Current Affairs May 2023

Dr Manoj Soni, who previously served as a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has taken the Oath of Office and Secrecy as the Chairman of UPSC on 16 May 2023. The oath was administered by Smt. Smita Nagaraj, the senior-most Member of the Commission.

Dr Manoj Soni joined the UPSC as a Member on June 28, 2017. Later, on April 5, 2022, he was appointed to act as the Chairman of UPSC under Article 316 (A) of the Constitution of India.

Before joining UPSC, Dr Soni pursued studies in Political Science with a specialization in International Relation Studies. He obtained his doctorate in “Post-Cold War International Systemic Transition and Indo-US Relations” from Sardar Patel University. Dr Soni has an impressive academic background and served as Vice-Chancellor of the M.S. University of Baroda for one term and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Gujarat for two terms. He holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever Vice-Chancellor in independent India. Dr Soni has received various accolades and awards and has made significant contributions through his published works.

Q.: Who is the Chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) ?
a) Dr Manoj Soni
b) Smt. Smita Nagaraj
c) Dr. Om Nagpal
d) Dr. S.R. Hashim

Answer: Dr Manoj Soni

1. Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, launched its first-ever direct international flight service to Dubai which touched down at May 15.
2. IndiGo is the airline operating the direct flight service.
3. The inaugural flight carried a delegation from the Government of Odisha, civil society, business and sports community, and self-help groups.
4. The launch coincided with the upcoming Odisha Dibasa program, showcasing the state’s culture and heritage.
5. The direct flight operates three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) using an Airbus A320 aircraft.
6. The starting fare for the route is set at Rs 10,000.
7. The flight is expected to have a transformative impact on Odisha’s economy, facilitating investments, boosting trade ties, and enhancing the tourism sector.
8. Residents express happiness and excitement about the direct flight, emphasizing the convenience and new travel experience it provides.
9. The launch is seen as a proud moment for the people of Odisha, cutting back stopovers and reducing flying time from 12 to 4 hours.
10. The direct flight signifies Odisha’s embrace of global connections and its potential for enhanced trade, investment, and tourism opportunities.

Question: Which city in Odisha recently launched its first-ever direct international flight service to Dubai?
a) Cuttack
b) Puri
c) Bhubaneswar
d) Rourkela
Answer: c) Bhubaneswar

• The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the Integrated Biological Control Laboratory at the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad in Telangana on 15 May 2023.
• The new Integrated Biological Control Laboratory (BC Lab) is a state-of-the-art laboratory set up at NIPHM, with facilities to provide hands-on experience on production methods for biopesticides and biocontrol agents.
• These include predators and parasitoids, entomopathogenic fungi, biofertilizers, NPV, pheromones, and flora.
• The use of bio-control agents, bio-pesticides, and bio-fertilizers will help in reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, consequently reduce the adverse effects on the environment and human health and contribute to improved Soil and Plant Health.
• The BC Lab will also have an Insect Museum, weed museum, exhibition hall, Natural Farming Cell etc. to showcase the specimens of agriculturally important insects and weeds in the best preserved or live forms.

Qns : Where is the Integrated Biological Control Laboratory located?

(A) National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad
(B) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
(C) Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack
(D) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Pune

Ans : (A) National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad

• The Defence Ministry has imposed phased ban on the import of 928 military items to promote self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector.
• The ministry announced the fourth positive indigenous list on 14 May in continuation of the first three such lists, which included a total of 1,238 items.
• The first three lists were announced in December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022.
• The 928 military equipment in the fourth list includes line replacement units, subsystems and spare parts. The ban on their import will be implemented in a phased manner between December 2023 and December 2029.
• The Defense Ministry statement said that banning the import of these equipment would save Rs 715 crore. Now these equipments will be procured from the Indian industry.
• Out of 1238 equipment included in the first three lists, 310 have started being produced in India. This equipment is used in fighter aircraft, training aircraft, warships and various types of ammunition.
• The ministry said that 928 equipment included in the fourth list will be manufactured in India through various channels under make category and in-house development.

