Daily Current Affairs December 16 & 17

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 16 & 17. 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 16 & 17 | Daily Current Affairs 2023

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs December 16 & 17

1. How much funding has the Asian Development Bank (ADB) pledged for the enhancement of sanitation facilities across 100 cities and the improvement of waste management practices?
A) $100 million
B) $150 million
C) $200 million
D) $250 million
E) $300 million
Answer: C) $200 million

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged a substantial allocation of $200 million to enhance sanitation facilities across 100 cities and elevate waste management practices.
• This initiative stands as a pivotal step towards addressing crucial concerns surrounding public health, environmental sustainability, and urban development.
• The initiative aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 6 and 11, focusing on clean water and sanitation and sustainable cities and communities.
• The initiative is expected to significantly improve public health by upgrading sanitation facilities and reduce environmental degradation by implementing effective waste management solutions.

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2. Which entities have collaborated to introduce an exclusive co-branded credit card?
A) IDFC First Bank and Visa
B) LIC Cards and American Express
C) IDFC First Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard
D) HDFC Bank and Mastercard
E) SBI Cards and Rupay
Answer: C) IDFC First Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard

• IDFC First Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard announced their collaboration to launch an exclusive co-branded credit card.
• The credit cards will be available in two variants such as LIC Classic and LIC Select.
• It will also come with other benefits, including up to Rs 50,000 cover for lost card liability and a personal accident insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh.

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs December 16 & 17

3. What prestigious award has Professor Savita Ladage received for her contributions to chemistry education?
A) Nobel Prize in Chemistry
B) Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education
C) Fields Medal in Chemistry
D) Lavoisier Medal for Educational Excellence
E) UNESCO Prize for Chemistry Education
Answer: B) Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education

• Professor Savita Ladage from Mumbai has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of contributions to chemistry education.
• Professor Ladage also receives £5000, a medal and a certificate.
• Based at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Professor Ladage won the prize for advocating the importance of chemical education, through mentoring chemistry educators and initiating teacher and student programs that promote chemistry education in India.

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4. Who are the recipients of the 2023 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development?
A) Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad
B) Kofi Annan and Desmond Tutu
C) Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg
D) Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
E) Barack Obama and Angela Merkel
Answer: A) Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad

• Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad have been announced as the winner of Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for their efforts towards a non-violent resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• Barenboim is an Argentine-born distinguished classical pianist and conductor.
• Awwad is an eminent Palestinian peace activist.
• The international jury of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development chaired by former chief justice T S Thakur is pleased to announce the award of the prize for 2023.

Indira Gandhi Peace prize:

• The Indira Gandhi Prize, or the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, also known as Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, is the prestigious award accorded annually by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust to individuals or organisations in recognition of creative efforts toward promoting international peace, development.
• The prize carries a cash award of 2.5 million Indian rupees and a citation.
• It was first awarded in 1986.

Recipient of Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:

• 2019 – Sir David Attenborough (UK) – World renowned English broadcaster and natural historian
• 2021 – Pratham (India) – Pratham is an innovative not-for-profit learning organization created to improve the quality of education based in India

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5. Who won the title of Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey?
A) Rijul Maini
B) Saloni Rammohan
C) Sneha Nambiar
D) Miss Teen India USA
E) Mrs India USA
Answer: A) Rijul Maini

• A medical student from Michigan, Rijul Maini, was crowned Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey.
• The title of Miss Teen India USA was awarded to Saloni Rammohan of Pennsylvania.
• Mrs India USA was won by Sneha Nambiar of Massachusetts.

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6. What was the reason behind Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath receiving the Visionary Leader Icon Award by AASRAA?
A) Outstanding contributions to the healthcare industry
B) Exceptional leadership in the education sector
C) Notable achievements in the technology field
D) Remarkable contributions to the real estate industry and commitment to social responsibility
E) Pioneering work in environmental conservation
Answer: D) Remarkable contributions to the real estate industry and commitment to social responsibility

• Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd Chairman, Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, Honored with Visionary Leader Icon Award 2023 by AASRAA (Advocates Association For Social Responsibility And Awareness) at 5th National Conventions at Delhi.
• This award is given to him in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and his commitment to social responsibility and to AASRAA.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 16 & 17

7. What is the primary objective of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
A) To promote cultural exchanges among states
B) To encourage tourism in rural areas
C) To raise awareness and track the implementation of flagship central schemes
D) To conduct health camps in remote regions
E) To organize agricultural fairs across the country
Answer: C) To raise awareness and track the implementation of flagship central schemes

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.
• The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is a government initiative being undertaken across the country, to raise awareness about and track the implementation of flagship central schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Surkasha Bima, PM SVANidhi, etc.

