Current Affairs Quiz 5th October 2023 Quiz

Exp. PM inaugurated the country’s first high-tech sports training center

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the country’s first high-tech sports training center for Divyangjan, named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

This initiative aims to provide equal opportunities in sports, enhance talent, and encourage participation in various sports disciplines.

Divyangjan from all over the country can practice and train in the Atal Bihari Training Center for Divyang Sports.

PM Modi in News

• PM Modi launched 27 thousand crore rupee development projects in Chhattisgarh
• PM Modi has launched a week-long program called “Sankalp Saptah” for aspirational blocks in New Delhi.
• PM inaugurated ‘International Lawyers’ Conference 2023’ in New Delhi
• PM Modi laid foundation stone for Lord Shiva-themed Stadium in Varanasi, UP
• PM Modi laid foundation of Sant Ravidas temple in Madhya Pradesh
• PM Modi launched ‘Bhartiya Vastra Evam Shilp Kosh’ E-Portal

Exp. GST collection hits ₹1.62 trillion in September

Central and state governments collected Rs 1,62,712 crore in goods and services tax (GST) in September, marking the fourth highest monthly collection since the inception of the indirect tax regime and a 10% annual growth from the year-ago period.

Overall, GST receipts so far this year are in line with the 10.5% nominal GDP growth rate projected by the finance ministry and reflect the trends in tax administration efficiency as well as consumption.

After the settlement of taxes on inter-state sales, the central government received ₹63,555 crore while states received ₹65,235 crore in September.

Proceeds from the GST cess levied on items like high-end automobiles stood at a robust ₹11,613 crore

GST revenue receipts are in line with official estimates. Gross receipts from GST in the first half of the current fiscal improved 11% from the year-ago period to ₹9.92 trillion.

The average monthly gross collection this fiscal is ₹1.65 trillion, which is 11% more than in the year-ago period.

GST Collection for Previous Months

• January 2023 – 1,55,922 crore
• February 2023 – 1,49,577 crore
• March 2023 – 1,60,122 crore
• April 2023 – 1,87,035 crore
• May 2023 – 1,57,090 crore
• June 2023 – 1,61,497 crore
• July 2023 – 1,65,105 crore
• August 2023 – 1,59,069 crore
• September – 1,62,712 crore

Exp. India to unveil largest BR Ambedkar statue in Maryland, USA

India will unveil the largest statue of BR Ambedkar outside India in Maryland, North America on October 14.

According to the Ambedkar International Center (AIC) who is the organizer of the project informed that the 19-foot statue, named Statue of Equality has been made by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar.

He also constructed the Sardar Patel statue in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The statue of Ambedkar, the key architect of India’s Constitution built on 13 acres of land in Accokeek City Maryland.

The 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti in India on April 14, 2023.

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer.

Exp. China launches Yaogan-33 04 new remote-sensing satellite

China sent its latest remote-sensing satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The satellite, Yaogan-33 04, was launched on a Long March-4C carrier rocket and has entered its planned orbit successfully.

Objective – To be used for scientific experiments, land resource surveys, crop yield estimates, and disaster prevention and relief work.

The launch was the 489th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

About China

• Capital – Beijing
• Currency – Yuan
• President – Xi Jinping

Exp. Indo-Bangla joint exercise SAMPRITI-XI begins in Umroi, Meghalaya

India and Bangladesh began a two-week military exercise in Meghalaya’s Umroi with an aim to share tactical drills and promote best practices in carrying out sub-conventional operations.

The exercise — “SAMPRITI-XI” — promises to further enhance the defence cooperation between India and Bangladesh, fostering deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding and mutual benefits from shared experiences.

With its inception in Jorhat, Assam in 2009, the exercise has witnessed 10 successful editions till 2022.

