Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 16th 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 16th December 2023.

UK Government Considers Social Media Limits for Under-16s

• The UK government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is thinking about new rules to protect kids under 16 on the internet. 
• Even though they recently made the Online Safety Act, which makes social media companies keep harmful stuff away from kids or face big fines, they want to do more.
• Next year, the government will talk to people to learn about the problems kids face online. They want parents to be more in charge of what their kids do online, instead of making strict rules.

Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal Unveils ‘Made For India’ Krutrim AI

• Bhavish Aggrawal, co-founder of Ola, has introduced Krutrim SI Designs, a new artificial intelligence venture. 
• Krutrim, which means ‘artificial’ in Sanskrit, offers multilingual AI models tailored for the Indian ecosystem. 
• The base model, Krutrim, is trained on 2 trillion tokens and unique datasets, while the larger Krutrim Pro, launching next quarter, boasts advanced problem-solving and task execution capabilities. 
• Krutrim is a groundbreaking AI model capable of understanding and generating content in 22 Indian languages, making it stand out for its extensive linguistic understanding.

China Launches Deepest Lab On Earth, More Than 2,000m Below Ground

• China has done something big in physics by starting the world’s deepest lab. 
• It’s called the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF), and it goes 2,400 meters deep. 
• It’s made by Tsinghua University and Yalong River Hydropower Development Company, Ltd.
• This lab gives scientists special conditions for testing that they can’t get anywhere else. One big goal is to help the whole world in looking for dark matter, a mysterious kind of matter that doesn’t seem to react with light or electricity.

Tamilisai Soundararajan: Telangana To Decentralise Development Into Three Zones

• Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said Telangana will be split into three parts to spread development evenly. 
• Hyderabad will be the main hub, with the first zone inside the Outer Ring Road (ORR), the second from the ORR to the proposed Regional Ring Road (RRR), and the third beyond the RRR.
• This plan wants to make sure the whole state grows well. Hyderabad is extra important because it’s the capital and brings in a lot of money. Governor Tamilisai said this is because of good planning by past governments, turning Hyderabad into a busy city.

Defence Ministry Inks Rs 5,336.25 Crore Deal with BEL for Electronic Fuzes

• The Ministry of Defence signed a significant deal with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Pune, worth Rs 5,336.25 crore for a 10-year supply of Electronic Fuzes for the Indian Army. 
• This step aims to meet the army’s long-term ammo needs, reduce reliance on imports, and enhance operational capabilities, especially in challenging terrains. 
• Electronic Fuzes provide crucial artillery firepower for military operations.

India Achieves Milestone with High-Speed Flying-Wing UAV

• India successfully tested its indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Karnataka’s Chitradurga. 
• Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, this UAV showcases a significant leap in India’s aerospace capabilities. 
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the successful trial, highlighting the importance of indigenous development in strengthening the armed forces.

Parliament Approves New Tribal University in Telangana

• India’s Parliament gave the go-ahead for a new university in Telangana, named Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University. 
• The approval comes through The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023. 
• This move aims to bring quality education to tribal areas and create inclusive learning spaces. 
• Minister Pradhan highlighted ongoing efforts to improve higher education, making sure all students, no matter their background, have access to good learning opportunities.

India’s Trade Deficit Narrows to $21 Billion in November

• In November 2023, India’s merchandise exports slightly dropped by 2.83% to $33.90 billion, leading to a positive trend in the trade deficit, which narrowed to $20.58 billion. 
• Government data revealed a 6.51% contraction in exports for April-November 2023, totaling $278.80 billion. 
• Imports also decreased by 4.33% in November 2023, standing at $54.48 billion. 
• Cumulatively, import figures from April-November 2023 recorded an 8.67% decrease, reaching $445.15 billion.

RBI Penalizes 5 Cooperative Banks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken strict action against five cooperative banks, imposing fines for regulatory compliance issues. 
• The penalized banks are Indapur Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Janakalyan Sahakari Bank Ltd, The Patan Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Pune Merchants Co-operative Bank Ltd, and Pune Municipal Corporation Servant’s Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd. 
• RBI clarified that these fines were solely for regulatory compliance shortcomings and did not pass judgment on any transactions or agreements with customers.

Surge in Deposits and Advances for Scheduled Banks

• In the fortnight ending December 1, 2023, deposits and advances of all scheduled banks surpassed ₹2-lakh crore, driven by festive demand, especially in urban areas. 
• The increase is fueled by strong consumer appliance demand, with 80% of purchases utilizing consumer financing schemes with EMI offers. 
• The surge in business is notable in mid-and premium segments, while demand in the entry-level segment remained subdued.

IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard Launch Co-Branded Credit Card

• IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard have partnered to introduce an exclusive co-branded credit card tailored to the financial needs of over 27 crore policyholders in India. 
• The LIC Classic and LIC Select variants offer reward points for insurance premium payments, providing a valuable savings avenue. 
• The co-branded card includes a lost card liability cover of up to Rs 50,000 and a personal accident insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh, enhancing user security and financial protection.

