NATIONAL AFFAIRS Q&A – November 2023 3rd Week(16 – 23)

1. In November 2023, Innovations for Defence Excellence(iDEX), Government of India and the
   United States Department of Defence (USDoD), Government of the United States of America
   (USA) organised the ______India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) Investors Meet at
   New Delhi, Delhi.
   1) 5th
   2) 2nd
   3) 1st
   4) 4th
   5) 3rd
   Answer- 3) 1st
   Explanation:
   Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Department of Defence Production(DDP),
   Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India and the United States Department of
   Defence (USDoD), Government of the United States of America(USA) organised the 1st India-US
   Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) Investors Meet on 8 November 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The meet was organised as a pre-cursor of the 5th annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
  held on 10th November 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The INDUS-X Educational Series (Gurukul) was also launched during the event.
  i. The first-ever INDUS-X Investors Event generated the interest of investors in the start-ups and
  Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the defense sector.
  ii. The meeting also clarified the growing opportunities under the INDUS-X initiative.

1. In November 2023, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) approved the detailed Project
   Reports (DPRs) of SJVN Ltd for Etalin HydroElectric Power (HEP) and Attunli HEP in __
   (state).
   1) Odisha
   2) Arunachal Pradesh
   3) Sikkim
   4) Assam
   5) West Bengal
   Answer- 2) Arunachal Pradesh
   Explanation:
   The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power has approved the detailed Project Reports
   (DPRs) of SJVN Ltd (formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) for its two Hydro Projects in
   Arunachal Pradesh (AR).

• The projects are 3097 MW (Mega Watt) Etalin HEP (HydroElectric Power) & 680 MW Attunli
  HEP which are worth around Rs 40,000 crore.
• In this regard, CEA has transferred the concurrences of the DPRs in favor of SJVN Ltd, and has
  also extended the validity of these concurrences.
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  i. The project cost of Etalin HEP at March 2022 price level is Rs 32,813 crore and for Attunli HEP it is
  Rs 6,866 crore.
  ii. The 3,097 MW Etalin HEP is the largest hydro project under development in India.
  iii. On commissioning, the 3097 MW Etalin HEP will generate 12,752 Million Units of electricity and
  680 MW Attunli HEP will generate 2,814 Million Units.

1. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States (US) Centres for Disease
   Control and Prevention (CDC) jointly released the Progress Toward Measles EliminationWorldwide, 2000–2022 report in November 2023.
   In 2022, around __ lakh children in India missed their Measles-containing-vaccine firstdose (MCV1).
   1) 19
   2) 25
   3) 36
   4) 11
   5) 40
   Answer- 4) 11
   Explanation:
   According to “Progress Toward Measles Elimination- Worldwide, 2000–2022”, a new report released
   by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States (US) Centres for Disease Control and
   Prevention (CDC), around 11 lakh children in India missed their Measles-containing-vaccine firstdose (MCV1) in 2022.

• Globally, India is featured among the top 10 countries with the highest number of children who
  missed their 1st dose.
• In 2022, 37 countries that witnessed large or disruptive outbreaks where India reported
  around 40,967 measles.
• The 10 countries with the highest number of infants who did not receive MCV1 were Nigeria
  (30 lakh), Democratic Republic of the Congo (18 lakh), Ethiopia (17 lakh), India (11 lakh),
  Pakistan (11 lakh), Angola (8 lakh), Philippines (8 lakh), Indonesia (7 lakh), Brazil (5 lakh), and
  Madagascar (5 lakh).
• 10 countries accounted for 55% of all children worldwide who did not receive MCV1.
• In 2022, Maharashtra reported 13 measles-related deaths in 2022.
• Global first-dose measles vaccination coverage increased from 72% in 2000 to 86% in 2019,
  declined to 81% in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and slightly improved to 83% in
  2022.

1. Which state/UT’s Seabuckthorn has recently (in Nov ‘23) got Geographical Indication (GI)
   tag status?
   1) Uttarakhand
   2) Jammu and Kashmir
   3) Himachal Pradesh
   4) Ladakh
   5) Sikkim
   Answer- 4) Ladakh
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   Explanation:
   The Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), a thorny
   shrub or small tree in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh
   received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag under
   “Agriculture” goods category. This becomes the 4th GI
   product of Ladakh.
   i. The GI tag was granted by the GI Registry, operating
   under the Department for Promotion of Industry &
   Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI).
   ii. With this, the Department of Industries & Commerce,
   Leh, UT Ladakh is the registered proprietor of the G.l.
   “Ladakh Seabuckthorn” in respect of Seabuckthorn falling
   in Class – 31.
   iii. Sea buckthorn, an actinorhizal plant of the family
   Elaegnaceae has the unique characteristics to grow in marginally fertile soil of cold desert. It is also
   known as Sandthorn, Sea berry, Golden Bush, and Leh berry.
2. Name the governor of the state who has recently (in Nov ‘23) approved the Bill Raising Quota
   for Backward Classes to 65% from 50%?
   1) Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel (Madhya Pradesh)
   2) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Bihar)
   3) C.P. Radhakrishnan (Jharkhand)
   4) Bandaru Dattatraya (Haryana)
   5) Anandiben Patel (Uttar Pradesh)
   Answer- 2) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (Bihar)
   Explanation:
   On November 17, 2023, the Governor of Bihar, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, approved the Bihar
   reservation amendment bill 2023, passed recently by the Bihar Legislative Assembly and Council
   during the winter session.
   i. This bill raises the quota for deprived castes (Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST),
   Economically Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC)) from 50% to 65% in state
   government jobs and educational institutions.
   ii.Along with the existing 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS), the total quantum of
   reservation will now stand at 75% in Bihar.
   iii. According to the bill, quota for Extremely Backward Class (EBC) will be raised from 18% to 25%;
   for Backward Class (BC) from 12% to 18%; for SC from 16% to 20%; and for ST, the quota will be
   doubled, from 1% to 2%.
   The 3% reservation for BC women has been scrapped.
3. In November 2023, the Indian government approved investments worth USD __ in the
   Information Technology (IT) hardware sector under its flagship manufacturing incentives
   scheme.
   1) 500 million
   2) 640 million
   3) 450 million
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   4) 360 million
   5) 600 million
   Answer- 4) 360 million
   Explanation:
   The Indian government has approved investments worth USD 360 million in the Information
   Technology (IT) hardware sector under its flagship manufacturing incentives scheme to boost
   India’s position in the global electronics supply chain .
   i. This announcement comes as a major step towards realizing India’s ambitious target of becoming a
   USD 300 billion IT hardware manufacturing hub by 2026.
   ii. The approved investments are spread across 27 companies, including global giants like Dell, HP,
   and Foxconn, as well as domestic manufacturers like Dixon Technologies and VVDN.
4. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Senior Citizens Savings
   Scheme (SCSS)?
   A) In November 2023, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), under the Ministry of Finance,
   notified 7 changes in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme(SCSS).
   B) The government has provided 6 months to invest in SCSS for individuals aged above 52 but
   below 62.
   C) The notification has relaxed the norms on premature withdrawals from SCSS, as now, 1% of
   the deposit will be deducted if the account is closed before the expiry of 1 year of the
   investment.
   1) All A, B & C
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) Only A
   Answer- 4) Only A & C
   Explanation:
   On 7th November 2023, Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), under the Ministry of Finance, notified
   7 changes in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme(SCSS), a government-sponsored savings instrument
   for individuals aged 60 years or employees aged 55 years or more but less than 60 years.

• The government has provided 3 months to invest in SCSS for individuals aged above 55 but
  below 60. At present, the investment has to be made within 1 month of receipt of retirement
  benefits.
• The maximum deposit limit for SCSS has been enhanced to Rs 30 lakh from Rs 15 lakh
  effective from 1st April 2023. This was announced in Budget 2023.
• The notification has relaxed the norms on premature withdrawals from SCSS. Now, 1% of the
  deposit will be deducted if the account is closed before the expiry of 1 year of the investment.
• Previously, if the account was closed before the expiry of 1 year, interest paid on the deposit in
  the account was to be recovered from the deposit and the entire balance was paid to the
  account holder.
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1. In November 2023, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD),
   Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), has announced a _ interest rate
   rebate for divyang, receive financial support through the National Divyangjan Finance and
   Development Corporation (NDFDC).
   1) 5%
   2) 3%
   3) 1%
   4) 2%
   5) 4%
   Answer- 3) 1%
   Explanation:
   Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD),
   under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), has announced a 1% interest rate
   rebate for divyang (Persons with Disabilities- PwDs) who receive financial support through the
   National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC).
   i. This aims to promote financial inclusion and foster economic empowerment among the divyangjan.
   ii. This rebate under NDFDC loan is for timely repayment, and subject to specific terms and conditions.
   iii. This initiative highlights the Central Government’s goal is to make financial assistance more
   accessible and affordable for PwDs, and uplift and empower every section of society.
2. Which state government has recently (in Nov ‘23) collaborated with Council of Scientific and
   Industrial Research (CSIR) and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as
   knowledge partners to promote research and innovation in the medical sector?
   1) Maharashtra
   2) West Bengal
   3) Odisha
   4) Bihar
   5) Uttar Pradesh
   Answer- 5) Uttar Pradesh
   Explanation:
   The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has collaborated with institutions like the Council of Scientific
   and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as
   knowledge partners to incorporate the proposed Bulk Drugs Park in Lalitpur district, UP.

• Bulk Drugs Park in Lalitpur aims to integrate technology along with research and innovation to
  provide high-quality and affordable medicines and medical devices.
• The UP govt has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with 43 labs of CSIR and 46 labs
  of DRDO, where research work will be done to manufacture affordable medicines.
  i. Objective: The collaboration aims to enhance research and innovation in the medical sector
  and will further enable the development of innovative devices through new technology, allowing for
  quick diagnosis of serious illnesses and ensuring proper treatment.

1. Name the state government that has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched a “Food Security
   Campaign” to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030.
   1) West Bengal
   2) Tripura
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   3) Assam
   4) Meghalaya
   5) Odisha
   Answer- 4) Meghalaya
   Explanation:
   Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, launched
   the “Food Security Campaign” to sensitise the public about the National Food Security Act (NFSA)
   2013 and strive to achieve United Nations(UN)’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – ‘Zero
   Hunger’ by 2030.

• The campaign aims to ensure that the poorest of the poor have access to food grains by
  reaching out to key stakeholders.
  i. As part of the campaign, the people will be inform about the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC),
  the Redressal System, the toll-free helpline number 1967, the use of the electronic point of sale (ePoS)
  and the linking of Aadhaar card and registered mobile number with their ration card.
  ii. The campaign will reach out to the general public about the Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) and
  Priority Households under National Food Security Act of 2013.

1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the State Educational
   Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 conducted in November 2023?
   A) The SEAS 2023 was successfully conducted by Performance Assessment, Review and
   Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), among students in grades 3, 6, and
   9 to identify areas where learning needs improvement.
   B) The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education
   (CBSE) to track the learning progress and Quality of Teaching.
   C) The State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Samagra Shiksha
   Abhiyan (SSA) were responsible for organising the survey in the sampled schools in their
   respective states.
   1) Only A
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) All A, B & C
   Answer- 4) Only A & C
   Explanation:
   The State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 was successfully conducted on 3rd
   November 2023 among students in grades 3, 6, and 9 to identify areas where learning needs
   improvement.

• This is the 1st survey conducted by the Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of
  Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), the national assessment regulator.
• Objective: To assess the learning competencies of students at the end of each educational
  stage, i.e., foundational, preparatory, and middle with a primary focus on Language and
  Mathematics
  i. The SEAS 2023 surveyed 80 lakh students, 6 lakh teachers, and over 3 lakh field investigators in
  5917 blocks across India. All states and Union Territories(UTs), excluding six states – Chhattisgarh,
  Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal (WB), participated in the survey.
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  ii. The survey was conducted in collaboration with National Council of Educational Research and
  Training (NCERT), New Delhi, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to track the
  learning progress.
  iii. The State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Samagra Shiksha
  Abhiyan (SSA) were responsible for organising the survey in the sampled schools in their respective
  states.

1. In November 2023, the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission of _ (state) was selected
   for the global list of Case Studies of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
   1) Maharashtra
   2) Tamil Nadu
   3) Kerala
   4) Uttar Pradesh
   5) Gujarat
   Answer- 3) Kerala
   Explanation:
   Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission of Kerala was selected for the global list of Case Studies of
   United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). UNWTO’s recognition will further inspire
   Kerala’s RT mission to promote eco-friendly tourism.
   i. Apart from Kerala’s RT Mission, Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve project is the only
   other Indian case study to be featured in this UNWTO list.
   ii. The 2 Indian case studies are among the 7 G20 (group of 20) countries to feature on the UNWTO list
   which includes Mexico, Germany, Mauritius, Turkey, Italy, Brazil and Canada, being the others.
   INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
2. Which organisation has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched an open data platform to streamline
   scientific data accessibility for decision-makers, Member States, experts, and the public?
   1) United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
   2) United Nations Development Programme
   3) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
   4) World Trade Organization
   5) International Atomic Energy Agency
   Answer- 5) International Atomic Energy Agency
   Explanation:
   On November 14, 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched an open data
   platform namely ‘IAEA Data Platform’ to streamline scientific data accessibility for decision-makers,
   Member States, experts, and the public.

• It consolidates, organises and standardised IAEA data into a single repository, enhancing
  transparency, and knowledge.
  i. IAEA Data Platform organizes data into three main topics:
• Nuclear Safety and Security
• Nuclear Technology and Applications
• Safeguards and Verification
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1. Which organisation has recently (in Nov ‘23) released the ‘2nd edition of the World Energy
   Employment (WEE 2023) report stating that clean energy jobs surpassed fossil fuel jobs for the
   first time in 2021 at the global level?
   1) International Atomic Energy Agency
   2) International Renewable Energy Agency
   3) International Energy Agency
   4) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
   5) United Nations Environment Programme
   Answer- 3) International Energy Agency
   Explanation:
   On November 15, 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released the ‘2nd edition of the World
   Energy Employment (WEE 2023) report stating clean energy jobs surpassed fossil fuel jobs for the
   first time in 2021 at the global level.

• Clean energy sectors added 4.7 million jobs globally between 2019-2022 and stand at 35
  million, while fossil fuels jobs recovered more slowly after layoffs in 2020 and remain around
  1.3 million below pre-pandemic employment levels, at 32 million.
• Clean energy jobs now represent over half of all energy sector jobs.
• The report was prepared by the World Energy Outlook Division of the Directorate of
  Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks of IEA.
• Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Industrial Development
  Organization (UNIDO), Economic Research Institute (ERI), and national labour statistics were
  utilized.
• This annual report maps energy sector employment by region, fuel, technology, and value
  chain. WEE 2023 includes for the first time employment data for the extraction of selected
  critical minerals, including copper, cobalt, nickel and lithium.

1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) withdrawn from the Treaty on Conventional Armed
   Forces in Europe (CFE)?
   1) Russia
   2) Germany
   3) France
   4) Sweden
   5) Norway
   Answer- 1) Russia
   Explanation:
   Russia has formally withdrawn from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), a
   landmark arms control agreement that sought to limit the deployment of conventional weapons in
   Europe.

• The exit of Russia is due to North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) eastward expansion as
  a threat to its security.
  About CFE:
  i. The agreement was signed by 23 participating States – those belonging to NATO and the Warsaw
  Treaty Organization (WTO). It was signed in 1990 in Paris, France.
  ii. It aims to stop the United States of America and Russia (Cold War rivals) from building up forces
  that could be used in a swift assault.
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1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed two agreements with India to boost youth
   mobility & cultural exchange?
   1) Germany
   2) France
   3) Spain
   4) Italy
   5) Australia
   Answer- 4) Italy
   Explanation:
   Dr. S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) has signed two agreements with the Italian
   Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani to boost youth mobility &
   cultural exchange during his two-day visit to Italy on 2nd-3rd November 2023.
   i. The Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement to enable seamless movement of workers,
   students and professionals.
   ii. The Executive Programme on Cultural Cooperation(EPCC) agreement for the period 2023-27.

• Through EPCC, Italy and India will undergo multiple cultural exchange programs including
  exchange of students in language programmes and other academic courses.
• The last EPCC was signed between two countries for the period of three years 2017-2020.
  VISITS

1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Dharmendra
   Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to the
   United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November 2023?
   A) India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expanded their educational cooperation by
   signing an MoU in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
   B) NSDC International has signed an agreement with We One, a subsidiary of DP World, to
   support the skill development and employment opportunities for the front-line workforce.
   C) National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and EFS Facilities Services Group have
   entered into an MoU to facilitate Skilled International Workforce Mobility (IWM) for Indian
   nationals, with a specific emphasis on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
   1) All A, B & C
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) Only A
   Answer- 1) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education(MoE) and Ministry of Skill
   Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) embarked on a significant 3-day visit to the United Arab
   Emirates (UAE) from November 1-3, 2023.

• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expanded their educational cooperation by
  signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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• The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in education, including student and faculty
  mobility, exchanging educational information, and fostering academic partnerships
  between institutions in both countries.
• NSDC International has signed an agreement with We One, a subsidiary of DP World, to
  support the skill development and employment opportunities for the front-line workforce.
• DP World is a Dubai-based multinational logistics company providing smart end-to-end
  logistics Solutions.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and EFS Facilities Services Group, a UAEbased Facilities Management Firm, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
  to facilitate Skilled International Workforce Mobility (IWM) for Indian nationals, with a specific
  emphasis on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Prime Minister(PM)
   Narendra Modi to Jharkhand in November 2023?
   A) During PM Narendra Modi visit to Jharkhand, he addressed the event, organised to mark the
   celebration of 5th Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2023 on 13th November 2023 to commemorate the
   birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
   B) PM Modi laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 7,200 crores in
   various sectors like rail, road, education, coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
   C) PM Narendra Modi unveiled a decommissioned Mikoyan Gurevich (MiG-211) fighter jet at
   the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.
   1) Only A
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) All A, B & C
   Answer- 3) Only B & C
   Explanation:
   Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi paid a 2-day visit to Jharkhand from 15th to 16th November
2. During his visit, PM Modi participated in the event organised to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,
   2023 in Khunti, Jharkhand.

• He also greeted the people of Jharkhand on the foundation day of Jharkhand (15th November).
• PM Modi addressed the event organised to mark the celebration of 3rd Janjatiya Gaurav
  Diwas/ Tribal Pride Day 2023 on 15th November 2023 in Khunti, Jharkhand to
  commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, an iconic freedom fighter.
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 7,200 crores in various
  sectors like rail, road, education, coal, petroleum, and natural gas. These projects aim to
  enhance infrastructure and services in Jharkhand.
• During this visit, PM Modi launched two significant initiatives, namely the ‘Viksit Bharat
  Sankalp Yatra‘ and the ‘PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)’ from Jharkhand.
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM
  PVTG) Mission, allocating Rs 24,000 crore for the comprehensive development of
  approximately 28 lakh individuals belonging to 75 PVTGs across India.
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• During the 3rd Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, PM Modi digitally released the 15th instalment of the
  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme at Birsa College in Khunti,
  Jharkhand.
• PM Narendra Modi unveiled a decommissioned Mikoyan Gurevich (MiG-211) fighter jet at the
  Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The event was attended by Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan and
  Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

1. Which of the following is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Piyush Goyal, Union
   Minister of Commerce and Industry to San Francisco,United States (U.S) in November 2023?
   A) Union Minister Piyush Goyal represented India at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure
   and Investment (PGII) – IPEF Investor Forum meeting on November 16, 2023.
   B) The MoU was signed between India and The U.S. during the roundtable titled “Decoding the
   Innovation Handshake: U.S.-India Entrepreneurship Partnership in San Francisco, U.S.
   C) Minister also represented India at the 30th APEC Leaders’ Summit hosted by the U.S held in
   San Francisco.
   1) All A, B & C
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) Only A
   Answer- 1) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
   Distribution and Textiles was on a Four-day official visit to San Francisco, United States (U.S) from
   November 13-16, 2023.

• He participated in the 3rd in-person IPEF Ministerial meeting from November 13-14, 2023.
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal represented India at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
  Investment (PGII) – IPEF Investor Forum meeting on November 16, 2023.
• Piyush Goyal, Union Minister also represented India at the APEC Economic Leadership
  Engagements from 15-16 November, 2023. India has been invited to the 30th APEC Economic
  Leaders Meeting 2023 as a Guest Economy.
• The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between India and The U.S. during the
  roundtable titled “Decoding the “Innovation Handshake :U.S.-India Entrepreneurship
  Partnership” in San Francisco ,U.S.
• During the meeting, the first-of-its-kind IPEF Supply Chain resilience agreement was signed
  by the minister along with ministers from 14 other IPEF partner countries. The agreement
  aims to make IPEF supply chains more resilient, robust and well integrated, and contribute
  towards economic development and progress of the region as a whole.
• The U.S. hosted the 30th APEC Leaders Summit which was held in San Francisco. Apart from
  21-member countries of APEC, India attended the summit as Guest Economy. Piyush Goyal,
  Minister of Commerce and Industry represented India at the summit.
• Theme APEC Summit 2023: “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”.
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  BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Which bank has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) Lite to allow
   the users to make small-value digital payments offline without entering a UPI PIN?
   1) South Indian Bank
   2) IDFC FIRST Bank
   3) IndusInd Bank
   4) Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
   5) Federal Bank
   Answer- 5) Federal Bank
   Explanation:
   Federal Bank Limited has launched Unified Payment Interface (UPI) Lite, a simplified version of the
   UPI system which allows users to make small-value digital payments offline without entering a UPI
   PIN.
   UPI Lite:

• The UPI Lite functionality was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in September
  2022.
• It is an ‘on-device wallet’ feature integrated into existing UPI mobile applications.
• UPI Lite minimizes the burden on the core banking system (CBS) by enabling direct
  transactions between the user’s mobile device and National Payment Corporation of India
  (NPCI).

