Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: November 23, 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: Appointment and Resignation
Arun Goel Appointed as Election Commissioner
Arun Goel, a former bureaucrat and an officer from the Punjab cadre, recently took charge as an election commissioner, filling the third and final post in the all-important constitutional body that conducts elections in India.
The post had been vacant for six months. Goel joins chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar and election commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey.
The post had been unoccupied since former CEC Sushil Chandra retired on 14th May, handing charge to Rajiv Kumar.
The union law ministry notified that Goel’s appointment had been approved by president Droupadi Murmu.
About Arun Goel, the New Election Commissioner:
Arun Goel is a 1985 batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. He was to retire on 31st December at the age of 60 but took voluntary retirement last Friday.
He served as the heavy industries secretary until his voluntary retirement. Previously, he served in the union culture ministry.
Goel’s appointment comes days before elections in Gujarat, which may witness heightened political tension between the ruling BJP, the opposition Congress and newcomers AAP.
Arun Goel is also next in line to be chief election commissioner (CEC) – when incumbent Rajiv Kumar demits office in February 2025. According to the law, the election commissioner or CEC post can be held for up to six years or till attaining the age of 65.
With Goel taking charge, the poll panel will now have its full strength while deciding on schedules for elections next year, including those in Karnataka, Telangana and the northeastern states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and Karnataka.
Question:
Who among the following has recently been appointed as the Election commissioner by President Droupadi Murmu?
A. Arun Goel
B. Harishankar Brahma
C. Sushil Chandra
D. N. Gopalaswami
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Person in News
Venu Gopal Achanta Elected as a Member of the International Committee for Weight and Measures
In a historic election, Prof Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, has been elected as a member of the prestigious International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM).
Prof Gopal was declared an elected Member of CIPM in the recently held 27th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) meeting during 15-18 Nov 2022 in Paris, France.
Significance:
The election of Prof Gopal is not only significant for CSIR-NPL, and the advancement of metrology in the country but wherein metrology is the backbone of industries and national missions of Govt. of India, i.e. ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Clean and green India”, “Swasth Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”, etc.
It is also the pride of the nation as it would enhance India’s global visibility and participation in global decision-making.
Prof Achanta is among 18 elected members from different countries and the 7th personality in Indian history elected to CIPM after a few decades.
What is CIPM?
The CIPM is a supreme international committee that functions under the authority of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the highest intergovernmental international organisation created as a diplomatic treaty called the Meter Convention, signed on 20th May 1875 in Paris.
It is responsible for developing and implementing International Systems of Units, universally abbreviated as SI, its wide dissemination, making necessary modifications from time to time for the advancement of science and technology.
The advancement of Industry in the country is directly dependent on the state of its metrology capabilities.
About CSIR-NPL:
The CSIR-NPL, the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of India, was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, on 4th January 1947.
The Government of India enacted the “Standards of Weights and Measures Act” for the first time in 1956 to ensure that every citizen has access to uniform standards of weights and measures that are traceable to the SI units.
During the year 1957, India became a member of the CGPM.
Question:
Who among the following has recently been elected as a member of the prestigious International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM)?
A. Srikant Das
B. Venu Gopal Achanta
C. Debashish Narayana
D. Ajeet Sinha
Answer: B
Current Affairs: International
India-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement
Sri Lanka has exported five times more than its imports under the India-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement in the first nine months of this year, 2022.
A report issued by the Sri Lankan finance ministry stated that the island nation’s exports added up to over 140 billion Lankan rupees under the agreement.
Imports into Sri Lanka from India stood at 28 billion rupees.
Details:
Trade with India contributed to almost 65 per cent of the total trade of Sri Lanka under four existing trade agreements.
The India-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement was signed in 1998 and has been in force since March 2000.
Impact of Economic Crises:
The economic crisis hit the nation, and it saw reduced imports in 2022 due to a fall in the forex reserves.
Sri Lanka had also imposed restrictions on the import of several items.
During the crisis, India extended humanitarian aid of about 4 billion US dollars to help secure food, health, and energy security.
What Is a Trade Agreement?
It is a pact between two or more countries, where the objective is to remove trade barriers between imports and exports and ensure hassle-trade relations as far as possible. Under a trade agreement, countries offer preferential trade terms and tariff concessions to each other.
Which Countries Has India Signed FTAs with?
India has so far signed a total of 13 trade agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners like Japan, South Korea, countries of the ASEAN region, etc.
India has signed three FTA agreements in the last five years.
FTAs are also agreed upon between countries to boost their respective trade.
For instance, under the India-Japan agreement, India’s exports to Japan have improved from $5.6 billion in 2011 to $6.1 billion in 2021.
trade agreements could be bilateral or multilateral.
For instance, India has signed an agreement called South Asian Trade Area with South Asian countries, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan etc.
Why Does India Need FTA?
The main objective behind India’s trade negotiations is the diversification and expansion of export markets.
Some of the other factors that India considers when going for trade agreements are cheaper access to raw materials, attracting foreign investment, boosting competitiveness and other geo-political reasons.
In addition to trade agreements, India has also signed six preferential trade agreements.
