Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 16th & 17th May 2024

1. Recently, where was the ‘World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition 2024’ held?

A. London, UK

B. Moscow, Russia

C. Paris, France

D. Rotterdam, Netherlands

• India has setup its pavilion at the 2024 World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, inaugurated by Bhupinder Singh Bhalla from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy on May 12. The event, running from May 13-15, hosts 15,000 delegates worldwide. Organized by the Sustainable Energy Council and partners including the Netherlands government, it’s a premier platform promoting green hydrogen technology and its global adoption as a sustainable fuel source.

2. Recently, where was the 10^th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) held?

A. Beijing, China

B. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

C. Jakarta, Indonesia

D. New Delhi, India

• Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana from India are included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register for 2024. Recognizing achievements in genealogy, literature, and science, the committee’s decision was made at the 10th General Meeting of MOWCAP in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The meeting, hosted by the Mongolian government and UNESCO, had 38-member state representatives and 40 observers.

3. Recently, who has become first Indian male wrestler to qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics?

A. Bhim Singh

B. Aman Sehrawat

C. Dinkarrav Shinde

D. Udey Chand

• Aman Sehrawat made history as the first Indian male wrestler to clinch a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the World Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Istanbul, he secured the Paris quota in the men’s 57kg freestyle category by defeating Chongsong Han of Korea 12-2 in the semi-final. This marks India’s sixth quota in wrestling for the 2024 Olympics, with all previous five quotas won by Indian women wrestlers.

4. P Shyaamnikhil, who recently became India’s 85^th chess Grandmaster, belongs to which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Manipur

D. Rajasthan

• P Shyaamnikhil, Tamil Nadu native, became India’s 85th chess Grandmaster at 31. Starting his career at eight, he clinched his third GM norms at 2024 Dubai Police Masters Chess Tournament. R Vaishali preceded him as the 84th Indian GM. Before the tournament, Shyaamnikhil required one win and eight draws. Despite accumulating 2500 ELO rating points and two GM norms in 2012, he waited 12 years for the third GM norm, achieved in Dubai.

5. What is the name of the project being undertaken by the state highways department in Tamil Nadu around the Nilgiris’ major roads?

A. Nilgiris Highway Rehabilitation Scheme

B. Soil Nailing and Hydroseeding Project

C. Soil Conservation Farming

D. Soil and Water Conservation Society

• The project ‘slope stabilization using soil nailing and Hydroseeding method’ is implemented by Tamil Nadu’s state highways department around Nilgiris’ major roads. It employs geotechnical engineering techniques like soil reinforcement through steel tendons, creating composite masses akin to gravity walls. This method includes drilled and grouted, driven, drilling, and jet grouted soil nailing. While driven is fast but lacks corrosion protection, drilling and jet grouted methods offer quicker stabilization and erosion control.

6. World Wildlife Crime Report 2024, recently released by which organization?

A. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

B. World Health Organisation

C. World Bank

D. United Nations Development Program

• The 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime revealed rhinos and cedars as the most trafficked species from 2015-2021. Established in 1997, the UNODC combats drug abuse, trafficking, and crime worldwide. It strengthens international cooperation, promotes crime prevention, and aids criminal justice reform to combat transnational organized crime and corruption.

7. Recently, which ministry has boarded the PM Gati Shakti portal to identify and bridge gaps in social security coverage across the country?

A. Ministry of Defence

B. Ministry of Labour and Employment

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. Ministry of Agriculture

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has joined the PM Gati Shakti portal to enhance social security coverage. PM Gati Shakti, launched in 2021, is the National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity, integrating 16 ministries. Its goal is integrated planning and implementation of connectivity projects, improving movement of people and goods between transport modes. The initiative focuses on 6 pillars: Comprehensiveness, Prioritization, Optimization, Synchronization, Analytical, and Dynamic.

8. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is associated with which space organization?

