Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

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August 12&13| Daily Current Affairs 2023

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

1. On which date is International Youth Day celebrated annually?
A) July 15
B) August 5
C) August 12
D) September 21
E) October 31
Answer: C) August 12

• International Youth Day is celebrated annually on August 12.
• The day was designated as International Youth Day by the United Nations in the year 1999 after the General Assembly endorsed the recommendation by the ‘World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth.’
• Subsequently, it is being celebrated every year to highlight the importance of youth people as the driving force of change in the world.
• The UNGA decision was based on the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, which was held in Lisbon in 1998.
• The inaugural celebration took place on August 12, 2000
• 2023 theme is ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World’.

World Elephant Day

• Every year on August 12, World Elephant Day is marked to emphasize why protecting the animal is the need of the hour.
• The day is devoted to increasing public awareness about elephant conservation on a global scale
• World Elephant Day was first launched in 2012 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark, along with the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand.
• The date, August 12th, was chosen to honor the iconic Asian elephant, which holds great cultural and ecological significance.
• The day provides a platform for organizations, governments, and individuals to come together, share knowledge, and engage in initiatives aimed at protecting elephants and their habitats.
• The theme for World Elephant Day 2023 is “Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade”.

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

2. Where was the third edition of the Khelo India Junior Women’s Hockey League launched successfully?
A) Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
B) Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
C) Eden Gardens, Kolkata
D) Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi
E) Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Answer: D) Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, New Delhi

• The third edition of Khelo India Junior’s Women’s Hockey League was successfully launched at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium, New Delhi.
• Arjuna Award winner and 1972 Olympics bronze medalist Ashok Dhyanchand was the chief guest.
• A total of 13 teams around India are competing in the tournament which started and will go on until 22 August 2023.
• The 2nd phase is immediately also scheduled from 24 August to 2 September 2023 respectively.
• The Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, under the Sports for Women component of the Khelo India Scheme, organized two editions of the competition in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
• The Women’s Leagues witnessed more than 250 competitions with the participation of more than 23,000 women athletes across various age groups.
• The Khelo India Women’s Leagues were held in more than 50 cities located across 26 States/UTs.

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3. Where did India defeat Malaysia to win their record-fourth ACT (Asian Champions Trophy) trophy?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
B) Eden Gardens, Kolkata
C) Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
D) Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai
E) Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Answer: D) Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai

• India beat Malaysia to clinch their record-fourth ACT trophy, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai

List of Tournament Awards:

• Fan Choice Award for Best Goal: Selvam Karthi
• Maximum Team Goals Award: India (29 goals)
• Emerging Player Award: Abdul Shahid (Pakistan)
• Best Rising Goalkeeper Award: Takumi Kitagawa (Japan)
• Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Kim Jaehyeon (South Korea)
• Top Scorer: Harmanpreet Singh (9 goals)
• Hero of the Tournament: Mandeep Singh

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

4. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has chosen which consulting firms to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for enhancing regulatory supervision?
A) Deloitte and PwC
B) KPMG and EY
C) McKinsey and Company, Accenture Solutions
D) BCG and Capgemini
E) IBM and Infosys
Answer: C) McKinsey and Company, Accenture Solutions

• The Reserve Bank has selected global consultancy firms McKinsey and Company India LLP and Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd India to develop systems using artificial intelligence and machine learning for its supervisory functions.
• The RBI is looking to extensively use advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse its huge database and improve regulatory supervision over banks and NBFCs. For this purpose, the central bank plans to hire external experts
  In September last year, the RBI invited expressions of interest (EoI) for engaging consultants for the use of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning for generating supervisory inputs.
• Based on the scrutiny/evaluation set out in the EOI document, the central bank had shortlisted seven applicants to participate in the request for proposal process (RFP) for the selection of consultant(s).
• The seven firms were Accenture Solutions Private Limited; Boston Consulting Group (India) Pvt Ltd; Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP; Ernst and Young LLP; KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP; McKinsey and Company; and Pricewaterhouse Coopers Pvt Ltd.
• Of these, McKinsey and Company India LLP and Accenture Solutions Private Limited India have been awarded the contract, as per a Reserve Bank document

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Acquisitions and Mergers – Daily Current Affairs August  12&13

5. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLAT) recently approved a merger between which two entertainment companies in India, resulting in the creation of a media and entertainment giant valued at $10 billion?
A) Star India and Viacom18
B) Eros International and UTV Motion Pictures
C) Zee Entertainment and Sony Group
D) Sun TV Network and Network18
E) Balaji Telefilms and Reliance Entertainment
Answer: C) Zee Entertainment and Sony Group

• The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allowed the merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd and Culver Max Entertainment (earlier known as Sony Pictures Networks India).
• This order by the Mumbai bench, headed by H.V. Subba Rao and Madhu Sinha, will pave the way for the creation of a $10-billion media company, the biggest in the country.
• The tribunal also dismissed all objections regarding the merger.
• The NCLT had reserved its order on the merger after hearing objections from several creditors.
• It heard arguments from creditors, including Axis Finance, JC Flower Asset
• Reconstruction Co, IDBI Bank, Imax Corp and IDBI Trusteeship.
• In December 2021, Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures agreed to merge their businesses.