1. Name the company that has recently (in November ‘23) become the second Indian startup to
   achieve unicorn status in 2023.
   1) Chargify
   2) Zeta
   3) Chargebee
   4) InCred Holdings Limited
   5) Innovaccer
   Answer- 4) InCred Holdings Limited
   Explanation:
   Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based InCred Holdings Limited, the parent company of fintech startup
   InCred Financial Services Ltd, has become the 2nd Indian startup to become an unicorn, valued at
   over USD 1 billion, in 2023.

• InCred became an unicorn after raising funding worth Rs 500 crore in its latest round (Series
  D) of equity funding.
• The equity round has gathered interest from various investors, including a global private
  equity fund, corporate treasuries, family offices, and Ultra-High-Net-worth-Individuals
  (UHNIs).
  i. In August 2023, Zepto, a quick commerce platform, became India’s first unicorn of 2023. It raised
  USD 200 million in a Series E round of funding at a valuation of USD 1.4 billion.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 17

1. In November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) barred _ (company) from
   sanctioning and disbursing loans under its eCOM and Insta EMI Card products.
   1) Aditya Birla Finance Limited
   2) Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited
   3) Bajaj Finance Limited
   4) Muthoot Finance Limited
   5) Tata Capital Financial Services Limited
   Answer- 3) Bajaj Finance Limited
   Explanation:
   On November 15, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exercise of its powers under section
   45L(1)(b) of the RBI Act, 1934 barred Bajaj Finance Limited from sanctioning and disbursing loans
   under its two lending products viz. eCOM and Bajaj Insta EMI Card, with immediate effect.
   i. The reason behind this action is the non-adherence of Digital lending guidelines of RBI by the
   company, specifically by not providing Key Fact Statements to borrowers for two lending products.

• Additionally, Bajaj Finance will rectify the key fact statement for eCOM and Insta EMI Card.
  ii. RBI restrictions on lending via the eCOM and Bajaj Insta EMI Card will not have a “material financial
  impact” on the organisation.
  Note- RBI returned Mastercard-backed fintech Instamojo‘s application for a payment aggregator (PA)
  license amid not meeting the eligibility criteria. Instamojo is based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The aggregator/ payouts function will now be undertaken in partnership with other licensed
  PAs while its payment gateway continues to be fully functional.

1. Name the bank that has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched two Digital Gold Loan schemes for the
   retail segment and agriculture segment.
   1) Bank of Maharashtra
   2) Union Bank of India
   3) Canara Bank
   4) Indian Bank
   5) Punjab National Bank
   Answer- 5) Punjab National Bank
   Explanation:
   Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched two PNB Digital Gold Loan schemes namely PNB Gold Loan
   for the retail segment and PNB Swarnim for the agriculture segment.
   i. The schemes aim to provide customers with hassle-free access to credit to meet their personal and
   agricultural needs by using gold jewellery as collateral for the loan.
   ii. The Streamlined digital process eliminating paperwork hassles is one of the key features of this
   Digital scheme.

• PNB Digital Gold Loan offers a modern banking experience with competitive interest rates.
• The schemes offer loans ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakhs to support personal needs, and
  agriculture & allied activities.
• Borrowers seeking short-term production or investment credit for agricultural activities and
  allied activities are eligible for loans of minimum Rs 10,000 to maximum Rs 2 lakh.

Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 18

5. Which Financial Institution/Regulatory Body of India has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed an
   MoU with Technology Development Board (TDB) to ease access of credit to MSME?
   1) Reserve Bank of India
   2) Small Industries Development Bank of India
   3) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
   4) Export – Import Bank of India
   5) Securities and Exchange Board of India
   Answer- 2) Small Industries Development Bank of India
   Explanation:
   The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
   (MoU) with Technology Development Board (TDB) to ease access of credit to Micro, Small & Medium
   Enterprises (MSMEs) that are attempting to develop and commercialise indigenous technology or
   adapt imported technology for wider domestic applications.

• The MoU was executed by Rahul Priyadarshi, Chief General Manager, SIDBI and Rajesh Jain,
  Director, TDB.
• The MoU is signed for the joint initiative by TDB and SIDBI, to extend financial assistance to
  eligible MSMEs as per the terms & conditions of TDB & SIDBI.
• Under this MoU, SIDBI and TDB will support MSMEs with respective corecompetencies/expertise.

5. Which of the following personalities has/have been appointed as the directors of Jio
   Financial Services Limited after the approval granted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in
   November 2023?
   1) Isha Ambani
   2) Anshuman Thakur
   3) Hitesh Kumar Sethia
   4) Both 1 & 2
   5) All 1, 2 & 3
   Answer- 5) All 1, 2 & 3
   Explanation:
   On 15th November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval for the appointment
   of Isha Ambani, Anshuman Thakur, and Hitesh Kumar Sethia as Directors of Jio Financial
   Services Limited, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) backed by Reliance Industries
   Limited(RIL).

• The approval is valid for only 6 months with effect from the 15th November 2023.
  Note- If the company fails to implement the proposed changes within this timeframe, it will need to
  reapply with reasons for the delay.

5. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the recent step taken by the
   Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in November 2023?
   A) RBI increased the risk weights on credit card exposures by 30% points to 200% and 250%
   for banks and NBFCs, respectively.
   B) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted authorization to Authorized Dealer Category – I
   (AD Category – I) banks to open additional current accounts for export proceeds,
   supplementing the existing special rupee vostro accounts.
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 19
   C) RBI has levied monetary penalties on Axis Bank Ltd (Rs 90.92 lakh), Manappuram Finance
   Ltd (Rs 42.78 lakh) and Anand Rathi Global Finance Ltd (Rs 20 lakh) for non-compliance with
   various regulatory directives.
   1) Only A
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) All A, B & C
   Answer- 3) Only B & C
   Explanation:
   The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced stricter rules for consumer lending, directing both
   banks and NBFCs to establish higher capital buffers and implement board-approved policies to
   monitor exposure limits in the consumer lending segment.

• This move follows concerns expressed by the RBI governor regarding the rapid growth of
  consumer loans, prompting a cautionary approach among lenders.
• RBI increased the risk weights on credit card exposures by 25% points to 150% and 125%
  for banks and NBFCs, respectively.
• The new regulations will not be applicable to housing loans, education loans, vehicle loans and
  loans secured by gold and gold jewellery.
  i. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted authorization to Authorized Dealer Category – I (AD
  Category – I) banks to open additional current accounts for export proceeds, supplementing the
  existing special rupee vostro accounts.
  ii. RBI has levied monetary penalties on Axis Bank Ltd, Manappuram Finance Ltd, and Anand Rathi
  Global Finance Ltd for non-compliance with various regulatory directives.
• Penalty on Axis Bank: RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 90.92 lakh for multiple
  infractions discovered during the ‘Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2022).’
• Penalty on Manappuram Finance: RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 42.78 lakh for noncompliance with certain provisions of the “Non-Banking Financial Company – Systemically
  Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank)
  Directions, 2016”.
• Penalty on Anand Rathi Global Finance: RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 20 lakh for noncompliance with certain provisions of the RBI (KYC) Directions, 2016.

5. On 11th November 2023 (Bima Lokpal Day 2023 ), Insurance Ombudsman announced that it
   has disposed of over __ of the complaints received from the insured during Financial
   year 2022-23.
   1) 82.87%
   2) 87.34%
   3) 90.21%
   4) 88.45%
   5) 92.28%
   Answer- 5) 92.28%
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 20
   Explanation:
   On the occasion of Bima Lokpal Day 2023 (11th November 2023), Insurance Ombudsman
   announced that it has disposed of over 92.28% of the complaints received from the insured during
   Financial year 2022-23 (FY23).
   i. The Insurance Ombudsman has settled 51,625 out of 55,946 received complaints across all 17
   Insurance Ombudsman Offices.
   ii. Bima Lokpal Day is observed annually on November 11, to commemorate the foundation day of the
   Insurance Ombudsman, an alternative dispute resolution forum set up to resolve disputes relating to
   insurance contracts.

• The insurance ombudsman was established through a government of India notification in
  November 1998.

5. Which bank has recently (in Nov ‘23) partnered with HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited
   (HDFC Life) to offer life insurance products to its customers?
   1) South Indian Bank
   2) RBL Bank
   3) Federal Bank
   4) Karnataka Bank
   5) IDFC FIRST Bank
   Answer- 4) Karnataka Bank
   Explanation:
   Karnataka Bank has formed a strategic corporate partnership with HDFC Life Insurance Company
   Limited (HDFC Life) to offer life insurance products to its customers.

• This collaboration is set to deliver a host of benefits to customers seeking financial security and
  life protection.
• It also offers customers a range of innovative and customer-centric financial solutions.
  Note- HDFC Life was established in 2000 as a joint venture between HDFC Bank and Abrdn (Mauritius
  Holdings) 2006 Limited.

5. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the recent
   launch/announcement made by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in November
   2023?
   A) Madhabi Puri Buch, the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),
   has officially launched the Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform at the Bombay
   Stock Exchange (BSE).
   B) The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced the elimination of the
   requirement to freeze folios lacking PAN, KYC details, and nominations for all holders of
   physical securities.
   C) Unifi Capital announced that it has received in-principle approval from the capital markets
   regulator, SEBI, to establish a mutual fund house.
   1) All A, B & C
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) Only A
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 21
   Answer- 1) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   Madhabi Puri Buch, the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has
   officially launched the Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform at the Bombay Stock
   Exchange (BSE).

• The IRRA platform, initiated by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) under SEBI’s
  guidance, aims to reduce risks faced by investors in the event of technical glitches at Trading
  Member (TM) ends, both at the Primary and Disaster Recovery sites.
• The soft launch of the IRRA platform took place on October 3, 2023, with official launch
  occurring on November 20, 2023 for the benefit of investors.
• This platform is specifically designed for trading members supporting Internet-based trading
  (IBT) and Security Trading through Wireless Technology (STWT) for their investors.
  i. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the capital markets regulator, announced the
  elimination of the requirement to freeze folios lacking PAN, KYC details, and nominations for all
  holders of physical securities.
  ii. Portfolio management firm Unifi Capital announced that it has received in-principle approval from
  the capital markets regulator, SEBI, to establish a mutual fund house.
• The company had submitted an application to SEBI in December 2020 seeking a mutual fund
  licence.
• Unifi Capital, based in Chennai, stated that it has obtained SEBI’s in-principle approval to
  initiate its mutual fund business.
  ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

5. Which company has recently (in Nov ‘23) announced to award a multi-year Rs.1000-crore
   purchase order to Finland’s Nokia for the supply of Optical Transport Network (OTN)
   equipment?
   1) Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited
   2) Bharti Airtel Limited
   3) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
   4) Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
   5) Vodafone Group
   Answer- 3) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
   Explanation:
   State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is set to award a multi-year Rs.1000-crore purchase
   order to Finland’s Nokia for the supply of Optical Transport Network (OTN) equipment and
   deployment through a local system integrator.

• The contract, part of BSNL’s Phase-4 project on a turnkey basis on the pan-India level, is to
  supply, install, and commission OTN with a 3-year Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services
  and comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for 8 years.
• The contenders for this contract include domestic gear vendors United Telecoms Limited
  (UTL) and Tejas Networks, a Tata Group company.
• Domestic telecom equipment manufacturer Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited
  (HFCL) has front-ended the Nokia bid as the systems integrator.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 22

5. In November 2023, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) added _ Indian stocks
   to its MSCI Global Standard Index.
   1) 5
   2) 9
   3) 19
   4) 23
   5) 15
   Answer- 2) 9
   Explanation:
   On November 15, 2023, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) added nine Indian stocks to its
   MSCI Global Standard Index w.e.f. November 30, 2023.
   i. Additions on MSCI India Index:

• IndusInd Bank, Suzlon Energy Limited, One 97 Communications (Paytm), Persistent Systems,
  APL Apollo Tubes, Polycab India, Macrotech Developers, Tata Motors A (Tata Motors DVR) and
  Tata Communications.
• Following the above addition, 46 stocks will be added to this index while 69 stocks will make
  an exit from this index. No Indian stocks were excluded from the index.
  ii. According to a report by Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research, the MSCI inclusions may
  bring up to USD 1.5 billion in passive inflows to India.
• The maximum share of inflows will be led by IndusInd Bank at USD 290 million followed by
  Suzlon at USD 264 million and Persistent Systems at USD 254 million.

5. Which company has unveiled two flagship initiatives: Bridge and Scale on its 8th Foundation
   Day on 16th November 2023?
   1) Startup Village
   2) Technology Hub
   3) UnLtd India
   4) The Indus Entrepreneurs
   5) Ennovent
   Answer- 2) Technology Hub
   Explanation:
   As a part of its 8th Foundation Day (16th November 2023), Telangana government led incubator,
   Technology Hub (T-Hub) unveiled two flagship initiatives: T-Bridge and T-Scale, aimed at further
   propelling the growth and success of Indian startups.
   i. T-Bridge: It is the International Wing of T-Hub, designed to facilitate global market access for
   startups and enable them to expand their reach beyond India’s borders.
   ii. T-Scale: It is a collaborative program with Factoryal Business Incubator Private Limited that will
   guide 25 promising startups through a 12-month journey to Series-A funding readiness.
   Note- T-Hub, which was incorporated in 2015, is a premier innovation hub and ecosystem enabler
   which is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana.
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 23
6. According to the India 2024 outlook from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc in November 2023,
   India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is expected to decline to _ in 2024
   from the 6.4% estimated for 2023.
   1) 5.9%
   2) 6.1%
   3) 6.3%
   4) 6.0%
   5) 6.2%
   Answer- 3) 6.3%
   Explanation:
   According to the India 2024 outlook from Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, India’s real Gross Domestic
   Product (GDP) growth is expected to decline marginally to 6.3% in 2024 from the 6.4% estimated
   for 2023.

• India’s GDP is projected to grow at 6.5% in FY25 compared to 6.2% in FY24.
  i. The government spending will drive growth in the 1st half, while private investment will accelerate
  after the general election to become the key driver of growth.
• During the 2nd Quarter (Q2) of 2024, subsidies and transfer payments will be growth drivers
  as India heads into the General election in May 2024.
  ii. Headline consumer price inflation(CPI) is expected to decline to 5.1% year on year(yoy) average in
  2024.
• The core inflation is expected to decline to 4.5% yoy (average) in 2024 from an estimated 5.1%
  in 2023.

5. In November 2023, the ICRA Limited projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to
   grow at __ in the second quarter of FY 2024 (Q2FY24).
   1) 6.9%
   2) 6.5%
   3) 8%
   4) 8.3%
   5) 7%
   Answer- 5) 7%
   Explanation:
   According to the ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India
   Limited), India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of FY 2024 (Q2FY24) is
   estimated to grow at 7%, surpassing the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee’s
   (MPC) forecast of 6.5%. However, this growth was 7.8% in (April to June 2023) Q1FY24.
   i. The Gross Value Added (GVA) growth will ease to 6.8% in (July-September 2023) Q2, driven by the
   services sector at 8.2%, agriculture at 3.5%, and industry at 6.6%.
   ii. ICRA maintains a GDP growth estimate of 6% for FY24, projecting a slightly lower figure than the
   MPC’s projection of 6.5%.
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   MoU’s AND AGREEMENTS
6. Name the University/Institute that has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed an MoU with Samarkand
   Institute of Economics and Services in Uzbekistan to create numerous opportunities for
   students, faculty, and researchers.
   1) University of Mumbai
   2) Indian Institute Of Technology Madras
   3) Jamia Millia Islamia
   4) University of Delhi
   5) Indian Institute Of Technology Bombay
   Answer- 4) University of Delhi
   Explanation:
   The Samarkand Institute of Economics and Services in Uzbekistan and the University of Delhi
   have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to create numerous opportunities for
   students, faculty, and researchers from Samarkand and Delhi.
   i. This partnership endorsed by both institutions, aims to facilitate valuable experiences for both
   students and faculty, contributing significantly to global education and research.
   ii. Within this dynamic partnership, the 2 educational institutions are aspiring to initiate a
   transformative student exchange program.
7. Which organisation/Association has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed a Traditional and
   Complementary Medicine ‘Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA)’ with the Ministry of Ayush?
   1) Indian Medical Association
   2) United Nations Children’s Fund
   3) World Health Organization
   4) Indian Council of Medical Research
   5) Global Health Council
   Answer- 3) World Health Organization
   Explanation:
   On November 17, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush
   (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) signed a Traditional and
   Complementary Medicine ‘Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA)’ during an event organized in
   Geneva, Switzerland.
   i. Under this partnership, WHO will prepare Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 with
   the support of the Ministry of Ayush .
   ii. The 1st phase of the PCA, 2023-28, will prove to be a milestone in the global development of the
   Traditional and Complementary Medical System.
   iii. Aim of PCA:

• To standardize and integrate Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems into the
  National Health System, disseminating them globally.
• To advance traditional and complementary medicine by modernizing it into a globally
  accepted, evidence-based healthcare while preserving its rich heritage for global well-being.
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  APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

5. In November 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a new ‘Commission on
   Social Connection (2024–2026)’ to address loneliness as a serious health risk, and prioritise
   social connection.
   Which of the following personalities will co-chair the 11 member commission?
   1) Vivek Murthy & Chido Mpemba
   2) Ralph Regenvanu & Cleopa Mailu
   3) Karen DeSalvo & Vivek Murthy
   4) Jakob Forssmed & Ralph Regenvanu
   5) Chido Mpemba & Karen DeSalvo
   Answer- 1) Vivek Murthy & Chido Mpemba
   Explanation:
   The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a new ‘Commission on Social Connection
   (2024–2026)’, comprising 11 leading policy-makers, thought leaders, and advocates, to address
   loneliness as a serious health risk, prioritise social connection, and accelerate the implementation of
   solutions in countries of all income levels.

• The Commission will be Co-chaired by Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United
  States of America; and Chido Mpemba, Youth Envoy, African Union Commission.
  i. The Commission will propose a global agenda on social connection and will work alongside highlevel Commissioners for the implementation of mechanisms to measure and track global progress on
  social connection.
  ii. The Commission’s comprehensive analysis spans 3 years and will focus on understanding the
  pivotal role social connections play in enhancing health across all age groups.

5. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) re-elected Pedro Sánchez as the Prime Minister
   (PM)?
   1) Norway
   2) Italy
   3) Belgium
   4) Spain
   5) Hungary
   Answer- 4) Spain
   Explanation:
   On 16th November 2023, Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party(Spanish acronym:
   PSOE) was re-elected as the Prime Minister (PM) of Spain, officially President of the Government of
   Spain.He was elected for the 2nd term with a majority in the Spanish parliament. He got 179 votes in
   the 350-seat lower house of the Parliament.

• He has been serving as the Acting PM of Spain since 25th July 2023.
• He served as the PM of Spain/President of the Government of Spain from 2018 to 2023.
• In July 2023, he was appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister after no party got a majority in
  the general election held on 23rd July 2023.
• PSOE finished second with 121 seats while the centre-right Popular Party (PP) finished first
  with 137 seats but fell short of the majority to form government.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 26

5. Who has been recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed as the Director, Managing Director (MD) &
   Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Key Managerial Personnel of the Kotak Mahindra Bank, for 3
   years?
   1) Uday Shankar
   2) Dipak Gupta
   3) Ashok Vaswani
   4) Prakash Apte
   5) C. Jayaram
   Answer- 3) Ashok Vaswani
   Explanation:
   Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) has appointed Ashok Vaswani as a Director, Managing
   Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Key Managerial Personnel of the Bank, for 3
   years, with effect from January 1, 2024.

• The appointment received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in October 2023.
• He will succeed Dipak Gupta, whose term as the MD & CEO, and Key Managerial Personnel of
  KMBL ends on December 31, 2023.
• Dipak Gupta took over as the interim CEO of KMBL for 2 months from September 2023 till
  December 2023, after founder-CEO Uday Kotak stepped down in September 2023.
• Uday Kotak, who is the Founder and Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, served as the MD and
  CEO of the bank since its inception in 2003.

5. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) elected Javier Milei as the new president?
   1) Poland
   2) Lithuania
   3) Finland
   4) Ecuador
   5) Argentina
   Answer- 5) Argentina
   Explanation:
   On November 19, 2023, Javier Milei (53) of Libertarian Party was elected as the new president of
   Argentina. He will succeed the current Argentina President Alberto Fernández after assuming office
   on December 10, 2023.

• Milei won the election with 56% votes against 44% for his rival, Peronist Economy Minister
  Sergio Massa.
• He authored many books and Journal articles. His book ‘The End of Inflation: Eliminate the
  Central Bank, End the Inflation Tax Scam, and Return to Being a Serious Country’ released in
  2023
• His biography is ‘El Loco’ by the journalist Juan Luis González.

