Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 February 2023

By Priyanka Chaudhary | Last Modified: 15 Feb 2023 17:21 PM IST

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Topic: Personality in News

1. Indian-American politician Nikki Haley launched her campaign for the US presidency.

  • Nikki Haley has announced that she will make a bid for the Presidential election in 2024.
  • She has become the first Republican to challenge former US President Donald Trump to become her party's nominee for the White House in 2024.
  • Nikki Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina and she is the first female governor of a state.
  • If she wins the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 she will be the first woman and first Asian-American at the top of the GOP ticket.
  • Haley has consistently got third or fourth place behind Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the election.

Presidential election in 2024

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: India and its neighbours

2. Pakistan’s economic crisis became more severe as Milk prices jumped to 210 rupees per litre.

  • Pakistan is suffering from a severe economic crisis. The prices of cooking and other critical necessities have increased sharply.
  • According to a report, the price of milk has increased to PKR 210 from PKR 190 previously.
  • The price of chicken meat has increased to PKR 700-780 from PKR 620-650 per kg last week.
  • Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves have fallen to their lowest level of USD 3 billion since 1983.
  • The Pakistani government has signed a multibillion-dollar bailout package with IMF to save the crippling economy.
  • The main reasons for Pakistan’s economic crisis are:
    • During the pandemic, Pakistan’s economy contracted by nearly 1 percent. The GDP growth rate has slowed down.
    • The Russia –Ukraine war increased the prices of imports products such as food and fuel.
    • Foreign exchange reserves has declined continuously. Forex is available for only a few months of imports.
    • The value of Pakistan currency has depreciated significantly in recent years.
    • The inflation in Pakistan has reached an all-time high.
    • Government subsidies have increased the budget deficit.
    • The political environment has been highly volatile.

Half Yearly Current Affairs 2022 - 2023

Topic: National News

3. HAL released the design of the scale model of the Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer (HLFT-42).

  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) released the design at the 14th edition of Aero India held in Bengaluru.
  • The aircraft has a unique tail art of the Hindu God Maruti.
  • HLFT-42 is the ‘Next Gen Supersonic Trainer’. It will play a critical role in modern combat aircraft training.
  • HAL will also showcase its range of products/technologies centred on the theme ‘Innovate. Collaborate. Lead’.
  • The Do-228 will be displayed for use in commercial aviation.

Topic: Banking System

4. RBI has announced its second global hackathon, HARBINGER 2023 - Innovation for Transformation.

  • Its theme is 'Inclusive Digital Services'. The winner will get Rs 40 lakh.
  • The runner-up will get a prize of Rs 20 lakh each.
  • Registration for the hackathon will start from 22 February, 2023.
  • RBI has invited innovative ideas in four segments.
  • RBI has invited fintechs to develop solutions that have the potential to make digital financial services accessible to the differently-abled and facilitate efficient compliance.
  • Fintechs have been invited to develop solutions that have the potential to extend the reach of Central Bank Digital Currencies and enhance the scalability of blockchains.
  • RBI announced its first hackathon in November 2021. Its results were declared in June 2022.
  • It had received 363 proposals from teams within India and from 22 other countries.

Topic: State News/ Maharashtra

5. India's first electric AC double-decker bus inaugurated in Mumbai.

  • On 13 February, India’s first electric air-conditioned (AC) double-decker bus has been inaugurated by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST).
  • This double-decker e-bus, manufactured by Switch Mobility, was first launched by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in August, 2022.
  • The bus will ply between Kurla Bus Depot and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
  • The model’s name, Switch EiV22, has a 231-kWh battery with a range of up to 250 km.
  • Tickets will be priced as before, a minimum fare of Rs 6 will be charged for a distance of 5 km.
  • The cost of each bus is ₹2 crores and each bus can carry about 90 passengers.
  • It is equipped with CCTV cameras and automatic doors, and can be charged in 80 minutes.
  • BEST will save 26 million litres of diesel annually and their carbon footprint will be reduced by 41% with the induction of these 200 buses.

