2nd March 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. Which state is the host of the ‘Global Responsible Tourism Summit’?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Kerala
[C] Goa
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Answer : [B] Kerala
Kerala entered into an agreement with UN Women, to boost women-friendly activities in the State’s tourism sector. It was signed during the first-even Global Responsible Tourism Summit in Kumarakom, Kerala. A memorandum of understanding agreed to work towards promoting gender-inclusive tourism sites in the State. It seeks to provide training stakeholders who include young representatives and civil organisations.
2. What is the rank of India in the International Intellectual Property Index 2023?
[A] 26
[B] 32
[C] 42
[D] 55
Answer : [C] 42
India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global economies in the International Intellectual Property Index report released by the U.S. Chambers of Commerce. India was at the 40th rank in the year in the year 2021. The report covers patent and copyright laws, ability to monetise IP assets and the ratification of international agreements. Morocco and Thailand at 2.5% each and Vietnam at 2.02% had the largest improvements in their overall score.
3. Which neighbouring country of India signed MoU with ISA to increase use of solar energy?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Myanmar
Answer : [C] Bangladesh
The government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to increase the use of solar energy in the country. The agreement is to be implemented by December 2026. Bangladesh has set up a target of generating 40 percent of its total energy through renewable sources by 2041. It aims to produce 4000 MW of solar power by the end of 2030.
4. As per IMF, which country has the potential to contribute 15 per cent of the global growth in 2023?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Brazil
[D] France
Answer : [B] India
As per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, India has the potential to contribute 15 per cent of the global growth in 2023. On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Bengaluru, the IMF chief also said that India should completely focus on structural reforms, and make more opportunities for women. For FY 2023-24, IMF had projected 6.1 per cent GDP growth for India.
5. Dharol Wetland, where a bird survey was conducted recently, is located in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Karnataka
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Answer : [A] Gujarat
The second edition of the two-day Bird Survey Dharoi 2023 was recently conducted at the Dharoi wetland in Gujarat. The wetland spreads over 107 square kilometers in north Gujarat. Dharoi reservoir was created by damming Sabarmati and Harnoi rivers in 1978 as a major irrigation scheme. The maiden Dharoi Bird Survey, 2022, recorded 193 species out of the 616 found in Gujarat.
6. The Centre has approved the Quality Control Order (QCO) for mandatory certification of which product recently?
[A] Jute
[B] Cotton
[C] Paper
[D] Millets
Answer : [B] Cotton
The Centre has approved the Quality Control Order (QCO) for mandatory certification of cotton bales. The compulsory requirement of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for cotton bales sold in India is expected to check imports of substandard cotton and ensure domestic cotton meets certain minimum quality parameters, as per the Textiles Ministry.
7. Which country has launched a temporary salary support scheme and banned job cuts?
[A] UK
[B] Turkey
[C] Ukraine
[D] China
Answer : [B] Turkey
Turkey has launched a temporary salary support scheme and banned job cuts in southern provinces that are hit by earthquakes. The devastating quakes killed over 42,000 people in the country as well as in Neighbouring Syria. The government will provinces under the state of emergency. The government also banned layoffs in the earthquake zone, except for some valid reasons.
8. Who was Sevalal Maharaj, who was seen in the news?
[A] Politician
[B] King
[C] Spiritual Leader
[D] Freedom fighter
Answer : [C] Spiritual Leader
The Union Ministry of Culture kicked-off the celebrations of Santh Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti at Dr. BR Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The Union government kicked-off year-long celebrations to mark the 284th birth anniversary of Santh Sevalal Maharaj, a spiritual and religious leader of the Banjara community. It is a nomadic community that has been declared a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in a few States of India.
9. Which state is set to get India’s first Marina?
[A] Kerala
[B] Odisha
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Answer : [C] Karnataka
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has confired that Karnataka is set to get India’s first Marina which will be constructed in the Udupi district. This project has been initiated to promote coastal tourism in the state. He was speaking at a function ‘Seven Wonders of Karnataka’ hosted under the Department of Tourism.
10. Which country announced to invest Rs.7,200 crores in Uttar Pradesh?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Answer : [B] Japan
During the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 organised in Lucknow, Japan announced to invest Rs 7,200 crores in the state. The Japanese company Hotel Management International company Limited (HMI Group) decided to open hotels in 30 cities including Agra, Ayodhya, and Varanasi.
