25th January 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. Which armed force started the ‘Ops Alert’ exercise to enhance security?
[A] Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force
[B] Border Security Force
[C] Central Railway Protection Force
[D] Central Industrial Security Force
Answer : [B] Border Security Force
The Border Security Force has started an ‘Ops Alert’ exercise to enhance security along the India-Pakistan border. The ‘Ops Alert’ exercise will continue along the Indo-Pak international border from Sir Creek to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and Barmer district of Rajasthan. The exercise was being carried out to tackle ill designs of anti-national elements during the Republic Day celebrations.
2. Chris Hipkins has sworn in as the Prime Minister of which country?
[A] France
[B] Australia
[C] New Zealand
[D] Brazil
Answer : [C] New Zealand
New Zealand’s former minister for COVID-19, Chris Hipkins has been confirmed as the country’s next prime minister. Hipkins was the only candidate to replace Jacinda Ardern, who announced she was resigning after more than five years as the Prime Minister. He will have less than nine months before contesting a general election. He was appointed health minister in July 2020 before becoming the COVID response minister at the end of the year.
3. Which Union Ministry released ‘Endorsements Know-hows!’ guide for celebrities, influencers and virtual influencers on social media?
[A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Answer : [A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
The Department of Consumer Affairs under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution release a guide named ‘Endorsements Know-hows!’ for celebrities, influencers and virtual influencers on social media platforms. The guide aims to ensure that individuals do not mislead their audiences when endorsing products or services. It also ensures if they are in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and any associated rules or guidelines.
4. What is the name of the Indigenous mobile operating system developed by IIT Madras?
[A] IndOS
[B] BharOS
[C] MadrasOS
[D] TamilOS
Answer : [B] BharOS
The BharOS is an Android Open Source Project based operating system which is developed by JandK Operations Private Limited. The start-up is incubated at IIT Madras. Unlike Android, it does not have default Google apps or services. BharOS services are currently being provided to organisations that have stringent privacy and security requirements.
5. What is the theme of the ‘India International Science Festival’?
[A] Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation
[B] Innovation for Sustainable Development
[C] Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
[D] Bharat Vigyan
Answer : [A] Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation
India International Science Festival is being held in Bhopal with the theme of ‘Marching towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology, and Innovation’. International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI) was organized as a part of the India International Science Festival (IISF). Nine Indian science movies received awards in various categories at an international film festival.
6. Which country’s President is the Chief Guest of Republic Day celebrations of India?
[A] UAE
[B] Malaysia
[C] Egypt
[D] Australia
Answer : [C] Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah EL-Sisi arrived in New Delhi as he will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade of India. This is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on Republic Day. India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a guest country’ during its G20 Presidency.
7. Which city is the host of WEF Global Future Council 2023?
[A] Colombo
[B] Dubai
[C] Melbourne
[D] New York
Answer : [B] Dubai
Over 50 high-impact initiatives were launched or profiled at the World Economic Forum and the government of the United Arab Emirates signed a collaboration agreement on the TradeTech initiative to use technology to overcome trade impediments. They also signed an agreement to host the annual meeting of the Forum’s Global Future Council 2023 in Dubai.
8. Which Indian Armed Force is set to hold command-level exercise named ‘Pralay’?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Answer : [C] Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force will carry out Exercise Pralay involving all its major air bases in the northeast including the recently moved drone squadrons in the northeast amid the ongoing standoff with China. The Indian Air Force has deployed and activated the S-400 air defence squadron in the area which can take on any enemy aircraft or missile from a distance of up to 400 km. This is the second such command-level exercise carried out by the IAF in recent months.
9. Which country has launched ‘Welcome Corps scheme’, to sponsor refugees seeking sanctuary in the country?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] India
Answer : [A] USA
The United States launched ‘Welcome Corps scheme’, which will allow groups of people and organisations in the US to sponsor refugees seeking sanctuary in the country. This move that was welcomed by rights groups as a positive step. Welcome Corps will initially apply only to refugees who have already been approved for entry into the US. This is applicable for refugees arriving through the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
10. Kole wetland, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer : [B] Kerala
After the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) conducted recently, it was found that there is a drop in the number of birds in various parts of Kerala. The Thrissur-Ponnani kole fields is a Ramsar site known for the number and diversity of birds recorded the lowest count of waterbirds in three decades here. Kole wetlands have been visited by hundreds of migratory birds every year.
11. Gorshkov, which was seen in the news, is the frigate of which country?
[A] Ukraine
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] Japan
Answer : [B] Russia
A Russia warship armed with hypersonic cruise weapons will take part in exercises with the Chinese and South African navies. This is the first official mention of the participation by the Russian frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov. The frigate is armed with Zircon missiles, which fly at nine times the speed of sound.
12. The Statehood Day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura is celebrated on which day?
[A] January 18
[B] January 21
[C] January 24
[D] January 27
Answer : [B] January 21
The Statehood Day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura is celebrated on January 21. This year marks the 51st foundation year for the three states. They attained statehood under the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act of 1971. Under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, Meghalaya was made an autonomous state in Assam through the Assam (Meghalaya) Reorganization Act, of 1969.
13. Which state is the host of the All-India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police?
[A] Assam
[B] New Delhi
[C] West Bengal
[D] Gujarat
Answer : [B] New Delhi
The 57th Conference of Directors General of Police / Inspectors General of Police was organized in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Conference and distributed Police Medals for Distinguished Services. The Conference covered several aspects of policing and national security, including Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency and Cyber Security.
14. Which state organized the Regional Conference on ‘e-Governance’?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Telangana
Answer : [B] Maharashtra
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde inaugurated the Regional Conference on ‘e-Governance’ at Mumbai. This conference has been jointly organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra in Mumbai. It aims to create a common platform to share experiences in the formulation and implementation of best practices in transparent and citizen-friendly effective administration.
15. Which city is the host of ‘Millets & Organics 2023 – International Trade Fair’?
[A] Chennai
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Kochi
[D] Chandigarh
Answer : [B] Bengaluru
The fourth edition of the ‘Millets & Organics – International Trade Fair 2023’ has started in Thripuravasini, Bengaluru. 2023 has been celebrated as the International Year of Millets. The fair is organized by the Department of Agriculture and the Government of Karnataka. The first Millets and Organics Fair was held in 2017, and the second and third editions in 2018 and 2019 in Bengaluru.
16. Sports equipment maker Yonex is based in which country?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Indonesia
[D] South Korea
Answer : [B] Japan
Japanese sports equipment Yonex announced that it would expand manufacturing capability in India to make full carbon graphite badminton racquets. The Japanese major will begin selling made-in-India carbon graphite racquets, to offer them at more affordable price points. The company set up a factory in Bengaluru in 2016 and has been making aluminium T-joint racquets in India.
17. Which institution manages the National Pension System (NPS) in India?
[A] RBI
[B] PFRDA
[C] IRDAI
[D] SEBI
Answer : [B] PFRDA
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) manages the National Pension System (NPS) in India. The Pension regulator PFRDA has now allowed intermediaries in the pension ecosystem to adopt Video Based Customer Identification Process (VCIP).
18. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is given to children of which age?
[A] 4 to 14
[B] 5 to 15
[C] 5 to 18
[D] 6 to 20
Answer : [C] 5 to 18
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is given to children of age five to 18, for their achievements in six categories namely Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Scholastic, Social Service, and Sports. Each awardee receives a medal, a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, and a certificate. This year, the PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) was conferred on 11 children.
19. Which state cabinet has decided to allow regularization of unauthorized quarrying?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Answer : [C] Karnataka
The State Cabinet of Karnataka has decided to allow regularization of unauthorized quarrying undertaken by license holders beyond their allotted area. The land proportionate to the overstepped area would be withdrawn from the actual allocation in the licence, so that the total does not exceed the allocated quantum of land.
20. Which country has announced plans to increase its defence budget by a third for the next seven years?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] India
Answer : [B] France
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase France’s defence budget by a third for the next seven years. He has detailed plans for a major boost to the armed forces, to meet modern threats including Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has promoted Western countries to review military spending and increase it significantly.