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

6. Pakistani President Arif Alvi has approved the appointment of whom as the caretaker prime minister?
A) Imran Khan
B) Nawaz Sharif
C) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
D) Shehbaz Sharif
E) Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
Answer: E) Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar

• Pakistani President Arif Alvi approved the appointment of Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar as the caretaker prime minister
• The president has given the approval in terms of Article 224(1A) of the Constitution of Pakistan
• Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, after detailed consultations with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, or the lower house of the parliament, Raja Riaz, forwarded a summary to this effect to the president for approval
  Kakar has been a member of the Senate of Pakistan since March 2018.
• He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan as an independent candidate in the general seat from the southwest Balochistan province in the 2018 Pakistani Senate election

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

7. The National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) team of which organization received the Gold Award under the Excellence in Government Process Reengineering for Digital Transformation Category-1 by DARPG?
A) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
B) Indian Police Service (IPS)
C) National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
D) Intelligence Bureau (IB)
E) Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Answer: C) National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

• National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) team of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for winning the Gold Award under the Excellence in Government Process Reengineering for Digital Transformation Category-1 of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
• The NAFIS has revolutionized the fingerprint recognition system in crime control. With this system, the work of tracing the involvement of interstate criminals in crimes is being done with greater ease, accuracy and efficiency across the country.
• NAFIS has created a central database of fingerprints of criminals, which can be accessed by users from all States, Union Territories and Central Agencies.

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

8. China recently launched the world’s first high-orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite named L-SAR4 01. Which type of rocket was used for this launch?
A) Falcon 9
B) Soyuz
C) Long March-3B
D) Ariane 5
E) Delta IV
Answer: C) Long March-3B

• China has launched the disaster monitoring satellite L-SAR4 01, the world’s first high-orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, on a Long March-3B carrier rocket
• The launch took place at 1:26 local time (17:26 GMT) from the Xichang spaceport in Sichuan Province in southwestern China.
• The satellite is also the world’s first high-orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite entering the project implementation stage, and it will be mainly used to provide remote sensing information services.
• Compared with low-orbit satellites and optical satellites, the L-SAR4 01 satellite has advantages of short high-orbit observation revisit period and wide imaging width with microwave observation that are not limited by climate (all-weather) and light (all-day).
• It will improve the identification accuracy and efficiency of disaster abnormal change information, and enhance the comprehensive prevention and control capabilities of natural disasters.
• It was the 483rd flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

9. Which two Indian Navy ships took part in the bilateral exercise ‘Zayed Talwar’ with the UAE navy?
A) INS Vikramaditya and INS Shivalik
B) INS Mysore and INS Kolkata
C) INS Kamorta and INS Sahyadri
D) INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand
E) INS Chakra and INS Viraat
Answer: D) INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand

• Two Indian Navy ships, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand conducted a bilateral naval maritime partnership exercise with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy under the bilateral exercise named ‘Zayed Talwar’.
• Earlier, the two ships arrived at Dubai’s Port Rashid to participate in exercise ‘Zayed Talwar’ with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Navy.
• The delegation of the Indian Navy was commanded by Rear Admiral Vineet McCarty, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF).
• the bilateral naval exercise ‘Zayed Talwar’ aims to enhance the interoperability and synergy between the Indian Navy and UAE Navy by cross-training on tactics, techniques and procedures while also developing stronger professional bonds.
• INS Visakhapatnam, an indigenously developed destroyer of the Indian Navy, is currently commanded by Captain Ashok Rao, whereas INS Trikand, an advanced stealth frigate commissioned in 2013, is currently commanded by Captain Pramod G Thomas and is fitted with the state of the art technology which makes her stable, stealthier, fast and formidable.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 12&13

10. How many hydropower projects were allotted by the Arunachal Pradesh government to three Central Government Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed at the State Banquet Hall in Itanagar?
A) 6
B) 8
C) 10
D) 12
E) 15
Answer: D) 12

