9th February Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. In February 2023, Former United States (US) secretary of state Hillary Clinton announced a Global Climate Resilience Fund of _____________ from the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to support women to fight climate change in association with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
1) USD 50 million
2) USD 10 million
3) USD 30 million
4) USD 40 million
5) USD 20 million
Option “1” is correct Hillary Clinton, former United States (US) secretary of state has announced a first-of-its-kind “Global Climate Resilience Fund” of USD 50 million from the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to support women in the fight against climate change in collaboration with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). i. Hillary Clinton was on a two-day visit to Gujarat, commemorating the 50th anniversary of SEWA as a trade union. ii. The goal of the fund is to enable women and communities to confront the challenges caused by the rising temperatures brought on by climate change, as well as to offer new opportunities for employment and education
2. Which Institute/ University has recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an MoU with the Directorate General of GST (Goods and Services Tax) Intelligence (DGGI) to set up digital forensic laboratories?
1) Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
2) Osmania University
3) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
4) National Forensic Sciences University
5) Bundelkhand University
Option “4” is correct The Directorate General of GST (Goods and Services Tax) Intelligence (DGGI) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up digital forensic laboratories along with the exchange of information and knowledge, technological advancement and skill development in the field of digital forensics. i. The MoU will facilitate DGGI and NFSU to establish digital forensic laboratories, collaborate in research and training initiatives, and exchange technical support. ii. This MoU will strengthen the DGGI’s investigative and digital forensic capabilities and help the organisation bring effective prosecutions and secure convictions of the guilty.
3. In February 2023, Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, released a report titled “Making India a Global Power House on Farm Machinery Industry ” in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. Which Organisation/Institute prepared the report?
1) Centre for Policy Research
2) Centre for Science and Environment
3) National Council of Applied Economic Research
4) The Energy and Resources Institute
5) Centre for Civil Society
Option “3” is correct Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State(MoS) for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, released the National Council of Applied Economic Research(NCAER)’s new report titled “Making India a Global Power House on Farm Machinery Industry” in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. • This study was sponsored by Mahendra & Mahendra. i. The report recommends measures and reforms by benchmarking global practices that will be examined by the team of policymakers for making the best solutions in farm mechanization.
4. In February 2023, Chairman of Digital Communications Commission (DCC) & Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications launched the ‘IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert Program (ICCTEP)’ to bring learning in the areas of Telecom. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Chairman of Digital Communications Commission (DCC)& Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications?
Option “2” is correct K Rajaraman, Chairman, Digital Communications Commission (DCC) & Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications (MOC), launched the ‘IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert Program (ICCTEP)’ to bring learning in the areas of Telecom including 5G, Cyber Security and Quantum Communication to bridge the skill gap. • The first program launched on the platform is on 5G and beyond. i. The program was collaborated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) to create telecommunication courses, promote and train students and professionals, create job opportunities, and bridge the digital divide.
5. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the India Energy Week 2023 held at Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 6–8 2023?
A) India hosted the 9th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER9) in association with the International Energy Forum (IEF) at the India Energy Week 2023.
B) The Ministry of Petroleum has signed a pact with the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) for strengthening cooperation in the field of data and research.
C) The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) released a report titled “World Oil Outlook 2045,” which stated that India and China alone will account for 37% of global GDP in 2045.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “5” is correct India hosted the 9th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER9) in association with the International Energy Forum (IEF) on 7 February 2023 at the India Energy Week 2023 which was held from February 6–8, 2023, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. • The theme for the roundtable was ‘Mapping new pathways for energy security, inclusive growth and energy transitions’. i. The Ministry of Petroleum has signed a pact with the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) for strengthening cooperation in the field of data and research and for enhancing global energy security, stability, and sustainability. ii. As per report ‘World Oil Outlook 2045’ released by Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the India Energy Week 2023, India and China alone will account for 37% of global GDP in 2045 whereas the OECD will account for 34%. iii. Greenko Group has signed an agreement with Belgium-based John Cockerill for supply of 28 units of 5 MW alkaline electrolysers to be installed at a green ammonia plant being set up at Una in Himachal Pradesh.
6. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to G20 (Group of Twenty) Meetings held under India’s Presidency in February 2023?
1) The first “G20 Energy Transition Working Group” (ETWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
2) Energy Efficiency Services Limited signed an MoU with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council to promote the adoption of energy efficiency.
3) The first “G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group” (SFWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
4) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Meta, parent company of Facebook, have partnered for the “G20 Stay Safe Online Campaign.”
5) The first “G20 Employment Working Group” (EWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Option “3” is correct India is hosting the prestigious G20 (Group of Twenty) summit in 2023, as the country holds the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023 with the theme for India’s G20 Presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,. The first “G20 Energy Transition Working Group” (ETWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from February 5-7, 2023. The next ETWG meeting will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in April 2023. • On the sidelines of the first G20 ETWG Meeting, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council (IMT-GT JBC), Malaysia, to promote the adoption of energy efficiency and sustainable practices in the region. • The first “G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group” (SFWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Guwahati, Assam, on February 2-4, 2023. • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Meta, parent company of Facebook, have partnered for the “G20 Stay Safe Online Campaign.” • The first “G20 Employment Working Group” (EWG) Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency was held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on February 2-4, 2023.
7. Name the ministry that has recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an MoU with Digital Green under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework to build a national-level digital extension platform?
1) Ministry of Science and Technology
2) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
3) Ministry of Home Affairs
4) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
5) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Option “2” is correct The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) signed an MoU with Digital Green under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework to build a national-level digital extension platform. i. The platform, set to be launched within six months, will strengthen the extension system and make it more efficient and effective by connecting farmers to the strong foundation of the digital agriculture ecosystem that is being built by the government. ii. MoA&FW will also formulate a new certification system for organic cotton, and derivatives as a part of its efforts to promote Indian export. In this regard, the ministry will set up a committee to look into the issues of organic certification of cotton and its derivatives. • The committee will consider the possibility of launching the new certification system under MoA&FW with the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies and the Quality Council of India (QCI) being part of it.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
8. According to the Global Minority Report released by the Center for Policy Analysis (CPA) in February 2023, which country topped among 110 nations for inclusivity measures towards religious minorities?
1) South Korea
2) Japan
3) India
4) United States
5) Maldives
Option “3” is correct As per the Centre for Policy Analysis’ (CPA) inaugural assessment on global minorities in its’ Global Minority Report’, India has topped among 110 nations for its inclusivity measures towards religious minorities. India has the highest level of religious minorities’ acceptance • India is followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama, and the United States (US) at the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions respectively. i. The report, released by former Vice President (VP) of India Venkaiah Naidu in November 2022, is based on conceptual issues relating to human rights, minorities, the concept of religious freedom and cultural dilemma of religious minorities, causes of religious differences and more. • Maldives, Afghanistan, and Somalia are at the bottom of the list. The United Kingdom(UK) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are at positions 54 and 61, respectively.
9. Which organisation has recently (in Feb ‘23) released ‘Bracing for Superbugs: strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance’ report with key finding that curtailing pollution is essential to reduce superbugs?
1) World Bank
2) United Nations Human Settlement Programme
3) United Nations Development Programme
4) United Nations Industrial Development Organization
5) United Nations Environment Programme
Option “5” is correct According to the recent report released by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Bracing for Superbugs: strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance, reduction of pollution created by pharmaceuticals, agricultural and healthcare sectors is essential to reduce the emergence, transmission and spread of superbugs, a strain of bacteria which has become resistant to every known antibiotic. • Superbugs are other instances of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). i. The report was released during the Sixth Meeting of the Global Leaders Group on AMR held in Barbados.
10. According to the Global Threat Landscape Report 2021-2022 released (in Feb’ 23) by CloudSEK, In 2022 Which country is the most likely targeted by the hackers in Asia and globally 2nd, after the United States of America (USA)?
