Current Affairs - December, 2022

1 .

Who has been re-appointed as MD & CEO of of Suryoday Small Finance Bank for three years, with effect from 23 January 2023?

A)

Lungisa Fuzile

B)

Bharat Masrani

C)

Harsh Vardhan Sachdev

D)

Baskar Babu Ramachandran

Correct Answer : Baskar Babu Ramachandran

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the re-appointment of Baskar Babu Ramachandran as MD & CEO of Suryoday Small Finance Bank for three years, with effect from 23 January 2023.

* He has several years of experience in the banking and finance sector.

* Prior to co-founding the Suryoday Micro Finance Private Limited, he had worked with various companies including GE Capital Transportation Financial Services and HDFC Bank.

* Suryoday SFB is a scheduled commercial bank..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : December 28, 2022

2 .

Who has been appointed as the next Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army?

A)

Lt. General Harpal Singh

B)

Lt. General Arvind Walia

C)

Lt. General Gurmeet Singh

D)

Lt. General Anil Chauhan

Correct Answer : Lt. General Arvind Walia

Lieutenant General Arvind Walia has been appointed as the next Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, said Indian Army officials.

He would be succeeding Lt Gen Harpal Singh who is superannuating on December 31, 2022.

"Lieutenant General Arvind Walia has been appointed as the next Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He would be succeeding Lt Gen Harpal Singh who is superannuating on December 31," the Indian Army officials said..

Source : ANI

Published On : December 27, 2022

3 .

India has agreed to start negotiations for a free trade agreement with which neighbouring country?

A)

Bangladesh

B)

China

C)

Nepal

D)

Sri Lanka

Correct Answer : Bangladesh

With an aim to boost twi-way commerce and investments, India and Bangladesh on Thursday(22nd Dec 2022) agreed to start negotiations for a free trade agreement at an early date.

The decision was taken in a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his Bangladeshi counterpart Tipu Munshi.

A joint feasibility study on the agreement, officially dubbed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), has been carried out after the two countries agreed to explore the possibility of negotiating a trade pact.

In an official statement, the Commerce ministry said, "study confirmed the CEPA would provide a sound basis for substantial enhancement of trade and commercial partnership between the two countries... Both sides agreed to start the CEPA discussions at an early date."

In such an agreement, the two countries either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them. Besides, they ease norms for promoting trade in services and attracting investments.

The bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh increased to USD 18.2 billion (USD 16.2 billion exports and USD 2 billion imports) in 2021-22 as against USD 10.8 billion in 2020-21..

Source : Live Mint

Published On : December 27, 2022

4 .

When is "International Day of Epidemic Preparedness" celebrates on?

A)

25 December

B)

26 December

C)

27 December

D)

28 December

Correct Answer : 27 December

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27 serves the purpose of creating awareness about epidemics.

This day encourages every individual, every institution, and every government to prepare its citizens in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, in order to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for, and partnership against epidemics.

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2022 Significance : The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness reminds us what we went through during the two years of peak-COVID infections.

Hospitals were overwhelmed. Family members could not conduct the last rites of their loved ones. Such grim situations could be avoided in the future if people remain alert and prepared.

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness History : In its 75th session and 36th plenary meeting on December 7, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution which declared December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

The decision is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The declaration recognised the “devastating impacts of major infectious diseases and epidemics,” especially of the current COVID-19 pandemic, on people’s lives and the long-term damage to social and economic development.

The UN General Assembly also noted how the present pandemic had overwhelmed the medical faculty and health systems globally, disrupted supply chains and disproportionately affected the livelihoods of people in poorer countries..

Source : News18

Published On : December 27, 2022

5 .

Which institution has set up the 'Central Excise and Service Tax Settlement Commission'?

A)

CBIC

B)

SEBI

C)

CBDT

D)

Enforcement Directorate

Correct Answer : CBIC

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has constituted the much-awaited Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax Settlement Commission to resolve and settle the show-cause notices issued under the Customs Act, Central Excise Act and Service Tax regime.

The move would bring expeditious disposal of cases where demand has been raised under the old indirect tax regime. The Central Excise Act and Service Tax were replaced with the current Goods and Service Tax (GST) law from 1st July, 2017.

”Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax Settlement Commission-A Filip to Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism for expeditious settlement of Show Cause Notices issued under Customs Act/Central Excise Act/Service Tax,” the CBIC tweeted from its official twitter handle.

The Competent Authority constituted Settlement Commission Benches at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Kolkata to provide Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism for expeditious settlement of show cause notices issued in cases under Customs Act & Central Excise Act..

Source : Taxscan

Published On : December 27, 2022

6 .

Which organization has published a report on the Indian economy reaching 10 trillion dollars by 2035?

A)

RBI

B)

World Bank

C)

World Economic Forum

D)

Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)

Correct Answer : Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)

The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), which is a UK-based economics consultancy, predicted that India will become the third-largest economy by 2037.

14th edition of the report noted that over the next five years, the annual rate of GDP growth is expected to average 6.4%. After that, the growth is expected to average 6.5% in the subsequent nine years.

What The Report Highlighted :

As per the report, India seems “unstoppable in its momentum” to become the third economic superpower. The report has predicted that in 2035, India will become the third $10 trillion economy.

