This is the current affairs of 5 August 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. For the first time in the 92-year history of the World Archery Championship, the women’s compound team of which players won the medal for India?
a. Jyoti Surekha Vennam and Preneet Kaur
b. Aditi Gopichand Swamy and Rani
c. Aditi Gopichand Swami
d. both a and c
Answer: d. d. Both a and c (Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Preneet Kaur and Aditi Gopichand Swamy)
– In the 92-year history of the tournament, India has won a gold medal for the first time in the archery event.
– The World Archery Championship was first held in 1931.
– This time, the World Championship is taking place in the capital of Germany, Berlin, in 2023.
– In the compound category, on August 4, 2023, the Indian women’s team defeated Mexico 235-229 in the final and won the gold medal.
– The World Archery Championship is an event that takes place once every four years.
– It also serves as an Olympic qualification quota.
– Prior to 2023, India had won 9 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in this championship.
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2. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, how many stations have been included by the Central Government in the first phase?
a. 208
b. 308
c. 408
d. 508
Answer: d. 508
– Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the central government will modernize 1309 stations.
– In the first phase, 508 stations have been included.
– This will cost 24,470 crore rupees.
– As part of this scheme, railway stations will be developed as ‘City Centers’.
What will happen under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme:
– Beautiful Station Buildings: A new station building will redefine the architectural outlook of the station, reflecting a modern and attractive design.
– Focus on Swachh Bharat: In line with the Swachh Bharat Mission, the station will set up a modular sewage treatment plant, ensuring efficient sewage treatment and a clean environment.
– Renovated Platforms: Starting with picturesque views on the walls of platforms, there will be a rejuvenation and beautification of the platforms.
– Passenger Facilities: Travelers will enjoy better seating arrangements, drinking water facilities, and improved lighting and ventilation both on platforms and inside the station building.
– Enhanced Connectivity: A new foot overbridge with additional lifts and escalators will make passenger announcements and access more convenient.
– Guidance and Information: Modern train indication boards and passenger-friendly signage within the station premises will provide seamless navigation.
– Proactive Development: Existing booking offices and other administrative buildings will be fully renovated, integrated with the broad vision of the plan.
– Inclusivity: All improvements will be made accessible to persons with disabilities (especially differently-abled individuals) to ensure equal access and convenience for everyone.
– Railway Minister – Ashwini Vaishnaw
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3. The Jharkhand Legislative Assembly passed a bill providing for how much penalty and imprisonment for those involved in leaking the competitive exam paper?
a. 10 lakh fine and life imprisonment
b. 10 thousand fine and 10 years imprisonment
c. 10 crore fine and 14 years imprisonment
d. 2 to 10 crore fine and life imprisonment
Answer: d. 2 to 10 crore fine and life imprisonment
– Bill Name: Jharkhand Competitive Examination (Prevention and Mitigation of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill 2023
– After approval from the Governor and gazette publication, this bill will become law.
Provisions regarding Cheating:
– First-time offenders caught cheating will face one year of imprisonment and a fine of 5 lakh rupees.
– Second-time offenders caught cheating will face three years of imprisonment and a fine of 10 lakh rupees.
Provisions for Paper Leak:
– If any person, printing press, coaching institute, or affiliated individual is found guilty of leaking the paper, they will be sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine ranging from two to ten crore rupees.
– Failure to pay the fine will result in an extension of the prison term to three years.
In the purview of which examinations will this law be applicable?
– This law will be applicable to competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, recruitment agencies, state government’s public enterprises, and examinations conducted by municipalities and bodies.
– It will also cover agencies and government employees involved in the examination process, leaking question papers, compromising exam confidentiality, and divulging information publicly.
What did the Chief Minister say?
– Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the government wants to secure the future of the youth. Hence, there was a need for such a law.
– Some states, including Uttarakhand, already have such a law.
– This law should not only instill fear in students but also in institutions and agencies.
– Governor: C.P. Radhakrishnan
– Chief Minister: Hemant Soren
– Capital: Ranchi
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4. Central Government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has alerted the countrymen about ‘Akira’, what is it?
a. Ransomware
b. Motherboard
c. Hidden Camera
d. None of these
Answer: a. Ransomware
– In July 2023, a new ransomware virus called Akira has been discovered. It encrypts private information on the computer and demands payment for decryption.
– If the affected user refuses to make the payment, the attackers threaten to release their data on the dark web.
– The Computer Emergency Response Team of the Indian government (CERT-In) has issued an advisory to alert people about this threat.
What is CERT-In?
– CERT-In is India’s nodal agency for dealing with cybersecurity threats.
