CURRENT AFFAIRS: SEP 2023
CURRENT AFFAIRS
SEP 2023
1. _______, has been declared as ‘National Space Day’ in India?
[A] August 20
[B] August 23
[C] August 25
[D] August 27
Correct Answer: B [August 23]
Solution:
Union Cabinet has declared August 23 as ‘National Space Day’ to commemorate Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the Moon.
The Cabinet also applauded the designation of two moon locations as ‘Tiranga Point’ (the imprint of Chandrayaan-2) and ShivShakti Point (the landing site of Chandrayaan-3) in the release.
2. Muhammed Anas and Amoj Jacob are associated with which sports?
[A] Javelin Throw
[B] Weight lifting
[C] Relay
[D] Shotput
Correct Answer: C [Relay]
Solution:
Indian men’s 4x400m relay team consisting of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh broke the Asian record.
The team qualified for the final round of the World Championships, for the first time. The earlier Asian record of 2:59.51 was in the name of Japanese team. The earlier national record was 3:00.25 set in 2021.
3. Which state launched the ‘Gruha Lakshmi scheme’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Solution:
Karnataka government launches Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which aims to provide assistance of ₹2,000 every month to women head of families in the State.
The scheme was launched by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. This is said to be India’s largest money transfer scheme. Around 1.08 crore beneficiaries have been identified for the scheme.
4. How many Khelo India Centres will be established within a year by the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry?
[A] 100
[B] 500
[C] 1000
[D] 2000
Correct Answer: C [1000]
Solution:
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur announced that 1000 Khelo India Centres will be established within a year in the country.
It will not only provide employment opportunities to former athletes but also give budding sportspersons a chance to take guidance from the veterans. To commemorate the National Sports Day, over 3500 events were observed across the nation.
5. The ‘National Small Industry Day’ observed in India on _______?
[A] August 25
[B] August 30
[C] September 1
[D] September 3
Correct Answer: B [August 30]
Solution:
The Indian Government formally declared August 30 as the National Small Industry Day, a year after the Ministry of Small-Scale Industries announced a comprehensive policy package for small businesses.
The day recognises the contribution of small industries to the country’s growth and is an opportunity for the central and state governments to encourage and support small industries.
6. Which institution launched the ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Archaeological Survey of India
[C] Union Culture Ministry
[D] Union External Affairs Ministry
Correct Answer: B [Archaeological Survey of India]
Solution:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme under which corporates are invited to fund amenities at monuments from their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
The aim of “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme is to enhance the visitor experience at centrally protected monuments, improve amenities, and bolster the culture and heritage value of the country.
7. Avinash Sable is associated with which sports?
[A] Shooting
[B] Archery
[C] Steeplechase
[D] Tennis
Correct Answer: C [Steeplechase]
Solution:
In Athletics, India’s Avinash Sable qualified for his maiden Diamond League Final after finishing fifth in the men’s 3000m steeplechase race at the Xiamen Diamond League 2023 in China.
8. Nilachal Flyover is located in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Sikkim
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Solution:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the State’s longest flyover, named Nilachal Flyover after the Nilachal Hills near which it stands. It measures a total of 2.63 kilometres and starting from Maligaon Chariali to Kamakhya Gate in Guwahati.
9. What is the name of the blockchain-based project launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)?
[A] Falcon
[B] Grape
[C] Pay See
[D] Orange
Correct Answer: A [Falcon]
Solution:
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), announced the launch of Falcon blockchain-based project named ‘Falcon’.
Falcon is an open-source project that aims to simplify the management and use of blockchains based on ‘Hyperledger Fabric’ and supported on Kubernetes clusters. Essentially, Falcon is expected to help developers innovate on blockchain-based payment solutions.
10. United Nations Biodiversity has urged people to use ________ word, instead of ‘flora and fauna’?
[A] Funga
[B] Alga
[C] Wild
[D] Species
Correct Answer: A [Funga]
Solution:
United Nations Biodiversity has urged people globally to use the word ‘funga’ whenever they say ‘flora and fauna’, in order to highlight the importance of fungi.
Fungi, along with Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Protista, Archaea/Archaebacteria, and Bacteria or Eubacteria form the six ‘kingdoms’ of biology.
11. Utkela Airport has been inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Assam
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Solution:
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurated Utkela Airport and a direct flight between Utkela and Bhubaneshwar.
Utkela airport is owned by the Government of Odisha. It has been developed as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
12. Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been elected as President of which country in Sep 2023?
[A] Singapore
[B] Malaysia
[C] Maldives
[D] Mauritius
Correct Answer: A [Singapore]
Solution:
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is the president-elect of Singapore. He was born on February 25, 1957. He is a popular politician who has won several parliamentary elections. In 2023, he resigned from all government positions and the PAP to run for the Singaporean presidential election. He won the election with 70.4% of the votes.
Shanmugaratnam was previously the Senior Minister of Singapore from 2019 to 2023. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister for eight years. He studied at the London School of Economics, Cambridge University, and Harvard University.
