17th December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. What is the edition of India-Kazakhstan joint training exercise ‘KAZIND-22’ initiated at Umroi Military Station in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya in December 2022?
1) 6th
2) 3rd
3) 5th
4) 2nd
5) 4th
Option “1” is correct. The 6th edition of the India-Kazakhstan joint training exercise ‘KAZIND-22’ initiated at Umroi Military Station in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. It will culminate on December 28, 2022. Participants: India– Indian Army soldiers from the 11 Gorkha Rifles Kazakhstan– Soldiers from South-based Regional Command
2. Name the ministry that has recently (in Dec ‘22) expanded the scope of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme?
1) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
2) Ministry of External Affairs
3) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
4) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
5) Ministry of Railways
Option “4” is correct. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) expanded the scope of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme w.e.f. December 15, 2022 to September 30, 2023. i. This expansion will include the shipments from the chemical sector, pharmaceuticals sector and exports of articles of iron and steel under chapters 28, 29, 30 and 73 of the Indian Trade Classification based on the Harmonized System of Coding (ITC-HS) schedule of items. ii. This expansion will cost around Rs 1,000 crore to the Central Government.
3. In December 2022, the Ministry of Culture inaugurated a 3-day “Swar Dharohar Festival” collaboration with Swar Dharohar Foundation in _________.
Option “5” is correct. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with Swar Dharohar Foundation, inaugurated 3-day “Swar Dharohar Festival” under Kalanjali to showcase the iconic art & culture, rich literary Art & Heritage of Indian States, at Central Vista, New Delhi, Delhi. i. Swar Dharohar festival was inaugurated by Chief Guest Mehtab Ali (Sitar Player) and Pandit Lalit Prasad (Classical Vocal). ii. The 3 days festival was organized from the 2nd to 4th December 2022 at Central Vista, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi.
4. Which company/ Institute recently (in Dec’ 22) signed an MoU with the Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council regarding the branding, traceability, and certification of “Kasturi Cotton India”?
1) National Textile Corporation
2) Cotton Corporation of India Limited
3) Perfect Cotton Company
4) Central Institute for Cotton Research
5) Ambika Cotton Mills Ltd
Option “2” is correct. Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) signed an MoU with the Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council, known as TEXPROCIL, on Branding, Traceability and Certification of “Kasturi Cotton India” on the concluding day of Kashi Tamil Samagam in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP). i. The MoU was signed in the presence of Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Commerce & Industry.
5. In December 2022, the The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of the NITI Aayog and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, launched the ________ ‘Youth Co: Lab’ 2022-2023 for Social Entrepreneurs.
1) 3rd
2) 5th
3) 2nd
4) 4th
5) 1st
Option “2” is correct. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, launched the 5th edition of “Youth Co: Lab” (2022-2023) to support young social entrepreneurs. i. Chintan Vaishnav, AIM Mission Director and Dennis Curry, UNDP India Resident Representative launched the application for the 5th edition. ii. Youth Co: Lab was launched in 2017 by UNDP and the Citi Foundation. It is operational in 28 Countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific.
6. In December 2022, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) approved a proposal to invest up to _______ of its surplus funds in the stock market via Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
1) 30%
2) 15%
3) 35%
4) 20%
5) 10%
Option “2” is correct. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), a Government of India (GoI) social security body, has approved a proposal to invest up to 15% of its surplus funds in the stock market via Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). i. The decision was made at the 189th meeting of ESIC, which was chaired by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE). ii. The investment will be confined to ETFs on the Nifty and Sensex and will be administered by fund managers at Asset Management Companies (AMCs).
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
7. Name the organization that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the Institution of Engineers (India), under Energy Conservation Mission.
1) Bureau of Energy Efficiency
2) Energy Efficiency Services Limited
3) Power Grid Corporation of India
4) NTPC Limited
5) Solar Energy Corporation of India
Option “2” is correct. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) signed an MoU with the Institution of Engineers (India), under Energy Conservation Mission in an effort to propagate the importance of energy conservation in Telangana. i. This partnership aims to conduct awareness sessions on ‘Energy Conservation’ across 30 schools in Telangana. ii. In Telangana, EESL has installed around 15.53 Lakh LED Street lights as part of its Street Lighting National Programme.
