Current Affairs Quiz 13th December 2023 Quiz

Exp. Loans worth Rs 9,790 crore disbursed under PM SVANidhi scheme: Govt

A total of Rs 9,790 crore worth of loans have been disbursed so far to beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, according to government data.

The scheme was launched during the COVID-19 outbreak as a micro-credit scheme for urban street vendors that aims to provide collateral-free working capital loans up to Rs 50,000. This scheme is available pan-India in all urban local bodies.

All street vendors in urban areas are eligible for benefits under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, irrespective of the date on which they started vending.

Loans disbursed to PM SVANidhi beneficiaries stood at Rs 2,039 crore in the 2020-21 fiscal, Rs 1,248 crore in 2021-22, Rs 1,866 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 4,637 crore up to December 5 of the current 2023-24 fiscal, taking the total to Rs 9,790 crore.

As of December 5, 2023, 56,58,744 street vendor beneficiaries have been disbursed loans under this scheme.

Under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, a working capital loan of up to Rs 10,000 was introduced initially.

Considering the requirement for an enhanced loan, a second loan amount of up to Rs 20,000 with effect from April 09, 2021, and a third loan of up to Rs 50,000 with effect from June 1, 2022, were introduced.

Exp. PM launched ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ Workshop

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ‘Viksit Bharat@2047 – Voice of Youth’ and also addressed the Vice Chancellors and Heads of other Higher Education Institutes including students across the nation virtually.

Governor of Assam Gulab Chand Kataria hosted the programme at IIT Guwahati where around 1000 students, Vice Chancellors and the Heads of Institutions from about 61 Higher Educational Institutions of Assam attended physically. About 45 Higher Educational Institutions and about 600 colleges also participated in the virtual mode.

It is a Sankalp of the Prime Minister to take our nation to be developed by 2047. He informed that the Centre as well as the State government has enhanced the budgetary allocation in Education to provide better quality education to our students. Education can take us to our set goals of a developed nation by 2047.

Exp. Rays Power Infra to build 500 MW solar park in Uttarakhand

Rays Power Infra has inked an initial pact with the Uttarakhand government to build a 500 MW solar park in the state.

The collaboration underscores the company’s dedication to advancing sustainable energy initiatives and aligning with the Uttarakhand government’s vision for an environmentally responsible future.

This strategic partnership epitomizes our commitment to advancing solar energy solutions in India. The 500 MW solar park will not only fulfill a significant portion of the state’s power demands but will also act as a catalyst for economic growth and environmental preservation.

Rays Power Infra has initiated the development and execution of solar parks and plants, aggregating to 2 GW, with expected commissioning in the next 24 months.

Recent MoUs signed by State Government

• UK & Tamil Nadu partners on smart tech sustainable resource management
• Ashok Leyland signs MoU with UP Govt to set up integrated e-bus plant
• Odisha Govt signs MoU with six public sector banks to provide banking
• Maharashtra signs MoU with Germany’s professional association football
• The Jharkhand govt signed MoU with TCPL Green Energy Solutions Private Ltd. to set up the country’s “first” hydrogen fuel project in Jamshedpur.

Exp. Russia unveiled two new nuclear-powered submarines

President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has unveiled two new nuclear-powered submarines “Krasnoyarsk and Emperor Alexander”.

The Emperor Alexander III is the seventh Borei-class atomic-powered submarine to enter the service. Each of them is armed with 16 nuclear-tipped Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The Krasnoyarsk is a nuclear-powered submarine of the new Yasen type. It is armed with cruise missiles and torpedoes, and is designed to hunt for enemy submarines and is also capable of attacking ground targets.

About Russia

• Capital – Moscow
• Currency – Rubel
• President – Vladimir Putin

Exp. Intellect signs ₹80-crore deal with Indian Bank to deploy cash management system

Intellect Design Arena Ltd, the Chennai-based FinTech company for financial and insurance clients, has signed a ₹80 crore, five-year deal with Indian Bank to deploy Intellect’s eMACH.ai powered Cash Management System.

The partnership is a pivotal moment – adding another feather to Intellect’s growing footprint in the Indian BFSI industry, rendering the capabilities of a cognitive enterprise for revolutionizing transaction banking.

Indian Bank, with a network of 4,900 ATMs and 5,798 domestic branches, serves over 100 million customers with 41,000 employees and $140 billion worth of assets.

As part of the project ‘INDLEAP’, the Indian Bank has taken on the objective of digital transformation by leveraging technology wherever possible with transaction banking and supply chain management being the key growth engines.

Through this implementation, Intellect provides Omni-channel access across desktop and mobility; treasury persona-aligned dashboard to drive Contextual Banking experience; coverage of payments across electronic and physical channels, and coverage of multi-modal collections offerings for Indian corporates.

