This is the current affairs of 19 May 2023. Here are 10 questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. In which state was the new species of glide lizard ‘Gecko Mizoramensis’ discovered?
a. Mizoram
b. Kerala
c. Ladakh
d. Sikkim
Answer: a. Mizoram
– The skin and feather structure of the gecko species Mizoramensis help it glide.
– It can glide from one tree to another to escape from predators.
– Unlike birds, it cannot fly high in the sky with spread wings; instead, it can glide a long distance.
– During flight, it forms its body like a parachute.
It is considered a part of the Tokay gecko family, also known as the parachute geckos.
Fascinating facts about the flying gecko:
– Name of the gliding gecko species: “Gecko Mizoramensis.”
– It is named after Mizoram.
– Discovered by researchers from Mizoram University and the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tubingen, Germany.
– The discovery took place in May 2023.
– The gecko was found near the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram.
Flying geckos were also discovered in 2001:
– Thirteen species of flying geckos are found in Southeast Asia.
– Researchers only knew about one species – Ptychozoon lionotum, or the smooth-scaled gliding gecko.
– It was discovered in Mizoram in 2001.
Mizoram:
– Chief Minister: Zoramthanga.
– Governor: Kummanam Rajasekharan.
– Capital: Aizawl.
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2. Who became the new law minister of the country?
a. Ravi Shankar Prasad
b. Arjun Munda
c. Mansukh Mandaviya
d. Arjun Ram Meghwal
Answer: d. Arjun Ram Meghwal
– The government has changed the Ministry of Law and Justice’s minister, Kiran Rijiju.
– Arjun Ram Meghwal is now the country’s Law Minister, replacing Kiran Rijiju.
– He is also responsible for the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.
– He is a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Bikaner.
– He was awarded the Best Parliamentarian Award in 2013.
– He has served as an administrative officer in Rajasthan.
– He still prefers to travel by bicycle in Parliament.
When did Rijiju receive the charge of the Ministry of Law and Justice?
– He received the charge in July 2021.
– He was appointed as the Minister of Law and Justice, replacing Ravi Shankar Prasad.
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3. Name the new earth science minister of the country?
a. Ravi Shankar Prasad
b. Kiren Rijiju
c. Mansukh Mandaviya
d. Arjun Ram Meghwal
Answer: b. Kiren Rijiju
– Prior to this, Kiran Rijiju was the Union Minister of Law and Justice.
– Now, he is the Minister of Earth Sciences.
– Kiran Rijiju has been given this ministry, taking over from Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Ministry of Earth Sciences:
– The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) aims to work in an integrated manner for atmospheric science, ocean science, technology, and earthquake science.
Comments that kept Rijiju in the headlines:
– Rijiju has been in discussions regarding comments on judges.
– He criticized the collegium system of the Supreme Court.
– He also stated that no one in the country can warn or caution anyone regarding the collegium.
– On March 18, 2023, he made statements about retired judges during the India Today Conclave, saying that some retired judges have become part of the Anti-India group. These individuals attempt to portray the Indian judiciary in an opposing role.
– Following this, in March 2023, more than 90 retired officers wrote an open letter expressing their opposition to Law Minister Kiran Rijiju’s statements.
– These bureaucrats stated that the Law Minister made statements on the collegium system of judge appointments and judicial independence on several occasions, which were seen as an attack on the Supreme Court.
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4. Who will be the new Chief Minister of Karnataka?
a. Mallikarjun Kharge
b. DK Shivakumar
c. Siddaramaiah
d. none of these
Answer: c. Siddaramaiah
– The new Chief Minister of Karnataka will be 75-year-old Siddaramaiah.
– Meanwhile, D.K. Shivakumar will be the Deputy CM.
– The swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 20, 2023.
– The announcement was made by the Congress party in a press conference on May 18.
– According to media reports, Shivakumar has agreed to the 50-50 formula.
– Siddaramaiah will serve as CM for the first two and a half years, followed by D.K. Shivakumar.
– This means that after the Lok Sabha elections, D.K. Shivakumar will become the Chief Minister in 2025.
– The Congress party has secured a majority in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections, winning 135 seats.
Karnataka:
– Capital: Bengaluru
– Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
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5. Who became the new chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?
a. Pradeep Kumar
b. Pankaj Vishesh
c. Rajan Tripathi
d. Dr Manoj Soni
Answer: d. Dr Manoj Soni
– They took oath as the Chairman on May 16, 2023.
– The senior member of the commission, Smitha Nagaraj, administered the oath to them.
– They were already serving as the Acting Chairman in the commission since April 2022.
