Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 8th December 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 8th December 2023.

Global Observance of Hanukkah, a Festival of Illumination

• Commonly likened to the Jewish equivalent of Christmas, Hanukkah, or Chanukah, unfolds its celebratory charm over an octennial span, traditionally within the month of December.
• It is also known as the “Festival of Lights,” with this year’s jubilations spanning from the 7th to the 15th of December.
• The commemoration of Hanukkah traces its origins to the historic rededication of Jerusalem’s Second Temple circa 200 BC. 
• As historical story narrates, the Maccabean Revolt saw Jewish defiance against their Hellenistic oppressors, culminating in the concept of a resolute “rededication.”
• Under the yoke of Greek dominion, Jewish religious practices were proscribed until the recapture of Jerusalem in 164 BC. 
• The purification of the Second Temple and the revelation of a miraculous jar of oil, enduring for eight days instead of one, stands as the central narrative of this festive occasion.

A Reverential Gesture: Wax Effigy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Unveiled in Jaipur Wax Museum

• In a profound homage to the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, an impeccably detailed wax effigy now graces the Jaipur Wax Museum, nestled within Nahargarh Fort. 
• Crafted with meticulous precision, the statue commands attention at an imposing height of 5 feet 11 inches, weighing approximately 38 kg. 
• It faithfully replicates the iconic visage of Baba Saheb, portraying him with the Constitution tome in hand and garbed in his signature azure ensemble.
• With the inclusion of Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s wax likeness, the Jaipur Wax Museum boasts a collection of 43 wax figures portraying eminent personalities. 
• Noteworthy is its distinction as the only wax museum worldwide situated within the precincts of a “heritage site” – the venerable Nahargarh Fort.

Celebrating the 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day in Kisama Village

• Amidst exuberant festivities at Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, the 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day unfolded under the theme “Bee & Honey Trials.” 
• Deputy Chief Minister for Planning & Transformation and National Highway, T.R. Zeliang, graced the event with his presence.
• Commending accomplished Honey Bee farmers at both state and district levels, T.R. Zeliang revealed that Nagaland boasts a burgeoning community of over 1 lakh beekeepers, with an additional 25,000 introduced by the Nagaland Beekeeping Mission (NBHM) across 500 villages. 
• Emphasizing the distinctive quality of Nagaland’s honey, he attributed its health benefits to the abstention from artificial fertilizers in beekeeping practices. 
• Presently, the state’s honey production stands at 440 Metric Tonnes (MT) per annum, with an ambitious target of 2000 MT by 2030.

Milestone in Indian Naval Leadership: Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi Assumes Vice Chief Position

• In a significant juncture for the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi is poised to ascend to the role of Vice Chief of Naval Staff on January 4, ushering in a notable reorganization at the apex of the naval hierarchy. 
• This transition assumes paramount importance as Vice Admiral Tripathi shoulders the responsibility of overseeing the force’s modernization endeavors. 
• Significantly, the Indian Navy is on the brink of acquiring MQ-9B Predator drones and Rafale fighter jets, underscoring the strategic weight of this position.
• Vice Admiral Tripathi’s appointment unfolds as Vice Admiral SJ Singh, the departing Vice Chief of Naval Staff, assumes command of the Western Navy headquartered in Mumbai. 
• This shift follows Vice Admiral Singh’s tenure of approximately 9 months in the Vice Chief’s office, infusing a fresh perspective into the operations of the Western Naval Command.

Understanding the Difference Between Monetary and Fiscal Policies

• Monetary policy involves the actions a country’s central bank takes to control the money supply and interest rates. 
• On the other hand, fiscal policy is about how the government manages its money through taxes and spending to influence economic conditions and encourage growth.
• Monetary policy usually focuses on controlling inflation, while fiscal policy has a broader goal of promoting economic growth and stability.

RBI’s Decision on Repo Rate and Growth Forecast

• Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided, with a majority vote of 5:1, to keep the Repo rate at 6.5%. This aligns with their strategy of reducing support to the economy. 
• Despite a rise in vegetable prices, the RBI upgraded its growth forecast for the fiscal year 2024 from 6.5% to 7%, thanks to a stronger-than-expected second-quarter GDP of 7.6%.
• The estimated inflation for the fiscal year remains at 5.4%. 
• The decision to maintain the current Repo rate is driven by concerns about potential inflation, especially due to the recent increase in vegetable prices.

Overview of RBI’s Monetary Policy Tools

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) uses various tools to control the money supply, influence economic growth, and manage factors like inflation and unemployment. 
• These tools fall into two categories: Quantitative and Qualitative. They are essential for shaping the financial landscape of the country and are employed by the RBI to regulate money supply, boost economic growth, and control factors like inflation and unemployment.

Highlights from the December 2023 RBI Monetary Policy Committee Meeting

• In the latest meeting, the RBI’s key policy repo rate remained at 6.5%, marking the fifth consecutive meeting without a change. 
• The committee predicts a GDP growth of 7% for the fiscal year 2023-24, with an anticipated inflation rate of 5.4%. 
• Looking ahead to the fiscal year 2025, CPI inflation is projected at 5.2% for Q1, 4% for Q2, and 4.7% for Q3.
• Recognizing the importance of digital lending, the RBI plans to establish rules for web aggregation of loan products to enhance customer-centricity and transparency in the digital lending space.