5. Who has been recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
   OpenAI?
   1) Jessica Livingston
   2) Helen Toner
   3) Emmett Shear
   4) Mira Murati
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 27
   5) Greg Brockman
   Answer- 3) Emmett Shear
   Explanation:
   Microsoft-owned OpenAI, Inc., the creator of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), has
   announced the appointment of Emmett Shear as its interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

• He will replace Mira Murati, the interim CEO of Open AI.
• Murati became the interim CEO of OpenAI after Sam Altman, the co-founder and former CEO of
  Open AI.
  Note- OpenAI was founded as a non-profit in 2015. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California,
  United States of America (USA).

5. In November 2023, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the
   appointment of Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director (MD) of _ (Bank) for two
   years.
   1) Bank of India
   2) Bank of Baroda
   3) Union Bank of India
   4) Indian Bank
   5) State Bank of India
   Answer- 5) State Bank of India
   Explanation:
   The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi,
   has approved the appointment of Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of
   India (SBI) for two years till November 2025.

• Prior to this appointment, Vinay Tonse was serving as the Deputy MD (Corporate Account
  Group) of SBI.
  i. Vinay M Tonse was recommended to the post by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) in
  September 2023.
  ii. The post (MD of SBI) fell vacant in June 2023 after the appointment of Swaminathan Janakiraman
  as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India(RBI).

5. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed Luc Frieden as the 23rd Prime Minister
   (PM)?
   1) Cambodia
   2) Luxembourg
   3) Finland
   4) Paraguay
   5) Turkey
   Answer- 2) Luxembourg
   Explanation:
   On November 17, 2023, Luc Frieden (60), a member of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), was
   sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minister (PM) of Luxembourg. He succeeds Xavier Bettel of Liberal
   Democratic Party (DP), who served as PM of Luxembourg from 2013 to 2023.

• The PM and the new ministers of the coalition government (CSV-Liberal DP) took oaths of
  office during a ceremony officiated by Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg(Head of State).
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 28
  i. Outgoing PM Xavier Bettel was appointed as deputy PM and foreign minister. Gilles Roth of CSV
  was appointed as the new Finance Minister of Luxembourg and 7 ministerial positions were given to
  DP and 8 were given to CSV.

5. In November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval to the appointment of
   five __ (company) representatives: Amar Chintopanth, Shardchandra V Zaregaonkar,
   Moses Newling Harding John, Bhumika Batra, and Arun Tiwari as directors on the board of
   Reliance Capital.
   1) Godrej Group
   2) Tata Group
   3) Aditya Birla Group
   4) Hinduja Group
   5) Mahindra Group
   Answer- 4) Hinduja Group
   Explanation:
   The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given approval to the appointment of five Hinduja Group
   representatives including Amar Chintopanth, Shardchandra V Zaregaonkar, Moses Newling Harding
   John, Bhumika Batra, and Arun Tiwari as directors on the board of Reliance Capital.
   i. RBI also announced its no objection to the transfer of control of Reliance Capital Ltd to IIHL banking,
   financial services, and insurance (BFSI) (India) Ltd (wholly owned subsidiary of IndusInd
   International Holdings Ltd).
   ii. While granting approval to Rs 10,000 crore resolution plan and the appointment of the directors,
   RBI laid down the condition that Hinduja group-run IndusInd Bank Ltd should maintain an arm’s
   length distance from Reliance Capital.
6. Name the personality who has recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed as the Brand Ambassador of
   West Bengal?
   1) Sourav Ganguly
   2) Shah Rukh Khan
   3) Leander Paes
   4) Mithun Chakraborty
   5) Amartya Sen
   Answer- 1) Sourav Ganguly
   Explanation:
   Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister (CM) of West Bengal (WB) named former Indian cricketer and
   Padma Shri Awardee Sourav Ganguly as the “Brand Ambassador of West Bengal ” and handed over
   the Appointment letter.

• The announcement was made during the 7th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit
  (BGBS 2023) held in Kolkata(WB).
• Sourav Ganguly, popularly known as “Dada ” or “Prince of Kolkata ”, represented India from
  1992 to 2008. In 1998, he received the Arjuna Award(Cricket), for his outstanding
  achievements in sports.
• In 2004, he was honoured with the Padma Shri in the field of Sports.
  Note: Prior to this appointment, renowned Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan has been serving as the
  brand ambassador of Bengal since 2012.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 29

5. Which bank has recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed Lakshmi Ramakrishna Srinivas as the
   Additional Director?
   1) RBL Bank
   2) Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
   3) South Indian Bank
   4) IDFC FIRST Bank
   5) City Union Bank
   Answer- 3) South Indian Bank
   Explanation:
   Lakshmi Ramakrishna Srinivas was appointed as the Additional Director of the South Indian
   Bank Limited, a Private Sector Bank headquartered in Thrissur, Kerala. She was appointed as a nonexecutive Independent Director (ID) for a 3-year term from November 20, 2023.
   i. Lakshmi Ramakrishna Srinivas started her banking career as a Probationary Officer(PO) in State
   Bank of India(SBI) in 1985 and retired as the Chief General Manager & Head-Strategic Training
   Unit(STU), SBI in June 2023.
   ii. She also served as Director of State Bank Staff College (SBSC), Hyderabad, Telangana.
   AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
6. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) received the first-ever “Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award”?
   1) Vikram Seth
   2) Salman Rushdie
   3) Kiran Desai
   4) Aravind Adiga
   5) Rohinton Mistry
   Answer- 2) Salman Rushdie
   Explanation:
   Indian-born British-American author Salman Rushdie
   received the first-ever “Lifetime Disturbing the
   Peace Award” presented by the Vaclav Havel Center
   in Manhattan, New York, United States of America
   (USA).
   i. He has authored many novels and book of stories
   including Midnight’s Children which was awarded the
   Booker Prize in 1981.
   ii. In 2008, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature.
7. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Federation of Indian
   Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Healthcare Excellence Awards presented in
   November 2023?
   A) The 15th Edition of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
   Healthcare Excellence Awards was held in New Delhi, Delhi.
   B) Dr. Yash Paul Bhatia, Chairman & Managing Director, Astron Groups won the FICCI
   Healthcare Excellence Awards 2023 List (Individuals Awards) under Lifetime Achievement in
   Healthcare Industry Category.
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 30
   C) Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) won the FICCI HealthCare Awards 2023 – Excellence
   in Patient Safety & Care under Private Hospitals Sub-Category.
   1) All A, B & C
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) Only A
   Answer- 1) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   The 15th Edition of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Healthcare
   Excellence Awards was held in New Delhi, Delhi. List of Awards and Recipients.
   i. The award is given to recognize and felicitate organizations and individuals for their outstanding
   contributions to the Indian healthcare sector.
   ii. Dr. Yash Paul Bhatia, Chairman & Managing Director, Astron Groups won the FICCI Healthcare
   Excellence Awards 2023 List (Individuals Awards) under Lifetime Achievement in Healthcare
   Industry Category.
   iii. Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) won the FICCI HealthCare Awards 2023 – Excellence in
   Patient Safety & Care under Private Hospitals Sub-Category.
8. Which NGO/Foundation has been recently (in Nov ‘23) awarded with the 2023 Olympic Cup
   by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
   1) Welthungerhilfe
   2) Save the Children Fund
   3) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
   4) International Rescue Foundation
   5) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
   Answer- 5) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
   Explanation:
   The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2023 Olympic Cup to the Taekwondo
   Humanitarian Foundation (THF) in recognition of its long-term commitment to empowering refugee
   athletes and refugees worldwide through taekwondo.

• Thomas Bach, IOC President, presented the Olympic Cup to World Taekwondo President
  Chungwon Choue in a ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• The unique Olympic Cup award was created by the IOC’s founder Pierre de Coubertin in 1906.
  The Olympic Cup honors an organisation that promotes the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
  i. About the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation(THF):
• The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation(THF) was founded by World Taekwondo President
  Chungwon Choue at the United Nations headquarters in New York(United States) in 2015.
• THF aims to empower refugees worldwide through taekwondo and helping them to improve
  their quality of life, develop their life skills, learn Olympic values, and pursue their dreams.
• THF is also one of the implementing partners of Terrains d’Avenir, a programme co-financed
  by the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and the French Sports Ministry.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 31

5. Who has been recently (in Nov ‘23) named for the ‘Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award’
   for the year 2023 by the Government of Maharashtra?
   1) Sadhana Sargam
   2) Ananya Wadkar
   3) Anuradha Paudwal
   4) Suresh Ishwar Wadkar
   5) Kavita Krishnamurthy
   Answer- 4) Suresh Ishwar Wadkar
   Explanation:
   Government of Maharashtra honoured veteran playback singer and Padma Shri awardee Suresh
   Ishwar Wadkar with prestigious ‘Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award’ also known as Lata
   Mangeshkar Award for the year 2023.

• The Lata Mangeshkar Award is an annual award given by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs of
  the Maharashtra Government in memory of the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.
• Suresh Wadkar was honoured with the Padma Shri for his work in the field of arts in 2020.
• He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018 for Sugam Sangeet.
• He won a National Award in 2010 for the Best Male Playback Singer category for the song ‘Hey
  Bhaskara’ for the Marathi biopic Mee Sindhutai Sapkal (2010).

5. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Asian Power Magazine, as
   of November 2023?
   A) Asian Power Magazine presented The 19th Asian Power Awards, 3rd Asian Oil & Gas
   Awards, and inaugural Asian Water Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2023.
   B) GAIL India Limited won the ‘Innovation Award – India’ and also won ‘Midstream Project of
   the Year – India’ under the Asian Oil & Gas Awards.
   C) Kirloskar Brothers Limited won the Community-Based Water Project of the Year – India
   under the Asian Water Awards.
   1) All A, B & C
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) Only A
   Answer- 1) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   Asian Power Magazine presented the 19th Asian Power Awards, 3rd Asian Oil & Gas Awards, and
   inaugural Asian Water Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2023. List of Indian Winners
   at Asian Oil & Gas Awards, Asian Power Awards, and Asian Water Awards.
   i. GAIL India Limited won the ‘Innovation Award – India’ for reduction in LNG Shipping cost &
   emissions through Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with backhauling.

• It also won ‘Midstream Project of the Year – India’ for the installation of the first floating
  Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).These awards are
  presented under the Asian Oil & Gas Awards.
  ii. Kirloskar Brothers Limited won the Community-Based Water Project of the Year – India under
  the Asian Water Awards.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 32
  iii. Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd. (AEML) won the Power Utility of the Year for Transmission and
  Distribution under the Asian Power Awards.

5. In November 2023, Indian economist & Padma Shri awardee and David Barkin from
   _ (country) won the 2023 Kenneth E. Boulding Memorial Award for Ecological
   Economics.
   1) Bina Agarwal; Canada
   2) Shaibal Gupta; Brazil
   3) Bina Agarwal; Mexico
   4) Shaibal Gupta; Canada
   5) Amiya Kumar Bagchi; Mexico
   Answer- 3) Bina Agarwal; Mexico
   Explanation:
   The International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE) honoured Indian economist & Padma Shri
   awardee Bina Agarwal with the 2023 Kenneth E. Boulding Memorial Award for Ecological
   Economics.

• Bina Agarwal is a Professor of Development Economics and Environment at the University of
  Manchester in Manchester, United Kingdom(UK).
• Along with Bina Agarwal, David Barkin, a professor at the Metropolitan University in Mexico
  City was declared as the joint recipient of the 2023 award.
• The award was presented during the IESS’s 2023 Biennial Conference in Santa Marta, Colombia
  held from 23 to 28 October 2023.
• Kenneth Boulding Award recognises individuals who embody the exceptional qualities of
  Kenneth E. Boulding(American economist and educator), aiming to preserve and perpetuate
  the wisdom he imparted to ISEE members and beyond.
  Note- Bina Agarwal received the Padma Shri, for her work in the field of Literature and Education in
  2008.

5. In November 2023, __ became the First Woman to win the Dhahan Prize for Punjabi
   Literature.
   1) Dalip Kaur Tiwana
   2) Veena Verma
   3) Ajeet Cour
   4) Sukhwinder Amrit
   5) Deepti Babuta
   Answer- 5) Deepti Babuta
   Explanation:
   Punjabi-author Deepti Babuta won the Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature 2023 for her Short
   stories collection titled “Bhukh Eon Sah Laindi Hai (‘Hunger Breathes Like This’). She became the
   first woman to win The Dhahan Prize. The award carries a cash prize of CAD 25,000.
   i. The awards were presented during the 10th annual Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature ceremonies,
   held on 16th November 2023, at Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey, Canada.
   ii. The Dhahan Prize is the largest international literary award for fiction books in the Punjabi
   language. It was conceptualised in 2013 by the Canada-India Education Society (CIES) and the
   University of British Columbia (UBC).
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 33
6. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) crowned with the Miss Universe at the 72nd Miss Universe
   Beauty Pageant 2023 held in San Salvador, Republic of El Salvador?
   1) Moraya Wilson (Australia)
   2) Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo (Nicaragua)
   3) Anntonia Porsild (Thailand)
   4) Shweta Sharda (India)
   5) R’Bonney Gabriel (United States of America)
   Answer- 2) Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo (Nicaragua)
   Explanation:
   Miss Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo (23) from Nicaragua was crowned Miss Universe at the
   72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2023 in San Salvador, Republic of El Salvador. She is the first
   woman from Nicaragua to win the Miss Universe crown.

• She was crowned by the United States’ (US) R’Bonney Gabriel, who held the title of Miss
  Universe for 2022. The first runner-up was Miss Anntonia Porsild of Thailand, and the second
  runner-up was Miss Moraya Wilson of Australia.
• Miss India Shweta Sharda made it to the top 20 but didn’t reach the top 10 (evening gown
  round).
• Three Indians have won the Miss Universe crown, Sushmita Sen in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000
  and Harnaz Sandhu in 2021.
  Note- The next Miss Universe, the 73rd edition, will be held in Mexico.

5. Which of the following associations has been recently (in Nov ‘23) awarded with the Indira
   Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2022?
   1) Indian Medical Association
   2) Trained Nurses Association of India
   3) National Integrated Medical Association
   4) Both 1 & 2
   5) Both 2 & 3
   Answer- 4) Both 1 & 2
   Explanation:
   On November 19, 2023, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2022
   was jointly awarded to the New Delhi, Delhi headquartered Indian Medical Association (IMA) and
   the New Delhi based Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) as representatives of the COVID-19
   warriors in India.

• The award for the same was presented to Dr. Sharad Kumar Agarwal, President, IMA, and
  Professor (Dr.) Roy K. George, President, TNAI by Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
• This award acknowledges every doctor, nurse, paramedic and karamchari for their selfless
  service during challenging times.
  Note- Indira Gandhi Peace Prize established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, it is given
  annually to recognize individuals or organizations contributing to international peace, disarmament,
  and development.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 34

5. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 51st International
   Emmy® Awards (2023) presented by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
   in November 2023?
   A) Indian Comedian & actor Vir Das won the Emmy Award under the Comedy category for his
   show “Vir Das: Landing” and became the first Indian Comedian to win the Emmy Award.
   B) Ektaa R. Kapoor, Co-Founder of Balaji Telefilms was honoured with the International Emmy
   Directorate Award for her contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.
   C) British Screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max
   Content was honoured with the 2023 International Emmy Founders Award.
   1) Only A
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) All A, B & C
   Answer- 5) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   On 20th November 2023, The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the
   winners of the 51st International Emmy® Awards (2023) in New York City, United States of America
   (USA).
   i. Indian Comedian and actor Vir Das won the Emmy under the Comedy category for his Netflix standup special show “Vir Das: Landing”.

• Vir Das shared the Emmy for Comedy with “Derry Girls – Season 3”, a United Kingdom(UK)
  origin web series produced by Hat Trick Productions. With this, he became the first Indian
  Comedian to win the Emmy Award.
  ii. Ektaa R. Kapoor, Co-Founder of Balaji Telefilms was honoured with the International Emmy
  Directorate Award for her contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.
• Ektaa R Kapoor received the award from Author and new age leader Dr Deepak Chopra. She
  became the first Indian Woman Filmmaker to win the Directorate Award.
  iii. British Screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content
  was honoured with the 2023 International Emmy Founders Award.
• He is the creator of the television drama ‘Succession’ and the co-creator of the Channel 4
  comedy series Peep Show, Fresh Meat, and Babylon.
  Note- A total of 15 Emmy and 2 Special Awards (Founders Award & Directorate Award) were
  presented during the event.

5. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) received National Aeronautics and Space Administration
   (NASA) Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT) Planet Award 2023?
   1) Vinay Kumar Sankarapu
   2) Niraj Lunavat
   3) Binny Bansal
   4) Kunal Bahl
   5) Sujit Roy
   Answer- 5) Sujit Roy
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 35
   Explanation:
   Sujit Roy, Co-Founder of Noida(Uttar Pradesh) based BrainAlive Research Pvt. Ltd., was honoured
   with National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) Implementation and Advanced Concepts
   Team (IMPACT) Planet Award 2023 for his outstanding contribution to the Geospatial artificial
   intelligence (AI) Foundation Model project.
   i. NASA and IBM Research collaborated to create NASA’s first open-source geospatial AI foundation
   model for Earth observation data. Sujit Roy was part of NASA’s research team.
   ii. The HLS Geospatial Foundation Model (HLS Geospatial FM) in the application of AI for Earth
   science has a wide range potential applications, including monitoring natural disasters and predicting
   agriculture harvests.
   iii. BrainAlive AI is an AI Engine that converts raw interaction data into real-time user engagement
   insights using a data transformation approach.
6. Name the book that was originally written in Tamil as “Aalanda Patchi” by Perumal
   Murugan, won the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature in November 2023.
   1) Poonachi or the Story of a Goat
   2) Seasons of the Palm
   3) Fire Bird
   4) I Named my Sister Silence
   5) A Lonely Harvest
   Answer- 3) Fire Bird
   Explanation:
   Fire Bird, originally written in Tamil as “Aalanda Patchi” by renowned Tamil Writer Perumal
   Murugan won the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature. The book was translated into English by Janani
   Kannan and was published by Penguin Random House India.
   i. The book explores themes of displacement and the human desire for stability in a changing world.
   ii. Fire Bird is the 5th translated work to win JCB Prize for Literature.
   Note: Aalanda Patchi was first published in 2012 by Kalachuvadu Publications Pvt Ltd
   COMMITTEE AND MEETING
7. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 1st Australia India
   Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting held in November 2023?
   A) Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education and Skill Development and
   Entrepreneurship co-chaired the 1st Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC)
   meeting with Australian Ministers- Jason Clare, Education Minister and Brendan O’Connor,
   Skills & Training Minister.
   B) During the 1st AIESC meeting, 5 MoUs were exchanged between Indian and Australian
   Higher education institutions (HEIs) to facilitate greater research collaborations.
   C) Both country Ministers announced the opening of two Australian Universities campuses of
   Wollongong and Deakin University in GIFT City, Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
   1) Only A
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 36
   5) All A, B & C
   Answer- 5) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education(MoE) and Ministry of Skill Development
   and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) co-chaired the 1st Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC)
   meeting with Australian Ministers- Jason Clare, Education Minister and Brendan O’Connor, Skills &
   Training Minister.

• The meeting was held at the Indian Institutes of Technology(IIT) Gandhinagar in Gujarat on 6th
  November 2023.
• During the 1st AIESC meeting, 5 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged
  between Indian and Australian Higher education institutions (HEIs) to facilitate greater
  research collaborations in areas like Agriculture, Water Management, Critical Minerals,
  Healthcare, AI, Renewable Energy and Climate Change.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Australian Education Minister Jason Clare
  and both countries agreed to increase research collaborations in priority areas including mines
  and minerals and critical minerals.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Australian Education Minister Jason Clare
  announced the opening of two Australian Universities campuses of Wollongong and Deakin
  University in GIFT City(Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
  ACQUISITION AND MERGERS

5. As of November 2023, which bank is set to get 7.71% equity from Jaiprakash Associates
   Limited (JAL) and associated trusts as Payment Obligation?
   1) IndusInd Bank
   2) Axis Bank
   3) YES Bank
   4) HDFC Bank
   5) ICICI Bank
   Answer- 5) ICICI Bank
   Explanation:
   Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and associated trusts are set to transfer 7.71% equity or over
   18.93 crore shares to ICICI Bank as part of a settlement agreement between the JAL and the bank,
   amid loan repayment default.
   i. The move is part of JAL’s efforts to reduce its debt with the bank. The 7.71% stake is worth Rs 366
   crore at the current market price.
   ii. The trust associated with JAL includes: Gujarat Anjan Cement Limited(GACL) Trust, Jaiprakash
   Enterprises Limited(JEL) Trust, Jaypee Cement Limited(JCL) Trust, and Jaypee Hotels Limited (JHL)
   Trust.

• JAL failed to repay a loan worth Rs 4,258 crore, comprising a principal sum of Rs 1,733 crore
  and an interest of Rs 2,525 crore.
• These loans, involving fund-based working capital, non-fund-based working capital, term
  loans, and FCCB (Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds), were owed to various banks.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 37

5. In November 2023, Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of a
   minority stake in __ (company) by the Mirae Group Entities.
   1) Bundl Technologies Private Limited
   2) Gati Limited
   3) Apollo LogiSolutions Limited
   4) Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited
   5) Zinka Logistics Solutions Private Limited
   Answer- 4) Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited
   Explanation:
   Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a
   minority stake in Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited (Target) by the Mirae Group Entities
   (Acquirers).
   i. Details of the proposed combination:

• Acquisition of a minority stake in Shadowfax Technologies by Mirae Asset Late Stage
  Opportunities Fund (Mirae IV).
• Acquisition of a right to appoint a director on the board of Shadowfax Technologies by Mirae
  Asset Naver New Growth Fund I (Mirae I), Mirae Asset– GS Retail New Growth Fund I (Mirae
  II), Mirae Asset– Naver Asia Growth Investment Pte. Ltd (Mirae III) and Mirae IV.

