Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 15th May 2024

1. What is the theme of ‘World Migratory Bird Day 2024’?

A. Insects

B. Water

C. Light pollution

D. Protect birds

• World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign on May 11 & October 12, 2024, emphasizing migratory bird conservation. The theme “Insects” underscores insects’ significance for birds and addresses declining insect populations’ impact. World Migratory Bird Day raises awareness about the importance of preserving habitats for migratory birds.

2. Which cooperative society has recently signed an agreement with Marut Dronetech Private Ltd to launch Drone-as-a-Service operations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?

A. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO)

B. Amul

C. Anyonya Co-operative Bank Ltd

D. Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF)

• IFFCO partners with Marut Dronetech for Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, aiming to boost rural entrepreneurship and youth engagement. The collaboration targets to cover five lakh acres for agri input spraying. Marut Dronetech will deploy drones to dispense IFFCO agri-products. DAAS facilitates affordable drone tech access for farmers through rural entrepreneurs, promoting accessibility.

3. Recently, which company announced its first ever partnership with Hockey India for the National Women’s Hockey League 2024?

A. Pepsico

B. Coca Cola

C. Nestle

D. Parle Agro

• The Coca-Cola India Foundation, partnered with Hockey India for the National Women’s Hockey League 2024, marking its first collaboration. This partnership aims to empower women in hockey, aligning with Coca-Cola India’s #SheTheDifference campaign. Over three years, they will provide coaching, equipment, nutrition & organize camps and tournaments, supported by Sporting Ethos.

4. India recently collaborated with which country to study and conserve sharks and rays in the Arabian Sea?

A. Maldives

B. Somalia

C. Oman

D. Iran

• India and Oman are set to launch a collaborative initiative for shark and ray conservation in the Arabian Sea, announced at an upcoming workshop at ICAR-CMFRI. Jointly organized by CMFRI and Oman’s Directorate General of Fisheries Research, the workshop aims to foster research and capacity building in elasmobranch studies. It signifies a milestone in bilateral marine research.

5. Recently, which country has become India’s largest trading partner, surpassing the US in FY24?

A. United Arab Emirates

B. China

C. Russia

D. Japan

• According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) report, China overtakes the US as India’s primary trading partner, reaching $118.4 billion in bilateral trade in FY 24. India’s reliance on China is evident, particularly in critical sectors like telecom, smartphones, and pharmaceuticals.
• Telecom and smartphone parts constitute 44% of imports, with China supplying 75% of lithium-ion batteries for EVs. This shift highlights China’s increasing economic influence on India and underscores the need for diversified trade strategies.

6. Recently, where was the 4^th Joint Committee meeting for the review of AITIGA (ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement) held?

A. New Delhi, India

B. Jurong, Singapore

C. Jakarta, Indonesia

D. Putrajaya, Malaysia

• The 4^th Joint Committee meeting for AITIGA review convened in Putrajaya, Malaysia from 7-9 May 2024. AITIGA, signed in 2009, is a trade pact between ASEAN and India, effective since 2010, commonly known as the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement. Focused on physical goods, it excludes services, with a separate ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement established in 2014 during the 7^th ASEAN Economic Ministers-India Consultations in Bangkok, Thailand.

7. Recently, which ministry has sanctioned 113 roads under the Vibrant Village Programme in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim?

A. Ministry of Defence

B. Ministry of Home Affairs

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. Ministry of Agriculture

• The Home Ministry approved 113 roads under the Vibrant Village Programme across Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim to enhance connectivity in border areas. This scheme, active from 2022-23 to 2025-26, aims to uplift villages along the northern border, curbing outmigration and bolstering security. It targets 2967 villages in 19 districts and 46 border blocks of 4 states and 1 UT.

8. Kami Rita, who recently became the first person in the world to climb Mount Everest 29 times, belongs to which country?

A. India

B. Bhutan

C. Nepal

D. Myanmar

• Kami Rita, a legendary Nepalese mountaineer, broke his own world record by summiting Mount Everest 29 times. He accomplished this feat over 30 years, with his latest ascent on May 12, 2024. Born in 1970, Rita began his career in 1992 and conquered Everest first in 1994. He’s known as the “Everest Man.” His competitor, Pasang Dawa, has climbed Everest 27 times. Everest’s height is 8,848.86 meters or 29,031.69 feet.

9. Recently, which Indian Naval Ship visited Vietnam as part of the Indian Navy’s Operation Deployment?

A. INS Kaveri

B. INS Vikram

C. INS Kiltan 

D. INS Veer

• INS Kiltan arrived at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam on 12 May 24, strengthening ties between India and Vietnam. The visit, part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet deployment, emphasizes professional, social, and community exchanges. Kiltan, an ASW corvette, symbolizes India’s naval prowess and was built domestically. The visit culminates in a Maritime Partnership Exercise, enhancing interoperability between the two navies and reflecting their shared values.

10. Which ministry has recently signed an MoU with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. to conduct two Pilot Projects under the Drone Didi Yojana?

A. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

C. Ministry of MSME

D. Ministry of Home Affairs

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd for two Pilot Projects under the Drone Didi Yojana. Launched to empower women in agriculture, it aims to train 15,000 women in drone operation for tasks like crop monitoring and seeding. The projects will run at Noida and Hyderabad Centers, training 500 rural women in drone flying, data analysis, and maintenance.

11. Recently, who won the silver medal at the Asian Trampoline Gymnastics Championships?

A. Dipa Karmakar

B. Kalpana Debnath

C. Srishti Khandagale

D. Rucha Divekar

• Srishti Khandagale made history as the first Indian to medal in the Asian Trampoline Gymnastics Championships, earning silver in the Women’s Individual Age group in Hong Kong. Despite this achievement, she won’t compete in the Paris Olympics due to her age group. Dolgopolova of Kazakhstan secured gold, while S Hung of Hong Kong took bronze.

12. Which day declared as World Football Day by the UN recently?

A. 23.May

B. 24.May

C. 25.May

D. 26.May

• On May 7, 2024, the UN General Assembly, comprising 193 members, passed a resolution to designate May 25 as World Football Day annually. The Libyan ambassador to the UN, Taher El-Sonni, introduced the resolution, which gained consensus support and was co-sponsored by over 160 member nations. Highlighting football’s global popularity, the ambassador emphasized its ubiquity across towns, cities, and villages worldwide.