Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2022

Notes:
In 2013, the Supreme Court had an all-woman bench for the first time, when Justices Gyan Sudha Misra and Ranjana Prakash Desai sat together.
The second occasion came in 2018. Recently, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has constituted an all-women bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Bela M. Trivedi to hear transfer petitions involving matrimonial disputes and bail matters. This is the third occasion in the history of the apex court of an all-women bench.

Notes:
The NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio have successfully installed Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) on the starboard truss structure of the International space station.
The astronauts have also disconnected a cable allowing restoring a power channel to 75% of its operating capacity.

Notes:
The US Air Force has unveiled its latest nuclear stealth bomber named ‘B-21’, which will gradually replace aircraft first flown in the Cold War.
The country’s first new bomber in 30 years could cost about USD 700m each and can carry nuclear and conventional weapons.

Notes:
Israeli President Isaac Herzog held talks with Bahraini King and Crown Prince during the first trip by an Israeli head of state to the Gulf kingdom.
Isaac Herzog made the trip after the two countries normalised diplomatic relations in the year 2020.

Notes:
Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with Swar Dharohar Foundation inaugurated “Swar Dharohar Festival” under Kalanjali.
It is a Music, Art and Literature Festival which was organised to showcase the iconic art and culture of India and, the rich literary Art and Heritage of Indian States.

Notes:
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the creation of an integrated ‘Agriculture Investment Portal’.
The Co-Chairperson of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates held a meeting with the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, in New Delhi. The portal was launched during the meeting.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) hiked the repo rate by 35 basis points (bps) to 6.25 per cent with immediate effect.
The policy rate is now at its highest level since August 2018 and this is the fifth rate hike by the central bank in this financial year. MPC decided to remain focused on the withdrawal of accommodative stance. The standing deposit facility (SDF) rate stands adjusted to 6.00 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.50 per cent.

Notes:
Haryana Government issues orders which prohibit dismissing an employee without a proper enquiry. The move comes after a recommendation of Punjab and Haryana high court which states that authorities have been ignoring the law regarding dismissal of an employee under Article 311 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
Article 311 empowers the competent authority to dismiss, remove or reduce in rank a government employee subject to various riders.

Notes:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has proposed allowing all general insurers to offer long-term motor insurance policies.
The proposal seeks to provide a wider choice to policyholders. The regulator proposed a three-year policy in respect of private cars co-terminus with motor third party liability cover and a five-year policy in respect of two-wheelers.

Notes:
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has recently sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He was a four-time MLA and chairman of the Congress’ state election campaign committee.
Mukesh Agnihotri has been selected as the Deputy Chief Minister. The Indian National Congress party won the Himachal Pradesh state assembly elections.