Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 20th & 21st April 2024

1. According to UNCTAD report, what is the estimated growth rate of India’s economy in 2024?

A. 6.3%

B. 6.5%

C. 6.7%

D. 6.9%

• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) forecasts India’s economy to grow at 6.5% in 2024, following a 6.7% growth in 2023. India maintains its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. Multinational companies are expanding manufacturing operations in India to diversify supply chains, aiming to boost exports. Growth in 2023 was driven by public capital investment and service sector expansion, as per the UNCTAD report.

2. Recently, DRDO conducted a successful flight test of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) at which place?

A. Chandipur, Odisha

B. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

C. Pokhran, Rajasthan

D. Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from Chandipur, Odisha. All subsystems performed well, monitored by range sensors and a Su-30-Mk-I aircraft. The missile showcased precise navigation, flying close to the sea surface. The test affirmed the reliability of the indigenous propulsion system by GTRE, Bengaluru. Developed by ADE, equipped with advanced avionics, the ITCM is a technology demonstrator with an upgraded seeker and small turbofan engine.

3. What is the theme of ‘World Liver Day 2024’?

A. Keep your liver healthy and disease-free

B. Be Vigilant, Get Regular Liver Check-Ups

C. Keep your liver healthy and Spread awareness

D. Spreading awareness about liver-related issues

• On April 19th, World Liver Day promotes liver health awareness globally. This year’s theme, “Keep your liver healthy and disease-free,” highlights preventive measures and regular check-ups. The initiative aims to educate about liver-related disorders, encourage lifestyle changes, and support affected individuals.

4. Lakshmana Tirtha River is tributary of which river?

A. Godavari

B. Krishna

C. Narmada

D. Kaveri

• Severe drought and intense heat have caused the complete drying up of the Lakshmana Tirtha River, a tributary of the Kaveri in Karnataka. Originating in the Brahmagiri hills, it flows eastward before merging with the Kaveri River at Krishna Raja Sagara Lake.
• The famous Lakshmanatirtha Falls, or Irupu Falls, adorns its path, near Kerala’s border. The Kaveri River, originating at Talakaveri, is sacred to Hindus and empties into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu.

5. Dragonfly rotorcraft mission is associated with which space organization?

A. NASA

B. ISRO

C. CNSA

D. JAXA

• NASA confirmed the Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s moon Titan with a $3.35 billion budget, launching in July 2028. It’ll explore various locations, mainly on the moon’s surface, with a radioisotope power system. Scheduled to arrive in 2034, it will search for prebiotic chemical processes, resembling early Earth conditions. Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, boasts an Earth-like liquid cycle and a thick atmosphere.

6. Recently, who has been appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff?

A. Admiral Karambir Singh

B. Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi

C. Admiral Sunil Lanba

D. Admiral Dinesh Tripathi

• Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, presently Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, appointed next Chief of the Naval Staff from April 30, 2024. Born May 15, 1964, commissioned in 1985, specializes in Communication and Electronic Warfare. With 39 years of service, he served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, the current Chief, retires on April 30, 2024.

7. Recently, India delivered BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to which country?

A. Sweden

B. Philippines

C. Egypt

D. Vietnam

• India delivered BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines under a $375 million deal signed in 2022. BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India’s DRDO, signed the contract with the Philippines in January 2022 for the supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System. India’s arms sales this year totaled Rs 21,000 crore, according to Prime Minister of India.

8. Directionally Unrestricted Ray Gun Array (DURGA) system is developed by which organization?

A. DRDO

B. HAL

C. ISRO

D. BHEL

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is testing DURGA-2, a prototype of its Directionally Unrestricted Ray Gun Array. This system utilizes lasers, microwaves, or particle beams to damage or destroy targets, offering advantages over conventional munitions. It operates at the speed of light, unaffected by gravity or atmospheric drag, and boasts precision and customizable effects.

9. Recently, which company has become the third-largest silver producer globally?

A. Hindustan Zinc Limited

B. Silver Zinc Corporation

C. Sunrise Zinc Limited

D. Mewat Zinc Limited

• Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of the Vedanta Group, has become the world’s third-largest silver producer, according to the 2024 World Silver Survey by The Silver Institute. The company’s Sindesar Khurd Mine in Rajasthan is the world’s second-largest silver-producing mine. In 2023, Hindustan Zinc produced 45.9 million ounces of silver, an 8% increase from the previous year.

10. Recently, what does World Health Organization (WHO) term pathogens that transmit through air?

A. Waterborne pathogens

B. Infectious respiratory particles

C. Swine Flu

D. Parkinson syndrome

• The World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the term ‘Infectious Respiratory Particles’ (IRPs) to describe pathogens transmitted through the air, addressing a lack of common terminology during the COVID-19 pandemic. IRPs encompass particles expelled through breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing. They exist across a spectrum of sizes, with two descriptors: Airborne transmission (inhalation) and Direct deposition (exposure to expelled particles).

11. Recently, fossil of largest snake named ‘Vasuki Indicus’ discovered in which state?

A. Kerala

B. Gujarat

C. Maharashtra

D. Madhya Pradesh

• Discovered in Gujarat, a fossil vertebra confirms ‘Vasuki Indicus’ as the largest snake ever, estimated at 11-15 meters and 1 tonne. Likely an ambush predator in marshy swamps, it lived during a period of high global temperatures. Comparable to Titanoboa, a Colombian snake measuring 43 feet long and weighing over a tonne, Vasuki Indicus sheds light on prehistoric serpents’ immense size and ecological roles.

12. Who is the author of the recently released book ‘India – the Road to Renaissance: A Vision and an Agenda’?

A. Amish Tripathi

B. Bhimeswara Challa

C. Bhavik Sarkhedi

D. Vikram Seth

• Bhimeswara Challa’s book launch, “India — the Road to Renaissance: A Vision and an Agenda,” at ASCI Hyderabad, signals a pivotal moment in India’s intellectual discourse. As a former UN official, Challa offers a unique perspective, advocating for a resurgent India. His book serves as a passionate call to action, urging readers to confront pressing issues beyond electoral politics.