Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 23rd & 24th April 2023
1. Which institution launched the ‘State of World Population’ Report?
[A] UNICEF
[B] UNFPA
[C] WEF
[D] IMF
Answer: [B] UNFPA
The State of World Population report titled ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’ was released recently by the United Nations Population Fund. According to this report released by UNFPA, India is now the most populous country in the world, as it has surpassed China’s population numbers.
2. Miguel Diaz-Canel, who was seen in the news, is the President of which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Cuba
[C] Israel
[D] South Africa
Answer: [B] Cuba
Miguel Diaz-Canel recently became the first non- Castro leader in Cuba to be re-elected as president. He won a second five-year term in a parliamentary vote that had him as the sole candidate. The 62-year-old leader took over the reins in 2018 as Cuba’s first civilian leader after around 60 years of hegemony by the Castro brothers.
3. Which institution launched the ‘Coalition of Coastal Cities to Combat Marine Litter’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Centre for Science and Environment
[C] UNESCO
[D] UNICEF
Answer: [B] Centre for Science and Environment
The Coalition of Coastal Cities to Combat M. Litter was launched recently by Delhi-based no profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). It is a coalition of coastal cities that will combat marine litter pollution across India, Of the 460 million tonnes (MT) of global plastic production, nearly 353 MT comes back as plastic waste: 8 MT (2.26 per cent) of which is leaked into the marine ecosystem.
4. Which Union Ministry has developed the ‘National Climate Vulnerability Index’?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Answer: [B] Ministry of Science and Technology
National Climate Vulnerability Index, developed by the Department of Science and Technology, is used by the Indian government to estimate the impact of heatwaves. A new study has revealed that more than 90 percent of the population is at risk of heatwaves and India has been underestimating the impact of heatwaves on its development.
5. Which country has launched the ‘1 Bilion Meals Endowment’ Campaign?
[A] Israel
[B] Ukraine
[C] UAE
[D] USA
Answer: [C] UAE
The ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ Campaign was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. ItS purpose is to establish the Ramzan sustainable food aid endowment fund and provide a food safety net for marginalized populations in countries struggling with food insecurity.
6. Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Commerce
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Answer: [B] Ministry of Defence
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to bring in industry-friendly reforms related to Authority Holding Sealed Particulars or AHSP. Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) is responsible for holding of sealed particulars and patterns along with supply of certified copies of drawings & specifications in respect of defence related items.
7. Animal Birth Control rules 2023 is notified by the Government of India under which act?
[A] The Indian Penal Code (IPC)
[B] Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960
[C] Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
[D] Animal Birth Control Act, 1999
Answer: [B] Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960
The Government of India has recently notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 under Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960. This notification is released by superseding the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001. The new rules require the respective local authorities, municipalities, municipal corporations and Panchayats to carry out sterilization and immunization of stray dogs by addressing to the issues regarding to prevention of cruelty animals.
8. National Health Claims Exchange (HCX) is an initiative under which scheme?
[A] Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
[B] National Rural Health Mission
[C] Universal Immunisation Programme
[D] Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram
Answer: [A] Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
The National Health Authority (NHA) has recently invited contributors to test, contribute and become a participant in the Health Claims Exchange Ecosystem by on boarding the participants on the National Health Claims Exchange (HCX)- Sandbox Environment. NHA announced HCX as an initiative under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in September 2022 and subsequently worked with various groups to come up with Health Insurance Exchange specifications.
9. Scientists of which institution have recently identified Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] IIT – Madras
[C] Indian Antarctic station
[D] National Institute of Ocean Technology
Answer: [C] Indian Antarctic station
The Scientists of Indian Antarctic station, Maitri, have recently identified and studied the characteristics of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves, which are a form of plasma waves. These waves are said to play an important role in precipitation of killer electrons (electrons having speed close to speed of light, which form the radiation belt of planet Earth), which are hazardous to our space-borne technology and instruments.
10. Which Indian scientist had demonstrated that plants feel pain and have sensations?
[A] Jagadish Chandra Bose
[B] Sir CV Raman
[C] Satyendra Nath Bose
[D] Srinivasa Ramanujam
Answer: [A] Jagadish Chandra Bose
Recently, a group of researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel have reported that their team pick up distress noises very distinct, high- pitched sounds in the ultrasonic rangé made by plants when they faced stress. This phenomenon was stated a century ago by Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose, who demonstrated that plants feel pain and have sensations just like animals.
11. What is the name of the legal status that grants specific rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples?
