Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 18, 2023
A part of the question paper for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IAS, Railway-RRB, UPPSC, UGC NET, SBI, MPPSC, etc., is devoted to the Current Affairs section. Moreover, scoring well in this portion is not difficult if we have a sound preparation plan. Candidates can ace the current affairs section of any exam by using the right tools and daily news analysis.
The most recent events from around the globe have been selected by our specialists at Embibe and are included in this post.
Motivation++
“You cannot change your future, but, you can change your habits, and surely your habits will change your future”
Dr APJ Abdul Kalaam
Current Affairs: National
Kerala’s Kollam Becomes the First Constitution Literate District in India
In a remarkable achievement, Kollam has become the first constitution-literate district in the country.
This feat was achieved through The Citizen, a Constitution literacy campaign jointly launched by the Kollam district panchayat, District Planning Committee and Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA).
About the Campaign:
As part of the campaign, around 16.3 lakh people in the district above the age of 10 have been educated on various aspects of the Constitution and the strenuous process involved 2,200 trainers called ‘senators’.
The senators visited schools, offices, auto stands and tribal councils to spread awareness.
Outcomes:
A 63-year-old woman from Kollam district hardly knew that liberty of expression or equality of status was her right. Once enlightened, she does not doubt where to place the Preamble of the Constitution of India.
In her modest two-room house in Kollam, the preamble shares a wall with the gods.
Question:
Which of the following Indian Districts was recently declared as the first constitution-literate district in the country?
A. South 24 Parganas in West Bengal
B. Tinsukia in Assam
C. Kollam in Kerala
D. Amreli in Gujarat
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Defence
21st Edition of Naval Exercise VARUNA between India and France Begins
The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France- Exercise VARUNA commenced on the Western Seaboard on Monday.
The exercise will be conducted until the 20th of this month and will witness advanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, replenishment, and other maritime operations.
Rationale:
This exercise provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices.
The exercise facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation for good order at sea, underscoring the shared commitment of both nations to security, safety anddom of the global maritime commons.
Details:
This edition of the exercise will witness the participation of indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters and MiG29K fighter aircraft
The French Navy will be represented by the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
About Exercise:
While the bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993, it was christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India – France’s strategic bilateral relationship.
Question:
The 21st edition of Naval Exercise VARUNA has recently been initiated between India and which of the following countries?
A. Japan
B. France
C. Indonesia
D. USA
Answer: B
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: National
Doppler Weather Radar Network to Cover the Entire Country by 2025
With the improvement in the forecast of extreme weather events, disaster-related mortalities have been reduced to single digits, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said recently.
The minister affirmed the relevance of the increased number of doppler radars and also announced that by 2025, the entire country will be covered by the doppler radars.
The number of doppler radars in the country has increased from 15 in 2013 to 37 in 2023, and the minister informed that India would add 25 more radars in the next two to three years
The Union Minister dedicated 4 Doppler Weather Radar Systems to the Western Himalayan States of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
What Is Doppler Radar?
A Doppler radar is a specialised radar that uses the Doppler effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.
These radar systems can provide information regarding the movement of targets as well as their position.
Doppler radars help forecasters to observe rainfall and the advance of cloud formations over a region and subsequently monitor thunderstorms and lightning in real-time.
How Does This Radar Work?
Radars are a beam of energy, called radio waves, emitted from an antenna. As they strike objects in the atmosphere, the energy is scattered in all directions, with some of the energy reflected directly back to the radar.
Weather-Related Casualties Data:
According to the Annual Statement on Climate of India 2022 issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country reported the highest number of human casualties due to extreme weather events in three years.
The year 2022 saw 2,227 extreme weather-related deaths in India.
As per the earlier reports from the weather department, the number of casualties was 1,750 in 2021 and 1,338 in 2020.
Question:
According to the recent data by the union government, the entire country will be covered by the doppler radars in which of the following year?