While commenting on the Chinese economy, the report said that despite modest output performance in 2022, inflation was at an anticipated 11.6%. The Chinese economy, therefore, faces a potential stagflationary trade-off between growth and price rises.

In last year’s report, it was mentioned that India will regain its position from France and the South Asian nation will witness an improvement in its World Economic League Table (WELT) ranking over the next 15 years.

Like the world, India also faced the wrath of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the nation has the third-highest death toll globally. In the beginning, the pandemic caused a significant decline in economic activity, with output contracting by 6.6% in the fiscal year 2020/21.

But in the post-pandemic times, countries are now looking to revive their economy, and so is India. The report mentioned that a sharp rebound in economic activity in the post-pandemic era was led by a rise in domestic demand. It has resulted in GDP growing by 8.7% in the fiscal year 2021/22, making India the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Despite decelerating global demand and tightening monetary policy to curb inflationary pressures, the report states that India is expected to grow in the fiscal year 2022/23 at 6.8%. This would bring output 8.4% above 2019 levels.

Over the next five years, the annual rate of GDP growth is expected to average 6.4%, after which growth is expected to average 6.5% in the subsequent nine years.

The reported growth trajectory will see India rise from fifth place on the WELT in 2022 to third in the global rankings by 2037..

Source : Economic Times

Published On : December 27, 2022

7 .

Who has been appointed as the new chairman and CEO of the railway board from January 1, 2023?

A)

Pankaj Singh

B)

Anil Kumar Lahoti

C)

V.K. Tripathi

D)

Ashwani Sharan

Correct Answer : Anil Kumar Lahoti

Anil Kumar Lahoti has been named as the Railway Board's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The former General Manager of Central Railway was appointed as a Member (Infrastructure) of the board a week ago and will succeed Vinay Kumar Tripathi as Chairman on January 1, 2023.

Lahoti was named general manager of Central Railway in July 2021, having previously held various critical posts in both zonal railways and the Delhi Railway Board.

Published On : December 27, 2022

8 .

In which state "Khelo India Youth Games 2022" will be held?

A)

Goa

B)

Gujarat

C)

Haryana

D)

Madhya Pradesh

Correct Answer : Madhya Pradesh

The Fifth Khelo India Youth Games -2022 will be held in Madhya Pradesh. The games will be held from 31st January to 11th February 2023.

This was announced by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur at an event in New Delhi in presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Talking to reporters after the event, Mr Thakur said, the Khelo India Youth Games will be held at eight locations. He said, more than 8 thousand 500 athletes and sportspersons are expected to participate in the sporting event.

Mr Thakur said, Khelo India Youth Games was stared in 2016 and provided a very effective platform to the youth of the country to showcase their performance and talents in sports.

Mr Thakur said that Madhya Pradesh is now showing its excellence in every sector and State Chief Minister has improved the infrastructure of sports and built up a big infrastructure of shooting and water sports.

Speaking to reporters Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur for providing the opportunity to organise the Khelo India Youth Games in his State.

Mr Chouhan assured that the State government will leave no stone unturned in organising the event in most spectacular way. He said, the games will be held at different places of the State including at Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Ujjain and Jabalpur.

On the occasion, Madhya Pradesh Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Yashodhara Raje Scindia and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik were also present.

The upcoming edition of the Khelo India Youth Games will feature a total of 27 disciplines. Water sports being included for the first time in the history of the games..

Source : AIR

Published On : December 27, 2022

9 .

Who was appointed as the Chairman of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on 26th Dec 2022?

A)

Ashok Nair

B)

Chandu Kumar

C)

Santosh Kumar Yadav

D)

Harshdeep Singh

Correct Answer : Santosh Kumar Yadav

The government on Monday(26th Dec 2022) appointed senior bureaucrat Santosh Kumar Yadav as the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

In an order, the Department of personnel & Training (DoPT) said, “Yadav, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as NHAI Chairman.”

Yadav is currently holding the post of Additional Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.

In the same order, the DoPT said, “Subhasish Panda, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).”

Ganji Kamala V Rao has been named as Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Rao, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, is currently holding the post of the Managing Director of the India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

Hitesh Kumar S Makwana has been named as Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Rajneesh, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will be Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the order said..

Source : Tribune India

Published On : December 27, 2022

10 .

Who has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tecnimont Private Limited?

A)

NHPC

B)

GAIL

C)

NTPC

D)

Coal India

Correct Answer : NTPC

NTPC, India's largest power generation company, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tecnimont Private Limited, Indian Subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group, Italy.

The objective of the MOU is to jointly evaluate and explore the possibility to develop commercial scale Green Methanol Production facility at NTPC project in India.

The Green Methanol Project involves capturing carbon from NTPC power plants and converting it into a green fuel. Green Methanol has a wide range of applications, including serving as a base material for the chemical industry, storing renewable electricity, and even as a transportation fuel. It is also considered as a substitute fuel for maritime fuel applications.

C.K Mondal, Director (Commercial), NTPC commented that this project along with NTPCs under execution Pilot scale Green Methanol project aligns with NTPC's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy, and will significantly contribute to India's energy transition..

Source : PIB

Published On : December 27, 2022