Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2023

Notes:
Escrowpay, a Digital Escrow payments platform, has received the first digital escrow regulatory fintech authorization from IFSCA, Gift City.
Recently, the startup has signed a definitive agreement to raise an additional USD 4 Million via issuance of warrants, taking its total fund raise till date to USD 6 Million.

Notes:
The Environmental Investigation Agency is an international NGO founded in 1984 in the United Kingdom.
‘Parts of tigers, leopards, pangolins & rhinos being used in 88 Chinese medicines’ A probe by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has found that body parts of leopards and pangolins, which are highly trafficked and endangered mammals, are used in at least 88 traditional Chinese medicines.

Notes:
National Unity Day is celebrated in India on October 31, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of independent India.
Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875. He is credited with merging over 560 princely states into the Union of India after independence.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force has successfully operationalized three of its S-400 air defense missile squadrons along its borders with China and Pakistan.
In 2018-19, India agreed with Russia to procure S-400 missiles worth ₹35,000 crore. Out of five squadrons that were to be delivered, three were delivered. Whereas the delivery of the remaining two was hindered due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Notes:
The Indian Army’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), known as ‘Prachand,’ has achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting live firing exercises with 70mm rockets.
These exercises were conducted in both day and night conditions at a firing range located near Likabali in Assam, showcasing the LCH’s capabilities and versatility.

Notes:
The Central Railway has successfully implemented the Block Proving by Axle Counter (BPAC) system in the Vasind-Asangaon section of Mumbai Division.
This BPAC system plays a crucial role in ensuring the highest level of safety for train operations.

Notes:
India and Sri Lanka have resumed negotiations for the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) after a five-year hiatus.
The 12th round of negotiations took place in Sri Lanka recently, signalling renewed efforts to advance economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Notes:
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in October 2023 increased by 13.4% to Rs 1,72,003 crore, the second-highest ever. The growth was driven by a rebound in imports.
The GST revenue collection for October 2023 is second highest ever, next only to April 2023. The gross GST for September, collected in October, rose 13% annually to Rs 1,72,003 crore. The growth in India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues bounced back in October with tax collections rising at a 10-month high pace of 13.4%.

Notes:
Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a Bill, revoking Russia’s ratification of global nuclear test ban. Putin said that rescinding the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, also known as the CTBT, would mirror the stand taken by the U.S., which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.
The CTBT, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, but the treaty was never fully implemented. It is yet to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.

Notes:
Norway will help fund India’s ‘Hunger Project’ and help strengthen women leaders to protect the environment and promote food security in Uttarakhand.
The duration of the project would be three years, until September 2026 with a budget of ₹44.7 million. The project organizes capacity-building training for elected women representatives and federations, focusing on strengthening van panchayats (forest councils).