Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 17th & 18th February 2024

1. Recently, the government has released guidelines for starting pilot programmes to use green hydrogen in which of the following sectors?

A. Steel sector

B. Transportation sector

C. Industrial sector

D. Shipping sector

• The Indian government, through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has issued guidelines for pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, focusing on using Green Hydrogen in the transportation sector. With decreasing costs of renewable energy and electrolyzers, vehicles utilizing green hydrogen are expected to be cost-competitive soon.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, along with Scheme Implementing Agencies, will conduct pilot projects to replace fossil fuels in transportation with green hydrogen, supporting technology and infrastructure development.

2. What was the primary objective of the Cassini-Huygens Mission?

A. Analyzing the composition of Asteroids

B. Exploring about black holes

C. Investigating the atmosphere and moons of Saturn

D. Searching for exoplanets

• NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, part of a joint mission with ESA and ASI, recently unveiled a vast ocean beneath the icy surface of Saturn’s moon Mimas. Launched in 1997, Cassini orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, contributing vital insights about the planet and its moons. Weighing 2,125 kg, it mapped Titan’s surface with radar and studied Saturn’s magnetic field. Cassini’s Huygens probe, weighing 349 kg, landed on Titan, discovered six moons.

3. Archaeologists recently discovered an eighth-century ‘Kotravai sculpture’ in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Gujarat

C. Andhra Pradesh

D. Kerala

• Archaeologists unearthed an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, dating back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet, Tamil Nadu. The Pallava Dynasty, a prominent South Indian power from the 3rd to 9th centuries, ruled northern Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Known for supporting Buddhism, Jainism, and Brahminical faith, the Pallavas were patrons of music, painting, and literature. Their origins trace back to the Andhra Satavahanas, gaining autonomy and establishing Kanchipuram as their capital in the 4th century CE.

4. Where was the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Vehicle launched?

A. Kerala

B. Karnataka

C. Delhi NCR

D. Bihar

• The Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry, in collaboration with Brahma Kumaris, unveiled the NMBA Vehicle in Delhi-NCR on Feb 14, aimed at raising drug abuse awareness. Part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the initiative focuses on educating youth about substance abuse’s harmful effects. The mobile platform facilitates NMBA awareness activities, extending the campaign’s reach and impact throughout Delhi-NCR.

5. Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code primarily deals with which one of the following?

A. Promoting hatred among classes

B. Maintenance of wives, children and parents

C. Culpable homicide

D. Juvenile Justice

• The Supreme Court is set to examine whether divorced Muslim women can seek maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Section 125 covers maintenance for wives, children, and parents, allowing financial support claims if certain conditions are met. These include neglect or refusal, dependency on the respondent, sufficient means of the person liable to pay, and the court determining the quantum based on various factors.

6. Where was the first-ever Digital India Future Skills Summit held?

A. Jaipur

B. Indore

C. Chennai

D. Guwahati

• The first-ever Digital India FutureSkills Summit was held in Guwahati, Assam on February 15, 2024. The summit was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT).
• The summit is a platform for discussions, insights, and collaborations to promote digital literacy in line with the needs of the new-age industry. The summit will feature more than 20 strategic collaborations, 1,000 attendees, and 30 exhibitions.

7. Who has been honored with the prestigious Vishisht Seva Medal for developing multipurpose Octocopter?

A. Pawan Kumar Yadav

B. Varinder Singh

C. Ishar Singh

D. Amandeep Jakhar

• Havildar Varinder Singh, a member of the Sikh Regiment in the Indian Army, received the Vishisht Seva Medal from President Droupadi Murmu for his exceptional contributions to military technology. Singh’s innovative creation, the Multipurpose Octocopter, showcases groundbreaking advancements in drone technology, offering unparalleled versatility beyond conventional surveillance.

8. Recently, India’s first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is launched in which state?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Uttarakhand

C. Himachal Pradesh

D. Rajasthan

• India is set to introduce its inaugural Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in Uttarakhand, as announced by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The HEMS, based at AIIMS in Rishikesh, aims to swiftly airlift accident victims within a 150 km radius for timely critical care. This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to extend medical outreach and trauma care services, prioritizing timely transportation for patients in hilly terrains to access vital care at AIIMS within the crucial ‘golden hour’ post-accident.

9. What is ‘SUFALAM’?

A. Promoting entrepreneurship in rural areas

B. Implementing cybersecurity measures for government agencies

C. Start-up conclave for food processing entrepreneurs

D. Developing software solutions for startups

• The two-day event, ‘Start Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors (SUFALAM) – 2024’ held on 13^th and 14^th Feb., 2024 at New Delhi was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras. During the knowledge session on Start-up – overview and benefits, the participants were apprised about the role of Startup India, different programmes for mentorship and innovations under Startup India and how the initiative is helping to foster the start-up ecosystem in India.

10. Which day is celebrated as World Hippo Day?

A. 15 February

B. 16 February

C. 17 February

D. 18 February

• World Hippo Day, observed annually on February 15, aims to raise awareness about the endangered status of hippos, with a population estimated between 115,000 and 130,000. Threats include poaching, water loss, mechanized farming, and urbanization. The day serves as a platform to highlight these challenges and advocate for conservation initiatives to safeguard the future of these vulnerable creatures.

11. United World Wrestling lifted suspension on the Wrestling Federation of which country?

A. Australia

B. China

C. India

D. Vietnam

• The United World Wrestling (UWW) lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The WFI was placed under a provisional suspension on August 23, 2023, after failing to hold an election within a reasonable time frame. The suspension lift means that Indian wrestlers can now compete in upcoming tournaments under their country’s flag.

12. Barsingsar Solar Power Plant is located in which state?

A. Gujarat

B. Rajasthan

C. Madhya Pradesh

D. Odisha

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 300 MW Barsingsar Solar Power Plant in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, advancing India’s renewable energy goals.
• NLC India Limited, a Navratna CPSE, is implementing the project under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s CPSE Scheme. The initiative, aligned with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative, uses cutting-edge technology, aims to produce 750 million units of green power annually, and marks NLCIL as the first CPSE to achieve a 1 GW Solar capacity milestone in India.