22th December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. According to the data of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Which of the following Cultural Sites in India has been added to the provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in December 2022?
1) Rock-cut Sculptures and Reliefs of the Unakoti, Telangana
2) Vadnagar, a multi-layered Historic town, Gujarat
3) Sun Temple, Gujarat
4) Only 1 & 2
5) Only 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), 3 new Cultural Sites in India have been added to the provisional list of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage sites. They are as follows: • Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat and its adjoining monuments • Vadnagar – A multi-layered Historic town, Gujarat, which is also the birthplace of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi • Rock-cut Sculptures and Reliefs of the Unakoti, Unakoti Range, Unakoti District, Tripura. i. The UNESCO tentative list is a “inventory of those properties which each State Party intends to consider for nomination,” and it highlights India’s immense natural and cultural heritage diversity. ii. With this addition, India currently has 52 sites on the UNESCO Tentative List.
2. In December 2022, Union Minister of Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia launched India’s first Green Steel Brand, “Saarloha KALYANI FeRRESTA” in ___________.
Option “4” is correct. Union Minister of Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia launched India’s first Green Steel Brand, “Saarloha KALYANI FeRRESTA” in New Delhi, Delhi. This was manufactured by a Pune-based Steel company, Kalyani group by using renewable energy resources, leaving zero carbon footprints in the environment. i. India is presently leading the countries which have committed to achieving carbon neutrality, with ongoing green steel manufacturing. ii. Government of India (GoI) is promoting green steel manufacturing and has framed the National Steel Policy to achieve zero carbon emissions by the steel industry.
3. Which of the following points are ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the 2022 Social Progress Index (SPI) released in December 2022?
A) The annual 2022 Social Progress Index (SPI) which was published by Social Progress Imperative, in which, India secured a 110 rank globally with a score of 60.19 in Tier 4 countries.
B) The index is topped by Norway with a score of 90.74 in Tier-1 countries (i.e. high income countries) followed by Denmark.
C) Jammu and Kashmir got the highest SPI score of 65.99 in the Tier 1: Very High Social Progress.
1) Only A
2) Only B
3) Only C
4) Only A & B
5) Only B & C
Option “3” is correct. The Institute for Competitiveness released the annual 2022 Social Progress Index (SPI) which was published by Social Progress Imperative. India secured a global rank of 110 with a score of 60.19 in Tier 4 countries. i. The index is topped by Norway with a score of 90.74 in Tier-1 countries i.e. high income countries followed by Denmark ii. The SPI 2022 for States and Districts made by the Institute for Competitiveness and Social Progress Imperative was submitted to the Economic Advisory Council- Prime Minister (EAC-PM) iii. Puducherry got the highest SPI score of 65.99 under the Tier 1: Very High Social Progress due to its remarkable performance across components like personal freedom and choice, shelter, and water and sanitation.
4. In December 2022, the Ministry of Ayush issued a notification regarding the status of the centres of excellence scheme ‘AYURSWASTHYA Yojana‘.
Who is the current (as of Dec ‘22) union minister of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy)?
Option “3” is correct. The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) issued a notification regarding the status of the centres of excellence scheme ‘AYURSWASTHYA Yojana‘. The information was given by Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. i. AYURSWASTHYA Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Ayush is currently run with 2 components – AYUSH and Public Health (PHI) & Centre of Excellence (CoE) from the Financial Year (FY) 2021-2022 by merging two erstwhile schemes of AYUSH Ministry. • Central Sector Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Promotion of AYUSH Intervention in Public Health Initiatives (PHI). ii. Central Sector Scheme for assistance to AYUSH organizations (Government / Non-Government Non-Profit) engaged in AYUSH Education/ Drug Development & Research / Clinical Research etc. for upgradation to Centre of Excellence (CoE).
5. Name the institute that has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched a programme to create ‘Impact Leaders’ in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG).
1) Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
2) Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
3) Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
4) Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
5) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Option “3” is correct. The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India (GoI) has launched a programme to create ‘Impact Leaders’ in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG). i. Leena Nandan, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI, was the Chief Guest at the launch.
BANKING AND FINANCE
6. Name the organisation that has recently (in Dec ‘22) approved the phasing out of shares buyback by companies through stock exchanges.
1) Securities and Exchange Board of India
2) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
3) Reserve Bank of India
4) Small Industries Development Bank of India
5) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
Option “1” is correct. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved amendments to the existing buyback regulations. It phases out share’s buyback by companies through the open market route/stock exchanges in a gradual manner. i. This decision followed the recommendations made in the Keki Mistry report, which suggested that open market share buy backs are prone to misuse. ii. It also increased the minimum utilization of the amount earmarked for buyback through the stock exchange route from existing 50% to 75%.
7. Which bank has recently (in Dec ‘22) won IBS Intelligence (IBSi) Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2022 along with BUSINESSNEXT?
1) HDFC Bank
2) South Indian Bank
3) RBL Bank
4) Karnataka Bank
5) ICICI Bank
Option “3” is correct. RBL Bank (formerly known as Ratnakar Bank), one of India’s leading private sector banks, along with BUSINESSNEXT won IBS Intelligence (IBSi) Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2022 for Most Impactful Project & Best Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System Implementation. i. The IBSi Global FinTech Innovation Awards identifies and honours technology companies and banks for their outstanding work in implementing and innovating financial technology using emerging technologies.
8. Which of the following organisations/companies has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched FIT Rank for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Mentorship?
1) TransUnion CIBIL Limited
2) Online PSB Loans Limited
3) Equifax Inc.
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “4” is correct. The credit bureau TransUnion CIBIL Limited in collaboration with Online PSB Loans Limited (OPL), under the mentorship of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) launched FIT Rank – a comprehensive ranking model for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). i. FIT Rank will rate around 6 crore MSMEs by drawing inputs from their current accounts, Income Tax Returns (ITR) and Goods and Service Tax (GST) returns, after taking consent to draw the relevant data, to arrive at a score between 1-10 to rate a borrower. ii. Using FIT rankings, SIDBI has launched a new Express loan Product for MSMEs to provide loans up to Rs 50 lakh for the purchase of machinery and roof top solar through straight through processes.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
9. According to the UI Green Metric World University Rankings 2022 released by the Universitas Indonesia (UI) in December 2022, __________ ranked No. 1 in India and 121st worldwide for being the most sustainable university.
1) Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka
2) Mangalore University, Karnataka
3) Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Tamil Nadu
4) NIT Silchar, Assam
5) IIT Madras, Tamil Nadu
Option “1” is correct. According to the UI Green Metric World University Rankings 2022 released by The Universitas Indonesia (UI) on 12th December 2022, the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Manipal (town within Udupi), Karnataka, is ranked No. 1 in India and 121st worldwide for being the most sustainable university. i. MAHE is followed by Mangalore University, Mangaluru, Karnataka, and S R M University (Institute of Science and Technology) Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu are ranked 2nd & 3rd in India. ii. Wageningen University & Research of the Netherlands topped the list followed by the United Kingdom (UK)’s Nottingham Trent University and University of Nottingham in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
10. Name the company that has recently (in Dec’ 22) signed an agreement with Switzerlandbased E2S Power to operate a 250 kilowatt-hour (kWh) pilot thermal energy storage unit in India.
1) Torrent Power Limited
2) Reliance Infrastructure Limited
3) Adani Power Limited
4) Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited
5) India Power Corporation Limited
Option “5” is correct. Switzerland-based E2S Power, a leading developer of thermal energy storage solutions, and India Power Corporation Limited (IPCL), one of the leading power utilities in India, have signed an agreement for a 250 kilowatt-hour (kWh) pilot thermal energy storage unit to be operated in India. i. The Pilot unit was engineered, built, and tested at the E2S Power facility in less than 9 months. ii. The pilot thermal energy storage unit passed the Factory Acceptance Tests and is to be delivered in the 1st quarter of 2023.
11. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an agreement with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide training and digital certification to thousands of new employees?
Option “3” is correct. The online home services platform Urban Company signed an agreement with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide training and digital certification to thousands of new employees. i. Under the programme, new employees will receive skill development training from Urban Company in the categories of salon, spa & massage, electrician, plumber, carpenter, appliance repair, and cleaning & pest control. ii. All the partners who will join the platform under the Scheme for Market Led Fee-Based Services program by NSDC will also be available on the Skill India portal (SIP).
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
12. Who was recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Puma India?
Option “2” is correct. Sports brand Puma India announced Bollywood Actress and entrepreneur Anushka Sharma as its new Brand Ambassador, part of its ongoing commitment towards the women’s business in India. i. Anushka Sharma will participate in a variety of brand campaigns and activities to promote the brand’s footwear, clothes, and accessories, including a few collections throughout the year. ii. Anushka Sharma is a well-known brand ambassador for several companies, such as TVS Scooty, Nivea, Elle 18 cosmetics, Bru coffee, and Pantene.
13. Name the personality who has recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the Brand Ambassador of Pepsico India’s Aquafina.
Option “1” is correct. Pepsico India’s packaged-water brand Aquafina appoints Bollywood Actress Katrina Kaif as its Brand Ambassador. i. Katrina Kaif was earlier the brand ambassador for Pepsico’s fruit-flavoured sugar drink “Slice” for the last 16 years. ii. Some of the brands endorsed by Katrina Kaif are Kay Beauty, Nykaa, Xiaomi India, Kalyan Jewelers, Lenskart, and Titan Watches.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
14. Which of the following points are ‘correct’ with respect to the 7th edition of Digital India
Awards (DIA) 2022 as of December 2022?
A) The Smart Cities Mission of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has won the Platinum icon award in the DIA 2022 under the Data Sharing and Use for Socio Economic Development category.
B) National Agriculture Market (eNAM) won Platinum icon award in the Digital India Awards (DIA) 2022 under the Digital Empowerment of Citizens category.
C) e-Vivechna App (Madhya Pradesh) won the Platinum icon award in the Digital India Awards (DIA) 2022 under the Digital Initiatives at Grassroot Level category.
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 Smart Cities Mission of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has won the Platinum icon award in the Digital India Awards (DIA) 2022 under the Data Sharing and Use for Socio Economic Development category for their initiative “DataSmart Cities: Empowering Cities through Data”. 2022 marks the 7th edition of the Digital India Awards (DIA). i. National Agriculture Market (eNAM) won Platinum icon award in the Digital India Awards (DIA) 2022 under the Digital Empowerment of Citizens ii. e-Vivechna App (Madhya Pradesh) won the Platinum icon award in the Digital India Awards (DIA) 2022 under the Digital Initiatives at Grassroot Level.
15. Name the Indian personality who has recently (in Dec ‘22) become the only Indian to feature on 50 Greatest Actors of All Time List of Empire Magazine, a British monthly film magazine.
Option “2” is correct. Indian Actor and Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan (57 years old) has become the only Indian to be named on the 50 Greatest Actors of All Time List of Empire Magazine, a British monthly film magazine. i. Shah Rukh Khan made his film debut with the commercially successful Deewana (1992). His career lasted for over 4 decades with unbroken hits. ii. Shah Rukh Khan’s notable works include, “Devdas”, “My Name Is Khan”, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” and “Swades”.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
16. In December 2022, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Woodhall Holdings (DIFC) Limited (WHL), acquisition of a minority stake in UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions Limited (UPL SAS).
The Proposed Transaction is notifiable to the CCI under __________ of the Competition Act, 2002.
Option “3” is correct. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Woodhall Holdings (DIFC) Limited (WHL), acquisition of a minority stake in UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions Limited (UPL SAS). i. The Proposed Transaction is notifiable to the CCI under Section 5(a) of the Competition Act, 2002. ii. WHL is a newly incorporated special purpose vehicle which is part of the Brookfield Global Transition Fund.
STATE NEWS
17. Name the bank that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the Administration of Ladakh Union Territory (UT) as the “preferred banker” for all banking-related services.
1) Axis Bank
2) Jammu and Kashmir Bank
3) ICICI Bank
4) HDFC Bank
5) YES Bank
Option “2” is correct. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Bank signed an MoU with the Administration of Ladakh Union Territory (UT), conferring preferential status to each other. i. Under this MoU, the Administration of Ladakh UT will nominate J&K Bank as the ‘preferred banker’ for all its banking-related services, while as, J&K Bank would give the ‘most favoured client’ status to Ladakh UT Administration and its active permanent employees who maintain a salary account with J&K Bank. ii. The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Administrative Council, under the chairmanship of Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor (LG) of J&K, approved the Rehabilitation Policy for Children in Street Situation (CiSS) in order to safeguard them from different hazards.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
18. Name the 5th Scorpene-class conventional submarine of “Project 75” that was recently (in Dec ‘22) delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Option “3” is correct. The fifth Scorpene-class conventional submarine, “Vagir (S25)”, of “Project 75”, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879, was delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. i. It will be commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 2023 as “Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vagir,” a fully combat-worthy submarine capable of operation in all modes and deployment regimes.
19. Name the Indian Naval Ship (INS), which is the 1st Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), launched by the Indian Navy in December 2022.
1) INS Androth
2) INS Kamorta
3) INS Veer
4) INS Arnala
5) INS Katchall
Option “4” is correct. The Indian Navy launched the Indian Naval Ship (INS) “Arnala,” the first of eight indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) [Yard 3029], at shipbuilding facility of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in Kattupalli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. • It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Kolkata, West Bengal. i. The ship’s name, “Arnala,” honours the strategic maritime significance that Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj bestowed on the island of Arnala, which is situated about 13 kilometres north of Vasai, Maharashtra. ii. The “Arnala” class of ships will replace the Indian Navy’s “Abhay” class ASW ships.
20. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to develop indigenous Satellite Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) products?
1) Quick Heal Technologies
2) Skylark Information Technologies
3) Hicube Infosec
4) eSec Forte Technologies
5) QNu Labs
Option “5” is correct. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) signed an MoU with Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based deep tech startup QNu Labs to develop indigenous Satellite Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) products. i. Under the MoU, QNu Labs, with the support of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and IN-SPACe, aims to demonstrate unlimited distance Satellite QKD based quantum secure communication.
22. In which state ‘Bhitarkanika national park’ is located?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Odisha
3) Andhra Pradesh
4) Maharashtra
5) West Bengal
Option “2” is correct. The annual census of dolphins began in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika national park and Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. • Over 100 wildlife experts were conducting the headcount in a three-day exercise. i. The exercise was being conducted using the ‘Transact Survey Method’, followed worldwide. The Odisha coast has emerged as an ideal habitat for dolphins with an impressive rise of 33% in their population. ii. A total of 726 dolphins were sighted during the census conducted in the last December-January season in the five coastal divisions in Chilika lagoon. iii. Six species of dolphins, Irrawaddy, Bottlenose, Humpback, Striped, Finless and Spinner were recorded during the last census.
23. In which state/UT ‘Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “2” is correct. About Jammu & Kashmir (J&K): Lieutenant Governor (LG) – Manoj Sinha Wildlife Sanctuary – Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary Airport – Srinagar International Airport (Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport), Jammu airport Satwari Airport
24. Kartik Aaryan was recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the brand ambassador of McDonald’s India (North and East).
Who is the current (as of Dec ‘22) Chairman of McDonald’s India – North & East?
Option “5” is correct. Sanjeev Agrawal is the Chairman of McDonald’s India – North & East. i. McDonald’s India (North and East), one of the country’s most prominent restaurant brands, has signed Kartik Aaryan, India’s most popular and charismatic celebrity, as its brand ambassador.
25. In December 2022, Tata Motors extended its association with Tata Open Maharashtra as the title sponsor for the _______ consecutive year.
1) 6th
2) 4th
3) 2nd
4) 5th
5) 3rd
Option “4” is correct. Tata Motors has extended its association with Tata Open Maharashtra as the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. The South Asia’s only ATP 250 is set to kick off on December 31 in Pune, Maharashtra. i. The company announced that its all-new Tata Safari will be the Official Partner for Tata Open Maharashtra. ii. The tournament has brought some of stars such as Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Carlos Moya to India in the past and this year 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic will headline the highly competitive field, featuring 17 top-100 players.
26. Which of the following is ‘not’ a type of prospectus according to the companies act 2013?
Option “5” is correct. The prospectus is a legal document for market participants and investors to pursue, detailing the features, prospects, and promise of a financial product. It is mandated by the law to be supplied to prospective customers. i. According to the companies act 2013, there are four types of prospectuses, Abridged Prospectus, Deemed Prospectus, Red Herring Prospectus, and Shelf Prospectus.
27. In December 2022, __________ was recognised with ‘A’ score for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP.
Option “1” is correct. Infosys has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ‘A List’ i. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2022 Climate Change questionnaire, Infosys is one of a small number of companies that achieved an ‘A’ out of nearly 15,000 companies scored. ii. CDP’s annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is widely recognized as the gold standard of corporate environmental
28. Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is a unique ________ digit alphanumeric code.
1) 12
2) 7
3) 11
4) 15
5) 10
Option “3” is correct. The Indian Financial System Code (IFSC), is a unique 11-digit alphanumeric code that is used for online fund transfer transactions done via National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and Immediate Mobile Payment Service (IMPS)
29. Which of the following Points are ‘Correct’ with respect to Project 75?
1) It is constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
2) It has Six Scorpene Submarines.
3) INS Kalvari is the first of the six indigenous Scorpene-class submarines.
4) Vagsheer the 6th and last Scorpene-class submarine
5) All the Above
Option “5” is correct. About Project – 75 (P-75): • Six Scorpene-class (P-75) are to be constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai. • The first submarine, “INS Kalvari,” was commissioned in December 2017, followed by 2nd submarine “INS Khanderi“ in September 2019, 3rd submarine “INS Karanj” in March 2021, and 4th submarine “INS Vela” in November 2021. • Vagir was launched into the water on November 12, 2020, and began sea trials on February 1, 2022. • “Vagsheer,” the 6th and last Scorpène-class submarine, was launched into the water in April 2022 and is scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy by the end of 2023.
30. Where is the Headquarters of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) located?
Option “4” is correct. About Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe): Chairman – Pawan Goenka Headquarters – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