Topic: Art and Culture

6. ‘Divya Kala Mela’ is being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

  • ‘Divya Kala Mela’ is being organized from16th to 25th February, 2023 in Mumbai.
  • This is a unique event showcasing products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country.
  • The event will provide an engaging experience to the visitors as vibrant products of handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery and canned food etc. from different parts of the country.
  • In this, around 200 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from around 24 States/Union Territories will showcase their products and skills.
  • Its broad range will include the following products: Home Decor & Lifestyle, Clothing, Stationery & Eco-friendly Products, Packaged Food & Organic Products, Toys & Gifts, Personal Accessories- Jewellery, Clutch Bags etc.
  • It will be an opportunity for all to be 'Vocal for Local' and with extra determination can see/buy products made by Divyang artists/artisans.
  • On 16 February, the event will be inaugurated by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.
 
Monthly Current Affairs eBooks
January Monthly Current Affairs December Monthly Current Affairs
November Monthly Current Affairs October Monthly Current Affairs

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. Air India has signed an agreement to acquire 250 aircraft from Airbus of France.

  • PM Modi said that the deal shows the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Paris is being strengthened.
  • According to PM Modi, India will emerge as the third-largest global market in the aviation sector in the future.
  • He said that India can become a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub for the aviation sector.
  • He addressed a virtual meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the agreement between Air India and Airbus.
  • He said that the Indian aviation sector will require over 2,000 aircrafts in the next 15 years.
  • PM Modi highlighted the initiatives taken under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN and said the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 to 147 in the last eight years.
  • PM Modi also recalled the recent decision by French aerospace engine manufacturer SAFRAN to establish its largest MRO facility in India.
  • This facility will be set up to service aircraft engines for both Indian and international carriers.

Topic: Personality in News

8. Painter Lalitha Lajmi died on 13 February 2023 at the age of 90.

  • Lalitha Lajmi was the sister of the late actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt.
  • She was an unparalleled water-colourist. Through her works, she narrated a layered history of the modern Indian woman in the decades that followed Independence.
  • Bollywood actor Javed Khan Amrohi passed away on 14 February 2023.
  • He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2001 for the film 'Lagaan'.

Painter Lalitha Lajmi

Topic: State News/ Mizoram

9. Mizoram CM presented a budget of Rs 14,209 crores.

  • Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga presented a zero-deficit annual budget for the financial year 2023-24.
  • No new taxes have been laid in the budget. The budget tabled supplementary demands for the current fiscal (2022-2023) of Rs 3,265.69 crore.
  • The budget has allocated Rs 595 crore to Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) for 2023-24 fiscal.
  • Socio-Economic Development Policy is a programme for sustainable development through exploration and judicious use of resources.
  • The government will provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each to 60,000 families under the family-oriented programme.
  • The first instalment of the assistance amounting to Rs 25,000 each has been provided to 5,996 beneficiaries.
  • Out of the total budget, 21.90 per cent (Rs 3,141.19 crore) has been allocated to capital expenditure and 78.10 per cent (Rs 11,068.76 crore) to revenue expenditure.
  • Rs 60 crore has been allocated to MLA Local Area Development Fund.
  • The government has allocated Rs 1.20 crore for higher and technical education.
  • State's Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) is expected to increase by 35.32% from the current fiscal.
  • The budget is zero-deficit as well as a non-surplus budget because total receipts is equal to the estimated total expenditures.

Topic: Agriculture and allied sectors

10. Government expects a record foodgrain production of 3235.54 Lakh Tonnes in 2022-24.

  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released the second advanced estimate of the production of major crops.
  • The production of nutritious and coarse cereals is expected to be 527.26 Lakh Tonnes which is 16 lakh tonnes more than in 2021-22.
  • The production of wheat is expected to be 1121.82 Lakh Tonnes.
  • The government expects a record production of 278.10 Lakh Tonnes of pulses.
  • Rice production is expected to be 1308.37 Lakh Tonnes.
  • Production of Maize in the country during 2022-23 is estimated at 346.13 lakh tonnes which is 8.83 lakh tonnes more than the previous year’s production.
  • The production of Soybean and Rapeseed & Mustard is estimated at 139.75 LMT.
  • Production of Cotton is estimated at 337.23 lakh bales and production of Jute & Mesta is estimated at 100.49 lakh bales.

