Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 28th 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 28th November 2023.

Central Renames Ayushman Bharat Health And Wellness Centers To Ayushman Arogya Mandir (national)

• In a momentous decision, the Union Government has chosen to redefine the existing Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs) as ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir,’ accompanied by the resonant tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam.’ 
• This strategic shift, conveyed through a missive to all States and Union Territories by the Union Health Ministry, aspires to elevate the stature and accessibility of these primary healthcare establishments. 
• The comprehensive rebranding initiative is slated for nationwide completion by the conclusion of 2023. 
• States and Union Territories are earnestly implored to promptly effectuate this rebranding endeavor to align with the designated deadline, recognizing the pivotal significance of a seamless transition and the projection of a cohesive identity for these health and wellness centers.

New Zealand Abandons Landmark Smoking Ban To Finance Tax Reductions for Future Generations (international)

• The newly elected government of New Zealand has opted to forsake its groundbreaking legislation, originally designed to prohibit smoking for forthcoming generations. 
• This decision is impelled by the government’s objective to fund tax reductions, a choice met with apprehension from public health authorities who anticipate potential ramifications, particularly within Māori communities. 
• The 2022 legislation, heralded as a global first, introduced a progressively escalating smoking age, preventing those born after January 2009 from legally procuring cigarettes. 
• The primary objective was to mitigate smoking-related fatalities and alleviate the burden on the healthcare system.

Indian-Origin Former MP Dave Sharma Triumphs in Australian Senate Election (international)

• Dave Sharma, the trailblazing Indian-origin statesman, has achieved a noteworthy political resurgence by clinching victory in the New South Wales Liberal Senate race. 
• This triumph signifies a pivotal juncture in Sharma’s political trajectory, as he steps into the shoes of the retired former foreign minister, Marise Payne. 
• Having made history in 2019 as the inaugural Indian-origin legislator in the Australian Parliament, Sharma brings a wealth of diplomatic and foreign policy acumen to the Senate.

UK Identifies Inaugural Human Case Of H1N2 Pig Virus (international)

• On Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) unveiled the primary human instance of H1N2, commonly known as the pig virus, detected during routine national flu surveillance. 
• The affected individual encountered mild illness and made a complete recovery, prompting inquiries about potential pig-to-human transmission.
• The discovery of the H1N2 virus in human hosts triggers contemplation of the 2009 swine flu pandemic. 
• This current scenario underscores the awareness of risks associated with zoonotic transmission, where viruses traverse from animals to humans. 
• The virus in question amalgamates genetic material from diverse sources, encompassing pigs, birds, and humans.

NATPOLREX-IX: Indian Coast Guard’s Pollution Response Exercise (defence)

• In a significant maritime undertaking, the Indian Coast Guard conducted the 9th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-IX) on November 25, 2023, off the coast of Vadinar, Gujarat. 
• The primary objective of this event was to evaluate the preparedness and coordination among various agencies in addressing a marine oil spill, aligning with the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). 
• The exercise witnessed active participation from representatives of central and coastal state governments, ports, oil handling agencies, and garnered attention with over 31 foreign observers and 80 delegates.

RBI Extends Payments Infrastructure Scheme, Expands Reach until Dec 2025 (economy)

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared a two-year extension to the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme, now effective until December 31, 2025. 
• This extension is part of an initiative to foster digital transactions at the grassroots level, accompanied by an expansion of the scheme’s beneficiaries. 
• Responding to industry input, the PIDF scheme will now actively promote the adoption of emerging payment acceptance methods, incorporating technologies like soundbox devices and Aadhaar-enabled biometric devices.

S&P Global Ratings Revises India’s Growth Outlook (economy)

• S&P Global Ratings has revised its GDP growth projection for India in the fiscal year 2024, upgrading it to 6.4% from the earlier estimate of 6%. 
• This positive adjustment is attributed to the resilience displayed by domestic economic forces, effectively countering challenges posed by heightened food inflation and weakened export performance. 
• However, the outlook dims for India’s economic performance in the fiscal year 2025, with the GDP growth projection being adjusted downward to 6.4% from the earlier forecast of 6.9%.

