Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 19th August 2023

1. What is the Wholesale inflation recorded in India in July 2023?

[A] (-) 1.36%

[B] (+) 1.36%

[C] (-) 3.36%

[D] (-) 3.36%

Answer: [A] (-)1.36%

The wholesale price-based inflation remained in the negative territory for the fourth straight month in July at (-)1.36%. This is due to the easing prices of fuel, even though food articles turned costlier. The wholesale price index (WPT) based inflation rate has been in the negative since April and was (-)4.12% in June. In July last year it was 14.07%.

2. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged irregularities in which scheme?

[A] PM KISAN

[B] Bharatmala programme

[C] Sagarmala programme

[D] PM DISHA

Answer: [B] Bharatmala programme

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has found irregularities in the awarding of projects by agencies implementing central government-funded highway projects. NHAI’S decision to opt for an elevated carriageway on the Haryana portion of the expressway has pushed up the construction cost to Rs 251 crore per km from the originally approved Rs 18.2 crore per km. NHAI is building the expressway in question under the Bharatmala programme.

3. Maui Island, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?

[A] UK

[B] Indonesia

[C] USA

[D] Japan

Answer: [C] USA

Maui is the second largest Hawailan island, located in the US. In the recent natural disaster in the US, numerous wildfires are sweeping across Hawaii, notably Maui Island, resulting in 55 deaths, significant displacement, and destruction of structures and businesses. The fires, ongoing for over 48 hours, aré still not fully contained, with Lahaina, a coastal town on Maui, reported to have been extensively destroyed.

4. What is the name of the Project 17A frigate recently inaugurated by the Indian President in 2023?

[A] Vindhyagiri

[B] Kailashgiri

[C] Arunagiri

[D] Shivgiri

Answer: [A] Vindhyagiri

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Vindhyagiri, a Project 17A frigate, at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited in Kolkata. Named after a mountain range in Karnataka, it is the sixth vessel in the series of Project 17A frigates. Seven Project 17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and GRSE.

5. Which country launched the ‘Sponge City Initiative’ in 2015?

[A] Japan

[B] China

[C] USA

[D] Australia

Answer: [B] China

China’s sponge city initiative was launched in 2015 to reduce urban flood risks. It sought to make better use of rainwater through infrastructural, architecturai and engineering tweaks. China has been hit by devastatíng floods in recent weeks, damaging cities and causing deaths and infrastructural damage. The “sponge city” initiative did not prove to be effective in reducing urban flood risks, as claimed.

6. Which state has sanctioned a scheme for Improving banking penetration in over 6000 panchyats?

[A] West Bengal

[B] Odisha

[C] Kerala

[D] Karnataka

Answer: [B] Odisha

With around 65 per cent of the total 6,798 panchayats in Odisha not have banking penetration, the state cabinet approved a scheme to open banking outlets in 4,373 panchayats with a budgetary support of Rs 500 crore. The scheme, aimed to improve financial inclusion, will be implemented in coordination with sixX public sector banks in a phased manner.

7. Diksha Dagar, who was seen in the news, plays which sports?

[A] Tennis

[B] Squash

[C] Golf

[D] Badminton

Answer: [C] Golf

Diksha Dagar produced best ever-show by Indian woman golfer in Majors, as she ended the Women’s Open at Tied-21st. Her compatriot Aditi Ashok signed off at T-40 position, who was at T-22 at the 2018 Women’s Open. Diksha, a two- time LET winner, made her first cut in a Major two days earlier.

8. Which country launched the Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Initiative for Lymphatic Filariasis?

[A] Sri Lanka

[B] Nepal

[C] India

[D] China

Answer: [C] India

Recently, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, launched the second phase of the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program for Lymphatic Filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical parasitic disease spread by infected mosquitoes that affects the lymph nodes and vessels.

9. Which Union Ministry is associated with ‘Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023’?

[A] Ministry of Law and Justice

[B] Ministry of Posts

[C] Ministry of Communication

[D] Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Law and Justice

Union Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, presented the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha for consideration, aiming to repeal 65 outdated laws and amend the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011. The First Schedule of the Bill lists 24 laws that would be repealed. Of these, 16 are amending Acts, and two are from before 1947. The Lok Sabha had already passed this Bill.

10. What is the proposed new name for the legal code for India, replacing Indian Penal Code (IPc)?

[A] Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

[B] Indian Nyaya Sanhita

[C] Nava Bharat Sanhita

[D] Bharat Penal Code

Answer: [A] Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, intended to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), omits the previously controversial IPC Section 377, which was used to criminalize homosexual acts until its 2018 Supreme Court reading down. While this omission decriminalizes homosexual sex, it raises concerns that adult male victims of sexual assault could have limited legal recourse under the new law.

