Daily Current Affairs January 15

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs January 15. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing  Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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January 15 | Daily Current Affairs 2024

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs January 15

1. When is the Indian Army Day observed each year?
A) March 23
B) April 7
C) January 15
D) August 15
E) November 11
Answer: C) January 15

• This day is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian Army over the British Army.
• On 15 January 1949, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa became the first Commander-in-chief of the Indian Army and took over the authority from the British Commander-in-Chief General Francis Butcher.
• The Indian Army was established on 1 April 1895 by the British.
• Initially, the Indian Army was known as the Royal Indian Army.
• India attained Independence on 15 August 1947.
• Since then, this historic moment has been celebrated as Bhartiya Sena Divas.
• India is following the tradition of celebrating this grand day with great zeal and patriotism.
• Since 15 January 1949, India has been self-reliant in the field of defense Indian Army Day will be observed this year in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• The theme of the Indian Army Day 2024 is “In Service of the Nation”.

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs January 15

2. Which state emerged as the overall champion at the inaugural Beach Games 2024 held in Diu?
A) Maharashtra
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Uttarakhand
E) Assam
Answer: C) Madhya Pradesh

• Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the overall champion at the inaugural Beach Games 2024, held at the pristine blue flag certified Ghoghla Beach in Diu.
• This state secured total of 18 medals, including 7 golds.
• The competition, which held from January 4-11, witnessed 1404 young athletes from 28 states and Union Territories participating in a diverse array of disciplines.
• Maharashtra clinched 14 medals, including 3 golds, while Tamil Nadu, Uttarkhand, and hosts Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Diu & Daman secured 12 medals each.
• Notably, Assam secured 8 medals, with an impressive 5 golds.

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Obituary – Daily Current Affairs January 15

3. Which prestigious award did Munawwar Rana receive in 2014 for his poetry book ‘Shahdaba’?
A) Padma Bhushan
B) Jnanpith Award
C) Sahitya Akademi Award
D) Bharat Ratna
E) Arjuna Award
Answer: C) Sahitya Akademi Award

• Renowned Urdu poet Munawwar Rana passed away at the age of 71.
• He was widely recognised for his contribution to Urdu literature and poetry.
• His ghazals and poems resonate with his Indian audiences as he used Hindi and Awadi words, more than Persian and Arabic.
• His most popular poem was ‘Maa,’ which celebrated the virtues of a mother in traditional ghazal form.
• He received several honours for his work in the form of literature including the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry book ‘Shahdaba’.

Other awards:

• Ameer Khusro Award,
• Ghalib Award,
• Dr Zakir Hussain Award,
• Mir Taqi Mir Award and
• The Saraswati Samaj Award

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs January 15

4. What is the proposed change in the maximum period for which deposit-taking HFCs can accept deposits?
A) 30 months
B) 60 months
C) 90 months
D) 120 months
E) 150 months
Answer: B) 60 months

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to tighten the norms for deposit-taking housing finance companies (HFCs), reducing the ceiling on quantum of public deposits they can hold, and halving the maximum period for which they can take deposits.
• Deposit taking HFCs holding deposits in excess of the revised limit cannot accept fresh public deposits or renew existing deposits till such time the quantum of public deposits is below the revised limit.
• However, the existing excess deposits will be allowed to run off till maturity.
• The longest time period for which HFCs can accept deposits will be cut to 60 months from the current 120 months.
• Existing deposits with maturities above 60 months can be repaid as per their existing repayment profile. The minimum period for which HFCs can accept deposits continues at 12 months.
• To be eligible for accepting public deposits, the deposit taking HFCs shall invariably obtain minimum investment grade credit rating at least once a year.
• In case their credit rating is below minimum investment grade, such HFCs cannot renew existing deposits or accept fresh deposits thereafter till they obtain an investment grade credit rating.
• All deposit taking HFCs will be required to maintain, on an ongoing basis, liquid assets to the extent of 15 per cent (against 13 per cent now) of the public deposits held by them, in a phased manner — 14 per cent by September 30, 2024 and 15 per cent by March-end, 2025.
• An NBFC is required to open a Constituent’s Subsidiary General Ledger (CSGL) account with a scheduled commercial bank, or the Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL) or a dematerialized account with a depository through a depository participant.

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs January 15

5. What was the percentage increase in Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation in December, as per the information?
A) 0.26%
B) 0.73%
C) 1.0%
D) 1.5%
E) 2.0%
Answer: B) 0.73%

• In December, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation increased by 0.73 per cent, primarily attributed to a significant surge in food prices.
• The WPI inflation had been in the negative zone from April to October but turned positive in November at 0.26 per cent.
• The positive inflation rate in December 2023 is mainly driven by higher prices of food articles, machinery & equipment, other manufacturing, other transport equipment, and computer, electronics & optical products, among others.
• Meanwhile, during the same period, food inflation increased to 9.38 per cent, up from 8.18% in November 2023.

