Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 8 December 2022, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 8 December 2022
RBI Monetary Policy 2022: RBI Repo Rate Hike by 35 bps to 6.25%
RBI Monetary Policy 2022: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which consists of six members and is led by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das, has announced its decision. In the consecutive fifth hike this year, the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee has raised the repo rate by 35 basis points (bps) to 6.25 per cent with immediate effect, making loans expensive. Since August 2018, the policy rate has now reached its highest level. The RBI has maintained policy stance at ‘withdrawal of accommodation’.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
Notably: The next meeting of the MPC is scheduled during February 6-8, 2023.
RBI Repo Rate: Consequently, the various rates are as under
- Policy Repo Rate: 6.25% (Changed)
- Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 6.00% (Changed)
- Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 6.50% (Changed)
- Bank Rate: 6.50% (Changed)
- Fixed Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35%
- Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): 4.50%
- Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): 18.00%
Key Points of the Monetary Policy:
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation forecast for FY23 remains at 6.7% by the RBI. Forecast for real GDP in FY23 was reduced from 7% to 6.8%.Inflation expected to be above 4% in the next 12 months.
- Standing Deposit Facility rate, Marginal Standing Facility rate also increased by 35 basis points each to 6% and 6.5%
- Retail inflation in India decreased from 7.41% in September to 6.77% in October, a three-month low. Nevertheless, for the tenth time in a row, was above the RBI’s tolerance band.
- Ahead of the RBI’s policy announcement, stocks open flat with a negative slant as the Sensex dips nearly 55 points and the Nifty falls 0.2%.
- Liquidity conditions are set to improve. Weighted average lending rate is up 117 bps in May-October.
The Monetary Policy Committee
An empowered six-member monetary policy committee (MPC) must be established by the Central Government by publication in the Official Gazette, according to Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934. The first such MPC was constituted on September 29, 2016. The present MPC members, as notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette of October 5, 2020, are as under:
- Governor of the Reserve Bank of India—Chairperson, ex officio;
- Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, in charge of Monetary Policy—Member, ex officio;
- One officer of the Reserve Bank of India to be nominated by the Central Board—Member, ex officio;
- Prof. Ashima Goyal, Professor, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research —Member;
- Prof. Jayanth R. Varma, Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad—Member; and
- Dr. Shashanka Bhide, Senior Advisor, National Council of Applied Economic Research, Delhi—Member.
SAARC Charter Day 2022: 8th December
SAARC Charter Day 2022: Every year on December 8, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Charter Day is observed. On this day in 1985, SAARC Charter was adopted in Dhaka, during the first summit of the group. The regional organisation celebrates its 38th anniversary this year. At the first SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the heads of state or government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka signed the charter.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
The prime focus of SAARC is to work collectively to promote the welfare of people in the region and to improve their standard of living through social progress and economic development. The aim of SAARC members is to promote stability, peace and progress in the region. SAARC has organised 18 summits since 1985. These specialised bodies promote regional cooperation by SAARC members in various fields.
History and significance of the SAARC Charter:
On 8 December 1985, the SAARC Charter was adopted, in Dhaka, during the first summit of the group. The heads of eight South Asian countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—signed the Charter. As mentioned in its charter, the prime focus of SAARC is to work collectively to promote the welfare of people in the region and to improve their standard of living through social progress and economic development.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation:
- Eight Member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Secretariat: Kathmandu (Nepal).
- Objective: among other things, to bolster South Asia’s population, enhance their standard of living, and hasten economic expansion
- These are usually held biennially and hosted by member states in alphabetical order.
C.N. Manjunath, Krishnappa G. and S. Shadakshari received Nadoja Award
Nadoja Award 2022: Author Krishnappa G., social activist S. Shadakshari, and physician and head of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research C.N. Manjunath have all been chosen to receive the Nadoja Award from Kannada University in Hampi. The dignitaries will be honoured with the award by Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, who is the Chancellor of the university.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
About Dr. Manjunath, Shadakshari and Krishnappa:
Dr. Manjunath, who hails from Cholenahalli in Channarayapatna taluk of Hassan district, is a well-known cardiologist and helms the State-run Jayadeva Cardiology Institute, one of the premier cardiology institutes in the country.
The social services provided by Mr. Shadakshari, who hails from Talavur in the Chintamani taluk of the Chikkaballapur district, are well-known. His Ramanashree Prathisthan, in association with Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishat, has been identifying scholars and writers who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the State and honouring them with Ramanashree Awards for the last 16 years. Mr. Shadakshari is also the chairman of Ramanashree Hotel and Group of Institutions.
