Top Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, and JKPSC Exams: Stay Ahead of the Competition , 16-17 June 2023

Top Current Affairs for UPSC, SSC, and JKPSC Exams: Stay Ahead of the Competition , 16-17 June 2023

Q. When will the United States rejoin UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization?

A) July 2023

B) July 2024

C) July 2025

D) July 2026

 

Answer: C) July 2023

The United States will rejoin UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, in July 2023. The move ends Washington's more than ten-year dispute with the UN cultural agency after the US left UNESCO in 2018.

In addition, the US will also pay an outstanding balance of over $600 million. The United States exited UNESCO primarily due to the induction of Palestine as a member in 2011.  While Palestine was granted non-member observer state status in 2012, enabling its participation in General Assembly proceedings, it did not possess voting rights.

UNESCO has  193 members and 11 associate members.

UNESCO was Founded on 16 November 1945 in London.

Headquarters:- Paris, France

Director General: -Audrey Azoulay

 

Q. Where did the final working group Women 20 of the G20 summit 2023 begin?

A) Mahabalipuram

B) New Delhi

C) Mumbai

D) Kolkata

 

Answer: A) Mahabalipuram

The third and final working group of the summit on W-20 began at Mahabalipuram near Chennai.

The 2nd Women 20 (W20) International Meeting was held on 13 April in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The first session focused on the convergence of women's health, gender equality, and social and economic development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Q. On which date is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) observed annually?

A) 15 June

B) 20 June

C) 1 July

D) 10 October

 

Answer: A) 15 June

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed annually on 15 June.

The theme for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023 is "Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Older Age Policy, Law and Evidence-Based Responses."

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011.

 General Assembly Headquarters: New York, United States;

Founded: 1945;

Founder: United Nations.

 

Q. Who was named 'Governor of the Year' at the Central Banking Awards in London?

A) Shaktikanta Das

B) Raghuram Rajan

C) Urjit Patel

D) Duvvuri Subbarao

 

Answer: A) Shaktikanta Das

 

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das was named 'Governor of the Year' at the Central Banking Awards in London.

The award is presented by Central Banking, a leading organisation that covers matters related to central banks and financial regulators globally.

The National Bank of Ukraine received the title of Central Bank of the Year.

RBI established: April 1, 1935

RBI entral office was established in Kolkata

Shifted to Mumbai in the year 1937

 

 

 

Q. When is the Tiger Safari in Ramgarh Reserve expected to open?

A) June

B) July

C) August

D) September

 

Answer: B) July

The Forest Department is making preparations to launch a wildlife safari within the buffer zone of the recently established Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Rajasthan's Bundi district, expected to open in July this year.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a tiger reserve on July 5, 2021.

Ramgarh VTiger Reserve was initially established as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1982 under the Rajasthan Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1951.

Area= 481.9 sq. km

Buffer area= 1019.98 sq. km

Flora=Dhok trees (Anogeissus pendula)

Fauna= Jungle cats, Golden jackals, Hyenas, Crested porcupines, Indian hedgehogs etc

It also provides natural habitat for the Indian Star tortoise.

 

Q. Which athletes' proposal to train in the USA has been approved by the Mission Olympic Cell?

A) Mirabai Chanu

B) Bindayarani Devi

C) Both Mirabai Chanu and Bindayarani Devi

D) None of the above

 

Answer: C) Both Mirabai Chanu and Bindayarani Devi

Target Olympic Podium Scheme athletes Mirabai Chanu and Bindyarani Devi will train under the guidance of Dr. Aaron Horschig at Squat University in St. Louis, USA.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme was launched in September 2014 and got a facelift in April 2018.

Q. Which company topped the ranking table in Forbes' "The Global 2000" List for 2023?

A) JPMorgan Chase

B) Apple

C) Amazon

D) Relaince

 

Answer: A) JPMorgan Chase

The JPMorgan Chase of the US topped the ranking table in  Forbes "The Global 2000" List for 2023.

"The Global 2000" List compiled by Forbes acknowledges the world's largest companies based on four key metrics: sales, profits, assets, and market value.

Reliance Industries tops India Inc in Forbes Global 2000 list for 2023.

Indian NTPC climbs up 52 positions to 433rd rank in Forbes’ “The Global 2000” List.

1. JPMorgan Chase. United States. $179.93 B

2. Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) Saudi Arabia. $589.47 B

3. ICBC. China. $216.77 B

India:

1: Relaince & F Rank=45

2. SBI  & F Rank=77

3. HDFC Bank  & F Rank=163

 

Q. With which company has Indian Oil Corp (IOC) partnered to set up an aviation fuel plant in Haryana?

A) Reliance Industries

B) Adani Group

C) LanzaJet

D) Tata Group

 

Answer: C) LanzaJet

Indian Oil Corp (IOC) partnered with LanzaJet to set up an aviation fuel plant in Haryana.