8. In which state, the Reliance Consumer Products has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched its made-for-India Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brand “Independence”?
Option “4” is correct. Reliance Consumer Products, a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), launched its made-for-India Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brand “Independence” in Gujarat. i. The company will provide a selection of goods under the “Independence” brand in a number of categories, including staples, processed foods, and other daily essentials.
BANKING AND FINANCE
9. Which organisation has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed a loan agreement worth Rs. 4,444.71 crore with SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) for 1,000 MW Solar power projects at Bikaner, Rajasthan?
1) Power Finance Corporation
2) Solar Energy Corporation of India
3) Rural Electrification Corporation
4) Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
5) National Thermal Power Corporation
Option “4” is correct. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) Limited signed a loan agreement worth Rs. 4,444.71 crore with SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a subsidiary of SJVN Limited (formerly Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd) for 1,000 MegaWatt (MW) Solar power project at Bikaner, Rajasthan. i. The project will connect to 400/220 KV substation Bikaner-II (near Bikaner). ii. The project was bagged by SGEL through a tender floated by IREDA under the CPSU Phase-II (Tranche III) Scheme for development of Grid connected Solar PV Power Project through competitive Bidding Process based on Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support.
10. Name the organisation that has recently (in Dec ‘22) teamed with M1xchange as the financier to provide liquidity to MSMEs at low interest rates.
1) Securities and Exchange Board of India
2) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
3) Small Industries Development Bank of India
4) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
5) Reserve Bank of India
Option “3” is correct. The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has teamed with M1xchange as the financier to provide liquidity to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at low interest rates. i. SIDBI is the apex financial institution dedicated to the promotion, funding, and development of MSMEs. ii. M1xchange, India’s leading Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform, provides MSMEs with early financing within 24 hours via its online bidding platform and an end-to-end digital process.
11. Which insurance company has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched a first-of-its-kind premium health insurance policy?
1) Aviva Life Insurance
2) Reliance General Insurance
3) Exide Life Insurance
4) Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
5) Aegon Life Insurance
Option “2” is correct. Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd. (RGICL) has launched a premium health insurance policy, the “Reliance Health Infinity Policy,” a first of its kind that promises to offer customers endless benefits to maximize their protection. i. RGICL claims to be India’s first health insurance plan to provide policyholders discounts depending on their financial credit score. Reliance Health Infinity Policy • Eligibility: The policy is offered in the family floater and individual floater categories (up to 8 members). • It has sum insured options ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5 crore. • The policy is offered to children above the age of 90 days and individuals between the ages of 18 and 65.
12. Name the insurance company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched the Emerging Opportunities Fund.
1) Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
2) Bharti AXA Life Insurance
3) Birla Sun Life Insurance
4) Tata AIA Life Insurance
5) Aviva Life Insurance
Option “4” is correct. Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited launched the Emerging Opportunities Fund. The new fund offering (NFO) will open from 15th December to 30th December 2022, at Rs. 10 per unit, which is applicable only during the NFO period. i. The investment objective of the fund is to generate capital appreciation in the long-term by investing in a portfolio of stocks that offer opportunities in the mid-cap space.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
13. In December 2022, Rafael Nadal from ________ was named the Men’s International TennismFederation (ITF) World Champion 2022 for the 5th time, while _______ from Poland was named Women’s ITF World Champion 2022.
1) Spain; Ons Jabeur
2) Australia; Magda Linette
3) Spain; Iga Świątek
4) Australia; Caroline Garcia
5) Denmark; Magda Linette
Option “3” is correct. Rafael Nadal, Spanish Tennis Player, has been named the Men’s International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Champion 2022 for the 5th time after an outstanding 2022 season. i. Polish tennis player, Iga Świątek, has been named Women’s ITF World Champion 2022 for her performance in 2022 winning 2 Grand Slam titles and 8 titles. ii. Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova have been named ITF Women’s Doubles World Champions for the 2nd straight year and the 3rd time overall, having won the title in 2018 and 2021. iii. Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury have been named ITF Men’s Doubles World Champions for the 1st time.
14. Name the personality who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) named to the Bloomberg Businessweek’s 6th annual Bloomberg 50 list “Bloomberg 50: The people who defined global business in 2022”.
