Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 1st November 2023

These current affairs today are a part of our daily current affairs. We cover a wide range of topics from state, national, and international news that are relevant and important for competitive exams. Our team prepares today’s current affairs after going through many newspapers, such as The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, PRS, etc.

Scroll down for current affairs for 1st-November-2023.

Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup

• Saudi Arabia is poised to host the Men’s FIFA World Cup in 2034. This development comes after Australia unexpectedly withdrew from the bidding race just hours before the deadline. 
• The Football Australia federation announced its decision not to bid for the 2034 competition, opting instead to focus on bidding for the Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. 
• Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are already set to co-host the 2030 tournament, and Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup by hosting opening matches.

“One Nation, One Registration Platform” launch by National Medical Commission

• The National Medical Commission (NMC) is set to launch the “One Nation, One Registration Platform” for doctors. 
• This platform aims to provide a unique identification number to every doctor in India by the end of 2024. 
• The cornerstone of this initiative is the establishment of the National Medical Register (NMR), which will act as a centralised repository for all practising doctors in the country. 
• This move is expected to streamline the healthcare sector and improve transparency. 
• The NMR will replace the existing Indian Medical Register (IMR) and it will be accessible to the public through the NMC’s website. 
• So, it will help in providing comprehensive information about registered doctors, including their unique identification number, registration number, name and workplace, qualifications, specialisation, and the institution or university where their qualifications were obtained.

Increase In Women’s Workforce Participation

• The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, announced a remarkable 37% increase in women’s workforce participation in India during the fiscal year 2022-23 at the ‘Rozgar Mela’ in Bhubaneshwar. 
• This substantial upswing, compared to the 23% recorded in 2017-18, reflects the government’s focused efforts to empower women in the workplace. 
• Pradhan also noted a significant decrease in the unemployment rate, which dropped to 3.7% in the 2022-23 fiscal year, a significant improvement from the 6% rate recorded in 2017-18.

Kozhikode designated as India’s first “City of Literature” by UNESCO

• Kozhikode, a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala, achieved global recognition by being designated as India’s first “City of Literature” by UNESCO. 
• This prestigious title was conferred on World Cities Day.
• Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh received recognition as a “City of Music.” 
• Kozhikode’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a significant milestone, making it the first Indian city to hold this coveted distinction. 
• The UNESCO Creative Cities Network now encompasses 350 creative cities across more than 100 countries. These cities represent seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.

President Droupadi Murmu Reaches Ladakh

• President Droupadi Murmu embarked on her inaugural two-day visit to Ladakh, a region known for its stunning landscapes and resilient residents. 
• During her stay, she participated in various events that celebrated the spirit of Ladakh and highlighted the dedication of its troops. 
• Notably, she attended the 5th Union Territory Foundation Day ceremony in Leh, emphasising the historical significance of Ladakh’s designation as a Union Territory in 2019. 
• President Murmu also engaged with armed forces, civil society, self-help groups, and local tribals, underscoring her commitment to empower Ladakh’s grassroots, promote self-sufficiency, and foster community development.

Indian Air Force Retires Mig-21 Bison Squadron at Uttarlai

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a ceremony at the Uttarlai Air Force Station in Barmer, Rajasthan. 
• This ceremony marked the retirement of another squadron of the iconic Mig-21 Bison fighter aircraft. 
• Now, the number of active Mig-21 Bison squadrons has been reduced to just two. 
• The ceremony featured a captivating flypast by both Su-30MKI and Mig-21 Bison fighters in the skies over Barmer, signifying a farewell to the legendary aircraft. 
• The Mig-21 Bison, renowned for its historical significance, was first inducted into the Indian Air Force in 1963 during the tenure of then-Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. 
• The Indian Air Force has set a clear goal to phase out all Mig-21 Bison squadrons by 2025, emphasising its transition to more advanced and modern fighter aircraft.

