28th January 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English

1. What is the name of the cluster of digital solutions like Aadhaar, UPI, Digi Locker, Co-Win, Gem, and GSTN?

[A] Bharat e-platforms

[B] India Stack

[C] e-Bharat

[D] Digi Bharat

Answer : [B] India Stack

India Stack is a multi-layer cluster of digital solutions like Aadhaar, UPI, Digi Locker, Co-Win, Gem, and GSTN-that have played a significant role in the digital transformation in India. The first India Stack Developer Conference will be held in New Delhi, to ensure wider adoption of India’s digital goods all over the world. India Stack will be one of the focus areas at the World Government Summit 2023 which will be held at Abu Dhabi next month.

2. ‘Purse Seine’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which activity?

[A] Skating

[B] Fishing

[C] Painting

[D] Sculpting

Answer : [B] Fishing

Purse Seine Fishing is a method where a vertical net attached to a vessel is targeted at dense group of fish in open water in curtain formation the bottom of which is drawn together to enclose the fish. The Supreme Court conditionally allowed Purse Seine Fishing beyond the territorial waters of the state of Tamil Nadu, but within the exclusive economic zone.

3. Which institution issues the Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) on behalf of the government?

[A] RBI

[B] SEBI

[C] NITI Aayog

[D] BSE

Answer : [A] RBI

The first tranche of Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) worth Rs 8,000 crore was subscribed fully. SGrBs will be issued through uniform price auction and 5 per cent of the notified amount of sale will be reserved for retail investors. Coupon rates of the Bonds are in line with the G-Sec.

4. The Monument Mitra scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to which Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Culture

[B] Ministry of Home Affairs

[C] Ministry of External Affairs

[D] Ministry of Finance

Answer : [A] Ministry of Culture

The Monument Mitra scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Culture. Union Culture Secretary announced that the government will soon launch a revamped version of the Monument Mitra scheme under which the Culture Ministry will seek partnerships with private industries for upkeeping of 1,000 ASI monuments.

5. National Tourism Day 2023 is celebrated in which state?

[A] New Delhi

[B] Kerala

[C] Sikkim

[D] Telangana

Answer : [D] Telangana

National Tourism Day is celebrated across the country on January 25 every year. The Ministry of Tourism observes National Tourism Day to spread awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on the economy. This year National Tourism Day is celebrated in the village of Pochampally of Telangana.

6. Hundreds of vulnerable Olive Ridley Turtles have washed ashore along the coastline in which state recently?

[A] Odisha

[B] Goa

[C] Andhra Pradesh

[D] Kerala

Answer : [C] Andhra Pradesh

Hundreds of vulnerable Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) have washed ashore along the coastline in Andhra Pradesh. The breeding grounds in the Godavari region have been witnessing the mass mortality of the turtles during the ongoing annual breeding season on the east coast. Locals blame it on effluents from oil exploration facilities and aqua ponds.

7. Which state is known for celebrating the annual Orange festival?

[A] Maharashtra

[B] Assam

[C] Nagaland

[D] West Bengal

Answer : [C] Nagaland

In Nagaland, the third edition of the annual Orange festival 2023 is being celebrated at Rusoma village, in Kohima district. The Orange festival is conceptualized to recognize and celebrate the hard work of the orange growers while facilitating them the market linkages.

8. Cervical cancer vaccine Cervavac has been jointly developed by Indian Government along with which institution?

[A] Bharat Biotech

[B] Serum Institute

[C] Dr Reddys Lab

[D] Biocon

Answer : [B] Serum Institute

The Cervavac vaccine has been developed jointly by the Serum Institute of India and the Indian Government’s Department of Biotechnology. India’s first indigenously developed Cervical cancer vaccine ‘Cervavac’ for 9-14-year-old has been launched. The vaccine will be included in the National Immunisation Programme by mid-2023.

9. As per Kantar India Union Budget Survey 2023, what is the concern among consumers regarding budget announcement?

[A] Inflationary pressures

[B] Income Tax

[C] GST

[D] Cryptocurrency

Answer : [A] Inflationary pressures

According to the Kantar India Union Budget Survey 2023, Inflationary pressures remained the top concern among consumers regarding the Centre’s budget announcement of February 1, 2023. Three out of four Indians expressed concern about the rising inflation and want the government to introduce measures to tackle these challenges. Every one in four Indian is concerned about the threat of job layoff.

10. Which Union Ministry is associated with the Competition (amendment) Bill 2022?

[A] Ministry of Labour and Employment

[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

[C] Ministry of Finance

[D] Ministry of MSME

Answer : [C] Ministry of Finance

The Parliamentary Standing committee on Finance gave its report in December on the Competition (amendment) Bill 2022. The Central government is set to modify the Competition (amendment) Bill 2022. The bill seeks to fine tune the regulatory framework and proposes global best practices like settlement and commitment and enhanced leniency provisions.

