Sources for current affairs on 20th December 2023 include Indian Express, Times of India (TOI), The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and Mint.
1. Silkyara-Barkot Tunnel in Uttarkashi:
– Location in news.
2. Haryana Government’s Khel Nursery Scheme
– Inaugurated by the Haryana government.
3. WHO Designates COVID-19 Subvariant JN-1
– JN-1 designated as a “variant of interest” by WHO.
4. Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)
– Central government cooperative under the Ministry of Cooperation.
– Mainly manufactures urea fertilizers.
5. “Samriddhi ki Nayi Raah” Film
– Film on agriculture waste management.
– Received first prize in the video film category at FAI annual seminar.
6. Mitchell Starc in IPL
– Australian cricketer bought by KKR for INR 24.75 crore.
– Becomes the costliest player in the tournament.
7. Bab-el-Mandeb Strait:
– Strait connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Arabian Sea via the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
8. International Human Solidarity Day – December 20
– Celebrated with the theme “Advocate for Change.”
9. Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh
– Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.
– Awarded Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal on 116th National Day celebration.
10. NTPC Kanti (Muzaffarpur) Bihar
– Awarded the FICCI Water Award 2023 under the “Industrial Water Use Efficiency” category.
11. National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal
– Launched by Minister for Mines, Pralhad Joshi.
– Comprehensive online platform hosting geospatial data for the entire country.
12. 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championship 2023
– Maharashtra bags women’s category in Assam.
13. Dalai Lama Inaugurates International Sangha Forum 2023
– Three-day event in Bodh Gaya on December 20.
14. International Gender Equality Prize 2023
– Awarded to Afghan Women’s Skills Development Center, an NGO in Afghanistan
20th December 2023 Current Affairs MCQ
1. What is the Silkyara-Barkot Tunnel known for?
A. Agricultural waste management
B. Connecting two cities
C. Mining operations
D. None of the above
Answer: D. None of the above
2. Who recently inaugurated the Khel Nursery Scheme?
A. Prime Minister of India
B. Chief Minister of Haryana
C. President of Haryana Sports Authority
D. Minister of Education
Answer: B. Chief Minister of Haryana
3. What designation did WHO give to the COVID-19 subvariant JN-1?
A. Variant of Concern
B. Variant of Interest
C. Variant of High Risk
D. Variant of Critical Concern
Answer: B. Variant of Interest
4. Which ministry oversees Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)?
A. Ministry of Agriculture
B. Ministry of Cooperative
C. Ministry of Finance
D. Ministry of Commerce
Answer: B. Ministry of Cooperative
5. What category did the film “Samriddhi ki Nayi Raah” win in the FAI annual seminar?
A. Best Documentary
B. Best Animation
C. Video Film Category
D. Best Short Film
Answer: C. Video Film Category
6. Which cricketer became the costliest player in the IPL auction, bought by KKR for INR 24.75 crore?
A. Virat Kohli
B. AB de Villiers
C. Mitchell Starc
D. Rohit Sharma
Answer: C. Mitchell Starc
7. What does the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connect to?
A. Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean
B. Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea
C. Indian Ocean to Southern Ocean
D. Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean
Answer: B. Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea
8. On which date is International Human Solidarity Day celebrated?
A. December 20
B. January 1
C. November 15
D. February 14
Answer: A. December 20
9. Who received Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal for distinguished services to the country?
A. Prime Minister of Bhutan
B. Regional Director WHO South-East Asia(Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh)
C. Dalai Lama
D. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk
Answer: B. Regional Director WHO South-East Asia(Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh)
10. Which state won the women’s category in the 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championship 2023?
A. Assam
B. Maharashtra
C. Bihar
D. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: B. Maharashtra
11. What award did NTPC Kanti (Muzaffarpur) Bihar receive in 2023?
A. National Energy Efficiency Award
B. FICCI Water Award
C. Environmental Excellence Award
D. Industrial Sustainability Recognition
Answer: B. FICCI Water Award
12. Who launched India’s National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) portal?
A. Minister for Finance
B. Minister for Agriculture
C. Minister for Mines
D. Minister for Environment
Answer: C. Minister for Mines
13. What is the main purpose of the NGDR portal?
A. Hosting agricultural data
B. Managing industrial records
C. Hosting geospatial data for the entire country
D. Facilitating international trade data
Answer: C. Hosting geospatial data for the entire country
14. Where did the three-day International Sangha Forum 2023 take place?
A. Varanasi
B. Bodh Gaya
C. Lumbini
D. Dharamshala
Answer: B. Bodh Gaya
15. Which NGO from Afghanistan received the International Gender Equality Prize for 2023?
A. Afghan Women’s Skills Development Center
B. Women for Peace and Equality
C. Empowering Afghan Women
D. Equality Now Afghanistan
Answer: A. Afghan Women’s Skills Development Center