11. Which institution released the ‘Guidelines on Doctor’s Refusal to Treat Patients’?

[A] AIIMS

[B] NMC

[C] IMA

[D] NIV

Answer: [B] NMC

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued guidelines for registered modern medicine doctors, stating that they can reject treatment for aggressive patients, must prescribe generic drugs, and should use social media solely for educational purposes, not patient solicitation. The comprehensive guidelines, spanning over 60 pages, cover aspects like prescription mentions, permissible advertisements, record-keeping, teleconsultation practices, and caution against receiving commissions or pharmaceutical-sponsored conference participation.

12. As per Home Ministry data, BSF seized maximum heroin from which state/UT?

[A] Gujarat

[B] Punjab

[C] Rajasthan

[D] Jharkhand

Answer:[B] Punjab

As per Home Ministry data, 506.241 kg heroin was seized from Punjab in 2020, 485.581 ka in 2021, 320.884 in 2022 and 248.103 kg till June 30 this year. Over the last three years, the Border Security Force (BSF) has confiscated the most heroin in Punjab and Rajasthan, and the most ‘ganja’ in Tripura and West Bengal.

13. When was the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’ observed?

[A] August 1

[B] August 3

[C] August 5

[D] August 9

Answer: [D] August 9

A recent report detailing the initial stage of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI), approved in January 2022, underscores the growing evidence of the role Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in conservation. However, less than 1% of funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation has been allocated to them. Released on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, 2023, the report emphasizes the need for considerable expansion to truly address the rights and concerns of IPs and LCs.

14. Which two countries jointly launched ‘GRACE twin satellites’?

[A] USA and Germany

[B] USA and Japan

[C] UAE and Israel

[D] India and Singapore

Answer: [A] USA and Germany

The GRACE twin satellites were launched jointly in 2002 by the space research organizations of the US and Germany. A recent study by the University of Bonn suggests that droughts worldwide are more prevalent than indicated by data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) from 2002-2017.

15. According to Elephant Census-2023, which state leads the country in the total number of elephants?

[A] Karnataka

[B] Tamil Nadu

[C] Kerala

[D] West Bengal

Answer: [A] Karnataka

According to Elephant Census-2023, Karnataka leads the country in the total number of elephants. Elephant counts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have experienced a minor rise, while numbers in Kerala have nearly reduced by half, based on the recent Elephant Population Estimates shared by the southern Indian states. Specialists believe the populations remain stable and in good health, suggesting that the decline is due to migration.

16. The foundation stone for Organic Agriculture University has been laid in which north-eastern state?

[A] Meghalaya

[B] Sikkim

[C] Assam

[D] Manipur

Answer: [B] Sikkim

The foundation stone for the Sikkim Organic Agriculture University (SOAU) was laid recently by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. It is set to be the center for excellence for education on topics related to organic farming. The Sikkim assembly passed the Sikkim Organic Agriculture University Act, 2023 earlier this year.

17. Which country issued nearly USD 9.6 billion in sukuk after buyback?

[A] Saudi Arabia

[B] Israel

[C] Iran

[D] Afghanistan

Answer: [A] Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia issued nearly USD 9.6 billion in local sukuk following early redemptions. The Sukuk that underwent early redemption were originally scheduled to mature in 2024, 2025, and 2026. The buyback represents the largest early purchase transaction arranged by National Debt Management Center (NDMC).

18. Which state/UT is the host of ‘Global Summit on Traditional Medicine’?

[A] Rajasthan

[B] Gujarat

[C] West Bengal

[D] Assam

Answer: [B] Gujarat

A first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, took place at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This exhibition serves as a comprehensive display of Traditional Medicine Worldwide and will showcase the interconnectedness of Traditional Medicine with the natural environment in the form of Kalpavriksha’.

19. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘SAMUDRA’ app?

[A] Ministry of Earth Sciences

[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti

[C] Ministry of Power

[D] Ministry of Coal

Answer: [A] Ministry of Earth Sciences

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES), released a new mobile application ‘SAMUDRA’ – Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories. It aims to offer comprehensive information on all ocean related services, useful for seafarers and the fishing community.

20. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Graphene-Aurora Program’?

[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

[B] Ministry of Science and Technology

[C] Ministry of Earth Science

[D] Ministry of Power

Answer: [A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the ‘Graphene- Aurora program’ at Kochi, Kerala. The program shall be implemented by Digital University Kerala with joint funding from Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India and Government of Kerala and Industry partners, with the total budget outlay of Rs 94.85 Crore.