29th December Current Affairs : Vision IAS Current Affairs
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. Which drone manufacturer company has recently (in Dec ‘22) received the Type Certification approvals from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for agricultural drone ‘AG 365’?
Option “5” is correct. Marut Dronetech Private Limited, Hyderabad (Telangana)-based drone technology manufacturer, has received the Type Certification approvals from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for Marut Drones’ multi-utility agricultural drone AG 365. i. AG 365 – Agricopter is India’s 1st Multi-utility Agriculture Medium Category Drone to receive the prestigious certificate. Marut has also received Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) approvals from DGCA. ii. After receiving a Type Certificate for the AG 365 model, the Drone is now qualified for unsecured loans from the Agri Infrastructure Fund in the amount of Rs 10 lakh at a minimum interest rate of 5- 6%.
2. Which ministry became the nodal agency for online gaming and its intermediaries (in Dec’ 22), followed by the GoI’s notification to amend the Allocation of Business (AOB) Rules?
1) Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology
2) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
3) Ministry of Home Affairs
4) Ministry of Finance
5) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Option “1” is correct. President of India, Droupadi Murmu has signed a notification to amend the Allocation of Business (AOB) Rules to place online gaming under the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY). i. According to the 377th amendment of AOB rules, MeitY became the nodal agency of online gaming and its intermediaries. ii. For e-sports, the Department of Sports, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), has been notified as the nodal agency.
3. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the Central Tuberculosis (TB) Division (CTD) to undertake a TB elimination project in Uttar Pradesh & Chhattisgarh.
1) Bharat Petroleum Limited
2) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
3) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
4) Hindustan Petroleum Limited
5) Oil India Limited
Option “2” is correct. Indian Oil Corporation Limited signed an MoU with the Central Tuberculosis (TB) Division (CTD) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) and the states of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Chhattisgarh to undertake an intensified TB elimination project. This MoU will bolster the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end TB in India by 2025, 5 years ahead of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030. This MoU for the Anti-TB campaign was signed as a part of the IndianOil’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). i. With this, Indian Oil becomes the 1st corporate to implement a large-scale Active Case Finding campaign (ACF) in all 75 districts of UP, covering around 10% population once a year for 3 years.
4. Which state government and GoI has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed a ‘Cessation of Operation Agreement’ with Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) to promote peace?
Option “1” is correct. The GoI and Manipur government have signed a ‘Cessation of Operation Agreement’ with Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), an insurgent group of Manipur, in New Delhi, Delhi to Promote Peace. i. The agreement was signed by senior officers of the Union Home Ministry, the Manipur government, and the representatives of ZUF in the presence of State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
BANKING AND FINANCE
5. Which of the following points is/are ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the ‘Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2021-22’ published by the RBI in December 2022?
1) The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) declined to
3% in September 2022 from 5% in 2017-18.
2) As per the report, the banks may need to raise deposit rates more to meet a surge in credit demand
due to an increase in the credit growth during 2021-22.
3) By August 2022, out of a total of 462.5 million Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PM-JDY) accounts,
only 8.2% of PMJDY accounts were zero balance accounts.
4) In FY22, bank frauds increased in number terms with a report of 9,102 frauds of Rs 60,389 crore
against 7,358 frauds with an amount involved of Rs 1.37 lakh crore in FY21.
5) PVBs (Private Banks) surpassed PSBs (Public Sector Banks) in September 2022 by increasing their
share in total credit to 38.4% from 37.5% a year ago due to increase in demand.
Option “1” is correct. According to the Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2021-22 published by the RBI, the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio of SCBs declined to 5% in September 2022 from 9% in 2017-18. This is an annual report, a statutory publication in compliance with Section 36 (2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. i. As per the report, the banks may need to raise deposit rates more to meet a surge in credit demand due to an increase in the credit growth during 2021-22, the incremental credit-deposit (C-D) ratio reached a four-year high. ii. By August 2022, out of a total of 462.5 million Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PM-JDY) accounts, 81.2% were operative, up from 76% in 2017 and Only 8.2% of PMJDY accounts were zero balance accounts. iii. In FY22, bank frauds increased in number terms with a report of 9,102 frauds of Rs 60,389 crore against 7,358 frauds with an amount involved of Rs 1.37 lakh crore in FY21. iv. PVBs surpassed PSBs in September 2022 by increasing their share in total credit to 38.4% from 37.5% a year ago due to increase in demand. v. In cases where corporate insolvency resolution processes (CIRPs) were initiated under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code by financial creditors (FCs), realisations until September 2022 were close to 201% of the liquidation value.
