Current Affairs PDF

Current Affairs Quiz: December 23 2018

AffairsCloud YouTube Channel - Click Here

AffairsCloud APP Click Here

AffairsCloud brings you the complete and important daily Current Affairs December 23 2018 Quiz to achieve more marks in Banking, Insurance, UPSC, SSC, CLAT, Railways and all other competitive Exams. We have prepared the current affairs quiz from our current affairs today updates.

Useful Links:

Click Here to Read Current Affairs December 23 2018

  1. Name the chairman of the Logistics Development Committee constituted by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on December 21, 2018?
    1) Dr. Bibek Debroy
    2) Dr. Hasmukh Adhia
    3) N.K. Singh
    4) Arvind Veermani
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) Dr. Bibek Debroy
    Explanation:
    On December 21, 2018, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) constituted a Logistics Development Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Bibek Debroy, Chairman EAC-PM. Other members of the committee included Secretaries and heads of the concerned departments/ministries such as Revenue, Commerce, Logistics, DIPP, Civil Aviation, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Railways, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) etc. The committee would be working on challenges in logistics development and associated commerce and suggest policy reforms for ease of doing trade in India.

  2. National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) signed a MoU with which institute for facilitating Skill Development Training to the target group of NBCFDC, on 21st December 2018?
    1) BSE Institute Ltd.
    2) NSE Institute Ltd.
    3) Indian Business School
    4) National Skill Development Institute
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) BSE Institute Ltd.
    Explanation:
    On 21st December 2018, National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), an autonomous corporation under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BSE Institute Ltd. for facilitating Skill Development Training to the target group of NBCFDC. The BSE Institute Ltd, which is a 100% subsidiary of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE Limited), works as a promoter of Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) Sector Skill Council of India constituted under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) which is a nodal body for industry interface and MSDE. The MoU was signed between Sh. K. Narayan, MD of NBCFDC and Sh. Ambarsh Dutta, MD & CEO of BSE Institute Ltd in the presence of Shri Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment. The training for the said target group will be commenced in current financial year at select locations and expanded on a pan India in the coming years. NBCFDC facilitate skill development training to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) and senior citizens under its “Skill Development Training Programme (SDTP)” so that eligible members may engage in developmental activities by way of self/wage employment.

  3. A new generation Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) with a speed of _____, having underslung equipment and some features of the Train 18, was launched by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, on 19th December 2018?
    1) 120 kilometres an hour
    2) 130 kilometres an hour
    3) 140 kilometres an hour
    4) 150 kilometres an hour
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) 130 kilometres an hour
    Explanation:
    On 19th December 2018, a Train-18 like new generation Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) with underslung equipment and some features from the Train 18 was launched by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. The coaches of the new MEMU are longer at 23.1m against 21.3m in the older MEMU and the train is capable of running at around 130 kilometres an hour. The new train is equipped with a CCTV surveillance system both inside the coaches and outside the driver’s cab, a Talk Back system to enable passengers to talk to the driver in case of emergency and a GPS based passenger information and announcement system.

  4. Where was the 1st meeting of India China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural & People-to-people exchanges, held on 21st December 2018?
    1) Mumbai, India
    2) Shanghai, China
    3) New Delhi, India
    4) Beijing, China
    5) None of these
    Answer – 3) New Delhi, India
    Explanation:
    On December 21, 2018, 1st meeting of India China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural & People-to-people exchanges was held in New Delhi. It was co-chaired by EAM Sushma Swaraj & Chinese State Councilor & FM Wang Yi. The meeting acknowledging the Wuhan Summit identified 10 areas or pillars for boosting people-to-people cooperation. The 2 sides discussed on cooperation in tourism, art, films, media, culture, yoga, sports, academic and youth exchanges.

  5. The ____ edition of India- China High Level Media Forum was held in New Delhi on 20th and 21st December 2018?
    1) 2nd
    2) 3rd
    3) 4th
    4) 5th
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) 3rd
    Explanation:
    On December 20-21, 2018, as a part of the high-level talks, the 3rd India- China High Level Media Forum held in New Delhi. It was hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). The media forum was jointly inaugurated by visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian External Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj. The forum focused on three key themes:
    • enhancing media understanding,
    • promoting a closer development partnership, and
    • proposing a roadmap for future media cooperation.