8.1% Growth Rate in Eight Key Infrastructure Sectors in September 2023

• In September 2023, India’s eight key infrastructure sectors witnessed a slowdown in growth, reaching a four-month low of 8.1%. 
• This decline is significant compared to the 8.3% growth recorded in the same month the previous year. Notably, the production of refinery products saw growth drop to 5.5% in September 2023, down from 6.6% in the previous year. 
• Fertiliser production also slowed down to 4.2% in September, compared to 11.8% in the previous year. Cement production experienced a decrease, with growth at 4.7% in September 2023, down from 12.4% in the previous year. 
• The growth rate in electricity production dipped to 9.3% in September, a decline from 11.6% in the previous year, and crude oil production showed negative growth at -0.4% in September.

PFRDA makes ‘Penny Drop’ Verification Compulsory for NPS Fund Withdrawals

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has introduced new rules for National Pension System (NPS) withdrawals. 
• It provides subscribers with increased flexibility in managing their retirement funds. One notable change is the mandatory requirement for ‘penny drop’ verification for all NPS fund withdrawals.
• This verification process ensures the accurate and secure transfer of funds to subscribers’ bank accounts during withdrawals and scheme exits. 
• Successful ‘penny drop’ verification, along with name matching, is a prerequisite for processing exit/withdrawal requests and making modifications to subscribers’ bank account details. 
• These provisions apply to all NPS variants, including Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and NPS Lite, for various exit/withdrawal scenarios and changes to bank account details.

Celebrating 50 Years of Karnataka’s Formation on Karnataka Rajyotsava

• November 1, 2023, holds special significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of Karnataka’s formation, celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava. 
• This day commemorates the unification of Kannada-speaking regions into a single state. Karnataka was originally established on November 1, 1956, following the enactment of the State Reorganisation Act, which brought together all Kannada-speaking areas into one entity. 
• On November 1, 1973, the state was officially renamed from Mysore. Notably, several other states and territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry, also observe their formation day on November 1.

RBI to Directly Regulate Cross-Border Payment Transaction Facilitators

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a circular announcing its decision to directly regulate entities involved in facilitating cross-border payment transactions related to the import and export of goods and services. 
• In this circular, a new category known as Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) has been introduced to encompass all entities engaged in facilitating such cross-border payments. 
• The aim is to ensure transparency, security, and compliance with financial regulations in these transactions. 
• Entities seeking authorization to operate as PA-CBs are required to have a minimum net worth of ₹15 crore at the time of application. They must also maintain a minimum net worth of ₹25 crore by March 31, 2026, demonstrating their financial stability and commitment to the industry.

World Vegan Day 2023

• World Vegan Day, celebrated annually on November 1 since its establishment in 1994 when ‘The Vegan Society’ was founded in England, marks the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society. 
• Over the years, it has grown into a global platform for promoting the vegan lifestyle and its associated benefits. 
• The day encourages individuals to embrace a vegan lifestyle by highlighting the ethical, environmental, and health advantages of this dietary choice. 
• November is recognized as Vegan Month, during which vegan enthusiasts and organisations actively promote the vegan lifestyle and its various aspects. 
• The entire month serves as an extended celebration of World Vegan Day, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of the benefits and practices associated with veganism.

SBI Card Collaborates with Reliance Retail to Introduce ‘Reliance SBI Card’

• SBI Card, one of India’s leading credit card issuers, has partnered with Reliance Retail to launch the co-branded Reliance SBI Card, a lifestyle-focused credit card aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for customers. 
• The Reliance SBI Card will be available in two variants: the Reliance SBI Card and the Reliance SBI Card PRIME, each designed to cater to distinct consumer needs, offering various rewards and lifestyle benefits. 
• The annual renewal fee for the Reliance SBI Card PRIME is ₹2,999, while the Reliance SBI Card carries an annual renewal fee of ₹499 plus applicable taxes. 
• Cardholders can enjoy renewal fee waivers upon reaching annual spending milestones of ₹3,00,000 on the Reliance SBI Card PRIME and ₹1,00,000 on the Reliance SBI Card.

Halloween Day 2023

• Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is a global occasion where people of all ages come together to embrace the eerie and supernatural. It’s a day when societal norms take a back seat, and individuals allow their inner ghouls and goblins to come out and play. 
• The date of Halloween consistently falls on October 31 each year, a day before All Hallows’ Day, which gives Halloween its name, derived from “All Hallows’ Eve.” 
• It marks the commencement of the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, which includes All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. 
• The Halloween we know today finds its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a significant harvest celebration with connections to paganism. The Celts believed that on Halloween, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to the mortal realm.

