Current Affairs For 20th October 2023

Current affairs coverage helps individuals understand the interconnectedness of global and local events. It shows how decisions made at the international level can impact local communities and vice versa. This encourages individuals to recognize their role as global citizens and engage with issues that affect them directly or indirectly. 

Q1.What is the Jericho Missile commonly referred to as?

1. Tactical Weapon
2. Doomsday Weapon
3. Stealth Missile
4. Precision Bomb

Ans:- 2) Doomsday Weapon

• Recently, Israeli legislator Revital “Tally” Gotliv, a member of the Knesset representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, has sparked a global debate with her provocative comments regarding the potential use of a “doomsday” weapon against Hamas and Palestine. These statements were made on a popular social media platform.
• The Jericho missile program holds a significant place in Israel’s military capabilities, originating in the 1960s. Initially developed in collaboration with the French aerospace company Dassault, it was named after the biblical city located in the West Bank.
• In subsequent years, Israel introduced the Jericho-3, an intermediate-range missile system. It featured larger dimensions than the Jericho-2, with a diameter of 1.56 meters. The single warhead of the Jericho-3 weighed approximately 750 kilograms and boasted a range of 4,800 to 6,500 kilometers. Its payload capacity extended to about 1,300 kilograms (2,866 pounds), solidifying its position as a formidable component of Israel’s military arsenal.

Q2.Who will be conducting the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) Sixth Assembly in New Delhi from October 30?

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
2. Power Minister R.K. Singh
3. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar
4. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Ans:-2)Power Minister R.K. Singh

• The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) is scheduled to convene in New Delhi from October 30 to November 2, 2023. This significant gathering will be presided over by Shri R.K. Singh, the President of the ISA Assembly and the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India.
• During the Sixth Assembly, there will be extensive deliberations on ISA’s initiatives that directly impact critical aspects of energy, including energy accessibility, security, and transitions. The focal points will encompass:

1. Universalizing Energy Access through Solar Mini-Grids.
2. Mobilizing Financial Resources for Swift Solar Deployment.
3. Expanding Supply Chains and Manufacturing for Solar.

• With participation confirmed from 96 countries, including 20 ministers, and active involvement from various multilateral development banks and stakeholders, the forthcoming ISA Assembly is poised to mark a significant milestone in propelling solar energy on the global platform.

Q3.Where will India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) be launched?

1.  Uttar Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
3. Karnataka
4. Tamil Nadu

Ans:-1) Uttar Pradesh

• On October 20, 2023, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the crucial section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor. This event will also mark the introduction of the RapidX train, signifying the commencement of RRTS operations in India. The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Sahibabad RapidX Station in Uttar Pradesh.
• The priority segment of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor covers a distance of 17 kilometers, representing a significant leap in India’s transportation infrastructure. This stretch will establish a connection from Sahibabad to the ‘Duhai Depot,’ with intermediary stations at Ghaziabad, Guldhar, and Duhai.
• Boasting an impressive design speed of 180 kilometers per hour, the RRTS endeavors to offer high-speed train services for intercity travel at intervals of 15 minutes, with the potential to increase frequency to as frequent as every 5 minutes, based on demand.

Q4.What is the primary aim of Tamil Nadu’s AI-Powered Elephant Protection System?

1. Preventing Train Collisions
2. Enhancing Wildlife Conservation
3. Reducing Traffic Congestion
4. Monitoring Forest Fires

Ans:- 1)Preventing Train Collisions

• Tamil Nadu is on the verge of completing a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI)-driven early warning system aimed at protecting wild elephants from collisions with trains. This innovative initiative is being executed along the Ettimadai–Walayar railway section, offering an additional layer of safety for these magnificent creatures.
• The Forest Department has successfully erected 12 e-surveillance towers for this pioneering project, distributed between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ lines of the twin single-line railway. Thermal imaging cameras have been mounted on all towers along the ‘A’ line, while work is underway for camera installation and networking on the ‘B’ line.
• Tamil Nadu’s AI-powered early warning system stands out as a commendable endeavor to safeguard the lives of wild elephants and mitigate the risks associated with train collisions. With the final phases of implementation in progress, it is expected that this system will play a pivotal role in protecting the invaluable wildlife in the Ettimadai–Walayar region, exemplifying the harmonious blend of technology and conservation efforts.

Q5.By which month in 2024 is India expected to sign a deal with the US for 31 MQ-9B drones?

1.February

2.April

3.June

4. August

Ans:- 1) Februray

• India is in the final stages of a significant defense agreement with the United States. Credible sources indicate that the deal encompasses the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics (GA). This procurement is poised to substantially bolster India’s military capabilities.
• Commencing from February 2027, which is three years post the contract’s formalization, the deal is projected to cost approximately $3,072 million and will be facilitated through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channel. The allotment of the 31 drones is as follows: 15 for the Indian Navy, and 8 each for the Indian Army and Air Force.
• These drones, available in Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian variants, offer augmented Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capacities for the Indian armed forces. They possess the ability to operate over long distances, establish satellite communication for up to 40 hours, function effectively in diverse weather conditions, and seamlessly integrate into civilian airspace.