Recent MoU in Banking Sector

• U GRO Capital joined hands with Laghu Udyog Bharati to empower MSMEs
• Union Bank collaborates with Accenture to boost operational efficiency
• Ujjivan Small Finance Bank partners Water.org to offer sanitation loan
• Karnataka Bank ties up with HDFC Life to offer life insurance products
• Axis Bank signed MoU with IRMA to promote financial inclusion and literacy in India

Exp. Bank of India Unveils Nari Shakti Savings Account

Bank of India (BoI) has launched an exclusive savings bank product for women (Nari Shakti Savings Account) with an independent source of income.

The savings account has features such as personal accident insurance cover of up to ₹1 crore, discounted health insurance and wellness products, and rebates on locker facilities for gold and diamond SB A/C holders, among others.

Additionally, the account offers a concessional rate of interest on retail loans and waiver of processing charges on these loans, free issuance of credit cards and a higher usage limit of up to ₹5 lakh on POS.

The Nari Shakti savings account is conceptualized as a financial savings tool to support working women (18 years and above), with an independent source of income, enabling them to become self-reliant and enjoy a higher degree of financial freedom.

For each New Nari Shakti account opened, the bank said it will make a contribution of ₹10 towards the CSR fund, which will be utilised for the socio-economic development of underprivileged women and the girl child.

This account can be opened at all 5132 domestic branches and also through digital platforms.

About Bank of India (BOI)

• Founded- 7 September 1906
• Founder- Ramnarain Ruia
• Headquarters- Mumbai
• MD & CEO – Rajneesh Karnatak
• Tagline – Relationship beyond Banking

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• IDFC FIRST Bank launched youth-centric “FIRST SWYP” credit card in partnership with Mastercard.
• LIC introduces new whole life insurance policy Jeevan Utsav
• SEBI unveiled Investor Risk Reduction Access platform
• Federal Bank introduces UPI lite for small-value digital payments

• SIDBI launches ‘Sumpoorn’ MSME Economic Activity Index with Jocata

Exp. Bhajan Lal Sharma becomes CM of Rajasthan

Bhajan Lal Sharma is the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He won the recently concluded elections from the Sanganer assembly seat, defeating Congress’s Pushpendra Bhardwaj with over 48,081 votes.

Bhajan Lal Sharma’s name as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan was proposed by BJP’s Vasundhara Raje, who was also among the contenders for the top post.

Besides, Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa have been named as Bhajan Lal Sharma’s two deputy chief ministers.

MLA Vasudev Devnani will be the Speaker. He hails from Ajmer and has previously served as the state Education Minister.

The BJP’s Bhajan Lal Sharma’s political journey in Rajasthan has been marked by significant achievements. He has served as the State General Secretary for the BJP four times.

He won the Sanganer assembly seat with an impressive margin, securing 145,162 votes against his Indian National Congress (INC) opponent, Pushpendra Bhardwaj, who polled 97,081 votes.

He is a first-time MLA and has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

About Rajasthan

• Capital – Jaipur
• Chief Minister – Bhajan Lal Sharma (replace Ashok Gehlot)
• Deputy Chief Minister – Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa
• Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly – Vasudev Devnani
• Governor – Kalraj Mishra

Recently elected Chief Ministers

• CM of Rajasthan – Bhajan Lal Sharma
• CM of Chhattisgarh – Vishnu Deo Sai
• CM of Telangana – Revanth Reddy
• CM of Madhya Pradesh – Mohan Yadav
• CM of Mizoram – Lalduhoma

Exp. Donald Tusk elected as PM of Poland

Donald Tusk elected as new Prime Minister of Poland

Members of the Polish Parliament backed Donald Tusk to become Poland’s Prime Minister after current leader Mateusz Morawiecki lost a confidence vote in the country’s Parliament.

Tusk previously served as the Prime Minister of Poland from 2007 to 2014 and as president of the European Council from 2014 to 2019.

Tusk was also the president of the European People’s Party from 2019 to 2022.

About Poland

• Capital – Warsaw
• Currency – Zloty
• Official language – Polish
• Prime Minister – Donald Tusk

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

• Prime Minister of Luxembourgish – Luc Frieden

• Prime Minister of Spain – Pedro Sanchez (re-elected)

• Prime Minister of Slovakia – Robert Fico (4th time)
• President of Ecuador – Daniel Noboa

• President of Gabon – Gen Brice Oligui

Exp. Travis Head, Nahida Akter won ICC Player of the Month awards for November

Australian batter Travis Head and Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Nahida Akter have won the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month, respectively for November 2023.

Nahida is the first Bangladesh women’s player to win the award.

The first ODI encounter of the series saw Akter claim three wickets and 30 with a consistent spell of pressure bowling. With Pakistan chasing down a lowly 82 for victory, the spinner kept the contest competitive, claiming the wickets of Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz to trouble the tourists in their charge to victory.

