Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: December 26, 2022

Current Affairs constitute a crucial portion of all government exams like UPSC, RRB, SSC etc. Remaining updated regarding the happenings of the world also assesses a candidate’s cognitive skills. Keeping abreast with the daily news, be it national or international, impacts the exam’s final outcome. Reading the newspapers and keeping an eye on the trending news will cover the preparation of current affairs.

Book, Thoughts, Author

Open your eyes, look within, Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?

“Bob Marley”

Current Affairs: Days and Events

Indian National Farmer’s Day 2022

• Kisan Diwas, or National Farmers Day, is observed on 23 December across India to mark the vital contributions of farmers who produce food for around 141 crore people of India. 
• Food grains produced by them are also exported and help generate revenue in the country. 
• Kisan Diwas is observed in honour and memory of our fifth Prime Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was born on that day in 1902.

Background:

• Chaudhary Charan Singh was born in the village of Noorpur, Uttar Pradesh, to a Hindu family of peasants. 
• As such, he was very familiar with the lives of farmers and their contributions to society.
• Charan Singh realised how wealthy landlords or zamindars exploited farmers, and this behaviour negatively impacted the village economy. 
• He got elected as a member of the U.P. Legislative Assembly in 1937 and decided to dismantle such exploitative systems.
• In the 1950s, Charan Singh drafted land reform laws in Uttar Pradesh as a parliamentary Secretary and later as a Revenue Minister for Land Reforms. 
• The peasant community in the northern parts of the country began looking up to him after he openly criticised Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s land policies for the development of India.

Champion of the Peasants:

• At the 64th session of the All India Congress Committee in Nagpur in January 1959, he spoke against Nehru’s proposed socialist model of co-operative farming, which he explained would harm the interests of the farmers and food production. 
• Charan Singh had often highlighted the need to formulate policies to help the farming community rather than create state-sponsored industrialised farming.
• As Nehru’s proposals were passed, Charan Singh resigned from his position as the Minister for Revenue and Agriculture in April of 1959. 
• This pro-farmer stance earned him the nickname, ‘champion of India’s peasants’.

Writer:

• Charan Singh wrote several books to highlight the cause of the farmers, namely, ‘Abolition of Zamindari’, ‘Joint Farming X-rayed’, ‘India’s Poverty and its Solution’, and ‘Peasant Proprietorship’.

Question: 

Kisan Diwas, or National Farmers Day, is observed on 23 December every year on the birthday of ex-prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. He is _____ on the prime minister’s chronology?

A. 4th

B. 5th

C. 6th 

D. 7th

Answer: B

Current Affairs: National

India’s Longest Escape Tunnel Constructed in J&K

• The Indian Railways has completed a 12.8- km tunnel, which is the longest escape tunnel in India, on the 111 km under-construction Banihal-Katra railway line in Jammu and Kashmir. 
• The breakthrough was executed by conducting a blast, and with it, the work on the escape tunnel was started.
• The tunnel is part of the prestigious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project.

About the Longest Escape Tunnel:

• The escape tunnel ‘T-13’ has been constructed to facilitate rescue work in case of an emergency.
• The escape tunnel passes through various distributaries of the Chenab River like Khoda, Hingni, Kundan nallah, etc.
• The Tunnel T-49 is a twin tube tunnel comprising the main tunnel (12.75 km) and escape tunnel (12.895 km) connected with 33 numbers of cross-passages.
• This is the fourth tunnel on the Banihal-Katra route. 
• In January this year, a 12.75 km tunnel called T-49 was completed. It has been constructed by the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a modern technique of drill and blast processes.

Question: 

Which of the following states/UT has recently seen the completion of Indian Railways’ longest escape tunnel, measuring 12.8 km?

A. Himachal Pradesh

B. Uttarakhand

C. Jammu and Kashmir

D. Sikkim

Answer: C

Current Affairs: Awards and Honours

Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2022 – Announced

• Tamil author M. Rajendran, Telugu writer Madhuranthakam Narendra and Sanskrit Poet Janardan Prasad Pandey ‘Mani’ were among 23 litterateurs awarded the Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2022. 

Facts: 

• Writer M. Rajendran from Tamil Nadu has received this award for his novel ‘Kala Pani’. 
• The awardee will be presented with a cash prize of one lakh rupees and a copper Shield. This ‘Kala Pani’ novel is a historical novel based on the war of Kalayarkovil or Kalayarkool.
• The Bhasha Samman was awarded to Udaya Nath Jha for his valuable contribution to the field of classical and mediaeval literature in the eastern region.
• Seventeen books were selected for the translation awards, which included Yaad Vashem by N. Nallathambi and Akupacha Kavithalu by Varala Anand.
• The awards in 23 languages included seven books of poetry, six novels, two short stories, three dramas, two literary criticism and one each of autobiographical essays, a collection of articles and literary history.

Bal Sahitya Puraskar:

• The Bal Sahitya Puraskar has been given in Santhali to Ganesh Marandi for his book Hapan Mai.

About Sahitya Akademi Award:

• Every year since its inception in 1954, the Sahitya Akademi Award prizes to the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages recognised by the Akademi. 
• The award amount, which was ₹5,000 since inception, had been enhanced to ₹10,000 from 1983, ₹25,000 from 1988, ₹40,000 from 2001, ₹50,000 from 2003 and is now ₹1,00,000 from 2009. 
• The first Awards were given in 1955.

Sahitya Akademi Award-2022:

Current Affairs: Report and Indexes

Social Progress Index 2022

• The recently released Social Progress Index 2022 report shows that India is currently ranked 110th (among 169 countries) in the world on the Social Progress Index, scoring 60.19/100, in the fourth tier of performance. 
• The country’s aggregate Social Progress Index score in 2022 is slightly lower than the world average of 65.24.

The Data: 

• The Social Progress Index 2022 report shows that India is currently ranked 110th (among 169 countries) in the world on the Social Progress Index, scoring 60.19/100, in the fourth tier of performance. 
• The country’s aggregate Social Progress Index score in 2022 is slightly lower than the world average of 65.24.

What Is the Social Progress Index (SPI)?

• The SPI provides a “comprehensive measure of social progress based” on social and environmental indicators that can complement the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of well-being. 
• The index is the first holistic tool that is designed to measure social progress independent of GDP.

SPI Assessment:

• SPI assesses states and districts based on 12 components across three critical dimensions of social progress: Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Well-being, and Opportunity. 

Key Highlights of SPI:

• Best-performing States/UTs are Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Goa. 
• The top three performing districts are Shimla, Solan in Himachal Pradesh, and Aizawl in Mizoram. 
• Globally, India is ranked 110th on SPI in 2022.

Question: 

What is India’s rank in the recently released Social Progress Index 2022 out of 169 countries?

A. 54th

B. 110th

C. 151st

D. 169th

Answer: B

Current Affairs: National

Ahmedabad to Host Urban 20 (U20) Meeting

• As part of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first Sherpa meeting of Urban 20 (U20), one of the ten engagement groups under G20, to prepare the urban agenda will be held in Ahmedabad on 9–10 February.
• India assumed the presidency of G20 on 1st December for a year, and Ahmedabad will host the U20 meetings that will culminate in U20 Mayors’ Summit in July 2023.

About U20: 

• U20 is a city diplomacy initiative wherein cities of participating nations discuss city-level efforts to address pressing global challenges.
• The priority areas of U20 are climate change and sustainable development, including socio-economic issues.
• Provides a platform for cities from G20 countries to facilitate discussions on various important issues of urban development, including climate change, social inclusion, sustainable mobility, and affordable housing.
• The logo and website of the event launched on 19th December 2022; Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep S. Puri participated in the event virtually.

Priority Areas for Urban 20 (U20) Event:

1. Encouraging environmentally responsive behaviour
2. Ensuring water security
3. Accelerating Climate Finance
4. Leveraging ‘local’ potential and identity
5. Reinventing urban governance and planning frameworks
6. Catalysing digital urban futures

Facts:

• C40 Cities (C40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) convene the U20 under the leadership of a Chair city that rotates annually, based in the G20 host country.
• The City of Ahmedabad will chair the U20 2023 Cycle.

Question: 

Which of the following cities will host the Urban 20 (U20) meeting in February 2023?

A. Varanasi

B. Delhi

C. Ahmedabad

D. Chennai

Answer: C

Current Affairs: Science and Technology

Samudrayaan Mission

• The Indian government will soon start its mega ocean mission called ‘Samudrayaan’ to unlock the mysteries in the heart of deep water. 
• With this mission, India will be joining the elite club of nations such as the US, Russia, Japan, France, and China to have niche technology and vehicles to carry out subsea activities.

What Is Samudrayaan Mission?

• Samudra stands for ‘sea’ in English. 
• The mega mission is related to the ocean/sea. 
• It is aimed to develop “a self-propelled manned submersible to carry three human beings to a water depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration”.

What Is MATSYA 6000?

• Developed indigenously, MATSYA 6000 is a manned submersible vehicle. It will facilitate the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in conducting deep ocean exploration. 
• It has an endurance of 12 hours of operational period and 96 hours in case of emergency.

Device for Samudrayaan Mission:

• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has developed a 6000 m depth-rated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and various other underwater instruments. 
• Some of the critical subsystems of manned submersibles are the development of the Ti Alloy Personnel Sphere, Human support and safety system in enclosed space, low-density buoyancy modules, and Ballast and Trim System.

Cost of the Samudrayaan Mission:

• The Centre had approved the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) at a total budget of ₹4,077 crores for five years. 
• The estimated cost for the first phase for the three years (2021-2024) would be ₹2,823.4 crores.

Why Is it Relevant for India?

• India has a unique maritime position, a 7517 km long coastline, which is home to nine coastal states and 1,382 islands. 
• The mission aims to boost the Central government’s vision of ‘New India’ that highlights the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth.
• “For India, with its three sides surrounded by the oceans and around 30% of the nation’s population living in coastal areas and coastal regions play a major economic factor. It supports fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihoods, and the blue trade”.

Question 

What is the name of the recently developed indigenously manned submersible vehicle that will be used for India’s first deep-water Samudrayaan Mission?

A. Jaljeevan 6000

B. Matsya 6000

C. Shafari 6000

D. Makar 6000

Answer: B

Current Affairs: International

UNSC Adopts First-Ever Resolution on Myanmar

• The U.N. Security Council has adopted its first-ever resolution on Myanmar in 74 years to demand an end to violence and urge the military junta to release all political prisoners, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
• Ms Kyi, 77, has been a prisoner since the army toppled her government almost two years ago and violently cracked down on dissent.

Details: 

• The 15-member council has long been split on how to deal with the Myanmar crisis, with China and Russia arguing against strong action. 
• They both abstained from the vote along with India. 
• The remaining 12 members voted in favour.

About Resolution: 

• The resolution urges the junta to immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including Suu Kyi and ex-president Win Myint.
• It also demands an immediate end to all forms of violence and asks for all parties to respect human rights, fundamentaldoms and the rule of law.

Question: 

The U.N. Security Council has adopted its first-ever resolution for which of the neighbouring countries of India?

A. Pakistan

B. Sri Lanka

C. Myanmar

D. Afghanistan

Answer: C

Factbook – 23rd December 2022

Goa to Host First Ever World Table Tennis Series Event

• Goa will host India’s first-ever World Table Tennis (WTT) series event from 27th February to 5th March, it was announced recently.
• The top tier WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 will take place at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium, located at the Goa University Campus.
• WTT Series is the official professional table tennis series of events, with the world’s best players facing each other off in various category tournaments throughout the year, with the four Grand Smashes being the ultimate prize to win.

