Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: December 12, 2022
The section on current affairs is included in the question paper for almost every competitive examination like UPSC, SSC, IAS, Railway-RRB, UPPSC, UGC NET, SBI, MPPSC, and so on. Furthermore, if we have an effective preparation strategy, scoring high in this section is not difficult. Any exam’s current events section may be aced by candidates with the correct resources and daily news analysis.
Our experts at Embibe have chosen the most current occurrences from across the world and have put them in this article. To provide students with the most recent current affairs, we analysed the day’s most recent news, from The Hindu to the BBC.
Current Affairs: Important Dates and Events
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime-2022
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime is commemorated on 9 December every year around the world.
It is observed to raise awareness about the greatest crime perpetrated by man against man, the violation of human rights and how it can be prevented in the future.
What Is Genocide?
Genocide refers to the deliberate killing and maiming of a nation, group, ethnic unit, tribe, religious or political unit to destroy or wipe them out.
Genocide is considered one of the greatest crimes and evils perpetrated by man against man in history.
There have been several incidents of genocide in history.
Perhaps, the most talked about is the Holocaust, where approximately six million Jews were put to death by the Nazis under the leadership of Adolf Hitler in the 1930s.
When Was This Day Adopted?
On 9 December 1948, the United Nations adopted the first human rights treaty, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the “Genocide Convention”). The year 2022 marks its 74th anniversary.
The Convention signifies the international community’s commitment to preventing genocide crimes.
It also gave the first international legal definition of “genocide”, widely adopted at national and international levels, as well as established a duty for State Parties to prevent and punish the crime of genocide.
The United Nations General Assembly, with a resolution in 2015, adopted 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.
Significance:
This day is commemorated to memorialise the victims of genocide. It is a reminder of all the innocent lives that have been lost as a result of genocide and to raise awareness about how the families of the victims can be supported and helped.
Another aim of this day is to help remember not to repeat this heinous crime again.
To remind the international community of their commitment toward minorities all around the globe and to avoid unnecessary killings.
This day is marked to remember the importance of peace and security and why this should be cherished.
Question:
On which of the following dates is the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime observed each year?
A. 15 February
B. 19 July
C. 28 November
D. 09 December
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Defence
International Fleet Review
Indian Navy ships Kochi, Kavaratti and Sumedha arrived in Cox’s Bazar, Inani Beach-Bangladesh, and participated in the maiden International Fleet Review (IFR) conducted by the Bangladesh Navy (BN).
The ships took part in a variety of activities conducted as a part of BN IFR-22 from 06 to 09 December 2022.
What’s the International Fleet Review?
International Fleet Review (IFR) is a parade of naval ships, aircraft and submarines organised by nations to promote goodwill, strengthen cooperation and showcase their organisational capabilities.
This is an event where a gathering of ships from a particular navy is paraded and reviewed by an incumbent head of state and/or other official civilian and military dignitaries.
Being the Supreme Commander of Indian armed forces, the President of India takes stock of the capabilities of the Navy in the Fleet Review.
The President embarks on a yacht called the Presidential Yacht and reviews the Indian Naval Fleet.
About 2022 Fleet Review:
IFR-22 was conducted by BN this year to commemorate the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
The Chief Guest for the Fleet Review scheduled was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mrs Sheikh Hasina.
About Indian Ships Participated in the Fleet:
The visiting Indian Navy ships Kochi, Kavaratti and Sumedha are the latest indigenously designed and developed guided missile stealth Destroyers, anti-submarine Corvettes and Off-shore Patrol Vessels, respectively.
INS Kochi is a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet based at Mumbai, whilst INS Kavaratti and INS Sumedha form part of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.
All three ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors, carry multi-role helicopters and symbolise India’s warship-building capabilities, keeping in line with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
Question:
International Fleet Review-2022 was recently conducted in the waters of which country?
A. Australia
B. India
C. Bangladesh
D. Pakistan
Answer: C
Current Affairs: International
17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM)
Singapore President Halimah Yacob and International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo opened the ILO’s 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Singapore recently, highlighting the need for inclusive growth as the regions build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
International workers’ groups criticised India’s labour policies, including four new labour codes, at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) held in Singapore.
About New Indian Labour Laws?
