Current Affairs - December, 2022

1 .

According to the report, released by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry, the road accidents in India have been decreased by ____ in 2021 as compared to 2019.

A)

5.1%

B)

6.1%

C)

7.1%

D)

8.1%

Correct Answer : 8.1%

Road accidents in the country have decreased by 8.1 percent in the year 2021 as compared to 2019. The injuries due to road accidents have also decreased by 14.8 percent. It was revealed in a recent report by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry.

* However, it stated that fatalities on account of road accidents have increased by 1.9 percent in 2021 corresponding to the same period in 2019.

* During the previous year 2020, the country saw a decrease in accidents, fatalities, and injuries due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the resultant nationwide lockdown.

* India is committed to bringing down fatalities caused by road accidents. The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has also formulated a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency Care.

* It has implemented a scheme called Grant of Financial Assistance for Administering Road Safely Advocacy and Awards for the Outstanding Work Done in the Field of Road Safety regarding the same..

Source : AIR

Published On : December 29, 2022

2 .

Who inaugurated the National Championship "Tehri Water Sports Cup" at Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand on 28th Dec 2022?

A)

RK Singh

B)

Pralhad Joshi

C)

Nitin Gadkari

D)

Hardeep Singh Puri

Correct Answer : RK Singh

Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh, a world-class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy is to be set up at Tehri in Uttarakhand.

Speaking at the inauguration of the National Championship "Tehri Water Sports Cup" at Tehri Lake 28th Dec 2022, he exclaimed, the promotion of sports is the priority of the Union Government.

Mr. Singh said, there are immense possibilities for the hydro projects in the mountains, and Central and State governments are working together to take them forward.

State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remarked this is the first time that the national-level sports competition is being organized at Tehri Lake. He said the making of Tehri Lake an international tourism destination is being done at a fast pace.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister informed that the new sports policy has been implemented in the State, and the government has also announced the re-introduction of the sports quota in jobs..

Source : AIR

Published On : December 29, 2022

3 .

With reference to Coking coal, consider the following statements:

1. It is a high-quality coal that is low in impurities and has a high carbon content,

2. India is the largest coal-producing country in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 Only

B)

2 Only

C)

Both 1 and 2

D)

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : 1 Only

Coal Ministry has recently Identified more Blocks to Enhance Coking Coal Production.

About :

* Coal is a fossil fuel and is the altered remains of prehistoric vegetation that originally accumulated in swamps and peat bogs.

* The quality of each coal deposit is determined by : varying types of vegetation from which the coal originated; depths of burial; temperatures and pressures at those depths; and length of time the coal has been forming in the deposit.

* Coking coal is a high-quality coal that is low in impurities and has a high carbon content, which makes it ideal for use in the metallurgical process.

* Coking coal is used to produce coke, which is a porous, solid carbon material that is used as a fuel and a reducing agent in the production of iron and steel.

* Largest coal-producing countries in the world: China (3.7 billion tonnes), India (783 million tonnes), United States (640 million tonnes), Indonesia (616 million tonnes)..

Source : PIB

Published On : December 29, 2022

4 .

Who has flagged off the first metro rail in Dhaka for its first journey between Diabari and Agargaon station on 28th Dec 2022?

A)

Khaleda Zia

B)

Sheikh Hasina

C)

Sajeeb Wazed

D)

Mohammad Abdul Hamid

Correct Answer : Sheikh Hasina

The first metro rail in Bangladesh was inaugurated in Dhaka by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday(28th Dec 2022). The train was flagged off in Dhaka for its first journey between Diabari and Agargaon station.

* This is part of the ambitious Bangladesh project of Mass Rapid Transit to be completed by 2030.

* Bangladesh entered another glorious era in its developmental journey today with the inauguration of the metro rail in Dhaka.

* The approximately 12-kilometre-long metro route which was opened 28th Dec 2022 will connect Diabari to Agargaon station in Dhaka.

* Ten pairs of trains with 6 six coaches each will run on this route initially for 4 hours carrying about 5 lakh passengers daily.

* Inaugurating the metro line in Dhaka 28th Dec 2022, Prime Minister Hasina said that with the opening of the country's first-ever metro rail, another feather was added to the crown of Bangalee's pride and Bangladesh's development.

* She said, it is a great achievement for Bangladesh being the first high-speed rail service with a top speed of 110 kilometres per hour. It is also the first time that Bangladesh will be running an electric train in the country which is environmentally safe.

* Built with financial and technical support from Japan, the metro rail network after completion in 2030 will cover a total length of 129 kilometres out of which 61 kilometres will be underground..

Source : AIR

Published On : December 29, 2022

5 .

The Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project is how many megawatts?

A)

510 MW

B)

720 MW

C)

1024 MW

D)

1350 MW

Correct Answer : 720 MW

The India-assisted 720 Megawatts Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project has been handed to Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in Bhutan.

The handover was held in Thimphu on 27 December 2022 in a ceremony that was witnessed by Bhutan's Minister of Economic Affairs Lyonpo Loknath Sharma and India's Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela.

With the handing over of the project, India and Bhutan have successfully completed four mega hydroelectric power projects, Bhutan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a statement.

The 720 MW project Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering in 2019.

