31st December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Which organisation has recently (in Dec ‘22) issued its recommendations on 10-year ‘Renewal of Multi-System Operators (MSOs) Registration’?
1) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
2) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
3) Small Industries Development Bank of India
4) NITI Aayog
5) Securities and Exchange Board of India
Option “1” is correct. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued its recommendations on ‘Renewal of MultiSystem Operators (MSOs) Registration’. i. It has recommended that the renewal of registration of multi-system operators (MSOs), who are master cable operators, should be done for a 10-year period and the process fee kept at Rs 1 lakh. Note- MSOs are large cable operators, who provide cable or direct-broadcast satellite television channels to consumer homes via local cable operators (LCOs).
2. In December 2022, __________ became India’s 1st Complete Library Constituency.
1) Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
2) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
3) Kolkata, West Bengal
4) Dharmadam, Kerala
5) Baroda, Gujarat
Option “4” is correct. Dharmadam, the constituency of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan became first in India to achieve the position of complete library constituency. i. Out of the total 138 wards in the constituency, there were no libraries in 63 wards and Dharmadam reached the achievement with the opening of libraries in all wards in the constituency. Note – Kerala is the first state to achieve 100 % literacy status in India.
3. In December 2022, National Health Authority released a beta version of the lightweight, robust, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)- compliant HMIS.
What is the abbreviation of HMIS?
1) Health Management Information System
2) Hospital Management Identification System
3) Health Mission Information System
4) Hospital Management Information System
5) Hospital Monitor Information System
Option “4” is correct. National Health Authority (NHA) has released a beta version of the lightweight, robust, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission-compliant Hospital Management Information System (HMIS). i. The goal of this HMIS solution is to give healthcare professionals a digital platform, particularly focusing on private clinics and small health facilities. ii. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to build the foundation for India’s digital health infrastructure, is being implemented by NHA as the nodal agency.
4. In December 2022, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) allowed companies to hold their Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) through video conference (VC) mode till __________.
1) 31st January 2023
2) 30th April 2023
3) 30th September 2023
4) 31st March 2023
5) 30th June 2023
Option “3” is correct. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has allowed companies to hold their Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) through video conference (VC) mode till September 30, 2023. i. This extension is applicable for companies whose financial year ends on December 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023. • EGM can be held through VC till September 30, 2023 for passing of any type of Ordinary and Special Resolution • AGM can be held through VC for the FY ended March 31, 2023 or any previous financial years till September 30, 2023 for conducting any Special or ordinary business.
5. Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an agreement with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for incubation of newer technologies into commercial products.
Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) headquartered in which city?
Option “5” is correct. Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra signed an agreement with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for incubation of newer technologies into commercial products. i. The agreement was signed to commemorate the launch of the AIC at the BARC to speed up conversion of products from research labs to markets. ii. Under the framework of AIC-BARC, the scientists at the BARC will mentor the incubatee industries for further improvisation and development of market-ready products.
6. Which Indian Institute is set to be the secretariat of the Science 20 (S20), the science working group of the Group of Twenty (G20)?
1) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
2) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru
3) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati
4) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
5) University of Delhi
Option “2” is correct. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) based in Bengaluru, Karnataka is set to be the secretariat of the S20 – Science 20, the science working group of the Group of Twenty (G20). i. The Science 20 (S20) 2023 will work towards resolving common global-level challenges like poverty. ii. The theme of the S20 2023 is “Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development”.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
7. Who was recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?
Option “3” is correct. Ganji Kamala Vardhana Rao, a 1990 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). i. Kamala Vardhana Rao was previously the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Tourism Department Corporation (ITDC), a Miniratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Tourism.
8. In December 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Prime Minister (PM) of _______ for the 6th Time.
1) Kenya
2) Jordan
3) Uganda
4) Iraq
5) Israel
Option “5” is correct. Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel’s 25th Prime Minister (PM) for the 6th time, leading the right-wing Likud party, and Israel is set to get its 37th government. i. Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in following his presentation to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) coalition agreements signed by 6 parties on 28th December 2022. ii. Benjamin Netanyahu succeeds Yair Lapid, who served briefly as PM (July 2022- December 2022). iii. Benjamin Netanyahu was elected PM of Israel for the 1st time in 1996.
BANKING AND FINANCE
9. In December 2022, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) made Know Your Customer (KYC) norms mandatory for the purchase of all new insurance policies from ________________.
1) 1st March 2023
2) 1st January 2023
3) 1st April 2023
4) 1st May 2023
5) 1st February 2023
Option “2” is correct. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has made Know Your Customer (KYC) norms mandatory for the purchase of all new insurance policies, irrespective of their premiums, starting January 1, 2023. • This rule will apply to all types of insurance — life, general and health insurance. i. At present, KYC documents are not mandatory for buying non-life or general insurance policies such as health insurance, auto insurance, and travel insurance policies. • Currently, only at the time of claim in health insurance policies, especially if the claim value is greater than Rs 1 lakh, the customer is required to submit the PAN (Permanent Account Number) card and Aadhar. ii. Currently, a policyholder is required to provide a PAN card or Form 60 if the aggregate insurance premium is Rs 50,000 or more in a financial year.
10. In December 2022, the Maha Metro Corporation raised a loan of Rs. 3,586 crore for the second phase of its Metro project in Nagpur from which of the following orgnaisation?
1) Asian Development Bank
2) European Investment Bank
3) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
4) Both 1 & 2
5) Both 2 & 3
Option “4” is correct. The Maha Metro Corporation has finalised its debt arrangement and raised a loan of Rs. 3,586 crores from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the second phase of its Metro project in Nagpur. i. Around 630 million Euros was arranged during the first phase of the project and was funded by France’s AFD and KFW, a German agency. ii. The Phase II of the project will extend the existing 4 corridors of Phase-I covering a total distance of 43.8 km. The second phase will be completed by 2026.
11. Name the health insurance company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed a pact with the Swara Fincare Limited to pay 3 EMIs of the customer in case of hospitalization for 5 days or more.
1) Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance
2) Niva Bupa Health Insurance
3) Bharti AXA Health Insurance
4) Aditya Birla Health Insurance
5) Star Health and Allied Insurance
Option “2” is correct. Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited (formerly Max Bupa Health Insurance) signed a pact with Swara Fincare Limited, a non-banking-lender, to pay the debtors’ 3 EMIs (equated monthly installments) if they were hospitalized for more than 5 days. i. According to Niva Bupa, less than 20% of the rural population currently has health insurance. ii. Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Swara Fincare are collaborating to democratise health insurance in India to close the gap when the debtor was hospitalized.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
12. Name the union minister who has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched ‘Prahari Mobile App and Manual of Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi, Delhi.
1) Raj Nath Singh (Union minister of Defence)
2) Nirmala Sitharaman (Union minister of Finance)
3) Amit Shah (Union minister of Home Affairs)
4) Pralhad Joshi (Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs)
5) Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister of Law and Justice)
Option “3” is correct. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Mobile App ‘Prahari’ and Manual of Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi. i. The BSF ‘Prahari’ app is a great example of Proactive Governance. Jawans can get personal information and information related to accommodation, Ayushmann-CAPF and leaves on their mobiles. • This app will also connect the jawans with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) portal.
13. In December 2022, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired the extended range version of BrahMos air missile from _________ aircraft.
Option “4” is correct. The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired the extended range version of BrahMos air launched missile against a ship target from a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft. i. The range of the missile is ~450-km, and travels at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost thrice the speed of sound. ii. The missile achieved the desired objectives in the Bay of Bengal region and the successful test firing was a joint effort by the Air Force, Indian Navy, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the BrahMos Aerospace (BAPL).
STATE NEWS
14. In which state, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the New Zuari Bridge across Zuari River?
Option “1” is correct. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, inaugurated the new Zuari bridge in Goa, which links North and South Goa. i. The 13.20-kilometre cost 2530 Crores and the 8-lane bridge connecting Bambolim and Verna over the Zuari River will greatly improve transportation between North and South Goa. ii. Zuari bridge is India’s 2nd largest Cable Stayed bridge, located on National Highway (NH)- 17/NH-66 on the Panjim (Goa)-Mangaluru (Karnataka) section in the state of Goa.
OBITUARY
15. In December 2022, Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento), a three-time FIFA World Cup winner, passed away. Which country did he represent at the FIFA World Cups?
1) Argentina
2) Brazil
3) France
4) Poland
5) England
Option “2” is correct. Former Brazilian Footballer and 3-time FIFA World Cup Winner Pelé (real name: Edson Arantes do Nascimento), passed away at the age of the age of 82 in State of São Paulo, Brazil. He was nicknamed O Rei (The King) and fondly known as “The King of Football”. i. He holds the record for all-time leading scorer of the Brazilian national football team with 77 goals which he scored in 92 appearances. ii. He scored the most number of goals in football’s history. He scored a total of 1,283 goals in 1,366 matches. iii. During his international career, he won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962 and 1970 and He is the only Men’s football player to have won 3 FIFA World Cup titles.