India’s new labour codes violate the tripartite agreements—between workers, employers and the government—and give a hand to employers.
The power of inspection has been left with employers through the new codes, and it will threaten the tripartite system in the country.
Trade unions in India have been opposing such policies.
Issues Related to India:
India has the largest youth population in the world.
The country is observing a technological and entrepreneurial boom, with start-ups and small businesses mushrooming across the country.
90% of the workforce belongs to the unorganised sector, with persistent challenges of low-paid jobs and poor working conditions.
Declining productivity growth has a negative impact on workers, on the sustainability of enterprises especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises — on economies and on communities.
What Is Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM)?
It brings together representatives of governments and employers’ and workers’ organisations from Asia, the Pacific and the Arab states.
The 17th APRM comes at an important juncture for the world of work as the region faces multiple challenges, including the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic compounded by the global food, energy and finance crises.
The Meeting offers a timely opportunity to reconfirm decent work and social justice as the driving forces for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient human-centred recovery.
2022 APRM will discuss action to enhance job-rich growth that is inclusive and transformative, as well as measures to strengthen regional cooperation and multilateralism on the world of work issues.
It will also help forge commitment among the tripartite constituents on common priorities for action that will help shape ILO’s work in both regions for years to come.
Question:
ILO’s 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting-2022 was recently held in which of the following countries?
A. Malaysia
B. Singapore
C. India
D. China
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Geography
Cyclone Mandous
It has been reported recently that a cyclone named Mandous may likely impact the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts from today, 9th December, till the end of December 2022.
What Is Cyclone Mandous?
Mandous is a slow-moving cyclone that often absorbs a lot of moisture, carries a humongous amount of rainfall and gains strength in the form of wind speeds.
The name has been suggested by the United Arab Emirates.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the storm system might move in the west and northwestward directions and intensify into a depression by the evening of 6th December.
It may subsequently strengthen further into a cyclone over the southwest Bay of Bengal and move towards the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts by the morning of 8th December.
There Are Two Types of Cyclones:
Tropical cyclones – The World Meteorological Organisation uses the term ‘Tropical Cyclone’ to cover weather systems in which winds exceed (a minimum of 63 km per hour).
Tropical cyclones develop in the region between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.
Extratropical cyclones (also called Temperate cyclones, middle latitude cyclones, Frontal cyclones, or Wave Cyclones).
Extratropical cyclones occur in temperate zones and high-latitude regions, though they are known to originate in the Polar Regions.
How Are Cyclones Named?
Cyclones that form in every ocean basin across the world are named by the regional specialised meteorological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs).
There are six RSMCs in the world, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and five TCWCs.
As an RSMC, the IMD names the cyclones developing over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, after following a standard procedure.
The IMD is also mandated to issue advisories to 12 other countries in the region on the development of cyclones and storms.
Which Ocean in India Sees More Storms?
The months of October–November and May–June see storms of severe intensity develop in the North Indian Ocean—comprising the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea—with an average of five developing in a calendar year. According to the IMD, four of these five storms are in the Bay of Bengal and one in the Arabian Sea.
What Is a Cyclone?
Cyclones are rapid inward air circulation around a low-pressure area. The air circulates in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere.
Current Affairs: National
Ninth World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2022 – Inaugurated in Goa
The 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was inaugurated on 8 December at Panaji, Goa, in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Tourism and Shipping, Ports and Waterways, Shripad Naik.
The 9th WAC aims to showcase the efficacy and strength of the AYUSH systems of medicine at the Global level.
The Objective of the Event:
The objective is to provide a global platform to stakeholders, including industry leaders, practitioners, traditional healers, educationists, students, medicine manufacturers, growers of medicinal plants, marketing strategists, etc., for networking and engaging in intellectual exchange to strengthen the Ayurveda sector, envision its future, and facilitate interaction between professionals and consumers to boost Ayurveda commerce.
Market Reach of Ayurveda:
The market size of the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) sector in the country has grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to over USD 18 billion now, clocking a phenomenal growth of six times. During 2014-2020, the AYUSH industry grew 17 per cent year-on-year, while the Ayurveda market is predicted to grow at 15 per cent CAGR from 2021-2026.
