Today’s Current Affairs
17th February 2023 Current Affairs are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking, UPSC or other competitive exams. Daily Current Affairs is the complete bag of important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the Top News of the Day for 17th February 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.
Here is the Current Affairs 17th February 2023 covering the following news headlines: Jal Jan Abhiyan, Aadhaar Mitra, Vice Chief of Army, YouTube, “Dharma Guardian” 2023, Vayulink, Smart Cities Mission, UNDP, Global Tourism Resilience Day.
National News
1. PM Modi Virtually Inaugurated Jal Jan Abhiyan in Rajasthan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Jal Jan Abhiyan virtually on Abu Road in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan. PM Modi noted that the 21st-century world is realizing the seriousness of limited water resources on earth and pointed out that water security is a huge question for India due to its large population. He informed that in the Amrit Kaal, India is looking towards the water as the future.
2. UIDAI Launched New AI Chatbot Aadhaar Mitra in India
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently launched a chatbot to help people get an answer to their queries related to the Aadhaar card. It is called “Aadhaar Mitra”. The Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-a based chatbot can answer queries related to Aadhaar enrolment number, PVC Card order status, and complaint status, among other things. It is available in both English and Hindi languages.
3. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Unveiled Bust of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Fiji
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s bust in India House in Suva and interacted with a large gathering of members of the diaspora community. S. Jaishankar informed that he was privileged to unveil a bust of Sardar Patel at the India House in Suva, Fiji. His vision of a united, stronger nation remains an inspiration for all Indians. Addressing the Indian Diaspora in Fiji, Jaishankar stated that the Indian community has achieved its milestones and is today an enormous asset to India, the country where they live, and to the world.
Appointments News
4. Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar to be new Vice Chief of Army
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar has been named as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff, while incumbent Lt Gen B S Raju will take charge as South Western Army Commander. Lt Gen Kumar has been promoted as Army Commander and appointed as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff. He is serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in the Army Headquarters at present.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Army Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Indian Army Founded: 1 April 1895, India;
- General Manoj Pande is the current Chief of Army Staff.
5. Neal Mohan, the new Indian American CEO of YouTube
An Indian-American, Neal Mohan will become the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alphabet-owned YouTube following Susan Wojcicki’s announcement that she will be stepping down from her role as the head of the video-sharing platform. With this, Mohan will be joining the elite list of global tech chiefs of Indian origin such as Google parent Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, IBM’s Arvind Krishna, and Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- YouTube Founders: Jawed Karim, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen;
- YouTube Founded: 14 February 2005, San Mateo, California, United States;
- YouTube Headquarters: San Bruno, California, United States;
- YouTube Parent organization: Google.
Agreements News
6. India, Fiji Ink MoU on visa exemption for diplomatic, official passport holders
India and Fiji have signed a pact to exempt visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports. As of now, India has diplomatic and official passport holders’ visa exemption pacts with 59 other countries as per the PassportIndia.gov.in website. The visa waiver agreement will be helpful in encouraging travel between the two countries.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Capital: Suva
- Currency: Fijian Dollar
- President : Wiliame Katonivere
- Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
7. India and Spain agreed to cooperate in digital infra, climate action, clean energy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and both leaders agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy transition and sustainable development. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement said that the leaders discussed a number of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. They reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives and expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in defence, economic and commercial sectors. They agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy transition and sustainable development.
8. Cabinet Approves Signing of the MoU between the India and South Africa for cooperation in Disability Sector
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the India and Republic of South Africa for cooperation in the ‘disability sector’. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said that the bilateral MoU would encourage cooperation between the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the Government of India and South Africa through joint initiatives in the disability sector.
9. Cabinet approves MoU between India , Chile in Agricultural Sector
The Union Cabinet approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Chile for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. The MoU will come in force upon its signature and will remain effective for 5 years from the date of execution after which it will be automatically renewed for another 5 years. The main areas of cooperation envisaged are agricultural policies for development of modern agriculture, organic agriculture to facilitate the bilateral trade of organic products, as well as promote the exchange of policies aimed to develop organic production in both countries, science and innovation to explore partnerships for innovation in the agricultural sector among Indian and Chilean institutes, and collaborate to confront common challenges.
Defence News
10. India-Japan kick starts joint training exercise 4th “Dharma Guardian” 2023
India and Japan has kick started an exercise ‘Ex Dharma Guardian’ at Camp Imazu in Shiga Province, Japan from February 17 to March 2, 2023. The Indian Army contingent arrived at the exercise location on February 12, 2023. India and Japan will kick off an exercise ‘Ex Dharma Guardian’ at Camp Imazu in Shiga Province, Japan from February 17 to March 2, 2023. The Indian Army contingent arrived at the exercise location on February 12, 2023.