Qns : What is the purpose of the phased ban on the import of military items imposed by the Defence Ministry?

(A) To increase the budget allocation for the defence sector
(B) To reduce the number of military items imported from foreign countries
(C) To promote self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector
(D) To enhance the quality of the military items manufactured in India

Answer : (C) To promote self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector

• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on 15 May 2023.
• The Air Marshal is a Qualified Flying Instructor as well as an Experimental Test Pilot with over 3300 hours of flying experience on Fighter, Trainer and Transport aircraft. He participated in Operation Safed Sagar and Rakshak.
• He has previously served as Principal Director Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters.
• The Air officer has also been the Air Defense Commander of the Southern Air Command and was the senior Air Force Officer of the South Western Air Command before taking over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
• Air Marshal Dixit commanded the Mirage 2000 Squadron, which is a frontline fighter base in the Western Sector, as well as a major fighter training base.

Qns : What is the name of the Air Marshal who took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on 15th May?

(A) Rajesh Vaidya
(B) Ashutosh Dixit
(C) Jeetendra Mishra
(D) Rakesh Sinha

Answer : (B) Ashutosh Dixit

• Minister of State Dr L Murugan will lead the delegation to the Cannes Film Festival from 16 to 27 May 2023.
• The India Pavilion is being conceptualised and designed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad with the theme – ‘Showcasing India’s Creative Economy’ to the global community.
• Oscar winners Ms. Guneet Monga (The Elephant Whispers) and Ms. Manushi Chhillar (Actress) will walk the red carpet.
• Four Indian films in Official Selection for Cannes, restored Manipuri film ‘Ishanhou’ to be showcased in the ‘Classics’ section.
• The festival will witness the poster and trailer of the 54th IFFI in November 2023.
• The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious international film festivals held annually in Cannes, France.

Qns : What is the theme of the India Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival 2023?

(A) Showcasing India’s Creative Economy
(B) Showcasing India’s Film Industry
(C) Celebrating India’s Culture
(D) Showcasing India’s Technology

Answer : (A) Showcasing India’s Creative Economy

• Aqua Marine Park (Tunnel Aquarium) in Hyderabad will be India’s biggest such project, which will be built with Rs 300 crore.
• With a built-up area of ​​over 2,50,000 sq ft, this tunnel aquarium will come up in Kothavalaguda Eco Park spread over 4.27 acres.
• The curved tunnel will be at least 100 meters long with a 3.5 meter walkway and 180 degree view.
• This aqua marine park will have tunnels with a variety of aquamarine species including fish, reptiles etc.It will also have a restaurant with a view of the exhibition/panel display, dome theatre, 7-D theatre, virtual aquarium, touch tank, etc. The theater will have a seating capacity of 25 people.
• India’s largest tunnel aquarium will have a minimum capacity to accommodate about 2,500 individuals and the water volume will not be less than 3 million liters for the total aquarium and not less than 2 million liters for the tunnel tank alone.
• It will have more than 300 species including freshwater, brackish water and marine/brackish water species, with a total of more than 10,000 animals including fishes, reptiles and other marine and land-based fauna, including ornamental fish, domestic and imported species are included.

Qns : Where will India’s largest tunnel aquarium ‘Aqua Marine Park’ be built?

(A) Bengaluru
(B) Chennai
(C) Bangalore
(D) Hyderabad

Ans : (D) Hyderabad

• Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Praveen Sood was appointed as the next chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 14th May.
• The 59-year-old has been appointed to the post for a period of two years from the date he assumes charge after outgoing CBI chief Subodh Kumar Jaiswal completes his tenure on 25th May.
• Sood has also served as Principal Secretary in the Karnataka Home Department and DGP of Criminal Investigation Department, Economic Offenses and Special Units. He was appointed as the Karnataka DGP in 2020.

Qns : Who has been appointed as the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 2023?

