18th-19th December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. The _________ Edition of Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise ‘Surya Kiran-XVI’ between India and Nepal began at Saljhandi, Nepal in December 2022.
1) 14th
2) 16th
3) 13th
4) 15th
5) 12th
Option “2” is correct. The 16th Edition of Indo-Nepal joint training Exercise ‘Surya Kiran-XVI’ between India and Nepal began at Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi in the Rupandehi district of Lumbini Zone, Nepal. The exercise will be conducted till 29th December 2022. i. Participants – Nepal Army soldiers of Shree Bhawani Baksh Battalion and Indian Army soldiers from the 5th Gorkha Rifles (5 GR) will participate in the exercise. ii. The exercise ‘Surya Kiran’ has been conducted annually between India and Nepal since 2011.
BANKING AND FINANCE
2. Which of the following fintech companies has recently (in Dec ‘22) received imposed curbs for on-boarding new merchants from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
1) RazorPay
2) Cashfree Payments
3) Paytm
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “4” is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed curbs on RazorPay and Cashfree Payments for onboarding new merchants till they get the final Payment Aggregator (PA) licence. i. Both entities need to complete the migration of existing merchants to the new platform and submit a progress report with RBI. ii. They also require making some systematic upgrades which involve migrations to an escrow account from a nodal account, integrating RBI’s reporting system so that periodic reports can be submitted on transactions undertaken and merchants brought into the formal system, among others. • Following this, RBI will do its evaluation and grant the final licence.
3. Which of the following points are ‘correct’ with respect to the steps taken by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in December 2022?
A) SEBI has introduced performance benchmarking and categorization for the Portfolio Management Services (PMS) industry w.e.f. April 1, 2023.
B) The Association of Portfolio Managers in India (APMI) will prescribe a maximum of three benchmarks for each strategy.
C) SEBI also laid down guidelines for orderly winding down of critical operations and services offered by clearing corporations (CCs).
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct. SEBI has introduced performance benchmarking and categorization for the Portfolio Management Services (PMS) industry w.e.f. April 1, 2023. These norms are similar to the current norms in mutual funds. • SEBI has provided this information in exercise of its power conferred under Section 11 (1) of SEBI Act, 1992, read with the provisions of Regulation 43of SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020, to protect the interest of investors and to promote the development of securities market. i. The Association of Portfolio Managers in India (APMI) will prescribe a maximum of three benchmarks for each strategy. ii. SEBI also laid down guidelines for orderly winding down of critical operations and services offered by clearing corporations (CCs). • To enable the framework, SEBI had amended the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations (SECC Regulations 2018) through a notification issued on November 15, 2022.
4. Which Small Finance Bank (SFB) has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Ministry of Defense (MOD), GoI?
1) AU SFB
2) Ujjivan SFB
3) Jana SFB
4) Utkarsh SFB
5) Equitas SFB
Option “5” is correct. Equitas Small Finance Bank (Equitas SFB) has signed an MoU with the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Ministry of Defense (MOD), Government of India (GoI). i. With this, Equitas will be able to act as a SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)) service centre and provide data verification for pensioners. ii. Equitas is the first small finance bank (SFB) to be inducted into the SPARSH scheme by the GoI.
5. Name the Small Finance Bank (SFB) that has recently (in Dec ‘22) entered into a Bancassurance Partnership with the HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited.
1) AU Small Finance Bank
2) ESAF Small Finance Bank
3) Suryoday Small Finance Bank
4) Capital Small Finance Bank
5) Equitas Small Finance Bank
Option “1” is correct. AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) entered into a corporate agency arrangement with HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Life”), one of India’s leading life insurers through the bancassurance business model. i. Under the partnership, customers of AU SFB will be able to access the entire range of life insurance products offered by HDFC Life, thus fulfilling their need for financial protection. ii. In addition, it also enables its customers to access the digital platform and the touch points of HDFC Life for servicing.
6. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched Google Search-Driven Education Platform named ‘Roots’ to provide comprehensive investor education and market analysis?
Option “2” is correct. HDFC Securities Limited, a stock brokerage firm, has launched “Roots”, a dedicated search-driven Education platform by Google that provides comprehensive investor education and market analysis. i. The Unique Selling Point (USP) of the platform is that it produces content which is being searched on Google by current and prospective investors and traders.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
7. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s report released in December 2022, India’s Coal Production to Exceed a 1 billion Tonnes by__________.
