Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 11th March 2024

1. UDGAM Portal is developed by which institution?

A. RBI

B. NABARD

C. SIDBI

D. SBI

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the UDGAM portal, facilitating users to search unclaimed deposits in 30 banks, covering 90% of Depositor Education and Awareness Fund deposits. UDGAM, meaning Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation, allows centralized searches for both individual and non-individual categories.
• Users provide specific details like account holder’s name, bank name, and relevant identification for the search. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and awareness regarding unclaimed deposits in the RBI’s DEA Fund.

2. Which state recently launched the India’s first government-backed OTT Platform?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Punjab

D. Madhya Pradesh

• Kerala launched its first government-backed OTT platform, CSpace at Kairali Theatre. The platform offers a unique blend of informative and entertaining content. CSpace operates on a pay-per-view model. Users can purchase a full-length feature film for Rs 75 and shorter content for a reduced price. Once purchased, viewers can access the content for up to three months if left unwatched. Once viewed, the content will expire within 72 hours.

3. Where was the first Bharat Steam Boiler Expo 2024 held?

A. Guwahati, Assam

B. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

C. Pune, Maharashtra

D. Indore, Madhya Pradesh

• The first Bharat Steam Boiler Expo 2024 was held at Veterinary College Field in Guwahati, Assam, India, from March 5–7, 2024. The expo is organized by the Assam’s Inspectorate of Boilers (CIB) and supported by the Assam government’s Labour Welfare Department. The expo aims to improve the efficiency and growth of various sectors that use steam boilers.

4. India has successfully brought down the extreme rate of poverty below what percent of its population, according to ‘World Poverty Clock’?

A. 3%

B. 4%

C. 5%

D. 6%

• India has successfully reduced extreme poverty, with under 3% of its population living below the poverty line, in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal. Recent data from the World Poverty Clock, supported by organizations such as IFAD and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, highlights India’s significant strides towards ending extreme poverty, a key global objective set for achievement by 2030.

5. Who won the first prize at the ‘National Youth Parliament Festival 2024’?

A. Vaishna Pitchai

B. Yatin Bhaskar Duggal

C. Kanishka Sharma

D. Aastha Sharma

• Yatin Bhaskar Duggal of Haryana clinched victory at the National Youth Parliament Festival, 2024. Vaishna Pitchai from Tamil Nadu secured second place, and Kanishka Sharma of Rajasthan claimed the third prize.

6. Recently, Ministry of Jal Shakti signed an agreement with which institute for the establishment of an International Centre of Excellence for Dams?

A. IIT Kanpur

B. IIM Ahmedabad

C. IISc Bangalore

D. IIT Bombay

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore to establish the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED). With a focus on dam safety, ICED will provide technical support, conduct research, and offer academic courses. The MoA duration is ten years or until the completion of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II and III Scheme, whichever is earlier.

7. What is the theme of ‘International Women’s Day 2024’?

A. Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress

B. Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow

C. DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality

D. Think equal, build smart, innovate for change

• International Women’s Day is a global event on March 8^th, acknowledging women’s accomplishments in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. In 2024, the United Nations’ theme is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ emphasizing the need for gender equality.

8. Recently, which state government collaborated with World Economic Forum to establish AI centre?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Karnataka

C. Kerala

D. Maharashtra

• The Karnataka state government has partnered with the World Economic Forum to establish a state-of-the-art AI center, formalized through a Letter of Intent signed on February 29. This strategic alliance aims to position Karnataka as a global hub for artificial intelligence, marking a crucial move towards integrating the state into the global digital and technological landscape.

9. What is the new minimum age for senior citizens eligible for voting by postal ballot?

A. 83

B. 85

C. 87

D. 90

• The Indian government, in consultation with the Election Commission of India, has increased the minimum age for senior citizens to use postal ballots from 80 to 85 years, effective immediately. With India’s electorate at 96.88 crore, 1.85 crore citizens are aged above 80.
• The amended Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, now defines “senior citizens” eligible for postal ballot voting as those above 85 years, replacing the previous threshold of 80 years, aiming to enhance electoral convenience for the elderly.

10. CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum has signed an MoU with which state to deploy the technology of making fuel from Pine Needles?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Uttarakhand

C. Rajasthan

D. Gujarat

• The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) signed an agreement with the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) to deploy pine needles-based fuel-making technology in the state’s Champawat district. The agreement includes implementing two technologies at the grassroots level in Champawat: A briquetting unit with a capacity of 50 kg per hour based on pine needles & 500 units of improved cookstoves for rural households.

11. Recently, which country hosted the 17th Annual International Biocuration Conference?

A. Myanmar

B. Nepal

C. India

D. Bangladesh

• The 17th Annual International Biocuration Conference (AIBC-2024) is set to take place at the National Capital Region (NCR) Biotech Science Cluster in Faridabad, India. The venue, comprising the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) and the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), offers a comprehensive platform for scientific discussions and collaboration during the conference.

12. Which day is celebrated as ‘Jan Aushadhi Day’ every year?

A. March.06

B. March.07

C. March.08

D. March.09

• Jan Aushadhi Day is celebrated every year on 7 March. This day is also known as Generic Medicine Day. The purpose of celebrating Jan Aushadhi Diwas is to increase awareness about generic medicines among the people and to promote the use of generic medicines. Jan Aushadhi Diwas started in the year 2019. This is a scheme of the government. Its objective is to make generic medicines accessible to the common people.