Option “2” is correct. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first phase of the Greenfield International Airport in Mopa, North Goa, which was built at a cost of about Rs. 2,870 crore. The foundation stone for the airport was laid by the PM in November 2016. • It is Goa’s second international airport, besides the existing airport at Dabolim, Goa. • As an honor to the late Goa Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Parrikar, the airport will be named as the ‘Manohar International Airport’. i. During his visit to Goa, PM Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory ceremony of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC). The theme of the 9th WAC & Arogya Expo was “Ayurveda for One Health.” ii. PM also inaugurated 3 National Ayush Institutes – All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, and virtually inaugurated National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) and National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Delhi from Goa.
2. Which of the following points are ‘correct’ with respect to the PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of various projects in Maharashtra in December 2022?
A) The PM inaugurated Phase – I of Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg in Nagpur connecting Nagpur and Shirdi.
B) The PM dedicated to the nation, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Nagpur, which is being developed at a cost of more than Rs 1575 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
C) He inaugurated Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Centre for Research, Management and Control of Hemoglobinopathies, Chandrapur.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Option “1” is correct. The Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated 11 projects worth more than 75,000 crores in Maharashtra. i. The PM inaugurated Phase – I of Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg in Nagpur connecting Nagpur and Shirdi covering a distance of 520 Kms. Its outlay is about Rs 55,000 crore. • Samruddhi Mahamarg is also known as Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway Project. ii. The PM dedicated to the nation, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) Nagpur, a 150 acre campus which is being developed at a cost of more than Rs 1575 crore under the under the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). iii. He inaugurated Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Centre for Research, Management and Control of Hemoglobinopathies, Chandrapur.
BANKING AND FINANCE
3. Name the bank that has recently (in Dec ‘22) partnered with GoI’s flagship initiative ‘Startup India’, to launch the 6th ‘Parivartan SmartUp Grants’.
1) IDBI Bank
2) Axis Bank
3) YES Bank
4) ICICI Bank
5) HDFC Bank
Option “5” is correct. HDFC Bank in partnership with the Government of India (GoI)’s flagship initiative ‘Startup India’, launched the 6th ‘Parivartan SmartUp Grants’, the annual grants program for social startups. i. This program aims to identify startups that are working towards social impact and to support them through monetary grants to their incubators. ii. The bank has been enabling startups through its state-of-the-art SmartUp program, by providing specialized banking and value-added services to entrepreneurs. iii. The Bank is offering grants under the aegis of Parivartan, the umbrella name for the HDFC bank’s social initiatives.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
4. The ______ edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) was recently (in Dec’ 22) conducted between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy.
1) 39th
2) 38th
3) 35th
4) 37th
5) 36th
Option “1” is correct. The 39th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy is being conducted between 8th December and 19th December 2022. i. The CORPAT will be executed along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) from 15th December 2022 to 16th December 2022. The CORPAT will conclude with a debrief at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ii. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette along with L-58 (indigenously built Landing CrL-58aft Utility vessel) and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be participating in the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)
5. Which organisation has recently (in Dec ‘22) a report with key findings that women are among the most frequent users of public transportation in India, accounting for 84% of all women journeys?
1) World Bank
2) United Nations Human Settlement Programme
3) World Health Organization
4) United Nations Population Fund
5) International Labour Organization
Option “1” is correct. According to the “Toolkit on Enabling Gender Responsive Urban Mobility and Public Spaces in India,” released by the World Bank (WB), women are among the most frequent users of public transportation in India, accounting for 84% of all women journeys. i. The report is intended to serve as a blueprint for Indian cities on how to construct public transportation that is more accommodating the travel needs of women. ii. The WB toolkit for Indian cities proposes including a gender perspective into new and existing transportation policies and strategies. iii. According to the report, 45.4% of Indian women walk to work, while only 27.4 % of males go to work by foot.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
6. Who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) conferred with the 25th South Indian Education Society (SIES) Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public Leadership?
1) Mallikarjun Kharge
2) Venkaiah Naidu
3) J. P. Nadda
4) Ram Nath Kovind
5) Jai Ram Thakur
Option “2” is correct. Former Vice President (VP) of India Venkaiah Naidu has been conferred with the 25th South Indian Education Society (SIES) Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public Leadership. The award was presented during the event held at Shanmukhananda auditorium, King’s Circle in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
7. Which state/UT, has recently (in Dec ‘22) awarded the 1st Prize under the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID generation category at the two-day conclave of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP)?
Option “2” is correct. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was awarded the 1st Prize under the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID generation category and 2nd Prize under the Teleconsultation category during a twoday conclave of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) at Rudraksh Convention Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh(UP) held on 10th & 11th December 2022. i. The conclave was organized as a part of the observance of International Universal Health Coverage Day.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
8. Name the company that has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an agreement to acquire the cement business of Jaypee Group for Rs 5666 crore.
