Current Affairs For 11th October 2023

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Current affairs coverage often showcases stories of individuals and communities making a positive impact. By highlighting these stories, it inspires individuals to take action, get involved in social causes, and contribute to positive change.

Q1.India and Switzerland recently celebrated how many years of friendship?

  1. 25 years
  2. 50 years
  3. 75 years
  4. 100 years

Ans:-3)75 years

  • India and Switzerland recently commemorated their 75-year-long enduring friendship and fruitful collaboration in the picturesque Kumaon village nestled in the Uttarakhand region of India. The three-day celebration, fittingly named ‘Swiss Himalayan Bounty,’ took place last week at a delightful homestay in Satoli village, situated at an altitude of 6,000 feet near Mukteshwar in the Nainital district.
  • Robert Graf, the head of SHA (Swiss Himalayan Amity), expounded on the organization’s comprehensive approach to uplift the hill communities of Uttarakhand. He underscored their endeavors to promote the use of smokeless ‘chulhas’ (stoves) in the region, addressing both health and environmental concerns.

 

Q2. India and Tanzania are set to sign how many agreements with the aim of achieving a USD 10 billion trade target?

  1. 5
  2. 10
  3. 15
  4. 20

Ans:-3)15

  • During Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to India, the two nations are poised to strengthen their bilateral cooperation after an eight-year hiatus. The visit aims to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership and enhance trade and investment ties.
  • Tanzanian Foreign Minister January Yusuf Makamba anticipates the signing of 15 agreements spanning government-to-government and private sector collaborations. There is also potential for an announcement regarding the extension of an Indian-assisted water project in Tanzania, alongside India’s substantial contribution of USD 1 billion for water projects in the country.
  • President Hassan will address a business forum in New Delhi, with the objective of forging new deals and partnerships between Tanzanian and Indian companies. The ultimate goal is to boost trade volumes and expand bilateral trade to USD 10 billion within the next three years.

 

Q3.What action has Israel taken regarding Gaza?

  1. Imposed a total siege
  2. Offered humanitarian aid
  3. Opened diplomatic talks
  4. Provided military support

Ans:-1)Imposed a total siege

  • In a sudden escalation, Hamas initiated an offensive, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties, with over 570 reported wounded or killed. The situation has led to the displacement of more than 123,000 individuals in Gaza.
  • Following Hamas’ offensive, Israel implemented a comprehensive siege on the Gaza Strip, including a cutoff of water supply. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged a forceful response, indicating potential destruction of Hamas facilities. The siege has significantly affected 2.3 million people, depriving them of essentials like electricity, food, water, and gas.

 

Q4.What is the landmark achievement in Hyderabad?

  1. India’s first Solar Cycling Track
  2. World’s tallest building
  3. Longest river bridge
  4. Largest cricket stadium

Ans:-1)India’s first Solar Cycling Track

  • Hyderabad, India, celebrated the inauguration of its inaugural solar roof cycling track, Healthway. This eco-conscious initiative was officially launched by K Tarakarama Rao, the state’s Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister.
  • The objective of Healthway is to promote cycling as a mode of transportation, all while integrating principles of sustainability and technological advancement. It’s noteworthy that Healthway is only the second project of its kind worldwide, underlining Hyderabad’s dedication to adopting inventive and sustainable approaches to urban mobility.

 

Q5.What is the capacity of the solar PV project secured by NLC India Ltd in Rajasthan?

 

1. 710 MW

2. 810 MW

3.910 MW

4. 1010 MW

Ans:-2)810 MW

  • NLC India Ltd. (NLCIL), a prominent Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Coal, has recently achieved a significant milestone in the field of renewable energy. They have successfully secured an impressive 810 MW solar photovoltaic power project. This noteworthy project has been granted by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL).
  • Situated in Bikaner, the 810 MW solar photovoltaic power project represents the largest venture into renewable energy for NLCIL thus far. With the addition of this project, the cumulative power project capacity in Rajasthan will skyrocket to 1.36 GW, of which an impressive 1.1 GW is generated from green energy sources.

