15th & 16th January 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English

1. Which institution recently released the ‘Survey on dietary supplements’?

[A] FCI

[B] FSSAI

[C] NITI Aayog

[D] Union Health Ministry

Answer: [B] FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently released a survey on dietary supplements. The regulator tested 145,000 protein powders samples and found 4,890 to be unsafe and 16,582 to be substandard. The Consumer Protection Act 2019 bans misleading advertisements about a product or service falsely describing a product and deliberately concealing information on sugar content while focusing on immunity boost.

2. Which organization released the ‘Global Risks Report 2023’?

[A] World Bank

[B] World Economic Forum

[C] International Monetary Fund

[D] Asian Development Bank

Answer: [B] World Economic Forum

The Global Risks Report 2023 was recently released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). As per the report, failure to mitigate climate change’ as well as ‘failure of climate change adaptation’ are the two most severe risks facing the world in the next decade. They are followed by ‘natural disasters and extreme weather events’ and ‘Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse’.

3. Who is the ‘Revolutionaries – The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom’ Book?

[A] Amit Shah

[B] Sanjeev Sanyal

[C] Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit

[D] Manoj Soni

Answer: [B] Sanjeev Sanyal

Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a book titled ‘Revolutionaries- The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom’ The Author of the book is Economist Sanjeev Sanyal who is also a member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Some other books authored by him include Land of the Seven Rivers, The Indian Renaissance and the Ocean of Churn.

4. Which is the first European country to have a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan?

[A] Germany

[B] UK

[C] Italy

[D] France

Answer: [B] UK

The UK Prime Minister signed a landmark defence agreement with the Japanese Prime Minister at London. This is regarded as the most significant defence agreement between the two countries in more than a century, which allows UK forces to be deployed to Japan. The UK is the first European country to have a Reciprocal Acces Agreement with Japan.

5. Which state launched the ‘shared school bus system’ and agriculture response vehicle scheme?

[A] Assam

[B] Meghalaya

[C] West Bengal

[D] Bihar

Answer: [B] Meghalaya

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma launched the shared school bus system, part of Sustainable Transport and Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS) programme. He also launched the Prime Agriculture Response Vehicles, to give financial Assistance of farmers for procurement of the ‘Agriculture Response Vehicles’. Another scheme to provide financial assistance to tourism entrepreneurs to purchase premium tourist vehicles was also launched.

6. Which Company has partnered with Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) to upskill auto dealers?

[A] Microsoft

[B] Meta

[C] Samsung

[D] Tesla

Answer: [B] Meta

Meta announced a strategic partnership with the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) to upskill more than 3000 auto dealers across India. Under the ‘Move with Meta’ program, the company aims to enable thousands of auto dealers across the country to reach consumers digitally. FADA currently represents 15,000 auto dealers across the country.

7. Which country declared an end to Ebola virus outbreak after losing 55 lives?

[A] South Africa

[B] Egypt

[C] Uganda

[D] South Sudan

Answer: [C] Uganda

Uganda declared an end to an Ebola virus outbreak that emerged almost four months ago and claimed lives of 55 people. The disease was first detected in September in the district of Mubende. The outbreak was caused by the Sudan Ebola virus, one among six species of the Ebola virus. There is currently no confirmed vaccine for the virus.

8. Which state approved an annual plan of ₹1,086 crore for 2023-24 to reduce man-animal conflict?

[A] Madhya Pradesh

[B] Assam

[C] Odisha

[D] Uttarakhand

Answer: [C] Odisha

Odisha government’s State-level steering committee for CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) has approved an annual plan ₹1,086 crore for 2023-24 fiscal with focus on reducing man-animal conflict. Chief Secretary, who chaired the meeting, also raised the issue relating to wildlife management activities which are being extensively being carried out through CAMPA funds.

9. Australia has recently signed a new security treaty with which country?

[A] India

[B] China

[C] Papua New Guinea

[D] Maldives

Answer: [C] Papua New Guinea

Australia and Papua New Guinea pledges to clinch a new security treaty within four months, also to tackle the threat of climate change. Australia’s President Anthony Albanese became the first foreign leader to address the Papua New Guinea parliament. The agreement comes amid China’s ongoing attempts to increase its influence in the Pacific region.

10. A 1000 – Year-Old Hall has been recently unearthed in which country?

[A] China

[B] Denmark

[C] USA

[D] UAE

Answer: [B] Denmark

A 1000-Year-Old Viking Hall has been recently unearthed in Denmark. The Viking hall was up to 131 feet long and 26-33 feet wide. The building had 10-12 oak posts that supported the roof. This is the largest Viking Age find of this nature in more than 10 years.