The commissioning of the project has increased Bhutan's Electrical Power Generation Capacity by 44 per cent and it is now at 2,326 Mega Watts, according to the statement released by Bhutan's Ministry of Economic Affairs..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : December 29, 2022

6 .

Which Company has signed an MoU with the Central TB Division (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to undertake intensified TB elimination project?

A)

Reliance Petroleum

B)

Hindustan Petroleum

C)

IndianOil

D)

Bharat Petroleum

Correct Answer : IndianOil

IndianOil has signed an MoU with the Central TB Division (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to undertake intensified TB elimination project.

Aim : To end TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of SDG

It also aims to provide sustainable and equitable access to free TB treatment, and support services to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

IndianOil will also introduce Mobile Medical Vans equipped with modern diagnostic technology..

Source : PIB

Published On : December 29, 2022

7 .

Nitin Manmohan, who passed away 29th December 2022, was a prolific personality in which field?

A)

Politics

B)

Science

C)

Journalism

D)

Film Industry

Correct Answer : Film Industry

Producer Nitin Manmohan, who produced films like Baaghi, Laadla, passed away on 29th December 2022 due to prolonged illness. Nitin was late Bollywood actor, Manmohan's son.

The veteran producer suffered a heart attack on December 24, following which, he was rushed to the hospital. He breathed his last on 29th Dec 2022.

Nitin Manmohan is the son of late actor Manmohan, who featured in films such as Brahmachari, Gumnaam and Naya Zamana. The late filmmaker produced films like Baaghi, Laadla, Insaaf, Baat Ban Jaye, and others..

Source : India Today

Published On : December 29, 2022

8 .

Who has been appointed as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) on 28th Dec 2022?

A)

Praveen Kumar Srivastava

B)

S.D. Sharma

C)

Ms. Shalini

D)

SH. Sudhir Kumar Sharma

Correct Answer : Praveen Kumar Srivastava

Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava has been appointed as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), officials said on 28th Dec 2022.

Srivastava’s appointment comes after Suresh N Patel completed his term as the chief of the anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission on December 24, they said.

The commission is headed by a CVC and can have a maximum of two Vigilance Commissioners.

Besides Srivastava, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Arvind Kumar is the other Vigilance Commissioner.

Srivastava is a 1988-batch (retired) Indian Administrative Service officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre. He superannuated as Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat on January 31 this year.

During his tenure as Special Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, he had handled matters relating to cadre management of Indian Police Service, personnel and general administration of central armed police forces and Union territories.

Srivastava also assisted the government in negotiations relating to trade in services under the World Trade Organization (WTO) as Director/Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce.

He also served as Chief Vigilance Officer in RITES Ltd and as Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Patel, former managing director and chief executive officer of Andhra Bank, was on August 3, 2022 appointed as the CVC.

He joined the Commission in April 2020 as the Vigilance Commissioner. Patel was made acting CVC on June 24, 2021 after Sanjay Kothari completed his term.

The tenure of a CVC and vigilance commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years..

Source : The Print

Published On : December 29, 2022

9 .

The G20 digital innovation alliance campaign will be organized in which city?

A)

Bangalore

B)

Mumbai

C)

New Delhi

D)

Ahmedabad

Correct Answer : Bangalore

Under the G20 Presidency, Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnav launched the “G20 Digital Innovation Alliance”(G20-DIA).

The G20-DIA will be organized in the meeting of the digital economy working group of Bangalore. Various important startups will also join the meeting.

G-20-DIA aims to recognise and support innovators that have digital solutions for various world economies to reduce the digital divide. Stay Safe Online Campaign will sensitise internet users about safe cyber behaviour and cyber hygiene practices.

Terming these programmes as path-breaking, Mr. Vaishnaw said, they will address two key areas of the digital economy which are cyber security and the potential of the start-ups.

The Minister emphasised creating public digital platforms which can be leveraged by various organisations to build solutions for the community which can lead to a vibrant start-up ecosystem..

Source : The Hindu

Published On : December 29, 2022

10 .

With reference to Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, consider the following statements:

1. It will be NASA’s first dedicated robotic mission to Jupiter.

2. It will enter into orbit around Ganymede, the largest moon in the Solar System.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 Only

B)

2 Only

C)

Both 1 and 2

D)

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : 2 Only

The European Space Agency has announced that the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission will be celebrated at an event in Toulouse, France, on 20 January 2023.

About :

Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will be Europe’s first dedicated robotic mission to Jupiter. Juice is due to reach the planet in July 2031 after performing an incredible flight path through the Solar System.

The mission will enter into orbit around Jupiter and perform numerous flybys of its large icy moons: Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

After four years of moon flybys, Juice will then enter into orbit around Ganymede, the largest moon in the Solar System — becoming the first spacecraft ever to reach orbit around the moon of another planet.

The icy moons of Jupiter are interesting as they are all believed to host oceans of liquid water beneath their frozen surfaces. Europa, in particular, is regarded as one of the most likely abodes in the Solar System for extra-terrestrial life.

Juice will be equipped with ten scientific instruments including ice-penetrating radar to study the internal oceans. This use of radar is a practical first step in mapping the sub-surface oceans, paving the way for more exotic future missions involving submersible vehicles — some of which have already been put forward

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Source : Down to Earth

Published On : December 29, 2022