13. Which city is the hosting ‘International Aerospace Conference’?
[A] Pune
[B] Gwalior
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Hyderabad
Correct Answer: B [Gwalior]
Solution:
‘International Aerospace Conference: Moving Towards Inclusive Global Value Chains’ was jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
It is a G20 initiative in the aerospace sector under G20 and B20 priority, focusing on developing inclusive global value chains for Global trade and Investment and aims to promote and strengthen trade and investment among the G20 countries.
14. ‘Advance Pricing Agreement (APA)’ programme is associated with which institution?
[A] CBDT
[B] CBIC
[C] NASSCOM
[D] GST Council
Correct Answer: A [CBDT]
Solution:
The Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) programme is an initiative for promoting an investor-friendly and non-adversarial tax regime in India.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has recently released the fourth and fifth annual APA reports. The reports present key data and statistics pertaining to the APA programme.
15. Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Jharkhand
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Solution:
In the Satkosia Tiger Reserve is situated in the Odisha, spanning across four districts: Angul, Cuttack, Boudh, and Nayagarh. The reserve covers a vast area of 1136.70 sq km, with 523.61 sq km designated as the core area. It’s also part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve and serves as the confluence of two significant bio-geographic regions in India: the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats.
16. Hero Kim Kun Ok, a type of defense equipment is launched from ________.
[A] Fighter Jet
[B] Submarine
[C] Tank
[D] Missile
Correct Answer: B [Submarine]
Solution:
“Hero Kim Kun Ok” is North Korea first operational tactical nuclear attack submarine and assigned it to patrol the waters between the Korean peninsula and Japan.
17. The Indian Army and Indian Air Force conducted a joint training exercise named ______________?
[A] Shravan
[B] Nabh Shakti
[C] Strike Shakti
[D] Brahmastra
Correct Answer: B [Nabh Shakti]
Solution:
The Indian Army’s elite Brahmastra Corps in the Northeastern states recently conducted a joint training exercise called ‘Nabh Shakti,’ with participation from both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
The Brahmastra Corps, also known as the 17 Mountain Strike Corps, has been established to carry out strike operations in enemy territory during conflicts in the eastern regions of India.
18. What does “I” stand in I-CRR stand for?
[A] Incidental
[B] Incremental
[C] Instrumental
[D] International
Correct Answer: B [Incremental]
Solution:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced the phased discontinuation of the Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR), which was introduced on August 10, 2023.
The I-CRR was implemented to absorb surplus liquidity caused by various factors, including the return of Rs 2,000 notes to the banking system. The RBI aims to release I-CRR funds gradually to avoid shocks to system liquidity and ensure orderly money market functioning.
19. Which place has become Florida’s first sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families?
[A] Lake Worth Beach
[B] Miami
[C] Orlando
[D] Destin
Correct Answer: A [Lake Worth Beach]
Solution:
The Lake Worth Beach, situated in southeastern Florida, has made history by becoming Florida’s first sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
The unanimous decision by Lake Worth Beach commissioners signifies a significant milestone in the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for inclusivity and acceptance. The decision aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ residents.
20. Which country/bloc has been recently admitted as the Permanent Member of G20?
[A] Mauritius
[B] African Union
[C] Maldives
[D] Egypt
Correct Answer: B [African Union]
Solution:
The African Union (AU) has been granted permanent membership in the G20 during the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi.
The AU, comprising 55 African member states, was established in 2002 to promote an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa driven by its citizens. It serves as a platform for addressing various social, economic, and political challenges in Africa while emphasizing unity and solidarity among African nations.
21. ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards’ are associated with which profession?
[A] Sports person
[B] Scientist
[C] Social Worker
[D] Politician
Correct Answer: B [Scientist]
Solution:
The prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards for 2022 were recently announced after a one-year delay. These awards, which recognize outstanding scientists under 45 years of age, were presented to 12 exceptional researchers in various fields of science.
The awards were announced during the launch of the ‘One Week One Lab’ program by CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research.
22. Ian Wilmut was associated with which profession?
[A] Scientist
[B] Sports person
[C] Politician
[D] Social Worker
Correct Answer: A [Scientist]
Solution:
Sir Ian Wilmut, renowned for leading the scientific team behind the creation of Dolly the sheep, the world’s first cloned mammal from an adult cell, has died at the age of 79.
Dolly was the first animal cloned from a cultured mammary cell, combining cells from two different sheep. This achievement sparked public debate on the ethics of cloning and its potential implications for humans. Prof Wilmut’s research continued in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, and he was knighted in 2008 for his contributions to science.
23. Which country has been effected by the increasing number of cases of West Nile virus?
[A] UK
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Solution:
Health authorities in several US states, including New York City, New Jersey, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas, are expressing increasing concerns over cases of West Nile virus.
In New York City, officials report a higher number of mosquito pools infected with the virus compared to the five-year average, with 16 human cases documented across the five boroughs. The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites and has no human vaccine.
