Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 17 February 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
So, here is the Top News of the Day for 17 February 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 17 February 2023
Shinku La Tunnel construction is approved by the Union Cabinet
Shinku La Tunnel construction is approved by the Union Cabinet: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for the construction of the 4.1-km Shinkun La tunnel on the Nimu-Padam-Darcha road link to provide all-weather connectivity to the border areas of Ladakh.
Providing details of the cabinet decision, Union minister Anurag Thakur said the tunnel will be completed by December 2025 at a cost of Rs 1,681 crore.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Reason: To provide all-weather connectivity in Ladakh region. The tunnel will lead to the development of the region and boost the tourism, Health, and education sectors. The length of the tunnel will be 4.1 km. An approach will also be built by December 2025.
“The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Shinku La tunnel for Ladakh area which will provide all-weather connectivity to the Ladakh region with the entire country,” the minister said.
“This (project) is also very important as far as the security and safety of the country is concerned…. It will also help in the movement of our security forces in that region,” Thakur said.
CAMSPay receives RBI nod to operate as payment aggregator
CAMSPay receives RBI nod to operate as payment aggregator: CAMSPay has received in-principle approval from RBI to operate as a payment aggregator. It is a part of Chennai-based Computer Age Management Services (CAMS).
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
CAMSPAy, a payment platform specialising in solving banking and finance services sector’s payment challenges has been supporting mutual fund investors, insurance policy holders and loan borrowers for over a decade in enabling them to move from paper-based mandate process to offering digital payment solutions. CAMSPay, has received in-principle authorisation from Reserve Bank of India to operate as a ‘Payment Aggregator,” a bank statement said here.
“We are thrilled to receive the in-principle authorisation to operate as a payment aggregator to create a much more robust and inclusive digital payment stack for the chosen merchant segments that we operate in, delivering a variety of acceptance options,” CAMSPay CEO Vasanth Jeyapaul said.
India and Spain agree to collaborate on digital infrastructure
India and Spain agree to collaborate on digital infrastructure: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and both leaders agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy transition and sustainable development.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement said that the leaders discussed a number of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest.
They reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives and expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in defence, economic and commercial sectors. They also agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy transition, and sustainable development.
PM Modi briefed his Spanish counterpart on India’s priorities for the G-20 Presidency oriented towards working to promote oneness based on the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam (One Earth, One Family, One Future).
“Prime Minister Sánchez extended full support to India’s initiatives under its G-20 Presidency,” according to the PMO.
Spain Capital: Madrid
Indian Overseas Bank launches electronic bank guarantee scheme
Indian Overseas Bank launches electronic bank guarantee scheme: Public sector Indian Overseas Bank has launched the facility of issuance of e-BG (Electronic Bank Guarantee) scheme in association with the National e-Governance Services Ltd, the bank said on Wednesday.
e-BG: An instrument issued by the bank in which the bank agrees to guarantee a particular sum in the event that the applicant fails to fulfill an action/performance.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
It is a paperless mode with digital stamping and digital signature. Real-time issuance would make it available for the beneficiary instantly.
“Our bank is one of the pioneer in launching the Bank Guarantee through digital mode. As on date only few banks have the facility of issuance of e-BG,” Indian Overseas Bank said in a statement here.
Following the path to achieve vision mission statement 2021-2026 to provide best banking solutions through digital experience for customer delight, the bank has introduced and implemented the electronic-bank guarantee scheme, it said.
Kantara’s Rishab Shetty wins ‘Most Promising Actor Award’ at DPIFF 2023
Kantara’s Rishab Shetty wins ‘Most Promising Actor Award’ at DPIFF 2023: Kantara star Rishab Shetty adds another feather to his cap. The actor has been honoured with the Most Promising Actor Award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Award 2023, Times of India reported. The award has been given to the actor for his stellar performance in the Kannada film last year. Kantara was not only praised by critics but also emerged as one of the biggest pan-India blockbusters of 2022, receiving much love from fans. Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor and filmmaker primarily working in Kannada cinema.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The film recently completed 100 days of its release. On the occasion, Rishab announced Kantara 2. Rishab shared that what the audience has seen for now is actually part 2 and therefore what will be released next is Kantara’s prequel. Dropping hint about the release date, the actor also revealed that the film is likely to hit theatres in 2024. DPIFF was founded in 2012 and established in 2016.
DPIFF CEO: Abhishek Mishra
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar to be new Vice Chief of Army
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar to be new Vice Chief of Army: The current Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen B S Raju will assume command as Commander of the South Western Army, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar has been chosen as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. Lt Gen Kumar has been promoted as Army Commander and appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He is serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in the Army Headquarters at present.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
A graduate of the National Defense Academy in Khadakwasla, Lt. Gen. Kumar. In June 1985, he was given a commission into the 1 Assam Regiment. He has commanded the 59 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, an Infantry Brigade, and an Infantry Division on the Line of Control. Lt Gen Kumar has also commanded the highly active White Knight Corps. He has held the posts of Additional Director General Military Intelligence and Director General Military Intelligence at the Army headquarters.
Other Important Appointments
The 14 Corps, situated in Leh and responsible for maintaining security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the Ladakh sector, has been given Lt Gen Rashim Bali as its commander. Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, the current commander of the 14 Corps, will become the new Chief of Staff of Udhampur headquartered Northern Command. Lt Gen NSR Subramani, currently the Chief of Staff at the headquarters of the Northern Command in Udhampur, has been promoted to the rank of Army Commander and appointed as the next Central Army Commander.
Notably: Lt Gen Kumar, Lt Gen Raju and Lt Gen Subramani will assume their new responsibilities on March 1.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Army Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Indian Army Founded: 1 April 1895, India;
- General Manoj Pande is the current Chief of Army Staff
UIDAI Launched New AI Chatbot Aadhaar Mitra in India
AI Chatbot Aadhaar Mitra Launched by UIDAI: To assist consumers in finding answers to their questions regarding the Aadhaar card, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) recently introduced a chatbot. It is known as “Aadhaar Mitra.” The Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-a based chatbot can answer queries related to Aadhaar enrolment number, PVC Card order status, and complaint status, among other things. It is available in both English and Hindi languages.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
After every answer given by Aadhaar Chatbot, there is a Thumbs Up/Thumbs down icon below every chat response. Also, after the end of the session, on closing the window resident can provide a star rating (on a scale of 1 to 5).
What can Aadhaar Mitra answer?
The Aadhaar Chatbot is skilled in providing information on Aadhaar-related topics, including how to find an Aadhaar centre, check the status of an enrolment or update, check the status of an order for a PVC card, file a complaint, check the status of a complaint, locate an enrolment centre, and schedule an appointment.
The user does not need to go to an Aadhaar enrolment center to update the card anymore. It can be done through the chatbot. They can also apply for a duplicate Aadhaar if the original is lost.
How to use Aadhaar Mitra?
The users can simply type their query in Chatbot and get the desired answers immediately.
Step 1: Go to www.uidai.gov.in
Step 2: Click on the “Aadhaar Mitra” box in the bottom right corner. The chatbot will open saying, “Hi, I am your Aadhaar Mitra. How May I help you!!”
Step 3: Tap on “Get Started” to ask the query.
Step 4: In the search box, enter the query and click on the Enter button. The chatbot will reply with the answer.
Step 5: Also, you can click on the suggested query option available at the top. You can also give feedback on the answers.
Cabinet approves MoU between India , Chile in Agricultural Sector
Cabinet approves MoU between India , Chile in Agricultural Sector: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in agriculture and related areas between India and Chile was approved by the Union Cabinet. The MoU will come in force upon its signature and will remain effective for 5 years from the date of execution after which it will be automatically renewed for another 5 years.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About Chile-India Agricultural Working Group:
For the oversight, review, and evaluation of this MoU’s implementation, a Chile-India Agricultural Working Group will be established. The group will also be responsible for establishing frequent communication and coordination, according to an official release.
