Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 20th June 2023
1. Which institution has released the report named – “Detox Development: Repurposing Environmentally Harmful Subsidies”?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] WEF
Answer: [B] World Bank
A report titled “Detox Development: Repurposing Environmentally Harmful Subsidies” was released recently by the World Bank. According to this report, large amounts of money are wasted on subsidies for agriculture, fishing, and fossil fuels, which could be utilized to tackle climate change and benefit humanity and the environment, rather than causing harm.
2. ‘Nature Restoration Law’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which region?
[A] USA
[B] Europe
[C] South-Asia
[D] Oceania
Answer: [B] Europe
The European Green Deal, initiated in 2019, consists of a collection of policy initiatives aimed at guiding the European Union (EU) towards achieving climate neutrality by the year 2050. Its current mandate is for the region to achieve climate neutrality by the middle of this century. The European Parliament’s environment committee voted 44-44 on an amendment tabled by the European People’s Party to reject the Nature Restoration Law.
3. VAIBHAV fellowships programme is implemented by which Department of Government of India?
[A] Department of Science and Technology
[B] Department of Economic Affairs
[C] Department of Social Justice
[D] Department of Revenue
Answer: [A] Department of Science and Technology
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology has launched Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) fellowships programme. The programme aims to connect the Indian STEMM diaspora (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) with Indian academic and R&D institutions for collaborative research. The fellowship would be awarded to outstanding scientist/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
4. The National Time Release Study (TRS) Report 2023, is released by which organization?
[A] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
[B] Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
[C] Port Trust of India (PTI)
[D] Indian Maritime University (IMU)
Answer: [A] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
The National Time Release Study (TRS) Report 2023 is released by Central Board of Indirect
Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Time Release Study (TRS) is a performance measurement tool which aims to present quantitative measure of the cargo release time (i.e) the time taken from arrival of the cargo at the Customs station to its out of charge for domestic clearance in case of imports and arrival of the cargo at the Customs station to the eventual departure of the carrier in case of exports.
5. An outreah programme named “Julley Ladakh” was organized by which organization?
[A] Indian Navy
[B] ISRO
[C] Indian Oil Limited
[D] Google
Answer: [A] Indian Navy
The Indian Navy conducted an outreach programme at Ladakh named “Julley Ladakh” (Hello Ladakh), to awareness about the Indian Navy in Ladakh. The programme included a 5000km Motorcycle Expedition. The core objectives of the programme are to Celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Conduct Awareness drives at Schools/ Colleges about career opportunities in Indian Navy and to showcase Nari Shakti in the region.
6. The UNGA’s Resolution to establish a new Memorial Wall for fallen Peacekeepers, was piloted by which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Ukraine
[C] India
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer: [C] India
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution, piloted by India, to establish a new memorial wall for fallen Peacekeepers. The resolution received a record 190 co- sponsorships. As per a data revealed by the UNGA, out of the 3,500 peacekeepers who have lost lives in different missions of conflict areas across the globe, 178 are Indians.
7. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked a Rs.500 crore contract with ICOMM Tele, for procurement of which equipment?
[A] Radio Relay Communication equipment containers
[B] Radars
[C] Night Vision sensors
[D] Advanced light weight sensors
Answer: [A] Radio Relay Communication equipment containers
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked a Rs.500 crore contract with ICOMM Tele, for the procurement of 1,035 numbers of 5/7.5 Ton Radio Relay Communication equipment containers. The delivery of the containers is scheduled to commence from the current Financial Year 2023-24. These containers will be utilized to provide a protected environment for communication equipment to function in a failsafe and reliable manner.
8. What is the name of the ‘Electronic signage systems’ that have been installed in High Courts of India?
[A] NITI Clocks
[B] Justice Clocks
[C] Court Clocks
[D] Judge Clocks
Answer: [B] Justice Clocks
Electronic signage systems known as Justice Clocks have been installed across the court complexes of High Courts. The initiative will inform stakeholders about court-related key parameters and bring awareness among public by providing an overview of court-related data.
9. Where is the Chromosphere located?
[A] 120 km above earth surface
[B] 200 km above earth surface
[C] Moon’s atmosphere
[D] Sun’s atmosphere
Answer: [D] Sun’s atmosphere
The chromosphere, located in the solar atmosphere and is a layer characterized by intense solar activity. It has a vital function in transferring non-thermal energy, which effectively heats the corona and fuels the solar wind, extending beyond the boundaries of the solar atmosphere. According to a recent study, the bright grains detected in the chromosphere of the Sun are a result of shocks moving upwards in the solar plasma. These grains exhibit higher temperature increases than previously estimated.