6. In December 2022, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a _________ loan agreement with the GoI to improve urban services in three cities: Coimbatore, Madurai, and Thoothukudi of Tamil Nadu.
1) USD 150 million
2) USD 138 million
3) USD 140 million
4) USD 125 million
5) USD 100 million
Option “4” is correct. Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 125 million (about Rs 1,025 crore) loan agreement with Government of India (GoI) to develop climate-resilient sewage collection and treatment along with the drainage and water supply systems in three cities, Coimbatore, Madurai and Thoothukudi of Tamil Nadu (TN). i. This is the third and the last tranche (tranche 3 loan) of the USD 500 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the TN Urban Flagship Investment Programme approved by ADB in 2018 for building priority water supply, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure in strategic industrial corridors across 10 cities in TN.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
7. In December 2022, India assisted the 720 MW Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project (HEPP) was handed over to Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in _______.
Option “3” is correct. The India-assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project (HEPP), a 720 MW run-of-river power plant built on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag District, Bhutan, was handed over to Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in Bhutan. With this handing over, India and Bhutan have successfully completed 4 mega hydroelectric power projects. i. The construction of the hydropower project began in June 2012. The first of the four power plant units were commissioned in June 2019. ii. PTC India Limited and Druk Green Power Corporation signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project in August 2019.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
8. Which state’s Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) has been honoured with the “Effective Government Communication Award” in December 2022?
Option “4” is correct. The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Rajasthan, has been honoured with “Effective Government Communication Award” for taking public welfare schemes through digital media to the general public and the beneficiaries. i. The award was given by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) during the 44th Annual Convention of PSRI held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. ii. The award was presented by Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh to Arun Joshi, Additional Director of DIPR.
9. Name the Indian scientist who was recently (in Dec ‘22) recognised as one of Europe’s top immunology talents & chosen to join the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator network.
1) Vineeta Bal
2) Gursaran Talwar
3) Mahima Swamy
4) Sanjeev Das
5) Rafi Ahmed
Option “3” is correct. Mahima Swamy, an Indian scientist hailing from Bengaluru, Karnataka, has been chosen to join the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator network, recognising her as one of the top talents in biology – Immunology in Europe. i. Mahima Swamy’s membership is between 2023-2026 and her subject area is Immunology. ii. She is one among the 24 researchers in the EMBO Young Investigator network.
10. Name the Indian student who has recently (in Dec ‘22) recognised as an Ambassador of Change Award by the University of Canberra (UC) Australia.
Option “5” is correct. Vishal Mittal, an Indian student at the University of Canberra (UC), Australia, was recognised as an Ambassador of Change Award, for his outstanding work as a Student Mentor and contribution to the UC community. i. Vishal Mittal is one of the 9 Ambassadors of Change, who were recognised for their work in various areas. ii. The award was presented at the official awards night hosted by the University’s Equity and Participation team, which coincides with World Access to Higher Education Day (17th November 2022).
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
11. Name the union minister who has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched the right to repair portal, an NTH mobile app & new premises of National Consumer Helpline centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
1) Dharmendra Pradhan
2) Piyush Goyal
3) Narayan Tatu Rane
4) Jitendra Singh
5) Ashwini Vaishnaw
Option “2” is correct. On the occasion of the National Consumer Day 2022 (24th December 2022), Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, launched new initiatives, including the right to repair portal, an NTH mobile app and also opened new premises of National Consumer Helpline centre in New Delhi, Delhi. i. An MoU was also signed between the Consumer Affairs Department and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and launched a capacity building programme of consumer commissions. ii. Under the Consumer Protection law, a complaint must be disposed within 90 days of its filing and within 150 days wherever expert evidence is required to be taken.
12. Which Institute’s researchers has recently (in Dec ‘22) developed ‘SwasthGarbh‘ a mobile app for pregnant women along with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi?
Option “1” is correct. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee (Uttarakhand) researchers, in collaboration with All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, have developed a mobile application named ‘SwasthGarbh‘ to provide antenatal care and real-time medical support to pregnant women. i. SwasthGarbh is the 1st pregnancy App that provides immediate access to doctor’s advice and is clinically endorsed and credible. ii. Goal: To make the SwasthGarbh App reach every household in India and thus save precious maternal-fetal lives.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
13. Who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) re-appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SFB) for 3 years?
