Google News
logo
Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2024

Current Affairs is a very important part of the overall preparation strategy for various Competitive Entrance and Government Recruitment Exams. Free Time Learning offers Today Current Affairs provides latest and Best Daily Current Affairs for UPSC, IAS/PCS, UPPSC, IBPS, SBI, RBI, SSC, CGL, Railway, APPSC, TSPSC, KPSC, TNPSC, TPSC, UPPSC, MPSC, RPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, UKPSC, MPSC, and other competitive exams.

A)
Maharashtra
B)
Gujarat
C)
Tamil Nadu
D)
Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra


The Maharashtra Government on Thursday(15th Dec 2022) said the Hinduja group will be investing Rs 35,000 crore in the state in 11 sectors.
 
The Chief Minister's Office tweeted that an MoU was signed between the state government and Hinduja group in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

G P Hinduja and Ashok Hinduja of the Hinduja group were present on the occasion. An official said the group has identified 11 sectors for investment in the state, including infrastructure, biotech, Electric Vehicles, manufacturing and health.

The Shinde government had come under fire earlier this year when Maharashtra lost some big-ticket projects including Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor plant to other states.

Source : Business Standard

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
Steven H. Kaplan
B)
Neal Smatresk
C)
Renu Khator
D)
Dr Claudine Gay

Correct Answer :   Dr Claudine Gay


Harvard University has chosen its first black president. Dr Claudine Gay, the daughter of an immigrant, has been named the first president to run an Ivy League university. Dr Gay, who is a dean at Harvard and a democracy scholar, has been appointed as the university's 30th president.
 
* Dr Claudine Gay will replace Lawrence Bacow as president in July 2023, the university noted.

* Dr Gay will also be the second woman to head the elite college in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
 
* Notably, Dr Claudine Gay is the daughter of Haitian immigrants. She received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University in California in 1992.

* Dr Gay then went on to receive her doctorate degree in 1998 from Harvard, where she bagged the Toppan Prize for the best dissertation in political science.
 
* Dr Gay joined Harvard's faculty in 2006 as a government professor and became a professor of African and African-American Studies in 2007. Her work so far has centred on race and politics in America..

Source : Times Now News

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
Meta
B)
Google
C)
Amazon
D)
Microsoft

Correct Answer :   Microsoft


Microsoft announced that it has partnered with global communications company Viasat to deliver satellite internet access to 10 million people across the world by 2025.
 
* Viasat is the first satellite partner to work with Microsoft's Airband Initiative, and together they will deepen Airband's work, Microsoft said in a blogpost on Wednesday(14th Dec 2022).
 
* According to the International Telecommunication Union at the UN, around one-third of the world's population, that is, 2.7 billion people, have still never used the internet.
 
* "Working with Viasat, we will use satellite to reach remote areas that previously have had few, if any, options for conventional connectivity. Together, we will be able to rapidly scale and expand Airband's reach, exploring a wider pipeline of projects and new countries where we haven't yet worked," said Teresa Hutson, vice president of technology and corporate responsibility, Microsoft.
 
* The companies will provide and pilot technologies including, satellites (both geostationary orbit and low earth orbit) and fixed wireless..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
Sanjiv Puri
B)
Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi
C)
Prashant Jain
D)
Arun Kumar Singh

Correct Answer :   Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi


Sate owned NHPC Ltd on Wednesday(14th Dec 2022) announced that the company has appointed Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) with effect from Tuesday(13th Dec 2022). 
 
“Accordingly, in line with the aforesaid order of Ministry of Power, the Board of Directors through resolution by circulation passed on 14.12.2022 has appointed Shri Rajeev Kumar Vishnoi (DIN: 08534217) as Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC Limited w.e.f. 13.12.2022 i.e. the date of assumption of charge of the post of CMD, NHPC," NHPC said in its regulatory filing.
 
Vishnoi is not related to any of the directors of the NHPC and is not debarred from holding the office of director by virtue of any order of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) or any other such authority, the company said.
 
He is also the CMD of Rishikesh-based THDC India Limited.
 
Until now, Yamuna Kumar Chaubey NHPC's Director (Technical) was holding the additional charge of CMD of the company.
 