The investment for the aviation fuel plant is around 23 billion rupees ($280.1 million).

Establishment - 30 June 1959

Headquarters - New Delhi

Chairman - Shrikant Madhav Vaidya

 

 

Q. Which organization launched its first road safety project in South Asia?

A) World Bank

B) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

C) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

D) Asian Development Bank (ADB)

 

Answer: A) World Bank

The World Bank (WB) launched its first dedicated road safety project in South Asia with a USD 358 million financing agreement signed in Dhaka with the government of Bangladesh on 14th June.

The project will focus on two national highways in Bangladesh: Gazipur-Elenga (N4) and Natore-Nawabganj (N6).

 

To which state/UT does the 'Kari Ishad Mango', recently received a GI tag, belong?

A) Kerala.

B) Karnataka

C) Gujarat

D) Madha Pradesh

 

The 'Kari Ishad Mango' cultivated prominently in Ankola taluk of North Karnataka has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

 

 

 

 

Which Indian state has implemented a reward system to incentivize reporting of illegal waste dumping on roads?

A) Kerala

B) Maharashtra

C) Karnataka

D) Tamil Nadu

 

Answer: A) Kerala

The government of Kerala has initiated a reward system to encourage reporting of illegal waste dumping on roads. This scheme aims to combat the problem of unauthorized waste disposal.

 

 

Which state in India plans to present GI-tagged Gulabi Meenakari handicrafts to G20 delegates?

A) Uttar Pradesh

B) Rajasthan

C) Gujarat

D) Maharashtra

 

Answer: A) Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government intends to gift GI-tagged Gulabi Meenakari handicrafts to the visiting delegates from G20 nations. This initiative showcases the rich cultural heritage of the state.

 

Which of the following is the target set by India and the UAE for increasing their non-oil bilateral trade by 2030?

A) USD 48 billion to USD 100 billion

B) USD 48 billion to USD 100 billion

C) USD 48 billion

D) USD 100 billion to USD 48 billion

 

Answer: A) Increase trade from USD 48 billion to USD 100 billion

 

Based on SIPRI's estimates, how much did China's nuclear arsenal grow from January 2022 to January 2024?

A) 50 warheads

B) 60 warheads

C) 100 warheads

D) 410 warheads

 

Answer: B) 60 warheads

SIPRI estimated that China’s nuclear arsenal grew from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 warheads in January 2024.

 

Researchers from which organization conducted the 'Fried space food experiment' to explore the impact of microgravity on cooking techniques?

A) NASA

B) European Space Agency (ESA)

C) SpaceX

D) Roscosmos

 

Answer: B) European Space Agency (ESA)

Researchers from the European Space Agency (ESA) conducted a unique study known as the 'Fried space food experiment.' This experiment aimed to explore the impact of microgravity on cooking techniques, particularly frying.

 

On which date is International Albinism Awareness Day observed globally each year?

A) June 13th

B) May 15th

C) July 7th

D) April 22nd

 

Answer: A) June 13th

International Albinism Awareness Day is observed globally on June 13th each year to raise awareness about the genetic skin condition called Albinism and advocate for the rights and well-being of individuals with Albinism.

Which country has been recognized as the global leader in digital payments for the year 2022?

A) India

B) China

C) United States

D) Singapore

 

Answer: A) India

India has emerged as the global leader in digital payments for the year 2022, surpassing other nations in terms of both the value and volume of transactions. Data from the government's citizen engagement platform, MyGovIndia, highlights India's prominent position in the digital payment ecosystem.

 

 

Which airport in India has introduced the DigiYatra facility to enhance travel convenience?

A) Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)

B) Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA)

C) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA)

D) Kempegowda International Airport (KIA)

 

Answer: A) Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has launched a new facility called DigiYatra to enhance travel convenience

 

 

What is the name of the project that has gained recognition in Lakshadweep for promoting nutrition through gardening?

A) Nutri Garden Initiative

B) Garden for Health

C) Green Nutrition Project

D) Nutri Garden Project

 

Answer: D) Nutri Garden Project

The 'Nutri Garden Project' has gained recognition in Lakshadweep and has been appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This project focuses on promoting nutrition through gardening.

 

 

Where is military exercise "Ex Ekuverin" being conducted between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force?

A) Chaubatia, Uttarakhand

B) Malé, Maldives

C) New Delhi, India

D) Male, Maldives

 

Answer: A) Chaubatia, Uttarakhand

The 12th edition of the joint military exercise "Ex Ekuverin" is being conducted between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. This exercise strengthens the bilateral military cooperation between India and the Maldives.