India’s Engineering Exports Witness Varied Trends Across Global Markets In October (economy)

• After navigating a challenging initial half of the year, India’s engineering exports demonstrated notable positive growth in key markets like the US, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE during October. 
• Notably, engineering exports to the US surged by 2.2% year-on-year, reaching $1.39 billion, while shipments to the UAE experienced a growth of 2.9%, totaling $348.6 million. 
• Despite a 1.6% contraction in cumulative growth during the first seven months of the current financial year (2023-24), October marked the third consecutive month of positive year-on-year growth for India’s engineering exports, registering a robust 7.2% increase.

HDFC Securities Introduces HDFC SKY Mobile Trading App on AWS Cloud (business)

• HDFC Securities, a prominent investment service provider in India, has successfully launched its mobile trading app, HDFC SKY, utilizing the infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. 
• This strategic move positions HDFC Securities to achieve a substantial cost reduction of up to 50%, showcasing the cost efficiency and scalability offered by cloud infrastructure. 
• With AWS as its preferred cloud provider, HDFC Securities ensures a secure and low-latency trading experience for the expanding base of tech-savvy retail investors who favor mobile trading.

IndiGo Introduces AI-Driven Chat Assistant “6Eskai” Following Air India’s Lead (business)

• In a noteworthy announcement on Monday, IndiGo, India’s largest airline, revealed the launch of its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chat assistant named “6Eskai.” 
• This innovative tool is meticulously crafted to address customer inquiries across a diverse spectrum of languages, signifying a significant stride in elevating customer service within the aviation industry. 
• IndiGo’s strategic move comes in the aftermath of Air India’s introduction of its AI-powered chat assistant, “Maharaja,” on November 10. 
• While Maharaja leverages Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI service, 6Eskai is empowered by the cutting-edge technology of Microsoft’s GPT-4, underscoring the swift evolution and adoption of AI within the aviation sector.

SEBI Envisions Same-Day Trade Settlement by March 2024 (business)

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionize the settlement process within the country’s financial markets. 
• In a recent declaration, SEBI Chief Madhabi Puri disclosed that the regulatory body is actively devising a roadmap to implement same-day settlement of trades by March 2024. 
• Additionally, there are contemplations for the introduction of an optional parallel system for instantaneous settlement. 
• The regulatory body aspires to accomplish same-day settlement by the culmination of March 2024, marking a substantial leap from the existing T+0 settlement cycle.

SEBI Reduces Minimum Issue Size for Social Stock Exchange to Rs 50 Lakh (business)

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has granted approval for Not for Profit Organisations (NPOs) to augment their fundraising capabilities through the social stock exchange. 
• In a supportive measure for NPOs on the social stock exchange, SEBI has opted to reduce the minimum issue size for public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments (ZCZP) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh. 
• This reduction is intended to facilitate more accessible fundraising for NPOs, fostering an environment conducive to social impact initiatives.

Col Sunita BS Makes History as the First Female Commanding Officer at Armed Forces Transfusion Centre (Defence)

• In a historic moment on November 21, 2023, Colonel Sunita BS, an officer in the Army Medical Corps, etched her name in history by becoming the first woman to assume the role of Commanding Officer at the Armed Forces Transfusion Centre (AFTC) in Delhi Cantt. 
• A proud graduate of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Rohtak, Col Sunita holds a Post Graduate degree (MD & DNB) in Pathology. 
• Before her historic appointment at AFTC, Col Sunita served in the challenging position of Commanding Officer at a strategically important Field Hospital in Arunachal Pradesh.

Rajat Kumar Jain, Former MD of Xerox India and Walt Disney India, Assumes Chairmanship at Fino Payments Bank (banking)

• Fino Payments Bank, headquartered in Mumbai, has recently obtained approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the appointment of Rajat Kumar Jain as Part-time Chairman. 
• The approval, effective from November 24, 2023, until November 01, 2025, marks a crucial development for the bank. 
• Rajat Kumar Jain, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience spanning over three decades. 
• Currently serving as a non-executive director on various boards, including those of Aditya Birla and Mahindra conglomerates, Jain’s extensive knowledge is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Fino Payments Bank’s future trajectory.

HDFC Bank Names Former NABARD Chairman Harsh Kumar Bhanwala as Director (banking)

• In a recent development, the Board of Directors at HDFC Bank approved the appointment of Harsh Kumar Bhanwala as the Additional Independent Director. 
• This designation holds a three-year tenure, starting from January 25, 2024. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, the former Chairman & Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company, has a notable background, including roles as Senior Vice President at IL&FS Water and Managing Director of the Delhi State Cooperative Bank.
• Simultaneously, HDFC Bank’s Board also greenlit the appointment of V Srinivasa Rangan as the new Executive Director (whole-time Director), effective from November 23, 2023.

Ministry of Power Acknowledged with Medal for Excellence at IITF 2023 (national)

• The Ministry of Power, Government of India, received acclaim at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2023, securing the Special Appreciation Medal for Excellence in Display. 
• This recognition was bestowed for the Ministry’s exceptional contribution to the 42nd edition of the IITF, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from November 14 to 27, 2023. 
• The award specifically commends the remarkable Power Pavilion set up by the Ministry. 
• Shri Ajay Agarwal, Director at the Ministry of Power, and Shri Harjit Singh, Chief General Manager (Corporate Communications) at NTPC, received the Special Appreciation Medal.

Sharmishtha Mukherjee Pens ‘Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers’ (national)

• Rupa Publications is set to release the book ‘Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers,’ authored by Sharmishtha Mukherjee. 
• The book offers insights into the father-daughter relationship between Pranab Mukherjee and Sharmishtha. 
• The biography delves into Mukherjee’s life journey from an unassuming village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district to a dynamic career, providing a poignant perspective from his daughter, classical dancer Sharmishtha Mukherjee.

Vidya Pillai Clinches IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Title (sports)

• Celebrated cueist Vidya Pillai achieved a significant milestone by securing the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Championship title in Doha, Qatar, just days before her 46th birthday. 
• Displaying a stellar performance, Vidya dominated opponents throughout the championship, including a notable victory of 4-1 against compatriot Anupama Ramachandran in the title clash. 
• In the semifinal clash against Bai Yulu, Vidya showcased her expertise with a notable run of 33 in the second frame and an impressive clearance of 63 in the fourth.

Italy Triumphs Over Australia, Wins Davis Cup for the First Time Since 1976 (sports)

• Italy emerged victorious in the Davis Cup by defeating Australia 2-0, marking their first win since 1976. 
• The world number four secured victory in the second singles rubber as Matteo Arnaldi beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in the opening clash. 
• Italy’s determination was evident throughout the tournament, securing their place in the final by defeating Novak Djokovic’s Serbia. 
• The final took place in the Spanish city of Malaga.

Odisha to Host Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 from December 24, 2023 (sports)

• The highly anticipated second edition of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) is set to captivate audiences from December 24, 2023, to January 13, 2024. 
• The Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha, will be the venue for this sporting extravaganza, featuring India’s top 145 players. 
• Notably, 33 young talents aged between 16 to 18 will add youthful vigor to the competition. 
• Six franchises, including defending champions Odisha Juggernauts, Chennai Quick Guns, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Khiladis, Rajasthan Warriors, and Telugu Yoddhas, will compete for the coveted crown.

Demise of Dhanlaxmi Bank’s Director C.K. Gopinathan (national)

• The banking community and shareholders of Dhanlaxmi Bank are in mourning following the sudden passing of Mr. C.K. Gopinathan, a director on the bank’s board and a significant shareholder. 
• Having joined the board in August 2016, Gopinathan played a crucial role in the bank’s strategic decisions, holding a substantial 7.5 percent stake as of September 2023. 
• Beyond his contributions to the banking sector, Gopinathan served as a Director of C.K.G Supermarket Limited and held the position of Managing Director at C.K.G Securities and Investments Limited.

