17th February 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. India recently adopted the ‘Digital Work Plan 2023’ along with which bloc?
[A] ASEAN
[B] G-20
[C] G-7
[D] SAARC
Answer : [A] ASEAN
The 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting with India was held on a virtual platform. India and Philippines co-chaired the meeting and adopted India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023. In 2022, ASEAN India Friendship Year was celebrated, commemorating 30th anniversary of establishment of dialogue relations with ASEAN. It was held under the theme ‘Synergy Towards a Sustainable Digital Future’.
2. Which state/UT announced an inflation relief package of Rs 19,000 crore in the state’s Budget for 2023-24?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Punjab
Answer : [C] Rajasthan
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced an inflation relief package of Rs 19,000 crore in the state’s Budget for 2023-24. The package aims to provide relief to the masses from rising prices. The package includes free food packets every month to poor families, LPG cylinders for Rs 500 under the Ujjwala Scheme and free electricity up to 100 units per month to domestic consumers. The coverage amount was raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana.
3. Which city hosts the ‘World Government Summit 2023’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] New York
[C] Dubai
[D] Paris
Answer : [C] Dubai
World Government Summit 2023 is being held in Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, honoured the winners of the Global Government Excellence Award. The Award recognizes exceptional government initiatives, practices and officials from around the world. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk will take centre stage on the final day of the World Government Summit in Dubai.
4. Bharatpur bird Sanctuary, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Answer : [A] Rajasthan
The Rajasthan state Forest Department has proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary. The Wetland Ex-Situ Conservation Establishment (WESCE) aims to display a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocs, dolphins and exotic species. AFD, an arm of the French government, has agreed to fund up to Rs 1,200 crore over eight years. Experts raise questions about the zoo coming up in a significant habitat for migratory birds.
5. Brigadier B D Mishra (retired) has been appointed as the Governor/L-G of which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] West Bengal
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Ladakh
Answer : [D] Ladakh
President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed governors in 12 states and a Union Territory while accepting the resignation of two Governors namely Maharashtra’s Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Ladakh’s Radha Krishnan Mathur. Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais is now Governor of Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh governor Brigadier B D Mishra (retired) has been appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
6. What is the theme of the 14th edition of Aero India Event held in 2023?
[A] The runway to a billion opportunities
[B] Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence
[C] Make in India, Make for the World’
[D] New Delhi
Answer : [A] The runway to a billion opportunities
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Asia’s largest aero show ‘Aero India 2023’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It was organized for five days on the theme ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’, by displaying India’s growth in aerospace and defence capabilities. The Defence Minister also hosted Defence Minister’s Conclave, where Defence Ministers of friendly foreign countries participated.
7. Aksai Chin remains a disputed area between China and which country?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] India
[C] Nepal
[D] Japan
Answer : [B] India
China announced that I will begin work on its ambitious new railway line connecting Xinjiang and Tibet. The railway line is also running close to the LAC and through the disputed region of Aksai Chin, according to the new railway plan. Aksai Chin remains a disputed area between India and China for a long time. The proposed railway line is considered as a threat to India’s Sovereignty, despite claims from Beijing that the new construction is civilian in nature.
8. Which institution recently released guidelines on climate risk and sustainable finance?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] RBI
[C] SEBI
[D] World Bank
Answer : [B] RBI
Based on analysis of feedback received from the discussion paper on Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued guidelines to regulated entities. The guidelines consist of a broad framework for acceptance of green deposits, disclosure frameworks on climate-related financial risks and guidance on climate scenario analysis and stress testing.
9. What is the rate of inflation based on WPI for the month of January 2023?
[A] 4.73%
[B] 5.73%
[C] 6.73%
[D] 7.73%
Answer : [A] 4.73%
The annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is 4.73% (Provisional) for the month of January, 2023 against 4.95% recorded in December 2022. Decline in the rate of inflation is primarily contributed by mineral oils, chemicals and chemical products, textiles, crude petroleum and natural gas, textiles, and food products. DPIIT releases index numbers of wholesale price in India on monthly basis.
10. Kala Ghoda Art Festival, which was seen in the news, is held at which city?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Kolkata
[D] Bhopal
Answer : [B] Mumbai
The Kala Ghoda Association’s Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 was recently organized in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The festival began in 1999 and has evolved into a first-of-its-kind multi-disciplinary street art festival. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival was held after two years at its iconic venue in Mumbai. It includes a number of verticals such as children, food, dance, literature, heritage walks among others.
