This is the current affairs of 9 to 11 December 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. The Supreme Court upheld the decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution, when did the President remove this article?
a. 5 August 2018
b. 5 August 2019
c. 5 August 2020
d. 5 August 2021
Answer: b. 5 August 2019
– On August 5, 2019, the Central Government removed Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir through a decision by the President.
– Against this, 23 petitions were filed in the Supreme Court.
– In March 2020, the Supreme Court constituted a Constitution Bench of 5 Judges.
– On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court delivered the verdict.
– The Constitution Bench of the Court stated, “We consider the President’s order issued to abrogate Article 370 valid. We also uphold the validity of the decision to make Ladakh a Union Territory.”
– This means the Central Government’s decision to revoke Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir will remain valid.
– Additionally, the Supreme Court ordered the conduct of Assembly elections in the state by September 30, 2024.
Referring to what, did the Supreme Court make the decision?
– “Article 370 was a temporary provision. It is clear from Article 1 and 370 of the Constitution that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. All provisions of the Indian Constitution can be applied there.”
Understand the Supreme Court’s decision in 6 points:
1. On the Status of Article 370: The Supreme Court recognized that Article 370 of the Constitution was temporary. It existed due to the circumstances arising from the war in Jammu and Kashmir. The President still has the power to revoke it.
2. On the Government’s Decision to Revoke Article 370: The Court considers the President’s order to abrogate Article 370 valid. It also upholds the validity of the decision to make Ladakh a Union Territory. Challenges to decisions made by the Central government cannot be brought to court without specific grounds, as doing so may lead to lawlessness.
3. On the UT Status of Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir do not have any internal sovereignty separate from other states in the country. All provisions of the Indian Constitution can be applied to Jammu and Kashmir. The statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be reinstated soon.
4. On the President’s Order: The constitutional order issued by the President to revoke Article 370 is considered valid by the Supreme Court. The recommendation of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly was not binding on the President of India.
5. On the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly: The intention of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly was never to become a permanent body. When the existence of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly ended, the special conditions for the application of Article 370 also ceased.
6. On Elections in Jammu and Kashmir: The Election Commission is directed to conduct elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly by September 30, 2024.
What issues were debated in the Supreme Court
– Is abolition of Article 370 constitutional or unconstitutional?
– Constitution
– Power of Parliament and State
– President’s order
– Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019
– Special state status
History of Jammu and Kashmir receiving special status:
– India gained independence on August 15, 1947.
– However, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir did not accede his state to India.
– On October 24, 1947, tribal militias from Pakistan attacked Kashmir. Maharaja Hari Singh sought help from India.
– Subsequently, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India. The Indian army then began pushing back the tribal militias.
– By December 31, 1948, when the conflict ended, approximately two-thirds of Jammu and Kashmir was with India, and about one-third was with Pakistan.
– On October 17, 1949, through the immediate orders of the President, Article 370 was included in the Indian Constitution, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
– In 1951, the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was formed. Its task was to draft the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and decide whether the laws passed by the Indian Parliament would apply to the state.
– On May 14, 1954, Article 35A was added to the Constitution, defining the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. This responsibility was entrusted to the state’s legislative assembly.
– In 1957, the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir came into effect, and thereafter, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved.
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2. Which commission did the Supreme Court direct to establish to investigate human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir?
a. Truth and Non-Violence Commission
b. Kashmir Human Rights Investigation Commission
c. Truth and Reconciliation Commission
d. None of these
Answer: c. Truth and Reconciliation Commission
– The Supreme Court has directed the establishment of a ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ to investigate human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
– Since the 1980s, the Supreme Court has ordered the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
– In a unanimous decision, Justice S. K. Kaul directed the establishment of a commission for the investigation of human rights violations by both state and non-state actors (government machinery and separatists) in his concurring judgment.
– Justice Kaul stated that it is up to the government to decide how the commission should be constituted. He also cautioned that the commission should not become a ‘criminal court’ but should provide a platform for dialogue instead.
