National Current Affairs

The under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district collapsed at dawn on November 12, 2023. The collapse trapped at least 40 workers inside the tunnel.

The rescue operation is still ongoing, and the workers are being contacted through the supply tunnel drilled into the rubble.

The tunnel was being constructed by Navayuga Engineering Construction Limited (NECL) as part of the Char Dham all-weather road project connecting four sites sacred to Hindus. The tunnel was planned to be 4.5 kilometers long and located on the Yamunotri end of National Highway 134. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

Q.: Which company was responsible for constructing the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel, collapse in November 2023 ?

a. Navayuga Engineering Construction Limited (NECL)
b. Hindustan Construction Company (HCC)
c. Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
d. Gammon India

Ans : a. Navayuga Engineering Construction Limited (NECL)

The two days Annual United Nations Forum 2023 will take place in New Delhi starting on November 21, 2023. The forum will focus on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Peacekeeping.

1. Organized by the United Service Institution of India in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Centre for UN Peacekeeping Operations.
2. The United Service Institution of India, established in 1870, is the country’s oldest think-tank specializing in research on national security and military affairs.
3. The forum aims to discuss the applicability and limitations of implementing International Humanitarian Law frameworks in UN peace operations.
4. The approach will be interactive and multi-stakeholder.
5. The Ministry of Defence stated that the forum will address contemporary issues such as the protection of civilians, accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, and the role of women in peacekeeping operations.
6. Dialogues during the forum are intended to contribute to the development of training modules and policy frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations.

Q.: What is the primary focus of the Annual United Nations Forum 2023 in New Delhi?

• A. Environmental Sustainability
• B. International Humanitarian Law and Peacekeeping
• C. Economic Development
• D. Human Rights Advocacy

Ans : B. International Humanitarian Law and Peacekeeping

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced regulations for foreign universities to establish and operate campuses in India.

1. Foreign universities can collaborate to set up campuses in India, but they must individually meet specific eligibility criteria.
2. Prior approval from the UGC is required for foreign universities planning to start new courses in their Indian campuses.
3. Foreign universities looking to establish campuses in India must have a global ranking within the top 500.
4. Foreign universities can establish more than one campus in India, and they must submit separate applications for each.
5. Campuses of foreign universities in India will have the autonomy to recruit faculty and staff according to their own recruitment norms.
6. Foreign university campuses in India are not permitted to offer online courses or distance learning programs.

Q.: What do the UGC regulations allow foreign universities to do in India?

A) Collaborate with Indian universities
B) Establish and operate campuses in India
C) Offer online courses and distance learning programs
D) Conduct research in collaboration with Indian institutions

Ans : B) Establish and operate campuses in India

Q.: According to the regulations, what is the minimum global ranking that foreign universities intending to establish campuses in India should have?

A) Within the top 100
B) Within the top 200
C) Within the top 300
D) Within the top 500

Ans : D) Within the top 500

Peaceful voting took place on November 7, 2023, for the first phase of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and single-phase polling in Mizoram.

1. In Chhattisgarh, 20 out of 90 constituencies, mainly in Naxal-affected areas, went to polls. The state recorded a 71.11 percent voter turnout, with 223 candidates, including 25 women, participating.
2. The second and final phase of Chhattisgarh’s elections, with the remaining 70 seats, is scheduled for November 17.
3. In Mizoram, voting was conducted for all 40 assembly seats, with an overall voter turnout of 77.83 percent. There were 174 candidates in the fray.
4. Prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, contested in Mizoram’s elections.

Q.: What was the overall voter turnout in Mizoram’s elections?

a. 71.11 percent
b. 77.83 percent
c. 40 percent
d. 90 percent

Ans : b. 77.83 percent

Various entities, including banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, trading companies, and real estate companies, send commercial messages to telecom subscribers via SMS or voice calls. These entities are referred to as Principal Entities (Pes) in the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018).

1. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been taking measures to combat spam and unsolicited commercial communications (UCC). They issued a directive on 02.06.2023 under TCCCPR-2018 for Access Providers to develop and deploy a Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) facility. This platform aims to create a unified process for customers to register their consent digitally with Access Service Providers and Principal Entities.
2. The existing system has various Principal Entities maintaining consent data, making it challenging for Access Providers to verify the accuracy of consents. The DCA process allows for the seeking, maintenance, and revocation of customer consents, aligning with TCCCPR-2018 guidelines. The consent data will be shared on a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Platform for scrubbing by all Access Providers.
3. A common short code 127xxx will be used for sending consent-seeking messages. These messages must clearly state the purpose, scope of consent, and the Principal Entity/Brand name. Only whitelisted URLs, APKs, OTT links, and call-back numbers will be used in these messages. Consent confirmation messages will also provide information on revoking consent.
4. Access Providers must develop an SMS/Online facility for customers to register their unwillingness to receive any consent-seeking messages from Principal Entities.
5. It is emphasized that after implementing the DCA system, existing consents obtained through alternative means will become null and void. Principal Entities will need to obtain fresh consents through digital means only.
6. Principal Entities are urged to take the necessary steps to onboard the DCA system within the timelines specified in the directive dated 02.06.2023. For further clarification or information, Principal Entities may contact the relevant Access Providers.

Q.: Who are referred to as Principal Entities (Pes) in the context of Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018)?

A. Access Providers
B. Telecom subscribers
C. Message Senders like Banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, trading companies, and real estate companies etc.
D. Regulatory authorities

Ans : C. Message Senders like Banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, trading companies, and real estate companies etc.

Q.: What is the main objective of the Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) facility mentioned in the directive by TRAI?

A. To enhance customer preference regulations
B. To combat spam and unsolicited commercial communications
C. To improve telecom infrastructure
D. To provide free access to telecom services

Ans : B. To combat spam and unsolicited commercial communications

Heeralal Samariya, the Information Commissioner, was sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner on November 6, 2023. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

1. Heeralal Samariya had previously served as an Information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission.
2. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Minister of State for Personnel Dr. Jitendra Singh.

What is Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)

The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) is a high-ranking official in the government of India, responsible for overseeing and ensuring the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The CIC is the head of the Central Information Commission, which is an independent body established under the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC plays a crucial role in upholding transparency, accountability, and citizens’ right to access information from government organizations.

Q.: Who was sworn in as the Chief Information Commissioner on November 6, 2023?

a. Rajiv Gauba
b. Anandi Ramalingam
c. Vinod Kumar Tiwari.
d. Heeralal Samariya

Ans : d. Heeralal Samariya

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites on November 5.

1. One of the blocked apps, Mahadev Book, is at the center of a political controversy in poll-bound Chhattisgarh.
2. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted investigations against an illegal betting app syndicate and subsequently conducted raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh.
3. The investigations revealed alleged unlawful operations of the Mahadev app.
4. The owners of Mahadev app are currently in custody and have been arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for alleged money laundering.

Q.: Which illegal betting app was at the center of a political controversy in Chhattisgarh?

a. Mahadev Book
b. Betting Pro
c. Gamblers’ Paradise
d. Bet Master

Ans : a. Mahadev Book

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal launched the domestic sailing of the first International Cruise Liner ‘COSTA SERENA’ in India at Mumbai on November 3, 2023.

1. Costa Cruises, a prominent European cruise company operating under the Italian flag, is known for providing high-end inter-country cruise experiences.
2. Costa Cruises is expected to carry approximately 45,000 passengers on its next two-month voyages, who would have otherwise booked from international destinations.
3. The significant advantage is offering an international cruising experience for Indians in Indian waters.

Question: What is the name of the first International Cruise Liner to commence domestic sailing in India?

Options:
a) COSTA SERENA
b) Ocean Voyager
c) Indian Cruise Explorer
d) Royal India Odyssey

Answer: a) COSTA SERENA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘World Food India 2023,’ a mega food event, in New Delhi on November 3, 2023.

1. The event is a three-day exhibition held at Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan.
2. More than 1,200 exhibitors and participants from over 80 countries are participating in the event.
3. The Prime Minister distributed Seed Capital Assistance to over one lakh Self Help Groups’ members and inaugurated the Food Street at the event.
4. Various pavilions have been set up to showcase India’s rich food culture to the world.
5. Approximately 50 dialogue sessions are planned, focusing on various aspects of the Food Processing Industry.
6. The mega food event has a special focus on millets.

Q.: What is the special focus of ‘World Food India 2023’ ?

a) Organic farming
b) Seafood processing
c) Millets
d) Dairy products

ans : c) Millets