Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 22nd August 2023
1. What is the name of the new scheme launched to augment city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on PPP model?
[A] Bharat eBus Sewa
[B] PM eBus Sewa
[C] City eBus Sewa
[D] Central eBus Sewa
Answer: [B] PM eBus Sewa
The Cabinet has approved a bus scheme “PM- eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operation by 10,000 e-buses on PPP model. The scheme would have an estimated cost of Rs.57,613 crore, out of which support of Rs.20,000 crore will be provided by the Central government. The Scheme will support bus operations for 10 years. Under this scheme priority will be given to cities having no organized bus service.
2. What is the total outlay of the expansion of ‘Digital India programme’?
[A] ₹ 4,903 crores
[B] ₹ 11,903 crores
[C] ₹ 14,903 crores
[D] ₹ 24,903 crores
Answer: [C] 14,903 crores
The ‘Digital India programme’ was launched on 1st July, 2015 to enable digital delivery of services to citizens. The total outlay is 14,903 crores. The Union Cabinet recently approved the expansion of the Digital India programme. This would enable 6.25 lakh IT professionals will be re-skilled and up-skilled under the FutureSkills Prime Programme; 2.65 lakh persons will be trained in information security under the Information Security Education Awareness Phase (ISEA) Programme; 540 additional services will be available under UMANG app/ platform.
3. Central Board of Indirect taxes and Customs (CBIC) signed Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Answer: [C] Australia
The Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the signing and ratification of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect taxes and Customs (CBIC), India and the Department of Home Affairs incorporating the Australian Border Force, Australian. Government. The arrangement is aimed at providing reciprocal benefits to accredited and trusted exporters of both the signatories in the clearance of goods by the Customs authorities of the importing country.
4. Which country is the host of international conference on ‘Preserving Information Integrity and Public Trust in Elections’?
[A] India
[B] Brazil
[C] France
[D] Australia
Answer: [B] Brazil
The Election Commissioner of India, Arun Goel, has participated in a significant international conference focused on ‘Preserving Information Integrity and Public Trust in Elections’. The conference held in Brasilia, Brazil was hosted by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, Brazil.
5. Which Indian city is the ‘G20-Digital Innovation Alliance (DIA) Summit’?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Pune
[D] Chennai
Answer: [B] Bengaluru
Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurated the G20- Digital Innovation Alliance Summit in Bengaluru. As part of India’s G20 Presidency, G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA) initiative was launched under MeitY Startup Hub.
6. Which institution has set up a new Design Devision to formulate policy and guidelines?
[A] NHAI
[B] NASSCOM
[C] TRAI
[D] IREDA
Answer: [A] NHAI
NHAI has set up a Design Division that will formulate policy and guidelines for planning, designing, construction and maintenance of bridges, structures, tunnels and RE walls on National Highways across the country. An IT based monitoring system will be developed by the Design Division for bridge inventory, drawings, identification of distressed bridges and will also propose an annual plan for their repair and construction.
7. India’s first-ever night street racing circuit has been launched in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Answer: [B] Tamil Nadu
A new street circuit, which will also hold night races, was launched by the Tamil Nadu government and RRPL in Chennai. The state government has partnered with Racing Promotions Private Limited (RRPL) for the project. RRPL İs also the promoter of the Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship.
8. India’s first Common Testing Centre for Unmanned Aerial Systems is set to established in which state/UT?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Punjab
Answer: [A] Tamil Nadu
The country’s first Common Testing Centre for Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) would be established in Tamil Nadu at an outlay of Rs 45 crore, the state government said. Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) is the nodal agency for the implementation of the TN Defence Industrial Corridor, and one of the strategies of the corridor is to provide an ecosystem for the aerospace and defence industry.
9. Which country’s Independence Day is also called as ‘Tujuhbelasan’?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Indonesia
[C] Nepal
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer: [B] Indonesia
Google Doodle celebrated Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day also called as ‘Tujuhbelasan’, with a special illustration created by artist Diela Maharanie. Indonesia officially declared independence from Dutch rule on 17 August 1945. Indonesia was ruled by the Japanese for four years between 1942 and 1945, and the country’s leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared independence on 17 August, shortly after the end of the Second World War.
10. Which institution released a “Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Supreme Court of India
[C] Election Commission of India
[D] Prime Ministers Office
Answer: [B] Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court has made án important contribution to gender equality and justice by issuing a handbook that is expected to guide judges and members of the legal community to identify and avoid wrong stereotypes, especially about women. The ‘Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes’ provides a lexicon of gender-unjust terms and expressions and proposes alternative words and phrases for use in legal documents, including orders and judgements.
