2024 Latest Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

1 .

India's first 5G-enabled drone has been developed by which company?

A)

IG Drones

B)

Skylark Drones

C)

Garuda Aerospace

D)

Teja Aerospace and Dynamics

Correct Answer : IG Drones

Startup firm IG Drones, which was born out of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) campus in Odisha's Sambalpur has developed a 5G-enabled drone that is capable of vertical take-off and landing.

The drone named Skyhawk can be used in defence and medical applications, among other sectors. The drone can carry a 10 kg payload and has an endurance of around five hours.

With Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) providing 5G services in the country, these drones can be controlled with much more precision and can be controlled from the command centre directly rather than being on the field.

As it's a VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing), it can be operated from any terrain without the need for a conventional runway.

It is IP67 rated and can be controlled via a combination of NavIC + GPS navigational satellites which remain connected in the upper range of 50 to 60 in case of failsafe activation.

"When it will connect several satellites, it will work with precision in medical services delivery and in defence. The drone, if operated at its peak speed, can cover almost 100 kms in 12-15 minutes"

According to KC Sahoo, Chief Administrative Officer of IG Drones, "For use by defence forces, it can give surveillance up to 100-200 kms per day. If someone deploys 20-30 drones, an area can be secured."

Sahoo also reiterated that if 5G services are not available at any locations, they will be downgraded to 3G or 4G, or either latch on to satellites..

Source : Business Insider

Published On : January 12, 2023

2 .

In which city did Union Minister Sonowal and Tripura CM inaugurate the School of Logistics, Waterways, and Communication?

A)

Shillong

B)

Itanagar

C)

Agartala

D)

Guwahati

Correct Answer : Agartala

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, "Shri Sarbananda Sonowal", along with Dr Manik Saha, Chief Minister, Tripura inaugurated the School of Logistics, Waterways and Communication in Agartala on January 11, 2023.

The school will enable the rich pool of talent of the region to become world class experts in the transportation and logistics sector. In order to unlock the promised economic potential of the Northeast, the school will be enable the innate capacity of human resources along our opulent waterways, said Shri Sonowal.

The Centre for Logistic, Communication and Waterways would facilitate in conducting studies/research, training, workshops/seminars for stakeholders like businesses, exporters/importers, Chambers of Commerce and Industries, local entrepreneurs, tourist operators etc.

It has been set up under State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (SIPARD). SIPARD is an autonomous body funded by the Government of Tripura and partially by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 12, 2023

3 .

The Indian High Commission has signed an MoU to establish a Hindi Chair in which university in Sri Lanka?

A)

Sabaragamuwa University

B)

University of Kelaniya

C)

Wayamba University

D)

Rajarata University

Correct Answer : Sabaragamuwa University

Closely after the International Hindi Diwas, the Indian High Commission signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Hindi Chair at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and Vice Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University Prof. Udaya Rathnayake signed the MoU to establish the Hindi Chair as part of India’s cultural connect through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

The Hindi chair will help in familiarizing students with India, its history, and culture as well as pave way for popularising Hindi by deputing Indian faculties. Mr. Baglay also gave away prizes to the winners of the Hindi Kavita competition held at the university..

Source : AIR

Published On : January 12, 2023

4 .

The 28th edition of Saarang (Saarang 2023), India's largest student-run festival begins at _________ on 11th January 2023.

A)

IIT Bombay

B)

IIT Madras

C)

IIT kharagpur

D)

IIT Kanpur

Correct Answer : IIT Madras

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Annual Cultural Festival Saarang will be conducted completely in physical mode this year with a slew of diverse events planned on campus.

This year will be the 28th Edition of the Saarang, which is one of the largest student-run festivals.

Saarang 2023 will feature nearly 100 events between the 11th and 15th January 2023 and is expected to attract a footfall of over 80,000 from over 500 colleges across the country.

Over 850 students of IIT Madras across various years and departments are working to make this edition a grand success.

The theme for Saarang 2023 : ‘Mystic Hues’ which celebrates how intertwined colours are with culture and traditions.

* IIT Madras is hosting the Saarang 2023 after two years post Covid-19 pandemic.

* Saarang 2023 launched ‘Panacea’ for this year’s social cause.

* Panacea is a campaign aimed to encourage healthy habits to prevent disease outbreaks.

* This year, three new verticals are being introduced including Nova presents, Media Confluence, Comics, and the Korean Fest.

* The Korean Fest will celebrate journalism, comic books and characters, and Korean culture.