11. As of January 2023, Which category of the direct tax mopped up the highest collection?

[A] Income Tax

[B] Corporate Tax

[C] GST

[D] Capital gains tax

Answer: [B] Corporate Tax

As per Finance Ministry’s data, India’s net direct tax collections stood at ₹12.31 lakh crore as on January 10, at almost 87% of the target for 2022-23. Between April 1, 2022 and January 10, 2023, the government’s gross direct tax collections stood at Rs. 14.71 lakh crore. Out of that, Rs. 7.2 lakh crore is corporate tax and Rs. 7 lakh crore is personal income tax.

12. ‘Customs Automated System’ is associated with which institution?

[A] CBIC

[B] CBDT

[C] RBI

[D] SEBI

Answer: [A] CBIC

The centre has notified the Customs (Assistance in Value Declaration of Identified Imported Goods) Rules, 2023. The rules are aimed at addressing the undervaluation of specified imported goods. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will come out with a list of identified goods, which will be subject to stricter scrutiny for their true value.

13. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified identity standards for which product, for the first time?

[A] Milk Products

[B] Basmati Price

[C] Health Supplements

[D] Organic Foods

Answer: [B] Basmati Price

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified identify standards for basmati rice including brown basmati, milled basmati, parboiled brown basmati, and milled parboiled basmati. The standards aimed at establishing fair practices in the trade of basmati rice and protect consumer interest, both domestically and globally. These new standards will be enforced from August 1.

14. Covovax, which was recommended as heterologous booster, was manufactured by which company?

[A] Serum Institute of India

[B] Biocon

[C] Dr Reddys Lab

[D] Bharat Biotech

Answer: [A] Serum Institute of India

An expert panel of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has recommended market authorisation for Covovax as a heterologous booster dose for adults, who were administered two doses of Covishield or Covaxin. Serum Institute of India manufactures Covid vaccine, through technology transfer from Novavax. The subject expert committee (SEC) of the CDSCO recommended for market authorisation.

15. Which is the first country to recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender?

[A] Iran

[B] Venezuela

[C] El Salvador

[D] Maldives

Answer: [C] El Salvador

El Salvador became the first country in the world to recognise Bitcoin as a legal tender two years ago. It has recently approved a law to regulate the issuance of other digital assets by both the state and private entities. The bill aims to attract national and foreign investors while creating new financing opportunities.

16. What is the outlay of the ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission’?

[A] Rs 1000 crore

[B] Rs 2000 crore

[C] Rs 10000 crore

[D] Rs 20000 crore

Answer: [D] Rs 20000 crore

The Cabinet has cleared India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make the country a global green hydrogen hub. The outlay of the mission is Rs.20000 crore and the goal is to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of at least five million metric tonnes (mmt) and an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 1265 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.

17. What is the theme of the ‘Voice of Global South virtual summit’?

[A] Sustainable Global South

[B] Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose

[C] Developing Synergies in the South

[D] Trade, Technology, Tourism

Answer: [B] Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose

India hosted a special virtual Voice of Global South Summit under the theme ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose’. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry hosted the Commerce and Trade Ministers’ session. Ministers from 13 countries including Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Haiti, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Sudan, Timor Leste, and Zimbabwe, participated in the session.

18. As per CPCB data, which state was the most polluted place in India in 2022?

[A] Mumbai

[B] New Delhi

[C] Varanasi

[D] Bengaluru

Answer: [B] New Delhi

According to an analysis of Central Pollution Control Board data, the national capital region was the most polluted place in India in 2022. Delhi recorded more than double of the Accepted pollution particles limit. Among the cities with worst PM2.5 levels, Delhi (99.71 micrograms per cubic metre) ranked first, Haryana’s Faridabed (95.64 micrograms per cubic metre) ranked second followed by Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad (91.25 micrograms per cubic metre).

19. ‘School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication’ has been inaugurated in which city?

[A] Kolkata.

[B] Agartala

[C] Guwahati

[D] Kochi

Answer: [B] Agartala

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Dr Manik Saha, Chief Minister, Tripura inaugurated the School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication at Agartala. It has been set up under State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (SIPARD), an autonomous body funded by the Government of Tripura and by Ministry of Rural Development. The school will enable research, training and workshops in the transportation and logistics sector.

20. Which institution developed the Unified payments interface (UPI) payment system?

[A] Reserve Bank of India

[B] National Payments Corporation of India

[C] Securities Exchange Board of India

[D] NITI Aayog

Answer: [B] National Payments Corporation of India

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a real-time payment system developed by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). NPCI recently announced that Non-resident Indians (NRIs) will be able to make the united payments interface (UPI) payments without having an Indian mobile number. NRIs from Singapore, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, USA, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, can make transactions using the UPI platform with their international numbers.