1) 2026
2) 2024
3) 2025
4) 2027
5) 2023
Option “3” is correct. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its annual report titled ‘Coal 2022: Analysis and Forecast to 2025’, claimed that China and India, the world’s two largest coal consumers, are also the world’s largest producers and top two coal importers. • It is projected that by 2025, India’s coal production will exceed 1 billion tonnes. i. India is expected to continue to be the growth driver of global coal demand as its coal consumption has risen since 2007 at an annual growth rate of 6%. ii. According to the report, global coal consumption would climb by 1.2% in 2022, surpassing 8 billion metric tonnes in a single year for the first time and beating the milestone set in 2013.
8. Which organisation has recently (in Dec ‘22) released a report with the key finding that South Asia needs urgent action to Curb Deadly Air Pollution?
1) United Nations Environment Programme
2) International Monetary Fund
3) World Bank
4) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
5) United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Option “3” is correct. The World Bank (WB) has released its report titled ‘Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia’ stating that South Asia is home to 9 of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution, and there is a requirement of urgent action to curb it. i. It is causing an estimated 2 million premature deaths across the region each year and incurs significant economic costs. ii. The concentrations of fine particulate matter such as soot and small dust (PM 2.5) in some of the region’s most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than the WHO limit (5 µg/mᶾ).
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
9. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide digital skill training to more than 1,600 young people across India?
Option “2” is correct. Steelmaker ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) signed an MoU with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide digital skill training to more than 1,600 young people across India. i. A launch of the AM/NS India & NSDC partnership was held at NSDC, Delhi. This initiative is the 2nd digital training initiative by AM/NS India in partnership with NSDC. ii. The initiative’s goal is to inspire young people from 4 states (Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra) and give them the vocational training they need to find and undertake employment in positions like data entry operator and IT helpdesk attendant.
10. Name the country that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed a memorandum with the Indian Chambers of International Business (ICIB) and MSME to enable companies to enter Indian Etrade Platforms.
1) United Arab Emirates
2) Indonesia
3) France
4) Russia
5) Australia
Option “4” is correct. Sergey Cheremin, the Chairman of the Board of the Business Council for Cooperation with India (BCCI), Minister of the Government of Moscow (Russia), and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow (DEEIR) signed a memorandum with the Indian Chambers of International Business (ICIB) and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) in New Delhi. i. The memorandum was signed after identifying the potential in promoting the products of Russian companies on major trading platforms in India such as Flipkart. ii. This was signed during a session at the “Business Dialogue: Regional cooperation as a driver of economic development” held in New Delhi, Delhi.
11. Name the institute that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for Innovation in Highways Construction.
1) National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela
2) National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur
3) National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy
4) National Institute of Technology (NIT) Allahabad
5) National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala
Option “2” is correct. National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H), signed an MoU with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur through a video conference. i. The MoU was signed between Dr Gautam Sutradhar, director, NIT Manipur and Chanchal Kumar, managing director, NHIDCL. ii. This MoU will foster research and collaboration in the field of highways and infrastructure.
12. Which city’s Metropolitan Transport Corporation has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an agreement with TML Smart City Mobility Solutions to supply 921 Electric Buses?
1) Chennai
2) Bengaluru
3) Mumbai
4) Delhi
5) Hyderabad
Option “2” is correct. TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, has signed a definitive agreement with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for the supply, maintenance and operations of 921 electric buses of 12-metre low-floor electric buses for a period of 12 years in Bengaluru, Karnataka. i. More than 730 electric buses from Tata Motors have been delivered to various Indian cities till now.
13. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an agreement with Microsoft India to supply 150 megawatts (MW) of green energy from a solar site near Bikaner, Rajasthan.
1) Suzlon Energy Ltd
2) Websol Energy Systems Ltd
3) ReNew Power
4) RattanIndia Power
5) GTL Infrastructure Ltd
Option “3” is correct. ReNew Power (ReNew) has signed an agreement with Microsoft India to supply 150 megawatts (MW) of green energy from a recently commissioned solar site near Bikaner, Rajasthan. i. This venture will assist Microsoft in achieving its goal of switching to a 100% renewable energy supply by 2025 and turning carbon negative by 2030.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
14. In December 2022, The United States (US)-France satellite ‘SWOT’ was launched through the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket US to map all of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers. In SWOT, ‘T’ stands for?
Option “1” is correct. The United States (US)-France satellite ‘SWOT aka Surface Water and Ocean Topography’ was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, US. It will map all of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers. i. This USD 1.2 billion project is developed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in collaboration with the French Space Agency Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the United Kingdom (UK) Space Agency. ii. The SWOT mission lifetime is 3 years.
15. In December 2022, NASA’s scientists discovered Two water worlds exoplanets, ‘Kepler138c and Kepler-138d’ in a planetary system, _________ light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra.
1) 123
2) 218
3) 312
4) 136
5) 209
Option “2” is correct. Two exoplanets, Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d, were found by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists in a planetary system known as Kepler-138, 218 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. i. The exoplanets Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d are most likely water worlds, which scientists have theorized and observed with Hubble and the retired Spitzer space telescopes. ii. These exoplanets, Kepler-138c and Kepler-138d, as well as Kepler-138b, orbit the red dwarf star Kepler-138. • Kepler-138 b is a smaller planetary companion that orbits the star Kepler-138.
16. Which country’s Air Force has recently (in Dec ‘22) tested AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW or Arrow), a hypersonic missile?
1) United Arab Emirates
2) China
3) Russia
4) Germany
5) United States
Option “5” is correct. The United States (US) Air Force successfully tested AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW or Arrow), a hypersonic missile which represents a cutting edge, strategic weapons system developed by Russia and China. i. The AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), the first full prototype operational missile was launched from a B-52H bomber off California’s coast. ii. The missile was designed by Lockheed Martin, based on the previous test vehicles built by DARPA that has a maximum speed of Mach 20 or 15,000 mph (24,000 kph).
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
17. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the 2022 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Awards?
1) Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) named as the Youngest Year-End ATP No. 1 & Most Improved Player of the Year
2) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain), coach of Carlos Alcaraz, received the ATP Coach of the Year at the 2022 ATP Awards.
3) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) was chosen as Fans’ Favorite (singles) in the ATP Awards for the 2nd time.
4) Andy Murray (United Kingdom) has been named the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for the 2nd time.
5) Casper Ruud (Norway) has been named for the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.
Option “3” is correct. Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray is featured among the winners of the 2022 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Awards 2022. i. The 2022 ATP Awards were presented at the event held in Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy.
18. Name the personality who has recently (in Dec ‘22) named as PETA India’s ‘Person of The Year 2022’ title.
Option “2” is correct. Actress Sonakshi Sinha has been awarded PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) India’s 2022 Person of the Year title for advocating Animal Adoption & Vegan Fashion. i. John Abraham and Fatima Sana Shaikh are PETA India’s Most Beautiful Vegetarians of 2022.
IMPORTANT DAYS
19. When was International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers 2022 observed across the globe?
1) 17th December 2022
2) 15th December 2022
3) 18th December 2022
4) 16th December 2022
5) 19th December 2022
Option “1” is correct. The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers 2022 was observed across the world on 17th December 2022 to focus attention on the hate crimes committed against sex workers across the globe. i. The global observance of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is led by the NSWP – Global Network of Sex Work Projects. ii. The first International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was observed on 17th December 2003.
CA STATIC GK
20. In December 2022, ST Advanced Composites (STAC), a _________ based MSME played a crucial role in the Arab world’s first lunar rover named ‘Rashid’ which was launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
1) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
2) New Delhi, Delhi
3) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
4) Bengaluru, Karnataka
5) Pune, Maharashtra
Option “3” is correct. The historical launch of the Arab world’s first lunar rover on December 11 also marked the culmination of a two-year long effort by ST Advanced Composites (STAC), a Chennai (Tamil Nadu)- based MSME that had been entrusted with the task of manufacturing and supplying key structural parts for the rover. i. The rover was named Rashid in memory of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, former ruler of Dubai. It was launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that took off from Florida in the US.
21. India plans to build a 1,748 km long “frontier highway” near the India- Tibet -China – Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh by _________.
1) 2024
2) 2027
3) 2025
4) 2026
5) 2028
Option “2” is correct. In the next five years (2027), the Centre will build a 1,748 km long “frontier highway” close to the India-Tibet-China-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh. It will be as close as 20 km from the international border i. The two-lane highway, NH-913, will aim to stop infiltration in the border areas and will be built by the transport ministry. ii. The highway will start from Bomdila and pass through Nafta, Huri and Monigong. It will pass through Jido and Chenquenty, close to the China border and end at Vijaynagar, near the IndiaMyanmar border.
22. RFID tags is a wireless tracking system that consists of tags and readers. In RFID, what does ‘R’ stand for?
1) Radio
2) Required
3) Received
4) Rate
5) Return
Option “1” is correct. The FASTag is a reloadable tag that allows automatic deduction of toll without having to stop for carrying out the cash transaction. The tag uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and is fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle once active. • It is affixed on the windscreen, so the vehicle can drive through plazas without stopping. • The payment method is a part of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) programme. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) collects the payments. i. The FASTag monthly toll transaction hit an all-time high of 285.83 million in November 2022, beating by a whisker the previous high of 285.37 million reported in May 2022. ii. The monthly volume saw a decline during June and July but bounced back in August. However, in September it dropped only to pick up in October and November, according to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data.
