Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 24th January 2023

Correct Answer:  C. Egypt

Explanation:  President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, will pay a state visit to India from the 24th to the 26th of this month. He will be the Chief Guest at India’s 74th Republic Day. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five Ministers and senior officials. This is for the first time that the President of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest to Republic Day. India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relation establishment this year.

Correct Answer:  D. 12 months

Explanation:  In a recent research by SBI, it has been reported that the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme has helped banks in averting 14 per cent of MSME loans from turning into NPAs. It said, the state of Gujarat was the biggest beneficiary of the scheme followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. These five states together accounted for 75% of the outstanding NPA.

• Since the launch of the scheme by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May 2020, MSME loan accounts worth Rs 1.8 trillion in absolute terms were saved from slipping into NPAs
• According to the report, in FY21, the financial system disbursed loans worth Rs 9.5 trillion to MSME sector, which is significantly higher than preceding years of Rs 6.8 trillion in FY20. This sharp jump in MSME lending in 2021 has been supported by the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme of ECLGS.
• Launched by Government of India as a special scheme in view of COVID-19 crisis
• To provide 100% guarantee coverage to Banks and NBFCs to enable them to extend emergency credit facilities to Business Enterprises / MSMEs in view of COVID-19 to meet their additional term loan/additional working capital requirements.
• Interest rate charged is capped at 9.25% for banks and 14% for NBFCs.
• Maximum tenure of 4 years from the date of disbursement.
• Moratorium period on Principal amount is 12 months.

Correct Answer:  C. 18-40

Explanation:  The scheme is available to any citizen of India with Age 18-40 Years. The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) — targeted towards unorganised sector workers — saw the highest-ever takers in 2022 with enrolments rising 36 per cent. The figure crossed 10 million for the first time in a calendar year, data released by the finance ministry showed. The number of enrolments in 2022 rose to 12.5 million from 9.2 million in 2021.

• The enrolments in 2022 grew by 81 per cent compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, when 6.9 million subscribers had enrolled for the pension scheme.
• The highest number of enrolments age-wise was from 21-25 years (28 per cent), accounting for 13.7 million subscribers, followed by 25-30 years (25 per cent) with 12.1 million subscribers. The least number of subscribers were those above 35 years (11.14 per cent).
• The Centre launched the APY in 2015 to ensure minimum social security for unorganised sector workers. The minimum age of joining the scheme is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years.
• A subscriber under the APY is required to make a monthly/quarterly/six monthly contribution of an amount determined by the pension chosen and the age of joining the scheme.
• The subscriber will receive a government-guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 4,000 or Rs 5,000 per month. It will be paid after the age of 60 until death, depending on the contribution chosen.
• Till November 30, 2022, the top-five states in enrolments were Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also the top-performing states in terms of women enrolments followed by West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Correct Answer:  B. BSF

Explanation:  India is to celebrate its 74th republic day on January 26, 2023. Several anti–national elements try to cause trouble in the country during such nationwide celebrations. To put them under control and to increase security at the border, the BSF is conducting a seven-day long exercise called the “OPS ALERT”. During the exercise, the security personnel will hold drills in the India – Pakistan border that extends between Rann of Kutch and Sir Creek and also in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. The border is highly vulnerable in these regions.

• The BSF will conduct reconciliation programs with the Indian residents in the border.
• Various verifications and validities will be held.
• Regions such as Harami Nala and Entire creek will be focused.

Correct Answer:  A. Prabha Atre

Explanation:  Hindustani vocalist Padma Vibhushan Dr Prabha Atre was conferred with the Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to her by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Thane near Mumbai. The Chief Minister felicitated Dr Atre at a function at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan. Shinde presented Dr Atre with a citation and Rs 1 lakh at the program, during which a symphony of 90 flutists was performed to mark her 90th birthday. Speaking on this occasion, Shinde said his government is committed to promoting arts and would also promote classical music.

Correct Answer:  B. Assam

Explanation:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has selected the ‘Pyramids of Assam’ as the country’s sole nomination for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site out of 52 heritage sites. The Ahom-era ‘Moidams’ (cemetery of the royal family) in Assam’s Charaideo district will be India’s only nomination for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ‘Moidams’ of the Ahom dynasty at Charaideo were first included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in April 2014. ‘Moidems’ will be nominated in the category of cultural sites. India currently has 40 World Heritage Sites – 32 of them cultural sites, seven natural sites and one mixed site. Currently, Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park in Assam in the Northeast are among the seven natural sites while there is no World Heritage Site in the cultural heritage category.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN). It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG), a coalition of United Nations agencies and organisations that aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Headquarters:- Paris, France
• Director General: -Audrey Azoulay
• Founded:- 16 November 1945 in London, United Kingdom
• The organisation has -193 members and 11 associate members.

Correct Answer:  D. Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:  Indian Navy has carried out a six-day-long mega military exercise along with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. The “largest” biennial tri-services amphibious exercise AMPHEX 2023 was conducted from January 17 to 22. The exercise is to review the preparedness of the Indian Navy and the Army during the war, national calamities and coastal security enforcement. The exercise is being conducted near the Naval Enclave at Suryaraopeta village in Kakinada rural Mandal off Kakinada coast.

The exercise took place amid growing concerns over China’s increasing military forays into the Indian Ocean, a region considered as the backyard of the Indian Navy. The joint operations conducted during the exercise saw participation by a large number of troops from Indian Army, amphibious warships from Indian Navy and aircraft from the Indian Air Force.

Correct Answer:  A. Pune

Explanation:  The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MahaMetro) has announced that the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will inspect a stretch of the Pune Metro in February, and clearances are expected in March. This line features India’s deepest underground station, which will be ready in a few months at the Civil Court and measures 33.1 metres (108.59 feet) in depth.

• The CMRS inspection will cover the part between Vanaz and Civil Court, as well as the section between Civil Court and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. MahaMetro, a joint special purpose vehicle (SPV) of Government of India and Government of Maharashtra, is the executing agency of Pune Metro rail project.
• A metro rake successfully completed its first test run between the Range Hills and Civil Court stations in Pune’s underground segment, covering 3 kilometres in around 30 minutes.
• There will be display boards along with eight lifts and 18 escalators to handle a footfall of nearly two lakh passengers once operational, Mr Dixit said, adding that there will be parking space for 500 two-wheelers and 100 cars.
• The design of the station will adhere to the green norms and the Indian Green Building Council rankings. Once the routes and stations are ready, people from PCMC can travel 22km to Vanaz within 31 minutes and vice-versa.

Correct Answer:  C. Use of Technology and Elections Integrity

Explanation:  Election Commission of India (ECI) hosted the 2nd International Conference on ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ in New Delhi on 23rd January 2023. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar inaugurated the two-day international conference. ECI is hosting the conference on 23-24 January, 2023.  Election Commissioner of India, Anup Chandra Pandey, will chair the concluding session. Around 43 Participants from 17 Countries including Angola, Argentina, Australia, Croatia, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal, Philippines and Suriname will join the conference.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is leading the Cohort on Elections Integrity.
• The cohort was established as a follow-up to the Summit for Democracy held in December 2021.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) invited Greece, Mauritius and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to be co-leads for the Cohort.
• The first international conference of the Cohort was hosted on 31 October – 01 November, 2022 in New Delhi.
• It was organized on the topic ‘Role, Framework and Capacity of Election Management Bodies’.
• In the first international conference, nearly 50 representatives from Election Management Bodies of 11 countries participated.

Correct Answer:  B. Ketaki Narayan

Explanation:  Indian actress, Ketaki Narayan won the best actress award for Prappeda (directed by: Krishnendu Kalesh) at the 21st Dhaka International Film Festival. Two Indian films were awarded for the best script writer and best actress in the Asian Film Competition section at the 21st Dhaka International Film Festival organized from 14-22 Jan 2023. Aparajito (directed by: Anik Dutta) won the best scriptwriting award. Indian actress, Ketaki Narayan won the best actress award for Prappeda (directed by: Krishnendu Kalesh).

• Best Actor: Japanese Ikkei Watanabe (for Nakodo- Matchmakers)
• Best Director: Iranian Ali Ghavitan (for Zendegi va Zendegi)

Correct Answer:  B. Chennai

Explanation:  The American India Foundation (AIF) inaugurated India’s first STEM Innovation and Learning Center (SILC) in the presence of the Minister for School Education, Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. STEM Innovation and Learning Center is inaugurated under the scheme of Vanavil Mandram at the Government Higher Secondary School, MMDA Colony, Chennai.

• AIF’s award-winning flagship education program- Digital Equalizer has designed the Centre to be a one-stop solution for STEM among students and teachers.
• The Centre will introduce students to a transdisciplinary learning approach through robotics, AI, Space Technology, and the STEM Incubation workstation.
• It aims to nurture their curiosity in advanced STEM courses while also assisting them in developing their innovative ideas into prototypes and providing a platform to take part in State, National, or international level competitions.
• The Centre also consists of a Technology Corner for Teachers.
• The Tech Corner is fitted with a smart lab, and it will facilitate teachers to conduct techno-pedagogy-enabled classes for their students as well as receive training on the Digital Equalizer Way of Teaching (DEWoT)- A unique method developed by AIF to address all types of learning in the classroom.
• The center also contains a Studio Setup to assist teachers in creating high-quality DE Edu reels.

Correct Answer:  D. Kunlavut Vitidsarn

Explanation:  Thai shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn won the India Open title. He defeated World No.1 Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the men’s singles final of the India Open Badminton Championship 22-20, 10-21 and 21-12 today at K. D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.  Earlier, Korean sensation An Seyoung won the Women’s singles final. She beat World No.1 Japanese Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 21-16, 21-12.

Correct Answer:  B. 11

Explanation:  President Droupadi Murmu has conferred upon Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar at a ceremony in New Delhi.  This year, 11 children have been selected for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from which, four are from Art and Culture field, one for Bravery, two for Innovation, one for Social Service, and three for Sports. Out of the 11 children, six are boys and five are girls from all over the nation. The winners of PMRBP (Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar) get a medal along with a certificate. Apart from that, they also receive an amount of 1 Lakh Rupees. Besides, they also take part in Republic Day Parade in Rajpath on 26th January every year.

The awards are conferred upon children in the age group of 5–18 years. These awards are given to selected students for their excellence in six categories — art and culture, bravery, innovation, scholastic, social service and sports. This year, four students are being awarded in the art and culture category, one for bravery, two for innovation, one for social service and three children have been selected for sports category.

Correct Answer:  C. 31st December 2023

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India has extended the deadline for renewal of agreements for the existing safe deposit lockers in a phased manner by the 31st of December 2023. In a press release, RBI said that the deadline has been extended as it has been noticed that a large number of customers are yet to sign the revised agreement, adding that in many cases, the banks are yet to inform the customers about the need to revise the agreement.

• Accordingly, RBI has banks to notify all their customers of the revised requirements by 30th April 2023 Setting up intermediate milestones, RBI has said the banks need to complete at least 50 percent of registrations by the 30th of June and 75 percent by end of September.
• Banks have been further advised to facilitate execution of the fresh/supplementary stamped agreements with their customers by taking measures such as arranging stamp papers, franking, electronic execution of the agreement, e-stamping, etc. and providing a copy of the executed agreement to the customer.
• The apex bank has said that lockers, frozen due to the non-execution of the agreement as per the earlier deadline of the 1st of January 2023, must be unfrozen with immediate effect. RBI has asked all banks to report the status of compliance with these instructions on the DAKSH supervisory portal on a monthly basis.