Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 15th March 2024

1. Presently, which country has emerged as the world’s second-largest producer of mobile phones?

A. India

B. United States

C. Germany

D. Vietnam

• By 2024, India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone producer, shifting from 78% import-dependency in 2014 to 97% self-sufficiency. A mere 3% of total mobile phones sold are now imported, marking a significant transformation in the sector.

2. Where was the National Dairy Mela & Agricultural Exhibition inaugurated?

A. Odisha

B. Gujarat

C. Jharkhand

D. Bihar

• Union Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the 3-day National Dairy Mela in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, organized by the National Dairy Research Institute. The first-of-its-kind event in Jharkhand aims to enhance livestock and agriculture development in tribal areas, attracting over 6,000 participants, including cattle rearers, farmers, entrepreneurs, students and government officials.

3. Krystyna Pyszkova, who recently won Miss World 2024 title, belongs to which country?

A. Poland

B. Czech Republic

C. Jamaica

D. Mexico

• Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic won Miss World 2024 at the Jio World Cinema in Mumbai, succeeding Poland’s Karolina Bielawska. Alongside the main title, Pyszkova was honored with the Best Fashion Designer Award – Europe. Notable contestants included India’s Sini Shetty and Trinidad and Tobago’s Aché Abrahams. The first runner-up was Yasmina Zaytoun from Lebanon.

4. Recently, who has been elected as the new President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)?

A. Lalit Thakur B. Sunil Pradhan

C. R Chandrasekhar D. Devendra Jhajharia

• Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in javelin throw, is the newly elected President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), succeeding Deepa Malik. He secured the position uncontested and leads the PCI unopposed. Jhajharia’s notable achievements include winning gold in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics in the F46 disability category.

5. Recently, the government is planning to implement a new highway toll collection system based on which technology?

A. Radio-Frequency Identification

B. Global Navigation Satellite System

C. Near Field Communication

D. Barcode Scanning

• The government plans to introduce a new highway toll collection system using the global navigation satellite system. The objective is to enable pay-as-you-use tolling, allowing users to pay based on actual distance traveled. The system involves an On-Board Unit (OBU) inside vehicles, utilizing GAGAN for accurate location tracking.

6. India recently signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with which organization?

A. European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

B. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

C. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

D. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

• India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) inked the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). EFTA, founded in 1960, promotes trade and integration for its four member states. TEPA with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein marks India’s first FTA with a major European economic bloc. The historic pact commits to a $100 billion investment and 1 million jobs in 15 years, boosting Make in India and providing Indian exporters access to expansive European and global markets.

7. Recently, who became the 14^th president of Pakistan?

A. Amir Muqam

B. Musadik Malik

C. Mahmood Khan Achakzai

D. Asif Ali Zardari

• Asif Ali Zardari is the 14^th president of Pakistan. He was sworn in on March 10, 2024, replacing Dr Arif Alvi. Asif Ali Zardari is a veteran politician who has been the president of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians and co-chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party. He is the first president to be elected twice to the office.

8. Recently, which state/UT conducted All-Women Maritime Surveillance Mission?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Andaman & Nicobar

C. Lakshadweep

D. Karnataka

• The Andaman & Nicobar Command marked the 40th anniversary of INAS 318 and International Women’s Day with a historic all-women maritime surveillance mission. The crew, consisting of Lt Cdr Shubhangi Swaroop, Lt Cdr Divya Sharma, and Lt Vaishali Mishra, showcased women’s pivotal role in the Naval Air Arm. The event emphasized gender equality.

9. Recently, where was the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme inaugurated?

A. Bhopal

B. New Delhi

C. Chandigarh

D. Lucknow

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, launched the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) program in Chandigarh. Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra commended the initiative, emphasizing its potential to balance sports and studies.
• KIRTI, part of the Khelo India mission, targets athletes aged nine to 18 in schools nationwide. The program plans 20 lakh assessments annually through Talent Assessment Centres, utilizing IT tools to identify and showcase talent, reflecting India’s commitment to global sports excellence.

10. Mission Divyastra is related to which one of the following missile system?

A. Trishul

B. Agni-5

C. Prithvi

D. Akash

• India successfully conducted the inaugural flight test of the Agni-5 nuclear ballistic missile on March 11, 2024, as part of the Make in India initiative by DRDO. The indigenously developed missile incorporates MIRV technology, allowing a single missile to deploy multiple warheads across different locations. Referred to as ‘Mission Divyastra’ by PM Modi, Agni-5 marks a significant advancement as it can simultaneously target multiple locations, in contrast to conventional missiles with a single warhead for a solitary target.

11. Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance (RPTUAS) Scheme introduced by which ministry?

A. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

C. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

D. Ministry of Rural Development

• The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers introduced the Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS). The initiative provides quality-based subsidies to pharmaceutical companies for achieving Revised Schedule M and WHO-GMP certifications. The scheme aims to elevate the pharmaceutical industry’s standards, promoting adherence to Revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP guidelines, thereby enhancing the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products manufactured in the country.

12. What are “Carmoisine, Tartrazine, and Rhodamine”?

A. Infectious diseases

B. Industrial pollutants

C. Food coloring agents

D. Medicinal plants

• The Karnataka government has banned artificial colors in ‘Gobi Manchurian’ and cotton candy due to health concerns. Among 171 Gobi Manchurian samples, 107 contained unsafe colors like tartrazine and sunset yellow. 25 cotton candy samples revealed 15 with unsafe colors including carcinogenic Rhodamine-B.