DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to

the scheme, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in December 2023?
A) The MoEF&CC has launched the Indian Forest and Wood
Certification Scheme (IFWCS) to encourage sustainable forest
management and agroforestry in India by offering voluntary
third-party certification.
B) IFWCS is governed by the Indian Forest and Wood
Certification Council (IFWCC) and operated by the Indian
Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh as the designated Scheme Operating Agency (SOA).
C) The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies
(NABCB) will be responsible for conducting independent audits
through accredited CBs (Certification Bodies).
1) Only A 2) Only A & B 3) Only B & C 4) Only A & C 5) All A, B &
C
 The scheme includes individual farmers or Farmer Producer
Organisations (FPOs), state forest departments engaged in
agroforestry and farm forestry and other wood-based
industries in the value chain.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

2. Which organisation/ centre has recently signed a 5-year long

Statement of Intent (SoI) with the National Institution for
Transforming India (NITI Aayog) to strengthen the policy and
programme frameworks for Agricultural Transformation?
1) World Food Programme
2) Food and Agriculture Organization
3) International Food Policy Research Institute
4) International Fund for Agricultural Development
5) United Nations Development Programme
 IFPRI will provide policy analytics and support to NITI in
mutually identified areas within the broader realm of food
systems transformation, initially focusing on agriculture, rural
development, trade, and climate change policies in India
 IFPRI Headquarters– Washington, DC, United States of America
(USA) Establishment– 1975
 National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
Chairman– Prime Minister (PM) of India, (Currently- Narendra
Modi), CEO– B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Establishment– 2015,
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi, Vice Chairman: Suman Bery.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

3. As per the report ‘Women Empowerment & Ladli

Behna_Dec23‘released by the State Bank of India’s (SBI)
Economic Research Department (ERD) in December 2023,
women voters in India will surpass male voters from the
_______ General Election onwards.
1) 2044 2) 2024 3) 2034 4) 2029 5) 2039
 In 2029, the total voter turnout is expected to be 73 crores
of which women voters will be at 37 crores, which will be
higher than the registered men voters at 36 crores.
 The report projects that the total voter turnout in the 2024
general election will be around 68 crores of which 33 crores
(49%) will be women.
 ERD projects that in 2047 (probable election year 2049),
women voter turnout should increase to 55% and men voter
turnout might decrease to 45%
 In 1951, 8 crores voted; by 2009, it rose to 42 crores, with 19
crores women. In 2014, the voter turnout increased by 13.7
crores to 55 crores. This includes 26 crore women.
 The 17th Lok Sabha of India has the highest ever number of
women politicians with a total of 78 which is nearly 14%.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

4. The Logistics Division of the Department for Promotion of

Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry (MoCI) launched a report titled
“Logistics Cost in India: Assessment and Long-Term
Framework” in New Delhi, Delhi.
 The report provides a framework to contribute towards
achieving the target of reducing logistics costs in India.
 The Report was prepared by the National Council of Applied
Economic Research (NCAER), along with Asian Development
Bank (ADB) experts and task force members.
 India’s logistic costs ranged between 7.8% and 8.9% during
2021-22, down from 8.7- 9.9% during 2011-12.

 India has climbed six places to rank 38th out of 139 countries in
the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index for 2023, due to
its improving road and port networks and digitisation of supply
chains.

 The average dwell time, the waiting time for a truck cargo at a
port, was just three days in India when compared to seven days
in the United States and 10 days in Germany, according to the
World Bank report.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

5. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to

the Global Status Reports on Road Safety 2023 released by the
World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2023?
A) The annual number of road traffic deaths across the world
has slightly decreased to 1.19 million from 1.25 million,
marking a 5% decrease in 10 years between 2010 and 2021.
B) In India, the total number of road traffic fatalities went up
from 1.34 lakh in 2010 to 1.54 lakh in 2021.
C) India’s share in global road fatalities has also increased from
11% to 13%.
1) All A, B & C 2) Only A & B 3) Only B & C 4) Only A & C
5) Only A
6. LIC Cards Services Limited (LIC CSL), IDFC FIRST Bank Limited
and Mastercard has collaborated to launch “LIC IDFC FIRST
Credit Cards”, a co-branded credit card to meet the dynamic
financial needs of India.
7. Which company has recently (in Dec ‘23) launched India’s first
self-hosted payments orchestration platform ‘FlowWise’?
1) Razorpay Software Private Limited 2) Amazon Pay India
Private Limited 3) Cashfree Payments Limited
4) PhonePe Private Limited 5) BharatPe Limited
 FlowWise is one setup solution for Indian businesses for
managing different payment systems. It simplifies the
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