11. Red wood National and State Parks are a string of protected forests located in which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Answer: [A] USA
Redwood National and State Parks are a string of protected forests, beaches and grasslands along Northern California’s coast in the U.S. The California redwood forests, once heavily logged, now face an even more uncertain future, given climate change and wildfires. A new project aims to promote a healthier environment for the majestic ancient giants.
12. Which state has launched the Annapurna Food Packet Scheme?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer: [C] Rajasthan
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehtet has recently launched the state government’s Annapurna Food Packet Scheme which aims to distribute food packets to more than 10.4 million families for free every month. This scheme is part of ‘Inflation Relief Package’ as announced by the state government in its budget to provide relief to the public.
13. Who was Dr. V S Arunachalam, who passed away recently?
[A] Sportsperson
[B] Politician
[C] Former Naval Admiral
[D] Former DRDO Director General
Answer: [D] Former DRDO Director General
The former DRDO Director General Dr.V S Arunachalam, passed away recently in the USA, at the age of 87 years. He was the head of DRDO and was the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister from 1982-92. In 2015, Dr.Arunachalam was conferred with DRDO’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of scientific research and technology.
14. Which meeting, under India’s presidency, led to a consensus on setting up a global initiative on digital health led by WHO?
[A] BRICS
[B] G-20
[C] G-7
[D] ASEAN
Answer: [B] G-20
During India’s ongoing G20 presidency, India has managed to build consensus on two of the most contentious priority areas for the health track – creating a research and manufacturing network for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, and setting up a platform / global initiative for digital health This platform is expected to focus on equitable research and development in manufacturing of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics.
15. Which state has recently withdrawn an earlier order issued in respect of “deemed forests”?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Manipur
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Answer: [C] Odisha
The state government of Odisha has recently withdrawn its earlier order issued on August 11, 2023. The earlier order stated that ‘deemed forests’ as a category would cease to exist under the recently amended Forest Conservation Act 2023. The state government has put the decision. on hold till issuance of final guidelines by the forest ministry. Deemed forest is land which appears to be a forest but is not notified as forest land by the Centre or the state government.
16. Which country has approved a law which permits purchase and possession of cannabis for recreational use?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Germany
[D] USA
Answer: [C] Germany
The Government of Germany has recently approved a draft law which permits individuals to purchase and possess cannabis for recreational use. Under the draft law, adults can possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and grow up to three plants for personal use. The draft further states that people will also be allowed to join non-profit “cannabis clubs” of up to 500 members where the drug can be legally cultivated and purchased.
17. Cape Verde archipelago, which was seen in the news, is in which region?
[A] Africa
[B] Asia
[C] Europe
[D] Oceania
Answer: [A] Africa
The archipelago of Cape Verde consists of 10 islands and several islets is located in the central Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the west of Cap- Vert, the westernmost point of continental Africa. More than 60 people are feared dead after a migrant boat was discovered off the coast of Cape Verde, the United Nations’ migration agency said.
18. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Nirmala Sitharaman launch Kuwi and Desia books in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Answer: [A] Odisha
Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Nirmala Sitharaman launch Kuwi and Desia books at Bhubaneswar. The event also witnessed the special cover release on behalf of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. This is a collaborative effort with Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Department of Posts, and NCERT.
19. Which institution has launched the ‘Floodwatch’ mobile app?
[A] NDMA
[B] Central Water Commission
[C] IMD
[D] FCI
Answer: [B] Central Water Commission
Central Water Commission (CWC) launched the mobile application, “FloodWatch” with the aim of using mobile phones to disseminate information related to the flood situation and forecasts up to 7 days on a real-time basis to the public. The in- house developed app has readable and audio broadcast and all the information is available in English and Hindi. Key feature of the app includes real-time flood monitoring where users can check up-to-date flood situation throughout the country.
20. Which bank is to provide loans via RBI’s Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC) platform?
[A] HDFC Bank
[B] Axis Bank
[C] IDBI Bank
[D] Yes Bank
Answer: [B] Axis Bank
Axis Bank has announced the introduction of two lending products to small business customers which will be processed through Pilot for Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC) platform. PTPFC was announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to facilitate quick appraisal and disbursal of credit. The two products announced by the Axis Bank are Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and unsecured MSME loans.