14th February Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. In which city, India’s First Electric AC Double-Decker Bus was recently (in Feb ‘23) inaugurated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST)?
Option “5” is correct. The first double-decker electric AC bus in India was unveiled in Mumbai, Maharashtra, by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST). • The regional transportation agency ‘BEST’ in Mumbai has not yet completed the registration process for the electric bus and will begin offering the service to passengers after conducting a few tests. i. The bus will run between the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and the Kurla bus depot after all clearances have been granted. ii. A minimum fare of Rs 6 will be levied for a distance of 5 km, and the ticket prices will remain the same. The electric double-decker bus can accommodate 73 passengers.
2. Name the union minister who has recently (in Feb ‘23) inaugurated a 5-day long ‘AMRITPE 2023’, the National Philatelic Exhibition at New Delhi, Delhi.
1) Nirmala Sitharaman (Union Minister of Finance)
2) Dharmendra Pradhan (Union Minister of Education)
3) Ashwini Vaishnaw (Union Minister of Communications)
4) G. Kishan Reddy (Union Minister of Culture)
5) Amit Shah (Union Minister of Home Affairs)
Option “3” is correct. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Communications inaugurated a 5-day long AMRITPEX 2023, the National Philatelic Exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi (Delhi) as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations. • It will culminate on February 15, 2023. i. AMRITPEX, the national platform, will highlight 5000 years of India’s history, culture, art, and heritage through stamps and pictorial collections. • The exhibition displays more than 20,000 exhibits under 13 competitive categories and invitees. • It was attended by a large number of school students and philatelists from all parts of the country. ii. The Department of Posts opened more than 10 lakh Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts on February 9- 10, 2023, as a tribute to Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
3. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the “Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Ranking 2023,” released in February 2023?
1) The Indian School of Business (ISB) ranked first among Indian B-Schools as of February 13, 2023, and is the only Indian B-School to rank 23rd in the top 50 globally and 4th in Asia.
2) Columbia Business School from the United States (US) has secured 1st rank in the Top 5 Global Bschools on the list.
3) In addition to ISB, the Financial Times’ top 100 list includes 5 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs): IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore & IIM Lucknow.
4) Both 1 & 3
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. According to the “Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Ranking 2023,” the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) from the Indian School of Business (ISB) has retained its prominence among Indian B-Schools and is the only Indian B-school (Business School) to rank in the top 50 globally. (As of February 13, 2023). • ISB dropped to 39th rank in the world from 32nd in 2022 and 23rd in 2021. It is currently ranked sixth in Asia. ISB has campuses in Hyderabad (Telangana) and Mohali (Punjab). • In terms of research ranking, ISB is ranked first in India and 61st globally, supporting its goal of being a research-led management institution. i. The Columbia Business School from the United States (US) has secured 1st rank in the Top 5 Global B-schools on the list ii. In addition to ISB, the Financial Times’ top 100 list includes five Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). IIM Ahmedabad (Gujarat) rose to 51st in the 2023 ranking from 62nd in 2022. • IIM Bangalore (Karnataka) is ranked 52nd, IIM Calcutta (West Bengal) is ranked 76th, IIM Indore is ranked 89th, and IIM Lucknow is ranked 90th.
4. Which organisation has recently (in Feb ‘23) signed an MoU with ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ to eliminate plastic pollution in the world’s oceans & rivers?
1) United Nations Development Programme
2) International Maritime Organization
3) United Nations Environment Programme
4) World Meteorological Organization
5) World Bank
Option “1” is correct. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to eliminate plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and rivers. i. The partnership aims to decrease plastic leakages into marine ecosystems by promoting policies and behavioural changes intended to advance effective plastic waste management systems and decrease overall plastic pollution. ii. It will hasten the implementation of interception technology in rivers in order to reduce marine plastic pollution. iii. ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ is a non-profit foundation established in 2013 in Delft, the Netherlands by Dutch inventor Boyan Slat
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
5. Which company has recently (in Feb ‘23) unveiled a new brand identity with the new company logo and decarbonisation solutions?