(A) Praveen Sood
(B) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal
(C) Rishi Kumar Shukla
(D) Alok Verma

Answer : (A) Praveen Sood

• The fourth edition of bilateral naval exercise Samudra Shakti between India and Indonesia is scheduled to be held from 14 to 19 May 2023.
• INS Kavaratti has reached Batam, Indonesia to participate in this exercise session. Kavaratti is an indigenously designed and built ASW Corvette. A Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopters of the Indian Navy are also participating in Exercise Samudra Shakti-2023.
• The Indonesian Navy is being represented by KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and AS565 Panther helicopters.
• The harbor phase of the exercise includes visits by each other’s warships, professional interactions, exchange of subject matter experts and sporting activities.
• During the sea phase, activities such as weapon firing, helicopter operations, anti-submarine warfare exercises and air defense exercises and ship operations are planned to be conducted.

Qns : Which Indian warship is participating in Exercise Samudra Shakti-2023?

(A) INS Vikrant
(B) INS Kavaratti
(C) INS Arighat
(D) INS Vikramaditya

Answer : (B) INS Kavaratti

• As a part of the Indian Navy’s deployment to ASEAN countries, Indian Naval Ships Delhi and Satpura under the command of Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet are on a visit to Siyanokville, Cambodia from 11 to 14 May 2023 .
• The visit of Indian Navy ships seeks to reinforce the strong bonds of friendship between India-Cambodia by strengthening maritime cooperation.
• During the port call, naval personnel from both the countries will engage in a series of interactions, deck visits and exchange of games with an aim to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding.
• INS Delhi is India’s first indigenously built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura is an indigenous multi-role stealth frigate.
• The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters. Both the ships are testimony to India’s advanced ship design and ship building capabilities.

Qns : Which ships of the Indian Navy are on a visit to Sianokville, Cambodia from 11 to 14 May?

(A) INS Mumbai and INS Kolkata
(B) INS Delhi and INS Satpura
(C) INS Vikrant and INS Viraat
(D) INS Chennai and INS Kolkata

Answer : (B) INS Delhi and INS Satpura

• In Uttarakhand, a four-day millet festival (Shri Anna Mahotsav) will begin in Dehradun from 13th May to create public awareness about the health benefits of millets and deliberate on the state’s potential to grow crops in this category.
• Agriculture ministers, scientists and farmers of other states including Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar will participate in the Anna Mahotsav.
• The four-day deliberations are aimed at attracting more and more people towards millet production, which is to be doubled by 2025.
• Uttarakhand’s Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi told that there will be a discussion on millet production in the festival. Through this festival, the farmers of the state will be encouraged to cultivate millet.
• The state government has made a provision of Rs 73 crore for the promotion of millet in this financial year. The aim of the government is that farmers produce more coarse grains so that their economy can be strengthened.

Qns : What is the aim of the Uttarakhand government in promoting millet production?

(A) To improve the health of the farmers
(B) To attract more tourists to the state
(C) To strengthen the economy of the farmers
(D) None of the above

Answer : (C) To strengthen the economy of the farmers

• Under the One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme of Indian Railways, 728 stations with 785 OSOP outlets have been covered across the country so far in 21 states and 3 union territories.
• The Ministry of Railways launched the scheme in March 2022 with an aim to promote the government’s ‘Vocal for Local’ vision, provide market for local or indigenous products and generate additional income opportunities for the underprivileged sections of the society.
• Under this scheme, OSOP outlets at railway stations are allotted to display, sell and give high visibility to indigenous or local products.
• These OSOP stalls have been designed through National Institute of Design for uniformity. The cumulative direct beneficiaries from March 2022 to March 2023 are 25109.

Qns : What is the aim of the One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme of Indian Railways?

(A) To promote foreign products in the market
(B) To generate additional income opportunities for the underprivileged sections of the society
(C) To provide market for local or indigenous products
(D) Both b and c

Answer : (D) Both b and c