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 24 January 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.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 24 January 2022
President Droupadi Murmu confers Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar: At a ceremony in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. For the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar this year, 11 kids were chosen, of whom four are in the arts and culture category, 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.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
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.
Children aged 5 to 18 are eligible to receive the honours. Selected students receive these honours for excelling in six areas: academics, bravery, innovation, arts and culture, sports, and social service. 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.
How Rashtriya Bal Puraskar started?
In order to reward the children for acts of bravery & courage, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar was set up in 1996. Since the 1990s, the government has awarded children who have excelled in six categories with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. In 2018, the award has been renamed to ‘Bal Shakti Puraskar’ in which children with brave and courageous work are also included to get the award.
Awardees are selected on the basis of the following fields:
- Innovation: A child must do something innovative in the field of science and innovation that must create an impact on humans, living organisms, and the environment.
- Social Service: A child must have taken action against any social issues such as child marriage, sexual assault, etc.
- Education: A child who has possessed an excellent academic performance nationally or internationally is chosen eligible for this award.
- Sports: A child who has possessed an excellent performance nationally or internationally in the field of sports are chosen eligible for this award.
- Arts and Culture: Under this age, a kid is deemed qualified for the puraskar if they succeed in the arts of music, dancing, and painting.
- Bravery: A child who shows bravery and courage in order to make a change in someone’s life or for the environment is chosen for the award.
Himachal Pradesh targets to be first ‘green energy state’ by 2025
Himachal Pradesh targets to be first ‘green energy state’ by 2025: The Himachal Pradesh government intends to make the state as the first Green Energy State by the end of 2025 by harnessing hydro, hydrogen and solar energy and switching to green products. The State is projected as a Power State in the Country, and the State Government is Resolute to Promote, Develop and Harness Optimally the Huge Energy Potential of the State under the Visionary Leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Initiative led by Himachal Pradesh
- The state government would also invest in solar power plants, installing 500 MW worth of solar projects between 2023 and 2024. Of this amount, HPPCL would instal 200 MW, for which land has been identified with a 70 MW capacity, and the rest sites will be determined soon.
- Solar projects up to 150 MW capacity would be installed by HIMURJA through private participation and priority would be given to Himachalis in awarding these projects, he said and added that the capacity of the projects will range from 250 KW to 1 MW.
- The Government of Himachal Pradesh has received a dividend of Rs. 2355 crore against the equity contribution of Rs. 1055 crore and 12 percent free power from Nathpa Jhakri and Rampur hydro power projects amounting to around Rs. 7000 crore so far.
- Thaplan, Solar Power Project (SPP) of 112.5 MW was being set up in district Una. Furthermore, 20 MW SPP Bhanjal and Kadh in the Una district and 20 MW in Fatehpur in the Kangra district, 30 MW SPP Kolar in Sirmaur district and 12.5 MW in Rajgir in district Kangra were under pre-construction stage.
FIH tie-up with JSP Foundation for hockey development and Men’s World Cup
FIH tie-up with JSP Foundation for hockey development and Men’s World Cup: The Men’s World Cup and JSP Foundation for Hockey Development are partners of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is thrilled to announce that it has signed a partnership with JSP Foundation for its development programs. FIH will be working closely with JSP Foundation for some of its key initiatives for hockey development over the coming months. The JSP Foundation will also become a Global Partner of the ongoing FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela as a result of this cooperation.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About JSP Foundation
The social division of Jindal Steel & Power is the JSP Foundation. The JSP Foundation is committed to helping humanity and is focused on raising the Human Development Index by positioning itself as a parenting force of diverse grassroots social change agents. The Foundation has been the guiding force of the sustainable social development initiatives implemented by Jindal Steel & Power across its business locations.
About the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is the world governing body for the sport of hockey, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Founded in 1924, FIH today has 140-member National Associations.
International Day of Education celebrates on 24 January 2023
International Day of Education 2023: The International Day of Education was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on January 24 to recognise the importance of education for world peace and development. Education plays a key role in building sustainable and resilient societies. Providing quality education for all is of utmost importance for the creation of a peaceful and prosperous world. Moreover, education gives people the knowledge and skills they need to grow as human beings.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, recently made the decision to honour Afghan women and girls on January 24, 2023, as International Day of Education. Currently, 2.5 million (80%) of school-aged Afghan girls and young women are out of school, 1.2 million of whom were denied access to secondary schools and universities following the decision of the de facto authorities. Since August 2021, UNESCO has modified its interventions to help maintain education in challenging situations.
Theme of International Day of Education 2023
“To invest in people, prioritise education” will be the topic of the fifth International Day of Education, which will be observed on January 24, 2023. International Day of Education 2023 will aim to build on the global momentum generated by the UN Transforming Education Summit in September 2022 and call for maintaining strong political mobilisation around education.
Significance of International Day of Education 2023
The International Day of Education plays a key role in enhancing international cooperation in supporting the efforts towards the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 4, i.e. quality education for all. All relevant stakeholders including Member States of the UN, organisations of the UN system, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions and the private sector, observe the International Day of Education. UNESCO, the specialised United Nations agency for education, facilitates the annual observance of this day in close collaboration with all the stakeholders.
History of International Day of Education 2023
On December 3, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution designating January 24 as the International Day of Education. The aim of the UNGA was to recognise and celebrate the role of learning for peace and development. The adoption of the resolution 73/25 “International Day of Education”, co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other Member States, demonstrated the unwavering political will of the international community to promote inclusive, equitable and quality education for all.
National Girl Child Day celebrates on 24 January 2023
National Girl Child Day 2023: National Girl Child Day is observed nationwide on January 24. In 2008, the Ministry of Women and Child Development established this day. The goal of National Female Child Day is to highlight the prejudice and injustice that girl children face. To raise awareness of the injustices girls face in Indian society, the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Indian government started it in 2008. Activities to mark the occasion include raising awareness of Save the Girl Child, child sex ratios, and creating a safe and healthy environment for girls.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
National Girl Child Day 2023: Significance
National Girl Child Day is intended to raise awareness of a girl’s rights, support the country’s girl children, abolish gender biases, and highlight the value of education, health, and nutrition, according to the women and child development ministry. The national holiday is observed nationwide by holding a variety of events to honour girls. This day serves to change the attitude towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected. In fact, the government has taken several steps to fulfil the objectives of National Girl Child Day.
Objective of the National Girl Child Day 2023
- To raise people’s understanding of the need to safeguard and raise children equally in terms of their access to opportunities for education, health care, and other aspects of life. To promote the idea of the elimination of any form of discrimination against the child children at home or outside world.
- To accept child children and welcome them into homes and live with respect and love and abandon the evil ideology of killing gild children in the womb and female infanticide.
- To educate people at large about the importance of girl children and the declining sex ratio in India and eventually to change their mindset.
- To make it possible for girls to live both inside and outside of their homes in safety.
National Girl Child Day 2023: History
The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched National Girl Child Day in 2008. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the injustices that girls experience in Indian society. The main aim of the day is to raise awareness of the disparities that girls face in a variety of areas, including education, employment, clothing, and others.
Over the years, the Indian government has taken a number of actions to alter this and enhance the lives of females. Save the Girl Child, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, subsidised or free education for girls, and many other programmes and campaigns are being undertaken for the development of girls.
“India’s Knowledge Supremacy: The New Dawn” Book Written by Dr Ashwin Fernandes released
A book titled “India’s Knowledge Supremacy: Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, an international Indian expat, has published “The New Dawn” in all languages. The Honourable Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education of India, introduced this book at a gathering held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Center. This New book launched focuses on India’s knowledge supremacy, journey showcasing changing trends in newly emerging India.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Book is Written by international Indian expat, Dr Ashwin Fernandes, who heads QS Rankings in Middle East, Africa and South Asia, who states that this book deep dives into the shifts in higher education that India has faced since ancient times.
The book uncovers and provides for interesting reading with an intellectual treat of India’s rising superpowerstatus and is designed for all age groups. The book is published by Bloomsbury Publishing, a renowned independent publishing house that was established in 1986 and is the original publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Its authors include Nobel, Pulitzer, and Booker Prize winners. It is now available on Amazon and Flipkart.
About the Author:
- Dr Ashwin Fernandes is anambassador of the global quality movement in higher education and has advocated the need forindependent evaluation mechanisms for promoting excellence. The author is an international expert is higher education.
- Ashwin is regional director for Africa, Middle East, and South Asia at QS Quacquarelli Symonds – the world’s largest international education network which produces the QS World University Rankings.
- Dr Fernandes founded India’s first nationwide private sector evaluation framework called QS I-GAUGE. Along with an MBA in Marketing and a BCom in Financial Accounting, Auditing & Taxation, he holds a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil) in philosophy. He has lived and worked in 5 countries and visited over 300 educational institutions.
21 islands of Andaman & Nicobar renamed after Param Vir Chakra Awardees
21 islands of Andaman & Nicobar renamed after Param Vir Chakra Awardees: Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman & Nicobar after Param Vir Chakra awardees on January 23, 2023, via video conferencing.
The naming was done on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary, which is officially observed as Parakram Diwas (Day of Valor). He has also unveiled the model of the National Memorial dedicated to Netaji, to be constructed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep (earlier known as Ross Islands).
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The memorial to Netaji will be located on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, which was called Ross Island before 2018. Facilities available at the site will include a museum, a cable car ropeway, a laser-and-sound show, a guided heritage trail through historical buildings and a theme-based children’s amusement park, next to a resto-lounge.
The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, the second largest unnamed island after the second Param Vir Chakra awardee, and so on. The first recipient of the award was Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life while fighting against Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar airport on November 3, 1947.
Of the 21 people who have received the Param Vir Chakra, 20 served in the Indian Army and one in the Indian Air Force. The event was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief of Defence Staff General, Anil Chauhan.