1) Suzlon Energy Ltd
2) ReNew Power Ltd
3) Vikram Solar Ltd
4) JSW Energy Ltd
5) Azure Power Global Ltd
Option “2” is correct. ReNew Power made the strategic decision to rebrand itself as ReNew and introduced the new company logo, with the new brand identity reflecting the transition from a pure-play renewable independent power producer to an end-to-end provider of decarbonization solutions. i. ReNew is set to advance the Net-Zero transition goals of enterprises by pioneering the development of upcoming decarbonization solutions like green hydrogen, energy storage, carbon markets, and solar manufacturing. • ReNew has been using digital technology to hasten the transition to green energy and meet the specific needs of the B2B (business-to-business) market in India. • De-carbonization will be crucial in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening global climate action.
BANKING AND FINANCE
6. Name the bank that has recently (in Feb ‘23) partnered with Crunchfish Digital Cash to launch the “OfflinePay” Pilot Program for Offline Digital Payments.
1) ICICI Bank
2) HDFC Bank
3) YES Bank
4) Axis Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
Option “2” is correct. HDFC Bank, the largest private sector bank in India, and Crunchfish Digital Cash established a pilot programme called “OfflinePay“ to test offline digital payments for customers and merchants, as part of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Regulatory Sandbox Program. • HDFC Bank is the industry’s first bank to provide an entirely offline digital payment service. i. As of now, HDFC Bank will roll out this service in 16+ cities and towns across India as part of a 4- month limited pilot. • The offline transaction value during the trial would be capped at Rs. 200 per transaction. • The customers could add up to Rs 2,000 in the OfflinePay wallet through UPI e-payment • Customers and merchants can make a maximum of 5 transactions while offline.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
7. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the appointment of governors in State and UT by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu in February 2023?
1) The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, appointed governors in 12 states and 1 Union Territory (UT), which include the following 6 new appointments and 7 reshuffles.
2) Lt Gen (retired) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik has been appointed as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh.
3) Lakshman Prasad Acharya has been appointed as the new governor of Andhra Pradesh.
4) C. P. Radhakrishnan has been named as the new governor of Jharkhand.
5) The President has accepted the resignation of Radha Krishnan Mathur as Lt. Governor of Ladakh and he was replaced by Brigadier B D Mishra (Retd).
Option “3” is correct. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, appointed governors in 12 states and 1 Union Territory (UT). These include the following 6 new appointments and 7 reshuffles: • Lt Gen (retired) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, a former commander of the Army’s Northern Command who served in the Army for more than four decades, has been appointed as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. • Lakshman Prasad Acharya, an Indian politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is appointed as the new governor of Sikkim. • C. P. Radhakrishnan, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, has been named the new governor of Jharkhand. • The President accepted the resignation of Radha Krishnan Mathur as Lt. Governor of Ladakh and he was replaced by Brigadier B D Mishra (Retd).
8. Which of the following points is ‘Correct’ with respect to the appointment of Chief Justices(CJs) for 4 High Courts(HC) by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu in February
2023?
A) Justice Sonia Giridhar Gokani has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Gujarat HC.
B) Justice Sandeep Mehta has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Gauhati HC
C) Justice Jaswant Singh has been appointed as the Chief Justice of HC of Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) and Ladakh.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & B
5) Only A
Option “4” is correct. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Law and Justice, announced that the President has appointed Chief Justices(CJs) for 4 High Courts(HC) in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India.
9. Name the personality who has recently (in Feb ‘23) elected as the 8th President of Cyprus.
Option “2” is correct. On February 12, 2023, Nikos Christodoulides (49) was elected as the 8th President of Cyprus by defeating veteran diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis. He will succeed Nicos Anastasiades. i. He gained 51.9% of the vote while Andreas Mavroyiannis, had 48.1%. ii. In 2021, he was awarded the Order of Serbian Flag. iii. Andreas Mavroyiannis has previously served as Cyprus’ ambassador to the United Nations.
10. Who has been recently (in Feb ‘23) elected as President of the Central Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) ?