The main difference between the both is that an FTA is comprehensive, covering various areas, while a PTA is limited to only trade in goods and seeks only a tariff elimination in terms of a margin of preference.
Question:
India has so far signed how many trade agreements with its trading partners?
A. 10
B. 13
C. 15
D. 22
Answer: B
Current Affairs: National
Northeast’s 1st Centre of Unani Medicine
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated the new, state-of-the-art complex of the Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM) in Silchar, informed the Ministry in an official statement.
The newly opened institute is the first such centre in the Northeast on Unani medicine — a traditional medicinal practice among the Ayush systems.
Details:
The new complex spreads over an area of 3.5 acres, built with an investment of ₹48 crores.
The National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) developed the complex, which is a Government of India enterprise.
The institute will organise IEC campaigns about the potential of Unani Medicine and create awareness around prevention and preservation of health about preventive/prophylactic aspects of Ayush in different communicable and non-communicable diseases.
About UNANI Medicine:
The core belief of Unani medicine works on the principle that the human body has its own self-healing power, which needs to be boosted.
The major benefit of this medicine is that it addresses the prevention and treatment of diseases by using herbal remedies.
This wonderful practice – which is one of the most popular in India – must be harnessed rationally, and this new complex of Unani will be able to extend its commitment to building a robust healthcare system.
Question:
The first Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine for the Northeastern region recently opened in which of the following states?
A. Assam
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Mizoram
D. Manipur
Answer: A
Current Affairs: National
NCPCR launches ‘GHAR’ Initiative
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights recently launched a web portal for digital tracking and monitoring of children who need protection and have to be repatriated to another country, state or district.
The portal – “GHAR – Go Home and Re-Unite” will be a platform for information on children from every district to smoothen the process of their repatriation and restoration.
About NCPCR:
NCPCR is a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, to protect child rights and other related matters in the country.
The Commission is mandated to monitor the proper and effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and its Rules; the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and the Right to and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Commission Envisages an Indispensable Role for the State to Ensure –
Children and their well-being
Strong institution-building processes
Respect for local bodies and decentralisation at the community level and greater social concern in this direction
About GHAR:
GHAR – Go Home and Re-Unite (Portal for Restoration and Repatriation of Child: GHAR portal developed by NCPCR addresses the amended roles of CWCs and DCPOs in matters of children in need of care and protection.
Features of GHAR Portal:
Digital tracking and monitoring of children who are in the JJ system and have to be repatriated to another Country/State/District.
Digital transfer of cases of children to the concerned JJB/CWC of the State. It will help in the speedy repatriation of children.
Where there is a requirement for a translator/interpreter/expert, a request will be made to the concerned State Government.
CWCs and DCPOs can ensure proper restoration and rehabilitation of children by digitally monitoring the progress of the case of the child.
A checklist format will be provided in the forms so that the children who are being hard to repatriate or children who are not getting their entitled compensation or other monetary benefits can be identified.
A list of Government implemented schemes will be provided so that at the time of restoration, the CWCs can link the child with the schemes to strengthen the family and ensure that the child remains with his/her family.
Question:
GHAR – Go Home and Re-Unite is a portal recently launched that is majorly associated with
A. Rights of children
B. NRI visa Fastrack redressal
C. Migrant casual workers issues
D. Protection of Zoo animals
Answer: A
Current Affairs: National
25th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in association with the UT Government of Jammu and Kashmir, will organise the 25th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) on 26th – 27th November 2022 in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.
Theme:
The theme of this Conference is “Bringing Citizens, Industry and Government closer”.
Details:
26th November is celebrated as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
As part of the celebrations, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will administer a reading of the Preamble to the Constitution with all participants on 26th November 2022 in the Inaugural Session of the 25th NCeG.
The Conference would provide considerable momentum to the e-Governance initiatives across the country, providing opportunities for civil servants and industry captains to showcase their successful interventions in e-Governance in improving end-to-end service delivery.
About National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG):
The National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) will be presented under 5 categories of the NAeG Scheme – 2022 to 18 e-Governance initiatives at Central, State and District levels, Academic and Research Institutions and Public Sector Undertaking, which includes 9 Gold and 9 Silver Awards.
Question:
Which of the following States/UT will organise the 25th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG)?
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Jammu and Kashmir
C. Gujarat
D. Manipur
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Defence
Exercise NASEEM AL BAHR – 2022
The 13th edition of the bilateral exercise between the Indian and Omani navies, Naseem Al Bahr-2022, commenced off the coast of Oman on 20th November 2022.
The exercise was conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase thereafter.
About the Exercise:
Naseem Al Bahr was initiated in 1993.
The last edition was conducted in Goa in 2019.
The Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate Trikand and Offshore Patrol Vessel Sumitra, with their integral helicopters, and the maritime patrol aircraft, Dornier, will participate in the upcoming edition.
Details:
This exercise, having grown in scope and complexity over the years, facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation and enhance good order at sea.
It provides the two navies with an opportunity to train together for combined operations and focus on their shared commitment to promote peace, security and stability, as envisioned by the concept of SAGAR.
The exercise also aims to strengthen the ancient maritime and cultural linkages between India and Oman.
Question:
Indian Navy and the Navy of which of the following nations recently participated in the 13th edition of the bilateral exercise NASEEM AL BAHR – 2022?
A. Sudan
B. Oman
C. UAE
D. Indonesia
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Defence
Exercise Shatrunash
South Western Command of the Indian Army recently conducted the Integrated Fire Power Exercise, ‘Shatrunash’ at MFFR in the Thar desert of Rajasthan.
The exercise witnessed the use of multifarious firing platforms in an integrated manner involving both ground and aerial manoeuvres.
Various actions were conducted, including the insertion of troops, offensive ground actions involving comprehensive coordination incorporating contemporary technologies in a multi-domain environment, etc.
Real-time communication and sharing of common operating pictures amongst various participants to overcome emerging threats were practised, and skills were honed.
Details:
The important facet of the exercise was the employment of all resources, including IAF and aviation assets, in an integrated manner with a combined arms approach to warfighting.
This was affected by exploiting versatile and indigenously manufactured long-range aerial and ground vectors such as Advanced Light Helicopter (Weapon System Integrated), K9 – Vajra, Sharang Arty Guns, Bhishma (T-90 tanks) and Ajeya (T-72 tanks) to operate in a synergised manner based on the intelligence picture provided by well-established Intelligence, Surveillance and Recce (ISR) Architecture.
Question:
South Western Command of the Indian Army recently conducted the Integrated Fire Power Exercise, ‘Shatrunash’, in which of the following States/UT?
A. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Gujarat
C. Jammu and Kashmir
D. Rajasthan
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Loss and Damages Fund
The UN Climate Conference (COP27) in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh, which saw polarised debates on responsibility and accountability among the global North and South, made history recently with a decision to create a Loss and Damages fund.
It will provide support to developing countries in efforts to avert, minimise and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change in the light of continued global warming.
About the Fund:
It refers to the costs the rich and developed countries, which are majorly responsible for industrial emissions that pollute the environment, should pay to poorer nations that have made a negligible contribution to pollution but are more vulnerable to extreme climate events.
The expected monetary compensation from the L&D fund is estimated to be nearly $500 billion and rising by $200 billion annually.
Crucial questions such as who will manage this fund, whether contributions are expected from large developing countries and what the fair share of contributors will be — have been left to a “transitional committee” that will make recommendations for the adoption of the fund at the next Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN’s Framework Convention for Climate Change, to be held in the UAE in 2023.
Significance:
Set against a complex geopolitical backdrop, COP27 resulted in countries delivering a package of decisions that reaffirmed their commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The package also strengthened action by countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change, as well as boosting the support of finance, technology and capacity building needed by developing countries.
Creating a specific fund for loss and damages marked an important point of progress, with the issue added to the official agenda and adopted for the first time at COP27.
Question:
“Loss and Damages” fund for vulnerable countries was created in which of the following UN Climate Conference?
A. COP22
B. COP23
C. COP25
D. COP27
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Sports
F1 Race: Max Verstappen Wins Abu Dhabi GP
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took his 15th win of the 2022 Formula 1 season with victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix recently.
The battle for second place remained a major story, with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez entering the race tied at 290 points, but it was Leclerc who came out on top with a second-place finish on the Yas Marina Circuit.
Starting from the pole position, Verstappen controlled the race from the front and was never threatened as he took a typically dominant win and extended his record for most Grand Prix wins in a single season.
Facts:
Max Verstappen won his record 15th title of the 2022 season
He also ended the 2022 season as the world F1 champion
He won his first F1 world championship title in 2021
He also holds the record for winning a maximum of 15 races in a single season
He broke the previous record of 13 race victories in a season jointly held by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher (2004 season) and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel (2013 season)
Question:
Who among the following recently won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix F1 race on Yas Marina Circuit?
A. Max Verstappen
B. Sebastian Vettel
C. Mick Schumacher
D. Charles Leclerc
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Awards and Honours
Writer Khalid Jawed Wins 2022 JCB Prize for Literature
Author Khalid Jawed’s “The Paradise of Food”, translated by Baran Farooqi from Urdu, recently won the fifth JCB Prize for Literature.
The book, originally published as “Ne’mat Khana” in 2014, is the fourth translation to win the award and the first work in Urdu.
Details:
“The Paradise of Food”, tells the story of a middle-class joint Muslim family over a span of fifty years where the narrator struggles to find a place for himself, at odds in his home and the world outside.
Jawed received the prize money of ₹25 lakh along with a trophy — a sculpture by Delhi artist duo Thukral and Tagra, “Mirror Melting”.
Baran Farooqi also received an additional ₹10 lakh for the award.
Fact:
The shortlist also included debut books — “Song of the Soil” by Chuden Kabimo (translated from Nepali by Ajit Baral) and “Valli” by Sheela Tomy (translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil).
Each of the shortlisted authors also received ₹1 lakh, and the translators received ₹50,000.
About JCB Literature Foundation:
The award was instituted by the JCB Literature Foundation, a not-for-profit company, in 2018 to promote the art of literature in India.
Question:
The 2022 JCB Prize for Literature 2022 was awarded to the Urdu author Khalid Jawed for which of the following works?
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