Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 3rd 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 3rd November 2023.

PM inaugurates World Food India Event (international)

• The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is all set to inaugurate the grand event of World Food India 2023. 
• This event celebrates India’s rich culinary heritage and its potential in global food. This second edition brings together culture, cuisine, and commerce, creating a platform for discussions, partnerships, and investments in the agri-food sector. 
• A highlight of World Food India 2023 is the ‘Food Street,’ which will showcase diverse regional cuisines and the royal culinary traditions of India. 
• The goal of World Food India 2023 is to establish India as a global food powerhouse, coinciding with the celebration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, highlighting the importance of diverse and sustainable food sources.

ECI develops its own software ‘ENCORE’ (national, science and tech)

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has developed its own software called ‘ENCORE,’ which stands for Enabling Communications on Real-time Environment. 
• ENCORE is a comprehensive software suite designed to streamline candidate and election management, offering a wide range of features for smooth operations during the electoral process. 
• It provides a seamless and integrated platform for Returning Officers to handle various election-related tasks, from candidate nomination to voter turnout tracking, counting of votes, result compilation, and data management.

India to host 2023 World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (national)

• India is poised to host the prestigious 2024 World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA), a significant leap in the advancement of 5G and 6G networks. 
• WTSA is a quadrennial event that serves as the governing conference of the ITU Standardisation Sector (ITU-T). It is one of the three global conferences organized by the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations entity, and plays a pivotal role in setting global telecommunication standards. 
• India’s hosting of the WTSA is a remarkable milestone.

Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates 6th edition of India Manufacturing Show (national)

• The esteemed Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, inaugurated the sixth edition of the ‘India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on November 2, 2023. 
• This event is jointly organized by Laghu Udhyog Bharti & IMS Foundation and supported by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The central theme of the event is ‘Make in India, Make for the World.’ 
• The show not only serves as a platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations but also underscores the significance of small-scale industries in India’s economic landscape.

Thailand allows Visa-free entry to Indian and Taiwanese people (international)

• Thailand is taking steps to rejuvenate its tourism industry by granting visa-free entry to Indian and Taiwanese citizens. 
• This move is part of a broader strategy to attract more visitors to the country, especially as the high tourist season approaches. Starting from November 10, 2023, until May 10, 2024, travelers from India and Taiwan can explore Thailand without the need for a visa. 
• This decision aims to make it more convenient for tourists from these countries to experience Thailand’s beauty and contribute to the country’s tourism sector. 
• Travelers from India and Taiwan can enjoy a maximum stay of 30 days in Thailand without a visa. 
• This new policy is expected to attract a significant number of tourists from these regions and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.

Hamas assumes responsibility for attacking Kiryat Shmona (international)

• In recent events in the Middle East, there have been reports of attacks on multiple locations in Israel. 
• The armed wing of Hamas, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, causing injuries and damage to buildings. 
• Simultaneously, Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militant group, launched an attack on 19 positions in Israel, marking an escalation along Israel’s northern border. 
• Both Hamas and Hezbollah are considered proxies of Iran. Hezbollah acknowledged using explosive-laden drones for the first time to target an Israeli army command post in the disputed Shebaa Farms area on the Lebanese-Israeli border. 
• The Shebaa Farms area has been a subject of territorial dispute, with Israel claiming control since the 1967 war, while both Syria and Lebanon assert it belongs to Lebanon.

Kerala government takes action against the Governor (state)

• The Kerala Government has taken legal action against Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, alleging that he failed to fulfill his Constitutional duties in dealing with bills passed by the State Legislature. 
• The government filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court on November 2, 2023, expressing concerns about the Governor’s handling of pending bills. 
• A Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), T.P. Ramakrishnan, also submitted a separate petition regarding this matter. The Kerala Government alleges that the Governor acted in an arbitrary manner, subverting the Constitution by withholding bills passed by the State Legislature for an indefinite period. 
• The state is seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that the Governor is obligated to dispose of all bills presented to him within a reasonable time frame.

Kerala is all set to launch a series of multilingual microsites (state)

• In an effort to promote religious tourism, Kerala is launching a series of multilingual microsites. These microsites aim to highlight the state’s rich heritage and emphasize the significance of its primary religious destinations. 
• One such microsite will focus on the Sabarimala Temple in the Pathanamthitta district. It will provide information in five languages: English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu.
•  The microsite will cover not only the Sabarimala temple but also other religious places and temples, offering details on directions, necessary information, and traditions.

US Military conducted Minuteman III missile launch (international)

• The U.S. military recently conducted a Minuteman III missile launch, which was developed by Boeing Co. 
• This missile is powered by three solid-propellant rocket motors, including the First Stage ATK refurbished M55A1, Second Stage ATK refurbished SR-19, and Third Stage ATK refurbished SR-73. 
• The Minuteman III is an American land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The “L” in LGM denotes that it is silo-launched, “G” signifies it’s for surface attack, “M” stands for guided missile, “30” represents the Minuteman series, and the “G” after “30” indicates the current Minuteman III variant. 
• This missile system is a strategic weapon with intercontinental range, and the missiles are stored in fortified silos for protection against attacks, connected to an underground launch control center through robust cables.

Purchasing Managers’ Index falls to 55.5 (economy)

• The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicates that India’s manufacturing sector slowed down significantly in October. 
• The PMI fell to 55.5, an eight-month low compared to the previous month’s 57.5. This decline is attributed to cost pressures and reduced demand for specific products. 
• Despite the slowdown, the October PMI reading remains above the long-term average of 53.9, but it’s the slowest rate of expansion since February. 
• This is concerning, especially considering that India’s eight core sectors posted their lowest growth rate in four months in September, at 8.1 percent. 
• These core industries contribute over 40 percent to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), making them a key indicator of industrial growth.

The European Union proposes Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (international)

• The European Union’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has sparked controversy. 
• India’s Commerce and Industry Minister strongly criticizes it as poorly conceived. CBAM applies to imported goods with high carbon emissions and is connected to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which currently covers industries like power generation, steel, and cement. 
• CBAM imposes taxes on the carbon content of imported goods at the border, based on the carbon price in the EU ETS. 
• Its aim is to encourage non-EU countries to adopt stricter environmental regulations to reduce global carbon emissions. It also prevents companies from moving to countries with weaker environmental rules and generates revenue to support EU climate policies.

Bank of Baroda brings changes in digital leadership (banking)

• Bank of Baroda (BOB) is making changes in its digital leadership. Akhil Handa, who played a significant role in developing BOB’s mobile banking application ‘bob World,’ is leaving the organization. 
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on BOB, preventing it from onboarding new customers on the ‘bob World’ mobile app. 
• This action was taken due to concerns about how customers were being onboarded through the app. 
• In response to Akhil Handa’s resignation, BOB has appointed Kadgatoor Sheetal Venkatesmurt to lead digital lending in addition to her role as the head of digital channels and operations.

Zurich Insurance Group invests Rs. 4,501 crore in Kotak General Insurance

• Zurich Insurance Group is investing Rs. 4,501 crore in Kotak General Insurance to acquire a 51% stake. 
• This investment will involve a combination of fresh insurance and share purchases, with the exact split between the two undisclosed. Zurich also has the option to acquire an additional 19% stake within three years of its initial acquisition. 
• Kotak Mahindra Bank will maintain management control of the general insurance arm until Zurich’s stake increases to 70%. 
• This partnership with Zurich is Kotak Mahindra Bank’s first with a foreign entity in nearly six years and is a significant move, as all non-bank businesses within the Kotak group are currently 100%.

Shiv Nadar tops on the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2023   (national)

• Shiv Nadar and his family have secured the top position on the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year they’ve claimed this prestigious rank. In the fiscal year 2022-23, they made a significant donation of Rs 2,042 crore.

BIS is hosting G20 Standards Dialogue 2023 (national)

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is hosting the G20 Standards Dialogue 2023 under India’s G20 presidency. 
• This 2-day event is taking place at the iconic Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The theme of the dialogue is ‘Zero Defect Zero Effect,’ emphasizing the critical role of standards in our global community.

India-UAE MoU: (national)

• Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAE Minister of Education, Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi, to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries. 
• This MoU aims to enhance existing educational collaboration, including facilitating academic partnerships between higher education institutions in both nations.

Kerala Jyothi Award (award)

• Eminent writer T. Padmanabhan was honored with the prestigious Kerala Jyothi award by the Kerala government. 
• This award recognizes his exceptional contributions to Malayalam literature. 
• Additionally, the government has introduced other accolades called ‘Kerala Puraskarngals’ to honor individuals who have made remarkable contributions to various aspects of social life.

Mohammed Shami’s Record (sports)

• During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Mohammed Shami’s outstanding performance in the India vs. Sri Lanka match made him India’s leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cups. 
• With an impressive five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, Shami’s tally of ODI World Cup wickets reached 45, surpassing the records held by Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath.

Electoral Literacy in Textbooks (national)

• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is introducing content on ‘Electoral Literacy’ in school textbooks to combat voter apathy among young Indians. 
• This initiative will begin with classes 6 to 12 in all schools and extend to colleges and universities, aiming to instill electoral literacy and increase electoral participation.

EPFO’s 71st Foundation Day (national)

• Union Minister for Labour & Employment, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the 71st Foundation Day of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in New Delhi. 
• The celebration featured a documentary film showcasing EPFO’s achievements over seven decades and recognized outstanding contributions from various offices and establishments within the organization.

1. Who is inaugurating the World Food India 2023 event?

1. President of India
2. Prime Minister of India
3. Chief Minister of Delhi
4. Indian Food Minister

2. What does the ‘ENCORE’ software, developed by the Election Commission of India, stand for?

1. Enhanced Communication for Real-time Engagement
2. Efficient Candidate Organizer
3. Election Commission Network
4. Enabling Communications on Real-time Environment

3. What is the central theme of the ‘India Manufacturing Show’ inaugurated by Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh?

1. “Innovation and Technology for India”
2. “Make in India, Make for the World”
3. “Global Trade and Commerce”
4. “Small-Scale Industries in Bengaluru”

4. When will tourists from India and Taiwan be allowed visa-free entry into Thailand?

1. Starting from 10th May 2023
2. Starting from 1st January 2024
3. From 10th November 2023 to 10th May 2024
4. Throughout the year 2023

5. Which organization is responsible for organizing the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA)?

1. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
2. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
3. World Health Organization (WHO)
4. World Trade Organization (WTO)

6. What was the reason for the decline in India’s manufacturing sector in October?

1. Increased demand for specific products
2. High PMI above 60
3. Cost pressures and subdued demand for certain products
4. Rapid expansion of the sector

7. What is the primary purpose of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

1. To lower carbon emissions globally
2. To promote free trade
3. To tax all imported goods
4. To encourage companies to relocate to countries with weaker environmental regulations

8. What percentage of stake is Zurich Insurance Group set to acquire in Kotak General Insurance?

1. 49%
2. 51%
3. 70%
4. 30%

9. Which sector did the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) initially cover?

1. Healthcare
2. Power generation
3. Education
4. Retail

10. In which month did India’s manufacturing sector experience its slowest rate of expansion according to the provided news?

1. October
2. September
3. November
4. December