23rd December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched GIXI, India’s First Gas Price Index.
1) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
2) Indian Gas Exchange
3) Hindustan Petroleum Limited
4) Oil India Limited
5) Bharat Petroleum Limited
Option “2” is correct. The Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) launched GIXI, the first ever, nationwide price index to reflect benchmark natural gas prices for India. This launch is on the lines with international benchmarks such as JKM (Japan Korea Marker), HH (Henry Hub), WIM (West India Marker), TTF (Dutch). i. It was launched by Tarun Kapoor, former petroleum secretary and advisor to Prime Minister of India during an event in New Delhi, Delhi. ii. At IGX, over 447 lakh MMBtus (1.1 billion Cubic Meters) of gas has been traded since inception.
2. In December 2022, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) signed its 150th innovation contract with ________ based Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd.
1) Pune, Maharashtra
2) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
3) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
4) New Delhi, Delhi
5) Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Option “1” is correct. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), an initiative of Department of Defence Production (DDP), signed an innovation contract with Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd, Pune (Maharashtra). This was the 150th contract of iDEX. i. Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd, Pune is a winner of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition on the theme ‘Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target (EMATT) capable of simulating the sound and movement of a submarine’.
3. The ________ meeting of the Experts and Coordinators of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Interbank Consortium (SCO-IBC), the first to be held under India’s presidency, at New Delhi, Delhi in December 2022.
1) 17th
2) 15th
3) 19th
4) 16th
5) 18th
Option “3” is correct. The 19th meeting of the Experts and Coordinators of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Interbank Consortium (SCO-IBC), the first to be held under India’s presidency, came to an end in New Delhi, Delhi. i. The SCO IBC will be led by India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) from October 26 to October 25, 2023. ii. The SCO-IBC is presided over by Pawan Kumar, Deputy Managing Director of IIFCL. iii. Recently, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi attended the 22nd SCO Summit, which took place on September 15-16, 2022, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
ECONOMY AND BUSINESS
4. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) for Clean Energy Solutions?
1) Tata Projects Ltd
2) L&T Infrastructure Development Projects
3) Atlanta Ltd
4) Valecha Engineering Ltd
5) TanTia Construction Ltd
Option “1” is correct. Tata Projects Limited signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, to jointly work towards clean energy solutions. i. This MoU is in line with the CSIR-IIP’s mandate to reduce India’s energy imports and enhance national self-reliance by repurposing waste and under-utilised local renewable carbon resources.
5. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed a time charter contract with the Japanese transport firm Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) for a new-build Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier.
1) Bharat Petroleum Limited
2) GAIL India
3) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
4) Hindustan Petroleum Limited
5) Indian Oil Corporation
Option “2” is correct. State-owned GAIL (India) Limited and Japanese transport firm Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), signed a time charter contract through its wholly owned subsidiary, for a new-build Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier, and also for joint ownership of an existing LNG carrier. i. The vessel will be built by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering with a charter period from 2023. ii. This is the 2nd agreement for a LNG carrier signed between MOL and GAIL. iii. The 1st carrier, under the agreement signed in 2019, ships LNG from the United States of America Gulf Coast to India.
6. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with Cognizant for Advanced Digital Tools.
Option “4” is correct. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (Cognizant), United States (US)-based Information Technology (IT) service provider, signed an MoU with Chennai (Tamil Nadu)-based Garuda Aerospace, a homegrown drone startup, to power its drones with advanced digital tools. i. Cognizant and Garuda Aerospace will work together to deliver a wide range of drone-based management and monitoring services for companies across all sectors.
BANKING AND FINANCE
7. Which of the following points are ‘correct’ with respect to the recent (in Dec ‘22) step taken by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)?
A) IFSCA introduced a regulatory framework for Distribution of Capital Market Products and Services under IFSCA (Capital Market Intermediaries) Regulations, 2021 from international financial services centres (IFSCs).
B) With this, distributors of capital market products can register with the IFSCA, and undertake global distribution from these IFSCs and offer their services to clients in various jurisdictions.
C) IFSCA and Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) have signed an MoU for mutual assistance and cooperation in the area of sustainable finance.
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 International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) introduced a regulatory framework for Distribution of Capital Market Products and Services under IFSCA (Capital Market Intermediaries) Regulations, 2021 from international financial services centres (IFSCs). • Currently, there is only one IFSC in India i.e. GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City in Gujarat. • The Capital market products include securities as covered under Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956. i. With this, distributors of capital market products can register with the IFSCA, and undertake global distribution from these IFSCs and offer their services to clients in various jurisdictions. ii. IFSCA and Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) have signed an MoU for mutual assistance and cooperation in the area of sustainable finance.
8. Which bank has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to provide Financial Services to Startups?
1) IDBI Bank
2) HDFC Bank
3) YES Bank
4) ICICI Bank
5) Axis Bank
Option “2” is correct. Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has signed an MoU with HDFC Bank Limited to facilitate an array of banking services to startups in the state through KSUM’s smart solution SmartUp. The MoU has a time frame of 1 year. i. This MoU is a part of the bank’s ongoing effort to support startup culture in Kerala. ii. Under this MoU, KSUM will refer startups to SmartUp which will provide smart financial tools, advisory services and technology to aid in achieving their goals.
9. Name the digital payment company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as Payment Aggregator (PA).
Option “4” is correct. Worldline ePayments India, a leader in digital payments, has received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as a Payment Aggregator (PA) under the provisions of Guidelines on Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways dated March 17, 2020. i. WEIPL received this communication from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 20, 2022.
10. Name the organisation that has recently (in Dec ‘22) introduced “Bima Vahaks“ in each Gram Panchayat to strengthen the insurance force in India.
1) Small Industries Development Bank of India
2) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
3) Securities and Exchange Board of India
4) Reserve Bank of India
5) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
Option “5” is correct. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) will soon introduce “Bima Vahaks“ in each Gram Panchayat in order to strengthen the insurance force in India. i. Rakesh Joshi, an IRDAI member, made the announcement during the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2022 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. ii. A “Bima Vahak” will be assigned to each Gram Panchayat, to sell and service the ‘Bima Vistar’ line of basic parametric bundled insurance policies, which provide protection against health, property, life, and personal accident.
11. Which has recently (in Dec ‘22) enabled its clients to pay customs duty online by going live on the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE)?
1) YES Bank
2) ICICI Bank
3) Karnataka Bank
4) RBL Bank
5) HDFC Bank
Option “3” is correct. Karnataka Bank has enabled its clients to pay customs duty online by going live on the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), the national gateway of Indian Customs of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. i. All of Karnataka Bank’s corporate and individual customers will be able to pay customs duty at their convenience because of the bank’s integration on the ICEGATE platform. ii. This digital initiative is dedicated to the clients under the KBL–Nxt Digital Transformation project of the bank.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
12. Who was recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the Chairperson of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC)?
Option “4” is correct. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Justice Hemant Gupta, retired Supreme Court Judge, as the Chairperson of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) and Ganesh Chandru and Anant Vijay Palli as part-time members of NDIAC. About New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC): The NDIAC, under the Ministry of Law and Justice was established for creating an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration. Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi Establishment – 1961
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
13. Which organisation has recently (in Dec ‘22) got selected by NASA to Provide Launch Services for Sentinel-6B Mission?
1) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2) Blue Origin
3) SpaceX
4) European Space Agency
5) Canadian Space Agency
Option “3” is correct. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States (US) has granted Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, US, a contract for launch services for the ‘Sentinel-6B mission’ worth approximately USD 94 million. • The mission aims to continue global sea level observations for at least the next 10 years. i. It is a collaboration among NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). ii. The Sentinel-6B mission will be launched in November 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
14. Which organisation formally retired its Mars InSight lander after more than 4 years of collecting unique science on Mars on 15th December 2022?
1) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2) European Space Agency
3) SpaceX
4) Canadian Space Agency
5) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Option “5” is correct. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) formally retired its Mars InSight lander after more than 4 years of collecting unique science on Mars. The last time InSight communicated with Earth was on 15th December 2022. i. InSight was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on 5th May 2018 and landed on Mars on 26th November 2018. ii. InSight was the first robotic probe that was specially designed to study the interior of Mars, the red planet. NASA declared the mission over when InSight missed 2 consecutive communication sessions with the spacecraft orbiting Mars.
15. Name the personality from India who is among the 8-Member Crew for SpaceX Moon Trip on a Starship spacecraft in 2023.
1) Dev Joshi
2) Anushka Sen
3) Rudra Soni
4) Vansh Sayani
5) Ashnoor Kaur
Option “1” is correct. Dev Joshi, an India actor and influencer, is one of the 8 people who will fly to the moon in 2023 on a Starship spacecraft developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. • This first civilian expedition to the moon is referred to as the “dearMoon Project.” i. Dev Joshi is well known for his role as Baalveer in the television series “Baalveer.” ii. The ‘dearMoon Project’ was announced in 2018, and crew selection began in 2021.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
16. In December 2022, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL) signed definitive agreements to acquire a 100% equity stake in Metro Cash and Carry India Pvt Ltd (Metro India) for a cash consideration of ____________.
Option “1” is correct. Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), signed definitive agreements to acquire a 100% equity stake in Metro Cash and Carry India Pvt Ltd (Metro India), the Indian arm of the German Retailer Metro AG, for a cash consideration of Rs 2,850 crore. i. The transaction is scheduled to close by March 2023, subject to a few regulatory requirements and other usual closing conditions. ii. METRO AG started operations in India in 2003 as the first company to introduce cash-and-carry business format in India.
OBITUARY
17. In December 2022, Padma Shri awardee and gamaka exponent, H.R. Keshavamurthy,
passed away.
In which year did he receive Padma Shri award in the field of Art?
1) 2020
2) 2022
3) 2018
4) 2021
5) 2019
Option “2” is correct. H.R. Keshavamurthy, a senior gamaka exponent and a Padma Shri awardee passed away in Hosahalli in Shivamogga taluk, Karnataka. i. Gamaka, also known as kaavya vaachana, is an art form of meaningful and melodious rendering of verses from classical epics that originated in Karnataka. ii. In 2022, The President of India honoured him with the Padma Shri award, India’s 4th highest civilian award, in the field of arts for his contributions towards preserving Kavya Vachana, a storytelling in the form of art in Karnataka.
STATE NEWS
18. Which state has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched the 24-Hour Drink from Tap project in 19 cities and towns?
Option “2” is correct. Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, launched the 24-Hour Drink from Tap project in 19 cities and towns of Odisha, which would benefit over 5.5 lakh people. i. It was launched virtually under the 5T initiative (Teamwork, technology, transparency, transformation and time limit). ii. In 2021, Odisha’s Puri was the 1st city in the state to have a drink-from-tap facility. Gopalpur is the 2nd city in Odisha to facilitate the project.
19. Which state has recently (in Dec ‘22) inaugurated the partial commissioning of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-Assisted Guwahati Water Supply Project?
Option “4” is correct. Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, inaugurated the partial commissioning of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-Assisted Guwahati Water Supply Project at an event held on the premises of its water treatment plant at Kharghuli, Guwahati, Assam. i. The project which was launched in 2009 is scheduled to be ready for full commissioning by March 2024. ii. The project has the capacity to provide 1.25 lakh families in parts of Guwahati with a 24-hours water supply.
20. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed the long-term charter agreement with the Atlantic Gulf & Pacific International Holdings (AG&P) to utilise ‘Ghasha’ as a Floating Storage Unit (FSU) in India.
Option “4” is correct. ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S), the maritime logistics arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Atlantic Gulf & Pacific International Holdings (AG&P), Singapore-based downstream Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) platform and infrastructure development company, have signed the long-term charter agreement to utilise Ghasha, an ADNOC L&S liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, as a Floating Storage Unit (FSU) in India. i. This agreement is valid for 11 years with the option of a 4 year extension. ii. This is the 3rd charter agreement signed between ADNOC L&S and AG&P for a floating storage unit lease in India and the Philippines.
21. In December 2022, Kerala’s 1st smart mobile composting unit was inaugurated by Minister for Local Self-Government of Kerala, M.B. Rajesh, in __________.
Option “1” is correct. M.B. Rajesh, Minister for Local Self-Government of Kerala, inaugurated Kerala’s 1st smart mobile composting unit, which was jointly launched by Suchitwa Mission and the Kerala Mission in Pallithottam, Kerala. i. The innovative idea of smart mobile composting that scientifically treats waste from auditoriums and large catering centres and turns it into manure. ii. Up to 500 kilogrammes (Kg) of garbage can be processed and turned into manure each hour using the device.
IMPORTANT DAYS
22. When was National Mathematics Day 2022 observed across India?
1) 18th December 2022
2) 19th December 2022
3) 20th December 2022
4) 21st December 2022
5) 22nd December 2022
Option “5” is correct. National Mathematics Day 2022 was celebrated across India on 22nd December 2022 to mark the birth anniversary of renowned Indian Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who was born on 22nd December 1887 in Erode, Madras Presidency, British India (now Tamil Nadu, India). • 22nd December 2022 marks the 135th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan. • The first-ever National Mathematics Day was observed on 22nd December 2012. i. The SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for 2022 was awarded to Yunqing Tang, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, United States of America (USA) for her works in arithmetic and geometry of modular curves and Shimura varieties. ii. An American biographer and science writer, Robert Kanigel authored Srinivasa Ramanujan’s biography “The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan” published in 1991.
CA STATIC GK
23. In which state ‘Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
24. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will organize a one of its kind musical event, Dance to Decarbonise at National Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi in December 2022.
Who is the current (in Dec ‘22) union minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas?
Option “1” is correct. Hardeep Singh Puri is the union minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. i. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will organize a one of its kind musical event, Dance to Decarbonise, National Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi in December 2022. ii. The Ministry has informed that the renewable energy generated through dance will be used to charge electric vehicles. iii. The event aims at showcasing India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 weighing against the country’s growing economy, rising energy requirements, and the implementation of responsible energy sources over transformational energy systems for the future.
25. Where is the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) located?
1) Lausanne, Switzerland
2) New York City, USA
3) Rome, Italy
4) Vienna, Austria
5) Montreal, Canada
Option “1” is correct. The Headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is located in Lausanne, Switzerland, Established on 23 June 1894. The current President of the IOC is Thomas Bach. i. World Aquatics announces men can compete in artistic swimming at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 for the first time in history after approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ii. Approval from the International Olympic Committee means a maximum of two men can be selected among eight athletes in the team event that is due to include 10 nations.
26. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘22) partnered with the Gujarat Titans as the Official Hydration Partner?
1) Red Bull India
2) Dabur India
3) Bisleri
4) Orient Beverage Limited
5) Coca-Cola India
Option “3” is correct. Bisleri, the leading packaged drinking water brand of India, has partnered with Gujarat Titans as the Official Hydration Partner. It has forged a three-year association, starting with the 2023 cricket season. i. Bisleri, with a legacy of more than 50 years, has been championing the narrative on the importance of staying hydrated and healthy, a cause which is strongly connected with today’s youth.
27. Every year, the United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on _______________.
1) 24th November
2) 18th August
3) 16th September
4) 19th May
5) 5th December
Option “3” is correct. The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is annually observed across the globe on September 16. i. 16 September 2022 marks the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. ii. The governments of 46 countries across the globe signed the “Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer” or “Montreal Protocol” on 16 September 1987. iii. Econario, the 5.5-metre-tall artwork took a year to build from recycled steel and is on display in Montreal Convention Centre, keeping policymakers at the COP15 meeting on their toes as they attempt to hammer out a deal to protect ecosystems.
28. In December 2022, ____________ passed a gender recognition reform bill, making it easier to legally change gender.
1) Italy
2) Scotland
3) California
4) Ireland
5) Spain
Option “2” is correct. Scotland ‘s lawmakers passed a gender recognition reform bill, making it easier to legally change gender. i. The legislation, which garnered 86 votes in favour but 39 against in December 2022, was voted through following a marathon week of parliamentary scrutiny
29. Who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) selected to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF)?
Option “4” is correct. Sania Mirza from Mirzapur, has been selected to become a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force and would be the country’s first Muslim girl and the state’s first IAF pilot. i. Sania Mirza is a resident of Jasovar village under the Mirzapur Dehat Kotwali police station area. She secured this position by passing the NDA exam. She has brought laurels not only to the district but also to the state and the country.
30. Who is the current (as of Dec ‘22) Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)?