Option “1” is correct. Businessman and philanthropist Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, has been named to the Bloomberg Businessweek’s 6th annual Bloomberg 50 list “Bloomberg 50: The people who defined global business in 2022” which recognises the people in business, entertainment, finance, politics, science and technology who defined 2022.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
15. In December 2022, India conducted night trials of nuclear-capable ballistic missile ‘Agni V’ from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
Agni V is the _____________ missile with a range of over 5,000 km.
1) Medium Range Ballistic Missile
2) Short Range Ballistic Missile
3) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile
4) Intracontinental Range Ballistic Missile
5) Integrated Range Ballistic Missile
Option “4” is correct. India successfully conducted night trials of nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni V from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. i. This was the 9th flight of the Agni V as a part of routine test. It was first tested in 2012. It will be inducted into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). ii. The nuclear-capable missile is India’s contender for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of 5,000 km.
16. In December 2022, India received its final 36th Rafale aircraft from which country?
1) Germany
2) France
3) Russia
4) United states of America
5) Japan
Option “2” is correct. India received its final 36th Rafale aircraft with RB tail number from France that is equipped with all 13 India specific enhancements. i. This Rafale is designated as RB008 where RB stands for former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. (Rakesh Kumar Singh) Bhadauria who, as then Deputy Chief of IAF, led the Indian negotiation team for Rafale Purchase Agreement in 2016.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
17. In December 2022, Mette Frederiksen was re-elected as the Prime Minister (PM) of which country?
1) Sweden
2) Denmark
3) Norway
4) Belgium
5) Netherlands
Option “2” is correct. Mette Frederiksen, Head of the Social Democratic Party, was re-elected as the Prime Minister (PM) of Denmark for 2nd Term. i. Mette Frederiksen was elected Prime Minister of Denmark in June 2019 and became the youngest PM in Danish history, succeeding Lars Løkke Rasmussen (former PM from 2009-2011; 2015-2019). ii. She became the 2nd woman to hold this office, followed by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (2011- 2015).
ENVIRONMENT
18. Name the institute that has recently (in Dec ‘22) developed a drought tolerant variety of chickpea ‘Pusa JG 16‘.
1) ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
2) ICAR- Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology
3) ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
4) ICAR- Indian Agricultural Statistical Research Institute
5) ICAR- Central Agroforestry Research Institute
Option “1” is correct. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), also known as the ‘Pusa Institute’, have developed a drought tolerant variety of chickpea ‘Pusa JG 16‘, which could increase chickpea yield in India. i. The ICAR-IARI), in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV) Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (RVSKVV), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad (Telangana) developed drought hardy and higher-yielding chickpea variety ‘Pusa JG 16’. ii. The Pusa JG 16 variety was developed using genomic-assisted breeding methods, which enabled the precise transfer of drought-tolerant genes from ICC 4958 in the parental variety JG 16.
BOOKS AND AUTHORS
19. Who authored the book, “Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History”?
Option “1” is correct. Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based historian Dr Vikram Sampath has authored a new book titled “Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History”. The book is published by Penguin Viking, owned by Penguin Random House. i. Vikram Sampath’s latest books published by Penguin Random House India are the two-volume biography ‘Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past, 1883–1924’ and ‘Savarkar: A Contested Legacy, 1924-1966’, which have gone on to become national best sellers.
OBITUARY
20. In December 2022, Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, last princess of __________ has passed away.
1) Samoa
2) Papua New Guinea
3) Hawaii
4) Tonga
5) Fiji
Option “3” is correct. Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, a last Hawaiian princess, passed away at the age of 96 in Honolulu, Hawaii. i. She was born on 23rd April 1926 in Honolulu, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii ii. Iolani Palace, the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is the only royal residence in the United States of America.
IMPORTANT DAYS
21. The _____________ Vijay Diwas, known as Bijoy Dibos (in Bangladesh) 2022 was observed across India and Bangladesh on 16th December 2022.
1) 49th
2) 52nd
3) 47th
4) 51st
5) 53rd
Option “4” is correct. The 51st Vijay Diwas, known as Bijoy Dibos (in Bangladesh) 2022 was observed across India and Bangladesh on 16th December 2022 to commemorate the victory of the Indian armed forces against the Pakistan forces in the 1971 Indo-Pak war (India – Pakistan war of 1971) also known as Bangladesh Liberation war. i. The 16th December is annually celebrated as “Bijoy Dibos” (Day of Victory) in Bangaladesh, to mark its formal independence from Pakistan. ii. The 1971 Indo-Pak War is a confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan.
