Daily Current Affairs January 21 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi launches projects worth Rs 38,000 cr, inaugurates two Metro rail lines:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects in Mumbai.
• These projects, which are worth more than Rs. 38,000 crores, belong to different sectors and aim to develop infrastructure, ease urban travel, and strengthen healthcare in the state.
• During his visit, PM Modi launched two new Mumbai Metro Rail Lines 2A and 7 which have been developed at a cost of around Rs. 12,600 crores.
• The Prime Minister not just did inaugurated the metro lines, but also rode the newly launched metro.
• The two newly-inaugurated metro lines comprise a 35 km-long elevated corridor stretching from Andheri to Dahisar in suburban Mumbai.
• Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Kohsyari, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shine, and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was also present on the occasion and accompanied PM Modi at the event.

Some other Inaugurations of PM:

• To facilitate the ease of travel for passengers in the Metro, the Prime Minister also launched an app named “MUMBAI 1 Mobile App”.
• The mobile app facilitates digital ticket booking through UPI payment.
• PM also launched the National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1), which enables quick, contactless, digital transactions.
• It will initially be used in metro corridors and can be extended to other modes of mass public transit, including local trains and buses, thus reducing the need for commuters to carry multiple cards or cash.
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated 20 ‘Aapla Davakhana’ (health clinics) named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and laid foundation stones for the redevelopment of three hospitals in the state.
• The list includes – a 360-bed Bhandup Multispeciality Municipal Hospital, a 306-bed Siddharth Nagar Hospital, Goregaon (West), and a 152-bed Oshiwara Maternity Home.
• PM Modi also laid the foundation stones for 7 sewage treatment plants, a road concretization project, and the redevelopment of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UN General Assembly Adopts Indian Co-sponsored Resolution On ‘Education For Democracy’

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution titled ‘Education for Democracy,’ which reaffirms everyone’s right to an education.
• The resolution, co-sponsored by India, acknowledges that “education for all” helps to strengthen democracy.

About the resolution : 

• The resolution, adopted by consensus, will recognize the importance of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• The resolution also calls on member states to work on the challenges associated with access, affordability, digital literacy, and digital skills.
• This isn’t the first time that an education resolution has been adopted by the UN General Assembly.
• Earlier in 2015, a similar resolution was passed at the Assembly encouraging all UN entities to use education to promote peace, human rights, and
• The resolution aimed at encouraging member states to integrate education for democracy into their education standards.

About UNGA : 

• Established: 1945
• Headquarters: New York, United States
• President : Csaba Kőrösi
• The UNGA is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Punjab government to launch ‘Schools of Eminence’ project

• The Punjab government will launch its first major education project, ‘Schools of Eminence’ on 21st January 2023 at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Mohali.

About the Project :

• Under the project, the Punjab government will upgrade the existing government schools into the School of Eminence for the students of classes 9 to 12.
• Under phase 1, the government plans to upgrade nearly 110 government schools as ‘Schools of Eminence’.
• The Punjab govt had set aside a fund of Rs 200 crore for this project.
• This project is inspired by the Delhi model of the School of specialized excellence which conducts the admissions of Class 9 level.

About Punjab : 

• Governor : Banwarilal Purohit
• Chief Minister : Bhagwant Mann
• Capital: Chandigarh
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Bir Bhadson Wildlife Sanctuary, Harike Wildlife Sanctuary, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING & FINANCE

PNB Becomes First Public Sector Bank To Launch Credit Cards For FDs

• The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become India’s first public sector bank (PSB) to launch credit cards for its fixed deposit (FD) digitally for

Features : 

• Now the customers of the bank will be able to get RuPay or VISA Credit Cards digitally against single or multiple FDs with a credit limit of 80%.
• PNB credit card advantages over fixed deposits (FD)
• No documents
• No branch visit
• Zero joining costs
• Instant virtual credit card issuing
• Complete Insurance Protection (on the RuPay variant)
• UPI connection on RuPay Credit Card Benefits
• Exciting rewards and promotions

