Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 12th April 2024

1. Recently, where was the ‘Sagar Kavach’ exercise held?

A. Lakshadweep

B. Goa

C. Chennai

D. Puducherry

• The two-day coastal security exercise, “Sagar Kavach”, was recently held in the Lakshadweep Islands in April 2024. The exercise involved maritime security agencies, including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, Fisheries, and Customs.

2. Recently, which water bodies were found to have pervasive presence of PFAS according to the study by IIT Chennai?

A. Buckingham Canal, River Adyar and Chembarambakkam Lake

B. River Kaveri, River Amravati and River Bhavani

C. River Palar, River Thenpennai and River Kedilam

D. River Thamirabharani, River Kadana Nathi and River Pachaiyar

• A study by IIT Madras reveals widespread presence of PFAS (‘Forever Chemicals’) in Buckingham Canal, Adyar River, and Chembarambakkam Lake. PFAS, common in non-stick cookware, food packaging, and industrial materials, resist degradation in the environment. Concerns arise over potential adverse health effects including liver damage, low infant birth weights, hormonal imbalance, fertility issues, immune system effects, and cancer.

3. After Chabahar, India has recently secured the right to operate at which overseas port?

A. Sittwe Port

B. Colombo Port

C. Yangon Port

D. Pangaon Port

• India gains approval from the Ministry of External Affairs to manage its second overseas port, Sittwe in Myanmar, following Chabahar in Iran. Sittwe, situated at the Kaladan River’s mouth in Rakhine State, Myanmar, is developed under the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), supported by India’s grant aid. This strategic move is poised to amplify trade prospects for India’s Northeast, fostering enhanced commerce between India and Myanmar.

4. Gangaur festival is celebrated in which state?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Gujarat

C. Rajasthan

D. Odisha

• Gangaur, a significant festival in Rajasthan, honors the union of Lord Shiva (Gan) and Goddess Parvati (Gauri), symbolizing marital bliss. Celebrated in Chaitra (March-April), it signifies the onset of spring. Women worship clay idols of Gan and Gauri, seeking blessings for marital happiness or their husbands’ well-being. Unmarried girls pray for suitable spouses, while married women wish for their husbands’ health and longevity.

5. What kind of satellite is ‘TSAT-1A’?

A. Earth observation satellite

B. Climate monitoring satellite

C. Communication satellite

D. Navigation satellite

• Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) launched TSAT-1A, an optical sub-metre-resolution Earth observation satellite, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Built in collaboration with Satellogic Inc., it offers military-grade imagery capabilities and multispectral/hyperspectral imaging. Deployed for Indian defense, it enhances preparedness and strategic decision-making.

6. Recently, who has been appointed as the coach of the senior national women’s hockey team?

A. PR Sreejesh

B. Amit Rohidas

C. Harendra Singh

D. Harmanpreet Singh

• Former Indian Hockey player and Dronacharya awardee Harendra Singh has been chosen by Hockey India to coach the senior national women’s team until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He replaces Janneke Schopman of Holland, who resigned after the team’s failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics. No formal announcement has been made due to the model code of conduct.

7. Recently, what forms of assistance is India providing to Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Mauritius under the United Nations’ initiative?

A. Early warning weather system

B. Scientific research facility

C. Educational infrastructure

D. Cybersecurity measures

• India is contributing to the ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative by the United Nations, aiming to establish life-saving early warning systems for hazardous weather, water, or climate events globally by 2027.
• Collaborating with Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Mauritius, India is aiding in setting up early warning weather systems. These efforts enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities by providing timely alerts and forecasts for natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and storms.

8. Angara A5 Space Rocket is developed by which country?

A. Russia

B. Ukraine

C. Japan

D. China

• Russia’s Angara A5 space rocket is set for its maiden launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. This three-stage marvel aims to deliver 24.5 tonnes of payload into low orbit, replacing the veteran Proton M.

9. Recently, which mission received the 2024 John L ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr Award for space exploration?

A. Chandrayaan-3 Mission

B. Chandrayaan-2 Mission

C. Mars Orbiter Mission

D. Gaganyaan Mission

• The ISRO Chandrayaan-3 mission team received the 2024 John L ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr. award for space exploration from the US-based Space Foundation. This prestigious accolade, presented during the Space Symposium, recognizes outstanding contributions to space exploration. India’s Consul General in Houston accepted the award, highlighting the mission’s technical prowess.

10. Recently, who became the first Indian to win a match in a Masters 1000 tournament on clay courts?

A. Sagar Kashyap

B. Sumit Nagal

C. Nitin Kirtane

D. Ramesh Krishnan

• India’s top tennis player, Sumit Nagal, advances to the second round of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, becoming the third Indian to reach the main draw. Nagal made history as the first Indian to play an ATP Masters 1000 match on clay since 1990. He defeated Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in a stunning comeback, marking his third win against a top-50 player.

11. What is the theme of ‘World Homeopathy Day 2024’?

A. Homeoparivar: One Health, One Family

B. Homeopathy: People’s Choice for Wellness

C. Homeopathy – Roadmap for Integrative Medicine

D. Homoeopathy in public health

• World Homeopathy Day is celebrated annually on April 10 in honor of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, on his birth anniversary. The theme for 2024 is “Homeoparivar: One Health, One Family”, emphasizing holistic health. Homeopathy gained prominence in the 19th century due to Hahnemann’s success. World Homeopathy Day aims to promote the homeopathic system of medicine globally.

12. Peter Higgs, who recently passed away, received a Nobel Prize for which research?

A. Quantum mechanics

B. Discovery of radioactivity

C. Discovery of the elements radium and polonium

D. Discovery of God Particle

• British physicist Peter Higgs, renowned for discovering the ‘Higgs-Boson Particle’ or ‘God Particle’, passed away at 94. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013, his work elucidated the universe’s post-Big Bang creation. Higgs, a long-time professor at Edinburgh University, contributed significantly to understanding bosons’ role in universal cohesion.