supreme Court has elected “Norma Pina Hernandez” as the first female chief justice?
1) Argentina
2) Peru
3) Brazil
4) Mexico
5) Chile
Option “4” is correct. Mexico’s Supreme Court elected Norma Pina Hernandez as the first female chief justice in its history, after three rounds of voting. i. With 34 years of experience in the Federal Judiciary (PJF), Hernandez outnumbered four candidates and she received six votes against five for Minister Alfredo Gutierrez Ortiz Mena.
29. In January 2023, Odisha became the 1st ever Indian state to have a separate registration process for vintage vehicles.
Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha?
Option “1” is correct. Naveen Patnaik is the Chief Minister of Odisha. i. Odisha became the 1st ever Indian state to have a separate registration process for vintage vehicles (both two and four wheelers) that are more than 50 years old after the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) made provision under Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) Rules, 1989, for the registration process of vintage motor vehicles.
30. The Ministry of Textiles organized the 2nd phase of the Sari Festival “VIRAASAT”- Celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India which began from 3rd to 17th January 2023 at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi.
Who is the current (as of Jan ‘23) union minister of the Textiles?
Option “3” is correct. The second phase of the Sari Festival “VIRAASAT”- Celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India will begin from 3rd to 17th January 2023 at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. i. This phase being organized by the Ministry of Textiles (present union minister of Textiles-Piyush Goyal) will start at 11 AM and will close at 8 PM on a daily basis. ii. The second phase, having 90 participants from different parts of the country, will bring participation of famous handcrafted varieties of Ajrakh, Kantha and Phulkari etc. iii. The first phase of “VIRAASAT”- started on 16th and concluded on 30th December 2022.
