20th December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Which of the following points are ‘correct’ with respect to the inauguration by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in December 2022?
A) PM, Narendra Modi, laid the foundation for a number of projects totaling more than Rs.2450 crore and officially launched them in Shillong, Meghalaya.
B) The new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) Shillong campus was inaugurated in Umsawli, Shillong.
C) He also laid the foundation stone and launched several initiatives totaling more than Rs. 4350 crores in Agartala, Tripura including the “Grih Pravesh” programme for beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (Urban) & Rural.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct. The Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi, laid the foundation for a number of projects totaling more than Rs. 2450 crore and officially launched them in Shillong, Meghalaya. • The PM attended the North Eastern Council meeting at the State Convention Centre in Shillong and took part in its golden jubilee celebrations. i. The new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) Shillong campus was inaugurated in Umsawli, Shillong. ii. PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for several significant initiatives totaling more than Rs. 4350 crores and formally launched them in Agartala, Tripura. • Launch of the “Grih Pravesh“ programme for beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (Urban) and PMAY -Rural. • The programme, developed at a cost of Rs. 3,400 crore, will benefit over 2 lakh people.
2. Name the country that has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched a ‘Group of Friends’ to promote accountability for crimes against UN Peacekeepers.
1) Sri Lanka
2) Ukraine
3) India
4) Bhutan
5) United Arab Emirates
Option “3” is correct.India, the President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), has launched a ‘Group of Friends’ to promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. While addressing the launch event, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Union Minister of External Affairs announced that New Delhi will have a database that will record all crimes against the UN Peacekeepers (Blue Helmets). i. The co-chairs of the ‘Group of Friends’ are India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal. ii. The Group of Friends will convene two meetings per year. They are organized by the representatives of the Permanent Missions of the co-chairs along with all interested Member States and other UN partners.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
3. Which of the following countries and Romania has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an intergovernmental agreement on the Black Sea submarine cable for the transport of electricity from the Caspian area?
1) Hungary
2) Azerbaijan
3) Georgia
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. Romania, Hungary, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a quadrilateral intergovernmental agreement on the Black Sea submarine cable for the transport of electricity from the Caspian area to Romania. i. The 500 Kilovolts (kV) submarine cable between Georgia and Romania would be 1,100 km long and have a capacity of 1 GW.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
4. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) partnered with DigiLocker to bring local storage of government-issued IDs on Android devices?
1) Google
2) IBM
3) Microsoft
4) Cognizant
5) Infosys
Option “1” is correct. During the Google for India 2022 (8th edition) conference, Google announced a partnership with DigiLocker, a government-authorised identification storage system, to bring local storage of government-issued IDs on Android devices. i. This partnership was a part of Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) offerings. ii. Google’s AI offering includes, on-device processing of text and images to identify important documents and organise them in a locally stored ‘Files’ folder.
5. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) partnered with Finastra to target digital transformation business with corporate banks in the Middle East.
Option “4” is correct. Wipro Limited, a leading technology services and consulting company, has signed a multi-year digital transformation partnership with Finastra, a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, to target digital transformation opportunities with corporate banks in the Middle East. i. The deal will make Wipro the sole go-to-market and implementation partner for Finastra’s regional trade finance solutions.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
6. In December 2022, Indian origin Leo Varadkar was elected as the Prime Minister of _________ for the 2nd Time.
Option “3” is correct. Indian origin Leo Varadkar, Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste) and leader of the Fine Gael party, has been elected by the Dáil Éireann as the Prime Minister (PM) of Ireland (Taoiseach) for the second time in December 2022. i. Leo Varadkar takes over from Micheal Martin as Taoiseach, while Martin takes on Varadkar’s role as tánaiste (deputy prime minister). ii. Leo Varadkar was appointed as new Prime Minister by Irish President Michael D. Higgins
7. Name the personality who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) nominated to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Option “4” is correct. Manoj Govil, a 1991 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre and Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), has been nominated to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). i. Manoj Govil replaces erstwhile MCA Secretary Rajesh Vermaa, a 1987 batch IAS officer of Odisha Cadre, on the SEBI Board. ii. The SEBI Board comprises 9 members, including the Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
8. Name the organisation that has recently (in Dec ‘22) won the coveted Institution of Engineers, India (IEI) Industry Excellence Award 2022.
1) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
2) National Mineral Development Corporation
3) National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
4) Power Grid Corporation of India
5) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Option “2” is correct. NMDC Limited (formerly known as National Mineral Development Corporation), under the Ministry of Steel, won the coveted Institution of Engineers, India (IEI) Industry Excellence Award 2022 at the 37th Indian Engineering Congress for its outstanding performance and high level of business excellence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. i. N R K Prasad, Chief General Manager (CGM) of Industrial Engineering & Management Sciences (IE & MS), accepted the honour on behalf of NMDC from Dr K Ponmudy, Minister of Higher Education for the Tamil Nadu government.
