Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The NPCI has set the daily payment limit for UPI transactions to a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh starting from January 1, 2024. However, RBI raised the transaction limit for UPI payments to hospitals and educational institutions to Rs 5 lakh on December 8, 2023, to broaden the use of UPI payments.

Notes:
Queen Margrethe II, who recently announced her abdication after 52 years on the throne, is the Queen of Denmark. This decision was made official during her New Year’s speech on the anniversary of her own accession to the throne, where she expressed her desire to pass on the responsibilities of the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. Queen Margrethe is Europe’s longest-reigning living monarch and has been a popular public figure in Denmark, known for her warm manners, linguistic skills, and design talents. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen praised her lifelong dedication to the Kingdom of Denmark.

Notes:
Sri Lanka’s decision to impose a one-year ban on Chinese research vessels in its EEZ was influenced by concerns raised by India and the US. These concerns were regarding the potential activities of the Chinese vessels, including scientific research and ballistic missile tracking in the Indian Ocean. This move, which was communicated through diplomatic channels, reflects the geopolitical dynamics in the region, especially concerning the presence and activities of Chinese vessels in waters close to India.

Notes:
On January 1, 2024, South Korea introduced a digital nomad visa, enabling foreigners to live and work remotely in the country. This “workcation” visa, as termed by the Korean Ministry of Justice, offers a one-year stay, extendable by another year, for remote work with foreign companies. This initiative aims to facilitate longer stays for international remote workers, contrasting with the prior 90-day limit under tourist visas.

Notes:
Rajasthan will host the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’. The inaugural edition of this bilateral drill will be conducted from January 2nd to January 15th, 2024 in Rajasthan. The aim is to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and UAE forces by exchanging best practices in areas like urban operations. This comes under expanding defense ties between the two nations who are strategic partners.

Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar released his new book “Why Bharat Matters” at an event in New Delhi. The book examines India’s transformation in foreign policy over the past decade under PM Modi. It also juxtaposes India’s evolution with the Ramayana. Jaishankar outlined how 2024 will be turbulent due to geopolitics but India can face challenges given its strength.

Notes:
Three products of Arunachal Pradesh – adi kekir ginger, carpets handmade by Tibetan settlers and wooden items by the Wancho community – have received the prestigious GI tag recognizing their unique geographical roots. Adi kekir is a famed variety of ginger while Wancho artisans create sculpture figures on wooden items. The GI tag certifies specific products as originating from a particular region to boost their marketability.

Notes:
France announced that it will become the first European country to fully shift Schengen visa procedures for visitors online and issue digital Schengen visas, starting with over 70,000 applicants for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Applicants for the sporting events will apply via the special “Olympic Consulate” system avoiding hassles. The move aligns with EU’s plans to launch digital Schengen visa platform by end of 2024, eliminating visa sticker requirements in passports.

Notes:
Uttarakhand will feature India’s first Personal Rapid Transit or PRT corridor as part of its metro rail infrastructure being built to link key cities. The PRT network will serve as a customized mass transit option wherein pod-like driverless vehicles will transport commuters directly to destinations without stops. The innovative mode will connect passengers from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Dehradun airport as part of the state’s Prepaid Autos may replace digital meters wider integrated rail strategy. Besides the PRT line, the metro project also envisages conventional Mass Rapid Transit System routes across 30km.

Notes:
The draft rules for the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act state that periodicals with a daily average circulation of over 25,000 in the preceding two financial years can be subjected to a faceless desk audit to verify their circulation figures. This is part of the legislation aimed at simplifying and digitising the registration of newspapers and other periodicals, including provisions for physical verification of circulation figures and the establishment of an appellate board for registration issues.