Daily Current Affairs August 18

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August 18| Daily Current Affairs 2023

Sports – Daily Current Affairs August 18

1. Dutee Chand, India’s fastest woman athlete with two Asian Games silver medals, faced a suspension from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for how long?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
E) 5 years
Answer: D) 4 years

• India’s fastest woman athlete Dutee Chand who has two Asian Games silver medals received a four-year ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
• The international sprinter was provisionally suspended in January 2023 after the officials found “anabolic agents/SARMS” in her urine samples.
• The substances are listed under the “WADA’s 2023 prohibited list of non-specified substances”.
• The ban on Dutee Chand will be effective from 3 January 2023 and the results of all her competitions will be scrapped from 5 December 2022- the day she went her first test.
• The athlete is not satisfied with the punishment and is expected to challenge the same.

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs August 18

2. How many startup cells has the Indian Bank established across various centers in the country to cater to its specialized banking needs?
A) 5 startup cells
B) 8 startup cells
C) 10 startup cells
D) 15 startup cells
E) 20 startup cells
Answer: C) 10 startup cells

• Public sector Indian Bank said it has set up 10 startup cells across different centres in the country to serve its specialised banking requirements.
• Accordingly, the startup cells have been set up in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Mumbai.
• After the opening, Jain also virtually inaugurated nine startup cells in the different cities commemorating the bank’s 117th Foundation Day.The startup cell branches would have dedicated relationship managers, who would partner with them and build lifecycle engagement with the start-ups.
• Indian Bank has launched ‘IND SPRINGBOARD’ — a customised loan product for startups to address their unique financial challenges.

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3. Zerodha, a prominent financial services company, has received the final approval from which regulatory body to initiate its mutual fund business?
A) RBI (Reserve Bank of India)
B) IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
C) SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)
D) NSE (National Stock Exchange of India)
E) BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange)
Answer: C) SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)

• Broking firm Zerodha has received final approval from capital markets regulator Sebi to set up an asset management company
• veteran Vishal Jain will be the new CEO of the AMC business.
• In April, both Zerodha and Smallcase announced that they would set up a joint venture to launch the Zerodha AMC business.
• In February 2020, Zerodha applied for a license to start mutual fund operations.
• Helios Capital received Sebi’s approval to launch a mutual fund business.

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4. Chakr Innovation recently received a funding boost of Rs 18 crore through which funding program by EXIM Bank?
A) StartUp India Initiative
B) Make in India Fund
C) Skill India Program
D) UbharteSitare Programme
E) Innovate India Scheme
Answer: D) UbharteSitare Programme

• In a significant development for India’s environmental sustainability and technology sector, Chakr Innovation, a pioneering startup specializing in pollution reduction solutions, has secured substantial funding of INR 18 crores from the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank).
• The funds were sanctioned under EXIM Bank’s UbharteSitare Programme (USP), reflecting the institution’s commitment to fostering domestic growth and addressing international demands.
• Chakr Innovation is an Indian technology startup that places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and the reduction of pollution. The company specializes in the production of certified emission control devices for stationary diesel generators, with the goal of mitigating air pollution and its adverse effects on the environment and public health.
• Chakr Innovation’s initiatives are in line with India’s increasing concerns regarding air quality and challenges related to pollution. By offering practical and sustainable solutions, the company aims to create a positive impact on the environment and for the entire country.
• Under the visionary leadership of EXIM Bank, the premier export finance institution established in 1982 and operating under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Chakr Innovation’s aspirations for growth have received a significant boost

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5. Punjab National Bank (PNB) has joined hands with which well-known brand to provide support to its dealership network through the MUDRA scheme?
A) Coca-Cola
B) Amazon
C) Reliance Industries
D) Amul
E) Tata Motors
Answer: D) Amul

• State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) has partnered with Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMFL), better known as Amul, to offer financial services to federation’s supply network pan-India under the MUDRA scheme.
• A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between PNB and GCMMFL (Amul) on July 1
• Through small ticket financing under MUDRA, the bank will be financing Amul’s retailers, wholesale dealers/area milk distributors and exclusive Amul preferred outlets-milk parlours
• Other services will include integrating various digital channels like QR codes, POS (point of sale), UPI (Unified Payment Interface), etc., supply chain finance and EMI collection digitally, and providing working capital limits, among others
• By the association, both the partners are aiming to provide support to more than 11 lakh retailers, wholesale dealers and others

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs August 18

6. Myra Grover was recently honored with the Empowered Women Icon Award by which prestigious institution?
A) United Nations
B) European Parliament
C) UK Parliament’s House of Lords
D) World Economic Forum
E) The Royal Society
Answer: C) UK Parliament’s House of Lords

