Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: April 27, 2023
General Awareness Section can be the easiest and most qualifying section in most competitive exams with the right focus. To bag a good score in these sections one must follow the current affairs for at least a few minutes on a daily basis. Current affairs are vastly diversified with topics from politics, finance, sports, etc. and getting lost in this vast data might be confusing sometimes.
Whether you are preparing for a written test or an interview for any competitive exam, you have come to the right place to enhance your GK knowledge.
Current Affairs: International
World Military Expenditure Report -2022, SIPRI
India, which has sharpened its focus on building its defence capabilities and strengthening military infrastructure along the China border, was the fourth biggest military spender in the world in 2022 after the United States, China and Russia, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report published recently.
What is SIPRI?
SIPRI is a Sweden-based independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.
Key highlights of the report:
The five biggest spenders in 2022 were the United States, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for 63% of world military spending.
With a military expenditure of $81.4 billion, India was the fourth largest spender in 2022. World military expenditure rose by 3.7% in real terms in 2022 to reach a record high of $2240 billion (2.2% of global GDP).
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a major driver of growth in spending in 2022. Personnel expenses (salaries and pensions) remained the largest expenditure category (around 50%) in the Indian military budget.
Facts:
India’s expenditure on capital outlays amounted to 23% of total military spending in 2022.
India’s defence exports have reached an all-time high of ₹16,000 crore in FY 2022-23. India aims to achieve an annual defence export target of ₹35,000 crore by 2025.
India’s major platforms being exported include Dornier-228, 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Guns (ATAGs), Brahmos Missiles, Akash Missile System, etc.
Question: 1
India is the world’s _____ largest military spender according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report-2022
A. third
B. fourth
C. fifth
D. second
Answer: B
Check out the Highlights of the Economic Survey 2022-23 by clicking on the link given below: Economic Survey 2022-23
Current Affairs: Health in Focus
Malaria will soon be a notifiable disease across India
Malaria is all set to become a notifiable disease across India, with Bihar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya too in the process of putting this vector-borne disease in the category.
This will then require by law that cases be reported to government authorities.
Currently, malaria is a notifiable disease in 33 States and Union Territories in India.
About Malaria:
Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by parasites (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale) that are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
What is a notifiable disease?
A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities.
It allows the authorities to monitor the disease and provides early warning of possible outbreaks.
WHO Norms:
World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations, 1969, require disease reporting to the WHO to help with its global surveillance and advisory role.
Other notified diseases:
The centre has notified several diseases, such as cholera, leprosy, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), plague, TB, AIDS, hepatitis, etc. The onus of notifying any disease and implementation lies with the state government.
World Malaria Day 2023
Every year on 25 April, World Malaria Day is celebrated for spreading important awareness and techniques that can be implemented for this severe disease.
This year’s theme was “Time to deliver Zero Malaria: invest, innovate, implement”, announced by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Maximum cases are reported in humid regions like Africa. A person can detect the disease by checking for signs like chills, fever, diarrhoea, body pain, etc.
Question: 2
Which of the following is not a notified disease according to the government authorities?
A. Meningitis
B. Pertussis
C. Tuberculosis
D. Covid-19
Answer: D
Current Affairs: National Interest
The Supreme Court celebrates 50 years of “basic structure doctrine”
24th April marks the 50th anniversary of the Kesavananda Bharati judgement, which expounded the basic structure doctrine. It is the most celebrated constitutional case in the country.
Who was Kesavananda Bharati?
He was a monk from Adi Shankaracharya’s tradition born in 1940.
Kesavananda Bharati took sanyas at the age of 19 and headed to the Edneer Mutt, a Hindu monastery in Kasargod, Kerala.
In 1961, still only 21, he was appointed as the head of the Mutt, a position he held till his death in 2020.
What does the Basic Structure mean?
The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy.
The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the citizens’ liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based.
Question: 3
Which of the following famous and celebrated constitutional cases of the country completed 50 years of its judgement?
A. Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India
B. Minerva Mills vs Union of India
C. Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala
D. S. R. Bommai vs Union of India
Answer: C
Current Affairs: National Interest
Stolen sculpture of Lord Hanuman belonging to the Chola Period retrieved; handed over to Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu
The Stolen sculpture of Lord Hanuman belonging to the Chola Period has been retrieved and handed over to the Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu.
The sculpture of Lord Hanuman was stolen from a Vishnu Temple, Shri Varatharaja Perumal, Pottaveli Vellur, Ariyalur district.
It belongs to the late Chola Period (14th -15th century). It was documented by “The French Institute of Pondicherry” in 1961.
The sculpture was handed over to the High Commissioner of India in Canberra.
The idol was returned to India in the last week of February 2023 and handed over to Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu, as a case property on 18.04.2023.
The Government of India is working towards safeguarding the country’s antiquarian heritage within the nation and is instrumental in retrieving antiquities which were unlawfully taken abroad in the past.
To date, 251 antiquities have been retrieved back from different countries, out of which 238 have been brought back since 2014.
Question: 4
A stolen sculpture of Lord Hanuman belonging to which of the following dynasties has been retrieved recently and handed over to the Idol Wing, Tamil Nadu?
A. Pandyan Dynasty
B. Chola Empire
C. Chera Dynasty
D. Satavahana Empire
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Days and Event
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2023
The infamous Chernobyl disaster took place on 26 April 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the former Soviet Union.
According to the United Nations (UN), about 50 people were killed immediately.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) mentions that an estimated 3940 people died from cancers due to radiation poisoning. International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed on 26 April, annually, in memory and honour of those who lost their lives.
After the 30th anniversary of the accident, on 8 December 2016, the United Nations adopted the resolution and proclaimed 26 April as the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.
Key Facts:
The Chernobyl disaster occurred following a 20-minute shutdown of the reactor, which led to a chemical explosion that released about 520 deadly radioactive chemicals into the air.
The nuclear radiation leak spread to present-day territories of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
As an immediate impact of the radiation poisoning, 31 people died, as per official Soviet Union figures. WHO also notes that about 50 emergency workers died from acute radiation syndrome.
600,000 civil and military personnel called “liquidators”, who came to contain the disaster, got badly affected by the radiation.
The UN had predicted in 2005 that an estimated 4000 people from the contaminated areas would die from the long-term effects of radiation poisoning.
Nine children affected by the radiation developed thyroid cancer and passed away. They consumed milk from cows that had fed on the radioactive grass.
Question: 5
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2023 is observed on 26 April every year. This disaster is related to
A. Nuclear radiation
B. Plague outbreak
C. Volcanic eruption
D. Terrorist attack
Answer: A
Check out the Highlights of Union Budget 2023 by clicking on the link given below: Union Budget 2023-24
Fact Book: 26-April-2023
Mohammad Shahabuddin Takes Oath as Bangladesh’s New President
Veteran politician Mohammed Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd president of Bangladesh.
His nickname is Chupu.
Parliamentary Speaker Shirin Sharmin Choudhury administered the oath of office to Shahabuddin, the 22nd president of the South Asian Republic, at the Bangabhaban presidential palace in Dhaka.
Besides President Hasina and family members of the new president, politicians, Supreme Court judges, and senior civil and military officials attended the event.
Shahabuddin succeeds Abdul Hamid, whose tenure ended on 24 April.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Shahabuddin signed the oath documents for the office of the president.
Question: 6
Mohammed Shahabuddin, nicknamed Chupu, was recently sworn in as the president of which of the following countries?
A. UAE
B. Indonesia
C. Bangladesh
D. Afghanistan
Answer: C
Van Vihar National Park of Bhopal bans single-use plastic
Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park has now completely banned single-use plastic in its area.
Van Vihar National Park Director Padmapriya Balakrishnan said, “The plastics at Van Vihar National Park cause harm to wildlife and the environment, that is why we have completely banned plastic. People who come here to visit can take water, and for this, we give them steel bottles. For the steel bottle, they have to deposit money, which they can get back”.
Now tourists cannot carry plastic water bottles and other eatables inside the Van Vihar complex. Arrangements have been made for water inside the National Park; for this, water ATMs will be installed.
Question: 7
Which of the following National Parks has recently banned single-use plastic in its area?
A. Van Vihar National Park Bhopal
B. Orang National Park Sonitpur
C. Betla National Park Chota Nagpur
D. Pench National Park Seoni
Answer: A
Mahavir Singh Phogat appointed as Chairman of MMA 1
The legendary wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, has been appointed as the Chairman of the MMA-1 Federation.
Mahavir is responsible for promoting mixed martial arts (MMA) in India. As the Chairman of the MMA-1 Federation, Phogat will work towards developing and promoting MMA in India, with a focus on identifying and nurturing young talent in the sport. Mohamedali Budhwani, the president of the MMA1 Federation, sent a humble request to Phogat to claim the seat as the chairman, and he gladly accepted the same.
MMA stands for mixed martial arts, a full-contact combat sport that incorporates techniques from various martial arts disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and others.
Question: 8
Who has recently been appointed as Chairman of the MMA-1 Federation?
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