Recent Exercise

• 30th edition of SIMBEX between Indian Navy and Singapore Navy – South China Sea.
• 21st edition of Varuna 2023 between Indian Navy and French Navy – Arabian Sea
• 5th edition of AUSINDEX-23 between Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy – Sydney, Australia,
• Exercise Bright Star-23 among US, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Qatar & India– Cairo Air Base, Egypt
• Passage Exercise (PASSEX) 2023 between Indian Navy & Royal Saudi Navy – Red Sea, Saudi Arbia (INS Chennai participated)

Exp. Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti takes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti has assumed the role of Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS).

He replaces Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahendru, who retired on September 30, 2023, after 38 years of service.

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti has served in the Indian Navy since July 1988 with expertise in Navigation and Direction.

In his career spanning 35 years, he has held various command and staff positions both at sea and ashore.

Notable commands include INS Nishank (missile boat), INS Kora (missile corvette), and INS Kolkata (guided missile destroyer).

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector

• Interim director of Enforcement Directorate (ED) – Rahul Navin (replace Sanjay Kumar Mishra.)
• DG of Railway Protection Force – Manoj Yadava (replace Sanjay Chander)
• DG of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) – Rakesh Pal (25th)
• Special Director of CBI – Ajay Bhatnagar
• Additional Director of CBI – Anurag
• Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – Ravi Sinha (replace Samant Kumar Goel)

Exp. Centre extends Amit Agrawal’s tenure as CEO of UIDAI for one year

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of Amit Agrawal’s tenure as the CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

The extension is for a period of one year starting 2 November 2023 up to 2 November 2024 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

He was appointed to the position on June 19, following the retirement of Saurabh Garg.

Agrawal is a 1993 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Agrawal assumed charge as the new CEO of the UIDAI in June this year.

Agrawal has held a number of important positions in the government, including secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He is also the current Chairman of the National Digital Communications Policy Committee

The ACC also approved the appointment of Reeta Vasishta, secretary in the legislative department of law ministry, as incharge of the central agency section of the law ministry, by temporarily upgrading the post to secretary to the Indian government, from October 2, 2023 till the date of her superannuation, i.e. July 31, 2025, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Recent Appointment

• DG of Border Roads Organization (BRO) – Raghu Srinivasan (28th) (replace Rajeev Chaudhry)
• Chairman of Press Trust of India Board – K.N. Shanth Kumar (replace Aveek Sarkar)
• Chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) – Saugata Gupta
• Vice Chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) – Partha Sinha
• As Member of UPSC – Dinesh Dasa

Exp. Mathematician Ruixiang Zhang to receive 2023 Sastra Ramanujan Prize

Assistant Professor of the University of California, Ruixiang Zhang Berkeley (USA) will be awarded with the 2023 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for his outstanding contributions in mathematics.

The annual cash prize of USD 10,000 will be given at an international conference in Number Theory during December 20 and December 22 at SASTRA University in Kumbakonam.

In keeping with the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose groundbreaking work was accomplished during his tragically brief life of 32 years, the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize maintains an age limit of 32 years for its recipients.

This age restriction pays tribute to the extraordinary achievements of Ramanujan.

Recent Awards

• Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 – Waheeda Rehman
• Great Place To Work Certified in India from Sept 2023 to Sept 2024 period – SBI General Insurance
• Best Trading Platform Global 2023 – Binomo Trading Paltform
• Most Trusted Platform Global 2023 – Binomo Trading Paltform
• Singapore Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship – Himanta Biswa Sarma

Exp. Bawendi, Brus, and Ekimov awarded Chemistry Nobel Prize 2023

The 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

These nanoparticles have wide-ranging applications across fields like electronics, advanced surgery, and quantum computing.

These smallest components of nanotechnology now spread their light from televisions and LED lamps, and can also guide surgeons when they remove tumour tissue, among many other things.

What are quantum dots?