11. Which institution launched ‘She Feeds the World’ program in India to strength the role of small-scale women producers?

[A] PepsiCo Foundation

[B] Mastercard

[C] Meta Foundation

[D] Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Answer : [A] PepsiCo Foundation

PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo and CARE, launched ‘She Feeds the World’ program in India. It aims to strengthen the role of small-scale women producers through sustainable training and economic support. The program will be implemented in the Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal.

12. Which institution has proposed to use river names as tag line and branding for its products?

[A] FCI

[B] NABARD

[C] APEDA

[D] IRCTC

Answer : [C] APEDA

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) proposes to use river names as tag line and branding for Indian agricultural products. APEDA is identifying agricultural products that can be sourced from the Gangetic, Brahmaputra, Cauvery and Godavari basins, among others. APEDA will showcase riverine source of agri exports as unique identifier.

13. As of 2022, which state is the biggest producer of bajra and second-largest in jowar?

[A] Punjab

[B] Rajasthan

[C] Karnataka

[D] Tamil Nadu

Answer : [B] Rajasthan

The Centre has estimated the millet procurement in the country to move up from current 6-7 lakh tonnes (it) to 40-50 it in the next few years. Nine states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have launched their own programmes to procure millets and distribute those nutria-cereals. Rajasthan, the biggest producer of bajra and second-largest in jowar, is asked to start focusing on procurement of the grains.

14. India recently decided to elevate bilateral relations with which c country to a strategic partnership?

[A] Egypt

[B] UAE

[C] Sri Lanka

[D] Bangladesh

Answer : [A] Egypt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has decided to elevate bilateral relations with Egypt to a strategic partnership, India and Egypt also exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of cyber security, culture, information technology, youth matters and broadcasting. Exchange of commemorative postage stamps to mark the milestone of 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Egypt was also held.

15. For the first time in football history, which country initiated ‘white card’ in a match?

[A] UK

[B] Brazil

[C] Portugal

[D] Argentina

Answer : [C] Portugal

A white card was shown for the first time in a women’s cup quarter-final match between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. The card was initiated by Portugal to try and improve ethical value in the sport. It is in contrast with yellow and red cards which are used to discipline players for misconduct. The exact purpose and consequence of the card are yet to be announced. When a fan fell ill in the stands, the medical teams from both the teams rushed to the spot and the card was shown as an appreciation to the medical teams for their spirit.

16. Which country introduced ‘International Information campaign’ to discourage refugees from coming to the country?

[A] USA

[B] China

[C] Sweden

[D] Indonesia

Answer : [C] Sweden

The Sweden government has announced an international information campaign, to discourage refugees from coming to the country. The campaign includes distributing an information package to foreign authorities and other authorities with contact points abroad. 76 per cent of the refugees who arrived in the Nordic countries in 2019 ended up in Sweden.

17. Which country announced the ‘Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO’ programme?

[A] USA

[B] UK

[C] China

[D] Russia

Answer : [A] USA

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a research arm of the US Department of Defense, announced plans to test nuclear-powered rockets that would fly humans to Mars. NASA will partner with DARPA on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, programme. The mission is expected to happen by 2027. The nuclear thermal rocket will allow for a faster transit time and will also reduce the risk for astronauts.

18. ‘U-WIN platform’, which was launched recently, is associated with which field?

[A] Entrepreneurship

[B] Skill Development

[C] Vaccination

[D] Education

Answer : [C] Vaccination

The government has rolled out Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), to make vaccinations of children and pregnant women hassle-free. The platform aims to digitize India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and has been launched in pilot mode across two districts of each state and union territory. This platform will help in registering and vaccinating every pregnant woman, recording her delivery outcome, registering newborn delivery, and administering birth vaccinations and all immunization.

19. Which state hosted the ‘Tri-services Amphibious Exercise, AMPHEX 2023’?

[A] West Bengal

[B] Andhra Pradesh

[C] Sikkim

[D] Jammu and Kashmir

Answer : [B] Andhra Pradesh

The biennial Tri-Services Amphibious Exercise, AMPHEX 2023 was conducted at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The exercise witnessed the participation of a amphibious ships from the Indian Navy, 900 troops which included Special Forces, Artillery and Armoured vehicles of Indian Army and Jaguar fighters and C 130 aircraft from the Indian Air Force.

20. ‘SB Gangadhar’, a motor launch marine vessel, which was inaugurated, runs on which product?

[A] Hydrogen

[B] Methanol

[C] CNG

[D] Solar Energy

Answer : [B] Methanol

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep S. Puri ceremonially inaugurated the demo-run of Inland Water Vessel powered by Methanol Blended Diesel (MD15). This is a run-up to India Energy Week 2023 (IEW 2023) to be held in Bengaluru in February 2023, The boat ride was done on a 50-seater motor launch marine vessel named ‘SB Gangadhar’.