Current Affairs 07 January 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 07 January 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Digital India Award 2022 UPSC

Source : PIB
Prelims and GS

What is discussed under Digital India Award 2022 UPSC?

1. About the Award

Why in News ?

Digital Empowerment of Citizens Category in Digital India Awards 2022 held in New Delhi. It is the seventh edition. 

About the Award

• Digital India Awards (DIA) has been instituted by MeitY, under the aegis of National Portal of India to encourage and honour innovative

  

  digital solutions/ exemplary initiatives by various government entities in the realm of Digital Governance.

• Digital India Awards 2022 aims to inspire and motivate not only government entities but also startups in fulfilling the Digital India vision.
• Digital India Awards 2022 were given under 07 different categories viz.
  1. Digital Empowerment of Citizens
  2. Public Digital Platforms
  3. Digital Initiatives in Collaboration with Start-ups
  4. Digital Initiative for ease of doing business
  5. Data sharing and use for socioeconomic development
  6. Digital Initiatives at Grassroots level
  7. Best Web & Mobile initiatives etc.
• Types of Award given to the winning teams under different categories are 
  • Platinum
  • Gold
  • Silver

Award Winners

• e-NAM, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has won the Platinum Award Platinum Award in the Digital Empowerment of Citizens category.
• e-Vivechna App (MP) received platinum award in Digital Initiatives at Grassroots Level category.
• DeGS Computer Basic Training (Jharkhand) received gold.
• Ksheerasree Portal (Kerala) received silver award in the same category.

Veer Guardian-2023 Exercise

Source : PIB
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

What is discussed under Veer Guardian-2023 Exercise?

1. About Exercise
2. Background and Progress

Why in News ?

To promote Air Defense cooperation between the countries, India and Japan are all set to hold the joint Air Exercise Veer Guardian-2023. 

Key Facts

• This involving the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) at Hyakuri Air Base, Japan from 12 January 2023 to 26 January 2023.
• The Indian contingent participating in the air exercise will include four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 & one IL-78 aircraft, while the JASDF will be participating with four F-2 & four F-15 aircraft.

Background

• During the second 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting held in Tokyo, Japan on 08 September 2022, India and Japan agreed to step up bilateral defense cooperation and engage in more military exercises, including holding the first joint fighter jet drills, reflecting the growing security cooperation between the two sides.
• This exercise will thus be another step in deepening strategic ties and closer defense cooperation between the two countries.

Progress

• The inaugural exercise will include the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces.
• They will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices.
• Experts from both sides will also hold discussions to share their expertise on varied operational aspects.
• Exercise ‘Veer Guardian’ will fortify the long standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defense cooperation between the two Air Forces.