Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 17th 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 17th November 2023.

Global Developments: Eminent Indian Representative Attends Inauguration of Maldivian President (international)

• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju graces the Maldives, embodying India’s presence at the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Mohamed Muizzu. This distinguished event is scheduled for November 17 in the capital city, Male.
• Mohamed Muizzu, a trusted associate of former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, achieved victory in the presidential runoff held in September, triumphing over the incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. 
• The Maldives, a pivotal maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), holds a significant role in India’s ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy.’

Pedro Sanchez Secures Second Term as Prime Minister of Spain (international)

• Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, secures a second term, skillfully navigating the political landscape with a razor-thin majority. Born on February 29, 1972, 
• Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón has been a prominent figure in Spanish politics. Assuming office in June 2018, he has held the position of Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) since June 2017.
• With 179 votes of confidence out of a total of 350 lawmakers, Sanchez, a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, adeptly avoids a national election that could have jeopardized his position as public opinion fluctuates.

Jimmy Kimmel to Host 96th Oscars Again (international)

• The 96th Academy Awards in 2024 will see Jimmy Kimmel as the host for the second year in a row and the fourth time overall. 
• Known for his humor, Kimmel hosted the Oscars in 2017 and 2018. His return puts him in the company of Whoopi Goldberg and the late Jack Lemmon, who have also hosted the Oscars four times.

Mohammed Shami’s Record-Breaking Performance in ODI Cricket (sports)

• In a World Cup semi final against New Zealand in Mumbai, Mohammed Shami made history by becoming the first Indian bowler to take seven wickets in a One Day International (ODI) match. 
• His outstanding figures of 7/57 played a crucial role in India’s victory, surpassing the previous record held by Stuart Binny with figures of 6/4.

Google Launches AI Chatbot Bard for Teens (science and technology)

• Google introduces Bard, an AI chatbot designed for teenagers. Bard is trained to identify and filter out unsafe content, prioritizing the well-being of young users. 
• Google enhances Bard’s information accuracy with a ‘double-check’ feature for fact-based queries, adding an extra layer of reliability to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Skydiver Shital Mahajan Makes History Near Mt Everest (international)

• Indian skydiver Shital Mahajan achieves a historic skydive near Mt Everest, jumping from a height of 21,500 ft. Landing skillfully at Kalapatthar peak, she becomes the first woman to accomplish such a daring feat. Mahajan, a renowned skydiver, holds several records and received the Padma Shri in 2001.

Coconut Development Board Launches “Hello Naariyal” Call Centre (National)

• The Coconut Development Board (CDB) launches the “Hello Naariyal” Friends of Coconut Trees (FoCT) call center to support coconut farmers. 
• This initiative provides assistance to farmers in various aspects of coconut harvesting and plant management operations. 
• The primary goal is to create a dedicated platform to address the needs of coconut growers, offering expert guidance related to coconut cultivation.

Assam Government Greenlights Merger of SEBA and AHSEC (state)

• The Assam Cabinet grants approval for the amalgamation of the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC). 
• The integrated entity shall now be recognized as the ‘Assam State School Education Board‘ (ASSEB). 
• This decision is aimed at elevating the quality and standards of school education in the state.
• SEBA, responsible for conducting Class 10 examinations, and AHSEC, overseeing Class 12 board examinations, will now operate as a unified board under the banner of ASSEB.

Commencement of Joint Military Exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” in Pune (defense)

• The ninth edition of the Joint Military exercise, known as “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023,” commences in Aundh (Pune). 
• Taking place from November 16th to 29th, 2023, the exercise aims to fortify cooperation between the Indian and Sri Lankan military forces. 
• The primary objective includes enhancing joint responses during counter-terrorist operations, encompassing tactical actions such as raid missions, search and destroy operations, heliborne activities, and more.

