ALL EXAM QUIZ 13.12.2023

Explanation:

• The first quantum computer has been unveiled by IBM with more than 1,000 qubits, which is equivalent to digital bits in a normal computer.
• IBM has been following a quantum-computing roadmap for four years, roughly doubling the number of qubits each year.
• On 4 December, the chip was unveiled, named Condor.
• It has 1,121 superconducting qubits arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
• It also launched a 127-qubit chip in 2021 and a 433-qubit chip in 2022.
• Quantum computers promise to perform some calculations that are beyond the reach of classical computers.
• They will do this by taking advantage of special quantum phenomena such as entanglement and superposition, which allow multiple qubits to exist in multiple collective states simultaneously.
• As part of its new effort, the company also unveiled a chip called Heron that has 133 qubits.
• But with a record-low error rate, it is three times lower than its previous quantum processor.

Explanation:

• Hanukkah festival is being celebrated from December 7 to December 15 in 2023.
• Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is Judaism's beloved 'festival of lights'. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights and days.
• It begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which can be any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.
• In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication”.
• This Festival marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC when a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from the occupation of foreign forces.
• The festival is celebrated by lighting the candles of a nine-branched candelabrum, commonly called a menorah or Hanukkah.

Explanation:

• Every year on 9 December, International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated.
• The theme of International Anti-Corruption Day 2023 is "UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption."
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organizes annually international Anti-Corruption Day (IACD).
• The UN General Assembly adopted 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day to raise awareness about corruption. This day is being celebrated every year since 2005.
• In 2003, UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The convention came into force in December 2005.
• This year marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Explanation:

• Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, issued these guidelines.
• The Guidelines have been issued for preventing and regulating dark patterns listing 13 specified dark patterns.
• Dark patterns involve using design and choice architecture to deceive, coerce, or influence consumers into making choices that are not in their best interests.
• Dark patterns include various manipulative practices, such as drip pricing, disguised advertising, bait and switch, false immediacy, etc.
• As defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, such practices fall under the category of “unfair trade practices.”
• Under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, to protect consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce.
• On June 9, 2022, the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsement of Misleading Advertisements Guidelines, 2022 was notified by the CCPA.
• On 23 November 2022, the framework on ‘Online Consumer Reviews — Principles and Requirements for their Collection, Moderation and Publication’ was notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Explanation:

• Table-Top Exercise (TTX) conducted by the Indian Army for ASEAN Women Peacekeepers.
• The Indian Army has taken a historic initiative to promote gender inclusivity and enhance the capabilities of women military personnel in peacekeeping operations.
• Under this, the Indian Army organized this exercise for women officers of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 4 to 8 December 2023 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
• The exercise is part of the ongoing efforts of the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) to strengthen international cooperation and capacity building in peacekeeping missions.
• CUNPK is a premier institution of the Indian Army providing training in peacekeeping operations.
• Earlier, CUNPK had organized the ASEAN Women Military Officers' Course from 18 to 29 September 2023.
• This Table-Top Exercise (TTX) is a follow-up exercise to the ongoing joint military training between India and ASEAN member countries.
• The exercise underlines India's shared commitment to world peace, stability, and gender equality.

Explanation:

• 70 projects have been approved for various industries with a total cost of Rs 291.25 crore under the TDF scheme.
• Under the Ministry of Defence, the Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme is a flagship program, which is implemented by DRDO under the 'Make in India' initiative.
• At present, 70 projects have been approved for various industries with a total cost of Rs 291.25 crore, and 16 Defence technologies have been successfully developed/realized under the scheme.
• The following are the main objectives of this scheme:
• To provide grants-in-aid to Indian industries, including MSMEs and start-ups, as well as to academic and scientific institutions for the development of the Defence sector and dual-use technologies, which are not currently available to the Indian Defence industry.
• To engage with private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, to promote a culture of design and development in military technology and provide them support, including grants-in-aid.
• To focus on research, design, and development for specific technologies being developed for the first time in the country.
• To build a bridge between the armed forces, research organisations, academia, and qualification/certification agencies with private entities.
• Supporting future technologies that have proof of concept and converting them into prototypes.

Explanation:

• In consultation with RBI, the Government has decided to issue new Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) in tranches.
• The subscription period for SGB Series 2023–24 Series III is scheduled from December 18 to December 22, 2023.
• Therefore, the issue date in SGB Series III is December 28, 2023.
• The subscription period for the SGB Series 2023-24 Series IV is scheduled from February 12 to February 16, 2024.
• Therefore, the issue date in SGB Series IV is February 21, 2024.
• The SGBs will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, and Regional Rural Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
• It also includes designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges, viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited.
• SGBs will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) with a basic unit of one gram.
• The tenor of the SGB will be eight years, with an option for premature redemption after the fifth year on the interest payable date.
• The minimum acceptable investment will be one gram of gold.
• The maximum limit of subscription will be 4 kg for individuals, 4 kg for HUF, and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities per financial year (April-March) as notified by the Government from time to time.
• The price of SGB will be determined in Indian Rupees based on the simple average of gold of 999 purity published by the Indian Bullion and Jewelers Association Ltd for the last three working days of the week preceding the subscription period.
• The issue price of gold bonds will be reduced by Rs 50 per gram for those applying online and making payments digitally.
• Payment for SGB will be through cash payment (maximum Rs 20,000) or demand draft or check or electronic banking.

Explanation:

• Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi has stepped into a new field as a writer, making her debut with a novel titled ‘Zeba: An Accidental Superhero’.
• Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi has stepped into a new field as a writer, making her debut with a novel titled ‘Zeba: An Accidental Superhero’.
• The book was officially launched during the 12th edition of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF), marking a new chapter in the creative journey of Huma Qureshi.

Explanation:

• Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi has been named Athlete of the Year for 2023 by Time magazine. The prestigious honor follows Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or win, cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
• Beyond individual accolades, particularly through his transformational move to Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer (MLS) club in the United States, Messi’s influence has extended beyond the football pitch.

Explanation:

4, 1, 2, 3