– It was established in 2004.
– Its mission is to protect Indian cyberspace from risks like hacking and phishing and ensure cybersecurity.
– CERT-In operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Ransomware – What is it?
– Ransomware is a type of malware that uses cryptography to lock the data of the affected computer.
– It demands payment to provide the decryption key and regain control of the data.
What is Akira?
– Akira is a type of ransomware software.
– Akira is a new family of ransomware.
– It has been designed to target both Windows and Linux-based systems.
– It encrypts the data of high-profile individuals and demands ransom from its targets.
– Akira was used in cyber attacks in the United States and Canada in March 2023.
How does Akira infect the computer?
– Akira can infect a computer through email attachments or links, pirated software websites, and peer-to-peer networks.
– Once the computer accesses the infected file, Akira becomes active and encrypts the files present on the hard drive.
How to protect against Akira?
– To protect against Akira, companies need to improve their cybersecurity measures.
– Regularly backing up data is essential.
– Backups should be stored offline or on a separate network for added security.
– It is advisable to keep computer, laptop, smartphone, and other connected devices up-to-date with automatic software updates.
– People should avoid opening suspicious links and email attachments without verifying their authenticity.
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5. Which country’s player Alex Hales announced his retirement from international cricket?
a. Australia
b. England
c. New Zealand
d. Netherlands
Answer: b. England
– 34-year-old Alex Hales played his last international match in November 2022 against Pakistan in Australia.
– He was struggling to find a balance between franchise cricket and international cricket, so he decided to retire from international cricket and focus on franchise cricket.
– Hales had turned down the T20 match against Bangladesh at the beginning of 2023 to fulfill his contract with PSL (Pakistan Super League).
– Due to this decision, the England Cricket Board also stopped offering him international matches.
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6. When is Hiroshima Day celebrated?
a. 7 August
b. 6 August
c. 5 August
d. 4 August
Answer: b. 6 August
– The year was 1945. At that time, the decisive phase of the Second World War was nearing its end, and the victory of the Allied countries was almost certain.
– Germany had surrendered, and only Japan remained, putting up resistance against the Allied forces.
– In July 1945, American President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin met in the city of Potsdam, Germany, and decided that if Japan did not surrender unconditionally, they would take stern actions against it.
– On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb named “Little Boy” on the city of Hiroshima, Japan.
– Just three days later, another atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, Japan, and both cities were devastated.
– More than two lakh people lost their lives, and those who survived had their lives changed for the worse forever.
– The use of atomic bombs in World War II was the first and last instance in history.
– Every year, on August 6, Hiroshima Day is observed to promote peace and raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.
Note: In May 2023, the G7 summit was held in Hiroshima.
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7. How long has the central government deferred the ban on the import of Laptops, Tablets, Computers (HSN 8471)?
a. 31 August
b. 30 September
c. 31 October
d. 30 November
Answer: c. 31 October
– The government has lifted the ban on the import of laptops, tablets, and all-in-one personal computers.
– The decision was taken considering the issues faced by the industry.
– The government has decided to implement this lift on the ban from November 1, 2023.
– Companies will need to clear their import consignments without a license by October 31, 2023.
Which agency of the Central Government issued this order?
– Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Not banned for these purposes
– Research and development, and personal use, etc., are exempted for 20 items per person. These imports will only be allowed on the basis that they will be used for the specified purposes and not for resale.
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8. From which country the Indian Air Force received the anti-tank guided missile ‘Spike Non Line of Sight (NLOS)’?
a. USA
b. Japan
c. France
d. Israel
Answer: d. Israel
– These missiles can hit targets from helicopters up to 50 kilometers and from the ground up to 32 kilometers.
– They are designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
– It uses the fire-and-forget (lock-on and automatic self-guidance) system called Fire and Forget (F&F) feature.
– The procurement of a limited quantity of Spike NLOS ATGM has been ordered.
– The production of these missiles is being considered under the “Make in India” initiative.
Israel:
– Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
– President: Isaac Herzog
– Capital: Jerusalem
– Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS)
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9. Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwari retired from all formats of cricket, in which year he made his debut in cricket?
a. Year 2008
b. Year 2009
c. Year 2010
d. Year 2011
Answer: a. Year 2008
– Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on 3rd August 2023.
– Manoj, aged 37, made his international debut against Australia in the year 2008 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the captain of the Indian team.
– His last match for Team India was played in the year 2015.
– He has previously served as the sports minister of West Bengal but made a comeback in cricket for the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy.
– Manoj Tiwary played 12 One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 International matches for India.
– In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has been a part of teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, and Kings XI Punjab.