Daily Current Affairs December 12

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs December 12. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing  Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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December 12 | Daily Current Affairs 2023

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs December 12

1. When was Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?
A) 2015
B) 2016
C) 2017
D) 2018
E) 2019
Answer: C) 2017

• Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed on December 12 every year to stress the need for a healthcare system that provides equitable and good health care along with financial protection to everyone.
• Theme: “Health For All: Time for Action”.
• On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.
• In 2017, the UNGA proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution, making it an official UN-designated day.
• As per WHO, Universal health coverage (UHC) means all people can access a full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial issues.
• It includes all essential health services, from prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs December 12

2. Who has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November 2023?
A) David Warner
B) Steve Smith
C) Pat Cummins
D) Mitchell Starc
E) Travis Head
Answer: E) Travis Head

• Australian batter Travis Head, who smashed an explosive century to help Australia win their sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title, has been named as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November 2023.
• Head is only the second Australia Men’s player to take the award after David Warner, who won it in November 2021.
• This year in 29 matches across all formats, Head has scored 1,627 runs in 38 innings at an average of 46.48 and a strike rate of above 98, with three centuries and nine fifties.
• His best score is 163.

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs December 12

3. Which airline was the first to establish an aircraft leasing venture at IFSC Gift City before Interglobe Aviation?
A) SpiceJet
B) Jet Airways
C) GoAir
D) Air India
E) Vistara
Answer: D) Air India

• Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has received approval from IFSC Gift City to establish an aircraft leasing venture.
• Over the next five years, the company aims to invest approximately Rs 11,500 crore in the IFSC aircraft leasing segment.
• IndiGo plans to operate under the name ‘Interglobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC Private Limited,’ focusing on operating leasing, financial leasing, and other related services for aircraft.
• The services will encompass lease arrangements, sale and leaseback, purchase, novation, transfer, assignment, asset management, and various transactions related to aircraft and aircraft engine leases.
• Note: Air India was the first commercial airline to establish an aircraft leasing venture at IFSC Gift City, with an estimated project cost of Rs 7,253 crore.

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4. What is the primary focus of the collaboration between IIT Madras and FedEx Express?
A) Aerospace Research
B) Renewable Energy Solutions
C) Smart and Sustainable Supply Chains
D) Artificial Intelligence Development
E) Biomedical Engineering
Answer: C) Smart and Sustainable Supply Chains

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is collaborating with FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, to establish the ‘FedEx Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Smart and Sustainable Supply Chains’.
• The CoE will be an industry-academia bridge, in the logistics sector with a focus on environmental and social sustainability via research and development in digital transformation.

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs December 12

5. Who is the current Chief Secretary of Jharkhand?
A) Rajiv Gauba
B) B. Rajendra
C) S. K. Choudhary
D) Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte
E) K. Vijay Kumar
Answer: D) Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte

• Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte has been appointed as Jharkhand Chief Secretary.
• Khiangte replaces Sukhdev Singh.

About Chief Secretary:

• The Chief Secretary is the top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the state government.
• The Chief Secretary is the ex-officio head of the state Civil Services Board, the State Secretariat, the state cadre Indian Administrative Service and all civil services under the rules of business of the state government.
• The Chief Secretary acts as the principal advisor to the chief minister on all matters of state administration.
• The status of this post is equal to that of a Secretary to the Government of India.

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6. Who has been elected as the Prime Minister of Poland by the country’s parliament?
A) Mateusz Morawiecki
B) Donald Tusk
C) Andrzej Duda
D) Jarosław Kaczyński
E) Beata Szydło
Answer: B) Donald Tusk

• Poland’s parliament has elected centrist party leader Donald Tusk as prime minister, paving the way for a new pro-EU government after eight years of national conservative rule.
• The vote was 248-201 in support of Tusk in the 460-seat lower house of parliament.
• The election of Tusk comes after the former government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s government lost a confidence vote in parliament.