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs January 15

6. Who recently took the oath of Office and Secrecy as a Member of UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)?
A) Shri Narendra Modi
B) Shri Amit Shah
C) Shri Sheel Vardhan Singh
D) Former Chief Justice of India
E) Chief Election Commissioner of India
Answer: C) Shri Sheel Vardhan Singh

• Sheel Vardhan Singh, former IPS officer, takes the oath of Office and Secrecy as Member, UPSC.
• The oath was administered to her by the UPSC Chairman Dr Manoj Soni.
• He was Director General of CISF from November 2021 to December 2023
• He was awarded the President Police Medal for Meritorious Service in the year 2004 and Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished Service in the year 2010.
• He has authored two volumes of short stories and is a regular contributor to the ‘Speaking Tree’ column in The Times of India.
• His podcast – ‘The Dialogue Within’ brings out his unique perspectives on life and living.

UPSC:

• The Union Public Service Commission is a constitutional body of India that conduct direct recruitment of officers to the All India Services and the Central Civil Services (Group A and B) through examinations and appoint officers in various Services under the Government of India.
• The personnel are managed by the Department of Personnel and Training.
• The agency’s charter is granted by Part XIV of the Constitution of India, titled as Services Under the Union and the States.
• The commission is headquartered at Dholpur House, in New Delhi
• Dr. Manoj Soni has been the Chairman of UPSC since 5 April 2022.
• Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV of the constitution, titled as Services Under the Union and the States, provide for a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each state.
• As per Art. 316, the Chairman and other members of Union Public Service Commission shall be appointed by the President.
• In case the office of the Chairman becomes vacant his duties shall be performed by one of the other members of the Commission as the President may appoint for the purpose.

Members:

• Lieutenant General Raj Shukla
• Preeti Sudan
• Suman Sharma
• Bidyut Bihari Swain
• Dr Dinesh Dasa
• Sheel Vardhan Singh

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs January 15

7. Which naval vessels represented the Indian Navy in the maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise with the Royal Thai Navy?
A) Kulish and Prachuap Khiri Khan
B) Kulish and IN LCU 56
C) HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan and IN LCU 56
D) Kulish and Maritime Patrol Aircraft
E) IN LCU 56 and Prachuap Khiri Khan
Answer: B) Kulish and IN LCU 56

• The maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted from 20 to 23 December 2023.
• Indigenously built Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise.
• The RTN side was represented by His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.
• The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise.
• Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise.
• The Indo-Thai Bilateral Exercise is being named as ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable’, and symbolises the significance of two of the oldest cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand.
• The conduct of maiden IN-RTN Bilateral Exercise along with Indo-Thai CORPAT is a testimony to the growing bilateral relations between the two maritime neighbours and has enabled in enhancing interoperability between the two navies.

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8. What is the focus of the agreement signed between India and Argentina?
A) Solar Energy Collaboration
B) Agricultural Partnership
C) Lithium Exploration & Mining Project
D) Water Resource Management
E) Space Research Cooperation
Answer: C) Lithium Exploration & Mining Project

• Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and the state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina CATAMARCA MINERA Y ENERGÉTICA SOCIEDAD DEL ESTADO (CAMYEN SE) signed an agreement for Lithium exploration and Mining project at Catamarca, Argentina
• The Agreement was signed in presence of Governor of Catamarca Lic. Raul Jalil, Vice Governor of Catamarca, Eng. Ruben Dusso and Minister of Mines Catamarca, H. E. Marcelo Murua and Ambassador of India to Argentina, H. E. Dinesh Bhatia.
• The signing ceremony was virtually attended by the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, Government of India, H. E. Shri Pralhad Joshi & Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Shri V. L. Kantha Rao.
• This is the first ever lithium exploration and mining project by a Government Company of India.
• KABIL will start exploration and development of 5 lithium brine blocks viz 1. Cortadera-I, 2. Cortadera-VII, 3. Cortadera-VIII, 4. Cateo-2022-01810132 and 5.
• Cortadera-VI covering an area of about 15,703 Hectare, located in the Catamarca province of Argentina.
• KABIL is also preparing to set up a branch office at Catamarca, Argentina.
• The project cost is about 200 crores.
• Argentina is the part of “Lithium Triangle” along with Chile and Bolivia with more than half of world’s total lithium resources and having the distinction of having 2nd largest lithium resources, 3rd largest lithium reserves and 4th largest production in world.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs January 15

9. Which organization celebrated its 150th Year with an inaugural ceremony, and what service does it provide to the nation?
A) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) – Satellite Launch
B) India Meteorological Department (IMD) – Weather Forecast
C) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Space Exploration
D) Geological Survey of India (GSI) – Geological Mapping
E) All India Radio (AIR) – Broadcasting
Answer: B) India Meteorological Department (IMD) – Weather Forecast

• On the occasion of 150th year celebrations of IMD, the Vice President released and launched the following:

Souvenir on Evolution of IMD and its services since 1875:

• The souvenir brings out evolution and achievements of organisational structure, observations, communication, modelling and services of IMD since 1875.
  Indigenously developed Decision Support System
• The India Meteorological Department has developed the in-house Web-GIS-based integrated Decision Support System (DSS) known as the Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES), inspired by Pancha Mahabhuta i.e. Water, Air, Fire, Earth and Sky.
• The WAFES serves as a visualization platform to analyze meteorological observations and prediction models, aiding decision-making for severe weather phenomena and their socio-economic impact.
• The DSS includes the Meteorological Information Communication System (MICS), Data Information Processing System (DIPS), Synthesized Integrated Visualization System (SIVS), and Public Weather Information System (PWIS).
• It provides real-time information for various sectors such as Urban, Power, Hydrology, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transport and Tourism under the “UPHHEATT” initiative (for the cause of welfare).

Panchayat Mausam Seva for farmers:

• India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Green Alert Mausam Sewa have jointly developed Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal.
• Through this portal weather forecast in English, Hindi and twelve regional languages will be provided to every panchayat head and panchayat secretary to reach every village of the country.
• IMD’s Mobile App and Mausamgram
• IMD launched an integrated GIS based interactive mobile app MAUSAM for all weather-related services like current weather, forecast of every hour to 7 days, Rainfall, Humidity, Sunrise/Sunset, Moonrise/Moonset, Rain Alert, Lightning Alert, Cyclone Alert, Aviation and Agro-Meteorological advisories.
• The app supports 12 Indian languages for varied users in India.
• Upholding the vision “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam,” IMD introduces “mausamgram,” available through the Mobile App “Mausam”.
• It allows the public to view observations, forecasts, and warnings for their location through a map or search function using place names, pincodes, or coordinates.
  Forecasts and warnings are disseminated in text and graphics format this mobile App
• The India Meteorological Department introduces the National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS).
• IMD prepares the climatology of basic meteorological parameters like rainfall, temperature, wind & pressure and the climate extremes like heat wave, cold wave, thunderstorm, cyclones, depression, lows, heavy rainfall etc.
• It is being updated every 10 years.
• IMD has digitised all observational data since 1901.
• In 2021, the India Meteorological Department introduced a visualization tool for the public to observe different climate parameters, extremes, climate hazards and vulnerability maps for severe weather events.
• IMD provides climate forecast for each month and season based on the dynamical multi model ensemble climate forecast system since 2021.
• With all these developments climate services in the country multiplied with special emphasis on agriculture, hydrology, disaster risk reduction, health and energy

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10. Who developed Astra, the indigenously manufactured missile for the Indian Air Force?
A) Indian Air Force
B) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
C) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
D) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
E) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Answer: C) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

• Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt flagged off the indigenously developed and manufactured Astra Missiles for supply to the Indian Air Force.
• Astra is a beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile indigenously developed by DRDO and manufactured by BDL for the IAF.
• Astra Weapon System is best in its class of weapon systems in the world in the category of air-to-air missiles.
• The missile has a range of 100 plus km.

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11. Who inaugurated the first international kite festival ‘Patang Utsav’ in Delhi?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
C) President Ram Nath Kovind
D) Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena
E) Home Minister Amit Shah
Answer: D) Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena

• Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena inaugurated the first international kite festival- ‘Patang Utsav’ at Baansera, city’s first bamboo-theme park at Sarai Kale Khan on the banks of river Yamuna.
• The two-day festival is being organised by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and will see over 30 professional kitists from Rajasthan, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Lakshadweep and Gujarat exhibiting their art.

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12. What does PM-JANMAN stand for?
A) Pradhan Mantri Jan Kalyan Maha Abhiyan
B) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
C) Pradhan Mantri Jan Sashakti Maha Abhiyan
D) Pradhan Mantri Jan Swabhiman Maha Abhiyan
E) Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Maha Abhiyan
Answer: B) Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first instalment of Rs 540 crore to one lakh beneficiaries of rural housing scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
• PM-JANMAN was launched for the socio-economic welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) on November 15 on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
• PM-JANMAN, with a budget of approximately Rs 24,000 crore, focuses on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries and is aimed at improving socio-economic conditions of PVTGs by saturating PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, electricity, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

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13. How much insurance cover will be provided to the families of casual paid labourers employed by BRO in the event of death?
A) INR 5 lakh
B) INR 8 lakh
C) INR 10 lakh
D) INR 15 lakh
E) INR 20 lakh
Answer: C) INR 10 lakh

• India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has approved a proposal to provide insurance cover to casual workers employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to build infrastructure in remote areas.
• The scheme will provide INR 10 lakh ($13,500) to the families of casual paid labourers in the event of death.
• The move aims to provide social security and welfare to these workers and their families, highlighting the risky roles they fill in hazardous terrains.
• BRO employs up to one lakh casual workers to build border infrastructure in areas stretching from Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• These projects include roads, bridges, tunnels, airfields and helipads.

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