Key Highlights : 

• PNB has raised the interest rate on fixed deposits across all tenures by 50 basis points to draw in more deposits.
• According to PNB, interest rates for term deposits under 2 crore held for 1 to 3 years have increased by 50 basis points to 6.75% from 6.25%
• The rate on the PNB Uttam Scheme, which does not offer a premature withdrawal option, has been increased from 6.30 to 6.80%.
• The bank will continue to provide fixed deposit terms of 666 days at an 8.1% annual interest rate

About PNB : 

• Founded: 19 May 1894
• Headquarters: Delhi, India
• MD & CEO : Atul Kumar Goel
• Tagline: The name you can bank upon

South Indian Bank Partners with SAIL for finance dealers

• South Indian Bank (SIB) and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial assistance to the dealers of SAIL across India.
• The MoU was exchanged between Praveen Joy (Head-Transaction Banking Group) of South Indian Bank and Surendra Kumar Sharma, (CGM- Finance & Accounts) of SAIL.
• The tie-up allows us to offer SAIL’s dealers financial assistance for working capital, especially steel procurement.
• With a network of 928 branches, the bank will be able to serve the Micro Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) and corporate customers of SAIL located in different geographies.
• It will boost India’s steel production, which aligns with the Central Government’s infrastructure and industrial push.”

About SIB : 

• Founded: 1928
• Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala, India
• MD & CEO: Murali Ramakrishnan
• Tagline: Experience Next-Generation Banking

About SAIL : 

• Founded: 19 January 1954
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Chairman: Soma Mondal
• It is under the ownership of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India (GoI).

Mastercard expands Girls4Tech program to promote STEM studies among girl students

• Mastercard announced the expansion of its signature Girls4Tech, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education program in India.
• The Programme is supported by the Mastercard Impact Fund, in partnership with the American India Foundation (AIF).

Aim : 

• To reach an additional 1 lakh female students across the country by 2024 to encourage them to take up STEM education, this includes 10,800 students in Tamil Nadu.

Key Highlights : 

• This includes 14,400 students in Delhi as well as onboard 40 additional government schools where STEM courses will be offered to girls aged 8 to 14.
• In 2020-21, the program reached 17,820 girls across three districts in Tamil Nadu, to narrow the gender gap in STEM.
• While women comprise over 43% of STEM graduates in India, only 14% go on to pursue scientific research in universities and institutions.

About Mastercard : 

• Founded: 1966
• Headquarters: New York, U.S
• CEO : Michael Miebach

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

WEF 2023: India to become a $26 trillion economy by 2047:

• India is likely to become a $26-trillion economy in the 100th year of its Indepe­ndence in 2047 with per capita GDP growing six times from the current level to over $15,000 during the period, EY report released at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos.
• The report, titled “India@100: Realising the potential of a $26 trillion economy”, says India is most likely to overtake Germany and Japan to become the third largest economy after China and the US by 2030.
• Carmine Di Sibio, the global Chairman and CEO at EY, said India offers a unique investment opportunity as the world struggles, with increased geo-political pressures.
• With the biggest talent pool, an accelerated pace of economic reforms, breakthroughs in energy transition, and rapid digital transformation, the long-term growth trajectory is positive.
• India shows immense potential and is positioned to make a truly transfo­rmative impact on the world stage

RBI to guide inflation towards 4% target by 2024:

• The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 2023 monetary policy objective is to hold inflation within the mandated tolerance band and guide it towards the medium-term target of 4% by 2024.
• Recent data indicated “the first milestone of monetary policy is being passed – bringing inflation into the tolerance band“, the RBI said.
• The objective during 2023 is to tether inflation therein so that it aligns with the target by 2024 – the second milestone
• Annual retail inflation rose 5.72% in December versus 5.88% in the previous month, dipping below 6% for a second straight month after having stayed above the central bank’s tolerance band of 2%-6% for 10 months.
• The CAD had reached 4.4% of GDP in the July-September quarter of the current fiscal year ending March, its worst since the June quarter of 2013.
• RBI said its model had pegged India’s economic growth at 4.5% for the October-December quarter of 2022-23.