– Such commissions have been established in many countries in Latin America and Africa, aiming to investigate human rights abuses and restore peace between communities after internal armed conflicts. India’s neighboring countries, Sri Lanka and Nepal, have also established Truth Commissions in the past.
– These commissions prioritize gathering information and evidence from both victims and perpetrators of violence, rather than focusing on prosecution and punishment for crimes.
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3. Where did India rank in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024?
a. Six
b. Seven
c. Eight
d. Nine
Answer: b. Seven
who issued the report
– Germanwatch, New Climate Institute and Climate Action Network released this report on 8 December 2023.
what is this index
– The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is a method that measures the climate protection performance of countries.
This index is prepared on the steps taken to stop the spread of pollution and its results.
Evaluation of Climate Protection Performance
– The evaluation of climate protection performance is done in four categories:
1- Greenhouse Gas Emissions (40% of the total score),
2- Renewable Energy (20%)
3- Energy Use (20%)
4- Climate Policy (20%)
On the Path to Fulfilling Emission Targets in India
– India, being one of the most populous countries globally, has relatively low emissions per capita.
– According to The Indian Express, India is performing well below the benchmark of two degrees Celsius. It is on track to meet its emission targets by 2030.
– Although there is a slight positive trend in the share of renewable energy, this trend is progressing at a very slow pace.
Basis of Ranking
– How well a country has worked to reduce its emissions by the year 2030.
– The steps a country has taken to mitigate dangerous climate change.
– The contribution a country has made to preventing temperature changes.
Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024
– The first three positions are left vacant in this report.
– Since no country performed exceptionally well in all categories of the index, the first three positions are not assigned.
Top Countries in the Ranking
1 to 3: None
4. Denmark
5. Estonia
6. Philippines
7. India
8. Netherlands
9. Morocco
10. Sweden
Ranking of Some Important Countries
20. United Kingdom
26. Finland
30. Pakistan
51. China
57. United States
58. Japan
61. Kazakhstan
65. UAE
66. Iran
67. Saudi Arabia
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4. RBI has increased the UPI payment limit for healthcare and education from Rs 1 lakh to how much?
a. lakh rupees
b. lakh rupees
c. lakh rupees
d. lakh rupees
Answer: b. 5 lakh rupees (earlier it was Rs 1 lakh)
– RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das took this decision on 8 December 2023.
Why was this decision made?
– The decision was made due to the increasing transactions through UPI.
– This will promote the use of UPI.
– People will be able to easily pay hospital and school/college fees through UPI.
What else did RBI increase the limit for?
– In addition to credit card and insurance premium payments, the limit for recurring e-payment mandates for mutual fund investments has been increased from the current 15,000 to 1 lakh rupees.
What is UPI (Unified Payments Interface)?
– It is an instant real-time payment system.
– It is a concept that allows the transfer of funds through a mobile application, linking several bank accounts. It was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
– It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and the Indian Banks’ Association.
– Funds can be transferred very quickly through UPI.
RBI (Reserve Bank of India)
– Governor: Shaktikanta Das
– Established: April 1, 1935
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5. When is Human Rights Day celebrated?
a. 7 December
b. 8 December
c. 9 December
d. 10 December
Answer: d. 10 December
Theme 2023 – Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All
– This day was celebrated for the first time in the year 1948.
– This was announced by the United Nations General Assembly.
– Its objective is to make people aware of their rights.
– National Human Rights Commission was formed in India in the year 1993.
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6. For how long did the Central Government ban the export of onion, which was opposed by the farmers of Maharashtra?
a. 25 January, 2024
b. 31 March, 2024
c. 30 June, 2024
d. 31 July, 2024
Answer: b. 31 March, 2024
– To control the rising local prices of onions, the central government has imposed a ban on the export of onions until March 31, 2024.
– The central government made this decision on December 7, 2023.
– Balasaheb Khirsagar, the Chairman of the Lasalgaon APMC (Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee), criticized this decision and stated that it is unfavorable for farmers.
– Note: The central government had imposed a 40% duty (export tax) on onion exports in August 2023.
