DAILY GK 20,21 JAN

 DAILY GK 20,21 JAN

1.          PADHO PARDESH SCHEME  DISCONTINUED

·            The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has discontinued the ‘Padho Pardesh – Scheme of Interest Subsidy On Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for The Students Belonging to The Minority Communities’.

·            The scheme was implemented by Canara Bank, which served as the scheme’s designated nodal bank, and will be phased out in 2022-23.

·            The Padho Pardesh Scheme was launched in June 2006 as part of the Prime Minister’s 15-point program. Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India in 2006.

·            According to the scheme, only candidates (both employed and unemployed) with a total yearly income of less than Rs. 6 lakh are eligible for the interest subsidy.

·            The scheme also reserves 35% of the seats for women.

 

2.          INDIA RANKS 4TH GLOBALLY FOR TECH VC INVESTMENTS IN 2022

·            According to the report by the Dealroom and London & Partners, India ranked 4th globally, with USD 24.1 billion worth of venture capital (VC) investments in 2022.

·            At a national level, the top 3 countries for tech investment in 2022 were the United States of America(USA) with USD 233.3 billion tech investment, followed by China and the United Kingdom(UK)

·            Bengaluru (Karnataka) accounted for five of the top 10 deals for Indian tech companies in 2022.

 

3.          UNGA ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON ‘EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY’

·            The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution by consensus titled ‘Education for Democracy’ that reaffirms the right of ‘education for all’ and contributes to the strengthening of democracy.

·            The resolution is co-sponsored by India.

·            This resolution will recognize the importance of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

·            UNGA President– Csaba Korosi,Headquarters– New York, United States

 

4.          BENGALURU TOPS START-UP FUNDING IN INDIA

·            According to data provided by Tracxn, a leading global market intelligence platform, Bengaluru (Karnataka) topped the startup funding chart in India with $10.8 billion in 2022.

·            It is followed by Mumbai (Maharashtra) at USD 3.9 billion, and Gurugram (Haryana) at USD 2.6 billion.

·            Byju’s has topped the list of highest funding raised in 2022 with over USD 1.2 billion from existing investors.

·            There were 22 unicorns in 2022, compared to 46 in 2021

 

5.          EY REPORT PROJECTS INDIAN ECONOMY TO BE $26-TRILLION BY 2047

·            According to the estimates released by consulting firm EY (Ernst & Young) in its report ‘India@100: Realising the potential of a $26 trillion economy’, India’s economy will reach USD 26 trillion by 2047.

·            Notably, the year 2047 will mark the 100th year of India’s independence.

·            The per capita income is expected to increase to USD 15,000 which will place India among the ranks of developed economies

·            EY Headquarters– London, United Kingdom

 

6.          NATIONAL START-UP DAY 2023 – JANUARY 16:

·            National Startup Day is annually observed across India on 16th January to celebrate the spirit of the Indian startup ecosystem. The day also marks the founding day of Startup India.

·            The observance of the National Startup Day is organised by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), under MoCI (Ministry of Commerce and Industry).

 

7.          WORLD HABITAT AWARDS 2023

·            Odisha has won the “Bronze Award” in the United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s (UN-Habitat) “World Habitat Awards 2023” for the Jaga Mission, a 5T programme of the state. [5T: Transparency; Technology; Teamwork; Time & Transformation]

·            Jaga Mission – ‘Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission’ is India’s largest land titling and slum upgrading initiative, and one of the largest in the world.

·            The Jaga Mission is an ongoing project in Odisha aimed at improving the lives of slum dwellers. It uses a comprehensive strategy to combat poverty, focussing on three key issues.

 

8.          UNGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

·            The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected Inger Andersen of Denmark as Executive Director (ED) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for a second, 4-year term beginning from 15th June 2023 to 14th June 2027.

·            The secret ballot on Inger Andersen’s nomination was approved by a majority of 136-0 with 31 abstentions.

·            UNEP  Headquarters- Nairobi, Kenya

 

9.          CYCLONE- I  : INDO-EGYPT JOINT SPECIAL FORCE TRAINING EXERCISE

·            Exercise Cyclone-I, the first edition of a joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army is being conducted in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan with an aim to boost defence co-operation between the India and Egypt.

·            This first-of-its-kind exercise brings together the special forces of both India and Egypt on a common platform.

