AC + ADDA Dec 5 Flashcards
- According to the GoI report ‘The Third National Communication to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change’ released in December 2023, India reduced its
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) emission intensity by __________ between 2005 and 2019.
1) 22%
2) 33%
3) 52%
4) 44%
5) 25%
Answer- 2) 33%
Explanation:
According to a Government report titled ‘The Third National Communication to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change’, India reduced its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
emission intensity by 33% between 2005 and 2019. This was 11 years ahead of the target.
i. India’s average rate of emission reduction increased from 1.5% annually during 2014 – 2016 to 3%
annually from 2016 – 2019. This is the fastest recorded rate of reduction so far across any country.
ii. India created an additional carbon sink of 1.97 Billion tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) equivalent
during this period.
• However, India’s total emissions (including the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry
sector) have increased by 4.56% with respect to 2016.
iii. The energy sector accounted for the maximum share of anthropogenic emissions (75.81%),
followed by agriculture (13.44%), Industrial Process and Product Use (8.41%), and waste (2.34%).
- According to ‘Q3 2023 Mercom India Rooftop Solar Report’ released by Mercom India
Research in December 2023, the rooftop solar installations in India registered a 34.7% year-
on-year (YoY) jump to ___________ MegaWatt (MW) in the third quarter (Q3- July-September) of
2023.
1) 490
2) 289
3) 431
4) 302
5) 351
Answer- 3) 431
Explanation:
According to ‘Q3 2023 Mercom India Rooftop Solar Report’ released by Mercom India Research,
the rooftop solar installations in India registered a 34.7% year-on-year (YoY) jump to 431 MegaWatt
(MW) in the third quarter (Q3- July-September) of calendar year (CY) 2023.
• With this India’s cumulative rooftop solar capacity reached 10.1 GigaWatts (GW) at the end of
September 2023.
• Rooftop solar installations saw a significant increase in the first nine months (January –
September) of 2023, reaching 1.3 GW, compared to 1.2 GW in the same period of 2022.
• As far as Q3 of 2022 is concerned, the installation capacity was at 320 MW.
i. Gujarat retained its top position in rooftop solar installations, contributing 26.7% to the cumulative
installations, followed by Maharashtra (13.5%) and Rajasthan (8.3%).
• As of September 2023, the top 10 states collectively accounted for ~77% of the cumulative
rooftop solar installations.
ii. Between Q3 2022 and Q3 2023, Kerala recorded the highest compounded growth of 15%, followed
by Gujarat(7.3%) and Maharashtra (5.1%).
- In which Indian city, the world’s first portable hospital, the ‘Aarogya Maitri Aid Cube’ was
unveiled in November 2023?
1) New Delhi, Delhi
2) Mumbai, Maharashtra
3) Bengaluru, Karnataka
4) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
5) Gurugram, Haryana
Answer- 5) Gurugram, Haryana
Explanation:
The world’s first portable hospital, the ‘Aarogya Maitri Aid Cube,‘ which can be set up within one
hour of arriving at the emergency site to treat the injured, was unveiled in Gurugram, Haryana.
i. It was designed indigenously under Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and
Maitri).
ii. The modular trauma management and aid system is made up of 72 detachable mini-cubes, each
being a specialised station for emergency response and humanitarian efforts.
- What is India’s rank in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD)’s 7th
edition of World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) 2023 released in December 2023?
1) 35th
2) 42nd
3) 49th
4) 30th
5) 32nd
Answer- 3) 49th
Explanation:
India Ranks 49th in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD)’s 7th edition of
World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) 2023.
• The report measures the capacity and readiness of 64 economies based on three broad
categories which are: Knowledge, Technology and Future readiness.
i. The U.S.A reclaimed its top position (Rank 1) which performs well in all three categories –
Knowledge, Technology and Future Readiness.
ii. Switzerland retained the top position in the knowledge factor and maintained its overall position to
5th best performing country in the ranking.
iii. According to IMD’s Report, India has been ranked 49th among 64 countries. The report mentioned
that India made a little progress in the field of cyber security knowledge (Rank 45) but perform low in
the fields of technology and future readiness.
- In December 2023, Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD _____________ loan for
Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project to improve the quality,
efficiency, and reliability of power supply.
1) 300 Million
2) 200 Million
3) 500 Million
4) 400 Million
5) 100 Million
Answer- 2) 200 Million
Explanation:
On December 4, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 200 Million loan
for Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project to improve the quality,
efficiency, and reliability of power supply, and aiding the state in achieving 24×7 power to its
residents and transitioning to the use of clean energy.
i. The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of
Japan through ADB, will also provide a USD 2 million grant to support livelihood enhancement,
training, and awareness-raising activities of this project.
• ADB will conduct leadership courses and project management programs for the Power
Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PTCUL) and the Uttarakhand Power
Corporation Limited(UPCL) to support the capacity development.
