Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 30th & 31st January 2022

Correct Answer: B. V Anantha Nageswaran

Explanation: The Government of India has appointed Dr V Anantha Nageswaran as the new Chief Economic Adviser. The announcement came days ahead of the presentation of the 2022 Union Budget on February 1 and the tabling of the 2021-22 Economic Survey on January 31. This post was lying vacant since December 17, 2021, when KV Subramanian left the office. He is a former member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC).

The career of Dr V Anantha Nageswaran:

Dr Nageswaran, who is a noted writer, author, teacher, and economic consultant, has taught at several business schools and institutes of management across India and abroad. Before his appointment as the Chief Economic Adviser, he was the Dean of the IFMR Graduate School of Business and a visiting professor of Economics at the Krea University in Andhra Pradesh.

Correct Answer – B. 28 January

Explanation: Data Privacy Day is celebrated on January 28, every year across the world. The objective of the day is to sensitize individuals and disseminate privacy practices and principles. It encourages everyone to own their privacy responsibilities to create a culture of privacy. Observance of the day is “an international effort of creating awareness on the importance of respecting privacy, enabling trust and safeguarding data”.

The theme for this year is ‘Privacy Matters’. It instils a sense of accountability that Privacy is integral to every individual’s life.  Data privacy has been one of the hot topics of discussion in a digitally connected world. The issue has become pertinent at the time of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic when more and more people are forced to spend time in the online world.

Correct Answer – D. TerraPay

Explanation: TerraPay has signed MoU with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to allow Indian customers with an active UPI ID to receive real-time, international payments into their bank accounts via TerraPay’s secure payments technology. It will enable a seamless and convenient cross-border remittances experience. NIPL is an international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

This association with NIPL will allow Indians with an active UPI ID to receive real-time, international payments into their bank accounts via TerraPay’s adaptive and secure payments technology. The intended collaboration will now further empower UPI users to leverage TerraPay’s agile interoperable payments infrastructure to receive payments on a fully regulated, secure, scalable, and efficient channel.

About TerraPay:

Globally, TerraPay processes payouts into 4.5 billion+ bank accounts and 1.5 billion+ mobile wallets. With the vision to foster financial inclusion, residents, POI’s, Indian diaspora will be able to send money to India by using TerraPay’s agile, transparent and real-time payment channel.

Important Points:

• NPCI Founded: 2008;
• NPCI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
• NPCI MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe.

Correct Answer – A. 4,021.3 tonnes

Explanation: According to the World Gold Council (WGC) report ‘Gold Demand Trends 2021’ has informed that the global gold demand rose 10 per cent in 2021 to 4,021.3 tonnes. The overall gold demand during 2020, which was impacted following Covid-19 related disruptions, stood at 3,658.8 tonnes.

The demand for the yellow metal was mainly driven by Central bank buying during the fourth quarter of 2021, recovery in jewellery consumption, mainly in India and China. India’s gold consumption surged to 797.3 tonnes in 2021, on the back of the recovery in consumer sentiments and pent-up demand post Covid-19-related disruptions and the bullish trend is set to continue this year as well.

Important Points:

• World Gold Council CEO: David Tait;
• World Gold Council Headquarters: London, United Kingdom;
• World Gold Council Founded: 1987;
• World Gold Council President: Kelvin Dushnisky.

Correct Answer- D. Digital Sansad App

Explanation: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has launched the official mobile application of the Parliament named ‘Digital Sansad App’ on January 27, 2022, to allow citizens to access live proceedings of the House, including the Union Budget 2022 live. The app will make the Parliament and Parliamentary proceedings accessible not only to the members but also to the public of the country.

About the Digital Sansad App:

Through the Digital Sansad App, citizens can check what their members of Parliament are doing, what debates they are participating in and what they are saying. Using the app, parliamentarians can also digitally log their attendance.

The app contains information on budget speeches since 1947 as well as House discussions from the 12th Lok Sabha to 17th Lok Sabha. It will also contain a live telecast of Sansad proceedings. 2022 Budget session can also be watched live on this App.

How will this app help MPs?

The app will also help members of parliament to access services like checking personal updates viz., House bulletins, the status of their notices, etc.MPs are barred from using laptops inside the house. Thus, this app will become handy for MPs to get parliamentary information during any debate in the House.In future, this app will help MPs to log in for attendance, give questions for the Question Hour as well as submit notices for debates or adjournment motions.

Why this app was launched?

Legislature is required to keep its constituents apprised of its routine proceedings. This objective needs Parliament to keep its communication channels up-to-date with evolving technological landscape. Thus, parliament started expanding its digital footprint. The launch of the ’Digital Sansad App’ is an initiative in that direction.

