AC + ADDA Dec 6 Flashcards
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the World’s Top 100 Arms
Producing Companies 2022 report released in December 2023?
A) Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released the report titled
“World’s Top 100 Arms Producing Companies 2022”.
B) For the 1st time, three Indian Public Sector Units (PSUs)- (41st rank) Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited, (63rd rank) Bharat Electronics Limited and (99th rank) and Garden Reach
Shipbuilders & Engineers are listed in the Top 100 arms producing companies.
C) Lockheed Martin Corporation from the United States ranked 1st in the List followed by
Raytheon Technologies from the United States.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 4) Only A & C
Explanation:
Swedish think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released the report
titled “World’s Top 100 Arms Producing Companies 2022”. SIPRI Top 100 listing includes the 100
companies with the largest arms revenue during the year covered. It lists the companies which make
arms, weapons, military planes and equipment.
i. For the 1st time, three Indian Public Sector Units (PSUs) : (41st) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL), (63rd) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and (89th) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(MDL) are listed in the Top 100 arms producing companies.
ii. Top Three Global Companies (2022) in the List are:
Rank Company Country
1st Lockheed Martin Corporation United States
2nd Raytheon Technologies United States
3rd Northrop Grumman Corporation United States
- Which of the following is/are “correct” with respect to the LIC (shareholders’ director)
Regulations, 2023 notified by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in December 2023?
A) The LIC corporation would, upon notice of not less than 1000 shareholders or one-tenth of
the total number of shareholders (whichever is lower), elect a shareholders’ director through a
general meeting of such shareholders.
B) The board will appoint a shareholders’ director for a tenure of 4 years.
C) The director will be eligible for re-election and re-appointment for another 4 years.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On December 1, 2023, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) notified LIC (shareholders’
director) Regulations, 2023 to allow the induction of shareholders’ directors on LIC’s board.
• The regulations were notified in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (f) of subsection
(2) of section 4 read with clause (n) of sub-section (2) of section 49 of the Life Insurance
Corporation Act, 1956 (31 of 1956).
i. Highlights from Regulation:
• Election: Upon notice of not less than 1000 shareholders or one-tenth of the total number of
shareholders (whichever is lower), LIC would elect a shareholders’ director through a general
meeting of such shareholders.
• Term: The board will appoint a shareholders’ director for a tenure of 4 years.
• Re-election: The director will be eligible for re-election and re-appointment for another 4
years.
- Which Statutory body/Regulatory body has recently (in Dec ‘23) awarded the International
Social Security Association (ISSA)’s Vision Zero 2023 Award at the 23rd World Congress on
Safety and Health at Work held in Sydney, Australia?
1) Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
2) Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
3) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
4) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
5) Federation of Indian Export Organisations
Answer- 2) Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
Explanation:
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under Ministry of Labour & Employment
(MoL&E) was awarded Vision Zero 2023 Award by International Social Security Association (ISSA)
at the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, held in Sydney, Australia from 27th to
30th November, 2023.
• The award was received by Rajendra Kumar, Director General of ESIC.
i. The 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work is one of the largest international
conferences for work health and safety.
ii. The World Congress was co-organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO), SafeWork
New South Wales (NSW) and ISSA.
iii. The theme of the event was “Shaping Change: Collaborating for a healthier and safer world of
work”.
- Which word has been selected as Word of the Year 2023 by the Oxford University Press
(OUP) in December 2023?
1) Rizz
2) Authentic
3) Deepfake
4) Goblin Mode
5) Heat Dome
Answer- 1) Rizz
Explanation:
On December 4, 2023, the Oxford University Press (OUP) named ‘Rizz’, a colloquial noun defined as
style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner, as its word of the
year for 2023. It is mainly used by the younger generation.
i. Rizz:
• Etymologically, the term is believed to be a shortened form of the word ‘charisma’, taken from
the middle part of the word.
• The word ‘rizz’ can also be used as a verb, in phrases such as ‘to rizz up’.
- Name the country that has recently (in Dec ‘23) elected as the Vice Chairperson of United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board for the
term 2023-2025 from the Asia Pacific Group.
