This is the current affairs of 9 & 10 July 2023. Here are 11 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. Due to which natural phenomenon during the monsoon in North India, the record of heavy rains was broken in July 2023?
a. Western Disturbance
b. Cyclone Biperjoy
c. Earthquake
d. None of These
Answer: a. Western Disturbance
– According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), intense rainfall is occurring in northwestern India due to the interaction between western disturbances and monsoon winds.
– As a result, there has been heavy rainfall in most states of northern India, including Delhi.
– Delhi has broken a 41-year record of rainfall.
– The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has crossed the danger mark.
– Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan are facing the havoc of heavy rainfall.
– Several bridges have collapsed in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
What is a western disturbance?
– It is a type of warm-season storm that originates from the Mediterranean Sea region.
– It causes dust storms and cyclones in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent.
– It brings moisture from the upper layers of the atmosphere from the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caspian Sea, resulting in sudden rainfall and snowfall in northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
– Under the influence of the rising storm or jet stream, favorable conditions for cyclogenesis start to develop in the atmosphere.
– It aids in the formation of an extratropical depression.
– It gradually moves into the Indian subcontinent from the Middle East through Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
– In fact, a western disturbance is a non-monsoonal precipitation.
– It is driven by westerly winds.
– Since it comes from the west, it is called a western disturbance.
– Its greater impact is felt during our winters (January-February) here.
– However, in July 2023, it unleashed the havoc of rainfall when combined with the monsoon.
– According to the report ‘Statement on the Climate of India During 2022’ by the India Meteorological Department (IMD):
– Heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides were the second leading cause of death in the year 2022.
India Meteorological Department (IMD):
Headquarters: New Delhi
Established: 1875
Director General: Dr. Mritunjay Mahapatra
—————-
2. Who became the Prime Minister of Greece for the second time?
a. Katerina Sakellaropoulou
b. Constantino Tasoulas
c. Kyriakos Mitsotakis
d. Prokopis Pavlopoulos
Answer: c. Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Greece:
– Capital: Athens
– President: Katerina Sakellaropoulou
– Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis
– Currency: Euro
– Neighboring countries: Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania
– Following a resounding victory in the elections, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of the New Democracy Party, was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Greece for his second term on June 26, 2023.
– He had previously become the Prime Minister in 2019.
– Similar to India, the Prime Minister in Greece holds significant powers.
– The role of the President there is similar to that of the President of India.
—————
3. Who has been appointed as the chairman of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)?
a. Justice AP Sahi
b. Justice Deepak Kumar Mishra
c. Justice Ramesh Sinha
d. Justice Ajay Agarwal
Answer: a. Justice AP Sahi
– Former Chief Justices Justice AP Shah has been given this new responsibility for four years in both Patna and Madras High Court.
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC):
– It is a quasi-judicial commission established in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– The chairman of the commission can be a judge of the Supreme Court or a retired judge or the Chief Justice or retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
—————
4. Who has been appointed by the central government as the acting chairman of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in July 2023?
a. Justice Vipul Mukherjee
b. Justice AK Goel
c. Justice DY Chandrachud
d. Justice Sheo Kumar Singh
Answer: d. Justice Sheo Kumar Singh
– The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh as the Acting Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
– His appointment has been made in place of former Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (A.K. Goel).
– He has previously served as a judge of the Allahabad High Court.
National Green Tribunal (NGT):
– It is a specialized judicial body established under the NGT Act, 2010.
– Established on October 18, 2010.
– It is a specialized court that handles environmental disputes and provides effective and expeditious resolution of cases related to environmental protection and conservation.
– It draws inspiration from Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which assures Indian citizens a healthy environment.
– Its decisions can be challenged in the Supreme Court within 90 days.
– Headquarters: New Delhi.
Objectives of NGT:
1. Effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to the protection and conservation of the environment, forests, and other natural resources.
2. Providing relief and compensation to individuals and properties affected by any environmental damage.
3. Handling various environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
—————
5. India has joined the Champion Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG), at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General, on which issue?
a. Food Security
b. Energy Crisis
c. Financial Crisis
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (interrelated crises in food security, energy and finance)
Sanjay Verma appointed as the Sherpa for GCRG
– Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the Sherpa for the Champions Group of GCRG.
About Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG):
– GCRG was established by the United Nations Secretary-General in March 2022.
– Objective: It is a 32-member group that ensures high-level political leadership in addressing the challenges of food security, energy, and financing and ongoing crises.
– It is overseen by the Champions Group, which includes representatives from Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.
– The Champions Group of GCRG is led by the Steering Committee of the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General.
—————–
6. China has tightened the export of which two metals, due to which concern is being raised about semiconductor manufacturing all over the world?
a. Gallium and Germanium
b. Iron and Aluminum
c. Gold and Silver
d. Lithium and Iron
Answer: a. Gallium and Germanium
– These are the primary components used in the production of metals and semiconductors. Without them, it is not possible to manufacture computer chips, mobile phones, cars, defense systems, and other devices.
– China produces 80% of the world’s gallium and 60% of the world’s germanium.
– As a result, there has been growing concern in India and most countries around the world.