Correct Answer – C. Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Social activists have built a temple for Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighters’ Smrithi Vanam at the Municipal Park in Srikakulam, AP.Aim: to inculcate patriotism among the youth by remembering the sacrifices of freedom fighters.Statues of freedom fighters and social activists were erected in the park with the help of donors. Arrangements have been made to unveil the Gandhi temple as well as Smrithi Vanam on the eve of Gandhiji’s death anniversary.

Correct Answer – B. She The Change Maker

Explanation:  PM Narendra Modi will address the 30th Foundation Day programme of National Commission for Women (NCW).“The theme of the programme is ‘She The Change Maker’ , aimed at celebrating the achievements of women in different fields.The State Commissions for Women and Department of Women and Child Development in State Govt will participate.Teaching faculty and students, voluntary organizations, women entrepreneurs and business associations will also participate.

Correct Answer – C. Spiritual Leader

Explanation: Shri Iqbal Singh Kingra who was an Indian socio-spiritual leader of the Sikh community and an educationalist passed away at the age of 95 years.He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2022 for his contributions in the field of social work.He established Eternal University in 2008and Akal University, Guru ki Kashi in 2015.

Correct Answer – A. Kiran Bedi

Explanation:  The Book titled ‘Fearless Governance’ authored by Dr Kiran Bedi has been released.Dr. Kiran Bedi is the former Lt Governor of Puducherry and IPS (retd).This book is based on the ground realities of nearly five years of service of Dr. Bedi as Lt. Governor of Puducherry and her vast experience of 40 years in the Indian Police Service.

Correct Answer – C. Lucknow

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed certain restrictions on Indian Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd, Lucknow.These restrictions came into force from the closure of business hours on January 28, 2022. The restrictions would remain in force for six months.The withdrawal limit has been fixed at a sum not exceeding Rs. 100,000 of the total balance across all savings bank or current accounts or any other account of a depositor.RBI has imposed the above restrictions in the exercise of powers vested in it under subsection (1) of Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act (AACS), 1949.

Correct Answer – D. University of Oulu

Explanation: Jio Platforms (JPL)  has signed a pact with the University of Oulu, Finland, for undertaking research and standardization-related activities in 6G technology.Both will collaborate in R&D of aerial and space communication, holographic beamforming, 3Dconnected intelligence in cybersecurity, microelectronics, and photonics. JPL was established in October 2019 as a wholly-owned unit of Reliance.

Important Points

The collaborative effort will aid in competing with 6G enabled products in the defense, automotive, white goods, industrial machinery, consumer goods, efficient manufacturing, novel personal smart device environments, and experiences such as urban computing and autonomous traffic settings Currently, Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) are developing locally relevant 5G use cases using the 5G trial spectrum allotted by the government.

Additional Information

Finland:

• Capital – Helsinki.
• Currency – Euro

Correct Answer – A. Gaurav Khanna

Explanation: Dronacharya awardee and Head National Coach of the Indian Para-badminton team, Gaurav Khanna, formally announced his association with Ageas Federal Life Insurance to launch the country’s 1st Para-Badminton Academy in January 2022. It is located in Lucknow and aims to improve India’s medal chances at the 2024 Paralympics. He also unveiled the Ageas Federal ‘Quest for Fearless Shuttlers’ programme.

Important Points

The high-performance centre consists of four courts, two with BWF-approved Synthetic Mats for Standing Athletes and two Wooden Courts for Wheelchair Athletes. In addition to all modern facilities, including a fully-equipped gym, provisions for ice baths, steam baths, sauna baths and jacuzzi hydrotherapy, it also has disabled-friendly rooms for athletes to stay.

Correct Answer – C. Vikas

Explanation: ISRO successfully conducted a 25-second qualification test for its liquid propellant-based Vikas engine to be used under the Gaganyaan mission, in January 2022. The test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragri, Tamil Nadu. It was done to see how the engine performed in conditions that were not optimal, such as change in the fuel-oxidizer ratio or pressure in the fuel chamber.

Important Points

Three more tests will be conducted, totalling a duration of 75 seconds, to test the engine under varying conditions. Then, a long-duration test for 240 seconds will be conducted to qualify the engine for carrying humans to space. Two Vikas engines have already been tested for 240 seconds each under optimal operating conditions.This is one of the three engines that the space agency will have to qualify to finally make the entire launch vehicle human rated.

Correct Answer – B. Yamunanagar

Explanation: The Governments of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have entered into an agreement to build a dam at Adi Badri in Yamunanagar district, which, among others, will rejuvenate the mythical Saraswati river. Adi Badri, situated in Haryana near the Himachal Pradesh border, is believed to be the river’s origin point. The width of the dam will be 101.06 meters and height 20.5 meters.

Additional Information

With the commissioning of the dam, the flood situation arising out of excessive rainfall during rainy days will also be dealt with.The Adi Badri dam will be built on 31.66 hectares of land in Himachal Pradesh and an amount of Rs 215.33 crore will be spent for the same. It will store 224.58 hectare metres of water every year, of which Himachal Pradesh will get 61.88 hectare metres of water, and Haryana the remaining which will flow into the Saraswati river.

