Option “2” is correct Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), a premier Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Coal, has introduced drone technology in coal mines by launching “VIHANGAM,” a web-based portal that includes a drone and ground control system. • MCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL). • CIL accounts for more than 80% of domestic coal output. i. The “VIHANGAM” portal enables authorised users to access real-time drone video from the mine via a dedicated 40 Mbps internet lease line located near the mines. ii. The drone is flown by a control station, and the system is controllable through the portal from any location.
2. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India (GoI), has signed an MoU with the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) of ____________ (University) to enhance Food Security and Double the Farmers’ Income.
1) Cornell University
2) University of Wisconsin-Madison
3) University of California
4) University of Chicago
5) University of Copenhagen
Option “4” is correct The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India (GoI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the University of Chicago in New Delhi, Delhi. i. Objective: To explore opportunities to use innovation to promote food security, address climate change, and allow farmers to increase their incomes. ii. During the signing of the MoU, the DIL was represented by the University of Chicago Trust in India.
3. Which country’s Trade and Investment Commission recently signed (in Feb ’23) an MoU with the Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) to collaborate on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes?
1) Australia
2) Japan
3) Germany
4) France
5) Russia
Option “1” is correct The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), an Australian Government agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) to work on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and implement Australian training standards in the leather sector in India. i. LSSC is a non-profit organisation aimed to meet the demand for skilled workforce in India’s leather sector. ii. The MoU will be implemented by the Australia-India Future Skills Initiative team of Austrade in India.
4. In which city, the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah has recently (in Feb ‘23) laid the foundation stone of a Nano Urea Plant worth Rs.450 crore?
Option “3” is correct Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs, laid the foundation stone of a Rs.450 crore nano urea plant and township of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) in Deoghar, Jharkhand. This will be India’s 5th nano urea plant. i. The plant will be constructed at a cost of Rs 300 crore and the township at a cost of Rs 150 crore. ii. IFFCO has been given 20 acres of land by the Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority (JIADA) for the complex in the Jasidih area of the Deoghar district.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
5. Name the Indian company that was included in the list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” of 2023 by FORTUNE Magazine in February 2023?
Option “3” is correct Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been included in the 25th edition of FORTUNE magazine’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” for 2023. i. The list, which is regarded as a benchmark of corporate reputation, is based on a survey of global business executives, directors, and analysts. ii. In the annual ranking of corporate reputation, Apple topped the list for the 16th consecutive year, followed by a tie between Amazon and Microsoft for the 2nd spot.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
6. Who has recently (in Feb ‘23) appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Nutella India by Ferrero, Chocolate company?
Option “4” is correct Chocolate company Ferrero has signed Bollywood Actor Ranveer Singh as the brand ambassador of its hazelnut cocoa spread brand Nutella India. i. Ranveer Singh will actively participate in their different initiatives and promote the Nutella brand through both online and offline marketing channels. ii. The brands endorsed by Ranveer Singh are MakeMyTrip, Thums Up, Bingo, Maruti Suzuki, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Adidas Originals, and Nivea among others.
7. Douglas Feagin has recently (in Feb ‘23) resigned as a non-executive & non-independent director of which company?
Option “5” is correct One 97 Communications (Paytm) has announced that Douglas Feagin, a non-executive, nonindependent director of the company, has submitted his resignation with immediate effect from February 2, 2023. • Feagin, the senior vice president of the Ant Group, joined the board of One97 Communications in July 2021. i. With loans disbursed in December 2022 totaling Rs 9,958 crore, Paytm reported a 357% rise in its loan distribution business.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
8. According to the “Global Leader Approval” survey released by Morning Consult in February 2023, who has become the most popular leader in the world for the 2nd consecutive year, with a 78% approval rating?
1) Joe Biden (President of United States)
2) Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India)
3) Andrés Manuel López Obrador (President of Mexico)
4) Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
5) Emmanuel Macron (President of France)
Option “2” is correct According to the “Global Leader Approval” survey by US-based consulting firm Morning Consult, Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi has become the most popular leader in the world for the 2nd consecutive year, with a 78% approval rating. i. He is rated highest among the 22 countries studied, followed by Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of Mexico with an approval of 68%. ii. PM Narendra Modi received an approval rating way ahead of US President Joe Biden, who received a 40% rating.
9. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the winners of Golden Book Awards 2023, Asia’s most prestigious book award announced in February 2023?
A) Ruskin Bond received the Golden Book Award for his book, How To Live Your Life.
B) J.K Rowling received the Award for his book, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore.
