Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 02, 2023
Competitive examinations like the UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Bank Clerk, IBPS, Railways, Government Jobs, UPPSC, MPSC, and other state exams, include GK and Daily Current Affairs MCQs on National Affairs, International Affairs, Economy, Banking Affairs, Polity, Geography, Environment, Sports, etc. You may use this current events quiz to prepare for the General Awareness component of entrance examinations for government jobs like those for Banking, SSC, Insurance, Railways, and more. The current events quiz will also help you outshine the crowd and secure a job for yourself.
Motivation++
‘Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do’.
‘Pele’
Current Affairs: Defence
New British Indian Army Memorial to be Built in Scotland
A new British Indian Army Memorial, commemorating the sacrifice of millions of Indian soldiers who fought alongside the British during the two World Wars, is to be built in the Scottish city of Glasgow after the local council approved the plans.
Glasgow City Council cleared the planning application recently, subject to conditions, paving the way for finalising the designs for the memorial to be built near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Details:
It is intended to honour the special link between Scotland and Force K6, an all-Muslim Punjabi regiment that escaped from Dunkirk during World War II, and made its way to Scotland.
It also aims to represent the key values of “selfless commitment and respect for others” that was epitomised by local campaigner Isobel Harling, who was honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for tirelessly looking after the Force K6 graves in Kingussie in the Scottish Highlands for more than 70 years.
About the Building:
The memorial will feature a chattri (an elevated, dome-shaped pavilion) and pillars, which will be carved creating a South Asian design, and include benches so people can sit and reflect amid new cherry trees to be planted.
Question:
A new British Indian Army Memorial, commemorating the sacrifice of millions of Indian soldiers who fought in World Wars is to be built in which of the following cities?
A. Dundigal
B. London
C. Glasgow
D. Munich
Answer: C
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: Person in News
Pelé, Brazil World Cup Winner and Football Legend, Dies Aged 82
Football has lost its king. Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, passed away on December 29th in São Paulo, Brazil at 82 years old, losing a long battle against cancer that had spread to several organs in his body.
The only men’s football player to have won three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962, and 1970), the Brazilian was one of the most prominent sporting figures of the 20th century. His talent turned the Brazilian Selecao and its yellow shirt into global brands.
About Pele and His Career:
In 1956, he began playing for Santos, the team that launched him into stardom.
In the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, he became the youngest-ever world champion at 17 years old, scoring in the final.
In his career, Pele scored 1,283 goals.
He became one of the first global icons of the 20th century.
Recognitions:
Pele was named “Athlete of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee, co-“Football Player of the Century” by world soccer body FIFA, and a “national treasure” by Brazil’s government.
In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century.
In 2000, he voted as World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football
Politician:
He was a politician—Brazil’s Extraordinary Minister for Sport, a wealthy businessman, and an ambassador for UNESCO and the United Nations.
Question:
The Brazilian football legend who died recently is NOT associated with which of the following recognitions?
A. Athlete of the Century
B. Knighthood
C. National Treasure of Brazil
D. Time’s Person of the Year
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Economy
Tata Steel, TuTr Hyperloop Join Hands to Develop Hyperloop Technology
Tata Steel and TuTr Hyperloop signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at IIT Madras recently, to jointly work on the development and deployment of Hyperloop technology at scale.
The main research areas will focus on design and materials selection challenges.
Details:
Hyperloop is a future option for a high-speed, low-cost, sustainable transport system for passengers and cargo.
The hyperloop system has critical elements such as tubes, pods, propulsion systems, and tracks.
Autonomous, levitated pods travel through a network of evacuated tubes.
It promises 10x more energy efficient than road transport and aviation, uses 2-3x less space than rail and road, and enables shorter travel duration than aviation.
About Tata Steel:
Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes per annum.
It is one of the world’s most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.
The group recorded a consolidated turnover of US $ 32.83 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2022.
About TuTr Hyperloop:
TuTr Hyperloop is a deeptech startup that is focused on developing hyperloop technologies.
