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21st February 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English

1. What per cent of India’s capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry?

[A] 25

[B] 50

[C] 75

[D] 100

Answer : [C] 75

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh announced that a record 75 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry in 2023-24. In 2023-24, the Ministry of Defence has been allocated a total Budget of 5.94 lakh crore rupees, which is 13.18 per cent of the total budget. Capital outlay pertaining to modernization and infrastructure development has been increased to 1.63 lakh crore rupees.

2. Which is the host of the Global Tech Summit (GTS) 2023?

[A] Mumbai

[B] Vishakhapatnam

[C] Mysuru

[D] Kochi

Answer : [B] Vishakhapatnam

The series of G-20 tech and business events will begin with the two-day Global Tech Summit (GTS), which is set to begin in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The GTS may bring many persons from the technology, pharma and agriculture industries to discuss the latest trends and advancements. Nearly 1,000 delegates from more than 25 countries will participate.

3. Indian Army organized a Women’s Snow Cricket Tournament in which state/UT?

[A] Sikkim

[B] Jammu and Kashmir

[C] Arunachal Pradesh

[D] Assam

Answer : [B] Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Army organized a Women’s Snow Cricket Tournament in the bordering area of North Kashmir, under the Khelo India initiative, for local female cricketers. For the first time, Indian Army along with the locals organized a Women’s Cricket Tournament for the local female cricketers in the area.

4. ‘HARBINGER 2023’ is the global hackathon organized by which institution?

[A] NITI Aayog

[B] RBI

[C] ISRO

[D] SEBI

Answer : [B] RBI

The Reserve Bank announced its second global hackathon ‘HARBINGER 2023 – Innovation for Transformation’ with the theme ‘Inclusive Digital Services’. Fin-tech companies have been invited to develop solutions that have the potential to make digital financial services accessible to the differently-abled, facilitate efficient compliance, extend the reach of Central Bank Digital Currencies and enhance the scalability of blockchains. Winner of the hackathon will be given a prize of rs 40 lakh and runner-up Rs 20 lakh.

5. Lakshmi Bhandar is a scheme implemented by which state/UT?

[A] Odisha

[B] West Bengal

[C] Assam

[D] Jharkhand

Answer : [B] West Bengal

West Bengal state government announced its state budget for the year 2023-24 and broadens several welfare schemes. The state Budget for the year 2023-24 widened the ambit of social welfare schemes like Lakshmi Bhandar, added a new scheme providing death benefits for fisherman, promised financial assistance for micro-enterprise and allocated ₹ 3000 crore for rural road connectivity and repair of urban roads in the State.

6. India agreed to collaborate on digital infrastructure, climate action and sustainable development, with which country?

[A] Australia

[B] Spain

[C] Germany

[D] USA

Answer : [B] Spain

India and Spain agreed to collaborate on digital infrastructure, climate action and sustainable development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Mr Pedro Sanchez discussed several bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. They have also reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives and expressed satisfaction at the high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in defence, economic and commercial sectors.

7. Which institution is set to provide maintenance and overhaul support for MQ-9B drone engines in India?

[A] BHEL

[B] HAL

[C] DRDO

[D] ISRO

Answer : [B] HAL

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) announced that it would provide maintenance and overhaul support for MQ-9B drone engines in India. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Atomics announced at Aero India that the turbo-propeller engines which power the MQ-9B Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) RPAS will be supported by HAL engine division for Indian market.

8. As per the second advance estimates, what is the estimated foodgrain production in agricultural year 2022-23?

[A] 1235.54 lakh tonnes

[B] 2235.54 lakh tonnes

[C] 3235.54 lakh tonnes

[D] 4235.54 lakh tonnes

Answer : [C] 3235.54 lakh tonnes

Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops for agricultural year 2022-23 have been released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. As per Second Advance Estimates for 2022-23, Total Foodgrain production in the country is estimated at record 3235.54 lakh tonnes which is higher by 79.38 LMT as compared to previous year 2021-22.

9. Akshdeep Singh and Priyanka Goswami, who were seen in the news, play which sports?

[A] Chess

[B] Badminton

[C] Race-walking

[D] Squash

Answer : [C] Race-walking

Akshdeep Singh and Priyanka Goswami have won the National Race-Walking Championships 2023 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. With this, both have qualified for this year’s World Championships and next year’s Olympics in Paris. Indi’s Ram Baboo and Manju Rani set new national records to win the men’s 35km and women’s 35km races,respectively.