Mr. Krishnappa, often known as Bendre Krishnappa, hails from the nearby Bengaluru town of Cholanayakanahalli. He was chosen to receive the prize for his contribution to the literary world.
About the Nadoja Award 2022:
The Nadoja Award is a prestigious award presented annually by Kannada University, Hampi, India to eminent personalities for their contribution in various fields. The word “Nadoja” is from the Adikavi Pampa language, which was established in 1995 and has the meaning “teacher to the Land.” Award is given to eminent personalities for their contribution in various fields. First recipient of award: Kuvempu (Literature), S. Nijalingappa (Politics) and Gangubai Hangal (Hindustani Music).
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver at Weightlifting World Championship in Colombia
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver at Weightlifting World Championship in Colombia: Mirabai Chanu, an Olympic silver medalist, won silver at the world weightlifting championships in Colombia in 2022. She beat the Tokyo 2020 champion Hou Zhihua of China. Jiang Huihua of China, who weighed 206 kg in total, won the gold medal.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
More About This:
Mirabai lifted a combined weight of 200 kg compared to Zhihua’s total of 198 kg. This was Mirabai’s second medal at the World Championships, having previously won gold in 2017 with a lift of 194 kg. In clean and jerk, Mirabai Chanu, competing in her first international meet since winning the Commonwealth Games 2022 in August, once again struggled with her left wrist. The Indian weightlifter’s first attempt ended in failure, but she was able to lift 111 kg on her second try and match Jiang Huihua’s 113 kg on her third try to place in the top three.
What She Said:
“Extremely humbled and grateful for this victory. Small step towards our eventual goal of an Olympic gold,” said Mirabai Chanu after winning the silver medal.
She added: “Gratitude to my coach Vijay sir, our president IWLF Sahdev Yadav sir, sports authority of India, all the stakeholders and well wishers.”
About Her Previous Accomplishment:
Mirabai from Manipur had previously won gold in the 2017 world weightlifting championship. She had won the gold medal at the 2022 edition of commonwealth games.
India’s Coal Production Increased By 11.66 % in November
India’s Coal Production Increased By 11.66 % in November: The total amount of coal produced in India increased by 11.66% from 67.94 million tonnes in November 2021 to 75.87 million tonnes in November 2022.
What More The Data Says:
According to the coal ministry data, in November 2022, Coal India Ltd (CIL) registered a growth of 12.82 per cent, whereas Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and other captive mines registered a growth of 7.84 per cent and 6.87 per cent respectively.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
About The Production:
Out of the top 37 coal mines, 24 mines produced more than 100% of the total output, and five mines produced between 80% and 100% of the total output. The power utilities dispatch also increased by 3.55 per cent to 62.34 million tonnes during November as compared to 60.20 million tonnes in the corresponding period of last year.
About The Power Generation:
Coal-based power generation also registered a growth of 16.28 per cent in November as compared to last year, while overall power generation in November was 14.63 per cent higher than the power generated in November 2021.
About The Target:
Raosaheb Danve Patil, the Union Minister of State for Coal, stated that India intends to boost its yearly coal production to 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030 in order to fulfil its rising fuel demand. “Our total dispatch in 2013-14 was 572 million tons, last year it was 817 million tonnes, this year it will be 900 million tonnes. Despite this, domestic production will not be able to fulfil full coal demand,” the minister said.
As the country is aiming to become self-reliant in the coal sector, deliberations are in progress on how the country can perform sustainable coal mining, said the Coal Minister.
Former Union minister and noted economist Yoginder Alagh passes away
Former Union minister and noted economist Yoginder Alagh passes away: Former Union minister and renowned economist Prof. Yoginder K. Alagh has passed away. He retired from the Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research in Ahmedabad. Born in Chakwal, in present-day Pakistan, in 1939, Alagh studied at the University of Rajasthan and later got a doctorate in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
About the Prof Yoginder K Alagh:
- Alagh possibly represented the last of a group of economists who successfully bridged the worlds of academia and policymaking and who, in contrast to most, did not limit their research to a single economic area. During the 1980s, he headed the Agricultural Prices Commission (APC) as well the Bureau of Industrial Costs & Prices (BICP).
