Current Affairs For 13th October 2023

Current affairs coverage sheds light on social, political, economic, and environmental issues that may not receive widespread attention. By highlighting these topics, it raises awareness among individuals and promotes a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement.

 

Q1.Where did India and China conduct their 20th round of military talks?

1. New Delhi
2. Ladakh
3. Beijing
4. Mumbai

Ans:-2)Ladakh

• At the Chushul-Moldo border in Ladakh, India and China convened their 20th corps commander-level meeting. The diplomatic deliberations centered on the ongoing challenges along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
• Led by Corps Commanders from both sides, the talks sought to cultivate a conducive environment for constructive dialogue, with the goal of achieving a timely and mutually agreeable resolution. Although a definitive breakthrough was not reached during these discussions, they underscored the dedication of both nations to pursue peaceful avenues of dialogue and negotiation.

 

Q2.Which country is conducting Operation Ajay?

1. Israel
2. India
3. United States
4. United Kingdom

Ans:-1)Israel

• India has initiated Operation Ajay, a specialized effort aimed at ensuring the secure repatriation of its citizens from Israel amidst the evolving situation in the region. Dr. S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, made this announcement, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of Indian nationals overseas.
• To facilitate the return of Indian citizens from Israel, special charter flights and logistical arrangements are being put into motion. The Indian Embassy in Israel has established contact with registered Indian citizens, commencing with the first group, for their inclusion in the special flight. Subsequent flights will be organized, and communication will be extended accordingly.

 

Q3.What is the purpose of ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ Autonomous Body?

1. Promoting environmental conservation
2. Enhancing youth development
3. Supporting elderly citizens
4. Fostering cultural exchange

Ans:-2) Enhancing youth development

• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has given the green light for the establishment of an autonomous entity named “Mera Yuva Bharat” (MY Bharat).
• MY Bharat is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for young individuals to pursue their aspirations and actively contribute to the comprehensive development of the nation across various government domains. It is envisaged as a pivotal force in driving youth development, with a strong focus on technology-driven solutions.
• Aligned with the National Youth Policy, this initiative targets individuals aged between 15-29, including specific programs tailored for those aged 10-19. The official launch of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is scheduled for October 31, 2023, coinciding with National Unity Day.

 

Q4.Who launched the Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0 and Automated Analysis in Tree Dashboard?

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
2. Dr. Jitendra Singh
3. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
4. Home Minister Amit Shah

Ans:-2)Dr. Jitendra Singh

• On September 29, 2023, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, launched the Special Campaign 3.0 within the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• This campaign, titled “Digital DARPG,” is designed to elevate service delivery, harness emerging technologies, and streamline administrative processes within government offices.
• As part of the “Digital DARPG” initiative, DARPG has adopted a comprehensive approach towards creating unified service delivery portals. In collaboration with 27 Senior Officials, including Right to Service Commissioners from States/UTs, DARPG has identified 164 services for nationwide e-service delivery, in addition to the existing 56 mandatory e-services.

 

Q5.What is the growth forecast for Pakistan according to the IMF?

1. 1.8%
2. 2.0%
3. 2.5%
4. 3.0%

Ans:-3)2.5%

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has opted to maintain its economic growth projection for Pakistan at 2.5%. This figure aligns with the IMF’s previous assessment and corresponds with official estimates, albeit falling short of the official target by 1%.
• Comparatively, among global financial institutions, the IMF’s forecast of 2.5% growth stands as the highest. In contrast, the World Bank has projected a 1.7% growth rate, the Asian Development Bank foresees 1.9%, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) expects growth to hover around 2%.
• According to the IMF’s report, Pakistan’s economic growth may potentially escalate to 5% by the year 2028, although this forecast remains subject to adjustments due to rapid economic developments within the country.

 

Q6. Which company is set to acquire French insurer AXA’s 49% stake in Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co.?

1. Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co.
2. Bharti Group
3. French Insurer AXA
4. None of the above

Ans:-1)Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co.