Option “1” is correct. Jaypee Group has signed a binding agreement to sell its cement business to Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited at an enterprise value of Rs 5666 crore. i. The divestment includes cement plants with an aggregate capacity of 9.4 million tonne, clinker assets with a capacity of 6.7 million tonne and 280 MW capacity thermal power plant. ii. The agreement was signed by Jaiprakash Associates and Jaiprakash Power Ventures. This is the second asset sale deal clinched by debt-laden Jaiprakash Associates with the Dalmia Group.
APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
9. Who has recently (in Dec ‘22) taken oath as the 15th Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal Pradesh (HP)?
Option “5” is correct. Former Congress state Chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took oath as the 15th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (HP) at a ceremony held in Shimla, HP while Mukesh Agnihotri took oath as the Deputy CM of the state. i. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will succeed CM Jai Ram Thakur. ii. Notably, during elections, Congress won 40 seats in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh State Assembly.
10. Name the personality who has been named as the 1st woman president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in December 2022.
Option “2” is correct. Pilavullakandi Thekkeraparambil Usha (58 years) aka P.T. Usha, a retired Indian track and field athlete, has been named as the first woman president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA). i. She also became the First Olympian and First International Medallist to head the IOA in its 95-yearold history. ii. She is also the first sports person after Maharaja Yadavindra Singh to serve as president of the IOA. He served as IOA President from 1938 to 1960.
11. In December 2022, Bhupendra Patel was sworn in as the ______ Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat for the 2nd Consecutive Time.
1) 19th
2) 18th
3) 14th
4) 16th
5) 15th
Option “2” is correct. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhupendra Patel was sworn in by Governor Acharya Devvrat as the 18th Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat during a ceremony held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. i. In the recently completed Gujarat Assembly Election 2022, Patel won the Ghatlodia seat with the largest margin of 1.92 lakh votes. ii. He will serve as the CM of Gujarat for the second year in a row. He was sworn in as CM for the first time on September 13, 2021, replacing the Vijay Rupani-led state government. iii. The ruling BJP won a record 7th term in the recently concluded Gujarat Assembly Election 2022, garnering 156 of the total 182 legislative assembly seats. The Congress won 17 constituencies, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 5.
12. Who has been recently (in Dec ‘22) elected as the Vice President of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) for 3 years?
Option “1” is correct. Prasar Bharati Additional Director General (ADG) Sunil has been unanimously elected as the Vice President of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) for a three-year term. i. The ABU is a non-profit, professional association of broadcasters from Asia and Pacific regions. Prasar Bharati hosted the 59th ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings in November 2022 in New Delhi. ii. Sunil is currently the ADG of Prasar Bharati and the Head of International Relations, Marketing, Global Distribution, Central Archives & External Services Division of All India Radio. • He is the President (Elect) of Broadcast Engineering Society India since April 2021.
13. In December 2022, the Nepali Congress party emerged as Nepal’s single largest party after winning ______seats in the 275-member parliament in a general election and _______ is to remain as Prime minister (PM) of Nepal.
1) 92; Sher Bahadur Deuba
2) 89; KP Sharma Oli
3) 92; Pushpa Kamal Dahal
4) 89; Sher Bahadur Deuba
5) 79; KP Sharma Oli
Option “4” is correct. The ruling Nepali Congress party has emerged as Nepal’s single largest party after winning 89 seats in the 275-member parliament in a general election held in November 2022. • Nepali Congress party leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, is likely to remain as Prime minister (PM) for the sixth term. i. A five-party alliance led by the Nepali congress has won 136 seats, just two short of 138 seats required for a majority to form Government.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
14. Which organisation has recently (in Dec ‘22) launched a private mission to the moon with Japanese lander ‘Hakuto’ and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rover ‘Rashid’ from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida?
1) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2) SpaceX
3) European Space Agency
4) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
5) Indian Space Research Organisation
Option “2” is correct. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) launched a mission to carry a Japanese lander named ‘HAKUTO’ , the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Rover named ‘Rashid’ ,and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Lunar Flashlight by its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida,United States. • The HAKUTO lander, which translates to white rabbit, is also part of the Mission 1 by the Japanese lunar exploration company ispace. A second lunar landing by the private company ispace is planned for 2024 and a third in 2025. • The Rashid Rover, a first Arab-built lunar spacecraft, was built by Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). i. NASA’s unmanned Orion spacecraft completed its first mission of the Artemis I lunar programme on 11th December 2022, travelling around the moon and back 50 years to the day after the last Apollo moon landing. • The Spacecraft landed in the Pacific ocean off Mexico.