– Prior to the appointment, Manoj Soni had served as the Vice-Chancellor for three terms in the UPSC.
– He has worked as the Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University and Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU Baroda).
Term of Office:
– Six years or until the age of 65.
Appointment:
– According to Article 316, the appointment of the Chairman and other members of the Public Service Commission – in the case of the Union Commission or Joint Commission – is made by the President, and in the case of the State Commission – by the Governor of the State.
Reappointment:
– A person holding office as a member of the Public Service Commission is not eligible for reappointment to that office upon the expiry of their term.
Provision for removal from office
– The Chairman or any other member of the Public Service Commission may be removed from office only on the grounds of misbehavior by an order of the President.
UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
– It is a constitutional body established by the Constitution of India that conducts examinations for the appointment of officers in the civil services of the Indian government.
– It was established on 1st October 1926.
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6. Which Indian got the highest civilian honor of France ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur’ in the year 2023?
a. Nita Ambani
b. N. chandrasekaran
c. Dr Kanak Shah
d. Dr. Anil Ghosh
Answer: b. N. chandrasekaran
– He received this award on May 16, 2023.
– French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna honored N. Chandrasekaran with this award.
– Catherine presented this award to Chandrasekaran on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron.
– He was honored with this award for his contributions to strengthening trade relations between India and France.
– Note: Last year, in 2022, this award was given to scientist Dr. Swati Piramal.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran / N. Chandrasekaran
– He is 59 years old.
– N. Chandrasekaran is an Indian businessman.
– He is the President of Tata Sons.
– He has also served as the Chairman of Tata Motors and Tata Global Beverages (TGB).
‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur’
– This is the highest civilian award in France.
– It was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
– This award is given to individuals who have rendered outstanding services to France without regard to nationality.
France
– Capital – Paris
– President – Emmanuel Macron
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7. Which country’s Eastern Parliament suspended its Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha?
a. Sudan
b. Libya
c. Niger
d. Egypt
Answer: b. Libya
– The Parliament in eastern region of Libya suspended Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj by majority vote on May 16, 2023.
– The Parliament has appointed Finance Minister Osama Hamad as the interim Prime Minister.
About Libya:
– Libya possesses the largest oil reserves in Africa.
– It is located in Northern Africa.
– Capital: Tripoli
– Neighbors: Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia.
Libya divided administratively into two parts
– In fact, since the Arab Spring and the downfall of Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been trapped in instability.
– The power struggle became so intense that since 2014, Libya has been divided administratively into eastern and western regions. Each region has its own parliament.
– Both regions are supported by regional militia groups.
– The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is focusing on political, legal, and security requirements to enable elections in 2023.
– Both parliaments have agreed on the formation of a joint committee to draft electoral laws, although progress has been slow since then.
– Therefore, in May 2023, the Parliament in the eastern region of Libya suspended Fayez al-Sarraj.
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8. Which day has been declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as the World Day for Sustainable Transport?
a. 26 January
b. 26 December
c. 26 November
d. 26 October
Answer: c. 26 November
– By adopting this proposal, the UNGA has promoted sustainable and environmentally-friendly transportation.
– The objective of this global initiative is to raise awareness, educate the public, and enhance international cooperation in addressing issues related to transportation sustainability.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):
– UNGA is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
– It consists of 193 member states.
– Its headquarters is located in New York, USA.
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9. Who made the record of climbing Mount Everest for the maximum number of times 27th?
a. Kami rita sherpa
b. Ang Rita Sherpa
c. Lakhpa Sherpa
d. Shubham Dhananjay
Answer: a. Kami rita sherpa
– 53-year-old mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa of Nepal has conquered Mount Everest for the 27th time.
– In doing so, he has surpassed his own previous record.
– This information was provided by the Tourism Department in Kathmandu in May 2023.
– Rita and her group of Sherpa guides climbed to the summit at an altitude of 8,848.86 meters.
Kami Rita Sherpa:
– Rita first climbed Mount Everest on May 13, 1994.
– In addition to Mount Everest, Rita has also successfully scaled Mount Godwin-Austen (K2), Mount Lhotse, Mount Manaslu, and Mount Cho Oyu.
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10. Who became the new chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)?
a. VK Jain
b. A K Jain
c. Rakesh Maria
d. Vishal Singh
Answer: b. A K Jain
– The Central Cabinet Appointment Committee has appointed him for a term of five years or until the age of 65.
– He is a former Coal Secretary.
– The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is a regulatory body.
– One of PNGRB’s tasks is to ensure a competitive market for gas.
– Appeals against PNGRB’s decisions are made in the Electricity Appellate Tribunal.
