Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 18th March 2024

1. Recently, which university conferred President Murmu with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law?

A. University of Chicago

B. University of Mauritius

C. University of Melbourne

D. University of Pennsylvania

• The University of Mauritius awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law to Indian President Smt Droupadi Murmu on Mar.12. President Murmu emphasized the pivotal role of education in shaping the future, highlighting India’s commitment to youth empowerment and the transformative impact of education. She praised Mauritius as a valued partner in education and regional cooperation, with hundreds of Mauritian students benefiting from Indian programs annually.

2. According to recent released CEEW’s report, which of the following states have been placed on the top in water management?

A. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra

B. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand

C. Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab

D. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan

• Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW’s) report on used water management spotlights Haryana, Karnataka, and Punjab as leaders in the country. Urban water demand rises while groundwater levels dwindle. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) require enhanced treatment and reuse infrastructure. Financial constraints hinder 90% of ULBs. Merely 28% of 72,000 million liters of used water is treated.

3. Prime Minister of India recently laid the foundation stone of Petronet LNG’s Petrochemicals Complex at which place?

A. Narimanam, Nagapattinam

B. Pune, Maharashtra

C. Dahej, Gujarat

D. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Petronet LNG’s Petrochemicals Complex in Dahej, costing over Rs 20,000 crore. The complex aims to boost national hydrogen production and polypropylene demand. Additionally, 50 ‘Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ were dedicated to the nation from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complex features ethane and propane handling facilities, valued at Rs 20,600 crore.

4. According to the SIPRI report, which country ranked as the world’s leading arms importer from 2019 to 2023?

A. Russia

B. Ukraine

C. Israel

D. India

• According to report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India leads global arms imports with a 4.7% growth from 2014-2018 to 2019-2023. Russia remains India’s primary arms supplier, but its share fell below 50% for the first time since 1960-64. India sourced 36% of its arms imports from Russia. The US supplied 55% of Europe’s weapons, while Japan’s imports rose by 155%, and South Korea’s by 6.5%. China’s imports decreased by 44%.

5. India has recently signed the protocol for the establishment of Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) with which country?

A. Cuba

B. Dominican Republic

C. Jamaica

D. Angola

• India signed the protocol for the establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) with the Dominican Republic at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santo Domingo. Ramu Abbagani, India’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and Roberto Álvarez, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement. India primarily imports gold from the Dominican Republic, and exports pharmaceuticals, marine products, motor vehicles, and two and three wheelers to them.

6. Recently, India signed an agreement with which country in the field of food security?

A. Bhutan

B. Nepal

C. Myanmar

D. Sri Lanka

• On March 13, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved an agreement between India and Bhutan in food security. The pact involves cooperation between Bhutan’s BFDA, Bhutan’s Ministry of Health, and India’s FSSAI. BFDA will issue health certificates for Indian exports, simplifying trade and lowering compliance costs. This agreement enhances bilateral trade facilitation and underscores the commitment to mutual prosperity between the two neighboring nations.

7. Perumbakkam wetland is located in which district?

A. Chennai

B. Chengalpattu

C. Kanchipuram

D. Tiruvallur

• Perumbakkam wetland, known for its pied avocets, faced drought concerns, potentially jeopardizing their annual visit. Pied avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) are large black and white waders that breed in temperate Europe, Central Asia and the Russian Far East. They are migratory birds that spend the winter in Africa or Southern Asia. They nest in flat, open areas in shallow water, marshes, swamps, coastal lagoons, and other wetlands. The Perumbakkam wetland is a suburb of Chennai, in the Chengalpattu district.

8. Vajra Sentinel System is related to which one of the following?

A. Anti drone system

B. Ancient Irrigation Technique

C. New solid waste management technique

D. Earth Observation Satellite

• The Vajra Sentinel System is an anti-drone technology that can detect, track, and neutralize drones. The system was recently in the news because it is related to defense against unmanned aerial threats. The Vajra Sentinel System was developed by Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS) and has secured a contract with the Indian Army and Air Force. The system uses passive radio frequency sensors to identify and track drones. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently entered into a contract for the Vajra Sentinel System under the iDEX (Indian Defence Exhibition) initiative.

9. Which organization recently published a first national report on AMR surveillance in India’s fisheries, livestock sectors for 2019-22?

A. WHO

B. FAO

C. UNESCO

D. UNEP

• The FAO’s inaugural national report on AMR surveillance in India’s fisheries and livestock sectors (2019-22) highlights the critical role of antibiotic use in food animal production in driving Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR).
• Low resistance levels were observed to less commonly used antibiotics like chloramphenicol, but significant resistance to macrolides and quinolones was noted. The report underscores the necessity for prudent antibiotic usage in aquaculture and livestock production.

10. What is the theme of ‘International Day of Action for Rivers 2024’?

A. The Importance of Rivers for Biodiversity

B. Rights to Rivers

C. Water for All

D. Accelerating Change

• Annually on March 14th, the International Day of Action for Rivers is observed, with the 2024 theme “Water for All” highlighting universal access to clean water. Originating from the 1997 First International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams in Curitiba, Brazil, experts from 20 nations declared March 14th as the “Day of Action for Rivers.” Its aim is to combat the degradation of ecologically sensitive water bodies, rivers, and watersheds.

11. Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 is introduced by which ministry?

A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

B. Ministry of Heavy Industries

C. Ministry of Power

D. Ministry of Earth Sciences

• The Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, announced the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024) in March 2024 to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. The scheme will run from April 2024 to July 2024, with a total outlay of Rs 500 crore. The scheme will support purchase of two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
• The scheme will provide a subsidy of Rs 10,000 for two-wheelers, and Rs 25,000 for small three-wheelers. The subsidies will be eligible for electric two, three, and four wheelers sold until March 31, 2024, or until the time funds are available, whichever is earlier.

12. Recently, where was the 12^th edition of India-Italy Military Cooperation Group meeting held?

A. New Delhi

B. Chennai

C. Chandigarh

D. Bengaluru

• The 12th edition of the India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting took place in New Delhi on March 12–13, 2024. The two-day meeting focused on new initiatives to enhance defense cooperation and military-to-military exchange between the two countries. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the proposed new initiatives.