Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: December 07, 2022
Do you know that the current affairs section is considered important in every competitive exam? You need to understand that it can be difficult to study for the Current Affairs section while also studying for other subjects. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The right current affairs study material will assist you in thoroughly preparing for this section and scoring well.
Rather than leaving the current events section until the last minute, study them daily and then review them weekly.
Current Affairs: Awards and Recognitions
21 Uninhabited Andaman and Nicobar Islands Named After Decorated Soldiers
The government has named 21 uninhabited islands in the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar after recipients of Param Vir Chakra, the country’s highest wartime gallantry award.
Of the 21 islands, 16 are located in the North and Middle Andaman district, while five are in South Andaman.
Details:
The first uninhabited island, numbered ‘INAN370’ in the North and Middle Andaman, was named after Major Somnath Sharma.
Now ‘INAN370’ will be known as ‘Somnath Dweep’. He was the first and the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra.
Sharma lost his life in the line of duty on 3 November 1947 while handling Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport.
He was posthumously awarded the highest military award for his gallantry and sacrifice during the Battle of Badgam.
Some of the 21 islands fall under reserved forest, while some have great potential for water sports, creek tourism and fishing.
Connection of Andaman anddom Fighters:
The Andamans, in general, and the Cellular Jail, in particular, played a prominent part in the history of ourdom struggle.
People who took part in various anti-British movements, such as the 1857 revolt, the Wahabi Movement, and the Burmese Rebellion, were deported to the Andamans, where they lived there under barbaric conditions.
Great stalwarts of thedom struggle were confined in the solitary cells of the Cellular Jail.
What Is Param Vir Chakra?
Param Vir Chakra means ‘Wheel of the Ultimate Brave’
It is the highest honour given to officers and other personnel of the military throughout India for their bravery during times of war in the presence of the enemy
The honour of Param Vir Chakra is equivalent to the Medal of Honour in the United States and the Victorian cross of the United Kingdom
The medal has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were posthumous, and 16 originated from actions in Indo-Pakistani disputes
The Param Vir Chakra was designed by Savitribai Khanolkar (née Eve Yvonne Maday de Maros)
Question:
Recently the first uninhabited island numbered ‘INAN370’ in the North and Middle Andaman was named after which of the following war heroes?
A. Captain Karam Singh
B. Major Rama Raghoba Rane
C. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal
D. Major Somnath Sharma
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Rankings
India Ranked 48th in Global Aviation Safety Rankings 2022
India has jumped to the 48th position—its highest-ever spot—in the global aviation safety ranking by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Four years ago, the country was at the 102nd spot in the rankings.
What Does Higher Ranking Mean?
The higher ranking means that India has improved its air safety processes.
Better aviation safety in home skies also allows Indian carriers to expand faster in overseas markets as permissions for new services are easier to get.
Fact:
Singapore is at the top of the list, followed by the UAE and South Korea in second and third place, respectively. China is in position 49.
About the Report:
Under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach, an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) was undertaken from 9 to 16 November. The country’s score in terms of effective implementation of key safety elements has improved to 85.49 per cent.
According to the DGCA audit was conducted in the areas of legislation, organisation, personal licensing, operations, airworthiness, and aerodromes. As per the initial reports, the mission was highly successful.
India has done extremely well and our scores will see a substantial improvement putting us in the company of nations with the best safety standards and oversight systems.
Question:
What is India’s ranking in the recently published Global Aviation Safety Rankings 2022?
A. 33rd
B. 48th
C. 67th
D. 102nd
Answer: B
Current Affairs: National
India’s First Drone Station Set Up in Meghalaya
The air delivery of 1.5 kg of medicines to a remote location recently marked India’s unveiling of the first drone station for transporting drugs at the Jengjal Sub-divisional Hospital in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district.
The drone, a Vertiplane X3 designed by a start-up, took 36 minutes to deliver the payload at the Pedaldoba Primary Health Centre, almost 2 hours less than the time taken by a semblance of a road.
About Drone Delivery :
The drone delivery hub intends to improve universal access to healthcare in the state by delivering vital supplies like drugs, diagnostic samples, vaccines, blood and blood components quickly and safely to remote regions of the state using a dedicated drone delivery network.
Funded by the World Bank, the drone service is a joint initiative of the Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project and Techeagle, a drone delivery start-up.
Question:
India’s First drone station has recently been set up in which of the following states/UT for the delivery of drugs?
