Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 21st & 22nd April 2023
1. What is the name coined for the collection of marine debris in the Northern Pacific Ocean?
[A] High Sea Debris
[B] Mid Oceanic Debris
[C] Great Pacific Garbage Patch
[D] American Debris Stream
Answer: [C] Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. It is also known as the Pacific trash vortex, spans waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan. Marine debris is litter that ends up in the ocean, seas, and other large bodies of water. A recent study by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) shows that this giant collection of plastic trash has also become home to thousands of marine life, creating a new kind of ecosystem.
2. The PTP-NER Scheme has been launched by which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Answer: [C] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a new Central Sector Scheme “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North-Eastern Region (PTP- NER)”. The scheme with a substantial outlay of Rs.143 crore is intended to benefit Scheduled Tribes of North-eastern India. Programme has been designed to strengthen the opportunities for tribal craftsmen to support their livelihoods.
3. Where is ‘Mt Annapurna’ situated?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] China
Answer: [B] Nepal
The Mt Annapurna is situated in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province of Nepal. It is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8091 metres above sea level. The mountain was recently in news as, an Indian climber Anurag Maloo, who went missing after falling into a deep crevasse on Mount Annapurna, has been found alive in critical condition by rescuers.
4. Which state in India has become the first to adopt Water Budget?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Answer: [D] Kerala
The state Government of Kerala has introduced the first of its kind Water Budget which aims to address water scarcity in the state through proper utilization of the resources and prevention of wastages. The first phase of the project would cover 94 gram panchayats and 15 block panchayats of the state.
5. Kisan Sampark Abhiyan Programme is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Bihar
[B] Odisha
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Ladakh
Answer: [C] Jammu and Kashmir
The Agriculture Production Department of Jammu and Kashmir will launch the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan programme, which seeks to ensure the overall welfare of farmers across the Union Territory. The scheme will cover 3565 panchayats in J&K. To ensure that the programme is successful, nearly 2400 resource persons have been indentifies and trained for all districts.
6. What is ‘Cycas pectinate’ that was seen in the news recently?
[A] Plant
[B] Vaccine
[C] Gecko
[D] Spider
Answer: [A] Plant
Cycas pectinate is a plant species of Genus Cycas which is the found in the north-eastern part of India, Nepal, Bhutan, South China etc. it is the only ‘Cycas’ species found in Bhutan. It usually grows at an elevation of 300 m to 1200 m and in difficult terrains. A new study has found that this vulnerable species is threatened in the Himalayan country due to habitat loss and its over collection as an ornamental plant.
7. Which fungus is associated with a recent outbreak of “atypical” pneumonia at a Paper Mill in Michigan, USA?
[A] Yeast
[B] Blastomyces
[C] Mushrooms
[D] Molds
Answer: [B] Blastomyces
The blastomyces fungus is linked to the recent outbreak of “atypical” pneumonia among the employees of the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill in the US. The fungus is endemic to Michigan and is generally found in moist soil and decomposing wood. If disturbed, microscopic spores from the fungus can get dispersed in air travel freely. Human beings can contract blastomycosis by inhaling the spores.
8. Where is the India Steel 2023 Conference held?
[A] Chennai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Mumbai
[D] Jamshdpur
Answer: [C] Mumbai
The India Steel 2023 is a conference and International Exhibition on the steel industry, held at Mumbai from April 19 to 21. The conference is jointly organized by the Union Ministry of Steel, Commerce Department and the FICCI. The event provides an integrated platform for discussing prospects of the steel industry, facilitate the growth and connect new technologies & innovative products.
9. ‘Srijana national conference’ is organized by which institution?
[A] AIMS
[B] AIIA
[C] ISRO
[D] RBI
Answer: [B] AIIA
Srijana is a two-day national conference on female infertility, which was organized by All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of AYUSH on 17th April 2023, at New Delhi. The conference witnessed participation of many scientists, practitioners and academicians from all over India who shared their success stories and knowledge through Ayurveda.
10. Which regular has come out with a dispute resolution mechanism for Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation (LPCC)?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] IBBI
[D] IRDAI
Answer: [B] SEBI
The Capital markets regulator SEBI has come out with a dispute resolution mechanism for Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation (LPCC), in order to settle disputes and claims arising out of transactions cleared by it. The framework is implemented with immediate effect. The Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation is an entity that is set up for clearing and setting repo transactions.