1) Philippines
2) Indonesia
3) Pakistan
4) India
5) Bangladesh
Answer- 3) Pakistan
Explanation:
Pakistan was elected as the Vice Chairperson of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board for the term 2023-2025 from the Asia Pacific Group.
• Out of the 58-member Executive Board, Pakistan received 38 votes defeating India which got
only 18 votes.
• The election was held on 15th November 2023 during the 218th session of UNESCO’s
Executive Board in Paris, France.
i. The executive board, made up of 58 member states with a 4-year term, has the role of administering
the UN body and appointing the director-general.
ii. The bureau of the executive board consists of 12 members: the chairperson, 6 vice-chairpersons
and the 5 chairpersons of the permanent commissions and committees.
iii. The Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board, for the term 2023-2025 is Vera Lacoeuilhe, a
French-Lebanese diplomat and the representative of St. Lucia.
- In December 2023, Rajiv Anand was named as the Chairman of _____________ (Insurance
Company).
1) IndiaFirst Life Insurance
2) Max Life Insurance
3) Ageas Federal Life Insurance
4) Tata AIA Life Insurance
5) PNB MetLife India Insurance
Answer- 2) Max Life Insurance
Explanation:
Rajiv Anand, a Non-Executive Director of Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd. nominated by Axis Bank Ltd, has
been named the Chairman of Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd., with effect from 5th December 2023.
i. Rajiv Anand, Deputy Managing Director (MD) of Axis Bank(since 2021) succeeded Analjit Singh, the
Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Max Life Insurance Co Ltd.
ii. Analjit Singh has formally stepped down from the Chairman position and as a member of the Max
Life Insurances board as of 4 December 2023.
Note: Max Life Insurance Co Ltd is a 70:30 Joint Venture (JV) between Max Financial Services Limited
(MFSL), a part of the Max Group, and Axis Bank Limited.
• Analjit Singh was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2011 for Trade and Industry.
- Name the country that has recently (in Dec ‘23) elected to represent the Asian region in the
Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
1) Indonesia
2) China
3) Japan
4) Thailand
5) India
Answer- 5) India
Explanation:
India has been unanimously elected to represent the Asian region in the Executive Committee of the
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
i. The election took place during the 46th meeting of the CAC held at the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome, Italy from 27th November to 2nd
December 2023.
ii. The Indian delegation was led by G Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
iii. The Executive Committee comprises the Chair, 3 vice Chairs, 6 regional coordinators and 7 elected
representatives from the 7 geographical regions of Codex: (Africa; Asia; Europe; Latin America and
the Caribbean; Near East; North America; & The Southwest Pacific).
• The Executive Committee is chaired by the Chairperson of the CAC.
iv. At present, Chairperson of CAC is Steve Wearne, Director of Global Affairs at the United Kingdom
Food Standards Agency.
- Who was recently (in Dec ‘23) appointed as the Part-time Government Director on the Board
of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)?
1) V Natesan
2) Pradeep Gaur
3) Vivek Kumar Gupta
4) Rajesh Prasad
5) Sanjeeb Kumar
Answer- 3) Vivek Kumar Gupta
Explanation:
Droupadi Murmu, The President of India, has approved
the appointment of Vivek Kumar Gupta as Part-time
Government Director on the Board of Rail Vikas
Nigam Limited (RVNL) with immediate effect.
i. He is currently serving as the Principal Executive
Director (PED)/Gati Shakti, Railway Board. He will hold
the part time post till he holds the position of PED/Gati
Shakti, Railway Board, or until further orders,
whichever comes earlier.
ii. Vivek Kumar Gupta is an Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE) officer and was transferred to
the Railway Board and posted as PED (Gati Shakti), Railway Board in 2023.
- In December 2023, _____________became the first woman Indian Armed Forces officer to be
appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to a Governor.
1) Punita Arora
2) Manisha Padhi
3) Ruchi Sharma
4) Priya Jhingan
5) Mohana Singh Jitarwal
Answer- 2) Manisha Padhi
Explanation:
Squadron leader Manisha Padhi, a 2015 batch Indian Air Force (IAF) officer was appointed as the
Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
• She became the first woman Indian Armed Forces officer to be appointed as Aide-de-Camp
(ADC) to a Governor.