·            Egypt President– Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,Capital– Cairo,Currency– Egyptian Pound

 

10.       BRAND GUARDIANSHIP INDEX 2023: AMBANI TOPS

·            According to the Brand Finance Brand Guardianship Index 2023, Mukesh Ambani is ranked No 1 among Indians and second globally with Brand Guardianship Index (BGI) score of 81.7.

·            Jensen Huang, President and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of US-based tech leader Nvidia, is ranked No 1 on the Brand Guardianship Index 2023 globally with a BGI Score of 83.

·            Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft is ranked 3rd

·            The Brand Guardianship Index 2023, ranking of the world’s top 100 CEOs or equivalents, was launched during the event hosted in association with Deloitte during the World Economic Forum(WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

 

11.       NEW GOA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WINS BEST SUSTAINABLE GREENFIELD AIRPORT AWARD

·            The award was presented at the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)’s 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023 at Hotel Leela Palace, New Delhi, Delhi.

·            GGIAL received the award under Aviation Sustainability and Environment category.

·            GMR Aviation for the Best Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Services, Airbus for the Best Aircraft manufacturer, Pawan Hans for the Best Helicopter flights, SpiceJet for the Best Cargo Carrier, Adani for the Best Airport Technology and more.

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DAILY GK 18,19 JAN

 DAILY GK 18,19 JAN 

1.          INDIA TO BE COVERED BY THE DOPPLER WEATHER RADAR NETWORK BY 2025

·            On the occasion of the 148th Foundation Day of the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) (15th January 2022), Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State(MoS) for Earth Sciences stated that India will be covered by Doppler Weather Radar Network by 2025 to predict extreme weather events more accurately.

·            This will enhance weather monitoring capabilities and benefit the farmers and other stakeholders to contribute significantly to the economy.

 

2.          VARUNA – INDIA FRANCE NAVAL EXERCISE:

·            On January 16, 2023, the 21st Edition of India France Naval Exercise VARUNA – 2023, the bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and French Navy commenced on the Western Seaboard.

·            Initiated in 1993, it is a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and France. However it was christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001.

·            The 20th edition of VARUNA was conducted in the Arabian Seain 2022

 

3.          RBI PRIOR APPROVAL NOW A MUST FOR PICKING UP OVER 5% STAKE IN BANKS

·            The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandated that anyone who intends to make an acquisition that is likely to result in a major shareholding in a banking company should first obtain the RBI’s prior approval by submitting an application.

·            “Major shareholding” refers to a person’s “aggregate holding” of 5% or more of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in a banking company.

·            The RBI has granted final approval to Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) for it to operate as a Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

 

4.          RUSSIA IS FOURTH BIGGEST SOURCE OF IMPORTS FOR INDIA

·            Russia has now become India’s fourth-largest trading partner, with imports from Russia increasing five-fold to USD 32.9 billion between April – December 2022.

·            India’s higher imports from Russia are mostly due to two commodities: fertilizers and crude oil.

·            Russia has improved from being India’s 20th largest source of imports in the previous fiscal year (FY22).

·            The US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) might end FY23 with exports to India totaling USD 56 billion and USD 54 billion,

 

5.          SRI LANKA TOUR OF INDIA

·            The cricket team of Sri Lanka toured India for 3 One Day Internationals(ODIs) and 3 Twenty 20 Internationals(T20Is) from 3rd to 15th January 2023.

·            In ODI, the Indian team defeated Sri Lanka by 3-0

·            In T20I, the Indian Team captained by Hardik Pandya defeated Sri Lanka by 2-1.

·            The Sri Lanka team was captained by Dasun Shanaka(for both ODI and T20I).

·            All-Rounder Axar Patel of India won the Player (Man) of the Series award in T20I

 

6.          BADMINTON: MALAYSIA OPEN 2023

·            Viktor Axelsen of Denmark won the Men’s Singles title defeating World’s No 6 Kodai Naraoka of Japan in Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

·            Japan’s Yamaguchi Akane(World’s No 1) defeated South Korea’s An Se-Young(World’s No 4) to win the Women’s Singles title at the Malaysia Open 2023.

 

7.          THE LAST NIZAM OF HYDERABAD PASSES AWAY

·            The titular Nizam VIII of Hyderabad, Mukarram Jah (89 years old), also known as Nawab Mir Barket Ali Khan Walashan Mukarram Jah Bahadur, passed away at his residence in Istanbul, Türkiye.

·            He was born on October 6, 1933, in Nice, France.

 

8.          J&K DECLARED AS ‘FREE AREA’ FOR PURPOSES OF PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES IN ANIMALS ACT, 2009

·            The declaration has been made in the exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (5) of section 6 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals (PCICDA) Act, 2009, and in supersession of notification dated 5th September 2022, after the government of J&K on being satisfied that no cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) have been reported from any district of Union Territory of J&K.

 

9.          GOI TO HOLD THE FIRST GLOBAL TOURISM SUMMIT IN APRIL 2023

·            As part of its Group of Twenty (G20) presidency, the Government of India (GoI) will host the country’s first “Global Tourism Investors Summit 2023” in April 2023, with participation from all G20 members.

·            India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.

·            The summit would showcase India’s “major tourist destinations” to a global audience, with stakeholders from various state governments.

 

10.       ‘SOUL OF STEEL’ ALPINE CHALLENGE TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN BORDER AREAS

·            Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge to promote tourism in border areas during the event organised as a part of the 7th Army Veterans’ Day in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

·            The “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge is the world’s 1st Alpine skill and endurance challenge, set to take place from January to June 2023.

 

11.       CAPTAIN SURBHI JAKHMOLA POSTED ON FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT AT BRO

·            Captain Surbhi Jakhmola, an Indian Army officer from 117 Engineer Regiment, has been posted in the Project Dantak of Bhutan, she becomes the 1st woman officer to be posted on a foreign assignment at the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

·            Project Dantak was established in April 1961 as a result of the vision of His Majesty the Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.

·            The project identifies the importance of connectivity in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan. It is tasked to construct the pioneering motorable roads in Bhutan.

·            Recently Avani Chaturvedi becomes 1st IAF Woman Fighter Pilot to Participate in Aerial Wargames Abroad

·            Su-30MKI pilot Squadron Leader Avani Chaturvedi, one of the first 3 woman combat pilots in the Indian Air Force (IAF), is scheduled to participate in the inaugural air exercise Veer Guardian 2023 in Japan.

 

12.       VEER GUARDIAN 2023 JAPAN

·            Veer Guardian 2023, from 16th to 26th January 2023, will be held at the Hyakuri Air Base and its surrounding airspace in Omitama, as well as the Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Japan.

·            The Indian Air Force has the highest proportion of women officers, accounting for 13.69%, followed by the Indian Navy at 6% and the Indian Army at 3.97%.

·            1171 Indian peacekeepers awarded UN Medals for Outstanding Service in South Sudan

·            1171 Indian Peacekeepers were honoured with the prestigious United Nations (UN) medals for their vital work in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Upper Nile, South Sudan.

 

13.       BEST SMALL BANK AWARD 2022

·            Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) Limited has bagged the Best Small Bank award in the best banks survey for the year 2022 done by Business Today-KPMG (BT-KPMG Best banks survey).

·            The bank received this award in the category of banks with a book size of less than Rs. 1 lakh crore.

 

14.       INDIA ASSUMES PRESIDENCY OF 13TH INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY 

·            India has assumed the presidency of the 13th assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the first international organisation solely dedicated to renewable energy, which was held from January 13–15, 2023, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

·            The theme of the 13th IRENA assembly is “World Energy Transitions: The Global Stocktake.”

·            IRENA is an intergovernmental organisation with the mission to promote adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy while facilitating cooperation and knowledge development.

·            IRENA Director-General – Francesco La Camera, Headquarters – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

·            Members – 167 countries & the European Union (EU)

 

15.       PANKAJ KUMAR SINGH APPOINTED DEPUTY NSA

·            The Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of Pankaj Kumar Singh, as Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) in the National Security Council Secretariat of India.

·            He has been appointed on a re-employment contract of 2 years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or until further orders.

·            The National Security Advisor post was created in 1998. Brajesh Mishra served as India’s 1st National Security Advisor (NSA).

·            National Security Advisor- Ajit Kumar Doval

 

16.       TENNIS BANGKOK OPEN 2023 (2)

·            India’s Tennis players, Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni(1st seed), have won the Men’s doubles title at the Bangkok Open 2023(2) held in Nonthaburi, Thailand from 9th to 14th January 2023.

·            The Indian duo defeated Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia and Akira Santillan of Australia in the finals.

·            Arthur Cazaux of France won the Men’s Singles title defeating Lloyd Harris of South Africa.

·            Bangkok Open 2023 (2) also known as 2023 Nonthaburi Challenger II, is a part of the ATP Challenger tour(Challenger 75).

