Current Affairs For 21st 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. What does the U.S. Pentagon report highlight regarding China’s military capabilities?

1. Naval Expansion Plans
2. Nuclear Arsenal Buildup
3. Cybersecurity Threats
4. Space Warfare Strategies

Ans:- 2)Nuclear Arsenal Buildup

• The U.S. Pentagon’s 2023 report on China’s military capabilities reveals an accelerated expansion of China’s nuclear weapons arsenal, surpassing previous estimations. It indicates that China is on a trajectory to possess more than 1,000 nuclear warheads by the year 2030.
• In addition to nuclear buildup, China has been applying military, diplomatic, and economic pressures on Taiwan. This encompasses activities like ballistic missile flyovers, heightened warplane intrusions into Taiwan’s defense airspace, and extensive military drills surrounding Taiwan.
• China’s objective is to modernize its military with the aspiration of achieving a “world-class” status by 2049. As per reports, China’s military expenditure in 2023 has seen a notable 7.2% increase, amounting to $216 billion USD, surpassing its economic growth. Some sources suggest that the actual spending could potentially be even higher.

 

Q2. Who unveiled Mahatma Gandhi’s bust in Vietnam?

1. Narendra Modi
2. S Jaishankar
3. Rajnath Singh
4. Amit Shah

Ans:- 2) S Jaishankar

• During his significant official visit to Vietnam, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reinforced bilateral relations and paid tribute to the enduring ideals upheld by Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
• A noteworthy highlight of Jaishankar’s visit was the unveiling ceremony of a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Ho Chi Minh City. Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar underscored the symbolic significance of the occasion, emphasizing Gandhi’s global acclaim for his principles of truth, non-violence, and freedom.
• Additionally, Jaishankar inaugurated the bust of Rabindranath Tagore in Bac Ninh province. Tagore, a distinguished poet and philosopher, holds a special place in the hearts of Indians and has left an indelible mark on global literature. This event served as a celebration of India’s diverse cultural heritage and its cultural bonds with Vietnam.

 

Q3.Who inaugurated the ‘Shraddhanjali’ flyover, which is the second longest flyover in Assam?

1. Sarbananda Sonowal
2. Himanta Biswa Sarma
3. Gaurav Gogoi
4. Tarun Gogoi

Ans:- 2)Himanta Biswa Sarma

• On October 19, 2023, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the ‘Shraddhanjali’ flyover in Guwahati, a remarkable feat in the state’s infrastructure progress, achieved within an impressive span of 60 days, and a notable 300 days ahead of schedule.
• Spanning a length of 2.28 kilometers, the Shraddhanjali flyover connects Commerce Point with Sundrapur on RG Baruah Road, earning it the distinction of being the second longest flyover in the state. This extensive project was completed within a budget of Rs 316 crore.
• The name “Shraddhanjali” was aptly chosen for the flyover to pay homage to Shraddhanjali Kanan, a park nestled within the state’s zoo cum-botanical garden. This thoughtful naming decision serves as a tribute to an iconic locale in Assam, shining a light on the state’s abundant cultural and natural heritage.

 

Q4. Which state’s cabinet approved the formation of a Special Tiger Protection Force for three tiger reserves?

1. Assam
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Maharashtra

Ans:- 2)Arunachal Pradesh

• The State Cabinet of Arunachal Pradesh has granted approval for several significant initiatives. This includes the establishment of a dedicated Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) tasked with safeguarding the state’s three tiger reserves: Namdapha, Pakke, and Kamlang. This crucial step is aimed at curbing poaching and illegal activities within these reserves, providing essential protection for the critically endangered tiger population.
• Additionally, the cabinet has endorsed the formulation of the Arunachal Pradesh Home Guard Rules for 2023. These new regulations are designed to streamline the operations of the Home Guard in the state, further enhancing its capacity to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh.

 

Q5.Which military force won the gold medal in the 2023 Cambrian Patrol military exercise held in the UK?

1.Indian Air Force

2. Indian Army

3.Indian Navy

4.Indian Special Forces

Ans:- 2) Indian Army

• In a remarkable display of military prowess on the global stage, the Indian Army clinched a gold medal at the prestigious 2023 Cambrian Patrol Competition held in Wales, UK. The victory was achieved by an elite team from the 3/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force), underscoring a significant milestone for the Indian Army.
• Often dubbed the “Olympics of Military Patrolling,” the Cambrian Patrol Competition is renowned for its rigorous assessment of endurance and teamwork. The Indian Army team faced stiff competition from 111 teams, including 38 international contingents representing special forces and esteemed regiments worldwide.
• Conducted by the UK Army, the competition challenges participants to navigate a challenging 60 km course through the rugged terrains of Wales, UK, which encompass daunting mountains and swamplands. The teams must complete this formidable course in under 48 hours, all while executing tactical missions, making it one of the most demanding military exercises globally.

 

Q6.What is the subject of the discussion regarding India’s role in the global economy?

1. Climate Change Mitigation
2. Technological Advancements
3. Contribution to Global Economic Growth
4. Political Alliances

Ans:-3) Contribution to Global Economic Growth

• Krishna Srinivasan, Director of IMF Asia & Pacific Department, has projected that India’s share in global economic growth will rise from the current 16% to 18% in the next five years.
• Srinivasan emphasized that the economic growth of the region is anticipated to be 4.6% in 2023 and 4.2% in 2024. This trajectory positions the region to contribute nearly two-thirds of the global economic expansion.
• He also underscored the resilience of India’s economy, foreseeing a growth rate of 6.3% for the fiscal year 2023/24. Moreover, he expressed confidence that India’s central government will meet the fiscal deficit target of 5.9% for FY24.

 

Q7.How much is Tata Motors planning to invest to acquire a 27% stake in ‘Freight Tiger’?

1.₹100 Crore

2.₹150 Crore

3.₹200 Crore

4.₹250 Crore

Ans:-2)₹150 Crore

• Tata Motors, a prominent player in the Indian automotive industry, has unveiled a strategic move set to revolutionize the country’s logistics sector. The company has disclosed its intention to acquire a noteworthy 27% stake in Freight Tiger, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform specializing in comprehensive logistics solutions.
• In a substantial commitment, Tata Motors is set to invest ₹150 crore in Freight Tiger in exchange for the 27% stake in this SaaS platform. Additionally, Tata Motors retains the option to make an additional investment of ₹100 crore over the next two years, contingent upon the prevailing market valuation.
• Beyond its role as a marketplace, Freight Tiger provides a range of SaaS solutions aimed at digitizing and streamlining various facets of logistics operations. These encompass features like freight tracking, assignment management, carrier matching, documentation, and payment processing. Over the span of seven years, the platform has effectively integrated and rectified inefficiencies in cargo movements, overseeing more than 10 million trips on an annualized basis.

 

Q8.Who has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Puma?

1. Virat Kohli
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Mohammed Shami
4. Hardik Pandya

Ans:- 3)Mohammed Shami

• Puma, the renowned sports brand, has proudly welcomed Mohammed Shami, a prominent Indian fast bowler, as its newest brand ambassador. This strategic collaboration further enriches Puma’s illustrious lineup of brand ambassadors.
• In this partnership, Mohammed Shami will represent Puma and endorse a range of products including footwear, apparel, and accessories. Concurrently with Shami’s inclusion, the brand has also unveiled new bowling spikes featuring a specially crafted mid-sole tailored to cater to the specific needs of fast bowlers.
• Mohammed Shami’s cricketing journey is adorned with remarkable feats. His debut for Team India against the West Indies in 2013 at the iconic Eden Gardens is etched in cricketing history. During this debut match, he left an enduring legacy by claiming nine wickets, a remarkable achievement that remains unmatched by any Indian fast bowler in their inaugural match.

 

Q9.How many judges have been appointed across 8 High Courts as per the recent notification by the Centre?

1. 12
2. 15
3. 17
4. 20

Ans:- 3) 17

• In an unexpected move, the Union government has issued notifications for the transfer of 16 high court judges and the appointment of 17 new judges across various high courts. This announcement, made by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on a popular social media platform, marked a historic high in the number of judicial notifications made by the Centre in a single day.
• Significantly, among the transferred judges were those who had been recommended by the collegium earlier in the year. Notably, Justice MV Muralidaran, one of the transferred judges, had issued a contentious order in Manipur, which led to ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis. This order, advocating for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, became a focal point for conflict in the northeastern state.
• As of October 1, a substantial 31% of high court judge positions (347 out of 1,114) remained vacant across 25 high courts in India. This high vacancy rate further compounded the challenges faced by the judiciary.

 

Q10.Who achieved a notable victory over Magnus Carlsen, as mentioned in the statement?

1. Vishwanathan Anand
2. Karthikeyan Murali
3. Hikaru Nakamura
4. Levon Aronian

Ans:-2)Karthikeyan Murali

• In a momentous turn of events at the ongoing Qatar Masters, 24-year-old Indian chess grandmaster Karthikeyan Murali achieved a stunning feat by securing a victory over the world’s top-ranked player, Magnus Carlsen.
• Karthikeyan Murali’s triumph at the Qatar Masters stands as a significant milestone in the realm of chess, spotlighting the extraordinary talent and potential of Indian chess players at the global level.
• This monumental win not only etches Karthikeyan’s name in the annals of chess history but also places him in the esteemed company of other leading players, boasting an impressive score of 5.5 out of 7. Among this exclusive club of chess maestros are players like SL Narayan, Javokhir Sindarov, David Paravyan, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nodirbek Yakubboev.