Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 10, 2023
The current Affairs section can be the easiest section in all Government, Banking, SSC, and Railways exams when followed regularly. Aspirants of competitive exams such as IBPS, UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Bank Clerk, IBPS, Railways, Government Jobs, UPPSC, MPSC, etc, can refer to the general knowledge questions with answers from this article. This article will help you crack any competitive exams you will encounter, such as IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB NTPC, SSC, and so on.
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Current Affairs: Days and Events
17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2023
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur has invited the overseas Indian youth to innovate and invest in India, saying that there is immense investment potential in India.
Being organised in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh government, the 17th PBD convention, started on 8 January, is being covered in a span of three days, with a special programme scheduled on each day.
Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia, was the Guest of Honour at the event.
Theme:
“Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.
What Is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?
9 January commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915. To mark this day, the tradition of celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) started in 2003.
The first PBD Convention was organised on 9 January 2003 to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.
Since 2015, under a revised format, PBD Convention has been organised once every two years.
16 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions have been organised to date. 16th PBD was conducted in a virtual setting with the theme “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in 2021 during the pandemic.
The 17th PBD Convention is being held from 8 – 10 January 2023 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The theme of the 17th PBD is “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal”.
Question:
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was established by the Government of India in which of the following year?
A. 2003
B. 2005
C. 2007
D. 2011
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Defence
India and Japan to Hold Joint Exercise to Promote Air Defence Cooperation
India and Japan are set to hold a joint air exercise, ‘Veer Guardian-2023’ at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan, from 12 to 26 January to promote air defence cooperation.
Details:
The Joint Exercise, which will continue till 26 January, aims to promote Air Defence cooperation between the countries.
The Indian contingent participating in the air exercise will include four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 aircraft, while the JASDF will be participating with four F-2 and four F-15 aircraft.
Other exercises by both countries:
Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN-2022: In February-March last year, both countries participated in Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN-2022, an annual exercise between l.Indian Army and the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force at Foreign Training Node, Belgaum.
JIMEX– In the past, India and Japan have held several joint exercises.
In September 2022, the navies of both countries took part in the sixth edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) in the Bay of Bengal.
The JIMEX series of exercises started in 2012 with a special focus on maritime security cooperation between both countries.
Question:
Which of the following Defence Exercises is not conducted between India and Japan?
A. DHARMA GUARDIAN
B. JIMEX
C. Veer Guardian
D. Prabal Dostyk
Answer: D
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: Economy
Kerala Becomes Country’s First Fully Digital Banking State
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently declared Kerala the first State to enable digital banking in all eligible accounts.
The State now has at least one product in 3.76 crore accounts enabled digitally, according to the State-Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC).
In 2021, Thrissur became the first district in the State to implement digital banking under the ‘‘Expanding and Deepening of Digital Payments Ecosystem’ scheme of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Details:
The CM also said that the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project of the state government, which was almost 90% completed, will reduce the digital divide.
KFON is a radical public-funded project adopted to ensure high-speed Internet access to an entire state.
Accordingly, the project will ensure internet facilities for everyone in the state.
For this, a 17,155 km-long optic fibre cable network has been laid in the state.
Once the project gets completed, the internet will be available to everyone in the state either for a reasonable price or for-of-cost.
Question:
Which of the following recently became the country’s first fully digital banking state?
A. Gujarat
B. Mizoram
C. Kerala
D. Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Defence
Royal Navy Ship on Permanent Deployment in Indo-Pacific Makes First Port Call in India
The Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, HMS Tamar, sailed to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 6 January 2023 as part of its permanent deployment in the Indo-Pacific.
India is the first Port of call for the ship and underlines the United Kingdom’s and India’s intent to collaborate in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and wider Indo-Pacific., as per the U.K. High Commission.
What is a ‘Port of call’:
When the ship leaves the port of origin, it may halt at a port in between before reaching its final destination port. This halt port or intermediate stop is called the port of call.
Also called a port of refuge, a port of call is usually not a part of a ship’s itinerary.