• Arunachal Pradesh government allotted 12 hydropower projects to three Central Government PSUs by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with them at State Banquet Hall in Itanagar.
• The MoAs were signed in the presence of Union Power Minister R. K. Singh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein.
• The total operational capacity of these 12 projects will be to the tune of 11,517 MW. The projects will be implemented by three Central PSUs – NHPC Ltd., SJVN Ltd. and NEEPCO Ltd.
• These projects were initially allotted to independent power developers but remained stalled due to various reasons.
• List of Hydropower projects allotted to Central PSUs on August 12 –

NEEPCO

Naying (1000 MW) (Siyom River, Siang Basin)
b) Hirong (500 MW) (Siyom River, Siang Basin)
Tato – I (180 MW) (Yarjep River, Siang Basin)
Tato – II (700 MW) (Siyom River, Siang Basin)
Heo (240 MW) (Yarjep River, Siang Basin)

SJVNL

Emini (500 MW) (Mathun River, Dibang Basin)
Amulin (420 MW) (Mathun River, Dibang Basin)
Mihumdon (400 MW) (Tangon River, Dibang Basin)
Etalin (3097 MW) (Tangon River, Dibang Basin)
Attunli (680 MW) (Tangon River, Dibang Basin)

NHPC

Upper Subansiri (2000 MW) (Subansiri River, Subansiri Basin)
Kamla (1800 MW) (Kamala River, Subansiri Basin).

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11. Which two government bodies jointly launched the ‘One District One Product’ Wall at the SARAS Ajeevika Store?
A) Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture
B) Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
C) DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), Ministry of Rural Development
D) Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment
E) Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: C) DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), Ministry of Rural Development

• In a significant step towards promoting the indigenous crafts and artisans of India, One District One Product (ODOP) program, an initiative under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, launched its collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development in New Delhi.
• This strategic collaboration was unveiled with the inauguration of the ODOP Wall at SARAS Aajeevika Store by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Charanjit Singh and Director, DPIIT, Smt. Supriya Devasthali.
• The ODOP Wall at SARAS Aajeevika Store stands as a symbol of the harmonious partnership between these two vital ministries.
• SARAS Aajeevika is an initiative by Deendayal Antyodaya (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
• SARAS Aajeevika is a strong supporter of women’s empowerment, with a special focus on uplifting women artisans and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). By creating a special marketplace for their well-crafted products, SARAS Aajeevika boosts the skills and talents of these women, helping them become independent entrepreneurs.
• In a significant collaboration, the ODOP program has joined hands with the Ministry of Rural Development to implement innovative features such as product tagging and story cards.
• These additions aim to guide consumers and enthusiasts towards emporiums, thereby boosting sales and magnifying the visibility of India’s exceptional products.
• The ODOP initiative aims at manifesting the vision of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to make the country and its people self-reliant by fostering balanced regional development across all districts of the country.

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12. Who performed the Bhumi Pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) and laid the foundation stone of the IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Gandhidham, Gujarat?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
C) Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar
D) Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah
E) Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani
Answer: D) Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone of IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Gandhidham, Gujarat
  On this occasion, Gujarat Home Minister IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani, MD Dr U S Awasthi, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, State Cooperation Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma and others were present.
• IFFCO has not borrowed a single rupee from the bank for the plant which will be set up in Gandhidham at a cost of about Rs. 350 crore on 70 acres, IFFCO has 100 percent equity in it.

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13. Who launched the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to enhance the apprenticeship ecosystem in India?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Amit Shah
C) Nitin Gadkari
D) Dharmendra Pradhan
E) Piyush Goyal
Answer: D) Dharmendra Pradhan

• To bolster the participation of both industries and young individuals in apprenticeship training on a nationwide scale, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship launched Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
• An amount of approx Rs.. 15 crores was disbursed to one lakh apprentices by the Minister today marking the launch of DBT in NAPS.
• A total of 25 lakh youth have been engaged as apprentices since the inception of National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme in 2016, till 31st July 2023. Around 2.6 lakh Apprentices have completed training in FY 23-24.
• The MSDE also organized the Chintan Shivir on “Enhancing Apprenticeship Engagement” to elevate the uptake of apprenticeship programs among all stakeholders. A core facet of this session is to amplify the role and responsibility of various entities, including other central and state governments, industry bodies, and the private sector.
• The Chintan Shivir was divided in three breakout sessions themed on Stakeholder Convergences to Make Apprenticeship Aspirational, Strategies and Practices to promote Quality Apprenticeship, and Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Apprenticeship Ecosystem, respectively.
• With the implementation of NAPS, the Government of India reimburses 25% of the prescribed stipend — subject to a maximum of Rs. 1500/- per month per apprentice — that all employers undertake by engaging apprentices.
• With the implementation of NAPS, it has been noted that not all establishments seek partial reimbursement of stipend by the Government. Going by past trends, 30% of target apprentices, under NAPS 2.0, will be paid their stipend by Government of India.
  With the implementation of DBT, the number of apprentices is expected to increase.
• Accordingly, the percentage of apprentices covered will be going up beyond 30%.

