This is the current affairs of 22 December 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Name the new sub-variant of Covid-19, whose infection spread to more than 40 countries of the world including India in December 2023?
a. BF.7
b. JN.1
c. GN.2
d. RF.7
Answer: b. JN.1
What is JN.1
– JN.1 is a variant of the coronavirus, which is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86, also known as – Pirola.
– Pirola and JN.1 share complete similarities except for one difference. There is a mutation in the spike protein of JN.1. This mutation holds significant importance as it connects with human receptor cells and enables the virus to enter the body.
First Case of JN.1
– The first case of this variant of COVID-19 was reported in the United States in September 2023. Subsequently, it rapidly spread worldwide.
– The first case in India was reported in Kerala on December 8. Afterward, cases were found in several states.
– Some cases were identified in China on December 15, 2023.
Note: The world’s first COVID-19 case emerged in December 2019 (in China).
Symptoms of the New Variant
– Fever
– Headache
– Cough
– Runny nose
– Sore throat
– Vomiting and diarrhea
What are Mutations, Variants, and Strains?
– SARS-CoV-2 is an Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus.
– When a virus replicates, it cannot always replicate itself accurately.
– This means that over time, the virus can begin to differ slightly in its genetic sequence.
– Any change in the genetic sequence of the virus during this process is known as a mutation.
– Viruses with new mutations are sometimes referred to as variants. Variants can differ due to one or more mutations.
– When a new variant exhibits different functional characteristics from the original virus and establishes itself within the population, it is sometimes known as a new strain of the virus.
– All strains are variants, but not all variants are strains.
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2. How did the World Health Organization (WHO) classify the new sub-variant JN.1 of COVID-19?
a. Variant of concern
b. Variant of Risk
c. Variant of Interest
d. None of these
Answer: c. Variant of Interest
– “Variant of Interest”: New Version of Interest
What did WHO say
– WHO has stated that the global health risk from this variant is low. Nevertheless, this variant can increase respiratory infections.
– Despite issuing advisory precautions, WHO has advised wearing masks and practicing social distancing in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas.
– It has been indicated that the current vaccine is effective against the JN.1 variant.
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3. Due to which new variant of Covid-19, wearing masks has been made mandatory at certain places in many states of India in December 2023?
a. BF.7
b. JN.1
c. GN.2
d. RF.7
Answer: b. JN.1
– Several states including Karnataka, Kerala, and Chandigarh have made it mandatory to wear masks in crowded areas.
– Additionally, wearing masks has been made mandatory for the elderly and sick people.
Alert Issued in India
– The central government has issued an alert to the states, stating that COVID tests should be conducted in all districts.
– Genomic sequencing of positive samples should be sent to labs.
– The center has stated that everyone aged 60 or above and those suffering from diseases like kidney, heart, liver, etc., should wear masks when going outside.
– Districts near Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been asked to exercise caution.
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4. To which force has the Home Ministry entrusted the responsibility of security of the Parliament House complex?
a. BSF
b. ITBP
c. Army
d. CISF
Answer: d. CISF
– After the security lapse incident in the Parliament on December 13, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to entrust the ‘comprehensive’ security of the Parliament premises to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
– Now, the entire security arrangement will be under the purview of CISF Security and the Fire Wing.
– Until now, Delhi Police personnel were deployed for parliamentary security services. They used to oversee the security.
About CISF:
– CISF is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).
– Establishment: March 10, 1969
– Total strength: 180,000
Director-General (DG): Neena Singh (as of)
– Under which ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
– Recommended by which commission: Justice Mukherjee Commission (established in 1964)
– It is one among the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) – (BSF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, NSG, CRPF, and CISF)
– Among the 7 CAPFs, only CISF has a Special Fire Wing.
Responsibilities of Security:
– Currently, it is providing security cover to nuclear power plants, space installations, defense production units, mines, oil fields and refineries, major ports, heavy engineering, steel plants, fertilizer units, airports, hydroelectric or thermal power plants.
– It is providing security cover to 355 units including 66 domestic and international airports, and fire protection cover to 110 industrial installations. It is also used for providing security to VIPs.
– In 2000, after the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814, the special task of securing airports was assigned to CISF.
A committee is also forming for the investigation of the Parliament case:
– Under the chairmanship of CRPF Director-General Anish Dayal Singh, a committee is investigating the overall security issues of the parliamentary premises and will provide recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs for improvements.
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5. When is National Mathematics Day celebrated?
a. 23 December
b. 22 December
c. 21 December
d. 20 December
Answer: b. 22 December
– India celebrates National Mathematics Day on December 22 every year.
– This day commemorates the birth anniversary of the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
– Its purpose is to raise awareness among people about the benefits derived from the development of mathematics.