C) Namita Thapar received the Award for her book, The Dolphin And The Shark: Stories On Entrepreneurship.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct Wings Publication announced the list of winners of Asia’s most prestigious book award, Golden Book Awards 2023, a highly-acclaimed recognition program honouring exceptional Authors. i. The winners were chosen based on factors such as originality, creativity, and impact on the literary world. • 2023 winners were selected from a pool of highly qualified nominees by a panel of independent judges. • Juries: Dr Kailash Pinjani (President of Indian Authors Association), Dr Deepak Parbat (Founder of Superfast Author) & Murali Sundaram (Founder of TLC).
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
10. In February 2023, The Ministry of Communications has approved the conversion of Rs. 16,133 crore in accrued interest on deferred Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues of debtridden Vodafone Idea into equity. The GoI to become the Largest Shareholder of Vodafone Idea with _______ Stake.
1) 49%
2) 39%
3) 33%
4) 27%
5) 51%
Option “3” is correct The Ministry of Communications has approved the conversion of Rs. 16133,18,48,990 (~Rs. 16,133 crore) in accrued interest on deferred adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues of debt-ridden Vodafone Idea into equity. The company has been directed to issue 1613,31,84,899 (~1613.31 crore) equity shares with a face value of Rs. 10 each at an issue price of Rs. 10 each. i. The conversion will make GoI the single-largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea, with a projected stake of around 33%
SPORTS
11. In February 2023, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh, and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Manoj Sinha, launched the mascot, theme song, and jersey for the _____ edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, to be held in Gulmarg, J&K.
1) 3rd
2) 1st
3) 4th
4) 6th
5) 2nd
Option “1” is correct The Mascot, Theme Song, and Jersey for the 3rd edition of the Khelo India Winter Games were launched by Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, with • The 3rd edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, a 5-day event, is scheduled to be held from 10-14 February 2023 in Gulmarg, Jammu, and Kashmir. i. Mascot: The Snow Leopard depicts the vibrant heritage of the Himalayas. ii. The J & K Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of J&K are in charge of organising the Khelo India Winter Games, which is funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. • The games, which will feature 9 sports events, will feature about 1500 competitors from across India.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
12. In February 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the “NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)” will be launched from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (India) in the first quarter of ________ .
1) 2026
2) 2024
3) 2028
4) 2025
5) 2027
Option “2” is correct According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the ‘NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)’ will be launched from Indian soil in the first quarter of 2024, and science operations will commence 90 days after it reaches the intended orbit. • NISAR is a Low-Earth orbit (LEO) observatory being developed jointly by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States (US) and ISRO, India. i. The NISAR Observatory will be launched on the expendable Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) contributed by ISRO from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), India’s Spaceport on the southeast coast of the Indian peninsula. ii. NISAR, the joint NASA-ISRO Earth-observation mission, will map the entire globe in 12 days and provide reliable spatial and temporal data for analyzing changes in Earth’s ecosystems.
OBITUARY
13. Vani Jairam, Veteran Singer & Padma Bhushan awardee passed away in February 2023. In which year, she was honoured with “Padma Bhushan award” in the field of Art?
1) 2022
2) 2019
3) 2021
4) 2023
5) 2020
Option “4” is correct Vani Jairam, the famed and veteran singer who was recently honoured with India’s third-highest civilian award, the “Padma Bhushan” (2023 in the field of Art), passed away in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 78. She was born in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu and her parents originally named her Kalaivani. i. In July 2017, she was honored with the Best Female Singer at the North American Film Awards (NAFA) 2017 event at New York City, United States. ii. National Film Awards • Vani was awarded the Best Female Playback Singer (Tamil) award in 1975 for her songs in the Tamil film “Apoorva Raagangal.” • She got the Best Female Playback Singer (Telugu) award in 1980 for her songs in the Telugu film “Sankarabharanam.” • She received her third national award in 1991 for the song “Anathineeyara Hara” from the Telugu film “Swathi Kiranam.”
STATE NEWS
14. Which state government has recently (in Feb ‘23) approved the “Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022 and Electric Vehicle Policy 2022”?