  6. Where was the newly constructed UNESCO Category 2, International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean) Complex inaugurated and dedicated to the Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on 22nd December 2018?
    1) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
    2) Hyderabad, Telangana
    3) Mumbai, Maharashtra
    4) Panaji, Goa
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) Hyderabad, Telangana
    Explanation:
    On December 22, 2018, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment and Forests & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the newly constructed International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean) Complex in the INCOIS campus at Hyderabad, Telangana. He dedicated the ITCOocean to the Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and named the academic building as Atal Bhavan and the Guest House as Atal Atithi Griha. This UNESCO category 2 centre was established by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Govt. of India earlier in 2013 but it upgraded to assist UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). It will help in providing capacity building and training activities in operational oceanography. It will thus benefit the South Asian and African states bordering the Indian Ocean and the small island nations in the Pacific from INCOIS’ ocean science and management practices.

  7. Which state government introduced a Rs 2250 crore worth scheme named “Mukhya Mantri Krishi Yojana” to help around 22.76 lakh medium and marginal farmers to double their income by 2022?
    1) West Bengal
    2) Chhattisgarh
    3) Jharkhand
    4) Haryana
    5) None of these
    Answer – 3) Jharkhand
    Explanation:
    On 21st December 2018, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das announced a Rs 2250 crore scheme named as “ Mukhya Mantri Krishi Yojana” which will help around 22.76 lakh medium and marginal farmers to double their income by 2022. The Central Government has set a goal to double the income of all the farmers by 2022. The Scheme will start from 2019-20 financial year. It will help farmers to procure seeds, fertilisers and other requirements for agricultural purposes. Under the scheme, the state government will give Rs 5000 per acre up to maximum of 5 acre to 22.76 lakh medium and marginal farmers. Those farmers who have less than 1 acre land will also get Rs. 5000.

  8. “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” field level awareness campaign for Maharashtra, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and _____ will be organized from the first week of January 2019?
    1) Madhya Pradesh
    2) Gujarat
    3) Goa
    4) Rajasthan
    5) None of these
    Answer – 3) Goa
    Explanation:
    From First Week of January 2019, the three state level campaign on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” will be organized in Maharashtra, Goa and Dadra & Nagar Haveli to spread awareness among people to save and educate girls. The Campaign will be organized by the Pune office of Regional Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India in coordination with Women and child development departments of respective state and Union Territory (UT). The campaign was launched by Ms. Gauri Gadgil who is a ‘divyang’ child and an international swimmer by placing her fingers on traditional instrument ‘Dholak’. An orientation cum workshop on the flagship project was organized for Private Registered Cultural Troupes (PRTs) on 20th December in Pune.

  9. 28% slab rate of GST (Goods and Services Tax) will be applicable for how many items with effect from 1st January 2019, as decided in the 31st Meeting of the GST Council held in New Delhi, on 22nd December 2018?
    1) 28
    2) 34
    3) 45
    4) 50
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) 28
    Explanation:
    On December 22, 2018, 31st Meeting of the GST Council under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley was held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. There were 34 items in the 28 per cent tax bracket which included luxury and ‘sin goods’ till now. The GST Council decided to take out 6 items from this list. 28% slab rate will only be applicable to 28 items now.

  10. New GST (Goods and Services Tax) return filing system will be implemented mandatorily by _____?
    1) July 1, 2019
    2) August 1, 2019
    3) September 1, 2019
    4) March 1, 2019
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) July 1, 2019
    Explanation:
    On December 22, 2018, 31st Meeting of the GST Council under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley was held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Third party insurance has been brought down to 12 per cent, IIM courses and Bank charges (savings bank, Jan Dhan Yojana) has been exempted, New return filing system will be started on trial basis from April 1 which will be implemented mandatorily by July 1, 2019.

  11. Which state government announced the Rs 10,000 crore worth Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme to empower small, marginal & landless farmers and labourers, on 21st December 2018?
    1) Assam
    2) Odisha
    3) Bihar
    4) Jharkhand
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) Odisha
    Explanation:
    On 21st December 2018, the Odisha Cabinet headed by CM Naveen Patnaik announced the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme to empower small, marginal & landless farmers as well as landless labourers. The Rs 10,000 crore scheme, which would be executed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, covers 92% (over 30 lakh) of cultivators, loanee and non-loanee, share-croppers & landless labourers. According to the scheme an amount of Rs 10,000 per family at the rate of Rs 5,000 each for Kharif and Rabi seasons shall be provided as financial assistance for taking up cultivation. This assistance is for five crop seasons spanning three years from 2018-19 to 2021-22 and is also not linked to the extent of land owned thereby benefiting share croppers and actual cultivators most of whom own very small extent of land. The KALIA scheme also has a component for about ten lakh landless households in the form of livelihood support by providing each household a unit cost of Rs 12,500 to take up activities like goat rearing units, mini layer units, duckery units, fishery kits for fishermen and women, mushroom cultivation and bee keeping.

  12. Where was the “Rashtriya Balrang-2018”, a cultural festival for school students from across India, held from 19th to 21st December 2018?
    1) Mumbai, Maharashtra
    2) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
    3) Ranchi, Jharkhand
    4) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
    Explanation:
    The two-day “Rashtriya Balrang-2018” organised by the School Education Department of Madhya Pradesh in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalya, was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from 19th to 21st December 2018. School students from 18 States and two Union Territories participated in the cultural festival.

  13. The GST (Goods and Services Tax) rate reduction decided in the 31st Meeting of the GST Council held on 22nd December 2018, will have an overall impact of _____ rupees on revenue?
    1) Rs 5500 crore
    2) Rs 2800 crore
    3) Rs 4850 crore
    4) Rs 7690 crore
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) Rs 5500 crore
    Explanation:
    On December 22, 2018, 31st Meeting of the GST Council under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Shri. Arun Jaitley was held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The GST rate reduction will have an overall impact on revenue of Rs 5500 crore.

  14. Where was the annual conference of Directors General of Police (DGPs) and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) held from 20th to 22nd December 2018?
    1) Narmada district, Gujarat
    2) Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
    3) Fazilka district, Punjab
    4) Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) Narmada district, Gujarat
    Explanation:
    On 20th December 2018, Three day annual conference of Directors General of Police (DGPs) and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) commences at a tent-city set up near the Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Narmada District of Gujarat. The three day annual conference concluded on 22nd December 2018. The top police officers of the country will meet for multiple sessions of discussions on issues concerning the country including militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, cross border terrorism, attempts to radicalize youth, Naxal menace and the situation in the Northeast. Issues including communal tension, circulation of communally sensitive news and pornographic materials through social media are also expected to be discussed at the three day meeting. The Annual Conference was held in the presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

  15. India became the world’s _____ largest stock market by overtaking Germany for the first time in seven years, on 22nd December 2018?
    1) Third
    2) Second
    3) Fourth
    4) Seventh
    5) None of these
    Answer – 4) Seventh
    Explanation:
    On 22nd December 2018, India achieved another milestone when Indian Stock market overtakes Germany for the first time in seven years to become the world’s seventh largest stock market. This move reflects India’s positive returns this year as companies dependency on domestic demand enabled them to avoid meltdown in other emerging markets spurred due to U.S. – China trade war. South Asian Giant, India is projected to grow at 7.5 percent in 2018 and 7.3 percent in 2019 whereas Germany managed to achieve a growth rate of only 1.6 percent in 2018. After the exit of United Kingdom from European Union, now European Union has only one country in top seven economies of the world – France.

  16. India’s foreign exchange reserves declined to _____ in the week that ended by December 14, 2018, on account of a fall in foreign currency assets?
    1) USD 393.12 billion
    2) USD 456.67 billion
    3) USD 234.54 billion
    4) USD 678.90 billion
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) USD 393.12 billion
    Explanation:
    According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by USD 613.9 million to USD 393.12 billion in the week that ended by December 14, on account of a fall in foreign currency assets. The reserves had increased by USD 16.6 million to USD 393.734 billion in the previous week while in the reporting week, foreign currency assets, a major component of the overall reserves, dropped by USD 631.6 million to USD 367.865 billion. The foreign currency asset is expressed in US dollars and includes the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies such as the euro, pound and yen held in the reserves. In the week to April 13, 2018, the reserves had touched a record high of USD 426.028 billion and it has been degrading since then and is now down by over USD 31 billion. As per the data, the gold reserves rose by USD 37.2 million to USD 21.187 billion in the reporting week.

  17. Which country launched its first communication satellite of the Hongyun project, from a Long March 11 carrier rocket, to provide broadband internet services worldwide, on 22nd December 2018?
    1) Japan
    2) China
    3) Australia
    4) India
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) China
    Explanation:
    On December 22, 2018, China launched its first communication satellite, from a Long March 11 carrier rocket, to provide broadband internet services worldwide to rival Google and other firms. It is the first in the Hongyun project planned by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC). It weighs 247 kilogrammes and works in a sun-synchronous orbit about 1,100 kilometres above earth. Powered by solar arrays, the satellite would verify basic designs of Hongyun satellite and demonstrating low-orbit broadband communications technologies with a life span of more than 1 year.

  18. Name National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s lander that deployed its first instrument Seismometer (SEIS) onto the surface of Mars, allowing scientists to study ground motion known as marsquakes, on 19th December 2018?
    1) InOrbit
    2) InSight
    3) Mars Rover
    4) Red Rider
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) InSight
    Explanation:
    On 19th December 2018, the US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that its InSight lander has deployed its first instrument Seismometer (SEIS) onto the surface of Mars, completing a major mission milestone that will allow scientists to peer into the Martian interior by studying ground motion also known as marsquakes. The Insight will deploy two more instruments namely Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE) and Heat Probe (HP3) to study Mars’ deep interiors. The seismometer is the highest-priority instrument on Insight because by analysing how seismic waves pass through the layers of the planet, scientists can deduce the depth and composition of these layers.

