Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 15th April 2023
1. Which portal is launched by central Bureau of Narcotics to simplify the licensing and Exim authorization?
[A] Ice Gate 2.0 Portal
[B] Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics
[C] Adarsh Seva Portal
[D] Nav Nirman Portal
Answer: [B] Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics
The Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics has been launched by the Central Bureau of Narcotics with an objective to simplify the licensing and EXIM authorizations issued by the Bureau. The portal was launched by the Revenue Secretary Shri Sanjay Malhotra. The unified portal would enhance the efficiency, transparency and accountability in department users, with two-fold objectives: cater the need of pharma and chemical industry; ensure availability of the “essential narcotic drugs” and medicines.
2. What is “Colistin”, which is the news recently?
[A] Antibiotic drug
[B] Ayurvedic Medicine
[C] Covid variant
[D] Fungi
Answer: [A] Antibiotic drug
Colistin is an antibiotic drug which is used to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible Gram negative bacteria. Generally, it is used as a last resort when all other drugs do not respond. It is also called as polymyxin E Recently, researchers in Los Angeles of USA have found bacteria that resist this drug in the US country’s wastewaters.
3. Which space agency has released the image of Crab Nebula?
[A] ISRO
[B] European Space Agency
[C] Roscosmos
[D] NASA
Answer: [D] NASA
Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula found in the Taurus constellation, which is located 6500 light-years from Earth. Its image which was captured using Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) spacecraft was released by NASA. Using the IXPE, Scientists have mapped the iconic Crab Nebula’s magnetic field in greater detail than ever before.
4. Where is Zojila tunnel being constructed?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Answer: [D] Jammu and Kashmir
The Zojila Tunnel, which would be Asia’s longest tunnel once completed, is being contructed in Jammu & Kashmir to establish all weather connectivity for Ladakh. 19 tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs. 25000 crore, of which the major one is the Zojila Tunnel. With the construction of this 14.15km tunnel, there will be all-weather connectivity for Ladakh, which will cut down travel time to cross the Zojila Pass from three hours to 20 minutes.
5. Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) is the information database of which international organization?
[A] World Bank
[B] Bank for International Settlement
[C] International Atomic Energy Agency
[D] Central Bureau of Indirect Taxes and Excise
Answer: [C] International Atomic Energy Agency
Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) is International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) information system of incidents of unauthorized activated and illicit trafficking involving radioactive materials outside the purview of regulatory control. As per the recently released annual fact sheet of ITDB a total of 146 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material were reported in the year 2022.
6. Where was the International Conference on Defence Finance and Economics 2023 held?
[A] Visakhapatnam
[B] Kochi
[C] New Delhi
[D] Mumbai
Answer: [C] New Delhi
The International Conference on Defence Finance & Economics 2023 (ICDFE -2023) was a three-day event held in New Delhi from April 12-14 2023. The conference provided a platform to discuss defence finance and economics in the context of changing security scenarios. The conference was organized by Ministry of Defence (Finance) and was inaugurated by the Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
7. Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was a social activist from which state of India?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] West Bengal
[D] Maharashtra
Answer: [D] Maharashtra
Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was a social activist and an author from Maharashtra, known for his works in fields like eradication of untouchability, caste system and more. His birth anniversary is observed on April 11. Satyashodhak Samaj was a social reform society founded by Jyotiba Phule in Pune, on 24 September 1873 with a mission of education and social rights for underprivileged groups with special focus on women.
8. Amolops siju is a new species of frog discovered in which state of India?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Goa
[D] Kerala
Answer: [A] Meghalaya
The researchers from the Zoological Survey of India have discovered a new species of frog named Amolops siju in a cave situated in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district. Siju is a four-kilometre-long natural limestone cave, from where the species was discovered. Hence the frog species has been named after the place of its discovery.
9. Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is associated with which country?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Japan
[D] United Kingdom
Answer: [D] United Kingdom
Government Communications Headquarters, commonly known as GCHQ, is an intelligence and security organization of the United Kingdom which is responsible for providing signals intelligence and information assurance (IA) to the government and armed forces of UK. Anne Keast-Butler has been announced as the new director of GCHQ, thereby becoming the first woman to lead the UK’s intelligence, cyber and security agency.
10. What is the name of India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail services which is being implemented in NCR?