·            The event is played in the Hard Court

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DAILY GK 15-17 JAN

 DAILY GK 15 to 17 JAN 

1.           ‘ICGS KAMLA DEVI’COMMISSIONED

·            The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) “Kamla Devi,” the fifth and last vessel in the series of fast-patrol vessels (FPVs), was commissioned in Kolkata, West Bengal.

·            The vessel was built indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Kolkata, in a public-private partnership (PPP) with Titagarh Wagons Limited (TWL) to the specifications of Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

·            The ICGS Kamladevi is named after ‘Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay’, a social reformer and freedom activist who advocated for the advancement of artisans and craftsmen across India as well as the promotion of the performing arts.

 

2.          FORMER UNION MINISTER SHARAD YADAV PASSED AWAY

·            Sharad Yadav, former Union minister and one of India’s most prominent socialist leaders, passed away in Gurugram, Haryana.

·            Sharad Yadav is a prominent Indian politician and founder-member of Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U)

·            He was a 7-time former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament and had been elected thrice to Rajya Sabha (1986, 2004, and 2014).

·            He also served as the Union Minister for Civil Aviation (1999-2001), the Minister of Labour (2001-2002) and the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2002-2004).

 

3.           ‘MV GANGA VILAS’: WORLD’S LONGEST RIVER CRUISE

·            Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, flagged off the ‘MV Ganga Vilas’, the world’s longest river cruise in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh(UP).

·            The 51-day luxury cruise, passing through 27 river systems, will cover a distance of 3,200 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh in Assam, via Bangladesh.

·            MV Ganga Vilas, the first of its kind cruise service, is supported by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways (MoPSW).

·            The international cruise is being offered by Antara Luxury River Cruises.

 

4.          INDIA TO ELIMINATING LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS BY 2027

·            Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that India is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by 2027 three years ahead of the global target

·            As part of its commitment to eliminate the disease, multi-drug administration (MDA) will be held twice a year in conjunction with National Deworming Day on February 10 and August 10.

 

5.          INDIA, UAE SIGNED AGREEMENT ON GREEN HYDROGEN DEVELOPMENT

·            India and UAE’s signed the agreement on cooperation in the field of Green Hydrogen Development and Investment.

·            13th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which is a 168-country International organisation dedicated to renewable energy held in Abu Dhabi ,UAE

·            India is working on achieving net zero emission by 2070 as specified under the Paris Climate Agreement and also pledged to attain about 40 percent accumulative electric power generation capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

 

6.          NATIONAL YOUTH DAY AWARDS 2023

·            On the occasion of National Youth Day 2023 (12th January), the government of India presented the National Awards to 82 best Agripreneurs trained under the Central Sector Scheme – Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business (AC&ABC) at the National Agripreneurs Award ceremony was held at NASC Complex, New Delhi, Delhi.

·            8 Nodal Training Institutes (NTIs) that efficiently deliver AC&ABC training were also recognised with awards for their best training, handholding and facilitation activities.

·            AC&ABC is a mega flagship Scheme of the Indian government, implemented in collaboration with NABARD since 2002.

 

7.          MISS UNIVERSE 2022

·            R’Bonney Gabriel of the United State of America (USA) was crowned 71st Miss Universe 2022 during the Miss Universe 2022 pageant held in New Orleans, Louisiana

·            Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela was named as the first runner-up, and Andreina Martinez of the Dominican Republic was named as the second runner-up.

·            From India, Miss Diva Universe 2022 Divita Rai entered into the prestigious Top 16 category.      

 

8.          WORLD’S 1ST AGRI-FOCUSED SATELLITE

·            South African launched of world’s first agriculture-focused satellite, AgriSAT-1 /ZA 008

·            It was launched by Dragonfly Aerospace on a Space X Falcon 9 rocket.

·            Images obtained from Dragonfly’s satellite will deliver valuable information for harvest monitoring, application mapping, and seasonal planning to develop sustainable agricultural methods.

 

9.          ARMED FORCES VETERANS DAY - 14 JANUARY

10.       The day honors the services rendered by Field Marshal K M Cariappa , the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Armed Forces.

·            On this occasion the ‘Soul of Steel Alpine Challenge’ is launched which is a joint adventure sports initiative of the Indian Army and CLAW Global

 

11.       75TH INDIAN ARMY DAY–  15 JANUARY 

·            This day recognizes the achievements of the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Indian Army General (later Field Marshal) Kodandera Madappa (KM) Cariappa.

·            On this day, he took over the command of IA from General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949.

 

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