Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 20th and 21st June 2024

1. Nalanda University is located in which state?

A. Jharkhand

B. Gujarat

C. Bihar

D. Rajasthan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Nalanda University campus near the ancient ruins in Rajgir, Bihar. Founded by Kumargupta in the 5^th century, Nalanda was a renowned monastic university for 600 years, flourishing under Harshavardhan and the Pala monarchs. It attracted students from across Asia, teaching subjects like Buddhism, medicine, and astronomy. Destroyed in 1193 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, it was rediscovered in 1812 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Recently, which country became the first Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage?

A. Thailand

B. Vietnam

C. Malaysia

D. Singapore

• Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage. Despite its inclusive reputation, Thailand faced decades of challenges passing this law due to conservative societal and governmental values. The bill grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender. It awaits formal endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and will become effective within 120 days.

3. What is ‘Ophichthus Suryai’?

A. A rare fish discovered in West Bengal

B. A invasive weed found in Northeastern states

C. A newly discovered species of snake eel

D. Military weapon

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India’s Gopalpur centre discovered a new snake eel species, ‘Ophichthus Suryai,’ in Odisha. This species differs from its congeners by the dorsal fin origin near the gill opening, unique vertebral count, and multiple rows of teeth on both jaws. Snake eels, marine fishes of the Ophichthidae family, inhabit warm, tropical waters, often hiding at the sea bottom, and can grow up to 10 feet.

4. Recently, a rare celestial phenomenon called a “double sun halo” was recently witnessed in which region of India?

A. Western Ghats

B. Ladakh

C. Andaman & Nicobar Islands

D. Thar desert

• Recently, a rare “double sun halo” was observed over Ladakh. This optical phenomenon features two concentric rings around the sun, caused by sunlight refracting through ice crystals in cirrus clouds. The inner halo has a 22-degree radius, while the outer halo spans 46 degrees. The unique alignment of hexagonal ice crystals in the clouds creates this dazzling effect.

5. Recently, who was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for Telugu?

A. Ramesh Karthik Naik

B. Neelum Saran

C. Vikram Singh

D. Jyoti Gupta

• Ramesh Karthik Naik, a 26-year-old writer from Vivek Nagar, Nizamabad district, received the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for Telugu literature. Instituted in 2011, this award honors young writers under 35 for their creative works in 24 languages. It includes a plaque, shawl, citation, and a ₹50,000 cheque. The Sahitya Akademi, established in 1954, promotes literature in Indian languages autonomously under the Government of India, playing a pivotal role in literary discourse and publication.

6. Truenat platform is associated with which disease?

A. Dengue

B. Cancer

C. Tuberculosis

D. Malaria

• India’s Truenat TB diagnostics, developed by Molbio, impressed at the World Health Assembly. Launched in 2017, it’s a portable micro-PCR system for rapid diagnosis of TB types, including drug-resistant strains.
• Delivering results in under an hour, it’s deployed widely across India, aiding early treatment critical in a country with high TB mortality. India, comprising 27% of global TB cases, benefits from over 7,000 health centers using Truenat under its National TB Elimination Programme.

7. Recently, which country’s scientists have developed a catalyst to produce cheaper biodiesel?

A. Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia

B. Russia, Germany and France

C. India, China and United Kingdom

D. Japan, Canada, and Israel

• Scientists from Assam, Odisha (India), China, and the U.K. have developed a water-repellent catalyst to significantly reduce biodiesel production costs. Biofuels are quickly produced from biomass, unlike slow fossil fuel formation. They’re primarily liquid or gaseous and commonly blended with petroleum products for transportation.

8. Recently, which state government has announced waiver of farm loans up to 2 lakh rupees to provide relief to over 1.91 lakh farmers in the state?

A. Bihar

B. Jharkhand

C. Haryana

D. Punjab

• The Jharkhand government has announced a farm loan waiver of up to 2 lakh rupees for over 1.91 lakh farmers. Loans taken by farmers between 50,000 and 2 lakh rupees until March 31, 2020, will be waived through a one-time settlement. This decision aims to provide significant relief to farmers, following an earlier crop loan waiver of up to 50 thousand rupees in the fiscal year 2021-22.

