Current Affairs Important Questions MCQ, 16&17 December 2023

Current Affairs Important Questions MCQ, 16&17  December 2023

Q1. Which country recently decided not to renew an agreement with India that allowed India to conduct hydrographic surveys in its waters?

a) Sri Lanka

b) Maldives

c) Bangladesh

d) Myanmar

Answer: b) Maldives

Explanation: The Maldives government, deviating from the 'India First' policy, chose not to renew the hydrography agreement with India, citing national security concerns and the safeguarding of sensitive information.

Q2. In which country is the world's deepest and largest underground laboratory, known as the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility (DURF), operational?

a) United States

b) China

c) Russia

d) Switzerland

Answer: b) China

Explanation: China has achieved a significant physics milestone with the operationalization of the world's deepest lab, the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility (DURF), located more than 2,000 meters below ground.

Q3. Who emerged victorious in the Miss India USA 2023 pageant held in New Jersey?

a) Rhea Kapoor

b) Aishwarya Rai

c) Priyanka Chopra

d) Rijul Maini

Answer: d) Rijul Maini

Explanation: Rijul Maini, a 24-year-old medical student from Michigan, triumphed in the Miss India USA 2023 pageant, showcasing her beauty, talent, and cultural pride in the 41st edition of the event held in New Jersey.

Q4. What is the name of the artificial intelligence venture founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder of Ola, which has introduced a family of multilingual AI models?

a) Synthetix AI

b) Krutrim AI

c) Omniscient Systems

d) LinguaMind

Answer: b) Krutrim AI

Explanation: Bhavish Aggarwal's venture, Krutrim SI Designs, introduced a family of multilingual AI models named Krutrim Pro, specifically designed for the Indian ecosystem, operating in 22 Indian languages with a focus on cultural connect and accessibility at India-first cost structures.

Q5. What led the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to impose monetary penalties on five cooperative banks, including Indapur Urban Co-operative Bank and Janakalyan Sahakari Bank?

a) Fraudulent Activities

b) Insider Trading

c) Regulatory Compliance Deficiencies

d) Money Laundering

Answer: c) Regulatory Compliance Deficiencies

Explanation: The RBI imposed penalties on these cooperative banks due to deficiencies in regulatory compliance, emphasizing the need to address gaps in adhering to banking regulations.

Q6. Which country's government is considering social media restrictions for under-16s?

a) United States

b) United Kingdom

c) Australia

d) Canada

Answer: b) United Kingdom

Explanation: The United Kingdom(UK) government, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is considering additional steps to protect teenagers below 16 from online threats, indicating a focus on online safety for the youth.

Q7. What is the codename for India's covert stealth combat drone project associated with the successful flight trials of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator?

a) Garuda

b) Ghatak

c) Rudrastra

d) Shadowhawk

Answer: b) Ghatak

Explanation: The successful flight trials of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, conducted by DRDO at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka, mark a significant milestone for India's stealth combat drone project, codenamed Ghatak.

Q8. Who received the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 from AASRAA at the 5th National Summit in New Delhi?

a) Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath

b) Dr. Kiran Bedi

c) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

d) Dr. Devi Shetty

Answer: a) Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath

Explanation: Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, Chairman of Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd, was honoured with the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 by AASRAA at the 5th National Summit in New Delhi.

Q9. What is the new name of the Poonawalla housing finance company that recently underwent a rebranding after being acquired by TPG Capital Asia?

a) Pinnacle Home Loans

b) Nirvana Housing Finance

c) Grihum Housing Finance

d) Serene Homes

Answer: c) Grihum Housing Finance

Explanation: Poonawalla Housing Finance has transformed into Grihum Housing Finance following its acquisition by TPG Capital Asia, which now holds a substantial 99.02% equity stake in the company.

Q10. On which date is Vijay Diwas observed every year, commemorating India's triumph in the 1971 war against Pakistan?

a) December 14

b) December 16

c) December 18

d) December 20

Answer: b) December 16

Explanation: Vijay Diwas is observed annually on December 16, commemorating the valour and sacrifice of the Indian armed forces during the 1971 war against Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Q11. Where was Barracuda, India's fastest solar-electric boat, launched?

a) Goa

b) Kochi

c) Chennai

d) Alappuzha

Answer: d) Alappuzha

Explanation: The Barracuda, India's fastest solar-electric boat, was launched in Alappuzha, marking a significant advancement in eco-friendly maritime transportation.

Q12. What are the names of the co-branded credit cards introduced through the collaboration of IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard?

a) LIC Classic and LIC Select

b) IDFC Gold and IDFC Platinum

c) MasterLife and LIC Premium

d) FirstChoice and MasterSecure

Answer: a) LIC Classic and LIC Select

Explanation: The collaboration between IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard has resulted in the introduction of two co-branded credit cards—LIC Classic and LIC Select—tailored to meet the financial requirements of policyholders across India.

Q13. Which organization has signed a Rs 5,336.25 crore contract with the Ministry of Defence for the 10-year supply of Electronic Fuzes?

a) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

b) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

c) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

d) DRDO Electronics

Answer: c) Bharat Electronics Limited

Explanation: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) from Pune has entered into a significant contract with the Ministry of Defence for the 10-year procurement of Electronic Fuzes, promoting self-reliance in ammunition.

Q14. What agreement governs the swift clearance of goods under the India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES)?

a) Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

b) Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)

c) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

d) Customs Cooperation Agreement

Answer: c) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Explanation: The India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES) operates by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and Korea, facilitating the swift clearance of goods.

Q15. Which financial institution has ventured into the paper packaging industry with a ₹49.99 Crore investment in Canpac Trends Private Limited?

a) HDFC Bank

b) ICICI Bank

c) Axis Bank

d) State Bank of India (SBI)

Answer: d) State Bank of India (SBI)

Explanation: The State Bank of India (SBI) made a strategic move by investing ₹49.99 crore in Canpac Trends Private Limited, aiming for capital appreciation in the paper packaging industry.