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

Volcano Eruption in Russia (international)

• The biggest volcano in Eurasia, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, recently erupted in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. 
• This eruption was the third one in 2023. 
• Thankfully, there were no injuries, but authorities took precautions by closing schools in two nearby towns. 
• The eruption sent ash clouds up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) into the sky. The volcano is around 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the town of Klyuchy and 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Ust-Kamchatsk.

Displacement Crisis in Congo (international)

• In the eastern province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), there’s a growing conflict between M23 rebels and government-backed militias. 
• This conflict is causing many people to be displaced from their homes. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) is deeply worried about this humanitarian crisis. 
• By October 2023, the number of people who had to leave their homes in the DRC reached a record high of 6.9 million. 
• This is due to the ongoing conflict and increasing violence, making it one of the largest internal displacement crises globally.

Chile Joins Solar Alliance (international)

• Chile recently became the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a global effort to promote solar energy. 
• The ISA is a collaborative platform aimed at increasing the use of solar energy technologies.
•  So far, 116 countries have joined as signatories, with 94 becoming full-fledged members.

GST Centers Opened in Gujarat (national)

• In Vapi, Gujarat, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated 12 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seva Kendras. 
• She also recognized those participating in the “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” (MBMA) scheme, which encourages generating bills during sales and purchases. 
• These new GST Seva Kendras in cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and others will make GST-related services more accessible.

National Coal Index Rises (national)

• India’s National Coal Index (NCI) increased by 3.83 points to 143.91 in September. 
• This was the first rise since April 2023 and was driven by a temporary increase in global coal prices. 
• The NCI combines coal prices from various sources to help determine premiums and revenue shares.
•  The rise in NCI indicates a higher demand for coal due to the upcoming festive season and winter, prompting coal producers to increase domestic production.

Axis Bank Collaborates with IRMA (banking)

• Axis Bank Collaborates with IRMA to Promote Financial Inclusion and Literacy in India
• Axis Bank has joined hands with the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Axis Bank Chair for financial inclusion at IRMA. 
• This initiative aims to boost financial inclusion and literacy in India for five years. IRMA and Axis Bank will also form a Joint Advisory Committee to oversee the chair’s selection process and its operations while assessing its performance regularly.

Anticipated 6% Decrease in Cotton Production This Year (national)

• The Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption predicts a 6% decline in cotton production for the 2023-2024 season compared to the previous year. 
• Cotton production for the upcoming season is estimated to be 316.57 lakh bales, a decrease from the 336.60 lakh bales in the prior season. 
• Factors like pink bollworm infestation and insufficient monsoon rainfall in certain regions are affecting cotton production, particularly in central and southern regions like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Sephora Collaborates with Reliance Retail Ventures to Revolutionize India’s Beauty Retail Sector (business)

• Sephora, a globally recognized beauty retailer, has partnered with Reliance Beauty & Personal Care Limited to reshape the future of luxury beauty retail in India. 
• Reliance Beauty & Personal Care Limited will acquire Sephora’s 26 stores across 13 Indian cities from Arvind Fashions Limited. 
• The Indian beauty and personal care market is valued at USD 17 billion and is expected to grow annually at an 11% rate, positioning it as one of the world’s largest untapped consumer markets.

World Radiography Day 2023 Celebrates Patient Safety (international important days)

• World Radiography Day, observed on November 8 every year, commemorates the discovery of X-radiation by German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895. 
• The theme for World Radiography Day 2023 is “Celebrating Patient Safety,” emphasizing that the responsibilities of radiographers extend beyond radiation protection to include broader aspects of patient well-being. 
• This annual event was established on November 8 to honor Roentgen’s groundbreaking discovery, replacing the European Day of Radiology previously held on February 10.

1. What international organization did Chile recently become the 95th member of?

1. United Nations
2. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
3. World Trade Organization
4. World Health Organization

2. Axis Bank and IRMA’s partnership aims to establish the Axis Bank Chair for financial inclusion for how many years?

1. 1 year
2. 3 years
3. 5 years
4. 10 years

3. Why is cotton production expected to decline by 6% in the 2023-2024 season?

1. Increased monsoon rainfall
2. Pink bollworm infestation
3. Government subsidies
4. Improved crop yield

4. What is the expected annual growth rate of India’s beauty and personal care market?

1. 5%
2. 8%
3. 11%
4. 15%

5. What theme is chosen for World Radiography Day 2023?

1. Honoring Scientific Discoveries
2. Promoting Radiation Research
3. Celebrating Patient Safety
4. Advancing Radiology Technology

6. What is the primary objective of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

1. Promoting nuclear energy
2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
3. Advancing solar energy technologies
4. Encouraging wind power generation

7. Where were the 12 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seva Kendras inaugurated by Nirmala Sitharaman?

1. New Delhi
2. Mumbai
3. Vapi, Gujarat
4. Chennai

8. What does the “Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar” (MBMA) scheme encourage?

1. Reducing taxes
2. Generating bills during sales and purchases
3. Using digital payments
4. Investing in stocks

9. Why did India’s National Coal Index (NCI) increase in September?

1. Higher demand for coal in winter
2. Decreased coal production
3. Lower coal prices globally
4. Reduced energy consumption

10. What is the theme of India’s representation at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2023 in London?

1. “World Travel Market Excellence”
2. “Incredible India! Visit India Year 2023”
3. “Global Tourism Showcase”
4. “Diverse Destinations of India”