23. In December 2022, State Bank of India (SBI) raised Rs. 10,000 crore through its maiden infrastructure bond issuance at a coupon rate of 7.51%.
What is the tenor for the bond?
1) 3 years
2) 6 years
3) 4 years
4) 10 years
5) 5 years
Option “4” is correct. State Bank of India raised Rs.10,000 crore through its maiden infrastructure bond issuance at a coupon rate of 7.51 per cent. The tenor for the bond is set at 10 years. It is the largest single infra bond sale by any domestic lender. i. The proceeds of the bond will be utilized to enhance long- term resources for funding infrastructure and affordable housing segments, State Bank of India (SBI). ii. The issue was oversubscribed 3.27 times or bids worth ₹16,366 crore, against the base issue from 143 bids, demonstrating the confidence of the investor class Note- Tenor is the period of credit or installments given to the debtor and must be paid to the lending company.
24. Name the country that has recently (in Dec ‘22) emerged as the second largest importer of tea from India after the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a block.
1) United Arab Emirates
2) China
3) Japan
4) Singapore
5) Thailand
Option “1” is correct. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the second largest importer of tea from India after the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a block, according to the latest data released by Tea Board. i. During the period from January to September 2022, UAE imported 28.58 million kilograms of tea from India, a rise of 159 per cent from the similar nine-month period of 2021. ii. CIS countries imported 38.06 million kilograms during that period in 2022, up from 33.34 million kilograms in the corresponding period of 2021.
25. In December 2022, “The Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne”, the biography of ___________, was named winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize 2022.
1) Ian McEwan
2) Emma Carroll
3) Abi Elphinstone
4) Katherine Rundell
5) J. K. Rowling
Option “4” is correct. British writer Katherine Rundell’s biography “Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne” was named winner of the 50,000-pound Baillie Gifford Prize at a ceremony in London, United Kingdom (UK). i. Rundell’s book was a unanimous choice by the six judges from among 362 books submitted for the prize.
Option “5” is correct. For demonstrating commitment to sustainable construction, the Satellite Centre of PGIMER in Punjab’s Sangrur has been declared a winner in the GRIHA Exemplary Performance Competition in the category of energy management. i. The award was received by Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director (Administration) along with a team of engineers led by P.S. Saini at the 14th GRIHA Summit in New Delhi. ii. GRIHA is an indigenous rating system developed by Tata Energy Research Institute which has been adopted as the national rating system of India by MNRE.
STATE NEWS
27. Name the state that has recently (in Dec ‘22) introduced the “Friends of Library” scheme to Promote Reading.
1) Odisha
2) West Bengal
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Kerala
5) Karnataka
Option “3” is correct. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Minister of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN), has introduced the “Friends of Library” scheme, which would personally deliver books to people who are unable to visit state-run libraries. i. The scheme will benefit differently abled people, senior citizens, children, and hospital in-patients, among others, who are unable to visit a library, and the help of volunteers will be employed for this objective.
28. Which state has recently (in Dec ‘22) inaugurated the “Sanitation Workers’ Development Scheme” to Protect Welfare of Sanitation Workers?
1) Uttar Pradesh
2) West Bengal
3) Maharashtra
4) Gujarat
5) Tamil Nadu
Option “5” is correct. Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin (M.K. Stalin), Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN), inaugurated the “Sanitation Workers’ Development Scheme” to protect the welfare of conservancy workers in TN during a ceremony held at the Arignar Anna Complex, headquarters of Madurai Corporation, in TN. i. The CM also introduced a sanitation worker logo and launched a mobile app called SHWAS (Sanitation Workers Health Welfare and Safety) to assist in the identification and collection of sanitation worker census data. ii. Tamil Nadu is the second state in India to implement such a scheme and a mobile application for sanitation workers after Odisha.
29. Which state has recently (in Dec ‘22) inaugurated a Football Stadium at the PA Sangma Sports Complex?
Option “2” is correct. Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM) Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a Football Stadium at the PA Sangma Sports Complex at Dakopgre in Tura, Meghalaya. i. The stadium was originally constructed in 2006 by the Late P.A. Sangma and the Stadium was named after him and the upgradation of this stadium was funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Meghalaya Government. ii. The stadium hosted both the Subroto Cup and the Tura Football League in 2006.
30. Name the airport that has recently (in Dec ‘22) received the certificate of accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI).
1) Indira Gandhi International Airport
2) Kempegowda International Airport
3) Chennai International Airport
4) Mangaluru International Airport
5) Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Option “4” is correct. Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has received the certificate of accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) for level 2 of the airport customer experience accreditation programme. i. The accreditation was issued on 14th December 2022, and it is valid for a year. ii. The certificate recognises the commitment of MIA to continue with its customer experience improvement.