Its endeavour is to provide customers with fast and reliable ‘on-demand’ transportation that is both affordable and greener in comparison with other modes of transport.
Currently, India’s (and Asia’s) first hyperloop test track is under implementation at the Discovery campus of IIT Madras.
Question:
TuTr Hyperloop recently signed an MoA to develop and deploy Hyperloop technology in association with which of the following companies?
A. TATA Steel
B. Vedanta steel
C. JSW Steel
D. Steel Authority of India Limited
Answer: A
Current Affairs: National
MoHUA Launches ‘City Finance Rankings-2022’ and ‘City Beauty Competition’
The Central government on Wednesday launched two major initiatives aimed at incentivising urban local bodies for improving cities’ public infrastructure and strengthening them on the basis of key financial parameters.
The City Finance Rankings 2022 and City Beauty Competition are the two initiatives which were launched by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri.
About City Finance Rankings:
City Finance Rankings has been launched to evaluate, recognise, and reward urban local bodies on the basis of their strength across key financial parameters, the City Beauty.
Aim:
Competition aims to encourage and recognise the transformational efforts made by cities and wards in India to create beautiful, innovative, and inclusive public spaces.
City Finance Rankings aim to motivate city and state officials and decision makers, to implement municipal finance reforms.
‘City Beauty Competition’:
The ‘City Beauty Competition’ aims to encourage and recognise the transformational efforts made by cities and wards in India to create beautiful, innovative, and inclusive public spaces.
Indicators:
The participating urban local bodies will be evaluated on 15 indicators across three key municipal finance assessment parameters, like resource mobilisation, expenditure performance, and fiscal governance.
The cities will be ranked at the national level on the basis of their scores under any one of the following four population categories: above 40 lakh, between 10-40 lakh, 1 lakh to 10 lakh, and less than one lakh.
The top three cities in each population category will be recognised and rewarded at the national level as well as within each state and state cluster.
Five Pillers:
Wards and public places of cities would be judged against the five broad pillars (i) accessibility (ii) amenities (iii) activities (iv) aesthetics, and (v) ecology.
Details:
The City Beauty Competition would felicitate most beautiful wards and beautiful public places at the city level.
While selected wards would be felicitated at the city and State levels, at the City level, most beautiful public places in cities, viz., waterfronts, green spaces, tourist/heritage spaces, and market/commercial places would be awarded first at the State and then shortlisted for award at the National level.
It is hoped that healthy competition amongst wards and cities would encourage urban local bodies to improve their basic infrastructure, and also make the urban spaces beautiful, sustainable and inclusive.
Question:
Which of the following ministries launched the City Finance Rankings Initiative 2022?
A. Ministry of Finance
B. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
C. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
D. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Sports
World-Class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy to be Set Up in Tehri, Uttarakhand
Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh said, a world-class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy is to be set up at Tehri in Uttarakhand, while speaking at the inauguration of the National Championship “Tehri Water Sports Cup” at Tehri Lake recently.
Aim:
The aim behind establishing this academy is to promote the water sports in the country and encourage the youth to take up the same.
Other Water Sports in Uttarakhand
There are immense possibilities for the hydropower projects in the mountains, and the central and state governments are working together to take them forward.
State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh highlighted that it is the first time that a national-level sports competition is being organised at Tehri Lake.
New sports policy has been implemented in the state and the government has announced the re-introduction of sports quota in jobs.
Question:
Recently a world-class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy is proposed to be set up in which of the following states/UT?
A. Kerala
B. Puducherry
C. Uttarakhand
D. Odisha
Answer: C
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: National
Maharashtra Became the First State in the Country to Pass the Lokayukta Bill
Maharashtra assembly recently passed the Lokayukta Bill 2022, which brings the Chief Minister and council of ministers under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman.
About the Bill:
The Lokyuktas were set up in several states while Maharashtra was one of the first states to establish an anti-corruption body through an Act in 1971.