[A] Co-Living Rights
[B] Civil Union
[C] LGBT Rights
[D] Non-Marital Relation Rights
Answer: [B] Civil Union
A “civil union” refers to the legal status that allows same-sex couples specific rights and responsibilities normally conferred upon married couples. These civil unions would be accompanied by rights such as inheritance rights, employment benefits to spouses, which are generally conferred upon married couples. Recently, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, began hearing a batch of petitions seeking legal recognition of same sex marriage.
12. What is the name for the hybrid solar eclipse which will transit from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse?
[A] Ningaloo Eclipse
[B] Partial Eclipse
[C] Helcos Eclipse
[D] Lumbar Eclipse
Answer: [A] Ningaloo Eclipse
The Ningaloo Eclipse is a hybrid solar eclipse in which the eclipse will transit from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse in certain regions of the world and again transit back to an annular eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth. There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, hybrid, and annular.
13. What is ‘RHESSI’, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Covid 19 variant
[B] Titanium Alloy
[C] NASA’S defunct satellite
[D] ISRO’s new satellite
Answer: [C] NASA’S defunct satellite
RHESSI Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Image satellite / probe is NASA’s old defunct satellite, which plummeted into Earth’s atmosphere and disintegrated over the Saharan desert recently. The probe was launched in February, 2002 and probe spent 16 years studying the rush of highly-energetic particles ejected from the Sun.
14. Which institution has released the Global Food Policy Report, 2023?
[A] International Food Policy Research Institute
[B] World Food Organisation
[C] Food and Agriculture Organisation
[D] NABARD
Answer: [A] International Food Policy Research Institute
The Global Food Policy Report, 2023 has been released by the International Food Policy. Research Institute. According to the report, there is an increased need for investment beyond short-term to build food systems that are more resilient and equitable. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) was established in 1975 and is headquartered at Washington, DC. The institute provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger.
15. What is the name of the device developed by scientists of Houston Methodist Academic Institute, which delivers drugs directly to pancreatic tumors?
[A] Nanofluidic drug-eluting
[B] Micro Drug
[C] Robotic drug delivery device
[D] Cancer drug delivery system
Answer: [A] Nanofluidic drug-eluting seed
Scientists from the Houston Methodist Academic Institute have recently developed a tiny nanofluidic device named Nanofluidic Drug- Eluting Seed (NDES) that delivers cancer drugs directly to pancreatic tumors. The Nanofluidic drug-eluting seed (NDES) delivers low-dose immunotherapy via CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) – which encourage the immune system to fight tumor cells directly to pancreatic tumors to treat the aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.
16. What is ‘Tripedalia maipoensis’, which was discovered recently?
[A] Plant species
[B] Frog Species
[C] Box jellyfish
[D] Reptile species
Answer: [C] Box jellyfish
A team of researchers from Hong Kong have discovered a new species of box jellyfish in Mail Po Nature Reserve. This is said to be first discovery of the venomous species in China’s waters. The jelly fist is named Tripedalia maipoensis. It has a cube-shaped, colourless body with 24 eyes, three tentacles up to 10 cm long which resemble boat paddles. It is said to swim faster than other kinds of jellyfish.
17. HUN is a cultural festival celebrated in which Indian State?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Manipur
[C] Odisha
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Answer: [B] Manipur
HUN festival is an annual cultural festival celebrated in Manipur. It is celebrated by the Thadous community of Manipur to mark the arrival of the new year according to the community and it is a time for the community to offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead. This year’s festival was inaugurated in the state by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren.
18. In which state is the Rongali festival celebrated?
[A] Sikkim
[B] New Delhi
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Assam
Answer: [D] Assam
Rongali Festival is a 4-day festival which showcases ethnical diversity, creativity and entrepreneurship is held in Guwahati, Assam. This year marks the 7th edition of the festival and is held from April 20 to 23. The festival aims to promote the unique culture of Assam through a series of events and activities.
19. Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor is located in which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Finland
[C] Austria
[D] Germany
Answer: [B] Finland
The Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor, located in Finland is the Europe’s largest nuclear reactor.Its construction begun 18 years ago and has recently commenced its power production. The reactor is designed to last for at least 60 years and is expected to boost the energy security in a region. It is said that the OL3 reactor would play a crucial role in power price stabilisation and green energy transition in Finland.
20. ‘Rockwell B1 Lancer’ is a fighter aircraft of which country?
[A] India
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] USA
Answer: [D] USA
The Rockwell B1 Lancer is a fighter aircraft of the USA. It is also called as the “BONE” and is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber aircraft. The aircraft has participated in the Exercise Cope India 2023, which is a bilateral air exercise between Indian Air Force and US Air Force.