Protests by Farmers After the Ban
– After the announcement of the ban, farmers in the Nashik district of Maharashtra took to the streets.
– They blocked the Mumbai-Agra National Highway at three locations and disrupted auctions.
Auction Halted in the Market
– Farmers have halted auctions in the largest wholesale onion markets in Asia, including Lasalgaon, Chandwad, Nandgaon, Dindori, Yeola, Umrane, and other places in Nashik.
– Due to the absence of any auction in the Lasalgaon APMC (Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee), more than 600 vehicles loaded with onions were redirected to Vinchur.
– Where wholesale prices ranged from ₹1,500 to ₹3,300 per quintal.
– Note: Currently, onion prices range from ₹1,000 to ₹1,200 per quintal, although in some places, onions are being sold for ₹3,000 per quintal.
Maharashtra
– Capital: Mumbai
– Governor: Ramesh Bais
– Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
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7. Which popular TV show’s fame actor Dinesh Phadnis (Fredericks) passed away on 5 December 2023?
a. Taarak mehta ka ulta chashma
b. The Kapil Sharma Show
c. CID
d. Anupama
Answer: c. CID
– He portrayed the role of Inspector Fredericks, also known as Freddy, in the TV show CID.
– Most viewers of the TV show would recognize him as ‘Fredericks.’
– He was 57 years old.
– He had liver-related issues, and its impact extended to other organs.
About Dinesh Phadnis (Fredericks):
– He was born on November 2, 1966, in Mumbai.
He was an Indian television actor.
– He played the character of Inspector Fredericks in the long-running Indian TV show CID.
– In addition to CID, he also acted in films like Sarfarosh, Mela, and Super 30.
About CID:
– CID is an Indian procedural television series based on the police.
– The TV show ‘CID’ started in 1998 and ran until 2018.
– It premiered on January 21, 1998.
– The final episode was aired on October 27, 2018.
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8. Which country’s writer Tshering Tashi was honored with the Sahitya Akademi’s Premchand Fellowship?
a. Nepal
b. Bhutan
c. Bangladesh
d. Pakistan
Answer: b. Bhutan
– Tshering Tashi Bhutani is an author.
– She was honored with the Sahitya Akademi’s Premchand Fellowship on December 8, 2023.
Premchand Fellowship:
– The ‘Premchand Fellowship’ is named after the popular Hindi writer Munshi Premchand and was established by the Sahitya Akademi on his 125th birth anniversary in 2005.
– It is awarded by the National Academy of Letters in India.
– This honor is given to a distinguished individual involved in research on Indian literature, or it may be awarded to a creative personality in the field of culture and literature, particularly in the South Asian regional cooperation organization, other than India.
Tshering Tashi
– Tshering Tashi Bhutani is an author.
– She is acclaimed for her works in the field of creative non-fiction literature.
– Tshering Tashi Bhutani has authored several books on Bhutan.
– Additionally, she serves as the co-director of the Bhutan Echo Literary Festival.
On India-Bhutan Relations, Sharing Tashi’s Lecture:
– After being awarded the ‘Premchand Fellowship,’ she delivered a lecture on the subject of ‘Storytelling: The Repository of Culture,’ highlighting the deep cultural and historical ties between India and Bhutan, as well as the contribution of Bhutan to the spread of Buddhism.
Sahitya Akademi:
– Sahitya Akademi is an organization dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of literature and languages in India.
– Established: It was founded in the year 1954.
It operates as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
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9. Which great man’s wax statue has been unveiled at Jaipur Wax Museum in December 2023?
a. Mahatma Gandhi
b. Dr. BR Ambedkar
c. Bhagat Singh
d. Dr. Rajendra Prashad
Answer: b. Dr. BR Ambedkar
– On December 6, 2023 (Mahaparinirvan Diwas), the unveiling of a wax statue took place at Jaipur Wax Museum, Nahargarh Fort.
– Anup Shrivastav, the founder director of the museum, mentioned that the decision to create this statue was driven by the demand from tourists and visitors coming from different cities of India.