Head played a major role in his side’s ODI World Cup glory with Player of the Match contributions (62 & 137) in both the semifinal victory over South Africa, and the win over India in Ahmedabad in the summit clash.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month

• July 2023 – Chris Woakes (England)
• August 2023 – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
• September 2023 – Shubman Gill (India)
• October 2023 – Rachin Ravindra (New Zeeland)
• November 2023 – Travis Head (Australia)

ICC Women’s Player of the Month

• July 2023 – Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
• August 2023 – Arlene Kelly (Ireland)
• September 2023 – Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
• October 2023 – Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
• November 2023 – Nahida Akter (Bangladesh)

Exp. Asad Shafiq announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Pakistan Test batter Asad Shafiq has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after experiencing a dip in his passion for the game.

Asad formed the backbone of the Pakistan Test batting line-up from 2010 to 2020 scoring 4660 runs in 77 games at a healthy average of 38.19 including 12 hundreds and 27 fifties.

After the spot-fixing scandal of 2010 in England, Asad was seen as the perfect image of Pakistan cricket, clean and non controversial and throughout his career he preferred to keep away from the media and limelight.

Asad, who also played 60 ODIs and 10 T20 Internationals, indirectly also admitted that perhaps in Pakistan cricket there was a tendency to select players on likes and dislikes.

Recently Retired Players

• Gurkeerat Singh Mann – International Cricket – India
• Meg Lanning – International Cricket – Australia
• Sunil Narine – International cricket – West Indies
• David Willey – International Cricket – England
• Sornnarin Tippoch – International Cricket – Thailand
• Alastair Cook – International Cricket – England
• Steven Finn – All forms of Cricket – England

Exp. 4th edition of the Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023 begins in Hanoi

A contingent of 45 personnel from the Indian Armed Forces has arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, to participate in the fourth edition of the Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023.

The exercise is scheduled to take place from the 11th to the 21st of December 2023.

Comprising 39 personnel from an Engineer Regiment of the Bengal Engineer Group and six personnel from the Army Medical Corps, the Indian contingent aims to contribute expertise in engineering and medical operations. On the other side, the Vietnam People’s Army contingent will also be represented by an equal number of personnel.

The VINBAX exercise, initiated in 2018, is an annual training event that alternates between India and Vietnam. The first edition took place in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, and the most recent edition occurred at Chandimandir Military Station in August 2022.

The primary objective of VINBAX-2023 is to enhance collaborative partnerships, promote interoperability, and share best practices between the Indian and Vietnamese armed forces. The exercise falls under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, specifically focusing on Peacekeeping Operations.

Recent Exercise

• 14th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar2023 between India & USA – Umroi, Meghalaya
• 9th edition of Mitra Shakti 2023 between India and Sri Lanka – Aundh, Pune
• 7th edition of ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ between India and Kazakhstan – Otar, Kazakhstan
• Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach – Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
• Cambrian Patrol 2023 Military Exercise in UK – Indian Army won gold medal
• Indian Navy hosts HADR CHAKRAVAT Exercise 2023 – Goa

Q.12. Who has been recognized as the International Anti-Corruption Champion by the US State Department for his dedicated efforts against corruption in government welfare programs in India?

भारत में सरकारी कल्याण कार्यक्रमों में भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ समर्पित प्रयासों के लिए अमेरिकी विदेश विभाग द्वारा किसे अंतर्राष्ट्रीय भ्रष्टाचार विरोधी चैंपियन के रूप में मान्यता दी गई है?

(a) Anshika Singh / अंशिका सिंह

(b) Sadhna Saxena Nair / साधना सक्सैना नायर

(c) Nikhil Dey / निखिल डे

(d) Ipsita Dasgupta / इप्सिता दासगुप्ता

(e) Raghu Srinivasan / रघु श्रीनिवासन

Exp. Nikhil Dey named as International Anti-Corruption champion by US Govt.

Indian social activist Nikhil Dey has been recognized as the International Anti-Corruption Champion by the US State Department for his dedicated efforts against corruption in government welfare programs in India.

He has been acknowledged for his noteworthy support of social movements that oppose corruption in government welfare programs in India by encouraging transparency and accountability, public audits, and participatory democracy.

Dey's work has led to significant anti-corruption and transparency reforms in India, particularly in Rajasthan.

Dey's efforts as a co-founder of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) contributed to anti-corruption and transparency reforms in India, assisting the state of Rajasthan in establishing public policies that promote accountability and transparency.

Q.13. Consider the following statements about the Vyas Samman

(i) Pushpa Bharati has been selected for the 33rd Vyas Samman 2023.

(ii) The award is given by the Reliance Foundation Institute.                                              

(iii) The award is given to an outstanding Hindi literary work by an Indian citizen published during the last 15 years. 

(iv) It carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation, and a plaque.