9. Who has recently (in Dec ‘22) crowned as the Mrs World 2022 held at Nevada, USA?
1) Candice Abrahams (South Africa)
2) Sargam Koushal (India)
3) Jennifer Le (Vietnam)
4) Shaylyn Ford (USA)
5) Kate Schneider (Ireland)
Option “2” is correct. India’s Sargam Koushal was crowned Mrs World 2022 held at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Nevada, United States of America (USA). She brought the crown back to India, 21 years after Aditi Govitrikar (Mrs World 2001). i. She was crowned by Shaylyn Ford, Mrs World 2021 from the United States (US). ii. Mrs World is the 1st beauty pageant for married women, launched in 1984 as Mrs Woman of the World and later renamed Mrs World.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
10. In December 2022, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) raised its stake in Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) from 5.005% to _______ by purchasing 1.8 crore equity shares.
1) 7.278%
2) 8.123%
3) 6.234%
4) 5.980%
5) 8.789%
Option “1” is correct. India’s largest insurer Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has hiked its shareholding in the eticket booking platform Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). i. According to the most recent report made to the stock markets National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE, LIC has added 1,81,80,323 equity shares of IRCTC, raising its total holdings in the state-owned firm to 5,82,22,948 shares, up from 4,00,42,625 earlier. ii. LIC increased its ownership stake in IRCTC from 5.005% to 7.278% by purchasing approximately 1.8 crore equity shares.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
11. Name the Indian Naval Ship (INS), the second of “Project 15B” of stealth guided-missile destroyers, that was commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, Maharashtra in December 2022.
1) INS Shivalik
2) INS Mormugao
3) INS Vikramaditya
4) INS Visakhapatnam
5) INS Surat
Option “2” is correct. The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mormugao (D67), the second of four “Visakhapatnam”-class destroyers, also known as the “Project 15B” class of stealth guided-missile destroyers, was commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, Maharashtra. i. The Naval Ensign was hoisted onboard for the first time at the commissioning ceremony, which was held in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MOD). • The INS Mormugao is named after Mormugao, a historic port city in Goa on the west coast. ii. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a Mumbai-based company, and was indigenously designed by the Warship Design Bureau, an in-house organisation of the Indian Navy and it 163 metres long, 17 metres wide, can carry 7,400 tonnes, and has a crew of roughly 300 personnel.
SPORTS
12. Which of the following points is/are ‘Incorrect with respect to the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 held in Qatar in December 2022?
A) Argentina won the 23rd FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 by defeating France and grabbed their 5th title.
B) Argentina’s Captain, and Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was named as tournament’s best player, winning the Golden Ball.
C) ‘Now is All’ is the Slogan FIFA 2022 and La’eeb was the Official Mascot of FIFA 2022.
1) Only A
2) Only B
3) Only C
4) Only A & B
5) Only B & C
Option “1” is correct. On 18th December 2022, Argentina won the 22nd FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 defeating France 4-2 on penalties in the finals held at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. • This marks Argentina’s first world cup title since 1986 and 3rd overall title. • Argentina’s Captain, and Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was named as tournament’s best player, winning the Golden Ball. • Lionel Messi has become the first man in history to win the adidas Golden Ball twice at the FIFA World Cup. • Emblem FIFA 2022 was designed by Lisbon-based Brandia Central branding agency. • Now is All is the Slogan FIFA 2022 and La’eeb was the Official Mascot of FIFA 2022 • The FIFA World Cup Trophy 2022 i.e. the ‘Jules Rimet Trophy’ arrived at the Lusail Stadium in a Louis Vuitton case and was unveiled by the Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone, the brand ambassador of Louis Vuitton, along with former Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. • The next FIFA World Cup will be held in 2026. It will be the first edition to feature 48 teams and to be held across three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States (US).
13. In December 2022, Indian women’s hockey team won the 1st edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2022 by defeating which country?
1) Spain
2) Japan
3) Ireland
4) South Korea
5) Indonesia
Option “1” is correct. The Indian women’s hockey team won the 1st edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2022 by defeating Spain in the final (1-0) held in Valencia, Spain and claimed the Gold Medal. • The Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2022 was held from 11th to 17th December 2022 in Valencia, Spain. • Spain is in the second position followed by Japan and Ireland in third and fourth position. i. By virtue of winning the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022, India has been promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League, which is to be held in 2023 ahead of Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics. ii. Savita Punia (India) won the Best Goalkeeper Awardees of FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2022.
