National Current Affairs

Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 will be co-hosted by the Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India at the Indian Air Force airbase at Hindon in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on September 25, 2023.

1. Drones are witnessing increased usage in both military and civil applications in India.
2. The two-day event will feature over 50 live aerial demonstrations, showcasing various types of drones, including survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, and tactical surveillance drones.
3. More than 75 drone start-ups and corporates are expected to participate in the event.
4. The event will also include the induction ceremony of the first C-295 MW transport aircraft, part of India’s acquisition of 56 Airbus C-295 aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force AVRO fleet.
5. The acquisition of these aircraft is seen as a boost to the Make in India initiative.
6. Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 is anticipated to draw approximately 5,000 attendees, including representatives from the Central government, state departments, public and private industries, armed forces, paramilitary forces, and friendly countries.
7. The event aligns with India’s commitment to becoming a global drone hub by 2030.

Q.: When and where will Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 be co-hosted by the Indian Air Force and the Drone Federation of India?

a) New Delhi, India, in October 2023
b) Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in September 2023
c) Mumbai, Maharashtra, in November 2023
d) Bengaluru, Karnataka, in August 2023

Anwer:b) Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in September 2023

The 19th edition of YUDH ABHYAS is scheduled to take place in Alaska, USA from 25 September 2023.

1. This exercise is conducted annually and is a joint effort between the Indian Army and the US Army.
2. The Indian Army contingent for this edition consists of 350 personnel.
3. The lead battalion representing India in this exercise is affiliated with the MARATHA Light Infantry Regiment.
4. The primary focus of the exercise is to conduct tactical drills that enhance interoperability for UN peacekeeping operations.
5. The exercise will also involve the exchange of views and best practices related to various combat skills, including combat engineering, obstruction clearance, and warfare involving mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Q.: Which infantry regiment is the lead battalion from the Indian side in the 19th edition of YUDH ABHYAS in Alaska, USA?

a) Rajputana Rifles
b) MARATHA Light Infantry Regiment
c) Punjab Regiment
d) Gurkha Rifles

Answer:b) MARATHA Light Infantry Regiment

On September 24, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off nine Vande Bharat Express trains via video conferencing. These trains will connect religious and tourist destinations across 11 states.

Here are some key details about the new trains:

• Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
• Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express
• Hyderabad –Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
• Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express
• Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
• Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express
• Rourkela – Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express
• Ranchi – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
• Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express

The Vande Bharat Express trains have several unique features that set them apart from other trains. Here are some of the notable features:

1. Intelligent Braking System: The Vande Bharat Express trains are equipped with an intelligent braking system that enables better acceleration and deceleration.
2. Automatic Doors: All coaches of the Vande Bharat Express have automatic doors, ensuring passenger safety and convenience.
3. GPS-based Audio-Visual Passenger Information System: Passengers can stay informed about their journey through the GPS-based audio-visual passenger information system available on board.
4. On-Board Hotspot Wi-Fi: The Vande Bharat Express offers on-board hotspot Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing passengers to stay connected and entertained during their journey

Q.: Which safety feature is available in all coaches of the Vande Bharat Express?

a) On-Board Hotspot Wi-Fi
b) GPS-based Audio-Visual Passenger Information System
c) Automatic Doors
d) Intelligent Braking System

Answer: c) Automatic Doors

India’s First Lighthouse Festival began in Goa. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, along with Chief Minister of Goa Shri Pramod Sawant, inaugurated the festival at Fort Aguada Lighthouse.

1. The festival started on September 23 and will continue until September 25.
2. It is being celebrated at lighthouses across the country to promote them as tourist destinations.
3. The campaign ‘Lighthouse Heritage Tourism’ was launched to transform 75 historic lighthouses into tourist spots.
4. The festival is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop lighthouses as tourist attractions and boost local economies.
5. The festival at Fort Aguada in Goa includes various activities such as dance performances, food stalls, music concerts, and discussions on marine history.

Q.: Who is the Chief Minister of Goa?

a) Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
b) Shri Pramod Sawant
c) Shri Shripad Naik
d) Shri Rohan Khaunte

Answer: b) Shri Pramod Sawant

SIMBEX is an annual bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. The exercise takes place from September 21 to September 24, 2023.

1. SIMBEX aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies.
2. The exercise consists of two phases:
   • Harbour Phase: This phase involves professional interactions, cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and sports fixtures.
   • Sea Phase: During this phase, various maritime operations are conducted, including air defense exercises, gunnery firing, and anti-submarine exercises.
3. Indian Navy assets such as the Ranvijay, Kavaratti, and Sindhukesari, along with Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P81, are participating in the exercise.
4. SIMBEX is the longest-running naval exercise that the Indian Navy conducts with any other country.
5. The exercise allows units from both navies to enhance their war-fighting skills through multi-discipline operations in the maritime domain.

Q.: What is unique about SIMBEX in comparison to other naval exercises conducted by the Indian Navy?

a. It involves more countries.
b. It focuses exclusively on submarine warfare.
c. It is the longest-running naval exercise with a specific country.
d. It takes place annually in Singapore.

Ans : c. It is the longest-running naval exercise with a specific country.

The Common University Entrance Test for Post-graduate programs (CUET-PG) is to be conducted from March 11th to March 28th, 2024, while the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate programs (CUET-UG) is scheduled for May 15th to May 31st, 2023, for admissions in the Academic year 2024-25. Mr M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of the University Grant Commission share this information on 19 September 2023.

1. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct these entrance tests, and results will be declared within three weeks of the test.
2. In 2024, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main will have two sessions: the first session from 24th January to 1st February and the second session from 1st April to 15th April.
3. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – NEET(UG) will be held on 5th May 2024.
4. UGC National Eligibility Test Session-1 is scheduled from 10th to 21st June next year.

Q.: Who is the Chairman of University Grant Commission (UGC) ?

A) M Jagadesh Kumar
B) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
C) Amit Khare
D) K Kasturirangan

Ans : A) M Jagadesh Kumar

On September 17, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, located in Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi.

This state-of-the-art convention center spans 225 acres and is designed to host large international and national conferences. The center is being constructed in two phases, with the first phase including a world-class convention center, two massive exhibition halls, and a parking facility for over 3,000 cars. The exhibition halls in the first phase are approximately 10,00,000 square feet in size, equivalent to four football fields, and feature remarkable column-free spaces, making them capable of accommodating even aircraft for future expos. Notably, the convention center boasts a prominent LED video wall.

This center is expected to bolster industrial growth in India and position the country as a prominent global destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).

Q.: Where is the International Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi located?

a) Mumbai
b) Chennai
c) New Delhi
d) Bangalore

Answer : c) New Delhi

Rahul Navin, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has been appointed as the in-charge director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 15. He will serve in this capacity until the appointment of the regular director. Currently, Rahul Navin holds the position of ED’s special director. Sanjay Kumar Mishra was the outgoing director of the ED, who was appointed as the ED director in 2028. 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is responsible for investigating money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws. It operates under the framework of several Acts, including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).

Q.: What are the statutory functions of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) primarily responsible for?

a) Tax collection
b) Investigating corruption cases
c) Investigating money laundering and foreign exchange violations
d) Conducting cybercrime investigations

c) Investigating money laundering and foreign exchange violations

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given its approval (Acceptance of Necessity, AoN) for nine capital acquisition proposals totaling approximately 45,000 crore rupees. The meeting was chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on September 15, 2023.

1. All these acquisitions will be sourced from Indian vendors, which will significantly contribute to the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) in the defense industry.
2. The DAC approved the procurement of various items, including Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles, Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems, High Mobility Vehicle Gun Towing Vehicles for artillery deployment, Next Generation Survey Vessels for the Indian Navy, Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missiles for ALH Mk-IV Helicopters, and 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
3. Raksha Mantri emphasized the need to increase the focus on indigenization and suggested aiming for a minimum of 60 to 65 percent indigenous content in Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured projects, instead of the current threshold of 50 percent.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body in the Indian Ministry of Defence for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard. The council is headed by the Minister of Defence.

Q.: What is the primary role of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in the Indian Ministry of Defence?

a) Making decisions on foreign policy
b) Approving annual defense budgets
c) Deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the armed forces
d) Conducting military exercises

Ans : c) Deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the armed forces

India has achieved the capability to issue Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) Certificates, becoming the 13th country globally to do so.

1. Domestic manufacturers can now have their weighing and measuring instruments tested within India and market them internationally.
2. The Internationally Accepted OIML Certificate is recognized worldwide, reducing redundancy and saving resources for manufacturers.
3. This system ensures uniformity and trust in measurements on a global scale and eliminates the need for repeated certifications.
4. Indian manufacturers and their agents can obtain OIML Certificates for their measuring instruments from the Indian OIML Issuing Authority, which is the Legal Metrology Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Q.: What is the significance of India issuing Internationally Accepted OIML Certificates?

A. It allows international manufacturers to sell their products in India.
B. It enables Indian manufacturers to market their measuring instruments globally.
C. It reduces the need for measuring instruments in India.
D. It standardizes domestic measurement units.

Ans : B. It enables Indian manufacturers to market their measuring instruments globally.