Daily Current Affairs - 23rd June 2023

1.
Who has been awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for 2023?
(A)
Amartya Kumar Sen
(B)
Salman Rushdie
(C)
Abhijit Banerjee
(D)
Ruskin Bond

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: British-American author Salman Rushdie has been awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade for 2023

2.
Which country has become the first nation in central Europe to permit same-sex marriage?
(A)
Latvia
(B)
Lithuania
(C)
Finland
(D)
Estonia

Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Estonia became the first nation in central Europe to permit same-sex marriage.

3.
A Mesolithic-era rock painting has been discovered by an archaeologist at which place?
(A)
Guntur
(B)
Kurnool
(C)
Kakinada
(D)
Nellore

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: A Mesolithic-era rock painting has been discovered by an archaeologist in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

4.
Who has been appointed as RBI Deputy Governor in place of M.K. Jain?
(A)
S.S. Mallikarjuna Rao
(B)
Dinesh Kumar Khara
(C)
Hasmukh Adhia
(D)
Swaminathan Janakiraman

Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Swaminathan Janakiraman has been appointed as RBI Deputy Governor.

5.
Labour-20 (L-20) summit is being organized from June 21 to 23, 2023 in the capital of which of the following states?
(A)
Haryana
(B)
Uttar Pradesh
(C)
Madhya Pradesh
(D)
Bihar

Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Labour-20 (L-20) summit is being held in Patna, Bihar from June 21 to 23, 2023.

6.
Recently, Petteri Orpo has been elected as the Prime Minister of which of the following countries?
(A)
Finland
(B)
Sweden
(C)
Norway
(D)
Bothnia

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Petteri Orpo has been elected as the Prime Minister of Finland.

7.
Which of the following country is not a member of the NATO Plus group?
(A)
India
(B)
South Korea
(C)
Australia
(D)
Japan

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Senate India Caucus will introduce a bill to add India to the NATO Plus group.

8.
Indian Army conducted Agneyastra 1 military exercise at which place?
(A)
Eastern Ladakh
(B)
Eastern Himachal Pradesh
(C)
Western Rajasthan
(D)
Western Arunachal Pradesh

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Indian Army took part in Agneyastra 1 military exercise in eastern Ladakh.

9.
‘Polytechnic Chalo Abhiyan’ has been launched by which state government?
(A)
Uttar Pradesh
(B)
Madhya Pradesh
(C)
Rajasthan
(D)
Gujarat

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: To promote technical education in Uttar Pradesh, ‘Polytechnic Chalo Abhiyan’ has been launched by CM Yogi Adityanath.

10.
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the findings of the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report, 2023? 1. India’s rank has improved by eight places from last year as per the Gender Gap Report, 2023. 2. As per the Gender Gap Report 2023, India is ranked 127 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity. Select the correct answer using the following codes.
(A)
1 Only
(B)
2 Only
(C)
Both 1 and 2
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: India’s rank has improved by eight places from last year as per the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report, 2023.

11.
Consider the following statements with respect to India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 1. It aims to provide attractive incentive support to companies that are engaged in the Semiconductor sector. 2. It focuses on the design and manufacturing of Integrated Circuits (ICs) and semiconductor packaging and assembly. 3. The mission operates under the guidance of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM). How many of the statements given above are correct?
(A)
Only one
(B)
Only two
(C)
All three
(D)
None

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialized and independent Business Division within the Digital India Corporation. It aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. The Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology acts as the chairman for ISM committee. It operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and other relevant government bodies.

12.
Consider the following statements with respect to International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) 1. It is a subsidiary organ of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). 2. It develops and shares research and innovations to empower people in the 8 regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH). 3. India, Pakistan, and China are members of ICIMOD. How many of the statements given above are correct?
(A)
Only one
(B)
Only two
(C)
All three
(D)
None

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: ICIMOD is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre It develops and shares research, information, and innovations to empower people in the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) like – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.ICIMOD It is based at Kathmandu, Nepal. 200 glacier lakes across Hindu Kush Himalayan are deemed dangerous, and the region could see a significant spike in glacial lake outburst floods by the end of the century.

13.
Consider the following statements with respect to Submersibles 1. They are submarines that can be fully submerged in water and cruise using their own power supply and air renewal system. 2. Submersibles do not function as autonomous craft and rely on a support platform to deploy and return. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
Both 1 and 2
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Submersibles are small, limited range watercrafts designed for a set mission, that are built with characteristics that allow them to operate in a specific environment. These vessels are typically able to be fully submerged into water and cruise using their own power supply and air renewal system. A submersible, unlike a submarine, doesn’t have enough power to launch itself into the ocean and return on its own. Instead, it relies on a support ship to launch it and recover it. Also, the submersible doesn’t have large propulsion systems and ballast systems like Submarine.

14.
Consider the following statements with respect to Global Stocktake 1. Global Stocktake is a periodic review of progress on climate action. 2. Under the mandate of the Paris Agreement, it must be conducted every five years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
Both 1 and 2
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The Global Stocktake is a periodic review of progress on climate action. It is a Party-driven process conducted in a transparent manner and with the participation of non-Party stakeholders. It enables countries and other stakeholders to see where they’re collectively making progress toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. It also decides ways and means to enhance global action to bridge the adequacy gap. As a mandate of the Paris Agreement, it must be conducted every five years starting from 2023.

15.
Which of the following statements is related to C+1 Strategy?
(A)
Strategy to avoid investing only in China and diversify the business into other countries
(B)
Strategy by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to fight carbon emission
(C)
Bilateral agreement between China and Pakistan for Belt and Road Initiative
(D)
China’s strategy of engagement with Central Asian countries to boost trade

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: C+1 Strategy also known as China Plus One or just Plus One is a Strategy followed by companies to avoid investing only in China and diversify business into other countries.

16.
Recently, an ancient Maya city is discovered in which country
(A)
Brazil
(B)
Mexico
(C)
Egypt
(D)
India

Correct Answer: (C)

17.
Consider the following statements, with reference to Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) 1. It is a carbon reduction initiative of the United Kingdom and the USA. 2. It is a tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods that are entering in concern nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
Both 1 and 2
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Statement 1 is not correct: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an initiative of the European Union (EU). Statement 2 is correct: EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is our landmark tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods that are entering the EU and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.

18.
Every year, International Day of Yoga is celebrated on
(A)
19 June
(B)
21 June
(C)
22 June
(D)
23 June

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Countries across the world are massively celebrating the 9th International Day of Yoga, which is observed on June 21 every year

19.
Consider the following statements, with respect to sickle cell disease (SCD) 1. It is an inherited red blood cell disorder that affects hemoglobin 2. It causes red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped 3. India aims to eradicate sickle cell anemia by 2047 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 & 3 only
(C)
1 & 2 only
(D)
1, 2 & 3

Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed on June 19th each year to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD) and its impact on individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

20.
Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies ( iCET) , the bilateral framework is between
(A)
India-south Korea
(B)
India-Australia
(C)
India-USA
(D)
India-Japan

Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies is a framework agreed upon by India and the U.S. for cooperation on critical and emerging technologies in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and wireless telecommunication.

21.
Which country holds the largest share of Pakistan’s foreign debt?
(A)
United Arab Emirates
(B)
China
(C)
Saudi Arabia
(D)
United States

Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Approximately 30% of Pakistan’s foreign debt is owed to China, which has been a consistent supporter of Pakistan.

22.
Which company claimed the title of the most valuable private sector company in India according to Hurun India’s ‘2022 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500’ list?
(A)
Adani Enterprises
(B)
HDFC Bank
(C)
Reliance Industries Limited
(D)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The report revealed that Reliance Industries is India’s most valuable private company among the top 500, with a valuation of Rs 16.3 lakh crore.

23.
What is the primary factor that determines the length of daylight on the longest day of the year?
(A)
Earth’s rotation speed
(B)
Earth’s distance from the sun
(C)
Tilt of Earth’s axis
(D)
Atmospheric refraction

Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The tilt of Earth’s axis causes variations in the angle at which sunlight reaches different parts of the planet throughout the year, thereby affecting the length of daylight.

24.
Which astronomical event marks the changing seasons and influences the length of daylight?
(A)
Equinox
(B)
Lunar eclipse
(C)
Comet sighting
(D)
Solar eclipse

Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Equinoxes, occurring around March 21st and September 21st, are the events where day and night are of equal length and play a role in determining the length of daylight during the solstices.

25.
What did Amit Shah inaugurate in Ahmedabad(as of June 2023)?
(A)
New Ranip Park
(B)
CREDAI Garden-People’s Park
(C)
Trimurti Hospital in Bavla
(D)
All of the above

Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Amit Shah inaugurated CREDAI Garden-People’s Park, New Ranip Park, Jagatpur Railway flyover, and Trimurti Hospital in Bavla.