This is the current affairs of 22nd to 24th April 2023. Here are 15 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Name the first woman officer of the Air Force to receive Gallantry award?
a. Shivangi Singh
b. Avni Chaturvedi
c. Deepika Mishra
d. Gunjan Saxena
Answer: c. Deepika Mishra
– She is on the position of Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force. She belongs to Rajasthan.
– In April 2023, she was honored with the Air Force Medal (Gallantry) by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari.
– Deepika Mishra received this honor for her extraordinary bravery shown during the relief campaign for floods in Madhya Pradesh in August 2021.
– This relief campaign continued for eight days, during which 47 lives were saved, including women and children.
– Deepika Mishra is a pass-out helicopter pilot from the Air Force Academy.
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2. Which country invited the Indian Prime Minister to its Bastille Day military parade?
a. Germany
b. France
c. China
d. Japan
Answer: b. France
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Bastille Day parade in France on July 14, 2023.
– Bastille Day military parade is also known as the July 14 military parade.
– This French military parade has been held in Paris every year on the morning of July 14 since 1880.
– It is one of the world’s oldest regular military parades.
Rafale deal for Navy
– During PM Modi’s visit to France, it is hoped that a deal for the purchase of Rafale aircraft for the Indian Navy can be made.
– In fact, India needs fighter planes for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
France
– President – Emmanuel Macron
– Capital – Paris
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3. Which country is India’s largest trading partner in the financial year 2022-23?
a. China
b. France
c. Russia
d. USA
Answer: d. USA
– According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the biggest trading partner in the financial year 2022-23 is the United States.
– While China remains the second-largest partner.
– India exports around 7500 items to 192 countries around the world and imports about 6000 items from nearly 140 countries.
How much has India exported and imported in the world?
– Financial year: Export: Import
– Year 2022-23: $770.18 billion: $892.18 billion
– Year 2021-22: $676.53 billion: $760.06 billion
Bilateral trade between India and the United States for two years:
– Year 2022-23: $128.55 billion
– Year 2021-22: $119.5 billion
What is the export and import of America?
– Financial Year: Export: Import
– 2022-23: 78.31 billion dollars: 50.24 billion dollars
– 2021-22: 76.18 billion dollars: 43.32 billion dollars
China’s export and import
– Financial Year: Export: Import
– 2022-23: 15.32 billion dollars: 98.51 billion dollars
India’s trade deficit with China
– The trade deficit with China has increased to 83.12 billion dollars, up from 72.91 billion dollars in 2021-22.
– Total bilateral trade with China has decreased by 1.5% to 113.83 billion dollars in 2022-23.
India’s top 10 trading partners?
– United States of America
– China
– United Arab Emirates
– Saudi Arabia
– Russia
– Germany
– Hong Kong
– Indonesia
– South Korea
– Malaysia
India’s top 10 export destinations?
– United States of America
– United Arab Emirates
– China
– Hong Kong
– Singapore
– United Kingdom
– Netherlands
– Germany
– Bangladesh
– Nepal
Top 10 countries from where India imports?
– China
– United States of America
– United Arab Emirates
– Saudi Arabia
– Russia
– Switzerland
– Hong Kong
– South Korea
– Indonesia
– Singapore
– Minister of Commerce and Industry: Piyush Goyal
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4. Which Public Sector Enterprise (PSU) got the Miniratna Category-I status in April 2023?
a. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SICI)
b. Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL)
c. Bharat Wagon And Engineering
d. Digital India Corporation
Answer: a. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SICI)
– This degree has been given by the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Limited
– Chairman: Bhupendra Singh Bhalla
– Managing Director: Suman Sharma
– Establishment: September 9, 2011
– It works as the principal implementing agency of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for renewable energy schemes and projects to fulfill India’s international commitments.
– It also works as a consultant for solar energy projects.
– It also oversees the production of 63,894 megawatts of solar energy in the country.
The categories of PSUs in the country are:
– Maharatna, Navratna, Miniratna Category 1, and Miniratna Category 2.
What are the criteria for obtaining the Miniratna Category 1 status?
– The net worth should be Rs. 500 crores or more.
– The company should have remained profitable for the last three years.
– The company’s pre-tax profit should be at least Rs. 30 crores or more in any one of the last three years.
– The company should have also earned a net profit.
What is the criteria for obtaining the Miniratna Category 2 status?
– The net worth should be Rs. 300 crores or more.
– The company should have remained profitable for the last three years.
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5. In which district of Bihar was the Thave festival organized?
a. Madhubani
b. Muzaffarpur
c. Gopalganj
d. Begusarai
Answer: c. Gopalganj
– The Tourism Department and the Arts and Culture Department organized the Thawe Festival in Gopalganj, Bihar on 15th and 16th April.
– The objective of this festival is to raise awareness among people about the Thawe Durga Temple and attract tourists.
– Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav inaugurated the festival.
– The Thawe Festival has been celebrated since 2012.
– It includes various cultural and entertainment activities.
Bihar:
– CM – Nitish Kumar
– Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
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6. What is the target set by the Uttar Pradesh government to replace all government vehicles in the state into Electric Vehicles (EV)?
a. year 2025
b. year 2028
c. year 2030
d. year 2035
Answer: c. year 2030
– By achieving this goal before 2030, Uttar Pradesh can become the first state in the country to have 100% EVs in government departments.
Changes in vehicle purchase rules:
– Government departments can purchase EVs without tendering based on nominations.
– More than the maximum limit can be spent on EV purchases as per the requirement.