• She formally joined her post and reported to the Mizoram Governor at a ceremony at the Raj
Bhavan in Aizawl, Mizoram.
• She was previously posted at Air Force Stations in Bidar (Karnataka), Pune (Maharashtra), and
Bhatinda (Punjab).
- Name the first Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) ships that has recently (in Dec ‘23) delivered to
the Indian Navy(IN) by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
1) INS Nireekshak
2) INS Makar
3) INS Darshak
4) INS Nirupak
5) INS Sandhayak
Answer- 5) INS Sandhayak
Explanation:
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata (West Bengal) has delivered Indian Naval
Ship (INS) Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) ships to the Indian
Navy(IN) on 4th December 2023. Sandhayak has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.
• The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between the Ministry of Defense (MoD)
and GRSE on 30 October 2018.
• The Keel for the ship was laid in 2019 and the ship was launched in 2021. After the launch, the
ship has undergone a comprehensive schedule of trials in harbour and at sea.
• SVL ships are 110 meter long, 16 meter wide with a displacement of 3,400 tons and it was
developed DMR 249-A steel manufactured by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
• The ship is powered by two Diesel Engines and it can achieve speeds upto 18 knots.
Note- Other three Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) are Nirdeshak (Yard 3026), Ikshak (Yard 3027) and
Sanshodhak (Yard 3028)
- In December 2023, China National Space Agency (CNSA) launched the MisrSat-2 or Aiji
Yaogan Weixing Erhao (Aiji 2) satellite with a Long March-2C carrier rocket.
Which space agency, along with CNSA has developed the MisrSat-2?
1) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
3) Egyptian Space Agency
4) Italian Space Agency
5) Canadian Space Agency
Answer- 3) Egyptian Space Agency
Explanation:
On 4th December 2023, China National Space Agency (CNSA) launched the MisrSat-2 or Aiji Yaogan
Weixing Erhao (Aiji 2) satellite with a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite
Launch Center in northwest China.
i. MisrSat-2, the optical remote sensing satellite, was jointly developed by the Egyptian Space Agency
(EgSA) and CNSA.
• The satellite, weighing 350 kg, features an high-resolution imager with a ground resolution of 2
metres in panchromatic mode and 8 metres in colour. The lifetime of the satellite is 5 years.
• The development of MisrSat-2 is a landmark project between China and Egypt under the Belt
and Road Initiative (BRI).
ii. Along with the MisrSat-2, two remote sensing satellites namely Starpool (Xingchi-1) 02-A and
Starpool(Xingchi -1) 02-B, developed by Chinese startup EllipSpace, were also launched by the same
rocket.
iii. These satellites will provide wide-area comprehensive perception services, laying a solid
foundation for the construction of the “StarPool Plan” integrated communication, navigation and
remote sensing system.
- Which country inaugurated the world’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion reactor
in December 2023?
1) France
2) Japan
3) China
4) United States of America
5) Russia
Answer- 2) Japan
Explanation:
The world’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion reactor, Japan Torus-60 Super Advanced (JT-
60SA) started its operations in Naka, Japan. The reactor is a joint initiative between the European
Union (EU) and Japan.
i. JT-60SA reactor is a six-storey-high machine which is constructed as per Broader Approach (BA)
Agreement.
• The agreement was signed between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and
Japan in 2007. The Satellite Tokamak Programme (STP) involved the construction of the JT-
60SA reactor.
• It comprises a doughnut-shaped “tokamak” (toroidal chamber with magnetic coils) vessel set
to contain swirling plasma heated up to 200 million degrees Celsius.
• It uses powerful superconducting coils cooled to approximately -269 °C (absolute temperature
approximately 4K) to confine plasma that can reach 100 million °C.
- In December 2023, _____________, became the first Indian citizen (woman) to operate the
rover (Perseverance) on Mars with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
1) Nandini Harinath
2) Vanitha Muthayya
3) Ritu Karidhal Srivastava
4) Akshata Krishnamurthy
5) Minal Rohit
Answer- 4) Akshata Krishnamurthy
Explanation:
Indian Researcher Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy has become the first Indian citizen (woman) to
operate the rover (Perseverance) on Mars and also the first Indian citizen to collect samples from
Mars to bring back to Earth.
i. She is currently working as a Principal investigator and mission science Phase lead at National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- In December 2023, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)
unveiled a seed fund scheme to offer financial assistance of up to Rs ________ each for Startups
using space technology.
