Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: January 30, 2023

Instead of reading books to prepare for the Current Affairs section, use Embibe’s daily current affairs updates and continue the normal newspaper reading habit. Candidates with the correct resources and daily news analysis may ace any exam’s current events section. A thorough review of The Hindu, Economic Times, and India Today presents these questions to the aspirants. We have organised the most recent subjects for today’s current affairs into categories for general preparation.

Motivation++

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why” 

–Mark Twain

Current Affairs: International

Switzerland Becomes 1st in WTO to Formally Adopt Fisheries Deal

• Switzerland became the first World Trade Organization member to submit its acceptance of the fisheries subsidies agreement struck at the 12th Ministerial Conference—WTO announced 20 January. 
• The agreement bars subsidies to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and bans subsidies for fishing overfished stocks and for fishing on the unregulated high seas. To take effect, the deal requires two-thirds of WTO members to accept it.

Key Features of the Agreement:

• Prohibits subsidies to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and bans subsidies for fishing overfished stocks and for fishing on unregulated high seas. 
• Recognises the needs of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and establishes a Fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the Agreement.
• No prohibition on a WTO Member regarding subsidy to its vessel or operator as long as it is not carrying out IUU. 
• No prohibition on subsidies that are implemented to rebuild the stock to a biologically sustainable level.

What Is India’s Stand?

• Members who have provided huge subsidies in the past and engaged in large-scale industrial fishing should take more obligations to prohibit subsidies based on the ‘polluter pay principle’ and ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.

Check out the Highlights of Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below:
Economic Survey 2022-23

Current Affairs: Defence

Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (Tropex-23) Indian Navy’s Largest War Game

• The 2023 edition of the Indian Navy’s major maritime exercise TROPEX, is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region. This operational level exercise is conducted biennially and witnesses participation not only by all Indian Navy units but also of Indian Army, Indian Airforce and Coast Guard assets.

Details: 

• TROPEX 23 is being conducted over a duration of three months, from January – March 2023. 
• As part of the exercise, all surface combatants of the Indian Navy, including Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes, as well as submarines and aircraft, are put through complex maritime operational deployments to validate and refine the Navy’s Concept of Operations, including operational logistics and interoperability with other Services. 
• The exercise is being conducted in different phases, both in the harbour and at sea, encompassing various facets of combat operations, including live weapon firings.

Rationale:

• The biennial exercise aims to authenticate and refine the Navy’s concept of “operations”. The exercise also aims at testing the overall military capabilities. 
• Also, the maritime exercise will ease the operational level interaction with the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard. 
• This will strengthen the interactions and joint operations in a complex environment.

Other Related Exercises:

• The Navy has also conducted the biennial tri-services amphibious exercise (AMPHEX) 2023 at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh from 17 to 22 January. 
• This exercise aimed at joint training of elements of all three services in various aspects of amphibious operations to improve interoperability and teamwork.

Question

Recently organised ‘Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise’ (Tropex-23) is the largest war game associated with which of the following?

A. Indian Coast Guard

B. Indian Navy

C. Indian Airforce

D. Indian Army

Answer: B

Current Affairs: Science and Technology

NASA to Test Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft by 2027

• In a first, the United States has announced that it will test a spacecraft engine powered by nuclear fission by 2027. 
• The programme is part of a long-term NASA effort to demonstrate more efficient methods of propelling astronauts to Mars in the future.
• The last nuclear thermal rocket engine tests conducted by the United States occurred more than 50 years ago under NASA’s Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application and Rover projects.

Benefits:

• NASA says it could allow spacecraft to travel faster, reduce transit time, and have other benefits, such as increased payloads on missions.
• With the help of this new technology, astronauts could journey to and from deep space faster than ever, a major capability to prepare for crewed missions to Mars.

Nuclear Safety Concerns:

• NASA abandoned nuclear thermal propulsion technology about 50 years ago due to a lack of funding and a shift in priorities toward developing chemical rocket engines for the Apollo program.
• There were also safety concerns.
• DARPA now says it uses high-assay low-enriched uranium instead of highly-enriched uranium.

Testing the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine:

• NASA successfully tested its new-era Artemis spacecraft last year, the first step toward putting humans back on the moon and then on Mars.
• The nuclear thermal rocket engine would be the first tested on DARPA’s experimental spacecraft. The US Space Force plans to provide the launch for the demonstration mission.
• NASA believes the agency could be ready to send humans to Mars by the late 2030s.

Question: 

Recently, which global space agency announced that it will test nuclear-powered spacecraft by 2027?

A. ISRO

B. NASA

C. ESA

D. CNSA

Answer: B

Current Affairs: National

Chandigarh Gets North India’s Largest Floating Solar Power Project

• UT Administrator Banwari Lal Purohit recently inaugurated northern India’s largest floating solar power project of 2000kWp worth Rs 11.70 crore at waterworks, Sector 39.
• He also inaugurated a 500kWp floating solar project with fountains at Dhanas Lake. Adviser Dharam Pal, director (environment) Debendra Dalai and Mayor Anoop Gupta were present on occasion.
• These projects have been designed and executed by CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society) and will generate a minimum of 35 lakh units (kWh) of solar energy per year with 20% module efficiency.

Question: 

In which of the following cities is north India’s largest floating solar power project inaugurated recently?

A. Shimla

B. Chandigarh

C. Karnal

D. Nainital

Answer: B

Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below:
Union Budget 2023-24

Current Affairs: National

J and K to Host Its First-Ever SARAS Fair

• The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will host its maiden SARAS Fair 2023 at Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu from 4 to 14 February.
• The SARAS fair will provide artisans and women’s self-help groups from across the country a platform to showcase and sell their crafts, Handicrafts, handloom, and food products.