 

Q6.Which is the oldest think tank in the country that is organizing the Indian Military Heritage Festival?
1. USI
2. ISI
3. IDSA
4.RIS
Ans:-1)USI
  • The United Service Institution of India (USI), the oldest think tank in the nation, is all set to organize the inaugural Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) on October 21 and 22. This pioneering event seeks to address a significant gap in the national discourse and cultural calendar by illuminating India’s rich military legacy, contemporary security issues, and the drive for self-sufficiency in military capabilities as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
  • The IMHF aims to deepen our comprehension of India’s extensive military traditions and history. It will delve into various aspects, including indigenous knowledge systems from the past, India’s contributions to the world wars, challenges faced after Independence, and diverse perspectives on warfare and conflicts. Through insightful conversations, the festival strives to educate participants from all walks of life about the diverse dimensions of India’s military heritage.

 

Q7.What is the urban unemployment rate in the first quarter (Q1) as mentioned in the statement?

  1.  6.6%
  2. 7.6%
  3. 5.6%
  4. 8.6%

Ans:-1)6.6%

  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released its quarterly bulletin from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), providing insights into the urban unemployment scenario in India for the initial quarter of the fiscal year.
  • During the April-June period of this fiscal year, the urban unemployment rate in India saw a notable drop to 6.6%. This marks the lowest level recorded since the introduction of the PLFS bulletin in 2018. Several states and union territories (UTs) reported urban unemployment rates higher than the national average.
  • Some noteworthy instances include Himachal Pradesh (13.8%), Rajasthan (11.7%), Chhattisgarh (11.2%), Jammu and Kashmir (10.9%), and Kerala (10%). On the other hand, states/UTs with unemployment rates below the national average included Delhi (2.7%), Gujarat (2.8%), West Bengal (4.4%), Bihar (6.1%), Maharashtra, and Haryana (6.5%).
Q8.What is the fiscal deficit of India as mentioned in the statement?
1. Rs 6.42 Trillion
2. Rs 3.42 Trillion
3. Rs 9.42 Trillion
4. Rs 12.42 Trillion
Ans:- 1) Rs 6.42 Trillion
  • As per data released by the Controller General of Accounts, the fiscal deficit for the April-August period in FY24 was reported at Rs 6.42 trillion. This figure constitutes 36 percent of the full-year target of Rs 17.87 trillion.
  • The primary deficit, which signifies the fiscal deficit excluding interest payments, was recorded at Rs 2.75 trillion. This translates to 38.9 percent of the full-year target of Rs 7.06 trillion. The primary deficit is a pivotal indicator as it indicates the government’s capacity to fulfill its expenditure commitments without relying on borrowing for interest payments.
  • During the April-August period in FY24, the total government expenditure amounted to Rs 16.72 trillion. This accounts for 37.1 percent of the annual target, marking a notable increase from the Rs 13.90 trillion spent during the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year.

 

Q9.Who unveiled the ‘Status Holder’ certificates under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023?

  1. Narendra Modi
  2. Piyush Goyal
  3. Nirmala Sitharaman
  4. Rajnath Singh

Ans:-2)Piyush Goyal

  • During a meeting with the Export Promotion Councils, Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, who oversees the Ministries of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, introduced a substantial measure to automatically issue ‘Status Holder’ certificates under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
  • Under this new system, exporters will no longer be required to file applications for Status Certificates. Instead, certification will be automatically awarded every August, taking into account the annual export data provided by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), along with other risk assessment parameters.

 

Q10.What is Irdai planning to deploy in every Gram Panchayat by the end of 2024?

  1. Bima Vahak
  2. A new insurance policy
  3. Financial advisors
  4. Mobile banking services

Ans:-1)Bima Vahak

  • The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has unveiled an ambitious plan to deploy ‘Bima Vahaks’ in every Gram Panchayat across the nation by December 31, 2024.
  • Through the introduction of the ‘Bima Vahaks (BV)’ initiative, IRDAI aims to broaden the scope and accessibility of insurance services. This initiative is particularly geared towards empowering women, with the objective of establishing a dedicated distribution network to ensure the availability of insurance services in even the remotest parts of India.
  • Both corporate and individual Bima Vahaks are authorized to perform a range of tasks, including the collection of proposal information and Know Your Customer (KYC) documents. Additionally, they will facilitate services pertaining to insurance claims.