Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 17th August 2023

1. Rajouri Chikri woodcřaft, which was seen in the news, is associated with which state/UT?

[A] Karnataka

[B] Jammu and Kashmir

[C] Goa

[D] Himachal Pradesh

Answer: [A] Jammu and Kashmir

Two products from Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Anantnag districts–the Rajouri Chikri woodcraft and the Mushqbudji rice variety-have earned the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tags. With its honey-toned appearance and smooth, refined texture, Chikri wood is found in the mountainous regions of the Jammu province.

2. An ancient ‘Crystal quartz weighing unit’ has been found in which archaeological site in India?

[A] Hampi

[B] Keeladi

[C] Dholavira

[D] Lothal

Answer: [B] Keeladi

Archaeologists excavating in Keeladi site situated 12 km southeast of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, have discovered a crystal quartz weighing unit from the Sangam period. Located 175 cm below the surface, this is the first such find since the start of the Keeladi excavations in 2014. The crystal artifact, distinctively designed, boasts a roughly spherical form.

3. The World Bank announced a halt on new public finance projects in which country, after its Anti-Homosexuality Act?

[A] Israel

[B] Iran

[C] Uganda

[D] Afghanistan

Answer: [C] Uganda

Recently, the World Bank announced a halt on new public finance projects ín Uganda due to the government’s enactment of a bill criminalizing same-sex conduct. The World Bank stated that the Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act goes against the institution’s fundamental values.

4. What is the new name of the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE)?

[A] IIM Mumbai

[B] IIM Thane

[C] IIM Pune

[D] IIIT Thane

Answer: [A] IIM Mumbai

The National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) Will be renamed as the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai (IM Mumbai) after the IIM (Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed by both Houses of the Parliament. This makes NITIE the 21st IIM in India and the second in Maharashtra, following IM Nagpur.

5. Which city is the host of the ‘National Conference on Nalanda Buddhism’?

[A] Guwahati

[B] Patna

[C] Leh

[D] Shilong

Answer: [C] Leh

The Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) hosted the National Conference on Nalanda Buddhism in Leh, Ladakh. The conference covers three main topics: first, exploring the origins of Nalanda Buddhism by following the paths of the Nalanda Masters/; second, delving into the history and philosophy of the four prominent traditions: Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyud, and Geluk; and third, addressing the challenges and responses of Nalanda Buddhism in the 21st century.

6. As per recent data, what percent of greenhouse emissions is reduced by India in the last 14 years?

[A] 3 per cent

[B] 15 per cent

[C] 33 per cent

[D] 49 per cent

Answer: [C] 33 per cent

India’s greenhouse emissions rate dropped by 33% between 2005 and 2019 in 14 years as renewable energy generation rose and forest cover increased, as per the latest assessment made for submission to the United Nations. The report’s findings showed India is on the way to meeting a commitment to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to reduce emissions intensity by 45% from the 2005 level by 2030.

7. Which country has introduced ‘Recognized Employer Pilot’ to tackle workforce deficits?

[A] Sri Lanka

[B] India

[C] Canada

[D] Japan

Answer: [C] Canada

The Canadian authorities have declared the initiation of the Recognized Employer Pilot in September to tackle workforce deficits. It aims to address labour shortages by simplifying hiring for compliant repeat employers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TEWP).

8. Which country is establishing Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC), to tackle Disease X?

[A] India

[B] Malaysia

[C] UK

[D] USA

Answer: [C] UK

The World Health Organization has termed a potential threat as “Disease X,” representing an unknown disease with the capability to cause a global pandemic. Currently undefined, the concept of Disease X brings with it a significant concern for its potential global impact. U.K. is establishing the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC), where scientists will work on preparing for “disease X”.

9. Which company has unveiled the ‘GPTBot’ web crawler developed to enhance AI models?

[A] Microsoft

[B] OpenAI

[C] Google

[D] Apple

Answer: [B] OpenAI

OpenAI has unveiled GPTBot, a cutting-edge web crawler developed to enhance Al models such as GPT-4 and upcoming versions, including the eagerly awaited GPT-5. This initiative reflects OpenAI’s steadfast dedication to improving AI proficiency by tapping into a broad spectrum of internet-based information.

10. Which company owns the ‘Icon of the Seas’, the world’s cruise vessel?

[A] Royal Caribbean

[B] Mediterranean Shipping Company

[C] Maersk

[D] COSCO

Answer: [A] Royal Caribbean

The ‘Icon of the Seas’, set to be the world’s largest cruise ship, is nearing completion at a Finnish shipyard in Turku. This grand vessel, owned by Royal Caribbean, is scheduled for its maiden voyage in January 2024. The passenger volume is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels with 31.5 million passengers in 2023.