ENVIRONMENT
14. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched the world’s 1st Genetic Male Sterility (GMS) based Cowpea (Lobia) Hybrids in the market?
Option “5” is correct. Nagpur (Maharashtra) based Dharti Agro Chemicals Private Limited launched the world’s 1st Genetic Male Sterility (GMS) based Cowpea (Lobia) Hybrids in the market and released 3 hybrids in cowpea: Bubbly, Sherly and Poorvaja. i. With the introduction of genetic male sterility by mutation breeding in Cowpeas and a highly effective cross-pollination mechanism, Dr Manoj S. Phalak laid the groundwork for hybrids in the crop. ii. When compared to the traditional types, hybrids have performed very well in farmer’s fields, providing up to 100% heterosis during the regular Kharif season and up to 200 to 250% heterosis during the off-season.
IMPORTANT DAYS
15. When was United Nations (UN)’s Arabic Language Day 2022 observed across the globe with the theme of “The Contribution of the Arabic Language to Human Civilization and Culture”?
1) 16th December 2022
2) 18th December 2022
3) 15th December 2022
4) 17th December 2022
5) 19th December 2022
Option “2” is correct. United Nations (UN)’s Arabic Language Day/World Arabic Language Day (WALD) 2022 was observed across the globe on 18th December 2022 with the theme of “The Contribution of the Arabic Language to Human Civilization and Culture”. i. The 1st Arabic Language Day was observed on 18th December 2012.
16. The United Nations (UN)’s International Migrants Day 2022 was observed across the globe on _______________.
1) 17th December 2022
2) 15th December 2022
3) 18th December 2022
4) 16th December 2022
5) 19th December 2022
Option “3” is correct. United Nations (UN)’s International Migrants Day 2022 was observed across the globe on 18th December 2022. i. World Migration Report 2022 is the 11th in the world migration report series, with the key finding that with nearly 18 million people living abroad, India has the largest emigrant population in the world, making it the top origin country globally followed by Mexico. ii. USA has been the top remittance-sending country, with a total outflow of USD 68 billion in 2020, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). iii. In July 2022, World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “World report on the health of refugees and migrants”, a first-of-its-kind report to offer a global review of refugee and migrant health.
17. When was Minority Rights Day/ Minorities Day, 2022 observed across India?
1) 19th December 2022
2) 17th December 2022
3) 15th December 2022
4) 18th December 2022
5) 16th December 2022
Option “4” is correct. Minority Rights Day, also known as Minorities Day, 2022 was observed across India on 18th December 2022 to create awareness about the Constitutionally-assured rights of religious minorities i. National Commission for Minorities (NCM) was established by the Government of India (GoI) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
CA STATIC GK
18. The International Securities Identification Number (ISINs) has _________ characters, and is used for uniquely identifying securities like stocks, bonds, warrants and commercial papers.
1) 4
2) 12
3) 6
4) 10
5) 9
Option “2” is correct. Markets regulator SEBI clarified on the allocation of new ISINs (International Securities Identification Number) by depositories. ISINs, which has 12 characters, is used for uniquely identifying securities like stocks, bonds, warrants and commercial papers. i. The regulator said that depositories will not assign new ISIN following a change in underlying security and creation of additional security in case of listed debt securities. ii. Also, the new ISIN would not be allocated pursuant to creation of security in case of unsecured debt securities.
19. In December 2022, the Bank of England unveiled its first banknotes featuring King ___________, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
1) Charles III
2) Edward
3) Harry
4) Charles II
5) Andrew
Option “1” is correct. The Bank of England has unveiled its first banknotes featuring King Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. i. The notes are expected to enter circulation in mid-2024, gradually replacing those featuring Charles’s late mother, who began appearing on paper money in 1960. ii. There are over 4.7 billion Bank of England notes in circulation, together worth about £82 billion ($99.8 billion). Since 1956 they have been printed at the Debden Printing Works, a high-security compound in Essex.
20. What is the currency of South Africa?
1) Rand
2) Dollar
3) Franc
4) Dinar
5) Pound
Option “1” is correct. The currency of South Africa is Rand. i. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected as President of the ruling African National Congress in a party leadership contest in November 2022, days after he escaped impeachment proceedings over an alleged money laundering scandal.
21. Which year is declared as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations (UN)?
1) 2025
2) 2026
3) 2024
4) 2027
5) 2023
Option “5” is correct. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYM2023) in Rome, Italy. i. The United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, accepted the proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
22. What is the capital of Ireland?
1) Sofia
2) Dublin
3) Helsinki
4) Athens
5) Copenhagen
Option “2” is correct. About Ireland: President – Michael Daniel Higgins Capital – Dublin Currency – Euro
23. In which state Bondla Zoological Park is located?
Option “4” is correct. About Goa: Chief Minister (CM) – Dr Pramod Sawant Governor– PS Sreedharan Pillai Zoological Park – Bondla Zoological Park Airport – Goa International Airport
24. What is the currency of Qatar?
1) Riyal
2) Pound
3) Dollar
4) Dinar
5) Euro
Option “1” is correct. About Qatar: Capital- Doha Currency– Qatari Riyal
25. Where is the headquarters of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)?
1) London, United Kingdom
2) Rome, Italy
3) Paris, France
4) Geneva, Switzerland
5) Vienna, Austria
Option “4” is correct. About International Organization for Migration(IOM): IOM was first established as the Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe (PICMME) in 1951 and was renamed as International Organization for Migration (IOM) in 1980 (after a series of name changes). Director General– António Vitorino Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
26. Who is the current (as of Dec ‘22) Director-General (DG) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)?
1) António Vitorino
2) Agustin carstens
3) David Malpass
4) Audrey Azoulay
5) Zhang Ming
Option “4” is correct. About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Director-General- Audrey Azoulay Headquarters- Paris, France Establishment- 1945 (came into force in 1946) Members- 193 Members & 11 Associate Members.
27. Which of the following operations of India related to the Goa Liberation Day in 1961?
1) Operation Blue Star
2) Operation Steeplechase
3) Operation Woodrose
4) Operation Polo
5) Operation Vijay
Option “5” is correct. President Droupadi Murmu tweeted her greetings to the nation on December 19, marking Goa Liberation Day, which is celebrated annually to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’ undertaken by the Indian armed forces to defeat Portuguese colonial forces and liberate Goa in 1961. i. The Portuguese colonial presence in Goa began in 1510, when Afonso de Albuquerque defeated the ruling Bijapur king with the help of a local ally, Timayya, and subsequently established a permanent settlement in Velha Goa (or Old Goa). ii. The Indian government finally declared that Goa should join India “either with full peace or with full use of force”. December 18 and 19, 1961 saw a full-fledged military operation termed ‘Operation Vijay’.
BANKING AND FINANCE
28. Name the bank that has recently (in Dec ‘22) introduced zero-fee banking for savings accounts.
1) IDFC First Bank
2) HDFC Bank
3) ICICI Bank
4) Axis Bank
5) YES Bank
Option “1” is correct. On 18th December 2022, On the occasion of its foundation day, IDFC First Bank has introduced zerofee banking for savings accounts, as it waives off charges for a range of 25 frequently used customer-focused banking services that are connected to savings accounts. i. The services include cash deposits, withdrawals, demand drafts, Immediate Payment Service (IMSP), SMS alerts, third-party cash transactions, demand drafts, National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), cheque books, interest certificates, insufficient balance for ATM transactions and international ATM usage.
29. Name the bank that has recently (in Dec ‘22) partnered with Gofrugal Technologies to empower enterprise customers to adopt Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
1) Karnataka Bank
2) State Bank of India
3) DBS Bank India
4) IndusInd Bank
5) CSB Bank
Option “3” is correct. DBS Bank India Limited (DBIL) partnered with Gofrugal Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a seller-centric platform offering Omnichannel ERP solutions to empower enterprise customers, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and retail merchants, to adopt Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and also enables them to expand their digital commerce footprint. i. Trucknetic, India’s version of Uber for trucks, has collaborated with DBS Bank India Limited (DBIL) as a logistics partner on its Business Class platform to offer complete digital banking, logistics, valueadded services, and discounts to SMEs throughout India. • Trucknetic is the first digital platform in India to book all types of trucks, including electric.
30. Which bank has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched a Special Fixed Deposit of 555 Days with Returns Up to 7.15%?
1) Bank of Baroda
2) Punjab National Bank
3) Bank of India
4) Bank of Maharashtra
5) Indian Bank
Option “5” is correct. Indian Bank, a public sector lender, has announced a new Special Retail Term Deposit Product, “IND SHAKTI 555 DAYS,” effective December 19, 2022. i. The minimum amount for the “IND SHAKTI 555 DAYS” product is Rs. 5000, and it has a 555-day term with an interest rate of 7.00% for the general public and 7.15% for senior citizens. ii. The Indian Bank has also revised its interest rates on FDs of less than Rs. 2 crore for 555 days in the form of FDs or Money multiplier deposits (MMDs) with callable options, effective December 19, 2022.