5. In November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Hinduja Group entity IndusInd
   International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) to acquire __ (company).
   1) Reliance Capital
   2) Reliance Home Finance
   3) Reliance Infrastructure
   4) Reliance Power
   5) Reliance Communications
   Answer- 1) Reliance Capital
   Explanation:
   The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the resolution plan for debt-ridden Reliance Capital,
   and enabled Hinduja Group entity IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) to acquire Reliance
   Capital.

• The Administrator of Reliance Capital received a “No objection” from the RBI on November 17,
  2023.
• IIHL emerged as the highest bidder in the second round of the auction, offering Rs 9,650 crore
  to take over Reliance Capital.
  Note- Reliance Capital is the third non-banking financial company (NBFC) against which the RBI
  initiated bankruptcy proceedings.

5. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently (in Nov ‘23) approved the
   acquisition of _ share capital of CaratLane Trading Private Limited (CaratLane) by Titan
   Company Limited.
   1) 20.19%
   2) 24.39%
   3) 36.23%
   4) 40.21%
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 38
   5) 27.18%
   Answer- 5) 27.18%
   Explanation:
   The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of 27.18% share capital of
   CaratLane Trading Private Limited (CaratLane) by Titan Company Limited (Titan) on a fully
   diluted basis, from Mithun Padam Sacheti, Siddhartha Padam Sacheti, and Padamchand Sacheti.
   i. Titan has acquired 91.90 lakh equity shares in CaratLane for a cash consideration of Rs 4621 crore.
   ii. This acquisition increased Titan’s stake in CaratLane to 98.28% from 71.09%.
   iii. CaratLane is a subsidiary of Titan and has been in a strategic vendor relationship with Tanishq
   since 2010. It was founded in 2008 by Mithun Sacheti.
   DEFENCE
6. In which city, the 9th edition of the joint military exercise of India and Sri Lanka, MITRA
   SHAKTI-2023 was commenced on 16th November 2023?
   1) Siliguri, West Bengal
   2) Auli, Uttarakhand
   3) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
   4) Pune, Maharashtra
   5) Umroi, Meghalaya
   Answer- 4) Pune, Maharashtra
   Explanation:
   MITRA SHAKTI-2023, the 9th edition of the joint military exercise between the armed forces of
   India and Sri Lanka, commenced on 16th November 2023 at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh,
   Pune, Maharashtra. The 14-day exercise is set to conclude on 29 November 2023.

• The exercise will foster strong bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.
• Indian Army: Contingent of 120 personnel from India, primarily representing the Maratha
  Light Infantry Regiment. Sri Lankan Army: Personnel from the 53rd Infantry Division
• Additionally, 15 members from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 5 from the Sri Lankan Air Force
  are also partaking in this joint exercise.
  i. Objectives:
• To promote close relations between armies of both countries and enhance interoperability and
  sharing of best practices in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism (CI-CT) operations.
• To collectively practise sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations
  (UN) Charter, focusing on coordinated responses during CT operations.

5. In which state, the 14th edition of the India – United States of America (USA) Joint Special
   Forces exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2023’ was commenced on 21st November 2023?
   1) West Bengal
   2) Uttarakhand
   3) Gujarat
   4) Maharashtra
   5) Meghalaya
   Answer- 5) Meghalaya
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 39
   Explanation:
   The 14th edition of the India – United States of America(USA) Joint Special Forces exercise, Vajra
   Prahar 2023, commenced at the Joint Training Node in Umroi Cantonment, located in Ri Bhoi district
   of the north eastern state of Meghalaya.
   i. The 2023 edition is a 21-day (3-week) training program happening from 21st November 2023 to
   11th December 2023.
   ii. The Indian Army (IA) contingent is led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command.
   iii. The US contingent is being represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) of US
   Special Forces.
6. In November 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) & the
   Indian Navy (IN) successfully conducted the 2nd Flight test of Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short
   Range (NASM-SR) from IN’s __ Maritime Helicopter.
   1) Sikorsky SH-3
   2) Kamov Ka-25
   3) Hawk Mk 132
   4) Seaking 42B
   5) Ilyushin Il-38
   Answer- 4) Seaking 42B
   Explanation:
   On 21st November 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in cooperation
   with the Indian Navy (IN) successfully tested the indigenously designed & developed Guided Naval
   Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from IN’s Seaking 42B Maritime Helicopter.

• This marked the 2nd test of the missile, which was first tested at the Integrated Test Range
  (ITR) in Balasore, Odisha on 18 May 2022, from an IN Seaking Mk42B helicopter.
• The test involved the firing of the missile from a Seaking 42B helicopter, showcasing its
  precision guidance technology.
  i. The NASM-SR is a helicopter-fired missile capable of destroying small boats or Offshore Patrol
  Vessels (OPVs) at a maximum range of 55 kilometers while traveling at 0.8 Mach (slower than the
  speed of sound).
  ii. It is the first indigenous air-launched anti-ship missile system developed for the Indian Navy and is
  India’s version of the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile.
  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

5. Which ministry has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched the “Dashboard”, for real-time, prompt
   and effective Parliament business?
   1) Ministry of Home Affairs
   2) Ministry of Science & Technology
   3) Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
   4) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
   5) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
   Answer- 2) Ministry of Science & Technology
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 40
   Explanation:
   On 14th November 2023, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of
   Science & Technology (MoST) launched the software application Department of Science and
   Technology (DST), “Dashboard”, for real-time, prompt and effective Parliament business.
   i. This portal streamlines real-time Parliament business, including questions, Acts, Cabinet Notes, and
   Gazette Notifications of the Government of India related to DST.
   ii. It will serve as a dashboard for all activities of DST. The Minister urged the DST officials to utilize AI
   (Artificial Intelligence)-driven technology for analyzing Parliament Questions across various
   parameters.
   iii. The MoS also laid the Foundation Stone of the new Auditorium-cum-Guest House Complex in the
   premises of the “Technology Bhavan” which is the headquarters of DST.
6. In November 2023, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of
   Communications (MoC) granted the requisite licenses to __ (company) and Eutelsat
   OneWeb.
   1) Hughes Communications India
   2) Tata Communications
   3) ViaSat Inc
   4) Jio Satellite Communications Limited
   5) Bharti Airtel Limited
   Answer- 4) Jio Satellite Communications Limited
   Explanation:
   The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications (MoC) has
   granted the requisite licenses to Jio Satellite Communications Limited and Bharti Enterprisesowned Eutelsat OneWeb.

• DoT allocated Internet Service Provider (ISP)-A and a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT)
  licence to OneWeb and ISP license to Jio.
  i. It is a type of license that allows companies to provide internet access, bandwidth, and related
  services to consumers and businesses.
  ii. ISPs typically establish and maintain the network infrastructure, including servers, routers, and
  cables, essential for transmitting data over the internet.
  iii. They provide a range of services, including broadband internet, email hosting, website hosting, and
  virtual private networks (VPNs).
  Note- Both Jio and OneWeb possess the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS )
  licence.

5. Which Institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently (in Nov ‘23)
   launched “DISHA” – DIagnostic Services in Healthcare : Availability & Geo-mapping of
   Laboratory services in India portal to assist the public to identify and locate nearest diagnostic
   health facilities?
   1) National Institute of Pathology
   2) National Institute of Medical Statistics
   3) National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research
   4) Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences
   5) National Institute of Immunohaematology
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 41
   Answer- 1) National Institute of Pathology
   Explanation:
   The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Pathology (NIP) in New Delhi,
   Delhi launched “DISHA” – DIagnostic Services in Healthcare : Availability & Geo-mapping of
   Laboratory services in India portal (www.icmrdisha.in) to assist the public to identify and locate
   nearest diagnostic health facilities.

• The free and dynamic DISHA portal lists the diagnostic public healthcare facilities across India.
• ICMR-NIP is gathering data on diagnostic public healthcare facilities and creating a userfriendly online map to access suitable laboratory facilities.
  i. The portal also identifies areas with an imbalance between population densities and diagnostic
  facilities.
  ii. The data from the portal can help public health experts and government policymakers to empower
  existing labs, and create new facilities where necessary.

5. Name the 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC) that was launched
   by the Indian Navy (IN) in Kattupalli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
   1) Androth
   2) Abhay
   3) Amini
   4) Anjadip
   5) Andaman
   Answer- 3) Amini
   Explanation:
   On November 16, 2023, the Indian Navy (IN)
   launched ‘Amini‘, the 4th in a series of eight AntiSubmarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC),
   at shipbuilding facility of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in
   Kattupalli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
  Engineers Limited (GRSE).
  i. Features:
• Amini, a Arnala class ship, is named after Amini island in Lakshadweep due to its strategic
  significance.
• It is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and low intensity maritime
  operations (LIMO), and mine laying operations.
• It is a 77-meter ship with a 900-ton displacement, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 25
  knots and covering 1,800 nautical miles.
  Note- The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence
  (MoD) and GRSE on April 29, 2019.
• As a part of contract, on June 13, 2023, INS (Indian Naval Ship) Anjadip, the 3rd of eight
  indigenously built ASW-SWC was launched.
• The first ASW-SWC namely INS Arnala was launched in December 2022 while the second one
  INS Androth was launched on March 21, 2023.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 42

5. In November 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a robotic
   challenge program “ISRO Robotics Challenge-U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) 2024 (IRoC-U
   2024)” with the cash prize of Rs _.
   1) 8 Lakh
   2) 5 Lakh
   3) 10 Lakh
   4) 3 Lakh
   5) 6 Lakh
   Answer- 2) 5 Lakh
   Explanation:
   The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a robotic challenge program “ISRO Robotics
   Challenge-U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) 2024 (IRoC-U 2024)” with a tagline of “Let’s build a space
   robot” to build robots to compete in an extra-terrestrial-inspired arena.

• The program will help the student community to design and realisate a ‘Wheeled/Legged
  Rover’ encompassing the development of complete hardware and software.
• The registrations for the challenge will start on November 20 and will conclude on December
  15, 2023.
• The winning team will be awarded the cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs.

5. In November 2023, Indian Navy (IN) launched the _ Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA)
   Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78) of the 08 x MCA Barge project, at East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
   1) 2nd
   2) 3rd
   3) 4th
   4) 6th
   5) 5th
   Answer- 3) 4th
   Explanation:
   On 20th November 2023, Indian Navy (IN) launched the Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge,
   LSAM 10 (Yard 78), the 4th vessel in the 08 x MCA Barge project, at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari,
   Andhra Pradesh (AP).
   i. The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Shanmugam Sabesan, CRO (East).
   ii. The barge was built by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) Shipyard, M/s SECON
   Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam(AP).

• The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to the operational commitments of IN
  by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation, and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN
  Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
• These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulations
  of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 43
  SPORTS

5. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 37th edition of the National
   Games held in Goa from 26th October to 9th November 2023?
   A) Maharashtra won the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy for the overall championship in the
   National Games 2023 & it is also the first time Maharashtra has topped the medal tally (228
   medal) since 1994.
   B Jyothi Yarraji (Andhra Pradesh) won the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles with the
   national games record timing of 13.22 seconds.
   C) The 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu of Karnataka won seven gold medals including
   her win in the 100 m freestyle event with a new national games record of 57.87 Seconds.
   1) Only A
   2) Only A & B
   3) Only B & C
   4) Only A & C
   5) All A, B & C
   Answer- 5) All A, B & C
   Explanation:
   Maharashtra Finished top in the medal tally with 228 medals (80 gold, 69 silver, and 79 bronze) in
   the 37th edition of the National Games held in Goa from October 26th to November 9th, 2023.

• Maharashtra won the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy for the overall championship in the
  National Games 2023, and it is also the first time Maharashtra has topped the medal tally
  since 1994.
• Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) finished in second place with 126 medals (66 gold, 27
  silver, and 33 bronze) while Haryana finished in third place with 192 medals (62 gold, 55
  silver, and 75 bronze).
• Beach football, roll ball, golf, sepaktakraw, sqay martial arts, kalliyarapattu, pencak silat,
  Yachtin gand taekwondo were added to the Goa National games.
• Best Male Athlete: Srihari Nataraj(Karnataka) won ten medals(8 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze)
  in the swimming event.
• Best Female Athlete: It was jointly awarded to gymnasts Sanyukta Prasen Kale(Maharashtra)
  and Pranati Nayak(Odisha). Both of them won Five medals each(four golds and one silver).
• Jyothi Yarraji(Andhra Pradesh), a silver medallist at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, won
  the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles with the national games record timing of 13.22
  seconds.
• The 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu of Karnataka won seven gold medals including
  her win in the 100 m freestyle event with a new national games record of 57.87 Seconds.
• Seema Punia(Haryana) won her maiden gold medal in the national games in the women’s
  discus throw event with a national games record throw of 52.51m.
• Elakkiyadasan (Tamil Nadu) won the gold medal in both the men’s 100m race event with a
  timing of 10.36 seconds and the men’s 4x100m relay team event.
• Sneha SS(Karnataka) won the gold medal in the women’s 100m race event with a timing of
  11.45 seconds.
• Tejas Ashok Shirse(Maharashtra) won the gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles with a record
  timing of 13.71 seconds.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 44

5. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the International Cricket Council
   (ICC) Men’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup(CWC) 2023 held in November
   2023?
   1) The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 15th edition of the ICC Men’s ODI
   CWC 2023 by India and claimed their 8th ODI World Cup title.
   2) The 2023 ODI World Cup highest run-scorer Virat Kohli has scored 765 runs and he also broke
   Tendulkar’s (49 centuries) record of the most number of centuries in ODI matches by scoring 50th
   century against New Zealand in the semi-final.
   3) Mohammed Shami became the first Indian bowler in an ODI match to take seven wickets, and also
   made the record for the most number of wickets for India in a single edition of the ODI World Cup
   with 24 wickets in the 2023 edition.
   4) Glenn Maxwell (Australia) made the record by hitting the fastest century in ODI World Cup history
   where he scored 100 runs in 40 balls against the Netherlands.
   5) England bowler David Jonathan Willey has announced retirement from all forms of international
   cricket at the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
   Answer- 1) The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 15th edition of the
   ICC Men’s ODI CWC 2023 by India and claimed their 8th ODI World Cup title.
   Explanation:
   The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 13th edition of the International
   Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup(CWC) 2023 by defeating
   Rohit Sharma led India in the finals held in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 was hosted by India across 10 venues from 5th October
  to 19th November 2023.
• This win for Australia marks their sixth ODI World Cup title including 1987, 1999, 2003,
  2007, 2015, and 2023.
• The 2023 ODI World Cup highest run-scorer Virat Kohli has scored 765 runs, the most runs
  scored ever in a single edition of an ODI World Cup, and breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s previous
  record of 673 runs set in the 2003 edition.
• Virat Kohli also broke Tendulkar’s (49 centuries) record of the most number of
  centuries in ODI matches, while Kohli scored his 50th century against New Zealand in
  the semi-final.
• Virat Kohli became the second-highest run-scorer in ODI World Cups with 1792 runs in
  37 matches.
• He overtook Ricky Ponting (Australia) (1743 runs) and was behind Sachin Tendulkar
  (2278) in the top run-scorers in the Men’s ODI World Cup list.
• Mohammed Shami becomes the first Indian bowler in an ODI match to take seven wickets,
  having achieved this feat against New Zealand in the semifinal.
• Mohammed Shami also made the record for the most number of wickets for India in a
  single edition of the ODI World Cup with 24 wickets in the 2023 edition by surpassing
  Zaheer Khan’s record of 21 wickets in the 2011 ODI World Cup edition.
• Mohammed Shami also became the first Indian to take three five-wickets in this ODI
  World Cup.
• Glenn Maxwell(Australia) made the record by hitting the fastest century in ODI World Cup
  history where he scored 100 runs in 40 balls against the Netherlands.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 45
• England bowler David Jonathan Willey has announced retirement from all forms of
  international cricket at the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

5. In November 2023 Rohit Sharma became the highest run-scorer as captain in a single World
   Cup edition with _ runs in the Men’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup(CWC)
   2023.
   1) 699
   2) 634
   3) 597
   4) 342
   5) 436
   Answer- 3) 597
   Explanation:
   The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 13th edition of the International
   Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup(CWC) 2023 by defeating
   Rohit Sharma led India in the finals held in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
   Key Performance by Cricket players:

• Rohit Sharma became the highest run-scorer as captain in a single World Cup edition with
  597 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup while he broke New Zealand’s Kane Williamson record of
  578 runs, which came in the 2019 edition.
• Rohit Sharma tops the list of the most sixes in ODI World Cups with 54 sixes, he also
  leads the most sixes in the 2023 ODI World Cup with 31 sixes which is also the most
  number of sixes smashed in a single World Cup edition.
• Rohit Sharma becomes the fifth Indian to score 18,000 runs in international cricket,
  others being Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Virat Kohli.
• KL Rahul also made the record of the fastest century by an Indian in the ODI World Cup when
  he scored a century in 62 balls against the Netherlands in the group match.
• India’s Kuldeep Yadav completed 250 international wickets during the match against South
  Africa in the group stage of CWC 2023.
• Shubman Gill became the fastest batsman to reach 2,000 runs in ODI cricket during the World
  Cup group stage match against New Zealand.
• Shubman Gill achieved this feat in 38 matches since his ODI debut in 2019.
• New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra(23-year-old ) broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of
  scoring the most runs in a single edition of the Cricket World Cup below the age of 25.
• Ravindra scored 578 runs in the 2023 ODI world cup surpassing sachin’s record of 523
  runs at the 1996 ODI World Cup.
• Angelo Mathews(Sri Lanka) became the first cricketer to be dismissed by ‘timed out’ format in
  an international match.

5. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) won the Formula 1 (F1) Las Vegas Grand Prix(GP) 2023 held at
   Nevada, the United States of America(USA)?
   1) Lewis Hamilton
   2) Max Verstappen
   3) Carlos Sainz Jr.
   4) Fernando Alonso
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 46
   5) Charles Leclerc
   Answer- 2) Max Verstappen
   Explanation:
   Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the Dutch-Belgian driver, won the Formula 1 (FI) Las Vegas Grand
   Prix(GP) 2023 held at Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, the United States of America(USA) from 16th
   November 2023 to 18th November 2023.

• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) secured 2nd place while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (Mexico)
  secured 3rd place.
• This win also marks Verstappen’s 18th win out of 20 races of the 2023 season.
• Max Verstappen broke his own record for the most F1 race victories in a single season in 2023
  by winning 18 races.

5. In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a “stop clock” in men’s
   One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket matches.
   The bowling teams in men’s ODIs and T20Is will be imposed a (run) penalty, if the
   bowler fails to bowl the next over within __ (Time) after the completion of the previous
   over for the third time in an innings.
   1) 6 run; 60 seconds
   2) 5 run; 40 seconds
   3) 10 run; 50 seconds
   4) 5 run; 60 seconds
   5) 6 run; 40 seconds
   Answer- 4) 5 run; 60 seconds
   Explanation:
   The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a “stop clock” in men’s One Day International
   (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket matches to regulate the time taken between overs.

• This announcement was one of the decisions made at a board meeting of ICC at
  Ahmedabad(Gujarat) on 20th November 2023.
  i. About the Stop Clock rule:
• The bowling teams in men’s ODIs and T20Is will be imposed a five-run penalty if the bowler
  fails to bowl the next over within 60 seconds after the completion of the previous over for the
  third time in an innings.
• The Stop Clock will be introduced on a trial basis from December 2023 to April 2024.
  ii. ICC also announced equal match-day pay for both female and male umpires from January 2024.
  iii. According to new gender eligibility regulation, male-to-female participants who have undergone
  male puberty will not be eligible to compete in the international women’s game, irrespective of any
  surgical or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken.
• By the new rule, transgender players are not able to play in women’s international cricket.
  Following this ICC decision, Australian-born transgender cricketer Danielle McGahey who
  played for Canada announced her retirement from international cricket.
• Danielle McGahey was the first transgender cricketer to take part in an official international
  match when she played for Canada against Brazil in September 2023.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 47
  BOOKS AND AUTHORS

5. Who authored the book, Building Partnerships – India and International Cooperation for
   Maritime Security that was released by Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President(VP) of India in
   November 2023?
   1) Captain Rakesh Pal
   2) Captain MV Pathak
   3) Captain Ajay Mishra
   4) Captain Neeraj Tiwari
   5) Captain Himadri Das
   Answer- 5) Captain Himadri Das
   Explanation:
   Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Vice President(VP) of India released a new book titled “Building
   Partnerships – India and International Cooperation for Maritime Security” authored by Captain
   Himadri Das during the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2023 (IPRD-2023) at Manekshaw Centre in
   New Delhi, Delhi.
   i. IPDR 2023, the 3-day annual apex-level regional strategic dialogue of the Indian Navy, was held
   from 15th to 17th November 2023.
   ii. During IPRD-2023, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance, released an edited
   volume titled “Maritime Perspectives: Maritime Security Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific: Strategies and
   Trends”.
6. Which of the following personalities have compiled and edited the book, “Snakes of
   Himachal Pradesh” that was released by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister (CM) of
   Himachal Pradesh (HP)?
   1) DD Bisht & Baldev Dogra
   2) Anita Sharma & Rakhi Sharma
   3) Omesh Kumar Bharti & DD Bisht
   4) Rakhi Sharma & Baldev Dogra
   5) Anita Sharma & Omesh Kumar Bharti
   Answer- 3) Omesh Kumar Bharti & DD Bisht
   Explanation:
   Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh (HP) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released a book titled
   “Snakes of Himachal Pradesh” which provides comprehensive information about the diverse snake
   species (venomous and non-venomous) found in the state of HP.
   i. The book was compiled and edited by Omesh Kumar Bharti and DD Bisht, the principals of the
   State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Shimla, HP.
   ii. The book was published with funding from the National Health Mission (NHM) in Himachal
   Pradesh.
   Note- Omesh Kumar Bharti received Padma Shri (the fourth highest civilian award) in 2019 in the
   field of Medicine.
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 48
   OBITUARY
7. In November 2023, Subrata Roy, the Founder and Chairman of _ (company), passed
   away.
   1) Essar Group
   2) Jaiprakash Associates Limited
   3) Hinduja Group
   4) Shapoorji Pallonji Group
   5) Sahara India Pariwar
   Answer- 5) Sahara India Pariwar
   Explanation:
   Subrata Roy, the Founder and Chairman of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)-based Sahara India Pariwar,
   passed away at the age of 75 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was born on June 10, 1948, in Araria, Bihar.
   He was popularly known as ‘Saharasri‘.
   i. In 1976, Subrata Roy took charge of Sahara Finance, a struggling chit-fund company. In 1978, Sahara
   Finance was evolved into Sahara India Pariwar.
   ii. In 2004,Time Magazine named Sahara Group as the 2nd largest employer in India after the Indian
   Railways.