complexity and effort of using multiple Payment Gateways

(PGs) for businesses.
 The platform allows users to send payments to different
partners by cutting processing costs by up to 40% and
improving success rates up to 10%.
8. Name the bank that has recently (in Dec ‘23) collaborated with
the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) to launch a financing
program for compressed biogas (CBG) plants.
1) DBS Bank India 2) ICICI Bank 3) HSBC India 4) Axis Bank
5) YES Bank
 RIL sees agricultural residue as pivotal in its net-zero roadmap
and plans to invest nationwide in producing CBG as an eco-
friendly alternative to imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
and other fossil fuels.
 It has planned to set up 100 CBG plants over 5 years that will
not only meet domestic gas demand but also position India as a
key biofuel source.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

9. Name the personality from India who has recently (in Dec ‘23)
elected to the Governing Council of the International Institute
for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
1) Uma Sekhar 2) Karuna Nundy 3) Indira Jaising
4) Menaka Guruswamy 5) Vrinda Grover
 India’s first woman candidate, Uma Sekhar was elected to the
Governing Council of the International Institute for the
Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in its 82nd session, by
winning 45 out of 59 votes in the initial round of elections held
in Rome, Italy.
 With this, India will be a member of the Governing Council for
the period from 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2028.
 Uma Sekhar is an Additional Secretary and Legal Adviser in
the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India.
 UNIDROIT aims to study and develop uniform laws to
modernize, harmonize, and coordinate private and
commercial laws among states and state groups.
10. India’s fastest solar-electric boat, Barracuda was launched in
__________(state).
1) Tamil Nadu 2) Gujarat 3) Odisha 4) Kerala 5) West Bengal
 It can travel at a top speed of 12.5 knots (23 kmph) and has a range of
seven hours on a single charge.
 The vessel was jointly developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
and Navalt Solar & Electric Boats Private Limited.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

11. Which country has recently (in Dec ‘23) commenced the
operations of the world’s first fourth-generation nuclear
reactor?
1) China 2) Japan 3) Russia 4) United States of America 5) Israel
 Compared with previous reactors, the fourth generation plant
is designed to use fuel more efficiently and improve its
economics, safety and environmental footprint
 China has commenced the operations of a 200-megawatt (MW)
High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR) plant which is
the world’s first fourth-generation nuclear reactor in
Shandong, China.
 China has a goal to produce 10% of electricity from nuclear
power by 2035 and 18% by 2060.
12. Which of the following personalities have recently (in Dec
‘23) become 1st Indians to be inducted into the International
Tennis Hall of Fame?
1) Mahesh Bhupathi 2) Leander Paes 3) Vijay Amritraj
4) Both 1 & 2 5) Both 2 & 3
 Indian tennis legends Leander Paes; Indian sports commentator and
promoter Vijay Amritraj; and British sports journalist and writer Richard
Evans were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as a part
of the class of 2024.
 Leander Paes was selected under Player Category and Vijay Amritraj and
Richard Evans were selected under Contributor Category
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

13. As per data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),

scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) have collectively written
off Rs 10.57 lakh crore in loans over the past five financial
years, during this same period, SCBs have successfully
recovered Rs 7.15 lakh crore from non-performing assets
(NPAs).
 The scheduled commercial banks have written off Rs 5.52 lakh
crore concerning loans related to large industries and services
over the last five fiscal years (FYs) spanning from FY 2018-19 to
FY 2022-23.
 The Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have recovered Rs 1.61 lakh
crore out of the Rs 10.42 lakh crore written off during the 9
fiscal years from 2014-15 to 2022-23.
 PSBs could not recover even Re 1 as against Rs 5 written-off
during 9 fiscal years starting 2014-15
 The recovered amount accounts for around 15.45% of the total
written-off amount.
 Scheduled Commercial Banks are divided into 6 types:
Scheduled Public Sector Banks; Scheduled Private Sector Banks;
Scheduled Small Finance Banks; Regional Rural Banks; and
Foreign Banks.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

