27th January 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. What is the name of the fifth stealth Scorpene class Submarine, which was recently commissioned into the Indian Navy?
[A] INS Vagir
[B] INS Virat
[C] INS Vaaman
[D] INA Vajra
Answer : [A] INS Vagir
Indian Navy’s fifth stealth Scorpene class Submarine INS Vagir was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai. Six Scorpene Class submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France under Project 75 (P75). Vagir has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines.
2. Which institution launched an information database including a repository of information pertaining to municipal bonds?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] IRDAI
[D] NSE
Answer : [B] SEBI
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched an information database including a repository of information pertaining to municipal bonds on its website. It aims to assist municipal debt issuers and other stakeholders in the municipal dept market. The information database will also be accessible by using a QR Code. The repository also contains checklists for pre-listing requirements and sample letters and certificates from intermediaries to be obtained by an issuer.
3. World Bank has appreciated which country for its transition from poorest to one of the fastest growing countries?
[A] India
[B] Indonesia
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Nepal
Answer : [C] Bangladesh
World Bank (WB) Managing Director Axel van Trotsenburg lauded Bangladesh as one of the world’s greatest development stories. The country has moved from being one of the poorest at its inception to one of the fastest growing countries of the world. The country’s 6 percent average economic growth per annum since 2000 has lifted millions of people out of poverty. It started with a status of poverty in 1972, became a lower-middle income country in 2015 and is now on the way to becoming an upper-middle income country.
4. As per the Finance Ministry data, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) subscribers figure crossed which milestone in 2022?
[A] 1 million
[B] 10 million
[C] 5 million
[D] 50 million
Answer : [B] 10 million
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a pension scheme targeted towards unorganized sector workers. It saw the highest-ever subscribers in 2022 with enrolments rising 36 per cent. The figure crossed 10 million for the first time in a calendar year, data released by the finance ministry showed. The number of enrolments in 2022 rose to 12.5 million from 9.2 million in 2021. The majority of subscribers (82 per cent) opted for a Rs 1,000 pension per month.
5. Which state announced to book men who marry minor girls under stringent laws prescribing imprisonment?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Telangana
[D] Odisha
Answer : [B] Assam
The Assam Cabinet has decided to book men who marry minor girls under stringent laws prescribing imprisonment from two years to life. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said average of 31.8% of girls in Assam get married at the prohibited age and 11.7% of them become mothers before adulthood, higher than the national average.
6. Which city is the host of the Business 20 (B20) meet, as part of the G20?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Gandhinagar
[C] Mumbai
[D] Mysuru
Answer : [B] Gandhinagar
As part of India’s G 20 presidency, a Business20 (B20) inception meeting was organized at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The first B20 meet being organized was attended by over 500 delegates who discussed upon various global issues including climate change, sustainability, digital transformation, and financial inclusion during several plenary sessions.
7. What is the name of the programme launched to spread awareness about lives of national icons?
[A] Parakram Netas Program
[B] Know Your Leader program
[C] Mera Bharat Mahan program
[D] Atmanirbhar India
Answer : [B] Know Your Leader program
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with youngsters on Netaji Jayati, which is known as Parakram Diwas. PM Modi interacted with youngsters selected under ‘Know Your Leader’ programme at his residence. As many as 80 youngsters were selected from across the country to participate in the floral tribute function in the parliament in honour of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
8. When was the Uttar Pradesh foundation Day celebrated every year?
[A] January 21
[B] January 24
[C] January 27
[D] January 30
Answer : [B] January 24
Uttar Pradesh came into existence on January 24, 1950, when the governor-general of India passed United Provinces Order 1950, renaming United Provinces as Uttar Pradesh. This is the 74th foundation day of Uttar Pradesh and it is being celebrated as ‘UP Day’. On the occasion, several schemes including Chief Minister Handicraft Pension Scheme, Handicraft Marketing Promotion Scheme, and exemption in stamp duty were launched. People were also awarded with ‘Rani Laxmi Bai Puraskar’ and ‘Lazman Puraskar’.
