Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: November 25, 2022
General Knowledge Section is the easiest and most qualifying section in most competitive exams with the right focus. To bag a good score in these sections, one must follow the daily current affairs for at least a few minutes. Current affairs are vastly diversified with topics from politics, finance, sports, etc and getting lost in this vastness might be confusing sometimes.
Daily Current Affairs in India is specifically designed to provide you with information on top happenings around the world to make sure your limited and precious time is well spent. Whether you are preparing for a written test or an interview for any competitive exam, you have come to the right place to enhance your General knowledge.
Current Affairs: Days and Events
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day- 24 November
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day is observed every year on 24 November, commemorating Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, who stood up against forcible conversions by the Mughals and was executed on the orders of Aurangzeb in 1675.
At the site of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution stands Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk.
Who Was Guru Tegh Bahadur?
Tegh Bahadur was born in Amritsar on 21 April 1621 to Mata Nanki and Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru, who raised an army against the Mughals and introduced the concept of warrior saints.
As a boy, Tegh Bahadur was called Tyag Mal because of his ascetic nature.
He spent his early childhood in Amritsar under the tutelage of Bhai Gurdas, who taught him Gurmukhi, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Indian religious philosophy, while Baba Budha trained him in swordsmanship, archery, and horse-riding.
He was only 13 when he distinguished himself in a battle against a Mughal chieftain. His bravery and swordsmanship in the battle earned him the name of Tegh Bahadur.
History
Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect religion, human values, ideals, and principles. He stood out from an early age for his qualities of sacrifice and valour.
He was executed for supporting the religiousdom of Kashmiri Pandits on the orders of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
He is respected as Hind Ki Chaddar due to his supreme sacrifice.
Question:
Which of the following Sikh gurus is also called as “Hind Ki Chaddar”?
A. Guru Gobind Singh
B. Guru Tegh Bahadur
C. Guru Har Krishan
D. Guru Hargobind
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Defence
Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI
As part of military-to-military exchange programs, a contingent of Indian Special Forces troops are currently engaged in a bilateral joint training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI with Indonesian Special Forces at Sangga Buana Training Area, Karawang, Indonesia.
Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI is the eighth edition of the series of bilateral exercises under this banner.
About Exercise:
The exercise, which commenced on 21 November 2022, aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies.
The scope of the joint exercise includes orientation to advance special forces skills, sharing of information on the weapon, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures, and lessons learnt from various operations undertaken.
It also includes Special Forces Operations in Jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and a validation exercise integrating basic and advance special forces skills apart from gaining an insight into the lifestyle and culture of both countries to foster military cooperation.
The joint training would also focus on a high degree of physical fitness, tactical drills, techniques and procedures for which a comprehensive 13-day training programme has been worked out.
The exercise will culminate in a 48-hour-long validation exercise.
Major Objective of This Exercise:
The joint exercise will facilitate both armies to know each other better and share their vast experiences and combat experience on countering terrorist operations, Regional Security Operations and Peace Keeping Operations in an international environment.
The exercise is yet another significant milestone in ensuring cordial relations between the two countries and another step forward towards ensuring regional security.
Question:
In the eighth edition of Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI, Indian Special Forces troops participated with the special forces of which of the following Countries?
A. France
B. USA
C. Indonesia
D. Australia
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Economy
Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2021-22: report by RBI
The Reserve Bank of India has just released the seventh edition of its statistical publication titled “Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2021-22”.
Through this publication, the Reserve Bank has been disseminating wide-ranging data on the regional economies of India also.
What Is Covered in This Report?
This publication covers sub-national statistics on socio-demographics, state domestic product, agriculture, price and wages, industry, infrastructure, banking and fiscal indicators across Indian states over various time periods ranging from 1951 to 2022.
In the current edition of the Handbook, two new sections – Health and Environment have been introduced.
Key Findings:
The Indian economy has exhibited remarkable resilience to multiple shocks encountered in succession since early 2020, preserving macro stability while sustaining the momentum of recovery in growth.
Now, with inflation beginning to show signs of easing, the macro economic outlook of the economy appears to be on course for good growth in the current fiscal though.
India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to register a growth rate of about 7% in 2022-23 and between 6.1% and 6.3% in the June-September quarter of this fiscal, suggested the RBI report.