11. Which country is the host of the international multilateral air exercise ‘Exercise Desert Flag VIII’?
[A] UK
[B] UAE
[C] Japan
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer : [B] UAE
India’s indigenously-made light combat aircraft Tejas will be participating in an international multilateral air exercise named Exercise Desert Flag VIll. It is hosted by the UAE, which will see participation from the air forces of the UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, the UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea, and the US. As per the Indian Air Force, five LCA Tejas and two C – 17 Globemaster III aircraft would take part.
12. Which country is the host of the ‘Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023’?
[A] India
[B] Japan
[C] UK
[D] France
Answer : [C] UK
The Indian Air Force contingent comprising 145 Air Warriors is participating in Exercise Cobra Warrior in United Kingdom. The Exercise Cobra Warrior is a multilateral Air exercise in which Air Forces from Finland, Sweden, South Africa, United States of America and Singapore would also be participating alongside Royal Air Force and IAF.
13. India launched the new Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) along with which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Singapore
[D] Germany
Answer : [B] UK
The Indian High Commission in London opened its visa application process for U.K. nationals to apply for the new Young Professionals Scheme (YPS). Under the reciprocal scheme signed between India and UK at the G20 summit in Indonesia last November, Indian and British nationals aged between 18 and 30 can apply to live and work in either country for a period of up to two years.
14. Which country’s Prime Minister is the Chief Guest of 8th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue?
[A] UAE
[B] Italy
[C] Australia
[D] France
Answer : [B] Italy
The 8th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy. It is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation. Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni joined the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. The theme of the 2023 Edition of Dialogue is “Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest.
15. Which footballer won the ‘Best FIFA men’s player’ award in 2023?
[A] Lionel Messi
[B] Kylian Mbappe
[C] Cristiano Ronaldo
[D] Robert Lewandowski
Answer : [A] Lionel Messi
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been named the best player in men’s football by FIFA, at The Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris. Messi won this award for his outstanding performances in men’s football from August 2021 to December 2022. France’s Kylian Mbappe, also nominated for the award. Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the best women’s player award for the second year in a row.
16. The ‘innovative Extension Approaches for Revitalising Agriculture’ has been launched in which state/UT?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Punjab
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Telangana
Answer : [C] Jammu and Kashmir
The Government has approved a five-year project on ‘Innovative Extension Approaches for Revitalising Agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir’. This aims to give a huge push to sustainable agriculture in the Union Territory. The project, worth 463 crore rupees, is aimed at empowering farmers and educated youth through technology driven and inclusive agri-extension services.
17. Who has been awarded the 2023 Marconi Prize?
[A] Hari Balakrishnan
[B] Ranjan Gogoi
[C] Amitabh Bhachhan
[D] Raghuram Rajan
Answer : [A] Hari Balakrishnan
Computer scientist Hari Balakrishnan has been awarded the 2023 Marconi Prize. The Indian-origin MIT Professor has received the Marconi Prize for his fundamental discoveries in wired and wireless networking, mobile sensing, and distributed systems. The Marconi Prize is awarded annually by the Marconi Society to innovators who have contributed to increasing digital inclusivity through advanced information and communications technology.
18. The Indian Railways introduced a Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train to showcase the heritage of which country?
[A] Kerala
[B] Gujarat
[C] Goa
[D] Assam
Answer : [B] Gujarat
The Indian Railways introduced a Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train as part of the ‘Garvi Gujarat’ tour. It aims to showcase the state of Gujarat under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme. The tour includes visits to prominent pilgrimage and heritage sites in Gujarat, including the Statue of Unity, UNESCO-recognised world heritage site Champaner archaeological park, Somnath, Dwarka, Nageshwar, and Beyt Dwarka, among others.
19. HD-3385, which has been developed by ICAR, is a new variety of which species?
[A] Rice
[B] Wheat
[C] Mango
[D] Sugar cane
Answer : [B] Wheat
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a new wheat variety which can overcome the challenges arising out due to changes in weather patterns and rising heat levels. This new wheat variety called HD-3385 is open to to early sowing, escaping the impact of heat spikes and can be harvested before March end.
20. Which is the first US city to ban discrimination based on caste?
[A] New York
[B] Seattle
[C] Boston
[D] Los Angeles
Answer : [B] Seattle
Seattle has become the first US city to ban discrimination based on caste after a vote by the city council. The caste system in India dates back over 3,000 years and divides Hindu society into rigid hierarchical groups. Similar bans on caste bias that have been introduced on the campuses of US universities in recent years.