Current Affairs For 27th September 2023

Stay connected with our Current Affairs Digest and embark on a journey of knowledge and understanding.

Q1.India recently introduced its first green hydrogen-run bus. What is noteworthy about this bus?

1. It emits only water
2. It emits oxygen
3.  It runs on solar power
4.  It has zero emissions

Ans:-1)It emits only water

• The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has reached a significant milestone in India’s shift towards clean energy with the introduction of the country’s inaugural green hydrogen-powered bus. This pioneering endeavor represents a crucial stride in reducing India’s reliance on fossil fuels while advocating for environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives.
• IOC is at the forefront of harnessing the potential of green hydrogen, generated through the electrolysis of water using electricity sourced from renewable means. This eco-friendly hydrogen will be employed to power two buses, which are scheduled for trial runs in the national capital region.
• Hydrogen is widely hailed as the fuel of the future, holding substantial promise in supporting India’s efforts towards decarbonization. Internationally, there is an anticipated surge in demand for hydrogen, with projections ranging from four to seven times the current levels, reaching 500-800 tonnes by 2050. On the domestic front, India’s demand for hydrogen is expected to quadruple, rising from the current 6 tonnes to an estimated 25-28 tonnes by 2050.

Q2.Maruti Suzuki has recently partnered with which organization for the Northeast Outreach Programme?

1. Indian Air Force
2. Indian Army
3. Indian Navy
4.  Indian Coast Guard

Ans:-3)Indian Navy

• Maruti Suzuki India, a leading automobile manufacturer, has joined hands with the Indian Navy to promote awareness about career prospects among the youth of Northeastern India through the ‘Khamree Mo Sikkim’ outreach programme. This collaboration represents a concerted endeavor to advance development and well-being in Northeast India. The primary objective is to educate and motivate young individuals about the diverse opportunities available in the Navy, while also nurturing and strengthening ties with the local communities in the region.
• On September 24, 2023, a remarkable expedition was inaugurated from the Indian Navy base in Lonavala. Covering an impressive distance of 6,500 kilometers, this journey is slated to extend over several weeks and involve the participation of 45 Navy officials.

Q3.What has raised concerns recently regarding a Chinese research vessel?

1. Its unpermitted visit to Sri Lanka
2.  Its involvement in illegal activities
3. Its collision with another vessel
4. Its violation of international research agreements

Ans:-1)Its unpermitted visit to Sri Lanka

• The planned visit of a Chinese research vessel, the Shi Yan 6, to Sri Lanka in October has raised concerns, echoing similar apprehensions expressed by India. The vessel is slated to embark on an 80-day mission in the Indian Ocean, with 13 research teams on board, conducting various scientific research projects.
• This upcoming visit is part of a series of notable events involving Chinese vessels in Sri Lanka. In the previous year, a Chinese warship docked at Colombo port, leading to tensions between India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, in August of the same year, the Chinese military ship Yuan Wang 5 arrived at Hambantota port, despite strong objections from India and the United States. China consistently maintains that such concerns are without merit.
• The Shi Yan 6, organized by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is engaged in a geophysical scientific research expedition. It will operate in the eastern Indian Ocean for 80 days, undertaking 28 scientific research projects covering a distance of more than 12,000 nautical miles.

Q4.Recently, India granted permission for the export of 75,000 tons of which type of rice to the UAE?

1. Basmati White Rice
2. Sella Rice
3. Non-Basmati White Rice
4. Brown Rice

Ans:-3)Non-Basmati White Rice

• The Government of India has recently taken a significant step by allowing the export of 75,000 tons of non-basmati white rice to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision comes amidst prior restrictions imposed by India on the export of non-basmati white rice. The announcement was made by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Monday, signaling a shift in India’s export policies.
• The export of non-basmati white rice to the UAE will be facilitated through the National Cooperatives Exports Limited (NCEL). NCEL plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of India’s export initiatives, highlighting the government’s commitment to balancing domestic and international demands for essential food commodities.
• While India has temporarily suspended exports of non-basmati white rice for domestic reasons, it remains dedicated to upholding commitments to food security in vulnerable countries and neighboring nations. The Indian government stands ready to provide the necessary quantity of rice or wheat when requested by food-insecure nations.

Q5.What recent milestone has India achieved in its aerospace capabilities?

1. Introduction of the Tejas Fighter Jet
2. Launch of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission
3. Formal introduction of the first C-295 Aircraft into the Indian Air Force (IAF)
4.  Successful testing of the Hypersonic Missile

Ans:-3)Formal introduction of the first C-295 Aircraft into the Indian Air Force (IAF)

• In a significant ceremony in Ghaziabad, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially welcomed the first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft into the Indian Air Force (IAF). This momentous occasion was attended by high-ranking military officials, including Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. The introduction of the C-295 aircraft signifies a substantial enhancement for the IAF, providing it with modern capabilities and remarkable versatility across a wide spectrum of missions.
• The new-generation C-295, crafted by Airbus, stands as a highly adaptable tactical transport aircraft meticulously designed to cater to the evolving demands of contemporary military operations. It excels in various missions including troop and cargo transportation, maritime patrol, signals intelligence, and medical evacuation. Its flexibility and versatility position it as a valuable asset for the Indian Air Force.
• Noteworthy is the aircraft’s impressive payload capacity, enabling it to carry up to nine tonnes of cargo or accommodate as many as 71 troops. This remarkable capability empowers the IAF to efficiently transport both personnel and equipment to diverse locations, significantly amplifying its operational effectiveness. Furthermore, the aircraft can cruise at a maximum speed of 260 knots, ensuring swift responses in critical situations.