Rice 

1308.37 Lakh Tonnes

Wheat

1121.82 Lakh Tonnes

Nutri / Coarse Cereals

527.26 Lakh Tonnes

Maize    

346.13 Lakh Tonnes

Barley

22.04 Lakh Tonnes

Total Pulses

278.10 Lakh Tonnes

Groundnut

100.56 Lakh Tonnes

Cotton

337.23 Lakh bales

Sugarcane

4687.89 Lakh Tonnes

Jute & Mesta

100.49 Lakh bales

Related Study Material
Evolution and History of the Indian Constitution Preamble of the Indian Constitution
Major sources of Indian Constitution President of India
Ramsar sites of India 2022 Classification of Rocks
Interior of the Earth Tax system in India

Topic: State News/ Rajasthan

11. A Science Center and Planetarium will be constructed in Kota, Rajasthan.

  • It will be one of the world’s best science centers and planetariums.
  • It will be constructed with a cost of 35.25 cores rupees.
  • The National Council of Science Museums and the Science and Technology Department of the Government of Rajasthan have a signed an MoU for building science centers and planetariums.
  • Birla Planetarium in Jaipur is one of the most famous Planetariums in Rajasthan.
  • Planetarium is a theatre for showing educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky.
  • Birla Planetarium, Kolkata is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second-largest planetarium in the world.
  • The Shanghai Astronomy Museum is the largest planetarium in the world in terms of building scale.
  • Nehru Science Centre (NSC) in Mumbai is the largest interactive science centre in India.

Topic: Indian Economy

12. Retail inflation reached to three-month high level of 6.52% in January 2023.

  • Retail inflation has increased to 6.52% mainly due to higher prices in the food basket, including cereals and protein-rich items.
  • Retail inflation was 6.77% in October 2022. It was 5.72% in December 2022 and 6.01% in January 2022.
  • Since January 2022, retail inflation has been over the Reserve Bank of India's upper tolerance level of 6% except for November and December 2022.
  • In comparison to urban regions, where inflation was just 6%, rural areas had a higher rate of inflation at 6.85%.
  • Headline CPI inflation declined by 105 basis points during November-December 2022.
  • WPI inflation declined for the eighth consecutive month to 4.73% in January 2023.
  • The wholesale price-based inflation eased mainly due to an easing in prices of manufactured items, fuel and power.
  • WPI-based inflation rate was 4.95% in December 2022 and 13.68% in January 2022.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

13. Amit Shah honored Haryana police with President’s color award on 14 February.

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented President’s color award to Haryana police for their outstanding service to the country.
  • President of India approved this award on 17 January 2022 for Haryana Police’s good track record in commitment to professionalism and high rank in the service of humanity.
  • The President’s Colour is the highest award given to a military unit for its exceptional service rendered to the Nation in peace and during the war.
  • President’s Colours is also known as 'Nishaan'.
  • Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force to receive President’s color by Dr Rajendra Prasad on 17 May 1951.
  • In May 2022, Amit Shah presented the President’s color award to Assam Police.
  • In August 2022, President’s color award was given to Tamil Nadu police.

Topic: National Appointments

14. Aniket Sunil Talati elected as President of ICAI.

  • Aniket Talati has replaced Debashis Mitra as the President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
  • He has been elected President for 2023-24 term.
  • Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal has been elected as Vice President of ICAI.
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI):
    • It was established in 1949 as a statutory body by the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
    • It regulates the Chartered Accountancy profession in India. It is headquartered in New Delhi.
    • ICAI is the world’s second largest accounting body.
 
 

 

 

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