Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 1st and 2nd June 2024

1. What is the theme of ‘World No Tobacco Day 2024’?

A. Threat to our environment

B. Grow food, not tobacco

C. Protecting Children From Tobacco Industry Interference

D. Commit to Quit

• Observed annually on May 31st, World No Tobacco Day 2024 focuses on “Protecting Children From Tobacco Industry Interference.” The theme aims to safeguard young people from the harmful effects of tobacco and calls on the industry to cease targeting the youth with detrimental products.

2. What is the primary aim of the Red Flag 24 exercise, recently held in Alaska?

A. To conduct ground-based military operations

B. To integrate aircrew in a multinational environment through advanced aerial combat training

C. To train naval forces for maritime security

D. To provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief training

• An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent arrived at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for the Red Flag 24 exercise, deploying Rafale fighter jets. Red Flag 24, a two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise, integrates multinational aircrews in realistic scenarios. Approximately 3100 service members and over 100 aircraft participate, using 77,000 square miles of airspace in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. This exercise has occurred since 1975.

3. Which organization recently released the ‘Global food policy report 2024’?

A. World Bank

B. Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

C. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

D. International Labour Organization (ILO)

• The Global Food Policy Report 2024 by IFPRI reveals that 38% of Indians consume unhealthy foods, while only 28% eat all five recommended food groups. Malnutrition in India rose from 15.4% in 2011 to 16.6% in 2021. Adult overweight prevalence increased from 12.9% in 2006 to 16.4% in 2016. Processed food consumption is growing, with packaged foods’ share in household budgets nearly doubling to 12%.

4. Which organization recently released the report titled ‘Hooking the next generation: how the tobacco industry captures young customers’?

A. World Bank

B. UNEP

C. ILO

D. World Health Organization (WHO)

• The WHO and STOP released the “Hooking the Next Generation: How the Tobacco Industry Captures Young Customers” report on World No Tobacco Day, May 31. Key findings include that 37 million children aged 13-15 use tobacco globally, and 85% of 15-30-year-olds were exposed to e-cigarette ads. E-cigarettes produce nicotine-laden aerosol, an addictive substance.

5. Recently, which country launched the Multi-Mission Communication Satellite (PAKSAT MM1)?

A. Pakistan

B. China

C. Japan

D. India

• Pakistan launched the Multi-Mission Communication Satellite (PAKSAT MM1) from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center, part of Pakistan’s National Space Programme 2047. The satellite aims to enhance internet connectivity, TV broadcasts, cellular phones, broadband, e-commerce, and e-governance in Pakistan. Recently, Pakistan also launched the mini satellite ‘iCube-Qamar’ with China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission. Previous space assets include BADR-A, BADR-B, PAKSAT 1-R, PRSS-1, PakTes 1-A, and iCube-Qamar.

6. Which institution recently released framework for Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs) for fintech sector?

A. Reserve Bank of India

B. SEBI

C. IRDAI

D. NABARD

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the framework for recognizing self-regulatory organizations in the financial technology sector (SRO-FT). SROs act as intermediaries between industry players and regulators, setting standards for conduct and promoting ethical practices. India boasts the world’s third-largest fintech ecosystem, with significant global funding. The Indian fintech industry was valued at $50 billion in 2021, expected to reach around $150 billion by 2025. India also accounted for 46% of global real-time transactions in 2022.

7. Which organization recently launched the India’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) index?

A. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)

B. National Stock Exchange (NSE)

C. SEBI

D. Madras Stock Exchange (MSE)

• The National Stock Exchange of India Indices introduces India’s inaugural Electric Vehicle (EV) index, named Nifty EV & New Age Automotive Index. It monitors companies within the EV ecosystem and those developing new-age automotive technologies. Launched with a base date of April 2, 2018, and a value of 1000, it includes stocks from the Nifty 500.

8. What is the main objective of the Daksha project?

A. Studying Black holes

B. Analyzing the atmosphere of Mars

C. Investigating explosive astrophysical sources like gamma-ray bursts

D. Exploring the moon’s surface

• The Daksha project plans to construct two high-energy space telescopes targeting gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and gravitational wave sources’ electromagnetic counterparts. Each telescope will detect energy from 1 keV to over 1 MeV. Positioned on opposite sides of Earth, they promise superior coverage compared to existing missions, anticipating the discovery of thousands of GRBs and dozens of high-energy binary neutron star mergers over a five-year mission. Other missions include Astrosat, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and Swift Observatory.

9. Recently, which medical institution has won the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion by WHO?

A. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

B. KGMU, Lucknow

C. AIIMS, Delhi

D. CMC, Vellore

• The National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru received the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion from WHO. This award, established in 2019, honors significant contributions to health promotion. Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra congratulated NIMHANS.

10. According to the provisional estimate of the National Statistical Organisation (NSO), what was the growth rate of Indian economy in 2023-24?

A. 7.6%

B. 8.2%

C. 6.6%

D. 5.1%

• According to the National Statistical Organisation (NSO), India’s GDP grew by 8.2% in FY 2023-24, surpassing the Reserve Bank of India’s estimate of 7.6%. This marks the ninth time since 1960-61 that GDP growth exceeded 8%. The high growth rate was driven by a strong performance in Q4 (January-March 2024), with a 7.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

11. Recently, which organizations jointly launched ‘BIMReN initiative’ for PhD students?

A. Ministry of Earth Sciences and Indian Ocean Rim Association

B. Ministry of External Affairs and Bay of Bengal Programme-Inter Governmental Organization

C. Ministry of Science and Technology and BIMSTEC Secretariat

D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and SAARC

• The Indian government launched BIMReN (BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network) with MEA and BOBP-IGO to boost blue economy development. BIMReN supports PhD students from BIMSTEC countries to conduct research in India through Split-Site Doctoral Fellowships, offering up to INR 1 million and 6-12 months at Indian labs. It also promotes Twinning Research Projects with grants up to INR 5 million for 24-month regional collaborations.

12. Recently, which state has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning in the Class 7 ICT textbooks?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Goa

D. Odisha

• Kerala introduces AI learning in Class 7 ICT textbooks, pioneering a move to educate over 4 lakh students about Artificial Intelligence. The initiative aims to enhance technological education, familiarizing students with AI concepts from a young age. This forward-looking step reflects Kerala’s commitment to modernizing its education system and preparing students for future technological advancements.