11. Which country awards the prestigious ‘Wolf Prize’?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] Israel
[D] Germany
Answer : [C] Israel
The winners of the 2023 Wolf Prize were announced recently. The eight recipients come from five different countries and three of the laureates are from the United States. Israel’s Wolf Prize has been awarded since 1978 and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious awards for scientific and artistic achievements. The scientific categories include Medicine, Agriculture, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. The art categories are in Painting and Sculpting, Music, and Architecture.
12. What is the theme of the ‘Financial Literacy Week 2023’?
[A] Credit Discipline
[B] Digital Financial Literacy
[C] Good Financial Behaviour, Your Saviour
[D] MSMEs the backbones
Answer : [C] Good Financial Behaviour, Your Saviour
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts Financial Literacy Week (FLW) every year since 2016 to propagate financial education messages. The theme for this year’s Financial Literacy Week to be observed during February 13 – 17, 2023 is ‘Good Financial Behaviour, Your Saviour’, with emphasis on ‘Saving, planning, and budgeting’ and ‘Prudent use of digital financial servies’.
13. Which country observed the anniversary of ‘Stolen Generation’ apology?
[A] Germany
[B] Australia
[C] UK
[D] Israel
Answer : [B] Australia
Australia recently observed the 15 year Anniversary of ‘Stolen Generation’ apology, for forcibly removing Indigenous children from families under old assimilation policies. Australia committed about USD 300 million to improve life outcomes including safe and reliable water for remote Indigenous communities, building of new homes, making essential food affordable and accessible, and supporting families impacted by family violence.
14. Which tech major is set to shift to the ‘microLED display technology’?
[A] Samsung
[B] Apple
[C] Google
[D] Microsoft
Answer : [B] Apple
MicroLED are self-illuminating diodes that have brighter and better colour reproduction than Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display technology. Apple is currently working on this display technology and plans to implement on future watch models starting in 2024 and expand to phones and desktops. This is considered as the next big transition in display technology.
15. ‘Khanan Prahari’ application, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Mines
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] Ministry of Steel
Answer : [B] Ministry of Mines
The government has launched a mobile app namely ‘Khanan Prahari’ and a web app Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System (CMSMS) for reporting unauthorized coal mining activities. The objective of the CMSMS application was to detect participation against illegal mining by receipt of citizen’s complaints through mobile app.
16. Which gulf country recently announced that it will send its first ever woman astronaut on a space mission?
[A] Qatar
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Bahrain
[D] Oman
Answer : [B] Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will send its first ever woman astronaut on a space mission later this year. The woman astronaut Rayyana Barnawi will join Ali Al-Qarni on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). They will fly to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of a mission by the private space company Axiom Space. Along with them will be Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut. UAE was the first Arab country to send one of its citizens into space in 2019.
17. Bima Sugam portal is o be set up by which institution?
[A] LIC
[B] IRDAI
[C] PFRDA
[D] NITI Aayog
Answer : [B] IRDAI
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has informed that the Bima Sugam portal will be an insurance market infrastructure. Insurers, distribution networks and the policy holders can virtually meet across the digital platform. The portal is expected to improve accessibility and ease of insurance purchase to policyholders.
18. World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first-ever outbreak of Marburg disease in which country?
[A] Nigeria
[B] Kenya
[C] Equatorial Guinea
[D] Congo
Answer : [C] Equatorial Guinea
World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first-ever outbreak of Marburg disease in Equatorial Guinea As per WHO, the virus which causes hemorrhagic fever, is similar to the ‘Ebola’ virus and is highly infectious, with a fatality ratio of up to 88%.
19. Which country declared a State of Emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle?
[A] New Zealand
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] Italy
Answer : [A] New Zealand
New Zealand’s Prime Minister declared a State of Emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle. The Cyclone, which battered the North Island, is considered as a weather event not seen in a generation. The state of emergency was declared only the third in New Zealand’s history. At least three people have died and about a third of the country’s population of five million live in affected areas.
20. As per recent data, which big state allocated the highest proportion of their budget towards education?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Bihar
[D] Rajasthan
Answer : [B] Chhattisgarh
Among the big States in the country, Chhattisgarh allocated the most proportion of their budget towards education in FY23. Chhattisgarh allocated 18.82 per cent of the State’s estimated net budget expenditure to education, while Bihar allocated 18.3 per cent. States that spent a higher portion of their budget expenditure on education are Delhi, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh, which allocated 22 per cent, 20 per cent and 19 per cent , respectively.