The vessel may “call” the said intermediate port and need a stopover due to various reasons, like:
Cargo operations (cleaning, repairs, or maintenance)
Stock up supplies (fuel, food, etc.)
Load and unload cargo
Ship-to-ship transfers
Crew change
Bad weather conditions
Unforeseen emergencies
Significance:
The ship’s visit to India is an opportunity to strengthen the shared maritime domain awareness effort further.
The Indo-Pacific will drive future growth and prosperity for the world.
It is imperative that it remains and open to all in support of trade, shared security and values.
About HMS TAMAR:
The HMS Tamar is an offshore patrol vessel of the Royal Navy.
It is part of the River class of patrol vessels, which are designed for use in coastal and offshore waters.
The HMS Tamar is equipped with a variety of sensors and systems to allow it to perform a range of duties, including surveillance, enforcement of maritime law, and search and rescue operations.
It is capable of operating in a variety of weather conditions and has a top speed of around 25 knots.
The HMS Tamar was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2019 and is based at HMNB Portsmouth.
Question:
Which of the following British Royal Navy’s offshore patrol vessels sailed to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as part of its permanent deployment in the Indo-Pacific region?
A. HMS Marlborough
B. HMS Tamar
C. HMS Ulysses
D. HMS Compass Rose
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Index and Rankings
Bangalore and Delhi in Top 10 Best-Performing Global Airports of 2022
The travel and aviation sector returned to normalcy last year after the restrictions and regulations imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak got eased.
This also resulted in airlines and airports struggling to keep up with the overwhelming and sudden surge of passengers.
However, amid such challenges being faced globally, several airlines and airports stood out and excelled, according to the latest reports released by Cirium Aviation Analytics.
Other Details:
Along with the above analytics, Cirium also released a list of the most punctual airlines globally, wherein Azul Airlines surfaced as “the global leader”.
It is a Brazilian carrier based in Barueri, a suburb of São Paulo.
This airline is counted among the top three airlines in Brazil, which started operations in late 2008.
It has since become the fastest-growing airline in the country and has won many awards for its services.
The top 10 Rankings for best-performing global airports of 2022, according to Cirium’s report, are as follows –
1. Tokyo, Japan – (HND) Haneda Airport
2. Bengaluru, India – (BLR) Kempegowda International Airport
3. Salt Lake City, USA – (SLC) Salt Lake City International Airport
4. Detroit, USA – (DTW) Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
5. Philadelphia, USA – (PHL) Philadelphia International Airport
6. USA – (MSP) Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
7. Delhi, India – (DEL) Indira Gandhi International Airport
8. Seattle, USA – (SEA) Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
9. Bogotá, Colombia – (BOG) El Dorado International Airport
10. North Carolina, USA – (CLT) Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: National
PM Launched Aspirational Block Programme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched the government’s Aspirational Block Programme (ABP), which aims to improve the performance of blocks lagging on various development parameters.
The ABP was launched during the second National Conference of Chief Secretaries, which was held on 7 January.
What Is the Aspirational Block Programme?
The Aspirational Blocks Programme is on the lines of the Aspirational District Programme, launched in 2018, and it covers 112 districts across the country.
This new programme aims to improve the performance of blocks lagging on various development parameters.
This will enable holistic development in those areas that require added assistance.
The programme will cover 500 districts across 31 states and Union Territories initially.
Over half of these blocks are in 6 states—Uttar Pradesh (68 blocks), Bihar (61), Madhya Pradesh (42), Jharkhand (34), Odisha (29) and West Bengal (29).
What Is ADP-Aspirational District Programme?
Launched in 2018, the ADP aims to quickly and effectively transform (the socio-economic status of) 112 most under-developed districts across the country, with a vision of a New India.
The focus is to improve India’s ranking under the Human Development Index (HDI) and to localise Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leading to the progress of the nation.
The districts have been identified by NITI Aayog based upon composite indicators from – Health and Nutrition (30%), Education (30%), Agriculture and Water Resources (20%), Financial Inclusion and Skill Development (10%), Basic Infrastructure (10%), which have an impact on HDI.