CA STATIC GK
16. Name the Indian cricketer who became sixth-highest run-getter for India in One Day International (ODI)s in December 2022.
Option “3” is correct. Skipper Rohit Sharma has achieved yet another feat in his illustrious career as he became sixthhighest run-getter for India in One Day International (ODI)s in December 2022. i. Rohit Sharma also progressed in his quest of reaching the magical 10,000-run mark as he now needed only 597 runs to attain the feat.
17. Name the cricketer who has recently (in Dec ‘22) become the costliest cricketer ever in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
1) Chris Morris
2) Ishan Kishan
3) Pat Cummins
4) Sam Curran
5) Ben Stokes
Option “4” is correct. England All-rounder Sam Curran became the costliest cricketer ever to be bought by any franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its 15-year history. i. Sam Curran is a 24-year-old who was bought by Punjab Kings on the first day of the IPL auction for Rs.18.5 crores. The IPL auctions for the 2023 season are being held in Kerala. ii. Sam Curran broke cricketer Ishan Kishan’s record who was picked last season for Rs.15.25 crore by Mumbai Indians.
18. Name the personality who has recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the brand ambassador of Pottery Barn.
Option “2” is correct. Pottery Barn, an American company and a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, has roped in Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone as its brand ambassador and announced the launch of its first retail location in September in Delhi.
19. In December 2022, Footballer ‘Eden Hazard’ announced his retirement from International Football. Which country did he represent as captain in FIFA World Cup 2022?
1) Morocco
2) Denmark
3) Argentina
4) France
5) Belgium
Option “5” is correct. Belgium captain Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from international football after Belgium’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2022. i. Eden Hazard made his international debut in 2008 and scored 33 times in 126 appearances. He helped Belgium reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions France, and beat England in the third-placed playoff.
20. In which city, the 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was inaugurated in December 2022?
1) Panaji, Goa
2) Pune, Maharashtra
3) Gandhinagar, Gujarat
4) Bengaluru, Karnataka
5) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Option “1” is correct. The 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was inaugurated in December 2022 at Panaji, Goa in the presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism and Shipping, Ports and Waterways Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha. i. The 9th WAC aims to showcase the efficacy and strength of the AYUSH systems of medicine at the Global level.
21. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM2023) in ________________.
1) Paris, France
2) Geneva, Switzerland
3) Rome, Italy
4) Vienna, Austria
5) London, United Kingdom
Option “3” 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. An Indian delegation led by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Smt. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), DA&FW and other senior officials were present at the opening ceremony. ii. During the event, India’s ceremonial message by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conveyed by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.
22. Who is the current (as of Dec ‘22) Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICICI Bank?
Option “4” is correct. Sandeep Bakhshi is the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICICI Bank since October 15, 2018. Prior to his appointment as MD & CEO, he was a Wholetime Director and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Bank. i. Private sector ICICI Bank announced that it has raised Rs 5,000 crore through bonds to fund business growth. ii. The bank has allotted 50,000 senior unsecured redeemable long-term bonds in the nature of debentures aggregating to Rs 5,000 crore on private placement basis, the date of allotment being December 12, 2022. iii. The bonds are redeemable at the end of 7 years (redemption date being December 12, 2029)
23. According to the fifth edition of Coal vs Renewable Financial Analysis released in December 2022, L&T Finance replaced _____________ as the biggest financier in project finance for renewable energy in 2021.
1) State Bank of India
2) Tata Power Company Ltd
3) Reliance Industries Ltd
4) Websol Energy System Ltd
5) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
Option “1” is correct. The fifth edition of Coal vs Renewable Financial Analysis identifies L&T Finance replacing State Bank of India (SBI) as the biggest financier in project finance for renewable energy in 2021. i. The fifth edition of Coal vs Renewable Financial Analysis, authored by Climate Trends and Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA), was released at CFA’s annual energy finance conference hosted in collaboration with IIT Madras.
24. In which city of Kerala, the 27th edition of International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) was held in December 2022?
Option “4” is correct. The 27th edition of International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) was held in Thiruvananthapuram from 9th to 16th December 2022. i. For the past few years, due to the pandemic crisis, IFFK could not be held in the month of December and the previous two editions were held in the months of February and March.
25. Where is the Headquarters of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?
Option “2” is correct. About the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): The FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 on 23rd August 2006. Chairperson- Rajesh Bhushan Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- G. Kamala Vardhana Rao Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