A. 2025
B. 2030
C. 2035
D. 2040
Answer: A
Current Affairs: International
Initiatives Launched under Voice of Global South Summit
The honourable PM of India recently inaugurated a virtual event, “Voice of the Global South Summit”. India hosted the summit in a bid to articulate the views of the developing countries regarding the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The event has planned eight ministerial sessions, including finance, energy, education, foreign affairs, and commerce.
The session had a representation of the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Energy / Petroleum Ministers from Algeria, Bahrain, Belarus, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Namibia, Somalia, Syria, Vanuatu, and Venezuela and the Deputy Minister of Azerbaijan.
Theme:
It was held under the theme – ‘Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose’ – which essentially envisages bringing together countries of the global south and sharing their perspectives and priorities on a common platform across a whole range of issues.
What Is Global North and Global South?
Global North refers loosely to countries like the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.
Global South includes countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
Initiatives Launched under the Summit:
Aarogya Maitri project– to provide medical supplies to any developing country hit by natural disasters or humanitarian crises
Global South Science and Technology initiative- will be launched to share expertise in areas such as space technology and nuclear energy
Global South Centre of Excellence- will be established for research on development solutions or best practices to be implemented in other countries of the Global South
Global-South Young Diplomats Forum- to connect youthful officers of foreign ministries.
Global-South Scholarships- for students from developing countries to pursue higher education in India.
Question:
Which of the following Initiatives is not launched recently under the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’?
A. Global South Science and Technology initiative
B. Global-South Scholarships
C. Aarogya Maitri project
D. Global-South Counter Terrorism Unit
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
The Centre Puts Neelakurinji on the List of Protected Plants
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has listed Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including it on the list of protected plants.
Those who uproot or destroy the plant will invite a fine of ₹25,000 and three years imprisonment. The cultivation of Neelakurinji and its possession is not allowed, according to the order.
What Is Neelakuruj?
Neelakuruj is scientifically known as Strobilanthus Kunsthaus.
It is a shrub that grows in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in South India.
The plant is named after the famous Kunthi River, which flows through Kerala’s Silent Valley National Park, where the plant occurs abundantly.
It is found at an altitude of 1,300-2,400 metres.
This flower blooms once in 12 years as the pollination of flowers needs a longer period.
It is mainly found in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
About Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
This act was enacted for the protection of plants and animal species.
Also, this act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting of these species was largely outlawed.
Question:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has recently listed Neelakurinji Plant under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is found mainly in which Eco Zone of India?
A. The Trans-Himalayan Region
B. The Himalayan Region
C. The Indian Desert
D. The Western Ghats
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Technology
Vidisha Becomes the First-Ever District in the Country for on-Ground Deployment of Innovative 5G Use Cases
Vidisha, an aspirational district of Madhya Pradesh, became the first-ever district in India for the on-ground deployment of innovative 5G use cases offered by startups – a joint initiative by Vidisha District Administration and Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the guidance of Additional Secretary (Telecom) and Administrator USOF.
Details:
Department of Telecommunications, Under Telecom Startups and MSMEs Mission (TSuM) and 5G Vertical Engagement Partnership Program (VEPP), have been facilitating collaborations of Digital Communication Tech – startups and SMEs to potential user communities, viz., State governments, Smart cities, etc.
5G Use Cases Include Superceuticals:
5G/4G Enabled smart health kiosk
Ambupod: 5G/4G Enabled Auto Ambulance
Dvara- Surabhi: For Unique Biometric muzzle identity of cattle
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Current Affairs: Defence
India, Egypt to Hold First-Ever Exercises with Special Forces
India and Egypt are set to hold the first-ever military exercises involving the special forces in Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Details:
Egypt’s Ambassador to India, Wael Hamed, said: “We are expanding our defence cooperation not only to joint exercises of air forces and naval but also in special forces”.
Aim:
These exercises are aimed at enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries and the exchange of best practices.
The focus is to strengthen the bond between the two countries and, at the same time, nurture new connections. Egypt is India’s valued partner and has a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in the Arab world and Africa.
Fact Book – 17 January 2023
Pashu Sakhi Project
The ‘doctor didis’ (friends of the animals) are creating social capital in rural Jharkhand under the Pashu Sakhi project.