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14. Which type of fighter aircraft has India deployed in Srinagar, replacing the MiG-21 fighter jets, to address security concerns from both the Pakistani and Chinese borders?
A) Su-30MKI
B) Tejas
C) Rafale
D) MiG-29
E) Mirage 2000
Answer: D) MiG-29

• India has deployed MiG-29 fighter aircraft in Srinagar replacing the MiG-21 fighter jets at the base to tackle threats from both the Pakistani and Chinese front
• The Tridents squadron, also known as the ‘Defender of the North’ has replaced the MiG-21 squadron at the Srinagar air base which has traditionally been responsible for taking care of the threat from border nations.
• The MiG-29s were also the 1st aircraft to have been deployed in the Ladakh sector for tacking the threat from the Chinese side after the Galwan clash of 2020 and have thwarted multiple such attempts since then.

MiG-29 vs MiG-21:

• The MiG 29s have multiple advantages over the MiG-21s which were able to successfully defend the area of their responsibility in the Kashmir valley for many years and also managed to strike down an F-16 in 2019 post Balakot air strikes on Pakistani terrorist camps on their mainland.
• The MiG-29 has been equipped with very long-range air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weaponry after the upgrades.
• The upgraded MiG-29 aircraft can operate at night with night vision goggles and has a longer range due to air-to-air refuelling capability.
• It has also been armed with lethal weaponry making use of the emergency procurement powers given to armed forces by the government.
• Earlier in May, Indian Air Force (IAF) had grounded the entire fleet of MiG-21 fighter aircraft till the checks were carried out and investigations into the reasons behind the crash over Rajasthan where three people lost their lives in the crash when a MiG-21 Bison aircraft airborne from the Suratgarh air base crashed over Hanumangarh in a village on May 8.
• Later in July, it was also reported that India will ground all its Soviet-era Russian fighter jets, the MiG-21, by 2025.
• In the last 20 months, 6 MiG-21s have been lost in crashes in which five pilots have lost their lives. Once formed the backbone of the IAF fleet, the MiG-21 is a Soviet-era single-engine multirole fighter/ground attack aircraft.

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15. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched which initiative aimed at reducing power deficit in the state, with a budget of Rs 500 crore?
A) Clean Energy for Meghalaya Program
B) Solar Energy Revolution Initiative
C) Green Power Meghalaya Project
D) Chief Minister’s Solar Mission
E) Power Deficit Minimization Campaign
Answer: D) Chief Minister’s Solar Mission

• Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the Rs 500 crore Chief Minister’s Solar Mission aimed at minimizing the power deficit in this north eastern hill state.
• The money will be invested by the government in the next 5 years.
• The mission will not only address power deficits but also usher in a new era of resilience, independence and green progress for Meghalaya.
• Apart from a substantial subsidy, it has back-end bank financing to enable beneficiaries avail the benefit at minimal investment, he said.
• The state government will earmark investment of Rs 100 crore annually for the solar mission initially.
• It intends to attract and invite more partners to diversify the portfolio for funding, including from corporate social responsibility, carbon credits or investment by like-minded organisations from across the world

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16. Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) recently introduced the ‘Gamyam’ app with the aim of enhancing public access to technology. What is the primary purpose of this app?
A) Online ticket booking
B) Traffic congestion updates
C) Emergency assistance
D) Bus tracking
E) Pollution monitoring
Answer: D) Bus tracking

• In pursuit of making the bus journey easy, and passengers tech-friendly, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) launched “TSRTC Gamyam”, a mobile app that will help passengers track the arrival and departure times of buses.
• This bus tracking app will help passengers to know the exact timings of buses at various stops across Telangana and nearby states where the services are available.
• This initiative has been taken up so that passengers can plan their travel accordingly and avoid wasting time at bus stations.
• TSRTC, which is giving prime importance to women passengers’ safety, has also introduced a new feature called ‘Flag a Bus’ in the newly launched app for their convenience from 7 am to 6 pm.
• Besides this, the app also provides better coordination for travel plans by connecting passengers to airports or railway stations.
• The app can also be downloaded through Google Play Store or from the TSRTC official website www.tsrtc.telangana.gov.in.

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