Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 23th 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 23st November 2023.

President Of India Unveils the ‘New Education For New India’ Initiative In Odisha (National News)

• President Smt Droupadi Murmu of India inaugurated the ‘New Education for New India’ initiative by Brahma Kumaris, Sambalpur, in Sambalpur, Odisha on November 22, 2023. 
• The President’s discourse underscores the importance of ethical education in molding conscientious citizens and cultivating a positive societal perspective. 
• The campaign aims to instill ethical values in students, contributing to the development of an improved society. 
• Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya’s endeavors in providing avenues for character-building and self-realization are recognized as valuable contributions to the pursuit of happiness and peace.

Israel And Hamas Broker Truce Pact, To Release 50 Captives (international)

• Israel and Hamas have achieved a noteworthy diplomatic breakthrough in their ongoing conflict. As part of the agreement, Palestinian militants are set to release 50 women and children who were abducted during a incursion into southern Israel on October 7. 
• The pact also includes a four-day cessation of hostilities for besieged Gaza residents after weeks of intense warfare. 
• The Hostages and Missing Families Forum group expressed joy about the impending partial release, highlighting the lack of clarity regarding specific individuals.
• Hamas welcomed the “humanitarian truce,” indicating that 150 Palestinians would be liberated from Israeli jails.

ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023 Commences In South Jakarta, Indonesia (international)

• The ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023, a collaborative effort between the Indian Mission to ASEAN and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, has taken center stage in Indonesia from November 22 to 26. 
• The festival boasts the participation of five Indian FPOs and two start-ups, showcasing unique millet-infused products such as cookies, namkeen, khakhra, cakes, and more. 
• The five-day festival aims to contribute to raising awareness about millets and represents a step towards implementing the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises.

Israel Formally Brands Lashkar-E-Taiba As A Terrorist Organization (international)

• Ahead of the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Israel has officially designated the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terrorist organization. 
• This move is part of Israel’s commitment to supporting the global war on terror. The announcement emphasizes Israel’s proactive stance against terrorism. 
• The declaration coincides with Israel’s ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip, initiated after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli targets.

Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission Gains Global Accolades from UNWTO (international)

• Kerala’s groundbreaking Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission has garnered international recognition by securing a place on the esteemed roster of Case Studies curated by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). 
• The Kerala RT Mission, inaugurated on October 20, 2017, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, serves as the nodal agency entrusted with disseminating and implementing the principles and initiatives of Responsible Tourism throughout the state.

Meghalaya Unveils ‘Water Smart Kid Campaign’ to Cultivate Youth Awareness on Water Conservation (international)

• Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has launched the ‘Meghalaya Water Smart Kid Campaign’ to instill responsibility and awareness among the younger generation regarding water conservation. 
• Operating under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), this initiative aims to educate children about the vital importance of water conservation. 
• Additionally, in response to the pressing need for water conservation, the Meghalaya State Government is constructing 1000 water reservoirs to harness water effectively.

Odisha Surpasses Rs 50,000 Crore in Mining Revenue for the Fiscal Year 2021-22, Announces Chief Secretary (economy)

• Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jena declared a significant milestone in the state’s economic landscape during the 77th annual technical meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals. 
• The mining sector, a pivotal contributor, has propelled Odisha’s revenue from Rs 4,900 crore in 2016-17 to an impressive Rs 50,000 crore in the fiscal year 2021-22.
• This surge underscores the sector’s pivotal role in reshaping Odisha’s financial fortunes.

Indian Army Embarks on Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 in Australia (defence)

• A contingent from the Indian Armed Forces, comprising personnel from all three services, has embarked on a journey to Perth for the second edition of AustraHind-23 – a collaborative military exercise between India and Australia. 
• This joint exercise, spanning two weeks from Nov 22 to Dec 6, aims to enhance inter-operability and conduct multi-domain operations in urban and semi-urban terrains, adhering to the United Nations peacekeeping operations protocol. 
• The Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a battalion of the esteemed Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army, along with an officer from the Indian Navy and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force, fostering collaborative efforts for global peace and security.

Indian Navy Deploys INS Sumedha In Mozambique to Strengthen Interoperability (defence)

• Indian Naval Ship Sumedha arrived at Maputo, Mozambique on November 21, 2023, as part of the ongoing Extended Operational Deployment to Africa. 
• This strategic port call aims to fortify long-standing diplomatic relations, enhance maritime cooperation, and promote interoperability between the Indian and Mozambican navies. 
• The regular deployment of Indian Naval ships overseas aligns with the Indian Navy’s mission of building ‘bridges of friendship’ and fostering international cooperation with friendly nations.

Successful Implementation Of The State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 By PARAKH (national)

• The inaugural State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023, conducted on 3rd November 2023, marked a significant milestone in the education sector. 
• Organized by the Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), the national assessment regulator, this survey aimed to identify areas for improvement in student learning across various grades.
• The primary objective of SEAS 2023 was to assess the learning competencies of students at the end of foundational, preparatory, and middle educational stages, with a special focus on Language and Mathematics. 
• Established in January 2023 by NCERT in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, PARAKH serves as a guiding force for student assessment and evaluation across all recognized school boards in India.

India’s CAG Girish Chandra Murmu Elected Vice-Chair Of UN External Auditors’ Panel (national)

• Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, has been elected as the vice-chair of the UN Panel of External Auditors.
• This recognition not only highlights India’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of external audit but also showcases its active role in shaping the global audit landscape. 
• The independent body is composed of representatives from 12 countries. 
• Together, they conduct financial, performance, and compliance audits of UN entities, ensuring transparency and accountability in the organization’s financial activities.