Q6.What is S&P Global Ratings’ growth forecast for India for the current fiscal year?

1. 4%
2. 5%
3. 6%
4. 7%

Ans:-3)6%

• S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed its growth projection for India in the current fiscal year, keeping it steady at 6 percent. They have considered various factors influencing the economic landscape while making this assessment. This announcement comes against the backdrop of global economic challenges, concerns over below-average monsoon rainfall, and the delayed impacts of interest rate hikes.
• The apprehension regarding subnormal monsoons, which can have a detrimental effect on agriculture, a pivotal sector in India, has contributed to this evaluation. India’s economy displayed robust growth, registering a commendable 7.8 percent in the first quarter of 2023. This was driven by strong demand in the services sector and sustained government expenditure in capital projects.
• S&P Global Ratings maintains a positive outlook, foreseeing India’s economy to expand at a rate of 6.9 percent in both the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26. This reflects a vote of confidence in India’s economic potential, even in the face of prevailing global challenges.

Q7.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently imposed a monetary penalty on which banks?

1. State Bank of India, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank
2. Indian Bank, ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank
3. State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank
4. HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank

Ans:-3)State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties on three prominent state-owned banks, namely State Bank of India (SBI), Indian Bank, and Punjab & Sind Bank, for their failure to comply with various regulatory norms. This emphasizes the critical importance of adhering to banking regulations and directives set forth by the RBI.
• Specifically, the RBI has levied a monetary penalty of ₹1.30 Crore on the State Bank of India (SBI) due to its non-compliance with specific directives issued by the RBI. The bank was found to have violated guidelines related to ‘Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions’ and ‘Guidelines on Management of Intra-Group Transactions and Exposures.’
• Punjab & Sind Bank incurred a penalty of ₹1.00 Crore for its failure to comply with the provisions outlined in sub-section (2) of Section 26A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. On the other hand, Indian Bank faced a substantial penalty of ₹1.62 Crore for its non-compliance with various RBI directives, including those pertaining to ‘Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions,’ ‘Reserve Bank of India [Know Your Customer (KYC)] Directions, 2016,’ and ‘Reserve Bank of India (Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions, 2016.

Q8.How much is Amazon planning to invest in the AI startup Anthropic?

1. Up to $1 billion
2. Up to $2 billion
3. Up to $3 billion
4. Up to $4 billion

Ans:-4)Up to $4 billion

• E-commerce behemoth Amazon.com has unveiled a strategic investment plan of up to $4 billion in Anthropic, an AI startup, signaling a substantial step towards bolstering its presence in generative artificial intelligence.
• Beyond the financial commitment, this partnership is poised to exert a considerable influence on Amazon’s in-house chipmaking endeavors. Through this collaboration, Anthropic will harness AWS chips to construct and train fundamental models for forthcoming AI applications. This signifies a collaborative approach aimed at advancing the AI capabilities of both companies.
• Anthropic, established by experts from OpenAI, is dedicated to developing chatbots and AI applications that prioritize safety and reliability while undertaking tasks such as summarization, search, question-answering, and coding. Notably, tech industry giant Google had previously invested nearly $400 million in Anthropic, underscoring the widespread interest in the company’s vision for AI safety.

Q9.What are Moody’s concerns related to India’s Aadhaar Biometric System?

1. Security vulnerabilities
2. Lack of government support
3.  Inefficiency in data collection
4.  High implementation costs

Ans:-1)Security vulnerabilities

• Moody’s Investors Service, a global rating agency headquartered in New York, released a report titled “Decentralized Finance and Digital Assets” on September 23. The report highlighted apprehensions regarding the security and privacy vulnerabilities linked to biometric technologies, with a specific focus on India’s Aadhaar program.
• Moody’s voiced reservations about the dependability of biometric technologies, particularly in regions with high humidity, citing concerns about the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)-administered Aadhaar system. They pointed out instances where the Aadhaar system has led to service denials, particularly impacting manual laborers working in hot and humid conditions. This raises questions about the effectiveness of biometric authentication.
• Furthermore, the report underlined concerns about the potential misuse or exploitation of specific categories of digital ID systems, particularly those under central or federated control. Moody’s underscored that these concerns become more critical when dealing with sensitive biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial recognition information.

Q10.Who has been named as the brand ambassador for Uniqlo India?

1. Priyanka Chopra
2.  Deepika Padukone
3.  Alia Bhatt
4. Katrina Kaif

Ans:-4)Katrina Kaif

• Uniqlo, the Japanese clothing giant, has unveiled Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as its inaugural brand ambassador in India. This strategic alliance is a pivotal step for Uniqlo as it endeavors to amplify its footprint in the Indian market, particularly in the promotion of its Fall-Winter 2023 campaign.
• Katrina Kaif, an eminent figure in the Indian film industry, will take center stage in campaign films, showcasing Uniqlo’s diverse fashion offerings across an array of media channels, encompassing both digital and offline platforms. In joining the ranks of global brand ambassadors like tennis icon Roger Federer, who has been a prominent figure for Uniqlo since 2018, Katrina Kaif underscores Uniqlo’s dedication to universal appeal.
• This collaboration between Uniqlo and Katrina Kaif is slated to span one year, with a concentrated focus on propelling the brand’s Fall-Winter 2023 collection into the limelight. The campaign will extend its reach through various mediums, including print, digital, outdoor advertising, and in-store promotions. This partnership not only heralds a significant move for Uniqlo in India but also reinforces its commitment to a diverse and influential global representation.