* The event will have lectures by actress Suma Kanakala, Chef Sashi Cheliah, Group Art Director of Amar Chitra Katha Savio Mascarenhas, Journalists Palki Sharma Upadhyay, and actress Revathy..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 12, 2023

5 .

Which state Governor has approved the 30 percent horizontal reservation to domicile women of the state in the government jobs bill?

A)

Gujarat

B)

Uttarakhand

C)

Madhya Pradesh

D)

Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer : Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) has given his consent to a Bill providing 30 per cent horizontal reservation to domiciled women of the state in government jobs.

* Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal Reservation for Women) Bill, 2022 was passed by the state assembly on November 29, 2022.

* With the governor's consent to the Bill, it has become an Act, an official said here on Wednesday (11th Jan 2023).

* The beneficiaries need to be women with a domicile certificate of Uttarakhand.

* According to the Bill, if enough women are not available to fill the reserved seats, they will be filled with qualified male candidates in the order of proficiency.

* Horizontal Reservation refers to the equal opportunity provided to other categories of beneficiaries such as women, the transgender community, or individuals with disabilities.

* The vertical reservation applies separately for each of the groups specified under the law, the horizontal reservation is always applied separately to each vertical category.

Objective of the Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal Reservation for women) Bill : The bill seeks to provide 30 percent reservation to women of the state in government jobs. The bill ensures social justice, equality of opportunity, Improvement in living standards, and gender equality in public planning..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : January 12, 2023

6 .

Which state has kicked itself into the Guinness Book of World Records by taking 4,500 penalty kicks in 12 hours?

A)

Gujarat

B)

Maharashtra

C)

Teangana

D)

Kerala

Correct Answer : Kerala

Kerala kicked itself into the Guinness Book of World Records, by taking 4500 penalty kicks within a span of 12 hours at the Dream Goal Penalty Shootout organised at the Payyanad Stadium in Malappuram district (10th Jan 2023).

Former Indian football player "U Sharaffali" took the first kick at 7.38 am, while the last kick was taken by the State Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports V Abdurahiman at 7.38 in the evening.

Many football lovers, students, teachers and others enthusiastically queued up to take the penalty kicks. Officials representing the Guinness Book of World Records were present at the event organised by the State Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The Malappuram event obliterated the previous record of 2500 penalty kicks held by Germany..

Source : AIR

Published On : January 12, 2023

7 .

Which Govt "Year of Enterprises" project gets recognition for 'best practice model' to promote MSMEs?

A)

Odisha

B)

Gujarat

C)

Kerala

D)

Rajasthan

Correct Answer : Kerala

The Kerala government’s Industries department got recognition from the centre for its Year of Enterprises project which was selected as one of the best practices in the ‘Thrust on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’ category.

* Under this project, more than one lakh enterprises were set up in eight months in the state of Kerala.

* The Year of Enterprises has been regarded as the best practice model in the second Chief Secretaries National Conference held in New Delhi from Janurary 5-7, 2023.

* The project by Kerala Government was started in the current fiscal year with the aim to create one lakh enterprises in one year. The state government achieved the goal in eight months, said Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev.

* As many as 1,01,353 enterprises were set up under the project and the total investment stood at around Rs 6,282 crore by November, 2022.

* Meanwhile, Kerala Industries Minister, P. Rajeeve had earlier said in December that the state government has set up a target to scale up 1,000 MSMEs and turn them into Rs 100 crore turnover companies in the next three years.

* He added that Kerala’s ranking in Ease of Doing Business index has improved to 15th position this year from 28th rank last year.

* The state has witnessed registrations of almost 42,300 MSMEs in the first quarter of this fiscal as compared to only 17,300 MSMEs registered in the state during the entire last fiscal...

Source : Financial Express

Published On : January 12, 2023

8 .

Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) interest rate hiked by what percentage for January-March 2023 quarter?

A)

7.2%

B)

7.8%

C)

8.3%

D)

8.7%

Correct Answer : 7.2%

The government has hiked interest rate on Kisan Vikas Patra for the quarter January – March 2023. The Kisan Vikas Patra is a small savings tool that will make it easier for people to contribute to long-term savings plans. Due to its low risk and assurance of profits, it is a well-liked investing tool

At the end of the maturity period, you will receive the invested money with a guaranteed double increase in value, regardless of market volatility

Kisan Vikas Patra interest rates 2023 :

Deposits made into KVP accounts will now earn an interest rate of 7.2% annually compounded. Earlier the interest rate offered on KVP was 7%. At 7.2% interest, the investment in the KVP account will double in value after 120 months.

