This is the current affairs of 11th May 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. The Indian Army implemented common uniform for all officers of which rank and above?
a. Brigadier
b. Colonel
c. Lieutenant colonel
d. Major
Answer: a. Brigadier
– A decision has been made regarding the uniform in the Army Commanders’ meeting.
– Until now, the uniform was based on the regiment. But now, the uniforms of Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, General, CDS (Chief of Defense Staff), and Field Marshal will be the same.
From 1st August 2023, there will be a rule of uniformity.
– This decision will be applicable to all officers, regardless of their cadre or appointment.
– However, there has been no change in the uniform of Colonels and lower-ranking officers.
– The army is now returning to the practice that was adopted about 40 years ago when there was a change in wearing regimental affiliation in service.
Officer rank in army
Soldier
– Constable
What will change from this decision?
– Under this decision, the hats, shoulder badges, collar patches, belts, and shoes of senior officers will be the same. Previously, the color of these items varied according to the regiment.
– Meanwhile, flag rank officers will no longer wear regimental lanyards.
Why was this decision taken?
– In the army, regimental service for most officers ends with the rank of Colonel.
– This decision has been taken to promote and strengthen the common identity and perspective in service matters among senior leadership beyond the boundaries of regiments in the army, and to make it stronger.
– In the Indian Army, Brigadiers and above are officers who have already taken command of a unit or battalion.
– Most of these officers are posted at headquarters, where all officers of all arms and services work together.
What type of uniform?
– Now, the Brigadier and higher officers will have two types of uniforms alike.
– One uniform will be for general duty. It will consist of a deep colored uniform, a cap of the same color, a common badge of rank, a simple belt buckle, and shoes with a standard pattern.
– The other uniform will be for combat operations. In January 2022, the Indian Army prepared a new combat uniform with a digital pattern.
– Earth tones and olive green colors were used in the combat uniform’s design.
– The new pattern uniform is designed to address security concerns and to prevent soldiers from wearing combat attire unnecessarily.
(Army Chief – General Manoj Pandey)
————-
2. GSI termed as baseless the news of country’s largest lithium reserves being found in which state?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b, Madhya Pradesh
c. Rajasthan
d. Gujarat
Answer: c. Rajasthan
– Lithium is primarily used in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.
Was this news published?
– Most newspapers across the country published the news of lithium being found in Nagaur district of Rajasthan on May 8, 2023.
– The news was attributed to Rajasthan’s mining minister, Pramod Bhaya.
– It was stated that GSI has found more lithium in Rajasthan than in Jammu and Kashmir, and this will meet 80 percent of the country’s needs.
GSI said on May 10, 2023:
– The report of the identification of large lithium deposits in Rajasthan in newspapers is baseless and misleading.
– No such information has been provided by the regional or central headquarters of GSI.
– It is informed that GSI has been conducting exploration for the mining of tungsten, lithium, and related rare metals in the Degana region, Nagaur district, Rajasthan since the year 2019-20, and drilling work is still ongoing.
Lithium found in Jammu and Kashmir
– At the beginning of the year 2023, GSI had discovered 5.9 million tons of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir.
– In December, an auction of the lithium found in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted.
– India aims to become a net zero country by the year 2070. This means that measures need to be taken to reduce carbon emissions. One of the necessary steps towards this is the increased use of lithium-ion batteries.
What is lithium?
– Lithium is a chemical element.
– Its chemical symbol is Li.
– It is the lightest metal and the least dense solid substance.
– Its atomic number is 3 and its atomic weight is 6.941u.
– Lithium is a non-ferrous metal used to make mobile phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other rechargeable batteries.
– India is currently dependent on other countries for lithium.
– China and Australia are the world’s largest lithium suppliers by 2023.
Which countries does India import lithium from?
– India is fourth in the world in terms of importing lithium.
– India imports nearly 80% of its lithium-ion batteries from China.
– India is trying to buy a stake in lithium mines in Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Bolivia to become self-reliant in the lithium sector.
GSI – Geological Survey of India
– Establishment – 1851 (172 years ago)
– Headquarters – Kolkata
– Director-General – Dr. E.S. Raju
– Under which ministry – Ministry of Mines (Minister – Prahlad Joshi)
Rajasthan
– Chief Minister – Ashok Gehlot
– Governor – Kalraj Mishra
– Capital – Jaipur
————-
3. RBI’s gold reserve increased to how much by March 2023?
a. 694.64 Metric Tons
b. 794.64 Metric Tons
c. 894.64 Metric Tons
d. 994.64 Metric Tons
Answer: b. 794.64 Metric Tons
– The Reserve Bank has purchased a considerable amount of gold in recent years.
– RBI’s gold reserves have increased to 794.64 metric tons by March 2023.
– In this regard, RBI has released its half-yearly report on the Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves for October 2022 to March 2023.
– The total foreign exchange reserves comprise 7.81 percent in the form of gold.
What amount of gold did RBI purchase?
– 34.22 tonnes of gold in financial year 22-23
– 65.11 tonnes of gold in financial year 21-22
How much gold does RBI hold and where?
– 437.22 tonnes in Bank of England and Bank of International Settlements (BIS)
– 301.10 tonnes in RBI’s safe
Why is RBI buying so much gold?
– Gold is considered as the safest and reserve currency.
– The main reason for buying gold by central banks of most countries including RBI is the strategy to deal with inflation.
– When inflation increases, the value of currency decreases, while that of gold increases.
– Apart from this, gold reserve is also kept for security amid uncertainty.
– Central banks around the world are buying gold after the tremendous strength in the dollar.
Which other banks are buying gold?
– According to the World Gold Council (WGC), gold is being purchased primarily by the central banks of emerging market economies.
– China has historically been a major purchaser of gold.
– The central banks of Singapore, China, and Turkey are also buying gold.
– In 2022, central banks around the world purchased a record 1,136 tonnes of gold.
RBI Governor – Shaktikanta Das.
————-
4. When will PM Narendra Modi go on a state visit to USA?
a. 22 June 2023
b. 22 July 2023
c. 22 August 2023
d. 22 September 2023
Answer: a. 22 June 2023
– During this time, American President Joe Biden will host an official dinner for Narendra Modi on June 22.
– PM Modi has previously met with the President at the White House. However, this will be the first time that an official dinner will be hosted for PM Modi in the United States since Biden took office.
– Prior to this, he had hosted a dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron in December 2022.
– This will be Biden’s third state dinner since becoming the President of the United States.
What the White House said:
– “With this visit by Modi, the relationship between India and the United States will strengthen. Both countries are strategic partners and we hope that the two great democracies of the world will usher in a new era.”
– The statement also said that with Modi’s visit, a new beginning will be made in terms of security in the Indian Ocean.
– There could be important discussions on technology and defense during this visit.
– America wants both countries to work together on important global issues such as education and climate change.
– People-to-people contacts should also be increased. Policies are being prepared for this as well.
– PM Modi will participate in a World Yoga Day event at the UN headquarters in New York. After that, he will also participate in a big community program with the Indian community in Chicago.
– Prior to this meeting, PM Modi and President Biden will also meet during the Quad meeting in Australia in May.
– India will also host the G-20 Summit on 9 – 10 September, which will also be attended by Biden.
Biden to host third state dinner
– This will be Biden’s third state dinner since becoming the President of the United States.
– Prior to this, he had hosted a dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron in December 2022.
– The state dinner is the official dinner of the United States.
– It is held at the White House.
– The President of the United States and the First Lady host the dinner for the head of government of another country.
————–
5. Who was selected as the ‘Men’s Player of the Month’ by the ICC for the month of April?
a. Surya Kumar Yadav
b. Fakhar Zaman
c. K L Rahul
d. Babar Azam
Answer: b. Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
– He is the player of Pakistan.
– Fakhar won the crown with his impressive performances in the matches against New Zealand and Narumol against Zimbabwe.
————–
6. Who was chosen by the ICC as the ‘Women’s Player of the Month’ for the month of April?
a. Harmanpreet Kaur
b. Smriti Mandhana
c. Narumol Chaiwai
d. None of These
Answer: c. Narumol Chaiwai (Thailand)
– She is the batsman of Thailand.
ICC – International Cricket Council
– Established: 15 June 1909
– Chairman: Greg Barclay
– CEO: Geoff Allardyce
– Headquarters: Dubai, UAE
—————
7. Which Indian industrial group sold the ownership of Myanmar Port?
a. Reliance
b. Dalmia
c. Birla
d. Adani
Answer: d. Adani
– Adani Ports & SEZ has completed the controversial sale of the Myanmar port for $30 million (3 Crore Dollar) in May 2023.
– This sale amount is $120 million (12 Crore Dollar) less than the last investment cost of the port.
– This means that the Adani group has incurred a loss of 12 Crore Dollar.
– Myanmar port has been bought by Solar Energy Limited. No further information is available about it.
Why did Adani sell the port
– Actually, there is military rule in Myanmar. Because of this, many European countries including America have imposed a ban.
– This country is included in the black list of FATF.
– Because of this, developing and operating the Myanmar port was a difficult task for Adani.
– In such a situation, Adani decided to get out of it.
– Adani Group Chairman – Gautam Adani
————–
8. The Ministry of Defense has approved the deployment of women officers of which regiment of the Territorial Army on the LOC?
a. Infantry Battalion
b. Engineer Regiment
c. Gurkha Regiment
d. None of These
Answer: b. Engineer Regiment
– Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the deployment of women officers of the Territorial Army (TA) along with its Engineering Regiment on the Line of Control (LoC).
– Earlier, the Territorial Army had started deploying women officers in its Ecological Task Force units, TA Oil Sector units, and TA Railway Engineering Regiments since 2019.
Territorial Army
– The Territorial Army is a unit of the Indian Army, in which volunteers are given military training for a few days every year so that their services can be utilized for the defense of the country in times of need.
– The volunteers receive a salary only when called for training and service.
– The Territorial Army was established in India in October 1941.
————–
9. When is National Technology Day celebrated?
a. 9 May
b. 10 May
c. 11 May
d. 12 May
Answer: c. 11 May
– On this day, May 11, 1998, India successfully conducted nuclear bomb tests (Operation Shakti) in Pokhran.
– The aim was to commemorate the scientific and technological achievements of Indian scientists and engineers. This day was named by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
– This was the second test conducted after Operation Smiling Buddha in May 1974 in Pokhran-I.
————–
10. President Draupadi Murmu presented how many gallantry awards (Shaurya Chakra and Kirti Chakra) in the year 2023?
a. 7
b. 17
c. 27
d. 37
Answer: d. 37
– The President conferred 08 Kirti Chakras and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including five posthumously, to armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and police personnel of states/Union Territories, who displayed gallantry and distinguished service.
Shaurya Chakra
Name and other information service
– Amit Kumar, Assistant Commandant, CRPF (Ministry of Home Affairs)
– Satendra Singh, Assistant Commandant, 21 BL, CRPF (Ministry of Home Affairs)
– F Havildar Ghanshyam (now Naib Subedar), 55th Battalion The Grenadiers, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Vicky Kumar Pandey, Deputy Commandant, and – Vijay Orayan, Constable/GD, 209 CoBRA, CRPF (MHA)
– Lieutenant Commander Mrityunjay Kumar (07456-W) (Navy)
– Major Amit Dahiya, Sena Medal, 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) (Army)
– Somay Vinayak Munde (IPS), Ravindra Kashinath Naitam (Head Constable) and Tikaram Sampatrao Katenge (Police Naik) (Maharashtra Police)
– Major Nitin Dhania, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) (Army)
– Lance Naik Raghavendra Singh, Mechanized Infantry, 9th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Major Sandeep Kumar, The Grenadiers, 55th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Major Abhishek Singh, Mechanized Infantry, 50th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Squadron Leader Sandeep Kumar Jhajharia and Corporal (now Sergeant) Anand Singh, Air Force (Garuda)
– Major Aditya Bhadauria, The Kumaon Regiment, 50th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Group Captain Yogeshwar Krishnarao Kandalkar, Flight Lieutenant Tejpal and Leading Airman Sunil Kumar, Air Force (Security)
– Captain (now Major) Yudhveer Singh, Mechanized Infantry, 9th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Captain Rakesh TR, 9th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), (Army)
– Lance Naik Vikas Choudhary, The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, 3rd Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Captain (now Major) Arun Kumar, The Kumaon Regiment, 13th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)
– Rifleman Aurangzab, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, 44th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (posthumous) (Army)
– L Sepoy Karn Vir Singh, The Rajput Regiment, 44th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (posthumous) (Army)
– P Gunner Jasbir Singh, The Regiment of Artillery, 19th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous) (Army)
– SPO Constable Mudasir Ahmad Shaikh, Jammu and Kashmir Police (Baramulla) (Posthumous) (Army)
– P Naik Jasbir Singh, 6th Battalion, The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (posthumous) (Army)
Kirti Chakra
– N Nayak Devendra Pratap Singh, Armored Corps, 55th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Major Shubhang, The Dogra Regiment, 62nd Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
– Naik Jitendra Singh, The Rajput Regiment, 44th Battalion, The Rashtriya Rifles (Army)
Kirti Chakra (posthumous)
– Sudeep Sarkar, Constable/GD, BSF (posthumously)
– Shravan Kashyap, Head Constable, State Government of Chhattisgarh (Posthumously)
– Rohit Kumar, S.G. Constable, Jammu and Kashmir Police (Posthumous)
There are many awards of Chakra series, among them these are-
– Paramveer Chakra: The Paramveer Chakra is India’s highest gallantry military award, awarded for gallantry and sacrifice of a high order in the presence of the enemy.
– Mahavir Chakra: This honor is given for extraordinary bravery or bravery.
– Vir Chakra: This honor is given for extraordinary bravery or bravery.
– Kirti Chakra: This honor is given for extraordinary bravery or bravery.