Option “2” is correct The new “Industrial and Business Development Policy (IBDP)-2022” and “Punjab Electric Vehicle Policy (PEVP)-2022” have been approved by the Punjab Cabinet, which is presided over by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann. • The cabinet approved both policies ahead of an investors’ summit scheduled for February 23- 24, 2023, in Mohali, Punjab. i. The PEVP-2022 is designed to reduce environmental pollution in the state brought on by automobile emissions. ii. The IBDP-2022 policy provides a host of incentives for a range of sectors, including infrastructure, power, and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), among others. • The IBDP-2022 shall be effective from October 17, 2022, the time when the previous policy’s period ended. The new policy will be in effect for a duration of 5 years. iii. The Punjab cabinet also approved that initially, 18 such sites would be created in 7 districts, one of which will be inaugurated by CM Bhagwant Mann on February 5, 2023.
15. Name the state/UT that has recently (in Feb ’23) launched a Heli-Tourism Service, the 1st premium Helicopter service, under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Option “5” is correct Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, launched a Heli-Tourism Service, the 1st premium Helicopter service, under the public-private partnership (PPP) model from the Dauji-Ella helipad (Old Goa) in Panaji, Goa. • PPP- The services are provided by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) in association with Soaring Aerospace Pvt Ltd. i. The Helipad at Dauji-Ella, Old Goa, has been constructed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism (MOT).
IMPORTANT DAYS
16. When was the 3rd International Day of Human Fraternity 2023 observed across the globe by the United Nations (UN)?
1) 3rd February 2023
2) 5th February 2023
3) 4th February 2023
4) 1st February 2023
5) 2nd February 2023
Option “3” is correct The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Human Fraternity is annually observed across the globe on February 4 to honour the principles of compassion, religious understanding, and mutual respect that keep humans united. i. 4th February 2023 marks the observance of the 3rd International Day of Human Fraternity. ii. International Day of Human Fraternity falls in the middle of International Interfaith Harmony Week, which is observed annually during the 1st week of February. iii. The 1st ever International Day of Human Fraternity was observed on 4th February 2021.
17. When was World Cancer Day (WCD) 2023 observed across the globe?
1) 4th February 2023
2) 1st February 2023
3) 5th February 2023
4) 3rd February 2023
5) 2nd February 2023
Option “1” is correct World Cancer Day (WCD) 2023 was observed across the globe on 4th February 2023 to raise awareness towards cancer and to encourage its identification, prevention, and treatment. • The Campaign theme of World Cancer Day 2022-2024 is “Close the care gap”. • The Campaign theme of World Cancer Day 2023 is “Close the care Gap: Uniting our voices and taking action”. i. The 2023 campaign invites like-minded individuals to join to strengthen alliances and new innovative collaborations in the fight against cancer. ii. World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation.
CA STATIC GK
18. The Government has recently (in Feb ‘23) notified the Supreme Court that India is now home to 70% of the world’s tigers.
The Govt. of India had launched “Project Tiger” in _______ to promote conservation of the tiger.
1) 1992
2) 2006
3) 1999
4) 1973
5) 1962
Option “4” is correct The Govt. of India had launched “Project Tiger” on 1st April 1973 to promote conservation of the tiger. Project Tiger has been the largest species conservation initiative of its kind in the world. i. The Government notified the Supreme Court that India is now home to 70% of the world’s tigers. Thus the government projects grand success in saving tigers from the brink of extinction to now becoming home to 70% of the global population. ii. There is an annual growth of 6% in the big cat’s population, which offset natural losses. India achieved the target of doubling the tiger population in 2018. It is 4 years ahead of schedule of the St Petersburg Declaration on tiger conservation. iii. The number of tiger reserves has gone up to 53 covering around 76,000 sq km with 2,967 tigers in the country now.
19. Which state government has recently (in Feb ‘23) announced that senior citizens in the state will travel by air under the Mukhyamantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana, a pilgrimage scheme?
Option “2” is correct Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that senior citizens of the state will have the option to travel by flights on pilgrimage scheme from March 2023. i. The birthplace of Sant Ravidas will also be included in this government pilgrimage scheme, known as Mukhyamantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana. ii. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana’, eligible senior citizens above 60 years of age can visit any of the listed pilgrimage places on government expenses.
20. In December 2022, The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation announced the winners of the Jamnalal Bajaj award 2022.
When was Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation established?
1) 1964
2) 1977
3) 1959
4) 1997
5) 1982
Option “2” is correct The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation established in 1977, instituted four Awards, to globally propagate the ideals of Jamnalal Bajaj. i. On 8th December 2022, The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation announced the winners of the Jamnalal Bajaj award 2022. The Foundation gives 4 awards in different categories. Three are given to Indians and one award, for promoting Gandhian values outside is given to a foreigner. • Nilesh Desai of Madhya Pradesh has been chosen for the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Constructive Works • Mansukhbhai Prajapati of Gujarat was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development. • Sophia Saik of Odisha was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children. • Dr Ogirat Younan and Dr Walid Slyabi of Lebanon was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj award for Promoting Gandhian Values outside India.