IMPORTANT DAYS
15. What is the theme of United Nations (UN)’s International Mountain Day 2022 that was observed across the globe on 11th December 2022?
1) Mountains under Pressure: climate, hunger, migration
2) Women move mountains
3) Mountain biodiversity
4) Sustainable mountain tourism
5) Mountains matter for Youth
Option “2” is correct. United Nations (UN)’s International Mountain Day 2022 was observed across the globe on 11th December 2022 with the theme of ‘Women move mountains’. • The 1st ever International Mountain Day was observed on 11 December 2003. i. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is to publish a study titled “Mountain women of the world: Challenges, resilience, and collective power”. • It highlights the stories and voices of mountain women in 8 counties: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and Tanzania. Note- On 16 December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development (IYM2022) at the proposal of the Kyrgyz Government
16. The United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) day 2022 was observed on __________ to mark the creation of UNICEF by the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) in 1946.
1) 7th December 2022
2) 8th December 2022
3) 9th December 2022
4) 11th December 2022
5) 10th December 2022
Option “4” is correct. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) day is annually observed across the globe on 11th December to mark the creation of UNICEF by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 11th December 1946. i. 11th December 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the foundation of UNICEF. ii. UNICEF became a permanent part of the UN system in 1953, and was renamed as United Nations Children’s Fund but retained its acronym “UNICEF”.
17. When was the United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Neutrality 2022 observed across the globe?
1) 8th December 2022
2) 9th December 2022
3) 10th December 2022
4) 11th December 2022
5) 12th December 2022
Option “5” is correct. The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Neutrality 2022 was observed across the globe on 12th December 2022, with events held to raise public awareness of the importance of neutrality in international relations. i. Article 2 of the UN Charter also allows member states to settle disputes peacefully. ii. The 1st International Day of Neutrality was observed on 12th December 2017.
18. When was United Nations (UN)’s International Universal Health Coverage Day 2022 observed across the globe with the theme of “Build the world we want: A healthy future for all”?
1) 12th December 2022
2) 9th December 2022
3) 11th December 2022
4) 8th December 2022
5) 10th December 2022
Option “1” is correct. The United Nations (UN)’s International Universal Health Coverage Day 2022 was observed across the globe on 12th December 2022 with the theme of “Build the world we want: A healthy future for all”. i. The first ever UN’s International UHC Day was observed on 12th December 2018.
STATE NEWS
19. Which state’s Infrastructure Development Board has recently (in Dec ‘22) signed an MoU with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL) to help infrastructure opportunities?
1) Gujarat
2) Kerala
3) Tamil Nadu
4) West Bengal
5) Maharashtra
Option “3” is correct. The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL) announced the signing of an MoU with the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board (TNIDB) to help attract commercial capital into infrastructure opportunities in Tamil Nadu, under the public-private project (PPP) model. i. Currently, 7 projects across departments have been identified, with potential investments ranging from Rs 5,000 to 6,000 crore.
OBITUARY
20. Indian Olympian & Arjuna Awardee ‘Kenneth Powell’ passed away in December 2022. In which year did he receive the Arjuna Award from the Government of India?
1) 1960
2) 1973
3) 1965
4) 1985
5) 1970
Option “3” is correct. Kenneth Powell, Olympian and India’s 1970 Asian Games 4x100m relay bronze-winning team member passed away at the age of 82 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was one of the top sprinters in India in the 1960s. i. He was a member of the team that won bronze at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. ii. He played a key role in the Indian 4x100m relay team reaching the semifinals of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. iii. He received the Arjuna Award from the Government of India in 1965 and he was also awarded the Victor Ludorum 2 years in a row for his athletic abilities.
CA STATIC GK
21. Which state’s chief Minister (CM) has recently (in Dec ‘22) inaugurated the SIPCOT Industrial Park at Eraiyur in Perambalur district?
1) Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy (CM of Andhra Pradesh)
2) Basavaraj Bommai (CM of Karnataka)
3) K Chandrasekhar Rao (CM of Telangana)
4) Pinarayi Vijayan (CM of Kerala)
5) M K Stalin (CM of Tamil Nadu)
Option “5” is correct. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) M K Stalin inaugurated the SIPCOT Industrial Park at Eraiyur in Perambalur district, and laid the foundation stone for the Phoenix Kothari Footwear Park. i. This is the first SIPCOT (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited) industrial park in the industrially backward district of Perambalur. ii. The park established on 243.49 acres in Eraiyur on the Chennai-Trichy national highway follows the announcement of the government for 2022-23 to promote industrial development in the districts of Coimbatore, Perambalur, Madurai, Vellore, and Tiruvallur.