11. Which institution will fund the project for integrated urban flood management for Chennai basin?

[A] World Bank

[B] AIIB

[C] Union Home Ministry

[D] NABARD

Answer: [C] Union Home Ministry

The Disaster Management Division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will fund the project for integrated urban flood management for Chennai basin. The estimated project cost is Rs.189 crore. The project involves re-establishment of surplus canals for erstwhile minor irrigation tanks in the city. The projects also include installation of software for remote operation of the surplus regulators during emergency and water supply regulators in the city reservoirs.

12. What is the proposed name change for the state of Kerala, for which a resolution has been passed unanimously in the state assembly?

[A] Kerala

[B] Keralam

[C] Kerala Naadu

[D] Kerala Desam

Answer: [B] Keralam

The Kerala legislative assembly has recently passed a resolution unanimously, urging the Union government to rename the state as ‘Keralam’ in the constitution and all official records. The resolution was introduced in the state assembly by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Article 3 in the constitution of India, deals with the formation of new states and the alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing states.

13. Which state has announced the Indira Gandhi free smartphone Yojana 20237

[A] Punjab

[B] Rajasthan

[C] Karnataka

[D] Chhattisgarh

Answer: [B] Rajasthan

The Government of Rajasthan, headed by Ashok Gehlot has recently announced a new scheme known as the Indira Gandhi free smartphone Yojana 2023. Under the scheme, the state Government will provide internet and voice call services with a free mobile phone for all the women in the state of Rajasthan. The state is aiming to distribute a total of 40 Lakh phones in the first round of the scheme.

14. Protean EGov Technologies has partnered with which firm, to make credit services more accessible and affordable nationwide using ONDC?

[A] PayNearby

[B] Google

[C] Paytm

[D] PhonePe

Answer: [A] PayNearby

Digital Public Infrastructure provider Protean EGov Technologies, has recently partnered with PayNearby to make credit services more accessible and affordable nationwide by leveraging the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) network. The partnership aims to create a marketplace for last-mile borrowers and MSMEs in India. In this partnership, Protean will serve as an ONDC technology service provider that facilitates credit availability through PayNearby’s Distribution as a Service (DaaS) network.

15. Who has won the Anna Lindh Prize 2023?

[A] Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

[B] Narendra Modi

[C] Ales Bialiatski

[D] World Food Progranne

Answer: [A] Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was exiled from the country, has recently won the Anna Lindh Prize. The Anna Lindh Prize, worth 100,000 Swedish kronor (USD 9,400), is given to encourage primarily women and youth who, in Anna Lindh’s spirit, show the courage to work against indifference, prejudice, oppression and injustice.

16. When is the ‘World Lion Day’ observed every year?

[A] August 1

[B] August 5

[C] August 10

[D] August 15

Answer: [C] August 10

Every year, World Lion Day is observed on August 10. The day was first established in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue – the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to lions. The Day is observed annually on a global scale to raise awareness about their conservation and protection. It serves as a platform to educate people about the challenges faced by the lions across the world and to promote efforts to Conserve them as well as to celebrate.

17. What is the new timeline for shares to be listed post-IPO closure?

[A] Seven days

[B] Five days

[C] Three days

[D] Two days

Answer: [C] Three days

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reduced the timeline for shares to be listed post-IPO closure from six days to three. This change, voluntary from September 1 and mandatory after December 1, aims to benefit both issuers and investors by providing quicker capital access and earlier investment liquidity.

18. Where was the Amazon Summit 2023 held?

[A] Brazil

[B] Chile

[C] Argentina

[D] Mexico

Answer: [A] Brazil

This year’s Amazon Summit was held in the Brazilian city of Belém, in which the Amazon nations discussed how the rainforest is managed. On the final day of the summit, 12 countries have called on wealthy nations to meet their climate funding obligations. A joint statement issued during the summit, called for the development of a financing mechanism which the international community could pay for the critical services provided by forests.

19. Where will the International badminton – World Tour Finals be held for the next four years?

[A] Hangzhou

[B] New Delhi

[C] Istanbul

[D] Perth

Answer: [A] Hangzhou

China’s Hangzhou is set to host badminton World Tour Finals for next four years, as confirmed by the sport’s top governing body. This year’s BWF World Tour Finals will be held from December 13-17 2023. Hangzhou which is an eastern Chinese city 160 kilometres from Shanghai will also host the pandemic-delayed Asian Games.

20. Which city’s Metro Rail Corporation has launched ‘CarbonLite Metro Travel’ program?

[A] Mumbai

[B] Kolkata

[C] Chennai

[D] New Delhi

Answer: [D] New Delhi

In a move to address climate change and advocate for eco-friendly transport, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has launched an innovative program, CarbonLite Metro Travel, to inform riders about their role in decreasing carbon footprints. It educates riders on how their choice of metro trains contributes to reducing carbon emissions.