Result of Trade War between the US and China:
– The result of the trade war between the US and China is that China has imposed restrictions on the export of these two metals.
– China took this step when the US attempted to control China’s grasp on advanced microprocessors.
– China’s Ministry of Commerce has stated that from August 1, 2023, a special license will be required to import gallium and germanium.
– The importers and final users of these metals will need to be identified.
– It will be necessary to disclose how these metals will be used.
– In recent years, the trade war between the US and China has intensified.
Why is gallium necessary and what is its use?
– Gallium is a soft metal similar to silver.
– It has a low melting point. It is used in computers, mobile phones, cars, defense systems, microwave amplifiers, solar cells, and LEDs.
– It is also used in power electronics, radio frequency amplifiers, and LED lighting.
Why is germanium necessary?
– It is also essential for thermal imaging cameras and night vision devices.
– It is used in the transmission of infrared light and in fiber optic communication systems.
– Germanium is used as a dopant in optical fibers.
– China exported 94 metric tons of gallium in the year 2022.
What will be the impact on India?
– China is imposing strict measures on these two metals at a time when India is striving to become self-reliant in the field of semiconductors.
– The India Semiconductor Mission was launched in 2021.
– An incentive of INR 80,000 crore was announced for domestic and foreign companies.
– Due to the lack of primary sources, India is dependent on imports of both metals.
– An important deal regarding semiconductor production was made between India and the United States in June 2023.
– American chip company, Micro Technology, is planning to establish a plant in Gujarat in August.
– The estimated semiconductor consumption in India is expected to exceed INR 9 lakh crore by 2030.
– The central government created a list of 33 metals for the country’s progress, including 17 metals in the rare category, including gallium and germanium.
– The scarcity of these materials can directly impact the availability of these raw materials, which can have a direct effect.
Countries involved in semiconductor manufacturing:
1. Taiwan
2. South Korea
3. Japan
4. America
5. China
—————-
7. Who is the winner of AIFF (All India Football Federation) Men’s Footballer of the Year 2022-23 Award?
a. Sunil Chhetri
b. Lallianzuala Chhangte
c. Nandkumar Sekar
d. Naorem Mahesh Singh
Answer: b. Lallianzuala Chhangte
– They are midfielders in football. They were awarded this prize on July 4, 2023.
– They are residents of Mizoram.
– After Jeje Lalpekhlua (2016), Lallianzuala Chhangte became the second player from Mizoram to win the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year award.
—————
8. Who was awarded the AIFF Women’s Player of the Year 2022-23?
a. Dalima Chhibber
b. Ngangbam Sweety Devi
c. Manisha Kalyan
d. Silvera
Answer: c. Manisha Kalyan
– After Bala Devi (three times) and Bembem Devi (two times), Manisha Kalyan has become the third Indian female footballer to win the personal award multiple times.
– Manisha Kalyan also won the AIFF Emerging Women’s Footballer of the Year award in the 2020-21 season.
Other AIFF Awards:
– AIFF Emerging Player of the Year 2022-23: Akash Mishra
– AIFF Women’s Emerging Player of the Year 2022-23: Shilji Shaji
– AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year 2022-23: Clifford Miranda
– AIFF Women’s Coach of the Year 2022-23: Priya PV
—————
9. When is National Fish Farmers’ Day celebrated?
a. 7 July
b. 8 July
c. 9 July
d. 10 July
Answer: d. 10 July
– With the support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), the Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy celebrate this day every year.
– This day is observed in memory of the scientists Dr. K.H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury.
– They invented the induced breeding technique for Indian major carps on July 10, 1957.
—————
10. HAL signed an agreement with which American company to manufacture engines for fighter jets?
a. GE Aerospace
b. Pratt & Whitney
c. Rolls-Royce
d. Engine Alliance
Answer: a. GE Aerospace (General Electric Aerospace)
– HAL has signed an agreement with the American company GE Aerospace in June 2023 to manufacture engines for the Indian Air Force’s fighter jets.
– This agreement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States.
– Following this agreement, GE Aerospace and HAL will collaborate to develop jet engines for the Indian Air Force.
– In fact, Russia, Britain, the United States, and France are the countries that possess expertise in manufacturing specialized engines for combat aircraft.
Which engine will be manufactured in India?
– The GE-F414 engine will be manufactured in India.
– It is a military aircraft engine.
– It has been in use in the United States for 30 years.
– The GE-F414 engine is special because it incorporates a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system.
– It also features the latest aircraft ignition system, making it a powerful engine that outperforms others.
– These engines will be installed in India’s light combat aircraft (LCA) and Tejas.
HAL:
– HAL is an Indian manufacturer of combat aircraft and helicopters.
– It was established on December 22, 1940, as Hindustan Aircraft under the name Hindustan Aeronautics.
– Later, it was renamed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1964.
—————-
11. Name the author of the book ‘Colors of Devotion’?
a. Manisha Kumar
b. Anita Bharat Shah
c. Nirmala Sitharaman
d. Jaya Shah
Answer: b. Anita Bharat Shah
– This book discusses the Indian philosophical concepts of the Pushti Marg of the Vallabha sect. It mentions mythological paintings and textiles.