A Greenhouse-in-a-Box sustainable solution for small farmers devised by Telangana startup Kheyti has won the 1 million pound Earthshot Prize, founded by Britain’s Prince William and dubbed the Eco Oscars’.
Kheyti, one of the five winners at a gala green carpet awards ceremony in Boston on Friday, 02 December night, won the prize in the ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ category from hundreds of entries worldwide.
Protect and Restore Nature: Kheyti, India – A pioneering solution for local smallholder farmers to reduce costs, increase yields and protect livelihoods in a country on the frontlines of climate change.
What Is Kheyti?
This company provides Technology solutions for small farmers and design, adapt and implement low-cost farming solutions that help small farmers increase yield and predictability of produce.
They combine these technologies with end-to-end support to give these farmers a seamless path towards income increase.
They have developed a “Greenhouse-in-a-box”, an affordable, modular greenhouse bundled with full-stack services, which uses 90% less water, grows seven times more food and gives farmers a steady, dependable income.
What Is the Earthshot Prize?
The Earthshot Prize is awarded to five winners each year for their contributions to environmentalism. It was first awarded in 2021 and is planned to run annually until 2030. Each winner receives a grant of £1 million to continue their environmental work.
Awarded for: Solutions to climate change and environmental issues from 2021 to 2030
First awarded: 2021
Presented by: The Royal Foundation (first edition)
Reward(s): £1 million
About ‘The Royal Foundation’:
The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales is a charity which supports the work of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Their projects revolve around conservation, the early years, mental health, and emergency services.
Question:
Recently India’s Greenhouse-in-a-Box startup Kheyti won the Earthshot Prize 2022 for which of the following achievements?
A. Clean our Air
B. Protect and Restore Nature
C. Revive our Oceans
D. Build a Waste-World
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation
Artificial highlands where animals can escape during floods; more than 200 anti-poaching camps; alternate livelihood training for local communities — these measures at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam will form the cornerstone of an Indo-French initiative announced earlier this year.
Details:
The Kaziranga project is a part of a larger Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) for which the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has committed funding of €80.2 million for a period of 10 years, between 2014-2024.
There are 35 six-seven-foot tall embankments or highlands constructed in various areas around the park that animals can climb onto and seek refuge during the annual flooding.
The project has also developed infrared-based early warning systems triggered by elephant footfall to either scare off herds from human habitats or warn villagers.
Rationale:
The project conceptualised the reforestation of 33,500 hectares of land and the training of 10,000 community members in alternate livelihoods by 2024.
But it is the 457 sq km Kaziranga National Park that remains the heart of the programme.
What Is the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Society (APFBC Society)?
APFBC Society was created by the State Government of Assam as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The Society has the mandate for planning, implementation, monitoring, coordination and management of all the activities proposed under the project.
With French and Indian technical and financial support, the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership will facilitate partnership activities for interesting natural parks of the Indo-Pacific region. These activities include biodiversity conservation, wildlife management and engagement with local communities.
About Kaziranga National Park:
Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam.
Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.
Ganges River dolphins swim in the park’s waters. Many rare migratory birds visit it, and grey pelicans roost near Kaziranga village.
Question:
Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation recently developed artificial highlands where animals can escape during floods is an initiative developed with which of the following countries?
A. Germany
B. France
C. Israel
D. UAE
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Sports
Shooter Rudrankksh Patil clinches ISSF President’s Cup in Egypt
Indian shooter Rudrankksh Patil has clinched the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) President’s Cup held recently in Cairo, Egypt.
Details:
He defeated Italy’s Danilo Sollazzo in the 10-metre rifle play-off by 16-8.
Athletes from 42 nations representing 43 ISSF Member Federations from all continents took part in this competition, which was held from 28 November to 4 December.
18-year-old Rudrankksh Patil also bagged India’s first quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics when he clinched a gold in the men’s 10-metre air rifle in the ISSF Rifle-Pistol World Championships 2022, also held in Cairo in October this year.
What Is the International Shooting Sport Federation?
The International Shooting Sport Federation is the governing body of the Olympic shooting events in rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines and several non-Olympic shooting sports events.
Headquarters location: Munich, Germany
President: Vladimir Lisin
Founded: 1907
Question:
Which of the following Indian shooters recently clinched the International Shooting Sport Federation President’s Cup held in Cairo, Egypt?
A. Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
B. Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar
C. Anish Bhanwala
D. Bhavesh Shekhawat
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Economy
RBI Announces Four-Tiered Regulatory Framework for Urban Co-operative Banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on, 1 December, announced a four-tiered regulatory framework for the categorisation of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).
Based on the size of deposits of the UCBs, the four-tiered regulatory framework will come into force with immediate effect.
As per details, the extant regulatory framework classifies UCBs into – Tier I and Tier II.
The UCBs Have Been Categorised into the Following Four Tiers for Regulatory Purposes:
Tier 1 – All unit UCBs and salary earners’ UCBs (irrespective of deposit size), and all other UCBs having deposits up to ₹100 crores
Tier 2 – UCBs with deposits of more than ₹100 crores and up to ₹1000 crores
Tier 3 – UCBs with deposits of more than ₹1000 crores and up to ₹10,000 crores
Tier 4 – UCBs with deposits of more than ₹10,000 crores
Norms on Net Worth and Capital Adequacy:
RBI also has come out with norms pertaining to the net worth and capital adequacy of these banks.
Tier 1 UCBs operating in a single district should have a minimum net worth of ₹2 crores.
For all other UCBs (in Tier 1, 2 and 3) tiers), the minimum net worth should be ₹5 crores.
The UCBs, which currently do not meet the revised minimum net worth requirement, will have to achieve the minimum net worth of ₹2 crores or ₹5 crores (as applicable) in a phased manner.
Minimum Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio:
Tier 1 UCBs have to maintain a minimum capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 9 per cent of Risk Weighted Assets (RWAs) on an ongoing basis.
Tier 2 to Tier 4 UCBs have to maintain a minimum capital to risk weighted assets of 12 per cent of RWAs on an ongoing basis.
Question:
What is the new regulated deposited amount for Tier-4 Urban Co-operative Banks, according to RBI’s recently announced four-tiered regulatory framework for UCBs?
A. Deposits up to ₹100 crores
B. Deposits of more than ₹100 crores and up to ₹1000 crores
C. Deposits of more than ₹1000 crores and up to ₹10,000 crores
D. Deposits of more than ₹10,000 crores
Answer: D
Fact Book: 6 December 2022
Ruling Nepali Congress Emerges as Largest Party
As the counting of votes under the direct system concluded in Nepal, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Nepali Congress emerged as the largest party by winning 57 seats.
Elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and seven provincial assemblies were held on 20 November.
This election is crucial as political instability has been a recurrent feature of Nepal’s Parliament since the end of the decade-long Maoist insurgency.
No prime minister has served a full term after the civil war ended in 2006.
India’s First Gold ATM and World’s First Real-Time Gold ATM Launched in Hyderabad
Goldsikka, with technology support from Hyderabad-based startup OpenCube Technologies, has launched its first Gold ATM at Begumpet.
It is India’s first Gold ATM and the world’s first real-time gold ATM.
This ATM can dispense gold coins in different denominations ranging from 0.5 gm to 100 grams.
The prices are displayed live on the screen, making it transparent and clear for the customers and the coins are dispensed in tamper-proof packs certified with 999 purity.
Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir Assumed Charge as Chairperson, National Commission for Backward Classes
Following the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, NCBC became a constitutional body established under Article 338B of the Indian Constitution.
The commission was the outcome of the Indra Sawhney case (1992) and was a statutory body.
The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President.
Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir had been elected four times Member of Parliament from Parliamentary Constituency Chandrapur, Maharashtra and also he was a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
He had been a Member of various Standing Committees of Parliament and also served as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel. He had been the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers in the 16th Lok Sabha, Government of India.
Social Hostilities Index (SHI)
Recently India topped the index on social hostilities relating to religion.
The report was released by the Washington-based think tank Pew Research Centre.
The SHI measures acts of religious hostility by private individuals, organisations or groups. The index comprises 13 metrics, including religion-related armed conflict or terrorism and mob or sectarian violence.
At 9.4 out of a maximum possible score of 10, India’s Social Hostilities Index (SHI) in 2020 was worse than neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The study has recorded the targeting of minorities in India during the pandemic.
Mahaparinirvan Diwas
6 December is observed as the Mahaparinirvan Diwas, or the death anniversary, of Dr BR Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution.
‘Parinirvan’ can be translated as ‘nirvana’ after death, ordom from the cycles of life and death.
Dr Ambedkar breathed his last on 6 December 1956, less than two months after he had converted to Buddhism, fulfilling his declaration that “I will not die a Hindu”.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India from the Constituent Assembly debates, served as Law and Justice minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru, and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement after renouncing Hinduism.
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