Air India’s mega jet deal with Airbus, Boeing held up by engine-cost debate

• Air India Ltd.’s order for as many as 500 aircraft from Airbus SE and Boeing Co. is being held up by an impasse with engine makers powering the 737 Max, dragging out what stands to be one of the biggest single purchases in civil aviation history.
• CFM International, the General Electric Co. and Safran SA joint venture, is reluctant to offer big discounts on engines and maintenance that typically accompany mega orders, according to people familiar with the negotiations.
• The deadlock centers on the hourly rates Air India would pay for repairs, said one of the people, asking not to be identified as the deliberations are private.
• A representative for CFM declined to comment, citing the confidentiality of customer conversations, as did officials at Boeing and Airbus.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

UNGA confirms Ms. Inger Andersen for a second term as UNEP Executive Director 

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) confirmed Inger Andersen of Denmark for a second term as executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• She will serve as a UNEP executive director for a second four-year term from June 2023 to June 2027.
• Andersen is currently serving her initial four-year term from 2019 to 2023.

Key Highlights : 

• Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres sent a note to the 193 members of the General Assembly on January 9, 2023, nominating Andersen for re-election.
• Russia circulated a “draft decision” to the assembly later that would have required Guterres “to present candidates for the position of executive director”.
• The assembly defeated the Russian proposal by a vote of 13-77 with 62 abstentions.
• It then held a secret ballot on Andersen’s nomination, approving her on a 136-0 vote with 31 abstentions.

About Ms. Inger Andersen : 

• Andersen was born in Jerup, Denmark.
• In 1992, she was appointed the Global Environment Facility Coordinator for MENA at UNDP, where she oversaw the global environment portfolio in 22 Arab countries.
• She serves as Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank Head of the CGIAR Fund Council and then World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa.
• In June 2019, Ms. Andersen served as the director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for 4 years.

About UNEP : 

• Established: 5 June 1972
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• First director: Maurice Frederick Strong
• UNEP is the leading environmental authority in the UN system.

Centre appoints ex-BSF DG Pankaj Kumar Singh as Deputy NSA

• The center has appointed former director general of the Border Security Force (BSF) Pankaj Kumar Singh as the deputy National Security Advisor (Dy NSA) in the National Security Council Secretariat of India.
• He has been appointed for the post on a re-employment contract, which is valid for 2 years.
• The other deputy NSAs are Rajinder Khanna, Dattatray Padsalgikar, and Vikram Misri.

About Pankaj Kumar Singh : 

• Pankaj Kumar Singh is a 1988-batch IPS Officer of the Rajasthan cadre.
• He was the 29th Director General of BSF.
• He is the son of former Director General of Border Security Force, Prakash Singh, who served as the DG of BSF from 1993 to 1994.
• He had taken the charge as BSF DG on 31st August 2021, making him the first father-son duo along with his father Prakash Singh to hold the BSF’s top job.
• He had served with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as Inspector General (Chhattisgarh) and IG (Operations) at CRPF HQ in

Awards & Honors : 

• He awarded with UN Peace Medal (Bar), Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and President Police Medal for Distinguished Service

About NSC : 

• Founded: 19 November 1998
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
• National Security Advisor: Ajit Kumar Doval
• First National Security Advisor:  Brajesh Mishra
• The three-tier structure of the NSC comprises the Strategic Policy Group (SPG), the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), and the National Security Council Secretariat.

Mr. Nick Walker was appointed as the new CEO of Vedanta’s Cairn Oil & Gas

• Vedanta’s Cairn Oil & Gas, India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, has appointed Nick Walker as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• He will be the 6th CEO of the company since mining billionaire Anil Agarwal-led group bought the company from Scottish explorer Cairn Energy plc, now known as Capricorn Energy plc, in 2011.
• Cairn Oil & Gas is committed to increasing India’s domestic crude oil and gas production with a vision to contribute 50% of India’s production and add reserves and resources.