Question:
Which of the following is not an indicator of the recently launched government’s Aspirational Block Programme (ABP)?
A. Agriculture and Water Resources
B. Financial Inclusion and Skill Development
C. Basic Infrastructure
D. Sanitation and cleanliness
Answer: D
Fact Book – 09 January 2023
Kerala beedi factory worker becomes a judge in the US
Indian-origin attorney in Texas Surendran K Pattel sworn in as the judge of 240th Judicial District Court in Texas’ Fort Bend County, The Week magazine reported.
Born to daily wagers in Kasaragod, the 51-year-old grew up in Kerala.
He worked during his time in school and college to support the family.
According to the report, Surendran K. Patel worked as a labourer and rolled beedis to make money while still in his teen years.
India becomes the world’s 3rd largest auto market
For the first time, India surpassed Japan in auto sales last year and became the third-largest auto market in the world.
The country’s sales of new vehicles totalled at least 4.25 million units, topping the 4.2 million sold in Japan.
China continued to lead the global auto market, with 26.27 million vehicles sold. The US remained second at 15.4 million vehicles.
Hyderabad to host first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India
The first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India will be held in Hyderabad on 11 February.
Private firm Ace Nxt Gen is the official promoter of the Formula E Race in India.
The firm is working in partnership with Formula E and the Telangana government.
This will be the fourth race of season 9 of Formula E, with the first three being held in Mexico City and Riyadh (second and third).
It will see the participation of 11 teams with 22 cars, including some of the top racing companies. The track is about 2.8 kilometres long.
Museum dedicated to the life of Chandrasekhar Azad to be built in U.P.’s Unnao
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has said that a museum dedicated to the life ofdom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad will be built in the state’s Unnao district so that people can take inspiration from it.
The museum will be located in Badarka village, which is also Azad’s native place.
Badarka holds a lot of significance when we talk about Chandrashekhar Azad, as this is the native village of thedom fighter’s father.
Azad, who was born on 23 July 1906, was a prominent revolutionary in thedom struggle.
On 27 February 1931, in an encounter in Prayagraj, he killed three policemen of the British empire and shot himself when the last bullet was left with him.
CJI Chandrachud to be conferred with ‘Award for Global Leadership’
Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has been selected for the “Award for Global Leadership” by the Harvard Law School Centre in recognition of his lifetime service to the legal profession in the country and around the world.
Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud is an Indian judge who is currently serving as the 50th Chief Justice of India.
He is the former ex-officio executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority whilst being J1 of the Supreme court of India.
He is also the former chief justice of Allahabad High Court and former judge of Bombay High Court.
India deploys a women-only platoon of peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Abyei
India recently deployed a women-only platoon of peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Abyei on the border of Sudan and South Sudan as part of the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force, Abyei (UNISFA).
The action indicates India’s intention to increase the proportion of women in peacekeeping contingents substantially.
The International Kite Festival kicked off in Ahmedabad
The International Kite Festival kicked off in Ahmedabad on 8 January with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Organised by Gujarat Tourism at Sabarmati Riverfront, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival, which is being held after a gap of two years.
This time the festival is being organised on the G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
New dwarf boa found in Ecuadoran Amazon
Scientists have discovered a new species of dwarf boa in the Ecuadoran Amazon and named it after an Indigenous activist.
Up to 20 centimetres (7.8 inches) long and with skin colouring similar to those of the boa constrictor — the previously unknown snake was named Tropidophis cacuangoae.
The name honours early 20th-century Indigenous rights activist Dolores Cacuango.
The species is unusual for having a “vestigial pelvis” characteristic of primitive snakes.
Purple Fest: India’s First Festival of Inclusion
India’s first-of-its-kind inclusivity, ‘Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity’, took place in a glorious ceremony in Goa recently.
The festival was aimed at showcasing how we can come together to create a welcoming and inclusive world for everyone.
It was the first-ever Purple Fest, which brought together people with disabilities from across the country.
It was hosted by the Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities in association with the Directorate of Social Welfare and Entertainment Society of Goa.
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