HCHF and Ladakh Tourism Dept organized annual Ethnic Mamani Festival
HCHF and Ladakh Tourism Dept organized annual Ethnic Mamani Festival: The annual Ethnic Mamani Festival was organized at Historical Styangkung Village and Chiktan Shagaran by the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) and Ladakh Tourism Department. The Steyangkung village is around 500 years old and still well-preserved and is being developed as one of the well-maintained heritage villages in Ladakh.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The history of the celebration of the Mamani Festival in Ladakh goes back to the ancient tradition of giving food to departed family members. During Mamani, people would exchange food with their relatives and neighbours and worship a variety of spirits (Lha). These festivals have helped in the revival of more than 35 cuisines of Kargil Ladakh.
In 2018, the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation along with Anayat Ali Shotopa formally took the responsibility to organise the festival at various locations in order to preserve the heritage in the region.
Govt Switches Bonds with RBI in a Cash-neutral deal
Govt Switches Bonds with RBI in a Cash-neutral deal: The Indian government bought back bonds maturing in 2024 from the Reserve Bank of India, while also issuing bonds maturing in 2032 worth a similar quantum, the central bank said. The transaction involved buying back a security maturing in FY2024/25 from the Reserve Bank and issuing fresh security for equivalent market value, to make the transaction cash neutral. The transaction was carried out using Financial Benchmarks India Pvt Ltd (FBIL) prices.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
More About The RBI-Govt Cash Neutral Deal:
The government issued 8.28% 2032 bonds worth 210.26 billion rupees ($2.78 billion) to the RBI while repurchasing 6.18% 2024 bonds worth 226.10 billion rupees ($2.78 billion) at a price of 98.62 rupees. Before this switch, New Delhi had switched bonds worth over 820 billion rupees this financial year, below its target of 1 trillion rupees.
Need of This Transaction:
India is likely to undertake bond switch auctions with the RBI to meet its target for fiscal. Government of India has been undertaking conversion with the objective of smoothening its liability profile as well as for market development.
What Is Cash Neutral:
The term cash neutral refers to an investment strategy that involves the sale and purchase of securities in an investment portfolio that results in zero net cash. In a cash-neutral strategy, sales and purchases basically cancel one another out. Keeping portfolios cash neutral means having capital fully deployed in investments at all times.
SEBI Launches Information Database on Municipal Bonds
SEBI Launches Information Database on Municipal Bonds: As part of SEBI’s initiative to develop Bond markets, an outreach programme on Municipal Bonds and Municipal Finance was organized on January 20 and 21, 2023 at New Delhi to provide a common platform for stakeholders to discuss the concerns of the issuers of Municipal Debt Securities, the requirements of investors, the extant regulatory framework and to recommend measures to increase awareness of and improve traction in the market for Municipal Debt Securities. Representatives from various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, municipal corporations, stock exchanges, credit rating agencies, merchant bankers and debenture trustees, participated in the programme.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
About The Information Database:
The information database contains a wide range of information in the form of statistics, rules, circulars, advice notes, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) about municipal debt securities that were published by Sebi.
The repository contains various checklists for pre-listing requirements and sample letters and certificates from various intermediaries to be obtained by an issuer who plans to tap the municipal bond market.
About Municipal Bonds :
A municipal bond (muni) is a debt security issued by a state, municipality or county to finance its capital expenditures, including the construction of highways, bridges or schools. Through muni bonds, a municipal corporation raises money from individuals or institutions and promises to pay a specified amount of interest and returns the principal amount on a specific maturity date. These are mostly exempt from federal taxes and from most state and local taxes, making them especially attractive to people in high income tax brackets.
Significance of Municipal Bonds Market:
Municipal Bonds can help the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to garner revenue to complete budgetary projects as property tax is the only major source of municipal revenue. Growth of the municipal bond market is critical for India’s large cities and towns to upgrade their creaking infrastructure. The ability of municipal bodies to be self-sustaining is also critical to the success of the Centre’s pet projects such as Smart Cities and Amrut.
Reserve Bank of India Says No Foreign Investment Cap on Sovereign Green Bonds
Reserve Bank of India Says No Foreign Investment Cap on Sovereign Green Bonds: The sovereign green bonds issued by the Indian government will not have any restrictions on foreign investment, the Reserve Bank of India said. Such securities will be counted as specified securities under the fully accessible route, the central bank said in a notification. Earlier this month, the RBI had announced a two-tranche auction of sovereign green bonds for 160 billion rupees ($1.93 billion).
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
More About This Move:
The fully accessible route (FAR) introduced by RBI wherein certain specified categories of Central Government securities are opened fully for non-resident investors without any restrictions, apart from being available to domestic investors as well. Now, the central bank has added sovereign green bonds to the list too.
Significance of Sovereign Green Bonds:
- SGrBs will be issued through Uniform Price Auction.
- Retail investors will be given 5% of the announced amount for sale.
- SGrBs will be eligible for trading in the secondary market.
- For the purposes of SLR, SGrBs shall be considered eligible investments.
Benefits of Sovereign Green Bonds:
Issuance of SGrBs is expected to support the government in tapping the requisite finance from potential investors for deployment in public sector projects aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of the economy. Investors that purchase bonds under the SGrB framework are not at risk for any project-related issues. The Centre is committed to reducing the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from the 2005 level, and achieving about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from nonfossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.