9. According to the SIPRI report, how many nuclear warheads does India currently have?

A. 150

B. 105

C. 172

D. 127

• Recently, SIPRI reported on nuclear warheads, revealing China’s arsenal at 500 warheads, tripling India and Pakistan’s counts. Some Chinese warheads are on high alert for the first time. India’s arsenal stands at 172 warheads, slightly surpassing Pakistan’s 170. India is expanding its nuclear triad with advanced submarines and long-range missiles.

10. Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor project is associated with which state?

A. Odisha

B. Assam

C. Punjab

D. Uttar Pradesh

• Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Varanasi marked his first since assuming office for the third time. He inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor’s first phase, linking it to the Ganga River banks, highlighting India’s Sanatan culture. PM Modi praised Varanasi’s historical resilience and cultural richness. He offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav Temple and witnessed Ganga Aarti.

11. Recently, which IIT has developed a ‘Crowd Eye’ device that can send alerts when the number of pilgrims exceeds the capacity of shrines?

A. IIT Ahmedabad

B. IIT Roorkee

C. IIT Kanpur

D. IIT Bombay

• IIT Roorkee developed the ‘Crowd Eye’ device to manage increasing pilgrim footfall at Char Dham shrines, starting with Yamunotri. This device provides real-time crowd monitoring. A funding request has been submitted to UCOST for installation. The project, costing 60-70 thousand rupees, awaits budget approval and patenting. Future updates will include gender differentiation in crowd data.

12. Recently, who has been appointed as the pro-tem Speaker in the Lok Sabha?

A. Daggubati Purandeswari

B. Bhartruhari Mahtab

C. K Suresh

D. Mohan Singh

• BJP leader and seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was appointed pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. His duties include administering the oath to newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha and presiding over the House until the Speaker is elected. The pro-tem Speaker is a temporary position, essential for the initial functioning of a newly formed Lok Sabha.

13. Which state received the highest number of complaints to the National Commission for Women (NCW) in 2024?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Bihar

D. Haryana

• In 2024, the National Commission for Women (NCW) received the most complaints from Uttar Pradesh (6,492), followed by Delhi (1,119) and Maharashtra (764). Out of 12,648 total complaints, 3,567 concerned “right to dignity,” 3,213 were for domestic violence, and 1,963 for dowry harassment. Manipur, despite significant violence, recorded only six complaints. Other states also reported varying numbers of complaints.

14. Recently, who won a gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland?

A. Neeraj Chopra

B. Toni Keranen

C. Oliver Helander

D. Anderson Peters

• Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 in Finland with a throw of 85.97m on June 18. This was his third event of the season, after missing the Ostrava Golden Spike meet due to injury. Chopra’s performance reaffirms his top form as he prepares for the Paris Olympics next month.

15. Which day is observed as ‘World Refugee Day’ every year?

A. 19 June

B. 20 June

C. 21 June

D. 22 June

• World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20 to raise awareness about refugees’ plight and promote their inclusion. The 2024 theme is “For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed.” Established in 2001 to mark the 1951 Refugee Convention’s 50th anniversary, it underscores international cooperation. Refugees flee due to conflict, persecution, and violence, highlighting the need for global solidarity and lasting solutions to the refugee crisis.

16. What is the aim of the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES), recently approved by government of India?

A. To improve healthcare infrastructure

B. To strengthen the criminal forensic infrastructure

C. To enhance educational facilities

D. To develop transportation systems

• The Indian government approved the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) to strengthen forensic infrastructure, aiding the criminal justice system. Approved on June 19, 2024, by the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, the NFIES will be implemented by the Home Ministry. It supports new criminal laws effective July 1, 2024, requiring mandatory forensic investigation for severe crimes. NFIES includes new campuses for the National Forensic Sciences University and additional Central Forensic Science Laboratories.

17. Recently, the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN), in collaboration with Svyasa, organized a Conference on “Yoga for Space” at which place?