11. IAF develops ‘Vayulink’ platform for steady jammer-proof communication
The Indian Air Force has developed an innovative solution ‘Vayulink’ that would aid pilots in dealing with bad weather and also provide jammer-proof uninterrupted communication with the base station. The data link communication uses the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) that is also known as NAVIC, to send radio communication to the base station when the signals are low.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari became the 27th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS);
- IAF Founded: 8 October 1932, India;
- IAF Headquarters: New Delhi.
Schemes and Committees News
12. Smart Cities Mission get June 2023 deadline with 67% completion rate till now
The deadline for completing projects under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was extended for all 100 participating cities to June 2023 due to the delays caused by COVID-19 and based on a NITI Aayog recommendation, according to Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. In response to several questions about Smart City projects in the country, the Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that “the period of implementation of SCM has been extended to June 2023”.
Banking News
13. RBI updates rules for foreign donations via NEFT, RTGS
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made changes to the NEFT and RTGS systems for Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) related transactions following the Home Ministry’s order for State Bank of India (SBI) to report details of overseas donors on a daily basis, including the purpose of remittances. Under the FCRA, foreign contributions can only be received in the “FCRA account” of SBI’s New Delhi Main Branch, with contributions coming directly from foreign banks through SWIFT and from Indian intermediary banks through NEFT and RTGS systems.
14. Indian Overseas Bank Launched Electronic Bank Guarantee Scheme
Public sector Indian Overseas Bank has launched the facility of issuance of e-BG (Electronic Bank Guarantee) scheme in association with the National e-Governance Services Ltd. The e-BG is an instrument issued by the city-headquartered bank in which the bank undertakes to guarantee a specific amount against the non-fulfillment of some action/performance of the applicant.
Awards News
15. UNDP’s “Don’t Choose Extinction” climate campaign wins two Anthem Awards
The ‘Don’t Choose Extinction’ campaign, launched by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to raise awareness about the climate emergency, has won Gold and Silver in two different categories at the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards. This was announced today by The International Academy of Digital Arts & Science (IADAS), which was launched by the Webby Awards in 2021. The Awards are intended to celebrate mission-driven work and the social impact of individuals, corporations and organizations. Its goal is to define a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. The Don’t Choose Exinction campaign won Gold in the Category: Sustainability, Environment & Climate – Non-Profit Campaign, and Silver in the Category: Sustainability, Environment & Climate – Global Awareness Campaign. Anthem Winners were selected from 2,000 submissions from over 43 countries around the world.
16. Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, 2020 and 2021 presented to102 artists
The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER, Shri G. Kishan Reddy presented the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (UBKYP) 2019, 2020 and 2021, at Meghdoot Theatre Complex, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi. Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy of Music, Dance and Drama, and the apex body of the performing arts in the country, in the meeting of its General Council held on 8 November 2022 in New Delhi selected 102 artists (including three joint awards) of India who have made a mark as young talents in their respective fields of performing arts for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2019, 2020 and 2021.
To read the complete list of Winners: (Click Here)
Important Days
17. Global Tourism Resilience Day observed on 17th February
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution from Jamaica to declare the first-ever Global Tourism Resilience Day on 17th February 2023, in an effort to future-proof the sustainability of tourism. The move to mark the day annually was supported by more than 90 countries. The UNGA invites everyone to observe February 17 as a day to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism, in accordance with local, regional and national priorities and through education, activities and events. The first Global Tourism Resilience Conference will be held in Jamaica on February 15, culminating on Global Tourism Resilience Day.
Obituaries News
18. Indian football legend Tulsidas Balaram passes away at 86
Tulsidas Balaram, one of the country’s finest footballers and a member of the golden era of Indian football (1951-1962), passed away. He was 86. He played in two Olympics in 1956 and 1960 and reached the pinnacle of Asian football when India, under the guidance of legendary coach Syed Abdul Rahim, won the Asian Games gold in Jakarta, beating South Korea 2-1 in 1962. Balaram scored 131 goals, including 14 for India, across seven seasons.
Miscellaneous News
19. Ladakh to host India’s First Frozen-Lake Marathon at Pangong Tso
The Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh will host the first-ever frozen lake marathon on 20th February 2023, at an altitude of roughly 13,862 feet. The first-ever frozen lake marathon which is of 21-kilometer is India’s first of its kind. The marathon will occur at a height of 13,862 feet and it will be the first of its kind to ever take place in the globe at this altitude.
20. ‘Omorgus Khandesh’ is a Newly Discovered Indian Beetle by Zootaxa
A new beetle species have been discovered in India, according to a paper published in the New Zealand-based journal Zootaxa. The beetle is important for forensic science as it helps detect the time of death of an animal or human. Omorgus Khandesh is necrophagous and is also called a keratin beetle. During the decomposition of a body, blowflies are amongst the first ones to arrive in the early stages. Meanwhile, the final successional stage is with the arrival of the keratin feeders, thus their importance in forensic science.
You may also read this:
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