Current Affairs Quiz: 17 November 2023

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1. Name the University/Institute that has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed an MoU with Samarkand Institute of Economics and Services in Uzbekistan to create numerous opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers.
   1) University of Mumbai
   2) Indian Institute of Technology Madras
   3) Jamia Millia Islamia
   4) University of Delhi
   5) Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-4) University of Delhi
   Explanation:
   The Samarkand Institute of Economics and Services in Uzbekistan and the University of Delhi have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to create numerous opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers from Samarkand and Delhi.
   i. This partnership endorsed by both institutions, aims to facilitate valuable experiences for both students and faculty, contributing significantly to global education and research.
   ii. Within this dynamic partnership, the 2 educational institutions are aspiring to initiate a transformative student exchange program.
   
   
   
2. Which organisation has recently (in Nov ‘23) released the 2nd edition of the World Energy Employment (WEE 2023) report stating that clean energy jobs surpassed fossil fuel jobs for the first time in 2021 at the global level?
   1) International Atomic Energy Agency
   2) International Renewable Energy Agency
   3) International Energy Agency
   4) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
   5) United Nations Environment Programme
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer- 3) International Energy Agency
   Explanation:
   On November 15, 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released the ‘2nd edition of the World Energy Employment (WEE 2023) report stating clean energy jobs surpassed fossil fuel jobs for the first time in 2021 at the global level.
    Clean energy sectors added 4.7 million jobs globally between 2019-2022 and stand at 35 million, while fossil fuels jobs recovered more slowly after layoffs in 2020 and remain around 1.3 million below pre-pandemic employment levels, at 32 million.
    Clean energy jobs now represent over half of all energy sector jobs.
    The report was prepared by the World Energy Outlook Division of the Directorate of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks of IEA.
    Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Economic Research Institute (ERI), and national labour statistics were utilized.
    This annual report maps energy sector employment by region, fuel, technology, and value chain. WEE 2023 includes for the first-time employment data for the extraction of selected critical minerals, including copper, cobalt, nickel and lithium.
   
   
   
3. Which bank has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) Lite to allow the users to make small-value digital payments offline without entering a UPI PIN?
   1) South Indian Bank
   2) IDFC FIRST Bank
   3) IndusInd Bank
   4) Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
   5) Federal Bank
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-5) Federal Bank
   Explanation:
   Federal Bank Limited has launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) Lite, a simplified version of the UPI system which allows users to make small-value digital payments offline without entering a UPI PIN.
   UPI Lite:
    The UPI Lite functionality was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in September 2022.
    It is an ‘on-device wallet’ feature integrated into existing UPI mobile applications.
    UPI Lite minimizes the burden on the core banking system (CBS) by enabling direct transactions between the user’s mobile device and National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).
   
   
   
4. Name the company that has recently (in November ‘23) become the second Indian startup to achieve unicorn status in 2023.
   1) Chargify
   2) Zeta
   3) Chargebee
   4) InCred Holdings Limited
   5) Innovaccer
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-4) InCred Holdings Limited
   Explanation:
   Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based InCred Holdings Limited, the parent company of fintech startup InCred Financial Services Ltd, has become the 2nd Indian startup to become an unicorn, valued at over USD 1 billion, in 2023.
    InCred became an unicorn after raising funding worth Rs 500 crore in its latest round (Series D) of equity funding.
    The equity round has gathered interest from various investors, including a global private equity fund, corporate treasuries, family offices, and Ultra-High-Net-worth-Individuals (UHNIs).
   i. In August 2023, Zepto, a quick commerce platform, became India’s first unicorn of 2023. It raised USD 200 million in a Series E round of funding at a valuation of USD 1.4 billion.
   
   
   
5. In November 2023, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) added _________ Indian stocks to its MSCI Global Standard Index.
   1) 5
   2) 9
   3) 19
   4) 23
   5) 15
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-2) 9
   Explanation:
   On November 15, 2023, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) added nine Indian stocks to its MSCI Global Standard Index w.e.f. November 30, 2023.
   i. Additions on MSCI India Index:
    IndusInd Bank, Suzlon Energy Limited, One 97 Communications (Paytm), Persistent Systems, APL Apollo Tubes, Polycab India, Macrotech Developers, Tata Motors A (Tata Motors DVR) and Tata Communications.
    Following the above addition, 46 stocks will be added to this index while 69 stocks will make an exit from this index. No Indian stocks were excluded from the index.
   ii. According to a report by Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research, the MSCI inclusions may bring up to USD 1.5 billion in passive inflows to India.
    The maximum share of inflows will be led by IndusInd Bank at USD 290 million followed by Suzlon at USD 264 million and Persistent Systems at USD 254 million.
   
   
   
6. Which NGO/Foundation has been recently (in Nov ‘23) awarded with the 2023 Olympic Cup by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
   1) Welthungerhilfe
   2) Save the Children Fund
   3)  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
   4) International Rescue Foundation
   5) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-5) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
   Explanation:
   The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2023 Olympic Cup to the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) in recognition of its long-term commitment to empowering refugee athletes and refugees worldwide through taekwondo.
    Thomas Bach, IOC President, presented the Olympic Cup to World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue in a ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
    The unique Olympic Cup award was created by the IOC’s founder Pierre de Coubertin in 1906. The Olympic Cup honors an organisation that promotes the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
   i. About the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation(THF):
    The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation(THF) was founded by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue at the United Nations headquarters in New York(United States) in 2015.
    THF aims to empower refugees worldwide through taekwondo and helping them to improve their quality of life, develop their life skills, learn Olympic values, and pursue their dreams.
    THF is also one of the implementing partners of Terrains d’Avenir, a programme co-financed by the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and the French Sports Ministry.
   
   
   
7. In November 2023, the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) passed a resolution to adopt a collective target of 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use by ___________ (year).
   1) 2030
   2) 2025
   3) 2027
   4) 2028
   5) 2026
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-1) 2030
   Explanation:
   The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has passed a resolution to adopt a collective target of 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use by 2030 among its 14 member airlines.
    The resolution was made in its 67th Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines which was held in Singapore.
    This aims to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, as SAF can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil-based jet fuels.
    The adoption of SAF is a critical step in the aviation industry’s journey towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
   
   
   
8. What was the theme of National Newborn Week 2023 that was observed across India from 15th to 21st November 2023?
   1) Home care of Newborn in Urban area
   2) Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn
   3) Ensuring quality health care for Newborn
   4) Quality, Equity and Dignity for Every Newborn
   5) Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-2) Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn
   Explanation:
   National Newborn Week 2023 was observed across India from 15th to 21st November 2023 with the theme of Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn.
    The observance also aims to highlight the importance of newborn care for child survival and development. The annual observance in India is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
   i. In 2000, at the request of the National Neonatology Forum (NNF), the Government of India agreed to observe a National Newborn Week from 15th to 21st November each year.
   ii. The first ever Newborn Week was launched by the then Prime Minister (PM) Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 15th November 2000.
   
   
   
9. When was the United Nations (UN) International Day for Tolerance 2023 observed across the globe?
   1) 14th November 2023
   2) 12th November 2023
   3) 15th November 2023
   4) 13th November 2023
   5) 16th November 2023
   

   Answer & Explanation

   Answer-5) 16th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The United Nations (UN) International Day for Tolerance 2023 was observed across the globe on 16th November 2023 to promote and raise awareness of tolerance, respect, and understanding among all the diverse cultures and communities across the globe.
    The day also highlights the negative effects of intolerance and promotes policies that ensure equal rights and opportunities for all.
    In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/51/95 and proclaimed the 16 November of every year as the International Day for Tolerance.
    The first International Day for Tolerance was observed on 16 November 1997.
    The day commemorates adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by the member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on November 16, 1995.
   
   
   
10. What was the theme of National Press Day 2023 that was observed across India on 16th November 2023?
    1) The Media’s Role is Nation Building
    2) Who is Not Afraid of the Media?
    3) Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
    4) Role of media during COVID-19
    5) Media should guard against ‘fake news
    

    Answer & Explanation

    Answer-3) Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
    Explanation:
    National Press Day 2023 was observed across India on 16th November 2023 with the theme of “Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.
     The day was celebrated to commemorate the day on which the Press Council of India (PCI) started its function as the moral watchdog to ensure that the press maintains high standards and is not fettered by any form of influence or threats.
    i. According to Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières – RSF)’s 21th World Press Freedom Index (WPFI 2023), India is ranked 161st out of 180 countries with a score of 36.62.
     Norway topped the list (for the seventh consecutive year) with a score of 95.18, followed by Ireland (2nd) and Denmark (3rd).
     PCI organised an event to celebrate National Press Day 2023 in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
     The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar graced the event as chief guest while Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and Minister of States(MoS) L. Murugan, MIB were the Guests of Honour.