Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: February 02, 2023

For competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IAS, Railway-RRB, UPPSC, UGC NET, SBI, MPPSC, etc., a section of the question paper is dedicated to the Current Affairs section. If the aspirants have an effective preparation strategy, scoring high in this section is not difficult. The candidates can ace the current events section with the right study material and analysis of daily news.

Motivation++

“Do not be led by others, awaken your own mind, amass your own experience, and decide for yourself your own path” 

– Atharva Veda

Current Affairs: National Interest

Uttarakhand Tableau Wins First Prize in Republic Day Parade 2023

• The tableau of Uttarakhand based on the wildlife and religious theme has been awarded the top prize at this year’s Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path.
• A total of 23 tableaux—17 from states and union territories and six from various ministries and departments depicting India’s vibrant cultural heritage and economic and social progress participated in the ceremonial parade.
• ‘Nari Shakti’ was predominantly the theme of the celebration on Republic Day this year.
• Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at the ceremonial event.

Winners in Different Categories:

• Gujarat’s tableau emerged as the numero uno in the popular choice segment.
• Army’s Punjab Regiment has been adjudged the best marching contingent among the three services, while the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) marching contingent won the top prize among the CAPFs and other auxiliary forces.
• Among the ministries and departments, the tableau of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Eklavya Model Residential Schools) won the best prize.
• The Central Public Works Department’s tableau on biodiversity conservation and the ‘Vande Bharatam’ dance group earned a special prize.
• The IAF’s marching contingent emerged as the winner among the three services in the popular choice category.
• Among the central ministries and departments, the tableau by the CAPF, the Ministry of Home Affairs, emerged as the best in the popular choice segment.

Question: 1

Which state’s tableau Wins First Prize in the Republic Day Parade 2023?

A. Gujarat

B. Maharashtra

C. Uttarakhand

D. Assam

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: International

India’s First Model G-20 Summit Inaugurated

• India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant recently inaugurated India’s first Model G-20 Summit organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini’s Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership. 
• The two-day Model G-20 Summit, which started on 30 January, was organised at the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini’s Uttan campus near Mumbai to celebrate India’s presidency and take the idea of G-20 to the youth.
• Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of ICCR and Vice Chairman of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, chaired the inaugural ceremony.

Details:

• G-20 is an important forum because it accounts for 85 per cent of the global GDP. 
• G20 countries comprise developed and developing countries that have provided solutions to various global issues. 
• India has taken the G-20 presidency amidst global turmoil like Post COVID challenges, geopolitical crisis, debt crisis, climate crisis, and food and energy crisis.
• India believes that every challenge brings an opportunity. Kant further reiterated India’s G-20 presidency seeks to advocate the oneness of all.
• A total of 150 youngsters from across the country will participate in this two-day programme and get into the roles of delegates representing the G-20 countries. The best two delegates will be awarded a cash prize of 15,000 and 10,000 rupees.
• Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, the parent organisation of IIDL, is also the Secretariat of the G-20 Civil Society engagement group – Civil-20.

Question: 2

India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant recently inaugurated India’s first Model G-20 Summit, organised by which of the following organisations?

A. Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership

B. PRS Legislative Research

C. Observer Research Foundation

D. Social and Political Research Foundation

Answer: A

Current Affairs: National Interest

India’s First Cable Suspension Bridge “Bajrang Setu” Is Being Constructed at Rishikesh

• In Uttarakhand, Asia’s second and country’s first cable suspension bridge, “Bajrang Setu”, is being constructed at Rishikesh. 
• This bridge is coming up next to the famous 90-year-old Laxman Jhula.

• Laxman Jhula has been closed since last year when it was found that it wasn’t safe for pedestrians anymore. However, it will not be removed and will be preserved as a heritage.
• Superintending Engineer of Public Works Department NPS Singh said that the construction of the new bridge would cost ₹67 crores, and all efforts are being made to complete it by July 2023.

Question:3

Asia’s second and country’s first cable suspension bridge, “Bajrang Setu”, is being constructed in which of the following states?

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Tamil Nadu

C. Uttarakhand

D. Rajasthan

Answer: C

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

Current Affairs: Science and Technology

Japan Is Planning to Flush Fukushima Wastewater into the Ocean

• Japan is expected to start flushing 1.25 million tonnes of wastewater from the embattled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean this year as part of a $76-billion project to decommission the facility.

What Was the Issue?