Maharashtra’s new bill empowers the Lokayukta to investigate both the Chief Minister and the council of ministers.
Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta Act, 1971, is currently in force in the state and under the existing law, the anti-corruption ombudsman could only recommend action against government officials.
Under Maharashtra’s new bill, bureaucrats will also fall under the Lokayukta’s ambit.
Who is Lokayukta?
The Lokayukta is an authority at state level which deals with corruption and mal-admistration complaints made by the general public.
This authority is constituted for a quicker redressal of public grievances.
The concept of Lokayukta traces back to the ombudsman in Scandinavian countries.
The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 seeks to provide for the establishment of Lokayukta for States to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.
Functions of Lokayukta:
Lokayukta may investigate any action taken by the public servant if it is referred by the state government.
It is tasked with speedy redressal of public grievances.
The complaint will not be taken up if there is any alternate remedy.
The procedure of investigation, etc, is the same as that of the Lokpal.
The Lokayukta and Uplokayukta will present a consolidated report of their functions to the Governor.
How will Lokayukta be appointed?
The selection committee for the appointment of the Lokayukta Chairperson and Members will consist of the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and the Council, and a judge nominated by the Chief Justice or Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
Question:
Which is the first state in the country to pass the Lokayukta bill?
A. Bihar
B. Uttarakhand
C. Rajasthan
D. Maharashtra
Answer: D
FactBook – 30th December 2022
1. Brijesh Damani Wins National Billiards Championship
Asian Games silver medallist Brijesh Damani won his maiden National Billiards Championship as he got the better of his fellow PSPB player Dhruv Sitwala in Indore.
So far, Brijesh has bagged six international medals, including a silver at the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010.
2. IIT Roorkee, AIIMS Delhi Develop SwasthGarbh App for Pregnant Women
Under the Prime Minister Swasth Bharat Mission, researchers at IIT Roorkee have developed a new application for pregnant women called ‘SwasthGarbh’.
The new app is designed to provide antenatal care and real-time medical support to pregnant women.
While there are a lot of apps to help women during pregnancy, most of these provide only pregnancy-related information and lack the involvement of professional clinicians.
In contrast, SwasthGarbh is the first pregnancy app that gives users access to a doctor when needed.
3. Indian Oil to Undertake TB Elimination Project in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
Indian Oil Corp. Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central TB Division (CTD) under the Union Health Ministry and the states of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to undertake intensified tuberculosis (TB) elimination project, as part of its CSR activities.
According to the World Health Organisation 26% of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world in 2020 was reported from India.
Within India, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh share the highest burden of TB cases among large states in India.
The Indian Government has set a target to eliminate TB in India by 2025.
4. Indian Scientist Honoured as One of Europe’s Top Talents in Biology
An Indian scientist has been chosen to join the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) Young Investigator network, recognising her as one of the top talents in biology in Europe.
Dr Mahima Swamy, who hails from Bengaluru, is one of the University of Dundee’s most revered experts within their School of Life Sciences, where she heads a research group that investigates immune responses in the intestine.
5. President Biden Signs Largest Budget in United States History
President Joe Biden has recently signed a $1.7 trillion government spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year, marking the largest budget in United States history.
The legislation, will provide funding for a wide range of federal programs and agencies, including education, healthcare, defence, and infrastructure.
The budget also includes a significant increase in defence spending, with $740 billion allocated for the military.
This includes funding for modernising the military’s weapons systems and increasing the size of the armed forces.
It is expected to have a significant impact on the economy and the lives of Americans across the country.
6. TN Government Sets Up Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Project
Tamil Nadu is set to implement Project Nilgiri Tahr, aimed at developing a better understanding of its population.
The project, to be set up at a cost of ₹25.1 crore, will be implemented during the 2022-27 period.
Nilgiri Tahr is the only mountain ungulate (animal with hooves) in southern India amongst the 12 species present in India.
Nilgiri Tahr is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
It is endemic to the Western ghats and locally known as ‘Varaiaadu’.
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