1st March 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. Which city is the host of ‘International Bio-resource Conclave & Ethno-pharmacology Congress 2023’?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Imphal
[C] Kolkata
[D] Bengaluru
Answer : [B] Imphal
The ‘International Bio-resource Conclave & Ethno-pharmacology Congress 2023’ commences in Imphal. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the International Biotech Conclave. For the first time since Independence, North East Region is organizing an International Conference on Biotechnology. Over 700 International and National delegates representing over 35 countries participated in the conference.
2. Which city is the host of the W20 Inception Meeting under India’s G-20 Presidency?
[A] Chennai
[B] Kochi
[C] Aurangabad
[D] Bhubaneswar
Answer : [C] Aurangabad
W20 (Women 20) is an official engagement group under the G20 which was established during the Turkish presidency in 2015. Aurangabad hosted the W20 Inception Meeting and this will be followed by two other W20 International meets at Jaipur, Rajasthan in April and at the W20 Summit in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu in June.
3. Which city has been renamed as ‘Chatrapati Sambhajinagar’?
[A] Pune
[B] Aurangabad
[C] Nashik
[D] Ahmed Nagar
Answer : [B] Aurangabad
After receiving the no-objection letter from the Union Home Ministry, the Government of Maharashtra issued the notification to change the name of Aurangabad city to Chatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmnabad city to Dharashiv. Aurangabad is a city in Maharashtra state, which is known for 17th-century marble Bibi ka Maqbara shrine, styled on the Taj Mahal. Aurangabad Caves comprise ancient, rock-cut Buddhist shrines.
4. Which institution launched India’s first municipal bond index?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] BSE
[D] NSE
Answer : [D] NSE
National Stock Exchange (NSE) launched India’s first municipal bond index, the India Municipal Bond Index (IBMX). The Nifty India Municipal Bond Index was launched at a SEBI workshop on Municipal Debt Securities at Bengaluru. It tracks the performance of municipal bonds issued by Indian municipal corporations across maturities and having investment grade credit rating.
5. Which is the first platform to launch ‘UPI LITE payments’?
[A] Google Pay
[B] Mi Pay
[C] Paytm Payments Bank
[D] Airtel Payments Bank
Answer : [C] Paytm Payments Bank
Paytm Payments Bank has become the first platform to launch UPI LITE payments, to enable quick and seamless transactions of up to Rs 200 without having to enter a PIN to make a payments. UPI LITE is enabled by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and it aids users to carry out multiple small-value UPI transactions without using a PIN.
6. The second Semicon India Future Design Roadshow was recently launched in which city?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Chennai
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Gandhi Nagar
Answer : [C] Bengaluru
The second Semicon India Future Design Roadshow was launched recently in Bengaluru. This road-show is being organized with the aim of attracting investments in India’s semi-conductor design ecosystem. The inaugural edition of this event was held in 2022 in Gujarat’s Karnavati University. During inauguration, the launch of India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC), a private industry-led research centre was also announced.
7. MRSAM weapon system has been developed by which organization?
[A] HAL
[B] BEL
[C] DRDO
[D] ISRO
Answer : [C] DRDO
The first Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) Regiment is being raised to enhance the Indian Army’s air defence and capacity development along the Northern Borders. This regiment is equipped with the MRSAM weapon system, which has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
8. ‘Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra Tour’ is a part of which initiative?
[A] Dekho Apna Desh
[B] PRASAD
[C] PARAKH
[D] VIKAS
Answer : [A] Dekho Apna Desh
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a tour package named ‘Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra’. This tour package covers some significant sites associated with the life of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar including Dr. Ambedkar Nagar, Nagpur, Sanchi, Varanasi, Gaya, Rajgir, and Nalanda. The tour is part of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative to promote domestic tourism.
9. Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) has been recently formed in which state/UT?
[A] Assam
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Karnataka
Answer : [A] Assam
Assam-based non-profit organization Aaranyak has formed a network of local communities called the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN). The network has been formed to tackle the issue of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Assam. Seven ECNs have been formed, involving village youths who have been educated about elephant ecology and behavior, and effective mitigation measures.
10. Which state/UT hosted the ‘Snow Festival (Winter Carnival)’?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Sikkim
[D] Uttarakhand
Answer : [B] Jammu and Kashmir
The Snow Festival (Winter Carnival) was organized in the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The aim of this carnival is to promote village tourism and local culture in the Munddaji Rafiabad Baramulla. The Festival was organized by the District Administration Baramulla. It featured music, dance, culture events, and snow cricket, volleyball, and skiing.