Correct Answer – A. Ashleigh Barty

Explanation: Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty defeated American Danielle Collins to win the Australian Open women’s title on 29 January 2022.Barty is the first Australian player to win the Australian Open singles championship since 1978. She won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021 and has been the no.1 ranked female player in the world for over 100 weeks.

Additional Information

Spain’s Rafael Nadal has won the Australian Open Men’s Singles final on 30 January 2022. With this victory, Rafael has become the first man to win 21 Grand Slam titles. He overtook Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic by winning this title. In tennis, Aslan Karatsev won the men’s singles title at the Sydney Tennis Classic final, to claim his third ATP Tour title. World number six Rafael Nadal won the men’s singles tennis title at 2022 Melbourne Summer Set 1. French tennis player Gael Monfils has won the men’s singles event of the 2022 Adelaide International 1 to claim the 11th ATP title of his career. The Davis Cup 2021 was won by the Russian Tennis Federation by a 2-0 lead over Croatia in the Davis Cup final in Madrid. Alexander “Sascha” Zverev has won the fifth ATP title of the season (2021) and 18th overall at the Vienna Open 2021.

Correct Answer – D. 30 January

Explanation: The last Sunday of January (this year on 30 Jan 2022) is celebrated as World Leprosy Day. United for Dignity is the chosen theme for World Leprosy Day 2022. Leprosy is also one of the neglected tropical diseases. The day was first initiated in 1954 by French Philanthropist Raoul Follereau. 30 January is also observed as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. 30 Jan is also observed as Anti-Leprosy Day in India.

Additional Information

International Day of Education is observed every year on January 24 to celebrate the role of education for peace and development. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day as International Day of Education on 24 Jan 2018. The theme for 2022 is “Changing Course, Transforming Education”. On January 25, India celebrates its National Voters’ Day to mark the founding day of the Election Commission (EC) of India. National Tourism Day is celebrated on 25 Jan every year. The theme for National Tourism Day 2022 is “Rural and Community Centric Tourism”. World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September. 28 January is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, a veteran leader of the Indian Nationalist Movement.

Correct Answer – C. 29 January

Explanation: Beating the Retreat ceremony was held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on 29 January 2022. It marked the culmination of the 73rd Republic Day celebrations. A drone show was organised by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’ and supported by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and the Department of Science and Technology, for the first time. The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s.

Additional Information

73rd Republic Day of India is being celebrated on 26 January 2022. The celebrations of this year are special as India is in the 75th year of Independence is celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Republic Day Of India: India became independent on the 15th of august, 1947. Even after independence, the country did not have its own constitution. The government of India appointed a Drafting Committee on 28th of August 1947 to draft it and Dr, B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. After almost 3 years, the 308 members of the Assembly, after many consultations and a few modifications finally signed a constitution on the 24th of January 1950, which came into effect on the 26th of January 1950.

Correct Answer – A. 31 January

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the National Commission for Women (NCW) Foundation Day programme on January 31, 2022. The theme for 2022 is ‘She The Change Maker’. NCW was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommend remedial legislative measures, etc.

Additional Information

International Day of Education is observed every year on January 24 to celebrate the role of education for peace and development. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the day as International Day of Education on 24 Jan 2018. The theme for 2022 is “Changing Course, Transforming Education”. On January 25, India celebrates its National Voters’ Day to mark the founding day of the Election Commission (EC) of India.National Tourism Day is celebrated on 25 Jan every year. The theme for National Tourism Day 2022 is “Rural and Community Centric Tourism”. World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September. 28 January is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai, a veteran leader of the Indian Nationalist Movement.

Correct Answer – A. Sarguja Rail Corridor

Explanation: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ)’s composite scheme to acquire Sarguja Rail Corridor Pvt Ltd (SRCPL) has been approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). It will be effective from the appointed date of April 1, 2021. Once consolidated, SRCPL will add Rs 450 crore or five percent of APSEZ’s total Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation).

Additional Information

The Indian Railways has appointed VK Tripathi (As of Jan 2022) as chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board on 1 Jan 2022. The Indian Railways is constructing the tallest pier railway bridge in the world in Manipur. The ambitious project of the Railways in Manipur is part of the Jiribam-Imphal railway line. The bridge is being built at a height of 141 meters. The total length of the Manipur bridge will be 703 meters. Once completed, the project will enable passengers to cover 111 km of distance in 2-2.5 hrs.

Indian Railways has launched an integrated one-stop solution “Rail Madad” in which the national transporter has merged a number of existing helplines that were used for various purposes into one. The government of UP has renamed the Jhansi Railway Station, in Jhansi, UP as “Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station” after Rani Laxmibai. Government of India and the Germany Development Bank- KfW (Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau) signed a 26 million euros loan for a 40.35 km Surat Metro Rail project in Gujarat.