Daily Current Affairs 17th November 2023: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 17th November 2023. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 17th November 2023. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 17th November 2023 Current affairs test.
National News
1. Indian Skydiver Shital Mahajan’s Historic Jump near Mt Everest
- Shital Mahajan, an Indian skydiver, has made history by skydiving from a helicopter at an altitude of 21,500 ft near Mt Everest.
- This achievement makes her the first woman to complete such a high-altitude skydive. She successfully landed at Kalapatthar peak, which is 17,444 ft high.
- Shital Mahajan is a distinguished skydiver from India, holding multiple records.
- Her achievements include various skydiving records and the prestigious Padma Shri award, received in 2001.
2. Coconut Development Board’s ‘Hello Naariyal’ Call Centre Initiative
- The Coconut Development Board (CDB) has launched a new call centre, “Hello Naariyal,” to aid coconut farmers and improve cultivation methods.
- The service is designed to help farmers with coconut harvesting and plant management.
- The “Hello Naariyal” initiative’s main goal is to provide a specialized platform for coconut growers, offering expert advice and services related to coconut farming.
International News
3. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Represents India at Maldives President’s Inauguration
- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is in the Maldives to represent India at the inauguration of President-elect Mohamed Muizzu. The event is scheduled for November 17 in Male.
- Mohamed Muizzu, an ally of former President Abdulla Yameen, won the presidential runoff in September, defeating Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
- The Maldives is strategically important as a maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean for India, playing a significant role in India’s ‘SAGAR’ vision and ‘Neighbourhood First Policy.’
4. Pedro Sanchez Re-Elected as Spain’s Prime Minister
- Spanish leader Pedro Sanchez has been re-elected for a second term with a slim majority.
- Born on February 29, 1972, Sanchez has been a significant figure in Spanish politics since June 2018 and has led the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party since June 2017.
- He secured 179 out of 350 votes, avoiding a national election that could have threatened his position amid fluctuating public opinion.
Defence News
5. ‘Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023’ Joint Military Exercise in Pune
- The ninth edition of the India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” began in Aundh, Pune.
- Scheduled from November 17th to 29th, 2023, it aims to enhance cooperation between the military forces of both nations.
- The exercise focuses on improving joint responses in counter-terrorism operations, including raids, heliborne activities, and other tactical maneuvers.
6. Indian Navy Launches Fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft ‘Amini’
- The Indian Navy launched ‘Amini,’ the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, at M/s L&T Shipbuilding in Kattupalli on November 16, 2023.
- The project, involving eight ASW SWC ships, was contracted between the Ministry of Defence and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata, in 2019.
- Part of the Arnala class, these ships are designed to replace the Abhay class ASW Corvettes and feature a length of 77 meters, a displacement of 900 tons, and a top speed of 25 knots, with an endurance of about 1800 nautical miles.
Banking News
7. IndusInd Bank Introduces ‘IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card’ on UPI
- IndusInd Bank has launched a new digital payment solution – the ‘IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card’ on the UPI platform.
- This partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India represents a milestone in offering flexible payment solutions.
- Customers of IndusInd Bank can now make UPI transactions with this credit card, facilitating both online and offline transactions.
Economy News
8. India’s Tax Reductions in Response to Falling
Oil Prices
- To address the sharp decline in international oil prices, the Indian government has made significant tax reductions on crude oil and diesel.
- These adjustments aim to lessen the impact of the global oil market downturn on India, one of the largest oil importers.
- The government reduced the Special Additional Excise Duty on crude oil from Rs. 9,800 per tonne to Rs. 6,300 per tonne, a cut of 35.71%.
9. S&P Global Forecasts India’s Economic Growth for 2024-2026
- S&P Global’s recent report predicts strong economic growth for India, estimating a GDP increase of 6 to 7.1 percent annually from FY24 to FY26.
- The report suggests that interest rates in India are unlikely to rise significantly, reducing risks for the banking sector.