Why the rules have changed:
– Until now, government vehicles were purchased through tenders on the GeM portal, but EV companies were not registered on it. Therefore, the rules have been changed.
Uttar Pradesh’s EV policy was issued in 2022:
– To encourage EVs in the state, the government released the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022 on October 14, 2022.
– Under this policy, the government has provided a tax and registration fee exemption for three years on EV purchases.
– This exemption will be valid for five years on the purchase of EVs manufactured in the state.
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7. NHAI has set a target of developing a ‘Digital Highway’ consisting of about 10,000 km of optical fiber cable (OFC) infrastructure in the country?
a. FY 2024-25
b. FY 2027-28
c. FY 2029-30
d. FY 2034-35
Answer: a. FY 2024-25
– NHAI: National Highways Authority of India
– The objective of this step is to provide internet connectivity in remote areas and to support 5G and 6G telecommunication technology.
– NHAI has identified pilot tracks for the development of digital highways, including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Hyderabad-Bangalore Corridor.
NHAI
– Established: 1995
– Headquarters: Delhi
– Chairman: Santosh Kumar Yadav
– Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Minister – Nitin Gadkari)
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8. The Central Government notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, what is the provision in it?
a. Transfer of dogs cannot be allowed
b. Sterilization and vaccination of stray dogs
c. implement anti rabies program
d. उपरोक्त सभी / All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
– Which central ministry issued the rules: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
– These rules have been introduced in place of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001.
– It has been issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
– The rules have been prepared in accordance with the directions related to Indian Animal Welfare Board and the elimination of problems faced by stray animals from people by the Honorable Supreme Court.
Cases of dog bites in India
– According to the data presented in Parliament (until November 2022), 16 crore cases of street dog bites were recorded in India between 2019 and 2022.
– This has also increased conflicts between dogs and urban residents.
– There is a risk of rabies. Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease that affects the central nervous system.
Facts related to the rules
– The Supreme Court has specifically mentioned that the transfer of dogs cannot be permitted.
– Under the new rules, local bodies including municipalities, corporations and panchayats are responsible for running the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program.
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9. Where was the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission meeting held?
a. Delhi
b. georgetown
c. Paris
d. Mumbai
Answer: b. georgetown
– On 22nd April, S Jaishankar co-chaired the 5th India-Guyana Joint Commission Meeting with Guyana’s Foreign Minister Hugh Todd.
– During this time, he also met with Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Discussions at the India-Guyana Joint Commission:
– Several issues were discussed, including agriculture, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, Ayurveda, defense cooperation, human resources, technology and innovation, and infrastructure development.
Guyana:
– Capital – Georgetown
– Currency – Guyanese dollar
– It is a country located in the northern region of South America.
– It is referred to as a Caribbean country.
Important facts:
– Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has Indian roots.
– He was the chief guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in 2023.
– The convention was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 8th to 10th January 2023.
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10. Who has been appointed as the chairman of the National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) by the Central Government?
a. Arun Sinha
b. Rakesh Maria
c. Vinod Adani
d. Rajendra Agarwal
Answer: a. Arun Sinha
– NTRO – National Technical Research Organisation
– Arun Sinha has previously worked as an advisor in NTRO.
– It is a technical intelligence agency.
Established in 2004.
– It works under the National Security Advisor and reports to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
– Its work is to provide technical intelligence information to various Indian government agencies such as IB, NIA, R&AW, and Defense Intelligence Agency.
– It is responsible for developing technology and software applications for security related to war, communication security, encryption and decryption, and cyber security.
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11. PESB has selected whom as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Limited?
a. Rakesh Yadav
b. Shantanu Rai
c. Vijay Paswan
d. Rajendra Mahato
Answer: b. Shantanu Rai
– Shantanu Ray has been selected for this position by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel.
– Now, the appointment committee of the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister will make the final decision on this.
BEML Limited
– It is a Miniratna profit-making company under the Ministry of Defence.
– This company manufactures heavy equipment for defence and railways.
– Established in 1964.
– Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka.
– Current CMD: Amit Banerjee.
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12. PESB has selected whom as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)?
a. Rakesh Yadav
b. Shantanu Rai
c. Vijay Paswan
d. A Madhavrao
Answer: d. A Madhavrao
– The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel has selected A Madhavarao for this position.
– Now, the appointment committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister will take the final decision on this.
Bharat Dynamics Limited
– It is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
– The company is one of the manufacturers of India’s ammunition and missile systems.
– Founded in 1970
– Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana.
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13. Which cricket team’s player Gary Ballance announced his retirement from cricket?
a. England
b. Brazil
c. India
d. Sri Lanka
Answer: a. England
– Former England cricket team cricketer Gary Ballance announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in April 2023.
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14. Which country replaced Indonesia to host the Under-20 Football World Cup 2023?
a. England
b. Brazil
c. India
d. Argentina
Answer: d. Argentina
– FIFA has removed the hosting rights from Indonesia and awarded it to Argentina.
– When will the tournament be held: From May 20 to June 11, 2023.
Argentina
– This country is located in the southern region of the South American continent.
– Capital – Buenos Aires
– President – Alberto Fernández
– Currency – Argentine peso.
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15. Who has been selected for the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2023?
a. Asha Bhosle
b. Shreya Ghoshal
c. Sunidhi Chauhan
d. Kumar Sanu
Answer: a. Asha Bhosle
– This award is given by the Mangeshkar family and trust.
– Renowned singer Asha Bhosle is the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar.
– Lata Mangeshkar Award is an annual award that is given to someone who has made significant contributions to the nation, its people, and society.