Who can open Kisan Vikas Patra Yojana :A single adult, Joint Account (up to 3 adults), a guardian on behalf of minor or on behalf of person of unsound mind, a minor above 10 years in his own name can open Kisan Vikas Patra.

Types of KVP accounts :

(1) On an application to the accounts office in Form-1, the following types of accounts can be opened under the Scheme, namely :-

(a) Single Holder Type Account

(b) Joint A- Type Account

(c) Joint B- Type Account.

How to open KVP online in through Post Office internet banking :

Step 1: Login into DOP internet banking .

Step 2: Under ‘General Services' >'Service Requests' > 'New Requests' .

Step 3: Click on NSC Account - Open a NSC account and KVP Account to open a KVP account.

Step 4: Enter Amount for which NSC to be opened minimum is Rs 1000 and in multiple of < 100) .

Step 5: Select the Debit Account linked PO Saving Account

Step 6: Click on 'Click Here' to read terms and conditions and accept terms and conditions .

Step 7: Submit online

Step 8: Enter transaction password and submit.

Log in again to view the details of NSC opened under ‘Accounts'.

Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) :

Kisan Vikas Patra has a lock in period of 2 years 6 months. Premature closure before 2 years 6 months is allowed only:

On the death of the holder or any of the holders in the case of joint holder.

On forfeiture by a pledge being a gazetted government officer.

When ordered by a court of law.

When KVP can be transferred from one person to another person :

KVP may be transferred from one person to another person on the following conditions only.

(i) On the death of account holder to nominee/legal heirs.

(ii) On the death of account holder to joint holder(s).

(ii) On order by the court.

(iii) On pledging of account to the specified authority..

Source : India Times

Published On : January 12, 2023

9 .

Which country Students will soon learn Punjabi in government schools?

A)

Australia

B)

New Zealand

C)

United Kingdom

D)

Switzerland

Correct Answer : Australia

Now Punjabi will be taught in public schools in Western Australia. The language is all set to be introduced into the school curriculum.

The Australian government is adopting Punjabi as the newest language after a 2021 census showed that it was the fastest-growing language in Australia with more than 239,000 people using it at home, an increase of over 80 per cent from 2016, reported SBS Punjabi.

The syllabus for pre-primary to year 12 will be developed 2023. The move to teach Punjabi in schools was considered after the syllabus included Tamil, Hindi, and Korean languages in 2021.

Students are expected to be able to take Year 11 courses in 2024, with the first Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) course examination set in 2025, while schools will have access to the pre-primary to Year 10 curriculum starting in 2024.

In December, Education Minister Sue Ellery told SBS that the Punjabi language will be offered as an option to pre-primary through year twelve students in Western Australia.

She added that with over 190 languages spoken throughout the state, linguistic diversity is a great strength that provides a range of social, cultural and economic benefits...

Source : NDTV

Published On : January 12, 2023

10 .

Greece former and last king Constantine II when did passes away?

A)

9th January 2023

B)

10th January 2023

C)

11th January 2023

D)

12th January 2023

Correct Answer : 10th January 2023

Greece’s former King Constantine II, whose nine-year reign coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in the country’s political history, has died at a private hospital in Athens, his doctors announced late on Tuesday (10th January 2023). He was 82.

He was born of King Paul I, younger brother to King George II, of Greece and German aristocrat Princess Frederica of Hannover, Germany, on 2nd June 1940 in Psikhikó near Athens, Greece.

About Constantine II :

* When Constantine was an infant, the royal family fled Greece during the German invasion of World War II, moving to Alexandria (Egypt), South Africa. They returned to Greece in 1946.

* Constantine II, the 2nd cousin of Britain’s King Charles III, is the only son of King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece, he ascended to the throne in 1964 at the age of 23 after the demise of his father. His reign was marred by political instability, culminating in a military coup on 21st April 1967.

* A military coup was launched as a result of the episode involving the defection of numerous lawmakers from the ruling party, which is widely known as the “apostasy” in Greece. He remained in Rome until the regime abolished the monarchy in 1973.

* He married Princess AnneMarie of Denmark in 1964.

* At the 1960 Rome Olympics, he participated in sailing and won a gold medal in the Dragon class along with 2 other Greek sailors.

* He was elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee and became an IOC Member in 1963 and served until 1974. He was then made an Honorary Member. During his tenure, he served on the Commission for the International Olympic Academy from 196773.

* Most of his life went into exile where he lived in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom (UK).

Born : 2 June 1940, Psychiko, Greece

Died : 10 January 2023, Athens, Greece.

Source : The Guardian

Published On : January 12, 2023