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8. What is the main focus of the cooperation mentioned in the MoU between India and Tanzania?
A) Promotion of agriculture
B) Expansion of healthcare facilities
C) Implementation of digital transformational initiatives
D) Enhancement of transportation networks
E) Improvement of educational systems
Answer: C) Implementation of digital transformational initiatives

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi signed MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology of the United Republic of Tanzania on cooperation in the field of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
• The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation and exchange of experiences, digital technologies-based solutions in the implementation of digital transformational initiative of both the countries.

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9. Which areas of cooperation are mentioned in the Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia?
A) Agriculture and fisheries
B) Transportation and logistics
C) Digitization, electronic manufacturing, e-Governance, smart infrastructure, e-Health, and e-Education
D) Energy and renewable resources
E) Hospitality and tourism
Answer: C) Digitization, electronic manufacturing, e-Governance, smart infrastructure, e-Health, and e-Education

• The Cabinet signed MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Communications and information Technology of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia on cooperation in the field of Digitization and Electronic Manufacturing.
• The Memorandum of Cooperation intends to strengthen collaboration in the field of Digitization, Electronic Manufacturing, e-Governance, smart infrastructure, e-Health and e-Education, promote partnership in research in digital innovation and the use of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Robots, Cloud Computing and Blockchain, etc.

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10. What is the main focus of the “Innovation Handshake” between the USA and India, as mentioned in the MoU?
A) Bridging educational disparities
B) Encouraging traditional manufacturing practices
C) Enhancing technological collaboration in the automotive industry
D) Connecting dynamic startup ecosystems and promoting innovation in critical and emerging technologies
E) Implementing healthcare reforms
Answer: D) Connecting dynamic startup ecosystems and promoting innovation in critical and emerging technologies

• The Union Cabinet approved the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States of America and the Republic of India to enhance innovation ecosystems through an innovation handshake.
• These two countries focused efforts to establish an “Innovation Handshake” that shall connect the two sides’ dynamic startup ecosystems, address specific regulatory hurdles to cooperation, and promote innovation and job growth, particularly in critical and emerging technologies (CET).

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11. What is the primary purpose of the MoU between India and Italy regarding industrial property rights?
A) To encourage cultural exchange programs
B) To promote trade agreements in the automotive industry
C) To support enterprises, especially start-ups and SMEs, in accessing and participating in national and international IPR systems
D) To facilitate joint military exercises
E) To address climate change through joint initiatives
Answer: C) To support enterprises, especially start-ups and SMEs, in accessing and participating in national and international IPR systems

• The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of India and the Directorate General for the Protection of Industrial Property-Italian Patent and Trademark Office of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy of the Italian Republic on Cooperation in the field of Industrial Property Rights.
• The MoU will promote between the Participants the establishment of a mechanism that allows them to develop cooperation activities in the field of IP and information technology services related to this field.
• The purpose of the MoU is to support enterprises, especially start-ups and SMEs in accessing to and participating in the national and international IPR systems.

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12. Who inaugurated the new terminal building of Surat Airport in Gujarat?
A) Minister of Civil Aviation
B) Chief Minister of Gujarat
C) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
D) President of India
E) Minister of Commerce and Industry
Answer: C) Prime Minister Narendra Modi

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an International Airport.
• Surat Airport will not only become a gateway for international travelers but also facilitate seamless export-import operations for the thriving diamond and textile industries.
• Elevating Surat Airport to international status is paramount for enhancing economic growth, attracting foreign investment, and bolstering diplomatic ties.

Note:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of Surat airport in Gujarat.
• The new integrated terminal building at the airport is equipped to handle 1,200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours.
• It has a provision for further increasing the peak hour capacity to 3,000 passengers with the annual handling capacity increasing to 55 lakh passengers.

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13. What is the purpose of conferring the ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar’ on railway employees during the Railway Week Central Function?
A) For punctuality in services
B) For their contributions to technological advancements
C) For exceptional customer service
D) For their dedication and outstanding services
E) For promoting safety measures
Answer: D) For their dedication and outstanding services

• The Union Minister of Railways, Communications & Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred the ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar’ (AVRSP) on 100 Railway Employees from various Zones/Divisions, Production Units & Railway PSUs all over the country for their outstanding services.
• He also presented 21 Shields for promoting best practices among Railway employees.
• The Awards/Shields were presented at the 68th Railway Week Central Function, organised at Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

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Over All Review

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