11. Shivamogga Airport was recently inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Karnataka
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer : [B] Karnataka
The Shivamogga Airport was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in Karnataka. During his visit, Prime Minister also laid foundation stone for two railway projects-Shikaripura-Ranebennur new Railway line and Koteganguru Railway coaching depot. The Shivamogga Airport was built at a cost of Rs. 450 crore. It will help boost the accessibility and connectivity of Shivamogga and other neighbouring areas in the Malnad region.
12. Gyalsung Infra Project, to which India provided a grant of Rs 2 billion, is associated with which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Answer : [C] Bhutan
India has provided a grant of Rs 2 Billion to Bhutan for the Gyalsung Infra Project. The project aims to empower the youth of Bhutan and built a strong foundation for the country’s future. The first tranche of the grant of Rs 1 Billion was presented recently by the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan. The grant is in addition to India’s commitment to provide planning assistance of Rs. 50 Billion to Bhutan.
13. ‘Defender of the Fatherland Day’ is predominantly celebrated in which region?
[A] North America
[B] Africa
[C] Central Asia
[D] Oceania
Answer : [C] Central Asia
Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Belarus. Except for Kazakhstan, other countries observe this day on February 23. Kazakhstan observes this day on May 7. Ukraine abolished this holiday in 1992. Defender of the Fatherland Day is observed since 1919 to commemorate the first mass draft into the Red Army during the Russian Civil War. It is now a state holiday in Russia.
14. Which platform has been chosen by NCERT to set up the regulatory platform PARAKH?
[A] NTA
[B] ETS
[C] WES
[D] GMAC
Answer : [B] ETS
PARAKH, India’s first national assessment regulator, aims to standardize assessment for over 60 boards in the country. ETS (Educational Testing Service), which conducts key tests like TOEFL and GRE, has been chosen by the National Council for Education Research (NCERT) to set up the regulatory platform PARAKH. PARAKH will establish norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation.
15. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) suspended the membership of which country recently?
[A] Ukraine
[B] Russia
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Turkey
Answer : [B] Russia
Global anti-money laundering watchdog – Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has suspended Russia’s membership over the Ukraine war. Paris-based FATF deals with money laundering and terrorism financing prevention. It sets standards for more than 200 countries and jurisdictions and seeks to help authorities tackle serious crimes including drug smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism.
16. Which Indian has been selected as External Auditor of International Labour Organization (ILO)?
[A] Girish Chandra Murmu
[B] A Venugopal
[C] Ajay K. Choudhary
[D] T Rabi Sankar
Answer : [A] Girish Chandra Murmu
Comptroller and Auditor General, Girish Chandra Murmu has been selected as External Auditor of the International Labour Organization in Geneva He has been selected for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027. CAG will take over from the incumbent External Auditor of ILO. Supreme Audit Institution of Philippines. ILO had earlier shortlisted three. Supreme Audit Institutions – India, Canada and UK for technical presentations.
17. Which Indian has been nominated by the US President Joe Biden to lead the World Bank?
[A] Urjit Patel
[B] Raghuram Rajan
[C] Ajay Banga
[D] Viral Acharya
Answer : [C] Ajay Banga
The U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the country is nominating Ajay Banga to lead the World Bank The 63-year-old leader currently serves as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic. He was President and CEO of Mastercard was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016. He has worked as the Co-Chair of the Partnership for Central America, is a member of the Trilateral Commission, a founding trustee of the U.S. -India Strategic Partnership Forum among other prestigious positions.
18. Which is the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Punjab
Answer : [B] Kerala
The Kerala government launched robotic scavenger named ‘Bandicoot’, to clean sewages in temple town of Guruvayur. It becomes the first state in the country to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes. It was launched under Guruvayur Sewerage Project in Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the 100-day action plan of the state government.
19. ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyan’ was launched in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Assam
Answer : [C] Rajasthan
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla inaugurated Suposhit Maa Abhiyan in Ramganjmandi area of Kota, Rajasthan. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the initiative of ‘Suposhit Maa’, as the goal of this initiative to keep every mother and child healthy.
20. Which city is the host of ‘Asia Economic Dialogue’, the flagship event of Ministry of External Affairs?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Pune
[C] Gandhi Nagar
[D] Chennai
Answer : [B] Pune
Ministry of External Affairs’ flagship event on geo-economics, the ‘Asia Economic Dialogue’ was recently held in Pune. During the event, themes such as global growth prospects and meeting climate targets were discussed. The Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) is the Ministry’s annual event and is hosted in collaboration with the Pune International Centre.