• Myra Grover, author and secretary of the New Delhi Social Workers Association (NDSWA), has been awarded with the esteemed Women Icon Award as author on Mental Wellness by the House of Lords, UK Parliament.
• The award ceremony, held recently, was a remarkable recognition of her contributions to society.
• The award ceremony took place at the distinguished House of Lords, UK Parliament, symbolizing its international significance.
• The event received the support of MeenakshiLekhi, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.
• The organizing entity behind the event, Confluence NGO, is renowned for its efforts in promoting Indian Craft & Culture and facilitating significant meetings.
• Confluence NGO, through its dedication to celebrating the theme of AmritKaal – Transforming India to New India, aligns with the visionary goals of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
• The organization’s role in commemorating 75 years of Indian Independence is equally noteworthy.

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs August 18

7. Which Indian aerospace company, based in Chennai, has initiated the process of integrating its maiden satellite rocket with a launchpad at SDSC SHAR in Sriharikota?
A) ISRO
B) HAL
C) Agnikul Cosmos
D) Reliance Aerospace
E) Tata Advanced Systems
Answer: C) Agnikul Cosmos

• IIT-Madras based space tech startup, Agnikul Cosmos, will soon launch its small satellite rocket.
• Agnikul commenced the integration process of its launch vehicle, AgnibaanSOrTeD (SubOrbital Technological Demonstrator), with its private launchpad located at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota.
• AgnibaanSOrTeD is a single-stage launch vehicle, driven by Agnikul’s patented Agnilet engine – an entirely 3D-printed, single piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine.
• Unlike traditional sounding rockets that launch from guide rails, AgnibaanSOrTeD will lift off vertically and follow a predetermined trajectory, while performing a precisely orchestrated set of maneuvers during flight.
• Established in 2017 by SrinathRavichandran, Moin S.P.M., and Professor S.R. Chakravarthy, from IIT Madras, Agnikul’s primary objective is to democratise space exploration by making it both accessible and cost-effective.
• The firm signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in December 2020. This agreement was facilitated under the IN-SPACe initiative, granting Agnikul unprecedented access to ISRO’s expertise and cutting-edge facilities.
• Agnikul inaugurated India’s first launchpad and mission control center at Satish Dhawan Space Centre on November 25, 2022. This facility serves as the base from which Agnikul intends to execute its ambitious suborbital and orbital missions in the coming years

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8. In preparation for the Gaganyaan mission, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) conducted drogue parachute deployment tests. Where were these tests conducted?
A) Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station
B) Satish Dhawan Space Centre
C) Sriharikota Range
D) Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
E) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Answer: D) Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh

• As part of the preparations for Gaganyaan, Isro said the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) conducted a series of drogue parachute deployment tests at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
• The tests were conducted in collaboration with Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) of the DRDO
• Drogue parachutes, packed within pyro-based devices known as mortars, are ingeniously designed to eject parachutes into the air upon command.
• These conical ribbon-type parachutes, boasting a diameter of 5.8 metres, employ a single-stage reefing mechanism, ingeniously minimising canopy area and mitigating opening shock, ensuring a smooth and controlled descent.
• These tests serve as a critical qualification milestone for the drogue parachutes, confirming their readiness for integration into the upcoming test vehicle-D1 mission.
• The sequence commences with the deployment of two apex cover separation parachutes, followed by the stabilisation achieved through the deployment of two drogue parachutes

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 18

9. India has provided Sri Lanka with a replacement aircraft for maritime surveillance purposes. What type of aircraft has been handed over?
A) Airbus A320
B) Boeing 737
C) Embraer E190
D) Dornier-228
E) Cessna 172
Answer: D) Dornier-228

• Commemorating the 77th Independence Day,India officially handed over a substitute Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft to President’s Senior Advisor on National Security, SagalaRatnayake
• Accordingly, the substitute Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, to be used by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), was handed over at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake
• The substitute surveillance aircraft was handed over today as the Dornier-228 aircraft handed over to Sri Lanka a year ago was sent to India for obligatory yearly maintenance, the PMD said.
• During the bilateral security discussions that transpired between India and Sri Lanka on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, the potential acquisition of maritime surveillance aircraft akin to the Dornier type from India was brought to attention.
• The aim was to bolster Sri Lanka’s capabilities in maritime surveillance.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 18