• The Bharti Group has revealed its plan to acquire French insurer AXA’s 49% stake in Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co., a venture that has been jointly operated for nearly two decades.
• This acquisition, executed through Bharti Group’s Bharti Life Ventures division, is anticipated to be finalized by December this year, pending regulatory approvals.
• With this development, Bharti Group is poised to enhance its competitive edge in a market that ranks ninth globally, according to the latest annual report by the insurance regulatory body. This move positions Bharti Group to vie more effectively with established players such as HDFC Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, SBI Life Insurance, and LIC.

 

Q7.Which bank is planning to raise 10,000 crore rupees to fund affordable housing and infrastructure?

1. HDFC Bank
2. State Bank of India (SBI)
3. Bank of Baroda (BOB)
4. ICICI Bank

Ans:- Bank of Baroda (BOB)

• On October 11, the Board of Directors at Bank of Baroda approved a plan to raise up to Rs 10,000 crore through long-term bonds. These funds are earmarked for bolstering infrastructure development and supporting affordable housing initiatives.
• As stated by the bank, this fundraising endeavor may be executed in one or more installments over the fiscal year 2023-24 and beyond, contingent upon the requirements.
• Bank of Baroda disclosed a noteworthy 17 percent year-on-year (YoY) surge in total advances, reaching Rs 10.3 lakh crore, with domestic advances registering a 16.6 percent YoY increase. The international book also experienced a substantial 21 percent YoY rise (6.4 percent quarter-on-quarter).

 

Q8.Who launched the book “The Book Of Life: My Dance With Buddha For Success”?

1. Chetan Bhagat
2. Arundhati Roy
3. Vivek Agnihotri
4. Shashi Tharoor

Ans:-3)Vivek Agnihotri

• In Lucknow, Vivek Agnihotri, renowned for directing “The Kashmir Files,” introduced his latest book titled “The Book of Life: My Dance with Buddha for Success.” Additionally, in 2023, he helmed the medical drama film ‘The Vaccine War.’
• The book that inspired the film, authored by Balram Bhargava, is titled ‘Going Viral – Making of Covaxin: The Inside Story.’ It chronicles Bhargava’s personal experiences.
• This innovative book endeavor marks a transformative chapter in the world of literature, providing a platform for the innate creativity within each of us to flourish. To establish a direct link between himself and readers, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has integrated this book with the Internet.

 

Q9.Who smashed India’s fastest century in the World Cup?

1. Virat Kohli
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Rohit Sharma
4. MS Dhoni

Ans:- 3)Rohit Sharma

• India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, displayed a stellar performance by smashing his 31st ODI century, setting India on a path towards a commanding victory against Afghanistan in the World Cup 2023 match held at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
• Rohit Sharma achieved this feat by completing his century in just 63 balls, establishing a new record for the fastest century by an Indian in World Cup history. This milestone was previously held by Kapil Dev, who achieved it in 72 balls against Zimbabwe back in 1983. Rohit, leading the Indian team, surpassed Kapil Dev’s achievement by an impressive nine balls, ultimately guiding India to a resounding 8-wicket victory in their pursuit of 273 runs.
• In the course of his innings, Rohit notched up two more significant milestones. First, he crossed the 1000-run mark in World Cup matches, joining the ranks of Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Sourav Ganguly as the only Indians to achieve this landmark. Additionally, he sent three balls sailing over the boundary ropes, securing his position as the leading six-hitter in international cricket, surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle, also known as the ‘Universe Boss’.

 

Q10.In which month is the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup scheduled to take place?

1. October 2023
2. November 2023
3. December 2023
4. January 2024

Ans:- 2) November 2023

• The 11th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup is set to take place in Johor, Malaysia, from October 27 to November 4, 2023. This year’s tournament will be particularly special as it will feature eight teams, an expansion from the usual six.
• India finds itself in Pool B for this year’s Sultan of Johor Cup, where they will contend with formidable opponents like Malaysia, Pakistan, and New Zealand. On the other hand, Pool A will comprise Germany, Australia, South Africa, and Great Britain.
• Beyond being a competitive event, the Sultan of Johor Cup serves as a crucial platform for gauging the competition. Six of the participating nations in this tournament will later compete in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023. Additionally, it offers players a valuable opportunity to acclimate to the climatic conditions expected in Kuala Lumpur in December, where the World Cup will be held.