About Nick Walker : 

• He has also worked in various companies like BP, Talisman Energy, and Africa Oil.
• He has over 30 years of diverse international experience in technical, commercial, and executive leadership roles.
• Before this current post, Mr. Walker was President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Lundin Energy, one of the leading European independent E&P companies.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

21st edition of bilateral naval exercise ‘Varuna’ – 2023 begins

• The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France commenced on the western seaboard.

Represents : 

• India is represented by the indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer Indian Naval Ship (INS) Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters, and MiG29K fighter aircraft.
• The French Navy will be represented by the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
• The exercise would be conducted over 5 days from 16 to 20 January 2023.
• The 20th edition of the bilateral naval exercise named ‘Varuna’ between the Indian Navy and the French Navy was conducted from March 30 to April 03, 2022, in the Arabian Sea.

About the Exercise : 

• During the exercise, enhanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firing, replenishment, and other maritime operational activities will be conducted.
• The exercise facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster cooperation for good order at sea, underscoring the shared commitment of both nations to the security, safety, and freedom of the global maritime commons.

About ‘Varuna’ : 

• The bilateral exercise between the navies of India and France was started in 1993, it was named ‘Varuna’ in the year 2001.
• It has become a hallmark of the India – France strategic bilateral relationship.

Other biennial training exercises between India and France :

• Garuda – Exercise Garuda VII between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) was held in November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
• SHAKTI – The 6th edition of the biennial training exercise ‘Yudhbhayas Shakti 2021’ between the armies of India and France was conducted from November 15-26, 2021 at Frejus, France.

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launches ‘Soul of Steel’ Alpine Challenge to promote tourism in border areas

• The defence minister Shri Rajnath Singh introduced the “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge, to promote tourism in border areas.
• He launched a website for volunteers to sign up for various adventure activities under this joint initiative of the Indian Army and Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAW) Global, a veterans‘ organization.
• As part of a joint expedition by the Indian Army and CLAW, Road to the End, a 460-km long car rally was also flagged off by Rajnath Singh.
• The rally will reach its destination in the Garhwal Himalayas near Niti Village in Chamoli district in the next 3 days.
• CLAW, a team of Indian Special Forces veterans with multiple specializations in mountaineering, skydiving, SCUBA diving, unarmed combat, multi-terrain survival tech, and emergency medical response will spearhead the challenge.

About the ‘Soul of Steel’ challenge : 

• The ‘Soul of Steel expedition will test one’s high-altitude endurance and adventure in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas.
• It will initially have 12 Indian participants plus 6 international teams, between the age group of 18 and 30 years.
• It is based on the lines of the ‘Ironman triathlon’, a long-distance triathlon held in Europe which tests an individual’s physical capabilities.
• It is being organized by CLAW Global, a conglomerate of giants.

About MoD :

• Defence Minister:  Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State: Ajay Bhatt
• Defence Secretary: Giridhar Aramane

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Nepalese ophthalmologist Dr. Sanduk Ruit wins Bahrain’s ISA Award for Service to Humanity:

• Himalayan Cataract Project Co-Founder Dr. Sanduk Ruit has won the ISA Award for Service to Humanity, a top civilian award in Bahrain.
• The award carries a cash prize of USD 1 million, a certificate of merit, and a gold medal.
• Ruit is the pioneer in delivering high-quality microsurgical procedures in remote eye camps.
• He made modern eye care affordable and accessible to countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• Ruit has trained more than 650 doctors, teaching them to cure preventable blindness.
• He is the recipient of the Padma Shri Award by the GoI, The National Order of Merit of Bhutan as well as the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
• Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ congratulated senior ophthalmologist Ruit for receiving prestigious Bahrain’s ISA award

New Goa Manohar International Airport wins best sustainable greenfield airport award:

• GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure, has won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport’ award under aviation sustainability and environment at ASSOCHAM’s 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023.
• The award was presented for “excellent initiatives” taken by GGIAL in implementing sustainability as one of the core concepts.
• During the conference, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia presented the award to the senior officials from GGIAL in the presence of industry dignitaries and participants.
• The forum recognizes the companies engaged in civil aviation initiatives that adopt best practices and technological advancement in their daily operations.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKINGS AND REPORT

Mukesh Ambani ranks 2nd among the top 100 CEOs globally:

• Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani has been ranked second on Brand Finance’s annual report on the world’s top CEOs for the year 2023.
• The Brand Guardianship Index 2023 saw the rise of Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang, and Mukesh Ambani of Reliance to 1st and 2nd position,
• They both now rank above last year’s leader Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, who now sits in the 3rd place.
• Ambani, who’s also the Managing Director of RIL, is the longest-serving CEO in the ranking at 40 years.
• He is also the 9th richest person in the world, as per the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.
• Meanwhile, Jensen Huang, who’s ranked number 1 CEO by Brand Finance Brand Guardianship Index, has overseen Nvidia’s further advancement into the next era of computing, through innovation in the likes of artificial intelligence, digital biology, climate sciences, and autonomous vehicles and robotics, says the report.
• Similarly, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella (3rd) continues to be central to Microsoft’s culture of teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity says the report.
• The top 1o list is dominated by Indian-origin executives.
• Nadella is followed by Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen (4th), Google’s Sundar Pichai (5th), and Deloitte’s Punit Renjen (6th).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Rohit breaks Dhoni’s record of most ODI sixes in India:

• Indian captain Rohit Sharma gave the hosts another solid start, this time against New Zealand in the 1st ODI at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
• The 35-year-old looked solid in his 38-ball 34 but failed to capitalize.
• In the process, Rohit broke a long-standing record of MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian captain.
• The former now has the most ODI sixes in India.

Rohit smashes his 124th ODI six in India

• In a career spanning over a decade, Dhoni took the greatest of bowlers to cleaners.
• He smashed 123 sixes in ODI cricket in India.
• Rohit, who broke Dhoni’s record, now has the most ODI sixes in India.
• The former reached the landmark in the third over bowled by Henry Shipley.
• Rohit smacked an incredible six over extra cover on the final delivery.

Rohit surpasses Adam Gilchrist (ODI runs)

• In the third ODI against Sri Lanka, Rohit surpassed South African legend AB de Villiers (9,577) in terms of ODI runs.
• The former has now overtaken Australian legend Adam Gilchrist (9,619) in this regard.
• Rohit, who now owns 9,630, went past him in his 239th ODI appearance.
• He owns 29 centuries and 47 fifties in ODIs.
• The tally also includes three double tons.

Hockey World Cup: Netherlands breaks the record for most goals in a men’s HWC match, beats Chile 14-0

• Netherlands went past Australia’s record of most goals scored by a team in a single FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup match
• In its final Pool C match, three-time winner Netherlands scored its 13th goal in the 48th minute against Chile at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to go past Australia’s 12-0 win over South Africa during the 2010 edition.
• The Dutch side eventually won the match 14-0.
• The 14th and final Netherlands goal came two minutes before the full-time hooter when captain Brinkman scored from a Penalty Corner to complete his hat-trick.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES 

Padma Shri awardee & Social Worker Prabhaben Shah passes away

• A social worker from the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu & Padma Shri awardee Prabhaben Shah passed away at the age of 92 in Daman.

About Prabhaben Shah : 

• Prabhaben was born in 1930 in the Surat district’s Bardoli town and moved to Daman in 1963.
• Shah decided to be a social worker at the age of 12.
• She had established a Gujarat medium primary school in Bal Mandir.
• In 1963, she established a woman named Mahila Mandal.
• In 1969, Prabhaben started sewing classes for women in Daman.
• She also started the Women Cooperative Society and Women Credit Society.
• She started Gujarati and English medium Balwadi (nursery), and a library for students from economically weaker sections.
• She helped needy people during the Kutch earthquake in 2001, and the Kerala flood in

Awards & Honors : 

• In January 2022, Prabhaben received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in the social work category for her altruistic services.