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs December 12

7. What is the primary criterion for winning the Vyas Samman Award?
A) Exceptional contribution to journalism
B) Outstanding work in the field of social service
C) Excellence in Hindi literature published in the last 10 years
D) Significant achievements in the field of science
E) Leadership in business and entrepreneurship
Answer: C) Excellence in Hindi literature published in the last 10 years

• Noted Hindi writer Pushpa Bharati’s 2016 memoir, Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein, has been selected for the 33rd Vyas Samman, 2023.
• After considering the works published during 2013-2022, a selection committee headed by eminent litterateur Prof Ramji Tiwari picked Bharati’s Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein for the prestigious award.
• In the memoir Yaadein, Yaadein aur Yaadein, Bharti gives the readers a glimpse into her cherished memories and life lessons through captivating anecdotes as she reflects on the joys, challenges, and transformative moments that shape a life.

Vyas Samman Award:

• This award was instituted in 1991 by K K Birla Foundation
• The award is given to an outstanding Hindi literary work by an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years.
• It carries a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh, a citation and a plaque.
• Note: Besides Vyas Samman, K K Birla Foundation instituted Saraswathi Samman and Bihari Puraskar.
• Vyas Samman – Hindi Literature – Rs 4 Lakh cash prize
• Saraswathi Samman – Literary Work in any of the languages listed in Schedule 8 for 10 years – Rs 15 lakh cash prize
• Bihari Puraskar – Hindi/Rajasthani writers – Rs 2.5 Lakh cash prize

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 12

8. What portion of the Sovereign Green Bonds proceeds was allocated for renewable energy projects?
A) Rs. 2,500 crore
B) Rs. 4,000 crore
C) Rs. 6,186 crore
D) Rs. 8,500 crore
E) Rs. 10,000 crore
Answer: C) Rs. 6,186 crore

• The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed that the draft National Electricity Plan (May 31, 2023) prepared by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has estimated the fund requirement for solar and wind generation projects during FY 2022 – 2032 as Rs. 20.67 lakh crore.
• Government of India raised Sovereign Green Bonds of Rs.16,000 crore (approximately) during FY 22-23.
• Out of the proceeds of Sovereign Green Bonds, Rs. 6,186 crores were dedicated for renewable energy.
• IREDA had raised Green Masala Bonds of USD 300 Million in October, 2017 for financing green energy projects in India.
• These bonds had a tenor of 5 years and were listed on the London Stock Exchange, Singapore Stock Exchange and also NSE IFSC with maturity period ending in October 2022.

Sovereign Green Bonds:

• A green bond is a debt security that is issued to raise money for initiatives that are relevant to the environment or the climate.

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9. What is the estimated cost of developing the Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Nagpur?
A) Rs. 500 crore
B) Rs. 573 crore
C) Rs. 625 crore
D) Rs. 673 crore
E) Rs. 720 crore
Answer: D) Rs. 673 crore

• NHAI has signed an agreement with M/s. DC Multi Modal Park (Nagpur) Limited, a SPV of M/S. DeltaBulk Shipping India Pvt. Ltd., for the development of Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Nagpur.
• The MMLP will be developed in an area of 150 acres under the Public Private Partnership model at an estimated cost of Rs.673 crore.
• This project is poised to be the first MMLP in Maharashtra under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
• MMLP will cater to about 9.47 million metric tonnes (MMT) cargo in the horizon period of 45 years.
• The Phase-I with an investment of Rs. 137 crore is expected to be completed in two years.
• It will give huge boost to the industrial zones in the catchment region such as Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur and Gondiya.
• A government SPV, Nagpur MMLP Pvt. Ltd. is formed between National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a 100% owned company of NHAI and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI):

• The National Highways Authority of India or NHAI is an autonomous agency of the Government of India, set up in 1995 (Act 1988) and is responsible for management of a road network of over 50,000 km of National Highways out of 1,32,499 km in India.
• It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• Chairman: Santhosh Kumar Yadav

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10. How many member countries are part of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 25
D) 29
E) 32
Answer: D) 29

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Top AI Gamechangers from across the world will be participating in different events including Intel, Reliance Jio, Google, Meta, AWS, Yotta, Netweb, Paytm, Microsoft, Mastercard, NIC, STPI, Immerse, Jio Haptik, Bhashini etc.
• Besides, students who are winners under YUVA AI initiative and start-ups will also showcase their AI models and solutions.