Unveiling of the 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft by the Indian Navy, Named ‘Amini’ (defense)

• On November 16, 2023, the Indian Navy successfully launched ‘Amini,’ the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) under the Project. 
• The contract for constructing eight ASW SWC ships was formalized between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on April 29, 2019. 
• Belonging to the Arnala class, these vessels are designed to replace the existing Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy. 
• With a length of 77 meters, a displacement of 900 tons, and a maximum speed of 25 knots, the ASW SWC ships boast an impressive endurance of approximately 1800 nautical miles.

IndusInd Bank Introduces ‘IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card’ on UPI (banking)

• IndusInd Bank takes a significant leap in the realm of digital payments with the introduction of its groundbreaking initiative – the ‘IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card’ on the UPI platform. 
• This collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of seamless and versatile payment options for customers. 
• IndusInd Bank’s RuPay credit card customers can now experience a unified payment experience by seamlessly initiating UPI transactions. 
• This integration allows for both online and offline transactions with ease.

Axis Bank Faces Substantial ₹90.92 Lakh Penalty from RBI (banking)

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently imposed a significant monetary penalty of ₹90.92 lakh on Axis Bank Ltd due to various instances of non-compliance with essential directives. 
• The penalties are associated with the ‘Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016,’ ‘Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions,’ ‘Guidelines on Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks,’ and ‘Code of Conduct for Opening and Operating Current Accounts.’ 
• One notable concern involves Axis Bank’s failure to maintain records related to customer identification and addresses in specific cases.

India Adapts to Plummeting Oil Prices Through Tax Adjustments (economy)

• In response to the recent sharp decline in global oil prices, the Indian government has strategically implemented substantial tax adjustments, particularly targeting crude oil and diesel. 
• These adjustments are designed to alleviate the impact of the declining global oil market on India, the third-largest oil importer. 
• The central government has declared a significant reduction in the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on crude oil imports, slashing it by 35.71% from Rs. 9,800 per tonne to Rs. 6,300 per tonne.

S&P Global Predicts Strong Economic Growth for India in 2024-2026 (economy)

• S&P Global, in its most recent report, anticipates robust economic growth for India in the medium term, forecasting an annual GDP expansion ranging from 6 to 7.1 percent from FY24 to FY26. 
• The report emphasizes that interest rates in India are unlikely to witness a substantial increase, minimizing risks for the banking industry. 
• This stability is expected to stem from factors such as healthy corporate balance sheets and enhanced risk management.

RBI Report Highlights Food Inflation as Primary Challenge to 4% CPI Target (banking)

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has pinpointed escalating food prices as the key obstacle to achieving its 4% Consumer Price Index (CPI) target, as indicated in its ‘State of the Economy’ report. 
• With food items holding a substantial weight of around 40% in the CPI basket, their prices play a crucial role in determining overall inflation. 
• The report underscores the vulnerability of the 4% CPI target to food inflation, specifically noting the rising prices of essential items like onions, tomatoes, cereals, pulses, and sugar.

Positive Trends in India’s Exports: Netherlands, UK, and Australia Drive Growth (economy)

• During the initial seven months of the financial year 2023-24 (April-October), India’s export landscape experienced notable dynamics, with the Netherlands, the UK, and Australia emerging as pivotal drivers of the nation’s outbound shipments. 
• Despite positive growth in specific months, India’s overall exports contracted by 7% in the April-October period. Experts attribute the growth in October to a favorable base from the previous year, considering shipments had declined sequentially from September to October. 
• While India witnessed modest growth in shipments to China, with a 0.8% increase during the April-October period, the overall export scenario demonstrated signs of improvement.

Global Acknowledgment of International Students Day 2023 (international)

• On Friday, November 17, the world came together to observe International Students’ Day 2023, recognizing the resilience and invaluable contributions of students worldwide. 
• This day carries particular significance for those pursuing education abroad, navigating challenges such as adapting to new cultures, languages, financial obstacles, and homesickness. 
• Historically, the day commemorates the Nazi invasion of a university in Prague in 1939.

Creating Awareness on National Epilepsy Day 2023 (national)

• November 17 marked National Epilepsy Day in India, dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy and its profound impact on individuals, families, and society. 
• Epilepsy, a condition characterized by unexpected and distressing seizures affecting control over movements, sounds, and sensations, affects approximately 50 million people globally. India contributes 10-20 percent to this burden.
•  The World Health Organization emphasizes that 70 percent of epilepsy cases can be successfully managed with medication and certain surgeries.

Hyderabad Hosts International Conference on Plant Health Management 2023 (national)

• From November 15th to 18th, Hyderabad, India, witnessed the International Conference on Plant Health Management (ICPHM) 2023. 
• Organized by the Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI), with a distinguished 50-year legacy, the event aimed to explore global opportunities in innovation and sustainability within the realms of research and entrepreneurship related to Plant Health Management.

Key Appointments at Jio Financial Services Get RBI’s Approval (national)

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval for key appointments as directors of Jio Financial Services. 
• Isha Ambani, a prominent figure in business and a key player in the success of Reliance Retail, assumes a directorial role. 
• Anshuman Thakur, an Economics graduate and MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad, joins the board, while Hitesh Kumar Sethia takes on the role of Managing Director and CEO of RSIL (presumably Reliance Strategic Investments Limited), strengthening the leadership team.

Indian American Shakuntla Bhaya Joins the Administrative Conference of the US (international)

• In recent appointments, US President Joe Biden selected Indian American Shakuntla L Bhaya as a member of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States. 
• Shakuntla, a co-owner of the Law Offices of Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz & Bhaya, brings extensive legal experience to her role. 
• ACUS, founded in 1964, aims to advance improvements in the effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness of procedures employed by federal agencies.

JSW Infrastructure Awarded Greenfield Port Development Project in Karnataka (national)

• JSW Infrastructure, a prominent player in the Indian port sector, part of the JSW Group, announced the development of a state-of-the-art, all-weather, deep-water greenfield port at Keni in Karnataka. 
• Valued at Rs.4,119 crore, the port project is set to be executed through a public-private partnership, enhancing maritime infrastructure and boosting trade in North Karnataka. 
• JSW Infrastructure highlighted planned rail connectivity for the Keni Port, ensuring efficient transportation.

1. What action did the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) take against Axis Bank recently?

1. Awarded a financial grant
2. Imposed a monetary penalty
3. Provided a compliance certificate
4. Lauded for exemplary service

2. How is the Indian government responding to the recent fall in international oil prices?

1. Implementing tax adjustments
2. Increasing import duties
3. Subsidizing oil exports
4. Ignoring the situation

3. Who will host the 96th Academy Awards in 2024?

1. Jack Lemmon
2. Whoopi Goldberg
3. Jimmy Kimmel
4. Stuart Binny

4. What historic achievement did Mohammed Shami accomplish in a One Day International (ODI) cricket match against New Zealand?

1. Took seven wickets
2. Scored a century
3. Broke a batting record
4. Led the team as captain

5. What is the primary purpose of Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, designed for teenagers?

1. Identifying and filtering unsafe content
2. Enhancing adult communication
3. Creating memes
4. Conducting scientific research

6. What historic feat did Indian skydiver Shital Mahajan achieve near Mt Everest?

1. Climbed Mt Everest
2. Became the first woman to accomplish a skydive from 21,500 ft
3. Set a speed record on Mt Everest
4. Discovered a new route on Mt Everest

7. What is the primary goal of the “Hello Naariyal” initiative launched by the Coconut Development Board (CDB)?

1. Promoting coconut oil
2. Offering financial support to coconut farmers
3. Providing expert guidance to coconut growers
4. Launching a coconut-themed event

8. What is S&P Global’s forecast for India’s GDP growth from FY24 to FY26?

1. 3-4%
2. 6-7.1%
3. 8-9%
4. 1-2%

9. According to the RBI report, what is the primary challenge to achieving the 4% Consumer Price Index (CPI) target?

1. Housing prices
2. Fuel prices
3. Education costs
4. Rising food prices

10. Which countries are highlighted as key drivers of India’s exports during April-October 2023?

1. China, Japan, South Korea
2. USA, Canada, Mexico
3. Netherlands, UK, Australia
4. Brazil, Argentina, Chile