1) P. S. Jagdish
2) Baskar Babu Ramachandran
3) P Surendra Pai
4) G. V. Alankara
5) Ramachandran Rajaraman
Option “2” is correct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the re-appointment of Baskar Babu Ramachandran as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SFB) Limited for a further period of three years with effect from 23rd January 2023. i. RBI has approved the appointment under terms of the provisions of Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
14. Name the new Deputy Prime Ministers (PM) of Nepal and ministers who took the oath of office in December 2022.
1) Rabi Lamichhane (Deputy PM and Home Minister)
2) Narayan Kaji Shrestha (Deputy PM and Minister of Physical Infrastructure & Transport)
3) Bishnu Prasad Paudel (Deputy PM and Finance Minister)
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Option “5” is correct. President Bidya Devi Bhandari has administered the oath of office and secrecy of 3 new deputy Prime Ministers (PM) and Ministers. i. The 3 New Deputy PM and Ministers are Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Deputy PM and Finance Minister; Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Deputy PM and Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Rabi Lamichhane, Deputy PM and Home Minister.
15. In December 2022, who was appointed as the director of Kirloskar Systems Pvt. Ltd. (KSPL)’s joint-venture (JV) companies?
1) Nalini Venkatesh
2) Ajay Kumar Dua
3) K. Srinivasan
4) Manasi Tata
5) Krishna Rao
Option “4” is correct. Kirloskar Systems Pvt. Ltd. (KSPL) appointed Manasi Tata, late Vikram Kirloskar’s daughter, as Director on the board of KSPL’s joint-venture (JV) companies with immediate effect. Manasi Tata is a 5th-generation scion of the Kirloskar empire. i. The JV Companies include Toyota Industries Engine India Pvt. Ltd. (TIEI), Kirloskar Toyota Textile Machinery Pvt. Ltd. (KTTM), Toyota Material Handling India Pvt. Ltd. (TMHIN), and Denso Kirloskar Industries Pvt. Ltd. (DNKI).
SPORTS
16. In December 2022, Cricketer ‘Farhaan Behardien’ announced his retirement from professional cricket. Which country did he represent in international cricket?
1) Sri Lanka
2) New Zealand
3) Australia
4) West Indies
5) South Africa
Option “5” is correct. Farhaan Behardien, a 39-year-old South African Cricketer, announced his retirement from professional cricket concluding his 18-year international cricket career. i. He made his first-class debut in 2004 and made his T20I debut for South Africa against India in the year 2012. ii. Farhaan Behardien has played 59 ODIs and 38 T20Is scoring 1592 runs and scalping 17 wickets across formats. iii. He captained the South Africa national cricket team (also known as ‘Proteas’) in a 3-match T20 series against Sri Lankan in 2017.
Option “5” is correct. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the National Championship “Tehri Water Sports Cup” held at Tehri Lake and awarded medals to the winning teams of the first session. i. Addressing the event, Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that this is the first time this national-level sports competition is being organized in Tehri Lake.
18. In December 2022, Rajasthan’s first female bodybuilder ‘Priya Singh Meghwal’ won the gold medal in the 39th International Women’s Bodybuilding Competition in ________________.
1) Thailand
2) Malaysia
3) Indonesia
4) China
5) Singapore
Option “1” is correct. Rajasthan’s first female bodybuilder Priya Singh Meghwal won the gold medal in the 39th International Women’s Bodybuilding Competition held in Thailand.
19. Suhel Ajaz Khan has been recently (in Dec ‘22) appointed as the Ambassador of India to which country?
1) Qatar
2) Saudi Arabia
3) United Arab Emirates
4) Iraq
5) Kuwait
Option “2” is correct. Suhel Ajaz Khan, India’s ambassador to Lebanon, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). i. A member of the 1997 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, Khan has spent much of his diplomatic career in the Middle East and can speak Arabic. ii. He was also deputy chief of mission in Riyadh between 2017 and 2019 and held the personal rank of ambassador. He was subsequently appointed India’s ambassador in Beirut in 2019.
20. Who is the current (as of Dec ‘22) Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh?
Option “4” is correct. The first metro rail in Bangladesh was inaugurated in Dhaka by Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina. The train was flagged off in Dhaka for its first journey between Diabari and Agargaon station. i. This is part of the ambitious Bangladesh project of Mass Rapid Transit to be completed by 2030.
21. On 29th December 2022, India, Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement came into force, which was signed in April 2022.
What is the currency of Australia?
1) Peso
2) Euro
3) Dollar
4) Pound
5) Franc
Option “3” is correct. Canberra is the capital of Australia and the Dollar is the currency of Australia. i. India, Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement comes into force on 29th December 2022. India and Australia signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on the 2nd of April 2022. ECTA is the first trade agreement of India with a developed country after more than a decade. ii. Under this trade agreement, Indian exports will benefit from preferential zero-duty market access in Australia for 100 per cent of its tariff lines.