– The Government of India announced this on January 26, 2012.
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6. Name the President of Egypt, who won re-election for the third term?
a. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
b. Mohamed Morsi
c. Hosni Mubarak
d. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Answer: a. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
– Abdel Fattah al-Sisi became the President for the first time in the year 2014 and then again in 2018. Now, in the 2023 presidential election, he secured a significant majority (89.6% of the vote).
– This election took place amid Egypt’s struggle with a slow-growing economic crisis. Additionally, due to Israel’s attacks in Gaza, there’s pressure to shelter Palestinians in the country.
– As President, his term will now be six years, as amended in the constitution in 2019.
– Prior to becoming President, al-Sisi served as the Commander-in-Chief of Egypt’s Armed Forces.
– In 2013, while serving as the Chief of Staff, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi orchestrated the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt.
– At that time, the Muslim Brotherhood had a democratically elected government. The military arrested Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.
Egypt:
– Capital: Cairo
– Currency: Egyptian Pound
– Official Language: Arabic
– President: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
– Prime Minister: Mustafa Madbouly
– Continent: Africa and Asia
– Neighboring countries: Libya, Sudan, Israel (shares maritime border with Saudi Arabia)
– Seas: Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
– The Suez Canal is situated in this country.
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7. Name the new President of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)?
a. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
b. Rakesh Maria
c. Premchand Lochab
d. Sanjay Singh
Answer: d. Sanjay Singh
– Sanjay Singh emerged victorious in the election for the President’s position of the Indian Wrestling Federation.
– It is believed that he is a close associate of former chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. He resides in Varanasi.
– Premchand Lochab secured victory in the election for the Secretary’s position of the Federation.
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8. Which player announced to quit wrestling after his close aide Brij Bhushan Singh was elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)?
a. Sakshi Malik
b. Babita Kumari
c. Priyanka Phogat
d. Sushil Kumar
Answer: a. Sakshi Malik
– Wrestlers who protested against the election of Sanjay Singh as the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) close to Brijbhushan Singh are unhappy.
– Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat called for a press conference in Delhi on December 21, 2023.
– During this, Sakshi Malik got emotional and announced her retirement from wrestling. She took off her shoes, placed them on the table, and then left from there.
About Sakshi Malik:
– She is a freestyle wrestler.
– She won a bronze medal in the 58-kilogram category at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She was the first Indian female wrestler to win a medal at the Olympics.
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9. TCDSCO has considered the syrup containing the combination of Chlorpheniramine Maleate IP 2 mg and Phenylephrine HCL 5 mg as dangerous for children below which age?
a. 1
b. 4
c. 8
d. 12
Answer: b. 4
– Full name: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
– Chief’s position name: ‘Drugs Controller General of India’ (DCGI)
– Who is DCGI: Rajiv Singh Raghuvanshi
Dangerous Combination Syrup of Medicines:
– DCGI has deemed the cough syrup containing the fixed combination of Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine dangerous for children under 4 years old.
– This combination syrup is usually used for the treatment of cold, cough, and flu.
– DCGI has advised against giving this syrup to children under 4 years old.
– On December 18, 203, DCGI wrote a letter to all states regarding Fixed Drug Combinations (FDCs).
– It stated that medicine manufacturers should mention the quantity of both drugs in these cough syrups. Additionally, a warning should be provided on the label advising not to give these to children under 4 years old.
Concerns About the Use of Over-the-Counter Drugs for Children’s Treatment by WHO:
– DCGI expressed concern over the use of drug formulas for treating cold and cough in young children without approval.
– WHO also advises against using over-the-counter drugs for the treatment of cold and cough in children up to 5 years old. Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that people buy directly from pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.
12 Children Died in the Country from Drinking Cough Syrup:
– Officials from DCGI mentioned that in 2019, the deaths of 12 children in the country were due to drinking cough syrup.
– Four other children suffered severe physical problems. After this, India made testing of cough syrups mandatory for export starting from June 2023.
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10. In one session of the Parliament, what is the new record for the maximum number of MPs suspended?
a. 141
b. 144
c. 146
d. 148
Answer: c. 146
– The Lok Sabha was adjourned indefinitely on Thursday, December 21. However, the time for the winter session of Parliament was scheduled until December 22.
Suspended Members during the Winter Session of 2023:
– On December 14, 14 members were suspended (13 from Lok Sabha and 1 from Rajya Sabha).
– On December 18, 2023, 78 members were suspended (33 from Lok Sabha and 45 from Rajya Sabha).
– This became a record in parliamentary history.
– On December 19, 49 Lok Sabha members were suspended.
– On December 20, two more, and on December 21, three more members were suspended.
– A total of 146 members were suspended.