Merriam-Webster Declares ‘Authentic’ as Word of the Year for 2023 (international)

• In a year dominated by discussions on ‘deepfake’ videos, Merriam-Webster Dictionary has revealed that its word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.” 
• The term, often associated with identity discussions, has influenced conversations on cuisine, self, voice, and more. 
• Merriam-Webster, the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States, disclosed the most searched words of the year, reflecting the contemporary linguistic landscape.

Indian Immunologicals Launches Mabella Vaccine for Measles and Rubella (national)

• As part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Human Biologicals Institute (HBI), a division of Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a live-attenuated MR vaccine named Mabella was unveiled in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu. 
• Developed in collaboration with the Polyvac Institute of Vietnam, Mabella promises to be a crucial tool in the global fight against deadly measles and rubella. 
• The launch addresses the pressing need to control these infectious diseases, marking a significant stride in efforts to combat preventable diseases.

Angkor Wat Achieves the Title of the 8th Wonder of the World (international)

• Cambodia’s Angkor Wat has earned the esteemed title of the 8th wonder of the world, surpassing Italy’s Pompeii. 
• This UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest religious structure globally, stands as a testament to architectural brilliance and cultural significance. 
• Originally constructed in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat serves as both the largest religious monument and a symbol of the transition from Hinduism to Buddhism.

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary to Become Second Home for Asiatic Lions (national)

• Following Gir National Park and Sanctuary, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS) is poised to become the second home for Asiatic lions. 
• The Gujarat Forest Department presented this proposal as part of “Project Lion @ 2047,” an initiative launched by the Government of India in 2021 to conserve and protect the Asiatic Lion and its habitat. 
• The project addresses threats faced by the Asiatic lion population, currently found only in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in Gujarat.

1. What role did C.K. Gopinathan play in Dhanlaxmi Bank, and what percentage of stake did he hold?

1. Chief Executive Officer, 10% stake
2. Director on the board, 7.5% stake
3. Chief Financial Officer, 5% stake
4. Chairman of the Board, 12% stake

2. What word has been declared as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2023?

1. Deceptive
2. Authentic
3. Deepfake
4. Innovative

3. What is the significance of Mabella, the vaccine unveiled by Indian Immunologicals?

1. Treatment for COVID-19
2. Tool in the fight against measles and rubella
3. Cure for malaria
4. Solution for dengue

4. What is the cultural and architectural significance of Angkor Wat?

1. Largest mosque in the world
2. Oldest library globally
3. Largest religious monument, symbolizing the transition from Hinduism to Buddhism
4. Tallest skyscraper in Asia

5. Which wildlife sanctuary is set to become the second home for Asiatic lions, as part of “Project Lion @ 2047”?

1. Gir National Park and Sanctuary
2. Jim Corbett National Park
3. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Sundarbans National Park

6. What is the tenure for Harsh Kumar Bhanwala’s appointment as the Additional Independent Director at HDFC Bank?

1. Two years
2. Three years
3. Four years
4. Four years

7. For what reason did the Ministry of Power receive the Special Appreciation Medal at IITF 2023?

1. Excellence in Trade Fair Organization
2. Outstanding Display at the Power Pavilion
3. Contribution to Renewable Energy
4. Innovation in Power Generation

8. Who is the author of the book ‘Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers’?

1. Sharmishtha Mukherjee
2. Pranab Mukherjee
3. Rupa Publications
4. Shri R. K. Singh

9. In which city did Vidya Pillai secure the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Championship title?

1. Mumbai
2. Doha
3. Delhi
4. Bengaluru

10. What makes Italy’s Davis Cup win significant in 2023?

1. First win since 1965
2. First win since 1982
3. First win since 1976
4. First win since 1995