Current Affairs For 29th September 2023

We understand the importance of a global outlook. Our Current Affairs Digest covers news from different regions of the world, allowing you to gain a broader understanding of international affairs and their interconnectedness.

Q1.Who attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit Event?

1. Amit Shah
2. G. Kishan Reddy
3.  Narendra Modi
4.  P. S. Tamang

Ans:-3)Narendra Modi

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, graced the event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. This esteemed gathering was held at Science City in Ahmedabad, a city that has borne witness to the remarkable growth and progress of Vibrant Gujarat over the past two decades.
• The inception of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit took place precisely two decades ago on September 28, 2003, under the visionary leadership of the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi. Over the years, it has evolved into an internationally acclaimed event, firmly establishing itself as one of India’s premier business summits.

Q2.Why is Sri Lanka’s IMF bailout facing a delay?

1. Ongoing Debt Restructuring
2. Lack of Political Support
3. IMF’s Unwillingness to Provide Assistance
4.  Economic Stability

Ans:-1)Ongoing Debt Restructuring

• Sri Lanka is experiencing a setback in obtaining the second installment of its $2.9 billion IMF bailout package, primarily due to unresolved matters concerning its external debt restructuring. This predicament arises in the midst of the nation confronting its most severe economic downturn in history, marked by depleting foreign exchange reserves and public demonstrations due to shortages of critical commodities.
• In March this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 48-month extended arrangement of $2.9 billion for Sri Lanka under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The objective was to fortify Sri Lanka’s economic policies and advance crucial reforms.

Q3.What is the purpose of the Global Capacity Building Initiative launched by India and the UN?

1. Promote Environmental Conservation
2.  Enhance Digital Literacy
3. Strengthen Disaster Response
4.  Build Humanitarian Skills

Ans:-3)Strengthen Disaster Response

• India and the United Nations have collaboratively launched a substantial capacity-building endeavor named the “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative.” Its primary objective is to facilitate the exchange of India’s developmental insights, exemplary practices, and expertise with partner nations in the Global South.
• As part of this initiative, a strategic alliance has been established between the UN India team and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of this partnership is to utilize India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation platform for disseminating India’s developmental experiences and best practices on a global scale.

Q4.The government of Manipur has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the hill districts for how long?

1. 3 Months
2. 6 Months
3.  1 Year
4.  2 Years

Ans:-2)6 Months

• The Manipur government has opted for a six-month extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) across the entire state, with the exception of certain designated areas within the Imphal Valley.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) is a contentious legislation conferring broad powers upon the armed forces and Central security forces in regions deemed as “disturbed areas.” These powers encompass the ability to employ force, make arrests without a warrant, and secure legal protection from prosecution, subject to approval from the Union government.

Q5.From which organization did the Indian Air Force (IAF) receive its first Dornier Do-228 aircraft?

1. DRDO
2. ISRO
3. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
4.  NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories)

Ans:-3)HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently celebrated the arrival of the first of six cutting-edge Dornier Do-228 aircraft, exclusively manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This upgraded iteration of the aircraft is poised to enhance the IAF’s operational capabilities with its advanced features, signifying a notable achievement in the modernization endeavors of the Indian defense forces.
• This pivotal development was set in motion in March when the Ministry of Defence entered into an agreement with HAL for the procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft, allocating a budget of Rs 667 crore. This agreement marks a substantial leap in the ongoing initiatives to modernize and elevate the Indian Air Force’s aircraft fleet.

Q6.In the 2023 World Talent Ranking, India has slipped down how many positions compared to the previous ranking?

1. Two
2. Three
3. Four
4. Five

Ans:-3)Four

• The 2023 World Talent Ranking, recently released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) on September 27th, brings a mix of positive developments and areas of concern for India. While there have been notable improvements in infrastructure, India has slipped from the 52nd position in the 2022 ranking to the 56th position out of 64 economies in the current assessment.
• The IMD World Talent Ranking takes into account various factors such as quality of life, statutory minimum wage, and primary and secondary education. India exhibits commendable performance in terms of future readiness, securing the 29th spot worldwide. However, a significant concern highlighted in the report is the educational system’s quality, where India ranks second to last at 63rd place.

Q7.Which city leads in green office space in India, witnessing a 36% increase since 2019?

1. Mumbai
2. Delhi
3. Bengaluru
4.  Chennai

Ans:-3)Bengaluru

• Bengaluru has clinched the title for having the highest amount of green-certified office space. This significant milestone is part of a larger trend spotlighted in the ‘Indian Real Estate: Taking Giant Strides – 2023 Mid-Year Outlook’ report, jointly issued by real estate consultant CBRE and industry body CII during the CII Realty conference.
• The report underscores a remarkable 36% upswing in green-certified office space across six major Indian cities over the past three and a half years. In 2019, the cumulative green-certified office space accounted for 251 million square feet, but it has now surged impressively to a total of 342 million square feet.

Q8.Which country’s team won the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Team Event at the Asian Games 2023?

1. China
2. India 
3. Japan 
4. South Korea

Ans:-2)India

• Indian shooters have once again demonstrated their prowess at the Asian Games, earning their 6th gold medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol Team event. Sarabjot Singh, Shiva Narwal, and Arjun Singh Cheema showcased exceptional skill, clinching victory by a mere single point over the host Chinese team. This remarkable feat not only bolstered India’s gold medal count but also guaranteed individual final berths for Sarabjot and Arjun in the 10m Air Pistol category.

Q9.Google has recently introduced an Earthquake Alerts System for Android users in which country?

1. China 
2. India 
3. Japan 
4. United States

Ans:-2)India

• Google, in partnership with India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Seismology Center (NSC), has launched an Earthquake Alerts System for Android users in India. This system provides early warnings for seismic activities and is accessible in various Indian languages. Utilizing the accelerometers in Android smartphones, which are originally designed to detect the device’s orientation and movement, Google has repurposed them to identify seismic activity. This initiative aims to enhance early warning capabilities and preparedness for earthquakes.

Q10.Who is responsible for the ‘Jhaadu Daan’ initiative?

1. Government of India
2. India Book of Records
3. Unnamed Organization
4.  Information not provided

Ans:-2) India Book of Records

• SP Singh, the principal of the UPSRTC Model Driving Training and Research Institute, has achieved a significant milestone by earning a coveted spot in the esteemed India Book of Records. This honor is a reflection of his outstanding efforts, notably through the inventive ‘Jhaadu Daan’ (broom donation) campaign, in harmony with the nationwide Swachh Bharat Campaign. Thus far, more than 1 lakh brooms have been distributed across 80 diverse locations.