21. In December 2022, Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the ________ Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) at New Delhi, Delhi.
1) 8th
2) 5th
3) 6th
4) 4th
5) 7th
Option “5” is correct Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 15th December 2022 inaugurated the 7th Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) at New Delhi. i. The theme of this year’s Summit is ‘Restoration and Conservation of Small Rivers in a Large Basin’ with emphasis on the select aspects of ‘Mapping and Convergence of 5Ps’ – People, Policy, Plan, Programme and Project. ii. In the three-day Summit (15th to 17th December 2022) experts from the country and abroad will discuss ways in which small rivers in large river basins can be protected.
22. Which state’s forest department has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched the ‘Vanikaran’ project to restore natural vegetation?
1) Karnataka
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) Kerala
4) Tamil Nadu
5) Telangana
Option “3” is correct The Kerala Forest department in association with Noolpuzha grama panchayat has launched the ‘Vanikaran’ (afforestation) project to root out invasive plants, especially Senna spectabilis, and restore natural forests. i. The project was being executed on 30 hectares of forest land under the Sulthan Bathery forest range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where exotic invasive plants, including Senna spectabilis, Eupatorium, Mikania micrantha, and Lantana camara, were posing a serious threat to the local species of trees.
23. What is the theme of India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2022?
1) Our Internet, Our Choice
2) Together for a better Internet
3) Empower India through Power of Internet
4) An internet we trust: exploring reliability
5) Leveraging Techade for Empowering Bharat
Option “5” is correct In December 2022, The Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that India is the largest ‘connected’ nation in the world today with more than 800 million broadband users. i. He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2022 with the theme ‘Leveraging Techade for Empowering Bharat’. The Secretary, MeitY, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
24. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?
1) Guy Bernard Ryder
2) Antonio Guterres
3) Paul-Henri Spaak
4) Csaba Korosi
5) Movses Abelian
Option “4” is correct Csaba Korosi is the present President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) i. The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution to develop an international tax cooperation framework or instrument based on a UN intergovernmental process. Nigeria submitted this resolution on behalf of a consortium of 54 African countries. ii. The proposed UN framework on global tax cooperation will put an end to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development’s 60-year role as the regulator of taxations across the world.
25. Every year National Advocate day is celebrated across India on _________.
1) 3rd February
2) 3rd December
3) 3rd November
4) 3rd January
5) 3nd October
Option “2” is correct National Advocate day is celebrated in India by the lawyer community on the 3rd of December to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the First President of India and a very eminent lawyer himself. i. Advocates’ Day brings together labor officials, labor representatives, public and private sector managers, management representatives and labor relations neutrals from across the States and Territories to hear national and regional speakers addressing the key issues of the day. ii. Dr. Rajendra Prasad (December 3, 1884 – February 28, 1963) was the first President of Independent India. He was an independence activist and as a leader of the Congress Party, played a prominent role in the Indian Independence Movement.
26. In which State ‘Jim Corbett National Park’ is located?
Option “5” is correct Jim Corbett National Park is a forested wildlife sanctuary in northern India’s Uttarakhand State. Rich in flora and fauna, it’s known for its Bengal tigers.
27. State Bank of India has recently (in Feb ‘23) reported a _________ year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit for the quarter ended December 2022 to Rs 14,205.34 crore.
1) 70.2%
2) 39.4%
3) 49.3%
4) 68.5%
5) 50.2%
Option “4” is correct State Bank of India has reported a 68.5% year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit for the quarter ended December 2022 to Rs 14,205.34 crore. This was the highest-ever quarterly profit posted by India’s largest bank. i. The lender’s net interest income (NII) witnessed robust growth driven by better margins, while asset quality improved. SBI share price will be in focus in the week ahead post Q3.
28. In which state ‘Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park’ is located?
Option “3” is correct Chief Minister (CM) – Bhagwant Mann Governor – Banwarilal Purohit Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Bir Moti Bagh WLS; Bir Bhunerheri WLS Zoological Park – Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park; Tiger safari zoo
29. Where is the Headquarters of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) located?
1) London, United Kingdom
2) New York City, USA
3) Rome, Italy
4) Geneva, Switzerland
5) Paris, France
Option “2” is correct About the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC): High Representative for the UNAOC- Miguel Ángel Moratinos Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA) Establishment- 2005
30. In which state/UT, ‘Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