Details:

• As per reports, the national-level food and cultural fair will have over 75 stalls and food courts.
• The 11-day fair will witness several cultural events, aids, and plays on several government schemes and campaigns.
• The SARAS Fair provides rural and marginal producers with an opportunity to showcase their products, capacity, and skills of livelihood. It is conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The Fair is organised jointly by the Central-State Government as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), where entrepreneurs across the country are brought together for marketing.

Question: 

Which of the following states/UT will host its first-ever SARAS Fair in February 2023?

A. Andaman and Nicobar

B. Jammu and Kashmir

C. Delhi

D. Tripura

Answer: B

Current Affairs: National

Visakhapatnam Railway Station Receives ‘Green Railway Station Certification’ with Platinum Rating

• East Coast Railways‘ Visakhapatnam railway station has received the prestigious ‘Green Railway Station Certification’ with the highest Platinum rating. 
• The certificate has been awarded by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for adopting green concepts. 
• It secured 82 out of 100 points in six environmental categories.
• Visakhapatnam railway station falls under the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway. 
• The railway station has performed well in various categories, such as sustainable facilities, health, hygiene, energy and water efficiency, smart green initiatives, innovation, and development.

What Is a Green Railway Station? 

• The Environment Directorate of Indian Railways (IR), with the support of IGBC, has developed the Green Railway Stations Rating System to reduce the adverse environmental impacts due to station operation and maintenance and enhance the overall experience of the passengers. 
• This is a voluntary and consensus-based program.

Why?

• The rating system helps to address issues of national priorities such as water conservation, handling of waste, energy efficiency, reduced use of fossil fuels, lesser dependence on usage of virgin materials, and health and well-being of occupants. 

Other ‘Green Railway Station’ 

• In 2022, Bhagalpur railway station (BGP) of Malda division, Eastern Railway (ER), received IGBC ‘Green Railway Station Certification’ with a Silver rating by CII (Confederation of Indian Industries). In 2021, Central Railways’ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway Station (CSMT) was awarded IGBC Gold Certification.

Question: 

Which of the following Railway stations has recently received ‘Green Railway Station Certification’ with a Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council?

A. Dudhsagar Railway Station, Goa 

B. Char Bagh Railway Station, Lucknow

C. Vijayawada Railway Station, Andhra Pradesh

D. Visakhapatnam railway station, Andhra Pradesh

Answer: D

FactBook: 27-01-2023

Himachal Pradesh targets to be the first ‘green energy state’ by 2025

• The Himachal Pradesh government intends to make the State the first Green Energy State by the end of 2025 by harnessing hydro, hydrogen and solar energy and switching to green products.
• The State Government wants to refurbish the present system, and the focus is on harnessing green energy in the best interest of the State.
• The State government would also invest in solar plants and will install 500 MW solar projects during the year 2023-24. Out of this, 200 MW would be installed by HPPCL, for which land has been identified for 70 MW capacity, and the rest of the sites will be finalised soon.
• The Government of Himachal Pradesh has received a dividend of ₹2355 crores against the equity contribution of ₹1055 crore and 12 per cent power from Nathpa Jhakri and Rampur hydropower projects amounting to around ₹7000 crores so far.

Celebrated Architect BV Doshi Dies: “Pole Star in the World of Architecture”

• Balkrishna Doshi, a renowned Indian architect and Padma Bhushan award winner, passed away recently at 95. 
• He was widely regarded as one of the greatest modern Indian architects, and his death was met with a flood of condolences from prominent figures in the architecture and design community.
• Doshi’s contributions to architecture were widely recognised and celebrated, and he received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2018, the Padma Bhushan in 2020, and the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2022.
• Doshi is known for his work in designing buildings that are influenced by Indian architecture, climate, local culture, and craft traditions.

Nagaland Orange Festival Hosted in Nagaland

• In  Nagaland, the third edition of the annual Orange festival 2023 got accomplished recently at Rusoma village, under Kohima district. 
• The two-day festival is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Agriculture, Rural Development, Land Resources and Kohima Smart City.
• The first of July is recognised as International Fruit Day.

Fruit Festivals Are Well-Known Worldwide: 

1. The Orange Festival in Amsterdam
2. Mango Festival in India
3. Cranberry Festival in Canada
4. Pineapple Festival in Thailand
5. Pumpkin Festival in Germany

Fruit Festivals in India?

1. The Banana Festival: Kerala
2. Pineapple Festival: Manipur
3. Mango Festival: Delhi and different parts of India
4. Jack Fruit Festival: Kerala
5. International Orange Festival: Nagpur
6. Konkan Fruit Festival: Goa
7. Strawberries Fruit Festival: Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

Extrass

‘Padma Awards 2023’ Announced

• On the occasion of Republic Day 2023, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced the winners of the Padma Awards on Wednesday. The long list of 106 awardees included Mulayam Singh Yadav, Zakir Hussain, KM Birla, Sudha Murty, Raveena Tandon, etc.

What are Padma Awards?

• Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian awards in India. 
• The award is presented in three categories—including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—to honour people for their notable work in different disciplines and fields like art, social work, literature and education, public affairs, etc.

Know the Complete List of Padma Awardees of this year

Padma Vibhushan Recipients List

Padma Bhushan Recipients List

Padma Shri Recipients List

Also check:

Subscribe to the Embibe App to remain updated on the latest news analysis for government exams.