1) Aniket Sunil Talati
2) Prafulla Premsukh Chhajed
3) Debashis Mitra
4) Naveen N. D. Gupta
5) Manoj Fadnis
Option “1” is correct. The Central Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has elected CA. Aniket Sunil Talati and CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal as President and Vice President of ICAI for the term 2023-24. i. Aniket Sunil Talati is currently the Director of ICAI Accounting Research Foundation (ICAI ARF), Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of India (IIIPI) and Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) India. ii. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal was elected to the 23rd, 24th & 25th Central Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India 3 times in a row. He conceptualised and implemented UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number) , a landmark reform of ICAI when he was the chairman of ICAI.
11. Which of the following Indian women cricketers was/were recently (in Feb ’23) appointed as the Brand Ambassadors of Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL)?
1) Renuka Singh Thakur
2) Yastika Bhatia
3) Rajeshwari Gayakwad
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “4” is correct. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Company, has signed 2 more women cricketers Yastika Bhatia and Renuka Singh Thakur to its roster of brand ambassadors which includes, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues. i. HMIL announced the next edition of its #TheDriveWithin campaign featuring five Indian women cricketers
IMPORTANT DAYS
12. When was International Darwin Day 2023 observed across the globe to commemorate the birth anniversary of the 19th-century British naturalist, Charles Robert Darwin?
1) 12th February 2023
2) 13th February 2023
3) 10th February 2023
4) 8th February 2023
5) 9th February 2023
Option “1” is correct. International Darwin Day 2023 was observed across the globe on 12th February 2023 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the 19th-century British naturalist, Charles Robert Darwin, who is well known for his work “The Theory of Natural Selection” i. International Darwin Day was initiated by three Darwin enthusiasts: Dr Robert Stephens, Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, and Amanda Chesworth.
13. When was the National Productivity Day/National Productivity Council Foundation Day 2023 observed across India?
1) 9th February 2023
2) 10th February 2023
3) 11th February 2023
4) 12th February 2023
5) 13th February 2023
Option “4” is correct. National Productivity Day or National Productivity Council Foundation Day 2023 was observed across India on 12th February 2023 to mark the foundation day of the National Productivity Council of India (NPC) and raise awareness of productivity, efficiency, and innovation. i. National Productivity Day is celebrated as part of National Productivity Week, which is observed annually from 12 to 18 February. ii. The theme for National Productivity Week 2023 is “Productivity, Green Growth, and Sustainability: Celebrating India’s G20 Presidency”.
14. What is the theme of World Radio Day 2023 that was observed across the globe by the United Nation (UN) on 13th February 2023?
1) Radio and Trust
2) Radio and Peace
3) New World, New Radio
4) Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace
5) Radio and Sports
Option “2” is correct. The United Nations(UN)’s World Radio Day is annually observed across the globe on 13th February to highlight the importance of radio as an essential part of the maintenance and transition to peace. The year 2023 marks the observance of the 12th edition of World Radio Day. i. World Radio Day also marks the anniversary of the establishment of the UN Radio service “UN Radio” which was established on 13th February 1946. ii. The theme of World Radio Day 2023 is “Radio and Peace”.
15. The National Women’s Day was observed across the globe on 13th February 2023 to commemorate the 144th birth anniversary of ______________.
Option “1” is correct. National Women’s Day is annually observed across India on February 13 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, who was referred to as the “Nightingale of India”. i. National Women’s Day is celebrated to honour the social, cultural, political, and economic accomplishments of Indian women. • 13th February 2023 marks the 144th birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu. Note: The United Nations (UN)’s International Women’s Day is annually observed across the globe on March 8.
16. What is the theme of International Epilepsy Day 2023 that was observed across the globe on 13th February 2023?
1) Friendship and Inclusion
2) There is no NEAM without ME
3) Stigma
4) Life is Beautiful
5) 50 Million Steps For Epilepsy
Option “3” is correct. International Epilepsy Day is annually observed across the globe on the 2nd Monday of February to raise awareness of Epilepsy and its impact on individuals, families and communities around the world. • International Epilepsy Day 2023 is observed on 13th February 2023 with the theme “Stigma”. • The Campaign of International Epilepsy Day 2023 is #StampOutStigma of epilepsy. i. The 1st ever International Epilepsy Day was observed in 2015. ii. The WHO adopted the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders 2022–2031 (IGAP) at the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland.
SPORTS
17. Which team has recently (in Feb ‘23) won the inaugural edition of Betway SA20 League (SA20 2023), a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa?
1) Paarl Royals
2) Joburg Super Kings
3) Sunrisers Eastern Cape
4) Pretoria Capitals
5) Durban’s Super Giants
Option “3” is correct. Sunrisers Eastern Cape captained by South African cricketer Aiden Markram won the inaugural edition of Betway SA20 League (SA20 2023), a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa, organised by Cricket South Africa. i. It defeated Pretoria Capitals captained by South African cricketer Wayne Parnell in the finals held in Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. ii. Sunrisers captain Aiden Markram has been named “Player of the Series” in SA20 2023. He also became the 3rd-highest run-scorer and joint 7th-highest wicket-taker in the competition.
18. Real Madrid, a Spanish professional football club, recently (in Feb ‘23) defeated _________ to win their fifth FIFA Club World Cup at Morocco 2022.
1) Al Hilal
2) Flamengo
3) Seattle Sounders
4) Al Ahly
5) Wydad
Option “1” is correct. On 11th February 2023, Real Madrid, Spanish professional football club, won the FIFA (Fédération Internationale De Football Association) Club World Cup 2022 defeating Al Hilal, Saudi Arabian Football Club by 5-3 in the finals held in Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat, Morocco. i. With this win, Real Madrid won the FIFA Club World Cup for a record 5th time, having previously won the tournament in 2018, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
19. Who has recently (in Feb ‘23) won the first ever Formula E race in India- 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix?
1) Pierre Gasly
2) Esteban Ocon
3) Franck Montagny
4) Jean Alesi
5) Jean-Eric Vergne
Option “5” is correct. On 11th February 2023, Two-time Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne of DS Penske, a French Racing Driver, won the first ever Formula E race in India – 2023 Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix, Round 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (Formula E 2023). A total of 11 teams competed in the 2023 Hyderabad E-Prix held in the Hyderabad street circuit, Hyderabad, Telangana. i. Nick Cassidy of Envision and Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche finished second and third, respectively. ii. Hyderabad street circuit becomes the 30th venue and 1st in India to host an E-Prix.
20. Name the personality who has recently (in Feb ‘23) won the Men’s Singles title at the 2023 Dallas Open at the finals held in the city of Dallas, United States of America (USA).
Option “2” is correct. Wu Yibing from China, world no 97th, won the Men’s Singles title at the 2023 Dallas Open (2nd edition of the Dallas Open), defeating American tennis player John Isner at the finals held in Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex in the city of Dallas, United States of America (USA). Dallas Open 2023 was held from 4th to 12th February 2023. i. Wu Yibing became the first Chinese Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour titlist in Men’s singles. ii. With this win, Wu Yibing rose to world number 58 in the rankings and became the highest-ranked Chinese player in ATP history. iii. Jamie Murray and Michael Venus of New Zealand won their 1st Men’s doubles title together against Americans Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow.
Option “4” is correct. About Cyprus: Capital– Nicosia Currency– Euro
22. Identify the book which was written by Sarojini Naidu.
1) Why I Am an Atheist
2) The Golden Threshold
3) Unhappy India
4) Glimpses of World History
5) India Divided
Option “2” is correct. “The Golden Threshold”, the 1st book of poems by Sarojini Naidu was published in London, United Kingdom (UK), in 1905. i. Some of the well-known works of Sarojini Naidu were “The Bird of Time” (1912), “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad” (1912), “The Broken Wing” (1917), “The Feather of the Dawn” (1961), and “The Indian Weavers” (1971). ii. Sarojini Naidu was appointed as Uttar Pradesh’s 1st governor in 1947, the year India attained freedom. She held onto her position until her demise in 1949. iii. She was awarded the “Kaisar-i-Hind Medal”, a medal awarded by the Emperor/Empress of India between 1900 and 1947, by the British Government for her work during the plague epidemic in India.
23. The Digital capture of the attendance of workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has been made universal by the
Central Government from _______________.
1) 1st February 2023
2) 1st December 2022
3) 1st January 2023
4) 1st November 2022
5) 1st October 2022
Option “3” is correct. Digitally capturing the attendance of workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has been made universal by the Central Government from January 1, 2023. i. The Union government, arguing for transparency and accountability in May 2021, had started a pilot project to capture attendance via a mobile application, the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS).
24. Name the personality who is among the 30 members selected by US Vice President Kamala Harris to serve on the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group (UAG) in January 2023.
Option “5” is correct. Indian-American Rajeev Badyal is among 30 members selected by US Vice President Kamala Harris to serve on the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group (UAG). i. The UAG provides the council advice on matters related to space policy and strategy. Badyal presently leads Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which aims to increase global broadband access through a constellation of low Earth Orbit satellites.
25. In January 2023, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recommended Yo-Yo Test, Dexa scan as part of India selection criteria.
Who is the current (as of Feb ‘23) president of the BCCI?
1) Sourav Ganguly
2) Shashank Manohar
3) C. K. Khanna
4) Roger Binny
5) Jay Shah
Option “4” is correct. Roger Binny is the present president of the BCCI and Jay Shah, the Honourable Secretary of the BCCI. i. One of the recommendations that were BCCI put through was the introduction of the Yo-Yo Test and Dexa scan as selection criteria. ii. For the unversed, Dexa is a type of bone density scan. A type of X-ray called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry is passed through the body during the scan. iii. YoYo test is a running aerobic fitness test. In this the players have to run between markers placed 20 metres at increasing speeds. It measures the endurance of a player and the ability to pace himself.
26. Who has recently (in Feb ‘23) took charge as the additional Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF)?
Option “2” is correct. The Government of India has given the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Sujoy Lal Thaosen to hold the additional charge as Director General Border Security Force (BSF). The incumbent BSF Director General Pankaj Kumar Singh will retire on 31 December 2022. i. According to the government notification, Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Rajasthan cadre, will complete his 1.4 year long tenure as the BSF chief after he took charge on August 31, 2021.
27. The ________ anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle was celebrated in Perne village, Pune, Maharashtra on 1st January 2023.
1) 120th
2) 100th
3) 205th
4) 150th
5) 200th
Option “3” is correct. The 205th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle was celebrated near the Ranstambh (victory pillar) in Perne village, Pune district, Maharashtra on 1st January 2023. i. The Bhima-Koregaon battle took place on January 1, 1818, between the British East India Company and the army of Peshwa Bajirao II.
28. Which country’s scientists has recently (in Jan ‘23) developed a new water purification system that can effectively remove microplastics from water in just 10 seconds?
1) South Korea
2) China
3) Japan
4) United Kingdom
5) Australia
Option “1” is correct. Scientists from South Korea have developed a new water purification system that can effectively remove microplastics from water in just 10 seconds. i. The system uses a polymer that is relatively inexpensive and has excellent adsorption performance and good photothermal properties. ii. The breakthrough technology requires lower levels of energy, making it suitable for solar-based use, particularly in developing countries where power supply is unreliable.
29. In January 2023, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that no rhinos were poached in the state in 2022.
Every Year, World Rhino Day is celebrated on _______________.
1) 22nd January
2) 22nd March
3) 22nd December
4) 22nd November
5) 22nd September
Option “5” is correct. World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 every year. i. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on January 1 that no rhinos were poached in the state in 2022. • The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is found only in the Brahmaputra valley, parts of North Bengal, and parts of southern Nepal. The Indian rhino is listed as vulnerable (better than endangered, worse than near threatened) in the IUCN Red List; it was earlier placed in the endangered category. • According to the WWF, there are around 3,700 Indian rhinos in the wild today. Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) alone has 2,613 animals, according to a census carried out in March 2022. There are more than 250 other rhinos in the Orang, Pobitora, and Manas parks.
30. In January 2023, the The Wall of Peace, a great work of modern mural art on the 700 footlong compound wall of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School was inaugurated
at Cherpulassery, ____________.
1) Karnataka
2) Tamil Nadu
3) Andhra Pradesh
4) Kerala
5) Telangana
Option “4” is correct. The Wall of Peace, a great work of modern mural art on the 700 footlong compound wall of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School at Cherpulassery Kerala, was inaugurated. i. The mural, in dimmed golden shade done with cement and sand on the 10ft high wall, has already won many accolades, including the Eurasia World Record for the largest public art project. ii. The word ‘peace’ has been embossed on the Wall of Peace in 250 world languages.