The GDP growth numbers for the second quarter will be out by the end of this month; however, the monetary policy review presented in October, has projected a GDP growth rate of 6.3% for this quarter.
Major Data Series Sections of the Report:
State-wise Maternal Mortality Ratio under the social and demographic section
State-wise total fertility rate under the social and demographic section
State-wise, children aged 6–59 months who are anaemic and under the health section
State-wise, pregnant women aged 15-49 years who are anaemic under the health section
State-wise cold storage capacity under the agriculture section
State-wise forest cover under the environment section
State-wise tree cover under the environment section
State-wise total installed capacity of grid interactive renewable power under infrastructure section
State-wise outstanding guarantees of state governments under the fiscal section
Question:
Which two new sections are introduced in the current edition of the “Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2021-22”?
A. Health and Environment
B. Health and Forest
C. Health and Agriculture
D. Environment and Agriculture
Answer: A
Current Affairs: National
FSSAI Drafted Norms for Genetically Modified Foods
FSSAI has come out with draft regulations for genetically modified food, proposing mandatory prior approval from the regulator to manufacture, sell and import food or ingredients produced from genetically-modified organisms.
The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Genetically Modified Foods) Regulations, 2022, will apply to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) intended for food use, as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Proposals for Food Safety and Standards (Genetically Modified Foods) Regulations, 2022:
Applicability: It will be applicable to food ingredients produced from GMOs that contain modified DNA as well as to food ingredients produced from GMOs that do not contain modified DNA but includes ingredients/additives/processing aids derived from GMOs
Permission required: No person shall manufacture, pack, store, sell, market or otherwise distribute or import any food or food ingredient produced from GMOs, except with the prior approval of the food authority
Mandatory Labelling: All food products (GMOs intended for food use and food ingredients produced from GMOs that contain modified DNA) must be labelled with the words ‘contains genetically modified organisms’ on the front
What Are Genetically Modified Organisms?
GMO means any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.
Most of the GMO crops grown today were developed to help farmers prevent crop and food loss and control weeds.
The three most common traits found in GMO crops are: Resistance to certain damaging insects, Tolerance of certain herbicides used to control weeds, and Resistance to certain plant viruses.
What Is FSSAI?
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
Question:
Which of the following bodies/ministries/departments recently drafted the regulations for genetically modified food?
A. Department of Biotechnology
B. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
C. Ministry of Agriculture
D. Ministry of Science and Technology
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Tamil Nadu Gets Its First Biodiversity Heritage Site
The state government of Tamilnadu notified 193.215 hectares of area spread across Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district as ‘Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site’ under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
This is the first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) notified in Tamil Nadu.
What Are Biodiversity Heritage Sites?
Biodiversity heritage sites are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems with a high diversity of wild and domesticated species, the presence of rare and threatened species, and keystone species.
The significance and aims of BHS are outlined in Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. The creation of BHS may not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities other than those voluntarily decided by them.
The purpose is to enhance the quality of life of the local communities through conservation measures.
About the Sites:
The village of Arittapatti consists of a chain of seven barren granite hillocks. The distinctive landscape of rocky hills acts as a watershed and supports 72 lakes, 200 natural spring pools, and three check dams.
One of the water bodies, Anaikondan Lake, was built during the reign of Pandyas in the 16th century. Hillocks in Arittapatti village have rich biological and historical significance with the presence of around 250 bird species.
These species include three flagship raptor species—Laggar Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle—and wildlife such as Indian pangolin, python, and slender loris.
The site also features various megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain Beds, and 2,200-year-old rock-cut temples, lending it historical value.
Question:
Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages are recently notified as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site of which of the following states/UT?
A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Kerala
Answer: B
Current Affairs: National
Nicobari Hodi Craft
The Geographical Indications Registry at Guindy, Chennai, has received an application from the Tribal Development Council, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seeking the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Nicobari hodi craft.
This is the first application from the Union Territory seeking a tag for one of its products.
What Is Hodi Craft?
The hodi is the Nicobari tribe’s traditional craft. It is an outrigger canoe, very commonly operated in the Nicobar group of islands.
The technical skills for building a hodi are based on indigenous knowledge inherited by the Nicobarese from their forefathers.
The hodi is built using either locally available trees or from nearby islands, and its design varies slightly from island to island.