• Under his leadership, Sahara sponsored the Indian cricket and hockey teams and owned a
  Formula One(F1) racing team.
  iii. Books: Shanti, Sukh: Santushti, Essays on peace of mind and happy living (1994); Life Mantras
  (2016); Think With Me (2016).

5. Padma Vibhushan Awardee Prithvi Raj Singh (PRS) Oberoi, the doyen of Indian hospitality
   passed away in November 2023.
   In which field did he receive the Padma Vibhushan award in the year of 2008?
   1) Medicine
   2) Social Work
   3) Trade and Industry
   4) Literature and Education
   5) Public Affairs
   Answer- 3) Trade and Industry
   Explanation:
   Padma Vibhushan Awardee Prithvi Raj Singh (PRS) Oberoi, Chairman Emeritus of The Oberoi
   Group, passed away at the age of 94. He was born in New Delhi, Delhi on 3rd February 1929.

• He was widely known as the ‘doyen of Indian hospitality’.
  i. PRS Oberoi, popularly known as “Biki”, served as the Executive Chairman of EIH Limited, which is
  the flagship company of the Oberoi Group, one of India’s largest luxury hotel chains. ii.He also served
  as the Chairman of Oberoi Hotels, the major shareholder of EIH Limited.
  ii. The government of India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan India’s second highest civilian
  honour, for Trade and Industry in 2008.
  Note- The Oberoi group was founded in 1934 by Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, father of PRS
  Oberoi.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 49

5. In November 2023, Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, former Governor of __ (state)
   in the period of July 2014 – July 2019, passed away.
   1) Meghalaya
   2) Nagaland
   3) Sikkim
   4) Odisha
   5) West Bengal
   Answer- 2) Nagaland
   Explanation:
   Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya (PB Acharya or PB), former Governor of Nagaland(July 2014 –
   July 2019) and Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra, at
   the age of 92. He was born on 8th October 1931, in Udupi, Karnataka.
   Note- While serving as the governor of Nagaland, he has also held the additional charge as the
   governor of Tripura(2014-2015), Assam(2014-2016), Manipur (2019) and Arunachal Pradesh(2017).

• He served as All India National Secretary of the BJP and in-charge of North Eastern States from
  1995-2002.
• He founded Indian National Fellowship Centre (INFC), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO)
  in 1975, to strengthen brotherhood/fellowship and Nationalism in the NorthEast region.

5. The renowned art historian and Padma Awardee Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in
   November 2023.
   In which field did he receive the Padma Bhushan Award in 2008?
   1) Public Affairs
   2) Literature and Education
   3) Art
   4) Social Work
   5) Medicine
   Answer- 2) Literature and Education
   Explanation:
   The renowned art historian and Padma Awardee Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in
   Chandigarh at the age of 90. He was born on 15th August 1933 in Sargodha(now in Punjab province
   of Pakistan).
   i. He was the recipient of the Padma Shri Award (1998) and the Padma Bhushan Award (2008) in
   the field of Literature and Education.
   ii. He has written more than 26 books on the subjects of Pahari paintings, miniature paintings, court
   painters, and masters of Indian paintings.
   iii. Pahari paintings means a painting from the ‘hilly’ regions, (pahar means hill), it is from the lower
   Himalayan hill kingdoms and the plains of Punjab, covering kingdoms include Nurpur, Kangra, and
   Guler, etc.
6. Booker Prize-winning British Author Dame Antonia Susan Byatt passed away in November
   2023.
   Her book, _ won the Booker Prize for Fiction In 1990.
   1) The Children’s Book
   2) The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye
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   3) Shadow of a Sun
   4) Possession: A Romance
   5) Elementals: Stories of Fire and Ice
   Answer- 4) Possession: A Romance
   Explanation:
   Booker Prize-winning British Author, Critic, and Poet Dame Antonia Susan Byatt, known most
   commonly as AS Byatt, passed away at the age of 87 in London, the United Kingdom (UK). She was
   born on August 24, 1936, in Yorkshire, England, UK.

• The award-winning sequel of the quartet, Still Life (1985), earned the prestigious
  PEN/Macmillan Silver Pen Award in 1986, followed by Babel Tower (1996), and the 4th (and
  final) novel in the quartet is A Whistling Woman (2002).
• Her most successful book, Possession: A Romance (1990), won the Booker Prize for Fiction
  in 1990 and the Irish Times International Fiction Prize.
• She was honoured as the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1990 and the
  Damehood of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1999.
• Her book, The Children’s Book (2009), was shortlisted for the 2009 Man Booker Prize for
  Fiction and won the 2010 James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction).

5. In November 2023, _, the former (18th) Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),
   passed away.
   1) Subrahmanyam Venkitaramanan
   2) Y. V. Reddy
   3) Bimal Jalan
   4) R. N. Malhotra
   5) Amitav Ghosh
   Answer- 1) Subrahmanyam Venkitaramanan
   Explanation:
   Subrahmanyam Venkitaramanan or S. Venkitaramanan, the former (18th) Governor of the
   Reserve Bank of India (RBI) passed away at the age of 92 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was born on
   28 January 1931 in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu.

• He served as the 18th Governor of RBI from December 1990 to December 1992.
• After his retirement, he remained active as the Chairman of Ashok Leyland Investment
  Services, New Tirupur Area Development Corporation, and Ashok Leyland Finance.
• Additionally, he has also served on the boards of Reliance Industries Limited(RIL), Society for
  Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC), Piramal Healthcare, Tamil Nadu Water Investment Co.,
  and HDFC.

5. In November 2023, Padma Awardee and an eminent vitreoretinal surgeon, __, the
   founder of Sankara Nethralaya Academy, passed away.
   1) SS Badrinath
   2) Anuja R Singh
   3) Smita Praveen
   4) Atheeshwar Das
   5) Sajeev Cherian
   Answer- 1) SS Badrinath
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 51
   Explanation:
   Padma Awardee and an eminent vitreoretinal surgeon, Sengamedu Srinivasa (SS) Badrinath, the
   founder of Sankara Nethralaya Academy, passed away at the age of 83 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He
   was born on 24th February 1940 in Triplicane, Madras Presidency (Now Chennai, TN).
   i. In 2010, He became the 1st Indian to receive the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) award.
   ii. In 1978, he founded Sankara Nethralaya Academy, a unit of the Medical Research Foundation. He
   also served as President & Chairman Emeritus of the Medical Research Foundation.
   iii. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri, the 4th highest civilian award in 1983
   and Padma Bhushan, the 3rd highest civilian award in 1999 for his contribution to the field of
   Medicine.
   IMPORTANT DAYS
6. What was the theme of World Kindness Day that was observed across the globe on 13th
   November 2023?
   1) Be Kind Wherever Possible
   2) Nurturing Kindness
   3) Empathy
   4) The World We Make – Inspire Kindness
   5) Give a Kind hug
   Answer- 1) Be Kind Wherever Possible
   Explanation:
   World Kindness Day (WKD) is annually observed across the globe on November 13 to promote
   kindness and inspire people to engage in at least one act of kindness that aspires to unify the world as
   one.

• 13th November 2023 marks the observance of 26th World Kindness Day with the theme of
  “Be Kind Wherever Possible”.
• The 1st World Kindness Day was observed on 13th November 1998.

5. The Children’s Day/Bal Divas 2023 was observed across India on 14th November 2023 to
   mark the __ birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
   1) 120th
   2) 134th
   3) 129th
   4) 130th
   5) 128th
   Answer- 2) 134th
   Explanation:
   Children’s Day also known as Bal Divas is annually observed across India on November 14 to honour
   the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s 1st Prime Minister, who was known
   for his love and affection for children.

• The day aims to emphasise the significance of nurturing and celebrating the vibrant spirit of
  the younger generation.
• 14th November 2023 marks the 134th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 52
  i. In 1955, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was awarded the Bharat Ratna by
  then-President Rajendra Prasad.
  ii. As a tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his lifelong dedication
  to the cause of world peace and international understanding, the Government of India instituted the
  Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1965.

5. When was the United Nations (UN) International Week of Science and Peace (IWOSP) 2023
   observed across the globe?
   1) 7th to 13th November 2023
   2) 5th to 11th November 2023
   3) 1st to 7th November 2023
   4) 6th to 12th November 2023
   5) 4th to 10th November 2023
   Answer- 4) 6th to 12th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The United Nations (UN) International Week of Science and Peace (IWOSP) is annually observed
   across the globe during the week in which November 11th falls.
   i. IWOSP 2023 is observed from 6th to 12th November 2023.
   ii. The first International Week of Science and Peace was observed from 10th to 16th November 1986
   as part of the observance of the International Year of Peace.

• However, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/43/61 in
  1988 and proclaimed that the International Week of Science and Peace will be observed
  annually during the week in which November 11 falls.
  iii. The first UN’s International Week of Science and Peace was observed in 1989.

5. What was the theme of National Newborn Week 2023 that was observed across India from
   15th to 21st November 2023?
   1) Home care of Newborn in Urban area
   2) Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn
   3) Ensuring quality health care for Newborn
   4) Quality, Equity and Dignity for Every Newborn
   5) Gender gap in Neonatal Survival-Time to Act
   Answer- 2) Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn
   Explanation:
   National Newborn Week 2023 was observed across India from 15th to 21st November 2023 with
   the theme (since 2021) of Safety, Quality and Nurturing care – Birth Right of Every Newborn.

• The observance also aims to highlight the importance of newborn care for child survival and
  development. The annual observance in India is led by the Ministry of Health and Family
  Welfare (MoHFW).
  i. In 2000, at the request of the National Neonatology Forum (NNF), the Government of India agreed to
  observe a National Newborn Week from 15th to 21st November each year.
  ii. The first ever Newborn Week was launched by the then Prime Minister (PM) Late Atal Bihari
  Vajpayee on 15th November 2000.

Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 53

5. When was the United Nations (UN) International Day for Tolerance 2023 observed across
   the globe?
   1) 14th November 2023
   2) 12th November 2023
   3) 15th November 2023
   4) 13th November 2023
   5) 16th November 2023
   Answer- 5) 16th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The United Nations (UN) International Day for Tolerance 2023 was observed across the globe on
   16th November 2023 to promote and raise awareness of tolerance, respect, and understanding
   among all the diverse cultures and communities across the globe.

• The day also highlights the negative effects of intolerance and promotes policies that ensure
  equal rights and opportunities for all.
• In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/51/95
  and proclaimed the 16 November of every year as the International Day for Tolerance.
• The first International Day for Tolerance was observed on 16 November 1997.
• The day commemorates adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by the member
  states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on
  November 16, 1995.

5. What was the theme of National Press Day 2023 that was observed across India on 16th
   November 2023?
   1) The Media’s Role is Nation Building
   2) Who is Not Afraid of the Media?
   3) Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
   4) Role of media during COVID-19
   5) Media should guard against ‘fake news
   Answer- 3) Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
   Explanation:
   National Press Day 2023 was observed across India on 16th November 2023 with the theme of
   “Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.

• The day was celebrated to commemorate the day on which the Press Council of India (PCI)
  started its function as the moral watchdog to ensure that the press maintains high standards
  and is not fettered by any form of influence or threats.
  i. According to Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières – RSF)’s 21th World Press
  Freedom Index (WPFI 2023), India is ranked 161st out of 180 countries with a score of 36.62.
• Norway topped the list (for the seventh consecutive year) with a score of 95.18, followed by
  Ireland (2nd) and Denmark (3rd).
• PCI organised an event to celebrate National Press Day 2023 in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi,
  Delhi.
• The Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar graced the event as chief guest while Union
  Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and Minister of
  States(MoS) L. Murugan, MIB were the Guests of Honour.

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7. When was World Philosophy Day 2023 observed across the globe by the United Nations
   Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)?
   1) 12th November 2023
   2) 15th November 2023
   3) 13th November 2023
   4) 16th November 2023
   5) 14th November 2023
   Answer- 4) 16th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Philosophy
   Day is annually observed across the globe on the 3rd Thursday of November to highlight the enduring
   value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and each individual.

• World Philosophy Day 2023 falls on 16th November 2023.
• The observance of World Philosophy Day is annually led by UNESCO.
• The first ever World Philosophy Day was observed on 21st November 2002(3rd Thursday of
  November 2002).

7. When was the National Epilepsy Day 2023 observed across India?
   1) 17th November 2023
   2) 16th November 2023
   3) 15th November 2023
   4) 14th November 2023
   5) 13th November 2023
   Answer- 1) 17th November 2023
   Explanation:
   National Epilepsy Day 2023 was observed across India on 17th November 2023 to spread
   awareness and educate people about Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent
   seizures, and its impact on individuals, families, and communities who are affected by this disease.

• The day serves as a platform to eliminate myths and misconceptions surrounding epilepsy
  while creating awareness about its symptoms and management.
• Purple is the colour of Epilepsy and the Symbol of Epilepsy is the Purple Ribbon. The Purple
  Ribbon also represents Pancreatic cancer.
  Note- Epilepsy is a chronic Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) of the brain that affects people of all
  ages.

7. When was the International Students’ Day 2023 observed across the globe?
   1) 13th November 2023
   2) 16th November 2023
   3) 14th November 2023
   4) 17th November 2023
   5) 15th November 2023
   Answer- 4) 17th November 2023
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   Explanation:
   International Students’ Day is annually observed across the globe on November 17 to celebrate
   multiculturalism, diversity, and teamwork among students. The day aims to guarantee that every kid
   in the world has access to education.

• The observance marks the anniversary of the events held after the Nazi invasion of Charles
  University in Prague(Czech Republic), in 1939.
• 17th November 2023 marks the observance 83rd International Students’ Day.
• The first-ever International Students’ Day was observed on 17th November 1941. It was
  observed by the International Students’ Council in London, The United Kingdom(UK).
• The Velvet Revolution was ignited in Prague, by demonstrations commemorating the 50th
  anniversary of International Students’ Day on 17th November 1989. The velvet revolution
  ended more than 40 years of communist rule in Czechoslovakia and catalysed the process of
  democratization in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

7. What was the theme of 6th National Naturopathy Day, observed across India on 18th
   November 2023?
   1) Naturopathy an Integrative Medicine
   2) Poshan Aahar & Rog Mukt Bharath
   3) Nutrition, Diet, and Disease-free India
   4) Nurturing Vitality Through Naturopathy
   5) Naturopathy for Holistic Health
   Answer- 5) Naturopathy for Holistic Health
   Explanation:
   The 6th National Naturopathy Day 2023 observed across India on 18th November 2023 with the
   theme of “Naturopathy for Holistic Health.”
   i. The annual observance of the day is led by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy,
   Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India.
   ii. The first-ever National Naturopathy Day was observed on November 18, 2018.

• It was on this day in 1945, when Mahatma Gandhi became lifetime Chairman of the All India
  Nature Cure Foundation Trust and signed the deed to make the benefits of Nature Cure
  available to all classes of people.
• Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), New Delhi (Delhi), the
  National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) Pune (Maharashtra), and the University of Patanjali,
  Haridwar (Uttarakhand) have jointly organised the 6th Naturopathy day celebration at
  University of Patanjali on 18th & 19th November 2023.
• For the 2nd time, CCRYN has organised an International Conference on Naturopathy in
  association with Patanjali Yogpeeth, NIN & World Naturopathic Federation (WNF).

7. When was World AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) Awareness Week (WAAW) 2023
   observed across the globe with the theme of “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”?
   1) 18th to 24th November 2023
   2) 14th to 20th November 2023
   3) 17th to 23rd November 2023
   4) 15th to 21st November 2023
   5) 16th to 22nd November 2023
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   Answer- 1) 18th to 24th November 2023
   Explanation:
   World AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) Awareness Week (WAAW), previously known as “World
   Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2023 was celebrated across the globe from November
   18th to 24th with the theme of “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together”.

• The day also promotes best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence
  and spread of drug-resistant infections.
  i. WHO observed the first World Antibiotic Awareness Week from 16th to 22nd November 2015.
  ii. In June 2023, the Quadripartite organizations: FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme
  (UNEP), WHO, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), announced the rebranding of
  World Antimicrobial Awareness Week as World AMR Awareness Week.
• The acronym will remain “WAAW”, while all expansions of this acronym will now be rebranded as “World AMR Awareness Week.”

7. When was the World Prematurity Day (WPD) 2023 observed across the globe?
   1) 19th November 2023
   2) 17th November 2023
   3) 15th November 2023
   4) 18th November 2023
   5) 20th November 2023
   Answer- 2) 17th November 2023
   Explanation:
   World Prematurity Day (WPD) 2023 was observed across the globe on 17th November 2023 with
   the theme of “Small Actions, BIG IMPACT: Immediate Skin-to-Skin Care for Every Baby, Everywhere.”

• The International Prematurity Awareness Day was initiated on 17 November 2008, by the
  European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) and partnering with the
  European parent organisations.
• 17th November was declared as International Prematurity Awareness Day during the first
  Parent Organisations Meeting in Rome, Italy.
• Since 2011, the day has been celebrated as World Prematurity Day .
• The Department of Maternal and Child Health of the Ministry of Health and the United Nations
  Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Viet Nam, with the support of Kimberly-Clarke, hosted special events
  in some provinces, including Lao Cai, Lai Chau, etc.

7. When was the United Nations (UN) World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic
   Victims 2023 observed across the globe with the theme of Justice?
   1) 18th November 2023
   2) 16th November 2023
   3) 19th November 2023
   4) 17th November 2023
   5) 20th November 2023
   Answer- 3) 19th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The United Nations (UN) World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims is annually
   observed across the globe on the 3rd Sunday in November to pay tribute to all those who have lost
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   their lives or suffered serious and irreversible damage to their health and to their surviving families in
   road crashes.
   i. WDoR for Road Traffic Victims 2023 falls on 19th November 2023 with the theme of “Justice”
   with the slogan, “Remember. Support. Act.”
   ii. The day serves as the appropriate acknowledgment for victims of road traffic crashes and their
   families.
8. The National Integration day 2023 was celebrated across India on 19th November 2023 to
   commemorate the birth anniversary of ______.
   1) Indira Gandhi
   2) Chandra Shekhar Azad
   3) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
   4) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
   5) Lal Bahadur Shastri
   Answer- 1) Indira Gandhi
   Explanation:
   National Integration Day, also known as Quami Ekta Divas, is observed annually on November 19
   across India to mark the birth anniversary of India’s First Female Prime Minister (PM), Indira
   Priyadarshini Gandhi, popularly known as Indira Gandhi (Iron Lady of India).
   i. 19th November 2023 marks the 106th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi. The Day marks the
   beginning of National Integration Week (Qaumi Ekta Week) which is observed from November 19 to
   25 every year.

• The first ever National Integration Day was observed on 19th November 2013.
• She served as the third PM of Independent India from January 1966 to March 1977 and again
  from January 14, 1980, till her assassination on October 31, 1984.
• She was India’s second-longest-serving PM after Nehru (August 15, 1947 – May 27, 1964).
• She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1971 and Lenin Peace
  Prize in 1984.

7. When was Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) 2023 observed across the globe?
   1) 15th November 2023
   2) 18th November 2023
   3) 16th November 2023
   4) 19th November 2023
   5) 17th November 2023
   Answer- 4) 19th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The 10th Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) 2023 was observed across the globe on 19th
   November 2023 to honour female entrepreneurs and acknowledge their achievements. The day also
   honours the contributions of women in business.

• The annual observance of WED is led by the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation
  (WEDO).
• The first-ever WED was observed on 19 November 2014 at the United Nations (UN)
  headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA).
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• It was initiated by a Social Entrepreneur Wendy Diamond, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
  (CEO) of WEDO, a non-governmental volunteer organisation.
  i. On 17 November 2023, WEDO organised some events to commemorate the celebration of 10 years
  of WED (proclaimed on November 19th) at the Delegates’ Dining Room inside the UN headquarters in
  New York City, USA.
  ii. The event includes an in-personal/virtual WEDO Summit 2023, and the Pioneer Award Luncheon.

7. What was the theme of 25th International Men’s Day, observed across the globe on 19th
   November 2023?
   1) Making a Difference for Men and Boys
   2) Zero Male Suicide
   3) Helping men and boys
   4) Better Health for Men and Boys
   5) Positive Male Role Models
   Answer- 2) Zero Male Suicide
   Explanation:
   The International Men’s Day (IMD) is annually observed across the globe on November 19 to honour
   the men in our lives and to acknowledge cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements they
   contribute to our society.
   i. 19th November 2023 marks the 25th International Men’s Day with he theme of “Zero Male
   Suicide”.
   ii. Celebration of IMD was founded in 1999 by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a history lecturer at the
   University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.

• The first ever IMD was observed on 19th November 1999.

7. What was the theme of World Fisheries Day 2023, observed across the globe of 21st
   November 2023?
   1) Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture
   2) Investing in social protection to secure equitable Blue Transformation
   3) Partnerships and Innovation for Climate Change-Resistant Fisheries
   4) Social Responsibility in the fisheries value chain
   5) Fisheries, Sustainability and Innovation
   Answer- 1) Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture
   Explanation:
   The 26th World Fisheries Day 2023 was observed across the globe on 21st November 2023 with
   the theme of “Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture.”
   i. On 21st November 1997, the working fishermen and women representing the World Forum of Fish
   Harvesters & Fish Workers met at New Delhi, Delhi and established the World Fisheries Forum (WFF).
   ii. The first ever World Fisheries Day was observed on 21st November 1998.
8. When was United Nations (UN) World Television Day 2023 observed across the globe with
   the theme of Accessibility?
   1) 19th November 2023
   2) 21st November 2023
   3) 18th November 2023
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   4) 20th November 2023
   5) 17th November 2023
   Answer- 2) 21st November 2023
   Explanation:
   The 27th United Nations (UN)’s World Television Day 2023 was observed across the globe on 21st
   November 2023 with the theme of “Accessibility”

• The day recognises television as a symbol for communication and globalisation in the
  contemporary world.
• The first ever world television day was observed on 21st November 1997.
• 21st November was chosen to commemorate the date on which the 1st World Television
  Forum was held in 1996.

7. When was World Heritage Week (WHW) 2023 observed across India?
   1) 17th to 23rd November 2023
   2) 20th to 26th November 2023
   3) 19th to 25th November 2023
   4) 21st to 27th November 2023
   5) 18th to 24th November 2023
   Answer- 3) 19th to 25th November 2023
   Explanation:
   World Heritage Week (WHW) 2023 was observed across India from 19th to 25th November 2023
   to promote the heritage and the culture of monuments and important sites for their conservation.

• WHW events are annually organised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the
  Ministry of Culture, various Museums, and other heritage-conscious organisations across India
  and WHW was recognised and celebrated heritage sites recognised by the United Nations
  Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
  i. On 20th November 2023, Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, Ministry of Finance, inaugurated the
  WHW Photo Exhibition organised by ASI Trichy Circle (Tamil Nadu) in collaboration with the
  Thiyagarajar College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• The exhibition with the theme of “Rock Cut Temples in South Tamil Nadu” (8th century CE –
  13th century CE).
  Note- UNESCO’s World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites is annually
  observed across the globe on April 18. The theme of World Heritage Day 2023 is “Heritage Changes”.

7. What was the theme of World Children’s Day 2023, observed across the globe on 20th
   November 2023?
   1) Inclusion: For Every Child
   2) A Better Future for Every Child
   3) Time to focus on impact of climate change
   4) Children of today, our keepers tomorrow
   5) For every child, every right
   Answer- 5) For every child, every right
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   Explanation:
   The United Nations (UN) Universal Children’s Day or World Children’s Day 2023 was observed
   across the globe on 20th November 2023 with the campaign theme of “For every child, every
   right.”

• World Children’s Day is the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s annual day of action for
  children, by children.
  ii. On November 20th, the UNGA, UNICEF, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  (OHCHR), and several specialized agencies hosted events to mark World Children’s Day 2023 at the
  UN Headquarters in New York, the United States of America (USA).
  iii. The State of the World’s Children (SoWC) 2023: For every child, vaccination was published in April

7. This is the 1st UNICEF report with a sole focus on immunisation.

• It was developed in collaboration with the Vaccine Confidence Project (VCP) and uses Vaccine
  Confidence Index data from 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

7. When was the Africa Industrialization Day 2023 observed across the globe by the United
   Nations (UN)?
   1) 21st November 2023
   2) 18th November 2023
   3) 20th November 2023
   4) 22nd November 2023
   5) 19th November 2023
   Answer- 3) 20th November 2023
   Explanation:
   The 34th Africa Industrialization Day 2023 was observed across the globe by the United Nations
   (UN) on 20th November 2023 with the theme of “Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization through the
   Empowerment of African Women in Processing for an Integrated Market”.
   i. The first ever Africa Industrialization Day was observed on 20th November 1990.
   ii. The events of Africa Industrialization Week 2023 was hosted in Cairo, Egypt from 9th to 15th
   November 2023.
   ENVIRONMENT
8. Name the Institution of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that has recently (in
   Nov ‘23) discovered two new species of seer fish: Scomberomorus avirostrus (Arabian Sparrow
   seer fish) and Scomberomorus leopardus (Russell’s Spotted Seer Fish) in Indian Waters.
   1) Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture
   2) Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
   3) Central Institute Brackishwater Aquaculture
   4), Central Institute on Fisheries Education
   5) Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
   Answer- 2) Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
   Explanation:
   Researchers from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Marine Fisheries
   Research Institute (CMFRI) have discovered two new species of seer fish: Scomberomorus avirostrus
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   (Arabian Sparrow seer fish) and Scomberomorus leopardus (Russell’s Spotted Seer Fish) in
   Indian Waters.
   i. This discovery brings the total number of seer fish species in Indian waters to 6 from the existing 4
   species.
   ii. These 3 species are:

• The newly discovered seer fish (Arabian sparrow)
• The resurrected seer fish (Russell’s spotted)
• The existing spotted seer fish

7. In November 2023, the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) passed a resolution to
   adopt a collective target of 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use by _ (year).
   1) 2030
   2) 2025
   3) 2027
   4) 2028
   5) 2026
   Answer- 1) 2030
   Explanation:
   The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has passed a resolution to adopt a collective target of
   5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use by 2030 among its 14 member airlines.

• The resolution was made in its 67th Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific
  Airlines which was held in Singapore.
• This aims to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, as SAF can reduce greenhouse gas
  (GHG) emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil-based jet fuels.
• The adoption of SAF is a critical step in the aviation industry’s journey towards net-zero
  emissions by 2050.

7. In which state, a new species of music frog ‘Nidirana Noadihing’ (Noa-Dihing music frog) was
   discovered in November 2023?
   1) Tripura
   2) Odisha
   3) West Bengal
   4) Mizoram
   5) Arunachal Pradesh
   Answer- 5) Arunachal Pradesh
   Explanation:
   A new species of music frog ‘Nidirana Noadihing’ (Noa-Dihing music frog) was discovered near the
   Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Gandhigram, Arunachal Pradesh.
   i. The discovery was made by a team of scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (Uttarakhand),
   the University of Wolverhampton (United Kingdom – UK), and the Arunachal Pradesh Forest
   Department.
   ii. The scientists claimed in an article published in the November 15 edition of the journal Zootaxa.
   iii. The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, where the specimens were discovered.
   iv. The discovery of the Noa-Dihing music frog validates the presence of the genus Nidirana from
   India.
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 62
   APP and WEB PORTAL
8. Which state government has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched its mobile app based cab
   services and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) backed digital payment solutions to book cabs,
   track their rides in real-time?
   1) Jharkhand
   2) West Bengal
   3) Mizoram
   4) Odisha
   5) Assam
   Answer- 5) Assam
   Explanation:
   The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has launched its mobile application(app) – based
   city cab services and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – backed digital payment solutions to book
   cabs, track their rides in real-time, and make payments digitally.
   i. The new services were inaugurated by Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya.
   ii. With 9,000 city cab service taxis, ASTC aims to provide commuters a convenient, affordable, and
   safe mode of travel.
   iii. The ASTC has partnered with PhonePe Private Limited to provide UPI-based digital payment
   solutions for its city cab services. ASTC city cabs will start online cab bookings in Lokpriya Gopinath
   Bordoloi International Airport, in Guwahati (Assam).
   CA STATIC GK
9. Where is the Headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) located?
   1) Rome, Italy
   2) Geneva, Switzerland
   3) Montreal, Canada
   4) Vienna, Austria
   5) Paris, France
   Answer- 4) Vienna, Austria
   Explanation:
   About International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
   It is the world’s foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the
   peaceful use of nuclear energy.
   Director General– Rafael Mariano Grossi
   Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
   Establishment– 1957
10. Which of the following States is Not mentioned in the sixth schedule of the Indian
    Constitution?
    1) Arunachal Pradesh
    2) Assam
    3) Meghalaya
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 63
    4) Tripura
    5) Mizoram
    Answer- 1) Arunachal Pradesh
    Explanation:
    The sixth schedule contains provisions related to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States
    of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

• The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of certain tribal areas as autonomous
  entities.
• The provisions of the sixth schedule are provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the
  Indian Constitution.

7. In which state ‘Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
   1) Tripura
   2) Assam
   3) Nagaland
   4) Bihar
   5) West Bengal
   Answer- 1) Tripura
   Explanation:
   About Tripura:
   Governor– Indra Sena Reddy Nallu
   Chief Minister– Manik Saha
   Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS)– Sepahijala WLS, Trishna WLS, Gomati WLS
8. As of November 2023, what is the Death benefit provided under “Pradhan Mantri Jeevan
   Jyoti Bima Yojana(PMJJBY)”?
   1) Rs. 1 lakh
   2) Rs. 2 lakh
   3) Rs. 5 lakh
   4) Rs. 10 lakh
   5) Rs. 20 lakh
   Answer- 2) Rs. 2 lakh
   Explanation:
   The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) is a yearly renewable term insurance policy
   launched by the central government of India. In case of the death of the insurance holder, the death
   benefit of Rs 2 lakh is offered by the PMJJBY to the nominee of the policy.
9. Daporijo Airport is located in __ (state).
   1) Tripura
   2) Assam
   3) Arunachal Pradesh
   4) West Bengal
   5) Mizoram
   Answer- 3) Arunachal Pradesh
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 64
   Explanation:
   About Arunachal Pradesh:
   Chief Minister- Pema Khandu
   Governor – Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
   Wildlife Sanctuaries – Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Yordi-Rabe Supse
   Airports – Along Airport, Daporijo Airport
10. In which state Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located?
    1) West Bengal
    2) Uttar Pradesh
    3) Bihar
    4) Jharkhand
    5) Odisha
    Answer- 3) Bihar
    Explanation:
    About Bihar:
    Chief Minister – Nitish Kumar
    Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
    Wildlife Sanctuary – Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary, Valmiki Wildlife
    Sanctuary, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Wildlife Sanctuary
    Tiger Reserve – Valmiki Tiger Reserve
11. Which is the 1st Wetland in India to be designated as a Ramsar Site?
    1) Chilika Lake
    2) Loktak Lake
    3) Wular Lake
    4) Kolleru Lake
    5) Vembanad Lake
    Answer- 1) Chilika Lake
    Explanation:
    The population of dolphins in Chilika Lake, India’s largest brackish water lake, along the Odisha coast
    has doubled in 2021 compared with last year, jumping from 146 to 162.

• Chilika Lake is the 1st Wetland in India to be designated as a Ramsar Site in 1981.

7. In Which state Haflong Lake is located?
   1) West Bengal
   2) Tripura
   3) Assam
   4) Odisha
   5) Uttar Pradesh
   Answer- 3) Assam
   Explanation:
   About Assam:
   Governor- Gulab Chand Kataria
   Chief Minister- Himanta Biswa Sarma
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 65
   River – Kopili river, Iril river
   Lake-Chandubi Lake, Haflong Lake
8. Which of the following personalities is not appointed as the Distinguished Fellows for a
   period of one year by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog?
   1) S. Venkatasubramanian
   2) V. Lakshmikumaran
   3) O.P Agarwal
   4) Anoop Singh
   5) Ajai Chowdhry
   Answer- 1) S. Venkatasubramanian
   Explanation:
   National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the
   Government of India, recently appointed four Distinguished Fellows for a period of one year. The four
   new members of NITI Aayog will bring along significant work experience, coupled with their
   understanding and expertise of key social, economic and technical issues. The four distinguished
   individuals joining the ranks of NITI Aayog are:

• Prof. (Dr.) Anoop Singh
• Dr. O.P Agarwal
• Dr. Ajai Chowdhry
• Sh. V. Lakshmikumaran

7. In which year Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established?
   1) 2017
   2) 2008
   3) 2015
   4) 2010
   5) 2014
   Answer- 2) 2008
   Explanation:
   Rajesh Bhushan is the present Chairperson of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
   The Headquarters of FSSAI is located in New Delhi, Delhi and established in 2008.

• Recently Widening the accessibility of key online services, the Food Safety and Standards
  Authority of India (FSSAI) has now launched its Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS)
  portal in four regional languages.
• The move comes shortly after the food safety authority launched its services in Hindi language
  in September earlier this year.
• Now apart from English and Hindi, the FSSAI portal will also be accessible in four regional
  languages including Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi.
• According to the food regulatory body, the move looks to improve the user experience for local
  food businesses and provide a more accessible platform to connect with the FSSAI’s online
  compliance portal, FoSCoS.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 66

7. Who is the present (as of Nov ‘23) Chief Justice of India (CJI)?
   1) Ranjan Gogoi
   2) Uday Umesh Lalit
   3) D.Y. Chandrachud
   4) Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana
   5) Dipak Misra
   Answer- 3) D.Y. Chandrachud
   Explanation:
   Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, inaugurated a café, completely managed by speciallyabled staff, in the premises of the Supreme Court. Other judges of the apex court were also present on
   the occasion.

• The ‘Mitti Cafe’ is an initiative to empower people with special needs by providing them
  employment and livelihood opportunities.
• Ayesha Alam, the CFO of Mitti Cafe said, “Mitti Café is the dream of a 23-year old, who wanted
  to show the world the magic of abilities.”
• Alina Alam, the Founder and CEO of Mitti Cafe emphasised the significance of having a Mitti
  Café operated by adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities at the apex
  justice institution of India, conveying a powerful message about the essence of inclusive
  development.

7. As of November 2023, India has become the __ largest manufacturer of mobile
   phones in the world.
   1) 5th
   2) 3rd
   3) 1st
   4) 2nd
   5) 4th
   Answer- 4) 2nd
   Explanation:
   India has become the second largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world. Prime Minister
   Narendra Modi said during his address at the public meeting in Jharkhand in November 2023.

• He also stated that the Centre will launch a scheme worth Rs 24,000 crore for the welfare of
  tribals in the country on 15th November 2023 when the entire nation will celebrate Bhagwan
  Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary.

7. In which state Koundinya wildlife sanctuary is located?
   1) Odisha
   2) Andhra Pradesh
   3) Kerala
   4) Jharkhand
   5) West Bengal
   Answer- 2) Andhra Pradesh
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 67
   Explanation:
   Koundinya wildlife sanctuary is located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
   i. This Sanctuary comes under Project elephant – a Countrywide Elephant Conservation Project taken
   up by the Government of India.
8. What is the capital of Mongolia?
   1) Pyongyang
   2) Vientiane
   3) Ulaanbaatar
   4) Baghdad
   5) Nicosia
   Answer- 3) Ulaanbaatar
   Explanation:
   About Mongolia:
   Capital– Ulaanbaatar
   Prime Minister- Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene
   Currency– Mongolian Tugrik
9. In which state ‘Betla National Park’ is located?
   1) Odisha
   2) Madhya Pradesh
   3) West Bengal
   4) Jharkhand
   5) Uttar Pradesh
   Answer- 4) Jharkhand
   Explanation:
   About Jharkhand
   Chief Minister– Hemant Soren
   Governor- C. P. Radhakrishnan
   Capital– Ranchi
   National Parks- Betla National Park
10. In which year the International Energy Agency (IEA) was established?
    1) 1958
    2) 1974
    3) 1983
    4) 1994
    5) 1948
    Answer- 2) 1974
    Explanation:
    About International Energy Agency (IEA):
    Executive Director– Dr Fatih Birol
    Headquarters– Paris, France
    Establishment– 1974
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 68
11. Who is the current (as of Nov’ 23) President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
    and Industry (FICCI)?
    1) Subhrakant Panda
    2) Rajeev Chandrasekhar
    3) Anish Shah
    4) Sanjiv Mehta
    5) Sudarshan Kumar Birla
    Answer- 1) Subhrakant Panda
    Explanation:
    About Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI):
    President – Subhrakant Panda
    Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
    Established in – 1927
12. Where is the Headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) located?
    1) New York City, United States of America
    2) Vienna, Austria
    3) London, United Kingdom
    4) Paris, France
    5) Lausanne, Switzerland
    Answer- 5) Lausanne, Switzerland
    Explanation:
    About International Olympic Committee (IOC):
    President– Thomas Bach
    Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
    Establishment– 1894
13. Who is the current Chairman (as of Nov ‘23) of the Press Council of India(PCI)?
    1) Devdutt Pattanaik
    2) N Ram
    3) Gulab kothari
    4) Ranjana Prakash Desai
    5) Bhavani Koteswara Prasad
    Answer- 4) Ranjana Prakash Desai
    Explanation:
    About Press Council of India(PCI):
    PCI is a statutory, quasi-judicial authority functioning as a watchdog of the press, for the press and by
    the press.
    Chairman– Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
    Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
    Established in – 1966
14. In which state Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located?
    1) Tripura
    2) Assam
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 69
    3) Madhya Pradesh
    4) Uttar Pradesh
    5) Gujarat
    Answer- 2) Assam
    Explanation:
    About Assam:
    National Park– Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park; Kaziranga National Park
    Wildlife Sanctuary– Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary; Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
15. In which state Nahar Singh Stadium is located?
    1) Odisha
    2) Haryana
    3) Gujarat
    4) Uttarakhand
    5) Rajasthan
    Answer- 2) Haryana
    Explanation:
    About Haryana:
    Stadium- Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Nahar Singh Stadium (Mayur Stadium)
    Festival- Gangore, Baisakhi, Teej
16. Papikonda National Park is located in_________ (state).
    1) Andhra Pradesh
    2) Telangana
    3) Kerala
    4) Tamil Nadu
    5) Karnataka
    Answer- 1) Andhra Pradesh
    Explanation:
    About Andhra Pradesh:
    Governor – Abdul Nazeer
    National Parks – Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Papikonda national park, Sri Venkateswara National
    Park(biosphere reserve)
    Wildlife sanctuaries – Sri Lankamalleswara WildLife Sanctuary, Krishna Wildlife sanctuary,
    Kaundinya WildLife Sanctuary
17. Where is the Headquarters of the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) located?
    1) Paris, France
    2) Manila, Philippines
    3) Geneva, Switzerland
    4) Vienna, Austria
    5) New York, United States of America (USA)
    Answer- 5) New York, United States of America (USA)
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 70
    Explanation:
    About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
    Executive Director – Catherine Russell
    Headquarters – New York, United States of America (USA)
18. In which state Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary is located?
    1) Karnataka
    2) Tamil Nadu
    3) Kerala
    4) Andhra Pradesh
    5) Telangana
    Answer- 2) Tamil Nadu
    Explanation:
    About Tamil Nadu:
    Governor – Ravindra Narayana Ravi
    Bird Sanctuary – Vettangudi birds Sanctuary, Karikili Birds Sanctuary
    Festival – Pongal, Thiruvaiyaru Festival, Thaipusam
19. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India celebrated its __ anniversary on
    15th November 2023.
    1) 40th
    2) 35th
    3) 30th
    4) 25th
    5) 50th
    Answer- 1) 40th
    Explanation:
    India’s nuclear regulator, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), celebrated its ruby jubilee
    anniversary on November 15 2023 to mark 40 years of its existence.

• It was on this day that the national regulatory authority was constituted in 1983 to enforce
  nuclear and radiation safety regulations in the country.
• Stalwarts of the Indian nuclear fraternity including Dr A.K. Mohanty, Chairman of Atomic
  Energy Commission, and Vivek Bhasin, Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BERC),
  among others, came together to extend their wishes to AERB on this momentous occasion.

7. Which state has recently (in Nov ‘23) set a new Guinness world record by lighting over 22
   lakh diyas (lamps)?
   1) Gujarat
   2) Jharkhand
   3) Bihar
   4) Uttar Pradesh
   5) Maharashtra
   Answer- 4) Uttar Pradesh
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 71
   Explanation:
   Uttar Pradesh has set a new Guinness world record by lighting over 22 lakh diyas (lamps) in
   Ayodhya.

• Ayodhya began the Deepotav festival with the formation of the Yogi Adityanath government in

7. The government lit up around 51,000 diyas in 2017, and then 4.10 lakh diyas in 2019.

• The number then every year goes up with over 6 lakh diyas in 2020, and 9 lakh diyas
  illuminated in 2021. In 2022, over 17 lakh diyas were lit up across the Ram ki Pairi ghats.
  However, that year Guinness Book of World Records considered only those diyas which
  remained lit up for at least five minutes, hence the record was set at 15,76,955 diyas.

7. Name the bank that has recently (in Nov ‘23) stopped online Immediate Payment System
   (IMPS) transfers as funds from transactions.
   1) State Bank of India
   2) UCO Bank
   3) Bank of Maharashtra
   4) Bank of India
   5) Indian Overseas Bank
   Answer- 2) UCO Bank
   Explanation:
   The government-owned UCO Bank has temporarily stopped online Immediate Payment System
   (IMPS) transfers as funds from transactions initiated by customers of other banks were credited to
   account holders of UCO Bank, but the bank did not actually receive the money.

• The incidents occurred between November 10 and 13, The bank, as a precautionary measure,
  has made the IMPS channel offline and is working closely with stakeholders to resolve the
  issue and restore the IMPS services at the earliest.

7. Which company has recently (in Nov ‘23) collaborated with Amadeus to drive travel
   experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
   1) BharatPe
   2) PhonePe
   3) Paytm
   4) Razorpay
   5) Freecharge
   Answer- 3) Paytm
   Explanation:
   Paytm(One97 Communications Limited) announced a partnership with Amadeus, under which it will
   integrate Amadeus’ travel platform and optimise travel experience from search to booking, and
   payment.

• The company has partnered with global travel technology company Amadeus to redefine travel
  experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• This partnership brings together Paytm’s vast user base and Amadeus’s expertise to provide
  travellers with a more seamless and efficient booking experience
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 72

7. In which State Bhitarkanika Mangroves is located?
   1) Tamil Nadu
   2) West Bengal
   3) Odisha
   4) Telangana
   5) Assam
   Answer- 3) Odisha
   Explanation:
   About Odisha:
   Ports – Gopalpur port, Paradip Port, Dhamra Port
   Ramsar sites – Bhitarkanika Mangroves
   Stadium – Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium (Multipurpose- indoor), East Coast Railway Stadium
   (cricket – outdoor)
8. Who is the current (as of Nov ‘23) Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN Limited?
   1) Naveen Kumar Gupta
   2) Amarjit Singh Juneja
   3) Sanjeev Dutt Sharma
   4) Nand Lal Sharma
   5) Ajay Kumar Sharma
   Answer- 4) Nand Lal Sharma
   Explanation:
   About SJVN Limited (formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) :
   It is a joint venture between the government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh. It is a
   Mini Ratna & Schedule ‘A’ Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).
   Chairman & Managing Director– Nand Lal Sharma
   Headquarters– Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (HP)
   Incorporated – May 24, 1988
9. What is the Tagline of Punjab National Bank (PNB)?
   1) One Family One Bank
   2) Good people to bank with
   3) The Name you can Bank Upon
   4) Honors Your Trust
   5) We Make You Feel Richer
   Answer- 3) The Name you can Bank Upon
   Explanation:
   About Punjab National Bank (PNB):
   Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Atul Kumar Goel
   Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
   Established in – 1894
   Tagline – The name you can bank upon
   Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 73
10. What is the capital of Argentina?
    1) Mogadishu
    2) Buenos Aires
    3) Monrovia
    4) Ashgabat
    5) Niamey
    Answer- 2) Buenos Aires
    Explanation:
    About Argentina:
    President– Alberto Angel Fernandez
    Capital– Buenos Aires
    Currency– Argentine Peso
11. Who is the present (as of Nov ‘23) Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL India Limited?
    1) Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    2) Atish Mathur
    3) Jayanth Kumar
    4) Praveen Jain
    5) Jyoti Kumar
    Answer- 1) Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    Explanation:
    About GAIL India Limited:
    GAIL India Limited is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises under Ministry of Petroleum and
    Natural Gas (MoP&NG)
    Chairman and Managing Director– Sandeep Kumar Gupta
    Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
    Establishment– 1984
12. A Glacial Lake _ Flood (GLOF) is a sudden and potentially catastrophic flood that
    occurs when water stored behind a glacier or a moraine is released rapidly.
    1) Outburst
    2) Ozone
    3) Occur
    4) Oxygen
    5) Organic
    Answer- 1) Outburst
    Explanation:
    In October 2023, Sikkim recently experienced a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). The South
    Lhonak Lake, a glacial lake located at an altitude of 17,000 feet in the state’s northwest, experienced a
    rupture as a result of continuous rainfall.

• Consequently, water was discharged into the downstream regions, causing flooding in the
  Teesta River and impacting four districts of Sikkim: Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi, as
  reported by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).
• This flooding also caused the Chungthang Hydro-Dam in Sikkim (on Teesta river) to breach,
  worsening the overall situation.
  Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 74
  i. A GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) is a sudden and potentially catastrophic flood that occurs
  when water stored behind a glacier or a moraine (a natural accumulation of ice, sand, pebbles, and
  debris) is released rapidly.
• These floods happen when glacial lakes formed by melting ice accumulate water behind weak
  moraine dams.
• Unlike sturdy earthen dams, these moraine dams can fail abruptly, releasing large volumes of
  water in minutes to days, leading to devastating downstream flooding.

7. Which of the following is Not the digital public infrastructure(DPI) ecosystem of India?
   1) DigiYatra
   2) Digilocker
   3) Aadhar
   4) E kuber
   5) Unified Payments Interface
   Answer- 4) E kuber
   Explanation:
   India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI), loosely the India Stack and more, is shaped in a unique
   partnership between governments (Union and States), regulators, the private sector, selfless
   volunteers, startups, and academia/think tanks.

• Digital public infrastructure (DPI) refers to blocks or platforms such as digital identification,
  payment infrastructure and data exchange solutions that help countries deliver essential
  services to their people, empowering citizens and improving lives by enabling digital inclusion.
• The DPI initiative, also known as the India Stack, is a collection of digital platforms such as
  Aadhaar, Digital Locker, DigiYatra, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and technologies that
  have been developed through collaboration between different entities, including governments,
  regulators, the private sector, volunteers, startups, and academic institutions

7. What state is famous for Longpi Pottery?
   1) Rajasthan
   2) Madhya pradesh
   3) Manipur
   4) Maharashtra
   5) Kerala
   Answer- 3) Manipur
   Explanation :
   Longpi Pottery originating from the village of Longpi in Manipur, the Tangkhul Naga tribes practise
   this unique pottery style.

• Longpi pottery stands out as it doesn’t rely on the potter’s wheel; everything is hand-shaped or
  moulded.
• The distinct grey-black cooking pots, sturdy kettles, and charming bowls are Longpi’s
  trademarks, but new design elements are being introduced.

Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 75

37. The Judge of the High Court is appointed by ________________under clause (1) of Article 217 of
    the Constitution.
    1) President of India
    2) Prime Minister of India
    3) Judge of Supreme court of India
    4) Governor of India
    5) Chief Judge of India
    Answer- 1) President of India
    Explanation:
    The Chief Justice and Judges of the High Courts are to be appointed by the President under clause (1)
    of Article 217 of the Constitution.
38. In which state Sundarban Tiger Reserve is located?
    1) Andhra Pradesh
    2) Odisha
    3) West Bengal
    4) Uttarakhand
    5) Bihar
    Answer- 3) West Bengal
    Explanation:
    About West Bengal:
    Chief Minister– Mamata Banerjee
    National Park– Neora Valley National Park
    Tiger Reserve– Buxa Tiger Reserve; Sundarban Tiger Reserve
39. The National Commission for Backward Classes is a constitutional body under Article 338B
    of the Constitution of India under __ (Ministry).
    1) Ministry of Minority Affairs
    2) Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
    3) Ministry of Law and Justice
    4) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    5) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
    Answer- 2) Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
    Explanation:
    National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is a constitutional body under Article 338B of the
    Constitution of India under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
40. Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve is located in __ (state).
    1) Arunachal Pradesh
    2) Assam
    3) Andhra Pradesh
    4) Madhya Pradesh
    5) Uttar Pradesh
    Answer- 1) Arunachal Pradesh
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 76
    Explanation:
    About Arunachal Pradesh:
    Airport- Tezu Airport, Itanagar Airport
    Biosphere Reserve- Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve
41. Bhitarkanika National Park is situated in which state?
    1) Kerala
    2) Bihar
    3) Odisha
    4) Uttar Pradesh
    5) Assam
    Answer- 3) Odisha
    Explanation:
    Bhitarkanika National Park is located in Odisha. It has the second-largest mangrove forest in India
    and is a Ramsar site and declared as a Bhitarkanika National Park in the year of 1988.
42. In which state Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is located?
    1) Tripura
    2) West Bengal
    3) Odisha
    4) Uttarakhand
    5) Maharashtra
    Answer- 5) Maharashtra
    Explanation:
    About Maharashtra:
    Capital – Mumbai
    Chief Minister – Eknath Shinde
    Tiger Reserves – Melghat Tiger Reserve, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary
43. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) became the First Woman to Skydive from 21,500 ft of height
    in front of the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest?
    1) Priya Suman
    2) Shital Mahajan
    3) Archana Sardana
    4) Shweta Parmar
    5) Sonali Aggarwal
    Answer- 2) Shital Mahajan
    Explanation:
    Indian skydiver Shital Mahajan jumped off a helicopter from the height of 21,500 ft in front of the
    world’s highest peak, Mt Everest. She became the first woman to do so.
    i. Mahajan landed at Kalapatthar peak at an altitude 17,444ft. Mahajan is a well-known Indian
    skydiver who holds several skydiving records and is the recipient of the fourth highest civilian award,
    the Padma Shri in 2001.
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44. Let’s Make Money Simple is the tagline of __ (Bank).
    1) ICICI Bank
    2) Federal Bank
    3) Axis Bank
    4) Kotak Mahindra Bank
    5) IDFC FIRST Bank
    Answer- 4) Kotak Mahindra Bank
    Explanation:
    About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL):
    MD and CEO– Dipak Gupta (Interim) term ends on December 31, 2023.
    Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
    Founded in– 2003
    Tagline– Let’s Make Money Simple
45. In which state Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary is located?
    1) West Bengal
    2) Uttar Pradesh
    3) Bihar
    4) Jharkhand
    5) Odisha
    Answer- 3) Bihar
    Explanation:
    About Bihar:
    Chief Minister– Nitish Kumar
    Wildlife Sanctuaries– Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary, Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary
    Zoological Parks– Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park
46. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) issued free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia,
    Japan, Indonesia and Thailand?
    1) Maldives
    2) Sri Lanka
    3) Singapore
    4) Vietnam
    5) Cambodia
    Answer- 2) Sri Lanka
    Explanation:
    Sri Lanka Cabinet approved issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia
    and Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till 31 March.

• Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry stated that the pilot project, which
  commenced immediately, will extend until March 31, 2024.

37. Former United States (US) first lady _, passed away in November 2023.
    1) Rosalynn Carter
    2) Barbara Pierce Bush
    3) Laura Welch Bush
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    4) Hillary Rodham Clinton
    5) Nancy Davis Reagan
    Answer- 1) Rosalynn Carter
    Explanation:
    Former United States (US) first lady Rosalynn Carter, who President Jimmy Carter called “an
    extension of myself” owing to her prominent role in his administration even as she tirelessly
    promoted the cause of mental health, passed away on 19th November 2023 at age 96.
    i. In May 2023, the Carter family had said she had dementia but was continuing to live happily at the
    couple’s home in Plains, Georgia.

• Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were the longest-married presidential couple, having wed in 1946
  when he was 21 and she was 18.
  Note- James Earl Carter Jr. (Jimmy Carter) is an American politician and humanitarian who served as
  the president of the United States from 1977 to 1981.

37. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) won the Namita Chattopadhyay Sahitya Samman 2023 for the
    book Nadijibir Notebook (‘notebook on rivers’)?
    1) Anish Ranjan Chatterjee
    2) Moti Nandi
    3) Selina Hossain
    4) Supratim Karmakar
    5) Samaresh Majumdar
    Answer- 4) Supratim Karmakar
    Explanation:
    Nadijibir Notebook (‘notebook on rivers’) a book in Bengali by writer and river scientist Supratim
    Karmakar, published in 2022, was honoured with the Namita Chattopadhyay Sahitya Samman
    2023 on November 18 at the Bangla Akademi in Kolkata.

• The book deals with issues concerning the rivers of India, their ecology, and the steps that can
  be taken for their rejuvenation.The writer expressed happiness over the recognition, and
  pointed out that this was the first time a non-fiction book had been honoured with the literary
  award.
• The book deals with several issues, including the construction of dams, hydel power projects,
  and erosion along riverbanks. Running across 175 pages, the book contains maps, photographs
  and charts dealing with the ecology of rivers as well as the lives of the people dwelling on their
  banks.

37. In November 2023, _ (district in Kerala) became the first district in the country to
    complete Aadhaar enrolment of children below five years.
    1) Kozhikode
    2) Idukki
    3) Wayanad
    4) Alappuzha
    5) Ernakulam
    Answer- 3) Wayanad
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    Explanation:
    Wayanad district in Kerala has become the first district in the country to complete Aadhaar
    enrolment of children below five years.

• District Collector Renu Raj announced the meritorious achievement at Poothadi in the district
  on Children’s Day on November 14, 2023.
• As many as 44,487 children got enrolled through mega camps at various Akshaya Kendras.
• The district administration launched a campaign titled ‘A for Aadhaar’ for the purpose with the
  support of the Indian Postal Services, Dhanalakshmi Bank, Kerala State IT Mission, civic bodies,
  and Tribal Development and Women and Child development departments.

37. In November 2023, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and
    Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji
    Maharaj in _ (district of J&K).
    1) Udhampur
    2) Anantnag
    3) Srinagar
    4) Kupwara
    5) Shopian
    Answer- 4) Kupwara
    Explanation:
    Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath
    Shinde unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Kupwara district of J&K.

• The equestrian statue of the Maratha warrior king has been installed at the Army’s 41
  Rashtriya Rifles Maratha Light Infantry Regiment in the north Kashmir district which shares its
  border with Pakistan. Special prayers were held by a priest on the occasion.

37. Which state government has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed a USD 200 million project with the
    World Bank to increase power sector reforms?
    1) Uttarakhand
    2) Himachal Pradesh
    3) West Bengal
    4) Odisha
    5) Jharkhand
    Answer- 2) Himachal Pradesh
    Explanation:
    In a significant move towards green energy expansion, the Government of India, the Government of
    Himachal Pradesh, and the World Bank have signed a USD 200 million project aimed at advancing
    power sector reforms in Himachal Pradesh.
    i. According to a press release by the World Bank, the project will focus on increasing the share of
    renewable energy (RE) in the state’s electricity generation, aligning with Himachal Pradesh’s goal to
    add 10,000 megawatts of additional RE capacity.
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38. In November 2023, _ became the first Indian carrier to have over 2,000 scheduled
    or planned flights daily.
    1) IndiGo
    2) SpiceJet
    3) Air India
    4) Vistara
    5) Go First
    Answer- 1) IndiGo
    Explanation:
    IndiGo has become the first Indian carrier to have over 2,000 scheduled or planned flights daily.
    i. The Rahul Bhatia-founded airline, which started flying on August 4, 2006, had in December 2017
    become the first Indian carrier to operate 1,000 flightsin a day with the budget carrier taking over 11
    years to reach that milestone.
    ii. The second 1,000 came much faster in just six years despite a fallout between the airline’s two
    founder-promoters and then Covid.
39. What is the capital of Uzbekistan?
    1) Ashgabat
    2) Hanoi
    3) Dushanbe
    4) Tashkent
    5) Damascus
    Answer- 4) Tashkent
    Explanation:
    About Uzbekistan:
    Capital– Tashkent
    Currency– Uzbekistani Som
    President– Shavkat Mirziyoyev
40. In which state Kalesar National Park is located?
    1) Gujarat
    2) Uttar Pradesh
    3) Rajasthan
    4) Haryana
    5) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer- 4) Haryana
    Explanation:
    About Haryana:
    Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya
    Zoological Park – Mini Zoo and Rohtak Zoo
    National Park- Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park
    Wildlife Sanctuary – Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary
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41. In which state ‘Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Zoological Garden’ is located?
    1) Uttar Pradesh
    2) West Bengal
    3) Gujarat
    4) Maharashtra
    5) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer- 3) Gujarat
    Explanation:
    About Gujarat:
    Chief Minister– Bhupendrabhai Patel
    Governor– Acharya Devvrat
    Wildlife Sanctuary– Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary; Kutch Desert Sanctuary
    Zoological Park– Sakkarbaug zoo; Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Zoological Garden (Sarthana
    Nature Park)
42. In which state ‘Salonibari airport’ is located?
    1) Assam
    2) Sikkim
    3) Arunachal Pradesh
    4) Uttar Pradesh
    5) Uttarakhand
    Answer- 1) Assam
    Explanation:
    About Assam:
    Chief Minister- Himanta Biswa Sarma
    Governor- Gulab Chand Kataria
    Airports- Jorhat Airport (Rowriah Airport); Salonibari airport
    Wildlife Sanctuary- Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary; Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary
43. The National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary is located in __ (state).
    1) Bihar
    2) Uttar Pradesh
    3) Madhya Pradesh
    4) Jharkhand
    5) Maharashtra
    Answer- 3) Madhya Pradesh
    Explanation:
    About Madhya Pradesh:
    Chief Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan
    Governor– Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
    National Park– Madhav National Park; Satpura National Park
    Wildlife Sanctuary– National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 82
44. In November 2023, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared about the
    development of Cyclone Midhili in the northwest Bay of Bengal.
    The name ‘Midhili’ was given by the ___.
    1) Maldives
    2) Sri Lanka
    3) Yemen
    4) Myanmar
    5) Thailand
    Answer- 1) Maldives
    Explanation:
    In November 2023, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared about the development of
    Cyclone Midhili in the northwest Bay of Bengal.

• Cyclone Midhili is the second cyclone to hit the Bangladesh coast in quick succession after
  cyclone Hamoon.
• The name ‘Midhili’ was given by the Maldives. Countries affected by the Arabian Sea and Bay
  of Bengal cyclones rotationally give names of cyclones in a sequence. On October 25, 2023
  cyclone Hamoon had crossed near southern Chittagong.
• Under the influence of Cyclone Midhili, heavy rainfall is forecasted in the coastal regions of
  Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram with wind speed blowing in the range between 40
  kmph and 70 kmph.

37. Where is the Headquarters of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO)?
    1) Paris, France
    2) Manila, Philippines
    3) Geneva, Switzerland
    4) Vienna, Austria
    5) New York, United States of America (USA)
    Answer- 5) New York, United States of America (USA)
    Explanation:
    About Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organisation (WEDO):
    CEO and Founder– Wendy Diamond
    Headquarters– New York, United States of America
    Founded in– 2013
38. In which state Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located?
    1) Karnataka
    2) Kerala
    3) Tamil Nadu
    4) Andhra Pradesh
    5) Telangana
    Answer- 2) Kerala
    Explanation:
    About Kerala:
    Governor– Arif Mohammad Khan
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    National Parks– Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, and Pampadum Shola
    National Park.
    Wildlife Sanctuaries– Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wayanad
    Wildlife Sanctuary.
39. In which country, ‘Mount Etna’ is located?
    1) Chile
    2) Ethiopia
    3) Italy
    4) Indonesia
    5) Philippines
    Answer- 3) Italy
    Explanation:
    Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, shoots plumes of smoke and ashes with eruptions, as seen
    from Mount Salto Del Cane, Italy on November 12, 2023.

• In November 2023, shifting magma under the Earth’s crust triggered hundreds of earthquakes
  around the town of Grindavik in Iceland, with seismologists warning the quakes could be a
  precursor to a volcanic eruption.
• Italy’s Mount Etna, which is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, was causing public
  concern as well — it started erupting the year before.
• Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano and one of the largest in the world. Its recorded
  volcanic activity dates back to 1500 B.C. Since then, it has erupted more than 200 times.

37. Titan is the moon (natural satellite) of which planet?
    1) Saturn
    2) Mars
    3) Jupiter
    4) Neptune
    5) Venus
    Answer- 1) Saturn
    Explanation:
    Titan is the moon (natural satellite) of Saturn planet.
    According to a 2018 report by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Saturn
    would probably lose its rings completely in the next 300 million years, or even sooner than that.

• In 2025, however, Saturn’s rings will seemingly disappear from view. It isn’t as if the planet
  will lose them forever. The rings will just be invisible from Earth and will reappear soon
  thereafter. The reason for this temporary disappearance has to do with Saturn’s tilt and an
  optical illusion.
• Saturn takes 29.5 years to complete an orbit around the Sun and every 13 to 15 years, the edge
  of its rings aligns directly with Earth. As the rings are very thin — in most places, just tens of
  metres thick — at this position, “they reflect very little light, and are very difficult to see,
  making them essentially invisible,

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63. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Electoral Trusts Scheme
    2013?
    A) Electoral Trust is a Trust set up by companies with the sole objective to distribute the
    contributions received by it from other Companies and individuals to the political parties.
    B) Only the companies registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 are eligible to
    make an application for approval as an Electoral Trust.
    C) The electoral trusts have to apply for renewal every 5 financial years.
    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
    Answer- 2) Only A & B
    Explanation:
    Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013 was notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). An
    Electoral Trust is a Trust set up by companies with the sole objective to distribute the contributions
    received by it from other Companies and individuals to the political parties.
    i.Only the companies registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 are eligible to make an
    application for approval as an Electoral Trust. The electoral trusts have to apply for renewal every
    three financial years.
    ii. The provisions related to the electoral trust are under Income-tax Act, 1961 and Income tax rules1962.
    iii. Contributions to Electoral Trusts- They may receive contributions from:

• An individual who is a citizen of India
• A company registered in India
• A firm or Hindu undivided family or an Association of persons or a body of individuals, resident
  in India.
  iv. They shall not accept contributions from
• An individual who is not a citizen of India or from any foreign entity whether incorporated or
  not and
• Any other electoral trust registered under the scheme.