CA STATIC GK
22. What is the capital of Kazakhstan?
1) Astana
2) Amman
3) Bishkek
4) Ulaanbaatar
5) Beirut
Option “1” is correct. About Kazakhstan: Capital– Astana Currency– Kazakhstani Tenge Prime Minister– Alikhan Smailov
23. In which state ‘Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “2” is correct. By 1988, Lalji Singh, who had been in the UK from 1974 to 1987 on a Commonwealth Fellowship, developed DNA fingerprinting for crime investigations at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. Lalji Singh, who passed away in 2017, is known as “the father of DNA fingerprinting in India.” i. DNA fingerprinting was first developed in 1984 by Alec Jeffreys in the UK, after Jeffreys discovered that no two people could have the same DNA sequence. ii. Each person’s DNA, except for identical twins, is unique. By analyzing selected DNA sequences (called loci), a crime laboratory can develop a profile to be used in identifying a suspect. DNA can be extracted from many sources, such as hair, bone, teeth, saliva, and blood.
25. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) introduced India’s First Debt Collection
Innovation Lab?
Option “3” is correct. Spocto introduces India’s First Debt Collection Innovation Lab. The world’s leading full-stack debt support and risk mitigation platform has inaugurated India’s first Innovation Lab (SIL) dedicated to the debt collection segment of banking industries in India and the Middle East.
26. Hanle as India’s first dark sky reserve, is located in which state/UT?
1) Ladakh
2) Arunachal Pradesh
3) Jammu and Kashmir
4) West Bengal
5) Odisha
Option “1” is correct. The administration of the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh has officially identified a 1,073 sqkm area in Ladakh’s Hanle as India’s first dark sky reserve and will be known as the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR). i. The UT has earmarked this area covering a cluster of six hamlets of Hanle revenue range. These hamlets include Bhok, Khuldo, Shado, Punguk, Naga and the Tibetan Refugee habitations located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, situated around the Indian Astronomical Observatory owned by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
27. Who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) elected as president of Institute of Cost Accountants of India for 2022-23?
Option “1” is correct. The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) announced that Vijender Sharma has been elected as the new president and Rakesh Bhalla as vice-president for 2022-23. i. The institute, which is a statutory body set up under an Act of Parliament, comes under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
28. The _______ edition of the Global Technology Summit was held in New Delhi, Delhi from 29th November to 1st December.
1) 3rd
2) 6th
3) 4th
4) 7th
5) 5th
Option “4” is correct. The 7th edition of the Global Technology Summit was held from November 29, 2022 till the 1st of December in New Delhi in a hybrid format. i. The Summit is India’s annual flagship event on Geotechnology and is co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India. ii. The theme for this year’s Summit is ‘Geopolitics of Technology’.
STATE NEWS
29. With which country, Uttar Pradesh has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU ahead of the UP Global Investors Summit (UPGIS)?
1) Australia
2) Singapore
3) Malaysia
4) Indonesia
5) Japan
Option “2” is correct. The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has signed a number of agreements with investors in Singapore ahead of the UP Global Investors Summit (UPGIS), for a 50 billion investment commitments target. i. UPGIS will be held among countries in Lucknow, between 10th February and 12th February 2023. ii. The UP Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) at the Singapore roadshow, to set the pace for Singapore investors to participate in the prosperity of UP.
30. Which state recently (in Dec ‘22) became the first state to launch its own Climate Change Mission?
1) Maharashtra
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) West Bengal
4) Karnataka
5) Tamil Nadu
Option “5” is correct. Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) M K Stalin launched the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission at the ‘TN Climate Summit 2022’ to protect the natural resources and restore them on a long-term basis. • Tamil Nadu is the first state to launch its own Climate Change Mission to make it a climate smart state. i. TN has introduced a single window system to provide clearances to green projects during the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission to attain a 1 trillion economy by 2030. • The Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission will coordinate initiatives such as ‘meendum manjappai’, e-buses, climate smart villages and green monuments projects.