[A] Aham Metro
[B] Maha Rail
[C] RAPIDX
[D] Retro Metro
Answer: [C] RAPIDX
The India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail services has been named ‘RAPIDX’ by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). The RAPIDX trains will run on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, which would connect key urban nodes across the National Capital Region (NCR). The project is implemented by NCRTC which is a joint venture company of the Union government and states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
11. Gond Painting belongs to which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: [D] Madhya Pradesh
The Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh is an art form associsted with the Gond tribe and it features unique style and theme. The painting has recently received Geographical Indication tag. Tamil Nadu’s Authoor betel leaves has also received GI tag. A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
12. Exercise Balikatan is a defence exercise between which two countries?
[A] India – Philippines
[B] USA – Philippines
[C] India – Bhutan
[D] USA – China
Answer: [B] USA – Philippines
The United States of America and the Philippines have launched their largest combat exercise named Balikatan, meaning shoulder-to-shoulder. The exercise is launched in waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The exercise would witness participation of more than 17600 military personnel and the drills will include live-fire exercises and a boat-sinking rocket assault.
13. The Government of Maharashtra announced to celebrate which Indian personality’s birthday as “Swatantraveer Gaurav Din”?
[A] Mahatma Gandhi
[B] Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
[C] Jyotirao Phule
[D] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Answer: [B] Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
The Government of Maharashtra has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar – May 28th as ‘Swatantraveer Gaurav Din’. Vinayak Savarkar was born in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, on 28th May 1883. Year 2023 would mark his 140th birth anniversary. Various programs will be organized by the state to promote and propagate the thoughts and works of Veer Savarkar on Swatantraveer Gaurav Divas.
14. Akhaura is an important railway station in which country?
[A] Bhutan
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Myanmar
Answer: [C] Bangladesh
The Agartala-Akhaura New Rail Link Project is an under-construction tail link project that connects Agartala (Tripura) and Akhaura (Bangladesh). This strategically important project would be a game-changer and boost economic relationship between India and Bangladesh. Under this project, there will be an integrated checkpoint next to the Nischintapur railway yard that will connect travelers to the Agartala-Akhaura Rail Link station.
15. Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998 was aimed to end violence in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Chile
[C] Northern Ireland
[D] Russia
Answer: [C] Northern Ireland
The Good Friday Agreement is a pair of agreements signed on 10 April 1998 that ended most of the violence in Northern Ireland that had prevailed since the late 1960s. The year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of Good Friday Agreement. Northern Ireland’s present devolved system of government is based on the agreement. It is made up of the Multi-Party Agreement between most of Northern Ireland’s political parties, and the British-Irish Agreement.
16. Which state has decided to implement State Millet Mission Scheme?
[A] Haryana
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: [D] Madhya Pradesh
The state cabinet of Madhya Pradesh has decided to implement the Madhya Pradesh State Millet Mission scheme. The duration of the scheme will be of two years (2023-24 and 2024-25) with an expenditure of over Rs 23 crore. The scheme will be implemented in all the districts through the Director, Farmers’ Welfare and Agriculture Development.
17. Who was the ninth Guru of the Sikh religion?
[A] Guru Tegh Bahadur
[B] Guru Nanak
[C] Guru Har Gobind
[D] Guru Ram Das
Answer: [A] Guru Tegh Bahadur
Guru Tegh Bahadur is the ninth out of the ten Gurus who founded the Sikh religion. Parkash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur is celebrated every year of April 11. He was the leader of Sikhs from 1665 until his death in 1675. He was the youngest son of the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind.
18. ‘Litoria gracilis’, which was recently discovered in Papua New Guinea, belongs to which species?
[A] Frog
[B] Snake
[C] Turtle
[D] Moth
Answer: [A] Frog
Litoria gracilis is one of the five new species of Australian treefrogs found in Papua New Guinea. The other four species are Litoria daraiensis, Litoria haematogaster, Litoria lisae and Litoria naispela. While tree frogs typically lay their eggs directly into water, the newly described species of the genus Litoria might all use structures like trees and rockfaces to deposit their offspring.
19. ‘Nicobari Hut’ is prevalently found in which state/UT?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[D] Odisha
Answer: [C] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Nicobari hut, locally known as ‘chanvi-pati-nyi hupul’ is famed for its unique eco-friendly design and earth-quake resistant construction. It is set to receive geographical indication (GI) tag. Earlier the GI tag for traditional ‘hodi’ , an outrigger canoe was given to the region. It has an inverted helmet-shaped hut with wood and palm fronds, which maintains a pleasant temperature despite the hot and humid tropical climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The huts are also earthquake resistant.
20. Which institution announced a framework for acceptance of Green Deposits?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] NSE
Answer: [A] RBI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the framework for acceptance of Green Deposits of regulated entities (RE). The idea is to foster and develop a green finance ecosystem in the country. The framework shall come into effect from June 1, 2023.