22. In December 2022, “Rise Roar Revolt (RRR)” directed by ______, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the best picture non-English language category.
Option “5” is correct. S S Rajamouli’s period action movie “Rise Roar Revolt (RRR)” has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the best picture non-English language category as well as for best original song. i. In the best picture non-English language category, it will face off with Korean romantic mystery film “Decision To Leave”, German anti-war drama “All Quiet on the Western Front”, Argentine historical drama “Argentina, 1985”, and French-Dutch coming-of-age drama “Close”.
23. The “Yangtze River”, the longest river in Asia, is located in which country?
1) China
2) Nepal
3) Bangladesh
4) Bhutan
5) Thailand
Option “1” is correct. The Yangtze or Yangzi is the longest river in Asia, the third-longest in the world, rises at Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains (Tibetan Plateau) and flows 6,300 km in a generally easterly direction to the East China Sea. i. India and China troops clashed along the Yangtze river (china) in Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh, leaving “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”. ii. The Indian Army has confirmed the fresh bout of face-off with Chinese PLA, which happened after the May 2020 clashes in Eastern Ladakh.
24. In December 2022, the Common Service Centre (CSC) announced that it will open 500 cinema halls in rural areas by ________ .
1) February 2023
2) March 2023
3) May 2023
4) January 2023
5) April 2023
Option “2” is correct. The Common Service Centre (CSC) announced that it would open 500 cinema halls in rural areas by March 2023. CSC e-Governance Services India has signed an agreement with October Cinemas to take entertainment through CSC rural cinema to rural areas. i. The MoU signed between CSC, a special purpose vehicle under the ministry of electronics and IT, and October Cinemas aims at opening around 1 lakh small movie theatres in rural areas.
25. In which state, the Shanan hydroelectric plant is located?
Option “1” is correct. The Shanan hydroelectric plant (Himachal Pradesh) commissioned in 1932 was constructed under a 99-year lease deed executed between Jogendra Sen, the then Mandi ruler, and Col. B.C. Batty, the then Chief Engineer of the Punjab government, in 1925. i. With the 99-year lease agreement of the country’s first hydroelectric project presently under the control of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) in Himachal Pradesh ending in 2024, the maintenance of the 110 MW British-era power plant, which stands amidst the lush green dense deodar forests in the Barot Valley, is going down the drain.
26. In which city, the India International Science Festival (IISF)-2022 will be held in January 2023?
1) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
3) Bengaluru, Karnataka
4) Mumbai, Maharashtra
5) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Option “2” is correct. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said, India International Science Festival (IISF)-2022 will be held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in January 2023 and incidentally, it is one of the major events to be held after India took over G-20 Presidency.
27. In which state, the 5th edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s largest contemporary art exhibition was inaugurated in December 2022?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Andhra Pradesh
3) Kerala
4) Karnataka
5) Telangana
Option “3” is correct. Kerala Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the 5th edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s largest contemporary art exhibition. i. With the theme ‘In Our Veins Flow Ink and Fire’, the amalgam of cosmopolitan art and culture this time will feature 200 major creative projects of 90 artists from over 24 countries that will be exhibited at 14 venues till April 10.
28. In which state ‘Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary’ is situated?
Option “2” is correct. About Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister (CM)– Jai Ram Thakur Governor– Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar National Parks– Great Himalayan National Park; Pin Valley National Park Wildlife Sanctuaries– Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary; Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
29. Miroslaw Hermaszewski, who circled the Earth in a Soviet spacecraft in 1978, has recently (in Dec ‘22) passed away. He belongs to which country?
1) France
2) Germany
3) Spain
4) Poland
5) Norway
Option “4” is correct. Poland’s only cosmonaut, Gen. Miroslaw Hermaszewski, who circled the Earth in a Soviet spacecraft in 1978, has died. He was 81. i. For nine days in June and July of 1978, Hermaszewski and Soviet cosmonaut Pyotr Klimuk circled the Earth in the Soyuz 30 spaceship that docked at the Salyut 6 orbital space station. They went around the globe 126 times.
30. Dr Mária Telkes, born in Budapest, _______, was the first to receive The Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award in 1952.
1) Bulgaria
2) Estonia
3) Kosovo
4) Hungary
5) Denmark
Option “4” is correct. Dr Mária Telkes, born on 12th December 1900 in Budapest, Hungary was one of the first pioneers of solar energy. She believed the power of the sun could change human lives. i. On December 12, 1952, Dr Telkes was the first to receive The Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award. She earned over 20 patents and came to be known as the ‘Sun Queen’.