More About the Agricultural Cooperation between India & Chile:
The main areas of cooperation envisaged are agricultural policies for development of modern agriculture, organic agriculture to facilitate the bilateral trade of organic products, as well as promote the exchange of policies aimed to develop organic production in both countries, science and innovation to explore partnerships for innovation in the agricultural sector among Indian and Chilean institutes, and collaborate to confront common challenges. The meetings of the agricultural working group will be held once a year, alternatively in Chile and India, the release said.
PM Modi Virtually Inaugurated Jal Jan Abhiyan in Rajasthan
PM Modi Virtually Inaugurated Jal Jan Abhiyan in Rajasthan : On Abu Road in the Sirohi region of Rajasthan, the Jal Jan Abhiyan was essentially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi noted that the 21st-century world is realizing the seriousness of limited water resources on earth and pointed out that water security is a huge question for India due to its large population. In the Amrit Kaal, he stated, India is looking to the future of water.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
PM Modi Virtually Inaugurated Jal Jan Abhiyan in Rajasthan
PM Modi expressed satisfaction that the country has turned water conservation into a mass movement and informed that the Jal-Jan Abhiyan of Brahma Kumaris will give new strength to this effort of public participation. The Prime Minister referred to the Indian sages who, thousands of years ago, developed a restrained, balanced, and sensitive system with regard to nature, the environment, and water.
He recalled the age-old saying of not destroying water but conserving it and underlined that this feeling has been a part of India’s spirituality and religion for thousands of years. The prime minister highlighted that when society develops such a strong emotional connection with nature, sustainable development will become a way of life.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to instill faith in the countrymen towards the values of water conservation and remove every obstacle that causes water pollution. He underlined the role of India’s spiritual institutions like the Brahma Kumaris towards water conservation.
The Prime Minister lamented the past decades where a negative thought process had developed and topics like water conservation and environment were deemed difficult. Outlining the changes that have occurred over the past 8–9 years, the prime minister stated that both the situation and the mindset have transformed. Giving the example of the Namami Gange campaign, the Prime Minister highlighted that not only the Ganges but all its tributaries are also getting cleaned while campaigns like natural farming have also begun on the banks of the Ganges. Throwing light on the ‘Catch the Rain campaign’, the Prime Minister noted that the depleting groundwater table is also a major challenge for the country.
He informed that water conservation is also being promoted in thousands of gram panchayats of the country through the Atal Bhujal Yojana. The Prime Minister also touched upon the campaign to construct 75 Amrit Sarovar in every district of the country and said that it is a huge step towards water conservation.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, 2020 and 2021 presented to102 artists
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, 2020 and 2021: The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (UBKYP) 2019—2021 was presented at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi by Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and DoNER Shri G. Kishan Reddy. Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy of Music, Dance and Drama, and the apex body of the performing arts in the country, in the meeting of its General Council held on 8 November 2022 in New Delhi selected 102 artists (including three joint awards) of India who have made a mark as young talents in their respective fields of performing arts for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, 2020 and 2021.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar:
The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, given to artists up to the age of 40 years, was introduced in the year 2006 with the objective of identifying and encouraging outstanding young talents in diverse fields of the performing arts and giving them national recognition early in their life, so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar carries a purse money of Rs 25,000/- (Rupees twenty-five thousand only), an Angavastram and a plaque.
Yuva Puraskar will be given annually and the total number of Yuva Puraskar in a year shall not exceed 33.
The Yuva Puraskar may be given in the following five Fields of activity:
- Music
- Dance
- Theatre
- Other Traditional / Folk/ Tribal/ Dance/ Music/ Theatre and Puppetry
- Contribution / Scholarship in Performing Arts.