11. Which institution funds the ‘De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economics (DRIVE)’ project?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] WEF
[D] NITI Aayog
Answer: [B] World Bank
De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) project is a World Bank-funded project that seeks to protect pastoralists against droughts with upgraded livestock value chain and increased financial services. As part of this project, a unique insurance scheme has been launched in Kenya to protect herders against climate change-related droughts.
12. ‘Villa of Quintilii’ which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] South Africa
[B] France
[C] Italy
[D] Australia
Answer: [C] Italy
Villa of Quintilii is an ancient Roman villa situated beyond the fifth milestone along the Via Appia Antica, close to the boundaries of Rome, Italy. A new study provided details about a lavish winery where the Roman elite gathered annually in Villa of Quintilii.
13. Which institution has developed a device named ‘Artsens’ to screen for cardiovascular diseases?
[A] IIT Delhi
[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] IIT Madras
[D] NIT Tiruchirappalli
Answer: [C] IIT Madras
Asrtsens is a device developed by researchers at the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT Madras, to screen for cardiovascular diseases. This non-invasive device can be used non-experts for routine medical examinations. It is powered by a proprietary non-imaging probe and an intelligent computing platform.
14. Who has been conferred with the ‘Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023’?
[A] Urjit Patel
[B] Shaktikanta Das
[C] Amartya Sen
[D] Utsa Patnaik
Answer: [D] Utsa Patnaik
Utsa Patnaik, a famous economist, has been chosen for the Malcolm Adiseshaiah Award 2023. The award is conferred every year by the Malcolm& Elizabeth Adisehiah Trust to honour social scientists. Utsa Patnaik, a renowned Indian Marxian economist, taught at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
15. ‘World Heritage Day’ is observed on which date?
[A] April 12
[B] April 15
[C] April 18
[D] April 21
Answer: [C] April 18
World Heritage Day is observed every year on April 18. It is also known as the International Day of Monuments and Sites. International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) is being celebrated with the theme of ‘Heritage Changes’. It aims to preserve human heritage and to recognize all the efforts of relevant organisations.
16. In which year, the indirect discrimination was recognized in the equality jurisprudence by the Supreme Court?
[A] 1992
[B] 2002
[C] 2010
[D] 2018
Answer: [D] 2018
In 2018, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud read down the law that criminalized homosexuality, citing the idea of indirect discrimination where seemingly neutral laws could disproportionately disadvantage a group. This marked the first time that indirect discrimination was recognized in the equality jurisprudence by the Supreme Court.
17. Which state Police signed MoU with ‘FICCI Ladies Organization’ for the ‘Reach Her Project’?
[A] Karnataka
[B] West Bengal
[C] Odisha
[D] Assam
Answer: [C] Odisha
The FICCI Ladies Organization and the Odisha Police has signed an MoU regarding the Reach Her Project. Under this initiative, the FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) will promote a healthy work environment for women employees.
18. What is the full form of ULIP, that has been launched under National Logistics Policy?
[A] Uniform Logistics Interface Platform
[B] Unified Logistics Interface Platform
[C] Uniform Logistics Industry Platform
[D] Unified Logistics Industry Platform
Answer: [B] Unified Logistics Interface Platform
The Unified Logistics Interface Platform, which was launched under the national logistics policy, enables the tracking of all cargo containers exported or imported in domestic or international water. It has recently been integrated with 33 systems of seven Union Ministries.
19. What is ‘RAMBAAN’, which was recently seen in the news?
[A] Elephant Species
[B] Mobile Clinic
[C] COVID vaccine
[D] Launch Vehicle
Answer: [B] Mobile Clinic
RAMBAAN (Rapid Action Mobile BSL3+ Advanced Augmented Network) is India’s first mobile BSL-3 laboratory. It was showcased at the second G20 Health Working Group Meeting, which was organized in Goa. This fully equipped, Made-in-India mobile clinic can reach remote regions to conduct testing.
20 Aragam, which is set to made as India’s Largest Book Village, is in which state/UT?
[A] Assam
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Kerala
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [B] Jammu and Kashmir
Aragam village of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district is set to be converted into India’s largest book village to promote Kashmiri literature and culture. The initiative is jointly implemented by Pune-based NGO ‘Sarhad’ and the Jammu and Kashmir Government.