Max Verstappen Emerges Victorious at the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023 (sports)

• Max Verstappen secured victory at the end of a thrilling Las Vegas Grand Prix, outperforming Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. 
• Max Emilian Verstappen, a Belgian and Dutch racing driver and the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Formula One World Champion. 
• Ferrari’s Leclerc overtook Sergio Perez on the final lap to secure second place, while British star Lando Norris was hospitalized after a third-lap 180 mph crash.
•  Lewis Hamilton finished in seventh place.

NIF Book Prize Winner for 2023 To Be Revealed On December 1st (books)

• The Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIF) Book Prize has unveiled its shortlist, comprising five outstanding works. 
• The winner is scheduled to be announced on December 1, adding anticipation to the literary community.

Here are the nominations.

1. Achyut Chetan’s “Founding Mothers of the Indian Republic”
2. Rotem Geva’s “Delhi Reborn: Partition and Nation Building in India’s Capital”
3. Akshaya Mukul’s biography, “Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover: The Many Lives of Agyeya”
4. Gita Ramaswamy’s memoir, “Land Guns Caste Woman”
5. Taylor C. Sherman’s “Nehru’s India: A History in Seven Myths”

Malayalam Writer P. Valsala Passes Away At 85 (national)

• The demise of award-winning Malayalam writer P. Valsala, aged 85, occurred in Kozhikode. Ms. Valsala is a pioneering figure among women writers in Malayalam. 
• Born in August 1938, she gained acclaim for her critically acclaimed work, ‘Nellu.’ 
• This literary masterpiece delves into the lives of tribal communities in Wayanad, offering a poignant exploration of their experiences. 
• Ms. Valsala’s illustrious career includes receiving the Sahitya Akademi Award and Ezhuthachchan Puraskaram for her outstanding contributions to Malayalam literature. 
• Her literary journey extended beyond novels, encompassing over 20 novels, 300 short stories, biographies, and travelogues.

The Langlands Program: World’s Largest Mathematics Project (international)

1. Five years ago, in 2018, Dr. Langlands received the Abel Prize, one of the highest honors for mathematicians, for “his visionary program connecting representation theory to number theory.” 
2. The Langlands Program, rooted in a 17-page letter by Dr. Langlands to French mathematician André Weil in 1967, aims to bridge the gap between representation theory and number theory. 
3. The program’s inception was motivated by a desire to connect two distant branches of mathematics, each with its unique set of principles and problems. 
4. The Langlands Program stands as a testament to the enduring curiosity and ingenuity of mathematicians.

Cyclone ‘Michaung’ To Hit Bay Of Bengal, The Fourth Storm This Year (international)

• The Bay of Bengal is on high alert as meteorological conditions suggest the potential development of cyclonic storm ‘Michaung,’ closely following the impact of cyclonic storm ‘Midhili’ on several northeastern states. 
• According to Skymetweather updates, this upcoming cyclonic storm is poised to be the fourth to hit the Bay of Bengal this year, marking the sixth storm overall in Indian waters.
• The affected regions are anticipated to include India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. The genesis of the tropical storm is traced back to the Gulf of Thailand, with meteorological conditions indicating potential cyclonic circulation.

Saffron From Kishtwar In Jammu And Kashmir Gets GI Tag (international)

• Kishtwar saffron, cultivated and harvested in the Kishtwar Region of Jammu and Kashmir, has been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. 
• Saffron, known as ‘Kum-Kum’ or ‘Lohit’ in Sanskrit, is a cultural heritage in the region. The spice is not only used in cooking but also finds its place in medicines and Hindu traditions. 
• Hindus in India use saffron as a mark (Tilak) on the forehead, considering its aroma and color as auspicious.

1. Who organized the State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023?

1. National Education Policy
2. NCERT
3. PARAKH
4. UNWTO

2. What does CAG stand for in “India’s CAG Girish Chandra Murmu”?

1. Chief Audit Group
2. Comptroller and Auditor General
3. Central Auditing Group
4. Chief Accountability Guard

3. Which team does Max Verstappen represent in Formula One?

1. Ferrari
2. Mercedes
3. Red Bull
4. McLaren

4. What is the purpose of the NIF Book Prize mentioned in the news?

1. Recognizing excellence in literature
2. Promoting fashion-related literature
3. Encouraging environmental writing
4. Honoring historical research

5. What does UNWTO stand for?

1. United Nations World Tourism Organisation
2. Universal Network for Worldwide Travel Organizations
3. United Nations World Trade Organization
4. Union of National Tourism Offices

6. What was the main reason for Kerala’s Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission earning global recognition from UNWTO?

1. Introduction of new tourist destinations
2. Implementation of principles and initiatives of Responsible Tourism
3. Hosting international tourism events
4. Promotion of luxury tourism

7. Under the ‘Meghalaya Water Smart Kid Campaign,’ what is the primary goal of educating children?

1. Climate change awareness
2. Promoting technology in education
3. Encouraging wildlife conservation
4. Highlighting the importance of water conservation

8. What significant achievement did Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jena announce during the 77th annual technical meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals?

1. Breakthrough in medical research
2. Advancements in space technology
3. Surpassing Rs 50,000 crore in mining revenue
4. Environmental conservation initiatives

9. In the joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 in Australia, what is the primary objective for the Indian Armed Forces?

1. Environmental conservation operations
2. Conducting medical research
3. Enhancing inter-operability and multi-domain operations
4. Exploring new tourist destinations

10. Why did the Indian Navy deploy INS Sumedha in Mozambique, according to the news article?

1. Exploration of new maritime routes
2. Promoting naval power demonstrations
3. Strengthening diplomatic relations and maritime cooperation
4. Humanitarian aid missions