Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India hiked the key policy rate, the Repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50 per cent in a bid to control the retail inflation.
The RBI has increased the repo rate by a cumulative 250 basis points to 6.50 per cent since May this year. The RBI has projected GDP growth for the next fiscal (FY2024) at 6.4 per cent.

Notes:
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the latest innovation in the field of medicine, to treat cancer.
Rather than relying on drugs, like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the CAR T cell therapy treatments utilise a patient’s own cells that have been altered in a lab to stimulate T-cells and attack tumour cells. Currently, CAR T-cell therapy has received clearance for treating leukemia and lymphoma types of cancer.

Notes:
Smart Cities Mission is the Indian Government’s urban renewal program that seeks to create sustainable and citizen-centric smart cities.
It is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs in collaboration with the state governments. As many as 22 smart cities are expected to complete all projects under the Smart Cities Mission. The remaining 78 smart cities under this mission are expected to complete their projects in the next 3 to 4 months.

Notes:
Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion’s mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Researchers have recently identified a new active compound in the lion’s mane mushroom. This compound is found to be capable of boosting nerve growth and enhancing the memory capacity. This may have a potential to counter Alzheimer’s disease.

Notes:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), along with the Navy, started training for crew module recovery when it splashes down in the sea after re-entering the atmosphere.
This training was done as a part of preparation for its first human spaceflight (Gaganyaan). The training aims to finalise the standard operating procedure for the recovery of the crew members as soon as possible. The trials commenced at the water survival test facility of the Navy in Kochi.

Notes:
The 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting with India was held on a virtual platform. India and Philippines co-chaired the meeting and adopted India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023.
In 2022, ASEAN India Friendship Year was celebrated, commemorating 30th anniversary of establishment of dialogue relations with ASEAN. It was held under the theme ‘Synergy Towards a Sustainable Digital Future’.

Notes:
The Kala Ghoda Association’s Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2023 was recently organised in Mumbai, Mahrashtra.
The festival began in 1999 and has evolved into a first-of-its-kind multi-disciplinary street art festival. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival was held after two years at its iconic venue in Mumbai. It includes a number of verticals such as children, food, dance, literature, heritage walks among others.

Notes:
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Jal-Jan Abhiyan’ in Rajasthan. It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Brahma Kumaris organization.
The Jal Jan Abhiyan is a campaign that seeks to promote the conservation of water. It involves raising public awareness about the importance of water preservation. It aims to reach at least 10 million people and organise 10,000 programs. The Brahma Kumaris organization is currently headquartered in Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

Notes:
eSanjeevani, also known as National Teleconsultation Service, is a government initiative that provides online outpatient doctor (OPD) consultation service to citizens.
This first-of-its-kind scheme was launched in 2019 and it is being implemented by the Union Health Ministry. The eSanjeevani OPD portal and system was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The platform recently registered a new record by delivering teleconsultation services to 10 crore beneficiaries.

Notes:
The “Analysis of State Electric Vehicle Policies and Their Impact” Report was released recently by Climate Trends.
According to the report, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have the most comprehensive EV policies. Over the last 5 years, 16 of the 26 states and UTs have released EV policies between 2020 and 2022.