14th March 2023 Tnpsc Current Affairs in English
1. What is the name of the world’s first-ever radio platform powered by artificial intelligence?
[A] AIRadio
[B] Go Radio
[C] RadioGPT
[D] Radio Bing
Answer : [C] RadioGPT
RadioGPT is the world’s first-ever radio platform powered by artificial intelligence. Developed by Ohio-based media company Futuri, it uses TopicPluse technology to detect local market trends and create scripts for radio broadcasts. These scripts are delivered on air by Artificial Intelligence-generated personalities using GPT-3 technology, like ChatGPT. Spotify has also launched a similar Artificial Intelligence feature called DJ, which provides a curated selection of music with AI-powered spoken commentary.
2. Torino Scale, which was seen in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Poverty
[B] Space Science
[C] Earth quake
[D] Cryptocurrency
Answer : [B] Space Science
The Torino Scale is a system used to rate how dangerous it would be if a space rock, like an asteroid or comet, hit Earth. Currently, the 2023 DW is the only asteroid that has a rating of 1 on the Torino Scale and all others have 0 ratings. This asteroid’s size is equivalent to that of an Olympic swimming pool. According to the ESA, there is ne in 625 chage that it would hit the Earth on February 14, 2046.
3. Which country holds the Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] India
[D] Germany
Answer : [C] India
The SCO NSA Mechanism, a crucial part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), will help in the preparation for the upcoming SCO Summit. The SCO Summit is expected to be held in mid-2023 under the presidency of India. National security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will host the meeting of his counterparts from the SCO alliance by the end of March 2023 in Delhi.
4. ‘Safe Harbour Principle’ which was seen in the news, is associated with which act?
[A] The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
[B] Information Technology Act, 2000
[C] Merchant Shipping Act 1958
[D] Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Answer : [B] Information Technology Act, 2000
The safe harbour principle of the IT Act, 2000 relieves the internet intermediaries from responsibility for third-party content on their platforms. This provision ensures that social media platforms are not liable for posts published by users. The newly introduced Digital India Act, 2023, which seeks to replace the IT Act, has proposed the revision of the safe harbour clause. The legislation seeks to make social media sites accountable for user-generated contents.
5. Which state/UT released the ‘Master Plan for 2041’ to guide the development of city in various areas?
[A] Karnataka
[B] New Delhi
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer : [B] New Delhi
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has released a draft of the Master Plan for Delhi-2041 (MPD), which aims to guide the city’s development in various areas. The plan focuses on achieving environmentally sustainable development, providing a good quality of life for residents, addressing climate change issues, and creating a dynamic environment for economic, creative, and culture growth. This is the fourth Master Plan for Delhi.
6. IBSA Forum, which was seen in the news, is a trilateral initiative established between which countries?
[A] Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa
[B] India, Brazil, and South Africa
[C] Israel, Brazil, and South Africa
[D] India, Bangladesh, and South Africa
Answer : [B] India, Brazil, and South Africa
The IBSA Forum is a trilateral initiative established between India, Brazil, and South Africa to promote cooperation and exchange among developing countries in the global south. It was officially established when the foreign ministers of the three countries met in Brasilia in 2003 and released the Brasilia Declaration. Its purpose is to address societal tensions exacerbated by digitalization and promote a multilateral approach to digital governance.
7. ‘The Parinirvana Stupa or Mahaparinirvana Temple’ is located in which state/UT?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
Answer : [A] Uttar Pradesh
The Parinirvana Stupa or Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, is a major Buddhist temple believed to be the place where Gautama Buddha passed away. The current temple was built by the Indian Government in 1956 to commemorate the 2,500th year of the Mahaparinivana or 2500 BE. A South Korean delegation of 200 Buddhist monks recently offered special prayers at the Mahaparinirvana temple. This pilgrimage marks the 50 years of diplomatic ties between India and South Korea.
8. Indian Army recently hosted the Iconic National Flag in which state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] Sikkim
[C] Kerala
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Answer : [D] Jammu and Kashmir
Recently, the Indian Army collaborated with local authorities to hoist the Iconic National Flag, the tallest national flag, in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. The tricolor is hoisted on a 100 feet high pole. The Doda district, which was once a hotbed for terrorism, has witnessed a positive shift in recent years, with locals working closely with the authorities to maintain peace and promote development.
9. At Present, India has opted out of which pillar of ‘Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)’?
[A] Trade
[B] Supply chain
[C] Clean Economy
[D] Fair Economy
Answer : [A] Trade
The US and 13 other partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in Tokyo last year. The framework is centered around four pillars focusing on trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. India decided to opt out of the trade pillar and join the remaining three subjects of the IPEF. The US Commerce Secretary has expressed hope that the IPEF will have more economic impact than a free trade agreement with India.
10. Which state passed the ‘Protection of Drinking water Catchment Areas Bill, 2023’?
[A] Bihar
[B] West Bengal
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Answer : [C] Arunachal Pradesh
The Arunachal Pradesh Protection of Drinking Water Catchment Areas Bill, 2023 was recently passed via voice vote by the state assembly. It aims to protect drinking water catchment areas to preserve drinking water sources and to make provisions for the same. The bill aims to activate community participation in governance, thus empowering individuals at the lowest level.
