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Current Affairs Quiz: 20 December 2023

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AffairsCloud brings you the complete and important daily Current Affairs Quiz 20 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. In December 2023, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju launched ‘1st Indian Winter Expedition to Arctic’ to expand India’s scientific activities to other critical and core Arctic realms.
    The expedition is facilitated under __________ scheme of Ministry of Earth Sciences, through the aegis of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.

    1) Seismological Research
    2) Atmospheric Processes, Modelling and Services
    3) Ocean Science and Services
    4) Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
    5) Polar Climate Change Research
    Answer-4) Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
    Explanation:
    Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched ‘1st Indian Winter Expedition to Arctic’ to expand India’s scientific activities to other critical and core Arctic realms, in New Delhi, Delhi.
     The expedition is facilitated under Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER) scheme of MoES, through the aegis of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
    i. The Arctic winter expedition comprised four scientists from NCPOR, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi (Himachal Pradesh); Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM – Pune, Maharashtra) and Raman Research Institute(RRI – Bengaluru, Karnataka).
    ii. The expedition aims to make atmospheric observations in Earth’s North Pole during the winter (November to March) night and carry out auroral studies and changes in sea ice.
     With the launch of  Winter Expedition, India will have a year-long presence at Himadri.
     It also aims to establish a network of observatories to study ‘land-sea-atmosphere-cryosphere’ interactions.

  2. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 18th session of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) held in December 2023?
    A) The 18th session of the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the ICH was held from 5th to 8th December 2023 in Asunción, Paraguay.
    B) The session inscribed 55 new cultural practices, including India’s Garba Dance, to its Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List.
    C) Garba becomes the 15th ICH element from India to join the Representative List of ICH.

    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
    Answer-3) Only B & C
    Explanation:
    The 18th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) was held from 5th to 8th December 2023 in Kasane, Republic of Botswana.
     The session was chaired by H.E. Mr Mustaq Moorad, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Botswana to UNESCO.
    i. The newly inscribed 55 cultural practices include, (including India’s Garba Dance)
     6 practices on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
     45 practices on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
     4 on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices
     With these new inscriptions, 730 cultural practices spread across 145 countries are now a part of UNESCO’s living heritage.
    ii. Gujarat’s popular folk dance form “Garba dance” has been inscribed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO.
     The recognition was granted under the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH.
     Garba becomes the 15th ICH element from India to join the Representative List of ICH.
    iii. The 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was celebrated during the Session.
     The next committee session(19th session) will be held in December 2024. It will be chaired by Paraguay.

  3. Name the disease that has recently (in Dec ‘23) recognised as the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
    1) Buruli
    2) Chagas
    3) Leishmaniasis
    4) Noma
    5) Rickettsioses
    Answer-4) Noma
    Explanation:
    The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognised Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, as a neglected tropical disease (NTDs).
     With the inclusion of noma, WHO’s NTD list now has 21 diseases or groups of diseases. Click here for full list of NTD Diseases
    i. Noma is a severe gangrenous (Dead tissue) disease of the mouth and face, primarily affecting malnourished young children(between age 2 & 6) in regions of extreme poverty.
    ii. It is a fast-spreading bacterial infection starting with gum inflammation. Without prompt antibiotic treatment, it can rapidly destroy facial tissue and bone, often resulting in death or severe disfigurement.

  4. In December 2023, GoI and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan agreement for a _____________ Japanese Yen loan to continue financing the construction of the 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.
    1) 37 Billion
    2) 40 Billion
    3) 42 Billion
    4) 54 Billion
    5) 68 Billion
    Answer-1) 37 Billion
    Explanation:
    On December 15, 2023, Government of India (GoI) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed an loan agreement for a 37 Billion Japanese Yen (USD 250 million) loan to continue financing the construction of the 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.
    i. Delhi Meerut RRTS is the first of the 3 priority rail corridors planned as a part of the National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Plan 2021, to connect Delhi to neighbouring cities.
    ii. RRTS is a new, dedicated, high speed, high capacity, comfortable commuter service connecting regional nodes in NCR.
    iii. It will have multi-modal hubs to ensure smooth interchange with other transport modes.
    iv. Implementing agency: National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), a joint venture company of GoI and States of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh(UP).

  5. Which bank has recently (in Dec ‘23) collaborated with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to launch a co-branded credit card?
    1) HDFC Bank
    2) YES Bank
    3) Axis Bank
    4) Kotak Mahindra Bank
    5) ICICI Bank
    Answer-4) Kotak Mahindra Bank
    Explanation:
    Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL)  in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has launched a co-branded credit card called ‘Indian Oil Kotak Credit Card’.
     The fuel card is powered by Rupay contactless technology.
    i. This fuel credit card is specifically designed to benefit customers when used at Fuel Pump Station.
    ii. With a fuel credit card, you can use it to purchase petrol, diesel, etc. or other fuels at participating fuel stations.

  6. Name the Insurance company that has recently (in Dec ‘23) introduced Smart Total Elite Protection (STEP) Term Plan”, a non-linked, non-participating, individual pure-risk premium life insurance plan.
    1) IndiaFirst Life Insurance
    2) Max Life Insurance
    3) Ageas Federal Life Insurance
    4) Tata AIA Life Insurance
    5) PNB MetLife India Insurance
    Answer-2) Max Life Insurance
    Explanation:
    The Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (Max Life) introduced “Max Life Smart Total Elite Protection (STEP) Term Plan”, a non-linked, non-participating, individual pure-risk premium life insurance plan.
    i. Aim: To enhance financial security in the current dynamic landscape and address the modern consumer’s need for increased protection through higher coverage solutions.
    ii. The offering provides enhanced coverage of Rs 2 crores, aligning with the growing financial needs.
    iii. It also offers flexibility, allowing policyholders to take a premium break every five years as part of the cover continuance benefit.