UK Hosts AI Safety Summit 2023

• The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is hosting the AI Safety Summit 2023 on November 1 and 2 at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire. 
• This summit gathers global leaders to discuss the growing concerns surrounding the safety of advanced AI technologies.
•  The summit’s objective is to establish a shared understanding of the risks associated with Frontier AI and the need for global action to address these risks. 
• It aims to initiate a process for international collaboration on Frontier AI safety, including support for national and international frameworks. 
• The summit will also propose measures for organisations to enhance Frontier AI safety, promote responsible development, identify areas for potential collaboration on AI safety research, and create new standards to support governance.

Nokia Partners with TATA Play Fiber for India’s First WiFi6-Ready Broadband Network

• Nokia, a global technology leader, has made a significant stride in the Indian broadband market by collaborating with TATA Play Fiber to introduce India’s first WiFi6-ready broadband network. 
• In this partnership, Nokia will provide TATA Play Fiber with a comprehensive range of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and Wi-Fi equipment to expand their broadband network throughout India. 
• This technology enables low-latency applications, making it ideal for activities like gaming, and it can deliver gigabit speeds to multiple devices on the Wi-Fi network. 
• The inclusion of the WPA3 standard enhances network security, ensuring the protection of user data.

Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link Inaugurated Virtually by PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project through a virtual ceremony. 
• This cross-border initiative is aimed at strengthening business ties and providing direct access between India’s landlocked northeastern region and the Chittagong port in Bangladesh. 
• When operational, the rail link will significantly reduce the travel time from Kolkata to Agartala (via Guwahati) from 31 hours and 1500 km to just 10 hours and 500 km. The project is executed by IRCON. 
• The project’s origins date back to the agreement between India and Bangladesh during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi in January 2010. 
• Construction of the 15.064-km-long railway line began in 2018, with 5.05 km in India and the remaining 10.014 km in Bangladesh.

10-Year-Old Bangalore Kid Wins ‘Wildlife Photographer Of The Year’ Award

• Vihaan Talya Vikas, a 10-year-old prodigy from Bengaluru, has won the top prize in the ’10 years and under’ category of the renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) competition. 
• Often referred to as the ‘Oscars of Photography,’ this prestigious competition is organised by the Natural History Museum and serves as a global platform for showcasing exceptional wildlife photography. 
• Vihaan’s winning photograph captures a spider in a captivating pose, positioned alongside a sculpture of Lord Krishna on the outskirts of his city. It beautifully captures the spider, seemingly entranced by the divine notes of Krishna’s flute, creating a connection between the realms of nature and spirituality.

1. What is the origin of the term “Halloween”?

1. All Saints’ Day
2. All Saints’ Day
3. Celtic Festival
4. Supernatural Celebration

2. Which leaders inaugurated the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project virtually?

1. Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping
2. Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina
3. Joe Biden and Boris Johnson
4. Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel

3. Where was the AI Safety Summit 2023 hosted by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak?

1. London
2. New York
3. Bletchley Park
4. Paris

4. Who partnered with TATA Play Fiber to introduce India’s first WiFi6-ready broadband network?

1. Google
2. Nokia
3. Amazon
4. Facebook

5. What is the significance of the ‘Rohini Nayyar Prize’ awarded to Deenanath Rajput?

1. Outstanding rural development
2. Wildlife photography
3. AI safety
4. Financial regulation

6. When is World Vegan Day celebrated?

1. December 25
2. November 1
3. October 31
4. August 15

7. What does the ‘penny drop’ verification pertain to?

1. Cryptocurrency transactions
2. Mobile payments
3. NPS fund withdrawals
4. Bank account opening

8. Which country is set to host the Men’s FIFA World Cup in 2034?

1. Spain
2. Argentina
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Uruguay

9. What is the primary focus of the AI Safety Summit 2023?

1. Developing AI applications
2. Addressing safety concerns in AI
3. AI hardware advancements
4. AI marketing strategies

10. Who won the top prize in the ’10 years and under’ category of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition?

1. An adult photographer
2. A famous artist
3. Vihaan Talya Vikas
4. A wildlife organisation