6th January 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. Who is the first officer to be operationally deployed at Kumar Post, Siachen?
[A] Captain Shiva Chouhan
[B] Captain Bhawana Kanth
[C] Captain Avani Chaturvedi
[D] Captain Mohana Singh Jitarwal
Answer: [A] Captain Shiva Chouhan
Captain Shiva Chouhan, an officer from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, became the first woman officer to be operationally deployed at Kumar Post in the Siachen Glacier. The post is located at an altitude of 15, 632 feet. Kumar Post is named after late Colonel Narinder Kumar, who was instrumental in the Indian Army launching ‘Operation Meghdoot’ and securing the Siachen Glacier in 1984.
2. Which High Court has directed the city government to ensure free food and medical treatment to HIV-positive persons?
[A] Delhi High Court
[B] Bombay High Court
[C] Chennai High Court
[D] Allahabad High Court
Answer: [A] Delhi High Court
Delhi High Court has directed the city government to ensure free food and medical treatment to HIV-positive persons living below the poverty line. It also directed the government to strictly comply with the law dealing with the grievances of affected patients.
3. Where is the ‘Institute of Mathematical Sciences’ located?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Mysuru
[C] Chennai
[D] Panaji
Answer: [C] Chennai
Department of Posts under Tamilnadu Circle released a Special Cover on 60 Years of The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc). The Institute of Mathematical Sciences is a premier research institute in Chennai, India founded by Alladi Ramakrishnan in 1962. Since its inception, members of the institute have engaged in research in fundamental and interdisciplinary sciences.
4. Which state hosted the ‘National Scout and Guide Jamboree’?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Gujarat
Answer: [B] Rajasthan
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the Pali district of Rajasthan. The First National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides was organized at Hyderabad in the year 1953. Rajasthan hosted the Jamboree after 66 years. Over 35,000 scouts and guides from all over the country participated in the 7-day-event.
5. ‘Bailey Suspension Bridge’ has been inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Karnataka
Answer: [A] Jammu and Kashmir
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the Bailey Suspension Bridge over river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. The 240 feet high Bailey Suspension Bridge has been completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a month before the deadline. The launching of the new bailey suspension reinforced bridge was initiated in October.
6. As of January 2023, what is the interest rate for the General Provident Fund?
[A] 6.1 per cent
[B] 7.1 Per cent
[C] 8.1 Per cent
[D] 8.5 Per cent
Answer: [B] 7.1 Per cent
The government kept the interest rate unchanged at 7.1 per cent for the subscribers of the General Provident Fund and other similar funds. In the previous quarter ended December 31, the GPF interest was at the same 7.1 per cent. The rate is valid from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023, as per the finance ministry said in a notification.
7. As per the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norm, what is the minimum public float for all listed companies?
[A] 10 percent
[B] 20 percent
[C] 25 percent
[D] 40 percent
Answer: [C] 25 percent
As per the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norm at least 25 percent public float is mandated for all listed companies. The government has recently exempted public sector entities from the Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norm. The exemption would apply on entities regardless of the government’s direct or indirect holding.
8. India signed USD 1.2 billion agreements for infrastructure projects with which institution?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] AIIB
[D] IMF
Answer: [B] Asian Development Bank
Indian Government signed USD 1.2 billion loan agreements for infrastructure projects with Asian Development Bank. A loan agreement was signed worth USD 350 million to improve connectivity in Maharashtra, and a loan agreement worth USD 300 million to upgrade highways and major roads in Assam. Other agreements are to improve power sector in Tripura and metro rail system in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
9. India started probe into dumping of which products by China and Hong Kong?
[A] Plastic Toys
[B] Phone Display panels
[C] Printed Circuit boards
[D] Power Banks
Answer: [C] Printed Circuit boards
India’s Commerce Department has initiated an investigation into dumbing allegations on imports of certain printed circuit boards (PCBs) originating from China and Hong Kong. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), part of the Commerce and Industry Ministry, said the Indian Printed Circuit Association (IPCA) had alleged that domestic PCB industry has been hit by dumping.
10. How many new members have been recently added to the U.N. Security Council in 2023, for a two-year tenure?
[A] Three
[B] Four
[C] Five
[D] Seven
Answer: [C]
Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland were made the new members of the U.N.Security Council for the two-years sears they won unopposed in June. The five countries would replace India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway in the Council. The ambassadors of the five countries installed their national flags alongside those of other members outside the council chambers.
11. Which country has recently executed a transgender person for the first time in the history?
[A] UAE
[B] USA
[C] Saudi Arabia
[D] Afghanistan
Answer: [B] USA
A 49-year-old Missouri inmate was put to death for a 2003 killing, in the first execution of a transgender person in the United States. A database on the website for the anti-execution Death Penalty Information Center shows that 1558 people have been executed since the death penalty was reinstated in the country in mid-1970s.
12. Which country has announced financial support to households to move away from the capital city?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] USA
[D] Indonesia
Answer: [B] Japan
Japan has planned to boost financial support to households to move away from the capital city Tokyo. This move aims to combat depopulation in other areas of the country. Eligible families in the Tokyo metropolitan area will receive 1 million yen (USD 7700) per child starting in the fiscal year 2023 if they move to a disadvantaged local area. The increased support for children comes on top of a 1 million yen scheme.
13. Who is the first bowler to take a hat-trick in the first over of a Ranji Trophy match?
[A] Jayadev Unadkat
[B] Ravichandran Ashwin
[C] Jasprit Bumrah
[D] Mohammed Shami
Answer: [A] Jayadev Unadkat
Saurashtra cricket captain Jayadev Unadkat became the first bowler to take a hat-trick in the first over of a Ranji Trophy match. The bowler achieved the feat in Saurashtra’s Elite Group B match against Delhi at Rajkot, after picking up six wickets for 29 runs in his nine overs. Unadkat was recently part of India’s squad that toured Bangladesh.
14. Which institution commissioned India’s first green hydrogen blending project?
[A] ONGC
[B] NTPC
[C] PFC
[D] GAIL
Answer: [B] NTPC
NTPC Ltd commissioned India’s first green hydrogen blending project in the piped natural gas (PNG) network of NTPC Kwawas Township, Surat. The project is a joint effort of NTPC and Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL). Green hydrogen in Kawas is made by electrolysis of water using power from already installed 1 MW floating solar project. This feat has been achieved only by few countries like UK, Germany, and Australia.
15. ‘Gaan Ngai festival’s celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
Answer: [B] Manipur
The Gaan Ngai festival of the Zeliangrong community is celebrated in Manipur. It is celebrated every year after harvesting. During the festival, the Zeliarong community shows their gratitude by offering their harvest to the almighty. It is a custom to produce new fire by rubbing dry wood and split bamboo pieces and distribute them to other households. The Zeliarong community in Manipur comprises Rongmei, Liangmei, and Zeme tribes.
16. Which state has announced to start the Kalasa Banduri Nala project?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] West Bengal
[D] Bihar
Answer: [B] Karnataka
Karnataka received clearance from the Centre for two Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala on the Mahadayi River. Goa objected to this decision and has planned to represent its concern to the Centre. The Kalasa Banduri Nala project aims to divert water from Mahadayi to satisfy the drinking water needs of 4 districts of Karnataka. The river originates in Belagavi district of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.
17. Savitribai Phule, India’s first woman teacher, was from which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Answer: [B] Maharastra
Savitribai Phule is formally recognized as India’s first woman teacher. She was born on January 3, 1831, in Maharastra’s Naigaon village. Along with her husband and social activist Jyotirao Phule, Savitribhai opened the country’s first girls’ school in Bhidewada, Pune, in 1848. They challenged oppressive caste-based social norms and made the downtrodden to pursue education.
18. ‘The Brahma Kumaris’ spiritual movement that originated in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Andhra Pradesh
The ‘Brahma Kumaris’ is a spiritual movement that originated in Hyderabad, Sindh, during 1930s. The movement was founded by Lekhraj Kripalani. President of India, Droupadi Murmu attended the launch of the National Campaign on ‘RISE-Rising India through Spiritual Empowerment’, organized by Brahma Kumaris at Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
19. Which institution implements the ‘Bikaner Solar Power Project’?
[A] SJVN Limited
[B] NHPC Limited
[C] REC Limited
[D] JSW Energy
Answer: [A] SJVN Limited
President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stone of state-owned energy firm SJVN’s 1000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This project is being implemented by SJVN Limited through its wholly owned subsidiary SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL). Bikaner is one of the highest solar yield areas of the country. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2024. SJVN is a leading power CPSE under Ministry of Power.