Bharatanatyam dancer, guru Lakshmi Vishwanathan Passed away

• Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and guru, writer, and research scholar Lakshmi Vishwanathan Passed away at the age of 78.

About Lakshmi Vishwanathan : 

• She can be described as a Dancer’s Dancer.
• She had a long association with The Music Academy as a member and later as a Vice-President
• She authored 4 books Kunjamma-Ode to a Nightingale (a biography of M.S. Subbulakshmi); Women of Pride-the Devadasi Heritage; Kapaliswara Temple; and Bharatanatyam: The Tamil Heritage.

Awards & Honors : 

• She received many awards including Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu government, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the President of India, and titles like Nritya Chudamani (Sri Krishna Gana Sabha) and Nritya Kalanidhi (The Music Academy, Madras), as well as the Kalidas Samman.
• She was a gold medallist in English literature from Madras University.

Gambian vice-president Badara Alieu Joof passed away

• The Vice President (VP) of the West African nation of Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof passed away in India at the age of 65.
• The announcement was made by the Gambia’s president Adama Barrow.

About Badara Alieu Joof : 

• Joof began his career as a qualified teacher, teaching English at The Gambia College.
• He had also worked in Gambian civil service as well as in the World Bank as an Education Specialist for West and Central Africa
• He served as Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology from 2017 to 2022.
• Joof was appointed as vice president of the Gambia in

Daily CA on January 21:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects in Mumbai.
• India is likely to become a $26-trillion economy in the 100th year of its Indepe­ndence in 2047 with per capita GDP growing six times from the current level to over $15,000 during the period, EY report released at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at Davos.
• The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 2023 monetary policy objective is to hold inflation within the mandated tolerance band and guide it towards the medium-term target of 4% by 2024.
• Air India Ltd.’s order for as many as 500 aircraft from Airbus SE and Boeing Co. is being held up by an impasse with engine makers powering the 737 Max, dragging out what stands to be one of the biggest single purchases in civil aviation history.
• Himalayan Cataract Project Co-Founder Dr. Sanduk Ruit has won the ISA Award for Service to Humanity, a top civilian award in Bahrain.
• GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure, has won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport’ award under aviation sustainability and environment at ASSOCHAM’s 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023.
• Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani has been ranked second on Brand Finance’s annual report on the world’s top CEOs for the year 2023.
• Indian captain Rohit Sharma gave the hosts another solid start, this time against New Zealand in the 1st ODI at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
• Netherlands went past Australia’s record of most goals scored by a team in a single FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup match
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution titled ‘Education for Democracy,’ which reaffirms everyone’s right to an education.
• The Punjab government will launch its first major education project, ‘Schools of Eminence’ on 21st January 2023 at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Mohali.
• The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become India’s first public sector bank (PSB) to launch credit cards for its fixed deposit (FD) digitally for
• South Indian Bank (SIB) and Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial assistance to the dealers of SAIL across India.
• Mastercard announced the expansion of its signature Girls4Tech, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education program in India.
• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) confirmed Inger Andersen of Denmark for a second term as executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The center has appointed former director general of the Border Security Force (BSF) Pankaj Kumar Singh as the deputy National Security Advisor (Dy NSA) in the National Security Council Secretariat of India. 
• Vedanta’s Cairn Oil & Gas, India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, has appointed Nick Walker as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France commenced on the western seaboard.
• The defence minister Shri Rajnath Singh introduced the “Soul of Steel” Alpine Challenge, to promote tourism in border areas.
• A social worker from the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu & Padma Shri awardee Prabhaben Shah passed away at the age of 92 in Daman.
• Renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and guru, writer, and research scholar Lakshmi Vishwanathan Passed away at the age of 78.
• The Vice President (VP) of the West African nation of Gambia, Badara Alieu Joof passed away in India at the age of 65.