A. ISRO

B. JAXA

C. NASA

D. CNSA

• The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, led by NASA, targets exploration from our solar system’s outer reaches to the observable universe edge. Its focus includes dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and various infrared astrophysics and planetary science areas. Key instruments include the Wide Field and Coronagraph Instrument, utilizing microlensing for exoplanet studies.

9. Recently, which space organization announced plans to build the first railway station on the moon for efficient payload transportation?

A. ISRO

B. JAXA

C. NASA

D. CNSA

• NASA announced FLOAT (Flexible Levitation on a Track), the first lunar railway system, aiming to transform cargo transfer on the Moon. FLOAT, part of NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative, utilizes unpowered magnetic robots on a three-layer flexible film track. These robots levitate above the track, reducing wear from moon dust and offering dependable transportation for sustainable lunar colonies.

10. Manika Batra is associated with which sports?

A. Table Tennis

B. Badminton

C. Football

D. Chess

• Manika Batra, India’s top women’s table tennis player, achieved a historic milestone by entering the world’s top 25 in Women’s singles rankings, reaching a career-high of 24. She matched G Sathyan’s record for the highest rank achieved by an Indian in singles table tennis. Following her performance in the Saudi Smash tournament, she climbed 15 spots, reaching the quarterfinals. Batra, a gold medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, continues to shine on the global stage.

11. IndiaSkills Competition 2024, the country’s biggest skilling program, recently started at which place?

A. Hyderabad

B. Kolkata

C. New Delhi

D. Chennai

• IndiaSkills 2024, the nation’s largest skill competition, kicked off in New Delhi on May 15, 2024, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka. Organized by NSDC under MSDE, it spans 61 categories, testing skills nationwide until May 18. This biennial event enjoys broad support from state governments, industry, SSCs, SSDMs, corporates, and partner institutes. It provides a crucial platform for youth to exhibit their talents nationally and internationally.

12. Recently, the government of India has announced humanitarian assistance worth $ 1 million to which country?

A. Rwanda

B. Somalia

C. Kenya

D. Uganda

• India pledges $1 million in humanitarian aid to Kenya to alleviate the aftermath of deadly floods, claiming 267 lives and displacing over 380,000 people. The assistance includes 22 tons of supplies like tents, blankets, and hygiene kits, dispatched via an Indian Air Force plane. Additionally, 18 tons of medical aid, including life-saving drugs and surgical equipment, aim to address urgent healthcare needs of flood-affected Kenyans.

13. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre is operated under which ministry?

A. Ministry of Defence

B. Ministry of Power

C. Ministry of Home Affairs

D. Ministry of Urban Development

• The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), with support from Microsoft, blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs involved in cybercrimes like blackmail and extortion. I4C operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs to address cybercrime nationwide, enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies. Located in New Delhi, it aims to combat cyber threats and protect citizens.

14. Exercise Tarkash, a joint counter terrorism exercise, recently held between which two countries?

A. India & Australia

B. India & US

C. India & Egypt

D. Nepal & China

• The India-US joint urban counter terrorism exercise, involving the NSG and US SOF, concludes in Kolkata, the seventh edition. Started on April 22, 2024, following the previous edition in Chennai, January 2023. Focuses on building relations and interoperability between forces. Aims at enhancing bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism, including sharing tactics and procedures for urban operations like close quarter battles and hostage rescues.

15. According to data released by Tea Board of India (TBI), tea production across the tea estates of Assam and Bengal may fall by what percent?

A. 25%

B. 50%

C. 75%

D. 20%

• Tea production in Assam and West Bengal could drop by 50% per TBI data. The Tea Board of India (TBI), established in 1954 under the Tea Act, 1953, operates under the Ministry of Commerce with headquarters in Kolkata. It boasts overseas offices in London, Dubai, and Moscow. With 31 members, including the Chairman, it’s reconstituted every three years. Major tea-growing regions include Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh.