Over 4500 participants from all over the world, including 400 foreign delegates from 53 countries, are participating in the 9th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo.
The Arogya Expo is set to witness the participation of more than 215 companies, leading Ayurvedic brands, medicine manufacturers and Ayurveda-related educational and Research and Development institutions.
Fact:
Every year 23 October is observed in India as Ayurveda Day.
Question:
The 9th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2022 is being held in which of the following states?
A. Goa
B. Kerala
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Uttarakhand
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Economy
Razorpay Becomes India’s First Payment Gateway to Support Credit Cards on UPI
In an industry-first move, aimed at further strengthening digital payments and boosting India’s credit penetration, Razorpay, India’s Leading Full-Stack Payments and Banking Platform for Businesses, recently announced the platform’s readiness to support Credit Card Transactions on Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
With this launch, Razorpay becomes India’s First PG to support Credit Cards on UPI.
Customers of HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank and Indian Bank will be the first to enjoy the benefits of this innovation.
Earlier, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced linking RuPay credit cards to BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) UPI app.
Benefits:
There is no need to carry credit cards for payments
It strengthens digital payments and boosts India’s credit penetration
This decision undertaken by the NPCI and RBI is set to have positive implications for both consumers and merchants
Currently, only 6% of Indians have access to credit cards
Approximately 250 million Indians use UPI for their day-to-day transactions, and nearly 50 million users have one or more credit cards
The financial regulator’s move is set to offer customers the best of both worlds – the seamless payment experience of UPI with the benefits of short-term credit and the rewards of cards
About Razorpay:
Razorpay, a full-stack financial services company, helps Indian businesses with comprehensive and innovative solutions built over robust technology to address the entire length and breadth of the payment and banking journey for any business.
Established in 2014, the company provides technology payment solutions to over 8Mn businesses.
Founded by alumni of IIT Roorkee, Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur, Razorpay is the second Indian company to be a part of Silicon Valley’s largest tech accelerator, Y Combinator.
Question:
Which payment gateway becomes India’s first to support credit cards on UPI?
A. PayUBiz
B. Bill Desk
C. ePaisa
D. Razorpay
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Polity and Governance
AAP Becomes a National Party
In the recent Gujarat Assembly elections, AAM Aadmi Party (AAP) won 5 seats, and its vote share was almost 13%, meaning it was set to be recognised as a national party by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
What Is the National Party?
The name suggests that a national party would be one that has a presence ‘nationally’, as opposed to a regional party whose presence is restricted to only a particular state or region.
A certain stature is sometimes associated with being a national party, but this does not necessarily translate into having a lot of national political clout.
ECI’s Criteria for the National Party:
It is recognised as a state party in four or more states; or
If its candidates polled at least six per cent (6%) of total valid votes in any four or more states in the last Lok Sabha or Assembly elections, and it has at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or
If it has won at least two per cent (2%) of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three states
ECI’s Criteria for State Party:
At least six per cent (6%) vote-share in the last Assembly election and have at least two MLAs or have six per cent (6%) vote-share in the last Lok Sabha elections from that state and at least one MP from that state; or
At least three per cent (3%) of the total number of seats or three seats, whichever is more, in the last Assembly elections; or
At least one MP for every 25 members or any fraction allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha; or
At least eight per cent (8%) of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state
Data Matrix of AAP:
The AAP is in power with big majorities—and very large vote shares—in Delhi and Punjab
In the Goa Assembly elections held in March, it received 6.77% of the vote
It secured almost 13% votes in the recently held Gujarat election, thereby fulfilling the criteria of being recognised as a State party in at least four states
Other National Parties in India:
According to ECI, as of now, India has recognised eight parties as national parties — BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), CPI, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP)
NPP was recognised in 2019
AAP will become the ninth party to be recognised as a national party
Question:
To get the status of the National party, Aam Aadmi Party has recently filled the criterion and made a presence in which four states/UT?
A. Delhi, Punjab, Goa, Gujarat
B. Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat
C. Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat
D. Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Answer: A
Fact Book – 9th December 2022
Peru’s first female president
Dina Boluarte became Peru’s first female president recently amid a political maelstrom when her predecessor and former boss Pedro Castillo was ousted in an impeachment trial and detained by police after he tried to illegally shut down Congress.
Vice President Dina Boluarte will now lead the country’s fragile democracy through its biggest political crisis in years. The crisis comes as Peru’s inflation rate is at its highest point in decades, raising the stakes of political dysfunction in a nation where a quarter of the population of 33 million lives in poverty.
Peru is a country in South America that’s home to a section of the Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city high in the Andes mountains.
On Peru’s arid Pacific coast is Lima, the capital, with a preserved colonial centre and important collections of pre-Columbian art.
International Anti-Corruption Day-2022
People across the world celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.
The main motive behind marking this day is to spread awareness about a corruption-society.
The purpose behind a day of this kind is to make people aware of the repercussions of indulging in corruption and motivate them to follow a righteous path.
The theme for International Anti-Corruption Day-2022 is “Uniting the world against corruption”.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against corruption on 31 October 2003.
PackMach Asia 2022
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the Mega International Conference on Packaging at PackMach Asia and Buyer-Seller meet from 7-9 December 2022 in Mumbai.
The event was attended by more than 200 MSMEs.
During the Mega International Conference and Buyer-Seller meet, various technical sessions were organised to deliberate upon opportunities in EPR, Packaging technology, Biodegradable packaging materials, Latest technology, business opportunity for the packaging industry, Government schemes to support the growth of MSME in the Packaging Industry, etc.
World Bank raises India FY23 GDP growth forecast to 6.9%
The World Bank recently raised India’s economic growth forecast for the current financial year to 6.9% from its October estimate of 6.5%, citing the economy’s resilience in the face of a challenging external environment and the September quarter performance.
According to WB, India’s economy has been remarkably resilient to the deteriorating external environment, and strong macroeconomic fundamentals have placed it in good stead compared to other emerging market economies.
The rapid monetary policy tightening in developed economies has caused the outflow of investments and the depreciation of the rupee. However, the country remains resilient to global spillovers partly because of its large domestic market and relatively less exposure to international trade flows.
Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Nykaa founder Falguni Nayar are among six Indians who have made it to the Forbes’ annual list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women”.
Ranked at number 36, Ms Sitharaman has made it to the list for the fourth time in a row.
The other Indians to feature on the list are HCLTech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra (rank: 53), SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch (rank: 54), and Steel Authority Of India Chairperson Soma Mondal (rank: 67).
The list was topped by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
After that, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde stood at the second position on the list.
US Vice President Kamala Harris ranked third on the list.
Apart from this, Iran’s Jina “Mahsa” Amini was posthumously featured in the influential list at rank 100. Her death in September sparked one of Iran’s worst public protests.
Forbes is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family.
Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. Forbes also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science, politics, and law.
Veena Nair wins PM’s prize in Australia
An Indian-origin teacher in Australia has received the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in secondary schools.
Melbourne-based Veena Nair, who is ViewBank College’s Head of Technology and STEAM project leader, has been awarded for demonstrating the practical application of STEAM to students and how they can use their skills to make a real impact in the world.
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Science Prizes award Australian scientists and innovators with prizes to recognise outstanding achievements in science and research-based innovation.
This award was created by the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, following the Australian History Summit held in Canberra on 17 August 2006. The winner (or winners) receive a gold medallion and a grant worth A$100,000.
Gamma Ray Burst
In a first-of-its-kind detection, astronomers recorded a binary merger emitting long GRB twinned with a Kilonovae emission.
Traditionally associated with short GRB, Kilonovae occurs when two compact objects, like binary neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole, collide.
GRBs are flashes of high-energy radiation arising from energetic cosmic explosions.
GRBs are divided into two main categories-
Long GRBs (2 seconds or more) originate from the formation of dense objects like black holes in centres of massive collapsing stars
Short GRBs (less than 2 seconds) are caused by mergers of dense objects like neutron stars
ISRO and Social Alpha sign MoU to establish SpaceTech Innovation Platform
ISRO and Social Alpha signed an MoU to launch SpaceTech Innovation Network (SpIN).
It would be India’s first dedicated platform for innovation curation and venture development for the burgeoning space entrepreneurial ecosystem.
SpIN will primarily focus on facilitating space tech entrepreneurs in three distinct innovation categories:
Geospatial Technologies and Downstream Applications
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