4th March 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. As per the ‘Indian States’ Energy Transition’ report, which states made the most progress in transition to clean electricity?
[A] Karnataka and Gujarat
[B] Telangana and Tamil Nadu
[C] Gujarat and Punjab
[D] Haryana and Himachal Pradesh
Answer : [A] Karnataka and Gujarat
Karnataka and Gujarat are among the major states making the most progress in transition to clean electricity. This is according to a new report on ‘Indian States’ Energy Transition’, prepared by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) along with EMBER. The report has analysed 16 states, which together account for 90% of India’s annual power requirement.
2. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC)’?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Answer : [B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
The Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar launched the Grievance Appellate Committee. It is a faceless dispute resolution mechanism that makes digital platforms accountable to DigitalNagriks. The mechanism is an important part of the overall framework of making the internet Open, Safe, Trusted and the digital platforms accountable.
3. Which bank has completed the acquisition of Citigroup’s India consumer business?
[A] HDFC Bank
[B] Axis Bank
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] Yes Bank
Answer : [B] Axis Bank
Axis Bank completed acquisition of Citigroup’s India consumer business for an overall consideration of ₹ 11,603 crore. The Private sector lender completed acquisition of Citibank’s consumer business and non-banking financial company (NBFC) consumer business. The sale excludes Citi’s institutional client businesses in India.
4. Which country announced the Indo-Pacific tech envoy?
[A] UK
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Answer : [A] UK
India and UK launched the India-Britain exchange scheme during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting. British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also announced the creation of the UK’s first Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific region, which will boost ties with India as a priority. He will discuss progress on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap with Indian External Affairs Minister.
5. Which city is the host of the ‘G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM)’?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Chennai
[C] New Delhi
[D] Ahmedabad
Answer : [C] New Delhi
G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is scheduled to take place in physical format in New Delhi under India’s presidency. The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is one of the largest gatherings of foreign ministers hosted by any G20 Presidency. The 9 guest countries of the meeting are Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE.
6. Which country has banned use of foreign words to ‘protect’ its language?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Russia
[D] Germany
Answer : [C] Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned use of foreign words to ‘protect’ Russia language. The Russian government officials are now banned from using foreign words in official documents and correspondence as well as while carrying out their duties. This decision was taken in an attempt to protect the Russian language from Western influence. Separately, a list of words with foreign roots that can still be used will be released.
7. Savita, who won the Sportstar ACES Sportswoman of the Year award, plays which sports?
[A] Football
[B] Cricket
[C] Hockey
[D] Tennis
Answer : [C] Hockey
Savita received the Sportstar ACES Sportswoman of the Year award, after she led the team to a Bronze Medal performance at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. She was also instrumental in the team winning the inaugural FIH Women’s Nations Cup. PR Sreejesh was named Sportsman of the Year (Team Sports) for his outstanding performance in 2022, which saw the Indian team finish third in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-2022, followed by a sliver medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
8. Which tennis player broke the Steffi Graf’s record of leading the WTA rank for 377 weeks?
[A] Rafael Nadal
[B] Serena Williams
[C] Novak Djokovic
[D] Iga Swiatek
Answer : [C] Novak Djokovic
Djokovic has defeated Tomas Machac at the Dubai Championships extends winning streak to 18 matches. The 35-year-old Serb broke the record for the most time spent at No. 1 in the professional tennis rankings by a man or woman. His 378th week in the ATP’s top spot, surpassed Steffi Graf’s 377 leading the WTA.
9. ‘International Health Regulations’ are associated with which institution?
[A] UNICEF
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] WHO
[D] Johns Hopkins University
Answer : [C] WHO
The first round of negotiations concerning the amendments to the WHO International Health Regulations 2005 concluded recently. More than 300 suggested changes were proposed for this document. The International Health Regulations 2005 is being implemented by 196 countries across the world. It is the binding instrument of international law that entered into force in 2007.
10. Which institution has set up a panel to protect investor interest?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] Supreme Court
[D] NITI Aayog
Answer : [C] Supreme Court
The Supreme Court said it will set up a six-member panel to look into regulatory mechanisms to protect investors’ interest after a report by a US short seller Hindenburg on the Adani conglomerate led to large investor losses. The shares of Adani group firms nose-dived last month after the short seller Hindenburg Research alleged a massive financial fraud. The Adani group strongly denied the allegation and called Hindenburg’s report a “calculated attack” on India, its institutions and growth story.