27. Lampedusa is located in which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Ukraine
[C] Italy
[D] Finland
Correct Answer: C [Italy]
Solution:
The European Commission President vowed a 10-point EU action plan to help Italian island of Lampedusa, which includes using the EU’s external borders agency to identify migrants arriving and repatriate those not eligible for asylum.
Nearly 126,000 migrants have arrived in Italy just this year, which is almost double the figure by the same date in 2022.
27. India's Neeraj Chopra finished ___________ in the men's javelin throw event at the Diamond League 2023 Final in Eugene, Oregon.
[A] First
[B] Second
[C] Third
[D] Fourth
Correct Answer: B [Second]
Solution:
India’s Neeraj Chopra finished second in the men’s javelin throw event at the Diamond League 2023 Final in Eugene, Oregon, with a best effort of 83.80m.
Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a Diamond League Trophy last year. Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, the 2016 and 2017 Diamond League champion, won his third title with a best throw of 84.24m.
28. Which city hosted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in September 2023?
[A] New Delhi
[B] New York
[C] Paris
[D] Nairobi
Correct Answer: B [New York]
Solution:
Leaders from around the world gathered at the UN-hosted High-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in New York and endorsed a resolute political declaration.
This declaration outlines their shared commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive world by 2030. Leaders reiterated the importance of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and called for swift action to implement the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for an SDG stimulus.
29. The Women’s Reservation Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha, will reserve _____ percent of seats in Lok Sabkha and assemblies for women?
[A] 25 %
[B] 33 %
[C] 40 %
[D] 50 %
Correct Answer: B [33 %]
Solution:
The Women’s Reservation Bill was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha.
With this, the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, or the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will reserve one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies for women.
30. ‘National Broadcasting Policy’ is associated with which institution?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] NASSCOM
[C] TRAI
[D] Prasar Bharati
Correct Answer: C [TRAI]
Solution:
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) consulted stakeholders on ‘National Broadcasting Policy’.
As per TRAI, the Policy may provide a common approach for licenses, oversight, and compliances. The government is seeking to bring further parity in how digital and legacy mediums like television and OTT streaming are regulated.
31. Indian Navy recently organised its inaugural trilateral exercise with the navies of which countries?
[A] Indonesia and Australia
[B] Sri Lanka and Australia
[C] France and Australia
[D] USA and Canada
Correct Answer: A [Indonesia and Australia]
Solution:
The maiden India-Indonesia-Australia Trilateral Maritime Exercise was organized this year. Indian Navy’s indigenously built warship INS Sahyadri took part in this exercise.
The trilateral exercise provided an opportunity for the three maritime nations to strengthen their partnership and improve their collective capability to support a secure Indo-Pacific region.
32. I2U2 is a partnership of how many countries?
[A] 2
[B] 4
[C] 5
[D] 10
Correct Answer: B [4]
Solution:
I2U2 is a partnership between India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. with an aim to tackle global challenges and advance economic opportunities. The I2U2 Group recently launched its website at the sidelines of the UNGA.
The Group aims to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to achieve a variety of goals, including modernizing infrastructure, advancing low carbon development pathways, and improving public health.
33. Which state/UT has launched the e-UNNAT, a Service Delivery Portal?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Odisha
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Solution:
Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Odisha provide 100% of their services through their Unified Service Delivery Portals namely e-UNNAT (1028), e-Sevanam (911) and Odisha One (404), respectively.
34. ‘Bharat Drone Shakti exhibition 2023’ was organised in which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Assam
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Solution:
Bharat Drone Shakti exhibition 2023 was inaugurated recently by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Hindan Air Base in Uttar Pradesh.
It has been jointly organised by Indian Air Force (IAF) and Drone Federation of India (DFI). The formal induction of the first C-295 MW transport aircraft into the IAF was also organised.
35. Which Union Ministry is associated with which ‘GOBARdhan’ scheme?
[A] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Jal Shakti]
Solution:
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation of Ministry of Jal Shakti has introduced the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan to simplify the process of registering Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and biogas facilities across the country.
Currently, there are more than 1,163 biogas plants and 426 CBG plants registered on the portal, making them eligible for support through the Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme offered by the Department of Fertilizers.
36. Divyansh Panwar, Rudrankksh Patil, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar are associated with which sports?
[A] Boxing
[B] Wrestling
[C] Shooting
[D] Cricket
Correct Answer: C [Shooting]
Solution:
Team India’s shooting trio, consisting of Divyansh Panwar, Rudrankksh Patil, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, secured the gold medal in the men’s 10 m air rifle team shooting competition at the Asian Games in Hangzhou 2023.
37. ‘HS-748 Avro transport aircraft’ was a legacy aircraft used by which country?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Malaysia
Correct Answer: A [India]
Solution:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally began phasing out its legacy HS-748 Avro transport aircraft from service when the first C-295 MW transport aircraft was inducted into service in a formal ceremony at the Hindon Air Force Station. The first aircraft was inducted into the No. 11 Squadron, ‘The Rhinos’, based in Vadodara.