  19. Which country topped the Global football ranking released by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), on 20th December 2018?
    1) France
    2) Belgium
    3) Argentina
    4) Brazil
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) Belgium
    Explanation:
    On 20th December 2018, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) released the Global football ranking topped by Belgium who have 1727 points as per FIFA calculations. So Belgium is going to end the year as No. 1 ahead of World Champion France. France ranked 2nd with 1726 points and Brazil ranked third with 1676 points. India ranked at 97th Position in the latest FIFA ranking released on 20th December 2018.

  20. International Cricket Council (ICC) Dispute Resolution Panel ordered Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to pay _____% of the cost demanded by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after ICC rejected PCB’s claim of compensation which blamed India for the lack of bilateral series?
    1) 60 %
    2) 50 %
    3) 40 %
    4) 70 %
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) 60 %
    Explanation:
    On 19th December 2018, International Cricket Council (ICC) Dispute Resolution Panel ordered Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to pay 60% of the cost demanded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the world body’s rejection of PCB’s claim of compensation which blamed India for the lack of bilateral series between the two nations. The ICC’s Panel ordered PCB to pay the BCCI 60% of the claimed cost and 60% of the administrative costs and expenses of the ICC Panel. BCCI has to pay 40% of the administrative costs and expenses of the ICC Panel.

  21. Name the Afghanistan cricketer, who created a record of the most runs scored by a number 11 batsman in an innings in T20s, as he scored 27 runs, in the opening match of Australia’s Big Bash League on 19th December 2018?
    1) Rashid Khan
    2) Mujeeb Ur Rahman
    3) Amjat Ali
    4) Zaheer Abbas
    5) None of these
    Answer – 2) Mujeeb Ur Rahman
    Explanation:
    On 19th December 2018, Afghanistan cricketer Mujeeb Ur Rahman created a record of the most runs scored by a number 11 batsman in an innings in T20s, as he scored 27 runs off 22 balls, in the opening match of Australia’s Big Bash League on 19th December 2018. Also, he was the second-highest run-scorer for his team after Chris Lynn. Earlier, the record belonged to Alankara Silvam, who hit 26 runs in a domestic T20 match in Sri Lanka.

  22. Prabhanjan died due to Cancer in Puducherry, on 21st December 2018. He was a _____?
    1) Writer
    2) Politician
    3) Business man
    4) Spiritual leader
    5) None of these
    Answer – 1) Writer
    Explanation:
    On 21st December 2018, Noted Tamil writer and Sahitya Akademi award winner Prabhanjan died due to Cancer at the age of 83 in Puducherry. Prabhanjan started his career as a Tamil Teacher and got Sahitya Akademi Award for his historic novel “Vaanam Vasapadum” in 1995.

  23. Who is the author of the book “A Rural Manifesto – Realising India’s Future through her Villages” that was released in Bengaluru, on 19th December 2018?
    1) Manohar Joshi
    2) Veena Joy
    3) Manoj Kishan
    4) Varun Gandhi
    5) None of these
    Answer – 4) Varun Gandhi
    Explanation:
    On December 19, 2018, the book “A Rural Manifesto – Realising India’s Future through her Villages” authored by BJP MP Varun Gandhi was released in Bengaluru. The book focuses on challenges faced by farmers, labourers, student and teachers in villages across the country.

  24. When did India celebrate National Mathematics day honouring the 131st birth anniversary of Great Indian Mathematician Srinivasan Ramanujan?
    1) December 21
    2) December 20
    3) December 19
    4) December 22
    5) None of these
    Answer – 4) December 22
    Explanation:
    On 22nd December 2018, India celebrated National Mathematics day honouring the 131st birth anniversary of Great Indian Mathematician Srinivasan Ramanujan. India celebrate 22nd December as National Mathematics day every year. Ramanujan was born in 1887 and compiled nearly 3900 results mostly identities and equations. The Number 1729 is known as Hardy-Ramanujan Number.

STATIC GK based on Current Affairs

  1. Where is Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park located?
      Telangana

  2. Who is the Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
      Shaktikanta Das

  3. What is the capital and currency of Germany?
      Capital – Berlin; Currency – Euro

  4. Chairman of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council is _____?
      Arun Jaitley

  5. Name the Chief Minister of Telangana?
      K.Chandrashekhar Rao