Find the INCORRECT statements

(a) Only i

(b) Only ii

(c) Only i & ii

(d) Only ii, iii & iv

(e) Only iii, iv & i

Exp. 33rd Vyas Samman to be conferred Pushpa Bharati

Noted Hindi writer Pushpa Bharati’s 2016 memoir, Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein, has been selected for the 33rd Vyas Samman 2023.

Born in Moradabad of Uttar Pradesh in 1935, Bharati did her MA in Hindi literature from Prayag University in 1955. In a career spanning decades, Bharati has authored and edited books across genres, garnering critical acclaim.

The award is given to an outstanding Hindi literary work by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years. It carries a cash prize of ₹4 lakh, a citation, and a plaque.

The award is given by the KK Birla Foundation Instituted. The award was instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991. It is given annually to an outstanding work of Hindi literature by an Indian citizen published in the last 10 years.

After considering the works published during 2013-2022, a selection committee headed by eminent litterateur Prof Ramji Tiwari picked Bharati’s Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein for the prestigious award.

Besides the Vyas Samman, the KK Birla Foundation has also instituted Saraswati Samman and Bihari Puraskar.

The Saraswati Samman, which carries a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, is given to an outstanding literary work by an Indian citizen in any of the languages included in Schedule VIII to the Constitution of India and published during a period of 10 years.

The Bihari Puraskar carries a cash prize of ₹2.5 lakh and is meant for Hindi/Rajasthani writers of Rajasthan.

Recent Awards

• Sahitya Akademi’s Premchand Fellowship - Tshering Tashi (Bhutanese author)
• Bank of the Year (India) Award by Financial Times - Federal Bank
• CEO of the Year 2023 by TIME magazine - Sam Altman (co-founded OpenAI developed ChatGPT)
• Person of the Year 2023 by TIME magazine - Taylor Swift (American singer)
• Athlete of the Year 2023 by TIME magazine - Lionel Messi

Q.14. Who has been awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the country’s highest honour awarded to civilians?

नागरिकों को दिया जाने वाला देश का सर्वोच्च सम्मान "ऑर्डर ऑफ मेरिट ऑफ इटालियन रिपब्लिक" (मेरिटो डेला रिपब्लिका इटालियाना) से किसे सम्मानित किया गया है?

(a) Ayushmann Khurrana /आयुष्मान खुराना

(b) Kabir Bedi / कबीर बेदी

(c) Pankaj Tripathi / पंकज त्रिपाठी

(d) Mahendra Singh Dhoni / महेन्द्र सिंह धोनी

(e) Rajkummar Rao / राजकुमार राव

Exp. Kabir Bedi awarded Italy’s highest honour “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic”

Kabir Bedi was awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the country’s highest honour awarded to civilians, at a private ceremony held in Mumbai.

The “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” stands as a testament to Italy’s appreciation for those who have made outstanding contributions to society, embodying the nation’s values of merit and excellence.

It is Established on March 3, 1951, the order is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including arts, literature, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic, and humanitarian activities.

Q.15. Who has launched the book “Naye Bharat ka Samveda” in New Delhi?

नई दिल्ली में "नए भारत का सामवेद" पुस्तक का विमोचन किसने किया है?

(a) Narendra Modi / नरेंद्र मोदी

(b) M Venkaiahg Naidu / एम वेंकैयाग नायडू

(c) Ramnath Kovind / रामनाथ कोविंद

(d) Droupadi Murmu / द्रौपदी मुर्मु

(e) Jagdeep Dhankhar / जगदीप धनखड़

Exp. Former President Ram Nath Kovind launches book “Naye Bharat ka Samveda”

Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind has launched a book “Naye Bharat ka Samveda” in New Delhi.

The book is a compilation of speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Indian Constitution.

In his keynote address, Kovind said that, if every citizen of the nation has adequate knowledge about the Constitution, then everything will be easy.

He further added that the citizens will be able to understand that makers of the constitution were concerned about the last person of the society.

Q.16. International Day of Neutrality is commemorated every year which day?

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय तटस्थता दिवस हर वर्ष किस दिन मनाया जाता है?

(a) 12 December / 12 दिसंबर

(b) 13 December /13 दिसंबर

(c)  14 December / 14 दिसंबर

(d)  10 December / 10 दिसंबर

(e)  11 December / 11 दिसंबर

Exp.12 December - International Day of Neutrality

International Day of Neutrality is commemorated every year on 12 December.

Objective - To raise awareness regarding the importance of neutrality in intergovernmental relations and to strengthen peace and security at the global level.

As per the United Nations, neutrality is the legal status arising from the abstention of a country from any kind of participation in a war between other states and maintaining an impartial attitude toward the belligerents.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved the proposal on February 2, 2017.

On December 12, 2017, the International Day of Neutrality was proclaimed. It also highlights the link between peacekeeping and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.