Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 13th February 2024

1. “Road to Paris 2024: Championing Clean Sports and Uniting for Anti-Doping” conference is recently hosted by which organization?

A. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

B. National Forensic Science University

C. Sports Authority of India

D. National Sports Federation of India

• With the Paris Olympics approaching, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) held the “Road to Paris 2024: Championing Clean Sports and Uniting for Anti-Doping” Conference to educate Indian athletes on the dangers of prohibited substances. Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar.

2. What is the name of the satellite recently launched by NASA to survey oceans and atmosphere?

A. STARS-1

B. ROSAT

C. PACE

D. ASTRO A

• NASA and SpaceX rescheduled the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission launch due to weather delays. The mission, exploring ocean-atmosphere connections amid climate change, aims to understand the impact of microscopic life in water and air.
• PACE will monitor carbon dioxide exchange, atmospheric variables, and ocean health through phytoplankton study. The mission’s aerosol products will aid health advisories for phenomena like wildfires and monitor harmful algae blooms.

3. What is the theme of New Delhi World Book Fair 2024?

A. Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

B. Books for Readers with Special Needs

C. Indigenous Voices: Mapping India’s Folk & Tribal Literature

D. Multilingual India: A Living Tradition

• The New Delhi Book Fair, hosted by the National Book Trust and ITPO from February 10 to 18, 2024, celebrates “Multilingual India: A Living Tradition.” Saudi Arabia is the Guest of Honor, highlighting its literary heritage with 25 delegates, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties between India and Saudi Arabia at Pragati Maidan.

4. Recently, which Northeastern state becomes first to reinstate Old Pension Scheme for employees?

A. Mizoram

B. Sikkim

C. Manipur

D. Assam

• Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang of Sikkim has declared the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme for state government employees hired after April 1, 2006. According to the Sikkim Services Pension Rules, 1990, employees appointed before March 31, 1990, will benefit from this revival. This move is a significant measure towards securing the financial well-being of state government employees, especially with the imminent state assembly elections.

5. Recently, which bank has approved a $200 million loan for Brahmaputra River Project in Assam?

A. ICICI Bank

B. Asian Development Bank

C. World Bank

D. HDFC Bank

• The Asian Development Bank has sanctioned a $200 million loan to bolster flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. The project emphasizes a comprehensive and integrated strategy, leveraging successful past initiatives to tackle persistent challenges of flooding and erosion in the region. It prioritizes long-term planning and heightened support for climate and disaster resilience to mitigate these issues effectively.

6. Mimas is a natural satellite of which planet?

A. Saturn

B. Neptune

C. Mars

D. Venus

• Saturn’s moon Mimas, discovered in 1789 by William Herschel, may conceal a vast ocean beneath its surface. As the smallest and innermost of Saturn’s major moons, Mimas is also known as Saturn I. A recent analysis suggests a relatively “young” ocean formed on Mimas approximately 5 to 15 million years ago, adding intrigue to the moon’s geological history.

7. Aral Sea stands at the boundary between which two countries?

A. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

B. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

C. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

D. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan

• The Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth-largest inland water body, has nearly disappeared due to a major Soviet water diversion project in 1960. The diversion of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers for irrigation projects led to the sea’s gradual drying up. Located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea depression formed millions of years ago and drained several countries. Harsh Central Asian climate and unsustainable human interventions caused its decline, leaving it on the brink of complete disappearance.

8. Who is the new brand ambassador of ‘Fit India Movement’?

A. Neeraj Chopra

B. Narendra Kumar Yadav

C. Joginder Sharma

D. Sunil Kumar

• The government of India appointed IRS officer Narendra Kumar Yadav as the brand ambassador for the Fit India movement. Yadav is the Additional Director of GST and the first civil servant to be appointed as a brand ambassador for the movement.

9. Where was the Centre for Excellence in Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons (CoE-NSTS) inaugurated?

A. Coimbatore

B. Gandhinagar

C. Bhopal

D. Imphal

• India has inaugurated its first-ever Center for Excellence in Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons (CoE-NSTS) at the National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar. Unveiled by Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, the lab is dedicated to screening supplements for banned substances, ensuring the well-being of athletes and upholding sports integrity. The initiative aims to provide Indian athletes with dope-free nutritional supplements.

10. Which institute has been honored with the Nelson Mandela Award 2024 by the WHO?

A. AIIMS, Delhi

B. AIIMS, Madurai

C. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences

D. National Institute of Ayurveda

• The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) has been honored with the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award (NMA) by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its exceptional commitment to promoting mental health and well-being.
• Recognized for pioneering mental health and neuroscience advancements, NIMHANS supports innovative research, education, and patient care, integrating mental health into general healthcare. The award coincides with NIMHANS’ 50th foundation year.

11. Where was the 67^th All India Police Duty Meet (AIPDM) held?

A. Chennai

B. Lucknow

C. Bengaluru

D. Palayamkottai

• The 67th All India Police Duty Meet (AIPDM) was hosted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from February 12th to 16th, 2024. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony. The event, organized by the RPF, aims to promote excellence and collaboration among police officers, fostering scientific detection, investigation, and internal security. The dedicated mobile app and website facilitate real-time updates and communication, enhancing the overall participant experience.

12. Which one of the following is the best description of term ‘infexnTM’?

A. Startup growth program

B. Genomics-based infectious diseases test

C. Enhancing the flavor of genetically modified crops

D. Loan window for MSMEs

• Kerala is set to introduce India’s inaugural genomics-based infectious diseases test, ‘infexnTM.’ Developed by HaystackAnalytics and NIMS Medicity, the test utilizes targeted next-generation sequencing, capable of identifying bacterial and/or fungal infections, along with relevant antimicrobial resistance genes within 24 hours.