Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 16th May 2023

Correct Answer:  D. Karnataka

Explanation:  According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2019-2021, “29.3 per cent of married Indian women between the ages of 18 and 49 have experienced domestic/sexual violence; 3.1 per cent of pregnant women aged 18 to 49 have suffered physical violence during their pregnancy.”

• In 2021, just 507 instances were registered across India under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, whereas 136,000 complaints were registered under Indian Penal Code Section 498A (cruelty by husband or his relatives).
• According to NFHS data, 87 per cent of married women who are victims of marital violence do not seek help.
• The United Nations defines gender-based violence as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”.
• The National Commission for Women said in 2020-21, it received 26,513 complaints from women, an increase of 25.09 per cent, compared with the 20,309 complaints registered in 2019-20, testifying to the global trend that during the pandemic, more women were victims of domestic violence than before.

Correct Answer:  B. USA

Explanation:  India and the US inked an initial pact on increasing private sector cooperation in the area of semiconductors under which the two countries would facilitate business opportunities and develop an ecosystem with a view to reduce their dependency on China and Taiwan.

• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership under the framework of IndiaUS Commercial Dialogue was signed by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during the Commercial Dialogue here.
• The MoU seeks to establish a collaborative mechanism between the two governments on semiconductor supply chain resiliency and diversification in view of US’s CHIPS and Science Act and India’s Semiconductor Mission.
• According to a joint statement, both sides have agreed to set up a semiconductor sub-committee, led by the Department of Commerce for the US side and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the Indian side.
• The committee will convene its first engagement in mid-year to review recommendations from the joint industry-led task force launched in connection with the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies).

Correct Answer:  D. Geeta Rao Gupta

Explanation:  The US Senate has approved Geeta Rao Gupta, an Indian American, as the Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues in the State Department. In a tweet, the department expressed its eagerness for Gupta to use her efforts to advance women and girls’ rights through US foreign policy. With a vote of 51 to 47, the US Senate confirmed Gupta earlier this week.

• Gupta believes that women worldwide face numerous inequalities and indignities that prevent them from participating fully in the economy.
• Women are frequently at risk of violence and experience daily fear for their safety, which restricts their mobility.
• She further noted that women are particularly vulnerable in situations of conflict, emergencies, and humanitarian crises, both in terms of their safety and their ability to care for and provide for their families.
• Gupta stated these views during her confirmation hearing last year.

Correct Answer:  C. GMR Hyderabad International Airport

Explanation:  According to a report by aviation analytical firm, Cirium, GMR Hyderabad International Airport is the most punctual airport in the world. The airport has recorded 90.43 per cent on-time performance. It is the only airport to surpass the 90% mark. Hyderabad airport has topped the charts both in the ‘Global Airports’ and ‘Large Airports’ categories. In November 2022, it was ranked fourth in the large airport category with an on-time performance of 88.44 percent. It was selected based on the actual gate departure service. More than 5 million flights have been reviewed around the world by Cirium.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport ensures on time performance (OTP) for its airline partners through its seamless service like Express Security check- in, Self-Check -in kiosks, E Boarding, video analytics, etc. GMR Hyderabad International Airport is operated by the GMR Airports Ltd. It is the largest airport in India in the area.

Correct Answer:  C. 4th

Explanation:  The Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved 4th Positive Indigenization List (PIL) of 928 strategically-important Line Replacement Units (LRUs)/Sub-systems/Spares & Components including high-end materials & spares.

• The import substitution value of this list is worth Rs 715 crore.
• Details of these items are available on SRIJAN Portal.
• These will only be procured from the Indian Industry after the timelines indicated in the list.

Reason behind PIL in Defence:

• To promote Aatmanirbharta in defence
• To minimize imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)

This fourth list is a follow up to the previous three PILs involving LRUs/Sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-assemblies/Spares & Components which were notified by the Department of Defence Promotion(DDP)/MoD in December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022 respectively. These lists contain 2,500 items which are already indigenized and 1,238 (351+107+780) items which will be indigenized within the given timelines. Of 1,238, 310 items (1st PIL – 262, 2nd PIL – 11, 3rd PIL – 37) have been indigenized, so far. The DPSUs will indigenize items via various routes under ‘Make’ category & in-house development using MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), private Indian industry which will promote economic growth, defense investment, reduce import dependence, and enhance domestic defense industry’s design capabilities.

Correct Answer:  B. Pratima Murthy

Explanation:  The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) constituted a 5-member expert committee comprising medical experts and insurers under the chairmanship of Pratima Murthy, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), to provide advice and inputs to IRDAI on matters related to mental health and insurance. To make a complete examination of the various aspects such as types of conditions, and types of treatments from an insurance perspective to deal with products designed to cover mental illnesses and other related aspects.

