Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 12th & 13th March 2024

1. Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport is located in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Karnataka

C. Manipur

D. Andhra Pradesh

• Prime Minister of India inaugurated ISRO’s new rocket launchport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, exclusively catering to commercial, on-demand, and small satellite launches. With the surge in commercial launches expected due to the new space sector policy, the second launchport aims to alleviate the burden on the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR.

2. Pars-I Satellite is launched by which country?

A. Iran

B. Iraq

C. China

D. Israel

• Iran launched its domestically developed “Pars-I” satellite into orbit using a Russian Soyuz-2.1b launcher from the Vostochny launch base, 8,000 km east of Moscow. The satellite, designed for remote sensing and imaging of Iran’s topography, orbits 500 km above Earth, providing high-resolution images.

3. Majuli manuscript painting is associated with which state?

A. Assam

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Maharashtra

D. Madhya Pradesh

• Majuli manuscript painting, a traditional art form dating back to the 16th century in Assam, recently received a Geographical Indication tag. The paintings are created on sanchi pat, manu scripts made from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree, using homemade ink. Srimanta Sankardev’s illustrated rendering of the Adya Dasama from the Bhagwat Purana is considered the earliest example. Originally patronized by Ahom kings, this art form persists in every sattra in Majuli.

4. Operation Kamdhenu is launched by which state/UT to curb cattle smuggling?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Jammu & Kashmir

C. Delhi

D. Kerala

• In March 2024, the Jammu and Kashmir police launched Operation Kamdhenu to curb cattle smuggling. The operation’s goal is to catch the masterminds of cattle smuggling and to scrutinize their activities. The operation includes a meticulous approach, such as documenting details like the engine and chassis numbers, mobile numbers, and Aadhar card details of vehicles involved in smuggling.

5. RBI recently signed an MoU with which bank to promote use of local currencies?

A. Bank of Bahrain

B. Bank of America Corp. (BAC)

C. Bank Indonesia

D. Bank of Nova Scotia

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank Indonesia (BI) signed a MoU in Mumbai, promoting cross-border transactions using the Indian Rupee (INR) and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and BI Governor Perry Warjiyo established a framework to boost the utilization of local currencies, aiming to enhance trade, deepen financial integration, and strengthen economic ties between India and Indonesia.

6. Recently, which country became the 32^nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

A. Egypt

B. Sweden

C. India

D. Malaysia

• Sweden became the 32^nd member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 2024 after completing its accession process in Washington. Sweden’s application to join NATO came two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine raised security concerns. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer, and the whole Alliance more secure.

7. Sea Defenders-2024 is a joint coast guard exercise between India and which country?

A. United States

B. United Kingdom

C. Australia

D. Maldives

• The US Coast Guard Bertholf ship arrived in Port Blair for the ‘Sea Defenders-2024’ joint exercise with the Indian Coast Guard. Set off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the two-day event focuses on maritime piracy, simulated drone attacks, search and rescue operations, firefighting, pollution response, and counter-drug exercises.

8. School Soil Health Programme is a joint initiative of which ministries?

A. Ministry of Power & Ministry of Panchayati Raj

B. Ministry of Rural Development & Ministry of Jal Shakti

C. Ministry of Tribal Affairs & Ministry of Mines

D. Ministry of Education & Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

• The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Union Minister for Rural Development launched the School Soil Health Programme in New Delhi. The collaborative effort between the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Department of School Education and Literacy initiated a pilot project in 20 rural Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalaya schools.
• It involved setting up soil labs, developing study modules, and providing training to students and teachers. The program, now expanded to 1000 schools, encourages students to collect soil samples, test them in school labs, and educate farmers based on generated Soil Health Cards.

9. Taeniogonalos deepaki is belongs to which one of the following species?

A. Flowering plant

B. Wasp

C. Frog

D. Snake

• Entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment discovered Taeniogonalos deepaki, a new wasp species in Karnataka’s Western Ghat region. Found in Belgaum, it’s named after Dr. Deepak Deshpande. Taeniogonalos belongs to the Trigonalyidae family, known for hyperparasitoids. Researchers also detailed the first male of Taeniogonalos eurysoma, expanding knowledge on these wasps, primarily found in South India.

10. Recently, which country has become the 97^th member to ratify the International Solar Alliance?

A. Iran

B. Panama

C. Egypt

D. Singapore

• Panama recently joined the International Solar Alliance as its 97th member. During a meeting in New Delhi, Ambassador Yasiel Burillo handed over the Instrument of ISA Ratification to Abhishek Singh, Joint Secretary of Economic Diplomacy. This development marks Panama’s commitment to global solar cooperation.

11. Recently, who was recently declared as the winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2024?

A. Riken Yamamoto

B. David Chipperfield

C. B V Doshi

D. Yvonne Farrell

• Riken Yamamoto, a Japanese architect and social advocate, has been named the winner of the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Pritzker Prize is considered the highest international honor in the field of architecture and is sometimes called the “Architecture Nobel”.

12. Neengal Nalama Scheme is launched by which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Andhra Pradesh

• Tamil Nadu’s leader announced the launch of “Neengal Nalama” (Are you doing well) on March 6, 2024, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support families. Also referred to as the ‘Are you alright plan’ Neengal Nalama Scheme 2024, it signifies a significant initiative by the Tamil Nadu government to aid all families in the state, reflecting their commitment to comprehensive welfare measures.

13. IRIS is related to which one of the following?

A. India’s first generative Artificial Intelligence teacher

B. Newly discovered Asteroid

C. Invasive plant species

D. Earth observation satellite

• A school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, introduced Iris, India’s first generative AI teacher, as part of the Atal Tinkering Lab project by NITI Aayog.
• Launched by the Kaduvayil Thangal Charitable Trust, Iris operates at KTCT Higher Secondary School, pushing educational boundaries and promoting innovation. The Atal Tinkering Lab initiative, announced in January 2021, encourages experiential learning and extracurricular activities, marking a significant step in integrating AI technology into Indian education.

14. Recently, the Union Government partnered with which organization to connect tribal villages with internet services?

A. ISRO

B. ILO

C. WTO

D. UNESCO

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs plans to partner with ISRO to deploy V-SAT stations for a pilot project in eighty tribal villages across Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The collaboration aims to provide essential services like Internet, medical, and educational connectivity.

15. Recently, which institute hosted the webinar on ‘Viksit Bharat: Corporate governance for 2047’?

A. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

B. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA)

C. Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

D. Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs)

• The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) hosted a webinar on “Viksit Bharat: Corporate Governance for 2047” on March 7, 2024. Viksit Bharat is the Government of India’s vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. The vision includes many aspects of development, such as economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance.

16. Which city recently received the first set of driverless metro train coaches, which are part of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system?

A. Chennai

B. Bengaluru

C. Mumbai

D. New Delhi

• In March 2024, Bengaluru received the first set of six driverless train coaches as part of its Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system. The coaches are part of the 18.8 km-long Yellow Line, which is under construction and connects RV Road and Bommasandra. The CBTC system is a radio-based communication system that provides timely and accurate train control information.

17. Fourier’s Law is associated with which one of the following?

A. Law of Elasticity

B. Law of Heat Conduction

C. Law of Partial Pressures

D. Law of Fluid Dynamics

• Scientists recently uncovered an exception to Fourier’s Law, a 200-year-old principle governing heat diffusion in solids. Fourier’s Law, or Law of Heat Conduction, elucidates how heat transfers through materials based on temperature gradients. The formula, q = – k▽T, encompasses heat flux (q), thermal conductivity coefficient (k), and temperature gradient (∇T). This revelation challenges long-standing beliefs, highlighting the dynamic nature of scientific understanding in thermal conduction, an essential aspect of material science.

18. What is the budget outlay for the ‘IndiaAI mission’ recently approved by the Cabinet of India?

A. Rs.18, 371.92 crore

B. Rs.10, 371.92 crore

C. Rs.16, 678.92 crore

D. Rs.11, 371.45 crore

• The Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the comprehensive national-level IndiaAI mission with a budget outlay of Rs.10,371.92 crore. The IndiaAI mission will establish a comprehensive ecosystem catalyzing AI innovation through strategic programs and partnerships across the public and private sectors.
• By democratizing computing access, improving data quality, developing indigenous AI capabilities, attracting top AI talent, enabling industry collaboration, providing startup risk capital, ensuring socially impactful AI projects and bolstering ethical AI, it will drive responsible, inclusive growth of India’s AI ecosystem.

19. What is the primary objective of the ‘UNNATI – 2024 scheme’?

A. Promoting Tourism in North East region

B. Enhancing Agricultural Productivity in South Region

C. Developing industries and generating employment in the North East Region

D. Encouraging International Trade in India

• The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade for Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme, 2024 (UNNATI – 2024) for a period of 10 years from the date of notification along with 8 years for committed liabilities at a total cost of Rs.10,037 crore.

20. Which city is going to host the world’s largest literary festival, Sahityotsav?

A. New Delhi

B. Lucknow

C. Chennai

D. Bengaluru

• Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, celebrates its 70th anniversary with ‘Sahityotsav,’ the world’s largest literary festival from March 11 to 16, 2024. Over 1100 writers and scholars from 175+ languages will participate in 190 sessions. Highlighted by the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2023 on March 12, featuring Odia writer Pratibha Rai as Chief Guest.

21. Poshan Pakhwada is organized by which ministry?

A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

B. Ministry of Women and Child Development

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development hosted Poshan Pakhwada nationwide from March 9 to March 23, 2024, a 15-day initiative focused on promoting awareness about nutrition, dietary practices, and women’s health. The campaign aims to foster public participation and a collective movement to emphasize the significance of nutrition and advocate for healthier eating habits.

22. Which country received the prestigious ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ global award for its exemplary efforts in combating these diseases?

A. India

B. Myanmar

C. Bhutan

D. Bangladesh

• India was honored with the prestigious ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ award on March 6, 2024, for its outstanding efforts in combatting these diseases. Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan accepted the award on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington DC.
• The recognition from ‘The Measles and Rubella Partnership’ highlights India’s steadfast commitment to public health and controlling the spread of infectious diseases among children.

23. Recently, where was the ‘Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre’ inaugurated?

A. New Delhi

B. Chennai

C. Chandigarh

D. Bhopal

• Union Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre in New Delhi’s Krishi Bhawan. The initiative aims to empower farmers by offering vital information and services, fostering nationwide self-reliance. Farmers will access real-time farm data for informed decision-making, addressing challenges in the agriculture sector.

24. Which day is celebrated as ‘CISF Raising Day’ every year?

A. March.09

B. March.10

C. March.11

D. March.12

• Celebrated annually on March 10, CISF Raising Day commemorates the inception of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in 1969 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Formed by an Act of Parliament, CISF, initially comprising a few battalions, has evolved into a formidable, multi-skilled security force with specialized training, emphasizing growth and strength since its establishment.