Note- ADB has unveiled a new initiative to address climate and disaster risks in the crucial Hindu
Kush Himalaya region, a vital water source supporting over a billion people across Asia.
- Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘23) partnered with DBS Bank India, Visa and
Amazon to provide an extensive range of services to micro, small, and medium enterprises
(MSMEs).
1) Muthoot Finance
2) Aditya Birla Finance
3) Bajaj Finance
4) Godrej Capital
5) Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services
Answer- 4) Godrej Capital
Explanation:
Godrej Capital, Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) arm of the Godrej Group, has partnered with
DBS Bank India, Visa and Amazon as part of its Nirmaan digital platform initiative, aimed at
providing an extensive range of services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
i. This is in line with Nirmaan’s commitment to support MSMEs through diverse value-added services
(VAS) to enhance market reach, financial assistance, legal and compliance simplification, employee
welfare, and others.
- Which government agency/company has recently (in Dec ‘23) signed an MoU with Business
Finland to boost the startup ecosystems in India and Finland?
1) UnLtd India
2) T-Hub
3) Kerala Startup Mission
4) Infopark
5) Action for India
Answer- 3) Kerala Startup Mission
Explanation:
Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and Business Finland have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to boost the startup ecosystems in India and Finland.
i. A KSUM volunteer exchanged the MoU with Business Finland Senior Director Laura Lindeman,
during the Slush 2023 held in Helsinki, Finland, from 30th November 2023 to 1st December 2023.
ii. The MoU seeks to support and maintain regular contact for mutual exchange of information and
knowledge related to the start-up ecosystems in both countries.
iii. Under the MoU, a collaboration platform – Kerala Finland Innovation Corridor will be established.
This will function as a bridge to accomplish the various initiatives by both organisations.
- Which of the following Indians has/have recently (in Dec ‘23) featured in the Forbes Asia’s
2023 Heroes of Philanthropy list?
1) Nikhil Kamath
2) Kushal Pal Singh
3) Nandan Nilekani
4) Both 1 & 2
5) All 1, 2 & 3
Answer- 5) All 1, 2 & 3
Explanation:
The Forbes Asia’s 2023 Heroes of Philanthropy list, the 17th edition of the annual unranked list,
features 3 Indians: Kushal Pal Singh (K.P. Singh), Chairman Emeritus of DLF Limited; Nandan
Nilekani, co-founder and Chairman of Infosys; and Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder and Chief Financial
Officer, Zerodha.
• The list features a total of 15 philanthropists from the Asia-Pacific region.
Note: The list includes names from lifelong philanthropists to newcomers from the Asia-Pacific
region.
- Who was recently (in Dec ‘23) awared with the WISE Prize for Education 2023 by the Qatar
Foundation at the 11th edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Summit?
1) Harshad Mehta
2) Safeena Husain
3) Ketan Parekh
4) Pratik Gandhi
5) Sucheta Dalal
Answer- 2) Safeena Husain
Explanation:
Safeena Husain, the founder and board member of
Educate Girls, was awarded the WISE Prize for
Education 2023 by the Qatar Foundation at the 11th
edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education
(WISE) Summit held on 28th -29th November 2023.
i. Safeena Husain became the first Indian woman to
receive the WISE Prize for Education, and she received
the WISE Prize medal along with USD 500,000 prize
money.
ii. Safeena Husain is recognized for her contribution to equality and access to education through her
Educate Girls organisation, which empowers communities for girls’ education by partnering with the
government to identify, enrol, and retain out-of-school girls across India.
iii. Educate Girls,an Indian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), established in 2007, enrolled 1.4
million girls in schools and supported education for more than 18.6 million children through the
government education system.
- Name the personality who has recently (in Dec ‘23) appointed as the Youth Voter
Awareness Ambassador for Union Territory (UT) Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
1) Shaheer Sheikh
2) Sachin Tendulkar
3) Sonu Sood
4) Suresh Kumar Raina
5) Sidhant Gupta
Answer- 4) Suresh Kumar Raina
Explanation:
Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed Former (Retired) Indian cricketer Suresh Kumar
Raina as the Youth Voter Awareness Ambassador for Union Territory (UT) Jammu & Kashmir
(J&K), to create awareness among the youngsters to participate in the electoral process for higher
voter turnout.
i. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K, Pandurang K Pole presented a letter of his appointment on 1st
December, 2023.
ii. ECI released a notification that individuals who are 18 years or above can enrol in the electoral rolls
by submitting “Form No.6” for new elector registration by December 9, 2023.
- Which Insurance Company has recently (in Dec ‘23) appointed Smriti Mandhana as the
brand ambassador?
1) IndiaFirst Life Insurance
2) PNB MetLife India Insurance
3) Ageas Federal Life Insurance
4) Tata AIA Life Insurance
5) Max Life Insurance
Answer- 2) PNB MetLife India Insurance
Explanation:
Smriti Mandhana, Vice-Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket team has been appointed as the brand
ambassador of PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited for their campaign “Karo Bade Sapno
Ki Tayyari”.
i. With this partnership, PNB MetLife hopes to inspire all Indians to dream big and enable them a
secured future.
ii. Smriti Mandhana was honoured with the Arjuna Award (2018) by Government of India for her
exemplary performance in cricket.