Correct Answer:  B. Netherlands

Explanation:  As per the data of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Netherlands emerged as the 3rd largest export destination for India in Financial Year 2023-23 (FY23) after the United States (US) and United Arab Emirates (UAE). India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands has increased from USD 8 billion in FY22 to USD 13 billion in FY23. India’s exports to the Netherlands increased by about 48% to USD 18.52 billion in FY23 as against USD 12.5 billion in FY22. India’s exports to the Netherlands increased to USD 18.1 billion in 2022 from USD 5.5 billion in 2017. The Netherlands has taken over major destinations such as the UK, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Germany. The outbound shipments to the European country in FY22 and FY21 stood at USD 12.55 billion and USD 6.5 billion, respectively.

Correct Answer:  C. 16th May

Explanation:  The International Day of Living Together in Peace is celebrated annually on May 16 to encourage peace, tolerance, inclusivity, understanding, and solidarity among individuals and communities globally. Its goal is to emphasize the significance of cultivating peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and harmony among people of different backgrounds. The International Day of Living Together in Peace is an opportunity for people from all over the world to come together and celebrate peace. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges that we face in building a more peaceful world.

Correct Answer:  D. Ben Whishaw

Explanation:  Ben Whishaw has received the best leading actor award for his role in ‘This is Going to Hurt (BBC One)’ at the BAFTA TV Awards 2023. Ben Whishaw has received the best leading actor award for his role in ‘This is Going to Hurt (BBC One)’ at the BAFTA TV Awards 2023.

• Drama series: Bad Sisters (Apple TV Plus)
• Mini-series: Mood (BBC Three)
• International: Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix)
• Supporting actor: Adeel Akhtar – Sherwood (BBC One)
• Supporting actress: Anne-Marie Duff – Bad Sisters (Apple TV Plus)

Correct Answer:  C. Brussels

Explanation:  The first ministerial-level meeting of the India-European Union Trade and Technology Council will be held in Brussels on May 16, 2023. To discuss ways to increase cooperation in strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade, and investments.  Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal will co-chair the meeting along with EAM S Jaishankar and MoS, Electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The EU side is co-chaired by Executive Vice Presidents Dombrovskis and Vestager.

Correct Answer:  D. INS Mormugao

Explanation:  INS Mormugao, the Indian Navy’s latest guided-missile destroyer, successfully hit “bulls-eye” during her maiden BrahMos supersonic cruise missile firing. The missile hit the target, demonstrating the firepower of the Indian Navy at sea. The missile is an India-Russian joint venture and can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms. The missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

India is also exporting the BrahMos missiles and has recently signed a deal with the Philippines to supply three batteries of the missile. The successful test-firing of the BrahMos missile is a significant achievement for the Indian Navy and demonstrates its growing capabilities. The missile is a potent weapon that can be used to strike targets at sea or on land and its deployment will further strengthen the Indian Navy’s ability to deter aggression.

Correct Answer:  C. 16th May

Explanation:  National Dengue Day is observed on May 16 every year to raise awareness about the mosquito-borne disease. Dengue cases usually surge in India during and after the monsoon season. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organises different events to observe National Dengue Day at several levels across the country. Dengue is caused by four distinct viruses and is spread by the female Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit yellow fever, Zika viruses, and chikungunya.

Correct Answer:  C. Dr L.Murugan

Explanation:  Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan will lead an Indian Delegation to Cannes International Film Festival this year. India will be represented at the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival by a delegation led by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan. The India Pavilion at the festival will be conceptualized and designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, with the theme “Showcasing India’s Creative Economy.” Four Indian films have been selected to be screened at the festival: Kanu Behl’s Agra, Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, Nehemich, and a restored Manipuri film called Ishanhou. A series of interactive sessions will be organized at the India Pavilion throughout the festival, focusing on topics such as filmmaking in India, distribution collaboration, and the role of women in cinema. Cannes has always been a special event for both India and France, and this year’s festival is an opportunity to showcase the growing reach of Indian cinema.

Cannes Film Festival:

The Cannes Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The festival was formally accredited by the FIAPF in 1951. The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

Correct Answer:  C. Canara Bank

Explanation:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been fervently taking different actions on banks for disregarding the regulatory framework and flouting rules. Recently, the central bank has taken a major action against the country’s largest public sector bank, Canara Bank, by imposing a hefty fine amounting to crores. This punitive action, deemed as the RBI Penalty on Bank, entails a penalty of Rs 2.92 crore on the bank, as announced by the Reserve Bank.

• According to the central bank’s communication, this stringent action has been initiated against Canara Bank for various operational deficiencies, including the bank’s propensity to link interest rates to external benchmarks, such as the repo rate, which is not in compliance with the regulatory requirements. Additionally, the bank has been found guilty of opening savings accounts for ineligible entities, thereby contravening the established guidelines.
• The Reserve Bank had conducted a statutory inspection on Canara Bank’s financial functioning on March 31, 2021. The inspection was carried out in July 2020, following a complaint of fraud received from another bank. Subsequently, the RBI uncovered that the bank had not complied with the regulatory framework concerning linking interest rates on loans provided to retail and MSMEs based on floating rate to an external benchmark. Furthermore, the bank had not linked the interest rate to be charged on the new floating rate based rupee loan with the Marginal Cost of Lending Rate (MCLR) in the financial year 2020-21.