GPAI:

• GPAI is a multi-stakeholder initiative with 29 member countries aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI.
• It officially launched on June 15, 2020 with fifteen founding members: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.
• GPAI is hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• India is the lead chair of GPAI in 2024.
• Note: The AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, installed at C-DAC, Pune has been ranked 75th in the world

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11. What is the age eligibility criteria for joining the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) scheme?
A) 18 – 30 years
B) 20 – 40 years
C) 25 – 45 years
D) 18 – 50 years
E) 18 – 40 years
Answer: E) 18 – 40 years

• The total enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed 6 crore, with over 79 lakh enrolments in the current Financial Year.
• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), in the recent past, has taken several initiatives for awareness creation of the scheme including the release of a one-page simple APY flyer/handout in Hindi, English, and 21 regional languages

Atal Pension Yojana:

• It is a flagship social security scheme of the Government of India, was launched on 9th May 2015 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to provide old age income security to Indian citizens, with a particular focus on the poor, underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sectors.

Eligibility:

• Any Citizen can join the APY Scheme.
• The age of Subscriber should be 18 – 40 years.

Benefits:

• It provides a pension amount of 1000 to 5000 on attaining 60 years of their subscribers.
• On death of subscriber, the amount of pension paid to the spouse.
• If the subscriber and his spouse died, the pension is paid to the nominee.

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12. What is the approximate value of the approved proposal to purchase 70,000 semi-automatic assault rifles for the Indian Army?
A) Rs 500 Crore
B) Rs 600 Crore
C) Rs 700 Crore
D) Rs 800 Crore
E) Rs 900 Crore
Answer: D) Rs 800 Crore

• The Ministry of Defence has cleared a proposal to purchase 70,000 more semi-automatic assault rifles from US-based Sig Sauer for Indian Army, valued at Rs 800 Crore.
• So far, India has already purchased over 72,400 7.62 x 51mm calibre Sig Sauer assault rifles, of which Army got 66,400, Air Force 4000 and Navy 2000, offering an alternative to indigenously made INSAS and Kalishnikov rifles.

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13. Who is the new chief minister of Rajasthan?
A) Vishnu Deo Sai
B) Mohan Yadav
C) Revanth Reddy
D) Lalduhoma
E) Bajan Lal Sharma
Answer: E) Bajan Lal Sharma

Recent State Legislative Assembly Elections: 5 States

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14. Which country hosted the first-ever Quad Summit in 2017?
A) Japan
B) India
C) Australia
D) United States
E) Singapore
Answer: D) United States

• India has postponed the summit meeting of Quad countries, which includes India, Australia, the US and Japan, scheduled in January 2024.
• The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the US committed to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• It is also seen as an effort by the four nations to challenge China’s increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

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15. Which article of the Constitution empowers the President to unilaterally issue a notification for the cessation of Article 370?
A) Article 360
B) Article 365
C) Article 370(3)
D) Article 371(A)
E) Article 372
Answer: C) Article 370(3)

• A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the power of the President to abrogate special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution, leading to the reorganisation of the fullfledged State to two Union Territories and the removal of its privileges.
• The five­judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachu confirmed that the President could “unilaterally issue a notification that Article 370 ceases to exist.
• The president, in exercise of power under article 370(3), can unilaterally issue a notification that article 370 ceases to exist.

Article 370:

• Article 370 of the Indian constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, a region located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent and part of the larger region of Kashmir which has been the subject of a dispute between India, Pakistan and China since 1947.
• Jammu and Kashmir was administered by India as a state from 17 November 1952 to 31 October 2019, and Article 370 conferred on it the power to have a separate constitution, a state flag, and autonomy of internal administration.
• Article 370 was drafted in Part XXI of the Indian constitution titled “Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions”
• On 5 August 2019, the Government of India issued a Presidential Order superseding the 1954 order, and making all the provisions of the Indian constitution applicable to Jammu and Kashmir.
• The order was based on the resolution passed in both houses of India’s parliament with two-thirds majority.
• A further order on 6 August made all the clauses of Article 370 except clause 1 to be inoperative.
• In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed by the parliament, enacting the division of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories to be called Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.
• The reorganisation took place on 31 October 2019.

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