This is the current affairs of 18 & 19 June 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In SIPRI’s Annual Report 2023, the number of nuclear weapons of India has been claimed to increase to how much?
a. 597
b. 225
c. 160
d. 164
Answer: d. 164
SIPRI : Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
– This organization releases data on weapons at the international level. Its figures are considered reliable worldwide.
– SIPRI Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Nuclear Weapons in India
– Year 2023: 164
– Year 2022: 160
– Year 2021: 156
– However, India has not deployed any nuclear weapons.
– This means that the number of nuclear weapons has increased, but they have not been deployed.
– India has a no-first-use policy regarding nuclear weapons. This means that we will not use them first.
Who is responsible for nuclear weapons in India?
– The responsibility for nuclear weapons lies with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
– It was established on January 4, 2003, by the Vajpayee government.
– It is a command of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
– The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), sometimes referred to as the Strategic Nuclear Command.
– It is part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
– It is responsible for the management and administration of the country’s non-strategic and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.
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2. According to SIPRI’s Annual Report 2023, which country has the maximum number of nuclear weapons in the world?
a. America
b. Russia
c. Britain
d. India
Answer: b. Russia
– A total of 9 countries possess nuclear weapons.
– There are currently 12,512 nuclear weapons in the world.
– Compared to the previous report, there has been an increase of 86 weapons.
World nuclear forces, January 2023
– Country: 2023: 2022
– Russia: 5889: 5977
– USA: 5244: 5428
– China: 410: 350
– France: 290: 290
– UK: 225: 225
– Pakistan: 170: 165
– India: 164: 160
– Israel: 90: 90
– North Korea: 30: 20
– Total: 12512: 12705
Which countries have deployed nuclear weapons?
– Country: 2023: 2022
– Russia: 1674: 1588
– USA: 1770: 1744
– France: 280: 280
– UK: 120: 120
Note: Russia has increased its deployment of nuclear weapons. However, it has reduced the overall number of nuclear weapons.
– According to the SIPRI report, by the end of the decade, China could have as many intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as the United States or Russia.
About Nuclear Weapons:
– Nuclear weapons, also known as nuclear weapons of mass destruction, are considered the most devastating weapons in the world. They utilize nuclear energy for causing destruction.
– Robert Oppenheimer of the United States is referred to as the “Father of the Nuclear Bomb.”
– The world’s first nuclear test took place on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico, USA.
– Nuclear weapons can be classified into two types: strategic and tactical.
– Strategic nuclear weapons are heavyweight weapons capable of causing destruction over long distances, such as from Moscow to Washington.
– On the other hand, tactical nuclear weapons are lightweight and cause destruction over shorter distances.
– Tactical nuclear weapons are used within a few kilometers’ radius of destruction.
– The use of nuclear bombs in warfare has only been carried out by the United States on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki).
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3. Russian President Putin has confirmed the deployment of nuclear weapons in which country and said that it is a warning to the western countries?
a. Mangolia
b. Moldova
c. Poland
d. Belarus
Answer: d. Belarus
– Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time on June 16 that they have deployed nuclear weapons in Belarus.
– Addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated that Russia would use these weapons only if its security is threatened.
– Putin made it clear that it is a warning to Western countries that they cannot impose strategic defeat on Russia.
– Warning NATO countries, Putin said, “Russia has more nuclear weapons than them, and they know it. That is why they repeatedly attempt to negotiate a nuclear agreement with us.”
– Putin clarified that the oversight of nuclear weapons in Belarus would be in the hands of Russian soldiers, and it does not violate any nuclear non-proliferation agreement.
Why is Russia deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus?
– Putin had stated that the reason for deploying Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus is to counter Britain’s arming of Ukraine with armor-piercing shells containing uranium.
– Putin argued that by keeping nuclear weapons in Belarus, Russia is doing the same thing that the United States has been doing for decades by keeping nuclear weapons in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
Belarus:
– Capital: Minsk
– President: Alexander Lukashenko
– Currency: Belarusian ruble
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4. In which countries the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into the Khalistan sympathizers attack on Indian diplomatic missions?
a. USA, Germany, France
b. USA, Canada, UK
c. China, Pakistan, Japan
d. Canada, UK, Sri Lanka
Answer: b. USA, Canada, UK
– The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took charge of investigating attacks by Khalistan supporters in Indian diplomatic missions (embassies, high commissions, and consulates) in the United States and Canada in June 2023.
– Prior to this, in March 2023, NIA was also assigned to investigate violent protests and vandalism attempts in the United Kingdom (London).
– According to the laws governing the NIA, the agency has the authority to investigate incidents anywhere in the world.
Attack on Consulate in the United States:
– In March 2023, a group of Khalistan supporters attacked the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States, causing damage.
– The attackers had placed two alleged Khalistani flags inside the consulate premises, which were removed by two consulate staff members promptly.
– Following the incident, India strongly protested against it to the United States.
Attack by Khalistan Supporters in Canada:
– Khalistani supporters are gaining momentum in Canada. As a result, Indian diplomatic missions have become targets of protests and attempts of vandalism by Khalistani supporters in Canada.
– In this matter, the Indian government also raised concerns with the High Commissioner of Canada and made them aware of their grave concerns.
Vandalism at the High Commission in London:
– On March 19, 2023, Khalistani supporters attacked the Indian High Commission in London. They brought down the Indian flag.
– Following the incident, India demanded an explanation from the Deputy High Commissioner in Delhi and stated that negligence in the security of Indian diplomatic missions is unacceptable.