Regarding the personality with whom Ambedkar’s statue is placed:
– According to the founder of the museum, along with the wax figure of Baba Saheb, the statue of another great personality, Missile Man Dr. Abdul Kalam, has been placed on the set at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
– The height of the statue is 5 feet 11 inches.
– The weight is approximately 38 kilograms.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
– Birth: April 14, 1891
– Death: December 6, 1956
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10. Who inaugurated the Global Investors Summit 2023 in Uttarakhand?
a. President
b. Prime Minister
c. Home Minister
d. Finance Minister
Answer: b. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)
– The two-day summit was held on December 8 and 9, 2023 at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
– Its theme: “Peace to Prosperity”
What did PM Modi say (important points)
– Launched ‘Sashakt Uttarakhand’ book and brand-House of Himalayas.
– Uttarakhand is a state where we experience both divinity and development together.
– SWOT Analysis of India (will span the abundance of aspirations, hope, confidence, innovation and opportunities.)
– Start ‘Wed in India’ campaign on the lines of ‘Make in India’.
– House of Himalayas further strengthens our concept of Vocal for Local and Local for Global
– I resolve to create two crore Lakhpati Didis
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11. In which summit did Prime Minister Narendra Modi urge to start ‘Wed in India’ campaign like ‘Make in India’?
a. COP-28 Summit 2023
b. Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023
c. G-20 Summit 2023
d. BRICS Summit 2023
Answer: b. Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023
– A two-day summit was organized on December 8 and 9, 2023, at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
“Wed in India” means:
– Getting married in India.
– The trend of getting married in other countries has become fashionable among our wealthy individuals.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, Modi expressed astonishment at how all wealthy people in India adopt the trend of getting married abroad.
– PM Modi stated that in the next five years, at least one marriage should take place in his family in Uttarakhand.
– If even 5,000 marriages take place here, it will lead to significant infrastructure development.
– This will provide employment opportunities for many people.
What will be gained from the summit?
– This summit will provide assistance to viewers, private and public organizations in modern technology, innovation, and future trends, and will provide opportunities for showcasing.
Companies that announced investments:
– Adani Group: Invested 1400 crores in the grinding unit between Rishikesh and Dehradun.
– JSW: Invested 15,000 crores for two pump storage plants and initiated the Clean Kedarnath project.
– Patanjali Group: Will invest 10,000 crores and also pledged to provide employment to 10,000 people.
– ITC Group: Will spend 4000 crores for the ITC Paperboard business. (Already has 9 hotels in Uttarakhand)
– TVS Supply Chain: The company will increase investment in the state, creating more than 7,000 jobs.
Sectors for which investments have been received:
– According to The Hindu newspaper, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami mentioned that before this summit, agreements worth more than three lakh crores have been signed with various companies.
– However, out of these, an investment of 44 thousand crores was received on October 8 at the ‘Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit’.
– This investment is primarily for the EV (Electric Vehicle), real estate, healthcare, higher education, tourism, film, Ayush, and energy sectors.
Prominent celebrities/Industrialists who participated in the summit:
– Pranav Adani, Director and MD of the Adani Group
– Sajjan Jindal, CMD of JSW
– Sanjiv Puri, MD of ITC
– Yog Guru Baba Ramdev, Founder of Patanjali
– Gurmeet Singh, Governor of Uttarakhand,
– Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
– In addition to them, thousands of investors and representatives from business delegations, corporate leaders, educators, innovators, and government leadership from around the world participated.
Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023:
– A two-day Investors Summit that serves as a platform for business delegations, corporate leaders, educators, innovators, and government leadership from around the world.
– Through this platform, collective opportunities and partnerships in the state of Uttarakhand are explored.
Uttarakhand:
– Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
– Governor: Retired Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh
– Capitals: Dehradun (Winter) and Gairsain (Summer)
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12. When is International Mountain Day celebrated?
a. 10 December
b. 11 December
c. 12 December
d. 13 December
Answer: b. 11 December
– Theme 2023 – Restoring mountain ecosystems
– International Mountain Day is celebrated every year on 11 December.
– This day was announced by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2003.
– The objective of this day is to encourage sustainable development of mountains.
