Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2023

Notes:
Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance notifies changes in rates on small savings schemes.
Recently, the government hiked the interest rates on various small savings schemes including senior citizen savings scheme for the January to March quarter. The PPF will continue to earn 7.10%, while Sukanya Samriddhi account scheme will continue to earn 7.6% interest rate.

Notes:
The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others. It is a worldwide body with the aim to advance the ideas of Theosophy.
The 147th International Convention of the Theosophical Society (TS) was organised at its international headquarters in Adyar. “The theme of this conference is ‘Our Responsibility in the Interconnected World’.

Notes:
In December, 782 crore transactions in volume terms were done on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform, as per the Department of Financial Services.
UPI payments have touched record high of ₹12.82 lakh crore in December. The platform was launched in 2016. In November, as many as 730 crore transactions worth ₹11.90 lakh crore took place via UPI.

Notes:
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the ninth President of Guyana,  is one among the 21 recipients of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA).
He will also be the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held this time in Indore. US-based businessman Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, and DSB Group CEO Piyush Gupta are among 21 recipients.

Notes:
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 18th National Scout and Guide Jamboree, at Rohat in the Pali district of Rajasthan.
The First National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides was organized at Hyderabad in the year 1953. Rajasthan hosted the Jamboree after 66 years. Over 35,000 scouts and guides from all over the country participated in the 7-day-event.

Notes:
The government kept the interest rate unchanged at 7.1 per cent for the subscribers of the General Provident Fund and other similar funds.
In the previous quarter ended December 31, the GPF interest was at the same 7.1 per cent. The rate is valid from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023, as per the finance ministry said in a notification.

Notes:
NTPC Ltd commissioned India’s first green hydrogen blending project in the piped natural gas (PNG) network of NTPC Kawas Township, Surat.
The project is a joint effort of NTPC and Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL). Green hydrogen in Kawas is made by electrolysis of water using power from already installed 1 MW floating solar project. This feat has been achieved only by few countries like UK, Germany, and Australia.

Notes:
Union Minister for MSME, Narayan Rane, inaugurated Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (ITRS) at MOPA (GOA) International airport.
ITRS is an Artificial Intelligence-based fully automatic machine that helps in providing enhanced passenger security with advanced screening technology. It is equipped with image analysis software with advanced tools to take correct decisions against baggages.

Notes:
Assam Government released the list of winners of the Highest Civilian Awards- the Assam Baibhav Award.
There will be one recipient for the Assam Baibhav, five recipients for the Assam Saurav and fifteen recipients for the Assam Gaurav awards respectively. Dr Tapan Saikia, associated with the Healthcare & Public Services sectors, has been declared the Assam Baibhav for the year 2023.

Notes:
The government has approved Rs 28.11 crore to extend the interest-free loan to tobacco farmers Andhra Pradesh.
This measure will help the Flue Cured Virginia tobacco farmers overcome the damage caused by Mandous Cyclonic rains, as per the Commerce Ministry. The interest-free loan to the eligible farmers will be administered by the Tobacco Board.