14. Will banks waive written-off loans?

 Loan write-offs do not translate to a waiver of liabilities for
borrowers, as those with written-off loans remain accountable
for repayment. Banks continue their pursuit of recovery actions
initiated in written-off accounts through various available
mechanisms.
 Banks routinely assess the impact of write-offs as part of their
efforts to clean up their balance sheets, avail tax benefits, and
optimize capital, adhering to the guidelines and policies of their
respective boards.
15. The recovery from written-off accounts is initiated
through various mechanisms, such as Filing of civil suits in the
Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs).
 Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act (RDB Act), 1993, The Act
is applicable to cases where the amount of debt due to any
bank or financial institution defined under the Act or a
consortium of banks or financial institutions is Rs.20 lakh or
more.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

16. Action under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of

Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest
(SARFAESI) Act, 2002.
 The Act is applicable to cases where security interest for
securing repayment of any financial asset is more than Rs.1
lakh and the amount due is 20% or more of the principal
amount and interest thereon.
 The Act is not applicable to any security interest created in
agricultural land and certain properties not liable to
attachment under some specified Acts.
 Filing of cases in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
 With respect to the ‘Framework for Compromise Settlements and
Technical Write-offs’ released by the RBI in June 2023, lenders can offer
compromise settlements to defaulters without prejudice to criminal
proceedings. Such compromise will enable multiple avenues for lenders
to recover money in default without delay.
17. Who has been recently (in Dec ‘23) sworn in as the 14th Chief minister
(CM) of Rajasthan?
1) Ashok Gehlot 2) Mohan Yadav(MP)
3) Vishnu Deo Sai (Chattisgarh)
4) Bhajan Lal Sharma 5) Revanth Reddy
 Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra administered oath of office and
secrecy to Bhajan Lal Sharma in the event held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

18. In December 2023, Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a flight trial of an
indigenous high-speed tailless flying-wing stealth Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from Chitradurga, Karnataka. The Flying
Wing Technology Demonstrator (FWTD) has been developed
for India’s secret unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)
programme called ___________.
1) Lakshya 2) Ghatak 3) Kapothaka 4) Kusha 5) Ulka

19. Which country has recently (in Dec ‘23) commenced the
world’s deepest, Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation
Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF)?
1) India 2) Japan 3) United States of America 4) China 5) Russia
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

20. Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim

became only the 11th player in Test cricket history, and first in
22 years, to be given out for "obstructing the field" on the
opening day of the second match against New Zealand.
21. Which country has recently (in Dec ‘23) signed an MoU
with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to
protect the rights of skilled India labourers?
1) Saudi Arabia 2) United Arab Emirates 3) Singapore 4) Yemen
5) Kuwait
 The MoU aims to protect the rights of skilled India labourers
(across all categories, including Air Conditioner (AC) mechanics,
and car painters) who are working in Saudi Arabia.
 The Saudi Arabian government will also be introducing a wage
protection system and freedom of mobility will be offered to
Indian labourers.
22. The 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP 28)
was held in Expo City, Dubai, The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
from 30th November to 12th December 2023.
 PM Modi along with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-
Nahayan(President of UAE), co-hosted the event on the “Green
Credits Programme” at COP28 in Dubai (UAE).
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

 PM Narendra Modi launched the LeadIT2.0 initiative at COP28

which was held in Dubai (UAE). The main focus of the initiative
is on inclusive and industry transition. It aims to provide the co-
development and transfer of low-carbon technology while
providing financial assistance to emerging economies.
 Originally, LeadIT was established in 2019 which is a
collaborative effort of 18 countries and 20 industry–leading
companies dedicated to achieving net-zero emissions from
industry by 2050. It was launched jointly by the PMs of India
and Sweden and is supported by the World Economic Forum
(WEF).
 Azerbaijan will host COP29 from November 11 to 22, 2024.
Brazil will host COP30 from November 10 to 21, 2025.

23. During his address at the COP28 meeting, PM Modi

proposed to host the 33rd edition of COP(COP33) in India. He
was accompanied by COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber and UN
Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Steill.
 The 2002 United Nations Climate Change Conference took
place from 23 October – 1 November 2002, in New Delhi, India.
 DECEMBER 11-20, 2023

The conference included the 8th Conference of the Parties to

the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
24. The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of
Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in
Dubai, UAE. Its main aim is to foster international collaboration
between organizations, and countries for river conservation
and sustainable water management.
 Partner countries: India, Egypt, The Netherlands, Denmark,
Ghana, Australia, Cambodia, Japan.
 River-Cities: Den Haag(The Netherlands), Adelaide(Australia),
Szolnok(Hungary).
25. On the side-lines of COP28, ADB launched a Nature
Solutions Finance hub for Asia and the Pacific, with an
investment of USD 2 billion. It will provide investment to
projects that have nature-based solutions.