"Yamuna Kumar Chaubey Director (Technical), NHPC ceases to hold the additional charge of the post of CMD, NHPC Limited," it said. 
 
NHPC said that its consolidated net profit increased by 21.56% YoY to ₹1,685.81 crore in Q2FY23 from ₹1,386.81 crore in Q2FY22 and ₹1,053.76 crore in Q1FY23, reflecting a QoQ gain of 59%.
 
From ₹3,165.59 crore in the same quarter last year and ₹2,990.86 crore reported in the quarter ended June 2022, the company's total income increased to ₹3,529.31 crore in the quarter ended September 2022, reflecting a YoY rise of 11.48% and a QoQ growth of 18%.
 
The company's scrip ended 0.24 per cent down at ₹41.95 on BSE..

Source : Mint
 

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
TPG
B)
CVC
C)
LGP
D)
KKR & Co. Inc.

Correct Answer :   TPG


US-based private equity major "TPG" has agreed to acquire the housing finance arm of Adar Poonawalla-led Poonawalla Fincorp at ₹3,900 crore valuation.

* TPG also said it will infuse an additional equity of up to ₹1,000 crore in Poonawalla Housing Finance in the near term.

* In its press release, TPG said the existing management team led by Manish Jaiswal will continue to carry out the operations.

* Poonawalla Housing Finance (PHFL) currently has over 153 branches spread across 20 states. At the end of September quarter, the company had assets under management (AUM) worth ₹5,612 crore. It reported a profit after tax (PAT) of ₹33 crore in the September quarter, with a 33% year-on-year growth.

* “As India’s leading affordable housing finance provider, PHFL is uniquely positioned to grow in the fast-expanding affordable housing sector, which we believe is one of the most resilient asset classes across interest rate cycles,” said Puneet Bhatia, co-managing partner of TPG Capital Asia.

* Poonawalla Housing Finance joins TPG’s portfolio of financial services companies in Asia, which includes Kakao Bank, Singlife, Five Star Business Finance, and Du Xiaoman Financial.

* “We have full confidence that it (PHFL) will continue to make a strong contribution to the affordable housing sector with our new partnership with TPG. As a global leading investment firm, TPG’s experience in building and supporting leading financial services companies will add greater value to PHFL,” said Adar Poonawalla, chairman of Poonawalla Group.

* PHFL currently offers home loans starting at 9.55% per annum. It has disbursed over 50,000 loans till date and offers credit for home construction, extension, improvement and balance transfer..

Source : Business Insider

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
Japan
B)
India
C)
China
D)
Russia

Correct Answer :   India


India will be the first country to auction spectrum for satellite communication, and it should be designed to attract investments in the sector, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman "PD Vaghela" said 13th Dec 2022.
 
* Speaking at a Broadband India Forum summit on SatCom, PD Vaghela said Trai will soon make recommendations to make permissions required for satellite communication from various ministries -- Information and Broadcasting, Space and Telecom -- seamless to enhance ease of doing business in the sector.
 
* He also said Trai has received a reference from the Department of Telecommunication for the spectrum required to be put to auction and associated aspects of satellite-based communication.

* The regulator is yet to come up with a consultation paper on the spectrum auction as per the standard process meant for satellite communication.
 
About satellite communication :
 
* Satellite communication refers to any communication link that involves the use of an artificial satellite in its propagation path. 
* Satellite communications play a vital role in modern life.
 
* There are over 2000 artificial satellites in use.
 
* They can be found in geostationary, Molniya, elliptical, and low Earth orbits and are used for traditional point-to-point communications, mobile applications, and the distribution of TV and radio programs.
 
* Satellite communications tend to use high-frequency signals.
 
TRAI is in discussion with experts and regulators worldwide for a suitable model and the consultation paper will be floated after those discussions are over. While telecom operators have proposed to allocate spectrum through an auction for satellite communication, satellite industry players have opposed it..

Source : NDTV

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
$10.5 billion
B)
$12.5 billion
C)
$15.5 billion
D)
$18.5 billion

Correct Answer :   $15.5 billion


Vietnam has reached a $15.5 billion agreement with a group of nine rich industrialised countries that would help the Southeast Asian nation cut its greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from coal to renewable energy.
 