11. The Mahakali River originates in which India state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Answer : [B] Uttarakhand
The Mahakali River is a transboundary river that originates in the Himalayas in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It flows along Nepal’s western border with India and it is also known as the Kali River or the Sharda River. Uttarakhand Chief Minister recently inaugurated an 11 km long stretch of the Mahakali River for rafting. It will help promote adventure sports and tourism in the region. The state government is currently planning to conduct a national rafting competition in the Mahakali River.
12. Which state has launched ‘M-sand policy 2023’ to prevent damage to river ecosystems?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Punjab
[D] Rajasthan
Answer : [B] Tamil Nadu
The government of Tamil Nadu has introduced the M-sand policy 2023 to prevent damage to river ecosystems and ensure zero waste quarrying in the State. This policy aims to promote the use of M-sand or crushed sand manufacturing units in compliance with relevant statutes, and regulations, and to formalize the sector.
13. ‘Kinzhals’ are nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missile made in which country?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] Russia
[D] North Korea
Answer : [C] Russia
The Kinzhals are Russian-made nuclear-capable hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile. It can carry a nuclear warhead or a conventional warhead. The missile is launched either from a MiG-31K interceptor or a Tu-22M3 bomber. It was unveiled in 2018. Russia recently launched 6 kinzhals, which the Ukrainian forces failed to intercept and destroy. This is part of the largest aerial strike against Ukraine in weeks. The missile was launched for the first time against Ukraine in 2022.
14. Who is the first woman officer to take charge of an independent field workshop in Ladakh, near China border?
[A] Colonel Geeta Rana
[B] Captain Bawana Khant
[C] Captain Avani Chaturvedi
[D] Captain Mohana Singh
Answer : [A] Colonel Geeta Rana
For the first time, a woman officer, Colonel Geeta Rana from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), has taken charge of an independent field workshop in a sensitive location in eastern Ladakh. This makes her the first woman to lead army unit near China border. This appointment comes after the Indian Army decided in February-end to assign women officers to command roles outside of the medical stream.
15. Which material is made from hydrogen, nitrogen and lutetium and have achieved room-temperature, room-pressure superconductivity?
[A] Super Matter
[B] Ultra Matter
[C] Red Matter
[D] Zero Matter
Answer : [C] Red Matter
A new material called ‘red Matter’ may have achieved room-temperature, room-pressure superconductivity, meaning electricity can flow through it with zero resistance even in room temperature. Previous superconductors have required low temperatures and high pressures, making them impractical for widespread use. The red matter is made from hydrogen, nitrogen and lutetium. It was created using a diamond anvil that compressed the elements to 1 gigapascal.
16. Which country’s researchers extracted ‘Huc’ enzyme, which converts atmospheric hydrogen into energy?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Answer : [C] Australia
The researchers from Monash University in Australia extracted the enzyme called Huc from a common soil bacterium, mycobacterium smegmatis. This enzyme can convert atmospheric hydrogen into energy. This opens new possibility for new renewable and sustainable energy sources. It was able to retain its power to generate energy even when frozen or heated to 80 degrees Celsius.
17. Which institution recently released a report on Improving Economic Viability of Gaushalas?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] NABARD
[D] NAFED
Answer : [B] NITI Aayog
A report titled “Production and Promotion of Organic and Bio Fertilisers with Special Focus on Improving Economic Viability of Gaushalas” was released recently by a NITI Aayog task force. It was led by the NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand. According to this report, India’s soil is experiencing a depletion of organic matter, which may lead to sustainability challenges if not addressed.
18. The CISF Raising Day Event 2023 was held in which state, first time outside the National Capital?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Telangana
[D] Goa
Answer : [C] Telangana
CISF Raising Day is celebrated annually on March 10th to recognize the contributions and achievements of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Established in 1969 with three battalions and 2,800 personnel, the CISF has grown to become one of the largest security forces in India with over 165,000 personnel. The 2023 CISF Raising Day event was held in Hyderabad. This is the first time that it is conducted outside the National Capital.
19. ‘MIDH’ Scheme is associated with which field?
[A] Culture
[B] Horticulture
[C] Finance
[D] Research
Answer : [B] Horticulture
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is centrally sponsored scheme aimed at promoting the comprehensive development of the horticulture sector in India. Under this scheme, the central government contributes 60% of the total outlay for development programs in all states except those in the North east and Himalayas, where it contributes 90%. Till date, 49 Centers of Excellence(CoEs) have been established under this mission in various states via bilateral cooperation or research institutes.
20. Union Ministry of Defence has entered a contract with which institution for purchase of six Dornier-228 aircraft?
[A] BHEL
[B] HAL
[C] DRDO
[D] BEL
Answer : [B] HAL
The Union Ministry of Defence has entered into a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the purchase of six Dornier-228 aircraft. They are procured at the cost of Rs. 667 crore. The procurement will boost the operational capability of the IAF in remote areas. The Dornier-228 aircraft will be used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for communication and transport purposes.