63. On November 5, 2023, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked
    measures under Stage 4 of the GRAP after the Nation Capital Region’s Air Quality Index (AQI)
    deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category.
    In GRAP, what does ‘A’ stand for?
    1) Air
    2) Action
    3) Access
    4) Accurate
    5) Atmosphere
    Answer- 2) Action
    Explanation:
    With the Nation Capital Region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorating to the ‘severe’ category, the
    Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating
    Report Errors in the PDF – ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2023 @ AffairsCloud.com 85
    strategies to combat pollution in the region, on November 5, 2023 invoked measures under Stage 4 of
    the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.

• GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality
  once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
• Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017, the plan was formulated after
  several meetings that the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA)
  held with state government representatives and experts.
• The result was a plan that institutionalised measures to be taken when air quality deteriorates.
  GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’
  measures listed under both sections have to be followed.

63. The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) is a scheme set up by the Government of India
    (GoI) for providing Mudra Loans up to Rs. __ for non-farm income-generating activities.
    1) 10 lakhs
    2) 6 lakhs
    3) 15 lakhs
    4) 5 lakhs
    5) 20 lakhs
    Answer- 1) 10 lakhs
    Explanation:
    Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) is a flagship scheme of the Government of India to extend
    affordable credit to micro and small enterprises. Mudra schemes are designed to bring enterprises
    into the formal financial system or to “fund the unfunded”.

• It enables a small borrower to borrow from all Public Sector Banks such as PSU Banks,
  Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Micro
  Finance Institutions (MFI), and Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFC) for loans upto Rs 10
  lakhs for non-farm income-generating activities.
• Any Indian citizen who has a business plan for a non-farm sector income generating activity
  such as manufacturing, processing, trading, or the service sector and whose credit need is less
  than Rs 10 lakh can approach either a bank, MFI, or NBFC for availing of Micro Units
  Development & Refinance Agency Ltd. (MUDRA) loans under PMMY.
• Types of loans provided: Under the aegis of PMMY, MUDRA has already created the following
  products
• Shishu: covering loans upto 50,000/-
• Kisho: covering loans above 50,000/- and upto 5 lakh
• Tarun: covering loans above 5 lakh and upto 10 lakh
• There is no subsidy for the loan given under PMMY.

63. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries operate as an
    organization that seeks to further economic cooperation amongst member nations and
    increase their economic and political standing in the world.
    The term was initially created as BRIC (without South Africa) by Goldman Sachs economist
    __ in 2001.
    1) Cliff Asness
    2) Joseph Briggs
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    3) Supriya Kumar
    4) Guy Adami
    5) Jim O’Neill
    Answer- 5) Jim O’Neill
    Explanation:
    BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term was initially created
    as BRIC (without South Africa) by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001.

• The BRICS countries operate as an organization that seeks to further economic cooperation
  amongst member nations and increase their economic and political standing in the world.

63. Name India’s first ‘Vertical Lift Railway Bridge’ that connects Rameswaram Island with the
    mainland of Tamil Nadu.
    1) Pamban railway bridge
    2) Anji Khad Bridge
    3) Silver Jubilee Railway
    4) Vembanad Rail Bridge
    5) Godavari Bridge
    Answer- 1) Pamban railway bridge
    Explanation:
    New Pamban Bridge is India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge. It connects Rameswaram on
    Pamban Island to Mandapam on the mainland in Tamil Nadu.

• The total length of the bridge is 2.078 km. It will have 99 spans with 18.3-meter-long girders.
  The navigational span will be 63 meters. It will replace the iconic Pamban Bridge, India’s first
  sea bridge, which opened in 1914.
• The new bridge is being built parallel to the old Pamban Bridge by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.

63. In which state Tadoba Tiger Reserve is located?
    1) Tripura
    2) Mizoram
    3) Madhya Pradesh
    4) Uttarakhand
    5) Maharashtra
    Answer- 5) Maharashtra
    Explanation:
    About Maharashtra:
    Governor– Ramesh Bais
    Chief Minister – Eknath Shinde
    Tiger Reserves – Melghat Tiger Reserve, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Tadoba Tiger Reserve
64. In which state ‘Harike Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
    1) Punjab
    2) Haryana
    3) Gujarat
    4) Uttar Pradesh
    5) Madhya Pradesh
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    Answer- 1) Punjab
    Explanation:
    About Punjab:
    Governor– Banwarilal Purohit
    Chief Minister– Bhagwant Singh Mann
    Wildlife Sanctuary– Harike Wildlife Sanctuary, Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary
65. In which state Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary is located?
    1) Tamil Nadu
    2) Karnataka
    3) Mizoram
    4) West Bengal
    5) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer- 1) Tamil Nadu
    Explanation:
    Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary is situated in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district of Tamil
    Nadu. This is the largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory water birds in South India.
    i. In 2022, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary from Tamil Nadu, India was added to the Ramsar Sites.
66. In which state Vembanad lake is located?
    1) Karnataka
    2) Gujarat
    3) Odisha
    4) Kerala
    5) West Bengal
    Answer- 4) Kerala
    Explanation:
    Vembanad lake, the second largest Ramsar site in India (Kerala) after the Sunderbans in West
    Bengal, is shrinking and its unique biodiversity is under threat of ecological decay.
    i. Ramsar Site: In 2002, the lake was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as
    defined by the Ramsar Convention.
67. Who is the present (as of Nov ‘23) Chairman-cum-Managing Director of National Divyangjan
    Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC)?
    1) Naveen Shah
    2) Jawahar Kumar
    3) Ravideep Singh Chahar
    4) Vanjulavalli Sridhar
    5) Sivagnana Ganesan
    Answer- 1) Naveen Shah
    Explanation:
    About National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC):
    It is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the aegis of DEPwDS, MoSJE.
    Chairman-cum-Managing Director– Naveen Shah
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    Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
    Establishment– 1997
68. What is the currency of Luxembourg?
    1) Franc
    2) Riel
    3) Peso
    4) Taka
    5) Euro
    Answer- 5) Euro
    Explanation:
    About Luxembourg:
    Prime Minister– Luc Frieden (Head of Government)
    Capital– Luxembourg city
    Currency– Euro
69. Who is the present (as of Nov ‘23) Chairman of Council for Insurance Ombudsman (CIO)?
    1) Anil Kumar
    2) Vinod Kumar Verma
    3) R Doraiswamy
    4) Siddhartha Mohanty
    5) M. Jagannath
    Answer- 4) Siddhartha Mohanty
    Explanation:
    About Insurance Ombudsman:
    Insurance Ombudsman is a quasi-judicial grievance redressal machinery to redress complaints of
    insured persons against life and non- life insurance companies.
    The offices of the Insurance Ombudsman are under the administrative control of the Council for
    Insurance Ombudsman (CIO).
    Chairman of CIO– Siddhartha Mohanty
70. Who is the Director- General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?
    1) Ajay Gupta
    2) Kishore K. Basa
    3) Praveen Sharma
    4) Atish Mathur
    5) Jyanath Kumar
    Answer- 2) Kishore K. Basa
    Explanation:
    About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
    Director- General– Prof. Kishore K. Basa
    Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
    Established in– 1861

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76. In which state ‘Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar Sports Stadium’ is located?
    1) Gujarat
    2) Jharkhand
    3) Maharashtra
    4) Uttar Pradesh
    5) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer- 4) Uttar Pradesh
    Explanation:
    About Uttar Pradesh:
    Chief Minister– Yogi Adityanath
    Governor– Anandiben Patel
    Stadiums– Amitabh Bachchan Sports Stadium (Indoor) and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar Sports
    Stadium (Outdoor)
77. In which state ‘Bir Dosanjh Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
    1) Rajasthan
    2) Maharashtra
    3) Punjab
    4) Gujarat
    5) Jharkhand
    Answer- 3) Punjab
    Explanation:
    About Punjab:
    Chief Minister (CM)– Bhagwant Mann
    Governor– Banwarilal Purohit
    Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Bir Dosanjh WLS; Bir Bhadson WLS
    Zoological Parks – Bir Motibagh; Bir Talab; Neelon
78. In which state ‘Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
    1) Himachal Pradesh
    2) Uttarakhand
    3) Maharashtra
    4) Arunachal Pradesh
    5) Madhya Pradesh
    Answer- 5) Madhya Pradesh
    Explanation:
    About Madhya Pradesh:
    Chief Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan
    Governor– Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
    National Park– Kuno National Park; Ghughwa National fossils Park
    Wildlife Sanctuary– Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary; Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary
79. In which state ‘Tata Steel Zoological Park’ is located?
    1) Uttar Pradesh
    2) West Bengal
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    3) Odisha
    4) Jharkhand
    5) Rajasthan
    Answer- 4) Jharkhand
    Explanation:
    About Jharkhand:
    Chief Minister (CM) – Hemant Soren
    Governor – C.P. Radhakrishnan
    Wildlife Sanctuaries – Palamu Wildlife Sanctuary; Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary
    Zoological Park – Tata Steel Zoological Park; Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park
80. What is the capital of the United Republic of Tanzania?
    1) Khartoum
    2) Dodoma
    3) Kampala
    4) Lusaka
    5) Harare
    Answer- 2) Dodoma
    Explanation:
    About the United Republic of Tanzania:
    Prime Minister – Kassim Majaliwa
    Capital – Dodoma City
    Currency – Tanzanian Shilling (TSh)
81. The Kais Wildlife Sanctuary is located in __.
    1) Himachal Pradesh
    2) Gujarat
    3) Uttarakhand
    4) Madhya Pradesh
    5) Uttar Pradesh
    Answer- 1) Himachal Pradesh
    Explanation:
    About Himachal Pradesh (HP):
    Chief Minister (CM)– Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
    Governor– Shiv Pratap Shukla
    WildLife Sanctuary -Gamgul-Siyabehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kais Wildlife Sanctuary
    Festival– Halda, Phagli
82. In which state, ‘Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary’ is located?
    1) Andhra Pradesh
    2) Tamil Nadu
    3) Kerala
    4) Karnataka
    5) Telangana
    Answer- 2) Tamil Nadu
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    Explanation:
    About Tamil Nadu (TN):
    Chief Minister– Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
    Governor– Ravindra Narayana Ravi
    Wildlife Sanctuary– Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary, Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary,
    Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary
    Tiger Reserve– Mudumalai Tiger Reserve; Anamalai Tiger Reserve
83. In which year, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
    was established?
    1) 1920
    2) 1942
    3) 1930
    4) 1946
    5) 1952
    Answer- 1) 1920
    Explanation:
    About the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM):
    President- Ajay Singh
    Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
    Establishment- 1920
84. Who is the current (as of Nov ‘23) President of Asian Development Bank (ADB)?
    1) Masatsugu Asakawa
    2) Kristalina Georgieva
    3) Ilene Cohn
    4) David Robert Malpass
    5) Achim Steiner
    Answer- 1) Masatsugu Asakawa
    Explanation:
    About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
    President– Masatsugu Asakawa
    Headquarters– Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
    Establishment – 1966
    Members– 68 members (49 from Asian and the Pacific and 19 outside)
85. Where is the Headquarters of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
    located?
    1) London, United Kingdom
    2) Rome, Italy
    3) Geneva, Switzerland
    4) Madrid, Spain
    5) Paris, France
    Answer- 4) Madrid, Spain
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    Explanation:
    About United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO):
    Secretary-General– Zurab Pololikashvili
    Headquarters– Madrid, Spain
    Establishment– 1975
86. Who is the present (as of Nov ‘23) Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer
    (CEO) of ICRA Limited?
    1) Jayanta Chatterjee
    2) Ramnath Krishnan
    3) Amit Gupta
    4) Venkatesh Viswanathan
    5) Sushmita Ghatak
    Answer- 2) Ramnath Krishnan
    Explanation:
    About ICRA Limited (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India
    Limited):
    Managing Director & Group CEO of ICRA– Ramnath Krishnan
    Headquarters– Gurugram, Haryana
    Established in 1991
87. What is the tagline of South Indian Bank?
    1) Experience Next-Generation Banking
    2) Your Perfect Banking Partner
    3) We Understand Your World
    4) Serving To Empower
    5) Your Family Bank Across India
    Answer- 1) Experience Next-Generation Banking
    Explanation:
    About South Indian Bank:
    Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– P R Seshadri
    Tagline– Experience Next-Generation Banking
    Established in 1929
88. In which year, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is established?
    1) 1959
    2) 1946
    3) 1964
    4) 1952
    5) 1972
    Answer- 2) 1946
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    Explanation:
    About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
    Executive Director– Catherine Russell
    Headquarters– New York, USA
    Established on– 11 December 1946. (In 1953, UNICEF became a permanent part of the UN)
89. The Communal Harmony Campaign and FundRaising Week 2023 is being observed from
    __ 2023 by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH).
    1) 17th to 23rd November
    2) 20th to 26th November
    3) 19th to 25th November
    4) 21st to 27th November
    5) 18th to 24th November
    Answer- 3) 19th to 25th November
    Explanation:
    The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) observes Communal Harmony Campaign
    and FundRaising Week every year from 19th to 25th November and the last working day of this week
    is observed as the Flag Day.

• The Communal Harmony Campaign and FundRaising Week 2023 is being observed from 19th
  to 25th November 2023.
  i. The communal harmony campaign week has two main objectives:
• to raise donations for the physical & psychological support of the orphan or destitute children
  affected by violence; and
• to promote fraternity among the people, maintain peace & communal harmony and National
  integration

76. Which start-up company has recently (in Nov ‘23) named as the winner of the ‘Smarter
    Climate Farmers Challenge’ in November 2023?
    1) Dvara E-Registry
    2) AgVisi
    3) Agrigator
    4) AgroNxt Services
    5) Agri Fi
    Answer- 1) Dvara E-Registry
    Explanation:
    Dvara E-Registry has been adjudged as one of the winners of the ‘Smarter Climate Farmers
    Challenge’, organised by UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum.

• Dvara E-Registry is an ag-fintech start-up building a digital platform to improve access to
  agricultural services, both financial and advisory, for all stakeholders in the agri value chain
• The company’s digital platforms are paving the way for a new era of sustainable farming and
  financial inclusion for smallholder farmers across India.
• With its innovative digital platforms designed to bolster climate-smart farming, Dvara ERegistry now joins the ranks of UpLink’s venerated community of Top Innovators.
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76. In November 2023, Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME),
    Narayan Rane, inaugurated the “MSME PAVILION” at the __ India International Trade Fair
    (IITF) held in New Delhi, Delhi.
    1) 39th
    2) 42nd
    3) 37th
    4) 40th
    5) 38th
    Answer- 2) 42nd
    Explanation:
    Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Shri Narayan Rane, inaugurated the
    “MSME PAVILION” at the 42nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) in the presence of senior officers
    from the Ministry and its organizations.

• The MSME Pavilion has been organized in Hall No. 4 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi.
• This year’s MSME Pavilion at the 42nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) is based on the
  theme “PM Vishwakarma”, the flagship scheme of the Ministry of MSME launched on
  17.09.2023 by the Prime Minister of India.

76. Who authored the book, Kashmir: Book 3 of The Partition Trilogy in November 2023?
    1) Preeti Shenoy
    2) Anita Nair
    3) Manreet Sodhi Someshwar
    4) Samit Basu
    5) Krishna Udayasankar
    Answer- 3) Manreet Sodhi Someshwar
    Explanation:
    In November 2023, HarperCollins India presented Kashmir: Book 3 of The Partition Trilogy by
    Manreet Sodhi Someshwar.

• Manreet Sodhi Someshwar is a bestselling author of nine books, including the award-winning
  The Radiance of a Thousand Suns and the critically acclaimed The Long Walk Home.

76. In November 2023, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) launched a rating and
    certification initiative called ‘Nest’.
    Where is the Headquarters of IGBC located?
    1) Bengaluru, Karnataka
    2) Mumbai, Maharashtra
    3) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
    4) New Delhi, Delhi
    5) Hyderabad, Telangana
    Answer- 5) Hyderabad, Telangana
    Explanation:
    Recently, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) launched a rating and certification initiative called
    ‘Nest’.

• It is to promote sustainable and eco-friendly construction in the domestic housing sector. It
  would pave the way for individual house owners and the residential sector to adopt green
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  building features in a big way to help bring down electricity consumption and water usage and
  create a healthy living space.
• The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
  was formed in the year 2001. The vision of the council is, “To enable a sustainable built
  environment for all and facilitate India to be one of the global leaders in the sustainable built
  environment by 2025″.
• The Headquarters of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) is located in Hyderabad,
  Telangana.

76. In November 2023, Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sumedha in continuation with Indian Navy
    mission-based deployment to West Africa and Atlantic made a port call at Walvis Bay, Namibia.
    Which company designed and built the INS) Sumedha?
    1) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
    2) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
    3) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
    4) Goa Shipyard Limited
    5) Cochin Shipyard Limited
    Answer- 4) Goa Shipyard Limited
    Explanation:
    In a strategic move as part of the Indian Navy’s mission-based deployment to West Africa and the
    Atlantic, INS Sumedha conducted a port call at Walvis Bay.
    About Walvis Bay:

• It is strategically located halfway down the coast of Namibia, with direct access to principal
  shipping routes. This strategic location has made it the gateway port for trade between
  landlocked African countries and the rest of the world.
• It is lying along the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Walvis Bay lies on the edge of the Namib Desert
  at the mouth of the intermittently flowing Kuiseb River.
  INS Sumedha:
• It is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPV).
  It was indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
• It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on March 7, 2014. It is part of the Indian Navy’s
  Eastern Fleet, based in Visakhapatnam.

76. Which country’s cleantech startup She-Guard won the ‘ClimateLaunchpad Asia-Pacific’
    competition in November 2023?
    1) Nepal
    2) Pakistan
    3) India
    4) Bangladesh
    5) Bhutan
    Answer- 2) Pakistan
    Explanation:
    Pakistan-based cleantech startup She-Guard won the ‘ClimateLaunchpad Asia-Pacific’
    competition, showcasing their innovative biodegradable and plastic-free sanitary product.
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• The startup’s mission is to transform banana crop waste into affordable, eco-friendly sanitary
  napkins, addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, public health and solid
  waste management in Pakistan.
• She-Guard faced stiff competition from 172 other teams from six countries in the Asia-Pacific in
  the finals.
• The event hosted by national partner Centre4 Creativity & Sustainability, and funded by the
  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland (Irish Aid), served as a platform for climate
  innovators to present their solutions.

76. Ben Gurion Canal Project will connect the Mediterranean Sea with the _ (Gulf),
    bypassing the Suez Canal.
    1) Gulf of Aqaba
    2) Gulf of Honduras
    3) Gulf of Aden
    4) Gulf of Bothnia
    5) Gulf of Guinea
    Answer- 1) Gulf of Aqaba
    Explanation:
    Recently, there has been renewed interest in the Ben Gurion Canal Project, a proposed 160-mile-long
    sea-level canal that would connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Aqaba, bypassing the Suez
    Canal.

• Originating in the 1960s, the Ben Gurion Canal Project was conceptualized as a transformative
  infrastructure initiative. Named after Israel’s founding father, David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973),
  reflecting its historical significance.
• The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway that opened in 1869 running north to south across
  the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt, that connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, allowing a
  shorter route for shipping between Europe and Asia. The canal separates the African continent
  from Asia.
• The Suez Canal is a vital trade route that accounts for approximately 12% of global trade
  passes through the Suez Canal, representing 30% of all global container traffic, and over USD 1
  trillion worth of goods per annum.

76. Tanzanian __ is the Currency of Tanzania.
    1) Koruna
    2) Sterling
    3) Krone
    4) Shilling
    5) Lats
    Answer- 4) Shilling
    Explanation:
    About Tanzania:
    Prime Minister – Kassim Majaliwa
    Capital – Dodoma
    Currency – Tanzanian Shilling (TSh)
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77. In which state ‘Saman Bird Sanctuary’ is located?
    1) West Bengal
    2) Uttar Pradesh
    3) Andhra Pradesh
    4) Kerala
    5) Odisha
    Answer- 2) Uttar Pradesh
    Explanation:
    The Saman Bird Sanctuary in the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh is a seasonal oxbow lake on
    the Ganges floodplain. It is heavily reliant on the arrival of the south-westerly monsoon in July and
    August, which provides the vast majority of annual rainfall.
78. In which state, ‘Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary’ is located?
    1) Maharashtra
    2) Arunachal Pradesh
    3) Uttarakhand
    4) Karnataka
    5) Assam
    Answer- 4) Karnataka
    Explanation:
    Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Khanapur taluk, Karnataka-Goa border in Belagavi
    district, and is spread over an area of around 190 sq km.
    i. This sanctuary is known for the Barapede caves, the only known breeding area of the Wroughton’s
    Free-tailed Bat, a threatened species on the verge of extinction.