  7. In December 2023, ICRA Limited upgraded its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for India for the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24) to ___________ from 6.2%.
    1) 6.6%
    2) 6.8%
    3) 6.5%
    4) 6.7%
    5) 6.4%
    Answer-3) 6.5%
    Explanation:
    On December 18, 2023, ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited) upgraded its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for India for the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24) to 6.5% from the earlier estimate of 6.2%.
    i. The revised forecast is still lower than the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s GDP growth forecast of 7% for FY24.

  8. Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the 1st edition of Hurun India Top 100 Under 30 List (2023) released in December 2023?
    A) Kaivalya Vohra (21) and Aadit Palicha (22) the co-founders of Zepto, a grocery delivery platform, were the youngest entrepreneurs on the 2023 list.
    B) Devanshi Kejriwal (27), Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Skillmatics is the youngest woman entrepreneur on the list.
    C) SaaS (software as a service) emerged as the primary contributor to the List, with 19 entrepreneurs.

    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
    Answer-5) All A, B & C
    Explanation:
    On 13th December 2023, Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Hurun India launched the inaugural edition of Hurun India Top 100 Under 30 List (2023), which features 100 Indian entrepreneurs of age 30 or younger (sorted by age).
    i. Kaivalya Vohra(21) and Aadit Palicha(22) the co-founders of Zepto, a grocery delivery platform, were the youngest entrepreneurs on the 2023 list.
    ii. Devanshi Kejriwal(27), Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Skillmatics is the youngest woman entrepreneur on the list.
    iii. SaaS (software as a service) emerged as the primary contributor to the List, with 19 entrepreneurs, followed by Fintech and Edtech, with 11 entities each.
     8 entries on the list were associated with Space Technology companies.
    iv. The list features only 5 women entrepreneurs(including Devanshi Kejriwal). The other 4 are,
     Neetu Yadav(28) founder of Animall
     Vrushali Prasade(29) co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer(CTO) of Pixis
     Sonakshi Nathani (30) Co-founder of Bikayi
     Sai Gole (30) Co-founder of Bharat Agri (formerly known as LeanAgri)
    v. The average age of the founders in the list is 28 and 5 entrepreneurs also feature in the Hurun India Rich list.

  9. Which of the following books has/have recently (in Dec ‘23) been awarded with the 5th edition of Gaja Capital Business Book Prize 2023?
    1) Winning Middle India: The Story of India’s New-Age Entrepreneurs
    2) Against All Odds: The IT Story of India
    3) The Indian Entrepreneur (A Sociological Profile of Businessmen and Their Practices)
    4) Both 1 & 2
    5) Both 2 & 3
    Answer-4) Both 1 & 2
    Explanation:
    The 5th edition of Gaja Capital Business Book Prize 2023 was jointly awarded to ”Against All Odds: The IT Story of India” written by S. ‘Kris’ Gopalakrishnan, N. Dayasindhu, and Krishnan Narayanan; and “Winning Middle India: The Story of India’s New-Age Entrepreneurs” written by T.N. Hari and Bala Srinivasa.
    i. The books were selected from a shortlist of 5 books, including Capture the Dream: The Many Lives of Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair (by Bachi Karkaria); Essentially Mira: The Extraordinary Journey Behind Forest Essentials(by Mira Kulkarni); and The Tech Phoenix: Satyam’s 100-Day Turnaround(by T.N. Manoharan & V. Pattabhi Ram).
    ii. Gaja Capital Business Book Prize 2023 is an annual award established in 2019, which celebrates non-fiction works on contemporary Indian business.
     The award offers prize money of Rs 15 lakhs, the largest book prize in India.

  10. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 1st edition of the Khelo India Para Games 2023 held at New Delhi, Delhi in December 2023?
    A) Uttar Pradesh topped the medal tally with 105 medals (40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze) in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Para Games 2023 held in New Delhi, Delhi.
    B) Sheetal Devi (Jammu & Kashmir) won a gold medal in the open category of compound archery event.
    C) Bhavina Patel (Gujarat) won a gold medal in the Women’s Singles – Class 4 Table Tennis event.

    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
    Answer-3) Only B & C
    Explanation:
    Haryana topped the medal tally with 105 medals (40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze) in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Para Games 2023 held in New Delhi, Delhi from 10th – 17th December 2023.
     Uttar Pradesh finished second in the medals table with 62 medals (25 gold, 23 silver, and 14 bronze) while Tamil Nadu finished third with 42 medals (20 gold, 8 silver, and 14 bronze).
    i. Mascot: ‘Ujjwala’, a sparrow, reminds us strength comes in many forms and the human spirit is unbreakable.
    ii. Sheetal Devi (Jammu & Kashmir) won a gold medal in the open category of compound archery event.
     She is the only current female international archer to shoot with her feet.
    iii. The 2021 Arjuna Awardee Bhavina Patel (Gujarat) won a gold medal in the Women’s Singles – Class 4 Table Tennis event.
    iv. Pranav Soorma(Haryana) broke the Asian record in the club throw event with 33.54 metres which surpassed Indian player Dharambir’s previous record throw of 31.09m.
     He won the gold medal in the men’s F51 category club throw event.