UIDAI HQ Building wins top Green Building Award

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Headquarter in New Delhi has won the prestigious GRIHA Exemplary Performance Award 2022, a top national level Green Building Award.
• GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is a national rating system for green buildings in India. 
• UIDAI HQ has been declared a winner among the existing highest-rated building category.
• UIDAI believes in and promotes the idea of recycling and reusing to reduce carbon footprint. 
• It has been harnessing solar power to meet a portion of its energy consumption. 
• It recycles and reuses water and has adhered to sustainable waste management practices. 
• In 2021, the UIDAI HQ building has adjudged the runners up.

Shalini Kumari received first prize in the 3rd ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum

• Ms Shalini Kumari from India received first prize in the Grassroots Innovation Competition at the 3^rd ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation forum for her innovation ‘Modified walker with adjustable legs’.
• The technology which was transferred to the industry, Vissco Rehabilitation Aids, a leading manufacturer of orthopaedic products in the country, is available for purchase through Brick and Mortar stores and also through marketplaces like Amazon India for purchase by common people of the country.
• The three-day 3^rd ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation forum organized by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India concluded recently at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Chillai Kalan begins in Kashmir

• Kashmir witnessed temperatures dipping below thezing point, marking the beginning of the harshest 40-day winter period today.  
• It has begun on a chilling note today as night temperature has further decreased. 
• Most parts, including Srinagar, recorded the coldest nights of the season and minimum temperatures plummeted to the season’s lowest in several places of the Valley.
• ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ is a 40-day period when a cold wave grips Kashmir and temperatures drop considerably.
• ‘Chillai-Kalan’ will end on January 30. The cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).

BF.7 new covid variant

• Recently seven instances of BF.7 were confirmed by health ministry officials.
• The BF.7 strain appears to be the strain leading China’s current COVID-19 outbreak.
• “COVID is not done yet”, stated Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during a review meeting on the COVID situation.
• According to studies, the variety is capable of infecting even persons who have been completely vaccinated against the virus.
• The version is thought to have a reproduction value, which suggests that those infected with the BF are believed to transmit the virus to others.

Pey Jal Survekshan

• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs starts ground survey of PJS under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0. 
• PJS aims to instil healthy competition motivation among cities and Urban Local Bodies. 
• It will serve as a monitoring tool and an accelerator for AMRUT Mission. 
• Water utility services, used water utility services, water bodies, Non-Revenue Water (NRW) estimation, best practices and innovation are key focus areas. 
• It will be based on the Self-assessment of service level, Direct Observation and Citizen Feedback.  
• Third-party agency- IPSOS (a private firm) will conduct Survekshan. 

PMFBY is ranked Number One globally in farmer enrolment

• Launched in 2016, PMFBY provides comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage due to unpreventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest for crops/areas notified by the relevant state government. 
• Farmer is only required to pay a maximum premium of 1.5% for all Rabi crops and 2% for all Kharif crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. 
• It is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Kerala set to host first International Beach Festival.

• The ‘Spice Coast’ in the far north of Kerala, better known as North Malabar, will bask in myriad colours and the pomp and splendour of the cultural extravaganza titled ‘Bekal International Beach Festival’ from 24 December.
• The 10-day first international beach festival captures the wholeness and the essence of the district’s cultural and artistic uniqueness.
• Aim is revitalising the district’s development by showcasing its potential.

‘Drink from Tap’ project launched in Odisha

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently launched a 24×7 piped drinking water project—‘Drink from Tap’—in 19 cities.
• About 5.5 lakh people in these cities will be benefited from the project.

Fact:

• Jal Jeevan Mission is a central government scheme launched on 15 August 2019. 
• Har Ghar Nal se Jal scheme aims to provide potable, quality drinking water to every rural household by 2024.
• Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh is the first certified ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district in India.
• Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu became the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified State and Union Territory in the country.

Also check,

Subscribe to the Embibe App to remain updated on the latest news analysis for government exams.