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July 28, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 13, 2023

December 13, 2023
Consider the following statements:
1. A ‘Global River Cities Alliance’ (GRCA) inspired by India’s River Cities Alliance was launched at COP28.
2. GRCA is a unique alliance covering 275+ global river-cities in over 100 countries.
3. National Mission for Clean Ganga and National Institute for Urban Affairs will take on the role of the Secretariat of the GRCA.
4. River Cities Alliance is a joint initiative of Ministry of Jal Shakti & Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
  • (A) 1 & 3 only
  • (B) 2 & 3 only
  • (C) 3 & 4 only
  • (D) 1 & 4 only
Show Answer

ANSWER: A

 

Consider the following statements:
1. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has launched the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme.
2. It offers voluntary third-party certification designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country.
3. Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun will act as the scheme operating agency.
4. National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under Bureau of Indian Standards will accredit the certification bodies.
Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
  • (A) 1 & 2 only
  • (B) 2 & 3 only
  • (C) 3 & 4 only
  • (D) 1 & 4 only
Show Answer

ANSWER: C

 

 

Consider the following statements:
1. PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a central sponsored scheme that is aimed at supporting and providing skill-upgradation training to artisans and craftspeople.
2. PM Vishwakarma also provides for collateral-free loans to artisans at lower interest rates.
3. The highest number of applications under PM Vishwakarma Scheme have come from Arunachal Pradesh.
4. The applicants are vetted at three levels - by village committees, district and state levels.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
  • (A) 1 & 2 only
  • (B) 2 & 3 only
  • (C) 3 & 4 only
  • (D) 2 & 4 only
Show Answer

ANSWER: D

 

Consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling upheld the Centre’s abrogation of Article 370.
2. It held that President of India had the power to abrogate Article 370 without a prerequisite for a recommendation by the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
3. The Supreme Court has instructed the ECI to hold the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir latest by December 31, 2024.
4. The judgment also urged for earliest reinstatement of statehood in the Union Territory.
Which of the following statements is/ are correct?
  • (A) 1 & 3 only
  • (B) 2 & 4 only
  • (C) 1, 3 & 4 only
  • (D) 1, 2 & 4 only
Show Answer

ANSWER: D

  • The Supreme Court in a 5-0 unanimous ruling upheld the Centre’s abrogation of Article 370.
  • It upheld the constitutional validity of the two Presidential Orders CO (The Constitution (Application To Jammu and Kashmir) Order) 272 and 273 of August 5 and 6, 2019 respectively by which the entire Constitution of India was made applicable to J&K, and all provisions of Article 370 were declared inoperative.

 MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF JUDGMENT

  • Jammu and Kashmir surrendered completely its sovereignty after it joined the Union of India after Independence.
  • The President of India had the power to abrogate Article 370 without a prerequisite for a recommendation by the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
  • Article 370 was introduced to serve two purposes.
    • First, the transitional purpose: to provide for an interim arrangement until the Constituent Assembly of the State was formed,
    • and second, a temporary purpose: an interim arrangement in view of the special circumstances because of the war conditions in the State
  • The Supreme Court has instructed the ECI to hold the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir latest by September 30, 2024.
  • SC also urged for the earliest reinstatement of statehood in the Union Territory.
Consider the following statements:
1. IIT- Bombay has developed a technology called ‘AMRIT’ (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology).
2. It uses nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, which selectively removes arsenic when water is passed through it.
Which of the following statements is/ are correct?
  • (A) 1 only
  • (B) 2 only
  • (C) Both 1 and 2
  • (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer

ANSWER: B

  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Madras has developed a technology called ‘AMRIT’ (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology) for the removal of Arsenic and Metal ions from water.
  • The technology uses nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, which selectively removes arsenic when water is passed through it.
  • This water purifier has been developed for both domestic as well as community levels.
  • The technology aligns with the broader goals of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide safe and potable tap water to rural households in India.
  • Also, the technology has been recommended by the erstwhile ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the examination of the best technologies concerning water and sanitation.

 ARSENIC POLLUTION

  • Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment in the air, water and land.
  • It is highly toxic in its inorganic form.
  • Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions.
    • Chronic poisoning can cause Blackfoot disease (BFD), which affects the blood vessels in the lower limbs.
Consider the following statements:
1. A red sprite represents an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon categorized as a Transient Luminous Event.
2. A sprite behaves inversely, ascending into the atmosphere, resembling a form of reverse lightning.
Which of the following statements is/ are correct?
  • (A) 1 only
  • (B) 2 only
  • (C) Both 1 and 2
  • (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer

ANSWER: C

  • A European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut recently photographed an uncommon occurrence termed a red sprite.
  • Scientists approximated the dimensions of the red sprite in the astronaut’s image to be around 14 by 26 kilometres (8.7 by 16.2 miles).

ABOUT RED SPRITE

Blue jets are another example of a Transient Luminous Event.
  • A red sprite represents an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon categorized as a Transient Luminous Event (TLE).
  • Occasionally dubbed red lightning, it occurs above thunderclouds at altitudes between 40 and 80 kilometres (25 – 50 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
  • Unlike typical lightning bolts that descend from the clouds to the ground, a sprite behaves inversely, ascending into the atmosphere, resembling a form of reverse lightning.
Consider the following statements:
1. Exercise VINBAX is a Joint Military Exercise between India and Vietnam.
2. This year it will be conducted at Chandimandir Military Station.
Which of the following statements is/ are correct?
  • (A) 1 only
  • (B) 2 only
  • (C) Both 1 and 2
  • (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer

ANSWER: A

  • The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 45 personnel reached Hanoi, Vietnam to take part in the fourth edition of Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023.
  • The exercise will be conducted at Hanoi, Vietnam.
  • The Indian contingent comprises 39 personnel from an Engineer Regiment of Bengal Engineer Group and six personnel of Army Medical Corps.
  • Exercise VINBAX was instituted in 2018 and the first edition was conducted at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Vietnam.
  • Last edition was conducted at Chandimandir Military Station in August 2022.
  • Aim of the exercise is to foster collaborative partnership, promote inter- operability and share best practices between the two sides under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter on Peace Keeping Operations.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed annually on
  • (A) December 10th
  • (B) December 11th
  • (C) December 12th
  • (D) December 13th
Show Answer

ANSWER: C

  • Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed on December 12th every year.
  • The theme for Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 is – Health For All: Time for action.

ABOUT UHC

  • As per WHO, Universal health coverage (UHC) means all the people are able to access 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.
  • In 2017, the United Nations proclaimed 12 December as International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) by resolution 72/138.

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