Hodis are used for transporting people and goods from one island to another, sending coconuts, fishing, and racing.
The tuhet, a group of families under a headman, consider the hodi an asset. Hodi races are held between islands and villages.
What Is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?
The GI is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
It is governed and directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
This tag is valid for a period of 10 years, following which it can be renewed.
Importance of GI Tagging:
Once a product gets this tag, no person or company can sell a similar item under that name.
GI registration of a product provides it with legal protection and prevention against unauthorised use by others.
GI tag helps in promoting the exports of the product.
It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product.
Question:
Recently Andaman and Nicobar Islands submitted its first application for the Geographical Indication tag for the Nicobari hodi craft, which is a type of
A. Traditional Spice
B. Outrigger canoe
C. Miniature Art
D. Traditional Dish Made from Local Fish
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Defence Technology
India successfully Tests Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Agni-3
India on Wednesday carried out a successful training launch of the nuclear-capable Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-3 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, as part of routine user training launches conducted by the Strategic Forces Command.
Details:
The launch was carried out for a predetermined range and validated all operational parameters of the system.
The 16-metre-long missile, weighing more than 48 tonnes, has a range of over 3000 kilometres and is capable of carrying a payload of over 1.5 tonnes.
Flight trajectory was tracked by a number of radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and naval ships deployed at sea.
About AGNI-III:
The first known developmental trial of Agni-3 was conducted in July 2006 but could not yield the expected result. It was subsequently successfully flight-tested in April 2007.
The system has been successfully tested several times since then.
The missile’s strike range is between 1,000 km and 2,000 km.
The Agni series of missiles constitute the backbone of India’s nuclear weapons delivery, including the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft.
India has also completed its nuclear triad and operationalised its second strike capability, with the nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant undertaking deterrence patrols.
Question:
India recently carried out a successful training launch of the nuclear-capable Agni-3 Missile is a type of
A. Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
B. Cruise missile
C. Submarine-launched ballistic missile
D. Air Launched Cruise Missile (Alcm)
Answer: A
Current Affairs: National
Karnataka’s Groundnut Festival Begins after Two Years
There are many unique festivals and traditions in India, some of which are local and hyperlocal. Among them is the annual festival of ‘Kadalekai Parishe’, also known as the groundnut festival.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai inaugurated the popular ‘Kadlekai Parishe’, a groundnut fair in Bengaluru’s Basavanagudi, recently.
The annual fair was halted for the last two years due to the pandemic, and this year, the fair was held in a grand manner.
What is ‘Kadlekai Parishe?’
Every year, the Kadlekai Parishe is organised in the opposite lane of the famous Bull temple in Basavanagudi.
During the fair, the groundnut farmers from all over the state – and even from neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh – bring the bags of groundnuts to sell them in the fair.
Several thousands of residents from Bengaluru hop into the Kadlekai Parishe to buy the groundnuts and experience the cultural exchange.
The groundnut fair is usually organised for a day but it extends till the farmers sell their stock of groundnuts.
Question:
Which of the following states recently celebrated the grand groundnut festival called ‘Kadalekai Parishe’ after a gap of two years?
A. Karnataka
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Kerala
D. Rajasthan
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Economics
Airtel Payments Bank Introduced Face Authentication KYC
Airtel Payments Bank has taken yet another step towards digital inclusion and announced the launch of a Face Authentication-based savings bank account opening for customers.
The facility will further ease the account opening process making it seamless and convenient for customers. Airtel Payments Bank is the first Payments Bank in the country to offer this facility.
Benefits of New Facility:
The new facility will help Business Correspondents (BCs) of the bank to open an account just by undertaking face authentication e-KYC. The authentication is processed using a newly developed mobile application by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and as a result, the business correspondent will now only need a smartphone to open an account.
The bank will make this facility available across all its 500,000 banking points by the end of this year.
How Will This System Work?
This KYC facility uses AI/ML-based Face Authentication RD Application, which helps in the prevention of fraudulent activities by cross-checking an individual’s photo with the image captured in Aadhaar and allows secure customer onboarding.
Till now, if a customer wished to open an account with Airtel Payments Bank, the Aadhaar-based OTP or fingerprint biometric authentication was carried out.
Question:
Which is the first bank in the country to recently roll out e-KYC based on a face authentication system?
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