NATIONAL:
1. Samudrayaan Mission
Why in news – Samudrayaan Mission is to be undertaken by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Key Points –
• 3 people to be sent 6,000 meters below sea level as a part of the mission.
• Vehicle name for exploration – MATSYA 6000.
• MATSYA 6000 is being designed and developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai.
• Aim - Exploring mineral resources rich in nickel, cobalt, rare earths, manganese etc.
• Project cost - Rs. 4,077 crore for 5 years.
2. 8th Vande Bharat Express
Why in news – PM Modi virtually flagged off the 8th Vande Bharat Express on Jan 15, 2023.
Key Points –
• It would connect Telangana's Secunderabad and Andhra Pradesh's port city of Visakhapatnam.
3. First 5G-Enabled Drone
Why in news – Startup firm IG Drones has developed a 5G-enabled drone that is capable of vertical take-off and landing.
Key Points –
• The drone named Skyhawk is India's first 5G-enabled drone.
ECONOMY:
1. Equity Capital Market (ECM)
Why in news – Funds to the tune of $16.4 billion were transacted via ECM activity in India in 2022.
Key Points –
• The report was released by Kotak Investment Banking.
• This made India among the top five markets, globally, in terms of equity fundraising.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. 33rd World Report 2023
Why in news - Recently, the 33rd edition of World Report was released by Human Rights Watch.
Key Points –
• It said that Indian authorities had “intensified and broadened” their crackdown on activist groups and the media throughout year 2022.
About Human Rights Watch –
• Helsinki Accords (1975) - 35 signatory nations pledge to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1978 as “Helsinki Watch”.
• Headquarters - New York City.
2. ‘Survival of the Richest’ Report
Why in news - The report titled ‘Survival of the Richest’ was released by Oxfam International.
Key Points –
• The richest 1% in India now own more than 40% of the country’s total wealth.
• The bottom half of the population together share just 3% of the wealth.
• Since the pandemic began in Nov 2022, billionaires in India have seen their wealth surge by 121% or Rs 3,608 crore per day in real terms.
• The total number of billionaires in India increased from 102 in 2020 to 166 in 2022.
• Combined wealth of India’s 100 richest - USD 660 billion (Rs 54.12 lakh crore).
• Female workers earned only 63 paise for every 1 rupee a male worker earned.
• Oxfam India CEO - Amitabh Behar.
FESTIVALS:
1. Makar Sankranti 2023
Why in news - The harvest festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India, and is known by various names across the country.
Key Points –
• It is celebrated as per the solar calendar. Hence, it falls on the same day every year — January 14.
• It marks the end of winter, and the beginning of a new harvest season.
• It marks Sun’s transit into Makara Raashi, or Capricorn zodiac.
• It is viewed as a date from when the sun starts to move north from the southern hemisphere.
• Other names –
• National - Bihu (AS), Pongal (TN), Sakrat (HR), Uttarayan (RJ and GJ) and Lohri (Punjab).
• International - Maghe Sankranti (Nepal), Songkran (Thailand) and Thingyan (Myanmar).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Miss Universe 2022
Why in news - R’Bonney Gabriel (USA) was crowned 71st Miss Universe 2022 in a ceremony held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Key Points –
• 1st runner-up - Miss Venezuela Amanda Dudamel.
• 2nd runner-up - Miss Dominican Republic Andreina Martinez.
• India’s Divita Rai reached the top 16 stage of the competition.
• R’Bonney was Miss USA 2022.
• Miss Universe 2021 - Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. New Dust Control Technology
Why in news - Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi has invented the technology.
Key Points –
• Technology name - “System and Method for Controlling Generation and Movement of Fugitive Dust”.
• This system can be used in mines, thermal power plants, railway sidings, ports and construction sites.
• The present invention relates to the synchronized application of windbreak (WB) and vertical greenery system (VGS) for reducing generation and dispersion of fugitive dust.
SPORTS:
1. Second Highest Score in Ranji
Why in news - The right-handed Mumbaikar Prithvi Shaw slammed a record breaking 379 runs from 382 balls.
Key Points –
• He scored against Assam in the Amingaon Cricket Ground in Guwahati.
• It was his maiden triple hundred in first-class cricket and scored the highest score by a Mumbai batsman in Ranji Trophy cricket.
• Bhausaheb Nimbalkar (443 runs) has the highest individual score in Ranji Trophy against his name.
2. Biggest Win Margin
Why in news - India became the first team in the history of ODI cricket to beat an opposition by a margin of more than 300 runs.
Key Points –
• India defeated Sri Lanka by 317 runs in Thiruvananthapuram on January 15, 2023.
• India broke the record held by New Zealand, who had beaten Ireland by 290 runs in 2008.
• Sri Lanka were bundled out for 73 in just 22 overs after India posted 390.
• Virat Kohli hit his second-highest score in ODI cricket (166 not out).
3. Smriti Mandhana
Why in news - Herbalife Nutrition India roped in Smriti Mandhana as brand ambassador.
POINTERS:
• Which state government has launched “Saharsh” special education programme – Tripura.
• Who is author of the recently launched book “Jadunama” - Javed Akhtar.
• Who has been chosen to receive Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for his contribution towards community welfare - Thiru Kumar Nadesan.
• What are the mascots of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG)-2022 - Asha and Mowgli.
• WHO has issued an alert not to give two cough syrups made by which drug company to children - Marion Biotech.
• Which Indian-American has been sworn in as a senator in the US state of Kansas - Usha Reddy.
• Who has been appointed by Meta as the head of global business in India - Vikas Purohit.
• Which state has registered its name in the Guinness Book of World Records by taking 4500 penalty kicks within 12 hours at Payyanad Stadium – Kerala.
• Who has inaugurated “Jai Hind: The New Light and Sound Program” at Red Fort in Delhi - Amit Shah.
• Which organization has developed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to carry out logistics operations in the Himalayan range - DRDO.