16. Recently, where was the Indian Air Force (IAF) tested the airdrop of the indigenous mobile hospital, Bhishma Cube?

A. Agra

B. Thanjavur

C. Varanasi

D. Kozhikode

• The Indian Air Force recently tested the airdrop of the indigenous mobile hospital, Bhishma Cube, in Agra. The Bhishma Cube is a portable, waterproof, and lightweight cube that can be deployed quickly in various emergency scenarios, including airdrops and ground transportation. The cubes are designed to treat injuries such as bullet wounds, severe burns, head injuries, and spinal fractures.

17. Recently, which state has initiated bio-energy projects to use pine needles for generating electricity?

A. Himachal Pradesh

B. Uttarakhand

C. Odisha

D. Gujarat

• Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) initiated bio-energy projects in Uttarakhand to utilize pine needles for power generation, covering 16.36% of the state’s forest area. These projects failed due to technology limitations. Chir pine forests produce 15 lakh tonnes of needles annually. Utilizing 40% could fulfill power needs and create employment.

18. Recently, which organization has appointed David Salvagnini as its first chief AI officer?

A. WMO

B. ISRO

C. NASA

D. FAO

• David Salvagnini, formerly NASA’s chief data officer, is appointed as the new chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer. NASA leverages AI tools to support missions and research, analyze data, and develop autonomous systems for spacecraft and aircraft. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, AI has long been safely utilized, accelerating discoveries.

19. Sela Tunnel, recently recognised as India’s highest tunnel by International Book of Honour, is located in which state?

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Himachal Pradesh

C. Assam

D. Sikkim

• BRO India celebrates as Sela Tunnel becomes the highest in the country, recognized by the International Book of Honour, England. The 2.598 Km long tunnel, situated at 13,000 ft on the Tezpur-Tawang Road, ensures year-round connectivity to the strategic Tawang Region, Arunachal Pradesh. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 9, it’s the world’s longest twin-lane tunnel, vital for all-weather access to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

20. Which armed force has recently launched Operation Sadbhavana in North Sikkim?

A. Indian Army

B. Indian Navy

C. Sashastra Seema Bal

D. Indian Air Force

• Under Operation Sadbhavana, Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army supported remote communities in Naga and Rangrang villages of North Sikkim. After a devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), relief materials were distributed, symbolizing solidarity. A medical camp served over 150 patients, and educational sessions engaged local youths under the Agniveer Scheme. These efforts underscore the Army’s commitment to community development, fostering harmony, and strengthening bonds with border populations.

21. Which bank has recently launched Pixel Pay, India’s first Virtual Credit Card?

A. Bank of Baroda

B. Indian Bank

C. HDFC Bank

D. Axis Bank

• HDFC Bank introduces Pixel Play, India’s first virtual credit card in collaboration with Visa. Available in two variants, Pixel Play and Pixel Go, it allows users to customize cards based on lifestyle & preferred merchants via the PayZapp app. Featuring streamlined digital management, card controls, rewards & EMI dashboards, HDFC Bank redefines banking experiences.

22. Recently, which company became the first in the world to get ISO certification for its AI Management System?

A. Infosys

B. Google

C. Microsoft

D. Meta

• Infosys achieves ISO 42001:2023 certification for its AI management systems. TUV India, under TÜV Nord Group, grants the certification, recognizing Infosys as one of the pioneering IT service firms to adopt responsible AI practices. The Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) framework ensures regulatory compliance, fostering accountability and efficiency in AI endeavors.

23. Recently, which institute discovered an eco-friendly solution for treating muddy river water?

A. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal

B. Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy, Visakhapatnam

C. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

D. Indian institute of Technology, Kanpur

• The Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy (IIPE) in Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with other research institutions, has recently discovered an eco-friendly solution for treating muddy river water. The solution is called the “Surface Modification Technique of Membrane”.

24. Which day is celebrated as International Day of Light every year?

A. May.15

B. May.16

C. May.17

D. May.18

• The International Day of Light, established by UNESCO, celebrates light’s impact on society and technology. May 16th marks its observance, commemorating Theodore Maiman’s 1960 laser breakthrough. In 2024, themed “Light in Our Lives,” it highlights light’s guiding role. Originating from the 2015 UN International Year of Light, IDL was celebtrated by UNESCO by first in 2018.