22. In which country ‘Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum’ is located?
1) Scotland
2) Germany
3) Norway
4) Sweden
5) Spain
Option “1” is correct. A new British Indian Army Memorial will be built in Scotland’s Glasgow city. The city’s local council has approved the plans subject to conditions. i. The memorial will commemorate the sacrifice of millions of Indian soldiers who fought alongside the British during World Wars I and II. The memorial will be built near the famed Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, Scotland.
23. In December 2022, Harfkar foundation announced that it will pay a tribute to celebrated poet Fehmi Badayuni for his contribution in ________ literature at the upcoming event ”Jashn-eFehmi”.
1) Gujarati
2) Marathi
3) Bengali
4) Hindi
5) Urdu
Option “5” is correct. Harfkar foundation will pay a tribute to celebrated poet Fehmi Badayuni for his contribution in Urdu literature at the upcoming event ”Jashn-e-Fehmi”. i. The programme, scheduled to be held at the India International Centre (IIC) on December 30, promises to host a soulful evening featuring works, ghazals and couplets- of well-known poets. ii. Zama Sher Khan, popularly known as Fehmi Badayuni, was born on January 4, 1952, in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh.
24. Western Hudson Bay in Canada, an inland sea connected to the ___________ Ocean.
1) North Pacific Ocean
2) North Atlantic Ocean
3) South Pacific Ocean
4) Arctic Ocean
5) South Atlantic Ocean
Option “4” is correct. Polar bears in Canada’s Western Hudson Bay, an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, are dying at a fast rate, according to a new government survey, the Associated Press reported in December 2022. It also revealed that females and younger polar bears are the worst affected. i. At the time of the survey, conducted by air in 2021, researchers calculated that there were 618 bears left in Western Hudson Bay, the region includes Churchill, the town that is known as ‘the Polar Bear Capital of the World’. ii. When the last survey took place in 2016, there were 842 bears in the area.
25. In which state ‘Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
Option “5” is correct. About Assam: National Parks – Manas National Park, Nameri National Park Wildlife Sanctuaries – Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
26. In December 2022, SpiceJet reappointed ________ as a director of the no-frills airline.
Option “1” is correct. Shareholders of SpiceJet approved the re-appointment of Ajay Singh as a director of the no-frills airline. At the annual general meeting, the shareholders also gave their nod for the adoption of audited financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2022.
27. In December 2022, Richarlison’s bicycle kick against Serbia was voted the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Richarlison belongs to which country?
1) Argentina
2) Morocco
3) Brazil
4) France
5) Spain
Option “3” is correct. Brazilian professional footballer, Richarlison’s bicycle kick against Serbia has been voted the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. i. Richarlison had his back to the goal when he used one touch to flick the ball up in the air near the penalty spot, then spun around and leaped off the ground to deliver a spectacular acrobatic kick into the net. ii. It helped Brazil win 2-0 over Serbia in the group stage.
28. Which country will host the start of the Tour de France for the first time in 2024?
1) Greece
2) Italy
3) Germany
4) Spain
5) Brazil
Option “2” is correct. Italy will host the start of the Tour de France for the first time in 2024. i. Race organisers confirmed that the ”grand départ” will take place on June 29 from Florence to Rimini to mark 100 years since Ottavio Bottecchia became the first Italian rider to win the Tour. ii. Italy will host the first three stages of the 2024 race, which will end on July 21 in Nice instead of Paris because of the Olympic Games. It will be the first time since 1905 that the finish is not in the French capital.
29. As per the data shared by the Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha, India’s maiden human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of ____________.
1) 2025
2) 2023
3) 2026
4) 2024
5) 2027
Option “4” is correct. The Government of India announced, India’s maiden human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, is targeted to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2024. This was stated by Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha
STATE NEWS
30. Which state’s Forest Department has recently (December 22) partnered with the HCL Foundation (HCLF) to create a debris-free Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park?
1) Odisha
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) Tamil Nadu
4) Kerala
5) West Bengal
Option “3” is correct. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD) has joined hands with HCL Foundation (HCLF), the CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) arm of HCLTech, to address the issue of ghost nets and marine debris in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu. i. Additionally, a 3-year action plan and widespread awareness campaigns for a “Debris-Free Gulf of Mannar” will be conducted. ii. The Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve is the 1st Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia. In August 2022, the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve was recognised as the RAMSAR site.
