Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 16th May 2023
1. India signed a mobility pact that will allow 42,000 Indians to work, with which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Israel
[C] USA
[D] Australia
Answer: [B] Israel
India and Israel have inked a mobility pact that will allow 42,000 Indian workers to work in Israel in the field of nursing and construction. The agreement was signed during Israeli foreign minister’s visit to India. Both countries also signed a letter of intent to establish two Centers, of Water Technology in India.
2. Which space agency has developed the ‘Aeolus Satellite’?
[A] JAXA
[B] ISRO
[C] NASA
[D] ESA
Answer: [D] ESA
Aeolus Satellite is one of the most effective weather satellites developed by the ESA. It is currently on a trajectory to return to Earth’s atmosphere. Aeolus, an Earth Explorer research mission, was designed to demonstrate new space technology. The 1360-kilogram satellite is on its way to crash on the planet.
3. Which state launched the ‘State Robotics Framework’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Telangana
The Telangana government has recently launched the State Robotics Framework. This is the first such framework in India. It is aimed at creating a sustainable robotics ecosystem and to position the state as a leader in the field of robotics.
4. Which company has launched “Watsonx’ AI and data platform?
[A] IBM
[B] Microsoft
[C] Google
[D] Apple
Answer: [A] IBM
The IBM has launched Watsonx – an Al and data platform capable of enabling countries to integrate artificial intelligence in their business. It can be used for automatically generating codes using natural language and deploy AI models for tasks such as chemical creation and climate change modelling.
5. Which is the first state to get India’s first pod taxi project?
[A] Assam
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] West Bengal
[D] Karnataka
Answer: [B] Uttar Pradesh
The Yamuna Authority has approved India’s first pod tax project’s revamped Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Bid document. Pod taxi is a fast and environmentally-friendly automated car capable of carrying travellers from one place to another. Uttar Pradesh is the first state to get pod taxi.
6. Which country is set to provide 1.2 billion USD more to Ukraine as a part of its Security Assistance Initiative?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] UAE
[D] Germany
Answer: [A] USA
As part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the US will provide 1.2 billion USD more in long-term military aid to Ukraine. It will help Kyiv strengthen its air defences against Russia’s attacks.
7. India Post and Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) partnered to operationalise which portal?
[A] Craft India
[B] Bharat EMart
[C] India Mart
[D] Bharat Store
Answer: [B] Bharat EMart
Recently, the India Post, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Tripta Technologies entered into an agreement to facilitate the operationalization of the Bharat EMart Portal. This portal will provide the facility to pick up consignments from the premises of the traders and ensure the door-step delivery for the consignees across India.
8. ‘Fakhar Zaman’ who was named as the ‘ICC Men’s Player of the Month’, is from which country?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Bangladesh
[D] UAE
Answer: [B] Pakistan
International Cricket Council (ICC) recently named Pakistani cricketer Fakhar Zaman as ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2023. This comes after Zaman produced match-winning performance for Pakistan in ODI.
9. Which state/UT formed a committee to probe the state government’s Authority to Ban Polygamy?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Gujarat
Answer: [B] Assam
The state government of Assam is planning to set up an expert committee to investigate if the state government has the authority to ban polygamy in the region. The committee will analyse the provisions of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937 and Article 25 of the Indian Constitution in relation to the DPSP for a uniform civil code.
10. Which country celebrates Victory Day to mark its victory over Nazi Gerrmany during the Second World War?
[A] France
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] China
Answer: [B] Russia
Russia celebrates Victory Day to mark its victory over Nazi Germany during the Second World War. The 78th anniversary of the Victory Day was celebrated recently. Every year on May 9, Russia marks the Soviet Union’s victory with a parade of troops, military hardware and public celebration.
11. ‘Seventeen-Point Agreement’ is associated with which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Myanmar
[C] Tibet
[D] Nepal
Answer: [C] Tibet
Tibet Matters March is a month-long march that is being organized by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) since April 29.] Its purpose is to mark the forced signing of the “Seventeen-Point Agreement” by Tibetan delegates and Chinese representatives in 1951.
12. Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, is situated in which state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] New Delhi
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Kerala
Answer: [B] New Delhi
Jama Masjid is India’s largest Mosque. Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) is currently pushing for the Jama Masjid redevelopment plan. The finial of Jama Masjid’s central dome was damaged in May last year following heavy rain and thunderstorm.
13. Siddheswara Temple, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Answer: [A] Andhra Pradesh
Siddheswara Temple is a 7th century temple at Hemavati (Henjeru) in Andhra Pradesh. It was built by Nolamba rulers under the lordship of Pallavas between the 7th and 10th centuries for the propagation of Shaivism. Inscriptions on the pillars of this temple revealed interesting facts about the education system supported by Nolamba Pallavas and their predecessors.
14. IIT Madras has developed the ‘Piezoelectric MEMS Technology’, along with which institution?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] BARC
[D] CDAC
Answer: [B] DRDO
The piezoelectric MEMS technology has been. jointly developed by researchers at DRDO and IIT Madras. This sensor technology has the potential to be used for underwater communications by the Indian Navy.
15. Which institution launched Renewable Grid Integration Laboratory and Green Hydrogen Laboratory?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Roorkee
[C] NIT Warangal
[D] NIT Tiruchirappalli
Answer: [B] IIT Roorkee
IIT Roorkee has unveiled new labs to drive India’s clean energy transition. Two new labs namely Renewable Grid Integration Laboratory and Green Hydrogen Laboratory were inaugurated at the IIT Roorkee’s Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED).
16. Which state/UT launched a Foundation, to utilise contributions from corporates and public for development of sports?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation (TNCF) was officially launched, and the Chief Minister’s Trophy 2023 logo, mascot, and theme song were unveiled. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain ASHOPTERAFUDORELL TWIDESTINATION Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the guest of honour. The logo comes with the slogan ‘Kalam CINE Cha LAMELLERY Namathae! (The field is ours!)’. The mascot is the humanoid Nilgiri Tahr ‘Veeran.’
17. Which racing driver won the Miami Grand Prix title in 2023?
[A] Charles Leclerc
[B] Max Verstappen
[C] Sergio Perez
[D] Lewis Hamilton
Answer: [B] Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen won the Miami Grand Prix from ninth on the starting grid, with the fastest lap. Mexica’s Perez came second while Fernando Alonso came third. Verstappen was also the winner of last year’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix.
18. Which company has launched skill development programme for quantum computing in India?
[A] Microsoft
[B] AWS
[C] Google
[D] Apple
Answer: [B] AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched two skill development programmes for quantum computing in India. The company is collaborating with academic institutions and learning platforms to integrate Amazon Braket -a fully managed quantum computing service.
19. Sathyabhama Das Biju, who was seen in the news, is associated with which profession?
[A] Sports Person
[B] Biologist
[C] Politician
[D] Writer
Answer: [B] Biologist
Sathyabhama Das Biju, who is popularly known as ‘the Frogman of India’, has been chosen for Harvard University’s prestigious Radcliffe fellowship. The Delhi University professor is one of the 50 scholars who were awarded the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship for 2023-24.
20. Which institution launched Renewable Grid Integration Laboratory and Green Hydrogen Laboratory?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Roorkee
[C] NIT Warangal
[D] NIT Tiruchirappalli
Answer: [B] IIT Roorkee
IIT Roorkee has unveiled new labs to drive India’s clean energy transition. Two new labs namely Renewable Grid Integration Laboratory and Green Hydrogen Laboratory were inaugurated at the IIT Roorkee’s Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED).