9th February 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. India agreed for trilateral cooperation initiative, in fields including energy, defence, economy, with which countries?
[A] France and UAE
[B] UAE and USA
[C] UAE and Israel
[D] Japan and Singapore
Answer : [A] France and UAE
India, France, UAE agreed to establish a formal trilateral cooperation, in fields including energy, defence, economy The three countries said that they will explore the possibility of working with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to pursue actionable projects on clean energy, environment and biodiversity.
2. Which Union Ministry implements the “FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles) scheme”?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Heavy Industries
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Answer : [B] Ministry of Heavy Industries
Ministry of Heavy Industries implements the ‘FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles) scheme’. The government has nearly doubled its budgetary allocation for the FAME scheme to subsidise the purchase of electric vehicles. As per the budget, the subsidy under FAME scheme for fiscal 2024 is projected at Rs 5,172 crore, compared to the revised estimate of Rs 2,897 crore in the current fiscal year. This is the highest allocation under the scheme since its launch in 2020.
3. Ministry of Cooperation signed MoU with which Ministry to enable Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) function as Common Service Centers?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[D] Ministry of Rural Development and Entrepreneurship
Answer : [B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, NABARD and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited. It aims to enable Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to provide services offered by Common Service Centers. Over 300 services will be made available to the rural population including 13 crore farmer members of PACS.
4. What is the name of the ‘Indian military joint training exercise’, which was held recently?
[A] Trishakti Prahar
[B] Atmanirbhar Prahar
[C] Vikram Prahar
[D] Trilok Shakti
Answer : [A] Trishakti Prahar
The Indian military forces concluded a joint training exercise named ‘Trishakti Prahar, which began in North Bengal. As per defence sources, the aim of the exercise was to practice battle preparedness of the security forces, using latest weapons and equipment in a networked, integrated environment, involving the Army, the Indian Air Force and CAPFs.
5. BIND Scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Power
Answer : [C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Of the Rs 1,100 crore estimated for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Rs 600 crore has been set aside for the recently announced Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme. The scheme has a total outlay of over Rs 2,500 crore. The scheme aims t boost public sector broadcasting in the country and focuses on infrastructure development of Prasar Bharati, including All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD).
6. Which state hosted the ‘First meeting of Sustainable Finance Working Group under G20’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Kerala
Answer : [B] Assam
The First meeting of Sustainable Finance Working Group under G20 was recently hosted in Guwahati, Assam. The G20 meeting in Assam deliberated on sustainable financing solutions. The delegates also discussed raising funds through green bonds, sustainability linked bonds and other such instruments for projects.
7. Ministry of Textiles is implementing ‘Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability’ project in collaboration with which institution?
[A] UNICEF
[B] UNEP
[C] World Bank
[D] UNESCO
Answer : [B] UNEP
Ministry of Textiles is implementing ‘Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability’ project in collaboration with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). The main objective of the project is to minimize the negative environmental impacts of Indian Textile by promoting sustainable practices and mainstreaming knowledge on circular production based practices in the Textiles and Apparel sectors. Government also approved 20 strategic research projects in the areas of Specialty fibres and geo textiles.
8. Which country introduced new family laws called ‘Federal Personal Status Laws’?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] UAE
[D] Australia
Answer : [C] UAE
A set of new family laws, referred to as ‘Federal Personal Status Laws’, for non-Muslims residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came into force. These laws will apply to non-Muslim expatriates or foreigners living in UAE and cover various aspects of family law like marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, wills, and paternity. The new reforms to UAE’s judicial systems originate from Abu Dhabi’s Civil Family Court System, which allows non-Muslim couples to divorce or marry without following the Sharia laws.
9. Which Southeast Asian country partnered with the US to grant more access to its bases?
[A] Taiwan
[B] Philippines
[C] Singapore
[D] Malaysia
Answer : [B] Philippines
The United States and the Philippines announced plans to expand America’s military presence in the Southeast Asian nation. The countries decided to accelerate full implementation of their ‘Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)’. As part of the agreement, the U. S. has allocated $ 82 million toward infrastructure improvements at five current EDCA sites. This will provide access to four more bases to the US.
10. Which country has removed the British monarchy from its bank notes?
[A] The Netherlands
[B] Poland
[C] Sweden
[D] Australia
Answer : [D] Australia
Australia’s central bank said that its new USD 5 bill would feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. The King is still expected to appear on coins that currently bear the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The bank will consult with Indigenous groups in designing the USD 5 note.