1) 1 crore
2) 10 Lakh
3) 20 Lakh
4) 2 crore
5) 30 Lakh
Answer- 1) 1 crore
Explanation:
India’s space regulator Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has
unveiled a seed fund scheme to offer financial assistance of up to Rs 1 crore each to start-ups
operating in the areas of Urban Development and Disaster Management by using space technology.
i. The scheme was launched in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to provide opportunities to companies that leverage space
technology for societal benefit.
ii. Aim: To promote space technology and provide mentorship support, training, and networking
opportunities.
- When was the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development 2023
observed across the globe?
1) 2nd December 2023
2) 4th December 2023
3) 3rd December 2023
4) 1st December 2023
5) 5th December 2023
Answer- 5) 5th December 2023
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN) International Volunteer Day for
Economic and Social Development commonly known as
International Volunteer Day (IVD) 2023 was observed
across the globe on 5th December 2023 to raise
awareness about volunteer service, encouraging
individuals, who dedicate their time and skills to
contribute their services as volunteers locally and
internationally.
i. The 2023 theme of IVD centres on “The power of everyone – collective action – if everyone did”.
ii. IVD activities spanned across the globe, with 7 high-level events hosted by Governments in
Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Iraq, Ireland, Tanzania, Thailand, and Togo.
- What was the theme of United Nations(UN) World Soil Day (WSD) 2023, observed across
the globe on 5th December 2023?
1) Halt soil salinization, enhance soil production
2) Soils: Where food begins
3) Soil and water, a source of life
4) Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity
5) Stop Soil Erosion, Save our Future
Answer- 3) Soil and water, a source of life
Explanation:
The 10th United Nations(UN) World Soil Day (WSD) 2023 was observed across the globe on 5th
December 2023 with the theme of “Soil and water, a source of life”.
i. The first ever WSD was observed on 5th December 2014.
ii. On the occasion of WSD 2023, the report on the Global Assessment of salt-affected soils was
launched by FAO.
iii. On the occasion of WSD 2023, FAO announced the winners of King Bhumibol World Soil Day
Award 2023 and Glinka World Soil Prize 2023.
• The 6th Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Plenary Assembly approved the creation of the annual
King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award (WSDA).
• The award honours individuals and/or institutions that have successfully organised
events to commemorate World Soil Day the previous year. The Award is sponsored by
the Kingdom of Thailand.
• Glinka World Soil Prize is an annual award addressed to Global Soil Partnership members,
individuals or organisations committed to solving acute national, regional or local problems of
soil degradation.
• The Glinka World Soil Prize aims to keep up the momentum generated by the
International Year of Soils 2015.
- Which company has recently (in Dec ‘23) launched Securitised Debt Instrument (SDI)
through its debut opportunity - Navratna SDI?
1) Zerodha
2) Upstox
3) Grip Invest
4) WiseX
5) Paisa Invest
Answer- 4) WiseX
Explanation:
WiseX, India’s leading neo-realty alternative investment platform has launched Securitised Debt
Instrument (SDI) through its debut opportunity - Navratna SDI.
i. The SDI securities have received an ‘A’ rating from Acuité Ratings & Research Limited and have been
listed in the BSE Stock Exchange.
ii. The company aims to raise ₹15 crore which will be used to meet the funding requirements of a
leading Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
provider, Svaryu Energy.
- International tunnelling expert Arnold Dix from ____________ (country) was roped in by the
government to rescue 41 workers trapped inside Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel in November
2023.
1) United States of America
2) Australia
3) Germany
4) Netherlands
5) England
Answer- 2) Australia
Explanation:
International tunnelling expert Arnold Dix from Australia was roped in as the government pulled out
all stops to rescue 41 workers trapped inside Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel on November 12.
• Arnold Dix is the President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
(Geneva, Australia), but also has many other feathers inside his cap like Geologist, Engineer
and Lawyer, among other titles.
Note- Rat Hole Mining method has been used to evacuate 41 workers who were trapped inside
Uttarakhand’s Silkyari tunnel.