* In an announcement made on Wednesday, the Group of Seven (G7) major economies, along with Norway and Denmark, said the aim is to help Vietnam reduce its emissions to "net zero" by 2050.
 
* The announcement comes as Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is visiting Brussels to attend the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit marking 45 years of diplomatic ties between the two regional blocs. 
 
* "Net zero", is a target that experts say needs to be met globally to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
 
* The Just Energy Transition Partnership with Vietnam is among a series of agreements that developing and rich nations are negotiating.
 
* The first such deal was signed with South Africa last year(2021), and a similar agreement was reached with Indonesia last month.
 
* "Vietnam is a dynamic, emerging economy at the heart of Southeast Asia," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
 
* "The investment we are making today means the country can cut its emissions while simultaneously creating new jobs and growth."
 
* The UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States comprise the G-7..

Source : TRT World

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
National Institute Of Ayurveda
B)
Gujarat Ayurved University
C)
Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda
D)
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)

Correct Answer :   All India Institute of Ayurveda


The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Medical Sciences, Cuba, and extended the agreement with Rosenberg European Academy of Ayurveda (REAA), Germany, for five more years to take forward collaborative programmes.
 
* The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo.
 
* The MoU with Havana-based University of Medical Sciences was signed between Cuban Ambassador to India "Alejandro Simancas Marin" and Dr Tanuja M Nesari, the director of AIIA.
 
* The extension of collaboration with REAA was initiated by the academy's director Mark Rosenberg and Dr Nesari.
 
* With these collaborations, Delhi-based AIIA, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of AYUSH, has 15 international partners and 35 national partners under its collaborative activities, Dr Nesari said.
 
* These partnerships come at a time when there is a big acceptance of Ayurveda and other traditional wellness systems the world over. The core objective is to promote advanced scientific research, evidence-based studies and clinical trials, exchange programmes and patient care, Dr Nesari said.
 
* The AIIA has struck agreements with the best partners in the world, including the Harvard Medical School, while an agreement with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has also been inked for clinical trials on the efficacy of 'ashwagandha' (withania somnifera) and 'guruchi' (tinsoporacordifolia) in treating Long Covid, she said.
 
* The AIIA is seeking to promote futuristic Ayurveda by bringing a synergy between traditional wisdom and modern tools and technology, Dr Nesari said.
 
* The AIIA and REAA had entered into a MoU in September, 2017 with a validity of five years, which has been extended to 2027, it was stated..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : December 16, 2022
A)
Vasundhara Raje
B)
Prahlad Singh Patel
C)
Kiren Rijiju
D)
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Correct Answer :   Gajendra Singh Shekhawat


Jal Shakti Minister "Gajendra Singh Shekhawat" will inaugurate the 7th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS 2022) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on 15th Dec 2022.

* Theme 2022 : The theme of the summit this year (2022) is  Restoration and Conservation of Small Rivers in a Large Basin.

* It will also focus on the select aspects of ‘Mapping and Convergence of 5Ps’ - People, Policy, Plan, Programme and Project. 

* The three-day-long summit will aim to give an insight into the potential causes for divergence and formulate a strategy to achieve convergence.

* The event will also host a finance forum to bring together global financial institutions and investors interested in river restoration and conservation programmes..

Source : AIR

Published On : December 15, 2022
A)
Kerala
B)
Karnataka
C)
Telangana
D)
Andhra Pradesh

Correct Answer :   Kerala


Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, "Nitin Gadkari" will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 12 National Highway development projects worth 40,453 crore rupees in Kerala 15th Dec 2022.

The event will be held at the Travancore International Convention Centre at Karyavattom Sports Hub, Thiruvananthapuram 15th Dec 2022 at 3:45 PM. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will preside the function.

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Gen. VK Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan, State Public Works Development & Tourism Minister P.A. Muhammad Rias will attend the event.

The projects will have 403 km inside Kerala and are implemented by the National Highways Authority of India..

Source : News On Air

Published On : December 15, 2022