SBI Invests ₹49.99 Crore in Canpac Trends for Paper Packaging

• State Bank of India (SBI) has entered the paper packaging industry with a strategic investment of ₹49.99 crore in Canpac Trends Private Limited. 
• The Ahmedabad-based company specializes in paper-based packaging solutions. 
• SBI’s investment, acquiring 6.35% of Canpac Trends, aims for capital appreciation, focusing on the potential growth and profitability of the paper packaging sector. 
• The acquisition is expected to be completed within three months.

Vijay Diwas 2023: A Tribute to Indian Armed Forces

• Vijay Diwas, observed on December 16 each year, pays homage to the valor and sacrifice of the Indian armed forces during the 1971 war against Pakistan. 
• This historic day marks India’s victory, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. On Vijay Diwas, India commemorates the surrender of General Niazi and 93,000 soldiers before the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini of Bangladesh, a significant military event post-World War II. 
• The day is a reflection and tribute to the sacrifices made, emphasizing the strong ties between India and Bangladesh.

Rijul Maini Crowned Miss India USA 2023

• In the 41st annual Miss India USA 2023 pageant held in New Jersey, Rijul Maini, a medical student and aspiring surgeon from Michigan, secured the prestigious title of Miss India USA 2023. 
• The pageant featured contestants from over 25 states in three categories: Miss India USA, Mrs India USA, and Miss Teen India US
• Sneha Nambiar from Massachusetts was crowned Mrs India USA, while Saloni Rammohan from Pennsylvania won Miss Teen India USA, showcasing the diverse talents within the Indian-American community.

BEL Secures Orders Worth Rs. 4,878 Crores from Indian Army

• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has recently bagged a significant order worth Rs. 4,522 crore from the Indian Army. 
• The project, inclusive of various electronic and associated industries, especially MSMEs, reflects the collaborative approach of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ program. 
• BEL’s role in this initiative strengthens the defense sector and boosts indigenous manufacturing. 
• With these recent orders, BEL has received contracts totaling Rs. 23,176 crores in the current financial year, highlighting its pivotal role in enhancing India’s defense capabilities.

Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath Honored with Visionary Leader Icon 2023 Award

• Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd proudly announces that its Chairman, Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, has received the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 from the Advocates Association For Social Responsibility And Awareness (AASRAA). 
• The prestigious award was presented at the 5th National Summit held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. 
• With over two decades of experience in the real estate industry, Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath has transformed his passion for marketing into unparalleled success, making homeownership a reality for countless individuals.

India-Korea Launch Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES) for Swift Clearance

• Mr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), inaugurated the India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES) on December 6, 2023, in New Delhi. 
• EODES aims to streamline the implementation of the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) through the electronic exchange of origin information between the customs administrations of both nations, specifically for goods traded under CEP
• The system enables the electronic sharing of data fields in a Certificate of Origin (CoO) by the exporting customs administration with the importing customs immediately upon the issuance of the certificate, expediting the clearance process for imported goods.

BCCI Considering IPL-Like T10 League Launch in 2024

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly exploring the introduction of a T10 format cricket league, with a potential launch window between September and October 2024. 
• This move aligns with the growing popularity and valuation of cricket leagues, particularly the Indian Premier League (IPL). 
• Under the guidance of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the proposed T10 league is in its early planning stages, garnering positive feedback from stakeholders and potential sponsors. 
• The strategic choice of a T10 format aims to further elevate the sport’s popularity in the country.

1. What recent achievement has India made in the field of aerospace technology?

1. Successful launch of a satellite
2. Testing of an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV
3. Chief Financial Development of a supersonic aircraft, 5% stake
4. Inauguration of a space research center

2. What is the focus of the new university approved in Telangana by India’s Parliament?

1. Medical research
2. Technology and engineering
3. Tribal education
4. Business and finance

3. What does the narrowing of India’s trade deficit in November 2023 indicate?

1. Decreased exports and increased imports
2. Increased exports and decreased imports
3. Decreased exports and decreased imports
4. Increased exports and increased imports

4. Which cooperative banks faced penalties from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

1. Public sector banks
2. Foreign banks
3. Cooperative banks
4. Private sector banks

5. What is the primary objective of IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards, and Mastercard’s collaboration?

1. Launching a new bank branch
2. Introducing a co-branded credit card
3. Initiating a financial literacy program
4. Establishing an insurance company

6. Who was honored with the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 by AASRAA?

1. Bhavish Aggarwal
2. Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath
3. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal
4. Jay Shah

7. What is the purpose of EODES launched on December 6, 2023?

1. Boosting agricultural exports
2. Facilitating diplomatic relations
3. Streamlining India-Korea trade under CEPA
4. Enhancing cultural exchange

8. Which cricket board is exploring the launch of a T10 league in 2024?

1. ICC
2. BCCI
3. ECB
4. PCB

9. What is the primary focus of Krutrim SI Designs, recently unveiled by Bhavish Aggarwal?

1. Cryptocurrency development
2. Quantum computing research
3. Artificial intelligence for the Indian market
4. Advanced robotics

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