A. New Delhi

B. Hyderabad

C. Chennai

D. Bengaluru

• The Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) and Svyasa University organized the “Yoga for Space” conference at S-Vyasa University, Bengaluru, for International Day of Yoga 2024, themed “Yoga for Self & Society.” The event featured keynote addresses from Indian institutions and highlighted various activities promoting yoga, including global contests and innovative challenges. The conference emphasized yoga’s role in fostering a healthy society and its potential applications for astronauts.

18. Which organization recently published the report ‘Sustainable Development Report 2024’?

A. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

B. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

C. World Bank

D. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

• The Sustainable Development Report 2024 reveals significant delays in achieving most 2015 SDG targets, such as reducing poverty and hunger. Published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, it highlights that only 16% of goals are on track for 2030. Released before the UN Summit of the Future, it proposes key UN reforms and introduces an index for UN-based multilateralism. Finland, Sweden, and Denmark lead the rankings.

19. What is the rank of India on the ‘Energy Transition Index 2024’?

A. 63^rd

B. 65^th

C. 73^rd

D. 75^th

• India is ranked 63rd on the global Energy Transition Index 2024 by the World Economic Forum. The index monitors the global shift towards sustainable, secure, and accessible energy systems. Sweden tops the rankings, followed by Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, and France. Despite notable progress by emerging economies like Brazil and China, 83% of countries regressed in security, equity, or sustainability. The gap between advanced and developing economies is narrowing, despite disparities.

20. What is the main objective of the ‘5G Intelligent Village’ initiative?

A. To improve urban connectivity

B. To enhance satellite communication

C. To uplift rural communities through 5G technology

D. To develop new social media platforms

• The Department of Telecommunications announced two initiatives—5G Intelligent Village and Quantum Encryption Algorithm (QEA)—to drive innovation in the telecom sector.
• These proposals aim to harness 5G technology for equitable technological advancement, focusing on rural upliftment through Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC). The initiatives target critical areas like agriculture, education, healthcare, governance, and sustainability, demonstrating the benefits of 5G connectivity in selected villages.

21. e-Shram portal is launched by which ministry?

A. Ministry of Labour and Employment

B. Ministry of Agriculture

C. Ministry of Home Affairs

D. Ministry of Rural Development

• At the 112^th International Labour Conference in Geneva, India’s delegation, led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, highlighted the e-Shram portal. Launched in 2021, the portal registers unorganized workers across 400 occupations, providing a comprehensive national database. Fully Aadhaar-verified, it aims to facilitate access to social security schemes.

22. INS Sunayna belongs to which type of class?

A. Kalvari class

B. Saryu class

C. Arihant class

D. None of the above

• INS Sunayna, a Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessel commissioned in Kochi and based under the Southern Naval Command, visited Port Victoria, Seychelles on June 15, 2024. This visit, alongside SCGS Zoroaster, aims to enhance cooperation between the Indian Navy and Seychelles Coast Guard under the SAGAR vision. Built at Goa Shipyard Ltd, INS Sunayna supports fleet operations, coastal patrols, ocean surveillance.

23. Vadhavan Port is to be constructed in which state?

A. Gujarat

B. Maharashtra

C. Kerala

D. Odisha

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharastra. The Project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively. The total project cost, including the land acquisition component is Rs.76,220 Crore.
• The Project, aligned with the objectives of PM Gati Shakti program, will add to further economic activity and also have the potential for direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 12 lakh individuals, thereby contributing to the local economy.

24. Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission was launched by which space organization?

A. NASA

B. ISRO

C. JAXA

D. CNSA

• NASA’s MAVEN orbiter, launched in 2013, recently captured stunning purple-colored auroras in Mars’ atmosphere. MAVEN’s primary mission is to study the Martian upper atmosphere and understand how solar activity has stripped away much of its atmosphere, transforming the planet into a cold, barren desert. This research aims to unravel Mars’ transition from a potentially habitable world to its current state, crucial for understanding its past potential for microbial life.