9. Ministry of Ayush partnered with which institution to promote Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda?
[A] India Tourism Development Corporation
[B] Archaeological Survey of India
[C] National Archives of India
[D] IRCTC
Answer : [A] India Tourism Development Corporation
The Ministry of Ayush signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Ministry of Tourism. Under the MoU, Ministry of Ayush will provide training to the officials of ITDC to sensitize them about Medical Value Travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine. It will identify tourist circuits regarding the same. A joint Working Group (JWG) will monitor the implementation of the MoU and will identify the best practices adopted by Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
10. BV Doshi, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Business
[B] Sports
[C] Architecture
[D] Politics
Answer : [C] Architecture
Indian veteran architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi, also known as B V Doshi, passed away at the age of 95. He won the gold medal awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2022, joining a select league of international architects. Indian architect BV Doshi has passed away, at the age of 95. Trained under Le Corbusier, he was the only Indian to have been awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
11. Which state/UT launched ‘Food Processing Programme for Development of Clusters’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Bihar
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Telangana
Answer : [C] Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir government launched an ambitious project ‘UT Level Food Processing Programme for Development of Clusters for Specific Products of J & K’. It is a 879.75 crore initiative that aims to maximise post-harvest losses. The project will focus on developing 17 districts in J & K with establishment of processing and marketing infrastructure.
12. What is the deadline for banks to complete renewal of agreements for safe deposit lockers of customers?
[A] December 2022
[B] March 2023
[C] December 2023
[D] January 2024
Answer : [C] December 2023
The Reserve Bank of India gave banks time will end of December 2023 to complete renewal of agreements for the existing safe deposit lockers of customers. Banks were earlier required to complete the process by January 01, 2023. The central bank has directed them to complete work in phase with milestones of 50 per cent by June 30, and 75 per cent by September 30.
13. Which country has launched new schemes including scheduling special interviews to reduce delays in visa processing in India?
[A] UK
[B] USA
[C] UAE
[D] Australia
Answer : [B] USA
The United States has recently launched several new schemes to reduce delays in visa processing in India. The initiatives include scheduling special interviews for first time applicants and increasing strength of consular staff, which aims to cut delays in visa processing in India. The US embassy in Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad conducted ‘special Saturday interview days’.
14. Which company has launched dedicated air cargo service in India to speed up deliveries?
[A] Flipkart
[B] Amazon
[C] Tata Clip
[D] Jiomart
Answer : [B] Amazon
Amazon India announced the launch of Amazon Air, a dedicated air cargo service in India to speed up dedicated. India is the third market, after the United Status and Europe, where the company has launched Amazon Air. The company operates a network of over 110 jets that fly to over 70 locations worldwide. Amazon has tied up with Quikjet Cargo Airline Private, a Bengaluru-based freight carrier.
15. Estonia, which recently expelled the Russian ambassador, is located in which region?
[A] West Asia
[B] Europe
[C] South America
[D] Africa
Answer : [B] Europe
Estonia is a country in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland. Russia and Estonia have expelled the ambassadors from each other’s countries in a tit-for-tat move. Estonia’s diplomatic representation will be downgraded to a charge d’ affaires that heads the European Union country’s mission in Moscow.
16. Which country has declared a medical emergency after malnutrition and other diseases brought by gold mining?
[A] Argentina
[B] Brazil
[C] South Africa
[D] Egypt
Answer : [B] Brazil
Brazil’s Ministry of health declared a medical emergency in the Yanomami territory, following reports of children dying of malnutrition and other diseases brought by gold mining, Yanomami is the country’s largest indigenous reservation. After publication of photos showing Yanomami children and elderly people so thin, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the state.
17. Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who won the India Open title, is from which country?
[A] China
[B] Thailand
[C] Malaysia
[D] Singapore
Answer : [B] Thailand
Thailand shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn won the India Open title. He defeated World No.1 Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles final of the India Open Badminton Championship in New Delhi. Earlier, Korean player An Seyoung won the Women’s singles final after beating World No.1 Japanese Akane Yamaguchi.
18. In the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, which country defeated India in the crossover match?
[A] England
[B] New Zealand
[C] Morocco
[D] South Africa
Answer : [B] New Zealand
India lost 4-5 to New Zealand in the penalty shoot-out of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup crossover match at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Spain defeated Malaysia 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the same venue. It will lock horns with Australia in quarters. Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and England have already entered the quarterfinals.
19. Which state has launched a scheme to rent drones to low-income farmers?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Haryana
[D] Gujarat
Answer : [A] Rajasthan
Rajasthan has launched a scheme to provide drones to low-income farmers on rent to help them monitor crops and spray chemicals on the crops. Around 1,500 drones will be made available at custom hiring centres by the state government in two years. Drone-based spray requires less quantity of water and pesticides and it also helps in saving water.
20. Which city is the host of the ‘International Craft Summit’ in India?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Jaipur
[C] Pune
[D] Mysuru
Answer : [B] Jaipur
The three-day International Craft Summit is being organized in Jaipur, Rajasthan to promote craft products from Odisha. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through video conferencing. Four UN agencies and five UNESCO Creative Cities have partnered with Jaipur district administration for the event, which was attended by delegates from 15 countries.