1) China
2) Japan
3) Indonesia
4) India
5) Pakistan
Option “4” is correct According to the Global Threat Landscape Report 2021-2022 by CloudSEK, a contextual AI company that predicts Cyber Threats, India is the most targeted country by hackers in Asia in both 2021 and 2022. Globally, India is the 2nd most targeted country in 2022 while the United States of America (USA) remained the most targeted country. • The number of cyber-attacks targeting India has increased by 24.3% in 2022. • Indonesia, Russia and China are the 3rd, 4th and 5th most targeted countries in 2022. i. Asia & Pacific remained the most targeted region, receiving 20.4% of all attacks in 2021 and 24.1% of all attacks in 2022. The number of attacks targeting Asia & Pacific increased by 26.43% in 2022. ii. Europe which accounted for around 18% of all attacks in both 2021 and 2022 is the 2nd most targeted region in 2022. The number of attacks on Europe has increased by 8.28%.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
11. Who was recently (in Feb ‘23) recommended as the new Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?
1) S.Eswara Reddy
2) Jai Prakash
3) V G Somani
4) A. K. Pradhan
5) Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi
Option “5” is correct The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recommended Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Secretary-Cum-Scientific Director of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission(IPC) as the new Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) head of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). i. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW) is yet to approve the appointment of DCGI. • The top contenders for the DCGI interview were Dr V G Somani(current DCGI), Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, and Dr Jai Prakash. ii. Dr VG Somani was appointed as the DCGI in August 2019 for a period of 3 years till 14th August 2022 and his tenure has been extended twice, for three months in August 2022 and in November 2022.
12. Name the personality who has recently (in Feb ‘23) appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited.
Option “3” is correct Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (Mahindra Finance or MMFSL), a subsidiary of Mahindra Group, has appointed Raul Rebello (45 years), who is currently the Chief Operating Officer(COO) of the company, as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Designate. i. He will assume the position of MD & CEO when the incumbent Ramesh Iyer superannates on 29th April 2024.
BANKING AND FINANCE
13. Which payment bank has recently (in Feb ‘23) partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to introduce ‘RuPay credit card on UPI’?
1) Airtel Payments Bank
2) Paytm Payments Bank
3) Fino Payments Bank
4) India Post Payments Bank
5) Jio Payments Bank
Option “2” is correct Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) introduced the ‘RuPay credit card on UPI’ in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), allowing users to link their RuPay credit cards to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure. i. The partnership will allow RuPay credit card holders to use the UPI service to pay for goods and services both online and offline. ii. NPCI has been in discussions with India’s top lenders, including ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), Union Bank of India, and Axis Bank, to launch the “RuPay credit card on UPI” option.
14. Name the bank that has recently (in Feb ‘23) partnered with Global fintech Ascenda (Singapore) to power its new Points & Miles Transfer Program.
1) Axis Bank
2) ICICI Bank
3) YES Bank
4) HDFC Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
Option “1” is correct Axis Bank Limited (Axis Bank), India’s third largest private sector bank, has partnered with Global fintech Ascenda (Singapore), to power its creative new rewards programme, the Axis Bank Points/Miles Transfer Program. i. Ascenda is a world leader in enabling global rewards cards and payment value propositions for financial brands. ii. Axis Bank will make use of Ascenda’s premium rewards infrastructure and points exchange marketplace to create a novel product that targets the steadily growing premium traveller segment.
15. Which Asset Management Company has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched ‘an open-ended equity scheme’ investing in the Banking and Financial Services sectors?
Option “2” is correct Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd (KMAMC/Kotak Mutual Fund) launched ‘Kotak Banking & Financial Services Fund’ an open-ended equity scheme investing in the Banking and Financial Services sectors. i. The scheme opens for public subscription on February 6th, 2023 and closes on February 20th, 2023. ii. Investors can invest a minimum amount of Rs 5,000 and subsequently in multiples of Re.1 for purchase and Re 0.01 for switches during the NFO period.
16. Name the life Insurance company that has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched ‘Sustainable Equity Fund’ to enable investors to invest in companies that have been evaluated on relevant Environment (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) factors.
1) Aviva Life Insurance
2) Reliance General Insurance
3) Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
4) Exide Life Insurance
5) Aegon Life Insurance
Option “3” is correct Bajaj Finserv’s life insurance arm, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has launched Sustainable Equity Fund namely ‘Bajaj Allianz Life Sustainable Equity Fund ‘ enabling investors to invest in companies that are socially responsible and have been evaluated on relevant Environment (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) factors. i. This new fund offer (NFO) is available for subscription now, and is available on the insurer’s following flagship ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plans): • Bajaj Allianz Life Goal Assure – A Unit-linked Non-Participating Life Insurance Plan. • Bajaj Allianz Life Smart Wealth Goal – A Unit-linked Non-Participating Life Insurance Plan • Bajaj Allianz Life Future Wealth Gain – A Non-Participating, Unit-Linked, Individual, Endowment Life Insurance Plan • Bajaj Allianz Life Longlife Goal – A Unit-Linked Non-Participating Whole Life Insurance Plan • Bajaj Allianz Future Gain – A Unit-Linked Endowment Insurance Plan
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
17. Which company has recently (in Feb ‘23) launched India’s first traffic management system for drones?
Option “2” is correct Skye Air Mobility Private Limited (Skye Air), a Gurugram (Haryana)-based drone solutions provider, launched India’s first traffic management system for drones, named “Skye UTM”. • Skye UTM, was launched in the presence of Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways. • The system, Skye UTM, will allow drone operators to plan routes, make flight plans and assess risks before running drone-based operations in India. i. The control of airspace will rely on unmanned traffic management systems, which will enable multiple beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operations to be run simultaneously by different firms. • Such systems are provided globally by several companies, including United States(US)-based AirMap and Netherlands-based Airbus.
OBITUARY
18. K.V. Tirumalesh, a well-known Kannada writer & Sahitya Akademi Awardee, passed away in February 2023.
In which year did he receive the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for his collection of poems “Akshaya Kavya”?
1) 2015
2) 2018
3) 2016
4) 2019
5) 2017
Option “1” is correct Noted Kannada Writer and Sahitya Akademi Awardee K.V. Tirumalesh passed away in Hyderabad, Telangana, at the age of 82. i. Retired professor K.V. Tirumalesh is an Indian poet, writer and critic in the Kannada and English languages. ii. He is regarded as one of the most significant modernist (Navya) poets of Kannada and made his debut in 1968 with the poetry collection “Mukhavadagalu” (Masks). iii. K.V. Tirumalesh was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, a literary honour in India, in 2015 for his collection of poems “Akshaya Kavya” (2010).
SPORTS
19. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Grand Prix Zagreb Open 2023, the first ranking series of 2023, held at Zagreb, Croatia in February 2023?
A) Indian wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Ashu won the bronze medal in the men’s 57 kg category and men’s 67 kg category respectively.
B) Aliabbas Rzazade of Tajikistan won the gold by defeating Yuto Nishiuchi of China in the 57 kg category.
C) Husiyuetu of China won the gold medal while Iran’s Reza Mahdi Abbasi won the silver medal in the 67 kg category.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Option “4” is correct Indian wrestlers concluded the Grand Prix Zagreb Open 2023, the first ranking series of 2023, held in Zagreb, Croatia from 1st to 5th February 2023, with 2 bronze medals. i. Aman Sehrawat, a freestyle wrestler and under-23 world champion, won the bronze medal in the men’s 57 kg category on the opening day, by defeating Zane Raye Rhodes Richards of the United States of America (USA) 10-4 and claimed India’s 1st medal in this edition of the tournament. • Aliabbas Rzazade of Azerbaijan won the gold, beating Yuto Nishiuchi of Japan 2-0 in the 57 kg category. ii. Ashu, the Greco-Roman wrestler, won the bronze in men’s 67 kg on the penultimate day of the competition and won India’s 2nd medal in the ranking series by blanking Adomas Grigaliunas of Lithuania 5-0 in the bronze medal match. • Husiyuetu of China won the gold medal while Iran’s Reza Mahdi Abbasi won the silver medal in the 67 kg category. Note: 15 Indian wrestlers competed at the Zagreb Open 2023.
STATE NEWS
20. In which city of Uttar Pradesh (UP), the first VFS Global Joint Visa Application Centre (JVAC) and the VFS Global Academy, was inaugurated by Yogi Adityanath, CM of UP in February 2023?
Option “3” is correct The Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Yogi Adityanath has launched a new global gateway for the state with the inauguration of the first VFS Global Joint Visa Application Centre (JVAC) and the VFS Global Academy in Lucknow, UP. i. It is located strategically on the first floor of the Interstate Bus Terminal, Alambagh (Shalimar Gateway Mall), Lucknow. ii. This new facility equipped with modern amenities and services will have the capacity of processing approximately 1.2 lakh applications a year. • Spread across 24,000 sq ft, the JVAC would cater to travellers bound to 10 countries such as Austria, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, Switzerland, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, Germany, Italy and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
CA STATIC GK
21. Which of the following 2023 Padma Shri awardees are correctly matched with their respective fields?
1) Khadar Valli Dudekula -Science and Engineering
2) Gurcharan Singh-Sports
3) Jodhaiyabai Baiga- Art
4) Only 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct Khadar Valli Dudekula -Science and Engineering Gurcharan Singh-Sports Jodhaiyabai Baiga- Art
22. Where is the headquarters of the International Energy Agency (IEA)?
1) Geneva, Switzerland
2) Rome, Italy
3) Paris, France
4) London, United Kingdom
5) Vienna, Austria
Option “3” is correct About International Energy Agency (IEA): Executive Director – Dr. Fatih Birol Headquarters – Paris, France
23. In February 2023, Miroslav Ciro Blazevic, former coach of _____________ national football team, passed away.
1) France
2) Portugal
3) Belgium
4) Argentina
5) Croatia
Option “5” is correct Miroslav Ciro Blazevic, former Croatian national football team coach, passed away after a long battle with cancer, only two days ahead of his 88th birthday. i. Blazevic was born in Travnik in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1935 and his coaching career started in the 1960s in Switzerland.
24. In which state/UT Khangchendzonga National Park is located?
Option “5” is correct Khangchendzonga National Park is located in North Sikkim and it is the UNESCO world heritage site and India’s 1st Mixed Heritage site.
25. Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) code is _______ alpha-numeric code used to identify parties to financial transactions worldwide.
1) 20
2) 18
3) 6
4) 9
5) 10
Option “1” is correct Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) code is a 20-digit alpha-numeric code used to identify parties to financial transactions worldwide. It improves the quality and accuracy of financial data systems for better risk management
26. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance?
Option “5” is correct About Chhattisgarh: Governor – Anusuiya Uikey Chief Minister (CM) – Bhupesh Baghel National Parks – Indravati (Kutru) National Park, Kanger Valley National Park Wildlife Sanctuaries – Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary
29. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Principal Director General of Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI)?
1) A K Pandey
2) Surjit Bhujabal
3) Alok Shukla
4) Om Prakash Dadhich
5) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal
Option “2” is correct About the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI): DGGI was formerly known as the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI). DGGI was founded in 1979 as the Directorate General of Anti-Evasion (DGAE) and was later renamed DGCEI. Principal Director General- Surjit Bhujabal Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
30. Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia?
1) Ismail Abdul Rahman
2) Mahathir Mohamad
3) V. T. Sambanthan
4) Muhyiddin Yassin
5) Anwar Ibrahim
Option “5” is correct About Malaysia: Prime Minister (PM) – Anwar Ibrahim Capital – Kuala Lumpur Currency – Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
