CURRENT AFFAIRS NOW: 12th March Current Affairs 2023 Read Now

12th March Current Affairs 2023 Read Now

Daily Current Affairs

1. What license did PhonePe recently obtain?

a) Mobile phone operating license

b) Social media platform license

c) Digital payments license

d) Search engine license

Ans: c – Digital payments license

Explanation: PhonePe is a digital payments company that recently obtained a digital payments license from the Reserve Bank of India. This license is known as a Payment Aggregator license, which allows PhonePe to aggregate payment services offered by multiple merchants and offer them to customers through a single platform. This means that customers can use PhonePe to make payments to a variety of merchants, including online and offline retailers, utility providers, and service providers. With this license, PhonePe can also provide payment services to merchants, such as payment gateway services and payment settlement services.

2. Who was accused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of searching for a “burial ground” for him?

a) The BJP party

b) The Congress party and its allies

c) The people of the country

d) The media

Ans: b – The Congress party and its allies

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress party and its allies of searching for a “burial ground” for him, while speaking at the inauguration of upgraded Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway 275. He claimed that while the Congress party was busy dreaming of such a situation, he had the blessings of crores of mothers, sisters, and the people of the country to protect him from approaching dangers.

3. Who underwent a medical examination at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology?

a) K. Chandrashekhar Rao

b) Nageshwar Reddy

c) A press release

d) None of the above

Ans: a – K. Chandrashekhar Rao

Explanation: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao underwent a medical examination at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology after he developed abdominal discomfort.

4. Who opposed legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the Supreme Court?

a) The legislature

b) The Union government

c) The personal laws

d) The petition

Ans: b – The Union government

Explanation: The Union government opposed legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the Supreme Court, stating that the issue has consequences and must be left to the legislature.

5. According to data compiled by the disaster management department, what is the increase in major landslides in Himachal Pradesh in the past two years?

a) A three-fold increase

b) A four-fold increase

c) A five-fold increase

d) A seven-fold increase

Ans: d – A seven-fold increase

Explanation: The data compiled by the disaster management department shows that the number of major landslides in Himachal Pradesh has increased seven-fold in the past two years. In 2022, 117 major landslides occurred as compared to 16 in 2020.

6. What was the claim made by the Enforcement Directorate against Tejashwi Yadav?

a) He was involved in a scam of Rs 600 crore

b) He was caught with unaccounted wealth worth Rs 600 crore

c) Proceeds of crime worth Rs 600 crore were detected during the searches on his premises

d) He was accused of money laundering worth Rs 600 crore

Ans: c – Proceeds of crime worth Rs 600 crore were detected during the searches on his premises

Explanation: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has been accused by the Enforcement Directorate of having proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 600 crore detected during searches on premises owned by him and close family members. However, Yadav has dismissed the claims as “rumours” and even threatened to make the “panchnama” (seizure list) signed after the raids public, which he claims will leave the BJP embarrassed.

7. What is Oxygen-18?

a) A heavier isotope of oxygen with 8 neutrons

b) A lighter isotope of oxygen with 10 neutrons

c) A heavier isotope of oxygen with 10 neutrons

d) A lighter isotope of oxygen with 8 neutrons

Ans: c – A heavier isotope of oxygen with 10 neutrons

Explanation: Oxygen-18 is a type of oxygen isotope that has a heavier mass than the more common isotope that we breathe, which has 8 neutrons. In contrast, Oxygen-18 has 10 neutrons, making it a heavier isotope. This isotope of oxygen is relatively rare in nature but can be found in various places, including glaciers and ocean waters. Recently, NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) detected Oxygen-18 in Earth’s mesosphere and lower thermosphere, which was the first time that heavy oxygen has been detected outside a laboratory.

8. What is the red tide?

a) A tide that occurs only on the coast of Florida

b) A tide caused by pollution

c) A tide caused by the growth of algae

d) A tide that occurs only in the Gulf of Mexico

Ans: c – A tide caused by the growth of algae

Explanation: The red tide is a natural phenomenon caused by the rapid growth and accumulation of algae in coastal waters. The algae responsible for the red tide are known as dinoflagellates, which produce toxins that can be harmful to marine life and humans. These toxins can accumulate in fish and shellfish, making them unsafe for consumption. The red tide can cause the water to turn a reddish-brown color, hence the name “red tide.” It has been observed in various parts of the world, including the Gulf of Mexico, where it has been documented since the 1800s