RBI’s Decision on Urban Co-operative Bank’s License Cancellation

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has canceled the license of an Urban Co-operative Bank (UCB) in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, effective from December 7, 2023. 
• The decision stems from concerns about the bank’s financial health and its ability to continue operations. 
• The RBI cited insufficient capital and earning prospects as key reasons behind the license cancellation, expressing worries about the bank’s ability to pay its depositors in full.

Indian Oil and EKI Energy Collaboration for Clean Cooking

• Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IndianOil) and EKI Energy Services are working together to support “Surya Nutan,” an advanced indoor solar cooking system created by IndianOil. 
• This collaboration aims to make more of these cooking systems. “Surya Nutan” is an eco-friendly way of cooking indoors, using solar power, which helps in reducing our impact on the environment.

Special Day Celebrations: SAARC Charter Day:

• Every year on December 8th, we celebrate SAARC Charter Day. 
• This day marks an important event in the history of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It reminds us of the signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985. 
• This year is the 39th Anniversary, emphasizing the commitment of South Asian countries to working together for progress. SAARC focuses on collaboration in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific areas.

Upcoming Event: PM Modi at Infinity Forum 2.0

• On December 9, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak at the Infinity Forum 2.0, a significant event in the world of Financial Technology. 
• The event is hosted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and GIFT City, with the support of the Government of India. 
• The forum brings together experts to discuss financial technology. This time, it will happen in a mix of in-person and virtual formats, allowing people from around the world to join.

Leadership Changes at Max Life Insurance

• Max Life Insurance, an important player in the insurance sector, has a new Chairman. Rajiv Anand takes over from the outgoing Chairman, Analjit Singh. 
• This is a crucial change in the company’s leadership. Max New York Life (MNYL) was the first private sector insurance company in India, and this change is an important moment for the company.

Anand Kripalu Joins Swiggy Board

• Swiggy, a popular platform for ordering food online, has appointed Anand Kripalu as the Chairperson and Independent Director of its Board. 
• With over 40 years of experience in the consumer goods industry, Anand Kripalu brings valuable expertise to Swiggy. He is currently the Managing Director and Global CEO at EPL Ltd. 
• This appointment is a strategic move to enhance the leadership and governance of Swiggy.

Prashant Agrawal Recognized for Empowering Differently-Abled

• Prashant Agrawal, the President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, received a National Award for his outstanding work in empowering differently-abled individuals. 
• The award ceremony was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 
• Agrawal’s efforts, including establishing schools and rehabilitation centers, were acknowledged. 
• His organization, Narayan Seva Sansthan, goes beyond medical support by providing training in various skills and facilitating mass marriages for differently-abled individuals.

ICC’s New Look for T20 World Cup 2024

• Exciting changes are happening in international cricket as the ICC T20 World Cup unveils its new logo on December 7. 
• The logo cleverly combines cricket symbols like the bat and ball, showcasing the thrill of T20 cricket. 
• The ‘T20’ text transforms into a batting stance, and the design within the ball represents the energy and excitement of T20 games. The new logo captures the suspense and electrifying moments of T20 cricket.

IBM Introduces Quantum Chip ‘Condor’:

• IBM has revealed its latest achievement in quantum computing with the introduction of ‘Condor,’ a quantum processor boasting an impressive 1,121 qubits. 
• This marks a significant milestone in quantum computing, with IBM diligently increasing qubit numbers annually. 
• The Condor chip utilizes unique quantum principles, allowing qubits to exist in multiple states simultaneously. 
• This capability enables quantum computers to perform computations beyond the reach of classical computers.

Veteran Actor Junior Mehmood Passes Away

• Junior Mehmood, the well-known actor from Bollywood classics like Caravan and Mera Naam Joker, has sadly passed away at the age of 67. His real name was Naeem Sayyed, and he started his acting journey at a young age. 
• Junior Mehmood gained fame for his roles in over 260 movies in seven languages, including TV shows like “Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara” and “Ek Rishta Saajhedari Ka.” His versatility shone on both the big and small screens.

1. Who received the National Award for ‘Best Personality – Empowerment of Differently-Abled’?

1. Amit Shah
2. Prashant Agrawal
3. Draupadi Murmu
4. Narayan Seva Sansthan

2. What is the main feature of the new logo for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024?

1. A cricket bat and ball
2. A football and goalpost
3. A tennis racket and ball
4. A running athlete

3. What is the notable achievement of IBM’s latest quantum processor, ‘Condor’?

1. 500 qubits
2. 1,121 qubits
3. 800 qubits
4. 1,000 qubits

4. What was Junior Mehmood’s real name?

1. Anand Kripalu
2. Naeem Sayyed
3. Rajiv Anand
4. Prashant Agrawal

5. Who has partnered with Indian Oil to promote the “Surya Nutan” solar cooking system?

1. International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
2. EKI Energy Services
3. Max Life Insurance
4. Swiggy

6. What does SAARC Charter Day commemorate?

1. Signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985
2. Foundation of SAARC in 1985
3. SAARC’s first regional summit
4. SAARC’s economic achievements

7. What is the main focus of the Infinity Forum 2.0 event?

1. Cultural exchange
2. Financial Technology (FinTech)
3. Environmental sustainability
4. Global politics

8. Who is the new Chairman of Max Life Insurance, as per the news?

1. Narendra Modi
2. Rajiv Anand
3. Analjit Singh
4. Anand Kripalu

9. What role has Anand Kripalu taken on at Swiggy?

1. CEO
2. CFO
3. Chairperson and Independent Director
4. Head of Technology

10. What does monetary policy primarily target?

1. Economic growth
2. Inflation control
3. Fiscal stability
4. Employment rates