10. To support the small weavers and artisans of North East India, which organizations have partnered together?
A) NEHHDC and Tata Group
B) Tide and Reliance Industries
C) NEHHDC and Amazon
D) Tide and NEHHDC
E) Tata Group and Amazon
Answer: D) Tide and NEHHDC

• In a bid to digitise the handloom and handicraft sector in North East India, Tide, UK’s SME-focused business financial platform has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC).
• As part of the year-long partnership, the company will look at bolstering scalability, financial inclusion and market reach for the community of nearly 2.1 million handloom weavers and 3.5 million handicraft artisans across 800 clusters in Northeast India.
• As a part of the MoU, Tide will help in financial and digital inclusion of weavers and artisans from the region and host mentor panels and masterclasses with in-house experts in leadership, marketing, capital investment, hiring and payroll, taxation, and legal, among others.
• The company will also help the community network and build capabilities through a series of annual national-level SME events.
• NEHHDC works under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India and attempts to develop and promote the indigenous crafts of the region by connecting craftsmen to prospective markets and consumers.
• The organisation is focused on generating economic, cultural and social opportunities for all the eight North Eastern states, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

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11. The Chief Minister of Goa, PramodSawant, unveiled a biodiversity atlas of Mayem village in North Goa. What unique distinction did he give to this atlas?
A) Asia’s First Village Atlas
B) World’s First Village Atlas
C) India’s First Village Atlas
D) UNESCO-Recognized Village Atlas
E) Eco-Friendly Village Atlas
Answer: C) India’s First Village Atlas

• Goa Chief Minister PramodSawant released a biodiversity atlas of Mayem village in North Goa, which he termed as “India’s first village atlas”.
• This atlas gives a socio-cultural history of Mayem village that dates back to 12th century, he said while addressing a function at MahamayaDevalayaMandap in Mayem village located in Bicholim taluka.

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12. NHPC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with which organization to establish GraminGyanJyotiKendras?
A) UNESCO
B) World Health Organization (WHO)
C) Universal Health Foundation
D) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
E) International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Answer: C) Universal Health Foundation

• NHPC Limited has signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universal Health Foundation for setting up GraminGyanJyotiKendras under its CSR initiative.
• The MoU has been signed by NHPC Limited’s Group Deputy General Manager (HR, CSR & SD) and Dr Sheetal Gupta, Director, Universal Health Foundation in the presence of ED (CSR & SD), NHPC. All the officers of the CSR&SD Division and Universal Health Foundation were also present on the occasion.
• Under this MoU, NHPC will provide basic infrastructure facilities to Universal Health Foundation for setting up of GraminGyanJyotiKendras in government schools located in nine villages of Jodhpur district & one village of Nagore district of Rajasthan.

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13. Who inaugurated the Renewable Energy Microgrid Power Plant to fulfill the electrical energy needs of rural communities?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav
C) Minister of Power, R.K. Singh
D) MeitY Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma
E) Minister of Rural Development, Narendra Singh Tomar
Answer: D) MeitY Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma

• Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma launched the indigenous Technology of Hybrid Green Energy Microgrid for Electrical energy requirements of the Rural communities developed by C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram, as part of National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET) Program, at Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC), Kottoor, Thiruvananthapuram.
• A renewable energy microgrid is an autonomous, localised and self-contained energy system that incorporates renewable energy sources as its primary generation inputs.
• The major building blocks of a renewable energy microgrid include various components and systems that work together to generate, store, manage, and distribute energy in a localized and sustainable manner.
• In the microgrid scheme implemented in ERC, a unique 25kW Power Conditioning Unit (PCU) technology using Silicon Carbide, a Wide Band Gap (WBG) Semiconductor device operating at 50kHz and avoiding bulky 50Hz transformer make the system very compact and a container based deployment in remote location is realised. The above Technology is developed by CDAC.

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14. Where is India’s first 3D printed post office located, which is now open for business?
A) Mumbai
B) New Delhi
C) Kolkata
D) Bengaluru
E) Hyderabad
Answer: D) Bengaluru

• The 3D printed post office in India was inaugurated at Cambridge Layout in east Bengaluru by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology.
• Located in Cambridge Layout near Ulsoor, the post office was constructed by deploying a 3D-printing technology that built the structure layer by layer using quick-setting materials.
• A specially created robotic arm extruder was used to do contour crafting and achieve the unique design.
• Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the post office.
• The construction, with a built-up area of 1,021sqft, was completed in 43 days. The conventional construction method takes about 10 months.
• The building was constructed by Larsen and Toubro, with technical guidance from IIT Madras, at a cost of Rs 23 lakh. Though the project was supposed to be completed by September last year it was extended to May, 2023.

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