- As chairman of APC (now called the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Price), he set up its econometrics cell, which recommends minimum support prices for different crops and also published its reports with a view to encourage debate. At BICP, he initiated the first round of economic reforms that involved price decontrol in steel, cement and aluminium.
- Prior to that, in 1979, he served as the chair of a Planning Commission Task Force that established the first separate poverty thresholds for rural and urban areas based on calorie intake (less than 2,400 and 2,100, respectively).
- Alagh was executive vice-chairman of the Gujarat government’s Narmada Planning Group for the Sardar Sarovar multipurpose dam project in 1980-82, and a member of the Planning Commission between 1987 and 1990. During the United Front administration in 1996–1998, it resulted in his appointment as a Union Minister of State with independent responsibility for Power, Science & Technology, and Planning & Programme Implementation.
Google Launches Anti-Misinformation Campaign in India
Google Launches Anti-Misinformation Campaign in India: Google’s Jigsaw subsidiary is launching a new anti-misinformation project in India, aimed at preventing misleading information that has been blamed for inciting violence.
More About This:
The campaign will make use of “prebunking” videos shared on the company’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms, which are intended to refute erroneous claims before they gain traction. Google’s efforts to challenge the spread of misinformation mark a contrast with rival Twitter which is cutting its trust and safety teams, despite new owner Elon Musk saying it will not become a “free-for-all hellscape”.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
About The Transition:
Google recently conducted an experiment in Europe where it sought to counter anti-refugee narratives online in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The experiment in India will be bigger in scope as it will deal with multiple local languages — Bengali, Hindi and Marathi — and cover diverse sections of a country populated by over a billion people.
What Has Been Said:
“This presented an opportunity to research prebunking in a non-western, global south market,” said Beth Goldman, Jigsaw’s head of research and development.
Like other countries, misinformation spreads rapidly across India, mostly through social media, creating political and religious tensions.
Govt Of India’s Approach:
Officials from the Indian government have urged tech giants like Google, Meta, and Twitter to do more to stop the spread of false information. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has repeatedly invoked “extraordinary powers” to block YouTube channels, and some Twitter and Facebook accounts, allegedly used to spread harmful misinformation.
Inflammatory messages have also spread via Meta’s messaging service Whatsapp, which has more than 200 million users in India. In 2018, the company curbed the number of times a message could be forwarded, after false claims about child abductors led to mass beatings of more than a dozen people, some of whom died.
Spice Money partners with Axis Bank for financial inclusion in rural India
Spice Money partners with Axis Bank for financial inclusion in rural India : Spice Money has partnered with Axis Bank to facilitate opening of instant, zero balance savings or current accounts for rural citizens through its Adhikari network. Through this association, Spice Money aims to bridge the rural-urban divide and bring financial inclusivity by providing access to banking products to the last mile at their doorstep, thereby financially empowering thousands of rural citizens living in the hinterlands of India, founder of the fintech firm Dilip Modi said.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
Aim: To bridge the rural-urban divide and bring financial inclusivity by providing access to banking products to the last mile at their doorstep
A regulated entity under RBI, the fintech firm delivers various financial services such as cash deposit and withdrawal, and insurance premium to the rural masses.
Indian-origin, Veena Nair won Prime Minister’s prize in Australia
Indian-origin, Veena Nair won Prime Minister’s prize in Australia: Indian-origin teacher in Australia, Veena Nair has been awarded the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
Melbourne-based, the Head of Technology and STEAM project leader at ViewBank College, Veena Nair, has received recognition for her work in showcasing students how to apply STEAM in real-world settings and how their abilities can have a positive impact on society.
She is ViewBank College’s Head of Technology and STEAM project leader. She was awarded for demonstrating practical application of STEAM to students, and how they can use their skills to make a real impact in the world. She started her teaching career in Mumbai, where she provided computers to low socio-economic schools.
Justice Tashi Rabstan appointed as acting chief justice of J&K High Court
Justice Tashi Rabstan appointed as acting chief justice of J&K High Court: Justice Tashi Rabstan, senior-most judge, has been appointed acting Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. He will take up the role from December 8 following the retirement of Chief Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
December 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
According to a notification, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, President of India has appointed Justice Rabstan to perform duties of the office of the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
He has replaced incumbent Chief Justice Ali Mohd Magrey, who retired on 7th December 2022. Justice Rabstan had enrolled as an Advocate on 6th March 1990 in Bar Council of J&K. He remained as Standing Counsel for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh from 1997 till 2005.
Retirement age of-
SC Judges: 65
HC Judges: 62
