Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2023

Notes:
World Bank recently approved USD 255.5 million loan for the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education Project.
Its aim is to improve technical education in India. This funding will support approximately 275 selected government-run technical institutions over the course of the next five years.

Notes:
Swarnim Himalaya campaign is organized to remove plastic waste from the Himalayan region. The campaign has been initiated by the team ‘Healing Himalaya’.
It was organized in partnership with the Himachal Pradesh Environment, Science and Technology Department, Forest department, Himachal Pradesh Police, and the civic body of Shimla.

Notes:
By utilizing NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft’s Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument, planetary scientists studied the Martian atmosphere and observe surface characteristics in extraordinary detail.
The IUVS instrument aboard MAVEN is capable of measuring wavelengths ranging from 110 to 340 nm, which fall beyond the range of wavelengths visible to the human eye.

Notes:
Wanindu Hasaranga equalled the record for the most consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODIs during the Sri Lanka’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
Hasaranga joined Pakistan great Waqar Younis as the only bowlers to claim five scalps in three consecutive ODIs when he took 5/79 from 10 overs against Ireland. Hasaranga currently has 61 wickets from 44 ODIs.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet of India approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in the Parliament.
The approved Bill will pave the way to establish National Research Foundation (NRF) that will promote Research and Development (R&D) and promote a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

Notes:
The Department of Expenditure has given a boost to reforms by the States in power sector by providing financial incentives, under which an additional borrowing space of up to 0.5 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is available to the States annually for a four-year period from 2021-22 to 2024-25.
A total of 12 states have received Rs. 66,413 crores in incentives for their efforts in implementing power sector reforms.

Notes:
The government has indicated its intention to introduce differential time-based electricity tariffs, involving lower prices during an eight-hour period in the daytime and higher rates during peak power consumption hours.
The Ministry of Power recently announced amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, which include the incorporation of provisions for time-of-day (ToD) tariffs.

Notes:
As per a recent notification by the Directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), the import of cigarette lighters if the price per unit is less than Rs.20, stands prohibited, with a view to discourage inbound shipments of the product.
The prohibition has been imposed on pocket lighters, gas fuelled, non-refillable or refillable. However, the import is not prohibited, if the CIF value is Rs.20 or more per unit.

Notes:
Meira Paibi (Women torch bearers) is a women’s social movement in the Indian state of Manipur. The Meira Paibis, also referred to as Imas or Mothers of Manipur, are women from diverse backgrounds who marching through city streets, often at night as a patrol, and in protest, seeking redress against human rights violations.
They enjoy widespread respect and are recognized as a formidable moral influence. They do not adhere to strict hierarchies, structures, or exhibit explicit political affiliations.

Notes:
The Ministry of Defence has recently entered into a contract, with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai for the Medium Refit with Life Certification (MRLC) of the Sub-Surface Killer (SSK) Class submarine named “INS Shankush.”
The overall cost of the project amounts to Rs. 2725 Cr. This is the second HDW-class submarine that will undergo MRLC with upgrade of the first one, currently in progress, to be completed by August.