11. Which country announced India as the theme country at its 2025 International Book Fair?
[A] Sweden
[B] Spain
[C] Germany
[D] Italy
Answer : [B] Spain
India will be invited as the theme country at the Madrid International Book Fair in 2025, the Ambassador of Spain to the country Jose Maria Ridao. Spain is the theme country at the 46th International Kolkata Book Fair, which began recently. As part of the cultural exchange between the two countries, Spain has donated books to five universities in Bengal.
12. Parli Vaijnath Electrification Project, which was seen in the news, was undertaken in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Assam
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : [B] Maharashtra
Parli Vaijnath-Vikarabad Railway Electrification Project was completed recently, after which the entire route of 268 kilometers is now electrified. Parli Vaijnath is a city of Maharashtra. The project will benefit the people of Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
13. “VIHANGAM’ Web portal, which was seen in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Digital Currency
[B] Drone technology
[C] E-Sports
[D] Defence
Answer : [B] Drone technology
Coal India arm, Mahanadi Coal Fields (MCL) MCL has introduced drone technology on coal mines for environmental monitoring, volume measurement and digital mapping of mines. The technology has been introduced through the launch of a web-based portal ‘VIHANGAM’ along with a drone and ground control system. The portal allows an authorized person to access real time drone video from the mine through a dedicated internet lease line near the mines.
14. Which city launched ‘Digital India Van’ as a part of the meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)?
[A] Pune
[B] Lucknow
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] Kochi
Answer : [B] Lucknow
Lucknow will host the first meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG). A Digital India Mobile Van has been introduced with respect to the meeting. The Digital India Mobile Van will tour other cities in the country, enlightening citizens about G20 DEWG and Digital India’s key initiatives including PMJDY, DigiLocker, Aadhaar, UMANG, e-Way Bill, e-Aushadhi, Aarogya Setu, So-WIN, e-Rupi, and India Stack Global.
15. Which city is the host of the “First G-20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting’?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Kolkata
[C] Bhubaneswar
[D] Leh
Answer : [A] Bengaluru
The First G-20 Energy Transition Working Group meeting was recently inaugurated in Bengaluru in the presence of Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh and Union Minister of Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi. India stands committed to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from 2005 level. The country also aims to achieve close to 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
16. Indian Railways Introduces ‘Garvi tour’ under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Scheme to showcase heritage of which state?
[A] Punjab
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Uttarakhand
Answer : [B] Gujarat
Indian Railways introduced Garvi Gujarat tour under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Scheme to showcase heritage of Gujarat. This Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train with 1st AC and 2nd AC Class will be operated for eight days inclusive tour. It can accommodate one hundred and 56 tourists onboard. It includes visit to prominent pilgrimage and heritage sites of Gujarat including the Statue of Unity, Champaner, Somnath, Dwarka, Nageshwar, Beyt Dwarka, Ahmedabad, Modhera and Patan.
17. Vani Jairam, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Sportsperson
[C] Singer
[D] Scientist
Answer : [C] Singer
National Award-winning legendary playback singer Vani Jairam passed away recently at the age of 78. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Vani Jairam sang over 10,000 songs in several languages. The legendary singer was named for the Padma Bhushan the third-highest civilian award of the country by the Government of India, this year. Vani Jairam has won three National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.
18. Which African country recently joined the India-led International Solar Alliance?
[A] Nigeria
[B] Congo
[C] Morocco
[D] Senegal
Answer : [B] Congo
Congo has recently joined the India-led International Solar Alliance. The Ambassador of Republic of Congo signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean. DRC is the second-largest country in Africa by area.
19. Which is the first Indian retailer to introduce Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)?
[A] Reliance Retail
[B] Titan
[C] Big Bazaar
[D] Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail
Answer : [A] Reliance Retail
Reliance Retail has become the first Indian retailer to introduce Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), also known as digital rupee. The company has piloted the use of Digital Rupee in one store in Mumbai, and is planning to make this facility available in all stores in Mumbai within the next three to four months, in accordance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms.
20. Which country is India’s top destination for goods exports during April-Dec 2022?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] USA
[C] UAE
[D] Singapore
Answer : [B] USA
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the US has emerged as India’s top destination for merchandise exports during April – December this fiscal at USD 59.7 billion. The US was followed by UAE (USD 23.31 billion); Netherlands (USD 14.1 billion); China (USD 11 billion); Singapore and Bangladesh (about USD 9 billion each).