– In this case, the Delhi Police registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The investigation has now been handed over to the NIA.
– The NIA released CCTV footage of the attack on June 12, 2023, and sought the public’s help in identifying the culprits.
NIA:
Established: 2009
Headquarters: New Delhi
Director-General: Dinakar Gupta
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5. The first water body census has been done in the country, how many water bodies have been found in it?
a. 20,20,100
b. 24,24,540
c. 25,24,450
d. 30,30,650
Answer: b. 24,24,540
– This is the first time that a census of water bodies has been conducted in the country.
– The term “jal nikay” refers to various water bodies such as ponds, lakes, tanks, check dams, water conservation projects, used for the storage of water for irrigation or other purposes (such as industrial, fish farming, domestic/drinking, recreational, religious, and land-related activities).
The following 7 were excluded from the count of water bodies:
(1) Oceans, lagoons
(2) Rivers, streams, waterfalls, canals
(3) Swimming pools
(4) Water tanks built for household use
(5) Water tanks for factories
(6) Temporary pits or tanks for mining, brick kilns, and construction activities
(7) Water tanks created solely for animal drinking purposes.
When was the water body census conducted?
– The water body census was conducted in the year 2018-19.
– However, its report was released in April-May 2023.
Which ministry conducted the water body census?
– The Ministry of Jal Shakti conducted the census.
– The central minister of this ministry is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Number of water bodies in urban and rural areas
– Out of a total of 24,24,540 water bodies, 97.1% are in rural areas.
– While urban areas have 2.9% of the water bodies.
– Among these, 78% of the water bodies are human-made.
Whereas 22% are natural.
How many water bodies are not in use?
– Out of these water bodies, 16.3% which is 3,94,500 are not in use.
– Some of them have dried up, some have accumulated silt, and some are damaged or not being used due to pollution and other reasons.
How many water bodies are affected by encroachment?
– There are 38,496 water bodies affected by encroachment.
– In terms of percentage, it is 1.6%.
– It includes the highest number of ponds and tanks.
– In Karnataka, 78% of water bodies, in Delhi 73%, and in Madhya Pradesh 55% of water bodies are not in use.
Distribution of water bodies by type:
– Ponds: 59.5%
– Tanks: 15.7%
– Reservoirs: 12.1%
– Check dams: 9.3%
– Lakes: 0.9%
– Others: 2.5%
Which state has the highest number of ponds and reservoirs?
– West Bengal has the highest number of ponds and reservoirs.
1. West Bengal: 30.8% (total number 7.5 lakhs)
2. Uttar Pradesh: 10.1% (total number 2.4 lakhs)
3. Andhra Pradesh: 7.9% (total number 1.9 lakhs)
4. Odisha: 7.5% (total number 1.8 lakhs)
5. Assam: 7.1% (total number 1.7 lakhs)
If we talk about the highest number of tanks, Andhra Pradesh leads in this regard.
– Tamil Nadu ranks highest in terms of lakes.
– Whereas Maharashtra has the highest number of water conservation schemes.
Number of private and government water bodies:
– In the census of these water bodies, it has also been revealed that 55.2% are private.
– Whereas 44.8% are government-owned.
– In Tripura, out of the total water bodies, 99% are privately owned and active.
– In West Bengal, 97% and in Assam, 81% of water bodies are under private ownership.
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6. Which Indian pair won the Indonesia Open 2023 Super 1000 title for the first time?
a. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
b. Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy
c. Chirag Shetty and HS Prannoy
d. Lakshya Sen and Satwiksairaj
Answer: a. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
– This event took place in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, on June 18, 2023.
– In the Indonesia Open 2023 mixed doubles tournament, this Indian pair showcased outstanding performance.
– In the final match, the Indian duo (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty) defeated the world champions from Malaysia (Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik) to claim the title of the World Tour Super 1000 series.
– This is the first time that Indians have won the title of the Indonesia Open Super 1000.
– This Indian pair is ranked sixth in the world badminton rankings.
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7. When is National Reading Day celebrated?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: c. 19 June
– The announcement of this day was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2017.
– This day is celebrated to honor the father of the library movement and renowned educator P. N. Panicker in Kerala.
– He passed away on June 19, 1995.
– In 1996, Kerala celebrated his death anniversary as Kerala Reading Day.
– In 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared June 19 as National Reading Day.
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8. When is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: c. 19 June
– The United Nations General Assembly had announced to celebrate this day on June 19, 2015.
– The day is observed to raise awareness about conflict-related sexual violence.
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9. When is International Picnic Day celebrated?
a. 19 June
b. 18 June
c. 17 June
d. 16 June
Answer: b. 18 June
– The meaning of a picnic is packing snacks from home and taking them to a place, sitting in a circle, enjoying delicious food, playing, taking photos, and spending some special time with friends and family.
– The word “picnic” is derived from the French language, which means having a meal or snack amidst nature.
– To promote such enjoyable occasions, International Picnic Day is celebrated every year on June 18th.
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10. When is International fathers day celebrated?
a. First sunday of june
b. Second sunday of june
c. Third sunday of june
d. Third sunday of june
Answer: c. Third Sunday of June (June 18 in the year 2023)
– Father’s Day was first celebrated in the USA in 1910.
– After that, it started being observed in many countries around the world.
– Father’s Day provides an opportunity to appreciate the hard work and sacrifices made by fathers for their families.