• Quantum dots are particles that are a few nanometres wide. They exhibit unique optical properties due to their small physical size. Their structure and atomic composition are the same as bulk materials, but the properties of the latter don’t depend on their size.
• In fact ,the properties of quantum dots can be changed by changing their size.
• At the scale of nanometres, materials and particles are capable of new, size-dependent properties because quantum physical forces start to dominate. At the macroscopic scale, on the other hand, like in our day to day lives, gravity and the rules of classical physics dominate.
• By the 1970s, physicists knew that the optical properties of glass could be changed by adding a small amount of another element, like gold, silver, cadmium, sulphur, or selenium.
• They also knew how or why some of these changes could occur, but quantum dots as such hadn’t been synthesized yet.

Exp. Annu Rani wins gold in women’s javelin throw

India’s Annu Rani has won the gold medal in the women’s javelin throw with a 69.92m throw at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou.

She became the first Indian woman to win a javelin gold in Asian Games history.

Sri Lanka’s Nadeesha Dilhan Lekamge Hatarabage won the silver medal with 61.57 metres throw, and China’s Huihui Lyu won bronze with 61.29 metres throw.

Rani started with a 56.99m throw in her first attempt and followed it with a 60+ in the next one. Her 61.28m throw in the second attempt put her in the medal contention but her 62.92m throw in the fourth attempt turned out to be sufficient for a gold. Rani’s first-place finish secured India its 15th gold.

Exp. ICC names Sachin Tendulkar as ‘Global Ambassador’ for ODI World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as the ‘Global Ambassador’ for the Cricket World Cup 2023.

Sachin, who has participated in a record six 50-over World Cups, will unveil the World Cup trophy before the inaugural match between England and New Zealand, thereby officially opening the tournament

The largest Cricket World Cup ever will also feature an eclectic group of ICC ambassadors, including West Indies legend Vivian Richards, South Africa’s AB de Villiers, England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, Australia’s Aaron Finch, Sri Lanka’s spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, India’s Suresh Raina and former captain Mithali Raj, as well as Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 commences on October 5, with defending champions England facing off against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A total of 48 matches will be played across 10 venues, concluding with the final on November 19 in the world’s largest cricket stadium.

Exp. Jyothi-Ojas pair wins compound mixed team gold

Indian players Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Pravin Ojas Deotale have won gold in the Compound Archery Mixed Team event in the Asian Games 2023.

Jyothi-Pravin defeated the South Korean pair in a close encounter by one point 159-158. This is the first gold for Archery in the ongoing Asian Games.

In addition, Indian race walkers Manju Rani and Ram Baboo also won the bronze medal in the 35km race walk mixed team event.

Exp. Rest of India won the 2023 Irani Cup by 175 runs

Rest of India has won the Irani Cup 2023 by defeating Saurashtra by 175 runs. This was Rest of India’s 30th Irani Cup title.

The match took place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Gujarat.

The Irani Cup marks the beginning of the Indian domestic cricket season.

Hanuma Vihari led Rest of India, while Jaydev Unadkat captained Saurashtra.

About Irani Cup

It is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This is a four-day cricket match.

The tournament was started in the 1969–70 season in honor of the late BCCI treasurer Zal Irani.

Exp. Neeraj Chopra wins Gold, Jena Silver at Asian Games 2023

India celebrated a remarkable 1-2 finish in the Men’s Javelin Throw competition at the Asian Games 2023, held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Park Main Stadium in the People’s Republic of China.

Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal, while Kishore Kumar Jena clinched the silver, showcasing their exceptional talent on the grand continental stage.

Neeraj Chopra, the reigning champion, delivered an outstanding performance by achieving a season’s best throw of 88.88 meters.

This remarkable feat not only secured the gold medal for him but also marked his second consecutive gold at the Asian Games, following his victory in Jakarta 2018.

Exp. 5 October – World Teachers Day

World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5.

The day is dedicated to create awareness about the significant role of teachers in the development of societies across the globe.

Theme 2023 – The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage”.

The history of World Teachers’ Day dates back to the year 1994. It was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).