10. Which city is the host of the ‘India International Seafood Show’?

[A] Mumbai

[B] Kochi

[C] Kolkata

[D] Chennai

Answer : [C] Kolkata

India International Seafood Show (IISC) concluded in Kolkata, as the government aims to double seafood exports by 2025. A total of 370 business meets were held during the event to boost seafood export. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Seafood Exporters Association of India organized the event India’s renewed seafood exports target will earn 14 billion US dollars by 2025 as against USD 7.76 billion in 2021-22.

11. ‘EX DHARMA GUARDIAN’ is a joint military exercise held between India and which country?

[A] Australia

[B] Japan

[C] France

[D] Sri Lanka

Answer : [B] Japan

The 4th edition of joint military exercise, ‘EX DHARMA GUARDJAN’, between India and Japan has recently commenced in Japan. This annual exercise will promote bilateral relations between India and Japan and enhance the level of defence cooperation between the two forces. The last edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian was held in Belgaum, Karnataka in 2022.

12. Indian Railways launches ‘Rail Post Gati Shakti Express Cargo Service’ along with which institution?

[A] DMRC

[B] India Post

[C] Blue Dart

[D] LIC

Answer : [B] India Post

Indian Railways launchers Rail Post Gati Shakti Express Cargo Service to provide logistics for services sector in country simultaneously on four sectors. The Cargo Service is a joint parcel product of the two entities between Indian Railways and India Post. The service was among the announcements made by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in last year’s Budget.

13. Which city is the host of ‘Global Tourism Investors’ Summit’?

[A] Mumbai

[B] New Delhi

[C] Kolkata

[D] Bengaluru

Answer : [B] New Delhi

The Tourism Ministry will organize first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit from this year in New Delhi to showcase opportunities in the Tourism and hospitality sector. The Summit will deliberate on potential opportunities for investment across tourism segments including hotels and restaurants, adventure and eco-tourism, cruise, and other related tourism sectors.

14. Which institution awards the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar?

[A] Sangeet Natak Akademi

[B] Archaeological Survey of India

[C] National School of Drama

[D] National Archives of India

Answer : [A] Sangeet Natak Akademi

Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, 2020 and 2021 have been awarded by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to 102 artists. Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy of Music, Dance and Drama, is the apex body of the performing arts in the country. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is given to artists up to the age of 40 years, aims to encourage outstanding young talents in diverse fields of the performing arts.

15. David Malpass is the head of which international organization?

[A] World Bank

[B] International Monetary Fund

[C] World Economic Forum

[D] Asian Development Bank

Answer : [A] World Bank

World Bank President David Malpass said he would leave his post well before his five-year term ends. His five-year term was due to end in April 2024. Malpass has been under pressure in recent months to accelerate reforms aimed at changing the way the World Bank operates to combat climate change.

16. What is the maximum limit of instant transactions made using UPI LITE wallet?

[A] Rs 100

[B] Rs 200

[C] Rs 500

[D] Rs 1000

Answer : [B] Rs 200

Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) has enabled UPI LITE, a feature designed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). With this launch, PPBL has become the first payments bank to launch the feature. A UPI LITE wallet allows a user to do instant transactions of up to ₹ 200. A maximum of ₹ 2,000 can be added twice in a day to UPI LITE, making the cumulative daily usage up to ₹ 4,000.

17. What is the rank of India in the OECD Services trade restrictiveness index (STRI)?

[A] 35

[B] 47

[C] 54

[D] 65

Answer : [B] 47

India is ranked 47th position in Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the year 2022. The index includes sectors like air transport, road freight cover and government regulations. The STRI indices takes into consideration the government policies in several sectors that define the ease of trading in those sectors and industries. Based on these factors, STRI indices assign value to countries between zero and one.

18. Which country passed a new law allowing gender self-determination?

[A] Sweden

[B] Spain

[C] France

[D] Germany

Answer : [B] Spain

Spain Parliament recently passed a new law allowing gender self-determination. The new legislation that will allow anyone over 16 to change their legally registered gender. It also eases abortion limits for those aged 16 and 17, and make the country the first in Europe to introduce paid menstrual leave. A judge will need to authorize the change for minors aged between 12 and 14, while those aged between 14 and 16 will need the consent of their parents or guardians.

19. India signed MoU on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports?

[A] Switzerland

[B] Fiji

[C] Israel

[D] Australia

Answer : [B] Fiji

India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. Under this agreement, diplomatic and official passport holders will be able to enter, transit, and stay in each other territories without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days.

20. Which country has reaffirmed Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India?

[A] USA

[B] Australia

[C] Germany

[D] Russia

Answer : [A] USA

A bipartisan resolution was introduced in the US Senate to recognize Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. The resolution commends India for taking steps to defend itself against aggression and security threats from China.

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