7th & 8th March 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. HUID Number, which was seen in the news, is associated with which element/product?
[A] Rice
[B] Cotton
[C] Gold
[D] Lithium
Answer : [C] Gold
Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number is a unique 6-digit alphanumeric code consisting of numbers and letters. It is stamped manually on a piece of jewellery to ensure purity and fitness of gold via third party assurance to the customers. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution announced that the sale of gold jewellery and gold artefacts without the HUID number is prohibited in India from April 1, 2023.
2. Which institution has designed the ‘Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)’?
[A] HAL
[B] DRDO
[C] BEL
[D] ISRO
Answer : [B] DRDO
The Indian Army has proposed the acquisition of an indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) to fill critical capability gaps in high altitude regions The ATAGS has been designed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to replace the current 155 mm artillery system in service, the Bofors towed guns.
3. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report for 2021-22, what is the employment fraction in the farm sector?
[A] 26.5%
[B] 32.5%
[C] 45.5%
[D] 55.5%
Answer : [C] 45.5%
The recently released annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report for 2021-22 shows that the farm sector employs a significant proportion of the labor force in India, at 45.5%. Structural transformation in economics is the shift in labor force from agriculture to high-productivity sectors like manufacturing and modern services. It is expected to result in increased productivity and higher incomes.
4. Which organization released the ‘Women, Business and the Law Index’?
[A] World Bank
[B] World Economic Forum
[C] International Monetary Fund
[D] Asian Development Bank
Answer : [A] World Bank
According to the recently released Women, Business and the Law Index by the World Bank, although most countries have implemented laws to ensure gender equality, there is still a significant gap between men and women in terms of legal rights and provisions. India’s score in the index on the life cycle of a working woman is at 74.4 out of a possible 100. As per the report, the laws affecting the Indian working woman’s pay and pension do not provide for equality with Indian men.
5. Which country has claimed to have discovered around 8.5 million metric tons of lithium ore?
[A] Australia
[B] Iran
[C] Israel
[D] UAE
Answer : [B] Iran
Iran has claimed to have discovered a lithium deposit in the western province of Hamedan. It is found to contain around 8.5 million metric tons of lithium ore. Lithium is a soft, silver-white metal belonging to the alkali metal group of elements. It is highly reactive and flammable, and it is stored in mineral oil or other liquids to prevent from reacting with moisture or air. It is commonly used in rechargeable batteries for electronic devices and EVs.
6. Polystoechotes punctate, a giant Jurassic-era insect, has been rediscovered in which country?
[A] China
[B] USA
[C] Japan
[D] India
Answer : [B] USA
Polystoechotes punctate, which was thought to be extinct in the eastern United States, has been recently found at the US state of Arkansas. It was rediscovered in 2012 after more than 5 decades. As per the researchers, the giant Jurassic-era insect may also be found in remote parts of the Ozark mountains.
7. A Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre has been set up in which state in line with the NPCDCS programme?
[A] Mizoram
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Answer : [A] Mizoram
The Indian Government launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010. In line with the NPCDCS, a 164-bed Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre is being set up in Mizoram. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Indian Government signed a loan agreement to provide Rs.560 crore credit for this project’s implementation.
8. What is the main contaminant present in the India-made cough syrups, which is said to have caused deaths in Gambia?
[A] Diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG)
[B] Dextromethorphan (DXM)
[C] Promethazine
[D] Antihistamine
Answer : [A] Diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG)
The Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or Acute Renal Failure (ARF) is the sudden failure or kidney’s functioning that occurs within a few hours or few days. An investigation led by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Gambian scientists has linked the acute kidney injury (AKI) cluster among children in The Gambia to Indian cough syrup contaminated with Diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG).
9. What is the name of the fungus that grows in the vicinity of bakeries and distilleries?
[A] Bakery Fungus
[B] Whiskey Fungus
[C] Distilled Fungus
[D] Beer Fungus
Answer : [B] Whiskey Fungus
Whiskey fungus, also known as Baudoinia compniacensis, is a black-coloured fungus that grows in the vicinity of bakeries and distilleries. This fungus thrives on the alcoholic vapours that evaporate from whiskey casks during maturation. Although research has not shown any health risks from exposure to the fungus, it can damage trees and properties. A local court in Tennessee stopped the construction of a new barrel warehouse for Jack Daniel’s, after a resident sued the company for spread of whiskey fungus.
10. As per the CAMPA data, which state did not utilize 45% of funds allotted for compulsory afforestation between 2017 and 2022?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Kerala
[D] West Bengal
Answer : [C] Kerala
Compensatory afforestation is a program implemented in India to ensure that forest land diversion for non-forest purpose, such as industrial or infrastructure development, is accompanied by afforestation on an equal area of land. According to the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), 45 percent of fund allocated by the Central Government for compulsory afforestation between 2017 and 2022 have not been utilized by Kerala.
11. ‘One Nation, One Challan Initiative’ is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Haryana
[D] Uttarakhand
Answer : [B] Gujarat
The One Nation, One Challan initiative aims to integrate all related agencies such as traffic police and Regional Transport Officers (RTO) on a single platform for seamless collection of traffic fines and data transfer. Recently, during a PIL hearing that was seeking the setting up of virtual traffic courts, the state government of Gujarat told the High Court that it is already in the process of establishing these courts under the ‘One Nation One Challan’ initiative.
12. Yellowstone National Park is located in which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] France
Answer : [A] USA
The Yellowstone National Park in the United States recently celebrated its 151st anniversary. It is known as the first national park in the world. The park, spanning over 9,000 sq km, was established by the US Congress in 1872 was established after the displacement of Native American communities who had been hunting and gathering in the area for over 11,000 years before the government took over.
13. World Obesity Atlas 2023 found highest increase in obesity rates in countries of which region?
[A] Africa and Asia
[B] North America
[C] Europe
[D] Africa and South America
Answer : [A] Africa and Asia
The World Obesity Federation has released a report “World Obesity Atlas 2023”. This report predicted a significant increase in obesity rates among children and adults in Africa, with a rise of 14% from 5% in child obesity rates and 31% from 18% in adult women by 2035. The report also warned that over half the world’s population could be overweight or obese by 2035. The highest increases in obesity rates were found in low- and lower-middle-income countries in Africa and Asia.
14. Which Union Ministry sponsors the ‘SWAMIH’ Investment Fund?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer : [A] Ministry of Finance
The SWAMIH Investment Fund is a social impact fund designed to provide debt financing for stalled and RERA-registered residential projects. Managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd, the Fund is sponsored by the Union Ministry of Finance. The Fund has provide final approval to nearly 130 projects worth around Rs 12,000 crore, and has raised Rs 15,530 crore to date.
15. What is Plasticosis, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Food
[B] Disease
[C] Software
[D] Equipment
Answer : [B] Disease
Scientists from Australia and the UK have discovered a new disease called “Plasticosis” in birds. This disease is caused by the consumption of plastics. It leads to long-term inflammation and the formation of scar tissue in the digestive system of birds. The study has found that plastic consumption can cause serious damage to the digestive system of birds, making them vulnerable to parasites.
16. ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ is an initiative launched by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Rural Development and Entrepreneurship
Answer : [A] Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment’s flagship program, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), aims to raise awareness about substance abuse among youth in India. It has a particular focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools, and community engagement. Recently, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Brahma Kumaris inked a Memorandum of Understanding to make NMBA more effective and widespread.
17. Rijksmuseum is the national museum of which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Netherlands
[C] Ukraine
[D] Russia
Answer : [B] Netherlands
The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands’ national museum, which is dedicated to Dutch arts and history. It is situated in Amsterdam in the Museum Square, close to the Van Gogh Museum. The Night Watch at Rijksmuseum is a famous painting by Rembrandt – a Dutch Golden Age painter. Members belonging to the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion protested close to the famous painting in Amsterdam to oppose against the Rijksmuseum’s partnership with the airline KLM and bank ING.
18. Which institution has launched a special marketing campaign called ‘Millets Giveaway’?
[A] NABARD
[B] SFAC
[C] E-NAM
[D] TRIFED
Answer : [B] SFAC
The Small Farmer’s Agri-Business Consortium, a society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has launched a special marketing campaign called Millets Giveaway. The campaign is aimed at promoting direct purchase from small and marginal farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to support their livelihoods. The Millets Giveaway campaign encourages citizens to purchase millets directly from FPOs through the ONDC’s My Store.
19. The International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23) is being organized in which region?
[A] North America
[B] Gulf region
[C] Europe
[D] South Asia
Answer : [B] Gulf region
The International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23) is being organized in the Gulf region. The exercise aims to enhance maritime security and ensure safe sea lanes for maritime commerce, with over 50 nations and international maritime agencies participating. INS Trikand, an Indian Navy ship, is participating in IMX/CE-23. This is the Indian Navy’s first IMX participation, and its second exercise with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
20. Which institution has launched the ‘Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP)’?
[A] AICTE
[B] NTA
[C] NCTE
[D] IMA
Answer : [C] NCTE
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has launched the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in 57 Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) throughout India. This flagship initiative is launched under NEP 2020. It offers a 4-year dual-major undergraduate degree program, preparing teachers for the 4 stages of the new school structure.