10. Which state recently announced that the prisons in the state will be known as “Reform
Homes”?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Bihar
[D] Gujarat
Answer: [A] Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently announced that the prisons in the state will be known as “Reform Homes”. Measures like security assessment, grievance redressal, Prison Development Board, behavioral changes towards prisoners, and separate accommodation for women and transgender individuals, will be implemented.
11. ‘Manav Sampada Portal’ is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Goa
[D] Kerala
Answer: [B] Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to upload the yearly records of Group A and B officials, including appointments, transfers, and leaves, on the Manav Sampada Portal. This step aims to improve the efficiency and usefulness of the portal while promoting transparency in governance and providing convenience to employees.
12. Which state/UT launched the ‘Celebrities associated with Shimla’ map?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Answer: [B] Himachal Pradesh
‘Celebrities associated with Shimla’ map was launched recently by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. It was prepared by Trilok Suryavanshi – the former Assistant Director of the Department of Language, Art and Culture. The map will serve as a record for youth to get information about the historical importance of Shimla.
13. As per a recent report, the Global Mean Temperature crosses which threshold for the first time during summer?
[A] 0.5 Degree Celsius
[B] 1.5 Degree Celsius
[C] 2.5 Degree Celsius
[D] 3.5 Degree Celsius
Answer: [B] 1.5 Degree Celsius
European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) recently announced that the average global temperatures during the initial days of June exceeded pre-industrial averages by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. This occurrence marks the first time that the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold has been surpassed during the summer season.
14. Ministry of Defence granted approval for the procurement of Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from which country?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] Israel
[D] France
Answer: [B] USA
The Ministry of Defence granted approval for the procurement of the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from the United States. The deal was approved recently during the Defence Acquisition Council meeting. The final decision on this matter will be made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
15. What is the name of the mascot of National Water Mission?
[A] Jal Girl
[B] Piku
[C] Tintu
[D] Mojo
Answer: [B] Piku
Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, conferred the 4th National Water Awards, 2022. 41 winners, including joint winners across 11 categories were awarded for their work in the field of water conservation and management. The Vice President also launched an animated short film on ‘Piku’, the mascot of National Water Mission for telecast on Doordarshan to spread the message of water conservation.
16. ‘EV Nautilus project’ is associated with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Ukraine
[C] USA
[D] Israel
Answer: [C] USA
EV Nautilus project was launched to venture into unexplored areas of the ocean, with the goal of uncovering novel findings in the fields of biology, geology, and archaeology. This expedition is funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration through the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute. This project’s team recently discovered a remarkable ‘smiling’ creature, a deep sea snailfish, in the Pacific Ocean. Belonging to the Liparidae family, these ray-finned fishes are widely distributed across the world.
17. Roger Payne, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Biologist
[C] Sports person
[D] Business person
Answer: [B] Biologist
Roger Payne, a famous biologist, has passed away recently. He is known for discovering that the whales could sing. Payne made the discovery in 1967 during a research trip to Bermuda when a navy engineer provided a recording of curious underwater sounds documented while listening for Russian submarines. Payne identified the haunting tones as songs whales sing to one another.
18. Which country recently announced compensation for holocaust survivors who fled the Einsatzgruppen?
[A] Russia
[B] Germany
[C] France
[D] USA
Answer: [B] Germany
The Einsatzgruppen were mobile units formed by the Nazi regime during World War II. Their primary purpose was to systematically eliminate Jewish communities, among other targeted groups, through mass murder. Germany recently announced compensation for holocaust survivors who fled the Einsatzgruppen.
19. The World Bank (WB) launched its first dedicated road safety project in South Asia, for which country?
[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Answer: [B] Bangladesh
The World Bank (WB) launched its first dedicated road safety project in South Asia, with a USD 358 million financing agreement signed with the government of Bangladesh. The project seeks to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and injuries from road crashes in selected cities, high-risk highways, and district roads.
20. Aditi Gopichand Swamy, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?
[A] Squash
[B] Chess
[C] Archery
[D] Tennis
Answer: [C] Archery
The 16-year-old debutant Aditi Gopichand Swamy broke the Under 18 compound world record to top the women’s qualification round in the third stage of the Archery World Cup. The Indian women’s compound team of Jyothi, Aditi and Parneet topped the seedings with 2119 points in the qualifications. Compound men’s team of Abhishek, Ojas and Prathamesh settled for the second seed with 2112 points.