• In March 2011, after a magnitude nine earthquake, a tsunami flooded the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Okuma and damaged its diesel generators. The loss of power suspended the coolant supply to reactors at the facility; the tsunami also disabled backup systems.
• The water that the Japanese government wanted to flush from the plant was used to cool the reactors, plus rainwater and groundwater. It contains radioactive isotopes from the damaged reactors and is thus itself radioactive.
• Japan has said that it will release this water into the Pacific Ocean over the next 30 years.

Treated Water:

• The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the Fukushima facility, has treated the water to remove most radioactive isotopes.
• The Japanese government required the water to have 1/40th as much tritium as the permitted limit.

Why Is Japan Flushing Water Instead of Treating Water?

• TEPCO, which operates the Fukushima facility, initially planned to treat the wastewater, but because of lacking enough room for the water tanks, it decided to release the water.
• Also, because of tritium’s half-life (12-13 years), Japan cannot store water for longer than discharge.
  • Half-life is the time a radioactive material takes for its quantity to be halved through radioactive decay.

Question: 4

Consider the following statements

1. Japan is expected to start flushing 1.25 million tonnes of wastewater from the embattled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
2. Japan cannot store water for longer than discharge it because of Tritium’s half-life.
3. The Tokyo Electric Power Company has treated the water to remove most radioactive isotopes.

Which of the above statements is/are correct

A. Only 1

B. Both 1 and 2

C. Both 2 and 3

D. All are correct

Answer: D

Current Affairs: Defence

‘Innovation Bridge’ to Connect the US and Indian Defence Startups Launched

• The United States and India concluded their US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) meeting and decided to launch a new “Innovation Bridge”, which will connect both countries’ defence startups.

What Is the Initiative on iCET? 

• According to a White House statement, the US and India concluded their US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) meeting and decided to launch a new “Innovation Bridge” that will connect both countries’ defence startups.
• The meeting was inaugurated by the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan and was attended from the US side by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, and senior officials from the Departments of State, Commerce, and Defense.
• The Indian Ambassador to the United States, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the National Security Council were present.

Provisions under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)

• Through a standing mechanism under iCET, the United States and India reaffirmed their commitment to working together to resolve issues related to regulatory barriers and business and talent mobility in both countries. 
• This came after the US-India Business Council hosted a roundtable on 30 January with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
• Other senior US and Indian officials brought together more than 40 CEOs, university presidents, and thought leaders from both countries to accelerate opportunities for increased technology cooperation.

Current Affairs: Awards and Recognitions

RPF/RPSF Personnel Awarded Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards

• Hon’ble President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards to RPF/RPSF personnel in New Delhi.
• Awards:
  • Jaipal Singh, Head Constable/Northern Railway
  • Surendra Kumar, Constable/Northern Railway
  • Bhuda Ram Saini, Constable/7th BN/RPSF.

• Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are given to an individual for a meritorious act in saving the life of a person.
• The award is given in three categories: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak.
• Anyone is eligible for these awards. This award can also be given posthumously.

Question: 5

President of India Droupadi Murmu recently conferred Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards to personnel of which of the following forces?

A. CRPF

B. RPF

C. Indian Army

D. Coast Guard

Answer: B

Factbook: 01-02-2023

Air Marshal A P Singh is the New Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force

• Air Marshal A P Singh has recently been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force
• He succeeded Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, who retired on 31 January 2023.
• Air Marshal A P Singh has served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command
• He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 21 December 1984
• Air Marshal A P Singh is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College
• He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with more than 4,900 hours of service flying on a variety of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft

Puma India Signs Harmanpreet Kaur as Brand Ambassador

• PUMA India has announced the onboarding of India’s women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur as its brand ambassador. 
• According to the company, Kaur will endorse the brand’s footwear, apparel and accessories through multiple activities and campaigns throughout the year under the partnership.
• Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team.

PM Modi Releases a Special ₹75 Coin to Mark 75 Successful Years of NCC

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently released a special day cover and a commemorative specially minted coin of ₹75 denomination on the occasion of 75 successful years of the National Cadet Corps (NCC)
• NCC rally was recently organised on the occasion of 75 years commemoration at Cariappa Maidan, Delhi
• The NCC was formed in 1948 on the recommendation of the H N Kunzru Committee-1946 under the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948
• NCC is the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world
• The motto of NCC is “Unity and Discipline”
• Headquarters – New Delhi
• Director General – Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh

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