- In December 2023, State Bank of India’s (SBI) shareholding in Jio Payments Bank Limited
reduced to ________ in Financial Year 2022-23 (FY23).
1) 18%
2) 20%
3) 23%
4) 33%
5) 29%
Answer- 3) 23%
Explanation:
State Bank of India’s (SBI) shareholding in Jio Payments Bank Limited reduced to 23% in Financial
Year 2022-23 (FY23) from 30% that SBI maintained since the inception of Jio Payments Bank.
i. With shareholding less than 25%, SBI will not be able to restrict special resolutions in the payment
bank.
ii. SBI has stayed away from two Jio Payments Bank rights issues while Reliance Industries
Limited(RIL), has picked up 10 million shares on 29 November 2023, and 70 million on 23 January
2023.
- Name the Indian tennis player who has recently (in Dec ‘23) won the men’s singles title of
the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Kalaburagi Open 2023 finals held at Kalaburagi,
Karnataka.
1) Saketh Myneni
2) Ramesh Krishnan
3) Prajnesh Gunneswaran
4) Ramkumar Ramanathan
5) Yuki Bhambri
Answer- 4) Ramkumar Ramanathan
Explanation:
Indian tennis player Ramkumar Ramanathan won the men’s singles title of the International
Tennis Federation (ITF) Kalaburagi Open 2023 by defeating David Pichler (Austria) in the finals
held at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium, Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
i. This marks his 3rd ITF title of 2023. He has recently won the men’s singles title in the ITF Dharwad
Open (Oct’ 2023) in Dharwad (Karnataka) and the ITF Men’s Tennis Championship (Dec’ 23) in
Mumbai (Maharashtra).
ii. Kalaburagi Open 2023 Doubles title: Japanese pair Ryuki Matsuda and Ryotaro Taguchi clinched the
men’s doubles title by defeating David Pichler (Austria) and Nitin Kumar Sinha (India) in the finals.
- When was the United Nations (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
2023 observed across the globe?
1) 3rd December 2023
2) 30th November 2023
3) 2nd December 2023
4) 4th December 2023
5) 1st December 2023
Answer- 1) 3rd December 2023
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2023 was observed
across the globe on 3rd December 2023 with the theme of “United in action to rescue and achieve
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by persons with disabilities“.
i. On the occasion of the IDPwD 2023(3rd December 2023), The President of India, Droupadi Murmu
presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) 2023
during the event organised at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi.
• A total of 30 awards (21 individuals and 9 institutions) were given to individuals, institutions,
organizations, states, and districts for their outstanding achievements and work towards the
empowerment of Divyangjan.
• The award is annualy presented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (DoEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJE) since 1969.
- The United Nations (UN) International Day of Banks 2023 was observed across the globe on
____________.
1) 30th November 2023
2) 1st December 2023
3) 2nd December 2023
4) 3rd December 2023
5) 4th December 2023
Answer- 5) 4th December 2023
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN) International Day of Banks 2023 was observed across the globe on 4th
December 2023 to recognise the vital role of banking systems in the Member States in contributing
to the improvement of the standard of living. 4th December 2023 marks the observance of the 4th
International Day of Banks.
i. The first ever International Day of Banks was observed on 4th December 2020.
ii. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) is a global framework for financing sustainable
development.
• It outlines a set of commitments and actions to be taken by all stakeholders to mobilize and
effectively utilise financial resources for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• It was adopted at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2015.
- When was Indian Navy Day 2023 observed across India?
1) 2nd December 2023
2) 4th December 2023
3) 1st December 2023
4) 3rd December 2023
5) 30th November 2023
Answer- 2) 4th December 2023
Explanation:
Indian Navy Day 2023 was observed across India on 4th December 2023 to recognise the role and
achievements of the Indian Navy in ensuring the safety of the nation.
• The day also commemorates Operation Trident, Indian Navy’s offensive operation conducted
during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.
i. On December 4, 2023, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi attended the celebration of Indian Navy
Day at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. He also unveiled the 43-feet Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue
at Rajkot Fort, in Maharashtra. This was the Indian Navy’s first mega show being hosted away from
any major naval station.
• Indian Navy Week 2023 is being observed across India from December 1 to 7 2023.
Note: The Indian Navy is a well-balanced 3-dimensional force, capable of operating above, on, and
under the surface of the oceans and safeguarding our national interests.
- What is the capital of Finland?
1) Helsinki
2) Tallinn
3) Prague
4) Sofia
5) Minsk
Answer- 1) Helsinki
Explanation:
About Finland:
President– Sauli Niinisto
Capital– Helsinki
Currency– Euro
