Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
PhonePe recently became the first Indian fintech company to enable payments abroad. It allows international transactions through Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
With this, Indian travellers can make UPI transactions to foreign merchants using PhonePe platform. Cross-border transaction facility by PhonePe will support all international outlets in UAE, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius having local QR Code.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched phase 2 of the ‘Pudumai Penn’ scheme, a scholarship scheme for girl students, in Chennai.
The scheme involves the distribution of a scholarship amount of ₹1,000 per month to girl students pursuing their higher studies after completing their schooling at a government school. The scholarship is provided through the Social Welfare Department.

Notes:
QR code-based coin vending machine or QCVM has been announced as a part of the recently concluded RBI Monetary policy.
QCVM is intended to dispense coins similar to how ATMs dispense currency notes. Coins can be withdrawn using the UPI QR code in designated vending machines. RBI plans to launch the product in 19 locations across 12 cities.

Notes:
The state government of Gujarat has recently announced a 100 percent increase in Annual Statement of Rates.
The Annual Statement of Rate (ASR), also known as the Jantri rate, is the minimum rate set by state governments for registering real estate property when it changes ownership. These rates differ between cities and places based on the type, location, and size of the property.

Notes:
‘Forever chemicals’ is a term used to describe a group of synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are highly persistent in the environment and resist degradation.
They are called ‘forever’ chemicals because they do not break down naturally and can persist for decades or even centuries. A new study led by Oxford University found high levels of forever chemicals in the ice around Norway’s Svalbard.

Notes:
The Christ the Redeemer statue is a landmark statue located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Made of soapstone and reinforced concrete, this statue is an important symbol of Christianity and a renowned tourist destination.
The statue is recognized as one of the most iconic and celebrated works of art and engineering in history. A Photographer recently captured the exact moment when lightning struck Christ the Redeemer statue.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Mines announced that lithium reserves have been found in Jammu and Kashmir, a first in the country.
The Geological Survey of India established 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District in Jammu and Kashmir. This could boost the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries for electric cars, smartphones, and laptops and cut India’s dependence on lithium imports. ​​

Notes:
Skye Air, a Gurugram-based drone solutions provider, launched traffic management system for drones in India.
The software was launched in the presence of Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari. It will allow drone operators to plan routes, make flight plans and assess risks before running drone-based operations in the country.

Notes:
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita stepped down from her position citing a lack of support in the country.
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe and a former Soviet Republic. The pro-Western government had been in power for just 18 months. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu accepted Gavrilita’s resignation.

Notes:
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced an inflation relief package of Rs 19,000 crore in the state’s Budget for 2023-24.
The package aims to provide relief to the masses from rising prices. The package includes free food packets every month to poor families, LPG cylinders for Rs 500 under the Ujjwala Scheme and free electricity up to 100 units per month to domestic consumers. The coverage amount was raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana.