Current Affairs For 25th September 2023

Hello readers… We not only provide news highlights but also delve deeper into the underlying factors and implications of significant events. Our analysis pieces offer valuable insights and perspectives to help you grasp the bigger picture.

Q1. What is the significance of the recent decline in India’s under-5 mortality rate?

1. It has increased by 3 points
2. It has decreased by 3 points
3. It has remained the same
4. It has fluctuated unpredictably

Ans:-2) It has decreased by 3 points

• India has made significant strides in reducing its under-5 mortality rate, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report of 2020. The rate dropped from 35 per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 32 per 1,000 live births in 2020. Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka witnessed the most substantial improvements. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted this progress, emphasizing that it aligns with India’s commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Registrar General of India released this encouraging report, which also indicates positive trends in infant mortality rate (IMR), under-5 mortality rate (U5MR), and neo-mortality rate (NMR).

Q2.What is observed in Jammu and Kashmir on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh?

1. Republic Day
2. Independence Day
3. Public Holiday
4. Diwali

Ans:-3)Public Holiday

• The administration of Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has officially designated Maharaja Hari Singh’s birth anniversary as a public holiday. This decision came after a meeting with a delegation consisting of prominent political figures, members of the Yuva Rajput Sabha, and representatives from civil society, including the head of J&K transport union.
• Maharaja Hari Singh, known for his contributions in education, progressive ideologies, and social reforms, left an indelible mark as a visionary leader. This public holiday serves as a fitting tribute to honor his profound legacy and the enduring impact he had on the region.

Q3.Which are 5 countries that formed Pam Oil Alliance

1. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh ,Nepal
2. Russia, Saudi Arabia ,Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka
3. Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste
4. Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Ans:-1)India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh ,Nepal

• Trade associations representing the edible oil industries of five South Asian nations – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal – have joined forces to establish the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA). The primary aim is to consolidate their bargaining power and promote sustainable imports. India, which annually imports around 13-14 million tonnes of edible oil, obtains roughly 8 million tonnes of palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Additionally, other oils like soya and sunflower are sourced from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, and Russia. Asia commands approximately 40% of the global palm oil consumption, with Europe contributing 12% to the palm oil trade. Indonesia and Malaysia stand as the top global palm oil exporters. Among Asian nations, India leads in palm oil imports, accounting for 15% of global imports, followed by China (9%), Pakistan (4%), and Bangladesh (2%).

Q4.Which of the following statements is true regarding the G-4 countries’ stance on UNSC reform?

1. The G-4 countries are against any kind of reform in the UNSC.
2. The G-4 countries have recently withdrawn their support for UNSC reform.
3. The G-4 countries have reiterated their call for UNSC reform.
4. The G-4 countries are proposing to dissolve the UNSC altogether.

Ans:-3)The G-4 countries have reiterated their call for UNSC reform.

• The G-4 countries, comprising India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, have reaffirmed their commitment to the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This comes as they called for decisive progress on the issue during the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. The G-4 nations emphasized the need to expand the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect contemporary global realities. They reiterated their support for each other’s candidatures for permanent seats on an expanded Council. This move is part of a longstanding effort by these countries to make the UNSC more representative, accountable, and effective in addressing current global challenges.

Q5.Who has ESSCI partnered with to train Indian youth?

1. TCS
2. Samsung India
3. Wipro
4. Infosys

Ans:-2)Samsung India

• The Electronics Sector Skill Council of India (ESSCI) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Samsung India to equip young individuals with industry-relevant skills. This initiative is aligned with the government’s ‘Skill India’ program, which aims to enhance the employability of youth by providing them with skills in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Big Data, and Coding & Programming.
• The MoU was formalized between Ken Kang, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, and Abhilasha Gaur, COO of ESSCI.
• Under the program titled ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’, more than 3,000 unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 25 will be trained in cutting-edge technologies. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Skill India program. The implementation of the program will be overseen by ESSCI, a National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) entity, through its network of accredited training and education partners.

Q6.Which organization partnered with NPCI to facilitate cross-border transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?

1. TerraPay
2. RBI
3. SWIFT
4. Mastercard

Ans:-1)TerraPay

Q7.Which company recently attained the ‘Maharatna’ status?

1. REC Ltd
2. NPCI
3. Samsung India
4. TerraPay

Ans:-1) REC Ltd

• REC Ltd, formerly Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, has been granted the ‘Maharatna’ status, making it the 12th company to receive this designation. This status grants enhanced financial and operational autonomy to select Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in India.

Q8.The RBI recently cancelled the licence of which cooperative bank based in Maharashtra?

1. Laxmi Cooperative Bank
2. Dhanlaxmi Cooperative Bank
3. Saraswat Cooperative Bank
4. Janata Sahakari Bank

Ans:-1) Laxmi Cooperative Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revoked the license of The Laxmi Co-operative Bank Limited, headquartered in Solapur. This action was taken due to the bank’s insufficient capital and limited prospects for earnings. As per the provided data, over 99% of the depositors are eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
• On September 13, 2022, DICGC already disbursed Rs 193.68 crore, covering a substantial portion of the insured deposits. Consequently, The Laxmi Co-operative Bank Limited is no longer permitted to conduct banking operations, effective immediately. This decision is based on the bank’s failure to comply with the stipulations outlined in the Banking Regulation Act of 1949.

Q9.Who secured the top position on the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List?

1.  Mukesh Ambani
2. Gautam Adani
3. Lakshmi Mittal
4. Shiv Nadar

Ans:-2)Gautam Adani

• According to the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2022, Gautam Adani and his family secured the top position with an estimated wealth of Rs. 10,94,400 crore. Their daily wealth creation was estimated at Rs. 1,612 crores, demonstrating a remarkable 116 per cent growth compared to the 2021 list.
• Mukesh Ambani and his family were ranked as the second richest in India, with an estimated wealth of Rs. 7,94,700 crore, showing an 11 per cent growth compared to the 2021 list. Their daily wealth creation velocity was Rs. 210 crores.
• Falguni Nayar, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nykaa, emerged as India’s wealthiest self-made woman, surpassing Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in net worth.

Q10.Who is set to launch the e-learning platform “Bharat Vidya”?

1. Nirmala Sitharaman
2. Ramesh Pokhriyal
3. Piyush Goyal
4. Smriti Irani

Ans:-1)Nirmala Sitharaman

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to inaugurate Bharat Vidya, an online learning platform specializing in Oriental and South Asian Studies. This pioneering platform has been developed by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI). It offers a range of courses, both free and paid, encompassing various facets of Indology, including art, architecture, philosophy, language, and science.
• Initially, Bharat Vidya will introduce six courses covering topics such as Veda Vidya, Bharatiya Darshanshastra, Sanskrit learning, 18 Parvas of Mahabharata, Fundamentals of Archaeology, and Kalidasa and Bhasha. BORI intends to collaborate with domestic and international universities to provide course credits. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that these courses align with the guidelines outlined in the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 during the platform’s inaugural event.