Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 21st July 2023
1. “Namda”, a type of rug, is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Puducherry
[B] Goa
[C] Andaman & Nicobar
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Answer: [D] Jammu & Kashmir
Namda is a type of rug exclusively made in Jammu and Kashmir, by enmeshing wool fibers with water, soap and pressure and then embroidering the resultant fabric. Nearly 2200 individuals from six districts in Jammu and Kashmir are undergoing training in the endangered Namda craft, as a part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) under Skill India’s Pilot Project.
2. Advance Authorization Scheme, is implemented and administered by which institution?
[A] SBI
[B] SEBI
[C] DGFT
[D] ISRO
Answer: [C] DGFT
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) implements and administers the Advance Authorization Scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy. This scheme allows duty-free import of inputs for export purposes. To make the norms fixation process more efficient, the DGFT has created a user-friendly and searchable database of Ad-hoc Norms fixed in the previous years. To access the database, the exporter or public may visit the DGFT Website.
3. Which Union Ministry launched the CRCS Sahara Portal?
[A] Union Commerce and Industry Ministry
[B] Union Finance Ministry
[C] Union Cooperation Ministry
[D] Union Defence Ministry
Answer: [C] Union Cooperation Ministry
The Union Home & Cooperation Minister has recently launched the ‘CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal’. It will facilitate the submission of valid claims by authentic depositors from four cooperative societies associated with the Sahara Group. This is a part of the refund of Rs.5000 crore to depositors of 4 Sahara group cooperative societies, whose funds are struck.
4. Which country is hosting the Global Food Regulators Summit 2023?
[A] India
[B] Japan
[C] USA
[D] New Zealand
Answer: [A] India
India is hosting the Global Food Regulators Summit 2023. This the first time, India is hosting this event. The summit, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The meeting is scheduled from July 20th and 21st, 2023, at Manekshaw Auditorium in New Delhi.
5. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in association with which institution has released the “IEA Oil 2023 – Supply and demand dynamics to 2028” report?
[A] Indian Oil Limited
[B] BARC
[C] Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell
[D] GAIL India Limited
Answer: [C] Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have jointly released a report titled “IEA Oil 2023 – Supply and demand dynamics to 2028”. According to the report, global oil demand is expected to experience a significant deceleration, nearly reaching a standstill by 2028.
6. Which institution prepares the ‘Export Preparedness Index?
[A] RBI
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] DGFT
[D] EXIM Bank
Answer: [B] NITI Aayog
The third edition of the ‘Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2022’ report for the States and Union Territories of India was published by NITI Aayog. The main objective of the EPI report is to provide State governments with specific and localized information that can aid in decision-making, identify areas of strength, address areas of improvement.
7. What is Eunice Newton Foote is associated with?
[A] Nuclear Reactors
[B] Green House Effect
[C] Smart Phone
[D] Artificial Intelligence
Answer: [B] Green House Effect
Eunice Newton Foote was an American scientist and an advocate for women’s rights. She made a groundbreaking discovery in climate science by being the first to recognize and understand the greenhouse effect and its impact on the Earth’s climate. Her 204th birth anniversary was observed recently on 17th July 2023.
8. Which breed of fish is used to tackle mosquito-borne diseases?
[A] Rohu
[B] Gambusia
[C] Bangda
[D] Hilsa
Answer: [B] Gambusia
Gambusia Fish which is commonly referred to as mosquito fish are widely recognized for their ability to control mosquito larvae and are used as a natural means of mosquito control. The government of Andhra Pradesh has recently introduced around 10 million Gambusia fish into the state’s water reservoirs as a measure to prevent mosquito borne diseases in the state.
9. Which institution has released fresh guidelines regarding appointment of senior advocates in Supreme Court?
[A] Supreme Court of India
[B] Finance Ministry
[C] Bar Council of India
[D] Indian Lawyers Association
Answer: [A] Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India has released fresh guidelines regarding appointment and practice of senior advocates in supreme court. The new guidelines introduced by the Supreme Court have replaced the previous guidelines issued by the court in 2018. This change comes as a result of the court’s ruling in the case of Indira Jaisingh v. Union of India in 2017.
10. Safran Helicopter Engine, which was seen in the news, is an aerospace company of which country?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] France
[D] Germany
Answer: [C] France
India and France have decided to collaborate in development of combat aircraft engine and engines specifically for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) which is a project undertaken by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In this regard, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engine have finalized a Shareholders’ Agreement for the development of engines.
11. Which city hosted the ‘Regional Conference on Drugs Smuggling & National Security’?
[A] Pune
[B] Amritsar
[C] New Delhi
[D] Ahmedabad
Answer: [C] New Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chairs the Regional Conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ organized in New Delhi. In the presence of Union Home Minister, more than 1.40 Lakh kg of narcotics destroyed in different parts of the country, which is a record for single day.
12. India has signed agreement with UAE for establishment of an IIT campus in which location?
[A] Dubai
[B] Abu Dhabi
[C] Sharjah
[D] Al Ain
Answer: [B] Abu Dhabi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the United Arab Emirates. During the visit, India and the UAE signed agreements pertaining to the utilization of local currencies for cross- border transactions and the establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Abu Dhabi. Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the UAE marked his fifth visit to the country since assuming office in 2014.
13. Where is the Chachin Grazing Festival celebrated?
[A] Assam
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Answer: [B] Arunachal Pradesh
The Chachin Grazing Festival is celebrated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, by local graziers of the Tawang region near Bumla Pass. The 2-day event held this year witnessed participation from grazers all across the Tawang region. The Chachin and other traditional grazing areas near Bumla Pass have played a crucial role in sustaining the local Monpa way of life.
14. India signed MoU for linking of India’s UPI with Instant Payment Platform of which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Australia
[C] France
[D] Brazil
Answer: [A] UAE
India and the UAE have recently signed three MoUs in banking and education sectors. The MoUs in the banking sector pertain to the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions and cooperation for interlinking their payment and messaging systems.
15. ISRO is jointly developing a nuclear- powered engine along with which institution?
[A] BARC
[B] DRDO
[C] HAL
[D] BHEL
Answer: [A] BARC
India’s space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation-ISRO, is jointly developing a nuclear-powered engine along with Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). Both institutions collaborate to develop Radio Thermoelectric Generators (RTGS). US spacecrafts such as the Voyager, Cassini and Curiosity have been powered by RTGS.
16. Which country launched a pilot project in South Asia region for tax and financial crime investigation?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Japan
[D] Bangladesh
Answer: [A] India
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces pilot project in South Asia region for tax and financial crime investigation under India’s G20 Presidency. The pilot programme was launched in collaboration with OECD for the South Asian Region at the Regional Campus of National Academy of Direct Taxes in New Delhi.
17. Which country recently signed accession protocol for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] UAE
[D] Israel
Answer: [B] UK
U.K. officially signed accession protocol for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Entry into force of the agreement will take place once the UK and CPTPP Parties have finished their legislative processes.
18. Which Tennis player won the Wimbledon men’s single title in 2023?
[A] Novak Djokovic
[B] Rafel Nadal
[C] Carlos Alcaraz
[D] Stephano Tsitsipas
Answer: [C] Carlos Alcaraz
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated seven-time champion Novak Djokovic to claim his first Wimbledon title. The Spaniard wins maiden Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam after US Open. He also ended Novak Djokovic’s hopes of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam titles.
19. Keerthana Pandian, who was seen in the news, plays which sports?
[A] Squash
[B] Snooker
[C] Badminton
[D] Table Tennis
Answer: [B] Snooker
Keerthana Pandian defeated fellow Indian Anupama Ramachandran in the final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She emerged as the IBSF World under-21 women’s snooker champion. Bengaluru’s Natasha Chethan clinched a bronze medal. Dhruv Patel was the best performer in the men’s title, who went down in the quarter finals.
20. Oommen Chandy, who passed away, was the former Chief Minister of which state/UT?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
Answer: Kerala
Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy passes away at the age of 79. He served as the Chief Minister from 2004 to 2006 and 2011 to 2016. Chandy became active in politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Youth Congress. At the age of 27, Oommen Chandy won the Kerala legislative assembly seat from his constituency, Puthupally. He has also served as Home Minister, Finance Minister and Labour Minister.