Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 18th and 19th June 2024

1. Which country’s scientists recently discovered new pattern of solar atmospheric rotation by using CHASE telescope?

A. Japan

B. India

C. China

D. France

• Chinese scientists using the CHASE telescope have discovered a new pattern in the sun’s atmospheric rotation, providing the first accurate 3D picture of this phenomenon. Published in Nature Astronomy, this breakthrough enhances understanding of the sun’s magnetic activity and atmospheric behavior. CHASE, a satellite project, aims to deepen knowledge of solar dynamics.

2. Digital Health Incentive Scheme was launched under which initiative?

A. Mission Indhradhanush

B. Universal health care

C. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

D. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

• The central government has extended the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) for digitising patients’ health records and linking them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID) until June 30, 2025.
• Launched on January 1, 2023, under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the DHIS aims to promote digital health practices in India. Eligibility includes health facilities and digital solution companies, with incentives based on the number of ABHA-linked digital health records created.

3. What is ‘Planet Nine’?

A. A hypothetical planet in the outer region of our solar system

B. A moon of Neptune

C. Comets from the Kuiper Belt

D. A newly discovered moon of saturn

• Astronomers have been searching for a hypothetical ninth planet, Planet Nine, in the outer solar system for nearly a decade. Proposed to explain anomalies in the orbits of distant trans-Neptunian objects, Planet Nine is estimated to be 5-10 times the mass of Earth with a highly elliptical orbit, ranging from 400 to 800 AU from the Sun. Experts believe we may soon find it.

4. What is the main objective of ‘SDG 7’?

A. Promote nuclear energy development

B. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%

C. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all

D. Increase fossil fuel production worldwide

• The SDG 7: Energy Progress Report 2024 reveals the world is not on track to meet SDG 7 by 2030. Initiated in 2018, this annual report is the key reference for SDG 7 progress. It aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The report is produced by IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank, and WHO.

5. Astronomers recently discovered a new supernova ‘SN 2023adsy’ by using which telescope?

A. Hubble Space Telescope

B. James Webb Space Telescope

C. Spitzer Space Telescope

D. Chandra X-ray Observatory

• Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers discovered SN 2023adsy, the most distant Type Ia supernova detected. A supernova is a cataclysmic explosion of a massive star, with Type I occurring when a star accumulates matter from a neighbor, and Type II when a star collapses under its gravity. Supernovas, the largest explosions in space, outshine galaxies, produce heavy elements, and occur once every 50 years in Milky Way-sized galaxies.

6. What is ‘Filoboletus manipularis’?

A. Spider

B. Fish

C. Mushroom

D. Invasive weed

• Researchers recently discovered a rare bioluminescent mushroom species, Filoboletus manipularis, in Kasaragod forests. These mushrooms glow bright green at night due to a chemical reaction involving luciferin and luciferase. They thrive in tropical, humid environments with decaying organic matter. This bioluminescence likely attracts insects, aiding in spore dispersion.

7. Which country recently hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)?

A. India

B. Indonesia

C. Bhutan

D. China

• India hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Kochi and announced a successor to its Maitri research base, Maitri II. Saudi Arabia joined the Antarctic Treaty Parties. India emphasized inclusive governance, stating that geopolitics should not influence Antarctica’s governance and that the treaty should not remain an exclusive club of select nations.

8. Recently, which state government is actively promoting Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), or ‘tar-wattar’ technique?

A. Haryana

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Punjab

D. West Bengal

• The Punjab government is promoting the DSR (or ‘Tar-wattar’) technique, which is more suitable for heavy or medium-to-heavy-textured soils due to better water retention. Light-textured soils, which require frequent irrigation, negate DSR’s water-saving benefits. The Majha and Doaba regions of Punjab predominantly have suitable soil types for DSR, while Malwa has a mix of soil textures, including light-textured soils.

9. Which two ministries signed a MoU on ‘Krishi Sakhi convergence program (KSCP)’?

A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development

B. Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Jal Shakti

C. Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

D. Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Rural Development

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded certificates to over 30,000 self-help groups as Krishi Sakhis in Varanasi on June 18, 2024. Recognizing women’s pivotal role in agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, along with the Ministry of Rural Development, collaborated on the Krishi Sakhi Certification Programme through an MoU signed in August 2023, aimed at enhancing rural women’s skills and empowerment in agricultural practices.

10. Which company partnered with Tamil Nadu to provide IT skills training to over 200000 students in the state under Naan Mudhalvan program?

A. Google

B. Microsoft

C. Meta

D. Oracle

• Oracle has partnered with Tamil Nadu for the Naan Mudhalvan program, aiming to train 200,000+ students in advanced IT skills like cloud computing, AI, data science, ML, and blockchain. This initiative underscores Oracle’s commitment to enhancing youth employability through digital and campus-based learning, offering certifications in cutting-edge technologies.
• The collaboration aims to equip students with skills essential for the future job market, emphasizing Oracle’s role in fostering technological expertise among the youth.

11. Recently, who has made history as the first Indian to receive the prestigious ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’?

A. Vinod Ganatra

B. Ravi Gaikwad

C. Amit Dutta

D. Ashvin Kumar

• Vinod Ganatra, a prominent children’s filmmaker from India, has been honored with South Africa’s prestigious ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contributions to cinema. He is the first Indian to receive this accolade, presented at the 7th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival. Ganatra’s career spans over four decades, producing numerous documentaries and youth programs, and winning 36 national and international awards, including the ‘Liv Ullmann Peace Prize’ and ‘DadaSaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award.’

12. What is the theme of ‘World Sickle Cell Day 2024’?

A. Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally

B. Celebrating Progress

C. Shine the Light on Sickle Cell

D. Increase public awareness and understanding of sickle cell disease

•  World Sickle Cell Day is observed on June 19 to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder. Established by a 2008 UN resolution, it aims to inform the public and stakeholders about early detection and prevention. The 2024 theme, “Hope through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally,” emphasizes improving care and providing relief for patients worldwide.