Current Affairs Quiz: 15 December 2023

AffairsCloud brings you the complete and important daily Current Affairs Quiz 15 December 2023 to achieve more marks in Banking, Insurance, UPSC, SSC, CLAT, Railways and all other competitive Exams. We have prepared the current affairs quiz question from our daily current affairs 2023 updates.

Our Current Affairs December 2023 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Current Affairs Quiz.

1. According to the Mercer’s Quality of Living City Ranking 2023 released in December 2023, __________ (city) ranked 153rd & tops among Indian Cities for the 6th time, while Vienna (Austria) topped the list for the _________ consecutive year.
   1) Hyderabad (Telangana); 9th
   2) Bengaluru (Karnataka); 10th
   3) Hyderabad (Telangana); 11th
   4) Bengaluru (Karnataka); 9th
   5) New Delhi (Delhi); 11th
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-3) Hyderabad (Telangana); 11th
   Explanation:
   According to Mercer’s Quality of Living City Ranking 2023, Hyderabad (Telangana); Pune(Maharashtra) and Bengaluru(Karnataka) ranked 153rd, 154th and 156th respectively, have emerged as the top three Best cities in India in terms of living standard. For the 6th time, Hyderabad has emerged as the Best Indian city.
   i. Vienna(Austria) has topped the list for the 11th consecutive year and retained its title as the Best City offering the highest quality of life in the world, followed by Zurich(Switzerland), and Auckland(New Zealand) in the 2nd and 3rd ranks.
    The quality of living (QOL) ranking evaluates the practicalities of daily life for employees working abroad and their families in assignment locations worldwide. This relies on data from over 500 cities all over the world.
    Mercer produces a worldwide QOL ranking annually from its Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.
   
   
   
2. Which Small Finance Bank (SFB) has recently (in Dec ‘23) entered into a bancassurance partnership with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance for the distribution of life insurance products?
   1) Ujjivan SFB
   2) AU SFB
   3) Capital SFB
   4) Equitas SFB
   5) ESAF SFB
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-1) Ujjivan SFB
   Explanation:
   ICICI Prudential Life Insurance limited have entered into a bancassurance partnership Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (SFB) Limited for the distribution of life insurance products .
    Under this partnership, Ujjivan SFB’s 700+ branches across 26 states and Union Territories will offer the entire suite of ICICI Prudential Life’s customer-friendly protection, long-term savings, and retirement products to its customers.
    On the pure protection platform, ICICI Pru iProtect Smart and ICICI Pru iProtect Return of Premium will be available.
    For long-term savings, customers will be able to conveniently purchase ICICI Pru GIFT Pro, ICICI Pru Gold, and ICICI Pru Signature.
    For retirement planning, ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi will aid Ujjivan SFB customers in systematically planning for their retirement.
   
   
   
3. Name the bank that has recently (in Dec ‘23) recognised as the top performer of the 2023 Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) Awards for Climate Reporting.
   1) Canara Bank
   2) Federal Bank
   3) State Bank of India
   4) Union Bank of India
   5) Bank of Baroda
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-2) Federal Bank
   Explanation:
   International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has recognised Federal Bank Limited as the top performer of the 2023 Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) Awards for Climate Reporting.
   i. Federal Bank emerged as a standout performer by securing 2 positions on the global stage and 4 recognitions in the South Asian Region.
   ii. Accolades Received by Federal Bank:
    Global recognition:
    Highest Climate Loan Amount Reported
    Most (Greenhouse Gas) GHG Mitigated.
    FY23 Regional Award (South Asia):
    Most Transactions Reported
    Highest Climate Loan Amount Reported
    Most GHG Mitigated
    Best Achievement vs Climate Targets
   Note: Around 258 financial institutions across the globe are participating in climate reporting through the CAFI tool.
   
   
   
4. Name the personality who has recently (in Dec ‘23) honoured with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)’s Nyholm Prize for Education.
   1) Savita Ladage
   2) Basudeb Dasgupta
   3) Anish Ghosh
   4) Jayanth Kumar
   5) Ajay Sharma
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-1) Savita Ladage
   Explanation:
   Savita Ladage Professor at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, Maharashtra, has been honoured with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)’s Nyholm Prize for Education, in recognition for her contributions to chemistry education.
    As a part of the prize, Prof. Ladage will receive a cash prize of 5,000 British pound sterling (GBP), along with a medal and a certificate.
    Savita Ladage has been honoured for advocating chemical education, including efforts like mentoring chemistry educators and initiating programs for teachers and students that promote chemistry education in India.
   i. The Nyholm Prize for Education recognises inspirational, innovative, and dedicated individuals or teams making a substantial and sustained impact within education.
   
   
   
5. Who has recently (in Dec ‘23) sworn in as the 4th Chief minister (CM) of Chhattisgarh?
   1)  Arun Sao
   2) Mohan Yadav
   3) Vishnu Deo Sai
   4) Bhajan Lal Sharma
   5) Revanth Reddy
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-3) Vishnu Deo Sai
   Explanation:
   Vishnu Deo Sai of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) was sworn in as the 4th Chief Minister (CM) of Chhattisgarh. BJP legislators Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao were sworn in as the Deputy Chief Ministers.
    They were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 13th December 2023.
   i. Vishnu Deo Sai replaced Bhupesh Baghel(Congress) who served as the CM of Chhattisgarh from 2018 to 2023. Vishnu Deo Sai became the first tribal chief minister of Chhattisgarh.
   ii. In the Chhattisgarh assembly general election, BJP won 54 of the 90 seats while Congress won 35 seats. Gondvana Gantantra Party (GGP) has won 1 seat.
   iii. Vishnu Deo Sai was elected as the Member of Legislative(MLA) from the Kunkuri Assembly constituency.
   
   
   
6. In December 2023, Bain Capital sold 1.08% stake in  ___________ (Bank) for Rs 3737 crore in a block trade.
   1) IndusInd Bank
   2) Axis Bank
   3) HDFC Bank
   4) ICICI Bank
   5) YES Bank
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-2) Axis Bank
   Explanation:
   Bain Capital, an American Private Equity (PE) firm, has sold 1.08% stake or 33.38 million shares worth Rs 3737 crore in Axis Bank in a block trade.
    The shares were sold by 3 affiliate firms of Bain Capital: BC Asia Investments VII, BC Asia Investments III and Integral Investments South Asia IV at Rs 1119.7 apiece.
   i. This was the 2nd sell down of Axis bank by Bain in 2023. Previously, in June 2023, Bain had sold 0.73% stake for Rs 2178 crore at Rs 968 per share.
   ii. In November 2017, Bain had bought a stake worth Rs 6,854 crore in Axis Bank and has sold shares in several tranches since then.
   
   
   
7. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘23) launched India’s first Sodium (Na)-Ion battery technology?
   1) Zensar Technologies
   2) Exide Industries
   3) Cyient Technologies
   4) KPIT Technologies
   5) Amara Raja Batteries
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer- 4) KPIT Technologies
   Explanation:
   KPIT Technologies unveiled India’s first Sodium (Na)-Ion battery technology which was developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, Maharashtra.
    KPIT is the first company in India and the fourth in the world to possess a proven technology solution for sodium-ion battery storage.
   i. The technology can reduce the cost of an Electric Vehicle(EV) battery by 25-30% as compared to current lithium-ion batteries.
   ii. Sodium-ion batteries are considered alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, leveraging the abundance and lower cost of sodium. Lithium availability is limited to only a few countries like China, Bolivia, etc.
   
   
   
8. In December 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved the Rs. __________ proposal to purchase about 6,400 rockets for Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) systems.
   1) 2,800 crore
   2) 1,200 crore
   3) 3,200 crore
   4) 2,100 crore
   5) 1,900 crore
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-1) 2,800 crore
   Explanation:
   The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the Rs 2,800 crore proposal to purchase about 6,400 rockets for Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) systems, for boosting the Indian Army’s capabilities.
    MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the proposal for the acquisition of 2 variants of these rockets, known as Area Denial Munition Type 2 and Type-3.
    The Indian Army will only purchase the rockets from domestic suppliers and the 2 main contenders are Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited of Solar Industries.
   i. Named after the bow of the Hindu deity ‘Shiva’, the Indian-made Pinaka weapon system was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
   ii. It stands as a battle-proven, all-weather artillery weapon system, strategically designed for indirect area fire.
    The Pinaka system is one of the first few military technologies to be exported from India to foreign countries like Armenia.
   
   
   
9. Name the Indian Naval Ship (INS) that has recently (in Dec ‘23) commissioned by the Indian Navy (IN) at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
   1) INS Shishumar
   2) INS Magar
   3) INS Tarmugli
   4)  INS Vishal
   5) INS Ranvijay
   
   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-3) INS Tarmugli
   Explanation:
   On December 14, 2023, The Indian Navy (IN) commissioned the Fast Attack Craft, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarmugli at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP). VAdm Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel was the Chief Guest for the commissioning ceremony.
    The ship has served under the flags of 2 nations (India and Maldives) and bearing 3 names (INS Tillanchang; MCGS Huravee and INS Tarmugli) during its commendable service. 3
    The vessel was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, West Bengal in 2001.
   i. It was commissioned in the Indian Navy as INS Tillanchang, a Trinkat Class ship, and served till 2006. It was gifted to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) as a part of diplomatic outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
   
   
   
10. When was National Energy Conservation Day 2023 observed across India?
    1) 12th December 2023
    2) 10th December 2023
    3) 13th December 2023
    4) 11th December 2023
    5) 14th December 2023
    
    Answer & Explanation

    Answer-5) 14th December 2023
    Explanation:
    National Energy Conservation Day 2023 was observed across India on 14th December 2023 to raise awareness about the importance of conserving energy and to promote sustainable energy practices. The National Energy Conservation Day is annually organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India (GoI).
     BEE under the guidance of MoP will observe National Energy Conservation Week from 14 to 20 December 2023 throughout India.
    i. President Droupadi Murmu graced the National Energy Conservation Day 2023 event held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi (Delhi) on December 14, 2023. She also felicitated the winners of the:
     33rd National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023;
     3rd National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards  (NEEIA) 2023; and
     National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation 2023.
    ii. Haryana has been selected for NECA 2023 for its outstanding performance in the State Energy Efficiency Index.
     Haryana was awarded the 2nd prize in the State Energy Efficiency Performance Award.
    iii. South Western Railway (SWR), headquartered in Hubballi (Karnataka), has been selected for the NECA 2023 in the ‘Transport’ category for achieving Energy Efficiency in the non-traction and traction segment.