Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 9th 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 9th November 2023.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Unveils Shivaji Maharaj Statue In J&K’s Kupwara (national)

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with other dignitaries, inaugurated a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on November 7. 
• The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj holds a special connection to Maharashtra.
• The statue was installed at the 41 National Rifle (Maratha LI) camp, which is located in close proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) separating India and Pakistan.
• The soil and water used in the statue’s construction were sourced from five different forts across the state, including Shivneri, Torna, Rajgarh, Pratapgarh, and Raigarh.

KVIC Chairman Inaugurates Five-Days ‘Diwali Utsav’ On The Theme Of ‘Vocal For Local’ (national)

• Under the leadership of Shri Manoj Kumar, Chairman of KVIC, the ‘Diwali Utsav’ Gramshilpa, Khadi Lounge was inaugurated in Connaught Place, New Delhi. 
• This initiative aims to connect people with the spirit of ‘Vocal for Local’ during festive occasions.
• A diverse range of locally-manufactured products has been made available during the ‘Diwali Utsav.’ 
• The offerings include clay diyas crafted by potters in Delhi, idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh.
• Moreover, handcrafted clay temples, products made from millets by Village Industries and Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) units, candles, agarbatti, Khadi jackets tailored by Khadi artisans and designers, and a fashionable range of Khadi garments.

China Faces Deflationary Pressures In October Despite Import Surge (International News)

• China, the world’s second-largest economy, encountered a setback as it slipped back into deflation in October, posing a challenge for officials working to stimulate demand.
• The National Bureau of Statistics reported a 0.2 percent year-on-year decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), marking a return to deflation.
• The CPI had shown marginal improvement in September and August following a 0.3 percent drop in July.
• Notably, food, tobacco, and alcohol prices, with pork leading the decline at 30.1 percent, recorded the most substantial falls in October.

United States Invests $553 Million in Adani’s Sri Lanka Port Terminal Project (international)

• The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced a substantial investment of $553 million in Adani Ports’ container terminal project in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 
• This investment aims to boost private-sector contributions to economic development and partnerships in the region. 
• It reflects the U.S.’ commitment to enhancing economic growth and development in Sri Lanka, strategically positioning it along major shipping routes.

President Droupadi Murmu Attends Uttarakhand Foundation Day (national)

• On November 9, Uttarakhand celebrates its 23rd Foundation Day, with President Draupadi Murmu participating. 
• This marks the first time in 23 years that a President has been part of Uttarakhand’s Foundation Day program. 
• The day commemorates the official formation of Uttarakhand as the 27th state of India on November 9, 2000. 
• It highlights the triumph of the people’s spirit and rich history, showcasing Uttarakhand’s distinct cultural heritage.

UBS Raises India’s GDP Forecast To 6.3% For FY24 (international)

• Foreign brokerage UBS has revised its FY24 real GDP growth estimate for India, increasing it to 6.3%. 
• UBS notes that India’s domestic economic activities are performing better than expected, providing momentum to the country’s growth. 
• The ongoing festive season is expected to boost household spending, along with buoyant credit growth. 
• The reallocation of government spending towards pro-rural and pro-social schemes ahead of elections is also anticipated to support growth.

S&P Global Ratings Predicts RBI Interest Rate Cut In 2024-25 If Food Inflation Is Controlled (banking)

• S&P Global Ratings anticipates that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) might reduce interest rates in the fiscal year 2024-25 if food inflation is controlled and the monsoon performs well. 
• Despite the potential interest rate cut, S&P Global Ratings remains optimistic about India’s economic growth, forecasting a 6% GDP growth in the current year and 6.9% over the next two years. 
• However, higher interest rates pose a fiscal challenge.

PayGlocal Receives In-Principle Approval From RBI For Payment Aggregator License (banking)

• PayGlocal, a payment platform focusing on cross-border transactions, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Payment Aggregator (PA) license. 
• This license will enable PayGlocal to onboard merchants onto its platform for online payment processing. 
• Established in 2021, the company offers a technology platform for secure online payments through various instruments, including cards and global alternative payment methods.

STPI Introduces LEAP AHEAD Initiative to Provide Startups with Investment, Mentorship & Global Connections (national)

• Secretary Shri S Krishnan of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (Meity) recently launched the LEAP AHEAD initiative. 
• This collaborative effort between the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Delhi-NCR aims to accelerate the success of tech startups in India. 
• The initiative focuses on startups in the scaling stage, growth stage, product diversification, or planning expansion into new geographical locations.
• Offering financial support of up to Rs.1 Crore and a comprehensive three-month mentorship program, LEAP AHEAD is poised to transform the Indian startup ecosystem.

World Science Day for Peace and Development on November 10, 2023 (international)

• World Science Day for Peace and Development, observed annually on November 10, serves as a global platform to acknowledge the pivotal role of science in society. 
• The theme for 2023 is “Building Trust in Science.” Proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001, this day has catalyzed various projects, programs, and global funding for science.

International Week of Science and Peace 2023, November 9-15 (international/science and technology)

• The International Week of Science and Peace (IWOSP), celebrated annually from November 9 to 15, underscores the vital role of science in fostering global peace and development. 
• Originating in 1986 as part of the International Year of Peace, the week gained official recognition from the United Nations General Assembly in 1988. 
• It has evolved into a platform encouraging international collaboration, inspiring future generations, and showcasing the transformative potential of science for a more peaceful and sustainable world.

IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi Secure Positions Within Top 50 in QS Asia University Rankings 2024 (national)

• Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a renowned global higher education think-tank, revealed the QS Asia University Rankings 2024. 
• IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi, two prestigious Indian institutions, demonstrated their academic strength by securing positions within the top 50. 
• IIT Bombay, India’s leading institution, secured an impressive 40th position. India proudly boasts the highest number of universities featured in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024, totaling 148—a significant increase of 37 from the previous year.

WHO Confirms India’s Progress in Reducing TB Incidents (international)

• The World Health Organization‘s (WHO) ‘Global TB Report 2023‘ highlighted India’s commitment to combating tuberculosis (TB), yielding impressive results. 
• According to the data, India has achieved a treatment coverage of 80% for estimated TB cases, a significant increase of 19% compared to the previous year. The report also reveals that TB incidence in India has decreased by 16% from 2015 to 2022, nearly double the global decline rate of 8.7%.

IREDA Introduces CSR Portal for Enhanced Transparency (science and technology)

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a part of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has recently revealed a special Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) portal. 
• This portal aims to boost transparency in managing CSR requests from various organizations, ensuring accessibility around the clock. 
• With a detailed CSR policy and proposal checklist, the portal intends to efficiently scrutinize CSR requests. 
• By adopting transparency, IREDA aims to streamline the implementation of its social welfare projects, making them easily accessible to the public.

Santosh Kumar Jha Nominated as Next CMD of Konkan Railway (national)

• The Public Enterprises Selection Panel (PESB) has proposed Santosh Kumar Jha as the upcoming Chairman & Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). 
• Additionally, Koppu Sadashiv Murthy, an Electrical Engineering graduate with an MBA in Finance, has taken on the role of Chairman & Managing Director at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). 
• Anupama Priyadarshini has been welcomed as the Senior Vice President – Corporate Governance, Risk and Compliance, and Investor Relations at the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

India’s Aditya-L1 Captures First-Ever Solar Flares (science and technology)

• ISRO’s inaugural solar mission, Aditya L1, has successfully captured its first high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares. 
• The High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on the Aditya-L1 spacecraft recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares. 
• A solar flare is a sudden brightening of the solar atmosphere, and the recorded data aligns with X-ray light curves provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES).

IBM and AWS Launch Innovation Lab in Bengaluru (science and technology)

• IBM and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have declared the establishment of an Innovation Lab at the IBM Client Experience Center in Bengaluru, India. 
• This lab, accessible to clients globally, is dedicated to experimenting with advanced cloud-enabled technologies, including generative AI. 
• Open for joint solutions exploration, prototype testing, and proofs of value validation, the lab aims to accelerate innovation across various industries.

7 Ring Smart Ring Enables Contactless Payments in India ()

• Seven, a consumer electronics startup, has introduced the 7 Ring smart ring in India. This wearable, made of Zirconia Ceramic for durability and style, boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. 
• With multiple size options, the 7 Ring smart ring is priced at Rs 7,000, currently available for Rs 4,777 as an early bird offer via the company’s website.

1. What is the primary objective of the LEAP AHEAD initiative recently launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (Meity) Secretary, Shri S Krishnan, in collaboration with STPI and TiE Delhi-NCR?

1. Promoting cultural events
2. Accelerating the success of tech startups in India
3. Enhancing government infrastructure
4. Supporting established businesses

2. What theme is designated for World Science Day for Peace and Development in 2023?

1. Global Innovation
2. Trust in Science
3. Environmental Sustainability
4. Future Technology

3. What is the overarching purpose of the International Week of Science and Peace (IWOSP), observed annually from November 9 to 15?

1. Highlighting historical events
2. Fostering global peace and development through science
3. Promoting international sports
4. Showcasing advancements in the arts

4. What significant achievement do IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi showcase in the QS Asia University Rankings 2024?

1. Excellence in sports
2. Leading positions within the top 50 in Asia
3. Innovation in arts
4. Success in cultural events

5. What is the core purpose of IREDA’s newly launched CSR portal?

1. Promoting cultural events
2. Enhancing transparency in CSR initiatives
3. Managing government infrastructure
4. Supporting established businesses

6. Who has been recommended as the next Chairman & Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) by the Public Enterprises Selection Panel (PESB)?

1. Koppu Sadashiv Murthy
2. Anupama Priyadarshini
3. Santosh Kumar Jha
4. Shri S Krishnan

7. What achievement does ISRO’s Aditya-L1 record in the field of solar observations?

1. First-ever capture of solar wind
2. Successful landing on the Moon
3. Detection of asteroids in the solar system
4. First-ever sight of high-energy X-ray solar flares

8. Where is the newly established Innovation Lab by IBM and AWS located?

1. New York City
2. Bengaluru, India
3. Tokyo, Japan
4. London, United Kingdom

9. What is the primary material used in the construction of the 7 Ring Smart Ring introduced by Seven, a consumer electronics startup?

1. Gold
2. Plastic
3. Zirconia Ceramic
4. Titanium

10. What noteworthy progress does the WHO’s ‘Global TB Report 2023’ highlight regarding India’s efforts in combating tuberculosis (TB)?

1. Increased incidence of TB cases
2. Decreased treatment coverage
3. Improved global collaboration on TB research
4. Achieved 80% treatment coverage for estimated TB cases