Pashu Sakhi is a Community Animal care Service Provider (CASP) which will enable the last mile coverage in rural areas where clinical services for livestock are not available on time or are expensive to afford for the rural poor.
The project was conceived under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, to build a line of community resource persons.
The World Bank funds it.
The Pashu Sakhi model under JOHAR had been selected by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Food Policy Research Institute as one of the top eight global best practice models for farmer service delivery.
Doctor Didis (or Pashu Sakhi) of around 1,000 women in all 24 districts of Jharkhand have been recruited since October 2013, praised recently at the global level for the last mile of livestock management.
Gangasagar Mela:
Gangasagar Mela is known as the world’s second-largest human congregation at the confluence of the holy Ganga and the Bay of Bengal after Kumbh. The event is organised every year during Makar Sankranti.
The mela was held at Sagar Island (West Bengal) recently. The West Bengal government has demanded National Mela status for Gangasagar mela.
Saltie Census 2023: Counting Saltwater Crocodiles
The population of saltwater crocodiles has gone up in Bhitarkanika National Park, with the annual census putting the headcount at 1,793.
The authorities of Bhitarkanika, home to the largest population of estuarine crocodiles, had carried out the enumeration drive from 10 to 12 January in all the creeks and rivers within the park and its nearby areas.
Of the 1,793 crocodiles, 20 are albinos. The 2022 census had pegged the crocodile count at 1,784.
Techniques used for the census: Spotlights at night, GPS, and Photographic Interpretation to measure the length and age of the crocodiles
Veteran Actor Aparna Sen Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran actor-director Aparna Sen was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at the opening ceremony of the 15th edition of the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF 2023) held recently in Jaipur.
Her films are known for making a mark as feminist-centric and inclusive, with a focus on gender stereotypes.
In 1961, Aparna Sen made her film debut in Satyajit Ray’s Teen Kanya.
Writer K Venu Received Federal Bank Literary Award 2023
Recently, a noted writer K Venu bagged the first-ever Federal Bank Literary Award 2022 for his autobiography ‘Oranweshananthinte Katha’.
The award was presented by the chairman and independent director of the Federal Bank, Balagopal Chandrasekhar.
It was presented at an event held as part of the ongoing sixth edition Kerala Literature Festival, Kozhikode beach.
‘Oranweshananthinte Katha’ was chosen by a panel comprising writer and literary critic K C Narayanan, Sunil P Ilayidom and P K Rajashekharan from the ten works which were shortlisted for the award.
‘RRR’ Wins Critics Choice Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Song for ‘Naatu Naatu’
S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR continued its winning streak as the global blockbuster won two trophies — Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song for “Naatu Naatu” — at the Critics Choice Awards (CCA).
The Telugu magnum opus, headlined by Ram Charan and Jr NTR, was nominated in five categories at the CCA — Best Picture, Best Director (Rajamouli), Best Foreign Language film, Best Visual Effects (V. Srinivas Mohan) and Best Song (‘Naatu Naatu’).
In the Best Foreign Language Film, RRR was competing against films such as All Quiet on the Western Front, Argentina 1985, Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Close and Decision to Leave.
The Critics Choice Awards (CCA) are an annual awards show that honours outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the film industry. The awards are presented by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA), which are made up of over 250 television, radio, and online critics from across the United States.
Question:
Which of the following movies recently won Critics Choice Awards for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song?
A. The Kashmir Files
B. Chhello Show
C. KGF
D. RRR
Answer: D
James Webb Telescope Discovers its First Earth-Sized Exoplanet
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently announced that the James Webb Space Telescope had discovered its first new exoplanet. Researchers have labelled the planet LHS 475 b, roughly the same size as Earth.
Located just 41 light-years away, the planet orbits very close to a red dwarf star and completes a full orbit in just two days.
Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars and are beyond our solar system.
Exoplanets come in a host of different sizes. They can be gas giants bigger than Jupiter or as small and rocky as Earth.
They are also known to have different kinds of temperatures, from boiling to cold.
Question:
Which of the following telescopes has recently discovered its first exoplanet named planet LHS 475 b, roughly the same size as Earth?
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