- Factors such as solid corporate balance sheets and improved risk management contribute to this stability.
10. RBI Report: Food Inflation as a Major Challenge
- The Reserve Bank of India’s report points out rising food prices as the main obstacle in achieving its 4% Consumer Price Index target.
- Food items, which constitute around 40% of the CPI basket, are key in determining overall inflation.
- The report highlights the vulnerability of the 4% CPI target to fluctuations in the prices of essentials like onions, tomatoes, cereals, pulses, and sugar.
11. India’s Export Trends: Netherlands, UK, Australia as Key Contributors
- In the first seven months of FY 2023-24, India’s exports saw significant contributions from the Netherlands, the UK, and Australia.
- Despite an overall 7% contraction in exports during April-October, there was growth in October due to a favorable comparison with the previous year.
- While exports to China grew only modestly by 0.8%, the overall export scenario showed signs of improvement.
Important Days News
12. International Students Day 2023 Celebrated
- International Students’ Day was observed globally on November 17, 2023, recognizing the resilience and contributions of students worldwide.
- The day is especially meaningful for those studying abroad, who face challenges like adjusting to new cultures and financial constraints.
- The day also commemorates the Nazi invasion of a Prague university in 1939.
13. National Epilepsy Day 2023 in India
- National Epilepsy Day, observed on November 17 in India, aims to raise awareness about epilepsy and its societal impacts.
- Epilepsy, a condition marked by sudden, uncontrollable seizures, affects about 50 million people globally, with India accounting for a significant portion.
- According to the WHO, proper medication and surgeries can successfully manage 70% of epilepsy cases.
Summits & Conferences News
14. International Conference on Plant Health Management 2023 in Hyderabad
- The International Conference on Plant Health Management (ICPHM) 2023 will take place from 15th to 18th November in Hyderabad.
- Organized by the Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI), the conference marks 50 years of the institution’s contribution to plant protection.
- The ICPHM 2023 focuses on exploring global opportunities in innovation and sustainability in plant health management.
Appointments News
15. RBI Approves Directors for Jio Financial Services
- The Reserve Bank of India approved the appointment of key individuals to the board of Jio Financial Services.
- Isha Ambani, known for her role in Reliance Retail’s success, and Anshuman Thakur, an IIM-Ahmedabad graduate, are among the appointees.
- Hitesh Kumar Sethia’s appointment as Managing Director and CEO of RSIL strengthens the leadership team.
16. Biden Appoints Indian American Shakuntla Bhaya to US Administrative Conference
- President Joe Biden appointed Indian American Shakuntla L Bhaya to the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States.
- Shakuntla, co-owner of a Delaware law firm, brings extensive legal experience to her new roleon the council.
- Her appointment is seen as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to bring diversity and expertise to key positions.
Environment News
17. India’s Forest and Tree Cover Increases by 1% in Latest Report
- The latest forest survey report in India shows a 1% increase in the country’s total forest and tree cover.
- The increase is attributed to various government initiatives and local community efforts in reforestation and conservation.
- India’s total forest and tree cover now stands at 24.56% of its geographical area, contributing to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
Health News
18. India Launches National Polio Immunization Drive
- India has launched a national polio immunization drive, targeting millions of children under the age of five.
- The drive is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain the country’s polio-free status, achieved in 2014.
- Health workers and volunteers are mobilized across the country to administer oral polio vaccine drops in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
19. WHO Declares End to Marburg Virus Outbreak in Ghana
- The World Health Organization has declared the end of the Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana.
- The outbreak, which began in July 2023, was effectively contained through rapid response and international collaboration.
- The Marburg virus is highly infectious and has a high mortality rate, making its containment a significant achievement for public health.
Sports News
20. India Wins ICC T20 World Cup 2023
- India has won the ICC T20 World Cup 2023, held in Australia.
- The team’s remarkable performance throughout the tournament culminated in a victory in the final match.
- This triumph marks India’s second T20 World Cup win, the first being in 2007.