11. ‘Arribada’, which was seen in the news, is the mass nesting of which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Frog
[C] Turtle
[D] Fish
Answer : [C] Turtle
The mass nesting or ‘Arribada’ of Olive Ridley turtles happened in February this year – a month earlier that the last year’s nesting. The cause for the early nesting is unknown, but experts suggest suitable climatic and beach conditions such as the softness of the sand and more space on the beach could be the reasons. Odisha imposed a ban on fishing activities on the beach to protect the turtles during this month.
12. What is the name of the disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by a rapid rise in heart rate?
[A] ROTS
[B] POTS
[C] SOPS
[D] PORS
Answer : [B] POTS
The POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by a rapid rise in heart rate after standing up or lying down. Research is being conducted to identify the relationship between the POTS and COVID-19. There are at least 1 million or more new POTS patients in the United States as a result of COVID.
13. As per ‘India Philanthropy Report 2023’ contributions of Ultra HNIs to social sector declined by 5% after excluding donations of which personality?
[A] Ratan Tata
[B] Azim Premji
[C] Shiv Nadar
[D] Adi Godrej
Answer : [B] Azim Premji
The India Philanthropy Report 2023 was released by non-profit Dasra and consulting firm Bain & Company. According to this report, the contributions by ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNIs) in India to the social sector has declined by 5% in the financial year ending March 2022, when the donations made by Wipro founder chairman Azim Premji are excluded.
14. Which country has announced the ‘Debt Forgiveness Plan’ to students and households?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Turkey
[D] Ukraine
Answer : [A] USA
The Debt Forgiveness Plan was announced the US Government in August last year. This plan vowed to cancel 10,000 USD of student loan debt for individuals earning less than 125,000 USD or for households earning less than ₹ 250,000 per annum. Under this plan, those who are receiving Federal Pell Grants will be given an additional 10,000 USD in debt forgiven.
15. Tillyardembi Fossils of the world’s first plant pollinators called tillyardembiids was discovered recently in which country?
[A] Greece
[B] India
[C] Russia
[D] China
Answer : [C] Russia
Fossils of the oldest known insect and the world’s first plant pollinators called tillyardembiids was discovered recently in Russia. Tillyardembiids are earwig-like insects. The specimens found in Russia were estimated to be around 280 million years old, predating the previously-known pollen-covered insects by about 120 million years.
16. In parliamentary language, what is the name of official of the party who is authorized to issue directions?
[A] Whip
[B] Mentor
[C] Lead
[D] Speaker
Answer : [A] Whip
A whip, in parliamentary language, may refer to a written order to members of a particular party in the House to abide by a certain direction. It may also refer to an official of the party who is authorized to issue such a direction. Supreme Court recently observed that Members of a House is bound by the whip. If any section of MLAs belonging to a political party that is part of the ruling coalition does not want to go with the alliance, the MLAs will be disqualified.
17. Ozempic, which was seen in the news, is used to treat which disease?
[A] Diabetes
[B] Covid
[C] Chronic Heart Disease
[D] Hyper tension
Answer : [A] Diabetes
Ozempic, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, is facing global shortages due to its popularity and its potential for weight loss. Ozempic is found to slow down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, thereby reducing appetite. A research found that nearly three-quarters of users lost over 10% of their body weight after taking in this drug.
18. When was the Electronic Bill (e-Bill) processing system launched in India?
[A] 2016
[B] 2018
[C] 2020
[D] 2022
Answer : [D] 2022
The Electronic Bill (e-Bill) processing system was launched by the Central Government on the occasion of the 46th Civil Accounts Day in 2022. All central ministries and departments will be brought on board of the paperless and faceless e-Bill system before March 2024 to eliminate corruption and ensure the timely clearance of bills submitted by their vendors and contractors.
19. Tunel Wielki Cave is an archaeological site located in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Poland
[C] France
[D] Germany
Answer : [B] Poland
Tunel Wielki, situated in Poland’s Ojcow National Park, is an archaeological site located in the karst area. It has 15 layers in 4.5-meter-deep sediments that provide evidences of early prehistorical cultures, the Middle Ages, and the 19th century. Recently, the oldest known flint tools were discovered in Tunel Wielki cave.
20. S-400 Triumf missile system is developed by which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] Israel
[D] France
Answer : [B] Russia
The S-400 Triumf is a surface-to-air missile system that was developed in Russia in the 1990s as an upgrade to the S-300 family. The system was first put into service on April 2007. The S-400 Triumf has advanced features such as a long-range, high-altitude interception capability, and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously.